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Donmar Warehouse, London – until 13 April 2024

Reviewed by Claire Roderick

4****

Lucy Kirkwood’s wonderfully warm and witty tribute to the NHS, cinema and pioneering women and Keeley Hawes’ mesmerising performance make this THE play to see in London this Spring.

It’s 1948, and GP, local councillor and prospective Labour MP Iris Alcock (Hawes) is busy with her Shropshire practice, her political duties, and running the home for her husband and daughter. The play starts with a fabulously twee Pathé news clip about her juggling the different parts of her life and she declares that she can only do this because of her supportive husband. When we meet her husband, the reality is laid bare – injured in one of the last actions of the war, his support for her political and ideological endeavours has waned and he will accept no aid for his constant pain. Their marriage is portrayed as civil but distant, with Iris dealing with his little cruelties by just soldiering on and keeping up appearances.

Fly Davis’ gorgeous design has this dreary post-war England represented by uniform institutional blue paint, with stage crew up front and visible resetting furniture as the stage constantly revolves. This drabness is contrasted by the warm glow of his own spotlight when Jack Davenport appears on stage as British film star George Blythe, colourising the stage and Iris’s life. The cinematic nods are acknowledged in the script as Iris and George discuss films, with George’s mockery of Iris’s favourite film – Brief Encounter – signalling the doomed future of their own affair. Onstage camera operators provide footage that is shown on a wide screen above the stage, enhancing the idea that the couple’s time together is a romantic fiction that must end when they return to their roles in the real world. Superb work by Joshua Pharo (lighting design), Ben and Max Ringham (sound design and composers) and Nathan Amzi and Joe Ransom (video design).

A chance meeting on the train piques Iris’s interest, and on finding out that George is the son of one of her patients, she engineers another “chance” meeting at a party. The characters’ instant attraction is palpable, and their dancing around each other as they grow closer is written beautifully. These are two middle-aged, jaded people reaching for a spark of passion and joy, fully aware of the consequences. Blythe avoided the war, acting in LA, and his apolitical views and opinions about what the public want and how they will vote create some brilliant opportunities for Hawes to deliver some steely arguments as Davenport goads her with a devilish charm that brings out Iris’s passion and warmth behind the stiff upper lip.

The romance shouldn’t really sit well alongside the barnstorming politics, but Kirkwood has weaved the story so seamlessly, with throwaway lines from various characters building a clear image of the poverty, hypocrisy and inequality of the time that not much exposition is needed under Michael Longhurst and Ann Lee’s crisp but emotive direction. Keeley Hawes is majestic as Iris, looking every inch the 1940s actress on screen but somehow seeming a stronger, “bigger” character on the actual stage – clipped and proper on the surface but with a torrent of passion and fire always threatening to erupt, portrayed effortlessly with a rise of the chin or a subtle shift of the shoulders. Jack Davenport is perfection as the debonaire matinee idol, seemingly carefree, but slowly shaving layers away to show the decent, broken man under the mask. Phenomenal performances from Tom Goodman-Hill, Siobhán Redmond and Pearl Mackie see them all playing multiple roles with varying accents and levels of eccentricity to create a whirlwind of pressure and responsibilities surrounding Iris and George, threatening their happily ever after.

Visually stunning, full of heart and sharply intelligent, The Human Body is a fascinating and hugely enjoyable production – just what the doctor ordered.

Step into Spring with Hull Truck Theatre

Hull Truck Theatre promises a variety of entertainment this Spring with a rich tapestry of drama, comedy, music and film. Animal Farm promises to be a thought-provoking and entertaining production that brings George Orwell’s timeless allegory to life, Pilot Theatre will be returning with their new production of A Song For Ella Grey, offering a moving and captivating experience, and Oh What A Lovely War presented by Blackeyed Theatre will be a cornerstone of musical theatre.

Enjoy Mother’s Day with a variety of visiting shows and a diverse programme of contemporary work in the Godber Studio, celebrate the Oscar film season with Hull Truck Screen or start the Easter school holidays at Hull Truck Theatre with A Great Adventure Easter Adventure. Whatever you love about the month of March, Hull Truck Theatre has a jam-packed programme of entertainment for everyone to get involved in and experience together.

Mark Babych Artistic Director at Hull Truck Theatre, said:

“We are looking forward to presenting and welcoming a range of unique and varied productions to our venue this March. We can’t wait to share moments of laughter, inspiration, thought provoking stories, and pure entertainment as we move from the dark winter months into the joy and hope of Summer.”

Animal Farm (Wednesday 27 March – Saturday 13 April), Based on the novel by George Orwell, this chilling and timeless classic will be presented in partnership with Octagon Theatre Bolton & Derby Theatre. Join Hull Truck Theatre for re-imagined satire about the corruption of power and the beginning of a life of freedom and equality for all.

This striking new production has been adapted for the stage by Ian Wooldridge and directed by esteemed theatre director, Iqbal Khan (East is East, Birmingham Rep & National Theatre, Tartuffe, Royal Shakespeare Company, Opening Ceremony of Commonwealth Games).

Iqbal Khan, Director on Animal Farm, said:

“Our Modern version is the story of a farm that is kind of like a surveillance unit, where man is the machine, and the animals have no sense of the fruits of their labour. Our revolution is about tearing down technology.”

For Drama lovers, Sam Danson and Emmerson & Ward will present BI-Topia (Friday 1 – Saturday 2 March), a ‘Hilarious, honest and raw’ coming-of-age story, exploring the highs and lows of the Bisexual experience, bravely delving into under-represented links between poor mental health, sexuality and masculinity.

A Song For Ella Grey (Tuesday 5 – Saturday 9 March) is a new production and magical retelling of the Orpheus myth, full of music, dance and storytelling. The Orpheus and Eurydice myth is a story of enduring love. When his wife Eurydice is killed by a snakebite, Orpheus – who can charm all living things with his music – is overcome with grief and attempts to bring her back from the land of the dead. As in any retelling of the Orpheus and Eurydice myth music will play a key role in the story. The Pilot Theatre production will feature music by composer Emily Levy, whose work draws on folk traditions and song.

Enjoy more music this March with Something About George: The George Harrison Story (Wednesday 13 March), a musical biopic tribute celebrating what would have been George’s 80^th birthday. Featuring all his biggest hit songs. Promising to be a truly unique, innovative and spellbinding performance, Andalucia – Flamenco (Saturday 16 March) will once again present a stunning flamenco production accompanied by a chamber orchestra.

Packed with timeless song, razor-sharp satire and high jinks, Oh What A Lovely War (Tuesday 19 – Saturday 23 March) presented by Blackeyed Theatre is a hilarious, heart breaking snapshot of life caught in the crossfire of conflict, a unanimous voice from the trenches and a timeless warning from the theatre of war itself. Wildly satirical, visually stunning and deeply moving, it’s the musical that revolutionised modern theatre.

Hull Truck Theatre will be screening the best art and independent cinema from around the world once more as the Godber Studio hosts a state-of-the-art screen and sound system streaming live broadcasts in partnership the March with Hull Independent Cinema, Northern Silents and The Royal Opera.

Hull Independent Cinema ahead of Awards Seasonwill present 20 Days in Mariupol (Thursday 7 March) award-winning and Oscar nominated high acclaimed documentary. Ukrainian filmmaker and journalist Mstyslav Chernov offers a window into the practices of conflict zone reporters and an unflinching, anguishing account of the 20 days he and colleagues Evgeniy Maloletka and Vasilisa Stepanenko spent covering Mariupol On the eve of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Northern Silents presents Fritz Lang’s 1927 futuristic fantasy Metropolis (Friday 15 March) on the big screen with live piano accompaniment by Jonny Best, one of the UK’s leading silent film pianists and the founder of Northern Silents Now reunited with its lost thirty minutes, Metropolis is a dazzling classic of silent cinema. The Royal Opera will co-present Madama Butterfly (Live Screening) (Tuesday 26 March) with Gran Teatre del Liceu, Barcelona. With a score that includes Butterfly’s aria, ‘Un bel dì, vedremo’ (‘One fine day’) and the Humming Chorus, Giacomo Puccini’s opera is entrancing and ultimately heart-breaking.

Look forward to some live comedy this month from best reviewed artist Alison Spittle: Soup (Saturday 16 March) who is simmering with jokes and rage, come and find out what her burning sensation is all about. This March, you may be the first to witness a star of the future as new comedians take to the stage as part of Hull Truck Theatre’s Stand-up comedy course with comedian Kevin Precious (Wednesday 13 March) try out new material in front of an audience for the very first time.

Hull Truck Theatre’s Youth Theatre Classes give young people aged 7-18 the chance to experience the thrill and creativity of performance. The classes develop the confidence and skills needed to make and perform theatre, as well as being a place to have fun and make friends. The Youth Theatre Festival (Wednesday 20th – Saturday 23rd March) will present Zero For the Young Dudes! (Wednesday 20^th March), by Alistair Mcowall, a piece presents a forbidden discovery – a camper finds a grenade nestled under their pillow that becomes a catalyst. A rebellion is born, to fight against their unjust regime. Animals (Thursday 21^st March), Written by Athia Sen Gupta will present a heart-warming story about kindness, family, and looking after one another. Gargantua (Friday 22^nd March), will present a silhouette against a bruised sky. Written by Carl Grose audiences will discover that Gargantua is not your cuddly cooing infant. The Genius (Saturday 23rd March) will invite audiences to witness the brilliant minds of The Genius. But what do they do we hear you ask? They reward Genius to honour genius and so it is that on this day each year they gather to re-enact the year’s most genius idea and invite its creator to join the genius chorus! Finally, Julius Caesar (Saturday 23rd March) will bring the festival to a close. William Shakespeare’s Caesar returns, victor, and emperor, but a prophecy casts a shadow of doubt ‘Beware The Ides Of March’. Will loyalty crumble as ambition ignites? Enter a world of power, conspiracy, and the ultimate power struggle.

Visit Hull Truck Theatre for A Great Easter Adventure (Saturday 30 March – Wednesday 3 April) for another adventure that features an arts and crafts session followed by an interactive play that uses whatever you have made. Designed for children aged 3-6 years old and their families. This will be a most egg-citing Easter egg hunt? This won’t just involve hopping around in the back garden! Get ready to journey across land, air and sea in a bid to crack open the egg-scellent clues to complete your quest.

Will you uncover all the eggs and save Easter? Come and find out. All shows on Saturday 30th March, Tuesday 2nd April and Wednesday 3rd April will have the same story and themes.

For adults wanting to do something different this Easter, why not join Hull Truck Theatre’s Drama Worker, Joe Beckett to for a practical exploration of characterisation in Shakespeare’s soliloquys. First Thursday Theatre Club – Acting: Characterful Shakespeare (Thursday 7 March) will focus on famous speeches from across Shakespeare’s work this fun session will feature practical exercises, character discussions and approaches to staging.

To book tickets for any of the shows or opportunities this March please visit: www.hulltruck.co.uk 

UK PREMIÈRE OF DOMINIQUE MORISSEAU’S SKELETON CREW ADDED TO DONMAR WAREHOUSE 2024 PROGRAMME

The Donmar Warehouse today announces the addition of Dominique Morisseau’s Skeleton Crew to the programme for Michael Longhurst’s final season as Artistic Director.

Morisseau’s 2016 play was nominated for three Tony Awards, including Best Play, for its 2022 Broadway run. This production, which marks the UK première, opens on 4 July and runs until 24 August with previews from 28 June. Olivier Award-winner Matthew Xia directs.

Priority booking for Skeleton Crew opens Friday 1 March, with public booking from Wednesday 6 March.

Skeleton Crew replaces the previously announced production of Eboni Booth’s Primary Trust, which due to unforeseen circumstances will no longer be part of the Donmar’s 2024 season.

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SKELETON CREW

by Dominique Morisseau

Directed by Matthew Xia

28 June – 24 August 2024

“I’m not asking you to make up happy endings. All I’m asking is that you tell ‘em they can’t write us off. You got to fight for us.”

In 2008 Detroit, one of the city’s last surviving car factories is threatened with closure. A tight-knit group of workers face crushing economic reality. Torn between loyalty to each other and their own self-interest, can they hang on to their dreams, to their ambitions, to hope?

Detroit-born playwright Dominique Morisseau’s masterful feeling for voice and character brings depth and authenticity to a story about the human effects of a global financial crisis.

Dominique Morisseau is the author of The Detroit Project (a three play cycle) which includes the following plays: Skeleton Crew (Atlantic Theater Company), Paradise Blue (Signature Theatre) and Detroit ’67 (Public Theater, Classical Theatre of Harlem and NBT). Additional plays include: Pipeline (Lincoln Center Theatre), Sunset Baby (LAByrinth Theatre); Blood at the Root (National Black Theatre) and Follow Me To Nellie’s (Premiere Stages). She is also the TONY nominated book writer on the new Broadway musical Ain’t Too Proud – The Life and Times of the Temptations (Imperial Theatre). Dominique is alumna of The Public Theater Emerging Writer’s Group, Women’s Project Lab, and Lark Playwrights Workshop and has developed work at Sundance Lab, Williamstown Theatre Festival and Eugene O’Neil Playwrights Conference. She served as Co-Producer on the Showtime series Shameless (three seasons). Additional awards include: Spirit of Detroit Award, PoNY Fellowship, Sky-Cooper Prize, TEER Trailblazer Award, Steinberg Playwright Award, Audelco Awards, NBFT August Wilson Playwriting Award, Edward M. Kennedy Prize for Drama, OBIE Award (2), Ford Foundation Art of Change Fellowship, Variety’s Women of Impact for 2017-18, and a MacArthur Genius Grant Fellow.

Matthew Xia is the award-winning Artistic Director of ATC (Actors Touring Company).  He was previously Associate Artistic Director at the Royal Exchange Theatre, Manchester, (where he established OPEN EXCHANGE, an artist development scheme for over 400 next generation theatre-makers); Director-in-Residence at the Liverpool Everyman & Playhouse; Associate Director at Theatre Royal Stratford East; Associate Artist at the Nottingham Playhouse, as well as a founding member of Act for Change. For theatre, his directing credits include the Olivier Award-winning Hey Duggee – The Live Theatre Show (Kenny Wax Family Entertainment/Cuffe & Taylor), the Fringe First award-winning Feeling Afraid As If Something Terrible Is Going To Happen (FMP/Roundabout and Bush Theatre), Tambo & Bones (ATC/Stratford East), The Architect (ATC/GDIF), Rice (ATC/Orange Tree), The Wiz (Ameena Hamid Productions/Hope Mill/BBC Big Night of Musicals), Family Tree (GDIF/ATC), 846 Live (Theatre Royal Stratford East/GDIF), Amsterdam (ATC/Orange Tree/Plymouth Theatre Royal), Blood Knot (Orange Tree), Eden (Hampstead Theatre), One Night In Miami… (Nottingham Playhouse/Bristol Old Vic/HOME), Into The Woods, Frankenstein (Royal Exchange Theatre), Wish List (Royal Exchange Theatre/Royal Court), Shebeen (Nottingham Playhouse/Theatre Royal Stratford East), Sleeping Beauty (Theatre Royal Stratford East), Dublin Carol (Sherman Theatre), Blue/Orange, The Sound of Yellow (Young Vic), Sizwe Banzi is Dead (Genesis Future Director Award Winner – Young Vic/Eclipse), The Blacks (CoDirector, Theatre Royal Stratford East), I Was Looking at The Ceiling and Then I Saw The Sky (Co-Director, Theatre Royal Stratford East/The Barbican) and Suckerpunch Boom Suite (The Barbican/NitroBEAT).

DONMAR WAREHOUSE

LISTINGS

41 Earlham Street, Seven Dials, London WC2H 9LX

Box Office: www.donmarwarehouse.com / 020 3282 3808    

Instagram, X (Twitter) and Facebook: @donmarwarehouse 

PERFORMANCE TIMES

Evenings Mon – Sat 7.30pm

Thursday & Saturday matinees 2.30pm

TICKET PRICES*

The Human Body

£60 (£55)             | £41 (£38)   | £21 (£19)   | £15 standing

The Cherry Orchard/Skeleton Crew

£55 (£50)             | £41 (£38)   | £21 (£19)   | £15 standing

Preview discounts apply to the first four performances. Standing tickets are only released when all seats are sold.

*Tickets are subject to a £1.50 transaction fee, waived for Members

BARCLAYS UNDER 30s £10 TICKETS

A limited number of £10 tickets are available for people aged under 30 thanks to generous support from Associate Sponsor Barclays.

YOUNG+FREE

YOUNG+FREE tickets for 16-25 year olds released by ballot. Sign up at www.donmarwarehouse.com.

YOUNG+FREE is generously supported by S&P Global.

DONMAR DAILY

New tickets on sale every day at the Donmar. Allocations of tickets will be made available every day for performances 7 days later. Tickets will be available across the auditorium at every price band.

ACCESS

The Donmar Warehouse is fully wheelchair accessible. Guide dogs and hearing dogs are welcome in the auditorium. There is a Loop system and a Radio Frequency system fitted in the main auditorium and there are also hearing loops at all the front of house counters.

ASSISTED PERFORMANCES

If you require a companion to attend the Donmar, their ticket will be free. To book call 020 3282 3808 or email access@donmarwarehouse.com.

For all other access enquiries or bookings call 020 3282 3808.

SEASON AT A GLANCE:

THE HUMAN BODY

Until 13 April 2024

Audio Described performance Saturday 13 April at 2.30pm

Captioned performance Monday 18 March at 7.30pm

THE CHERRY ORCHARD

26 April – 22 June 2024

Audio Described performance Saturday 1 June at 2.30pm

Captioned performance Monday 3 June at 7.30pm

SKELETON CREW

28 June – 24 August 2024

Audio Described performance Saturday 17 August at 2.30pm

Captioned performance Monday 12 August at 7.30pm

DONMAR WEST END:

NEXT TO NORMAL

WYNDHAM’S THEATRE

18 June – 21 September 2024

Donmar OpenHouse

Donmar OpenHouse is a long weekend of free performances and events for groups with which the Donmar has extended and deepened its ties during Michael Longhurst’s five years as Artistic Director. These include schools and community groups in Camden and Westminster, early career and emerging theatre artists, and young people. The event is delivered in partnership with Open Door.

Since 2019 the Donmar has doubled the reach of its schools and community work, including twice touring full scale productions to schools in its local boroughs in response to declining arts provision in schools.

The company has also significantly expanded its talent development work, launching CATALYST, our training programme that creates paid training opportunities for those historically underrepresented in the sector. Since 2019 the programme has helped launch the careers of 31 early career artists and administrators, 90% of whom continue to work in the sector.

Thousands of young people each year get to see the Donmar’s world-class productions through audience development programmes providing heavily discounted or free tickets. These include £10 tickets for under 30s, supported by Barclays for the current, sold-out productions of Clyde’s and Macbeth and the upcoming season, as well as the ongoing Young+Free ticket lottery programme for 16-25 year olds, supported by S&P Global.

Donmar OpenHouse takes place during the run of Skeleton Crew, from 11-13 July 2024

Awkwardprods present The Glasgow Willy Wonka Experience Quiz and Game Experience at Clapham Grand!

Following wonktastic demand and selling out immediately after launching, The Glasgow Willy Wonka Experience Quiz and Game Experience is moving to everyone’s favourite tacky warehouse – THE CLAPHAM GRAND! If you couldn’t get your wonky ass to that warehouse in Glasgow or if you missed out on one of our original tickets of gold – now’s your chance! With a new date (3^rd April) and more exciting announcements to come, we invite you to Wonk off with all your friends!

Enjoy as many magnificently sweet treats you can eat (maximum one jelly bean per customer) as you join Linus Karp (Diana: The Untold and Untrue Story), Joseph Martin (Gwyneth Goes Skiing), Rob Madge (My Son’s A Queer), Kate Butch (RuPaul’s Drag Race UK) and HRH Kate Middleton* (The Royal Family) for an evening of sweet dreams/nightmares in our Chocolate** Factory. 

Prepare yourself for comedy so rich, it’ll make a triple chocolate cake look like a diet food and silliness so silly, you’ll forget how to even. Quiz and game yourself through the night – as special guests will pop up like daisies in this garden of chaos. Join the Oompa Loompas in their sweet, sweet meth lab, have your photos taken at our wonktastic photo ops with no expenses spared***, rescue the captured Princess and fight the evil UNKNOWN!

1/4 cup of lemonade included with EVERY ticket!

*Kate Middleton unlikely to appear unless found.

**No Chocolate will be present

***Expenses will be spared

Details:

The Glasgow Willy Wonka Experience Quiz and Game Experience

When: 3 April

Where: 

The Clapham Grand

21-25 Saint John’s Hill

London

SW11 1TT

Featuring: 

Linus Karp

Joseph Martin

Kate Butch

Rob Madge

More UNKNOWN surprise guests to be announced 

Tickets at: Available at awkwardprods.co.uk

FULL CAST ANNOUNCED FOR

ORIGINAL JAPANESE STAGE PRODUCTION OF

STUDIO GHIBLI’S OSCAR-WINNING CLASSIC

“SPIRITED AWAY”

AT THE LONDON COLISEUM

PLAYING FROM

30APRIL UNTIL 24 AUGUST 2024

TOHO Co., Ltd. and PW Productions Ltd. are delighted to announce the full cast for the European premiere of the stage adaptation of SPIRITED AWAY at the London Coliseum.

Returning from the original Japanese production are Kanna Hashimoto and Mone Kamishiraishi as Chihiro, Kotaro Daigo and Hiroki Miura as Haku; Fu Hinami as Lin and Chihiro’s mother; Tomorowo Taguchi and Satoshi Hashimoto as Kamaji; Mari Natsuki and Romi Park as Yubaba and Zeniba; Kenya Osumi as Aniyaku and Chihiro’s father; Sunao Yoshimura as Chichiyaku; Obata no Oniisan as Aogaeru; Yuya Igarashi as Kashira and Mayu Musha as Bo.

Mari Natsuki returns to the role of Yubaba in this stage production, having voiced the role in Studio Ghibli’s 2001 Oscar-winning film.

Joining the company for the London production are Rina Kawaei and Momoko Fukuchi as Chihiro; Atsuki Mashiko as Haku; Hikaru Yamano as Kaonashi or ‘No-Face’; Yuki Hana and Rion Misaki as Lin and Chihiro’s mother; Tomu Miyazaki as Kamaji; Hitomi Harukaze as Yubaba and Zeniba; Toshihiko Ito as Chichiyaku and Seiya Motoki as Aogaeru.

Completing the company are Miyu Ayahashi, Kaito Arai, Yoko Ose, Wataru Oshige, Motoko Orii, Akino Konno, Ryo Sawamura, Mayu Suetomi, Rico Takahashi, Hayato Takehiro, Saya Chinen, Hanano Teshirogi, Ayame Nakagami, Yuuki Nishinomiya, Rei Hanashima, Yoshiki Fujioka, Norihide Mantani, Eiji Mizuno, Miffy, Maki Morita, Yuna Yasuno, Yamato, Kazuma Kimura, Annakanako Mohri, Marina Mori and Toshiki Hirose.

Studio Ghibli’s SPIRITED AWAY, created by legendary animator and director Hayao Miyazaki, has beenre-imagined for the stage by Toho Theatrical Department and Olivier and Tony Award-winning director John Caird (Les Misérables). Following a sell-out tour of Japan in 2022, the original Japanese cast will perform this spectacular production for a strictly limited London season. The production will be presented in the original Japanese, with English captions. Miyazaki’s masterpiece is brought beautifully to life with a live orchestra playing the magnificent film score by Joe Hisaishi arranged by Brad Haak (Mary Poppins), dazzling set design by Jon Bausor (Bat Out of Hell), wildly imaginative puppets designed by Toby Olié (Pinocchio: National Theatre), choreography by Shigehiro Ide (NODA MAP Series), and lavish costumes by Sachiko Nakahara.

Director Hayao Miyazaki’s timeless masterpiece SPIRITED AWAY became an explosive blockbuster after its 2001 release and won the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature Film in 2003. A masterpiece of storytelling and stunning visuals SPIRITED AWAY tells the enchanting tale of Chihiro who while traveling to a new home with her family, stumbles into a world of fantastic spirits ruled over by the sorceress Yubaba. When her parents are turned
into pigs and she is put to work in a magical bathhouse, Chihiro must use her wits to
survive in this strange new place, find a way to free her parents, and return to the normal world.

TOHO Co., Ltd. is the leading production company of theatre and film in Japan, internationally recognized for the Godzilla series and for Akira Kurosawa’s masterpieces. Its theatrical department has presented numerous original and licensed musicals and plays in Japan, including Broadway and West End imports such as Les Misérables, Miss Saigon, Moulin Rouge! The Musical, My Fair Lady, Man of La Mancha, Fiddler on the Roof, La Cage Aux Folles, RENT, Jekyll & Hyde, Next to Normal, Jersey Boys, Beautiful The Carole King Musical, Waitress and The Producers among many others. Recently, Toho has co-produced the Broadway musical Tootsie. Toho has also produced the Japanese versions of musicals from Central Europe, including Elisabeth, Mozart! and Rebecca the Musical. The company also collaborated to create the original musicals Marie Antoinette and Lady Bess with the creators of Elisabeth, Michael Kunze (book and lyrics) and Sylvester Levay (music). Marie Antoinette was licensed and presented in Germany, Korea and Hungary. In 2017, Toho presented a new production of Shakespeare’s As You Like It directed by Michael Mayer, music by Tom Kitt, choreography by Lorin Latarro. Previous productions with John Caird include Les Misérables (original production co-directed by Trevor Nunn), Beggar’s Opera, Candide, Private Lives, Daddy Long Legs, Twelfth Night and Knights’ Tale. Alongside this London production, TOHO Co Ltd will also present SPIRITED AWAY on a National Tour of Japan in 2024.

PW Productions Ltd. is one of the West End’s most prolific and significant theatre producers, responsible for some of the most successful productions in British theatre since it was founded in 1983 by Peter Wilson MBE. Productions have included Susan Hill’s The Woman in Black, An Inspector Calls, Sting’s The Last Ship and many more. The company has acted as General Manager and Production Accountant for more than 600 productions throughout the world. PW Productions, in partnerships with promoters and co-producers, has also presented work in Japan, Singapore, Canada, USA, Germany, Ireland, Luxembourg, Austria, Australia and Hong Kong.

The original Japanese Stage Production of SPIRITED AWAY is based on the Oscar-winning animated feature film by Hayao Miyazaki, adapted by John Caird, co-adapted by Maoko Imai and featuring the original score by Joe Hisaishi.

Royal Theatre, Windsor – until 9 March 2024

Reviewed by Joanna Huggett

5*****

It was a delight to watch the opening night of “Closure” written by Catherine O’Reilly and Tim Churchill at the Theatre Royal Windsor.

The play takes place entirely within the living room of Emma (played by Roxanne McKee) and Josh Carlisle (played by Joseph Thompson) of their remote country house. Emma has invited her parents Libby (Susan Penhaligon) and Henry Kennedy (Peter Duncan), her sister Becca (Jemma Donovan) and Becca’s new plus-one Alex (Christopher Jeffers) to join them for dinner and drinks (but mostly drinks).

The superbly designed stage portrays a beautiful country manor, somewhere out in the sticks, where Emma and Josh have hidden themselves away for far too long and Emma spends her days painting – although what she has been painting will have to be revealed at some point during the story.

As the story unfolds, we learn why they’ve been so distant and what other secrets the family has been keeping from one another. Underneath it all, the story is about getting closure and what lengths Emma, Josh and her family would go to, to achieve that.

There are some occasional interactions with Henry’s former colleague Graham, played by Marcus Adolphy, who ultimately joins them for the cliff hanger of an ending.

The story is a thriller, but there’s also a lot of comedy, a lot of drinking and so many plot twists that will you won’t really know what the story was about until the very end.

A very entertaining evening in Windsor, not to be missed.

Cambridge Arts Theatre, Cambridge – until Saturday 2nd March 2024

Reviewed by Steph Lott

4****

I don’t think I have been at a performance where the whole audience laughed as much as they did at last night’s performance of “Drop the Dead Donkey – the Reawakening!” at the Cambridge Arts Theatre. It was almost a full house and the production’s popularity was probably due to the affection that the original series was viewed with. The impressive turnout indicates that a lot of goodwill remains for this Channel 4 comedy from the 1990s. It was set in the offices of “GlobeLink News” and made use of contemporary news events. The series ended with GlobeLink being closed down.

Now, more than 25 years later, the newsroom sitcom makes a welcome return, this time to the stage. Written once again by creators Andy Hamilton and Guy Jenkins, this revival assembled at Cambridge Arts Theatre under Derek Bond’s direction recaptures the sly, cynical magic of the classic series. However, while the potent first half delivers plenty of laughs and gasps, the production unfortunately loses steam somewhat after the interval before rallying for a solid, if not wholly satisfying conclusion. One of the problems is when something that works in a 25-minute format is stretched to, in this case, just under two hours. And in addition, something that was a series is transferred to stage as a one off. Where is it going?

So, the premise is that Gus, the old GlobeLink boss, has taken charge at the brand-new news channel, Truth News. He assembles all the old hands he used to work with in cloak and dagger fashion and one by one we are reunited with editor George, deputy editor Dave, reporter – now newsreader – Damien, newsreader Sally, assistant editor Helen, and HR diva Joy. There is a new face – intern “weathergirl” Rita and also investigative journalist Mairead. The team are tasked with getting Truth News off the ground and producing its first broadcasts. The trouble is this new channel is obsessed with algorithms and social media hits rather than anything remotely related to actual news, and financially supported by some shady unknown backers.

The play wastes no time skewering today’s fast-paced, ethics-deficient media landscape – a rich target that gifted writers Hamilton and Jenkins lambast with glee. The first half gets off to a flying start with snappy dialogue laden with the duo’s trademark black humour landing again and again, guided by Bond’s brisk pacing and the cast’s deft comic timing.

The set design smartly adapts the classic cramped, messy newsroom look to the modern open office concept, peppered with contemporary touches like sweeping digital display boards. Multimedia elements shine at points, such as the faux broadcast snippets interspersed for context, and there’s a very innovative coffee machine!

As the first half closes, Truth News’ staff are locked in ethical confusion over journalistic responsibility versus clickbait sensationalism. There is a disastrous launch night of Truth News. A couple of national treasures do not escape unharmed, either physically or reputationally!

However, things slow after the interval, bogged down by an odd lull. At that point I was wondering how they would bring this to a satisfactory conclusion.

Fortunately, as our heroes scramble to save their journalistic integrity against corrosive corporate forces, the satire bites hard once more. As well as the solid gags, the other pleasure is the cast and the dynamic between them, intact after all these decades.

Despite the lull in the midsection, “Drop the Dead Donkey: The Reawakening!” remains a hilarious tribute three decades in the making. Long-term fans won’t be disappointed by a performance brimming with savage wit, while introducing new audiences to a comedic tour de force.

Awkwardprods present The Glasgow Willy Wonka Experience Quiz and Game Experience at Two Brewers 21 March

If you couldn’t get your wonky ass to that warehouse in Glasgow, we are bringing it to you! Enjoy as many magnificently sweet treats you can eat (maximum one jelly bean per customer) as you join Linus Karp (Diana: The untold and Untrue Story), Joseph Martin (Gwyneth Goes Skiing), Rob Madge (My Son’s A Queer – but what can you do?), Kate Butch (RuPaul’s Drag Race) and HRH Kate Middleton* (The Royal Family) for an evening of sweet dreams/nightmares in our Chocolate** Factory. 

Prepare yourself for comedy so rich, it’ll make a triple chocolate cake look like a diet food and silliness so silly, you’ll forget how to even. Quiz and game yourself through the night in teams of up to six – as special guests will pop up like daisies in this garden of chaos. Join the Oompa Loompas in their sweet, sweet meth lab, have your photos taken at our wonktastic photo ops with no expenses spared***, rescue the captured Princess and fight the evil UNKNOWN!

1/4 cup of lemonade included with EVERY ticket!

*Kate Middleton unlikely to appear unless found.

**No Chocolate will be present

***Expenses will be spared

Details:

The Glasgow Willy Wonka Experience Quiz and Game Experience

When: 21 March, 19:15

Where: 

Two Brewers

114 Clapham High Street

London

SW4 7UJ

Featuring: 

Linus Karp

Joseph Martin

Kate Butch

Rob Madge

More UNKNOWN surprise guests to be announced 

Tickets from £12

Available at awkwardprods.co.uk

Nottingham Playhouse – until March 9th 2024

Reviewed by Amy V Gathercole

5*****

“Minority Report – it’s ambitious, new and it’s already pretty iconic! – See it soon!”

I’m fortunate to have experienced a lot of theatre in my life, but I’ve never seen anything like Minority Report. It’s ambitious, new and its already pretty iconic. Bringing the sci-fi genre to the stage in a powerful and exciting event that really reminds you what theatre can and should do. Make you think and break down boundaries.

As the plot races urgently in real-time through London in 2050, our leading lady, neuroscientist Dame Julia Anderton (a very impressive and memorable Jodie McNee), is somewhat awkwardly and shockingly found to be guilty of Pre-Crime. In the futuristic society we are living in here, this means you’ve been predicted (via a supposedly infallible system) to be guilty of going to commit a crime and will be detained ahead of committing it.

The shock of this is that Julia is the CEO of the company that built the system to eradicate crime, like I say it’s all a bit awkward. She runs the company with her husband Sir George (a fabulous performance by Nick Fletcher) – the man who created the computer programming that runs the advanced system.

Following the Pre-Crime prediction, we go on the run with Julia as she tries to escape what she built, as she and many that surround her are in disbelief that she’s been accused and start asking more questions to gain some valuable answers.

The talented David Haig has adapted the 1950s novel by Phillip K. Dick and you may be aware of the Hollywood blockbuster made famous by Tom Cruise and Nottingham’s very own Samantha Morton. This is a very different version. Minority Report is full of break-neck performances, honestly the acting is first class from everyone and features some very memorable performances.

I’d say make time to see this show because of the set as you’ve never seen anything like it! It’s futuristic, smart and fast. With sets and spaces that scroll across the stage and rise and fall with speed and precision. One minute you’re in a sped up car chase and the next inside an AI operated modern office.

The costuming is another thing to admire as it depicts futuristic society with angular designs and practical clothing, above fashion for the majority of the cast, with designs that compliment the ultra-modern society that’s been created here.

Unexpected humour appears throughout the script as the writers take some liberties with jokes about AI and things we live with today and the highlight of the whole show for me was the stunning visual effects.

Minority Report is a very important piece of theatre for the modern age. In a world where the arts are tragically facing yet more cuts, the fact that Nottingham Playhouse, Birmingham Rep and Lyric Hammersmith Theatre have joined together to collaborate is fantastic. It’s becoming common in theatre to see smaller casts, with actors taking on multiple roles and stripped back sets, relying predominantly on projections to act as scene transitions and backdrops.

Here it’s entirely the opposite, in the most tech-based show I’ve ever seen! It would be easy for this show to lose its humanity and focus purely on the tech but instead it incorporates implanted chips and advanced sassy AI systems and chatbots, (Tanvi Virmani as an opinionated yet helpful AI companion David was my favourite performance in the show) into one of the most cinematic theatre performances I’ve seen. Whilst also raising several questions over philosophical issues surrounding free will. What will it take to create a crime free world? Are the potential risks worth it? And ultimately, how much trust should we place in technology?

24 JULY, 2024.
DEAR DIARY…

THE RECORD-BREAKING HIT SHOW

RETURNS FOR A NEW UK TOUR THIS AUTUMN

WRITTEN BY LAURENCE O’KEEFE & KEVIN MURPHY

AND WINNER OF

BEST NEW MUSICAL

WHATSONSTAGE AWARDS

****

Daily Telegraph, The Independent, Metro, Daily Express,

The Stage, Attitude, The Arts Desk, Broadway World

*****

The New European, City AM

Corn Nuts! What are you waiting for? There are new dates to add to your diaries…

Following a smash hit West End run at the Theatre Royal Haymarket in 2018, two national tours and record breaking runs at London’s The Other Palace, the WhatsOnStage ‘BEST NEW MUSICAL’ winner, Heathers the Musical is back on tour this year opening on 24 July at Theatre Royal Windsor. 

Produced by Bill Kenwright Ltd and Paul Taylor-Mills, this high octane, black comedy, rock musical based on one of the greatest cult teen films of all-time that starred Winona Ryder and Christian Slater, is back with a bang!

The 2024 Class of Westerberg High will be announced shortly.

Greetings and salutations! Welcome to Westerberg High, where popularity is so very a matter of life and death, and Veronica Sawyer is just another of the nobodies dreaming of a better day.

But when she’s unexpectedly taken under the wings of the three beautiful and impossibly cruel Heathers, her dreams of popularity finally start to come true.

That is until JD turns up, the mysterious teen rebel who teaches her that it might kill to be a nobody, but it’s murder being a somebody.

The award-winning writing team, Laurence O’Keefe and Kevin Murphy’s hit musical adaptation has enjoyed successful runs in Los Angeles and New York, and its European premiere saw it become the highest grossing show at The Other Palace, having sold over 20,000 tickets across the initial run and selling-out prior to its opening gala performance. It had similar success transferring to the Theatre Royal Haymarket. The show then broke records again back at its original home, The Other Palace, as the longest running show in the venue’s history.

The musical is directed by acclaimed American screen and stage director Andy Fickman, with choreography by Gary Lloyd, design by David Shields, lighting by Ben Cracknell and sound by Dan Samson.

LISTINGS

BILL KENWRIGHT & PAUL TAYLOR-MILLS PRESENT

HEATHERS THE MUSICAL

2024 UK TOUR

BOOK, MUSIC AND LYRICS KEVIN MURPHY & LAURENCE O’KEEFE

BASED ON A FILM BY DANIEL WATERS

DIRECTED BY ANDY FICKMAN

CHOREOGRAPHY AND ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR GARY LLOYD

DESIGN BY DAVID SHIELDS

LIGHTING BY BEN CRACKNELL

SOUND BY DAN SAMSON

Theatre Royal Windsor                                             theatreroyalwindsor.co.uk

24 – 27 July 2024                                                        01753 853 888

Theatre Royal Bath                                                    theatreroyal.org.uk

30 July – 3 August 2024                                              01225 448844

On Sale: 6 March

King’s Theatre Portsmouth                                      kingsportsmouth.co.uk
6 – 10 August 2024                                                      023 9282 8282
On Sale: 8 March

Wales Millennium Centre                                             wmc.org.uk
13 – 17 August 2024                                                            029 2063 6464

On Sale: 8 March

Theatre Royal Newcastle                                          theatreroyal.co.uk

3 – 7 September 2024                                                0191 232 7010

On Sale: 20 March

Milton Keynes Theatre                                              atgtickets.com/MiltonKeynes

10 – 14 September 2024                                           

On Sale: 8 March

Storyhouse Chester                                                    storyhouse.com
17 –21 September 2024                                             01244 409 113

On Sale: 11 March

Sheffield Lyceum Theatre                                         sheffieldtheatres.co.uk         

1 – 5 October 2024                                                     0114 249 6000

On Sale: 23 March

Stockton Globe Theatre                                            stocktonglobe.co.uk
15 – 19 October 2024                                                

On Sale: 8 March

Princess Theatre Torquay                                        atgtickets.com/Torquay
5 – 9 November

On Sale: 8 March