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Pam Ann – Touch Trolley Run to Galley 20th Anniversary

Tour Tyne Theatre & Opera House Saturday 17th June 2017

In 2017 the A-List queen of the skies, Pam Ann, plans to land the Louboutin’s on international turf and hit the tarmac running with her celebratory 20th anniversary UK tour, and Tyne Theatre & Opera House are thrilled to welcome her to our stage on Saturday 17th June.

Iconic international celebrity airhostess Pam Ann, has evolved since first jetting out of her hometown of Melbourne 20 years ago. Pam – the alter-ego of Australian comedian-writer-producer Caroline Reid – has developed cult-status with her masterful portrayal of a brash hot mess of an Australian hostess. She herself says as the airports got bigger, so did her ego… and her mouth filthier.

Pam’s barbed wit has seen her fly many a risky route and negotiate even the most politically incorrect flight path, with her blisteringly funny take on the world of airlines and aircrew. Nothing is out of reach of her pristine white gloves, strutting up the aisle with a trolley full of beautifully unpredictable, sharp airline satire. There’s not much Pam hasn’t seen or done – from crewing Elton John’s private jet at his express request, sharing a stadium stage on a tour of the UK with Cher, and counting Madonna in her legion of devoted fans worldwide.

In 20 years, Pam’s creator Caroline Reid, has racked up more flight miles than a tax-funded politician. A born entertainer, Reid’s knack for selling out shows includes New York’s Hammerstein Ballroom, San Francisco’s Castro Theatre and extends to Australia, Poland, Germany, UK, Norway, Scandinavia, France, Ireland, Canada, Switzerland, Finland and Dubai.

She has headlined at the New York’s legendary Caroline’s on Broadway and in 2010 performed at the prestigious London Palladium, the Royal Albert Hall and sold out 2 shows at the 3700 seat Hammersmith Apollo – her largest solo audience to date. In Australia, Pam Ann starred on her own television talk show, The Pam Ann Show on Foxtel. She also hosted the National Live broadcast of Mardi Gras 2009 to an audience of 2 million viewers. Among Pam Ann’s greatest hits are an advertising campaign and training videos for British Airways, the inclusion of her hit live DVD includes ‘Come Fly With Me’ on Qantas’ in-flight programming, and being the face of Skyteam Sky Tips for London Heathrow Terminal 4 (www.skyteam.com). Pam Ann also performed on their first ever JetBlue – JetPride flight, a first on a US carrier.

Climb aboard and celebrate 20 years of Pam Ann – you can be guaranteed no one does it better.

Tyne Theatre & Opera House Director Joanne Johnson says: “I’m thrilled to announce the iconic Pam Ann as the latest addition to our ever-growing comedy programme here at Tyne Theatre & Opera House. Pam Ann is such a cult comedy figure and it’s an honour that we are able to have her perform on our stage. She’s in good company: our fantastic comedy line-up for 2016/2017 features the likes of Rich Hall, Omid Djalili and Jerry Sadowitz, with more to be announced!”

*Please note this show is strictly 16+

Tickets available now from www.tynetheatreandoperahouse.uk

Full casting announced for Northern Broadsides/York Theatre Royal production of When We Are Married

Northern Broadsides and York Theatre Royal are delighted to announce full casting for their forthcoming touring production of J.B. Priestley’s When We Are Married.

The production’s exciting cast will feature Sue Devaney (Jane in Victoria Wood’sDinnerladies, BBC and Debbie Webster in Coronation Street, ITV), Steve Huison(Lomper in the hit British film The Full Monty and Last Train to Scarborough, Stephen Joseph Theatre)), Adrian Hood (Dinnerladies and the film Brassed Off), Kate Anthony (Pam Hobsworth in Coronation Street and Rutherford and Son , Northern Broadsides), Barrie Rutter (King Lear and Rutherford and Son, Northern Broadsides), Luke Adamson (Blood and Chocolate, Slung Low and Pilot Theatre),Matthew Booth (Last Train to Scarborough, Stephen Joseph Theatre), Geraldine Fitzgerald (Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, UK Tour and Gypsy, The Curve),John Gully(The Merry Wives, Northern Broadsides) Sophia Hatfield (An August Bank Holiday Lark, Northern Broadsides), Lisa Howard (The Duchess of Malfi, Nottingham Playhouse), Zoe Lambert (Emmerdale and The Wizard of Oz, Northern Stage), Kat Louise-Martin (The Gamblers, Northern Stage/Dundee Rep), Mark Stratton (The Merry Wives, Northern Broadsides) and Andy Hall.

With direction from Northern Broadsides artistic director Barrie Rutter, the production will be designed by Jessica Worrall (She Stoops to Conquer, Northern Broadsides) and lighting by Tim Skelly (We are Three Sisters, Northern Broadsides).

When We Are Married will open at York Theatre Royal from the 9-24 September and then tour to Hull Truck Theatre; Theatre Royal, Bury St Edmunds; Rose Theatre, Kingston; West Yorkshire Playhouse, Leeds; Stephen Joseph Theatre, Scarborough; Everyman Theatre, Cheltenham; New Vic Theatre, Newcastle under Lyme; Liverpool Playhouse and finishing up at the Viaduct Theatre in Halifax from 29 November-10 December.

Tickets for When We Are Married are available at the York Theatre Royal box office on 01904 623568 or visit www.yorktheatreroyal.co.uk

Noel Coward Theatre 8 July – 27 August.  Reviewed by Claire Roderick

Wow. Just Wow.

Impossible returns to the West End with a bang, actually, some VERY LOUD bangs. Underneath the lavish production values lies a very traditional and hugely entertaining magic show. Themed around the history of magic performers, this gives the magicians the chance to showcase classic tricks. This may not appeal to innovation seekers, but most performances are incredible and jaw-dropping. Some critics were unhappy with the machismo on display last year, so the new cast includes Sabine Van Diemen sawing a man in half (whilst seemingly auditioning for a new Carry On film) and Josephine Lee performing Houdini’s Water Torture Cell escape.

Jonathan Goodwin reprises his daredevil act, working the audience brilliantly as he does ridiculous things to himself (“More”, he says as fuel is poured over his crotch!) and his wife – although the looks she sometimes gives him hint at who wears the non-flaming trousers in that relationship.

Magical Bones brings his street magic style to the stage, wowing with his dancing and magic skills. His trick involving the audience is fantastic. I am sure it’s easily explained through probability, but the moment the whole audience realised what had happened was mind-boggling.

Chris Cox is a force of nature, changing the whole tone of the show whenever he is on stage. Brilliantly geeky and self-deprecating, his mentalist act is both hysterical and extremely unsettling. How does he do that?

Ben Hart’s act is the highlight of the show for me. A born story teller, revelling in the historical theme, he is equally impressive performing the spectacular Tesla coil trick or close up magic. Amongst all the hoopla, the most spellbinding moment of the night is his billiard balls trick performed as a silent movie – simply gorgeous.

The big draw of this year’s show is, of course, Britain’s Got Talent Winner Lance Corporal Richard Jones. Given the evenings off by his CO, he continues to entertain with his relaxed, audience friendly style. There are no bells and whistles in his act here, just good, old-fashioned befuddlement on the faces of the people he calls onto the stage. Slightly too much chat explaining his jokes, but I’m sure he’ll become more relaxed as the run continues.

Unfortunately, the show ends with a whimper, with Van Diemen performing a ridiculously dated laser/levitation dance. This may work well in Vegas where everyone is getting sozzled as they watch, but I saw H from Steps do this trick in panto last Christmas with a much smoother take-off.

This quibble aside, Impossible is fantastic family entertainment, full of wonder and laughter, and a great night out.

• UNDERBELLY BRING A RE-IMAGINED CHRISTMAS EVENT TO LONDON’S ICONIC LEICESTER SQUARE

• CHRISTMAS IN LEICESTER SQUARE WILL FEATURE A TRADITIONAL CHRISTMAS MARKET, SANTA’S GROTTO FOR FAMILIES AND A BEAUTIFUL BELGIAN SPIEGELTENT

• FROM 11 NOVEMBER – 8 JANUARY WORLD-RENOWNED THEATRICAL PHENOMENONLA SOIRÉE WILL PERFORM IN THE SPIEGELTENT AS PART OF CHRISTMAS IN LEICESTER SQUARE

• LA SOIRÉE’S  TANTALISING LINE-UP WILL FEATURE MUCH-LOVED FAVOURITES, INCLUDING THE ENGLISH GENTS AND URSULA MARTINEZ, ALONGSIDE ASTONISHING NEW ACTS

Underbelly won Best Festival at the 2014 UK Festival Awards for its re-imagining ofEdinburgh’s Christmas and helped develop Winter at Southbank Centre into one of London’s most popular winter destinations. In London, Underbelly is also known for itsUdderbelly and London Wonderground festivals on the Southbank and as the Event Producer for Pride in London and Production Partner for West End Live. Now it brings a newly conceived event, Christmas in Leicester Square, to the heart of London’s vibrant West End, with La Soirée in the Spiegeltent, the Christmas Market and Santa’s Grotto. It’s the perfect destination to indulge in the season of good cheer, whether you want to party with La Soirée, take a visit to Santa’s Grotto or stroll through the traditional Christmas Market, with its fair of crafters, artists and gastronomic surprises.

Underbelly are delighted to welcome La Soirée as a major part of Christmas in Leicester Square. This season of La Soirée will offer audiences a bounty of familiar pleasures and sensational surprises, including much-loved favourites Ursula Martinez, The English Gents,Hamish McCann’s pole act, and last year’s show-stopper Denis Lock’s bubble act, plus a host of fresh and thrilling new talent. So shimmy on over to the vintage Spiegeltent in its new home at Christmas in Leicester Square, a velvet-draped salon of carved wood, polished mirrors, crystal and leadlight and prepare to be charmed, astonished and electrified by the loveable crème de la crème of the cabaret world.  Further acts will be revealed in due course. La Soiréeis presented by Brett Haylock, Mark Rubinstein and Mick Perrin.

Underbelly and Westminster City Council are also delighted to announce Winter Windowsas part of Christmas in Leicester Square. This community engagement project will give 20 schoolchildren in Westminster the opportunity to exhibit their stained glass window designs on the north side of Leicester Square. Twenty schools (primary and secondary) will run internal competitions to select a pupil to design a winter stained glass window. The designs are then enlarged, rear lit and displayed as a free exhibition in Leicester Square.

Underbelly Directors Ed Bartlam and Charlie Wood said: “We’re delighted to be bringing a European Christmas to the centre of London and presenting Leicester Square with something for everyone from the world famous La Soirée and their perfect Christmas night out, to the Christmas Market from Germany for shoppers to the Santa’s Grotto for children.”

Something Sacred Productions presents:

Tyne Theatre &Opera House, Newcastle – Tues 12th to Sat 16th July 2016

We’re kicking off our Sunday shoes, to cut loose to Footloose in Newcastle this week

Based on the 1984 film starring Kevin Bacon, Dean Pitchford has adapted his own screenplay into a stage show.  Moving in from Chicago, newcomer Ren McCormack is in shock when he discovers the small Midwestern town of Bomont, he now calls home has made dancing and rock music illegal. As he struggles to fit in, Ren faces an uphill battle to change things.

This is a deliciously corny story, with comedy pal Willard for Ren to coach in dance and love, and the production is delightfully cheesy, but it just didn’t feel like a coherent show. There are some great one liners, but it is the musical numbers that let it down. Apart from Footloose (full of energy and fun), Holding Out For A Hero (belted out with glee and VERY tongue in cheek), Let’s Hear It For The Boy (hysterical) and a couple of other familiar songs, the remainder are forgettable,  the elements just don’t gel. Maybe the way forward would have been to use the film soundtrack and be a jukebox musical instead

Gareth Gates was indisposed on Doctors orders so we were treated to Luke Thornton’s Willard – and what a treat it was.  Whilst Gates may have a star name, Thornton most definitley possesses star quality.  It won’t be long before he his playing leading roles in his own right and not just understudying them.

Proof it can be done comes from Luke Baker as Ren.  When I first saw Baker he was the back of the ensemble and now he quite rightly leads the company.  Both Luke’s are quite magnificent in these roles and they help to carry this show which seems to have potential but is quite sadly lacking.

Special mention too to Maureen Nolan who has amazing presence and shows why she is so fantastic with her solo performance of Can You Find it in Your Heart – a mini masterclass in how it should be done in one outstanding song

The cast are young and enthusiastic, they are also multi-talented playing their own instruments on stage.  Hannah Price leads the girls as Preachers daughter Ariel, ably backed by her girls – Joanna Sawyer (Rusty), Natasha Brown (Wendy-Jo) and Miracle Chance (Urleen). They follow Director Racky Plews and choreographer Matthew Cole’s instructions well but there does seem to be something missing.

In fairness to the cast, the show was quite late starting due to technical difficulties and I don’t know if these difficulties continued in the first half as the second half was much better than the first.  Also Sara Perks huge but versatile set seemed squashed on the small stage of the Tyne Theatre.  The Tyne is exquisitely beautiful but small and I know Footloose as played much bigger venues on the tour.

Maybe on another night in another place this show can truly demonstrate what a powerhouse of a show it is meant to be and I look forward to seeing Footloose elsewhere because I know that in there somewhere is a production that is going to blow me a way

Duke of York’s Theatre 11 July – 1 October.  Reviewed by Claire Roderick

Alan Strachan’s fantastic revival of Alan Ayckbourn’s 1969 comedy transfers to the Duke of York’s on a wave of nostalgia and laughter.

Ayckbourn’s plot, full of class snobbery and casual sexism, is frighteningly still relevant today, although Strachan wisely keeps the setting in the late 60s, preserving the impact of the clandestine telephone conversations.

Fiona and Frank have been married for longer than he can remember, mind you, he can’t remember where he put his shoes. Bored with her privileged but routine life, Fiona has begun an affair with Bob, “the office Romeo”, who works for Frank. Bob is married to Terry – frustrated at being stuck at home with a baby that makes Damian seem appealing. After a particularly late night out together, Fiona and Bob’s lies to their spouses drag the Featherstones into the mess, claiming that THEY are both having affairs. Unfortunately, both Frank and Terry decide to help get the Featherstones marriage back on track over dinner.

Julie Godfrey’s wonderful set is a little mind bending at first, with the upper class wood panelled Foster home flanked by the, frankly grotty, Phillips flat. The cast, with perfect timing and choreography, move about the stage, sitting side by side on the sofa (half yellow, half grey to show the different homes), but still convincingly in different rooms. Both telephones are front and centre – showcasing the delicious calls and anchoring the whole design.

The technical brilliance of writing, acting and directing during the dinner party scene is astounding. Although you are far too busy laughing to dwell on that at the time. Two dinner parties, taking place on two different nights, in two different places are intertwined seamlessly and hysterically, signalled only by the Featherstones’ changing angles. Brilliant.

It must have been daunting for Andrea Lowe to join this established cast, but it’s as if she’s been with them from the beginning. She gives Terry a manic, dangerous side, seeming to enjoy confronting her husband. As Bob, Jason Merrells takes inspiration from all the 70s TV lotharios, cocky and snarky and, again, revelling in confrontation – a pair well matched. Jenny Seagrove’s Fiona manages to carry off my grandmother’s hairstyle with panache, and oozes sophistication and boredom as she deals with her husband. Her descent into panic as she thinks she’s been found out is well judged and touchingly funny. Nicholas Le Provost is glorious as Frank – wandering absentmindedly around the stage, vague and befuddled, but with a hint of calculation behind the benevolent bumbling. Matthew Cottle is oily and obsequious as William Featherstone – quietly bullying his wife and lecturing her in social mores to great comic effect. Cottle’s underlying hint of malevolent violence makes William even more pathetic. William’s attitude towards his wife may rankle, but there are many men who still act this way today. Gillian Wright is a hoot as his wife, Mary. Her reactions and movements just scream social awkwardness and compliance, making her eventual defiance of William cheer worthy. The scene where Fiona tries desperately to make small talk with the Featherstones is a masterclass in timing – with perfectly delivered excruciating silences and spat out banalities.

This comedy isn’t going to change the world, instead it shows us that the world hasn’t changed that much in 50 years – Ayckbourn’s lines are timeless, insightful, and very, very funny. How The Other Half Loves is a fantastic production full of laugh out loud moments and with a cast at the top of their game.