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Park Theatre – until 30 September 2023

Reviewed by Claire Roderick

3***

Emmanuele Aldrovandi’s dark comedy (translated by Marco Young) is set in the near future, where the tide has turned, with economic collapse and closed borders in Europe causing desperate people to risk everything to get to a safer continent and a new life.

The four characters are only described by physical characteristics, remaining nameless just as the media presents real-life migrants. The burly one (Felix Garcia Guyer) is the trafficker, smuggling the others in his shipping container – he only owns the one, describing himself sardonically as a small businessman. The power dynamics are demonstrated instantly, with his looming physicality and capriciousness nature intimidating the travellers. Aldrovandi keeps pulling the rug from under the audience whenever the play seems settled into a narrative arc – characters who seem sympathetic reveal their duplicity, and the vulnerability and fear driving others’ violence and aggression is seen. The stocky one (Marco Young) forced to flee with only a knife, the beautiful one (Yasmine Haller) who has brought mementos of her family, and the tall one (Will Bishop) with his suitcase of impeccably folded Egyptian cotton shirts tiptoe around each other on the claustrophobic journey inside the container. The beautiful one can remember leaving her home and migrating to Europe as a child, and her strong survival instinct means that alliances form and break as half truths and lies are shared and desperation heightens. Neither of the men is who they seem, so any judgemental opinions formed about good and bad migrants are shown as the nonsense they are.

The suffering of the trio in the container is interrupted by the burly one grabbing a microphone and sharing his knowledge (mostly gleaned from Wikipedia) on topics including shipping containers, recipes and whales. Felix Garcia Guyer delivers these monologues with devilish abandon, prowling around the stage with an ominous but pretentious aura and the disturbing feeling that he could attack at any second. These absurdist sections take you out of the migrants’ story for a while, but never distract from the sense of impending disaster. The political and moral messages are delivered with a lighter touch than I expected but raise lots of soul-searching questions. Perhaps some of these could have been addressed with more focus and depth onstage to achieve a sharper and more coherent play.

When a storm hits, and the container is left floating in the ocean, the lengths we will go to to survive are explored – with very funny hypotheticals about who to eat first, and which parts of the body would be best, before things get real – and very nasty. From drinking urine to full-blown cannibalism, the brutality is visceral, but still slightly cartoonish. Director Daniel Emery directs with aplomb and while the ending is dreamlike and understated with no definite conclusion to the characters’ stories but feels right for this strange and disturbing comedy.

The cast all impress, and Alys Whitehead’s set design is atmospheric and appropriately stark, with a red curtain thrust forward and back to represent the container. Jamie Liu’s sound design and Catja Hamilton’s lighting add fantastic dramatic and absurd flourishes to the unsettling production.

A dark and disturbing comedy that makes you laugh and squirm. Well worth a look.

Crazy Coqs, Brasserie Zédel, London – until 16^th September 2023 

Reviewed by Ben Jolly 

4**** 

Randy Roberts has returned to London with his new show Aging Disgracefully, which plays for 3 nights at the fabulous cabaret space, Crazy Coqs – Live at Zédel in the heart of Piccadilly. 

With humour, heart and a whole lotta hairspray, Roberts puts on a show that is more reminiscent of “old-school” drag but still feels fresh and relevant as ever for audiences today. Randy Roberts knows what he has to offer as a performer and his confidence, the kind that can only grow through years of experience and hard work in the industry shines through straight off the bat. 

Opening the show with his own rendition of Lizzo’s 2022 hit single, ‘About Damn Time’ before seamlessly transitioning into an upbeat Bette Midler segment, Roberts hits the “manicured” nail on the head with his comedic timings and vocal precision. 

After a joyful and exhilarating medley honouring some of Cher’s biggest musical hits, Roberts moves into the role of the red-headed Randy Roberts herself. It was here when the show opened up to provide some warmth and emotional depth. We were also given a glimpse to another side of Roberts as he spoke of family holidays in France in between a rousing song-list of classic show-tunes; some more time spent like this would have been just the tonic as these human moments resonated strongly with the audience.

A performer like Randy Roberts would benefit greatly from a live band, it is evident he feeds off the energy from the people around and a small band would raise the energy level and allow room for more interpretation and dynamics that cannot be duplicated with a backing track, right now it feels that Roberts is restraint from being able to make more artistic or improvised decisions. 

Randy Roberts’ Aging Disgracefully is the epitome of the traditional drag show that we all know and love; it was joyous to watch this entertainer do just what they set out to do, ENTERTAIN! Aging disgracefully? I beg to differ. Like a great wine, Randy Roberts is only getting better with time. 

DANCE UMBRELLA AND SOMERSET HOUSE ANNOUNCE THE FULL SCHEDULE FOR LONDON BATTLE, SATURDAY 7 OCTOBER

Dance Umbrella and Somerset House are excited to announce more details for London Battle which takes place at Dance Umbrella’s home, Somerset House, on the opening weekend of the festival, Saturday 7 October.

London Battlewill take in the  iconic open-air courtyard for a day packed with showcases, workshops, cyphers, live DJs and a big outdoor party. In celebration of the 50th anniversary of hip hop culture and with Breaking set to be the highlight of the 2024 Paris Olympics, Dance Umbrella and Somerset House are bringing together some of the most exciting talent from the four corners of London to go head-to-head across a diverse range of styles. 

Curated by choreographer Jade Hackett, the audience will play their part in judging and deciding which part of our global city brings the best dance flavour – north, south, east or west. 

Jade Hackett said: ‘London Battle is an explosive new festival festuring some of London’s finest within the hiphop and street dance communities. With dancers representing all the four corners of this city, it will be brimming with powerful and gravity-defying movement from its battlers and is certainly not a show to be missed. 

Spectators can also participate in family fun classes and be entertained with incredible performances, including new work by award winning dance company, Boy Blue Ent. Finishing off with THE party of all parties as our Dj’s help us to skank the evening away. 

Come and enjoy an amazing day with us at ‘London Battle’ and truly celebrate our wonderful city, in style.’

Starting at 1pm this completely free event offers audiences plenty of opportunities to get involved beginning with a stellar line-up of workshops to get everyone moving with Turbo teaching house style, Olu on Afrobeats, Kloe Dean doing Hip Hop and Tiago will be Waacking. All abilities welcome!

Between 3.30 and 4.30pm there will be a series of showcase performances from some of London’s most exciting talent including krump collective Gully South Block (GSB); the UK’s most celebrated hip-hop dance theatre company Boy Blue, street dance expert Lauren Scott and Britain’s Got Talent 2023 contestants The Queens.

DJs featured across the day include: Midnight Train Collective and Josh Constanzo,  and our MC for the day is actor and presenter Ashley J. 

The London Battle finale commences at around 4.30pm with four teams hailing from the four corners of London, North, South, East and West meeting in the middle to slog it out for the London crown. Who will be the best? You decide!

Leading the team from the north is Troy Banton aka Dat Boi Troy from the Indahouse family. A house dance specialist, Troy also trained in classical ballet with the Russian ballet school, and in African Caribbean dance forms with Irie Dance Company. He’ll be joined by 19 year-old Rory Clarke, an exciting newcomer who regularly performs with ZooNation and Far From the Norm alongside the talented Anna Ponomarenko aka b-girl Stefani who this year took the silver medal at the European Breaking Championships.

The team from the south will be led by Nicholas Marvel (aka Marvel) who is a representative of Monsterz Crew UK. He is known for his signature animatronic popping style and inventive isolations. He’ll be accompanied by Team GB member and Red Bull BC One champion Roxanne Milliner (b-girl Roxy), as well as Chaldon Williams (aka Sev Raven), a choreographer, artist mentor and creator of the Tribe Wayz collective.

Representing east London is Jordan ‘JFunk’ Franklin, who has been performing as a member of one of the UK’s most celebrated hip hop dance theatre companies, Boy Blue, for over 10 years. He’ll be joined by dynamic dance artist and international champion Evion Hackett and creative performer Toby “Shush” Jackman.

Battling for the title from west London is breaking expert Lee Crowley, also known as Reckless-Lee, who is a member of the award-winning BirdGang Dance Company. He’ll be joined by fellow BirdGang crew member and multi-skilled performer, dancer and teacher Elise Antonia, and Benjamin Banishahi aka Shahi.

Once the winners are crowned there will be a celebration of Hip Hop bringing all the elements of the day together in one big party.

FULL CASTING ANNOUNCEMENT

Theatre Royal Bath Productions presents

Brian Cox

In the world premiere of

THE SCORE

A new play by Oliver Cotton
Directed by Trevor Nunn

JOINING BRIAN COX: 

NICOLE ANSARI-COX, MATTHEW BURNS,

DOÑA CROLL, PETER DE JERSEY, STEPHEN HAGAN,

CHRISTOPHER STAINES,

BENEDICT SLATER & ERIC SIRAKIAN

Friday 15 September:  As rehearsals begin this week for the Theatre Royal Bath Productions production of the world premiere production of THE SCORE, starring legendary stage and screen actor Brian Cox (HBO’s multi award-winning Succession) as Johann Sebastian Bach, the complete cast and creative team are announced.

This astonishing new play by Oliver Cotton is directed by Trevor Nunn and opens at Theatre Royal Bath with performances from 12 – 28 October 2023.

The stellar cast joining Brian Cox as Bach are:  Nicole Ansari-Cox (Deadwood, Succession) as Bach’s wife Anna (Nicole Ansari-Cox is Brian’s real-life wife), Matthew Burns (The Curious Case of Benjamin Button) as Carl, Doña Croll (The Doctor, The American Plan) as Emilia, RSC regular Peter de Jersey (Warrior Nun, Doctor Who) as Voltaire, Stephen Hagan (You, The Larkins) as Frederick, Christopher Staines (Wolf Hall, Mrs Dalloway) as Quantz, Benedict Salter as Benda and Eric Sirakian (The Kite Runner on Broadway) as Graun.

Robert Jones is the Set and Costume Designer, Johanna Town is the Lighting Designer, Sophie Cotton is the Composer and Sound Designer, Cordelia Monsey is the Associate Director and the Casting Director is Ginny Schiller CDG.
 

Spring 1747. Potsdam, Prussia.

Johann Sebastian Bach reluctantly visits the court of Frederick II, Europe’s most ambitious and dangerous leader. 

The two men could hardly be more different. As the Age of Enlightenment dawns, they stand in opposite camps. Bach is deeply religious, Frederick is an atheist. Bach loathes war, Frederick revels in it. Bach studies scripture, Frederick reads military history. Frederick remains in awe of Bach’s genius however and has mischievously prepared a musical conundrum that he hopes will baffle the composer and amuse his court.

The explosive events of the following days could not have been predicted by either man.

Brian Cox‘s glittering career has spanned more than sixty years, garnering numerous awards and nominations, working with the most esteemed theatre companies and renowned Hollywood and TV directors. Twice Olivier Award winner for Best Actor, his portrayal in the HBO hit series Succession has won him a Golden Globe award and Emmy nominations. Other notable film credits include Braveheart, The Long Kiss Goodnight and The Bourne Identity. In 2007, the UK Film Council named him in the top ten powerful British film stars in Hollywood.

Former artistic director of the National Theatre and Royal Shakespeare Company, Trevor Nunn’s multi-award-winning repertoire ranges from Les Misérables to The Life and Adventures of Nicholas Nickleby.

Orange Tree Theatre, Richmond – until 7th October 2023

Reviewed by Bobbi Fenton

5*****

That Face, written by Polly Stenham, explores the effects of parental neglect, addiction, and mental health issues on the family. The play opens with Mia (Ruby Stokes) and Izzy (Sarita Gabony) performing some sort of ‘initiation’ on younger girl, Alice (Holly French) at their school, which lands Alice in hospital, and Mia in a whole heap of trouble. We are then introduced to Martha (Niamh Cusak) and her 18-year-old son, Henry (Kasper Hilton-Hille). Within the first two or three scenes you can really gage the family dynamic, with the codependent and borderline incestuous relationship between Henry and Martha, and Martha’s hatred of her own teenage daughter.

Throughout the course of the play, we watch as Henry tries, in vain, to help Martha, to try to prove that the last five years of living with her have not been for nothing, and to prevent his father, Hugh (Dominic Mafham) from having Martha sectioned when he arrives from Hong Kong. This all leads to the seemingly inevitable conclusion of Henry showing just how much his life and mental wellbeing have been impacted by Martha.

One of my favourite parts of this play was the decision to have the set only use a bed, with any props underneath it, which during transitions between scenes is rotated in a circle. I interpreted this as a representation of the inescapable cycle that all the main characters are trapped in because of Martha.

I believe that this play has been perfectly cast, as I cannot think of a single actor or actress that would have been better, in any of the roles, than the actual cast. It is a definite must see, as it explores such disturbing themes in such a gripping and captivating way.

Nominations announced for the UK Theatre Awards 2023

·         Lyric Theatre Belfast and Sheffield Theatres lead the way with five nods apiece

·         Best Performance in a Musical category is dominated by female nominees

Thursday 14 September: Today, the nominees for this year’s UK Theatre Awards have been announced. The UK Theatre Awards are the only nationwide awards to honour and celebrate outstanding achievements in theatre throughout England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland by UK Theatre members.  

With nominees across the UK, this year’s shortlist showcases the creativity, originality and resilience of theatre. Leading the nominations, both with acknowledgements across five categories, are Lyric Theatre Belfast and Sheffield Theatres. Lyric Theatre Belfast’s nominations include Best Design, Best Director, Best New Play, Best Play Revival and Best Show for Children and Young People, while Sheffield Theatres is represented in Best Musical Production, Best Play Revival, Best Performance in a Musical and Best Performance in a Play.

Meanwhile, two theatres receive three nods across various categories – Birmingham Rep and Nottingham Playhouse. Birmingham Rep was home to productions with nominees in performing categories, including Best Supporting Performance and Best Performance in a Play, while Nottingham Playhouse is acknowledged in the Excellence in Touring, Workforce Award and Most Welcoming Theatre categories. Separately, Shakespeare North, The Mill at Sonning and Leeds Playhouse have garnered two nominations apiece.

Elsewhere in performing categories, actors Siobhán McSweeney (Happy Days), Peter Forbes (On The Beach), Daniel Rigby (Accidental Death Of An Anarchist) and Wiliam Young (Of Mice & Men) are all nominated for Best Performance in a Play. This year, Best Performance in a Musical is dominated by female actors, with Joanna Ampil (Miss Saigon), Lena Hall (In Dreams) and Rebecca Thornhill (Gypsy) making up the list of nominees.

The exceptional work created by each of this year’s nominees demonstrates that there is no better time to support local theatre. The winners will be announced on 8 October, during a lunchtime ceremony at London’s Guildhall. The event’s host was announced on Monday as Zoe Birkett.

Hannah Essex, Co-CEO of UK Theatre, said,

“We are incredibly proud to celebrate theatre across our four nations and the inspiring work of our UK Theatre members. This year’s nominees are a reflection of the quality and diversity of talent, story-telling and community engagement that is needed now more than ever.

“We would like to thank all our sponsors for supporting the event and offer our congratulations to all those nominated. We look forward to celebrating your inspiring work at the ceremony on Sunday 8 October.”

Nominations for the UK’s Most Welcoming Theatre Award were announced last month, with

Curve, National Youth Theatre, and Nottingham Playhouse making the shortlist. The winner will be revealed as part of the ceremony.

The recipient of this year’s Outstanding Contribution to British Theatre Award is yet to be announced ahead of the ceremony.

The UK Theatre Awards 2023 are sponsored by Birra Moretti, Harbottle and Lewis, Howard Park Wines, John Good Ltd, Marshfield Farm Ice Cream, Music Theatre International, Setting Line Production Management, Spektrix, Theatre Tokens, Trafalgar Theatres, Tysers in association with Ecclesiastical, Unusual Rigging and White Light.

Full list of nominations for the UK Theatre Awards 2023

On Stage Awards

Best Design

Conor Murphy for Propaganda: A New Musical, a Lyric Theatre Belfast and The Belfast Ensemble Production

Justin Nardella & Dan Steele for iShowmanism!, a Theatre Royal Bath production

Sadeysa Greenaway-Bailey & UTLZ for Tambo & Bones, a Theatre Royal Stratford East Actors Touring Company co-production

Best Director

Matthew Dunster & Jimmy Fairhurst for A Midsummer Night’s Dream, a Shakespeare North Playhouse, Not Too Tame and Northern Stage co-production

Omar Elerian for As You Like It, a Royal Shakespeare Company production

Garry Hynes for DruidO’Casey, a Druid Theatre production at Lyric Theatre Belfast

Best Musical Production Sponsored by Tysers in association with Ecclesiastical

The Book Thief, an Octagon Theatre Bolton production

Gypsy, a The Mill at Sonning production

Miss Saigon, a Sheffield Theatres production

Best New Play

Agreement, a Lyric Theatre Belfast production

Enough Of Him, a National Theatre of Scotland and Pitlochry Festival Theatre co-production

Untitled F*ck M*ss S**gon Play, a Royal Exchange Theatre, Factory International for Manchester International Festival, Young Vic Theatre and Headlong co-production

Best Play Revival Sponsored by Trafalgar Theatres

The Beauty Queen Of Leenane, a Prime Cut and Lyric Theatre Belfast co-production

The Comedy Of Errors (More Or Less), a Shakespeare North Playhouse and Stephen Joseph Theatre co-production

The Contingency Plan, a Sheffield Theatres production

Best Performance in a Play

Peter Forbes for On The Beach, a Sheffield Theatres production

Siobhán McSweeney for Happy Days, a Landmark Productions production at Birmingham Rep

Daniel Rigby for Accidental Death Of An Anarchist, a Sheffield Theatres and Lyric Hammersmith co-production

Wiliam Young for Of Mice & Men, a Birmingham Rep, Leeds Playhouse and Fiery Angel co-production

Best Performance in a Musical

Joanna Ampil for Miss Saigon, a Sheffield Theatres production

Lena Hall for In Dreams, a Leeds Playhouse production

Rebecca Thornhill for Gypsy, a The Mill at Sonning production

Best Show for Children and Young People

The Famous Five, a Theatr Clywd and Chichester Festival Theatre co-production

Mirrorball, a Replay Theatre Company production at Belfast Children’s Festival, Lyric Theatre Belfast

The SpongeBob Musical, a Selladoor Worldwide production

Best Supporting Performance (in a Musical or Play)

Bryony Corrigan for I, Daniel Blake, a Nothern Stage, Birmingham Rep, ETT, Oldham Coliseum and tiny dragon Productions production in association with Cardboard Citizens

Antony Eden for Family Album, a Stephen Joseph Theatre production

LJ Parkinson for Modest, a Middle Child and Milk Presents co-production

Achievement in Opera

Glyndebourne for Dialogues Des Carmélites

Opera North for Orpheus

Welsh National Opera for Blaze Of Glory!

Achievement in Dance

Jo Fong & George Orange for The Rest Of Our Lives 

Rambert for Peaky Blinders: The Redemption Of Thomas Shelby 

Scottish Ballet for Coppélia 

Off Stage Awards

Excellence in Touring

ETT

Northern Stage

Nottingham Playhouse

Digital Innovation Sponsored by Spektrix

HOME X presented by the Barbican

Pilot Theatre

Tara Theatre

Excellence in Inclusivity

Capital Theatres

Midland Arts Centre

Queen’s Theatre Hornchurch

Excellence in Arts Education

Birmingham Hippodrome

Blackpool Grand Theatre

Hackney Empire

Workforce Award

Ambassador Theatre Group

Grand Opera House York

Nottingham Playhouse

UK’s Most Welcoming Theatre Sponsored by Theatre Tokens

Curve

National Youth Theatre

Nottingham Playhouse

THE WEST END COMES TOGETHER TO SUPPORT THE WATERMILL

The Watermill Theatre today announced a West End ticket raffle to support their Propel fundraising campaign.

Tickets on offer as part of the Big West End Ticket Raffle include Little Big Things, The Unfriend, Frozen, Guys and Dolls, The Time Traveller’s Wife, and Phantom of the Opera. All income from the raffle will go to supporting The Watermill Theatre’s fundraising campaign, Propel, which was launched in the aftermath of the Arts Council’s 100% cut to its funding. As the charity looks to its future as an independent theatre, fundraising will play an essential role in enabling The Watermill to continue to offer a vibrant and ambitious programme of theatre and outreach that engages over 60,000 people every year. 

Claire Murray, Executive Director at The Watermill Theatre commented:

“As we look to the future as an independent theatre company, we are excited to offer audiences a way to both support our fundraising and be in with a chance of winning tickets to some of the West End’s most in demand shows. We’ve been overwhelmed by the strength of the support we’ve been shown by the theatre community in creating this raffle and we’re grateful to everyone who has donated a prize.”

A spokesperson from Playful Productions, one of the country’s leading producers, commented:

“The UK is rightly famous around the globe for the vibrancy, diversity and quality of its performing arts. Regional theatres across the country, including powerhouse producing houses like the Watermill, are crucial to supporting this thriving landscape: they create life-long relationships with local audiences, provide access to world-class theatre experiences, tell new and overlooked stories in innovative ways, and inspire and develop the next generation of talent.”

To enter the raffle and be in with a chance of winning tickets to one of a wide range of shows, visit watermill.org.uk/raffle .

For further details on opportunities to support The Watermill Theatre, please contact Steph Dewar, Development Director at [email protected].

OCTAGON THEATRE, BOLTON – UNTIL SATURDAY 30TH SEPTEMBER

REVIEWED BY ZOE BROWN

4****

Arthur Miller’s ‘A View from the Bridge’ is as unnervingly relevant today as when written in 1955. The Octagon’s Co-production with Headlong, Chichester Festival Theatre and Rose Theatre delves deep into the murky depths of man’s primal desires and the moral dilemma it presents. Should he, Eddie Carbone, an ordinary inarticulate man, and our hero, let go and settle for half? Or should he engage in an inglorious battle to claim that which he feels he owns? This inevitable tragedy unfolds as Eddie, unable to admit, even to himself, his feelings for his niece, wages a war that brings destruction for all around him and a terrible betrayal of an inviolable community code. As our narrator and observer, lawyer Alfieri, asks: ‘Is it better to settle for half?

First off Jonathan Slinger as Eddie Carbone is sublime. His inner turmoil, angst and rising temper was palpable. He drove this performance; its mercury thermometer rose steadily until it broke the glass. Rachelle Diedericks as Catherine was wonderful to watch and perfectly believable as the young and green Niece falling hopelessly in love with the affable Rodolpho, a distant cousin and undocumented immigrant who Catherine’s family agree to shelter with his brother Marco. Rodolpho, played by Luke Newberry, was perfect as the Italian lover, his comedic timing and beautiful voice made for enjoyable relief in this dark drama. Tommy Sim’aan as Marco was truthfully authentic and honest as the honourable man striving to provide for his family whilst abiding by his code of ethics.

For me, this production, directed by Holly Race Roughan, raised uncomfortable questions around the theme of inappropriate sexual desires between a young and vulnerable girl and her uncle. It also highlighted the issues around historic negative views of same-gender attraction and the inability to confront and deal with one’s emotions instead of projecting their inadequacies onto those around them. There was, it seems, a deliberate attempt to sexualise the behaviour of Catherine, albeit in a naive childish way. The intimacy of their body language for me felt uncomfortable to watch and begged the question: were we to apportion blame for Eddie’s emotions between the two of them? Or accept that this was natural behaviour between a naïve girl and her uncle? The behaviour of wife Beatrice who throughout used flirty almost sensualised movement to portray her sexual frustration and desire to tempt her husband back to her, was at times a distraction from the very real and earnest performance of Kirsty Bushell as Beatrice.

Even the choice of set design by Moi Tran whilst dramatic and engaging gave me the impression of sleaze. An entirely black polished floor and walls with a dominant red neon sign displaying ‘Red Hook’, the place in which the story is set.

I accept you could argue the black set symbolised water and the darkness within. However, for me, the neon sign overpowered the set.

There was a clever use of the dock worker/ballet dancer played by Elijah Holloway (doubled as Louis / Immigration Officer whose infectious laughter delighted the audience) He would appear dancing tantalisingly, as if dominating Eddie’s thoughts. It was great to see, for the first time, lawyer Alfieri played by a woman, Nancy Crane. However, as with many productions there were times when it was hard to hear her, and I note there were some audience members in the interval saying they could not hear some of the companies’ words when they were shouting. I also note that for those who have hearing impairments there is a BSL Interpreted and Captioned performance, Tuesday 19th September,7:30pm

Overall, this was, again, another great production by the Octagon, whose choice to co-produce some of its programmed schedule allows for some excellent shows North of the capital.

Cast announced for The Cold Buffet – a deliciously comic North East family saga at Live Theatre. 

Live Theatre, Newcastle Upon Tyne is delighted to announce the cast for The Cold Buffet, a delicious North East family saga by Elijah Young which runs from Thursday 5 to Saturday 28 October 2023. Directed by Jack McNamara, Elijah Young’s play is brought to life by Nick Blakeley, Jane Holman, Amara Karan, Jim Kitson and Beth Fletcher Morris.   

The centrepiece of Live Theatre’s 50^th anniversary season The Cold Buffet is an epic and feverishly funny play by rising star Elijah Young, set at a wake, a wedding and a christening over five years with the McCarthy family. 

Artistic Director Jack McNamara said: “The play Elijah has written is a true ensemble piece and all about the actors. We spent a lot of time putting together the gloriously dysfunctional McCarthy family and have ended up with a cast to die for. Four outstanding and hugely loved North East actors are joined onstage by the amazing Amara Karan who I have long wanted to bring to Live Theatre and Newcastle. I can’t wait for them to feed our audience souls.”  

Elijah Young, writer of The Cold Buffet said: “Jack has pulled together a really dynamic and talented set of actors to be our McCarthy family and I am so excited to see what they do with the script. I am so pleased with this cast as it was so important to me for these roles to be cast authentically and to have some really strong players as even though there may be a central character, this play isn’t one person’s story. I really wanted to bring The Cold Buffet to Live Theatre because this is specifically a story of a North East family and I hope that this theatre’s signature cabaret seating will only help in making the audience feel like they are a part of the party.” 

The role of Ayeesha is played by Amara Karan. Her theatre credits include Bloody Difficult Women (Wind of Change/Cahoots Theatre Company), Much Ado About Nothing, The Taming of The Shrew, The Merchant of Venice and A Midsummer Night’s Dream (RSC). Amara’s film credits include Wes Anderson’s The Darjeeling Limited, St. Trinians’ (Ealing Studios),T.I.M. (Netflix) and the forthcoming House of Spoils (Amazon Studios). Amara’s TV credits include HBO’s The Night Of, Sky One’s Stan Lees Lucky Man and for the BBC, Hope Street and Doctor Who.  

Nick Blakeley takes on the role of Ellis. Nick’s theatre credits include The Claim (Shoreditch Town Hall), Twelfth Night (Orange Tree Theatre), I Heart Catherine Pistachio (Soho Theatre/Yard Theatre), Brideshead Revisited (York Theatre Royal/UK Tour), Hapgood (Hampstead Theatre) and Comment Is Free (Old Vic Theatre). TV credits include Belgravia (ITV), Summer of Rockets (BBC), Theresa Vs Boris: How May Became PM (BBC), Beyond Reasonable Doubt (CNN), Doctors (BBC) and The Old Bailey (BBC). 

Jane Holman plays Ellis’ grandma Evelyn, the matriarch of the McCarthy family. Jane’s theatre credits include: Lush Life, Oh What a Lovely War, Twelve Tales of Tyneside, Cabaret, Lenya and In Blackberry Time (all for Live Theatre), Tyne (Live Theatre/Theatre Royal Newcastle) and Close the Coalhouse Door (Northern Stage). Television credits include: Vera, Inspector George Gently, Undercover, and The Dumping Ground and feature films, School for Seduction, Harrigan’s Nick and Billy Elliot. 

Jim Kitson joins the cast as Ellis’ Dad, David. Jim’s theatre credits include Red Ellen (Nottingham Playhouse), Treasure Island (Derby Theatre), Pitmen Painters (NE Vic Theatre), Much Ado About Nothing (Shakespeare’s Globe), The Drowned Man  (National Theatre), The Taxi Driver’s Daughter (Live Theatre) and Cooking With Elvis (Hull Truck). Television credits include Vera and Emmerdale (ITV), Byker Grove and Inspector George Gently (BBC), Land of Women (Apple+) and Tracy Beaker Returns (CBBC). 

Beth Fletcher Morris returns to Live Theatre as Max, Ellis’cousin and Grandma’s favourite. Beth’s theatre credits include We Are The Best! (Live Theatre), The Boyfriend (Newcastle College) and Cinderella (Whitley Bay Pantomime Society).  

Tickets for this premiere production, laced with dry humour and a good helping of interpersonal tension are on sale now at www.live.org.uk or from Box Office on (0191) 232 1232. 

CRUCIBLE

A Sheffield Theatres production

SHEFFIELD THEATRES ANNOUNCE CAST AND
CREATIVE TEAM FOR

IRVING BERLIN’S WHITE CHRISTMAS

Based upon the Paramount Pictures Film 

Written for the Screen by Norman Krasna, Norman Panama and Melvin Frank

Music and Lyrics by Irving Berlin

Book by David Ives and Paul Blake

Original stage production directed by Walter Bobbie
Original orchestrations by Larry Blank
Original vocal and dance arrangements by Bruce Pomahac
Irving Berlin’s White Christmas is presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals Ltd.

Crucible Theatre, Sheffield
Saturday 9 December 2023 – Saturday 13 January 2024

Sheffield Theatres today announces the cast for Irving Berlin’s White Christmas, the classic feel-good musical directed by Paul Foster (Talent, Kiss Me, Kate and Annie Get Your Gun).

The cast includes: Craig Armstrong as Ezekiel and Understudy Waverley; Megan Armstrong as Ensemble/as cast and Understudy Martha; George Blagden as Bob; Charlie Booker as Ensemble; Danny Collins as Sheldrake and Understudy Phil; Alastair Crosswell as Onstage Swing; Ewen Cummins as Waverley; Adam Davidson as Ensemble; Jasmine Davis as Ensemble; Emily Goodenough as Ensemble, Understudy Judy and Dance Coach; Ryan Gover as Ensemble; Chloe Hopcroft as Onstage Swing; Emma Johnson asEnsemble and Understudy Betty; Thomas-Lee Kidd as Ensemble and Understudy Bob; Sandra Marvin as Martha; Grace Mouat as Betty; Natasha Mould as Judy; Stuart Neal as Phil; Hakeem Tinubu as Ensemble; D’Mia Lindsay Walker as Ensemble;and Lucy Young as Ensemble.

Danny Collins returns after also performing in Show Boat both in the Crucible production and its transfer to the West End. Ewen Cummins has previously performed in Sheffield inSolomon and the Big Cat. Emily Goodenough returns to the Crucible Theatre, having performed in My Fair Lady. Sandra Marvin, whose TV roles include Jessie Dingle in the ITV long-running soap Emmerdale,returns to Sheffield Theatres after her recent appearance in the UK Tour of Sister Act at Sheffield’s Lyceum Theatre, and before that appearing at the Crucible Theatre in The Band Plays On in 2021, written by Chris Bush, and Show Boat in 2015 for both its Sheffield run and subsequent West End transfer. Natasha Mould also returns to Sheffield after performing in Annie Get Your Gun at the Crucible in 2016. All other members of the castmake their Sheffield Theatres debut with Irving Berlin’s White Christmas.

Directed by Paul Foster
Designer Janet Bird
ChoreographerAlistair David
Lighting DesignerRichard Howell
Sound Designer Tony Gayle
Musical Director Alex Parker
New Musical Orchestrations Jason Carr
Casting Director Stuart Burt CDG
Assistant DirectorBeth Knight
Assistant Choreographer Victoria Hinde

‘I’m dreaming of a white Christmas. Just like the ones I used to know’

Former soldiers turned successful showbiz duo Bob and Phil are on the lookout for a new act. On meeting singing sisters Betty and Judy they are immediately smitten. When the four wind up performing a gig together at a remote Vermont ski resort, they discover that the hotel is owned by the boys’ old army commander. But the place is on the verge of bankruptcy thanks to an unseasonal lack of snow. Can the talented foursome transform the lodge’s fortunes in time for Christmas? And will the snow start to fall?

The perfect musical for all the family features Blue Skies, Sisters and the festive favourite White Christmas.

Tickets for Irving Berlin’s White Christmas are on sale now. Tickets can be booked through the Box Office in person, over the phone on 0114 249 6000 or at sheffieldtheatres.co.uk.