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Leeds Grand Theatre – until Saturday 11 May 2024

5*****

If anyone was to write a musical about the tragedy of 9/11, you’d probably avoid it, imagining it to be possibly in bad taste. However with Oliver Award winner Come From Away, Irene Sankoff and David Hein have given us a beautiful, uplifting tale of triumph of adversity and its one of the best musicals you’ll ever see.

The town of Gander in Newfoundland became a temporary home for around 7000 people who found their 38 different planes transferred there, when American air space was closed after the atrocities in New York. Scared and tired the plane people were taken in and looked after by the towns folk. Given food, clothes, places to pray, phones internet and love the travellers were looked after in such a way they felt guilty for enjoying themselves in the circumstances.

This is a wonderful ensemble piece, with just 12 outstanding actors (Natasha Barnes, Daniel Crowder, Mark Dugdale, Rosie Glossip, Amanda Henderson, Kirsty Hoiles, Oliver Jacobson, Dale Mathurin, Nicholas Pound, Sara Poyzer, Bree Smith and Jamal Zulfiqar) playing both the locals of Gander; Beulah and Annette at the school, Janice the reporter on her first day on the job and Bonnie from the animal shelter and others. And the terrified plane people; the two Kevins, English Nick and Texan Diane who met on the plane and eventually married, famed female pilot Captain Beverley Bass and Hannah, the mother of a firefighter.

Sankhoff and Hein’s have written some blinding musical numbers, from the uplifting, scene setting Welcome to the Rock, the haunting Prayer based on the prayer of St Francis, the hilarious fish kissing Screech In and the heart wrenching Me and the Sky. The pure emotion of the songs and situation have you laughing in one moment and crying hysterically the next.

Kelly Devine’s musical staging, making full use of the simple but versatile staging of Beowulf Boritt and enhance the orchestrations of August Eriksmoen: played by the live band lead by Phil Cornwell.

Lasting just one hour and 40 minutes, this is a prime of example of wonderful things coming in small parcels.

I could go on and on expelling superlatives about Come From Away, but the very best thing you could do is to buy a ticket and see yourself and then you too can be welcomed to the rock

FULL CASTING ANNOUNCED FOR UK PREMIÈRE OF

I’M GONNA MARRY YOU TOBEY MAGUIRE

Jacob Stuckelman of Watermark Productions today announces full casting for the UK première of I’m Gonna Marry You Tobey Maguire by Samantha Hurley. Tyler Struble directs Kyle Birch (Brenda Dee Cankles) and Anders Hayward (Tobey Maguire) alongside the previously announced Tessa Albertson (Shelby Hinkley).

Following its sold-out run in NYC at Nancy Manocherian’s the cell theatre, I’m Gonna Marry You Tobey Maguire opens at Southwark Playhouse Borough on 3 July, with previews from 28 June, running until 10 August.

Jacob Stuckelman presents

I’M GONNA MARRY YOU TOBEY MAGUIRE

By Samantha Hurley

28 June – 10 August

Cast: Tessa Albertson (Shelby Hinkley), Kyle Birch (Brenda Dee Cankles), Anders Hayward (Tobey Maguire)

Directed by Tyler Struble; Set Designer: Rodrigo Hernandez Martinez; Lighting Designer: Holly Ellis; Sound Designer: Jamie Lu; Costume Designer: Reuben Speed; General Management: Katy Galloway Productions; Casting by: Harry Blumenau Casting; Production Management:  Chloe Stally-Gibson

Produced by Jacob Stuckelman, with Associate Producer Matt Krauss, co-producers Zachary Hausman, Robin Aren and Andrew Patino

To cope with the absence of her father, neglect of her mother, and ridicule by her classmates, eighth grader Shelby Hinkley has put all of her time and energy into the only thing that matters in 2004: Spiderman. When leading a devout online fan club proves insufficient to her needs, Shelby decides to risk it all for love, kidnap famous actor Tobey Maguire, and marry him in her basement. Her fantasies of happily ever after start to crumble as she realizes Tobey may not be the charismatic, heartthrob actor she thinks she knows.

A Y2K farce, I’m Gonna Marry You Tobey Maguire is a full-throttle explosion of our para-social relationships and the obsessions that detonate them.

I’m Gonna Marry You Tobey Maguire is Samantha Hurley’s debut play. Her original works have been performed at the UCB theatre, Nancy Manocherian’s the cell theatre, Characters Welcome, PIT and Brooklyn Comedy Collective.

Tessa Albertson plays Shelby Hinkley. Her other theatre credits include The Low Road (The Public Theater), Shrek The Musical (Broadway Theatre), Happy Days (The Wild Project Online), and Macbeth (Lewis Center for the Arts). Her television credits include Younger as series regular Caitlin Miller, Generation, The Family, The Good Wife and Instinct; and for film, Blame and Barry.

Kyle Birch plays Brenda Dee Cankles. His theatre credits include A Strange Loop (Barbican), The Color Purple (UK tour), In Pieces (Future Spotlight Productions online), and Bat Boy: The Musical (London Palladium) and Once On This Island (Southwark Playhouse).

Anders Hayward plays Tobey Maguire. His theatre credits include Adults (Traverse Theatre). His television credits include Vigil, Guilt, Life After Life, Gap Year; and for film, Silent Roar, Looted and Run.

Tyler Struble directs. Their other theatre credits include Edith Can Shoot Things and Hit Them (Kitchen Theatre Company) and The Beast (Soundscape Theatre). Struble served as dramaturg for What the Constitution Means to Me,and has assisted M. Bevin O’Gara, Kyle Haden, Rebecca Bradshaw, Suzanne Agins, Margarett Perry. They were previously Associate Producer at Kitchen Theatre Company in Ithaca, NY. At KTC, they were part of the producing team that helmed the world-première production of Shape by Kara-Lynn Vaeni.

IM GONNA MARRY YOU TOBEY MAGUIRE 

LISTINGS

Southwark Playhouse Borough, Little

77-85 Newington Causeway, London SE1 6BD

Box Office: 020 7407 0234

28 June – 10 August

Instagram: @marrytobeymaguireplay

LEE MEAD AND SU POLLARD TO HEADLINE DARLINGTON PANTO SLEEPING BEAUTY

Star casting announced for Darlington Hippodrome’s 2024 pantomime spectacular – Sleeping Beauty

Darlington Hippodrome has today [Wed 1 May 2024] announced that singer, TV actor and musical theatre star Lee Mead and Hi-de-Hi! favourite and panto legend Su Pollard will be leading the cast of Sleeping Beauty this Christmas.

Rising to fame as winner of the BBC talent show Any Dream Will Do, Lee Mead won the title role in the West End revival of Andrew Lloyd-Webber’s Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat to rave reviews. Since then, Lee has had lead roles in We Will Rock You, Wicked and Legally Blonde. Lee starred as Ben “Lofty” Chiltern in Casualty, which saw him nominated for various national Best Newcomer television awards, a role he reprised on the popular BBC spin-off series, Holby City. Lee has also released several solo albums and toured extensively.

Su Pollard made her television debut on Opportunity Knocks, where she came second to a singing Jack Russell dog! She is best known for her role as Peggy in the BAFTA award-winning sitcom Hi-De-Hi! and was honoured to be the subject of This Is Your Life. Su has extensive credits in television and film including Two Up Two Down, You Rang M’Lord, Strictly Come Dancing Christmas Special and The Best of The Royal Variety, alongside West End and theatre credits including Godspell, Me and My Girl, Little Shop of Horrors and Grease.

Sleeping Beauty also sees the return of much-loved comic Josh Benson and fabulous Dame Jamie Jones, who are back to take Darlington audiences by storm for a second year following a triumphant season at the Hippodrome last Christmas.

Sleeping Beauty will be produced by Crossroads Pantomimes, the world’s biggest pantomime producer, whose Chief Executive Michael Harrison said: “I am so excited to have Lee and Su with us in panto this year in Darlington. Every year Lee is a hit with audiences up and down the country wherever he performs, and Su is always a crowd pleaser who will bring her inimitable comic style

to the show. The two of them together on stage, alongside the return of Josh and Jamie, is a recipe for a magical Christmas indeed.”

Speaking on the casting, Heather Tarran-Jones, Programming and Development Director of Darlington Hippodrome said: “We’re so thrilled the super talented Lee and bona fide panto legend Su will be making Darlington Hippodrome their home this Christmas. Along with the welcome return of Josh and Jamie, our audiences are in for a festive treat!”

Packed full of the magical ingredients Darlington audiences have come to expect, including beautiful sets and costumes, stunning song and dance and plenty of audience participation, this is a fairytale adventure the whole family can enjoy.

Don’t be caught snoozing, book your tickets today!

Sleeping Beauty runs at Darlington Hippodrome from Friday 6 to Tuesday 31 December . For full details or to book call the Box Office on 01325 405405 or visit www.darlingtonhippodrome.co.uk

Theatre Royal Drury Lane – 29 and 30 April 2024

Reviewed by Claire Roderick

5*****

There have been some hit and miss productions of Stephen Schwartz’s weird and wonderful Pippin, but the instantly recognisable musical numbers have endured and endeared themselves in theatrical history. This magnificent celebratory concert has style, seedy glamour and delirious silliness – seducing the audience much more easily than the Players can seduce Pippin. With a cast to die for, this production is musical theatre paradise.

Director Jonathan O’Boyle strips back the show – there is no need to lean into the magic tricks recent productions have used when you have talent like this enchanting the audience. Polly Sullivan’s inspired costume design is a heady mix of sequinned costumes with Fosse inspired choreography by Joanna Goodwin making the most of the remaining space on the stage in front of the wonderful LMT Orchestra led by Chris Ma and the ArtsEd Choir.

Roger O. Hirson’s book is adapted cleverly to fit the concert structure, and the flimsy plot is explained with wit and knowing asides by the magnificent Alex Newell as the Leading Player, commanding the stage from the moment they appear in the spotlight.

The Players perform the story of Pippin, son of Charlemagne – an unhappy youth seeking fulfilment and happiness. The Players (Jak Allen-Anderson, Sally Frith, Amonik Melaco and Gleanne Purcell-Brown) guide him through his search as he tries being a warrior, living a life full of sexual pleasure, patricide and monarchy before running away to an anonymous and ordinary life before being offered the chance to become the showstopping grand finale. In this production, the Players true intentions are always clear, as Newell struts around the stage narrating with glee, and bickering with characters who aren’t following their script. Newell’s vocals are sublime – full of power and passion.

This cast understood their assignment – every performance, every gesture, is zinging with camp, silly, infectious energy. Lucie Jones’s Catherine is delightfully comic, always pushing back at the Leading Player. Jones appears fleetingly in the first act, but it’s worth the wait for her glorious renditions of Kind of Woman and I Guess I’ll Miss the Man. Jac Yarrow is a joy to watch as Pippin, switching from cheeky and silly to wistful or cruel easily and nailing his vocals, especially in Corner of the Sky. Cedric Neal makes Charlemagne cool, Idriss Kargbo is insanely petulant and ridiculous as Pippin’s rival Lewis, Ryan Heenan is wonderfully sweet and earnest as young Theo, and Zizi Strallen bring the house down with her outrageous burlesque rendition of Spread a Little Sunshine as Fastrada – a huge surprise for those who have only seen her as Mary Poppins! Patricia Hodge, the original West End Catherine in the 1970s, takes the role of Pippin’s grandmother Berthe, and creates the most heart-warming and uplifting moment of the night as she leads the audience in a singalong of No Time at All.

With only two performances, this is THE event of the year so far. If you are lucky enough to experience this live, this unforgettable production will thrill and energise. Unmissable.

Grand Theatre, Blackpool – until Saturday 4 May 2024

Reviewed by Debra Skelton

5*****

Twelve Angry Men is a courtroom drama based on the 1957 well known film adaptation starring Henry Fonda. There have been several stage productions since the film was released and Blackpool now have the pleasure of being included in the UK run for 2024 produced by Bill Kenwright Ltd and directed by Christopher Haydon.

The story is about a jury of twelve men who have to debate based upon reasonable doubt the acquittal or conviction of a young man accused of murder. We as the audience are thrown straight into the deliberations of the jury without having heard or seen any of the trial so leaving us to accept the twelve men’s accounts and opinions and proving there can never be an absence of personal prejudice.

The only member of the group who votes not guilty is juror number 8 which helps the story to unfold whereby he can carefully and considerately unpick the case and explore the evidence and the existence of reasonable doubt.

Even though this was written almost 70 years ago, the writing is still relevant to this day and this production has a very powerful and engaging script. It explores compassion, morals and humanity and touches on the different walks of life for each of the twelve men including the nervous and needy advertising man to the young man who was brought up in a troubled neighbourhood similar to the accused.

As all twelve jurors were on stage from beginning to end whether that was in the main jury room or the men’s toilets, this meant all were required to be occupied at all times which gave the audience a further insight into their characters.

The whole cast of this production (which included stars like Jason Merrells, Gray O’Brien, Tristan Gemmill and Michael Greco) were amazing and portrayed their characters so believingly, they really provided such an entertaining performance.

The production also needs special thanks to Michael Pavelka for the highly effective 1950’s courtroom which included running water in the men’s toilet, rain coming down the windows and the centrepiece being a revolving table which rotates that slowly that you don’t even notice it moving but does give each member of the jury to have their moment on stage. Michael was also responsible for the authentic and different styles of clothing that truly suited this era. Chris Davey (Lighting Designer) and Andy Graham (sound designer) added to the tension in the courtroom providing bolts of lightning flashing through the windows.

Twelve Angry Men is a superb production with a standing ovation from the audience at the end attesting to this.

To see this production and determine your verdict, please get down to the Grand Theatre Blackpool between Monday 29th April 2024 to Saturday 04th May 2024.

CAST ANNOUNCED FOR ACCOLADE

Bill Kenwright Ltd, together with Theatre Royal Windsor, are delighted to announce that Ayden Callaghan and Honeysuckle Weeks are to lead the cast in Emlyn Williams’s gripping drama Accolade, the first play in this year’s Sean Mathias season.

Ayden Callaghan is best known for his roles as Joe Roscoe (Hollyoaks), Miles De Souza (Emmerdale) and as Frank Farmer in last year’s UK tour of The Bodyguard The Musical.

Honeysuckle Weeks became a popular face on television playing Sam Stewart (Foyle’s War). She has just finished touring the UK in the role of Cora in Calendar Girls the Musical.

In Accolade, Ayden will play the protagonist Will Trenting, with Honeysuckle, his socially ambitious wife, Rona.  Whilst Williams’s dark and sinister play originally stems back to 1950, the underlying tensions, coupled with the fragility of one’s personal reputation, make this play as relevant today as when it was first written. 

Completing the cast are Jamie Hogarth (Albert), David Phelan (Thane Lampeter), Sarah Crowe (Marian Tillyard), Louis Holand (Ian), Gavin Fowler (Harold), Sarah Twomey (Phyllis), Narinder Samra (Daker) and Kayleigh Cooper (Parlour Maid).

Accolade opens at the Theatre Royal Windsor on Friday 31 May and will run until Saturday 15 June before embarking on a tour within the UK over the summer.

Accolade will be followed this autumn with Felicity Kendal in the title role of Eduardo de Filippo’s Filumena, the second play to be directed by Sean Mathias this season.

Accolade will feature set and costume design by Julie Godfrey, lighting design by Nick Richings and sound design by David Gregory. Principal casting is by Jill Green CDG.

The Dominion Theatre – 28th April 2024

Reviewed by Ava Clarkson

4****

Being a huge Rod Stewart fan, I was thrilled to be invited by Chameleon Music Marketing to review this musical show featuring Paul Metcalfe and his 5 piece band. Paul has been performing his Rod Stewart tribute act for over 20 years around the uk, and most recently on stage in the west end, and tonight for one night only at The Dominion Theatre.

The Dominion Theatre is a medium sized theatre which packs a punch. The beautiful ornate interior and amazing acoustics make it the perfect venue for any musical act. It feels intimate and every seat has a great view of the stage.

Paul enters the stage and immediately you can tell he has all the swagger and showmanship that Rod Stewart himself brings to any performance. His vocals are astonishing, the gravelly voice and tone in the songs mean you can close your eyes and you are watching the real man himself. Paul has been endorsed over the years by Rod’s family as “the closest to Rod I have ever seen” and he truly does not disappoint.

We start way back at the beginning of his journey, as a struggling musician in the 1960’s when Rod was busking with a harmonica and known as “Rod the MOD”, moving briefly through his early career with Long John Baldry, The Jeff Beck Group and The Faces alongside such famous friends as Ronnie Wood and Jimmy Page to name but a few. The songs come along one after the other, with screen footage behind the stage showing pictures through the Era’s. “Handbags and Gladrags”, “You wear it well” and less well known songs such as “Reason to Believe” are sung effortlessly. The band is joined onstage by Nik Carter on the Saxaphone and clarinet who is amazing. Paul performs an acoustic version of “Gasoline Alley” and the audience stands to applaud before the interval.

As the second half behind, the tempo increases and Paul sings Rod’s more upbeat hits, “Baby Jane”, “Do you think i’m sexy” and a beautiful version of “We are Sailing” which brings the audience to their feet – phone lights in the air! The theatre is buzzing, many people are up in the aisles dancing and indeed in the seats. The party is on! Paul’s vocals and the band’s playful interactions with the audience keeps the atmosphere going and we are treated to a truly memorable concert. An encore is called for and Paul belts out “Maggie May” to a standing ovation. The perfect end to a great performance.

This show is marketed as The Rod Stewart Story, and apart from a bit of talking from Paul in the 1st half, we did not really get to know much about his life. This does not feel like other shows when you are taken on a journey through the artist’s life, but an amazing tribute concert. That being said, I would highly recommend this show for a great night out.

PRISCILLA THE PARTY!

HERE @ OUTERNET

IN LONDON’S SOHO

TO CLOSE

SUNDAY 26 MAY 2024

Randall A. Buck, Patrick Bywalski and Rod Gunner, in association with Nullarbor Productions, Blue Stage Entertainment and MGM On Stage are sorry to announce that PRISCILLA THE PARTY! at HERE at Outernet in London’s Soho will now close on Sunday 26 May 2024.

PRISCILLA THE PARTY! opened on Monday 25 March 2024, following previews from 3 March, at HERE, part of the new £1bn Outernet development, an electrifying and high tech venue at Denmark Street in Soho, which has swiftly become “London’s most visited attraction”.   

Speaking on the closure, the producers and venue said: “It is with regret and sadness that we must give notice of closure for Priscilla the Party! Our final performance will be the 1pm show on Sunday 26 May.

The producers have supported the show financially since opening, but sadly that is no longer sustainable. We very much regret this reality, but the production has been facing difficult times. 

We can find comfort in knowing that the decision to close has nothing at all to do with the show itself. The extraordinary reviews and overwhelming positive response from audiences is solid proof of that.

Numbering hundreds, every person in every department should be proud of their contribution; whether on stage, backstage, front of house, box office, ticketing, press and marketing teams, our unique audience ambassadors, the venue personnel and operators, creators and makers, managers and producing staff and of course our wonderful and enthusiastic audiences… We are proud to have shared the journey of this show-making experience with each and every one of you.

We look forward to delivering each wonderful performance in these final weeks and leaving London knowing we have put smiles on so many faces. We hope that audiences will join with us in celebrating these final weeks at HERE at Outernet.”

With a book by Stephan Elliott and Allan Scott and additional material by Phil Scott, based on the Latent Image/Specific Films Motion Picture distributed by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Inc., PRISCILLA THE PARTY! is a grand celebration of 30 years of glamour and iconic entertainment and is staged by the creative team behind Priscilla Queen of the Desert The Musical – you can expect the same award-winning costumes and head-dresses, re-directed by original director Simon Phillips.

The cast includes Trevor Ashley as ‘Gaye Cliché’, Owain Williams as ‘Tick’ / ‘Mitzi’, Dakota Starr as ‘Bernadette’ and Reece Kerridge ‘Adam’ / ‘Felicia’, with Grace Galloway, Gracie Lai and Sara Louise as the ‘Divas’ and Steven Serlin as ‘Bob the Mechanic’, with Joni Ayton-Kent as Alternate ‘Bernadette’.  Also in the cast will be John McGlone, Matthew Facchino, Isidro Ridout, Brandon Gale, William Elijah-Lewis, Samuel Stokes, Dan Holland, Kimberly Blake, Lucy Park, Maria Myatt and Teagan Denham.

Based on the Oscar-winning movie and Tony Award- and Olivier Award-winning musical, PRISCILLA THE PARTY! tells the same heart-warming, uplifting story of three friends, who hop aboard a battered old bus to seek fame and fortune in Alice Springs, and end up finding more than they could have ever dreamed of.  It is 30 years since the unforgettable film, Priscilla Queen of the Desert, graced our screens and almost 18 years since London first embraced the phenomenal stage musical. PRISCILLA THE PARTY!  is an unprecedented and unforgettable evolution of this legacy.

The stage is set at HERE at Outernet in the vibrant heart of London’s Soho. This sensory experience transports participants to the boundless Australian outback, a world of glitz, glamour and endless entertainment.  Attendees are invited to unleash their inner diva as Priscilla Queen of the Desert transitions from a beloved musical into an extraordinary immersive party.  Guests can choose between an exclusive premium dining experience, featuring a sumptuous three-course meal, or opt to sit or stand on the dance floor, where a diverse array of bar snacks and drinks are readily available from the expansive bar area.

The show has an extravagant display of eye-popping costumes, an exhilarating soundtrack that encourages everyone to dance and sing along, and a show which unfolds all around the audience. 

It features beloved classics, including Hot Stuff, It’s Raining Men, Girls Just Wanna Have Fun, Finally, Go West, Say A Little Prayer, Boogie Wonderland, Shake Your Groove Thing and I Will Survive.

From its dazzling debut in Sydney in 2006, the musical created by Allan Scott and Stephan Elliott has taken the world by storm.  It initially graced the London stage in 2009, before conquering Broadway in 2011. 

The enduring message of acceptance and inclusivity that Priscilla carries remains as significant today as it was when the curtains first rose.

Produced by Randall A. Buck, Patrick Bywalski and Rod Gunner, in association with Nullarbor Productions, Blue Stage Entertainment and MGM On Stage, PRISCILLA THE PARTY! Is directed by Simon Phillips, with set and video design by Brian Thomson and Justin Nardella, costume design by Tim Chappell and Lizzy Gardiner, choreography by Andrew Hallsworth, musical arrangements and orchestrations by Stephen ‘Spud’ Murphy, musical arrangements, supervision and direction by Steve Geere, lighting design by Per Hôrding, sound design by Ben Harrison and general management by RGM Productions. 

For ticket information, show times and additional details, please visit www.priscillatheparty.com

Facebook: https:/www.facebook.com/PriscillaTheParty

Instagram & TikTok: @priscillatheparty

Twitter: @priscillaparty

LISTINGS INFORMATION

PRISCILLA THE PARTY!

HERE at Outernet

Charing Cross Road

London WC2H 8LH

Updated performance schedule

Thursday 2 May 2pm & 7pm

Friday 3 May 7pm

Saturday 4 May 2pm & 7pm

Wednesday 8 May 7pm

Thursday 9 May 7pm

Friday 10 May 7pm

Saturday 11 May 2pm & 7pm

Sunday 12 May 5pm

Monday 13 May 7pm

Friday 17 May 7pm

Saturday 18 May 2pm & 7pm

Sunday 19 May 1pm & 5pm

Monday 20 May 7pm

Thursday 23 May 7pm

Friday 24 May 7pm

Saturday 25 May 2pm & 7pm

Sunday 26 May 1pm

Ticket Prices: from £45 (off peak, dance floor)

Current Booking Period: to 26 May 2024

Age limit: 14+ needing to be accompanied by an adult 18+

Running Time: 2 hours*, with the option to stay and party after the show

*Doors open 60 mins before for pre-show entertainment

For Access enquiries, please email [email protected]

MENIER CHOCOLATE FACTORY ANNOUNCES MAJOR REVIVAL OF

STEPHEN SCHWARTZ AND JOSEPH STEIN’S THE BAKER’S WIFE

PRIORITY BOOKING NOW OPEN – PUBLIC BOOKING OPENS 8 MAY

The Menier Chocolate Factory today announces that fresh from his critically acclaimed opening of The Heart of Rock and Roll on Broadway, Gordon Greenberg returns to the venue to direct The Baker’s Wife – with music and lyrics by Stephen Schwartz and book by Joseph Stein.

This renews the Menier Chocolate Factory’s collaboration with Schwartz, following their production of Pippin in 2011. The production opens on 17 July, with previews from 6 July, and runs until 14 September.

Full casting will be announced shortly. Tickets are currently on sale to Menier Chocolate Factory Supporters, with booking opening to Mailing List Members on 7 May, and public onsale on 8 May.

THE BAKER’S WIFE

Music and Lyrics by Stephen Schwartz and Book by Joseph Stein

Based on the 1938 French film of the same name by Marcel Pagnol and Jean Giono

6 July – 14 September

Director: Gordon Greenberg; Designer: Paul Farnsworth; Lighting Designer: Paul Anderson; Choreography: Matt Cole; Musical Supervisor and Orchestrator: Stuart Morley;

Musical Director: Dustin Conrad

The arrival of a new Baker and his younger wife turns a provincial French village upside down in this cult classic musical from the legendary Stephen Schwartz (composer of Godspell, Wicked, Pippin) and Joseph Stein (writer of Fiddler On The Roof).

Based on the film La Femme du Boulanger by Marcel Pagnol and Jean Giono, The Baker’s Wife is filled with some of Schwartz’s most ravishingly beautiful music, and will immerse the audience into world of Gallic charm in this first major UK revival since its West End première.

Directed by Gordon Greenburg (who previously directed Barnum at the Chocolate Factory), with choreography by Matt Cole (Olivier award winner for Newsies) and designs by Paul Farnworth, this brand new production plays for a limited 10-week season from 6 July.

Stephen Schwartz wrote the music and lyrics for the current West End and Broadway hit Wicked – which is due to be released as a two-part feature film; and has also contributed music and/or lyrics to Godspell, Pippin, The Magic Show, Working (which he also adapted and directed), Rags and Children of Eden. He collaborated with Leonard Bernstein on the English texts for Bernstein’s Mass, and wrote the title song for the play and film Butterflies are Free. For children, he has written songs for two musicals, Captain Louie and My Son Pinocchio. He has also worked in film, collaborating with Alan Menken on the songs for Disney’s Enchanted as well as the animated features Pocahontas and The Hunchback of Notre Dame, and writing the songs for the DreamWorks animated feature The Prince of Egypt. His first opera, Seance on a Wet Afternoon, was produced at Opera Santa Barbara and New York City Opera. Schwartz has been inducted into the Theatre Hall of Fame and the Songwriters Hall of Fame, and has been given a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. His many accolade include three Academy Awards and four Grammy Awards.

Joseph Stein won the Tony Award and Drama Critics Circle Award for Fiddler on the Roof. His other musicals include Zorba (Tony nomination, Drama Critics Circle Award); Rags (Tony nomination), Take Me Along (Tony nomination), Juno, Irene (starring Debbie Reynolds), The King of Hearts, All About Us, and So Long, 174^th Street. He also co-authored, with Alan Jay Lerner, Carmelina; and with Will Glickman, Mr. Wonderful, The Body Beautiful and Plain and Fancy. His plays are Enter Laughing, Before the Dawn, and Mrs. Gibbons’ Boys. He wrote the screenplays of Enter Laughing and Fiddler on the Roof, for which he won the Screen Writers Guild Award. In 2008, he was inducted into the Theatre Hall of Fame.

Gordon Greenberg returns to the Menier Chocolate Factory to direct, having previously directed Barnum. HIs current directing/writing projects include The Heart of Rock and Roll (which opened recently on Broadway to critical acclaim)  the hit Off-Broadway show Dracula, A Comedy of Terrors (director & co-writer with Steve Rosen; New World Stages & podcast starring John Stamos, Laura Benanti, & Annaleigh Ashford), a new musical about Picasso (director & co-writer with Stephen Schwartz & Caridad Svich), the NBC television series Most Talkative (co-executive producer/writer),  Crime and Punishment, A Comedy (director & co-writer with Steve Rosen; The Old Globe, San Diego), Single White Female (A.T.G.), The Wedding Banquet (Ang Lee, Hua Musicals, Taiwan), Ghost Tour, The Play, and the new comedy podcast series Rolling Calls starring Julie Halston & Richard Kind (co-writer with Steve Rosen). He co-wrote and directed the Broadway stage adaptation of Irving Berlin’s Holiday Inn (Studio 54 for Roundabout Theatre Company and Universal Pictures Stage Productions) and directed  Guys And Dolls (Chichester Festival Theatre/Savoy Theatre/Phoenix Theatre), Working (59 E 59 in New York – also adapted), Jacques Brel Is Alive And Well… (Drama Desk, Drama League, Outer Critics Award nominations – also adapted), Johnny Baseball (Williamstown), Tangled (Disney), Blue Sky Boys (Capital Rep), Luck Be A Lady  (Asolo), Pirates! Or Gilbert and Sullivan Plunder’d (co-creator; Huntington/Paper Mill/Goodspeed/MUNY), Band Geeks! (also co-writer; Goodspeed), The Baker’s Wife (Paper Mill/Goodspeed), 1776 (Paper Mill), Floyd Collins (Signature), Yentl (Asolo) and Half A Sixpence (Goodspeed).

LISTINGS INFORMATION

MENIER CHOCOLATE FACTORY

POWER OF SAIL

Until 12 May

JERRY’S GIRLS

18 May – 29 June

THE BAKER’S WIFE

6 July – 14 September

Box Office:                         020 7378 1713 (£2.50 transaction fee per booking)

Website:                             www.menierchocolatefactory.com (£1.50 transaction fee per booking)

Tickets:                               Prices vary, as below from discounted preview tickets to premier seats. With the emphasis on ‘the sooner you book, the better the price’:

Please note at this time the restaurant is unable to open due to circumstances beyond the company’s control.

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NATIONAL THEATRE ANNOUNCES SHARON D CLARKE, NCUTI GATWA AND HUGH SKINNER IN A NEW PRODUCTION OF THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST

The National Theatre today announces a new production of Oscar Wilde’s joyful and flamboyant comedy The Importance of Being Earnest. Reimagined by director Max Webster (Macbeth, Life of Pi), who will make his National Theatre debut, the production will run in the Lyttelton theatre from 20 November 2024 to 25 January 2025.

Casting includes Richard Cant (Stan & Ollie, Mary Queen of Scots) as Reverend Canon Chasuble, Sharon D Clarke (Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom, Doctor Who)as Lady Bracknell, Ncuti Gatwa (Doctor Who, Sex Education) as Algernon Moncrieff, Amanda Lawrence (Star Wars: Episode – IX The Rise of Skywalker, Angels in America) as Miss Prism and Hugh Skinner (W1A, Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again) as Jack Worthing. Further casting to be announced.

Director of the National Theatre Rufus Norris said:

‘It is a joy to be welcoming Max Webster in his National Theatre directorial debut with a new production of Oscar Wilde’s hilariously subversive comedy The Importance of Being Earnest. Max has assembled an extraordinary cast to reimagine one of our greatest comedies, with Ncuti Gatwa making his National Theatre debut. We are also delighted to welcome back Richard Cant, Amanda Lawrence, Hugh Skinner and Sharon D Clarke, who is returning to play one of Wilde’s most iconic roles – Lady Bracknell.’ 

Being sensible can be excessively boring. At least Jack thinks so. While assuming the role of dutiful guardian in the country, he lets loose in town under a false identity.  Meanwhile, his friend Algy takes on a similar facade. Unfortunately, living a double life has its drawbacks, especially when it comes to love. Hoping to impress two eligible ladies, the gentlemen find themselves caught in a web of lies from which they must carefully navigate.

Directed by Max Webster with set and costume design by Rae Smith,lighting design by Jon Clark, sound design by Nicola T. Chang, composition by DJ Walde, movement direction by Carrie-Anne Ingrouilleand casting by Alastair Coomer CDG.

The Importance of Being Earnest will join the previously announced Ballet Shoes at the National Theatre for the festive season and will run in the Lyttelton theatre from 20 November 2024 to 25 January 2025, with press performance on 28 November 2024.

Tickets are on sale to the public from Thursday 23 May, nationaltheatre.org.uk