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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: 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

Civic Theatre, Darlington – 10 November 2015

“O brave new world, that hath such people in it!”

Aldous Huxley wrote Brave New World in 1931 after visiting Billingham in the North East, so this was almost a homecoming for the play.

This was Brave New Theatre, confidently and concisely adapted from page to stage by the Touring Consortium Theatre Company.

The play paints a picture of life that revolves around the idea of totalitarianism and is set in a futuristic world where a combination of science and pleasure form humanity.  Society has evolved to take away all feelings of negativity. Genetic engineering has advanced to a level where people are no longer born but despatched from the London Hatchery and Conditioning Centre where people are engineered to be either Alpha, Beta, Delta, Gamma or Epsilon, resulting in a pre-ordained caste system consisting of intelligent humans suited to the highest positions and conversely, serf-like beings genetically programmed to carry out menial works. In this world of Alphas, Betas, Gammas, Deltas and the unfortunate Epsilons, exists drug-induced happiness, caused by what is known as soma. Here, “everyone belongs to everyone else” emphasising the system of forced promiscuity, brainwashed into the people from the moment of birth. 

The outstanding cast executed major scenes expertly, with just 10 actors playing a multitude of different characters.  Gruffudd Glyn performed an excellent interpretation of protagonist Bernard Marx, a man unexpectedly born into the role of an ‘Alpha’, but dogged by the idea that it’s a caste in which he doesn’t quite belong. 

Like all great plays, we saw a love story bloom, ultimately challenging order, stability and happiness as beta girl Lenina (Olivia Morgan) falls for John the Savage, played by the captivating William Postlethwaite, whose charisma dominated the stage. Desperate for a familiar and comfortable narrative of ‘boy meets girl’, the tension in the play builds as audiences realise that this is not possible.

In a clash of worlds, ideologies and beliefs, the play was built to a catastrophic and shocking climax, with the tragedy on stage appearing so shockingly real.  There is an overwhelming sense of comfort and “happiness” within society that is brought about through two important things: recreational drugs and psychological conditioning. Death, relationships, class differences and work do not provide worry.  Because society does indeed work for the good of everyone in a hedonistic sense, the logic behind the system can only be challenged by pure human instinct

Using the theatre’s stage to its full potential, three words, Order, Stability, Happiness, were blazoned across the stage before the opening scene; highlighting the main themes of the play, with each one ultimately breaking into chaos.

Dawn King’s adaptation, James Dacre’s direction, Naomi Dawson’s design along with Colin Grenfell’s lighting, Eddie Kay’s choreography and George Dennis’ sound which enhances the original music from These New Puritans all work together to set the scene.  This adaptation did the book great justice, with phenomenal performances, a strong narrative and relevant themes.It has impact, its thought provoking, sensual but sensitive and surreal but disturbingly authentic

Whether you have read the book or not this production is worth a visit for the amazing acting and disturbing reality of our future.  In Darlington until Saturday 14th November and on tour around the UK

 

NEW THEATRE ROYAL SEASON GOES OFF WITH A CHITTY CHITTY BANG BANG!

HIGHLIGHTS INCLUDE:

The Father 18-23 April ‘16

Tom 3 – 7 May ‘16

Our Ladies of Perpetual Succour 12-16 July ‘16

The Commitments 6-11 Feb ‘17

 

Fresh from winning the ‘Most Welcoming Theatre in the UK’ award last month, Newcastle Theatre Royal has announced a sizzling new season for Spring/Summer 2016, full of delights for all tastes and ages.

 

The season features musical film classic, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang (1 – 12 Jun ‘16) which will have audiences of all ages flying high with its mixture of madness, intrigue and exuberance, but this isn’t the only musical extravaganza instore…

 

A brand new musical TOM. A Story of Tom Jones, The Musical is set to make its North East debut 3-7 May. An inspirational show full of Tom’s greatest hits, it takes audiences back in time to the working men’s clubs of the ‘60s where the legend of Tom Jones was born: a Valleys boy with a heart-stopping voice. Welsh West End star Kit Orton appears in the title role.

 

In July, the producers of the sell-out smash hit Puttin’ on the Ritz return with the dazzling song and dance extravaganza That’s Entertainment (5-9 July) celebrating the biggest hits of the ‘30s, ‘40s and ‘50s.  The show includes sumptuous music by Lerner and Loewe, Rodgers and Hammerstein, Irving Berlin and Cole Porter and features glorious costumes and an award-winning cast of singers and dancers.

Back again in August due to popular demand is the international multi-award winning musical, Chicago (1-13 August). Based on real life events back in the roaring 1920s this world-famous show tells the sordid tale of a nightclub singer, a double-murderess, a smooth-talking lawyer and a cell block of sin, and features one of the sexiest, sassiest scores ever written.

 

February 2017 brings soul-celebration The Commitments (6-11 Feb 2017) to the Theatre Royal, direct from a phenomenally successful, record breaking two year run in London’s West End.  The musical has been adapted from the novel by Booker prize winning author Roddy Doyle himself and is directed by the award-winning Jamie Lloyd. Like the novel and the film, this tale of a talented group of working class Dubliners is full of heart and features over 20 soul classics performed live on stage including:Night Train, Try A Little Tenderness, River Deep, Mountain High, In The Midnight Hour and many more.

 

Another hit from the West End, this time for drama lovers, is The Father (18-23 April 2016), the winner of France’s highest theatrical honour – the 2014 Moliere Award -and the most acclaimed new play of the decade.  It tells the tragic tale of eighty year old Andre who has Alzheimer’s disease and whose life is starting to spiral out of control.  In Christopher Hampton’s crisp and witty translation it has dazzled audiences across the country and received an unprecedented ten five star reviews from major national critics. Tony Award nominee Kenneth Cranham reprises his indelible performance for this tour direct from the West Award.

 

A wonderfully uplifting family drama for May is the Olivier award-winning Goodnight Mister Tom (17-21 May) starring David Troughton (The Archers). A magical stage adaptation of Michelle Magorian’s heart-warming tale, set during the dangerous build up to the Second World War, the story follows young William Beech who is evacuated to the idyllic English countryside and forges a remarkable friendship with the elderly recluse, Tom Oakley. Winner of the Guardian Children’s Fiction Prize and commended for the Carnegie Medal, Goodnight Mister Tom is now also a world-wide literary favourite and a BAFTA award-winning TV film.

 

From one country idyll to another, and the first ever stage adaptation of ITV’s popular Sunday evening 60s police drama, Heartbeat visits in late May (23 – 28 May). Heartbeat ran for 18 years from 1992 to 2010 with audiences regularly exceeding 10 million viewers and constantly being in the top five TV programmes across all channels. This new stage production features all the show’s favourite characters, video footage,  an original script  and even members of the original TV cast, and perfectly recreates the show live on stage.

June sees the return of an old favourite – the Olivier Award winning comedy adaptation of Alfred Hitchcock’s classic spy thriller, The 39 Steps (27 June – 2 July), this time on its 10th Anniversary Tour. Featuring only four actors playing a staggering 130 characters in 100 minutes, the show follows  handsome hero Richard Hannay on his incredible adventures as he encounters dastardly murders, double-crossing secret agents, and, of course, devastatingly beautiful women! This wonderfully inventive and gripping comedy thriller is set to be as fast-paced and thrilling as ever.

 

Following its sell-out success at Live Theatre, Lee Hall’s hit play Our Ladies of Perpetual Succour (12-16 July) makes its Theatre Royal debut in the summer. Adapted from Alan Warner’s brilliant novel about six girls on the cusp of change, the play tells a tale of love, lust, pregnancy and death – which all spiral out of control in a single day. Warner’s blisteringly funny dialogue – a tribute to being young, lost and out of control, ends in fireworks (literally).

 

Comedy fans will delight in two hit shows arriving in the Summer – national trinket, author, TV and Radio star Julian Clary is bringing ‘The Joy of Mincing’ on Sunday 15 May, a celebration of 30 years as a camp comedian and Julian at his filthy best, live and unplugged.  June then sees the return of those fabulous Grumpy Old Women (Sun 26 June) – back at the Theatre Royal after a critically acclaimed, total sell-out and extremely grumpy tour in spring  2015 and ready once again to  knock some sense into the nation!  Perrier Award-winning comedian, writer and original star of the show Jenny Eclair will be joined by fellow recruits Susie Blake (Handbagged, Coronation Street) and actress and singer Kate Robbins (Where The Heart Is).

 

A rare treat for North East audiences, one of the world’s most celebrated dance companies Nederlands Dans Theater (NDT2) will visit in the Spring (26-27 April).  Featuring a corps of 18 young international dancers aged 18-23, the company offers a unique blend of breathtaking dance, awe-inspiring skill and unparalleled creativity and promises to thrill and entertain with its sheer exuberance and astonishing athleticism.

 

A perennial favourite with Theatre Royal audiences – Scottish Ballet follows hot on NDT2’s heels, bringing its World Premiere of Swan Lake from 11-14 May. Set to enchant a whole new generation with an imaginative re-telling of the timeless tale, this new production is choreographed by the award-winning British

dance maker David Dawson – one of the most innovative choreographers in classical ballet today. This will be the company’s first tour of the ballet in over 20 years and is set to once again astonish with ethereal sets and costumes, and Tchaikovsky’s iconic score performed live by the Scottish Ballet Orchestra.

 

Another favourite, this time with our younger audiences, Peppa Pig is back in Newcastle in July with her brand new live stage show, Peppa Pig’s Surprise (27-28 July)! Peppa is playing outside with her friends on a sunny day, and Mummy Pig and Daddy Pig have got a surprise for her and George! A charming, colourful new show with new songs and new life size puppets, perfect for pre-schoolers.

 

He’s impossible to categorise, and equally impossible to forget, the multi-award winning acknowledged ‘master of psychological illusion’ Derren Brown is back in the summer with his most provocative show yet, Derren Brown: Miracle (20-25 June).  Derren is one of the world’s most renowned live performers; a dark manipulator of magic and mind control, a miracle man of our modern times.  This new show delivers an evening of mind-altering genius full of extraordinary and unbelievable events – showmanship at its very best.

 

And there are plenty of great shows to suit all tastes already onsale in our current season with family-favourite musicals Hairspray(19 – 30 Jan ‘16),

Guys & Dolls (22 Mar – 2 Apr), The Mikado (15 – 18 June) and Disney and Cameron Mackintosh’s multi award-winning musicalMary Poppins (8 Sept – 29 Oct). Lovers of mystery and intrigue will revel in Stephen Daldry’s multi award-winning West End production of J.B. Priestley’s classic thriller, An Inspector Calls (9-13 Feb) and No.1 best-selling author Peter James’ critically acclaimed stage hit – The Perfect Murder (22-27 Feb).

 

For dance fans, Rambert (2-4 Feb), Stomp (15-20 Feb) and the return of Matthew Bourne’s Sleeping Beauty (5-16 April) will offer a feast for the senses, while drama enthusiasts can delight in Regent’s Park Theatre’s adaptation of William Goulding’s cut-throat tale of young society run wild Lord of the Flies (8-12 March 2016) and Alan Bennett’s Olivier-award winning comedy Single Spies(15-19 March).  The Opera North Spring season features three hit productions: Mozart’s romantic Cosi Fan Tutte (2 & 4 March), Donizetti’s sunny L’Elisir D’amore (3 March) and Girodano’s tragic Andrea Chenier (5 March).

 

The Theatre Royal’s annual pantomime still reigns as the region’s favourite and with over 76,000 tickets already sold for the 15/16 extravaganza Dick Whittington (24 Nov ‘15 – 17 Jan ‘16) it’s set to break all records once again.

 

Tickets for all new shows in the Spring / Summer ‘16 season go on public sale on Friday 13 November.  Tickets can be purchased from the Theatre Royal Box Office on 08448 11 21 21 (Calls cost 7p per minute plus your phone company’s access charge) or book online at www.theatreroyal.co.uk

 

Friends of the Theatre Royal can book new season shows on Monday 9 November, before the general public, and receive 20% off tickets, as well as discounts at our bars, exclusive ticket exchange and prices which never change. To become a Friend and book early, please contact the Box Office on 08448 11 21 21 (Calls cost 7p per minute plus your phone company’s access charge) or sign up online at www.theatreroyal.co.uk.

 

New Adventures and Re:Bourne have announced an evening of dance to celebrate the life of Jonathan Ollivier, who died in August following a motorbike crash.

Ollivier had been due to perform in the The Car Man‘s final night at Sadler’s Wells, but died after his motorbike collided with a Mercedes car. The performance was subsequently cancelled.

The Car Man director Matthew Bourne had also worked with Ollivier on his productions of Swan Lake and Play Without Words. He said today: “Following the tragic events of the summer many colleagues and friends from across the dance industry expressed to us a desire to come together and celebrate Jonny’s life and also to provide some ongoing support to his young family.

“I’m thrilled that so many wonderful artists will come together in January to remember and celebrate Jonny’s career through a programme of exceptional dance”.

Mr Wonderful – A Celebration of Jonathan Ollivier’s Life in Dance will take place at Sadlers Wells on 18 January 2016 and the programme will include extracts from Bourne’s Swan Lake, The Car Man and Sleeping Beauty, as well as the rarely-seen Mr Wonderful.

The evening will also see performances from Northern Ballet and The Rambert School where Ollivier danced and trained. The McOnie Company will perform as well as Kevin and Karen Clifton from BBC One’s Strictly Come Dancing.

The live programme will be performed by world-leading dancers, many of whom will be returning to the Sadler’s Wells stage in Ollivier’s memory. The evening will be interspersed with film clips and previously unseen footage in celebration of Ollivier’s talent and legacy.

All ticket income will be placed in charitable trust funds for Ollivier’s two young sons.

 

The Sheringham Little Theatre are set to stage Cinderella as this year’s Christmas panto, once again penned by West End star Killian Donnelly.

The Irish actor, currently starring in Kinky Boots at the Adelphi Theatre, wrote the script for the Norfolk theatre’s pantomime production which is set to run at the venue from 12th December 2015 to 2nd January 2016.

Musical theatre star Killian Donnelly made his West End debut as a swing inLes Miserables at the Queen’s Theatre, where he covered and played the roles of Enjolras, Javert and Valjean. He then joined the principal cast full-time as Enjolras. A constant stream of leading roles have come his way since he left Les Miserables four years ago, including playing Raoul in The Phantom of the Opera at Her Majesty’s Theatre and Tony in Billy Elliot at the Victoria Palace Theatre. He has originated leading roles in three subsequent West End musicals, starring as Deco in The Commitments at the Palace Theatre, Huey in Memphis at the Shaftesbury Theatre, and his current role as Charlie in Kinky Boots at the Adelphi Theatre.

His off-stage credits include an extensive list of pantomimes written for various theatre companies. He wrote his first one at the age of 21, as a fundraiser for his am-dram company back in Ireland, and has written many more since then. He has written several pantos for the Solstice Theatre, Navan which were performed by St. Mary’s Musical Society (of which he is a former member), including Cinderella – starring his sister Eimear as Fairy Godmother – and Aladdin. He has also regularly created pantos for Cork Opera House, where he formerly appeared in the panto Babes In The Wood, and can count Jack and the Beanstalk (Olympia Theatre, Dublin) and the recent Sleeping Beauty (Liberty Hall Theatre, Eden Quay, Dublin) among his writing credits.

Cinderella marks the fourth panto Donnelly has scripted for the Sheringham Little Theatre. The partnership came about when the daughter of the Little Theatre’s director contacted him on Twitter after learning of his previous panto-writing experience. Already a fan having seen him as Raoul in The Phantom of the Opera, she approached him through the social media site about using one of his shows and ‘couldn’t believe it’ when he agreed. He wrote and directed his version ofJack and the Beanstalk for the Little Theatre’s 2012 Christmas season, and it has become something of an annual tradition now: he penned scripts for Snow White whilst starring in The Commitments in 2013, and Robin Hood whilst starring in Memphis in 2014.

Speaking about Donnelly’s panto for 2015, Cinderella director Nick Earnshaw said: “It is set firmly around the Christmas and New Year period, which we think works very well with the whole Cinderella story. Once again Killian has given us a very funny script, with all the comedy and wit you would expect from such a great writer, and plenty for audience members of all ages to enjoy.”

Debbie Thompson, director of the Little Theatre, added: “I am very excited about Cinderella – it is my favourite pantomime and I think is particularly special to a lot of other people too. We are thrilled to have one of Killian’s wonderful scripts again and know how much Christmas fun it will bring to our theatre and our audiences.”

Cinderella runs at the Sheringham Little Theatre from Saturday 12th December 2015 to Saturday 2nd January 2016.
http://sheringhamlittletheatre.com/

Faustaff, a new Mexican play that opens at the Cockpit on Nov 19th. It is an exciting new play, a modernisation of the Faustus story, which is playing simultaneously in Mexico and here in the UK.

FAUSTAFF, or the mockery of the soul

by Mexican playwright Diego Sosa

From Tuesday 17th November to Sunday 6th December 2015
at The Cockpit Theatre, London

The Mexican Theatre Company La Compañia Perpetua in collaboration with UK’s Artistic Producciones, is proud to present FAUSTAFF, a play inspired by the Faustian myth, set in the modern world and seen through feminine eyes, written by the Mexican playwright, Diego Sosa.

FAUSTAFF is an international project that brings together Mexican and British artists. The play is being simultaneously produced in both Mexico city and London. British director Frank Kaye will helm a Mexican cast in Mexico and Mexican director Rodrigo Johnson will direct a British cast in the United Kingdom.

FAUSTAFF will run at London’s The Cockpit Theatre from Tuesday 17th November to Sunday 6th December 2015.

FAUSTAFF is inspired by the Faustian myth, set in the modern world and seen through feminine eyes. The title of the play, however, comes from a mixture between Marlowe’s and Goethe’s Dr. Faustus and Shakespeare’s Falstaff, the mischievous character from Henry IV saga and The Merry Wives of Windsor.

FAUSTAFF is the story of Gily Jacoby, a successful writer that has become world famous, thanks to a pact she’s made with the devil. This has granted her the ability to see the ill future of couples so that she can write the successful novels that have turned her into a best seller author. The price, however, is far too high. Her heartbreaks, ambitions and dreams turn out to be somewhat different than what she had expected. The result: a tragic twirl that will lead her into madness and the fulfilment of her own prophecies.

FAUSTAFF is a modern tragedy filled with black humour, in which the characters walk through a hallway that will lead them to the fulfilment of their own destiny.

Virginia Wolf once said that the world of her times was not ready for a feminine Faustus. Now, the modern world is, according to the author, ready for a character like this. An ambitious woman driven by greed and willing to do anything for success, even at the price of her soul.

FAUSTAFF explores the limits between fiction and reality, in a world where media has blurred those frontiers; a world where men and women are obsessed with power, money and social recognition; a world that has lost its sensibility towards tragedy, and violence has taken over.

The set will be designed by the Artist Pablo Ángel Lugo, a recognized Mexican artist who is living in the UK. His wide artist productions includes paintings, drawings, engravings, sculptures, videos, performances, illustrations, graphic design, and collaborations in cinema. He specialises in public art. His work has been exhibited in Mexico, Cuba, the United States, Colombia, Spain, France, Portugal and the U.K., among other countries.

FAUSTAFF is one of the events of the Dual Year Mexico – United Kingdom 2015. The governments of Mexico and the United Kingdom decided to celebrate the “Year of Mexico in the United Kingdom” and the “Year of the United Kingdom in Mexico” in 2015 to promote better understanding between both societies.

FAUSTAFF is an international production that will be happening in Mexico and in the UK, simultaneously.
http://www.thecockpit.org.uk/show/faustaff
http://www.artisticproducciones.org
http://www.laperpetua.com
http://mexicouk2015.mx/en/

LISTINGS
FAUSTAFF or the mockery of the soul
A play by Diego Sosa
Directed by Rodrigo Johnson
17th November – 6th December
Performances: Tuesday to Sunday, 7.30pm
The Cockpit Theatre
Gateforth Street, London, NW8 8EH
Tickets: £14 (concessions £12)
Box Office: 020 7258 29 25
Website: http://www.thecockpit.org.uk

KATH M MAINLAND STEPS DOWN AS CHIEF EXECUTIVE OF THE EDINBURGH FESTIVAL FRINGE SOCIETY

The Chief Executive of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe Society, Kath M Mainland, is to leave the organisation after seven years in the role. She will take on the role of Executive Director of the Melbourne Festival in February 2016.

Kath M Mainland, CBE said:

“After seven truly incredible years as Chief Executive of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe Society, the time has come to move on to pastures new and I am delighted to be taking on the role of Executive Director at the Melbourne Festival.

“I love the Fringe and I have lived in Edinburgh for over twenty years because of it. I’m immensely proud of the Fringe Society staff and their achievements – I have had the opportunity to work with an amazingly hardworking, imaginative and talented group of people. 

“I’d especially like to take this opportunity to thank all the creative souls who take part in the Fringe and make it what it is – the world’s largest, most renowned open-access arts festival. Every year artists from all over the world travel to this great festival city to bring audiences their extraordinary work, and it’s because of them that the Fringe is so successful, and Scotland has such a unique cultural event to be proud of.

“I will take away many, many very special memories of the Fringe, and Edinburgh’s other festivals and I’m looking forward to coming back as an audience member to create many more.”   

The Chair of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe Society Sir Timothy O’Shea said:

 “Kath’s passion for the arts, their place in society and our unique festival city of Edinburgh has led her to achieve great success as Chief Executive of the Fringe Society. Her enthusiasm is contagious, her spirit is generous, and her vision and hard work has been truly remarkable. We are extremely sad to see her go.

“It was an immense pleasure to see Kath’s dedication recognised with the honour of CBE in the Queen’s Birthday Honours list in 2014. She has been an asset to both the Edinburgh Festival Fringe and to the city of Edinburgh and I’ve no doubt Kath will go on to achieve wonderful things at the Melbourne Festival.” 

Kath began her career in the arts in 1991 when she first joined the Edinburgh Festival Fringe Society as Administrative Assistant. Originally from Orkney, Scotland, she has worked in around Edinburgh’s Festivals ever since, working as a production coordinator and event producer of many of Scotland’s major festivals and events. In 2005 Kath became general manager of the Edinburgh International Book Festival, and was Administrative Director there until 2009 when she took up the newly created post of Chief Executive of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe Society.

During Kath’s tenure the Edinburgh Festival Fringe has seen significant growth with 1,216 more shows in the 2015 programme than in 2009 and 48 more venues involved. This year, the Fringe Society also announced record breaking figures following the 2015 Fringe with an estimated 2,298,090 tickets issued for shows across Scotland’s capital.

Kath has lived in Edinburgh for 24 years and been intrinsically involved in developing and maintaining Edinburgh’s position as the world’s leading festival city. She has sat on a number of arts boards in Scotland, including Festivals Edinburgh, (where she was chair from 2010 – 2013), a high-level organisation, created and managed by the directors of Edinburgh’s 12 major festivals, to take the lead on their joint strategic development.

In June 2014 Kath was awarded a CBE for services to Culture in Scotland. 

The Edinburgh Festival Fringe Society will begin the recruitment process for a new Chief Executive imminently.

 

SHOWSTOPPER!

The Improvised Musical

FINAL THREE WEEKS

Must end Saturday 28^th November

 Apollo Theatre, Shaftesbury Avenue, London

Showstopper! The Improvised Musical has been wowing audiences and critics alike in this first ever season for an improvised musical in the West End. Every night audience suggestions are transformed instantly into all-singing, all-dancing shows with unpredictable and hilarious results. The show is now in its final three weeks at the Apollo Theatre.

By the end of this limited 10-week season, The Showstoppers will have improvised their way through 80 new shows, more than quadrupling the number of West End musicals playing in London this Autumn.

The 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 stories and 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

Highlights from the West End run so far have included:

 

“THE LYIN’ KING”  an apt title for a tale of tabloid journalism set in the offices of the Daily Mail; “BALLS” set in the England rugby team dressing room at Twickenham, with musical styles included Cats & West Side Story; “POPE FICTION” set in the Vatican; “AARGH 2 D 2” set on board a Robot Pirate Ship with songs in the styles of Chicago, Matilda, Hairspray & Annie Get Your Gun; “SHAFTED” set in an elevator in a NY apartment block, with song styles including Cole Porter, Matilda, Spamalot & Once;  “HOW DO YOU SOLVE A PROBLEM LIKE KOREA?” with songs in the styles of Les Miserable, Reggae, Threepenny Opera & The Lion King, and “BLATT OUT OF HELL” set at FIFA HQ, with songs in the style of Avenue Q and Hello Dolly.

 

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 Apollo Theatre, Shaftesbury Avenue, London, W1D 7ES

Dates:                          Until Saturday 28^th November 2015

Mon – Fri 8pm / Sat 3pm & 8pm

Tickets:                        From £20

Box Office:                  www.nimaxtheatres.com  / 0844 482 9671