Hit comedy musical show Jest End returns to Waterloo East Theatre later this month for a limited run from 24th November to 6th December 2015.

The full line-up for this year’s show was announced late last night, and will include West End stars Scott Garnham, Simon Bailey, Lizzy Connelly and Jodie Jacobs.

Jest End is London’s answer to Forbidden Broadway. It is a satirical musical exploring and ‘exposing’ the hits, flops and gossip of Theatreland, featuring the latest and most popular musicals with a hilarious and firmly tongue in cheek twist. The cast for the revived 2015 show will be taking on such musicals as Wicked, Bend It Like Beckham, Matilda, Billy Elliot, Guys and Dolls, Miss Saigon, Sunny Afternoon, The Phantom of the Opera and Jersey Boys.

Jest End was created by British composer Garry Lake and first appeared at Jermyn Street Theatre in 2007. He writes and directs this latest production, which also has choreography by Rebecca Howell, set design by Sebastian Noel, sound by Gareth Tucker, lighting by Jack Weir and musical direction by James Doughty.

Scott Garnham is a musical theatre performer and co-creator/producer of the musical theatre super-group Boys of the Barricade with Simon Schofield, also performing as a member of the group. His stage credits include Grand Hotel(Southwark Playhouse), Made in Dagenham (Adelphi Theatre), I Can’t Sing! The X Factor Musical (London Palladium),Titanic (Toronto), Les Miserables (Queen’s Theatre) and Never Forget (UK Tour)

Simon Bailey has played leading roles in I Can’t Sing! The X Factor Musical (London Palladium), The Phantom of the Opera (West End & 25th Anniversary Tour), Parade (Southwark Playhouse) and Les Miserables (Queen’s Theatre). He released his debut solo album, Looking Up, in December 2012.

Lizzy Connelly is an Arts Educational Schools, London graduate who was most recently seen in the world premiere of MrsHenderson Presents (Theatre Royal Bath), which is set to transfer into the West End in 2016. Her other stage credits include Dirty Rotten Scoundrels (Savoy Theatre), WAG The Musical (Charing Cross) and The Boys From Syracuse (Union).

Jodie Jacobs is a musical theatre actress with a long list of credits to her name. Her stage credits include Legally Blonde (Kilworth House Theatre), Carrie (Southwark Playhouse), Rock of Ages (Shaftesbury Theatre), Evita (Adelphi Theatre), Fame (Aldwych Theatre) and We Will Rock You (Dominion Theatre).

Garry Lake is a British composer and actor. He is the composer/lyricist for the social media musical Like Me, which features a book by Jon Smith and was showcased earlier this year at Waterloo East Theatre. His stage credits include Batman (O2 Arena), We Will Rock You (Dominion Theatre) and Saturday Night Fever (Apollo Victoria).

Jest End is presented by Garry Lake in association with Waterloo East Theatre. It runs at Waterloo East Theatre from Tuesday 24th November to Sunday 6th December 2015

90s pop star KAVANA and Hollyoaks favourite GEMMA MERNA star in the very best yuletide party in town with festive cheer, glitter, magic and sparkle… and all your favourite Christmas songs!

Derek Nicol and Paul Walden in association with Hal Carter Organisation present

So This Is Christmas!

GRAND OPERA HOUSE YORK

Thursday 26 November at 7:30pm

 

Nineties pop star Kavana and glamorous actress Gemma Merna are to star in So This Is Christmas, aseasonal

spectacular for all the family, featuring a collection of festive favourites that are guaranteed to make even the most dedicated Scrooge Wish It Could be Christmas Every Day!

Kavana, with his unique combination of Northern charm and soulful vocals, and Gemma, best known for her award-winning comedy performance as Carmel McQueen in C4’s Hollyoaks, a role she played for eight years, will be supported by a talented cast of singers and dancers and a live on-stage band.

 So This Is Christmas will feature two hours of seasonal classics, including White Christmas, Let It Snow, The

Christmas Song, Jingle Bell Rock, Last Christmas, Merry Christmas Everybody, All I Want For Christmas Is You and Fairytale of New York.

 A 16-date UK tour will open in York on Thursday 26 November. Full tour list below.

 Gemma said: I LOVE Christmas! My favourite Christmas song has to be Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas by Judy Garland. I put on a Christmas CD last week and was doing the dishes singing along! When I was in Hollyoaks we always had 2 weeks off from filming over Christmas and New Year so my husband Ian and I went away – usually to America, Vegas or New York. My favourite place at Christmas has to be New York: the trees, the lights, they really go to town. Just like in the movies! We are currently doing major renovations on our Liverpool home so we won’t be dressing the house but last year I splashed out and had two trees professionally decorated. One was upstairs where there is a window to the street and it looked amazing. This year I’m looking forward to touring all over with this show -Manchester is going to be a blast as it is the hometown of both Kavana and me. Everyone we know is coming along that night – it will be a massive party night!”

Kavana adds: “My favourite Christmas track is Fairytale of New York. Christmas for me is a great family affair – everyone together, sisters and cousins, the lot. Very Shameless! Dinner is not served until very late in the day!” In 1997, after being discovered by Nigel Martin Smith, manager of Take That, Kavana left his job at McDonalds and spent a year writing his debut album, before being signed to Virgin Records in the very same week as The Spice Girls. His breakthrough hit I Can Make You Feel Good made the Top 10, and was quickly followed by an award of Best Male Artist at the Smash Hits Poll Winners beating Gary Barlow and Peter Andre. His follow up albumInstinct went on to selling excess of half a million copies in South East Asia. In 2014 he took part in TV’s The Big Reunion as part of supergroup‘5th Story’ which proved a massive success and led to a sold out nationwide arena tour.

Manchester born actress Gemma Merna is best known for her role as Carmel McQueen in Hollyoaks. Since first appearing in 2006, Gemma has been nominated for numerous awards including the National Television Awards for ‘Best Female Soap Actress’. In 2007 Gemma won the coveted British Soap Award for ‘Best Comedy Performance’. Gemma left Hollyoaks in late 2014 in some of the most dramatic scenes a British soap had ever screened, leaving the nation mourning her character’s loss. Gemma trained at the prestigious Manchester School Of Acting with Mark Hudson– which led to her landing the role in Hollyoaks. Growing up Gemma attended a number of theatre workshops and groups in her home town of Manchester, as well as appearing in a number of productions. Gemma is a TV favourite, having appeared in shows including Family Fortunes, Celebrity Juice, Big Brothers Bit On The Side &Britain’s Got More Talent. In 2014 Gemma appeared on the TV 1 prime time showSplash where she faced her fears of the water after receiving guidance by Olympian Tom Daley.

Tickets: From £16

Box Office: 0844 871 3024

Online Booking: www.atgtickets.com/york

 

TOUR DATES

YORK – Grand Opera House

Thursday 26 November

ST ALBANS – Alban Arena

Friday 27 November

WOKING – New Victoria Theatre

Saturday 28 November

TORQUAY – Princess Theatre

Sunday 29 November

MANCHESTER – Palace Theatre

Tuesday 1 December

BASINGSTOKE – Anvil Arts

Wednesday 2 December

NORTHAMPTON – Royal & Derngate

Friday 4 December

OXFORD – New Theatre

Sunday 6 December

CHELTENHAM – Town Hall

Tuesday 8 December

EDINBURGH – Playhouse

Thursday10 December

DUNDEE – Caird Hall

Friday 11 December

BIRMINGHAM – Town Hall

Wednesday 16 December

CROYDON – Fairfield Halls

Thursday 17 December

FOLKESTONE – Leas Cliff

Saturday 19 December

EASTBOURNE – Congress Theatre

Tuesday 22 December

GATESHEAD – Sage

Sunday 27 December

Civic Theatre – Darlington.  3 November 2015

Presented by the Bunbury Company of Players

Opera and Ballet International present

An Ellen Kent production

Donkey star is set to steal the limelight in new production of Carmen

The cast in opera director Ellen Kent’s dazzling new production of Carmen is looking forward to welcoming a new addition to the company – donkey –. Candy-Floss

Candy-Floss, will take a break from her home in Charlton to tread the boards alongside international stars, a celebrated chorus and full orchestra when she comes to York on Tuesday 24th November.

Award-winning producer/ director Ellen Kent spent her teenage years in Spain and has a rich store of experiences to draw as she weaves passion and drama into the show at The Grand Theatre Blackpool.

Ellen said: “Incorporating a donkey into the production lends it a real taste of Spain. My mother used to run the equivalent of the RSPCA in Spain when I was growing up and the farm was full of 30 to 40 donkeys, the same number of dogs and even more cats”.

“We used to travel miles across the countryside to festivals when they were planning to use a donkey. We’d buy the donkey off them and run – often chased by villagers. There was never a dull moment”.

“The animals were always my mother’s top priority. It’s a tribute to her really, that I use donkeys in the show – she would have been delighted and the audience always love it, especially as we try to use rescue donkeys from the local area.

Candy-floss, whose nickname is ‘Flossy’, and likes extra strong mints and ginger biscuits, is no stranger to the limelight. She has previously appeared in nativity and Palm Sunday Parades, a drama production at Lincoln Castle last year and several Agricultural Shows. She’s mothered three foals and has a  mischievous streak,  she’s always the first to escape from a field if there is better grass on the other side of the fence! Her owners will be on hand to bribe her with ginger biscuits in case the 15-year-old has any doubts.  A collection to raise money for donkey welfare will be made on the night.

As well as magnificent sets, luxurious costumes and heavenly singing, the shows also feature local children from the Stagecoach Theatre Arts in York.

Ellen is drawing inspiration from paintings by Goya for her production of Carmen, set against the backdrop of the bullring and the hot, dusty Moorish and Roman architecture.

Introducing Liza Kadelnik the celebrated international mezzo-soprano from the Romanian National Opera, together with the stunning international mezzo-soprano Zarui Vardanean as Carmen.

Bizet’s dramatic and sensuous opera Carmen tells the story of the downfall of soldier Don Jose, who is seduced by the fiery, beautiful and passionate gypsy Carmen. Abandoning both his childhood sweetheart and his military career, Jose pursues Carmen but loses her to the glamorous bullfighter Escamillo. In true tragic operatic fashion, Jose can’t bear to be without Carmen and stabs her in a jealous rage.

For more information on the tour of the UK and Ireland, go to www.ellenkent.com .

Tickets are on sale now from the box office on

King Charles III
A new play by Mike Bartlett
Directed by Rupert Goold with Whitney Mosery

• NEW 2016 DATES ANNOUNCED FOR THE CURRENT UK TOUR INCLUDE LEICESTER, SHEFFIELD, BRIGHTON, OXFORD, CHELTENHAM, MANCHESTER AND NORWICH
  
• INTERNATIONALLY ACCLAIMED PRODUCTION WILL OPEN IN AUSTRALIA AT THE ROSLYN PACKER THEATRE, SYDNEY, IN MARCH 2016
  

The producers of Mike Bartlett’s multi award-winning contemporary play, King Charles III are delighted to announce today that the current UK tour has been extended into spring 2016.

Robert Powell will continue in his role as Charles.  Tickets are now on sale.

New venues set to receive this award-winning production from January 2016 are Leicester Curve Theatre, Sheffield Lyceum Theatre, Brighton Theatre Royal, Oxford Playhouse, Cheltenham Everyman Theatre, Manchester Opera House and Norwich Theatre Royal.

King Charles III recently opened at Broadway’s Music Box Theatre to great acclaim from the New York critics and enjoyed huge success in London last year with critically acclaimed sell-out runs at the Almeida Theatre and in the West End.

Rupert Goold’s production won an array of awards in 2015, including Best Play at the Olivier Awards and the Critics’ Circle Theatre Awards and Best Theatre Production at the Southbank Sky Arts Awards.

Continuing on stage with Robert will be Penelope Beaumont as Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall,Jennifer Bryden as Katherine, Duchess of Cambridge, Ben Righton as William, Duke of Cambridge, and Richard Glaves as Prince Harry. Dominic Jephcott, Lucy Phelps, Giles Taylor,Tim Treloar, Beatrice Walker and Paul Westwood will also remain in their roles.

Robert Powell will also lead the cast when King Charles III opens in Sydney on 31 March 2016 at theRoslyn Packer Theatre as part of the Sydney Theatre Company’s 2016 season.

Directed by the Almeida Theatre’s artistic director Rupert Goold with Whitney Mosery, King Charles III is designed by Tom Scutt, with music composed by Jocelyn Pook, lighting by Jon Clarkand sound by Paul Arditti.

Mike Bartlett’s play explores the people underneath the crowns, the unwritten rules of our democracy, and the conscience of Britain’s most famous family.

His TV series Doctor Foster has recently broadcast on BBC One to widespread acclaim.

The King Charles III UK tour is produced by Sonia Friedman Productions, Stuart Thompson Productions, Tulchin Bartner Productions, Charles Diamond and the Almeida Theatre in association with Birmingham Repertory Theatre and by arrangement with Lee Dean.

King Charles III was first produced by the Almeida Theatre and subsequently co-produced at the Wyndham’s Theatre in the West End by Sonia Friedman Productions and Stuart Thompson Productions in association with Lee Dean & Charles Diamond and Tulchin Bartner Productions.

REMAINING AUTUMN TOUR DATES

2 – 7 November 2015
Malvern Festival Theatre
Grange Rd, Malvern, Worcestershire WR14 3HB
Box Office: 01684 892277
www.malvern-theatres.co.uk/

9 – 14 November 2015
Guildford Yvonne Arnaud
Millbrook, Guildford, Surrey GU1 3UX
Box Office: 01483 440000
www.yvonne-arnaud.co.uk/

16 – 21 November 2015
Edinburgh Festival Theatre
13-29 Nicolson Street, Edinburgh EH8 9FT
Box Office: 0131 529 6000
www.edtheatres.com/

23 – 28 November 2015
Bath Theatre Royal
Theatre Royal Bath, Sawclose, Bath BA1 1ET
Box Office: 01225 448844
www.theatreroyal.org.uk/

30 November – 5 December 2015
Chichester Festival Theatre
Oaklands Park, Chichester, West Sussex PO19 6AP
Box Office: 01243 781312
www.cft.org.uk/

7 – 12 December 2015
Plymouth Theatre Royal
Royal Parade, Plymouth PL1 2TR
Box Office: 01752 267222
www.theatreroyal.com/

NEW SPRING DATES

26 – 30 January 2016
Leicester Curve Theatre
60 Rutland St, Leicester LE1 1SB
Box Office: 01162 423560
www.curveonline.co.uk

1 – 6 February 2016
Sheffield Lyceum Theatre
55 Norfolk Street, Sheffield, South Yorkshire S1 1DA
Box Office: 01142 496000
www.sheffieldtheatres.co.uk

8 – 13 February 2016
Brighton Theatre Royal
New Rd, Brighton, East Sussex BN1 1SD
Box Office: 08448 717650
www.atgtickets.com/venues/theatre-royal-brighton/

22 – 27 February 2016*
Oxford Playhouse
Oxford Playhouse, Beaumont Street, Oxford OX1 2LW
Box Office: 01865 305305
https://www.oxfordplayhouse.com/
*Will go on sale in November, check website for details

29 February – 5 March 2016
Cheltenham Everyman Theatre
7 – 10 Regent St, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire GL50 1HQ
Box Office: 01242 572573
https://www.everymantheatre.org.uk/

7 – 12 March 2016
Manchester Opera House
3 Quay St, Manchester, Lancashire M3 3HP
Box Office: 08448 713018
www.atgtickets.com/venues/opera-house-manchester/

14 – 19 March 2016
Norwich Theatre Royal
Theatre St, Norwich, Norfolk NR2 1RL
Box Office: 01603 630000
www.theatreroyalnorwich.co.uk/

 

CLC Art Café, Peckham 2 – 14 November.  Reviewed by Claire Roderick

The story of Des Warren, Ricky Tomlinson and the Shrewsbury 24 is told in this new play by Neil Gore. The events of the 1972 building workers’ strike and the establishment’s reaction are told passionately by Gore and William Fox – acting the parts of the main protagonists. Des Warren’s activities in North Wales and Shropshire, organising flying pickets to oppose the cash “lump” wages, fight for better wages and improve safety standards on building sites, alongside Ricky Tomlinson (a fine impression by Gore), are ended by the unions agreeing a deal and securing a pay rise. Footage of politicians, picketers and police, and the media coverage of the situation is used alongside poetry and music are used to wonderful effect. The two actors are talented musicians and vocalists, taking us through 1970s classics, folk and workers’ songs to embellish the story.

Whilst Tomlinson returns to work, Warren is unable to, following several unwise newspaper interviews. Then, 5 months later, the police arrest the men and they, along with others, are charged with conspiracy to intimidate, unlawful assembly and affray. The police at the actual picket on the day when the offences were alleged to have taken place had actually congratulated the men on leading such a peaceful protest! The “great conspiracy” between the politicians, police and building firm owners is related as a variety act with dummies and puppets to show exactly what a farce the charges were.  The play becomes darker once the trial begins, culminating in Tomlinson’s and Warren’s impassioned speeches from the dock. The sentences passed, Warren’s resulting illness and the blacklisting of the convicted pickets merit this sombre finale. There has been no happy ending. Campaigners are still fighting to get the case referred to the Court of Appeal.

The play does not paint the characters as saints, but mentions their mistakes, and the actors create characters that feel authentic and deeply human. There are lots of laughs in amongst the political intrigue – Gore and Fox revel in the more over the top characters, and pounce on each others fumbles and mistakes with glee. The audience aren’t safe from them either – don’t sit in the front row!

This is a fascinating and funny play about a part of our history that is very pertinent today as the government tries to curb the role of the unions. Uplifting and inspiring – well worth a look.

 



Underfoot Theatre’s production Living Between Lies have been chosen from over a thousand acts and artists to perform at the Stockholm Fringe Festival in collaboration with the Swedish National Theatre between the 21st-25th of October 2015. They will be performing Living Between Lies in London at the King’s Head Theatre on the 12th of October at 7pm.

Living Between Lies is a one hour comedy drama written and performed by Underfoot Theatre, directed by Florence Bell. It tells the story about four women living in London who all struggle with loneliness, isolation, self-deception and how women in particular cope with these issues – to varying degrees of success.

ABOUT THE COMPANY

Underfoot Theatre is a London based company made up of four women from diverse backgrounds: two Irish, one Swedish and one first generation Polish/English. Who came together, after graduating from Royal Central School of Speech & Drama, with a shared passion for devising and the creation of new work with a particular emphasis on the female voice.

Through devising technique they work to create original and bold theatre productions to entertain and challenge the audience to reflect on society and the status quo of women today.

ABOUT THE ARTISTS

Orla Sanders Orla completed her MA in Text & Performance at RADA in 2002. Other theatre credits this year include Marlene Dietrich in Toilet Party at the Courtyard Theatre, Lindsey in Living Between Lies at the Camden People’s Theatre and Sinead Dolan in How to make Money from Art in the Phoenix Artists Club. In film this year she has credits on nine short films and world war two feature Our Shining Sword.

Magdalena McNab is an acclaimed Swedish actress who has worked extensively in film over the last 3 years. She can currently be seen in the lead role in the multiple award winning short film When Tears Have Fallen, for which she has been nominated Best Lead Actress In A Foreign Language Film at St-Tropez International Film Festival. During 2015 she can also be seen in the British comedy ’The Five Wives and Lives of Melvyn Pfferberg’. She is currently filming a British series for ITV2.

Joanne Fitzgerald is an experienced project manager by day, and in 2013 wrote and performed the play Family Man at the International Comedy Club Dublin. She has trained for two years part-time at the Gaiety School of Acting, Dublin before moving to London January 2014. She is currently working on new plays for submission to the Bruntwood Prize and the Soho Theatre.

Aleks Grela trained as a ballet dancer and completed her training at Elmhurst in Association with Birmingham Royal Ballet. Here she explored many different styles of dance and gained lots of experience performing. After coming back to London she decided to hang up her ballet shoes and turn to acting and went on to pursue her actor training at Royal Central School of Speech and Drama.

ABOUT THE DIRECTOR:

Florence Bell is a freelance film and theatre director with a background in TV and film acting. Since forming in 2012, her company Counter Productions has produced five plays and a short film. She is currently writing and directing satirical live show “The News”, which airs on You Tube his Autumn.

Synopsis

“We all lie. We need the lies to keep us going, because otherwise you might.. do something you regret”

Living Between Lies is the story about four woman struggling with loneliness, isolation, self-deception, loss of control and loss of identity.

Lindsey moved to London to work on her dream project. It sort of took over, it sort of became her baby… and she’s not going to let anyone or anything come between her and her baby.

Alice has the most wonderful life together with Harry – the love of her life and her future husband. He is so perfect she’s willing to sacrifice her career for him and their wonderful future together. But suddenly he’s not around much and he’s working late all the time… But everything’s wonderful, according to Alice.

Kim might have a small drug problem, she can quit whenever she wants. She meets a strange Irish woman, Laura, in a hospital who promises to write her a prescription if she divulges her secrets. But Laura tells some strange stories, suggesting that her relationship with the truth might be as strained as her relationship with her husband

ABOUT THE PRODUCTION

Production: Living Between Lies

Company: Underfoot Theatre Company

Running time: 1hour

Genre: Comedy/Drama

Written and devised by the company

Director: Florence Bell

Artists: Magdalena McNab, Orla Sanders, Aleks Grela, Joanne Fitzgerald

Website: www.underfoottheatre.com

Facebook: www.facebook.com/underfoottheatre

Twitter: www.twitter.com/underfootheatre

Contact: [email protected]

 

 

The London Evening Standard today announces the shortlist for its 61st Theatre Awards, in partnership with The Ivy. The winners will be announced at an Awards ceremony presented by Rob Brydon, and co-hosted by Evgeny Lebedev, Dame Judi Dench and Sir Ian McKellen, at the Old Vic on Sunday 22nd November, 2015.

Leading the way is the National Theatre with seven shortlisted candidates across six categories – Best Play (Stephen Adly Guirgis) and Best Director (Indhu Rubasingham) for The Motherf**ker With the Hat; Best Actor for Ralph Fiennes’ performance in Man and Superman; Best Actress for Denise Gough in People, Places and Things; the Charles Wintour Award for Most Promising Playwright for Alistair McDowall, whose Pomona ran in the Temporary Theatre; and two shortlisted for the Emerging Talent Award in Partnership with Burberry – Calvin Demba (The Red Lion) and Patsy Ferran (Treasure Island). The National Theatre is closely followed by the Royal Court and Donmar Warehouse with five and four shortlisted respectively.

In the Best Actor category, four-time Evening Standard Theatre Award winner Simon Russell Beale is recognised for his performance in Temple at the Donmar Warehouse against Kenneth Cranham for The Father, Ralph Fiennes for Man and Superman and James McAvoy for The Ruling Class.

Returning to the London stage after a 17 year absence, Nicole Kidman is shortlisted for the Natasha Richardson Award for Best Actress for her role in Photograph 51, and is joined by Denise Gough for People, Places and Things, Gugu Mbatha-Raw for Nell Gywnn, and Lia Williams for Oresteia.

The Father, written by Florian Zeller and translated by Christopher Hampton – currently playing at Wyndham’s Theatre, vies for the Best Play award with Martin McDonagh’s Hangmen and The Motherf**ker with the Hat by Stephen Adly Guirgis. The latter’s director Indhu Rubasingham also makes the shortlist for the Milton Shulman Award for Best Director alongside Robert Icke for Oresteia and Jamie Lloyd for Assassins at the Menier Chocolate Factory.

This year for the first time there are three musical awards, in recognition of the contribution of musical theatre to theWest End. In the new Best Musical Performance category, Imelda Staunton (Gypsy) is joined by Katie Brayben (Beautiful: The Carole King Musical), Rosalie Craig (City of Angels) and Killian Donnelly (Kinky Boots). Gemma Arterton (Made in Dagenham), Ellie Bamber (High Society) and Natalie Dew (Bend It Like Beckham) compete for inaugural Newcomer in a Musical Award. The third musical award, is the Evening Standard Radio 2 Audience Award for Best Musical, is voted for by the Radio 2 listeners, the shortlist for which has already been announced (Assassins, Beautiful: The Carole King Musical, Bend It Like Beckham, Gypsy and Kinky Boots). The winner of this award will be announced live on the night on BBC Radio 2 by Elaine Paige.

London theatre has once again seen a wealth of new talent across its stages this year, and awards for Most Promising Playwright and Emerging Talent are hotly contested. The Charles Wintour Award for Most Promising Playwright sees Molly Davies (God Bless the Child), Alistair McDowall (Pomona) and Diana Nneka Atuona (Liberian Girl) shortlisted; and for the Emerging Talent Award in partnership with Burberry, those shortlisted are Calvin Demba (The Red Lion), Patsy Ferran (Treasure Island) and David Moorst (Violence and Son).

In addition to these categories there will also be presentations for the Editor’s Award, given to an individual or organisation for an outstanding contribution to theatre; the Lebedev Award, presented to a writer, performer, director or institution for a specific piece of work or as a lifetime achievement award; and the Beyond the Theatre Award, for a performance, event or production beyond the realms of the stage.

Owner of the London Evening Standard Evgeny Lebedev said today, “This fantastic shortlist bears witness to the fact that Londoners are living through a theatrical golden age. With ground-breaking director-led seasons, visionary new writing dominating the West End and the world¹s finest thespian talent queuing up to perform here, London¹s theatre scene is the envy of the world.”

THE 61ST ANNUAL LONDON EVENING STANDARD THEATRE AWARDS SHORTLIST IN FULL

Best Actor:
● Simon Russell Beale, Temple, Donmar Warehouse
● Kenneth Cranham, The Father, Ustinov Bath, Tricycle & Wyndham’s Theatre
● Ralph Fiennes, Man and Superman, National Theatre’s Lyttelton
● James McAvoy, The Ruling Class, Trafalgar Studios

Natasha Richardson Award for Best Actress:
● Denise Gough, People, Places and Things, National Theatre’s Dorfman
● Nicole Kidman, Photograph 51, Noel Coward Theatre
● Gugu Mbatha-Raw, Nell Gwynn, Shakespeare’s Globe
● Lia Williams, Oresteia, Almeida Theatre & Trafalgar Studios

Best Play:
● The Motherf**ker with the Hat (Stephen Adly Guirgis), National Theatre’s Lyttelton
● Hangmen (Martin McDonagh) Royal Court
● The Father (Florian Zeller, translated by Christopher Hampton) Ustinov Bath, Tricycle & Wyndham’s Theatre

Milton Shulman Award for Best Director:
● Robert Icke, Oresteia, Almeida Theatre & Trafalgar Studios
● Jamie Lloyd, Assassins, Menier Chocolate Factory
● Indhu Rubasingham, The Motherf**ker with the Hat, National Theatre’s Lyttelton

Best Design:
● Anna Fleischle, Hangmen, Royal Court
● Tim Hatley, Temple, Donmar Warehouse
● Robert Jones, City of Angels, Donmar Warehouse

Charles Wintour Award for Most Promising Playwright:
● Molly Davies, God Bless the Child, Royal Court Upstairs
● Alistair McDowall, Pomona, Orange Tree Theatre & National Theatre’s Temporary Space
● Diana Nneka Atuona, Liberian Girl, Royal Court Upstairs (Peckham & Tottenham pop up venues)

Emerging Talent Award in Partnership with Burberry:
● Calvin Demba, The Red Lion, National Theatre’s Dorfman
● Patsy Ferran, Treasure Island, National Theatre’s Olivier
● David Moorst, Violence and Son, Royal Court Upstairs

Best Musical Performance:
● Katie Brayben, Beautiful, Aldwych Theatre
● Rosalie Craig, City of Angels, Donmar Warehouse
● Killian Donnelly, Kinky Boots, Adelphi Theatre
● Imelda Staunton, Gypsy, Savoy Theatre

Newcomer in a Musical:
● Gemma Arterton, Made in Dagenham, Adelphi Theatre
● Ellie Bamber, High Society, Old Vic
● Natalie Dew, Bend It Like Beckham, Phoenix Theatre

Evening Standard Radio 2 Audience Award for Best Musical (voted for by the public):
● Assassins, Menier Chocolate Factory
● Beautiful: The Carole King Musical, Aldwych Theatre
● Bend It Like Beckham, Phoenix Theatre
● Gypsy, Savoy Theatre
● Kinky Boots, Adelphi Theatre

Pub opera returns in rep in new season at the King’s Head Theatre amongst Edinburgh transfer hits and female-led new writing

After a bombastic, exciting and innovative 45th year, the King’s Head continues its new artistic policy of being a crucible of new writing and critical rediscoveries, whilst also welcoming the much-anticipated return of pub opera, with the aim of being the best pub theatre in London.

Artistic director Adam Spreadbury-Maher originated pub opera in his first season at the King’s Head in 2010, and we’re now proud to relaunch that tradition at its original home with a stylish new production of Mozart’s classic opera Cosi fan tutte in March, directed by international opera director Paul Higgins. This return to pub opera will play in rep alongside Louis Nowra’s play by the same name, Cosi, where patients in a mental asylum perform Mozart’s piece whilst questioning madness in the face of the Vietnam War, which is directed by ex-Sydney Theatre Company artistic director Wayne Harrison. Adam says “Two Cosis at the same time?! If a large funded arts centre said they were going to do this, it would raise an eyebrow – the fact that an unfunded pub theatre is doing it is completely bonkers”.

Before that, in February, we welcome the return of smash success Trainspotting after a sell-out Edinburgh Fringe 2015 run, which plays with us for a month before heading on a national tour. Tickets were tough to come by for this critically acclaimed, anarchic take on Irvine Welsh’s classic novel-then-film in both London and Edinburgh – we received a sell-out show laurel for 58 performances at the Fringe!

We will also present a wealth of new writing this season: January offers new plays The Long Road South, by Paul Minx, focusing on the civil rights movement in the 1960s, and Big Brother Blitzkrieg, by Hew Rous Eyre & Max Elton, which sees Hitler enter the Big Brother House! April features work exclusively by female playwrights with Adrian Pagan Award winner and insightful new play about female relationships Russian Dolls, by Kate Lock, alongside Edinburgh transfer To Kill a Machine, by Catrin Fflur Huws, which delves into the sexuality and chemical castration of Alan Turing. We also have new British musical Something Something Lazarus joining us in March, performed in a ground-breaking “broken cabaret” style, by John Myatt and Simon Arrowsmith.

We’re proud that our new writing offerings this season champion female and international playwrights alongside our continued support for new work with the continuation of #Festival45, #Festival46, in July, featuring work from our 4 trainee resident directors, who will be graduating from our Queen’s Jubilee Award winning scheme this Summer.

With an unashamedly broad church of programming including theatre, musical theatre and opera, transfers to and from the biggest arts festivals in the world, and a trail-blazing policy of ethical employment on the fringe, we are continuing with the big changes from our first year under our new artistic policy, as well as recommitting ourselves to being the most diverse and the best pub theatre in London – if it’s on here, you won’t see it anywhere else. Come and see for yourself this Spring!

The Long Road South, 12 January – 30 January (7pm and 3pm weekend matinees)
It is a hot, humid summer in Indiana, 1965. Andre and Grace, black domestic workers for the Price family, want to leave the house to join the civil rights movement in Alabama. They believe in non-violence. All summer they have been working hard for the Prices – Jake, the bitter cynical father, Carol Ann, his mostly drunken wife, and the family’s teenage Lolita who is determined to keep Andre around at all costs. They still haven’t been paid, though, and need their summer’s wages. The Long Road South traces how one man is forced to go to the very limits of his being to get what’s rightly his.

Big Brother Blitzkrieg, 14 January – 30 January (9.15pm)
After a botched suicide attempt, Adolf Hitler awakes to find himself in the Big Brother House. Confused by his situation and surrounded by some of the most loathsome individuals he’s ever met, he struggles to come to terms with the world of reality television. Join Adolf on the journey of a lifetime as he makes friends, faces demons and finds his true voice. But will he win over the hearts and minds of the viewers in the process? #BigBrotherBlitzkrieg #HitlerInLondon

Trainspotting, 3 February – 27 February (7pm and 8.45pm, 5pm matinees Saturdays)
After 5 star critically acclaimed and sell out runs at the Edinburgh Fringe 2015 and in London, In Your Face Theatre and the King’s Head Theatre’s production of Irvine Welsh’s cult, generation-defining novel Trainspotting is back before it tours the UK! This punchy, 75 minute production recaptures the passion and the controversy of the famous novel, then globally successful film, and repackages it into an immersive production – the audience are literally part of the show, including the notorious “Worst Toilet in Scotland” scene. Both Edinburgh and London critics have praised the production highly, describing it as “utterly amazing” (London Theatre 1), “intense, funny, and moving” (Box Dust) and “bold, unique, and like nothing else you’ll see on stage” (Entertainment Focus). For avid fans this is a must, and if you’ve never read the book or seen the film: this is your ticket to a ride you won’t soon forget.

Così fan tutte, 1 March – 3 April (dates alternate with Cosi (play), 7pm and 3pm weekend matinees)
Pub opera is back at the Kings Head with Mozart’s Così fan tutte. A cynical gentleman’s conviction that women cannot be faithful sets in motion a chain of deceit, disguise and desire in the most perfect ensemble opera ever written. Join us for a new adaptation directed by Paul Higgins and Musical Direction by Elspeth Wilkes.

Cosi (play), 2 March – 2 April (dates alternate with Così fan tutte, 7pm and 3pm weekend matinees)
Young theatre director Lewis is staging a production of Mozart’s comic opera Così fan tutte. The catch? The cast are patients from a mental institution, none of whom can speak Italian… or sing. Can this unlikely cohort, including an obsessive-compulsive, a manic depressive and a junkie, pull it off? Or will a patient with a penchant for pyromania spoil all the fun? As Vietnam War protests rage outside and Lewis confronts the enormity of his task, he begins to realise the frightening and attractive power of madness, politics, theatre and love.

Something Something Lazarus, 8 March – 2 April (9.30pm)
It’s easy to escape the disaster that was today… the weekend that wasn’t… the one true love you’ll never forget. Enter the world of cabaret, where the wine ain’t fine but the company’s classy. Meet Vee, clinging to the stage. Della, attacking piano. Jay in his pants at the bar. And of course Daniel, as always, barely managing. Today’s Friday. They haven’t got long to rehearse the song with the knife. But something’s been delivered. Something that can crack open clocks. And their final hour is about to go horribly wrong. See, the problem with the past – it never stays buried. And whatever happens, the show must go on. So laugh, kick back, find whatever comfort you can. Because there’s some things in life that cabaret just can’t cure. Or maybe it can… A new British musical.

To Kill a Machine, 6 April – 23 April (7pm)
To Kill a Machine tells the life-story of war-time cryptanalyst Alan Turing. It is a story about the importance of truth and injustice and of keeping and revealing secrets. The play examines his pioneering work considering whether a machine could think, asking the questions “what is the difference between a human and a machine?” and “If a human is prevented from thinking, do they then become a machine?” At the heart of the play is a powerful love story and the importance of freedom, in relation to Turing’s own life, death and posthumous re-evaluation. It is the story of Turing the genius, Turing the victim and Turing the constant in a tumultuous world.

Russian Dolls, 5 April – 23 April (8.30pm, 3pm weekend matinees)
Hilda is blind, lives alone, and is visited by a carer once a week. Camilla is a young offender looking for her next mark. A surprising and curious relationship sparks off between these opposites as both search for connection and purpose. Kate Lock’s insightful new play delves into maternal relationships and the line between friendship and family, and contrasts our current culture of blame and instant gratification with the self-worth and determination of the post-war generation. Directed by Hamish McDougall.