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NOMINATIONS ANNOUNCED FOR THE

24^TH ANNUAL WHATSONSTAGE AWARDS

GUYS & DOLLS LEADS WITH 12 NOMINATIONS

AND DEAR ENGLAND LEADS THE STRAIGHT PLAY CATEGORIES

WITH 10 NOMINATIONS IN A BUMPER YEAR FOR THE NATIONAL THEATRE

Hiba Elchikhe and Tim Mahendran today announced the nominations for the 24^th Annual WhatsOnStage Awards, the only major theatre prize-giving decided by the theatregoers themselves. The announcement of the nominations marks the opening of the final voting stage (until 11 January), with winners announced at the annual Awards ceremony held on 11 February 2024 at The London Palladium for the first time in the awards’ history.

WhatsOnStage’s Darius Thompson and Alex Wood said today, “Watching our readers nominating in their record-setting droves was such a fantastic way to spend November and we’re thrilled to see them generate such a stellar and vibrant shortlist – filled with rising stars shoulder-to-shoulder with long-time favourites. It’s been an incredible year for the National Theatre, under out-going Artistic Director Rufus Norris, seeing the flagship venue receive an incredible 24 nominations across 5 productions – two of which, Dear England and The Motive and The Cue also transferred to the West End.

“Alongside our co-producers Alex Parker and Damian Sandys we’ve been assembling an exciting concert line-up laden with new musicals and fan favourites – ready to rock the iconic London Palladium in February. Now, it’s up to you to decide who take home the top prizes on the night!”

The Bridge Theatre’s critically acclaimed smash-hit production of Guys & Dolls leads the pack this year, with 12 nominations including Best Performer in a Musical for Marisha Wallace, Best Supporting Performer in a Musical for Cedric Neal, Best Professional Debut Performance for Andrew Richardson, Best Direction for Nicholas Hytner, Best Musical Revival, as well as nominations for Best Musical Supervision (Tom Brady), Best Choreography (Arlene Phillips with James Cousins), Best Costume Design (Bunny Christie), Best Lighting Design (Paule Constable), Best Set Design (Bunny Christie), Best Sound Design (Paul Arditti – double nominated for his work on Stranger Things: The First Shadow), and Best Graphic Design (Bridge Theatre). Also performing strongly in the musical categories are Jamie Lloyd’s production of Sunset Boulevard with Nicole Scherzinger with 9 nominations, and Michael Longhurst’s production of Next to Normal at the Donmar Warehouse with 6 nominations.

This year was a brilliant one for the National Theatre, who receive 24 nominations in total – they lead the straight play categories with their phenomenally successful production of James Graham’s Dear England with 10 nominations, including Best Performer in a Play for Joseph Fiennes’ portrayal of Gareth Southgate, Best Supporting Performer in a Play for Will Close, Best Direction for Rupert Goold, Best New Play, Best Casting Direction for Bryony Jarvis-Taylor – also nominated for her work on The Witches, Best Choreography (Ellen Kane and Hannes Langolf), Best Lighting Design for Jon Clark – one of 3 nominations for Clark, Best Sound Design (Dan Balfour and Tom Gibbons), Best Video Design for Ash J Woodward – also nominated for The Witches, and Best Graphic Design (Rick Guest, Rob Rae and the NT Graphics Studio). Also featuring strongly in the straight play categories are Stranger Things: The First Shadow, currently in previews at the Phoenix Theatre, with 8 nominations, and The Effect – also directed by Lloyd, with 5 nominations at the National Theatre.

In addition to nominations for Dear England, The Effect and The Witches, the National Theatre takes nominations for The Motive and The Cue – about to open in the West End, and Phaedra.

Completing the gender-free performance categories, in the Best Performer in a Play category, facing Joseph Fiennes are Paapa Essiedu and Taylor Russell both for The Effect, Andrew Scott for VANYA, Sheridan Smith for Shirley Valentine, and James Norton for A Little Life. The latter production, also saw a double nomination in the Best Supporting Performer in a Play for Luke Thompson and Zubin Varla, who go up against Michele Austin (also for The Effect), Will Close (Dear England), Bryony Corrigan (I, Daniel Blake), and Anjana Vasan (A Streetcar Named Desire).

In the Best Performer in a Musical category Scherzinger and Wallace face stiff competition from Next to Normal’s Caissie Levy, Michael Ahomka-Lindsay for Disney’s Newsies, Natasha Hodgson for Operation Mincemeat, and Ed Larkin for The Little Bigs Things; and in the Best Supporting Performer in a Musical category, Cedric Neal’s fellow nominees are Aynrand Ferrer for Miss Saigon, Jak Malone for Operation Mincemeat, Jason Manford for The Wizard of Oz, Amy Trigg for The Little Big Things and Jack Wolfe for Next to Normal.

Completing the performance categories, in Professional Debut alongside Andrew Richardson are Rita Bernard-Shaw for Trouble in Butetown, Laura Dawkes for Frozen, Lou Henry for SIX, Grace Hodgett-Young for Sunset Boulevard, and Louis McCartney for Stranger Things: The First Shadow; and in Best Takeover, Karis Anderson (TINA – The Tina Turner Musical), Cory English (Back to the Future: The Musical), Lucy St.Louis (Wicked) and three nominations for Cabaret for Mason Alexander Park, Rebecca Lucy Taylor AKA Self Esteem, and Aimee Lou Wood.

Best New Musical is a closely contested category with Disney’s Newsies, The Little Big Things, Mrs Doubtfire, Next to Normal, Operation Mincemeat, and The Time Traveller’s Wife in contention; with Best Musical Revival featuring La Cage aux Folles, The Lord of the Rings, The Sound of Music and The Wizard of Oz up against the heavily nominated Guys & Dolls and Sunset Boulevard.

Dear England goes up against A Little Life, Cowbois, Hamnet, The Motive and The Cue and Stranger Things: The First Shadow for Best New Play; with Best Revival of a Play seeing nominations for A Streetcar Named Desire, The Effect, The Merchant of Venice 1936, The Pillowman, Shirley Valentine and VANYA.

Hytner and Goold, are joined by Polly Findlay for Assassins, Rebecca Frecknall for A Streetcar Named Desire, Jamie Lloyd for Sunset Boulevard and Sam Mendes for The Motive and The Cue in a heavily garlanded Best Direction category.

The long runners battle it out for Best West End Show, with Back to the Future: The Musical, Cabaret, Les Misérables, Moulin Rouge! The Musical, The Phantom of the Opera and SIX all aiming to be the fan favourite; with Best Off-West End Production featuring Flowers for Mrs Harris, George Takei’s Allegiance, Othello, Rebecca, Scouts! The Musical and The Shape of Things; and Best Regional Production between Boys from the Blackstuff, Choir Boy, In Dreams, The Lord of the Rings, Miss Saigon and To Wong Foo The Musical; and again a strong year for the Best Concert, a form that continues with strength post pandemic, with Ariana DeBose and Darren Criss up against Evita, Love Never Dies, Once and Schwartz at 75.

Taking place on Sunday 11 February 2024, the evening will see winners crowned across a range of categories. Theatregoers will also enjoy a host of exclusive live performances, which will be announced soon, from top stage talent, accompanied by a 24-piece orchestra. The event, co-produced with creative directors Alex Parker and Damian Sandys, is currently on sale.

Now in their 24th year, the WhatsOnStage Awards are the only major theatre awards decided by the theatregoers themselves. 

awards.whatsonstage.com

lwtheatres.co.uk 

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Instagram: @WhatsOnStage

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NOMINATIONS IN FULL:

BEST PERFORMER IN A MUSICAL SPONSORED BY TICKX                              

Michael Ahomka-Lindsay, Disney’s Newsies, Troubadour Wembley Park Theatre

Natasha Hodgson, Operation Mincemeat, Fortune Theatre

Ed Larkin, The Little Big Things, @ sohoplace

Caissie Levy, Next to Normal, Donmar Warehouse

Nicole Scherzinger, Sunset Boulevard, Savoy Theatre

Marisha Wallace, Guys & Dolls, Bridge Theatre

BEST SUPPORTING PERFORMER IN A MUSICAL SPONSORED BY NEWMAN DISPLAYS                      

Aynrand Ferrer, Miss Saigon, Sheffield Crucible

Jak Malone, Operation Mincemeat, Fortune Theatre

Jason Manford, The Wizard of Oz, The London Palladium

Cedric Neal, Guys & Dolls, Bridge Theatre

Amy Trigg, The Little Big Things, @ sohoplace

Jack Wolfe, Next to Normal, Donmar Warehouse

BEST PERFORMER IN A PLAY SPONSORED BY SINE DIGITAL                                        

Paapa Essiedu,   The Effect, National Theatre

Joseph Fiennes, Dear England, National Theatre / Prince Edward Theatre

James Norton, A Little Life, Harold Pinter Theatre / Savoy Theatre

Taylor Russell, The Effect, National Theatre

Andrew Scott, VANYA, Duke of York’s Theatre

Sheridan Smith, Shirley Valentine, Duke of York’s Theatre

BEST SUPPORTING PERFORMER IN A PLAY                                                       

Michele Austin, The Effect, National Theatre

Will Close, Dear England, National Theatre / Prince Edward Theatre

Bryony Corrigan, I, Daniel Blake, UK tour

Luke Thompson, A Little Life, Harold Pinter Theatre / Savoy Theatre

Zubin Varla, A Little Life, Harold Pinter Theatre / Savoy Theatre

Anjana Vasan, A Streetcar Named Desire, Almeida Theatre / Phoenix Theatre

BEST TAKEOVER PERFORMANCE SPONSORED BY AKT LONDON                                

Karis Anderson, TINA – The Tina Turner Musical, Aldwych Theatre

Cory English, Back to the Future: The Musical, Adelphi Theatre

Mason Alexander Park, Cabaret, The Kit Kat Club at the Playhouse Theatre

Lucy St. Louis, Wicked, Apollo Victoria Theatre

Rebecca Lucy Taylor, Cabaret, The Kit Kat Club at the Playhouse Theatre

Aimee Lou Wood, Cabaret, The Kit Kat Club at the Playhouse Theatre

BEST PROFESSIONAL DEBUT PERFORMANCE SPONSORED BY AKA                                         

Rita Bernard-Shaw, Trouble in Butetown, Donmar Warehouse

Laura Dawkes, Frozen, Theatre Royal Drury Lane

Lou Henry, SIX, UK tour

Grace Hodgett-Young, Sunset Boulevard, Savoy Theatre

Louis McCartney, Stranger Things: The First Shadow, Phoenix Theatre

Andrew Richardson, Guys & Dolls, Bridge Theatre

BEST NEW MUSICAL SPONSORED BY TRAVELZOO                                          

Disney’s Newsies, Troubadour Wembley Park Theatre

The Little Big Things, @sohoplace

Mrs. Doubtfire, Shaftesbury Theatre

Next to Normal, Donmar Warehouse

Operation Mincemeat, Fortune Theatre

The Time Traveller’s Wife, Apollo Theatre

BEST MUSICAL REVIVAL SPONSORED BY CONCORD THEATRICALS                                          

Guys & Dolls, Bridge Theatre

La Cage aux Folles, Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre

The Lord of the Rings, The Watermill Theatre

The Sound of Music, Chichester Festival Theatre

Sunset Boulevard, Savoy Theatre

The Wizard of Oz, Curve, Leicester and The London Palladium

BEST NEW PLAY SPONSORED BY TICKETMASTER                                            

A Little Life, Harold Pinter Theatre / Savoy Theatre

Cowbois, Swan Theatre

Dear England, National Theatre / Prince Edward Theatre

Hamnet , Swan Theatre / Garrick Theatre

The Motive and the Cue, National Theatre

Stranger Things: The First Shadow, Phoenix Theatre

BEST PLAY REVIVAL SPONSORED BY EDWARDIAN HOTELS, OFFICAL HOTEL PARTNER                      

A Streetcar Named Desire, Almeida Theatre / Phoenix Theatre

The Effect, National Theatre

The Merchant of Venice 1936, UK tour

The Pillowman, Duke of York’s Theatre

Shirley Valentine, Duke of York’s Theatre

VANYA, Duke of York’s Theatre

BEST WEST END SHOW SPONSORED BY DEWYNTERS                                    

Back to the Future: The Musical, Adelphi Theatre

Cabaret, Kit Kat Club at the Playhouse Theatre

Les Misérables, Sondheim Theatre

Moulin Rouge! The Musical, Piccadilly Theatre

The Phantom of the Opera, His Majesty’s Theatre

SIX, Vaudeville Theatre

BEST REGIONAL PRODUCTION SPONSORED BY MUSIC THEATRE INTERNATIONAL                            

Boys from the Black Stuff, Royal Court, Liverpool

Choir Boy, Bristol Old Vic

In Dreams, Leeds Playhouse

The Lord of the Rings, The Watermill Theatre

Miss Saigon, Sheffield Crucible

To Wong Foo The Musical, Hope Mill Theatre, Manchester

BEST OFF-WEST END PRODUCTION SPONSORED BY THEATRICAL RIGHTS WORLDWIDE                  

Flowers for Mrs Harris, Riverside Studios

George Takei’s Allegiance, Charing Cross Theatre

Othello, Riverside Studios

Rebecca, Charing Cross Theatre

Scouts! The Musical, The Other Palace Studio

The Shape of Things, Park Theatre

BEST CONCERT EVENT                                               

Ariana DeBose in Concert, The London Palladium

Darren Criss, The London Palladium

Evita in Concert, Theatre Royal Drury Lane

Love Never Dies in Concert, Theatre Royal Drury Lane

Once – In Concert, The London Palladium

Schwartz at 75, Lyric Theatre

BEST DIRECTION SPONSORED BY LOVETHEATRE                              

Polly Findlay, Assassins, Chichester Festival Theatre

Rebecca Frecknall, A Streetcar Named Desire, Almeida Theatre / Phoenix Theatre

Rupert Goold, Dear England, National Theatre / Prince Edward Theatre

Nicholas Hytner, Guys & Dolls, Bridge Theatre

Jamie Lloyd, Sunset Boulevard, Savoy Theatre

Sam Mendes, The Motive and the Cue, National Theatre

BEST MUSICAL DIRECTION/SUPERVISION                                                         

Mark Aspinall and Sioned Saunders, The Lord of the Rings, The Watermill Theatre

Nick Barstow and Nigel Lilley, Next To Normal, Donmar Warehouse

Cat Beveridge and Nigel Lilley, The Witches, National Theatre

Tom Brady, Guys & Dolls, Bridge Theatre

Stephen Brooker, Alfonso Casado Trigo and Stephen Metcalfe,

Stephen Sondheim’s Old Friends, Gielgud Theatre

Alan Williams, Sunset Boulevard, Savoy Theatre

BEST CASTING DIRECTION                                                       

Alastair Coomer and Naomi Downham, The Motive and the Cue, National Theatre

Anna Cooper, Next to Normal, Donmar Warehouse

Jill Green, The Little Big Things, @ sohoplace

Bryony Jarvis-Taylor, Dear England, National Theatre / Prince Edward Theatre

Bryony Jarvis-Taylor, The Witches, National Theatre

Jessica Ronane, Charlotte Sutton and Jim Carnahan, Stranger Things: The First Shadow,

Phoenix Theatre

BEST CHOREOGRAPHY SPONSORED BY TANDEM MARKETING                                  

Fabian Aloise, Sunset Boulevard, Savoy Theatre

Matt Cole, Disney’s Newsies, Troubadour Wembley Park Theatre

Ellen Kane and Hannes Langolf, Dear England, National Theatre / Prince Edward Theatre

Stephen Mear, La Cage aux Folles, Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre

Arlene Phillips with James Cousins, Guys & Dolls, Bridge Theatre

Kenrick ‘H2O’ Sandy, Free Your Mind, Factory International

BEST COSTUME DESIGN                                             

Bunny Christie, Guys & Dolls, Bridge Theatre

Lizzie Clachan, The Witches, National Theatre

Ryan Dawson Laight, La Cage aux Folles, Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre

Gregory Gale, To Wong Foo The Musical, Hope Mill Theatre, Manchester

Gareth Pugh, Free Your Mind, Factory International

Grace Smart, Cowbois, Swan Theatre

BEST LIGHTING DESIGN SPONSORED BY WHITE LIGHT                                  

Rory Beaton and Lucy Carter, The Time Traveller’s Wife, Apollo Theatre

Jon Clark, Dear England, National Theatre / Prince Edward Theatre

Jon Clark, The Effect, National Theatre

Jon Clark, Stranger Things: The First Shadow, Phoenix Theatre

Paule Constable, Guys & Dolls, Bridge Theatre

Jack Knowles, Sunset Boulevard, Savoy Theatre

BEST SET DESIGN SPONSORED BY PREEVUE                                      

Miriam Buether, Stranger Things: The First Shadow, Phoenix Theatre

Bunny Christie, Guys & Dolls, Bridge Theatre

Lizzie Clachan, Assassins, Chichester Festival Theatre

Lizzie Clachan, The Witches, National Theatre

Chloe Lamford, Phaedra, National Theatre

Morgan Large, Disney’s Newsies, Troubadour Wembley Park Theatre

BEST SOUND DESIGN                                                 

Paul Arditti, Guys & Dolls, Bridge Theatre

Paul Arditti, Stranger Things: The First Shadow, Phoenix Theatre

Dan Balfour and Tom Gibbons, Dear England, National Theatre / Prince Edward Theatre

Adam Fisher, The Lord of the Rings, The Watermill Theatre

Adam Fisher, Sunset Boulevard, Savoy Theatre

Tony Gayle, Next to Normal, Donmar Warehouse

BEST VIDEO DESIGN SPONSORED BY GDL                                          

59 Productions, Stranger Things: The First Shadow, Phoenix Theatre

Nathan Amzi and Joe Ransom, Sunset Boulevard, Savoy Theatre

Andrzej Goulding, Miss Saigon, Sheffield Crucible

Andrzej Goulding, The Time Traveller’s Wife, Apollo Theatre

Ash J Woodward, Dear England, National Theatre / Prince Edward Theatre

Ash J Woodward, The Witches, National Theatre

BEST GRAPHIC DESIGN SPONSORED BY HEXAGON PRINT                                           

Bob King Creative, Operation Mincemeat, Fortune Theatre

Bridge Theatre, Guys & Dolls, Bridge Theatre

Jeremy Coysten and North Design, Free Your Mind, Factory International

The Creative Partnership, Stranger Things: The First Shadow, Phoenix Theatre

Feast Creative, La Cage aux Folles, Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre

Rick Guest, Rob Rae and the NT Graphics Studio, Dear England, National Theatre / Prince Edward Theatre

Theatr Clwyd, Yr Wyddgrug/Mold – until Saturday 6th January 2024

Reviewed by Julie Noller

5*****

It’s Pantomime!!!!! Which means Christmas is getting ever closer, love it or loathe it you can’t deny it’s appeal. Changes may be afoot with the refurbishment of Theatr Clwyd which has seen the main auditorium named after famed actor Anthony Hopkins out of action. We have questioned could Panto be cancelled (oh the shock and the horror) but hurrah approaching Mold a new construction has set locals talking ‘have you seen the big top?’ Double hurrah Panto is saved. I was amazed to discover that Theatr Clwyds Big Top Theatre can seat upwards of 900 people!!!! I loved the lay out a large square sized set placed perfectly in the middle, it was brightly lit with lots of neon lights. The sound was clear and we had no difficulty in hearing any voices or music. The only difficulty I actually had was in realising I was sat in a tent; on top of a hill on an icy cold evening. The welcome was warm and friendly in fact the only frostiness was in the ice creams at interval time!

So it’s Panto there are certain checklists to expect and they were all ticked, silliness with added fart jokes, slight mishaps that you are never sure were always meant to go wrong, bright lights, singsongs, super squirter waterguns, magical bubbles. All ticked off, for those few people who have never been to Panto or to my utter disbelief refuse to go to Panto because its just not theatre darling; I doubt I can change your mind but to see 900 people laughing, singing, clapping and not to mention the joy of a child who is utterly amazed at so many fart jokes is priceless.

Sleeping Beauty has been given the rock n roll panto effect by writer Christian Patterson. It contains many songs we found ourselves singing away to from Kate Bush to Supergrass via AC/DC this is the rock n roll panto after all. Most of the cast we recognise obviously they all love Theatr Clwyd and Panto as much as we do.

Ben Locke 2023 Villain of the Year award winner (so very well deserved) is captivating as Mordecai a sort of fairyesque panto version of he who can’t be named. His version of a puffy overweight french chef had us in stitches and changes to his voice were superb, he is aided by sidekicks Snarl and Fang (Theo Diedrick and Alice McKenna). Celia Cruwys-Finnigan portrays Muddles a girls best friend who just as I was beginning to think they were all going to sing down and play up the comedy smashed a heart churning ballad out into the Flintshire countryside. There’s King Dom acting like he’s straight out of a Black Adder episode with added farts just to make sure Dan Bottomley isn’t taking his role too seriously, his daughter Beauty wants to climb, wants to explore isn’t too sure of her place and doesn’t quite understand why. Emma Kinney tries her hardest to bring out the stronger sides of her character. Our three fairies Cariad (Ai Kumar), Cwtch (Caitlin Lavagna) and Calon (Georgina White) amazed and dazzled; I was captivated by their makeup, hair and outfits. They were our storytellers along with Olwen the spider voiced by Sian Gibson.

There are moments of behind yous and oh no your nots for what is any Panto without those bits of simple joy. Now to the elephant in the room, no quite literally the elephant mobility scooter that delivers us Nurse Nellie the absolute main star without any doubt. Poor Nathan (there will be always be a Nathan) plucked from the front row, made to sign a pre nup, introduced as Nellies next husband.

Phylip Harries has been encouraging and delighting audiences for 20 years as Molds very own Dame, Nurse Nellie from Abergele, we all responded to queries of how she looked with ‘looking lush love’ I checked with that great online oracle and apparently 41 years is the record to beat, no pressure there then. I and many others wait for the costumes and the one liners that we can take comfort in as sure as Santa brings us presents then Nurse Nellie delivered laughs a plenty. Do you believe you’ll be sat in an audience rocking out 12 days of christmas? Rock n roll stylee sees 900 people belting out ‘5 toilet rolls’ and the Big Top stage set up is perfect for audience to cast interactions, they run up and down the stairs although its hard to explain bloomers on a string and everyone enjoyed batting beachballs around. The only serious point I have to make is how perfectly insync with modern society Christian Patterson has written this panto with local touches including the dreaded 20mph scheme but that no girl needs a Prince Charming she just needs self belief and the love of a best friend.

A singsong then brought to an end the perfect night wishing everyone a Merry Christmas and looking forward to many more nights at Theatr Clwyd and seeing Phylip Harries daming it up for next years Rock ‘n’ Roll Panto.

CAST ANNOUNCED
 for the much-awaited London premiere of
‘Cruel Intentions: The ‘90s Musical’
at The Other Palace

The stage musical is based on the hit 1999 Hollywood movie (now celebrating its 25th anniversary) and is packed with ‘90s pop classics from Britney Spears, Boyz II Men, Christina Aguilera, TLC, Natalie Imbruglia, The Verve, *NSYNC, R.E.M and many more!

 OPENING 11 JANUARY 2024 for a 14-week season

Bill Kenwright Ltd is delighted to announce the cast for the London premiere of Cruel Intentions: The ‘90s Musical. Rhianne-Louise McCaulsky (Six) and Daniel Bravo (Witness for the Prosecution) lead the cast as Kathryn and Sebastian the manipulative step-siblings, with Abbie Budden (Peter Pan, TikTok star) as Annette and Rose Galbraith (Old Friends) as Cecile.

Completing the line-up are Josh Barnett (Newsies, Last 5 Years) as Blaine, Jess Buckby (42nd Street, Anything Goes) as Ms Bunny Caldwell / Dr Greenbaum, Nickcolia King-N’Da (RSC) as Ronald and Barney Wilkinson (Bonnie & Clyde, Bat out of Hell) as Greg, with further casting to be announced.

Step-siblings Sebastian Valmont and Kathryn Merteuil, manipulative monsters flushed with their own sexual prowess, engage in a cruel bet: Kathryn goads Sebastian into attempting to seduce Annette Hargrove, the headmaster’s virtuous daughter.  Weaving a web of secrets and temptation, as the two set out to destroy an innocent girl – and anyone who gets in their way – their vengeful crusade wreaks havoc on the students at their exclusive Manhattan high school and the diabolical duo become entangled in their own mesh of deception and unexpected romance, with explosive results…

Based on Roger Kumble’s classic hit film Cruel Intentions, starring Reese Witherspoon, Ryan Phillippe, Sarah Michelle Gellar and Selma Blair – this year celebrating its 25th anniversary – and also inspired by the French novel, Les Liaisons Dangereuses, Cruel Intentions: The ‘90s Musical was created by Jordan Ross, Lindsey Rosin, and Roger Kumble.

A wild nostalgic throwback laced with a soundtrack of the greatest ‘90s pop classics, all performed live, including ‘Bittersweet Symphony’ by The Verve, R.E.M’s ‘Losing My Religion’, Natalie Imbruglia’s ‘Torn’, ‘I Saw the Sign’ by Ace of Base, Christina Aguilera’s ‘Genie in a Bottle’, TLC’s ‘No Scrubs’, Boyz II Men’s ‘I’ll Make Love to You’, *NSYNC’s ‘Bye Bye Bye’, Britney Spears’ ’Sometimes’ and many more.

Roger Kumble said: “The perfect 25th anniversary celebration of my 1999 film about a pair of hedonistic Manhattan step-siblings is seeing it re-imagined on the London stage as a musical. It’s an amazing show with a soundtrack loaded with all the greatest ‘90s guilty pleasures songs. Even people who hate musicals will love it!”

This London premiere is produced by Bill Kenwright Ltd, who recently produced the smash hit Heathers The Musical to great success in the West End, on UK tour and at The Other Palace.

Josh Barnett (Blaine Tuttle/Court Reynolds) was Race in Newsies (Troubador Theatre), alternate Jamie in The Last 5 Years (international tour), swing in Anything Goes (Barbican), and Rodger in Grease (UK tour).

Daniel Bravo (Sebastian Valmont) was 1st cover Leonard Vole in Witness For The Prosecution (County Hall), George Holly in Suddenly Last Summer (The English Theatre Frankfurt), Patrick in Elegies for Angels, Punks and Raging Queens (King’s Head Theatre) and Luke in Speak (Paines Plough).

Jess Buckby (Mrs. Bunny Caldwell/Dr. Greenbaum) was Ann Reilly in 42nd Street (Théâtre du Châtelet, Paris), Angel (Virtue) & understudy Reno Sweeney in Anything Goes (Barbican/UK tour), Mimsie in Funny Girl (Théâtre Marigny, Paris), 1st cover Morticia in The Addams Family (UK tour).

Abbie Budden (Annette Hargrove) was Tiger Lil in Peter Pan (Capitol Theatre) and has gained 1.5m followers on TikTok through a series of hugely popular self-written and performed comedy sketches.

Rose Galbraith (Cecile Caldwell/Marci Greenbaum) was in Sondheim’s Old Friends (Gielgud Theatre) and Maria Friedman and Friends: Legacy (Menier Chocolate Factory) and High Society (West Green House Opera). On TV she was in Dalgliesh: The Murder Room (C5).

Nickcolia King-N’Da (Ronald Clifford) was Simon Chachava in The Caucasian Chalk Circle (Michael Grandage Company, Rose Theatre Kingston), Boy/Myself in Boys (Barbican), Shakie in The Death of a Black Man (Hampstead Theatre) and Venice Preserv’d and The Provoked Wife (at the RSC). He recently filmed two upcoming movies, Dali and Monique.

Rhianne-Louise McCaulsky (Kathryn Merteuil) was Catherine Of Aragon in Six (Vaudeville). Her other West End shows include Alline Bullock/Tina Turner in Tina, The Tina Turner Story, Bat Out of Hell for which she won a nomination for Best Understudy in the 2018 West End Wilma Awards; and The Book of Mormon. She was also Rizzo in Grease (UK tour).

Barney Wilkinson (Greg) was alternate Clyde in Bonnie & Clyde (Garrick/Arts Theatre), alternate Strat in Bat Out of Hell (Dominion), Jack in Into The Woods, directed by Terry Gilliam (Theatre Royal Bath), Adam/Artie Green in Sunset Boulevard (The Curve UK tour & international tour), Young Gideon in Sting’s The Last Ship (Toronto). On TV  he was in Dr Who, Grantchester and Father Brown. He recently played Joe Buck in the workshop of Midnight Cowboy, directed by Nick Winston.
Creative Team:

Director Jonathan O’Boyle
Associate Director & Choreographer Gary Lloyd
Set & Costume Designer Polly Sullivan
Lighting Designer Nick Richings
Sound Designer Chris Whybrow
Musical Director Denise Crowley
Associate Choreographer Matt Nicholson
Costume Supervisor Hugo Aguirre
Casting Will Burton for Grindrod Burton

LISTINGS INFO

Cruel Intentions: The ’90s Musical

Created by Jordan Ross, Lindsey Rosin,
and Roger Kumble
Based on the original hit film by
Roger Kumble
Originally produced by Eva Price

Thursday 11 January – Sunday 14 April 2024

The Other Palace
12 Palace Street
London
SW1E 5JA

Box Office: 020 7592 0302

Website: www.theotherpalace.co.uk

Tickets: from £25.50**

**The ticket price includes a 50p
contribution from every ticket sold to a
development fund to enable The Other
Palace to develop and support new writing.

Facebook: cruel Intentions musical UK
Twitter: @CruelMusicalUK
Instagram: @CruelMusicalUK
Tiktok: @CruelMusicalUK
website: www.cruelmusical.co.uk

The Original Off-Broadway cast of Cruel Intentions: The ’90s Musical
is available to listen to on Spotify https://spoti.fi/2xqRDog

After two sold out runs in Los Angeles, Cruel Intentions: The ‘90s Musical made its New York
debut at Greenwich Village nightclub Le Poisson Rouge where it extended three times.

LUCIAN MSAMATI AND BEN WHISHAW STAR IN

SAMUEL BECKETT’S

WAITING FOR GODOT

DIRECTED BY JAMES MACDONALD

OPENING AT THEATRE ROYAL HAYMARKET

SEPTEMBER 2024

Kate Horton for Fictionhouse and Len Blavatnik and Danny Cohen for Access Entertainment, in association with Kate Pakenham Productions, today announce a new production of Samuel Beckett’s Waiting for Godot, directed by James Macdonald and starring Lucian Msamati (Estragon) and Ben Whishaw (Vladimir), with further casting to be announced. The production opens at Theatre Royal Haymarket in September 2024 and will play a strictly limited run.

Lucian Msamati said today, “The wait has been worth it!  I look forward to making merry mischief with James Macdonald for the first time and a too long overdue reunion with the creative brilliance and genuine spirit that is Ben Whishaw”.

Ben Whishaw said today, “When I was 18 I was doing an art foundation course in Bedford and went one night with a friend to London to see a play that was part of a season of plays by Samuel Beckett at the Barbican Theatre. The play was Waiting for Godot. The next day I dropped out of my art course, having decided I wanted to study acting instead. I am unbelievably thrilled and excited – and a little terrified too – to be having this chance to perform Beckett’s utterly radical and incredibly beautiful play. It has haunted me since that night 25 years ago. And to get to do it with Lucian Msamati and James Macdonald … well, that’s just a dream”.

James Macdonald said, “I am beyond excited to be working with Fictionhouse on one of my favourite plays of all time – and above all what a pleasure and a privilege to be doing that with Lucian and Ben, amazing collaborators and two of our very greatest theatre artists”. 

Kate Horton, Fictionhouse, also commented, “We have long wanted to reunite with James, Ben and Lucian since Ben starred in James’s superlative world premiere production of Cock by Mike Bartlett and with Lucian in multi-award winning Clybourne Park by Bruce Norris, which Dominic Cooke directed. I can’t think of a better way to bring their triple talents together than in Samuel Beckett’s theatrical masterpiece. This production is for experienced theatregoers and those making their first trip alike – and everyone who is still a student of life”.

Danny Cohen, President, Access Entertainment said, “We’re thrilled to be welcoming Ben Whishaw and Lucian Msamati to the Haymarket in a new production of Waiting for Godot directed by James Macdonald. It is of course a brilliant and timeless play, with a stellar creative team bringing it back to the West End”.

Further casting and dates to be announced.

Waiting for Godot will go on sale in February 2024. Individuals can register their interest and sign up for priority booking here: www.waitingforgodotplay.com

Didi and Gogo wait by a tree for a man named Godot. They don’t know who he is, why they are meeting or what time he is coming – only that something incredible could happen when he does…

“Let us do something, while we have the chance… at this place, at this moment of time, all mankind is us, whether we like it or not. Let us make the most of it before it is too late!” 

Don’t miss the play that changed the rules. Waiting for Godot opens at the historic Theatre Royal Haymarket for a strictly limited run from September 2024.

Lucian Msamati plays Estragon.Theatre credits include Master Harrold and the Boys, Amadeus, Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom (National Theatre), A Wolf in Snakeskin Shoes (The Tricycle), Othello (RSC), Little Revolution (Almeida Theatre), The Amen Corner (National Theatre), If You Don’t Let us Dream We Won’t Let You A Sleep, Belong (Royal Court), Comedy of Errors (National Theatre), Clybourne Park (Royal Court/West End), Ruined (Almeida Theatre), Death and The Kings Horsman (National Theatre), The Resistabe Rise of Arturo Ui (Lyric Hammersmith), 1807- The First Act (Shakespeare’s Globe), Pericles (RSC), The Overwhelming (National Theatre), Walk Hard, Fabulation, Gem Of The Ocean (The Tricycle), Who Killed Mr Drum (Riverside), President of An Empty Room (National Theatre), Twelfth Night (Sheffield Crucible), Mourning Becomes Electra (National Theatre), I.D. (Almeida Theatre), Romeo & Juliet (The Dancehouse, Manchester), The Taming of the Shrew (Bath Shakespeare Festival), Born African (Arthur Seaton Theatre, New York), Twelfth Night (Neuss Globe Theatre, Germany), Fade to Black (Harare International Festival of Arts), Eternal Peace Asylum (American Repertory Theatre), Loot, Urfaust (Reps Theatre), Rocky Horror Picture Show (Seven Arts Theatre) and A Midsummer Night’s Dream (NTO Zimbawbe). Television credits include  Gangs of London (2 Seasons), Chemistry of Death, Dark Materials, Black Earth Rising, Kiri, Philip K Dick’s Electric Dreams, Taboo, George Gently, Luther, Game of Thrones, Death in Paradise, Richard III, No.1 Ladies Detective Agency, Dr Who, Ashes To Ashes, Spooks, Just Like Ronaldinho, Ultimate Force, Too Close for Comfort, The Knock and Heads and Tales. Film credits include Conclave, Breaking Point, The Good Liar, The Seekers, The International, Coffin, Legend of the Sky, Kingdom, Dr Juju and Lumumba. Radio credits include: An Elegy For Easterly, Mugabe: God’s President, The Jero Plays, The Homecoming, Seventh Street and Alchemy and Colours.

Lucian is a founder member of Zimbabwe’s Over the Edge theatre company and former Artistic Director of Tiata Fahodzi.

Ben Whishaw plays Vladimir. Ben is a multi award-winning British actor. His notable film credits include the role of Q in Skyfall, Spectre and No Time To Die; the voice of Paddington in Paddington and Paddington 2;  Perfume: The Story of a Murderer; Jane Campion’s Bright Star; Cloud Atlas; Tom Hooper’s multi award-winning The Danish Girl; The Lobster; in the role of Mr. Banks in Disney’s Mary Poppins Returns; Armando Iannucci’s The Personal History of David Copperfield; Alice Englert’s Bad Behaviour with Jennifer Connelly; and Passages with Franz Rogowski and Adèle Exarchopoulos. We last saw Ben in Sarah Polley’s Women Talking, alongside Claire Foy and Frances McDormand, for which he was nominated for a Satellite Award, a Hollywood Critics Association Film Award and longlisted for a BAFTA for Best Supporting Actor.

It has been announced that he will reprise his role as the voice of the titular bear in Paddington in Peru and last year, he wrapped filming Limonov, The Ballad of Eddie in Russia and Latvia, in which he stars as Eduard Limonov. He’ll star in the short film, Good Boy, the directorial debut of Tom Stuart with the support of Gia Coppola.

Ben’s TV credits include his role as Norman Scott in the mini-series A Very English Scandal opposite Hugh Grant. This performance saw Ben recognised with a Golden Globe forBest Supporting Actor – Series, Miniseries, or Motion Picture Made for Television,along with a Primetime Emmy Award and a BAFTA. Criminal Justice, The Hour, Fargo and a BAFTA award-winning performance in The Hollow Crown. He starred in the lead role of This Is Going To Hurt, the series adaptation of Adam Kay’s bestselling novel, for which he won Leading Actor in the 2023 BAFTA TV Awards along with Outstanding Performance in a New Series at the 2022 Gotham Awards and winning in the Best Actor category at the Broadcasting Press Guild Awards. Ben was nominated for numerous awards as well including Best Actor by the TV Choice Awards; a Critic’s Choice Awards for Best Actor In A Limited Series or Movie Made For Television and a Gold Derby Award for Limited / Movie Actor.

He is currently filming Black Doves (Netflix) and is starring alongside Keira Knightley and Sarah Lancashire.

Ben’s theatre credits have included Mojo (Harold Pinter Theatre), Peter and Alice (Noel Coward), Some Trace of Her and The Seagull (National Theatre), Leaves of Glass (Soho Theatre), Hamlet (Old Vic), Julius Caesar (The Bridge Theatre) and The Crucible (on Broadway).

Waiting for Godot is produced by Kate Horton for Fictionhouse and Len Blavatnik and Danny Cohen for Access Entertainment, in association with Kate Pakenham Productions.

LISTINGS

WAITING FOR GODOT

Theatre Royal Haymarket

www.waitingforgodotplay.com

Tickets from £15

Blackpool Winter Gardens – until Saturday 9 December 2023

Reviewed by Debra Skelton

5*****

Simon Beaufoy’s award winning play based on the Fox Searchlight Motion Picture The Full Monty can be seen at the Blackpool Winter Gardens Opera House until Saturday 09th December 2023.

This is a show full of warmth, comedy and touching moments that entertained the audience from start to finish. You will also get the opportunity to see more of this cast than I have ever seen in any other show so get down there to see what I mean.

The Full Monty is a story about a group of men from Yorkshire in the 1990’s who are out of work and struggling to keep their heads above water. They are an unlikely mix of characters who get together to be the next ‘Chippendales’ in their local city of Sheffield.

The delightful rogue Gaz, the ringleader of the group is struggling to support his son Nathan financially which has meant issues arising with his visitation rights. Whilst out with his lifelong friend Dave, they come across a one night only event of the Chippendales at the fictitious ‘Millthorpe Working Men’s Club’ where they learn how much money can be made so an idea begins to form for Gaz.

The group of strippers he puts together consists of himself and Dave along with Lomper a security guard whom they come across whilst trying to commit suicide, Gerald their former foreman from the steelworks and from an open audition, Horse an older man but with the dance moves and Guy with the necessary attributes joins the group to make six.

Each person has their own individual issues including mental health, broken relationships, lack of self-confidence and a shared hatred of life on the unemployment line, however Gaz takes them on a whirlwind adventure with which helps them to meet head on and overcome these issues.

The casting for this show by Marc Frankum CDG is without a doubt an excellent choice with such a dynamic set of men, Danny Hatchard (Gaz), Neil Hurst (Dave), Bill Ward (Gerald), Jake Quickenden (Guy), Nicholas Prasad (Lomper) and Ben Onwukwe (Horse) who work well together making it look so easy to get up there on stage and reveal more of themselves, not just figuratively speaking.

Thanks, are also due to the rest of the cast, especially Cass Dempsey who played Gaz’s son Nathan. What talent this young actor has and such a pleasure to see on stage.

Special thanks also go to Jasmine Swan for the authentic costumes and such an adaptable set, Chris Whybrow for sound design which included nostalgic tracks form the era, Andrew Exeter for lighting design and not too be forgotten Michael Gyngell the director.

For me, The Full Monty was a show full of determination and laughter and just a feel-good time and ended with a finale like no other, did they keep their hats on?

Early Mornings Productions Presents

ALAN TURING – A MUSICAL BIOGRAPHY

OPENING AT RIVERSIDE STUDIOS

8 – 27 JANUARY 2024

Alan Turing – A Musical Biography will play Studio 3 at Riverside Studios from 8 – 27 January.

‘A genius who ended up in despair’.

Directed by Jane Miles, with music by Joel Goodman and Jan Osborne, book by Joan Greening, lighting design by Rob Dyer, and starring Joe Bishop as ‘Alan Turing’ and Zara Cooke as multiple roles including Joan Clarke. This OffFest award-nominated show was a sold-out hit at the 2022 Edinburgh Fringe, where it garnered great critical acclaim. 

A journey through the extraordinary life of Alan Turing, the genius whose code breaking brain saved approximately fourteen million lives in WW2.

Joel Goodman said, “I am delighted to be bringing Alan Turing A Musical Biography to London, and very much looking forward to our run at Riverside Studios. Alan Turing was one of the greatest British unsung heroes of World War Two, and we wanted to show the full breadth of his journey – from the loss of his closest friend at school, to his time at Bletchley Park, a romance with a fellow worker, and the growing awareness of his homosexuality, plus the crucial moment he realises he knows how to beat the German’s Enigma Machine. He was a brilliant and funny man, left in despair by his treatment after the war – we hope we do his story justice on stage.”

Tickets are now on sale here.

LISTINGS

SHOW: Alan Turing – A Musial Biography

DATES: 8 – 27 January 2024

VENUE / SPACE: Studio 3, Riverside Studios, 101 Queen Caroline Street, W6 9BN

PERFORMANCE TIMES: Monday – Saturday @ 7.30pm, Saturdays @ 3.00pm

RUNNING TIME: 80 mins, no interval

TICKETS: £21 (£19 conc)

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EarlyMorningsProductions

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/earlymorningsproductions

Twitter: https://twitter.com/earlymornings19

Images: https://www.alanturing.biz/press-photos

Reviews of Previous Performances

`Many beautiful moments` – The Stage 2022

`A series of skilful songs` – Musical Theatre Review 2022

***** Edinburgh Reporter

***** Lisa in Theatre

***** Stagey Sue

CAMERON MACKINTOSH AND FIRST NIGHT RECORDS

ANNOUNCE THE RELEASE OF

“STEPHEN SONDHEIM’S

OLD FRIENDS: A CELEBRATION”

RECORDED LIVE AT LONDON’S SONDHEIM THEATRE

FEATURING 41 SENSATIONAL SONDHEIM SONGS

AVAILABLE AS A 2-DISC CD SET

AND IN DIGITAL FORMATS FRIDAY, DECEMBER 8

THE SHOW IS CURRENTLY RUNNING IN

LONDON’S WEST END AT THE GIELGUD THEATRE

Cameron Mackintosh and First Night Records celebrate the life of the great Stephen Sondheim with the release of the spectacular cast recording Stephen Sondheim’s Old Friends: A Celebration (Live at the Sondheim Theatre), which will be available as a 2-disc CD set and digital and streaming formats on Friday, December 8. The CD, which will be available in both the US and the UK, features a 16-page booklet with color photography and essays by Cameron Mackintosh and David Benedict. One of the most talked about theatrical events of last year, it took place at The Sondheim Theatre in London on May 3, 2022.  Featuring Broadway, West End and movie legends, the star-studded performance celebrated the life and works of one of the world’s greatest composers and lyricists. The album, which features 41 songs, was produced  by  Lee  McCutcheon,  Stephen  Metcalfe,  and  Cameron  Mackintosh.  Pre-save  or  order Stephen Sondheim’s Old Friends at https://FirstNight.lnk.to/SondheimOldFriends

Stephen  Sondheim’s  Old  Friends  –   winner   of   the   “Best   Theatrical   Event”   honor   at   the   2023 WhatsOnStage Awards – is currently running in London’s West End at the Gielgud Theatre. The current cast  is  led  by  Broadway  Legends  Bernadette  Peters and  Lea  Salonga.  They  are  joined  by  Christine Allado, Clare Burt, Janie Dee, Damian Humbley, Bradley Jaden, Bonnie Langford, Gavin Lee, Jason Pennycooke, Joanna Riding, Jeremy Secomb, Jac Yarrow, Marley Fenton, and Beatrice Penny-Touré.  The  company  also  includes  Harry  Apps,  Bella  Brown,  Richard  Dempsey,  and Monique Young, completing a cast that is truly the best of the West End and Broadway. The engagement runs through January 6, 2024. Tickets are available at SondheimOldFriends.com.

Devised and produced by Cameron Mackintosh, the 2022 Gala was staged by Matthew Bourne and Maria Friedman. The one-night event sold out in hours, leaving thousands of disappointed fans unable to attend the evening so a live broadcast was arranged at the Prince Edward Theatre, down the road. The album features an array of sensational stars including Shan Ako, Christine Allado, Michael Ball, Rob Brydon, Ashley Campbell, Helena Bonham Carter, Anna-Jane Casey, Desmonda Cathabel, Petula Clark, Rosalie Craig, Janie Dee,  Judi  Dench,  Daniel  Evans,  Maria  Friedman,  Josefina  Gabrielle,  Louis  Gaunt,  Amy Griffiths, Haydn Gwynne, Rob Houchen, Holly-Anne Hull, Bradley Jaden, Bonnie Langford, Damian Lewis, Julia  McKenzie,  Ian McLarnon, Julian  Ovenden,  Bernadette  Peters,  Siân  Phillips,  Jon  Robyns,  Clive  Rowe, Jenna Russell, Jeremy Secomb, Jordan Shaw, Imelda Staunton, Charlie Stemp, Matthew White, Gary Wilmot, and Michael D. Xavier, students from Mountview, and The Royal Academy Musical Theatre Company.

Stephen Sondheim’s Old Friends is packed with many of the composer and lyricsist’s legendary songs including “Send in the Clowns,” “I’m Still Here,” “Comedy Tonight,” “Company,” “Into the Woods,” “The Ballad of Sweeney Todd,” “You Could Drive a Person Crazy,” “Side by Side by Side,” “Getting Married Today,” “Hello, Little Girl,” “Pretty Women,” “The Ladies Who Lunch,” “You Gotta Get a Gimmick,” “Losing My Mind,” “Sunday,” “Children Will Listen,” “Everything’s Coming Up Roses,” “Being Alive,” “Old Friends,” “Not a Day Goes By,” “Broadway Baby” and many more.

Stephen Sondheim’s Old Friends – Track Listing DISC ONE

1)     Opening – Side by Side – Ashley Campbell, Rosalie Craig, Daniel Evans, Josefina Gabrielle, Amy Griffiths, Bradley Jaden, Julia McKenzie, Jenna Russell

2)     Introduction – Cameron Mackintosh

3)     Comedy Tonight – Rob Brydon, Clive Rowe, Gary Wilmot, Full Company

4)     Company – Full Company

5)     The Little Things You Do Together – Haydn Gwynne, Rob Brydon

6)     You Could Drive a Person Crazy – Anna-Jane Casey, Janie Dee, Josefina Gabrielle

7)     Live Alone and Like It – Clive Rowe

8)    Loving You – Michael Ball

9)     Getting Married Today – Anna-Jane Casey, Holly-Anne Hull, Jon Robyns, Full Company

10)  Into the Woods – Full Company

11)   Agony – Julian Ovenden, Michael D. Xavier

12)  I Know Things Now – Bernadette Peters

13)  Hello, Little Girl – Bernadette Peters

14)  Children Will Listen – Bernadette Peters

15)  A Weekend in the Country – Full Company

16)  Send In the Clowns – Judi Dench

17)  The Ballad of Sweeney Todd – Michael Ball, Full Company

18)  The Worst Pies in London – Michael Ball, Maria Friedman

19)  My Friends – Michael Ball

20) Pretty Women – Michael Ball, Jeremy Secomb

21)  A Little Priest – Michael Ball, Maria Friedman

22) The Ladies Who Lunch – Haydn Gwynne

23) Sunday – Daniel Evans, Bernadette Peters, Full Company

DISC TWO

1)     Entr’acte – Overture from Merrily We Roll Along – Orchestra

2)     Tonight Quintet – Christine Allado, Shan Ako, Louis Gaunt, Rob Houchen, and Students from Mountview and The Royal Academy Musical Theatre Company

3)     Broadway Baby – Helena Bonham Carter, Rosalie Craig, Maria Friedman, Bonnie Langford, Cameron Mackintosh, Julia McKenzie, Bernadette Peters, Jenna Russell, Gary Wilmot, Full Company

4)     Everybody Ought to Have a Maid – Rob Brydon, Julian Ovenden, Siân Phillips

5)     You Gotta Get a Gimmick – Anna-Jane Casey, Bonnie Langford, Bernadette Peters

6)     Waiting for the Girls Upstairs – Ashley Campbell, Rob Houchen, Bradley Jaden, Charlie Stemp

7)     I’m Still Here – Petula Clark

8)    Could I Leave You? – Michael Ball

9)     Buddy’s Blues – Gary Wilmot

10)  The Boy From… – Janie Dee

11)   Losing My Mind – Bernadette Peters

12)  Everything’s Coming Up Roses – Imelda Staunton

13) Duelling Pianos

14)  Not a Day Goes By – Michael Ball, Rosalie Craig, Maria Friedman, Julia McKenzie, Bernadette Peters, Jenna Russell, Full Company

15)  Being Alive – Rosalie Craig, Bradley Jaden, Julian Ovenden, Jenna Russell, Jeremy Secomb, Full Company

16)  Old Friends – Full Company

17)  Our Time – Students from Mountview and The Royal Academy Musical Theatre Company

18)  Love Is in the Air – Stephen Sondheim

JAKE SHEARS AND REBECCA LUCY TAYLOR

EXTEND THEIR RUNS FOR THE FINAL TIME

IN

THE MULTI AWARD-WINNING, CRITICALLY ACCLAIMED PRODUCTION OF

CABARET

AT THE KIT KAT CLUB

NOW APPEARING UNTIL 9 MARCH 2024

WITH BBC RADIO 2 BROADCASTING

‘JO WHILEY PRESENTS CABARET AT

BBC’S MAIDA VALE STUDIOS’ TONIGHT AT 8PM

TEN NEW PRODUCTION SHOTS ALSO RELEASED

The producers of CABARET at the KIT KAT CLUB announce today the final extension of Jake Shears and Rebecca Lucy Taylor AKA Self Esteem in the multi award-winning, critically acclaimed production. Jake and Rebecca will now play the roles of ‘The Emcee’ and ‘Sally Bowles’ until 9 March 2024.

CABARET at the KIT KAT CLUB is currently booking until 28 September 2024.

In celebration of this announcement, BBC Radio 2 will broadcast ‘Jo Whiley presents Cabaret at BBC’s Maida Vale Studios’ hosted by Jo Whiley at 8.00pm, tonight, Wednesday 6 December where Jo is joined by Jake Shears, Rebecca Lucy Taylor and the cast and orchestra of Cabaret who will perform some of their favourite numbers from the musical in an hour-long special.  

Also released today are ten new production shots. 

Jake and Rebecca continue to star alongside Nathan Ives-Moiba as Clifford Bradshaw, Beverley Klein as Fraulein Schneider and Teddy Kempner as Herr Schultz. Nic Myers plays the role of Sally Bowles once a week.

The cast also features Wilf Scolding as Ernst Ludwig, Jessica Kirton as Fraulein Kost/Fritzie, Liv Alexander as Texas, Natalie Chua as Frenchie, Taite-Elliot Drew as Hans, Damon Gould as Victor, El Haq Latief as Helga, and Travis Ross as Bobby, joining Laura Delany as Rosie, Grant Neal as Herman/Max and Hicaro Nicolai as Lulu. 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.

Singer, songwriter, actor and writer Jake Shears is best known as the lead singer of the multiplatinum-selling, Grammy-nominated, Brit award-winning glam rock band SCISSOR SISTERS.  The band’s hits include ‘Comfortably Numb’, ‘Take Your Mama’, ‘Let’s Have A Kiki’ and the UK #1 hit ‘I Don’t Feel Like Dancing’.  Born in Arizona, Jake grew up in the Seattle area before moving to New York City, where he studied fiction writing at The New School. He wrote the music for Tales of the City, a 2011 stage musical based on Armistead Maupin’s best-selling book series of the same name before starring in Bent at the Taper Forum in 2015. In 2018 he released his debut book, the memoir Boys Keep Swinging and joined the cast of Kinky Boots on Broadway in the lead role as Charlie Price – a role he reprised in 2022 at LA’s Hollywood Bowl. In August 2018 Jake Shears released his eponymous debut solo album to critical acclaim, followed by tours in the UK and US, and in Australia with Kylie Minogue.  2023 saw the release of Jake’s second studio album ‘Last Man Dancing’ which featured the BBC Radio 2 A-List singles ‘Too Much Music’, ‘I Used To Be In Love’ and the title track.   Around album release, Jake continued to tour including as special guest to Duran Duran on their UK arena tour as well acclaimed sets at 2023’s Glastonbury and Mighty Hoopla Festivals.  Jake has recently co-written the music for the new musical ‘Tammy Faye’ alongside Elton John which has just sold out its initial run at London’s Almeida Theatre and won 2 Olivier Awards.  When not on the road, Jake divides his time between London and New Orleans.

As Self Esteem, Rebecca Lucy Taylor has become the unapologetic pop star she always wanted to be. With her 2019 statement debut Compliments Please, Taylor gave voice to the feelings of insecurity and misogyny-induced frustration that many of us face every day, emboldening a whole new audience with powerful, truth-telling lyricism. Her second album Prioritise Pleasure arrived to universal critical acclaim, crowned both The Guardian and Sunday Times Culture’s Album of the Year, with the empowering ‘I Do This All The Time’ also named The Guardian’s #1 song of 2021. Praised for its fearless ability to tackle important issues around female autonomy, comparison culture and self-love, its intimate, confessional and witty lyricism and anthemic maximalist pop rhythms, the album was a catalyst for an unprecedented few years for Taylor. Prioritise Pleasure received a slew of award nominations including the esteemed Mercury Prize, a BRIT Award for Best New Artist, Sky Arts and NME awards nominations, while also winning BBC Introducing’s 2022 Artist Of The Year award and Attitude Magazine’s 2021 Music Award. Summer 2022 saw Taylor play a mammoth 30 festivals, teeing up her biggest run of shows to date: the 2023 I Tour This All The Time tour included a huge three nights at London’s Eventim Apollo, three nights at Manchester’s Albert Hall, and two nights at her hometown’s O2 Academy Sheffield.  Self Esteem also supported Blur at their huge Wembley Stadium show and performed with the Royal Northern Sinfonia at the 2023 BBC Proms.  Gathering a passionate and vast legion of fans, Taylor is one of a handful of artists to have been playlisted across BBC Radio 1, 2 and 6 Music simultaneously. She has appeared on numerous iconic television series including The Graham Norton Show and Jools Holland (including the NYE Hootenanny) and has graced the covers of magazines from Grazia to NME to The Times Magazine and Sunday Times Style.  Taylor composed the soundtrack for PRIMA FACIE, the arresting one woman play starring Jodie Comer which sold out a 9-week run in London’s West End and in the US on Broadway. As an actor, Taylor played a cameo role in I HATE SUZIE TOO, and will soon be seen starring in a regular role in Sky’s upcoming series SMOTHERED as well as making her feature film debut in LAYLA.

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

Live Theatre Newcastle – until Saturday 16th December

Reviewed by Sandra Little

3***

The Live Theatre website describes this production as 3 short plays with music, “exploring love in all its glorious, sticky complexity.” The website also includes interesting short interviews with the writers and actors.

The Start of Space, written by Laura Lindow

This is the first play in this trilogy. The main part (Dr McGill) is played by Imogen Stubbs and the play is primarily a monologue. At the beginning of the play Dr McGill, a heart surgeon, gives a lecture on the factual aspects of the heart to a group of junior doctors. We learn that the heart of a baby is about the size of a walnut and an adult heart is about the size of a clenched fist.

As the play develops the audience are introduced to a child (Laila Zaidi) waiting for a transplant and Dr McGill gradually reveals to the audience more about her personal life. We learn about the complex relationships Dr McGill has with her patient, her partner and her adult child.

I particularly enjoyed the juxtaposition in this play between the factual information relating to the heart and the emotional connection we usually associate with this vital organ.

Fangirl or the Justification of Limerence, written by Naomi Obeng

The second play in this trilogy introduces the audience to the main character Clara (Laila Zaidi) who is an obsessive fan of her idol. We are told that Clara will do anything to protect her idol’s reputation including posing as him on line. This short play includes numerous references to social media and demonstrates the lengths some fans will go to when obsessed by their idol.

This play tends to have a religious feel and the idol is often referred to as god.

For me it seems to link religious obsession that some people experience, with the obsession people experience regarding celebrities.

With the Love of Neither God nor State, written by Vici Wreford-Sinnott

This final play is set in a social club that is about to close and open as a food bank and community café serving Love Soup. The main character (Greta) is played by Rebecca Glendinning-Laycock. Greta is a young girl who has been in a care home for most of her life, she embarks on a journey to find her family and somewhere she belongs. Greta eventually finds shelter in a social club and also finds a sense of belonging. We are told that Greta feels she is in a world that doesn’t understand her and interestingly both the character (Greta) and the actor (Rebecca) are neuro-divergent.

Music provided by Jayne Dent, plays a part in all 3 plays and I enjoyed the banjo medley included in the final play.

This latest work from Live Theatre is not a conventional take on acts of love as we often think of them and does give an unusual twist on traditional views. A full house watched this production and there was warm applause at the end of the performance.

SIX

CELEBRATES 1000 PERFORMANCES AT THE VAUDEVILLE THEATRE

DIVORCED, BEHEADED, LIVE! 

[Wednesday 6 December 2023] The Producers are thrilled to announce that the hit musical sensation, SIX, has just celebrated its 1000^th West End performance at the Vaudeville Theatre. The 652 attendees at the show last night were greeted by a 1000 balloon, and each arrived at their seats to find a souvenir golden ticket, with a number on the back. One lucky winner was surprised at the end of the show when their number was called and was presented with a bespoke goody bag by the cast.

Producer Kenny Wax said, “Celebrating one thousand performances in our ‘forever home’ at the Vaudeville Theatre is an exciting milestone, highlighting the popularity of SIX’s reign in the West End. The show holds a unique place in the hearts of theatregoers and we are humbled by its continued success in London and beyond.”

Lucky winner Amy Astrid said, “I was so surprised when I was asked to go on stage! Any theatre fan’s dream is to one day see it from that perspective, so it was a once in a lifetime experience to be a tiny part of the 1000th performance of such an iconic musical!”

The crowning glory of the West End, Broadway and beyond, SIX, created by Toby Marlow and Lucy Moss, is now booking in the West End until 3 November 2024.

The show’s 2018 debut at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe hastened its West End transfer in January 2019 to the Arts Theatre. In 2020, SIX transferred for a short West End season to the Lyric Theatre before opening at what Nica Burns the theatre owner calls it’s ‘forever home’, the Vaudeville theatre in November 2021. 

Winner of over 35 international awards, including two 2022 Tony Awards, a WhatsOnStage award, and nominated for five Oliviers, SIX can also be seen live on stage worldwide: on Broadway at the Lena Horne Theatre in New York, across the UK on its current sell-out, record-breaking tour, with a North American tour, a sit-down production in Toronto, a second forthcoming tour in Australia and further productions due to play in China, Japan, Hong Kong, Singapore, Germany, Italy and Switzerland. Earlier this year, the show achieved 1.5million followers globally – across YouTube, Instagram, X, TikTok and Facebook in the UK, US, Australia, Korea and beyond. Song streams from both soundtracks are soon to reach 1 billion.

Think you know the six Wives of Henry VIII? Think again…

Prepare to lose your head and experience the Tudor Wives’ lives as they turn back the clock and take to the stage to reclaim their crowns and retell their stories of love, loss and the infamous ex they all have in common.

Join Aragon, Boleyn, Seymour, Cleves, Howard and Parr, backed by their fierce on-stage band,

the Ladies in Waiting, and Get Down to a royal retelling of the sassiest story in British Her-story.

The current 2023-24 company are Nikki Bentley Catherine of Aragon, Thao Therese Nguyen Anne Boleyn, Kayleigh McKnight Jane Seymour, Reca Oakley as Anna of Cleves, Inez Budd Katherine Howard and Janiq Charles Catherine Parr, with Gabriella Stylianou Alternate Aragon/Seymour and Dance Captain, Naomi Alade (Alternate Boleyn/Cleves, Hannah Lowther as Alternate Howard/Parr, Meg Dixon-Brasil Super Swing and Natalie Pilkington UK Super Swing.

Tickets are on sale now via www.sixthemusical.com  

SIX is written by Toby Marlow and Lucy Moss, with direction by Lucy Moss and Jamie Armitage, Choreography is by Carrie-Anne Ingrouille, with set design by Emma Bailey, costume design by Gabriella Slade, lighting design by Tim Deiling, sound design by Paul Gatehouse, musical orchestration by Tom Curran, and musical supervision by Joe Beighton.