Home

Jack Studio Theatre 14 March – 1 April.  Reviewed by Claire Roderick

Vampires, zombies and werewolves are laughable – the most terrifying monsters are evil children. OutFox’s revival of The Bad Seed brings Rhoda Penmark back to the stage; pigtails, perfection and smiles, just your typical high-functioning sociopath.

Christine Penmark’s worries about her daughter Rhoda, bright and loved by adults, but avoided by other children, come to a head when her husband is away working in Washington DC. An accidental drowning at a school picnic leads to questions about Rhoda’s involvement. When Christine finds the drowned boy’s medal in Rhoda’s treasure box, her worst fears are realised. Nobody else sees through Rhoda’s veneer of sweetness, except handyman Leroy, whose teasing and tormenting of the girl leads to further violence. Christine’s questions about her own parentage are answered by her father, and the guilt she feels about her own child inheriting her mother’s evil tendencies becomes overwhelming.

Since the play’s 1954 Broadway debut, our appetite for psychopaths and murders has been fed with a myriad of books, plays and films, but Maxwell Anderson’s writing still manages to manipulate the audience as much as Rhoda manipulates adults. There are some scenes where nature versus nurture are debated in a preachy way that seems naïve to modern audiences, but director John Fricker has retained them, and rightly so.

The pace of the script and the action is languid, like a hot summer’s afternoon in the Southern US town in which the play is set. The tension is slowly ramped up, and even though you can guess what’s going to happen, the shocks are still chilling, with gasps and groans from the audience at key moments.

The cast’s accents are variable, but their commitment is unquestionable. Rebecca Rayne is fantastic as Rhoda, playing the 8-year-old with a blank and controlled sweetness, allowing the confusion and anger to trickle through when her usual trite words don’t distract her mother. Christine could be quite a dull character in the wrong hands, but Beth Eyre manages to keep her quiet worry and despair interesting rather than repetitive. The atmosphere lightens whenever Jessica Hawksley is on stage as Mrs Breedlove, analysing every person in the room with comic insensitivity and faded Southern Belle mannerisms. Brian Merry also shines as Leroy. The scene where he finally realises what Rhoda is truly capable of, and his sneery taunting changes to complete terror is played beautifully. The standout performance of the show comes from Lucinda French as Mrs Daigle, the dead boy’s mother. Keeping well away from stereotypical drunken acting, French nails the despair and grief brilliantly, convincingly frightening even Rhoda with the intensity of her emotions.

The Bad Seed is a wonderfully atmospheric and spine-tingling play, beautifully acted and full of class. Well worth a look.

Sonia Friedman Productions presents
Imelda Staunton and Conleth Hill in
Edward Albee’s
Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?
With Imogen Poots and Luke Treadaway
Directed by James Macdonald

 

 

• The critically acclaimed 5 star hit production of Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf? will be broadcast live to cinemas across the UK and beyond as part of National Theatre Live

• The live broadcast will take place on 18th May at 7.30pm

• Tickets for the broadcast on sale beginning of April – visit local cinema website for details

• Tickets remain on sale for the run of the production at the Harold Pinter Theatre which continues until 27th May starring Imelda Staunton, Conleth Hill, Imogen Poots and Luke Treadaway

• Over 100 tickets for every performance at the Harold Pinter Theatre priced at £15

Following the enormously successful opening of James Macdonald’s new production of Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf? starring Imelda Staunton, Conleth Hill, Imogen Poots and Luke Treadaway, producers today announced the forthcoming live broadcast of the play to cinemas throughout the UK and beyond as part of National Theatre Live.

The broadcast will take place on 18th May at 7.30pm and tickets go on sale at the beginning of April. Visit your local cinema website for details.

The run of the critically acclaimed production continues at the Harold Pinter Theatre, with tickets available through the Box Office until 27th May.

In the early hours of the morning on the campus of an American college, Martha, much to her husband George’s displeasure, has invited the new professor Nick and his wife Honey to their home for some after-party drinks. As the alcohol flows and dawn approaches, the young couple are drawn into George and Martha’s toxic games until the evening reaches its climax in a moment of devastating truth-telling.

 

PLAYS FOR YOUNG PEOPLE, PERFORMED BY YOUNG PEOPLE

AT SHEFFIELD THEATRES

 

Young members of Sheffield People’s Theatre take part in a national celebration of theatre when they join local schools and youth theatre groups performing new plays from emerging playwrights as part of the National Theatre Connections Festival 2017 at the Crucible Studio Theatre Monday 27 March – Saturday 1 April.

Sheffield Theatres’ Assistant Director George Richmond-Scott leads a team of twelve young Sheffield People’s Theatre members in universal coming of age story Musical Differences on Monday 27 March. Written by co-creator of BBC’s Cuckoo Robin French, the play explores impossible love affairs and brutal school politics, and uncovers the price we are willing to pay for success.

Other organisations involved in the festival are West Yorkshire Drama Academy, The King’s School, Hinde House School, Rotherham College, Unlimited Theatre, Something Wicked This Way Comes (Talbot Specialist School), Flame Theatre Company, Yew Tree Youth Theatre, CAPA College, Castleford Academy and First Floor.

Connections is the National Theatre’s annual festival of new plays for youth theatres and schools. It gives young people experience of professional theatre-making which mirrors that of a company producing a new play. Sheffield Theatres will be showing nine plays from emerging playwrights, including Sheffield based Tim Etchells, which will be performed by twelve local schools and groups.

Emily Hutchinson, Creative Projects Manager at Sheffield Theatres commented: ‘We’re thrilled to be working with such talented and enthusiastic young people as part of the National Theatre Connections Festival once again. The Connections Festival is a brilliant way to get the younger generation involved in the arts, and that’s something we are really passionate about at Sheffield Theatres. Some of our young members have grown up performing with Sheffield People’s Theatre and it’s a real privilege to be part of their journey.’ 

Tickets for the National Theatre Connections Festival are on sale now from Sheffield Theatres’ Box Office, priced at £6.00 a night. Call 0114 249 6000 or visit sheffieldtheatres.co.uk to book.

Egyptian Extravaganza

May 10th – 13th 2017, COLAB Factory

Discover the “real” Egypt in Egyptian Extravaganza, a comical and thought-provoking immersive cabaret-inspired theatre performance, where roaming characters invite you to explore the impact the discovery of King Tutankhamun’s tomb had on everything from fashion and film to music and dance in the West. Come to a night of new old fashioned intrigue and entertainment, as you are or dressed up to the nines in your best Egyptian finery, but do hold onto your jewellery – you never know what might lurk in the shadows…

What happens when you disturb the tomb of a notorious pharaoh? The world goes totally Tut mad! Travel back in time to 1920s Egypt, where King Tut engages archaeologists in a battle of wit and witticisms over what is the ‘real’ Egypt. In this immersive cabaret-esque show, the audience are invited to participate in a comical argument set between King Tut and the archaeologists who discovered his tomb while they encounter and explore real accounts (and not so real) from 1920s-50s Egypt.

Egyptian Extravaganza explores the concepts of cultural appropriation and its supposed antithesis – authenticity. The show is designed to use iconic imagery and specific histories to create a narrative that explores these famous characters, whilst also challenging how the West portrays and romanticises Egypt – looking at “Tut-mania” from the perspective of authentic Egyptian culture and the appropriated inspiration it gave to everything from Hollywood films to fashion for multiple decades.

Producer Soha Khan worked in Saudi Arabia with the King Abuldaziz Centre for World Culture, where she programmed performances and produced art projects. She worked as a production assistant with the National Youth Theatre of Great Britain on the Commonwealth Games, and is working with Les Enfants Terribles, Seabright Productions and Complicite. She is also Associate Producer for The Quentin Dentin Show, coming to the Tristan Bates Theatre. Director Rosalind Othen trained at Rose Bruford College and her credits include NEWtopia with No Brand Collective and Reluctant Authority at Brink Festival 2016. Designer Katie Melton is currently pursuing her MFA at the Royal Central School of Speech and Drama. In addition to design, she also directs and performs. Recently, she assistant directed Love’s Labours Lost and The Tempest with Trinity Shakespeare Festival in Fort Worth, Texas.

FULL CASTING ANNOUNCED FOR

FOOTLOOSE: THE MUSICAL

THE SMASH HIT PRODUCTION RETURNS

LAUNCHING A NEW UK TOUR AT NEW WIMBLEDON THEATRE ON FRIDAY 21 APRIL 2017

WITH A STRICTLY LIMITED WEST END SEASON AT THE PEACOCK

FROM TUESDAY 12 TO SATURDAY 30 SEPTEMBER 2017

 

 

Full casting is announced today for Footloose: The Musical, which returns next month following a smash-hit 2016 tour. Opening at New Wimbledon Theatre on Friday 21 April, the tour will include a strictly limited West End season at The Peacock, playing for three weeks from Tuesday 12 September 2017.  Full tour schedule attached.

 

Joshua Dowen will play Ren McCormack, the role immortalised on screen by Kevin Bacon. Joshua’s stage credits include Dogfight at Southwark Playhouse, Cool Rider at the Duchess Theatre and All or Nothing at the Vaults Festival.

The cast also features Hannah Price (reprising her performance from the 2016 tour) as Ariel Moore, Reuven Gershon (Let It Be, West End and Broadway) as Reverend Shaw, Lindsay Goodhand (Crazy For You,Watermill Theatre) as Ethel McCormack, Laura Sillett (Grease, International Tour) as Rusty, Connor Going(The Pirates of Penzance, Sh*tfaced Shakesepare) as Chuck, Emma Fraser (The Vaudevillians, Les Enfants Terribles) as Wendy Jo, Gracie Lai (Avenue Q, UK Tour) as Urleen, Tomas Wolstenhome (Once, West End) as Bickle, Dominic Gee Burch as Jeter and Alex Marshall (Buddy, UK Tour) as Wes. The cast also includesLuke Dowling, Grace Lancaster, Laurence Libor, Jamie Ross and Lauren Storer.

They join the previously announced Gareth Gates as Willard and Maureen Nolan as Vi Moore.

 

Based on the 1984 screen sensation starring Kevin Bacon, Footloose: The Musical tells the story of city boy Ren, who has to move to a rural backwater in America where dancing is banned. All hell breaks out as Ren breaks loose and soon has the whole town up on its feet. Featuring classic 80s hits including Holding Out for a Hero, Almost Paradise, Let’s Hear it for the Boy and the unforgettable title track, Footloose: The Musical is set to take the world by storm once again, bursting with youthful spirit, dazzling dance and electrifying music.

 

When the film was released in 1984, it became the highest-grossing February release in US film history.  The soundtrack album ended the year-long reign of Michael Jackson’s Thriller at number one and went on to top album charts all over the world, eventually selling in excess of 17 million copies.  Footloose was nominated for a Golden Globe, and both the title song and Let’s Hear It for the Boy received Academy Award nominations.Footloose: The Musical first opened on Broadway in 1998 where it ran for 709 performances, with a London production following in 2006.

 

Gareth Gates rose to fame through the inaugural series of Pop Idol in 2001, going on to sell over 5 million records worldwide and have hits across the globe. His version of Unchained Melody sold over a million copies in the UK and is the 3rd best-selling single of the Noughties. Gareth is also the youngest ever-male solo artist to debut at number 1.  More recently Gareth has enjoyed a successful career on stage, with credits including Les Misérables, Legally Blonde and Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat. In 2014 Gareth appeared in the final series of Dancing on Ice, and joined boyband 5^th Story as part of ITV’s second series of The Big Reunion, touring arenas with bands including Blue and Five.

Gareth will not appear in Wimbledon and Chester.

Maureen Nolan has been singing with her sisters since she was nine years old, when they became one of Europe’s first girl bands, The Nolans. Best known for their smash hit single I’m in the Mood for Dancing, The Nolans enjoyed phenomenal record sales worldwide, and worked with some of the world’s most respected artists including Frank Sinatra. On stage, Maureen has played Mrs Johnstone in Blood Brothers in the West End and on tour to critical acclaim. She was the fourth Nolan sister to play the role, earning them entry into the Guinness Book of World Records. Other credits include Sadie in Girl’s Behind, Jill in Mum’s the Word and Sarah in The Naked Truth.

 

Footloose: The Musical has music by Tom Snow and lyrics by Dean Pitchford, and is adapted for the stage by Dean Pitchford and Walter Bobbie. It is based on the original screenplay by Dean Pitchford. It is directed by Racky Plews (American Idiot, West End) with choreography by Matthew Cole, design by Sara Perks and musical supervision by Mark Crossland. It is produced by David Hutchinson and Phillip Rowntree for Selladoor Productions, Tristan Baker and Charlie Parsons for Runaway Entertainment, Jason Haigh-Ellery and Stephen McGill Productions. It is presented by arrangement with R&H Theatricals Europe.

 

www.footloose-musical.com

@FootlooseTour

 

2017 UK TOUR

Friday 21 – Saturday 22 April 2017

NEW WIMBLEDON THEATRE

Box Office www.atgtickets.com/venues/new-wimbledon-theatre | 020 8545 7900

Gareth Gates will not appear in Wimbledon

Tuesday 2 – Saturday 6 May 2017

YORK GRAND OPERA HOUSE

Box Office www.atgtickets.com/venues/grand-opera-house-york | 0844 871 3024

Monday 8 – Saturday 13 May 2017

WYCOMBE SWAN THEATRE

Box Office www.wycombeswan.co.uk | 01494 512 000

Monday 15 – Saturday 20 May 2017

RICHMOND THEATRE

Box Office www.atgtickets.com/richmond | 0844 871 7651

Monday 22 – Saturday 27 May 2017

QUEEN’S THEATRE, HORNCHURCH

Box Office www.queens-theatre.co.uk | 01708 443333

Tuesday 30 May – Saturday 3 June 2017

BUXTON OPERA HOUSE

Box Office www.buxtonoperahouse.org.uk | 01298 72190

Monday 5 – Saturday 10 June 2017

VENUE CYMRU, LLANDUDNO

Box Office www.venuecymru.co.uk | 01492 872000

Tuesday 13 – Saturday 17 June 2017

COVENTRY BELGRADE THEATRE

Box Office www.belgrade.co.uk | 024 7655 3055

Monday 19 – Saturday 25 June 2017

SWANSEA GRAND THEATRE

Box Office www.swansea.gov.uk/swanseagrandtheatre | 01792 475715

 

Monday 10 – Saturday 15 July 2017

GUILDFORD G LIVE

Box Office www.glive.co.uk | 0844 7701 797

Wednesday 19 – Saturday 22 July 2017

CHURCHILL THEATRE, BROMLEY

Box Office www.churchilltheatre.co.uk | 020 3285 6000

Wednesday 26 July – Sunday 6 August 2017

KURSAAL OOSTENDE, BELGIUM

 

Monday 7 – Saturday 12 August 2017

PRESTON GUILD HALL

Box Office www.prestonguildhall.co.uk | 01772 80 44 44

 

Tuesday 15 – Saturday 19 August 2017

DEVONSHIRE PARK THEATRE, EASTBOURNE

Box Office www.eastbournetheatres.co.uk | 01323 412 000

Monday 21 – Saturday 26 August 2017

THE TOWNGATE THEATRE, BASILDON

Box Office www.towngatetheatre.co.uk | 01268 465 465

 

Tuesday 5 – Saturday 9 September 2017

STORYHOUSE THEATRE, CHESTER

Box Office www.storyhouse.com | 0845 241 7868 

Gareth Gates will not appear in Chester

Tuesday 12 – Saturday 30 September 2017

THE PEACOCK, LONDON

Press Night: Wednesday 13 September

Performances Tue-Sat 7.30pm, Sat 2.30pm, Sun 4.00pm

Box Office www.peacocktheatre.com | 020 7863 8222

The Jack Studio Theatre presents

Tom Molineaux a new play by Tom Green

Wednesday 24 May to Saturday 3 June 2017 Press Night | Thursday 25 May | 7.45pm

As part of a national tour, the Jack Studio Theatre presents the UK premiere of Tom Molineaux.

Born a slave, Tom Molineaux boxes his way to freedom. In 1810 he arrives in London where his flamboyant style wins him fame, and the friendship of prizefight writer Pierce Egan.

Molineaux battles against poverty and prejudice to win the right to face the great English champion Tom Cribb. Huge crowds gather to watch. Can the American overcome the odds to win? And what will it mean if a freed slave becomes the champion in a sport that has come to define the national character? Based on an extraordinary true story, Tom Molineaux charts the rise and fall of one of the greatest heroes of bare knuckle boxing

Written by Offie nominated playwright Tom Green (Being Tommy Cooper), directed by Kate Bannister, and produced by the same team behind ★★★★★Hound of the Baskervilles, Mystery of Irma Vep and Shipwrecked.

Listings Information

Venue: Brockley Jack Studio Theatre

410 Brockley Road, London, SE4 2DH

Box office: www.brockleyjack.co.uk

or 0333 666 3366 (£1.50 fee for phone bookings only)

Dates: Wednesday 24 May to Saturday 3 June 2017

Performances Weds – Sat only at 7.45pm

Tickets: £15, £12 concessions Theatre website: www.brockleyjack.co.uk

Tour Dates and info: www.tom-molineaux.uk/

 

BIG NEWS FOR SUNDAY FOR SAMMY FANS

2018 CONCERT DATE ANNOUNCED
NEW VENUE WITH TWICE AS MANY TICKETS AVAILABLE

SUNDAY 18TH FEBRUARY 2018

Sunday for Sammy, unofficially known as the Geordie Command Performance, will return to Tyneside on Sunday 18th February 2018 but this time at a new venue. The show, first held as a tribute to Geordie actor Sammy Johnson in 2000, has been presented at Newcastle City Hall for nearly every performance. However, in recent years the demand for tickets has far out-stripped the supply. In 2016 the two spectacular shows sold-out in a day and thousands of disappointed fans couldn’t get tickets.

In 2018, Sunday for Sammy will re-locate to Newcastle’s Metro Radio Arena for two theatre style performances. 5,000 tickets will be available for each show, more than doubling the available tickets compared to previous years.

Sunday for Sammy is a celebration of North Eastern culture and many of the region’s most popular and successful performers have taken part in the extravaganza of comedy and music, staged to raise funds to support the next generation of North Eastern performers with training, expenses and equipment.

Tim Healy, Denise Welch, Mark Knopfler, Kevin Whately, Charlie Hardwick, Jimmy Nail, Jill Halfpenny, Timothy Spall, AC/DC’s Brian Johnson, Christopher Fairbank, Stephen Tomkinson, John Miles, Angie Lonsdale, Jason Cook, Lindisfarne, Joe McElderry, Brendan Healy, Donna Aire, Ant and Dec, Chelsea Halfpenny, Billy Mitchell, Brendan Foster, Pam Royle, Bob Moncur, Julia Tobin, Glenn McCrory, Kathryn Tickell, Chris Ramsey, Peter Peverley and many, many more have given up their time to take part in the show. The cast list is never revealed beforehand, every show is packed with surprises.

Chairman of the Sunday for Sammy Trust Tim Healy said,

“I spend a lot of time in the North East and people constantly ask me how to get tickets for Sunday for Sammy. The show has become so hugely popular that all available tickets are snapped up as soon as they go on sale. By moving the show to a larger venue we can give loads more people the opportunity to see the show while ensuring our continued support for the talented young performers from our area that need a helping hand.”

Since the first Sunday for Sammy in 2000, young local performers have benefited from over £400,000 in grants to help with their professional development.

Catherine Dryden, from Chester le Street is a 3rd Year Student at RADA and was part-funded by the Sunday for Sammy Trust

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

Tuesday 2nd – Sunday 21st May 2017

Press Night: Wednesday 3rd May 2017, 7.45pm

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

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

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

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

With a CV boasting creative credits of some sort in just about every popular show going and a high-profile place on one of UK TV’s biggest shows, you would think Craig Revel Horwood had ticked off everything on his career wish-list.

But there is one show that had evaded his creative input until now and that is Sister Act. As the show prepares to visit Edinburgh, he tells John Bultitude why working on the show is his dream come true, unlocking Alexandra Burke’s comedy potential and who his dream Strictly contestants would be.

All good things come to those who wait. That is very much the motto of Craig Revel Horwood when it comes to his ambition to be part of the Sister Act phenomenon.

The feel-good story of Deloris Van Cartier’s journey has delighted millions. First portrayed on the big screen by Whoopi Goldberg, Deloris is the sassy soul singer who witnesses a shooting and ends up in protective custody in a convent where she (and her ‘Sisters’ in every sense of the word) learn some life lessons.

Sister Act was one of the most financially successful films of the Nineties worldwide before becoming a smash-hit stage show which has enchanted audiences across the globe. The love for the show is shared by Craig and it is why it appealed to him so much.

He was initially asked to do some work on the West End production but that did not work out for him. When plans for the current tour came up, he jumped at it. Craig recalled: “I was absolutely delighted because it gives me the chance to fulfil a nine-year ambition. The story is really, really good. That is the number one thing for me. The songs are great, the music is great, the lyrics are great and the plot has this wonderful, wonderful heart which is what I love about it.”

Heading the cast is Alexandra Burke, the incredibly successful singer who shot to fame on The X Factor becoming a top recording star. This is paralleled by incredible stage success following a recently critically acclaimed tour in The Bodyguard.

Her vocal prowess speaks for itself but Craig, as director and choreographer of this production, has succeeded in releasing another of her talents. He explained: “Alexandra is a natural comedian and people have never seen that side of her. It is really wonderful for her to get stuck into some comedy and it really suits her down to the ground”.

“Of course, this show has fantastic vocals as you can imagine. It is so lovely that Alexandra was available and wanted to do this show. She is also a brilliant mover and dancer and fits into the company brilliantly well. We are doing it as an ensemble piece. Everyone plays different characters. They are actors/musicians so they sing, they act, they dance but they also provide the music because they play instruments. I do have to say though that it is quite an alarming sight watching a nun with a saxophone,” chuckled Craig.

Also in the show is the much-loved and hugely experienced stage star Rosemary Ashe whose West End credits include hits like The Phantom Of The Opera, Les Misérables, Oliver!, The Witches of Eastwick and Mary Poppins.

A high-energy show like this also requires some pin-sharp choreography which is also Craig’s forte although it is not without his challenges. As he says: “The problem is that a lot of the cast are in habits. As well as choreography, you need to do lots of arm-ography too and there is a lot that nuns cannot do so you have to be quite inventive with it all which I am really enjoying.”

This mix of emotions within Sister Act also makes it a real joy for Craig with the great music and the show’s rich seam of storytelling running through it. He said: “We are getting into the world of gospel music which is uplifting and will give you a big smile on your face. The show does have a dark side too and it is quite intense in places with gun warfare, murder, and of course love. It is a really good story and it covers every human emotion.”

So top of Craig’s priority list is getting every single aspect of this show exactly right and ensuring audiences also leave each performance with a big grin.

But with this and no doubt other stage projects on the go as well as his TV commitments, how on earth does he fit everything in? Craig laughed: “I have a good PA and my diary is very well organised. I am genuinely booked up three years in advance so I generally fit in everything around all of that. I love it. I love directing and choreography. It is my passion and joy. That is what I will do until the day I die. It is something I can still do while I still have a brain and the assistance of my body.”

And he seems to have his working year sorted out with stage commitments from the spring, Strictly Come Dancing starting in the autumn and then the show’s live tour early in the New Year before a very important 6-week holiday to recharge the batteries and catch up with family and friends in Australia before the whole showbiz cycle begins again.

Craig also really enjoys working with the general public teaching the rudiments of dance on a special P & O Cruise before they compete with each other for a title which lets him share his talent and expertise as well as enjoying some time at sea.

And so to Strictly, the Saturday small-screen juggernaut that gets the nation talking and lets us judge whether the celebrity contestants are dynamic divas and dashing devils of the dancefloor, or more of a dad-dancer. While many have competed for the highly-sought-after Glitterball, there are still a few big names that Craig would like to see in action. He said: “I would love to see Simon Cowell on there as it would make great television. Sharon Osbourne would be great too as she is so mouthy. The Royals would be good. Prince Harry? Yes please.”

But what about if they answer back? Everyone knows Simon does not stand on ceremony and gives as good as he gets, and Prince Harry could have Craig sent to the Tower. With a belly-laugh, he retorts: “I like feisty. Why not?”

And there lies the bond between the hit show Sister Act and the creative force of Craig Revel Horwood. They are both outwardly a mix of emotions blending humour and drama but boasting an inner kind and strong heart which everyone envies and appreciates.

SISTER ACT

MONDAY 3 APRIL – SATUDAY 15 APRIL 2017 EDINBURGH PLAYHOUSE – www.atgtickets.com/venues/edinburgh-playhouse/

Spring has sprung at The Lowry with a brand new production of Jane Eyre by National Theatre, Michael Morpurgo’s Running Wild featuring puppets designed by War Horse puppeteers and Bill Kenwright’s production of the timeless story of love, despair and hope, Ghost – The Musical.

In the galleries, The Lowry launches a new residency scheme with EDIT 01: Paddy Hartley alongside permanent exhibition LS Lowry: The Art & The Artist.

Theatre

National Theatre
Jane Eyre
Sat 8 – Sat 15 Apri

Sally Cookson’s energetic and imaginative new adaptation of Charlotte Brontë’s masterpiece, Jane Eyre comes to The Lowry Sat 8 – Sat 15 April with Nadia Clifford taking the central role of Jane Eyre and Tim Delap as Rochester.

Manchester born and bred Nadia Clifford’s previously appeared at the National Theatre in Alistair McDowell’s sell-out production of Pomona and Tim Delap will make his NT debut as Rochester.

2017 marks the 170th anniversary of the first publication of Jane Eyre – a significant time to be touring Charlotte Brontë’s classic and much loved story.

Director Sally Cookson, said about her production of Jane Eyre:  ‘Adapting a novel for the stage is a challenging prospect – especially when that novel is cited as many people’s favourite of all time. It is always daunting when you’re working on a story which everyone knows so well, because you want to surprise and maybe challenge people’s expectations, without losing any of the things which make them like the story in the first place.’

Cookson continued: ‘I chose this particular title because it’s a story that I love and have enjoyed a close relationship with ever since I was intrigued, as a child, by Orson Welles’ black and white melodrama with fabulous music by Bernard Herrmann.’

‘I didn’t actually read the novel until I was in my early twenties and I remember thinking while I read it: ‘this is a clarion cry for equal opportunities for women, not a story about a passive female who will do anything for her hunky boss’. I was struck by how modern Jane seemed – her spirit and strong will, her peculiar and brilliant mind striving for personal freedom to be who she is, lashing out against any constraint that prevents her from being herself. She was exactly the sort of person I wanted to be.’

Charlotte Brontë’s story of the trailblazing Jane is as inspiring as ever. This bold and dynamic production tells the story of one woman’s fight for freedom and fulfilment.

From her beginnings as a destitute orphan, Jane Eyre’s spirited heroine faces life’s obstacles head-on, surviving poverty, injustice and the discovery of bitter betrayal before taking the ultimate decision to follow her heart.

Bill Kenwright
Ghost – The Musical
Mon 24 – Sat 29 April

Bill Kenwright’s production of the timeless story of love, despair and hope,Ghost – The Musical, will extend its current UK tour with a visit to The Lowry, Salford from Monday 24 – Saturday 29 April 2017. Taking its inspiration from the classic movie, this innovative reimagining features an expanded book, new music and original staging.

Carolyn Maitland will continue in the role of Molly alongside Andy Moss as Sam.  Carolyn’s musical theatre credits include ‘Ellen’ in Miss Saigon (Prince Edward Theatre), ‘Joelle’ in Groundhog Day (Old Vic), ‘Rose’ in From Here to Eternity (Shaftesbury Theatre) and ‘Kate’ in Kiss Me Kate (Old Vic, West End & Chichester).

Musician and actor Andy Moss, best known for the role of Rhys Ashworth in Channel 4’s Hollyoaks, one he played for 8 years, will continue to wow audiences around the UK as ‘Sam’. His credits also include Cutting It, Coronation Street and most recently he appeared as Paul Cuthbert in the long running BBC soap opera Doctors.

West End musical theatre star Jacqui Dubois (original London cast of Rent and Children of Eden, other credits include The Lion King, Fela and most recently People, Places and Things ) plays ‘Oda Mae Brown’, the part made famous in the film by Whoopi Goldberg. Sam Ferriday (Jersey Boys, Blue Man Group, The Prodigals) plays ‘Carl’, alongside Leo Sene as ‘Willie’, James Earl Adair haunting proceedings as the ‘Hospital Ghost’, and Gary Lee Netley as the ‘Subway Ghost’. Tarisha Rommick plays ‘Louise’ and Simbi Akande ‘Clara’. Completing the cast is Lori Baker, Ethan Bradshaw, Lauren Drew, Matthew Vinetot, Mike Ward and Kelly Hampson.

Children’s Touring Partnership
Running Wild
Tue 18 – Sat 22 April

Running Wild by Michael Morpurgo in an adaptation by Samuel Adamson, comes to The Lowry Tue 18 – Sat 22 April.  Michael Morpurgo’s novel, based on a true story, is brought to life in this award-winning production, which has been described by critics as ‘inspiring’, ‘evocative, ‘imaginative’ and ‘life-affirming’.  Originally produced by Regent’s Park Theatre and Chichester Festival Theatre, this epic production, complete with spectacular life-size puppets, tells an emotional and moving story of love, loss and loyalty and of living for the moment.

Featuring puppetry design and direction by Finn Caldwell and Toby Olié for Gyre & Gimble, both previous Associate Puppetry Directors on War Horse.Running Wild is the story is of a girl named Lilly, who, whilst on holiday with her mother in Indonesia, takes an elephant ride.  During the ride, Oona, the elephant, suddenly becomes anxious and runs from the beach deep into the jungle.  With Lilly on her back, they escape moments before the tsunami hits the island.  Miles from civilisation, at first there’s wonder, discovery and tree-top adventures with the orangutans, but, as thoughts turn to her mother left behind on the beach, and wild tigers prowl, and hunger hits, Lilly must now learn to survive the rainforest.  And then the hunters come…

Michael Morpurgo, the former children’s laureate and author of War Horse, was inspired by the real-life story of Amber Owen, who was on holiday in Phuket with her mother and stepfather in 2004, when she went on an elephant ride.  While riding Ning Nong along the beach, the eight-year-old noticed the elephant was attempting to pull away from the receding sea water.  “He ran away and, as the water came in, I was safely on his back.  He saved my life.”  When he read Amber’s story in the newspaper, Michael Morpurgo said it was the one bit of hope amid the destruction of the Boxing Day tsunami which hit South East Asia.  The production will work to support the Born Free Foundation’s global elephant conservation projects..

Visual Art

EDIT 01
Paddy Hartley
Sat 1 April – Sun 14 May

An artist known for creating wearable sculpture for Lady Gaga and remembrance poppies from lambs heart tissue wants North West residents to share their WW1 stories and artefacts with him.

Internationally acclaimed London based artist Paddy Hartley will begin a residency at The Lowry from April 2017. Born in Dewsbury, Paddy Hartley is a trained ceramicist and will make WW1 archaeology artefacts based on some of the stories people share with him.

The unfired artefacts will be made from a trench of slurried clay placed in the middle of the gallery. The items Hartley creates will then be will returned into the trench to disintegrate during the residency  – a metaphor for the passing of memory.

Paddy Hartley said;
“Much of my work is inspired by the stories that families of WW1 servicemen tell me. What would be great is if the people of Greater Manchester share their stories of WW1 ancestors and specifically, the personal objects, keepsakes and reminders of home that they kept with them.

“I’m interested in creating objects which reflect the nature of the environment the soldiers fought and lived in, and specifically, objects which the men used to make conditions more ‘homely’ for want of a better phrase.”

Paddy Hartley’s artistic practice investigates themes of memorialisation and remembrance. Once the artefacts have been made in clay, they will be dried and photographed before being re-introduced to the trench of slurried clay to allow their disintegration.

To share stories, contact Paddy Hartley on [email protected].

Visit the website for more information on EDIT 01: Paddy Hartley at The Lowry.

Clay provided for EDIT 01: Paddy Hartley has been kindly donated by Michelmersh Brick Holdings PLC.

Listings

LYRIC
Far Side Of The Moon | 01 Apr 2017 – 02 Apr 2017
Jane Eyre | 08 Apr 2017 – 15 Apr 2017
Shakin’ Stevens | 16 Apr 2017 20:00
Billy Ocean | 17 Apr 2017 19:00
Running Wild | 18 Apr 2017 – 22 Apr 2017
Danny Baker: Cradle To The Stage | 19 Apr 2017 19:30
Ghost – The Musical | 24 Apr 2017 – 29 Apr 2017
Daniel O’Donnell | 30 Apr 2017 19:30

QUAYS
The Lowry NT Connections Festival | 01 Apr 2017 – 02 Apr 2017
Silver Lining | 04 Apr 2017 – 08 Apr 2017
Lee Nelson | 09 Apr 2017 19:30
Babe, The Sheep-Pig | 11 Apr 2017 – 15 Apr 2017
Cyrano de Bergerac | 18 Apr 2017 – 22 Apr 2017
Eddi Reader | 23 Apr 2017 20:00
Fascinating Aida’s Dillie Keane | 24 Apr 2017 19:30
Rose and Rosie: Exposed | 25 Apr 2017 20:00
Bucket List | 26 Apr 2017 – 27 Apr 2017
Kandace Springs | 28 Apr 2017 20:00
Red Hot Chilli Pipers | 29 Apr 2017 20:00
The Noise Next Door’s Really, Really Good Afternoon Show | 30 Apr 2017 14:00

STUDIO
The Lowry NT Connections Festival | 01 Apr 2017 – 02 Apr 2017
The Party | 15 Apr 2017 – 15 Apr 2017
Rob Rouse | 16 Apr 2017 20:00
Not Today’s Yesterdays | 19 Apr 2017 20:00
Bubble Schemeisis | 20 Apr 2017 20:00
Scanner: How To Make Art From Life | 22 Apr 2017 20:00
A Strange New Space | 23 Apr 2017 – 23 Apr 2017
Stephen Bailey | 23 Apr 2017 20:00
Jocasta – A Musical Tragedy | 29 Apr 2017 20:00
HOAX | 30 Apr 2017 – 01 May 2017
The Noise Next Door | 30 Apr 2017 – 01 May 2017