Coach & Horses, 29 Greek Street, W1D 5DH (Soho) – until February 26 2024
Reviewed by Mandi Riggi
3***
Keith Waterhouse’s 1989 comedy, “Jeffrey Bernard Is Unwell,” has been revived once again at the Coach and Horses pub, an infamous drinking hole frequented by Jeffrey Bernard, an inebriated journalist and a Soho fixture played by Robert Bathurst. The Coach and Horses, a real-life pub in London’s Soho, was Bernard’s regular haunt, and it became a symbol of his lifestyle.
The premise of the play is that Jeffrey Bernard fell asleep in the bathroom and woke up to find himself locked inside. The first thing he does is reach for a bottle of vodka, as he waits for the pub owner, Norman, to let him back out. The play revolves around and celebrates the much-loved old Soho character, Jeffrey Bernard, a well-known British journalist and writer notorious for his excessive drinking and gambling habits, and some may argue, a misogynist.
Robert Bathurst has a clear handle on this role, playing a larger-than-life personality who dominates the stage as he regales the audience with tales of his misadventures. Delivering a little over an hour-long monologue, Bathurst navigates the crowded pub, engaging with the audience perched on bar stools. There are many entertaining oneliners; however, the combination of topicality and datedness doesn’t appeal to everyone, especially younger audiences who might struggle to understand the historical context and references.
Bathurst’s performance is energetic and entertaining, capturing Bernard’s wit and charm. However, some may argue that there wasn’t enough emotion and heart in portraying such a dark and lonely character who leads a self-destructive lifestyle. To be fair, Waterhouse includes witty criticisms of Bernard’s behaviour from his wives and lovers, offering a more nuanced portrayal of the character.
But Bathurst’s polished delivery made me wonder if it might be a bit disconnected from Bernard’s actual lifestyle. The omission of Bernard’s slurred and growly speech and drunken behaviour might contribute to a sense of disconnect between the character and Bathurst’s portrayal.
Despite these concerns, “Jeffrey Bernard Is Unwell” does offer entertaining anecdotes, particularly with punchlines that elicit laughter from the audience. The play provides a glimpse into a bygone era and offers a reflection on the consequences of a life consumed by vices. One memorable moment is the hilarious story about racing cats, which resulted in roaring laughter from the audience.
Overall, while “Jeffrey Bernard Is Unwell” offers an entertaining experience and attempts to raise important questions about addiction and the consequences of a life consumed by vices, it falls short in fully exploring the complexities of this celebrated character.
University Drama Studios, Sheffield – until 10th February
Reviewed by Carol Crann
5*****
Credit: Roe-Parkin Creative
SIX is the story of the six wives of Henry VIII, but with a very modern twist. The wives are staging a pop concert, and in order to find out who will lead the group, they decide to have a singing battle. This competition will be won by the wife who is deemed to have suffered the most at the hands of the infamous king – and the ladies go out of their way to try and prove who had it the toughest. They soon realise, though, that their legacy is only because of one man and they no longer want that to define them. So they decide to rewrite their own stories – because they can!
I was invited to the dress rehearsal of this performance by the Splinters Theatre Group, who work with young people between the ages of 14 and 30 and have been performing in Sheffield for over 30 years. For this show they decided to have two casts, a challenge in itself, but with such an iconic show, with some incredible numbers and six very sassy characters, I was concerned that they had bitten off more than they could chew. But boy did they prove me wrong! So much so that I stayed to see both casts, and I left the theatre absolutely buzzing! A few issues with sound in the first performance were quickly rectified in the second, and some of the subsequent individual renditions actually gave me goosebumps.
Not only did the twelve young ladies have amazing voices and delivered very impressive versions of all of the incredible songs in the show, but they also had a enviable stage presence throughout the performance. The choreography was spot on, and they managed to maintain their energy levels right to the end of the show – which is no mean feat in a show that is entirely centred around the six of them.
I was also impressed by the lighting – with lines of bulbs that moved and changed colour constantly to emphasise the mood of what was happening on stage, doing so without detracting from the power of the performance. The costumes, meanwhile, were in keeping not only with the characters, but – importantly – with the age of the performers as well.
A brilliant performance by a very talented cast. By the end of the show, everyone was up and dancing in their seats – and this was only the dress rehearsal!
Ambassador Theatre Group Productions, Paula Wagner, Nice Productions, LPO, New Regency Productions, Gavin Kalin Productions, Jas Theatricals/Josh Andrews Productions, Hunter Arnold, Caiola Productions & Co, John Gore Organization, Edward Walson, Deroy Kierstead presents Pretty Woman the Musical.
Based on the book by Garry Marshall and J.F. Lawton with music and lyrics by Bryan Adams and Jim Vallance this production was a joy to watch, all the cast were so good and it made for a very enjoyable evening of theatre. Set in the 1980’s the fashion is garish, colourful and the costumes (designed by Tom Rogers) were very much how I remembered it!
If you’ve seen the film of the same name, starring Richard Gere and Julia Roberts, this show followed the plot. Vivian Ward (Sydnie Hocknell) and her friend and housemate Kit de Luca (Natalie Paris) are hookers on Hollywood Boulevard in LA where Vivian meets rich businessman Edward Lewis (Ben Darcy) who wants directions to the Beverly Wilshire Hotel. She charges him for the directions and what starts as a onetime business deal turns into a six day stay together at one of LA’s exclusive and very expensive hotels. A lady of the night is not welcome in this type of establishment but Vivian is taken under the wing of the hotel manager Mr Thompson (Curtis Patrick, who also played Happy Man) who helps her negotiate how to behave and dress during her time with Edward. Edward is a business man whose job is to break up companies that are in trouble and make as much cash as he can, along with his lawyer Philip Stuckey (Stuart MacIver) they plot to take over a another failing company. The story then takes us on a rocky but romantic journey and we find out does true love finally win out?
There were some outstanding performances in the show last night, Curtis Patrick as the Happy Man and Hotel Manager was a joy to watch, such a talented triple threat. Natalie Paris as Kit De Luca was a brilliant singer…what a voice! Noah Harrison who played the bellboy Giulio was so good, his timing, facial expressions and stage presence was outstanding.
The toe tapping songs, played magnificently by the Orchestra under Musical Director Griff Johnson, were very memorable. The sets (designed by David Rockwell) were very clever, taking us from Hollywood Boulevard to the Hotel to a polo match, they were simple but very effective.
This production is definitely worth the five stars I have given it. A stunning night was had watching this very talented cast!
Presented by Howard Panter for Trafalgar Theatre Productions
in association with the Barbican
“COLE PORTER’S GREATEST MUSICAL COMEDY”
Playbill
OLIVIER AWARD NOMINEE CHARLIE STEMP
& RISING STAR GEORGINA ONUORAH
JOIN THE CAST OF
“The ultimate Broadway musical from the golden age”
Financial Times
Starring
Multi-Award-Winning Tony Award Winner
ADRIAN DUNBAR STEPHANIE J. BLOCK
As Fred Graham / Petruchio As Lilli Vanessi / Katharine
Music and Lyrics by COLE PORTER
Book by SAM AND BELLA SPEWACK
Directed by Tony Award Winner BARTLETT SHER
BARBICAN THEATRE
FROM 4 JUNE 2024
STRICTLY LIMITED ENGAGEMENT UNTIL 14 SEPTEMBER
TICKETS ON SALE NOW FROM KISSMEKATEMUSICAL.COM
Olivier nominee Charlie Stemp (Crazy For You, Mary Poppins) and rising star Georgina Onuorah (The Wizard of Oz, Oklahoma!) are set to captivate audiences this summer as they co-star in the much-loved quintessential Cole Porter musical comedy KISS ME, KATE. They will join multi-award-winning actor Adrian Dunbar, making his musical theatre debut and Tony Award winner and Broadway Royalty Stephanie J. Block, making her West End debut, for a strictly limited 15-week season at the Barbican Theatre from 4 June.
Stemp will be bringing his impressive tap-dancing skills to the role of the impulsive gambler Bill Calhoun/Lucentio and Onurofah her soaring voice to the charming Lois Lane/Bianca. The dynamic duo are set to shine as they bring their unparalleled talent, energy and charisma to the Barbican stage.
Charlie Stemp said: “Kiss Me, Kate has always been a favourite show of mine, so to get the chance to return to the West End so soon in this title and specifically opposite Adrian Dunbar, Stephanie J. Block and Georgina Onuorah is a dream come true.”
Georgina Onuorah said: “I am thrilled to be involved in this reimagined Kiss Me, Kate – with a Lois/Bianca that looks like me! Bart Sher is a remarkable director and I am so excited to get working on this beloved musical with this wonderful team.”
Producer Howard Panter said: “I’m delighted that the dynamic Charlie Stemp and Georgina Onuorah are joining the cast of KISS ME, KATE. Their youthful energy and exceptional talents will bring an exciting vibrancy to Cole Porter’s timeless masterpiece. KISS ME, KATE is the perfect summer treat for London audiences this year. It’s fun, infectious and pure entertainment – it’s musical theatre at its very best.”
One of the all-time classic musical comedy farces, KISS ME, KATE is making a long-awaited return to the London stage. From the producer of the smash hit musical Anything Goes and A Strange Loop (both staged at the Barbican), this majestic production of Cole Porter’s musical masterpiece is set dazzle West End audiences once again this summer.
Directed by Bartlett Sher (The King and I, South Pacific and To Kill A Mockingbird), this all-star creative team have collectively won a remarkable 20 Tony awards between them. Joining the dynamic creative team is renowned choreographer Anthony Van Laast, accomplished costume designer Catherine Zuber and leading set designer Michael Yeargan. With music and lyrics by Cole Porter and the original book by Bella & Samuel Spewack, this new production, promises a symphony of wit, charm and musical brilliance. With a company of over 50, including a full-scale orchestra, and featuring Cole Porter classics such as ‘Another Op’nin’, Another Show’, ‘Brush Up Your Shakespeare’, ‘Tom, Dick or Harry’ and ‘It’s Too Darn Hot’KISS ME, KATE is the perfect musical spectacle for 2024.
This musical farce which brilliantly showcases Cole Porter’s razor-sharp wit, has won Best Musical at the Tony Awards. It’s a sophisticated, ferociously funny, show within a show – which whisks you into a world of backstage chaos and romantic entanglements as a theatre company attempt to put on a production of Shakespeare’s ‘The Taming of the Shrew’. The battle of the sexes takes centre stage as former spouses feud, only to find the off-stage antics rival the drama on-stage. Throw in a number of cases of mistaken identity, confused love, gangsters and a spectacular tap routine and you get...KISS ME, KATE.
CREATIVE TEAM
Bartlett Sher – Director
Anthony Van Laast – Choreographer
Michael Yeargan – Set Designer
Catherine Zuber – Costume Designer
Donald Holder – Lighting Designer
Adam Fisher – Sound Designer
Stephen Ridley – Music Supervisor
LISTINGS INFORMATION
Barbican Theatre, Silk Street, London EC2Y 8DS
First Performance: 4th June 2024
Final performance: 14th September 2024
Performances: Monday – Saturday at 7.30pm & Thursday and Saturday at 2.30pm
Paulus announces the Spring/Summer 2024 tour dates
for his nostalgic musical celebration
Looking For Me Friend: The Music of Victoria Wood
Looking For Me Friend: The Music of Victoria Wood, the celebration of the music of the late comedy genius and national treasure written and performed by Paulus (‘The Cabaret Geek’, BBC1’s All Together Now and ‘King of Cabaret’ The Stage), will return to delight audiences this year.
Directed by multi-award-winning cabaret artist Sarah-Louise Young(An Evening Without Kate Bush), the show is filled with love, laughter and fabulous memories for Victoria Wood fans as well as the ultimate ‘beginner’s guide’ for audiences new to her work.
The 2024 Spring/Summer tour will visit The Bungalow, Paisley (16 Mar), The Maltings, Berwick (17 Mar),Quay Theatre, Sudbury (24 Mar), Albany Theatre, Coventry (3 Apr), Town Hall Theatre, Hartlepool (5 Apr), Grove Theatre, Eastbourne (11 Apr), East Point Pavilion, Lowestoft (12 Apr), Norden Farm Centre for the Arts, Maidenhead (13 Apr), Lowther Pavilion Theatre, Lytham St Annes (17 Apr), Selby Town Hall(26 Apr), Otley Courthouse (27 Apr), Pavilion Arts Centre, Buxton (10 May), Sarah Thorne Theatre, Broadstairs (12 May), The Mill Arts Centre, Banbury (23 May), Ludlow Piano Festival (25 May), King’s Hall Ilkley (29 May), Ropery Hall, the Ropewalk, Barton-upon-Humber (31 May), Crazy Coqs, London (2 Jun), Bolton Gate Farm, Stoke-on-Trent (8 Jun), Thimblemill Library, Smethwick (29 Jun) and Ripon Theatre Festival (5 Jul).
Many of Victoria Wood’s best-loved songs through the decades are featured including It Would Never Have Worked, Reincarnation and, of course, the classic Ballad of Barry & Freda (Let’s Do It), as well as some of her lesser-known and more poignant compositions.
The acclaimed pianist Michael Roulston (Fascinating Aida)joins Paulus on stage, proving what many have known for decades: that it takes two men to do the work of one woman – half as well!
Paulus said: “As we embark on our fifth year travelling the UK to celebrate a lost, much-loved friend, I’m more excited than ever to meet fellow fans of the unforgettable Victoria Wood, and to introduce a whole new generation to her wit, wisdom and word-play.”
Paulus, ‘The Cabaret Geek’, is an entertainer and educator specialising in cabaret. Best known for his appearances on BBC1’s All Together Now as a talent judge, his musical tribute to Victoria Wood premièred in London in 2020. For fifteen years, Paulus had close ties to the cult London cabaret venue The Battersea Barge, producing many cabarets for them including the hugely successful talent contest Cheese ‘n’ Crackers, Diva Nite and their annual adult pantomimes. For ten years, Paulus ran the entertainment agency Excess All Areas (formerly Better Chemistry) and under this banner he spearheaded the annual Cabaret Convention and London Cabaret Awards. His expertise has been sought to judge many talent competitions including National Burlesque Awards, Drag Idol for Royal Vauxhall Tavern, Pride’s Got Talent, Musical Comedy Awards and Burlesque Idol at The Hippodrome Casino.
The Jamie Lloyd Company today announces its new West End production of Shakespeare’s Romeo & Juliet, starring Tom Holland as Romeo, and directed by Jamie Lloyd. Romeo & Juliet runs at the Duke of York’s Theatre, Saturday 11 May – Saturday 3 August 2024.
Further casting to be announced. Tickets go on sale to those signed up for priority booking and ATG+ members on Tuesday 13 February at 8am; general booking opens on Tuesday 13 February at 12pm.
The Jamie Lloyd Company also continues its commitment to accessibility, offering 10,000 tickets priced at £25 and under, with 5,000 of these exclusively for under 30s, key workers and those receiving government benefits. Further information to be announced.
Jamie Lloyd said today, “Tom Holland is one of the greatest, most exciting young actors in the world. It is an honour to welcome him back to the West End.”
The Jamie Lloyd Company presents
ROMEO & JULIET
By William Shakespeare
Directed by Jamie Lloyd
Text edited by Nima Taleghani; Set and Costume Design: Soutra Gilmour; Lighting Design: Jon Clark; Sound Design; Ben and Max Ringham;Video Design and Cinematography: Nathan Amzi and Joe Ransom; Composer: Michael ‘Mikey J’ Asante; Casting Director: Stuart Burt CDG;Movement Directors: Sarah Golding & Yukiko Masui (SAY); Intimacy Coordinator: Ingrid Mackinnon; Associate Director: Jonathan Glew; Associate Designer: Rachel Wingate
Duke of York’s Theatre
Saturday 11 May – Saturday 3 August 2024
Violent delights have violent ends.
Tom Holland is Romeo in Jamie Lloyd’s pulsating new vision of Shakespeare’s immortal tale of wordsmiths, rhymers, lovers and fighters.
Romeo & Juliet is produced byThe Jamie Lloyd Company and David Binder Productions.
Tom Holland plays Romeo. He is a global star as a result of his iconic portrayal of ‘Peter Parker’ in the box office record-breaking franchise Spider-Man in Spider-Man: Homecoming, Spider-Man: Far From Home and Spider-Man: No Way Home as well as the installments of the Marvel Cinematic Universe including Captain America: Civil War, Avengers: Infinity War and Avengers: Endgame. Other film credits include Uncharted with co-stars Mark Wahlberg and Antonio Banderas and directed by Ruben Fleischer; Cherry for directors Joe and Anthony Russo; Chaos Walking for director Doug Liman, opposite Daisy Ridley, Mads Mikkelsen, David Oyelowo and Demián Bichir; The Devil All The Time directed by Antonio Campos, also stars Robert Pattinson and Mia Wasikowska; Alfonso Gomez Rejon’s The Current War, alongside Benedict Cumberbatch and Michael Shannon; Juan Antonio Bayona’s The Impossible, for which he was awarded ‘Breakthrough Actor of the Year’ by the National Board of Review, received the ‘Spotlight Award’ from the Hollywood Film Awards and was nominated for the ‘Best Young Actor/Actress’ BFCA Critics’ Choice Award; James Gray’s Lost City Of Z with Charlie Hunnam, Robert Pattinson and Sienna Miller; Ron Howard’s In The Heart Of The Sea; Kevin MacDonald’s How I Live Now opposite Saoirse Ronan; Steven Knight’s Locke with Tom Hardy; and Rob Connolly’s Edge Of Winter opposite Joel Kinnaman.
Television credits include The Crowded Room (Apple TV+), for which he serves as an executive producer and received a Critics Choice Award nomination for his performance; and Wolf Hall (BBC), alongside Mark Rylance and Claire Foy.
He has appeared as a featured voice in the PIXAR animated film, Onward, opposite Chris Pratt; Disney action-adventure animated film, Spies In Disguise; and the feature adaptation of Dolittle, opposite Robert Downey Jr. and Antonio Banderas.
Holland made his stage debut as the title role in Billy Elliot The Musical (Victoria Palace Theatre).
Jamie Lloyd directs. His credits for the company include Sunset Boulevard (Savoy Theatre – Evening Standard Theatre Award for Best Director), The Effect (National Theatre), A Doll’s House (Hudson Theatre, New York – nominated for six 2023 Tony Awards including Best Direction of a Play and Best Revival of a Play), The Seagull (Harold Pinter Theatre), Cyrano de Bergerac (Playhouse Theatre/Harold Pinter Theatre/Brooklyn Academy of Music, New York – Olivier Award for Best Revival), Betrayal (Pinter at the Pinter, Harold Pinter Theatre/ Bernard B. Jacobs Theatre – nominated for four 2021 Tony Awards including Best Direction of a Play and Best Revival of a Play), Pinter One, Two, Three, Six and Seven (Pinter at the Pinter, Harold Pinter Theatre), The Maids, The Homecoming, The Ruling Class, Richard III, The Pride, The Hothouse and Macbeth (Trafalgar Studios).
The producers of the multi award-winning, critically acclaimed West End production of CABARET at the KIT KAT CLUB are delighted to announce that from 11 March 2024 until 1 June 2024, the roles of Sally Bowles will be played by actress and model Cara Delevingne and The Emcee will be played by Olivier Award-winning actor Luke Treadaway.
CABARET at the KIT KAT CLUB is now booking until February 2025. kitkat.club
Cara Delevingne said today “There are no words to explain the excitement I have to return home to make my stage debut in such an iconic role. I am so inspired by the brilliant actors who have played Sally in past productions around the world and in this one in the West End. I cannot wait to be a part of this brilliant cast and production.”
Luke Treadaway said today “I can’t wait to become a member of the Kit Kat Club and join this extraordinary production. It’s a huge thrill to be asked to take this on and I’m very excited to get started.”
Cara Delevingne is one of the most recognisable faces in the world, most known for her work across the entertainment and fashion industry. Her film credits include Joe Wright’s ANNA KARENINA, PAPER TOWNS, DC Comics’ SUICIDE SQUAD, Luc Besson’s VALERIAN AND THE CITY OF A THOUSAND PLANETS, THE FACE OF AN ANGEL, HER SMELL, LIFE IN A YEAR, and TELL IT LIKE A WOMAN. In television, Delevingne was a part of the SAG nominated cast of ONLY MURDERS IN THE BUILDING opposite Steve Martin, Martin Short and Selena Gomez. She has also been seen on television in Amazon’s CARNIVAL ROW, PLANET SEX and most recently in Ryan Murphy’s AMERICAN HORROR STORY: DELICATE. A talented singer and drummer, Cara’s Pharrell Williams-produced song, “I Feel Everything” was featured on the soundtrack of her film VALERIAN AND THE CITY OF A THOUSAND PLANETS. Delevingne also appeared on Fiona Apple’s Grammy-nominated album “Fetch the Bolt Cutters”. Delevingne has used her platform to speak out on important issues, becoming an influential voice for the LGBTQIA+ community, as well as an advocate for mental health issues, women’s rights, and environmental conservation.
Luke Treadaway won the Olivier Award for Best Leading Actor for his performance of Christopher in the National Theatre’s production of The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time. He was also nominated for Best Actor at the Evening Standard Theatre Awards for his portrayal of the role. In New York he appeared in Hamlet and Oresteia at the Park Avenue Armory. His West End credits include Nick in Who’s Afraid of Virgina Woolf at the Harold Pinter Theatre, Karl in Over There at the Royal Court and Albert Narracott in War Horse and Saint Joan, both at the National Theatre. His other theatre credits include Cradle Me at the Finborough Theatre and Piranha Heights at Soho Theatre. His film credits include A Street Cat Named Bob, Ethel and Ernest, The Rack Pack, Unbroken, The Rise, Cheerful Weather for The Wedding, You Instead, Late Bloomers, Attack The Block, Killing Bono, The Whistleblower, Clash of The Titans, Heartless, Viko, Brothers Of The Head. His TV credits include The Serial Killer’s Wife, Lockwood & Co, The Singapore Grip, Traitors, Ordeal by Innocence, Unspeakable, Urban Myths: When Bowie Met Bolan, Fortitude, The Hollow Crown, Vicious, The Nightmare Worlds of HG Wells, 13 Steps Down, Clapham Junction and The Innocence Project. His radio credits include Oil: Stand Firm, You Cads!, The Wager, The Bone Clocks, Plantagenet Series 3 – Henry V, Life and Fate: Vera and Her Pilot, The History of Titus Groan, At The Edge of The Earth, Children’s Crusade, Pilgrim Series 2, We Outnumber You, War Horse and Caligari.
Cara will not be performing on the following dates – Wednesday 13 March (matinee), Thursday 21 March (evening), Wednesday 27 March (matinee), Thursday 4 April (evening), Tuesday 9 April (evening) Wednesday 10 April (matinee and evening), Thursday 11 April (evening), Friday 12 April (evening), Thursday 18 April (evening), Wednesday 24 April (matinee), Thursday 2 May (evening), Monday 6 May (evening), Tuesday 7 May (evening), Wednesday 8 May (matinee and evening), Thursday 16 May (evening), Friday 17 May (evening), Saturday 18 May (matinee and evening), Wednesday 22 May (matinee) and Thursday 30 May (evening).
They join Michael Ahomka-Lindsay as Clifford Bradshaw, Beverley Klein as Fraulein Schneider and Teddy Kempner as Herr Schultz. Nic Myers plays the role of Sally Bowles once a week.
Completing the company are Wilf Scolding as Ernst Ludwig, Jessica Kirton as Fraulein Kost/Fritzie, Liv Alexander as Texas, Natalie Chua as Frenchie, Taite-Elliot Drew as Hans, Damon Gould as Victor, El Haq Latief as Helga, and Travis Ross as Bobby, joining Laura Delany as Rosie, Grant Neal as Herman/Max and Hicaro Nicolai as Lulu. The cast is completed by Rebecca Lisewski, Ela Lisondra, Nic Myers, Andy Rees, Toby Turpin and Patrick Wilden.
The prologue company are Rachel Benson, Ami Benton, Onyemachi Ejimofor, Joseph Hardy, Liz Kamille, Andrew Linnie, Aine McLoughlin, Jack William Parry, Jazmyn Raikes, Oliver Stockley and Ena Yamaguchi.
This unique production of CABARET opened in December 2021 to critical and audience acclaim, widely praised as the ultimate theatrical experience. In April 2022 the production won a record-breaking seven Olivier Awards, the most for any musical revival in Olivier history. The production has also won three prestigious Critics Circle Awards as well as the Evening Standard Theatre Award for Best Design for designer Tom Scutt. The Broadway production of CABARET starring Eddie Redmayne and Gayle Rankin will open at the KIT KAT CLUB at the August Wilson Theatre in April.
Transforming one of London’s most famous theatres with an in-the-round auditorium and reimagined spaces, before the show guests are invited to enjoy and explore the Kit Kat Club with pre-show entertainment, drinks and dining all on offer. When booking, guests receive a ‘club entry time’ to allow enough time to take in the world of the Kit Kat Club before the show starts. But of course, the show really starts when you first join us in the club…
One of the most successful musicals of all time CABARET features the songs Wilkommen, Don’t Tell Mama, Mein Herr, Maybe This Time, Money and the title number. It has music by John Kander, lyrics by Fred Ebb, book by Joe Masteroff. Based on the play by John Van Druten and stories by Christopher Isherwood.
CABARET is directed by Rebecca Frecknall, set and costume design is by Tom Scutt with choreography by Julia Cheng. Musical supervision is by Jennifer Whyte and musical direction is by Ben Ferguson with lighting design by Isabella Byrd and sound design by Nick Lidster. The casting director is Stuart Burt and the associate director and prologue director is Jordan Fein. The prologue composer and musical director is Angus MacRae.
CABARET at the KIT KAT CLUB is produced by Ambassador Theatre Group Productions and Underbelly.
AWARD-WINNING NEWBURY VENUE ANNOUNCES FULL SEASON DETAILS
INCLUDING A REVIVAL OF BARNUM AS THE SUMMER MUSICAL
(2 JULY – 8 SEPTMBER)
MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING (12 APRIL – 18 MAY)
FANNY (23 MAY – 15 JUNE)
THE KING’S SPEECH (20 SEPTEMBER – 2 NOVEMBER)
PINOCCHIO (15 NOVEMBER – 5 JANUARY 2025)
TICKETS ON SALE TO FRIENDS & MEMBERS 9 FEB (MEMBERSHIPS START FROM £35 PER YEAR)
EMAIL SUBSCRIBERS 16 FEB, GENERAL ON SALE 17 FEB.
BOOK ONLINE AT WATERMILL.ORG.UK OR VIA THE BOX OFFICE ON 01635 46044
Fresh from its success at The Stage Awards where it was named Theatre of the Year, joint CEOs Artistic Director Paul Hart andExecutive Director Claire Murray, and the whole team at Newbury’s TheWatermill Theatre are thrilled to announce the rest of their 2024 season of work at the award-winning venue.
The Watermill’s 2024 summer musical will be a revival of the Olivier and Tony award-nominated musical Barnum from 2 July – 8 September. Featuring music by Cy Coleman, lyrics by Michael Stewart, and a book by Mark Bramble, the show takes audiences into the dazzling world of the legendary P.T. Barnum where imagination and ambition know no bounds. Directed by Jonathan O’Boyle (Cruel Intentions: The 90s Musical – West End, The Last Five Years – Southwark Playhouse & West End), choreographed by Oti Mabuse who returns to the Watermill after her work on Kiss Me Kate in 2019 and featuring an ensemble cast of actor-musicians and circus performers, this sensational show will overtake the Watermill site with the wonders and delights of Barnum’s circus.
From 12 April – 18 May, The Watermill’s critically acclaimed Watermill Ensemble will sashay into the Golden Age of Hollywood in a new take on Shakespeare’s classic comedy Much Ado About Nothing. Adapted by Tom Wentworth and directed by Paul Hart, the new production sets the comedy at a bustling film set and will feature a 1940s-inspired soundscape, played live by the ensemble cast of actor-musicians.
From 23 May – 15 June, RJG Productions and The Watermill will present the world premiere of FANNY, a new comedy by Calum Finlay, directed by Katie-Ann McDonough, and starring Charlie Russell (The Goes Wrong Show – BBC, The Play That Goes Wrong – West End & Broadway), that reveals that Fanny Mendelssohn, sister of renowned composer Felix Mendelssohn, wrote some of his greatest hits. When Fanny intercepts a letter addressed to ‘F. Mendelssohn’ inviting Felix to play for Queen Victoria, she decides to don his clothes and take his place. The fun and irreverent comedy celebrates classical music and – at last – recognises the work of a composer overlooked for her sex.
From 20 September – 2 November, The Watermill will stage a new production of David Seidler’s The King’s Speech, directed by Emma Butler (Never Have I Ever – Chichester Festival Theatre, Camelot – West End), which takes an intimate view of one of life’s most unorthodox relationships between Bertie, the soon-to-be-crowned King George VI, and speech therapist Lionel Logue. As Hitler’s threat on Europe encroaches, Bertie fights his own battle to overcome his speech impediment at the time his country needs him most.
From 15 November – 5 January 2025, The Watermill’s annual festive production will be a new musical adaptation of Pinocchio . Casting aside his parents’ wishes, the production follows Pinocchio as he sets off on a path of fun and freedom ready to discover the world. However, being faced with big decisions leads to some very calamitous consequences for Pinocchio, and it takes courage, heart, and a sprinkling of magic to discover what it means to grow up and the power of unconditional love.
The Watermill will also welcome The Wardrobe Ensemble with their brand-new adaptation of Babette Cole’s Princess Smartypants (4 – 6 April), a subversive, fun-filled adventure for children aged 4+ and their families; the popularWatermill Comedy Night returns with Laura Lexx headlining (6 April), and there is another opportunity to shop at the Watermill with a new Farmer’s Market full of delicious produce from a host of local suppliers (26 April).
Speaking about the new season Paul Hart said, “We have started this year having our theatre and work recognised with some amazing awards, and we’re delighted to share our next season which combines new writing and new approaches to much-loved titles. Our new adaptation of Much Ado About Nothing, adapted by Tom Wentworth, combines the glamour and music of 1940s Hollywood with the bustle of a film set and all the secrets and trickery of Shakespeare’s classic comedies. We’ll be spending summer at the circus with our new production of Barnum, which will bring the joy and wonder of the magical world that P.T. Barnum creates whilst considering the cost of his ambition to those around him. Our multi-talented cast of actor-musicians will have the added challenge of also becoming circus performers in this brand-new version of this classic musical.
In autumn, Emma Butler’s intimate production of David Seidler’s The King’s Speech will explore the extraordinary relationship between Bertie and Lionel, as their two very different worlds collide, and royal protocol is put to one side. We’re thrilled to be working with the brilliant team at RJG Productions to bring a brand-new comedy to the Watermill with the hilarious FANNY, which reveals that composer Felix Mendelssohn’s sister, Fanny, was responsible for some of his most highly regarded work. At Christmas, the most famous puppet in the world, Pinocchio comes to the Watermill stage in a brand-new musical adaptation packed full of a menagerie of colourful characters, puppetry and music for festive family fun.”
Claire Murray added, “We’re excited to bring our distinctive Watermill style to a brilliant collection of plays and musicals and proud to continue to invest in new writing and adaptations as well as revivals. Our production of Barnum, featuring acrobatics and actor musicians, will take over the whole site, immersing audiences in the thrill and spectacle of the circus – it’s going to be another fantastic summer for all the family!
As a registered charity, fundraising is vital to our continued work and we’re delighted to add to our Friends memberships, with new levels starting from as little as £10 per month. These new levels provide opportunities for people to engage with The Watermill on a deeper level – to gain a real insight into our work, get to know us better, and really see the difference their donation is making. We have also introduced the Watermill Musical Circle, through which donors can support and follow the process of creating a musical from the early stages of development, into the rehearsal room all the way to the on-stage experience. We hope this will help us welcome more people to be part of The Watermill’s growing community of donors.”
Priority booking opens for Friends and Members on 9 February, with memberships starting at £35 for the year. Email subscribers booking opens on 16 February with general booking opening the following day on 17 February. Tickets for the season start at £15 and can be booked online at watermill.org.uk or by calling the box office on 01635 46044.
Announcing the first revival of the Olivier Award-winning one-man show Jeeves Takes Charge by P. G. Wodehouse
Adapted by James Duke, Edward Duke and Hugh Wooldridge directed by Hugh Wooldridge
starring Sam Harrison
Theatre at The Tabard Sunday 11 February at 3pm & 7pm Monday 12 February at 7.30pm
Sam Harrison
RSC, Chichester and West End leading actor Sam Harrison will star in three exclusive performances at the Tabard Theatre in the first revival of the Olivier Award-winning one-man show, Jeeves Takes Charge by P. G. Wodehouse.
Transporting us back to an age where work is unthinkable and keeping in with your relatives is of paramount importance for the gentleman of leisure, Harrison plays 22 roles including the amiable, brainless, goofy man-about town, Bertie Wooster, and his bachelor valet, the dourly efficient, unusually intelligent, Jeeves.
Jeeves’ attempts to keep his young master unmarried and himself in employment, whilst Wooster loses both his fiancée, Lady Florence Craye, and a sudden desire to have children around the house due to Jeeves’ cunning. What follows is a masterly piece of comic timing and multi-faceted mimicry highlighting the bright, brittle high society life of the 1920’s.
Originally starring Edward Duke (Olivier Award for Most Promising Newcomer), Jeeves Takes Charge premiered at the Lyric Hammersmith and the Sydmonton Festival before transferring to the West End produced by the singer Barbara Thompson, Andrew Lloyd Webber and Cameron Mackintosh. Over the next twelve years, Jeeves Takes Charge played in South Africa, Canada, Australia and in the U.S. where Edward Duke was nominated for a Drama Desk Award.
A favourite of the Royal Family, Jeeves Takes Charge was performed twice for them in Buckingham Palace and at Windsor Castle.
Jeeves Takes Charge was originally directed by Hugh Wooldridge, who returns to direct the new production.
LISTINGS INFO
Jeeves Takes Charge by P. G. Wodehouse, Adapted by James Duke, Edward Duke and Hugh Wooldridge
THE BARN THEATRE ANNOUNCES NEW REVIVAL PRODUCTION OF NICK PAYNE’S
CONSTELLATIONS
DIRECTED BY JESSICA DANIELS
(THE BUTTERFLY LION, THE MOZART QUESTION)
29 MARCH – 18 MAY
The Barn Theatre in Cirencester has today announced that they will be reviving Nick Payne’s multi-award-winning play Constellations, running at the Cotswold venue from 29 March – 18 May, with a press performance on 2 April.
Constellations will see the return of Jessica Daniels to direct the production, having previously directed the theatre’s acclaimed Built by Barn productions of The Butterfly Lion and The Mozart Question, for which Daniels received a UK Theatre Awards nomination for Best Direction.
Payne’s play is a high concept romance, a Sliding Doors to the power of 100 – and many other things at once: a drama about time and memory, about death and grief, playful and profound, comic and mournful.
The award-winning smash hit brings together the unlikeliest of couples in Roland, a beekeeper and Marianne, a physicist. What follows is a relationship and friendship that embraces the richness of the characters, allowing the audience to share in the comedy and the heartbreak, drawing them into the unflinching reality that the characters eventually face.
Nick Payne’s dazzling play is a beautiful rich exploration into human connections with a plot that ingeniously keeps us guessing until the very end.
Constellations first premiered in the UK in 2012, winning the Best Play category at the Evening Standard Theatre Awards, making the 29-year-old Payne the youngest winner of the award. The play also received several nominations at the 2013 Olivier Awards, including a Best Play nomination, before debuting on Broadway in 2015 to great acclaim, including three Drama League Award nominations. 2021, The play won the 2022 Olivier Award for Best Play Revival.
Jessica Daniels said of today’s announcement, “I’m thrilled to be returning to The Barn to direct Nick Payne’s Constellations. It’s play I’ve always loved, at a theatre that has produced some of my proudest work. I can’t wait to start work with the team.”
Daniels will be joined by Ethan Cheek (My Son’s A Queer (But What Can You Do?) – Broadway) as Designer and Off West End Award-nominee Hector Murray (High Society – The Mill at Sonning) as Lighting Designer. Casting and further creative team will be announced at a later date.
Since launching in 2018, the Barn Theatre has gained national recognition having produced over 35 Built by Barn shows and being awarded The Stage Awards’ Best Fringe Theatre of the Year Award 2019. The theatre recently celebrated its fifth anniversary with a season that included world premieres of Simon Reade’s adaptation of Michael Morpurgo’s Waiting For Anya, Jonathan Lynn’s final instalment of his classic series I’m Sorry Prime Minister, I Can’t Quite Remember, as well as a reimagined revival production of the musical Once and the world premiere of a musical adaptation of Treasure Island.
