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A SPECTACULAR WEEKEND OF STRICTLY IN BLACKPOOL!

JUDGES ANTON AND SHIRLEY TO BRING STRICTLY MAGIC TO THE WINTER GARDENS BLACKPOOL, 17th & 19th NOVEMBER

As Blackpool readies itself for the electrifying annual Strictly showdown at the Tower, this year promises an extra dose of sparkle. Judges Anton Du Beke and Shirley Ballas are set to host exclusive fan events at the Winter Gardens Blackpool, offering an intimate, unforgettable experience.

Anthony Williams, Head of Marketing, expressed his enthusiasm for these star-studded events: “Having Anton and Shirley host their personal fan evenings during the iconic Strictly weekend is a once-in-a-lifetime occasion. For ardent fans of Strictly, Anton, and Shirley, these events present a unique and golden opportunity to get up-close and personal with the stars. We’re ecstatic to offer such an intimate experience that truly complements the dazzling atmosphere of the Strictly weekend in Blackpool.”

On the evening of Friday 17th November, Anton Du Beke will grace the stage of the Winter Gardens to delve into the world of his latest novel, ‘The Paris Affair’. A journey from the romantic streets of 1920s Paris to the dramatic heart of wartime London, with dance and danger at every twist and turn.

Starting at 7.30pm, the intimate Q&A session guarantees insights into Anton’s writing process, inspiration, and of course, his passion for dance. Every ticket, priced at £29.00 (including fees), comes with a signed copy of ‘The Paris Affair’.

Anton, celebrated as the King of the Ballroom, has not only been lighting up the dance floor on Strictly but also the literary world. ‘The Paris Affair’ marks the 6th mesmerising instalment in the acclaimed Buckingham series and showcases Anton’s seventh foray into novel writing.

Then, on Sunday 19th November at 12pm, fresh off her judging duties and just a day after the iconic live show, Shirley Ballas invites fans for a captivating journey into her debut novel, ‘Murder on the Dance Floor’. Set against the glittering backdrop of the Blackpool Tower Ballroom, the story unravels a web of intrigue where dance meets detective drama. The first of The Sequin Mysteries series, Shirley’s book is set to be every bit as compelling as her dance performances.

Each attendee will be presented with a hand-signed copy of Shirley’s debut novel, all included in the ticket price of £29.00 (fees inclusive).

To secure your spot at these not-to-be-missed events, book your tickets now:

An Audience with Anton Du Beke

An Audience with Shirley Ballas

NEW BRITISH MUSICAL

NOW THAT’S WHAT I CALL A MUSICAL

DIRECTED & CHOREOGRAPHED BY

CRAIG REVEL HORWOOD

TO EMBARK ON UK & IRELAND TOUR

ROYO, UNIVERSAL MUSIC UK, SONY MUSIC ENTERTAINMENT & MIGHTY VILLAGE are delighted to announce the world premiere of NOW That’s What I Call A Musical, a brand-new British musical written by award-winning comedian Pippa Evans and directed and choreographed by Craig Revel Horwood. NOW That’s What I Call A Musical will begin performances on 6 September 2024 at Aylesbury’s Waterside Theatre before commencing a major U.K. and Ireland tour.

Get ready to relive the playlist of your life by celebrating 40 years of the iconic and chart-topping compilations brand NOWThat’s What I Call Music, which has sold an estimated 200 million copies worldwide. This fun-filled evening is bursting with hits from Whitney Houston, Wham! Blondie, Tears For Fears, Spandau Ballet and so many more.

It’s Birmingham, 1989. Two school friends, Gemma and April, are busy with very important business – planning their lives based on Number One Magazine quizzes and dreaming of snogging Rick Astley. Cut to Birmingham 2009 and it’s the most dreaded event of their lives– the school reunion. Drama, old flames and receding hairlines come together as friends reunite and everything from the past starts to slot into place. The biggest question is: what was with all that hairspray?

Craig Revel Horwood said “This is a beautiful and funny story about two schoolgirls navigating life through their shared love of music. Pippa has written a script that takes you right back to sharing your Walkman headphones with your best friend, escaping the boring day to day and dancing like nobody is watching. Everybody remembers getting the latest NOW That’s What I Call Music Album!  Our show is packed full of the biggest hits of the era and I cannot wait to get started and you will love it.”

Pippa Evans said “Writing NOW That’s What I Call A Musical! has been an absolute delight, weaving this funny, heart-warming story around such a fantastic collection of songs. September 2024 can’t come soon enough!”

Jamii Layton, Managing Director of NOW That’s What I Call Music said, “Now That’s What I Call Music will be 40 years old in November, and with our albums having become such an integral part of the soundtrack of peoples’ lives over that time, it is thrilling for the brand to be headlining such a warm and fun-packed show. NOW has always celebrated the creative diversity and all-round magic of pop music. This combination of a life-affirming story and fantastic music selection will make such a strong connection with the audience. It’s a great way for NOW to salute our legacy and also look forward to the future, continuing to celebrate the best in past and present hits.”

The creative team will include Set and Costume Design by Tom Rogers & Toots Butcher, Musical Supervision and Arrangements by Mark Crossland, Lighting Design by Ben Cracknell, Sound Design by Adam Fisher, Wigs & Hair Design by Sam Cox, Associate Choreography by Aaron Renfree and Casting by Annelie Powell CDG.

NOW is produced by ROYO, Universal Music UK, SONY Music Entertainment and Mighty Village.

Website: thenowmusical.com

Facebook: theNOWmusical

Twitter: @theNOWmusical

Instagram: @theNOWmusical

2024 / 2025 TOUR SCHEDULE

6 – 7 September                                Aylesbury Waterside Theatre                 

                                                           www.atgtickets.com/Aylesbury                on sale 9 October

10 – 14 September                            Sheffield Lyceum                                     0114 249 6000

                                                           www.sheffieldtheatres.co.uk                    on sale 14 October

17 – 21 September                            Canterbury Marlowe Theatre                  01227 787787

                                                           www.marlowetheatre.com

24 – 28 September                            Nottingham Theatre Royal                      0115 989 5555

                                                           trch.co.uk                                                  on sale 13 October

1 – 5 October                                     Norwich Theatre Royal                            01603 630 000

                                                           www.norwichtheatre.org                           on sale 27 October

8 – 12 October                                   Newcastle Theatre Royal                         0191 232 7010

                                                           www.theatreroyal.co.uk                             on sale soon

15 – 19 October                                 Bradford Alhambra Theatre                      01274 432000

                                                           www.bradford-theatres.co.uk                     on sale soon

22 – 26 October                                 Dartford Orchard Theatre                         01322 220000

                                                           www.orchardtheatre.co.uk                         on sale 8 October

29 October – 2 November                 Cardiff New Theatre                                  0343 310 0041

                                                           newtheatrecardiff.co.uk                              on sale 8 October

5 – 9 November                                 Truro Hall For Cornwall                               01872 262466

                                                           www.hallforcornwall.co.uk                             

12 – 16 November                             Milton Keynes Theatre

                                                           www.atgtickets.com/milton-keynes-theatre on sale 9 October

19 – 23 November                             Belfast Grand Opera House                   

                                                           www.goh.co.uk                                           on sale 9 October

14 – 18 January                                 Southampton’s Mayflower Theatre           02380 711811

                                                           www.mayflower.org.uk

21 – 25 January                                 Dublin Bord Gais Energy Theatre              0818719 377 (ROI)

                                                           bordgaisenergytheatre.ie                            08442485101 (UK)

                                                                                                                               on sale soon

28 January – 1 February                   Manchester Opera House

                                                           www.atgtickets.com/Manchester                on sale 9 October

4 – 8 February                                   Hull New Theatre                                        01482 300 306

                                                           www.hulltheatres.co.uk

11 – 15 February                               Southend Cliffs Pavilion

                                                           www.thecliffspavilion.co.uk                        on sale 8 October

18 – 22 February                               Glasgow Kings Theatre

                                                           www.atgtickets.com/glasgow                    on sale 9 October

25 February – 1 March                      Edinburgh Playhouse

                                                           www.atgtickets.com/Edinburgh                on sale 9 October

4 – 8 March                                        Liverpool Empire Theatre

                                                           www.atgtickets.com/Liverpool                  on sale 9 October

11 – 15 March                                    Birmingham Alexandra

                                                           www.atgtickets.com/Birmingham             on sale 9 October

18 – 22 March                                    York Grand Opera House

                                                           www.atgtickets.com/York                         on sale 9 October

25 – 29 March                                    Oxford New Theatre

                                                           www.atgtickets.com/oxford                      on sale 9 October

1 – 5 April                                           Bristol Hippodrome

                                                           www.atgtickets.com/Bristol                      on sale 9 October

8 – 12 April                                         London New Wimbledon Theatre

                                                           www.atgtickets.com/Wimbledon              on sale 9 October

Sharon Osbourne
CUT THE CRAP!
Live and uncensored on stage

Fortune Theatre, West End
Sunday 21 January, 2024

The Alexandra, Birmingham
Wednesday 24 January, 2024

VIDEO – https://app.frame.io/presentations/95772ba1-da4f-4c54-8c12-a7214d71303e

For over two decades, Sharon Osbourne has been a force to be reckoned with on our TV screens. Both on and off camera she’s had to battle the scrutiny that comes with life in the limelight – and has never been a stranger to controversy.

Now she makes the leap to the West End stage  – live and unleashed – in Sharon Osbourne  – Cut The Crap!  

Sharon promises to reveal all about some of the hardest years of her eventful life – from the anguish of a broken marriage and heavy metal icon husband Ozzy’s infidelities to the constant spectre of drug abuse in her family, the loss of friends, betrayal by colleagues, and her ongoing battles with mental health issues.

She says: “I can’t wait to see you all the theatre. It’s going to be very interesting – my show in my own words. Talking a lot! Hope to see you there.”

A  huge TV star on both sides of the Atlantic from more than 20 years, Sharon Osbourne was a much loved judge and mentor on ITV’s ‘The X Factor’ from its first series in 2004. On the 10th series her act Sam Bailey was the winner, marking Sharon’s first victory as a mentor.

Sharon, her heavy metal icon husband Ozzy and their kids  first burst onto our screens in 2002 in MTV’s ground-breaking fly-on-the-wall reality show, ‘The Osbournes’, which followed the family’s crazy life in Beverly Hills.

In 2007 she joined the judging panel on the second season of America’s Got Talent, along with Piers Morgan and David Hasselhoff.

Her first autobiography, ‘Extreme’ was published in October 2005. It went to Number 1 on the Sunday Times Bestseller List, where it remained for 15 weeks and sold over 621,000 copies in hardback, becoming the biggest-selling autobiography since British records began. It won Biography of the Year at the British Book Awards and went on to sell more than two million copies, becoming the most successful female autobiography ever.

Sharon is now back home and resident in the UK, and says it’s time to start a new chapter – and lay rest many of the demons of her past.

In this not-to-be-missed LIVE experience audience members will be able to question Sharon directly about her and her extraordinary life as she really ‘’Cuts The Crap’’ live on stage.

LISTINGS INFO

Thomas Hopkins & Guy Chapman
present

Sharon Osbourne
CUT THE CRAP!

Sunday 21 January, 2024
at 3pm & 6pm

Fortune Theatre
Russell Street
London
WC2B 5HH

Tickets: £15 – £60

Online: ATGtickets.com

Telephone Booking: 03330 096 690
‍Groups Bookings: 020 7206 1174‍
Access Bookings*: 0333 009 5399

Wednesday 24 January, 2024
at 7.30pm

The Alexandra, Birmingham
Suffolk Queensway,
Birmingham
West Midlands, B5 4DS

Tickets: £30 – £60

VIP Meet & Greet tickets:
£100

Online: ATGtickets.com

On-sale 10am Friday 6 October

Rose Theatre Kingston – until 21 October 2023

Reviewed by Carly Burlinge

4.5 ****

The Rose Theatre brings you Shooting Hedda Gabler written by Nina Segal and directed by Jeff James. It tells the story of an American actress (Antonia Thomas) who, after a traumatic incident regarding the paparazzi and a self driving Tesla, decides it’s time to get some closure when she gets offered a lead role in a Norwegian film. With Hollywood becoming to much for her to handle, with the amount of gossip circulating around her she decides to take her chances and head to Norway leaving everything behind her. Believing that she may have the new start that she desperately craves, she then finds herself thrown into a set where the director’s ways Henrik (Christian Rubeck) are very different to what she is used to. With his brutal fixation, need for control and obsession; always wanting more regarding his film. He doesn’t want her to play Hedda he wants her to be Hedda, pulling her into a world that suddenly seems surreal, with him using her own, real, raw emotions and personal pain to gain exactly what he wants for his production. As things become stranger by the minute, with a dark atmosphere enclosing her and her paronia beginning to kick in, she finds herself in a world where she can no longer tell fact from Fiction. Feeling very alone once again, not knowing how to escape from this nightmare of mind games and manipulation that she now finds herself in – “No matter where you go nothing changes, life only follows you!”.

Although this production was dark in places it also offered some comedic elements, especially In the form of Thea (Matilda Bailes), also an actor on the production, who made the audience laugh with the amount of skills she holds, popping up left, right and centre as the intimacy Co-ordinator, councillor and many more parts she manages to squeeze in. This making the audience laugh and giving them some relief from the darker elements of the story.

The set was done particularly well, on two levels with the film set at the bottom, makeup dressing room and bar upstairs. It was very stylish, in the classic, scandi, minimalistic style, cleverly set out and amazing to look at, very impressive.

Although this production is quite intense, it does offer the right amount of drama, alongside some light comedy giving the show a great balance for viewing. Definitely one to go and view. 

Civic Theatre, Barnsley – 4th October 2023

On a National Tour until November

Reviewed by Carol Crann

5*****

Honestly, I had no real idea of what to expect when I was asked to go and see this performance, especially with it being billed as a ‘multi-sensory’ theatre production. It has been produced by Concrete Youth, a charity who describe themselves as being ‘dedicated to enhancing the lives of people labelled as having profound and multiple learning disabilities through cultural provision’. I have very limited understanding of the issues faced by those labelled as having PMLD, so knew this was going to be an education for me too.

I walked into a room filled with the calming sounds of birds singing in the jungle, subdued lighting and a set designed to look like a colourful jungle scene – the multi-sensory part was already in play. The actors, Ewan S Pires (Turtle), Laura Kaye Thomson (Bird) and Finn Kebbe (Monkey) were already interacting with the audience as I arrived, and it was obvious from all the smiles that this was a real source of joy for all. From some of the comments it became immediately apparent that they had already been introduced to some the characters, and were now eagerly awaiting the performance.

Makaton was used throughout the play, and the audience quickly became part of what was happening – each one welcomed by name to the show, which I thought was a lovely touch. When the puppets re-emerged the wonderment of the crowd was clear, and their appreciation took various forms as they were encouraged to pat the Rainbow Bird, interact and stroke the Turtle and receive a hug from the Monkey. All this was accompanied by relevant noises both for the animal and also for whatever action was taking place. There were squeals of delight as the stage got covered in a blanket of bubbles, and as you can imagine these continued as the very willing participants joined in with the puppets trying to burst them all. Multi-sensory? You bet. Everyone was engaged on so many different levels, so it definitely held up that end of the bargain.

The story unfolds as the three friends suddenly find themselves homeless, men in yellow hats coming to chop down the trees and ruin their habitat. As they begin to rebuild their forest abode we’re taught that home is actually where your friends and family are, not a physical location – a lesson so pertinent regardless of age. 

Frankly the whole performance was an absolute pleasure – the excitement on the faces of the audience made it abundantly clear just how much they were enjoying the puppets, the songs and the music. The cast were not only talented actors and accomplished performers, but also extremely able to quickly build a rapport with a very diverse audience. Personally I couldn’t stop smiling throughout the performance at the sheer glee of it all.

It was a real privilege to have been allowed to be part of this unique event, and I can only encourage anyone who cares for someone with PMLD to take them to see this fabulous show.

Cult favourite song cycle Songs for a New World has London revival in February

Tuesday 6th February – Sunday 3rd March 2024

Upstairs at the Gatehouse 1 North Rd, Highgate Village, London N6 4BD

First performed on Off-Broadway in 1995, and premiering in the UK in 2001, the cult favourite song cycle Songs for a New World is coming back to London for a limited run at Upstairs at the Gatehouse in February. Written and composed by Tony Award® winner Jason Robert Brown (The Last Five Years, Parade, Bridges of Madison County), the raw and magnificent show features musical theatre fan favourites including ‘I’m Not Afraid of Anything’, ‘Stars and the Moon’ and ‘King of the World’. Stunning vocals combined with beautifully written lyrics and a moving score create this visceral, raw production that takes audiences on a journey, teetering on the edge of one moment that can shape the rest of your life. Each sensational song captures a different moment, all strung together to creatively explore the human condition from vastly different New World perspectives.

With connection at its core, this hit musical tells the stories of different characters from a variety of settings, ranging from a 15th century ship to a modern-day high-rise in Manhattan. Spanning centuries, countries, and classes, the show addresses the universal experiences of happiness and fulfilment; ambition and drive; love and loyalty. A cast of four creates a vocal powerhouse using a variety of music genres, including pop, jazz, and gospel. Songs for a New World is brought to the stage by director Kai Wright and musical director Liam Holmes, with sound design by Glenn Oxenbury and lighting design by Jason Fenn.

Kai Wright comments, Having made my professional directorial debut with this production in Southend last year, I’m thrilled to have the opportunity to give this beautiful show a further life at Upstairs at the Gatehouse, as part of what is sure to be an exciting and innovative new era for the venue under the artistic direction of Annlouise and Isaac. The themes of life, love and existential turmoil continue to resonate twenty-eight years after its original off-Broadway outing, and I’m delighted to have the opportunity to explore this collection of stories, masterfully scored by the irrefutably brilliant Jason Robert Brown, within the context of the 2020s.

Robert Bathurst to star in
Jeffrey Bernard is Unwell
in an immersive staging in the bar of
The Coach & Horses pub in Greek Street, Soho

Meet Jeffrey Bernard… a notorious and feckless Soho face. A journalist who doesn’t know the meaning of the word deadline and would much rather be drinking vodka on the rocks in his favourite Soho watering holes. A throwback of a man who after four marriages and a life of non-stop carousing is starting to feel a touch jaded. Having fallen asleep in the Gents and waking up in the middle of the night inside the legendary Coach and Horses on Greek Street, Jeffrey Bernard is not a man to waste the deserted hours ahead of him before Norman the landlord opens up again in the morning.

Don’t miss the chance to down a pint in The Coach and Horses whilst this Soho legend puts a few (many!) drinks on the tab and regales us with stories of busted bookies, failed marriages, illegal cat-racing and introduces us to his favourite pub trick involving a pint glass, match-box and a raw egg. This one-man show is adapted from the critically acclaimed West End play by Keith Waterhouse.

Robert Bathurst (Jeffrey Bernard)
Robert Bathurst is a television and stage actor. His screen credits include Toast of London, Cold Feet, Joking Apart, Downton Abbey, The Larkins, The Mezzotint, Munich: The Edge of War. Robert’s numerous West End and touring theatre productions include plays by Chekhov, Shaw, Shakespeare, Wilde, Ibsen, Michael Frayn, Joe Penhall, Steven Thompson, Michael Wynne, and Claire Luckham. In Chicago he played the title role in King Charles 111 by Mike Bartlett and most recently he starred as Ebenezer Scrooge in the Southbank Centre’s production of Dolly Parton’s musical, Smoky Mountain Christmas Carol. He co-wrote and directed The Fall, a film drama about jockeys, www.thefallfilm.com. He devised and produced the staging of Love, Loss & Chianti by Christopher Reid a two-actor play in verse with cartoon animation.  He has written articles and book reviews on showbusiness and horseracing and as a reader of audiobooks he won the Audie for Best Male Narrator in 2020. He has recently recorded the first three Lord Peter Wimsey detective novels by Dorothy L Sayers, and The time-travelling sci-fi series Salvation, both released soon on Audible.

James Hillier (Director)
James trained at RADA and is Artistic Director of Defibrillator which he established in 2011.
Credits include: Foxes (59E59 New York, Theatre503, Theatre Peckham, Seven Dials Playhouse); Sunnymead Court (Tristan Bates, Arcola, Theatr Clwyd, The Dukes Lancaster, Theatre Royal Bath) Jeffrey Bernard Is Unwell (The Coach and Horses); Not Talking (Arcola Theatre) – nominated for Best Director OFFIE Awards 2018; A Lie of the Mind (Southwark Playhouse); Speech&Debate (Trafalgar Studios); Insignificance (Langham, New York); The Armour – Winner Best Guest Experience Le Miami Rebel Awards, The Hotel Plays (Langham, London); Hard Feelings ( Finborough Theatre); The Hotel Plays (Grange, London). Other directing work includes: The Life (Central School of Speech & Drama); How to Make a Good First Impression- Part 1 (Short Film) – Winner Mofilm Shorts Award Tribecca

Mitchell Reeve for M. Green Productions (Producer)
M. Green Productions is an independent theatre production company dedicated to delivering exceptional productions worldwide. Under the leadership of Producer Mitchell Reeve, M. Green Productions is committed to presenting works that engage, inspire, and captivate a diverse range of audiences. M. Green Productions’ past productions have garnered critical acclaim and recognition, including Foxes (Off Broadway, 59e59 Theaters), Steve (Seven Dials Playhouse); Death Drop (Garrick Theatre, UK&Ir Tour and Criterion Theatre); Wonderville: Magic and Illusion Live (The Palace Theatre), Dark Sublime (Trafalgar Studios); San Domino, The Gulf, and Pete ‘n’ Keely (Tristan Bates Theatre). M. Green Productions also offer bespoke General Management & Consulting packages for productions and venues across the globe. Read more at: mgreenproductions.co.uk

James Hillier for Defibrillator (Producer)
Defibrillator make provocative, thrilling and acclaimed theatre in the UK and USA. Established in 2011 with the site-specific The Hotel Plays by Tennessee Williams and most recently producing the groundbreaking and awarding winning Foxes by Dexter Flanders. The company continue to push boundaries, creating entertaining and socially important stories. Stories that send an electric pulse to the heart. Read more at defibrillatortheatre.com

LISTINGS INFO

Defibrillator and M. Green Productions
present

Robert Bathurst
in

Jeffrey Bernard is Unwell
By Keith Waterhouse

Directed and adapted by James Hillier

The Coach & Horses
29 Greek Street,
Soho,
London
W1D 5DH

29/30/31 October
5/6/7 November
12/13/14 November
19/20/21 November

Two performances each day at 8pm & 10pm.

Tickets:
www.jeffreyplay.com

Running time 55mins (no interval)

LES MISÉRABLES

AT THE SONDHEIM THEATRE

AND

HAMILTON

AT THE VICTORIA PALACE THEATRE

BOTH EXTEND BOOKING UNTIL 28 SEPTEMBER 2024

LES MISÉRABLES at the Sondheim Theatre and HAMILTON at the Victoria Palace Theatre both announce today booking extensions until Saturday 28 September 2024.

LES MISÉRABLES currently stars Josh Piterman as Jean Valjean, Stewart Clarke as Javert, Katie Hall as Fantine, Will Callan as Marius, Amena El-Kindy as Éponine, Lulu-Mae Pears as Cosette, Luke Kempner as Thénardier, Claire Machin as Madame Thénardier and Djavan van de Fliert as Enjolras.

The company is completed by Annabelle Aquino, Hazel Baldwin, Brad Barnley, Michael Baxter, Emily Olive Boyd, Rosy Church, Ben Culleton, Matthew Dale, Matt Dempsey, Sophie-May Feek, Matt Hayden, Tom Hext, Christopher Jacobsen, Jessica Johns-Parsons, Yazmin King, Sam Kipling, Anouk van Laake, Harry Lake, Sarah Lark, Ellie Ann Lowe, Ben Oatley, Adam Pearce, Jordan Simon Pollard, Jonathan Stevens, Phoebe Williams and Ollie Wray.

Cameron Mackintosh’s production of LES MISÉRABLES is written by Alain Boublil and Claude-Michel Schönberg and is based on the novel by Victor Hugo. It has music by Claude-Michel Schönberg, lyrics by Herbert Kretzmer and original French text by Alain Boublil and Jean-Marc Natel, additional material by James Fenton and adaptation by Trevor Nunn and John Caird. Orchestrations are by Stephen Metcalfe, Christopher Jahnke and Stephen Brooker with original orchestrations by John Cameron. The production is directed by James Powell and Laurence Connor, designed by Matt Kinley inspired by the paintings of Victor Hugo with costumes by Andreane Neofitou, Christine Rowland and Paul Wills, lighting by Paule Constable, sound by Mick Potter, projections realised by Finn Ross & Fifty Nine Productions, musical staging by Geoffrey Garratt, and music supervision by Stephen Brooker and Alfonso Casado Trigo.

HAMILTON stars Declan Spaine in the title role of Alexander Hamilton, Simon-Anthony Rhoden as Aaron Burr, Ava Brennan as Angelica Schuyler, Shan Ako as Eliza Hamilton,  Simbi Akande as Peggy Schuyler/Maria Reynolds, Dom Hartley-Harris as George Washington, Lemuel Knights as Marquis De Lafayette/Thomas Jefferson, Emile Ruddock as Hercules Mulligan/James Madison, Jake Halsey-Jones as John Laurens/Philip Hamilton and Joel Montague asKing George III. At certain performances the role of Alexander Hamilton will be played by Alex Sawyer.

The cast is completed by Gabriela Acosta, Elizabeth Armstrong, Alishia-Marie Blake, Matthew Elliot-Campbell, Jordan Frazier, Manaia Glassey-Ohlson, Amie Hibbert, Sam Holden, Barney Hudson, Nicolais-Andre Kerry, Christian Knight, Ella Kora, Aaron Lee Lambert, Nathan Louis-Fernand, Stacey McGuire, Lewis Newton, Kerri Norville, Hannah Qureshi, Samuel Sarpong-Broni, Hassun Sharif, Lindsey Tierney, Alex Tranter, Maddison Tyson and Brandon Williams.

HAMILTON has book, music and lyrics by Lin-Manuel Miranda, is directed by Thomas Kail, with choreography by Andy Blankenbuehler, musical supervision and orchestrations by Alex Lacamoire and is based on Ron Chernow’s biography of Alexander Hamilton. HAMILTON features scenic design by David Korins, costume design by Paul Tazewell, lighting design by Howell Binkley, sound design by Nevin Steinberg and hair and wig design by Charles G. LaPointe.

HAMILTON is produced in London by Jeffrey Seller, Sander Jacobs, Jill Furman, The Public Theater and Cameron Mackintosh.

Theatre Royal Nottingham – until Saturday 7th October 2023

Reviewed by Jill Heslop

5*****

What a treat is in store for those heading to Nottingham’s Theatre Royal this week to see Northern Ballet’s sumptuous production of Beauty and the Beast. Choreographed and directed by David Nixon CBE with haute couture-style costumes designed by him too, this ballet is a moving, world-class display of elegance and precision. The live musical score, including Bizet and Debussy, is arranged by John Longstaff, conducted by Geoffrey Paterson and delivered with moving precision by the Northern Ballet Sinfonia.

The performance was given extra heart due to the announcement by the musicians before the performance that live music in Northern Ballet is under threat. The audience and cast responded supportively to this, especially at the end of the evening with the musicians and dancers having worked so well together to produce such a beautifully executed production.

The story of Beauty and the Beast is a well-known fairytale and there is a hint of magic in the elaborate mirrored sets by Duncan Hayler. The castle is rendered well with impressions of ivy-clad walls for the Beast, played by Kevin Poeung, to scale during his animalistic roving through his prison-like property. Contrasts are cleverly set up between Prince Orian (Jonathan Hanks) as arrogant and narcissistic and the Beast (Kevin Poeung) as uncouth and self-loathing; Beauty, played charmingly by Dominique Larose, as gentle and caring and Beauty’s sisters, as spoilt and shallow, played with fun and energy by Julie Nunés and Heather Lehan. All this is conveyed to the audience with perfect timing in combination with the music, used with precision to match the action of the dance.

The dancing is a blend of strong classical technique with naturalistic movements and impressive storytelling. We are moved by the elegant and graceful nature of Beauty’s dancing in comparison to the lumbering and tortured gymnastics of the Beast as they develop their relationship. The choice of Debussy’s Clare De Lune during the dream sequence is beautifully rendered with flowing movements of the dancers matched by the shimmering costumes. Dramatic lighting, designed by Tim Mitchell, adds to the atmosphere throughout with colourful and bright costumes adding to the playful tone such as when the sisters return from a successful shopping trip loaded down with shopping bags!

The motif of the rose is used throughout the performance as a symbol of giving and receiving. The story of Beauty and the Beast itself is a timely reminder of the importance of kindness to one another and how kindness is a transformative power. The poignancy of this message is mesmerisingly rendered by the cast of this beautifully produced ballet resulting in a transporting theatrical experience.

Direct from an acclaimed Broadway season, ‘The Kite Runner’, an outstanding and unforgettable theatrical tour de force,is returning to the UK in 2024

Based on Khaled Hosseini’s international bestselling novel, this haunting tale of friendship spans cultures and continents and follows one man’s journey to confront his past and find redemption.

Afghanistan is a country on the verge of war and best friends are about to be torn apart. It’s a beautiful afternoon in Kabul, the skies are full of colour and the streets are full of the excitement of a kite flying tournament, but no one can foresee the terrible incident that will shatter their lives forever.

One Broadway season and two West End seasons have garnered international acclaim for this incredibly powerful story.

The Kite Runner, adapted by Matthew Spangler, directed by Giles Croft, will open its 2024 UK tour at the Waterside Theatre, Aylesbury 7-9 March, then tours to Richmond Theatre, London, 12-16 March.

The other dates are: 18-23 March Bath Theatre Royal; 26-30 March Chester Storyhouse; 2-6-April Dublin Gaiety, 9-13 April Glasgow Theatre Royal; 16-20 April Nottingham Playhouse; 23-27 April Liverpool Playhouse; 30 April – 4 May Oxford Playhouse; 7-11 May Salford The Lowry; 14-18 May; Guildford Yvonne Arnaud; 28 May – 1-June Malvern Festival Theatre; 4-8 June Sheffield Lyceum; 11-15 June Brighton Theatre Royal; 25-29 June Newcastle Theatre Royal; 2-6 July, Cheltenham Everyman.

Cast and full creative team to be announced.

Produced by Martin Dodd for UK Productions and Stuart Galbraith for Kilimanjaro Productions.
Originally produced by Nottingham Playhouse and Liverpool Everyman and Playhouse.

The Kite Runner 2024 UK tour dates

7-9 March                    
AYLESBURY
Waterside Theatre

12-16 March                  
RICHMOND
Richmond Theatre

18-23 March                    
BATH
Theatre Royal

26-30 March                  
CHESTER
Storyhouse

2-6-April                    
DUBLIN
Gaiety

9-13 April                  
GLASGOW
Theatre Royal

16-20 April
NOTTINGHAM
Playhouse

23-27 April
LIVERPOOL
Playhouse

30 April – 4 May          
OXFORD
Playhouse

7-11 May                    
SALFORD
The Lowry

21-25 May                  
GUILDFORD
Yvonne Arnaud

28 May – 1 June          
MALVERN
Festival Theatre

4-8 June                        
SHEFFIELD
Lyceum

11-15 June                    
BRIGHTON
Theatre Royal

25-29 June                    
NEWCASTLE
Theatre Royal

2-6 July                        
CHELTENHAM
Everyman