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Mad As Hell
Jermyn Street Theatre, 16b Jermyn Street, London SW1Y 6ST
Wednesday 7th February – Saturday 24th February

Documenting the scandalous relationship between Peter Finch and Eletha Barrett in Hollywood, Cassie McFarlane’s Mad As Hell will continue Jermyn Street Theatre’s Spring Scandal Season. A battle between race and prejudice and the courage of love, Mad As Hell will reveal for the first time how the backdrop to Finch’s iconic performance was as fiery as the role he played.

This explosive play will star Stephen Hogan (Redwater, BBC; Transformers, The Last Knight, Paramount; Peer Gynt, National Theatre), Vanessa Donovan (forthcoming films include I Love London and The Marker) and Alexandra Mardell (Mine, The Courtyard theatre; Vera, ITV).

Inspired by her mother’s retelling of the story of Finch and Barrett and the Jamaican reaction to Finch’s relationship with a local woman of the ‘wrong class’, Cassie McFarlane has researched and revisited Jamaica for Mad As Hell. Recipient of the Evening Standard Most Promising Newcomer for her role in the pioneering Black British film Burning an Illusion, McFarlane found a lack of roles for Black British actors at the time led her to instead write and produce short films for the BFI, Channel 4, and ZDF in Germany, and to direct plays at theatres including Soho Theatre.

A bar in Jamaica. The early 1960s. When womanising, hell-raising film star Peter Finch meets Eletha Barrett, a charismatic island girl, they both get more than they bargained for. As Finch begins his Oscar- winning performance in Network, racial and class tensions threaten to upstage the on screen narrative.

Writer and director Cassie McFarlane comments, Like many Jamaicans, I have known the story of Peter and Eletha since childhood. I think it will speak to many people about Hollywood, about prejudice, and about mixed-race relationships. I am excited to be bringing their amazing story to life in Mad As Hell, and to direct its world premiere in the middle of the West End.

Dai Fujikura Portrait
Wigmore Hall, 36 Wigmore Street, London W1U 2BP
Saturday 17th February 2018, 7.30pm

Following the successes of previous years’ ‘Avex Recital Series’, Avex now launch their 2018 programme with a special Dai Fujikura Portrait concert featuring musicians from around the world, performing works for shamisen (a traditional Japanese instrument), toy piano, violin, saxophone, and a quintet comprising oboe, clarinet, horn, bassoon and piano. This evening of beautiful sound colours and contrasting sonority will also mark several UK premières as well as a world premiere of a piece for solo piano.

The incredible artists who will be performing at Wigmore are Mei Yi Foo (piano and toy piano), HONJOH Hidejiro (shamisen), Yu Kosuge (piano), Rie Koyama (bassoon), Masanori Oishi (saxophone), Enno Senft (double bass), Philippe Tondre (oboe), Bartosz Woroch (violin), Makoto Yoshida (clarinet) and Teunis van der Zwart (horn).

Dai Fujikura is acclaimed worldwide and has been awarded many important prizes throughout his career including the Royal Philharmonic Society Award, Otaka Prize, Akutagawa Composition Award, WIRED Audi Innovation Award, the Paul Hindemith Prize, and The Silver Lion Award from Venice Biennale 2017. His works include operas, orchestral pieces, ensemble works, chamber music, and film scores that cross over into the contemporary world with strong connections to experimental, pop, jazz and improvisation.

Having received numerous international co-commissions, Dai Fujikura’s music has been performed in Europe, Asia, and the Americas. He recently held the composer-in-residence position at Nagoya Philharmonic Orchestra. In the UK, he has received two BBC Proms commissions, his Double Bass Concerto was premiered by the London Sinfonietta, and in 2013 the BBC Symphony Orchestra gave the UK premiere of his Atom. Recently, Dai has been named the artistic director of the Born Creative Festival in Tokyo Metropolitan Theater for 2017.

Hiroyuki Nakashima, President at Avex Classics International, comments, Avex Classics International is committed to nurturing the best young musical talent and giving them an international platform. From intimate recitals to huge multimedia presentations, we engage audiences of all ages and nationalities in the unique power that defines the best musical performances and artists. Our return to Wigmore Hall demonstrates the best of Japanese talent and we are delighted to be back at this renowned hall.

Dai Fujikura Portrait looks back across Fujikura’s whole career as far as some works from his time at college. He describes Frozen Heat for Solo Piano (1998) like meeting an old friend.

Neo for Solo Shamisen (2014) was Fujikura’s first composition for the shamisen. Until this point he had always associated Japanese instruments as the clichéd music heard in Japanese restaurants outside of Japan. When this work was commissioned he cast aside these preconceptions and carried out extensive research into the history of the instrument. His attraction to the shamisen was the concept of adding ‘noise’ to the sound, something unthinkable in western classical music; he treated this piece like a guitar solo in a rock concert.

While many of the works have been composed specifically for the artists who will perform them at Wigmore, every few years Fujikura composes for himself which allows him to go back to basics and experiment with new methods and systems. SekSek and Ayatori for Solo Piano (2011) is one such work. With works like this, Fujikura imposes strict limits on the piece. For instance, he might develop a rule where ‘no more than three notes can be played at the same time’, or ‘no pedal’, or ‘right hand and left hand always move together’.

Bringing together an incredible range of award-winning musicians from around the globe, Dai Fujikura Portrait offers an opportunity to celebrate the work and achievements of this incredible composer.

Dai Fujikura comments, I am delighted to have a portrait concert at the renowned Wigmore Hall with all-star musicians from all over the world. Many of the works have been specially written for these musicians, for both traditional Japanese and western instruments. I am curious to hear 20 years of my music played together at this concert which includes compositions dating back to 1998 as well as a world premiere. What a way to celebrate my 40th!

The second concert in Avex’s 2018 series will held on Saturday 2nd June. This Rachmaninov programme will be performed by Yuki Ito (cello) and Sofya Gulyak (piano)

Darlington Hippodrome – until 20 January 2018.  Reviewed by Lindsay Sykes

3***

New Jersey Nights is a concert style production which takes the audience through a celebration of greatest hits by Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons. With a distinct party atmosphere, there is no story line, making this a show purely about the music. It has a very different feel to the hit musical Jersey Boys, and as far as tribute acts go, these boys are up there with the best.

Opening in Ruby’s Bar with the six dancers evoking the era of the late 50’s and early 60’s with their costumes and dancing, they remain on stage for most of the show embellishing it with their enthusiasm.  The set comprises of a bland makeshift bar set-up (backboards on wheels portraying the walls, a bar and to the right a table and chairs), it doesn’t look particularly inviting. However as the four piece band take their places, initially behind the bar walls while a lone barman fiddles with the vintage radio for a signal, the stage soon becomes alive.

Lead vocals are shared between the four performers – Joshua Dever, William Hazel, Duncan Heather and Ricky Rojas – who have all toured extensively with the production previously. Kicking off the show with Oh What a Night and continuing with hits including Sherry, Walk Like a Man, Big Girls Don’t Cry, Let’s Hang On, Grease and Who Loves You. This is balanced with slower numbers such as My Eyes Adored You and Fallen Angel and a beautifully sung acapella version of Silence is Golden.

Aside from the main Valli numbers the girls in the show perform two songs from Phil Spector’s Wall of Sound. As they are the dancers it is obvious that they are lip-synching which is a shame in a live show.  However it is a nice nod to one of the musical influences of the Four Seasons and allows the three girls to take centre stage.

A show like this, with few unscripted moments, thrives on banter and all four are excellent at creating a rapport with the audience. It’s a smart move, as the format of the show – songs followed by a short piece of narration – could feel quite sterile without that spark.  All four performers seems to be having a good time and it shows in their enthusiasm

On a snowy January evening this show is well worth the effort of going to see to banish the post Christmas blues.  The evening came to a close with a megamix which brought almost the entire audience to their feet. Everybody was dancing and singing without a care in the world and I noticed some truly impressive moves. The singers produce a fine performance of the Four Seasons including all of the falsetto and harmonies. If you love the music of Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons and are prepared to take New Jersey Nights for what it is you will have a fun-filled night. In Darlington until January 20th and on tour around the UK

Mayflower Theatre Southampton – until 20 January.  Reviewed by Jo Gordon

4****

Set in the Golden era of Hollywood, Sunset Boulevard shows us the desperate, seedy and needy lives of those who want to make it big and those who have faded from the limelight – grasping hard on to the little glimmer of fame they still have. Joe Gillis  is a struggling writer trying to make it to the top at Paramount Pictures and failing, trying to dodge the debt collectors he finds himself broken down outside an old mansion, 10086 Sunset Boulevard, and knocks the door for help. Confronted with a creepy looking butler, Max Von Mayerling,  Joe is invited in where he meets the once, silent movie Goddess, Norma Desmond, a larger than life, velvet clad turban wearing Diva who demands to be adored like the superstar she believes she still is.

After convincing Joe to edit a script she has written for a film that will be her big return to the silver screen, Joe becomes a kept man and eventually Norma’s lover in the hope this is his chance to be the high flying writer he dreams of. Meanwhile he continues working on a script with  Molly Lynch whose friendship begins to blossom into something more. Tired of Norma’s melodramatics, controlling ways and her spiral downwards into madness he realises that his new way of life is destroying him and tries to leave to be with Molly ending in fatal consequences.

The orchestra play the 1950’s inspired musical score sublimely, carrying off the big numbers in a way that makes you forget they are not high in numbers and the set has been incredibly well designed, placing you in various locations back in the day.  The whole cast are a talented and energetic bunch. Dougie Carter played a superb Joe Gillis, portraying the young writers at all costs desperation with feeling and depth, whose singing hits the mark every time. Ria Jones took my breath away as Norma Desmond, a veracious, melancholic, expressive performance who on delivering the big show tunes left the audiences excitement palpable! I imagine I am a rarity in having never seen this production before, whether on stage or indeed the film, thinking the all singing dialogue would ruin it for me…. how wrong I was… I adored it! “Those wonderful people out there in the dark” were on our feet left wanting more.

LATEST SHOWS TO GO ON SALE AT LEEDS GRAND THEATRE

Priority tickets on sale from Wednesday 17 January / General from Wednesday 24 January 2018

CILLA THE MUSICAL *** SIXTIES GOLD *** RAIN MAN *** MOTOWN ***

*****

Tuesday 16 to Saturday 20 October 2018

 

CILLA THE MUSICAL

 

Based on the critically acclaimed ITV mini-series, Cilla The Musical follows the story of the extraordinary life of the ordinary teenage girl from Liverpool, Priscilla White, and her rocky, yet incredible rise to fame.

 

At just 25-years-old, Cilla Black was one of the most internationally recognised singing stars, who later went on to become one of Britain’s favorite television entertainers headlining multiple series of Blind Date, Surprise Surprise and many more.

 

The musical score is the ultimate soundtrack to the sixties, including ‘Anyone who had a heart’, ‘Alfie’ and‘Something tells me’.

 

*****

 

Sunday 28 October

 

SIXTIES GOLD

 

Following 2017’s successful tour, Sixties Gold returns with an even stronger line-up of artists that, between them, scored over 50 UK Top 30 hits: The Searchers, The Merseybeats, The Fortunes, PJ Proby, Love Affair’s Steve Ellis and Vanity Fare.

 

*****

 

Monday 29 October to Saturday 3 November 2018

 

RAIN MAN

 

Bill Kenwright presents the inaugural Classic Screen to Stage Theatre Companies production of Rain Man – based on the Oscar-winning film starring Tom Cruise and Dustin Hoffman.

 

Rain Man tells the story of two brothers, Charlie Babbitt, a self-centered salesman, and Raymond, Charlie’s long-lost elder, autistic brother. When Charlie discovers that Raymond has inherited the family’s multi-million-dollar fortune, he sets out to get ‘his half’ by ‘borrowing’ Raymond from the institution where he has spent most of his life and embarking on a trip across America.

 

*****

 

Tuesday 6 to Saturday 17 November 2018

 

MOTOWN THE MUSICAL

 

The sensational hit West End musical is bringing its unique sound to Leeds and is guaranteed to having audiences ‘Dancing in the Street’.

 

With just $800, Berry Gordy founded Motown Records and launched the careers of multiple legendary artists, including Diana Ross, Michael Jackson, Stevie Wonder and The Temptations.

 

Featuring over 50 classic hits, including ‘My Girl’, ‘I Heard It Through the Grapevine’ and ‘Ain’t No Mountain High Enough’, Motown The Musical tells the thrilling tale of the man who broke barriers and fought against the odds to create something more than a record label.

 

*****

LIVERPOOL’S RAY QUINN ANNOUNCED TO STAR IN JACK AND THE BEANSTALK

Breathe

February 1st – 2nd, Lion and Unicorn Theatre

New play Breathe, after readings at the Young Vic and scratch night performances at the Bread and Roses, is staged in a full production at the Lion and Unicorn Theatre this February. The play tackles the thorny issue of mental health amongst millenials trying to make their way in life.

“ambitious (…) I look forward to see the (full production)” The Blog of Theatre Things

Breathe pans across the struggles of four housemates living in London trying to successfully accomplish their dreams. Personal secrets, fears and dreams emerge as their lives intertwine, revealing the importance of human connection and friendship in the face of anxiety and depression. Will they choose security or transform their fears into fuel to conquer their dreams?

Writer Lucrezia Pollice is a freelance theatre & film director and producer based in London. After training as an actor at the famous Italian drama school Paolo Grassi Academy and the RADA foundation course at CSVPA, Lucrezia graduated with a First Honours Degree from the Royal Central School of Speech and Drama, in Drama, Applied Theatre and Education – focusing her degree on Directing, Producing and Playwrighting. She recently produced and directed the critically acclaimed short documentary IDENTITY ,which premiered at the United Nations WTPFilm Festival at the BFI Southbank. She will soon be producing and directing a documentary short film for Westminster Council.

Producer Aretusa Campagnolo worked as an assistant producer for MDA Contemporary Dance Company and as an executive producer for RedWedge Srl, a film production company based in Rome. She moved to the UK to undertake a Master’s degree in Culture, Policy and Management at City University of London, where she graduated in October 2017. Prior to moving into assisting in producing Metal Rabbit Productions in 2017, she interned as a Company Administrator for circus company Gandini Juggling.

SON OF A PREACHER MAN COMING TO DARLINGTON HIPPODROME

Featuring the soulful music of Dusty Springfield, with a book by Warner Brown and directed and choreographed by Craig Revel Horwood, Son of a Preacher Man embarked on a national tour in September 2017, and is coming to Darlington Hippodrome next month.

Featuring the greatest hits of Dusty Springfield, including “The Look Of Love”, “I Only Want To Be With You”, “Spooky” and of course, the classic “Son Of A Preacher Man”, this sparklingly funny and sweetly touching new musical by internationally renowned writer Warner Brown will have you laughing, crying and singing your heart out to some of the greatest songs ever written.

Director and choreographer Craig Revel Horwood said: ‘I am delighted to bring to life for the very first time this wonderful story created by Warner Brown, with soulful songs from the legendary Dusty Springfield’s iconic music catalogue. I hope that audiences in Darlington will come to love this warm-hearted and uplifting new musical as much as I do.’

Alice Barlow will star in the new musical playing the role of Kat. Best known for her roles on television, with credits including Coronation Street, Swipers, Drifters series 1, 3 & 4, Benidorm, Banana, Staff Room, Casualty, Crime Stories, Hollyoaks, and was also a contestant on The Voice, Alice will perform at Darlington Hippodrome for the one week run.

Son of a Preacher Man is at Darlington Hippodrome from Tuesday 6 – Saturday 10 February.

Tickets* are priced from £27. *Includes £2 restoration levy. To book contact the Box Office on 01325 405405 or visit www.darlingtonhippodrome.co.uk

Poleroid Theatre in association with Mercury Theatre present
Plastic by Kenneth Emson
Old Red Lion Theatre, 418 St John Street, London EC1V 4NJ
Tuesday 3rd – Saturday 21st April 2018

Following a highly successful run at Latitude Festival, the multi-award winning Poleroid Theatre bring BAFTA nominated playwright Kenneth Emson’s Plastic to life at the Old Red Lion Theatre. Directed by JMK 2017 award winner Josh Roche, this powerful new play explores how the insecurities of childhood can follow us into later life in this unflinchingly honest drama about time, memory and escape.

Remember the moment you became an adult? Or did you miss it? Kev used to have a girlfriend called Lisa – she wore a fitted blazer and reebok classics and lit up the school yard. Kev used to be the captain of the school football team and he scored the winner in the All-Essex schools cup final. Ben used to get beaten up most days. He stole money from his mum’s purse to pay off ‘Wicksy’. Now he’s an accountant. But Ben always had Jack. His loyal, unbreakable mate Jack. Adults are the kids that survive school right? But what if some kids don’t?

Set in a school in Essex, Emson’s poetic and unflinching production is an extraordinary mix of drama and performance poetry which tells the story of four young people who are forced into adulthood. Through its innovative verse, Plastic examines the creation of urban folklore and the sealed world of adolescence with all its unique pressures – how hard it can be to survive, and how hard it is to be left behind.

Director Josh Roche comments, School is hell. We all go through it, but as adults we’re quick to patronise and diminish teenagers who scream for help. We made Plastic to talk about the horror that takes root in schools, a horror of loneliness, frustration and identity – a horror that can define the lives of adults well into retirement.

Plastic is generously supported by Arts Council England, Royal Victoria Hall Foundation and The Old Vic Theatre.

Plastic will also be touring to the Mercury Theatre in Essex from 26
th – 28th April 2018.