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SPRING SEASON 2019 SET TO

BLOOM WITH HEADLINE SHOWS

Brian Blessed, Brendan Cole, Jason Manford, Avenue Q,

The Noise Next Door, Nick Sharratt, and English Touring Opera

now confirmed to join programme for 2019

Fantasmagorical musical is Bang on target.

A local amateur theatre company is enjoying a successful run of the family favourite Chitty Chitty Bang Bang at Darlington Hippodrome.

Darlington Operatic Society are receiving rave reviews for their current run of the all-time family classic musical Chitty Chitty Bang Bang at Darlington Hippodrome.

Following almost a year of planning the show opened last Wednesday and runs until Saturday 3 November. With amazing costumes, a live orchestra, stunning sets and amazing special effects including, of course, the flying Chitty herself, the musical is a must for half-term family enjoyment.

Spokesman Julian Cound told us “ticket sales have exceeded all expectations – we knew demand was going to be high for this show and we have been amazed at the reaction from audiences at every performance. The clapping starts during the overture and there is a great buzz of anticipation when Chitty is about to make her grand entrance. And when she actually flies there is a wave of noise coming from the auditorium – it’s simply theatre magic.”

The stage version of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang has all of the best-loved songs from the famous movie including Toot Sweets, Me Old Bamboo, POSH and Hushabye Mountain.

The show runs at Darlington Hippodrome until Saturday 3 November with a BSL Interpreted performance on Thursday 1 November. Tickets are available by calling the Ticket Hotline on 01325 244659 or by booking online at darlingtonos.org.uk

WICKED DEFIES GRAVITY OVER MANCHESTER!

IN CELEBRATION OF HALLOWEEN AND ITS FINAL

RETURN TO MANCHESTER THIS CHRISTMAS

WICKED, the West End and Broadway musical sensation that tells the incredible untold story of the Witches of Oz, celebrated Halloween and its final return to Manchester this Christmas with an exclusive photo-shoot of Elphaba ‘Defying Gravity’ atop King Street Townhouse.

This Christmas, the spectacular touring production of WICKED will fly home to where it began, the Palace Theatre in Manchester, for one final time. The limited five-week engagement, from 4 December 2018 to 5 January 2019, will mark the end of the multi record-breaking, critically acclaimed tour.

One of the most successful productions in the Palace Theatre’s history, the tour of the West End and Broadway sensation was previously seen by almost 150,000 theatregoers during its celebrated premiere engagement in 2013. Following its sensational Manchester premiere, the production subsequently travelled across the UK and Ireland twice as well as to cities in China, the Philippines, Singapore and Switzerland. After an epic 27,000-mile journey across 5 countries, the celebrated touring production will complete its run in Manchester on 5 January 2019 having been seen by over 2.2 million theatregoers.

TICKETS ARE SELLING FAST – FOR THE BEST CHOICE OF SEATS AND PRICES,

CHOOSE TUESDAY-THURSDAY PERFORMANCES.

SUNDAY MATINEES ALSO AVAILABLE.

THERE ARE EXTRA CHRISTMAS MATINEES ON 24 DECEMBER, 27 DECEMBER 2018 and 3 JANUARY 2019.

WICKED transports audiences to a stunningly re-imagined world of Oz and is already the 6^th longest running Broadway show of all time and the 14^th longest running West End show of all time. Around the world, WICKED has been seen by almost 60 million people and won more than 100 major awards, including three Tony Awards on Broadway and two Olivier Awards in the UK.

The acclaimed cast of 31 features Amy Ross as Elphaba, Helen Woolf as Glinda, Aaron Sidwell(best known as ‘Steven Beale’ in EastEnders) as Fiyero, Steven Pinder (best known as ‘Max Farnham’ in Brookside) as The Wizard & Doctor Dillamond, Kim Ismay as Madame Morrible, Emily Shaw as Nessarose and Iddon Jones as Boq. Nikki Bentley is Standby for Elphaba.

Based on the best-selling novel by Gregory Maguire that ingeniously re-imagines the stories and characters created by L. Frank Baum in ‘The Wonderful Wizard of Oz’, WICKED tells the incredible untold story of an unlikely but profound friendship between two sorcery students. Their extraordinary adventures in Oz will ultimately see them fulfil their destinies as Glinda The Good and the Wicked Witch of the West.

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

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

Official website: www.WickedTheMusical.co.uk

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

Yvonne Arnaud Theatre – until 3rd November

Review by Heather Chalkley

5*****

Hislop and Newman take the essence of a story plucked from the tomes of political history, to produce a clever and funny piece. It reminds us that the debate around the freedom of the press is as alive today as it has always been, particularly with the advent of social media. The play highlights it’s part in ensuring the common man is heard and the people with power remain accountable. Often the language of humour is the most effective vehicle when talking to the masses.

Joseph Prowen (William Hone) gave his character nuance and inflection with great effect, warming to and performing to his audience (The Jury). Prowen showed William Hone to have all the doubts and dips in confidence of any human being thrust into the spotlight. At the same time he remains true to his strong ethics and fantastic talent for parody! George Cruikshank (Peter Losasso) in reality had a greater role in the story than that depicted, however he did shine through as the great friend, talented cartoonist and sponger!

The Prince Regent (Jeremy Lloyd) was a fantastic caricature, straight off the pages of Cruikshank and Hone’s publications. Lloyd played his part as a piece of living art! The Members of the Company were able to slip in and out of the different supporting characters with ease. I have to commend the creatives for the set. The Members of the Company were able to glide through the numerous scenery changes, providing a seamless production.

Hislop and Newman’s commentary on a piece of political history has made it accessible to every budding journalist. I am sure Hone and Cruickshank would be proud.

Leeds Grand Theatre – until Saturday 3 November 2018

Reviewed By Dawn Smallwood

4****

Rain Man is the first ever production under the new Classic Screen to Stage Theatre Company, formerly Bill Kenwright Ltd, and is currently on a national tour. This stage adaptation is based on 1988 multi award winning film starring Tom Cruise and Dustin Hoffman.

Written for the stage by Dan Gordon, Rain Man tells the story of Charlie (Ed Speleers), a selfish and arrogant car dealer, who learns of his estranged father’s death. He and his girlfriend, Susan (Elizabeth Carter), set out to settle the estate in Ohio but only to learn that the multi-million dollar estate inheritance is left to an older brother, Raymond (Mathew Horne), whom he only just discovered. He is determined to get his half of the fortune from acquainting with Raymond who’s autistic and also ingenious with numbers and has an incredible photographic memory.

Both Charlie (Speleers) and Raymond (Horne) go on a journey of discovery across America and learn more about each other. Rain Man was written at a time, 30 years, when there wasn’t much awareness about autism and the autistic spectrum. The play certainly documents the ignorance and misunderstanding around autism then and how professionals can misinterpret, though well meaning, the needs of those people particularly fulfilling their individual unique needs, abilities, and strengths. There are human touches on their travels as to how both the relationships have changed two brothers for the better and the strengthening of a bond. Charlie gradually appreciates Raymond’s ingenuity and learnt that his brother was the imaginary “Rain Man”, a comforting figure during his troubled family life. It concludes that money it seems is no longer the motivating factor for Charlie but instead family.

The cast delivers a strong performance and the stand out performance must be from Mathew Horne who portrays Raymond perfectly – a very moving performance which allows one to get an insight into a life of someone who has autism. Horne superbly demonstrates the ingenious qualities which is associated with the condition. Morgan Large’s staging is simplistic but the spacing is used very well and compliments with the 1980’s theme.

The stage adaptation of Rain Man is done well and this is what the company will confidently continue doing following the footsteps of Bill Kenwright productions after their successful productions of films onto stage. Rain Man will continue touring around towns and cities across the country; it will no doubt be well received which is evident with the well-received applauses and standing ovations after this performance. The film at the time marked a crucial awareness about autism and as Kim Peek, who inspired Barry Morrow to write Rain Man in the first place, described that “You don’t have to be handicapped to be different. Everyone is different.” Today there is a lot more awareness and gradual shift in attitudes that everyday fulfilling lives can be lead by those who are autistic or who are on the autistic spectrum.

www.carolineorchange.co.uk | @carolinewestend

Northern Broadsides and New Vic Theatre, Newcastle-under-Lyme, Co-produce

Much Ado About Nothing

By William Shakespeare

Directed by Conrad Nelson                      

Designed by Lis Evans

Lighting by Daniella Beattie

Musical director Rebekah Hughes

Featuring Reece Dinsdale

Opening venue: 8 February–2 March 2019 , New Vic Theatre, Newcastle-under-Lyme

National tour: 5 March-25 May 2019

“I do love nothing in the world so well as you- is not that strange?”

Northern Broadsides will once again join forces with the award-winning New Vic Theatre, Newcastle-under-Lyme and warm the hearts of theatregoers this Spring when they stage William Shakespeare’s glorious tale of antagonistic romance and chaotic comedy – Much Ado About Nothing.

Featuring Reece Dinsdale (This House, The National Theatre and The Absence of War, Headlong Theatre Company) in the role of Benedick  and directed by Northern Broadsides’ Artistic Director Conrad Nelson, Much Ado About Nothing will open at the New Vic, Newcastle-under-Lyme from 8 February – 2 March and then tour until 25 May.

Six long years of war are finally over. Returning soldiers swap the booming battlefield for a landscape of love, masked balls and much-needed laughter. Two young dreamers (Hero and Claudio) fall head over heels, while two others (Benedick and Beatrice) resume their combative courtship.

As faithful friends plot romance and a vengeful brother plans destruction, can true love conquer all, or will whispers and rumour win out? Told in true Northern Broadsides style and set at the end of World War II, this production of Shakespeare’s glorious romantic comedy, which was last performed by the company in 2000, is sure to capture your hearts this Spring!

Director Conrad Nelson said:

“27 years ago, I was offered a job with Kenneth Branagh’s Renaissance Theatre Company.  At the end of run I was thrilled to be asked to play Hugh Oatcake in his joyous film version of Much Ado. You won’t find the part high on the list of Dramatis Persona, in fact you may not find it all, but I was there on location for 8 weeks in the glorious Tuscan sunshine. It was the place to fall in love and a perfect setting for Shakespeare’s romantic comedy.  

In 2000  I played Benedick opposite my future wife, Deborah McAndrew for Northern Broadsides – the last time the company performed the play. The hills of Tuscany gave way to the mill rooms and settings of the industrial North, but I still fell in love again. The play’s the thing… I know a little bit more about love now and a little bit more about drama and it is a privilege to bring this feel good masterpiece to life again. Thank you Mr Branagh for that wonderful summer.”

Playing the role of Benedick will be Reece Dinsdale who has performed extensively in theatres across the country. Most recently he played Walter Harrison in This House at The National Theatre, George Jones in The Absence of War for Headlong Theatre Company and the title roles in Richard III and The Master Builder at Leeds Playhouse. He won a Yorkshire Award for his contribution to Arts and Entertainment after playing Alan Bennett in Untold Stories (also Leeds Playhouse). Dinsdale won the Special Jury Prize at the Geneva Film Festival for his portrayal of John Brandon in the feature film I.D. and played Guildenstern (to Tim Spall’s Rosencrantz) in Kenneth Branagh’s highly acclaimed feature film Hamlet. As well as his stage and big screen performances, Reece has also starred in many high-profile TV dramas ranging from leading roles in the BAFTA award winning Threads and Jim Henson’s Storyteller, through Spooks, Life on Mars, to Joe McIntyre in Coronation Street and the hugely popular comedy series Home to Roost opposite the late John Thaw. Further casting will be announced in the coming weeks.

Co-producing with Staffordshire’s New Vic Theatre, the production’s fine creative team includes Lis Evans (An August Bank Holiday Lark) with lighting by Daniella Beattie, and musical direction by Rebekah Hughes. Regulars at the New Vic Theatre, this will be Northern Broadsides tenth co-production with the venue. Previous co-productions have included The Tempest (2007), The Canterbury Tales (2010), Love’s Labour’s Lost (2012), the award-winning An August Bank Holiday Lark (2014), The Merry Wives (2016) and Cyrano (2017).

Much Ado About Nothing will open at the New Vic Theatre, Newcastle-under-Lyme from 8 February – 2 March and will then tour to The Dukes Lancaster (5-9 March); Stephen Joseph Theatre, Scarborough (12-16 March); Salisbury Playhouse (19-23 March); Derby Theatre (26-30 March); Theatre Royal Bury St Edmunds (2-6 April); Lawrence Batley Theatre, Huddersfield (16-20 Apr), Viaduct Theatre, Halifax (25 Apr-4 May), The Lowry Salford (7-11 May); York Theatre Royal (14-18 May) and Harrogate Theatre (21-25 May).

For more information visit www.northern-broadsides.co.uk and www.newvictheatre.org.uk

Fri 8 February – Sat 2 March – New Vic Theatre, Newcastle-under-Lyme

Box Office 01782 717962 or www.newvictheatre.org.uk

Tour

Tue 5-Sat 9 March- The Dukes Lancaster

Box Office: 01524 598500 / https://dukes-lancaster.org/

Tue 12– Sat 16 March -Stephen Joseph Theatre, Scarborough

Box Office: 01723 370541  / https://www.sjt.uk.com/

Tue 19-Sat 23 March -Salisbury Playhouse

Box Office: 01722 320333 / https://www.wiltshirecreative.co.uk/

Tue 26-Sat 30 March -Derby Theatre

Box Office: 01332 593939 /https://www.derbytheatre.co.uk/ 

Tue 2-Sat 6 April -Theatre Royal Bury St Edmunds

Box Office: 01284 769505 / https://www.theatreroyal.org/

Tue  16-Sat 20 April – Lawrwence Batley Theatre, Huddersfield

Box Office: 01484 430528 / https://www.thelbt.org/

Wed 25 April – Sat 4 May – Viaduct Theatre, Halifax

Box Office: 01422 255266 / https://www.deanclough.com/whatson/

Tue 7-Sat 11 May -The Lowry, Salford

Box Office: 08432086000 / https://thelowry.com/

Tue 14 – Sat 18 May -York Theatre Royal

Box Office 01904 623568 / or www.yorktheatreroyal.co.uk

Tue 21-Sat 25 May-Harrogate Theatre

Box Office: 01423 502116  https://www.harrogatetheatre.co.uk/

BEN LOCKWOOD, RUPERT HENDERSON AND

OLIVER KADERBHAI PRESENT HIT

OFF-BROADWAY MUSICAL STRIKING 12

Ben Lockwood, Rupert Henderson and Oliver Kaderbhai present

STRIKING 12

Inspired by The Little Matchgirl by Hans Christian Andersen

Book music and lyrics by Brendan Milburn and Valerie Vigoda

Book and lyrics by Rachel Sheinkin

Directed by Oliver Kaderbhai; Designer: Natalie Johnson; Lighting Designer: Alex Lewer

Union Theatre

28 November – 23 December 2018

Ben Lockwood, Rupert Henderson and Oliver Kaderbhai today announce acclaimed Off-Broadway musical, Striking 12 at the Union Theatre this Christmas. The production, inspired by the short story by Hans Christian Andersen, The Little Match Girl, is directed by Oliver Kaderbhai, opening on 3 December, with previews from 28 November and runs until 23 December.

It’s New Years’ Eve and Brendan is done. His fiancée has left him, he’s going to lose his job and his boss is making him work late. The last thing he wants to do is celebrate. A chance encounter with a lightbulb seller changes everything.

Springing to life with a punchy score of pop, rock, jazz and more, Striking 12 is the perfect way to see out 2018. Where will you be when the clock strikes 12?

‘The most important ingredient for a successful musical, it has long been acknowledged, is a first-rate score, and this one is terrific.’ – Charles Isherwood, The New York Times.

Brendan Milburn and Valerie Vigoda (co-founders of GrooveLily). Their credits include Striking 12 (Off- Broadway 2006, Lucille Lortel Nomination for Outstanding Musical, Bay Area Theatre Critic’s Choice Award), Toy Story The Musical (Disney Cruise Line), Sleeping Beauty Wakes (Deaf West Theatre/Center Theatre Group/McCarter Theatre, two 2007 Ovation Awards, including World Premiere Musical), Long Story Short (City Theatre of Pittsburgh/TheatreWorks Palo Alto/San Diego Rep), A Midsummer Night’s Dream (McCarter Theatre/Paper Mill Playhouse) Ernest Shackleton Loves Me (La Jolla Playhouse/TheatreWorks Palo Alto); and the upcoming Wheelhouse. Together, Milburn and Vigoda are 2009 winners of the ASCAP Foundation Richard Rodgers New Horizons Award, as well as a two-time winners of the Jonathan Larson Award for Excellence in Writing for the Theatre.

Rachel Sheinkin is a frequent collaborator with GrooveLily. Other musical theatre collaborations include The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee (Circle in the Square), for which she won the 2005 Tony Award for Best Book for a Musical, Blood Drive (O’Neill National Music Theatre Conference) and Serenade (Baryshnikov Arts Center). She has been a Manhattan Theatre Club playwriting fellow and is currently an adjunct faculty member at NYU’s Graduate Musical Theatre Writing Program. Future projects on the horizon include two more musicals with GrooveLily.

Oliver Kaderbhai directs. He is Artistic Director of theatre company Delirium, established in 2009. Credits as Director include Peter Pan (Chichester Festival Theatre), Songs of Abdulkarim (59 Productions/JACC), One Minute (The Vaults) Your Nation Loves You (Pegasus Theatre) Go To Your God Like A Soldier (Courtyard Theatre), From Where I’m Standing (Edinburgh Festival). Credits as Associate & Movement Director include Killer Joe (Trafalgar Studios), Bug and The Dazzle(Found111) and Guys and Dolls (Playmakers Rep). Credits as Assistant Director include Jesus Christ Superstar and Running Wild (Regents Park Open Air Theatre). Credits as an Actor include The Best Man (Playhouse Theatre) Hatch (Polka Theatre/Royal Opera House), Jumping on my Shadow(Lakeside Arts/Dragon Breath) Go To Your God Like a Soldier (Old Vic Tunnels), From Where I’m Standing (Pegasus Theatre), The Provok’d Wife (Go People), One Minute (The Vaults) and Scar Tissue(Frantic Assembly).

Ben Lockwood completed an MA Creative Producing from the Royal Central School of Speech and Drama, and previously a BA English Literature and Language from King’s College, London. After he worked for Cameron Mackintosh Ltd, Sonia Friedman Productions, and Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre. Most recently he was Professional Licensing Manager for Theatrical Rights Worldwide.

Rupert Henderson is an actor and producer, trained at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama, from where he graduated in 2017. He recently completed a run in Harry Potter and the Cursed Child(Palace Theatre) in the West End. Prior to training, he worked with the National Youth Theatre and National Youth Music Theatre and was in the West End cast of Billy Elliot The Musical (Victoria Palace Theatre).

STRIKING 12

Listings

Union Theatre

Old Union Arches, 229 Union Street, London, SE1 0LR

28 November – 23 December 2018

Box Office: 020 7261 9876

www.uniontheatre.biz

Twitter: @striking12_UK

Instagram: @striking12_UK

www.striking12.co.uk

Performances:

Tuesday-Saturday 7.30pm

Thursday, Saturday, Sunday 3pm

Tickets:

Previews: £15

Standard price: £25

Concessions: £20

RIFCO THEATRE COMPANY ANNOUNCE

AMEET CHANA AS ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR

Following their latest national tour of Gurpreet Kaur Bhatti’s Dishoom, Rifco Theatre Company have appointed actor and director Ameet Chana as Associate Director.

This new role for Rifco Theatre Company will expand their current programme of work with a particular focus on their Studio and Digital programmes as well as their vital artist development work through the Rifco Associates scheme. It has been made possible through additional investment from Arts Council England NPO funding 2018-22.

Ameet Chana, best known for his roles in Bend It Like Beckham and EastEnders, alongside his work on Sunrise Radio’s weekend breakfast show, has had a varied stage and screen career including working directly with Rifco Theatre Company both as an actor and Assistant Director.

Alongside directing Rifco Theatre Company’s next Studio production in Autumn 2019, Chana will also support Artistic Director, Pravesh Kumar, on the company’s support of emerging British Asian artists and the development of new digital projects.

On his new role Chana comments; “I have had a very close working with relationship with Rifco since its inception 18 years ago. Having worked as an actor in a number of Rifco Theatre Company’s shows, supported Pravesh Kumar as Assistant Director on Laila – The Musical and co-curated the British Asian Festival in 2016 – it seems the natural path for me to become a more regular fixture within the dedicated team of Rifco Theatre Company.

This new role will be an exciting challenge but also a huge responsibility. I am driven to produce and champion British Asian voices and to ensure we keep fighting for inclusion across the sector, advocating for more artists from diverse backgrounds to be in decision- making and leadership roles within the arts, particularly theatre.”

Chana will also be heading up the development of Rifco Theatre Company’s digital arm, Rifco Digital, which most recently commissioned Vidhu Sharma’s ‘I am British Asian’ to celebrate the opening of their British Asian Festival 2018.

Artistic Director, Pravesh Kumar commented, “This is a very exciting announcement and I am thrilled that Ameet Chana officially now joins our team as Associate Director. He has a long history of working with the company and has made a huge contribution to our success. I am genuinely committed to giving real, practical opportunities to diverse artists in the sector so that they can influence and lead programming. Leadership at the top of regional theatre has to change and this role will be integral in developing a new top table.”

Find out more about Rifco Theatre Company’s upcoming programme of work and Associates programme at www.rifcotheatre.com