GROSVENOR PARK OPEN AIR THEATRE – UNTIL 27TH AUGUST 2023
REVIEWED BY MIA BOWEN
5*****
This summer season from the 1st of July until the 27th of August, two magical timeless tales are running at the Grosvenor Park Open Theatre. With a magical festival atmosphere and theatre-in-the-round, these stories are brought to life under the starry skies, by the Storyhouse. This year, they have extended their programme to include live music, comedy, children’s theatre and more.
This year Deborah McAndrew’s adaption of the beloved American classic, The Great Gatsby makes its world premiere at the Grosvenor Park Open Air Theatre. Based on the magnificent novel by F Scott Fitzgerald, it explores international themes, including indiscretion, societal standards, morality, fate and destiny. Each character represents a common identity everyone can connect with.
Set in roaring 20’s. Gatsby (Daniel Burke) is a man who successfully, if unethical, worked his way to fortune and hosts extravagant soirees. The host, however, is never seen during these parties and is never completely known by any one person. Gatsby’s neighbour, Nick Carraway (Thomas Cotran) narrates Gatsby’s tragic and ultimately fall from the world of the rich and famous. Gatsby hopes to pursue Nick’s cousin Daisy (Molly-Grace Cutler), with whom he had a love affair that he never forgotten. But Daisy is married to the violent and savage Tom Buchanan (Laurie Jamieson), who has a mistress, Myrtle (Alyce Liburd) on the side. As the love triangle threatens to tear their lives apart, the glamour of pretentious living proves to be no more than an appearance covering their emptiness.
Performing in-the-round and on bark is not an easy task but the cast utilizes the floor area and appears from all corners of the theatre. In the beginning, we the audience are asked to rise as the magistrate comes onto the stage. Then Cotran’s character, Nick appears from a seat in the audience, and he engages every person in the auditorium and ensures we see everything that unfolds through his eyes.
Most of the cast and supporting ensemble not only act but play musical instruments live on stage and perform simple dance movements. Some of the audience members got invited to join the cast on the stage, dancing the Charleston, making the evening an immersive experience. A particular mention must go to all the cast as they also play characters simultaneously in Shakespeare’s A Midsummers Night Dream at the Open Air Theatre, during their run this summer.
Part of making this theatre accessible to all, the actors’ spoken words are converted into visible text via two display screens, making it easy to follow with the action on stage and helps to still follow the story when noises from the park interferes.
There is a lovely atmosphere in the audience with it being held outdoors. Whether you are a fan of the book, the film or play in general, you will find something wonderful here.
Unique York Guest House Unveils Refurbishment Project
The Bar Convent Guest House is located within the oldest living convent in the UK.
The renovation project involved refurbishment of all rooms and development of seven new rooms to create
en-suites throughout.
The guest house is ideally located just a five minute walk from York Train Station and a ten minute walk to
York City Centre.
There is a kitchen, seating area and garden on site for guests.
Book direct to receive an award-winning breakfast included in your stay.
The Bar Convent Guest House on Blossom Street, York, is pleased to announce the completion of its two-year renovation project.
All rooms have been refurbished and upgraded with bespoke hand-finished furnishings, seven brand new rooms have been launched and we now offer en-suite throughout in addition to a fully equipped kitchen, seating area and laundry facilities.
As the oldest living convent in the UK, established in secret during the reformation, the Bar Convent Guest House offers a truly unique and unforgettable experience. It is the perfect combination of modern facilities with beautiful original features against the backdrop of a Grade 1 listed building that is steeped in history.
James Foster, Chief Operations Officer at the Bar Convent, said: “We are thrilled to be able to unveil the recent renovations made to our guest house.
“The guest house has always been renowned for it’s unique location within this beautiful historic convent and for it’s warm welcome and award-winning breakfast.
“Following this extensive work, our new rooms have a fresh new look, while remaining sympathetic to this special heritage house, with all the facilities to ensure a comfortable and relaxing stay.
Hannah Wilkinson, Guest House Manager at the Bar Convent, added: “We have the rare advantage of offering self-catering facilities and an ideal location just a five minute walk from York Train Station and stone’s throw from the Royal entrance to the City Walls.
“This is the perfect spot for those looking for a friendly, independent guest house with the option of self-catering in the stunning city of York.”
Make sure you book direct to receive our award-winning cooked breakfast included in your stay. To book directly with the Bar Convent and for more information please visit the website or call our reception team on 01904 643238.
The Bar Convent Living Heritage Centre
The convent was established in 1686 in complete secrecy when Catholicism was illegal. The sisters also founded the first ever schools for girls in the country- the second in this house- while hiding their true identities. Guests can discover more about the history of our house with discounted admission to our fascinating exhibition. There is also a garden, café, shop and C18th chapel on site.
Reviews
Friendly staff, very clean room, fantastic breakfast” – Booking.com
“Historic and lovely building. A privilege to be able to stay there. Excellent location for old city and station”- Booking.com
‘Welcoming Friendly. Amazing history and building. Great breakfast’- Booking.com
“Fantastic stay at the Bar convent whilst visiting York and friends. Will definitely be back. Hospitality in all ways was fantastic and staff were so welcoming and lovely. It is really close to the city centre and room, food and facilities were all great.”- Google Review
“Lovely place to stay, friendly helpful staff, amazing room with comfortable bed and most definitely a great breakfast.”- TripAdvisor
Nottingham Theatre Royal – until Saturday 5 August 2023
Reviewed by Louise Ford
3***
It’s always the quiet ones!
Tabs Productions started back in 1989 and took on The Colin McIntyre Thriller Season in 2012 ,so they have a long history with their Nottingham audiences. This summer’s Classic Thriller series kicked off with a psychological thriller. Love from a Stranger is by the Queen of Crime herself Agatha Christie and Frank Vosper (an actor and dramatist ). The story was first made into a film in 1937 staring Basil Rathbone and Ann Harding (although some of the characters’ names were changed).
The set opens in a London flat with Aunty Lou (Susan Earnshaw), bustling around helping and hindering the packing up of the family silver. Whoops, butter fingers! It’s 1950s London and two girls who share a flat Mavis (Kia Pope) and Cecily (Lara Lemon) have had the most incredible luck. They have won a sweepstake.
One of the flat mates is taking advantage of the winnings to free herself from the grind of her office job and is going to travel for three months. Hence the flat packing. The other is anxiously awaiting the return of her fiancée Nigel (Pavan Maru), from the Sudan for their wedding. I’m not quite sure why the Sudan was chosen, it’s not clear what he’s been doing there. Suffice to say that they haven’t seen each other for several years and Cecily is getting cold feet.
Back to the packing. The advert has been placed for temporary tenants and the telephone calls lead to some amusing exchanges and misunderstandings. Aunty Lou decides to take a break and heads off for a lovely lunch. Cecily is alone in the flat and enter a mysterious stranger. His arrival puts the cat amongst the pigeons . Suffice to say a whirlwind romance, a quiet wedding and a move to an isolated cottage in the country (without a telephone) are not necessarily the ingredients for marital bliss.
All of the characters are at one level firmly rooted in the tradition of the suspense genre and at another abit of a characature. The role of the daft country maid, Ethel (Juliette Strobel), is a bit laboured . There are however some nice touches, Cecily’s clipped vowels and reserve are very Brief Encounter, Aunty Lou has more than a touch of Hyacinth Bucket and Hodgson (Sarah Wynette Korda) as the creepy gardener who finds the buried bottles.
It all picks up the pace towards the end and finishes with a flourish. No plot spoilers please.
ANTONY COSTA OF BRITISH BOY BAND BLUE JOINS THE NEW CAST OF MAMMA MIA! THE PARTY AT THE O2, LONDON FROM THE END OF AUGUST.
THE AWARD-WINNING SINGER-SONGWRITER AND ACTOR WILL PLAY THE ROLE OF NIKOS IN BJÖRN ULVAEUS’ THEATRICAL DINING EXPERIENCE.
THE NEW CAST WILL BEGIN PERFORMANCES FROM 31 AUGUST.
2024 MARKS THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF ABBA’S WIN AT THE 1974 EUROVISION SONG CONTEST WITH ‘WATERLOO’.
Antony Costa (Photo credit: Mamma Mia! The Party)
MAMMA MIA! THE PARTY is delighted to announce the new cast arriving at Nikos Taverna on the Greek island of Skopelos, including British pop star Antony Costa who will play the role of Nikos.
Antony Costa said: ‘I am thrilled to have been given such a unique opportunity to be a part of MAMMA MIA! THE PARTY. Being a massive ABBA fan myself, I cannot wait to get stuck into such a fun project and immerse myself into the world that Björn Ulvaeus and Sandi Toksvig have so masterfully crafted. See you in the Taverna!’
Antony Costa formed the boyband Blue in 2000 with members Lee Ryan, Simon Webbe and Duncan James, going on to sell 15 million records worldwide and winning the prestigious Brit award for best British Pop Act in 2003. The band recently sold-out arenas across the UK on tour in 2022. Alongside his music career, Costa’s theatre credits include leading roles in Blood Brothers (West End), Boogie Nights (UK Tour), Rock of Ages (UK Tour), Zorro (Hope Mill Theatre), The Cat and The Canary (UK Tour), Popstars: The Musical (UK Tour), Aladdin (De Montfort Hall, Leicester) and Beauty and the Beast (Grand Opera House, York).
The rest of the new cast of London’s premier dining experience includes Rosemary Annabella Nkrumah (Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, Palace Theatre) as Debbie, Jacob Dachtler (Halls The Musical, Turbine Theatre) as Adam and Sarah Drake (From Here to Eternity, Charing Cross Theatre) as Nina. Adam Redford (The 12 Tenors, Europe Tour) joins the lineup as Ruben/Swing, Emanuel Alba (Man of La Mancha, London Coliseum) as Carlos/Swing, Deschenes Graham (‘Alice’ in Mad Hatter’s Circus) as Joyce/Swing, Lucy-Anne Stacey (We Will Rock You, Royal Caribbean) as Sue/Swing and Gemma McLean (Only Fools and Horses, Theatre Royal Haymarket) as Kate (at certain performances).
They join existing cast members Molly Cleere who will be playing the role of Konstantina, Kimberly Powell who will continue as Kate (at certain performances), Dawn Spence as Grandma, Oscar Balmaseda as Fernando, Robban Hogstrom as Robin/Swing and Claudia Bradley as Loretta/Swing whilst Rosie Rowlands and Allie Ho Chee share the role of Bella, along with the musicians, John Donovan, Luke Higgins, Kathryn Tindall, Steve Rushton and Luke Roberts.
Due to extraordinary demand, MAMMA MIA! THE PARTY is now booking until 3 March 2024 at The O2, London. 2024 marks the 50th anniversary of ABBA’s legendary performance of Waterloo at the 1974 Eurovision Song Contest and a trip to Nikos Taverna on the Greek Island of Skopelos (the stunning location where most of the exteriors of the first MAMMA MIA! film were shot) is the perfect way to celebrate this milestone. Created by ABBA’s Björn Ulvaeus, with the English book by Sandi Toksvig, MAMMA MIA! THE PARTY is a unique and magical experience, bringing ABBA’s hits to life more vividly than ever before. Over the course of four glittering hours, guests can immerse themselves in a spectacular musical extravaganza, a set four-course Greek feast and an ABBA disco, all in one unforgettable evening of dancing, dining and singing!
Nikos and his wife Kate run the exotic and wonderful Nikos Taverna together with their family and friends. Told through dialogue and timeless ABBA songs, a warm, romantic and funny story evolves and unfolds during the evening, taking place around the guests as they enjoy a gourmet Greek meal. The evening ends with a 1970s disco, where audience members are encouraged to stay to sing and dance to ABBA’s greatest hits.
MAMMA MIA! THE PARTY has music and lyrics by Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus (some songs with Stig Anderson), and a story by Calle Norlén, Roine Söderlundh and Björn Ulvaeus, with the English book by writer, comedian and broadcaster Sandi Toksvig.
The London version of MAMMA MIA! THE PARTY, which originally opened in Stockholm in January 2016, is co-directed and choreographed by Stacey Haynes and Roine Söderlundh, with set designed by Bengt Fröderberg, lighting designed by Patrick Woodroffe, sound designed by Gareth Owen, costumes designed by Annsofi Nyberg, music supervision by Robin Svensson and casting by David Grindrod CDG for Grindrod Burton Casting.
MAMMA MIA! THE PARTY is executively produced by Björn Ulvaeus and produced by U-Live.
MATHEW HORNE AND TAMZIN OUTHWAITE TO STAR ALONGSIDE FELICITY KENDAL, JONATHAN COY AND ALEXANDER HANSON.
SASHA FROST AND PEPTER LUNKUSE WILL REPRISE THEIR ROLES WITH OSCAR BATTERHAM JOINING THE PRODUCTION.
DIRECTED BY LINDSAY POSNER NOISES OFF RETURNS TO THE WEST END FROM 27 SEPTEMBER FOR A 12 WEEK SEASON AT THEATRE ROYAL HAYMARKET.
Theatre Royal Bath Productions has today announced further casting for the upcoming West End run of Michael Frayn’s multi award-winning farce, Noises Off which will play at the Theatre Royal Haymarket from 27 September – 16 December 2023. Tickets are on sale now via www.trh.co.uk.
Mathew Horne
The 40th anniversary production directed by Lindsay Posner (God of Carnage, Hay Fever, Stones in his Pockets), will return to the West End with Mathew Horne (Gavin & Stacey, Rain Man, Pride) as Garry Lejeune and Tamzin Outhwaite (EastEnders, The Tower, Sweet Charity) as Belinda Blair alongside the previously announced Felicity Kendal (The Good Life, Relatively Speaking, Hay Fever) as Dotty Otley, Jonathan Coy (Anatomy of a Scandal, Relatively Speaking, Ink) as Frederick Fellowes and Alexander Hanson (Killing Eve, Follies, 42nd Street) as Lloyd Dallas. Sasha Frost (His Dark Materials, Folk)and Pepter Lunkuse (Hamlet, Nell Gwynn) will reprise their roles as Brooke Ashton and Poppy Norton-Taylor with Oscar Batterham (Richard III, The One That Got Away)joining the production as Tim. Further casting will be announced in due course.
Tamzin Outhwaite i (Photo by Pal Hansen/Contour by Getty Images)
Felicity Kendal says: ‘I am so happy to be revisiting Noises Off and especially at the beautiful Theatre Royal Haymarket.’
Mathew Horne says: ‘I am utterly and totally thrilled to join the now legendary company and production of this masterpiece of a play. I’m celebrating my return to the West End with sardines!’
Pepter Lunkuse
Posner’s celebrated production opened to critical acclaim at Theatre Royal Bath in Autumn 2022 before transferring to London’s Phoenix Theatre in January 2023. Alongside its upcoming West End season, Theatre Royal Bath Productions has recently announced that the 40th anniversary production will embark concurrently, on a major UK tour from 23 August 2023 – 13 January 2024. The tour will star Liza Goddard, Matthew Kelly and Simon Shepherd.
Oscar Batterham
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 Offfollows 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-Lyne seen entirely, and hilariously silently, from backstage, before we share their final, brilliantly catastrophic performance in Stockton-on-Tees.
Noises Off is written by Michael Frayn. The creative team for this 40th anniversary production includes Lindsay Posner (Director), Simon Higlett (Designer), Paul Pyant (Lighting Designer), Greg Clarke (Sound Designer), Will Stuart (Composer), Ruth Cooper-Brown (Movement and Fight Director), George Jibson (Associate Director), Ginny Schiller (Casting Director).
Winnie the Pooh is a short and sweet show and is perfect for introducing children to the theatre.
The characters of the 100 Acre Wood are brought to life on stage in the form of puppets and after a few moments it is easy to ignore the humans and just focus on the puppets. Winnie the Pooh and all his friends are there, including Eeyore, Piglet and Tigger.
The set is part of the 100 Acre Wood and features a tree with a bee hive, Rabbit’s garden and a little stream, perfect for playing Pooh Sticks.
The main story that runs through the show is Pooh bear is looking for some honey to have as a snack because Christopher Robin has gone off to school. In Pooh’s world a whole year passes before Christopher Robin returns, and this is shown by Pooh and Piglet getting caught on a blustery day, snow falling in the 100 Acre Wood and the bees returning in the spring. Throughout the show Pooh and his friends go on an adventure, including helping Eeyore look for his house, Piglet trying to get honey straight from the bees and Tigger and Roo accidentally destroying Rabbit’s garden.
There are a few downsides to the show in that the microphones don’t pick up everything that is being said and the height difference in the characters can be off putting. Rabbit is a lot taller than Kanga and Tigger but in the films the three are of a similar height.
All in all a brilliant show which will capture the hearts and imagination of children everywhere.
Cast announced for the UK tour of TWELVE ANGRY MEN
Bill Kenwright Ltd announces the cast for the return of record-breaking production Twelve Angry Men by Reginald Rose.
This stage adaptation of the classic title stars Patrick Duffy (Man from Atlantis, Dallas), Tristan Gemmill (Coronation Street, Casualty), Michael Greco (EastEnders), Ben Nealon (Soldier Soldier), Gary Webster (Minder, Family Affairs) and Gray O’Brien (Coronation Street, Peak Practice) with further casting to be announced.
Probably best remembered as the 1957 three-time Academy Award nominated movie starring Henry Fonda as the juror who fights for justice, Twelve Angry Men has recently completed two west end seasons at London’s Garrick Theatre starring Martin Shaw followed by Tom Conti. Considered one of the great ‘must-sees’ of all time, this gripping knife-edge courtroom thriller follows a jury who have murder on their minds and a life in their hands as they decide the fate of a young delinquent accused of killing his father. But what appears to be an open and shut case soon becomes a huge dilemma, as prejudices and preconceived ideas about the accused, the trial, and each other turn the tables every which way, until the nail-biting climax…
This powerful production returns to theatres across the UK with the most star-studded line up this show has ever seen, opening at Theatre Royal Windsor in October 2023, with further tour dates tobe announced.
Patrick Duffy stars as Juror number 8 – the role that Henry Fonda made famous in the 1957 film. Patrick has captivated audiences on televisions for more than 45 years, from playing Bobby Ewing in Dallas over 14 seasons, the ABC sitcom Step by Step as Frank Lambert, Mark Harris in The Man from Atlantis, and as Stephen Logan in CBS’s The Bold and the Beautiful. Recent stage credits include Catch Me if You Can (UK Tour), Love Letters (UK Tour) Art (West End).
Tristan Gemmill stars as Juror number 3. Best known for his long-running roles as beleaguered Bistro owner Robert Preston in Coronation Street, and Emergency Consultant Dr Adam Trueman in BBC’s flagship medical drama Casualty. Tristan also appeared in London’s Burning, The Bill, Poirot, Atlantis, Strictly Confidential, Cape Wrath, Where the Heart Is, Grass, Death in Paradise, and Call the Midwife. Tristan’s most recent appearance in the West End was playing the title role in The Bodyguard opposite Beverly Knight and Alexandra Burke. Other West End credits include Rope, Dangerous Corner and Jeffrey Bernard Is Unwell. Film credits include: The Jacket, with Keira Knightley and Adrian Brody, Flying Blind opposite Helen McCrory.
Michael Greco returns to the stage as Juror number 7. Most recently, Michael appeared in The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes (Due for release this Autumn) and in Wolverhampton Grand’s pantomime as Abanazar in Aladdin. Best known for his role in EastEnders as Beppe Di Marco, and The Dumping Ground (BBC), African Queens (Netflix), Chasing Shadows (ITV), Doctors (BBC), Revenge (ABC TV), Golden Hour (BBC) amongst others. Michael also starred as Billy Flynn in Chicago (West End), as well as many feature films.
Ben Nealon stars as Juror number 12. Best known for his 4-year stint in Soldier, Soldier (ITV) as Captain Jeremy Forsythe, Ben also appeared in The Bill (Talkback Thames); Dream Team (Sky One); Kidnapped in the Killing Fields (Channel 4); Doctors, Casualty and Eastenders (all BBC). Stage credits include Catch Me If You Can (UK Tour), The Cat and the Canary (UK Tour), The Case of the Frightened Lady (UK Tour), And Then There Were None (UK Tour) amongst others. On the silver screen, his film credits include The Loneliest Boy in the World (Future Artists Entertainment); The Rising (Kaleidoscope Films); The Locker (Freeform Films); When Only Love Still Counts (FFP Media).
Gary Webster plays Juror number 6. Known for his roles in Real Women, Hollyoaks, The Bill, EastEnders and for playing Gary Costello in the Channel 5 soap Family Affairs for which he won a prestigious British Soap award for ‘Best Storyline’ and probably best remembered for playing Ray Daley opposite George Cole in ITV’s Minder series for 4 years. Gary’s stage credits include: Kay Mellor’s A Passionate Woman (West End, Harold Pinter Theatre), The Cat and The Canary (UK Tour), and Dial M for Murder and Pygmalion at Theatre Royal Windsor.
Gray O’Brien stars as Juror number 10. Gray is known for regular television roles including Coronation Street, Peak Practice, Casualty, The Loch and Doctor Who, as well as extensive stage credits including The Case of the Frightened Lady (UK Tour), The Sound of Music (UK Tour), Dead Simple (UK Tour), The Perfect Murder, Sleuth (West End, Apollo Theatre), The Slab Boys, Don Juan and Catch Me If You Can (UK Tour).
The tour will continue in 2024, with further dates and casting to be announced.
“The classiest, most intelligent show in the West End” **** The Sunday Telegraph
“Holds the audience in a vice like grip” **** Sunday Express
“A moving, intensely gripping revival” **** Financial Times
“Twelve Angry Men commands your attention” **** The Independent
Theatre Royal Baththeatreroyal.org.uk Mon 27 Nov – Sat 02 Oct 2023 01225 448844
LISTINGS
Bill Kenwright presents TWELVE ANGRY MEN 2023 UK Tour
Written by Reginald Rose Directed by Christopher Haydon Associate Director Tim Welton Design by Michael Pavelka Lighting Design by Chris Davey Sound design by Andy Graham
Website:kenwright.com Social Media: @BKL_Productions
ST LUKE’S BOMBED OUT CHURCH, LIVERPOOL – SATURDAY 29TH JULY 2023
REVIEWED BY MIA BOWEN
4****
This was my second year returning to the iconic St Luke’s Bombed Out Church for the fantastic multi award winning Liverpool Theatre Festival. It is the festival’s fourth year running at St Luke’s and was created during the Covid-19 pandemic to keep live performances going in Liverpool City Centre. This year’s festival is bigger and has a more diverse programme than the previous years, featuring a variety of cabaret, comedy, opera, musicals, family shows and drag acts. The festival offers new and emerging shows, creatives and performers a platform, while making live theatre accessible and with prices ranging from £10 – £28, affordable. The festival highlights the very best of Liverpool City Region’s homegrown talent, with a range of performers from the North-West and across the UK. Tonight’s show was performed by Edge Hill University Musical Theatre Students.
SHOUT! The Mod Musical was created by Phillip George and David Lowenstein and features songs from the swinging sixties. Set in London in 1966, the musical follows the lives of five girls only known by their colour of their clothing, as they navigate the trials and tribulations of tough situations in relationships. Although the five girls are very different, they all have one thing on their mind: Love. The yellow girl is the only American character, who travelled all the way to Britain in hope to see Paul McCartney. The Orange girl is married but suspects her husband is cheating on her. The Blue girl is very pretty and has the perfect life but later questions her sexuality. The Green girl, my favourite, is very promiscuous and has brief affairs with random men. The Red girl is a bit hopeless and insecure about her looks.
The songs are brilliant and woven together by sound bites of the letters, the five girls send to Gwendolyn Holmes, who works for the magazine ‘Shout!’ in an advice column and who gives them advice on how to deal with these situations.
The cast had the audience laughing and even dancing in the aisles. Shout! Is a real blast from the past.
UNDER 30s TICKET LOTTERY LAUNCHED FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO SEE VANYA FOR £10
Wessex Grove, Gavin Kalin Productions and Kater Gordon today announce the launch of the under 30s ticket lottery for Vanya at Duke of York’s Theatre. Patrons can enter to be in with a chance to purchase £10 tickets for the first West End performance of Vanya on 15 September 2023.
Wessex Grove’s Benjamin Lowy and Emily Vaughan-Barratt said today: “We’re thrilled to be able to offer tickets at £10 for under 30s to the very first performance of VANYA in the West End, enabling as many as possible to share in this production and Andrew Scott’s monumental performance.
We are committed to cultivating a new generation of theatregoers and are very proud to be having this special performance where every single seat is £10.”
This Autumn, Andrew Scott brings to life multiple characters in Simon Stephen’s radical new version of Anton Chekhov’s Uncle Vanya.
Comedic and tragic, Chekhov’s examination of our shared humanity – our hopes, dreams, regrets – is thrust into sharp focus in VANYA.
This production explores the kaleidoscope of human emotions, harnessing the power of the intimate bond between actor and audience to delve deeper into the human psyche.
The production reunites Scott and Stephens who previously collaborated on Sea Wall and Birdland; and Scott with Yates following their work together on the short film, The Hope Rooms; and producers Benjamin Lowy and Emily Vaughan-Barratt from Wessex Grove after working with Scott on Sea Wall and Hamlet respectively.
Wessex Grove, Gavin Kalin Productions and Kater Gordon present
VANYA After Anton Chekhov
Adapted by Simon Stephens
Performed by Andrew Scott
Directed by Sam Yates
Designed by Rosanna Vize
Lighting designer: James Farncombe
Sound designer: Dan Balfour
Video designer: Jack Phelan
Movement: Michela Meazza
Costume designer: Natalie Pryce
Associate designer: Blythe Brett
Assistant director: Francesca Hsieh
RICHMOND THEATRE 28 August – 2 September
DUKE OF YORK’S THEATRE 15 September – 21 October
BAFTA and Olivier-award winning actor, Andrew Scott’s recent theatre includes Three Kings (Old Vic: In Camera), Present Laughter, Design for Living (The Old Vic), Hamlet (Almeida Theatre and Duke of York’s Theatre), The Dazzle (Found111), Birdland (Royal Court), Aristocrats, Emperor and Galilean (National Theatre), Sea Wall (Paines Plough, The Old Vic, Bush Theatre), as well as numerous plays in Dublin, London and New York. For television his work includes School of Roars, The Pursuit of Love, Ripley, His Dark Materials, Modern Love, Black Mirror: Smithereens, as The Priest in Fleabag, Quacks, as Moriarty in Sherlock, The Town and The Hollow Crown. His recent films include Strangers, Catherine Called Birdy, Oslo, Sam Mendes 1917, A Dark Place, The Delinquent Season, Hamlet, King Lear, Cognition, Handsome Devil, Denial, Swallows and Amazons, This Beautiful Fantastic, Sam Mendes’ Spectre, Alice: Through the Looking Glass, Frankenstein, Ken Loach’s Jimmy’s Hall, Matthew Warchus’ Pride, (BIFA for Best Supporting Actor), Locke and The Stag.
Simon Stephens’ plays include Cornelia Street, Morning Sun, Fortune, Light Falls, Maria, Fatherland, Rage, Heisenberg, Nuclear War, Song from Far Away; Birdland, Carmen Disruption, Blindsided, Morning, Three Kingdoms, Wastwater, Punk Rock, The Trial of Ubu, Marine Parade, Sea Wall, Harper Regan, Pornography, Motortown, On the Shore of the Wide World, One Minute, Country Music, Christmas, Port, Herons, and Bluebird. He has adapted Jose Saramago’s Blindness for the stage and also Mark Haddon’s The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time. He has written English language versions of Jon Fosse’s I Am the Wind; Odon Von Horvath’s Kasimir and Karoline (titled The Funfair); Henrik Ibsen’s A Doll’s House; Anton Chekhov’s The Cherry Orchard and The Seagull and Bertolt Brecht and Kurt Weill’s Threepenny Opera. He has presented four series of the Royal Court Playwright’s Podcast. His book “A Working Diary” is published by Methuen. Stephens has been an Associate at the Royal Court, London and Steep, Chicago and a board member of Paines Plough. He has been an Associate Artist at the Lyric, Hammersmith, a Professor of Scriptwriting at Manchester Metropolitan University and an Associate Professor at the Danish National School of the Performing Arts, Copenhagen.
Sam Yates directs. His theatre credits include The Two Character Play (Hampstead Theatre), A Separate Peace (Curtain Call & Platform Presents), Incantata (Irish Rep, Gate Theatre, Dublin, Galway International Festival & Jen Coppinger), The Starry Messenger (Wyndham’s Theatre), Company, Merrily We Roll Along, Assassins (Royal Academy of Music), The Phlebotomist (Hampstead Theatre, nominated for Olivier Award for Achievement in an Affiliate Theatre), Glengarry Glen Ross (Playhouse Theatre and UK tour), Desire Under The Elms (Sheffield Crucible), Murder Ballad (Arts Theatre), Cymbeline (Sam Wanamaker Playhouse), East is East (Trafalgar Studios and UK tour), The El. Train (Hoxton Hall), Outside Mullingar (Ustinov), Billy Liar (Royal Exchange Theatre), Cornelius (Finborough Theatre, 59E59 New York), Mixed Marriage (Finborough Theatre), and Purgatory by W.B. Yeats, and Macbeth: The Hour (Edinburgh Festival Fringe). His screen work includes the forthcoming Magpie (2023, feature film debut, written by Tom Bateman, produced by Werewolf Films and Kate Solomon for 55 Films, with Daisy Ridley, Shazad Latif, Matilda Lutz), Agatha and the Curse of Ishtar,The Hope Rooms, (Winner Grand Prize Future Filmmaker Award, RIIFF 2016), Cymbeline, All’s Well That Ends Well, and Love’s Labour’s Lost (The Complete Walk, Shakespeare’s Globe); and music videos Emeralds and Auld.
Rosanna Vize’s theatre credits include Julius Caesar (Royal Shakespeare Company), The Glass Menagerie,The Almighty Sometimes (Royal Exchange Manchester), King Priam (ENO), Britannicus (Lyric Hammersmith), Brown Girls Do It Too (Soho Theatre), Mavra and Pierrot Lunaire (Royal Opera House, Covent Garden),Gulliver’s Travels (Unicorn Theatre), Camp Siegfried,Midsummer Party (The Old Vic), Cat On A Hot Tin Roof (Leicester Curve Theatre), The Two Character Play (Hampstead Theatre, Upstairs), Cat on a Hot Tin Roof (Curve Theatre and UK tour), Shedding A Skin (Soho Theatre), The Enemy (National Theatre of Scotland), Harm (Bush Theatre), The Comeback (Noël Coward Theatre), Incantata (Irish Rep Theatre, NYC), Hedda Gabler (Sherman Theatre), The Phlebotomist,Yous Two (Hampstead Theatre), The Audience (Nuffield Theatre, Southamption), Don Carlos (Exeter Northcott), Incantata (Galway Festival), An Adventure, Leave Taking (Bush Theatre), King Lear (Shakespeare’s Globe), Earthworks and Myth (RSC), Low Level Panic (Orange Tree Theatre), After October (Finborough Theatre), Henry I (Reading Between the Lines), and Girls (Soho Theatre, Hightide & Talawa Theatre). For film, Harm Film. Her up-coming productions include The Turn of the Screw (Royal Danish Opera, Copenhagen), and Macbeth (Donmar Warehouse).
15 September: Under 30s Ticket Lottery Tickets for under 30s only. Entry by online ballot. A limit of 2 tickets can be purchased at one-time by winners. Valid government issued ID must be presented with tickets upon entering the theatre.
Access performances:
BSL interpreted performance 3 October 2023 at 7pm
Audio Described performance 5 October 2023 at 7pm
At every London performance, a limited number of £30 tickets will be available via a weekly lottery in partnership with Todaytix.
THE PLAYWRITING DEBUT OF BEST-SELLING HISTORICAL AUTHOR PHILIPPA GREGORY
SHAKESPEARE NORTH PLAYHOUSE 8 – 30 MARCH 2024
THEATRE ROYAL BURY ST EDMUNDS 12 – 27 APRIL 2024
Best-selling historical author Philippa Gregory will make her playwriting debut in 2024 with RICHARD, MY RICHARD –an innovative new stage play inspired by Shakespeare’s Richard III, that will bring to life one of history’s most twisted and enigmatic characters; a passionate, tender portrait of man in his time, surrounded by the women who determine his fate.
This world premiere, directed by Katie Posner, will launch at Shakespeare North Playhouse in Prescot 8 – 30 March, with a national press night on 12 March, and then play from 12 – 27 April at Theatre Royal Bury St Edmunds.
With an explosion of tarmac Leicester City Car park erupts and Richard III crashes from his lost tomb to meet the character who has ruined his reputation: History – the record keeper who doesn’t always have his mind on the task.
Richard believes he has risen from the grave to heaven with an unstained conscience, and the awkward task falls to History (sorry History)- to tell the Undead King that all is not as he imagines.
As Richard challenges, History admits he has his own doubts. He is often revered as the bearer of truth. Yet, his perspective is skewed. History overlooks people and stories.
Funny, poignant, and underpinned by the facts of the past, Richard’s secrets may have died with him, here he rises up to tell us the story, his story, History.
Dr Philippa Gregory CBE is one of the world’s foremost historical novelists. She wrote her first ever novel, Wideacre, when she was completing her PhD in eighteenth-century literature and it sold worldwide, heralding a new era for historical fiction. Her flair for blending history and imagination developed into a signature style and Philippa went on to write many bestselling novels, including The Other BoleynGirl and The White Queen.Now a recognised authority on women’s history, Philippa graduated from the University of Sussex and received a PhD from the University of Edinburgh, where she is a Regent and was made Alumna of the Year in 2009. She holds honorary degrees from Teesside University and the University of Sussex. She is a fellow of the Universities of Sussex and Cardiff and an honorary research fellow at Birkbeck University of London. In 2020 she was made a CBE in the Queen’s Birthday Honours for her services to literature and charity. Philippa is a member of the Society of Authors and in 2016, was presented with the Outstanding Contribution to Historical Fiction Award by the Historical Writers’ Association. In 2018, she was awarded an Honorary Platinum Award by Nielsen for achieving significant lifetime sales across her entire book output.
Philippa’s latest book, NORMAL WOMEN – 900 YEARS OF MAKING HISTORY, due to be published 26 October 2023 with HarperCollins, is a history of women in England over nine centuries, from the Norman invasion in 1066 to women’s ordination into the Church of England in 1994.
Philippa Gregory said, “I was inspired to write this play after having the privilege to attend the internment of Richard lll at Leicester. I wanted to write a play about the real Richard and the people – especially the influential women- around him. Then the most important character walked into the play – History – who in an absent-minded moment has given us such a dark picture of the king whose motto was loyalty and whose passion was chivalry.”
This producing partnership between Shakespeare North Playhouse – a replica Shakespearean Playhouse opened in 2022 – and Theatre Royal Bury St Edmunds – the last working Regency theatre in England – showcases their shared ambition to stage great contemporary theatre in historic settings.
Laura Collier, Creative Director of Shakespeare North Playhouse said, “We’re thrilled to be co-producing the world premiere of Richard My Richard at Shakespeare North Playhouse. Phillipa Gregory’s gripping narrative fearlessly challenges the prevailing portrayal of Richard III as the worst of villains, a reputation unjustly tarnished by the Tudors, and famously echoed by William Shakespeare.
As a masterful and internationally renowned storyteller, Philippa’s foray into the realm of theatre brings to life a captivating narrative that unravels the enigmatic persona of Richard III.
At Shakespeare North Playhouse we strive to spark debate and be bold with our programming. Phillipa’s unique perspective challenges Shakespeare’s Richard III, questioning conventional beliefs, reinterpreting the car-park King’s story, and inviting audiences to question history’s reliability.
Co-producing with our friends from Theatre Royal Bury St Edmunds, we believe this play will captivate audiences and leave them with a deeper appreciation of the complexities of history. Richard My Richard promises an unforgettable experience that celebrates the power of storytelling and its ability to reshape the past.”
Owen Calvert-Lyons, Artistic Director of Theatre Royal Bury St Edmunds said, “Philippa Gregory is an extraordinary writer. Generations of readers have discovered the history of our country through her writing and fans of Philippa’s novels are going to be just as excited by her first play. Philippa has a great skill in humanising historical characters, allowing us to understand their world and their choices. Now she is taking on one of history’s most notorious villains and inviting us to reassess what we know, or think we know about him. I’m delighted that we will be embarking on this adventure with Shakespeare North Playhouse. We will be transforming our auditorium ‘in the round’ with seating on the stage, providing audiences in Bury St Edmunds with a new theatre experience and making our two unique theatres the perfect settings for this brilliant new play.”
Richard, My Richard is produced by Shakespeare Playhouse North and Theatre Royal Bury St Edmunds, in association with Daniel Schumann.
Additional creative team and casting will be announced in due course.
