Wessex Grove, Underbelly, Gavin Kalin Productions, Eilene Davidson Productions, Winkler & Smalberg, and Cultura in association with Shakespeare Theatre Company, Washington, D.C. are delighted to announce the full cast and creative team for MACBETH starring Tony and BAFTA Award-winning Ralph Fiennes as Macbeth and Olivier Award-winning Indira Varma as Lady Macbeth at The Depot, Liverpool (18 November – 20 December 2023), Royal Highland Centre, Edinburgh (12 – 27 January 2024) Dock X, Canada Water, London(10 February – 23 March 2024) and Washington, D.C. (9 April – 5 May 2024).
More seats are also released today for the seasons in Liverpool, Edinburgh and London. For tickets please go to MacbethTheShow.com.
Joining Ralph Fiennes as Macbeth and Indira Varma as Lady Macbeth will be Ben Allen as Ross, Ewan Black as Malcolm, Levi Brown as Angus, Jonathon Case as Seyton, Danielle Fiamanya as Second Witch, Keith Fleming as King Duncan/Siward, Michael Hodgson as Second Murderer, Lucy Mangan as First Witch, Jake Neads as First Murderer/Donalbain, Richard Pepper as Lennox, Steffan Rhodri as Banquo, Rose Riley as Menteith, Lola Shalam as Third Witch, Rebecca Scroggs as Lady Macduff/Doctor, Ethan Thomas as Fleance, and Ben Turner as Macduff.
This brand-new production of one of Shakespeare’s most iconic plays will be staged like never before in custom built theatre spaces unique to this production giving audiences the chance to be even closer to the action.
It is Adapted by Emily Burns with Direction by Simon Godwin. Set & Costume Design is by Frankie Bradshaw, Lighting Design by Jai Morjaria and Sound Design by Christopher Shutt. The Composer is Asaf Zohar, with Sound System Design by Christopher Shutt & Sam Clarkson. The Movement Director is Lucy Cullingford, the Hair, Make Up and Prosthetics Designer is Susanna Peretz, the Fight Director is Kate Waters, the Casting Director is Amy Ball CDG and the Children’s Casting Director is Ellie Collyer-Bristow CDG. The Voice & Dialect Coach is Jeannette Nelson, the Associate Director is Alice Wordsworth, the Associate Set Designer is Ceci Calf, the Associate Costume Designer / Costume Supervisor is Olivia Ward, the Associate Lighting Designer is Tom Turner and the Casting Associate is Arthur Carrington.
Macbeth is coming. A couple corrupted by their relentless lust for power have blood on their hands. Witness the gripping tale of greed, murder, deception and superstition. Once you cross the line, you can never turn back.
Coupla Carols in association with Park Theatre has today announced that Cathy Conneff will star in the upcoming new production of Toby Hampton and Matthew Ballantyne’s 21 Round For Christmas, which will run at Park Theatre’s Park90 theatre from 6-23 December 2023.
The Off West End Awards-nominated one woman play, which arrives at Park Theatre following acclaimed runs at the Hope Theatre and Bridge House Theatre, is a comical and chaotic one-woman show about memory, friendship and regrets. Tracy, a day-dreaming, outspoken and extroverted-introvert is trapped in the kitchen cooking Christmas dinner for her huge fussy family while her best friend is lying in a hospice. She just wants to go back to happier times.
Christmas means different things to different people. It’s love, it’s family, it’s corporate exploitation – take your pick. This year, however – for Tracy Sullivan at least – it’s absolute chaos!
She has 21 hungry guests to cook for: and this one won’t eat turkey, that one insists there has to be some. They don’t like carrots, they don’t like sprouts, he’s on a diet, she’s gone keto, he’s gluten free, she can’t eat dairy, the mother-in-law has gone vegan and she doesn’t love her family.
Cathy Conneff is a hard of hearing and neurodiverse actor whose credits include Talking Heads: Her Big Chance for Dramaiocht, Vinegar Tom for OVO at The Maltings and the feature film 24 Hours To Live Or Die, alongside television appearances in Casualty, Coronation Street and The Private Lives of the Tudors. Conneff won best supporting actress in a feature film at the Madrid International Film Festival 2017 for her portrayal of Magenta in Sophia Lazzati and the inaugural Mandy Monologue Competition Actors’ Choice Award.
Written by Toby Hampton and Matt Ballantyne, the creative team for the production are Toby Hampton (Oh No It Isn’t – The Hope Theatre & UK Tour) as Director, Tanya Truman (Pickle – Soho Theatre, Park Theatre & UK Tour) as Creative Producer, Laurel Marks (These Demons – Theatre503) as Production Manager, Emily Rose Simons (Pickle – Park Theatre) as Sound Designer, Alex Forey (Battersea Bardot – New Wimbledon Theatre) as Lighting Designer, Ella McCormack as Assistant Director and Summer Keeling (Infamous – Jermyn Street Theatre) as Stage Manager.
Director and co-writer Toby Hampton said, “I’m certain this show is going to be a joyous Christmas feast! Tracy is a such a lovely character that we can all see within ourselves and her story is being brought to life by a brilliant creative team – I can’t wait to get cooking with them all!”
The run will include an Audio Described performance on 16 December, preceded by a Touch Tour, and a BSL Interpreted performance on 19 December.
UNFORTUNATE: THE UNTOLD STORY OF URSULA THE SEA WITCH
FULL CAST ANNOUNCED
PRESENTED BY LAURA ELMES FOR WILDPARK ENTERTAINMENT WITH THE VAULTS AND DIANNE ROBERTS
BOOK AND LYRICS BY ROBYN GRANT & DANIEL FOXX AND MUSIC BY TIM GILVIN
Shawna Hamic (Orange is the New Black, 1776 on Broadway) will lead the cast of the critically-acclaimed musical parody Unfortunate: The Untold Story of Ursula the Sea Witchopposite Ru Paul’s Drag Race UK star River Medway as Ariel
They are joined by Thomas Lowe (Triton), Allie Dart (Sebastian), Jamie Mawson (Eric), Julian Capolei (Grimsby) and Corrina Buchan, Jack Gray, Jamie McKillop and Milly Willows in the ensemble. Casting is by Sarah Leung CDG. Unfortunate will kick off at Southwark Playhouse Elephant for 10 weeks this winter before touring across the UK
Join everyone’s favourite Disney Diva, Ursula, as she gives her take on what really happened all those years ago under the sea. With an original hot pop soundtrack and trademark filthy humour, it’s time to take the plunge and dive into this year’s hottest night out. Cruella told her side, and Maleficent’s had her moment. Now the legendary queer queen is ready to spill, in this tell-all tale of sex, sorcery and suckers. With a new script and production, the latest version of this hit show is bigger, bolder and sexier than ever before.
The smash-hit show is written by Robyn Grant (who also directs) and Daniel Foxx, with music, arrangements and orchestrations by Tim Gilvin. The musical features set, costume and puppet design by Abby Clarke, choreography by Melody Sinclair, additional orchestrations by Nikki Davison and Joe Davison for Auburn Jam, musical supervision and direction by Arlene McNaught, lighting design by Adam King, sound design by Lucy Baker, Oscar Thompson and Will Thompson, flying and effects by John Maddox for Suspended Illusions, make-up design by Maya Lewis, intimacy and fight direction by Claire Llewellyn for RC-Annie, production management by Titch Gosling, assistant direction by Stephenson Ardern-Sodje, costume supervision by Sian Clare and puppets built by Aled Williams. The band is completed by Dejeanté Hinks on guitar and Becky Slater on drums.
Shawna Hamic plays Ursula. Shawna’s theatre credits include 1776 (Broadway and US National Tour), The Last Ship (Broadway and US National Tour), Les Misérables (US National Tour), Kinky Boots (US National Tour), Miss You Like Hell (The Public Theater, Off-Broadway) and My Paris (Terris Theater, Connecticut). TV credentials include Orange is the New Black, The Time Traveller’s Wife, Halston, Russian Doll, New Amsterdam, That Damn Michael Che, Bull and BRUISED.
River Medway plays Ariel. After appearing on the third season of RuPaul’s Drag Race UK, River quickly became a fan favourite. River has since travelled the UK on various tours, including Pick’n’Mix, The Main Event and the official Drag Race UK Season 3 tour. In 2021, she also briefly joined the cast as Alice in Tuckshop’s Dick Whittington (Phoenix Theatre, West End). River continues to headline Pride events and club gigs across the country. Most recently, River played Sister Mary Julie Andrews in Death Drop: Back In The Habit (West End and UK Tour).
Thomas Lowe plays Triton. He is a Manchester born singer, actor, TV host and composer who was catapulted to early stardom as a member of the teenage pop band NORTH and SOUTH. Thomas’s West End credits include Les Misérables, Andrew Lloyd Webber’s original production of CATS, and creating the lead role in Boy George’s workshop of Taboo. Thomas’s US credits include Back to Bacharach and David (Hollywood premier), Les Misérables (Hollywood Bowl), and VEGAS! THE SHOW (Planet Hollywood Casino and Resort), where he paid tribute to Frank Sinatra, Elvis, Tom Jones and Elton John.
Allie Dart plays Sebastian. Her theatre credits include 2:22 A Ghost Story (Apollo Theatre, West End), Cinderella (The Hounslow Arts), Unfortunate; The Untold Story of Ursula the Sea Witch (UK Tour 2022), Jack Frost (Norwich Playhouse), Waiter! There’s a Murder in my Soup! (Troubadour Wembley Park), Vulvarine: A New Musical (King’s Head Theatre and UK Tour), Tom and Bunny Save the World (UK Tour), Beauty and The Beast; A Musical Parody (King’s Head Theatre and UK Tour), The Case of the Missing Monsters (Dorich House), Buzz: A New Musical (Pleasance Theatre) and Always Easier for the Others (The Yard Theatre). TV Credits include The Stand Up Sketch Show (ITV)and Derren Brown: Fear & Faith (Channel 4)
Jamie Mawson plays Eric. His theatre credits include previous runs of Unfortunate: The Untold Story of Ursula the Sea Witch (UK tour), Vulvarine: A New Musical (King’s Head Theatre and UK tour), Buzz: A New Musical (Pleasance), Waiter, There’s a Murder in my Soup! (Troubadour Wembley Park), Tom and Bunny Save the World (Assembly and UK tour), Beauty and the Beast: A Musical Parody (King’s Head Theatre and UK tour) and Macbeth (The Young Shakespeare Company UK tour).
Julian Capolei plays Grimsby. Julian’s theatre credits include Cabaret (Kit Kat Club) starring Eddie Redmayne and Jessie Buckley, Disney’s Aladdin the Musical (Prince Edward Theatre), Tommy (UK Tour), Peter Pan (Derby Playhouse), Sinbad the Sailor (Theatre Royal Stratford East). Julian has choreographed Billie The Kid: A New Musical (Vaudeville Theatre) and has also worked on music videos for Belle & Sebastian and Hot Since 82.
Corrina Buchan is part of the ensemble. Her theatre credits include Death Drop: Back in the Habit (West End & UK Tour), Drac & Jill (Wardrobe Theatre), Little Women In Black (Wardrobe Theatre), Sam Wanamaker Festival 2019 (Shakespeare’s Globe), Tracing Grace (West Yorkshire Playhouse, Theatre 503), S A F A R I (North Wall Arts Centre, Oxford), Catalyst: Alchymy Festival 2019 (North Wall Arts Centre, Oxford) Mycorrhiza (Space Arts Centre) Bat Boy The Musical (Citizens Theatre, Glasgow) and Godspell (Citizens Theatre, Glasgow).
Jack Gray is part of the ensemble. Jack’s theatre credits include Badgers Can’t Be Friends (Southwark Playhouse, Kings Head Theatre), Cockfosters (Turbine Theatre), Anticlimax (Theatre503), Five Short Plays Loosely Linked by the Theme of Crime (Drayton Arms Theatre), and Unfortunate: The Untold Story of Ursula the Sea Witch (UK tour). Jack recently finished filming Side Hustle, a short film due for release in 2024, which he wrote and starred in.
Jamie McKillop is part of the ensemble. His theatre credits include Break My Windows (The Traverse Theatre), The Dolls Dragged Up (Scottish Tour) and The Bookie (Cumbernauld Theatre). Jamie has been the resident dame in panto at Websters Theatre, Glasgow for the past 10 years. He is also an established Drag Artist.
Milly Willows is part of the ensemble. Milly is a 2023 Italia Conti Academy of Theatre Arts graduate. Her credits whilst training include Sweeney Todd, Big Fish, The Wild Party, Into the Woods (Italia Conti). Other credits include Scandalgate (workshop) and 2023 Winner of The Stephen Sondheim Society Performer of the Year Competition (Sondheim Theatre).
The West End’s biggest stars are coming to town at West End Musical Christmas Tuesday 12th December 2023, 7.30pm Adelphi Theatre, Strand, London, WC2R 0NS
The West End’s number-one concert series is back with another feel-good, all-singing, all-dancing Christmas extravaganza!
Following 2 previously sold-out concerts, every musical theatre fan’s dream Christmas party returns with an incredible cast of West End stars, backed by a live band, dance ensemble, and more Christmas spirit than Santa could squeeze into the Adelphi.
This year, the star line-up includes Alice Fearn (Come From Away, Wicked), Ben Forster (Jesus Christ Superstar, The Phantom Of The Opera), Trevor Dion Nicholas (Next To Normal, Hamilton), Tosh Wanogho-Maud (Ain’t Too Proud, The Drifters Girl) and Shanay Holmes (Miss Saigon, Get Up Stand Up), with more Christmas crackers to be announced.
Brought to you by the award-winning producers (Black British Theatre Awards, Best Producer 2021 and Best Musical Production 2021) of West End Musical Brunch, West End Musical Drive In, West End Musical Celebration, West End Musical Love Songs, West End Musical Halloween and Musical Con, the UK’s official musical theatre fan convention.
The set list is a closely guarded secret but expect heart-warming Christmas classics building to an all-out party with everyone on their feet by the end of the first act. Get ready to sing, dance, and spread the Christmas cheer for all to hear! We wish you a musical Christmas!
REBAB THE MUSICAL transfers to an exciting new West End venue Keith Allen returns to star with soul legend Mica Paris joining the cast
Keith Allen, Jodie Steele, Christian Maynard, Maiya Quansah-Breed, Mica Paris Photo Hugo Glendinning
Following a frenzied, sold-out and critically-lauded 2022 run at the Playground Theatre, Rehab, the exceptionally-funny, darkly-comic musical, is ready, once again, to sweep you up on an emotional journey through the soaring highs, and tragic lows, of the ‘guests’ of the Glade Rehab Centre – this time at an exciting new venue, Neon 194, 194 Piccadilly, St. James’s, London W1J 9LN from January 12, 2024.
It’s 1999 and jaded 26-year-old pop star, Kid Pop, finds himself in court after being caught red- handed in a drug fuelled tabloid sting. An understanding judge gives Kid the choice between jail time or a rehabilitation centre for six weeks. It’s a no-brainer for Kid: rehab will be a holiday. But how could he have got it so wrong?
A very funny musical about a very serious topic, Rehab deals with the subject of addition and mental health with warmth, humour and heart, written by people who understand it from the inside out.
Written by Grant Black, Murray Lachlan Young and Elliot Davis and starring Keith Allen (Comic Strip Presents, The Pembrokeshire Murders), Christian Maynard (Miss Saigon, & Juliet), Maiya Quansah-Breed (Six) and Jodie Steele (Heathers The Musical), with soul diva Mica Paris – no introduction necessary – Rehab balances hilarious comedy with heart-breaking truth, a stunning musical score brilliantly accompanying a timeless story – that of striving to change our lives for the better, one day at a time.
The cast also includes: John Barr (Rehab, Playground Theatre), Carly Burns (Blood Brothers), Oscar Conlon-Morrey (Only Fools and Horses the Musical and Ian McKellen’s Mother Goose), Ben Mabberley (Hollyoaks, Tarantino Live!), Simon Shorten (Les Miserables, Matilda) and Rebecca Thornhill (Mama Rose in Gypsy at The Mill at Sonning – Best Musical 2023 UK Theatre Awards).
Creative team: Director & Choreographer Gary Lloyd Set Designer Simon Kenny Musical Supervisor & Arranger Katy Richardson Costume Designer Rob Jones Lighting Designer Tim Oliver Sound Designer Chris Whybrow Orchestrator and Music Copyist Jude Obermüller Casting Director Anne Vosser Assistant Director/Choreographer and Resident Director Alex Codd
Producer Clive Black Co-Producers Don Black & Nicola Martin Associate Producer Jane Savidge Assistant Producer & General Manager for Blacklist Entertainment Jayne Meegan General Manager Manager Peter Huntley and Callum Runciman for Smart Entertainment
Grant Black (Music and Lyrics) Grant Black was born into song. He is the son of legendary Oscar-winning lyricist Don Black. Grant started out working for music publishers and moved into management representing Adam Ant, Strictly Rhythm Records and many more. Grant has enjoyed huge success as a songwriter with artists as varied as Van Morrison, Run DMC, Craig David, Sarah Brightman, Olly Murs, and Corrine Bailey Rae to name a few. Grant is currently writing the musical, ‘Casanova’, with Don Black and Frank Wildhorn.
Murray Lachlan Young (Music and Lyrics) Murray Lachlan is a cross-platform British Poet, broadcaster, writer, and performer. Poetry residencies include: BBC Radio 2 Culture show, BBC Radio 4 Saturday live and 13 years at BBC Radio 6 Music. He is the author of the 2017 Amazon best-selling poetry collection How Freakin’ Zeitgeist Are You? Poetry commissions include Shakespeare’s Globe, Ferrari motors and CERN. He co-wrote the visual screenplay for the Oscar long-listed 2015 film adaptation of Dylan Thomas’ Under Milk Wood. He collaborated with Electronica giants Orbital in 2020 on The Virus Diaries. His new play for families – Atom and Luna follows hot on the heels of this production.
Elliot Davis (Book) Elliot Davis’ talents span across musical theatre, film and radio. His musical writing credits include Becoming Nancy (directed by Jerry Mitchell), Loserville (Olivier nominated Best New Musical), Peter Pan (revised book), Out There and Best Friends & Butterflies (Book & Music), TicketMaster (Composer Award/Best New Musical Vivian Ellis Award), What I Go To School For – The Busted Musical, and Fings Ain’t Wot They Used T’Be (new adaptation) directed by Terry Johnson. Elliot has also been a prolific music documentary maker for the BBC. His first feature film screenplay, Consider Yourself, was commissioned by BBC Films and stars Geoffrey Rush. Elliot is the inaugural recipient of the JJ Screenwriting Bursary is association with BAFTA.
Gary Lloyd (Director and Choreographer) Gary is a multi-award-winning director and choreographer (Heathers, Thriller Live, Carrie, Fame’ who has worked on arena tours with some of the world’s biggest artists, including Kelly Clarkson, Jennifer Hudson, Robbie Williams, Sir Paul McCartney, Sir Tom Jones, Macy Gray, Girls Aloud, and many more. TV credits include The X Factor, Ant and Dec’s Saturday Night Takeaway, The Royal Variety Performance, and Comic Relief. Other credits include two Royal Gala Performances (London Palladium and Theatre Royal Drury Lane), Artistic Director for the BAFTA Awards, The Queen’s Golden Jubilee Concert at the Palace, and Stage Director and Choreographer on the 2005 Royal Variety Performance in the presence of Her Majesty the Queen at the Wales Millennium Centre.
Clive Black (Producer) Clive Black’s career in the music business started at the age of 16, as an office junior at Island Records. Clive soon moved into the world of A&R where his ability to recognise talent, sign and develop artists became the start of a promising career. Clive went on to run EMI’s A+R department, left to run Warner Brothers as A+R Director and returned to EMI as Managing Director at the age of 28. He directly signed and released many hit records / artists and has worked closely with some of the biggest names in the history of British music.
Don Black (Co-Producer) Don Black received two Tony Awards for Best Book and Lyrics of a Musical for ‘Sunset Boulevard’, marking his third collaboration with Andrew Lloyd Webber. They first joined forces to write the song cycle Tell Me On A Sunday and were reunited again for Aspects of Love. Additional awards include an Oscar for his song Born Free, five Academy Award nominations, three Tony nominations, six Ivor Novello Awards and a Golden Globe. Songwriter of many James Bond songs (including Diamonds Are Forever and The Man with the Golden Gun), Don was inducted in the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2008 and honoured with a BMI Icon award. He received the Order of the British Empire in the Queen’s Honours List and was awarded an Olivier Award for his outstanding services to theatre. Recently, Don’s critically acclaimed memoir The Sanest Guy In The Room featured in The Sunday Times best sellers list.
Jane Savidge (Associate Producer) As co-founder and head of legendary PR company Savage & Best, Jane Savidge is widely credited as being the main instigator of the Britpop movement that swept the UK in the mid 1990s. During this time, Jane and her company represented Suede, Pulp, The Verve, Elastica, Longpigs, whilst representing many other artists of the era including The Cranberries, The Fall and Jesus and Mary Chain. She is the author of Lunch With The Wild Frontiers (2019) and Here They Come With Their Make Up On: Suede, Coming Up and More Adventures Beyond The Wild Frontiers (2022), and her new book, Pulp’s This Is Hardcore, will be published by Bloomsbury in March 2024.
Jayne Meegan General Manager Blacklist Entertainment / Assistant Producer Jayne’s career began in the music industry managing successful record producers. She then went on to work at EMI Records and Warner Records in A & R where the long term working relationship with Clive Black begun. She has successful worked with a long line of artists and has been part of the team for Rehab since 2017.
LISTINGS INFO
Rehab the Musical
Music and Lyrics by Grant Black and Murray Lachlan Young, Book by Elliot Davis
Directed and Choreographed by Gary Lloyd
Produced by Clive Black
Neon 194 194 Piccadilly St. James’s London W1J 9LN
After thrilling audiences at the Shaftesbury Theatre in London’s West End from 2019-2023, and on Broadway where it is currently playing at the Stephen Sondheim Theatre, the Olivier and WhatsOnStage Award winning and Tony Award nominated musical & JULIETis embarking on a UK tour from 8 July 2024, visiting Manchester, Southampton, Edinburgh, Liverpool, Birmingham, Cardiff, Nottingham, Leeds and more.
Casting is to be announced.
There is life after Romeo!
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. Created by the Emmy-winning writer from “Schitt’s Creek,” this hilarious new musical flips the script on the greatest love story ever told and asks, what would happen next if Juliet didn’t end it all over Romeo?
Juliet’s new story bursts to life through a playlist of pop anthems as iconic as her name, including Britney Spears’ “…Baby One More Time,” Katy Perry’s “Roar”and chart toppers “Since U Been Gone,” “It’s My Life,” “I Want It That Way,” and “Can’t Stop the Feeling!” — all from Max Martin, the genius songwriter/producer behind more #1 hits than any other artist this century, and his collaborators. Break free of the balcony scene and get into this romantic comedy that proves there’s life after Romeo. The only thing tragic would be missing it.
& JULIET is a global success with the smash-hit Broadway production, breaking box office records and entering its second year in November 2023 and a US tour set to embark in September 2024. The musical made its North American premiere with the pre-Broadway production opening at the Princess of Wales Theatre in Toronto in 2022. The Australian production opened in Melbourne in February 2023 before heading to Marina Bay Sands in Singapore this summer. It will return to Australia this December opening in Perth before heading to Sydney in February 2024.
& JULIET is directed by Luke Sheppard (In the Heights, Rent, Little Big Things), with a Book by David West Read (Schitt’s Creek), choreography by Jennifer Weber and set design by Soutra Gilmour. Music is by Max Martin & Friends, costume design by Paloma Young, musical supervision, orchestration and arrangements by Bill Sherman, lighting design by Howard Hudson, sound design by Gareth Owen, video & projection design by Andrzej Goulding, hair, wig and makeup design by Suzy Barrett, musical direction, additional arrangements and orchestrations by Dominic Fallacaro, and casting direction by Stuart Burt.
& JULIET is presented by Max Martin and Tim Headington and is produced by Max Martin, Tim Headington, Theresa Steele Page, Jenny Petersson, Martin Dodd and Rebecca Quigley.
Cambridge Arts Theatre, Cambridge – until Saturday 21st Oct 2023
Reviewed by Steph Lott
5*****
Set against the backdrop of 1920s England, “A Voyage Round My Father” is a poignant examination of a father-son relationship, one that is both heart-warming and heart-wrenching. Rupert Everett, in the role of the father, brings to life the character’s unique blend of brilliance, obstinacy and exasperating eccentricity. The audience finds themselves laughing at his antics one moment and moved to tears by his vulnerability the next.
Jack Bardoe, playing the son, delivers an equally remarkable performance. The son is an aspiring writer who grapples with the challenges of living with a father who is both clever and exasperatingly eccentric. Bardoe captures the essence of a young man torn between his own aspirations and the desire for his father’s acceptance and understanding. Bardoe’s portrayal is both heartfelt and compelling. Both Jack Bardoe and Rupert Everett do a fabulous job of conveying each of their characters in time as they age.
The chemistry between Rupert Everett and Jack Bardoe forms the emotional core of the play but the supporting cast also deserve much praise. They add depth and authenticity to the story, providing a window into the broader world of “A Voyage Round My Father.” There are some particular performances that are worth mentioning. Julian Wadham’s performance as the headmaster is touchingly comic as he obscurely lectures about sex to pre-pubescent schoolboys who have no idea what he’s talking about and Calum Reigate, as the son’s school friend, is charming and funny.
Richard Eyre’s direction sets a brisk pace and there is a lot of ground covered very quickly but this does not detract from the performance at all. The script is witty and sparkling and the set design by Bob Crowley is clever and evocative of the father’s beloved garden.
“A Voyage Round My Father” does not offer easy answers. The play reminds us of the universal struggle to connect with our own parents and come to terms with their imperfections and quirks.
“A Voyage Round My Father,” takes the audience on a poignant nostalgic journey through the complexities of the father and son relationship, and what changes and what remains the same as both parties age. This play is a testament to the enduring power of storytelling, and both Everett and Bardoe’s portrayals are remarkable. If you have the opportunity to see “A Voyage Round My Father,” don’t miss it; you’ll embark on an emotional voyage you won’t soon forget.
The west end triumph has come to Southampton for a week of laughter, fun and a lot of fear!
This 4 strong cast, with added support from 2 ensemble characters are superb-perfectly bridging the gap between reality and what lies deep beyond death. We see Jenny (Louisa Lytton), a tired but loving mother who, after moving into her new house with her husband Ben (Joe Absolom) experiences ghostly noises and movements scaring her chronic. She is a witty character, with Joie-de-vivre, executed well by Lytton. After moving into the house, at 2:22am, a strange thing happens. Noises of a man, weeping, sobbing even whilst walking round and round in a circular fashion. The room, is Jenny and Ben’s new baby’s nursery. Terrified after 4 long nights of this nightmare, they invite their friends Lauren and Sam (Charlene Boyd and Nathaniel Curtis ) over for dinner and persuade them (with a contest but copious amounts of wine to soften to blow!) to stay until 2:22 that morning to witness the horror and eventually, try to prove Ben – a long time non believer of what lies beyond, that this could actually be a ghost.
The foursome are tremendous – this felt exactly like we were watching a dinner party and was so natural that I was engrossed in the performance. So engrossed in fact, that at every scare I was physically jumping out of my seat and exhaling profusely with the fear!
Eventually, 2:22am arrives and the noises are heard-footsteps, cries and wails. But what it is, is another matter. Ben, having come back from a business trip away and losing his phone his, ‘I’ll have you know’ convinced that this is foxes mating In the garden, Whilst Jenny believes it is Frank, the husband of the widow who sold the house to the couple. When scary things start happening, like the kitchen setting on fire of its own accord and the baby’s bear being dosed in white spirits, it is abundantly clear that this is a malevolent entity, or is it?
This is a play that needs to be seen to be believed and I urge you to go along and discover what lies beyond the grave. This is fabulous and well deserved of every audience member who attends.
This is a play which is based on Bizet’s Carmen. It is set in modern times and the cast are are pictured as members of the Army based in Cornwall. They consist of Pte Carl Jarvis, Jacob Mellers; Cpl Joe Donaldson, Langley Howard; both Sgt Lamb Military Police and Eddie Miller a boxer, Luke Harding; and finally Lt Davies Military Police as well as Luke the Boxers manager, Kevin Johnson.
It should be noted that up to just over 20 years ago it was illegal in the Army to be gay and while things have changed in that it is now illegal to be homophobic in the Armed Forces, many LBTG+ veterans are waiting to see if they will be compensated for losing careers and pensions because of their sexual identities.
The play opens with Carl doing a striptease performance at a gay party following which he is arrested by Sgt Lamb on charges of working a second job without permission and conduct to the prejudice of good order and military discipline, Sgt Lamb is shown at this stage to be strongly homophobic and pushes for the charges to be pursued resulting in the decision to send Carl to their headquarters at Falmouth. To this end Cpl Joe Donaldson is told off to be his driver/escort.
Both before and during the drive they become attracted to each other and although Joe reacts physically at times his attraction to Carl deepens. Then Carl persuades Joe to visit Eddie the boxer, whom he knows, before finishing their drive to Falmouth. There is more interaction between Joe and Carl but then Carl goes off with Eddie. As a result Joe returns to speak with Lt Davies who upsets Joe who punches and kicks him resulting in Lt Davies falling to the floor and striking his head. Joe thinks he has killed him and rushes back to find Carl and work out what to do next.
The play continues with the central theme of Carl’s and Joe’s deepening attraction and love for each other whilst things are crashing round their heads. Eventually things brighten for them but without giving too much away Carl comes to terms with his promiscuous and self destructive lifestyle and Joe comes out as gay. It also shows that gay relationships are not always promiscuous.
The acting in the play was first class from all four actors. But I would particularly spotlight Jacob Mellers performance as Carl for particular merit.
This is an interesting play which shows the love and violence which can ensue from an intense love affair whether or not it is homosexual or heterosexual. However,I fear the play is limited in its scope by its Army setting and reliance on Army procedures and laws for the plot to go forward. Would it therefore appeal to an audience unfamiliar with the situations which existed in the Army in regard to homosexuality and the present day fact that homophobia is illegal?
There are lots of swearing and portrayal of sexual acts in the play so I would only recommend it for adult audiences who are interested in this genre.
Festival Theatre, Malvern – until 21st October 2023
Reviewed by Courie Amado Juneau
5*****
The Merchant of Venice is of course the play with the “pound of flesh”. You know the one, although, you won’t quite know this version of it, being transplanted to the East End of London in 1936.
The use of contemporaneous music just before “curtain up” produces a “calm before the storm” effect which fine tunes the emotional triggers for what is to come – for although the Bard considered this a comedy, for me it is much more a tragedy (some humorous moments notwithstanding).
Director Brigid Larmour has not been afraid to make bold changes to the source material, perhaps the boldest being to change male characters into female ones – like the Jewish moneylender Shylock and Lancelot (into Mary) Gobbo. For some purists this might jar but for me this worked perfectly, without any detraction. I also loved the way the audience was included in the action, extending the emotional impact and engagement far beyond the edge of the stage, displaying keen directorial instincts.
Tracy-Ann Oberman gave an impressively nuanced performance as Shylock (I nearly said title character there, Shylock being so central). One moment in celebration with her people, the next subtly bargaining and scheming, the next distraught, then vengeful… A stunning performance that was nothing less than riveting. Her delivery of the “hath not a Jew eyes” speech was utterly compelling.
Speaking of famous Shakespearean lines/turn of phrases – this play is liberally sprinkled with tons of them: “All that glisters is not gold”, “If you prick us, do we not bleed?”… Although great swathes of the text are heavily cut, we have lost nothing of the essential greatness of this play.
Raymond Coulthard (as Antonio) got the joy of delivering the “…a stage where every man must play a part” speech. Another powerhouse performance from an actor totally in command of the material, I was spellbound. His wonderful rendition of Arragon was a joy as he unleashed the full throttled flamboyance of the Iberian peninsular. Flamenco-esque and one of my personal highlights.
Remember the title (1936)? The use of projection was a masterstroke here – showing newsreel footage of the British Fascists marches etc; bringing the powder keg times into sharp focus and reminding us that “old” attitudes are not as “old” as we would like to believe. A paltry word count, alas, prevents me praising each of the amazing cast in person. But I will make special mention of Gavin Fowler (Bassiano) and Hannah Morrish (Portia) whose scenes together throughout (especially the letter from Antonio revelation and the courtroom scenes) were particularly moving.
We return at the end to the Battle of Cable Street when Anti fascists stepped in where the police feared to tread. It’s never not the perfect moment for a ¡No Pasaran! stand. A timely reminder that humanity has virtuous qualities after all. The standing ovation had already begun… what a way to finish! A weighty, challenging piece that is nonetheless a most enjoyable evening’s entertainment and live theatre at its best. A production that will get many deserved plaudits, with a fabulous cast and taught direction. The best I’ve ever seen Shakespeare done and I wholeheartedly encourage you to get yourself a ticket asap.
