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First Direct Arena, Leeds – 23 August 2018

Reviewed by Hayley Thompson

4****

Me and my son visited The First Direct Arena in Leeds on the 23rd August, 3pm show of Walking with Dinosaurs and I can say what a brilliant visual show!

My four year old son (soon to be five) watched the full show when the dinosaurs came on stage. I must admit he was a little bit fidgeting when the actor spoke about the world and the dinosaurs but as an adult I found it quite interesting.

The dinosaurs were not only the fantastic aspect to see, but the affects such as the volcano rocks, trees, flowers and lighting were very clever. This production made sure the story was very colourful especially when it came to the “scary” parts.  I found the dinosaurs very convincing but my clever child did keep reminding me that they were robots or costume! One thing he was disappointed in was that there was no pterodactyl – only on screen. However this did not spoil the show.

It was lovely to see the art work of the dinosaurs and the physical theatre that was included. Even though I could see some grey legs, I can still appreciate their performance. Especially the baby T-Rex’s comedy. The show seemed quite simple but very effective to put together!  For example using lights to signify flowers and insects and also using the screen to give us a better view of the dinosaurs and even some footage of scenery.

Overall a wonderful show and a brilliant one to take the children to, to educate.

On tour around the UK – details at www.dinosaurlive.com

Brockley Jack Studio  – until 25th August

Reviewed by Heather Chalkley

3***

Putting aside a few fumbled lines and the over cluttered staging, the cast told a well-known story of corruption and the web of lies this inevitably weaves.

You can forgive the occasional forgotten exit or entrance, when you are offered humour amongst the madness. The insipid Black (Elizabeth George) and Jack (Richard Houghton-Evans) property dealers, brought the most humour to the floor, literally!

The parts were played as caricatures mostly, apart from innocent, naive Anna (Fiona Vivian) and the shady Deputy Leader (Richard Willmott), who has only self-interest at heart. The Deputy Leader is probably the most corrupt of all, carrying out the orders of the Leader, keeping himself well in bribes and property.

Robert Mclachlan as Tommy gave no false illusions as to his working class roots and down trodden position. Playing the council leaders game to keep himself in the job, a necessary inconvenience to keep the workers in order.

Richard Houghton-Evans as Osip conveyed the emotional roller coaster of his character well, keeping his wits about him at all times. Jack Blue as Norman was a believable cad, making the most of a highly volatile situation.

You were reminded of Big Brother lurking in the back ground by the occasional appearance of Margaret Thatcher, unseen, weaving amongst the players.

Bernard O’Sullivan played the out of control ogre, Chairman of the Council, believing himself to be above the law, becoming violent when his position is threatened. I was not 100% convinced by this character. I thought he would have a heart attack rather than become outrageously violent.

The play was saved with the final pose when they were delivered the news the real inspector had arrived!

I wonder if Nikolai Gogol would recognise his play in Paula Chitty’s adaptation. Paula has done well to relate it to British politics and it does convey the message that power can corrupt at any time. The respect of power is dependent on the integrity of individuals.

FULL CASTING ANNOUNCED FOR

SHAMSER SINHA’S

THREE SAT UNDER THE BANYAN TREE

 

MAIN STAGE

A Polka Theatre and Tara Arts production

Three Sat Under The Banyan Tree

Written by Shamser Sinha

Based on The Panchatantra – India’s Aesop’s Fables

Directed by Jatinder Verma; Designed by Claudia Mayer

28 September – 21 October

Ages 7+

 

Polka Theatre today announce full casting for Shamser Sinha’s Three Sat Under The Banyan Treebased on The Panchatantra – India’s Aesop’s Fables. Artistic Director of Tara Arts, Jatinder Vermadirects Rose-Marie Christian (Jayaben – Crow story), Medhavi Patel (Yasmin – Leopard story) and Raj Swamy (Mahendra – Mongoose story). The production opens on 3 October, with previews from 28 September, and runs until 21 October.

 

Near the foothills of the Himalayas, three orphans open a magical book under a Banyan tree. They were told the book wouldn’t give them answers but they’d learn from it, they stir a pot of milk and three stories of the forest rise from its pages. Stories of headstrong crows,  a mongoose who wants a family, and a brave Leopard come vibrantly to life, with masks, movement and music.

 

Polka is delighted to be co-producing with Tara Arts the first-ever stage adaptation of The Panchatantra in the UK.

Medhavi Patel plays Yasmin (Leopard story). Her theatre credits include Women of the Mahabharata,Food for Thought (Tara Arts), We Are The Lions Mr Manager, Tales of Birbal (UK tour), Trident Moon(Finborough Theatre) and Fragile Land (Hampstead Theatre); and for film, Kidulthood.

 

Raj Swamy plays Mahendra (Mongoose story) in his professional stage debut.

 

Rose-Marie Christian plays Jayaben (Crow story). Her theatre credits include Does My Bomb Look Big In This (Bush Theatre), Little Revolution (Almeida Theatre), Home Theatre, Speak (Theatre Royal Stratford East), Tales from the Arabian Nights (London tour), Boy, The Bees and the Blizzard, Nana’s Jumble (Kazzum), and Bussin It and Suffocation (Oval House); and for film, Still Life.

Shamser Sinha is a playwright and academic. His writing credits include Khadija Is 18 (Finborough Theatre / winner of Pearson Playwright Award) and The Dissidents (formerly Tricycle Theatre, now Kiln Theatre). Short plays include, Like a Prayer (Rose Bruford/Bush Theatre) and Bredders (Rich Mix). He’s currently writing; ‘Ujamaa‘ a play with music, funded through an Arts Council award and supported by Eclipse Theatre and National Theatre Studio; One Day We Bought a White Skoda Octavia with Eastern Angles also supported by the Arts Council ; and Abebe’s Rocket with Farnham Maltings/House. Additionally, he’s working with Pentabus Theatre on a new play. His book written with Les Back – Migrant City was published in July this year.

Jatinder Verma directs. Artistic Director of Tara Arts, Verma has developed a unique cross-cultural theatre style – Binglish – where Asian theatre sensibilities meet European drama. Having led the company since its inception in 1977, Verma has overseen the development of Tara’s new Theatre in Earlsfield, South London, as an award-winning architectural fusion of East and West. Verma was awarded an MBE for services to diversity in the arts in 2017. He holds Honorary Doctorates from the universities of York, Essex and De Montfort, Leicester as well as a Research Fellowship from Rose Bruford College and Honorary Fellowship of the Royal Central School of Speech and Drama.

 

Polka Theatre

Listings

240 The Broadway, Wimbledon, London SW19 1SB

28 September – 21 October

Relaxed Performance: Saturday 6 October, 12.30pm

www.polkatheatre.com

FULL PROGRAMME ANNOUNCED FOR HOMOTOPIA

 

Organisers of the annual LGBT+ festival Homotopia have today revealed a jam-packed and eclectic programme for 2018 when the festival returns to take over the city from Friday 2 November – Saturday 1 December.

First launched in 2004, Homotopia celebrates local, national and international LGBT+ arts and culture.

Theatre, contemporary dance, visual art, music, debate, youth and community participation, heritage and film all form part of the diverse programme from one of the key cultural festivals in the region.

Highlights for this year include shows from cult legend John Waters; Ru Paul favourite Jinkx Monsoon; LGBT+ activist and performance artist Travis Alabanza; artist Scottee; and collaborative exhibition Threesome.

The month-long festival kicks off in extraordinary fashion on Fri 2 November with the Homotopia Festival Launch Party. The free event at Hinterlands will include entertainment from House of Suarezand Ashleigh Owen, as well as top DJ’s to keep guests dancing until the early hours.

Theatre has a strong presence on this year’s programme with something on offer for all.

Dietrich: Natural Duty the intoxicating one-(wo)man show comes to Unity Theatre on Tue 6 November direct from Edinburgh Fringe. An intoxicating mixture of theatre, cabaret and drag revealing the life of the legend Marlene Dietrich.

Get a first glimpse of Love The Life You Live, Live The Life You Love in an exclusive scratch performance at Unity Theatre on Wed 7 November.

Do not miss the immersive show Rent Party also at Unity Theatre on Wed 7 November. Winning a string of 5* reviews this part show, part party is inspired by the 1920s Harlem Renaissance rent parties.

Emerging LGBT+ artists and performers will present a collection of fresh and exciting performances at Homotopia’s Emerging Talent: Scratch Night at Unity Theatre on Sat 10 November.

A sensory and immersive exploration of the world of conversion therapy and gay exorcism is brought to the Unity Theatre stage on Tue 13 – Wed 14 November in Mina, an innovative retelling of Nataly Lebouleux’s award-wining film Paper Thin.

Theatre meets the fabulous world of Vogue dance culture on Thu 15 – Fri 16 November when Fittings Multimedia Arts present the UK premiere of Mop The House: A Short Guide To Vogue, at Unity Theatre.

Alabanza, one of the UK’s prominent trans voices, presents Burgerz – a powerful piece of theatre exploring the way trans people are seen in society and dissected in public, coming to Hope Street Theatre on Sun 18 November.

Ru Paul’s Drag race favourite Jinkx Monsson comes to The Epstein Theatre on Wed 21 Novemberwith lyrical genius Major Scales in their new tour The Ginger Snapped – a witty, biting look at the dark side of Drag fame.

One woman show Alaska from writer, poet and performer Cheryl Martin will take audiences on a funny, magical trip to the moon. One woman’s extraordinary story of how she survived growing up with severe depression comes to Open Eye Gallery on Fri 23 November.

Vaudeville and cabaret are also on the Homotopia bill with a fabulous selection of variety entertainment – including a headline performance from John Waters who comes to Liverpool in his only live UK performance of the year.

The director, screenwriter, author, actor, stand-up comedian and all-round cult legend will present his one-man show – John Waters: This Filthy World at Liverpool Philharmonic Hall on Sat 10 November.

In the build-up to John Water’s performance, don not miss Eat Me #10: A Commiseration of John Waters: A Life in Bad Taste on Fri 9 November – a drag dinner cabaret extravaganza filled with debauchery, deviance and depravity. Then dance late in to the night with the disco after party Preach.

Other cabaret highlights include comedy Hip, Hip I’m Gay! at Unity Theatre on Fri 9 November which follows real-life stories of ‘coming out’; and Kings and Queens of The Underworld featuring all the charm and eccentricity of classic vaudeville, on Sun 25 November at Constellations.

The work of 28 artists are brought together in Gay of the Dead, the first of 5 exhibitions throughout the festival. Honouring LGBT+ lives lost to hate crime worldwide, it opens at The Black-E on Sat 3 – Sun 4 November. 

Threesome, a collaborative exhibition exploring the creative relationships of three renowned lesbian painters Sadie Lee, Roxana Halls and Sarah Jane Moon is on display at The Gallery from Sun 4 November – Sun 2 December.

Two collections of works will feature at Open Eye Gallery championing every persons right and freedom to choose who they love; Where Love Is Illegal and Ren Hang will be open from Sat 17 November.

Tales From The City continues at the Museum of Liverpool, with over 200,000 visitors since its launch during last year’s festival.

The festival also presents a dance double-bill! The first, Rockbottom on Wed 14 November sees successful performer Stuart Waters make his debut as an independent artist in this moving self-portrait dance solo. Then on Sat 17 November a dance show about flab, double chins and getting your kit off in public comes to Unity Theatre with Scottee: Fat Blokes.

There will also be an exciting collection of talks, workshops and participation events throughout the festival.

The creative networking event Queer Hub will return for a Homotopia Special on Sat 17 November, where participants will explore this year’s festival theme I Will Survive through discussion and activities.

As Homotopia’s Guest Curator for 2018, Cheryl Martin will lead the in-conversation event LGBT+ Women in Writing on Tue 20 November. Cheryl, and panelists Juno Dawson and Kerry Hudson will discuss what it takes to establish and maintain a career as a successful female writer.

Join trainer and coach Sonya Welch-Moring and artist Ria Hartley on Mon 26 November as they present a day long workshop Ancestral Constellations which explores identity and belonging.

Following on from the success of 1967: Where Are All The Lesbians? enjoy another mysterious women-centric night of interactive conversation on lesbian visibility, this time bringing the topic right up to date with 2018: Where Are All The Lesbians? on Fri 30 November.

This will be followed by the Lez Be Avin It Homotopia Special after party – a regular alternative and inclusive lesbian night at Invisible Wind Factory.

Other festival highlights include Queercentric Music Night at District on Thu 22 November. Liverpool Queer Collective present a night of sumptuous music and spoken word from LGBT+ musicians and artists.

Bring the whole family to Sefton Park Palm House on Sat 24 November for Drag Queen Story Timewhere storyteller The Nightbus will bring children’s stories to life capturing the imagination of all.

A night of film shorts from some of the UK’s most forward thinking filmmakers will be celebrated when Shorts and Sweet comes to Frederiks on Wed 28 November.

Homotopia will be supporting a World AIDS Day Vigil taking place in the Concert Room at St George’s Hall on Sat 1 December; featuring speeches, poetry recitals and moments of remembrance for those who have lost their lives from HIV.

Now in it’s 15^th year, Homotopia returns to Liverpool from Friday 2 November – Sunday 2 Decemberin a spectacular celebration of LGBT+ art and culture.

More info can be found on the website www.homotopia.net

Facebook: Homotopia Arts

Twitter: @homotopiafest

EVENT LISTINGS

Tales From The City

Until Spring 2019

Museum of Liverpool, Pier Head, Liverpool Waterfront, Liverpool L3 1DG

Open Daily 10am-5pm

Tickets: Free

Homotopia Festival Launch Party

Fri 2 November

Hinterlands, 7 Mann St, Liverpool L8 5AF

8pm

Tickets: Free

Gay of The Dead

Sat 3 – Sun 4 November

The Black-E, 1 Great George St, Liverpool L1 5EW

10am-6pm

Tickets: Free

Threesome

Sun 4 November – Sun 2 December

The Gallery, 41 Stanhope St, Liverpool L8 5RE

Tuesday – Sunday, 12pm – 4pm

Tickets: Free

Dietrich: Natural Duty

Tue 6 November

Unity Theatre, 1 Hope Pl, Liverpool L1 9BG

7:30pm

Tickets: £10.50/£8.50 (Concession)

Book at  www.unitytheatreliverpool.co.uk

Love The Life You Live, Live The Life You Love

Wed 7 November

Unity Theatre, 1 Hope Pl, Liverpool L1 9BG

5pm

Tickets: Pay What You Decide

Book at  www.unitytheatreliverpool.co.uk

Rent Party

Wed 7 – Thu 8 November

Unity Theatre, 1 Hope Pl, Liverpool L1 9BG

8pm

Tickets: £10.50/£8.50 (Concession)

Book at  www.unitytheatreliverpool.co.uk

Hip, Hip I’m Gay!

Fri 9 November

Unity Theatre, 1 Hope Pl, Liverpool L1 9BG

7:30pm

Tickets: £10.50/£8.50 (Concession)

Book at www.unitytheatreliverpool.co.uk

Eat Me #10: A Commiseration of John Waters

Fri 9 November

District, 61 Jordan Street, Liverpool, L1 0BE

8pm

Tickets: £20 (includes Eat Me Cabaret, 3 Course Dinner and Preach Ticket)

            £10 Eat Me Ticket

            £5 Preach Ticket

Book at www.homotopia.net

Emerging Talent: Scratch Night

Sat 10 November

Unity Theatre, 1 Hope Pl, Liverpool L1 9BG

5pm

Tickets: Pay What You Decide

Book at www.unitytheatreliverpool.co.uk

 

John Waters: This Filthy World

Sat 10 November

Liverpool Philharmonic Hall, Hope St, Liverpool L1 9BP

7:30pm

Tickets: £27.50/£33.50

Book at www.liverpoolphil.com

Mina

Tue 13 – Wed 14 November

Unity Theatre, 1 Hope Pl, Liverpool L1 9BG

6pm/7:30pm

Tickets: £8.50/£6.50 (Concessions)

Book at www.unitytheatreliverpool.co.uk

Rockbottom

Wed 14 November

Unity Theatre, 1 Hope Pl, Liverpool L1 9BG

9pm

Tickets: £8.50/£6.50 (Concessions)

Book at www.unitytheatreliverpool.co.uk

Mop The House: A Short Guide to Vogue

Thu 15 – Fri 16 November

Unity Theatre, 1 Hope Pl, Liverpool L1 9BG

Thu 7:30pm, Fri 7pm/9pm

Tickets: £10.50/£8.50 (Concessions)

Book at www.unitytheatreliverpool.co.uk

 

Where Love Is Illegal

Sat 17 November – ***

Open Eye Gallery, 9 Mann Island, Liverpool L3 1BP

Open Daily 10am-5pm

Tickets: Free

Ren Hang

Sat 17 November – ***

Open Eye Gallery, 9 Mann Island, Liverpool L3 1BP

Open Daily 10am-5pm

Tickets: Free

Queer Hub: Homotopia Special

Sat 17 November

Venue TBC

1pm-4pm

Tickets: Pay What You Decide

Book at www.liverpoolqueercollective.co.uk

Scottee: Fat Blokes

Sat 17 November

Unity Theatre, 1 Hope Pl, Liverpool L1 9BG

7:30pm

Tickets: £12.50/£10.50 (Concessions)

Book at www.unitytheatreliverpool.co.uk

 

Burgerz

Sun 18 November

Hope Street Theatre, 22 Hope Street, Liverpool, L1 9BY

6pm

Tickets: £10/£8 (Concessions)

Book at www.hopestreettheatre.com

LGBT+ Women in Literature

Tue 20 November

Venue TBC

7pm

Tickets: Pay What You Decide

Book at www.homotopia.net

Jinkx Monsoon and Major Scales: The Ginger Snapped

Wed 21 November

The Epstein Theatre, 85 Hanover St, Liverpool L1 3DZ

8pm

Tickets: £21

Book at www.epsteinliverpool.co.uk

 

Queercentric Music Night

Thu 22 November

District, 61 Jordan Street, Liverpool, L1 0BE

7:30pm

Tickets: Pay On The Door

 

Alaska

Fri 23 November

Open Eye Gallery, 9 Mann Island, Liverpool L3 1BP

7:30pm

Tickets: £5

Book at www.homotopia.net

 

Drag Queen Story Time

Sat 24 November

Sefton Park Palm House, Liverpool L17 1AP

11:30am

Tickets: Adults £4/Children £2.50 (Children under 3 Free)

Book at www.homotopia.net

 

Kings and Queens of The Underworld

Sun 25 November

Constellations, 35-39 Greenland St, Liverpool L1 0BS

7:30pm

Tickets: £10

Book at: www.earthmoves.or/club-orientation

Ancestral Constellations

Mon 26 November

Open Eye Gallery, 9 Mann Island, Liverpool L3 1BP

10am-5pm

Tickets: Pay What You Decide

Book at www.homotopia.net

Shorts and Sweet

Wed 28 November

Frederiks, 32 Hope St, Liverpool L1 9BX

7:30pm

Tickets: £5

Book at www.homotopia.net

2018: Where Are All The Lesbians?

Fri 30 November

Venue at a secret location (confirmed once booked)

6:30pm

Tickets: £5/£3 (Concessions)

Book at www.homotopia.net

Lez Be Avin It – Homotopia Special

Fri 30 November

Invisible Wind Factory, 3 Regent Rd, Liverpool L3 7DS

9pm

Tickets: £5

Pay On The Door

World AIDS Day Vigil

Sat 1 December

St George’s Hall Concert Room, St George’s Pl, Liverpool L1 1JJ

2pm

Tickets: Free

WICKED SET TO PERFORM AT
MANCHESTER PRIDE WEEKEND

WICKED, the award-winning Broadway and West End musical phenomenon that tells the incredible untold story of the Witches of Oz, will cast a spell over Manchester this Bank Holiday weekend with a special performance as part of Manchester Pride celebrations.

Nikki Bentley from the UK & Ireland Tour company will take to the Thomas Cook Airlines Stage on Monday 27 August at 6.15pm for a gravity defying performance, ahead of the highly anticipated return of WICKED to the Palace Theatre.

The spectacular touring production of WICKED will fly home to where it began in September 2013, the Palace Theatre in Manchester, for one final time. The five-week Christmas engagement, from Tuesday 4 December 2018 to Saturday 5 January 2019, will mark the end of the multi record-breaking, critically acclaimed tour.

WICKED transports audiences to a stunningly re-imagined world of Oz, providing wonders beyond the imagination. The “spellbinding smash hit” (Time Out London) is already the 14^th longest running show in West End theatre history and has now been seen by over 9 million people in London alone. Around the world, WICKED has won more than 100 major awards, including ten theatregoer-voted WhatsOnStage Awards (winning ‘Best West End Show’ on three occasions) and two Olivier Audience Awards in the UK. The song ‘Defying Gravity’ was also recently voted the UK’s ‘No.1 Favourite Musical Theatre Song’ by listeners of Encore Radio.

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). Scenic designer Eugene Lee and costume designer Susan Hilferty each won 2004 Tony Awards for their stunning designs. Music arrangements are by Alex Lacamoire (Hamilton) and Stephen Oremus (Disney’s Frozen). 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

WICKED plays at the Palace Theatre, Manchester from Tuesday 4 December 2018 to Saturday 5 January 2019 and tickets are on sale now. For more information, visit ATGtickets.com/Manchester.

Carlisle Fringe Festival opens with a city centre Festival Village

60ft whales, comedy, award-winning theatre and a 5-day free-to-view music programme kicks off today in Carlisle with music headliners Complete Stone Roses and Holy Moly and The Crackers at the 3^rd edition of Carlisle Fringe Festival which runs 24 August – 2 September 2018.

Over the next 10 days, Carlisle will play host to its annual Fringe festival, welcoming artists from across the UK to perform in 11 different festival venues around the historic city. The festival puts local Cumbrian artists and performer’s centre stage, with 60% of the 90 shows on offer from the county. It’s also an extremely accessible cultural festival, with many of the shows and events being free and all tickets under £8.50.

A city centre music stage will invite performers from Carlisle, Whitehaven, Gretna, Dumfries and Galloway, Penrith, Holland, Workington and the Cumbrian districts.

The Old Fire Station and Stanwix Theatre welcome 15 companies between the two spaces, with a careful balance of dance, theatre and comedy. The Duke by Shon Dale Jones, producer of the Radio 4 series Hugh Hughes, will open the Old Fire Station programme this evening at 6pm.

This weekend, the Stanwix welcome local dance company, DanceAhead with their imaginative and unique adaptation of Shakespeare’s, A Midsummer Night’s Dream on Saturday at 7pm.

The Festival Village took shape earlier this week, with a bright purple Container Theatre, Festival Hub and city centre music stage beginning their 10-day residencies in the centre. There’s even set to be a 60ft inflatable sperm whale in the village on 30 Aug!

The Festival Village welcomes a pick’n’mix programme of free-to-view music, street theatre and ticketed events. Audiences will also be spoilt for choice this weekend, as the International Market returns to the city for 4 days.

On Wednesday night, organisers of the Festival are inviting Carlisle to an open discussion centred around Carlisle as a UK City of Culture. Guest speakers from arts organisations and Carlisle City Council are part of a 5-piece panel, hosted by BBC Cumbria’s, Caroline Robertson. This takes place in the Lanes Shopping centre at 6.00pm and will be broadcast live to the world.

Thursday will welcome a 60ft Whale installation, inviting young audiences inside the belly of the beast, for a 30-minute theatre show. There will be 6 showings between 2pm – 6.30pm, and entry is free.

The Festival Hub, kitted out with a fully licenced bar, will be situated in-front of a new music stage, that welcomes an eclectic mix of music regional, national and international artists.

Annan Town Band will open Saturday’s stage at 2pm with their full band, followed by a mix of Cumbrian and Scottish artists. The Black Guards, No Soap No Radio, The Twitchers, Mustangz Trio, We are Quasars and Wolfpeake from Barrow-in-Furness are among this weekends Cumbrian acts.

From Scotland, Tiderays, The Mind Sweepers, The Arguments and Jamie-Lee Brown will perform at the festival for the first time on Saturday and Sunday.

The Container Theatre programme features comedians and theatre shows topping the bill, with appearances from Jane Postlethwaite with her show MADE IN CUMBRIA, a Brighton Fringe sell-out show, alongside Georgie Morrell with her hit comedy show A Poke in the Eye. 

Theatre goers can also take their pick from a mix of comedy, dance and theatre shows this weekend. The Bureau of Untold Stories on Saturday at 7pm will invite you to an interactive hour-long experience, and local company Prism Arts will present Until the Cows Come Home, a community inspired story presented and performed by their Youth Theatre in Carlisle Cathedral.

The Festivals broad programme is a celebration of Carlisle and its local talent this year, peppered with artists from all across the country. 60% of the programme is made from Cumbrian talent.

Tickets to paid events are capped at £8.50 to help make it accessible for new audiences and more work than ever before has been made free to view. You can view the full fringe programme online at www.carlislefringe.co.uk
Tickets for the 2018 Carlisle Fringe are on sale via www.carlislefringe.co.uk, by calling 01228 812611 or by calling into the festival pop-up Box Office at Carlisle Town Hall.

Carlisle Fringe is produced by Elektronika, a cultural producer based in Carlisle and Dumfries with the generous support of Carlisle City Council, Arts Council England and Cito Services.

THE SIMON AND GARFUNKEL STORY

(50TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION)

Grand Opera House

York

Tuesday 2nd October 2018

BOX OFFICE – 0844 871 3024

Has it really been 50 years since the most successful Folk/Rock Duo of all time recorded their first no1 hit single ‘The Sound of Silence’?

Having performed to SOLD OUT audiences in over 50 countries across the world from Sydney to Seattle, ‘The Simon and Garfunkel Story’ is now sat in the West End at the LYRIC THEATRE, Shaftesbury Avenue, London. The show is currently the biggest and the most successful theatre show celebrating the lives and career of Folk/Rock sensation Simon and Garfunkel.

Featuring a full cast of talented West End actor- musicians, ‘The Simon and Garfunkel Story’ takes you back through the ‘Groovy’ times of the 1960s. It tells the story of both Paul Simon and Art Garfunkel from their humble beginnings as Rock n Roll duo ‘Tom and Jerry’, right through their massive success, dramatic break-up and finishing with a stunning recreation of the 1981 Central Park reformation concert.

Using a huge projection screen, the show features 1960’s photos and film footage whilst a full live band perform all their hits including ‘Mrs Robinson’, ‘Cecilia’, ‘Bridge Over Troubled Water’, ‘Homeward Bound’, ‘Sound of Silence’ and many more!

With every performance creating a standing ovation, this is an evening not to be missed!

“FOR ONCE, YOU CAN REALLY BELIEVE THE HYPE” – British Theatre Guide

“AS CLOSE TO THE REAL THING AS IT’S POSSIBLE TO GET” – The Daily Express

“A NOSTALGIA FEST” –  Mail On Sunday

“AMAZING” – Elaine Paige, BBC Radio 2

“AUTHENTIC AND EXCITING” – The Stage

“A REAL TREAT” – The Metro

“SPINE TINGLING HARMONIES” – The Daily Record

Tickets from £13

Box Office: 0844 871 3024

Online Booking: www.atgtickets.com/york

www.thesimonandgarfunkelstory.com

BRITAIN’S BEST LOVED PUB SITCOM IS BACK

LIVE ON STAGE

FOR THE FIRST TIME EVER!

STARRING

 

CRAIG CASH                           PHIL MEALEY

    JOHN HENSHAW                         SUSAN COOKSON

                                                              JOAN KEMPSON                           LISA MILLETT

                                                     JAMES QUINN                             PETER WIGHT

                                                              JUDITH BARKER                           VICKY BINNS

                                                   NICK BIRKINSHAW                         NEIL HURST

     LAURA WOODWARD

 

TICKETS ON SALE NOW!

 

Final casting has been announced for Early Doors Live, which will begin its sold out three week run in Salford on 29 August. Joining writers Craig Cash (Joe) and Phil Mealey (Duffy) on stage for the first ever time is John Henshaw (Ken), Susan Cookson (Tanya), Joan Kempson (Winnie), Lisa Millett (Debbie), James Quinn (Phil), Peter Wight (Nige), Judith Barker (Jean), Vicky Binns (June), Nick Birkinshaw (Tommy), Neil Hurst (Freddie) and Laura Woodward (Mel).

 

The live show was originally planned as a one week run at Salford Lowry’s Quay’s Theatre. But due to huge public demand for tickets those shows sold out instantly and a further two weeks of shows at the Lowry’s larger Lyric Theatre were added, which also sold out in record time. The UK tour will then kick off in Glasgow on 24 September.

 

Commissioned by leading West End producer Philip McIntyre to adapt their award winning television series for the stage, Craig Cash and Phil Mealey have written a brand new story featuring the same hilarious characters from the TV show.

 

Craig Cash and Phil Mealey said: “Writing Early Doors again has been a joy and we’re really excited by the results. Putting it on stage for the first time ever will be a huge thrill. One that we hope you will come along and share.”

 

The Grapes Pub will reopen its doors for the UK tour, in a not-to-be-missed night of fun and laughter. Ken’s got love on his mind, but will barmaid, Tanya, ring the landlord’s bell? Old Tommy would play Cupid – if only he didn’t have IBS (Irritable Bugger’s Syndrome). Crime is on the rise but fear not, as local cops Phil and Nige are getting stuck in… to a couple of pints in the back room. After all, “Crime can’t crack itself.” All of this and much, much more when Early Doors returns.

 

To the regiment!  Don’t just wish you were there – make sure of it!

 

“…beautifully observed, carefully crafted…”
Daily Telegraph

 

“As faultless a piece of situation comedy as you will ever find”

Mail on Sunday

 

“The series was at the very least a
mini-masterpiece – and perhaps even a full-blown one”

Daily Telegraph

 

“It is superb”

The Times

 

“If you want to watch something genuinely funny, try Early Doors”

Sunday Express

 

 

EARLY DOORS LIVE – UK TOUR DATES

 

 

Listings Information

Ticket Prices: From £22.50
Tickets available through earlydoorslive.com

FULL CAST REVEALED FOR PREMIERE OF TWOPENCE TO CROSS THE MERSEY SEQUEL AT LIVERPOOL EMPIRE

 

Mark Moraghan, Emma Dears, Eric Potts, Stephanie Dooley and Maria Lovelady amongst the star cast of Helen Forrester’s By The Waters Of Liverpool

The producers of the new stage play sequel of Helen Forrester’s much-loved Twopence To Cross The Mersey have announced the complete cast.

 

By The Waters Of Liverpool will be given its premiere this Autumn in Liverpool, where the famous books are set and staged at the city’s Liverpool Empire from Wednesday 3 October to Saturday 13 October 2018. Tickets are already on sale.

The play follows the smash-hit success of Helen Forrester’s Twopence To Cross The Mersey and is being brought to audiences by the team behind both the musical and stage play versions of the award-winning true story.

The cast of 10 is filled with well-known names from stage and screen and includes three much-loved actors who return to their roles with the Forrester family. The previously announced Maria Lovelady, Emma Dears and Mark Moraghan.

Maria Lovelady who received rave reviews for her portrayal in the lead role of Helen Forrester will resume the part having played the role three times.

 

Emma Dears returns to play Helen’s Mother. Emma performed alongside Maria in the new stage plays of Twopence since 2015. Emma is best known for her West End performances in Les Miserable andMiss Saigon.

Mark Moraghan will play Helen’s Father. Mark previously played the role of Father in 2007 and 2009 when Twopence To Cross The Mersey was a musical. Mark is best known for his roles in Coronation Street and Brookside.

 

Two previous members of the Liverpool Everyman Company join the cast to complete the Forrester family, Emily Hughes will play Fiona and Nathan McMullen will play Alan. Both performed in Paint Your Wagon and The Big I Am.

 

Joining them are Coronation Street and Doctor Who’s Eric Potts and actress and singer Stephanie Dooley, also signed up are Lynn Francis, Roy Carruthers and Liverpool stage actor Danny O’Brien. All of which appeared in the previous Pulse Records production Lennon’s Banjo.

 

More than 170,000 people have seen Twopence since it was premiered and now the long-awaited sequel visits the theatre where it all began for the original musical at the Liverpool Empire.

By the age of 17, Helen had fought and won two bitter battles with her parents – the first to educate herself, the second for the right to go out to work. Her parents are as financially irresponsible as ever, wasting money while their children still lack adequate food and clothing. But for Helen, things are looking up as she begins to make new friends and develop some social life outside the home.

By The Waters Of Liverpool takes us to the next chapter in Helen’s life. It’s now 1939, Britain is on the brink of war, Helen is now aged 20 and has never been kissed by a man. That is until she meets a tall, strong seaman. And falls in love.

Rob Fennah has written both the stage play versions of Twopence To Cross The Mersey and By The Waters Of Liverpool. This next chapter in Helen Forrester’s life story is once again produced by Pulse Records Ltd in association with Bill Elms. The play will be directed by Gareth Tudor Price.

 

By The Waters Of Liverpool by Helen Forrester has sold more than a million books. Now this is your chance to see it come to life on stage in this exciting new stage play adaptation.

 

Website:         www.bythewatersofliverpool.com

Facebook:       https://www.facebook.com/ByTheWatersThePlay

LISTING INFORMATION

 

BY THE WATERS OF LIVERPOOL

Liverpool Empire

Wednesday 3^rd – Saturday 13^th October 2018

PERFORMANCES:

Wednesday 3 October at 2.30pm and 7.30pm

Thursday 4 October at 2.30pm and 7.30pm

Friday 5 October at 7.30pm

Saturday 6 October at 2.30pm and 7.30pm

Sunday 7 October at 5pm

Monday 8 October at 7.30pm

Tuesday 9 October at 7.30pm

Wednesday 10 October at 2.30pm and 7.30pm

Thursday 11 October at 2.30pm and 7.30pm

Friday 12 October at 7.30pm

Saturday 13 October at 2.30pm and 7.30pm

TICKETS:

Tickets from £12 plus booking fees

Concessions and Group Rates available

 

To book visit the Empire’s box office, call 0844 871 3017* or buy online at atgtickets.com/Liverpool*

*fees apply to online and telephone bookings. Calls cost up to 7p per minute plus your phone company’s access charge.

WORLD PREMIERE AT DARLINGTON HIPPODROME

The Great Joe Wilson is a must-see comedy drama set in Darlington and is heading for a world premiere here at Darlington Hippodrome on Friday 7 and Saturday 8 September.

The Great Joe Wilson is a play with music about (arguably) the greatest-ever North East singer/songwriter. Wilson’s dramatic life will be told using his tremendous music, which covers everything from lost love through to hard-hitting songs condemning domestic violence and supporting striking workers. Joe performed in Darlington at the Theatre Royal Music Hall.

Joe Wilson died in 1875, aged only 33, but during his brief life wrote 360 songs, many of which are still popular today: The Unthanks recorded Gallowgate Lad in 2011, Keep Your Feet Still, Geordie Hinny has been covered dozens of times and Sally Wheatley is a staple throughout UK folk clubs.

The play stars top North East actors Micky Cochrane, Sarah Boulter and the multi-award winning Jamie Brown. Musician Jordan Miller, who has just finished a European tour with top North East band The Lake Poets, completes the top-class quartet.

The Great Joe Wilson has its world premiere at Darlington Hippodrome on Friday 7 and Saturday 8 September.

For more information or to book call 01325 405405 or visit www.darlingtonhippodrome.co.uk