NATIONAL YOUTH THEATRE PRESENTS SITE-SPECIFIC PLAY EXPLORING RADICALISM WITH CAST OF 112

National Youth Theatre presents
HOMEGROWN
created by Omar El-Khairy and Nadia Latif
12 – 29 August 2015
Press Night 14 August

9534cb951f55f695_orgIn February of this year three regular school girls left Bethnal Green Academy to travel to Syria and join ISIS.  As part of the National Youth Theatre’s 2015 season director Nadia Latif (Carrot, Even Stillness Breathes Softly Against A Brick Wall) and playwright Omar El-Khairy (The Keepers of Infinite Space, Sour Lips) have responded, creating a brand new site specific promenade production exploring the implications of radicalism and extremism on the people and communities behind the headlines.

The world premiere of the site specific show will take place inside Swiss Cottage’s UCL Academy with a cast of 112,  one of the biggest in London this year. Homegrown, in part a verbatim piece, will feature interviews with members of the Bethnal Green community amoungst others.

On the production’s inception and creation Latif and El-Khairy said: We had a number of reservations about making ‘a play about British Muslims going to join ISIS’. For so long, we had both resisted playing along with games of identity politics. So when the opportunity to do Homegrown came up we felt to give ourselves fully and honestly to this piece we had to try to redefine the terms on which it was to be made. Homegrown isn’t For Us By Us. The drive behind the production is to create a piece of theatre which unsettles preconceived ideas people come with to this subject matter.

We don’t have an agenda, or seek to offer a solution but we hope that audiences will leave the piece feeling something within them shift. The opportunity to work alongside so many young people to create this piece and to be able to put the production on inside a working school has been fundamental to it’s development. Consequently the poltics of Homegrown can be found in its form as much as any message it may hold in regards to Islamic extremism, radicalisation or Islamophobia.

The NYT is also to return to the Ambassadors Theatre in London’s West End later this year with three new productions, one of them documented in development as part of a new collaboration with Sky Arts. The 10-week rep season will feature: Consensual – a brand new play about consent and sex education; Wuthering Heights, in a new adaptation of Emily Brontë’s novel and The Merchant of Venice – Shakespeare’s play abridged especially for schools by Tom Stoppard. Performances will start on 18 September 2015, with press performances on 6 and 7 October 2015.

Omar El-Khairy is a writer for theatre and television. He was recently awarded the 2013 Leverhulme Associate Playwright award at the Bush Theatre and his most recent play The Keepers of Infinite Spacepremiered at the Park Theatre in 2014. Other theatre credits include: Return to Sender (Orange Tree Theatre), Sour Lips (Oval House), Soundbites (The Lyric, Hammersmith), Eyelids (Unicorn Theatre),Longitude (Public Theater, New York), Given the Times (Finborough Theatre), The Ark (Arcola Theatre) and Writer X (Soho Theatre).

Nadia Latif was Associate director for Theatre503, during which she directed various productions including Carrot at Latitude Festival, Wild Horses and Slaves. Other directing credits include: Even Stillness Breathes Softly Against A Brick Wall (Soho Theatre), but i cd only whisper (Arcola) and Hand Me Down (Almeida Theatre Projects). Nadia was also assistant director for Decades, directed by Rupert Goold.  This September she will be directing Octagon at the Arcola.

More information at www.nyt.org.uk

 

LISTINGS

Homegrown
UCL Academy, NW8 6HX
12 – 29th August
Press Performance: 14 August
Age restriction: 14+


REP SEASON
Ambassadors Theatre, WC2H 9ND
18 September – 4 December 2015

Consensual Press Performances 6 & 7 October, 7:30pm
Matinee performance (2:30pm):18 September
Evening performances (7:30pm):, 29, 30 September; 6, 7, 13, 14, 20 October; 3, 4, 10, 11, 18, 24 November; 2 December

Wuthering Heights Press Performance 6 October, 2:30pm
Matinee performances (2:30pm):
25 September; 2, 6, 13, 14, 23, 30 October; 6, 10, 11, 24, 27 November; 1, 4 December
Evening performances (7:30pm):
27, October; 17, 25 November;

The Merchant of Venice Press Performances 7 October (2:30pm) & 9 October (2:30pm)
Matinee performances (2:30pm):
29, 30 September; 7, 9, 16, 20, 26, 27 October; 3, 4, 13, 17, 18, 25 November; 2 December
Evening performances (7:30pm):
1 December

Box Office
www.theambassadorstheatre.co.uk
08448 112 334
or
www.nationaltheatre.org.uk
020 7452 3000

 

Les Miserables and The Phantom of the Opera cast joined by footballer Dennis Wise

IMG_2410 bFormer Chelsea and England footballer Dennis Wise joined cast members from Les Misérables and The Phantom of the Opera on stage at The Queen’s Theatre to give some footballing tips prior to their final showdown match on 2nd August at Bromley Football ClubThe match sees the two giants of the West End, Les Miserables and The Phantom of the Opera, leaving the West End stage behind and heading down to Bromley Arena, not for a singing show down, but for a football match.  Following on the success of the last two years they are planning a third and final MAD Match to see who will be the ultimate champion! The match, played to raise funds for the Make A Difference Trust, promises to be a mix of football and fun for all. 

D5D36040-2The West End Teams will be joined on the day by celebrities and professional footballers to add to the excitement.  The afternoon will open with a concert at 1.30pm with performances from stars of the West End including, Killian Donnelly, Kerry Ellis, Rachelle Ann Go, John Owen Jones, Carrie Hope Fletcher and Geronimo Rauch. Full line-up to be announced 

 

The game kicks off at 3.00pm and players will include Southampton legend Francis Benali and goal keeper Paul Jones. EastEnders’ Jonny Labey and Hollyoaks and Emmerdale star, Ayden Callaghan. More names to be announced. James Ward-Prowse, the England under 21 captain, will also be joining the fun. Having coached the England Ladies team to their victory over Germany and bronze medal at the World Cup, Mark Sampson will be turning his attentions to the Phantom team. Managing Les Mis, ex West Brom manager Alan Irvine will be hoping to guide his team to a win 

 

The day promises to be a fabulous fun day for all the family with face painting, bouncy castle, stalls and a raffle. Food and drink will be available to make for a fabulous summer day out for all of the family. 

 

A donation from the event will also be made to Macmillan Cancer Support in memory of Melanie Oakley-Dow, the former Les Misérables wig mistress.

For more information and tickets visit www.madtrust.org.uk 

TO DONATE £5 & HELP MAKE A DIFFERENCE, TEXT MADT15 £5 to 70070

 

Gregory Porter Review

International Centre, Harrogate – 11 July 2015

Gregory Porter played a sold out gig to over 2000 people in Harrogate, but his voice is so rich and his manner so personal it was if he had played over 2000 individual gigs, one to each person there.

Porter has it all: the soul of Bill Withers, the smooth class of Nat King Cole and the energy of Sammy Davis Jr, but his finest talent is him and his genuine warmth.  A unique fusion of soul and jazz. Accompanied by of four stunning supporting musicians -Yosuke Sato on alto sax, Chip Crawford at the piano, Aaron James on bass and Emanuel Harrold behind the drum kit, Porter performed a selection of songs from the albums ‘Water’, ‘Be Good’ and ‘Liquid Soul’.  An evocative songwriter, he builds close relationships with listeners, whether poignantly reflecting on his childhood with an inspirational single mother, or facing the fight for racial equality.  The venue clapped together to Liquid Spirit and hearts melted to Hey Laura. Porter’s generosity to his band allowed each to shine as he stepped into the shadows.

His voice is silky , heart rending and smooth .His material is both political , romantic and deeply thoughtful.  When stripped down to just him and piano, Porter’s voice connected with every one in the room.  Such a beautiful smooth voice of molten gold

His minimalist style is the key to the success of this performance. The ethos of every note having a place, and a reason for being played is all too easily misplaced in the quest for technical dexterity- it is wonderful to find a musician so committed to putting the storytelling nature of music to the fore.  The stage was bare. No tour bus nor convoy of trucks outside. Only the International Centre’s bulbs in use. The band set up as if to play an intimate club.

The music and the vocals felt so good throughout a set that was just under 2 hours long long. The vocal power that exudes from Mr. Porter is amazingly charismatic, his voice is emotional, he is humorous with a sexy ‘Southern Charm’. Controlling the band and guiding us to hand clap, he had Harrogate rocking

Porter is a Gospel, Blues, Jazz and Soul singer in one package..who has a gift to share, and celebrate his message of Freedom and love for all…and time generous too.  Meeting and chatting and posing for photo’s with the long line of fans waiting for him.  Still happy to speak more than an hour after the concert had finished

80s INVASION TOUR

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15216--71b6fde3dc1898e02e2fbd32bb815446The 80’s are back! Tony Denton Promotions bring together four of the decade’s most memorable artists to tour together for the first time ever. The 80’s Invasion tour features the cream of music from some of the most popular artists – Big Country, Midge Ure, Nick Heyward & Curiosity Killed The Cat, and will be touring throughout March 2016. The acts will perform their biggest hits – with record sales of over 20 million, 200 gold, platinum & silver discs and numerous awards between them this is THE 80’s show not to be missed! The tour takes in 15 dates starting at Southsea’s Kings Theatre on 1st March and culminating at Edinburgh’s The Playhouse Theatre on 20th March

MARCH 2016

Wednesday 2nd

 SOUTHSEA Kings Theatre

Box office: 02392 828282

 www.kingsportsmouth.co.uk

Thursday 3rd

BRADFORD St Georges Hall

Box office: 01274 432 000

www.bradford-theatres.co.uk

Friday 4th

NORTHAMPTON Derngate

Box Office: 01604 624811

www.royalandderngate.co.uk

Saturday 5th

LONDON indigo at The 02

Box office: 0844 856 0202

www.axs.com

Sunday 6th

LIVERPOOL Philharmonic Hall

 Box office: 0151 709 3789

www.liverpoolphil.com

Wednesday 9th

WATFORD Colosseum

Box office: 0845 075 3993

www.watfordcolosseum.co.uk

Thursday 10th

POOLE Lighthouse

Box office: 0844 406 8666

www.lighthousepoole.co.uk

Friday 11th

LEICESTER De Montfort Hall

Box office: 0116 233 3111

www.demontforthall.co.uk

Saturday 12th

BASINGSTOKE The Anvil

Box office: 01256 844244

www.anvilarts.org.uk

Sunday 13th

CHATHAM The Central Theatre

Box office: 00634 338 338

www.medwayticketslive.co.uk

Monday 14th

MANCHESTER Opera House

Box office: 0844 871 3018

www.atgtickets.com/venues/opera-house-manchester

Wednesday 16th

PORT TALBOT Princess Royal Theatre

Box office: 01639 763 214

www.princessroyaltheatre.com

Friday 18th

 BIRMINGHAM Town Hall

Box Office: 0121 345 0600

www.thsh.co.uk

Saturday 19th

NEWCASTLE City Hall

Box office: 0191 277 8030

www.newcastlecityhall.org

Sunday 20th

EDINBURGH Playhouse

Box office: 0844 871 3014

www.atgtickets.com/venues/edinburgh-playhouse


Tickets on sale Now

Tickets also available at:

www.ticketmaster.co.uk

 www.ticketline.co.uk

 www.seetickets.com

www.tdpromo.com

Kings of Broadway: Herman, Sondheim & Styne

Alistair Brammer, Michael Colbourne, Janie Dee & Richard Fleeshman + more to star in Kings of Broadway

Casting has been announced for Kings of Broadway: Herman, Sondheim & Styne.
 
Playing the Palace Theatre on 29th November 2015, the show will celebrate the music of Broadway composers Jerry Herman, Stephen Sondheim and Jule Styne.
The cast includes: Alistair Brammer (Miss Saigon/War Horse), Michael Colbourne (Les Miserables), Janie Dee (The Seagull/Hello, Dolly), Richard Fleeshman (Urinetown/Ghost) andJamie Parker (High Society/Guys and Dolls).
The cast also includes: Zoe Doano, Emma Kingston, Peter Lockyer, Bradley Jaden, Celinde Schoenmaker, Andy Conaghan, Deborah Crowe, Fra Fee, Claudia Kariuki, Nadim Naaman, Anna O’Byrne, Laura Pitt-Pulford, Anne Reid, Caroline Sheen, Laura Tebbutt and Alex Young.
Alastair Knights with musical direction from Alex Parker. Music from Hello Dolly, La Cage Aux Folles and Gypsy will be featured in the show which marks the inaugural production from the newly formed Alex Parker Theatre Company.
Tickets go on sale at 10am on Monday 13th July.

PENETRATION & The Middens

logoNorth Tyneside Council presents
Seaside Special:
PENETRATION
& The Middens

Friday 16th October

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It is with great pleasure that we announce a new gig presented by North Tyneside Council. On Friday 16th October the PLAYHOUSE will host punk rock band Penetration and The Middens as a ‘Seaside Special’ event.


Penetration released their first single, the punk classic Don’t Dictate in 1977 on Virgin Records and were an exciting live band respected by both peers and dedicated fans. Their first album Moving Targets was released in1978 to critical acclaim and commercial success as the band had expanded both musically and creatively.


Fast forward to 2015, when Blamire organised a campaign with crowd funding site Pledge Music for the band to record an album, their first in 36 years. The response was overwhelming and the album Resolution, is released in September. John Maher (Buzzcocks, Invisible Girls drummer) has joined the line up and original guitarist Fred Purser has assisted in the recording process and makes a guest appearance on the track Beat Goes On. The album retains the essential

components of Penetration but brings the sound up to date and sees them moving forward.

Penetration are only doing a few live shows this year, so this will be an exclusive gig from a unique band with a long and interesting history playing songs from their new album as well as old favourites.


Local Shields band The Middens will join the line up, known for a superb live show, full of energy, blending punchy rock with a new wave bent, The Middens appeal to a wide demographic. Vive Le Rock have quoted the band as being part of the ‘New Mod’ genre. These four (very!) young and eminently capable lads from North Shields, seem to defy their youthful looks with their mature and vibrant style of New Wave/Mod influenced rock, executed brilliantly with passion and verve.

Additionally, The Middens were approached in January by North Shields FC, to record a cover version of a song originally written in 1926 which was a No1 for Al Jolson. The song Red Red Robin was used as the official ‘Road to Wembley’ song for the club, who incidentally went on to win the FA Vase at the hallowed Wembley Stadium in May 2015.

So with a fantastic line up the first ‘Seaside Special’ at the PLAYHOUSE Whitley Bay with the hilarious Geordie comedian Gavin Webster comparing the event you really will Wish You Were Here…


Tickets are on sale now priced at £15

Tickets are available from the Box Office open Monday – Friday 10am – 4pm, Saturday 10.30am -2.30pm plus until show start on event days. Tickets can also be purchased on the booking hotline 0844 248 1588 or online at www.playhousewhitleybay.co.uk.

ZOË WANAMAKER AND JOHN DAGLEISH JOIN THE KENNETH BRANAGH THEATRE COMPANY

Kenneth Branagh. Kenneth Branagh Theatre Company. Credit Johan Persson (5)Further casting for the Kenneth Branagh Theatre Company’s Plays at the Garrick season has been announced. John Dagleish and Zoë Wanamaker are to appear in Harlequinade, with John also joining the company of The Winter’s Tale. The two productions will play in repertory at the Garrick theatre from 17 October 2015 until 16 January 2016.

In addition to playing Dame Maud in Harlequinade, Zoë Wanamaker, one of the best actors of our generation, will also perform Terence Rattigan’s dramatic monologue All On Her Own, which has never before played in the West End. In this brief but powerfully atmospheric play, which will be performed every evening prior to Harlequinade, a woman with a secret, alone at midnight in London has a burden to share that is at times both heart-breaking and sinister. This never-before-seen double bill celebrates the contrast in Rattigan’s astonishing range. Zoё Wanamaker will not appear in The Winter’s Tale.

John Dagleish, who won an Olivier Award this year for his portrayal of Ray Davies in the acclaimed Kinks musical Sunny Afternoon, will appear in Harlequinade and The Winter’s Tale. John joins other cast members Pierre Atri, Jaygann Ayeh, Tom Bateman, Kenneth Branagh, Jessie Buckley, Vera Chok, Jack Colgrave Hirst, Judi Dench, Hadley Fraser, Rudi Goodman, Matthew Hawksley, Pip Jordan, Ansu Kabia, Stuart Neal, Michael Pennington, Zoё Rainey, Miranda Raison, John Shrapnel, Kathryn Wilder and Jimmy Yuill.

Kenneth Branagh said: “Zoë Wanamaker is a brilliant comedienne and a great tragic actress too. In joining us for the Rattigan comedy we seized on the opportunity to let her show us the dramatic side of a playwright also known as ‘the English Chekhov’. The rarely seen All On Her Own provides a fabulous woman’s role, and makes for an intriguingly balanced double bill. John Dagleish’s brilliant musicality was sensational in Sunny Afternoon. I’m very excited to hear what he and our superb composer Patrick Doyle, bring to the music of Shakespeare’s great con man, Autolycus, in The Winter’s Tale.

Patrick Doyle is a Scottish composer. Working together most recently on the 2015 feature film ofCinderella, Doyle is a long-time collaborator of Kenneth Branagh, known for his work composing for films such as Henry VSense and SensibilityHamlet, and Gosford Park, as well as Harry Potter and the Goblet of FireEragonRise of the Planet of the Apes and Thor. Doyle has been nominated for two Academy Awards and two Golden Globe Awards, and is the recipient of the ASCAP Henry Mancini Award for “outstanding achievements and contributions to the world of film and television music”.

Kenneth Branagh said: “I’ve been working with Patrick Doyle for nearly 30 years since our first theatrical collaboration on Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night. His instinct for music in the theatre remains as sharp as his ear for his award winning movie scores. His interplay with both mediums brings melodic power, a sure sense of drama, and exciting musical invention to the Garrick season.”

Zoë Wanamaker, CBE, was most recently seen on the London stage in Stevie at the Hampstead Theatre. The recipient of two Olivier Awards for Best Actress, Zoë has previously starred in the National Theatre productions of The Cherry Orchard, Much Ado About Nothing and The Rose Tattoo, and in the West End, Passion Play and All My Sons. Zoë received Tony Award nominations for her performances inPiafLootElectra, and Awake and Sing on Broadway. Television credits include My Family, Poirot, Doctor Who, and Mr. Selfridge, as well as film roles in Harry Potter, My Week with Marilyn and Wilde.

John Dagleish, recently won an Olivier Award for his performance as Ray Davies in the hit musical Sunny Afternoon, currently playing at the Harold Pinter Theatre. He was last on stage in Out of Joint’s The Mother. Film appearances include The Monuments Men, Snow in Paradise and Age of Heroes. Notable television credits include: Truckers, Lark Rise to Candleford, Beaver Falls, Starlings and Henry V, The Hollow Crown.

The Winter’s Tale, Harlequinade, All On Her Own, The Painkiller, Romeo and Juliet and The Entertainer make up the inaugural season of work for the Kenneth Branagh Theatre Company.

LISTINGS INFORMATION

Garrick Theatre
2 Charing Cross Road
London, WC2H 0HH
Box Office: 0844 482 9673
Online Bookings: www.branaghtheatre.com
Tickets from £15

No booking fees or transaction fees on any ticket booked direct through branaghtheatre.com, nimaxtheatres.com, direct telephone bookings at the Garrick Theatre and to personal callers at the Garrick Theatre.

Twitter

@BranaghTheatre
#BranaghTheatre

Facebook & YouTube

Search: Kenneth Branagh Theatre Company

THE WINTERʼS TALE

17 October 2015 – 16 January 2016
Press performance: 7 November 2pm
Captioned Performance: 9 December 7.30pm
Audio Described Performance: 16 December 7.30pm

The Winter’s Tale will play in repertory with Harlequinade. Performances of The Winter’s Tale will be as follows:
17, 19, 20, 21, 29, 30 & 31 October at 7.30pm
31 October at 2.30pm
3, 6, 12, 13, 14, 19, 20, 21, 24, 25, 26 & 30 November at 7.30pm
4, 14, 21 & 25 November at 2.30pm
1, 2, 7, 8, 9, 16, 17, 18, 22, 23, 31 December at 7.30pm,
2, 9, 16, 23, 24 & 31 December at 2.30pm
2, 7, 8, 9, 14, 15 & 16 January at 7.30pm
2, 9 & 16 January at 2.30pm

HARLEQUINADE / ALL ON HER OWN

24 October 2015 – 13 January 2016
Press performance: 7 November 7.30pm
Captioned Performance: 10 December 7.30pm
Audio Described Performance: 15 December 7.30pm

Harlequinade will play in repertory with The Winter’s Tale. Performances of Harlequinade will be as follows:
24, 26, 27 & 28 October at 7.30pm
28 October at 2.30pm
2, 4, 5, 9, 10, 11, 16, 17, 18, 23, 27 & 28 November at 7.30pm
11, 18 & 28 November at 2.30pm
3, 4, 5, 10, 11, 12, 14, 15, 19, 21, 24, 28, 29 & 30 December at 7.30pm
5, 12, 19 & 28 December at 2.30pm
4, 5, 6, 11, 12 & 13 January at 7.30pm
6 & 13 January at 2.30pm

Idris Elba takes on the world’s toughest racing challenges for Discovery Channel’s new series Idris Elba: No Limits

download (5)Golden Globe-winning and Emmy Award-nominated actor and producer Idris Elba is to push his body, mind and engineering know-how to the limit by racing on land and in the air for a new four part series for Discovery Channel, airing July 2015.

Please see below for two brand new clips from Idris Elba: No Limits episode 2 (Aerobatics), which airs Monday 13thJuly on Discovery Channel.

 Taking to the Skies: http://youtu.be/Vf-EdjtjqLg

Aerobatics Competition Training: http://youtu.be/gnTzru78yNY

This explosive new series, titled Idris Elba: No Limits, will see Idris immerse himself into a range of speed challenges across the disciplines of rally driving, drag racing, aerobatics, as well as an attempt to break the “Flying Mile” record set by Malcolm Campbell in 1927.

Idris will join up with the very best professional teams, take on challenges and receive coaching from some of the world’s leading pilots and drivers across the world including rally driving legend Jimmy McRae, aerobatics champion Ed Cyster, drag racing icon Antron Brown and rally champion Ari Vatanen – all of whom will mentor him to take on a series of extreme, high-speed challenges.

Each episode starts with Idris visiting a renowned motor sport competition, shot on locations including Florida, California, the United Kingdom and Ireland, that will inspire his mission to take on some of the toughest racing disciplines in the world. To push his car or plane to the utter limit, Idris gets under the bonnet and miles under his belt, to prepare for the big race day that will see him go head to head with the professionals.

Idris Elba, said: “I’m taking on the toughest racing challenges of my life for this new Discovery TV series. Along the way I’ll meet extraordinary individuals, spectacular machines and hear amazing stories of how far people go to satisfy their love of speed. The extreme challenges will take me right out of my comfort zone as I compete against the best on land and in the air.”

SUNNY AFTERNOON BOOKING PERIOD EXTENDS BY SIX MONTHS

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The multi-Olivier Award-winning hit British musical SUNNY AFTERNOON, which tells the story of the rise to fame of The Kinks, has extended its booking period by six months, now on sale until 16 April 2016.

Tickets for new booking period on sale from 10.00am today.

With a book by Joe Penhall, music and lyrics and original story by Ray Davies, and directed by Edward Hall, Sunny Afternoon has established itself as a firm favourite with audiences and critics alike since it opened at the Harold Pinter Theatre in October 2014.

John Dagleish, George Maguire, Adam Sopp and Ned Derrington in Sunny Afternoon. Photograph by Kevin Cummins.Sunny Afternoon was the best performing show at this year’s Olivier Awards, winning four awards.  The production won Best New Musical, John Dagleish won Best Actor in a Musical, George Maguire won Best Supporting Actor in a Musical, and Ray Davies of The Kinks won for Outstanding Achievement in Music.

Olivier Award winners John Dagleish and George Maguire, playing Ray Davies and Dave Davies of The Kinks respectively, will remain in the show until 3 October 2015. Further casting to be announced.

Forty-nine years ago, The Kinks were sitting at Number One in the UK charts with their single ‘Sunny Afternoon’. The band’s popularity has not faded since the 1960s, with crowds of all ages filling the Harold Pinter Theatre night after night.

George Maguire in Sunny Afternoon. Photograph by Kevin Cummins. (3)Featuring some of The Kinks’ best-loved songs, including You Really Got Me, Waterloo Sunset and Lola,Sunny Afternoon marks the 50th anniversary of the band’s rise to fame.

Following a sold-out run at Hampstead Theatre, this world premiere production, with music and lyrics by Ray Davies, new book by Joe Penhall, original story by Ray Davies, direction by Edward Hall, design by Miriam Buether and choreography by Adam Cooper, opened at the Harold Pinter theatre on 28 October 2014. Lighting is by Rick Fisher, sound by Matt McKenzie and the Musical Supervisor and Musical Director is Elliott Ware.

The official cast recording album, produced by Ray Davies at his Konk studios, is released on BMG Chrysalis and is available to buy at http://www.amazon.co.uk/Sunny-Afternoon-The-Kinks/dp/B00NH8O7LU.

Sonia Friedman Productions commissioned Joe Penhall in 2011 to write the book based on Ray Davies’s original story. The company developed the production over the next four years, assembling the creative team and cast that presented Sunny Afternoon last year at Hampstead Theatre under the direction of Edward Hall, and now at the Harold Pinter Theatre.

Ray Davies is an influential and prolific rock musician and was co-founder and lead singer and songwriter for rock band The Kinks, and later a solo artist. He has an outstanding catalogue of hits from the earliest 1960s to the present day with estimated record sales in excess of 50 million. He has also acted, directed and produced shows for theatre and television.

Joe Penhall is an award winning playwright and screenwriter. Plays include Some Voices (Royal Court),Blue/Orange (National Theatre and West End), winner of Best New Play at the Evening Standard Awards, Olivier Awards and at the Critics Circle, and Dumb Show, Haunted Child and Birthday (all Royal Court). Screenplays include Enduring Love and The Road.

As Artistic Director of Hampstead Theatre, Edward Hall’s productions include Wonderland, Sunny Afternoon, Raving, Chariots of Fire, No Naughty Bits, Loyalty and Enlightenment. As Artistic Director of Propeller, his work has toured worldwide, played the West End and Broadway and has won numerous awards both in the UK and overseas. Other theatre work includes A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum (National Theatre), Edmond with Kenneth Branagh (National Theatre), Macbeth with Sean Bean (Albery), The Constant Wife (Apollo), Julius Caesar (RSC), Henry V (RSC) and The Deep Blue Sea(Vaudeville). Television work includes Downton Abbey, Spooks and Kingdom.  Edward is an Associate of the National Theatre and the Old Vic.

LISTINGS INFORMATION

Sonia Friedman Productions
with Tulchin Bartner Productions, Greg Ripley-Duggan for Hampstead Theatre Productions, Tanya Link Productions, Just for Laughs Theatricals/Glass Half Full Productions, Rupert Gavin present
SUNNY AFTERNOON
In association with Hampstead Theatre and Arlon Productions
Music and Lyrics – Ray Davies
Book – Joe Penhall
Original Story by – Ray Davies
Director – Edward Hall
Designer – Miriam Buether
Choreographer – Adam Cooper
Lighting – Rick Fisher
Sound – Matt McKenzie for Autograph
Musical Supervisor & Musical Director – Elliott Ware

Harold Pinter Theatre, Panton Street, London SW1Y 4DN
Booking until 16 April 2016
Box Office 0844 871 7622
Online: www.sunnyafternoonthemusical.com

Performance Times:
Monday to Saturday 7.30pm, Wednesday and Saturday matinee 2.30pm

Christmas Schedule (Mon 21st Dec – Sat 2nd Jan):
Mon 21st Dec – 7.30pm
Tue 22nd Dec – 7.30pm
Wed 23rd Dec – 2.30pm & 7.30pm
Thu 24th Dec – 2.30pm
Fri 25th Dec – NO PERFORMANCE
Sat 26th Dec – 2.30pm & 7.30pm

Mon 28th Dec – 7.30pm
Tue 29th Dec – 2.30pm & 7.30pm
Wed 30th Dec – 2.30pm & 7.30pm
Thu 31st Dec – 2.30pm
Fri 1st Jan – NO PERFORMANCE
Sat 2nd Jan – 2.30pm & 7.30pm

Tickets from £15

VIP Party Tables available

Premium seats available

Group and schools rates available 0844 871 7644

 

York Theatre royal youth theatre chosen as Waitrose Community Matters charity

Members of the York Theatre Royal youth theatreYork Theatre Royal’s Youth Theatre has been chosen to be part of the Waitrose Community Matters scheme, an initiative to enable branches to support local communities.

The youth theatre is one of three local charities to be supported by the supermarket throughout July. Shoppers receive a green token after each visit, which they can then use to show support for one of the charities. £1000 is then donated by Waitrose which is split between the charities, depending on the proportion of tokens received.

York Theatre Royal Youth Theatre is one of the biggest in the country, with other 370 young members aged 5-19 in 17 weekly groups. The Waitrose Community Matters donation could fund subsidised places for young people to attend weekly sessions, an artist to come and work on a specific project with a youth theatre group, or a mentor to work alongside a young person with additional needs.

The additional funding will mean that the young people’s experiences are even more exciting and accessible, building on the feedback from our groups that their session is the highlight of their week.

Said Kate Plumb, Youth Theatre Director.

York Theatre Royal Youth Theatre started over ten years ago. It is an Arts Award Centre of Excellence ( Regional Award) 2014, and Arts Award Good Practice Centre 2014-15, with over 200 young people achieving their Arts Award qualification with us over the last 5 years. The Youth Theatre produce 14 productions a year, including site specific shows in various locations in York, and studio and main house shows.

If others wish to donate directly to the youth theatre they can do so by contacting [email protected]. The theatre is also raising money for its redevelopment, which will cost £4.1 million. To donate to the project and ensure the theatre can be enjoyed by future generations for years to come please visit www.yorktheatreroyal.co.uk/donate or donate by texting YTRC15 £5 or YTRC15 £10 to 70070