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The show is billed as ‘hilarious, raunchy and insightful’

Off-Broadway show Cougar The Musical is receiving its UK premiere at the Belgrade Theatre, Coventry next month.

Written by American Donna Moore, the show is billed as “a hilarious, raunchy and insightful new musical about three women of a certain age saying yes to life and learning that true happiness lies within.”

The production, which runs from 16 May to 6 June in the Belgrade’s B2 studio, will be directed by Patricia Benecke and will star Dawn Hope (The Scottsboro Boys), Suanne Braun (Mamma Mia!), Pippa Winslow (Other Desert Cities) and Barnaby Hughes.

Moore said: “When I first heard the term ‘Cougar’, I was doing stand-up comedy and writing The UnBalancing Act, a show about my divorce – and I thought, ‘How come we have to place a derogatory name on an older woman?’

“I wanted to write a play that humanised the cougar which showed that women come in all shapes and sizes and that each woman is special no matter what. My thesis statement is that a woman who dates a younger man should be called a woman.”

The score for Cougar – The Musical includes “Shiny and New”, “On The Prowl”, “I’m My Own Queen” and “Say Yes”.

Tickets for the Belgrade production are on sale now.

The UK tour of Godspell in Concert is to close two months early, producers announced this morning.

The final performance will be at the Princess Theatre, Torquay on Wednesday 6 May.

It had been scheduled to play 28 venues up to 3 July.

Russell Scott, Producer & Musical Director of the show said “It is with a heavy heart we announce the early closure of Godspell in Concert. We have had an incredible journey and despite rave reviews,audience acclaim and standing ovations, ticket sales have been disappointing, and so after five glorious weeks with the most amazing company, cast and creative team, we are announcing early closure.

“It is difficult to pinpoint exactly why ticket sales have been so poor. However, without exception, every single performance has proven just how amazing the production is – the audiences have absolutely loved it. We have done everything we can to try and keep the show alive and running as long as possible, but we are now at the point where we have no option but to announce early closure.

“We would like to thank everyone who has put so much into making the production so amazing. Everyone has given 100% all the way – we could not have asked for more. We look forward to raising the roof at the final dates this week and next.”

The UK tour followed a sold-out critically acclaimed West End charity gala at the Lyric Theatre that also reunited most of the original West End cast, including David Essex, Marti Webb and Gay Soper.

The tour was produced by Russell Scott and Mark Pettitt for Godspell in Concert UK Ltd.

WEST END PREMIERE

NOTHING IS QUITE AS IT SEEMS

BIGGEST MAGIC SHOW IN DECADES SET TO THRILL WEST END THIS SUMMER

DEATH-DEFYING ESCAPOLOGY, GRAND STAGE ILLUSIONS, STATE-OF-THE-ART TECHNOLOGICAL MAGIC AND UNPLUGGED UP-CLOSE-AND-PERSONAL SLEIGHT OF HAND

IMPOSSIBLE, the biggest magic show in decades, is set to thrill audiences in London’s West End this summer at the Noël Coward Theatre. The show will feature the very best magicians and tricksters from around the world, fusing dazzling grand stage illusions, up-close-and-personal magic, cutting-edge technological tricks and death-defying escapology in a fast-paced, breath-taking spectacular for every generation.

A HOST OF WORLD-CLASS MAGICIANS TO PERFORM INCONCEIVABLE FEATS OF MAGIC AND ILLUSION

Celebrating its global premiere this July in London, where Harry Houdini and the superstars of illusion stunned Victorian audiences on stage, IMPOSSIBLE will re-establish the UK capital as the epicenter of innovation and spectacle, hosting the greatest magic show on Earth. Directed by Anthony Owen, the multi-award winning producer and magic consultant behind Channel 4’s Derren Brown, IMPOSSIBLEbrings eight world-leading performers together live on-stage for the very first time. Featuring a stunning range of magical artistry, from astonishing acts of epic proportions to dumbfounding up-close sleight of hand, be ready to be mesmerized and baffled by these incredible illusionists.

The confirmed line-up includes: modern-day Houdini, daredevil and TV escapologist Jonathan Goodwin; mind-blowing mind-reader Chris Cox; psychological trickster Katherine Mills; boundary breaking magician Ben Hart and spell-binding digital marvel Jamie Allan, with more acts still to be announced.

FOR 5 WEEKS ONLY FROM 24 JULY – 29 AUGUST 2015 AT THE BEAUTIFULLY RESTORED NOËL COWARD THEATRE

LISTINGS INFORMATION

IMPOSSIBLE
Noël Coward Theatre, St Martin’s Lane, London WC2N 4AU

Friday 24th July – Saturday 29th August 2015
Monday – Saturday evenings at 7.30pm
Matinee performances: Tuesday and Saturday at 3.00pm
Booking details:  0844 482 5141
Access bookings: 0844 482 5137
Press Night: TBC
Website: www.impossiblelive.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/ImpossibleTheShow
Twitter: @ImpossibleShow

Ticket prices: £10, £20, £40, £60. Premium tickets are also available

ON ELECTION EVE THE ROYAL COURT THEATRE STAGES NICK GILL’S SATIRE OF POLITICAL RHETORIC

Nick Gill’s new short play: beneverunerstoost, directed by Artistic Director Vicky Featherstone, is to be given a one-off script-in-hand reading at the Jerwood Theatre Downstairs on Wednesday 6 May 2015.

Playwright Nick Gill has dismantled, mangled and welded back together the words of our would-be leaders David Cameron, Nick Clegg and Ed Miliband to create a new play about the language of politics. It will be performed script-in-hand on the set of The Twits on the eve of one of the most closely-run elections in history.

Vicky Featherstone, Artistic Director of the Royal Court Theatre said:

“Even before we were drowning in the current political rhetoric and searching for the truth behind the proclamations, Nick Gill was developing this razor sharp explosion of language and promises from our party leaders. It seemed too good an opportunity to miss, putting the work of this brilliant young playwright into the election mix and giving the audience an opportunity to be part of the development of this new play and thrilling new voice.”

Commenting on the inspiration for beneverunerstoost playwright Nick Gill said:

“I wanted to look at the break between political language and political intention, whether our rulers really do think they’re working in society’s ultimate best interests, where the dishonesty starts to creep in, where the hypocrisy comes from, and what relationship political discourse has with reality.”

They want all the power they can have. What will they say to get it? And how will you react at the ballot box on Thursday?

 

In a culture of loopholes, misused statistics, and refusals to be held accountable, the words of David Cameron, Nick Clegg and Ed Miliband are dismantled, mangled and welded back together for your entertainment.

 

The script in hand staging of beneverunerstoost, will take place Wednesday 6 May, 5.30pm in the Jerwood Theatre Downstairs. Cast to be announced.

EMILY HALL SELECTED FOR RESIDENCY TO PRODUCE BRAND NEW SITE RESPONSIVE OPERA PROJECT AT CORINTHIA HOTEL LONDON OPENING IN SEPTEMBER

Ground-breaking composer Emily Hall has been selected from eleven finalists to produce a site responsive opera piece at the Corinthia Hotel London. After entering the hotel’s Artist in Residencecompetition – a search to find a composer or company to produce a brand new opera inspired piece inside the distinguished five star hotel- Emily Hall’s idea was selected by a panel of music and arts industry leaders.

The artists had all responded to a brief for a site-responsive, opera themed work, with nowhere in the hotel off limits. The winner was chosen this morning at the Corinthia London by a panel which included opera luminaries Alex Beard CBE, Chief Executive of the Royal Opera House, Joseph Calleja, internationally acclaimed award-winning tenor and James Conway, Artistic Director and Chief Executive of English Touring Opera among others.

Emily Hall’s vision,  currently titled Seek and Hide, will use recordings and live performers to weave the sound and language of the hotel into a sonic tapestry that seeps into the very fabric of the building. On receiving the prize she said: I am delighted to be able to create something that everyone here can come back and enjoy.

Alex Beard said: It has been immensely difficult to select a winner from such an experienced and exciting shortlist but a huge pleasure to see so many bold ideas and new adaptations. I hope people who experience the finished production will be as excited and surprised as I was by the vision. I very much look forward to coming back in September to see the finished piece.

Corinthia Hotel London Senior Commercial Director Matthew Dixon said: Over the last four years our Artist in Residence programme has meant the Corinthia Hotel London has found a way to support some of the best new British talent in the arts. I’m delighted to see the programme grow year on year.

Following a month’s residency over this summer in which Emily Hall will immerse herself in the workings of the hotel, the project will premiere to audiences and guests alike in September of this year.

The announcement marks the fourth Artist in Residence competition at Corinthia. Previous residencies saw winning commissions from aspiring filmmakers Zawe Ashton and David Petch (2014), immersive theatre company Look Left Look Right (2013) and photographic artist Noémie Goudal (2012).

 

CASTING UPDATE

FOR THE FIRST EVER UK & IRELAND TOUR OF
HIT WEST END AND BROADWAY PRODUCTION

TOUR DIRECTED BY NIGEL HARMAN

The monster hit UK and Ireland Tour of SHREK THE MUSICAL is delighted to announce full casting as it enters its second triumphant year on the road. Coming direct from London, where it was seen live on stage by nearly a million people, the production has attracted huge audiences and five star reviews, ‘taking ogre’ venues up and down the country on its first ever UK and Ireland Tour.

Birmingham Mail
‘A fabulous musical which sends everyone away feeling happy’ *****

The 2015 company will star Dean Chisnall who will continue his role as beloved swamp-dwelling ogre ‘Shrek’, the role he previously played in the West End. Bronté Barbé will also star as damsel in distress ‘Princess Fiona’, joining continuing cast members Idriss Kargbo as Shrek’s wisecracking sidekick ‘Donkey’ and Gerard Carey as pint-sized villain ‘Lord Farquaad’.

They will be joined by a full company of fairy-tale characters including Laura Baldwin, Nikki Bentley, Jennifer Caldwell, Alexander Day, Candace Furbert, Will Haswell, Keith Henderson, James Lacey, Will Jennings, Iain Mattley, Christina Modestou, Sam Murphy, Amy Oxley, Ryan Reid, Jacqui Sanchez, Jake Small, Oliver Tester, Dawn Williams, Kerry Winter and Kevin Yates.

Bristol Post
‘Shrek The Musical is simply Shrektacular – a musical extravaganza for big kids and little kids alike.’*****

The UK & Ireland tour of SHREK THE MUSICAL is directed by Nigel Harman who starred as Lord Farquaad in the west end production, winning him the 2012 Laurence Olivier Award for Best Performance in a Supporting Role in a Musical. SHREK THE MUSICALopened at the Grand Theatre in Leeds on Wednesday 23rd July 2014 and has since delighted audiences all around the country, including Glasgow where it is currently playing until 17th May 2015. It then continues its journey around the UK and Ireland, visiting Sheffield, Norwich, Southampton, Plymouth, Milton Keynes, Bradford, Wolverhampton, Edinburgh, Sunderland, Liverpool, Cardiff, Wimbledon and Salford.

Manchester Evening News
‘A perfect mixture of music, dance and performance comedy, with a sprinkling of fresh gags and slightly risqué humour to keep adults on their toes.’
(Winner of 2014 CityLife Award for Best Musical)

SHREK THE MUSICAL, originally directed by Jason Moore and Rob Ashford, is based on the story and characters from William Steig’s book Shrek! and the Academy Award®-winning DreamWorks Animations feature film.

SHREK THE MUSICAL opened on Broadway in 2008 before touring to nearly 150 cities in the USA and Canada. Productions of SHREK THE MUSICAL have played in Spain, Poland, France, Malaysia, China, Brazil, Italy, Denmark, The Netherlands, Estonia, Israel and Turkey. The UK and Ireland tour is presented by Dreamworks Theatricals, Neal Street Productions, Playful Productions, Lee Menzies, Ron Kastner, Tulchin/Bartner Productions, Saracen Films, Mark Cartwright, Gavin Kalin, Glass Half Full Productions/Just For Laughs Theatricals.

TOUR SCHEDULE

Wednesday 29 April 2015 – Sunday 17 May 2015
KING’S THEATRE, GLASGOW
www.atgtickets.com/glasgow
0844 871 7648

Wednesday 27 May 2015 – Sunday 7 June 2015
LYCEUM THEATRE, SHEFFIELD
www.sheffieldtheatres.co.uk
0114 249 6000

Tuesday 9 June 2015 – Sunday 28 June 2015
NORWICH THEATRE ROYAL
www.theatreroyalnorwich.co.uk
01603 630 000

Wednesday 8 July 2015 – Sunday 26 July 2015
MAYFLOWER THEATRE, SOUTHAMPTON
www.mayflower.org.uk
02380 711 811

Tuesday 28 July 2015 – Saturday 15 August 2015
THEATRE ROYAL, PLYMOUTH
www.theatreroyal.com
01752 267 222

Tuesday 18 August – Sunday 6 September 2015
MILTON KEYNES THEATRE
www.atgtickets.com/milton-keynes-theatre
0844 871 7652

Wednesday 9 September 2015 – Sunday 27 September 2015
BRADFORD ALHAMBRA
www.bradford-theatres.co.uk
01274 432 000

Wednesday 30 September 2015 – Sunday 11 October 2015
WOLVERHAMPTON GRAND THEATRE
www.grandtheatre.co.uk/
01902 42 92 12

Tuesday 20 October 2015 – Sunday 8 November 2015
EDINBURGH PLAYHOUSE
http://www.atgtickets.com/edinburgh
0844 871 3014

Wednesday 11 November – Sunday 22 November 2015
SUNDERLAND EMPIRE
www.atgtickets.com/sunderland
0844 871 3022

Wednesday 25 November 2015 – Sunday 6 December 2015
LIVERPOOL EMPIRE
www.atgtickets.com/liverpool
0844 871 3017

Tuesday 8 December 2015 – Sunday 10 January 2016
WALES MILLENNIUM CENTRE, CARDIFF
www.wmc.org.uk
029 2063 6464

Wednesday 20 January 2016 – Sunday 31 January 2016
NEW WIMBLEDON THEATRE
www.atgtickets.com/wimbledon
0844 871 7646

Tuesday 2 February 2016 – Saturday 20 February 2016
THE LOWRY, SALFORD
www.thelowry.com
0843 208 6000

 

Dusty, a unique new multi-media show celebrating the musical icon Dusty Springfield, will receive its world premiere at the Charing Cross Theatre, with previews beginning 25th May 2015 and press night on 3 June 2015. Tickets are now on sale for this thirteen week run with booking to 22 August 2015.

Cast: Ellie Ann-Lowe (Mary O’Brien), Francesca Jackson (Nancy), Stewart McCheyne (DJ Dave Dean), Ben Tolley (Johnny Franz), Leo Elso (Dion O’Brien/Tom Springfield), Joe Vetch (Douggie Reece), Joan Walker (Kay O’Brien), Graham Kent (Gerard ‘OB’ O’Brien), Tristan Pate (Vic Billings), Allyson Ava Brown (Martha Reeves), Danielle Kassarata (Maddie), Arabella Rodrigo (Norma) and ensemble members Bex Leung, Cleo Jaeger and Marianna Neofitou.

With original music by the legendary artist Dusty Springfield, audiences will see and hear Springfield on stage using the most up-to-date 3-D technology and digital media. Combined with a musical theatre format of live performance, music and dance, Dusty follows the highs and lows of Springfield’s rise from middle class suburban London to the recording of her seminal album Dusty in Memphis.

Including classic footage of Dusty performing her story as seen through the eyes of Nancy Jones, one of Dusty’s childhood friends and other key figures who accompanied her on her journey, Dusty celebrates the life of one of Britain’s most influential recording artists.

Written by Kim Weild and Duncan Sibbald with dramaturg Jack Bradley, Dusty is directed by Chris Cowey with set designs by Phil Lindley, lighting by Eugene O’Connor, choreography by Lyndon Lloyd and sound by Paul Gavin and James Nicholson. Musical direction is by Dean Austin.

Dusty is produced in the West End by Freddie Madden, Michael Linnit, Patrice Wilson and Darren DeVerna with Andrew Green as Executive Producer and Paul Howes as Associate Producer.

LISTING INFORMATION
Theatre: The Arches, Villiers Street, London WC2N 6NL
Dates: 25 May – 22 August 2015
Press Night: 3 June 2015 at 7pm
Performances: Monday – Saturday 7.30pm, Thursdays at 2.30pm & Saturdays at 3pm
Tickets: until 6 June tickets £15 – £25
Then £20.00 – £49.50, no booking fees in person at theatre, booking fee applies for phone and web bookings
Box Office: 08444 930650
Website: www.thedustyshow.com or www.charingcrosstheatre.co.uk
Twitter: @dusty_show
Facebook: dustyshow

GRAND OPERA HOUSE YORK

Saturday 30 May at 7pm

In their third venture at York’s Grand Opera House, UoY Opera Society is excited to bring Mozart’s iconic work to the heart of this historically beautiful city. For one night only, a talented cast of young singers will take you on a journey to a fantastical dreamland of magic, mystery and utterly brilliant music in a performance which promises to be a visual and musical spectacle like none other. The curtain rises on Saturday 30th May. Make sure you don’t miss it.

Performed in English Translation by Jeremy Sams courtesy of Josef Weinberger Ltd

Tickets are priced at £15 and £21 and are available In person at the theatre box office or call ATG box office on 0844 871 3024. To book online go to www.atgtickets.com/york

*** AMANDA PALMER *** ED BYRNE *** CHRIS RAMSEY***

***LUISA OMIELAN ***JOSH WIDDICOMBE *** STEWART FRANCIS ***LIP SERVICE***

The City Varieties Music Hall continues to be a reputable comedy venue in Leeds City Centre with esteemed acts such as Al Murray, Ross Noble, Katherine Ryan, John Bishop,  Shappi Khorsandi, Phill Jupitus, Paul Merton are just a few of those that have taken over the Victorian venue in recent years – each one returning for more.

This week the theatre announces yet another load of new on-sales including returning favourites, Josh Widdicombe, Chris Ramsey, Ed Byrne, Lip Service and Stewart Francis alongside new-to-Leeds acts Luisa Omielanand Amanda Palmer.

Luisa Omielan brings her brilliant Am I Right Ladies to the City Varieties on Friday 3^rd July following up on her debut show What Would Beyoncé Do?! 

Amanda Palmer is an international performing artist, musician, actress, blogger and New York Times best-selling author; her 2013 TEDTalk was viewed over 8million times around the world. She comes to Leeds on Friday 5^th Juneas part of her very brief UK tour.

Lip Service Theatre Company is celebrating 30 years of making award-winning comedy. Renowned for their literary lunacy –they’re back in Leeds with The Picture of Doreen Grey.

Celebrity presenter Doreen Gray has it all, a drive time radio show, a high ratings lifestyle programme on Even More 4 but, hitting 50, Doreen finds her face no longer fits the bill. At a school reunion she stumbles across a youthful self-portrait and makes a dark and dreadful pact with the picture that will come back to haunt her; Doreen Grey brings the company’s trademark unique blend of the surreal and downright silly. Catch them onWednesday 23^rd September.

 

Josh Widdicombe is no stranger to the City Varieties and always gives a great gig. He comes back to Leeds with a brand new gig on Wednesday 30^th September.

Chris Ramsey – another regular to the Leeds venue -returns with his biggest stand-up tour yet! Join him on Wednesday 21^st October when he explores getting older, finding yourself, taking responsibility, realising you are no longer a child and all of the other terrifying realisations that come with being dragged kicking and screaming into modern adulthood.

Ed Byrne is back on tour for 2015 – currently gigging in New Zealand he comes to Leeds on Friday 30^th October. Earlier this year viewers were treated to the BBC2 programme Dara and Ed’s Big Adventure that followed Ed and fellow comedian and friend Dara O Briain on their journey across the Pan American Highway; Ed also co-hosted Comic Relief’s Great British Bake Off in February.

Stewart Francis is arguably the master of the pun meaning his shows really are non-stop laughs.  The Canadian comedian has a brand new show and 2 dates booked in at City Varieties – 14^th October & 4^th November.

There is loads more comedy and music at City Varieties Music Hall this yea. Find out more at cityvarieties.co.uk or call 0113 243 08 08.

 

Much-loved television star David Suchet is coming to Newcastle Theatre Royal in a brand new guise, as Lady Bracknell in The Importance of Being Earnest, Mon 8 – Sat 13 June 2015.

 

Often described as ‘one of the funniest plays in the English language’, Oscar Wilde’s superb satire on Victorian manners is guaranteed to have Newcastle audiences laughing out loud.

 

The play concerns the lives of two bachelor friends, upper crust dandy Algernon Moncrieff and the most reliable John Worthing J.P. who lead double lives to court the attentions of the desirable Gwendolyn Fairfax and Cecily Cardew. The gallants must then grapple with the uproarious consequences of their ruse, and with the formidable Lady Bracknell, played by David Suchet.

 

David is one of Britain’s most respected actors on stage and screen; he is winner of an International Emmy award, has been nominated for numerous Olivier, Tony and BAFTA awards throughout his career, and was awarded the CBE in 2010. David is best known for his role as the Belgian detective Hercule Poirot in Agatha Christie’s Poirot. He has recently completed all 74Poirot TV films, which is the whole canon of Agatha Christie’s Poirot stories.

But leaving the famous Frenchman behind and stepping into the shoes of a woman was an offer that concerned the actor at first: “I agreed to the idea with slight trepidation but once I’d looked into it and realised that such notable actors as Brian Bedford on Broadway and Geoffrey Rush in Australia had played Lady Bracknell, I could see that I’d be following in a line of leading male performers and I felt more comfortable.”

 

David will be joined on stage by Michelle Dotrice (playing Miss Prism), who many audience members will know from her TV appearances as long-suffering wife Betty in Some Mothers Do ‘Ave ‘Em and more recently on stage as Mrs Wilberforce in the touring production of The Ladykillers.

 

The Importance of Being Earnest also stars Emily Barber as Gwendolen Fairfax, Michael Benz as John Worthing, Philip Cumbus as Algernon Moncrieff, Imogen Doel as Cecily Cardew and Richard O’Callaghan as Reverend Canon Chasuble.

 

The show is directed by Adrian Noble, former artistic director at the RSC where his productions included: The Lion The Witch and The Wardrobe (Stratford, Barbican), A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Stratford, Barbican and Broadway) and The Secret Garden(Stratford, London). Noble’s extensive list of other directing credits includes The Captain of Kopenick for the National, The King’s Speech in the West End, Cosi Fan Tutti at the Opera De Lyon,  Brand by Ibsen starring Ralph Fiennes and Chitty Chitty Bang Bang at The London Palladium starring Michael Ball.

 

The Importance of Being Earnest appears at Newcastle Theatre Royal from Mon 8 – Sat 13 June 2015 (Evenings: 7.30pm, Matinees: Thur 2pm and Sat 2.30pm). Tickets from £14.50 (Save 50p per ticket by booking online). Tickets can be purchased from the Theatre Royal Box Office on 08448 11 21 21 or select your own seat and book online at www.theatreroyal.co.uk.