Kay Mellor’s The Syndicate brings the first series of the hit tv show to the stage. Directed by Gaynor Faye (Kay’s daughter), in honour of her mum who sadly passed away in 2022 after she had adapted the tv show for the stage. I am a great fan of all Kay Mellor’s work and was interested to see how this brilliant series was brought from TV to a play.
The Syndicate is set in Leeds and tells the story of five supermarket workers who win £24 million on the lottery just as their jobs are under threat. It shows the dilemma faced when one of the syndicates members was behind on their payments to the death of one of the members and how money can not buy happiness.
The play starred a few well-known actors which I think was needed.
Gaynor Faye who many may know from Coronation Street and Fat Friends to name a couple of the credits to her name not only directed the play but also played the role of Kay.
Samantha Giles (Bernice from Emmerdale) portrayed the role of Denise the downtrodden dog loving employee. She very much had the Yorkshire accent to a tee.
Brooke Vincent (Sophie Webster from Coronation Street) played the part of Amy who is Stuart’s money grabbing girlfriend who spends money on the finer things in life. She has some good one liners and made people laugh, definitely a good choice for this role.
Jamie played by Oliver Anthony was in one of the series of the tv show of the syndicate. For me he was the best and funniest member of the cast. His character was a loveable rogue who always seems to get into trouble.
Leanne (Rosa Coduri-Fulford) is quite secretive about her past and portrays the part well.
William Ilkley plays Bob who is the boss of the supermarket is a kind, caring and honest man and was a good solid performer.
Benedict Shaw who has also appeared in Emmerdale and Hollyoaks plays Stuart who takes everything to heart and is Amy’s partner.
To me it brought back memories of the TV show and was entertaining with some funny jokes and easy to watch.
Culture and creativity take centre stage as The Fleet Street Quarter unveils the City’s first new amphitheatre in 2,000 years
Image credit: Aaron Chown/PA
In partnership with The London Festival of Architecture, the Fleet Street Quarter has launched ‘Assembly’, a remarkable open-air amphitheatre created by Urban Radicals, AKT II and Millimetre set against the historic backdrop of Kings College London’s Maughan Library Courtyard in the heart of the City of London
The new outdoor theatre will host a series of incredible free alfresco performances, talks, public debates and workshops throughout the summer from 11 June – 31 July in partnership with Sadler’s Wells, Kings College London, London Metropolitan University, and Troubadour Stageworks
Kicking off the programme are the world-renowned YAMATO: The Drummers of Japan with their new performance ‘Hinotori’ – The Wings of Phoenix, brought to the amphitheatre by Sadler’s Wells
Today Tuesday 11 June, the Fleet Street Quarter celebrated the opening of ‘Assembly’, a spectacular new open-air amphitheatre in the heart of London, with a captivating performance from the world-renowned YAMATO: The Drummers of Japan, brought to the amphitheatre by Sadler’s Wells. Kicking off an exhilarating summer arts and culture programme, the dynamic Japanese Taiko drumming group dazzled visitors and local workers with a midday performance of their new show ‘Hinotori’ – The Wings of Phoenix.
Created by Urban Radicals, AKT II and Millimetre for the London Festival of Architecture 2024, ‘Assembly’, the amphitheatre by Fleet Street Quarter, is located in King’s College London’s historic Maughan Library courtyard and offers a unique space for the community to come together and celebrate diversity and artistry. The amphitheatre is designed with inclusivity in mind, freely open to the public. It seats 50 guests and is fully wheelchair accessible.
Throughout the summer until 31 July, visitors can expect a jam-packed line-up of free performances, talks, public debates, and art workshops, with the full programme to be released in the coming days.
Highlights include:
Fix the Folioby Troubadour Stageworks (11, 25 June; 18, 25 July), a dynamic and interactive play set on 8 November 1623, where Isaac Jaggard must recover the scattered pages of Shakespeare’s First Folio after an unfortunate mishap. The audience is taken on a 45-minute adventure to help reorder 36 plays, making it a race against time to ensure Shakespeare’s works make it to print.
Art Workshops by Bella Gomez (26 June; 3, 10 July), interactive workshops from bold and expressive surface pattern designer and muralist, Bella Gomez.
Climate panel discussion and talks during the Fleet Street Quarter’s two-day Climate Festival(25, 26 June) as part of Climate Action Week 2024, featuring senior leaders in the sustainability, property, finance, media and legal sectors.
Lectures from Dr Johnson’s House (27 June), informative talks about the life and works of Samuel Johnson, famous lexicographer who once lived in the Fleet Street Quarter.
A Midsummer Night’s Dream by Troubadour Stageworks (3, 9, 31 July), Troubadour’s rendition of “Midsummer Night’s Dream” promises an immersive experience that will transport the audience into a magical realm for 90 minutes. This epic yet intimate production is brimming with original songs and a sense of wonder that captures the essence of Shakespeare’s beloved comedy.
Lucy French, CEO of the Fleet Street Quarter, said: “We are very excited to unveil ‘Assembly’, the City’s first modern day amphitheatre which celebrates the Fleet Street Quarter’s vibrant cultural heritage and diversity. The inaugural performance by the YAMATO Drummers marks the beginning of an exciting summer season filled with artistic expression and community experiences. We’re delighted to partner with the London Festival of Architecture, to introduce this contemporary amphitheatre, the first in the City in 2000 years, set against the incredible backdrop of the Quarter’s rich cultural history, celebrating two millennia of the Quarter’s innovation and inclusivity.”
Further casting has been announced for the UK premiere of the hit Broadway musical comedy SOMETHING ROTTEN!, which plays Theatre Royal Drury Lane on Monday 5 August and Tuesday 6 August.
Joining the previously announced Jason Manford as Nick Bottom are Gary Wilmot (Anything Goes, Wicked) as Nostradamus, Richard Fleeshman (Company, Urinetown) as Shakespeare, Marisha Wallace (Guys & Dolls, Oklahoma!) as Bea, Evelyn Hoskins (Waitress, Spring Awakening) as Portia, Cassius Hackforth (For Tonight, From Here to Eternity)as Nigel Bottom, Steve Furst (Oliver!, Matilda, Little Britain) as Shylock, Ashley Samuels (Hairspray, The Book Of Mormon) as Troubadour, Cameron Blakely (Disney’s Newsies, Mrs Doubtfire) as Brother Jeremiah and Jenna Boyd (Come From Away, The Wind in the Willows) as Lady Croydon.
Further casting to be announced.
SOMETHING ROTTEN! in concert is directed by Tim Jackson, with the full Broadway score performed by the London Musical Theatre Orchestra and conducted by Freddie Tapner. Choreography is by Tim Jackson and Claira Vaughan, sound by Tom Marshall and Sebastian Frost, lighting by Jamie Platt, set and costume by Rebecca Brower, production management by Pete Kramer, company and stage management by Peter Barnett and casting consultancy by Sarah Jane Price.
SOMETHING ROTTEN! was created by Hollywood screenwriters Karey Kirkpatrick (Chicken Run,James and the Giant Peach), John O’Farrell (Best-selling novels include The Best a Man Can Get, May Contain Nuts,The Man Who Forgot His Wife) and Grammy Award-winning songwriter Wayne Kirkpatrick (Change the World by Eric Clapton), who together went on to adapt Mrs Doubtfire into the West End and Broadway Musical. The show follows the story of Renaissance writers Nick and Nigel Bottom as they seek to outshine Shakespeare by writing the world’s first musical.
SOMETHING ROTTEN! originallyopened on Broadway at the St. James Theatre in 2015 and received several Best Musical nominations, 10 Tony Award nominations and was hailed by Time Out New York as “the funniest musical comedy in at least 400 years”.
SOMETHING ROTTEN! in Concert is produced by Fourth Wall Live, JAS Theatricals, and the London Musical Theatre Orchestra in association with Alchemation. Fourth Wall Live and the London Musical Theatre Orchestra produced the WhatsOnStage Award-winning concert of Love Never Dies and were producers/co-producers for the concerts of Bonnie & Clyde, Evita and Chess, all at Theatre Royal Drury Lane.
Originally produced on Broadway by Kevin McCollum, Broadway Global Ventures CMC Mastro/Goodman Jerry & Ronald Frankel Morris Berchard, Kyodo Tokyo, Inc. Wendy Federman Barbara Freitag LAMS Productions Winkler/DeSimone, Timothy Laczynski Dan Markley Harris/Karmazin Jam Theatricals Robert Greenblatt, and Jujamcyn Theaters. Developed in association with the 5th Avenue Theatre, Seattle, WA, David Armstrong, Executive Producer and Artistic Director, Bernadine Griffin, Managing Director and Bill Berry, Producing Artistic Director.
By arrangement with Music Theatre International.
LISTINGS INFORMATION:
Facebook & Instagram: @SomethingRottenConcert X / Twitter: @SRottenConcert
SOMETHING ROTTEN!
Dates: 5th – 6th August 2024
Theatre Royal Drury Lane Catherine Street London WC2B 5JF
Performances: 7.30pm on Monday 5 August, 2.30pm & 7:30pm on Tuesday 6 August.
It was a joy to spend Sunday in the Sondheim Theatre with Bonnie for the 16th annual competition to find the Stephen Sondheim Society Student Performer of the Year (or SSSSSPOTY – an acronym which gave host Bonnie Langford plenty of comedy moments).
This year’s 12 finalists were chosen from over 330 applicants dreaming of following in the footsteps of former winners such as Cynthia Erivo, Taron Egerton, Erin Doherty, Oscar Conlon-Morrey, and Alex Young. The celebratory afternoon began with the finalists and reserves singing Beautiful Girls which Bonnie Langford claimed as a suitable introduction, setting the tone for her warm and charming hosting role, full of encouragement for the performers and self-deprecating jokes.
Each finalist performed a Sondheim number and a song from the New UK Musicals collective, and the standard of performance was thrillingly high. Accompanied by musical director Nigel Lilley, each gave their all and were buoyed by the enthusiastic support of the audience.
While the judging panel deliberated, we were treated to performances from NYMT ensemble, last year’s winner Milly Willows reprising her winning number Worst Pies in London in triumphant style, as well as past and future Jacks, Joaquin Pedro Valdez and Ronav Jain, singing Giants in the Sky with wide-eyed energy, Molly Osborne and Jack Quarton performing the charming Time from The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, before Bonnie Langford treated us to another barnstorming rendition of I’m Still Here (but, in those heels, without kicks and splits).
Holly Adams, Brooke Bazarian, Harrison Langham, Katie Leach, Rowen Newsome, Tumi Olufawo, Thomas Oxley, Daisy Pearson and Josh Rosewood all impressed in many different ways, with some wringing the heartstrings and others leaning into comedy moments delightfully.
The judging panel – Edward Seckerson, Fra Fee, Callum Scott Howells, Jak Malone, and Jenna Russell – had a tough task with such talented performers but came to a harmonious decision. Oliver Halford (Emil Dale Academy) was commended for his energetic comedy singing I’m Calm from A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum and his moving performance of Infinity from The Blackfriars Boys by Josh Sneesby and Sarah Middleton. The runner-up was Gavin Rasmussen (LAMDA) with his impressive delivery of Marry Me a Little from Company and an unforgettable, magnificently OTT rendition of Tartarus from The Sorrows of Satan by Luke Bateman and Michael Conley. The deserving winner, scooping £1000 was Madeleine Morgan (Royal Academy of Music) with a beautifully mature and nuanced performance of Moments in the Woods from Into the Woods and an emotional Running on Empty from Mayflies by Gus Gowland. A lovely moment after the prizegiving saw Bonnie Langford clearing the stage for Madelaine to perform and telling her she can command the stage, but Madeleine asking her quietly to stay, so Bonnie sat cross legged at the side of the stage for support, basking in Madeleine Morgan’s stunning performance, and exemplifying the celebratory and nurturing atmosphere that abounded in the theatre even though this was a competition.
A wonderful afternoon well spent celebrating the glorious music and legacy of Stephen Sondheim, new British musical writing, and the exciting futures ahead for the talented young performers.
Due to popular demand, Jonathan Harvey’s Closer to Heaven, with original music by Pet Shop Boys, will be extending its run at the Turbine Theatre this summer, now playing until Saturday 27 July.
Full cast for this new production of this adored club musical, includes the Tony award winning, 1994 Eurovision Song Contest contestant Frances Ruffelle as Billie Trix. Originating two iconic roles on the West End, Eponine in Les Misérables and Dinah in Starlight Express, Ruffelle has consistently been appearing on stage and screen throughout her career.
She is joined by Courtney Bowman, recently seen as Elle Woods in Legally Blonde at Regent Park Open Air Theatre (for which she won a WhatsOnStage Award for Best Performer in a Musical), as Shell Christian, Glenn Adamson (Bat Out Of Hell) as Dave, Connor Carson (The Phantom Of The Opera) as Lee, Kurt Kansley(RENT) as Vic Christian, David Muscat (Billy Elliot) as Bob Saunders, Lewis Brown (Queenz) as Flynn with Beth Curnock, Jamie Tait and Cian Hughes as Babes. This production is directed by Simon Hardwick with choreography by Christopher Tendai with casting by Will Burton CDG.
Audiences can step back in time as the theatre transforms into “Vic’s Club” for an evening that promises to be anything but old fashioned. With a book by one of Britain’s most celebrated writers, Jonathan Harvey, Closer to Heaven features an original club score by Pet Shop Boys and originally premiered at the Arts Theatre in 2001. The Pet Shop Boys are the UK’s most successful pop duo, having enjoyed 12 Top Ten studio albums and 40 Top Twenty singles.
Let us take you back to the Millennium for the night of your life… London’s club-land is thriving. Suddenly what was wrong seems right…
Written by Paul Whitehouse and Jim Sullivan, fully endorsed by the Sullivan estate
Based on the programme ‘Only Fools and Horses’ written by John Sullivan
Original music – Paul Whitehouse and Jim Sullivan
Additional music – John Sullivan & Chas Hodges
Director – Caroline Jay Ranger
Musical Supervisor & Arranger – Stuart Morley
TICKETS ON SALE NOW FROM ONLYFOOLSONSTAGE.COM
Casting has been announced for the 2024/25 UK & Dublin tour of the smash hit show Only Fools and Horses The Musical. Joining comedy giant Paul Whitehouse* (as Grandad) will be Sam Lupton (Wicked, Little Shop of Horrors) as Del Boy and Tom Major, making his professional theatre debut, as Rodney. Direct from a record-breaking sold-out four-year run in London’s West End, the 10-month tour kicks off in Bromley on 23 September and then travels to over 30 towns and cities across the country, before culminating in Dublin at the end of June 2025. Tickets are on sale now from OnlyFoolsOnStage.com. Philip Childs will play the role of Grandad when Paul Whitehouse is not available, as he did in the West End.
Georgina Hagan (Everybody’s Talking About Jamie, Heathers The Musical) reprises her role as Raquel, Craig Berry (The Bodyguard, Mama Mia) returns to his role as Boycie and Nicola Munns (Spring Awakening, Don Giovanni) steps back into the high heels of his long-suffering wife Marlene. Nicola also plays the role of Cassandra. They are joined by their original West End co-stars Lee VG (Les Miserables) as Trigger, Bradley John (Pandora’s Box) as Denzil; Darryl Paul
(The Commitments, We Will Rock You) as Mike / Tony Driscoll / Cripps and Rhys Owen (The Full Monty, Spamalot); Christopher Arkeston (Oh! What a Lovely War) and Andrew Bryant (who is also the Resident Director). The company is completed by Peter Watts (The Threepenny Opera, Assassins) as Danny Driscoll / Mickey Pearce; Richard J Hunt (Jesus Christ Superstar, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat) as Dating Agent; Gloria Acquaah-Harrison (Mawa Monologue Slam 2022 winner) as Mrs Obooko / Wedding Fitter. Kieran Andrew (The Snow Queen, The Brunch Club); Katie Paine (Heathers, We Will Rock You); Amanda Coutts (We Will Rock You, Starlight Express) and Oscar Dobbins complete the ensemble.
Directed by the originating West End director Caroline Jay Ranger (Fawlty Towers – The Play), and based on John Sullivan’s legendary record-breaking television show, this critically acclaimed home-grown musical spectacular features cherished material from Britain’s best loved TV series. With a script and original score written by John’s son, Jim Sullivan and Paul Whitehouse, prepare to get reacquainted with Britain’s most lovable rogues and experience the classic comedy brought to life on stage through an ingenious script and 20 hilarious songs.
Fans and critics alike praised Only Fools and Horses The Musical in their droves during its triumphant West End run: The Sun awarded five stars, hailing it “One Del of a show!”; the Daily Mirror said it was “a treat for Trotter fans” in their five-star review. The Sunday Times bestowed four stars and remarked that “Only Fools is a blast from our wide-boy past. A hearty stage adaptation of the 1980s BBC television comedy”. Evening Standard also awarded four stars, complimenting the “unashamedly British night out. A jubilant lovely jubbly!”. While the Daily Mail urged its readers to “raise a glass of ‘Tittinger’ to Del Boy and Rodney as Only Fools and Horses storms the West End!”
Join us as we take a trip back in time, where it’s all kicking off in Peckham. While the yuppie invasion of London is in full swing, love is in the air as Del Boy sets out on the rocky road to find his soul mate, Rodney and Cassandra prepare to say ‘I do’, and even Trigger is gearing up for a date (with a person!). Meanwhile, Boycie and Marlene give parenthood one final shot and Grandad takes stock of his life and decides the time has finally arrived to get his piles sorted.
With musical contributions from the iconic Chas & Dave, the beloved theme tune as you’ve never heard it before, and an array of brand-new songs full of character and cockney charm, you’re guaranteed to have a right ol’ knees-up! Only Fools and Horses The Musical is a feel-good family celebration of traditional working-class London life in 1989 and the aspirations we all share. So don’t delay, get on the blower, and get a ticket for a truly cushty night out – only a 42 carat PLONKER would miss it!
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
“One Del of a Show!”
The Sun
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
“Viva, Hooky Street. C’est Magnifique! A treat for Trotter fans”
Daily Mirror
★ ★ ★ ★
“Call it comfort food for our troubled times, this show serves up some lovely jubbly”
Metro
★ ★ ★ ★
“Only Fools is a blast from our wide-boy past.
A hearty stage adaptation of the 1980’s BBC Television comedy”
On the eve of his 60th birthday, Pride and Prejudice’s favourite villain Mr George Wickham returns to reminisce about his life. Written and performed by Adrian Lukis who played Wickham in the 1995 BBC adaptation, he ponders on the years since he famously eloped with Lydia Bennett.
In this production directed by Guy Unsworth, we discover that rather surprisingly Wickham is still married to Lydia, and she is just off stage in a huff because he was paying too much attention to a female guest at his birthday party. Classic old Wickham. Lukis gives a charming performance, however under the wit and rakishness is the same wickedness displayed years earlier in the original Pride and Prejudice text. I am unsure whether this is an attempt to rewrite Wickham as a misunderstood man who’d had a rotten life, but it’s hard to overlook his scheming and manipulative ways. There are stories of lost love with a maid, a cliff top run in with the horrible headmaster of his boarding school, and how he ended up in the militia. It is an expert display of charm, still being used to win over the crowds.
There are lots of familiar names, and some history around his rocky relationship with Mr Darcy. We also learn that he held Byron in high esteem (of course he did), and he had little to no work ethic. As he takes us through his life he moves around the small corner of a drawing room designed by Libby Watson, filling his glass from a decanter, and repeatedly going to to the window to check on the scandal that is emerging in the house opposite. He’s not so much at the centre of the scandal anymore, but he still very much thrives on it.
In this one hour long monologue, we don’t learn much about Wickham, however the Lukis’ writing and thoroughly engaging performance make for a very pleasant evening indeed.
Kenny Wax Productions Tickets for powerhouse hit musical Fantastically Great Women Who Changed the World at The Other Palace are on sale! Saturday 20th July – Sunday 8th September 2024 Gala Night: Thursday 25th July 2024 The Other Palace, 12 Palace Street, London, SW1E 5JA
The UK Theatre Award-winning, hugely successful pop musical Fantastically Great Women Who Changed the World is heading to The Other Palace for the summer. This critically acclaimed girl power musical packs a popstar punch, with a catchy soundtrack, awe-inspiring characters and TikTok-favourite choreography.
Remarkable – and often forgotten – women are lifted from the pages of Kate Pankhurst’s beloved book, published by Bloomsbury, and brought vividly to life on stage. This inspiring musical celebrates historic women and their achievements to a soundtrack of uplifting pop songs – with real-life heroines and pioneers spotlighted including Civil Rights activist Rosa Parks, Nobel Prize-winning scientist Marie Curie, Suffragette Emmeline Pankhurst, author Jane Austen, trailblazing pilot Amelia Earhart, innovative artist Frida Kahlo, and many more!
When young heroine Jade finds the Gallery of Greatness on a day trip, she is introduced to each of these iconic women, discovering their stories and how they changed the course of history as we know it.
Audiences who can’t wait for the Fantastically Great Women to arrive in London can stream the toe-tapping, sing-along worthy soundtrack by #1 hit single writer Miranda Cooper (Kylie Minogue, Girls Aloud) and Jennifer Decilveo (Miley Cyrus, Demi Lovato) online.
The creative team behind this exhilarating stage show consists of Olivier Award-winning dramatist Chris Bush (Standing at the Sky’s Edge, National Theatre); with music by UK No.1 hit songwriter Miranda Cooper, whose songs for Girls Aloud include Sound of the Underground and The Promise, and Round Round for Sugababes, and Jennifer Decilveo, and live arrangements by Jen Green (Beverley Knight; Pixie Lott). The director is Amy Hodge (Mr Gum and The Dancing Bear – The Musical!, National Theatre), designer Joanna Scotcher (Emilia, Shakespeare’s Globe/Vaudeville Theatre), choreographer Dannielle ‘Rhimes’ Lecointe (Dick Whittington, National Theatre), musical director and supervisor Audra Cramer (Cinderella, Hope Mill Theatre; SIX, West End), lighting designer Zoe Spurr (Emilia, Shakespeare’s Globe/Vaudeville Theatre), sound designer Carolyn Downing (Summer & Smoke, Almeida/Duke of York’s Theatre) and cosound designer Rob Bettle (Frozen: The Musical, Theatre Royal Drury Lane; Billy Elliot, UK tour; One Man, Two Guvnors, Theatre Royal Haymarket).
Fantastically Great Women Who Changed the World has delighted and inspired audiences across the UK since 2021, including three nationwide tours, a summer at Theatre Royal Stratford East and a successful run at Edinburgh Fringe 2022.
The cast will be announced.
Past praise for Fantastically Great Women Who Changed the World:
A pop-fuelled, upbeat feminist hit – ★ ★ ★ ★ The Times
A high voltage show with great charisma… a zippy guide to the great women of history that sets toes tapping and young minds alight – The Guardian
Incredibly inspirational, a battle call to women everywhere – ★ ★ ★ ★ Liverpool Echo
A celebration of girl power over the centuries… I’m still singing – ★ ★ ★ ★ Daily Mail
WISE CHILDREN AND RSC’S CRITICALLY ACCLAIMED PRODUCTION OF HANIF KUREISHI’S THE BUDDHA OF SUBURBIA,
ADAPTED BY EMMA RICE, TRANSFERS TO THE BARBICAN
★★★★★
‘Intoxicating five-star show’
The Times
Wise Children today announces the London transfer of their co-production with the RSC, the critically acclaimed production The Buddha of Suburbia. Based on the novel by Hanif Kureishi, and adapted for the stage by Emma Rice, with Hanif Kureishi, the show opens at the Barbican on 29 October, with previews from 22 October, running until 16 November 2024.
Artistic Director of Wise Children Emma Rice said today,“I have truly loved making this show, and spending time immersed in Hanif’s laugh-out-loud funny, rude and anarchic world. His razor sharp wit is The Buddha of Suburbia’s secret weapon, but beneath the jokes lies deep, profound and pure love. In the rehearsal room, I was moved to tears daily by this powerful and political piece, and I am absolutely thrilled that it is transferring to the Barbican. I want as many people as possible to experience this joyful production – especially this iconic London novel’s home crowd. I cannot wait!”
Hanif Kureishi added, “I worked on this idea with Emma for a while, without much of a notion of what it would actually look or sound like. Emma is a wonderfully visual director; her shows are great to look at. But I believe that if you are lucky enough to work with an artist like her, you must let them be as creative and as original as they want to be. And so, when I finally got to see the show, live streamed to my computer at home, I fell in love with it straight away: the colour, costumes, music, and of course her brilliant casting. I was delighted by the response to the show, both from the critics and from the audience, who always had a good time. Now I am very excited to see the show in another iteration at the Barbican, in front I hope, of a young and diverse London crowd. We want to give them as good a time as the patrons in Stratford had; and I’m sure Emma’s work, and that of the brilliant actors she has cast, will resonate with a new audience.”
★★★★★
‘Feelgood entertainment’
The Telegraph
A Wise Children and RSC Co-production
THE BUDDHA OF SUBURBIA
Based on the novel by Hanif Kureishi
Adapted for the stage by Emma Rice, with Hanif Kureishi
Directed by Emma Rice
Barbican
Tuesday 22 October – Saturday 16 November
Set Designer: Rachana Jadhav; Costume Designer: Vicki Mortimer; Sound and Video Designer: Simon Baker; Lighting Designer: Jai Morjaria; Composer: Niraj Chag; Choreographer: Etta Murfitt; Fight Director: Kev McCurdy; Casting Director: Matthew Dewsbury CDG
An irresistible, heart-breaking and joyful exploration of family, friends, sex, theatre and, ultimately, belonging. Emma Rice adapts the award-winning 1990 novel, The Buddha of Suburbia with Hanif Kureishi in a major new co-production with Wise Children and the RSC.
Emma Rice is the Artistic Director of Wise Children and is an internationally respected theatre-maker and director. For Wise Children she has adapted and directed Blue Beard, The Little Matchgirl and Happier Tales,Wuthering Heights, Bagdad Café, Angela Carter’s Wise Children, Enid Blyton’s Malory Towers and Romantics Anonymous. As Artistic Director of Shakespeare’s Globe: Twelfth Night, A Midsummer Night’s Dream and The Little Matchgirl (and Other Happier Tales). Rice worked for Kneehigh as an actor, director and Artistic Director, creating critically acclaimed productions including, but not limited to: The Flying Lovers of Vitebsk, 946: The Amazing Story of Adolphus Tips, The Wild Bride, The Red Shoes, Cymbeline (in association with RSC), A Matter of Life and Death (in association with National Theatre), Brief Encounter (in association with David Pugh and Dafydd Rogers Productions), Don John (in association with the RSC and Bristol Old Vic), Wah! Wah! Girls (in association with Sadler’s Wells and Theatre Royal Stratford East for World Stages), and Steptoe and Son. She received the Outstanding Contribution to British Theatre award at the 2019 UK Theatre Awards.
Hanif Kureishi is a novelist, playwright, and screenwriter. His father’s family was displaced during the partition of India and Pakistan. Due to his mother being English, the family ended up in London. Hanif studied philosophy and achieved early success as a playwright. He collaborated with several London theatre companies. Commissioned by Channel 4, he wrote the script for My Beautiful Laundrette, which earned him an Oscar nomination for Best Original Screenplay. The Buddha of Suburbia, his debut novel, was adapted into a television series, featuring a soundtrack by David Bowie. His book Intimacy sparked controversy due to its autobiographical nature, which Hanif denied. The film adaptation, Intimacy, based on his stories and the book, was released in 2001. For the screenplay of the film Venus, Hanif received another Oscar nomination. The film was directed by his close friend Roger Michell. In 2008, he was appointed Commander of the Order of the British Empire, and in 2014, he sold his archive to the British Library. In December 2022, he suffered a serious fall in Rome, resulting in paralysis. After an extended stay in rehabilitation centres, he now resides at home in an adapted residence in London.
RSC BARBICAN SEASON ANNOUNCED AS AUTUMN/WINTER SEASON GOES ON SALE
Alongside one world premiere, three new Shakespeare productions and a major revival going on sale at Stratford,RSC Co-Artistic Directors, Daniel Evans and Tamara Harvey, today announce their first Winter season at the Barbican, which sees two critically acclaimed productions transfer from Stratford-upon-Avon.
The RSC’sco-production with Wise Children,The Buddha of Suburbia, a world premiere based on the novel by Hanif Kureishi, adapted for the stage by Emma Rice with Hanif Kureishi, will play the Barbican Theatre this autumn. It will be followed by director Eleanor Rhode’s5-star production ofA Midsummer Night’s Dreamwith Mathew Baynton as Bottom. Priority booking starts from Tuesday 18 June with public booking opening on Tuesday 9 July.
Tamara Harvey and Daniel Evans said, “We’re so proud that these two productions, ledby two brilliant directors, will play the Barbican stage later this year. Together, they encapsulate one of our core missions at the RSC: to bring people together to experience new plays side-by-side with those of our house playwright, to deepen our understanding of ourselves, each other and the world around us, and bring joy. Both these productions are naughty, soulful and entertaining, and we can’t wait to share them with audiences in the capital. Meanwhile, in Stratford, we’re looking forward to continuing our inaugural Stratford season with a host of inspiring artists.”
The announcement coincides with the release of tickets for the Stratford-upon-Avon Autumn/Winter season, which go on public sale from Tuesday 9 July. The six productions include three Shakespeare plays, a world premiere and a major revival, previously announced as part of Harvey and Evans’ inaugural programme including
The world premiere of David Edgar’s The New Real directed by Holly Race Roughan and presented in association with Headlong, with a cast including Roderick Hill, Patrycja Kujawska, Jodie McNee, Lloyd Owenand Sergo Vares
A new staging of Hans Christian Anderson’s dark fairytale The Red Shoes, adapted by Nancy Harris and directed by Associate Artistic Director of the Shaw Festival Theatre, Kimberley Rampersad
Othello directed by Tim Carroll with John Douglas Thompson as Othello with Will Keen as Iago, Juliet Rylance as Desdemona and Anastasia Hille as Emilia
A festive production of Shakespeare’s bittersweet winter masterpiece: Twelfth Night directed by Prasanna Puwanarajah
William Shakespeare’s Hamlet; directed by Rupert Goold and featuring Luke Thallon in his RSC debut
Edward II directed by Daniel Raggett with double Olivier award-winning actor and RSC Co-Artistic Director Daniel Evans in the title role.
The six titles join the Pulitzer Prize Winning production English by Sanaz Toossi playing at the Kiln Theatre until the 6 July, the world premiere of Joe Robertson and Joe Murphy’s Kyotoplaying in the Swan Theatre in co-production with Good Chance, a comedy double-bill of The Merry Wives of Windsor and The School for Scandal, playing in repertoire in the Royal Shakespeare Theatre this Summer, and an 80-minute staging of As You Like Itrunning for six weeks in The Holloway Garden Theatre from July. They are joined by Northern Ballet’s Romeo and Juliet, the UK premiere of Uzhhorod Theatre Company’s King Lear and Co-Artistic Director Tamara Harvey’s RSC debut, directing Alfred Enoch in Periclesin the Swan Theatre prior to its transfer to Chicago.
For the Barbican season priority booking for Members and Supporters opens on Tuesday 18 June, with public booking from Tuesday 9 July.
For the Stratford-upon-Avon Autumn/Winter productions priority booking for Members and Supporters opens on Tuesday18 June, with public booking from Tuesday 9 July. For further information on how to become an RSC Member or Supporter, visit here.
