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Leicester Square Speigeltent, London – until 5 January 2025

Reviewed by Ava Clarkson

4****

The invite to review the 20th Anniversary showing of La Clique in Leicester Squares Speigeltent was much anticipated. Having reviewed this last year, I was looking forward to a night of “Cabaret, Circus, Comedy, Music” Housed inside the “Speigeltent” in the centre of the Leicester Square Christmas market, the atmosphere as you walk inside the big top is amazing and feels like the start of the festive season. A holly decked bar greets you in a pre-show room, as you wait to enter the show. The staff are friendly and welcoming, and the compère invites you to enjoy the show and leave your troubles outside. The big top again feels like Victorian times with music akin to the Greatest Showman and a beautiful burgundy velvet tented ceiling. We are seated circled around a small red centre stage, and at the edge of the tent are saloon style booths.

Twenty years ago, David Bates unveiled La Clique at the 2004 Edinburgh Fringe Festival. It has gone on to become a theatrical phenomenon and has toured the globe. Critics have been unanimous in their praise: “amazing, hilarious, exotic, erotic, stunning, mesmerising, breath-takingly skilled … La Clique is a rare and unmissable treat”. The show is hailed as a 16+ event and we are informed that the line-up could change night by night, but we are guaranteed a brilliant experience in the La Clique Speigeltent.

First up and setting the scene of what is yet to come is Miranda Menzies, in her second season with La Clique. She defies belief as she is attached to the ceiling by her hair and spun round and round at great speed. Her act of ancient hair suspension keeps the audience looking to the skies as we watch her muscular body contort and spin. We see her later in the evening too morphing inside a giant balloon in an alluring nightgown, only to pop out with a loud bang wearing not much more than her pants!

We are treated to various circus style acts over the evening from the likes of Americas Got Talent Semi Finalist Tap Dancer Bayley Graham whose energetic and fast paced routine has us mesmerised by his feet. Cornelius Atkinson hangs from the ceiling on 2 simple ropes – shirtless, tanned and toned, his pure strength and aerial stunts are astonishing – as are his muscles on muscles! Katherine Arnold arrives from the velvet curtains to the music “weirdo”. She climbs into the wooden hoop and expertly spins and whirls around, up and down to the haunting music. Arnold is a regular on the London cabaret scene, performing in iconic venues such as Circus London, Proud Cabaret and The Box. Danik Abishev performs his show on his hands, hopping from one tall pole to another with ease and an air of cheekiness as he strips to his pants. Nathan Price and Isis Clegg-Vinell a roller skating “Dysfunctional Duo” take over the stage and the audience is asked to remain seated. The speed in which they spin around the tiny red stage is truly thrilling.

The audience holds its breath throughout their performance and indeed later in the evening when they are joined by Cornelius Atkinson to become Trio Vertex for a combination of roller skating and aerial stunts you will not want to miss.

The humour is bought to the stage by Florian Brooks and his acrobatic goldfish – Bubbly! Florian spins his goldfish (pretend of course – no animals were hurt during this performance!) around and around in a glass of water on a hoop. He then returns to show off his exceptional juggling skills later in the evening, with a speed of hand I’ve not seen before.

But the performer of the night for me was Asher Treleaven who hilariously performs with a Diablo, raunchily gyrating around his body and chatting away to us as he does. A member of the audience is involved and enthusiastically joins in with Asher’s banter. He flirts with the men and the woman and when he returns to the stage later, he reads to us – you may think “how can this be funny” but the audience is in fits of laughter as he reads a raunchy story with hilarious voices, accents and acting.

Although this is the 20th anniversary opening night which brings high expectation, I do not feel it was as risqué or varied as last year’s show. The circus style acts were outstanding, the danger, strength, and grace of the performers underneath the beautiful Speigeltent roof is a remarkable sight, but in previous years there has been more singers, comedy and variety acts brought out. La Clique does state each evenings line up could be different though… This being said the acts defy gravity and common sense in way that leaves us on the edge of our seats throughout. La Clique is the perfect night out for the festive season.

Royal & Derngate Theatre – Northampton – until 16th November 2024

Review by Amanda Allen

5*****

We all know the story of Mary Shelly’s Frankenstein, probably from childhood, but this reimagined tale by Sean Aydon brought a new perspective to one of the earliest Science Fiction stories we have. Set in 1943 with most of Europe tearing itself apart we are introduced to Victoria Frankenstein (played brilliantly by Emily Jane McNeill) and “Captain” (played with equal brilliance by Basienka Blake) in a small hut at the end of nowhere they are hiding away from the world for what initially appears to be very different reasons. Both women are frightened and untrusting of each other and the wider world around them and it’s here that their tale unfolds.

As the story of Victoria’s creation becomes clear we learn about her past life and work, her relationship with her family and her love interest, Henry (Tawana Dingembira) For me the relationship between Victoria and her lab assistant, Francine, played wonderfully by Brianne Surgeoner was the one I found myself most invested in. Victoria didn’t seem to appreciate the impact her attempts to create the perfect human specimen could possibly have on Francine who described herself as imperfect, the irony seemed lost on Victoria or else she was truly oblivious to Francine’s differences as she saw her simply as her super-efficient Lab assistant, totally overlooking what others would describe as disabilities.

The frightening prospect of the government getting involved in her experiments was brought to the stage by Richter, the representative from the University played by Basienka Blake again. It made you think about many of the atrocities we now know happened during the 2nd World war and about how far medical science has come in the last 80+ years. Victoria’s quest to be able to cure many illnesses and sickness and replace worn parts of bodies is, in the 21st century, fact not fiction. Lydia Whitehead who played Victoria’s sister Elizabeth bought some much needed softness and light to a dark tale offering up her love of her sister and her family and the normality of her life in comparison to the strange darkness of Victoria’s Life.

The creature created by Victoria and Francine is portrayed brilliantly by Andy Cresswell. He gave the monster creation real depth of character. The idea that he could learn to speak, understand, read and function in a world he had no prior knowledge of was a fascinating concept. To have him quoting Shakespear’s Hamlet was a genius touch making him appear empathetic and human whilst at the same time he was possessed of a powerful need to destroy those he thought had wronged him.

Mention must be made of the set, lighting and costume designers (Nicky Bunch, Jason Addison and Tabitha Stock). They created the perfect atmosphere for frightening the audience! I swear I left my seat I jumped so much at the point where the creature came to life, even though I knew it was coming. With dark, moody lighting, fabulous prosthetics, costumes and make-up the creature was truly scary. The story also had a proper ending, leaving, no ends left untied, no questions about what happened next. It made you think about life as we know it and the advances science has brought us. Do not go and see this with young children or if you have a heart condition, but if that’s not you get your tickets quick.

Everyone’s favourite convenience store packs up shop to hit the road as Kim’s Convenience goes on a UK tour March–June 2025

After critically-acclaimed runs at Park Theatre and Riverside Studios,the hit production Kim’s Convenience is packing up and heading on a UK tour. Taking charge as the new patriarchic figure of the family will be star of the CBC and Netflix adaptation James Yi. As well as being known for Kim’s Convenience,Netflix, he has also been seen in The Interview and Gabby Duran & The Unsittables and has played Appa in previous productions.

Well versed in the complex and shifting family dynamics within the story’s narrative, having been involved in both stage and screen,Yi will explore the growing separation between traditional first-generation immigrant values and those of his second-generation children in this heart-warming tale of the Korean-Canadian family. James Yi comments, Kim’s Convenience has literally changed my life. This play continues to open new doors for me, like getting to go all the way to the UK to tour the show with an amazing cast and production team! I feel like I’m in a dream that I never want to wake up from. The award-winning play from

Ins Choi which inspired the CBC and Netflix’s TV comedy adaptation debuted in 2011 at Toronto Fringe festival, where the play won the Best New Play award and the Patron’s Pick. Kim’s Convenience continues to champion East Asian representation and remains a reflective and universal story that resonates with audiences from any culture. Tackling persistent issues surrounding community, family and intergenerational relationships,this production’s rich tapestry of modern life will now be shared with wider UK audiences.

Producer Adam Blanshay comments, We’re delighted that Kim’s Convenience continues to capture the hearts of its audiences and that people around the United Kingdom will get to experience this universally beautiful story, which embraces family, cultural heritage, and the legacies we leave behind.

Park Theatre’s Artistic Director Jez Bond also comments, I am thrilled that after the success of its sell-out run with us and subsequent transfer to Riverside Studios, Kim’s Convenience will be touring the county-enabling audiences in the regions to enjoy this funny, poignant and entertaining show.

Previous praise for Kim’s Convenience:

Masterfully directed by Esther Jun, this is popcorn theatre: we could go on watching and watching – ★★★★ The Guardian

Entertaining, keenly observed piece that believably depicts the experiences of many first-and second-generation immigrants –★★★★ The Stage

Kim’s Convenience is a store of wisdom – ★★★★ Financial Times

The rest of the cast taking this familial story on tour is soon to be announced

WORLD PREMIERE OF MIKE BARTLETT’S

UNICORN

DIRECTED BY JAMES MACDONALD

OPENING AT THE GARRICK THEATRE

FROM 4 FEBRUARY TO 26 APRIL 2025

Kate Horton and Nica Burns today announce the world premiere of Mike Bartlett’s new play Unicorn, directed by James Macdonald, starring Nicola Walker (Polly), Stephen Mangan (Nick), and Erin Doherty (Kate). Unicorn will debut at the Garrick Theatre in the West End from 4 February for strictly limited run until 26 April 2025.

There will be 10,000 tickets for under £30 available across the run. Tickets are on sale now at: www.nimaxtheatres.com  and www.unicorntheplay.co.uk.

“Nick: Have you two kissed already? 

Polly: No

Kate: Yes” 

Polly and Nick have it all. Happily married, two children, successful careers. And yet there’s something missing…something rare and unforeseen…waiting to add a much-needed sparkle…

Unicorn is Mike Bartlett’s explicit, funny and provocative new play, starring Nicola Walker (Unforgotten, The Split), Stephen Mangan (The Split, Episodes) and Erin Doherty (The Crown, Chloe).

Nicola Walker said, “Mike Bartlett’s Unicorn is that rare beast you long to see, it’s grown-up and unusual and very, very funny.”

Stephen Mangan said, “I would have needed my head examined if I’d passed up the opportunity to be involved in this play by the brilliant Mike Bartlett. It’s hilarious, provocative, intelligent and deeply moving. And it’s being directed by the peerless James Macdonald. And Erin Doherty is in it. As is my old friend and TV ex-wife Nicola Walker. It’s just an embarrassment of riches.”

Erin Doherty said,“To get to work with Nicola Walker and Stephen Mangan is a massive moment for me. Combine that with this genius team and this brilliant play, I’m ecstatic. I can’t wait to get in the rehearsal room.” 

Mike Bartlett said, “Kate Horton has championed Unicorn from the moment she read it, and I’m thrilled it will be the first play her new company produces. I’m so happy to get the chance to get to work with James Macdonald and Miriam Buether again, and with the incredible Nicola Walker, Stephen Mangan and Erin Doherty – all superb actors I’ve been a fan of for a long time.”

James Macdonald said, “I’m delighted to be embarking on my third play with Mike, after the joys of Cock and Wild! And to be doing so in the company of a peerless trio of actors – not to mention the most brilliant design team…”

Kate Horton said, “It’s a rare day when a play as exceptional as Mike Bartlett’s Unicorn arrives and I’m overjoyed to be reuniting with Mike and the equally magnificent James Macdonald to deliver its world premiere. Our extraordinary cast, Nicola Walker, Stephen Mangan and Erin Doherty will each bring their own unique brilliance to originating Polly, Nick and Kate. It feels completely right to launch my new company with a new play and I am thrilled that such a fantastic combination of talents have come together to bring it to life for audiences. I’m especially grateful to my co-producers who have assembled for this production so enthusiastically – Keren Misgav for Norel Productions, Tilted, Rupert Gavin and Mallory Factor – and especially Nica Burns, who has always been a great champion of the new, of the theatre industry and of me.”

Nica Burns said, “When Kate Horton sent me Mike Bartlett’s new play, I read it overnight, loved it and offered her the Garrick immediately.  I knew that such a good play would attract a top line director and cast – and it has. We are blessed with three remarkable leading actors in Nicola Walker, Stephen Mangan and Erin Doherty who will be brilliantly guided by their talented director, James Macdonald.  I have long admired Kate’s work as a producer and I am delighted to be co-producing with her under her banner, Kate Horton Productions.”

Unicorn sees James Macdonald, Mike Bartlett and Kate Horton reuniting following their collaboration on the original production of Cock at Royal Court in 2009.

Joining director James Macdonald is designer Miriam Buether, lighting designer Natasha Chivers and sound designer Ian Dickinson.

Unicorn is produced by Kate Horton Productions and Nica Burns, Norel Productions and Tilted, in association with Rupert Gavin and Mallory Factor.

Nicola Walker, originates the role of Polly.
Theatre includes: The Corn Is Green (National Theatre), The Cane (Royal Court), A View From The Bridge (Young Vic, Wyndham’s & Lyceum Theatre New York), The Curious Incident Of The Dog In The Night-Time (Olivier Award for Best Supporting Actress), Season’s Greetings, Gethsemane, Tales From The Vienna Woods and Edmond (all National Theatre), Di And Viv And Rose(Hampstead Theatre),  Mrs KleinandCloud Nine(both Almeida), Relocated, Fresh Kills, Sweetheart, The Libertine/The Man Of Mode, Hated Nightfall (all Royal Court), Modern Dance For Beginners (Soho Theatre), The Dead Eye Boy (Hampstead), Sexual Perversity In Chicago (Sheffield Crucible), A Lie Of The Mind(Donmar),Passion Play(Donmar & Comedy) andFifty Revolutions(Whitehall).Television includes:Mary & George, Annika,  Marriage, Unforgotten: Series I-Iv,  The Split: Series I – Iii, Collateral, Inside No. 9,  River,  Last Tango In Halifax: Series I-V (two BAFTA Best Supporting Actress nominations),  Babylon,  Scott And Bailey, Prisoner’s Wives,  Heading Out,  Inside Men, Spooks Series II-V & VIII-X,  Being Human, Law & Order,  Luther, Turn Of The Screw, Oliver Twist, Torn, Broken News, People Like Us, The Last Train,  Touching Evil Series I-Iii, Chalk,  A Dance To The Music Of Time, Milner, Faith and Moll Flanders. Film:  Shooting Dogs, Shiner, Four Weddings And A Funeral. Nicola will appear in The Split: Barcelona which will be screened later this year.

Stephen Mangan, originates the role of Nick.
Stephen’s extensive theatre credits include Much Ado About Nothing (Playhouse), Hay Fever(Savoy), The School for Scandal(RSC), Noises Off(Piccadilly), Jeeves and Wooster in Perfect Nonsense(Duke of Yorks), The Norman Conquests(Old Vic and Broadway, TONY nominated), Rules for Living(National Theatre), Birthdayand The People are Friendly(both Royal Court), The Birthday Party (Harold Pinter), The Man in the White Suit (Wyndham’s), A Christmas Carol(Old Vic) and most recently Private Lives(Donmar Warehouse). He made his breakthrough television performance as ‘Adrian Mole’ in the BBC series Adrian Mole: The Cappuccino Years. This was closely followed by his appearance in Channel 4’s Sword of Honour alongside Daniel Craig and as Dan Moody in I’m Alan Partridge. He is arguably best known for his role as ‘Guy Secretan’ in the BAFTA-winning British sitcom Green Wing. He starred as ‘Keith’ in sitcom Never Better, in romantic dark comedyFree Agents with Sharon Horganand as the title role in Dirk Gently for the BBC. Stephen’s feature role as Sean Lincoln in the much-loved British/American TV comedy Episodescame to an end in 2017 with the fifth and final series. Most recently, Stephen reprised his role as Nathan Stern in Bafta-winning writer Abi Morgan’s The Split for BBC One, with new episodes being broadcast later this year. He is also familiar to Sky Arts presenting the hugely successful series Portrait Artist of the Yearand Landscape Artist of the Year. Both shows set records for the biggest audiences recorded for Sky Arts. Stephen played Arthur Conan Doyle in FOX’s miniseries Houdini and Doyle opposite Michael Weston and in 2018 starred in Hang Ups, a series he also co-wrote and produced for Channel 4. The cast included David Tennant, Jessica Hynes and Charles Dance. He has also starred in the SKY One comedy Bliss written and directed by David Cross. Most notably on the big screen, Stephen played ‘Alastair Caldwell’ in Rush, alongside Chris Hemsworth as Hunt. Further film credits include Breathe, Billy Elliot, Festival, Birthday Girl, A Gaza Weekend and Postman Pat, voicing the titular role. He will publish his seventh children’s novel next year.

Erin Doherty, originates the role of Kate.

Erin is one of the most talented and respected actors of her generation, playing leading roles across film, television and theatre. Erin is best known for her break out performance as Princess Anne in Netflix’s The Crown. Erin was a 2018 Screen International Star of Tomorrow and a 2018 Evening Standard Rising Star. In 2020, Erin was honoured at the Newport Beach Film Festival as a ‘Breakout Honouree’ following her role of Princess Anne. Doherty most recently played the lead in upcoming Disney Plus series A Thousand Blows. Earlier this year Erin starred in Death of England: Closing Time in the West End @sohoplace. In 2022 Erin appeared at the National Theatre leading the cast of The Crucible as Abigail Williams. Erin played the lead in BBC One/Amazon Prime thriller series Chloe, which garnered five star reviews and critical acclaim for Erin. Erin will next be seen in new feature film Firebrand, opposite Jude Law, and in feature film Reawakening opposite Juliet Stevenson, both of which will have a theatrical release this year. Erin attended the Bristol Old Vic Theatre School, playing a range of leading roles during her three years of training. During this time, Doherty was selected to take part in the professional production of Pink Mist at the Bristol Old Vic, and was the winner of The Stephen Sondheim Society Student Performer of the Year 2015. Her debut performance upon graduation in 2015 was as Laura in Ellen McDougall’s The Glass Menagerie, after which Doherty was cast as Tamsin in Katherine Soper’s debut play Wish List (2016) at Manchester’s Royal Exchange and London’s Royal Court Theatre. Her performance was recognised by the Manchester Theatre Awards, naming Doherty as Best Actress in a Studio Production 2017. In 2017, she appeared as Fiz in BAFTA Award-winning writer Jack Thorne’s Junkyard, which earned her rave reviews: “Doherty is the star here, and by rights will soon be a star full-stop” WhatsOnStage. Later that same year, she took on the leading role in Ayckbourn’s The Divide at the Edinburgh International Festival, remounting it early in 2018 at London’s Old Vic Theatre. The Telegraph noted her “luminous central performance”. Also in 2017, Doherty received high critical acclaim in The Young Vic’s production of the one woman show My Name Is Rachel Corrie. The Guardian applauded her stunning performance, marking her out as “one of the year’s great discoveries”. Doherty closed 2017 with a run at London’s Old Vic Theatre, playing the leading role of Belle opposite Rhy Ifans’ Scrooge in Matthew Warchus’ production of A Christmas Carol. In 2019 Doherty was once again on stage in Wolfie at Theatre 503. Doherty’s inaugural television role was as a guest star in the BBC’s Call The Midwife in 2016, followed by the BBC adaptation of Les Miserables in 2018 before landing the role of Princess Anne in Netflix’s world-wide hit series The Crown.

Mike Bartlett

A multi-award-winning writer for both stage and screen.

Theatre includes: Scandaltown (Lyric Hammersmith Theatre); The 47th (The Old Vic); Cock (The Ambassadors’ Theatre/Royal Court); Mrs Delgado (Arts at the Old Fire Station/Theatre Royal Bath/Oxford Playhouse);  Albion, Game (Almeida); Snowflake (Arts at the Old Fire Station); Wild (Hampstead Theatre); King Charles III (Almeida Theatre/Wyndham’s Theatre/Music Box Theatre, New York) which won an Olivier Award for Best New Play; An Intervention (Paines Plough/Watford); Bull (Sheffield Theatres/Off Broadway/Young Vic); Medea (Headlong/Glasgow Citizens/Watford/Warwick); Chariots of Fire (Hampstead Theatre/Gielgud Theatre); 13 (National Theatre); Decade (Headlong); Earthquakes in London (Headlong, National Theatre); Love, Love, Love (Paines Plough / Plymouth Theatre Royal/Royal Court/Roundabout Theatre Company, New York/Lyric Hammersmith Theatre);Contractions (Royal Court/Crucible Theatre, Sheffield); My Child (Royal Court); Artefacts (Bush Theatre/ Nabokov). Mike has previously been Writer In Residence at the National Theatre and is currently an Associate Playwright at the Royal Court Theatre. Television includes: Life, Doctor Foster SE2, King Charles III, Doctor Foster SE1 (Drama Republic/BBC); Sticks and Stones, Trauma (Tall Story Pictures/ITV); Press (Lookout Point/BBC).

James Macdonald

He was Associate Director at the Royal Court from 1992 to 2006. Productions there have included: What If If Only, Glass. Kill. Bluebeard. Imp, One for Sorrow, Escaped Alone, The Children, The Wolf from the Door, Circle Mirror Transformation, Love and Information, Cock, Drunk Enough to Say I Love You, Dying City, Fewer Emergencies, Lucky Dog, Blood, Blasted, 4.48 Psychosis, Hard Fruit, Real Classy Affair, Cleansed, Bailegangaire, Harry and Me, Simpatico, Blasted, Peaches, Thyestes, Hammett’s Apprentice, The Terrible Voice of Satan and Putting Two and Two Together. His work at the National includes: Infinite Life, The Welkin, John, Dido Queen of Carthage, The Hour We Knew Nothing of Each Other and Exiles. Theatre work in New York includes: True West, The Children and Top Girls on Broadway; Escaped Alone and John Gabriel Borkman at BAM; Infinite Life and Cloud Nine at Atlantic Theater; Cock at The Duke; Love and Information and A Number for New York Theatre Workshop; King Lear, The Book of Grace and Drunk Enough to Say I Love You at the Public Theater; Dying City for the Lincoln Center Theater; and 4.48 Psychosis at St Anne’s Warehouse. In the West End: Waiting for Godot, Night of the Iguana, Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?, The Father, Glengarry Glen Ross and The Changing Room. And elsewhere: Boys on the Verge of Tears at Soho Theatre, The Cherry Orchard for Yard Theatre/ETT, Dolls House Part Two, The Way of the World and Roots for the Donmar; Bakkhai, A Delicate Balance, Judgment Day and The Triumph of Love at the Almeida; The Chinese Room for Williamstown Theater Festival; Wild, And No More Shall We Part and #aiww – The Arrest of Ai Weiwei at Hampstead; The Father at Bath and the Tricycle; John Gabriel Borkman at the Abbey, Dublin; The Tempest and Roberto Zucco for the RSC; Troilus und Cressida and Die Kopien at Schaubühne, Berlin; 4.48 Psychose at Burgtheater, Vienna; Love’s Labour’s Lost and Richard II at the Royal Exchange. Opera includes A Ring A Lamp A Thing at Linbury Studio; Eugene Onegin and Rigoletto at Welsh National Opera; Die Zauberflöte at Garsington; Wolf Club Village and Night Banquet at the Almeida; Lives of the Great Poisoners for Second Stride. Film includes A Number for HBO/BBC.

Festival Theatre, Malvern – until 16th November 2024

Reviewed by Courie Amado Juneau

5*****

Agatha Christie is like visiting an old friend. And Poirot is, arguably, her greatest and most beloved creation. As Poirot alludes to in the opening of tonight’s play, Murder On The Orient Express was his greatest case that demanded much soul searching and made him question his core beliefs.

A murder is committed on the eponymous train, which gets snowed in whist journeying from Istanbul to Paris and Agatha’s great detective is on said train, returning home after another case which tested him greatly, so gets called upon in his professional capacity to solve the crime.

Poirot is often a tough act to pull off to everyone’s satisfaction. Like Doctor Who, one loves “their” version. For many, David Suchet’s portrayal was so perfect that getting past that alone is a mammoth task! So it’s perhaps wise that this Poirot stays at a discreet distance from that iconic version. I wasn’t sure at first whether I liked Michael Maloney’s reading of the character but I was 100% won over in the end, especially with some barnstorming emotional acting in the denouement. His thoroughly enjoyable and creditably nuanced performance carried the work to a powerful conclusion.

The rest of the cast also gave fine performances and were obviously having a ball throughout – especially given the infectious seam of humour that ran through the piece. Poirot was sent up beautifully and many of the more subtle (and not so subtle) laughs were provided by a marvelous performance from Bob Barrett (as Monsieur Bouc). But everyone had their moments and the strength of this touring version is in the ensemble as a whole.

I really enjoyed the sumptuous costumes that provided glamour aplenty and effectively conveyed the characters personalities themselves. The stage design was boldly rendered with some inventive modular pieces doubling for train berths, carriageways and a dining room! The switches form one space to another also gave the opportunity to bring motion into what is a rather confined, static environment on the page. All that said, the claustrophobia of the original story was nicely conveyed too! Impressive stuff.

Music gave us a powerful backdrop too and I’m presuming that it was original music composed by Sound Designer Mic Pool as I didn’t recognize it. Last, but by no means least, a mention for the lighting and fog/steam which was so well deployed that it was almost a character in its own right. Poirot’s last moments on stage gained enormously from these elements – giving the entire work a poignant conclusion that felt absolutely perfect and totally satisfying.

Christie is always a joy but perhaps people think it not worth making the effort to venture out on a cold wintery evening just to see yet another one. Well, when the story is done so well as it was tonight, when the cast is this good and when the telling gives us a new slant we haven’t seen before (courtesy of Adapter Ken Ludwig and Director Lucy Bailey), I’d say that it’s not just worth it but nigh on essential viewing. Bravo to all concerned for a show trés magnifique.

YVONNE ARNAUD THEATRE, GUILDFORD – UNTIL 16 NOVEMBER 2024

REVIEWED BY REBECCA SCOTT

5*****

I have been a lover of Austen’s novels since a teenager, so I was a little apprehensive as to how this show would turn out.

This show is funny … I mean really funny, delightful, at times touching, and I could not wipe the smile from my face throughout it.

The play is based on Jane Austen’s famous book ‘Pride and Prejudice’, which has been cleverly written and directed by Isobel McArthur.

This strong, all female cast take the audience through Austen’s story at a speed that is easy to follow. It involves multiple roles, different accents, many costume changes, impromptu singing, musical instruments, and hilarious anecdotes. I take my hat off to the actors who pulled this off seamlessly.

Pride and Prejudice is not an easy book to read. It needs a lot of unpicking and deals with ‘heavy’ themes of social class, feminism, and prejudices. So I can see why it is often used for GCSE English Literature. However, McArthur has excellently adapted this for the stage. She simplifies it but doesn’t alter the themes of the book either. It really is a masterpiece!

All the women were exceptional in their acting, comedic timing and they connected so well together. The standout performances for me were Emma Rose Creaner (Multi roles inc: Charles Bingley/Charlotte/Caroline) and Rhianna McGreevy (Multi roles inc: Fitzwilliam Darcey/Mrs Bennett). They had electric stage presence and I swear they just got funnier as the play went on.

The set is simple but effective. The staging cleverly takes you to Meryton, Netherfield, London, Pemberley and back again in a whistle-stop tour of the book’s locations. With the added nuances, musical interludes and props it showcases the staging and acting perfectly.

This play is such a treat … surely you must be in want of seeing it now? I think Miss Austen would approve!

Official London Theatre’s See It Live in 2025 promotion announces participating shows

·         Get great deals on tickets to over 50 top London shows for select performances in 2025

·         Tickets are reduced to £10, £20, £30, £40, £50 or £60

·         General sale begins 26 November, with a Mastercard priority window from 21 November

OfficialLondonTheatre.com/SeeItLive 

Start the year as you mean to go on, by seeing live theatre, with great deals on your favourite London shows with tickets from as little as £10 to £60 for select performances in 2025.  

If you are already a theatre fan, share your love and take a friend, and if you’re new… welcome! This is the perfect way to see what Theatreland has to offer and do something different. 

Previously known as the Official London Theatre New Year Sale and Get into London Theatre, See It Live is firmly established as one of theatreland’s longest running promotions, now in its 22^nd year. 

From exciting new productions like Clueless The Musical, The Curious Case Of Benjamin Button, Kyoto, The Lightning Thief: The Percy Jackson Musical, Mean Girls and The Score, and established West End favourites including Cabaret, Disney’s The Lion King, Les Misérables, MJ The Musical, Moulin Rouge! The Musical, Mamma Mia!, Matilda The Musical, The Mousetrap, The Phantom Of The Opera, The Play That Goes Wrong and Wicked, to fantastic fringe theatre and family shows such as Room On The Broom and The Smartest Giant In Town, there’s something for everyone to enjoy. 

The Mastercard priority window launches next week on 21 November via priceless.com, followed by our general sale on 26 November, via OfficialLondonTheatre.com.  

Full list of shows participating in See It Live in 2025 

Aladdin  
Back To The Future The Musical  
Cabaret 
Cinderella  
Clueless, The Musical  
The Curious Case Of Benjamin Button 
Fawlty Towers  
Firebird  
The Gang Of Three  
The Gift 
Hadestown 
Here You Come Again 
Homo Alone  
Horrible Histories: Horrible Christmas 
How To Fight Loneliness 
King Of Pangea  
Kyoto  
The Lightning Thief: The Percy Jackson Musical  
Disney’s The Lion King  
Macbeth 
Maddie Moate’s Very Curious Christmas  
Magic Mike Live  
Mamma Mia!   
The Marriage Of Figaro  
Matilda The Musical  
Mean Girls  
A Midsummer Night’s Dream  
Les Misérables 
MJ The Musical  
Moulin Rouge! The Musical 
The Mousetrap  
Mrs. Doubtfire  
Murder Ballad 
The Nutcracker (Polka Theatre) 
Parlour Song 
The Phantom Of The Opera  
The Pirates Of Penzance  
Play On! 
The Play That Goes Wrong  
Puppy  
Robin Hood And The Christmas Heist 
Room On The Broom  
The Score  
The Show On The Roof  

Showstopper! The Improvised Musical   

Sisters 360 
Six  
The Smartest Giant In Town 
The Snowy Day 
Starlight Express  
Stranger Things: The First Shadow  
(This Is Not A) Happy Room  
Tina – The Tina Turner Musical  
Wicked  
Witness For The Prosecution  
Why Am I So Single? 
The Years

Available dates, age recommendations and restrictions for participating shows will vary. Please check the show listings on OfficialLondonTheatre.com for more information. 

RUNAWAY ENTERTAINMENT PRESENTS

LONDON, GET READY TO GO PAWS-ITIVELY DOTTY FOR

101 DALMATIANS THE MUSICAL!

NEW MUSICAL ADAPTATION OF CLASSIC STORY

TO TRANSFER TO LONDON’S EVENTIM APOLLO IN HAMMERSMITH

FOR LIMITED SUMMER 2025 RUN

Following its hugely successful UK Tour, Runaway Entertainment today announces the London transfer of 101 Dalmatians The Musicalat the Eventim Apollo in Hammersmith for a limited six week run from Friday 18 July – Saturday 30 August 2025. Full casting for the London run to be announced.

General booking opens Tuesday 12 October at 10am.

The new musical version of Dodie Smith’s classic book, 101 Dalmatians is written by Douglas Hodge (music and lyrics) and Johnny McKnight (book), from a stage adaptation by Zinnie Harris. The director is Bill Buckhurst, with sets designed by David Woodhead, costumes designed by Sarah Mercadé and choreography by Lucy Hind. Musical supervision is from Alfonso Casado Trigo, orchestration by Jack Hopkins, the puppets are designed by Jimmy Grimes, with lighting by James Whiteside and sound design from Chris Whybrow. The musical director is Leigh Stanford Thompson, and casting director is Lucy Casson.

When fashionista Cruella de Vil plots to swipe all the Dalmatian puppies in town to create her fabulous new fur coat, there’s trouble ahead for Pongo and Perdi and their litter of adorable, tail-wagging young pups.

This classic canine caper is brought to life on stage with spectacular puppetry, show-stopping choreography, hilarious songs and irresistible puppies!

The musical continues to tour the UK until Sunday 5 January 2025 starring Faye Tozer (Glasgow, Edinburgh) and Kerry Ellis (Oxford, Brighton) as Cruella De Vil.

Original production first performed at Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre, London in 2022.

For more information visit www.101dalmatians.co.uk  

Facebook: /101Dalmatians | Instagram/TikTok: @101DalmatiansUK

FULL CASTING ANNOUNCED FOR WORLD PREMIÈRE OF

HOWARD BRENTON’S CHURCHILL IN MOSCOW AT ORANGE TREE THEATRE

With Guards at the Taj currently running at the venue, and Twelfth Night in rehearsals, Orange Tree Theatre (OT) today announces full casting for the world première of Churchill in Moscow by Howard Brenton directed by OT Artistic Director Tom Littler. Joining the previously announced Roger Allam as Winston Churchill are Alan Cox as Archie Clerk Kerr, Julius D’Silva as Vyacheslav Molotov, Peter Forbes as Joseph Stalin, Tamara Greatrex as Svetlana Stalin, Jo Herbert as Sally Powell and Elisabeth Snegir as Olga Dovzhenko.

Churchill in Moscow, which reunites Brenton and Littler for their sixth collaboration, opens on 11 February 2025, with previews from 3 February, and runs until 8 March. They previously worked together on Cancelling Socrates, The Blinding Light and Brenton’s adaptations of Strindberg’s Dances of Death, Miss Julie and Creditors. This new historical thriller explores the meetings between Winston Churchill and Joseph Stalin at the Kremlin in 1942.

Tom Littler said today, “I’m delighted to be working with an inspiring company of actors to join Roger Allam in Howard Brenton’s new play – Churchill in Moscow. Tamara Greatrex is the latest actor to make her professional theatre debut at the Orange Tree.  Many of this cast have appeared in Howard’s work before, and they share my excitement about this project: it is an exciting, thought-provoking and hugely entertaining insight into a resonant historical episode.”

The world première production of

CHURCHILL IN MOSCOW

By Howard Brenton

Cast: Roger Allam (Winston Churchill), Alan Cox (Archie Clerk Kerr), Julius D’Silva (Vyacheslav Molotov), Peter Forbes (Joseph Stalin), Tamara Greatrex (Svetlana Stalin), Jo Herbert (Sally Powell) and Elisabeth Snegir (Olga Dovzhenko)

Director: Tom Littler; Designer: Cat Fuller; Lighting Designer: Johanna Town; Sound Designer and Composer: Max Pappenheim; Assistant Director: Rosie Tricks

3 February – 8 March 2025

Everything is possible in Moscow at night.

The Kremlin, Moscow, 1942. A top-secret meeting between Winston Churchill (Allam) and Joseph Stalin (Forbes): one, a wealthy aristocrat from a blue-blooded line of English nobility, the other a Georgian peasant, hell-bent on destroying capitalism and the class system. Can they find common ground? As diplomats struggle to control the escalating chaos, two interpreters find themselves caught in the eye of the storm.

The world première of Howard Brenton’s gripping drama imagines the meetings between two unpredictable titans as history teeters on a knife-edge.

Following its run at the OT, Churchill in Moscow will be available to stream through OT On Screen from Tuesday 11 – Friday 14 March.

Howard Brenton’s plays include Cancelling Socrates, The Blinding Light (Jermyn Street Theatre), Jude, Lawrence After Arabia, Drawing the Line, The Arrest of Weiwei, 55 Days (Hampstead Theatre), The Shadow Factory (Nuffield Theatre), Ransomed, Epsom Downs (Salisbury Playhouse), Doctor Scroggy’s War, Anne Boleyn, In Extremis (Shakespeare’s Globe), Dances of Death (Gate Theatre), The Ragged Trousered Philanthropists (Liverpool Everyman, Chichester Festival Theatre),  The Romans in Britain, Paul, Pravda, Weapons of Happiness (National Theatre), Snogging Ken – co-written by Tariq Ali and Andy de la Tour(Almeida Theatre), Kit’s Play (Jerwood Theatre, RADA), Collateral Damage (Tricycle Theatre), and Playing Away (Opera North). Berlin Bertie, Iranian Nights, Greenland, Bloody Poetry, The Genius, Magnificence, Revenge (Royal Court Theatre), Moscow Gold (RSC Barbican Centre), (National Theatre), Thirteenth Night, Sore Throats (RSC at Donmar Warehouse), A Short Sharp Shock (Royal Court at Theatre Royal Stratford East), The Churchill Play (Nottingham Playhouse, RSC), Brassneck (Nottingham Playhouse). Adaptations include Bertolt Brecht’s The Life of Galileo, Georg Büchner’s Danton’s Death (National Theatre), August Strindberg’s Miss Julie (Jermyn Street Theatre) Johann Wolfgang von Goethe’s Faust – Faust: Parts I and II (RSC, The Pit Theatre). For television, his credits include Spooks and Dead Head.

Roger Allam plays Winston Churchill. His theatre credits include Frank and Percy (Theatre Royal Windsor, Theatre Royal Bath, The Other Palace), A Number (Bridge Theatre), Rutherford and Sons, Afterlife, The Cherry Orchard, Albert Speer, Summerfolk, Money – Olivier Award for Best Supporting Actor, Troilus and Cressida, The Way of the World (National Theatre), Limehouse, Privates on Parade – Olivier Award for Best Actor (Donmar Warehouse), The Moderate Soprano (Hampstead Theatre, Duke of York’s Theatre), The Tempest, Henry IV Parts I and II – Olivier Award for Best Actor,(Shakespeare’s Globe), La Cage Aux Folles (Duke of York’s Theatre), God of Carnage (Theatre Royal Bath, UK tour), The Giant, Semina (Hampstead Theatre), Boeing Boeing, What the Night is For (Comedy Theatre), Pravda (Chichester Festival Theatre), Blackbird (King’s Theatre Edinburgh, Noël Coward Theatre), Democracy (National Theatre, Wyndham’s Theatre), Art (Wyndham’s Theatre), Arcadia (Haymarket Theatre), City of Angels (Prince of Wales Theatre), Les Misérables (Barbican) and The Learned Ladies and Macbeth (RSC). His television credits include The Sandman, Murder in Provence, Game of Thrones, Endeavour, The Missing, The Life of Rock, Bad Education, Politician’s Husband, Parades End, The Jury, Krod Mandoon, Ashes to Ashes, The Curse of the Steptoe, The Thick of It, A Class Apart, I Do, Spooks, The Catherine Tate Show, Meet the Robinsons, Inspector Lynley, Manchild, Foyle’s War, Walking the Dead, Chambers, A Century of Troubles: Cromwell’s War, Henry IV, Inspector Morse, Between the Lines, Landing on the Sun and The Jury; and for film Tetris, Say Your Prayers, The Hippopotamus, The Truth Commissioner, Mr Holmes, Girls Night Out, The Book Thief, The Angels Share, The Iron Lady, The Woman in Black, Pirates of the Caribbean, Tamara Drewe, Speedracer, The Queen, The Wind That Shakes the Barley, V for Vendetta, A Cock and Bull Story, The Roman Spring of Mrs Stone, The Swiss Family Robinson, RKO 281, WILT and The Lady in the Van.

Alan Cox plays Archie Clerk Kerr. His theatre credits include Farm Hall (Theatre Royal Haymarket, Jermyn Street Theatre, UK tour), My Fair Lady, The King’s Speech (Frinton Summer Theatre), Take The Rubbish out, Sasha, Cornelius (Finborough Theatre), Love all (Jermyn Street Theatre), Uncle Vanya (Hampstead Theatre), Opening Skinner Box (West Yorkshire Playhouse), Forty Years On, The Lady’s Not For Burning  (Chichester Festival Theatre), The Divided Laing (Arcola Theatre), Impossible, Kingmaker (Edinburgh Festival Fringe), Frost/Nixon (US tour), Stranger on a Train (UK tour), Trance (Bush Theatre), The Creeper (Playhouse Theatre), The Earthly Paradise (Almeida Theatre), The Flu Season (Gate Theatre), The Importance of Being Earnest (Theatre Royal Haymarket), The Seagull, An Enemy of the People, and Absolute Hell (National Theatre). His television credits include New Amsterdam, The Good Wife, Lucan, MI High, The Wild West: Custer’s Last Stand, Housewife 49, Mrs David, Midsomer Murders, Dinosaur Hunters and The Odyssey; and for film Magic Mike’s Last Dance, Dante, Say My Name, Before We Go, The Dictator, Contagion, The Speed of Thought, August, Ladies in Lavender, Not Only But Always, Justice, The Waterfalls of Slunj, Cor Blimey, Weight, The Auteur Theory, Mrs Dalloway, An Awfully Big Adventure, Death of a School Boy and Young Sherlock Holmes.

Julius D’Silva plays Vyacheslav Molotov. His theatre credits include Farm Hall (Theatre Royal Haymarket, Jermyn Street Theatre, UK tour), & Juliet (Shaftesbury Theatre, Regent Theatre Melbourne), What’s New Pussycat? (Birmingham Rep), Alone in Berlin (Royal & Derngate), The Producers (Royal Exchange Theatre), The Cherry Orchard (Bristol Old Vic, Royal Exchange Theatre), Strictly Ballroom – The Musical (West Yorkshire Playhouse, Princess of Wales Theatre Toronto), Made in Dagenham (Adelphi Theatre), Eternal Love, Anne Boleyn (Shakespeare’s Globe, ETT UK tour), Macbeth (Shakespeare’s Globe), Oliver! (Theatre Royal Drury Lane), Aristo (Chichester Festival Theatre), Henry IV Parts 1 and 2, Henry V, Henry VI Part 1, Henry VI II, Henry VI III, Richard III, Great Expectations, Dog in the Manger, Tamar’s Revenge, House of Desires, Pedro, The Great Pretender (RSC), Lone Star Mark Three (Salisbury Playhouse) and Tess of the D’Urbervilles (Greenwich Studio). His television credits include Bridgerton, The Crown, The Ten Commandments, How We Used to Live: Spanish Armada and Highlander; and for film, Notes on a Scandal, Full Circle and Endgame.

Elisabeth Snegir plays Olga Dovzhenko. Her theatre credits include In and Out of Chekhov’s Shorts (Southwark Playhouse, UK tour), The Anarchist (Jermyn Street Theatre), Scarlet Letter (The Actors’ Church, Covent Garden) and Father Christmas at the Hall (Royal Albert Hall).

Jo Herbert plays Sally Powell. Her theatre credits include Dear Octopus, 3 Winters (National Theatre), The Southbury Child (Bridge Theatre), The Mirror and the Light (RSC), The Country Wife, For Services Rendered, Cyrano de Bergerac (Chichester Festival Theatre), Wild Honey, Hello/Goodbye (Hampstead Theatre), East of Berlin (Southwark Playhouse), Eternal Love, Anne Boleyn (Shakespeare’s Globe, ETT tour), Candida (Theatre Royal Bath), Wild Oats, Does My Society Look Big in This? (Bristol Old Vic), Room Service Included (The Mill at Sonning), As You Like It (Shakespeare’s Globe), The Game of Love and Change, Blackbird (Salisbury Playhouse), The Comedy of Errors, The Importance of Being Earnest (Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre) and The Faerie Queen (international tour). Her television credits include grace, Call the Midwife, Unforgotten, Loaded, The Crown, Josh, Home Fires, Holby City (as series regular Fi Collins) and Lewis; and for film, Misbehaviour.

Tamara Greatrex is a recent graduate of ArtsEd and makes her professional theatre debut as Svetlana Stalin. For opera, her credits include La Traviata, Die Zauberflote, Die Frau Ohne Schatten (Royal Opera House) and Don Quixote, Onegin (Bolshoi). For film, her credits include Eva: Stories.

Peter Forbes returns to the Orange Tree to play Joseph Stalin having previously appeared in A Journey to London and Adam Bede. His theatre credits include Coriolanus, Jack Absolute Flies Again, Follies, Our Country’s Good, The Observer, Afterlife, Never So Good, Two Weeks with the Queen (National Theatre), A Christmas Carol: A Ghost Story (Nottingham Playhouse, Alexandra Palace), La Cage Aux Folles (Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre), The Contingency Plan (Sheffield Theatres), The Scent of Rose, A Number (Royal Lyceum Theatre Edinburgh), Cat on a Hot Tin Roof (Curve, Leicester; Liverpool Everyman), Yes Prime Minister (Theatr Clywd), Allelujah! (Bridge Theatre), The James Plays (National Theatre of Scotland, National Theatre, UK and international tour), Way Upstream, A Small Family Business (Chichester Festival Theatre), How to Hold Your Breath (Royal Court Theatre), The Same Deep Water As Me (Donmar Warehouse), Singin’ in the Rain (Palace Theatre, Chichester Festival Theatre, Royal Lyceum), Diary of a Nobody, Travels with my Aunt (Royal & Derngate), The Three Musketeers and the Princess of Spain (ETT), Treasure Island (Rose Theatre Kingston), Black Watch (National Theatre of Scotland, international tour), The Winter’s Tale, Troilus and Cressida (Shakespeare’s Globe), My Dad’s A Birdman (Young Vic), Mamma Mia! (Prince Edward Theatre), The Duchess of Malfi (Mercury Theatre), Richard III, Aladdin, Juno and the Paycock, Guys and Dolls (Leicester Haymarket Theatre) and A Word from our Sponsor (Stephen Joseph Theatre, Chichester Festival Theatre). His television credits include Traces, Stephen, Manhunt, Poldark, King Lear, The Crown, Victoria, Endeavour, The Promise, The First Men in the Moon, Taggart, Little Devil, Bad Girls, A Touch of Frost, The Government Inspector, The English Revolution, Walking on the Moon, The Stalker’s Apprentice and Berkeley Square; and for film, Judy, The Children Act, The Wife, Modern Life is Rubbish, Nativity 3, Wilde and Blue Ice.

Artistic Director of the OT, Tom Littler, directs. At the OT, he has directed Suite in Three Keys (also Theatre Royal Bath), She Stoops to Conquer, The Circle (later revived for a national tour by Theatre Royal Bath) and the forthcoming production of Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night. Other theatre includes Saturday Night (Jermyn Street Theatre, Arts Theatre), A Little Night Music (Budapest), Good Grief (Theatre Royal Bath), Dances of Death (Gate Theatre), Martine (Finborough Theatre), Miss Julie and Creditors (Theatre by the Lake, Jermyn Street Theatre), Tonight at 8.30, Cancelling Socrates, The Tempest, The Odyssey, 15 Heroines (Jermyn Street Theatre), Cabaret (English Theatre Frankfurt, Deutsches Theater Munich) and Hamlet (Guildford Shakespeare Company). He was Artistic Director of Jermyn Street Theatre from 2017 to 2022, before moving to the OT.

ORANGE TREE THEATRE

LISTINGS

1 Clarence Street, Richmond, TW9 2SA

Box Office: 020 8940 3633 (Mon-Sat, 10am-6pm)

orangetreetheatre.co.uk

Performance times:

Monday – Saturday 7.30pm

Thursday and Saturday 2.30pm

GUARDS AT THE TAJ

Until 16 November

TWELFTH NIGHT

23 November 2024– 25 January 2025

OT UNDER 30 Night: Friday 13 December

TREASURE ISLAND

18 – 22 December 2024

2025 Season

CHURCHILL IN MOSCOW

3 February – 8 March 2025

OT UNDER 30 NIGHT: Friday 21 February

Audio Described Performance: Wednesday 5 March at 7:30pm

Captioned Performance: Tuesday 4 March at 7:30pm

Relaxed and distanced performance: Tuesday 25 February at 7:30pm

OT on screen: Tuesday 11 – Friday 14 March

PLAYHOUSE CREATURES

15 March – 12 April 2025

OT UNDER 30 NIGHT: Friday 28 March

Audio Described Performance: Wednesday 9 April at 7:30pm

Captioned Performance: Tuesday 8 April at 7:30pm

Relaxed and distanced performance: Wednesday 2 April at 7:30pm          

OT on screen: Tuesday 15 – Friday 18 April

Touring to:

Yvonne Arnaud Theatre, Guildford

Theatre Royal Bath

BEN AND IMO

19 April – 17 May 2025

OT UNDER 30 NIGHT: Friday 2 May

Audio Described Performance: Wednesday 14 May at 7:30pm    

Captioned Performance: Tuesday 13 May at 7:30pm

Relaxed and distanced performance: Wednesday 7 May at 7:30pm

OT on screen: Tuesday 20 – Friday 23 May

IN PRAISE OF LOVE

24 May – 5 July 2025

OT UNDER 30 NIGHT: Friday 20 June

Audio Described Performance: Wednesday 2 July at 7:30pm

Captioned Performance: Tuesday 1 July at 7:30pm

Relaxed and distanced performance: Wednesday 25 June at 7:30pm

OT on screen: Tuesday 8 – Friday 11 July

ABOUT THE ORANGE TREE THEATRE
We are a local theatre with a global reputation.

A show at the Orange Tree is close-up magic: live, entertaining, unmissable. We’re an intimate theatre with the audience wrapped around the stage. We believe in celebrating what it means to be human. We believe in putting people at the centre of the stories we tell. And we believe in the power of a writer’s words, an actor’s voice, and an audience’s imagination to transport us to other worlds and other lives.

We punch above our weight to create world-class productions of new and contemporary drama, revitalise classics and re-discoveries, and introduce children and young people to the magic of theatre.

We are deeply rooted in our local community in South West London. We work with thousands of people aged 0 to 100 in Richmond and beyond through participatory theatre, bringing generations together to build confidence, connection, and joy. Our ground-breaking Primary Shakespeare and Shakespeare Up Close projects pack the theatre with children and ignite a spark to last a lifetime.

We’re a registered charity (266128). With only 180 seats and no support from Arts Council England, we rely on the generosity of our audiences and donors to raise £650,000 a year. These funds support our outstanding work on stage and in the community and invest in the next generation of talent.

Artistic Director Tom Littler 
Executive Director Hanna Streeter 

Website orangetreetheatre.co.uk | Email [email protected] 
X @OrangeTreeThtr | Facebook/Instagram OrangeTreeTheatre

SIX

WEST END QUEENS CELEBRATE SIX SENSATIONAL YEARS WITH A ROYAL AFTERNOON TEA AT THE RUBENS AT THE PALACE

The producers of Toby Marlow and Lucy Moss’s award-winning global smash hit SIX, alongside members of the current company of West End Queens, kick started the show’s West End Sixth Birthday celebrations with a delicious Royal Afternoon Tea at The Rubens at the Palace on 6 November, in the shadow of Buckingham Palace.

The Queens and assembled guests enjoyed a selection of the exquisite patisserie on offer as part of the Royal Afternoon Tea, including Fig and Hazelnut Layer Cake, Bergamot and Earl Grey Tart, Chocolate Orange Choux, The Crown (blackberry and vanilla sponge), and cucumber, chicken and smoked salmon sandwiches, created by chef Sarah Houghting – a pastry chef of distinction who has showcased her skills on Bake Off: The Professionals on Channel 4.

The Queens and guests then toasted the show with champagne and a specially created birthday cake served in true Royal fashion by the team at The Rubens at the Palace.

Six started its West End journey at the Arts Theatre in the autumn of 2018. This event is the first in a series of birthday celebrations in the next year, with further details to be announced.

Producers Andy and Wendy Barnes said, “We are so unbelievably proud of this show and the joy it has spread across the world over the past six years. It was wonderful to celebrate this with our current West End company and to raise a glass to everyone who has played a part in helping us reach this significant milestone in the show’s history. Many thanks to Sarah and her whole team at The Rubens at the Palace for all the delicious treats, and for hosting us in their beautiful venue. Here’s to the next SIX years, and beyond!”

Think you know the six Wives of Henry VIII? Think again…

Prepare to lose your head and experience the Tudor Wives’ lives as they turn back the clock and take to the stage to reclaim their crowns and retell their stories of love, loss and the infamous ex they all have in common.

Join Aragon, Boleyn, Seymour, Cleves, Howard and Parr, backed by their fierce on-stage band, the Ladies in Waiting, and Get Down to a royal retelling of the sassiest story in British Her-story.

The current company includes Nikki Bentley as Catherine of Aragon, Thao Therese Nguyen as Anne Boleyn, Caitlin Tipping as Jane Seymour, Reca Oakley as Anna of Cleves, Inez Budd as Katherine Howard, Janiq Charles as Catherine Parr, Gabriella Stylianou as Alternate Catherine of Aragon & Jane Seymour/Dance Captain, Naomi Alade as Alternate Anne Boleyn & Anna of Cleves, Hannah Lowther as Alternate Katherine Howard & Catherine Parr, Meg Dixon-Brasil as Super Swing, and Ellie Jane Grant as Super Swing.

The band features Ladies in Waiting Carol Arnopp as Musical Director/Keys, Alice Angliss on Drums, Emma Jemima on Guitar, Kelly Morris on Bass, and Sinéad Rodger as Assistant Musical Director.

SIX is written by Toby Marlow and Lucy Moss, with direction by Lucy Moss and Jamie Armitage. Choreography is by Carrie-Anne Ingrouille, with set design by Emma Bailey, costume design by Gabriella Slade, lighting design by Tim Deiling, sound design by Paul Gatehouse, musical orchestration by Tom Curran, and musical supervision by Joe Beighton.

Winner of over 35 international awards, including two 2022 Tony Awards, three WhatsOnStage awards, and nominated for five Oliviers, SIX can also be seen live on stage worldwide: as well as London’s West End, SIX continues to tour the UK (with new 2025 dates just announced), and throughout Europe. An Australian tour launched in August 2024, with an engagement in Manila just opened, and in Singapore opening in November 2024.  SIX is currently playing at Broadway’s Lena Horne Theatre, the tour continues to play cities throughout the US. 

Earlier this year, the show both achieved 1.5million followers globally – across YouTube, Instagram, X, TikTok and Facebook in the UK, US, Australia, Korea and beyond – and hit another milestone achievement, with SIX the Musical (UK Studio Cast Recording) and the Grammy Award®-nominated SIX: LIVE ON OPENING NIGHT (the first Original Broadway Cast Recording ever recorded live on opening night) streamed over one billion times.

Tickets to all international productions of SIX are available via sixthemusical.com