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REVIEW: HAIRSPRAY (Sunderland Empire) ★★★★

September 28, 2017 

For: West End Wilma 

https://www.westendwilma.com/review-hairspray-sunderland-empire/

Hairspray arrives in Sunderland as part of its national tour. Set in Baltimore in 1962 where, against the odds, overweight teenager Tracy Turnblad, a girl with a lot of heart and great big hair is set to turn everything on its head. She lands a role dancing on her favourite TV programme The Corny Collins Show and uses her newfound fame to fight for integration of black and white dancers on the show, putting her own future at risk for what she believes in.

This current UK tour is directed by Paul Kerryson. From the opening numbers, the audience is dazzled with colour and energy from the whole cast in their bright costumes, impressive lighting and clever back projections. Full of upbeat, catchy songs, jaw-dropping dance moves it’s a real stage spectacular. Marc Shaiman (Music and Lyrics), Scott Wittman (Lyrics), and Mark O’Donnell and Thomas Meehan (Book) took John Waters’ 1988 film and made it into a musical without losing any of the magic. The show perfectly encapsulates the feel of the period and it packed full of humour.

Tracy (Rebecca Mendoza) stands for what she believes in, not letting her size stop her crusading beliefs. Overturning the rules that black dancers are only allowed on the show on ‘Negro Day’ and landing herself in prison in the process, she is the embodiment of all American optimism and sheer determination to succeed. And she manages to find a love interest in Link Larkin (Edward Chitticks), I Can Hear the Bell’s being a wonderful moment between them.

The chemistry between Matt Rixon and Norman Pace, playing Tracy’s kindly parents allows for a delightful amount of ad-libbing and Rixon gives a larger than life performance powering his way through Welcome to the 60s. A highlight of the second half was Edna (Rixon) and Wilbur’s (Pace) duet You’re Timeless to Me, Pace having the audience laughing with just his body language every time he was on stage.

With two Killer Queens in the cast you’d expect some powerhouse performances. Gina Murray is the perfect ex beauty queen bitch as The Corny Collins Show producer Velma Von Tussle and daughter Amber (Aimee Moore) is the epitome of the pretty on the outside, poisonous on the inside teenage girl you love to hate. Brenda Edwards is Motormouth Maybelle, the strong and sassy owner of a downtown record store, host of Negro Day and mother of Seaweed (Layton Williams) and Little Inez (Monifa James).

Two special shout outs must go to Lindsay Atherton covering the role of Penny Pingleton in Sunderland last night and a huge shout out must go to the hardest working man on the stage – Graham Macduff who covered most of the male roles. He had many quick changes and played them all with aplomb. I loved his Harriman F. Spritzer (President of Ultra Clutch cosmetics, Corny Collins show sponsor), the high‐blood pressure principal, and Mr. Pinky (owner of a plus‐sized dress shop).`

The nicest kids in town and the kids from Negro Day, moved and grooved across the stage to the energetic choreography of wunderkind choreography Drew McOnie. Embracing the feel of the period, this ensemble work incredibly hard and the energy they create could light up a small city. The never seem to stop moving!

By the end of the finale, the whole auditorium were on their feet dancing and the amount of smiles in the foyer as people were leaving displayed how much everyone enjoyed this feel good show.

Richmond Theatre – until 30 September.  Reviewed by Jess Brady

5 *****

Following a successful stint in London’s West End, The Wipers Times is hitting local theatres on a UK tour. Based on the true story during WW1 of the 24th Division Sherwood Foresters, led by Captain Fred Roberts when they find an old printing press in the bombed out ruins of Ypres, or as it was pronounced amongst the Tommie’s, Wipers. Aided by their civvy- street printer Sergeant, Roberts and his lieutenant Jack Pearson decided to use the printer to create their own newspaper from the front line.

This was not to be an ordinary account of life on the front line but more a journal of jokes relating to the life of a soldier at war, poking fun at the high command and a salute to fallen comrades as well as spoof advertisements which proved to be a huge hit amongst the troops. The Wipers Times was edited on the front line and produced a remarkable 23 issues from 1916 till the end of the war.

The Wipers Times show is a comical and at times very poignant look at the story of how the paper was created, along with all the trials and tribulations that came with fighting one of the bloodiest Wars ever known. The script is excellently written by Nick Newman and Ian Hislop and carries their sense of humour throughout whilst portraying a wonderful and important period of history we should never forget. The through line of the story and frequent sketch like moments representing articles or advertisements created a fantastic energy and uplifted your spirits amongst the severity of the real matter at hand, which of course was the desired effect for the Troops at the time.

The cast are magnificent, playing wonderfully as individuals in their roles but most impressive in their ensemble moments and break out sketches. Full of energy and humour, it’s difficult to contain laughter throughout and it is quite simply a joy to watch such a talented cast. Each scene was completely seamless with the use of song and movement that enhanced the story further.

The Wipers Times is something that needs to be seen as it recognises an important moment in British history which is forgotten. The men who fought a gruesome battle and also remained positive enough to bring a moment of joy with a Newspaper deserve to be remembered and this show highlights it beautifully. Go and see The Wipers Times at The Richmond Theatre 25th-30th September.

Hull Truck Theatre – until 14 October.  Reviewed by Catherine McWilliams

4****

This excellent production at Hull Truck theatre fairly zipped along, taking our emotions from highs to lows, with a good sprinkling of humour.

On the surface this is a story of Nikolai, an elderly Ukrainian widower living in the East of England who marries a much younger Ukrainian woman, much to the displeasure of his daughters. It is much more though, taking us through the history of the family and Ukraine itself and making us consider those who seek a new life through immigration. Family secrets are divulged as the daughters argue with their father.

The play has been skilfully adapted by Tanika Gupta from the novel by Marina Lewycka. She has introduced the mother Ludmilla as the narrator, who provides a calm voice in the midst of madness and chaos.

The cast play a variety of roles as they tell the story and flashback to family history. We had joyful Ukrainian dancing and singing at one moment and were faced with the horror of a Nazi labour camp later. All the cast played their many roles well. Ruth Lass played Nadezdha superbly as the younger daughter who really struggled with her relationship with her father.

Geoffrey Beevers was particularly outstanding as Nikolai, who could not quite understand why his daughters might be distressed by his actions. The twinkle was there to see at times, together with his distress when things went awry. However this “poet engineer” never gave up hope.

The set mainly consisted of suitcases and a large tree, but never seemed to be just suitcases but cleverly added to the story telling.

I thoroughly enjoyed this production but was left with the question what would I do to ensure a future for my child? And as for the tractors – well go and see the play and find out for yourself!

Beautiful is one of those shows where you may have an idea about Carole King as a recording artist but probably little idea as to her prolific writing career or even her personal life.

Hackney Empire presents
CINDERELLA
2017 Pantomime

• IT’S BEHIND YOU! AWARD-WINNING TEAM, SUSIE MCKENNA AND STEVE EDIS RETURN FOR HACKNEY EMPIRE’S 2017 PANTOMIME
• CAST WILL INCLUDE AISHA JAWANDO, TONY WHITTLE, KAT B, PETER STRAKER, DARREN HART, SUSIE MCKENNA, STEPHANE ANELLI AND CHRIS JENKINS 
• PERFORMANCES WILL RUN FROM SATURDAY 18 NOVEMBER – SUNDAY 31 DECEMBER, WITH PRESS NIGHT ON 23 NOVEMBER

Hackney Empire today announces casting for its highly anticipated 2017 Christmas pantomime, Cinderella, having last been staged at the venue in 2011. Established West End performer Aisha Jawando (Motown the Musical, Beautiful) will be stepping into the glass slippers of the title role. She will be joined by Hackney Empire pantomime legends Tony Whittle and Kat B as the Ugly Sisters. Peter Straker (Hair, Tommy) will reprise the role of Baron Hardup, having last played the role in 2011, Darren Hart (Justin’s House, Gigglebiz) will play Buttons and writer and director Susie McKenna (Cats, Ragtime) will also be taking on the role of Wicked Stepmother.  Making their Hackney Empire pantomime debuts will be West End performers Stephane Anelli (Saturday Night Fever, Singing in the Rain) as Dandini and Chris Jenkins (Billy Elliot, War of the Worlds) as Prince Charming. The production will also feature Sharon D Clarke and Clarke Peters as the voices of Duchess and Duke Mouse.

The cast will also include Chloe Ames, Thomas Audibert, Andrew Carthy, Raffaella Covino, Sinead Long and Dale White. Cinderella will run from Saturday 18 November – Sunday 31 December with press night on Thursday 23 November.

Marking their 19^th pantomime for Hackney Empire, Cinderella will be written and directed by Susie McKenna with original music by Steven Edis. The award-winning team has been the creative force behind London’s number one pantomime for nearly two decades and will once again be bringing a classic story bang up to date.

This Christmas, Harlem meets Hackney in the classic rags to riches tale of Cinderella. In true Hackney Empire style that brings West End value at East End prices, this magical, family pantomime will be packed with glittering sets, big song and dance numbers, slapstick comedy plus a flying horse, all played out in the beautiful Victorian Theatre.

Aisha Jawando (Cinderella) was most recently seen as Martha Reeves in the original London cast of Motown the Musical and Carmen in The Life (Southwark Playhouse). Other stage credits include Legally Blonde (Leicester Curve), Fela (National Theatre), Disney’s The Lion King (West End) and Beautiful (West End).

Tony Whittle (Ugly Sister) returns to Hackney Empire following his role as King Eric of the Undecided in last year’s production of Sleeping Beauty. Tony has starred in many previous pantomimes at Hackney Empire including Dick Whittington, Jack and the Beanstalk, Aladdin and Mother Goose. Other stage credits include Twelfth Night, The Merry Wives of Windsor, Kiss Me Kate, all for Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre, Singin’ in the Rain (UK Tour) and Les Miserables 25^th Anniversary concert at the O2.

Kat B (Ugly Sister) is a regular on the Hackney Empire stage, with previous appearances including Jack and the Beanstalk, Mother Goose, Puss in Boots, Dick Whittington, Cinderella, The Wiz, A Christmas Carol, Aladdin and last year’s pantomime Sleeping Beauty. Kat is best known for his antics on MTV Base where he has presented numerous shows around the world. His film and television credits include Waterland and Street Wise (BBC) and the Richard Blackwood Show (Channel 4).   Kat is also the resident host of the Real Deal Comedy Jam and a regular on the Jongleurs Circuit.

Peter Straker (Baron Hardup) first shot to fame in 1968 when he starred as Hud in the original London production of Hair. Since then Peter has starred in countless West End productions including Hot Stuff, The Rocky Horror Show, The Rat Pack and most recently Tommy, plus classical roles including Julius Caesar (Old Vic) and Measure for Measure (National Theatre). Peter is also known for his work with Freddie Mercury, including on the tracks Barcelona and The Great Pretender. He was last seen on the Hackney Empire stage in 2011’s production of Cinderella.

Darren Hart (Buttons) makes his return to Hackney Empire after starring in last year’s pantomime Sleeping Beauty. His other theatre credits include Mother Goose and Jack and the Beanstalk (Hackney Empire), Lonely Londoners (National Theatre Studio), Home, Clockwork, Cinderella and Red Riding Hood (all Theatre Royal Stratford East), That Face (Soho Theatre), Henry IV parts 1 & 2 and His Dark Materials (both National Theatre). Television credits include regular appearances in Justin’s House and Gigglebiz (both BBC).

Susie McKenna (Wicked Stepmother / Director / Writer) has written and directed critically acclaimed pantomimes since 1998, since first starting as a principle boy in Nottingham Playhouse pantomimes.  Her most recent directing credits include The Silver Sword, a musical adaptation of Ian Serraillier’s novel, written by Susie and Steve Edis. Other credits include Blues in the Night, A Midsummer Night’s Madness (Hackney Empire, New York and Edinburgh Festival) and Once on this Island (Hackney Empire, Birmingham Rep, Nottingham Playhouse).  She was nominated for the League of Professional Theatre Women’s Guild/Coigney International Theatre Award for developing international links.  She has also worked as an actor for over 30 years and credits include Chicago, Cats, Ragtime and The Witches of Eastwick in the West End, TV shows such as Mr Bean and Casualty and films such as Cats, Jack and Sarah and Muppets Most Wanted.

Stephane Anelli (Dandini) is an established stage performer with credits including Tony Manero in Saturday Night Fever (UK Tour and West End), Sinatra (London Palladium), Fiddler on the Roof (Sheffield Crucible), On the Town (London Coliseum), Never Forget (Savoy Theatre), Legally Blonde (Savoy Theatre), Ragtime and A Midsummer Night’s Dream (both Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre) and Singin’ in the Rain (Palace Theatre and UK Tour).

Chris Jenkins (Prince Charming) marks his Hackney Empire pantomime debut this year, having starred in Milton Keynes’ pantomime Dick Whittington in 2016. West End theatre credits includeWar of the Worlds (Dominion), Billy Elliot (Victoria Palace), Spamalot (Playhouse Theatre) and The Umbrellas of Cherbourg (Gielgud Theatre).

Cinderella will have Production Design by Lotte Collett, Musical Direction by Mark Dickman, Lighting Design by Paul Anderson, Sound Design by Adam Fisher, Choreography by Richard Roe, Assistant Direction by Matt Dempsey and Creature Design by Scott Brooker.

LISTINGS

CINDERELLA
A Hackney Empire Pantomime

Hackney Empire, 291 Mare Street, E8 1EJ

First performance: Saturday 18 November
Final performance: Sunday 31 December
Opening Night: Thursday 23 November, 7pm

Signed Performances
Saturday 2 December at 2.30pm & 7pm
Thursday 7 December at 1.30pm & 7pm

Dementia Friendly Performance
Saturday 2 December at 2.30pm

Relaxed Performance
Saturday 2 December at 2.30pm (signed performance)

www.hackneyempire.co.uk
020 8985 2424
Please Note:  Children under 14 years need to be accompanied at all times by a paying adult
Tickets from £36.50 – £10, concessions available
Groups of 10+ discount available at certain of performances

Twitter: @hackneyempire
Facebook: /HackneyEmpire
Instagram: /HackneyEmpire

The Lowry will host Elf The Musical for a limited seven week run this winter.

West End star and ITV ‘Superstar’ winner Ben Forster will reprise the key role of Buddy the Elf, a role which he originated in the UK première in 2014 in Plymouth and continued to perform throughout the record-breaking 2015 Christmas run in the West End.

He is a West End ‘leading Man’ and most recently performed the prestigious role of the Phantom of the Opera in London’s West End.

He was the first actor to take on the role of Buddy the Elf outside of the USA. A role which he garnered considerable critical acclaim for his portrayal of, receiving a nomination for Best Actor in a Musical at the What’s on Stage Awards.

Ben Forster won the 2012 ITV1 show Superstar, Andrew Lloyd Webber’s TV talent search for the rock musical Jesus Christ Superstar, and went on to play the title role in the UK arena tour. Other recent theatre roles include starring as Brad Majors in the reinvented 40th anniversary production of Richard O’Brien’s The Rocky Horror Show and Magaldi in Evita at the Dominion Theatre.

Liverpudlian chart topper Liz McClarnon will star in the production as ‘Jovie’ and much loved British TV actor Louis Emerick will take on the role of ‘Santa Claus’. They will appear alongside previously announced Joe McGann as ‘Walter’ and Jessica Martin as ‘Emily Hobbs’, who all reprise their roles from the record-breaking 2015 Christmas run in the West End.

Liz McClarnon is well-known for being one third of British chart topping girl group Atomic Kitten. As part of the group Liz accumulated countless awards and a multitude of chart topping hits including “The Tide is High”, “Eternal Flame” and “Whole Again”. Atomic Kitten’s number one hit “Whole Again” spent four weeks in the UK charts as well as topping the charts in seventeen countries.

Liz has starred in an array of theatre productions including Legally Blonde, War Of The Worlds and more recently in the hit musical SHOUT. She is also a regular on both TV and radio including Celebrity Masterchef (2008 champion), Hotter Than My Daughter (BBC 3) and Heart North West Breakfast.

Louis Emerick is best known for his portrayal of Mick Johnson in the soap opera Brookside and for his recurring role of PC Walsh in Last of the Summer Wine. Numerous television and film credits also include Cold Feet, The Bill, Holby City, Doctors and Layer Cake (alongside Daniel Craig).

Alongside his numerous screen credits, Louis has proven himself as a highly accomplished and critically acclaimed stage actor. Notable theatre credits include; The Resistible Rise of Arturo Ui alongside Mark Rylance (Contact Theatre, Manchester); On the Ledge (Royal Court, Liverpool), Basil and Beattie (Royal Exchange), the National Tour of Soap Opera, Bouncers (The Royal Court, Liverpool) and most recently the role of Horse in the National Tour of The Full Monty.

Elf: The Musical returns to Theatre Royal Plymouth for one week only, from Sat 11 – Sat 18 November before heading to The Lowry, Salford. The Salford venue will host the show’s first Christmas season outside of London from Fri 24 November 2017 until Sun 14 January 2018.

Based on the beloved 2003 New Line Cinema hit starring Will Ferrell, Elf is the hilarious tale of Buddy, a young orphan child who mistakenly crawls into Santa’s bag of gifts and is transported back to the North Pole. Unaware that he is actually human, Buddy’s enormous size and poor toy-making abilities cause him to face the truth. With Santa’s permission, Buddy embarks on a journey to New York City to find his birth father, discover his true identity, and help New York remember the true meaning of Christmas.

Michael Rose in association with the Bord Gais Energy Theatre, Dublin present the Theatre Royal Plymouth production of Elf at The Lowry. Elf: The Musical features a book by Tony Award winners Thomas Meehan (Annie, The Producers, Hairspray) and Bob Martin (The Drowsy Chaperone), with songs by Tony Award nominees Matthew Sklar and Chad Beguelin (The Wedding Singer). The production will feature direction and choreography by Morgan Young (Irving Berlin’s White Christmas, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang), set design and costumes by Olivier Award winner Tim Goodchild, lighting design by Olivier Award winner Tim Lutkin, orchestrations by Doug Besterman, video design by Ian William Galloway and sound design by Avgoustos Psillas & Terry Jardine for Autograph. Musical supervision will be by Stuart Morley.

Listing info

Elf: The Musical Dates: Fri 24 November 2017 – Sun 14 January 2018 Times: 7.30pm, Wed, Sat & Sun 2pm Ticket price: £25.50 – £58.50 (including booking fee) www.thelowry.com/events/elf-the-musical

CELEBRATED LONDON ENGAGEMENT OF

AN AMERICAN IN PARIS

PLAYS FINAL 14 WEEKS

PRODUCTION FILMED FOR CINEMA RELEASE

The new musical, An American in Paris, was uniformly critically acclaimed when it opened earlier this year. Inspired by the Hollywood classic, it is now playing its final 14 weeks at theDominion Theatre. The last performance of this celebrated engagement will be on Saturday 6 January 2018.

The London production of An American in Paris has been filmed for future release in cinemas, featuring the original cast led by Robert Fairchild and Leanne Cope. Further international engagements of the musical are planned and a major North American tour is currently playing.

Written by Craig Lucas, it features the timeless music and lyrics of George Gershwin and Ira Gershwin, including the songs I Got Rhythm, ‘S Wonderful, I’ll Build a Stairway To Paradise andThey Can’t Take That Away from Me, together with George Gershwin’s sweeping compositions including ‘Concerto in F’ and ‘An American in Paris’.

An American in Paris premiered in 2014 at the Théâtre du Châtelet in Paris to ecstatic reviewsbefore transferring to the Palace Theatre on Broadway, where it received 12 Tony® nominations and won 4 for Best Choreography, Best Orchestrations, Best Set Design and Best Lighting Design. The musical also won four Drama Desk Awards, four Outer Critics Circle Awards including Best Musical, the Drama League Award for Best Musical, three Fred and Adele Astaire Awards and two Theatre World Awards.

Jerry Mulligan is an American GI pursuing his dream to make it as a painter in a city suddenly bursting with hope and possibility. Following a chance encounter with a beautiful young dancer named Lise, the streets of Paris become the backdrop to a sensuous, modern romance of art, friendship and love in the aftermath of war…

The cast is led by Ashley Day (as Jerry Mulligan) and Leanne Cope (as Lise Dassin) with Haydn Oakley as Henri Baurel, Zoë Rainey as Milo Davenport, David Seadon-Young as Adam Hochberg and Julie Legrand as Madame Baurel. The company also features Julian Forsyth andAshley Andrews, Sophie Apollonia, Zoe Arshamian, Sarah Bakker, James Barton, Alicia Beck, Chrissy Brooke, James Butcher, Jonathan Caguioa, Jennifer Davison, Katie Deacon, Rebecca Fennelly, Sebastian Goffin, Alyn Hawke, Nicky Henshall, Genevieve Heron, Amy Hollins, Frankie Jenna, Justin-Lee Jones, Robin Kent, Kristen McGarrity, Julia J. Nagle, Daniela Norman, Pippa Raine, Aaron Smyth, Todd Talbot, Max Westwell, Jack Wilcox, Carrie Willis, Stuart Winter and Liam Wrate.

With music and lyrics by George Gershwin and Ira Gershwin and a new book by Craig Lucas, the new musical An American in Paris is directed and choreographed by Christopher Wheeldon with set and costumes designs by Bob Crowley, lighting by Natasha Katz, sound byJon Weston and projection designs by 59 Productions. The musical score is adapted, arranged and supervised by Rob Fisher with orchestrations by Christopher Austin and Bill Elliott,dance arrangements by Sam Davis and musical supervision by Todd Ellison. The UK Musical Director is Steve Ridley. The Associate Director/Choreographers are Jacquelin Barrett andDontee Kiehn.

An American in Paris is produced in London by Stuart Oken, Van Kaplan, Roy Furman,Michael McCabe and Joshua Andrews by special arrangement with Elephant Eye Theatrical, the Pittsburgh CLO and Théâtre du Châtelet.

LISTINGS

FINAL PERFORMANCE SATURDAY 6 JANUARY 2018

Dominion Theatre, 268-269 Tottenham Court Road, London W1T 7AQ

Box Office: 0845 200 7982

@AmericanParisUK

Official UK Website: AnAmericanInParisTheMusical.co.uk

Twitter: twitter.com/AmericanParisUK

Performance schedule:

Monday to Saturday 7:30pm

Wednesday & Saturday matinees 2:00pm until Saturday 30th September

From Wednesday 4th October 2017: Wednesday & Saturday matinees at 2:30pm

Running time: 2 hours and 35 minutes, including one 20-minute interval.

Principal casting is subject to change at all performances. The producers cannot guarantee the appearance of any particular artist, which is always subject to illness, injury and statutory leave entitlement.

THEATRE ROYAL VOTED WARMEST WELCOME IN THE NORTH EAST

Newcastle Theatre Royal has been voted the North East’s ‘Most Welcoming Theatre’ for the third year in succession and is now shortlisted for ‘Most Welcoming in the UK’ as part of a major industry competition.

The UK Theatre Awards are the only nationwide awards to honour achievement in regional theatre throughout the UK.  Over 170 theatres of all sizes from across the country have entered the award, which is voted for entirely by the public. As North East winner, Newcastle Theatre Royal will join 11 other regional venues at the national finals in London in October where the overall winner will be announced.

Philip Bernays, Newcastle Theatre Royal chief executive said:  “To be the North East regional winner is just fantastic and we really hope we can go all the way to win the UK’s Most Welcoming Theatre title too.  We have an extremely hardworking team here who always go that extra mile to make customers and visiting companies feel welcome and ensure they have a great experience at the theatre, and it’s wonderful to be recognised for this.

“We are extremely grateful to everyone who has taken the time to vote for us, from our loyal and generous audiences to touring companies, sponsors, partners and participants. This award means a great deal because we are constantly striving to raise the bar in terms of the customer experience – we want everyone who comes through our doors or who interacts with our staff to be made to feel well looked after and right at home.”

Bill Midgley OBE, chairman of Newcastle Theatre Royal Trust said:  “A huge thank you must be given to all the team at the theatre who always ensure a wonderful welcome is extended to every person who visits.  To be named as the North East’s Most Welcoming Theatre once again is a very richly deserved honour.”

Julian Bird, Chief Executive, UK Theatre, added: “Theatres play a vital role in communities across the UK, so it has been wonderful to see so many votes cast. This campaign brought together audiences, theatres, performers and producers and gave everyone the opportunity to celebrate their local venue.”

The UK winner will be announced on Sunday 15 October at London’s Guildhall.

Mark Goucher and David Ian present a

Cheltenham Everyman Theatre Production
QUARTET
A comedy by Ronald Harwood

Directed by Peter Rowe
Designed by Phil R Daniels and Charles Cusick Smith

• MARK GOUCHER AND DAVID IAN PRESENT A CHELTENHAM EVERYMAN THEATRE PRODUCTION OF RONALD HARWOOD’S CLASSIC COMEDYQUARTET

• PAUL NICHOLAS, WENDI PETERS, SUE HOLDERNESS AND JEFF RAWLE STAR IN THIS CHARMING TALE OF FOUR AGEING OPERA SINGERS GROWING OLD DISGRACEFULLY, WHICH OPENS IN CHELTENHAM PRIOR TO A NATIONAL TOUR

Following the West End revival last year of The Dresser, Mark Goucher is presenting Quartet. This will be the first production that the producer will mount in his new role as CEO of the Cheltenham Everyman Theatre. This Everyman Theatre production will then be presented on a UK tour by Mark Goucher and David Ian.  Paul Nicholas (The Real Marigold Hotel, Just Good Friends andEastEnders), Wendi Peters (Coronation Street and Oh What A Lovely War), Sue Holderness (Only Fools and Horses and The Green Grass) and Jeff Rawle (Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire and Drop the Dead Donkey) star in a production to be directed by Peter Rowe and designed by Phil R Daniels and Charles Cusick Smith. The production will play at the Cheltenham Everyman Theatre from February 8th to 17th 2018 with a press night on February 13th. Tickets are now on sale.

Quartet is the charming tale of a group of ageing opera singers. Cecily, Reggie and Wilfred reside in a magnificent retirement home in Kent. The rumour circling the halls is that the home is soon to play host to a new resident. Word is it’s a star. Jean arrives and old rivalries resurface, secrets are revealed and chaos unfolds, but in true theatrical tradition – the show must go on.

Oscar-winning writer Sir Ronald Harwood has been nominated for several Tony and Olivier Awards in a long and distinguished career. His play The Dresser, recently completed a highly successful West End run and tour.

Mark Goucher said: “After The Dresser I wanted to tour another of Ronald Harwood’s plays and in my new role at Cheltenham I felt that Quartet would be a perfect show for this theatre to produce and then tour. I am delighted that I will be working with David Ian on this production.”

The tour will visit Sheffield, Ipswich, Birmingham, Salisbury, Brighton, Cambridge, Richmond and Bath.

LISTINGS

QUARTET
Written by Ronald Harwood
Directed by Peter Rowe
Designed by Phil R Daniels and Charles Cusick Smith

Cheltenham Everyman Theatre
Regent Street
Cheltenham
GL50 1HQ

First performance: 8th February 2018
Final performance at Cheltenham Everyman Theatre: 17th February 2018
Final performance on tour: 21st April 2018
Press performance: 13th February 2018

Mondays – Saturdays 7.30pm
Matinees: Thursdays and Saturdays at 2pm
Box office details
www.everymantheatre.org.uk
01242 572 573

Prices from £22 – £32

Twitter: @Everymanchelt
Instagram: @Everymanchelt
Facebook: /EverymanTheatreCheltenham

www.everymantheatre.org.uk/

TOUR

February 19th – 24th
Sheffield Theatres
www.sheffieldtheatres.co.uk

February 26th – March 3rd
New Wolsey Theatre, Ipswich
www.wolseytheatre.co.uk

March 5th – 10th
Birmingham Repertory Theatre
www.birmingham-rep.co.uk

March 12th – 17th
Salisbury Playhouse
www.salisburyplayhouse.com

March 26th – 31st
Theatre Royal Brighton
www.atgtickets.com/venues/theatre-royal-brighton/

April 3rd – 7th
Cambridge Arts Theatre
www.cambridgeartstheatre.com

April 9th – 14th
Richmond Theatre
www.atgtickets.com/venues/richmond-theatre/

April 16th – 21st
Bath Theatre Royal
www.theatreroyal.org.uk

The Lowry is set to be the first stop on Acosta Danza’s UK tour

The new dance company founded by Carlos Acosta

Acosta Danza, the new dance company founded by acclaimed Cuban dancer Carlos Acosta, receives its UK premiere at Sadler’s Wells this Autumn ahead of a UK tour beginning at The Lowry (Thu 12 – Sat 14 Oct).

Carlos Acosta is an internationally acclaimed star of the ballet world who set up Acosta Danza in Havana after retiring from The Royal Ballet in 2015. Under his artistic directorship, Acosta Danza features a mixture of the finest ballet and contemporary dancers Cuba has to offer. Launching at a time when Cuba is opening up to the world, Acosta Danza highlights the vibrancy and richness of Cuban culture and its artists. The company is an International Associate Company of Sadler’s Wells, and the tour is co-produced by Sadler’s Wells and Valid Productions.

Acosta himself makes a guest appearance as part of the programme, which features the UK premieres of works by Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui, Goyo Montero, Jorge Crecis, Justin Peck and Marianela Boán.

El Cruce Sobre El Niágara (The Crossing over Niagara) by Cuban choreographer Marianela Boán is a duet for two male dancers. Boán danced and choreographed for Danza Contemporanea de Cuba for 15 years. This is one of her most acclaimed works, created in 1987 using Peruvian dramaturg Alonso Alegria’s 1969 written work of the same name.

Imponderable by award-winning Spanish choreographer Goyo Montero is a new work for 12 dancers inspired by the work of pre-eminent Cuban folk musician Silvio Rodriguez, known colloquially as the Cuban John Lennon. The score is created from selected works in the Rodriguez oeuvre, deconstructed and rearranged by Owen Belton, who composes regularly for Crystal Pite, National Ballet of Canada, Nederlands Dans Theater and Ballet BC.

New York City Ballet (NYCB) soloist and resident choreographer Justin Peck’sBelles-Lettres is a work for nine dancers, performed mostly en pointe. The piece was originally made for NYCB and is one of Peck’s most amorous ballets, replete with swooning pas de deux that build into an emotional climax.

Twelve by UK-based Spanish choreographer Jorge Crecis is an athletic piece performed by 12 dancers. Crecis is an associate artist at Déda in Derby.

Sadler’s Wells Associate Artist Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui, whose contemporary choreographies include Sutra and milonga for Sadler’s Wells, creates a new classical duet for Carlos Acosta and Marta Ortega in Mermaid.

Sadler’s Wells’ Artistic Director and Chief Executive, Alistair Spalding CBE said: “I am delighted to present the UK premiere of Acosta Danza at Sadler’s Wells and across the UK, and work with Carlos Acosta and Valid Productions on producing these performances. It is exciting to see Carlos work with a range of dancers and leading choreographers to celebrate Cuba’s rich history and culture and share it with the world.”

Carlos Acosta said: “Acosta Danza has been founded with the intention of paying tribute to the wealth of Cuban culture. The Company will develop its contemporary work, whilst also using elements of classical ballet. It is an aspiration that has grown out of my vision as an artist, incorporating all that I have learned during the past twenty-five years of my professional career.”.

In addition to the UK tour, Acosta Danza tours internationally to Peralada Festival in Spain, Neuss in Germany and Festspielhaus St Pölten in Austria.

Produced by Sadler’s Wells and Valid Productions

A co-production with The Movement and Festspielhaus St Pölten

The new commissions in Debut are produced as part of The Movement, a dance producing partnership between Birmingham Hippodrome, The Lowry and Sadler’s Wells. Supported by Arts Council England, The Movement aims to nurture talent and bring large scale dance productions to even wider audiences.

Acosta Danza is a Sadler’s Wells International Associate Company

Listings Information 
Acosta Danza
Debut
Dates: Thu 12 – Sat 14 October
Times: 7.30pm
Tickets: £21.50 – £38.50 (inclu booking fee)
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