Home

HOME TO LONDON’S NEW HIT MUSICAL

AN AMERICAN IN PARIS

THE BEAUTIFUL DOMINION THEATRE

COMPLETES £6M RESORATION

London’s Dominion Theatre, home to Christopher Wheeldon’s stunning reinvention of the Oscar® winning Hollywood musical An American in Paris, has completed a £6 million restoration and unveils a brand new double-sided LED screen on Tottenham Court Road, the largest and highest resolution projecting screen on the exterior of a West End theatre.

The extensive restoration of this landmark Grade II listed building, which sits majestically at the junction of Tottenham Court Road, Oxford Street and Charing Cross Road, was started in 2014 and is now finally complete with the unveiling of the beautifully restored theatre façade and brand new digital screen. All areas of the theatre were involved in the full renovation, including the installation of a new flying system and the enlargement of the orchestra pit to facilitate large scale productions, and a full refurbishment of all five bars and ninety-five toilets front of house.  Nearly 1.2 acres of bespoke carpets were laid front of house and over 400 gallons of paint used in the reconditioning of the gold detailing and plasterwork of the proscenium arch, auditorium ceiling, foyers and hospitality suites.  All of the theatre’s seats were reupholstered and additional French polished handrails added to aid accessibility inside the auditorium. The electrics and lighting fixtures also received an overhaul with the use of enough cable to stretch 4500 times the length of the Eiffel Tower.

The historic Dominion Theatre first opened in 1929 and during its illustrious history has operated successfully as both a theatre and cinema, including a record-breaking 4 years and 22-week continuous run of Joshua Logan’s film of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s South Pacific, starring Mitzi Gaynor. Other blockbuster films have included Cleopatra, which starred Elizabeth Taylor; The Sound of Music (which ran from March 1965 to June 1968); the Gertrude Lawrence bio-pic Star!, with Julie Andrews; David Lean’s Lawrence of Arabia and, in 1977, the UK premiere (simultaneously with the Leicester Square Theatre) of George Lucas’ Star Wars.

The Dominion Theatre has played host to countless legendary stars (including Judy Garland, Shirley MacLaine, Maurice Chevalier, Sophie Tucker, Jeanette Macdonald and David Bowie) and seven Royal Variety Performances. In 1931, Charlie Chaplin made a personal appearance at the UK premiere of City Lights (the classic silent film he directed, wrote and starred in).  Over the years, the theatre has also welcomed many prestigious companies, lavish stage productions and long-running shows including: Disney’s Beauty and the Beast; Matthew Bourne’s Swan Lake; London Festival Ballet (now English National Ballet); Welsh National Opera and the Olivier Awards.

An American in Paris has been ecstatically received by audiences and critics, earning an incredible 28 five star reviews when it opened at the Dominion Theatre in March this year. It has now extended booking though to the end of January 2018.

The sumptuous new musical about following your heart and living your dreams is written by Craig Lucas and features the timeless music and lyrics of George Gershwin and Ira Gershwin, including the songs I Got Rhythm, ‘S Wonderful, I’ll Build a Stairway To Paradise and They Can’t Take That Away from Me, together with George Gershwin’s sweeping compositions including ‘Concerto in F’ and ‘An American in Paris’.

Jerry Mulligan is an American GI pursuing his dream to make it as a painter in a city suddenly bursting with hope and possibility. Following a chance encounter with a beautiful young dancer named Lise, the streets of Paris become the backdrop to a sensuous, modern romance of art, friendship and love in the aftermath of war…

The cast of An American in Paris is led by Leanne Cope (as Lise Dassin) and Ashley Day (as Jerry Mulligan) with Haydn Oakley as Henri Baurel, Zoë Rainey as Milo Davenport, David Seadon-Young as Adam Hochberg and Jane Asher as Madame Baurel*. The company also features Julian Forsyth and Ashley Andrews, Sophie Apollonia, Zoe Arshamian, Sarah Bakker, James Barton, Alicia Beck, Chrissy Brooke, James Butcher, Jonathan Caguioa, Jennifer Davison, Katie Deacon, Rebecca Fennelly, Sebastian Goffin, Alyn Hawke, Nicky Henshall, Genevieve Heron, Amy Hollins, Frankie Jenna, Justin-Lee Jones, Robin Kent, Kristen McGarrity, Julia J. Nagle, Daniela Norman, Pippa Raine, Aaron Smyth, Todd Talbot, Max Westwell, Jack Wilcox, Carrie Willis, Stuart Winterand Liam Wrate. *From Monday 4 September, the role of Madame Baurel will be played by Julie Legrand.

The new musical An American in Paris premiered in 2014 at the Théâtre du Châtelet in Paris to ecstatic reviews before transferring to the Palace Theatre on Broadway, where it became the most awarded musical of the 2015/16 season, including four Tony® Awards. A major North American tour is currently playing.

With music and lyrics by George Gershwin and Ira Gershwin and a new book by Craig Lucas, the new musical An American in Paris is directed and choreographed by Christopher Wheeldon with set and costumes designs by Bob Crowley, lighting by Natasha Katz, sound by Jon Weston and projection designs by 59 Productions. The musical score is adapted, arranged and supervised by Rob Fisher with orchestrations by Christopher Austin and Bill Elliott, dance arrangements by Sam Davis and musical supervision by Todd Ellison. The UK Musical Director is Steve Ridley.

An American in Paris is produced in London by Stuart Oken, Van Kaplan, Roy Furman,Michael McCabe and Joshua Andrews.

LISTINGS

Now booking to Saturday 27 January 2018

Dominion Theatre, 268-269 Tottenham Court Road, London W1T 7AQ

Box Office: 0845 200 7982

@AmericanParisUK

Official UK Website: AnAmericanInParisTheMusical.co.uk

Twitter: twitter.com/AmericanParisUK

Performance schedule:

Monday to Saturday 7:30pm

Wednesday & Saturday matinees 2:00pm until Saturday 30th September

From Wednesday 4th October: Wednesday & Saturday matinees at 2:30pm

Running time: 2 hours and 35 minutes, including a 20-minute interval.

Manchester’s LipService go all regency celebrating 200 years of Jane Austen.

Mr Darcy Loses the Plot
Wed 6 – Sat 9 September
Press Night: Wed 6 September, 8pm

Celebrating 200 years of Jane Austen, Manchester’s LipService will start their UK tour of Mr Darcy Loses the Plot at The Lowry Wed 6 – Sat 9 September.

The Jane Austen inspired comedy stars award-winning local performers Sue Ryding (Chorlton) alongside Maggie Fox (Whalley Range).

In Mr Darcy loses the Plot, multi-award winning actors Maggie Fox and Sue Ryding play an array of characters, moving effortlessly – well, almost – from frock to frock coat in their inimitable style on an entirely quilted set. 

Sue Ryding plays Jane Austen, sitting at her tiny writing desk, dreaming up Mr Darcy. But when a neighbour visits, Jane has to hide her work and take tea, leaving poor old Mr Darcy dangling in the ether.

Darcy, played by Maggie Fox, gets bored with his storyline, (endless balls and country houses) and decides to make his plot line more exciting, diving into lakes, wrestling carp and dancing the Berserka (a more extreme sports version of the Mazurka)

LipService explore the world of women writers, scribbling in secret or under pseudonyms, squeezing in their writing amongst the hustle and bustle of taking tea, choosing chintz and having the vapours.

Listings Info 
Mr Darcy loses the Plot
Dates: Wed 6 – Sat 9 September
Times: 8pm. Sat 2.30pm
Tickets: £16.50 – £22.50
Access: Captioning/BSL interpretation 8 September. Audio description on 9 September (matinee).
Box Office: 0843 208 6000
Website

Front man of Noah and the Whale stars in his own theatre show featuring new music

Cover My Tracks 
Thu 14 – Sat 16 Sept 
Press Night: Thu 14 Sept, 8pm 

Songwriter and lyricist Charlie Fink, former front man of the highly successful band Noah and the Whale, will present Cover My Tracks at The Lowry Thu 14 – Sat 16 Sept.

Multi-award winning playwright David Greig and director Max Webster team up to present Cover My Tracks, a unique production intertwining music and theatre set to captivate audiences in Salford this September.

A two-hander starring Fink himself, Cover My Tracks tells the tale of an idealistic young songwriter attempting to write a 21st century pop masterpiece, who suddenly vanishes without a trace. Might his personal songbook be the key to unlocking the mystery?

In an interconnected, digital world, what does it take to disappear?

As the lead singer-songwriter for the band Noah and the Whale, Charlie Fink sold over a million albums and headlined at notable venues around the world, including a sold-out show at the Royal Albert Hall. He was the producer of Laura Marling’s Mercury Prize nominated album ‘Alas, I Cannot Swim’ and has written and produced music for artists including Charlotte Gainsbourg, Foxes, Rhodes and Eliot Sumner.

Fink’s initial foray into the theatre was also a collaboration with David Greig on their production of Dr. Seuss’s ‘The Lorax,’ which debuted at The Old Vic in 2015 and was nominated for an Olivier Award for Best Family Show.

Now returning with a brand new production that brings together the experience of a live gig and a modern folk tale, Cover My Tracks will showcase the artistic versatility of its protagonists, bringing a truly entertaining show to lovers of music, theatre and the arts nationwide.

Cover My Tracks is presented by The Old Vic in association with Fane Productions.

Listings Information
Cover My Tracks 
Date: Thu 14 – Sat 16 Sept
Time: 8pm
Tickets: £19.50 – £21.50. Conc £2 off.
Website

Blackeyed Theatre, in association with South Hill Park, presents
The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde
Adapted by Nick Lane
UK Tour: September 2017 – March 2018
Press Night: Wednesday 4th October, 7.30pm, Greenwich Theatre

This September, a thrilling new adaptation of Robert Louis Stevenson’s dark psychological fantasy, The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde, will be embarking on a five month UK tour, immersing audiences in the myth and mystery of 19th century London. The production, which is adapted and directed by Nick Lane, presents a unique take on the classic Gothic horror story.

Doctor Henry Jekyll is a good man. Successful within his field and respected by his peers, he’s close to a neurological discovery that will change the face of medical science forever. However, his methods are less than ethical and when a close friend and colleague threatens to expose and destroy his work, Jekyll is forced to experiment on himself, whereupon something goes very wrong…or very right. Suddenly Jekyll has a new friend, the brutal Edward Hyde.

This gripping production takes inspiration from Lane’s own personal journey. Injured by a car accident at the age of 26 that permanently damaged his neck and back, Lane imagines Jekyll as a physically weakened man who discovers a cure for his ailments, a cure that also unearths the darkest corners of his psyche. Lane says, If someone offered me a potion that was guaranteed to make me feel the way I did before the accident, but with the side effect that I’d become ruthless
and horrible – would I drink it?

Combining ensemble story-telling, physical theatre, movement and Lane’s razor-sharp script, alongside a new musical score by Tristan Parkes, The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll & Mr Hyde remains true to the spirit and themes of the original novella while offering modern audiences one or two surprises, including a major female character, Eleanor, who drives Jekyll on in the same way Stevenson’s wife urged her husband to complete the novel.

Lane, who was Associate Director and Literary Manager at Hull Truck from 2006 to 2014, comments, I’m incredibly excited to be working with Blackeyed Theatre on The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde. To be given the opportunity to revisit a book that I love and adapt it for four terrific actors is an absolute gift for me, and I couldn’t think of a better venue to launch the tour than the Wilde Theatre. I hope people book their seats, and then spend the entire show on the edge of them!

The cast comprises Jack Bannell as Henry Jekyll/Edward Hyde (The Comedy of Errors, Tobacco Factory; Antony and Cleopatra, Chichester Festival; Beggar’s Opera, Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre), Paige Round as Eleanor Lanyon (Hurling Rubble at the Moon, Park Theatre; A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Watch Your Head; Nobody, Hanyong Theatre/National Theatre Company of Korea), Zach Lee as Gabriel Utterson (Bouncers, Glass Menagerie, Hull Truck; The Derby McQueen Affair, York Theatre Royal; Treasure Island, Harrogate Theatre) and Ashley Sean-Cook as Hastings Lanyon (Frankenstein, Blackeyed Theatre; Might Never Happen, King’s Head).

Performance Dates
20th – 22nd Sept Wilde Theatre, Bracknell – 7.45pm (2pm, Thurs)
www.southhillpark.org.uk

25th Sept EM Forster Theatre, Tonbridge – 7.30pm
www.boxoffice.tonbridge-school.co.uk

26th – 27th Sept Theatre Royal, Bury St Edmunds – 7.30pm (2pm, Wed)
www.theatreroyal.org

29th Sept Auden Theatre, Holt – 7.30pm
http://audentheatre.co.uk/

3 rd October The Haymarket, Basingstoke – 2pm and 7.30pm
www.anvilarts.org.uk

4th – 7th Oct Greenwich Theatre, London – 7.30pm (2.30pm, Thurs and Sat)
www.greenwichtheatre.org.uk

9th – 10th Oct Norwich Playhouse, Norwick – 7.30pm (1pm, Tues)
www.norwichplayhouse.co.uk

12th – 13th Oct Waterside Arts Centre, Sale – 7.30pm (1.30pm, Fri)
http://watersideartscentre.co.uk

14th Oct The Atkinson, Southport – 7.30pm
www.theatkinson.co.uk

17th – 19th Oct Devonshire Park Theatre, Eastbourne – 7.45pm (2.30pm, Wed)
www.eastbournetheatres.co.uk/venue/devonshire-park-theatre

20th Oct Roses Theatre, Tewkesbury – 7.30pm
www.rosestheatre.org

24th Oct Queen’s Hall Arts, Hexham – tbc
www.queenshall.co.uk

26th Oct Adam Smith Theatre, Kirkcaldy – 7.30pm
www.onfife.com

27th Oct Gaiety Theatre, Ayr – 7.30pm
http://ayrgaiety.co.uk/

28th Oct The Brunton, Musselburgh – 7.30pm
www.thebrunton.co.uk

30th Oct Eastwood Park Theatre, Giffnock – 7.30pm
www.eastwoodparktheatre.co.uk

1st Nov The Majestic Theatre, Darlington – 7.30pm
www.majestic-theatre.co.uk

2nd Nov Kings Theatre, York – 2pm
www.kingstheatre.com

7th Nov The Lights, Andover – 7.30pm
www.thelights.org.uk

8th Nov Cornerstone, Didcot – 7.30pm
www.cornerstone-arts.org

9th Nov New Theatre Royal, Portsmouth – 7.30pm
www.newtheatreroyal.com

10th Nov The Berry Theatre, Hedge End – 7.30pm
www.theberrytheatre.co.uk

13th – 14th Nov Garrick Theatre, Lichfield – 7.30pm
www.lichfieldgarrick.com

15th – 17th Nov Arena Theatre, Wolverhampton – 7.30pm (1pm, Fri)
www.wlv.ac.uk/arena-theatre

20th Nov Stahl Theatre, Oundle – 7.45pm
www.oundleschool.org.uk/Stahl-Theatre

21st – 22nd Nov Stanbury Theatre, Milton Keynes – 7.30pm
www.stantonburytheatre.co.uk

23rd Nov Lincoln Performing Arts Centre, Lincoln – 7.30pm
http://lpac.co.uk/

24th Nov Bridge House Theatre, Warwick – 7.30pm
www.bridgehousetheatre.co.uk

27th – 29th Nov Mumford Theatre, Cambridge – 7.30pm
www.anglia.ac.uk/arts-law-and-social-sciences/mumford-theatre

KEY CAST CHANGES

IN THE SMASH HIT ANDREW LLOYD WEBBER MUSICAL

“THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA”

AT HER MAJESTY’S THEATRE, LONDON

FROM 4 SEPTEMBER 2017

As the musical heads into its 32^nd year, the producers are delighted to announce key cast changes for “THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA”. Joining the cast from 4 September are Ben Lewis who will play the title role of ‘The Phantom’, Kelly Mathieson as ‘Christine Daaé’ and Jeremey Taylor as ‘Raoul’. Joining them is Amy Manford as the alternate ‘Christine Daaé’,

Ben Lewis played ‘The Phantom’ in the original Australian production of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s, “Love Never Dies”. Ben’s most recent theatre credits include the role of Frank Butler in the Crucible’s production of “Annie Get Your Gun”. He was also in the original UK cast of “Love Me Tender” and starred in “Forbidden Broadway” and “Candide” at the Menier Chocolate Factory.

Kelly Mathieson will be making her West End debut in the production. Previously Kelly trained at the Scottish Ballet Company and the Royal College of Music. Previous Opera credits include “Le Nozze de Figaro”, “Agrippina”, “Orpheus and the Underworld”, “Die Zauberflöte” and “Carmen”.

Jeremy Taylor’s previous theatre credits include, ‘Fiyero’ in “Wicked” and ‘Galileo’ in  “We Will Rock You”, both in the West End. He also starred in the UK tours of “Evita” and “The Sound of Music”, as well as appearing in the Palladium production.

 

Amy Manford has sung internationally as a soloist with the London Handel, London Cello and the Perth Symphony Orchestra’s. Amy recently graduated with a Masters of Performance in Vocal Performance from The Royal College of Music and she will be making her West End debut.

The above join Lara Martins as ‘Carlotta Giudicelli’, Siôn Lloyd as ‘Monsieur Firmin’, Mark Oxtobyas ‘Monsieur Andre’, Jacinta Mulcahy as ‘Madame Giry’, Paul Ettore Tabone as ‘Ubaldo Piangi’,Georgia Ware as ‘Meg Giry’ and Scott Davies as the standby ‘Phantom’.

New to the cast this September is Matt Bateman, Jade Davies, Hannah Grace, Andrei Teodor Iliescu, Jordan Simon Pollard, Una Reynolds, Emily Smith, Rachel Spurrell and John Stacey.

From the 4 September the full cast will be Matt Bateman, James Roxby Brown, Bridget Costello, Scott Davies, Jade Davies, Hadrian Delacey, Morven Douglas, Hannah Grace, Lori Gilchrist, Philip Griffiths, Hettie Hobbs, Grace Horne, Lily Howes, Andrei Teodor Iliescu, Ellen Jackson, Richard Kent, Adam Robert Lewis, Ben Lewis, Siôn Lloyd, Amy Manford, Kelly Mathieson, Lara Martins, Luke McCall , Leo Miles, Tim Morgan, Fiona Morley, Jacinta Mulcahy, Mark Oxtoby, Danielle Pullum,  Jordan Simon Pollard, Una Reynolds, Emily Smith, Rachel Spurrell, John Stacey, Tom Sterling, Paul Ettore Tabone, Jeremy Taylor, Claire Tilling, Victoria Ward and Georgia Ware.

THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA became the longest running show in Broadway history on 9 January 2006 when it celebrated its 7,486th performance, surpassing the previous record holder “Cats”. This coincided with the Broadway and the US national touring company celebrating an unprecedented 20,000 performances in the United States. On 26 January 2013 the Broadway production celebrated an amazing 25 years on Broadway and on 28 November 2016 it celebrated its 12,000^th performance. In October 2016 the London production celebrated its 30^th Anniversary with a special gala performance at Her Majesty’s Theatre. In October 2011 the London production celebrated its 25^th Anniversary with a spectacular staging of “The Phantom of the Opera at the Royal Albert Hall which was screened live in cinemas all over the world and subsequently released on DVD and in August 2015 the show celebrated 12,000 performances in the West End. The production has now been playing for over 30 years.

 

THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA has won over 70 major theatre awards, including seven Tony’s on Broadway and four Olivier Awards in the West End. It won the ‘Magic Radio Audience Award’, voted by the public, in the 2016 Laurence Olivier Awards. THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA, which opened at Her Majesty’s Theatre on 9 October 1986 starred Michael Crawford as ‘The Phantom’ and Sarah Brightman as ‘Christine.’ It is produced by Cameron Mackintosh and The Really Useful Theatre Company Limited.

THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA became the first stage production to reach worldwide grosses of $6 billion. Revenues far surpass the world’s highest-grossing film “Avatar” (at $2.8 billion), as well as such other blockbusters as “Titanic”, “The Lord of the Rings”, “Jurassic Park” and “Star Wars”. Worldwide, over 140 million people have seen THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA in 37 countries and 172 cities in 16 languages.

THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA is currently showing in London, New York, Budapest, and on tour in the US.

Performance times for “THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA” are Mondays to Saturdays at 7.30pm, with Thursday and Saturday matinees at 2.30pm. Tickets are priced from £23.00 – £72.50 and are available from Her Majesty’s Theatre box office on 0844 412 2707 or visit “THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA” website www.thephantomoftheopera.com.

Natalie Dormer and David Oakes in 
Venus in Fur 
By David Ives 
Directed by Patrick Marber

• First image of Natalie Dormer and David Oakes in David Ives’ play Venus in Fur
• Royal Haymarket for a strictly limited run from 6 October.

• 200 seats at £15 for every performance. 

• Directed by Patrick Marber with designs by Rob Howell and lighting designs by Hugh Vanstone.

TRH Productions have released the exclusive first image of Natalie Dormer and David Oakes prior the West End premiere of David Ives’ hit Broadway play Venus in Fur which will run for a strictly limited nine week engagement at the Theatre Royal Haymarket run from 6 October to 9 December with opening night for press on 17 October.

Enigmatic actress Vanda Jordan appears unannounced for an audition with director Thomas Novachek. She’s determined to land the leading role in his new production – despite seeming wrong for the part. Over one evening in downtown Manhattan their charged meeting becomes a seductive dance to the end.

Directed by Patrick Marber, designed by Rob Howell with lighting by Hugh Vanstone and casting by Executive Producer Ilene Starger, Venus In Fur is an intoxicating dark comedy of desire, fantasy and the innate love of fur.

Natalie Dormer is to play Vanda Jordan. Dormer is known globally for film and television roles including Margaery Tyrell in HBO series Game of Thrones, Anne Boleyn in The Tudors for Showtime, Cressida in The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Parts 1 and 2, Focus Features’ The Forest, Ron Howard’s Rush, and Ridley Scott’s The Counselor. Upcoming, Dormer stars opposite Sean Penn and Mel Gibson in The Professor and the Mad Man, and the independent thriller In Darkness, which she also co-wrote. She is currently in production on FremantleMedia’s Picnic at Hanging Rock in Australia. Venus in Fur sees Dormer reunite with Patrick Marber, who wroteAfter Miss Julie (Young Vic) for which she received widespread critical acclaim in the title role. Her other stage credits include Sweet Nothings (also at the Young Vic) and .45 (Hampstead Theatre).

David Oakes is to play Thomas Novachek. Oakes is best known for portraying Juan Borgia in the Emmy Award-winning Showtime Original series The Borgias, for playing William Hamleigh in Emmy Award-winning mini-series The Pillars of the Earth, for BBC’s The White Queen in the role of George, Duke of Clarence and, most recently, on screen as Prince Ernest in ITV’s Victoria, for which he is currently filming the second series. Stage credits include Kit Marlowe in Shakespeare In Love (Nöel Coward Theatre) and Mr Darcy in Pride and Prejudice (Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre). Oakes will also appear in the film adaptation of Albert Sánchez Piñol’s thriller Cold Skinset for release later this year.

Patrick Marber is an award-winning playwright, screenwriter, actor and director. His productions of his own work includes Dealer’s Choice (NT & Vaudeville), After Miss Julie (BBC TV), Closer (NT, Lyric & Music Box NY) Howard Katz (NT), Three Days in the Country (NT) Don Juan in Soho (Wyndhams). His other directing credits include Travesties (Menier Chocolate Factory/ Apollo Theatre) The Caretaker (Comedy Theatre), Blue Remembered Hills (National Theatre), ‘1953’ (Almeida) and The Old Neighborhood (Royal Court Theatre). Other plays includeThe Red Lion, The Musicians, The School Film (all for NT) and Hoop Lane (BBC Radio 3). His film credits include Closer (directed by Mike Nichols), Notes on a Scandal (directed by Richard Eyre),Old Street and Love You More. For television his co-writing credits include The Day Today andKnowing Me, Knowing You With Alan Partridge. More recently Ivo van Hove directed Marber’s version of Ibsen’s Hedda Gabler for the National Theatre starring Ruth Wilson. His plays have won Evening Standard, Olivier, Time Out, New York and London Critics’ Circle and Writers’ Guild Awards. His TV work has received BAFTA, British Comedy and Royal Television Society Awards. His screenplays have been nominated for Golden Globe, BAFTA and Academy Awards. He received the British Independent Film Award for Notes on a Scandal.

David Ives was nominated for a Tony Award for Best Play for Venus In Fur, which has been produced all over the country and the world, and was turned into a film by Roman Polanski. He is also well known for his evenings of one-act comedies All In The Timing and Time Flies. Other plays include New Jerusalem: The Interrogation of Baruch de Spinoza; The Liar (adapted from Corneille); The School For Lies (adapted from Molière); The Metromaniacs (adapted from Alexis Piron); Is He Dead? (adapted from Mark Twain); Ancient History, and Polish Joke. A Chicago native, he lives in New York City.

Rob Howell has worked extensively in costume and set design in theatre and opera within the UK and abroad including at the Royal Court, Almeida, Donmar Warehouse, National Theatre, Royal Shakespeare Company, Welsh National Opera, Royal Opera House and Metropolitan Opera, New York as well as at numerous other West End and Broadway Theatres. Recent credits includeThe Ferryman (Royal Court) and Groundhog Day (UK and Broadway). He has received three Olivier Awards and multiple nominations for Tony and Olivier Awards for both Set and Costume Design, including the Olivier Award for Best Set Designer for Troilus and Cressida, Vassa andRichard III in 2000 and for Hedda Gabler in 2006. He received an Olivier Award in 2012 and a Drama Desk Award, Outer Critics Circle Award, Tony Award in 2013 and for his designs forMatilda the Musical in New York and London.

Hugh Vanstone has designed the lighting for over 200 productions and worked extensively with UK national companies and on Broadway. He has received many awards including three Oliviers, a Tony and a Molière. As associate artist at The Old Vic, he has recently lit Art, No’s Knife, Groundhog Day (UK and Broadway), The Caretaker, The Master Builder and Future Conditional. Other work includes: Dreamgirls (Savoy), Welcome Home, Captain Fox and Closer (Donmar);The Red Lion (National Theatre, Dorfman); Closer (Donmar and in New York); An Act Of God(New York & tour); Matilda (RSC and internationally); Strictly Ballroom (Australian tour); Don Quixote (Royal Ballet); Tanz Der Vampire (throughout Europe & Russia); Shrek The Musical(New York, West End & UK tour); Ghost (London and internationally).

Ilene Starger is a Casting Director and Producer. West End theatre credits include The Libertine(as Casting Director/Executive Producer for TRB and TRH); Breakfast at Tiffany’s (as U.S. Casting Director for 2009 TRH production; also for 2016 UK tour.) Broadway credits includeWaiting for Godot, No Man’s Land, Breakfast at Tiffany’s (Casting Director & Associate Producer), Marlene, The Elephant Man, Dance of Death, The Diary of Anne Frank, Dirty Blonde, Closer (Artios Award.) Film credits include Custody (also Associate Producer), The Rewrite, Pink Panther 1 & 2, Music and Lyrics, Two Weeks’ Notice, Night at the Museum (Artios Award), School of Rock (Artios Award), Sleepy Hollow, A Simple Plan, The Parent Trap, First Wives’ Club, Marvin’s Room, Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves, No Way Out. TV credits include: Witness to the Mob, The Great Gatsby, Earthly Possessions. Starger is a former VP of Casting for Walt Disney and Touchstone Pictures.

An adaptation of Leopold von Sacher-Masoch’s 1870 novel Venus in Furs that inspired the term masochism, Venus in Fur was first performed off-Broadway, New York in 2010 with Nina Arianda and Wes Bentley, before transferring to the Samuel J. Friedman Theatre on Broadway with Nina Arianda reprising the role of Vanda Jordan alongside Hugh Dancy as Thomas Novachek. Both productions were directed by Walter Bobbie and won Arianda multiple awards including the 2011/12 Tony Award for Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Play. In 2012, Roman Polanski directed a film version of the play, in French, starring Emmanuelle Seigner and Mathieu Amalric.

LISTINGS

Website: www.VenusOnStage.com
Twitter: @VenusOnStageLDN
Facebook: facebook.com/VenusOnStageLDN

Theatre Royal Haymarket, Haymarket, London SW1Y 4HT

www.trh.co.uk

Box Office: 020 7930 8800

First performance on 6 October
Final performance on 9 December
Opening Night for Press on 17 October

Performances Monday – Saturday at 7.30pm Thursday and Saturday at 3pm

Prices from £15
200 seats at £15 for every performance

For full details either visit www.trh.co.uk or call 020 7930 8800

Edinbugh Fringe Festival

Pleasance Beyond – until 28 August.  Reviewed by Jess Brady

4****

Sheila is an ambitious hippo, she has big dreams and an ever bigger bum!  The First Hippo on the Moon is a hilarious and extraordinary space adventure which sees the enormously rich Hercules Waldorf-Franklin III and ingenious Shelia compete to be the first hippo to make it to the moon. The First Hippo on the Moon tells the tale of the importance of team work and dreaming big.    

After being called a piggy by Hercules, Sheila enlists the help of her jungle friends;  Derek the scientifically clever ostrich, the hard working porcupines Scratch and Sniff, Keith the friendly and kind giraffe and we mustn’t forget the king of the jungle Silver Bob the gorilla who is the fountain of all knowledge, to help her in beating him to the moon! 

Silver Bob tells Sheila in order to fuel her rocket to the moon, the only fuel available in the jungle is POO! All the jungle friends donate their poo but it’s still not enough so  they enlist the help from the audience ! 

The team of five actors from Theatre company Les Petits do a brilliant job at engaging the young audience with their bundles of energy and impressive puppetry skills that will leave you feeling exhausted just watching them !

This show is perfect for your little ones as it has lovely story that is easy for them to follow as well as some more adult jokes that will keep the mums and dads entertained too.  There are some great songs that you can boogie too as well as an amazing set and dazzling costumes that look like they have been taken straight out of the book!

Edinburgh Fringe Festival

Pleasance Courtyard – until 28 August.  Reviewed by Linda McLaughlan

5*****

This one woman show written by Martin Murphy and performed by Louise Beresford, took the audience through an excerpt of two characters lives.

The performance took place in the Attic located in the Pleasance Courtyard and could not have been a more apt location. The snugness of the room allowed for the audience to be up close and personal with Louise as she began to tell the story of the power struggle between Tracey, a prison guard and Siobhan a convicted criminal doing time in prison.

The scene is set as Tracey tells us how things can change in life so quickly, just when you think everything is okay life can unravel and turn itself on its head. Her life as a Prison guard seems mundane and uneventful as she tells us abut the lengths some inmates will go to get “stuff” brought in from the outside and how many are so manipulative that if you give them an inch they will take a mile. Reference is made to her work colleague George who likes to repeat the same story over and over.

Scene two introduces us to Siobhan who can appear almost nice and very approachable but there are indications that her persona is a well rehearsed act for her latest targets benefit. Reference is made at this point to a third person Marcia…. a notorious baby killer who has been moved to the prison…. The object of Tracey’s obsession and now the cell mate of Siobhan.

Louise expertly changes from one character to another with effortless ease and keeps you entranced with the lives of the two main characters. Her professional performance has you almost believing everything she is telling you about the lives of Tracey and Siobhan and you can almost relate to how they talk about their fears, anxieties and about the road their lives have taken. Although one is free and the other locked up for life they both seem trapped in their situations.

There were many occasions throughout the show eye contact was made with Louise and this can feel quite unnerving depending on the persona she was portraying at the time, several times she stays in character as she sits next to an unsuspecting audience member and almost drools over them as Siobhan talks inappropriately about sexual encounters and also how to get what she wants by watching and waiting.

The story progresses to show how one little mistake can slowly be the start of life unravelling and having no where to turn……… just who then becomes the Victim?

The professional performance was a credit to Louise and the way she delivered the story of the two women involved in Victim. It was clear to see why this play has been brought to the Fringe and should be watched by everyone. A five star performance that I wouldn’t hesitate to go watch again……….Artistically Brilliant!!

 

NEW CASTING ANNOUNCED FOR
THE ROYAL SHAKESPEARE COMPANY’S
MATILDA THE MUSICAL

• David Shannon will toe the line as Miss Trunchbull for the first time on 12 September
• Gina Beck will join the company as Miss Honey opposite Tom Edden and Marianne Benedict as Mr and Mrs Wormwood
• Currently in its sixth year in the West End and booking until 28 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 its new adult cast with David Shannon playing Miss Trunchbull alongside Gina Beck as Miss Honey and Tom Edden and Marianne Benedict as Mr and Mrs Wormwood. The multi award-winning production is currently playing its sixth year in the West End and is booking until 27 May 2018.

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. The new children’s cast will be announced in due course.

Gina Beck (Miss Honey) is renowned for leading roles in musical theatre. Previous roles have included Glinda in Wicked (Apollo Victoria Theatre & US Tour), Christine Daaé in The Phantom of the Opera (Her Majesty’s Theatre), Magnolia Hawks in Daniel Evan’s production of Show Boat(New London Theatre) and Cosette in Les Misérables (Queen’s Theatre).  A graduate of the Royal Central School of Speech and Drama, her other theatre credits include Far From the Madding Crowd (The Watermill Theatre) and The Belle’s Stratagem (Southwark Playhouse) both directed by Jessica Swale, I Love You You’re Perfect Now Change (Arts Theatre Upstairs), Jacques Brel is Alive and Well and Living in Paris (Charing Cross Theatre),  The Sound of Music (Kuala Lumpur), Peter Pan (Birmingham Rep), The Kissing Dance (Jermyn Street Theatre) and Imagine This (Plymouth Theatre Royal). Her television credits include the BBC’s Doctors and Sherlock Holmes and The Case of the Silk Stocking. Opera credits include Madame Butterfly and L’elisir d’amore (Opera Holland Park). She was a soloist in the 21st and 25th anniversary celebrations ofLes Misérables as well as in the recent blockbuster film version. She made her BBC Proms debut in 2016 as a soloist in the BBC’s Bernstein prom.

Marianne Benedict (Mrs Wormwood) has most recently appeared as Grizabella in Cats (UK Tour). Her other credits include Women On A Verge Of A Nervous Breakdown (Playhouse Theatre), The Wizard of Oz (London Palladium), Dirty Dancing (Aldwych Theatre), We Will Rock You (Dominion Theatre), Chicago (Oldham Coliseum), The Girl Dusty (Duchess Theatre), Crazy for You (Lincoln Theatre Royal and UK Tour), Return to the Forbidden Planet (Basingstoke Haymarket and UK Tour), The Blonde Bombshells of 1943 (Stoke New Vic & Oldham Coliseum),Loveshack (UK Tour), The Sunshine Boys (Oldham Coliseum), Debbie Does Dallas (Old Fire Station Theatre, Oxford) and The Country Wife (Watford Palace Theatre). Having studied at the Arts Educational School, she has also appeared in Eastenders.

Tom Edden (Mr Wormwood) is known for his work across stage, television and film. His theatre work includes Amadeus (National Theatre), One Man, Two Guvnors (National Theatre, Adelphi Theatre, UK Tour & Music Box Theatre, Broadway) for which he received Tony and Critic’s Circle nominations and won The Drama Desk Award for his role as Alfie, and Oliver! (Sheffield Crucible) for which he was nominated for a UK Theatre Award for his role as Fagin. Other notable credits include The Resistible Rise of Arturo Ui (Donmar Warehouse), Doctor Faustus (Duke of York’s Theatre), Peter Pan Goes Wrong (Apollo Theatre), Les Misérables (Queen’s Theatre) and Measure for Measure (Young Vic). His film credits include Star Wars Episode VII – The Force Awakens, Mr Turner and Cinderella; television includes Upstart Crow, The Scandalous Lady W and Doctor Who.

David Shannon (Miss Trunchbull) is known for playing iconic stage roles in the West End and beyond.  His extensive stage credits include The Phantom in The Phantom of the Opera (Her Majesty’s Theatre), Chris in Miss Saigon (Theatre Royal, Drury Lane & UK Tour) and Jean Valjean in Les Misérables (Queen’s Theatre). Other credits include, The Beautiful Game (Cambridge Theatre), Romeo and Juliet, Threepenny Opera and Sweeney Todd (Gate Theatre, Dublin),Martin Guerre (Prince Edward Theatre), Cats (New London Theatre), Whistle Down the Wind(Aldwych Theatre), Jesus Christ Superstar (N.C.H Dublin) and Notre Dame de Paris (Dominion Theatre). Film credits include Noah, 5 to 7, Framed and La Visa Loca. David is also one half of Irish singing duo ‘Fir’, alongside Simon Morgan. He has also made regular appearances on the past three seasons of the History Channel’s Vikings.

Seen by over 7 million people across 60 cities and playing more than 5300 performances worldwide, Matilda The Musical is now preparing for its New Zealand premiere at The Civic in Auckland in August 2017 as well as the first UK and Ireland tour which will begin in March 2018, 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 13 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.

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 byChristopher 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 28 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

To book online visit: www.matildathemusical.com

Edinburgh Fringe Festival 

Underbelly Circus Hub – until 28 August.  Reviewed by Linda McLaughlan

5*****

 

The Australian Troupe is 10 members strong as they returned for an another year of the Edinburgh Festival.

The show began with the audience watching them as they wandered on and off the floor stage removing their clothing and trying on different items belonging to others. The performance itself began when one of the team placed a coat clad body in the middle of the floor and through movement the performer indicated what it was like to be Human showing the audience what they believed this to be, removing clothing for recycling and shredding the different layers they wore.

Using the medium of music to help interpret the contemporary dances and moves they performed. The core strength of each member of the troupe enhanced the artistic way they held each other with the hand to hand performances. A limited selection of different apparatus provided the show with a different style of entertainment, however the show was mainly displayed through the mediums of trapeze, using their bodies to display the beauty of poise as well as the bravery of trusting their team mates to support them as they pushed their bodies into the most amazing positions.

We watched as bodies were thrown, pushed, pulled and lifted at a speed which seemed almost impossible for the human body to maintain, and in normal circumstances would lead to dislocated bones, however not with these finely tuned athletes. The elegance of the teamwork was flawless and although the audience could be heard throughout the show letting out gasps of fear as the troupe supported each other as they stood one footed on their partners heads or walked across a spine with daring expertise, allowing us the pleasure of watching a world class troupe of individuals who shone as bright as stars each within their own right as well as a team.

The performance is definitely a 10 out of 10 and I would not hesitate in watching this show over and over again as I most likely missed parts due to the speed and professionalism of this group of artists. It seemed to end quicker than I expected as I could have sat for hours in awe of the amazing talent on display. The standing ovation was well deserved and the audience could not congratulate the troupe enough as they returned again and again to take a bow.

This is a must see for everyone to experience as this went above and beyond any Circus or Trapeze show I have ever witnessed before and it displays just how much respect the human body should be given to push it to what should be impossible positions. Outstanding!!!