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FROM THE LATEST BOOK BY JULIA DONALDSON WITH ILLUSTRATIONS BY AXEL SCHEFFLER

BRAND NEW STAGE ADAPTATION TO PREMIERE AT THE ROYAL LYCEUM THEATRE EDINBURGH IN OCTOBER 2024

THEY’RE FUNNY…THEY’RE SILLY… AND THEY’RE REALLY, REALLY BAD

https://www.thebaddieslive.com/

A brand-new stage adaptation of THE BADDIES, Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler’s smash-hit 2022 story, will have its world premiere at The Royal Lyceum Theatre next year, playing in Edinburgh from 4 – 20 October, with a press performance on Tuesday 8 October 2024. The Baddies will then play at the Warwick Arts Centre from 26 – 27 October, and then Rose Theatre Kingston from 29 October – 3 November, with further tour dates to be announced.

Meet the very worst Baddies in the world! Don’t you dare to come too close to a witch, a troll and an ancient ghost! The Baddies love being bad. They roar, spook and cast wicked spells to try and scare a girl out of her wits…who will succeed? Or perhaps the girl is braver than they think…

With songs by Joe Stilgoe (Zog and Zog and The Flying Doctors), The Baddies is a wickedly hilarious adaptation of Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler’s smash-hit story. A laugh-out-loud riot for all the family.

Casting, creative team and further tour dates will be announced in due course.

Freckle Productions are pioneers in imaginative storytelling for children and the team behind smash -hit stage hits including Stick Man, Tabby McTat, Tiddler and Other Terrific Tales, Zog, and Zog and the Flying Doctors.

Jennifer Sutherland from Freckle Productions said, “Freckle are thrilled and excited to be working with David Greig and the Lyceum Theatre team to create The Baddies and premier the show in such a beautiful theatre in the heart of Edinburgh.”

David Greig, Artistic Director of The Royal Lyceum Theatre said, “The Lyceum is delighted to be working with Freckle Productions again, after the resounding success of Stick Man. We look forward to welcoming a whole new generation of theatre goers to The Lyceum with this Julia Donaldson classic.”

Julia Donaldson said, “I am delighted that The Baddies will be brought wickedly to life on stage next year in Edinburgh by Freckle Productions, who’ve done such fun and inventive things with Zog and Stick Man and my other characters over the years. I’m particularly happy that Joe Stilgoe, with his gift for catchy tunes and clever lyrics, has written the songs for the show, and I feel confident that the result will be a great night at the theatre for kids of all ages.”

Tickets will go on general sale on 31 October via www.TheBaddiesLive.com  

CONCORD THEATRICALS

ACQUIRES EXCLUSIVE WORLDWIDE LICENSING RIGHTS 

FOR THE TONY AND GRAMMY AWARD-WINNING

“ALANIS MORISSETTE’S JAGGED LITTLE PILL: THE MUSICAL”

Concord Theatricals today announces that it has secured exclusive worldwide stage licensing rights to Alanis Morissette, Glen Ballard and Diablo Cody’s acclaimed Alanis Morissette’s Jagged Little Pill: The Musical.

Glen Ballard, who is also represented by Concord Music Publishing, said: “We are excited that Concord Theatricals is taking Jagged Little Pill to so many stages! We are passionate about the messages and music in this show and it’s gratifying to have it brought to an even larger audience. It’s wonderful to widen the circle of this show and Concord knows how to do it!”

“I am thrilled that Jagged Little Pill is being licensed by Concord Theatricals” Diablo Cody adds. “We are in legendary company, and I have fantasized about this moment since our show’s debut. I am very grateful that our show can live on through Concord.”

“We’re delighted to continue our cherished long-term relationship with Glen, Tom and this extraordinary title,” said Sean Patrick Flahaven, Chief Theatricals Executive for Concord. “As early co-producing partners, we knew Jagged would resonate with audiences worldwide and it is an honor to welcome Alanis and Diablo to Concord Theatricals’ catalogue.”

Ignited by Morissette’s groundbreaking lyrics and music – including beloved hits co-written with Glen Ballard such as “You Oughta Know” and “Head Over Feet,” the musical tells the story of a picture-perfect suburban family – but looks can be deceiving. When the cracks beneath the surface begin to show, they must choose between maintaining the status quo or facing harsh truths about themselves, their community, and the world around them. Academy Award-winning screenwriter Diablo Cody’s book draws from the raw emotions laid bare in Alanis Morissette’s 1995 Grammy Award-winning seminal album of the same name.

Jagged Little Pill opened on Broadway at theBroadhurst Theatre on December 5, 2019, following its sold-out world premiere at American Repertory Theater (A.R.T.) in Cambridge, MA. Directed by Tony Award-winner Diane Paulus, with choreography by Tony Award-nominee and frequent Beyoncé collaborator Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui,and under the Musical Supervision, Orchestrations & Arrangements of Grammy, Tony and Pulitzer Prize-winner Tom Kitt, the Broadway production was nominated for a season-record of 15 Tony Awards, with Diablo Cody winning for Best Book of a Musical. The show was produced by Vivek J. Tiwary, Arvind Ethan David and Eva Price. 

For more information, visit concordsho.ws/PerformJaggedLittlePillUK

Jenny Seagrove, Lucy Kenwright and everyone at Bill Kenwright Ltd and the Theatre Royal Windsor are devastated to share the sad news of the loss of a beloved Partner, Father, Grandfather and friend: Bill Kenwright CBE.

Following a long battle with illness Bill passed away peacefully last night, surrounded by his family and loved ones.

Bill was driven by his passions and devoted his life to them; his deep love of theatre, film, music and his beloved Everton, and the families they created.

He impacted the lives of thousands, whether that be through the launching of careers or his unending loyalty, generosity and unfaltering friendship and support.

In a multi-award-winning career spanning six decades, Bill produced over 500 West End, Broadway, UK touring and international theatre productions, films and music albums. His impact on the arts industry has been profound.

During his time as majority shareholder and Chairman of Everton FC, Bill led the Club through a period of unprecedented change in English football.

We will remember him with huge love and admiration – the shows will of course go on, as he would have wished, and his towering legacy will continue.

A celebration of Bill’s life and career will be announced in due course. At this very difficult time we ask for privacy and respect for Bill’s family and friends.

TO CELEBRATE THE FANTASTIC RECEPTION OF

“SONDHEIM’S OLD FRIENDS”

AND THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE STEPHEN SONDHEIM FOUNDATION

IN SUPPORT OF

YOUNG PLAYWRIGHTS, COMPOSERS AND LYRICISTS

CAMERON MACKINTOSH MAKES 5,000 TICKETS AVAILABLE AT £25

FOR UNDER 30’S TO DISCOVER THE WORK OF THE LEGENDARY AUTHOR

To celebrate the opening earlier this month of STEPHEN SONDHEIM’S OLD FRIENDS to rave reviews at the Gielgud Theatre, Cameron Mackintosh today announces that he is making 5,000 tickets available at just £25 each for theatregoers aged 30 or under to have the chance to discover the genius talent of composer and lyricist Stephen Sondheim. Subject to availability, an allocation of Stalls and Dress Circle seats has been made available for all performances between Monday 23 October 2023 and Saturday 16 December 2023.

For tickets please visit sondheimoldfriends.com/under30s

Cameron Mackintosh said today “One of the many joys I’ve experienced during the opening performances of OLD FRIENDS is to witness night-after-night the reaction of younger audiences, many of whom I believe are hearing Stephen Sondheim’s dazzling music and lyrics for the very first time. Steve made a provision under his will for the establishment of the Stephen Sondheim Foundation, of which I am a trustee, to support playwrights, theatre composers and lyricists in early stages of their career. He was passionate about supporting the new generation of theatre writers and I therefore want younger theatregoers to be able to experience Stephen’s genius in this Great Big Broadway Show from great seats at an accessible price.”

The cast of Stephen Sondheim’s Old Friends 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.

Celebrating the life and work of the great Stephen Sondheim, last year’s Gala performance of Old Friends won the Best Theatre Event at the 2023 WhatsOnStage Awards. It sold out within a couple of hours last year leaving thousands of disappointed fans unable to get tickets. Now by popular demand, audiences will have another chance to see the never to be forgotten and one of the most talked about theatrical events of the year.

Devised and Produced by Cameron Mackintosh, Stephen Sondheim’s Old Friends has Direction and Musical staging by Matthew Bourne, side by side with Julia McKenzie, with choreography by Stephen Mear, conducted by Alfonso Casado Trigo, musical supervision is by Stephen Brooker, musical arrangements by Stephen Metcalfe, set design by Matt Kinley, projection design by George Reeve, costume design by Jill Parker, lighting design by Warren Letton and sound design by Mick Potter.

Are you in, or are you out…?

Announcing 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 London premiere of Cruel Intentions: The ‘90s Musical. Created by Jordan Ross, Lindsey Rosin and Roger Kumble, Cruel Intentions: The ‘90s Musical is based on the hit 1999 Hollywood film by Roger Kumble and will open at The Other Palace on January 11th 2024, for a 14-week season.

A must-see experience in New York and Los Angeles and following a sold-out, critically acclaimed production in the Assembly Palais du Variété spiegeltent at the 2019 Edinburgh Festival Fringe, Cruel Intentions: The ’90s Musical, from the producers of Heathers the Musical, finally arrives in London.

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…

On the 25th anniversary of the classic hit film Cruel Intentions starring Reese Witherspoon, Ryan Phillippe, Sarah Michelle Gellar and Selma Blair and inspired by the French novel, Les Liaisons Dangereuses, Cruel Intentions: The ‘90s Musical is a raucous 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!”

The creative team includes Director Jonathan O’Boyle (Hair, Rain Man, Pippin, Aspects of Love) and Choreographer & Associate Director Gary Lloyd (Heathers, Thriller Live, Carrie the Musical).

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

Cast to be announced.

Cruel Intentions: The ‘90s Musical was originally produced by Eva Price. Critical praise in Edinburgh for Cruel Intentions: The ‘90s Musical

THE WORLDWIDE PHENOMENON THE HUNGER GAMES TO MAKE ITS GLOBAL STAGE PREMIERE

Play Based on Suzanne Collins’ Acclaimed Novel “The Hunger Games” and Lionsgate’s Blockbuster Film The Hunger Games To Premiere in London in Autumn 2024

Olivier Award-winning playwright CONOR McPHERSON

to adapt the first novel and film in the epic series which

took the world by storm

For priority booking information and to receive updates, register atwww.thehungergamesonstage.com

The first-ever live stage adaptation of Suzanne Collins’ internationally acclaimed novel “The Hunger Games” and Lionsgate’s worldwide box office phenomenon THE HUNGER GAMES will make its debut in London in Autumn 2024.

Heralded by the New York Times as the best playwright of his generation, the multi award-winning Conor McPherson has adapted the first book from Suzanne Collins’ epic series and the first film from Lionsgate’s iconic dystopian film franchise for this live theatrical production.

The production will be helmed by renowned director Matthew Dunster (2:22 – A Ghost Story, Hangmen, The Pillowman), with a world-class creative team who will bring the show to breathtaking life.

Suzanne Collins, best-selling author of “The Hunger Games” series, said: “I’m very excited to be collaborating with the amazing team of Conor McPherson and Matthew Dunster as they bring their dynamic and innovative interpretation of ‘The Hunger Games’ to the London stage.”

Conor McPherson said: “To receive Suzanne Collins’ blessing to adapt ‘The Hunger Games’ for the stage is both humbling and inspiring. She has created a classic story which continues to resonate now more than ever. In a world where the truth itself seems increasingly up for grabs, ‘The Hunger Games’ beautifully expresses values of resilience, self-reliance and independent moral inquiry for younger people especially. This is turbo charged storytelling of the highest order and I’m hugely excited to bring it to a new generation of theatre goers and to Suzanne Collins’ longstanding and devoted fans.” 

Jenefer Brown, EVP and Head of Global Products and Experiences at Lionsgate said: “The Hunger Games is one of the best book to movie adaptations of all time, inspiring audiences to think deeply about the world around them and the strength of the human spirit. We are honored to bring its powerful story, characters and world to the stage in this latest exciting chapter.”

Matthew Dunster said:“This might be the most exciting work call I’ve ever had. As soon as the producers said the title, I just said ‘Stop! I’m in’. I loved the Lionsgate film and the brutal and emotional power of this dystopian classic. My children had their heads in the books at the time (it’s definitely the ONLY work call of mine they’ve been excited about) so I stole them and I came to appreciate the beauty of Suzanne Collins’ storytelling. And then to add one of our greatest living playwrights, Conor McPherson, and experience him honouring the voice of Katniss Everdeen so rigorously has been a great privilege. This is theatre. It’s ‘The Hunger Games’ in the theatre. And with the world class team we have put together we aim to do something that is fully immersed in the novel and the film but is uniquely, thrillingly theatrical.”

Conor McPherson is amongst the world’s most revered playwrights. His plays include Girl from the North Country with Bob Dylan, (Old Vic, West End & Broadway), The Weir (Royal Court, West End & Broadway), The Seafarer (National Theatre & Broadway), Shining City (Royal Court & Broadway), The Night Alive (Donmar & Off Broadway), Port Authority (West End & Off Broadway), St Nicholas (Bush theatre & Off Broadway), and This Lime Tree Bower (Bush Theatre & Off Broadway). His West End adaptation of Anton Chekhov’s Uncle Vanya for Sonia Friedman Productions was filmed for the BBC and broadcast by PBS in the United States. Awards and nominations for McPherson’s work include the Laurence Olivier Award, Evening Standard Award, London Critics’ Circle Award, New York Drama Critics’ Circle Award, New York Outer Critics Circle Award, George Devine Award, five Tony Award® nominations, four Irish Film and Television Academy Best Screenplay Awards and the South Bank Show Sky Arts Theatre Award.

Matthew Dunster is a theatre and film director and writer. He has directed or written over sixty shows, often with major national companies (including RSC, NT, Royal Court, Young Vic, Royal Exchange, Shakespeare’s Globe, The Bridge), as well as directing in the West End, on Broadway and internationally.  He has been the Associate Director of The Young Vic and Shakespeare’s Globe. Dunster has been nominated for three Olivier Awards, and his Broadway production of Hangmen was nominated for five Tony Awards®. His recent work includes Martin McDonagh’s The Pillowman in the West End and the phenomenally successful 2:22 – A Ghost Story, also in the West End and now on a major tour of the UK.

Joining McPherson and Dunster on the creative team are Miriam Buether (set designer), Moi Tran (costume designer), Charlotte Broom (choreographer), Lucy Carter (lighting designer), Ian Dickinson for Autograph (sound designer), Tal Rosner (video designer), Kev McCurdy (fight director), John Maddox for Suspended Illusions(performer flying), Amy Ball (casting director), and Gary Beestone (production manager).

Based on the series of novels by Suzanne Collins, The Hunger Games has become one of the highest-grossing movie franchises of all time, having grossed nearly $3 billion in box office sales worldwide. Lionsgate’s latest installment of the film franchise, The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes, will debut in theatres around the world on November 17^th, 2023.

In a dystopian future, The Hunger Games ignite a thrilling battle for survival, where 24 young tributes are pitted against each other in a deadly arena. Katniss Everdeen, a fearless and resourceful heroine, emerges as a symbol of rebellion as she fights not only for her life but for the hope of a nation oppressed by a ruthless Capitol. In a brand-new epic stage production, The Hunger Games is a gripping tale of courage, defiance, and the unbreakable human spirit.

The Hunger Games is produced by Tristan Baker & Charlie Parsons for Runaway Entertainment, Oliver Royds for BOS Productions and Isobel David, by arrangement with Lionsgate.

FULL CASTING ANNOUNCED FOR THE

MENIER CHOCOLATE FACTORY’S REVIVAL OF

SONDHEIM AND WEIDMAN’S PACIFIC OVERTURES

The Menier Chocolate Factory today announces full casting for their co-production with the Umeda Arts Theater of Stephen Sondheim and John Weidman’s Pacific Overtures. Matthew White directs Jon Chew (Reciter), Kanako Nakano (Tamate), Saori Oda (Shogun/Madam), Takuro Ohno (Kayama), and Joaquin Pedro Valdes (Manjiro), with Luoran Ding, Masashi Fujimoto, Rachel Hayne Picar, Eu Jin Hwang, Abel Law, Ethan Le Phong, JoJo Meredith, Patrick Munday, Sario Solomon, Joy Tan, Lee V G, and Iverson Yabut. The productions opens on 4 December, with previews from 25 November, and runs until 24 February.

PACIFIC OVERTURES

MUSIC AND LYRICS STEPHEN SONDHEIM, BOOK BY JOHN WEIDMAN

A co-production with Umeda Arts Theater

25 November 2023 – 24 February 2024

Direction: Matthew White; Set Design: Paul Farnsworth; Costume Design: Ayako Maeda; Sound Design: Gregory Clarke; Choreography: Ashley Nottingham; Musical Supervision: Catherine Jayes; Musical Direction: Paul Bogaev; Orchestrations: Jonathan Tunick; Hair and Make-up Design: Wakana Yoshihara; Cultural Consultant: You-Ri Yamanaka

Nippon. The Floating Kingdom.  One of Stephen Sondheim’s most ambitious creations comes to the Chocolate Factory in a co-production with Umeda Arts Theater in Japan, where it has already been a huge success in Tokyo and Osaka.  The story of the arrival of the West in 1853 in isolated Japan is seen from a western perspective but played in an eastern style.  The score is filled with some of Sondheim’s most ravishing music, including “Someone in a Tree”, “Pretty Lady” and “A Bowler Hat”.   

Pacific Overtures completes the Menier’s trilogy of Weidman/Sondheim musicals following their productions of Assassins and Road Show.

Stephen Sondheim (1930 – 2021) was one of the world’s greatest composer and lyricists. His works include Saturday Night, A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, Anyone Can Whistle, Company, Follies, A Little Night Music, Pacific Overtures, Sweeney Todd, Merrily We Roll Along, Sunday in the Park With George (Pulitzer Prize), Passion, Assassins and Road Show.  Sondheim also wrote the lyrics for West Side Story, Gypsy and Do I Hear a Waltz?. He was the recipient of multiple awards, including 8 Tony Awards – one of which was a Lifetime Achievement Award, 7 Grammys and an Academy Award for Best Song for Dick Tracy, and was elected to The American Academy of Arts and Letters (1983). His final musical Here We Are will be staged in New York this autumn.

John Weidman has written the books for many musicals, including Pacific Overtures (Tony Award nomination, Best Book), Assassins (Tony Award, Best Musical Revival) and Road Show (Lucille Lortel nomination, Best Musical), all with scores by Stephen Sondheim; Contact (Tony Award nomination, Best Book; Tony Award, Best Musical), co-created with director/choreographer Susan Stroman; Happiness, score by Scott Frankel and Michael Korie, directed and choreographed by Susan Stroman; Take Flight and Big (Tony nomination, Best Book), scores by Richard Maltby Jr. and David Shire; and the new book, co-authored with Timothy Crouse, for the Lincoln Center Theater/Roundabout Theatre revivals of Cole Porter’s Anything Goes (Tony Award, Best Musical Revival; Olivier Award, Best Musical Production). From 1999 to 2009 he served as President of the Dramatists Guild of America.

Jon Chew plays the Reciter. His theare work includes The Good Person of Szechwan (Lyric Hammersmith /Sheffield Theatres), Anything Goes (Barbican), Unity (1918) (Actor’s Studio), Asian Pirate Musical (Vaults Festival), Wild Goose Dreams (Ustinov Theatre, Bath Theatre Royal), Forgotten (Arcola Theatre), The King and I (London Palladium), and The Bee (Theatresause). For television, his work includes EastEnders, Three-Body Problem, The Great, The First Team, and Anything Goes and The King and I: From the London Palladium; and for film, Robin and the Hood; and The Wayback.

Kanako Nakano plays Tamate. Her theatre work includes My Neighbour Totoro (RSC/Barbican), A Chorus Line (Curve Leicester), White Pearl (Royal Court Theatre), Miss Saigon (Prince Edward Theatre, UK tour), Kiki’s Delivery Service (Southwark Playhouse), West Side Story (Grange Park Opera), and Priscilla Queen of the Desert (UK tour). Her television work includes Secret Invasion and Peep Show; and for film, People Just Do Nothing.

Saori Oda plays Shogun/Madam. Her theatre work includes Galaxy Train (Théatre Lapis), The Phantom of the Opera, The King and I (West End, UK tour), Avenue Q (UK and Ireland tour), Carousel (ENO), Miss Saigon (Prince Edward Theatre), and The Lion King (Lyceum Theatre); and for film, The Bryanston.

Takuro Ohno plays Kayama. He will be making his UK stage debut in this production.  He has recently played the title role in The Phantom of the Opera in Japan and has appeared in many Japanese films and television shows.

Joaquin Pedro Valdes plays Manjiro. His theatre work includes Death Note (London Palladium), Then, Now & Next (Southwark Playhouse), Killing the Cat (Riverside Studios), The Lion King (UK and Ireland tour), Heathers the Musical (The Other Palace), Vanara the Legend (Hackney Empire), Miss Saigon, The King and I (UK and International tour), Fanny and Stella the Musical (The Garden Theatre), Matilda, Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike, Red and The Last 5 Years (Manila Metropolitan Theatre).

Matthew White returns to the Menier having previously directed The Boy Friend, She Loves Me, Candide, Sweet Charity (also Theatre Royal, Haymarket), Little Shop of Horrors (also Duke of York’s Theatre and UK tour) and The Last Five Years. His other theatre work includes The Addams Family (Festival Theatre, Edinburgh and UK tour), Kiss Me Kate, West Side Story (Kilworth House), The Producers (UK tour), Top Hat (also adapted for the stage, UK tour and Aldwych Theatre – Olivier Award for Best New Musical), Maria Friedman – By Special Arrangement (Donmar Warehouse), Closer than Ever (Jermyn Street Theatre) and Mr Stink (also adapted, Curve and UK tour).

LISTINGS INFORMATION                                                                                MENIER CHOCOLATE FACTORY

53 Southwark Street, London, SE1 1RU

CLOSE UP – THE TWIGGY MUSICAL

Until 18 November

PACIFIC OVERTURES

25 November 2023 – 24 February 2024

Box Office:                         020 7378 1713 (£2.50 transaction fee per booking)

Website:                             www.menierchocolatefactory.com (£1.50 transaction fee per booking)

Tickets:                               Prices vary, as below from discounted preview tickets to premier seats. With the emphasis on ‘the sooner you book, the better the price’:

Please note at this time the restaurant is unable to open due to circumstances beyond the company’s control.

www.menierchocolatefactory.com

Twitter: @MenChocFactory

Instagram: @menierchocolatefactory

GEORGE DEVINE AWARD 2023 SHORTLIST ANNOUNCED

The George Devine Award today announces its 2023 Shortlist of nine playwrights. Formed in 1966 in memory of the Royal Court’s founding Artistic Director George Devine, the Award is recognised as one of the most prestigious in new writing and seeks to shine a light on a playwright of promise. The winner will receive a prize of £15,000 in support of their future as a playwright. Former winners include Tyrell Williams, Alice Birch, Lucy Prebble, Daniel Ward and Diana Nneka Atuona. 

The 2023 Shortlist is:

Georgia Bruce for TIME, LIKE THE SEA

Sami Ibrahim for NGO

Shahid Iqbal Khan for DJINNITY

Somebody Jones for HOW I LEARNED TO SWIM

Tife Kusoro for G

Cordelia Lynn for WITCH PLAY 

Ava Pickett for 1536

Bea Roberts for THOSE WHO (ARE/WERE) LEFT

Sam Ward for EVERYTHING I’M THINKING ALL OF THE TIME

The industry judging panel for 2023 is Nick Payne (also a former recipient of the Award), Justin Audibert, Johnny Flynn, Nimmo Ismail, Rebekah Murrell and Roxana Silbert. They will now decide upon the recipient of this year’s Award, who will be announced in late October.

Actor and 2023 Award judge Johnny Flynn said:

‘‘It has been an extraordinary privilege to read these plays and I have been bowled over by their inventiveness. Each one pushes the form in a totally unique way, and yet despite their extreme differences in style, it’s amazing to see common themes in many of them.

Entertaining worlds filled with artificial intelligence, witches, power imbalances and social media out-of-control spanning nearly 500 years have led us to reconsider what it is to be human in 2023, and beyond.

It makes me realise how lucky we are to have a culture of theatre in this country that is on the frontline of thought and ideas bringing us together as a society.”

Dock X, Canada Water – until 9 December 2023

Reviewer Alec Legge

4****

Off to London’s Dockland to see ‘Rumble in the Jungle‘! Not knowing what to expect, advertised as a trip back in time to the fight between Muhammad Ali and George Foreman in 1974 Zaire and it being an immersive spectacle.

On entering what appeared to be a warehouse and a foyer type space where at one end there was a boxing ring set up which was open on two sides and surrounded by an array of of punch bags hanging from the roof. The audience members were encouraged to gather round the ring and treated to a lively intro to what was going to happen. It was stressed that we were no longer an audience but were active participants in the show.

Then a door opened and we were led into a large colourful space where there were bars, stages and stalls set up and at one end a reproduction of a hotel entertainment area complete with a bar, food counter, tables and chairs and a dais with a pianist,double bass player and then a singer.

We were treated too songs with the audience being encouraged to participate whilst drinking and dining. All this time there were actors playing the part of Congolese citizens and soldiers and also various characters involved in the boxing scene such as Don King and others including David Frost. Being an immersive show the audience were encouraged to connect and speak with the characters as though we were actually back in time at Zaire in 1974.

This was followed by press conferences with actors taking the parts of Ali and Foreman plus their entourage. The repartee between the fighters was brilliant with including Ali’s famous, ‘float like a butterfly, sting like a bee’

There was also a re-creation of the famous Zaire ’74 music festival with entertainers taking the parts of James Brown, BB King, Miriam Makeba and others. A feast for the eyes and ears!

Thus to the finale, the actual fight. This took place in an arena consisting of a semi circular seating area facing a boxing ring backed by a large screen on which film of the actual fight was shown whilst in the ring the two actors playing the participants and a referee acted out the fight in real time. This was a really enjoyable spectacle in its own right. Fantastic.

All in all the show was really immersive and spectacular with the audience engaging with the action in the various scenarios wholeheartedly.

The producers and directors of the show are to be commended for bringing to life this amazing sporting event and events surrounding it! It was a spectacular, colourful and enjoyable experience all round. Well worth a visit not just for fight fans but enjoyable for all.

Park Theatre – until Saturday 28 October 2023

Reviewed by Claire Roderick

4****

Sibling rivalry and silly spooky shenanigans are a real Halloween treat in this energetic and atmospheric new comedy from Make It Beautiful Theatre Company.

After their father’s death Jack (Felix Grainger), Sarah (Cara Steele) and Connor (Gabriel Fogarty-Graveson) struggle to keep his pub running. Sarah (an entrepreneur with disastrously unfeasible ideas) and Connor (drifting from one mate’s sofa to another) return for the funeral and blame reliable Jack (the only one who stayed in town and visited their father in the care home) for the sorry state of business at The Nag’s Head. Behind her brother’s back, Sarah accepts a deal with an old uni friend who works for Greene King and tries to boost business so that they can get more money when they sell to that ubiquitous chain.

Sarah struggles to find The Nag’s Head’s USP, until she encounters Dr G Host and decides to market The Nag’s Head as the most haunted pub in Shireshire, helped by a front-page story about a mysterious painting that their father left them. Also thrown in are some ghostly romance, demonic possession, the cult of the Greene King, warnings from apparitions in the beer cellar and lessons about animal poo. Is this mysterious painting a tool of the devil or is it the family’s inability to deal openly with their grief that leads to the spiralling madness that leads to chaotic and explosive situations?

The bond between the siblings is portrayed beautifully – no matter the insults, apathy (no one remembers the name of Jack’s girlfriend of 15 years!) and jealously, the unbreakable love and affection always shines through in writers Grainger and Fogarty-Graveson’s script. The running jokes bed in well and the physical comedy from the cast is as strong as the dialogue. Steele embodies every horror film’s cliché portrayal of possession as Sarah becomes obsessed with consistency in a fantastically dynamic performance. Fogarty-Graveson is sweetly ridiculous as the snarky and hapless Connor he acts out his dates with the mysterious Mary, and hilarious as the insane characters who visit the pub. Grainger is madly OTT as Dr Host, and a bundle of frustration as Jack.

The simple yet effective set evokes the sticky floors and mismatched furniture of rundown village pubs, and Beril Yavuz’s lighting ramps up the tension and frames the scares brilliantly. Alice Chambers directs skilfully, allowing the humour, scares and pathos to mix seamlessly.

The Nag’s Head is a story of grief, sibling love and the nonsensical systems we develop to heal rifts, interweaved with paranormal phenomena and bonkers comedy – what’s not to like?