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Empire Cinemas, the largest independently-owned cinema chain in the UK, has announced that from February 2016 they will be releasing a monthly Spotify playlist, showcasing the very best film music and scores of that month – all in one place.

These unique film music playlists will be released mid-month, ensuring cinemagoers and music lovers are kept completely up to date with the stunning soundtracks that accompany all the latest UK film releases. This new offering kicks off on February 15^th, with a playlist consisting of music from the likes of Goosebumps (Danny Elfman), Dad’s Army (Charlie Mole), Trumbo (Theodore Shapiro) andThe Forest (Bear McCreary).

 

Empire Cinemas prides itself on offering a range of screenings that span across both mainstream blockbusters and art-house independents; meaning these playlists will give listeners the chance to not only enjoy cinematic symphonies from mainstream masters such as Hans Zimmer, but also discover new, up and coming artists or unknown artists.

Jon Nutton Marketing Director of Empire Cinemas said: “We’re very excited to announce the launch of the Empire Cinemas film music playlists. Music is such a huge aspect of film, which shouldn’t go unnoticed. We want to be the cinema that puts all these fantastic movie soundtracks into one easily-accessible place for our filmgoers.”

 

February playlist embed code: https://embed.spotify.com/?uri=spotify%3Auser%3Aempirecinemas%3Aplaylist%3A3SUEKWZUHrnzrjxYWJSGIS

For further ticketing information visit www.empirecinemas.co.uk or call 08714 714 714.

 Waterloo East Theatre  9 February – 6 March.  Reviewed by Claire Roderick

This play made me worry about my political leanings. By the end I was rooting for the NSA – at least they were funny and had the best lines.

Snowden and the journalists come across as grey and joyless. Snowden’s motivation was ethical and patriotic but here his repeated justifications for his actions become trite and sanctimonious. The jumps between key events following 9/11 and in Snowden’s career influencing his decision to go public are jarring and the whole thing becomes a mishmash of good dialogue lost among a misjudged cacophony of noise and movement that becomes increasingly more irritating. The security briefings amuse at first, with endless mind-numbing acronyms and tubthumping rhetoric, but feel overused (a lovely exception being the GCHQ man with his schoolboy one-upmanship), and the difference between Snowden’s idea of patriotism and his colleagues’ more gung-ho attitude is hit home with a sledgehammer far too many times.

The second act is a little calmer and more coherent (apart from revisiting the worst excesses of act one verbatim to signal where we are in the timeframe – you’ll wish they hadn’t), dealing with the lead up to publication of the leaked material. There are moments of tension and humour but then it all gets a bit meta and sermon like at the end. Thankfully the cast all deal admirably with what they are given and just about carry it off.

This story is relevant, interesting and should be told – just not like this please. I for one was glad when the final whistle was blown.

 



The production is directed by James Brining, Artistic Director of West Yorkshire Playhouse, and stars Jason Manford (Caractacus Potts), Martin Kemp (the Childcatcher), Michelle Collins (Baroness Bomburst), Phill Jupitus (Baron Bomburst), Amy Griffiths (Truly Scrumptious) and Andy Hockley (Grandpa Potts).

• THE ROYAL SHAKESPEARE COMPANY AND OPUS ARTE RELEASE NEW DVDS OF LIVE FROM STRATFORD-UPON-AVON PERFORMANCES OF THE MERCHANT OF VENICE AND HENRY V, AS WELL AS A HISTORIES BOX SET: KING AND COUNTRY

  RSC, BRITISH LIBRARY AND OPUS ARTE ANNOUNCE THE RE-RELEASE OF 4 CD BOX-SET THE ESSENTIAL SHAKESPEARE LIVE.

The RSC production of Henry V, directed by Artistic Director Gregory Doran, is now available to pre-order on DVD and Blu Ray. Henry V was broadcast live from the Royal Shakespeare Theatre on 21 October 2015. The DVD is priced at £19.99 and the Blu Ray is £24.99.

Henry V is also available as part of a box set entitled King and Country: Shakespeare’s Great Cycle of Kings, also containing Gregory Doran’s productions of Richard II and Henry IV Parts I and II, priced £49.99 in DVD format and £59.99 in Blu Ray format.

Henry V and the King and Country box set will be released on 1 April 2016 and are available to pre-order from www.rsc.org.uk/shop. 

On 29 January the DVD and Blu Ray of The Merchant of Venice, directed by Polly Findlay, was released. The Merchant of Venice was broadcast live from the Royal Shakespeare Theatre on 22 July 2015. The Merchant of Venice is on sale now from www.rsc.org.uk/shop and through various retailers.

The broadcasts played to over 450 cinemas each across the country, whilst also being available in North America, Australia, New Zealand, Argentina and Europe. As well as the full stage productions, both DVDs contain extras including a Director’s Commentary and a Cast Gallery.

These are the latest recordings released by the RSC in collaboration with Opus Arte, in an ongoing series of RSC productions filmed live on stage.

CDs of the music and speeches from the plays are also available from iTunes and the RSC online shop.

As part of the 2016 celebrations to commemorate the 400th anniversary of the death of Shakespeare, the Royal Shakespeare Company and the British Library will also collaborate with Opus Arte to re-release The Essential Shakespeare Live. Originally released in two volumes in 2005 and 2009, the re-release will be packaged as one 4-CD box set with an RRP of £19.99.

Selected by RSC Artistic Director Gregory Doran from an extensive collection of recordings made by the British Library Sound Archive, this set features scenes and speeches from some of the most celebrated Shakespeare productions in the history of the Royal Shakespeare Company, including performances by Laurence Oliver, Peggy Ashcroft, Paul Scofield, Paul Robeson, Patrick Stewart, Ian McKellen, Judi Dench, David Tennant and many more.

Painting Painting presents:

TV TALENT TO TOP THE GOOD OLD DAYS

 

This March The Good Old Days variety extravaganza returns to City Varieties Music Hall in Leeds.

BBC4 is currently re-running highlights on Fridays from the original TV light entertainment series which ran for 30 years, was watched by millions

and took the City Varieties into households across the globe.

City Varieties’ live stage revival is now in its 28^th year, hosted by legendary Chairman, Mr Johnny Dennis

with the musical accompaniment of The City Varieties “Orchestra” led by Mr David Smith

On Friday 11 and Saturday 12 March, actress, singer and panto legend Anita Harris tops the bill

with the remainder of the performance comprising veteran Music Hall revivalist Peter John, comedian Richard Gauntlett and Scotland’s Cavalier of song, Jimmy McWilliams.

For the following weekend March 18 and 19, local lad Billy Pearce headlines
with Crackerjack’s Jan Hunt, superstar soprano Rebecca Newman and comedy juggler Steve Rawlings rounding out the bill.

 

Fancy dress not obligatory but highly recommended

Friday 11 March 7pm
Saturday 12 March 12 Noon & 4.30pm
Friday 18 March 7pm

Saturday 19 March 12 Noon & 4.30pm

Tickets from £16*

 

Online Booking: www.cityvarieties.co.uk

Box Office: 0113 243 0808

LEE BRENNAN JOINS THE CAST OF

FOOTLOOSE: THE MUSICAL

 

FROM TUESDAY 19 APRIL TO SATURDAY 18 JUNE 2016

 

911 and The Big Reunion star Lee Brennan will make his musical theatre debut when he joins the cast ofFootloose: The Musical, playing the role of Willard from Tuesday 19 April to Saturday 18 June 2016. Lee will join the UK tour for dates in Oxford, Weston Super Mare, Wimbledon, Liverpool, Belfast, Derry, Torquay andGlasgow.

Lee Brennan is widely recognised as one third of multi-million selling pop group 911. One of the biggest pop acts of the 90’s, 911 were one of only five acts in the decade to achieve ten consecutive UK Top Ten Hit Singles, selling over 10 million records around the world and touring the UK four times. Lee returned to 911 in 2013, when the band reformed for ITV’s smash hit series The Big Reunion. An arena tour followed, where they played to over 200,000 fans alongside acts including Five and Blue.

Lee said today: “I am unbelievably excited about joining the amazing cast of Footloose! It has always been a dream of mine to perform in a musical and I cannot wait to get started in my role as Willard. I loved the film and have seen the current stage version and it blew me away!”

As previously announced, Gareth Gates will continue in the role of Willard until 16 April, returning to the show from 20 June 2016.

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

 

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

 

The cast also features Luke Baker (American Idiot, Sunny Afternoon) as Ren, Maureen Nolan (The Nolans, Blood Brothers) as Vi Moore, Hannah Price as Ariel Moore, Nigel Lister as Reverend Shaw Moore, Nicky Swift as Ethel McCormack, Joanna Sawyer as Rusty, Matthew Tomlinson as Chuck, Natasha Brown as Wendy-Jo, Miracle Chance as Urleen, Thomas Cotran as Jeter and Scott Haining as Bickie. The cast also includes Lauren Storer, Natalie Morton-Graham, Luke Thornton and Alex Marshall.

 

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

 

www.footloose-musical.com

@FootlooseTour

 

 

2016 UK TOUR

Monday 8 – Saturday 13 February 2016

DARTFORD Orchard Theatre

Box Office www.orchardtheatre.co.uk | 01322 220000

With Gareth Gates as Willard

 

Tuesday 16 – Saturday 20 February 2016

EDINBURGH Festival Theatre

Box Office www.edtheatres.com | 0131 529 6000

With Gareth Gates as Willard

 

Monday 22 – Saturday 27 February 2016

LOWESTOFT Marina Theatre

Box Office www.marinatheatre.co.uk | 01502 533200

With Gareth Gates as Willard

Monday 29 February – Saturday 5 March 2016

CARDIFF New Theatre

Box Office www.newtheatrecardiff.co.uk | 029 2087 8889

With Gareth Gates as Willard

Monday 14 – Saturday 19 March 2016

MANCHESTER Palace Theatre

Box Office www.atgtickets.com/venues/palace-theatre-manchester | 0161 245 6600

With Gareth Gates as Willard

 

Monday 21 – Saturday 26 March 2016

CARLISLE Sands Theatre

Box Office www.thesandscentre.co.uk | 01228 633766

With Gareth Gates as Willard

 

Monday 28 March – Saturday 2 April 2016

PORTSMOUTH King’s Theatre

Box Office www.kingsportsmouth.co.uk | 023 9282 8282

With Gareth Gates as Willard

Tuesday 12 – Saturday 16 April 2016

BOURNEMOUTH Pavilion Theatre

Box Office www.bournemouthpavilion.co.uk | 0844 576 3000

With Gareth Gates as Willard

 

Tuesday 19- Saturday 23 April 2016

OXFORD New Theatre

Box Office www.atgtickets.com/venues/new-theatre-oxford | 0844 871 3020

With Lee Brennan as Willard

 

Monday 25 – Saturday 30 April 2016

WESTON-SUPER-MARE Playhouse

Box Office www.parkwoodtheatres.co.uk/theplayhouse | 01934 645544

With Lee Brennan as Willard

 

Monday 2 – Saturday 7 May 2016

WIMBLEDON New Theatre

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

With Lee Brennan as Willard

 

Monday 9 – Saturday 14 May 2016

LIVERPOOL Empire

Box Office www.atgtickets.com/venues/liverpool-empire | 0151 702 7320

With Lee Brennan as Willard

 

Monday 23 – Saturday 28 May 2016

BELFAST Opera House

Box Office www.goh.co.uk | 028 9024 1919

With Lee Brennan as Willard

 

Tuesday 31 May – Saturday 4 June 2016

DERRY Millennium Forum

Box Office www.millenniumforum.co.uk | 028 7126 4455

With Lee Brennan as Willard

Monday 6 – Saturday 11 June 2016

TORQUAY Princess Theatre

Box Office www.atgtickets.com/venues/princess-theatre-torquay | 0844 871 3023

With Lee Brennan as Willard

Monday 13 – Saturday 18 June 2016

GLASGOW King’s Theatre

Box Office www.atgtickets.com/venues/kings-theatre | 0844 871 7648

With Lee Brennan as Willard

 

Monday 20 – Saturday 25 June 2016

ABERDEEN His Majesty’s Theatre

Box Office www.aberdeenperformingarts.com/venues/his-majestys-theatre | 01224 641122

With Gareth Gates as Willard

 

Monday 27 June – Saturday 2 July 2016

BRADFORD Alhambra Theatre

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

With Gareth Gates as Willard

Monday 4 – Saturday 9 July 2016

BIRMINGHAM Alexandra Theatre

Box Office www.atgtickets.com/venues/new-alexandra-theatre-birmingham | 0844 871 3011

With Gareth Gates as Willard

 

Tuesday 12 – Saturday 16 July 2016

NEWCASTLE Opera House

Box Office www.tynetheatreandoperahouse.uk | 0191 243 1171

With Gareth Gates as Willard

 

Monday 18 – Saturday 23 July 2016

WOKING New Victoria Theatre

Box Office www.atgtickets.com/venues/new-victoria-theatre | 0844 871 7645

With Gareth Gates as Willard

 

Monday 25 – Saturday 30 July 2016

BRIGHTON Theatre Royal

Box Office www.atgtickets.com/venues/theatre-royal-brighton | 0844 871 7627

With Gareth Gates as Willard

 

Monday 1 August – Saturday 6 August 2016

BRISTOL Hippodrome

Box Office www.atgtickets.com/venues/bristol-hippodrome | 0844 871 3012

With Gareth Gates as Willard

 

Monday 15 – Saturday 27 August 2016

ABERYSTWYTH Arts Centre

Box Office www.aberystwythartscentre.co.uk | 01970 62 32 32

 

Monday 19 – Saturday 24 September 2016

BLACKPOOL Opera House

Box Office www.wintergardensblackpool.co.uk | 0844 856 1111

With Gareth Gates as Willard

 

Monday 3 – Saturday 8 October 2016

IPSWICH Regent Theatre

Box Office 01473 433100

With Gareth Gates as Willard

SHEFFIELD THEATRES EXTENDS WORLD PREMIÈRE OF RICHARD BEAN’S

THE NAP AND SHOW BOAT HEADS DOWNSTREAM TO LONDON’S WEST END

Sheffield Theatres’ Artistic Director Daniel Evans today announces the world première production of Richard Bean’s comedy thriller The Nap will extend its run by one week, alongside news that his recent five star production of Jerome Kern and Oscar Hammerstein II’s musical Show Boat is to transfer to the West End. 

 

Directed by Sheffield Theatres’ Associate Director Richard Wilson, The Nap, written by award-winning Richard Bean (One Man Two Guv’nors) will extend its run by one week on the Crucible stage until Saturday 2 April. This brand new laugh-out-loud comedy thriller is set at the World Snooker Championships and stars a cast including  BAFTA award-winning  Jack O’Connell(Unbroken, ’71, Starred Up), Mark Addy (The Full Monty film, Game of Thrones, Atlantis) and Ralf Little (Lewis, The Royle Family, Our Zoo).

Daniel Evans’ critically acclaimed production of Jerome Kern and Oscar Hammerstein II’smusical  Show Boat will transfer to West End’s New London Theatre in spring 2016.  Seen by over 36,000 people during its seven-week run in Sheffield, previews begin at the New London Theatre fromSaturday 9 April.  Produced in the West End by David Ian with Bob Bartner and Norman Tulchin, tickets for Show Boat go on sale on Friday 12 February.  The cast will be announced shortly.

Daniel Evans said:  “Show Boat is often thought to be the mother of all musicals.  Hammerstein and Kern’s score continues to blow audiences away, almost 90 years later.  As well as being a riveting story, the piece’s themes of family and freedom still speak to us today in a profound way.  I feel proud that the production we made in Sheffield will now get to travel further afield and be experienced by yet more audiences in the capital.”  

Producer David Ian said: “I am absolutely thrilled, along with my co-producers Bob Bartner andNorman Tulchin, to be bringing Daniel’s ground breaking production of Show Boat to the West End. As soon as I saw the production in Sheffield there was no doubt in my mind that we absolutely had to bring Show Boat in to London, giving West End audiences the opportunity to see this brand new version of such an incredible musical.”

Tickets for The Nap can be purchased from Sheffield Theatres’ Box Office in-person, byphone on 0114 249 6000 or online at sheffieldtheatres.co.uk and are priced from £18.00 (concessions available).  A transaction fee of £1.50 (£1.00 online) applies to all bookings made at the Box Office (excluding cash).

 

For ticket information for Show Boat go to www.ShowBoatMusical.co.uk or call 0844 412 4654