Home

Harold Pinter, London – until 2 September.  Reviewed by Keiley Archer

Robert Icke’s Hamlet offers a fresh version of the Shakespeare classic, moving to the Harold Pinter Theatre for a chilling, intimate performance. The modernised adaptation is led by Andrew Scott as Prince Hamlet, supported by Angus Wright as Claudius, Juliet Stevenson as Gertrude, and Jessica Brown Findlay as Ophelia.

Beginning with the appearance of the ghost of King Hamlet ominously revealing the truth of his murder to his son, the play explores Hamlet’s deep melancholy following his father’s death and his mother’s prompt marriage to Hamlet’s uncle Claudius, and his apparent madness as he becomes obsessed with avenging his father.

Knowing of the numerous long monologues and soliloquies, I was sceptical of it getting monotonous, particularly due to its long running time of three and a half hours, but Scott succeeded all expectations. His skill during the desperately vulnerable speeches captivated the audience, each viewer on the edge of their seat as he seamlessly transformed from tears to rage, and sadness to madness, realistically portraying Hamlet’s complicated psychology.

Though one of Shakespeare’s tragedies, comedy is effectively woven into the play which provides relief from the dark undertones without distracting from the main plot. The incorporation of the video screens was unique, and were well intertwined into the play. I felt that these specific additions are particularly well suited to people who have perhaps not seen much Shakespeare before, as they make it easy to follow the play, as well as adding to the enjoyment for Shakespeare fans.

Ultimately, Hamlet proved to be a highly engaging, unique adaptation of the Shakespeare tragedy which is a must see, 4.5/5. It runs at the Harold Pinter until 2nd September and is a must-see for theatre lovers.

STEP BACK IN TIME AND GET READY FOR THE BIGGEST PARTY IN TOWN WITH THE WEDDING SINGER

 

A sparkling new production of The Wedding Singer will play at Lyceum Theatre, Sheffield for one week only from Tue 18 – Sat 22 July. Jon Robyns, Ray Quinn, Cassie Compton, Lucie Jonesand Ruth Madoc will star in the hilarious musical based on the hit film.

It’s 1985. Hair is huge, greed is good and rock-star wannabe Robbie Hart is New Jersey’s favourite wedding singer. When his own fiancée dumps him at the altar a seriously bummed out Robbie makes every wedding as disastrous as his own. Can sweet natured Julia and her best friend Holly lure Robbie out of the dumpster and back into the limelight?  Or is he going to see her head off down the aisle with Wall Street bad boy Glen. Only Grandma Rosie seems to be able to see that Robbie and Julia are the couple that are meant to be.

West End and Musical Theatre star Jon Robyns plays Robbie Hart. Most recently he starred inLegally Blonde as Emmett Forrest, other theatre credits include Enjolras in Les Misérables,Spamalot, Memphis and Avenue Q.

He is joined on stage by British singer-songwriter Ray Quinn as Glen who shot to fame as the runner-up in ITV1’s The X Factor in 2006 and as champion of Dancing on Ice in 2009. In 2014 he won Dancing on Ice: Champion of Champions. His theatre credits include Danny Zuko in Grease(West End), Dirty Dancing (West End) and Legally Blonde (UK Tour).

West End leading lady and X Factor finalist Cassie Compton plays Julia; her roles include Sabrina in American Psycho (Almeida, London) and Eponine in Les Misérables. Playing best friend Holly isLucie Jones (Legally Blonde, Ghost The Musical), who most recently represented the UK at the Eurovision Song Contest.

No stranger to stage and screen, comedy veteran Ruth Madoc joins the company as Grandma Rosie. Ruth became a household name in the Eighties when she played Gladys Pugh in BBC comedy series Hi-De-Hi! More recently we’ve seen her on screen in ITV’s Benidorm, Mount Pleasant (Sky) and Stella (Sky).

Don’t miss this chance to join the party of the year – with a musical that promises to get you up dancing faster than your Dad at a wedding, The Wedding Singer is packed with songs which capture all the fun and energy of the Adam Sandler smash hit film.

The Wedding Singer plays Lyceum Theatre, Sheffield from Tue 18 – Sat 22 July to book call the Box Office on 0114 249 6000 or visit sheffieldtheatres.co.uk.

NEWCASTLE THEATRE ROYAL ANNOUNCES

AUTUMN ’17 / SPRING ’18 SEASON

HIGHLIGHTS INCLUDE:

Rambert – Ghost Dances & other works 6 – 8 Feb ‘18

Art 5 – 10 Mar ‘18

The Kite Runner 30 Apr – 5 May ‘18

Jersey Boys 31 Jul – 11 Aug ‘18

 

Breath-taking dance, thought-provoking drama, feel-good musicals and family shows aplenty – the new Autumn 17 / Spring 18 season from Newcastle Theatre Royal, announced today, has it all.

 

The four big musicals this season are Kay Mellor’s Fat Friends – The Musical, Cilla – The Musical, Tim Firth’s Take That musical The Band and the Broadway and West End hit Jersey Boys.

 

Based on the hit TV show, Fat Friends – The Musical (23 – 27 Jan ‘18) will be bursting onto our stage with an all-star cast next spring.  This eagerly anticipated new musical, with original music by Nick Lloyd Webber and starring West End favourite Jodie Prenger and X Factor winner Sam Bailey, is packed full of warmth, hope, humour and heart (and weight-loss!) as it reunites our favourite foodie friends.

 

Cilla – The Musical (27 Feb – 3 Mar ‘18) is the spectacular and heart-warming musical adaptation of the critically acclaimed hit ITV television series. It tells the extraordinary story of the ordinary girl from Liverpool whose teenage dreams of stardom lead her to becoming one of Britain’s best-loved entertainers of all time. The musical score is the ultimate soundtrack to the 60’s including Cilla’s greatest hitsAnyone Who Had a Heart, Alfie and Something Tells Me, Twist and Shout by the Beatles, California Dreamin by The Mamas and The Papas and many more.

 

Now the fastest selling musical theatre tour of all time, The Band (3 – 14 April ’18), already on sale) is a beautiful story about anyone that grew up with a boyband and how the songs became the soundtrack to their lives. Written by Olivier Award-winning writer Tim Firth, featuring the music of co-producers Take That and starring the winners from the BBC’s Let it Shine Five to Five, The Band is set to become a classic.

 

On the subject of classic musicals – West End and Broadway hit and internationally acclaimed stage sensation Jersey Boys (31 Jul – 11 Aug ’18) hits the stage in Summer 2018.  Winner of 57 major awards worldwide including the Oliver Award for Best New Musical, Jersey Boys tells the true story of four boys from the wrong side of the tracks who wrote their own songs, invented their own sound, and sold 100 million records worldwide.

 

Dance fans will delight in four big names this season, starting with the legendary Rambert (6 – 8 Feb ’18) who return with probably their most popular work – Ghost Dances & other works. Visually referencing the Day of the Dead, and driven by bewitching Latin American folk music, we witness as ‘death’ (in the form of the iconic “ghost dancers”) interrupts the daily lives of a series of ordinary people and their stories of love and compassion.  The triple bill also includes a brand new dance theatre creation inspired by the music of Nina Simone and an all-action work by internationally acclaimed choreographer Andonis Foniadakis. All three pieces feature Rambert’s trademark quality of combining virtuoso dancing with live music to thrilling effect.

 

Another big name to return, Scottish Ballet is back with a new production of The Nutcracker (31 Jan – 3 Feb ‘18). Classical ballet at its most plush and sumptuous, the show was originally devised in 1973 by the Company’s founding artistic director, and revived to widespread acclaim in 2014. Tchaikovsky’s delectable score played by the Scottish Ballet Orchestra, a land of dreams and fairy tale, costumes plucked from the most gorgeous chocolate box and a fantastical adventure with a little girl called Clara combine for one of the most magical ballets of all time.

 

An extravagant mix of Latin fever and ballroom magic is in store with Brendan Cole’s spectacular new show All Night Long (18 Mar ’18).  Accompanied by his own sensational guest dancers, and featuring live music and stunning special effects, Brendan’s dazzling choreography will delight and enthral all ages.

 

Following the sold-out success of The Red Shoes earlier this year, Matthew Bourne’s multi award-winning New Adventures company return to the Theatre Royal in Spring 2018 with one of their most beloved productions, Cinderella (17 – 28 Apr ’18).  A thrilling love story set in London during the Second World War, it transports the audience into the heart of Prokofiev’s magnificent score and the sights and sounds of war-torn London.  It was a sell-out when it last visited in 2012 and early booking is highly recommended to avoid disappointment.

Theatre

 

Also sure to be a sell-out is the first ever theatre show of the iconic, world famous Teletubbies in Teletubbies Live (10-11 Feb ‘18).  A treat for all pre-schoolers, this a show full of love and laughter as Tinky Winky, Dipsy, Laa-Laa and Po explore the magical world of Teletubbyland. Children are encouraged to join in and enjoy familiar features from the TV series along with brand new songs.

 

For slightly older children we have an exciting new adaptation of Rudyard Kipling’s family classic The Jungle Book coming to vivid life from 27 to 31 Mar ’18.  Mowgli the man cub battles for survival in this heart-warming coming-of-age story about a boy raised by wolves in the jungle. From the hugely talented team behind Theatre Royal favourites Goodnight Mister Tom and Michael Morpurgo’s Running Wild, the show is packed with memorable characters, new songs and brilliant storytelling.

 

Destined to become a future classic, kids will also delight in the award-winning West End production of David Walliams’ Gangsta Granny(30 May – 2 June ’18). It’s Friday night and Ben knows that means only one thing – staying with Granny, and it’s going to be sooooooooo boring! But what Ben doesn’t know is that Granny has a secret – and Friday nights are about to get more exciting than he could ever imagine….! Walliams is currently the UK’s best-selling children’s author and this show will be a sure hit with little folk everywhere.

 

For drama lovers we are proud to present David Haig in the critically acclaimed Pressure (20 – 24 Feb ’18).  Written by and starring Haig, Pressure tells the extraordinary true story of one man – meteorologist Group Captain James Stagg – who changed the course of the second world war (and history) in June 1944 while advising Eisenhower on the D-Day landings.

 

One of the most successful comedies ever, and winner of Olivier, Tony, Moliere and every other major world theatre award, stage masterpiece and global phenomenon ART (5 – 10 Mar ’18) returns in the Spring with an all-star cast featuring Nigel Havers, Denis Lawson and Stephen Tompkinson. Now celebrating its twentieth anniversary, Art tells the story of three old friends in Paris – Serge, Yvan and Marc, who discover they have very differing opinions about what constitutes ‘art’ when one buys a very expensive, rather peculiar painting.

 

 

Heart rending and unmissable The Kite Runner (30 April – 5 May ‘18) is our third drama sensation. Direct from the West End, this haunting tale of friendship follows one man’s journey to confront his past and find redemption. Based on Khaled Hosseini’s bestselling novel, the story begins on a beautiful afternoon in Kabul where and the skies are full of the excitement of a kite flying tournament, and two childhood friends cannot foresee the terrible incident which will shatter their lives forever. A must for fans of the novel and drama lovers everywhere.

 

Our fourth offering is a thriller from the mistress of mystery herself, and the UK’s greatest crime writer, Agatha Christie.  Love from a Stranger (12 – 16 June ’18) tells the tale of Cecily Harrington who is swept off her feet by a whirlwind romance with a handsome and charming stranger. Little does she know the ghastly truth about her new beau.  Audiences can expect Christie’s trademark electric suspense and a biting twist in the tail with this brand new production – an edge-of-your-seat, rarely seen thriller.

 

Two comedy greats complete our new season – the unstoppable David Baddiel (11 Mar ’18) brings his Olivier-nominated one-man showMy Family: Not the Sitcom to the Theatre Royal stage following a sold out run at London’s Menier Chocolate Factory and two critically acclaimed West End runs.  Furthermore, following his hit run with us back in 2013, the North East’s Pete Peverley returns with his touching, heartfelt and very funny celebration of the life of comic legend Bobby Thompson in The Bobby Thompson Story (16 & 17 Mar ’18).  Marking the 30th anniversary year of folk hero Bobby’s death, this is an unmissable gig for fans of ‘The Little Waster’ and indeed all lovers of traditional and North East comedy.

 

Tickets for all new shows in the Autumn ’17 / Spring ‘18 season go on sale to the general public at 9am on Fri 7 July 2017 and can be purchased online at www.theatreroyal.co.uk or from the Theatre Royal Box Office on 08448 11 21 21 (Calls cost 7p per minute plus your phone company’s access charge).

 

Friends of the Theatre Royal can book new season shows online and through the box office from Mon 3 July 2017 and receive discounted tickets as well as other benefits – visit www.theatreroyal.co.uk/support/become-a-friend for more information.

LEEDS GRAND THEATRE TO HOST 10^th ANNIVERSARY TOUR OF DREAMBOATS AND PETTICOATS

 

Inspired by the multi-million selling albums, the Olivier Award nominated musical, Dreamboats and Petticoats, returns to Leeds Grand Theatre from 10^th July 2017 for one week only.

Celebrating 10 years on tour, the highly emotive musical set in 1961, tells the story of young musicians Norman and Bobby who are competing to win a national song writing competition and, more importantly, the attention of the gorgeous Sue! But when Bobby discovers that shy Laura is no slouch on the piano, love and rock‘n’roll fame beckons.

 

From the writers behind TV Classics ‘Goodnight Sweetheart’, ‘Birds of a Feather’, ‘The New Statesmen’ and‘Shine on Harvey Moon’, the West End sell-out show features classic tracks from Roy Orbison, The Shadows, Eddie Cochran, Billy Fury, and many more from music’s golden era. Hits include ‘Let’s Dance’, ‘To Know Him Is to Love Him’, ‘Bobby’s Girl’, ‘Little Town Flirt’, ‘Runaround Sue’, ‘Happy Birthday Sweet 16’, ‘Great Pretender’, ‘C’mon Everybody’ and ‘Let’s Twist Again’.

Dreamboats and Petticoats is at Leeds Grand Theatre from Monday 10^th July to Saturday 15^th July 2017

 

Tickets are priced from £23 (restricted viewing) to £35

(prices include a £3 booking fee. Postage charge £1 where applicable)

 

Book online at leedsgrandtheatre.com or call Box Office on 0844 848 2700

York Theatre Royal wins prestigious York Design Award

The £6m redevelopment of York Theatre Royal to create a building fit for the 21st century audience has won two highly-coveted awards in the York Design Awards 2017.

York Theatre Royal took the Commercial/Community/Public/Educational – Large category award, competing with seven other entrants. The theatre also took The Press People’s Award where local residents vote for the scheme which ‘delights’ them most.

Chief Executive Liz Wilson said: ‘We’re delighted to be honoured with the York Design Award recognising the design integrity of the project along with all the hard work that went into creating a building that meets the needs of modern audiences.’

York Theatre Royal was among 33 buildings competing in six different categories in the Design Awards whose aim it is to encourage and promote excellence in design and conservation.

The theatre site in St Leonard’s Place has been occupied since the mid-18th century with a number of alterations being made over the years. The most significant was made by Patrick Gwynne in 1967, with its iconic mushroom columns, free flowing space and futuristic skylights – a legacy to the modern movement at the beginning of the 20th century.

Every stage of the latest redevelopment undertaken by York Citizens Theatres Trust and York Conservation Trust, was carefully designed to harmonise with the Grade II* listed building and its beautiful patchwork of architectural styles.

The refurbishment has created additional space urgently needed in order to appeal to and engage a wider community, bring more people into the building and create the opportunity to increase revenue, enabling the theatre to be more financially resilient in the future. Staff, Youth Theatre members, audience and general public were among those who determined the changes needed to improve the visitor experience.

The project was funded by Arts Council England, City of York Council and York Conservation Trust with generous grants and donations from local and national trusts and foundations, corporate and individual supporters. A further £215,000 was raised through a public fundraising campaign.

Wilton’s Music Hall, 27 June – 1 July.  Reviewed by Claire Roderick

Sitting in her antiques shop, keeping an eye on the museum which houses her portraits, the ageing Suzy Solidor reminisces about her life as the gramophone plays and her portrait is painted. Once the most painted woman in the world, Solidor was a cabaret sensation, and the first woman to own a nightclub in Paris, where she performed surrounded by her portraits. If Suzy was alive today, she’d probably make the Kardashians seem publicity-shy.

Jessica Walker’s play tells the story of Solidor’s life in an evocative and intimate way. The wonderful space of Wilton’s Music Hall is perfect, with its atmosphere of faded glamour and past glories matching the aging Solidor, and the cast prowl around the space interacting with the audience to great effect. Rather than a straightforward biographical romp, Waters has constructed a cabaret show within the play that portrays Solidor’s unravelling mind and memory, with fractured timelines and characters commenting on her confused remembrances. The bittersweet melancholy this creates is wonderful. Walker’s beautiful renditions of Solidor’s numbers (accompanied by Joseph Atkins) are thrillingly affecting, whether it’s her trademark songs about sea, sex and sailors, or more personal songs sung to important people in her life. Walker captures the fluid sexuality of Solidor perfectly, oozing arrogance and self-regard in younger and older incarnations. Rachel Austin and Alexandra Mathie play people from Solidor’s past and present, with Austin especially moving as Daisy, Solidor’s long-suffering partner, and Mathie hysterical as crossdressing singer Bambi, resplendent in bouffant blond wig and boa.

All I Want Is One Night is a little gem of a play that deserves a much wider audience. Catch it while you can.

Leicester Square Theatre, 6 Leicester Place, London WC2H 7BX
Saturday 8th July – Sunday 3rd September 2017

Adapted from the bestselling books by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler (creators of The Gruffalo), it’s now time for Tiddler & Other Terrific Tales to swim up the Thames and into Leicester Square Theatre for a summer full of fun!

Under the sea, out on the farm and into the jungle, these terrific tales are woven together with live music, puppetry and a whole host of colourful characters from the best-loved titles: Tiddler, Monkey Puzzle, The Smartest Giant in Town and A Squash and a Squeeze. Funky moves, toe tapping tunes and giggles are guaranteed.

Tiddler & Other Terrific Tales is produced by the newly founded Freckle Productions whose shows aim to be vigorous and challenging; engaging both hearts and minds to fire the imaginations of young audiences who may be experiencing theatre for the very first time but also changing the awareness of what performance can be for regular followers.

Founder Jennifer Sutherland comments, I am delighted to be welcoming Tiddler back to The West End as the original book celebrates the 10th anniversary of its publication and The Smartest Giant in Town celebrates its 15th anniversary. Tiddler & Other Terrific Tales has delighted audiences in London, across the UK and also internationally since 2011 and this production brings the best of Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler’s work together on the stage.

To call this show lively would be a whopping understatement. Packed with gleeful songs and jolly good fun (The Guardian).

SHEFFIELD THEATRES ARTS COUNCIL FUNDING CONFIRMED UNTIL 2022

 

Sheffield Theatres has today announced that it will continue to be funded by Arts Council England as a National Portfolio Organisation (NPO).

The Theatres is currently part of Arts Council England’s National Portfolio. Today’s news confirms that the Arts Council will continue to support Sheffield Theatres at a standstill level, contributing £1,279,865 each year for four years commencing in 2018.

Dan Bates, Chief Executive of Sheffield Theatres commented:

‘I am delighted that we have confirmed funding from Arts Council England as an NPO. During this last funding period we have been recognised as Regional Theatre of the Year for the third time, won 9 UK Theatre Awards, transferred two shows to the West End and toured 8 productions across the UK. We’ve also welcomed over a million people through our doors for more than 200 productions on our stages, and expanded our community engagement programme to include Dementia Friendly events, a greater number of accessible performances and more family friendly activities attracting thousands of people to create and participate with us every year. 

We are grateful to ACE for recognising our contribution to creating great art for everyone by making this award. This funding gives us a solid foundation on which to grow and diversify work over the next four years.’

Artistic Director, Robert Hastie, added:

‘We welcome the news that Sheffield Theatres’ funding has been confirmed, and thank the Arts Council for its continued investment in the work we do. This money plays a vital role in ensuring our doors are open to everyone, and that our plans for the future continue to have the ambition and the reach that put us at the heart of the city and the cultural life of the UK.’

This funding news comes as Robert Hastie has embarked on his inaugural season as Artistic Director of Sheffield Theatres. His first production, Julius Caesar, was met with widespread critical and audience acclaim in May this year. The theatres are currently staging a fully accessible production of The Who’s Tommy in the Crucible; preparing to open a regional première, Tribes, in the Studio and bringing a new play, What We Wished For, to the stage with a large community cast of over 80 people drawn from Sheffield People’s Theatre. Last week Sheffield Theatres also confirmed that new musical, Everybody’s Talking About Jamie, made in Sheffield in February this year, will transfer to the West End in November this year.

Lord Robert Kerslake, Chair of Sheffield Theatres Trust commented:

‘We are grateful for the Arts Council’s continued commitment to us.

Sheffield Theatres’ is a vibrant organisation with huge ambitions for the future. Over the next four years we will build on our success: continuing to create, tour and transfer the bold and enriching work for which we are so well known; reaching all 75,000 children and young people in the city alongside the hundreds of thousands of audiences who visit every year; and diversifying our workforce, the work and our audiences to reflect the community of which we’re such a integral part.

It’s thanks to the ongoing support of the Arts Council and Sheffield City Council that we’re able to pursue our ambitions and create such remarkable work.’

The Theatres receive public funding from both the Arts Council and Sheffield City Council. This funding equates to 13% of its annual turnover – a vital contribution to the Theatres’ operations. Sheffield Theatres generates its remaining income through fundraising, commercial hire, bars and catering operations and, most significantly, through ticket sales.  Sheffield City Council has supported Sheffield Theatres’ Arts Council application with a 4 year funding commitment of £291,600 per annum.

Mary Lea, Sheffield City Council cabinet member for Culture, Parks and Leisure said ‘Sheffield Theatres’ impact on the city and its people is huge and we are very proud of the significant contribution the theatres make to Sheffield’s cultural ecology. We are delighted that the Arts Council has rewarded its strong performance with this continued national funding.’

York Theatre Royal awarded National Portfolio Organisation status 2018-22

York Theatre Royal is thrilled to announce it has been successful in its application to Arts Council England (ACE) to become a National Portfolio Organisation 2018-22.

The funding awarded covers a four year period and gives the organisation just over £587,000 a year – a total grant of £2,349,016. The theatre is already a National Portfolio Organisation for 2015-18 and this new grant allows it to continue to fulfil its mission and inspire its community through the creative arts.

Ann Green CBE, chair of the Trustee Board said ‘We are delighted that we have been successful in our bid for four year funding. This award from Arts Council England ensures that we can continue to run a successful and thriving theatre for the people of York. Over the next four years we will be focussing on developing a number of exciting new partnerships as well as continuing our relationship with our community.’

Chief Executive Liz Wilson said: ‘It is just over a year since we reopened our doors following our major multi-million pound transformation, and we have just celebrated one of the most memorable years to date. This award allows us to make sure the next four years will be just as inspiring. We will be producing and presenting an eclectic range of performing arts, from pantomime and children’s theatre to classic adaptations, new work and contemporary dance. Much of our produced work will be developed in partnership with theatre producing companies from across the country and we will continue to welcome the UK’s best touring companies as well as supporting new and emerging artists.

‘I would like to take this opportunity to thank our audiences, sponsors, volunteers and patrons who have given us their endless enthusiasm, loyalty and generosity as well as the Arts Council for their continued support.’;

The Theatre is one of 844 successful organisations sharing a total of £409 million every year between 2018-22 to support arts and cultural activity across England. This includes £341 million of grant-in-aid and £68 million of National Lottery funding.