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Kings Theatre, Southsea – until 14th April 2024

Reviewed by Sally Lumley

5*****

Grease The Musical has been brought to the stage at the Kings Theatre in Portsmouth this week, in the latest of their in-house community productions. Made infamous by the 1978 movie, this is the story of teenage love, friendship and angst, set in 1950’s Rydell High School.

As the movie is so iconic we can’t help but compare any new production against it, and I’m happy to report that the Kings stood up to the challenge. This production was full of energy from the offset, and although this is a community production, it delivered a professional level end result.

Jacob Bailey as Danny Zuko was bursting with confident cool charisma. With his slicked back hair and gyrating hips, he evoked jailhouse rock Elvis vibes, while also bringing a good dose of teenage bravado to the role. Poppy Bailey provided the perfect balance as sweet, naive Sandy Dumbrowski; her flawless rendition of Hopelessly Devoted to You really showcased her vocal capabilities. They were very capably supported by the Pink Ladies and T-Birds, who collectively created what felt like a very believable friendship group and shone in their solo moments. Tom Wood’s Kenickie raised the roof with Greased Lightnin’, testing the limits of the audience members’ ability not to join in, and Amy Pickance as Betty Rizzo was the just the right amount of sardonic sarcasm and teenage vulnerability. A special mention has to be given though to the sparkling silver teen angel Stuart Warner, who milked the audience for all it was worth in a moment of pure disco ball magic (provided by lighting designer Mark Dymock).

With a full live band on stage throughout, and high energy ensemble numbers from choreographer Bee Anderson, this is a big production, and it is wonderful to see that the Kings Theatre have upped their game yet again with their in-house shows.

Grease is most definitely the word in Portsmouth this week, with all the energy and drama of a high school prom. Go like Greased Lightnin’, this is not to be missed.

Festival Theatre, Malvern – until 13th April 2024

Reviewed by Courie Amado Juneau

5*****

Sleuth was playwright Anthony Shaffer’s debut – and what a way to start! Written (so the informative programme reveals) at the behest of his twin brother who thought it time that Anthony fulfilled his promise (and destiny); I’m glad that he was prodded into action.

The plot involves a wealthy writer inviting his wife’s lover round to discuss the unfolding situation and, in the course of the discourse, he comes up with a surprising and rather novel solution to the “problem”.

The set was a resplendent affair that convincingly transported us to a rather grand country home. Suitably dressed with all the nick-nacks one would find in an actual home, many of which caught my interest, it was a testament to a wonderful creation from Set and Costume Designer Julie Godfrey.

Sat at the desk as the curtain rises, tapping away at his typewriter – I still love the sound of a proper typewriter which takes me back to a more refined time – is Andrew Wyke (homeowner, writer and husband of the piece) played with gloriously off-kilter aplomb by Todd Boyce. Setting his stall out early with a highly theatrical reading from his latest fictional work, this wonderfully evocative portrayal delighted from start to finish. But there was far more to this character than originally met the eye and I loved the relish with which he took some rather surprising turns – and yet, though the character went through an at times jarring journey, the character remained true to himself. An enormously enjoyable and convincing performance from an actor on top form.

Soon enough Milo Tindle (Neil McDermott) arrived and the fun and (mind) games truly began. Tindle is a marvellous, rounded character giving us a perfect foil for Wyke to play against. A superbly judged, nicely nuanced performance that ran the gamut of emotions throughout. It’s difficult to wax lyrical in unbridled fashion without giving the plot away but Mr McDermott’s performance was fully fleshed out and wildly enjoyable. I was taken with his use of emotion and ability to dramatically pivot rapidly to change the entire complexion of a scene.

Director Rachel Kavanaugh revelled in the inherent dark humour (as did both of the actors) to great effect. The back story and unseen characters were also cleverly weaved in giving us the impression of a much larger cast and world than the one we are physically presented with on stage.

The opening act laid the foundations culminating in a spirited, shocking ending which made the mouth water in anticipation of a second act that turned out to be even better! This celebration of the plot twist a la Hitchcock’s famous TV show, left us perpetually wondering who was playing who and for what purpose.

I thoroughly enjoyed Sleuth, a play which keeps you thrillingly on the edge of your seat and generated much debate during the journey home. This latest production brings it to life with gusto and I’m sure the playwright would have thoroughly appreciated this impressive revival. I’m equally sure it’ll remain a very popular presence on stages everywhere and I, for one, thoroughly recommend it. Wickedly enthralling 5 star entertainment

“MAMMA MIA!” 25^TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATIONS CONTINUE

WITH BOOKING PERIOD EXTENDED TO 29 MARCH 2025

AT LONDON’S NOVELLO THEATRE

As part of the celebrations for MAMMA MIA! turning 25 on Saturday 6 April 2024, creator and producer Judy Craymer is delighted to announce that the global smash hit musical has extended its booking period at London’s Novello Theatre to Saturday 29 March 2025, with tickets now on sale.

Since premiering in London’s West End in 1999, the exhilarating smash-hit has become a global phenomenon, with a staggering 70 million people having seen it worldwide.

The sunny, funny tale of a mother, a daughter and three possible dads on a Greek island idyll, all unfolding to the magic of ABBA’s timeless pop masterpieces, has been seen in over 50 productions in 16 different languages grossing more than £4.5 billion at the box office and turned into two record-breaking movies – MAMMA MIA! The Movie and MAMMA MIA! Here We Go Again.

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, and then to the Novello Theatre in 2012.  The London production of MAMMA MIA! has been seen by over 10 million people, played over 9,500 performances and has broken box office records in all three of its London homes and in February set a new record for the highest ever weekly gross in the musical’s London history.

MAMMA MIA! continues to have great success around the world, with the current UK & International Tour and the North American Tour both selling out.

The London production stars Mazz Murray as Donna, Kate Graham as Tanya, Nicola-Dawn Brook as Rosie, Haydn Oakley as Sam, Christopher Dickins as Harry, Stephen Beckett as Bill, Stevie Doc as Sophie, Tobias Turley as Sky, Jessie Odeleye as Ali, Olivia Brookes as Lisa, Chay Wills as Eddie and Arcangelo Ciulla as Pepper, with Natalie Langston playing Donna at certain performances.

Also in the cast are Aaron Archer, Amy Barker, Matthew Barrow, John-Paul Birss, Daniel J Brian, Sinéad Courtney, Izzy Cross, Ellis Dackombe, Lauren Dawes, Léa Desjacques, Lawrence Guntert, Samantha Ivey, Jennie Jacobs, Luke Jasztal, Nicole Lupino, Flyn Mullins, Hayley-Jo Murphy, Bradley Perret, Jacob Ritzema and Ella Tweed.

As part of the 25^th year celebrations, Judy Craymer was Executive Producer of ITV’s MAMMA MIA! I Have a Dream, which searched for new young talent to join the stage musical. Host Zoe Ball revealed Stevie Doc and Tobias Turley as the worthy winners and this year they joined the London production in the roles of Sophie and Sky.

Produced by Judy Craymer, MAMMA MIA! The Movie became the highest grossing live action musical film of all time upon its release in 2008.  A second film, MAMMA MIA! Here We Go Again, opened in July 2018 and is the most successful live musical movie sequel of all time. Both films starred Meryl Streep, Christine Baranski, Julie Walters, Pierce Brosnan, Colin Firth, Stellan Skarsgård, Amanda Seyfried and Dominic Cooper, with Lily James, Andy Garcia and Cher joining them in the second film.

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

Ticket Prices: from £15*

*All prices include a £2.75 per ticket booking fee and £1.50 restoration levy

Early Bird Pricing – anyone booking 16 weeks or more in advance of the performance they are attending (Monday to Thursday performances only) will save £20 on Band B, Band A and Premium tickets, but only through Delfont Mackintosh Theatres, either online or by calling the Novello Theatre Box Office.

Family Ticket Rate – £199 for a group of four on Band B or Band A tickets (up to a saving of £151), OR £99 for a group of four on Band D and Band C tickets (up to a saving of £111), for Monday to Thursday performances, excluding peak performances, but only through Delfont Mackintosh Theatres, either online or by calling the Novello Theatre Box Office.

Performance Times:

Monday – Saturday 7.30pm

Matinees – Thursdays & Saturdays 3.00pm*

*Extra 3pm matinee on Tuesday 9 April, Tuesday 9 July, Tuesday 6 August, Tuesday 20 August, Tuesday 29 October, Tuesday 17 December 2024 and Tuesday 18 February 2025

Audio described performance: Saturday 8 February 2025 at 3.00pm

Captioned performance: Saturday 1 February 2025 at 3.00pm

Christmas 2024/25 Performance Schedule

Monday 23 December                         3.00 and 7.30pm

Tuesday 24 December                        NO PERFORMANCE

Wednesday 25 December                   NO PERFORMANCE

Thursday 26 December                       7.30pm

Friday 27 December                            3.00pm and 7.30pm

Saturday 28 December                        3.00pm and 7.30pm

Sunday 29 December                          2.30pm

Monday 30 December                         3.00pm and 7.30pm

Tuesday 31 December                        NO PERFORMANCE

Wednesday 1 January 2025                 7.30pm

Thursday 2 January                             3.00pm and 7.30pm

Friday 3 January                                 7.30pm

Saturday 4 January                             3.00pm and 7.30pm

Currently booking to 29 March 2025

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

Box Office: 0344 482 5151

THE LORD OF THE RINGS™

       A Musical Tale

From The Shire to The Great Lakes

UK & U.S. REGIONAL THEATRES COLLABORATE ON THE U.S. PREMIERE OF

PAUL HART’S ACCLAIMED PRODUCTION

AT CHICAGO’S SHAKESPEARE THEATER 19 JULY – 1 SEPTEMBER 2024

[16:30 BST. Tuesday 9 April 2024] Artistic Director Paul Hart, Executive Director Claire Murray, and the whole team at Newbury’s The Watermill Theatre are thrilled to announce a collaboration with Chicago Shakespeare Theater on Paul Hart’s acclaimed production of THE LORD OF THE RINGS – A Musical Tale. The U.S. Premiere this summer will play at The Yard at Chicago Shakespeare Theater from 19 July – 1 September 2024.

THE LORD OF THE RINGS – A Musical Tale had its world premiere in Newbury last summer, and officially sold out its 12-week run.  This version, retold from the perspective of the Hobbits, recently won the WhatsOnStage Award for ‘Best Regional Production’, and scooped eight Broadway World Awards, whilst the theatre itself was joint winner of The Stage’s ‘Theatre of the Year’ for its work in 2023.  The Chicago Production will open the inaugural season of Chicago Shakespeare Theater’s Artistic Director, Ed Hall and Executive Director, Kimberly Motes.  

Artistic Director of The Watermill, and director of The Lord of the Rings, Paul Hart said, “We loved welcoming audiences from across the world to the Shire to experience our intimate yet epic production of The Lord of the Rings, and to introduce them to our corner of West Berkshire.  Now we’re setting off on our own “there and back again” journey to Chicago and we can’t wait to work with the brilliant team at Chicago Shakespeare Theater to recreate the wonder of Middle-earth for new audiences.

As the Hobbits celebrate Bilbo Baggins’ eleventy-first birthday in the Shire, he gifts his nephew Frodo his most precious belonging—a gold ring. This fateful moment launches Frodo on a legendary and perilous quest across Middle-earth to the darkest realms of Mordor to vanquish evil with his loyal Fellowship.

Fredrica Drotos, Steward, Brand & Licensing at Middle-earth Enterprises, added; “Sharing The Watermill’s wonderful expression of The Lord of the Rings on stage with audiences across the globe beginning this summer, in Chicago, with the U.S. premiere of Paul Hart’s and the Chicago Shakespeare Theater’s collaborative re-imagining, is a dream come true for all of us at Middle-earth Enterprises.”

Executive Director Claire Murray said, “We’re excited to collaborate with our colleagues at Chicago Shakespeare Theater on the evolution of Paul’s acclaimed production of The Lord of the Rings. The Watermill’s history of originating productions is well established, however, The Lord of the Rings was one of the first shows we made following the cut to our annual Arts Council funding, making this move across the Atlantic feel all the more extraordinary!”

THE LORD OF THE RINGS – A Musical Tale isbased on the classic trilogy by J.R.R. Tolkien, with book and lyrics by Shaun McKenna and Matthew Warchus and music by Oscar and BAFTA Award winner A.R. Rahman (Bombay Dreams, Slumdog Millionaire), Värttinä and Tony Award winner and Grammy nominated Christopher Nightingale (Matilda the Musical).

www.lotrmusical.com

The Watermill is a 200-seat regional powerhouse, with an unparalleled reputation for producing bold, world-class theatre with local and national reach from its home in West Berkshire. It also has an extensive programme of community outreach, and schools touring work, and a firm commitment to inclusion, environmental sustainability, and talent development.

ROYAL COURT THEATRE LONDON – UNTIL 25th APRIL 2024

Reviewed by Jackie Thornton

5*****

This award-winning play has already delighted audiences with its run at the Edinburgh Fringe last year and upstairs at the Jerwood on a rainy Monday night, it certainly doesn’t disappoint. Historian and co-creator Lydia Higman also takes to the stage as part witty narrator, part musician, to guide us through the bizarre true story of a 17th Century witch trial, long forgotten.

In a small village just outside Oxford in 1604, Anne Gunter (Nora Lopez Holden) starts convulsing, vomiting pins and accusing local women of bewitching her. Or more accurately, her father, Brian Gunter (Hannah Jarrett-Scott), the richest man in the village, can only explain his daughter’s disturbing behaviour as being the work of a grieving mother (co-creator Julie Grogan) whose sons he had gruesomely killed at a football match.

Lopez Holden, Jarrett-Scott and Grogan take on a variety of roles with humour, song and bags of energy as they reenact the trial while Ligman occasionally intervenes to remind us of the barbarity of it all. It’s a show that’s acutely aware of its form and how to provoke reactions from the audience, using a range of textures, tones and techniques to keep us enthralled.

Direction from Rachel Lemon ensures there are nods to stand up comedy, larger than life caricature monologues, childlike audience participation, bluesy haunting harmonies, fake blood, chilling acts of violence, fireworks, hilarious animal masks. The most effective of all is the incongruous clashing of upbeat musical genres with the bleak content of the trial, which evokes big belly laughs. It’s a marvellous showcase for the extensive talents of these brilliant, young creative performers. Nothing about it is naturalistic or realistic yet it manages to produce that magical quality of revealing great truths that speak to our times while also being wildly entertaining.

BILL KENWRIGHT LIMITED & THEATRE ROYAL WINDSOR PRESENT
SEAN MATHIAS’S RETURN FOR HIS FOURTH SEASON OF PLAYS FOR 2024
Emlyn Williams’s fierce look at trial-by-media
ACCOLADE
and
FILUMENA
STARRING FELICITY KENDAL
By Eduardo de Filipppo in an English version by Keith Waterhouse & Willis Hall

Both Accolade and Filumena will take to the stage at Theatre Royal Windsor prior to limited UK tours, under the directorship of award-winning director Sean Mathias. Accolade will be at Theatre Royal Windsor from 31 May to 15 June and will then tour until 13 July. Filumena will run at Theatre Royal Windsor from 4 to 19 October and will then tour until 25 November.

Originally written and performed in 1950, Emlyn Williams’s Accolade is a dark and chilling look at the price of success, the power of trial-by-media, and remains a remarkably relevant play in the current age of ‘cancel culture’. Initial casting includes (in alphabetical order) Alasdair Buchan (The Da Vinci Code, An Inspector Calls), Kayleigh Cooper (A Christmas Carol, Wonka), Sara Crowe (Fallen Angels, The Constant Wife), Gavin Fowler (Merchant of Venice 1936, A Picture of Dorian Gray), Jamie Hogarth (Dom – The Play, MAMMA MIA!), David Phelan (Mission Impossible, Breakfast at Tiffany’s), Narinder Samra (Passenger, Happy Birthday Sunita), Sarah Twomey (Paddington in Peru, The Sandman), with further casting to be announced. Accolade examines the fine line between truth and lies, good and
evil, and one man’s past, present and future.

In the autumn, Felicity Kendal stars in Filumena, Eduardo de Filippo’s classic comedy (with English version by Keith Waterhouse & Willis Hall) set in the balmy heat of Naples that questions the family ties that bind us and whether we can ever escape our past. Often cited as the writer’s best work, the show is a sparkling comedy-drama full of entanglement and intrigue. In a battle of wills between all involved, Filumena mixes de Filippo’s charm and optimism with acerbic wit and a moral examination of how where we come from can define who we become. Further casting is to be announced.

Director Sean Mathias said of staging the two plays, “These two plays are not what they first appear to be. Accolade is atypical of Emlyn Williams, examining success as approved by the establishment, it quickly deconstructs that success and then looks to smash it. The central character, Will Trenting, was written by the author for himself to play in the world premiere – a character lionized by an order he despised, Will contains shades and shadows of the Welshman himself, who refused to fit into any boxes. Williams had a deep fascination with the psychology of the criminal or alternative mind, and Accolade is a riveting theatrical reflection of his interests.

“Filumena poses as a colourful comedy that soon turns into a dark, probing examination of family and the law. A fascinating study of manipulation and the human psyche in extremis. Full of trickery and deceit, it is a wonderful mockery of the flawed constraints of traditional values. I am thrilled and excited to be working with Felicity Kendal; she is an actress I have long admired and her unique brand of comedy and sensuality will be a perfect blend for her portrayal of Filumena.

“Both Williams and De Fillipo were actors and writers as well as great individuals. These two plays are shining examples of their original talents.”

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

SPRING HAS SPRUNG AT RICHMOND THEATRE!

APRIL – AUGUST 2024

Though we are firmly in April showers season, Richmond Theatre are delighted to announce the fantastic range of shows which will be keeping audiences entertained in the dry and warm up until sunny August. As the theatre approaches its momentous 125^th birthday in September, audiences will be treated to a range of theatrical delights from gripping dramas and laugh-out-loud comedy to evenings with famous faces and shows suitable for the whole family. Richmond Theatre cannot wait to open its doors to audiences during this very special year.

Following a triumphant week with THE 39 STEPS, the theatre welcomes Kay Mellor’s heartwarming THE SYNDICATE this week (11-13 Apr). The show is making its stage premiere here at Richmond, starring Mellor’s daughter Gaynor Faye alongside Samantha Giles and Brooke Vincent. Due to phenomenal demand in January, DROP THE DEAD DONKEY is back from 18-22 June featuring much of the original cast from the beloved sitcom. If you missed out earlier this year, then now’s your chance to see this acclaimed show!

For those who like their shows with a slice of drama, then don’t miss SLEUTH (13-18 May). Neil McDermott and Todd Boyce star as two men tangled in a web of intrigue and gamesmanship, where nothing is quite as it seems. In July, ACCOLADE (9-13 July) takes to the stage. Step into the vibrant world of London’s intellectual elite, where the price of success is often too high to pay.

For those who want to spend their afternoon or evening laughing out loud, don’t miss the range of stand-up comedy coming to the venue. On 26 May, AL MURRAY brings his show GUV ISLAND to the theatre for two performances, followed by the welcome return of PUNT & DENNIS’ new show WE ARE NOT A ROBOT (31 May). COUNT ARTHUR STRONG continues his farewell tour on 9 June, while JIMMY CARR LAUGHS FUNNY (31 July) is 90 minutes of solid jokes, with an additional late night showing at 21:30.

For West London and Surrey families, Richmond Theatre have two productions guaranteed to be hits with your little ones. PEPPA PIG’S FUN DAY OUT (20-21 April) is a perfect first introduction to theatre featuring everyone’s favourite pig, while the hilarious AWFUL AUNTIE (9-12 May) is a great choice for children who love David Walliams’ books.

If you’re looking to spend time in the presence of those at the height of their discipline, then be sure to take a look at the one-day-only offerings Richmond have coming up this season, including AN EVENING WITH AGGERS (14 Apr), SIMON REEVE: TO THE ENDS OF THE EARTH (6 May), RORY STEWART – POLITICS ON THE EDGE (2 June) and AN EVENING WITH CELIA IMRIE (5 July). On 1 June, BBC Two’s flagship book show BETWEEN THE COVERS will be presenting a live version of the show on the Richmond stage, with Kacey Ainsworth, Jo Brand and Stephen Mangan joined by author Joseph O’Connor.

For those who enjoy live music, don’t miss RED SKY AT SUNRISE: LAURIE LEE IN WORDS AND MUSIC (19 May). Actors Anton Lesser (Endeavour) and Charlie Hamblett (Killing Eve) will perform the role of Lee, telling his story through an extraordinary blend of music and Lee’s own words. In August, legendary music group THE DRIFTERS will be playing on the Richmond stage, performing their greatest hits including ‘Saturday Night at the Movies’, ‘Under the Boardwalk’ and many more.

Richmond Theatre is dedicated to making sure people of all ages and abilities can take part in theatre and the arts, and our Creative Learning Department has various classes that are inclusive and fun for all! This currently includes Story-time and Twirling Toddlers sessions for under 5s, as well as monthly dance class Step Into Richmond and monthly acting session Class Act, both for those over 50. Richmond Theatre additionally holds monthly Guided Theatre Tours to allow audience members to learn more about the iconic history of this Grade-II listed venue. For further information regarding workshops and Creative Learning bookings, please contact [email protected]

Audiences are reminded that Local Heroes discounts are offered to teachers, care workers, prison officers, armed forces, ‘blue light’ professionals and Max Card holders. Local Heroes are offered 25%* off ticket prices to a wide variety of shows including family favourites, dramas and musicals. If we can make a night at the theatre more affordable for our heroes and their families, it’ll be our pleasure. To find out more, see here.  

NEW WEST END CAST PRODUCTION

PHOTOS RELEASED FOR

THE PLAY THAT

GOES WRONG

AS THEY BEGIN SMASHING IT ON STAGE TONIGHT

As the new cast of The Play That Goes Wrong, the Olivier and Tony Award-winning smash hit running at the Duchess Theatre begin performances tonight (9 April 2024), production photographs by Matt Crockett are released today

The new cast, many of whom are making their West End debuts, are:  Jordan Akkaya as Trevor, Daniel Anthony as Dennis, Joe Bolland as Jonathan, Daniel Fraser as Chris, Billie Hamer as Annie, Owen Jenkins as Robert, Jay Olpin as Max and Hannah Sinclair Robinson as Sandra.  The understudies are:  Alex Bird, Munashe Chirisa, Colm Gleeson, Dumile Sibanda and Alice Stokoe. 

The Play That Goes Wrong opened at the Duchess Theatre in September 2014, and this year celebrates its 10th year in the West End.  The production shows no signs of slowing down since its first performance at The Old Red Lion Theatre with only four paying customers.   Its achievements to date include:

• Whatsonstage Award for Best New Comedy in 2014
• Olivier Award for Best New Comedy in 2015
• Tony Award for the Broadway Transfer
• Performing to over 3.5 million people round the world in every continent except Antarctica.

The Play That Goes Wrong is co-written by Mischief company members Henry Lewis, Jonathan Sayer and Henry Shields and is directed by Mark Bell, with set designs by Nigel Hook, costumes by Roberto Surace, lighting by Ric Mountjoy, original music by Rob Falconer, sound design by Andy Johnson, the Associate Director is Amy Milburn  and the Assistant Director is Anna Marshall. The Play That Goes Wrong is produced in the West End by Kenny Wax Ltd and Stage Presence Ltd.

Further information about Mischief’s The Play that Goes Wrong in the West End 10^th anniversary celebrations will be announced in due course.

STRICTLY CHAMPION ELLIE LEACH TO STAR IN CLUEDO 2 AT DARLINGTON HIPPODROME

Ellie Leach is to star in the world premier UK tour production of Cluedo 2 which will be coming to Darlington Hippodrome in October.

Starring Casualty’s Jason Durr as Colonel Mustard and Ellie Leach – the reigning Strictly Come Dancing champion – as Miss Scarlett, Cluedo 2 is based on the classic Hasbro board game, which celebrates its 75th anniversary this year.

Ellie won the hearts of the nation as she waltzed her way to victory (with dance partner Vito) to win the Strictly Come Dancing Glitterball Trophy in December. She is also known to millions of viewers as Faye Windass in Coronation Street. During her 13 years on the soap, Ellie was involved in various memorable storylines and nominated for numerous acting awards.

West End actor and TV favourite Jason Durr was most recently seen as David Hide in BBC One’s Casualty, (a role he played for seven years from 2016), audiences will also recognise Jason from his numerous other roles, including the motorbike riding policeman Mike Bradley from ITV’s hugely popular series, Heartbeat.

Ellie Leach said: “I’ve really enjoyed bringing Miss Scarlett to life on stage. It’s so much fun to perform this iconic character and to see audiences of all ages having such a good time at every show, so I’m really thrilled to be extending the tour.”

Jason Durr said: “I’m delighted to be continuing as Colonel Mustard in Cludeo 2. The audience reaction during our first few weeks of performances has been fantastic and I can’t wait to bring this hilarious whodunnit to many more audiences around the UK.”

The cast is completed by Jack Bennett (Wadsworth), Hannah Boyce (Mrs Peacock), Dawn Buckland (Mrs White), Liam Horrigan (Mr Black), Edward Howells (Professor Plum), Tiwai Muza (PC Silver) and Gabriel Paul (Reverend Green) with Kara Alberts-Turner, Audrey Anderson and Henry Lawes.

Following the huge success of the critically acclaimed original play, Cluedo is back on stage with a brand new, original comedy mystery, set in the swinging 60’s. Written by one of the UK’s most successful TV and stage writing duos, BAFTA Award winning writers Laurence Marks and Maurice Gran, (Birds of a Feather, Goodnight Sweetheart and Dreamboats and Petticoats) and directed by Mark Bell (The Play That Goes Wrong, A Comedy About a Bank Robbery), who will bring the action of this hilarious whodunnit to life.

As the bodies pile up, our colourful characters – The Honourable Mrs Emerald Peacock, Colonel Eugene Mustard, ‘Professor’ Alex Plum, Miss Annabel Scarlett, ‘The Reverend’ Hal Green and the housekeeper Mrs White – move from room to room, trying to escape the murderer and survive the night. Cluedo 2, will keep audiences guessing right up to the final moments, and budding detectives of all ages, from 8 to 80 and beyond, can watch for the clues and unravel the secrets, as they try to work out whodunnit… with what… and where!

Cluedo 2 runs at Darlington Hippodrome from Tuesday 8 to Saturday 12 October. For more information or to book visit darlingtonhippodrome.co.uk or call the Box Office on 01325 405405.

Mayflower Theatre, Southampton – until Saturday 13 April 2024

Reviewed by Gemma Gibson

4****

And Then There Were None is quintessential Agatha Christie – a dark and gripping tale filled with death, drama and mystery.

Ten strangers are summoned to the remote Soldier Island, either to work or as a guest, but with the hosts absent and connection to the Devon mainland cut, the reason behind the invitation slowly and scarily becomes clear – none of them will be leaving.

The novel is one of Christie’s most famous crime works so I was very excited to see it transform for the stage at Southampton’s Mayflower Theatre, the final stop on the production’s UK tour.

The first act is slow but sets the scene, introducing each character and a bit about them. With a teacher, judge, doctor and former police officer on the island there is a sense of ease and contentment on stage. When a gramophone starts revealing the secret wrongdoings of each character however, feelings of anxiety, suspicion and distrust become palpable. The story truly begins.

From here the show is thrilling and fast-paced as one-by-one the characters are killed and suspicions are heightened, each death foreshadowed by a nursery rhyme symbol in the dining room.

The dialogue between each character is clever, giving away enough to add a clue to the overall whodunnit, but never enough to prepare for the twists and turns in the second half.

The cast was exceptional in bringing each character to life. Vera Claythorne, played by Nicola May-Taylor on opening night, was magnificent, commanding the stage and, especially in her final moments, leaving the Mayflower audience on the edge of their seats. 

The one-liners and physical theatrics from characters William Blore (Andrew Lancel), Philip Lombard (Joseph Beattie) and Emily Brent (Katy Stephens) added Christie’s well known dark comedy and drama to the show brilliantly.

While every character unique and complex, Doctor Armstrong and Judge Wargrave (Bob Barrett and David Yelland) are essential for the storyline moving forward. Both take these characters on perfectly, combining the professionalism of their occupations with emotions running high.

The set for the show is minimalistic, a transparent curtain moving around the stage to add to suspense and tension. Throughout the show the set starts to unravel becoming more and more messy and unhinged, reflecting the sense of doom and destruction on Soldier Island. 

Directed by Lucy Bailey, this adaptation of And Then There Were None is simple but effective, capturing the complexities of the book and its mystery flawlessly. There are incredible visual moments, and clever character developments and placement, amplified by an experienced and talented cast.

The audience is left guessing right until the very last moment, reminding us once again why Agatha Christie is the Queen of Crime.