Home

WESSEX GROVE, GAVIN KALIN PRODUCTIONS, PLAYFUL PRODUCTIONS

PRESENT

BRYAN CRANSTON, MARIANNE JEAN-BAPTISTE

AND

PAAPA ESSIEDU

IN
ARTHUR MILLER’S
ALL MY SONS
DIRECTED BY

IVO VAN HOVE

AT WYNDHAM’S THEATRE

IN LONDON’S WEST END

FOR A STRICTLY LIMITED SEASON FROM

FRIDAY 14 NOVEMBER 2025

TO SATURDAY 7 FEBRUARY 2026

TICKETS ON SALE TODAY, THURSDAY 10 APRIL
AT 12.00NOON

Producers Wessex Grove, Gavin Kalin Productions and Playful Productions are delighted to announce that Bryan Cranston will star as ‘Joe Keller’, Marianne Jean-Baptiste as ‘Kate Keller’ and Paapa Essiedu as ‘Chris Keller’ in Arthur Miller’s ALL MY SONS. Directed by Ivo Van Hove, the production will run at Wyndham’s Theatre, a Delfont Mackintosh Theatre, in London’s West End for a strictly limited season between Friday 14 November 2025 and Saturday 7 February 2026. Further casting to be announced soon. Tickets go on sale today, Thursday 10 April at 12.00noon. allmysonsplay.com

ALL MY SONS reunites Bryan Cranston with director Ivo Van Hove following their critically acclaimed production of Network which premiered at the National Theatre in 2017 before transferring to Broadway. For his performance as Howard Beale in the show, Bryan won both the Olivier Award and Tony Award for Best Actor.

ALL MY SONS marks the third Arthur Miller play for Ivo Van Hove, having previously directed A View from the Bridge with Mark Strong and Nicola Walker at the Young Vic, in the West End in 2014 and on Broadway in 2015 and The Crucible with Ben Whishaw, Sophie Okonedo and Saoirse Ronan on Broadway in 2016.

Ivo Van Hove said today “I am thrilled to return to the West End to direct All My Sons and to reunite with the great Bryan Cranston. It is also a privilege to collaborate with the brilliant Marianne Jean-Baptiste and Paapa Essiedu, whose work I have long admired. We all share a deep reverence for Arthur Miller’s powerful storytelling, and bringing this profound play to life with such an extraordinary cast is truly a dream come true. All My Sons is a devastating exploration of guilt, responsibility, and the far-reaching consequences of our choices, especially in times of war. Its themes of personal integrity and moral reckoning remain as urgent and resonant today as ever.”

Bryan Cranston said today “Arthur Miller, Ivo Van Hove, Marianne Jean-Baptiste, Paapa Essiedu…If there is something that I know beyond a shadow of doubt, is to surround yourself with the most talented people. This group of creative artists has got me so excited to be a part of the All My Sons company.”

Marianne Jean-Baptiste said today “I am thrilled to get the opportunity to work with Ivo and am very excited to work with both Bryan and Paapa of whom I am a huge fan.”

Arthur Miller’s ALL MY SONS is his first and most abiding hit play.  Respected, self-made businessman Joe prides himself on providing for his wife and their two sons.   While wartime delivers profits for the family, it comes at a price when his partner is charged with criminal manufacturing deals, and his eldest son goes missing in action. Peacetime brings little peace of mind as Joe’s true involvement in the activity begins to surface, and he is suddenly confronted by the consequences of his actions. Arthur Miller skewers the dishonest promise of the American Dream in this disturbingly prescient play.

Bryan Cranston is an Academy Award nominee, and an Emmy, Screen Actors Guild, Tony, and Olivier Award winner. He made his Broadway debut as President Lyndon B. Johnson in All the Way, in which he won a Tony Award, and went onto star in Ivo Van Hove’s Network at the National Theatre and on Broadway – winning the Olivier and Tony Award. He is well known for his portrayal of Walter White on Breaking Bad, from Showtime’s hit drama series, Your Honor, which he also executive produced, and for his role in Trumbo, which garnered him an Academy Award and BAFTA nomination. He can currently be seen in Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg’s comedy, The Studio, on Apple TV+; and will be re-teaming with Wes Anderson in The Phoenician Scheme; and starring in Everything’s Going To Be Great opposite Allison Janney. He will soon begin production on the Malcolm in the Middle revival for Disney+, and the upcoming dark comedy feature Chili Finger opposite John Goodman and Judy Greer.

Marianne Jean-Baptiste most recently starred as Pansy in Mike Leigh’s critically acclaimed film Hard Truths for which she was nominated for the BAFTA Award for Best Actress in a Leading Role and swept the Best Actress trifecta at the New York Film Critics Circle, Los Angeles Film Critics Association and National Society of Film Critics. She received international acclaim for her role in Mike Leigh’s Secrets & Lies receiving nominations for Best Supporting Actress at the Academy Awards, the Golden Globes and the BAFTA Awards. She is also known for her role as Vivian Johnson in the TV series Without a Trace and has starred in multiple TV dramas including Blind Spot, Homecoming and The Following Events Are Based on a Pack of Lies. On stage she has appeared in The Amen Corner at the National Theatre.

Paapa Essiedu is an acclaimed British actor with a career spanning television, film, and theatre, garnering many nominations throughout his career including a Primetime Emmy nomination and BAFTA TV nomination for his breakout performance in Michaela Coel’s era defining show, I May Destroy You. Essiedu also earned a Best Actor BAFTA TV nomination for his work in Joe Barton’s time loop thriller series, The Lazarus Project in which he starred for two seasons.  Essiedu’s upcoming work includes Babies, a six-part drama series for the BBC opposite Siobhán Cullen, written and directed by Stefan Golaszewski.  Paapa is celebrated for his theatre work; his most recent performance in Death of England: Delroy, the second play in Clint Dyer and Roy Williams’ state-of-the-nation trilogy, earned him an Olivier nomination for Best Actor. Prior to this, Paapa starred in Jamie Lloyd’s critically acclaimed production of Lucy Prebble’s play, The Effect at the National Theatre in 2023, starring opposite Taylor Russell. The Effect transferred to The Shed, New York.  Other theatre work includes, A Number directed by Lyndsey Turner, starring opposite Lennie James, and Simon Godwin’s lauded production of Hamlet at the RSC. Further screen credits include season 6 of the cult anthology series, Black Mirror, in Demon 79 (Netflix); The Capture (BBC1/NBC Universal); Alex Garland’s Men (A24); Gangs of London (Sky).

Arthur Miller (1915–2005) was born in New York City and studied at the University of Michigan. His plays include The Man Who Had All the Luck (1944), All My Sons (1947), Death of a Salesman (1949), The Crucible (1953), A View from the Bridge and A Memory of Two Mondays (1955), After the Fall (1964), Incident at Vichy (1964), The Price (1968), The Creation of the World and Other Business (1972), The Archbishop’s Ceiling (1977), The American Clock (1980) and Playing for Time (1980). Later plays include The Ride Down Mt. Morgan (1991), The Last Yankee (1993), Broken Glass (1994), Mr. Peters’ Connections (1998) and Resurrection Blues (2002). Among his other works are Situation Normal (1944), the novel Focus (1945), screenplay The Misfits (1960), and texts for In Russia (1969), In the Country (1977), and Chinese Encounters (1979), three books in collaboration with his wife, photographer Inge Morath. Memoirs include ‘Salesman’ in Beijing (1984), and Timebends, an autobiography (1987). Short fiction includes the collection I Don’t Need You Any More (1967), the novella Homely Girl, a Life (1995) and Presence: Stories (2007). Essay collections published in his lifetime include The Theater Essays of Arthur Miller (1978) and Echoes Down the Corridor: Collected Essays 1944–2000, as well as individually published volumes ‘The Crucible’ in History (2000) and On Politics and the Art of Acting (2001). He was awarded the Avery Hopwood Award for Playwriting at University of Michigan in 1936.  He twice won the New York Drama Critics Circle Award, received two Emmy Awards and three Tony Awards for his plays, as well as a Tony Award for Lifetime Achievement.  He was named Jefferson Lecturer for the National Endowment for the Humanities in 2001. Among other honors, he received the Pulitzer Prize for Drama and the John F. Kennedy Lifetime Achievement Award.

Ivo Van Hove is an award-winning auteur director who has served as the General Director of the prestigious International Theatre Amsterdam (formerly Toneelgroep Amsterdam) from 2001 until 2023. From 2024 until 2026 he is Artistic Director of Ruhrtriennale festival. His acclaimed productions continue to tour around the world and have earned him many international accolades, including a Tony Award, an Olivier Award, two Obie Awards, and multiple others in France, Belgium, and the Netherlands. Van Hove is dans l’Ordre des Arts et des Lettres in France, a Commander of the Order of the Crown in Belgium, and the recipient of the 2019 Johannes Vermeer Award, the Dutch state prize of the arts. Broadway & West End highlights include Hanya Yanagihara’s A Little Life, West Side Story, The Human Voice with Ruth Wilson; Network with Bryan Cranston; The Crucible with Saoirse Ronan, Ben Whishaw, and Ciarán Hinds; A View from the Bridge with Mark Strong; All About Eve with Gillian Anderson and Lily James; and Lazarus, which he created with David Bowie and Enda Walsh. Select International credits include Shakespeare’s Roman Tragedies and Kings of War, Ingmar Bergman’s Scenes from a Marriage, Ayn Rand’s The Fountainhead, Henrik Ibsen’s Hedda Gabler with Ruth Wilson, Luchino Visconti’s Obsession with Jude Law, Anne Carson’s translation of Antigone with Juliette Binoche, and Tennessee Williams’ La menagerie de Verre with Isabelle Huppert. Opera directing highlights include Opera credits include Salome for Dutch National Opera; Boris Godunov and Don Giovanni for Paris Opéra; the world premiere Brokeback Mountain for Teatro Real Madrid; Macbeth for Opéra de Lyon; La clemenza di Tito and Idomeneo for La Monnaie De Munt; Lulu and Der Ring des Nibelungen at Opera Antwerp; Mazeppa for Komische Oper Berlin; Mahagonny in the Festival d’Aix-en-Provence.

ALL MY SONS is directed by Ivo Van Hove, with Scenic and Lighting Design by Jan Versweyveld, Costume Design by An D’Huys, Sound Design by Tom Gibbons and Casting by Julia Horan CDG. The Dramaturg is Ola Animashawun.

Dad’s Army Radio Show 

to make its West End debut!
The nation’s favourite sitcom will make its West End debut
at the Duchess Theatre on 16 June
with more dates across the UK

Two actors, two microphones, over 25 characters – and lots of sound effects! Dad’s Army Radio Show brings Perry and Croft’s classic BBC comedy to life in this highly acclaimed stage production.

Three episodes of the popular sitcom – adapted for radio for the very first time – are hilariously and lovingly enacted on stage by just two master performers – complete with sound effects, vintage music and all your favourite Perry and Croft characters and catchphrases.

Now following several national tours and sold-out seasons at the Fringe, Dad’s Army Radio Show, starring David Benson (Goodnight Sweetheart and One Man, Two Guvnors) and Jack Lane (Wisdom of a Fool and 7 Days), who both worked as voice cast on Dad’s Army: The Animations on UKTV Gold, will make its debut in the West End – for one night only – at the Duchess Theatre on Monday June 16 as part of a major 2025 UK tour.

The tour coincides with the 80th anniversary of VE day with celebrations planned across the country from 8 -11 May.

Jack Lane said today: “I’m thrilled to be making my West End debut at the Duchess Theatre. Bringing a show so dear to my heart with its well loved characters, alongside my great friend, David Benson, is an honour and a joy.”

David Benson said: “Having dabbled in the West End before (Think No Evil of Us: My Life With Kenneth Williams at the Vaudeville, One Man Two Guvnors, Haymarket, Boris World King, Trafalgar) I am very proud to be returning in the company of my dear friend and collaborator Mr. Jack Lane. Plus our company of our beloved characters and the brilliant scripts of Perry and Croft.”

The original television episodes newly minted for Dad’s Army Radio Show national tour 2025 are:

The Love of Three Oranges
A church bazaar is organised for the “Comforts for the Troops Fund”. Hodges intends to auction three oranges, and Capt. Mainwaring is determined to get hold of one for Mrs Mainwaring.

The Miser’s Hoard
When Frazer is revealed to have a secret stash of gold sovereigns, Mainwaring believes he must hand them over for safe keeping.

The Making of Private Pike
Pike borrows Mainwairing’s staff car to drive his new girlfriend to the cinema in Eastgate. On the way back, however, and nine miles from Walmington, it runs out of petrol.

Creative team:
Daniel Barnes Sound Designer.
Presented by Jack Lane and Something For The Weekend

Ian Lavender  (1946 – 2024)
The tour is dedicated to the memory of Ian Lavender, the last surviving member of the original Dad’s Army cast, who died last year.

Jack Lane said: “Losing Ian Lavender feels like the end of an era and whilst the platoon may have fallen, we have been gifted a phenomenal legacy of laughter and happiness from these fine actors and sublime writers. It’s filled my life and career with endless joy, for which I am eternally grateful. Ian joined the cast of Dad’s Army fresh out of drama school. Working alongside such seasoned actors must have been daunting to a young lad but he proved his ability immediately; Ian’s comic timing was superb, he soon found himself with episodes devoted to his character, which speaks volumes of Perry & Croft’s belief in his comic ability. Pike is integral to the ensemble, providing youthful comic gags and breaking the generation barrier.”

David Benson said: “I was lucky to meet him on several happy occasions and always found him delightful, modest and unassuming but confident of his abilities. He beamed with pleasure whenever I engaged him on the subject of Dad’s Army and he always spoke with deep affection for his old buddies; especially John Le Mesurier who, I am told, thought the world of Ian. We will have Ian in our hearts as we set out on the road again with The Dad’s Army Radio Show – and we know that every audience member who hears Jack’s heartfelt recreation of his performance as Pike, will share our sadness at his passing but will remember him with gratitude and with laughter.”

WEST END PREMIERE

Monday  16 June
Duchess Theatre
3-5 Catherine Street
London
WC2B 5LA

Tickets From
£21.50
Prices include a £1.50 restoration levy.

Show Time
7.30pm

Running Time
1hr 50mins including an interval

Book online:
https://nimaxtheatres.com/shows/dads-army-radio-show/

Dad’s Army Radio Show
2025 UK Tour listings

Saturday 26 April
Hedge End
The Berry Theatre

Sunday 27 April
Saffron Walden
Saffron Hall

Friday 2 May  
Beckenham
St George’s

Sunday 4 May
Hever Castle
The Festival Theatre at Hever Castle
Kent

Wednesday 7 May
Hemel Hempstead
Old Town Hall

Sunday 11 May
Coventry
Warwick Arts Centre

Wednesday 14 May
Billingham
Forum

Thursday 15 May
Newark
Palace Theatre

Friday 16 May
Salford
The Lowry

Sunday 18 May
Brighton
Open Air Theatre

Monday 26 May  
Perth
Festival of the Arts

Thursday 29 May
Kent
Hemsted Park, Benenden

Friday 30 May
Gorleston
Gorleston Pavilion

Tuesday  3 June
Wakefield
Theatre Royal

Wednesday 4 June
Mansfield
Palace Theatre

Friday 6 June
Bishop’s Stortford
South Mill Arts

Thursday 19 June
Spalding
South Holland Centre

Friday 20 June
Market Harborough
Nevill Holt Festival

Tuesday 24 June
Lichfield
Garrick

Thursday 26 June
Kendal
Brewery Arts

Friday 27 & Saturday 28 June
Scarborough
Stephen Joseph Theatre

Wednesday 2 July
Milton Keynes
The Stables

Sunday 6 July
Weymouth
Weymouth Pavilion

Wednesday 9 July
Shrewsbury
Theatre Severn

Website: http://www.dadsarmyradioshow.co.uk/

Social Media (show):

Twitter: @DadsArmyRadio
Facebook: /DadsArmyRadio

David Benson
Twitter: @DavidBensonSays

Jack Lane
Twitter: @JackLane15
Instagram: @realjacklane

Something For The Weekend
Twitter: @SFTWshows
Instagram: @sftwshows
Facebook: /SFTWshows

ALEXANDRA BURKE, DR RANJ

AND

MAX FULHAM

TO STAR IN MAYFLOWER THEATRE’S 2025 PANTOMIME

THE PANTOMIME ADVENTURES OF PETER PAN

Southampton’s Mayflower Theatre has announced that Alexandra Burke and Dr Ranj will lead the cast of Mayflower Theatre’s 2025/2026 pantomime as Captain Hook and The Magical Merman, alongside comedian and ventriloquist Max Fulham who will play Smee in this year’s high-flying pantomime, The Pantomime Adventures of Peter Pan.

Climb aboard the Jolly Roger with Captain Hook and Peter Pan as they battle on the high seas, joined by a crew of mischievous pirates and a very hungry, ever-watchful crocodile!

With amazing special effects, stunning sets and beautiful costumes direct from The London Palladium, The Pantomime Adventures of Peter Pan will take your whole family on a magical trip to Neverland like never before! The Pantomime Adventures of Peter Pan runs from Saturday 13 December 2025 to Sunday 4 January 2026.

Alexandra Burke, who will star as Captain Hook, is truly one of the UK’s most distinguishable powerhouse voices, having sold over 5 million records. Her no. 1 chart-toppers include Bad Boys, Start Without You and Hallelujah. Her double platinum debut album Overcome has sold over 850,000 copies in the UK alone. Alexandra has established herself as one of the UK’s most sought-after West End leading ladies having starred in The Bodyguard, Sister Act, Chess, Chicago and Michael Harrison’s production of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat at The London Palladium. The multi-platinum recording artist and actress first rose to fame 15 years ago, winning the fifth series of The X Factor, while duetting with Beyoncé. Alexandra received a BIFA nomination for her debut movie role in Pretty Red Dress and she has recently finished filming for the brand-new crime-drama series Curfew, which is out now on Paramount+

Alexandra’s Mayflower Theatre panto appearance follows her successful panto season last Christmas at New Wimbledon Theatre. Alexandra Burke made her pantomime debut in 2021 at Manchester Opera House and then performed in 2022 in the London Palladium Pantomime.

Dr Ranj will play The Magical Merman for the first time, following panto roles such as Spirit of the Bells (Birmingham Hippodrome, Theatre Royal Nottingham), Man in the Mirror (Churchill Theatre Bromley), and The Royal Physician (Bradford Alhambra). Alongside his work as a practicing doctor working in the NHS, Dr Ranj appears on BBC’s Morning Live, is a columnist and writer, and proved his needle skills in the 2020 Christmas Special of The Great British Sewing Bee. He has appeared as a contestant on Strictly Come Dancing, fronted ITV1’s Dr Ranj: On Call, Save Money: Good Health, Save Money: Lose Weight and his new series, Extreme Food Phobics. Ranj is currently on tour with &Juliet, where he performed at Mayflower Theatre in November 2024.

Max Fulham returns to the role of Smee after playing the role last Christmas in Milton Keynes. Max is a comedian and ventriloquist, who in addition to gaining popularity on both TV and in theatre, has become a social media sensation where he has amassed over 2 million likes on TikTok. Brining a fresh and contemporary twist to a classic art, Max has wowed audiences with his one man show, entertaining thousands of people in theatres across the UK and internationally. Highlights include appearing in The Good Old Days at Leeds City Varieties and performing on the Blackpool Opera House stage as part of the world-famous Blackpool Magic Convention. Max has also had the unique pleasure of headlining at the prestigious Venthaven Ventriloquist Convention in the USA. With TV appearances including ITV’s Saturday night show Game of Talents, Mel Giedroyc: Unforgivable on Dave and the revival of the classic Crackerjack!, Max’s comedic talents are in high demand. He is also a regular on the stand-up comedy circuit.

The Pantomime Adventures of Peter Pan is staged by Crossroads Pantomimes, the world’s biggest pantomime producer, led by Michael Harrison and the team behind recent Mayflower Theatre Christmas successes including last year’s production of Jack and the Beanstalk.

Michael Harrison said: “I’m absolutely thrilled that Alexandra Burke and Dr Ranj will be headlining Mayflower Theatre’s panto this Christmas. Alexandra is a phenomenal talent with an outstanding voice which will blow the roof off Mayflower Theatre, and children and adults alike will love the charm of Dr Ranj. Combined with the comedic talents of Max, along with stunning costumes and sets from The London Palladium, I know what a brilliant time the Southampton audiences will have this Christmas.”

Michael Ockwell, Mayflower Chief Executive said, “We cannot wait to welcome Alexandra Burke, Dr Ranj and Max Fulham to our stage this year in The Pantomime Adventures of Peter Pan. With the perfect mixture of Alexandra’s sensational voice, Dr Ranj’s charisma and rapport with audiences of all ages and Max’s comedy and ventriloquism, we know that The Pantomime Adventures of Peter Pan is going to be the perfect high flying pantomime.”

For three weeks only, The Pantomime Adventures of Peter Pan will bring all the laughter, spectacle, special effects and glittering festive magic audiences have come to expect each year from Mayflower Theatre’s spectacular Christmas panto.

So be part of the panto magic – hook your tickets today!

Tickets for The Pantomime Adventures of Peter Pan (Saturday 13 December 2025 – Sunday 4 January 2026) are on sale from Mayflower Theatre Box Office tel: 02380 711811 or online at mayflower.org.uk

The Almeida Theatre announces the full cast of Rebecca Frecknall’s production of A Moon for the Misbegotten

Joining the previously announced Michael Shannon and Ruth Wilson are Peter Corboy, Akie Kotabe and David Threlfall. 

Almeida Associate Director and multi–Olivier Award winner Rebecca Frecknall (A Streetcar Named Desire; Cabaret) directs this “scorching play” (The Guardian) from Eugene O’Neill, one of the great 20th century playwrights. The production opens on Wednesday 25 June, with previews from Tuesday 17 June, and runs until Saturday 16 August.  

A MOON FOR THE MISBEGOTTEN  

by Eugene O’Neill  

Director: Rebecca Frecknall; Set Designer: Tom Scutt; Costume Designer: Moi Tran; Lighting Designer: Jack Knowles; Sound Designer: Peter Rice; Composer: NYX; Casting Director: Julia Horan CDG; Associate Director: Lizzie Manwaring

Tuesday 17 June – Saturday 16 August   

There is no present or future – only the past, happening over and over again – now.  

On a barren farm in Connecticut, Josie Hogan dreams of more. Abandoned by her brothers and trapped with her volatile father, the desire for change feels urgent.    

Haunted by the death of his mother, James Tyrone Jr drinks to cover the pain. Trapped in a spiral of guilt and shame he longs for connection.  

When the two are brought together, a single night reveals a devastating truth and both will be altered forever.  

Almeida Associate Director and multi–Olivier Award winner Rebecca Frecknall (A Streetcar Named Desire; Cabaret) directs Academy Award-nominated Michael Shannon (George & Tammy; Boardwalk Empire) and Golden Globe-winner Ruth Wilson (The Affair; Luther) in this “scorching play about the eternal American theme of reality and illusion” (The Guardian) from Eugene O’Neill, one of the great 20th century playwrights.  

Presented in association with Smith & Brant Theatricals. 

Grand Theatre, Leeds – until 12^th April 2025

Reviewed by Katie Brewerton

5*****

Leeds Amateur Operatic Society (LAOS) present Les Misérables. One of the most phenomenal and well known musicals of all time. Having seen a few different productions of Les Misérables over the years I have yet to see one that doesn’t blow me away and this is no exception. LAOS are one of a select group of amateur companies granted special permission from Cameron Mackintosh and Music Theatre International to perform Les Misérables as part of Let the People Sing a UK wide project to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the show. 

Les Misérables is adapted from Victor Hugo’s story of the same name. We begin with Jean Valjean released on parole after a 19 year sentence for stealing a loaf of bread.  Unable to get work or a place to sleep as a criminal, he skips parole and reinvents himself, hunted through the years by inspector Javert. Valjean goes on to become a successful businessman and mayor. While out one day he recognises Fantine, a worker unfairly dismissed from one of his factories, she is on deaths door and he makes a promise to take care of her daughter, Cosette. He raises Cosette as his own, but his past haunts him and Javert is getting ever closer. When Cosette (Maddie Care) meets Marius (Malachy Bray) they have an instant connection, but as Cosette is about to be taken away by Valjean and Marius is risking his life on the barricades of the French Revolution they don’t know whether they will see each other again. 

All the cast are wonderful with the majority of roles being played by two actors on alternative nights. We had the pleasure of seeing the blue team. Nick Walton as Valjean and Luke Wilby as Javert were fantastic, with performances that wouldn’t seem out of place on a West End Stage. Emily Huddleston (Fantine) and Leah Spence (Eponine) both gave heart breaking renditions of I Dreamed a Dream and On My Own respectively.  The children should also be mentioned, at this performance young Cosette (Anouk Uttley), Gavroche (Charlie Leonard) and young Eponine (Eliza Hunter) were all fantastic and really stole the show, with Gavroche’s ending one of the most devastating of the whole show. 

The set is also great, with a brilliant barricade and easy transitions between scenes. 

Les Misérables is a heartbreaking story and this is an absolute must see for anyone whether they’ve seen the production before or not. Having seen the professional UK tour a few years ago there is little to differentiate between that and this amateur version. The quality is magnificent and with one of the best known scores out there I can’t recommend it enough. 

Patrick Studio at Birmingham Hippodrome – until 10th April 2025 

Reviewed by Emma Millward 

5*****

The award-winning Aakash Odedra Company, based in Leicester, UK, is dedicated to showcasing classical and contemporary South Asian dance styles. The company, in association with Manchester Camerata, premiered its UK tour of ‘Songs of the Bulbul’ within the intimate setting of Birmingham Hippodrome’s Patrick Studio. 

In Persian culture, the Nightingale or ‘Bulbul’ has a special significance. They believe the Bulbul has a special connection with roses and when it sings, its singing is directed at the roses.  The dance depicts a captive Bulbul, often given to royalty as a priceless gift. The dance follows the stages that the Bulbul goes through leading up to his death. From being kept in the light of a cage, to being kept in a darkened room, to losing his sight towards the end of his life. The myth states that when it reaches this final point, the Bulbul sings its most beautiful and melodious song. 

As we entered the auditorium, we were greeted by an array of candles forming a semicircle on the stage area, surrounding a vast number of red rose petals. As the lights dim, Aakash Odedra takes his place in the middle of the stage. Completely covered with his white feathered robes that represent the Bulbul. His movements are slow at first, before building up and up. Every little movement was purposeful and on the beat of the beautiful orchestral music that filled the auditorium. Birmingham-born Odedra takes us on a spell-binding journey through this story. He is the only dancer onstage, but the candles and the vibrant red rose petals become almost another participant in the dance. As Aakash’s white robes swish around him, the rose petals twirl and fly around him. It’s quite a sight to behold. 

This new dance work, choreographed by Rani Khanam and set to music by Rushil Ranjan, lasts 55 minutes, and I can honestly say every person in the 200-capacity Patrick Studio was captivated from start to finish. In the quieter sections, where there was often no music playing, it’s almost like the audience held their breath. Although this is a solo piece onstage, this is achieved in collaboration with many talented artists behind the scenes. The otherworldly lighting by Fabiana Piccioli and the simple, but clever set design by Emanuele Salamanca both add to the dream-like feel of the production. Rushil Ranjan’s score was recorded by the orchestra of the Manchester Camerata, with the haunting vocals of Abi Sampa and Sarthak Kalyani, and additional instrumentation by Janan Sathiendran and Praveen Prathapan. At the Lowry in Salford on May 6th, 2025, the score will be brought to life through live performances by this same orchestra and singers in a special performance. 

Songs of the Bulbul made its world premiere at the Edinburgh International Festival last year, receiving many 4 and 5-star reviews and being crowned Edinburgh International Festival’s Best Show by The List.  I am confident that this spine-tingling and visceral work will continue to captivate audiences and gather even more accolades as it continues its UK tour. 

Hull New Theatre – until 12th April 2025

Reviewed by Dawn Bennett

5*****

What an absolute treat we had at Hull New Theatre last night watching Hessle Theatre Company perform Legally Blonde the Musical. Hessle Theatre are an amateur theatre company in name only, every production of theirs that I have seen is 100% professional and this one was no exception.

Based on the novel by Amanda Brown and the MGM movie of the same name, with music and lyrics by Laurence O’Keefe and Nell Benjamin and the book by Heather Hatch. This production was directed by Martin Beaumont and stage manager was Kieran Danby.

Elle Woods (Tanya Sewell) is absolutely sure that her boyfriend Warner Huntington III (Aaron Bolton) is going to propose, but instead of doing that he breaks up with her because he needs someone more “serious” than her if he wants to become a Senator. He is going to Harvard Law School and when Elle realises that he is going there without her she decides to follow him there not realising how much work she is going to have to do. On the first day Elle is thrown out of Professor Callahan’s (Ian Appleyard) class with a little help from Vivienne Kensington (Georgia Wormald) for not being prepared for the course. Teaching assistant Emmett Forrest (James Galer) takes Elle under his wing and offers his guidance.

What follows is an hilarious plot. Does Elle manage to stay at Harvard and if so, does will she manage to qualify as a lawyer? And even with help from her friends, particularly Paulette Buonufonte (Emma Burgess), will she manage to get over Warner?

I hadn’t seen Legally Blonde the film or the musical before so I wasn’t too sure what to expect, but what I saw was over two hours of pure joy. The tunes are catchy I particularly loved Omigod You Guys, Whipped into Shape, and Gay or European. The signing, acting and dancing (choreographed by Elise Johnson) seemed to come easy to this triple threat cast, but you could see by the quality of the production how much work had been put into it.

It is very difficult to pick out any particular performance as they are all outstanding from the lead to the ensemble to the people behind the scenes and backstage, they all played the part to make this production jell together so well

The band, led by musical director Rebecca Barques, were outstanding. The set changes, some even done mind song, were seamless. And can I just mention the dogs (trained by Sally Hague from Leads in Action) Bruiser (Millie) Rufus (Ernie), I think they got the biggest Aww! of the night and to get them to perform on stage was brilliant and verry clever.

Legally Blonde the Musical is a fabulous feel-good production, I would very much recommend you try and get a ticket while you can, you certainly won’t be disappointed!

This is local theatre at its best!

Darlington Hippodrome – until Saturday 12 April 2025

Reviewed by Adam Craddock

5*****

Another last minute cover review for me tonight and this time I was watching Blackeyed Theatre’s production of Dracula, an adaptation of the famous Bram Stoker novel for the stage by Nick Lane. The play follows the same plot as the book, starting with the telling of the tale through the letters of Englishman Jonathan Harker, invited to the home of the Transylvanian Count Dracula and then being held prisoner by his host. We follow the tale as Count Dracula leaves Transylvania and ends up on our English shores in the beautiful town of Whitby, where he hatches his plot and corrupts the sanatorium patient Renfield.

The role of Count Dracula is shared between three of the cast at different stages of the show, with David Chafer portraying the vampire in his home in Transylvania, Richard Keightley playing him on his voyage to Great Britain and Harry Rundle playing him in the Whitby scenes. This really enhances the feeling of Count Dracula being a skin changer and lends a feeling of distrust to who anyone really is in the play.

David Chafer was strong as Count Dracula/Abraham Van Helsing, with a humanness to the vampire in the Transylvania scenes really lending itself to the character and as to why Jonathan Harker would trust him. Richard Keightley was brilliant as Count Dracula/Doctor John Seward, with a delicious creepy vibe to his character, and his best moments for me in the show was actually as the unnamed coach driver who takes Mr Harker to the castle in Transylvania. He really set the tone for the show in this small scene and this stuck with me throughout. Bravo! Harry Rundle was also brilliant as Count Dracula/Arthur Holmwood, with a brilliant air of authority around his Count Dracula, you really felt like this was the final boss version and that he had engineered this plan with a masterful intellect.

Pelé Kelland-Beau was great as Jonathan Harker/Quincey Morris, with a brilliant vulnerability to his character when in Transylvania that lent to the feeling of peril he was in. There were at time though a slip in his American accent when playing Quincey Morris that somewhat broke the illusion. Marie Osman was fantastic as Renfield/Lucy Westenra, with a strong presence and a captivating portrayal of Renfield, you really believed that this woman had been corrupted and she portrayed this mental decline so brilliantly. Maya-Nika Bewley was solid as Mina Harker/Doctor Hennessey, coming into her own in the climactic scenes when her character was in grave peril.

The set was absolutely brilliant, simplistic with just some well designed timbers and steps, and a collection of wooden crates to be turned into whatever set piece they were required to be. I loved the way that the timbers created all these subtle doorways and windows that could be used at different points in the plot. The lighting and sound design were both brilliantly eerie, and I swear there were even points when a cold breeze was blown over us in the audience to enhance this unsettling feeling even more.

Overall I could not recommend this production enough. It is a psychological thriller that had me on the edge of my seat throughout. Make your way to the Darlington Hippodrome to catch this show at once before it leaves on Saturday 12th March.

ARE YOU READY TO TAKE ON THE GODS…?
OPEN AUDITIONS FOR THE UK TOUR OF

“A bolt of stage magic.

A show that whisks you to another dimension.”
The Times

“Catchy songs, original choreography and a quirky spirit brings out the directness and humour of Rick Riordan’s mythical quest.”The Guardian

As The Lightning Thief: The Percy Jackson Musical gets set to embark on an electrifying UK tour this autumn, the team behind the show have announced that they are holding open auditions as they look for their company of demigods for the UK tour.

The open audition is on Tuesday 22 April at The Other Palace, currently the London home of the musical. Those auditioning should arrive from 10am and are asked to prepare a 16 bar cut of a song in the style of the show and to bring a printed CV and headshot that includes contact details as well as sheet music for their audition song. Full details at kenwright.com/auditions

Paul Taylor-Mills (Producer) said: “At the heart of Percy are themes of inclusivity and the spirit that anything is within your reach. That is why we want to open doors for as many people as possible with an open casting call. Whilst casting isn’t guaranteed, it’s an opportunity for us to cast the net as far as possible to those that may not get to us via some of the more traditional routes… which is very Percy!”

Bringing the hit stage adaptation of Rick Riordan’s bestselling novel to audiences across the country, the tour will open at Theatre Royal Windsor from 15 – 23 August 2025 before continuing on to play Newcastle, Milton Keynes, Liverpool, Brighton, Stoke-on-Trent, Coventry, Bradford and Wimbledon with many more venues to be announced.

Based on the beloved book series (with over 180 million copies sold worldwide), Percy Jackson’s story has been adapted into both films and a major hit TV series for Disney+. The musical first premiered off-Broadway in 2014 to rave reviews and went on to have two US tours, another off-Broadway run in 2017 and a 16-week limited run on Broadway in 2019. Since November 2024, The Lightning Thief has been making waves with London audiences, receiving critical acclaim and will continue at The Other Palace until 31 August 2025.

When New York City teenager Percy Jackson discovers that he is the half-blood son of the Greek god, Poseidon, his life takes a dramatic turn as he is plunged into a world much bigger than he could possibly have imagined

With newly discovered powers he is unable to control, an unwanted destiny and a whole textbook’s worth of mythical monsters on his trail, Percy must learn what it means to be a hero.

The future of the world hangs in the balance as Percy and his friends embark on an epic adventure that will have you on the edge of your seat.

This dynamic musical adaptation of Rick Riordan’s bestselling The Lightning Thief has a book by Joe Tracz (Be More Chill), music and lyrics by Rob Rokicki (Monstersongs) and is directed and choreographed by Lizzi Gee (Groundhog Day).

INFORMATION

Please prepare a 16-bar cut of a song in the style of the show, along with your repertoire folder. Bring a printed CV and headshot that includes your contact details, as well as sheet music for your audition piece. A pianist will be provided. No backing tracks.

Auditions will be held on a first-come, first-served basis and will run until 18:00. Due to the high volume of applicants expected, we may not be able to see everyone on the day. 

Please be prepared for outdoor queuing and potentially extended waiting times. We recommend bringing refreshments and dressing appropriately for the weather.

Auditioning does not guarantee a recall or offer of employment. After the open call, you may be invited to a further audition and/or dance call.

All auditionees must be 18 or older and eligible to work in the UK.

For more information, please visit kenwright.com/auditions

LISTINGS

BILL KENWRIGHT LTD & PAUL TAYLOR-MILLS PRESENT

THE LIGHTNING THIEF
THE PERCY JACKSON MUSICAL

Book by Joe Tracz
Music & Lyrics by Rob Rokicki
Adapted from the book The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan
Direction and Choreography by Lizzi Gee

Run Time: approximately 2hrs 10 minutes including interval

UK TOUR 2025

15 – 23 Aug                 Theatre Royal Windsor                       01753 853888            

27 – 31 Aug                 Newcastle Theatre Royal                    0191 232 7010           

3 – 6 Sep                     Milton Keynes Theatre                                               

16 – 20 Sep                 Liverpool Empire                                                        

30 Sep – 4 Oct             Brighton Theatre Royal                                              

7 – 11 Oct                    Regent Theatre Stoke-on-Trent                                 

14 – 18 Oct                  Coventry Belgrade                              024 7655 3055           

21 – 25 Oct                  Bradford Alhambra Theatre                01274 432000            

28 Oct – 1 Nov             New Wimbledon Theatre                                          

Further dates to be announced.

Socials:
Instagram and Tiktok: @percyjacksononstage
Facebook: @peryjacksonlondon
Twitter/X: @PercyOnStage

Nottingham Theatre Royal – until Saturday 12 April 2025

Reviewed by Louise Ford

5*****

Reader – I married him.

Northern Ballets’ 2025 season has a lovely mix of Classical favourites, Hansel and Gretel, Romeo and Juliet and the Christmas staple The Nutcracker (sadly only being performed in Leeds) and some new (certainly to me) offerings Merlin (in Autumn 2025) and Jane Eyre.

When I saw that Jane Eyre was being performed it did make me wonder how this could be done. The answer is, of course, incredibly well and sensitively.

I must confess that I only had a vague outline of the story of Jane Eyre, unlike my companion who had to “endure” it for A level. Thankfully the quality programme provided not only a list of characters, some wonderful photographs but, more importantly, a brief summary of the story and the scenes.

Cathy Marston created Jane Eyre for Northern Ballet nine years ago. The brief conversation in the programme with Cathy really helped to understand the thinking behind the production and the characters.

The tone and atmosphere is set from the beginning with pared back staging . The set design is by Patrick Kinmouth. Initially the stage is “cloaked” with a screen which evokes the Yorkshire landscape and the moors in particular. The screen lifts but the stage is on the whole black and unforgiving. The rooms and other scenes are created using painted curtains which evoke the brown and muted tones of the landscape. There are clever pockets of colour to denote the fireplaces and also hidden doors to create the illusion of being inside. In my view the “fire” scene is a masterpiece . It has real power and presence. With the lighting design by Alastair West.

Jane’s story is told in two parts. Firstly as a child, the young  Jane is performed by Alessandra Bramante. The young Jane is an angry stubborn child who battles with her Aunt Reed (Helen Bogatch). In these scenes Jane’s anger and frustration is portrayed with tense and angular body movements, you really get a sense of her frustration and at times despair at her situation.

The adult Jane is portrayed by Amber Lewis. Jane’s transition to adulthood sees her anger soften and she becomes more graceful as she gains in confidence.

Jane’s story from an orphan raised by her Aunt, her move to Lowood Institute and finally as a governess at Thornfield is shaped and overshadowed by “men”. From her mean cousin John (Archie Sherman),to the cruel headmaster Reverend Brocklehurst (Harry Skoupas), to St John Rivers (George Liang) the “kindly” cleric, to Mr Rochester (Joseph Taylor). The D-men are a group of smartly dressed dancers who represent all of the “male” influences on Jane’s life which block her path or intimidate her. The D-men are danced by the ensemble. They twist, turn and block Jane’s progress through life.

The ensemble also portrays the orphans and the party guests. The orphanage scenes are particularly striking with simple props (stools, blankets and candles), portraying the drudgery and misery of life at Lowood School. At the party the guests’ costumes are more expensive in soft pastel colours, compared to Jane’s dowdy dress. The role of Blanche Ingram (Kaho Matsumoto) is particularly striking. The costume of Adele (Rachael Gillespie) enhances the spoilt child persona.

Whilst the production and the dancing was superb, the star of the show for me was the music and the orchestra. The music is atmospheric and perfectly compliments the dancing and really helps to create the different scenes. It is compiled and composed by Philip Freeney. The live Northern Ballet Orchestra was conducted by Daniel Parkinson. The Orchestra received a standing ovation from the audience and the Corps de Ballet. And rightly so, they were amazing.

I should also say that the Corps de Ballet also received a standing ovation. The audience really enjoyed the performance.

All in all this is Jane’s story and the final scene is of her alone on the stage. A fitting ending to an evening of incredible dancing and music.