Live Theatre’s January to June 2016 Season: Now on Sale

A new season of entertaining, imaginative and engaging theatre has been launched this week by Live Theatre.

 

Next summer there is an exciting collaboration with Carnegie Medal-winning author, David Almond (Skellig),to present The Savage (30 June to 23 July), his first full length play for Live Theatre. This creative theatrical reimagining of his critically acclaimed short story has been commissioned to mark the launch of Live Tales, our new creative writing centre for children and young people which is at the heart of the new outdoor performance area and gardens next to the theatre.

 

Max Roberts, Artistic Director, Live Theatre said:

“It’s great to have a writer of David’s quality and reputation writing for Live Theatre. His enthusiasm and support for Live Tales our Children’s Writing Centre has been enormous and The Savage marks its opening. I’m very much looking forward to bringing his play to fruition moulding David’s rich lyrical writing with music and beautiful settings that will appeal to a wide age range of audiences.”
Next year also sees a welcome return for Alison Carr, with the world premiere of Iris (6 April to 30 April), a heady cocktail of caustic humour and tender pathos and her first full-length show in Live’s main theatre. Alison was the winner of Live Theatre’s 40th Anniversary Bursary for The Soaking of Vera Shrimp.

 

Gez Casey, Literary Manager said:

“Alison Carr has a distinct and individual voice as a playwright – witty, quirky and engaging. Following her previous work for the company, including The Girls From Poppyfield Close and The Soaking of Vera Shrimp in our Studio Theatre, I’m delighted that audiences will be able to see her first full commission in the Main House.”

 

Young voices continue to make themselves heard in Write Stuff (4 March), and members of Live’s Youth Theatre perform in The Media Circus  (5 & 6 March) and along with young learning disabled actors in Always the Bridesmaid (19 & 20 February),written by award winning playwright Mike Kenny in a collaboration with Headway Arts in Blyth.

See exciting new work performed for the very first time in Live Lab which this season launches two new projects, Live Lab Elevator festival (9 to 13 February) and Live Lab Takeover (21 & 22 May) which present new theatre and work-in-progress showcases. This also includes new work from Northumbria University MA students, as part of the recently announced partnership.

 

The quayside based Theatre is also looking forward to welcoming some of the country’s most exciting visiting theatre companies.

 

Among the exciting visiting theatre programme, is Iphigenia in Splott, (11 & 12 March), winner of Best Play in the UK Theatre Awards 2015; as well as Land of our Fathers, (27 to 30 January), compelling account of six Welsh miners trapped down a mine as Margaret Thatcher wins the 1979 general election; and Petrification, (26 to 28 May) the world premiere of a new piece by Zoe Cooper, (Nativities) the past and present collide with dizzying consequences.

 

The latest addition to the season is Bits of Me Are Falling Apart (24 to 27 February), which sees Adrian Edmondson staring in a new adaption of William Leith’s hilarious and touching bestselling novel, directed by Steve Marmion, Artistic Director of Soho Theatre.

 

Live Theatre will also host live music from Jumpin’ Hot Club and this season there will be live stand-up from comedian Mark Watson (2 & 3 June) as part of his national tour.

For more information about Live Theatre’s January to June 2016 season or to book tickets visit www.live.org.uk or contact the box office on (0191) 232 1232.

 

A SWEET TREAT FOR SHOPPERS AS SUGAR PLUM FAIRY FLOATS INTO FENWICK

Shoppers in the newly installed Christmas store at Fenwick Newcastle were treated to a surprise on Tuesday as the Sugar Plum Fairy and her Cavalier took time out from performing The Nutctracker at Newcastle Theatre Royal, to pose with Christmas shoppers.

 

The dancers, who are performing all week with Northern Ballet at the Theatre Royal, posed for photographs and selfies with shoppers and young children in the glittering Christmas store.

 

Northern Ballet’s The Nutcracker is the dazzling tale of one child’s Christmas dreams coming true, as Clara is whisked away on the magical journey of a lifetime through a winter wonderland of dancing snowflakes and the famous Sugar Plum Fairy.

 

Set to Tchaikovsky’s enchanting score, played live by Northern Ballet Sinfonia, Northern Ballet’s The Nutcracker features choreography and beautiful costumes by Northern Ballet’s Artistic Director David Nixon OBE, stunning Regency style sets by Charles Cusick Smith and lighting by Mark Jonathan.

 

David Nixon OBE, said: “The Nutcracker is one of the world’s most popular classical ballets and holds a special place in the hearts of audiences young and old. We are delighted to once again revive this charming story and add that extra bit of sparkle to the festive season for audiences in Newcastle.”

 

Northern Ballet will also stage a ballet specially aimed at children, when they perform Elves and The Shoemaker on Fri 13 Nov at 12 noon and 2pm. With an original score, composed by Philip Feeney, Elves and The Shoemaker follows the fantastic sell-out success of Ugly Duckling and Three Little Pigs by Northern Ballet

 

The Nutcracker is at Newcastle Theatre Royal from Tue 10 to Sat 14 Nov 2015, playing evenings at 7.30pm, matinees Thurs 2pm and Sat 2.30pm. Tickets from £14.50 (save 50p per ticket online). All tickets can be purchased from the Theatre Royal Box Office on 08448 11 21 21 (Calls cost 7ppm plus your phone company’s access charge) or book online at www.theatreroyal.co.uk

 

 

REGENTS PARK OPEN AIR THEATRE ANNOUNCES 2016 SEASON

  • REGENT’S PARK OPEN AIR THEATRE ANNOUNCES ITS 2016 SEASON
  • MICHAEL MORPURGO’s RUNNING WILD GIVEN FULL STAGING IN A CO-PRODUCTION WITH CHICHESTER FESTIVAL THEATRE FROM 13 MAY – 12 JUNE
  • DONMAR ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR, ROBERT HASTIE, DIRECTS HENRY V FROM 17 JUNE – 9 JULY
  • TIM RICE AND ANDREW LLOYD WEBBER DEBUT AT THE OPEN AIR THEATRE WITH JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR FROM 15 JULY – 27 AUGUST
  • 2013’s SOLD OUT PRODUCTION OF PRIDE AND PREJUDICE RETURNS PRIOR TO A UK TOUR FROM 2 – 17 SEPTEMBER
  • PRIORITY BOOKING FOR MEMBERS OPENS 11AM 12 NOVEMBER; PUBLIC BOOKING OPENS 11AM 8 DECEMBER

Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre has confirmed that Michael Morpurgo’s Running Wild will open its 2016 season in an adaptation by Samuel Adamson, running from 13 May – 12 June.  In a co-production with Chichester Festival Theatre, who originally created the piece with their youth theatre, Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre will fully develop the play to launch its professional premiere. Timothy Sheader and original Chichester director Dale Rooks direct with puppetry design and direction by Finn Caldwell and Toby Olié, both previous Associate Puppetry Directors on War Horse.

Running Wild is a story of love, loss, loyalty and of living for the moment. For Will and his mother, going to Indonesia isn’t just a holiday. It’s a new start, and the chance for Will to ride an elephant called Oona. But then the tsunami hit. Charging deep into the jungle Oona escapes the beach, but with her rider still clinging on, Will must now learn to survive the rainforest – and he is not alone.

To commemorate the legacy of Shakespeare, 400 years since the playwright’s death, Robert Hastie will direct Henry V from 17 June – 9 July. Currently an Associate Director for the Donmar Warehouse, Robert recently received critical acclaim for Splendour by Abi Morgan andMy Night With Reg, which subsequently transferred to the Apollo Theatre.

Celebrating 45 years since Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber’s seminal musical first hit the stage, Timothy Sheader will direct Jesus Christ Superstar from 15 July – 27 August.  With a legendary score including ‘I Don’t Know How to Love Him’, ‘Gethsemane’ and ‘Superstar’, this epic story with choreography by Drew McConie will find a new resonance in the unique surroundings of Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre.

The 2013 sell-out production of Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice, adapted for the stage by Simon Reade and directed by Deborah Bruce, will conclude the 2016 season (2 – 17 September).  Following the success of To Kill a Mockingbird and Lord of the Flies, Pride and Prejudice will then embark on a major UK tour.

Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre’s critically acclaimed production of Lord of the Flies continues to tour the UK through to March 2016.

Artistic Director Timothy Sheader says:

‘In a year when the world celebrates the life and work of Shakespeare, our 2016 season champions British writing. Whilst giving classics a new voice through outdoor production, I am delighted to be bringing a new play, Running Wild, to the stage this season. I am passionate about storytelling and of creating work that enhances the shared experience of theatregoing, and I look forward to sharing these productions with our audiences.’

Full cast and creative team for all 2016 productions will be announced in due course.

Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre Memberships are on sale now and priority booking for Members will open at 11am, 12 November. Visit www.openairtheatre.com/membership for more information. Public booking opens at 11am, 8 December.

LISTINGS

Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre 2016 season:

Online Bookings: www.openairtheatre.com

Box Office: 0844 826 4242
Lines open from 9am – 9pm. £1.50 per ticket telephone booking fee applies. Calls cost 7p per minute plus your telephone company’s access charge.

Running Wild

By Michael Morpurgo

In an adaptation by Samuel Adamson

Directed by Timothy Sheader and Dale Rooks

13 May – 12 June

First Preview: 13 May

Press night: 19 May (7.45pm)

Performances: Tue – Sun (7.45pm); matinees Weds, Sat & Sun (2.15pm)

No matinee on 14, 18, 19 May

Henry V

By William Shakespeare

Directed by Robert Hastie

17 June – 9 July

First preview: 17 June

Press night: 22 June (7.45pm)

Performances: Mon – Sat (7.45pm); matinees Thurs & Sat (2.15pm)

No matinee on 18 June

Jesus Christ Superstar

Lyrics by Tim Rice | Music by Andrew Lloyd Webber

Directed by Timothy Sheader

15 July – 27 August

First preview: 15 July

Press night: 21 July (7.45pm)

Performances: Mon – Sat (7.45pm); matinees Thurs & Sat (2.15pm)

Additional matinees on Weds 17 and 24 August

No matinee on 16 or 21 July

Pride and Prejudice

By Jane Austen

In an adaptation by Simon Reade

Directed by Deborah Bruce

2 September – 17 September

Previews: 2  September – 6 September

Performances: Mon – Sat (7.45pm); matinees Thurs & Sat (2.15pm)

Tickets

Running Wild

£25 – £48.50

(Premium Seats £60, including best seat, programme and a glass of wine)

Family Ticket: £110.00 (4 tickets, of which at least 2 are for children). Valid only on Running Wild.

Henry V and Pride and Prejudice

£25 – £48.50

(Premium Seats £60, including best seat, programme and a glass of wine)

Jesus Christ Superstar

£25 – £52.50

(Premium Seats £65, including best seat, programme and a glass of wine)

 

Early Bird: £5 off price bands A – D during previews when booked before 30 April (previews £2 off thereafter).

Premium Seats and Band E tickets:  £2 off all previews.

Groups 10+

£5 off price bands A – C. Valid all performances excluding Saturday Evening. A £4.50 transaction fee applies. This applies on top of the Preview and Early Bird Preview pricing, but excludes Premium Seats.

Senior Citizens Matinees

£22.50 best available (excluding Premium Seats), weekday matinees (cannot be combined with any other discount or concession).

U18

£25 best available (excluding Premium Seats), all performances excluding Saturday evening (cannot be combined with any other discount or concession).

A full performance schedule will be available from www.openairtheatre.com

Social Media

Twitter:   @OpenAirTheatre / #OAT2016 / #OATrunningwild/ #OAThenryV / #OATsuperstar / #OATprideprej

Facebook, Google+, Pinterest:  Regent’sParkOpenAirTheatre

UK Tours

Regent’s Park Theatre Ltd presents

Pride and Prejudice

By Jane Austen

In an adaptation by Simon Reade

2015/16 UK Tour dates to be announced

______________________________________________________

Regent’s Park Theatre Ltd presents

William Golding’s

Lord of the Flies

Adapted for the stage by Nigel Williams

In an adaptation by Simon Reade

Tuesday 10 – Saturday 14 November 2015

SHEFFIELD Lyceum Theatre

Box Office 0114 249 6000 | www.sheffieldtheatres.co.uk

Tuesday 17 – Saturday 21 November 2015

HIGH WYCOMBE Swan Theatre

Box Office 01494 512000 | www.wycombeswan.co.uk

Tuesday 24 – Saturday 28 November 2015

DUBLIN Bord Gais Theatre

Box Office +353 1 677 7999 | www.bordgaisenergytheatre.ie

Tuesday 1 – Saturday 5 December 2015

SALFORD The Lowry

Box Office 0843 208 6000 | www.thelowry.com

Tuesday 12 – Saturday 16 January

BATH Theatre Royal

Box Office 01225 448844 | www.theatreroyal.org.uk

Tuesday 19 – Saturday 23 January

RICHMOND Theatre

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

Tuesday 26 – Saturday 30 January

GUILDFORD G Live

Box Office 01483 369350 | www.glive.co.uk

Tuesday 2 – Saturday 6 February

LIVERPOOL Playhouse

Box Office 0151 709 4776 | www.everymanplayhouse.com

Tuesday 9 – Saturday 13 February

LEICESTER Curve Theatre

Box Office 0116 242 3560 | www.curveonline.co.uk

Tuesday 23 – Saturday 27 February

WARWICK Arts Centre

Box Office 024 7652 4524 | www.warwickartscentre.co.uk

Tuesday 1 – Saturday 5 March

BRADFORD Alhambra Theatre

Box Office 01274 432000 | www.bradford-theatres.co.uk

Tuesday 8 – Saturday 12 March

NEWCASTLE Theatre Royal

Box Office 0844 811 2121 | www.theatreroyal.co.uk

Tuesday 15 – Saturday 19 March

BROMLEY Churchill Theatre

Box Office 0844 871 7620 | www.atgtickets.com/bromley

 

VERITY RUSHWORTH to star as HOLLY GOLIGHTLY in TRUMAN CAPOTE’S BREAKFAST AT TIFFANY’S, FROM 2 MAY TO 11 JUNE 2016

Verity Rushworth as Holly Golightly 4 credit Sean Ebsworth BarnesVERITY RUSHWORTH
TO STAR AS HOLLY GOLIGHTLY IN
TRUMAN CAPOTE’S
BREAKFAST AT TIFFANY’S
ADAPTED BY RICHARD GREENBERG
FROM 2 MAY TO 11 JUNE 2016

Verity Rushworth will play the role of Holly Golightly on the UK Tour of Breakfast at Tiffany’s from 2 May to 11 June 2016, appearing at His Majesty’s Aberdeen, Nottingham Theatre Royal, Theatre Royal Bath, Glasgow Theatre Royal, King’s Theatre Edinburgh and Wycombe Swan.  She will be sharing the role with Pixie Lott, whose dates have been previously announced.  Truman Capote’s classic novella has been adapted for the stage by Pulitzer Prize-winning Finalist and Tony and Olivier Award-winning playwright Richard Greenberg (Take Me Out, Three Days of Rain), and contains memorable songs from the era as well as original music by Grant Olding (One Man, Two Guvnors).

Verity Rushworth played the role of Donna Windsor in Emmerdale for 11 years, a role for which she won a British Soap Award this year. Her theatre roles include Velma Kelly in Paul Kerryson’s production of Chicago (Leicester Curve), Grace Farrell in Nikolai Foster’s production of Annie (West Yorkshire Playhouse), Maria in Jeremy Sams’s production of The Sound of Music (national tour) and Penny Pingleton in Jack O’Brien’s production of Hairspray (Shaftesbury Theatre, London).

Based on Truman Capote’s beloved masterwork, Breakfast at Tiffany’s is set in New York in 1943. Fred, a young writer from Louisiana, meets Holly Golightly, a charming, vivacious and utterly elusive good-time girl.  Everyone falls in love with Holly – including Fred.  But Fred is poor, and Holly’s other suitors include a playboy millionaire and the future president of Brazil.  As war rages on in Europe, Holly begins to fall in love with Fred – just as her past catches up with her.

Verity Rushworth said, “I am absolutely thrilled to have the opportunity to play the dream role of Holly Golightly in Breakfast at Tiffany’s. I cannot wait to step into the fabulous shoes of such an icon and discover the endless layers to her complicated and fascinating personality – not to mention her wardrobe!”

Breakfast at Tiffany’s will be directed by Nikolai Foster, the Artistic Director of Leicester Curve, with production design by Matthew Wright, lighting design by Ben Cracknell and sound design by Mic Pool.

Nikolai Foster’s recent productions include Irving Berlin’s White Christmas (West Yorkshire Playhouse), the 20th anniversary production of Jonathan Harvey’s Beautiful Thing (Leicester Curve and Nottingham Playhouse), Calamity Jane (Watermill Theatre, Newbury & UK tour) and a major new production of the Broadway musical Annie (West Yorkshire Playhouse & UK tour).

Breakfast at Tiffany’s will begin performances at the Curve Theatre, Leicester on 3 March 2016, before embarking on a UK & Ireland Tour.  There will be a 12-week season at the Theatre Royal Haymarket in London’s West End from 30 June to 17 September 2016.

Breakfast at Tiffany’s is a co-production between the Curve Theatre, Leicester and Colin Ingram, Peter Kane, William Sinclair and Michael Melnick & Finlay Gray.

For more information, visit www.breakfastattiffanys.co.uk

Facebook: www.facebook.com/tiffanysonstage
Twitter:  @Tiffanysonstage

TOUR SCHEDULE 2016

*3 – 12 March                             LEICESTER                               0116 242 3595
Curve Theatre                             www.curveonline.co.uk

*15 – 19 March                           CANTERBURY                           01227 787787
Marlowe Theatre                          www.marlowetheatre.com

*4 – 9 April                                  LEEDS                                      0844 848 2700
Grand Theatre                             www.leedsgrandtheatre.com

*12 – 16 April                             SALFORD                                  0843 208 6000
Lowry Theatre                             www.thelowry.com

*18 – 23 April                               BIRMINGHAM                            0844 871 3011
Alexandra Theatre                      www.atgtickets.com/birmingham

*25 – 30 April                              SOUTHAMPTON                        02380 711811
Mayflower Theatre                      www.mayflower.org.uk

**2 – 7 May                                 ABERDEEN                               01224 641122
His Majesty’s                             www.aberdeenperformingarts.com

**9 –14 May                                NOTTINGHAM                            0115 989 5555
Theatre Royal                             www.trch.co.uk

**16 – 21 May                              BATH                                         01225 448844 (on sale spring 2016)
Theatre Royal                              www.theatreroyal.org.uk
**23 – 28 May                               GLASGOW                                 0844 871 7647
Theatre Royal                             www.atgtickets.com/glasgow

**30 May – 4 June                         EDINBURGH                               0131 529 6000
King’s Theatre                             www.edtheatres.com

**6 – 11 June                                HIGH WYCOMBE                       01494 512 000
Wycombe Swan                          www.wycombeswan.co.uk

*13 – 18 June                               DUBLIN                                      0818 719 377
Bord Gais Theatre                       www.bordgaisenergytheatre.ie

*20 – 25 June                               PLYMOUTH                                01752 267222
Theatre Royal                             www.theatreroyal.com

*30 June – 17 September                LONDON                                   020 7930 8800
Theatre Royal Haymarket             www.trh.co.uk

*Pixie Lott Dates
**Verity Rushworth Dates

Further dates and casting to be announced.

Busted, Sheffield Arena, Tuesday 17th May 2016

 BUSTED ARE BACK
Full original line-up of Charlie Simpson, Matt Willis & James Bourne

FIRST TOUR IN 12 YEARS

SHEFFIELD ARENA
Tuesday 17th May 2016

“A year ago James and I got together and just started hanging out … and it felt really different, somehow, to how it had ten years ago. And the idea crept into my head after all that time apart: what would Busted look like today?”Charlie Simpson

It’s the reunion they said could never happen – even the members themselves have admitted it. But today Busted announce their return to the world of pop in 2016. Matt, James and Charlie are returning to the road with a full UK arena tour, and they are working on brand new Busted music for the first time since 2004.

“For me, there’s a huge sense of unfinished business …  I always thought in my heart we’d do Busted again, but that it was just a matter of when and how”Matt Willis

Wednesday 11th May 2016 will be their first show together in 12 years – and the first time in 12 years anyone will be able to see the three members play all their greatest hits together live – among them the simply huge, unforgettable smashes “What I Go To School For”, “Crashed The Wedding”, “You Said No”, “Air Hostess” and “Year 3000.”

For the gig Busted will return to the home of their biggest triumph, the venue where anybody last saw them – Wembley Arena. It was here that they broke a record in 2004 by selling out an incredible 12 shows. And it’s here that they will make their long overdue comeback.

“We’ve done this crazy, exciting, adventurous, scenic route back to being Busted. And now we’re here, we’re all super-re-energised”James Bourne

With an incredible five million record sales, two 4 x platinum albums and four number one singles to their name, a staggering 700,000 concert tickets sold in one year, two BRIT Awards and a Record of the Year Award, Busted are one of the biggest home-grown pop acts of the 21st century.

Busted? These boys are fixed, back and ready to shake up the pop world all over again.

Busted will play Sheffield Arena on Tuesday 17th May and the tickets go on general sale 9am Friday 13th November priced £41.25 & £45.65 (including booking fee) through www.sheffieldarena.co.uk or the ticket hotline on 0114 256 56 56.

 

Ian McKellen, Michael Cashman, Anne Reid & More Celebrate 25 Years of the Ian Charleson Day Centre

IAN MCKELLEN, MICHAEL CASHMAN, ANNE REID AND JULIAN CLARY

AMONGST STARS APPEARING IN

A SOURCE OF LIFE – 25 YEARS OF THE IAN CHARLESON DAY CENTRE

Wednesday 25 November 2015

6.30 – 8.30pm

St Paul’s Church (The Actors’ Church), Covent Garden, London WC2E 9ED

Hosted by Julian Clary, with an introduction by Ian McKellen, the evening of song, speech and music to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the Ian Charleson Day Centre at the Royal Free Hospital will include performances by Michael Cashman, Anne Reid and Stefan Bednarczyk, the X Factor’s Anton Stephans, mezzo-soprano Sarah Connolly, actor Jack Lowden and the London Gay Men’s Choir.  Speakers will be Nick Partridge, Laurence Isaacson and Sean Mathias.  A Source of Life – 25 Years of the Ian Charleson Day Centre will be in front of an invited audience at St Paul’s Church (the Actors’ Church) in London’s Covent Garden on Wednesday 25 November.

The event is to celebrate the Ian Charleson Day Centre’s exceptional work over the years and the difference that has made to the lives of so many people.  Not only does the Centre help support patients in north London with HIV, but it also links with the UCL Institute of Immunity and Transplantation to be a global hub for medical centre with the ultimate goal of finding a cure.

In 1989, Professor Margaret Johnson launched the UK’s first open access HIV service at the Royal Free Hospital.  It was named the Ian Charleson Day Centre in 1990, after the death of one its patients, the late Ian Charleson. Ian was an actor admired and loved by critics, audiences and his fellow actors.  His roles included Eric Liddell inChariots of Fire and Hamlet at the National Theatre.

The Ian Charleson Day Centre (ICDC) treats HIV positive people from a diverse range of backgrounds and cultures.  Even though there’s still no HIV cure, HIV has become a treatable condition that can be managed throughout a patient’s lifetime using antiretroviral drugs and other HIV treatments.  It is important to diagnose and treat HIV early and continually for the best results.  ICDC provides sensitive, non-judgemental HIV testing, counselling and treatment for people affected by this life-changing condition.

The Centre can be contacted on 020 7830 2051.

DANGEROUS GAMES OFFERS FREE WEEKLY DANCE WORKSHOPS FOR STUDENTS FROM TODAY

LORD OF THE DANCE: DANGEROUS GAMES

OFFERS FREE WEEKLY DANCE WORKSHOPS

FOR STUDENTS AGED 11 TO 18

FROM 10 NOVEMBER TO 15 DECEMBER

Michael Flatley has set up an outreach programme to provide young people the opportunity to dance on stage at the Playhouse Theatre in London’s West End. The talented cast of Lord of the Dance: Dangerous Games will conduct once-weekly workshops commencing 10 November through to 15 December.  In association with West End Creative Learning at ATG, students between the ages of 11 and 18 will be taught steps by the cast of Lord of the Dance: Dangerous Games and be given an insight into the world of theatre.  Following the workshop, they will be invited to watch the evening performance of the show.  A limited number of places will be available for these workshops.

Michael Flatley said, “Every child should be given the opportunity to dance and it is my honour to be able to encourage young people to follow their dreams.” 

Lord of the Dance: Dangerous Games opened at the Playhouse Theatre on 10 October and runs until 3 January 2016, following a highly successful six-month limited season at the Dominion Theatre, which finished on 5 September.

 

Morgan Comer as the Lord of the Dance in DANGEROUS GAMES credit Marotiri by Brian Doherty (4)The cast at the Playhouse Theatre is led by some of Michael Flatley’s dynamic young stars James Keegan, Morgan Comer and Cathal Keaney. Rachael O’Connor plays the role of Erin the Goddess.

 

Flatley’s latest show Dangerous Games has exciting and ground-breaking new technology, including holographs, special effects lighting, dancing robots, world champion acrobats and the greatest team of Irish Dancers in the world.  The score is composed by Gerard Fahy.

 

For more information on how to apply for a Lord of the Dance workshop, please visitwww.creativelearning.atg.co.uk.

 

For further details on Lord of the Dance: Dangerous Games, please visit www.lordofthedance.com.

 

LISTINGS INFORMATION

 

Until 3 January 2016

Playhouse Theatre

Northumberland Avenue

London

WC2N 5DE

 

Performances:  Monday to Saturday at 7.30pm, Wednesdays and Saturdays at 2.30pm*

*From 15 November: Tuesday to Saturday at 7.30pm, Wednesday & Saturday at 2.30pm, Sunday at 3pm

See website for special Christmas schedule of performances

Ticket Prices:  From £25 to £65, with Standing at £15 and Premium at £90 – all prices include a £1.50 Restoration Levy*

*£10 off £45 and £65 tickets for all October performances by quoting ‘October’ via ATG Tickets

 

Box Office:  0844 871 7631 / www.atgtickets.com/playhouse

Running Time:  2 hours 10 minutes (including interval)

 

Northbank switches on the Strand’s very first Christmas lights

Northbank switches on the Strand’s very first Christmas lights

 

London, 9 November 2015: The Strand has been lit up for the first time with the switching on of its Christmas lights this evening. The milestone event comes 137 years after Northbank became the first area in London to benefit from electric street lighting.

 

The lights were switched on by the cast of MAMMA MIA! at St Mary Le Strand Church this evening. With the ice rink at Somerset House opening on 18 November, The Snowman at The Peacock Theatre kicking off on 25 November and the Christmas Tree in Trafalgar Square going up on 3 December, Northbank is shaping up to be London’s ultimate Christmas venue this holiday season.

 

Ruth Duston, CEO of Northbank BID, commented: “This is a landmark event for the Northbank. The Strand is a street rich in history and it is a pleasure to be adding to its heritage with the first Christmas lights. We hope these lights will provide a focal point for Londoners in the run up to Christmas and create a real festive atmosphere in the area.”

 

The cast of MAMMA MIA! sang a medley at the event, led from the piano by Musical Director Marcus Savage. The London production of MAMMA MIA! is based at the Novello Theatre on the Northbank, and since its premiere in 1999 has been seen by over 8 million people in London.

 

Philip Effemey, the General Manager of MAMMA MIA!, commented: “We were delighted to be asked to switch on the Strand’s Christmas lights. Our production has been a part of Northbank since we moved to the Novello in 2012 and our audiences will be able to enjoy the festive atmosphere these lights will create as they head to MAMMA MIA!.”

 

The lights will be switched on daily at 4pm from today until the 5th January 2016.

 

The Northbank Business Improvement District (BID) is the largest BID in London, and includes Aldwych, Trafalgar Square, Covent Garden, the Strand and Embankment.

 

THOUGHT-PROVOKING THEATRE IN THE CRUCIBLE STUDIO THIS MONTH

image007 (1)THOUGHT-PROVOKING THEATRE IN THE CRUCIBLE STUDIO THIS MONTH

The Crucible Studio stage plays host to two Edinburgh Fringe First award-winning pieces of theatre this month with Chris Thorpe’s Confirmation (Monday 23 – Tuesday 24 November) and Men in the Cities (Saturday 28 November) by Tim Goode.

 

In Confirmation, Chris Thorpe (recently seen in Third Angel’s Presumption) examines the phenomenon of confirmation bias – the way we choose to see only the evidence that proves we’re right and attempts to have an honourable dialogue, real and imagined, with political extremism.

Questioning the rise of extremist thinking within the UK’s political landscape and exploring the strength and grounding of people’s beliefs, Confirmation originates from Chris Thorpe’s own frustration with the current level of political discourse in the UK, and his own ‘liberal’ bias.  The piece which has been developed through academic research and through conversations with political extremism is his attempt to open discussion on the subject in a more objective environment.

Men in the Cities is an incendiary piece of experimental storytelling from Chris Goode (Kiss of Life, Fringe First 2002).  Framed by two violent deaths – the apparently inexplicable suicide of a young gay man, and the murder of Drummer Lee Rigby outside the Royal Artillery Barracks in Woolwich in May 2013 – Men in the Cities is a compelling piece about harm and complicity, and about the forces that shape our relationships.

Through fractured snapshots of seemingly disconnected lives, Men in the Cities blurs fiction and reality to create a complex, volatile, richly textured work and presents a challenging but radically humane portrait of how we live now.

Confirmation is at the Studio Theatre from Monday 23 – Tuesday 24 November.  Men in the Cities is at the Studio Theatre on Saturday 28 November.  Tickets for both productions can be purchased from Sheffield Theatres’ Box Office in-person, by phone on 0114 249 6000 or online athttp://www.sheffieldtheatres.co.uk/ and are priced at £13.00 (a transaction fee of £1.50 (£1.00 online) applies to all bookings made at the Box Office, excluding cash), concessionary discounts are available.

CLOSE TO YOU EXTENDS IN THE WEST END

  • CLOSE TO YOU: BACHARACH REIMAGINED ANNOUNCES EXTENSION OF 5 EXTRA WEEKS
  • PRODUCTION BREAKS BOX OFFICE RECORDS AT CRITERION THEATRE
  • TWO EXTRA PERFORMANCES ADDED ON VALENTINE’S DAY, SUNDAY 14 FEBRUARY

CLOSE TO YOU: BACHARACH REIMAGINED has today announced that it is extending its West End transfer at the Criterion Theatre until Valentine’s Day 14 February 2016. The new booking period is now on sale.

Opening to public and critical acclaim on 15 October, new musical CLOSE TO YOU featuringBurt Bacharach’s songbook, broke box office records at the Criterion Theatre with the biggest advance in the venue’s history.

Sally Greene, Chief Executive of the Criterion Theatre said: ‘I couldn’t be more thrilled that we have been able to agree an extension of five weeks with the wonderful company of Close To You. It has been a pleasure to welcome such a warm-hearted and joyous show, and even better that they have broken all box office records!’

Burt Bacharach said: ‘CLOSE TO YOU: Bacharach Reimagined’ is a beautiful Valentine to me, and it’s also a Valentine to the audiences who are fortunate enough to experience it. I’m thrilled to hear that its West End run is being extended due to popular demand until Valentine’s Day which also seems very fitting since most of my songs are love songs.  I am in awe of what Kyle Riabko has done with my music, and I’m truly in love with this extraordinary show. It’s very gratifying to know that London audiences have embraced ‘CLOSE TO YOU’ and my music in the way that they have and that they’ll have the next few months to see the show if they haven’t already, or to see it again before it ends its glorious run at The Criterion Theatre in Piccadilly Circus on the 14th of February.’

Performed by a young, multi-talented cast led by the visionary musician and performer Kyle Riabko, the show features Riabko’s thrillingly new yet beautifully faithful interpretations of Bacharach’s classics.  Blending nostalgia and innovation, generations old and new can now revel in all the hits as if for the very first time.  The show redefines the songbook musical by fusing this extraordinary reinterpretation of over 30 timeless Bacharach melodies with innovative choreography, taking the audience on an emotional and exhilarating journey.

The show, newly renamed CLOSE TO YOU, premiered to critical acclaim and was a smash hit at New York Theatre Workshop, original home of both Once and Rent, becoming the longest running show in the history of that theatre, followed recently by a sold out and highly acclaimed run at The Menier Chocolate Factory. The production at the Criterion Theatre will be the last opportunity for audiences to see the show in the West End.

Directed by Olivier Award winner Steven Hoggett, best known for his iconic movement for such hits as Once, The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time and Black Watch, Riabko leads an incredibly talented group of singers and musicians from both sides of the Atlantic through Bacharach’s greatest hits.

CLOSE TO YOU makes hearts sing and spirits soar with such classics as Alfie, Anyone Who Had a Heart, I Say a Little Prayer, Magic Moments, The Look of Love, Walk on By, Raindrops Keep Falling on My Head, I’ll Never Fall in Love Again, What’s New Pussycat, I Just Don’t Know What to Do with Myself, This Guy’s in Love With You, What the World Needs Now is Love and, of course, Close to You.

The New York Theater Workshop / Menier Chocolate Factory production of CLOSE TO YOU is presented in the West End by David Lane Seltzer for Entertainment 360, the producing arm of Management 360, also responsible for the blockbuster TV series Game of Thrones and the upcoming, highly anticipated Danny Boyle-directed Steve Jobs biopic.

CLOSE TO YOU features Music by Burt Bacharach and Lyrics by Hal David and others, with Musical Arrangements by Kyle Riabko who also conceived the show with Seltzer, and is Directed by Steven Hoggett, with Set Design by Christine Jones and Brett Banakis, Costume Design byMatthew Wright, Lighting Design by Tim Lutkin, and Sound Design by Richard Brooker.

Daniel Bailen, Anastacia McClesky, and James Williams are appearing with the permission of Actors’ Equity Association.  The Producers gratefully acknowledge Actors’ Equity Association for its assistance of this production.

LISTINGS

CLOSE TO YOU

Bacharach Reimagined

Venue:                   Criterion Theatre

Address:                 2 Jermyn St, London SW1Y 4XA

Dates:          Saturday 3 October – Sunday 14 February, 2016

Times:                   Until Sun 10 Jan

Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat at 7.30pm; Wed, Sat at 3pm; Sun at 2.30pm & 6pm
From Mon 11 Jan
Mon – Sat at 7.30pm; Wed, Sat at 3pm
Additional performances Sun 14 Feb at 2.30pm and 6pm
          No performance Mon 11 Jan

Box Office:            0844 847 1778

Website:                CloseToYouLondon.com

Facebook:              /CloseToYouLDN

Twitter:       @CloseToYouLDN