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Five theatres to receive London Theatres Small Grants Scheme awards from the Theatres Trust through Cameron Mackintosh donation 

• £25,000 awarded to five small London theatres in first round of London Theatres Small Grants Scheme
• Grants awarded to Battersea Arts Centre, Bush Theatre, The Cockpit, New Diorama Theatre, and SPID Theatre
• Awards go towards urgent building repairs, backstage and building access route improvements, and urgently needed new office and education space
• First round of grants made possible by the Scheme’s first donor, the Mackintosh Foundation, run by Cameron Mackintosh
• London Theatres Small Grants Scheme has the support of the Mayor of London and aims to build a fund to help small theatres with capital grants, in response to a London Assembly investigation into London’s small theatres

Three quarters of small venues surveyed in 2013 as part of the Economy Committee of the London Assembly’s ‘Centre Stage’ report into the needs of small theatres in London said they needed to significantly upgrade or repair their buildings but 93% had yet to raise the money to carry out the work.

The Theatres Trust is pleased to announce that five small theatres in London will benefit from the first round of its new London Theatres Small Grants Scheme, made possible through a donation from the Mackintosh Foundation.

The five successful projects are:

Battersea Arts Centre (BAC) in Wandsworth is awarded £5,000 to replace their temporary wheelchair ramp leading to the café / bar and first floor performance space with a new permanent ramp. This improves access to BAC and contributes to the major Haworth Tompkins-led BAC capital redevelopment and restoration project.

Bush Theatre in Hammersmith & Fulham is awarded £5,000 to repair the pitched roofs and dormer windows of their former Old Library building. These repairs help to maintain the condition of this locally listed theatre’s façade.

The Cockpit in Camden is awarded £5,000 to repair their leaky flat roof which sits over the theatre’s dressing rooms. This improves backstage conditions for performers and theatre staff and keeps costumes and equipment safe.

New Diorama Theatre in Camden is awarded £5,000 to install a converted storage container in their back yard to provide much needed space for their outreach programme and an accessible office space.

SPID Theatre in Kensington and Chelsea is awarded £5,000 to carry out urgent works to replace doors, and install disabled ramps and double glazing windows in their Grade II* building.

Cameron Mackintosh said: “It’s an honour for the Mackintosh Foundation to be the first donor to the London Small Theatres Grants Scheme and provide capital funding to help these theatres. Working with the Theatres Trust and the Mayor of London we’re making a start in helping to solve the urgent capital needs of London’s smaller theatres. This is so important for the next generation of artists and audiences and the continuing success of London’s theatre scene.”

Mayor of London Boris Johnson said: “London’s smaller theatres are vital to its preeminence as a cultural capital on the world stage. Dotted throughout our city they entertain Londoners and bring in visitors, contributing to the local economy. In addition, they are a fertile seedbed for the vibrant talent and creativity that also feeds into the major houses, as well as film and television. These awards will help ensure some of our key players can get on with their core business, which is exciting work for the public to enjoy.”

Tim Eyles, Theatres Trust Chair said “London’s small theatres face so many challenges raising capital funding for repairs and upgrades, so I’m delighted that we’ve been able to announce these awards today. We need to see more capital investment going into fringe theatres if we are to ensure theatre makers have a home in the city to make and present their work. I want to say a big thank you to Sir Cameron Mackintosh and the Mackintosh Foundation for their incredible support in making these first grants.”

Tom Copley, AM said: “Small grants can make a big difference. I’m delighted that five of London’s small theatres will be able to improve working conditions for performers and staff, make their buildings more accessible and restore historic buildings. Huge thanks must go to the Mackintosh Foundation for being the first donor to the London Theatres Small Grants Scheme, which will support London’s small theatres and help them to continue to grow.”

GET DOWN AND SEE A MUSIC ICON

Global music superstar Gilbert O’Sullivan comes to Darlington Civic Theatre on Monday 15 February.

Gilbert O’Sullivan’s first taste of chart success came with ‘Nothing Rhymed’, a UK Top Ten hit in 1970, taken from his debut album Himself, but it was 1972’s ‘Alone Again (Naturally)’ that shot him to international stardom, topping the U.S. charts for six weeks and garnering three Grammy Award nominations. Soon after, he scored three UK number ones with the singles ‘Clair’ and ‘Get Down’ and the album Back to Front, before being named Songwriter of the Year at the 18th Ivor Novello Awards.

Gilbert O’Sullivan will be on stage with his fabulous ten-piece band to bring you all his hit songs as well as brand new compositions from his newly released album Latin Ala G. To catch a glimpse of what to expect, Gilbert O’Sullivan will be appearing on the BBC Radio 2 programme Friday Night Is Music Night on Friday 12 February.

Gilbert O’Sullivan is at Darlington Civic Theatre on Monday 15 February at 7.30pm. Tickets* are priced £29 & £30.50

*All prices include a £1 restoration levy

To book contact the Box Office on 01325 486 555 or visit www.darlingtoncivic.co.uk

DON’T MISS THE BOAT, ME HEARTIES

A fabulous family production of Treasure Island is coming to Darlington Civic Theatre just in time for the half term holidays.

Audiences will be taken on a magical trip into a world of pirates, adventure and princesses as one of the nation’s favourite children’s novels is brought to life with a lively modern twist at Darlington Civic theatre on Tuesday 16 February.

See Jim Hawkins, Jolly Roger, old Ben Gunn, Billy Bones, Sneaky Beaky the parrot and of course Long John Silver, star with action aplenty on the high seas. This show is jam-packed with shanties, cheering, booing, puppets, lots of colourful costumes, amazing sets, illusions and maybe even a monkey or two!

The show is the brainchild of popular comedian and entertainer Tom Beard.

Tom is no stranger to children’s shows, having appeared in number one venues over the past ten years, where he frequently had children (and adults) doubled up with mirth at his comedy antics. Tom said: “Everyone knows and loves the original pirate story but you won’t have enjoyed the tale quite like this before. We want our audience (both young and old!) to get involved with lots of shouting and cheering. We are after non-stop fun and laughter, whilst also staying as close to the original tale as possible.”

He continued; “We’ve respectfully kept to Robert Louis Stevenson’s swashbuckling tale which everyone can enjoy, along with some humour for both the adults and the children. The one thing we can guarantee is that everyone will leave with a smile on their face.”

Treasure Island is at Darlington Civic Theatre on Tuesday 16 February at 2pm.

Tickets are priced £10 & £12, Family Ticket £40

Recommended age 3+

To book contact the Box Office on 01325 486 555 or visit www.darlingtoncivic.co.uk

STRICTLY SPEAKING, BRENDAN’S ONE OF THE BEST

Brendan Cole presents A Night To Remember at Darlington Civic Theatre on Thursday 18 February.

Strictly Come Dancing’s Brendan Cole is set to dazzle audiences with his latest dance extravaganza, A Night To Remember.

Brendan, one of Strictly Come Dancing’s most charismatic choreographers and performers, will host throughout the night as he leads his cast on a journey of music and dance in a spectacular night of theatrical entertainment.

Loaded with ballroom magic and Latin excitement, Brendan’s newest live music and dance spectacuar will be 2016’s must see show.

Brendan Cole A Night To remember is at Darlington Civic Theatre on Thursday 18 February at 3pm & 7.30pm. Tickets* are priced £34 & £36

*All prices include a £1 restoration levy

To book contact the Box Office on 01325 486 555 or visit www.darlingtoncivic.co.uk

BACK BY POPULAR DEMAND

SHOWSTOPPER!

The Improvised Musical

THE LYRIC THEATRE, SHAFTESBURY AVENUE.

Limited run of 10 Mondays from February to July

Showstopper! The Improvised Musical wowed audiences and critics alike in the first ever season for an improvised musical in the West End. Now it returns to the Lyric Theatre, Shaftesbury Avenue for just 10 more performances between 15th February and 25th July

For Showstopper! The Improvised Musical audience suggestions are transformed instantly into all-singing, all-dancing shows with unpredictable and hilarious results. Even the title of each show is improvised. Highlights from the 2015 West End run have included: ‘Royal Flush‘ set in the Queen’s bathroom, ‘Blatt Out of Hell‘ from the Fifa HQ, ‘The Lyin’ King’ set in the Daily Mail newsroom; ‘I never tyre of Georgia’ set in Kwikfit in the Deep South and ‘Bricking It‘, the sad history of the Guernsey Lego factory.

The Showstopper team nightly pull off something incredibly ambitious; they create a real musical from scratch, not just an improv night with songs but a full story with characters you can care about, a live band of incredible musicians, and spontaneous but seamless choreography. With a BBC Radio Four series and eight years of festivals and touring to their name, The Showstoppers have delighted and astounded audiences around the world with their ingenious, unique blend of comedy, musical theatre and spontaneity.

What the critics said:

★★★★★

“Incredible… so polished, it defies belief.” – Daily Telegraph

★★★★★

“You absolutely have to go” – Mail on Sunday

★★★★

“Crackingly creative… a triumph.” – The Times

★★★★

“Astounding” – Daily Express

★★★★

“Brilliant” – Financial Times

★★★★

“A success story that could run and run.” – Evening Standard

★★★★

“Staggeringly good… a must-see.” – The Stage

★★★★

“The resultant show is a glorious mix of shambolic story and genuinely hilarious songs”

– Time Out

★★★★

“Go and go again. It’s irrepressible, irresistible fun.” – British Theatre

★★★★

“Satirical ingenuity” – What’s On Stage

★★★★★

“Showstopper! is a must for every fan of musical theatre” – Musical Theatre Review

“Make sure you catch this show” – Sunday Mirror

“Prepare to be wowed… Showstopper! might be the only West End show you ever need.”

– Chortle

Showstopper! was created by Adam Meggido and Dylan Emery. Duncan Walsh Atkins is Musical Director, with design by Simon Scullion, lighting by Tim Mascall and sound by Tom Lishman.

The cast includes Ruth Bratt, Justin Brett, Dylan Emery, Pippa Evans, Susan Harrison, Sean McCann, Adam Meggido, Philip Pellew, Andrew Pugsley, Oliver Senton, Lucy Trodd, and Sarah-Louise Young, with seven cast members appearing per performance plus a live on-stage band.

Showstopper! The Improvised Musical is presented by James Seabright, Julie Clare, Julius Green, Keith Strachan, Irving Rappaport and Ray Cooney by arrangement with Suzanna Rosenthal for Showstopper Productions.

Listings information:

Showstopper! The Improvised Musical

Venue: The Lyric Theatre, Shaftesbury Avenue, London

Dates: Monthly Mondays in Feb/Mar/April and then fortnightly from May to July16

Dates : 15 February, 14, March, 11 April, 9 May, 23 May, 6 June, 20 June, 4 July, 18 July & 25 July

Tickets: From £20 Box Office: www.nimaxtheatres.com / 0330 333 4812

Jolly good show, chaps!

Graham Seed talks about Rattigan, romance and how wearing a uniform might give his wife ideas…

With the tractors and traumas of Ambridge well and truly behind him (he played Nigel Pargetter in the radio soap The Archers for an incredible 27 years), award-winning actor and broadcaster Graham Seed continues to work extensively. Just starting out on a national tour, Graham plays Squadron Leader Swanson in Terence Rattigan’s Flare Path, directed by Justin Audibert.

“It’s going very well and we have a terrific cast,” beamed Graham, a self-confessed Rattigan fan.

“As an actor I am really enjoying it because Rattigan writes such good characters; he just didn’t write bad parts. One of his best plays is The Deep Blue Sea and this has early elements of that. It’s rather delightful and I like the play enormously.”

Based on Rattigan’s own experiences as a tail gunner during World War II, the play is rooted in wartime Britain, where the life-and-death existence of the RAF bomber crews, and their wives and sweethearts who were on tenterhooks awaiting their return, created a permanent state of high anxiety. The story tells of former actress Patricia, the wife of RAF pilot Teddy. When Patricia’s ex‐lover and Hollywood idol Peter arrives out of the blue her emotions are thrown into turmoil and the survival of her marriage to Teddy becomes uncertain. As the conflict rages in the skies above, on terra firma feelings simmer, threatening to become every bit as explosive.

A romance with shades of Brief Encounter then? Graham nodded. “She has to decide what she’s going to do, but it does have humour, too. It’s a very evocative and powerful play.

“My character is quite funny and rather charming. He’s a frightfully good chap; full of that stiff upper lip phlegm.”

But in pitching his performance Graham has had to take care not to stray into parody. “If you did it wrong you’d be into Black Adder or Monty Python territory, which you don’t want at all.”

But it’s not just the good of the play that Graham is mindful about; he clearly has great respect for the real life pilots who carried out such dangerous missions.

“These boys were incredibly brave and they understated the danger always. The play is set against the backdrop of planes taking off and not coming back and at one point my character says: ‘we do owe these boys something.’ You can see why Churchill loved it. The Great War was so ghastly that it became romantic, but in the Second World War far more civilians were bombed.”

Mixing history with an intriguing story gives it broad appeal and the cast are delighted that Flare Path is attracting audiences of all ages.

“It’s definitely a play that is suitable for all the family and I do hope that lots of young people will come to see it,” said Graham, who admitted that these days he isn’t feeling as sprightly as he once was.

“I am suddenly feeling my age,” he confided. For years you’re the youngest in the company and now I’m suddenly the oldest – I’m about twenty years older than everyone else!”

But there’s something about this particular production that has had a rejuvenating effect on Graham. Botox? A bit of a nip-and-tuck? As it transpires nothing so drastic.

“I know it sounds slightly immature for a sixty-five-year-old man to say it, but it’s quite nice to put on an air force uniform. I look pretty chipper,” he teased, agreeing that any fella in a military uniform looks instantly dapper, even if they look like a bag of spanners. Not that Graham does, I hastily reassured him. Laughing off the unintended insult he said:

“It’s like evening dress – if you’re a woman and you suddenly look at your old man in evening dress you say ‘goodness he polishes up well!’ When my wife sees me in my RAF uniform I hope she thinks that there’s life in the old dog yet!”

Certainly on the work front he continues to have offers lined up and, although he is best remembered for The Archers, his CV is crammed with credible theatre, film and TV credits. “That’s because I’m so old,” he twinkled. “I’ve ducked and dived; I’m what they call a jobbing actor.”

As for life on tour, Graham doesn’t mind living out of a suitcase in the least.

“It’s rather romantic and like being with a family. For me, as an older member of the company, there’s a responsibility to make sure that everyone’s happy. But it’s a lovely way to see friends in other parts of the country and to visit wonderful theatres.”

Asked to name his favourite theatres around the country Graham said: “I love Darlington’s beautiful old theatre. People still have a sense of occasion about going to the theatre there and that’s really lovely.”

With all the schlepping about he does for work, how does Graham relax?

“I find it very hard to relax,” he confessed. “I do What the Papers Say every other Sunday, so don’t get many Sunday’s off. You always worry about your next job and even at sixty-five I’m always worried that I’ll be found out. But I’m actually pretty content. Getting older makes you less ambitious; there are more important things, like your health. So now I am absolutely thrilled to play good supporting roles and to really enjoy them.”

Anxious that he doesn’t come across as “worthy” (he doesn’t), Graham believes that there is a duty to tour good plays around the country, especially to unsubsidised theatres.

Speaking of which, it was time for him to head off to transform himself into a fine young man in uniform for the evening performance.

“I’m revving up for chocks away,” he grinned, before adding: “It’s not a bad life.”

Indeed. And he’s a jolly good egg. A jolly good egg in a jolly good show. Go and see for yourself.

Official website: www.flarepaththetour.com

Twitter: @flarepathtour

Facebook: flarepaththetour

Vicky Edwards

 

FLARE PATH

Darlington Civic Theatre

Tuesday 12 to Saturday 16 April

Tickets* £17 to £22.50

*includes £1 restoration levy

01325 486555

www.darlingtoncivic.co.uk

THE BOYS HAVE STILL GOT WHAT IT TAKES

The greatest rock’n’roll band in the world comes to Darlington Civic Theatre on Friday 19 February.

Showaddywaddy have been on tour since 1973, and are on the road again in 2016. The band are playing sold-out shows up and down the land with nearly 100 dates on the tour list, which is testament to their enduring appeal.

Formed in the 1970s from members of several different bands, Showaddywaddy have sold more than 20 million records and have toured the world.

Now celebrating their 40th anniversary, Darlington Civic Theatre is preparing to rock to the all-time favourites including Under The Moon of Love, Three Steps to Heaven, Hey Rock & Roll, Blue Moon, Pretty Little Angel Eyes, You Got What It Takes and many more in this dynamic stage show.

Showaddywaddy comes to Darlington Civic Theatre on Friday 19 February at 7.30pm. Tickets* are priced £19.50 & £20.50. Groups 10+ get 1 free

*All prices include a £1 restoration levy

To book contact the Box Office on 01325 486 555 or visit www.darlingtoncivic.co.uk

Royal Theatrical Support Trust Director Award

launched with Sheffield Theatres

 

The Royal Theatrical Support Trust (RTST), and Sheffield Theatres are delighted to announce a new award scheme for emerging directors: the RTST Director Award Scheme.

 

The new scheme, launched by the RTST – a charity dedicated to promoting theatre and drama – in collaboration with Sheffield Theatres, will offer the chance for an emerging director to create and direct a fully-funded production of a play by an internationally renowned dramatist at a selected regional theatre. In its inaugural year, the successful candidate for the award will direct their chosen play at the Crucible Studio Theatre, as part of Sheffield Theatres’ 2017 spring season.

 

The winner of the RTST Director Award 2016 will be chosen by a selection panel chaired by Daniel Evans, the current Artistic Director of Sheffield Theatres and Artistic Director-designate of Chichester Festival Theatre. Daniel will be joined on the panel by Sir Ian McKellen, Dawn Walton, Richard Wilson andPenelope Wilton.

 

Chairman of the RTST, Sir Geoffrey Cass, said: “This exciting new award scheme reflects the mission of the RTST to support British theatre in multiple ways: it will boost the career of an emerging director; provide meaningful financial and promotional support to a regional theatre; facilitate a production for a regional audience; and promote the work of an internationally renowned dramatist. We are thrilled to be launching the scheme with Sheffield Theatres, and applaud the dedication and enthusiasm of Daniel Evans, the Sheffield Theatres management team and the members of our prestigious Selection Panel in making this possible. We believe it offers something different to the theatre community, and we very much hope it will attract a diverse array of candidates and ideas.”

 

Daniel Evans, Artistic Director at Sheffield Theatres, said: “I’m overjoyed that the RTST has chosen Sheffield Theatres in order to launch the RTST Director Award. The award itself will offer an incredible opportunity to one of the UK’s emerging directors. Such opportunities are, frustratingly, all too few. It’s edifying to know our collaboration will offer the winner a professional, practical and prestigious experience in one of the country’s most exciting theatre spaces.”

 

Entries for the RTST Director Award Scheme 2016 are now open. To enter, and for further details of the award, please visit the RTST’s website: www.rtst.org.uk. The closing date for entries is 5.00pm on Friday, 18 March 2016.

FAST PACED COMEDY THE 39 STEPS COMES TO THE LYCEUM

 

Olivier Award-winning West End comedy, The 39 Steps stops off at the Lyceum Theatre from Tuesday 16 – Saturday 20 February as part of its 10^th Anniversary UK Tour. This hilarious production features four actors, playing over 130 characters in 100 minutes!

 

Based on Alfred Hitchcock’s classic spy thriller The 39 Steps follows the incredible adventures of handsome hero Richard Hannay.  Complete with stiff upper lip, British gung-ho and pencil moustache, he encounters dastardly murders, double-crossing secret agents and of course devastatingly beautiful women, in a dangerous tale of cat-and-mouse from London to the Scottish Highlands.

 

Richard Ede stars as the eponymous hero Hannay with Olivia Greene as the three women in Hannay’s life, Pamela, Annabella and Margaret.  They are joined by Andrew Hodges and Rob Witcomb playing the myriad of other roles with breath-taking speed and dexterity.

The 39 Steps is at the Lyceum Theatre from Monday 16 – Saturday 20 February.  Tickets can be purchased from Sheffield Theatres’ Box Office in-person, by phone on 0114 249 6000 or online at sheffieldtheatres.co.uk and are priced from £14.00 – £29.00 (a transaction fee of £1.50 (£1.00 online) applies to all bookings made at the Box Office, excluding cash), and discounts are available.

The Rosemary Branch Theatre  29 January – 14 February.  Reviewed by Claire Roderick

Reader, I was bewitched.

Bryony J. Thompson’s production of Jane Eyre is simply stunning. This adaptation remains passionately faithful to the book, omitting any fluff and showcasing the dramatic and romantic set pieces – with style. Jane’s early years are dealt with in a few minutes – no lingering deathbed scene for poor Helen here! – and the focus moves briskly on to her life at Thornfield Hall.

With a stark white set, plain white period costumes and only 6 wooden chairs, the set design mirrors the script – stripped down and sharp – allowing the actors to revel in Bronte’s beguiling language and the audience to lose themselves in the performance.

The cast of 6 are on stage throughout, with Alice Coles, Jack Collard, Madeline Gould and Alice Osmanski slipping in and out of different roles seamlessly. Osmanski’s little Adele is a delight – all wide-eyed excitement and joie de vivre. Emilia Williams is an intense but mischievous Jane and Ben Warwick’s Mr Rochester is everything you want – stern, playful and damaged. Their flirtatious banter is funny and sweet, and the passionate build up to their first kiss is portrayed brilliantly.

Thompson’s decision to have the characters switching between direct speech and narrating is very effective. The scenes where Jane has an internal monologue, with Williams surrounded by the other women all taking rapid fire turns to voice her thoughts become frantic, intense and very moving. (There was one point where it became a little Bohemian Rhapsody, but it was fleeting.)

This production creates Jane’s world in the audience’s minds through the intoxicating language and sympathetic movement – Jane’s discovery of the fire is haunting and exciting, and all done with no effects or props – amazing, and wonderful to be trusted as an audience to use your imagination and intuition. The satisfied sigh (along with a few Sense and Sensibility grunts) at “Reader, I married him” that came from the audience sums up the whole night.

Beautiful, moving and intelligent theatre.