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THIS CHRISTMAS, DISCOVER A DIFFERENT SIDE TO OZ

WICKED ADDS TWO EXTRA CHRISTMAS SHOWS

WICKED, the smash hit musical that tells the incredible untold story of the Witches of Oz, has added two extra 2.30pm shows this Christmas on Tuesday 26 December and Friday 29 December at London’s Apollo Victoria Theatre.

Acclaimed as “the gravity-defying Wizard of Oz prequel” (Time Out London) and “a magical mystery tour through the fantasyland of Oz” (London Evening Standard), WICKED is already the 15^th longest running show in London theatre history (and the 10^th longest running musical), having recently surpassed the run of We Will Rock You. This “hugely popular show” (The Times) has now played almost 5000 performances, been seen by over 8.5 million people in London alone and won over 100 major awards around the world, including ten theatregoer-voted WhatsOnStage Awards (winning ‘Best West End Show’ on three occasions) and two Olivier Audience Awards in the UK.

WICKED currently stars Alice Fearn (Elphaba), Sophie Evans (Glinda), Bradley Jaden (Fiyero),Melanie La Barrie (Madame Morrible), Andy Hockley (The Wizard), Martin Ball (Doctor Dillamond), Sarah McNicholas (Nessarose), Jack Lansbury (Boq), Laura Pick (Standby for Elphaba) and Carina Gillespie & Maria Coyne (Standby for Glinda).

Based on the acclaimed, best-selling novel by Gregory Maguire that ingeniously re-imagines the stories and characters created by L. Frank Baum in ‘The Wonderful Wizard of Oz’, WICKED tells the incredible untold story of an unlikely but profound friendship between two sorcery students. Their extraordinary adventures in Oz will ultimately see them fulfil their destinies as Glinda The Good and the Wicked Witch of the West.

WICKED has music and lyrics by multi Grammy and Academy Award-winner Stephen Schwartz (Godspell and Disney’s Pocahontas, The Hunchback of Notre Dame and Enchanted) and is based on the novel ‘Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West’ by Gregory Maguire and adapted for the stage by Winnie Holzman. Musical staging is by Tony Award-winner Wayne Cilento and the production is directed by two-time Tony Award-winner Joe Mantello.

WICKED is produced around the world by Marc Platt, Universal Stage Productions, The Araca Group, Jon B. Platt and David Stone. Executive Producer (UK) Michael McCabe.

Through its FOR GOOD programme and other charitable endeavours, WICKED is proud to support the remarkable work of the following UK charities: Anti-Bullying Alliance (ABA); the CybersmileFoundation; the Rainbow Trust Children’s Charity; Stonewall‘s ‘Education For All’ campaign; The Woodland Trust and the National Literacy Trust. Further information can be found at www.WickedForGood.co.uk

Apollo Victoria Theatre, Wilton Road, London, SW1V 1LG

 Official UK website: www.WickedTheMusical.co.uk

 Twitter: @WickedUK  |  Facebook: /WickedUK  |  Instagram: @WickedUK

LISTINGS INFORMATION

NOW BOOKING TO SATURDAY 1 DECEMBER 2018

Apollo Victoria Theatre, Wilton Road, London, SW1V 1LG

The theatre is one minute from London Victoria Mainline and Underground Stations

Box Office Opening Hours: Monday – Saturday 10.00am – 7.45pm

No booking fees or transaction charges for tickets booked in person at the Box Office

Official UK website / 24hr online bookings: www.WickedTheMusical.co.uk

Telephone bookings: ATG Tickets 0844 871 3001

(Calls cost 7p per minute, plus your phone company’s access charge)

Ticket prices: from £19.50 – £175.00*

*An ATG Tickets booking fee of up to £2.75 may apply to bookings made online and by telephone. A one-off ATG Tickets £3.00 transaction fee may also be added to each booking made online and by telephone. All ticket prices include a £1.75 Theatre Restoration Levy.

Group Sales (10 tickets or more): Group Line 020 7206 1174 / www.Groupline.com/Wicked

No booking or transaction fees for group bookings of 10 or more. Sales subject to terms and conditions.

Day Seats: £29.50: A limited number of seats released daily for that day’s performance(s) at 10.00am, in person at the Box Office.

Students: Best available seats £29.50 from 10.00am at Monday-Friday 7.30pm and Wednesday & Saturday 2.30pm at the Box Office with student ID. Subject to availability. One ticket per ID.

Standby Concessions: Best available seats £29.50 from 10.00am at Monday-Friday 7.30pm and Wednesday & Saturday 2.30pm at the Box Office for Senior Citizens, Jobseekers, Equity, BECTU and MU members and registered disabled. Subject to availability. One ticket per ID.

Performance Times: Monday-Saturday 7.30pm, matinees Wednesday & Saturday 2.30pm

The performance lasts approximately 2 hours and 45 minutes including one 20-minute interval. 

HAIRSPRAY THE MUSICAL 
UK TOUR
Directed by Paul Kerryson
Choreographed by Drew McOnie

HAIRSPRAY THE MUSICAL TOUR TO EXTEND FOR ADDITIONAL EIGHT WEEKS IN 2018

Due to phenomenal public demand, Hairspray has today announced it will continue to tour the UK into August of next year. Having entertained big, bold and beautiful audiences across the country since opening 11 weeks ago, Mark Goucher is pleased to announce eight additional tour venues for summer 2018. This hugely acclaimed production of Hairspray will now tour to Stoke, Oxford, Newcastle, Eastbourne, York, Swansea, Bournemouth and return to Dublin.

Full dates and tickets are available at www.hairsprayuktour.com/tour-dates.

Featuring the iconic music and lyrics by Academy Award, Tony and Emmy winning duo Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman, this much-loved musical comedy currently stars ITV comedy legend Norman Pace as Wilbur Turnblad, Brenda Edwards as Motormouth Maybelle and Layton Williams as Seaweed. Matt Rixon returns to the role of Edna Turnblad and newcomer Rebecca Mendoza makes her professional debut as Tracy Turnblad.

Further cast includes; Gina Murray, Jon Tsouras, Edward Chitticks, Aimee Moore, Annalise Liard-Bailey, Monifa James, Lauren Concannon, Melissa Nettleford and Emily-Mae as The Dynamites, Shay Barclay, Ben Darcy, George Hinson, Jordan Laviniere, Graham MacDuff, Lindsay McAllister, Tracey Penn and Freya Rowley.

Choreographed by Olivier Award-winning Drew McOnie with direction from Paul Kerryson.

It’s Baltimore 1962, where Tracy Turnblad, a big girl with big hair and an even bigger heart, is on a mission to follow her dreams and dance her way onto national TV. Tracy’s audition makes her a local star and soon she is using her new-found fame to fight for equality, bagging local heartthrob Link Larkin along the way.

Hairspray is a musical based on the 1988 film of the same name which starred Divine and Ricki Lake by cult filmmaker John Waters. With music and lyrics by Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman and book by Mark O’Donnell and Thomas Meehan, Hairspray originally opened to rave reviews on Broadway in 2002 and subsequently won eight Tony Awards. The production opened in London at the Shaftesbury Theatre in 2007 and won four Laurence Olivier Awards including Best New Musical. Proving to be an international success, Hairspray has also opened in South Africa, Japan, South Korea, China and Dubai. Following the musical’s phenomenal success on stage, a film of the musical was released in 2007 which starred John Travolta, Michelle Pfeiffer and James Marsden.

SOCIAL MEDIA INFORMATION

Facebook
www.facebook.com/HairsprayUKTour

Twitter  
@HairsprayUKTour

Instagram
@HairsprayUKTour

YouTube
www.youtube.com/HairsprayUKTour

30 October – 4 November 2017
Grand Opera House, Belfast
Box Office: 028 9024 1919
https://www.goh.co.uk/
On Sale Now

6 – 11 November 2017   
Aylesbury Waterside Theatre, Aylesbury
Box Office: 0844 871 7627
http://www.atgtickets.com/venues/aylesbury-waterside-theatre/
On Sale Now

13 – 18 November 2017
Sands Centre, Carlisle
Box Office: 01228 633766
http://www.thesandscentre.co.uk/
On Sale Now

20 – 25 November 2017
The Alhambra Theatre, Bradford
Box Office: 01274 432000
http://www.bradford-theatres.co.uk/venues/the-alhambra-theatre
On Sale Now

27 November – 2 December 2017
G Live, Guildford
Box Office: 01483 369 350
https://glive.co.uk/Online/
On Sale Now

15 – 20 January 2018
Theatre Royal, Plymouth
Box Office: 01752 267222
http://www.theatreroyal.com/
On Sale Now

22 – 27 January 2018
Mayflower Theatre, Southampton
Box Office: 023 8071 1811
https://www.mayflower.org.uk/
On Sale Now

29 January – 3 February 2018
The Lyceum, Sheffield
Box Office: 0114 249 6000
https://www.sheffieldtheatres.co.uk/
On Sale Now

5 – 10 February 2018
Eden Court, Inverness
Box Office: 01463 239841
https://www.eden-court.co.uk/
On Sale Now

12 – 24 February 2018
Theatre Royal, Nottingham
Box Office: 0115 989 5555
https://trch.co.uk/
On Sale Now

26 February – 3 March 2018
Wolverhampton Grand Theatre
Box Office: 1902 429212
https://www.grandtheatre.co.uk/
On Sale Now

5 – 10 March 2018
Bristol Hippodrome, Bristol
Box Office: 0844 871 3012
http://www.atgtickets.com/venues/bristol-hippodrome/
On Sale Now

12 – 17 March 2018
Edinburgh Playhouse, Edinburgh
Box Office: 0844 871 3014
http://www.atgtickets.com/venues/edinburgh-playhouse/
On Sale Now

19 – 24 March 2018
His Majesty’s Theatre, Aberdeen
Box Office: 01224 641122
http://www.aberdeenperformingarts.com/venues/his-majestys-theatre
On Sale Now

26 March – 7 April 2018
Opera House, Manchester
Box Office: 0844 871 3018
http://www.atgtickets.com/venues/opera-house-manchester/
On Sale Now

9 – 14 April 2018
Milton Keynes Theatre, Milton Keynes
Box Office: 0844 871 7652
http://www.atgtickets.com/venues/milton-keynes-theatre/
On Sale Now

16 – 21 April 2018
Empire Theatre, Liverpool
Box Office:  0151 702 7320
http://www.atgtickets.com/venues/liverpool-empire/
On Sale Now

23 – 28 April 2018
Hull New Theatre, Hull
Box Office: 01482 226 655
http://www.hcandl.co.uk/
On Sale Now

30 April – 5 May 2018
Venue Cymru, Llandudno
Box Office:  01492 872000
https://venuecymru.co.uk/
On Sale Now

8 – 12 May 2018
Marlowe Theatre, Canterbury
Box Office: 01227 787787
http://www.marlowetheatre.com/
On Sale Now

14 – 19 May 2018
Cliffs Pavilion, Southend
Box Office: 01702 351135
https://southendtheatres.org.uk
On Sale Now

21 May – 26 May 2018
Wycombe Swan
Box Office: 01494 512 000
https://wycombeswan.co.uk
On Sale Now

29 May – 03 June 2018
Cheltenham Everyman
Box Office: 01242 572573
https://www.everymantheatre.org.uk/
On Sale Now

11 – 16 June 2018
Stoke Regent Theatre
Box Office: 0844 871 7649
http://www.atgtickets.com/venues/regent-theatre/
On Sale 8 November

18-23 June 2018
Oxford New Theatre
Box Office: 0844 871 3020
http://www.atgtickets.com/venues/new-theatre-oxford/
On Sale 8 November

25-30 June 2018
Newcastle Theatre Royal
Box Office: 08448 11 21 21
https://www.theatreroyal.co.uk/whats-on
On Sale 10 November

2 – 7 July 2018
Eastbourne Devonshire Theatre
Box Office: 01323 412 000
https://www.eastbournetheatres.co.uk/venue/devonshire-park-theatre
On Sale Soon

9 – 14 July 2018
Dublin Bord Gais
Box Office: +353 1 677 7999
http://bordgaisenergytheatre.ie/
On Sale Soon

16-21 July 2018
York Grand Opera House Theatre
Box Office: 0844 871 3024
http://www.atgtickets.com/venues/grand-opera-house-york/
On Sale 8 November

23-28 July 2018
Swansea Grand Theatre
Box Office: 01792 475715
http://www.swansea.gov.uk/grandtheatrewhatson
On Sale 8 November

30 July – 4 August 2018
Bournemouth Pavilion
Box Office: 0844 576 3000
https://bhlivetickets.co.uk
On Sale Soon

New Wimbledon Theatre – until 11th November.  Reviewed by Jess Brady

5*****

Cilla Black is one of the nation’s best loved entertainers in history and this musical adaptation of the wonderful ITV series playing back in 2014 written by John Pope, is a fitting tribute to the rise of a star!

The story of Cilla Black, or White as she was known before her rise to fame, starts with her humble beginnings in Liverpool. From a hard working Catholic family, her loving parents were unaware of Cilla’s true destiny and talent; they were proud of her job as a typist and figured that was her true calling until one day she decided to sing in the historic Cavern club with a local band where it all began. From that night she met her soul mate Bobby Willis who rarely left her side and knew Cilla was a very special. Music producer Brian Epstein felt the same when he spotted her performing and offered her a recording contract and from that moment on Cilla Black was thrust into the spotlight.

The production is full of hits that most will recognise and not just from Cilla Black herself but also from The Beatles to Gerry and the Pacemakers to Mamas and Papas and you will find that your toe tapping and clapping along to some of the most popular music of that exciting time in musical history which changed the world.

Kara Lily Hayworth plays the title role of Cilla Black to perfection with outstanding vocals and that warm familiar personality that Cilla had which makes this show very special. It felt like we were going back in time to witness the story in real life and Hayworth takes your breath away with Cilia’s classic number 1 hit ‘Anyone who had a heart’. Carl Au who plays Bobby is equally as captivating and has some lovely moments in the show that make the chemistry between Cilla and Bobby real and truthful, as well as having a wonderful voice in his songs. Andrew Lancel as Brian Epstein is a perfect choice and plays the talented yet tormented producer with charisma and draws you in with his wonderful performance. The entire cast are phenomenal and set the tone of the show with some of them adding instrumental performances also that compliment the action.

This production is perfect for anyone who loves jukebox musicals but it has more to offer than that alone. It is a show about love, talent, ambition and family that ultimately represents everything that the late great Cilla Black was and if she was still around to see it, I think she would be proud to have accomplished so much in her life and having a production of such a high standard being performed for thousands of people who loved her and seeing her story unfold. Cilla always had dreams from being a star and her extraordinary story really captures the audience’s hearts and ensures that her memory will never die.

Lyric Theatre, The Lowry, Manchester until 11th November 2017.  Reviewed by Julie Noller

5*****

I’m sad today because I’ve never seen Cabaret, how can this be so? I knew the music, could sing along, I even knew the names of the characters. So when I took my seat in the auditorium, I took in the fact it was packed not a seat left. There was an electric buzz of excitement. I never expected Cabaret to be educational, to bring alive the human suffering from 1930’s Germany. As Europe teetered on the brink of war.

Emcee who was played to perfection by Will Young, opened the show. With his painted face looking almost like a younger brother of Marcel Marceau. Did he represent the consciousness of Berlin, there is fun and laughter to be had at the Kitkat Club. Everybody who is anybody at the time of the Weimar Republic crumbling into the realms of Nazi controlled power, is celebrating New Years Eve 1930 at the KitKat Club, where both Boys and Girls are free to love and play.

Cabaret is deep, decadent, there’s nudity, there’s laughter and giggles as you slip into the comfortable life that’s free and easy, naked people run quite accepted across the stage. It slowly rolls into uneasiness, as the Nazis become braver and start to assert themselves in all aspects of society. It may just leave you shocked with tears of sadness over lost lives and wasted hatred. As Emcee says ‘hatred is exhausting’ , it’s much harder to wear the cloak and pretending to be something than to be young, free and happy. The witch hunt of anything not the ideal is beginning.

The performance is simply delicious, I saw plenty of people purchasing the CD during the interval. Louise Redknapp makes her theatrical debut as Sally Bowles and uses her voice to the max to raise the roof especially during the title track Cabaret, if you weren’t tapping your feet, you weren’t in the room, watching the same show as me. I’m sure it won’t be her last piece of musical theatre.

Although not all musical numbers are pitch perfect songs, they perfectly showcase each characters personality. From Fraulein Schneider (Susan Penhaligon) owner of the boarding house, worried about keeping her reputation and business yet not scared of the struggles of life because as she says ‘I have survived inflation’ . She welcomes Clifford Bradshaw (Charles Haggerty) a young American writer quite possibly based upon the many artists who flocked to Berlin. Kander and Ebb commissioned Joe Masteroff to write Cabaret taking inspiration from American-British writer Christopher Isherwood, series of stories from Berlin. I liked Fraulein Schneider she understood how a room rented for half the asking fee was better than an empty room, she lived alone but not a lonely life, seeing the good in people especially the friendly and generous Herr Schultz his only crime was generosity which stemmed from a deep love of Fraulein Schneider. Hatred came easily to those who were jealous, destroying this elderly couples future happiness. How very sad to see Herr Schultz living his life in hope ‘politicians come and go’ you want to shout out, he needs to save himself, board the train to Paris, get out while he can. But he has that blind faith all humans have of trust, that things will get better.

Fraulein Kost (Basienka Blake) with her life of vice, her brightly coloured hair, perfect make-up. Love of sailors. Is the sign of a society on the brink. I found her rendition of Tomorrow Belongs To Me extremely moving, it fits perfectly in a place where not just Berlin but European society was altering from the time where World War 1 had ended and people were breaking free, to facing the prospect of fear and the dark clouds of hatred amid the climb to 1940’s and World War 2. Herr Ludwig (Nicholas Tizzard) is the one character who crosses the divide, his presence cuts across the decadence and brings the Cabaret train ride into real life territory. He at first comes across as a smuggler, helping a young american and welcoming a stranger, as he becomes braver, showing his affiliation to the Social Nationalists (Nazi) much to the shock of the other characters. You see how much of an impact this has on each of our loved cast, a cancelled engagement, moving accommodation to save the impact on a loved one, selling of all items to return home, a blind eye through the love of fame. Homosexuality is no longer tolerated and attacks are carried out. Where are those missing people?

As Cabaret draws to an end we see Herr Ludwig closing down the KitKat Club, it’s presence will not be tolerated. Our beloved Emcee is alone, no longer the talk of the town, no longer the clown. He is striped bare, the audience no longer shocked at nakedness accepts it. This is different to the Kitkat club where life and clothes are free and easy, boys love boys and girls love girls. We see the cold damp darkness of oppression, I initially giggled and then realisation dawned, this was the basis of concentration camps, this was quite possibly a gas chamber, my hand was clasped to my mouth, my gasp audible as I noticed the audience around me. There is no happy ending, for happy endings are for fairy tales. Cabaret is no fairy tale, it’s a reminder of a time now long gone. Its hard to think of Berlin so free and easy but it genuinely existed and I loved witnessing it’s rise and fall within European society. It’s a solid, genuinely heart warming performance by all the cast. A totally humbling experience for me in the lead up to Remembrance Day, Lest any of us forget the events that befell Europe.

DAVID HAIG TO STAR IN TRUE WARTIME THRILLER

PRESSURE

D Day, June 1944. 350,000 lives depend on the most important weather forecast of all time

National UK Tour | 1 Feb – 24 Mar 2018

Park Theatre, London | 28 Mar – 28 Apr 2018

 

Based on the remarkable real-life tale of two warring Allied meteorologists tasked with predicting the weather conditions for the D Day landings, David Haig’s acclaimed play Pressure will embark on a UK tour before transferring to London’s Park Theatre. The national press night will take place on Tuesday 3^rd April, 7pm at Park Theatre, London.

 

72 hours prior to the D Day landings, Scottish meteorologist, Group Captain James Stagg, advises General Eisenhower on the weather conditions likely to prevail when 350,000 troops are to be sent across the Channel in Operation Overlord. With Stagg predicting severe storms and Irving P. Krick – Hollywood’s meteorological movie consultant – predicting beautiful weather, the future of Britain, Europe and the United States rests on one single forecast.

 

Pressure was originally commissioned by The Lyceum in Edinburgh as a co-production with Chichester Festival Theatre. The production premiered at the Royal Lyceum Theatre Edinburgh in 2014, followed by a run at Chichester Festival Theatre. David Haig reprises his role as Group Captain James Stagg, alongside returning players Malcolm Sinclair and Laura Rogers, directed by John Dove. The tour will open at Cambridge Arts Theatre on 1 February 2018.

 

David Haig is a five-time nominee and Olivier Award-winning actor best known for his roles in the film Four Weddings and a Funeral, TV series The Thin Blue Line and stage production of The Madness of King George III (Tour and West End). He is also an award-winning playwright. He wrote and starred alongside Daniel Radcliffe in My Boy Jack – which was made into a TV drama for ITV in 2007.

 

Malcolm Sinclair will reprise his role as General Eisenhower. Sinclair has performed extensively in leading roles with theatre companies such as the National Theatre and the RSC. He has performed widely, both in Britain and internationally. In 2001 he won the Clarence Derwent Award for his role as Gavin Ryng-Maine in the National Theatre’s production of House/Garden and was also nominated for an Olivier Award for best supporting actor for his performance as Major Miles Flack in Privates on Parade.

 

Laura Rogers will reprise the role of Kay Summersby. Her theatre credits include: An Ideal Husband, Masterpieces (Royal Court), Blue Remembered Hills (Chichester Festival Theatre), The Comedy of Errors (USA Tour and Shakespeare’s Globe), The 39 Steps (West End), Hay Fever (Chichester Festival Theatre), Macbeth, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, The Taming of the Shrew and Richard III (Shakespeare’s Globe) and Bad Girls – The Musical (Garrick Theatre and West Yorkshire Playhouse). Her television credits include: EastEnders, New Tricks, Dates, Twelfth Night, Doctor Who and Bad Girls.

 

The national UK Tour is produced by The Touring Consortium Theatre Company and Cambridge Arts Theatre, presenting The Royal Lyceum Theatre Edinburgh and Chichester Festival Theatre production.

At Park Theatre, the production is produced by Jonathan Church Productions & Oliver Mackwood in association with Cambridge Arts Theatre and Park Theatre, presenting the Royal Lyceum Theatre Edinburgh and Chichester Festival Theatre production.

Tour and Park Theatre dates

Cambridge Arts Theatre                                                                                cambridgeartstheatre.com

Thu 1 – Sat 10 Feb 2018                                                                                 Box Office: 01223 503 333

King’s Theatre, Edinburgh                                                                            edtheatres.com

Tues 13– Sat 17 February 2018                                                                   Box Office: 0131 529 6000

Theatre Royal, Newcastle                                                                            theatreroyal.co.uk

Tues 20 – Sat 24 February 2018                                                                  Box Office: 01325 405 405

Yvonne Arnaud, Guildford                                                                           yvonne-arnaud.co.uk

Tues 27 February – Sat 3 March 2018                                                       Box Office: 01483 440 000

Everyman Theatre, Cheltenham                                                               everymantheatre.org.uk

Tues 6 – Sat 10 March 2018                                                                          Box Office: 01242 572 573

Theatre Royal, Bath                                                                                        theatreroyal.org.uk

Monday 12 – Sat 17 March 2018                                                                Box Office: 01225 448 844

Richmond Theatre, Richmond                                                                    atgtickets.com

Tues 20 – Sat 24 March 2018                                                                        Box Office: 0844 871 7651

Park Theatre, London

Venue: PARK200, Park Theatre, Clifton Terrace, Finsbury Park, N4 3JP

Dates: Wed 28 March – Sat 28 April 2018

Press night: Tue 3 Apr, 7pm

Performances: Tue – Sat Evenings 7.30pm, Thu & Sat Matinees 3.00pm

Prices: Previews £18.50, Standard £20.00 – £29.50, Concessions £18.50 – £22

Captioned: Tue 17 Apr 7.30pm
Booking: www.parktheatre.co.uk / 020 7870 6876*

*10% telephone booking fee, capped at £2.50 per ticket.

JOE MCELDERRY TO SWITCH ON NEWCASTLE’S CITY CENTRE CHRISTMAS LIGHTS

We are proud to announce that chart topping star of stage and theatre, Joe McElderry, will be switching on Newcastle’s City Centre Christmas Lights on Tuesday 14th November at Grey’s Monument.

The former X Factor winner will join Cllr Linda Wright, Lord Mayor of Newcastle and Steve and Karen, presenters of the Breakfast Show on Metro Radio as they press the button to illuminate the city to mark the countdown towards Christmas.

Joe McElderry will also be starring as ‘Joseph’ in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor® Dreamcoat at Metro Arena in Newcastle from 19-31 December: www.metroradioarena.co.uk

Joe of South Shields, said: “I am so excited to be coming home to switch the Christmas lights on in my home city ahead of performing in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat at Newcastle Metro Radio Arena this Christmas.

“I’ve had an incredible year touring the country with the cast of Joseph and coming back to Newcastle to perform and switch on the Christmas Lights is the icing on the cake for 2017. The Geordie crowds are always so welcoming, friendly and get into the partying spirit. I’m looking forward to seeing some old friends but at the same time performing in front of new audiences. I couldn’t think of a better place to kick off the Christmas season but back at home in the North East. I can’t wait to see you all.”

Joe will be entertaining an expected 5,000 strong crowd at the base of Grey’s Monument for an hour of festive songs, entertainment and on-stage games. Steve and Karen will host the festive merriment with the switch-on line up also including Sam Lavery (X Factor 2016) and members from the cast of Sleeping Beauty (Gateshead Stadium panto).

An estimated 20,000 festive lights will illuminate parts of the City including areas of Northumberland Street; Blackett Street; Percy Street; Grey Street; Grainger Street; Nelson Street; Newgate Street; Neville Street; and the Quayside. This year there will be an extra special light to look out for, a 4-metre tall Teddy Bear!

The night of fun and entertainment will also carry a serious message as the event is teaming up with The National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (NSPCC) – to help the national charity raise the profile of its invaluable work in cities like Newcastle.

Councillor Kim McGuinness, Newcastle City Council’s Cabinet Member for Culture and Communities, said: “It’s great news to have Joe McElderry joining in the fun and helping to celebrate the countdown towards Christmas. The atmosphere in Newcastle is always magical with the beautiful city being illuminated with thousands of lights. It just adds to the whole city centre experience that greets residents, shoppers and visitors to Newcastle.”

The Newcastle City Centre Christmas Lights Switch-on will take place on Tuesday 14th November and will start at 5.30pm with the lights being switched on at approximately 6.30pm. The event is free, and everyone is welcome to attend, people are advised to get down early to secure the best vantage point. No wristbands are required.

It might be advisable to use public transport [Metro or the Bus network] to get to and from the City Centre as the Christmas shopping season is well and truly in full swing.

#NewcastleChristmasLights

 

White Wolf Theatre, freeFall Theatre and Jethro Compton Productions

in association with Worthing Theatres and Park Theatre present
WHITE FANG

 

13^th December 2017 –13^th January 2018| Park Theatre

 

Casting has been announced for the London premiere of White Fang, inspired by the classic novel by Jack London, which concludes Park Theatre’s 2017 season. Written and directed by Jethro Compton (The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance, Park Theatre), the production features vivid puppetry and original music in this story of an outcast and her lone wolf. 

 

Set in 1898, Canada, White Fang tells the story of a young girl who is rescued by an old huntsman after her tribe is massacred, and her subsequent acclimation into an unknown society. Torn from centuries of tradition, struggling to find her path in the world, she soon discovers hope in the friendship of an abandoned wolf – swiftly learning the customs of her ancestors, becoming skilled in the ways of the wild. But when the time comes, will these skills be enough to survive? With the help of a lone wolf she must reconcile who she once was and who she now is.

 

White Fang will feature Mariska Ariya, Robert G. Slade, Bebe Sanders, Paul Albertson, Jonathan Mathewsand Danny Mahoney in the cast.

 

White Fang had its world premiere at the freeFall Theatre in Florida, USA, right in the midst of the chaos from Hurricane Irma in October, which left the theatre completely unusable. In order to open the show as planned, the production team purpose built a brand new pop-up space so the show could go on.

 

Jethro Compton (writer & director) began his theatre career in 2008 as the Producer and Co-Artistic Director of Belt Up Theatre, company in residence at York Theatre Royal. In 2010 he established Jethro Compton Productions to develop his own work as a writer, director, and producer. To date, he has directed all the company’s productions, including The Bunker Trilogy and The Capone Trilogy, and his own writing, The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance, The Frontier Trilogy, Sirenia, and White Fang.

 

Mariska Ariya (Lyzbet Scott) trained at Sylvia Young Theatre School and the BRIT School of Performing Arts and Technology. Her credits include: Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince (Warner Brothers), Slumdog Millionaire (Film 4) and Desi DNA (BBC).

 

Robert G. Slade’s stage credits include: The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance (Park Theatre, Jethro Compton Productions), It’s a Wonderful Life (Royal Manitoba Theatre Centre), Pack of Lies (Bill Kenwright Ltd), The Price, (Compass Theatre), Fully Committed (Royal Manitoba Theatre Centre Warehouse), The Hot Zone (Kitchen Conspirators) and Much Ado About Nothing (Manitoba Theatre Centre)

 

Bebe Sanders graduated The Bristol Old Vic Theatre School in 2013. Her theatre credits include: Lucy Light (Theatre N16), Twelfth Night (The Orange Tree Theatre), 3 Winters (The National Theatre), Underground (59E59 Theatres NYC), The Bunker Trilogy (International Tour) and The Frontier Trilogy (Rabenhov Theatre Vienna). Her TV and film credits include: The Best of Men (BBC).

 

After graduating from the Guildhall School of Music and Drama, Paul Albertson became a leading actor for the Glasgow Citizens Theatre. His additional credits include: The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance (Park Theatre), Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf (King’s Theatre, Edinburgh), The Rover (Hampton Court), Betrayal (Byre Theatre), The People Next Door (Theatre Royal Stratford East), Damages (Theatre Royal Stratford East) and Carver (Arcola Theatre). His screen credits include Extras (BBC) and Sherlock (BBC).

 

Jonathan Mathews has toured internationally with Jethro Compton Productions in both The Bunker Trilogyand The Frontier Trilogy, including the latter’s UK premiere. Other credits include Alice’s Adventures Underground (Waterloo Vaults), Much Ado About Nothing (New Wimbledon Theatre), and The D-List(Edinburgh Fringe Festival).

 

Danny Mahoney trained at LAMDA. His theatre credits include: Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf (West End), Other Desert Cities (The Old Vic), Black Tie (Vienna’s English Theatre), Fallujah (Cockpit Theatre) and A View From The Bridge (Broadway Studio Theatre). His film credits include: Florence Foster Jenkins, The Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel and Olive Green.

 

​www.parktheatre.co.uk

Box office: 020 7870 6876*

LISTINGS

WHITE FANG

Venue: PARK90, Park Theatre, Clifton Terrace, Finsbury Park, N4 3JP

Dates: 13 December 2017 – 13 January 2018

Press night: Thursday 14 December, 7:00pm

Age guidance: 12 +

Performances: Tue – Sat Evenings 7.45pm, Thu & Sat Matinees 3.15pm

Prices: Previews £14.50, Standard £18, Concessions £16.50, Child (under 16) £13, Young Patrons £10 (13-20 Dec), Groups: buy 10 tickets get the 11^th free

Parents & Babies performance: Wed 3 Jan 13.00. Tickets £15: Babes in arms under 1 go free.
Booking: www.parktheatre.co.uk / 020 7870 6876

*10% telephone booking fee, capped at £2.50 per ticket.

BBC LOOK NORTH HOSTS SET A ‘SWEET’ CHILDREN IN NEED CHALLENGE BY FAT FRIENDS THE MUSICAL

BBC Look North hosts, Harry Gration and Amy Garcia, have been tasked by Fat Friends The Musical and Leeds Grand Theatre to make 1,500 doughnuts for their charity gala event taking place on Thursday 14^thNovember in aid of Children in Need.

Leeds Grand Theatre and Kay Mellor, Writer and Director of Fat Friends The Musical which opens at the theatre tomorrow, and keen supporter of the UK-wide charity, have challenged the TV stars to make enough doughnuts for every audience member as the sweet treats have become synonymous with Fat Friends The Musical.

Mellor said: “I am aware of the fundraising efforts of Harry and Amy and I am thrilled that we have been able to arrange a charity gala night to coincide with their challenge-a-day fundraising efforts for Children in Need.

“Working with Leeds Grand Theatre, we will be ‘bucket shaking’ at every Fat Friends performance from Monday 13^th to Saturday 18^th November. I am hoping that our audience will give generously to a very worthwhile cause.”

Harry and Amy will cook-up the doughy delights throughout the day, for Amy, Pudsey Bear and a host of Children in Need volunteers to hand them out at the star-studded red-carpet event later that day. Harry and Amy’s fundraising efforts will culminate on Friday 19^th November when the BBC airs its annual appeal show. All bucket donations raised by the theatre/show will go to the charity.

Fat Friends The Musical, which is set in Leeds, is based on Kay Mellor’s award-winning TV drama Fat Friends and has been produced by Joshua Andrews and Adam Spiegel, with original music and songs composed by Nick Lloyd Webber. It boasts an all-star cast of Jodie Prenger, Sam Bailey, Andrew ‘Freddie’ Flintoff, Natalie Anderson, Natasha Hamilton and Kevin Kennedy, and will run at Leeds Grand Theatre from Tuesday 7^thNovember to Saturday 2^nd December. A limited number of tickets are still available for the charity gala event on Tuesday 14^th November.

Fat Friends The Musical is at Leeds Grand Theatre from Tuesday 7^th Nov to Saturday 2^nd Dec 2017

Tickets are priced from £20 (RV) to £50

(prices include a £3 booking fee. Postage charge £1 where applicable)

Book online at leedsgrandtheatre.com or call Box Office on 0844 848 2700

DAVID THAXTON RETURNS TO PLAY ‘JAVERT’ IN

 

“LES MISÉRABLES”

AT THE QUEEN’S THEATRE

 

FROM MONDAY 22 JANUARY 2018

 

Cameron Mackintosh is delighted to announce that from Monday 22 January 2018, David Thaxton will return to the cast of “LES MISÉRABLES” at the Queen’s Theatre in the role of ‘Javert’.

David Thaxton previously played ‘Javert’ in 2014, and has also played the role of ‘Enjolras’ in “Les Misérables” at the Queen’s Theatre. His additional theatre credits include ‘Giorgio’ in “Passion” at the Donmar Warehouse, for which he won an Olivier Award for Best Actor in a Musical, ‘Pilate’ in “Jesus Christ Superstar” at the Regent’s Park Theatre, ‘Raoul’ in “Love Never Dies” at the Adelphi and ‘Major John Howard’ in “Only The Brave” at Wales Millennium Centre.

David will join Olivier Award nominee Killian Donnelly as ‘Jean Valjean’, Carley Stenson as ‘Fantine’, Steven Meo as ‘Thénardier’, Karis Jack as ‘Eponine’, Jacqueline Tate as ‘Madame Thénardier”, Hyoie O’Grady as ‘Enjolras’, Paul Wilkins as ‘Marius’ and Charlotte Kennedy as ‘Cosette’.

From 22 January 2018 the full company will be: Emma Barr; Adam Bayjou; Oliver Brenin; Ciarán Bowling; Hugo Chiarella; Andy Conaghan; Killian Donnelly; Alice Ellen Wright; Sophie-May Feek; Hyoie O’Grady; Catherine Hannay; Antony Hansen; Holly-Anne Hull; James Hume; Karis Jack; Ciaran Joyce; Charlotte Kennedy; Katie Kerr; Rebecca Lafferty; Jo Loxton; John Lumsden; Anna McGarahan; Steven Meo; Jonny Purchase; Lauren Soley; Carley Stenson; Jacqueline Tate; Shaq Taylor; George Tebbutt; David Thaxton; Lee Van Geleen; Danny Whitehead and Paul Wilkins.

Killian Donnelly most recently played the role of ‘Charlie Price’ in “Kinky Boots” on Broadway, a role he originated at the Adelphi Theatre in the West End in 2015, for which he was nominated for an Olivier Award. His other theatre credits include: ‘Jackie Day’ in “Donegal”, a new play by Frank McGuinness, at the Abbey Theatre, Dublin and ‘Huey’ in the original London cast of “Memphis” at the Shaftesbury Theatre for which he was also nominated for an Olivier Award.  He created the role of ‘Deco’ in “The Commitments” at the Palace Theatre and has also played ‘Tony’ in “Billy Elliot” at the Victoria Palace Theatre as well as ’Raoul’ in “The Phantom of the Opera” at Her Majesty’s Theatre. He first joined the company of “Les Misérables” in 2008, going onto play the role of ‘Enjolras’ from 2009 to 2011. In 2010, he played the role of ‘Courfeyrac’ in the “25th Anniversary Concert of Les Misérables” at The O2 Arena and also played the role of ‘Combeferre’ in the multi-award-winning film of the show, released in 2012.

Carley Stenson’s West End credits include ‘Elle Woods’ in “Legally Blonde”, ‘Princess Fiona’ in “Shrek The Musical” and ‘Lady of the Lake’ in “Spamalot”. Carley also starred as ‘Christine Colgate’ in the tour of “Dirty Rotten Scoundrels”. She is probably best known for playing the regular role of ‘Steph Cunningham’ in Channel 4’s Hollyoaks, for which she was nominated for several awards during her 10 years with the show.

Steven Meo’s previous theatre credits include “Pride & Prejudice” at The Regents Park Open Air Theatre and on UK tour; “The Taming of the Shrew”, “Boeing Boeing”, “Portrait of the Artist as a Young Dog” all for Theatre Clwyd; “The Distance” for Sheffield Crucible/Orange Tree Theatre and “Flesh and Blood” for Hampstead Theatre and on tour.

Karis Jack’s theatre credits include “The Bubbly Black Girl Sheds Her Chameleon Skin” at the Theatre Royal, Stratford East & Belgrade Theatre, Coventry; “Baddies: The Musical” at the Unicorn Theatre’ “Hairspray” at Curve, Leicester and on UK tour; “Little Shop of Horrors” at the Salisbury Playhouse and Mercury Theatre, Colchester; and “Urinetown: The Musical” at the Apollo Theatre and St James Theatre.

Jacqueline Tate’s previous theatre credits include: “Allegro” at the Southwark Playhouse; “Avenue Q” at the Wyndham’s Theatre, Gielgud Theatre and national tour; “South Pacific” at The Barbican Theatre and UK tour; “The Phantom of The Opera” at Her Majesty’s Theatre and “My Fair Lady” and “Evita” on international tour.

 

Hyoie O’Grady is making his professional and West End debut in “Les Misérables”.

 

Paul Wilkins has previously played the role of ‘Marius’ in “Les Misérables” in Manila, Singapore and Dubai. He made his West End debut in “Les Misérables” in 2015.

Charlotte Kennedy made her West End debut in “Les Misérables” in 2015.  She has also appeared in “Elaine Paige in Concert” at the Royal Albert Hall.

Tickets for “LES MISÉRABLES” are priced £12.50 – £80.00

Currently booking until Saturday 20 October 2018

Box Office: 0844 482 5160

Performances: Monday – Saturday at 7.30pm

Matinees – Wednesdays and Saturdays at 2.30pm

www.lesmis.com