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Joshua Andrews and Adam Spiegel present

Kay Mellor’s
Fat Friends – The Musical

First look at Elaine C Smith in Kay Mellor’s Fat Friends – The Musical opening in Edinburgh this week

Elaine C Smith is one of Scotland’s best-known entertainers and will be taking on the role of Betty in Fat Friends – The Musical, written and directed by Kay Mellor OBE with original music by Nick Lloyd Webber. Now audiences have the chance to get a first look at Elaine C Smith ahead of the production opening at Edinburgh’s Playhouse on Thursday 19th April.

Musical fans in Edinburgh, Glasgow and Aberdeen are in for a treat with Fat Friends the Musicalas it opens the Scottish leg of its tour in Edinburgh (19 April – 21 Apirl), before travelling to King’s Theatre in Glasgow (30 April – 5 May) and His Majesty’s Theatre in Aberdeen (21-26 May).

Full dates and tickets are available at www.fatfriendsthemusical.com. Tickets for the Edinburgh performances available here.

For over 30 years Elaine C Smith has worked extensively in radio, television, film and theatre. She is perhaps best known for her enduring portrayal of Mary Nesbitt in the ten series of the BBC2 hit sitcom Rab C Nesbitt. also starred as Christine in the BBC 2 show Two Doors Down and Burdz Eye View for STV which drew huge audiences and won Elaine an RTS Award for On Screen Personality.

The ‘weight’ is over; Packed full of warmth, life and weight loss, this brand-new stage show reunites our favourite foodie friends in an original musical bulging with hopes, humour and heart. Join the infamous group of loveable characters as they are put through their Zumba paces at their local branch of Super Slimmer’s by the lovelorn Lauren whilst Kelly fantasises about fitting into the wedding dress of her dreams. Fat Friends offers a generous serving of hilarious fun with a sprinkle of romance on top!

 

Fat Friends hit television screens in October 2000, following the lives of a group of overweight friends as they struggle with the absurdities of modern dieting. Entertaining millions of viewers for five years on ITV, the show starred Alison Steadman, Gaynor Faye and Lisa Riley and launched the careers of James Corden and Ruth Jones. Written by Kay Mellor, the show was nominated for multiple awards including the BAFTA for Best Drama Series

 

LISTINGS

Joshua Andrews and Adam Spiegel present

Fat Friends – The Musical

By Kay Mellor

 

Director: Kay Mellor

Music by Nicholas Lloyd Webber

Musical Supervisor, Orchestrations and Arrangements: Simon Lee

Set and Costume Design: Bretta Gerecke

Sound Design by Gareth Owen

Lighting Design by Nick Richings

 

Thu 19 – Sun 21 Apr

EDINBURGH Playhouse / 0844 871 3014 / tickets here.

 

Mon 30 Apr – Sat 5 May

GLASGOW King’s Theatre / 0844 871 7648 / tickets here.

 

Mon 21 – Sat 26 May

ABERDEEN His Majesty’s Theatre / 01224 641122 / tickets here.

Sensational Summer Season unveiled at Hull Theatres

From dinosaurs to ducklings, dance to drama, live music and musicals to comedians and comedy drama, it’s all going on at Hull New Theatre and Hull City Hall this summer.

The appearance of the sun heralds the start of the long-awaited warmer months as well as the arrival of Hull Theatres’ sensational summer programme bursting with top-quality entertainment for all.

David Walliams’ Awful Auntie (17-20 May) raises the curtain on Hull New Theatre’s energetic family programme that also includes the award-winning Gangsta Granny (5-8 July), Bing Live! (21 & 22 July), Dinosaur World Live (9-11 August) and Peppa Pig (1 & 2 September).

Dance aficionados will be delighted by their options; balletLORENT’s contemporary re-telling of Grimm’s fairytale Rumpelstiltskin, retold by Poet Laureate Carol Ann Duffy with music by Dr Who composer Murray Gold (10 & 11 May). Plus, Strictly Come Dancing’s Aljaz and Janette’s tribute to the inimitable Fred Astaire – Remembering Fred (12 May),as well as the award-winning Northern Ballet’s breath-taking children’s ballet, Ugly Duckling back in the spotlight for the first time since 2013 (14 May).

There’s plenty to laugh about too as the multi award-winning The Play That Goes Wrong (21-26 May) stops off at Hull New Theatre on a nationwide tour, while Joe Pasquale recreates the lovable accident-prone Frank Spencer in Some Mothers Do ‘Ave ‘Em (26-30 June) and John Godber continues the King family saga in Long Live The Kings of Hull (5-15 September). The laughter continues at Hull City Hall with a fantastic line-up of comics including stand-ups Brian Conley (23 May), Jason Manford (13 June) and Chris Ramsey (29 June).

The world-class roster of entertainment continues into the music programme which boasts monthly organ recitals and afternoon tea dances alongside Shalamar (3 May), Shane Filan (4 May), Frank Turner (8 May), The Waterboys (10 May), Opera North’s Salome (16 May), the Halle Orchestra (24 May), A Country Night in Nashville (22 June), Summer Proms (26 & 28 June), the Black Dyke Band (30 June), Jools Holland (1 July) and Showaddywaddy (7 July). As well as a spectacular concert featuring the music of The Beatles in Let It Be (24-29 September).

And of course there’s an enviable selection of Musicals too. Mamma Mia make its Hull debut in May to a sold out audience plus, there’s a chance to catch the acclaimed Cilla the Musical – a moving adaptation of Jeff Pope’s BAFTA award-winning TV series Cilla (18-22 September).

For details of all the shows at Hull New Theatre and Hull City Hall this summer, pick up a copy of the new brochure out this week. Tickets for all shows are on sale now. Book via the Hull City Hall Box Office, call 01482 300 306 or visit our new website www.hulltheatres.co.uk.

Cast announced for H.R.Haitch
A right royal musical comedy!
Union Theatre, 204 Union Street, London SE1 0LX
Wednesday 9th May – Saturday 2nd June 2018

Christian James (The Commitments, UK Tour; NewsRevue, Canal Café Theatre; Princess Caraboo, Finborough Theatre), Emily Jane Kerr (Tomorrow, Maybe, Union Theatre; What Is Love?, Southwark Playhouse; NewsRevue, Canal Café Theatre), Andrea Miller (Billy Elliot, UK and Ireland Tour; Pass The Porter, The Spa Bridlington; Fables and Fairytales, The Spa Bridlington), Christopher Lyne (Romeo and Juliet, Wilde Theatre; Robin Hood The Pantomime, Peepul Centre;
The Hired Man, Union Theatre) and Prince Plockey (Future Voices, Southwark Playhouse; You Forgot The Mince, Edinburgh Fringe 2017 and UK Tour; Tis Pity She’s A Whore, Tristan Bates Theatre) will join Tori Allen-Martin in H.R.Haitch – a hilarious and charming new musical for princesses and paupers alike

Featuring original music composed by Luke Bateman (Mr. Poppers Penguins) and lyrics written by children’s author and Carnegie Medal nominee Maz Evans, this freshly re-imagined full length production has been commissioned by Iris Theatre’s Workin Process scheme following a highly successful concert version. First written in 2015, this show began as a piece of pure fiction but it now pertinently reflects the current excitement surrounding the royal family and this
year’s royal wedding

Directed by Daniel Winder, H.R.Haitch is a 21st century British satirical production about class, celebrity, patriotism, politics, race and a dash of social values. Set in an East London pub under the threat of closure, H.R.Haitch follows the family of the Dog & Duck as they are thrust into the limelight when their love-struck daughter Chelsea discovers a sudden unexpected connection to the Royal Family

It’s 2011 and feisty east ender Chelsea’s future is bright. She has a new man and there’s a new progressive Prime Minister to light the days ahead. The media can stick their obsession with the identity of Prince Albert – the secret royal who’s been in hiding for 20 years. However, Bertie has something big to tell Chelsea. He’s down on one knee, but it’s not a ring he has in store… it’s a crown. And Chelsea will soon discover that travelling from Barking to Buckingham Palace takes more than a topped-up Oyster Card…

Daniel Winder comments, H.R.Haitch is a timely musical – we commissioned Luke and Maz in 2015 to write this show, never imagining that we’d so quickly see a royal marrying someone who didn’t fit the traditional rich, white, British mould. While this most definitely isn’t a show about Meghan Markle and Prince Harry, we’re delighted the Union has let us put the show on to coincide with their wedding. We’re thrilled to have Tori Allen-Martin back in the role of Chelsea,
alongside a team of young and veteran actors – including our prince-in-hiding Christian, who will make the perfect hapless royal

Title H.R.Haitch
Performance Dates Wednesday 9th May – Saturday 2nd June 2018
Tuesday to Sunday, 7.30pm
Sunday matinees (20th and 27th May), 2.30pm
Running time tbc
Age recommendation 13+
Location Union Theatre, 204 Union Street, London SE1 0LX
www.uniontheatre.biz
How to get there The nearest underground stations are Southwark (on the Jubilee line) or London Bridge (on the Jubilee line and Northern line). The nearest rail station is Waterloo or London Bridge. Parking is available on Union
Street after 6.30pm on weekdays and all day on weekends.
Twitter @ShrapnelTheatre, @Iristheatre, #HRHaitch
Box Office Tickets are available from the Union Theatre Box Office and
www.uniontheatre.biz or 020 7261 9876 priced £15 – £22.50.

FULL CAST ANNOUNCED AS REHEARSALS BEGIN FOR

THE NATIONAL THEATRE AND SONIA FRIEDMAN PRODUCTIONS’

WEST END TRANSFER OF

C O N S E N T

Today (16 April 2018), rehearsals begin for the West End production of Nina Raine’s Consent which will begin previews at the Harold Pinter Theatre on 18 May with its opening night on 29 May 2018.  Directed by Roger Michell and originally co-produced and commissioned by Out of Joint, this strictly limited 12-week run is booking through to 11 August 2018 following the 2017 critically acclaimed sell-out run at the National Theatre.  A series of accompanying pre-show talks and discussions exploring ideas of justice, consent, marriage and modern parenthood will be announced at a later date

Clare Foster, Lee Ingleby and Thusitha Jayasundera join the previously announced cast comprising Claudie Blakley, Stephen Campbell Moore, Heather Craney and Adam James. Consent has set by Hildegard Bechtler, costumes by Dinah Collin, lighting by Rick Fisher, music by Kate Whitley, sound by John Leonard and Sarah Weltman with casting by Amy Ball CDG.

Why is Justice blind? Is she impartial? Or is she blinkered?  Friends take opposing briefs in a contentious legal case. The key witness is a woman whose life seems a world away from theirs. At home, their own lives begin to unravel as every version of the truth is challenged.  This ‘tense, entertaining modern-day tragi-comedy’ (Daily Telegraph) takes a searing look at the law whilst putting modern relationships into the dock.

Claudie Blakley’s (Kitty) theatre credits include Once in a Lifetime for the Young Vic, The Painkillerat the Garrick Theatre, Chimerica for the Almeida Theatre and the Harold Pinter Theatre, Rules for Living, The Cherry Orchard, Comedy of Errors, Attempts on Her Life and Rosencrantz & Guildernstern are Dead for the National Theatre, Macbeth and Lear for the Sheffield Crucible, Di and Viv and Rose and The Good Samaritan for the Hampstead Theatre, Love and Money for the Young Vic and Royal Exchange, All’s Well That Ends Well for the Royal Shakespeare Company, Kosher Harry for the Royal Court, The Lady from the Sea for the Almeida Theatre and Billy & the Crab for Soho Theatre. Her television credits include Grantchester, Silent Witness, The Driver, What Remains, The Night Watch, New Tricks, Nativity, Blue Geranium, Lark Rise to Candleford, Cranford Chronicles, Fallen Angel, Fear of Fanny, Vital Signs, Dirty Filthy Love and Inspector Lynley Mysteries. Her film credits include Bright Star, London to Brighton, Severance, Pride and Prejudice, Gosford Park and The Cat’s Meow.

Stephen Campbell Moore’s (Edward) theatre credits include Photograph 51 at the Noël Coward Theatre, Chimerica for the Almeida and the Harold Pinter Theatre, Berenice for the Donmar Warehouse, Clybourne Park in the Wyndham’s Theatre, All My Sons at the Apollo Theatre, The History Boys for the National Theatre and on Broadway, Much Ado About Nothing and Antony and Cleopatra both for the Royal Shakespeare Company, A Midsummer Night’s Dream at The Albery,Richard II and Coriolanus for the Almeida Theatre. His film credits include Goodbye Christopher Robin, How To Talk To Girls At Parties, The Lady in the Van, The Ones Below, Burnt, Moonwalkers,Man Up, Complicit, Johnny English Reborn, Season of the Witch, Sea Wolf, The Children, The Bank Job, Amazing Grace, The History Boys, A Good Woman and Bright Young Things. His television credits include The Child in Time, The Last Post, Stag, The Wrong Mans, The Go Between, Our Zoo,Hunted, Just Henry, Titanic, Sleepyhead, Pulse, Ben Hur, Lark Rise to Candleford, A Short Stay in Switzerland, Ashes to Ashes, Rough Crossings, Hustle, Wallis and Edward, He Knew He Was Rightand Byron.

 

Heather Craney (Gayle and Laura) originated the roles of Gayle and Laura in Consent for the National Theatre. Her other theatre credits includeThe Vote and Passion Play both for the Donmar Warehouse, Made in Dagenham at the Adelphi Theatre, Handbagged, Pink and You Me & Wii all for the Tricycle Theatre, I Like Mine with a Kiss at the Bush Theatre, Joe Guy at Soho Theatre, Sugar Mummies and Stoning Mary both for the Royal Court. For film, her recent credits include Child 44,Dangerous Parking, Mark of Cain and Vera Drake which earned her a BAFTA Award nomination for Best Supporting Actress. On television her credits include Line of Duty, Life of Riley, Torchwood, In the Dark, Ahead of the Class, Holby City, Doctors, Silent Witness and Eastenders.

 

Clare Foster’s (Zara) theatre credits include Travesties at Menier Chocolate Factory and Apollo Theatre, Guys & Dolls, Master and Margarita and Out of This World all for Chichester Festival Theatre, Merrily We Roll Along at Menier Chocolate Factory and Harold Pinter Theatre, Separation, Duet for One, Love On The Dole and A Streetcar Named Desire all at Bolton Octagon Theatre, Crazy for You at Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre and Novello Theatre, The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe at the West Yorkshire Playhouse, Avenue Q at the Noel Coward Theatre, The Far Pavilionsat the Shaftesbury Theatre, Sweet Charity at Sheffield Crucible and We Will Rock You at the Dominion Theatre.  Her recent film and television credits include Holmes and Watson, Les Miserables, Black Forest, Dark Heart, Sherlock, Taboo, Galavant, Ripper Street and The Crown.

Lee Ingleby’s (Tim) theatre credits include Our Class and The Pillowman both at the National Theatre, Furnace Four and Shoreditch Madonna both at Soho Theatre, Cressida at the Almeida Theatre, Drink, Dance, Laugh and Lie at the Bush Theatre, A Midsummer Night’s Dream at The Albery, Dreaming at the Royal Exchange and About the Boy at The Royal Court. His extensive work in television includes The A Word, Line of Duty, Inspector George Gently, Nature Boy, White Heat, The Street, Luther, Our Zoo and The Five as well as the ITV series Innocent and Netflix mini-series adaptation of Watership Down. His work in film includes Master and Commander, Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban and Ever After: A Cinderella Story.

Adam James (Jake) is an award-winning actor who has worked extensively on stage and screen. Most recently seen in Girl from the North Country at the Noël Coward Theatre, Adam originated the role of Jake in Consent for the National Theatre, where his previous credits have included 13, Gethsemane and Blood and Gifts. He is recognisable on screen for his roles in Dr Foster, King Charles III, The Crimson Field, Hustle and Extras amongst others. Other theatre credits include An Enemy of the People for Chichester Festival Theatre, Bull for the Young Vic, Now or Later and My Child both for the Royal Court and King Charles III at the Almeida Theatre. His film credits include The Kill Team, Johnny English III, Hunter Killer, A Little Chaos, Last Chance Harvey, Mother of Tears and Road To Guantanamo. His more recent television credits include Home From Home, Eric, Ernie and Me, Endeavour, Grantchester and Coalition.

 

Thusitha Jayasundera (Rachel) was most recently seen in The Divide at The Old Vic and King’s Theatre Edinburgh, and has previously appeared in Nina Raine’s Tiger Country at Hampstead Theatre. Her other theatre credits include My Eyes Went Dark at Finborough and Traverse Theatre,Behind the Beautiful Forevers, Crime and Punishment, War Horse and The Caucasian Chalk Circle for the National Theatre, The Vertical Hour for the Park Theatre and The Comedy of Errors, Cain, Peer Gynt and Pentecost for the Royal Shakespeare Company. Her extensive work in television includesMidsomer Murders, Doctor Foster, Humans, The Foreigner, Broadchurch, The C Word and Lewis.

 

Nina Raine’s other plays include Tiger Country, Rabbit and Tribes as well as an adaptation of The Drunks by the Durnenkov Brothers.  She was shortlisted for the 2004 Verity Bargate Award and awarded the 2006 Evening Standard and Critics’ Circle Awards for Most Promising Playwright for her debut play Rabbit.  Tribes won the Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Play, the New York Drama Critics’ Circle Award for Best Foreign Play and the Off-Broadway Alliance Award for Best New Play and has been performed in eighteen different countries. Nina was nominated for a Susan Blackburn Smith Award for Consent.

Roger Michell’s many productions include Waste, Landscape with Weapon, Honour, Blue/Orange, Under Milk Wood, The Homecoming and The Coup all for the National Theatre, Farewell to the Theatre and Some Sunny Day both for Hampstead Theatre, Rope for the Almeida Theatre, Tribesand Birthday both for the Royal Court, Betrayal, Old Times and My Night with Reg for the Donmar Warehouse, the latter transferring to the Apollo Theatre in the West End. Michell’s film credits include My Cousin Rachel, Le Week-End, Hyde Park on Hudson, Morning Glory, Venus, Enduring Love, The Mother, Changing Lanes, Persuasion, My Night With Reg, Titanic Town and Notting Hill.  On television his credits include The Buddha of Suburbia, Downtown Lagos, The Lost Honour of Christopher Jeffries, Birthday, Ready When You Are, Mr Patel and Michael Redgrave – My Father.

 

LISTINGS INFORMATION

Theatre:                           Harold Pinter Theatre, Panton St, London SW1Y 4DN

Dates:                              18 May – 11 August 2018

Running time:                    Approximately 2 hours 20 minutes including a 20 minute interval

Box Office:                         ATG Tickets 0844 871 7622

National Theatre 020 7452 3000

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

Age Guidance:                    15+

Prices:                              From £15

Website:                           www.consentwestend.com

Twitter:                           @consentwestend

Facebook:                         @consentwestend

Cafe Society Swing

 

Cafe Society Swing comes to Theatre Royal Stratford East

 

Boasting a stellar international cast, this acclaimed show tells the story of the first racially-desegregated jazz club in New York – Cafe Society, which opened in Greenwich Village 80 years ago, in December 1938. It will play the historic Theatre Royal Stratford East from Tuesday 5 June to Saturday 16 June.

 

Full of swinging jazz, blues, gospel and bebop, Cafe Society Swing stars vocalists China Moses, Vimala Rowe and Ciyo Brown and making her London stage debut Judi Jackson, with an eight-piece band directed by the show’s author, pianist Alex Webb.

 

From 1938 to 1949 Cafe Society played host to some of the finest musical talent of the 20th century, including Billie Holiday, Lena Horne, Sarah Vaughan and Count Basie. Billie Holiday was one of the first headliners at the club and it was at Cafe Society that club owner Barney Josephson presented her with the classic protest lyric Strange Fruit – which became her signature song.

 

Cafe Society Swing follows the venue’s thrilling struggles and triumphs to its eventual demise in America’s ‘Red Scare’ of the late 1940s.  On its New York run in 2014 the New York Times called it ‘a balm for the soul’ and gave it a ‘Critic’s Pick’. UK reviews have been just as favourable: ‘Fabulous’ – Financial Times (****), ‘A genuine treat’ – The Times (****), ‘An eight-piece band worthy of any West End stage’ –  London Evening Standard (***), ‘Brilliantly conceived theatrical cabaret’ – TheArtsDesk.com.

 

The show features the Cafe Society All Stars – an eight-piece band consisting the cream of UK jazz musicians, led by Alex Webb (piano, MD) with Dave Bitelli (tenor sax), Tony Kofi (alto), Nathaniel Cross (trombone), Sue Richardson (trumpet), Ciyo Brown (guitar), Miles Danso (bass) and Andy Chapman (drums).

Theatre Royal Stratford East

Listings

Gerry Raffles Square, London E15 1BN

5 – 16 June

Tue – Sat 7.30pm, Sat 2.30pm

Tickets: From £10

Facebook: theatreroyalstratfordeast

Twitter: @stratfordeast

Instagram: theatre_royal_stratford_east

Youtube: theatreroyalstratfordeast

 

DUSTY
THE DUSTY SPRINGFIELD MUSICAL

Book by Jonathan Harvey
Directed by Maria Friedman
Designer Tom Pye
Choreographer Tim Jackson

• FURTHER CASTING ANNOUNCED, INCLUDING RUFUS HOUND AND ROBERTA TAYLOR, FOR THE NEW MUSICAL CHARTING THE LIFE OF DUSTY SPRINGFIELD

• THEY JOIN KATHERINE KINGSLEY, PREVIOUSLY ANNOUNCED IN THE TITLE ROLE

• DUSTY WILL PREMIERE IN JUNE AT THEATRE ROYAL BATH, BEFORE PLAYING AT  SHEFFIELD LYCEUM THEATRE, NEWCASTLE  THEATRE ROYAL AND THE LOWRY, SALFORD

To celebrate the birthday of Dusty Springfield (born 16 April 1939) further casting has been announced today for DUSTY, the landmark new musical about her life which will have its world premiere at Theatre Royal Bath in June 2018 before dates at The Lyceum in Sheffield, Newcastle Theatre Royal, and The Lowry in Salford.

Joining the previously announced Katherine Kingsley (Piaf, Singin’ in the Rain) in the title role will be actor, comedian and presenter Rufus Hound (Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, The Wind in the Willows) as Dusty’s manager Billings and Roberta Taylor (The Bill, EastEnders) as Dusty’s mother Kay.

The full cast will include Ishmail Aaron, Jenny Bolt, Alex Bowen, Esther Coles, Joelle Dyson, Joanna Francis, Paul Grunert, Ella Kenion, Adam Lyons, Lisa Mathieson, Katharine Pearson, Micha Richardson, Sadie-Jean Shirley, Hampus Lee Strand and Chad Wilder, with further casting still to be announced.

With a fiercely funny and emotionally charged script from BAFTA and Olivier nominated writer Jonathan Harvey (Beautiful Thing, Coronation Street), DUSTY is directed by Olivier Award-winner Maria Friedman (Merrily We Roll Along, Stepping Out).

DUSTY features many of the singer’s blazingly soulful pop hits, including I Only Want to Bewith You, Son of a Preacher Man and You Don‘t Have to Say You Love Me. 

London born Dusty Springfield’s career started in the late 1950’s. She soon became known across the world for her soulful voice and iconic look with hits spanning four decades. Dusty was recently voted one of the most influential women of the last 100 years in a poll by BBC Radio 4’s flagship Today programme. Her 1969 masterpiece ‘Dusty In Memphis’ is considered one of the greatest albums of all time and Dusty has been inducted into both the US Rock and Roll and UK Music Halls of Fame.

DUSTY draws on the memories of her close friend, manager and authorised biographer Vicki Wickham, her lifelong personal assistant Pat Rhodes, and friend and record company executive Tris Penna.

Rufus Hound is a well-known actor, comedian and presenter equally at home with roles on screen including Doctor Who, Cucumber, Hounded and on the stage including What The Butler Saw (Theatre Royal Bath / Leicester Curve), Don Quixote (RSC), Dirty Rotten Scoundrels (Savoy Theatre London). He returns to The Lowry following his award-winning role as Mr Toad in The Wind in the Willows. Prior to DUSTY, he will be playing opposite Katherine Kingsley in Noël Coward’s Present Laughter at Chichester Festival Theatre.

Roberta Taylor is best known as series regulars Inspector Gina Gold in The Bill and previously Irene Raymond in EastEnders. Further screen credits include Luther, Shakespeare & Hathaway, Bleak House. Alongside her television work her numerous roles onstage include an acclaimed and memorable performance as Phoebe Rice in John Osborne’s The Entertainer (Manchester Royal Exchange).

Katherine Kingsley has received widespread critical acclaim and multiple Olivier and WhatsOnStage Award nominations. Theatre credits include playing Marlene Dietrich in Piaf (Donmar Warehouse), Christine Colgate in Dirty Rotten Scoundrels (Savoy Theatre London)/ Manchester Opera House / Aylesbury Waterside Theatre), Helena in Michael Grandage Company’s production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Noël Coward Theatre), Lina Lamont in Singin’ In The Rain (Palace Theatre London / Chichester Festival Theatre) and The 39 Steps(Criterion Theatre). On screen credits include the film Genius as well as appearances on The Bill, Casualty and Bad Education. 

Jonathan Harvey wrote his first play in 1987, and has since written over 15 more, including Babies, Boom Bang-A-Bang and Beautiful Thing, which was later made into an acclaimed film. He has been the recipient of the Evening Standard, George Devine and John Whiting Awards, and his work has been both Bafta- and Olivier-nominated. Jonathan’s extensive television writing includes Coronation Street, on which he has worked since 2004, Beautiful People and Gimme, Gimme, Gimme. He has also written for shows as diverse as Rev, Shameless, At Home With The Braithwaites, The Catherine Tate Show and Tracey Ullman’s Show. He has also published five novels and been hailed as ‘the new theatrical voice of his generation’.

Best known as a three-time Olivier Award winning star of the musical stage, director Maria Friedman made an astonishing directorial debut in 2012 with a hugely acclaimed production of Merrily We Roll Along which won Best Musical at the Evening Standard Awards 2013, the Olivier Awards 2014 (for which Maria was also nominated for Best Director of a Musical), and the Critic’s Circle Award 2013. She went on to direct High Society at The Old Vic in 2015 and recently Stepping Out at the Vaudeville Theatre.

DUSTY is produced by Eleanor Lloyd Productions in association with Tris Penna and Vicki Wickham. Set and Costume Design is by Tom Pye with Choreography by Tim Jackson, Lighting Design by Bruno Poet, Sound Design by Richard Brooker, Video Design by Finn Ross, Orchestrations and Vocal Arrangements by Steve Sidwell and Musical Supervision and Vocal Arrangements by Tim Sutton. Music Consultant is Tris Penna, Casting Director is Ellie Collyer-Bristow CDG and Hair, Wigs and Make Up are by Carole Hancock.

LISTINGS

DUSTY
THE DUSTY SPRINGFIELD MUSICAL
Book by Jonathan Harvey
Directed by Maria Friedman
Designer Tom Pye
Choreographer Tim Jackson

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram

TOUR SCHEDULE

Saturday 23 June – Saturday 7 July 2018
THEATRE ROYAL BATH 
www.theatreroyal.org.uk | 01225 448844
Tickets from £23.00
Evenings performances at 7.30pm
Matinee performances on Saturday 30th June, Thursday 5th July and Saturday 7th July at 2.30pm.(no performance Monday 25th June)

Wednesday10 July – Saturday 14 July 2018
SHEFFIELD LYCEUM THEATRE
www.sheffieldtheatres.co.uk | 0114 249 6000
Tickets from £18.00
Evening performances at 7.45pm
Matinee performances on Thursday and Saturday at 2.30pm

Tuesday 17 July – Saturday 21 July 2018
NEWCASTLE THEATRE ROYAL 
www.theatreroyal.co.uk | 08448 112 121
Tickets from £19.50
Evening performances at 7.30pm
Matinee performances on Wednesday and Thursday at 2pm and Saturday at 2.30pm

Tuesday 24 July – Saturday 28 July 2018
THE LOWRY, SALFORD
www.thelowry.com | 0843 208 6000
Tickets from £14.50
Evening performances at 7.30pm
Matinee performances on Wednesday and Saturday at 2pm

Paterson Joseph brings his one man show Sancho: An Act Of Remembrance to Wilton’s Music Hall for London Premiere

 

·        4 – 16 June, Wilton’s Music Hall

·        Presented by Pemberley Productions in association with Oxford Playhouse

·        Based on the unknown story of the remarkable Charles Ignatius Sancho, the first Afro-Briton to vote

 

Following an international tour, Wilton’s Music Hall will host the London premiere of Sancho: An Act Of Remembrance, acclaimed actor Paterson Joseph’s one-man play that tells the extraordinary unknown story of Charles Ignatius Sancho, English gentleman, socialite, composer, writer, abolitionist and first Afro-Briton to vote in Britain.

Sancho was conceived, written and performed by Paterson Joseph (NT’s Emperor Jones, RSC’s Julius Caesar, Peep Show and Green Wing) after years of wanting to star in a period drama but finding that the only stories about black Britons before the 20^th century were that of slavery and therefore limited roles for black actors. He was fascinated then to discover the story of Sancho and his incredible, unique life.

Born on a slave ship in 1729 and educated in London in secret, Sancho spent his early life working as a butler for aristocratic families in South London where he immersed himself in music, poetry, reading and writing. He went on to own a greengrocers in Westminster, mixing with notable actors, writers and musicians, before becoming the first British-African to vote in a British election. He was immortalized by the great English painter Thomas Gainsborough and became a fierce voice in the abolitionism movement and a symbol of the immorality of the slave trade. In a largely white society, Sancho’s life was not just unusual but completely unprecedented, and it was for this reason that Joseph decided to bring his story to life on stage.

This revealing and funny one-man show casts a light on the widely unknown and often-misunderstood narratives of the African-Britain experience; Joseph cleverly takes audiences through Sancho’s early years in 18^th Century London and explores his ascent into middle class society. Co-directed by Simon Godwin (Associate Director, National Theatre), this is a true exploration of the curious, daringly determined and intelligent man who plays a remarkable yet relatively unknown role in the history of Britain.

Paterson Joseph says “Charles Ignatius’ dream was to travel to America, we achieved that for him. I’m even more excited to bring the most forgotten man in British history to his, and my, hometown at the beautiful Wilton’s Music Hall.”

Listings Info

Dates: 4 June – 16 June

Times: 7:30pm, 2:30pm on Saturdays and Wednesday 13 June

Tickets: £12.50 – £25

Recommended for ages 10+

TAKE A TRIP DOWN SUNSET BOULEVARD THIS MONTH AT SHEFFIELD THEATRES

 

Experience Andrew Lloyd Webber’s TONY-award winning masterpiece Sunset Boulevard at the Lyceum from Monday 23 – Saturday 28 April.

 

In her mansion on Sunset Boulevard, faded silent-screen goddess Norma Desmond lives in a fantasy world. Impoverished screen writer Joe Gillis, on the run from debt collectors, stumbles into her reclusive world and is seduced by her luxurious lifestyle. When his love for another woman leads him to try and break free, dramatic consequences ensue.

 

Starring West End legend Ria Jones as Norma Desmond, and Danny Mac (Strictly, Hollyoaks) as Joe Gillis, this Golden Age musical promises to be a night of glamour and spectacle. Featuring much-loved songs including: Sunset Boulevard, With One Look, As If We Never Said Goodbye, The Greatest Star of All and The Perfect Year.

 

Sunset Boulevard comes to the Lyceum Theatre from Monday 23 – Saturday 28 April.  Tickets can be purchased from Sheffield Theatres’ Box Office in-person, by phone on 0114 249 6000 or online at sheffieldtheatres.co.uk

Musical tackles the Menopause head on

Hit musical comedy comes to Hull New Theatre

Following a string of sell-out UK tours Menopause the Musical rolls in to Hull New Theatre next month.

Set in a department store where four women, with seemingly nothing in common, meet by chance and make fun of their woeful lives experiencing ‘the change’, the quartet soon realise that the menopause is no longer ‘the silent passage’ but is an unavoidable stage in every woman’s life.

With an all-star cast including Cheryl Fergison(CORR) (EastEnders), Maureen Nolan (The Nolans), Rebecca Wheatley (Casualty) and Hilary O’Neil (Copy Cats), this hysterical show is packed with one-liners about night sweats, hot flushes and memory loss and backed by an instantly recognisable soundtrack of innuendo-laden versions of 60s, 70s and 80s pop classics.

This hugely popular all-singing, all-dancing comedy is the ultimate girls’ night out.

The show has proved such a hit that an extra performance has already had to be added in Hull and tickets for this too are selling quickly.

To book for Menopause the Musical on Tuesday 8 May, visit the Hull City Hall Box Office, call 01482 300 306 or go to www.hulltheatres.co.uk

DARLINGTON HIPPODROME LAUNCHES A SIZZLING SUMMER SEASON

As thoughts turn to balmy summer evenings, Darlington Hippodrome is pleased to announce a sizzling season of shows between May and September

As opening shows go there’s none hotter than a trip back to the glamorous, glitzy nights of Las Vegas as we welcome a tribute to The Rat Pack and Ella Fitzgerald for a week of pure nostalgia. Hit follows swinging hit including all-time favourites ‘The Lady is a Tramp’, ‘Volare’, ‘My Way’, ‘Mack the Knife’ and many, many more. The Rat Pack Live from Las Vegas will raise the roof of Darlington Hippodrome from Tuesday 8 to Saturday 12 May

Week-long shows at the Hippodrome continue with the Touring Consortium Theatre Company and Rose Theatre Kingston co-production of Dr Jekyll & Mr Hyde from Tuesday 15 to Saturday 19 May. This adaptation of the Robert Louis Stevenson gothic thriller stars Phil Daniels (Quadrophenia, Les Misérables, EastEnders) as Dr Jekyll who unleashes an inner, sinister figure in his experiment to separate good from evil

Hot on the heels of this classic thriller we welcome a Hollywood legend to Darlington as Stephanie Powers (McLintock!, Hart to Hart, The Magnificent Seven Ride Again) stars opposite Clive Francis (The Crown, An Inspector Calls) in 84 Charing Cross Road from Wednesday 23 to Saturday 26 May. Based on a true story, 84 Charing Cross Road is a tender and heart-warming tale of transatlantic friendship between a vivacious New York writer and a London bookseller in post-war Britain

The life, music and dance of Michael Jackson is celebrated as we welcome back Thriller Live from Monday 28 May to Saturday 2 June. Direct from London’s West End where it is now in its record tenth year, Thriller Live is a spectacular concert created to celebrate the career of the world’s greatest entertainer

Winner of six Tony Awards including Best Musical, Thoroughly Modern Millie taps its way onto the Hippodrome stage starring Hayley Tomaddon (Coronation Street, Dancing on Ice). Taking you back to the height of the Jazz Age in New York City the show delivers a brilliant evening of madcap merriment and spectacular dance routines

Who wouldn’t want to spend an evening with The King? This Is Elvis is a new musical treat celebrating the 1968 TV special that re-invigorated Elvis Presley’s career and secured his place in history as the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll. Starring Steve Michaels – who looks more like Elvis than Elvis – the show runs from Monday 25 to Saturday 30 June

From the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll to an undisputed king of comedy as Joe Pasquale stars in a brand new stage production of Some Mothers Do ‘Ave ‘Em. The most successful sitcom of the 1970s introduced us to the hapless Frank Spencer and his long-suffering wife Betty. Joe Pasquale, Sarah Earnshaw and Susie Blake bring all our favourite characters to life on stage with a never-ending list of disasters, roller-skating escapades and runaway chickens from Tuesday 3 to Saturday 7 July

Darlington Hippodrome have teamed up with Wisecrack promotions to present the world premiere of The Great Joe Wilson by Ed Waugh from Thursday 6 to Saturday 8 September. A huge star in the 1860s, Joe Wilson was able to encapsulate an epic story in song. His subject matter ranged from love, death and supporting workers on strike. This is a must-see funny, tragic and informative play and features Joe’s words put to music by internationally renowned singer-songwriter Pete Scott

Shorter run productions in the Summer / Autumn season at Darlington Hippodrome include the fabulous Liza Pulman singing the songs of Barbra Streisand with special guests the Brighouse and Rastrick Brass Band (Monday 30 April). Brian Conley presents his inimitable brand of humour on Tuesday 1 May in his new 2018 tour: Still The Greatest Entertainer (In His Price Range). The visually stunning BalletBoyz return to Darlington in their new show Fourteen Days on Wednesday 2 May. One of the industry’s true legends, Gilbert O’Sullivan comes to Darlington Hippodrome on Tuesday 3 May with his ten piece band to present new material as well as his back catalogue of classics. Get ready to roar as Dinosaur World Live comes to town from Friday 4 to Sunday 6 May. Discover a pre-historic world of astonishing (and remarkably life-like) dinosaurs live on stage

The Royal Geographical Society presents Hugh Thomson as he recounts his experience of hiking with pack mules across the Andes (Wednesday 16 May at The Hullabaloo). On Wednesday 30 May (also at The Hullabaloo) join the Edinburgh Fringe’s favourite housewife, Barbara Nice, for an evening of proper good fun

Two ladies of comedy with completely different styles will grace the Hippodrome stage in June. Ruby Wax brings her new one-woman show Frazzled to Darlington on Sunday 3 June followed on Tuesday 5 June by Pam Ayres

One of the nation’s most loved entertainers shot to fame on our TV screens 20 years ago in the programme The Cruise. Jane McDonald has since appeared in the musical Cats as well as TV shows such as Loose Women and Star for a Night. Jane will be returning to Darlington Hippodrome on Thursday 7 June

Perfect for a child’s first visit to the theatre, Teletubbies Live is a show full of love and laughter. Join Tinky Winky, Dipsy, Laa-Laa and Po on Saturday 9 and Sunday 10 June in a show specially created for little ones

Dan Snow will share memorable anecdotes from his career as an historian and broadcaster on Sunday 17 June. Dubbed The History Guy, Dan is the son of legendary broadcaster Peter Snow and the nephew of Channel 4 newsreader Jon Snow. The sharply-dressed, well-spoken comedian Tom Allen brings his solo tour to The Hullabaloo on Thursday 21 June. Dig out your cowboy boots and your blue suede shoes as we welcome A Country Night in Nashville on Thursday 21 June and the sensational Showaddywaddy on Friday 22 June or why not top the week off with An Evening of Eric & Ern – a brilliant homage to Morecambe and Wise crammed full of famous comedy sketches on Saturday 23 June

Darlington Hippodrome plays host to the Darlington Dance Festival on Sunday 8 July when dance schools, community groups and schools will take to the stage in a vibrant celebratuion of dance. On Monday 23 July we welcome Jaqui Dankworth – daughter of Dame Cleo Lane and Sir John Dankworth, Jaqui is firmly positioned as one of the UK’s foremost jazz vocalists

Critically acclaimed stand-up comedian Chris Ramsay brings his Just Happy to Get Out Of The House tour to Darlington Hippodrome on Tuesday 24 July and if you want an evening of flag waving and singing then The Last Night at the Proms is on Wednesday 25 July. It’s a double whammy for The Hullabaloo on Friday 27 July as we welcome Hal Cruttenden and Eshaan Akbar for their Edinburgh Previews. Celebrating the career of one of the world’s best loved singers, Whitney – Queen of the Night comes to Darlington on Saturday 28 July. There’s another chance for our younger audiences to enjoy the theatre as we welcome Milkshake! Live on Sunday 29 July. This brilliant show is sure to amaze and delight.

The award-winning team from baletLORENT brings an original adaptation of Rumplestiltskin to the Hippodrome stage on Saturday 1 September and on Monday 10 September the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment take us back to the golden age of movies with a recreation of a remarkable cinema event that first took place in 1926 with Der Rosenkavalier

Tickets for this new season go on sale from 10am on Monday 16 April.

For further information and to book contact the box office on 01325 405405, or visit www.darlingtonhippodrome.co.uk to choose your own seats online. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram