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THEATRE ROYAL ANNOUNCES SPECTACULAR NEW SEASON

Showstopping West-End musicals, awe-inspiring dance performances, breathtaking page-to-stage adaptations, classic tales, brand-new delights, and an adult-only take on a Disney classic; there certainly are treats for all in the fun-packed, new season announced at Newcastle Theatre Royal!

Audiences will be transported back to 1960’s Baltimore, where Tracy Turnblad dreams of dancing her way onto national TV, when Hairspray visits Newcastle (Mon 11 – Sat 16 Nov 2024), but can she win equality, and Link Larkin’s heart, without denting her ‘do?

More hairspray will be needed as NOW That’s What I Call A Musical, arrives (Tue 8 – Sat 12 Oct 2024) on its first ever UK tour directed and choreographed by Craig Revel Horwood. Get ready for a fun-filled evening bursting with hits from Whitney Houston, Blondie, Tears For Fears, Spandau Ballet, Wham! and so many more.

It’s an adult night-out when Unfortunate (Tue 2 – Thu 4 Jul 2024) gives Ursula a chance to give her take on what really happened all those years ago under the sea. The legendary queer queen is ready to spill, in this tell-all tale of sex, sorcery and suckers.

Starring Adam Garcia, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang is set to excite the next generation of fans as it flies into the region (Tue 4 – Sat 8 Jun 2024) featuring unforgettable songs including Toot Sweets and Truly Scrumptious, and QDance Company visit Newcastle to perform Re:Incarnation (Tue 15 & Wed 16 Oct 2024), an ode to the richness of Nigerian culture, in which dance, musical and visual art creations are bursting with pure and uncompromising joy.

Newcastle Musical Theatre Company bring smash-hit musical West Side Story (Tue 30 Jul – Sat 3 Aug 2024) to life, and CaroleW Productions take over the Studio stage with their production Limelight (Tue 9 – Sat 13 Apr 2024) based on the career of Julia St George, a real-life star of the Victorian stage born on Broad Chare in Newcastle.

Alfred Hitchcock’s classic spy thriller The 39 Steps (Tue 9 – Sat 13 Apr 2024) is brilliantly and hilariously recreated for the stage as four fearless actors play 139 roles in a performance full of fast-paced fun and thrilling action and unforgettable theatrical tour de force, The Kite Runner (Tue 25 – Sat 29 Jun 2024), opens direct from Broadway.

In another best-selling novel to stage adaptation, The Boy at the Back of the Class (Tue 30 Apr – Sat 4 May 2024) balances heart and humour in an unexpected and often hilarious adventure, highlighting the power of friendship and kindness.

In the Summer holidays, 101 Dalmatians: The Musical bounds into Newcastle for one week only (Tue 27 Aug – Sun 1 Sep 2024), when fashonista Cruella de Vil’s evil plan to swipe the town’s puppies for a new fur coat means there is trouble ahead for Pongo, Perdi and their tail-wagging young pups. Younger audiences will enjoy Peppa Pig’s Fun Day Out (Wed 21 – Thu 22 Aug 2024), packed full of songs, dances and muddy puddles, this perfect introduction to theatre guarantees giggles and snorts for all.

The 2024/25 pantomime The Little Mermaid will see Newcastle Theatre Royal favourites Danny Adams and Clive Webb return for their 19th year, along with celebrated singer songwriter Joe McElderry and legendary panto dame Chris Hayward.

And finally, following sold out runs in London’s West End at the Shaftesbury Theatre and the Theatre Royal Haymarket respectively, & Juliet (Mon 2 – Sat 7 Jun), as well as Only Fools and Horses The Musical (Mon 10 – Sat 22 Feb), are set to visit Newcastle Theatre Royal in 2025! Get whisked away on a fabulous journey as Juliet ditches her famous ending for a fresh beginning and a second chance at life and love—her way. Or join us as we take a trip back in time, where it’s all kicking off in Peckham with classic characters; Del Boy, Rodney, Grandad, Cassandra, Raquel, Boycie, Marlene, Trigger, Denzil and Mickey Pearce.

Tickets for all performances can be purchased at www.theatreroyal.co.uk or from the Theatre Royal Box Office on 0191 232 7010. Can’t decide? Opt for Newcastle Theatre Royal gift vouchers and your friends and family can decide for themselves!

Lyric Theatre, Shaftesbury – until the 14th January 2024

Reviewed by Fiona Leyman

5*****

I know it’s the Christmas season and all, but I want to make something very clear.

This play is not a Pantomime in any way whatsoever!

“OH YES IT IS!” “OH NO IT ISNT!” “OH YES IT IS!” OH NO IT BLOODY ISNT!”

“It’ll be alright on the night” they said. What possibly could go wrong? EVERYTHING, in fact!!

The audience is filing into their seats, and chaos has ensued. Trevor (Chris Leask), the Stage Manager, has misplaced his hammer and is having everybody search for it. With a bottle of beer in his hand, he is growing increasingly irritated by everyone ignoring him. AD Robert (Matthew Howell) is attempting to repair the flickering lights around the theatre, when he discovers that the only way to do so is to run an extension lead through the audience to the back of the theatre. They haven’t even begun the show, and things are not going according to plan. If you think something is likely to go wrong, it probably will, but everyone must continue with the show, no matter what.

The Cornley Drama Society are back with their brand-new production of Peter Pan. Director Chris (Harry Kershaw) and Co Director (“Assistant Director” according to Chris) Robert are attempting to redeem themselves after the disaster that unfolded at their premiere of Oliver Twist the Musical. Mr Bumble, played by Robert, sadly fell on one of the children who perished due to his Tesla blocking the ambulance bay. Determined to make up for prior mishaps in previous shows, their production of J.M. Barrie’s Peter Pan was sure to go off without a hitch. A substantial cash injection from Max’s (Matthew Cavendish) uncle allowed for new elaborate sets, lighting, and special effects that this ensemble of “talented” performers, minus Robert’s niece Lucy, who suffers from terrible stage fright, can’t possibly mess up.

This hilariously funny, slapstick comedy from the writers of A Play That Goes Wrong (Henry Lewis, Jonathan Sayer, and Henry Shields), promises to entertain audiences far and wide.

Matthew Cavendish (Max) is a charming actor who delights the audience with his cheeky little smiles and quirks. Nancy Zamit (The Play That Goes Wrong, Mischief Co-Founder) is a hilariously funny Tinkerbell, with her tutu hooked up to a power cable and her lightning-fast costume changes (beware of partial nudity).

I had no idea what to expect from this Faulty Towers-esque show, but after being assured by my guest that I was going to love it, I took my seat and settled in for an unexpected treat. At one point, I was laughing so hard that I needed tissues to prevent my mascara from running down my face. Trust me, that isn’t a good look! The audience participation was fantastic, with everyone roaring with laughter, especially when things went off script!

If you want to laugh from beginning to end, this is the show to see, you won’t be disappointed. It’s so Wrong it’s Right and deserves 5 Stars.

Crucible Theatre, Sheffield – until Saturday 2^nd December

Reviewed by Carol Crann 
 
4****

Noises Off was written in 1982 by Michael Frayne, who realised – after watching a farce from the wings – that it was actually funnier from backstage. It’s named after a stage direction that refers to the sounds heard offstage, and is performed in three parts.

The first joins the technical rehearsal of a farce called Nothing On, following the tribulations of a dysfunctional cast just before opening night. It takes place in a house that is supposedly empty, empty except for housekeeper, Mrs Clackett. She’s played by Dotty (Liza Goddard), and her role develops as characters appear for numerous dubious reasons. 

You’ve then got estate agent, Roger Tramplemain, who is portrayed by Garry (Dan Fredenburgh), and is an accomplished, but insecure actor that’s actually in a relationship with Dotty. Tramplemain arrives with a young lady (Lisa Ambalanar) that he’s trying to seduce, and who – in the true tradition of farce – ends up in her underwear.

When the owners of the property arrive home from Spain, doing so under wraps as to not alert the taxman, you meet Philip and Flavia – played by Freddie (Simon Coates) and Belinda (Lucy Robinson). Both have their own idiosyncrasies which the audience see gradually deteriorate throughout the run.

There is also an appearance towards the end of an aging and tired burglar, played by Selsdon (Matthew Kelly), who happens to be partially deaf with a serious drinking problem. And who is the one trying to pull the whole performance together? That would be the director, Lloyd Dallas (Simon Shepherd), whose relationships with a couple of the younger team members later leads to chaos.

Part two shows the performance. It’s a midweek matinee, but the audience sees it from the backstage perspective, showing how the relationships between the cast members has deteriorated and how that has impacted on the performance. It is full of slapstick comedy as the actors turn on each other with the stage manager, Tim (Daniel Rainford), and his assistant, Poppy (Nikhita Leslar), desperately trying to keep the show on track amidst the mayhem – as well as being understudies.

The final act? That takes place towards the end of the run, just as everything starts to breakdown. Relationships between all the cast and stage crew are marred by jealousy and personal differences, the set is starting to fall apart, and props either end up in the wrong place or go missing completely. Everyone tries to keep the show on course, of course, but inevitably this leads to more slapstick, more disasters and ultimately complete ad-libbing in order to try and save the show. 

Throughout the performance there is a lot of excellent comic timing shown by all the individuals with all the elements of a farce clearly demonstrated. Cast members trousers falling down, the inevitable trips and falls and the constant reference to plates of sardines which otherwise has no relevance in the play.

If you’re a lover of slapstick and farce then this is definitely a show to go and see. At times the audience were left laughing uncontrollably at the resulting chaos unfolding on stage – and what better seal of approval could you ask for?

Hull New Theatre – until 2nd December 2023

Reviewed by Dawn Bennett

5*****

Bill Kenwright Presents Gary Barlow and Tim Firth’s Calendar Girls The Musical

Last night at Hull New Theatre we were treated to a masterclass in how to put on a musical. Its going to be quite hard to put into words how good it was but I’ll give it a go!

The show based on the true story of a group of women from a Women’s Institute in a small Yorkshire Village who set out to raise some money to buy a sofa for the visitor’s room at their local hospital after tragedy hits one of the group. Annie (Tanya Franks) and her husband John (Colin R Campbell) receive the news that he has cancer and we follow his journey. This part of the production isn’t an easy one but it is played beautifully and the songs are both heartbreaking and poignant. The songs are just lovely and are sung with such feeling and we get to meet and find out about each of the characters this way.

Chris (Amy Robbins) has the idea to produce a calendar to help raise the funds but not your normal WI, with pictures of Yorkshire, knitting or jam but with…gasp…nudes and the WI ladies being the nudes as well!! The WI is led by Marie (Paula Tappenden) a stickler for the rules and she wants your normal calendar the same as previous years. The other members Ruth (Maureen Nolan), Jessie (Lyn Paul), Celia (Marti Webb) and Cora (Honeysuckle Weeks) get together and along with Chris’s husband, Rod (Graham MacDuff), who is going to photograph the pictures for the calendar and what follows is hilarious!

This is magnificent show, from the Band (led by musical director Jordan Alexander), the very talented cast to everyone else involved in putting this production on stage. The nude scenes are very tasteful and greeted by loud cheers from the audience! Just checking through the programme at what other things the cast had been in is jaw dropping enough but to see them all in action is just superb! Go and see this show you will not be disappointed…I certainly wasn’t!

Greenwich Theatre – until 7 January 2023

Review by Elizabeth J Smith

4****

Once upon a time there was a little theatre in Greenwich, deep in south London, who dreamed of staging a spectacular pantomime like the large theatre’s in the West End of London.

So she asked Anthony Spargo, who she knew very well as he had performed in her pantos for many years, if he could help. He could, hooray, and he wrote Snow White. Anthony was so helpful to the little theatre he not only wrote the panto but he stared as the wicked witch Queen Narcissus. The draggy queen delivers a rock star performance of songs and cheeky banter with the audience for both young and old, actually he says a lot about both! Like all queens of drag, Queen Narcissus has wonderful costumes and wigs that have a life of their own.

Every wicked Queen needs a nemesis, enter Snow White, Katie Tonkinson. The down trodden Snow White also has dreams of a better life and finds her prince charming in Tom Bales, Prince Charming of Charmington. When the lovers meet and sing “Love is an open door” their love affair is sealed.

Every castle needs a jester, especially one that gives cuddles. Let’s meet Muddles who cuddles. Louise Cielecki bonces on stage with a high kick, her catch phase “who needs a muddles cuddle?”and some of the best one liners.

Where would a wicked queen be without a dogs body too do her bidding? The hunts man, Martin Johnson, runs a tight ship but shows has a heart when push comes to shove. It makes the audiences heart song when he finds his “ball and chain”.

DeeArna McLean plays the magic mirror with robotic artistry which would give “Alexa” a run for her money.

With an almost visible band, Uncle Steve Markwick and Gordoan Parrish ( Greenwich answer to Brian May”) provide the music on stage with drummer Chirs Wyles in the dungeon. He must have upset the queen!

Last but no way least the adorable dwarfs. We meet a set of new dwarfs with characters including Windy, Cockney and Cheeky. These little men steal the show especially when they take to Skys to save the day.

With the use of clever song choices, rapid fire one liners, snow ball fights and audience participation the little theatre of Greenwich fulfils her dream and produces a wonderful panto to rival any of the big boys in London Town.

And lives happily ever after.

CHITTY CHITTY BANG BANG FLYING INTO BLACKPOOL – CHRISTMAS 2024!

A new production of the most fantasmagorical musical of all time, CHITTY CHITTY BANG BANG will fly into the Winter Gardens Blackpool for Christmas 2024! Opening on the 10^th December 2024 and running until December 29^th, tickets will be on sale from Friday 1^st December at 10am.

Based on Ian Fleming’s timeless story for children and later made into the famous 1968 film, CHITTY CHITTY BANG BANG features the unforgettable songs by the Sherman Brothers including Toot Sweets, Hushabye Mountain, Truly Scrumptious and the Academy Award-nominated title song, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang.

This new production will be directed by Thom Southerland (Titanic, Parade), choreographed by Karen Bruce (BBC’s Strictly Come Dancing, The Bodyguard) with Set and Costume design by Morgan Large (Newsies, Joseph and the Technicolour Dreamcoat), Musical Supervision by George Dyer (The Wizard of Oz, Annie, Billy Elliot) and casting by Debbie O’Brien.

In CHITTY CHITTY BANG BANG we meet absent-minded inventor Caractacus Potts who restores a broken-down old racing car with the help of his children Jemima and Jeremy. Soon the family discover the car has magical powers, and along with the delectable Truly Scrumptious, the family end up on a hilarious fantastical adventure to far off lands.

CHITTY CHITTY BANG BANG has Music and Lyrics by Richard M. Sherman and Robert B. Sherman, Music by Special Arrangement with Sony/ATV Publishing and is Adapted for the Stage by Jeremy Sams. Based on the MGM Motion Picture the Licensed Script is adapted by Ray Roderick. It was Originally produced by Eon Productions, Dana Broccoli, Frederick Zollo, Nicholas Paleologos, Jeffrey Sine, Miriam Productions and Michael Rose at The London Palladium.

This production is presented by permission of Music Theatre International.

chittyontour.com

New Victoria Theatre, Woking – until 2 December 2023

Reviewed by Lorna Hancock

5*****

Pretty Woman the Musical features original music and lyrics by Grammy Award winner Bryan Adams and Jim Vallance, with book by Garry Marshall and the films screenwriter J.F.Lawton. It is wonderfully directed and choreographed by two-time Tony Award winner Jerry Mitchell.

When a musical is made of such an all time classic movie such as Pretty Woman, it’s hard to know what to expect, and you can’t help but compare it to it’s iconic screen version. The whole production team would have had a very tough job of making sure, it not only lives up to the original but also adding the pizzazz to ensure it becomes the spectacle we expect from a live staged musical. Being a big fan of the film, I wasn’t sure how they would manage this and if I would enjoy it as much, however they most certainly didn’t disappoint and I loved every second of watching this talented cast shine.

As soon as the music started, we were instantly transported to the bright lights of Hollywood Boulevard in the 80s. The costumes, set and the ensembles energy throughout their song, ‘Welcome to Hollywood’ immediately drew us in. The set design was fantastic, relatively simple, but  it transitioned us flawlessly from the vivid Boulevard to the elegance of the Beverly Wilshire Hotel.

For anyone that doesn’t know the story, it’s an unexpected fairytale between rich businessman Edward Lewis (Oliver Savile) and ‘Hooker’ Vivian Ward (Amber Davies) and how it changes her life forever. Both played their parts brilliantly, Oliver lived up to Richard Gere’s dreamy Edward with his beautifully melodic ballads, and Amber pulled off all of Julia Roberts’ sass and her witty one-liners with as much grace and glamour as the actress herself. The dynamic between the two was heartwarming to watch from the moment they met. Amber’s voice shone throughout the show, but I especially loved her stunning rendition of ‘I can’t go back’, through listening to her powerful vocals I think everyone would have empathised with her characters’ emotions.

One of my favourite scenes was ‘The Night at the Opera’, the staging was genius. It also showcased the amount of talent the ensemble shared. I couldn’t skip past this moment without mentioning the incredible voice of Lila Falce-Bass, everyone’s jaw dropped as she filled the theatre with her charming operatic tones.

I would also like to add a special mention for Curtis Patrick, he really was outstanding in his portrayal of Happy man / Mr Thompson. A chameleon, popping up in every scene making everyone laugh with his brilliant expressions and fascinating body movements. His characterisation was remarkable. This was in many scenes, complimented fabulously by Noah Harrison’s comic depiction of Giulio.

The show finished with a standing ovation, as the full ensemble performed Roy Orbison and Bill Dees’ ‘Oh, Pretty Woman’. After the orchestra teasing us with the intro earlier in the show, the audience seemed delighted and didn’t need much persuasion to join in with the party, singing and dancing along.

A thoroughly enjoyable and uplifting performance of an unconventional but charming fairytale.

RICHMOND THEATRE SCOOPS THREE AWARDS AT THE RICHMOND BUSINESS AWARDS 2023

Richmond Theatre are pleased to announce that the venue was thrice awarded at the Richmond Chamber of Commerce’s Business Awards held on Friday 24 November at Twickenham Stadium.

The theatre, which will celebrate its 125^th birthday next year, was recognised in the following categories: Best Digital Marketing (WINNER, for their ‘Richmond Recreates’ social media series), Best Environmental Sustainability (HIGHLY COMMENDED, for their lighting project which saw them change all stage lighting to LED lights), and the public-voted People’s Choice Awards (COMMENDED). You can read more detail about our awards below.

Allie Long, Theatre Director, said: “We are thrilled to have received these three awards, which recognise and reflect the hard work and creativity of our team. This includes our commitment to improving our greener ways of working with our LED upgrade, and our local ‘take’ on the exceptional national touring product we receive with our Marketing team’s brainchild, ‘Richmond Recreates’. We couldn’t be prouder to have received Commended for the People’s Choice Award, the only publicly voted for category, firmly cementing our belief in the venue’s importance in the heart of the Richmond cultural landscape.”

Anne Newton, Richmond Chamber of Commerce, said: “Our congratulations go to all the Richmond Business Awards 2023 winners. The independent judging panel received excellent submissions across all the categories and these 2023 wins are all very well-deserved. It was fantastic to see directors and their teams celebrating in style last Friday and the vibe at Twickenham Stadium was truly electric!”

About the Awards

HIGHLY COMMENDED for Best Environmental Sustainability

In 2023, Richmond Theatre undertook a huge project to replace all stage lighting (which was at least 30 years old) with LED Lights. LED Lights are not only safer, sturdier, and longer lasting, but they have a much smaller carbon footprint. LED Lights emit 80% less greenhouse gases than incandescent bulbs and use 70-80% less energy than traditional lamps. Additionally, the theatre have purchased Solarpix 7’s, which means the lighting colour and position can also be controlled from the lighting desk. This provides more flexibility for the show, as well as uses less electricity per light meaning less lights are needed overall.

WINNER for Best Digital Marketing

In order to complement the high-quality touring product that comes to their venue, the Marketing team at Richmond Theatre this year began a new series across Instagram and TikTok called ‘Richmond Recreates’. The series sees team members from across the business (from Customer Experience to Technical) come together to recreate show posters or production images for upcoming shows. Examples include being the cast of Fisherman’s Friends by Richmond riverside, and helping Peter Pan ‘Go Wrong’ in an episode which gained over 23,000 views on TikTok. The fun, tongue-in-cheek series has become widely known across social media, with audience members regularly asking when the new ‘episode’ will be posted.

A FIRST LOOK AT PRODUCTION IMAGES OF ROBIN HOOD: THE ROCK ‘N’ ROLL PANTO

Leeds’ favourite Panto – Robin Hood: The Rock ‘n’ Roll Pantomime – opened with a well-timed comedic crash, bang, and wallop on Fri 24 November 2023. It runs at City Varieties Music Hall until Sun 7 January 2024.

A very different format to the traditional Christmas pantomime, Rock ‘n’ Roll Pantos – from the enchanted pen of Peter Rowe – mixtraditional elements of audience participation and corny gags with a jukebox full of classic rock anthems and chart-toppers, all performed live on stage by an ultra-talented cast of actor-musicians. ‘Where else can you see the Fairy Godmother banging the drums and Pantomime Dame playing the sax?’ (Fairy Powered Productions).

Kenny Davies returns in what will be his 12th panto at City Varieties, alongside the legendary Simon Nock who is ready to rock the Varieties stage once again as our fabulous Dame.

Joining them will be a mixture of returning favourites and brilliant newcomers including Lana Walker as Portcullis, Samuel Pope as Robin Hood, Lucy Keirl as Maid Marion, Guy Freeman as Numbskull, Hannah Baker as Rowena, Louisa Beadel as Regina, Finn Torkington as Blondel/Will, Kemi Clarke as Much and Dan Carter Hope as Little John.

‘It stands out a mile from stereotypical pantos thanks to its talented team and, tucked away in the City Varieties Music Hall, it couldn’t have found a more perfect home for a laugh-out-loud panto with musical performances that will take your breath away.’

One Play More.

POLITICS AND POWER ARE LAID BARE IN THIS HILARIOUS NEW COMEDY FOR 2024

Matthew Cottle stars in Party Games! by Michael MacManus

UK tour opens in Guildford on Thursday 2 May 2024, touring nationally in May and June.

Following the acclaimed national tours of Sheila’s Island and Ladies of Letters in 2022, the Yvonne Arnaud Theatre, Guildford, presents the world premiere of Party Games! from the writer of Maggie & Ted.

Starring Matthew Cottle (of BAFTA nominated BBC sit com Game On and Channel 4’s hit comedy The Windsors), Party Games! puts political leadership on the ledge and goes inside the chaos of government to see whether advisers do advise and if ministers can decide.

This is the UK  2026, John Waggner newly elected leader of the hastily formed centrist One Nation Party presides over a hung parliament, a discontented electorate and striking cheese makers.  He and his power-hungry MPs must cling onto authority through whatever shaky means possible. Can one man, a Svengali spin doctor and some dodgy data unite the country?  And what role can his wife, the King and a large spider play in keeping the lights on?

‘You’d be a fool to miss this top-notch two-hander’, Norwich Evening News (on Ladies of Letters, 2022)

‘a capacious warehouse for the best one-liners and anecdotes from McManus’s own observation’ The Guardian (on Maggie & Ted, 2021)

Party Games! is an Yvonne Arnaud original production, directed by Joanna Read and designed by Francis O’Connor

Further casting and tour dates to be announced.