The Adam Morley Sponsor a Playwright Bursary to announce shortlist in September 2017

Freelance director, producer and playwright Adam Morley will soon be announcing the shortlist of the inaugural Adam Morley Sponsor a Playwright Bursary, which will gift the winning writer with £1000 to further develop the script to production in 2018.

From initial submissions of nearly 100 plays, originally organised with Actors Awareness, a shortlist of 15 will now be assessed by a judging panel of industry experts. The blind submission process was specifically designed to encourage equal opportunities to all applicants, with the aim of making the bursary equal, fair and accessible across a diverse pool of applicants.

Adam Morley is an award-winning director, writer and producer. He is the Artistic Director of regional touring company Baroque Theatre and Associate Director of the Canal Café Theatre in London. He is the Executive Producer of Actors Awareness, which promotes equality and diversity in the arts.

The judging panel includes:

James Phelps is most famous for portraying Fred Weasley in the Harry Potter franchise film series. He is also a regular charity worker, working with such organisations as the National Forest, the Teenage Cancer Trust, Virgin Money Giving, and Cancer Research UK.

Lola Williams is the director of actor’s agency New Wonder Management and has over 15 years of experience in the entertainment industry, both in front of and behind the camera. Lola combines an extensive track record in management with a unique understanding of the requirements of both the actor and the casting professional. Lola is an active member of WFTV UK (Women in Film and Television) and the Agents Association of Great Britain.

John Byrne is a writer, broadcaster, and personal advisor to a wide range of international artists. John has been the career advisor to The Stage Newspaper for over a decade, during which time he has interviewed well over 3000 theatrical professionals, ranging from established to beginner actors to directors, producers and technical crew. He also writes a popular advice column for Young Performer Magazine.

Yasmeen Khan is a playwright, broadcaster and performer. Her plays have work with companies including Kali Theatre and Tamasha. Yasmeen is a diversity advocate; she runs The Rehearsal Room Presents, a platform for new and emerging theatre voices. Her Radio 4 documentaries have covered topics as diverse as mental health, responses to sexism and to how to become a minder. Her other current radio work includes a weekly specialist show focussing on British Asian issues for BBC radio, as well as fronting Friday drivetime on national speech network talkRADIO, where she covers everything from mainstream news to arts and culture. She was awarded Radio Presenter of the Year 2016-17 at the Asian Media Awards.

Emma Taylor is Artistic Director of Canal Cafe Theatre, producer of Guinness World Record Breaking NewsRevue and an actress. She is a former teacher of French and Head of Drama and has been an industry judge on various panels including Amused Moose, Leicester Square Theatre’s New Musical Project, The finals of The Lost Theatre’s One Act Play Festival and currently The American Season at the Canal Cafe Theatre’s search for a new play on the current political state in the USA and Women In Comedy Festival International Comedy Writing Competition.

Chris Hislop is a freelance theatre publicist. He has also worked as a theatre writer and critic, editor, development consultant and theatre director. He has over 10 years experience in arts journalism and PR, and specialises in Off West End/fringe theatre in London. He was the theatre editor, sales and marketing executive and a reviewer for OneStopArts, and also freelanced as a reviewer and blogger for WhatsOnStage and FringeReview (for which he was nominated for the Allen Wright Award in 2009).

He’s back! It’s been a busy few years for Jason since his last smash-hit stand up show but fans of his Absolute Radio show will know this nationally acclaimed comedian hasn’t changed a bit. ‘Muddle Class‘ promises to feature a wealth of new material about Jason growing up ‘working class’ then finding, over the years, that part of him has become ‘middle class’ – causing much confusion!   Delivered with Jason’s amiable charm and captivating wit, this is a show not to be missed.

Jason said: “Somebody said to me on my Facebook fan page, ‘it’s been ages since you’ve toured’.  I thought ‘no way, it was last year wasn’t it?  Anyway, long story short, they were right, it was years ago!  I just got fooled cos I’ve been on tour doing musicals and the last tour is repeated on Dave ja Vu 13 times a day!  So I’ve been putting some stuff together, looking at my life and how it’s changed over the years, how the world has changed and how my parents haven’t changed a bit!  It’s going to be a great tour and I can’t wait to see you there.”

‘8 out of 10 Cats’ (Channel 4), ‘The Nightly Show’ (ITV1),  ‘Sunday Night at the Palladium’ (ITV1), ‘Live at the Apollo’ (BBC One), ‘Have I Got News For You’, (BBC One), QI (BBC Two) and ‘The Royal Variety Performance’ (ITV1) have all helped establish Jason as a nationally known comic.

Jason Manford plays Newcastle City Hall on Sat 10 Feb 2018. Tickets on sale Fri 21 Apr from 9am.  Tickets are £31.50 and can be purchased at www.theatreroyal.co.uk or from the Theatre Royal Box office on 08448 11 21 21 (Calls cost 7ppm plus your phone company’s access charge

Black Sheep Productions presents:

JULIAN CLARY, PAUL ZERDIN, NIGEL HAVERS

RETURN TO THE LONDON PALLADIUM IN QDOS ENTERTAINMENT’S

D I C K   W H I T T I N G T O N

FOR STRICTLY LIMITED FIVE WEEK FESTIVE SEASON RUN

Initial casting is announced today (20 April 2017) for Qdos Entertainment’s London Palladium production of Dick Whittington.  Following the success of Cinderella last year, the production will see the return of Julian Clary who will play Spirit of the Bells, Paul Zerdin as Idle Jack and Nigel Havers as Captain Nigel.  Further casting and creative team will be announced shortly.

Dick Whittington will run at the London Palladium for five weeks only over the festive season from Saturday 9 December 2017 to Sunday 14 January 2018, with press night on Wednesday 13 December 2017 at 7pm.

Dick Whittington is produced by Nick Thomas and Michael Harrison for Qdos Entertainment, the team behind last year’s twice Olivier-nominated London Palladium production of Cinderella, which broke box office records for the highest grossing week in West End theatre history. Dick Whittington will be directed by Michael Harrison.

Julian Clary returns to the London Palladium following his triumphant success last Christmas as Dandini in Cinderella.  Having begun his career as a camp comic thirty years ago, and despite the fervent wishes of the general public, he shows no signs of slowing down. His TV debut came in 1989 with ITV quiz show Trick or Treat and Channel 4’s Sticky Moments. Julian Clary is a best-selling author, a regular panelist on Radio 4’s Just a Minute and last year toured his one man show The Joy of Mincing.

Ventriloquist Paul Zerdin took the US by storm when he won America’s Got Talent, which was swiftly followed by his own residency at the legendary Planet Hollywood in Las Vegas.  Also a household name in the UK, Zerdin has appeared on The Royal Variety Performance no less than three times, was seen on Michael McIntyre’s Big Christmas Show (BBC1) and last year appeared as Buttons in the London Palladium’s Cinderella.

Nigel Havers is one of the country’s best known actors thanks to his roles in Chariots of Fire, Passage to India, Empire of The Sun, Don’t Wait Up and Man Child.  More recently his credits include Coronation Street, Downton Abbey, the hit BBC4 series The Life of Rock, Stop/Start for BBC Comedy Playhouse and Benidorm.  His numerous West End appearances include playing Serge in both the touring and London productions of Art.  Subsequently he has appeared in hugely successful touring productions of Rebecca, Alan Bennett’s Single Spies and Nick Fisher’s comedy Basket Case, as well as several sell out seasons in pantomime.  More recently Havers reprised the role of Algernon Moncrieff in The Importance of Being Earnest both at the Harold Pinter Theatre and on UK Tour, and last year played the Lord Chamberlain in the London Palladium pantomime Cinderella.

Nick Thomas is the founder and Chairman of Qdos Entertainment Group.  The business that he started in 1982 is now one of the largest entertainment companies in Europe.  Aside from the company’s credentials in pantomime, it is the UK’s second largest regional theatre and concert hall operator, and employs 1,800 full time staff.

Michael Harrison has previously produced over 100 pantomimes for Qdos Entertainment where he is also Managing Director.  He has directed 12 consecutive pantomimes at Newcastle Theatre Royal and 7 productions at Birmingham Hippodrome and as a producer in the West End his credits include Gypsy, The Bodyguard and forthcoming productions of Annie and Mel Brooks’ Young Frankenstein.

As the world’s biggest pantomime producer, over the past 35 years Qdos Entertainment has established itself as one of the largest entertainment companies in Europe. Over the past three decades the pantomime giant has staged 684 pantomimes and this season expects over two million people will see one of its shows.

The London Palladium, owned by Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Really Useful Theatres Group, is a venue to which all performers aspire and has hosted more annual Royal Variety Performances than any other theatre. It has recently returned to its variety roots and is taking its rightful place as one of the most popular venues for leading musicians, performers, comedians and now Pantomime which returned last December after an absence of nearly 30 years.   Designed by Frank Matcham it opened on Boxing Day 1910 and became famous, partly through television, as the “Ace Variety Theatre of the World”.  Among the greats that have played here are Bob Hope, Judy Garland, Bing Crosby, Sophie Tucker, Ethel Merman, Howard Keel, Arthur Askey, Ella Fitzgerald, Nat King Cole, Tommy Steele, Julie Andrews, Ken Dodd, the Two Ronnies, Bruce Forsyth and Elton John.  1979 heralded the arrival of Yul Brynner in a spectacular production ofThe King and I with further lavish musicals to follow, most notably Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Cameron Mackintosh’s Oliver!, Saturday Night Fever, The King and Istarring Elaine Paige, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, the hugely successful revival of The Sound of Music, Sister Act, The Wizard of Oz, A Chorus Line, Barry Humphries’ Farewell Tour and the triumphant return of Cats. www.reallyusefultheatres.co.uk

LISTINGS INFORMATION

Theatre:                           London Palladium, Argyll St, London W1F 7TF

Dates:                              9 December 2017 – 14 January 2018

Press night:                       13 December 2017 at 7pm

Box Office:                        0844 874 0667 (no booking fee)

Prices:                              Tickets from £22.50
All ticket prices include a £1.25 Theatre Restoration Levy

Performances:                   Saturday 9 December 2017 2.30pm & 7.30pm, Sunday 10 December 2017 1pm & 5pm, Tuesday 12 December 2017 7.30pm, Wednesday 13 December 2017 2.30pm & 7pm (Press Night), Thursday 14 December 2017 7.30pm, Friday 15 December 2017 2.30pm & 7.30pm, Saturday 16 December 2017 2.30pm & 7.30pm, Sunday 17 December 2017 1pm & 5pm, Tuesday 19 December 2017 2.30pm & 7.30pm, Wednesday 20 December 2017 2.30pm & 7.30pm, Thursday 21 December 2017 2.30pm & 7.30pm, Friday 22 December 2017 2.30pm & 7.30pm, Saturday 23 December 2017 2.30pm & 7.30pm, Sunday 24 December 2017 11am & 4pm, Tuesday 26 December 2017 2.30pm & 7.30pm, Wednesday 27 December 2017 2.30pm & 7.30pm, Thursday 28 December 2017 2.30pm & 7.30pm, Friday 29 December 2017 2.30pm & 7.30pm, Saturday 30 December 2017 2.30pm & 7.30pm, Sunday 31 December 2017 11am & 4pm, Tuesday 2 January 2018 2.30pm & 7.30pm, Wednesday 3 January 2018 7.30pm, Thursday 4 January 2018 2.30pm & 7.30pm, Friday 5 January 2018 7.30pm, Saturday 6 January 2018 2.30pm & 7.30pm, Sunday 7 January 2018 1pm & 5pm, Tuesday 9 January 2018 7.30pm, Wednesday 10 January 2018 7.30pm, Thursday 11 January 2018 2.30pm & 7.30pm, Friday 12 January 2018 7.30pm, Saturday 13 January 2018 2.30pm & 7.30pm, Sunday 14 January 2018 1pm & 5pm

Website:                           www.DickWhittingtonPalladium.com

Twitter:                            @DWhittingtonLDN

Gary Williams and Friends “At The Movies”.  A benefit concert for TheatreMAD the Make A Difference Trust.

Sunday 21^st May.

Pizza Express, The Strand.

Doors 6.30pm Show 8.00pm

Described as “old school virtuosity,” by Time Out, star of the West End’s ‘Rat Pack’ Gary Williams celebrates some of Hollywood’s greatest musical moments.

Dipping into pop, bossa nova and swing ‘At The Movies’ relives classic Hollywood moments from Mary Poppins, Love Actually, Toy Story, Lock Stock and Two Smoking Barrels, the Jungle Book and Elvis Presley’s Viva Las Vegas. ‘At the Movies’ spans Hollywood music from the 1930s through to the 70s including the hits of Fred Astaire, Stevie Wonder, the Bee Gees, Joni Mitchell, Louis Armstrong, Peggy Lee and Walt Disney. The London Evening Standard described Gary as “the UKs leading standard bearer for the super-cool era” and Oscar winning composer Don Black said, “In a world of Pop Idol mediocrity Gary Williams shines like a dazzling beacon.”

Gary will be joined by friends Joe Stilgoe, Sarah Eyden, Bounder & Cad , Lynn Ruth Miller,Glenn Macnamara & Greg Scott

Gary Williams is a singer, writer and broadcaster described by the London Evening Standard as “the UK’s leading standard-bearer for the supercool era”. He starred in the West End’s Rat Pack, has recorded eight albums and wrote ‘Cabaret Secrets’, a book on stagecraft called “an invaluable guide” by Playbill.

Joe Stilgoe is an internationally acclaimed singer, pianist and songwriter described by the Scotsman as a “sheer joy”. He’s appeared in jazz clubs from New York to Berlin to Kuala Lumpur, including sell-out runs at legendary London venue Ronnie Scott’s. He has appeared as featured soloist with orchestras, including the BBC Concert Orchestra, John Wilson Orchestra, Royal Liverpool Philharmonic, Northern Sinfonia, Lahti Symphony, and the RTE Orchestra in Dublin.

Bounder and Cad is the musical comedy duo whose mischievous lyrics 10 Downing St tried to censor… until their jazzy tunes had the PM dancing. They have entertained two princes, two PMs, and been hailed for their “laser sharp wit”.

Lynn Ruth Miller has been dubbed the new Joan Rivers of Fringe Comedy at The Edinburgh International Fringe. She is a regular at the San Francisco Punchline, The Stand in Scotland and The International in Dublin and at 83 is proving that aging has been amazing. Time Our said, ‘Miller is a personable and charming presence onstage, with generations of wit and experience….’

Greg Scott is a the violin showman, who has performed with Bryan Ferry, kd Lang and as a soloist with the Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra. Greg’s debut album “DUEL” reached Number 1 in the UK Classical Charts.

Sarah Eyden was first soprano with The Swingle Singers enjoying international concert touring and five album recordings. Toured Europe and USA with Steve Reich & Musicians, and performed as a soloist with the Syd Lawrence Orchestra and classical ensembles throughout Europe. Sarah is currently a member of Access All Arias, a three part harmony girl group.

Glenn Macnamara was described by Timeout as “The UK’s finest swing singer”. He’s performed with The Len Philips Big Band, The Mike Richards Big Band, for The Duke and Duchess of Wessex at Hampton Court Palace and played Frank Sinatra in The Rat Pack in Dublin. The Guardian described his as an “amazing young talent.”

Pleasance Theatre, Carpenters Mews, North Road, London N7 9EF

Tuesday 2nd – Sunday 21st May 2017

Inspired by director Annemiek Van Elst’s experiences of her brother converting to Islam, the world premiere of Becoming Mohammed comes to Pleasance Theatre. The play explores what it takes for a Western man to become a Muslim, and for his family to come to terms with his choice

When Sara knocks on her brother’s door after two years, she hardly recognises the man in front of her. Thomas has grown a beard, gets up at the crack of dawn, and dates a girl in a Hijab. They attempt to rekindle their childhood friendship, but Thomas hasn’t told his sister everything yet…

Annemiek van Elst comments, When my little brother converted to Islam, it came as a shock; he started to reject our family traditions and follow the Sharia law. What could have been a breaking point became a difficult but beautiful journey of acceptance, which inspired the making of Becoming Mohammed. We believe that, now more than ever, there is a need to represent narratives around Islam in a positive light, and that conversion should be seen not as a threat but as an opportunity to build connections. Through our show, we aim to offer support to converts and their families, and to contribute to creating a more tolerant society.

Becoming Mohammed has been created in direct consultation with Islamic communities in both London and Rotterdam, and is being supported by a cultural facilitator, Nabihah Islam. In an effort to open up a dialogue and understanding between Western and Islamic communities, half of all performances will begin with a short forum theatre workshop. The company will also host post-show Q&As on Friday evenings and will share their research interviews with reverts and Islamic leaders online.

Becoming Mohammed is supported by Arts Council England

Greenwich Theatre 18 – 22 April, UK tour to May.  Reviewed by Claire Roderick

Merely Theatre’s Spring tour is coming to an end, but if you’re anywhere near the remaining venues, grab your tickets now. You’re in for a treat.

Merely Theatre are a genderblind rep company full of energy and passion. 10 actors work in male/female pairs to rehearse each part, and 1 actor from each pair takes part in each performance. A cast of 5 results in a lot of multi-roling and amalgamation of roles, and it’s mind-boggling how comfortable these actors are with the text. The energy on stage is palpable. The joy of performing blasts off the stage, and the audience are encouraged to interact, adding to the contagious atmosphere of creativity. This is the closest I’ve seen in an indoor theatre to the inclusiveness of being a groundling at the Globe.

I saw both productions in a day, with the same cast in each, and left the theatre each time with an idiotic grin on my face. Twelfth Night’s gender bending was turned on its head, with an all-female cast apart from Olivia (Luke Barton), which made her self-imposed isolation more moving. The glorious buffoonery of Toby Belch and Andrew Aguecheek was the highlight of the production, with Hannah Ellis and Luke Barton’s physical comedy keeping the audience in stitches. Ffion Jones’ reveal of Malvolio’s yellow stockings is worth the ticket price alone. The simple staging, with only black and white curtains as a backdrop and a bench carried on for a couple of scenes, kept the focus on the actors and their lines. The constant exits and entrances through the curtains for a quick change had the feel of a bedroom farce, and worked brilliantly in this fast, funny and slick production.

I’ve never been that fond of Juliet, and usually lose interest once Mercutio dies, but Merely Theatre’s stripped back Romeo & Juliet had me gripped from start to finish. This is a Juliet who acts her age, full of teenage certainty, and Emmy Rose’s performance was a joy to watch. The chemistry between the doomed lovers was believable and heart-breaking. There was still time for lots of business with the audience before the tragic ending, and Tamar Astor as Nurse squeezed every ounce of comedy from her role. I couldn’t figure out why the character felt so familiar until my friend pointed out that, in her tabard, she was the spitting image of Miranda Hart in Not Going Out – and just as funny. The death scene was particularly sensitive, again portrayed simply on an empty stage, drawing gasps from the younger members of the audience. This is a moving and inspired production, fizzing with energy and passion.

I can’t wait for Merely Theatre’s next productions and tours (maybe give us Welsh a treat too next time? This would work brilliantly at The Sherman). This is an exciting company who are obviously loving their work and doing a magnificent job spreading the love of Shakespeare around the country.

5 May: Uppingham Theatre

10 May: The Old Town Hall, Hemel Hempstead

22 – 23 May: Lowther Pavilion, Lytham St Anne’s

24 – 25 May: Theatre Royal Wakefield

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).

A vibrant storytelling adventure with a quirky urban soundtrack, The Magic Paintbrush is a new dance show leaping, splattering, swirling and boogying onto stages across the UK. The tale of a young person who is given a paintbrush that magically brings paintings to life is given a zingy new energy by choreographer Darren Ellis, whose own dance company Darren Ellis Dance is known for collaborations with companies such as Richard Alston Dance as well children’s shows including Meeting Mr Boom! With a beatboxing-inspired soundtrack and video design accompanying four dancers, The Magic Paintbrush has been created for everyone aged 3+, and will be enjoyed by adults and children alike.

Once upon a time in a grey, colourless world, someone is scribbling. As the young girl paints, her drawings appear on the surfaces of the theatre where they wiggle to life before magically floating out in 3D form. Can our imaginative young artist vanquish the mighty shadow of greed? Inspired ancient and modern versions of the Chinese folktale and exploding with energy, surprises and giggles, this is The Magic Paintbrush as never before.

Director Nathan Stickley said, “The Magic Paintbrush is a modern retelling of an old folk tale – a girl who is given a magic paintbrush brings joy and hope to a bleak world. We’ve created an imaginative production that keeps on inspiring both children and adults long after coming to see the show. Our audiences haven’t stopped talking about the shows’ magic and surprises.”

Nathan Stickley is an acting teacher and an associate director for an independent film company. He’s been working with young people for over fifteen years, creating new theatrical works for audiences of all ages in multiple schools and academies across the South East.

Darren Ellis’s choreography for children includes The Selfish Giant for Springs Dance Company and Meeting Mr Boom!, commissioned by The Place and produced by Artstrust. Other choreography includes Unentitled, a collaboration with Barbara Dougan Taylot, After Effects (commissioned by Dance Digital), Sticks and Bones (developed through The Place’s Choreoroam and toured in the UK and internationally), and From the Waist Up (Place Prize commission). He is currently developing a new show with inflatable objects for young audiences with Theatre-Rites and a new project inspired by the 1970’s cult Sci-Fi movie Silent Running with Greenwich Dance.

Formed in 1979, Springs Dance Company is one of the longest established contemporary dance companies in the UK. Reaching thousands of people each year through a unique and diverse programme, the company tours across the UK and internationally, and has an outstanding and highly praised education programme that includes workshops in schools and in the community, a year-long apprenticeship scheme that nurtures and trains young dancers, and an annual summer school.

Artstrust Productions is a centre for ideas and innovation in contemporary dance and educationsituated in Greenwich. Since 2006 Artstrust has created an environment where ideas, careers, creative partnerships and diversity of contemporary dance practice can survive and flourish. Artstrust Productions works locally, nationally and internationally to identify, develop and present breakthrough independent dancers and choreographers and provide a hub where independent artists can connect to a professional, creative and interactive dance network in which they can edify their work. As well as The Magic Paintbrush, Artstrust Productions are also touring Bouncing Cats & Boom Boom Pups.

@Artstrust | @SpringsDC | #magicpaintbrush | www.artstrust.co.uk

Running Time: 45 minutes | Suitable for ages 3+

Company Information

Directed by Nathan Stickley                   Choreographed by Darren Ellis
Produced by Martin Collins                   Springs Dance Company Artistic Director Ruth Hughes

Cast

Naomi Cook, Hannah Rochelle, Charles Washington and Emily Yong

Listings information

14 Jan              The Marlowe Theatre, Kent
The Friars, Canterbury, Kent CT1 2AS

                        11.30am & 2.30pm | £9
www.marlowetheatre.com | 01227 787 787          

11 Feb              The Brewhouse, Taunton
Coal Orchard, Taunton TA1 1JL
11am & 2pm | £8, £28 family ticket

                        www.thebrewhouse.net | 01823 283244

5 Mar                Jacksons Lane, London

                        269A Archway Road, London N6 5AA

                        3pm & 5pm | £9.95

                        www.jacksonslane.org.uk | 020 8341 4421

11 Mar              The North Wall, Oxford

                        South Parade, Oxford OX2 7JN

                        11am & 2pm | £8 (£6 concs)

                        www.thenorthwall.com | 01865 319450

25 Mar              New Wolsey Theatre, Ipswich

                        Civic Drive, Ipswich, Suffolk IP1 2AS

                        11am & 1.30pm | £8 (£5 concs)

                        www.wolseytheatre.co.uk | 01473 295 900

14 May             The Civic, Barnsley
Hanson St, Barnsley S70 2HZ
3pm | £8 (£6 concs, £5 child)
www.barnsleycivic.co.uk | 01226 327000

Supported by artsdepot, Foyle Foundation, and Arts Council England.

The Best of the Fringe

Studio shows at York Theatre Royal

25 – 28 April 2017

This spring, York Theatre Royal has lined up a series of one-nighters performed in the theatre’s fabulous studio space.

25 April, 7.45 pm

Words & Whippets featuring Kate Fox

An evening of poetry in the company of some of the north’s finest poets. Join stand up poet Kate Fox, a familiar face on BBC One, BBC Two and Radio Three, who will perform her wonderful funny, yet poignant work. She is joined by fellow poets Andy Bennett, Hannah Davies and punk performance poet Henry Raby who will also be the compère for the evening.

Tickets £7

26 April, 7.45 pm

In Tents and Purposes

Viscera Theatre and Anna Haigh Productions Ltd

Roxy Dunn (Channel Four’s Babylon; BBC Three’s Top Coppers) and Alys Metcalf (The Play that Goes Wrong), tell a time-hopping story, which explores whether our lives are predetermined or shaped by our choices.

“One of the most enjoyable theatrical experiences I’ve encountered so far this year at the Fringe.” (The Scotsman 2016)

Tickets £14

27 April, 7.45pm

Scary Shit

Rhiannon Faith and Maddy Morgan share their experience after attending CBT sessions in order to learn more about themselves and find a future free of fear. A transition from Scary Shit, to recovery and healing illustrated with outrageous dance, theatre, comedy and therapy.

Tickets £14

28 April, 7.45pm

Octopus

Paper Tiger productions and Greenwich Theatre

A celebration of the power of punk, Octopus is an anarchic new comedy about Britishness and whether anybody knows what it is.

Set in a post Brexit dystopian world, Octopus explores internal borders and what it is like to be a foreigner in one’s own land.

Tickets £14