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SPOTLIGHT TO SPONSOR NATIONAL YOUTH THEATRE REP SEASON INDUSTRY PERFORMANCES IN LONDON’S WEST END

• SPOTLIGHT SPONSORED INDUSTRY PERFORMANCES OF ROMEO AND JULIET (11 OCTOBER), PIGEON ENGLISH (18 OCTOBER) AND DNA (15 NOVEMBER) TO TAKE PLACE  

• FULL SEASON RUNS AT THE AMBASSADORS THEATRE 20 SEP – 25 NOV AS PART OF NATIONAL YOUTH THEATRE’S 60TH ANNIVERSARY YEAR WITH TICKETS AND MORE INFORMATION AT WWW.NYT.ORG.UK 

The National Youth Theatre (NYT) have announced that the UK’s leading casting resource,Spotlight, is to sponsor industry performances for their REP cast in the West End this autumn.  The industry performances of Romeo and Juliet, Pigeon English and DNA, which will take place on Tuesday 11 October, 18 October and 15 November, will offer the opportunity for NYT and Spotlight to work collaboratively to ensure a wide representation of agents and casting directors attend the performances to give the company members the best chances of future success within the industry.

Spotlight, founded in 1927, is the UK’s leading casting resource with a network of over 60,000 performers that are connected to castings submitted by thousands of production companies, broadcasters and independent casting directors who use Spotlight as their key casting platform.

Spotlight’s CEO Ben Seale said, “We are absolutely thrilled to be sponsoring the NYT REP season. Nurturing young, fresh talent and helping provide access to free drama training is crucial to creating the next generation of UK actors.”

The NYT REP is a completely unique, free talent development initiative allowing the best young talent to work for nine months with leading institutions culminating in three months of performances in the West End.  Inspired by traditional repertory training, it was set up by Artistic Director Paul Roseby in 2012 to provide a much needed free alternative to expensive formal training. Over 30,000 audience members, including over 300 school groups from around the UK, have attended since 2013 and this year the REP returns with a 55% BAME cast. REP company alumni include Sope Dirisu who recently starred in BBC1’s Undercover, Kate Kennedy was acclaimed for her performance as Helena earlier this year in the BBC’s Midsummer Night’s Dream, Zainab Hasan who appeared in Boy at the Almeida and Luke Pierre and Conor Neaves from the 2015 REP who are currently making their professional debuts at the National Theatre.

The REP season for 2016 includes a brand new production of William Shakespeare’s Romeo & Juliet, abridged by Cheek by Jowl’s Owen Horsley and set in 1950s post war London, where brutality, prejudice and ruthless gang culture prevail. The adaption is directed by Kate Hewitt (Far Away and associate director, Charlie and The Chocolate Factory the Musical). Alongside Romeo and Juliet the NYT are to give the West End premiere of Pigeon English, Stephen Kelman’s moving 2011 Man Booker prize shortlisted novel, adapted for stage for by award-winning playwright and Young Vic Genesis Fellow Gbolahan Obisesan (How Nigeria Became). The production follows 11-year-old Ghanaian school boy Harri who lives on an inner city London council estate and looks at the sometimes harsh reality of adulthood in modern day Britain. The 2016 REP season will also include a two week run of Dennis Kelly’s DNA, following a group of teenagers after a practical joke goes tragically wrong, pushing them towards the edges of society.

Founded in 1956 the NYT is the pioneering force for youth theatre around the world and is recognisedas the leading provider of free alternatives to formal theatre training, with alumni including Dame Helen Mirren, Daniel Craig, Chiwetel Ejiofor CBE and Sir Daniel Day Lewis. Since being founded the world’s leading youth arts charity has nurtured the talent of over 100,000 young people.

More information at www.nyt.org.uk
@NYTofGB / @NYTREPcompany

FULL CASTING ANNOUNCED FOR

LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS

 

Touring the UK from August 2016 in a brand new production

 

 

Full casting is announced today for hit musical comedy Little Shop of Horrors, bringing everyone’s favourite carnivorous plant to theatres across the UK in a brand new tour for 2016, opening at Bournemouth Pavilion on Thursday 4 August 2016. Full tour schedule attached. There will be a press night at New Wimbledon Theatre on Tuesday 23 August.

 

The cast will feature Sam Lupton (Boq in Wicked, West End, Avenue Q, UK Tour) as Seymour, Stephanie Clift(Mamma Mia!, West End) as Audrey, Paul Kissaun (Calamity Jane, Fiddler on the Roof, UK Tours) as Mushnik,Sasha Latoya (Rent, Greenwich Theatre, Britain’s Got Talent) as Crystal, Vanessa Fisher (Hairspray, UK Tour) as Chiffon, Cassie Clare (Cats, West End) as Ronnette and Josh Wilmott (Spamalot, We Will Rock You, UK Tours) as Audrey II. The cast also includes Phil Adele, Stephanie McConville and Neil Nicholas.

 

They join the previously announced Rhydian as The Dentist, Orin Scrivello. Rhydian rose to fame as a runaway success on ITV’s X Factor and has sold in excess of a million albums worldwide. He has released 6 albums and duetted and performed with some of the biggest names in the music industry including Michael Bublé, Taylor Swift, Enrique Iglesias, Celine Dion and Nicole Scherzinger. Rhydian’s many theatre credits include Grease, We Will Rock You, The War Of The Worlds, Jesus Christ Superstar and the 40th Anniversary Tour of The Rocky Horror Show. Rhydian has just completed his third solo UK tour and is a Classical Brit Award nominee.

 

A charming, kooky and hilarious 1950s musical comedy, Little Shop of Horrors tells the story of Seymour, the assistant at Mushnik’s Flower Shop in downtrodden Skid Row, who becomes an overnight sensation when he discovers a strange and exotic plant. He names it Audrey Two in order to impress glamorous Audrey, the shop assistant he’s secretly in love with. But Audrey Two has a mind of its own, and soon grows into a bad-tempered, foul-mouthed carnivore with an appetite that can’t be satisfied. Seymour must keep the meals coming to stop his prized plant from wilting, but how far is he willing to go to get the girl of his dreams?

 

Little Shop of Horrors originally opened Off-Off-Broadway in 1982 before moving to the Orpheum Theatre Off-Broadway later that year, where it ran for five years and won numerous awards including the New York Drama Critics Circle Award for Best Musical and the Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Musical. It opened in the West End the following year, and in 1986 was adapted into the now iconic cult film starring Rick Moranis, Ellen Greene and Steve Martin. Other notable stage productions include the 2006 London revival at the Menier Chocolate Factory and in the West End, starring Sheridan Smith as Audrey.

 

Little Shop of Horrors features music by Alan Menken and book and lyrics by Howard Ashman. They are best known for their collaborations on iconic Walt Disney films including The Little Mermaid and Beauty and the Beast, for which they received Academy Awards.

Little Shop of Horrors is directed by Tara Wilkinson (Associate Director of Motown the Musical, Memphis andSunday in the Park With George, all in the West End) with choreography by Matthew Cole (Footloose The Musical UK Tour), design by David Shields, lighting design by Charlie Morgan Jones and sound design by Gareth Owen. The Musical Supervisor is Mark Crossland. It is presented by Sell a Door Theatre Company and Damien Tracey Productions by arrangement with Music Theatre International (Europe) Limited. Sell a Door Theatre Company have previously toured critically acclaimed productions of Avenue Q, The History Boys, American Idiotand Seussical the Musical.

 

www.littleshopuktour.com

@LittleShopTour

When the York Theatre Royal communications team were thinking up fun ideas to promote their new summer show Sherlock Holmes: The Hound of the Baskervilles, one idea for a fun social media campaign set their metaphorical tails wagging: #DogsInDeerstalkers. The idea was to ask members of the public to post photos of their beloved pooches wearing Sherlock Holmes’ iconic headgear, tagging the theatre’s @YorkTheatre Twitter account of @YorkTheatreRoyal Instagram account.

What began as a bit of a joke soon spread like wildfire online, with Mark Gatiss, creator of the highly acclaimed BBC Sherlock series getting involved, sharing a photo of his Labrador Bunsen with the theatre. His photo has proved to be one of the most popular ever posted by the theatre, with over 500 likes and 144 shares. The trend was then picked up by the Radio Times who commented:

#DogsInDeerstalkers is a thing and Mark Gatiss has joined in.

 

Many other comments soon followed, with showbiz and entertainment news website Digital Spy saying:

Isn’t the Sherlock-inspired #DogsInDeerstalkers the best Twitter trend EVER?!

Members of the public added:

#DogsInDeerstalkers is making this day so much more bearable

#DogsInDeerstalkers is a wonderful hashtag on here

#DogsInDeerstalkers this is the hashtag I need in my life

So far, tweets using the #DogsInDeerstalkers hashtag have brought awareness of the Sherlock Holmes: The Hound of the Baskervilles campaign to over 100,000 Twitter users, which is certainly nothing to shake (or throw), a stick at.

Sherlock Holmes: The Hound of the Baskervilles will take place at York Theatre Royal from Friday 29 July to Saturday 27 August. Performance times are 7pm with 2.30pm matinees (see yorktheatreroyal.co.uk for a full performance schedule). Tickets are on sale now priced £24 – £10 (£1.50 transaction fee per booking) from theYork Theatre Royal Box Office in person, by phone on 01904 623568 or securely online at yorktheatreroyal.co.uk.

THE WORLD’S MOST SUCCESSFUL ROCK & ROLL MUSICAL

 

BUDDY – THE BUDDY HOLLY STORY

 

 

FULL CAST ANNOUNCED

2017 DATES ADDED DUE TO HUGE DEMAND!

 

TICKETS ON SALE NOW

 

Due to phenomenal demand for tickets and with more dates still to be added Buddy – The Buddy Holly Story has announced it will play at least an additional 23 theatres in 2017, extending the autumn 2016 tour which opens at Harlow Playhouse on Wednesday 31 August.

As we approach Wednesday 7 September, Buddy Holly’s 80^th Birthday, Buddy – The Buddy Holly Story tells the enduring tale of the musical icon’s meteoric rise to fame and his final legendary performance at the Surf Ballroom in Clear Lake, Iowa, before his tragic and untimely death at the age of 22. In 18 short months the Texas-born boy revolutionized the face of contemporary music influencing everyone from The Beatles to Bruce Springsteen.

The production boasts a phenomenally multi-talented cast comprising of Glen Joseph and AlexFobbester (who alternate the role of Buddy Holly), Miguel Angel, Joe Butcher, Celia Cruwys-Finnigan, Jordan Cunningham, Josh Haberfield, Kerry Low, Thomas Mitchells, Matthew Quinn, Tom Sowinski and Alex Tosh. Together they present two terrific hours of music with over 20 of his greatest hits, including the timeless classics That’ll Be The Day, Peggy Sue, Oh Boy and Rave On.

With the Big Bopper’s Chantilly Lace and Ritchie Valens’ La Bamba completing a stellar musical line-up, Buddy is a not to be missed evening of family entertainment.

Although there have been many imitations Buddy – The Buddy Holly Story has stood the test of time. The show has inspired a generation of multi-million selling juke-box musicals, includingMamma Mia and We Will Rock You, still remains a true original and a musical phenomenon.

Seen by over 22 million music fans since it opened in London’s West End in 1989, Buddy speaks an international language and continues to have audiences from aged 8 to 80 years old rockin’ in the aisles across the globe!

Buddy’s widow, Maria Elena Holly, says of the show: “When we opened the show we never imagined Buddy’s music and story would still be rocking stages and entertaining audiences around the world week-in week-out over 25 years later. I believe this is testament to a great show – the first of its kind – and to the enduring appeal of Buddy Holly and what he represents; a youthful energy, huge talent and creativity, combined with a determination to make a lasting impression in this world.”

Writer/Producer Alan Janes says “Audiences aged 8 to 80 dance in the aisles every night to our enactment of the story of a young man whose musical career spanned an all-too-brief period but whose music will be remembered forever”.

WEBSITE| FACEBOOK | TWITTER

        

 

FEEL THE LOVE WITH SHEFFIELD PEOPLE’S THEATRE IN

A DREAM AT THE CRUCIBLE THEATRE

 

Sheffield Theatres is delighted to welcome the return of Sheffield People’s Theatre to the Crucible stage for the world première of Chris Bush’s comedy, A Dream, a modern day mash up of Shakespearean romance, from Wednesday 13 – Saturday 16 July.

 

‘Kiss me tonight. Anything else can wait ‘til morning.’

It’s Midsummer’s Eve and there is mischief in the air.  Music thuds from the city below. Drink flows, songs are sung and vows are made.  The staff in the A & E Department of the local hospital welcome a flurry of patients through their doors.  All seem vaguely familiar and all seem to be under the influence of something very powerful…

Join a host of Shakespearian characters re-imagined for the 21^st Century in A Dream.  performed bySheffield People’s Theatre – a community cast and technical team, aged from 12 to 88 years.  This play celebrates love in all its guises and is guaranteed to delight audiences of all ages.

A Dream comes to the Crucible Theatre from Wednesday 13 to Saturday 16 July. Tickets are on sale now, priced at £15.00 (concessions available) and can be purchased from Sheffield Theatres’ Box Office in person, by calling 0114 249 6000, and online at sheffieldtheatres.co.uk. A transaction fee of £1.50 (£1.00 online) applies to all bookings made at the Box Office, excluding cash.

 

This production is supported by

 

Niamh McGrady and Will Featherstone will star as Olivia and Dan respectively in the national tour of Emlyn Williams’s psychological thriller, NIGHT MUST FALL, directed by Luke Sheppard, joining the previously announced Gwen Taylor as Mrs Bransom and Daragh O’Malley as Inspector Belsize, along with Alasdair Buchan as Hubert, Anne Odeke as Nurse Libby, Mandi Symonds as Mrs Terence and Melissa Vaughan as Dora.

Niamh McGrady is best known for playing the regular characters Mary-Claire Carter in Holby City (BBC) and PC Danielle Ferrington in three series of The Fall (BBC). Her theatre credits include Twelfth Night (Chichester Festival Theatre) and Macbeth (Chichester Festival Theatre, West End and Broadway).

Will Featherstone’s theatre credits include Dr. Scroggy’s War, Romeo and Juliet, As You Like It and Anne Boleyn for Shakespeare’s Globe, A Midsummer Night’s Dream and The Comedy of Errors for Propeller, and The History Boys for Sheffield Crucible. Screen credits including Fresh Meat (Channel 4), Endeavour (ITV), Ashes to Ashes (BBC) and Midsomer Murders (ITV), as well as the forthcoming feature film A United Kingdom, starring Rosamund Pike and David Oyelowo.

When charming, smooth-talking Dan arrives at old Mrs Bramson’s remote woodland home, he soon ingratiates his way into her life and that of her niece, Olivia. But when a local woman goes missing and is later found murdered, Olivia begins to suspect her aunt’s new private assistant. She resolves to find out the truth.

Emlyn Williams wrote NIGHT MUST FALL in 1935 and played the lead role in the first stage production. The play was noted for its exploration of the killer’s complex psychological state, a step forward for its genre. Robert Montgomery starred in the film version in 1937 and Albert Finney in the 1964 re-make.

Emlyn Williams’ Night Must Fall Trailer

NIGHT MUST FALL will be designed by David Woodhead, with sound and music by Harry Blake and lighting by Howard Hudson. The national tour is produced by Alastair Whatley and Tom Hackney for The Original Theatre Company and Sebastian Warrack for Salisbury Playhouse, in association with Eastbourne Theatres.

Website: www.originaltheatre.com
Facebook: TheOriginalTheatre
Twitter: @OriginalTheatre

Age guidance 12+

TOUR SCHEDULE
19 August – 3 September Devonshire Park Theatre, Eastbourne
www.eastbournetheatres.co.uk 01323 412000

6 – 24 September Salisbury Playhouse
www.salisburyplayhouse.com 01722 320333

28 September – 1 October Belgrade Theatre, Coventry
www.belgrade.co.uk 024 7655 3055

4 – 8 October Festival Theatre, Malvern
www.malvern-theatres.co.uk 01684 892277

17 – 22 October New Wolsey Theatre, Ipswich
www.wolseytheatre.co.uk 01473 295900

25 – 29 October Exeter Northcott Theatre
www.exeternorthcott.co.uk 01392 726 363

1 – 5 November Palace Theatre, Southend
www.palacetheatresouthend.co.uk 01702 351135

8 – 12 November Everyman Theatre, Cheltenham
www.everymantheatre.org.uk 01242 572573

15 – 19 November York Theatre Royal
www.yorktheatreroyal.co.uk 01904 623568

29 November – 3 December Yvonne Arnaud, Guildford
www.yvonne-arnaud.co.uk 01483 440000

West End stars Jenna Russell (Merrily We Roll Along, Sunday In The Park With George) and John Owen-Jones (Les Misérables, Phantom of the Opera) will lead the cast in the roles of John and Emily. Owen-Jones is currently performing as Jean Valjean on Broadway, while Russell was most recently seen in Jamie Lloyd’s production of Doctor Faustus at the Duke of York’s Theatre.

Matthew Seadon-Young (Billy Elliot, Urinetown) will appear in the role of Jackson, while John’s brothers Isaac and Seth will be played by Nigel Richards(Phantom of the Opera) and Stewart Clarke (Assassins) respectively. Clarke’s parents, actors Paul Clarkson and Julia Hills, created the roles of John and Emily in the original production of The Hired Man.

Completing the front line as May is Evelyn Hoskins, currently appearing in Alan Ayckbourn’s Hero’s Welcome in New York and recently seen in Carrie at Southwark Playhouse and Wonder.land at the National Theatre.

As previously announced, the concert is to be narrated by Lord Melvyn Bragg himself, upon whose novel the musical was based. Bragg is perhaps best known to London audiences as the face of The Southbank Show for over three decades on BBC and ITV.

Set in the agricultural and industrial heartlands of Cumbria at the turn of the 20th century, The Hired Man tells the tale of John and Emily Tallentire as they go from two young lovers setting off in married life together to parents struggling to eke out an existence for their family as war looms across the continent. As the 100th anniversary of the first world war is commemorated and with communities in industrial towns across the country struggling to hold onto their way of life, this powerful tale of labour and love is more poignant now than ever.

The ensemble and live orchestra bringing this timeless score to life will be under the baton of conductor Andrew Linnie (The Commitments). The production will also feature evocative projections by designer Barret Hodgson and direction by Samuel Hopkins.

The original West End production in 1984 earned four Olivier nominations, and was proclaimed ‘Best New Musical’ by the Ivor Novello awards, The Guardian, The Stage and Time Out.

Tickets are now on sale through Cadogan Hall’s Box Office on 020 7730 4500, or at www.cadoganhall.com.
Twitter @hiredmanconcert

The London Palladium 29 June.  Reviewed by Claire Roderick

Choosing to perform a concert version of a brand new musical at the London Palladium rather than in a 50 seater pub theatre means that the producers have either HUGE faith in their show, or a huge contact list on social media. Looking at the crowds waiting patiently to enter the theatre, it may be a bit of both.

Either way, the gamble paid off with fantastic audience response and a well-deserved standing ovation – although that was partly down to the spectacular performances of the astonishingly stellar cast the producers managed to put together.

Before the show, I did wonder whether the world really needs an 80s geek musical, but Eugenius is so uplifting and joyous that I was rapt within minutes.

Eugene is a comic book writing high school geek (not a nerd – there’s a technical difference apparently) whose ideas are chosen to be adapted into a Hollywood movie. Eugene is uprooted to LA, abandoning his friends and falling under the influence of megalomaniac producer Lex. Meanwhile Evil Lord Hector, twin brother of Eugene’s hero Toughman, is searching the galaxy for his sibling, and the two worlds collide on the set of the movie. Will Eugene find the hero inside himself and save the day?

Yes, the plot is cheesy and predictable, but that’s exactly how most films and TV shows WERE in the 80s.

Ben Adams and Chris Wilkins embrace the cheese in both book and lyrics, creating a feel good nostalgia laden evening. The references may not resonate for younger audience members, but there is so much humour and energy on display that it just doesn’t matter. Perhaps they’ll go home and discover the wonders of He Man and The Fraggles through YouTube? The language does get a little fruitier in the second act, and there is one jarringly ill-judged line about stepchildren that caused a tumbleweed moment, but generally this is a show for all the family.

Every song is memorable, riffing on 80s classics and performed with panache by the cast, with Go Eugenius and Comic Book Kind of Love being the earworms of the show. (Handily distributed to the audience on cassette tape as they left.) Summer Strallen as Carrie / Super Hot Lady wowed with her “audition” piece – a super spoof of Flashdance’s “Maniac”, and David Bedella oozed malevolence as Lex. Louis Maskell (Eugene) and Amy Lennox (Janey) blended their powerful voices beautifully in their beautifully sweet duets, and Daniel Buckley as Ferris nailed his smoooooth 80s rap and inept dance moves – just hysterical. Stealing every scene was Samuel Holmes as Lex’s assistant – best character in the show – please give him more lines! And to cap it all, Brian Blessed provided the voice overs!

The choreographed numbers, inspired by the Paula Abdul/Janet Jackson school of dance, with shades of Legs and Co., were very funny. I think we were all longing to see what those Fish people will look like in full costume, and then there’s Kevin the robot…

There is still some work to be done polishing and pruning the promising script, but I for one can’t wait to see Eugenius! as a full production. Fantastic – I’m still grinning like a loon. Go Eugenius!

THE COMMITMENTS ROCK INTO LEEDS DIRECT FROM THE WEST END

 

Coronation Street legend, Kevin Kennedy, is to star as in the critically acclaimed musical The Commitments when it hits Leeds this December.

 

The UK tour features many of the cast from the record-breaking show’s two year run at London’s Palace Theatre, including Brian Gilligan who will reprise his starring role of Deco and Andrew Linnie who will star as Jimmy Rabbitte.

 

Kevin takes the role of Jimmy Rabbitte’s Da in the show that is written by Roddy Doyle, the author of the best-selling novel of the same name.

 

Roddy Doyle said: “The Commitments were born in Dublin, moved to London, and will soon be hopping all over the shop. I wrote the novel – invented the characters – in 1986, and it thrills me to think that they will be entertaining audiences throughout the UK and Ireland 30 years later, in 2016.”

 

Kevin Kennedy won the hearts of the nation when he starred as Curly Watts in Coronation Street. Since leaving Coronation Street, Kevin has regularly appeared in theatre productions including: Chicago, The Rocky Horror Show, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang and We Will Rock You.

 

Kevin said: “After working abroad, I am delighted to be returning to such an iconic musical as The Commitments. It is a pleasure to travel around the country playing to enthusiastic audiences who love this show.”

 

Brian Gilligan originally played the role of drummer Billy ‘The Animal’ Mooney in the West End production.  Several months later, he was overheard singing to himself in the stairwell at The Palace Theatre and blew away the director, leading to him being cast as Deco a few weeks later.

 

Brian said: “I am very fortunate to be returning to a role and show that I really love. It’s gonna be exciting bringing the show back home to Dublin.”

 

Andrew Linnie was originally part of the West End production’s ensemble, but saved the day when the actor playing Jimmy Rabbitte damaged his knee and both of the understudies were unavailable. Despite not having performed the role before on stage, Andrew stepped up to the plate to take over that the role that evening, and received a standing ovation after just a few hours rehearsals. He then carried on playing the role for the rest of the week getting great reviews for his performances.  After performing the role in the West End, Andrew will now play Jimmy Rabbitte on the UK tour.

 

Andrew said: “I made my West End debut in this show and couldn’t be more delighted to be returning to play the wonderful music again.”

 

The Commitments tells the story of Jimmy Rabbitte, a young working class music fan, who shapes an unlikely bunch of amateur musicians into an amazing live act, the finest soul band Dublin has ever produced. The show follows the journey of two members of a frustrated synthesiser band – the opening scene has them playing, but ignored, in a shop window – who turn to Jimmy, the local music expert, for help.

 

The Commitmentettes will be played by sisters Amy Penston, (Natalie) and Leah Penston (Imelda), while Christina Tedders (Bernie) will complete the talented trio.

 

Amy said: “I’m absolutely over the moon to be back with The Commitments playing Natalie. I’m so looking forward to working with some of the old gang and rock the stage together again. Not only that, but it’s a dream come true to back on stage with my wonderful sister, Leah. We’re just elated to be working together again!”

 

Leah said: “I’m so thrilled to be joining the cast of The Commitments, playing the role of Irish icon Imelda Quirke, which was originally portrayed in the film by Angeline Ball. I have some pretty big shoes to fill! The fact that I get to perform alongside my amazing big sis makes it all the more special. It’s going to be a tour to remember!” 

 

Christina said: “I have loved The Commitments since I was a little girl – my nightly renditions of ‘Mustang Sally’ were both the joy and bane of my parent’s evenings! I’m totally thrilled to be playing the role of Bernie.”

 

 

The Commitments is at Leeds Grand Theatre from Monday 5^th to Saturday 10^th December

 

Tickets are on sale now priced from £25 to £50.50

 

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

 

REVIEW: JACKIE THE MUSICAL (Empire Theatre, Sunderland)

July 6, 2016 

For: West End Wilma 

https://www.westendwilma.com/review-jackie-sunderland/

Jackie the Musical is a wonderfully nostalgic journey into the gentler, more innocent times of the 1970’s. When I used to read my sisters copy of Jackie on a Thursday before she came home from school.

This Jackie is 54, mother of a 19 year old David who wants to give up education to play music. She is going through a divorce and moving house because husband of 20 years, John, ran off with Gemma. Best friend Jill is encouraging Jackie to move on and find someone else. Nights are spent in Frankies eating sticky toffee pudding and drinking prosecco.

After a prosecco filled evening, Jackie starts to sort boxes from the attic and discovers her collection of Jackie magazine, resulting in her teenage self manifesting in her life.

Enter blind date Max and the story can begin, with lots of wonderful 70’s songs to move the story along and some brilliant comedy moments. Eventually Jackie realises the valuable lessons she learnt in her youth made her into the one person in control of her life – herself.

Young Jackie (Daisy Steere), who manages to bring a sense of realness to an unreal character, full of innocence and enthusiasm. Whilst Janet Dibley’s older Jackie is more cynical, still full of hurt, not knowing where life is going. Other strong female comic performances come from Gemma (Tricia Adele-Turner) and Jill (Lori Haley Fox), both fabulous and both under used.

The males of the show bring up the rear, Graham Bickley (John), Nicholas Bailey (Max) Sam O’Halon (Keith) and Michael Hamway (David). But for me, star of the show was Bob Harms as Frankie the bartender – what a performance! What a voice!

The live band on stage, lead by Dan de Cruz, play us on an exquisite musical journey from David Cassidy to the Osmonds via David Essex.

Director Anna Linstrom and book writer Mike James together with Set and Costume Designer Tim Shortall have ensured that the world of Jackie the magazine bursts off the stage. The magazine’s infamous speech bubbles, period fashions is combined with mirror-balls to ensure that Jackie the musical was imbued with fun and love from start to finish.

We’re taken back to an uncomplicated period with no mobile phones, no texting, no e-mails and no twitter! A time when teenage girls sought advice from resident agony aunts, Cathy and Claire, who provided advice on how to deal with the opposite sex, and important issues like, how to have soft elbows, and iron your hair!

This is truly a 5 star production. Everything about the show is first class, the performances, the costumes, the set. This is a fabulous feel good night out and comparisons are going to be made with Mamma Mia. But I think there is space for both shows and Jackie deserves a West End run if only for the Puppy Love scene.

Sunderland Empire was filled with ladies of a certain age, all wanting to relive their youth and wallow in the sea of nostalgia that came with the show. And it was a much deserved standing ovation – which lead quite nicely into a bit of a boogie at the end

Go and see this show now and enjoy possibly the best night out this year.