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Yvonne Arnaud Theatre – until 12^th October 2024

Reviewed by Heather Chalkley

3***

If you are expecting a murder mystery along the lines of Hitchcock’s Dial M for Murder, you will be disappointed. Middle Ground Theatre Company has been going for almost four decades now. This play is based on their tour of the said play in the highlands and islands during the 90’s. 

The story development of this comedy play within a play feels protracted and you can be forgiven for losing concentration. This is not helped by the busy set which is quite distracting. As a result, the set changes are drawn out. 

This gentle farce is interspersed with plenty of laughs. In the first half you are drawn a picture of a theatre company on tour in towns across North Scotland, wherever they can get a gig. They arrive in a small Scottish town in the back of beyond with a broken van, only to find their stage is a dilapidated community hall. Hall manager Jean Murray (Eliza Langland) has a strong Scottish accent and really sets the scene with her descriptions of local characters and advisements about the failings of the hall, all delivered with a matter of fact honesty that has to be accepted. According to her the residents are glad to have them. Of course, this lays the ground for the many mishaps that ensue. 

Alasdair Baker plays Alasdair McGillivray, a larger than life caricature of a Scottish landowner that sweeps in and sweeps out with gusto. Baker flips with ease into Rupert Valentine Tinglewell the stage lovely that does very little apart from fart and cause chaos! He spends most of the play wandering around in his underpants!

Luke Rhodri is convincing as the company producer Sean Farrell, trying to hold it all together, dealing with malfunctioning equipment and mediating fractured relationships. That and the lack of box office takings is enough to cause a meltdown. The lukewarm relationship between him and lead actress Samantha Middleton (Isabella Inchbald) comes tantalizingly close to something more, leaving you thinking that it strangely needs a sequel! Rhodri and Inchbald offer a well played tender moment.

The fast pace of the finale is well timed and hilarious, with broken sets, missing props and fractious relationships coming to boiling point. Andy Jenkins (Theo Woolford) is a pent-up frustrated character on the brink of losing it most of the way through the production. Accused by  Samantha (Inchbald) of taking advantage when she was drunk, he feels wronged and hopes to leave the company. In fact it seems everyone except the producer is planning to leave for better things!

The dark side of this play reflects the reality of many small touring theatre companies, doing their best to entertain and suffering the strife of being constantly on the road with not always the best equipment and stars that want to move on to better things. It offers bittersweet comedy. However, they are the breeding ground of some of the greatest actors of our time and not to be undervalued. 

Andrew Lloyd Webber’s The Really Useful Group launches

The new dedicated home for fans to immerse themselves in the world of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s musicals

(LONDON) WEDNESDAY 9th OCTOBER Today,The Really Useful Group launches a new home for fans of music and musical theatre. The Box Five Club invites all fans of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s musicals to explore a world of unseen archives, behind-the-scenes moments, new videos and articles and special previews from new shows and music.

Fans can sign up for exclusive free access to The Box Five Club at www.boxfiveclub.com, subscribing to the curated newsletter featuring first looks, news, articles and video content, early access to tickets and events, as well as additional members’ perks and benefits.

The launch of The Box Five Club comes on the same day as Andrew Lloyd Webber Musicals launches a new online presence at https://www.andrewlloydwebber.com/ .

Today’s launch coincides with the 38th anniversary of the opening of The Phantom of the Opera in London in 1986. This kicks off a new global fan celebration of the show around the world over the coming weeks and months.

To mark the anniversary of Phantom, The Box Five Club launches with a programme of content celebrating the much-loved show, including never-seen before photography, news articles and video content.

Immediately available (9th October), only for The Box Five Club members, is an exclusive pre-sale of three limited edition art prints, inspired by moments from The Phantom of the Opera, designed in collaboration with leading design house, Studio MinaLima. General sales go live globally on Friday 11th October.

Fans will also get sneak peeks of other exciting news and features, including exclusive content from two soon-to-be-released albums: SUNSET BVLD (25th October), recorded at The Savoy Theatre London and soon to open on Broadway, and Starlight Express (8th November), recorded with the cast of the critically-acclaimed revival of this much loved show, currently playing in London.

James McKnight, CEO of The Really Useful Group: “Andrew Lloyd Webber’s fanbase is one of the most passionate, enduring and diverse in the world. For over 50 years, Andrew Lloyd Webber’s incredible music has been brought to life for his fans across the globe through groundbreaking productions, in film & television and with concerts and experiences.

“From streaming the iconic Jesus Christ Superstar album, to music from new productions of Starlight Express in London or Sunset Boulevard on Broadway, or the pure joy of seeing The Phantom of the Opera for the first time, Andrew Lloyd Webber’s fans connect with his work in different ways, different languages and different countries. As the fandom continues to grow, we are excited to launch The Box Five Club to give all fans a carefully curated online experience, getting closer to the world of Andrew Lloyd Webber – from an incredible musical legacy to new productions and projects for years to come.”

The Box Five Club and the new online presence are significant new initiatives from the Really Useful Group as it seeks to celebrate Andrew Lloyd Webber’s work and continue to explore new ways to bring his work to fans, old and new, around the world.

Festival Theatre Edinburgh – 7 October 2024 then touring across the UK until 12^th November 2024

Reviewed by Rachel Farrier 

3***

When I mentioned to my teenage children that I was going to review a show about the menopause, they both assumed it was going to be a musical on the topic, until I corrected them. Perhaps this could be the next step for Dr Newson in her valiant attempts to get people talking about, and understanding, perimenopause and the menopause. Certainly, the show that she is touring with tries to be entertaining and with some light relief in the form of comedian Anne Gildea providing comedic interludes throughout. I found these interludes genuinely funny and they do break up the intensity of some of the more ‘academic’ elements of the evening, and I guess make the show more inclusive and less intimidating. However, as a perimenopausal woman myself, I was all ears to learn from the knowledge and experience of a doctor who has own menopause clinics and has chosen to focus her career on helping women to navigate this turbulent period of their lives. I didn’t need the comedy relief, or the sometimes sensationalist short videos which examined the extremely difficult experiences that some women have had of the menopause – for me, they were confirming what I already know, and want to know how to avoid. Perhaps I was alone in thinking that a straight 2 hour lecture from Dr Newson behind a lectern (perhaps with a break) would have been preferable – it seemed that most of the women around me (and yes, the audience was almost entirely female, with a handful of men) were enjoying the style and content.

But I did get the feeling that Dr Newson was preaching to the converted: I would guess that most of the audience have already read her books/articles or listen to her podcasts, or have seen her on TV – I doubt there were many there who needed convincing that the menopause has been misunderstood and mistreated (sometimes horrifically) throughout history and in the present day. 

My favourite parts of the show were where Dr Newson explained the ‘science’ of hormones and perimenopause and the menopause; this was where I did learn something, and it helped me to understand why she is known as a vociferous advocate for women being able to access HRT when they begin to experience symptoms of perimenopause and menopause, rather than having to wait until they have suffered from a catalogue of symptoms before their GP will join the dots and consider what is happening for a woman hormonally. 

Dr Newson did not directly address the controversy which has seen her in the headlines in recent days after the Panorama programme discovered the British Menopause Society has removed Dr Louise Newson from its register of menopause specialists because of concerns over high dose, off-label prescribing in her clinics. 

She did, however, seek to align herself with medics who in the past have been ridiculed and ostracized for their  outlandish beliefs and practices, but who have come to be recognized as trailblazers for the advancement of the understanding of women’s bodies and the menopause. 

Time will tell whether Dr Newson will continue to be seen by some as a heretic, or a hero, and she should be applauded for her attempts to get as many people as possible talking about, and understanding, perimenopause and the menopause. I didn’t need the productions gimmicks of the show, but if they help capture the attention of a wider audience, then all to the good.

Concrete Youth and Barnsley Civic Announce exciting

cast for Upcoming West End Show

SENSORY CINDERS

The Studio, 5^th Floor @sohoplace from 30 October – 5 November 2024

Sensory Cinders; the West End’s first production for audiences labelled with profound and multiple learning disabilities (PMLD), has announced its full casting.

Leading the ensemble is Ellana Gilbert as Cinders. Her recent credits since graduating include Roger McGough’s The Sound Collector (Glastonbury Festival), Sabbath: A Tragedy of Witches (OSO Arts Centre), Teacher’s Pet (Edinburgh Fringe, Pleasance Courtyard), and The Q (Kings Head Theatre). This marks Ellana’s West End Debut.

Also set to appear are Emilia Harrild (The Threepenny Opera) as Fairy Godmother, Mark Pearce (Groundhog Day, Les Misérables) as Mama Disco, Jess Lobo (The Museum of Marvellous Things) as Step Sister, and Kaine Hatukai (The Secret Love Life of Ophelia) as Prince.

Sensory Cinders is a new sensory pantomime adaptation of Cinderella for audiences living with profound and multiple learning disabilities (PMLD), featuring original music that explores themes of identity, transformation, and authenticity. What does it mean to pursue self-love and understanding in a world that doesn’t understand you?

The production features specially designed sensory materials by Henshaws Arts & Crafts, a Yorkshire-based collective supporting local learning-disabled visual artists. The show marks all the artists’ professional theatre debuts.

Sensory Cinders is directed by Belle Streeton (Co-Artistic Director at Concrete Youth), with music/lyrics, musical direction and sound design by Guy Hughes, the production is creatively produced by Daniel Swift FRSA (CEO & Co-Artistic Director of Concrete Youth). The production will be designed by Stella Backman, with lighting design by Hugo Dodsworth, dramaturgy is by Lizzie Milton, assistant sound design by Will Fletcher,creative access consultancy is Phoebe Kemp and movement direction by Annabelle Lee.

Belle Streeton (Co-Artistic Director of Concrete Youth – Director of Sensory Cinders) said:

“It is a joy to be welcoming our audiences at Concrete Youth to the first ever sensory pantomime for learning disabled audiences. Pantomime is a hallmark of British culture and often audiences first experience of theatre. I’m so excited that we get to be a part of the journey in making this long-standing tradition accessible to our audiences. We believe it is hugely important to provide a positive cultural experience in going to the theatre, where nothing is diluted or toned down but still delivered in an accessible way. 

We have assembled an extraordinary cast and creative team to re-imagine this pantomime classic, this has enabled us to thoroughly immerse ourselves in the world of a re-imagined Cinderella. This pantomime has something for everybody, and I can’t wait for our audiences to see the fruits of our labour and all the love and hard work that we’ve poured into this show.”

Concrete Youth and Barnsley Civic’s co-production, Sensory Cinders runs for a limited season at @sohoplace from 30^th October until 5^th November. The production is sold out.

Listings Information:

Studio | 5^th Floor @sohoplace | 4 Soho Place | London | W1D 3BG

Box Office

www.sohoplace.org     

0330 333 5961

Access Bookings/Customer Ticketing Enquiries: 0330 333 5962

Group Bookings: 0330 333 5963

Wed 30 Oct – 11am & 1.30pm

Thu 31 Oct – 11am, 1.30pm & 4pm

Fri 1 Nov – 11am, 1.30pm & 4pm

Sat 2 Nov – 11am & 1.30pm

Sun 3 Nov – no performances

Mon 4 Nov – 11am, 1.30pm & 4pm

Tue 5 Nov – 11am & 1.30pm

Press Performances: Friday 1 November, 11am & 1.30pm

Ticket prices

From £15

CHRISTMAS ALL WRAPPED UP AT MAYFLOWER

Following a record-breaking festive season in 2023, Mayflower has once again got Christmas All Wrapped Up across Mayflower Theatre and MAST Mayflower Studios. From ballet, to pantomime and youth theatre to music nights, Mayflower’s Christmas offering is bigger and better than ever.

Shows include:

The Overtones: Good Times Christmas Tour 2024

Date: 11 November 2024 at Mayflower Theatre

The multi-platinum selling vocal harmony group are back on tour – bringing back the ‘GOOD TIMES’ with their unique blend of original material and feel-good classics, alongside special guest Tom Ball. The four-piece, made up of Mark Franks, Darren Everest, Jay James and Mike Crawshaw are best known for their exquisite vocals, pitch perfect harmonies, effortless and perfectly timed dance moves, and their distinctive style.

https://www.mayflower.org.uk/whats-on/overtones-2024/

English National Ballet’s Nutcracker 

Date: 28 – 30 November 2024 at Mayflower Theatre 

A magical Christmas tradition for all the family – in a brand-new production for 2024 and world premiering in Southampton. This festive season, Clara is on a fantastical adventure where anything is possible. The journey is full of colour and wonder as English National Ballet brings the Nutcracker to life with over 100 dancers and musicians.

https://www.mayflower.org.uk/whats-on/enb-nutcracker-2024/

Festive Wreath Making Workshops 

Date: 29 November – 6 December 2024 at Mayflower Theatre 

Immerse yourself in the spirit of the season as you create a stunning festive wreath. Guided by a qualified florist, the workshops offer a relaxed and welcoming environment where creativity can flourish.  It’s the perfect opportunity to learn a new skill, enjoy some seasonal treats, and leave with a gorgeous wreath that you’ve made with your own hands.

https://www.mayflower.org.uk/whats-on/festive-wreath-making-workshops/

Fairytale of New York

Date: 1 December 2024 at Mayflower Theatre 

From the producers of Seven Drunken Nights – The Story of The Dubliners, immerse yourself in the rich tapestry of Irish culture with Fairytale of New York as our talented singers, musicians and dancers perform a world class concert featuring all the festive favourites including Driving Home for Christmas, Step Into Christmas, Oh Holy Night and, of course, The Fairytale of New York.

https://www.mayflower.org.uk/whats-on/fairytale-of-new-york-2024/

Elf the Musical

Date: 3 – 7 December 2024 at Mayflower Theatre 

Elf the Musical features Santa’s magical flying sleigh, an audience snowball fight, a giant candy cane journey from the North Pole, amongst many spectacular scenes all set against amazing video-film backdrops on a large LED screen. With a large cast and live orchestra, the winter spectacular will star, Jordan Conway, who will step into the big floppy shoes of Will Ferrell. 

https://www.mayflower.org.uk/whats-on/elf-the-musical-2024/

The Very Hungry Caterpillar Christmas Show 

Date: 4 – 14 December 2024 at MAST Mayflower Studios 

Suitable for all ages, the show faithfully adapts four stories by author/illustrator Eric Carle: Brown Bear, Brown Bear, 10 Little Rubber Ducks, the magical Christmas story Dream Snow and, of course, the star of the show, The Very Hungry Caterpillar. The best-selling children’s book The Very Hungry Caterpillar has delighted generations of readers since it was first published in 1969 selling more than 48 million copies worldwide. Brown Bear, Brown Bear – now celebrating 50 years – has sold more than 18.2 million copies. This show is a vibrant celebration of Eric Carle’s adored classics and the perfect way to introduce children to live theatre.

https://www.mayflower.org.uk/whats-on/the-very-hungry-caterpillar

Jack and the Beanstalk

Date: 14 December 2024 – 5 January 2025 at Mayflower Theatre 

Britain’s Got Talent winners and street dance sensations Ashley Banjo and Diversity will return to lead this year’s cast as Jack and the Trot Family. Also returning is award-winning actor and stand-up comedian Kev Orkian as the comical Silly Simon, actress Anne Smith as the evil Mrs Blunderbore and west-end performers Matt Rixon as the hilarious Dame Trot, Jacqueline Hughes as the magical Spirit of the Beans and Lauren Hampton as the loveable Princess Jill. For three weeks only, Jack and the Beanstalk will bring all the laughter, spectacle, special effects and glittering festive magic audiences have come to expect each year from Mayflower Theatre’s spectacular Christmas panto. So, Fe-fi-fo-fum, It’s the panto you’ve bean waiting for! 

https://www.mayflower.org.uk/whats-on/jack-and-the-beanstalk-2024

Festive Afternoon Teas 

Date: 21 December, 23 December 2024 & 2 January 2025 at Mayflower Theatre

Enjoy a lovely pot of tea and delicious classic treats in the historic Grade-II listed theatre. Full menu and price listing can be found on mayflower.org.uk

https://www.mayflower.org.uk/experience/afternoon-tea/

The Wind in the Willows: Toad’s BIG Musical Adventure

Date: 22 – 31 December 2024 at MAST Mayflower Studios

This Christmas, join Rat, Badger and Mole on Toad’s BIG Musical Adventure as the classic tale of The Wind in the Willows is brought to life packed with musical hits, comedy and thrills for all the family. 50 young people take you on a wonderful journey through the seasons along the banks of the Test, down the open road (watch out for Toad in his motorcar!) around the snow- covered New Forest, and through the Wild Wood (beware of those weasels!) to the magnificent Toad Hall.

https://www.mayflower.org.uk/whats-on/the-wind-in-the-willows-2024

Ratty’s Festive Picnic

Selective dates and times between 24 – 31 December 2024 at MAST Mayflower Studios

Hop down to Ratty’s picnic for the perfect afternoon full of delicious treats in the MAST Cafe Bar. Full menu and price listing can be found on mayflower.org.uk under The Wind in the Willows page. 

https://www.mayflower.org.uk/whats-on/the-wind-in-the-willows-2024/#ratty-s-festive-picnic

Tickets for all shows and events are on sale at mayflower.org.uk or 02380 711811.

Studio MinaLima and The Really Useful Group

 launch a new collaboration celebrating Andrew Lloyd Webber’s 

The Phantom of the Opera

Three exclusive, limited-edition art prints, designed by Studio MinaLima, 

celebrating iconic moments from The Phantom of the Opera, 

one of the world’s longest running and most successful musicals 

An exhibition at House of MinaLima London will open on 11th October 

Tuesday 8 October – Today, The Really Useful Group and leading design house, Studio MinaLima, announce a new collaboration celebrating Andrew Lloyd Webber’s iconic The Phantom of the Opera. This partnership celebrates the power of evocative design and visual storytelling to awaken the imagination.

Studio MinaLima and The Really Useful Group have worked together to create three   limited edition art prints, inspired by moments from Andrew Lloyd Webber’s iconic music. 

The art prints depict iconic moments, featuring leading characters, The Phantom and Christine Daaé, including three of the best loved songs, ‘The Phantom of the Opera’, ‘Angel of Music’ and ‘The Music of the Night’. Each of the three designs is limited to an edition of 250. 

These collectible art prints will be available to purchase globally from Friday 11th October at House of MinaLima London and on minalima.com. An exclusive early access pre-sale for Andrew Lloyd Webber newsletter subscribers will be available from 9th October. Visit www.andrewlloydwebber.com to receive early access.

As part of this collaboration, a new The Phantom of the Opera exhibit will open at House of MinaLima London Flagship gallery and shop in Soho on Friday 11th October. These new art prints will be presented alongside a narrative exhibit of key theatre props; central to the showcase will be The Phantom’s famed mask and Christine’s costume. [House of MinaLima: 157 Wardour Street, London W1F 8WQ]

James McKnight, CEO of The Really Useful Group, said, “Andrew Lloyd Webber’s The Phantom of the Opera is one of the most evergreen and enduring entertainment franchises ever created. We look for partners who understand what makes Phantom so special, and join us in celebrating this remarkable show, its creativity and incredible music for the millions of fans around the world. MinaLima have brought their beautiful artistry to The Phantom of the Opera with respect and admiration and we’re thrilled to have worked with our friends Mira and Eduardo on this new, global collaboration.”

Miraphora Mina, co-founder of Studio MinaLima, comments:  “Our decades of experience in the entertainment industry has touched on many media, however, to be invited into Andrew Lloyd Webber’s world of theatre is a true honour”.

Eduardo Lima, co-founder of Studio MinaLima, adds: “How serendipitous that after all the years of listening to The Phantom of the Opera songs in our studio, the entire MinaLima design team now has the opportunity to celebrate some of these iconic theatrical scenes through their artistry”.

A special print edition will be donated to the Music in Secondary School’s Trust (MiSST) to support the Andrew Lloyd Webber Programme, bringing free musical tuition and instruments to children across the country.

ANN HAMPTON CALLAWAY RETURNS TO LONDON
WITH SIRENS OF SWING

Ann Hampton Callaway today announces her return to The Pheasantry Jazz Club with a brand-new show, Sirens of Swing.The show runs for a limited time from 25 until 27 October.

Tickets are on sale now via https://www.pizzaexpresslive.com/whats-on/ann-hampton-callaway-sirens-of-swing.

‘For sheer vocal beauty, no contemporary singer matches Ms. Callaway’
Stephen Holden, The New York Times

The Tony nominated star of the Broadway musical Swing! will be performing selections from her highly acclaimed CDs To Ella with Love, From Sassy to Divine: The Sarah Vaughan Project and Fever: A Peggy Lee Celebration! as well as signature songs from singers Billie Holiday, Nina Simone, Anita O’Day, Josephine Baker, Julie London, Etta James, Carmen McCrae and more. The first half of the night will celebrate groundbreaking legends and the second half will spotlight more contemporary greats. Not to be missed!

‘…superbly intelligent, singularly creative pop-jazz stylist who can stand shoulder to shoulder with the likes of Streisand, Ronstadt, Shirley Horn and Dianne Reeves…’
Christopher Loudon, JazzTimes

Ann Hampton Callaway is one of America’s most gifted artists in pop and jazz. A leading champion of the great American Songbook, she’s made her mark as a singer, pianist, composer, lyricist, arranger, actress, educator, TV host and producer. Voted by Broadwayworld.com as “Celebrity of the Year” and two years in a row as “Best Jazz Vocalist,” Ann is a born entertainer. She is best known for Tony-nominated performance in the hit Broadway musical “Swing!” and for writing and singing the theme song to the hit TV series “The Nanny.”  She made her feature film debut opposite Angelina Jolie and Matt Damon in the Robert De Niro film “The Good Shepherd.” Callaway is a Platinum Award selling writer whose songs are featured on seven of Barbra Streisand’s recent CD’s. She’s recorded over 50 CDs as a soloist and guest and her latest critically acclaimed CD “Fever: A Peggy Lee Celebration!” has been in high rotation on Siriusly Sinatra.  Ann’s honors include The Theater World Award, 16 MAC Awards, several Bistro Awards, The Mabel Mercer Award, The Johnny Mercer Award for Songwriting, The Blanton Peale Award for Positive Thinking and her induction into The Women Songwriters Hall of Fame. Her new record Finding Beauty, Originals Volume 1, was recently released via Shanachie Entertainment.  For more info go to www.annhamptoncallaway.com.

“Just as Ella Fitzgerald was the greatest jazz singer of her era, so too is the magnificent Ann Hampton Callaway of hers.” – Musical Theatre Review

Listings

Ann Hampton Callaway
The Pheasantry (Chelsea)
152 King’s Road, London, SW3 4NX

ANN HAMPTON CALLAWAY ‘SIRENS OF SWING’
25-27 October (with the 25th sold out)

Box Office: 0203 798 9192
Mon – Sun from 10am – 5pm (phone lines from 12pm – 4pm)
www.pizzaexpresslive.com

Ticket prices
£25 for all performances

BELGRADE THEATRE, IN ASSOCIATION WITH IMAGINE THEATRE, PRESENTS 
 CAST ANNOUNCED FOR  

DICK WHITTINGTON 

WRITTEN BY AND STARRING IAIN LAUCHLAN 
 THE BELGRADE THEATRE’S ANNUAL PANTOMIME 

WEDNESDAY 20 NOVEMBER – SATURDAY 4 JANUARY 2025 
 TICKETS ON SALE HERE 

Creative Director Corey Campbell, interim CEO Neil Murray, and the whole team at the Belgrade Theatre are delighted to announce full cast and creative team for this year’s family favourite panto Dick Whittington, written by and starring by the award-winning Iain Lauchlan. Dick Whittington will play from Wednesday 20 November until Saturday 4 January 2025, with a press night on Friday 22 November at 7pm. 

Get ready to cheer for Dick and his trusty cat, boo and hiss at the dreaded King Rat and laugh out loud at the antics of our disastrous Dame. We can’t do it without you! 

With its breathtaking sets, lavish costumes and lovable characters, the legendary Belgrade panto is an unmissable Christmas treat for thousands of families every year. We cannot wait to welcome you back this year when the theatre will be bursting with festive sparkle, the smell of freshly baked mince pies and loads of excited, smiling faces. It really is the most wonderful time of the year. 

Leading the cast of Dick Whittington is writer and director Iain Lauchlan (a veteran of numerous pantomimes in Coventry, including most recently Cinderella, Jack and the Beanstalk and Beauty and the Beast) as ‘Dame ‘Sarah the Cook’. Iain will once again appear alongside his co-winner from the 2023 Pantomime Association Winner Awards Andy Hockley (Wicked, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, The Phantom of the Opera) as ‘King Rat’. Appearing in his 13^th Belgrade Pantomime will be Craig Hollingsworth (Aladdin, Beauty and the Beast, Cinderella) whowill play ‘Idle Jack’; Aonghas Ewen (Wind in the Willows, Cinderella, The Strange Affair of Herschel Grynszpan), as Scratch’;Declan Wilson (One Man, Two Guvnors, Hamlet, Twelfth Night)as ‘Alderman Fitzwarren’ and ‘Sultan of Morocco’; making her pantomime debut as ‘Dick Whittington’ will be Lois Brook; Sam Woods (Beetlejuice, Jack & The Beanstalk, Aljaž Skorjanec & Janette Manrara) will be ‘Tommy The Cat’,  and playing both ‘Alice Fitzwarren’ and ‘Fairy Bowbells’ will be Gabriela Harris (RENT, NINE, The Golden Gala). The Ensemble will be Beth Gourlay, Mia King-Harmes, Caleb Griggs and Reiss Hinds.  

Coventry based Imagine Theatre are once again associate producers on the panto. 

Imagine Theatre’s Joint CEO Steve Boden said, “We are delighted to be working alongside Iain and the brilliant team at the Belgrade on this year’s production of “Dick Whittington”. The Belgrade creates a brand-new show every year and the production is routed firmly within the communities of Coventry, Warwickshire and the West Midlands. Imagine Theatre are panto producers across the whole of the UK and it’s fair to say that the Belgrade panto also has a great reputation nationally, seen as a great example of the artform, with Iain Lauchlan and the panto team being recognised at the UK Panto Awards earlier this year.” 

As well as Dick Whittington, Belgrade Theatre will also be playing host to the stage adaptation of Raymond Briggs’ much loved classic Father Christmas, directed by Emma Earle which is appearing between Thursday 5 December and Sunday 29 December. Come and join Santa as he awakes from a dream of sun, sea and sand only to find it is the busiest day of the year: Christmas Eve. Tickets for Father Christmas (5^th December – 29^th December) available HERE 

WEST END STARS JOIN FORCES TO MAKE WAVES
FOR UK PREMIERE OF NEW YORK’S
CULT HIT PARODY MUSICAL  

TITANIQUE CAST SET TO BOARD THE SHIP OF DREAMS THIS DECEMBER REVEALED:

DARREN BENNETT (Singin’ In The Rain)
LAUREN DREW (Six)
JORDAN LUKE GAGE (Bonnie & Clyde)
STEPHEN GUARINO (I’m Dying Up Here)
ROB HOUCHEN (Les Misérables)
KAT RONNEY (Hex)
CHARLOTTE WAKEFIELD (Spring Awakening)
LAYTON WILLIAMS (Everybody’s Talking About Jamie)
 

DROPS ANCHOR AT CRITERION THEATRE FROM 9 DECEMBER 

https://london.titaniquemusical.com

Tuesday 8 October 2024, London: Producers Eva Price and Michael Harrison today announced the West End star cast set who will lead the UK Premiere of Titanique in the West End.

Dropping anchor at The Criterion Theatre from Monday 9 December 2024 will be Darren Bennett (Don in Singin’ in the Rain, Teen Angel in Grease West End) as Victor Garber / Luigi, Lauren Drew (Catherine of Aragon in SIX UK Tour, Brook Wyndham in Legally Blonde Regents Park) as Céline,  Jordan Luke Gage(Clyde in Bonnie & Clyde, Romeo in & Juliet West End) as Cal, Stephen Guarino (Showtime’s I’m Dying Up Here, Netflix’s Eastsiders, Titanique LA and Green Room 42) as Ruth, Rob Houchen (Marius in Les Misérables West End, Eugene in Eugenius! Off-West End) as Jack, Kat Ronney (Rose in Hex, Laertes in Hamlet National Theatre) as Rose, Charlotte Wakefield (Wendla Bergman in Spring Awakening, Gemma in The Great British Bake Off Musical West End) as Molly Brown and Layton Williams (The Emcee in Cabaret, Jamie in Everybody’s Talking About Jamie West End, Strictly Come Dancing Finalist) as the Iceberg.

Completing the company are Freddie King (Gentlemen Prefer Blondes, Union Theatre), Adrianne Langley (Sixties Girls, Dusseldorf), Madison Swan (The Book of Mormon, West End),Rodney Vubya (The Book of Mormon, Original West End Production) and Kristina Walz (Titanique, Daryl Roth Theatre). 

Eva Price and Michael Harrison said:

“We’re overjoyed to see this production come to life in the UK, and thrilled to have brought together this dream team to launch our West End season. When we first set out to cast Titanique, we knew we needed an ensemble that could bring the perfect mix of humour, heart, and talent to this wildly fun show. We can’t wait to welcome them all aboard the ship in London and for audiences to experience the star power this cast will bring to our story.”

Titanique will have its press night at the Criterion Theatre on Thursday 9 January 2025. Tickets are now on sale at https://london.titaniquemusical.com

When the music of Céline Dion makes sweet Canadian love with the eleven-time Oscar®-winning blockbuster film Titanic, you get Titanique, off Broadway’s most award-winning splash hit that turns one of the greatest love stories of all time into a hysterical musical fantasia.

Titanique has taken New York by storm – extending multiple times since its premiere in 2022, it has been recognised with critical acclaim and multiple awards. It recently opened in Sydney in September 2024 to rave reviews.

Want to find out what really happened to Jack and Rose on that fateful night? Just leave it to Céline Dion to enchant the audience with her totally wild take, recharting the course of Titanic’s beloved moments and characters with her iconic song catalogue. Sailing on fierce powerhouse voices in show-stopping performances of such hits as My Heart Will Go On, All by Myself and To Love you More – backed by a full live band – Titanique is a one-of-a-kind theatrical voyage bursting with nostalgia, heart and campy chaos.

Co-written by Tye Blue, Marla Mindelle and Constantine Rousouli, Titanique celebrated its Off-Broadway premiere in June 2022 at Asylum Theater, starring the musical’s co-authors Mindelle and Rousouli as Céline Dion and Jack Dawson. After several sold-out extensions, the musical transferred to the Daryl Roth Theatre on November 20, 2022.

Titanique is directed by Tye Blue (“RuPaul’s Drag Race”, Rumer Willis’ Over the Love Tour), and choreographed by Ellenore Scott (Funny Girl, Little Shop of Horrors). Music Supervision, Arrangements and Orchestrations are by IRNE Award-Winner Nicholas James Connell. Scenic Design for Titanique is by Gabriel Hainer Evansohn and Grace Lauchbacher for Iron Bloom Creative Production; Costume Design is by Alejo Vietti; and Lighting Design is by Paige Seber; and Sound Design is by Lawrence Schober with casting by Pearson Casting CDG.

Titanique won seven major awards during the 2022/23 theatre season, including three Lucille Lortel Awards, the Off-Broadway Alliance Award for Best New Musical, Las Culturistas’ Culture Award for Best Indoor Performance and two Dorian Awards.

The London production of Titaniqueis co-produced by Eva Price and Michael Harrison.

Titanique plays The Criterion Theatre from Monday 9 December 2024. (Press Night: Thursday 9 January 2025).

ROYAL SHAKESPEARE COMPANY’S

MULTI-AWARD-WINNING MUSICAL TO

BEGIN

MAJOR NEW TOUR OF

THE UK & IRELAND

The internationally acclaimed production

opens at CURVE, LEICESTER in October 2025

All tour information and tickets at

WWW.MATILDATHEMUSICAL.COM

It was announced today (8 October 2024) that the Royal Shakespeare Company’s smash hit production of Matilda The Musical, based on Roald Dahl’s beloved book, will embark on its second major tour of the UK and Ireland in October 2025.

The internationally renowned musical – which continues to play to packed houses in the West End at the Cambridge Theatre and has been seen by 12 million people across 100 cities around the world – will begin performances in Leicester on 6 October 2025.

The show will celebrate its 15-year anniversary when it opens at Curve, Leicester in October 2025, before travelling to Bradford, Liverpool, Plymouth, Sunderland, Edinburgh and Manchester where it will run through March and April of 2026.  Further tour dates will be announced next year.

Priority Booking for RSC and Theatre Members and Friends and ATG+ Members will be from 10am on 22 October 2024, with general on sale for all venues (except Leicester Curve and Plymouth Theatre Royal) from 10am on 24 October 2024.  For all tour booking information visit www.matildathemusical.com.  For Leicester and Plymouth on sale dates, visit  www.curveonline.co.uk and  theatreroyal.com.

This anarchic production, about a strong and determined heroine with a vivid imagination, has won over 100 global awards, including 24 for Best Musical.  A film adaptation made by the core creative team received its World Premiere at the London Film Festival in October 2022 and can now be watched on Netflix.

Written by Dennis Kelly, with music and lyrics by Tim Minchin and developed and directed by Matthew Warchus, the production is designed by Rob Howell, with choreography by Peter Darling, orchestrations, additional music and musical supervision by Christopher Nightingale, lighting by Hugh Vanstone, sound by Simon Baker and special effects and illusions by Paul Kieve.

Writer Dennis Kelly said:

‘I’m delighted that Matilda’s going out on tour again in 2025. It’s great to get the chance to bring this little girl’s story to people in their home cities and towns, and to all those theatres where theatre really matters.’

Composer and lyricist Tim Minchin said:

“When we first started working on the show, our aim was to make a lovely little jewel of a musical for the RSC’s Courtyard Theatre in Stratford-upon-Avon.  We never imagined that all these years later it would still be running in the West End, have been made into a film, and is now about to embark on its second tour of the UK and Ireland. I’m deeply proud of Matilda The Musical, and every single talented person who continues to work on it with passion and enthusiasm.”

Director Matthew Warchus said:

“I’m delighted that our production of Matilda The Musical is about to be seen live by a whole new generation of children and families in theatres across the UK and Ireland.  It’s a show we’re really proud of, and an inspiring story of courage that we really care about, so it’s genuinely wonderful to see it continue bringing joy to audiences of all ages.”

RSC Co-Artistic Directors Daniel Evans and Tamara Harvey said:

“We’re delighted to be taking Matilda The Musical on tour again throughout the UK and Ireland.  After its premiere so many years ago in Stratford-upon-Avon, Matilda Wormwood’s genius is still teaching us that ‘sometimes you have to be a little bit naughty’. We can’t wait to share her story with audiences up and down the country.”

Casting and further creative team details will be announced in due course.

#TimeToBeRevolting