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CASTING ANNOUNCEMENT: Cast announced for Royal Exchange’s electrifying production of Shakespeare’s legendary comedy

A Royal Exchange Theatre production 
A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM

By William Shakespeare
Directed by Stef O’Driscoll
6 September – 12 October

Shakespeare as you’ve never seen it before – welcome to the hedonistic and captivating world of Stef O’Driscoll’s A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM. Making her Royal Exchange directorial debut, O’Driscoll brings a contemporary vision to life, celebrating Manchester’s synonymous links with dance, music and rave culture in a whirlwind of sweaty dance-offs to drum and bass love anthems. This electrifying production runs at the Royal Exchange Theatre from 6 September until 12 October 2024.

Director Stef O’Driscoll said, “Blending the worlds of Shakespeare and Manchester’s current rave scene, I wanted to celebrate that music in this production and highlight Manchester’s many gifted artists, rappers, and MCs alongside Shakespeare. To me, they all are the greatest wordsmiths and storytellers around. While the show is often described as a comedy, this production delves into the darker side of obsessive love and the lengths people go to, to get what they want.

I’m excited that heaps of young people across Manchester will come where it will feel as close to the energy and vibe I imagine it was in Shakespeare’s time: you will know if they are enjoying it, and you will know if they are not! It’s a celebration of music, storytelling, and the vibrant spirit of Manchester.”

Fresh from playing the main stage at Parklife 2024 and making an on-stage appearance as The Moon is exciting emerging Manchester-based artist SALO, who’s tipped to take the music world by storm with her collaborations, new releases and appearance on Channel 4’s THE PIANO.

Orchestrators of magic and mischief, the fairies blur the lines between reality and fantasy for themselves and others. Natalie Casey (TWO PINTS OF LAGER AND A PACKET OF CRISPS, BBC; STEPPING OUT, Vaudeville Theatre; THINGS I KNOW TO BE TRUE, Lyric Hammersmith/UK Tour) plays the dual roles of Hippolita and Titania, alongside Guy Rhys (A VIEW FROM THE BRIDGE, Royal Exchange Theatre; MOTHER COURAGE, National Theatre; THE WITCHER: BLOOD ORIGIN, Netflix) as both Egeus and Oberon. The mischevious Puck is played by Harry Egan (BREAKING THE CODE, Royal Exchange Theatre; TRUE WEST, Vaudeville Theatre; PASSENGER, ITV), who also takes on the role of Theseus.

The lovers are at the centre of A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM, encapsulated by the intoxicating forest and all that lies within it. Melissa James (MOULIN ROUGE, Piccadilly Theatre; THE MAGICIAN’S ELEPHANT, RSC; GYPSY, Royal Exchange Theatre) takes on the role of Helena, with Joe Usher (FALKLAND SOUND/THE EMPRESS, RSC; ROCK PAPER SCISSORS, Sheffield Theatres) as Demetrius. Alongside them are Alicia Forde (WATERLOO ROAD, Warner Bros/BBC; TIME, BBC) as Lysander, and Ntombizodwa Ndlovu (CAT ON A HOT TIN ROOF/THE MOUNTAINTOP, Royal Exchange Theatre) as Hermia.

With comedic performances, the Mechanicals manoeuvre the high stakes of their play-within-a-play. David Mumeni (BRIDGERTON, Netflix; STATH LETS FLATS, Channel 4; BARBIE, Warner Brothers) brings Bottom to life, alongside LJ Parkinson (MODEST, UK Tour/Kiln Theatre; COWBOIS, RSC/Royal Court; JOAN, Camden People’s Theatre/Edinburgh Fringe) as Quince. Sam Black (ANIMAL FARM, UK Tour; CYRANO DE BERGERAC, West End/Broadway) takes on the role of Flute, with Rebecca Hayes (CORAM BOY, Chichester Festival Theatre/The Lowry; TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD, Gielgud Theatre; A CHRISTMAS CAROL, Bristol Old Vic) as Snug and further cast.

The creative team for A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM includes Designers Mila Clarke & Rosie Elnile, Lighting Designer Mark Distin Webster, Sound Designer Dom Kennedy, Movement Director Annie-Lunnette Deakin, Movement Associate Hayley Chilvers, Intimacy and Fight Director Yarit Dor, Composers Dom Kennedy & Salo, Casting Director Olivia Barr, Casting Assistant Francesca Tennant, Birkbeck Assistant Director Elizabeth Laurence, Production Manager Helen Mugridge, Dramaturg Richard Neale, Voice & Dialect Coach Gurkiran Kaur and Text Consultant Simon Trinder.

& JULIET stars Matt Cardle as Shakespeare, Gerardine Sacdalan as Juliet, Lara Denning as Anne, Sandra Marvin as Angelique, Jordan Broatch as May, Kyle Cox as Francois, Jack Danson as Romeo and Dr Ranj Singh as Lance.

Also in the cast are Michael Nelson as Henry, Liam Morris as Richard, Rosie Singha as Judith, Nia Stephen as Imogen, Psalms-Nissi Myers-Reid as Lucy/Alternate Juliet, Andilé Mabhena as Augustine / Dance Team, Harriet Caplan-Dean as Eleanor, Alexander Kranz as Lennox, Aaron Shales as Gregory / Dance Team, Toni Paise as Violet and Samuel Wilson-Freeman as Fletcher / Resident Director and Dance Captain. 

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 David West Read, 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.

GIOVANNA FLETCHER IS

MAJOR UK TOUR OPENS AT

RICHMOND THEATRE, MONDAY 13 JANUARY, 2025

www.thegirlonthetrain.com

Simon Friend Entertainment and Josh Andrews Productions today confirm that actor, writer, broadcaster and 2020 I’m A Celebrity … Get Me Out Of Here winner, Giovanna Fletcher* is set to star as Rachel Watson in a new UK tour of the smash-hit Wiltshire Creative Production of The Girl on the Train. The gripping thriller, based on the internationally acclaimed number one best-selling novel by Paula Hawkins opens at Richmond Theatre, London on Monday 13 January 2025.

Rachel Watson longs for a different life. Her only escape is the perfect couple she watches through the train window every day, happy and in love. Or so it appears. When Rachel learns that the woman she’s been secretly watching has suddenly disappeared, she finds herself as a witness and even a suspect in a thrilling mystery in which she will face bigger revelations than she could ever have anticipated.

The international phenomenon – which has sold over 20 million copies worldwide and inspired the Dreamworks film starring Emily Blunt – enjoyed a box-office record-breaking theatrical tour in 2019 and, following it’s 2025 Richmond dates, will then tour to: Nottingham, Theatre Royal; Glasgow, Theatre Royal; Norwich,Theatre Royal, Salford, Lowry Theatre; Sheffield, Lyceum Theatre; Shrewsbury, Severn Theatre; Bromley,Churchill Theatre; Cheltenham, Everyman Theatre; Woking, New Victoria Theatre; Birmingham, Alexandra Theatre; Southend, Palace Theatre; Liverpool, Playhouse Theatre; Leicester, Curve Theatre; Cardiff, New Theatre; Brighton, Theatre Royal; Milton Keynes, Milton Keynes Theatre; Aberdeen, His Majesty’s Theatre and Leeds, Grand Theatre.

*Giovanna performs as Rachel Watson until Saturday 29 March (Cheltenham). Further dates and full casting to be announced.

Giovanna says of her casting in the role: “I am delighted to be leading the company of The Girl on the Train as Rachel Watson at venues across the UK next year. Paula Hawkin’s psychological thriller has gripped millions of readers worldwide with its Hitchcockian tale of suspense and mystery. What better place than the theatre to take us through its voyeuristic window and deep into Rachel’s story?”

Rachel Wagstaffand Duncan Abel, who have adapted The Girl on the Train for the stage add: “Since opening in the UK in 2018, The Girl on the Train has been performed around the world, so we’re thrilled that it’s coming back for this UK wide tour. We’re really excited to be working with Giovanna Fletcher, playing the leading role of Rachel Watson, in Loveday Ingram’s powerful and stylish production.”

Giovanna Fletcher’s theatrical credits include leading the recent UK tour of Peter James’ Wish You Were Dead. Other acting credits include 2:22 A Ghost Story and Ivanov, both for the West End, as well as A Christmas Carol, Backbeat and The Christmasurus. Giovanna also appears in the feature film The Boat That Rocked.

Giovanna is also a hugely successful author, podcast host and Queen of The Castleafter winning I’m a Celebrity … Get Me Out of Here in 2020. In 2013, Giovanna published her first fiction book, Billy and Me, and has recently published her sixth novel Walking On Sunshine. Together with her husband Tom Fletcher, the pair have combined their love of writing to pen a trilogy of Sunday Times best-selling books. Giovanna’s first non-fiction book Happy Mum, Happy Baby was a No.1 bestseller that she later turned into an award-winning podcast with Pixiu, which has so far enjoyed 145 episodes and counting, and over 20 million listeners. Adding to her non-fiction work in 2020, Giovanna wrote Letters on Motherhood, another bestseller.

Giovanna is a proud patron for Breast Cancer Awareness charity CoppaFeel! and an ambassador for The Prince’s Trust and Tommy’s.

Produced by Simon Friend Entertainment and Josh Andrews Productions, the Wiltshire Creative Production of The Girl on the Train is written by Paula Hawkins, adapted by Rachel Wagstaff and Duncan Abel, and is directed by Loveday Ingram.

The Girl on the Train 2025 Tour

* Giovanna Fletcher plays Rachel Watson until Saturday 29^th March

Richmond Theatre *

13 – 18 Jan 2025

www.atgtickets.com/venues/richmond-theatre/

Nottingham, Theatre Royal *

21 – 25 Jan 2025

www.trch.co.uk

Glasgow, Theatre Royal *

28 Jan – 1 Feb 2025

Theatre Royal Glasgow Box Office | Buy Tickets Online | ATG Tickets

Norwich, Theatre Royal *

4 – 8 Feb 2025

www.norwichtheatre.org

Lowry Theatre, Salford *

11 – 15 Feb 2025

www.thelowry.com

Sheffield, Lyceum Theatre *

4 – 8 March 2025

www.sheffieldtheatres.co.uk

On Sale Soon

Shrewsbury, Severn Theatre *

11 – 15 March 2025 

www.theatresevern.co.uk

Bromley, Churchill Theatre *

18 – 22 March 2025

https://trafalgartickets.com/churchill-theatre-bromley/en-GB

Cheltenham, Everyman Theatre *

25 – 29 March 2025

www.everymantheatre.org.uk

Chester, Storyhouse

15 – 19 April 2025

www.storyhouse.com

Woking, New Victoria Theatre

22 – 26 April 2025

www.atgtickets.com/venues/new-victoria-theatre

Birmingham, Alexandra Theatre

29 April – 3 May 2025

www.atgtickets.com/venues/the-alexandra-theatre-birmingham

Southend, Palace Theatre

6 – 10 May 2025

https://trafalgartickets.com/palace-theatre-southend/en-GB

Liverpool, Playhouse Theatre

13 – 17 May 2025

www.everymanplayhouse.com

Leicester, Curve Theatre

20 -24 May 2025

www.curveonline.co.uk

Cardiff, New Theatre

27 – 31 May 2025

trafalgartickets.com/new-theatre-cardiff/en-GB

Brighton, Theatre Royal

3 – 7 June 2025

www.atgtickets.com/venues/theatre-royal-brighton

Milton Keynes Theatre

10 – 14 June 2025

www.atgtickets.com/venues/milton-keynes-theatre

Aberdeen, His Majesty’s Theatre

24 – 28 June 2025

www.aberdeenperformingarts.com/his-majestys-theatre

Leeds, Grand Theatre

1 – 5 July 2025 

www.leedsheritagetheatres.com

PRODUCTION IMAGES OF FAYE TOZER AS CRUELLA IN

101 DALMATIANS THE MUSICAL

Written by Douglas Hodge (music and lyrics) and Johnny McKnight (book)

Stage adaptation by Zinnie Harris

Director Bill Buckhurst

UK AND IRELAND TOUR

Until 5 January 2025

101 Dalmatians has today released the production images featuring Faye Tozer as Cruella de Vil, alongside cast Charles Brunton (Casper), Victoria Compson-Bradford (Swing), Ross Dorrington (Ensemble), Benjamin Durham (Ensemble), Jessie Elland (Danielle), Benedict Hastings (Ensemble), Danny Hendrix (Jasper), Linford Johnson (Pongo), Lottie Johnson (Ensemble), Rachel Lea-Gray (Ensemble), Tom Norman (Ensemble), Hugo Rolland (Ensemble), Lindo Shinda (Ensemble), Eugene Shire (Swing), Samuel Thomas (Tom), Emma Thornett (Perdi) and Jasmine Triadi (Ensemble).

When fashionista Cruella de Vil plots to swipe all the Dalmatian puppies in town to create her fabulous new fur coat, there’s trouble ahead for Pongo and Perdi and their litter of adorable, tail-wagging young pups. This classic canine caper is brought to life on stage with spectacular puppetry, show-stopping choreography, hilarious songs and irresistible puppies!

Faye plays the iconic villain in Norwich, Canterbury, Leicester, Wolverhampton, Glasgow, and Edinburgh, as part of a UK and Ireland tour. Kym Marsh plays the role on other announced dates. Please see website for more details.

Written by Douglas Hodge (music and lyrics) and Johnny McKnight (book)

Stage adaptation by Zinnie Harris

Director Bill Buckhurst

Set design David Woodhead

Costume design Sarah Mercadé 

Choreography Lucy Hind

Musical supervision Alfonso Casado Trigo

Orchestration Jack Hopkins

Puppets design Jimmy Grimes

Lighting design James Whiteside 

Sound design Chris Whybrow

Musical director Leigh Stanford Thompson

Casting director Lucy Casson

Production Photography Johan Persson

For more information visit www.101dalmatians.co.uk

Facebook: /101Dalmatians  | Instagram/TikTok: @101DalmatiansUK

Original production first performed at Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre, London in 2022

Festival Theatre, Malvern – until 13 July 2024

Reviewed by Courie Amado Juneau

4****

Joe Orton gives us a farcical evening to savour at Malvern Theatres with What The Butler Saw (from 1967).

The staggeringly inappropriate Doctor Prentice (John Dorney) encourages his proposed secretary Geraldine Barclay (Alana Jackson) during her job interview to strip off so that he can assess her suitability for the job. With the sudden appearance of his wife (the aptly named Mrs Prentice; Holly Smith) events rapidly unravel as the more he attempts to cover up the situation the more he’s tripped up by his own metaphorical dropped trousers. It transpires that Mrs Prentice has spent a far from innocent previous evening with a hotel employee, Nicholas Beckett (Alex Cardall). Dirty laundry aired and recriminations thrown around ramp up the tension but when the most unhinged character of the lot, Doctor Rance (Jack Lord), arrives to trouble us all with his unprofessional professional opinions… well, he’s the blender’s blade that whips up the great frenzy.

The entire cast was magnificent. Each producing a crescendo of emotional turmoil over the course of the evening, giving us a most mirthful watch. Miss Jackson (Geraldine) and Mr Cardall (Beckett) both deserve special bravery mentions for spending more time cavorting around in their underwear than any of the other characters – Michael Hugo (as police Sergeant Match) coming a close third. But all deserve massive credit for their timing (the key to making this style of comedy work) and relentless energy.

After a catalogue of disastrous misunderstandings, assumptions, mistaken identities, cross dressing, inept policework, even inepter psychiatric conclusions, the ineptest of excuses and general ludicrous buffoonery the whole sorry saga reached a satisfying conclusion (well, perhaps not satisfying haha – only time (and a sequel) will tell!). One thing is certain – it’s a lorra lorra fun and I’m still not sure where the butler of the title comes in…

The set was rather impressive, reminding one of a Monty Python animated interlude and the costumes were all very stylish too with many a ladies (and gents) gown providing glamour (and laughs). Kudos to Bek Palmer for providing such lush creations.

There’s many wince-worthy subjects explored – the type of situations that only occur in a late 60’s/early 70’s style farce. This is a joyous nudge-nudge wink-wink towards that era’s No Sex Please, We’re British type of, ahem, affair. Probably best not to think too deeply about it, just revel in the madness which is rather apt given the play’s setting. The programme provides some explanation of the writer’s intentions which makes the subject matter much more understandable; Mr Orton using the stage as a platform to shine a light on moral mores that were outdated and to chip away at the institutions that he saw as stuffy.

So, a very enjoyable comedy that is well worth seeing. It’s not quite Jimmy Carr territory but if you are very (very) easily offended you may wish to take a pillow to giggle behind. But if you need the sunlit uplands of some gently (and at times highly) inappropriate comedy then you can do a lot worse than tickets to this classic. Highly recommended. In fact, I’d love to see it again myself.

ANNOUNCES NEW CAST FOR UK TOUR 2024/25

The multi award-winning musical SIX, written by Toby Marlow and Lucy Moss, today announces a new cast for the UK tour. The current company will play their final performance on Sunday 18 August with the new company taking over from Tuesday 20 August. The new touring Queens will be played by Billie Kerr (Catherine of Aragon), Yna Tresvalles (Anne Boleyn), Liberty Stottor (Jane Seymour), Hannah Victoria (Anna of Cleves), Lizzie Emery (Katherine Howard) and Eloise Lord (Catherine Parr). Milly Willows, Erin Summerhayes and Lorren Santo-Quinn will be joining the cast as Alternates, with Super Swing / Dance Captain Izzy Formby-Jackson. The cast are backed by the show’s all-female band, The Ladies in Waiting.

SIX follows the six wives of Henry VIII as they take to the mic to tell their own personal tales, remixing five hundred years of historical heartbreak into an 80-minute celebration of 21st century girl power. 

On the international stage, SIX will shortly celebrate its third year at the Lena Horne Theatre on Broadway, while an additional North American tour plays the length and breadth of the country and the second Australian tour opens in Melbourne next month. SIX has performed in South Korea, a seven-week stint at the Venetian Resort in Las Vegas, as well as Amsterdam, Germany, Italy and Switzerland.  This new cast will also perform the show in Singapore, the Philippines and Japan. Back on home turf, the London production celebrates its sixth sensational year in the West End and continues its reign at the Vaudeville Theatre (its third royal residence), whilst nationally, the UK tour – now booking through 2025 – continues to break Box Office records. 

Winner of over 35 major international awards including the 2022 Tony Award for ‘Best Original Score’ and ‘Best Costume Design’ on Broadway, double Whatsonstage Award winner for ‘Best West End Show’ 2022 & 2023, and the 2020 BBC Radio 2 Audience Award for ‘Best Musical’, SIX was also nominated for five Olivier awards, including ‘Best New Musical’. The original studio album of SIX officially turned Gold in 2021, with the Broadway album ‘SIX – Live on Opening Night’ nominated for a Grammy Award. 

Written by Toby Marlow and Lucy Moss, SIX is co-directed by Lucy Moss and Jamie Armitage, featuring choreography by Carrie-Anne Ingrouille. The design team includes Emma Bailey (Set Design), Gabriella Slade (Costume Design), Tim Deiling (Lighting Design) and Paul Gatehouse (Sound Design). The score features orchestrations by Tom Curran with music supervision and vocal arrangements by Joe Beighton. Musical Director Yutong Zhang and Associate UK Musical Supervisor Lauren Hopkinson. Casting is by Pearson Casting. SIX is produced by Kenny Wax, Wendy & Andy Barnes and George Stiles.

COMPLETE CASTING ANNOUNCED FOR

UK PREMIERE

OF BROADWAY MUSICAL

SOMETHING ROTTEN!

IN CONCERT AT

THEATRE ROYAL DRURY LANE

Complete casting has been announced for the UK premiere of the hit Broadway musical comedy SOMETHING ROTTEN!, which plays Theatre Royal Drury Lane on Monday 5 August and Tuesday 6 August.

Completing the cast are Evonnee Bentley-Holder, Jordan Cunningham, Luke Field-Wright, Ru Fisher, Matthew Koon, Eddie Manning, Lisa Mattheison, Katharine Pearson and Ella Redhead, who make up the ensemble.

They join the previously announced Jason Manford as Nick Bottom, Gary Wilmot as Nostradamus, Richard Fleeshman as Shakespeare, Marisha Wallace as Bea, Evelyn Hoskins as Portia, Cassius Hackforth as Nigel Bottom, Steve Furst as Shylock, Ashley Samuels as Troubadour, Cameron Blakely as Brother Jeremiah and Jenna Boyd as Lady Croydon.

SOMETHING ROTTEN! in concert is directed by Tim Jackson, with the full Broadway score performed by the London Musical Theatre Orchestra and conducted by Freddie Tapner. Choreography is by Tim Jackson and Claira Vaughan, sound by Tom Marshall and Sebastian Frost, lighting by Jamie Platt, set and costume by Rebecca Brower, production management by Pete Kramer, company and stage management by Peter Barnett and casting consultancy by Sarah Jane Price.

Tickets are on sale now at www.somethingrottenconcert.com.

SOMETHING ROTTEN! was created by Hollywood screenwriters Karey Kirkpatrick (Chicken Run, James and the Giant Peach), John O’Farrell (Best-selling novels include The Best a Man Can Get, May Contain Nuts, The Man Who Forgot His Wife) and Grammy Award-winning songwriter Wayne Kirkpatrick (Change the World by Eric Clapton), who together went on to adapt Mrs Doubtfire into the West End and Broadway Musical.  The show follows the story of Renaissance writers Nick and Nigel Bottom as they seek to outshine Shakespeare by writing the world’s first musical.

SOMETHING ROTTEN! originallyopened on Broadway at the St. James Theatre in 2015 and received several Best Musical nominations, 10 Tony Award nominations and was hailed by Time Out New York as “the funniest musical comedy in at least 400 years”.

SOMETHING ROTTEN! in Concert is produced by Fourth Wall Live, JAS Theatricals, and the London Musical Theatre Orchestra in association with Alchemation.  Fourth Wall Live and the London Musical Theatre Orchestra produced the WhatsOnStage Award-winning concert of Love Never Dies and were producers/co-producers for the concerts of Bonnie & Clyde, Evita and Chess, all at Theatre Royal Drury Lane.

Originally produced on Broadway by Kevin McCollum, Broadway Global Ventures CMC Mastro/Goodman Jerry & Ronald Frankel Morris Berchard, Kyodo Tokyo, Inc. Wendy Federman Barbara Freitag LAMS Productions Winkler/DeSimone, Timothy Laczynski Dan Markley Harris/Karmazin Jam Theatricals Robert Greenblatt, and Jujamcyn Theaters. Developed in association with the 5th Avenue Theatre, Seattle, WA, David Armstrong, Executive Producer and Artistic Director, Bernadine Griffin, Managing Director and Bill Berry, Producing Artistic Director.

By arrangement with Music Theatre International.

LISTINGS INFORMATION:

Facebook & Instagram: @SomethingRottenConcert
X / Twitter: @SRottenConcert

SOMETHING ROTTEN!

Dates: 5th – 6th August 2024

Theatre Royal Drury Lane
Catherine Street
London
WC2B 5JF

Performances:  7.30pm on Monday 5 August, 2.30pm & 7:30pm on Tuesday 6 August.

Hello, Dolly! began performances at The London Palladium on Saturday 6 July 2024 for a strictly limited 10-week season.

For more information, visit www.HelloDollyLDN.com

Multi-Olivier and BAFTA Award-winning Imelda Staunton plays meddlesome socialite turned matchmaker Dolly Levi, as she travels to Yonkers, New York to find a match for the miserly, unmarried ‘half-a-millionaire’ Horace Vandergelder. But everything changes when she decides that the next match she needs to make is for herself.

The production also stars:

Andy Nyman – who plays Horace Vandergelder – is a multi-award-winning actor, writer and director. Most recently he won unanimous acclaim for his memorable portrayal of Tevye in the celebrated production of Fiddler On The Roof at the Menier Chocolate Factory and its subsequent transfer to the Playhouse Theatre.

Nyman’s acting credits include the Royal Court production of Hangmen and the West End hit Ghost Stories, which he also created and starred in the film adaptation. His various TV roles include Winston Churchill in Peaky Blinders and he has frequently collaborated with illusionist Derren Brown, co-writing and co-directing four of his stage shows.

Olivier Award winner Jenna Russell plays Irene Molloy. Jenna recently starred in the UK premiere of The Bridges of Madison County. She won an Olivier Award for Best Actress in a Musical in 2006 for her performance in Sunday In The Park With George at the Menier Chocolate Factory (a performance she later reprised on Broadway) and was nominated for her work in the Menier’s 2012 revival of Merrily We Roll Along. She also appeared in the acclaimed, London premiere production of Fun Home the Young Vic.

Tyrone Huntley, who plays Barnaby Tucker. Tyrone was nominated for an Olivier Award for his performance as Judas in the widely acclaimed production of Jesus Christ Superstar at Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre. He was also previously in the original London casts of Dreamgirls and The Book of Mormon.

Harry Hepple, who plays Cornelius Hackl, has previously performed in Follies at the National Theatre and Romantics Anonymous at Bristol Old Vic. Emily Lane (Frozen, Theatre Royal Drury Lane) plays Minnie Fay.

The full company includes: Leo Abad, Craig Armstrong, Lindsay Atherton, Gemma Atkins, Alan Bradshaw, Jabari Braham, Kevin Brewis, Jenni Bowden, Daisy Boyles, Samara Casteallo, Olly Christopher, Brendan Cull, Hayley Diamond, Jacqueline Hughes, Ashlee Irish, Jodie Jacobs, Shirley Jameson, Paul Kemble, Emily Langham, Michael Lin, Amira Matthews, Laura Medforth, Matt Overfield, Tom Partridge, Wendy-Lee Purdy, Edwin Ray, Phil Snowden, Kraig Thornber, Gavin Wilkinson and Liam Wrate.

With music and lyrics by Jerry Herman (La Cage aux Folles, Mack and Mabel, Mame) and book by Michael Stewart (42nd Street, Mack and Mabel, Barnum), Hello, Dolly! is one of the most iconic musicals of all time. Jerry Herman’s timeless score includes ‘Put On Your Sunday Clothes’, ‘Ribbons Down My Back’, ‘Before the Parade Passes By’, ‘Elegance’, ‘It Only Takes a Moment’ and of course, ‘Hello, Dolly!’.

This brand-new production reunites Imelda with director Dominic Cooke,following their spectacular, critically acclaimed production ofStephen Sondheim’s Follies at the National Theatre.

Hello, Dolly! also reunites Imelda Staunton with producer Michael Harrison. Their production of Gypsy at the Savoy Theatre was awarded the Olivier Award for Best Musical Revival, and for which Imelda also won the Olivier Award for Best Actress In A Musical for her acclaimed portrayal of Momma Rose.

Hello, Dolly! is produced by Michael Harrison, Gavin Kalin, Aaron Glick, Creative Partners Productions, Jonathan Church Theatre Productions, Crossroads Live and Jake Hine.

Call the Midwife star joins the cast of Little Women at York Theatre Royal

Jack Ashton, one of the stars of hit BBC TV series Call the Midwife, has joined the cast of York Theatre Royal’s production of Little Women.

He will play two roles, John Brooke and Professor Baer, love interests for Meg and Jo, in the production which opens the theatre’s autumn season from September 21 to October 12.

Jack previously appeared at York Theatre Royal in The Guinea Pig Club, Twelfth Night, The Homecoming, End of Desire and Escaping Alice. His other theatre credits include A Streetcar Named Desire (Donmar Warehouse) and Strangers on a Train (national tour).

Jack is best known for his Call the Midwife role as the Rev Tom Hereward. Other TV credits include Endeavour and Waterloo Road. Last year he joined the cast of Radio 4’s The Archers as Harry Chilcott. He also starred in the 2017 film Instrument of War, playing an American pilot shot down and imprisoned during the Second World War.

Juliet Forster (Around the World In 80 Days-ish!, Sovereign, A View from the Bridge, Sense and Sensibility) directs Anne-Marie Casey’s adaptation of Louise May Alcott’s classic coming-of-age novel which puts a fresh take on the story of headstrong Jo March and her sisters Meg, Beth and Amy growing up in New England during the American Civil War.

Juliet, who is Creative Director at York Theatre Royal said: “We are thrilled to be staging an adaptation of such a much-loved classic. Louisa May Alcott’s story of Jo and her sisters finding their way in the world is so relatable to modern audiences and Anne-Marie Casey’s brilliant adaptation really brings to life the wonderful characters.”

Playing Marmee isYorkshire actress Kate Hampson who returns to York Theatre Royal after taking the title role in the community production The Coppergate Woman in 2022. Other stage roles include Mother/Mrs Perks in The Railway Children at Hull Truck Theatre, while her TV appearances include ITV’s The Bay.

Freya Parks, who recently starred in the BBC TV series This Town and ITV detective drama Grace, plays headstrong Jo March with Ainy Medina (Meg), Helen Chong (Amy) and Laura Soper (Beth) as her sisters. Laura is a former member of York Theatre Royal Youth Theatre who previously appeared on the theatre’s main stage in Swallows and Amazons and Hetty Feather.

Completing the cast are Nikhil Singh Rai (Laurie) and  Caroline Gruber (Aunt March), previously seen in The Machine Stops in York Theatre Royal Studio.

Little Women can be seen at York Theatre Royal from September 21 to October 12.

Box office 01904 623568 | yorktheatreroyal.co.uk

Lyceum Theatre, Sheffield – until 20^th July 2024

Reviewed by Sophie Dodworth

4****

Winning four Olivier Awards, including Best New Musical in London, and the Tony Award for Best Direction of a Musical on Broadway, Come From Away arrives in Sheffield with this great reputation. Will it live up to expectations? It most certainly does…

Following a real-life story of how 7,000 air passengers from all over the world were grounded during the wake of 9/11 in Gander. The small town (population 9000) is on the island of Newfoundland, Canada. The scene is set by the locals welcoming the audience to their typical morning routines in their hometown on ‘The Rock’. Little do the residents know how much everything is about to change! Follow the true experiences of how they almost double their population, over five days due to The United States airspace closing and 38 passenger jets becoming stranded with them.

All the cast members play multiple characters, and we follow the people from the plane alongside the town folk. It all works seamlessly and it’s clear to the audience when the characters switch where you are in the story, which is super impressive. There is a real sense of the Gander locals being great people, caring for their new visitors to ensure they are welcomed and have the items and resources they need. Juxtaposed at the side of the tragedy that has just taken place of 9/11, it’s emotions central. There are some beautiful stories in the true events that take place including a developing marriage of two people; Nick played by Daniel Crowder and Diane played by Kirsty Hoiles. They met during the five days in the town, returning there to get married at a later date. What a love story!

The cast are all so skilled, mature in their experience and crisp. There isn’t a moment on stage that you see their character become flimsy. All the voices on stage are strong and beautiful to listen to, particularly skilled vocally is Sara Poyzer playing Beverley, Anette and others. She has some wonderful solos. There are some fab comedic moments and the audience chuckle along regularly, especially to Jamal Zulfiqar, playing Kevin J, Ali and others, he has a great way of delivering his lines comically.

The set is really quite endearing, being just lined with what look like realistic tall trees on each side of the stage, you really get a feel for the sleek simplicity that is Canada. The lighting is used perfectly and without it, the audience would struggle to work out where you are scene-wise as there isn’t really much in the way of scene changes on stage with props, it is manipulated by the lighting, which is really quite a talent.

The show is wholesome and charming and really different to your typical musical. The stories are mainly told through the lyrics in the music and there’s a reserved and contained feeling to the production. There is no wonder it is such a hit. A must see for any theatre fan!