REHEARSAL IMAGES RELEASED FOR THE 2023-24 UK & IRELAND TOUR OF AWARD-WINNING HIT MUSICAL
EVERYBODY’S TALKING ABOUT JAMIE
LAUNCHING AT THE LOWRY, SALFORD NEXT MONTH
New rehearsal images have been released for Everybody’s Talking About Jamie, the smash-hit and critically acclaimed musical, which launches a new 2023-24 UK Tour at The Lowry, Salford from 7th to 17th September 2023.
The show stars Ivano Turco (Get Up, Stand Up!, Cinderella) as Jamie New, Rebecca McKinnis (Everybody’s Talking About Jamie West End, Dear Evan Hansen, We Will Rock You, Les Misérables) as Margaret New, Shobna Gulati (The Rise and Fall of Little Voice, Everybody’s Talking About Jamie West End and Film, Coronation Street, Brassic) as Ray, Talia Palamathanan (Everybody’s Talking About Jamie Tour and film) as Pritti, with John Partridge (Eastenders, The View Upstairs, La Cage Aux Folles, Chicago, A Chorus Line, CATS) as Hugo/Loco Chanelle, and Hayley Tamaddon (Coronation Street, Emmerdale, Chicago) as Miss Hedge.
Completing the cast are KY Kelly (Anthony Gyde) (Laika Virgin), Garry Lee (Sandra Bollock), David McNair (Tray Sophisticay), Akshay St Clair (Dad), Jordan Ricketts (Dean), Liv Ashman (Vicki), Rhiannon Bacchus (Fatimah), Geoff Berrisford (Sayid), Jessica Daugirda (Bex), Finton Flynn (Young Loco Chanelle / Jamie New cover), Annabelle Laing (Becca), Luca Moscardini (Levi), Joshian Omana (Cy), Thomas Walton (Mickey), Takayiah Bailey (Swing) and Georgina Hagen (Understudy Margaret / Ray / Miss Hedge).
Following a record-breaking three-year West End residency, sold out UK & Ireland Tour and Amazon studios award-winning film the show opens at The Lowry on 7 September 2023 before visiting Sunderland, Nottingham, Bromley, Birmingham, Cardiff, Brighton, Leeds, Blackpool, Llandudno, Oxford, Southampton, Newcastle, Wolverhampton, Woking, London, Bristol, Plymouth, Sheffield, Liverpool, Eastbourne, Portsmouth, Glasgow, Aberdeen, Northampton, Milton Keynes, Hull and Leicester.
Jamie New is sixteen and lives on a council estate in Sheffield. Jamie doesn’t quite fit in. Jamie is terrified about the future. Jamie is going to be a sensation. Supported by his brilliant loving mum and surrounded by his friends, Jamie overcomes prejudice, beats the bullies and steps out of the darkness, into the spotlight.
This ‘Funny, outrageous, touching’ (Daily Telegraph) musical sensation is to be experienced by all the family and not to be missed!
Set to an original score of catchy pop tunes that will ‘blow the roof off the theatre’ (Mail on Sunday) by lead singer-songwriter of The Feeling, Dan Gillespie Sells and writer Tom MacRae (Doctor Who). Choreographed by Sadler’s Wells Associate Artist Kate Prince (Into The Woods, Some Like It Hip Hop, SYLVIA, Message In A Bottle). This ‘sparkling coming-of-age musical’ (The Times) will have everybody talking about Jamie for years to come.
Sixteen: the edge of possibility. Time to make your dreams come true.
Watch the Everybody’s Talking About Jamietrailer here.
Music by Dan Gillespie Sells
Book and Lyrics by Tom MacRae
From an idea by Jonathan Butterell
Directed by Matt Ryan from original direction by Jonathan Butterell
Design by Anna Fleischle
Choreography by Kate Prince
Lighting design by Lucy Carter
Sound design by Paul Groothuis
Video Design Luke Halls
Casting by Will Burton
Musical Supervisor Theo Jamieson
Everybody’s Talking About Jamie is at The Lowry, Salford from 7th to 17th September 2023. For more information and tickets visit www.thelowry.com.
NOMINEES ANNOUNCED FOR THE STAGE DEBUT AWARDS 2023
Picture caption for main press image composite L-R Paul Mescal, Rob Madge, Samira Wiley, Michael R Jackson, Maisie Smith, Lenny Henry, Rose Ayling-Ellis
The Stage Debut Awards today reveals the much-anticipated nominees for its annual awards ceremony celebrating the best emerging theatre talent in the UK. This year’s 45 nominations across 8 categories celebrate an array of talented individuals from performers to composers and designers through to writers, lyricists and directors
Among this year’s shortlist, the hotly contested Best West End Debut Performer category, the only one where the winner is voted by the public, will see stars including Olivier Award-winner Paul Mescal for A Streetcar Named Desire; Netflix’s Orange is the New Black’s Samira Wiley for Blues for an Alabama Sky, Star Trek’s Zachary Quinto for Best of Enemies and Netflix Bodies actor Gabriel Howell for The Unfriend in the mix along with A Strange Loop’sKyle Ramar Freeman. Also in the running are both Brokeback Mountain stars Emily Fairn and Mike Faist who are recognised for their magnetic performances in @sohoplace’s production, as well as As You Like It’sRose Ayling-Ellis, winner of the TV talent show Strictly Come Dancing. A second former show contestant Maisie Smith is also a nominee for Best Performer in a Musical for her role in Strictly Ballroom the Musical.
The full shortlist celebrates the breadth of emerging talent across the UK with shows from Wales fairing especially well this year with three nominations including Jennifer Lunn for Best Writer for Es & Flo at Wales Millenium Centre, Cardiff, Richard Mylan for Sorter at the Swansea Grand Theatre and Elan Davies for Best Performer in a Play for the Welsh speaking production Imrie, at Sherman Theatre, Cardiff.
Performers and creatives whose work traversed the length and breadth of the country in touring shows are recognised in the shortlist including two nominations from the production of The Importance of Being Earnest for Denzel Westley-Sanderson and Rilwan Abiola Owokaniran for Best Director and Best Performer in a Play respectively. Richard the Second’s Daniel Rock has also been nominated and musical theatre performer Drew Hylton who toured Unexpected Twist: An Oliver Twisted Tale is also nominated. Further upcoming names in the Best Performer in a Musical category include Jessica Lee who made her first starring role in The Crucible’s Miss Saigon, while hit show Newsies at Troubadour Wembley Park Theatre has two outstanding performers recognised with Josh Barnett and Arcangelo Ciulla.
Comedian and performer Lenny Henry gets a first time writer nomination for August in England, the hit solo show he starred in honouring the 75th anniversary of the Windrush Generation at the Bush Theatre, alongside Anoushka Lucas who is also in the running for Elephant. The venue also originates the most The Stage Debut Awards nominees this year with a total of four including 2019 BAFTA Rising Star Award winner Bukky Bakray, who made her name in Rocks and now has strong theatre credentials for her role in Sleepova, and Emily Ling Williams for directing A Playlist for the Revolution.
Broadway sensation A Strange Loop not only has performer Kyle Ramar Freeman nominated, but creator Michael R Jackson is shortlisted for two awards for Best Composer, Writer or Lyricst and Best Creative West End, which also sees Rob Madge recognised for their ground-breaking writing in My Son’s a Queer, (But What Can You Do?). Composers SpitLip, who already hold The Stage Debut Award from 2019 for Operation Mincemeat, one of the most recent West-End transfers, return to the awards for a second time but in the Best Creative West End category.
Commenting on his ambitions for this year’s Debut Awards, The Stage editor Alistair Smith, says: “We have another superb shortlist this year, full of extraordinarily talented newcomers. It’s particularly thrilling to see the huge geographical spread of the work recognised – with three nominees from Wales, including our first ever nomination for a Welsh language performance – as well as high profile commercial shows from the West End and beyond.
“I look forward to celebrating with our nominees and our fabulous host Divina De Campo on the night.”
Mark Cornell, Chief Executive Officer of ATG Group commented, “ATG is proud to be supporting British theatre’s emerging talent through The Stage Debut Awards for the second year. At ATG we know that people are at the heart of successful theatre and that new ideas and voices are essential to bringing great live experiences to new audiences.
We look forward to being part of an exceptional night celebrating professional debuts at these awards in October.”
Votes for The Best West End Debut Performer can be cast online at www.thestage.co.uk/vote-2023. This award celebrates a performer’s first time in London’s West End and voting closes at midday on September 17.
The winners will be announced at The Stage Debut Awards 7th awards ceremony, hosted by legendary drag artist, performer and singer Divina De Campo, on October 1 2023 at 8 Northumberland Avenue, London in association with headline sponsor Ambassador Theatre Group (ATG).
The line-up of Guest Presenters and Performers will be revealed in September.
THE FULL LIST OF 2023 NOMINEES ARE…
Best Performer in a Play (Sponsored by Cabbells):
● Bukky Bakray for Sleepova at Bush Theatre, London
● Rita Bernard-Shaw for Trouble in Butetown at Donmar Warehouse, London
● Natalie Blair for Spring and Port Wine at Octagon Theatre, Bolton
● Rhian Blundell for Let the Right One In at Royal Exchange Theatre, Manchester
● Elan Davies for Imrie at Sherman Theatre, Cardiff
● Rilwan Abiola Owokoniran for The Importance of Being Earnest at Leeds Playhouse and touring
● Daniel Rock for Richard the Second at Omnibus Theatre, London and touring
● Isobel Thom for I, Joan at Shakespeare’s Globe, London
Best Performer in a Musical (Sponsored by Carnival Cruise Line):
● Liv Andrusier for Ride at Charing Cross Theatre, London
● Josh Barnett for Newsies at Troubadour Wembley Park Theatre, London
● Arcangelo Ciulla for Newsies at Troubadour Wembley Park Theatre, London
● Carla Dixon-Hernandez for Mrs Doubtfire at Shaftesbury Theatre, London
● Drew Hylton for Unexpected Twist: An Oliver Twisted Tale at Royal and Derngate, Northampton and touring
● Jessica Lee for Miss Saigon at Crucible Theatre, Sheffield
● Maisie Smith for Strictly Ballroom the Musical, Churchill Theatre, Bromley and touring
Best Director (Sponsored by Arts Council England):
● Daniel Blake for Bones at Park Theatre, London
● Indiana Lown-Collins for The Solid Life of Sugar Water at Orange Tree Theatre, London
● Denzel Westley-Sanderson for The Importance of Being Earnest at Leeds Playhouse and touring
● Emily Ling Williams for A Playlist for the Revolution at Bush Theatre, London
Best Designer (Sponsored by Wimbledon College of Arts, UAL):
● Carly Brownbridge (set & costume) for Agatha at Theatre503, London
● Peter Butler (set & costume) for The Shape of Things at Park Theatre, London
● Andrea Scott (video) for My Neighbour Totoro at Barbican Theatre, London
Best Writer (Sponsored by Sonia Friedman Productions):
● Sasha Hails for Possession at Arcola Theatre, London
● Lenny Henry for August in England at Bush Theatre, London
● Anoushka Lucas for Elephant at Bush Theatre, London
● Jennifer Lunn for Es & Flo at Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff
● Richard Mylan for Sorter at Swansea Grand Theatre
● Zak Zarafshan for The Boys Are Kissing at Theatre503, London
Best Composer, Lyricist or Book Writer (Sponsored by Crossroads Live):
● Gerel Falconer for Alice in Wonderland at Brixton House, London
● Michael R Jackson for A Strange Loop at Barbican Theatre, London
● Jenny Moore for Robin Hood: The Legend. Re-written at Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre, London
● Lilly Pollard for Sugar Coat at Southwark Playhouse, London
Best West End Debut Performer:
● Rose Ayling-Ellis for As You Like It at @sohoplace
● Emily Fairn for Brokeback Mountain at @sohoplace
● Mike Faist for Brokeback Mountain at @sohoplace
● Kyle Ramar Freeman for A Strange Loop at Barbican Theatre
● Gabriel Howell for The Unfriend at Criterion Theatre
● Paul Mescal for A Streetcar Named Desire at Phoenix Theatre
● Zachary Quinto for Best of Enemies at Noël Coward Theatre
● Samira Wiley for Blues for an Alabama Sky at National Theatre
Best Creative West End Debut: (Sponsored by Trafalgar Entertainment)
● Joe Bunker (Musical Director) for Operation Mincemeat at Fortune Theatre
● SpitLip (David Cumming, Felix Hagan, Natasha Hodgson and Zoë Roberts) for Operation Mincemeat at Fortune Theatre
● Tingying Dong for The Crucible at National Theatre and Gielgud Theatre
● Michael R Jackson for A Strange Loop at Barbican Theatre
● Scott Le Crass for Rose at Ambassadors Theatre
● Rob Madge for My Son’s a Queer, (But What Can You Do?) at Garrick Theatre and Ambassadors Theatre
For further information about tickets please click HERE
With thanks to our sponsors ATG, Arts Council England, Cabbells, Carnival Cruise Line, Crossroads Live, Sonia Friedman Productions, Trafalgar Entertainment and Wimbledon College of Arts, UAL.
The inaugural The Stage Debut Awards took place in 2017 and recipients of these awards have gone on to star in and create West End shows, television series and films. Notable award winners include Shan Ako (Hamilton), Tyrell Williams (Red Pitch), Sam Tutty (Dear Evan Hansen), Miriam-Teak Lee (& Juliet), Jac Yarrow (Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat), Bush Theatre Artistic Director Lynette Linton, and Composers Femi Temowo (Death of a Salesman) and Dan Gillespie Sells (Everybody’s Talking About Jamie).
If this is the concert version of Death Note, the mind boggles at what a full scale production would be. The atmosphere in the Palladium for the European English language premiere of this incredible show was electric – with many fans in cosplay and screams of appreciation when beloved characters first appeared onstage.
Based on the bestselling manga, which has been adapted into anime, live-action films and a TV series, a musical version could have been a step too far, but Frank Wildhorn’s rock and pop infused score is the perfect match for the darkly humorous plot. Die-hard fans will be a step ahead, but Ivan Menchell’s book and the fantastic performances make the plot clear for those completely unfamiliar with the world of Death Note. When high school student Light (Joaquin Pedro Valdes) chances upon a mysterious notebook – the Death Note – and reads that simply writing a name in the book will kill that person, he begins a campaign of justice. Naively believing that he can create a better, safer world, Light kills many criminals, becoming a hero to the masses, who call their mysterious anonymous vigilante Kira. The authorities view Kira as a dangerous murderer but, unable to track him down, they must turn to the brilliant and enigmatic L (Dean John Wilson) – imagine a hybrid Sherlock Holmes/boyband member/cult leader – leading to a thrilling cat and mouse game between Light and L before their final confrontation. Watching over the drama, like a malevolent crow is Ryuk (Adam Pascal), a Shinigami and original owner of the Death Note. The gritty moral questions about differences between justice and law, and the perversion caused by power are tackled with sincerity but are all offset by the bored and sarcastic interjections of the Shinigami observing – reminding us of humanity’s fragility and futility in their universe.
Justin Williams’ set design and Ben Cracknell’s lighting conjure up the atmosphere of manga panels and pop concerts, and the differentiation between locations is never confusing. Nick Winston’s choreography and direction is incredible for a concert version, a tantalising teaser of what is possible on a full set. Frank Wildhorn’s music, with lyrics by Jack Murphy, is nuanced and exciting with a score jam-packed with memorable songs that suit the characters perfectly. There are some killer duets/duels between Light and L that showcased the amazing vocals of Joaquin Pedro Valdes and Dean John Wilson magnificently, while Frances Mayli McCann creates magic with “Borrowed Time” and Aimie Atkinson’s ethereal rendition of “When Love Comes” is gorgeous. The cast all impress, with Valdes and Wilson both keeping the audience on their toes with their intense portrayals of the complex young men, causing your sympathies to shift from one to the other constantly. Adam Pascal and Aimie Atkinson are great fun as the two Shinigami with fantastical costumes that never outshine their characterisation of the light and shade of death. Frances Mayli McCann’s doesn’t have much stage time, but McCann makes every second count as the tragic Misa.
The twists and turns of the plot and the variety of musical styles used keep the audience enthralled and I cannot wait to see what happens next in this show’s evolution. As it stands, this concert version is a spectacular and dynamic production bringing a fresh new audience to the West End and hitting the stage with an unforgettable impact.
KILN THEATRE ANNOUNCES DUJONNA GIFT AND SAM TUTTY FOR TWO STRANGERS (CARRY A CAKE ACROSS NEW YORK)
A NEW MUSICAL BY JIM BARNE AND KIT BUCHAN
Kiln Theatre today announces casting for new musical Two Strangers (Carry a Cake Across New York) –Dujonna Gift(Hamilton)and Sam Tutty (Dear Evan Hansen – Olivier Award for Best Actor in a Musical).
This new production, which will complete Kiln’s current season, is written by Jim Barne and Kit Buchanand directed byTim Jackson. The production opens on 16 November, with previews from 9 November, and runs until 23 December.
Kiln Theatre presents
TWO STRANGERS
(CARRY A CAKE ACROSS NEW YORK)
By Jim Barne & Kit Buchan
Directed by Tim Jackson
9 November – 23 December
Cast: Dujonna Gift (Robin) and Sam Tutty (Dougal)
Designer Soutra Gilmour; Lighting Designer Jack Knowles; Sound Designer Tony Gayle; Musical Director Sean Green; Orchestrated by Lux Pyramid; Casting Director Julia Horan CDG; Voice & Dialect Coach Daniele Lydon; Associate Director Claira Vaughan; Kiln-Mackintosh Resident Assistant Director Jessica Mensah
Dougal is a naive, impossibly upbeat Brit, flying to New York for his Dad’s second wedding. The Dad he’s never known.
Waiting for him at the airport is Robin, the sister of the bride. She’s a native New Yorker, she’s late for work, and she doesn’t have time to stop and see the sights.
Instant attraction? Definitely not.
But with an extravagant wedding approaching and the city at their feet – anything could happen.
A new British musical from writers Jim Barne and Kit Buchan.
An earlier version of the musical was first produced by Royal & Derngate, Northampton and New Wolsey Ipswich when it was called The Season. Excerpts from that version were presented at BEAM2018, supported by Mercury Musical Developments and Musical Theatre Network.
Dujonna Gift plays Robin. For theatre, her work includes Hamilton (Victoria Palace Theatre), Motown: The Musical (Shaftesbury Theatre), Dear Evan Hansen (Noël Coward Theatre), and Caroline, Or Change (Playhouse Theatre). For film, her credits include the forthcoming Snow White.
Sam Tutty plays Dougal. For theatre, his work includes the title role in Dear Evan Hansen (Noël Coward Theatre – Olivier Award for Best Actor in a Musical), and Once on This Island (Southwark Playhouse). His television work includes Hollyoaks; and for film, Four Minutes Warning and Romeo and Juliet.
Jim Barne is a composer and orchestrator. He has written music for films including Oscar-nominated Living (2022), The Ghost Trap (2023) and Worth (2021). He has won the London Chamber Orchestra’s young composer competition, and Best New Score at the Horrorhaus Film Festival.
Kit Buchan is a poet and journalist. His poems have been commended in the Poetry London and Ware Poets competitions and the Best British Poetry anthology. He works for the Observer New Review and the Woodland Trust.
Together they have won The Stage Debut Award and the Stiles & Drewe prize for new musical theatre. Their second musical Catastrophe Bay was performed at Bristol Old Vic in 2022. They also write songs for their pop band, I Said Yes.
Tim Jackson is a Director and Choreographer, and former Creative Associate of The Queen’s Theatre, Hornchurch. As a director, work includes the first UK revival of Kinky Boots (New Wolsey Theatre), The Hound of the Baskervilles (UK tour), Treasure Island (Bolton Octagon), The Season (Royal and Derngate and New Wolsey Theatre), The Oliviers in Concert (Royal Festival Hall). As an Associate Director, work includes High Society (The Old Vic), A Little Night Music (Tokyo), From Hackney to Hollywood (UK tour). As a choreographer, work includes Merrily We Roll Along (New York Theatre Workshop/National Theatre Tokyo/Huntington Theatre/Harold Pinter Theatre/Menier Chocolate Factory), A Christmas Carol (Dominion Theatre), Cat On A Hot Tin Roof (Apollo Theatre), Stepping Out (Vaudeville Theatre), Saturday Night (Arts Theatre), Mouthful (Trafalgar Studios), Little Shop of Horrors (Manchester Royal Exchange), La Périchole (Garsington Opera), The Secret Diary of Adrian Mole Aged 13¾ (Curve Theatre), Parade (Southwark Playhouse), Dusty (Bath Theatre Royal/UK tour), and La Bohème (Middle East tour). Choreography for television includes four Olivier Awards Ceremonies, Doctor Who, Let’s Sing and Dance for Comic Relief, and BBC’s New Year’s Eve midnight celebration. Jackson is currently in New York choreographing Merrily We Roll Along on Broadway, with Daniel Radcliffe, Jonathan Groff and Lindsay Mendez.
TWO STRANGERS (CARRY A CAKE ACROSS NEW YORK): 9 November – 23 December 2023 Opening Night: 16 November Access Perfs:
Audio Described – Thu 30 November, 7.30pm, preceded by Touch Tour
Relaxed – Sat 09 December, 2.30pm
Captioned – Mon 18 December – 7.30pm
Post show Q&A: Tues 28 November
Monday – Saturday, 7.30pm (Wed mats following press night)
All tickets to first preview £15 Tickets £15-£40
Under 26 – £10 (subject to availability)
Access, Over 65, Local, Student and Group rates available, for further details, please see the website.
Subsidised tickets
We offer free tickets and exclusive discounts to those who can’t afford to come. If you fit any of the below criteria, get in touch and we can help you get a ticket.
If you are homeless, out of work or receive Housing Benefits, Income Support, Jobseeker’s Allowance or Employment and Support Allowance (valid ID, statements or proof universal tax credit will be required when collecting tickets).
Employees of NHS, Police Force, Fire Brigade, Armed Forces, The Coastguard, RNLI, Prison Officers or Social Care Workers (valid ID payslip and name badges will be required when collecting tickets).
ACCIDENTAL DEATH OF AN ANARCHIST ANNOUNCES POST-SHOW PANEL DISCUSSION IN PARTNERSHIP WITH INQUEST
Credit: Accidental Death of an Anarchist
Playful Productions today announces a post-show panel for Accidental Death of an Anarchist taking place on5 September in partnership with charity, INQUEST. INQUEST supports and campaigns alongside families bereaved by deaths in police custody, and has partnered with the production since its inception. The panel will discuss the issues arising from deaths in custody, and the opportunities for people to take action.
It will be chaired by Head of News and Politics at JOE Media, Oli Dugmore with participants including Executive Director of INQUEST, Deborah Coles, Marcia Rigg, a campaigner whose brother Sean Rigg died in police custody in 2008 and Director of Accidental Death of an Anarchist Daniel Raggett.
Tom Basden’s acidically funny adaptation of Dario Fo’s classic takes direct aim at recent police handlings and mishandlings. The final performance marks a year since the production opened at Sheffield Theatres, it has been a hit with audiences and critics alike, with Daniel Rigby’s performance being hailed as a “comic tour de force”. The final scene offers a reminder of the urgency and reality of the story: a tally of all the deaths at the hands of police in this country. Since this production came to the stage a year ago, 29 deaths involving police have been added.
The production opened at Sheffield Theatres, before a run at The Lyric Hammersmith ahead of its West End transfer to Theatre Royal Haymarket in June 2023. It runs in the West End until 9 September.
Executive Director of INQUEST, Deborah Coles commented: “This play is a farce that reflects the very real farcical systems faced by families bereaved by deaths at the hands of police in this country.
The comedy gets deep under the skin of audiences, and we hope brings a new awareness of the reality, as was intended by the first iterations of Accidental Death of an Anarchist in the 1970s.
The team behind this production have worked closely with our charity and bereaved families, to truly understand the reality of INQUEST’s work, and the current relevance of the story they are telling.
The powerful conversations we have had behind the scenes will be brought to the stage in a new way with this panel discussion. It is a reminder to West End audiences of the injustices on our doorstep, and we hope they will leave the theatre inspired to take action.”
Director of Accidental Death of an Anarchist Daniel Raggett, added: “Since 1990, there have been 1867 deaths in police custody or following contact with the police in England and Wales. 12 of those deaths have occurred in the last three months alone, all while we have been performing Accidental Death of an Anarchist at the Theatre Royal Haymarket. That is nearly one life for every week of our run. And yet, there are still people who believe that police violence is not a significant issue in this country. Accidental Death of an Anarchist is a comedy about a serious issue and our hope is that this panel will help raise awareness of state-sponsored violence. I plan to say nothing; instead, I will listen to Deborah Coles and Marcia Rigg talk about the incredible work of INQUEST and the human cost of deaths at the hands of the police.”
An Anarchist has fallen to his death from a police station window. The question is: did he jump or was he thrown?
As the police attempt to avoid yet another scandal, a mysterious imposter is arrested and brought in for questioning. Seizing the chance to put on a show, he leads the officers in an ever more ridiculous reconstruction of their official account, hilariously exposing the cover-ups, corruption, and profound idiocy at the heart of the police.
The cast includes Daniel Rigby, Tony Gardner, Tom Andrews, Mark Hadfield, Ro Kumar, and Ruby Thomas.
Trish Wadley Productions today announces initial casting for a new version of one of Shakespeare’s greatest tragedies, Othello. Martins Imhangbe will play the title role in this new production conceived by director Sinéad Rushe, which will feature Iago played collectively by three actors – Michael Fox, Orlando James and Jeremy Neumark Jones – and a cast of actor-musicians. Rose Riley plays Desdemona with further casting to be announced.
The production opens at Riverside Studios, London on 6 October, with previews from 4 October, and runs until 28 October 2023.
Producer Trish Wadley said: “I am thrilled to be bringing this show to Riverside Studios, working with such an inspirational and talented group of creatives. This imaginative and fresh take on Othello conceived by director Sinéad Rushe will allow audiences to be fully immersed in the story, and to understand how Iago is able to penetrate Othello’s mind so deeply. Michael Fox’s original music which will be played live during the performance adds another dimension and I can’t wait to see this production to come to life.”
Trish Wadley Productions presents
OTHELLO By William Shakespeare
Cast includes: Michael Fox, Martins Imhangbe, Orlando James,Jeremy Neumark Jones and Rose Riley
Director: Sinéad Rushe; Composer: Michael Fox; Set and Costume Designer: Natalie Pryce;
Sound Design: Ali Taie; Lighting Design: Alex Lewer
Riverside Studios
4 – 28 October 2023
From the producer of the recent acclaimed and sell-out production of The Shape of Things at Park Theatre, this fast-paced new production of Othello sees Iago performed by an ensemble of three actors and features live music composed by Michael Fox.
‘Tis in ourselves that we are thus, or thus. Our bodies are gardens, to the which our wills are gardeners. We have reason to cool our raging motions, our carnal stings, our unbitted lusts.’
Othello is at the peak of his success: in life, in war, and in love. Until he finds himself utterly betrayed by the person he has trusted most: ‘honest’ Iago.
In this re-imagining of Othello, Iago’s shape-shifting, corrosive force is portrayed as a contagion that infects Othello’s imagination and surrounds him from all sides. The squad of Iagos revels in different manoeuvres: switching between a public and private ‘face’, replacing each other as reinforcements, and swarming together as a collective, strategic think-tank.
Michael Fox plays Iago. Fox is perhaps best known as Andy the footman in Downton Abbey, both television and film. He also composes music and formed the folk duo Michael and Michelle with his Downton Abbey co-star Michelle Dockery, releasing their first EP with Decca Records last year. His theatre credits include Clybourne Park (Park Theatre), Kerry Jackson (National Theatre), All in a Row, A Lie of the Mind (Southwark Playhouse), and An Enemy of the People (Chichester Theatre). Other television work includes Endeavour,The Ark, Bombing Auschwitz, New Worlds, Littlebigmouth, and Mrs Bradley Mysteries; and forfilm, Dunkirk, The World Will Tremble, Good People, and Bonver.
Martins Imhangbe plays Othello. He has become well known for his portrayal of the boxer Will Mondrich in the Netflix hit series Bridgerton and was commended in the Ian Charleson Award 2019 for his role in The Tragedy of King Richard II. His other theatre credits include Othello (ETT), Death of a Salesman (Young Vic), The Tragedy of King Richard II (Almeida Theatre), Absolute Hell (National Theatre), The Royale (Bush Theatre), Luce (Southwark Playhouse), The Skriker (Royal Exchange Theatre), Lionboy (Complicité), and Romeo and Juliet (Orange Tree Theatre).His film work includes The Last British Execution and Digging.
Orlando James plays Iago. His theatre work includes Even Stillness Breathes Softly Against A Brick Wall (Orange Three Theatre), The Winter’s Tale,‘Tis Pity She’s a Whore, Macbeth (Cheek by Jowl), Shakespeare in Love (West End), Another Country (Theatre Royal Bath and Chichester Theatre), The Madness of George III (Theatre Royal Bath and UK tour), Curious (Riverside Studios) and Country Feedback (The Old Vic). His television work includes Six Wives and Doctor Who; and for film, Wonder Woman II and The Laureate.
Jeremy Neumark Jones plays Iago. His theatre work includes Macbeth, Private Peaceful and The Real Inspector Hound (National Youth Theatre), and Much Ado About Nothing (Thelma Holt). His television work includes The Feed, The Last Post, Siblings, One of Us,Grantchester, and Jekyll and Hyde; and for film Forgiveness, Tiebreaker, Denial, and Leavey.
Rose Riley plays Desdemona. Her theatre work includes Hamnet (RSC), Grafting (Rose Theatre Kingston), The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night Time (National Theatre), Loaded (Birmingham Old Rep), South of Home (Theatre 503), RE:HOME (The Yard Theatre), One Minute (Delirium/The Vaults), and Tiger Country (Hampstead Theatre). Her television work includes Call The Midwife, Doctors and Life After Life; and for film 90 Minutes, Big Brother and Home.
Sinéad Rushe is an Olivier Award nominated theatre director and acting coach.Her theatre work include AntigoneNOW (UC Davis, USA), Loaded (Old Rep Birmingham), Concert (Barbican Theatre, New York and international tour), Night Just Before the Forests (Macau Arts Festival China), Diary of a Madman (Sherman Cymru and international tour), and Out of Time (Barbican Theatre, New York and international tour – Olivier Award nomination). She is the Artistic Director of Creative Actor Training and Lead Acting Tutor at RADA. She is the author of Michael Chekhov’s Acting Technique: A Practitioner’s Guide, and co-translator into French of four plays by Howard Barker. www.sineadrushe.co.uk
IRVINE WELSH’S PORNO TOURS TO THREE NORTHWEST VENUES
New play visits Liverpool Olympia on 5th October, Crewe Lyceum on 6th October and Sale Waterside in Manchester on 7th October
Tour follows a sell-out run at last year’s Edinburgh Festival Fringe and prior to a run in London’s West End
Fifteen years after TRAINSPOTTING, what has become of Renton, Sickboy, Begbie & Spud? Disturbing, shocking & extremely funny. Contains swearing, sexual language, debauchery, drug use and even more swearing. As if you’d expect anything else…
Irvine Welsh’s PORNO is a full-length stage adaptation of the novel by the same name, which sold out one of the largest Pleasance venues for a month long run at Edinburgh Fringe in 2022, earning rave reviews from audiences and critics alike.
After a three-show run at the King’s Theatre in Glasgow, the production visits three Northwest venues this autumn, Liverpool Olympia on 5th October, Crewe Lyceum on 6th October and Sale Waterside (Manchester) on 7th October, forming part of a UK tour. The producer has also just announced a transfer to London’s West End, playing for a season at the Arts Theatre from 29th October 2023.
Mark Renton hasn’t been back to Leith since… well, since he robbed his pals and f*cked off to Amsterdam. Life has been… good? But there’s always been something missing. How will SICKBOY, BEGBIE & SPUD react to the return of RENTON? Have they all settled down and become respectable members of society? Did they CHOOSE LIFE? Of course, they f*cking didn’t!
With an acclaimed cast of Scott Kyle (Outlander, Kilo Two Bravo, The Angel’s Share) as Renton, James McAnerney (Outlander, NEDs, Taggart, Rebus, Nightsleeper)as Sickboy, Jasmine Main (The Nest, Scot Squad, BAFTA Scotland Award Nominee)as Lizzie, Chris Gavin (Days That Shook The World, Starcaster) as Begbie, Kevin Murphy as Spud and Jim Brown as Knox.
PORNO is written and produced by the award-winning Davie Carswell and directed by Jonty Cameron.
Davie Carswell explained:“After a fantastic run at Edinburgh Fringe last year, it’s time to take the show on the road, stopping off in three venues across the Northwest to bring the show to Irvine Welsh fans. The adaptation follows the novel as closely as possible. We’ve used plenty of Irvine’s writing verbatim to give it a really authentic script. I loved T2, but it wasn’t Porno.
“The show deals with reaching a certain age and reflecting on what you’ve achieved, or not as the case may be. As you can expect from characters created by Irvine Welsh, the play will include sexual themes, drugs, and a lot of swearing. As if you’d expect anything else.
“I am really excited to see the reaction of the northwest audiences prior to our West End run and hope audiences will enjoy the ride.”
What the critics said…
“It’s difficult to imagine anyone but Robert Carlyle taking on the role of psychopath Begbie but Chris Gavin is a worthy successor.”
Natalie O’Donoghue – Broadway World
“Coarse, gutsy and funny. The pathos as real as the comedy.”
Mark Fisher – The Guradian
**** “Completely blown away by how great it was!”
Edinburgh Live
**** “This play is excellent. The characters fill the stage and own it.”
One4Review
**** “Everything that Trainspotting lovers wanted and more.”
Theatre Scotland
**** “A fantastic stage adaptation”
Theatre Weekly
**** “Forget Trainspotting 2, this is the real story”.
CREATIVE LEARNING OUT AND ABOUT: JOIN THE THEATRE ROYAL BRIGHTON TEAM FOR FREE PUPPET MAKING WORKSHOPS IN THE CITY THIS SUMMER
(Pictured: Some of the Theatre Royal Brighton Team in puppet form)
Theatre in a Suitcase Puppet Making Workshops: Thu 24 Aug | 11.30am – 2.30pm at Churchill Square Shopping Centre Thu 31 Aug | 11.30am – 2.30pm at Pavilion Gardens Whilst restoration of the iconic façade of Theatre Royal Brighton continues on New Road, the theatre’s Creative Learning team are out and about in the city running free workshops for children and families!
Theatre in a Suitcase puppet making workshops are free drop-in sessions running for the next two Thursdays. At Churchill Square Shopping Centre on Thursday 24 August and Pavilion Gardens on Thursday 31 August, both from 11.30am – 2.30pm.
These workshops invite participants to drop in and join the fun. With no prior registration required, families can simply arrive at any point during the 3-hour session and immerse themselves in a world of artistic expression and imagination. The team will be on hand to guide participants through the process, ensuring that everyone, from little ones to adults, can craft their own unique puppet creations. The best part? Admission is completely free for all, making it a fantastic way for families to spend quality time together while discovering their inner artists. An added bonus: TRB’s ticketing team will also be on hand for anyone wanting to pop along and book any tickets in person whilst their box office is closed!
Theatre Royal Brighton, who have recently released their new season brochure (digital copy here), reopens on Saturday 9 September with a free open day on stage. Saturdays at the Royal programme for children and families returns from Saturday 16 September – with workshops including Saturday Club for 10 – 12 year olds, Skip’s Family Workshops for 5 – 10 years olds and Stories with Skip for 2 – 4 year olds and their grown-ups. These sessions are themed and include a look around the Theatre, arts and crafts, playing, stories and drama; and if you’re wondering who Skip is – he’s a mischievous theatre mouse and the mascot for Skip’s Club events, look out for him when you visit the Theatre! Age is a Stage fun filled weekly sessions for anyone aged 50+ return from Friday 15 Sep. All of these events can be booked online via ATGTickets.com/Brighton.
Nottingham Concert Hall – until Saturday 26th August 2023
Reviewed by Amy V Gathercole
5*****
“Rocky Horror is the most fun, feisty and downright sexy show you’re going to experience in a theatre. Don’t dream it, Be it…”
Fun, frolics and frocks, ‘It’s just a step to the left’ … on a very memorable night at the best show in town. It’s not often that shows run for 50 years and with the iconic cult favourite Rocky Horror Show it’s easy to see why.
Rocky Horror is the most fun, feisty and downright sexy show you’re going to experience in a theatre. Don’t dream it, Be it. Combining elements of; musical theatre, sci-fi, drag, rock’n’roll and horror in its explosion of delight, deviancy and debauchery.
For anyone who doesn’t know what to expect, in its essence, Rocky Horror is a very twisted fairytale. Our conservative couple Brad (Richard Meek) and Janet (Hayley Flaherty) (who both have great comedic timing and powerful vocals) happen upon a house of horrors on a very wet night.
They’ve broken down and are looking for the use of a phone, as chaos and sexuality are (literally) thrust upon them upon their arrival and they quickly learn that a night spent here will change their lives, minds and hearts forever.
It’s the most fun you can have as an audience member, as you’re encouraged to participate in numbers like ‘Time Warp‘ and of course, it’s a show where you will find many of the audience embracing the theme with costumes including sequins and stilettos. You won’t be asked to ‘shh’ by an usher or asked to leave for heckling the narrator – who was expertly played by Joe McFadden (as part of a 4-week stint). He even added some tongue-in-cheek improv to certain lines shouted from the audience and giving it a Nottingham and topical spin in parts – a nice touch that was greeted with a lot of chuckles.
At its heart, it is a show about acceptance, and it’s been uniting LGBTQIA+ people and communities globally for decades. Helping to provide answers for people questioning their identity and providing a safe space for the alternative ego in us all.
Some roles are an actor’s dream come true and the energetic, charismatic and devious role of unforgettable Dr Frank’n’Furter is one of them. Here it’s expertly handled by Stephen Webb, who is having the time of his life cavorting and frolicking around that stage in his pants. Webb is equal parts terrifying, alluring, commanding and sexy all at once but he makes the role his own with every strut he makes on the stage, whilst also echoing the unforgettable Tim Curry.
Another notable performance is that of Riff Raff from Kristian Lavercombe, who has now performed this role in over 2000 shows around the world. Taking on the mannerisms of the creator of RHPS, Richard O’Brien but adding their own creepy and at times sinister aesthetics.
A favourite of mine has always been Columbia (I even dressed as her for the occasion) and here Darcy Finden played her vulnerable and chaotic nature, the unhinged and spurned lover to perfection.
Some of the iconic costumes of Sue Blane have had a modern update, but thankfully the memorable ones can still be found on the stage (and in the audience). The set is brilliant, combining old-school staging techniques to convey humour (particularly in the seduction scenes in the stand-up right bed on the stage) and using more modern lighting effects to create the mesmerising and mysterious elements of the show.
In short, it’s THE party to be at. It’s raucous and racy and it will have you joyously dancing in the aisles as your jaw drops a bit more.
