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DINOSAUR WORLD LIVE ANNOUNCES NEW CAST FOR A MAJOR 2019 UK TOUR

UK Tour: 12 March – 7 July 2019

Direct from the West End, DINOSAUR WORLD LIVE, the interactive children’s theatre show that brings dinosaurs to life on stage, today announces a brand new cast for its 2019 UK Tour. 

Following a hugely successful national tour last year, including a smash-hit summer season at London’s Regent’s Park Theatre, DINOSAUR WORLD LIVE is back due to popular demand. The 2019 UK tour opens on 12 March at The Winter Gardens in Margate, visiting a further 32 venues nationwide. The 2019 cast includes: Lucy Varney (Miranda), Romina Hytten (Puppeteer / Understudy Miranda), Darcy Collins (Puppeteer / Puppet Captain), Gary Mitchinson (Puppeteer), Peter Twose (Puppeteer), Emily Cooper (Puppeteer / Puppet Technician).

Using stunning puppetry to bring remarkably life-like dinosaurs to the stage, DINOSAUR WORLD LIVE presents a host of impressive pre-historic creatures including every child’s favourite flesh-eating giant, the Tyrannosaurus Rex, along with a Giraffatitan, Microraptor, Segnosaurus and Triceratops. The show introduces Miranda, daughter of palaeontologists, who grew up surrounded by dinosaurs on a far-away island off the coast of South America. She has brought her pre-historic pals to your local theatre and would love you to meet them. Warning: some of these dinosaurs aren’t as docile as they seem!

If looking for fun things to do with the kids, DINOSAUR WORLD LIVE delivers an entertaining and educational live show that promises to delight the whole family. Each performance is followed by a post-show meet and greet where audience members have the opportunity to meet some of the dinosaurs in person.

Due to incredible demand, some performances are already sold out, so dino-lovers are urged to book fast before tickets become extinct!

DINOSAUR WORLD LIVE is written and directed by Derek Bond (Sweet Charity, Manchester Theatre Awards 2017 winner, Little Shop of Horrors Manchester Royal Exchange). The creative team includes: Puppet Designer Max Humphries (National Theatre, Royal Opera House, Cirque de Soleil); Puppet Director Laura Cubitt (Running Wild, Chichester Festival Theatre; Don Quixote, RSC; War Horse NT Berlin); Puppetry Consultant Toby Olié (for the National Theatre: Elephantom, Peter Pan, The Light Princess, Hansel & Gretel, NT: 50 Years on Stage and also the original hind puppeteer of Joey in War Horse); Set & Costume Designer James Perkins; Lighting Designer John Maddox and Sound Designer Tom Mann. Produced by Nicoll Entertainment.

Website: www.dinosaurworldlive.com Twitter: @dinoworldlive
Running Time: 50 minutes + 15 min post show meet and greet
Suitable for ages 3+

Tour Listings Information:
DINOSAUR WORLD LIVE UK TOUR 2019

MARGATE Winter Gardens Fort Crescent, Margate, Kent CT9 1HX Tuesday 12 – Wednesday 13 March  Tue & Wed: 4.30pm Box Office 01843 292795 | margatewintergardens.co.uk

EXETER Northcott Theatre Stocker Road, Exeter, Devon EX4 4QB Saturday 16 – Sunday 17 March  Sat: 1.30pm & 4pm, Sun: 11am, 1.30pm & 3.30pm Box Office 01392 726363 | exeternorthcott.co.uk

STAFFORD Gatehouse Theatre Eastgate Street, Stafford ST16 2LT Monday 18 – Tuesday 19 MarchMon: 4.30pm, Tue: 10.30am & 4.30pm Box Office: 01785 619080 | staffordgatehousetheatre.co.uk

DARLINGTON Hippodrome Parkgate, Darlington DL1 1RR           Friday 22 – Sunday 24 MarchFri: 4.30pm, Sat & Sun: 11am, 2pm & 4.30pm (Sat only) Box Office: 01325 405405 | darlingtonhippodrome.co.uk

HUDDERSFIELD Lawrence Batley Theatre                                   Queen’s Square, Queen Street, Huddersfield HD1 2SP Wednesday 27 – Thursday 28 March Wed: 1.30pm & 4.30pm, Thu: 10.30am & 4.30pm Box Office 01484 430 528 | thelbt.org

LEICESTER Haymarket Theatre1 Garrick Walk, Leicester LE1 3AF Friday 29 – Sunday 31 March Fri: 4.30pm, Sat & Sun: 11am & 2pm       Box Office: 0116 296 1236 | haytheatre.com

PORTSMOUTH New Theatre Royal 20 – 24 Guildhall Walk, Portsmouth PO1 2DD                                                                 Friday 5 – Saturday 6 April Fri: 4.30pm, Sat: 11am, 2pm & 4.30pm Box Office: 023 9264 9000 | newtheatreroyal.com

SWINDON Wyvern TheatreTheatre Square, Swindon, Wiltshire SN1 1QN                                                            Monday 8 – Tuesday 9 April  Mon: 1.30pm & 4pm, Tue: 11am, 1.30pm & 4pm Box Office: 01793 524 481 | swindontheatres.co.uk

CHELMSFORD Civic Theatre Fairfield Road, Chelmsford, Essex CM1 1JG Wednesday 10 – Thursday 11 April  Wed & Thu: 11.30am & 2.30pm Box Office: 01245 606 505 | chelmsford.gov.uk

OXFORD Playhouse Theatre Beaumont Street, Oxford OX1 2LW     Friday 12 – Saturday 13 April Fri: 1pm & 3.30pm, Sat: 11am & 2pm Box Office: 01865 305305 | oxfordplayhouse.com

YORK Barbican Paragon Street, York, North Yorkshire YO10 4AH Monday 15 – Tuesday 16 April Mon & Tue: 11.30am & 2.30pm Box Office: 0844 854 2757 | yorkbarbican.co.uk

HIGH WYCOMBE Swan Theatre St. Mary Street, High Wycombe HP11 2XE                           Wednesday 17 – Thursday 18 April  Wed & Thu: 11.30am & 2.30pm       Box Office: 01494 512 000 | wycombeswan.co.uk

NORTHAMPTON Royal & Derngate 19 – 21 Guildhall Road, Northampton NN1 1DP      Friday 19 – Sat 20 April Fri: 11.30am & 2pm, Sat: 11am & 2pm               Box Office: 01604 624811 | royalandderngate.co.uk

NEWPORT The RiverfrontKingsway, Newport NP20 1HG Tuesday 23 – Friday 26 April Tue: 1pm & 3.30pm, Wed, Thu & Fri: 11am, 2pm & 4.30pm (Wed only)                              Box Office: 01633 656757 | newportlive.co.uk/riverfront

EASTBOURNE Congress Theatre Carlisle Road, Eastbourne BN21 4BP Saturday 27 – Sunday 28 April  Sat & Sun: 11am & 2pm  Box Office: 01323 412000 | eastbournetheatres.co.uk

SPALDING South Holland Centre23 Market Place, Spalding PE11 1SS   Monday 6 – Tuesday 7 May Mon: 12.30pm & 3pm, Tue: 4.30pm Box Office: 01775 764777 | southollandcentre.co.uk

CHESTERFIELD Winding Wheel Theatre 13 Holywell Street, Chesterfield, Derbyshire S41 7SA Saturday 11 – Sunday 12 May  Sat & Sun: 11.30am & 2pm Box Office: 01246 345 222 | chesterfieldtheatres.co.uk

WESTON-SUPER-MARE The Playhouse                                         126 – 130 High Street, Weston-super-Mare BS23 1HP Wednesday 15 – Thursday 16 May Wed: 4.30pm, Thu: 10.30am & 4.30pm Box Office: 01934 645544 | parkwoodtheatres.co.uk

COLCHESTER Mercury TheatreBalkerne Gate, Colchester CO1 1PT                                  Saturday 18 – Sunday 19 May  Sat: 11.30am, 2.30pm & 5pm, Sun: 11.30am & 2.30pm  Box Office: 01206 573948 | mercurytheatre.co.uk

GRIMSBY AuditoriumCromwell Rd, Grimsby, North East Lincs DN31 2BH                           Wednesday 22 – Thursday 23 May Wed: 4.30pm, Thu: 10.30am & 4.30pm Box Office: 0300 300 0035 | grimsbyauditorium.org.uk

YARM The Princess Alexandra AuditoriumThe Friarage, Yarm, Stockton-on-Tees TS15 9EJ Friday 24 – Sunday 26 May Fri: 4.30pm, Sat & Sun: 11am & 2pm (Sat only)  Box Office: 01642 792587 | thepaaonline.org

COVENTRY Belgrade Theatre Belgrade Square, Coventry, CV1 1GSTuesday 28 – Wednesday 29 May Tue: 12.30pm & 3pm, Wed: 10.30am, 12.30pm & 3pm  Box Office: 024 7655 3055 | belgrade.co.uk

LICHFIELD Garrick Theatre Castle Dyke, Lichfield, Staffordshire WS13 6HR Thursday 30 – Friday 31 May Thu: 1pm & 3.30pm, Fri: 11am & 2pm  Box Office: 01543 412121 | lichfieldgarrick.com

NEWBURY Corn Exchange Market Place, Newbury, Berkshire RG14 5BD Saturday 1 – Sunday 2 June  Sat & Sun: 11am & 2pm  Box Office: 0845 5218 218 | cornexchangenew.com

HORSHAM The Capitol North Street, Horsham, West Sussex RH12 1RG Tuesday 4 – Wednesday 5 June  Tue: 4.30pm, Wed: 10.30am & 4.30pm  Box Office: 01403 750220 | thecapitolhorsham.com

HARROGATE Theatre Oxford Street, Harrogate HG1 1QF Saturday 8 – Sunday 9 June Sat: 10.30am, 1pm & 3.30pm, Sun: 11am & 2pm  Box Office: 01423 502116 | harrogatetheatre.co.uk

ST HELEN’S Theatre Royal Corporation Street, St Helens, Merseyside WA10 1LQ Tuesday 11 – Wednesday 12 June  Tue: 4.30pm, Wed: 10.30am & 4.30pm Box Office: 01744 756 000 | sthelenstheatreroyal.com

WOLVERHAMPTON Grand Theatre Lichfield Street, Wolverhampton, West Mids WV11DE Thursday 13 – Saturday 15 June  Thu: 4pm, Fri & Sat: 10.30am & 1.30pm (Fri only)  Box Office: 01902 42 92 12 | grandtheatre.co.uk

LINCOLN New Theatre RoyalClasketgate, Lincoln LN2 1JJSunday 16 – Monday 17 June  Sun: 1pm & 3.30pm, Mon: 10.30am  Box Office: 01522 519999 | newtheatreroyallincoln.co.uk

HEXHAM Queen’s Hall Arts Centre Beaumont Street, Hexham NE46 3LS                           Tuesday 18 – Wednesday 19 June  Tue: 5pm, Wed: 10.30am & 5pm Box Office: 01434 652477 | queenshall.co.uk

INVERNESS Eden Court Bishop’s Road, Inverness IV3 5SA Friday 21 – Sunday 23 June   Fri: 4.30pm, Sat & Sun: 11am & 2pm  Box Office: 01463 234 234 | eden-court.co.uk

LANARK Memorial Hall St Leonard Street, Lanark ML11 7AB Tuesday 2 – Wednesday 3 July  Tue: 1pm & 3.30pm, Wed: 10.30am & 1pm  Box Office: 01555 667999 | sllcboxoffice.co.uk

NOTTINGHAM Royal Concert Hall Theatre Square, Nottingham NG1 5ND Saturday 6 – Sunday 7 July  Sat: 1pm & 3.30pm, Sun: 11am & 2pm  Box Office: 0115 989 5555 | trch.co.uk
dinosaurworldlive.com

Frozen Light present The Isle of Brimsker
UK Tour: January – June 2019
Multi-sensory, immersive theatre show for audiences with
profound and multiple learning disabilities to tour nationally

The Isle of Brimsker is the latest bold and exciting production devised specifically for audiences with profound and multiple learning disabilities (PMLD) from Frozen Light theatre company. Premiering in 2018, The Isle of Brimsker now embarks on a much extended tour, seeking to engage with new audiences and enable more people with PMLD the chance to experience the theatre.

Exploring friendship, isolation and how we react to change, The Isle of Brimsker immerses audiences with PMLD in a multi-sensory story of discovery. People with PMLD are among the most excluded in society with over 16,000 people in England living with PMLD (Lancaster Centre of Disability Research). The Isle of Brimsker has been developed specifically for these audiences and this performance has been structured to provide an accessible and theatrical environment
which responds to the needs of this group by being performed at a close proximity, to small groups and with strong sensory and participation elements.

The play follows a lighthouse keeper who lives on a desolate outcrop surrounded by stormy seas. Duty bound to maintain the light that guides boats away from danger, she lives a solitary existence. One day a runaway lands on the shore, together they face the inevitable. Change is on the horizon but not in the form she expects. How do you survive when faced with the biggest decisions of your life? Would you change the world or change yourself?

The way the show is so carefully tailored to the audience’s needs provides a vital reminder that theatre can accommodate everyone (The Stage ****)

There are only a small number of theatre companies worldwide who make work designed for people with PMLD, so for many in the audience seeing Frozen Light’s work will be their first time in a mainstream theatre venue. Performing to an intimately sized audience, the three-strong cast accompanies the audience from the foyer into the performance space, ensuring a smooth transition into the theatre environment.

Frozen Light Co-Artistic Director Amber Onat Gregory, says, The theatre should be for everybody, and more and more venues are starting to look at their programme to see how they can be more accessible, how they can reach all sections of society. With this tour we will be reaching more people with PMLD than ever which we are really excited about.

Lucy Garland, Frozen Light’s other Co-Artistic director, added, We are really thrilled about ou new show The Isle of Brimsker. With this production we have pushed the sensory exploration further than ever before and can’t wait to see what reactions our audience have to the show. The show explores themes of transition and friendship and we hope this resonates with our audience. We have worked with some exciting commissioning partners on this project and, now we have premiered the show, are excited to take it to audiences throughout the country.

Frozen Light launched in 2012 as a response to the fact that arts venues rarely cater for audiences with complex disabilities. In 2016 they presented the first ever Edinburgh Fringe show specifically made for audiences with PMLD, to sell out audiences. They returned to the Fringe in 2017 as part of the British Council Showcase.

THE UK TOUR OF

BILL KENWRIGHT’S ELECTRIFYING NEW MUSICAL

SATURDAY NIGHT FEVER

ADDS ANOTHER BEE GEES CLASSIC TO THE SCORE
FOR THE FIRST TIME 

Having already put the Bee Gees front and centre for the first time in the musical’s stage history with the famous trio bring portrayed live on stage by Ed Handoll, Alastair Hill and Matt Faull, Bill Kenwright’s new production of Saturday Night Fever continues to bring audiences never-before-seen elements to this classic musical, which now includes another Bee Gees classic that is not featured in the film. 

After the addition of Too Much Heaven in 2018, this year Words makes its first appearance, with a totally new dance sequence choreographed by the Olivier Award winning Bill Deamer and performed by an all-star cast led by Richard Winsor.

Voted number four in the Nation’s Favourite Bee Gees Songs Of All Time, Words was first recorded on 3 October 1967, and has been covered by some of the world’s biggest artists from Roy Orbison to Elvis and gave Boyzone a number one hit. 

Barry Gibb famously said the song was written for the Bee Gees’ manager, the late Robert Stigwood, when he was staying at his home. Robin added later that the song ‘was written after an argument – about absolutely nothing! And simply reflects a mood; words can make you happy or words can make you sad.’

Bill Kenwright said: “I fell in love with the Bee Gees way, way back then, when my brother brought home their recording of ‘Spicks and Specks’ after he had lived in Australia for several years.

All of the tracks on the best-selling album are classics, but I was originally anxious to get ‘Too Much Heaven’ into our soundtrack primarily because I felt it fitted and also because it’s one of my favourite ever Bee Gees’ hits, and came out roughly at the same time as Saturday Night Fever. It was actually Robert Stigwood’s managing director, Patrick Bywalski, who suggested I take a look at ‘Words’ as I was keen to find one more song for the first half of the show. We rehearsed it during the Christmas break, and everyone believes it’s a wonderful addition.”

For a sneak peak of their rendition of ‘Words’ click here for an authorised excerpt from a live performance…

40 years since its famous UK cinema release, Saturday Night Fever is a reimagined and revitalised music and dance spectacular. The 70’s classic Paramount/RSO movie, with story by Nik Cohn, was an instant hit when it was released in cinemas. The album remains the best-selling movie soundtrack of all time. The musical features the Bee Gees’ greatest hits including Stayin’ Alive, How Deep Is Your Love, Night Fever, Tragedy, More Than a Woman and now Words, as well as 70’s favourites Boogie Shoes and Disco Inferno.

Whilst paying homage to the movie, this new stage version delivers added music and hot new choreography. It is directed and produced by Bill Kenwright, with choreography by Olivier Award winning Bill Deamer, designs by Gary McCann, lighting by Nick Richings, and sound by Dan Samson. The stage adaptation is by Robert Stigwood in collaboration with Bill Oakes.

LISTINGS

SATURDAY NIGHT FEVER

UK TOUR 

Canterbury Marlowe Theatre 5 – 9 February	marlowetheatre.com01227 787787
York Grand Opera House 12 – 16 February	atgtickets.com/grandoperahouseyork0844 871 3024
Carlisle The Sands Centre 19 – 23 February	thesandscentre.co.uk01228 633766
Sheffield Lyceum Theatre 26 February – 2 March	sheffieldtheatres.co.uk0114 249 6000
Newcastle Theatre Royal 5 – 9 March	theatreroyal.co.uk08448 11 21 21
Leeds Grand Theatre27 – 31 August	leedsgrandtheatre.com0844 848 2700
Chester Storyhouse 10 – 14 September  Aberdeen His Majesty’s Theatre  8 – 12 October	storyhouse.com 01244 409 113 aberdeenperformingarts.com 01224 641122

Website: www.kenwright.com                                

THE NATIONAL THEATRE WILL TOUR A TASTE OF HONEY BY SHELAGH DELANEY IN AUTUMN 2019

• A TASTE OF HONEY IS DIRECTED BY BIJAN SHEIBANI AND DESIGNED BY HILDEGARD BECHTLER
• JODIE PRENGER WILL PLAY HELEN
• A TASTE OF HONEY WILL TOUR TO NINE VENUES FROM SEPTEMBER, OPENING AT THE LOWRY, SALFORD

The National Theatre today announced a UK tour of Bijan Sheibani’s production of A Taste of Honey, Shelagh Delaney’s remarkable taboo-breaking 1950s play, which was first produced in the Lyttelton Theatre in 2014, designed by Hildegard Bechtler and reconceived in an exciting new production, featuring a live on stage band, for the tour.

Jodie Prenger (Oliver!, One Man, Two Guvnors, Abigail’s Party UK tour) plays Helen, with further casting to be announced.

Written by Shelagh Delaney when she was nineteen, A Taste of Honey offers an explosive celebration of the vulnerabilities and strengths of the female spirit in a deprived and restless world.

When her mother Helen runs off with a car salesman, feisty teenager Jo takes up with Jimmy, a sailor who promises to marry her, before he heads for the seas leaving her pregnant and alone.  Art student Geoff moves in and assumes the role of surrogate parent until, misguidedly, he sends for Helen and their unconventional setup unravels.

An exhilarating depiction of working-class life in post-war Salford, A Taste of Honey will open there at The Lowry from 13 – 21 September, with a press night on Friday 20 September.

The tour will also visit the Kings Theatre, Edinburgh (24 – 28 September); the Marlowe Theatre, Canterbury (1 – 5 October); Richmond Theatre (7 – 12 October); Grand Opera House, Belfast (15 – 19 October); Leicester Curve (22 – 26 October); Theatre Royal, Bath (28 October – 2 November); Grand Theatre, Wolverhampton (5 – 9 November); and the Norwich Theatre Royal (12 – 16 November). Tickets will go on sale in venues from mid-February, check theatre websites for specific details.

The sound designer will be Ian Dickinson for Autograph, the composer will be Paul Englishby, the movement director will be Aline David.

Shelagh Delaney wrote her first play, A Taste of Honey in ten days after seeing Rattigan’s Variation of a Theme in Manchester. She sent the script to Joan Littlewood’s Theatre Workshop and the play opened at the Theatre Royal, Stratford East in 1958 before transferring to the West End. It was later made into a feature film with Rita Tushingham, Dora Bryan and Murray Melvin and the Broadway transfer featured Joan Plowright and Angela Landsury. Delaney’s other work includes The Lion in Love. For television she wrote The House That Jack Built and was a Fellow of the Royal Society of Literature.

Bijan Sheibani is an award winning theatre and opera director. His work for the National Theatre includes Barber Shop Chronicles, A Taste of Honey, Emil and the Detectives, The Kitchen, and Our Class (Olivier Nomination for Best Director). Other theatre includes Dance Nation and The House of Bernarda Alba (Almeida Theatre); Circle Mirror Transformation (Home, Manchester); The Brothers Size (Young Vic, Olivier Nomination); Giving (Hampstead Theatre); Moonlight (Donmar Warehouse); Gone Too Far (Royal Court Theatre, Olivier Award for Outstanding Achievement in an Affiliate Theatre). He was artistic director of Actors Touring Company from 2007 to 2010, and an associate director at the National Theatre from 2010 to 2015.

Jodie Prenger’s work for the NT includes One Man, Two Guvnors for the NT in the West End; Nancy in Oliver! (Theatre Royal, Drury Lane); Lady of the Lake in Spamalot (Playhouse Theatre and UK Tour); Calamity Jane in Calamity Jane (UK Tour); Tell Me on a Sunday (UK Tour); Miss Hannigan in Annie (New Theatre, Oxford); Shirley in Shirley Valentine (UK Tour); Kelly in Fat Friends The Musical (UK Tour) and Beverly in Abigail’s Party (UK tour). Television includes Years and Years, Citizen Khan, Wizards vs Aliens, Candy Cabs and Waterloo Road. She won the Theatregoers’ Choice Whats On Stage Award for Best Supporting Actress in a Musical.

Hildegard Bechtler is an Olivier Award-winning theatre and opera designer whose designs for the NT include Consent, Sunset at the Villa Thalia, Waste, A Taste of Honey, Scenes from an Execution, After the Dance, Harper Regan, The Hour We Knew Nothing of Each Other, The Hothouse, Thérèse Raquin, Exiles, Primo, Iphigenia at Aulis, The Merchant of Venice, Richard II, andKing Lear. For the RSC she has designed The Crucible and Electra. In London’s West End her designs include Oresteia (also Almeida Theatre), Top Hat, Passion Play, Old Times, The Sunshine Boys, Arcadia, The Lady from Dubuque, By the Bog of Cats, The Master Builder, Footfalls, Hedda Gabler, The Misanthrope, The Goat or Who is Sylvia?, The Crucible. On Broadway she has designedPrimo, Arcadia, and The Seagull.

A Taste of Honey is produced on tour by the National Theatre.

York Grand Opera House – until 9 February 2019

Reviewed by Marcus Richardson

4****

The Comedy About a Bank Robbery, is a comedy but you probably would’ve guessed that by the name. A play with laughs and gags from start to finish, with witty one liners and gags that will make the serious prunes belt out the most heinous laughs. This isn’t a show with jokes inserted in, this show is a joke. Set in Minneapolis in the late 1950’s, it follows a plan to steal a very big diamond worth a very big sum.  With mishaps and confusing plots along the way, we witness the hilarious chaos unfold as characters fall into lies and tricks.

The cast does a phenomenal job of having perfect precision, which is needed for the slapstick being the funniest aspect of the play. From being smacked over the head many, many times throughout a scene, to being caught in a pull out bed. The best part of the comedy in this play was the physicality and energy of the cast, sure the jokes make you laugh but in a scene where Sam, expertly played by Seán Carey, pretends to be Caprice Freeboys father, as he know virtually nothing about him we watch him take hints from Caprice as his character get more and more angered and over the top. Another actor who stood out was Jon Trenchard who played Warren Slax, who seemed to take pretty much all of the beatings throughout the show, however in his moment of fame, being suspended against a wall as if to appear that we were looking down on him, we watch as he struggles and fails to work his way around the gravity defying set. This scene had the whole entire audience laughing at the bizarre and funny play on gravity.

The stage was cleverly put together with items being used as weapons and disguises. With the play being so physical we needed a stage to meet the energy and character of the actors, and this is something that once again proves that Mischief Theatre can do, just like the production of The Play That Goes Wrong. Costumes are used well and the use of some characters pretending to be other character without trousers really makes the audience laugh.

It’s an incredibly fun and playful show, however it doesn’t lack the creativity and intelligence that goes into creating a slick and innovative performance. You will be laughing and amazed at how cleaver this show really is. The jokes are cheesy, the plot is crazy and the characters are hilarious, all the things that make a good comedy. It’s no surprise that Mischief Theatre have stolen the limelight for creating comedies that are legendary, just watch this show to see why.

The five-time Tony Award winning musical

Announces European Tour

Opens in Woking on 11 July 2019

Following the first ever UK & Ireland tour of Titanic The Musical in 2018, the productionwill return in 2019 for a European tour. After opening at the New Victoria Theatre, Woking on 11 July 2019, the production led by returning director Thom Southerland will tour across the continent until 1 September 2019.

In the final hour of 14^th April 1912, the RMS Titanic, on her maiden voyage from Southampton to New York, collided with an iceberg and ‘the unsinkable ship’ slowly sank. It was one of the most tragic and infamous disasters of the 20^th Century. 1517 men, women and children lost their lives.

Based on real people aboard the most legendary ship in the world, Maury Yeston and Peter Stone’s stunning musical focuses on their hopes and aspirations. Unaware of the fate that awaits them, the Third Class immigrants dream of a better life in America, the newly-enfranchised Second Class dream of achieving the lifestyles of the rich and famous, and the millionaire Barons of the First Class dream of their mastery lasting forever.

Having received its UK premiere in 2013 at Southwark Playhouse, the production returned to London in 2016 for an 11-week season at the Charing Cross Theatre, where it won overwhelming critical acclaim. It then embarked on its first ever UK & Ireland tour in April 2018 (during the 106^th anniversary week), visiting the cities and communities whose forebears built, manned and sailed on the famous ship.

“It’s an evening both shattering and gorgeous…

The day after seeing it, I went back to see it again. It’s that good.”

★★★★★ The Times

Maury Yeston commented on the announcement of the international tour: “After such a wonderful UK and Ireland tour last year, I am delighted that the great ship is sailing again both in the UK and across Europe.”

Titanic The Musical has music and lyrics by Maury Yeston (Nine, Grand Hotel, Phantom) and a book by Peter Stone (Woman of the Year and 1776). The pair have collectively won, including their previous works, an Academy Award, an Emmy Award, an Olivier Award and three Tony Awards for their works. The original Broadway production of Titanic The Musical won five Tony Awards, including Best Musical, Best Score and Best Book.

Titanic The Musical is produced by Danielle Tarento, Steven M Levy and Vaughan Williams, in association with Mayflower Theatre, Southampton.

TITANIC THE MUSICAL – TOUR DATES

11 – 13 Jul 2019                                                                                                 Box Office: 0844 871 7645

Woking, New Victoria Theatre                                                                    Website: atgtickets.com

16 – 21 Jul 2019                                                                                                 Box Office: 089 54 81 81 81

Munich, Deutsches Theater                                                                         Website: deutsches-theater.de  

23 – 28 Jul 2019                                                                                                 Box Office: 0221 280 280

Cologne, Kölner Philharmonie                                                                    Website: koelner-philharmonie.de

30 Jul – 4 Aug 2019                                                                                          Box Office: 0621 1680 150

Mannheim, Nationaltheater Mannheim                                                Website: nationaltheater-mannheim.de

27 – 31 Aug 2019                                                                                              Box Office: 0495 937 77 37

Moscow, Palace of Youth                                                                              Website: ticketland.ru

A STAR STUDDED

L E S   M I S É R A B L E S   

OPENS NEXT DOOR AT THE GIELGUD THEATRE FOR 16 WEEKS ONLY

CONTINUING THE SHOW’S RECORD-BREAKING RUN

IN A SPECTACULAR AND INTIMATE STAGING OF THE LEGENDARY CONCERT

MICHAEL BALL, ALFIE BOE, CARRIE HOPE FLETCHER, MATT LUCAS

LEAD A CAST AND ORCHESTRA OF OVER 65

THE NEW PRODUCTION RE-OPENS THE NEWLY REFURBISHED

QUEEN’S THEATRE IN DECEMBER 2019

Cameron Mackintosh today (6 February 2019) announces that for 16 weeks only Michael Ball(Javert), Alfie Boe (Jean Valjean), Carrie Hope Fletcher (Fantine) and Matt Lucas (Thénardier)will lead a large cast and orchestra of over sixty-five in the concert version of Les Misérables.  Katy Secombe also joins to playMadame Thénardier and for three performances a week, the role of Jean Valjean will be played by John Owen-Jones.  Further casting will be announced shortly. 

This spectacular staging of the legendary concert, previously seen in London at the Royal Albert Hall and the O2 Arena, will run from 10 August – 30 November 2019 at the intimate Gielgud Theatrenext door to the current home of Les Misérables at the Queen’s Theatre.  Public booking opens at 12noon (GMT) on Thursday 7 February 2019. 

Cameron Mackintosh said:  “The success of Les Misérablescontinues to amaze me and break new ground.  Despite the fact the show continues to play to 95% capacity we have been obliged to close the production at the Queen’s Theatre for 16 weeks this Autumn to do much needed work.   This includes restoring the ceiling plasterwork and the auditorium, adding many more lavatories, as well as carrying out major renovations backstage, which haven’t been touched since the 1940s. The theatre was heavily damaged during World War II and has never been properly restored and brought up to modern standards.”

“Les Misérables is the only musical ever that has been equally successful on stage, film, in concert and in the classroom.  Its spectacular staged concerts are legendary successes, just as popular as the stage show.  I am thrilled that the plan to keep Les Misérables running in London with a staged concert version on Shaftesbury Avenue during the enforced closure period has attracted such a stellar cast, with Michael Ball, Alfie Boe, Carrie Hope Fletcher, John Owen Jones, Matt Lucas and Katy Secombe, who all have a very close personal connection to the history of the show. Of course I am a bit miserable that Michael, the gorgeous young actor that created the student Marius in the original production, is now for the first time old enough to play the implacable inspector Javert, an amazing match for Alfie’s career defining portrayal of Jean Valjean.”

“I know fans are in for a unique and amazing experience from our huge Company who will be performing in the glorious intimate theatrical space of the Gielgud Theatre.”

Produced on stage by Mackintosh, Les Misérables is the world’s longest running musical now in its 34^th year in London.   Its celebrated score includes the songs, I Dreamed a Dream, On My Own, Stars, Bring Him Home, Do You Hear the People Sing?, One Day More, Empty Chairs at Empty Tables, Master Of The House and many more.  Produced on screen also by Mackintosh (along with Working Title and Universal), Les Misérables is now the most successful movie of an ‘original’ stage musical.

The Original London production currently at the Queen’s Theatre (following runs at the Barbican and the Palace Theatre) will play until 13 July 2019 when the theatre will then close for four months of rebuilding work both backstage and in the auditorium as well as adding many much-needed new lavatories to the front of house.  This work will also restore architect W.G. Sprague’s original boxes and loges which, along with the entire front of house, were destroyed by a bomb in 1940 and caused the theatre to be closed for 20 years.  The restored Queen’s Theatre will reopen in December of 2019 with a new production of Les Misérables continuing its phenomenal run indefinitely, with a new West End company being put together now.

The new production of Les Misérables, with a separate company, is currently on arecord-breaking international tour, sold out a year in advance through to January 2020 which has now been extended to Autumn 2021.  Box office for the additional dates will open shortly.

Cameron Mackintosh’s production of Les Misérables is written by Alain Boublil and Claude-Michel Schönberg and is based on the novel by Victor Hugo. It has music by Claude-Michel Schönberg, lyrics by Herbert Kretzmer and original French text by Alain Boublil and Jean-Marc Natel with additional material by James Fenton and adaptation by Trevor Nunn and John Caird.

LISTINGS INFORMATION

Les Misérables – The Original Production

Theatre:                  Queen’s Theatre, Shaftesbury Avenue, London, W1D 6AR

Dates:                    until 13 July 2019

Performances:          Monday – Saturday at 7.30pm, Wednesday and Saturday at 2.30pm

Les Misérables – The All-Star Staged Concert

ON SALE AT 12NOON ON THURSDAY 7 FEBRUARY 2019

Theatre:                  Gielgud Theatre, Shaftesbury Avenue, London, W1D 6AR

Dates:                    10 August – 30 November 2019

Performances:          Monday – Saturday at 7.30pm, Wednesday and Saturday at 2.30pm

                             At certain performances John Owen-Jones will be performing the role of Jean Valjean

Les Misérables – The New Production

ON SALE AT 10AM ON 25 MARCH 2019

Theatre:                  Queen’s Theatre, Shaftesbury Avenue, London, W1D 6AR

Dates:                    From December 2019

Performances:          Monday – Saturday at 7.30pm, Wednesday and Saturday at 2.30pm

Booking details

Website:                 https://www.lesmis.com/london

Box Office:                0844 482 5151

Facebook:               https://www.facebook.com/lesmisofficial/  

Twitter:                   https://twitter.com/lesmisofficial

Instagram               https://www.instagram.com/lesmizofficial/

Hull New Theatre – until 9th February 2019

Reviewed by Catherine McWilliams

5*****

This National Theatre production of Macbeth is full of fetid air, ambition, madness, intrigue and self-preservation. The production is set in a world which can’t be too far away from ours in terms of years but this is a world full of chaos, where feral characters and gangs are clearly the norm. A world where life is cheap and the ability to align yourself to the right gang a necessity for survival.

The story of Macbeth (Michael Nardone) is of a man who meets some witches who make a prediction that he will be King, encouraged by his wife Lady Macbeth (Kirsty Besterman) he then kills the King and takes the throne. Anything then becomes necessary to him to hang on to his crown and rid himself of his enemies. However Macbeth and Lady Macbeth clearly retain some element of humanity as they sink into madness over what they have done.

I have seen several productions of Macbeth over the years, but this production is the one that makes it all make sense and indeed very plausible. The world of this production is so clearly one of survival of the fittest, a world with no room for sentimentality, a real dog eat dog world.

Rae Smith’s set is stunning, bleak but so atmospheric. The buildings reminding me of World War 2 pill boxes, but it is the little touches – belongings in plastic boxes and a generator that make this world real. Moritz Junge’s costumes are spot on, semi military, but clearly with an element of what could be scavenged to be worn. Lighting (Paul Pyant) and sound (Paul Arditti) complete this world, being particularly effective when the witches are on stage.

This is a talented cast working very effectively as a whole, handling the fights and the silences well. The Director Rufus Norris is not afraid to use silence and stillness in this piece, providing a contrast to the chaos.

Michael Nardone is excellent as Macbeth, portraying his doubts and ambitions beautifully. His “madness” when he sees the ghosts is never over the top, he has just the right touch. His tenderness when he holds his dead wife is breathtaking, equally when he shrugs her aside to get on with the battle.

Kirsty Besterman’s Lady Macbeth is ambitious and pushy and totally believable when she is persuading Macbeth to commit murder. Her descent into “madness” is stunning, no over the top hysteria, a beautifully judged performance.

The production begins with the witches on stage and what a way to begin. Elizabeth Chan, Hauk Pattison and Evelyn Roberts are wonderfully malignant witches, slinking and slithering around the stage, the stuff of utter nightmare.

There were inevitably a lot of school children there last night, but like the rest of us they were totally engrossed in the performance – this production should be required viewing for all those students studying the play.

Shakespeare may have written Macbeth hundreds of years ago but it still has resonance today, this production shows only too clearly a world that could occur very quickly if things break down and whilst there may be no murder, there is still plenty of “back stabbing” going on at the moment.

This is a production that needs to be seen, a classic and very unsettling production and one that I suspect will be talked about for years to come. “Macbeth doth murder sleep” – so very apt for this production.

Darlington Hippodrome – until 9 February 2019

3***

Middle Ground Theatre Company return to Darlington with their latest offering of The Verdict, based on the book by Barry Reed.  This version has been adapted for the stage by Margaret May Hobbs.

This is a show of two halves.  The first half, which begins from the minute you enter the auditorium, sets the story.  It’s a slow, laborious 70 minutes – which feels much longer. The second half, also 70 minutes is fast paced and slick and the time flies by so fast, with so much action.

In November 1976, Deborah Ann Doherty is admitted to hospital in labour with her third child.  She suffered a cardiac arrest on the operating table during her cesarean and suffered severe brain damage.  She is now in a permanent vegetative state in hospital. These are the facts of the case.

Frank Galvin (Ian Kelsey) is a down at heel Lawyer, an Ambulance chaser and a drunk.  He has been engaged by Mrs McDaid (Anne Kavanagh) to get some justice for her daughter and her three grandchildren.  In turning down an out of court settlement Galvin, takes on the might of the American Legal System, the Medical fraternity and the Catholic Church.

Frank’s mentor Moe Katz (Denis Lill) thinks Galvin should have taken the settlement but supports and helps the case when he sees Galvin is serious.

J. Edgar Concannon (Christopher Etteridge) is the defence lawyer, coaching the two doctors Daniel Crowley (Michael Lunney who also directs) and Rexford Towler (Paul Opacic).  Concannon wears white suits, projecting an image of trust and honesty. Richard Walsh dual roles playing Judge Sweeney and Bishop Brophy.

Without giving too much away, the trial does lead to the verdict, after which the play is named.  There are some twists and turns in the plot some of which you can see coming, others which are surprise.  The second act, for me, contains the best of the show. The courtroom set is fabulous, the dialogue slick, the acting outstanding.  It’s just a pity the first act fails to provide the interest of the second.

Union J star Jaymi Hensley dons the
Dreamcoat in his first ever major musical
UK Tour: February – July 2019

Bill Kenwright’s ‘Amazing’, ’Superb’, ‘Wonderful’ and ‘Brilliant’ production of Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber’s sparkling family musical embarks on a national tour with a new Joseph, from 20th February at Theatre Royal Windsor.

Jaymi Hensley, a member of 2013’s BBC ‘British Breakthrough Band’ of the year, will don the Technicolor Dreamcoat and lead the company in his first role in a major musical. Having risen to fame on The X Factor, Union J went on to have a top ten album and a major UK tour and Jaymi later appeared on a number of hit TV shows, including Celebrity Masterchef (BBC One).

Jaymi Hensley says I cannot describe how excited and honoured I am to be stepping into the prestigious coloured coat! When I think of iconic roles in musical theatre Joseph was always one that I dreamt of playing growing up! And to finally say that I am going to play it is a “dream” come true! I cannot wait to meet all of the loyal Joseph Fans and bring you my take of this amazing dream role.

Full of life and colour, the magical musical features unforgettable and timeless songs including Go, Go, Go Joseph, Any Dream Will Do, Jacob and Sons and Close Every Door To Me.

Retelling the Biblical story of Joseph, his eleven brothers and the coat of many colours, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat is the first of Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber’s musicals to be performed publicly. Seen by an estimated 26 million people, and counting, Joseph continues to enthral audiences around the world.

Tour Dates
Wed 20th Feb – Sat 2nd Mar Theatre Royal Windsor
www.theatreroyalwindsor.co.uk
Tues 5th – Sat 9th Mar Leas Cliff Hall, Folkestone
www.atgtickets.com
Tues 12th – Sat 16th Mar The Hawth, Crawley
www.parkwoodtheatres.co.uk
Tues 19th – Sat 23rd Mar Edinburgh Playhouse
www.atgtickets.com
Tues 26th – Sat 30th Mar Pavilion Rhyl
www.rhylpavilion.co.uk
Tues 2nd – Sat 6th Apr Theatre Royal, Newcastle upon Tyne
www.theatreroyal.co.uk
Tues 9th – Sat 13th Apr Milton Keynes Theatre
www.atgtickets.com
Tues 16th – Sat 20th April Chester Storyhouse
www.storyhouse.com
Tues 14th – Sat 18th May Wales Millennium Centre
www.wmc.org.uk
Tues 21st – Sat 25th May Darlington Hippodrome
www.darlingtonhippodrome.co.uk
Tues 28th May – Sat 1st June Blackpool Opera House
www.wintergardensblackpool.co.uk
Tues 4th – Sat 15th June Leeds Grand Theatre
www.leedsgrandtheatre.com
Tues 18th – Sat 22nd June Derby Theatre
www.derbytheatre.co.uk
Tues 25th – Sat 29th June Ipswich Regent Theatre
www.apps.ipswich.gov.uk
Tues 2nd – Sat 13th July Birmingham Hippodrome
www.birminghamhippodrome.com
Tues 16th – Sat 20th July New Theatre Oxford
www.atgtickets.com