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Southampton Mayflower – 4 April 2017.  Reviewed by Karen Millington Burnet

Wow, another superb night at a great Southampton Mayflower production – impressive! An incredibly fast moving production by a fabulous cast and crew and an impressive musical performance by the outstanding orchestra.

The performance opened with a breathtaking and high octane bang and didn’t stop until half time.  The second half was as high-tempo and breathless.  The man of the match for me must be Jon Robyns as Robbie; a masterclass in performing talent.  While we took a while to warm to him, by the middle of the first half he had captivated us.  I was rooting for Cassie Compton’s Julia to walk away with the accolade; a huge pleasure to hear such a voice and acting ability from the diminutive Cassie – but in the end, for me, she was pipped by the versatility of Jon Robyns.  That said, the cast were outstandingly drilled and athletic and Ashley Emmerson’s Sammy with his expressive hair, Sam Holmes’ delightfully camp George and the endless versatility of Mark Pearce shone strongly amongst a hugely capable cast of nineteen genuine acting talents; great comedic timing and effect from all three of them.

I became transfixed during the performance by the fantastic array of costumes and huge strawberries to the costume department; that said, why were Ashley Hall-Rickets’ trousers always shorter than everyone else’s?  I did fall in love with the endless sparkle of Holly’s costumes and Roxanne Pallett carried them off with great style but I was alarmed at times by Tara Verloop’s Linda and just how far she was prepared to strip off! A must-see is the body-double for Ruth Madoc; worth a return visit just to catch another performance as I think I blinked at just the wrong moment! My only – and persistent – criticism with the cast (and it is becoming a common irritation for me) is the inability of British actors to carry off a consistent and credible American accent both in conversation and song.  I know it’s hard, but it did become a slight Cook’s Tour of a variety of East and West coast States.

The supporting team, as ever, were top class.  The props were imaginative and well managed, even if there were a couple of hiccups.  The lighting was a masterclass in its own right, even if, yet again, the chaps on the spotlights seemed to miss their target on the stage occasionally.  The musicianship was quite as energetic as the stage performance and never once flagged – a really good effort, if quite undeservedly invisible. And a special mention must be made of the choreographers who must have been exhausted just dreaming up the routines let alone bringing them to life; albeit, with the talent in this cast, their job must have been a joy.

Leaving the Stalls after the performance can occasionally feel rather like trying to get off the Titanic and with better lighting would be less of a shuffle and slightly easier after the roller-coaster ride of the performance; however, we are getting used to it.

Wake Up, ‘Some Guys’ has Something to Say to You!

Grand Opera House York

Tuesday 25 April

45 years since Rod Stewart wrote and recorded the hit song Maggie May  and hot on the heels of Rod’s recent acclaimed album Another Country, a new theatrical production Some Guys Have All the Luck  is selling out in venues across the UK.

Some Guys Have All the Luck celebrates the career of one of rock’s greatest icons, Rod Stewart – from street busker to international superstar. The show hits York on Tuesday 25 April 2017.

Paul says:

“Rod Stewart’s life has been graced with significant strokes of luck along the way and I’ve picked out some of these as key moments in the new show. Rod has made the most of this luck combining it with hard graft and talent and I feel as lucky to be performing his current songs as much as the classics like Maggie May.”

Paul Metcalfe delivers both an authentic and charismatic performance as Rod Stewart; from the distinctive vocals to the swaggering showmanship and sheer fun that has made Rod one of the most loved performers of all time.

The new musical show ‘Some Guys Have All the Luck’ charts Rod Stewart’s career chronologically and highlights some of the significant strokes of luck which helped the rock legend during his stellar career (see Editor’s notes for further information). The show also features songs from Rod Stewart’s time with ‘The Faces’ as well as a full concert production in the second half of the show with classic hits including Maggie May, Baby Jane, Da Ya Think I’m Sexy, Sailing and You’re in My Heart.

We all make our own luck, but some guys really do have it all!

Show information

Venue: Grand Opera House York

Time: 7:30pm

Tickets: From £20

Box office: 0844 871 3024

Online: www.atgtickets.com/york

Rehearsal photos for the UK & Ireland premiere of THE ADDAMS FAMILY, starring Samantha Womack as Morticia Addams, Les Dennis as Uncle Fester, Carrie Hope Fletcher as Wednesday Addams, Cameron Blakely as Gomez Addams, Valda Aviks as Grandma Addams, Charlotte Page as Alice Beineke, Dale Rapley as Mal Beineke, Grant McIntyre as Pugsley Addams, Dickon Gough as Lurch and Oliver Ormson as Lucas Beineke. THE ADDAMS FAMILY will open at the Festival Theatre, Edinburgh on 20 April where it will run until 29 April before embarking on a UK & Ireland tour until 4 November 2017.

Directed by Matthew White, THE ADDAMS FAMILY is a musical comedy, with book by Marshall Brickman and Rick Elice, the creators of multi award-winning Jersey Boys, and music and lyrics by Andrew Lippa, based on the characters created by Charles Addams.

Wednesday Addams, the ultimate princess of darkness, has grown up and has a shocking secret that only Gomez knows; she’s fallen in love with a sweet, smart young man from a respectable family! Everything will change for the whole family on the fateful night they host a dinner for Wednesday’s “normal” boyfriend and his parents. All the usual clan are present – Uncle Fester, Lurch, Pugsley et al.

THE ADDAMS FAMILY is produced by Aria Entertainment and Music & Lyrics Limited, in association with the Festival Theatre Edinburgh, and is presented through special arrangement with Theatrical Rights Worldwide.

 

2017 TOUR SCHEDULE

20-29 April 2017 Festival Theatre, Edinburgh www.edtheatres.com 0131 529 6000

9-13 May 2017 Royal & Derngate, Northampton www.royalandderngate.co.uk 01604 624811

16-20 May 2017 New Wimbledon Theatre www.atgtickets.com/venues/new-wimbledon-theatre 0844 871 7646

23-27 May 2017 Marlowe Theatre, Canterbury www.marlowetheatre.com 01227 787787

30 May – 3 June 2017 Cliffs Pavilion, Southend www.southendtheatres.org.uk 01702 351 135

6-10 June 2017 Birmingham Hippodrome www.birminghamhippodrome.com 0844 338 5000

13-17 June 2017 Theatre Royal, Bath www.theatreroyal.org.uk 01225 448844

20-24 June 2017 Hall for Cornwall, Truro www.hallforcornwall.co.uk 01872 262466

27 June – 1 July 2017 Nottingham Theatre Royal www.trch.co.uk 0115 989 5555

4-8 July 2017 The Alhambra Theatre, Bradford www.bradford-theatres.co.uk 01274 432000

18 – 29 July 2017 Mayflower Theatre, Southampton www.mayflower.org.uk 02380 711811

1-12 August 2017 Cardiff, Wales Millennium Centre www.wmc.org.uk 029 2063 6464

15-26 August 2017 Bord Gáis Energy Theatre, Dublin www.bordgaisenergytheatre.ie 0844 847 2455

29 August – 9 September 2017 The Lowry, Salford www.thelowry.com 0843 208 6000

12-16 September 2017 Lyceum Theatre, Sheffield www.sheffieldtheatres.co.uk 0114 249 6000

19-23 September 2017 Bristol Hippodrome www.atgtickets.com/venues/bristol-hippodrome 0844 871 3012

26-30 September 2017 New Victoria Theatre, Woking www.atgtickets.com/venues/new-victoria-theatre 0844 871 7645

3-7 October 2017 Grand Opera House, Belfast www.roh.org.uk 028 9024 1919

10-14 October 2017 Glasgow King’s Theatre www.atgtickets.com/venues/kings-theatre 0844 871 7648

17-21 October 2017 Wolverhampton Grand www.grandtheatre.co.uk 01902 429 212

24-28 October 2017 Milton Keynes Theatre www.atgtickets.com/venues/milton-keynes-theatre 0844 871 7652

31 October – 4 November 2017 Orchard Theatre, Dartford www.orchardtheatre.co.uk 01322 220000

A REAL LIVE THRILLER MOONWALKS INTO LEEDS

Moonwalking direct from the West End – where it is now in its record-breaking eighth year – Thriller Live, the spectacular concert that celebrates the career of the great Michael Jackson, hits Leeds Grand Theatre in April this year.

Created to celebrate the career of possibly the world’s greatest entertainer, Thriller Live has been seen by over four million people in over 30 countries taking audiences on a visual, audio and electrifying journey through the magic of Michael’s 45 year musical history.

Over two hours of non-stop hits from pop to rock, soul to disco and a highly talented the cast pay homage to Jackson’s legendary live performances and innovative dance moves with flair, precision and passion.

The show includes hits I Want You Back, ABC, Can You Feel It, Off The Wall, The Way You Make Me Feel, Smooth Criminal, Beat It, Billie Jean, Dirty Diana, Bad, Rock With You, They Don’t Care About Us, Dangerous and Thriller and many more.

Thriller Live is at Leeds Grand Theatre from Tuesday 11th to Saturday 15th April

Tickets are on sale now priced from £19.50 to £35

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

 

• NYT LAUNCHES 2017 SEASON TODAY WITH 50 PLAY READINGS IN A DAY OF NYT COMMISSIONS ACROSS THE UK – FROM THE NATIONAL SPACE CENTRE IN LEICESTER, TO A FURNITURE SHOP IN FINSBURY PARK – STREAMED VIA NYT’S CHANNELS AS THEY CELEBRATE 50 YEARS OF COMMISSIONING NEW WRITING FOR YOUNG PEOPLE   
• 2017 PROGRAMME A NEW SEASON IN THE EAST END, A FIFTH SEASON IN THE WEST END, A PARTNERSHIP WITH FRANTIC ASSEMBLY, AND A RESTAGING OF THEIR FIRST EVER COMMISSION AT WILTON’S MUSIC HALL
• THREE – A NEW PLAY BY SOPHIE ELLERBY PERFORMED BY SOCIAL INCLUSION COURSE, ‘PLAYING UP’ MEMBERS AT THE ARCOLA FROM 20 – 22 JULY
• FOUR PLAYS TO BE STAGED IN AN ‘EAST END SEASON’ AT THE YARD THEATRE AND WILTON’S MUSIC HALL
• AT THE YARD THEATRE FROM 8-26 AUGUST:
  • ​THE STAGE ADAPTATION OF MOHSIN HAMID’S MAN BOOKER SHORTLISTED NOVELTHE RELUCTANT FUNDAMENTALIST WILL RETURN
  • JESSICA SWALE’S BLUE STOCKINGS ABOUT THE PIONEERS OF FEMALE EDUCATION IN THE UK, DIRECTED BY ALICE KNIGHT
  • THE HOST, A NEW PLAY FOLLOWING A SYRIAN REFUGEE IN SOUTH EAST LONDON BY NESSAH MUTHY, DIRECTED BY ZOE LAFFERTY
  • A RESTAGING OF THE DEFINITIVE PLAY ON FOOTBALL HOOLIGANISM, ZIGGER ZAGGER, FOR ITS 50TH ANNIVERSARY AT WILTON’S MUSIC HALL FROM 6 – 9 SEPTEMBER
• FOR A FIFTH CONSECUTIVE YEAR THE FREE NYT REP COMPANY OF SIXTEEN 18-25 YEAR-OLDS WILL PERFORM IN REPERTORY IN LONDON’S WEST END FROM 26 SEPTEMBER – 8 DECEMBER 2017
  • A BRAND NEW FEMALE-LED ADAPTATION OF JEKYLL AND HYDE BY EVAN PLACEY, DIRECTED BY ROY ALEXANDER WEISE
  • FRANTIC ASSEMBLY’S OTHELLO DIRECTED BY SIMON PITTMAN
  • A THIRD PLAY DIRECTED BY THE 2017 BRYAN FORBES BURSARY RECIPIENT STILL TO BE ANNOUNCED

• JAMES BOND PRODUCER BARBARA BROCCOLI BECOMES NEW PRESIDENT OF NYT
• TICKETS FOR THE WEST END SEASON GO ON SALE AT 10AM ON 4 APRIL, TICKETS FOR THE YARD GO ON SALE ON 5 APRIL AND TICKETS FOR WILTON’S GO ON SALE 10 APRIL.MORE INFORMATION AT WWW.NYT.ORG.UK
• TWITTER: @NYTOFGB | FACEBOOK: NATIONALYOUTHTHEATRE

 

Paul Roseby, Artistic Director and Chief Executive of the National Youth Theatre of Great Britain (NYT) has today announced its new season of work.  2017 marks 50 years of the organisation commissioning new work for young people and in celebration 50 play readings are taking place in weird and wonderful locations across the UK today. Some notable writers who received early commissions from NYT, such as James Graham (This House, Finding Neverland), Jack Thorne (Harry Potter and The Cursed Child) and Zawe Ashton have plays being showcased.

The ‘50 Plays in a Day’, performed by NYT members and presented by young producers include, amongst others, James Graham’s political drama Tory Boyz at the Houses of Parliament with NYT alumni Ben Aldridge (Our Girl), Al Smith’s 1960s based The Astronaut Wives Club at The National Space Centre Leicester, The Host, part of the NYT 2017 season, by Nessah Muthy inCalais at a Help Refugee Warehouse and The World’s Wife by Carol Ann Duffy in Cannock Chase Forest, Staffordshire where Duffy is from. Other readings are taking place at Kenilworth Castle, Birmingham Shakespeare Memorial Library, Porthcawl Comprehensive School in Wales, Sheffield Lyceum Theatre, Wycombe Museum, Govanhill Baths in Glasgow, as well as a pub in Doncaster and a furniture shop in Finsbury Park. The full line up can be found atwww.nyt.org.uk/whats-on/50plays. Selected plays will also be broadcast on Facebook Live and can be accessed via the National Youth Theatre’s social media (Twitter/ Facebook) and website.

The initiative marks the launch of NYT’s 2017 season which will include their first ever ‘East End season’ at the Yard Theatre this summer after the sell out success of their season of new writing at the Finborough Theatre last year. The East End Season will feature Olivier Award-winningJessica Swale’s Blue Stockings, the premiere of The Host, a new play commission by NYT in response to 23 June 2016 and the European refugee crisis by Nessah Muthy and the return ofMohsin Hamid’s The Reluctant Fundamentalist. In October they will take a 50-strong cast to Wilton’s Music Hall to bring back Peter Terson’s iconic play about football hooliganism, Zigger Zagger, 50 years after it was first commissioned by them. For autumn, following the success of four previous West End REP Seasons, the company will return to the Ambassadors Theatre for a fifth year in September with a brand new female-led adaptation of Jekyll and Hyde exploring women’s roles and rights in Victorian society, by Evan Placey who wrote their 2015 hitConsensual. The second REP show, which marks an exciting new collaboration, will see NYT present Frantic Assembly’s award-winning modern-day Othello under the direction of Frantic’s Associate Director Simon Pittman. NYT’s social inclusion course will also run at the Arcola Theatre with a new play by Sophie Ellerby.

It is also announced today that Barbara Broccoli will succeed Lord Waheed Alli as President of the National Youth Theatre. Broccoli is a one of the entertainment industry’s most successful female producers, perhaps best known for her work on the James Bond film franchise, includingSkyfall and Spectre. Stage producer credits include Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, Chariots of Fire, Once and The Kid Stays in the Picture.

Paul Roseby said: “In 2017 we celebrate our growing diverse cohort by marking 50 years of new writing and I’m delighted to see our entrepreneurial young creatives simultaneously stage 50 plays in 50 locations across the UK today from our catalogue of past commissions. I’m also a champion of the need for theatre to have greater parity with sport in education so it’s timely that we bring the passion for the beautiful game and passion for theatre together once more in re-staging Zigger Zagger. With seven further  productions and work at over 100 sites nationwide, including a record 44 audition centres, NYT remains a vital and relevant contributor to our cultural landscape. We will continue to strive to do more to make sure that talented young people can access our opportunities regardless of where they’re from or their background.”

Barbara Broccoli said: “I’m delighted to be working with the National Youth Theatre in developing and celebrating the most talented and diverse young people that the UK has to offer.”

Scott Graham, Frantic Assembly’s Artistic Director said: “We are thrilled to be collaborating with this brilliant, young ensemble, engaging again with the fire, rage and beauty at the heart of this classic text. We can’t wait to see this young company take hold of it and make it their own.”

NYT and leading theatre publisher Nick Hern Books is delighted to announce the upcoming publication of National Youth Theatre Monologues: Speeches for Young People, a new collection of audition speeches drawn from material produced by world-leading youth arts organisation the National Youth Theatre of Great Britain. The book, edited by National Youth Theatre Associate Artist Michael Bryher and published on 6 July, contains over 75 monologues all taken from plays performed by the NYT, by writers such as Zawe Ashton, Moira Buffini, Carol Ann Duffy, Brian Friel, James Graham, Dennis Kelly, Rebecca Lenkiewicz, Gbolahan Obisesan,Evan Placey and Jack Thorne. The collection also offers tips on performing the speeches from current and former NYT members, plus advice on preparing for auditions.

SOCIAL INCLUSION AT THE ARCOLA THEATRE
Arcola Theatre
Three
20 – 22 July
By Sophie Ellerby
Directed by Anna Niland

Outside of the West End, NYT will stage Three by Sophie Ellerby (HighTide First Commissions Writer and NYT REP Company 2013), starring social inclusion participants at the Arcola Theatre as part of NYT’s ‘Playing Up’ course, which is now in its eighth year. The course, for 19 – 24 year olds not in full time education, employment or training, creates productions and commissions new work. It has an 85% success rate of moving young people into higher education, further training or employment, with recent alumni including Seraphina Beh, who after joining NYT’s 2016 REP Company was spotted for a role in EastEnders, where she is currently starring as Madison Drake, Gavi Singh Chera who’s currently appearing in Headlong Theatre’s Pygmalion and Ria Zmitrowicz from ITV’s Mr Selfridge. Ellerby’s urban and domestic new drama following three sisters will be directed by NYT Associate Director Anna Niland(Pigeon English).

EAST END SEASON AT THE YARD THEATRE
The Yard Theatre
8 – 26 August 2017
Press Nights: 9, 16, 23 August 2017

The Reluctant Fundamentalist
8 – 12 August
By Mohsin Hamid
Adapted by Stephanie Street
Directed by Prasanna Puwanarajah

Blue Stockings
14 – 19 August
by Jessica Swale
Directed by Alice Knight

The Host
22 – 26 August
By Nessah Muthy
Directed by Zoe Lafferty

After the sell-out success of their new writing season at the Finborough Theatre in West London last year, a new venture for NYT this summer will be a season of work at East London’s the Yard Theatre. The programme includes two new productions (one new play) and the return of one of the successes from the Finborough season.

The stage adaptation of Mohsin Hamid’s Man Booker Prize shortlisted novel and Hollywood blockbuster film, The Reluctant Fundamentalist will return, having received its world premiere in NYT’s season of new writing at the Finborough Theatre in 2016. The production looks at the ironies of prejudice and representation in a post 9/11 New York. It follows Pakistani native Changez’s disenchantment with the West and his journey back to Lahore. The production was adapted for stage by Stephanie Street (Sisters) and will be directed by Prasanna Puwanarajah (Moth).

Following its world premiere at the Globe Theatre in 2013, NYT present the first play by Olivier Award winning playwright Jessica Swale (Nell Gwynn) for which she was nominated for the Evening Standards’ Most Promising Playwright Award. Blue Stockings follows the battle at Girton College, Cambridge in 1896 to earn women the right to graduate. Challenging gendered views about women’s moral judgement and suitability to academia the play has heavy parallels with the fight for female suffrage. The brand new production will be directed by Alice Knight, recipient of the 2014 Bryan Forbes Director Bursary Fund.

NYT has also commissioned its most recent play, The Host by Nessah Muthy (recently listed by BBC as a one-to-watch), directed by Zoe Lafferty (Queens of Syria). Commissioned in response to 23 June 2016 and the European refugee crisis, The Host is set on a South East London council estate and tells the story of Riam, a Syrian refugee as she forges new relationships with the family who have taken her in all the while battling the memories of her journey to England.

NATIONAL YOUTH THEATRE PRESENT ZIGGER ZAGGER BY PETER TERSON

Wilton’s Music Hall
6 – 9 September
Press Night: 7 September
By Peter Terson
Directed by Juliet Knight

The original football hooliganism play is back.

Widely considered one of the definitive plays on football hooliganism, Zigger Zagger is to return 50 years after becoming the National Youth Theatre’s first ever new writing commission.Peter Terson’s widely studied play will receive a special anniversary production at Wilton’s Music Hall marking half a century since its world premiere. The production is set to have cast of 50 under the direction of Juliet Knight (White Boy).

An irreverent tale of tribalism, the play follows the story of Harry Philton, a passionate fan of the local football team, who struggles between the life of sex, violence and drink football offers and a stable future.

NYT’S 2017 WEST END REP SEASON

Ambassadors Theatre
26 September – 8 December
Press Nights: 10 and 11 October

Jekyll and Hyde
In a new version by Evan Placey
Based on the novella by Robert Louis Stevenson
Directed by Roy Alexander Weise

NYT present Frantic Assembly’s
Othello
By William Shakespeare
Adapted by Scott Graham and Steven Hoggett for Frantic Assembly
Directed by Simon Pittman

Now in its fifth consecutive year, the NYT REP is inspired by the traditional repertory theatre model and was set up by Artistic Director Paul Roseby in 2012 to provide a much needed free alternative to expensive formal training. The course is a unique free talent development initiative allowing the best young talent to work for nine months with leading institutions culminating in three months of performances in the West End. REP company alumni includeSope Dirisu (2013) who is about to play Coriolanus at the RSC, Seraphina Beh who is starring inEastEnders after being spotted in the REP and beginning filming the following week (2016),Ellise Chappell who is set to play a lead role in BBC One’s series of Poldark (2015) and Lauren Lyle (2015) who is filming a major role for a new Amazon series. Mentors to REP members this year include Denise Gough (People Places Things), Paterson Joseph (Peep Show), Shane Zaza(Happy Valley) as well as the Heads of Casting at the Royal Court Theatre and National Theatre.

Everyone has another face they hide behind…

Evan Placey (Consensual for the 2015 NYT REP, Girls Like That) will adapt Robert Louis Stevenson’s classic Victorian novel Jekyll and Hyde. Placey’s female-led adaptation will interrogate the Victorian separate spheres domestic–public dichotomy putting women centre stage where they are completely absent in the novella. The production will explore late nineteenth century society’s relationship to women’s destinies, properties and bodies, against the backdrop of the tumultuous drive for women’s suffrage and first wave feminism. The production will be directed by Roy Alexander Weise (JMK 2016 Winner), who most recently directed the Young Vic’s acclaimed production on The Mountaintop.

This is a mating ground. A dog-eat-dog kind of place.  And it’s about to kick off…

In brand new collaboration for 2017, NYT are working in partnership with Frantic Assembly to present their award-winning adaptation of Othello. Their electrifying take on Shakespeare’s thriller is set in 21st century Britain and is celebrated for its physical and collaborative theatre, bringing the sex, violence and jealousy of the tragedy into the modern day. The production will be directed by Simon Pittman (Associate Director, Frantic Assembly).

Alongside NYT’s annual theatre courses engaging 1500 young people from all over the UK, this year the charity is also offering young people not in education or employment free film workshops in Birmingham, Bristol, Manchester and Nottingham through new initiative Shortflix. Shortflix is led by Creative England in partnership with NYT and Sky Arts with support from Creative Skillset’s Film Skills Fund and seeks to give young people from backgrounds underrepresented in the industry a voice.

Leeds Grand Theatre.  3 – 8 April 2017.  Reviewed by Lindsay Sykes

I fell in love with Willy Russell when I covered the play version of Blood Brothers in my school drama lessons in the 80’s.  Here was a man who understood and created strong women.

Shirley Valentine is a classic display of a strong woman, 40 years since it was written and 30 years since it was first performed, the play doesn’t show much sign of ageing thanks to the fact that many women are still locked into situations where their obligations to families and husbands stifle individuality and where routine overwhelms one’s sense of identity.

Jodie Prenger’s Shirley is a passionate, strong-willed role model that transcends generations – a woman emboldened by female friendship to take a leap, thus creating a new life for herself. Of all the varying formats in the theatre, the one-actor show has to be the scariest for the performer and the toughest to bring off. When things go wrong, there’s no-one to hide behind and nobody else to take the blame. Not that any blame is required here, because Prenger’s performance is totally absorbing and she kept the entire audience pretty-well riveted for the best part of 2 hours of entertainment  Prenger is incredibly relatable, guiding us through this mammoth monologue as though we are old friends, catching up over a cup of tea, or a nice glass of wine.   Her easy-going, natural approach tugs at the heartstrings; she represents countless women who have fallen out of love with themselves.

Transporting the audience from her kitchen in Liverpool to a beautiful beach in Greece, 42-year-old Shirley Bradshaw’s life is thrown out of balance by an unexpected holiday, causing her to question the mundane, limiting life she finds herself leading.  We see the complexities of Shirley’s character – the housewife-robot, the comic storyteller; the deeply-felt regret for the life she should have lived and the strength of character and courage it takes to choose sun over sorrow.

With a range of accents and postures, Prenger embodies the characters that feature in Valentine’s life, transforming from bewildered nativity play innkeeper to selfish daughter, uncomfortable Brits Abroad to passionate Greek lover, all the while rearranging the furniture on the beach or cooking chips and egg live on stage.  She brings to life her ungrateful husband Joe, who “gets jet-lag going to the Isle of Man” and their son Brian, who’s living in a squat in Kirkby though she’d prefer it to be in Childwall.

A plain black backdrop brings life into Shirley’s kitchen in a simple but affective set for the first act – a simple yellow kitchen, with pine cupboards and the ever present wall who Shirley talks to as a constant companion.  In the second, the deep-fat frier and washing machine are swapped for a Mediterranean scene, complete with turquoise water and sandy beach.  But here she talks to rock (should that be βράχος) who doesn’t understand her or speak back as he is Greek.  It is here that she rediscovers herself, in an conclusion that is uplifting without being sugary.

There should be something almost unbelievable about Russell’s account of a bright, dynamic woman who has somehow become such a taken-for-granted wife and mother – no job, no other identity – that she simply puts up with a bullying husband who barely gives her the time of day; a woman for whom the prospect of a two-week package holiday in Greece seems like a major act of rebellion.

Yet however distant in theory, in practice this image of a female life still seems to strike a huge chord with generations of women who find themselves infinitely relied on for the practicalities of domestic life, but often barely noticed as people.  And as you sit through the incredibly poignant second half you find yourself thinking that you are a 45 year mother of three grown up children and wondering where your passport is

Shirley Valentine is a wonderful, passionate, comedic, poignant monologue that shows the true joy of Willy Russell’s words and the versatility of Jodie Prenger.  In Leeds until Saturday 8 April and on tour around the UK this is show that must NOT be missed

Empire Cinemas to raise money for charities nationwide with Ben & Jerry’s Free Cone Day

Empire Cinemas will be taking part in Ben & Jerry’s Annual Free Cone Day for the 13^th year running – this year raising money for UK charities nationwide.

The 38th ice cream celebration will run in Empire Cinemas nationwide from 12pm – 8pm on Tuesday 4^thApril across all sites (with the exception of Slough and Sutton Coldfield). Each Empire Cinemas will be choosing their own local charity with all donations being passed on to fantastic causes. Free Cone Day has become one of the most prevalent days in the calendar at Empire Cinemas. 2016 saw thousands of people around the country come and get their free cone and, in-turn, raised money for MediCentre in the process. Empire Cinemas are hoping to raise even more money across a range of charities this year.

1979 marked the first ever Ben & Jerry’s Free Cone Day in the history of history!  It was their way of thanking everyone for all the love and support they showed Ben & Jerry’s during their first year of business in a renovated petrol station in Burington, Vermont, USA.  Since then, Free Cone Day has only got bigger and better and is now celebrated all over the world!

Those involved can show their support by donating and tweeting @EmpireCinemas with #freeconeday.

Gordon MacDonald, Retail Manager for Empire Cinemas, said “Ben & Jerry’s are a key part of our cinema experience and we’re delighted to welcome Free Cone Day again to our cinemas. This is a fantastic way to raise money for charity and we are honoured to support so many great causes and give back to our amazing customers.”

 

Manchester Opera House

8 September 2017 – 30 September 2017

 

Sheffield Lyceum Theatre

4 October 2017 – 14 October 2017

 

Bradford Alhambra Theatre

17 October 2017 – 28 October 2017

 

Southampton Mayflower Theatre

31 October 2017 – 11 November 2017

 

Llandudno Venue Cymru

14 November 2017 – 25 November 2017

 

Stoke Regent Theatre

28 November 2017 – 9 December 2017

 

Cardiff Wales Millennium Centre

9 January 2018 – 20 January 2018

 

Liverpool Empire Theatre

23 January 2018 – 3 February 2018

 

Norwich Theatre Royal

6 February 2018 – 17 February 2018

 

Canterbury Marlowe Theatre

20 February 2018 – 3 March 2018

 

Hull New Theatre

6 March 2018 – 17 March 2018

 

Leeds Grand Theatre

20 March 2018 – 31 March 2018

 

Newcastle Theatre Royal

3 April 2018 – 14 April 2018

 

Bristol Hippodrome

17 April 2018 – 28 April 2018

 

Birmingham Hippodrome

1 May 2018 – 12 May 2018

 

Plymouth Theatre Royal

15 May 2018 – 26 May 2018

 

Northampton Royal & Derngate

29 May 2018 – 9 June 2018

 

Nottingham Theatre Royal

12 June 2018 – 23 June 2018

 

Glasgow King’s Theatre

26 June 2018 – 7 July 2018

 

Edinburgh Playhouse

10 July 2018 – 14 July 2018

Northern Ballet brings history’s greatest lover to Salford with the
World Première Tour of
Casanova

At The Lowry Wed 3 – Sat 6 May

Northern Ballet is bringing history’s most notorious lover to Salford in May 2017 with its sensual new ballet Casanova. The internationally acclaimed company will transport audiences to 18^th century Venice, telling the story of the infamous Italian adventurer in a seductive masquerade of passion and politics. Northern Ballet will perform Casanova at The Lowry in Salford from Wed 3 – Sat 6 May 2017 as part of its World Première Tour.

In Northern Ballet’s Casanova the fiercely intellectual Giacomo Casanova leads a controversial life consumed by his desires. He dabbles in careers as a scam artist, violinist, alchemist and church cleric but with a penchant for gambling and women, his exploits lead him into a whirlwind of scandal and excess resulting in imprisonment and exile. A true story so sensational you won’t believe it’s real.

watch

Casanova will be choreographed by award-winning Kenneth Tindall who was most recently nominated for Best Classical Choreography and the Emerging Artist Award at the 2015 National Dance Awards. In addition to creations for Northern Ballet and other international organisations including John Neumeier’s Bundesjugendballett and English National Ballet’s Emerging Artist Competition, he recently collaborated with celebrated artist Linder Sterling and the British Art Show on Children of the Mantic Stain.

With a stellar creative team, Kenneth Tindall will co-create the scenario with actor, dramatist and historical biographer Ian Kelly, author of the 2008 Sunday Times Biography of the Year Casanova. The production will be set to an original score by modern classical, film and television composer Kerry Muzzey, played live by Northern Ballet Sinfonia. Sets and costumes will be designed by Tony and Olivier award winningChristopher Oram, whose recent credits include Hughie for the Booth Theatre, New York and The Winter’s Tale for the Kenneth Branagh Theatre Company at the Garrick Theatre. Lighting will be designed byAlastair West whose Northern Ballet credits include Giselle, I Got Rhythm, Jane Eyre and Kenneth Tindall’s Luminous Juncžture and The Architect.

Casanova is the first of an unprecedented three full-length World Premières to be held by Northern Ballet in 2017. It will be followed by the upcoming World Premières of The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas in May 2017 and The Little Mermaid in September 2017.