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UNFORTUNATE: THE UNTOLD STORY OF URSULA THE SEA WITCH
BEGINS ITS UK TOUR AT THE LOWRY FOLLOWING ITS TRIUMPHANT LONDON RUN

The Lowry, Salford

Thursday 22 February – Saturday 2 March 2024

PRESENTED BY LAURA ELMES FOR WILDPARK ENTERTAINMENT, RUNAWAY ENTERTAINMENT, THE VAULTS AND DIANNE ROBERTS

BOOK AND LYRICS BY ROBYN GRANT & DANIEL FOXX AND MUSIC BY TIM GILVIN

Critically acclaimed musical parody Unfortunate: The Untold Story of Ursula the Sea Witch embarks on a tour across the UK, that starts at The Lowry, Salford from Thursday 22 February – Saturday 2 March 2024.

With an original hot pop soundtrack and trademark filthy humour, the show follows Disney Diva Ursula as she gives her take on what really happened all those years ago under the sea. Unfortunate tours across the UK, from 22nd February until 14th July 2024 – coming off the back of a phenomenal 10-week London run, with rave reviews and six Off West End Theatre Award nominations – one of the highest for any show in the past year.

Shawna Hamic (Orange is the New Black, 1776 on Broadway) leads the cast as Ursula, opposite Ru Paul’s Drag Race UK star River Medway as Ariel. They are joined by Thomas Lowe (Triton), Allie Dart (Sebastian), Jamie Mawson (Eric), Julian Capolei (Grimsby) and Corrina Buchan, Jack Gray, Jamie McKillop and Milly Willows in the ensemble. Casting is by Sarah Leung CDG.

Cruella told her side, and Maleficent’s had her moment. Now the legendary queer queen is ready to spill, in this tell-all tale of sex, sorcery and suckers. With a new script and production, the latest version of this hit show is bigger, bolder and sexier than ever before. It’s time to take the plunge and dive into this year’s hottest night out.

The smash-hit show is written by Robyn Grant (who also directs) and Daniel Foxx, with music, arrangements and orchestrations by Tim Gilvin. The musical features set, costume and puppet design by Abby Clarke, choreography by Melody Sinclair, additional orchestrations and music production by Nikki Davison and Joe Davison for Auburn Jam, musical supervision and direction by Arlene McNaught, associate musical supervision by Rachel Murphy, lighting design by Adam King, content sound design by Lucy Baker-Swinburn, system sound design by Oscar Thompson and Will Thompson, flying and effects by John Maddox for Suspended Illusions, make-up design by Maya Lewis and Christina Semertzaki, intimacy and fight direction by Claire Llewellyn for RC-Annie, production management by Titch Gosling, assistant direction by Stephenson Ardern-Sodje and Eliza Beth Stephens, costume supervision by Sian Clare, prop supervision by Freya Espie and puppets built by Aled Williams. The band is completed by Dejeanté Hinks on guitar and Becky Slater on drums.

Unfortunate: The Untold Story of Ursula the Sea Witch is at The Lowry, Salford from Thursday 22 February – Saturday 2 March 2024. For more information and tickets visit www.thelowry.com.

JLS STAR ASTON MERRYGOLD

IS OFF TO SEE THE WIZARD AS THE TIN MAN IN

ASTON WILL REJOIN HIS FRIENDS AS THE ICONIC CHARACTER IN

BRISTOL, MANCHESTER, BIRMINGHAM AND CARDIFF

THE TOUR ALSO STARS AT SELECT DATES

JASON MANFORD who reprises his London Palladium role as

THE COWARDLY LION for TWO WEEKS only in MANCHESTER

CRAIG REVEL HORWOOD and THE VIVIENNE as THE WICKED WITCH OF THE WEST

GARY WILMOT, ALLAN STEWART and ALEX BOURNE as THE WIZARD

ALONGSIDE

AVIVA TULLEY as DOROTHY

BENJAMIN YATES as THE SCARECROW

NIC GREENSHIELDS as THE COWARDLY LION

EMILY BULL as GLINDA THE GOOD WITCH

With ABIGAIL MATTHEWS as TOTO

WHO ALL PERFORM ACROSS THE TOUR

www.wizardofozmusical.com

Michael Harrison and the Really Useful Group are today delighted to announce that JLS star Aston Merrygold will reprise his celebrated role as The Tin Man at select dates across the Wizard of Oz’s UK and Ireland tour. Having recently delighted audiences and critics alike in a magical Christmas season at the Liverpool Empire, Aston rejoins the tour for dates at the Bristol Hippodrome, Bristol, 2 – 7 April; Palace Theatre, Manchester, 24 Apr – 5 May; Hippodrome Theatre, Birmingham 11 – 16 June and Wales Millenium Centre, Cardiff, 23 – 28 July 2024.

The new musical, based on the iconic story by L. Frank Baum is currently touring following an acclaimed run at the world-famous London Palladium in 2023. To book tickets and for information about specific casting at all UK and Ireland tour venues, go to www.wizardofozmusical.com.

Aston Merrygold (The Tin Man) joins previously announced principal company members performing at select dates across the tour including: award-winning comedian and musical theatre star, Jason Manford who will reprise his role as The Cowardly Lion (Manchester only), Strictly Come Dancing star Craig Revel Horwood and RuPaul’s Drag Race UK winner and Dancing on Ice finalist The Vivienne as The Wicked Witch of the West with Gary Wilmot (The Prince Of Egypt, Anything Goes), Allan Stewart (Stones in His Pockets, West End, UK Tour, Toronto; STV Hello, Good Evening, Welcome) and Alex Bourne (Annie, West End, UK Tour, Toronto; Hairspray, UK Tour) as The Wizard.

Aston says: “Performing as The Tin Man was so much fun. And working with such an incredible cast was an absolute pleasure. I can’t want to come back to such spectacular venues and to perform with this ridiculously talented lot again!”

Aston Merrygold became known for his incredible stage presence during his time with X Factor formed band JLS, who went on to sell out countless arena tours and sell over 10 million records, including five Number 1 hits and numerous awards. Whilst the band took a seven-year break, Aston made strides in his career appearing on the West End, Strictly Come Dancing and released his platinum debut single ‘Get Stupid’ and most recently ‘Overboard’ and ‘Share a Coke’. JLS made their comeback last year and performed to sold-out arenas all over the UK and Ireland.

Aston has continued to remain at the forefront of entertainment, becoming a judge on the Sky 1 talent show, Got To Dance. He was also unmasked as Robin in the Semi Finals of the 2020/2021 series of Masked Singer UK and joined the cast of CBBC’s comedy drama, ‘Almost Never’, playing Jordan, the new manager of ‘The Wonderland’. Most recently, Aston was a panelist on the Masked Singer Live tour across the UK and starred as Willard in Footloose the Musical last summer. At Christmas, Aston delighted packed houses and critic alike as he performed the iconic role of The Tin Man in the Liverpool Empire’s festive season of The Wizard of Oz, where the tour opened.

Principal company members appearing at all venues are: Aviva Tulley (Book of Mormon, UK Tour) as Dorothy, Benjamin Yates (ITV’s Emmerdale; Jersey Boys, West End) as The Scarecrow, Nic Greenshields (Love Never Dies West End; Les Misérables West End, International Tour) as The Cowardly Lion, Emily Bull (9 to 5, UK Tour; Matilda UK Tour) as Glinda The Good Witch and Abigail Matthews as Toto (Bleak Expectations, West End; War Horse, West End).

The company is completed by: David Burrows, Adam Craig, Cole Dunn, Tyler Ephraim, Olivia Kate Holding, Thomas Kalek, Sadie Levett, Kelsie-Rae Marshall, Martin McCarthy, Rose Ouellette, Fanja Parent, Alexandra Regan, Nathan Routledge and Sydney Spencer.

Craig Revel Horwood will perform as The Wicked Witch of the West at Grand Opera House, Belfast; Bord Gáis Energy Theatre, Dublin; Milton Keynes Theatre;Wales Millenium Centre, Cardiff, where the role of The Wizard will be played by Alex Bourne. Craig is joined by Allan Stewart as The Wizard at the New Victoria Theatre, Woking; Hippodrome Theatre, Birmingham; King’s Theatre, Glasgowand His Majesty’s Theatre, Aberdeen.

The Vivienne will appear at the Liverpool Empire as The Wicked Witch of the West alongside Alex Bourne as The Wizard, then touring to New Theatre, Oxford; Mayflower Theatre, Southampton; New Theatre, Hull; Lyceum Theatre, Sheffield; Theatre Royal, Plymouth; Bristol Hippodrome, Bristol; Theatre Royal, Nottingham; Grand Theatre, Wolverhamptonand the Empire Theatre, Sunderland.

The Vivienne will be joined by Gary Wilmot as The Wizard at the following dates: Marlowe Theatre, Canterbury; Playhouse Theatre, Edinburgh; Cliffs Pavilion Southend; Theatre Royal, Norwich; Venue Cymru, Llandudno; Wimbledon New Theatre and the Alhambra Theatre, Bradford and by Allan Stewart as The Wizard at the Theatre Royal, Newcastle.

Jason Manford joins The Vivienne (The Wicked Witch of the West) and Allan Stewart (The Wizard) at the Manchester Palace for two-weeks only next spring where he will reprise his celebrated role as The Cowardly Lion. Across the rest of the tour, the role will be played by Nic Greenshields.

Join Dorothy, Toto and friends on an unforgettable adventure down the yellow brick road to the merry old land of Oz.

Featuring the iconic original score from the Oscar-winning MGM film, including Over The Rainbow, Follow The Yellow Brick Road and We’re Off To See the Wizard – with additional songs from Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice – this spectacular production will be a truly magical experience for all the family.

The Wizard of Oz on tour is presented Michael Harrison, Gavin Kalin Productions, David Mirvish, Crossroads Live, Nick Thomas, Rupert Gavin and Mallory Factor, Jake Hine and Playing Field, by arrangement with the Really Useful Group Ltd.

Presented by Phil McIntyre Live

JOHN CLEESE’S FAWLTY TOWERS

TO PREMIERE ON THE WEST END STAGE

TICKETS ON SALE

WEDNESDAY 7 FEBRUARY AT 10.00AM

FROM FAWLTYTOWERSWESTEND.COM

Fifty years since it was first recorded at BBC Television Centre in 1974, the “greatest British sitcom of all time” (Radio Times) Fawlty Towers, has been adapted for the West End stage by comedy legend John Cleese and will premiere at London’s Apollo Theatre Shaftesbury Avenue on Wednesday 15 May (previews from 4 May).

Cleese, who co-wrote the original TV series with Connie Booth and starred as the inimitable Basil Fawlty, has written a two-hour play based on three of the original TV episodes – ‘The Hotel Inspector’ and ‘The Germans’ from series one and ‘Communication Problems’ from series two. Tickets will go on sale on Wednesday 7 February at 10.00am, from FawltyTowersWestend.com.

John Cleese says: “What a thrill to be bringing Fawlty Towers to the West End for the first time – nearly 50 years since the show was first recorded, in December 1974. We’ve been involved in the casting process for some time, being constantly reminded of what a wealth of acting talent we have in Britain – sorting the very, very, very good from the merely very, very good. Finally, we assembled a top-class group of comedy actors who will bring the show to the Apollo Theatre on Shaftesbury Avenue. I’ve adapted three of my favourite episodes for the stage and written one huge finale, which will bring together the endings of all three episodes. So here we are, all the way from Torquay, via the old BBC Television Centre, to the West End! I do hope some of you will come to the Apollo to laugh together. And laugh. And laugh………”

Directed by Caroline Jay Ranger (Only Fools and Horses The Musical & Monty Python Live), John Cleese’s Fawlty Towers will bring many of the beloved sitcom characters to life on stage for an unmissable evening of hilarity: Basil played by Adam Jackson-Smith; Sybil played by Anna-Jane Casey; Manuel played by Hemi Yeroham; Polly played by Victoria Fox; The Major played by Paul Nicholas; Mrs Richards played by Rachel Izen; Mr Hutchinson/German guest played by Steven Meo; Miss Tibbs played by Kate Russell-Smith; Miss Gatsby played by Nicola Sanderson; Mr Thurston/German guest played by Greg Haiste; Mr Walt / Dr Finn played by Danny Bayne; Taxi Driver/ Mr Firkins / Mr Kerr / Mr Sharp played by Neil Stuart, German guest played by Emma Fenney and Hotel Guests: Mia Austen, John Hasler, Dale Superville. Completing our company of players are Ben Jacobson and Suzy Bloom.

Following a tip off that hotel inspectors may be visiting and eager to impress, Basil attempts to ingratiate himself with guests that he suspects are there to critique the establishment. The situation is further plagued by a party of Germans, the deaf and dotty guest-from-hell, Mrs Richards, whose infuriating complaints prevent him from hiding a gambling win from his ever vigilant and bossy wife, Sybil. Together they run their hotel with a little help from the unflappable Polly, and very little help at all from Manuel, the trainee waiter from Barcelona who is the butt of Fawlty’s frustration.

Fawlty Towers was first broadcast on BBC Two on 19 September 1975. The iconic TV show went on to win many awards and plaudits including two BAFTAS for Best Situation Comedy and in 2000 it was voted the best British programme of all time in a British Film Institute poll. Set in a fictional hotel in the seaside town of Torquay, just 12 half hour episodes of the iconic comedy were made.

The sitcom is based on a real-life hotel owner, Donald Sinclair. John Cleese came up with the idea for the character of Basil Fawlty when he stayed at Sinclair’s Gleneagles Hotel in Torquay and became fascinated with his incredibly rude behaviour.

The creative team includes:

Written by John Cleese & Connie Both

Adapted for the stage by John Cleese

Directed by Caroline Jay Ranger

Set & Costume Designer – Liz Ascroft

Lighting Designer – Ian Scott

Casting Director – Anne Vosser

Assistant Director – Denise Ranger

Resident Director – Chris Kiely

LISTINGS INFORMATION

Apollo Theatre, Shaftesbury Avenue

First Performance: 4 May 2024

Booking Until: 28 September 2024

Performances: Tuesday – Saturday at 7:30pm. Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday matinee at 2:30pm

Website: FawltyTowersWestend.com

Instagram @FawltyTowersWestEnd

Facebook: @FawltyTowersWestend

X: @FawltyTowersWE

The Lyceum Theatre, Sheffield – until 3rd February 2024

Reviewed by Daniel Wood

4****

We hopped on our brooms and flew over to Sheffield to see The Wizard of Oz. But does it soar, or crash and burn like a house in a twister?

Direct from The London Palladium, this production by Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Really Useful Group is embarking on a major UK tour.

The large cast and crew work hard to bring new magic and energy to this well-worn road. Aviva Tulley’s Dorothy is believable and sincere, and she captures the innocence of a lost girl trying to find her way home. Stunning vocals too.

UK Drag Race winner The Vivienne dons the green slap as The Witch of the West. A smart casting choice, she relishes every moment and truly puts the wicked in Wicked Witch. The Vivienne looks incredible and is also a vocal powerhouse and strong performer – Red Shoes Blues in Act Two is a showstopper. She also nails the evil laugh without venturing into panto territory.

Nice-but-dim Scarecrow (Benjamin Yates) is effortlessly likeable and adds some comic relief. Nic Greenshields plays the Cowardly Lion with a nod to the MGM film role, and gets some of the biggest laughs with his cowardly capering as the big scaredy-cat. There’s nothing clunky about Marley Fenton’s Tin Man either, he puts the cool in ‘coolant’ with slick modern dance moves. The motley trio aren’t rusty when it comes to vocals; all three can sing well and have plenty of opportunity to shine.

Alex Bourne’s Wizard (and Professor Marvel in Kansas) is full of eccentric charm, and I think could make a good Willy Wonka! All the ensemble performers also have plenty of energy, and some snappy costume changes.

Special mention must go to Toto, portrayed through precise puppetry by Tyler Ephraim. Every woof, wag and scamper is pure pooch perfection. Real dogs in other productions always get the ‘ahh factor’ but puppetry works a (dog) treat here.

A giant screen features video throughout the production, with mixed results and graphics reminiscent of dated videogames. At its best, projection helps create a dramatic tornado complete with flying cows and a spinning house. At its worst, it leaves the stage looking bare, becoming overused and too often relied upon. The Witch’s watery demise is also underwhelming, this iconic moment could use a little more inventive stage trickery.

Overall though, this is a show with plenty of polish and pizzazz. The costumes are colourful and wonderfully realised, especially The Wicked Witch’s ensemble which perfectly blends elegance and evil. The lighting design dazzles, I was especially impressed with the illuminated yellow brick road which is seamlessly manoeuvred around in sections.

The live band adds a real richness to the score, often loud but only occasionally overpowering the vocals. All the film favourites are here such as Follow the Yellow Brick Road and We’re Off to See the Wizard, but often with a twist. Somewhere Over the Rainbow is a highlight, delivered beautifully by Tulley. Additional songs by Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice are fun, if a little forgettable.

With tickets up to £60, entrance to The Emerald City doesn’t come cheap. However, the show attracts big names with The Vivienne, and comedian Jason Manford returning as the Lion later. The Wizard of Oz has all the trappings of a big West End production, even if some of the effects could use a few squirts of oil.

Family friendly? There are a few bangs, creepy flying monkeys, and a boomingly loud computerised wizard that could scare young theatregoers. For the most part though, this is colourful family fun with plenty of toe-tapping numbers! Wonderful.

The Peacock Theatre, London – until 3rd February 2024

Reviewed by Ava Clarkson

4****

Tess is an adaptation of Thomas Hardy’s classic novel, Tess of the D’Urbervilles. It has been adapted and directed by Alex Harvey and Charlotte Mooney and It is performed by Ockhams Razor, a contemporary circus troupe who combine theatre, physical performance and circus style stunts and contemporary dance.

The Peacock Theatre in Londons West End, is a large venue which hosts a range of different performances under the banner of ‘Sadlers Wells in the West End’. Sadlers Wells invites and hosts dance performances at this historic site, which boasts the first (identified) woman to tread the boards of a London theatre, on 8 December 1660, in a performance of Othello. This makes The Peacock the perfect venue for contemporary and daring new ideas.

The stage is minimal, with hanging cloth and wooden boards. The cast too only consists of 7 performers. We have the scene set by one of two Tess Durbeyfields on stage, our narrator for the evening Macadie Amorosco. Narrator Tess watches with us and talks us through the journey as we move through the Wessex Countryside. The performance is true to the story and shows Tess’s struggles through her short life and explores privilege, class, poverty, desires and friendship. The story weaves over the stage as the cast jump, spin, flip and throw themselves around the boards. There are structures built in front of our eyes, the whole cast climb and balance along planks of wood and all over each other. Ockhams Razor has a history of showing the strength and capability of the female form and it is shown throughout this performance.

The villain of the night, Alec Durbeyfield played by Joshua Frazer looms over Tess. His performance on the Cyr Wheel in which he encircles Tess is amazing and one of the highlights of the show. The hero and love interest Angel Clare is played by Nat Whittingham and shows a lighter side to the show with Tess’s friends fawning and literally falling over themselves to get his attention.

The play is told in 7 chapters. The harrowing and emotional parts of the play such as the rape of the innocent Tess, the burial of her infant son and indeed her demise by hanging, are told beautifully and carefully. The music which accompanies these moments is haunting and the illustrative backdrop by Daniel Denton brings the atmosphere to the otherwise sparse stage.

The play’s run time is 2 hours 30 minutes with one interval. There are times throughout when the plank movement and acrobatics seem very laboured and similar. This makes the performance feel much longer than it could have been. The acoustics and speeches from our narrator were sometimes hard to hear and chunks of the story were sadly missed because of this. Despite this, you can see that this is groundbreaking and challenging, showing how the world of contemporary dance and classic literature come together. The dance is hard, thumping and meaningful. The performers use their bodies to show the physicality of how hard Tess’s life was and her experiences of desire, her heroism and the pure emotion of such a classic piece of literature. All in all, a very different performance to remember.

Following the run at The peacock, Tess is about to embark on a tour all around the UK. All tour info can be found here: https://ockhamsrazor.co.uk/tess

Charing Cross Theatre – until 7th April 2024

Reviewed by Fiona Leyman

4****

Nestled in the arches underneath Charing Cross Train Station is the small and intimate Charing Cross Theatre. Away from the main stages of London’s West End, this theatre is rustic, a bit rough around the edges and the perfect setting for the Wild West. After attending the rehearsals for this show last month, I was very excited to see the final product!

Based on Clint Eastwood’s 1980 film of the same name, Bronco Billy the Musical is a wild ride about family, love, acceptance and an evil villainess plot for murder. Bronco Billy played by the incredible Tarinn Callender (Come From Away, Hamilton, The Drifters Girl) is the sharpest shooter in the West. Travelling with this troupe of performers, he is trying to make a life for his family. When heiress Antoinette Lily, played by Emily Benjamin (Bat Out of Hell, Cabaret) appears in his life after fleeing from her evil step mother, his family and heart grow a little bit bigger.

The music and lyrics creators, Chip Rosenbloom and John Torres manage to create show stopping tune from the first word! With hits like “Come Ride With Us” and “I’m Gonna Be Strong”, each musical number ensures the audience are tapping their foot along to the beat. Tarinn Callender is the star of the night! His low sweet voice bellows, sending shockwaves around the theatre, making it a pleasure to listen too. His cheeky charm and dance moves all add the infectious aurora around this actor. Each of the leads were given their moment to shine, and shine they did! Mixing Disco with the Wild West is not a genre I thought I’d ever witness, but this musical soundtrack needs to be heard to be believed! Trust me you’ll love it!

Victoria Hamilton-Barritt (Bat Boy, In The Heights, Grease) plays evil villainess stepmother Constance Lily. Her over the top mannerisms and acting took me by surprise at first, but turned in to a side-splitting comedy masterpiece. Victoria was missing from the rehearsals last month, and I so am glad she was. This would have ruined the surprise of her masterfully pulling off the outrageous comedic farce that unfolded on stage. It truly shows the magnitude of her acting ability to be able to over perform a role to such an extent and make it a success.

Under the proficient direction of Hunter Bird and Illusion Designer John Bulleid, the cast of Bronco Billy have expertly honed their skills for this show. On stage you can expect to see magic, illusions, lassoing and gun slinging, all performed almost flawlessly by this talented cast.

Bronco Billy the Musical is a bit rough around the edges, with multiple mishaps happening throughout the show. Props misbehaving, a badly placed cactus which became a triphazard and although not planned, added to the charm of this show. With a few fine tweaks this show could be huge. These little details did not distract from the fact that Bronco Billy the Musical is a sure-fire, gun-slinging, Wild-West Disco Rodeo not to be missed!

What’s On at Hull Truck Theatre this February

Hull Truck Theatre are inviting audiences to enjoy a variety of good entertainment onstage and screen this February. Whether you are looking for family fun over the half
term break, a laugh out loud night out with friends at a stand-up gig, or a thoughtprovoking evening of reflection – Hull Truck Theatre have got you covered.

Luke Dankoff, Producer / Programmer at Hull Truck Theatre, said:

‘February sees a remarkable spread of companies from different scales and
backgrounds performing on our stages. It is amazing to see audiences connect and
enjoy the huge variety of talent that we work incredibly hard to secure for Hull Truck.
The variety of the programme reflects the importance of responding to what our
audiences would like to see on stage, from music and drama to comedy I hope that
you enjoy what these amazing companies have to showcase.’

To kick off the month, Hull Truck Theatre will pay tribute to National Storytelling Week,
a celebration of the art of storytelling and the power of stories to connect, entertain,
and inspire. One remarkable story is shared through Mama Afrika (Friday 2 February),
celebrating an iconic South African Singer, song writer and civil rights activist, told by
Zimbabwean born singer, musician, and storyteller Anna Mudeka. Featuring many best
loved songs including Mbube, Pata Pata and Soweto Blues.

From one story to many stories, As SHE Likes It will be on stage for one night only on
Saturday 3 February. Sharing the collective stories of the many women whose voices
have been silenced, this is a darkly comedic explosion of multimedia, verbatim,
cabaret and drag, inspired by the story of the #MeToo pioneer Patricia Douglas. It’s
been nearly 100 years since Patricia Douglas was lured to a studio party under the
guise of a casting call, in what was perhaps the biggest, best-suppressed scandal in
Hollywood history.

Hull Truck Theatre favourite and founder of Northern Broadsides, Barrie Rutter returns
with Barrie Rutter’s Shakespeare’s Royals (Thursday 8 February). This never afraid to
be outspoken, and irrepressible Yorkshireman will share memories from a career of
playing and directing Bard’s Kings & Queens – sharing their achievements, conquests
and foibles.

This February Half Term, Hull Truck Theatre invites families to enjoy a jam-packed
programme of theatre experiences for children from ages 0+. A Great Pirate
Adventure (Saturday 10 & Monday 12 February) is specially designed for adventurers
aged 3 -6 and will feature an arts and crafts session followed by an interactive play
that uses whatever you have made. Shark in the Park (Tuesday 13 – Thursday 15
February) is the fin-tastic family musical featuring all three of Nick Sharratt’s ‘Shark in
the Park’ book series – recommended for younger families. Peppa Pig also celebrates
her 20th anniversary and to mark such a huge occasion she is throwing the most epic
party ever – and all her friends are invited. Join the fun at Peppa’s Cinema Party
(Saturday 10 – Thursday 15 February) – for ages 0+.

For children aged 5+, Ministry of Science Live (Friday 16 February) will present a dive
deep into the world of science with 20ft liquid nitrogen clouds and oxygen and helium
balloons. Morgan & West’s Massive Magic Show for Kids! (Tuesday 20 February) is
back and just as relentlessly funny and fantastically magic filled as ever. Guaranteed
to delight those aged 5 and 105, and everyone in between!

For Cinema lovers Hull Truck Screen hosts in collaboration once again in February
with Hull Independent Cinema and National Theatre Live.

Hull Independent Cinema will present Fallen Leaves (12A) (Saturday 3 February)
where two lonely souls meet by chance in a local karaoke bar. A quietly witty script
played with perfectly deadpan performances. Monica (15) (Wednesday 7 February)
follows a transgender woman trying to repair a broken relationship with her mother in
a moving, moody and stylish drama. On The Adamant (PG) (Friday 9 February) is a
compassionate, warm and sympathetic documentary that gives privileged access into
the lives of adults suffering from mental illness.

NT Live explores the complexities of human emotions where hopes, dreams, and
regrets are thrust into sharp focus in the one-man adaptation of Vanya (Encore
Screening) (15) (Friday 23 February).

Game for a laugh? Apocalypse Now Then (Friday 16 – Saturday 17 February) will
present a new comedy sharing – performed script-in-hand – asking the question: How
is a bloke from Hull allowed his own army division? And what would you do if you were
uprooted from your home and moved to a new housing estate. The hysterically funny
Aaron Simmonds: Baby Steps (Thursday 22 February) invites audiences to discover
the positive side of being disabled, from having a blue badge to sex in disabled toilets,
meeting “Jesus” and everything in between. From one stand-up comedian to another,
Daniel Foxx: Villain (Saturday 24 February) brings his sensational show about
childhood, Tilda Swinton and bullying (but in a chic way) to Hull, and Miles Jupp: On I
Bang (Wednesday 28 February) has a story to tell and a few things that he’d like to
share about his discovery of a tumour the size of a cherry tomato – a tale about
surprise, fear, luck, and love.

If it’s a night of music you are after, Snake Davis Band Classic Sax Solos (Saturday 17
February) can break hearts, lift spirits and even change lives. Rave On (Wednesday 21
February) returns by popular demand with leading performers from West End
productions The Buddy Holly Story, Million Dollar Quartet and Dreamboats &
Petticoats. Whole Lotta Shakin’: The Shakin’ Stevens Story (Thursday 22 February) is
the Award-Winning tribute to the UK’s biggest selling singles artists of the 1980’s. Not
forgetting the unforgettable King for a Day: The Nat King Cole Story (Thursday 29
February) presenting a unique concert that celebrates one of the greatest vocalists
and entertainers of the Twentieth Century.

Finally, calling all sports fans! A Tale of Two Cities (Friday 23 February) will tell the
story of Hull’s two Rugby League clubs: Hull Kingston Rovers and Hull FC. Touching
down on issues far beyond an oval ball, this performance will mix stories, images and
songs to offer a wider context beyond the game. A Derby of words and songs and an
exploration of how sport can be the community glue that binds.

To book tickets for any of the shows on stage at Hull Truck Theatre in February 2024,
please visit: www.hulltruck.co.uk

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BIRMINGHAM ROYAL BALLET’S

THE SLEEPING BEAUTY

The Lowry, Salford

Thursday 7^th to Saturday 9^th March 2024

Birmingham Royal Ballet returns to The Lowry this Spring as part of its 2024 UK tour of Sir Peter Wright’s sumptuous staging of The Sleeping Beauty – in the production’s 40th anniversary year.

BRB – a partner company of The Lowry – will visit Salford from Thursday 7^th to Saturday 9^th March and it follows on from the 2023 UK tour of Sir Peter Wright’s Swan Lake – BRB’s most successful spring tour to date.

Last seen on UK stages over six years ago, The Sleeping Beauty continues Birmingham Royal Ballet’s legacy of presenting the acclaimed heritage classics and celebrating the beloved work of its founder, Sir Peter Wright.

The Sleeping Beauty is the fourth of Sir Peter Wright’s productions to be presented by the company since autumn 2022, following Coppélia, The Nutcracker and Swan Lake. The acclaimed Royal Ballet Sinfonia performs Tchaikovsky’s glorious score live, with designs by Philip Prowse and lighting design by Mark Jonathan.

Sir Peter Wright said: “I find it hard to believe that this tour marks the 40th Anniversary of The Sleeping Beauty. This has always been the most opulent of ballets, but Philip Prowse’s

incredible design created a unique fairy tale world (with almost 30 fairy character tutus alone!) that allows dancers to really inhabit some of classical ballet’s most famous roles.”

Director of Birmingham Royal Ballet Carlos Acosta said “I am thrilled to be reviving Sir Peter Wright’s production of The Sleeping Beauty in the Spring of 2024. The Company is

excited to be delighting audiences once more with this definitive version of one of the great classical ballets, welcoming people of all ages to our performances throughout the UK.”

Partnerships announced for Olivier Awards 2024 with Mastercard

• Mastercard returns as headline sponsor for the 14^th year
• 17 new and returning partnerships have been announced, including ITV and TikTok

Partners for the Olivier Awards 2024 with Mastercard, the most prestigious night in British theatre, have been announced. The star-studded ceremony takes place on Sunday 14 April at London’s Royal Albert Hall. Partnerships include entertainment, production and award category sponsors. 

Mastercard returns as headline sponsor for the 14^th year, championing the very best of London theatre with their support of the Mastercard Best New Musical category, which they have proudly sponsored since 2014. Mastercard have provided priceless opportunities, solely for cardholders, including exclusive access to public ticketing, VIP ticket packages and sweepstakes giving lucky winners the chance to sit with the stars. 

Charlie Carrington, Senior Vice President Marketing & Communications, UK and Ireland at Mastercard said: 

“We are delighted to partner once again with the Olivier Awards to celebrate the best talent and performances London theatre has to offer. Mastercard continues to work closely with the creative industries and champion all those performing on stage or behind the scenes, whilst bringing fans closer to their passion for theatre.” 

Eleanor Lloyd, President of the Society of London Theatre, said: 

“The Society of London Theatre is hugely grateful for Mastercard’s invaluable support of the Olivier Awards, without which this key event in the theatrical calendar could simply not take place, and to all of our partners and supporters for their year-round championship of theatre and the arts.” 

Highlights from the Awards will be shown on the evening of the ceremony by returning broadcast partners ITV1 and ITVX. TikTok will be the Awards’ official mobile entertainment platform, hosting their pre-ceremony Green Carpet livestream on the Official London Theatre channel for the second year. 

Cunard returns to sponsor the Best Revival category for a fifth year, as well as the nominees’ celebration, which is hosted at The Londoner by the Awards’ longtime hotel partner who will also be sponsoring the Best New Play category. VIP guests will enjoy refreshments courtesy of returning Champagne partner Taittinger, both at the nominees’ celebration and on the night itself. 

The Lynne & Land Foundation, established by the late esteemed choreographer Gillian Lynne and her husband Peter Land, returns to sponsor the Gillian Lynne Award for Best Theatre Choreographer. 

The Noel Coward Foundation will again sponsor the Best Entertainment or New Comedy Play category, which is named in honour of the great British playwright. 

Additional returning partners include Global, Heart of London Business Alliance, Newman Displays and See Tickets. 

Continuing as production partners for the ceremony are Blue I Theatre Technology, d&b audiotechnik, TAIT, Unusual Rigging and White Light. 

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RICHARD, MY RICHARD

FULL CAST ANNOUNCED FOR THE WORLD PREMIERE OF

THE PLAYWRIGHTING DEBUT OF BEST-SELLING HISTORICAL AUTHOR PHILIPPA GREGORY

SHAKESPEARE NORTH PLAYHOUSE 8 – 30 MARCH 2024

THEATRE ROYAL BURY ST EDMUNDS 11 – 27 APRIL 2024

The full cast has today been announced for best-selling historical author Philippa Gregory’s playwright debut Richard, My Richard. This world premiere – a co-production between Shakespeare North Playhouse and Theatre Royal Bury St Edmunds – isan innovative new stage play. Inspired by the real life of Richard III; which challenges the reputation of one of history’s most enigmatic characters: a passionate, tender portrait of the man in his time, and the women who determine his fate.

Richard, My Richard, directed by Katie Posner, will launch at Shakespeare North Playhouse in Prescot 8 – 30 March and then play from 11 – 27 April at Theatre Royal Bury St Edmunds.

With an explosion of tarmac, a Leicester Car park erupts and Richard III crashes from his lost tomb to meet the character who has ruined his reputation: History – the record keeper who doesn’t always have his mind on the task.

Richard believes he has risen from the grave to heaven with an unstained conscience, and History has the awkward task of telling the Undead King that he is remembered as one of the greatest villains. History admits- he has his own doubts. He is far from a reliable narrator: his perspective is skewed, he has his favorites, some people he completely ignores. History overlooks people and stories.

Funny, poignant, and underpinned by research, Richard’s secrets have not died with him, he rises up to tell us the story, his story, History.

The full cast are Kyle Rowe (The Devil’s Hour – Amazon Prime, Sexy Beast – Paramount+) as ‘Richard’, Tom Kanji (Julius Caesar – Royal Shakespeare Theatre/UK Tour, Private Peaceful – UK Tour) as ‘History’, Tyler Dobbs (A Midsummer Night’s Dream – Shakespeare North Playhouse, Tom’s Midnight Garden – Theatre By The Lake) as ‘George/Buckingham’, Jennifer Matter (Arthur & Merlin: Knights of Camelot – Picture Perfect, Villain – Greenville Media) as ‘Queen’, Olivier Award nominee Tori Burgess (Tony! [The Tony Blair Rock Opera] – UK Tour, Pride & Prejudice* (*Sort Of) – Tron Theatre, West End & UK Tour) as ‘Anne’, Laura Smithers (First Encounters: Twelfth Night – RSC’s The Other Place & UK Tour, Clarion – Arcola Theatre)as ‘Margaret’, Matt Concannon (Lazarus Project– SKY, The Girl on the Train– UK Tour) as ‘Edward/ Thomas Stanley’ and Mary Savage (Who the F—k is Shakespeare – 20 Stories High,  as ‘Elizabeth’. [The Tony Blair Rock Opera] – UK Tour, Pride & Prejudice* (*Sort Of) – Tron Theatre, West End & UK Tour) as ‘Anne’, Laura Smithers (First Encounters: Twelfth Night – RSC’s The Other Place & UK Tour, Clarion – Arcola Theatre)as ‘Margaret’, Matt Concannon (Lazarus Project– SKY, The Girl on the Train– UK Tour) as ‘Edward/ Thomas Stanley’ and Mary Savage (Who the F—k is Shakespeare – 20 Stories High) as ‘Elizabeth’.

Dr Philippa Gregory CBE, FRHS, is one of the world’s foremost historical novelists. She wrote her first novel, Wideacre, while completing her PhD in eighteenth-century literature at the University of Edinburgh, and it sold worldwide, heralding a new era for historical fiction. Her flair for blending history and imagination developed into a signature style and Philippa went on to write many bestselling novels, including The Other Boleyn Girl and The White Queen.Now a recognised authority on women’s history, Philippa graduated from the University of Sussex and received a PhD from the University of Edinburgh, where she is a Regent and was made Alumna of the Year in 2009. She holds honorary degrees from Teesside University and the University of Sussex. She is a fellow of the Universities of Sussex and Cardiff and an honorary research fellow at Birkbeck University of London. In 2020 she was made a CBE in the Queen’s Birthday Honours for her services to literature and charity.  Philippa is a member of the Society of Authors and in 2016, was presented with the Outstanding Contribution to Historical Fiction Award by the Historical Writers’ Association. In 2018, she was awarded an Honorary Platinum Award by Nielsen for achieving significant lifetime sales across her entire book output.

Philippa’s latest book, NORMAL WOMEN – 900 YEARS OF MAKING HISTORY, published in October 2023 with HarperCollins, is a history of women in England over nine centuries, from the Norman invasion in 1066.

Philippa Gregory said, “I was inspired to write this play after having the privilege to attend the internment of Richard lll at Leicester. I wanted to write a play about the real Richard and the people – especially the influential women- around him. Then the most important character walked into the play – History – who in an absent-minded moment gave us such a dark picture of the king whose motto was loyalty and whose passion was chivalry.”

Philippa Gregory will lead a post-show discussion at Shakespeare North Playhouse on Tuesday 19 March following the evening performance, Theatre Royal Bury St Edmunds on Thursday 18 April following the matinee performance, and Thursday 25 April following the evening performance.

Katie Posner, Director, said, “I am delighted to be directing Philippa Gregory’s debut play. She is a remarkable writer whose perspective is so beautifully emotive, layered and deeply human. This is a play about a well-known Plantagenet king, but it’s also about the youngest son, propelled to be the next in line, when that was not his destiny. Central to his story are the extraordinary women who surround him, ambitious, driven, cleverly and brilliantly guiding the narrative. Throughout Richard, My Richard Philippa presents a conscious counterpoint to Shakespeare’s Tudor propaganda narrative and opens up the story with the biggest question of all. What happens when History has made its decision, and the written accounts are closed!”

This producing partnership between Shakespeare North Playhouse – a replica Shakespearean Playhouse opened in 2022 – and Theatre Royal Bury St Edmunds – the last working Regency theatre in England – showcases their shared ambition to stage great contemporary theatre in historic settings.

Laura Collier, Creative Director of Shakespeare North Playhouse said, “We are thrilled to be co-producing the world premiere of Richard, My Richard at Shakespeare North Playhouse. As a masterful and internationally renowned storyteller, Philippa’s debut play expertly highlights the ruthlessness of the Tudor era, illuminating the perspectives of the women of the court, and inviting audiences to question the reliability of history’s narrative.

Set in the iconic backdrop of Shakespeare North’s Cockpit Theatre and co-producing with our friends from Theatre Royal Bury St Edmunds, we believe this new play will captivate audiences from both the north and the south. Richard, My Richard is a fresh and fearless play that celebrates the power of theatre and its ability to bring to life lost stories.”

Owen Calvert-Lyons, Artistic Director of Theatre Royal Bury St Edmunds said, “Philippa Gregory is an extraordinary writer. Generations of readers have discovered the history of our country through her writing and fans of Philippa’s novels are going to be just as excited by her first play. Philippa has a great skill in humanising historical characters, allowing us to understand their world and their choices. Now she is taking on one of history’s most notorious villains and inviting us to reassess what we know, or think we know about him. I’m delighted that we will be embarking on this adventure with Shakespeare North Playhouse. We will be transforming our auditorium ‘in the round’ with seating on the stage, providing audiences in Bury St Edmunds with a new theatre experience and making our two unique theatres the perfect settings for this brilliant new play.”

Richard, My Richard is produced by Shakespeare Playhouse North and Theatre Royal Bury St Edmunds, in association with Daniel Schumann.