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CRUCIBLE, SHEFFIELD – UNTIL 13 JANUARY 2024

Reviewed by Alison Beaumont

5*****

White Christmas is based on the well known film featuring the songs by Irving Berlin.

The musical tells the story of when two veterans Bob Wallace and Phil Davis have a successful song and dance act after the War. Phil tries to set Bob up with Betty who is part of the Haynes Sisters act with Judy. They follow the sisters to Vermont Lodge where they are to perform a Christmas Show. Once they arrive at the lodge they are met with their former commander, General Waverley who is the lodge owner.

Having never seen the film myself I had nothing to compare this musical to, however, this is the all-time favourite film for my friend who wondered how the film could be brought to the stage but commented on how true to the film it was.

In this performance Susan, the commander’s granddaughter was played by Ava Rothewell and I have to say that she was amazing, at just 10 years of age I feel she has a bright future ahead of her.

George Blagden (Bob) and Stuart Neal (Phil) played their parts brilliantly and were a great duo.

The Haynes sisters were played by Grace Mouat as Betty and Natasha Mould as Judy. Their vocals were great especially singing “sisters”. Martha – Sandra Marvin equally gave a brilliant vocal performance.

The show is all brought together by a large ensemble cast whose dance routines were spot on and all in sync. The tap dancing was out of this world.

The actors are all involved in moving the props and do this with ease. The rotating stage gives it an added dimension and I loved the way they converted the stage to the barn.

The final scene was so magical, the Christmas tree coming up in the middle of the stage and the snow falling. It certainly gets you into the Christmas spirit. An excellent performance by everyone involved.

Richmond Theatre – until 7^th January 2024 

Reviewed by Carly Burlinge 

4.5 **** 

Richmond brings you the well-loved pantomime of Dick Whittington, a show for all and what an opening night it was! With many laughs and much entertainment throughout which had the whole audience, both children and adults laughing away from start to finish. 

Dick Whittington (Jack Danson) embarks on a journey to London, where in no time he finds himself a place to stay, a job, is given a giant cat called Eileen (Charlie Smart) that provides some excellent movement and dance across the stage with ease. Dick also manages to fall in love with the beautiful Alice (Erin Sophie Halliday) and with the help of Suki the Sweet Maker (Suki Webster) and Sarah the cook (Paul Merton) they go on an adventure to save London from the evil Queen Rat (Vivien Parry) who is trying to launch an attack on the City. The gang will need to work together and be ready for the fight!! Will she be able to succeed? Or will Dick win the race as well as winning the heart of Alice and taking her hand in marriage? 

Along with the Spirit of Bow Bells (Wendy Mae Brown) offering guidance along with some beautiful rhyming, much sparkle, and the whooshing of her wand.  

Sarah the cook, who is young, single, and ready to mingle as the audience found out, offers some fabulous tongue twisters, much flamboyance alongside some magnificent outfits that keep getting increasingly extravagant. Keeping everyone incredibly entertained.  

Queen Rat scurried across the stage with the whip of her tail, receiving the enormous panto boos in which were well-deserved. 

All this offers much enjoyment along with the yearly audience participation of ‘oh no it wasn’t and ‘oh yes it was’ get everyone in the Christmas spirit. 

The stage itself was stunning, packed with fabulous scenery around, very vibrant costumes, some great choreography, much talent, and an amazing connection upon stage for all to see. 

At times, I did find that the sound was not right, with the orchestra sometimes out powering some of the lyrics but overall, a fun, enjoyable evening out. Definitely one to watch and very enjoyable evening out

Malvern Theatres – until 7th January 2024

Review by Kathie Hodges

5*****

Well we’ll have to do it again then won’t we….

I wish we could. Cinderella did not disappoint. With a fabulous cast and script by Jon Monie (winner of Best Script at the Great British Pantomime Awards 2019) this side splitting pantomime is a must for those who love a lot tongue in cheek sparkling comedy.

With beloved local legend Mark James as Buttons the applause when he stepped on the stage was infectious. The children in the audience were utterly captivated by his charm.

The colourful set dazzled throughout.
It seemed no expense was spared.

Coronation Street’s Katie McGlynn starring as the Fairy Godmother bought all of the fun, sparkle and magic expected of a fairy Godmother.

While Bethan Jacks (Cinderella) showed us that no matter what the haters say ~ she would go to the ball.

Talking of haters the ugly Stepsisters were truly incredible, their outfits utterly ridiculous and hilarious. Expect Macdonalds french fries and wigs so high they filled the stage while the heels left me wondering if one false move could mean a broken ankle. I was on tenterhooks watching Jamie Morris (Melody) and Tarot Joseph (Harmony) teeter onto the stage, but by Jove they did it.

Singing and dancing and ridiculous skits made for a memorable night for all the family.

This is a must see.

I saw this on opening night and there were some hilarious mishaps, and the show did run over, but I guess it’s to be expected with live performances ~ anything can happen but laughter is guaranteed.

“MY FAVORITE THINGS:

THE RODGERS & HAMMERSTEIN

80^TH ANNIVERSARY CONCERT”

COMES TO CINEMAS IN THE UK AND IRELAND FOR TWO DAYS ONLY

IN 2024

CinemaLive, in partnership with Concord Originals and The Rodgers & Hammerstein Organization, announces that this week’s star-studded My Favorite Things: The Rodgers & Hammerstein 80th Anniversary Concert will be screened in more than 400 cinemas across the UK and Ireland on 14 February and 18 February 2024. Directed for the screen by five-time BAFTA^® winner Julia Knowles, tickets are now on sale at RH80Concert.com. Plans for a North America, Australia and New Zealand release will be announced in the New Year.

The landmark event was headlined by recent R&H leading lady Joanna Ampil  (Rodgers & Hammerstein’s South Pacific); two-time Olivier Award^® winner Michael Ball; television, film and stage actor Daniel Dae Kim; four-time Olivier Award winner Maria Friedman; Emmy^®, two-time GRAMMY^® and six-time Tony Award^® winner Audra McDonald; Olivier Award^® nominee Julian Ovenden; West End sensation Lucy St. Louis; Tony Award winner Aaron Tveit; Olivier Award nominee Marisha Wallace; and two-time Tony, two-time Golden Globe^® and Emmy Awardnominee Patrick Wilson. The performance also featured Anna-Jane Casey, Lily Kerhoas and Jordan Shaw, along with special appearances by EGOT winners Andrew Lloyd Webber and Rita Moreno.

Completing the company were Jade Albertsen, Alex Louize Bird, Matthew Caputo, Dan Cooke, Barry Drummond, Harry Francis, Matt Gibson, Bethany Huckle, Jonny Labey, Brenda Newhouse, Emily Ann Potter, Sophie Pourret, Stephen Quildan and Rachel Wang-Hei Lau.

The celebration of the historic partnership of Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II featured the 40-piece Rodgers & Hammerstein Concert Orchestra, conducted by Simon Lee, with stage direction by Tony Award-winning director and choreographer Christopher Gattelli, and associate choreography by Simon Hardwick.

The gala took place onTuesday, 12 December, at London’s newly restored Theatre Royal Drury Lane – the same venue that premiered the original West End productions of Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Oklahoma!, Carousel, South Pacific and The King and I.

Presented by The Rodgers & Hammerstein Organization, the concert was produced by Concord Originals, Concord Theatricals, Kilimanjaro Live/JAS Theatricals, Austin Shaw and Rob Bagshaw.

My Favorite Things: The Rodgers & Hammerstein 80th Anniversary Concert forms part of a new Season of Musicals presented by CinemaLive in 2024.

BIOGRAPHIES 

RICHARD RODGERS & OSCAR HAMMERSTEIN II

After long and highly distinguished careers with other collaborators, Richard Rodgers (Composer, 1902-79) and Oscar Hammerstein II (Librettist/Lyricist, 1895-1960) joined forces in 1943 to create the most successful partnership in American Musical Theatre. Prior to joining forces, Rodgers collaborated with lyricist Lorenz Hart on musical comedies that epitomized wit and sophistication (Pal Joey, On Your Toes, Babes In Arms and more), while Hammerstein brought new life to operetta and created the classic Show Boat with Jerome Kern. Oklahoma!, the first Rodgers & Hammerstein musical, introduced an integrated form that became known as “the musical play.” Their shows that followed included Carousel, South Pacific, The King and I and The Sound of Music. Collectively, the Rodgers & Hammerstein musicals have earned Tony, Oscar, GRAMMY, Emmy, Pulitzer, and Olivier Awards. The Rodgers & Hammerstein Organization is a Concord Company, www.concord.com.

Julia Knowles (Screen Director) is a five-time BAFTA Award winner with more than 30 years experience producing and directing for television. She’s directed recent TV specials including “The State Funeral of HM Queen Elizabeth II,” “The Royal Wedding: Prince Harry and Meghan Markle,” “The Earthshot Prize,” “Global Citizen Festival: Take Action Now” and “The Brit Awards.” TV series include “Dancing on Ice,” “The X Factor UK,” “The Greatest Dancer,” “America’s Most Musical Family,” “American Idol” and “I Can See Your Voice: UK.” She’s also directed televised concerts including “The Coronation Concert,” “Beyonce” and “Platinum Jubilee: Party at the Palace.” 

CinemaLive 
CinemaLive is one of the world’s leading producers and distributors of premium Event Cinema/Alternate Content and one of the world’s few distributors of live concerts to cinemas.  With offices in the UK and Australia, the CinemaLive subsidiary (of the Shooting Star Group) has quickly become one of the fastest growing theatrical distributors, delivering the very best music, cultural and family entertainment around the world – www.cinemalive.com   

Concord Originals  is the narrative content creation division for Concord, the world’s leading independent music company and licensor of stage productions. Ready access to Concord’s vast well of iconic intellectual property and award-winning Concord-represented writers, along with robust in-house production capabilities, uniquely positions the Concord Originals team to swiftly develop and produce stories that satisfy the growing demand for fresh takes on beloved content. The division’s slate is comprised of feature films, series, documentaries and podcasts, including remakes and re-imaginings of properties from Concord’s legendary artists, music and theatrical works. Upcoming projects include a multi-part docuseries about the culture-defining Stax Records for HBO, and three feature documentaries that Concord Originals co-financed: Let the Canary Sing about music icon Cyndi Lauper which premiered at Tribeca Film Festival 2023, and Shari & Lamb Chop and Pretty Ugly: The Story of the Lunachicks which both premiered at DOC NYC 2023. Concord Originals also has an active scripted slate, including a remake of Rodgers & Hammerstein’s The King and I with Temple Hill for Paramount Pictures, and a limited series adaptation of Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Cinderella with Skydance TV and Jennifer Lopez’s Nuyorican Productions. 

Austin Shaw is the leading producer of live theatre capture, with award-winning productions of 42nd Street, An American in Paris, Anything Goes, From Here to Eternity, Rodgers & Hammerstein’s The King And I, Kinky Boots, Message in a Bottle, The SpongeBob Musical: Live on Stage!, Titanic and Wind in the Willows. For PBS, Austin staged and filmed “Great Performances: Chess in Concert” and “Andrew Lloyd Webber Celebration” (both at Royal Albert Hall), “Andrew Lloyd Webber: Masterpiece” (Great Hall of the People in Beijing), “Swan Lake 3D” (Live from Mariinsky Theater) and “Mick Fleetwood & Friends” (London Palladium). As MD of Really Useful Films, he produced stage captures of CATS, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, By Jeeves, Jesus Christ Superstar and the Academy Award-winning feature film The Phantom of the Opera. 

Rob Bagshaw is a multiple Emmy Award winner with 25+ years of international production experience. Theatre trained, Rob is now one of the leading creatives in broadcast events. He has worked for all major platforms, producing 2000+ hours with UK daytime series “The Big Breakfast” and “This Morning”; US docu-series “Breaking Pointe” and “So Cosmo”; multi-cam location series “Castaway” and “Paradise Hotel,” and award-winning global competitions “Project Runway All Stars” and “RuPaul’s Drag Race.” A prolific format creator and showrunner, highlights include “Are You Smarter Than a Fifth Grader,” “Australia’s Perfect Couple,” “The Crystal Maze,” “Jim Henson’s Creature Shop Challenge” and “Top Chef Masters.” Formerly EVP, Kids & Family for Paramount Global (Nickelodeon Kids Choice Awards, TIME Kid of the Year, NFL Superbowl LV, The SpongeBob Musical: Live on Stage!); EVP, Creative at Dick Clark Productions (Academy of Country Music Awards, American Music Awards, Billboard Music Awards, The Golden Globes, “So You Think You Can Dance”) and East Coast head of Bunim Murray Productions (“Keeping Up with the Kardashians,” “Project Runway,” “The Real World”). Currently SVP, Live Events & Specials with NBCUniversal, creating content across NBCU’s portfolio including “Barry Manilow’s A Very Barry Christmas,” “Christmas at Graceland LIVE,” “Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade” and “Wicked.” 

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RICHMOND THEATRE ANNOUNCES BEAUTY AND THE BEAST AS THEIR 2024 PANTOMIME

AT RICHMOND THEATRE SAT 7 DEC 2024 – SUN 5 JAN 2025

Following the success of  2023-24’s pantomime DICK WHITTINGTON, Richmond Theatre are delighted to announce the title for their 2024-25 pantomime: BEAUTY AND THE BEAST.

One of the most romantic pantomimes of all time, BEAUTY AND THE BEAST will be a spectacular and enchanting production for all the family.

Dreaming of a happier life, Belle finds herself transported to a cursed castle and held captive by a terrifying beast. To her surprise, the castle is full of magical characters placed under a spell by an evil enchantress. Can Belle see beyond the monster and fall in love with her captor before the last petal falls from the enchanted rose? Or will the Beast’s selfishness cost him the world he once knew and the hand of the girl who has melted his heart?

Featuring spectacular special effects, beautiful costumes and scenery, and a chance for audiences to come together and share the magic of live theatre, BEAUTY AND THE BEAST is the spellbinding pantomime you won’t want to miss!

Star casting to be announced.

BEAUTY AND THE BEAST is on sale to ATG+ Members from 10am on Thursday 14 December 2023, and to the general public from 10am on Friday 15 December 2023.

FROM SCREEN TO STORE:

TODAYTIX LAUNCHES ITS FIRST-EVER ‘TODAYTIX SHOP’ IN LONDON’S WEST END

LONDON, DECEMBER 2023 — TodayTix, the digital gateway to cultural experiences, is thrilled to announce the launch of its first ever TodayTix shop at the Leicester Square Underground station in London. Known for delivering unparalleled value for theatre tickets and cultural events to audiences across the globe, the global e-commerce leader will now have a dedicated store with the opportunity to shop exclusive prices only available in person. Opening its doors this December, the TodayTix shop will offer incredible inventory to West End and Off-West End’s best shows.

Guided by a concierge team of dedicated staff members who will share their expertise and show recommendations, customers will be able to seamlessly purchase tickets to London’s hottest plays and musicals through the frictionless technology offered by the shop’s self-service kiosks, the first of its kind for theatre tickets in the world. Customers will also have access to a lounge where they can enjoy a premium seated experience while purchasing tickets and secure additional bundles and packages.

Designed by award-winning Lumsden Design, the store features elements inspired by classic theatre decor and lighting, as well as host five digital screens rotating six dynamic show cover images per minute. In addition, the TodayTix shop will house a window display showcasing extravagant costumes from shows each month. This will provide the rare chance to get up close and personal with the costumes worn by West End’s biggest stars. To celebrate the opening, the display will feature Elsa’s iconic dress from Disney’s Frozen The Musical.

“TodayTix always seeks to connect West End shows with audiences in new and innovative ways, and for us, the brand new TodayTix shop is the latest way we are doing that,” said Stephen Crocker, General Manager at TodayTix. “Combining frictionless technology and unparalleled customer service, this shop is designed for both working Londoners looking for the best in entertainment and tourists seeking show recommendations and exclusive prices.”

“Working with TodayTix to bring their digital brand to life in its first ever bespoke space, where their customers can enjoy a fun and immersive experience when buying show tickets, has been incredibly exciting,” said Callum Lumsden, Founding Partner at Lumsden.  “We designed the space with the purpose of it to feel like a premiere, seamless experience for audiences as they book their tickets. From the red carpet to the bright lights and frictionless technology, we wanted to ensure it offers a standout experience for all audiences.”

ADDITIONAL DATES ADDED and CAST ANNOUNCED 

DOMINIC WEST 
KATE FLEETWOOD and CALLUM SCOTT HOWELLS in

A VIEW FROM THE BRIDGE

By Arthur Miller
Directed by Lindsay Posner
Designed by Peter McKintosh. Lighting Designer Paul Pyant 

USTINOV STUDIO, Theatre Royal Bath
16 February – 16 March 2024

When BAFTA Award winner Dominic West (The Wire, The Crown) was announced as starring in Arthur Miller’s A View from the Bridge at the Ustinov Studio, tickets sold out in less than an hour.

Due to this phenomenal demand, additional performances are confirmed, taking bookings through to 16 March 2024. Tickets for the new performances will go on sale to Theatre Royal Bath Associates from Friday 15 December and Friends from Monday 18 December, with general booking opening from Wednesday 20 December through theatreroyal.org.uk

It is also announced today that West will lead an all-star cast in this hotly anticipated production, as he is joined by Olivier and Tony Award nominee Kate Fleetwood (Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Macbeth, London Road) and BAFTA Cymru Award winner Callum Scott Howells, star of Channel 4’s It’s A Sin and West End phenomenon Cabaret. 

The cast also includes Nia Towle, recently seen in the West End’s The Ocean at the End of the Lane; Martin Marquez (Hotel Babylon, Les Miserables), Pierro Niel-Mee (Apple TV’s Slow Horses; Machinal and The Tempest, Ustinov Studio), Jimmy Gladdon (The Score, Theatre Royal Bath), Michael Cusick, currently in the West End in Noises Off, Rob Pomfret (A Voyage Round My Father, Theatre Royal Bath and tour, The Mousetrap, ITV’s The Bay), Santino Smith (Sadie, Lyric Theatre Belfast and BBC4), with further casting to be announced.

Eddie Carbone is an outwardly straightforward man with a strong sense of decency. For Eddie it is a privilege to welcome his wife’s Italian cousins to the land of freedom. But as his niece Catherine falls for one of the visitors, Eddie struggles to control his fierce jealousy, tormented by his own barely concealed lust for the girl. As passions rise, they all soon learn that some freedoms have to come at a terrible price.

Pulitzer Prize-winner Arthur Miller is one of the most highly regarded American playwriters of the 20^th Century with work including All My Sons, Death of a Salesman, The Crucible, and The Misfits. His timeless masterpiece A View from the Bridge is a passionate study of one man’s place in the close-knit Italian-American community in 1950s New York.

A View from the Bridge was first performed as a one-act verse drama on Broadway in 1955 before being revised for its West End premiere a year later, directed by Peter Brook and starring Richard Harris and Anthony Quayle. The play has since been produced for stage, film, television, radio and as an opera, starring many notable actors and winning numerous awards.

Presented by Theatre Royal Bath Productions, A View from the Bridge by Arthur Miller is directed by Lindsay Posner, designed by Peter McKintosh with lighting designs by Paul Pyant.

Aylesbury Waterside Theatre – until 17 December 2024

Reviewed by Sue Portman

5*****

This is a production from the Dickens Theatre Company. It is directed by Eric Richard, music by Paul Higgs, adapted by Ryan Philpott.

Two of Dickens’ closest theatrical companions find themselves trapped in the footlights’ glare. With the rest of the cast stuck on a train, actress Frances Ternan and Dickens’ faithful tour manager George Dolby take on the daunting challenge of portraying over 30 characters. But who will play Scrooge?

A Christmas Carol is in my view, one of the greatest stories ever written and I am hugely dedicated to watching many of the adaptations from Alastair Sim to George C Scott every Christmas. I was therefore very interested to see what sort of a presentation this would be. When it comes to this particular Victorian classic, I am very hard to please. How then was my experience? Read on.

Let me deal with the elephant in the room (for me anyway) and that is the part of Ebenezer Scrooge being played by a woman (shock, horror). Obviously Scrooge was a man, and I wondered in reverse if a man playing (for Example) Queen Elizabeth I might be received. I mean actors can play any part, of course they can, but how would it feel? Would any woman playing Scrooge simply ruin it? Hold that thought. The whole play was enacted by two people, Ryan Philpott and Hannah Blaikie and both have been on stage and TV in various roles. We learn at the beginning that Blaikie will be playing the part of Ebenezer Scrooge
whilst Philpott will take on all of the other roles. This is not mean feat of course, and something I have never seen done before. The stage was relatively small, but delightfully intimate with very few props, ranging from a couple of ladders, various boxes, some clothing, and a few other items. It was thoughtfully backlit and the lighting on the stage was
suitably atmospheric, especially when the smoke machine gently spread fog onto the stage.

We all know the story. Parsimonious miser Scrooge is visited by four spirits and taken on various journeys to help him see the light and change his ways for the good of himself and mankind. It works, reclamation is realised, and he does become the best friend to Tiny Tim
and the whole city. There is no better story for me.

Tonight’s production began with a clever twist. George Dolby and Ellen Ternan are characters played by Blaikie and Philpott who then go on to portray the Christmas Carol characters because ‘Charles Dickens; could not arrive, being late as he was! Thus, we had actors, playing characters, playing characters. That’s very clever.

The duo developed the characters very skilfully and the best compliment I can possibly give to Hannah Blaikie is that I soon forgot that she was a woman playing a man and I immersed myself into her superb portrayal of Scrooge. Surely this is exactly what she would want from an audience – to see the character not the actor. Her voice and physical demeanour
changed seamlessly as she portrayed Scrooge through time. As Scrooge, she was credible, convincing and consummately professional. Bravo then. As Bob Cratchett said about his wife’s Christmas pudding, it was ‘another triumph.’

Ryan Philpott Dolby performed his many roles with great aplomb. All four ghosts were given regional accents and we were treated to the dubious pleasure of listening to the ghost of Christmas past with a strong Birmingham accent. My husband is a Brummie and he was not keen on the accent being used, thinking it more poking fun at ‘Brummies’ * than
fitting the character but this wasn’t the case of course, but people do seem to laugh at that accent which especially if ‘overdone’ as it was at times. To be fair, Philpott was very versatile with his voice changes and accents, ergo we had west country and cockney, plus others in between as he changed voice and clothing from one character to another – including old Fezziwig, Joe, people at the business exchange, cousin Fred, Tiny Tim, and more. He was also the narrator of the whole show, so he wore many hats, and he wore them all in style.

With absolutely minimal use of props these two actors unravelled this timeless story expertly. A simple change of a hat here, or the addition of a shawl there, transformed them into someone new, and I really got lost in this production, enjoying not only each moment but wondering how they were going to portray each next aspect of the story. It was done
with minimum fuss, but maximum impact, and demonstrated just how, with skilled actors, one requires very few props to actually tell a story.

With many shows, the stage set sometimes overshadows the actors. Here, the actors were so mesmerising that the props and set really were secondary to what they were doing. They were the show. They were the stars. I was much more interested in what they had to say, and their delivery than any prop and they executed all of their parts with great professionalism. They made it look easy, which if course is the greatest compliment an actor can receive. They performed in perfect synchronicity and I could see how much thought had gone into this excellent production.

It was clear that they loved not only the story itself but the opportunity to bring this fine and unusual production to the masses, who welcomed it very warmly I should add. We were treated to singing at one point, and this gave Blaikie in particular the opportunity to show the audience what a beautiful voice she has and she must surely be engaging with more singing going forward! Those mellifluous tones should not be wasted. At the end, the audience applauded with gusto, and outside I heard people saying how different, and how superb it was.

In 1843, Charles Dickens gave a message to the world through this timeless story. Were he to return today, would he see the world as a better, happier more sharing, caring place or would he still find the same old greed and avarice? Do we carry the spirit of Christmas throughout the year? Has humanity learned any lessons?

This story is a reminder of the need to reflect upon our role in society and the significance that we have within it. When it comes to putting that across in terms of a performance in a more intimate setting the Dickens Theatre Company did not disappoint and there should be no spare seats for the few remaining dates – or else expect a visit from Jacob Marley!

Although I have attended many productions at this venue I have never attended one at the Norman Bragg Studio which is a small ‘studio’ which hosts a programme of intimate productions and events throughout the year including a monthly Comedy Club, regular screenings, Bring Your Own Baby Comedy and small scale shows and live music gigs. The
Studio is easily accessible with a bar selling a range of light refreshments and facilities available within easy reach. One of the venue’s hireable spaces, the Norman Bragg Studio is licensed for wedding ceremonies and ideal for accommodating conferences, exhibitions, dinners and private events. Contact the venue for hire options. Rather than word, a photograph of the venue will reveal it’s pleasurable setting

*A Brummie is a person originating from Birmingham.

Leeds Grand Theatre – until 30 December 2023

5*****

The brilliant Debbie Issitt, who gave us the wonderful Nativity, has worked her magic again.  I Should Be So Lucky the Musical, based on the prolific back catalogue of those midas touch geniuses, Stock Aitken and Waterman, is everything you think it will be.  

Telling the story of Ella (Lucie-Mae Sumner), who is jilted by Nathan (Billy Roberts) at the wedding, after his grandad mistakes him for someone else.  Ella’s mum Shelley (Lauren Woolf on for Melissa Jacques), her Nan Ivy (Jemma Churchill), sister Britney (Jessica Daley) and friends Bonnie (Kayla Carter) and Michael (Elliot Broadfoot) all decide to go away on the honeymoon to Turkey with Ella.  After finding out that his grandad had made the mistake, Nathan and Best Man Ash (Giovanni Spano) arrive in Turkey only to find Ella in the arms of hotel worker Nadeem (Matthew Croke)

Full of SAW classics, the story makes perfect sense and the songs have been chosen to fit perfectly in with the narrative.  So you might not expect You Spin Me Round to be sung in the style of Greek dancing, but there it is and it works.  And you might not expect Toy Boy to be about Michael falling in love with Hassan (Ralph Bogard), but it’s joyously the obvious song choice.

Jason Gilkison’s choreography is perfection and so is Tom Rogers’ set and costume design – hearts and sequins everywhere!   And the mirror in which Kylie (yes Miss Minogue herself) appears is the cherry on top of Andrzej Goulding’s video and animation design.

The whole cast is excellent, thanks to Anne Vossers expert casting.  The ensemble are as integral as the main cast and everyone seems to be having fun on stage

I Should Be So Lucky is as cheesy as chips and as camp as a jamboree, it’s pink, it’s sparkly and it’s full to the brim of infectious tunes that you will be singing for days afterwards.

WESSEX GROVE, GAVIN KALIN PRODUCTIONS AND PLAYFUL PRODUCTIONS

ANNOUNCE FURTHER CASTING FOR

THE WORLD PREMIERE OF THE NEW MUSICAL

OPENING NIGHT

JOINING

SHERIDAN SMITH AS MYRTLE

WILL BE

HADLEY FRASER AS MANNY, SHIRA HAAS AS NANCY,

NICOLA HUGHES AS SARAH, AMY LENNOX AS DOROTHY
AND JOHN MARQUEZ AS DAVID

BOOK BY IVO VAN HOVE

MUSIC AND LYRICS BY RUFUS WAINWRIGHT

DIRECTED AND CONCEIVED BY IVO VAN HOVE

AT THE GIELGUD THEATRE IN LONDON’S WEST END

FOR A STRICTLY LIMITED SEASON
FROM
6 MARCH TO 27 JULY 2024

Wessex Grove, Gavin Kalin Productions and Playful Productions are delighted to announce further casting for the World Premiere of John Cassavetes’ OPENING NIGHT, a new musical with book by Ivo van Hove and music and lyrics by Rufus Wainwright.

Joining Sheridan Smith as Myrtle will be Hadley Fraser as Manny, Shira Haas as Nancy, Nicola Hughes as Sarah, Amy Lennox as Dorothy and John Marquez as David. Further casting to be announced.

Directed and conceived by Ivo van Hove, OPENING NIGHT will play a strictly limited season at the Gielgud Theatre in London’s West End from 6 March to 27 July 2024. OpeningNightMusical.com

Ivo van Hove said today “I am truly delighted to be bringing this new musical to the West End and thrilled we’ve assembled such a stellar cast to join Sheridan. It is a real privilege to be collaborating with the wonderful Rufus Wainwright, fulfilling our ambition of bringing this tale of the trials and tribulations behind the scenes of the theatre to the stage.”

Hadley Fraser’s many West End credits include most recently The Lehman Trilogy at the Gillian Lynne Theatre, City of Angels at the Garrick and Donmar Theatres, Young Frankenstein, also at the Garrick Theatre and Javert in Les Misérables at the Queen’s Theatre. Hadley starred at Raoul in the 25^th Anniversary of The Phantom of the Opera at the Royal Albert Hall and Grantaire in the 25^th Anniversary of Les Misérables at the O2. On Broadway he created the role of Tiernan in The Pirate Queen.

Shira Haas garnered international critical acclaim for her role in the Netflix series Unorthodox, for which she won the Independent Spirit Award for Best Female Performance in a New Scripted Series and was nominated for both a Golden Globe Award and a Primetime Emmy Award, becoming the first Israeli to be nominated for an acting Primetime Emmy Award. Shira won the Tribeca Film Festival Award for Best International Actress for her performance in the film Asia. Additional credits include this year’s Netflix series Bodies, the international hit series Shtisel, and Niki Caro’s film The Zookeeper’s Wife. Shira will next star in Marvel’s fourth Captain America film, Captain America: New World Order. Opening Night will mark Shira’s West End debut.

Nicola Hughes is a double Olivier Award nominee for Best Actress in a Musical for her starring roles in Fosse at the Prince of Wales Theatre and Porgy and Bess at the Savoy Theatre. Her other West End credits include Velma Kelly in Chicago and Lola in Damn Yankees, both at the Adelphi Theatre and The Acid Queen in the original London company of Tommy at the Shaftesbury Theatre. Other theatre credits include Simply Heavenly at the Young Vic and Trafalgar Studios, Allelujah! at The Bridge Theatre, Caroline or Change at Chichester Festival Theatre and Shug Avery in the original London company of The Color Purple at the Menier Chocolate Factory. Nicola most recently appeared at The Witch in Into the Woods at the Theatre Royal Bath, for which she was nominated for Best Supporting Performance at this year’s UK Theatre Awards.

Amy Lennox recently starred as Sally Bowles in Cabaret at the Kit Kat Club. She received an Olivier nomination for Best Actress in a Supporting Role in a Musical for her portrayal of Lauren in the West End production of Kinky Boots. Her other credits include Ellie in the London premiere of the David Bowie and Enda Walsh musical Lazarus. She was in the original West End cast of the musical Legally Blonde and created the role of Doralee in the original UK production of 9 to 5 The Musical.

John Marquez recently played Alfred Doolittle in Pygmalion at the Old Vic. He has also appeared at the Old Vic in The American Clock and Flea in her Ear. His many other theatre credits include Dirty Rotten Scoundrels at the Savoy Theatre, Privates on Parade at the Noël Coward Theatre, Ragtime at Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre, The Taming of the Shrew for the Royal Shakespeare Company, The Anniversary at the Garrick Theatre and The Emperor Jones, Market Boy and Sing Yer Heart Out for the Lads, all at the National Theatre. John is best known to TV audiences as PC Joseph Penhale in the hit ITV series Doc Martin.

Sheridan Smith is an award-winning stage and screen actress, whose acclaimed West End credits include most recently playing the title role in Shirley Valentine at the Duke of York’s Theatre. Her performance as Elle Woods in Legally Blonde at the Savoy Theatre and as Doris in Flare Path at Theatre Royal Haymarket, both garnered her Olivier Awards, and the latter the Evening Standard Award as Best Actress. She received further Olivier nominations for her performance as Audrey in Little Shop of Horrors at the Menier Chocolate Factory and Duke of York’s Theatre, and Fanny Brice in Funny Girl at the Savoy Theatre. Other notable performances include Hedda Gabler at The Old Vic, Titania in A Midsummer Night’s Dream at the Noël Coward Theatre, the Narrator in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat at the London Palladium, and her stage debut as Little Red Riding Hood in Into the Woods at the Donmar Warehouse. Amongst her prolific screen roles, Sheridan was Emmy-nominated and won a BAFTA as Mrs Biggs, and further BAFTA-nominated for The C Word and her titular role in Cilla, for which she was also Emmy-nominated. Big screen credits include Dustin Hoffman’s Quartet and most recently The Railway Children Return.  She has released two albums, titled Sheridan and A Northern Soul, resulting in two Classic BRIT Award nominations.

Based on John Cassavetes’ legendary film, OPENING NIGHT follows a theatre company’s preparations to stage a major new play on Broadway. But drama ignites behind the scenes when their leading lady is rocked by tragedy, and her personal turmoil forces everybody to deliver the performance of their lives. 

OPENING NIGHT has a Book by Ivo van Hove with Music and Lyrics by Rufus Wainwright. It is Directed and conceived by Ivo van Hove, has Set, Lighting and Video Design by Jan Versweyveld, Costume Design by An D’Huys and Sound Design by Tom Gibbons and Alex Twiselton. Orchestrations are by Rufus Wainwright, with Musical Supervision and Musical Direction by Nigel Lilley. Movement and Choreography is by Polly Bennett, Casting by Julia Horan CDG and the Associate Director is Daniel Raggett.