Public – The Musical Pleasance Courtyard (Pleasance Two), 60 Pleasance, Edinburgh, EH89TJ Wednesday 2nd – Monday 28th August 2023 (not 9th, 21st), 18:30
The cast taking the all-new rock musical Public – The Musical to this year’s Edinburgh Fringe Festival has been announced! The story of four strangers locked in a gender-neutral toilet for an hour will be brought to life by a fresh and exciting cast this August. With an electrifying new score of anthems and heartfelt ballads that you can’t get out of your head, this musical explores identity and connection.
Returning to the Fringe and playing the role of Zo will be actor, singer-songwriter, and comedian Annabel Marlow, who made her Fringe debut playing Katherine Howard in the original 2017 Edinburgh Fringe sensation Six the Musical, and placed third in 2023’s Musical Comedy Awards. Joining them on stage as Laura will be non-binary performer Alicia Corrales. After making their professional debut as Katherine Howard in Six the Musical in 2019, and covering its UK and West End Tour, Corrales is back with another new hit musical. Making their Fringe and professional debut is Royal Conservatoire of Scotland graduate Hugo Rolland as Finley. Completing this cast and returning after its thrilling run at VAULT Festival is Andrew Patrick-Walker (The Wizard of Oz, Leicester Curve; The Rhythmics, Southwark Playhouse).
Finding themselves trapped together in a gender-neutral public toilet with an hour to kill until maintenance arrives, this group navigate the unexpected challenges and difficult conversations that arise when confined together. Winner of the Pleasance’s Charlie Hartill Fund and VAULT Origins Award, this show candidly explores gender identity, toxic masculinity, allyship, mental health and more, all against an original score.
Queer-led theatre collective Stroud and Notes is an original musical company conceived by queer singer-songwriter, Kyla Stroud, winner of London’s Busk In London Competition, and composer, co-writer and co-producer of Public – The Musical. The team also includes coproducer, co-writer and theatre-maker Hannah Sands (Associate director: Bloody Elle – a gig musical, Whatsonstage nominee), co-writer and movement director, Natalie Stroud (Choreographer: That Was Then This Is Now TV) and musical supervisor, Olivia Zacharia (Musical director: Stranger Sings, UK Tour; We Will Rock You, Barcelona; Resident musical director at Crazy Coqs, West End).
Wilton’s Music Hall Announce Autumn Season With THE MERCHANT OF VENICE 1936, Daniel Kitson’s MAYBE A GHOST STORY, WHAT IT MEANS, MARGARET THATCHER QUEEN OF SOHO, BOURGEOIS & MAURICE: PLEASURE SEEKERS and Olivier Award nominated POTTED PANTO For The Festive Season
· POTTED PANTO, the West End’s longest running pantomime, 29 Nov-30 Dec
· THE MERCHANT OF VENICE 1936 with Tracy-Ann Oberman as Shylock 07-11Nov
· MAYBE A GHOST STORY written and performed by Daniel Kitson 30 Oct-04 Nov
· WHAT IT MEANS the world premiere of a new play by James Corley 04-28 Oct
· MARGARET THATCHER QUEEN OF SOHO directed by Jon Brittain 25-30 Sep
· PLEASURE SEEKERS from alt cabaret superstars Bourgeois & Maurice 19-23Sep
Wilton’s Music Hall today announces its stunning autumn season, which sees ground-breaking productions, and collaborations with forward-thinking theatre companies. Continuing what has been an incredible year of theatre for Britain’s oldest Victorian music hall, this new season is set to be one of the best yet.
The riotous and enchanting POTTED PANTO (29 Nov-30 Dec) will make its East End debut at Wilton’s Music Hall truly encapsulating the festive season to bring seven classic pantomimes in 80 hilarious minutes to Graces Ally. The spectacular Christmas madcap ride from Daniel Clarkson, Jefferson Turner, and Richard Hurst, through all the best-loved characters from the wonderful world of panto will be a delight for all the family this Christmas.
MAYBE A GHOST STORY (30 Oct-04 Nov) is a uniquely seasonal show, originally written and performed by comedian Daniel Kitson last year for two nights over Halloween at the Globe Theatre. It has been especially restaged for one week only, amidst the singular majesty of Wilton’s Music Hall. This show is funny, possibly frightening and maybe, just maybe, a ghost story.
Ambition, power, and political unrest will explode appropriately onto the stage at Wilton’s in THE MERCHANT OF VENICE 1936 (07-11 Nov) starring co-creator Tracy-Ann Oberman (Eastenders, Doctor Who) as Shylock. One of Shakespeare’s most enduring classics is transported to London’s East End in the 1930’s in this ground-breaking new production directed and adapted by Brigid Larmour from an idea by Tracy Ann-Oberman. The production comes direct from the Royal Shakespeare Company having opened to glowing reviews at Watford’s Palace Theatre earlier this year.
Wilton’s Music Hall is delighted to be hosting the world premiere of a new play WHAT IT MEANS, (04-28 Oct) by James Corley, an adaptation of Merle Miller’s pioneering essay What It Means to be a Homosexual, presented by Nisha Oza for The Lot Productions. This true account of Miller’s journey, first printed in 1971 in the New York Times, and published as On Being Different by Penguin has become a defining part of the LGBTQ+ rights movement as it stands today. This production directed by Harry Mackrill and starring Richard Cant, is an emotional one-person voyage through history highlighting the importance of standing up for what you believe in, accepting the validity of one’s own voice and taking a courageous step onto the platform that is offered to you.
Keeping to the theme of LGBTQ+ rights and following critically acclaimed runs at Edinburgh Fringe, a UK Tour, and West End Season the smash hit and drag extravaganza Margaret Thatcher Queen of Soho returns to Wilton’s by popular demand. Created by Olivier Award winner Jon Brittain and Matt Tedford this big gay odyssey about LGBTQ+ rights, the 80’s and disco is gloriously camp with political punch (The Times) and a rollicking good laugh (Attitude).
In the rest of a jam-packed season, Wilton’s sees the return of alternative superstars and singing siblings Bourgeois & Maurice with their life-affirming and demented 5 star show PLEASURE SEEKERS, a high-energy homage to hedonism in all its filthy, fabulous glory, and the uproarious, good old-fashioned knees up that is Carradine’s Cockney Sing-a-long (21 Nov), plus the world famous Players Theatre (22 Nov) who play tribute to the music stars of yester-year in an evening of truly magnificent song, dance, magic and music.
There is more music, spanning opera and jazz, Purcell to Britten, Weill to Wallen when MIMO presents FEAST (15-16 Sep), silent movie nights with live piano scores provided by Lucky Dog Picturehouse (14-16 Nov)and the always wonderful OneTrackMinds(13-14 Sep & 24-25 Nov)where a vibrant selection of writers, musicians and thinkers celebrate the power of music by sharing stories about the one song that changed their life. For one night only the exceptionally popular Dead Poets Live presentsa sort of ghost storyThe Haunter (23 November) exploring the most complex poems ever written on love and bereavement by Thomas Hardy.
Joining them for younger theatre goers and all the family; Footsbarn Travelling Theatre presents an evening of good old-fashioned Christmas magic with puppetry, music and mayhem with an adaptation of the classic fairy tale La Petite Gerda(17-18 Nov)and Morgan & West return with a MASSIVE MAGIC SHOW (25 Nov), a relentlessly funny, fantastical and magic-filled show packed full of silliness and fun for kids aged 5-95.
WILTSHIRE CREATIVE AND OCTAGON THEATRE BOLTON ANNOUNCE CAST AND CREATIVE TEAM FOR
JEEVES AND WOOSTER IN PERFECT NONSENSE
Wiltshire Creative with Octagon Theatre Bolton today announces the full cast and creative team for Jeeves and Wooster in Perfect Nonsense. Marieke Audsley directs Luke Barton (Bertie Wooster), Patrick Warner (Jeeves) and Alistair Cope (Seppings). The production will feature design by Olivia du Monceau with lighting design by Jane Lalljee and sound design by Matt Eaton.
Robert and David Goodale’s adaptation of P.G. Wodehouse’sThe Code of the Woosters, premièred at Duke of York’s Theatre in 2013 and won the 2014 Olivier Award for Best New Comedy. This new production opens Wiltshire Creative’s autumn season on 5 September and runs until 23 September, with previews from 1 September, before completing performances at Octagon Theatre Bolton from 4 – 21 October.
Following on from the success of How the Other Half Loves,Wiltshire Creative will this season be increasing its work as a producing theatre, with three in house productions on the Salisbury Playhouse Main Stage. Jeeves and Wooster in Perfect Nonsensewill be followed by The Girl on the Train– the thriller based on the bestselling novel by Paula Hawkins and DreamWorks’ film, running from 19 October – 11 November. The season culminates with Dick Whittington, which runs from 25 November 2023 – 7 January 2024.
Octagon Theatre Bolton’s autumn/winter season also includes a contemporary co-production of Arthur Miller’s masterpiece, A View From the Bridge running from 8 – 30 September; a world première musical adaptation of Jules Verne’s classic adventure tale, Around the World in 80 Days which will run from 16 November 2023 – 13 January 2024; and a powerful re-telling of George Orwell’s classic, in a co-production of Animal Farm completing the season from 1 – 24 February 2024.
Director Marieke Audsley said today, “I’m thrilled to be working with Wiltshire Creative and the Octagon Theatre Bolton on this hilarious adaptation of P.G. Wodehouse’s much-loved novel, The Code of the Woosters. We have a really exciting cast to bring Bertie, Jeeves, their friends (and foes!) to life, and a wonderful creative team to create the fabulous world of Berkeley Mansions and Totleigh Towers. Both dedicated Wodehouse fans and anyone new to Jeeves and Wooster can look forward to a fantastically farcical evening out!”
A Wiltshire Creative and Octagon Theatre Bolton production JEEVES AND WOOSTER IN PERFECT NONSENSE
A play from the works of P.G. Wodehouse
By Robert Goodale and David Goodale
Salisbury Playhouse:
1 – 23 September 2023
Octagon Theatre Bolton:
4 – 21 October 2023
Cast: Luke Barton (Bertie Wooster), Alistair Cope (Seppings), Patrick Warner (Jeeves),
Director: Marieke Audsley; Designer; Olivia du Monceau; Lighting designer: Jane Lalljee;
Sound designer: Matt Eaton; Casting consultant: Liv Barr; Producers: Alice Bezant, Amanda Bruce and Lydia Scott
P.G. Wodehouse’s iconic double act lands in Salisbury for a night of very silly nonsense!
Following a riotous weekend at country house Totleigh Towers, Bertie Wooster has a tale to tell. Forced to play matchmaker between his newt-fancying acquaintance Gussie Fink-Nottle and the girl of his dreams, Madeline Bassett, Bertie must also secure an elusive silver cow-creamer for his formidable Aunt Dahlia. It’s a tall order, but fortunately he has the help of his loyal valet, the ever-reliable Jeeves, to navigate the many twists, turns and mishaps in this fast paced and dazzlingly inventive comedy.
Robert Goodale’s writing credits include Jeeves and Wooster: In Perfect Nonsense(Duke of York’s Theatre).
David Goodale is a documentary film maker and playwright. As a writer, his credits include Jeeves and Wooster: In Perfect Nonsense (Duke of York’s Theatre).
Luke Barton plays Bertie Wooster. His theatre credits include Busman’s Honeymoon, The Unexpected Guest, Spider’s Web (The Mill at Sonning), The Valley Of Fear,Frankenstein, That is all you need to know, Romeo and Juliet, Twelfth Night, Henry V (UK tour), The Hound of The Baskervilles (The Lost Estate), One Man, Two Guvnors (New Wolsey Theatre, Nuffield Southampton Theatres), The Sign of Four (UK and international tour), Misterman, (Liverpool Everyman and Playhouse).
Patrick Warner, whose acting credits include Netflix’s The Crown, will play the role of Jeeves. He returns to Salisbury Playhouse having previously performed in Spike. His theatre credits include Peter Pan Goes Wrong (Alexandra Palace and UK tour), The Play That Goes Wrong (Duchess Theatre and UK and international tour), Spike,Captain Flinn and the Pirate Dinosaurs 2: The Magic Cutlass, The Comedy of Errors (UK tour), Lifeboat, Junket (Arcola Theatre), Vanity Fair (Middle Temple Hall), One Man, Two Guvnors (National Theatre, UK tour), Overruled (Old Red Lion), Posh ( Royal Court Theatre), Transmission (Southwark Playhouse), Trapp (Old Vic New Voices), and Cumquats (National Theatre Studio). His television credits include The Crown, Masters of the Air and Murder on the Victorian Railway, and for film, In Dreams, To a Cinder and Closed Circuit.
Alistair Cope plays Seppings. His theatre credits include The Massive Tragedy of Madame Bovary (Jeremyn Street Theatre), A Gallop Through History (Platinum Jubilee Celebration), People, Places and Things (National Theatre, Wyndham’s Theatre), The Sound of Heavy Rain and Lungs (Paines Plough, Sheffield Theatres), Grief (Old Vic New Voices), and Arden 2.0 (The Old Vic). For television his credits include Toast of London, Ringside, Nesia and Silent Witness (as recurring character Dr Sykes); and for film, Lionhead, Judy and Yardie.
Marieke Audsley directs Jeeves and Wooster in Perfect Nonsense. Her theatre credits include Ladies’ Day (New Vic and Octagon Theatre), Jekyll and Hyde (Guildford Shakespeare Company), The Massive Tragedy of Madame Bovary! (Jermyn Street Theatre), Frost Hollow Hall, The Hound of Baskervilles (East Riding Theatre), Beryl (East Riding Theatre and Arcola Theatre), A Few Good Men (Sainsbury Theatre), Breathing Corpses (Platform Theatre), Julius Caesar (Swan Theatre and UK tour), Richard III (Sainsbury Theatre), The Voice of the Turtle (House of St Barnabas), Sleight and Hand (Edinburgh Festival Fringe), Civil Rogues (Pleasance Theatre), While the Sun Shines (Lion and Unicorn Theatre), and The Rover (Drama Studio, Sheffield).
Relaxed, BSL and Captioned Performance: 19 September at 7:30pm
Audio Described and Touch Tours: 21 September at 2:15pm and 7:30pm Tickets from £13
Octagon Theatre, Bolton
Howell Croft South, BL1 1SB
Wednesday 4 – Saturday 21 October 2023
Audio Described Performance: 13 October at 7:30pm
BSL and Captioned Performance: 17 October at 7:30pm
Tickets from £15
THE GIRL ON THE TRAIN
Salisbury Playhouse, Main house
Malthouse Lane, Salisbury SP2 7RA
Thursday 19 October – Saturday 11 November Backstage Tour: Saturday 28 October at 11am Post-Show Q&A: Wednesday 1 November BSL and Captioned Performance: Tuesday 7 November at 7.30pm Audio Described and Touch Tours: Thursday 9 November at 2.15pm and 7.30pm Tickets from £13
DICK WHITTINGTON
Salisbury Playhouse, Main House,
Malthouse Lane, Salisbury SP2 7RA
Saturday 25 November 2023 – Sunday 7 January 2024
Backstage Tour: Saturday 6 January 2024 at 11am
BSL and Captioned Performances: Wednesday 6 December 2023 at 7pm and Thursday 4 January 2024 at 2:15pm
Relaxed Performance: Saturday 6 January 2024 at 11am
Audio Described and Touch Tours: Thursday 14 December 2023 at 2:15pm and 7pm and Tuesday 19 December 2023 at 7pm
This feel-good musical returns to the Sheffield Lyceum on its current UK tour. The multi award-winning West End show, has been on the go for the last 34 years and has proved to entertain audiences consistently throughout, with a total of 10,490 UK performances! Like Buddy Hollys songs, this production has shown great staying power and when you are lucky enough to sit through this beauty, it is no surprise why.
You are taken on a journey through the years of Buddy Hollys short life, starting right at the beginning with his Texas rockabilly days. We see how he catapults quickly into fame and success due to his incredible talent and dedication. The key moments that sent his career into such a ripping success, are all marked out on the stage for us to see. Including the comical first entrance onto the Apollo stage.
Don’t expect too much drama or even anything gripping, as due to his such short years with his life ending at 22, there wasn’t much to report! This is more of a concert feeling show and is a showcase of his wonderful songs. But do expect lots of superb music, jaw dropping guitar, bass, drums and saxophone playing. The band really does make this production what it is, from Christopher Weeks playing his guitar behind his head for a minute or so impeccable at the end, to just how perfect the rest of the musicians are. Great chemistry and charisma from all the musicians, a special mention to the bass player (Joe Butcher) for his stage presence, he’s quite the star.
Christopher Weeks is perfectly cast as Buddy and looks like he is having the time of his life on the stage. His energy and accuracy of Buddys charming and sweet character and voice are so well-matched. What a talent. Laura-Dene Perryman really stood out as a bit of a star of the show, and it was hard to take your eyes off her with how well she was performing. Such a fantastic voice in her part of the duet of ‘Shout’.
The story also covers the other musicians that lost their lives on that awful day, in the form of The Big Bopper (Christopher Chandler) and Ritchie Valens (Miguel Angel). These both handle their solo numbers with gust and what energy they brought to the auditorium, especially with La Bamba – the audience went wild.
Whether you are a Buddy fan or not, it is almost impossible to not tap your feet to these super catchy, popular masterpieces. A real uplifting (albeit sad) musical with some special moments, by an enormously talented cast.
MGC today announces the world première of Marcelo Dos Santos’ new play Backstairs Billy which looks at a pivotal moment in the 50 year relationship between the Queen Mother and her loyal servant William “Billy” Tallon. Michael Grandage directs Penelope Wilton as the Queen Mother and Luke Evans as Billy, with further casting to be announced shortly. The production opens at the Duke of York’s Theatre on 7 November, with previews from 27 October, and runs until 27 January. Public booking for the production opens today.
In the company’s continued commitment to providing access for all in the West End, there will be £10 tickets available at every performance across the run. For further information, and to register for the initiative: www.michaelgrandagecompany.com. Since MGC’s creation in 2011 the company has led the way in defining a cheaper seat policy across the West End, prioritising accessibility, and to enable as wide and diverse audience as possible to experience West End Theatre.
Michael Grandage said today “It is always a great moment to celebrate the birth of a new comedy in the West End and particularly from an important new voice such as Marcelo Dos Santos. I am thrilled to be working again with Penelope Wilton and Luke Evans alongside a cast of twelve other actors as we bring an exciting new play to the stage this autumn and over the Christmas period ahead.”
The production reunites Grandage with Wilton – they previously collaborated on productions of The Chalk Garden, John Gabriel Borkman and Hamlet; and with Evans who performed at the Donmar twice under Grandage’s Artistic directorship, in Small Change and Piaf. Also, Marcelo Dos Santos was an MGCfutures Bursary recipient from 2019 – a charity established by Grandage to support theatre makers across all aspects of the industry. Following their introduction via the bursary programme, MGC commissioned Dos Santos to write Backstairs Billy.
Director: Michael Grandage; Set Designer: Christopher Oram;
Costume Designers: Christopher Oram and Tom Rand; Lighting Designer: Ryan Day;
Music and Sound designer: Adam Cork;Wigs, Hair & Makeup Designer: Carole Hancock;
Casting Director: Jacob Sparrow;Associate Director: Sophie Drake; Costume Supervisor: Mary Charlton
Set in 1979, when strikes are bringing the country to its knees and Britain is about to seismically change under Margaret Thatcher, it is business as usual for the Queen Mother and her loyal servant Billy inside Clarence House. Receptions are in full swing and the champagne is flowing as the two worlds start to collide with dizzying consequences.
Marcelo Dos Santos is an award-winning Latinx British-Brazilian-Australian writer. His play Feeling Afraid as If Something Terrible is Going to Happen (Francesca Moody Productions)won a Fringe First Award at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe in 2022, and transfers to the Bush Theatre with Samuel Barnett in November. Other work includes Lionboy (Complicité, UK & New York & International tour), Subverts (Royal Court Theatre – as part of Living Newspaper), Trigger Warning (co-creator, Camden People’s Theatre – recipient of the Jerwood Home Run Award Commission), The End of History (High Hearted Theatre & Soho Theatre at St Giles in the Fields Church), New Labour (RADA),Cheer Up is Only the Beginning (co-writer, Liverpool Playhouse), Lovers Walk (co-writer Southwark Playhouse).
Penelope Wilton plays the Queen Mother. For theatre, her work includes Taken at Midnight – Olivier Award for Best Actress (Chichester Festival Theatre and Theatre Royal Haymarket), A Delicate Balance, Heartbreak House (Almeida Theatre), Hamlet (Donmar West End), The Family Reunion, The Chalk Garden (Evening Standard Award for Best Actress), John Gabriel Borkman, The Little Foxes, The Collection, The Lover, A Kind of Alaska (Donmar Warehouse) Women Beware Women (RSC), The House of Bernada Alba, Tess, The Secret Rapture, Betrayal (National Theatre), The Seagull (Barbican) and Long Day’s Journey Into Night (Young Vic). For television, her work includes Downtown Abbey (as series regular Isobel Crawley), as widower Anne in Ricky Gervais’ award-winning After Life, Brief Encounters, South Riding, Margot, Doctor Who, The Passion, Half Broken Things, Five Days, Celebration, Falling, Lucky Jim, Bob and Rose, Victoria and Albert, The Whistle-Blower, Wives and Daughters, Alice Through the Looking Glass, Talking Heads, The Borrowers and Ever Decreasing Circles; and for film, The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry, Zoo, The BFG, The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel 2, Belle, The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel, The History Boys, Pride and Prejudice, Match Point, Shaun of the Dead, Iris, Calendar Girls, Tom’s Midnight Garden, Carrington, The Secret Rapture, Blame it on the Bellboy, Cry Freedom, Clockwise, The French Lieutenant’s Woman, and the Downton Abbey films.
Luke Evans plays Billy. He returns to the stage for first time in over fifteen years. He previously appeared at the Donmar Warehouse in Piaf and Small Change, under Grandage’s tenure as Artistic Director. For television, his work includes Echo 3, Nine Perfect Strangers, Pembrokeshire Murders, The Angel of Darkness, The Grand Tour, The Alienist, and The Great Train Robbery; and for film, Good Grief, Our Son, Pinocchio, Crisis, Murder Mystery, Angel of Mine, Midway, Anna, MA, State Like Sleep, 10 X 10, The Fate of the Furious, Beauty and the Beast, Professor Marston and The Wonder Woman, The Girl on the Train, Message from the King, Hugh Rise, Fast & Furious 7, Dracula Untold, The Hobbit – The Desolation of Smaug, Fast & Furious 6, The Hobbit – There and Back Again, The Hobbit – An Unexpected Journey, No One Lives, The Raven and The Three Musketeers.
Michael Grandage is Artistic Director of the Michael Grandage Company (MGC) where for theatre he has directed Emma Corrin in Orlando (Garrick Theatre), Dawn French in Dawn French is a Huge Tw*t (UK tour and The Palladium), Ian McDiarmid in The Lemon Table (UK Tour), Aidan Turner in The Lieutenant of Inishmore (Noël Coward Theatre), Alfred Molina and Alfred Enoch in Red (Wyndham’s Theatre), Nicole Kidman in Photograph 51 (Noël Coward Theatre), Dawn French: 30 Million Minutes (national and international tour and West End), Jude Law in Henry V, David Walliams and Sheridan Smith in A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Daniel Radcliffe in The Cripple of Inishmaan, Judi Dench and Ben Whishaw in Peter and Alice and Simon Russell Beale in Privates on Parade as part of the season at the Noël Coward Theatre. His film work for MGC includes My Policeman (2022) starring Harry Styles, Emma Corrin, Gina McKee, Linus Roache, David Dawson and Rupert Everett, and Genius (2016) starring Colin Firth, Jude Law, Nicole Kidman, and Laura Linney. His opera work includes Madama Butterfly for Houston Grand Opera and Chicago Lyric Opera, Le Nozzi de Figarofor Glyndebourne and Houston, Don Giovannifor the Met and Billy Budd for San Francisco, Glyndebourne and BAM in New York. He was Artistic Director of the Donmar Warehouse (2002–2012) and Sheffield Theatres (2000-2005) where his work included Chiwetel Ejiofor in Othello, Frank Langella and Michael Sheen in Frost/Nixon, Derek Jacobi in King Lear, Eddie Redmayne and Alfred Molina in Red (Tony Award for Best Director), Jude Law in Hamlet and Kenneth Branagh in Ivanov. He won three Olivier Awards for his musical productions of Guys and Dolls, Merrily We Roll Along and Grand Hotel. His production of Disney’s Frozen – The Musical is currently running at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane. He was President of the Royal Central School of Speech and Drama from 2010 to 2022 and is currently President of the Morrab Library. He was appointed CBE in the Queen’s Birthday Honours 2011. His book, A Decade At The Donmar, was published by Constable & Robins in 2012. His charity, set up to help young theatre makers, can be found at www.mgcfutures.com.
HOPE MILL THEATRE, MANCHESTER – UNTIL SATURDAY 8TH JULY 2023
REVIEWED BY ZOE BROWN
4****
Philip Ridley’s powerful play is about ‘how we manipulate our memories of the past to shape the story of our lives’. As Director, Max Harrison, insightfully writes ‘Right now – it feels more relevant than ever’, referencing high-profile names we see in the media pushing ‘their truth’ and ‘recollections may vary’ of truth, in a bid to control the narrative.
Ridley’s ability to encapsulate such universal themes within the life of an everyday East End family leaves you bewildered and emotionally shell shocked. This play covers many difficult subjects matters, with reference to suicide, domestic violence and allusions to child abuse.
Brace yourselves, and if you can stomach the content, this is a production well worth the watch. Bringing into focus, family secrets and the lies we tell ourselves and each other to keep from descending into depression (as matriarch Liz called it a ‘fluey bug thing’ that ‘we never talked about once it was over: What was the point?’) Whilst this content is disturbing it is well worth confronting and exploring as a society. Yes, it’s brutal – however it’s superbly written and performed; a rhythmic piece of drama whose pace and tension builds and builds until a crescendo in the third act with heartbreaking effect.
These are indeed all fine Actors. To carry the weight of this story is no mean feat (a whole 1 hour 45 mins, no interval). Ned Costello as Steven is a powerhouse. His journey into and out of descent was masterful. One to watch in my book. Joseph Potter as his traumatised younger brother Barry was engaging throughout. Katie Buchholz as wife Debbie was strong, dynamic and witty. Kacey Ainsworth as mother Liz, a fine established actor whose experience shone through, finding the perfect balance of powerful demanding matriarch and broken grieving mother.
The minimalist black staging and seamless transitions made this a slick production. However, the seating arrangement left me feeling a tad too exposed. Staged in a hybrid of thrust and raised proscenium seating, it felt strange to be one of those seated stage left and so close to the actors you almost felt you were in the room with them. Ordinarily I love being close, but when the studio lighting encompasses those of us near to the action, you feel very much on display for the rest of the audience. At one point I jumped in my skin as the scarily confident ‘Steven’ stared directly into my soul.
Also, the choice to perform so much of the cellar scene in darkness meant the scene felt too long and we were robbed of the ability to see how the actors were reacting to each other.
Lidless Theatre’s focus on making ‘raw and emotionally impactful theatre through shared human experience’ is indeed vital theatre. Rightfully explored at a pivotal moment in our society’s history.
GARDENS FIT FOR A QUEEN (OR SIX) – THE WEST END COMPANY OF SIX AT THE RHS HAMPTON COURT PALACE GARDEN FESTIVAL 2023
The West End company of smash-hit global musical phenomenon Six today visited the RHS Hampton Court Palace Garden Festival 2023, where they were crowned with specially created floral creations from Flowers from the Farm, the not-for-profit membership organisation championing nearly 1000 independent artisan growers of British cut flowers across the UK, and photographed in front of the beautiful RHS Letters, designed by Leigh Chappell Flowers.
Cast members Rhianne-Louise McCaulsky, Baylie Carson, Leah Vassell, Monique Ashe-Palmer, Koko Basigara, and Roxanne Couch visited the iconic 31-acre site in the grounds of Hampton Court Palace, and enjoyed visiting some of the 39 gardens, allotments and Sensory Pocket Planting beds which have been designed and created for the 2023 Festival, which celebrates its 30th anniversary this year, and runs until 9 July.
Winner of two 2022 Tony Awards, a Whatsonstage award, and nominated for five Olivier awards, SIXcan also be seen live on stage worldwide: on Broadway at the Lena Horne Theatre in New York, across the UK on its current sell-out, record-breaking tour, with two concurrent North American tours, a recent Australian tour and production in South Korea, and forthcoming productions in Holland and Canada.
SIX is written by Toby Marlow and Lucy Moss, with Direction by Lucy Moss and Jamie, with Armitage, choreography by Carrie-Anne Ingrouille, set design by Emma Bailey, costume design by Gabriella Slade, lighting design by Tim Deiling, sound design by Paul Gatehouse, musical orchestration by Tom Curran, musical supervisor Joe Beighton.
Think you know the six Wives of Henry VIII? Think again…
Prepare to lose your head and experience the Tudor Wives’ lives as they turn back the clock and take to the stage to reclaim their crowns and retell their stories of love, loss and the infamous ex they all have in common.
Join Aragon, Boleyn, Seymour, Cleves, Howard and Parr, backed by their fiercely all-female band,
the Ladies in Waiting, and Get Down to a royal retelling of the sassiest story in British Her-story.
Kenny Wax Family Entertainment, in association with MAST Mayflower Studios UK tour dates announced for award-winning empowering pop musical Fantastically Great Women Who Changed the World Thursday 30th November 2023 – Sunday 3rd March 2024
Fantastically Great Women Who Changed the World, winner of the UK Theatre Award, is heading out on a major UK tour. It opens at Wimbledon New Theatre in November before returning to The Lowry for a Christmas season with further touring in 2024. This empowering pop musical, from one of the producers of worldwide sensation SIX, is based on the popular book by Suffragette relative Kate Pankhurst, and has grown to delight and inspire audiences of all ages across the country.
Following a hit run at Edinburgh Fringe Festival 2022 and a hugely successful 2021-22 tour, the critically acclaimed Fantastically Great Women Who Changed the World is bringing back its aweinspiring characters, catchy pop soundtrack and TikTok-favourite choreography this winter. The show will play at Wimbledon New Theatre; The Lowry in Salford, Greater Manchester; Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff; Milton Keynes Theatre; Belgrade Theatre, Coventry; and Newcastle Theatre Royal. Audiences who can’t wait until then can download the toe-tapping, fistpumping, sing-along-worthy pop soundtrack on Spotify, Apple Music and Amazon
Remarkable – and often forgotten – women from history are lifted from the pages of Kate Pankhurst’s beloved picture book and brought gloriously to life on stage. These inspirational women show audiences of all ages how we can change the world no matter who we are, including Rosa Parks, Amelia Earhart, Marie Curie, Mary Seacole, Frida Kahlo, Jane Austen and Pankhurst’s own relative Emmeline. When inquisitive heroine Jade breaks away from her school trip to the local museum to peek at the Gallery of Greatness, she meets iconic women from the past, whose actions and lives changed the world as we know it, including explorers, scientists, artists and secret agents. This enthralling, heartwarming musical is full of incredible characters, inspirational moments and a soundtrack that packs a popstar punch.
The creative team behind this uplifting stage show consists of renowned dramatist Chris Bush (multiple Olivier Award-winning Standing at the Sky’s Edge, National Theatre; Faustus: That Damned Woman, Headlong); with music by UK No.1 hit songwriter Miranda Cooper (Girls Aloud; Sugababes; Kylie Minogue), whose songs include Sound of the Underground, Round Round and The Promise; and Jennifer Decilveo (Miley Cyrus; Ben Platt) and live arrangements by Jen Green (Beverley Knight; Pixie Lott). The director is Amy Hodge (Mr Gum and The Dancing Bear – The Musical!, the National Theatre), designer Joanna Scotcher (Emilia, Shakespeare’s Globe/Vaudeville Theatre), choreographer Dannielle ‘Rhimes’ Lecointe (Dick Whittington, the National Theatre), lighting designer Zoe Spurr (Emilia, Shakespeare’s Globe/Vaudeville Theatre), sound designer Carolyn Downing (Summer & Smoke, Almeida/Duke of York’s Theatre) and cosound designer Rob Bettle (Frozen: The Musical, Theatre Royal Drury Lane; Billy Elliott, UK tour; One Man, Two Guvnors, Theatre Royal Haymarket).
Past praise for Fantastically Great Women Who Changed the World:
A pop-fuelled, upbeat feminist hit – ★ ★ ★ ★ The Times
A high voltage show with great charisma… a zippy guide to the great women of history that sets toes tapping and young minds alight – The Guardian
Incredibly inspirational, a battle call to women everywhere – ★ ★ ★ ★ Liverpool Echo
This new British musical has all the energy of a girl band concert and enough history to inspire young people – ★ ★ ★ ★ Evening Standard
A celebration of girl power over the centuries… I’m still singing – ★ ★ ★ ★ Daily Mail
Owain Arthur will play the role of Nathan Detroit in Nicholas Hytner’s critically acclaimed immersive production of Guys & Dolls. Arthur will have his first performance on 17 July 2023 replacing Daniel Mays, who will return to the role on 16 October.
Owain Arthur joins the cast which comprises Cedric Neal (Nicely-Nicely Johnson), Andrew Richardson (Sky Masterson), Celinde Schoenmaker (Sarah Brown) and Marisha Wallace (Miss Adelaide). Also appearing are Jordan Castle (Harry the Horse), Cornelius Clarke (Lieutenant Brannigan), Cameron Johnson (Big Jule), Anthony O’Donnell (Arvide Abernathy), Mark Oxtoby (Benny Southstreet), Ryan Pidgen (Rusty Charlie) and Katy Secombe (General Cartwright). Completing the cast are Iroy Abesamis,Simon Anthony, Lydia Bannister, Kathryn Barnes, Callum Bell, Cindy Belliot, Petrelle Dias, Ike Fallon, Leslie Garcia Bowman, George Ioannides, Robbie McMillan, Perry O’Dea, James Revell, Charlotte Scott, Tinovimbanashe Sibanda, Isabel Snaas, Sasha Wareham and Dale White in the ensemble.
Arthur continues his collaboration with Nicholas Hytner having previously performed in the West End run and international tour of One Man, Two Guvnors, leading the cast as Francis Henshall, and The History Boys at the National Theatre. His other theatre credits include Romeo and Juliet for the RSC, Birdsong at Harold Pinter Theatre and The Comedy of Errors for Manchester Royal Exchange. On television his credits include Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power, London Kills, A Confession, Hard Sun,Death in Paradise, Hinterland and Babylon. On film he has been in Coffee Wars, The One and Only Ivan, White Island, Willkommen im Krieg, Eldra, Mr Nice and The Patrol.
Nicholas Hytner said “I’m delighted that Owain Arthur will be joining the company of Guys & Dolls. He was outstanding in One Man, Two Guvnors and he promises to be a tremendous Nathan Detroit.”
Guys & Dolls– a musical fable of Broadway, based on the story and characters of Damon Runyon – opened on 14 March 2023, marking Hytner’s first musical presented at The Bridge.
The Bridge transforms for one of the greatest musicals of all time. It has more hit songs, more laughs and more romance than any show ever written. The seating is wrapped around the action while the immersive tickets transport you to the streets of Manhattan and the bars of Havana in the unlikeliest of love stories. Join us on Broadway for the explosion of joy that is Guys & Dolls.
Guys & Dolls has music and lyrics by Frank Loesser and book by Jo Swerling and Abe Burrows, with – choreography by Arlene Phillips with James Cousins, musical supervision and arrangements by Tom Brady, set by Bunny Christie, costumes by Bunny Christie and Deborah Andrews,lighting by Paule Constable, sound by Paul Arditti, orchestrations by Charlie Rosen, associate direction by James Cousins, and casting by Charlotte Sutton.
Guys & Dollsis booking at the Bridge Theatre until 24 February 2024
London Theatre Company Bridge Theatre
LISTINGS INFORMATION FOR THE BRIDGE THEATRE
Address: Bridge Theatre, 3 Potters Fields Park, London, SE1 2SG
The Almeida Theatre announces the full cast for the world premiere of Sam Holcroft’s A Mirror.
Joining the previously announced Jonny Lee Miller, Tanya Reynolds and Micheal Wardare Sara Houghton, Aaron Neil, Geoffrey Streatfeild and musician Miriam Wakeling.
Jeremy Herrin directs Sam Holcroft’s new play A Mirror,interrogating censorship and free speech. The production opens on Wednesday 23 August, with previews from Tuesday 15 August, and runs until Saturday 23 September.
World Premiere
A MIRROR by Sam Holcroft
Director: Jeremy Herrin;Set and CostumeDesigner: Max Jones;Lighting Designer: Azusa Ono;Composer and Sound Designer: Nick Powell;Casting Director: Jessica Ronane CDG; Fight Director: Jonathan Holby
Tuesday 15 August – Saturday 23 September 2023
“I do solemnly declare, of my own accord and without coercion, according to the constitution of this country, and the oath I have sworn to its people and its leadership, that I know not of any lawful impediment why I Joel may not be joined in marriage to Leyla.”
With great pleasure Leyla and Joel invite you to celebrate their marriage. Dress code is smart casual. Doors at 7.30pm, followed by the exchange of vows. And at the signal, the entertainment will begin.
(This performance is being staged without a licence from the Ministry. We recognise the risk that each and every one of you is taking by attending, and we salute your courage.)
Jonny Lee Miller (Trainspotting; Elementary), Tanya Reynolds(Sex Education; Scenes with Girls) and Micheal Ward (Empire of Light; Top Boy) feature in the world premiere of Sam Holcroft’s (Rules for Living) elusive and explosive new play. Interrogating censorship, authorship and free speech, A Mirror is directed by Jeremy Herrin (Best of Enemies).
A Mirror is a recipient of an Edgerton Foundation New Play Award.
