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MULTI-PLATINUM

AUSTRALIAN RECORDING ARTIST

EMILY WILLIAMS

TO STAR AS RACHEL MARRON

IN THE

AWARD-WINNING INTERNATIONAL

SMASH HIT MUSICAL 

THE BODYGUARD

FROM 12 SEPTEMBER 2023

AT THE LIVERPOOL EMPIRE

Producers, Michael Harrison and David Ian are delighted to announce that multi-platinum Australian recording artist Emily Williams will star as Rachel Marron in the award-winning international smash hit musical THE BODYGUARD, from Tuesday 12 September 2023 at the Liverpool Empire. www.thebodyguardmusical.com.

Emily Williams returns to the role of Rachel Marron, having previously starred in the 2017 Australian production, which marked her theatrical debut. Emily rose to fame on Australian Idol, becoming the runner-up of the competition. Following this, she found commercial success as a member of the Australian girl group Young Divas before going solo gaining numerous ‘Favourite Australian Female Artist’ nominations.

Emily will join Emmerdale and Hollyoaks star Ayden Callaghan as Frank Farmer, with Emily-Mae as Nicki Marron, John Macaulay as Bill Devaney, Graham Elwell as Tony, James Groom as Sy Spector, Marios Nicolaides as Stalker and Phil Atkinson as Ray Court.  The role of Fletcher will be shared by Ryo Appadu, Kaylen Luke, Manasseh Mapira and Sam Stephens.

The cast is completed by Alexandros Beshonges, Kayne Gordon, Jack Hardwick, James-Lee Harris, Kalisha Johnson, Samantha Mbolekwa, Liam Morris, Abbie Quinnen, Charlotte Scally, Yiota Theo and Marco Venturini.

Ayden Callaghan is best known for his roles as Miles De Souza in Emmerdale and fan favourite Joe Roscoe in Hollyoaks. Additional television credits include Doctors, Eastenders, Bad Education, Casualty and The Bill. His stage credits include the roles of Dr Treves in The Elephant Man at The Trafalgar Studios, Malcolm in Alan Ayckbourn’s Bedroom Farce on UK Tour, directed by Peter Hall, and Dean Snaith in Ayckbourn’s If I Were You on UK Tour.

Emily-Mae’s theatre credits include Disney’s Frozen and City of Angels both in the West End, Are You as Nervous as I Am? and Brooklyn the Musical at Greenwich Theatre, the National Tour of Paul Kerryson’s Hairspray, Little Shop of Horrors at Storyhouse, Chester and The Producers at the Royal Exchange.

Former Secret Service agent turned bodyguard, Frank Farmer, is hired to protect superstar Rachel Marron from an unknown stalker. Each expects to be in charge; what they don’t expect is to fall in love. A romantic thriller, THE BODYGUARD features a host of irresistible classics including Queen of the Night, So Emotional, One Moment in Time, Saving All My Love, Run to You, I Have Nothing, I Wanna Dance with Somebody and one of the biggest hit songs of all time – I Will Always Love You.

Based on Lawrence Kasdan’s 1992 Oscar nominated Warner Bros. movie starring Whitney Houston and Kevin Costner, THE BODYGUARD, directed by Thea Sharrock with book by Oscar winning Alex Dinelaris, had its world premiere at the Adelphi Theatre in London’s West End and was nominated for four Olivier Awards. A sell out 18 month UK and Ireland tour followed, before the show returned to the West End at the Dominion Theatre ahead of a second sell out tour of the UK and Ireland in 2018/19.  To date, THE BODYGUARD has played to over 3.6 million people in 15 countries and 45 US cities. Countries include the Netherlands, Germany, South Korea, China, Canada, Italy, Australia, Spain, France, the US, Austria and Japan.

THE BODYGUARD 2023/2024 TOUR

www.thebodyguardmusical.com

LISTINGS

Tuesday 12 – Saturday 16 September 2023

Liverpool Empire

www.atgtickets.com/venues/liverpool-empire

Tuesday 19 – Saturday 23 September 2023

Dublin, Bord Gais Energy Theatre

www.bordgaisenergytheatre.ie

Monday 25 – Saturday 30 September 2023

Belfast, Grand Opera House

www.goh.co.uk

Tuesday 3 – Saturday 7 October 2023

Inverness, Eden Court

www.eden-court.co.uk

Tuesday 10 – Saturday 14 October 2023
Sheffield Lyceum  

www.sheffieldtheatres.co.uk

Monday 16 – Saturday 21 October 2023

Eastbourne, Congress Theatre

www.eastbournetheatres.co.uk

Monday 23 – Saturday 28 October 2023

Woking, New Victoria Theatre

www.atgtickets.com/venues/new-victoria-theatre

Monday 30 October- Saturday 4 November 2023

Southampton, Mayflower Theatre

www.mayflower.org.uk

Monday 6 – Saturday 11 November 2023

Blackpool, Winter Gardens

www.wintergardensblackpool.co.uk

Tuesday 14 – Saturday 18 November 2023

Truro, Hall for Cornwall

www.hallforcornwall.co.uk

Monday 27 November – Saturday 2 December 2023

Oxford, New Theatre

www.atgtickets.com/venues/new-theatre-oxford

Monday 4 – Saturday 30 December 2023

Birmingham, The Alexandra

www.atgtickets.com/venues/the-alexandra-theatre-birmingham

Wednesday 3 – Saturday 6 January 2024

Glasgow, Theatre Royal

www.atgtickets.com/venues/theatre-royal-glasgow

MULTI-AWARD-WINNING PLAY LIFE OF PI TO PLAY AN EXTENDED SEASON AT THE

CHICHESTER FESTIVAL THEATRE THIS AUTUMN

THE SHOW VISITS THE VENUE AS PART OF A YEAR-LONG UK AND IRELAND TOUR, BEGINNING ITS JOURNEY AT SHEFFIELD’S LYCEUM THEATRE THIS AUGUST

HAVING OPENED ON BROADWAY THIS SPRING, THE SHOW RECENTLY ADDED THREE TONY AWARDS TO ITS FIVE OLIVIER AWARDS

INTRODUCING DIVESH SUBASKARAN WHO LEADS

THE COMPANY AS ‘PI’

www.lifeofpionstage.com

Simon Friend Entertainment is today delighted to announce that Lolita Chakrabarti’s dazzling Olivier Award-winning stage adaption of Yann Martel’s best-selling novel Life of Pi, will play an extended run at the celebrated Chichester Festival Theatre this autumn where it plays from Thursday 16 November – Saturday 2 December 2023. Tickets go on sale to Friends on Thursday 27^th July at www.cft.org.uk. General booking will open on Saturday 16 September with CFT’s full Winter Season (to be announced in early September).

Beginning its first-ever tour of the UK and Ireland at the Sheffield’s Lyceum theatre this August 2023, and starring an extraordinary life-size puppeteered Bengal Tiger, Divesh Subaskaran is confirmed to make his professional debut in the central role of Pi.

He is joined by Antony Antunes, who performs as Tiger Hind / Cook / Father Martin, Adwitha Arumugam as Pi Alternate, Bhawna Bhawsar as Lulu Chen/Mrs Biology Kumar, Ralph Birtwell as Mamaji/ Admiral Balbir Singh, Kriss Dosanjh as Father, Sebastian Goffin as Tiger Head, Akash Heer asTiger Head,  Romina Hytten as Tiger Heart and Hind,  Katie Kennedy-Rose as Tiger Heart and Hind, Aizah Khan as Tiger Heart and Hind, Chand Martinez as Pandit-ji,  Keshini Misha as Rani, 

Goldy Notay as Amma, Sharita Oomeer as Lulu Chen / Mrs Biology Kumar, Kate Rowsell as Tiger Heart and Hind, Lilian Tsang as Mrs Okamoto/Zaida Khan/Ships Captain, Peter Twose and Tiger Head/Voice of Richard Parker/Cook/Father Martin. 

‘BREATH-TAKING. IT WILL MAKE YOU BELIEVE IN THE POWER OF THEATRE.

ROAR IT OUT: THIS IS A HIT’ The Times

Life of Pi, which concluded its West End run on 15 January 2023, first opened to critical acclaim at the Crucible theatre in Sheffield in 2019. International commitments for the show include its North American Premiere at the American Repertory Theater at Harvard University where it ran from 4 December 2022 to 29 January 2023, followed by its Broadway premiere at the Gerald Schoenfeld Theater where it opened on 9 March 2023. A European tour will follow the tour of the UK and Ireland and there are plans underway for a tour of Australia and Asia.

‘IT WILL MAKE YOU BELIEVE IN THEATRE. A TRIUMPH.’

SUNDAY TIMES

Life of Pi won five Olivier Awards in April 2022. As well as Best New Play, and Best Actor for Hiran Abeysekera (the original Pi); in an historic first for the Olivier Awards – the seven performers who puppeteer the Tiger ‘Richard Parker’ were collectively awarded Best Actor in a Supporting Role. The production also picked up awards for set (Tim Hatley, Nick Barnes and Finn Caldwell), and lighting design (Tim Lutkin and Andrzej Goulding).

Life of Pi made its Broadway premiere at the Gerald Schoenfeld Theater this spring, opening on 9 March 2023 to celebratory reviews and five Tony Award nominations. It went on to win in three categories: Best Scenic Design of a Play (Tim Hatley & Andrzej Goulding) and Best Lighting Design of a Play (Tim Lutkin) and Best Sound Design of a Play (Carolyn Downing).

‘THE PUPPETRY IS OUT OF THIS WORLD’

DAILY MAIL

The production is directed by Max Webster, Set and Costume Designer is Tim Hatley, the Puppet Designers are Nick Barnes and Finn Caldwell, the Puppet and Movement Director is Finn Caldwell, the Video Designer is Andrzej Goulding, the Lighting Designer is Tim Lutkin, theSound Designer is Carolyn Downing, the Composer is Andrew T Mackay, Dramaturgy is by Jack Bradley, the Casting Director is Polly Jerrold, the Associate Director is Leigh Toney, the Associate Puppetry and Movement Director is Scarlet Wilderink, the Associate Set Designer is Ross Edwards, the Associate Puppet Designer is Caroline Bowman,  the Costume Supervisor is Sabrina Cuniberto and the Props Supervisor is Ryan O’Conner.  

Based on one of the best-loved works of fiction – winner of the Man Booker Prize, selling over fifteen million copies worldwide – Life of Pi is a breath-taking new theatrical adaptation of an epic journey of endurance and hope.

After a cargo ship sinks in the middle of the vast Pacific Ocean, there are five survivors stranded on a single lifeboat – a hyena, a zebra, an orangutan, a sixteen year-old boy and a 450-pound Royal Bengal tiger. Time is against them, nature is harsh, who will survive?

Award-winning writer Yann Martel’s works include The Facts Behind the Helsinki Roccamatios (1993), Self (1996), We Ate the Children Last (2004), Beatrice and Virgil (2010) – a New York Times Bestseller and a Financial Times Best Book, 101 Letters to a Prime Minister (2012) – a collection of letters to the prime minister of Canada; and The High Mountains of Portugal (2016).  

‘EVERYTHING ABOUT THIS PRODUCTION IS AMAZING.’

OBSERVER

Life of Pi is produced by Simon Friend in association with Playing Field and Tulchin/Bartner.

LIFE OF PI TOUR

28 August 2023 – 29 June 2024

Sheffield Lyceum

29 August – 16 September 2023

Milton Keynes Theatre

19 – 23 September 2023

Norwich Theatre Royal

25 – 30 September 2023

Woking, New Victoria Theatre

2 – 7 October 2023

Southend Cliffs Pavilion

9 – 14 October 2023

Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff   

17 – 21 October 2023

Marlowe Theatre, Canterbury

23 – 28 October 2023

Alhambra Theatre, Bradford

6 – 11 November 2023

Chichester Festival Theatre    Tickets on sale from September 2023

16 November – 2 December    

Lowry, Salford

5 December 2023 – 6 January 2024 

Leeds Grand Theatre

9 – 13 January 2024

Bristol Hippodrome

15 – 20 January 2024

Newcastle Theatre Royal    

23 January – 3 February 2024

Birmingham Hippodrome

12 – 17 February 2024

Grand Opera House, Belfast    

20 – 24 February 2024

Bord Gais Energy Theatre, Dublin   

26 February – 2 March 2024

Theatre Royal Plymouth

5 – 9 March 2024

Leicester Curve

12 – 17 March 2024

Bromley, Churchill Theatre

19 – 23 March

Hull New Theatre     

25 – 30 March 2024

Northampton Derngate Theatre

2 – 6 April 2024

Coventry Belgrade

8 – 13 April 2024

Nottingham Theatre Royal    

15 – 20 April 2024

Wolverhampton Grand Theatre    

22 – 27 April 2024

Liverpool Empire

29 April – 4 May 2024

Severn Theatre, Shrewsbury    

6 – 11 May 2024

Mayflower Theatre, Southampton

14 – 18 May 2024

Truro, Hall for Cornwall

28 May – 01 June 2024

Cheltenham Everyman Theatre

3 – 15 June 2024

Glasgow Theatre Royal

17 – 22 June 2024

Edinburgh Festival Theatre

25 – 29 June 2024

LIFE OF PI

CREATIVE TEAM

Yann Martel     Original Author   

Lolita Chakrabarti     Adaptation  

Max Webster     Director

Tim Hatley     Set & Costume Designer

Finn Caldwell     Puppet & Movement Director

Nick Barnes & Finn Caldwell   Puppet Designers

Andrzej Goulding    Video Projection Designer

Tim Lutkin     Lighting Designer

Carolyn Downing    Sound Designer

Andrew T Mackay    Composer

Jack Bradley      Dramaturgy

Polly Jerrold     Casting Director

Leigh Toney     Associate Director

Scarlet Wilderink     Associate Puppetry & Movement Director

Ross Edwards     Associate Set Designer

Caroline Bowman    Associate Puppet Designer

Sabrina Cuniberto    Costume Supervisor

Ryan O’Conner     Props Supervisor

www.lifeofpionstage.com

 SOCIAL MEDIA

Facebook/Instagram/Twitter  @LifeOfPiWestEnd

FULL CASTING ANNOUNCED FOR UK TOUR OF MICHAEL FRAYN’S ‘NOISES OFF’STARRING LIZA GODDARD, MATTHEW KELLY & SIMON SHEPHERD 

DIRECT FROM THE WEST END 

UK Tour: from 23 August 2023 

The 40th anniversary production of Michael’s Frayn’s multi award-winning farce, Noises Off is heading out on a major UK tour this autumn, following a sell-out West End season at the Phoenix Theatre earlier this year. Directed by Lindsay Posner, the touring production will star Liza Goddard as Dotty Otley, Matthew Kelly as Selsdon Mowbray and Simon Shepherd as Lloyd Dallas. They will be joined on tour by Simon Coates as Frederick Fellowes, Lucy Robinson as Belinda Blair, Daniel Rainford as Tim Allgood, Dan Fredenburgh as Garry Lejeune, Lisa Ambalavanar as Brooke Ashton and Nikhita Lesler as Poppy Norton-Taylor. 

Noises Off will open at Birmingham Rep on 23 August for three weeks, before touring to a further 13 cities nationwide until 13 January 2024 including: Newcastle, Bath, Truro, Blackpool, Poole, Salford, Guildford, York, Norwich, Aberdeen, Milton Keynes, Sheffield and Chichester. Further dates and casting for 2024 to be announced. 

One of the greatest British comedies ever written, Michael Frayn’s celebrated play serves up a riotous double bill, a play within a play. Hurtling along at breakneck speed, Noises Off follows the on and off-stage antics of a touring theatre company as they stumble their way through the fictional farce, ‘Nothing On’. From the shambolic final rehearsals before opening night in Weston-super-Mare, to a disastrous matinee in Ashton-Under-Lyme seen entirely, and hilariously silently, from backstage, we share their final, brilliantly catastrophic performance in Stockton-on-Tees. 

Liza Goddard’s extensive stage comedy credits include Life of Riley, Communicating Doors, Season’s Greetings and Relatively Speaking. Matthew Kelly won the Olivier Award for Of Mice and Men and his West End credits include Waiting for Godot, Comedians and Troilus and Cressida.Simon Shepherd’s many stage and TV credits include Peak Practice and West End productions of Posh, The Duck House, Rapture, Art and Hay Fever. 

Hailed as the master of farce comedy, multi award-winning playwright and novelist Michael Frayn has inspired a generation of comedies since his production of Noises Off first opened in 1982. Now considered a comedy classic, Frayn’s legendary play has enjoyed stagings worldwide, including five productions in the West End and three on Broadway. 

The 40th anniversary production also returns to the West End in September playing at the Theatre Royal Haymarket with Felicity Kendal, Jonathan Coy and Alexander Hanson reprising their roles. The West End production will run concurrently with the touring production. 

Noises Off is written by Michael Frayn. Directed by Lindsay Posner, with design by Simon Higlett, lighting by Paul Pyant, sound by Gregory Clarke, composition by Will Stuart, movement and fight direction by Ruth Cooper-Brown and casting by Ginny Schiller. The Associate Director is George Jibson. Produced by Theatre Royal Bath Productions in association with Birmingham Rep. 

Listing Information: 

NOISES OFF UK TOUR 2023-24 

Wed 23 – Sat 9 Sep

BIRMINGHAM Rep

BOX OFFICE 0121 236 4455 | birmingham-rep.co.uk

Tue 12 – Sat 16 Sep

NEWCASTLE Theatre Royal

BOX OFFICE 08448 11 21 21 | theatreroyal.co.uk

Tue 19 – Sat 23 Sep

BATH Theatre Royal

BOX OFFICE 01225 448844 | theatreroyal.org.uk

Tue 26 – Sat 30 Sep

TRURO Hall for Cornwall

BOX OFFICE 01872 262466 | hallforcornwall.co.uk

Tue 3 – Sat 7 Oct

BLACKPOOL Grand Theatre

BOX OFFICE 01253 290 190 | blackpoolgrand.co.uk

Tue 10 – Sat 14 Oct

POOLE Lighthouse, Poole’s Centre for the Arts

BOX OFFICE 01202 280000 I lighthousepoole.co.uk

Tue 17 – Sat 21 Oct

SALFORD The Lowry

BOX OFFICE 0343 208 6000 | thelowry.com

Tue 24 – Sat 28 Oct

GUILDFORD Yvonne Arnaud Theatre

BOX OFFICE 01483 44 00 00 | yvonne-arnaud.co.uk

Tue 31 Oct – Sat 4 Nov

YORK Theatre Royal

BOX OFFICE 01904 623568 | yorktheatreroyal.co.uk

Tue 7 – Sat 11 Nov

NORWICH Theatre Royal

BOX OFFICE 01603 63 00 00 | norwichtheatre.org

Tue 14 – Sat 18 Nov

ABERDEEN His Majesty’s Theatre

BOX OFFICE 01224 641122 | aberdeenperformingarts.com

Tue 21 – Sat 25 Nov

MILTON KEYNES Theatre

BOX OFFICE 0844 871 7652 | atgtickets.com/miltonkeynes

Tue 28 Nov – Sat 2 Dec

SHEFFIELD Lyceum Theatre

BOX OFFICE 0114 249 6000 | sheffieldtheatres.co.uk

Tue 9 – Sat 13 Jan

CHICHESTER Festival Theatre – ON SALE SOON

BOX OFFICE 01243 781312 | cft.org.uk

Mark Goucher, Gavin Kalin and Matthew Gale present
SHREK THE MUSICAL

• FIRST LOOK AT THE BRAND-NEW PRODUCTION OF SHREK THE MUSICAL UK AND IRELAND TOUR
   
• THE OFFICIAL DREAMWORKS PRODUCTION OPENED AT THEATRE ROYAL PLYMOUTH ON FRIDAY 21 JULY AND  TOURS THROUGH TO APRIL 2024.
   
• THE SHREK-TACULAR PRODUCTION STARS ANTONY LAWRENCE (SHREK), JOANNE CLIFTON (FIONA), JAMES GILLAN (LORD FARQUAAD), BRANDON LEE SEARS (DONKEY) AND CHERECE RICHARDS AS THE DRAGON.

Footage and images are released today for the brand-new production of Shrek The Musical which opened at Theatre Royal Plymouth on Friday 21 July. The official Dreamworks production is touring through to April 2024 with a Shrek-tacular principal cast line up including Antony Lawrence (Shrek), Joanne Clifton (Princess Fiona), James Gillan (Lord Farquaad), Brandon Lee Sears (Donkey) and rising star Cherece Richards (Once on This Island, Regent’s Park Theatre) who is making her debut in a principal role as the Dragon. The smash hit musical will tour through to April 2024 to a total of 31 venues. 

Shrek the Musical opened at Theatre Royal Plymouth on 21 July 2023 and then tours to Manchester, Dublin, Bristol, Southend, Carlisle, Aberdeen, Oxford, Wimbledon, Dartford, Northampton, Bradford, Woking, Eastbourne, Cardiff, York, Blackpool and in 2024: Glasgow Kings, Edinburgh Playhouse, Coventry Belgrade, Sunderland Empire, Liverpool Empire, Southampton Mayflower, Milton Keynes Theatres, Hull New, Cheltenham Everyman, Theatre Royal Nottingham, Norwich Theatre Royal, Grand Opera House Belfast, The Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham and The Millenium Forum, Derry. For full listings, please see the notes to editors below.

From the producers of Hairspray and Priscilla Queen of the Desert, Shrek the Musical has brought together a new creative team to re-imagine this award-winning Broadway and West End hit show for a new audience, featuring all the classic characters from the Oscar®-winning DreamWorks animated film and the iconic songs and story from David Lindsay-Abaire and Jeanine Tesori’s original musical.

The team who have joined forces to re-create the bright and beautiful world of Shrek the Musical includes acclaimed director and choreographer Nick Winston (Bonnie and Clyde, Arts Theatre; Beauty and the Beast, UK tour), co-director Sam Holmes (Club Tropicana the Musical), who returns to the swamp having played Lord Farquaad in the previous UK tour. He is joined by set and costume designer Philip Witcomb (Bonnie & Clyde,Garrick Theatre; Jack & The Beanstalk, Everyman Theatre Cheltenham). Further creative team includes Ben Cracknel (lighting), Jim Arnold (casting) and Ben Harrison (sound), Nina Dunn (projection design) and Jimmy Grimes (puppet design).

As previously announced, Antony Lawrence plays Shrek. His previous credits include Scar in The Lion King, (International Tour) Mary Poppins (National Tour), Matilda the Musical (Cambridge Theatre/RSC) and We Will Rock You (International Arena Tour).

Joanne Clifton, best known for her time as a professional dancer on the BBC’s Strictly Come Dancing, plays Fiona.  She joined the iconic TV show after winning the World Professional Showdance Champion and the European Professional Ballroom Championship. During her time on the show, she won the Christmas Special with McFly’s Harry Judd and went on to win the glitterball trophy as the 2016 champion with her partner Ore Oduba. On stage Joanne Clifton was most recently seen in Windfall (Southwark Playhouse) and The Addams Family (UK Tour).  

Olivier Award-nominee James Gillan (Lord Farquaad) most recently created the role of Tray in Everybody’s Talking About Jamie (Apollo Theatre, Shaftesbury Avenue) – a role he stayed with through the show’s entire West End run. He has also performed in productions of Wicked, Starlight Express and Taboo!

Brandon Lee Sears (Donkey) most recently played the role of Jimmy Early in Dreamgirls (UK tour).  His previous theatre credits include the original West End productions of Be More Chill (Shaftesbury Theatre), Come From Away (Phoenix theatre); Heathers (Theatre Royal Haymarket); Motown the Musical (Shaftesbury Theatre); and On The Town (Regents Park Open Air Theatre).

The ensemble cast of Shrek the Musical are Leo Abad, Scotty Armstrong, Imogen Bailey, Jabari Braham, Georgie Buckland, Natasha Cayabyab, Mark D’Arcy, Jonathan David Dudley, Remi Ferdinand, Sonny Grieveson, Edward Leigh, Bethany Kate, Jessica Lim, Andile Mabhena, Bronte MacMillan, India Thornton. Talia Duff, Gabriela Gregorian, Rory Shafford and Jamie Jonathan complete the full cast line-up.

Leave your troubles Far Far Away and come join the adventure as Shrek and Donkey endeavour to complete their quest of defeating the dragon and saving Princess Fiona. Featuring fabulous songs including ‘I’m A Believer’, ‘Big Bright Beautiful World’ and ’I Know It’s Today’. Shrek the Musical has cemented itself as the “musical extravaganza for big kids and little kids alike”.

ANNETTE HANNAH JOINS THE CAST OF

FRANKENSTEIN

A NEW STORY INSPIRED BY MARY SHELLEY’S CLASSIC NOVEL

WRITTEN AND DIRECTED BY SÉAN AYDON

ON A MAJOR UK TOUR FROM 14 SEPTEMBER

Annette Hannah will play the role of ‘Francine’ in Séan Aydon’s brand-new adaption of Mary Shelley’s classic novel Frankenstein which will start a major UK theatre tour at the Churchill Theatre Bromley on 14 September, before playing 10 further venues around the country.

Frankenstein marks Annette’s professional theatre debut. She has most recently appeared in the third season of Netflix’s The Witcher and in the CBBC show The Worst Witch as ‘Mabel Tapioca’. Annette made her first on screen appearance in HBO’s Game of Thrones.

She will join the previously announced Eleanor Mcloughlin who will play ‘Victoria Frankenstein’, Basienka Blake as ‘Captain/Richter’, Cameron Robertson as ‘The Creature’, Dale Mathurin as ‘Henry’ and Lula Marsh as ‘Elizabeth’.

This new thriller, inspired by the classic gothic novel and complete with a stunning original score, explores the very fabric of what makes us human and the ultimate cost of chasing “perfection”.  

1943. Whilst Europe tears itself apart, two women hide from their past at what feels like the very end of the world. And one of them has a terrifying story to tell…

“I created life. You don’t believe me but it’s true. I didn’t start from scratch of course but out of portions and odd ends I made something –alive. But what I created… it wasn’t a superhuman. It was a monster.”

Frankenstein is an electrifying reimagining of the world’s favourite horror story that will send shivers down the spine and ignite the imagination.

The production is unsuitable for under 12s.

Frankenstein is produced by Tilted Wig Productions.

https://www.tiltedwigproductions.com/frankenstein

Twitter @tiltedwiguk

Facebook @TiltedWigProductions

Insta @tiltedwig

FRANKENSTEIN TOUR DATES 2023

14 – 16 September                Churchill Theatre Bromley

19 – 23 September               Derby Theatre

26 – 30 September              Exeter Northcott

3-7 October                          Cambridge Arts Theatre

10 – 14 October                     Theatre By The Lake, Keswick

17 – 21 October                      Darlington Hippodrome

24 – 28 October                   York Theatre Royal

31 October – 4 November  Theatre Royal, Bury St Edmunds

7 – 11 November                    Ipswich New Wolsey Theatre

14 – 18 November                 Malvern Theatres

21 – 25 November                Devonshire Park Theatre Eastbourne

TREASON CELEBRATES 1 MILLION STREAMS AS THEY CROWN THEIR KING AND LEADING LADIES

EXPLODING INTO
EDINBURGH, SHEFFIELD, LONDON
AND DARTFORD

FROM 25 OCTOBER – 25 NOVEMBER 2023

“…shines iridescent in its music…”
Guardian

“…exciting new piece of theatre…dynamite.”
Reviews Hub

The much-anticipated pivotal role of Martha Percy in Treason the Musical will be played by Nicole Raquel Dennis. They recently starred as Effie White in the smash hit UK tour of the Olivier Award Winning Dreamgirls, as Alana Beck in the original West End cast of Dear Evan Hansen, where they won “Best Supporting Actress in a Musical” at the Black British Theatre Awards, and as a semi-finalist on ITV’s The Voice, during which she performed a memorable duet with Jennifer Hudson. The role of Martha Percy has previously been played in development by West End stars, Rosalie Craig, Lucie Jones and most recently Carrie Hope Fletcher and this autumn audiences will witness “The Inevitable” and be blown away by Nicole as they step into the thick of the Gunpower Plot.

Starting his reign as omnipotent yet paranoid King James I of England, will be King of the Strictly dance floor, Joe McFadden (Holby City; Priscilla, Queen of the Desert). No stranger to the stage, Joe has appeared in many musicals and plays over the years, most recently taking on the role as The Narrator in the celebrated The Rocky Horror Picture Show.

Emilie Louise Israel (Hamilton; Once on This Island) will star as the woman commonly thought to have kept Catholicism alive, Anne Vaux, a role she reprises from the WhatsOnStage award nominated Theatre Royal Drury Lane Treason concerts last year.

Further casting will be announced in due course.

Since the release of the original EP back in 2020, Treason’s songs have set the world on fire, now being streamed a staggering 1 million times by over 100,000 plotters across 96 countries. Songs, including fan favourites Take Things Into Our Own Hands and No Happy Ending have featured on The Original EP (2020), The Acoustic Fables (2021) and Lighting the Fuse: Sparks from Treason in Concert (2023).

This is the latest development in a show that has so far garnered a global audience with a streamed concert in 2021 and a mesmerising twice sold-out live concert at the iconic Theatre Royal Drury Lane last year.

Treason the Musical is a historic tale of division, religious persecution, and brutality, ending in an ambitious yet fateful plot to bring down both the monarchy and the government.

Set to blow you away with stunning original folk and pop songs, this one-of-a-kind show tells one of the most intriguing tales in Britain’s history as it’s never been seen before.

This October, the plotters will travel to the Festival Theatre, Edinburgh, Sheffield Lyceum and London’s Alexandra Palace, with the tour ending at The Orchard Theatre, Dartford on 25 November. Now see the fully staged world premiere of Treason the Musical this autumn.

Sign up to our mailing list to become a Plotter and be the first to find out all the news for Treason: https://treasonthemusical.com/newsletter.php

JAS Theatricals, Gabriel Creative Partners,

The Araca Group and Lively McCabe Entertainment

present

UK TOUR

FEBRUARY – AUGUST 2024

TICKETS AVAILABLE FROM CLUEDOSTAGEPLAY.COM

Following the huge success of the critically acclaimed original play, Cluedo is back on stage in 2024 with a brand new comedy mystery. The hilarious whodunnit returns with a new story, a new house, new suspects and lots of new bodies. Tickets available from CluedoStagePlay.com

Based on the classic Hasbro boardgame, the five month UK tour marks the world premiere of Cluedo 2 – The Next Chapter, which kicks off at Richmond Theatre on 29 February and visits more than 20 venues across the length and breadth of the UK, visiting Richmond, Woking, York, Brighton, Cambridge, Salford, Hull, Milton Keynes, Shrewsbury, Malvern, Bath, Sheffield, Nottingham, Newcastle, Glasgow, Southampton, Cardiff, Norwich, Truro, Cheltenham, Birmingham and Dartford.

With an original new story set in the 60s, featuring The Honourable Mrs. Emerald Peacock, Colonel Eugene Mustard, ‘Professor’ Alex Plum, Miss Annabel Scarlett, ‘The Reverend’ Hal Green and the housekeeper Mrs White, Cluedo 2 – The Next Chapter is a riotous spoof of a comedy thriller penned by the BAFTA Award winning TV writing duo, Laurence Marks and Maurice Gran, whose numerous credits include Birds of a Feather and Dreamboats and Petticoats, and directed by Mark Bell, who directed the original Cluedo play in the UK and the worldwide phenomenon, The Play That Goes Wrong.

As the bodies pile up and our infamous colourful characters dart from room to room trying to escape the murderer and survive the night, Cluedo 2, will keep you guessing right up to the finale and invites budding detectives of all ages to watch for the clues and unravel the secrets, as they try to work out whodunnit… with what… and where!

Produced by JAS Theatricals, Gabriel Creative Partners, The Araca Group and Lively McCabe Entertainment. Casting will be announced soon.

CLUEDO 2 – The Next Chapter: UK Tour Dates

29 February – 2 March Richmond Theatre ON SALE NOW

5 – 9 March Woking, New Victoria Theatre ON SALE NOW

12 -16 March York, Theatre Royal ON SALE NOW

19 – 23 March Brighton, Theatre Royal ON SALE NOW

25 – 29 March Cambridge, Arts Theatre ON SALE SOON

2 – 6 April Salford, The Lowry ON SALE NOW

9 – 13 April Hull, New Theatre ON SALE NOW

16 – 20 April Milton Keynes Theatre ON SALE NOW

23 – 27 April Shrewsbury, Severn Theatre ON SALE NOW

30 April – 4 May Malvern, Festival Theatre ON SALE NOW

6 – 11 May Bath, Theatre Royal ON SALE 10 AUG

14 – 18 May Sheffield, Lyceum Theatre ON SALE SOON

21 – 25 May Nottingham, Theatre Royal ON SALE NOW

28 May – 1 June Newcastle, Theatre Royal ON SALE SOON

4 – 8 June Glasgow, Theatre Royal ON SALE NOW

19 – 23 June Southampton, Mayflower Theatre ON SALE NOW

25 – 29 June Cardiff, New Theatre ON SALE NOW

2 – 6 July Norwich, Theatre Royal ON SALE NOW

9 – 13 July Truro, Hall for Cornwall ON SALE SOON

16 – 20 July Cheltenham, Everyman Theatre ON SALE SOON

23 – 27 July Birmingham, Alexandra Theatre ON SALE NOW

30 July – 3 August Dartford, Orchard Theatre ON SALE NO

DISNEY’S THE LION KING UK & IRELAND TOUR WELCOMES NEW CAST MEMBERS INCLUDING APHIWE NYEZI AS ‘SIMBA’, BRIAN GILLIGAN AS ‘SCAR’
AND ANDRE JEWSON AS ‘ZAZU’

The UK & Ireland Tour of Disney’s award-winning musical, THE LION KING, will welcome new cast members including Aphiwe Nyezi as ‘Simba’, Brian Gilligan as ‘Scar’ and Andre Jewson as ‘Zazu’, beginning on Tuesday 5 September 2023. 

The newcomers join a talented international company who represent  17 countries around the world whilst the show plays its season in Birmingham, before moving on to Dublin’s Bord Gáis Energy Theatre.

Aphiwe Nyezi was born in Cape Town, South Africa and is currently a member of THE LION KING company in London’s West End. Brian Gilligan, from Dublin, Ireland, is currently covering the role of ‘Scar’ in UK & Ireland Tour cast and has featured in numerous stage productions including Romeo & Juliet at Mill Theatre Dublin and Jimmy’s Hall at Abbey Theatre Dublin. Australia’s Andre Jewson has played ‘Zazu’ across the globe in the  International Tour and Australian Tour of THE LION KING.

They are joined by existing principal cast members Thandazile Soni as ‘Rafiki’, Jean-Luc Guizonne as ‘Mufasa’, Janique Charles as ‘Nala’ (until 16 Sep), Nokwanda Khuzwayo as ‘Nala’ (from 28 Sep), Alan McHale as ‘Timon’ and Carl Sanderson as ‘Pumba’.

Also joining the cast are Aleasha Grace, Francessca Daniella-Baker, Phumelele Jili, Joshua Lloyd, Abon Saliljan, Keorapetse Sebokolodi and Karlene Wray.

THE LION KING is currently playing a limited season at Birmingham Hippodrome until Saturday 16 September with some good seats still remaining for midweek performances in August and September. The production will then return to Dublin’s Bord Gáis Energy Theatre from Thursday 28 September – Saturday 11 November 2023 where it completes its UK and Ireland Tour.

The story of THE LION KING leaps into life using spectacular masks, puppets and costumes to tell the story of Simba’s epic adventures, as he struggles with the responsibilities of adulthood and becoming king.

Julie Taymor’s internationally celebrated stage adaptation of THE LION KING opened on Broadway in 1997 and 25 global productions in nine different languages have been created since then (English, Japanese, German, Korean, French, Dutch, Spanish, Mandarin and Portuguese). THE LION KING is produced by Disney Theatrical Productions, under the direction of Thomas Schumacher. 

Since the UK premiere in 1999, THE LION KING London has entertained more than 18 million theatregoers and is the sixth longest-running West End musical of all time. 

The stunning artistry of the production is the work of a team of designers which drew on diverse cultural influences to recreate the rich colours and vast expanses of the African savanna in this daring and inspiring reinvention of one of the most successful animated feature films of all time. 

Julie Taymor, one of the world’s most innovative directors, brought a vast array of disciplines to THE LION KING, including extensive experience staging epic theatre and opera productions, exploring classic myths through ritualised puppetry, mask, and movement. The Lion King was the first musical Taymor directed in the commercial theatre and she made Broadway history by becoming the first woman to win the Tony Award® for Best Director of a Musical.   

The Broadway show’s full creative team, which won five Tony Awards® for its work on THE LION KING, reunited in 1999 to recreate the show in London. Julie Taymor and Michael Curry created hundreds of masks and puppets. 

Scenic design is by British designer Richard Hudson and lighting is by Donald Holder. Costume design is by Julie Taymor, and choreography by Garth Fagan. The book was adapted by Roger Allers, who co-directed the animated feature and Irene Mecchi, who co-wrote the screenplay. 

The original score from the animated film was expanded for the stage and now features 15 musical numbers.  As well as writing completely new songs, South African composer Lebo M created an evocative blend of African rhythms and chorales, with additional material by Julie Taymor and Mark Mancina. 

Elton John and Tim Rice have added three new numbers to the five that they wrote for the award-winning score of the animated film. The resulting sound of THE LION KING is a fusion of Western popular music and the distinctive sounds and rhythms of Africa, including the Academy Award®-winning Can You Feel The Love Tonight and the haunting Shadowland. 

THE LION KING runs at Birmingham Hippodrome until 16 September. For best availability check midweek performances in August and September – thelionking.co.uk

FIRST LOOK AT THE MUSIC OF LA BAMBA!

LA BAMBA! A BRAND-NEW ORIGINAL JUKEBOX MUSICAL IS EMBARKING ON A UK TOUR FROM 1^st AUGUST.

LA BAMBA! FEATURES AN ALL-STAR CAST INCLUDING THE WANTED’S SIVA KANESWARAN AND STRICTLY COME DANCING CHAMPION PASHA KOVALEV.

Website: www.labambaonstage.co.uk

Socials: @LaBambaOnStage #LaBambaOnStage

Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

Paul Morrissey Ltd is pleased to share a first look at the music for the world premiere of the fiery new jukebox musical, La Bamba!

La Bamba! is a pulsating new musical that will open at Curve inLeicester on Tuesday, 1st August 2023 before heading to London’s Peacock Theatre, Sadler’s Wells West End theatre, for a limited seasonon Tuesday 22 August 2023 until Saturday 2^nd September 2023. La Bamba! will continue a UK tour until December 2023.

La Bamba! is an explosive new musical starring Strictly Come Dancing champion Pasha Kovalev, The Wanted’s Siva Kaneswaran and rising star Inês Fernandez.

Featuring an electric soundtrack of Latin pop anthems such as Ricky Martin’s Livin’ La Vida Loca, Shakira’s Hips Don’t Lie, Marc Anthony’s Vivir Mi Vida, Becky G’s Fulanito, Camilla Cabello’s Havana, J-Lo’s Let’s Get Loud and many more.

Joining previously announced Strictly Come Dancing champion Pasha Kovalev, will beboyband star Siva Kaneswaran playing the role of Mateo. Singer and songwriter and best known for being one fifth of pop band The Wanted, Siva has recently appeared in ITV’s Dancing on Ice. He will be joined by rising star Inês Fernandez in the lead role of Sofia.

The full company includes Bethan Mitchell, Stefani Ariza, Julia Ruiz Fernandez, Nicolle Matheu, Gabriella Rose-Marchant, Alex Sturman, Brendan Graham, Tristan Ghostkeeper and Luke Jarvis

La Bamba! tells the heartwarming story of Sofia (Inês Fernandez), a small-town girl from Los Angeles on her journey to stardom. Her dream of becoming a superstar began when her father, Ricardo (Pasha Kovalev), handed her a guitar. Sofia, inspired by her musical heroes, will discover, with the help of her family and best friend Mateo (Siva Kaneswaran), that while talent makes you a star, fate can make you a legend.

La Bamba! is written by Paul Morrissey, directed by multi-award-winning American director Ray Roderick, and features choreography by Graziano Di Prima, Erica Da Silva and associate choreography by Giada Lini. This brand-new musical will feature music from across the Latin genre from traditional folk songs to recent chart-topping hits all arranged by award-winning musical maestro, Alfonso Casado-Trigo. 

La Bamba! is a vibrant new musical fiesta about passion and pride and the realisation that every journey begins with a single step! Tickets are on sale now.

TOUR DATES

Tuesday 1^st August – Saturday 5^th August 2023

Curve, Leicester

Box Office – 0116 242 3595

Website – www.curveonline.co.uk/whats-on/shows/la-bamba/

Thursday 10^th August – Saturday 12^th August 2023

Wycombe Swan, High Wycombe

Box Office – 0343 310 0060

Website – https://wycombeswan.co.uk/Online/tickets-la-bamba-wycombe-2023

Thursday 17^th August – Saturday 19^th August 2023

The Lowry, Salford

Box Office – 0161 876 2000

Website – https://thelowry.com/whats-on/la-bamba/

Tuesday 22^nd August – Saturday 2^nd September 2023

Peacock Theatre, London

Box Office – 020 7863 8000

Website – www.sadlerswells.com/whats-on/la-bamba/

PRESS NIGHTS & MEDIA NIGHT

TUESDAY 22^nd AUGUST

WEDNESDAY 23^rd AUGUST

Tuesday 5^th September – Saturday 9^th September 2023

Swansea Grand, Swansea

Box Office – 01792 475715

Website – https://www.swanseagrand.co.uk/LaBamba

Tuesday 19^th September – Saturday 23^rd September 2023

Theatre Royal, Brighton

Website – https://www.atgtickets.com/shows/la-bamba/theatre-royal-brighton/

Tuesday 26^th September – Saturday 30^th September 2023

Belgrade Theatre, Coventry

Box Office – 024 7655 3055

Website – https://www.belgrade.co.uk/events/la-bamba/

Tuesday 3^rd October – Saturday 7^th October 2023

Regent Theatre, Stoke-On-Trent

Website – https://www.atgtickets.com/shows/la-bamba/regent-theatre/

Tuesday 10^th October – Saturday 15^th October 2023

New Theatre, Cardiff

Box Office – 0343 310 0041

Website – https://newtheatrecardiff.co.uk/Online/tickets-la-bamba-cardiff-2023

Tuesday 17^th October – Saturday 21^st October 2023

Princess Theatre, Torquay

Website – https://www.atgtickets.com/shows/la-bamba/princess-theatre-torquay/

Tuesday 24^th October – Saturday 28^th October 2023

Wyvern Theatre, Swindon

Box Office – 0343 310 0040

Website – https://swindontheatres.co.uk/Online/tickets-la-bamba-swindon-2023

Tuesday 31^st October – Saturday 4^th November 2023

The Orchard Theatre, Dartford

Box Office – 0343 310 0033

Website – https://orchardtheatre.co.uk/Online/tickets-la-bamba-dartford-2023

Tuesday 7^th November – Saturday 11^th November 2023

Grand Opera House, York

Website – https://www.atgtickets.com/shows/la-bamba/grand-opera-house-york/

Tuesday 21^st November – Saturday 25^th November 2023

Grand Theatre, Blackpool

Box Office – 01253 290190

Website – www.blackpoolgrand.co.uk/event/la-bamba

Festival Theatre, Malvern – until 29th July 2023

Reviewed by Courie Amado Juneau

5*****

Heathers The Musical is the award winning stage adaptation of the cult 1988 film “Heathers”. I didn’t know the film but was intrigued by the brief synopsis I had seen and I was surrounded by people who had loved and were raving about it – so expectations were high. I was not disappointed.

Although the name of the work is Heathers it is really Veronica (who is desperate to join the Heathers group to gain some popularity) who is the real star. Jenna Innes brought amazing range to the role giving us tenderness, fear, anger, vulnerability, a warrior spirit in the face of spiralling events and much more. Her singing voice was gorgeous and I found her acting utterly compelling as she made this quirky leading role very believable. Every inch a star in the making.

Jacob Fowler, as lead male Jason “J.D.” Dean, was equally charismatic in a poetic reading. I loved his introduction with the comical slow motion fight scene which justified his place on the stage alone – wonderful direction from Andy Fickman in evidence.

The two jocks (think American football, not Scotland) – Kurt (Alex Woodward) and Ram (Morgan Jackson) were the most obvious comedy elements (though there is much comedy throughout for all the cast). They worked exceptionally well together, providing many laugh out loud (and cringeworthy) moments. As did the actors playing their fathers: Jay Bryce (Kurt’s dad) and Conor McFarlane (Ram’s) were hilarious, particularly in the song “My Dead Gay Son” – my favourite number of the entire piece. I would happily vote for a spin off show of the dad’s further adventures.

The entire cast displayed a rambunctious spirit and all deserve much praise. I was especially taken with Billie Bowman’s Heather McNamara; she brought a refreshing, youthful exuberance that was infectious. Kingsley Morton playing Martha Dunnstock was another pivotal character that was sensitively wrought.

The music is very 80’s influenced (to my ears) giving a Buffy meets High School Musical feel. It’s an extremely catchy score, supported by lyrics that intelligently propel the story along as well as being stand alone pieces, many of which are very inspirational.

The set was a masterclass in how to produce maximum effect with limited stage real estate. A balcony, a screen, some movable pieces that double as several things. The costumes were exactly what you would expect from 17 year old fashionistas and were a feast for the eyes. Very inventive stuff from David Shields (Set and Costume Designer).

What I was most impressed with was that the writers (Kevin Murphy and Laurence O’Keefe) managed to weave a rather uplifting musical out of some very dark, perhaps unpromising subject matter. The really clever part was juxtaposing the darkest of elements with the lightest, giving us plenty of emotion as well as some much needed light relief.

At the finale the audience were on their feet cheering loudly in vociferous support. And rightly so, for this is a superb show with amazing music, fantastic singing and dance routines… It really has everything. Most of all, it’s a whole lot of fun! If you loved SiX you will love this. Get yourself down to Malvern Theatre and mingle with the in-crowd. You won’t regret it.