Birmingham Repertory Theatre – until 9th September 2023
Reviewed by Emma Millward
5*****
Pamela Raith
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!!!
The producers of Harry Potter and the CursedChild – 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 Childis 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 CursedChild 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.
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.
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 (LesMisérables). 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, TwelfthNight 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
Credit Tony Mac
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.
The new cast of Witness for the Prosecution
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.
Due to overwhelming public demand Death Note THE MUSICAL in Concertadds a 10th West End performance at the Lyric Theatre
After selling out 3 shows at the London Palladium in just hours and announcing an unprecedented immediate transfer to another West End Theatre, the Lyric, for 6 additional shows, Death Note THE MUSICAL in Concert today adds a 10th show due to overwhelming public demand.
Death Note THE MUSICAL in Concert will now run from 7- 10 September with an additional Friday matinee at 3pm.
Based on the best-selling Japanese manga series of the same name by Tsugumi Ohba and Takeshi Obata, this ground breaking musical (Winner Best Musical, Korea Musical Awards) has a score by Frank Wildhorn (‘Jekyll & Hyde’, 4 years on Broadway, ‘Dracula’, ‘Bonnie & Clyde’) with lyrics by Jack Murphy and book by Ivan Menchell.
Light Yagami, a bright but dissatisfied high school student in Tokyo 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…
Cast: Aimie Atkinson, Rachel Clare Chan, Jessica Lee, George Maguire, Carl Man, Christian Ray Marbella, Dean John-Wilson, Joaquin Pedro Valdes and an ensemble featuring Boaz Chad, Charlotte Coggin, Jade Copas, Eu Jin Hwang, Yojiro Ichikawa, Deena Kapadia, Patrick Munday.
Creative team: Director and Choreographer Nick Winston Associate Director and Choreographer Alexzandra Sarmiento, Costume Designer Kimie Nakano Musical Supervisor Katy Richardson Musical Director Chris Ma Orchestrator Jason Howland Designer Justin Williams Lighting Designer Ben Cracknell Sound Designer Ben Harrison Casting Harry Blumenau Artwork by Rebecca Pitt Creative Producers Carter Dixon McGill Productions, Indie Theatrical, HoriPro Inc., Pinnacle Productions in association with Greg A. DeLuca, Sharon Azrieli and Wild Yak Productions
Death Note THE MUSICAL premiered in 2015 in Tokyo, Japan. A 2022 Korean production won four awards at the Korea Musical Awards after being nominated in 10 categories (“Death Note offers a glimpse at the future of musicals”, The Korea Herald). In 2017, Netflix released a TV adaptation of ‘Death Note’ starring Willem Defoe!”
LISTINGS INFO
Carter Dixon McGill Productions, Indie Theatrical, HoriPro Inc., Pinnacle Productions in association with Greg A. DeLuca, Sharon Azrieli and Wild Yak Productions present
Actress, singer, comedienne and musical theatre star Jamie Rose Monk sat down with fairypowered to answer 20 Questions. Jamie is currently starring as Claire in the tour of Greatest Days – The Take That Musical. Tour details and tickets can be found here
Lets start with a few favourites
Favourite show (whether you have been in it or not)?
I think my favourite musical is Legally Blonde, it has very clever lyrics. But my favourite show, I saw when I was 16. It’s Frantic Assembly’s Pool No Water. It was so clever and I still think about it and talk to my friends about it now.
Favourite book?
Midnight Library by Matt Haig. I find it very life affirming
Favourite theatre?
I’m a very big fan of the National Theatre in London. But this is my first tour so I’m seeing some beautiful theatres around the country and I think they are all my current favourite that week
Favourite song?
Joni Mitchell and Both Sides Now. or if I want a boogie Stevie Wonder’s Superstition
Favourite music?
I love Motown and Jazz. I also like the story-telling in songs so maybe a folk song and I listen to a lot of musical theatre
Favourite food?
Italian. My boyfriend is Italian and he cooks for me. But when you visit Italy, there are some gorgeous cafes and places to eat
Favourite drink?
You might think it’s boring, but I like a glass of cola
What is your favourite role?
I was in a play by Victoria Wood called Talent in Sheffield. I played the part of Maureen. It was so well written with comedy and pathos and that is my favourite so far
What was your first role?
My first professional role was for a CBBC show called Class Dismissed. It was a mockumentary and I played various different roles, a teacher, a dinner lady and a student who had been trapped in the school since the 80’s
And what role would you really like to play?
I’d like to be a one of the Witches in Macbeth and I love to be Madame Thenardier in Les Miserables
If you weren’t a performer what would you be?
I think I’d stay in the industry, maybe as a writer. But if not I’d be interested in becoming a mediator in the Justice System, mediating between the criminals and their victims.
What made you decide to be a performer?
I really enjoyed it as a child, doing dance and acting clubs. I did O and A levels in Drama so it became an obvious path for when I wen to university. I then had to decide at 21 if I wanted to go down the professionally performing route and I was advised to do something I loved, because I’d be doing it for a long time. And here I am
Do you enjoy touring?
Yes. This is my first actual tour although I have travelled for work before. I was told it would be hard work, but I’m really enjoying it. New theatres, new places. You get a flash of each, a chance to explore and not long enough to get bored. And different audiences keep the show fresh
What advice would you give 16 year old Jamie?
To keep working hard at what you are doing. Don’t compete and don’t compare because every person’s journey is different.
Do you fancy branching out in Producing or Directing?
I’m not sure about producing, but I have done some directing before. Little shows for friends just small scale but I find it interesting
What was the last stage show you saw and really enjoyed?
We were in Glasgow last week and Edinburgh this so I spent Sunday at the Fringe. I saw 6 shows. A one man parody of Die Hard, a new play called Buff and some physical comedy called The Man Who Thought He Knew Too Much. I loved all 3 of them
Favourite line from any show?
In Greatest Days they have to say sorry which is Parakalo. “Parakalo, we are ever so parakalo” That’s my favourite line
If you could be anyone else for the day, who would it be?
A Secretary or the note taker, a fly on the wall, in the room where all the important decisions are being made. I don’t want to be the decision maker, but I’d like to listen while they make the decisions
What are the nicest/weirdest things you have ever received from fans?
A fan of Greatest Days brought us all some treats that was nice. But when I was in A Midsummer Night’s Dream at the Bridge Theatre, a lovely woman embroidered our characters’ names onto hankies and gave them to us. It was so thoughtful and a really nice keepsake of the show
Can you tell us what you will be up to next?
Touring with Greatest Days and then who knows? The great and worst thing about this profession is you don’t know what you will be doing next. It’s exciting and scary at the same timeJamie can be seen as Claire, in my opinion the best character in Greatest Days on tour for the next few months. In Edinburgh till 2nd September, moving onto Nottingham, Bristol, Bradford and Southampton in the next few weeks. For details of the full tour schedule and to buy tickets check here
The Tony Award winning Broadway musical AIN’T TOO PROUD – THE LIFE AND TIMES OF THE TEMPTATIONS enters its final weeks in the West End at the Prince Edward Theatre, with its final performance on Sunday 17 September 2023, having delighted audiences in the capital since its opening on 31 March 2023. ainttooproudmusical.co.uk
AIN’T TOO PROUD stars Cameron Bernard Jones as Melvin Franklin, Kyle Cox as Paul Williams, Sifiso Mazibuko as Otis Williams, Tosh Wanogho-Maud as David Ruffin and Mitchell Zhangazha as Eddie Kendricks.
The company is completed by Evonnee Bentley-Holder, Natalia Brown, Ryan Carter, Hannah Fairclough, Christopher Gopaul, Daniel Haswell, Naomi Katiyo, Akmed Junior Khemalai, Holly Liburd, Darnell Mathew-James, Simeon Montague, Posi Morakinyo, Sadie-Jean Shirley, Michael James Stewart, Toyan Thomas-Browne, Dylan Turner and Kevin Yates.
AIN’T TOO PROUD – The Life and Times of The Temptations, which won the 2019 Tony Award for Best Choreography, is the electrifying new musical that follows the remarkable journey of the group from the streets of Detroit to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. With their signature dance moves and unmistakable harmonies, they rose to the top of the charts creating an amazing 42 Top Ten Hits with 14 reaching number one. The rest is history – how they met, how they rose, the ground-breaking heights they hit, and how personal and political conflicts threatened to tear the group apart as the United States fell into civil unrest. This thrilling story of brotherhood, family, loyalty and betrayal is set to the beat of the group’s Grammy Award-winning music including the hits My Girl, Just My Imagination, Papa Was a Rollin’ Stone, Get Ready, Ain’t Too Proud to Beg and so many more.
AIN’T TOO PROUD has a book by Kennedy Prize-winning playwright Dominique Morisseau and reunites two-time Tony Award winning director Des McAnuff with Tony and Olivier Award winning choreographer Sergio Trujilio, whose previous collaborations include the Tony Award winning hit show Jersey Boys. It has Scenic Design by Tony Award nominee Robert Brill with Costume Design by Tony Award winner Paul Tazewell. Tony Award winning Lighting Designer Howell Binkley and Tony Award winning Sound Designer Steve Canyon Kennedy united once again following their success working together on Jersey Boys. Projection Design is by Drama Desk Award winner Peter Nigrini, Hair and Wig Design by Charles G. LaPointe. Music Supervision and Arrangements are by Kenny Seymour, Orchestrations by Drama Desk Award winner Harold Wheeler, Music Direction by Matt Smith and Casting by Pippa Ailion CDG and Natalie Gallacher CDG.
AIN’T TOO PROUD is produced in the West End by Ira Pittelman, Tom Hulce, Stephen Gabriel and Jamie Wilson.
FREDDIE FOX, TANYA REYNOLDS AND GRETA SCACCHI TO STAR IN OLIVER GOLDSMITH’S SHE STOOPS TO CONQUER
Orange Tree Theatre (OT) today announces the full cast for Oliver Goldsmith’s She Stoops to Conquer. Artistic Director Tom Littler directs Freddie Fox and Tanya Reynolds as Charles Marlow and Kate Hardcastle, with David Horovitch and Greta Scacchi as Mr and Mrs Hardcastle, joined by Sabrina Bartlett, Richard Derrington, Guy Hughes, and Robert Mountford in this celebration of chaos and courtship.The production opens on 22 November, with previews from 18 November, and runs until 6 January.
Artistic Director Tom Littler said today:“We are delighted to welcome such a tremendous company for Oliver Goldsmith’s heartwarming and hilarious play. Two hundred and fifty years since it premiered, it remains one of the liveliest, sharpest, and most generous plays in the canon. She Stoops to Conquer brought laughter back into the 18th century theatre, but it also introduced a new level of acute psychology and paved the way for Oscar Wilde, Noel Coward and more.”
Oliver Goldsmith’s
Paste stylesLockCreate Reusable blockGroup
SHE STOOPS TO CONQUER
Directed by Tom Littler with Francesca Ellis; set and costumes by Neil Irish and Anett Black; lighting by Jonathan Chan; music and sound by Tom Attwood; movement by Julia Cave
18 November 2023 – 6 January 2024
OT On Screen: 16 – 19 January
Ask me no questions and I’ll tell you no fibs.
Christmas at Hardcastle Hall. David Horovitch (Miss Marple, Mr Turner) and Emmy Award-winning Greta Scacchi (Heat and Dust, White Mischief, War and Peace) play Mr and Mrs Hardcastle, who have rather different ideas of the perfect Christmas. She craves cool jazz and cocktails; he wants a warm fire and the company of his bookish daughter Kate. Kate Hardcastle (Tanya Reynolds, Sex Education, A Mirror) can’t wait to meet her intended fiancé, Charles Marlow (Olivier Award nominee Freddie Fox, The Great, Slow Horses, House of the Dragon). But when Marlow is stricken with nerves, Kate must act fast.
Meanwhile, confusion reigns. Kate’s friend Constance (Sabrina Bartlett, Bridgerton, The Larkins, While the Sun Shines) is trying to steal her own diamonds to run off to France with her dim-witted beau, Hastings (Robert Mountford, Spike, The Habit of Art, UK Theatre Award nominee). Tony Lumpkin (Guy Hughes, Cyrano, The Little Matchgirl) has tricked the visitors into believing that Hardcastle Hall is a pub. And Diggory (Richard Derrington, The Tempest, The Archers) is rapidly proving to be the worst butler in the world.
OT Artistic Director Tom Littler (The Circle), with Francesca Ellis, directs an all-star cast in the 250th anniversary production of Oliver Goldsmith’s glorious comedy of misunderstanding. A riot of mistaken identities and marital mishaps is relocated to a 1930s country house world of Jeeves and Wooster.
Oliver Goldsmith’s(1730 – 1774) best-known works are his novel The Vicar of Wakefield, long poem The Deserted Village, and play She Stoops to Conquer. The Orange Tree previously staged his play The Good Natur’d Man.
Sabrina Bartlett plays Constance Neville. Her theatre credits include While The Sun Shines (Orange Tree Theatre), The Seagull (Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre) and Cyrano De Bergerac (Southwark Playhouse). Her television credits include The Larkins, Bridgerton, Victoria III, The Innocents, Knightfall, Versailles 2, Game Of Thrones, Virtuoso, Davinci’s Demons Season III, Poldark, Midsomer Murders XVII, The Passing Bells, Doctor Who, Holby City, Suspects; and for film, The Crossing and Respite.
Richard Derrington plays Diggory and Sir Charles. His theatre credits include The Tempest, For Services Rendered (Jermyn Street Theatre), Cabaret (English Theatre Of Frankfurt), Chekhov Shorts – The Proposal, The Bear & Swan Song (Everyman Theatre Cheltenham), Mrs Warren’s Profession, Cider With Rosie (Everyman Theatre Cheltenham, Tour), Spanish Wives (The Bridge Company), Dear Liar (Vienna English Theatre), Neighbourhood Watch (London, New York, UK Tour), Swan Song, A Christmas Carol, Death of A Salesman, The Tempest, Midwinter Dream (Bridge House Theatre), Holiday Snap, It Runs In The Family, Out Of Order (Mill at Sonning), Breaking The Code (Chester Gateway Theatre), Virtual Reality, Haunting Julia, The Boy Who Fell Into A Book (Stephen Joseph Theatre and Tour), Henry IV, Henry V, Henry VI , Coriolanus, Merry Wives Of Windsor, Dance of Death (Royal Shakespeare Company), Hamlet (Old Vic), Joseph And The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (Liverpool Playhouse), The Maids (Salisbury Playhouse), Cinderella And Her Naughty Naughty Sisters (Lyric Hammersmith), King Lear (Union Theatre) and Over The Moon (New Wimbledon Studio). His television credits include The Queen, Doc Martin (Series 4), Doctors, The Bill, Casualty, Dream Team, My Dad’s Prime Minister, EastEnders, Agatha Christie’s Poirot (Season 5), Jupiter Moon, New Avengers; and for film, The Gurnsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society, Unhallowed Ground and Planet Rethink.
Freddie Fox plays Charles Marlow. His theatre credits include Hamlet (Guildford Shakespeare Company), Travesties (West End, Olivier Award nomination), An Ideal Husband (West End), Edmond de Bergerac (Birmingham), A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Southwark Playhouse), Romeo and Juliet (Sheffield Crucible), The Judas Kiss (Duke of York’s Theatre), Hay Fever (Noel Coward Theatre), Cause Célèbre, A Flea in Her Ear (Old Vic) and The Last 5 Years (Barbican). His television work includes House of the Dragon, Slow Horses, The Great, The Pursuit of Love, White House Farm, The Crown, Cucumber and Banana; The Mystery of Edwin Drood, The Shadow Line, Any Human Heart, Worried About the Boy and Parade’s End; and for film, Pride, The Riot Club,The Three Musketeers, St Trinian’s 2: The Legend of Fritton’s Gold, Frankenstein, Knights of the Round Table: King Arthur and Fanny Lye Deliver’d.
David Horovitch plays Mr Hardcastle. His theatre credits include Absurd Person Singular, When We Are Married (Garrick Theatre), Losing Louis (Trafalgar Studios), Taking Sides and Collaboration (Duchess Theatre), Bedroom Farce (Duke of York’s Theatre), Mary Stuart, Life is a Dream (Donmar Warehouse), Cymbeline, Much Ado About Nothing, Love’s Labour’s Lost (RSC), Spinning into Butter, Seven Jewish Children (Royal Court), Hysteria (Hampstead Theatre), The Tempest, Major Barbara (Manchester Royal Exchange) and Grief (National Theatre). For television he is perhaps most well-known for his role as Inspector Slack in Miss Marple and further television credits include House of The Dragon, The Murders At White House Farm, Dad’s Army, Piece of Cake, Great Expectations, Bognor, Hold the Back Page, Piece of Cake, Love Hurts, Westbeach, Just William and Ivanhoe; and for film, One of Us, The Creeping, Summerland, Rebecca, Mr Turner, Solomon and Gaenor, Cassandra’s Dream and The Infiltrator.
Guy Hughes plays Tony Lumpkin.His theatre credits include The Nutcracker, Cyrano, Twelfth Night and The Little Matchgirl (Bristol Old Vic), Two Gentlemen of Verona and The Little Matchgirl (Shakespeare’s Globe), The Winter’s Tale (Cheek By Jowl), Othello and The Merchant of Venice (Royal Shakespeare Company); and for film The Rise and Fall of The Crays.
Tanya Reynolds plays Kate Hardcastle. Her theatre credits include A Mirror and Last Words You’ll Hear (Almeida Theatre), It’s Not Like It’s Illegal (Theatre Royal Stratford East), Scenes with Girls (Royal Court). Her television credits include The Decameron, 4Stories: OnThe Edge, The Baby, I Hate You, Sex Education, Breeders, and Delicious. And for film, Timestalkers, Harold, The Purple Crayon, Emma, Undergods, Fanny Lye Deliver’d, and The Revenger: an Unromantic Comedy.
Greta Scacchi plays Mrs Hardcastle. Her theatre credits include The Entertainer (Garrick Theatre), The Glass Menagerie (West Yorkshire Playhouse), The Seagull (Black Swan, Perth), Bette & Joan (West End), Nothing Personal, Mary Stuart (Ensemble Theatre).Her television credits include OneTrillion Dollars, The Royal Nanny, Darby and Joan, The Terror, Poirot – Elephants Can Remember, The Trojan Horse, Miss Austen Regrets. She is best known for her roles in the films White Mischief, Presumed Innocent, The Player, Emma, Rasputin: Dark Servant of Destiny and Looking for Alibrandi. Other film credits include He Aint Heavy, Run Rabit Run,Ta L’avevo Detto, Waiting for the Barbarians, Head Full Of Honey, Operation Finale, and La Tenerezza.
Robert Mountford plays George Hastings.His theatre credits include The Habit of Art, Into the Night and The Haunting of Alice Bowles (Original Theatre Company), All’s Well That Ends Well, Cancelling Socrates, The Odyssey (Jermyn Street Theatre), Spike (UK tour/Newbury Watermill), and Vagabonds – My Phil Lynott Odyssey (UK tour). Most recently he has appeared as surgeon Rajan Sinha in Holby City. Other television credits include Square, Torn, SilentWitness, One Night, EastEnders, Casualty, Doctors, Reverse Psychology, The World According to Bex and Michael Wood’s, The Story of India and London’s Burning.
Artistic Director of the OT Tom Littler directs, with Community Director Francesca Ellis. His theatre credits include The Circle (Orange Tree Theatre), which is touring in spring 2024, Saturday Night (Jermyn Street Theatre, Arts Theatre), A Little Night Music (Budapest) Good Grief (Theatre Royal Bath), Dances of Death (Gate Theatre), Martine (Finborough Theatre), Miss Julie and Creditors (Theatre by the Lake, Keswick, Jermyn Street), Tonight at 8.30, Cancelling Socrates, The Tempest, The Odyssey, 15 Heroines (Jermyn Street Theatre), Cabaret (English Theatre Frankfurt, Deutsches Theater Munich), and Hamlet (Guildford Shakespeare Company). He was Artistic Director of Jermyn Street Theatre from 2017 to 2022, before moving to the OT.
The Orange Tree (OT) is an award-winning, independent theatre. Recognised as a powerhouse that creates high-quality productions of new plays alongside classics and rediscoveries, it entertains 70,000 people across the UK every year.
The OT’s home in Richmond, South West London, is an intimate theatre with the audience seated all around the stage: watching a performance here is truly a unique experience. We believe in the power of dramatic stories to entertain, thrill and challenge us; plays that enrich our lives by enhancing our understanding of ourselves and each other.
As a registered charity (266128) sitting at the heart of its community, we work with 10,000 people in Richmond and beyond through participatory theatre projects for people of all ages and abilities. Our mission is to enable audiences to experience the next generation of theatre talent, experiment with ground-breaking new drama and explore the plays from the past that inspire the theatre-makers of the present. Operating without regular support from Arts Council England, the OT relies on the support of its audiences and funders to raise £500k a year to create this outstanding work on stage and in the community.
