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BOYS WILL BE BOYS…BUT NOT ALWAYS!

JOHN PARTRIDGE AND ADRIAN ZMED

STAR IN FIRST EVER UK TOUR OF

LA CAGE AUX FOLLES

* A SPECTACULAR NEW PRODUCTION –

Bill Kenwright presents the much loved musical LA CAGE AUX FOLLES with JOHN PARTRIDGE as ‘Albin’ and ADRIAN ZMED as ‘Georges’, on its first ever nationwide tour coming to New Wimbledon Theatre from 14-18 March 2017.

John Partridge will play the iconic role of ‘Albin’, who moonlights as star drag act Zaza at the infamous La Cage aux Folles nightclub. Partridge’s extensive theatre credits include the West End productions of A Chorus Line at the London Palladium, Cats, Starlight Express and Chicago. He is also well known for playing the loveable Christian Clarke in BBC’s EastEnders and as a judge on TV’s Over The Rainbow.

Adrian Zmed will play ‘Georges’, partner of Albin and owner of the nightclub. Zmed co-starred with William Shatner as ‘Officer Vince Romano’ in the 70’s hit TV show T.J. Hooker, which ran for 90 episodes over 5 years, and for playing ‘Johnny Nogerelli’ in the cult classic film Grease 2. This will be his first stage appearance in the UK although he is no stranger to Broadway musicals having previously led the casts of Grease, no fewer than 3 times, Falsettos and Blood Brothers.

Written by Harvey Fierstein and Jerry Herman, and based on the 1973 French play of the same name by Jean Poiret, La Cage Aux Folles follows the story of Georges, the manager of a Saint Tropez nightclub, and his partner, Albin, a drag artiste and the club’s star attraction. They live an idyllic existence in the south of France but behind the curtains of this sparkling extravaganza, all may be about to change when Georges’ son Jean-Michel announces his engagement to the daughter of a notorious right-wing politician determined to close down the local colourful night-life. Drama and hilarity ensue when a meeting of the parents forces them to cover up their vibrant lifestyle. Will Albin be able to play the role of his life to ensure that Jean-Michel can marry his love?

LA CAGE AUX FOLLES is a multi-award winning musical. The original Broadway production became an instant smash hit when it opened in 1983. It received nine nominations for Tony Awards and won six, including Best Musical, Best Score and Best Book. The success of the musical spawned a London Palladium production and several international runs. The 2004 Broadway revival won the Tony Award for Best Revival, and the 2008 London revival garnered the Laurence Olivier Award for Best Musical Revival.

Setting out on its first ever UK tour, this brand new production is produced by Bill Kenwright, directed by Martin Connor, choreographed by Olivier Award Winning Bill Deamer, designed by Gary McCann, Sound by Dan Samson (the team responsible for the sumptuous current hit, The Sound of Music), and musical direction by Mark Crossland. This lavishly funny tale of unconditional love and family values, will leave you feeling the need to celebrate that life’s not worth a damn ‘till you can say I am what I am.’

This show-stopping score includes The Best of Times, Song on the Sand and the iconic I Am What I Am, which has been recorded by musical legends Gloria Gaynor, Shirley Bassey and Tony Bennett.

The production tours the UK from 5th January 2017, opening at the New Theatre Oxford.

Dates currently on sale at www.kenwright.com. Further casting and dates to be announced.

BILL KENWRIGHT PRESENTS A NEW PRODUCTION OF

LA CAGE AUX FOLLES

MUSIC & LYRICS BY JERRY HERMAN BOOK BY HARVEY FIERSTEIN

FURTHER DETAILS ANNOUNCED FOR

“FERRIS & MILNES – CHRISTMAS CRACKER”

AT THE AMBASSADORS THEATRE ON 13 DECEMBER 2016

• Olivier Award winning director and choreographer Bill Deamer to be Production Consultant
• Arts Ed Musical Theatre to perform as musical ensemble
• Sneak preview teaser trailer released on YouTube of brand new Christmas medley

Olivier Award winning director and choreographer Bill Deamer will lead the production team of musical theatre comedy double act Ferris & Milnes’ debut West End debut show “Ferris & Milnes – Christmas Cracker” at the Ambassadors Theatre on Tuesday 13 December 2016.  

As Production Consultant, Bill will oversee the show which will also feature twelve students from Arts Educational School, London, forming a musical ensemble. Sound design will be provided by Adrian Cobey, currently Head of Sound at the West End production of Les Miserables with lighting design by Paul J Need.

The musical programme will include an exciting and eclectic blend ranging from much-loved choral works such as John Rutter’s “Angels’ Carol” and Adolphe Adam’s “O Holy Night!” through to golden show tunes from Irving Berlin, favourites of Elton John, with Christmas classics and seasonal standards presented in unique Ferris and Milnes style.

Fans of Ferris & Milnes will be delighted to hear that they will be following up on their popular musical mash-ups “33 Sondheim Numbers In 5 Minutes” and “31 West End Musicals in Under 10 Minutes” by bringing “The Entire Score of West Side Story In 8 Minutes” to the West End stage.

Not only that, but Ferris & Milnes will be performing a NEW very special medley jam-packed with as many festive hits as you can imagine! A one-minute teaser trailer of the medley is now live on YouTube (https://youtu.be/GExG-zFDL5I).

The fun-packed Christmas extravaganza is sure to delight the whole family. Audiences can expect the unexpected, as well as the Christmas favourites they know and love, in a heart-warming, foot-tapping seasonal shindig.

Tickets are now on sale priced £17.50 – £32.50 (booking fees may apply). Book online:https://www.theambassadorstheatre.co.uk, via telephone: 020 7395 5405, or in person at the Box Office.

“Ferris & Milnes – Christmas Cracker” is produced by The Cahoots Theatre Company Ltd.

 

Recently playing to sold-out houses at the St. James Studio, Ferris & Milnes mark their debut West End show after thrilling crowds at West End LIVE in Trafalgar Square, The Tower of London, Lytham Festival’s West End Proms, and in Stephen Sondheim’s 85th Birthday Gala at Theatre Royal, Drury Lane. They have been described as “Hilarious” (The Telegraph) and “The most exciting musical theatre double act to be discovered in years” (West End Frame).

 

Dominic Ferris and Martin Milnes are a unique combination. Dominic is a pianist extraordinaire, regularly showcasing his skills touring the world as one half of The Piano Brothers – his Steinway & Sons accredited piano duo. Martin has ‘two voices’ – excelling as both a tenor and in his acclaimed falsetto register, having diversely crossed the musical worlds between West End and opera. Together, Dominic and Martin combine comedy, music and vocals in a dynamic cocktail of explosive Broadway glamour and fun.

 

For more information about Ferris & Milnes visit: www.ferrisandmilnes.com. Follow Ferris & Milnes on Twitter @ferrisandmilnes and on Facebook www.facebook.com/ferrisandmilnes.

 

LISTINGS

“Ferris & Milnes – Christmas Cracker”

The Ambassadors Theatre, West Street, London, WC2H 9ND

Nearest tube station: Leicester Square

Tuesday 13 December 2016: 7.30pm

Running time: 2 hours 30 mins approx. (including interval)

Tickets: £17.50 – £32.50; transaction fees apply to online and telephone bookings

Online bookings: https://www.theambassadorstheatre.co.uk

Telephone bookings: 020 7395 5405

THE WORLD PREMIERE OF

JIM STEINMAN’S 

BAT OUT OF HELL – THE MUSICAL

EXPLODES ON STAGE AT THE LONDON COLISEUM ON 5 JUNE 2017

FULL CAST ANNOUNCED

BOX OFFICE ON SALE TO GENERAL PUBLIC FROM 5PM TODAY

WITH MEAT LOAF INTRODUCING ANDREW POLEC AND THE CAST IN A LIVE PERFORMANCE OUTSIDE THE LONDON COLISEUM ON 

ST MARTIN’S LANE

 

The world premiere of the long-awaited Jim Steinman’s Bat Out Of Hell – The Musical will take place in London’s West End at the London Coliseum, opening on Tuesday 20 June 2017, following previews from 5 June, for a limited season until 22 July 2017. This follows previews at Manchester Opera House from 17 February to 8 April 2017.

As with many great works of art, the genesis of the Bat Out Of Hell album occurred across a number of years. One of the songs was written while Steinman was an undergraduate at Amherst College in the late 1960s. In the 1970s,Steinman wrote a theatrical musical that was presented in workshop in Washington D.C. in 1974 and featured many of the songs that would ultimately appear on the Bat Out Of Hell album, which was released in 1977.

Bat Out Of Hell became one of the best-selling albums in history, selling over 50 million copies worldwide. 16 years later, Steinman scored again with Bat Out Of Hell II: Back Into Hell, which contained the massive hit I Would Do Anything For Love (But I Won’t Do That). 

For the stage musical, the legendary and award-winning Jim Steinman has incorporated iconic songs from the Bat Out Of Hell albums, including You Took The Words Right Out Of My Mouth, Bat Out Of Hell, I Would Do Anything For Love (But I Won’t Do That) and Two Out Of Three Ain’t Bad, as well as two previously unreleased songs, What Part of My Body Hurts the Most and Not Allowed to Love.

Jim Steinman’s Bat Out Of Hell – The Musical is a romantic adventure about rebellious youth and passionate love, set against the backdrop of a post-cataclysmic city adrift from the mainland. Strat, the forever young leader of The Lost, has fallen for Raven, daughter of Falco, the tyrannical, ruler of Obsidian.

Jim Steinman’s previous musicals include his collaboration with Andrew Lloyd Webber on Whistle Down the Wind, including the hit single released by Boyzone, No Matter What, and the musical Tanz der Vampire, which has been running for 20 years and has been presented in Vienna, Stuttgart, Berlin, Hamburg, Paris, Budapest, Warsaw, St Petersburg and Tokyo.

Directed by award-winning theatre and opera director Jay Scheib, the cast of Bat Out Of Hell – The Musical will be led by newcomer Andrew Polec as Strat and Christina Bennington as Raven, with Rob Fowler as Falco and Sharon Sexton as Sloane. Also starring will be Aran MacRae as Tink, Danielle Steers as Zahara, Dom Hartley-Harris as Jagwire, Giovanni Spano as Ledoux and Patrick Sullivan as Blake. Also in the cast will be Jemma Alexander, Emily Benjamin, Stuart Boother, Georgia Carling, Natalie Chua, Jonathan Cordin, Amy Di Bartolomeo, Jordan Lee Davies, Olly Dobson, Hannah Ducharme, Phoebe Hart, Rosalind James, Michael Naylor, Eve Norris, Tim Oxbrow, Andrew Patrick-Walker, Benjamin Purkiss, Anthony Selwyn, Courtney Stapleton and Ruben Van keer. 

Bat Out Of Hell – The Musical has book by Jim Steinman and Stuart Beattie, music and lyrics by Jim Steinman, direction by Jay Scheib, choreography by Emma Portner, with musical arrangements and supervision by Michael Reed, set design by Jon Bausor, costume design by Meentje Nielsen, video design by Finn Ross, lighting design by Patrick Woodroffe, sound design by Gareth Owen, orchestration by Steve Sidwell, casting by David Grindrod Associates and musical direction by Robert Emery.

Jim Steinman’s Bat Out Of Hell – The Musical is produced by David Sonenberg, Michael Cohl, Randy Lennox, Tony Smith, and produced in association with Bat Out of Hell Holding Limited.

Website:  www.BatOutOfHellMusical.com

Twitter & Facebook:  @BatTheMusical

 

LISTINGS INFORMATION

17 February – 8 April 2017

Opera House Manchester

3 Quay Street

Manchester

M3 3HP

Performances:  Mon-Sat at 7.30pm, Thurs & Sat at 2.30pm (no matinee on Sat 18 February)

Tickets:  from £17.50

Box Office:  0844 871 3018 (subject to booking/transaction fees)

5 June – 22 July 2017

London Coliseum

St Martin’s Lane

London

WC2N 4ES

Performances:  Mon-Sat at 7.30pm, Thurs & Sat at 2.30pm (7pm on Tue 20 June; no matinee on Thurs 8 June; extra 2.30pm matinee on Tue 22 August)

Tickets:  from £15.00

Box Office:  020 7845 9300

Hartshorn – Hook Productions and The Flanagan Collective present:

A CHRISTMAS CAROL
December 12th – December 31st 2016, Above the Arts Theatre

Hartshorn – Hook Productions and The Flanagan Collective team up for the sixth year running to present a rousing rendition of this timeless classic, served over a two-course Christmas feast. A heart-warming, foot-stomping immersive production, created by writer Alexander Wright and director Tom Bellerby. This seasonal show is presented in partnership with The Big Issue Foundation.

**** “The whole experience is as merry and magical as Christmas itself” The Stage

A tale of ghouls, ghosts and – with your help – barrels of festive cheer. We join Marley over a sumptuous two course feast, and some potent potion to keep off the winter chill. Through parlour games, Christmas songs and a little spirited trickery, we must warm the heart of the bah-humbugging miser, everyone’s favourite festive misanthrope, Scrooge. A show about Christmas spirit, caring for those we love, and having a damn good knees up couldn’t be a more perfect way to warm a cold winter’s evening.

“If you feel you’ve had your fill of A Christmas Carol, think again” York Press

Catering comes from chef Danny Jack, and his project The Humble Kitchen. The full two-course sharing feast includes all the trimmings for the perfect Christmas dinner (with hot beef mince pies and a pumpkin, kale and goats cheese vegetarian option), alongside a late license bar. (Special dietary requests are gladly catered for and should be advised at least 48 hours in advance of the performance by email to [email protected])

“A Christmas miracle (…) enthralling, captivating, laugh-out-loud theatre” Yorkshire Times

Hartshorn – Hook Productions is a London-based producer of theatre and live events, best known for American Idiot (West End Premiere, associate producer), Urinetown (associate producer) and I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change (starring Julie Atherton and Simon Lipkin, 2015). Regular collaborators The Flanagan Collective are based in Yorkshire, and typically create work in non-traditional performances spaces. They are best-known for The Great Gatsby (Theatre Deli, York Theatre Royal), Beulah, BABYLON, Some Small Love Story and the nationwide Little Festival of Everything.

Paul McGann makes his 

UK Theatre Tour debut

in Moira Buffini’s 

GABRIEL 

UK Tour Opens March 2017

Theatre6 is delighted to announce the UK Tour of Gabriel, which opens in London at Richmond Theatre on Tuesday 28 March 2017, with a national press night on Friday 31 March 2017. 

Starring Paul McGann (Withnail and I, Doctor Who and The Monocled Mutineer) and written by Moira Buffini (Handbagged, Wonder.land), this electric drama is directed by award-winning Kate McGregor and produced by Theatre6, co-producers of the award-winning, West End smash hit The Scottsboro Boys.

The story of Gabriel is based in 1943 Nazi-occupied Guernsey. Widow and mother Jeanne does whatever it takes to keep her adolescent daughter Estelle and daughter-in-law Lily safe on an island filled with danger and fear. Her toughest test arrives in the form of the terrifying Commander Von Pfunz, whose romantic advances may be the only way to keep her family alive. But tensions intensify when a mysterious young man is washed ashore with no memory of who he is. Fluent in German and English, is he an RAF pilot, an SS interrogator, a local boy with amnesia or a saviour sent from heaven? The stakes are high and getting it wrong means certain death. 

 

Paul McGann, who established his name in the iconic cult film Withnail and I, returns to the stage for his first UK Tour. As well as numerous TV and film credits, including the TV series Hornblower, Luther and the film Alien3, Paul’s theatre credits include Helen at Shakespeare’s Globe in London, Butley in London’s West End and Mourning Becomes Electraat the National Theatre. Paul will play the role of Von Pfunz.

 

Robin Morrissey will play the title role of Gabriel. His previous theatre credits include The Government Inspector(Birmingham Rep & UK Tour), Sex and the Three Day Week (Liverpool Playhouse), Juno and the Paycock (Bristol Old Vic) and Twelfth Night (Liverpool Everyman). Television credits include Holby City (BBC) and Doctors (BBC).

 

Sarah Schoenbeck will be playing Lily. Sarah’s theatre credits include The Breadwinner and The Man Who Pays the Piper (Orange Tree Theatre) and Sam Wanamaker Festival (Shakespeare’s Globe). Sarah’s television credits include Doctors (BBC) and the regular role of Lizzie Baker in 4 O’Clock Club (CBBC).

 

Venice van Someren will be playing the role of Estelle. Venice recently graduated from drama school. Since graduating, theatre credits include Thérèse Raquin (Southwark Playhouse) and Jodie in Can’t Stand Up for Falling Down (Theatre N16). This is Venice’s debut UK Tour. 

Gabriel is directed by Kate McGregor. Kate is Artistic Director of award-winning Theatre6 and winner of the Noel Coward Trainee Director Bursary at the Salisbury Playhouse. Her credits include Kinetics (UK Tour), Grace: A Youth Musical (New Wimbledon Theatre), Honest (UK Tour) Moments (Chichester Festival Theatre), The Water Engine / Mr Happiness (Old Vic Tunnels, Time Out Award nominated), The Ripple Effect (Richmond Theatre – London 2012 Festival), Never Any Fruit (Pleasance Theatre Studio), The Double (White Bear Theatre).

Forward Theatre Project present: Genesis When science offers you the chance to look into the future of your own health, or your family’s, would you always want to know? WORLD PREMIERE Written by Frazer Flintham | Directed by Charlotte Bennett UK Touring November 2016

Following a two-year research partnership with the UK’s only charity dedicated to the prediction and prevention of breast cancer; Prevent Breast Cancer, Genesis is a brand new play from acclaimed playwright Frazer Flintham. Taking inspiration from interviews with medical professionals as well as patients and their families, the production was initially developed with the late Morag Siller (Coronation Street, Emmerdale, Holby City and Benedict Cumberbatch’s Hamlet). The project continues in her memory after Morag died of breast cancer in April 2016. Coronation Street co-star and breast cancer survivor Sally Dynevor (known to viewers as Sally Metcalfe) succeeds in her role as an advocate of the project.   

 

Flintham explores the complex human dilemmas around preventative medicine through the character of leading geneticist Rachel. Rachel identifies gene mutations that increase the risk of developing breast cancer – allowing action to be taken before the disease has even had chance to develop.  Whether it is surgery or a course of drugs, it is all about prevention. But on discovering that she and her daughter might be carrying a gene mutation themselves, Rachel starts to wonder if predicting illness through science throws up more questions than it can answer.

Sally Dynevor said: “In order to build a breast cancer-free future, prediction and prevention are imperative. This play is about telling the human side of science. It addresses the incredibly difficult emotional journey we embark on when we are told we can potentially avoid rather than survive cancer by being told our predicted risk.”

Running alongside the production, Forward Theatre Project will create a legacy strand including an educational project with young women on body image, a photography exhibition of mastectomy patients, self-esteem workshops for cancer sufferers and a live streaming of the production. This will enable the conversations stimulated by the show to continue long after its tour comes to an end. The production coincides with Manchester being awarded the prestigious European City of Science 2016. Genesis will premiere in Salford, the original inspiration for the fictional town of Weatherfield in which Coronation Street is set.

Director Charlotte Bennett said “At Forward Theatre Project we create theatre which is community-driven, high in ambition, challenging and thought-provoking. Throughout ‘Genesis’, audiences will be invited into the debate about the ethics of preventative measures which are being employed across a range of diseases today.”

 

Nikki Barraclough, executive director at Prevent Breast Cancer, said “To be told you have a high risk of developing breast cancer can be life-changing, but it’s essential that the right support and advice is on hand. The decision to find out your risk is not an easy one to make and this play tackles an important issue, exploring the emotional impact on the person involved and their loved ones. We’re sure it’s a topic that will touch the hearts of anyone who attends and raises many important questions. We’re incredibly proud to be part of this project and are looking forward to seeing it played out on stage.”

Forward Theatre Project was established in 2009 from a meeting between 20 emerging theatre directors, writers and designers and 10 building based Artistic Directors from around the UK. Coming together with a shared desire to advocate for a more national approach to making new work amongst emerging theatre makers and to create theatre rooted in a relationship with its audience from inception through to final production. The collective includes: Alex Summers, Alison Carr, Anna Gooch, Ben Ellis, Ellen Mcdougall, Elly Green, Evan Placey, Fabrice Serafino, Frazer Flintham, Gabriel Bisset-Smith, Gemma Kerr, James Perkins, Jess Wiesner, Lydia Denno, Mika Handley, Nick Payne, Nikki Williams, Signe Beckmann, Tim Price and Titas Halder. The company is a collective of these original artists, led by Artistic Director Charlotte Bennett.

 

@forwardtheatre | @wearepreventBC | #Genesis | www.forwardtheatreproject.co.uk

Running Time: 80 minutes | Suitable for ages 16+

Company Information

Playwright Frazer Flintham               Director Charlotte Bennett

Designer Lydia Denno                                   Producer Corinne Salisbury

Cast: Helen Bradbury, Charlotte Melia and Joanna Nicks

Listings information

11 – 12 Nov                   The Lowry
The Quays, Pier 8, The Quays, Salford M50 3AZ
8pm (2.30pm matinee on 12^th) | £12 (£10 concs)
www.thelowry.com | 0843 208 6000

15 -19 Nov                    Soho Theatre
21 Dean St, London W1D 3NE
7pm (Sat matinee 4pm) | £16 (£14 concs)
www.sohotheatre.com | 020 7478 0100

22 Nov                         Beggar’s Theatre, Cumbria
Market Square, Millom LA18 4HZ
7.30pm | £10 (£7 concs)
www.beggarstheatre.co.uk | 01229 775677

23 Nov                         The Continental, Preston
South Meadow Lane, Preston PR1 8JP
8pm | £8 (£6 concs)
newcontinental.net | 01772 499425

24 Nov                         CAST, Doncaster
Waterdale, Doncaster DN1 3BU
7.45pm |  £10.50 (£9 concs)
castindoncaster.com | 01302 303 959

FULL CASTING ANNOUNCED FOR

C.S. LEWIS

THE SCREWTAPE LETTERS

 

PARK THEATRE’S WICKEDLY WITTY WINTER SEASON FINALE – UNLIKE ANY

OTHER SHOW IN LONDON THIS CHRISTMAS!

 

KAREN ELEANOR WIGHT, THE ORIGINAL ‘TOADPIPE’

TO REUNITE WITH MAX McLEAN AS THE NEW YORK HIT PRODUCTION

HAS ITS LONDON PREMIERE

 

 

The Screwtape Letters, the provocative and wickedly witty theatrical adaptation of the C.S. Lewis novel about spiritual warfare from a demon’s point of view, will play the Christmas season at Park Theatre from 8 December 2016 – 7 January 2017, with a press night on 9 December.

In the European premiere of the smash New York hit, The Screwtape Letters creates a morally inverted universe that reveals unseen spiritual powers and principalities at work in humorous, vivid and surprising ways.

Set in an eerily stylish office in hell, where God is called the “Enemy” and the devil is referred to as “Our Father Below”, the play follows His Abysmal Sublimity Screwtape – Satan’s top psychiatrist due to his profound understanding of human nature – and his slavish creature-demon Toadpipe, as they train an apprentice demon, Wormwood, on how to ruin the life and damn the soul of an unsuspecting human on earth.

Max McLean returns to the role of Screwtape, which he originated and performed to sold-out audiences in New York City and across the U.S. Karen Eleanor Wight, who played alongside McLean in the original New York production, will reunite with him in London as Toadpipe.

“Fellowship for Performing Arts is excited to bring C.S. Lewis’ classic novel ‘home’ in this stage adaptation,” said Max McLean, FPA founder and artistic director. “With Lewis’ wit and insight, The Screwtape Letters has been delighting and challenging readers ever since its publication in early 1942. It’s an honor to bring Screwtape to life on stage in London as it approaches its 75th anniversary.”

“Clever and Satirical . . . the devil has rarely been given his due more perceptively.”

THE NEW YORK TIMES

Karen Eleanor Wight is a NYC-based actress, improviser and movement coach.  Favorite regional roles include:  Olivia (Twelfth Night), Celia (As You Like It), Katherine (Henry V), Bianca (Othello), Gladys (The Pajama Game), Weird Sister/Lady Macbeth (Macbeth). National tour: Tiger Lily/Liza, u/s Peter Pan & Wendy (Peter Pan).  Karen is one-half of the wordless improv duo Imp, performing long-form improv around the U.S.

“One Hell of a Good Show”

THE WALL STREET JOURNAL

Along with The Chronicles of Narnia (including The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe), The Great Divorce andMere Christianity, The Screwtape Letters remains one of Lewis’ most popular and influential works. When first published in 1942 it brought worldwide fame to this little-known Oxford don including the cover of Time Magazine.

The idea for Screwtape came to Lewis after listening to Hitler’s Reichstag Speech on July 19, 1940, while it was simultaneously translated on BBC Radio. Lewis wrote, “I don’t know if I’m weaker than other people, but it is a positive revelation to me how while the speech lasts it is impossible not to waver just a little. . . . Statements which I know to be untrue all but convince me . . . if only the man says them unflinchingly.”

The Screwtape Letters was conceived and adapted for the stage by Max McLean and Jeffrey Fiske. McLean is Founder and Artistic Director of New York City-based Fellowship for Performing Arts. Scenic Design is by Cameron Anderson, Costumes by Michael Bevins, Lighting Design by Jesse Klug and Original Music and Sound Design by John Gromada.

Full casting announced for Lawrence Batley Theatre’s first professional pantomime

The Lawrence Batley Theatre is delighted to announce full casting for Cinderella, the venue’s first professionally staged pantomime since opening its doors in 1994.

The production’s excellent cast will feature Nisa Cole in the title role of Cinderella. Nisa is currently appearing as Penelope Betteredge in BBC One’s new daytime drama The Moonstone. Her other credits include appearing as Amy Porter in the hit BBC series Waterloo Road and in the National Theatre’s touring production of War Horse.

 

Joining Nisa will be Adam Barlow (The Merry Wives, Northern Broadsides) as Prince Charming, Natasha Magigi (Comus – A Masque in Honour of Chastity, Sam Wanamaker Playhouse, Twelfth Night, Shakespeare’s Globe and A Streetcar Named Desire, Leicester Curve) as the Fairy and Baroness, Gareth Cassidy (The TMA award winning The Hobbit, The Dukes Lancaster) as Buttons, Stephanie Hackett (Pure, Mikron Theatre) as Dandini and as the ugly sisters Michael Hugo (The Winter’s Tale, Northern Broadsides) and Richard Hand(Much Ado About Nothing, Vienna’s English Theatre).

Cinderella will be directed by Joyce Branagh, who has previously directed pantomimes at Watford Palace Theatre and Salisbury Playhouse, as well productions at the Orange Tree Theatre, Bristol Old Vic and Battersea Arts Centre.

 

The pantomime is adapted for the stage by playwright and actor Andrew Pollard, who regularly writes, directs and appears as the Dame in Greenwich Theatre’s Christmas pantomime. He has previously worked with Northern Broadsides, New Vic Theatre and in 2007 appeared regularly as John Bune in Emmerdale.

Cinderella is at the Lawrence Batley Theatre from 9-31 December

Tickets are now available from the Lawrence Batley Theatre box office on 01484 430528 or online at www.thelbt.org.