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LIVE ON STAGE FOR THE FIRST TIME

KING’S THEATRE, GLASGOW

MONDAY 4 – SATURDAY 9 FEBRUARY 2019

 

Derren Litten’s smash hit ITV comedy BENIDORM is set to bring sunshine and smiles to Glasgow as the first ever stage version of the ITV comedy runs at the King’s Theatre next year.

Benidorm Live already has audiences across the country rushing to book their tickets for one of the year’s most anticipated theatre events. Produced for the stage by Michael Harrison and David Ian, Benidorm will beam down on the city from Monday 4 until Saturday 9 February.

Litten has written an all new set of Alicante escapades for the much-loved cast members, including Jake Canuso (Mateo), Janine Duvitski (Jacqueline), Sherrie Hewson (Joyce Temple-Savage), Shelley Longworth (Sam), Tony Maudsley (Kenneth) and Neptune’s very own Asa Elliott as they swap sangria for the stage next year after a quick spruce at the Blow ‘n’ Go!

Benidorm – Live will be the stage debut production of the hugely popular TV show, and on making its transfer, writer Derren Litten said: “I’ve loved ten years of writing my TV show Benidorm but despite a successful writing career I’m first and foremost a performer so have always been secretly frustrated I couldn’t hear the audience’s laughter. This national tour of Benidorm Live will not only make a long lasting dream come true but will also mean I no longer have to stand in strangers gardens listening at their windows at 9 o’clock on cold winter evenings.”

ITV’s smash-hit comedy celebrates a decade of all-inclusive hilarity, having followed the ensemble cast of holiday makers and staff for ten series since it first broadcast in 2007 and is currently being broadcast in the UK.

Critically acclaimed, Benidorm has received two National Television Awards a TV Quick Award and nominations at the British Comedy Awards and BAFTAs.

After leaving school in Hull in the late 1980’s Derren Litten spent a year working as a professional magician whilst auditioning for drama schools.  He won a place on the 3 year acting course at the prestigious Central School of Speech and Drama where he met fellow student Catherine Tate.  After 10 years of working as an actor, Derren was asked by Catherine to write for her newly commissioned TV sketch show, The Catherine Tate Show; in which he also appeared in many of the sketches.  After co-writing and appearing in two series and a Christmas Special, Derren was given a script commission by legendary comedy producer Geoffrey Perkins, “just write anything you want as long as it’s funny” he said; that show turned out to be ITV’s BAFTA nominated hit comedy Benidorm. Derren’s hobbies include drinking and karaoke, usually in that order. He splits his time equally between homes in London and Spain

Award-winning partnership between Hope Mill Theatre & Aria Entertainment announce

highly-anticipated final two productions of an ambitious 2018

 

• New British musical The Return of the Soldier, by Charles Miller & Tim Sanders and adapted from Rebecca West’s 1918 novella set at the end of World War One.

 

Thursday 6 – Saturday 29 September 2018

 

• UK Premiere of Broadway hit, A Christmas Story The Musical – written by songwriting duo behind The Greatest Showman, La La Land and Dear Evan Hansen – Benj Pasek and Justin Paul

 

Friday 26 October – Saturday 1 December 2018

 

On sale now

 

The award-winning creative team of Hope Mill Theatre in Manchester and Aria Entertainment have revealed their 2018 autumn/winter shows. They are the moving new British musical, The Return of the Soldier – the World War One story being brought to the stage in this, the 100^th anniversary of the end of the conflict. And the UK Premiere of A Christmas Story The Musical – the hit festive Broadway show from the writers of The Greatest Showman, La La Land and Dear Evan Hansen.

 

Today’s announcement marks the conclusion of an ambitious and diverse 2018 for the hugely successful partnership between Joseph Houston and William Whelton, the co-founders of Hope Mill Theatre and producer and co-artistic director Katy Lipson, of Aria Entertainment and the latest step of Katy, William and Joseph’s vision to make the theatre the home of new musicals and revivals in the north and beyond.

This year has seen Hope Mill Theatre named 2018 Fringe Theatre of the Year by The Stage and the recent critically-acclaimed London transfer of their production of Pippin. Will, Joseph & Katy were also named in industry powerlist The Stage 100 for the first time. And after his critically acclaimed work on Hair and Pippin, Will is to choreograph A Christmas Story The Musical.

Hope Mill’s current critically-acclaimed hit Spring Awakening runs until 3 May at the Ancoats theatre, and is followed by Aspects of Love that runs from 5 July to 9 August 2018 – and tells the story of passion, love and loss across three generations of a family and their artistic companions, against a background of 1940’s France and Italy.

William Whelton and Joseph Houston, of Hope Mill Theatre, said: “This is Hope Mill Theatre’s third year in operation and this season has been a truly ambitious one for our collaboration with Aria Entertainment. Once again we are bringing our audiences new and exciting work including a new British musical and European premiere of a Broadway show – Both of those shows will be closing what has already been an incredible year.”

Katy Lipson, of Aria Entertainment, added: “We couldn’t be more thrilled to be playing host to such important writers of contemporary musical theatre like Miller and Sanders, and Pasek and Paul and look forward to bringing their work to our wonderful Manchester audiences.”

The Return of the Soldier, by Charles Miller and Tim Sanders, is a musical adaptation of Rebecca West’s remarkable novella written at the end of World War One, and is its highly anticipated return to the stage following a limited run at Jermyn Street Theatre, London, in Autumn 2014, produced by Aria Entertainment and Guy James.

Published before the end of the conflict when West was just 24 years old, the story is widely regarded as a masterpiece and presents a fiercely youthful, and female angle, on a period of time that continues to fascinate 100 years on. In 1982, the book became a successful film starring Alan Bates, Julie Christie and Glenda Jackson.

With a cast of five, this is an intimate and powerful new drama of love and loss with sparking wit, glorious observations of the English class system and some very poignant truths. Ever present is the cataclysm of war and its invidious effects on all involved.

Set in Harrow during the summer of 1916, The Return of the Soldier is an intensely bitter-sweet tale, dissecting the very different love of three women for one man. When Christopher returns from the front, shell-shocked and with memory loss, there are profound consequences for all three women and their love. In the end, only an extraordinary sacrifice will restore the fragile status quo.

Composer Charles Miller puts a unique and contemporary twist on several English music styles from the period in his evocative score. Tim Sanders’ script aims to capture West’s sardonic and contemporary humour as well as her painfully accurate insights into human folly.  This exciting new musical adaptation will bring a compelling story of war to a whole new generation

Directed by Charlotte Westenra. Produced by Aria Entertainment and Hope Mill Theatre with Guy James – their second collaboration after Pippin.

The Return of the Soldier runs from Thursday 6 to Saturday 29 September,

A Christmas Story The Musical, with book by Joseph Robinette and music and lyrics by Benj Pasek and Justin Paul (The Greatest Showman, Dear Evan Hansen, La La Land) won rave reviews on Broadway in 2012 and is based on the classic film of the same name – which has become a cult staple of the Holiday Season in the US.

Set in the 1940s in the fictional town of Hohman, Indiana, the musical follows 9-year-old Ralphie Parker and his quest for the Holy Grail of Christmas gifts—an Official Red Ryder carbine-action 200-shot Range Model air rifle.  Rebuffed at every turn, Ralphie plots numerous schemes to achieve his desperate desire for the coveted BB gun…

Packed with iconic scenes from the movie, Pasek and Paul’s delightfully versatile score ranges from gentle ballads to show-stopping full-ensemble numbers such as “Ralphie to the Rescue!”, “A Major Award,” “Sticky Situation,” “Up on Santa’s Lap,” “Somewhere Hovering Over Indiana” and the inevitable “You’ll Shoot Your Eye Out!”

This all new production will bring an exciting new dimension to those who have seen the movie and will certainly stand on its own for those who haven’t.

A Christmas Story, The Musical has a book by Joseph Robinette Music and lyrics by Benj Pasek and Justin Paul. Based on the motion picture A Christmas Story distributed by Warner Bros, written by Jean Shepherd, Leigh Brown and Bob Clark, and Upon In God We Trust: All Others Pay Cash written by Jean Shepherd. Produced with permission of Warner Bros. Theatre Ventures and Dalfie Entertainment.

Directed by Bronagh Lagan and choreographed by William Whelton. Produced by Aria Entertainment and Hope Mill Theatre.

A Christmas Story The Musical runs from Friday 26 October to Saturday 1 December.

Further creative team and casting to be announced for both shows.

www.hopemilltheatre.co.uk

@Hopemilltheatr1

@soldiermusical

@Christmas_Mcr

Cast announced for world premiere stage adaptation of Nigel Slater’s Toast

Samuel Newton to portray food writer Nigel Slater in stage adaptation of his best-selling memoirs

A Week 53 commission, Toast is adapted by Henry Filloux-Bennett and directed by Jonnie Riordan

Ahead of rehearsals starting on Monday, cast has been announced for the world premiere run of the stage adaptation of Nigel Slater’s memoirsToast, at The Lowry in Salford.

Samuel Newton (The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time, UK Tour) will play Nigel Slater, with Lizzie Muncey (Twelfth Night, National Theatre) playing Mum, and Stephen Ventura (The 39 Steps, West End) playing Dad. Marie Lawrence (Murder in Successville, BBC3) plays Joan and Andy Brady (Nativity! UK Tour) as Josh/Stuart completes the cast.

Nigel Slater said: “With casting now complete it’s an extremely exciting time as the words on the page start to come to life. To have your life story portrayed through film was incredible but there was always that thing with film that no matter how beautifully something’s filmed, it isn’t quite real. And this production will be. That, for me, is very very exciting.”

Samuel Newton adds: “Toast is a lovely story about a boy who struggled to find himself growing up who then found his way. It’s a story that lots of people will be able to connect with and relate to in terms of their own childhood experiences.

“I am a foodie – my mum was always keen that I learned about food when I was growing up and she’s probably even more excited than anyone about me playing Nigel. Ahead of rehearsals starting I’ve been making a new Nigel Slater recipe every day – which is the closest to method acting I’ll get!”

Vividly recreating suburban England in the 1960s, Nigel Slater’s childhood is told through the tastes and smells he grew up with. To reflect this, audiences will be offered samples of the dishes and tastes central to Nigel’s story during the show.

From making the perfect sherry trifle, waging war over cakes through to the playground politics of sweets and the rigid rules of restaurant dining, this is a moving and evocative tale of love, loss and…toast.

Toast runs at The Lowry from Tue 22 May to Sat 2 June.

The author of a collection of bestselling books and presenter of nine BBC television series, Nigel Slater has been the food columnist for The Observer for 25 years.

His memoir ‘Toast – the Story of a Boy’s Hunger’ won six major awards, has been translated into five languages and became a BBC film starring Helena Bonham Carter and Freddie Highmore.

A Week 53 commission, Toast is adapted by Henry Filloux-Bennett and directed by Jonnie Riordan.

Week 53 is part of The Lowry’s ambition to host bold and experimental contemporary art that is accessible and engaging to a broad audience. The inaugural festival, exploring The Lowry’s relationship with place under the theme ‘Locus’, saw approximately 10,000 visitors entertained by 200 performers across 63 performances – 33% of which were first time visitors. The Lowry is the most visited cultural destination in the North West and is increasingly expanding its role as producer and commissioner, cementing its position as a power house for culture.

Listing information
Nigel Slater’s Toast
The Lowry, Salford
Tue 22 May – Sat 2 June 2018
7.30pm & 2.30pm matinees on selected days
Tickets: £20 – plus an allocation of ‘Pay What You Decide’ seats which are being offered across all Week 53 ticketed shows and will be released soon.

HUNNY WHAT YA WAITIN’ FOR?

RECORD BREAKING

HEATHERS – THE MUSICAL

STARRING CARRIE HOPE FLETCHER

RELEASES EXTRA TICKETS!

 

OPENING AT THE OTHER PALACE

FOR A STRICTLY LIMITED RUN FROM 9 JUNE – 4 AUGUST 2018

The European premiere of HEATHERS – THE MUSICAL smashed The Other Palace box office records when it went on sale last week becoming the biggest on-sale in the history of The Other Palace. The musical premieres at The Other Palace on 9 June and runs for a limited 8-week season.

Due to the phenomenal demand, an additional performance and 1,000 extra seats are being released at 10am on Friday 20 April across all price bands, starting from £25. Further tickets will be released each Friday, so check social media and The Other Palace website for more details and your chance to snatch a ticket to the most popular musical this summer!

Following a rapturous response to its sell-out 2017 workshop, 80s cult classic HEATHERS – THE MUSICAL is back in class this summer with new songs, new material and new classmates. Produced by Bill Kenwright and Paul Taylor Mills, who produced the award winning CARRIE together in 2015.

Paul Taylor Mills said: ‘I’m absolutely thrilled that within a year of The Other Palace we have had a project that has gone from a workshop presentation to a fully realised production in the main house. We’re delighted that the appetite for the production has meant we have broken all our previous box office records. We’ve worked really hard to make sure that tickets are available across all price bands and urge people still trying to get tickets to keep an eye on our website and social media channels as we will let everyone know when more allocations of tickets at ALL prices become available.’

Based on one of the greatest teen films of all time, the 1988 classic starred Winona Ryder and Christian Slater. The award-winning writing team, Laurence O’Keefe (Legally Blonde, Bat Boy) and Kevin Murphy’s (Reefer Madness, Desperate Housewives), hit musical adaptation has enjoyed successful runs in Los Angeles and New York, and finally arrives in the UK for its European Premiere.

Accomplished musical theatre star, Carrie Hope Fletcher, will play Veronica Sawyer in this twisted tale of teen drama, friendship and deadly obsession. Fresh from winning the WhatsOnStage Award for ‘Best Actress in a Musical’ for her stint as Wednesday Addams in The Addams Family (UK Tour), Carrie previously played Éponine in Les Misérables in the West End for three years. She has also just released her debut album When the Curtain Falls.

 

Greetings, salutations. Welcome to Westerberg High, where popularity is so very a matter of life and death, and Veronica Sawyer is just another of the nobodies dreaming of a better day.

 

But when she’s unexpectedly taken under the wings of the three beautiful and impossibly cruel Heathers, her dreams finally start to come true.

 

Until JD turns up, the mysterious teen rebel who teaches her that it might kill to be a nobody, but it’s murder being a somebody…

Heathers – The Musical features a sensational book, music and lyrics by Kevin Murphy and Laurence O’Keefe, with brand new material exclusively written for this production whilst the team are in London.  The musical is directed by acclaimed screen and stage director Andy Fickman with electrifying choreography by Gary Lloyd(Thriller Live, Carrie, 20^th Century Boy), design by David Shields (Chess, Ice Age Live, End of the Rainbow) Lighting by Ben Cracknell (Young Frankenstein, Annie, La Cage Aux Folles), Sound by Dan Samson (Evita, Cilla, Joseph) and casting by Will Burton (Everybody’s Talking About Jamie, Matilda, The Wild Party).

Tickets from £25 for more information please visit The Other Palace’s website.

TICKETS ON SALE NOW: www.theotherpalace.co.uk

Further cast and creative to be announced in due course.

LISTINGS

HEATHERS – THE MUSICAL

THE OTHER PALACE

09 JUNE – 04 AUGUST 2018

Performances:

Tuesday – Saturday at 7.30pm

Thursday & Saturday at 2.30pm

Sunday at 4.30pm

Ticket Prices: From £25

Address: 12 Palace Street, London, SW1E 5JA

Box Office: 02070877900

Website: www.theotherpalace.co.uk

Facebook/Twitter/Instagram: @TheOtherPalace

TOMMY GOES BACK TO THE BEGINNING!

TOMMY STEELE

RETURNS TO THE LONDON COLISEUM 60 YEARS AFTER HIS DEBUT

THE GLENN MILLER SHOW

FOR SEVEN CELEBRATORY WEEKS

Friday 6 July to Saturday 18 August 2018

As his legion of fans already know, Tommy Steele – Britain’s first Rock and Roll Star – made his legitimate debut in 1958 starring in Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Cinderella, which enjoyed a sold out run at the London Coliseum. What they probably don’t know is that the inspiration for Tommy’s extraordinary career was an American band leader whose music Tommy had worshipped from the moment he first heard it in his early teens…

And so, 60 years on, TOMMY STEELE returns to THE LONDON COLISEUM to salute his idol GLENN MILLER in a new musical celebration.

Glenn Miller was the best selling recording artist in the world from 1939 to 1943, leading one of the best known big bands. In those four years he scored 23 number-one hits – more than Elvis Presley and The Beatles.

Tommy Steele landed his first UK number-one with Singing the Blues in January 1957, reaching the top spot before Elvis, the same year he filmed The Tommy Steele Story, one of Britain’s great rock ‘n’ roll movies.

His career has included over twenty hit singles, twelve hit musical movies – including Finian’s Rainbow, The Happiest Millionaire, and of course Half A Sixpence – and countless award winning stage musicals such as Half A Sixpence, Hans Andersen and Singin’ in the Rain. Tommy starred in the musical Scrooge, which enjoyed two successful runs at the London Palladium, and made him the theatre’s all-time record breaking performer, having headlined more performances than any other star in its history.

The Glenn Miller Show features the journey the legendary big band leader took to find his unique sound, and his subsequent fame and untimely death. With the authentic sounds of In the Mood, Moonlight Serenade, Little Brown Jug, Pennsylvania 6-5000, Tuxedo Junction, Chattanooga Choo Choo, and many more era-defining favourites. It is produced by Bill Kenwright with choreography by Olivier Award Winner Bill Deamer and direction by Bob Tomson and Bill Kenwright.

Tommy said “I am and always will be one of Glenn Miller’s biggest fans. That sound, that wonderful sound, and his search for it, is one of the most inspiring stories I know. So, I’m returning to the Coliseum to say two thank yous!!”

LISTINGS

On Sale: Priority Booking for ENO Patrons, Young Patrons and Friends from Thursday 19 April 2018.

        Booking for General Public opens Monday 23 April 2018.

 

Dates: 6 July to 18 August 2018.

 

Performances: Tuesday to Saturday evenings at 7.30pm, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday matinees at 3pm.

Prices: Tickets start from £18 (plus booking fee)*

 

Address: London Coliseum, St Martin’s Lane, London WC2N 4ES

Box Office: 020 7845 9300 | [email protected]

Website: https://londoncoliseum.org/

Facebook/

Twitter/Instagram: @BKLProductions

KILLIAN DONNELLY

TO PLAY

‘JEAN VALJEAN’

IN THE FORTHCOMING UK AND IRELAND TOUR OF

CAMERON MACKINTOSH’S ACCLAIMED

BROADWAY PRODUCTION OF

“LES MISÉRABLES”

FURTHER DATES ALSO ANNOUNCED

BIRMINGHAM HIPPODROME – 2 APRIL – 11 MAY 2019

MILTON KEYNES THEATRE – 14 MAY – 8 JUNE 2019

NEWCASTLE THEATRE ROYAL – 15 AUGUST – 5 OCTOBER 2019

 

Cameron Mackintosh is delighted to announce that Killian Donnelly will play ‘Jean Valjean’ in the forthcoming UK and Ireland tour of the Boublil and Schönberg musical “LES MISÉRABLES”.

Further dates for the tour are also announced today. Opening at Curve Leicester for an already sold out season from Saturday 3 – Saturday 24 November 2018 (press night 14 November 2018 ), before playing the Bord Gais Energy Theatre, Dublin (5 December 2018 – 12 January 2019), Festival Theatre Edinburgh (22 January – 16 February 2019) and Manchester Palace Theatre (19 February – 30 March 2019) the show will also play Birmingham Hippodrome (2 April – 11 May 2019), Milton Keynes Theatre (14 May – 8 June 2019)and Newcastle Theatre Royal (15 August – 5 October 2019). On sale dates and details below with further dates to be announced.

Killian Donnelly is currently playing the role of ‘Jean Valjean’ in the West End production of “Les Misérables”, where his final performance will be Saturday 9 June 2018. Prior to his run in “Les Misérables”, he 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.

Cameron Mackintosh said, “When I announced the first UK tour of Les Miserables for ten years, I was really delighted that Killian said to me that he would like to continue playing Jean Valjean.  No stranger to the original production, having played both Enjolras and Valjean with enormous success, his passionate take on the role will be even greater in the thrilling staging of my new production which has proved to be a worldwide success all over again. He is the first Irishman to play the role since Colm Wilkinson in the original and I’m delighted that from advance bookings, this new tour looks set to be sold out before we open”.

Since Cameron Mackintosh first conceived this new production of “Les Misérables” to celebrate the shows 25^th anniversary in 2009, it has taken the world by storm. Modern audiences have embraced this production as Les Mis for the 21^st century as it plays to packed houses all over the world in many languages. It also inspired the hugely successful movie version starring Hugh Jackman, Anne Hathaway and Eddie Redmayne. This brilliant new staging has scenery inspired by the paintings of Victor Hugo, and has been seen in North America, South America, Korea, Japan, Canada, Australia, Spain, France, Manila, Singapore, Dubai and Broadway.

Based on Victor Hugo’s classic novel, Boublil and Schönberg’s magnificent score of “LES MISÉRABLES”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.  Seen by over 120 million people worldwide in 45 countries and in 22 languages, “LES MISÉRABLES” is undisputedly one of the world’s most popular musicals.

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, additional material by James Fenton and original adaptation by Trevor Nunn and John Caird. The original “LES MISÉRABLES” orchestrations are by John Cameron with new orchestrations by Christopher Jahnke and additional orchestrations by Stephen Metcalfe and Stephen Brooker. The production is directed by Laurence Connor and James Powell, designed by Matt Kinley inspired by the paintings of Victor Hugo with costumes by Andreane Neofitou and additional costumes by Christine Rowland, lighting by Paule Constable, sound by Mick Potter, musical staging by Michael Ashcroft and Geoffrey Garratt, projections by Fifty-Nine Productions and music supervision by Stephen Brooker and Graham Hurman.

LES MISÉRABLES UK AND IRELAND TOUR 2018/2019

lesmis.com

SATURDAY 3 – SATURDAY 24 NOVEMBER 2018

CURVE, LEICESTER

curveonline.co.uk – 0116 242 3595

SOLD OUT

WEDNESDAY 5 DECEMBER 2018 – SATURDAY 12 JANUARY 2019

BORD GAIS ENERGY THEATRE, DUBLIN

bordgaisenergytheatre.ie – +353 (1) 677 7999

ON SALE NOW

TUESDAY 22 JANUARY – SATURDAY 16 FEBRUARY 2019

FESTIVAL THEATRE, EDINBURGH

capitaltheatres.com – 0131 529 6000

ON SALE NOW

TUESDAY 19 FEBRUARY – SATURDAY 30 MARCH 2019

MANCHESTER PALACE THEATRE

atgtickets.com/venues/palace-theatre-manchester – 0844 871 3019

ON SALE 5 JUNE 2018

TUESDAY 2 APRIL – SATURDAY 11 MAY 2019

BIRMINGHAM HIPPODROME
birminghamhippodrome.com – 0844 338 5000

ON SALE 21 JUNE 2018

TUESDAY 14 MAY – SATURDAY 8 JUNE 2019
MILTON KEYNES THEATRE
atgtickets.com/venues/milton-keynes-theatre – 0844 871 7652

ON SALE 21 JUNE 2018

THURSDAY 15 AUGUST – SATURDAY 5 OCTOBER 2019

NEWCASTLE THEATRE ROYAL

theatreroyal.co.uk – 0844 11 21 21

ON SALE 21 JUNE 2018

 

FURTHER DATES TO BE ANNOUNCED

Presented by Think and Hit
Cockamamy
The Hope Theatre, 207 Upper Street, London, N1 1RL
Tuesday 12th June – Saturday 30th June 2018

Following sell-out runs at the Camden Fringe and Edinburgh Fringe 2017, where it won the Lustrum Award for Outstanding Play, the heart-warming Cockamamy will come to The Hope Theatre this summer. This razor-sharp play examines companionship and the reality of living with dementia

Starring Louise Coulthard (The Importance of Being Earnest, UK Tour; Doctors, BBC; House and Garden, The Watermill Theatre) as a granddaughter-turned-carer alongside Mary Rutherford (Midsummer Night’s Dream, RSC; Metamorphosis, London & National Theatre) as her grandmother, Cockamamy explores dementia and the effect it has on the immediate family

Perfectly scripted by Louise Coulthard who cared for her grandmother whilst she was living with dementia, this play explores the incredible bond between a grandparent and grandchild. Far from a sentimental portrayal of decline, Cockamamy is an honest, funny, and insightful exploration of the realities of living with this degenerative disease

Focusing on the experiences of two strong women and a family powerless against disease, this play uses the comedy that arises from tragedy to sensitively portray the struggles families around the world face, with one in six people expected to develop dementia according to The Alzheimer’s Society

Director, Rebecca Loudon comments, having lived with my Grandma while she had vascular dementia, Cockamamy resonates with me on multiple levels. The play tackles head on the silent feelings of guilt and failure often experienced by people living with the disease, while also celebrating the unique connection between a woman and her granddaughter. I believe Louise’s story acts as a valuable social tool by shining a light on one of the biggest causes of death to the elderly in the UK, while also demystifying the older generation to the young in a time where we are outweighed by an ageing population

A beautifully written portrayal of the effect of dementia […] a compelling, emotive and powerful piece of theatre (Broadway Baby).

York Theatre Royal until Saturday 21st April 2018

Reviewed by Michelle Richardson

4.5****

The Importance of Being Earnest, the classic comedy by the great Oscar Wilde, returns to York thanks to the The Original Theatre Company.

The tale revolves around two gentlemen who at various times during the show, pretend to be someone else, Ernest, in order to woo the girls of their dreams. What follows is a humorous web of lies that unravels before our eyes.

Algernon Monicrieff (Thomas Howes) is a bit of a buffoon, a member of the upper wealthy class, living a life of total bachelorhood, frivolous and self absorbed. He has created an imaginary friend Bunbury in order to escape and use as an excuse to decline unwanted invitations. His friend, Ernest, who is really Jack Worthing (Peter Sandys-Clarke), is the respectable land owner, who has an estate in the country, but he leads a deceptive life in town, a bit of a rouge, but desperate to marry Gwendolen Fairfax (Hannah Louise Howell) Algernon’s cousin. Unfortunately for him he must convince her mother, the fearsome Lady Bracknell (Gwen Taylor), that he is worthy and comes from the right stock, easier said than done as we get to find out.

Once back at his country house we meet Cecily Cardew (Louise Coulthard), Worthing’s ward, who after hearing tales of his younger brother, Ernest, who is really Jack in his town persona, fancies herself in love with. Enter Algernon, deciding to take it upon himself to become Ernest and propose to Cecily. It all sounds so very bizarre and I suppose it is, but watching it on the stage it makes complete sense and is at times hilarious.

The whole cast were a real credit to the show, but Howes portrayal of Algernon was brilliant, full of physicality, flamboyance and foppish charm, complimented by Sandys-Clarke’s more understated, but still superb, Jack. I must also mention Susan Penhaligon and Geoff Aymer as Miss Prism and Rev Chasuble. Their flirting and her swigging out of a hip flask were memorable moments, such comedy.

The show was split up into 3 acts with 2 intervals, allowing for set changes, from Algernon’s flat, to Jack’s country house and then finally the library inside his house. During the first act we could even smell smoke from the cigarettes they were smoking, I do not miss those days I can tell you, but it was effective and helped the scene.

I have never seen this play before but would definitely go again. First performed in 1895, it is great to see that it can still engage an audience today. Full of energy, wit and charm, it kept me thoroughly entertained for the whole show, laughter aplenty,  I left the theatre with a huge smile on my face.