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BIRMINGHAM HIPPODROME ANNOUNCE

LINE-UP OF NEW SHOWS

• New productions for 2024 include Come From Away, The Wizard of Oz and Unfortunate: The Untold Story of Ursula the Sea Witch
• New dance shows announced include Carlos Acosta On Before, Aakash Odedra and Aditi Mangaldas’ Mehek and Birmingham Royal Ballet presents: Freefalling for 21 years – ‘Still Life’ at the Freefall Café
• New productions in the Patrick Studio include History in the Making: A Black History Special and Women of the Windrush

Birmingham Hippodrome has today, (Thursday 31 August) announced a line-up of new productions for 2024 including a stellar line up of West End and Broadway smash-hit musicals.

Birmingham Hippodrome Associates Fat Rascal Theatre make a welcome return in April, with Unfortunate: The Untold Story of Ursula the Sea Witch (Thu 11 – Sat 13 Apr 2024) which comes to the main stage following sell out performances in the Patrick Studio in 2019. This laugh-a-minute dive through Ursula’s backstory is filled with an original hot pop soundtrack and much-loved characters as you’ve never seen them before.

Welsh National Opera will be bringing new two productions to Birmingham in Spring 2024; Mozart’s comic opera Così fan tutte (Fri 10 May 2024) aka The School for Lovers and Britten’s magnificently atmospheric Death in Venice (Sat 11 May 2024).

Winner of four Olivier Awards and the Tony Award for Best Direction of a Musical on Broadway, Come From Away (Tues 21 May – Sat 1 June 2024) comes to the Hippodrome on its first UK tour, sharing the incredible real-life story of the 7,000 air passengers from all over the world who were grounded in Canada during the wake of 9/11, and the small Newfoundland community that invited these ‘come from aways’ into their lives with open hearts.

In June, the sensational new production of one of the world’s most beloved musicals The Wizard of Oz (Tues 11 – Sun 16 June 2024) arrives in Birmingham, featuring the iconic original score from the Oscar-winning MGM film with additional songs from Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice. Winner of Best New Musical (What’sOnStage Awards 2023), West End smash-hit Bonnie & Clyde will hit the Hippodrome stage in September 2024. (Tues 3 – Sat 7 Sept 2024)

Dance fans can look forward to Aakash Odedra and Aditi Mangaldas’ Mehek (Tues 9 Apr 2024) an enchanting exploration of the human heart, its desires, courage, and resilience. Featuring choreography by world-renowned artists including Russell Maliphant, Kim Banstrup and Will Tuckett, alongside Carlos’ own choreograph, Carlos Acosta – On Before (Mon 6 & Tues 7 May 2024) is an homage to Carlos’ late mother and the most personal work he has ever created.

Hit musicals returning to the Hippodrome main stage by popular demand next year include the Broadway and UK smash-hit Sister Act (Mon 13 – Sat 18 May 2024), the international phenomenon SIX the Musical after three sell out runs at the Hippodrome (Tue 18 – Sat 22 Jun 2024) and the much loved musical Hairspray (Mon 16 – Sat 21 Sep 2024)

Newly announced works in the Patrick Studio this Autumn include History in the Making: A Black History Special (Tues 17 & Weds 18 Oct 2023) which takes audiences on a trip down the black history timeline, presented through drama, spoken word, dance and music performances.

In November, J. Thompson’s celebratory opera, Women of the Windrush (Thu 24 & Fri 25 Nov), will portray inspirational narratives from the lives of women who travelled to the UK from the West Indies between the 1940s and the 1960s.

Birmingham Royal Ballet’s Freefall Dance Company will celebrate their 21^st year this Novemberwith Freefalling for 21 years – ‘Still Life’ at the Freefall Café (Weds 15 – Fri 17 Nov 2023) which takes inspiration from David Bintley’s ‘Still Life’ at the Penguin Café. The Hippodrome will also host Birmingham Royal Ballet’s 21^st Anniversary Exhibition, giving an opportunity to learn more about Freefall’s history.

In April 2024 the stage adaptation of Rod Campbell’s timeless children’s classic book Dear Zoo returns to the stage(Thurs 11– Tues 16 Apr 2024). This production will delight both young and old as it unfolds with child-engaging puppets, music and lots of audience interaction.

Birmingham Hippodrome also recently launched their new pre-show dining concept The Circle Lounge, working with chef Angelina Adamo. Audiences can enjoy The Circle Lounge for a beautiful Afternoon Tea alongside a matinee performance, or sharing platters, small plates and sweet treats with friends and family for an evening performance.

Jon Gilchrist, Artistic Director and Chief Executive Officer at Birmingham Hippodrome said:

“We’re so pleased to announce a fantastic line-up of productions coming to Birmingham in 2024 in what will be our 125^th year. I’m also delighted that we have now opened The Circle Lounge, which is already providing our audiences with a whole new set of ‘goosebumps moments’ on tasting the wonderful food by Angelina Adamo.”

There will be a range of Audio Described, Captioned, BSL interpreted and relaxed performances throughout the season, to find out more head to the Hippodrome’s accessible performances web page.

Tickets for all new season showswill go on sale to Friends of Birmingham Hippodrome on Thursday 31 August at 11am and on general sale on Monday 4 September at 11am. 

Tickets for all shows can be booked at www.birminghamhippodrome.com or by calling 0844 338 5000*

 *0844 calls will cost you 4.5p per minute plus your phone company’s access charge

FULL CAST ANNOUNCED FOR

THE WORLD PREMIERE OF

THE TIME TRAVELLER’S WIFE: THE MUSICAL

WITH MUSIC & LYRICS BY JOSS STONE & DAVE STEWART

& BOOK BY LAUREN GUNDERSON

AT THE APOLLO THEATRE IN LONDON’S WEST END

WITH PERFORMANCES FROM 7 OCTOBER 2023

Producer Colin Ingram (Back to the Future the Musical, Grease the Musical) is delighted to announce the full cast joining the previously announced David Hunter (Henry) and Joanna Woodward (Clare), Tim Mahendran (Gomez), Hiba Elchikhe (Charisse) and Ross Dawes (Henry’s Dad) in The Time Traveller’s Wife: The Musical.  The world premiere production of The Time Traveller’s Wife: The Musical, based on the best-selling novel by Audrey Niffenegger and the New Line Cinema film, with screenplay by Bruce Joel Rubin, will open at the Apollo Theatre in London’s West End on 1 November, with previews from 7 October 2023. 

Sorelle Marsh (MAMMA MIA!, West End) will play Henry’s Mum, Alwyne Taylor (Claus, The Lowry) will play the Librarian, Irfan Damani (The SpongeBob Musical, UK Tour) will play Clare’s Dad, Alexandra Doar (Narrator in Joseph and The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, UK Tour) will play Clare’s Mum, Alex Lodge (The Osmonds, UK and Ireland Tour) will play Jason/Mark and Helena Pipe (Blues For An Alabama Sky, National Theatre)will play Dr Kendrick. Also in the cast are Billie Hardy, Daniel George-Wright, Serina Mathew, Nathaniel Purnell and Bobby Windebank. The role of Young Clare and Alba will be shared by Ava Critchell, Lily Hanna, Poppy Pawson and Holly-Jade Roberts.

Henry and Clare’s relationship is like no other.  And yet, it’s like all others.  Clare is a talented sculptor and Henry is – well – a time traveller.  They meet, fall in love, and marry – but not in that order.  Flung apart by time but united by love, Henry is always trying to get back to Clare. Their journey is one of resilience, impossibilities and trying to hold on to each other when everything is pulling you apart.

The Time Traveller’s Wife: The Musical is a joyous, uplifting celebration of the strange wonder of love, however and whenever we experience it.  The musical weaves a heart-breaking and soaring original musical score and lyrics by multi Grammy Award-winning composers Joss Stone and Dave Stewart with one of the most beloved novels of the last 50 years. With a book by Lauren Gunderson, additional music by Nick Finlow and additional lyrics by Kait Kerrigan, the production is directed by Bill Buckhurst and designed by Anna Fleischle, with choreography by Shelley Maxwell, lighting design by Lucy Carter and Rory Beaton, illusions by Chris Fisher, video design by Andrzej Goulding, sound design by Richard Brooker, sound FX design by Pete Malkin, musical supervision & arrangement by Nick Finlow, orchestrations by Malcolm Edmonstone and wigs, hair and make-up design by Susanna Peretz.  Casting is by Grindrod Burton Casting.  It is produced in the West End by Colin Ingram, InTheatre Productions, Gavin Kalin Productions, Teresa Tsai, Warner Bros. Theatre Ventures, Crossroads Live.

Website: timetravellerswife.com

Twitter: @TimeTWMusical

Instagram: @TimeTWMusical

TikTok: @TimeTWMusical

LISTINGS

THE TIME TRAVELLER’S WIFE: THE MUSICAL

From 7 October 2023

Apollo Theatre

Shaftesbury Avenue

London

W1D 7EZ

Currently booking to 30 March 2024

Performances: Mondays – Saturdays at 7.30pm*, Wednesday & Saturday matinees at 2.30pm**

(*No performance on Monday 9 October; **No Wednesday matinee on 11 October)

Box Office:

Email: [email protected]

Phone: 0330 333 4809

Tickets from: £25

Christmas 2023 Performance Schedule

MONDAY                   25/12/2023           No Performance

TUESDAY                  26/12/2023           7.30pm

WEDNESDAY MAT    27/12/2023           2.30pm

WEDNESDAY            27/12/2023           7.30pm

THURSDAY MAT        28/12/2023           2.30pm

THURSDAY               28/12/2023           7.30pm

FRIDAY                     29/12/2023           7.30pm

SATURDAY MAT        30/12/2023           2.30pm

SATURDAY EVE        30/12/2023           7.30pm

“MAMMA MIA!” ANNOUNCES NEW WEST END CAST

FROM MONDAY 9 OCTOBER 2023

AT LONDON’S NOVELLO THEATRE

NEW BOOKING PERIOD TO SATURDAY 28 SEPTEMBER 2024

TICKETS ON SALE 10:00 TOMORROW, FRIDAY 1 SEPTEMBER 2023

Ahead of its 25^th anniversary on 6 April 2024, producer Judy Craymer is delighted to announce the new cast of the global smash hit musical MAMMA MIA! from Monday 9 October 2023 and the extension of its booking period to Saturday 28 September 2024 at London’s Novello Theatre, with tickets on sale at 10am tomorrow, Friday 1 September 2023.

The London cast will continue to star Mazz Murray as Donna, Christopher Dickins as Harry, Stephen Beckett as Bill, Meg Hateley as Sophie and Miles Henderson as Sky, with Jennifer Adab continuing as Donna at certain performances. Jessie Odeleye moves from Ensemble to play the role of Ali.  They will be joined on Monday 9 October by Kate Graham (previously played Tanya in London from 2017 to 2019 and most recently played Diane in Come From Away at Phoenix Theatre) as Tanya, Nicola-Dawn Brook (Cirque du Soleil’s Saltimbanco for the European Big Top Tours, Royal Albert Hall and World Arena Tour; West End credits include Copacabana, Fame, Aspects of Love) as Rosie, Haydn Oakley (Lord Evelyn Oakleigh in Anything Goes at Barbican, Joseph/Jesus in The Book of Mormon at Prince of Wales Theatre and Henri Baurel in An American in Paris at Dominion Theatre) as Sam, Olivia Brookes (Glory Ride at The Other Palace and Pretty Woman: The Musical at the Savoy) as Lisa, Chay Wills (The Cher Show UK & Ireland Tour) as Eddie and Arcangelo Ciulla (Newsies at Troubadour Wembley Park Theatre) as Pepper.

Also continuing in the cast are Sinéad Courtney and Lawrence Guntert.  They will be joined by Aaron Archer, Amy Barker, Matthew Barrow, John-Paul Birss, Daniel J Brian, Izzy Cross, Ellis Dackombe, Lauren Dawes, Léa Desjacques, Samantha Ivey, Jennie Jacobs, Luke Jasztal, Nicole Lupino, Flyn Mullins, Hayley-Jo Murphy, Bradley Perret, Jacob Ritzema and Ella Tweed.

Since premiering in London in 1999, the irresistible feelgood musical has captured the hearts of millions around the globe.  The sunny, funny tale of a mother, a daughter and three possible dads on a Greek island idyll, all unfolding to the magic of ABBA’s timeless pop masterpieces, has now been seen live on stage by 65 million people across the world and turned into two record-breaking movies – MAMMA MIA! The Movie and MAMMA MIA! Here We Go Again.

A new TV show, MAMMA MIA! I Have a Dream, will be broadcast on ITV1 later this year, produced by Thames (a Fremantle label) and Littlestar. The competition will culminate in a live, dazzling grand-finale, broadcast from a theatre in London’s West End, where two winners will win the roles of Sophie and Sky in MAMMA MIA! at the Novello Theatre as it celebrates its 25th year.

To date, MAMMA MIA! has been seen in 50 productions in 16 different languages grossing more than $4 billion at the box office.  In 2011, it became the first Western musical ever to be staged in Mandarin in the People’s Republic of China.   

MAMMA MIA! originally opened in London at the Prince Edward Theatre on 6 April 1999, before transferring to the Prince of Wales Theatre in 2004, and then to the Novello Theatre in 2012.  The London production of MAMMA MIA! has been seen by over 10 million people, played over 9,300 performances and has broken box office records in all three of its London homes.  It is the third longest running musical in West End history.

Produced by Judy Craymer, MAMMA MIA! The Movie became the highest grossing live action musical film of all time upon its release in 2008.  A second film, MAMMA MIA! HERE WE GO AGAIN, opened in July 2018 and is the most successful live musical movie sequel of all time.

With music & lyrics by Benny Andersson & Björn Ulvaeus, MAMMA MIA! is written by Catherine Johnson, directed by Phyllida Lloyd and choreographed by Anthony Van Laast. The production is designed by Mark Thompson, with lighting design by Howard Harrison, sound design by Andrew Bruce & Bobby Aitken, and musical supervision, additional material & arrangements by Martin Koch.

MAMMA MIA! is produced by Judy Craymer, Richard East & Björn Ulvaeus for Littlestar in association with Universal.

LISTINGS INFORMATION

Novello Theatre

Aldwych

London WC2B 4LD

Ticket Prices: from £17.75*

*All prices include a £2.75 per ticket booking fee and £1.50 restoration levy

Early Bird Pricing – anyone booking 16 weeks or more in advance of the performance they are attending (Monday to Thursday performances only) will save £20 on Band B, Band A and Premium tickets, but only through Delfont Mackintosh Theatres, either online or by calling the Novello Theatre Box Office.

Family Ticket Rate – £199 for a group of four on Band B or Band A tickets (up to a saving of £151), OR £99 for a group of four on Band D and Band C tickets (up to a saving of £111), for Monday to Thursday performances, excluding peak performances, but only through Delfont Mackintosh Theatres, either online or by calling the Novello Theatre Box Office.

Performance Times:

Monday, Wednesdays – Saturdays 7.30pm

Matinees – Thursdays & Saturdays 3.00pm, Sundays 2.30pm*

From Monday 8 January 2024

Monday – Saturday 7.30pm

Matinees – Thursdays & Saturdays 3.00pm*

*Extra 3pm matinee on Monday 2 October, Wednesday 25 October 2023, Wednesday 14 February, Tuesday 9 April, Tuesday 9 July, Tuesday 6 August and Tuesday 20 August 2024; no matinee on Thursday 5 October, Sunday 8 October 2023 and Sunday 7 January 2024.

Christmas 2023/24 Performance Schedule

Monday 18 December                3pm & 7.30pm

Tuesday 19 December               NO PERFORMANCE

Wednesday 20 December          7.30pm

Thursday 21 December              3pm & 7.30pm

Friday 22 December                  7.30pm

Saturday 23 December              3pm & 7.30pm

Sunday 24 December                NO PERFORMANCE

Monday 25 December                NO PERFORMANCE

Tuesday 26 December               NO PERFORMANCE

Wednesday 27 December          3pm & 7.30pm

Thursday 28 December              3pm & 7.30pm

Friday 29 December                  7.30pm

Saturday 30 December              3pm & 7.30pm

Sunday 31 December                2pm

Monday 1 January                     7.30pm

Tuesday 2 January                    NO PERFORMANCE

Wednesday 3 January               3pm & 7.30pm

Thursday 4 January                   3pm & 7.30pm

Friday 5 January                       7.30pm

Saturday 6 January                   3pm & 7.30pm

Currently booking to 28 September 2024

The performance lasts 2 hours and 35 minutes (including a 15-minute interval)

Box Office: 0344 482 5151

http://www.mamma-mia.com/

Facebook: 

https://www.facebook.com/MammaMiaMusical

@MammaMiaMusical 

Twitter:

@MammaMiaMusical 

TikTok: 

https://www.tiktok.com/@mammamiaworldwide

@mammamiaworldwide

Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/mammamiamusical

@MammaMiaMusical 

#MammaMiaMusical

#MammaMiaLondon 

Nottingham Theatre Royal – until Saturday 2 September 2023

Reviewed by Amy V Gathercole

4****

Jukebox musicals have been a popular trend on stage for the last few years, and it seems that now it’s time for producers to start turning cult films into stage faves. It’s worked well for Matilda, Mean Girls and The Adams Family recently, so why not 80s cult favourite Heathers?

The film gave us Winona Ryder as Veronica Sawyer – a girl who just wants to survive high school. In this performance, she was played by the very talented and memorable Eleanor Walsh (who is usually in the ensemble), and here she got a chance to shine, and shine she did with perfect comic-timing and auditorium-filling vocals, especially in her Veronica’s ‘Dead Girl Walking‘ anthem.

Musical theatre has been using the setting of American High Schools and their issues and tolerances (or lack of) for decades with the likes of Grease, Hairspray and Fame. Like its predecessors, Heathers has an overall theme of acceptance in high school, who has it, how you gain it and why you need it.

Heathers is the latest show to take us back to the place of teenage angst, bringing the nostalgia, fashions and energy of the 80s alive once more. Its unique methods of dealing with adolescent quarrels and woes are a tad more extreme and feature some wonderful and very witty dark comedy.

Veronica narrates her woes and teen angst through a ‘Dear Diary’ format, sharing her and her classmates’ inner and most dark secrets during the show, blending them in with a lot of laughs and surprises throughout, but also making several nods to the film as the show forges its own new identity

The Heathers of the title are Heather Chandler (a scene-stealing Verity Thompson), Heather McNamara (Billie Bowman) and Heather Duke (Elise Zavou). They are the mean girls of Westerberg High. They command attention and respect, as they relish making their classmates’ lives difficult and full of despair, in whatever cruel and manipulative way they come up with that day.

Heathers has a twisted love story at its heart; as the intelligent but confused young heroine Veronica climbs the social ladder, she also falls for a narcissistic and troubled newcomer to the school, JD (Jacob Fowler).

She’s certainly got a taste for the bad boy, and they’re a great fit…at first, wanting to teach the bullies a lesson, but the oh-so-critical issue is that he’s got murderous tendencies! So, there are a few disagreements as the pair navigate love, tragedy and complicated childhood traumas

This performance was my first time seeing the infectious Heathers the Musical (and it won’t be my last). It’s fresh, fun and fantastically dark.

The choreography is terrific throughout, with energetic dance routines full of complex steps, through to more dramatic and heartfelt scenes, where clever and effective uses of lighting and tableaus are used to slow down the movement and pace of the story and the action on the stage.

The lyrics are smart and humorous, with many tongue-in-cheek innuendos and shocking laughs (listen carefully and then put the Spotify playlist on when you get home) woven in.

JD on this tour is played by Jacob Fowler – who played his 299th performance in the role in hi hometown of Nottingham tonight, and he conveyed the dark and brooding psycho to perfection with a very impressive vocal range throughout.

Full of bright colours, language and talent. Heathers the Musical is a shock to the system that is sassy, severe and sexy. It won Best New Musical in 2019 (awarded by What’sOnStage), and it’s easy to see why. Add it to your ‘to see list’ ASAP.

Please be aware that due to adult and potentially triggering themes, this show is recommended for an audience ages 14+.

Noises Off Review 

Birmingham Repertory Theatre – until 9^th September 2023

Reviewed by Emma Millward 

5*****  

Noises Off was first conceived by writer Michael Frayn whilst watching another of his plays from the wings, where he realised the action backstage is just as interesting as what is happening onstage. He set out to write a play-within-a play with a farcical flavour. The play premiered at the Lyric Theatre, Hammersmith, London in 1982. Productions of it have continued to be staged in the United Kingdom, United States and Australia ever since.  

Each of the three acts contain a performance of the first act of the ‘play-within-a-play’, a saucy sex farce called ‘Nothing On’, each time seen from a different perspective. In Act 1, we see the final rehearsal before opening night at the Grand Theatre, Weston-Super-Mare, The cast keep forgetting their lines …. and plates of sardines!  Act 2 (after a swift 180 degree turn of the set during the interval) finds us backstage at a Wednesday matinee performance at the Theatre Royal in Ashton-Under Lyne, where bickering, whiskey drinking and trousers falling down look set to ruin the show. Act 3 (after an even swifter 3-minute interval to switch the set back) finds us in the audience of a performance of the play as it nears the end of the ten-week run in Stockton-on-Tees.  Relationships between the cast have now completely soured, Nobody knows what props they are meant to be using, where they are in the script or what is happening! 

The stellar ensemble cast of nine actors left me feeling exhausted just watching them. I honestly would struggle to single any of them out, as they are all amazing and perfectly in time with each other.  The play starts slowly with Liza Goddard’s Dotty Ottley/Mrs Clackett struggling to deal with her lines of dialogue and plates of sardines, much to the annoyance of the director, Lloyd Dallas (played by Simon Shepherd, who is sitting among the audience as he directs the rehearsal).  As more of the cast take to the stage, the rehearsal descends into chaos.  Actors are questioning the script, doors aren’t opening when they should, and they can’t seem to find Selsdon Mowbray (played beautifully by Matthew Kelly), who apparently likes a tipple or ten.   

Talking of the doors, they play a huge part in the play. The two-storey set, designed to look like the interior of a cottage, has 7 doors, which are used constantly throughout the play to great comedic effect. Cast members are locked in or out of rooms, doors are swung in people’s faces and door handles fall off. Dan Fredenburgh as Garry Lejeune/Roger Tramplemain is especially frenetic as he manoeuvres staircases with his shoes tied together, bashes into the scenery and ultimately takes a spectacular forward dive down the main staircase.  The pace of the play increases minute by minute, until it’s hitting breakneck speed by the final act where things totally go off the rails and it’s down to Belinda Blair (played with shrieking glee by Lucy Robinson) to try and hold everything together and somehow, improvise a fitting ending for the show.     

Writer Michael Frayn has occasionally updated the play over the years to remove outdated subjects or add extra scenes, but the quintessential British farcical humour still runs through its centre like a stick of seaside rock!!! 

NEW CAST ANNOUNCED FOR

H A R R Y   P O T T E R   A N D   T H E   C U R S E D   C H I L D

PARTS ONE AND TWO

WWW.HARRYPOTTERTHEPLAY.COM

The producers of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child – Sonia Friedman Productions, Colin Callender and Harry Potter Theatrical Productions -are delighted to introduce you to the new cast in advance of the new Company’s first performance on 17 October 2023. The original two-part multi award-winning production is currently booking to 19 May 2023 at the Palace Theatre.

David Ricardo-Pearce will play Harry Potter, with Polly Frame as Ginny Potter and Ellis Rae as their son Albus Potter. Thomas Aldridge continues as Ron Weasley with Jade Ogugua joining the cast to play Hermione Granger along with Taneetrah Porter as their daughter Rose Granger-Weasley. Steve John Shepherd will play Draco Malfoy, with Harry Acklowe as his son Scorpius Malfoy. 

They are joined by Ishmail Aaron, David Annen, Nairn Archer, Darrell Brockis, Sabina Cameron, Robert Curtis, Toby De Salis, Odelia Dizel-Cubuca, Rory Fraser, Jemma Geanaus, Harry Goodson-Bevan, Jemma Gould, Kelton Hoyland, David Ijiti, Chris Jarman, Sally Jayne Hind, Emma Louise Jones, Kathryn Meisle, Ian Redford, Abigail Rosser, Clancy Ryan, Tonny Shim, Adam Slynn, Sara Stewart, Benjamin Stratton, Maia Tamrakar, Alex Tomkins, Jake Tuesley, Sam Varley, Jess Vickers, Wreh-asha Walton, Katie Wimpenny. Benedict Archer, Jonah Haas, Honor Hastings, Delilah O’Riordan, Jude Parry, Jojo Perez Hoadley and Isabella Woodman will alternate two children’s roles, completing the 47-strong company.

19 years after Harry, Ron, and Hermione saved the wizarding world, they’re back on a most extraordinary new adventure – this time, joined by a brave new generation that has only just arrived at the legendary Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Prepare for spectacular spells, a mind-blowing race through time, and an epic battle to stop mysterious forces, all while the future hangs in the balance.

Last month Harry Potter and the Cursed Child celebrated 7 years at the Palace Theatre, home of the original production, where it has been seen by over 1.5 million patrons. On 1 September the production will be joining the annual celebrations for Back to Hogwarts Day, when Harry Potter fans are once again invited to don their robes and join the fun at King’s Cross station over three-days, which will include a special appearance from the Harry Potter and the Cursed Child cast and creative team.

Based on an original new story by J.K. Rowling, Jack Thorne and John Tiffany, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child is a new play by Jack Thorne, directed by John Tiffany with movement by Steven Hoggett, set by Christine Jones, costumes by Katrina Lindsay, music & arrangements by Imogen Heap, lighting by Neil Austin, sound by Gareth Fry, illusions & magic by Jamie Harrison,music supervision & arrangements by Martin Lowe, and casting by Julia Horan CDG and Lotte Hines CDG. Harry Potter and the Cursed Child is produced by Sonia Friedman Productions, Colin Callender and Harry Potter Theatrical Productions.

Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, the first Harry Potter story to be presented on stage and the eight story in the Harry Potter series, has sold over 6 million tickets worldwide since its world premiere in London in July 2016 and holds a record 60 major honors, with nine Laurence Olivier Awards including Best New Play and six Tony Awards including Best New Play. This summer, the international phenomenon celebrated its seventh year with four productions running worldwide in London, New York, Hamburg, and Tokyo. 

Box Office – 0330 333 4813

WWW.HARRYPOTTERTHEPLAY.COM

@CursedChildLDN

Facebook.com/CursedChildLDN

instagram.com/CursedChildLDN

WizardingWorld.com

Access performances:

Audio Described – Saturday 9 September 2023 & Saturday 16 March 2024

British Sign Language – Saturday 4 November 2023 & Saturday 23 March 2024

Captioned Performances – Saturday 27 January 2024 & Saturday 11 May 2024

UNDERBELLY, FRANCESCA MOODY PRODUCTIONS AND SOUTHBANK CENTRE

WITH RACHEL EDWARDS AND WINKLER SMALBERG

PRESENT THE WORLD PREMIERE PRODUCTION OF 

THE McONIE COMPANY’S

NUTCRACKER

AT THE TUFF NUTT JAZZ CLUB, SOUTHBANK CENTRE                      

         
DIRECTED AND CHOREOGRAPHED BY OLIVIER AWARD WINNER DREW MCONIE WITH TCHAIKOVSKY’S SCORE REIMAGINED BY MERCURY MUSIC PRIZE NOMINATED CASSIE KINOSHI

NUTCRACKER OPENS AT BRAND NEW VENUE, THE TUFF NUTT JAZZ CLUB, SOUTHBANK CENTRE

VENUE AND SET DESIGN BY SOUTRA GILMOUR

PREVIEWS BEGIN ON 28 OCTOBER WITH GALA NIGHT ON

4 NOVEMBER

GENERAL ON SALE: WEDNESDAY 6 SEPTEMBER

Underbelly, Francesca Moody Productions and Southbank Centre with Rachel Edwards and Winkler Smalberg, today announce the new world premiere production of The McOnie Company’s Nutcracker, directed and choreographed by Olivier Award winner Drew McOnie featuring Tchaikovsky’s world-famous score reimagined for an on stage jazz band by multi-award winning jazz artist Cassie Kinoshi. Nutcracker will be co-composed by Cassie Kinoshi and Rio Kai, with venue and set design by Soutra Gilmour, costume design by Ryan Dawson Laight, music supervision by Benjamin Kwasi Burrell, lighting design by Joshie Hariette, sound design by Simon Baker, and casting by Will Burton CDG.

The cast for Nutcracker includes Amonik Melaco (Action Man), Sam Salter (Clive) and Patricia Zhou (Sugarplum)with Chanelle Anthony, Christie Crosson, Tim Hodges, Lukas Hunt and Rachel Muldoon.

Nutcracker opens at London’s hottest new venue the Tuff Nutt Jazz Club at the Southbank Centre on Saturday 4 November 2023 and plays until 6 January 2024, with previews from 28 October 2023. General booking opens on Wednesday 6 September, sign up for advance ticket information from today.

Drew McOnie, Artistic Director of The McOnie Company, said: “Creating a Jazz adaptation of the Nutcracker for my own company is exactly the sort of wild impossible thing I would daydream about constantly as a young boy. I spent hours devising colourful worlds in my head where great theatre dancers and great musicians would tell stories that made me feel like I belonged somewhere. It’s my desire to fill this Nutcracker with heaps of that childlike wonder but with the added free spirited mischief we all crave at Christmas time. To be creating this production with such an exceptional group of artists is truly thrilling and I cannot wait to introduce this Nutcracker to you… an old friend you are about to meet for the first time”. 

Charlie Wood, Co-Director of Underbelly, said: “We’re so excited to be working with The McOnie Company on this radical reinterpretation of a classic title, and we couldn’t be producing it anywhere better than at the Southbank Centre, whose support for the idea and the concept has been crucial to it happening. We hope that the Tuff Nutt Jazz Club along with Drew’s and Cassie’s reimagining of Nutcracker with its wonderful Jazz score will make an exciting new destination for London winter nights out”.

Mark Ball, Artistic Director of Southbank Centre, said: “I am thrilled that we’re creating a brand new venue at the Southbank Centre – the Tuff Nutt Jazz Club – where audiences will experience a magical reimagining of Nutcracker from a brilliantly talented creative team.  This is a Nutcracker that transports us to a world of self-discovery and adventure via a vision that brings together a jazz-infused take on Tchaikovsky‘s classic score by Cassie Kinoshi with adventurous choreography and storytelling from Drew McOnie. It signals our own commitment to investing in collaboratively created new performance work that gives audiences unique experiences of theatre and dance. We can’t wait to open the doors and welcome everyone into the world of the Tuff Nutt Jazz Club.”

This wild spirited adventure follows young Clive on his quest for self-acceptance. Packed with hope, heart and humour, this Nutcracker is for anyone who wants to live life in full technicolour. It’s playful, mischievous and a lot of fun. 

Diving into the glittering winter wonderland head on, dancers of The McOnie Company perform to Tchaikovsky’s world famous score, reimagined for an onstage Jazz band.

The Tuff Nutt Jazz Club is a newly transformed music and performance space at the Southbank Centre, putting audiences at the centre of one of the coolest jazz clubs in town. Following performances of Nutcracker on Thursday to Sunday, audiences are invited to continue their evening at the Tuff Nutt Jazz Club which will host live sessions from leading music artists into the night. Further details to be announced.

Nutcracker is a McOnie Company production produced by Underbelly, Francesca Moody Productions and Southbank Centre with Rachel Edwards and Winkler Smalberg.

ON SALE DATES ANNOUNCED FOR

ORIGINAL JAPANESE STAGE PRODUCTION OF

STUDIO GHIBLI’S OSCAR-WINNING CLASSIC

“SPIRITED AWAY”

AT THE LONDON COLISEUM

FROM 30APRIL – 20 JULY 2024

48-HOUR PRIORITY ON SALE FROM

TUESDAY 5 SEPTEMBER 2023 AT 10.00AM

GENERAL ON SALE FROM

THURSDAY 7 SEPTEMBER 2023 AT 10.00AM

TOHO Co., Ltd. and PW Productions Ltd. are delighted to announce the priority and general on sale dates for the European premiere of the stage adaptation of SPIRITED AWAY, which opens at the London Coliseum on 30April 2024 where it will play until 20 July 2024. A 48-hour priority booking period will begin for those who have signed up at www.spiritedawayuk.com from 10.00am on Tuesday 5 September 2023, followed by a general on sale from Thursday 7 September 2023 at 10.00am with tickets available from £30.

With over 125,000 people signed up so far, sign up for priority booking is still open at www.spiritedawayuk.com

Studio Ghibli’s SPIRITED AWAY, created by legendary animator and director Hayao Miyazaki, has beenre-imagined for the stage by Toho Theatrical Department and Olivier and Tony Award-winning director John Caird (Les Misérables). Following a sell-out tour of Japan in 2022, the original Japanese cast including Kanna Hashimoto and Mone Kamishiraishi, who play Chihiro, will perform this spectacular production for a strictly limited London season. The production will be presented in the original Japanese, with English captions. Miyazaki’s masterpiece is brought beautifully to life with a live orchestra playing the magnificent film score by Joe Hisaishi arranged by Brad Haak (Mary Poppins), dazzling set design by Jon Bausor (Bat Out of Hell), wildly imaginative puppets designed by Toby Olié (Pinocchio: National Theatre), choreography by Shigehiro Ide (NODA MAP Series), and lavish costumes by Sachiko Nakahara.

Director Hayao Miyazaki’s timeless masterpiece SPIRITED AWAY became an explosive blockbuster after its 2001 release and won the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature Film in 2003. A masterpiece of storytelling and stunning visuals SPIRITED AWAY tells the enchanting tale of Chihiro who while traveling to a new home with her family, stumbles into a world of fantastic spirits ruled over by the sorceress Yubaba. When her parents are turned
into pigs and she is put to work in a magical bathhouse, Chihiro must use her wits to survive in this strange new place, find a way to free her parents, and return to the normal world.

The producers of the stage production of SPIRITED AWAY said today, “We are so excited to be bringing this incredible production to London, and we are committed to ensuring that SPIRITED AWAY is as accessible as possible to audiences, with tickets available for every performance for under £30. We can’t wait to share this sensational show with you all.”

TOHO Co., Ltd. is the leading production company of theatre and film in Japan, internationally recognized for the Godzilla series and for Akira Kurosawa’s masterpieces. Its theatrical department has presented numerous original and licensed musicals and plays in Japan, including Broadway and West End imports such as Les Misérables, Miss Saigon, Moulin Rouge! The Musical, My Fair Lady, Man of La Mancha, Fiddler on the Roof, La Cage Aux Folles, RENT, Jekyll & Hyde, Next to Normal, Jersey Boys, Beautiful The Carole King Musical, Waitress and The Producers among many others. Recently, Toho has co-produced the Broadway musical Tootsie. Toho has also produced the Japanese versions of musicals from Central Europe, including Elisabeth, Mozart! and Rebecca the Musical. The company also collaborated to create the original musicals Marie Antoinette and Lady Bess with the creators of Elisabeth, Michael Kunze (book and lyrics) and Sylvester Levay (music). Marie Antoinette was licensed and presented in Germany, Korea and Hungary. In 2017, Toho presented a new production of Shakespeare’s As You Like It directed by Michael Mayer, music by Tom Kitt, choreography by Lorin Latarro. Previous productions with John Caird include Les Misérables (original production co-directed by Trevor Nunn), Beggar’s Opera, Candide, Private Lives, Daddy Long Legs, Twelfth Night and Knights’ Tale. Alongside this London production, TOHO Co Ltd will also present SPIRITED AWAY on a National Tour of Japan in 2024.

PW Productions Ltd. is one of the West End’s most prolific and significant theatre producers, responsible for some of the most successful productions in British theatre since it was founded in 1983 by Peter Wilson MBE. Productions have included Susan Hill’s The Woman in Black, An Inspector Calls, Sting’s The Last Ship and many more. The company has acted as General Manager and Production Accountant for more than 600 productions throughout the world. PW Productions, in partnerships with promoters and co-producers, has also presented work in Japan, Singapore, Canada, USA, Germany, Ireland, Luxembourg, Austria, Australia and Hong Kong.

Original Japanese Stage Production of SPIRITED AWAY is based on the Oscar-winning animated feature film by Hayao Miyazaki, adapted by John Caird, co-adapted by Maoko Imai and featuring the original score by Joe Hisaishi.

Seconds Away! A gripping new play with songs, scripted by Ian La
Frenais OBE with music and lyrics by Jimmy Nail to debut at Live
Theatre Newcastle

Live Theatre, Newcastle Upon Tyne and Bill Kenwright Productions are thrilled to present an exclusive first staged reading of an original play with songs, Seconds Away! starring celebrated actor and musician Jimmy Nail and written by legendary screenwriter Ian La Frenais OBE. The staged readings with live music run from Tuesday 6 to Saturday 17 February 2024 and offer an incredibly special opportunity to experience a brand new work at the beginning of its journey.

From an original idea and with newly commissioned compositions written by Jimmy Nail, these staged readings will feature a cast who will perform scenes and songs accompanied by a live band featuring local legends Peter Tickell, (Musical Director) and Lindisfarne’s Ray Laidlaw (drums and percussion).

Seconds Away! Chronicles the poignant odyssey of Fighting Frankie Tanner, a once celebrated heavyweight boxing champion grappling with a life overshadowed by adversity. Amidst personal grief, the wreckage of his marriage, and the fractures within his family, Frankie embarks on a journey of redemption. Set against the vibrant backdrop of Newcastle Upon Tyne, this two-act play with songs delves deep into the themes of personal combat, enduring values, family discord and regional pride. As Frankie confronts these formidable challenges, he must summon his inner strength for a final, monumental battle—the greatest of them all

Returning to Live Theatre after a sold out Live Encounter in April 2023, Jimmy’s extensive
acting credits include TV series Crocodile Shoes, Parents of the Band, feature film Evita,
stage musicals The Last Ship and The War of the Worlds. His hits include Big River, Aint No
Doubt, Crocodile Shoes, Love Don’t Live Here Any More and Cowboy Dreams

Jimmy Nail who takes on the role of Frankie Tanner said:
“I am delighted to be returning to Live Theatre and to Newcastle Upon Tyne, my spiritual home, to team up with Ian (La Frenais) and to bring Seconds Away! to the stage. Geordieland is where the play was conceived and it was always my fervent hope we would begin its journey in this theatre and this city. Knockout! as Frankie might say. My compositions will be immeasurably enhanced by the group of musicians we’ve somehow managed to assemble, players of the very highest calibre. I’d pay to see this line-up outside of the play! I look forward to confirming cast members in due course. My thanks to Jack McNamara and everyone at Live Theare and to Bill Kenwright and all at BKL. See you in February!”

Musicians Peter Tickell and Ray Laidlaw will be joined on stage by virtuoso guitarist Micky Crystal (acoustic guitars) and celebrated harpist Mary Macmaster (acoustic/electro harps, vocals). The full cast of actors/singers will be announced very soon

Seconds Away! reunites Jimmy with Ian La Frenais with whom he collaborated so successfully on the hugely popular TV series Auf Weidersehen, Pet and Spender and the feature film Still Crazy. The prolific and acclaimed writer is well known for groundbreaking series The Likely Lads (co-written with Dick Clement) which followed the adventures of Bob and Terry, two working-class lads from the North East. Ian’s credits also includes TV series Whatever Happened to the Likely Lads, Porridge, Going Straight, Lovejoy and Spies of Warsaw as well as feature films The Commitments, Goal, Flushed Away, The Bank Job and Across the Universe. His most recent work includes the Sixties documentary My Generation and the stage play Chasing Bono

Commenting on the collaboration, Ian La Frenais said:
“I welcome any opportunity to work in the North East and help bring its characters and culture to a wider audience. Like Jimmy, this is truly my spiritual home and the values instilled in me in my early years have defined me ever since no matter where I have lived whether it was in London or California. I thank Jimmy for giving me this opportunity, the superb cast of actors and musicians, the staff of Live Theatre and Bill Kenwright who keeps us all believing.”

Seconds Away! Integrates original music and drama. Audiences can expect scenes of light and shade, finding humour in the darkness. Tickets priced at £30 are available from
www.live.org.uk or Box Office on (0191) 232 1232.

Eleanor Lloyd Productions and Rebecca Stafford Productions present

Witness for the Prosecution
By Agatha Christie

• ALL RISE! AFTER A RECORD-BREAKING START TO THE YEAR, AGATHA CHRISTIE’S ‘WITNESS FOR THE PROSECUTION’ WILL EXTEND UNTIL 29 SEPTEMBER 2024 AT HISTORIC LONDON COUNTY HALL AS THE PRODUCTION’S TENTH CAST ARE SUMMONED TO COURT.
• THE NEW CAST INCLUDES BENJAMIN WESTERBY WHO WILL PLAY THE ACCUSED LEONARD VOLE ALONGSIDE KATIE BUCHHOLZ AS HIS WIFE ROMAINE.
• STEPHEN HOGAN WILL JOIN THE LINEUP AS SIR WILFRID ROBARTS QC,  PAUL ANSDELL AS MR MAYHEW, DAVID SHAW-PARKER AS MR JUSTICE WAINWRIGHT AND JOHN MACKAY AS MR MYERS QC.
• THE CAST ALSO INCLUDES PHIL ADÈLE, AAMIRA CHALLENGER, TOM ESPINER, SAM FLINT, MACKENZIE HEYNES, DAMIAN LYNCH, MATTHEW MELLALIEU, BLAIR ROBERTSON, NICOLA SANDERSON, DAVID SHAW-PARKER, ANDREW TUKU JR AND ROSAMUND WILLIAMS.

As the tenth cast is announced today, Agatha Christie’s Witness for the Prosecution will also extend its run at London County Hall through to 29 September 2024. The Christie courtroom thriller has captivated over 86,000 audience members since the new year, making it a record-breaking year so far for the acclaimed production. Tickets for the new booking period are on sale now at https://witnesscountyhall.com.

Benjamin Westerby (Macbeth, Imitating The Dog – UK Tour; All’s Well That Ends Well ,RSC) will play the accused, Leonard Vole opposite Katie Buchholz (Leaves of Grass, Park Theatre; Lemons Lemons Lemons Lemons Lemons, West End) as Romaine Vole. Stephen Hogan (Sardar Udham, Amazon Prime; Napoli, Brooklyn, Park Theatre) will play Sir Wilfrid Robarts QC, Paul Ansdell (Dry, Human Story Theatre; When the Rain Stops Falling, Old Fire Station Oxford) will join the cast as Mr Mayhew, David Shaw-Parker (Uncle Vanya, Hampstead Theatre; My Fair Lady, West End) as Mr Justice Wainwright and John Mackay (The Doctor, West End; Richard II, Almeida) as Mr Myers QC.

The company is completed by Phil Adèle, Melissa Aduke-James, Aamira Challenger, Tom Espiner, Sam Flint, Mackenzie Heynes, Damian Lynch, Matthew Mellalieu, Blair Robertson, Nicola Sanderson, Andrew Tuku JR and Rosamund Williams.

Witness for the Prosecution has captured the imagination of thousands gripped by the case of Leonard Vole, accused of murder in cold blood. Director Lucy Bailey (Much Ado About Nothing, Shakespeare’s Globe) thrillingly places the audience in the thick of the action as Christie’s enthralling tale of justice, passion and betrayal unfolds around them.

Leonard Vole is accused of murdering a widow to inherit her wealth. The stakes are high. Will he be able to convince the jury of his innocence and escape the hangman’s noose?

The twists and turns of the case are played out in a spectacular courtroom setting inside the atmospheric London County Hall as prosecution battles defence and witnesses take the stand to give their shocking testimonies. The production received Best Revival nominations at the 2018 Olivier and WhatsOnStage Awards.

The production is designed by William Dudley, with lighting by Chris Davey, sound design by Mic Pool and casting by Ellie Collyer-Bristow CDG.