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Rotterdam by Jon Brittain

Arts Theatre, 6-7 Great Newport Street, London WC2H 7JB

Wednesday 21st June – Saturday 15th July 2017

After its triumphant win at the 2017 Olivier Awards for Outstanding Achievement in an Affiliate Theatre, Donnacadh O’Briain’s critically acclaimed production of Rotterdam by Jon Brittain will be returning to London following a highly successful run at Trafalgar Studios and at 59E59 Theater’s Brits Off Broadway in New York.

Anna Martine Freeman (The Nether), Alice McCarthy (Boris: World King), Ed Eales-White (Strap In – It’s Clever Peter) and Ellie Morris (Peter Pan Goes Wrong) reprise their roles in this poignant and highly comic production.

Alice wants to come out as a lesbian. Her girlfriend Fiona wants to start living as a man. It’s New Year in Rotterdam, and Alice has finally plucked up the courage to email her parents and tell them she’s gay. But before she can hit send, Fiona reveals that he has always identified as male and now wants to start living as a man named Adrian. Now, as Adrian confronts the reality of his transition, Alice faces a question she never thought she’d ask… does this mean she’s straight?

Rotterdam is a bittersweet comedy about gender, sexuality and being a long way from home by acclaimed writer Jon Brittain, co-creator of Margaret Thatcher Queen of Soho, and writer of What Would Spock Do? and A Super Happy Story (About Feeling Super Sad).

Director Donnacadh O’Briain comments, Rotterdam made me laugh-out-loud and well up with tears from the first time I picked it out of a pile of scripts, and it continues to do that every time I see it. It’s an honour and a joy to share that with the theatre capital of the world.

Jon Brittain was inspired to write Rotterdam after a couple of his friends transitioned in the late 2000s. He became aware of the absence of transgender stories in pop culture and wanted to address this on the stage. Through writing this show, he researched and consulted widely including talking to trans people and their partners, conducting a reading for members of the trans communities and discussing the show with various organisations, including Trans Media Watch who then endorsed Rotterdam, and the charity Gendered Intelligence, who the company dedicated their Olivier award to.

Brittain has written four wonderful characters, the central couple giving McCarthy and Martine the chance to put in two powerful performances. (Time Out).

While the themes are gay and transgender – and quite cutting edge, as the subject is relatively rare in theatre – it is a piece that is universally human. (The Upcoming)

Brittain handles complex issues with great honesty and thoughtfulness, but also with a refreshing amount of wit. (Evening Standard)

BRAND NEW MUSICAL HEAVEN ON EARTH ANNOUNCES UK ARENA TOUR 2017 – 2018

STARRING KERRY ELLIS, HUGH MAYNARD

FEATURING THE VOICE OF RUSSELL WATSON

Newcastle Theatre Royal – until 29 April 2017.  Reviewed by Daniel Harrison

Thirty years on from its original 1987 premiere at the Stephen Joseph Theatre, Scarborough, Stephen Mallatratt’s ingenious stage adaptation of Susan Hill’s chilling gothic novella remains one of the great theatre experiences around, enthralling continuously with its signature blend of intense atmosphere, innovative stagecraft and impeccably composed moments of horror.

The Woman In Black takes Susan Hill’s novel and transforms it to backstage at a theatre a barely audible Arthur Kipps (David Acton) trying – and failing – to lay the ghost to rest by putting his horrifying decades-old story into words for a play.  Kipps says he has been haunted by a ghostly woman dressed in black ever since an ill-fated business trip years ago to the desolate North East of England. Kipps, a Junior solicitor summoned to the small market town of Crythin Gifford to handle the estate of the late Mrs Alice Drablow, the sole inhabitant of the desolate and foreboding Eel Marsh House, all the while haunted by an ominous woman in black, who stalks the town and its residents with a sinister purpose in mind.  He enlists a young actor to help him make a presentation, hoping that in the telling his demons will be dispelled and a horrible weight lifted from his soul.  The actor (Matthew Spencer), who portrays a young Kipps living the nightmare as a fresh-faced, loved-up and and optimistic London solicitor, skips down the aisle injecting energy into the production.  Done with such gusto, the audience are made to jump, a taste of what is to come.

The demanding two-hander is expertly rendered courtesy of Spencer and Acton, who give exceptional performances as The Actor and Kipps.  Acton using his impressive dexterity to portray the diverse cast of characters conjured in the tale and his diversity to switch character to character as well as his ability to still have amazing comic timing was shown impressively.  While Spencer immerses himself brilliant in the role of young Kipps.  He had the whole audience sitting on the end of each syllable while he would lead everyone through the story with great suspense

By Act Two, both actors are in their element, taking turns at narrating and bringing to life Eel Marsh House and the ghostly going on that occur there. Through simple staging, some clever lighting and some faintly gauzed scenes, the ghostly spectre of Alice Drablow is summoned and makes her appearance bringing forth screams and shrieks from the audience who have already succumbed to the wondrous story-telling. A door, superb sound & lighting effects, a nursery, a bed, some stairs and the atmospheric marshes that surround the haunted mansion then take centre stage as Spencer bravely stays the night, much to the discomfort of the audience.

It is obvious that I cannot give much more away but what it is clear in this production is that it teaches us that the use of imagination in the theatre is key. As an audience we are transported into this story through the very fundamentals of theatrical storytelling – recorded sound, lighting, a gauze, smoke and expertly timed moments combine to make the audience gasp, jump and scream in terror (and delight) throughout the evening. The tension through the silence at times this evening was deafening as this busy theatre collectively sat on the edge of their seats.  Proving tonight was all you need is great actors, some simple stage effects and a compelling story to have your audience gripped; and that we were.

Although famous as a ghost story, The Woman In Black as much of an exploration of grief. We may not relate to ghouls and mysterious bumps in the night but we all understand loss, dread. “There is nothing here to frighten or harm me, only emptiness,” says young Kipps upon entering the dreaded Eel Marsh House. By the end of the play it’s clear that there’s plenty to fear in emptiness.

Having run now for nearly thirty years, and with a successful film version starring Daniel Radcliffe released in recent times, there is an entirely new audience experiencing The Woman In Black on stage. On the night we attended the audience ranged from thirteen to eighty years of age, each responding with glee as the tale unfolded and the scares started.

The show was a true reflection on why theatre still remains genius. The ability to affect a whole audience with just the change of a light and sound effect had the entire room on the end of their seat.  It’s great to see a new audience finding this play. It’s well-worth a visit but don’t go alone!

Immersion Theatre Company and Damien Tracey Productions present
DEENA PAYNE STEPS IN FOR

LINDA NOLAN IN OUR HOUSE

Featuring Madness hits like It Must Be Love, House of Fun and Baggy Trousers

From 10^th August – 25^th November 2017

 

Actress and singer Deena Payne is to join the UK Tour of OUR HOUSE, following the unfortunate withdrawal of Linda Nolan. Having previously been announced in the role of Kath Casey in the Olivier Award-winning Madness musical, Linda Nolan has withdrawn from the tour following her recent cancer diagnosis. Deena Payne, best known for her role as Viv Hope in ITV’s Emmerdale, will take up the role of Kath Casey along with newly announced cast members Jason Kadji (Joe Casey) and Sophie Matthew (Sarah).

On the night of his 16^th birthday, Joe Casey takes the girl of his dreams, Sarah, out on their first date. In an effort to impress her with bravado, Joe breaks into a building site overlooking his home on Casey Street. When the police turn up, a split-second decision forces him to choose between himself and his heart as the story splits in two: one which sees Joe stay to face the music, and the other which sees him flee and leave Sarah to run from the police. As two very different paths unfold before him, the consequences of that choice will change his life forever.

Deena Payne is perhaps best known for her portrayal of Viv Windsor in ITV’s Emmerdale, a role which she played for eighteen years. Having begun her career as a dancer on stage and TV, she went on to work extensively in musical theatre: Cabaret, Only in America (the Roundhouse Chalkfarm), Who’s a Lucky Boy (Manchester Exchange), One Careful Owner, (tour) and the original West End production of They’re Playing Our Song (Shaftesbury Theatre). Following her departure from Emmerdale in 2011, Deena went on to play three tours of Tim Firth’s critically acclaimed stage adaptation of Calendar Girls.

Deena said: “My thoughts are with Linda, and we all send her lots of love at this very unsettling time. Though I know she’d want the madness to continue, and I’m thrilled to take on the challenge. Great songs, brilliant story – a real fun-loving musical!”

Taking a starring role as Joe Casey, Jason Kajdi is currently appearing as Ernest (and first cover for Bert) in the international stage tour of Mary Poppins. His other theatre credits include West Side Story (Kilworth House), 27: The Rise of a Falling Star (The Cockpit) and the European premiere production of Lin-Manuel Miranda’s 21 Chump St. (From Page to Stage 2016).

Sophie Matthew makes her professional stage debut in the role of Sarah, having previously starred as Ginny in Channel 4’s critically acclaimed drama series Humans. Her theatre credits include Fast Film Noir (TheSpace, Edinburgh Festivals) and Magic of the Musicals (Royal Albert Hall, 2016 & 2017).

OUR HOUSE was first staged at the Cambridge Theatre in London’s West End from October 2002 to August 2003 and won the 2003 Laurence Olivier Award for Best New Musical. This tour will be directed by Immersion Theatre’s James Tobias and choreographed by the resident choreographer of Matilda The Musical, Fabian Aloise.

DAVID WALLIAMS’ GANGSTA GRANNY AT LEEDS GRAND THEATRE

 

Watch out! The cabbage-crunching, criminal master-mind, GANGSTA GRANNY is coming to Leeds

 

It’s Friday night and Ben knows that means only one thing – staying with Granny. There will be cabbage soup, cabbage pie and cabbage cake; it’s going to be so boring! But what Ben doesn’t know is that Granny has a secret and Friday nights are about to get more exciting than he could ever imagine, as he embarks on the adventure of a lifetime with his very own Gangsta Granny.

 

Gangsta Granny is based on the book of the same name written by comedian and Britain’s Got Talent judge David Walliams who said of the production: “What a fantastic show! Superb! And so much better than the book!”

Gangsta Granny is a family show suitable for those aged 5 to 105. It’s laugh out loud funny whilst being very moving and takes an honest look at family relationships.

Gangsta Granny is at Leeds Grand Theatre from Wednesday 3^rd to Sunday 7^th May

 

Tickets are priced from £21 to £25

 

Book online at leedsgrandtheatre.com or call Box Office on 0844 848 2700

JEREMY IRONS TO NARRATE

UK PREMIERE OF

VOICES OF THE AMAZON

A NEW DANCE MUSICAL

AT SADLER’S WELLS THEATRE

FULL CAST ANNOUNCED

Sisters Grimm are delighted that Oscar, Emmy, Golden Globe and Tony Award-winning Jeremy Irons has agreed to narrate their new show, VOICES OF THE AMAZON, a passionate dance musical from the heart of Brazil. VOICES OF THE AMAZON, which is receiving its UK premiere at Sadler’s Wells from 4 to 8 July, is directed by Pietra Mello-Pittman, choreographed by Helen Pickett and composed by Ella Spira in collaboration with Brazilian songwriters Danny Nascimento, Dito Martins and Julien Davis and world‐renowned percussionists Olodum.

 

Jeremy Irons many roles in film, television and theatre include Brideshead Revisited (Golden Globe nominated), The French Lieutenant’s Woman (BAFTA nominated), Elizabeth 1 (Golden Globe and Emmy Award winner), The Mission, Reversal of Fortune (Academy Award winner) and The Real Thing on Broadway (Tony Award winner).  In October 2011, he was nominated Goodwill Ambassador of the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations.  He supports a number of charities, including the Prison Phoenix Trust in England, and the London-based Evidence for Development which seeks to improve the lives of the world’s most needy people by preventing famines and delivering food aid, for both of which he is an active patron.

 

Jeremy Irons said of his involvement in VOICES OF THE AMAZON “I was very much impressed by both Pietra and Ella in the way they approached me and intrigued by the multi-media approach to the world wide problem of deforestation and attacks upon indigenous populations. Something about their spirit came through their proposal and now having worked with them I know it will imbue the final production which I look forward to seeing.”

 

The international cast of VOICES OF THE AMAZON stars British-born Rachel Maybank (McQueen at Theatre Royal Haymarket, Manon, Adriana Lecouvreur and Athis at the Royal Opera House) as Beleza, and features Brazilian dancers and singers Charles Damasio, Hicaro Nicolai, Fernanda Muniz, Kauê Ribeiro and Leilani Telles, who make their professional UK debuts in VOICES OF THE AMAZON. Completing the cast are Michelle Buckley, Liam Burke and Kay Elizabeth from the United States, and Stefanos Dimoulas from Greece, as well as musicians Rob Barron – (Musical Director, Piano & Synths), Adam Kovacs (Percussion 1), Matthew West (Percussion 2), Tina Jacobs (Viola) and Lucy Skinner (Cello).

 

VOICES OF THE AMAZON will open at Sadler’s Wells on 4 July 2017 following an appearance at the Chekhov International Theatre Jubilee Festival in Moscow from 14-16 June. The show will then travel to Singapore to perform at Grand Theatre, Marina Bay Sands from 28-30 July. The show has recently been announced as part of the line-up for Latitude festival 2017.

 

Set amidst the Brazilian rainforest, VOICES OF THE AMAZON follows the story of Beleza; a water spirit from the Amazon, whose search to cure her dying sister takes her on a life-changing journey deep into the rainforest.

 

VOICES OF THE AMAZON features a sensational musical score, containing sounds recorded from the Amazon Rainforest, with music and songs performed in English and Portuguese. Combined with Helen Pickett’s fusion of ballet, contemporary and capoeira, the show aims to highlight the damaging effects of deforestation, the loss of natural medicines and plants, and promises an exhilarating live experience, embracing the true spirit of Brazil.

 

VOICES OF THE AMAZON has lighting design by Ben Cracknell, stage and costume design by Temple Clark and sound design Adrian Rhodes. WWF, EDEN and Alexander Van Tulleken (CBBC’s Operation Ouch, Channel 4’s How to Lose Weight Well) will provide scientific consultation.

 

VOICES OF THE AMAZON is produced by Sisters Grimm, the creators of the Grammy® Award-nominated show INALA.

 

Website: voicesoftheamazon.co.uk

Facebook:  www.facebook.com/sistersgrimmltd

Twitter: @amazon_voices

Instagram: @voicesoftheamazon

 

Running time: 100 mins (including interval)

UK LISTINGS INFORMATION

4 – 8 July 2017

 

Sadler’s Wells

Rosebery Ave,

London EC1R 4TN

 

Performances: Tuesday – Saturday at 7.30pm and Saturday at 2.30pm

 

Tickets: £12 – £38

Box Office:  020 7863 8000

Website: www.sadlerswells.com/whats-on/2017/sisters-grimm-voices-of-the-amazon

PANTO PIONEER MICHAEL HARRISON TO BE AWARDED FREEDOM OF NEWCASTLE

 

Leading West End producer Michael Harrison is to be awarded Honorary Freedom of the City of Newcastle upon Tyne in recognition of his services to Newcastle Theatre Royal and its record-breaking pantomime.

 

Michael, a pre-eminent West End theatre producer behind several major global successes including The Bodyguard, travels back to his home town of Newcastle every year to produce the Theatre Royal’s legendary annual panto and has opened several major touring shows at the venue, including Chess and Annie.

 

The title of ‘Honorary Freeman’ is purely honorary (and does not confer the privileges of Hereditary Freemen) but still represents the highest honour the Council can bestow.  Following a formal installation ceremony on 3 May, Michael’s name will be engraved on the Banqueting Hall wall at the Civic Centre alongside the names of other esteemed recipients of the honour since 1886.

 

Michael said: “To be made a Freeman of my home city is a great honour to me – no matter where I travel Newcastle will always have a great place in my heart, and will always be ‘home’.  I have had a relationship with the Theatre Royal since being a boy and it is a very special Theatre and a particular highlight on the touring and producing calendar.”

 

Philip Bernays, chief executive of Newcastle Theatre Royal, who nominated Michael for the honour with Theatre Royal Trust Chairman Bill Midgley (OBE), said: “We are very proud of Michael in so many ways.  He’s a leading light in his field and an inspiration to so many.  His pantomimes are frankly the best in the world, and it is a great honour to have him at the helm of ours.  This new accolade is well deserved.”

 

Four Honorary Freedom awards will be conferred in total this year, the other recipients being The Little Sisters of the Poor, Freddy Shepherd and Bruce Shepherd OBE.  The ceremony will be held in the Council Chambers at the Civic Centre and recipients will be invited to process with the Lord Mayor’s party before signing the Register of Honorary Freemen.

 

In his role as Managing Director of Qdos Pantomimes Michael has produced over 100 pantomimes for the company and will oversee a staggering 35 pantos this Christmas, three of which he will personally direct (including Newcastle Theatre Royal’s record breaking Peter Pan). But before then he will be bringing massive West End hits Funny Girl (starring Sheridan Smith, 16-20 May), Sunset Boulevard (9-14 October) and Beautiful (The Carol King musical, 14-18 Nov) to the Theatre Royal.  In August he will also be premiering his latest show here, a comedy musical collaboration with Mel Brooks – Young Frankenstein (26 Aug – 9 Sep) immediately prior to a West End run.

 

This year’s high-flying Theatre Royal panto Peter Pan (28 Nov ‘17 – 21 Jan ‘18) will be the thirteenth consecutive pantomime Michael has created for Newcastle Theatre Royal, and has already sold a record 60,000 tickets.  Of the twelve pantos he has created for the Theatre starring now local legends Danny Adams and Clive Webb, last year’s Cinderella hit the millionth ticket mark.
Peter Pan – The High Flying Pantomime Adventure appears at Newcastle Theatre Royal from Tuesday 28 November 2017 – Sunday 21 January 2018 (Evenings: 7pm and 5pm, Matinees: 2pm and 1pm). Tickets are from £13.00 and can be purchased from the Theatre Royal Box Office on 08448 11 21 21 or select your own seat and book online at www.theatreroyal.co.uk For information on the other shows Michael is bringing to the Theatre Royal please also visit the Theatre’s website.

Leeds Grand Theatre – until 29 April 2017.

After 10 years of The Agatha Christie Theatre Company, Bill Kenwright presents The Classic Theatre Company – A Judgement in Stone, an adaptation of a Ruth Rendell thriller story from 1977.  

The curtain rises on Act 1 and Eunice (Sophie Ward) is perched upon the sofa in a grand country house reception room, emanating a mixture of humility, constrained confusion and duty. The doorbell rings and after an initial hesitation, she permits two police detectives entry (Andrew Lancel and Ben Nealon) Determined to solve the murder of the Cloverdale’s and their children, (Mark Wynter, Rosie Thomson, Joshua Price and Jennifer Sims) the pair re-examine the evidence, hunt for further clues and attempt to clarify the timeline of events with a reticent Eunice, Roger Meadows (Antony Costa) the ex con gardener who’s charmed the family and usurped cleaning lady Eva Baalham (Shirley Anne Field).

The ensemble cast are all excellent. Sophie Ward is exceptional as Eunice Parchman, capturing her reserved nature and quiet stillness beautifully. When she says she was sacked for insolence you really find this hard to believe, and so you are drawn into her story.

But the stand out performance is from Deborah Grant, as the local postmistress and religious zealot Joan Smith. Her performance, as she quotes fire and brimstone and promises eternal damnation for the Coverdale family, is extraordinary. At times horrifying and violent, she is also at the heart of one of the funniest scenes in the whole play, as Eunice and Joan turn happy clappy singing their religious songs as the bang on a sweet tin. The joy on Eunice’s face is wonderful and this is really beautiful scene of a shy, simple woman and her one friend.

Red herrings abound, everyone has a possible motive it seems. Secrets and blackmail, unrequited love and worrying hearsay keep the everyone guessing this was a very interesting way to set up the events of both the past and present, causing the detectives to relate facts through their dialogue rather than showing this information to the audience.

The focus of the story being the psychological reasons for the crime, rather than simply who committed it.  This did allow the production to contain the story within one set, which did not change throughout the production. I must say that this set was gorgeous as it depicted the lovely home of the Coverdale family. The different exits and entrances allowed for smooth transitions between the past and present as characters could come and go in a way which did not impact on the delivery of the story

However, as beautiful as this set is, I feel that it is really brought to life through the lighting. Malcolm Rippeth truly worked some magic into this production as the lighting changed not only to depict day and night within the past, but also to depict the house in the past as warm and lively to contrast with the gray lighting depicting the present house as cold after the murder of the Coverdale family. There was also a fantastic use of lighting as Eunice Parchman remained in a spotlight as the entire set went black around her which revealed her secret to the audience. This was also echoed in the final scene of the play which I feel truly set this secret in stone.  

As a study in how the smallest of things can lead to the most horrific of consequences, A Judgement in Stone is a thought provoking piece with excellent performances.

JOE McELDERRY COMES HOME FOR CHRISTMAS

IN A STRICTLY LIMITED RUN OF THE MUSICAL PHENOMENON

JOSEPH AND THE AMAZING TECHNICOLOR® DREAMCOAT

AT NEWCASTLE’S METRO RADIO ARENA

FROM 19 th – 31 st DECEMBER 2017

Joe McElderry will return home this Christmas in his celebrated and critically acclaimed role in the sparkling family musical Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor® Dreamcoat. The musical will run at Newcastle’s prestigious Metro Radio Arena for a strictly limited Christmas season from 19th– 31st December 2017.

★★★★★

‘JOE McELDERRY MAY JUST BE THE BEST SUNG JOSEPH THERE’S EVER BEEN’

THE STAGE

This special Christmas homecoming will complete Joe’s hugely successful year touring the UK playing the title-role – his first major theatrical appearance which has been met with Five Star reviews and standing ovations up and down the country. It also follows the release of his new recording of the ‘Joseph’ soundtrack which reached the top of the Amazon Musical Soundtrack Charts; his top 5 entry in the official charts with his new hit single Gloria, released last month; as well as the announcement of his highly anticipated fifth album Saturday Night at the Movies and supporting concert The Gloria Tour this summer.

Joe said: “I am so excited to be bringing this wonderful show back home for Christmas! I have had an amazing year touring with Joseph so far and we have had fantastic audiences, so to bring it back to the north east in Newcastle over Christmas is very special and is really the icing on the cake to an already fantastic year! I cannot wait to see everyone at the shows over the festive period.”

Having garnered sensational reviews and standing ovations at every performance since its inception over 36 years ago, Bill Kenwright’s ‘amazing’, ‘superb’, ‘wonderful’ and ‘brilliant’ production of Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber’s family musical has now sold an estimated 20million tickets.

This vibrant and exciting retelling of the biblical story about Joseph, his eleven brothers and the coat of many colours sings out to young and old alike with a score which is crammed wall to wall with hits, including Jacob and Sons, Close Every Door and Any Dream Will Do.

The UK tour of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor® Dreamcoat has also just extended intothe Autumn and will open at the Southend Cliffs Pavilion on Tuesday 5th September before visiting Woking, Dunfermline, Lowestoft, Liverpool, Richmond, Manchester, Stoke, Hull and Swansea.

Earlier this year the Number 1 and Platinum selling artist delighted fans by confirming that he had been back in the studio recording his eagerly anticipated fifth studio album Saturday Night at the Movies. The album includes iconic hits from film and theatre such as I’m into Something Good, Love is All Around, Daydream Believer as well as the hit single Gloria and will be released later this year. To celebrate the release of his album Joe will embark on a nationwide live tour from 14th July, named THE GLORIA TOUR.

Joe, who hails from South Shields, Tyne and Wear, was just 18 when he won the sixth series of ‘The X Factor’, having been mentored by Girls Aloud star Cheryl Cole. He soared to number one on the UK Singles Charts with his rendition of Miley Cyrus’s The Climb and his debut album Wide Awake went straight in at number 3 on the UK Albums Chart. He has since gone on to have two more Top 10 albums.

Bill Kenwright by special arrangement with the Really Useful Group presents

JOSEPH AND THE AMAZING TECHNICOLOR® DREAMCOAT

Lyrics by TIM RICE Music by ANDREW LLOYD WEBBER

www.kenwright.com

Tickets costing from £15.00 are on sale now available online, from the booking hotline number 0844 493 6666 or in person from the Metro Radio Arena Box Office. Please note venue facility and booking fees will apply.

Tickets are available from:-

 Credit Card Booking and Information Line 0844 493 6666

 The Metro Radio Arena Newcastle Box Office (Mon – Fri: 10.00am – 4.00pm, Sat: 11.00am – 2.30pm)

 Internet Site:- www.metroradioarena.co.uk

 Group Bookers should call (0191) 260 6006

 Accessible Bookings should call 0844 493 6666 and select option 3 for further details