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Theatre 503, 30 August – 30 September.  Reviewed by Claire Roderick

3***

Mick and Sylv’s house is a place of refuge for kids who don’t belong. There are parties, cigarettes and alcohol, and love and warmth, but there are also rules. When Dummey comes to the house, he thinks he has finally found a family, but his presence creates rifts and tension that lead to the real world intruding into the misfits’ home.

Set on a fictional estate in Northumberland in 2003, Philip Correira’s debut play shows great promise, with a sharp and fast-moving script that twists about enough to keep the audience guessing what Mick’s motives are as he grows closer to Dummey, the doppelganger of his son, Michael. The character of Dean, mostly silent or monosyllabic in the early part of the play, creates an increasing atmosphere of unease and foreboding, with dark comments about what everyone is saying about Mick on the estate.

The play is episodic, but the swift scene changes and shifts in tone match the chaotic lives of the characters. The set is simply brilliant – think of your dotty great aunt’s front room, full of tat and knick knacks but with added handcuffs and dildos for decoration.

Charlie Hardwick is fantastic as Sylv. Deliciously dry and snarky, but full of love for Mick and the kids, Hardwick is at her best when Sylv feels threatened. The façade slips and you realise that it’s Sylv who’s set all the rules as you see the fear in her eyes as she does whatever she can to protect Mick.

Patrick Driver’s Mick completely creeped me out when he was around Dummey, but I don’t know if that says more about me than the actor. (Too many safeguarding training days attended – had to keep telling myself that it was just a play!) Driver shifts from menacing to childlike in a heartbeat, making Sylv’s love for the mercurial character more believable. The younger cast members all shine, and bring a wonderful energy to the play. Ryan Nolan is sweet and vulnerable as Dummey, with a fantastic repertoire of gormless facial expressions. Aimee Kelly gives the self-obsessed Laura a lovely warmth. Joe Blakemore is superb as Dean, allowing the scared, abandoned teenager within to slowly emerge, and Sarah Balfour steals every scene as Shelley – full of wild eyed innocent honesty, and speaking with no filter at all.

HYEM has a huge heart and has lots to say about the meaning of family and the effects and danger of public opinion and rumours without overegging the pudding, but I must admit to a little disappointment at the ending. Charlie Hardwick gives a barnstorming rant, but the Michael explanation felt a little wishy-washy after the rest of the play’s ballsiness.

HYEM is a feisty and clever debut play that will make you squirm and laugh out loud in equal measure – well worth a look.

The Lyric Theatre, London – 4 September 2017.  Reviewed by Sharon Hinds Kennedy

4****

From the beginning to its finale this production captivated the audience with brilliant renditions from the Simon and Garfunkel song book. The musicians, including a brass ensemble were very talented. The two main characters sang their way through the evening without dropping a note. In fact I closed my eyes and I thought I could actually be listening live to Simon & Garfunkel. Their voices harmonising perfectly.

The songs were performed in historical order of what was happening in the personal lives of Simon and Garfunkel but also placed in historical context of what was happening in the wider world. A slide show in black and white was shown on a large screen behind and above the performers. This historical back drop, included famous scenes from twentieth century America, such as John F Kennedy’s fatal trip to Dallas, race segregation, the Vietnam War and the assassinations of Bobby Kennedy and Martin Luther King Jnr. A gallery of famous faces of from the 1960s – although most were well known, one or two could have been labelled – this would have helped some of us in the audience who were trying to remember who was who instead of focusing on the music!

This is not a tribute act but a show that gets to the heart and at times the profound meaning and historical narrative that Simon and Garfunkel were addressing through their lyrics and music.

This production is highly recommended and I would award it ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Fresh from his critically acclaimed turn in Ken Loach’s multi award winning film I, Daniel Blake, Newcastle comedian Dave Johns brings his hit one-man show I, FILLUM STAR to Newcastle Theatre Royal for one night only on Sunday 1 October 2017.   

It’s the stuff of fairytales – a stand-up comic is plucked from the circuit by a world famous film maker and cast in the title role of one of the most acclaimed British films in recent years.  For Dave Johns, the last two years has been a rollercoaster ride of red carpet surrealism. In his new stand-up show he supplies a gripping and down-to-earth account of how an affable Whitley Bay lad ended-up as the toast of the Cannes Film Festival, winning BAFTAS and rubbing shoulders with the likes of Woody Allen, Stephen Spielberg and Meryl  Streep.

Following a hit run at the Edinburgh Fringe, Dave brings his I, Fillum Star show to the city closest to his heart, where the film I, Daniel Blake is set and his own career began.

In 1989 Johns’ launched the Comedy Café on Westgate Road and invited  the emerging Jack Dee and Jo Brand to appear, but realising they needed an MC stepped-up and did it himself.  Finding he was rather good at it and pricing tickets at £3.75 including soup and a bun, the club became a city hot spot and Dave went on to host many more comedy stars including Eddie Izzard, Steve Coogan, Harry Hill and nervous 14 year old lad called Ross Noble who went on to do rather well for himself.

So Johns became a successful comedian, touring throughout the UK, a regular with the Comedy Store Players and appearing on much loved TV shows like Never Mind the Buzzcocks and 8 Out of Ten Cats. 

But just when he was thinking of giving-up comedy and running donkey rides on his beloved North East beaches he sent a speculative, jokey text to the casting director of I, Daniel Blake.  Twelve months later he was shocked to pull in multiple Best Actor awards as the film secured a plethora of international plaudits and the Cannes Festival’s Palme d’Or.

A must-not-miss opportunity to see a Newcastle legend telling his fairytale story in his hilarious own words for one night only.

Dave Johns appears at Newcastle Theatre Royal on Sunday 1 October 2017 at 7.30pm. Tickets £19.50.  Tickets can be purchased from the Theatre Royal Box Office on 08448 11 21 21 (Calls cost 7ppm plus your phone company’s access charge) or book online at www.theatreroyal.co.uk

Whatever Guise Productions presents
Gin For Breakfast
By Jess Moore

At Tristan Bates Theatre
World Premiere Run

After-show Guest Speakers including Stephen Fry and Frank Turner announced today

Whatever Guise Productions, producer of Gin For Breakfast at the Tristan Bates Theatre, has announced its line-up of after-show talks, including contributions from Stephen Fry, Frank Turner, Mat Horne, Hugo Rifkind and Oliver Kamm.

The talks will centre around mental health and are presented with support from CALM (Campaign Against Living Miserably), which works to prevent male suicide by providing frontline services for men, promoting culture change and campaigning for better understanding of suicide and prevention. The play’s director, Ryan Gage, and writer, Jess Moore, will also be featured.

The talks will be held after selected performances of Gin For Breakfast, Jess Moore’s debut play, which will open at the Tristan Bates Theatre on Thursday 28th September for a strictly limited four-week run.

Frank Turner will attend on the 11th October and Stephen Fry on the 18th October. Dates for the other speakers will be announced soon.

The play follows childhood friends, Jen and Robbie, who are all grown-up now and galaxies away from where they imagined they would be. With their world-views set on a collision course, and their dreams imploding, Gin for Breakfast explores whether or not they can save themselves, and each other. And, when everything’s just star-stuff, does it matter?

Tristan Bates Theatre showcases new writing and contemporary writing and is establishing its reputation as one of London’s most prestigious fringe venues.

The play opens on Thursday 28th September and runs until Saturday 21st October, with previews on the evenings of Tuesday 26th and Wednesday 27th, and a matinee performance on 28th September. Tickets are on sale at https://www.tristanbatestheatre.co.uk/whats-on/gin-for-breakfast.

LISTINGS INFORMATION

Tuesday 26 September – Saturday 21 October 
Standard Tickets: £18 / £16 Concessions.
Thursday Matinees: £10
Group Booking: £15 for 8+ tickets booked in a single transaction (bookable over the phone or in person).

Tristan Bates Theatre
1a Tower Street
London
WC2H 9NP

Box office: [email protected] // 020 3841 6611

Tickets are on sale here: https://www.tristanbatestheatre.co.uk/whats-on/gin-for-breakfast

ROBERT MACKINTOSH

IN ASSOCIATION WITH
THE OTHER PALACE

PRESENT
ALAIN BOUBLIL’S

IN THE STUDIO AT THE OTHER PALACE FROM

TUESDAY 10 OCTOBER – SATURDAY 21 OCTOBER 2017

TICKETS ON SALE NOW

Robert Mackintosh in association with The Other Palace are delighted announce a ‘Work in Progress’ production of Alain Boublil’s MANHATTAN PARISIENNE. The show will have public sharings in The Studio at The Other Palace between Tuesday 10 and Saturday 21 October 2017. Schedule below.

Alain Boublil said today “Robert Mackintosh invited me to visit the theatre one day last year. I was amazed to discover how perfect a setting The Studio was for Manhattan Parisienne. Exactly what I’d dreamed of. I mentioned to Robert how much I’d love to do the show there and gave him a copy of the play. He also gave a copy to Paul Taylor Mills, who liked it too. I am beyond thrilled that things have come together now so that Robert and The Other Palace, along with myself, can present a new development of the show”.

MANHATTAN PARISIENNE is a New York story of differences and attraction, of two struggling artists and an unlikely meeting of minds.  She is a French actress/singer.  He is a Manhattan musician who has a history with Paris.  Connected by music, they embark on a surreal journey through New York.  MANHATTAN PARISIENNE features excerpts of songs from the classic French and American songbooks by songwriters including Jacques Brel, George and Ira Gershwin, Michel Legrand, Cole Porter and Charles Aznavour.  The play, by Alain Boublil, made its debut at 59E59 theaters in New York. Marie Zamora, who played Eve, is to reprise the role here.

LISTINGS

MANHATTAN PARISIENNE

The Studio, The Other Palace

Tuesday 10 October 8pm

Wednesday 11 October 8pm

Thursday 12 October 3pm and 8pm

Friday 13 October 8pm

Saturday 14 October 3pm and 8pm

Monday 16 October 8pm

Tuesday 17 October 8pm

Wednesday 18 October 8pm

Thursday 19 October 3pm and 8pm

Friday 20 October 8pm

Saturday 21 October 3pm and 8pm

Tickets £20

Online: www.theotherpalace.co.uk

Phone: 020 7087 7900

In person:  Box Office is open from 10.00am-6.30pm on show days and 10.00am – 6.00pm on non-show days.  Sundays and Bank Holidays may vary.

Address: 12 Palace St, Westminster, London SW1E 5JA

THE VERY HUNGRY CATERPILLAR SHOW

Four stories from the wonderful world of Eric Carle

Back in the West End this Christmas

At the Ambassadors Theatre

From Wednesday 13 December 2017 to Sunday 7 January 2018

One of the most iconic characters in children’s literature will be wiggling his way back into the West End this Christmas, when The Very Hungry Caterpillar Show returns to the Ambassadors Theatre for a limited four-week run from Wednesday 13 December.

The Very Hungry Caterpillar Show features a menagerie of 75 enchanting puppets during a magical 60-minute show that faithfully adapts four of Eric Carle’s best loved books for the stage: The Artist Who Painted a Blue Horse, Mister Seahorse, The Very Lonely Firefly and, of course, The Very Hungry Caterpillar.

“Bedazzling. This production will mesmerize audiences” New York Times

“A visual treat for children and parents alike” OK! Magazine

Eric Carle’s books have captivated generations of readers with their iconic hand-painted illustrations and distinctively simple stories, introducing millions of children to a bigger, brighter world, and to their first experience of reading itself. His best-known work, The Very Hungry Caterpillar, has nibbled its way into the hearts of millions of children all over the world. It has been translated into 62 languages and sold over 43 million copies, remaining one of the top ten bestselling children’s books of all time. Since it was first published in 1969, Eric Carle has illustrated more than seventy books, most of which he also wrote, and more than 138 million copies of his books have sold around the world.

The Very Hungry Caterpillar Show is adapted for the stage by director Jonathan Rockefeller, whose production sees four master puppeteers weave their way through Eric Carle’s stories, bringing to life 75 magical puppets that faithfully recreate the wonderfully colourful world of Carle’s illustrations.

Jonathan Rockefeller said: “Eric Carle has created a deceptively simple, yet sophisticated introduction to reading through the magic of his iconic collage illustrations and memorable stories. Our production takes audience on a truly memorable journey, bringing these stories to life through the magic of puppetry, movement and stagecraft. We have a menagerie of larger-than-life puppets, bursting with vibrant colour – it’s astonishing to compare the original illustrations to the puppets and how exact they are. When our puppets appear on stage the atmosphere is positively electric. We can’t wait to bring The Very Hungry Caterpillar back to London!”

Eric Carle added: “I am delighted my friends in the UK will once again be able to share the same enjoyment I felt when seeing my characters come to life in the beautiful and enchanting Broadway production of The Very Hungry Caterpillar Show.”

The Very Hungry Caterpillar Show first premiered in Australia in 2015 before opening in New York at the Acorn Theatre in January 2016, where it was nominated for a Drama Desk Award for Unique Theatrical Experience. The New York production broke box office records and attracted celebrities with families including Chelsea Clinton, Emily Blunt, Neil Patrick Harris and Diane Sawyer. The production received its West End premiere at the Ambassadors Theatre in December 2016, prior to a major UK Tour in 2017.

www.HungryCaterpillarShow.com

Facebook.com/HungryCaterpillarShow

LISTINGS

Wednesday 13 December 2017 – Sunday 7 January 2018

THE AMBASSADORS THEATRE

West Street, London WC2H 9ND

Press Performance: Thursday 14 December, 11.00am

Performances:         11.00am and 2.00pm (13/15/19/22/29 Dec, 2/3/5 Jan)

10.15am and 11.45am (16/17/20/21/23/27/28/30/31 Dec, 4/6/7 Jan)

Tickets:                  From £15.00

Box Office:             0207 395 5405 | www.hungrycaterpillarshow.com

Running time:          60 minutes

• NEW CHILDREN’S CASTING ANNOUNCED FOR THE ROYAL SHAKESPEARE COMPANY’S MATILDA THE MUSICAL
• LILY-MAE EVANS, KITTY PETERKIN AND SAVANNAH READ JOIN EMMA MOORE IN THE TITLE ROLE OF MATILDA FROM 12 SEPTEMBER 2017
• CURRENTLY IN ITS SIXTH YEAR IN THE WEST END AND BOOKING UNTIL 27 MAY 2018, THE MULTI AWARD-WINNING SHOW WILL ALSO BE EMBARKING ON A UK AND IRELAND TOUR IN 2018/19

The Royal Shakespeare Company’s Matilda The Musical has announced that Lily-Mae Evans, Kitty Peterkin and Savannah Read will join Emma Moore in the title role of Matilda from 12 September 2017. The multi award-winning production is about to enter its seventh year in the West End and is booking at the Cambridge Theatre until 27 May 2018.

To mark the arrival of the new children’s cast, a video has been released today of the four young actresses as they take to the floor at Pineapple Studios, under the tutelage of Rebecca Thornhill, who plays Matilda’s mum and bi-annual international amateur Salsa and Ballroom Dancing Championship competitor Mrs Wormwood.

The show’s forthcoming cast change will see Lily-Mae, Kitty, Savannah and Emma join the recently announced new adult company, which includes David Shannon as Miss Trunchbull, Gina Beck as Miss Honey, and Tom Edden and Marianne Benedict as Mr and Mrs Wormwood.

The other young performers announced today join the London company in the three teams who play the roles of Bruce, Lavender, Amanda and the rest of the pupils at Crunchem Hall and are as follows:Bill Bekele, Joe Butler-Smith, Omar Cain-Francis, Halle Cassell, Lucy Cheesman, Liberty Greig, Lauren Henson, Callum Hudson, Vaidile Jonikas, Mia McLoughlin, Miller Morris, Palmer Newson, Rocco Peacock, Lottie Refet, Finn Richards, Martin Soosaipillai, Will Tarpey and Alex Wenham.

Jessica Chalmers, Hari Coles, Archie Durrant, Sebastian Harry, Tori Louise Ryan, Tilda Marriage Massey and Kacy O’Sullivan will continue in the roles of Bruce, Lavender, Amanda and the pupils at Crunchem Hall.

The full adult cast includes Keisha Amponsa Banson, Richard Astbury, David Birch, Maria Graciano, Karina Hind, Peter Houston, Katie Lee, Vicki Lee Taylor, Kris Manuel, Bryan Mottram, Tom Muggeridge, Emma Robotham-Hunt, Simon Shorten, Biancha Szynal,Callum Train and Robert Tregoning.

Seen by over 7 million people across more than 60 cities and playing more than 5300 performances worldwide, Matilda The Musical is now preparing for its first UK and Ireland tour, beginning in March 2018, and running alongside the continuing West End production. Winner of 86 major international awards, including 16 for Best Musical, the hit show is now the longest running production to play at the Cambridge Theatre.

Inspired by Roald Dahl’s beloved book, Matilda The Musical was commissioned by the Royal Shakespeare Company and premiered at the RSC’s Courtyard Theatre in Stratford-upon-Avon in November 2010, before transferring to London’s West End in October 2011, where it opened to rave reviews.

Having swept the board at the 2012 Olivier Awards, winning a record-breaking seven awards, the New York production of Matilda The Musical opened in April 2013 at Broadway’s Shubert Theatre and was celebrated on 10 “Top Ten” lists for 2013, including TIME Magazine’s #1 Show of the Year. The show also won four Tony Awards and a Tony Honor for Excellence in the Theater for the four girls sharing the title role on Broadway.

In July 2016, the Australian production broke further records by winning all thirteen Helpmann Awards for which it was nominated. Having also won a Sydney Theatre Award for Best Musical in 2015, the Australian production has also played sold-out seasons in Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth and Adelaide. The production premiered at the Civic Theatre in Auckland on 24 August where it is now playing until 22 October.

Matilda The Musical is produced by the Royal Shakespeare Company with André Ptaszynski and Denise Wood as Executive Producers. The production was developed with the support of Jeanie O’Hare and the RSC Literary Department.

Matilda The Musical is written by Dennis Kelly, with music and lyrics by Tim Minchin, and direction by Matthew Warchus. The production is designed by Rob Howell, with choreography by Peter Darling, orchestrations, additional music and musical supervision by Christopher Nightingale, lighting by Hugh Vanstone, sound by Simon Baker and the special effects and illusions are by Paul Kieve.

LISTINGS INFORMATION

MATILDA THE MUSICAL
Cambridge Theatre,
Earlham Street,
London WC2H 9HU

Booking until 27 May 2018
Tuesdays 7pm
Wednesday – Saturday 7:30pm
Wednesday & Saturday 2:30pm
Sundays 3pm

Box Office: Cambridge Theatre* 0844 412 4652 / RSC Ticket Hotline 01789 403493
No booking fee. *Calls cost 7p per min plus your telephone company’s network access charge.

Twitter: @MatildaMusical
Facebook: Matilda The Musical
Instagram: @MatildaTheMusical

Rehearsal images for the UK Tour of Tim Firth’s New British Musical, THE BAND, featuring the music of Take That. The show begins previews this Friday 8 September at Manchester Opera House before opening officially on 26 September. It will then embark on a major UK tour until July 2018.

THE BAND stars AJ Bentley, Nick Carsberg, Curtis T Johns, Yazdan Qafouri and Sario Solomon, collectively known as Five To Five, winners of BBC’s Let It Shine, who will play The Band. It also stars Rachel Lumberg, Alison Fitzjohn, Emily Joyce, Jayne McKenna, Faye Christall, Katy Clayton, Rachelle Diedericks, Sarah Kate Howarth, Lauren Jacobs, Martin Miller and Andy Williams.

THE BAND is a musical about what it’s like to grow up with a boyband. For five 16 year-old friends in 1992, ‘the band’ is everything. 25 years on, we are reunited with the group of friends, now 40-something women, as they try once more to fulfil their dream of meeting their heroes. 

Alfred Uhry’s acclaimed comedy drama Driving Miss Daisy is visiting Newcastle Theatre Royal on its 30th anniversary tour with a top cast at the wheel Mon 2 – Sat 7 Oct 2017.

This brand new production by Pulitzer Prize, Academy and Tony Award-winning playwright Uhry stars icon of British Theatre Dame Siân Philips as elderly widow Daisy Werthan and one of TV’s best known faces Derek Griffiths as chauffeur Hoke.

When Miss Daisy crashes her car one day in 1948, her son hires her a chauffeur, an African-American named Hoke Colburn. Daisy and Hoke’s relationship gets off to a rocky start, but as times change across a 25-year backdrop of prejudice, inequality and civil unrest, a profound and life-altering friendship blossoms in this acclaimed comedy drama.

From its landmark off-Broadway production in 1987 to the remarkable success of the 1989 film version, which was the winner of four Academy Awards including Best Picture, Driving Miss Daisy has touched the hearts of millions worldwide.

Dame Siân Phillips has enjoyed a dazzling career which spans more than seven decades – from her multi award-wining performance in I, Claudius to the epic film Dune, from a Tony nominated performance of Marlene on Broadway to Cabaret in the West End.

RSC actor and legendary presenter, Derek Griffiths’ numerous West End credits include the original production of Beauty and the Beast in which he originated the role of Lumière and the Child Catcher in the West End run of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang at the London Palladium.

Alfred Uhry is one of the few writers to have earned Academy, Tony and Pulitzer Prize awards as a playwright and screenwriter. Having based the story of Driving Miss Daisy on his own family history, the play won the Pulitzer Prize for Drama in 1988. His adaptation of the screenplay went on to win an Oscar in 1989.

The show is directed by Richard Beecham and designed by Simon Kenny.  It has lighting design by Natasha Chivers and sound design by Jon Nicholls. Driving Miss Daisy is produced by Theatre Royal Bath Productions.

Driving Miss Daisy is at Newcastle Theatre Royal from Mon 2 until Sat 7 October 2017, playing evenings at 7.30pm, matinees on Thu 2pm and Sat 2.30pm. Tickets from £14.50.  Tickets can be purchased from the Theatre Royal Box Office on 08448 11 21 21 (Calls cost 7ppm plus your phone company’s access charge) or book online at www.theatreroyal.co.uk