Home

York Theatre Royal – 17 November 2018

Reviewed by Marcus Richardson

5*****

Jeeves and Wooster is in my opinion one of the best comedies to exist, my third time seeing it on stage this time done by the company Theatre By The Lake. I obviously went in with high expectations, and I was not let down. The play follows Bertie Wooster a eccentric man with his Butler Jeeves, we watch them put on a play about an eventful weekend Wooster had.

Thomas Richardson played Wooster and delivered the character in incredibly well managing to bring comedy pretty much every second he is on stage. Theo Fraser Steele played Jeeves the Butler and brains of the duo, when as the character of Jeeves he is very held back and calm, but when playing other character nothing is held back, this contrast is hilarious as we see some farcical characters and quick to think costume changes on stage. The third and final actor in the show is James Duke who played the Butler Seppings, who took on other roles as stepping in the show, a butlers character just like Jeeves spares no expense when playing a character on stage, from a police man to a ever growing Spode. The cast of three did a tremendous job of working with each other and creating a show that doesn’t stop giving the audience the laughs.

The set is a character in itself, which starts off bare and slowly gets more and more advanced thanks to Jeeves handy work building a top notch set, both incredibly smart and ever changing. And the way that Wooster reacts to the set is hilarious as he has no idea what is happening. The way that this is presented on stage is something I’ve never seen outside of the show and I’m happy I can laugh about it for the third time now, it never gets old.

I have loved this show and thanks to Theatre By The Lake I love it even more, you always have a fear that a company may ruin one of you favourite shows, but when the curtain goes down you find that they’ve done a splendid job and continue to laugh after the show. If my review doesn’t make you go and watch it, I don’t know what will, you’ll be a fool not to watch Jeeves and Wooster on stage.

Soho Theatre, London – until 8 December

Reviewed by Antonia Hebbert

5*****

From the moment that Caitriona Ennis bursts onto the stage as the motormouth character of Iona, you sense that this is going to be a theatrical whirlwind that sweeps you helplessly along. Actually it isn’t a stage but a narrow performance space between the audience on two sides (traverse set-up). It is very effectively used and never feels awkward – just relentlessly claustrophobic, like the dead-end Dublin housing estate of Crumlin in which Lisa Carroll’s play is set. Iona is talkative, needy and uncool, and her best friend is Pingu – speechless and non-binary, and played with sweet expressiveness by Elise Heaven. They are both total misfits in Crumlin and decide to escape to London. When the news of their plan gets out, two predatory boys in their social circle compete to trick Iona into bed. Colin Campbell and Peter Newington are utterly convincing as Trix and Pockets, whose blinkered ambition is just for status and power in their violent and drug-ridden community. Also in the picture is Iona’s one-time best friend Toller (Sade Malone, also excellent), who at first appears a sort of monster – a queen bee, bully, and fully capable of holding her own. But as the play progresses, she becomes more complicated – she knows how to survive in Crumlin, but also can also see its limitations.

Events unfold with excruciating realism. If you have been a teenager, you will have seen this combination of desperation, manipulation and bullying, weaponised for today’s young with mobiles and social media. It’s painful to watch but also laugh-out-loud funny, with a fabulously grim scene of a seduction going wrong. Director Debbie Hannan extracts every ounce of energy from the cast as she takes us into this vivid world of young people fighting to make sense of their lives when the odds are stacked against them.

DREAMGIRLS   
Savoy Theatre, London 
Dreamgirlswestend.com

• Dreamgirls celebrates its final Christmas in London at the Savoy Theatre by going out on an all-time high.
• Actresses Marisha Wallace, Brennyn Lark and Asmeret Ghebremichael, who play The Dreams, serenaded visitors to the View from the Shard yesterday (Thursday 15th  November) with the highest ever altitude performance in Western Europe of songs from Dreamgirls.
• The Dreams then hot-footed it across London to take part in the iconic Regent Street ‘The Spirit of Christmas’ lights switch-on.
• Earlier in the week (on Tuesday 13th November) the trio of singers sprung a surprise performance of Dreamgirls and Christmas songs on skaters for the launch of SKATE at Somerset House with Fortnum & Mason.
• The celebrations for the start of the festive season continue into next week with a special performance from members of the Dreamgirls cast at the Ideal Home Show Christmas on Friday 23rd November.

The company of Dreamgirls is entering the holiday season in style with a series of events to celebrate the show’s final Christmas at the Savoy Theatre.

On Tuesday 13th  November actresses Marisha Wallace, Brennyn Lark and Asmeret Ghebremichael, who play The Dreams, started the week with a surprise performance of Dreamgirls hits and Christmas songs to launch the opening of Skate at Somerset House, London’s most beautiful ice rink.

On Thursday 15th November the trio of Dreamgirls singers gave the highest altitude performance in Western Europe of songs from the show, launching Christmas at the View from The Shard, where a signature Dreamgirls cocktail for each of tThe Dreams will be available to visitors throughout the festive season.  The Dreams then took part in the prestigious annual unveiling of the iconic Regent Street ‘The Spirit of Christmas’ lights, where they performed songs from the show ahead of joining Doctor Who’s Jodie Whitaker and singer Calum Scott for the Switching On ceremony.

Next week the Dreamgirls cast will continue to mark the start of the award-winning musical’s final festive season in London with a special performance at the Ideal Home Show Christmas on Friday 23rd  November.

Dreamgirls will continue at the Savoy Theatre throughout the festive season before giving its final performance on 12th January 2019.

Dreamgirls is Directed and Choreographed by Olivier and Tony Award®-winning Casey Nicholaw (The Book of Mormon, Disney’s Aladdin and Something Rotten!), with Set Design by Tim Hatley, Costume Design by Gregg Barnes, Lighting Design by Hugh Vanstone, Sound Design by Richard Brooker and Hair Design by Josh Marquette. The Musical Supervisor is Nick Finlow, the Orchestrator is Harold Wheeler, with Additional Material by Willie Reale.

Meet The Dreams – Effie, Lorrell and Deena – three talented young singers in the turbulent 1960s, a revolutionary time in American music history. Join the three friends as they embark upon a musical rollercoaster ride through a world of fame, fortune and the ruthless realities of show business, testing their friendships to the very limit.

With Book and Lyrics by Tom Eyen and Music by Henry Krieger, the original Broadway production of Dreamgirls, Directed and Choreographed by Michael Bennett opened in 1981 and subsequently won six Tony Awards®. The original cast recording won two Grammy awards for Best Musical Album and Best Vocal Performance for Jennifer Holliday’s ‘And I Am Telling You I’m Not Going.’ In 2006 it was adapted into an Oscar winning motion picture starring Beyoncé Knowles, Jennifer Hudson, Eddie Murphy and Jamie Foxx.

Moya Angela, Asmeret Ghebremichael, Brennyn Lark and Marisha Wallace are appearing with the support of UK Equity, incorporating the Variety Artistes’ Federation, pursuant to an exchange program between American Equity and UK Equity.

Swarovski is delighted to be the Set and Costume Design partner for Dreamgirls, bringing to life the incredible visions of Tim Hatley and Gregg Barnes. Over one million Swarovski crystals have been incorporated into the production, adorning 275 costumes and 3 crystal curtains.

Full information on performance schedules can be found on the official website.

The Original London Cast Recording of hit West End musical Dreamgirls is available via Sony Masterworks Broadway.

LISTINGS:

Savoy Theatre, Strand, London WC2R 0ET

https://www.thesavoytheatre.com/

Performances

Monday to Saturday evening performances at 7.30pm

Wednesday and Saturday matinee performances at 2.30pm

Christmas and New Year Schedule

Week commencing 24th December

Monday 24th December (Christmas Eve) – No performance

Tuesday 25th December (Christmas Day) – No performance

Wednesday 26th December – 7.30pm

Thursday 27th December – 2.30pm and 7.30pm

Friday 28th December – 2.30pm and 7.30pm

Saturday 29th December – 2.30pm and 7.30pm

Week commencing 31st December

Monday 31stDecember (New Year’s Eve) – 2.30pm

Tuesday 1st January (New Year’s Day) – 7.30pm

Wednesday 2nd January – 2.30pm and 7.30pm

Thursday 3rd January – 2.30pm and 7.30pm

Friday 4th January – 7.30pm

Saturday 5th January – 2.30pm and 7.30pm

Week commencing 7th January

Monday 7th January – 7.30pm

Tuesday 8th January – 7.30pm

Wednesday 9th January – 2.30pm and 7.30pm

Thursday 10th January – 7.30pm

Friday 11th January – 2.30pm and 7.30pm

Saturday 12th January – 2.30pm and 7.30pm

Box Office

Website:         Dreamgirlswestend.com
Telephone:     0844 871 7687
Prices:             From £15
At every performance there will be 125 accessibly priced seats for £25 or under available in advance, including 15 £20 Front Row Lottery tickets available on the day exclusively through the TodayTix app.

In addition, under 25 year olds can purchase £25 tickets every Tuesday performance.

Social Media

Website – Dreamgirlswestend.com
Twitter handle – @DreamgirlsLDN
Facebook page – DreamgirlsLDN
Instagram account – DreamgirlsLDN
Hashtag – #DreamgirlsLDN

ELVES SPREAD FESTIVE FAIRY DUST

AND PUT FINISHING TOUCHES TO

MANCHESTER MAGICAL MOVIE EXPERIENCE

The festive elves are taking a break from making toys in the North Pole to put the finishing touches to the Magical Christmas Movie Experience in Manchester, which opens next weekend.

In addition to a movie programme featuring modern classics including smash hit festive favourites Elf, Home Alone and Love Actually, visitors over the four weekends can look forward to a fully immersive family experience.

Highlights include a live choir at every film screening, enchanted forest, Christmas themed refreshments – and appearances by the man of the moment, Father Christmas and his festive elves.

Magical Christmas Movie Experience, in association with Macdonald Manchester Hotel, will be staged in the surroundings of the beautifully transformed Mayfield Depot near Manchester Piccadilly, during weekends between 23 November and 16 December.

The Christmas movie festival starts on Friday 23 November with the box office smash hit film, The Greatest Showman. The film will be brought to life before film fans with stilt walkers, fire artistes and a fabulous choir, creating a fully immersive experience. And there will also be sing-along screenings.

The full film programme features Love Actually, The Holiday, Elf, Gremlins, The Polar Express, Home Alone, Home Alone 2, Die Hard, and Santa Claus The Movie.

Upon arrival, movie fans will be greeted by a live choir singing carols and festive songs, before taking a trip into Mrs Claus’ traditionally decorated lounge. They will then make their way through theNarnia-inspired wardrobe of fur coats and transported into a magical enchanted Christmas forest,where the carols will also be heard.

The forest centrepiece is a 14ft Christmas tree, surrounded by snow drifts, snow dusted pine trees,Victorian lamp posts, and igloo – providing no end of festive backdrops for that ultimate Winter selfie!

After exiting the enchanted forest, guests will be welcomed to a large food hall with wooden benches where festive refreshments, including food and drink, will be available to purchase. These include popcorn, candy floss, dim sum, burgers, doughnuts, street food, hot chocolate and hot chocolate cocktails, Christmas cocktails, and mulled wine.

Seating in the movie screening area will include giant bean bags. Visitors are encouraged to dress warm. Blankets will be provided, which will be donated to the city’s homeless community after the final screening.

Steven Matthews, organisers of the Magical Christmas Movie Experience, added: “Our festive elves are working hard to ensure that every pine tree, Christmas decoration, and snow drift looks just perfect to welcome visitors next week.

“The finishing touches are being added to the enchanted forest, and we’re confident that Manchester has never seen a festive attraction like this before. We’re extremely excited and looking forward to opening our doors to the public on Friday 23 November for a magical festive experience like no other in the city.”

Tickets for all the films start from £14.99.

For more details visit www.magicalchristmasmovieexperience.com

Follow on Facebook /AMagicalChristmasMovieExperience

LISTING INFORMATION

The Greatest Showman

Date: Fri 23-Sun 25 November, Fri 14 December

Time: times vary

The Greatest Showman Sing-a-long

Date: Fri 23-Sat 24 November

Time: Fri 6pm, Sat 1.30pm

Love Actually

Date: Thu 29 November-Sun 2 December

Time: times vary

The Holiday

Date: Thu 6 December, Sat 15 December

Time: Thu 7pm, Sat 9pm

Elf

Date: Fri 7-Sat 8 December, Sat 15 December

Time: times vary

Gremlins

Date: Fri 7 December

Time: 9pm

The Polar Express

Date: Sat 8 December, Sat 15 December

Time: 1.30pm

Home Alone

Date: Sat 8 December, Fri 14 December

Time: Sat 5.30pm, Fri 6pm

Home Alone 2

Date: Sun 9 December

Time: 1pm

Die Hard

Date: Thu 13 December

Time: 7pm

Santa Claus The Movie

Date: Sun 16 December

Time: 1pm

MISCHIEF THEATRE’S WEST END

SMASH HIT SHOW WILL OPEN

SPRING SEASON AT STORYHOUSE

Following the phenomenal sell-out success of its multi award-winning comedy The Play That Goes Wrong, Mischief Theatre’s Olivier Award nominated West End smash hit The Comedy About A Bank Robbery opens the new spring season at Storyhouse in Chester.

The show’s UK and Ireland Tour opened in Birmingham in August 2018, and will now continue touring until early June 2019.

The Comedy About A Bank Robbery comes to Storyhouse from Tuesday 29 January to Saturday 2 February 2019. There are matinees on the Wednesday and Saturday at 2.30pm.

Now booking into its third year at the Criterion Theatre in London, this smash-and-grab hit is a fast and fabulous comedy caper, hailed the funniest show in the West End!

Think Ocean’s Eleven meets the Marx Brothers in this dynamite new comedy!

Summer 1958. Minneapolis City Bank has been entrusted with a priceless diamond. An escaped convict is set on pocketing the gem with the help of his screwball side-kick, trickster girlfriend…and the maintenance man.

With mistaken identities, love triangles and hidden agendas, even the most reputable can’t be trusted. In a town where everyone’s a crook, who will end up bagging the jewel?

The touring cast presents Seán Carey as Sam Monaghan; David Coomber as Neil Cooper; Julia Frith as Caprice Freeboys; George Hannigan as Everyone Else; Liam Jeavons as Mitch Ruscitti; Damian Lynchas Robin Freeboys; Killian Macardle as Officer Randal Shuck; Ashley Tucker as Ruth Monaghan; andJon Trenchard as Warren Slax. With understudies Charlotte Duffy, Tom Hopcroft, Julie Cullen, Ross Virgo and Eddy Westbury.

Mischief Theatre was founded in 2008 by a group of graduates of The London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art (LAMDA).  Starting as an improvised theatre group on the London and Edinburgh fringes, they have grown into one of the UK’s leading theatre companies, winning the Olivier Award for Best New Comedy for The Play That Goes Wrong, and licensing their productions worldwide.

The company have two shows playing concurrently in the West End: The Play That Goes Wrong at the Duchess Theatre – also playing on Broadway – and The Comedy About A Bank Robbery at the Criterion Theatre. In December 2016, Mischief made their television debut on the BBC with Peter Pan Goes Wrong (Olivier Award Nominee 2016), which has also enjoyed two sell-out West End seasons. Mischief returned to BBC One in 2017 with a new Christmas special, A Christmas Carol Goes Wrong.The company is led by Artistic Director Henry Lewis and Company Director Jonathan Sayer.

The Comedy About a Bank Robbery is written by Henry Lewis, Jonathan Sayer and Henry Shields.The tour is directed by Kirsty Patrick Ward. Originally directed by Mark Bell with Nancy Zamit for Mischief Theatre; designer David Farley; costume designer Roberto Surace; lighting designer David Howe; sound design Jon Fiber for JollyGoodTunes; musical director and arranger Joey Hickman;associate musical director Barbara Hockaday; resident director Katie-Ann McDonough. Produced byKenny Wax Ltd and Stage Presence, in association with Birmingham Repertory Theatre presenting aMischief Theatre Production.

Tickets are on sale now and range in price from £18.50 to £31.50 (each ticket is subject to a £1.50 booking fee).

Storyhouse has a dynamic pricing policy on the majority of shows, ensuring the earlier you book your tickets, guarantees the best seats at the lowest price.

Website:         www.thecomedyaboutabankrobbery.com

LISTING INFORMATION

THE COMEDY ABOUT A BANK ROBBERY

Tuesday 29 January 2019 – Saturday 2 February 2019

STORYHOUSE

Hunter Street, Chester, CH1 2AR

Tuesday 29 January 2019 at 7.30pm

Wednesday 30 January 2019 at 2.30pm

Wednesday 30 January 2019 at 7.30pm

Thursday 31 January 2019 at 7.30pm

Friday 1 February 2019 at 7.30pm

Saturday 2 February 2019 at 2.30pm

Saturday 2 February 2019 at 7.30pm

Tickets: £18.50 – £31.50 (each ticket is subject to a £1.50 booking fee)

Dynamic Pricing: Book early to guarantee cheapest and best seats

HOW TO BOOK

Online:            Visit www.storyhouse.com

By Phone:       Call 01244 409 113

In person:       Visit the Ticket Kiosks at Storyhouse, Hunter Street, Chester, CH1 2AR

Website:         www.storyhouse.com

Facebook:       www.facebook.com/storyhouselive/

Twitter:           @StoryhouseLive

DISNEY’S THE LION KING RELEASES NEW VIDEO TRAILER AHEAD OF THE MUSICAL’S 20th ANNIVERSARY IN THE WEST END

As Disney’s THE LION KING prepares to enter its 20^th anniversary in the West End in 2019, a brand-new video trailer has been released showcasing the enormity, vibrancy and beauty of Julie Taymor’s outstanding design and direction. The video can be downloaded here.

Disney’s THE LION KING at the Lyceum Theatre is now booking until 1 June 2019 for individuals and 29 September 2019 for Groups.

Disney’s award-winning musical THE LION KING is now in its 19th triumphant year at London’s Lyceum Theatre. Since the UK premiere in London on Tuesday 19th October 1999, THE LION KING has entertained over 15 million theatregoers and remains the West End’s best-selling stage production. It is currently the sixth longest-running West End musical of all time.

After 20 landmark years on Broadway, THE LION KING continues ascendant as one of the most popular stage musicals in the world.  Since its premiere on November 13, 1997, 25 global productions have been seen by more than 95 million people.  Produced by Disney Theatrical Productions (under the direction of Thomas Schumacher), THE LION KING has made theatrical history with six productions worldwide running 15 or more years.  Performed in eight different languages (Japanese, German, Korean, French, Dutch, Spanish, Mandarin and Portuguese), productions of THE LION KING can currently be seen on Broadway; London’s West End; Hamburg; Tokyo; Madrid; Scheveningen; Singapore; and on tour across North America and Japan, for a total of nine productions running concurrently across the globe.

LISTINGS INFORMATION

Disney’s THE LION KING
Lyceum Theatre
21 Wellington Street, London WC2E 7RQ

Box Office number: 0844 871 3000
www.thelionking.co.uk

Booking until 29 September 2019

THE LION KING plays Tuesday to Saturday at 7.30pm with matinee performances on Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday at 2.30pm.  There is no performance on a Monday evening.

INTERNATIONAL SMASH HIT

GHOST THE MUSICAL

RETURNS TO THE UK

UNCHAINED AND REIMAGINED, THE MUSICAL PRODUCTION BASED ON THE MUCH-LOVED MOVIE MASTERPIECE WILL TOUR FROM JANUARY 2019

Bill Kenwright’s ‘BEAUTIFUL’ and ‘SPECTACTULAR’ production of GHOST – THE MUSICAL returns to the UK in 2019, following a spectacular international tour in Dubai, Istanbul and Trieste. The 2019 UK tour opens on Tuesday 8 January 2019 at Churchill Theatre, Bromley.

The double Academy Award-winning movie Ghost is a huge success story, both critically and at the box office, where it was the highest grossing film in the year of its release. It starred the late Patrick Swayze alongside Demi Moore, Tony Goldwyn and Whoopi Goldberg and was directed by Jerry Zucker. Bruce Joel Rubin’s script won the Oscar® for Best Original Screenplay and Whoopi Goldberg won the Oscar® for Best Actress in a Supporting Role. The film’s most iconic and moving scene was famously performed to The Righteous Brother’s Unchained Melody, which also features in the musical version.

Bill Kenwright said; “Ghost is a story full of hope and is one of those films which never leaves you. The book by Bruce Joel Rubin and score by Dave Stewart and Glenn Ballad come together wonderfully.”

Bruce Joel Rubin said; “This is a show with such a strong emotional and musical life that it can mould to many visions and interpretations.  It can be performed on any scale, and its vibrant heart will still captivate an audience and allows the imagination to flourish. It is purely theatrical in the greatest sense”.

Walking back to their apartment late one night a tragic encounter sees Sam murdered and his beloved girlfriend Molly alone, in despair and utterly lost. But with the help of Oda Mae Brown, a phony storefront psychic, Sam, trapped between this world and the next tries to communicate with Molly in the hope of saving her from grave danger…

Rebekah Lowings (Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat, Jesus Christ Superstar) will join Bill Kenwright’s production of this timeless story of love, despair and hope in the part of Molly alongside Niall Sheehy (Titanic The Musical, Miss Saigon, Les Miserables, Wicked) as Sam.

West End musical theatre star Jacqui Dubois (original London cast of Rent and Children of Eden,other credits include The Lion King, Fela and most recently People, Places and Things) returns to play ‘Oda Mae Brown’, the part made famous in the film by Whoopi Goldberg.

Sergio Pasquariello (Original London cast of Heathers the Musical, other credits include West Side Story, Les Miserables) plays ‘Carl’ alongside Jules Brown as ‘Willie’, James Earl Adair with hishaunting performance as the ‘Hospital Ghost’ and Lovonne Richards as the ‘Subway Ghost’. Jochebel Ohene Maccarthy plays ‘Louise’ and Sadie-Jean Shirley is ‘Clara’. Completing the cast is Chanelle Anthony, Josh Andrews, Samantha Noel, Charlotte-Kate Warren, Kage Douglas and Michael Ward.

BILL KENWRIGHT presents

GHOST – THE MUSICAL

Book and Lyrics by BRUCE JOEL RUBIN

Music and Lyrics by DAVE STEWART AND GLEN BALLARD

Based on the Paramount Pictures film written by BRUCE JOEL RUBIN

Directed by Bob Tomson

Choreographed by Alistair David

Designed by Mark Bailey

Lighting Designed by Nick Richings

Sound Designed by Dan Samson

GHOST – THE MUSICAL | UK TOUR DATES 2019

Tuesday 8 – Saturday 12 January                                                 Box Office:  020 3285 6000

Churchill Theatre, Bromley                                                                            Website: www.churchilltheatre.co.uk

Tuesday 15 – Saturday 19 January                                                              Box Office:  0114 249 6000

Lyceum Theatre, Sheffield                                                                             Website: www.sheffieldtheatres.co.uk

Tuesday 22 – Saturday 26 January                                                              Box Office:  0192 429212

Grand Theatre, Wolverhampton                                                                 Website: www.grandtheatre.co.uk

Tuesday 29 January – Saturday 1 February                                              Box Office:  0116 242 3560

Curve Theatre, Leicester                                                                 Website: www.curveonline.co.uk

Tuesday 5 – Saturday 9 February                                                 Box Office:  0844 871 7645

New Victoria Theatre, Woking                                                                      Website: www.atgtickets.com/woking

Tuesday 12 – Saturday 16 February                                                            Box Office:  028 7126 4455

Millennium Forum, Londonderry                                                Website: www.millenniumforum.co.uk

Tuesday 19 – Saturday 23 February                                                            Box Office:  0844 871 7650

Theatre Royal, Brighton                                                                                   Website: www.atgtickets.com/brighton

Monday 25 – Saturday 2 March                                                                   Box Office:  0131 529 6000

Edinburgh Festival Theatre                                                                            Website: www.capitaltheatres.com

Tuesday 5 – Saturday 9 March                                                                      Box Office:  01244 409113

Chester Storyhouse                                                                                          Website: www.storyhouse.com

Tuesday 12 – Saturday 16 March                                                 Box Office:  0844 871 3022

Sunderland Empire                                                                                            Website: www.atgtickets.com/sunderland

Monday 18 – Saturday 23 March                                                 Box Office: 029 2087 8889

New Theatre, Cardiff                                                                                        Website: www.newtheatrecardiff.co.uk

Monday 25 – Saturday 30 March                                                 Box Office:  0844 871 7648

Kings Theatre, Glasgow                                                                                   Website: www.atgtickets.com/glasgow

Tuesday 2 – Saturday 6 April                                                                          Box Office:  01228 633766

The Sands Centre, Carlisle                                                                              Website: www.thesandscentre.co.uk

Tuesday 9 – Saturday 13 April                                                                       Box Office:  028 924 1919

Grand Opera House, Belfast                                                                          Website: www.goh.co.uk

Tuesday 16 – Saturday 20 April                                                                     Box Office:  0844 871 3019

Palace Theatre Manchester                                                                           Website: www.atgtickets.com/manchester

Monday 22 – Saturday 27 April                                                                     Box Office:  0844 871 3017

Liverpool Empire                                                                                Website: www.atgtickets.com/liverpool

Tuesday 30 April – Saturday 4 May                                                             Box Office:  01274 43200

Alhambra Theatre, Bradford                                                                         Website: www.bradford-theatres.co.uk

So French Productions presents:

Royal & Derngate and The Core at Corby Cube announce that Jo Gordon takes over as Chief Executive

Royal & Derngate and The Core at Corby Cube have today announced that, with immediate effect, Jo Gordon has been appointed Chief Executive of Northamptonshire Arts Management Trust and its venues.

Steve Edmonds, Chair of Royal & Derngate said “Following a rigorous recruitment process, Jo’s commitment to the venues and her detailed understanding of the complex ecosystem of regional theatre really shone through, as did her proven commercial acumen and excellent leadership style. In the current climate, venues not only have a responsibility to be light on their feet with strategy andinnovation, but to influence on a national level. We are thrilled that Jo has agreed to lead us through our next phase”.

Gary Tait, Chair of The Core at Corby Cube added “Jo’s intricate knowledge of the diverse audiences of Northamptonshire, her passion for inspiring teams, and her personal commitment to putting culture firmly at the heart of this county make her the ideal choice for the role of Chief Executive”.

Jo joined Royal & Derngate as Director of Marketing and Sales ten years ago and was appointed interim Chief Executive on the departure of Martin Sutherland earlier this year. She was part of the Strategic Management Team that formed Northamptonshire Arts Management Trust with Martin, and was central to the business-planning and launch of The Core at Corby Cube. She created the Made in Northampton brand, supported the creation and expansion of Northampton Filmhouse and has overseen Royal & Derngate’s growth in audience numbers, now delivering £28million of income to the local economy.

Jo Gordon commented “I am proud to have played a part in the inspiring achievements of the last ten years and am properly thrilled to now be able to build on these as Chief Executive. We have a remarkable team which is rightly proud of our work, impact and reputation. The role of the arts in our communities has never been more crucial and I look forward to developing important local and national partnerships even further to help our county, my home and where I am raising my family, to thrive”. 

Jo has been a Trustee of Northamptonshire Community Foundation (NCF) for two years. Chief Executive of NCF, Victoria Miles, added: “Jo brings exceptional inter-personal skills to all her interactions with our board and those we support, and is 100% committed to the betterment of Northamptonshire for local people. I am excited that she gets to bring all of this to her organisation as Chief Executive – a vital role within the region”.

Prior to her role at Northamptonshire Arts Management Trust, Jo was a freelance marketing and press professional with clients including the Royal Shakespeare Company, Oxford Playhouse, Theatre Royal Plymouth, Leicester Comedy Festival and Creative New Zealand. Before that she worked for ATG for five years and was part of the team that opened Milton Keynes Theatre in 1999.

Royal & Derngate is the main venue for arts and entertainment in Northamptonshire, with audience members for live shows and films numbering 378,000 last year, and an additional 115,000 people seeing its work on tour across the UK. In addition to its award-winning Made in Northamptonproductions, the venue also presents a diverse range of visiting productions on both the Derngate and Royal stages, including musicals, dance, comedy and music (including a residency from the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra), and screens the best of world, independent, British and mainstream films at the adjacent two-screen Northampton Filmhouse. It has a wide-ranging creative learning programme, engaging with over 21,000 people last year.

Having opened its doors in November 2010, The Core at Corby Cube is a dynamic arts venue serving the communities in and around Corby and reaching out across the East Midlands. The Core is dedicated not only to entertaining people, but to supporting the community, fostering local talent, and developing skills for life through theatre, dance, music and comedy. Last year, The Core welcomed nearly 52,000 audience members and participants, with children and young people making up 18% of its total audience, with the organisation making a local economic impact of £3.7million.

Northamptonshire Arts Management Trust provides programming, marketing, sales, fundraising, HR, IT, finance, chief executive and company secretarial services to both Royal & Derngate and The Core at Corby Cube. Collectively NAMT (R&D and The Core) employs 250 people, is supported by 204 trained volunteers and has a combined turnover of £11.6million.

www.royalandderngate.co.uk   www.thecorecorby.com   www.northamptonfilmhouse.com