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CLAIRE SWEENEY TO JOIN THE CAST OF

THE WATERMILL THEATRE’S ACCLAIMED PRODUCTION OF  
“CRAZY FOR YOU”

PRESENTED BY JAMIE WILSON AND GAVIN KALIN

FROM 16 JANUARY 2018

Jamie Wilson and Gavin Kalin are delighted to announce that Claire Sweeney will take over the role of ‘Irene’ in the national tour of the Watermill Theatre’s acclaimed production of “CRAZY FOR YOU”. Claire joins Tom Chambers who plays ‘Bobby’ and Charlotte Wakefield who plays ‘Polly’ from the 16 January 2018 at the Marlowe Theatre, Canterbury. Tour listings below. www.crazyforyoutour.com.

Claire Sweeney has a television and theatre career which spans over 20 years. She is probably best known for playing the role of ‘Lindsey Corkhill’ in “Brookside”.  Other television credits include “Clocking Off” and “Merseybeat” along with a presenting role on “60 Minute Makeover” and a panellist on ITV’s “Loose Women”. Claire’s West End roles include ‘Roxie Hart’ in “Chicago” and ‘Miss Adelaide” in “Guys and Dolls”. Claire previously played the title role in “Educating Rita” at London’s Menier Chocolate Factory and prior to that, played ‘Paulette’ in the UK tour of the award winning “Legally Blonde”. She most recently appeared as ‘Baroness Bomburst’ in the National Tour of “Chitty Chitty Bang Bang”.

Tom Chambers created the role of Jerry Travers in the West End musical “Top Hat”, for which he was nominated for an Olivier Award for Best Actor in a Musical. In 2008 he won the 6^th season of “Strictly Come Dancing”. He can currently be seen in the hit BBC drama “Casualty” and his other TV credits include “Holby City” and “Waterloo Road”. His recent stage credits include “Private Lives” and “White Christmas” in the West End.

Charlotte Wakefield made her West End debut as ‘Wendla’ in “Spring Awakening”, for which she was nominated for an Olivier Award. She played ‘Maria’ in the critically acclaimed production of “The Sound of Music” at Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre receiving nominations for Best Actress in a Musical at both the Evening Standard and Olivier Awards. Her other theatre credits include ‘Sophie’ in “Mamma Mia!” in the West End, ‘Truly Scrumptious’ in “Chitty Chitty Bang Bang” and Laurey in “Oklahoma!”, both on national tour.

The cast is completed by Arthur Boan, Daniel Bolton, Hollie Cassar, Neil Ditt, Kate-Anne Fenton, Cristopher Fry, Stacey Ghent, Matthew James Hinchliffe, Kieran Kuypers,  Kate Milner-Evans, Emma Jane Morton, Kate Robson-Stuart, Ned Rudkins-Stow, Seren Sandham-Davies, Mark Sangster and Abi Casson Thompson.

High energy, high kicking and gloriously glamorous, “CRAZY FOR YOU” is the ultimate feel-good musical with a fabulous score from the Gershwin brothers’ songbook. Mistaken identities, plot twists, heartbreak, happiness and a wealth of memorable tunes, including I Got Rhythm, They Can’t Take That Away From Me, Nice Work If You Can Get It and Embraceable You, all feature in this exhilarating celebration of the great Broadway musicals.

 “CRAZY FOR YOU” is directed by The Watermill’s Artistic Director, Paul Hart, with musical arrangements byCatherine Jayes (The Color Purple, Broadway). It is choreographed by Nathan M. Wright (High Society, Old Vic) and is designed by Diego Pitarch (The Addams Family). Lighting design is by Howard Hudson (In the Heights) with sound design by Tom Marshall (Legally Blonde).

“CRAZY FOR YOU” has Music and Lyrics by George Gershwin and Ira Gershwin, Book by Ken Ludwig, co-conception by Ken Ludwig and Mike Ockrent. It is inspired by material by Guy Bolton and John McGowan.“CRAZY FOR YOU” was originally produced on Broadway by Roger Horchow and Elizabeth Williams. Original Broadway Choreography by Susan Stroman.

“CRAZY FOR YOU” UK TOUR 2018

www.crazyforyoutour.com

TUESDAY 16 JANUARY – SATURDAY 20 JANUARY 2018

THE MARLOWE THEATRE, CANTERBURY www.marlowetheatre.com

TUESDAY 23 JANUARY – SATURDAY 27 JANUARY

ORCHARD THEATRE, DARTFORD www.orchardtheatre.co.uk

TUESDAY 30 JANUARY – SATURDAY 3 FEBRUARY

MALVERN THEATRE http://www.malvern-theatres.co.uk

TUESDAY 6 FEBRUARY – SATURDAY 10 FEBRUARY

WYCOMBE SWAN www.wycombeswan.co.uk

TUESDAY 13 FEBRUARY – SATURDAY 17 FEBRUARY

HALL FOR CORNWALL, TRURO www.hallforcornwall.co.uk

TUESDAY 20 FEBRUARY –  SATURDAY 24 FEBRUARY

REGENT THEATRE, IPSWICH https://apps.ipswich.gov.uk

TUESDAY 27 FEBRUARY – SATURDAY 3 MARCH

VENUE CYMRU, LLANDUDNO www.venuecymru.co.uk

TUESDAY 6 MARCH – SATURDAY 10 MARCH

NEW WIMBLEDON THEATRE www.atgtickets.com/wimbledon

TUESDAY 20 MARCH – SATURDAY 24 MARCH

MILTON KEYNES THEATRE www.atgtickets.com/miltonkeynes

TUESDAY 27 MARCH – SATURDAY 31 MARCH

HIS MAJESTY’S THEATRE, ABERDEEN www.aberdeenperformingarts.com/venues/his-majestys-theatre

TUESDAY 3 APRIL – SATURDAY 7 APRIL

EDINBURGH PLAYHOUSE www.atgtickets.com/venues/edinburgh-playhouse

TUESDAY 10 APRIL – SATURDAY 14 APRIL

THE ALHAMBRA THEATRE, BRADFORD www.bradford-theatres.co.uk

TUESDAY 24 APRIL – SATURDAY 28 APRIL

SUNDERLAND EMPIRE www.atgtickets.com/venues/sunderland-empire

TUESDAY 1 MAY – SATURDAY 5 MAY

GRAND THEATRE, SWANSEA www.swansea.gov.uk/grandtheatrewhatson

TUESDAY 8 MAY – SATURDAY 12 MAY

GRAND THEATRE, WOLVERHAMPTON www.grandtheatre.co.uk

TUESDAY 15 MAY – SATURDAY 19 MAY

NEW VICTORIA THEATRE, WOKING www.atgtickets.com/woking

WICKED 2018 UK & IRELAND TOUR

ANNOUNCES FULL CAST

AMY ROSS AND HELEN WOOLF TO PLAY ELPHABA AND GLINDA

JOINING PREVIOUSLY ANNOUNCED AARON SIDWELL AS FIYERO

WICKED, the West End and Broadway musical phenomenon that tells the incredible untold story of the Witches of Oz, is delighted to announce that Amy Ross (Elphaba), Helen Woolf (Glinda),Steven Pinder (The Wizard and Doctor Dillamond), Kim Ismay (Madame Morrible), Emily Shaw(Nessarose), Iddon Jones (Boq) and Nikki Bentley (Standby for Elphaba) will join the previously announced Aaron Sidwell (Fiyero) to lead the cast of the forthcoming return engagement of the spectacular, critically acclaimed and multi record-breaking UK & Ireland Tour in 2018.

Amy Ross (Elphaba) has most recently been starring as ‘Nicola’ in the hit musical Kinky Boots in the West End. She previously appeared in Sunny Afternoon, playing ‘Joyce’, at both the Hampstead Theatre and in the West End; Helen Woolf (Glinda) has most recently been appearing in the London production of WICKED and was also part of the original 2013 UK & Ireland Tour company. She has played the role of ‘Glinda’ on many occasions; Aaron Sidwell (Fiyero) has just finished playing ‘Steven Beale’ in the BBC’s EastEnders, a role he originally played in 2007/08. His many acclaimed musical theatre appearances include Grey Gardens (Southwark Playhouse), American Idiot (Arts Theatre, London) and the leading role of ‘Michael Dork’ in Loserville The Musical (West Yorkshire Playhouse and in the West End); still best remembered as ‘Max Farnham’ in Brookside, Steven Pinder (The Wizard and Doctor Dillamond) starred in the UK & Ireland Tour (joining in 2014) and on the International Tour of WICKED. He also played Doctor Dillamond in the West End. Kim Ismay(Madame Morrible), Emily Shaw (Nessarose) and Iddon Jones (Boq) all recently starred in the International Tour of WICKED; Nikki Bentley (Standby for Elphaba) has recently appeared in the Asian Tour of Ghost The Musical, the UK & Ireland Tour of Shrek the Musical and in Monty Python’sSpamalot in the West End.

The full UK & Ireland Tour cast is confirmed as Amy Ross (Elphaba), Helen Woolf (Glinda), Aaron Sidwell (Fiyero), Steven Pinder (The Wizard and Doctor Dillamond), Kim Ismay (Madame Morrible), Emily Shaw (Nessarose), Iddon Jones (Boq), Nikki Bentley (Standby for Elphaba),Charli Baptie, Jason Broderick, Samantha Brown, Hannah Cadec, Grace Chapman, James Davies-Williams, Howard Ellis, Amy Goodwin, Daniel James Greenaway, Jack Harrison-Cooper, Charlie Karlsen, Nicole Lupino, Stuart MacIver, Stacey McGuire, Sara Morley, Emily Olive Boyd, Georgia Rae Briggs, Paul Saunders, James Titchener, Helen Walsh, Amy Webb,Luke Woollaston and Benjamin Yates.

The tour will visit: Bristol Hippodrome (Wednesday 31 January – Saturday 3 March 2018);Liverpool Empire (Wednesday 7 – Saturday 31 March 2018); Birmingham Hippodrome (Wednesday 4 – Sunday 29 April 2018); Edinburgh Playhouse (Tuesday 8 May – Saturday 9 June 2018); Leeds Grand Theatre (Wednesday 13 June – Saturday 7 July 2018); Dublin Bord GáisEnergy Theatre (Tuesday 17 July – 1 September 2018); Sunderland Empire (Thursday 6 – Saturday 29 September 2018); Southampton Mayflower Theatre (Wednesday 3 – Saturday 27 October 2018,tickets on general sale from 29 September 2017); Cardiff Wales Millennium Centre (Wednesday 31 October – Saturday 24 November 2018) and Manchester Palace Theatre (Tuesday 4 December 2018 – Saturday 5 January 2019). For further details visit: www.WickedTheMusical.co.uk

Acclaimed as “one of the greatest musicals of our time” (Daily Mail), “the hit musical with brains, heart and courage” (The Sunday Telegraph) and “a magical adventure that casts its spell on young and old” (Metro), WICKED tells the incredible untold story of an unlikely but profound friendship between two sorcery students and their extraordinary adventures in Oz, which will ultimately see them fulfil their destinies as Glinda The Good and the Wicked Witch of the West. Based on the acclaimed, best-selling novel by Gregory Maguire that ingeniously re-imagines the stories and characters originally created by L. Frank Baum in ‘The Wonderful Wizard of Oz’,WICKED has become a global phenomenon featuring astounding technical wizardry, stunning costumes, a compelling ‘untold’ story and show-stopping songs, including the incredible ‘Defying Gravity’.

A three-time winner of the theatregoer-voted WhatsOnStage Award for ‘Best West End Show’ and a two-time winner of the Olivier Audience Award, WICKED played a fifteen-city tour of the UK & Ireland from September 2013 – July 2015, winning five-star rave reviews at every venue. It resumed touring in July 2016 to embark on a major international tour including engagements in Singapore, Hong Kong, Manila, Shanghai and Beijing. This spectacular production will also play an engagement in Zurich immediately prior to its return to the UK & Ireland.

WICKED is shortly to become the 15^th longest running show in West End theatre history and is now in its 12^th year at London’s Apollo Victoria Theatre, where it continues an open-ended run. Around the world, WICKED has been seen by over 53 million people in 15 countries, and won over100 major awards.

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

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

Official website: www.WickedTheMusical.co.uk

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

“A magical mystery tour through the fantasyland of Oz.”

London Evening Standard

“Wicked will entrance every generation in wonder, wit and suspense.”

Time Out London

“A prequel shaped for our Harry Potter era, Wicked dares to subvert the whole Wizard of Oz myth.

The story is inventive and suspenseful.”

Financial Times

«««««

“Blockbuster entertainment, sophisticated comedy
and thought-provoking drama – it is magnificent to see a musical that manages

to be both populist and intelligent at the same time.”
The Sunday Telegraph

“We must all be off to see this wicked and wonderful vision of Oz.
A remarkable kaleidoscope of magical shocks, surprises and sensations, Wicked works like a dream.”
London Evening Standard

“Prepare to be spellbound by spectacular costumes, thrilling technical wizardry and phenomenal songs – all wrapped up in a topical tale.”

Metro

2018 UK & IRELAND TOUR SCHEDULE

Tickets are on sale at all venues except where indicated*

BRISTOL Hippodrome

31 January – 3 March 2018

Box Office: 0844 871 3012

http://www.atgtickets.com/shows/wicked/bristol-hippodrome/

LIVERPOOL Empire

7 – 31 March 2018

Box Office: 0844 871 3017

http://www.atgtickets.com/shows/wicked/liverpool-empire/

BIRMINGHAM Hippodrome

4 – 29 April 2018

Box Office: 0844 338 5000

https://www.birminghamhippodrome.com/calendar/wicked/

EDINBURGH Playhouse

8 May – 9 June 2018

Box Office: 0844 871 3014

http://www.atgtickets.com/shows/wicked/edinburgh-playhouse/

LEEDS Grand Theatre

13 June – 7 July 2018

Box Office: 0844 848 2700

www.leedsgrandtheatre.com

DUBLIN Bord Gáis Energy Theatre

17 July – 26 August 2018

Box Office: +353 (1) 677 7999                           

http://www.bordgaisenergytheatre.ie/

SUNDERLAND Empire

6 – 29 September 2018

Box Office: 0844 871 3022

http://www.atgtickets.com/shows/wicked/sunderland-empire/

*SOUTHAMPTON Mayflower Theatre [TICKETS ON PUBLIC SALE FROM 29 SEPTEMBER 2017]

3 – 27 October 2018

Box Office: 02380 711811

www.mayflower.org.uk

CARDIFF Wales Millennium Centre

31 October – 24 November 2018

Box Office: 029 2063 6464

www.wmc.org.uk

MANCHESTER Palace Theatre

4 December 2018 – 5 January 2019

Box Office: 0844 871 3019

http://www.atgtickets.com/shows/wicked/palace-theatre-manchester/

Gregory Maguire’s ‘Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West’ is published by Headline.

The book is recommended for readers aged 16+

The Grammy Award-winning Original Broadway Cast recording on DECCA BROADWAY

The producers cannot guarantee the appearance of any particular artist, which is always subject to illness, injury or statutory leave entitlement.

PHOENIX DANCE THEATRE COME HOME FOR THE WEEK

PHOENIX AT HOME: A CELEBRATION OF FEMALE CHOREOGRAPHERS OPENS TOMORROW

27-30 September, Stanley and Audrey Burton Theatre, Leeds

Leeds-based Phoenix Dance Theatre returns to its home stage tomorrow with a production that celebrates it the female talent within the company.

Led by its Artistic Director and Yorkshire Woman of the Year, Sharon Watson, the vibrant showcase of dance includes a never-before-seen excerpt of a major new piece that is set to have its World Premiere in Leeds in February.

Windrush: Movement of the People will commemorate the 70^th anniversary of the arrival of the ship SS Empire Windrush which brought the first generation of Caribbean immigrants to England in large numbers; it was 1948 and it would mark the start of the post-war immigration boom which was to radically change British society.

Choreographed by Sharon herself, Windrush is the first ever piece of contemporary dance to mark this historical event.

“I am really excited about Windrush,” says Sharon. “It highlights both the struggles and the good times the Jamaican community experienced during those early years.  It’s an uplifting production and has a great soundtrack with everything from Calypso to RnB.”

Calyx is a piece by Company Dancer and Choreographer Sandrine Monin commissioned by Sharon Watson last year.  Inspired by and based on the book of poems The Flowers of Evil by Charles Baudelaire, Calyx explores the themes of beauty, desire and decadence.

Alongside Calyx and the exclusive Windrush excerpt is an original solo by Dancer Carmen Vazquez Marfil; a tongue-in-cheek collaboration between Dancer Vanessa Pang and Rehearsal Director Tracy Tinker set in the audition room, and a new piece choreographed by dancers Natalie Alleston and Vanessa Pang for the rising stars of the Phoenix Youth Academy.

Phoenix At Home: A Celebration of Female Choreographers is at The Stanley and Audrey Burton Theatre, Leeds from Wednesday 27^th to Saturday 30^th September

Tickets are priced at £15, £12 concession

Book online at www.theatreleeds.com or call box office on 0113 220 8008

For more information about Phoenix Dance Theatre visit www.phoenixdancetheatre.co.uk

Twitter: @phoenixleeds Instagram: @phoenixdancetheatre Facebook: www.facebook.com/PhoenixDanceTheatre/

Slung Low’s epic tale Flood returns to Hull

Last chance to experience dazzling storytelling presented
on floating stage in historic dock

26-29 September and 4-8 October 2017

One of the theatrical highlights of Hull 2017, Flood by ground-breaking Leeds-based theatre company Slung Low, is returning to Hull to help kick off the UK City of Culture’s fourth season, Tell the World.

An epic adventure about the end of the world, Flood tells the story of what happens when the deluge comes.

Written by award-winning playwright James Phillips and directed by Slung Low’s artistic directorAlan Lane, this parable for our times begins with a girl being brought up alive from the depths of the ocean. Her discovery triggers a series of life-changing global events, which result in the displacement of people across the world, leading to a refugee crisis on a global scale.

Taking place on a floating stage in a Hull dock against the night time sky, this unmissable work shows the impact on individuals and communities when their city is destroyed. After the rains, after the explosions, after the terror, those who have survived try to make sense of what has happened to them and find a way to make the world new again.

Since it was first staged to sell-out audiences earlier this year, events across the world have givenFlood even greater significance. With performances on 26-29 September and 4-8 October, it is the last chance to experience this exhilarating production in its daringly dramatic Hull setting by the Humber.

Martin Green, Director of Hull 2017, said: “Flood is an extraordinary and thought-provoking work that asks questions of the audience and of society. At a time when nationhood and identity are fiercely contested it becomes increasingly important for art to help us make sense of the world we live in. Slung Low are at the forefront of producing theatre with a social conscience and a political edge. Added to that is the experimentalism of Flood’s staging and this becomes one of the Hull 2017 highlights that should not be missed.”

Alan Lane, artistic director of Slung Low, said: “The appetite amongst audiences here in Hull for political, ambitious, demanding theatre performed with spectacle has been consistently overwhelming as we’ve moved through the year with each previous part of Flood. Preparing for the omnibus performances it’s so very clear that it’s only through a combination of the opportunities provided by Hull 2017 and the enthusiastic support of the people of the city that we’re able to create this epic adventure.”

Slung Low, working with Hull 2017, have taken a unique approach to the telling of Flood. It first appeared digitally, when a film emerged online in January (Part One: From the Sea). The play was then staged as a live performance in April (Part Two: Abundance) and in August it was shown on television (Part Three: To the Sea) as part of the Performance Live series on BBC 2. Part Four: New World is the tale of a society devastated by natural catastrophe and how it comes together to build the world anew. Each part can be watched as a standalone story.

For four nights only, from 4-8 October, there will be a special omnibus presentation of Flood that brings together parts two and four, with part three being shown in the interval.

Adding to this unique theatrical experience we are delighted to be joined by Hull Pie and Shoot the Bull, who will be providing delicious food for sale during the interval.

Tickets for the omnibus performances are priced from £20-£25.

There are also standalone performances of Part Four: New World from 26-29 September priced from £10-£12.

Tickets are available now from www.hull2017.co.uk.

Flood has been produced with support from The Space, Arts Council England, BBC Arts and Spirit of 2012.

Debbie Lye, Chief Executive, Spirit of 2012, added: “Spirit of 2012 is delighted to help bring Flood to Hull. This hugely ambitious theatre piece further raises Hull’s profile on the cultural map during 2017 and will resonate in the memory far beyond. It is bold, world class art that people across the entire city can also recognise as part of their unique heritage and enjoy together. I’m excited that Spirit is a part of it.”

STOMP

CELEBRATES 15 YEARS IN LONDON’S WEST END

CURRENTLY BOOKING AT LONDON’S AMBASSADORS THEATRE

UNTIL 15 APRIL 2018

On Monday 25 September 2017, the cast of STOMP celebrated the show’s 15th Birthday in London’s West End, with cast member Andrew Patrick bringing a birthday cake onto the stage at the end of the show. The audience then sang Happy Birthday to the cast and crew of one of Britain’s greatest exports and longest running shows in London. STOMP is currently booking until 15 April 2018 at London’s Ambassadors Theatre, where it has broken all previous box office records.

STOMP was created by Luke Cresswell and Steve McNicholas and was first performed in 1991 in Edinburgh. The show played Sadler’s Wells Theatre in January 1994 and won the Olivier Award for Best Choreography, before opening in New York in February of the same year. The European company was created in 1997 and began the show’s London run at the Vaudeville Theatre on 25 September 2002, transferring to the Ambassadors Theatre on 27 September 2007.

One of Britain’s greatest exports, STOMP has toured the globe for 26 years, playing to more than 12 million people in 53 countries across 6 continents. There are currently four STOMP companies performing worldwide, including New York, where the show has been running for over 23 years, London, now in its 16th year, a world tour and a North American tour.

STOMP is presented in London by Yes/No Productions and Glynis Henderson Productions Limited.

LISTINGS INFORMATION

Ambassadors Theatre

West Street

London WC2H 9ND

Box Office: 020 7395 5405

Tickets from £26 (subject to £2.50 transaction fee)

Performances: Monday, Thursday, Friday & Saturday at 8pm, Sunday at 6pm, with matinees Thursday, Saturday and Sunday at 3pm

Extra Performances at 3pm & 8pm on Wednesday 18 & 25 October 2017, Wednesday 14 February, Wednesday 4 & 11 April 2018

Christmas/New Year booking period:

Mon Dec 18 2017 8:00 PM

Wed Dec 20 2017 3:00 PM

Wed Dec 20 2017 8:00 PM

Thu Dec 21 2017 3:00 PM

Thu Dec 21 2017 8:00 PM

Fri Dec 22 2017 8:00 PM

Sat Dec 23 2017 3:00 PM

Sat Dec 23 2017 8:00 PM

Sun Dec 24 2017 1:00 PM

Wed Dec 27 2017 3:00 PM

Wed Dec 27 2017 8:00 PM

Thu Dec 28 2017 3:00 PM

Thu Dec 28 2017 8:00 PM

Fri Dec 29 2017 8:00 PM

Sat Dec 30 2017 3:00 PM

Sat Dec 30 2017 8:00 PM

Sun Dec 31 2017 3:00 PM

Sun Dec 31 2017 6:00 PM

Mon Jan 1 2018 8:00 PM

Running Time: 100 minutes with no interval

Current Booking Period: to 15 April 2018

www.theambassadorstheatre.co.uk www.stomplondon.com

@StompLDN

After over 178 productions and over 28,000 audience members through the door since moving to the Bedford in 2015, Theatre N16 is looking for a new home from December 2017.

Theatre N16 was set up in 2015 to be a stomping ground for new companies and a place to try out new work, offering affordable deals on rehearsal and performance space. It has offered a ground-breaking, risk-free deal to all companies, which 95% of our guests have taken, guaranteeing that creatives do not leave our space owing the venue money. This is all under the auspices of an Equity Fringe Agreement, with Theatre N16 one of the few London venues to have signed up to the deal to guarantee pay to all creatives working for the venue.

Within this structure, Theatre N16 has offered performance space to 110 new writers, with over 200 first credits for new and young performers, and 42 productions transferring into other venues all over the world. In reaction to industry issues, they have started encouraging and promoting more successfully for female directors and writers, and worked hard to find productions and casting processes that favour BAME performers.

“The increasingly important Theatre N16” British Theatre

Executive director Jamie Eastlake says: “I was sick to death of watching theatre companies get ripped off under business models that relied on funding the theatre first. Instead, we kept finding new innovative ideas to keep a space open. The fringe is the lifeblood of theatre. Having good solid fringe theatre models is what creates new work and new artists and feeds the West End.“

Now, the new owners of The Bedford, Theatre N16’s home for the last two years, have decided to redevelop the pub. The theatre is looking for a new home, to continue their model of offering affordable space to give creatives a first rung on the ladder. Jamie Eastlake says: “This is a call to arms. We have to find somewhere – and we need help.”

“There’s a clear passion radiating from this venue” View From The Gods

Hamleys, Trafford Centre, Manchester.

Sunday September 24th 2017 – attended by Julie Noller

5*****

They say Elf is on everyones most favourite Christmas Films list, it’s certainly the one I watch every year to get the Christmas spirit flowing. How could I not jump at the chance to meet Buddy (Ben Forster) and Jovi (Liz McClarnon) and did I mention it was held in everyones favourite toy shop; Hamleys. We arrived whilst the shop was actually closed and the interviews were in full swing. Music from the musical was playing giving us a chance to listen to what lies ahead. It was also a chance to grab some sneaky photos and then I found myself up close and personal with what can only be described as Buddys dream cake, full of sugar and looking amazing, time to step away before my excitement exceeded all known levels. Ben and Liz looked relaxed and were laughing away, surrounded by Christmas trees and sparkling lights why wouldn’t they be happy. Ben expressed his delight that Elf is a family musical to be enjoyed over Christmas, Liz claimed she loved the film and felt it was perfect to be a musical. We also had the opportunity to meet the four boys playing the part of Michael, they are extremely excited as are their friends, they handled all the interviews, camera cues and photographs like true professionals. There were competition winners looking forward to Buddys performance on the Elf Stage, people attempting to enter and being refused made me feel very exclusive for what was to come. Then came the goodies that made us all feel like we were living Christmas Day, there were Sausage Baps, tea and coffee, Café Nero croissants and choc au pain, Juice Boost strawberry smoothies. Elf Bags for Life and Hamley Goodie Bags, Wow the excitement levels were rising and everyone was smiling.

Then Ben took to the stage as his alter ego Buddy, to perform ‘Worlds Greatest Dad’ We all loved it; young and old alike. If one song could sell a Musical then this is it. Of course Ben is reprising his role of Buddy having originally played him on the West End stage. He slipped those pixie boots on like they were meant to fit. We were then introduced to Liz who plays Jovi and Producer, Michael Rose. Liz is a true fan of Christmas and as well as being excited to play Jovi is over the moon to be based close to her home town of Liverpool and family. Michael explained why he brought Elf to the Uk, he wanted to give it a British twist with a British crew and cast, this he has done to perfection. Why Manchester? Simply in Liz’s eyes The Lowry is stunning, a modern theatre that’s welcoming. Michael chose The Lowry in Manchester to take Elf away from the West End, because of the community and family spirit of Manchester. Following recent tragic events and noticing how the community had pulled together, it’s perfect for a musical that encapsulates Christmas at it’s very heart. It’s a feel good musical that gives everyone a Christmas cheer, he is also aware that some people may just well be fed up of Christmas by the time they sit to watch Elf, but then they will enjoy the humour that runs throughout. The Salford Quays and Manchester itself also has a fantastic transport network and is easy to reach. It was uplifting to see Producer and cast talk with passion, they genuinely love Elf. Other stars of Elf include Joe McGann, Jessica Martin and Louis Emerick as Santa Claus.

Afterwards there was photo opportunities for selfies with the Elfies. I have no doubt theres quite a few profile photos being changed now for Elf shots.

Thank You to The Lowry for inviting me, I’m now off after speaking to my entire family to try to beat Liz McClarnons family to book the rest of the seats left, so be warned tickets are selling fast and it looks like being an amazing musical with Christmas memories. Don’t wait too long to book those tickets. The run starts on November 24th and finishes on January 14th all performances over the Christmas period are classed as peak times.

Theatre N16, 19 September – 7 October.  Reviewed by Claire Roderick

4****

Lucy Light is a funny, feisty and life affirming new play about friendship and cancer that tackles the disease with searing honesty and irreverence.

Opening on a wave of nostalgia as BFFs Lucy and Jess celebrate the end of their GCSEs with cheap plonk and dancing to Atomic Kitten, the stark reality of Lucy’s situation is made clear by her no-nonsense description of chemotherapy, delivered straight to the audience. As Lucy wishes for her breasts to develop into C cups, her mum is undergoing treatment for breast cancer. Fast forward a few years to Lucy’s 22nd birthday and Lucy’s mum has died, and she has discovered that she carries the BRCA One gene – meaning that she is 80% more likely to develop breast cancer – and makes the decision to have her breasts removed.

Sarah Milton has written two fully rounded and believable characters, with Jess and Lucy’s teenage conversations and obsessions laugh out loud familiar and cringeworthy. This makes the moments when the girls speak to the audience, telling the truth when they have just dissembled to their friend, more poignant and hard-hitting. There are lots of flippant throwaway lines about boobs and cancer, mostly from Jess, who does her best to keep Lucy’s spirits up, hiding her own confusion and rage as she tries to find hilarity in every situation. Only when she is confronted with the wait for results from an abnormal smear test does she let her mask slip, in a quietly devastating scene that Georgia May Hughes absolutely nails. The fury of their arguments is palpable and shocking, and the ease with which they eventually get over their differences rings true with Milton’s intuitive writing and Scott Ellis’s assured direction.

Hughes’ character has the energy of the Duracell bunny, in contrast to the quieter stoicism of Bebe Sanders’ Lucy. Sanders gives Lucy a truthfully fluctuating strength and vulnerability, and is positively luminous in the beautifully written final scene that will fill you with hope and get you fumbling for a tissue. The emotional integrity of Milton’s writing makes Lucy Light shine defiantly in the face of cancer – GO SEE THIS.

New Wimbledon Theatre 21 – 30 September, UK Tour until December 2017.  Reviewed by Claire Roderick

4****

Will Young’s Emcee has the audience in the palm of his hand from the moment he appears on stage in this touring production of Cabaret. Rufus Norris’s production never shies away from the growing menace as the people of Berlin enjoy their final year of freedom and decadence before the Nazis take power.

The Emcee oversees the action as American Cliff arrives in Berlin and is taken under the wing of genial Ernst Ludwig. Cliff bumps into his old boyfriend Bobby at the Kit Kat Club, and meets Sally Bowles, who moves in with him. Their whirlwind life of parties, sex, drugs and drink can’t carry on forever, but Sally is determined to ignore what is happening in the country, become a star and enjoy herself. Rufus Norris portrays the growing unease, and the persecution of untermenschen stylishly and brutally, and the final downbeat and devastating scene will bring a lump to your throat.

Will Young was born to play Emcee, with wonderfully over the top mannerisms, switching from fey and funny to threatening, to lovelorn and bereft with consummate ease. You can’t take your eyes off him when he is onstage. And his voice is gorgeous – his vocals on Tomorrow Belongs to Me are sublime, and I Don’t Care Much will give you goose-bumps. Louise Rednapp does well in her first theatrical role. Her voice is strong and wrings the emotion from her solos, and as she has more stage experience over the tour, I think she will grow into the role as her acting confidence develops. Charles Hagerty is impressive as Cliff, with deliciously smooth vocals. Susan Penhaligon and Linal Haft are a joy to watch as Fraulein Schneider and Herr Schultz, their sweet romance is a lovely counterpoint to the shallowness of the younger characters, and the two actors bring gravitas and humour to the roles.

Javier De Frutos’s bawdy and athletic choreography, performed flawlessly by the ensemble, compliments Kander and Ebb’s glorious musical numbers. This production is just the complete musical package. If it’s coming to a theatre near you, beg, borrow or steal a ticket.

UK Tour Dates:

Blackpool Winter Gardens, Blackpool 3 – 7 October

Festival Theatre, Malvern 10 – 14 October

New Theatre, Cardiff 17 – 21 October

Leeds Grand Theatre, Leeds 24 – 28 October

MK Theatre, Milton Keynes 31 October – 4 November

The Lowry, Salford 7 – 11 November

Edinburgh Playhouse Theatre, Edinburgh 14 – 18 November

Churchill Theatre, Bromley 21 – 25 November

Theatre Royal, Brighton 5 – 9 December