James Seabright presents the King’s Head Theatre and In Your Face production of

TRAINSPOTTING

Based on the novel by Irvine Welsh, adapted by Harry Gibson

Directed by Adam Spreadbury-Maher and Greg Esplin

3rd November – 15th January 2017

The Vaults, Launcelot Street, London SE1 7AD

To celebrate the 20^th anniversary of the release of Irvine Welsh and Danny Boyle’s iconic, generation defining film Trainspotting, and ahead of the 2017 release of its sequel, a no-holds-barred immersive theatrical adaptation opens at The Vaults in Waterloo on 8^th November (previews from 3^rd November). To further mark the anniversary, twenty tickets at £20 will be available for every performance.

This strictly limited eleven-week transfer follows two sell-out seasons at the King’s Head Theatre for the production, which is directed by the venue’s artistic director Adam Spreadbury-Maher in collaboration with Greg Esplin. Against a dynamic soundscape of 80s dance music, the stories of a group of friends living through the Edinburgh heroin scene – Renton, Tommy, Sick Boy, Begbie and Alison – are brought to life with humour, poetry and provocatively graphic scenes across 75 intense, immersive minutes.

“I was shocked.. and I wrote the f*cking thing” – Irvine Welsh

A special performance space is being created within The Vaults’ Smiths Arch for the production, with a capacity of just 200 split between immersive general admission where audience members will be seated all around the space amidst the action, and a limited number of traditional theatre seats.  This transfer marks the first collaboration between the King’s Head Theatre and Seabright Productions, the Olivier Award winning commercial producers behind shows such as Showstopper! The Improvised Musical and Potted Potter.

“Choose us. Choose life. Choose mortgage payments; choose washing machines; choose cars; choose sitting on the couch watching mind-numbing and spirit-crushing game shows, stuffing f*ckin junk food

intae yir mooth. Choose rotting away, pishing and shiteing yerself in a home, a total f*ckin embarrassment tae the selfish, f*cked-up brats ye’ve produced. Choose life.”

The cast are Rachael Anderson (June), Chris Dennis (Begbie), Calum Barbour (Mother Superior), Greg Esplin (Tommy), Michael Lockerbie (Sickboy), Erin Marshall (Alison) and Gavin Ross (Renton).

Listings Information:

Venue              The Vaults, Launcelot Street, London SE1 7AD

Dates:             3rd November 2016 – 15th January 2017 (Tue to Sun, no performances 24-26 Dec / 31 Dec)

Ticket Prices:   £20 – £35

Box Office:       www.TrainspottingLive.com / 020 7183 5942

Running time: 75 minutes – no interval

Warnings:        Contains nudity, very strong language, heavy drug/needle use.

Age guidance:  16+

Riot Act in collaboration with Theatre N16 presents:

WHAT’S ON AT LEEDS GRAND THEATRE

leedsgrandtheatre.com / 0844 848 2700

Twitter: @grandtheatrels1

***BRIAN MAY & KERRY ELLIS***CHICAGO***THE FULL MONTY***ELAINE PAIGE***

ROCKY HORROR SHOW***MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET***GHOST***THE COMMITMENTS***

***SIXTIES GOLD***JANE MCDONALD

Park Theatre 14 July – 6 August.  Reviewed by Claire Roderick

Newly engaged Guy sets off on a trip across the US to revisit ex-girlfriends he feels “responsible” for. As any sane man would.

Makes you squirm just thinking about it, and Neil LaBute’s brilliantly observed script continuously ratchets up the squirm intensity to wonderful comic effect. The pauses and looks from the impressive cast are played to perfection. The women on Guy’s list are a varied bunch – high school sweetheart, wild sexual adventuress, older married woman and college sweetheart. Each meeting takes place in a hotel room in a different city – signalled by travelogue projections and stagehands dressed as maids “servicing” the room, changing furniture configurations and artwork with dance like efficiency. In a lovely touch by designer PJ McEvoy, which didn’t hit me until the final scene, the décor matches the women’s costumes.

The awkwardness of each encounter is played beautifully by the entire cast. As Sam, Elly Condron is full of hysterical, twitchy, underlying resentment that comes rushing out when Guy gives his reasons for leaving her; Roxanne Pallett makes the most of the showiest role as Tyler, but reigns it in to shine in the quieter, confessional moments of the encounter. Carolyn Backhouse is almost regal as Lindsay, the woman Guy abandoned when their affair was discovered. Their scene plays out almost as a trial, with prosecution wiping the floor with his defence and sentencing him to very sweet justice. Carley Stenson’s Bobbi is the woman that may be the love of Guy’s life. Stenson allows the fluctuating emotions and frustration to flicker subtly, making her outbursts more powerful and moving as she is the only woman who manages to see the real Guy.

Charles Dorfman as Guy is simply wonderful. He manages to make the character likeable, even when the audience is gasping at the sheer idiocy and selfishness of his words. His reactions as he carries out Lindsay’s “punishment” are fantastic – like a 12-year-old being made to clean his room. As Guy is reeling off psychobabble explanations straight from Dr Phil, but full of self-regard, Dorfman makes it clear that Guy is acting a role. His motivation remains unclear until the (shocking) end of the play – penitence, sadism, masochism? When all is revealed, there is a moment of hope, but will Guy return to type – full of empty promises for a wonderful future that he will never deliver?

Director Gary Condes continues his fine work with Buckland Theatre Company with this polished and provocative production. LaBute’s play produces gasps and laughs in equal measure, exploring the darker side of relationships with a deft hand. If you only see one play this month – make it Some Girl(s).

CAST ANNOUNCED FOR

The 25th Anniversary of

CHILDREN OF EDEN

Music and Lyrics by Stephen Schwartz

Book by John Caird

At the Union Theatre

From Wednesday 10th August to Saturday 10th September 2016

Full casting is announced today for Children of Eden, which returns to London 25 years after its original West End production, playing at the Union Theatre from Wednesday 10 August, with a press night on Friday 12 August 2016.

The cast features Natasha O’Brien (A Christmas Carol, Rose Theatre) as Eve / Mama, Stephen Barry(The Beautiful Game, Union Theatre) as Adam / Noah, Joey Dexter (This was the World and I Was King, Brockley Jack Theatre) as Father, Samantha Giffard (Little Shop of Horrors, Aberystwyth Arts Centre) as Aysha, Guy Woolf (The Tempest, Waterloo East) as Cain / Japeth, Nikita Johal (Princess Caraboo, Finborough Theatre) as Yonah, Susie Chaytow (She Loves Me, Landor Theatre) as Aphra,Daniel Miles (Grease, Silja Line Cruises) as Abel / Ham, Kris Marc-Joseph (See Rock City and Other Destinations, Union Theatre) as Seth/ Shem, Verity Burgess (Evita, West End) as Storyteller andGabriel Mokake (Dreamgirls, West End) as Snake.

Inspired by the Book of Genesis, Children of Eden tells the timeless story of what it means to be a parent. From the moment you bring a child into the world everything changes; you learn to protect, cherish, and love unconditionally. But as they grow you have to learn one more thing; to one day let them go. Featuring one of the most beautiful scores in contemporary musical theatre from the composer of Godspell, Pippin and Wicked, Children of Eden is a heartfelt and humorous musical about the unique family bond.

Children of Eden has Music and Lyrics by acclaimed composer Stephen Schwartz, who is perhaps best known for his mega-hit musical Wicked which continues to play on Broadway and in the West End. A big screen adaptation of Wicked is also in development. Stephen has contributed lyrics to films includingPocahontas, The Hunchback of Notre and Enchanted, and his other stage musicals include Godspell andPippin. Schwartz was recently given a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame and inducted into the Theatre Hall of Fame.

Children of Eden has a Book by John Caird, who with Trevor Nunn adapted and directed Les Misérables. His recent directorial credits include McQueen at the Haymarket Theatre, Tosca in Chicago and Houston, La Boheme in San Francisco and his own musical Daddy Long Legs off-Broadway. His work for the RSC included over 20 productions of classic and new plays including a co-production with Trevor Nunn of Nicholas Nickleby for which he received a Tony and Olivier Award.

Children of Eden is directed by Christian Durham, whose productions include Spend Spend Spend(Union Theatre), Just So (Bridewell Theatre), Debbie Does Dallas (Edinburgh Festival, E4 Udderbelly) and Taboo (UK Tour, Best Musical – MEN Awards). It is choreographed by Lucie Pankhurst whose recent work includes The Stripper (St James Theatre), The Toxic Avenger (Southwark Playhouse), The Busker’s Opera (Park Theatre), Shock Treatment (Kings Head Theatre) and Dogfight (Southwark Playhouse). Design is by Kingsley Hall (Once Upon A Mattress, Patience, The Baker’s Wife – Union Theatre), Lighting Design by Nic Farman (The Stripper – St James Theatre, The Toxic Avenger -Southwark Playhouse) and Musical Direction by Inga Davis-Rutter (Spend, Spend, Spend and Love Story – Union Theatre).

Children of Eden has Music and Lyrics by Stephen Schwartz and Book by John Caird, based on a concept by Charles Lisanby. It is produced by Union Productions and performed by arrangement with Music Theatre International (Europe) Limited.

www: www.uniontheatre.biz

Twitter: @TheUnionTheatre

Facebook: /TheUnionTheatre

DREAMGIRLS
Savoy Theatre, London
Performances from 19 November
Dreamgirlswestend.com

• Amber Riley performs ‘I Am Changing’ as she prepares to star in Dreamgirls at the Savoy Theatre from this Autumn.

• Director and Choreographer Casey Nicholaw meets Amber Riley and discusses the role of soulful singer, Effie White

An exclusive new video has been released in advance of the long-awaited UK premiere ofDreamgirls which will have preview performances at the Savoy Theatre from 19 November and Opening Night on Wednesday 14 December 2016.

American actress and singer Amber Riley is joined in the video feature by Dreamgirls Director and Choreographer Casey Nicholaw, as they discuss the joys and challenges of performing the role of ‘Effie White’ before Ms Riley sings ‘I Am Changing’ from the musical’s iconic score.

Ms Riley will be joined in Dreamgirls at the Savoy Theatre by Ibinabo Jack as Lorrell Robinson and Liisi LaFontaine as Deena Jones, making up the soulful singing trio ‘The Dreams’. Nicholas Bailey will play Marty, Adam J. Bernard will play Jimmy Early, Tyrone Huntley will play C.C. White and Joe Aaron Reid will play Curtis Taylor Jr, with Ruth Brown and Karen Mavalternating the role of Effie White at performances when Amber Riley is not scheduled to perform.

The cast of Dreamgirls will also include Jocasta Almgill, Callum Aylott, Hugo Batista, Samara Casteallo, Chloe Chambers, Carly Mercedes Dyer, Joelle Dyson, Kimmy Edwards, Candace Furbert, Nathan Graham, Ashley Luke Lloyd, Gabriel Mokake, Abiola Ogunbiyi, Sean Parkins, Kirk Patterson, Ryan Reid, Rohan Richards, Noel Samuels, Durone Stokes and Tosh Wanogho-Maud.

Full information on performance schedules and further casting will be updated on the official website Dreamgirlswestend.com

Dreamgirls will be Directed and Choreographed by Olivier and Tony Award®-winning Casey Nicholaw (The Book of Mormon, Disney’s Aladdin and Something Rotten!), with Set Design byTim Hatley, Costume Design by Gregg Barnes, Lighting Design by Hugh Vanstone, Sound Design by Richard Brooker and Hair Design by Josh Marquette. The Musical Supervisor will be Nick Finlow, the Orchestrator will be Harold Wheeler, with Additional Material by Willie Reale.

Dreamgirls transports you to a revolutionary time in American music history. Dreamgirls charts the tumultuous journey of a young female singing trio from Chicago, Illinois called ‘The Dreams’, as they learn the hard lesson that show business is as tough as it is fabulous, and features the classic songs ‘And I Am Telling You I’m Not Going’, ‘I Am Changing’, ‘Listen’ and ‘One Night Only’ .

With Book and Lyrics by Tom Eyen and Music by Henry Krieger, the original Broadway production of Dreamgirls, Directed and Choreographed by Michael Bennett opened in 1981 and subsequently won six Tony Awards®. The original cast recording won two Grammy awards for Best Musical Album and Best Vocal Performance for Jennifer Holliday’s ‘And I Am Telling You I’m Not Going.’ In 2006 it was adapted into an Oscar winning motion picture starring Beyoncé Knowles, Jennifer Hudson, Eddie Murphy and Jamie Foxx.

Amber Riley and Liisi LaFontaine are appearing with the support of UK Equity, incorporating the Variety Artistes’ Federation, pursuant to an exchange program between American Equity and UK Equity.

ALL NEW DIRTY DANCING REHEARSAL SHOTS – SEXIER THAN EVER –

AHEAD OF THE NEW TOUR STARTING IN BLACKPOOL ON 11 AUGUST

Producers Karl Sydow and Paul Elliott are delighted to announce that due to overwhelming demand for tickets around the country, even more dates have now been added to the UK and Ireland tour of the brand new production of Dirty Dancing – The Classic Story On Stage. Many performances have already sold out, and since originally going on sale in October 2015, over 150,000 tickets have been snapped up, with over £5million taken.

The classic story of Baby and Johnny, featuring the hit songs ‘Hungry Eyes’, ‘Hey! Baby’, ‘Do You Love Me?’ and the heart stopping ‘(I’ve Had) The Time Of My Life’, returns to the UK this summer, following two blockbuster West End runs, two hit UK tours, and various sensational international productions.

Lewis Griffiths will star as ‘Johnny Castle’, one of the most iconic roles in popular culture. Lewis has had a prolific career in musical theatre, most recently starring as ‘Nick Massi’ on the UK tour of Jersey Boys. Other roles in UK tours include Ghostand Legally Blonde, and West End credits include Priscilla Queen of the Desert, Rent and Whistle Down the Wind.

Katie Hartland will make her professional musical theatre debut carrying the watermelons as she takes on the role of ‘Baby Houseman’, having graduated from the Royal Central School of Speech and Drama in 2015.

Carlie Milner will star as ‘Penny Johnson’. Carlie is part of the Dirty Dancing family; starting as a member of the ensemble in 2014, she covered and subsequently took over the role of ‘Penny’ in 2015.

Joining Lewis, Katie and Carlie will be Julian Harries as ‘Jake Houseman’, Simone Craddock as ‘Marjorie Houseman’, Roger Martin ‘as Max Kellerman’, Jo Servi as ‘Tito Suarez’, Lizzie Ottley as ‘Lisa Houseman’, Michael Kent as ‘Billy Kostecki’, Greg Fossard as ‘Neil Kellerman’, Tony Stansfield as ‘Mr Schumacher’, and Daniela Pobega as ‘Elizabeth’, and Camilla Rowland as ‘Vivian’. Also joining the company are Gabby Antrobus, Imogen Brooke, Simon Campbell, Robert Colvin, Katie Eccles, Beth Highsted, Samuel John Humphreys, Megan Louch, Ashley Rumble, Callum Sterling, Austin Wilks and Karl James Wilson.

Full of passion and romance, heart-pounding music and sensationally sexy dancing, the record-breaking show has been reconceived in an all new production created by an innovative new creative team; directed by Federico Bellone, choreographed by Gillian Bruce and with design re-imagined by top Italian set designer Roberto Comotti. The production premiered in Milan in July 2015, subsequently packing out the 15,000 seat Roman Arena in Verona, and then played a season in Rome.

www.dirtydancingontour.com