The National Theatre and Wales Millenium Centre today announce the full cast for Nyeas the company begins rehearsals. Tim Price’s (Teh Internet is Serious Business) new play directed by Rufus Norris (Small Island), charts the life of Aneurin ‘Nye’ Bevan and his battle to create the NHS. Michael Sheen is cast as Nye in this co-production between the National Theatre and Wales Millennium Centre.
Matthew Bulgo, Dyfan Dwyfor, Ross Foley, Daniel Hawksford, Bea Holland, Michael Keane, Nicholas Khan, Oliver Llewellyn-Jenkins, Mark Matthews, Ashley Mejri, Lee Mengo, David Monteith, Mali O’Donnell and Sara Otung join the previously announced cast of Remy Beasley, Roger Evans, Jon Furlong, Stephanie Jacob, Kezrena James, Tony Jayawardena, Rebecca Killick, Rhodri Meilir, Michael Sheen and Sharon Small.
Director Rufus Norris leads a creative team including set designer Vicki Mortimer, costume designer Kinnetia Isidore, lighting designer Paule Constable, co-choreographers Steven Hoggett and Jess Williams,composer Will Stuart,sound designer Donato Wharton, projection designer Jon Driscoll, company voice work Cathleen McCarron and Tamsin Newlands, staff director Francesca Goodridge,associate set designer Matt Hellyer, dialect coach Patricia Logue and casting by Alastair Coomer CDG and Chloe Blake.
From campaigning at the coalfield to leading the battle to create the NHS, Aneurin ‘Nye’ Bevan is often referred to as the politician with greatest influence on our country without ever being Prime Minister.
Confronted with death, Nye’s deepest memories lead him on a mind-bending journey back through his life; from childhood to mining underground, Parliament and fights with Churchill in an epic Welsh fantasia.
Nye is playing in the Olivier theatre from 24 February until 11 May, with press night on 6 March 2024.
Following its world premiere in the Olivier theatre, Nye will play at the Wales Millennium Centre. Michael Sheen will continue his role as Nye Bevan in this strictly limited run from 18 May until 1 June 2024
Tickets are available from £20 and are on sale now via the National Theatre website. For further information, including details about assisted performances, please visit nationaltheatre.org.uk.
Justice, friendship, and drama – based on a true Hull story!
The search for stories from the fish factory floor
Did you work in the fish factories in Hull during the 1980’s? Or know somebody who did? If so, Hull Truck Theatre and Hull Maritime need your help…
Their brand-new community production of Guts! The Musical – The Story of the Hull Fish Packers, is set to take to the stage at Hull Truck Theatre in Summer 2024 (Sat 29 June – Sat 6 July). Following Union Rep Peter Allen and 15 women from a fish packing factory in Hull, audiences are invited to enjoy this whirlwind retelling of the ground-breaking case which changed the equalities act in UK, forever.
To make this iconic local maritime story as authentic as possible, Hull Truck Theatre are seeking to connect with past fish factory workers to gather as many stories as possible. They’d like to hear from people who worked in the fishing packing factories in Hull, specifically during the 1980’s.
Any contributions, insights or lived experiences shared will be explored and considered for inclusion in the play. Local playwright, Maureen Lennon, will use local stories as a basis for the story alongside some artistic license, to create a fun retelling of the iconic Hull Fish Packers.
Maureen Lennon, Writer of Guts! The Musical, said:
“When Hull Truck Theatre commissioned me to write their Community production, following a maritime theme, I immediately agreed! I was keen to write a play based on true events, which would resonate with local people. The fishing industry is a huge part of Hull’s rich maritime history, and I knew there would be so many untold stories out there just waiting to be uncovered. I stumbled across the story of Union Rep Peter Allen and the equalities act and was instantly hooked!
“It’s really important that local voices contribute towards the creation of the play – which is based on a true story. We’d love to hear from anyone who can help tell us what it was like to work in the fish factories in Hull, during this key time.”
The public can submit their stories, encounters and recollections via a digital form which is available to access from the Hull Truck Theatre website. Stories are being accepted up until the 31st January 2024.
Tom Saunders, Director of Guts! The Musical, said:
“Our Community production is always a highlight in the Hull Truck Theatre calendar and this one feels extra special as it’s based on a local story which so was revolutionary, it made history! We think audiences are really going to enjoy this fast-paced farcical drama which will retell the story of demanding equal pay for equal work, but with lots of hilarity and musical joy thrown in for good measure.
“We’ll soon be looking to recruit for our Community Cast, so watch this space for details if you’d like to be involved on stage, too!”
Hull Truck Theatre are really excited to be working in partnership with Hull Maritime project, using the power of theatre to tell the city’s rich history.
Councillor Rob Pritchard, Portfolio Holder for Leisure and Culture at Hull City Council, said:
“It is great to join forces with Hull Truck Theatre to get more people involved in the Hull Maritime project in a creative and fun way.
“The play will highlight one of the most important but lesser-known parts of Hull’s maritime heritage and we’re excited that local people will have the opportunity to be part of telling this story.”
For more details about how to submit your story, please visit: www.hulltruck.co.uk
Tickets for Guts! The Musical are now on sale from Hull Truck Theatre’s Box Office, starting from £10.
Randall A. Buck, Patrick Bywalski, Rod Gunner in association with Nullarbor Productions and Blue Stage Entertainment in association with MGM on Stage are delighted to present PRISCILLA THE PARTY! at HERE @ Outernet in London’s Soho. With a book by Stephan Elliott and Allan Scott, based on the Latent Image/Specific Films Motion Picture distributed by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Inc., PRISCILLA THE PARTY! is a grand celebration of 30 years of glamour and iconic entertainment and will be staged by the creative team behind Priscilla Queen of the Desert The Musical – you can expect the same award-winning costumes and head-dresses, re-directed for HERE @ Outernet by original director Simon Phillips.
PRISCILLA THE PARTY! will open on Monday 25 March 2024, following previews from 3 March. Tickets are now on sale.
Director Simon Phillips said, “We’ve been telling theatregoers this story in over 30 countries now, for nearly two decades and, no matter where we have played around the world, multi-generational, diverse audiences – actually, anyone intent on having a good time – have felt more than welcome at a Priscilla show. Given the immense mainstream visibility and recognition drag is enjoying, there has surely never been a better time to celebrate this heartfelt tale of love, friendship and acceptance and this spectacular, interactive production will embrace its audience, immersing them in an experience they will never forget. Presented at the exciting HERE @ Outernet venue in Denmark Street in the heart of Soho, this ultimate celebration of Priscilla’s coming of age will bring everyone together with simply the best in feel-good entertainment!”
Trans icon Munroe Bergdorf said, “Priscilla is a timeless classic; for so many queer people it was the first time we saw queer people in movies, that we saw drag queens in movies, that I saw a trans woman on screen…. I think it’s really important we move with the times and provide new ways of telling stories that have impacted and empowered us all, so I’m very very excited and looking forward to seeing [Priscilla The Party!]… it’s such a ground-breaking story, especially in terms of everything going on with the trans community right now; this is what we need, we need stories that lead with joy, and to show that the trans experience isn’t always about tragedy.”
Based on the Oscar-winning movie and Tony Award- and Olivier Award-winning musical, PRISCILLA THE PARTY! tells the same heart-warming, uplifting story of three friends who hop aboard a battered old bus, searching for love and friendship, and end up finding more than they could have ever dreamed of. It is 30 years since the unforgettable film, Priscilla Queen of the Desert, graced our screens and almost 18 years since London first embraced the phenomenal stage musical. “PRISCILLA THE PARTY!” promises to be an unprecedented and unforgettable evolution of this legacy.
The stage is set at HERE @ Outernet, an electrifying and high tech venue located in the vibrant heart of London’s Soho. This sensory experience is poised to transport participants to the boundless Australian outback, a world of glitz, glamour and endless entertainment. Attendees will be invited to unleash their inner diva as Priscilla Queen of the Desert transitions from a beloved musical into an extraordinary immersive party. Guests can choose between an exclusive premium dining experience, featuring a sumptuous three-course meal, or opt to sit or stand on the dance floor. For those in seats around or on the dance floor, a diverse array of bar snacks and drinks are readily available from the expansive bar area.
The audience can expect an extravagant display of eye-popping costumes, an exhilarating soundtrack that encourages everyone to sing along and a show which unfolds all around them. There will be immersive dance floor tickets as happens at Guys and Dolls at the Bridge Theatre, with DJ and pre-show entertainment similar to Here Lies Love at the National Theatre, a party sing-a-long atmosphere like ABBA Voyage at the ABBA Arena, cabaret tables with dining options similar to Cabaret at the Playhouse Theatre and dining options and post-show party as happens at Mamma Mia! The Party – in other words, something for everyone!
The show will feature beloved classics, including Hotstuff, It’s Raining Men, Girls Just Wanna HaveFun, Finally, Go West, Say A Little Prayer, Boogie Wonderland, Shake Your Groove Thing and I Will Survive.
From its dazzling debut in Sydney in 2006, the musical created by Allan Scott and Stephan Elliott has taken the world by storm. It initially graced the London stage in 2009, before conquering Broadway in 2011. The enduring message of acceptance and inclusivity that Priscilla carries remains as significant today as it was when the curtains first rose.
Produced by Randall A. Buck, Patrick Bywalski, Rod Gunner in association with Nullarbor Productions and Blue Stage Entertainment in association with MGM on Stage, PRISCILLA THE PARTY! Will be directed by Simon Phillips, with set and video design by Brian Thomson and Justin Nardella, costume design by Tim Chappell and Lizzy Gardiner, choreography by Andrew Hallsworth, musical arrangements, direction, supervision and orchestrations by Stephen ‘Spud’ Murphy, music direction by Steve Geere, lighting design by Per Hording, sound design by Ben Harrison and general management by RGM Productions.
New cultural podcast brings together interesting voices from across the arts
10th January sees the launch of an exciting new cultural podcast set to bring together interesting voices from all across the arts for important and fun conversations – The Pink Podcast, hosted by Chloé Nelkin, will release an episode fortnightly with 2-3 guests joining this intimate conversation.
The podcast will discuss anything and everything under the arts umbrella providing the opportunity to hear from some fascinating and leading figures in a conversational way. Each episode will end with Head First – a section called looking at mental health and what each guest is doing to take care of themselves in this frenetic world.
Episode one focuses on the arts in 2024 with guests Sofi Berenger and Sanjit Chudha. As both an in-house and independent producer, Sofi champions new and exciting work from all backgrounds. She is Executive Producer and acting Chief Executive at the King’s Head Theatre, which has just opened the doors of its brand-new venue. Sanjit has just closed the door on a phenomenal tenure at the Museum of the Home where he was Director of Audiences. Prior to that Sanjit led the rebranding and comms at Talawa Theatre Company where he ensured Audience Development and Digital strategies were always at the heart of Talawa’s work. The episode tackles big questions such as how to develop audiences and looks at grassroots theatre versus blockbuster shows.
The climate crisis is an unavoidable truth of the world we live in and arts organisations and artists alike are having to take steps towards sustainability. Episode two looks at the importance of sustainability talking to Theatres Trust director Jon Morgan; Oli Savage, co-founder of The Greenhouse – the UK’s first zero-waste theatre company; and contemporary artist Ozlem Thompson who strives to be sustainable in her practice. This episode talks about Theatre Green Book UK, how small changes can help the wider crisis and how organisations can try to be more sustainable.
Episodes in the coming months will cover first theatre memories with the amazing Su Pollard, women in the arts, the Edinburgh Fringe, shining a spotlight on LGBTQIA+ stories, restoring historic spaces, collecting art, and accuracy versus entertainment in adaptations
Host Chloé Nelkin is the founder of CNC, an award-winning PR company founded in 2010. Based in London and Edinburgh, CNC’s campaigns span the fields of theatre, visual arts, the Edinburgh Fringe, circus, opera, classical music and heritage. Prior to establishing CNC, Chloé studied History of Art at The Courtauld Institute of Art graduating with undergraduate and Masters degrees; she now sits on their alumni board. With her extensive experience, Chloé has led the company to become one of the UK’s leading arts and culture comms agencies with notable CNC clients including Talawa Theatre Company, Kenny Wax Family Entertainment, Dirty Dancing |The Classic Story On Stage, The Pleasance Theatre Trust, Totally Thames Festival, Museum of the Home and the Old Royal Naval College
The Pink Podcast can be downloaded from all major platforms and followed on social media @thepinkpodcast1
Record-Breaking 80,000 Attend Mayflower Shows Over Festive Period
The City’s Mayflower venues (Mayflower Theatre and MAST Mayflower Studios) are celebrating a record-breaking run of festive shows. Over 80,000 people came to see Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, A Christmas Carol and Counting Down to Christmas across both venues.
Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs
Mayflower Theatre had over 74,000 people attending Snow White making it the highest attended pantomime, for the length of run, in over 20 years.
MAST Mayflower Studios enjoyed 19 sold out performances of Counting Down to Christmas and seven sold out performances of A Christmas Carol, again a venue record. A Christmas Carol was MAST’s third Christmas Youth Production providing high-quality opportunities for local young talent and featured 50 young people in the show.
Counting Down to Christmas
Michael Ockwell, Chief Executive and Creative Director said, “I am thrilled that we have achieved record breaking attendances across our venues. We developed a strategy to provide festive shows catering for all ages when we opened MAST Mayflower Studios: a fun first entry to theatre show for pre-schoolers, a Christmas Youth Production and the biggest pantomime on the South Coast. Christmas is an important time where young and old often have their first experience of theatre and I am delighted that so many of our local community have been able to attend one of our productions.”
Audience survey data indicates that customers opted to spend money in the local region, taking advantage of local eateries, shopping on the high street and shopping centres and enjoying the many festive attractions across the city.
Christmas Carol
Michael added, “It’s extremely rewarding to see the impact that theatre makes on the local economy. As well as providing life-long memories and cultural experiences, we’re contributing to the prosperity of the city. We would like to thank all the creative teams who put the shows together, the artists who have spent their Christmas entertaining us and especially the amazing young people who made up the cast of A Christmas Carol”
Next Christmas Mayflower Theatre will be presenting Jack and the Beanstalk with the return of Ashley Banjo and Diversity, and MAST Mayflower Studios will produce a new version of The Wind in the Willows – Toad’s BIG Musical Adventure. Tickets are on sale now for both productions.
Joining the previously announced THE VIVIENNE as the wicked witch of the west are
AVIVA TULLEY as DOROTHY
BENJAMIN YATES as THE SCARECROW
NIC GREENSHIELDS as THE COWARDLY LION
ALEX BOURNE as THE WIZARD
EMILY BULL as GLINDA THE GOOD WITCH
With ABIGAIL MATTHEWS as TOTO
Michael Harrison and the Really Useful Group are thrilled to today announce final casting for the UK and Ireland tour of The Wizard of Oz which begins rehearsals today. The new musical, based on the iconic story by L. Frank Baum, tours the UK and Ireland throughout 2024, following a celebrated run at the world-famous London Palladium. It will open at Mayflower Theatre where it plays from Tuesday 16 to Sunday 21 January 2024.
Joining previously announced RuPaul’s Drag Race UK winner and Dancing on Ice finalist, The Vivienne (The Wicked Witch of the West), the principal company is completed by 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, Alex Bourne (Annie, West End, UK Tour, Toronto; Hairspray, UK Tour) as The Wizard, 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 cast is completed 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.
Aviva Tulley (Dorothy): Aviva trained at The Brit School and Arts Educational School, London. Recent roles include Erzulie in Once On This Island (Southwark Playhouse) and in concert, Roles We’ll Never Play (Turbine Theatre). She played Nabulungi in the 2022 UK Tour of The Book of Mormon to celebrated reviews.
Benjamin Yates (The Scarecrow): Television credits include: Olly in Emmerdale (ITV). Theatre credits include: Jersey Boys (West End); School of Rock (West End); Wicked (UK Tour); Wonderland (UK Tour); West Side Story (Kilworth House); Cats (London Palladium, UK and European Tour); Jesus Christ Superstar (World Arena Tour); The Who’sTommy (Blackpool Winter Gardens); Grease (Ljubljana Festival).
Nic Greenshields (The Cowardly Lion): Theatre Credits Include: Love Never Dies (Theatre Royal Drury Lane); Les Misérables (International Tour); Les Misérables – The Staged Concert (Sondheim Theatre); Young Frankenstein (Garrick Theatre); Guys And Dolls (Savoy/Phoenix Theatre); Billy Elliot (Victoria Palace); The Phantom Of The Opera (His Majesties Theatre); Into The Woods (Royal Opera House); Wonderful Town (Royal Exchange); The Beautiful Game (Cambridge Theatre); Les Misérables (Palace/Queens Theatre); Lautrec (Shaftesbury Theatre); Miss Saigon (Theatre Royal, Drury Lane); Oklahoma (UK Tour); Beauty And The Beast (International Tour); Cats (International Tour). Directing Credits: Resident Director, School Of Rock (Gillian Lynne Theatre); Assistant Director, The Railway Children (Kings Cross Theatre).
Alex Bourne (The Wizard): Alex has recently reprised his role of Daddy Warbucks on the national tour of Annie. Other theatre includes: Hairspray (UK Tour); Eugenius at The Other Palace; Annie (London, UK Tour and Toronto); Mamma Mia! (UK Tour); Kiss Me, Kate (Royal Albert Hall/BBC Proms); Witches of Eastwick – TMA Nominee for Best Actor (Watermill Theatre); Kiss Me, Kate – Olivier Award-Nominee (Chichester Festival Theatre and Old Vic); We Will Rock You (Dominion Theatre); Chicago (Adelphi Theatre); The Rat Pack (Flying Music/Strand Theatre, London); Beauty and the Beast (Walt Disney Theatrical/UK tour); Rocky Horror Show (Turnstyle); Beauty and the Beast (Walt Disney Theatrical/Dominion Theatre); Grease (Robert Stigwood Org/Cambridge Theatre, London); Grease (Robert Stigwood Org/National Tour); Only The Lonely (Whitehall Theatre, London); Buddy – The Buddy Holly Story (Victoria Palace/US tour) and Showboat (RSC/Opera North at The London Palladium).
Emily Bull (Glinda The Good Witch): For Tonight (Adelphi Theatre); 9 to 5 (UK Tour & South Korea); Matilda (UK Tour); Mary Poppins (International tour); Sunset Boulevard (London Coliseum); The Station Master (Tristan Bates Theatre); How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying (Royal Festival Hall); Cabaret (UK Tour); Sweeney Todd (Adelphi Theatre & Chichester Festival Theatre); Les Misérables (Sondheim Theatre) and Grease (Piccadilly Theatre).
Abigail Matthews (Toto): Bleak Expectations (Criterion Theatre, West End); Bye Bye Birdie (Rose and Crown, Offie Nominated for Best Supporting Actress); War Horse (Gillian Lynne Theatre); A Winter’s Tale & The Hired Man (Landor Theatre, Offie Nominated for Best Supporting Actress); The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe (360° Theatre, Kensington Gardens); Evita (UK & European Tour).
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.
Directed by Nikolai Foster (Billy Elliot The Musical, A Chorus Line) The Wizard of Oz has choreography by Shay Barclay, Set Designer is Colin Richmond, Projection Designer is Douglas O’Connell, Costume and Puppet Designer is Rachael Canning, Lighting Designer is Ben Cracknell, Sound Designer is Adam Fisher, Creative Consultant is Mark Kaufman, Musical Supervisor is George Dyer, casting by Debbie O’Brien, Props Supervisor is Marcus Hall Props, and Wigs, Hair and Makeup Designer is Elizabeth Marini.
The Wizard of Oz on tour is presented Michael Harrison, Gavin Kalin Productions, David Mirvish, Crossroads Live, Tulchin Bartner Productions, Nick Thomas, Rupert Gavin and Mallory Factor, Jake Hine and Playing Field, by arrangement with the Really Useful Group Ltd.
Tickets for The Wizard of Oz (Tuesday 16 – Sunday 21 January 2024) are on sale at mayflower.org.uk or 02380 711811.
Cast announced for Songs for a New World London revival Tuesday 6th February – Sunday 3rd March 2024 Upstairs at the Gatehouse 1 North Rd, Highgate Village, London N6 4BD
The cast has been announced for the cult favourite song cycle Songs for a New World. First performed on Off-Broadway in 1995, and premiering in the UK in 2001, the cult favourite song cycle Songs for a New World is coming back to London for a limited run at Upstairs at the Gatehouse in February. Written and composed by Tony Award® winner Jason Robert Brown (The Last Five Years, Parade, Bridges of Madison County), the raw and magnificent show features musical theatre fan favourites including ‘I’m Not Afraid of Anything’, ‘Stars and the Moon‘ and ‘King of the World’. Stunning vocals combined with beautifully written lyrics and a moving score create this visceral, raw production that takes audiences on a journey, teetering on the edge of one moment that can shape the rest of your life. Each sensational song captures a different moment, all strung together to creatively explore the human condition from vastly different New World perspectives.
The incredible cast includes Lizzy Parker (Heathers the Musical, Original UK & Ireland Tour; Elixir, The Other Palace); Eleanor Frances (Woven The Musical, Nine Muses Theatre Co.; Hamlet in Pieces, Dixon Studio); Luke Walsh (We Will Rock You, Anthem of the Seas; Rock of Ages, UK tour; and Christopher Cameron (Bat Out Of Hell, Dominion Theatre; Are You As Nervous As IAm?, Greenwich Theatre).
With connection at its core, this hit musical tells the stories of different characters from a variety of settings, ranging from a 15th century ship to a modern-day high-rise in Manhattan. Spanning centuries, countries, and classes, the show addresses the universal experiences of happiness and fulfilment; ambition and drive; love and loyalty. A cast of four creates a vocal powerhouse using a variety of music genres, including pop, jazz, and gospel. is brought to the stage by director Kai Wright and musical director Liam Holmes, with sound design by Glenn Oxenbury and lighting design by Jason Fenn
Kai Wright comments, Having made my professional directorial debut with this production in Southend last year, I’m thrilled to have the opportunity to give this beautiful show a further life at Upstairs at the Gatehouse, as part of what is sure to be an exciting and innovative new era for the venue under the artistic direction of Annlouise and Isaac. The themes of life, love and existential turmoil continue to resonate twenty-eight years after its original off-Broadway outing, and I’m delighted to have the opportunity to explore this collection of stories, masterfully scored by the irrefutably brilliant Jason Robert Brown, within the context of the 2020s
MTFESTUK 2024 TO RUN ACROSS BOTH THE TURBINE THEATRE & THE OTHER PALACE STUDIO, SHOWCASING EIGHT NEW MUSICALS
The Other Palace & Turbine Theatre are pleased to announce MTFestUK 2024 will be showcasing eight new musicals over a two week period, 30 January – 11 February, across both The Other Palace Studio and The Turbine Theatre.
MTFestUK is a unique festival that provides a platform to showcase new and exciting musical theatre. This year eight new productions will be workshopped and presented in ‘sharing’ sessions allowing audiences to come and support, explore, engage and enjoy new musical theatre in its earliest stages of development.
Paul Taylor Mills, Artistic Director at The Other Palace and The Turbine Theatre said: “We are thrilled MTFestUK continues to support and showcase such a broad range of new musical theatre writing at both The Other Palace and The Turbine Theatre. Several MTFestUK pieces have gone on to fully staged productions, which is a testament to the function of both theatres to provide space and support to allow new work to be explored.”
Each piece will be cast and rehearsed, before holding four sharing performances in workshop format, open to audiences. This year’s pieces include a diverse range of titles and themes, from a wide range of different authors and composers including:
MTFestUK at The Other Palace
A Jaffa Cake Musical
Written by Sam Cochrane
Arrangements by Rob Gathercole
Inspired by the 1991 tribunal which determined the true identity of a Jaffa Cake, the multi-award winning Gigglemug Theatre (Timpson: The Musical, RuneSical, Scouts! The Musical) bring you a brand new family-friendly musical comedy about the nation’s favourite cake (I mean, biscuit…?).
***
Both
Music and Lyrics by Declan Bennett and Olivia Broadfield
Book by Declan Bennett
A delicately powerful and intimate new musical that whispers the end into the limelight. When love doesn’t last for the forever it foretold, who will we choose to be? When our Both becomes one, will we fight or are we gone? When we’re Both up against the wall, do we give up or give it all?
***
Tit Swingers
Book, Music and Lyrics by Abey Bradbury and Sam Kearney-Edwardes
Anne Bonney and Mary Read: polyamorous queer pirates named the Hellcats of the Seven Seas for their various vicious and notorious crimes…who fought with their tits out. The Tit Swingers are here to write their own sea shanties in a new punk gig musical.
***
Plastered
Book, Music and Lyrics by Randy Rogel
Developed / Co-created by BT McNicholl
Directed by Jerry Zaks
Another little shop, another big problem. At a ‘50s San Francisco coffee house, a struggling beatnik sculptor accidentally creates a new style of art that thrusts him into fame and fortune as trouble mounts…. in this twisted killer comedy musical!
MTFestUK at The Turbine Theatre
ROMY AND MICHELE The Musical
Written by the film’s screenwriter Robin Schiff
Score by Gwendolyn Sanford and Brandon Jay
Directed by Kristin Hanggi
Pop culture’s most lovable and quotable best friends are back, and this time they’re bringing their misadventures to the stage in the new musical comedy. ROMY AND MICHELE The Musical is an absolute feel-good joyride and the best thing to happen since the invention of Post-Its®.
***
Bling
Music and Lyrics by Elliot Clay
Book by Tori Allen-Martin
It’s 2008, season two of ‘The Kardashians’ is airing, Britney’s made her comeback and a group of teenagers are about to steal $3 million worth of belongings from Hollywood celebrity’s homes. Inspired by unbelievably true events, this darkly comic pop-opera lampoons noughties culture and asks how and why they did it… O.M.G!!!
***
Redcliffe
Written by Jordan Luke Gage
Directed by Josh Seymour
Based on the true events of William Critchard and Richard Arnold in 1753, Redcliffe is an epic tale of forbidden love in spite during the persecution people faced for hundreds of years.
***
The Garden
Music, Book, Lyrics by Chisara Agor
Orchestration by Robin G Breeze
When a sprawling magical garden grows overnight on Azalea’s estate, Azalea and her friends connect within it to unite the community, healing neighbourly strife and familial bonds. The Garden is an exciting, magical-realist, afro-electric-folk musical which sheds light on the need for social housing, nature and love.
The Swan Theatre Stratford-Upon-Avon – until 14th January 2024
Reviewed by Amarjeet Singh
5****
I have come to this production a little late, so I’m aware there are those who feel disgruntled that this is not an authentic adaptation of Thomas Heywood’s Elizabethan comedy. However, it’s quite clear that this is now a redefined and reimagined interpretation of The Fair Maid of the West, bringing it slap bang up to date, yet retaining beautiful touches of ye olde times, in this dynamic, diverse, and brilliant adaptation. Almost 40 years since it was first performed at The Swan, Isobel McArthur, fresh from her success with Pride and Prejudice (sort of), delivers a deliciously rumbunctious romp.
As both writer and director, McArthur is able to wondrously weave the zeitgeist of the past and present in her witty rewrite and staging. Condensing it into one part, it’s streamlined, modernised and chockfull of humour – visual, verbal and physical. Deeply funny and, at times, surprisingly moving, The Fair Maid of the West is a celebratory, music-filled, ensemble comedy which takes us on a witty, wild journey. Intelligent, energetic and thoroughly enjoyable the whole experience was an absolute treat.
Entering the theatre we are immersed in the world of the pub, in the pub, as the players belt out some karaoke classics (each song, cleverly pertaining to their character) and musicians serenade us as we enjoy a pre-show tipple. The play opens in Plymouth, 1598. The country is at war with Spain, locals in the pub grumble and our fair maid, Liz does the best she can to keep the peace in the bar, serving drinks and catching rats. An unexpected turn of events causes her to flee for her life, accepting help from an unlikely source, but never compromising her morals and kindness. Settling down south, she meets the locals, opens her own pub and becomes the hub of the community, welcoming the lost and misunderstood with open arms. All seems happy until another turn of events causes Liz to embark on a dangerous journey, but she is not alone, her merry band of locals accompany her across the seas to Spain to face her destiny.
Amber James as the more feisty than fair barmaid, ‘Liz’, was mesmerising. Her performance is more of the straight guy to hold up against the other comedic players and she carried this off with aplomb. Not to say she doesn’t have funny quips, but it was her more poignant moments that really touched me and brought a tear to my eye. Her connection with Richard Katz is wonderful to watch. He was fantastic at guiding the story, playing ‘Narrator’, articulating in iambic pentameter, seemingly as a nod to the original text, but things become clearer in act 2 when he really comes into his own. Philip Labey played suitor ‘Spencer’ superbly. A restrained but delightful combination of fop and pomp. To watch his character develop was a delight. Tom Babbage and Emmy Stonelake were hilarious as the village postman and know-it-all, and hard knocks teenager, respectively. Their comedic timing and physical energy were thrilling. The ensemble, as a whole, were terrific. Singing, dancing, quick changes, playing a variety of instruments, working the crowd, speaking different languages, navigating the stage with ease, they never put a foot wrong. Everyone seemed to be having a great time which ultimately rubbed off on the audience. Did I mention there was a rat?
I absolutely loved The Fair Maid of the West. Although based on a traditional text, it felt fresh, flamboyant, and fabulous. With fast-paced, frenetic humor and a cast who came together to create magic, please join me in raising your glass to a class ac
At this time of year theatres are saturated with Pantomimes, so it can be difficult to decide which one to see. The temptation is to visit a large venue with superstar headliners, assuming that this will automatically equal an entertaining evening. However, to do this would mean missing out on a wealth of talent offered up by local venues, and none so much as the one I experienced tonight in Corby.
Little Wolf Entertainment’s interpretation of Cinderella was exquisite. The sumptuous sets and superb special effects brought this production to life, and elicited quite a few ‘ooohs’ and ‘ahhas’ from the wowed audience. Writer and designer Morgan Brind expertly balanced the modern and traditional to tell a linear story of good versus evil, which was easy to follow but not always to predict. Adding twists to the comedic pantomime tropes and doing away with archaic rhetoric, we were still thoroughly entertained and enthralled. The script was so clever that you felt every scene and joke had been clearly crafted and weaved into the plot, with original ways of storytelling, the children, and us adults, were entertained from start to finish.
Fast paced and funny, the humour was both physical and wordy. Slapstick, beatboxing, puppets, a flying carriage…there was so much movement on and off the stage, it felt truly immersive. Sam Munday-Webb did a magnificent job of directing, adding subtle but effective touches, such as the ensemble walking in the background to give the sense of a busy street, and the positioning of performers so they were not just walking on and off the stage, standing delivering lines and then walking off. They were sitting, standing, lying down, sweeping, etc. The piece felt dynamic and alive. Also, there was heaps of audience participation, and laughter galore!
The cast collectively combined to perform a sublime show, and they looked like they had a lot of fun in doing so. Lucy Munden as ‘Cinderella’ and Lloyd Davies as ‘Prince Charming’ had a wonderful, innocent chemistry on stage. Inés Sampaio had infectious musicality and comedic timing as ‘Dandini’, as well as impressive puppeteering skills with the marvellous mouse ‘Mozzarella’. Gregor Duncan was a rather endearing ‘Buttons’, never failing to get the audience to join in with his antics. Emma Ralston as ‘Fairy Godmother’ and Marisha Harris as ‘Helen Bacqueagaine’ (wicked stepmother) were a fabulous balance of good and evil. Dan Smith and Zac Hanlon were outstanding as the Ugly sisters. From their costumes, skits, and endless quips, even making up rhyming couplets on the spot, they absolutely blew me away.
I have no doubt I will be returning to Corby for more performances, as this was truly tremendous. As pantomimes come, this was perfection in every sense, oh yes it was!
