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Leeds Playhouse – until Saturday 7 October 2023

Reviewed by Dawn Smallwood

5*****

A powerful and down to earth production addressing seriously the issues that fundamentally affect many and their livelihoods in society today. I,Daniel Blake, based on Paul Laverty’s screenplay and Ken Loach’s multi-award-winning film, comes to the Leeds Playhouse as part of the UK Tour. The stage co-production is adapted by Dave Johns, who played the role in the 2016 film, and is directed by Mark Calvert.

I, Daniel Blake is about the stories of Daniel (David Nellist) and Katie (Bryony Corrigan) who are facing circumstantial hardships that financially impact their lives. Their hardships are not met with the current social security system and its bureaucracies. Daniel and Katie share their stories that raises awareness of what many people face today particularly the cost-of-living crisis and the gig work economy.

The story of the stage adaptation has been updated since the film to reflect the worsening situation and the severity of the hardships many more face now than in 2016. It is relevant, logical and is beautifully and poignantly told by Daniel and Kate whose solidarity and companionship combine with kindness, hope and humour supporting their plights of what seems to be never-ending challenges.

It is entertaining and yet compelling with questions, anger and frustration as to why in reality many have to face what Daniel and Katie face. The characters may be fictional, but their stories and its themes certainly are not! It is an awakening call to all in society today and this well thought out production successfully calls this.

First class portrayals of Daniel by Nellist and Katie by Corrigan. They successfully project the characters and their stories. Both performers are supported by a strong and talented cast; notably Kema Sikazwe who plays China, and he played the same role in the 2016 film. The staging, designed by Rhys Jarman, is functional and is adapted creatively to stage each scenario. The stage works well with Simisola Majekodunmi’s lighting and Roma Yagnik’s soundscapes.

It is a relevant play for all to see what life is really like for the many in modern Britain and how the current social security system is not working to support the essentials for those who need it. To reiterate it is an awakening not another awareness of an existential issue which continues to be intensified.

From 2016 to the present time food banks have dramatically increased along with the hygiene bank and other community driven emergency support networks. It can be hoped that the proposed Essential Guarantee can be introduced and implemented socially and politically to make the crucial differences.

The stories told in I Daniel Blake can be anyone is with any change of circumstances.

• THE CLASS OF 1985: FIRST CASTING REVEALED FOR ‘STARTER FOR TEN’ MUSICAL AS NEW PHOTOGRAPHY IS RELEASED

• THE WORLD PREMIERE OF NEW MUSICAL ‘STARTER FOR TEN’ BASED ON THE BESTSELLING DAVID NICHOLLS NOVEL AND POPULAR HBO/PLAYTONE FILM WILL RUN AT BRISTOL OLD VIC 29 FEBRUARY – 30 MARCH 2024
   
• SET IN 1980’S BRISTOL, WITH THE BACKDROP OF TV QUIZ SHOW UNIVERSITY CHALLENGE, THIS BIG-HEARTED SHOW WILL FEATURE AN 80S-INSPIRED ORIGINAL SCORE AND LYRICS BY TOM RASMUSSEN AND HATTY CARMAN, WITH BOOK AND LYRICS BY EMMA HALL AND CHARLIE PARHAM

Antic Productions, Bristol Old Vic, Longshot Films and Playtone today announce initial casting for their major new musical Starter for Ten, introducing a new generation of young actors with a wealth of musical theatre talent between them. This bright, big-hearted show will receive its world premiere at Bristol Old Vic from 29 February – 30 March 2024 as part of Nancy Medina’s inaugural season as Artistic Director.

Based on the hilarious coming-of-age novel by David Nicholls (One Day, Us, Sweet Sorrow) and the popular 2006 film adaptation starring James McAvoy, Benedict Cumberbatch, James Corden and Rebecca Hall, this tale of love, class and growing up in the 1980s is set in Bristol against the backdrop of legendary British quiz show University Challenge.

Starring in the leading role, Adam Bregman plays the Southend-born, Bristol-bound undergraduate, ‘Brian’. Currently training at The Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, his previous theatre includes Sing Street (Huntington Theatre) and Bar Mitzvah Boy (Upstairs At The Gatehouse). His film and TV credits include: The Effects Of Lying (ITVX), Genius/Picasso (National Geographic), Tolkien (Fox Searchlight Pictures) and Call Me Alvy (Turn The Slate Productions).

Making her stage debut, Eubha Akilade takes the role of ‘Rebecca’, Glasweigan rabble-rouser and Brian’s closest friend on campus. Eubha began her acting career in 2014 when she landed the regular role of Lily Watson in the CBBC hit series Eve, a role she played for 3 series.  As the regular character of Ines Le Breton, she filmed 3 seasons of the hit Hulu/Disney show Find Me In Paris and since then has appeared in BBC Studios/World Productions The Diplomat as recurring character Amy Callaghan, ITV’s Six Four as recurring character Olivia O’Neill and most recently has been filming her second series of BBC’s Shetland where she plays the regular character of PC Lorna Burns.  She will also soon be seen in Northern Ireland Screen’s feature film Housejackers. 

Stephenson Ardern-Sodje plays Brian’s childhood best friend ‘Spencer’. His musical credentials include the role of Spike in Rock Follies (Chichester Festival Theatre); the lead role of Daniel in Once on This Island (Regent’s Park Theatre); Simba in Disney’s The Lion King (UK & Ireland tour); and Hamilton: An American Musical (Cameron Mackintosh Ltd). Other theatre includes A Midsummer Night’s Dream, As You Like It and The Tempest (Globe Theatre tour). Television includes Mood (BBC) and Breeders (Sky).

The Challenge team also features Miracle Chance in the role of ‘Lucy’, always calm in a crisis and a quiz fanatic. Miracle is currently in rehearsal for the National Theatre production of The Witches. Recent theatre work includes the role of Veronica Sawyer in Heathers and Be More Chill (both for BKL productions); The Witchfinder’s Sister and Priscilla Queen of the Desert (both Queens Theatre Hornchurch) and Rocky Horror Show as Columbia (Trafalgar Entertainment).

The role of ‘Alice’, student am-dram celebrity and Brian’s unrequited crush, is played by Emily Lane. Emily’s musical theatre career began as a child playing Brigitta Von Trapp in The Sound of Music (Really Useful Group production) and Young Cosette in Les Misérables for Cameron Mackintosh productions. She most recently played the lead role of Anna in the West End production of Frozen (Theatre Royal Drury Lane). Other credits include Elle Woods in the ArtsEd production of Legally Blonde in 2019.

Will Jennings plays ‘Patrick’, the Bristol Challenge team captain and Brian’s biggest critic. Will’s West End theatre credits include Les Misérables (Sondheim Theatre, West End); The Mousetrap (St Martin’s Theatre) and Avenue Q (Gatehouse Theatre, London), alongside UK tours of Shrek the Musical (UK tour) and Benidorm Live (UK tour). Further theatre credits include The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee (Broadway Theatre, Catford); The Night Pirates (Rose Theatre, Kingston); Stravinsky’s The Soldier’s Tale (Royal College of Music); Cinderella (New Wimbledon Theatre); Dick Whittington (Salisbury Playhouse) and Sleeping Beauty (Milton Keynes Theatre).

Emma Hall and Charlie Parham said: “It is so exciting to be working with a new generation of extremely talented young actors. In exactly the same way that the film ‘Starter for 10’ was instrumental in launching the careers of so many young British stars (James McAvoy, Benedict Cumberbatch, Rebecca Hall, Dominic Cooper and James Corden to name but a few!), we have seized this opportunity to champion and showcase the stars of tomorrow.”

Further casting to be announced later this year when the lead roles of Professor Bowman, Brian’s mum Irene Jackson, and the iconic quizmaster Bamber Gascoigne will be revealed.

David Nicholls, author of the bestselling novel Starter for Ten, said “20 years after publication, it’s such a thrill that Brian’s misadventures are being brought to the stage, and by such a brilliant, dynamic team.”

Starter for Ten has book and lyrics co-written by Emma Hall and Charlie Parham, Artistic Directors of Antic Productions. The 80s-inspired original score and lyrics are composed by queer, pop-punk composers Tom Rasmussen (who recently supported Rina Sawayama and Self Esteem on UK tour with their debut album, Body Building) and Hatty Carman. The production will be directed by Charlie Parham, choreographed by Shelley Maxwell, with set and costume design by Olivier Award-nominee Frankie Bradshaw, sound design by Gregory Clarke and casting by Will Burton for GBC.

Starter for Ten is now on sale at https://bristololdvic.org.uk/whats-on/starter-for-ten.
Sign up for more information on the show at www.starterfortenmusical.com.

Fingers on buzzers! Here’s your Starter for Ten…

What is eighteen-year-old Brian Jackson’s proudest achievement to date? His A-level results. His idol? Kate Bush. His lifelong dream? To compete on legendary TV quiz show University Challenge. It’s 1985 and, leaving Southend to start his first year at Bristol University, Brian soon discovers that falling in love and growing up take a lot more than general knowledge…

Featuring an irresistible original soundtrack inspired by the riotous student scene of the 80s, Starter for Ten is a bright, big-hearted coming-of-age comedy about love, belonging and the all-important difference between knowledge and wisdom.

Blackpool Grand Theatre – until Saturday 7 October 2023

Reviewed by Debra Skelton

5*****

“Laughter, mayhem, and a great deal of slapstick is what you will get so do not miss the opportunity to see this amazing comedy”.

The Theatre Royal Bath Productions in association with Birmingham Rep present Noises Off written by Michael Frayn which can be seen at The Grand Theatre Blackpool until Saturday 07th September.

This is the first time that I have reviewed a comedy and all I can say is I never stopped laughing from start to finish along with the rest of the audience. One of the most common themes in this farce is the abundance of chaos with characters running around trying to prevent one crisis after another which on many an occasion caused more issues with which they then had to resolve.

Noises Off is an extremely amusing play about a touring theatre group as they act out their own play – Nothing On and is portrayed in three acts including final rehearsals for one show, backstage for opening night for another and the final act is the last matinee for the show.

‘Act one’ is set at midnight, the night before the first performance at the fictional Grand Theatre in Weston-super-Mare. It is the technical rehearsal where the cast are desperately unready which results in missed cues and lines, confusion with entrances and exits and annoying props including several plates of Sardines. This results in driving their director Lloyd into a seething rage on several occasions.

‘Act Two’ is at the Theatre Royal in Ashton-under-Lyne (this was an actual theatre that was demolished in 1963) and is a month later and seen from the backstage at the Wednesday matinee performance. It provides a view that emphasises the petty quarrels of lovers, deteriorating relationships between the cast and romantic rivalries which causes mischief offstage including an axe and cactus and uproar and confusion on stage.

‘Act Three’ the final act occurs at the end of the ten-week run of the show at the fictional Municipal Theatre in Stockton-on-Tees. At this point, the cast relationship has plummeted to a low, props are not where they should be and being picked up by the wrong cast member and to top it off cues are being missed and people are on stage when they shouldn’t be. The actors try their best to cover up the mishaps but eventually the plot is abandoned, and the characters take a lead in ad-libbing towards some sort of end.

What I enjoyed about this show besides the wonderful talent was the separate acts as it not only helped in the telling of the story but also gave the cast a chance to show off their talents with which they did admirably.

For me, it was great to see Liza Goddard, Simon Shepherd, and Matthew Kelly with whom I have admired over the years and their performances were truly remarkable along with the rest of the superb cast of Dan Fredenburgh, Lisa Ambalavanar, Nikhita Lesler, Simon Coates, Lucy Robinson and Daniel Rainford.

The production also needs special thanks to Lindsay Posner the director, Simon Higlett for creating such an adaptable set, Gregory Clarke for sound and Paul Pyant for lighting.

Darlington Hippodrome – until 7th October 2023

Reviewed by Alexandra Sykes

4****

Any show that starts with an announcement about phones not being invented yet is sure to be a good one. Set in 1989, Heathers tells of high school drama with love, friendships and murder thrown in for good measure.

Based on the film of the same name, the musical follows Veronica (Jenna Innes) as she goes from a nobody to a somebody thanks to getting the Heathers (Lizzie Emery, Elise Zavou and Billie Bowman) out of trouble with teacher Ms Fleming (Katie Paine). The Heathers take Veronica under their wing, give her a makeover and invite her to parties, however she has to earn her stay by forging notes in her classmates handwriting to embarrass others. After befriending the mysterious JD (Jacob Fowler), Veronica’s life goes from bad to worse when she accidentally kills Heather Chandler and football players Kurt and Ram (Alex Woodward and Morgan Jackson). Realising that JD is part of the problem, not the solution, Veronica ends the relationship and after JD sacrifices himself to save Veronica, she ends the feud between different groups at the school and remains friends with the two remaining Heathers, as well as making up with Martha (Kingsley Morton) who she helped the Heathers to bully despite being friends previously.

With catchy songs throughout, the musical caters to its audience well and will have people singing along. The costumes are era appropriate and the Heathers signature colours of red, green and yellow are shown in their outfits, along with Veronica’s signature blue outfit and JDs trench coat. The sets are basic but work, with scenes set in the high school, various characters’ bedrooms and the local convenience store all used to their full potential. 

Even if you haven’t seen the film, this musical is well worth a visit for anyone looking for a good night out and will guarantee you have plenty of laughs along the way.

Birmingham Repertory Theatre – until 28th October 2023. 

Reviewed by Emma Millward 

5*****  

Surprising as it may seem, there has never been a stage show about the life and career of Frank Sinatra. Two-Time Tony Award Winner Joe DiPietro (writer of Birmingham Rep’s hit show What’s New Pussycat) set out to change this, along with Sinatra’s youngest daughter Tina and Director/Choreographer Kathleen Marshall, Their writing team’s aim was to bring the story of Ol’ Blue Eyes to the stage and provide a never-before-seen look at his life, loves and the early days of his career. The show is currently getting its world premiere in the second city and Birmingham Rep really fits the bill as a classy setting for such a show. 

The show begins with Frank’s (Matt Doyle) famous performance at the Paramount Theatre, New York on New Years Eve 1942. The show charts the early days of Frank’s relationship with Nancy (Phoebe Panaretos), the rise and fall of his fame, followed by his meteoric revival with Capitol Records. Following the success of the 1942 show, Frank heads off to Hollywood to make movies, and embarks on a series of illicit encounters with the biggest starlets of the era, Judy Garland (Frances Dee), Lana Turner (Lottie Power) and a deliciously camp Marlene Dietrich (Maddy Ambus). All played out in a clever musical number set in Frank’s ever occupied bed! 

Frank meets his match with Ava Gardner (Ana Villafañe) and they begin an affair just as his fame is taking a downward spiral, due in no small part to his alleged Mafia connections and poorly received reviews of his movies. Frank’s friendship with his manager, George Evans (Carl Patrick),offers both hilarious and poignant moments. Frank’s parents, Dolly (Dawn Buckland) and Marty (Vincent Riotta) give a wonderfully comic turn, constantly reminding Frank of the Sinatra Family’s Italian immigrant roots. 

Matt Doyle’s portrayal of Frank Sinatra is outstanding. Your eyes are naturally drawn to him throughout and his crooning vocals are spot on. He captures the Sinatra charm completely. For me, he’s one of the best leading men I’ve seen in recent years on stage. As an ensemble, the whole cast work perfectly together and are clearly having the time of their lives and it shows in their performances. The set design by Peter McKintosh is almost a character in itself, swiftly changing scene from a big music hall, to a restaurant or a bedroom. The sets are all beautifully designed and often lavish affairs. The bar where Frank sings a heartfelt duet of ‘One For My Baby’ with Billie Holiday (a pitch perfect performance by Ryesha Higgs) is a particularly beautiful set that really adds to the mood of the scene. 

Sinatra and music go together like ‘a horse and carriage’ and with over 26 songs featured (in full or snippets) throughout the show, it definitely delivers. The 16 piece orchestra providing the music were often on stage and in this performance were skilfully conducted by Gareth Valentine. Judging by the continual murmurs of recognition and approval from the audience, it was obvious the perfect songs were selected from Frank’s extensive back catalogue. 

I can see this show going from strength to strength, and in the words of Sinatra himself, “The Best Is Yet To Come”.

Edinburgh Festival Theatre – until 7 October 2023

 Reviewed by Rachel Farrier 

5*****

Based on the smash hit 1992 film starring Whoopi Goldberg, this musical production of Sister Act is an absolute riot from start to finish. The framing of the tale of a night club singer who requires to be placed in a convent whilst under police protection is perhaps somewhat flimsy, and the plot exposition is clunky and sometimes slow, but these are really the only drawbacks in an otherwise sparkling (in every way) production. 

It is Landi Oshinowo as the central character of Deloris Van Cartier who holds the show together with a breath taking energy and momentum, and a voice to match. There were perhaps a few opening night nerves in her early scenes but these were soon dispelled as she fully inhabited her effervescent character, who finds her gift for singing displaced from nightclub to convent, and decides to teach her fellow nuns how to really sing. 

There were many other stand out performances throughout the show however, in particular Lizzie Bea as Sister Mary Robert astonishes with the revelation of an exceptional voice as her character undergoes a transformation – her rendition of ‘The life I never led‘ is spine-tingling. Isabel Canning as Sister Mary Patrick and Lori Haley Fox as Sister Mary Lazarus brought moments of laugh out loud hilarity, but it was surprisingly moving to watch the nuns come alive as they learn how to sing with ‘soul’ under Deloris’s tutelage. Alfie Parker as cop Eddie Souther also shines in his role – ‘I could be that guy’ had the audience whopping and applauding mid-song. 

In the hands of veteran star Lesley Joseph as Mother Superior, some fairly predictable dialogue sections were turned into a masterclass in comedy timing – she played the doddery, change-resistant leader of the convent with old-school humour which was lapped up by an appreciative audience.

The set design by Morgan Large is particularly beautiful when it is conveying the inside of the leaky-roofed church – with a stained glass framing which is reflected on the stage itself. The contrast and segue into the equally brilliantly-designed glitzier scenes somehow adds to the energy and pace of the show.

As the show reached its neon, sequin-tastic finale this top quality cast brought the house down. My teenage daughter companion summed up the night as ‘5 star fun’ and the standing ovation from the audience surely demonstrated that many others were in agreement. 

• BRENDA EDWARDS MAKES HER DIRECTORIAL DEBUT AS SHE JOINS PAUL KERRYSON TO DIRECT THE 2024/25 MAJOR UK AND IRELAND TOUR OF HAIRSPRAY ALONGSIDE ACCLAIMED CHOREOGRAPHER DREW MCCONIE.
• PRODUCERS MARK GOUCHER, MATTHEW GALE, AND LAURENCE MYERS ANNOUNCE THE FIRST LEG OF THE 2024/25 TOUR WHICH WILL OPEN AT MANCHESTER PALACE ON 16TH JULY 2024.
• OPEN AUDITIONS WILL TAKE PLACE IN NOVEMBER  2023

Today, producers Mark Goucher, Matthew Gale and Laurence Myers are delighted to announce that Brenda Edwards (Loose Women, ITV; We Will Rock You, London Coliseum) who has previously played “Motormouth” Maybelle in three tours of Hairspray will join the creative team alongside Paul Kerryson (Chicago, Sweeney Todd; Curve Theatre) to direct a new production of Hairspray which will embark on a major national UK and Ireland tour in 2024. Choreographed by Olivier Award winner Drew McOnie (In the Heights, King’s Cross Theatre; Jesus Christ Superstar, Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre) the major national UK and Ireland tour will open in Manchester at the Palace Theatre on 16th July 2024 and tour through to July 2025.

Open Auditions will be held in November 2023. Please visit the website for more details: www.hairsprayuktour.com

This iconic musical comedy featuring some of musical theatre’s best hit songs including  Welcome To The 60s, You Can’t Stop The Beat and Good Morning Baltimore by Academy Award, Tony and Emmy winning duo Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman will visit venues including: Manchester Palace (16 – 27 July), Wales Millenium Centre, Cardiff (29 July – 3 August), Canterbury Marlowe (6 – 10 August), Liverpool Empire (19 – 24 August), Belfast Grand Opera House (26 – 31 August), Milton Keynes Theatre (2 – 7 September), Southend Cliffs Pavilion (9 – 14 September), Birmingham Hippodrome (16 – 21 September), Edinburgh Playhouse (7 – 12 October), Sheffield Theatres (14 – 19 September), New Wimbledon Theatre (21 – 26 September), Nottingham Theatre Royal (4 – 9 November), Newcastle Theatre Royal (11 – 16 November), Hull New Theatre (18 – 23 November), Bradford Theatres (25 – Sat 30 November), Southampton Mayflower (6 – 11 January), Aberdeen His Majesty’s Theatre (20 – 25 January), Glasgow Kings Theatre (27 Jan – 1 February 2024), Further dates will be announced in due course.

Brenda Edwards said:

“I couldn’t be more thrilled to be invited by the producers to make my directorial debut on the show as a co-director with Paul Kerryson. Hairspray, and this production in particular, has been such a huge part of my life. The show’s story and themes are as relevant as ever and I cannot wait to hold the open auditions to discover a new cast and work together to present a vibrant new production of this timeless musical for everyone to enjoy.”

Mark Shaiman (Composer/Co-Lyricist) said:

“Brenda Edwards has been a part of the Hairspray family since she took on the role of “Motormouth” Maybelle in 2015 and hearing that she is co-directing the latest tour is music to my ears. The strength and soul that Brenda brings to both her performances and her life have already made me a fan and I hope a friend for life, and I can’t wait to see how she brings her personal perspective to our show. Brava Brenda!”

Spanning a career of more than 18 years across television, film and stage, Brenda Edwards rose to fame following her success on The X-Factor in 2005. In 2006, she was presented with the Screen Nation Award for Favourite Reality TV Star and went on to become a regular panellist on ITV’s Loose Women as well as presenting BBC’s Songs of Praise and ITV’s Carols at Christmas (both in 2021). In 2022 she began working as a presenter for QVC, with whom she has since created her own clothing line, BeU by Brenda Edwards.

Brenda’s extensive career on the stage has seen her play iconic roles including Killer Queen in We Will Rock You (Original UK Tour, West End and London Coliseum), Mamma Morton in Chicago (West End and UK Tour) and “Motormouth” Maybelle in Hairspray (UK Tour). Other highlights include sold out concerts at the world-famous Ronnie Scott’s, London’s Pigalle Club, and at the Barbican for Brenda Edward’s Gospel Christmas produced by Raymond Gubbay. Brenda is proud to have independently released her Debut Album Bring It Back (check website for details).

Completing the creative team is Set and Costume Design by Takis, Lighting Design by Philip Gladwell, Sound Design by Ben Harrison, Musical Supervising and Arrangement by Ben Atkinson, Musical Direction by Richard Atkinson, Projection Design by George Reeve, Casting by Grindrod Burton and Resident Direction by Juliet Gough.

After breaking box office records and delighting audiences in the West End, on Broadway and on the big screen since 1988, the timeless story of Hairspray centres around heroine Tracy Turnblad, who has big hair, a big heart, and big dreams to dance her way onto national TV, and into the heart of teen idol Link Larkin. When Tracy becomes a local star, she is able to use her newfound fame to fight for liberation, tolerance, and interracial unity in Baltimore. But can she win equality – and Link’s heart – without denting her ’do?

Hairspray is a musical based on the 1988 film of the same name which starred Divine and Ricki Lake by cult filmmaker John Waters. With music and lyrics by Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman and book by Mark O’Donnell and Thomas Meehan, Hairspray originally opened to rave reviews on Broadway in 2002 and subsequently won eight Tony Awards. The production opened in London at the Shaftesbury Theatre in 2007 and won four Laurence Olivier Awards including Best New Musical. Proving to be an international success, Hairspray has also played in South Africa, Japan, South Korea, China and Dubai. Following the musical’s phenomenal success on stage, a film of the musical was released in 2007 which starred John Travolta, Michelle Pfeiffer and James Marsden.

Hairspray is produced by Mark Goucher, Matthew Gale, and Laurence Myers.  

Hull New Theatre – until 7th October 2023

Reviewed by Dawn Bennett

5 *****

David Ian for Crossroads Live and Work Light Productions with Nederlander Producing Co.Uk and Michael Watt presents The Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre Production of Jesus Christ Superstar.

With lyrics by Tim Rice and music by Andrew Lloyd Webber this musical is over 50 years old but you would have never known how old it was while watching it last night. The staging, choreography and costumes of this revamped musical gave it a very modern feel and the performances of everyone was just magnificent.

Jesus Christ Superstar covers the last 7 days of the life of Jesus (Ian McIntosh) and how he was betrayed by Judas (Shem Omari James). The other main characters were Mary (Hannah Richardson), Pilate (Ryan O’Donnell), Caiaphas (Jad Habchi) and Annas (Matt Bateman) they were all magnificent their voices and harmonies in the songs were unreal you could have heard a pin drop in the auditorium when they sang.

This musical is told by song and the lyrics really speak for themselves with very well-known songs such as “I don’t know how to love him” “Superstar”, “Gethsemane” and many others. The band under Musical Director Michael Riley played at the back of the stage and were visible to the audience and this really added to the rock concert vibe. The band were excellent and the sound levels spot on. I have never watched this musical before and I was able to hear every word that was sung which really added to my enjoyment.

The ensemble was a joy to watch, their singing, dancing and acting were off the scale. The choreography (Drew McOnie, Associate Chorographer Ashley Andrews and Resident choreographer Christopher Tendai) was definitely some of the best I’ve seen and the ensemble and the rest of the cast danced it to perfection. At some points it was difficult to know where to look as they all danced with such power and expression.

Normally, when I review, I write notes that remind me of who was good, and what stood out in the production looking back today at what I’d written I’d put “stunning”, “jaw-dropping”, “heartfelt” “spectacular” and I think I was right…this is a production not to be missed!

Death Note The Musical 

to release West End concert cast recording

Following ten sold out performances at London’s Palladium and Lyric theatres, the London Concept Album of Death Note The Musical is coming!

The original producers of the critically acclaimed Death Note, The Musical: In Concert are thrilled to announce the 17-track album is to be released by Ghostlight Records, with a date to be announced imminently. 

The forthcoming release will be produced by the legendary Nigel Wright (Evita film, Sunset Boulevard, Jesus Christ Superstar LIVE), co-produced by production musical supervisor, Katy Richardson (Six the Musical, Bonnie and Clyde West End and cast recording), and engineered by Nick Pugh.

The album will feature the stars of the original Palladium concert, including Broadway legend Adam Pascal (as Ryuk), Joaquin Pedro Valdes (Light), Dean John Wilson (‘L’), Aimie Atkinson (Rem), Frances Mayli McCann (Misa Misa) Rachel Clare Chan (Sayu) and Christian Ray Marbella (Soichiro).

Palladium/Lyric ensemble members featured on the album include Jade Copas, Charlotte Coggin, Eu Jin Hwang, Jessica Lee, Nick Len, Jojo Meredith, Boaz Chad, Marcel Li-Ping and Yojiri Ichikawa, with additional singers to include Ying Ue Li, Yuki Sutton, Nicola Espallardo, Gracie Lai, Rumi Sutton, Ethan Le Phong, Leon Hong, and Aaron Teoh.

The ground breaking musical, which premiered in Japan in 2015, and is the winner of the 2022 Best Musical Korea Musical Awards, has a score by Frank Wildhorn (Jekyll & Hyde, The Scarlet Pimpernel, Bonnie & Clyde) with lyrics by Jack Murphy, book by Ivan Menchell, and orchestrations and arrangements by Jason Howland. The London concert production was directed by Nick Winston, with music supervision by Katy RIchardson, and was music directed and conducted by Chris Ma.

Based on the best-selling Japanese manga series of the same name by Tsugumi Ohba and Takeshi Obata / Shueisha, the story follows Light Yagami, a bright but dissatisfied high school student in Tokyo who comes across a discarded notebook owned by Ryuk, a mythological god of death. Discovering he can kill anyone by just writing their names in the supernatural notebook, Light takes justice into his own hands by filling the notebook with names of the nation’s most wanted criminals. But a detective only known as ‘L’ is soon tracking him down…

Composer Frank Wildhorn says “After the amazing debut of Death Note in Japan and winning Best Musical in Seoul in 2022, the phenomenon that is Death Note The Musical London beginning with the concerts is thrilling to see the reaction and the passion from the fans! I’ve been doing this a while now and this kind of enthusiasm brings me back to the early days of Jekyll and Hyde.

He continues, “It was always a dream of mine to bring my manga shows West and to share them with a Western audience in English. Ivan, Jack, and I are so grateful to our producers in Japan, London, and New York, who gave us the chance for our ‘voice’ to be heard. What an adventure…and we’re just getting started!”

Alongside Ghostlight Records, Mr. Wildhorn serves as an Executive Producer of the Album, along with the original UK concert producers Carter Dixon McGill, Haley Swindal/Pinnacle Productions, Louis Hobson/Indie Theatrical, and Horipro. They are joined by Van Dean and Michael Croiter/Yellowstone and Steve Swindal, with associate producers Carolyn Anthony, Greg A. Deluca, Tamara & Peter Erickson and Kenneth Novice.

Ghostlight Records has become the leading independent force in Original Broadway Cast Recordings – building a library of over 200 records over the past 23 years, featuring some of the most successful Broadway musicals and solo albums by Broadway’s brightest stars. Founded by Grammy Award winner Kurt Deutsch, Ghostlight has won Grammy Awards for The Band’s Visit, The Book of Mormon, In the Heights, and Beautiful – The Carole King Musical. Ghostlight has also released solo albums from Patti LuPone, Kelli O’Hara, Sutton Foster, Billy Porter, and more. The label continues to support the new generation of musical theater composers and has developed extensive relationships with Jason Robert Brown, Michael John LaChiusa, and David Yazbek, as well as Lin-Manuel Miranda, Pasek & Paul, Tom Kitt, Joe Iconis, and Shaina Taub. Ghostlight Records is part of the Arts Music division at Warner Music Group. GhostlightRecords.com 

DEATH NOTE THE MUSICAL – CD TRACKS

0. Overture  – Ensemble

1. Where Is The Justice? – Light/Professor/Ensemble

2. They’re Only Human – Rem/Ryuk

3. Hurricane Light/Ensemble

4. Kira – Ryuk/Ensemble

5. Ready Or Not Misa/Ensemble

6. We All Need A Hero – Misa/Sayu

7. The Game Begins –  ‘L’

8. There Are Lines Light/Soichiro

9. Mortals and Fools – Misa/Rem

10. I’ll Only Love You More Misa/Ensemble

11. The Way Things Are – ‘L’

12. Honor Bound-  Soichiro

13. Playing His Game – Light/’L’

14. Borrowed Time – Misa

15. When Love Comes – Rem/Ensemble

16. Requiem -Ensemble

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THE DRIFTERS GIRL PRODUCTION TEAM ON PUTTING FAYE TREADWELL INTO THE SPOTLIGHT

Having made its world premiere at Newcastle Theatre Royal in 2021, followed by nightly standing ovations at the Garrick Theatre in London’s West End, The Drifters Girl, the remarkable story of one of the world’s greatest vocal groups, returns to Newcastle Theatre Royal Tue 14 – Sat 18 Nov 2023.

Save The Last Dance For Me, Under The Boardwalk and Saturday Night At The Movies gave The Drifters huge hits on both sides of the Atlantic. Yet, despite selling more than 200 million singles and 100 million albums worldwide, relatively little was known about the vocal group’s history, and before The Drifters Girl musical, even less was known about Faye Treadwell – the woman who (alongside her husband George) helped turn them into a global phenomenon.

Producer Michael Harrison, originally from Wallsend, whose current productions include The Bodyguard, The Wizard of Oz, Crazy For You and Annie, as well as Newcastle Theatre Royal’s annual pantomime, had heard all the hits and was intrigued by the narrative behind songs including Kissin’ In The Back Row Of The Movies and Stand By Me but admitted he “didn’t know very much about the group or about Faye herself.”

“When I tracked down her daughter Tina, I told her that I’d love to create a musical about The Drifters and she was the one who said, ‘If you’re gonna tell the story of the group, you really wanna tell the story of my mother’.” He smiles. “I thought ‘I’m sure you would say that’ but then I heard Faye’s story and realised that Tina was right.”

Against all odds, Faye became the leading black, female record producer of the time and relocated the The Drifters to the UK in the early 1970’s, tapping into a new market and giving them another 20 years of hits.

“None of us ever met Faye and we didn’t know what kind of a personality she was, so we needed Tina to give us a little bit of that meat on the bone.” Michael notes. “There are some explosive moments in the show which are about the boys, but at the heart of it is this extraordinary woman.”

The Drifters Girl opened in 2021 with Beverley Knight in the lead and Michael was confident that he had a hit on his hands. “Beverley attached herself to the show very early on, so when I went to West End theatre owners and said ‘I’ve got Beverley Knight in a musical with the soundtrack of The Drifters’ it was quite an easy sell. And when it opened the audiences were brilliant and we had people coming back again and again.”

On the UK tour, Michael is excited for audiences to see Carly Mercedes Dyer as Faye Treadwell. “We’re really lucky to get her,” he says of the Olivier Award nominee for Anything Goes. “You need a powerhouse vocalist in the role as well as a great actress, and Carly is both.”

In the original production Matt Henry (Olivier award winner for Kinky Boots) played Clyde McPhatter, who was among The Drifters’ founding members back in the early 1950s. For the tour he’s the associate director, working in tandem with director Jonathan Church in helping restage the show for regional theatres as well as rehearsing the new cast.

He was fascinated by Faye as “such a force within the music industry” and also by discovering songs that he knew from parties and weddings were by the group. “As we were putting the show together, and I realised, ‘Oh, that’s a Drifters song’ and ‘Wow, that’s also a Drifters song’.”

Once it was up and running he was thrilled by audience reactions

As the show heads out on the road, Matt is confident theatregoers around the country will be equally nostalgic, entertained and intrigued. “They are guaranteed a great night out and I’m sure they’ll enjoy the trip down memory lane. It’s such a fun, exciting show and The Drifters are such an iconic group. Their music is still so beloved.”

Most of the group numbers are done as performances, as The Drifters would have done in concert or the studio, whereas Faye’s songs express what she’s thinking or feeling. “So, we’ve taken several musical forms and found our own unique way of blending music with storytelling,” director Jonathan Church notes.

With great music incorporated in ingenious ways, he promises: “Audiences are in for a great time. It’s a celebration of the music of The Drifters along with an incredibly rich, dramatic story. Faye was such a trailblazer and what I hope the show does is tell a story that a lot of people don’t know with a lot of great music that they know really well.”

When asked what he sees as the band’s legacy, Jonathan marvels: “An extraordinary number of songs over many decades that when you hear them, they bring a smile to your face or remind you of a certain moment… but I think the most extraordinary thing about them is Faye Treadwell’s role in their success. With The Drifters Girl I’m glad to see her in the spotlight.”

The Drifters Girl plays at Newcastle Theatre Royal from Tue 14 – Sat 18 Nov 2023. Tickets can be purchased at www.theatreroyal.co.uk or from the Theatre Royal Box Office on 0191 232 7010.