Strictly Ballroom danced its way into Salford last night and on opening night there was barely a spare seat in The Lowry as young, old, families and friends enjoyed two and half hours of exceptional singing, dancing and fun.
Strictly Ballroom The Musical is a musical theatre adaptation of the highly rated and critically acclaimed 1992 film, written and directed by Baz Luhrmann. Luhrmann is an Australian film director, producer, writer and actor, with projects spanning film, television, opera, theatre, music and recording industries. On the big screen he is best known for projects including William Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet (1996), Moulin Rouge (2001), Australia (2008) and Elvis (2022).
If you are a devotee of, Strictly Come Dancing you will be very familiar with Craig Revel Horwood, his precise and over-fastidious nature but mostly his love and passion for the amateur ballroom dance championships. Horwood played an integral part in the direction and choreography of this musical, along with co-choreographer Jason Gilkison, they are a match made in ballroom heaven, bringing together traditional musical theatre performances and ballroom dancing.
The musical follows the story of Scott Hastings (Kevin Clifton) a rebellious young ballroom dancer, who refuses to stick to regulation ‘federation steps’ in a competition and stands to ruin his chances of winning the prestigious Pan Pacific Championships. He struggles to find a partner to help break conformity but then meets Fran (Faye Brookes), who is full of enthusiasm but a beginner at the dance school.
Kevin Clifton is best known for being a professional dancer on BBC One’s Strictly Come Dancing, he has also proven himself again and again as an accomplished musical theatre performer. He is joined by Faye Brookes best known for her role as Kate Connor in ITV1’s Coronation Street and being a contestant in the 2021 series of Dancing on Ice.
The standout moment of the show for me came at the end of act 1, when Scott visits Fran’s family gathering in the bar. Jose Agudo, as Fran’s father Rico, teaches Scott to dance from the heart. Agudo puts on a jaw dropping (literally) and commanding display of the Paso Doble. He was phenomenal and stole the show. I felt the energy raise in the build up to the entire cast putting on a powerful routine, offering us quite the spectacle.
A special mention must go to Mark Walters for his spectacular set and costume design. As soon as the lights came on, you were transported to the world of glitz and glamour of ballroom dancing. The costumes were bright, cheesy and an array of colours with sequins and not forgetting the hideously fitted wigs (true to the film) across many of the cast.
Strictly Ballroom is a lot of fun with some superb performances, strictly brilliant! You will be foxtrotting your way home.
The collaboration between playwrights Nesrin Alrefaai and Matthew Spangler and the author Christy Lefteri, is clearly evident in this poignant play. Based on the lives of a family in war torn Syria, this is a story of humanity and the impact of lived experience on our relationships with one another. More importantly, our relationship with self.
Alfred Clay (Nuri) carries you with him through his journey right from the start with this powerful performance. You are taken on a roller coaster of emotion from contentment with family life in Aleppo through to displacement, grief and broken minds in the UK. Roxy Faridany (Afra) plays Nuri’s wife and mother to their dead son Sami, providing context and insight along their journey. You can find humour in every dark situation in life, if you look for it. On this occasion it is provided by Elham Mahyoub (Mohammed/Sami), conjured up from the depths of Nuri’s broken mind. There is a strength in female solidarity portrayed by the connection Afra makes with Angeliki (Nadia Williams) a refugee from Somalia – another story of loss, another broken mind. Nuri’s cousin played by Joseph Long (Mustafa) gives hope and light to the piece, a calm, loving warmth carried in the tone of his voice.
The clever staging and effects catch your eye as soon as you walk in. The set turns from comfortable home to war torn Aleppo, a small boat at sea and several refugee camps – no mean feat!
In all of this, the human condition is seen to have more strength and endurance than we can ever imagine in our relatively safe and protected lives in the UK. Through the play you see that the minds coping mechanisms and how they manifest are individual to each person.
This play is compulsory viewing for anyone who has forgotten that every asylum seeker is a person, everyone with a story you wouldn’t want to have lived.
The full cast has been announced for Andrew Lloyd Webber’s iconic Love Never Dies which makes its West End return at Theatre Royal Drury Lane on 21 and 22 August 2023.
Taking on the role of Raoul is Matthew Seadon-Young (Death of a Salesman, Company) with Courtney Stapleton (Beauty and the Beast) as Meg and Sally Dexter (Emmerdale, Billy Elliot the Musical) as Madame Giry. Completing the cast are Nic Greenshields as Squelch, Charles Brunton as Gangle, Lucie-Mae Sumneras Fleck, with the ensemble made up of Chloe Campbell, Alex Christian, Courtney George, Aoife Kenny, Alex Pinder and Emily Ann Potter. They will be joining the previously announced Celinde Schoenmaker (Guys and Dolls, The Phantom of the Opera) as Christine Daeé and Broadway’s first African-American Phantom, Norm Lewis, as The Phantom.
Love Never Dies in Concert is directed by Shaun Kerrison with musical supervision by Simon Lee, musical direction by Freddie Tapner, choreography by Joanna Goodwin, sound design by Adam Fisher, lighting design by Tim Deiling, set and costume design by Rebecca Bower and casting by Sarah-Jane Price. The concert will be performed by the London Musical Theatre Orchestra & Chorus, conducted by Freddie Tapner.
‘Love Never Dies in Concert’ is produced by Fourth Wall Live and the London Musical Theatre Orchestra and arranged with the permission of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Really Useful Group, with a score by Andrew Lloyd Webber, lyrics by Glenn Slater, and a book by Lloyd Webber, Slater, Ben Elton and Frederick Forsyth.
Love Never Dies returns to the story of The Phantom of the Opera 10 years after the Phantom’s disappearance from the Paris Opera House. Escaped to a new life in New York, he has finally found a place for his music to soar. All that is missing is his love – Christine Daaé. In a final bid to win her back, the Phantom lures Christine, her husband, and their young son Gustave to America to perform one final time. As old wounds are reopened and forgotten memories unlocked – The Phantom sets out to prove that, indeed, Love Never Dies. This concert comes as The Phantom of the Operain London’s West End continues to break records at the box office, 36 years after opening at the recently-renamed His Majesty’s Theatre on Haymarket.
Theatre Royal Drury Lane is owned and operated by LW Theatres. The venue reopened in June 2021 following a total, £60m, 2-year restoration
There are few occasions in life where you can go to the theatre in fancy dress and heckle the cast but when seeing Rocky Horror Show it seems almost compulsory. It might have been cold and wet outside but in the theatre it was warm and the people in costume outnumbered those not in costume.
The opening number, Science Fiction/Double Feature is sung by Suzi McAdam, in her role as the Usherette, who deserves a special mention as she also plays Magenta and her quick changes are amazing. Reece Budin is brilliant in his role as the narrator as he receives the most heckles from from the audience but responds to them brilliantly, whether or not these replies are scripted remains unknown but the timings and the responses are spot on, Budin is possibly the best narrator I have seen.
Sweet and innocent Brad and Janet are played by Richard Meek and Haley Flaherty who have amazing on stage chemistry. The pair also take the heckles well, although at times you could tell Meek was trying not to laugh, especially during the scene with the cocktail shaker. Joe Allen brings both Eddie and Dr. Scott to life but is better in the role as Eddie as Dr. Scott has a strange accent that isn’t the same from one line to the next. Ben Westhead is wonderful in his role of Rocky, using his looks to charm the audience. Stefania Du Toit tap dances her way into the role of Columbia, although the role should be bigger as her talents are not used as well as they should be. Stars of the show though are Stephen Webb and Kristian Lavercombe who play Frank N. Furter and Riff Raff respectively. The pair have a brilliant connection and use each other to work out how to play the scene, and Lavercombe has racked up over 2000 performances as Riff Raff.
All in all a brilliant night out which would make Richard O’Brien proud and will make fans of the Rocky Horror Show keep coming back to do the Time Warp again and again.
Blackpool Grand Theatre – Sunday 02/07/23 at 19:30
“A show where you will be saying “I’m Still Standing” at the end”
From Soul Street Productions Ltd, The Elton John Show is a thrilling new tribute show to hit the UK stages to celebrate over 50 years of the “Rocket Man” himself.
Sir Elton John is the most successful singer-songwriter of his generation selling over 300 million records with “Your Song” being his first big hit. Known as a flamboyant mega-star we can thank him for incredible songs from “Goodbye Yellow Brick Road” to “Tiny Dancer” and many more.
The Elton John Show brings “Young Elton” back to stage at his energetic best and you will disappoint if you miss this performance.
Theatre Royal Haymarket – until 9th September 2023
Reviewed by Ben Jolly
4****
Flying into the Theatre Royal Haymarket this explosive new production of Dario Fo’s classic play fires on all cylinders.
Adapted by Tom Basden, Accidental Death of an Anarchist was first seen in Sheffield and after a sell-out run at the Lyric Hammersmith has transferred to London’s West End. Fo’s original play, billed as a “political farce” is based on the untimely death of Giuseppe Pinelli who died while in police custody for questioning over the 1969 Piazza Fontana bombing. The play made its debut in 1970 and it is a chilling thought to consider that despite over half a century having passed, the issues and themes the play brings up are even more relevant today.
Moments of manic intensity radiate off the stage right from the get-go as we are introduced to our ally and emcee for the evening, The Maniac – the conductor of chaos who ensures that we are entertained and provoked throughout. The Maniac is being questioned by Inspector Burton, where, seizing a brief moment of opportunity, he conjures a plan to escape to the infamous fourth floor of the police station, where the recent death of an anarchist took place. It is here when the farcical elements really take stride as The Maniac begins to unravel the tangled web of lies that have been reported on the moments leading to the death.
Daniel Rigby leads the pack with his commanding performance of The Maniac, a tour de force with heightened energy that is unparalleled to anything we’ve witnessed onstage in a longtime. His range, vocal and physical elasticity while holding the captive audience in the palm of his hand is a wonder to behold. There are, however, times when it is almost too much to handle and I think that the phrase “once is funny, twice is enough” should have been considered by Daniel Raggett who helmed the direction of this production. This production has many other strong core elements holding it together, a timely and relevant script that comes to life throughout, a fantastic supporting cast with Tony Gardner, Tom Andrews and Mark Hadfield delivering just the right amount of absurdness to compliment The Maniac’s tomfoolery, and a superb set designed by Anna Reid who has created a canvas that enables the chaos to take place within these walls.
The play fully succeeds in what it sets out to accomplish; it entertains with humour and through this, provokes uncomfortable feelings with the message of the rising stats in state related deaths while in police care. It is hilarious, loud, chaotic and messy, – a recipe for a beautiful disaster.
Sonia Friedman Productions (SFP) is delighted to announce that Kristin Scott Thomas (Electra, Darkest Hour) and Lily James (All About Eve, Pam & Tommy) will star in the world premiere of Lyonesse, a searingly funny and passionate new play by Penelope Skinner (The Village Bike, Fresh Meat) directed by Ian Rickson (Jerusalem, Uncle Vanya). Lyonesse will play a strictly limited season from 17 October – 23 December 2023 at the Harold Pinter Theatre. Tickets go on sale at midday on Thursday 29 June at www.lyonesseonstage.com.
Elaine (Kristin Scott Thomas) a reclusive and talented actress, disappears in mysterious circumstances. 30 years later, she finally feels ready to tell her story – summoning Kate, a young film executive (Lily James), to her remote Cornish home to assist with her glorious comeback.
But who really controls the stories we tell, and how we get to tell them? Will these women own their narrative, or will it be swept away from them at any given moment?
Lyonesse is a powerful story for our times by Penelope Skinner, winner of the George Devine Award for Most Promising Playwright for The Village Bike, and whose other works for stage include Angry Alan, Meek, Linda, The Ruins of Civilisation, Fred’s Diner, Eigengrau and F*cked. For screen, she was a writer on four seasons of Fresh Meat (Channel 4), wrote the film How I Live Now and, along with her sister Ginny Skinner, has created and written the upcoming TV thriller The Following Events Are Based On A Pack Of Lies (Sister/BBC1).
Kristin Scott Thomas and Lily James join forces for the first time on stage for Lyonesseafter appearing together in the Oscar and BAFTA winning film Darkest Hour (Working Title Films/ Universal) and screen adaptation of Daphne De Maurier’s Rebecca (Netflix/ Working Title). The play also reunites long-time collaborators Ian Rickson and Scott Thomas following their work together on The Seagull (Royal Court/ Broadway – for which Scott Thomas won an Olivier for her performance), Electra (Old Vic) and West End productions of Betrayal and Old Times (both produced by SFP). This will be Rickson’s twelfth collaboration with SFP including celebrated West End productions such as Jerusalem, Rosmersholm, Walden, The Children’s Hour and The Birthday Party. James last appeared on stage in the SFP production of All About Eve (West End).
Lyonesse will be designed by Georgia Lowe, with lighting by Jessica Hung Han Yun, music by Stephen Warbeck and sound by Tingying Dong.
Penelope Skinner said: ‘I am thrilled to be working with Ian Rickson to bring this story to life, alongside such a remarkable cast and creative team. I’m a huge admirer of both Kristin Scott Thomas and Lily James, and am so grateful for Sonia Friedman’s faith and vision in giving this new play a home in the West End. I was inspired to write Lyonesse after wondering what would happen if the dramatic action of a traditional revenge tragedy was flipped, so that the story instead became about the person upon whom revenge had been sworn. Themes of creativity, purpose, isolation, violence, magic and mothers rushed to join in with this central provocation, and the characters of the story came into being.’
Kristin Scott Thomas said: ‘Working with Ian is one of the great joys of my professional life. And a new play is such an adventure. Penelope Skinner’s writing had me gripped from the first page. I love the questions the story raises. Acting with Lily is starting to become a habit. Luckily it’s good for everyone!’
Lily James said: ‘I am thrilled to be joining this wonderful company. I have always wanted to work with Ian Rickson. When I received Penelope Skinner’s brilliant play, I read it in one sitting and adored it – I was utterly gripped by these strong, original characters. To work with Sonia Friedman again is an absolute dream but most importantly, I am so happy to be reunited with my friend, Kristin Scott Thomas.’
Jon Compson
BAFTA and Olivier winning actor Kristin Scott Thomas has extensive credits across stage and screen including the films The English Patient (for which she was Academy Award and Golden Globe nominated), Four Weddings and a Funeral (for which she won a BAFTA and Evening Standard British Film Award), Darkest Hour (for which she was nominated for a BAFTA), Nowhere Boy (for which she was BAFTA and BIFA nominated), Il y a longtempsque je t’aime (for which she was Golden Globe, BAFTA and César nominated), A Handful of Dust,Angels and Insects and Partir (for all of which she won Evening Standard British Film Awards and for Partir was also César nominated) and Gosford Park. On television she was nominated for an Emmy for her role in Fleabag and also recently starred in Talking Heads (BBC) and two series of Slow Horses (Apple TV) with the third soon to be released. Her debut feature film as a director, North Star, in which she also stars, will also be released soon. On stage, she won the Olivier for Best Actress for her performance in The Seagull (Royal Court/ Broadway) and was nominated for her roles in Electra (Old Vic), Three Sisters, Betrayal and Old Times (all West End). Other notable stage roles include playing Queen Elizabeth II in The Audience (West End).
Lily James is best known for her roles in films such as Baby Driver, Cinderella, The Dig, Yesterday, Mamma Mia: Here We Go Again, Darkest Hour, What’s Love Got To Do With It and TV dramas including Pam & Tommy (for which she was nominated for a Golden Globe and Emmy Award), War and Peace, Rebecca, The Pursuit of Love and Downton Abbey. Upcoming films released later this year include Relay, The Iron Claw and Finalmente l’alba. On stage she most recently appeared in All About Eve (West End). Other theatre credits include Romeo and Juliet (Kenneth Branagh Season, West End) and Vernon God Little (Young Vic).
‘Remarkable, tour de force one-man show… a teatime hour of unalloyed pleasure.’
The Daily Telegraph ★★★★
‘Gloriously funny’
Independent
‘A hugely accomplished impressionist, with the technical skill to jump in and out of a huge range of real-life characters in a beat.’
Chortle
“Kempner exudes a boosted confidence”
Dominic Cavendish, The Telegraph ★★★★
“The man is stunning, his voice is divine, his comedy is sensational
Ed Fringe Review ★★★★★
Star of Idiots Assemble: Spitting Image The Musical, currently on at London’s Phoenix Theatre in the West End, a regular on Steph’s Packed Lunch (Channel 4) and with over 10 million views of his online videos, comedian, top impressionist, singer, actor and now podcaster (Sh*t! I Married a Twin), Luke Kempner brings his brand-new show Gritty Police Drama: A One-Man Musical to the Edinburgh Fringe following a successful run of Macho Macho Man last year which he subsequently took on the road around the UK. Luke can be seen performing from 2nd – 28th August at 6.40pm at Pleasance Courtyard, Upstairs.
Join the heroes of Line of Duty, Happy Valley and Luther as they set out to solve the most treacherous murder they’ve had on their books yet: that of James Corden. It’s Line Of Duty meets Happy Valley meets Clarkson’s Farm, meets Match of the Day meets King Charles meets the Traitors. With around 60 impressions all played by one man…that’s one impression every minute! Whether you’re King Charles, Sir Ian McKellen or even Claudia Winkleman, in GRITTY POLICE DRAMA… no-one is safe.
A big year for Luke has seen him voice approx. 30 puppets including King Charles, Prince Harry, Michael Kane, Harry Styles, Ed Sheeran and Jurgen Klopp to name a few for Spitting Image Live at the West End’s The Phoenix Theatre along with voicing two series of Spitting Image (BritBox). Luke is also a regular contributor/presenter on Steph’s Packed Lunch (Channel 4) and has recently launched a brand-new weekly podcast series with his wife AlanaMacfarlane Kempner and her identical twin sister/co-conspirator Lisa Macfarlane, otherwise known as The Mac Twins – Sh*t! I Married a Twin and is making a weekly appearance as an elite guest on Love Island: The Morning After podcast.
Other TV appearances include The Last Leg (Channel 4), ITV2’s Stand-Up Sketch Show, Love Island Aftersun, It Takes Two (BBC2) and Celebrity Karaoke Club (ITV2). Luke is also familiar to television audiences with his regular appearances in the BAFTA winning Murder in Successville (BBC3), and as the breakout star of The Imitation Game on ITV1, which led to an appearance on The Royal Variety Performance (ITV1). His other credits include CelebAbility, Hey Tracey (ITV2) Catchphrase (ITV), Richard Osman’sHouse of Games (BBC2) and Pointless Celebrities (BBC1). Luke created and starred in his own review show for ITV2, entitled Luke Kempner’s Impression of 2015 and was the resident comedian on Celebrity Big Brother’s Bit On The Side (Channel 5) for 9 series. He is also a regular on BBC Radio 4’s topical comedy institutions The Now Show and News Jack.
After four years in the West End with Les Miserables, Avenue Q and South Pacific, Luke first garnered global attention in 2012 with his hit viral video Downstairs At Downton. He then took his one man show The Only Way Is Downton to theatres and festivals across the UK and U.S.A. 2018 saw Luke return to the Edinburgh Fringe for a sell-out run of his fourth show House Of Faces which he took on a UK tour followed by hit show Macho Macho Man at last year’s festival which he also took on the road.
EDINBURGH FRINGE LISTINGS INFORMATION
Luke Kempner –Gritty Police Drama: A One-Man Musical
Venue: Pleasance Courtyard – Upstairs
Date & Time: 2nd – 28th August at 5.30pm (excluding 14th August)
Actress and Prizewinning Poet Laurie Ogden is currently touring in The Ocean at the End of the Lane, playing the part of Sis. Due to showing at the Mayflower in Southampton from 4 July, tickets can be booked here
Lets start with a few favourites
Favourite show (whether you have been in it or not)?
Either Lucy Kirkwood’s The Welkin, or genuinely The Ocean at the End of the Lane. I saw its original production at the National Theatre, and still can’t believe I get to be a part of telling this story.
Favourite book?
Sorrow and Bliss by Meg Mason or Ella Frears’ poetry collection Shine, Darling
Favourite theatre?
Too tricky, they all have different vibes. I would really love to be in a piece of new writing at the Royal Exchange in Manchester.
Favourite song?
Currently, To Live a Life by First Aid Kit
Favourite type of music?
Folk or lofi hip hop.
Favourite food?
Any pasta, I’m obsessed.
Favourite drink?
Glass of malbec or a big cup of tea.
What is your favourite role so far?
Probably Laurie Jones, a chartist, in Victoria’s Knickers at the Soho Theatre. It was directed by the brilliant Ned Bennett & I got to wear a period drama outfit but attack someone with a chainsaw (and it was funny).
What was your first role?
A horrible schoolgirl bully in a radio play for BBC Radio 4.
And what role would you really like to play?
Tamora in Titus Andronicus.
If you weren’t a performer what would you be?
I’m a writer as well as a performer, so hopefully I’d just have more time to dedicate to that!
What made you decide to be a performer?
I’ve loved telling stories in all their forms since I was tiny. I tried really hard to not be a performer because I didn’t think it was possible, but being a part of the NYT REP Company showed me it was – it really changed my life.
How are you finding touring?
It’s very tiring, but it’s incredible getting to travel all over the UK and connect with different audiences. We are so lucky to play theatres that lots of actors dream of playing. Being on at the Liverpool Empire was surreal and incredible.
What advice would you give 16 year old you?
Don’t let anyone make you feel like you are not good enough because of who you are, or where you are from.
Do you fancy branching out in another avenue beyond acting e.g. Producing or Directing?
I’d loved to continue working as a writer and a dramaturg, and to have a bit more time to spend on that. Sadly I would be a rubbish producer.
What was the last stage show you saw and really enjoyed?
Godot is a Woman by Silent Faces, it’s a hilarious and surprisingly moving. It’s returning to the Edinburgh Fringe this year, hugely recommend it.
Favourite line from the show?
“What makes you who you are? Your face, or what you do?”
What are the nicest/weirdest things you have ever received from fans?
I received a lovely message from a young ginger girl who used to be picked on for her hair and being pale, and said seeing me made her feel confident. It made me pretty emotional.
Can you tell us what you will be up to next?
I’m currently playing Biddy in Great Expectations which is on BBC iplayer and FX in America. When this tour finishes I’ll just be having a big sleep!
“My far-and-away favorite production—and a complete surprise to me—was the musical “Operation Mincemeat… a comedy that has been cheerfully dismantling jingoism builds a stirring vision of real fellowship in its place.”
Helen Shaw, The New Yorker
“Hilarious tale makes Mincemeat out of its rivals…Before curtain I talked to a fan seeing this for the seventh time. I wondered why anyone would see the same show seven times. Now I know.”★★★★★ Neil Armstrong,Mail On Sunday
“irrepressible wartime musical is a West End triumph” Emma John, The Guardian
“LAUGHING so hard I could barely breathe is not what I expected for a musical about a World War II top-secret plan.…the perfect invasion of the West End. Long may they occupy it.” ★★★★★ Thea Jacobs, The Sun
It was announced today, 26th June 2023, that following Operation Mincemeat: A New Musical ‘the best musical in decades – a Hamilton and Book of Mormon love child’ garnering 59 five-star reviews and selling over 50,000+ tickets in the West End, the show has extended its run for the third time by a further six weeks until 4th November. Operation Mincemeat follows thirty-three hugely successful years of TheWoman In Black at the Fortune Theatre.
The news arrives after Sony Masterworks Broadway released the Original London Cast Recording digitally, followed by CD last week in the United States.
Tickets are on General Sale from the Official Box Office at here. Priority access to the best seats is available via the Official Operation Mincemeat Mailing list here
If you would like to enter the ticket lottery sign-up here. £25 tickets are available Wednesday – Saturday. The lottery is drawn every two weeks on a Monday, with the next draw taking place today.
After five sold-out development runs at the New Diorama Theatre in 2019 and Southwark Playhouse in 2020, 2021 & 2022, plus an extended Riverside Studios run last summer, Operation Mincemeat: A New Musical is back.
The year is 1943 and we’re losing the war. Luckily, we’re about to gamble all our futures on a stolen corpse.
Singin’ in the Rain meets Strangers on a Train, Noel Coward meets Noel Fielding, Operation Mincemeat is the fast-paced, hilarious and unbelievable true story of the twisted secret mission that won us World War II. The question is, how did a well-dressed corpse wrong-foot Hitler?
The production is directed by 2023 Olivier Award nominated Robert Hastie (Standing at the Sky’s Edge, National Theatre – 2023 Best New Musical Olivier Award winner), following providing directorial support for the Riverside Studios run, while Olivier Award nominated Jenny Arnold (Jerry Springer: The Opera, National Theatre) continues as Choreographer. Also from Standing at the Sky’s Edge at theNational Theatre on the creative team are: 2023 Olivier Award nominated Ben Stones (Sylvia, The Old Vic) as Set and Costume Designer, Tony Award, six-time Olivier Award and Bafta Award winning Mark Henderson (Girl From the North Country, Broadway & Noël Coward Theatre) as Lighting Designer and Olivier Award winning Mike Walker (Jerry Springer: The Opera, National Theatre) as Sound Designer. Grammy Award winning and Tony, Emmy, Olivier award nominated Steve Sidwell (Beautiful:The Musical, Broadway & Aldwych Theatre) is Orchestrator and Vocal Arranger. Georgie Staight joins as Associate Director and Paul Isaiah Isles as Associate Choreographer.
Operation Mincemeat won The Stage Debut award for Best Composer/Lyricist and the Off-West End award for Best Musical Production and Best Company Ensemble. Following the first New Diorama Theatre run, Operation Mincemeat was listed in The Observer’s Top 10 shows of the year and most recently was listed in The Independent’s Top 15 shows of the year. The show is currently featured in the V&A’s Re:Imagining Musicals display, exploring how musicals have continuously reimagined, reinvented and reinterpreted themselves over time.
The 2023 Off-West End Best Musical Production Award winning returning cast (Southwark Playhouse/ Riverside Studios), David Cumming, Claire-Marie Hall, Natasha Hodgson, Jak Malone and Zoë Roberts, are joined by: Seán Carey (returning Riverside Studios), Geri Allan, Christian Andrews and Holly Sumpton.
Operation Mincemeat is written and composed by David Cumming, Felix Hagan, Natasha Hodgson and Zoë Roberts, who form SpitLip.
Operation Mincemeat is presented in the West End by Avalon (in association with SpitLip), who have supported since the Southwark Playhouse runs. The show was commissioned by New Diorama Theatre, co-commissioned by The Lowry, and also supported by the Rhinebeck Writers Retreat.
