28 July – 30 August 2015 – Leeds Civic Hall

You Have Been Summoned For Jury Service

“One of the best pieces of theatre you’ll see this year” The Northern Echo

The prosecution calls for their first witness – and many others – to come and watch first-hand a courtroom theatre production like no other. This summer Agatha Christie’s most celebrated courtroom drama Witness for the Prosecution returns in a thrilling new and memorable way. Join us in the historic Chambers of Leeds Civic Hall for a unique, in-the-round theatre experience not to be missed.

How say you, guilty or not? Leonard Vole stands accused of murdering a rich widow. The stakes are high – a shocking witness testimony, impassioned outbursts from the dock and a young man’s fight to escape the hangman’s noose. You must shut out from your minds everything except what will take place in this court…

As someone who has booked a performance at Leeds Grand Theatre you can take advantage of an exclusive early bird booking offer for performances on the 28 & 29 July and 1, 2, 4, 5 & 6 August 2015 (press night 29 July 2015)

SEE YOU IN COURT

Standard Bookings
Ticket Discount: £4 per ticket*
Offer Code: JUSTICE1

Group Bookings of 4+
Ticket Discount: £5 per ticket*
Offer Code: JUSTICE2

Book Now 0844 848 2700 / www.leedsgrandtheatre.com

Further information here

*T&Cs: Offer valid until 6th July 2015. Offer available on full ticket price only. Concession tickets can not be used in conjunction with this offer. Applicable to Leeds dates only.

Book Here

The explosive new production of Jesus Christ Superstar, Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber’s ground-breaking rock opera, is set to entertain audiences when it comes to Newcastle Theatre Royal from Mon 14 – Sat 19 September 2015, as part of its major UK tour.

 

Leading performer Glenn Carter returns as Jesus, a role he has played in the West End, on Broadway and in film. His extensive musical theatre credits include leading roles in Whistle Down the Wind, Les Misérables, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Godspell and Merrily We Roll Along.

 

Australian star Tim Rogers made his UK stage debut 15 years ago and hasn’t looked back since. Tim’s musical theatre credits include The Man in Whistle Down the Wind (UK Tour and West End), West Side Story, Jersey Boys, The Full Monty, Aspects of Love and the title role in Jekyll & Hyde at the Union Theatre. Most recently he starred in Carousel at the Arcola Theatre London.

 

X Factor finalist Rachel Adedeji plays Mary Magdalene direct from the UK and European tour of Thriller Live. The cast also includes David Burilin, Alistair Lee, Ed Handoll, Andy Barke, Tim Oxbrow, Richard J Hunt, Johnathan Tweedie, Cellen Chugg Jones, Michael Ward and Lizzie Ottley.

 

Bob Tomson and Bill Kenwright reunite to direct Jesus Christ Superstar, a partnership that has seen them at the helm of iconic musicals including Evita (in the West End and on tour) and Blood Brothers; a show they have directed for almost 30 years, scooping up no less than four awards for best musical in London and seven Tony Award nominations on Broadway.

 

Jesus Christ Superstar exploded onto the musical scene in 1971. Stunning audiences, it changed the face of musical theatre forever. Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber’s rock opera tells the story of the last seven days in the life of Jesus through the eyes of Judas Iscariot.

 

As compelling today as it was at its inception over 40 years ago, Jesus Christ Superstar features some of musical theatre’s most legendary songs from I Don’t Know How to Love Him, Everything’s Alright, Gethsemane and Superstar.

 

Jesus Christ Superstar appears at Newcastle Theatre Royal from Monday 14 – Saturday 19 September 2015. Tickets from £13 (pay 50p less per ticket when you book online). Tickets can be purchased from the Theatre Royal Box Office on 08448 11 21 21, (calls cost 7p per minute plus your phone company’s access charge) or select your own seat and book online atwww.theatreroyal.co.uk

Come along to our Big Day In Sunday 5 July  11 till 3pm – Hazelwood Neighbourhood Centre 2 till 5pm – Corby Old Village Community Centre Made in Corby presents a Big Day In, a day of arts activities where you can try your hand at some creative fun. Pop in for 10 minutes to have a look or stay for longer and create something of your own.

11- 3pm at Hazelwood Neighbourhood Centre Gainsborough Road, Corby. NN18 0QD A Big Day In where you can make your own wood carving with local artist Liam Hadjipetrou. Or discover stop-motion animation with artist animator Sarra Hornby and have a go in her pop-up animation studio. Suitable for all ages. Activities are free although a voluntary contribution of £2 – £4 per person taking part would be appreciated. Children must be accompanied by a parent or responsible adult). For more information contact Made in Corby on [email protected] or call 01536 267895. 2pm- 5pm at Corby Old Village Community Centre High Street, Old Village, Corby, NN17 1WX A Big Day In hosted by The Eloquent Fold – a half day of fun activities where you can experience bite-sized creative moments. Pop in for one session or the whole creative afternoon; each session lasts just 30 minutes. Artists Carole Miles & Phiona Richards will show you that being creative doesn’t have to be expensive, and with a little bit of imagination, wonderful things can happen! 2pm – 2.30pm. Sewing the Seeds in Corby Design and create a seed packet to house some seeds for your garden. Collage your packet with lots of lovely papers, some new and some re-claimed. Learn how to stamp and layer images and personalise your packet. At the end of the session you will be given seeds for your packet to take away for planting. 2.45pm – 3.15pm. The Printing Press Have fun printing your own papers using a real printing press. Learn a couple of printing techniques to produce fun, exciting images. Take your hand printed papers away and frame your favourite or come along to Paper and Stitch to learn how to stitch into the paper. 3.30pm – 4pm. Postcard from Corby Take one postcard and decorate it using paper, ribbon, buttons, then send it to a friend or member of your family you haven’t seen in a while. This will give you a feel for the freedom of collage, where things don’t have to be perfect, colours don’t need to match and straight lines don’t matter. 4.15pm – 4.45pm. Paper and Stitch Learn some basic embroidery stitches to enable you to stitch your name onto paper. This is such a fun activity which is very addictive. If you attended The Printing Press you may wish to use one of your lovely prints to stitch and turn into a beautiful greetings card. Suitable for all ages. Children must be accompanied by a parent or responsible adult. Activities are free although a voluntary contribution of £2 – £4 per person taking part would be appreciated. For more information, contact made in Corby on [email protected] or call 01536 267895. More about Made in Corby Made in Corby is funded by Arts Council England as part of its Creative People & Places programme and takes a new approach to making sure that more local people than ever before can take the lead; experiencing, creating and taking part in great art. Our focus is on working collaboratively with artists, arts and voluntary organisations and partners in Corby’s communities.The Made in Corby consortium includes Groundwork Northamptonshire (the accountable body), Corby Cube Theatre Trust, Corby Community Arts, Corby Unity and Northamptonshire Enterprise Partnership. Join in the conversation with Made in Corby on Facebook and Twitter where we regularly share information about our programme and events, and highlight arts activities taking place in Corby and further afield. Made In Corby on Facebook Made In Corby on Twitter

The PLAYHOUSE Whitley Bay is delighted to announce they will host two events as part of the Under the Dome Festival. The first date is The Demon Barbers on Saturday 18th July, and secondly Brendan Healy and the Festival Revue on Friday 31st of July to complete the Festival.

Since winning ‘Best Live Act’ at the BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards in 2009 The Demon Barbers have been immersed in the development of their Folk & Hip Hop Dance Extravaganza ‘The Lock In’ which was thoroughly enjoyed at the PLAYHOUSE in 2012. Following a number of successful UK tours, including high profile shows at Glastonbury Festival and 5 star reviews for their 2 week run at Edinburgh Fringe, The Demon Barbers now bring some of the UK’s most exciting young Clog, Sword, Hip Hop & Break dancers onto the concert stage to create the live folk music & dance spectacular of the year on 18th July!

Celebrating 17 Days of creative mayhem, the Under the Dome Festival approaches its climax on 31st July with a show featuring some of the best local performers from the past fortnight, in a show built around the legendary talent of PLAYHOUSE favourite Brendan Healy – the master of Geordie humour.

Tickets are priced at £15 for The Demon Barbers and £12 for the Brendan Healy and the Festival Revue and are on sale now.

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.

THE GHOST TRAIN STEAMS INTO DARLINGTON

Arnold Ridley’s The Ghost Train pulls into Darlington Civic Theatre from Tuesday 30 June to Saturday 4 July.

Talking Scarlet theatre company brings a star-studded cast to Darlington Civic Theatre as part of a spine-tingling summer thriller season.

The Ghost Train is the classic comedy thriller that follows a group of travellers (including a newlywed couple, an estranged couple, a self-indulgent young dandy and an elderly spinster with a parrot) stranded in the waiting room of an isolated railway station on a dark and stormy night. They are warned by the stationmaster that they will die if they see the ghostly train that haunts the line. Ridley’s inspiration came after becoming stranded overnight at Mangotsfield station in Bristol, now a disused station on the Midland Railway main line.

The production stars Jeffrey Holland (Hi-de-Hi!, You Rang, M’Lord?, Oh, Doctor Beeching!), Tom Butcher (The Bill, Doctors), Sophie Powles (Emmerdale), Judy Buxton (General Hospital, On the Up) and David Janson (Get Some In!, ‘Allo ‘Allo!, Keeping Up Appearances).

The Ghost Train runs at Darlington Civic Theatre from Tuesday 30 June to Saturday 4 July. Followed the week after by Sherlock Holmes and The Ripper Murders from Tuesday 7 to Saturday 11 July.

Tickets* for both productions are priced from £12.60 with a double ticket offer to see both thrillers and save up to £10.

To book contact the Box Office on 01325 486 555 or visit www.darlingtoncivic.co.uk

*All ticket prices include a £1 restoration levy.

Queen of British Soul, Beverley Knight invited troops and their families to watch her West End hit show Memphis the Musical on 25^th June in celebration of Tickets For Troops’ 750,000^th donated ticket.

The charity has now distributed ‎three quarters of a million FREE tickets for sports, music, theatre, cultural and entertainment events across the UK.

The charity recognise the troops’ commitment, drive and dedication by offering them, on behalf of their donors, tickets to events which they can share with their loved ones, as a small acknowledgement of the work they do on our behalf.

The milestone, which also falls ahead of Armed Forces Day (27^th June) has been marked at the Shaftesbury Theatre in London by Beverley Knight, the British recording artist, radio presenter and musical theatre actress.

Beverley has a very personal connection with the Armed Forces with a member of her extended family having lost both his legs and left arm in an IED attack whilst on patrol in Afghanistan in 2009.

She approached the charity directly to ask how she could help with a donation of tickets and was delighted to be able to help them celebrate their milestone and meet so many troops and their guests before they watched her show.

Beverley Knight said: “It is a real honour to meet so many brave servicemen and women and be able to perform in front of them in such an important week for the Armed Forces.

Tickets For Troops provides thousands of opportunities for troops to enjoy theatre shows, sports matches, music gigs and days out with their families and friends and I am very proud to be supporting such a fabulous charity.”

Veronica Bamford, Director of Operations at Tickets For Troops said: “We are extremely proud to have been able to distribute 750,000 free tickets to our marvellous Armed Forces which clearly demonstrates the enormous support and respect our fabulous donors and UK industries have for our military men and women.

We are also very grateful to Beverley Knight for helping us mark this occasion and hope our members enjoyed watching her musical, Memphis the Musical last night in the West End.”

Sgt Major Kevin Murray, Royal Military Police who met Beverley before the show said: “It was a fantastic privilege to be in the audience for Memphis the Musical tonight, Ms Knight’s warm words prior to curtain up, acknowledging her appreciation and support for HM Forces was truly humbling. She and the entire cast delivered a stellar and very moving performance. Truly outstanding.”

Beverley Knight stars as club singer ‘Felicia Farrell’ in the award-winning MEMPHIS THE MUSICAL, a role she originated in the West End. From 6 July, Beverley and the cast will be joined by recording artist Matt Cardle in the role of ‘Huey Calhoun’.

Inspired by true events from the underground dance clubs of 1950s Memphis, Tennessee, MEMPHIS THE MUSICAL (memphisthemusical.com) follows the fame and forbidden love of a radio DJ who wants to change the world and a club singer who is ready for her big break.

Photo credit: Rupert Frere

NOW BOOKING TO 23 APRIL 2016

On Monday 8 June, there were major cast changes for MAMMA MIA! in London. Mazz Murray joined the cast as Tanya, Jo Napthine as Rosie, Gabriella Williams as Sophie Sheridan and James Darch as Sky. Also joining the cast from 8 June were Louise Young as Ali, Stephanie Fearon as Lisa, Dan Partridge as Pepper and Rory Phelan as Eddie. Dianne Pilkington continues to star as Donna Sheridan, with Richard Trinder as Sam, Alasdair Harvey as Harry and Charles Daish as Bill. At certain performances, the role of Donna Sheridan is played by Shona White.

Mazz Murray is the daughter of songwriter Mitch Murray (who won two Ivor Novello Awards and wrote or co-wrote five UK and three US chart-topping records). She makes up one third of vocal group Woman, who have supported Earth Wind and Fire and Billy Ocean on their UK national tours. As an actress, Mazz played Killer Queen in We Will Rock You at the Dominion Theatre for seven years, and other theatre includes Maureen in the UK tour of Rent, the UK tour and West End production of Fame and the UK tour of Smokey Joe’s Café.

Jo Napthine’s theatre credits include Made in Dagenham (Adelphi Theatre), Urinetown (St James Theatre), Sister Act and The Sound of Music (London Palladium), The Woman in White (Palace Theatre), Jerry Springer – The Opera (National and Cambridge Theatre), Kiss Me Kate (Victoria Palace Theatre) and Les Misérables (Palace Theatre).

MAMMA MIA! marks Gabriella Williams’s West End debut. She will be graduating this summer from Arts Educational Schools. She made her professional debut in Carrie at Southwark Playhouse. James Darch’s previous theatre work includes White Christmas at West Yorkshire Playhouse, Kiss Me Kate at the Royal Albert Hall and the UK tour of Cats.

Also in the cast from 8 June are Tom Bowen, Adam Clayton-Smith, Jasmin Colangelo, Kate Coysten, Stephen John Davis, Katy Day, Olivia Kate Holding, George Ioannides, Alex Jordan-Mills, Craig Anthony Kelly, Sorelle Marsh, George Miller, Stacey Leanne Mills, Fergal McGoff, Ella Nonini, Katy Osborne, Robbie Scotcher, Brad Veitch, Caitlin Ward and Sasha Wareham.

The global smash hit musical MAMMA MIA! at London’s Novello Theatre has now extended its booking period until 23 April 2016, taking the show through to its 18th playing year in London.

From West End to global phenomenon, MAMMA MIA! is Judy Craymer’s ingenious vision of staging the story-telling magic of ABBA’s timeless songs with an enchanting tale of family and friendship unfolding on a Greek island paradise. To date, it has been seen by more than 54 million people in 49 productions in 16 different languages grossing more than $2 billion at the box office.

MAMMA MIA! originally opened in London at the Prince Edward Theatre on 6 April 1999, before transferring to the Prince of Wales Theatre in 2004. The musical re-opened at the Novello Theatre in 2012.

The London production of MAMMA MIA!, which celebrated its 16th birthday on 6 April, has been seen by more than 10% of the entire UK population. The show has celebrated over 6,500 performances in London and has broken box office records in all three of its London homes. In 2011, it became the first Western musical ever to be staged in Mandarin in the People’s Republic of China.

Produced by Judy Craymer, MAMMA MIA! The Movie, starring Meryl Streep and Pierce Brosnan, is the highest grossing live action musical film of all time.

With music & lyrics by Benny Andersson & Björn Ulvaeus, MAMMA MIA! is written by Catherine Johnson, directed by Phyllida Lloyd and choreographed by Anthony Van Laast. The production is designed by Mark Thompson, with lighting design by Howard Harrison, sound design by Andrew Bruce & Bobby Aitken, and musical supervision, additional material & arrangements by Martin Koch.

MAMMA MIA! is produced by Judy Craymer, Richard East & Björn Ulvaeus for Littlestar in association with Universal.

LISTINGS INFORMATION

Novello Theatre

Aldwych

London WC2B 4LD

Monday to Friday Prices: £65.00, £37.50, £20.00, £15.00

Saturday Prices: £67.50*, £52.50, £39.50, £25.00, £15.00

*£69.50 from 26 October 2015

Please note: Saturday pricing applies to all performances 25-30 May, 27 July-29 August and 26-30 October 2015, 28 December 2015 – 2 January 2016, 15-20 February and 25 March – 9 April 2016

A £2.25 per ticket booking fee applies to tickets booked online, and a £2.75 per ticket booking fee applies to tickets booked by phone. No booking fee on tickets purchased in person at the Novello Theatre Box Office.

All prices include £1.25 restoration levy.

Early Bird Pricing – anyone booking four months or more in advance of the performance they are attending (Monday to Thursday performances only) will be able to purchase £65 tickets for £45, a saving of £20 on the regular top price, but only through Delfont Mackintosh Theatres, either online, in person at the theatre, or by calling the Novello Theatre Box Office.

Performance Times:

Monday – Saturday 7.45pm

Matinees – Thursday & Saturday 3.00pm*

*extra Tuesday matinees on 11 August & 27 October 2015 & 16 February 2016

Christmas 2015/16 Performance Schedule

Monday 21 December 7.45pm

Tuesday 22 December 3.00pm and 7.45pm

Wednesday 23 December 3.00pm and 7.45pm

Thursday 24 December NO PERFORMANCE

Friday 25 December NO PERFORMANCE

Saturday 26 December 3.00pm and 7.45pm

Monday 28 December 3.00pm and 7.45pm

Tuesday 29 December 3.00pm and 7.45pm

Wednesday 30 December 3.00pm and 7.45pm

Thursday 31 December 3.00pm

Friday 1 January 7.45pm

Saturday 2 January 3.00pm and 7.45pm

Currently booking to 23 April 2016

The performance lasts 2 hours and 35 minutes (including a 15-minute interval)

Box Office: 0844 482 5115

http://www.mamma-mia.com/

http://www.facebook.com/mammamiamusical

Tweets by MammaMiaMusical

The award-winning West End production of Roald Dahl’s Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, directed by Sam Mendes, last night marked its second anniversary with a gala performance and party for cast, crew and special guests.

Zachary Loonie (one of the four talented young actors who plays Charlie Bucket) led the curtain call at the end of the show with Jonathan Slinger (Willy Wonka) and fellow cast members, before all attending a party at Sway Bar Holborn.

Also present were guests Kara Tointon, Hannah Tointon, Tom Pellereau, Indira Varma, Claudie Blakely, Killian Donnelly and more.

A new trailer for the show is available to view at https://youtu.be/1vfeqaI0g0Q.

Roald Dahl’s Charlie and the Chocolate Factory has quickly become one of the West End’s most popular and successful stage musicals. It won two Olivier awards in April 2014, and has broken records at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane, where it has been seen by over 1,400,000 people since it opened in June 2013. It is currently taking bookings until 4 June 2016.

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory is directed by Sam Mendes. Featuring ingenious stagecraft, the wonder of the original story that has captivated the world for almost 50 years is brought to life with music by Marc Shaiman, and lyrics by Scott Wittman and Marc Shaiman, a book by award-winning playwright and adaptor David Greig, set and costume designs by Mark Thompson and choreography by Peter Darling.

The Official Cast Recording album is available on Sony Records, on CD and download.

This world premiere musical is produced by Warner Bros. Theatre Ventures, Neal Street Productions and Langley Park Productions.

Full cast: Jonathan Slinger, Barry James, Ross Dawes, Josefina Gabrielle, Jasna Ivir, Paul J. Medford, Lara Denning, Derek Hagen, Roni Page, Myra Sands, Kraig Thornber, Joe Allen, Meg Astin, Joel Baylis, Andy Brady, Simon Campbell, Georgia Carling, Andrew Carthy, Collette Coleman, Dan Cooke, Divine Cresswell, Billy Cullum, Connor Dowling, Kelly Edwards, Gemma Fuller, Kate Graham, Sam Lathwood, Lucinda Lawrence, Mark Oxtoby, Matthew Rowland, Rebecca Seale, Steven Serlin, Gregory Sims, Robert Tregoning, Tara Verloop, Michelle White, Mark Williamson.

www.CharlieandtheChocolateFactory.com
Box Office: 0844 858 8877
Theatre Royal, Drury Lane, London, WC2B 5JF
Booking until 4 June 2016

X Factor finalist and star of the stage version of The Rise and Fall of Little Voice, Diana Vickers will star in the role of Janet Weiss alongside Emmerdale actor, Ben Freeman, who will play the role of Brad Majors. S Club 7 star, Paul Cattermole, will join Ben and Diana by playing Eddie and Dr. Scott. Following his huge success in over 900 performances of the 40th Anniversary Global Tour of The Rocky Horror Show, Kristian Lavercombe returns as Riff Raff. Further casting to be announced soon.

Diana Vickers (Janet) first came to public attention in 2008 when she was a finalist on The X Factor, before signing a record deal with RCA Records and getting a number one single and album. After her second album, Diana starred in the West End production of The Rise and Fall of Little Voice, for which she received excellent reviews from the press and the role won her the Whatsonstage.com Theatregoers’ Choice Awards ‘London Newcomer of the Year’. She then went on to star in the West End production of Duck House alongside Ben Miller and Simon Shepherd.

Ben Freeman (Brad) is best known for playing the role of Scott Windsor in Emmerdale, but he also starred on stage in the West End productions of Legally Blonde, Dreamcoats and Petticoats and Wicked. He has also starred as The Fonz in the UK touring production of Happy Days.

Paul Cattermole (Eddie / Dr. Scott) has just completed the sold out S Club 7 Bring It All Back 2015 UK Tour with the other members of S Club 7 after they reformed at the start of the year. The group initially shot to fame in 1999 and had four number one singles and a number one album, as well as a series of TV shows including Miami 7, LA 7, Hollywood 7 and Viva S Club. Paul and the rest of S Club 7 also performed at Party At The Palace as part of Queen Elizabeth II’s Golden Jubliee celebrations on 1 June 2002.

Kristian Lavercombe (Riff Raff) delighted fans when he starred in over 900 performances of The Rocky Horror Show as Riff Raff in The Rocky Horror Show’s 2013 / 2014 40th Anniversary World Tour in 2013, before continuing in the role as part of the global 40th Anniversary Tour.

JK Rowling’s boy wizard will hit the stage in Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, written by Jack Thorne and directed by John Tiffany at the Palace Theatre, London in Summer 2016.

Thorne and Tiffany worked together on John Ajvide Lindqvist’s Let the Right One In, which ran at the Apollo Theatre last year, and are now set to tell the story of Potter’s pre-Hogwarts years in a production co-produced by Rowling along with Sonia Friedman and Colin Callender.

According to the Daily Mail, one of the play’s themes will be exploring what happened to Harry’s parents before they were killed by Lord Voldemort.

John Tiffany’s other directing credits include Once, Black Watch and The Glass Menagerie on Broadway. Jack Thorne’s other plays include Bunny, When You Cure Meand an adaptation of Friedrich Duerrenmatt’s The Physicists.

The Harry Potter series, comprising of seven books, has sold over 450 million copies since the first one – Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone – was released in 1997.