The Stage Door Theatre is proud to announce that its inaugural production will be Stephen Sondheim’s Marry Me a Little, directed by Robert McWhir
28th Feb – 13th April 2024
A charming and bittersweet musical revue featuring songs by Stephen Sondheim, the undisputed master of the contemporary Broadway musical.
Two urban singles share a Saturday night of sweet fantasies and deep yearning while never leaving the confines of their solitary apartments. Together they breathe new theatrical life and meaning into a collection of trunk songs that were culled from the final productions of Anyone Can Whistle, Follies, Company, A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, and A Little Night Music.
Two single strangers, left alone in their studio apartments on a Saturday night, pass their time with sweetly secret, unshared fantasies, never knowing that they’re just a floor away from each other and the end of their lonely dreams.
Directed by Robert McWhir, the artistic director of the new Stage Door Theatre, who is no stranger to Sondheim musicals having produced and directed both Follies and Into the Woods at his former home, the Landor Theatre, in North Clapham.
Cast to be announced
Creative team includes
Director Robert McWhir Musical Director Aaron Clingham Designer David Shields Lighting Designer Richard Lambert
LISTINGS INFO
MARRY ME A LITTLE Songs by Stephen Sondheim Conceived and Developed by Craig Lucas & Norman Rene Directed by Robert McWhir
Stage Door Theatre The Prince of Wales pub 150-151 Drury Lane Covent Garden London WC2B 5TD
Southbank Centre, London – until 28th January 2024
Reviewed by Celia Armand Smith
4****
As we enter the Queen Elizabeth Hall at the Southbank Centre, the audience is buzzing. There is chatter and laughter as everyone takes their seats, the cast is already on the stage, moving props, talking to one another. It feels like an event. The lights dim and a complete silence immediately falls over the auditorium. In the middle of stage, a performer hums a haunting yet mesmerising tune which transforms into a soft song with the words “It’s been a long time and we are still not free” repeated over and over again. We all know we are in for a strange and beautiful treat.
The Faggots and Their Friends Between Revolutions is based on the 1970s book of the same name by Larry Mitchell and Ned Asta. It is part manifesto, part fairytale fantasy. In this musical adaptation by composer Philip Venables and writer/director Ted Huffman which premiered at HOME Manchester last year, the story is set in “Ramrod” where “the men” are dominating, oppressive, paper obsessives, and “the faggots” with the help of their friends – “the women”, “the queens”, “fairies”, “women who love women” – are seeking liberation through revolution and community.
The staging is simple and not dissimilar to a rehearsal room or dance hall. Instruments and wooden chairs fill the edges of the stage, and a solitary bell hangs in the middle. The incredibly talented performers sing, act, narrate, use their bodies as percussion, play an instrument or four, all while dancing or moving props. Each musician is given their chance to shine in solos and spotlights before returning to the ensemble, constantly supported by their peers. Though the pacing could be a bit snappier towards the end with a few minutes shaved off here and there, it is no less compelling. There are laugh out loud moments and an audience sing a long that keep everything moving.
This show is chaotic, uplifting, and most importantly powerful. Much like the communal living it is based on, you feel like you are part of something rather than just an onlooker, and you come away with a fire in your belly, and joy in your heart.
PETER JÖBACK AS ‘JEAN VALJEAN’ FROM 13 FEBRUARY – 9 MARCH 2024
MILAN VAN WAARDENBURG AS ‘JEAN VALJEAN’
FROM 11 MARCH 2024
AT THE
SONDHEIM THEATRE
Cameron Mackintosh is delighted to announce new casting for LES MISÉRABLES at the Sondheim Theatre, with Swedish star, Peter Jöback and Dutch leading artist, Milan van Waardenburg taking on the role of Jean Valjean respectively in the critically acclaimed production. Peter Jöback will star as Jean Valjean from Tuesday 13 February to Saturday 9 March 2024. Milan van Waardenburg will then take on the role from Monday 11 March2024. Killian Donnelly’s final performance as Jean Valjean will be Saturday 10 February 2024.
Peter Jöback returns to the West End making his Jean Valjean and LES MISÉRABLES debut at the Sondheim Theatre. For Cameron Mackintosh, previous theatre credits include Chris in Miss Saigon and Michael in The Witches of Eastwick both at Theatre Royal Drury Lane, and The Phantom in The Phantom of the Opera both in the West End and on Broadway, where he led the 30th anniversary Broadway cast. He also originated the role of Robert in Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus’ musical Kristina at the Malmö Opera. As an internationally successful actor and crossover artist Peter has achieved multiplatinum record sales and tours in Scandinavia and beyond. He is also the Swedish voiceover in hit films such as Aladdin, Stuart Little, and more recently as King Magnifico in Disney’s Wish.
Milan van Waardenburg will be making his West End debut havingrecently led the award-winning Netherlands and Belgium production of LES MISÉRABLES as Jean Valjean, receiving critical acclaim anda nomination for Best Leading Actor in a Musical in the 2022 Dutch Musical Awards. Milan’s previous theatre credits include the role of Prince Hans in Disney’s Frozen in Germany, Dimitri in Anastasia both in Germany and The Netherlands, Lieutenant Frederic Charles and Quasimodo in Disney’s The Hunchback of Notre Dame and Herbert in Tanz der Vampire, both on tour across Germany.
LES MISÉRABLES currently stars Bradley Jaden as Javert until 27 January (with Stewart Clarke returning to the role from 29 January 2024), Katie Hall as Fantine, Will Callan as Marius, Amena El-Kindy as Éponine, Lulu-Mae Pears as Cosette, Luke Kempner as Thénardier, Claire Machin as Madame Thénardier and Djavan van de Fliert as Enjolras.
The company is completed by Annabelle Aquino, Hazel Baldwin, Brad Barnley, Michael Baxter, Emily Olive Boyd, Rosy Church, Ben Culleton, Matthew Dale, Matt Dempsey, Sophie-May Feek, Matt Hayden, Tom Hext, Christopher Jacobsen, Jessica Johns-Parsons, Yazmin King, Sam Kipling, Anouk van Laake, Harry Lake, Sarah Lark, Ellie Ann Lowe, Ben Oatley, Adam Pearce, Jordan Simon Pollard, Jonathan Stevens, Phoebe Williams and Ollie Wray.
Since Cameron Mackintosh first conceived this acclaimed new production of LES MISÉRABLES in 2009, to celebrate the show’s 25th anniversary, it has taken the world by storm. The record-breaking US production continues to tour North America in 2024and the new Korean production, currently playing in Seoul, opens in Daegu in March 2024. In December 2024, the Japanese production of Les Misérables will open at the Imperial Theatre in Tokyo.
The world tour of Les Misérables – The Arena Spectacular, an expanded version of the hugely successful Les Misérables – The Staged Concert, will open this year at the SSE Arena Belfast on 19 September2024. This spectacular production will play a strictly limited number of performances at six UK arenas before travelling to over 15 countries and regions worldwide.
Boublil and Schönberg’s magnificent iconic score of LES MISÉRABLES includes the classic songs, I Dreamed a Dream, On My Own, Stars, Bring Him Home, Do You Hear the People Sing?, One Day More, Empty Chairs at Empty Tables, Master Of The House and many more. Several of its songs have become real life anthems of revolution wherever in the world people are fighting for their freedom. Seen by over 120 million people worldwide in 53 countries and in 22 languages, LES MISÉRABLES is undisputedly one of the world’s most popular and contemporary musicals.
Cameron Mackintosh’s production of LES MISÉRABLES is written by Alain Boublil and Claude-Michel Schönberg and is based on the novel by Victor Hugo. It has music by Claude-Michel Schönberg, lyrics by Herbert Kretzmer and original French text by Alain Boublil and Jean-Marc Natel, additional material by James Fenton and adaptation by Trevor Nunn and John Caird. Orchestrations are by Stephen Metcalfe, Christopher Jahnke and Stephen Brooker with original orchestrations by John Cameron. The production is directed by James Powell and Laurence Connor, designed by Matt Kinley inspired by the paintings of Victor Hugo with costumes by Andreane Neofitou, Christine Rowland and Paul Wills, lighting by Paule Constable, sound by Mick Potter, projections realised by Finn Ross & Fifty Nine Productions, musical staging by Geoffrey Garratt, and music supervision by Stephen Brooker and Alfonso Casado Trigo.
DIRECTED BY TONY AWARD® WINNER JOHN BENJAMIN HICKEY
STARRING
TWO-TIME TONY AWARD® WINNER & TWO-TIME EMMY AWARD® WINNER
MATTHEW BRODERICKSARAH JESSICA PARKER
AT THE
SAVOY THEATRE
EXTENDS BY 2 WEEKS UNTIL 13 APRIL 2024
TICKETS ON SALE NOW
The producers of the West End transfer of Neil Simon’s hit comedy PLAZA SUITE are delighted to announce that due to unprecedented demand the show will extend its season at the Savoy Theatre by two weeks and will now run until 13 April2024. Tickets for the extra two weeks are on sale now. As well as the £20 daily lottery tickets (details below), for each of the performances a third of the seats are priced at £55 and under.
Plaza Suite
By Neil Simon
Directed By John Benjamin Hickey
Sarah Jessica Parker
Mathew Broderick
£20 daily lottery tickets – at every performance, ten tickets – normally located on the front row of the stalls – will be exclusively available for purchase by lottery winners. Winners will be randomly selected every Monday for all of the performances in the following week. Winners will be sent a unique booking link (maximum 2 tickets per person) and have 24 hours to pay for their tickets. To enter the lottery, visit www.plazasuiteuk.com/lottery.
Plaza Suite
By Neil Simon
Directed By John Benjamin Hickey
Sarah Jessica Parker
Mathew Broderick
Directed by Tony Award® winner John Benjamin Hickey, PLAZA SUITE stars two-time Tony Award® winner Matthew Broderick as Sam Nash/Jesse Kiplinger/Roy Hubley and two-time Emmy Award® winner Sarah Jessica Parker, who makes her West End debut, as Karen Nash/Muriel Tate/Norma Hubley. They are joined by Rohit Gokani as The Waiter, Charlie Oscar as Jean McCormack/Mimsey Hubley and Eric Sirakian as Bellhop/Boden Eisler. The company also includes Nick Barclay (Standby Sam Nash/ Jesse Kiplinger/Roy Hubley), Caroline Sheen (Standby Karen Nash/Muriel Tate/Norma Hubley), Jamie Coyne (Understudy Bellhop / The Waiter / Boden Eisler) and Hannah Morrison (Understudy Jean McCormack / Mimsey Hubley).
Plaza Suite
By Neil Simon
Directed By John Benjamin Hickey
Sarah Jessica Parker
Mathew Broderick
In PLAZA SUITE, these two world-class actors play three different couples in one famous hotel room. Karen and Sam are a long-married pair whose relationship may be headed for an early checkout. Muriel and Jesse are former high school sweethearts who seem destined for an extended stay. And Norma and Roy are the mother and father of the bride, ready to celebrate their daughter’s nuptials – if only they can get her out of the bathroom.
The creative team includes two-time Tony Award® winner John Lee Beatty (Set Design), Tony Award® winner Jane Greenwood (Costume Design), five-time Tony Award® winner Brian MacDevitt (Lighting Design), Tony Award® winner Scott Lehrer (Sound Design), Tony Award® winner Marc Shaiman (Original Music), and Jim Carnahan (Casting Director).
PLAZA SUITE is produced by Ambassador Theatre Group Productions, Gavin Kalin Productions, Hal Luftig, with Douglas L. Meyer, Elizabeth Armstrong, Hunter Arnold, Caitlin Clements, Eilene Davidson Productions, Jeffrey Finn, Terry Schnuck, Smith and Brant Theatricals, Craig Haffner & Sherry Wright Theatricals and Mike Isaacson.
HADESTOWN EXTENDS IN LONDON THROUGH TO DECEMBER 2024!
150K more tickets go on sale for the highly anticipated West End production of the TONY® and GRAMMY® award-winning musical, which opens at the Lyric Theatre from 10 February.
An exclusive first performance from the West End company will be broadcast on Big Night of Musicals 2024 by the National Lottery – Saturday 27 January at 7.50pm –BBC One and BBC iPlayer.
Friday 26 January 2024, London: Due to popular demand, the multi award-winning Hadestown, which opens at the Lyric Theatre, London with performances from Saturday 10 February 2024, already announces its extension in the West End with tickets now available through to 22 December 2024.
Winner of 8 Tony® Awards including ‘Best Musical’ and a Grammy® Award for ‘Best Musical Theatre Album’, Hadestown returns to London five years after its sold-out run at the National Theatre in 2018.
In advance of opening in London next month, the West End company of Hadestown gave an exclusive first UK broadcast performance of the track ‘Wait For Me’ this week in front of 12k people at the AO Arena in Manchester for Big Night of Musicals 2024 by the National Lottery. The programme will air on Saturday 27 January at 7.50pm on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.
The West End cast includes Dónal Finn (Orpheus) known for playing Mat Cauthon in Season 2 of Prime’s The Wheel of Time, Grace Hodgett Young (Eurydice) who recently starred as Betty Schaeferin Sunset Boulevard at the Savoy Theatre, Grammy® Award-winner Zachary James (Hades) who originated the role of Lurch in The Addams Family at the Lunt-Fontanne Theatre on Broadway and the role of Abraham Lincoln in the world premiere of Philip Glass Opera The Perfect American at Teatro Real in Madrid, Musical Theatre actress and singer Melanie La Barrie (Hermes) whose many credits include originating the roles of Mrs. Corry in Mary Poppins at the Prince Edward Theatre and Nurse in & Juliet at the Shaftesbury Theatre, and Gloria Onitiri (Persephone) who originated the role of Fairy Godmother in Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Cinderella at the Gillian Lynne Theatre, Princess Desiree in Upstart Crow at the Apollo Theatre and who previously performed in Hadestown at the National Theatre.
Bella Brown, Madeline Charlemagne, and Allie Daniel will play the Fatesand Lauren Azania, Tiago Dhondt Bamberger, Beth Hinton-Lever, Waylon Jacobs, and Christopher Short will play the Workers, with Lucinda Buckley, Winny Herbert, Ryesha Higgs, Miriam Nyarko, and Simon Oskarsson as Swings.
Blending modern American folk music with New Orleans-inspired jazz, the Original Broadway Cast Recording of Hadestown is one of the most streamed cast albums of all time with over 350 million streams to date. It won the Grammy Award® for ‘Best Musical Theatre Album’,topped Billboard’s Broadway Cast Recording chart and debuted at #8 on the Top Album chart.
Hadestown features music, lyrics, and book by acclaimed Grammy®-winning singer-songwriter and BBC Radio 2 Folk Award-winner Anaïs Mitchell, who originatedHadestown as anindie theatre project and acclaimed album. Mitchell then transformed the show into a genre-defying new musical alongside artistic collaborator and Tony® Award-winning director Rachel Chavkin, whose theatre credits include Mission Drift (National Theatre) and American Clock (The Old Vic).
Hadestown takes you on an unforgettable journey to the underworld and back, intertwining two mythic love stories – that of young dreamers Orpheus and Eurydice, and that of King Hades and his wife Persephone. A deeply resonant and defiantly hopeful theatrical experience, Hadestown invites you to imagine how the world could be.
The Hadestown creative team features Obie Award® winner and Chita Rivera Award® winner David Neumann (choreography), Tony Award® winner Rachel Hauck (scenic design), four-time Tony® Award nominee Michael Krass (costume design), two-time Tony Award® winner Bradley King (lighting design), Tony® Award winners Nevin Steinberg and Jessica Paz (sound design), Liam Robinson (music supervision and vocal arrangements), Tony® Award winners Michael Chorney and Todd Sickafoose (arrangements and orchestrations), Tarek Merchant (Musical Director), and Ken Cerniglia (dramaturgy). Casting for the London production is by Jacob Sparrow.
Hadestown is produced in London by Mara Isaacs, Dale Franzen, Hunter Arnold, Tom Kirdahy and the National Theatre in association with JAS Theatricals.
Michael Harrison, Gavin Kalin Productions, David Mirvish, Crossroads Live, Nick Thomas, Rupert Gavin & Mallory Factor, Jake Hine, Playing Field by arrangement with The Really Useful Group Limited Present The Curve Production of The Wizard of Oz.
There is really only one word to describe this show and that is WOW!! From the minute it started our senses were overloaded from the music, singing, dancing, set, costumes and acting. It was just brilliant.
From the book by L. Frank Baum, The Wizard of Oz tells the story of Dorothy (Aviva Tulley) and her dog Toto (Tyler Ephraim) who live in Kansas with her Aunty Em (Emily Bull) and Uncle Henry (David Burrows). When a tornado hits, Dorothy finds herself blown away and landing in the wonderful land of Oz. She is shocked to see that her home from Kansas has landed on the Wicked Witch of the East and squashed her dead. Her sister, The Wicked Witch of the West (The Vivienne) is not pleased to say the least and plots to stop her getting to Oz, meeting The Wizard of Oz (Alex Bourne) and getting back home to her family. Along the yellow brick road Dorothy meets The Scarecrow (Benjamin Yates) who wants a brain, The Tin Man (Marley Fenton) who wants a heart and The Cowardly Lion (Nic Greenshields) who wants to have courage. The Wicked Witch of the West tries her hardest to stop the group of friends but, with the help of Glinda the Good Witch (Emily Bull), they manage to get to see The Wizard of Oz. But do their wishes come true?
The Orchestra (led by Musical Director Iestyn Griffiths) played magnificently, and there was a lot of tunes from the original film including Off to see The Wizard, Over the Rainbow, Ding Dong The Witch is Dead and many others.
The costumes (Dada Neidhardt – Head of Wardrobe) and wigs (Marianne Chiu – Head of Wigs) really have to be seen to believed, from the grey scale at the beginning of the show to the riot of colours in the rest.…just fabulous.
There were some outstanding performances in this production Aviva Tulley (Dorothy) played the part beautifully, she’s very talented and definitely one to watch. Tyler Ephraim (Toto) was just brilliant. Toto, the dog, was a puppet and puppeteer Tyler made you really believe the dog was real. The Vivienne (The Wicked Witch of the West) was so good, their acting and singing was amazing as was their stage presence.
All the cast and crew in this show very much deserved the standing ovation that they got last night. If you get a chance to see this production, just go…it was stunning!
Love is in the…theatre! West End Musical Love Songs returns for 2024 Friday 8th & Saturday 9th March Apollo Theatre, Shaftesbury Avenue, London, W1D 7EZ
The West End’s number one concert series returns for its second instalment of West End Musical Love Songs.
After a sold out concert in 2021, the West End’s biggest stars will return to perform the greatest love songs of all time from everyone’s favourite musicals and movies at the Apollo Theatre on Friday 8 and Saturday 9 March.
Audiences can expect showstopping ballads and tear jerking duets, so whether you’re celebrating Valentine’s, Galentine’s or just in love with musicals, this concert is the perfect night out or gift for a loved one.
Brought to you by the producers of West End Musical Brunch, West End Musical Drive In, West End Musical Celebration, West End Musical Halloween and West End Musical Christmas, so get ready to sing along, dance along and take the roof off of the Apollo Theatre.
The line up, to be announced, will include a number of West End stars including host Shanay Holmes.
Get ready to be serenaded by the brightest stars to the greatest love songs ever written!
The producers of the multi award-winning, critically acclaimed production of CABARET at the KIT KAT CLUB are delighted to announce that Michael Ahomka-Lindsay will join the company as Clifford Bradshaw from Monday 11 March 2024.
Nathan Ives-Moiba’s final performance as Clifford Bradshaw will be Saturday 27 January. The role will be played by Taite-Elliot Drew from Monday 29 January to Saturday 9 March 2024.
Michael Ahomka-Lindsay’s theatre credits include the role of Jack Kelly in Disney’s Newsies at Troubadour Wembley Park Theatre, David Heard in Choir Boy at the Bristol Old Vic, Emmett Forrest in Legally Blonde at Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre, Benny in RENT at the Hope Mill Theatre and Maugrim in The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe on a UK and Ireland tour.
Michael joins Beverley Klein as Fraulein Schneider, Teddy Kempner as Herr Schultz, Wilf Scolding as Ernst Ludwig and Jessica Kirton as Fraulein Kost/Fritzie. Nic Myers plays the role of Sally Bowles once a week. Casting for Emcee and Sally Bowles from 11 March 2024 will be announced in due course.
The cast also features Liv Alexander as Texas, Natalie Chua as Frenchie, Laura Delany as Rosie, Taite-Elliot Drew as Hans, Damon Gould as Victor, El Haq Latief as Helga, Grant Neal as Herman/Max, Hicaro Nicolai as Lulu and Travis Ross as Bobby. The cast is completed by Rebecca Lisewski, Ela Lisondra, Nic Myers, Andy Rees, Toby Turpin and Patrick Wilden.
The prologue company is Rachel Benson, Ami Benton, Onyemachi Ejimofor, Joseph Hardy, Liz Kamille, Andrew Linnie, Aine McLoughlin, Jack William Parry, Jazmyn Raikes, Oliver Stockley and Ena Yamaguchi.
This unique production of CABARET opened in December 2021 to critical and audience acclaim, widely praised as the ultimate theatrical experience. In April 2022 the production won a record-breaking seven Olivier Awards, the most for any musical revival in Olivier history. The production has also won three prestigious Critics Circle Awards as well as the Evening Standard Theatre Award for Best Design for designer Tom Scutt.
Transforming one of London’s most famous theatres with an in-the-round auditorium and reimagined spaces, before the show guests are invited to enjoy and explore the Kit Kat Club with pre-show entertainment, drinks and dining all on offer. When booking, guests receive a ‘club entry time’ to allow enough time to take in the world of the Kit Kat Club before the show starts. But of course, the show really starts when you first join us in the club…
One of the most successful musicals of all time CABARET features the songs Wilkommen, Don’t Tell Mama, Mein Herr, Maybe This Time, Money and the title number. It has music by John Kander, lyrics by Fred Ebb, book by Joe Masteroff. Based on the play by John Van Druten and stories by Christopher Isherwood.
CABARET is directed by Rebecca Frecknall, set and costume design is by Tom Scutt with choreography by Julia Cheng. Musical supervision is by Jennifer Whyte and musical direction is by Ben Ferguson with lighting design by Isabella Byrd and sound design by Nick Lidster. The casting director is Stuart Burt and the associate director and prologue director is Jordan Fein. The prologue composer and musical director is Angus MacRae.
CABARET at the KIT KAT CLUB is produced by Ambassador Theatre Group Productions and Underbelly.
Cambridge Arts Theatre, Cambridge – until Saturday 27th January 2024
Reviewed by Steph Lott
5*****
Somerset Maugham’s “The Circle” unfurls a captivating tale of love, regret, and the ever-turning wheel of time. Directed by Tom Littler and graced by a stellar cast, this production weaves a delicate tapestry of emotions against the backdrop of Louie Whitemore’s finely crafted sets and costumes.
Tom Littler’s direction expertly navigated the intricate social dynamics woven into Maugham’s narrative. The play’s central conflict revolves around the enduring impact of past choices, and Littler skilfully guides the actors through the delicate dance of emotions and consequences. The pacing is commendable, creating an engaging rhythm that keeps the audience invested in the characters’ unfolding destinies. There are silences, glances, all held with brilliant poise and timing.
Louie Whitemore’s set and costume designs are a visual feast, transporting the audience to the 1920s era. The elegantly furnished drawing-room, complete with period-appropriate furnishings, serves as a grand backdrop for the characters’ emotional upheavals. Whitemore’s costume choices further enhance the authenticity, capturing the essence and elegance of the era perfectly.
Pete Ashmore’s portrayal of Arnold Champion-Cheney is truly accomplished. Ashmore balances the character’s charm, and annoying pedantry, with underlying vulnerability, bringing depth to his portrayal of a man whose abandonment by his mother when a small boy, still haunts him. Olivia Vinall, as Elizabeth Champion-Cheney, complements Ashmore’s performance with a nuanced portrayal of a woman grappling with the complexities of love, betrayal, and societal expectations. Their on-stage chemistry is evident, capturing the audience’s empathy as they navigate the stormy waters of their marriage.
Clive Francis as Clive Champion-Cheney and Jane Asher as Kitty Champion-Cheney inject the production with delightful doses of skill and humour in equal measure. Francis embodies the eccentricities of Clive with comedic precision, while Asher’s performance as the witty and sassy Kitty adds a refreshing layer to the narrative. The duo’s impeccable timing and rapport contribute to the play’s lighter moments, providing relief from the overarching tension.
Nicholas Le Prevost’s portrayal of Hughie Porteous, and Robert Maskell’s turn as George the butler, add further layers to the ensemble cast. Le Prevost captures the essence of a grumpy old man who risked all for love in his youth, while Maskell’s butler exudes a quiet stubborn dignity that resonates throughout the play. Daniel Burke, in the role of Teddie Luton, creates a very credible romantic conundrum for Elizabeth. Will she choose him and risk all for love?
In conclusion, “The Circle” at the Cambridge Arts Theatre is a commendable production that weaves together a captivating narrative with strong performances and exquisite design. Tom Littler’s direction, coupled with the standout performances from the whole cast, makes this rendition of Maugham’s classic a worthwhile theatrical experience. The play successfully delves into the timeless themes of love, regret, and societal expectations, leaving the audience with much to ponder.
UK pop band Steps are delighted to announce the world premiere of HERE & NOW, a brand-new musical using their iconic music, with an original book by Shaun Kitchener. HERE & NOW will open at The Alexandra, Birmingham for a limited engagement from 9 – 24 November 2024. Featuring Steps’ most beloved hit songs, HERE & NOW isproduced by the band and ROYO with Pete Waterman, and will be directed by Rachel Kavanaugh, with choreography by Olivier Award winning Matt Cole.
Casting to be announced.
Welcome to seaside superstore Better Best Bargains, where it’s Friday night, the vibe is right, and everyone’s dancing in the aisles. But when Caz discovers the shelves are stocked with lies and betrayal, the summer of love she and her friends dreamed of suddenly feels like a tragedy. Have they all lost their chance of a ‘happy ever after’? Or does love have other plans in store…
Steps said, “We’ve been lucky to do many things together as a band, but the question we get asked again and again is ‘where is the Steps musical?’ Well…it’s finally here and we couldn’t be more excited. We’ve searched for the perfect story for our music and we’ve found it in the aisle of a seaside superstore, where four friends set out on their own Summer of Love. It’s a story of friendship, romance and community; packed with our biggest hits and sure to have everybody laughing, crying and dancing in the aisles. We can’t wait to open the doors later this year, and see you there!”
Steps (Claire Richards, Faye Tozer, Ian ‘H’ Watkins’, Lee Latchford-Evans and Lisa Scott-Lee) are the UK’s most successful mixed sex pop group of all time, with 14 top five singles, 4 number one albums, 22 million record sales, 500 million streams & 11 sold-out national arena tours under their belts. The band’s hits include #1 singles Tragedy/Heartbeat and Stomp, the gold certified One For Sorrow & Better Best Forgotten, the silver certified 5,6,7,8, Last Thing On My Mind, Love’s Got A Hold Of My Heart, Chain Reaction, all of which will feature in the musical alongside many more.
Steps’ 2017 comeback tour sold out all 300,000 tickets, making it one of the biggest pop tours of the year. The band have since continued to release new music including two further iTunes #1 singles, the Sia-penned What The Future Holds in 2020 and the Michelle Visage duet Heartbreak In This City in 2022. In 2022 Steps celebrated their 25th anniversary with a headline summer tour and released the #1 album Platinum Collection which means they join ABBA, Rolling Stones and Stereophonics as the only groups in UK history to score #1 albums in four consecutive decades.
Choreography is by Matt Cole, set design is by Tom Rogers, costume design is by Gabriella Slade, sound design by Adam Fisher with casting by Will Burton for Grindrod Burton Casting.
