By order of the Peaky Blinders! Rambert and Birmingham Hippodrome’s sell-out show returns for one week only
Photo by Johan Persson
Rambert and Birmingham Hippodrome’s dance theatre show, Peaky Blinders: The Redemption of Thomas Shelby is back by popular demand at Birmingham Hippodrome between Tuesday 23 and Saturday 27 May.
Written and adapted for the stage by Peaky Blinders’ creator Steven Knight, and choreographed and directed by Rambert’s Artistic Director Benoit Swan Pouffer, the show had its world premiere at co-producing partner venue Birmingham Hippodrome in 2022. Following sell-out performances at the Hippodrome and a London premiere at Troubadour Wembley Park Theatre, Peaky Blinders: The Redemption of Thomas Shelby embarked on its UK tour earlier this year.
Jon Gilchrist, Artistic Director & CEO of Birmingham Hippodrome said: “It seems only right to finish the UK tour of our spectacular co-production in the city where this story began. After a phenomenal run last September we’re really excited audiences have another opportunity to enjoy this special production.”
Featuring live musicians performing a score written by Roman GianArthur, the show is led by Musical Director Yaron Engler as well as a new track by Laura Mvula. GianArthur’s soundtrack for the production also features iconic songs from the television series and music from Nick Cave and The Bad Seeds, Radiohead, Anna Calvi, The Last Shadow Puppets, Frank Carter & The Rattlesnakes and Black Rebel Motorcycle Club, to name a few.
Guillaume Quéau and Joseph Kudra alternate the role of Thomas Shelby, with Naya Lovell and Seren Williams alternating the role of Grace, within the production that features the permanent Rambert dance company on stage. Birmingham-born writer and poet Benjamin Zephaniah who played street preacher Jeremiah Jesus in the TV series, provides pre-recorded narration for the production.
Through dance theatre Peaky Blinders: The Redemption of Thomas Shelby picks up the story of the Peaky Blinders at the end of World War One, following Tommy Shelby and Grace Burgess through their passionate love affair. While Tommy is building his empire, Grace is operating as an undercover agent for Special Branch on a mission to get close to the heart of Tommy’s gang. As the story unfolds, many hearts are broken.
Peaky Blinders creator Steven Knight said: “This is dance for people who don’t usually watch dance and what I’ve written has been transformed into something startling by consummate dancers and choreographers. If the concept of a Peaky Blinders dance seems strange, reserve judgement and reserve a ticket.”
Peaky Blinders: The Redemption of Thomas Shelbyis at Birmingham Hippodrome between Tuesday 23 May and Saturday 27 May.
Tickets can be booked online at birminghamhippodrome.com or by calling the box office on 0844 338 5000*
*0844 calls will cost you 4.5p per minute plus your phone company’s access charge.
PERFORMANCES SOLD OUT IN TONY BLAIR’S FORMER CONSTITUENCY OF SEDGEFIELD
NEW DATES ADDED TO UK TOUR
‘Look anyone will tell you, I’m a pretty straight sort of guy.’ Tony Blair
A reckless reappraisal of the life of former Ugly Rumours front man and Britain’s first pop Prime Minister Tony Blair.
In the week Harry Hill and Steve Brown’s hilarious musical TONY! [The Tony Blair Rock Opera] opened in London’s West End at the Leicester Square Theatre, and with dates now sold out at Sedgefield Parish Hall in Tony Blair’s former constituency, new dates have been added to the UK Tour at Derby Theatre (12-16 September), Bromley Churchill Theatre (21-23 September), Eastbourne Devonshire Park Theatre (26-30 September) and Liverpool Playhouse (10-14 October, the same week the Labour Party Conference is in Liverpool).
TONY! [The Tony Blair Rock Opera] is playing a limited season at the Leicester Square Theatre until 21 May. The musical will then tour the UK from 25 May, including four weeks at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe in association with Pleasance.
The musical tells the story of how one man went from peace-loving, long-haired hippy and would-be pop star to warmongering multimillionaire in just a couple of decades. Throw in a stellar cast of larger-than-life characters – Cherie Blair, Princess Diana, John Prescott, Peter Mandelson, Alastair Campbell, Osama bin Laden, George W Bush, Saddam Hussein and Gordon Brown – it’s Yes, Minister meets The Rocky Horror Show and a musical like no other.
Please note: Neither Tony Blair, the Tony Blair Institute, nor any other person featured in this production have endorsed the production or its marketing materials and are in no way affiliated with the production.
Harry Hill and Steve Brown said, “It’s a show for Tony Lovers and Haters everywhere – and everyone in between – don’t expect a history lesson – in our world Tony’s born singing and dancing, Saddam Hussein is played as Groucho Marx and Gordon Brown occasionally turns into the Incredible Hulk – let’s just say all the facts are there… but not necessarily as they occurred! Tony hasn’t yet replied to our invite to see the show, but we do hope he’ll pop along to his old stomping ground of Sedgefield to give his verdict when we open there at the Parish Hall. Tony? If you’re reading this we’ve put a couple of tickets in your name on the door.”
The full cast is Jack Whittle as Tony Blair, Howard Samuels as Peter Mandelson, Tori Burgess as Cherie Blair, Phil Sealey as Gordon Brown, Martin Johnston as Neil Kinnock, Rosie Strobel as John Prescott, Sally Cheng as Robin Cook, Emma Jay Thomas as Princess Diana and William Hazell as on-stage cover. Other characters featured in the musical, who are played by the cast, include Saddam Hussein, Liam Gallagher, Alastair Campbell, Osama Bin Laden and many more.
TONY! [The Tony Blair Rock Opera] is directed by Peter Rowe, with set and costume design by Libby Watson, lighting design by Mark Dymock, sound design by Richard Brooker, choreography by Francesca Jaynes and casting by Debbie O’Brien. The Park Theatre production of TONY! [The Tony Blair Rock Opera] is produced in the West End and on tour by Nicholson Green Productions.
Dave Willetts joins West End revival of Aspects of Love
to play George at every Monday performance
from 29 May 2023
Dave Willetts, one of the UK’s most critically acclaimed musical stars joins the cast of the West End revival of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s musical Aspects of Love, which opens on 13 May 2023 at the Lyric Theatre in London. He will play the role of Sir George Dillingham at every Monday performance from 29 May 2023, the role played by Michael Ball at every other performance.
Willetts joins a cast which also includes Laura Pitt-Pulford as Rose, Jamie Bogyo as Alex and Danielle de Niese as Giulietta.
The cast is completed by Rosemary Ashe (Elizabeth), Anthony Cable (Ensemble) Vinny Coyle (Hugo), Chumisa Dornford-May (Ensemble), Soophia Foroughi (Alternate Giulietta), Dickon Gough (Barker/Ensemble), Ben Heathcote (Co-Barker/Ensemble), Eu Jin Hwang (On Stage Swing), Daniel Jagusz-Holley (On Stage Swing), Linda Jarvis (Ensemble), Natasha O’Brien (On Stage Swing), Joanna O’Hare (Ensemble), Michael Matus (Marcel), Anna Unwin (Jenny) and sharing the role of Young Jenny are: Indiana Ashworth, Millie Gubby and Katie Mitton.
Performances for the production begin on 13 May 2023. For more information and tickets, please see www.aspectsoflove.com
In ravaged post war France, beautiful actress Rose Vibert finds herself homeless and penniless after her hoped-for career break play closes early. Invited to a country villa by a love struck young American, Alex Dillingham, she impulsively accepts. When unexpectedly interrupted by Alex’s distinguished uncle George, everything changes.
So begins a tumultuous 20-year love story, entwining the three of them and George’s mistress, the feisty artist Giulietta. Everything changes once again when Rose’s daughter Jenny turns 18.
From the cobbled streets of Paris, through the French countryside to the splendours of Venice, Aspects of Love is a sweeping romantic story of passion, love, betrayal and heartbreak across three generations.
With music by Andrew Lloyd Webber and lyrics by Don Black and Charles Hart, based on the novel by David Garnett, Aspects of Love is directed by Jonathan Kent. Set and costume design is by John McFarlane, Lighting Design by Jon Clark, Sound Design by Paul Groothius, Video Design by Douglas O’Connell, Choreography by Denni Sayers, Musical Supervision by Nicholas Skilbeck and the Musical Director is Cat Beverbridge.
Aspects of Love at The Lyric Theatre is produced by Nica Burns, Max Weitzenhoffer, Adam Blanshay Productions and Tegan Summer by arrangement with The Really Useful Group Limited.
BIRMINGHAM ROYAL BALLET ANNOUNCES BLACK SABBATH THE BALLET LONDON / ON SALE DATES PLUS EXTRA PERFORMANCE IN BIRMINGHAM
DUE TO PHENOMENAL DEMAND EXTRA PERFORMANCE AT BIRMINGHAM HIPPODROME, NOW ON SALE, ON 24 SEPTEMBER AT 1PM
PERFORMANCES AT SADLERS WELLS, LONDON CONFIRMED 18 – 21 OCTOBER, GENERAL ON SALE 22 MAY
TICKETS AVAILABLE FOR PLYMOUTH THEATRE ROYAL 12 – 14 OCTOBER
FIRST LOOK AT CHOREOGRAPHY IN REHEARSALS ATTENDED BY TONY IOMMI
HEAVY METAL DANCE EXPERIENCE WILL FEATURE 8 BLACK SABBATH TRACKS REORCHESTRATED FOR THE ROYAL BALLET SINFONIA PLUS NEW MUSIC INSPIRED BY THE BAND
LEAD CHOREOGRAPHER PONTUS LIDBERG, LEAD COMPOSER CHRISTOPHER AUSTIN, DESIGN BY ALEXANDRE ARRECHEA AND DRAMATURGY BY RICHARD THOMAS
Birmingham Royal Ballet today announces dates for performance at London’s Sadler’s Wells – 18 – 21 October, with tickets going on general sale on 22 May. The run in Birmingham completely sold out and an extra matinee has been added at 1pm on 24 September. Tickets are still available at Plymouth Theatre Royal 12 – 14 October.
Following an initial two-week rehearsal period, a first listen / look at some of the music and choreography were shared with supporters and media yesterday. The show is still very much a work in progress with months to go until the opening, however early signs show great excitement amongst the ranks involved with Carlos Acosta saying: ‘It has been so great to finally have all of our creative team together after so much planning, and to get started on the actual creation process for this very ambitious show. There has been such an electric atmosphere in the rehearsal room, but also, this is just the beginning, there’s so much more to come!’
Tony Iommi, who has been present at some rehearsals and has been visited in his studio by Black Sabbath Ballet composer Christoper Austin, had this to say about the direction the show is heading in: ‘It’s beginning to feel very real now after so much planning by everyone involved. I have to say I had no idea what our music was going to sound like, how it would work in the context for a ballet, but I’m really excited by what I’ve heard so far. Things are being taken in a really interesting direction and I even dropped into the ballet rehearsal out of curiosity and, well, they’ve got some moves!’
A full-length, three-act, Ballet Now commission, this brand-new work brings together a host of international creatives including lead Swedish choreographer Pontus Lidburg, Cuban designer Alexandre Arrechea, Tony Award winning composer Christopher Austin with additional choreographers Raúl Reinoso and Cassi Abranches and composers Marko Nyberg and Sun Keting. Richard Thomas is dramaturg for the project and lighting design is by Kieron Johnson. Capsule Director Lisa Meyer is Metal Curator. See full biographies for the creative team in notes.
The 8 Black Sabbath tracks that will feature are:Paranoid (Paranoid, 1970); Ironman (Paranoid, 1970); War Pigs (Paranoid, 1970); Black Sabbath (Black Sabbath, 1970); Solitude (Master of Reality, 1971); Orchid (Master of Reality, 1971); Laguna Sunrise (Vol 4, 1972) and Sabbath Bloody Sabbath (Sabbath Bloody Sabbath, 1973). The music will be re-orchestrated for the Royal Ballet Sinfonia with new compositions inspired by Black Sabbath also performed live by the orchestra. On the stage guitars and drums will be integrated into the performance.
Black Sabbath – The Ballet is the second Birmingham-focussed commission from Carlos Acosta. The first, City of a Thousand Trades which looked at the city’s industrial heritage and multicultural communities, premiered in 2021.
The idea of a Black Sabbath ballet has been on Carlos Acosta’s mind since he first arrived in Birmingham at the start of 2020, just before the pandemic hit. Black Sabbath played their first ever gig in The Crown pub just a stone’s throw from Birmingham Royal Ballet’s base on Thorp Street. The pub was recently saved from demolition and is deemed a heritage site by fans.
Hope Mill Theatre announces exciting new production of the punk rock musical LIZZIE premiering in Manchester then touring
Friday 1st to Saturday 30th September 2023
Hope Mill Theatre, Manchester
Tickets on sale now
Hope Mill Theatre has announced its new production of punk rock musical LIZZIEwill premiere in Manchester this September, before touring.
LIZZIEexplores the life of Lizzie Borden, who was accused of murdering her father and stepmother with an axe in the late summer of 1892.
The punk rock musical, which premiered in New York in 2009, delves into Lizzie’s complex psyche and speculates on the motivations she may have had: loss of inheritance, history of sexual abuse, oppression, and madness.
Lizzie, along with her older sister Emma, maid Bridget, and neighbour Alice, bring to life the infamous story supported on stage by an all-female band.
Lizzie is Rage! Sex! Betrayal! Bloody Murder!
Casting and tour dates to be announced.
LIZZIE will be directed and choreographed by Hope Mill Theatre co-founder William Whelton, and has music by Steven Cheslik-DeMeyer and Alan Stevens Hewitt, lyrics by Steven Cheslik-DeMeyer and Tim Maner and a book by Tim Maner.
William Whelton said: “We are thrilled to share the news of our autumn production of LIZZIE, which will premiere at Hope Mill Theatre followed by a short UK tour. LIZZIE is based on the true story of Lizzie Borden who in the height of summer 1892 killed her father and stepmother with an axe.
“As a massive true crime fan myself this musical is the perfect way to explore this infamous story with the added extra of an incredible punk rock score. The retelling of this story is with an incredibly talented all-female cast and on stage all-female rock band, but the real heart of this show is how it explores the power, resilience and strength of women and their relationships.
“I am so excited to bring this show to life surrounded by an exceptional team around me. When the show premiered off Broadway in 2009 it really was ahead of its time and it now feels like the perfect time to create a new version of this ‘bloody’ great show!”
LIZZIE has swung her axe in over 60 cities, in 6 countries, in 5 languages, across 4 continents and has been honoured with dozens of awards including 8 Best Musical Awards! (and she’s still swinging…)
Music by Steven Cheslik-DeMeyer and Alan Stevens Hewitt
Lyrics by Steven Cheslik-DeMeyer and Tim Maner
Book by Tim Maner
Additional Music by Tim Maner
Additional Lyrics by Alan Stevens Hewitt
Based on an original concept by Steven Cheslik-DeMeyer and Tim Maner
Orchestrations by Alan Stevens Hewit
Produced by Hope Mill Theatre, Director/Choreographer William Whelton, Set and Lighting Design Andrew Exeter, Musical Supervision Katy Richardson, Associate Choreographer Yandass Ndlovu and Casting by Pearson Casting CDG CDA CSA. Further creative team to be announced.
LIZZIE is presented by special arrangement with Broadway Licensing, LLC. (www.broadwaylicensing.com).
STAR STUDDED LINE UP REVEALED FOR BRAND NEW ITV1 ENTERTAINMENT SHOW, MAMMA MIA! I HAVE A DREAM
Radio and TV stalwart Zoe Ball is today revealed as the host of ITV1 and ITVX’s highly anticipated theatrical competition, MAMMA MIA! I Have a Dream.
Joining Zoe are our judges, comedian and TV personality Alan Carr; singer songwriter Jessie Ware; Olivier Award Winner Amber Riley and Samantha Barks, star of Frozen in London’s West End. Each will bring their own unique blend of expertise from comedic interpretation to providing an invaluable insight into the skills required to perform to a West End theatre audience.
MAMMA MIA! 2022/23
London
Produced by Thames (a Fremantle label), the series, which launches later in 2023 on ITV1 and ITVX, will be searching to find two future musical theatre stars to play the integral roles of Sophie and Sky (played by Amanda Seyfried and Dominic Cooper in the hit films) in this global smash hit, feel-good musical.
Set within the beautiful backdrop of the idyllic Greek islands, viewers will have front row seats as the contestants will be judged and mentored by guest industry stars through unique workshops in singing, dancing and acting as well as performances, as they aim to cast these highly sought after roles.
Host Zoe Ball said: “Our contestants are going to go through quite the journey, believe me, but like the show and like the movie, there is going to be song, there is going to be dance and there’s going to be fun in the sun. And we cannot wait for you to come on that journey with us.”
Comedian Alan Carr said, “Getting to judge on one of my favourite musicals in one of my favourite locations ever is literally my dream job. A whole lot of feta and a whole lot of ABBA – perfection!”
Award winning singer songwriter, Jessie Ware said: “I am absolutely thrilled to be a judge […] I love Greece, if you know me you know how much I love Greece. I got married there, I sung a Mamma Mia invite to everybody when they came. So for me, to be spending the summer in Greece, finding the new breakout stars and hopefully helping shed some light on the industry and help them find their way, I just can’t wait. It’s going to be a summer to remember.”
Glee actress and West End star, Amber Riley said: “I’m really excited to be a part of such an incredible project. Musical theatre has played such an integral role in my growth as a performer. I am all too happy to share what I’ve learned and to cheer on the world’s next biggest stars! Mamma Mia, here we go!”
Award winning theatre star Samantha Barks, who was also a runner up in BBC TV series I’d Do Anything said: “For sure they are going to go on a really hard journey, it’s going to be so much fun, but it’s going to be like the movie! We’re going to be in Greece, the sun will be shining and I cannot wait for you guys to watch it. I just feel so honoured to get to be on the judging panel because I know what they’re going through, I’ve been there before and I can’t wait to guide them and challenge them, and be there for them.”
Creator and global producer of MAMMA MIA! and co-executive producer of MAMMA MIA! I Have a Dream, Judy Craymer will also be on hand to offer her expertise to the judges who’ll be tasked with making tough decisions in their search to find the next West End superstars.
Judy Craymer said: “I know there is a wealth of talent out there and I’m so thrilled that – with the help of these fabulous judges and ‘Rock Chick Supremo’ host Zoe Ball – we will find the musical stars of the future to appear in MAMMA MIA!’s landmark 25th year. The judges complement one another so well. Alan has a unique comedic insight, Jessie a wealth of music industry experience and Samantha and Amber are the ultimate stage musical powerhouses who know exactly what it takes to get on stage eight times a week in a smash hit musical in London’s West End.”
Katie Rawcliffe, Head of Entertainment Commissioning at ITV said: “We are delighted to be teaming up with MAMMA MIA! for this exciting TV event to search for the theatre stars of the future. To have Zoe Ball at the helm expertly guiding our young stars, as well as our expert panel of judges it’s going to be an exciting sequel to an already successful global franchise.”
MAMMA MIA! I Have a Dream is produced by Thames, a Fremantle label, and Littlestar, with the stage set for its arrival on ITV1. The competition will culminate in a live, dazzling grand-finale, broadcast from a theatre in London’s West End, where two winners will take it all and win the roles of Sophie and Sky in MAMMA MIA! at the Novello Theatre as it celebrates its 25th year. This will be a unique opportunity for them, as they’ll be starring in one of the world’s most successful, smash-hit musicals just as it turns 25 on 6 April 2024.
MAMMA MIA! I Have a Dream is executive produced by Amelia Brown, Charlie Irwin and Ashley Whitehouse for Thames (a Fremantle label) and Judy Craymer for Littlestar. The show is commissioned by Katie Rawcliffe, Head of Entertainment Commissioning at ITV, Lily Wilson, Commissioning Editor for ITV and Louise Major, Commissioning Editor for ITV.
INITIAL CASTING ANNOUNCED FOR THE WORLD PREMIÈRE OF
THE THIRD MAN
– A NEW MUSICAL BY GEORGE FENTON, DON BLACK AND CHRISTOPHER HAMPTON
As public booking opens, the Menier Chocolate Factory announces initial casting for the world première of the new musical, The Third Man. Trevor Nunn directs Edward Baker-Duly (Calloway), Simon Bailey (Crabbit), Natalie Dunne (Anna), Derek Griffiths (The Porter), Jonathan Andrew Hume (Paine), Rachel Izen (The Porter’s Wife), Gary Milner (Kurtz), Harry Morrison (Popescu), Sam Underwood (Holly), and Alan Vicary (Dr Winkel). The production opens on 19 June, with preveiws from 10 June, and runs until 9 September. Public booking for the production opens at 10am today.
The Third Man is part of a season of three musicals, and is followed by the world première of Close Up – The Twiggy Musical; and continuing its long association with the work of Stephen Sondheim, the season ends with Pacific Overtures.
Full casting for The Third Man will be announced shortly.
THE THIRD MAN
MUSIC BY GEORGE FENTON
BOOK BY CHRISTOPHER HAMPTON
LYRICS BY DON BLACK
10 June – 9 September
Cast includes: Edward Baker-Duly (Calloway), Simon Bailey (Crabbit), Natalie Dunne (Anna), Derek Griffiths (The Porter), Jonathan Andrew Hume (Paine), Rachel Izen (The Porter’s Wife), Gary Milner (Kurtz), Harry Morrison (Popescu), Sam Underwood (Holly), Alan Vicary (Dr Winkel)
Direction: Trevor Nunn; Set and Costume Design: Paul Farnsworth;
Lighting Design: Emma Chapman; Sound Design: Gregory Clarke; Orchestrations: Jason Carr;
Musical Supervision and Direction: Tamara Saringer; Movement and Choreography: Rebecca Howell
Originally developed by Vereinigte Bühnen Wien Gmbh (VBW) in Vienna
Franz Patay, CEO and Christian Struppeck, Artistic Director Musical
The production is staged with the kind permission of
STUDIOCANAL and GRAHAM GREENE PRODUCTIONS LTD
Graham Greene’s brilliant story – which was made into a landmark film and published as a novella – now comes to the stage in new musical written by Christopher Hampton with music by George Fenton, lyrics by Don Black and directed by Trevor Nunn. Post-war Vienna is the setting as Holly Martins arrives at the invitation of his friend and hero, Harry Lime, only to discover that Harry has been killed in a car accident. But nothing that he is told about what happened makes any sense. The tension mounts as Holly enters the world of black marketeers and military bureaucracy, culminating in a chase through the Viennese sewers, as Holly tries to discover what happened to Harry…and who is the third man? This world premiere will keep audiences on the edge of their seats as they are immersed into the world of The Third Man.
The Third Man sees Trevor Nunn renew his collaboration with the Menier – he previously directed Fiddler on the Roof (also West End), Lettice and Lovage, Love in Idleness (also West End), A Little Night Music (also West End and Broadway) and Aspects of Love for the company.
Edward Baker-Duly plays Calloway. He previously appeared at the Chocolate Factory in The Bridges of Madison County and Rookery Nook. His US theatre credits include the Broadway production of The King AndI; and the Off-Broadway production of Peter and The Starcatcher. His West End theatre work includes The King and I,TheWizard Of Oz, Gone With The Wind, South Pacific, West Side Story, Salad Days. UK: Noises Off, Anyone Can Whistle, The Lady Vanishes, Copacabana, The Pirates of Penzance, Singing in the Rain, The Full Monty, Twelfth Night and The Mikado. He most recently appeared in Kiss Me Kate at Sheffield Theatres. For television, his work includes Litvinenko, A Spy Among Friends, Footprints, Shades Of Blue, Billions, Elementary, The Blacklist, Royal Pains, Downton Abbey, Upstairs Downstairs, Micro Men, New Tricks and Yes Prime Minister; and for film, Heidi Queen Of The Mountain,DeLovely, Botched, The Circle and Welkome Home.
Simon Bailey plays Crabbit. His theatre work includes Moulin Rouge (Piccadilly Theatre), Heathers (Theatre Royal Haymarket), Jersey Boys (UK tour and Piccadilly Theatre), Bat Boy, Parade (Southwark Playhouse), Marry Me a Little (St James’ Theatre), I Can’t Sing – The X-Factor Musical (London Palladium), The Phantom of the Opera (Her Majesty’s Theatre and UK tour), Passion (Donmar Warehouse), and Les Miserables (West End).
Natalie Dunne plays Anna. Her theatre work includes Works of Art (Turbine Theatre), A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Frankenstein, Great Expectations (NYT Rep Company), Victoria’s Knickers (Soho Theatre) and To Paint the Earth (Southwark Playhouse). For television, her work includes FBI International, Trying, and 110 Weeks; and for film, Your Christmas or Mine, and Obsession.
Derek Griffiths plays The Porter. His theatre work include The Mousetrap (St Martin’s Theatre), Exit the King (National Theatre), Driving Miss Daisy (Theatre Royal Bath and UK tour), The Critic, The Real Inspector Hound (Chichester Festival Theatre), Cat on a Hot Tin Roof (Novello Theatre), The Miser, Loot, Nude with Violin – MEN Award for Best Actor, The Recruiting Officer, The Odd Couple, The Government Inspector, The Nerd (Royal Exchange Theatre), Lucky Man (Garrick Theatre), Two Step (Almeida Theatre), Chitty Chitty Bang Bang (London Palladium), Noises Off (Comedy Theatre), Beauty and the Beast (Dominion Theatre), Miss Saigon (Theatre Royal Drury Lane), Measure for Measure, Twelfth Night (RSC), The Rise and Fall of Little Voice (Bristol Old Vic), and Run for Your Wife (Criterion Theatre). For television, his work includes Coronation Street (as series regular Freddie), Man Down, Silent Witness, Way to Go, The Bleak Old Shop of Stuff, Insect Antics and Queen’s Park Story; and for film, Run for Your Wife, Gallowwalkers and Fierce Creatures.
Jonathan Andrew Hume plays Paine. His theare credits includes Come From Away (Phoenix Theatre), The Lion King (West End and Singapore), and Jesus Christ Superstar (UK tour). For television, his work includes Down to Earth, Disney’s Favourite Songs, Hope & Glory, and Anything’s Possible; and for film, Mary Poppins Returns, 10,000 BC, Amazing Grace and Pride.
Rachel Izen plays The Porter’s Wife. Her theatre work includes Billy Elliot (Curve), Rags (Park Theatre), Guys and Dolls (Théâtre Marigny), My Fair Lady (Teatro Di San Carlo), Funny Girl, The Witches of Eastwick, Hot Flush (UK tours), Les Miserables, Mary Poppins (Broadway), Gypsy (Cardiff International Festival), Follies (Landor Theatre), The Winslow Boy (Chichester Festival Theatre and UK tour), Bad Girls the Musical (West Yorkshire Playhouse), Thoroughyl Modern Millie (Shaftesbury Theatre), The Boyfriend (50th anniversary tour), Lautrec (Shaftesbury Theatre), Annie (Victoria Palace Theatre), Beauty and the Beast (Dominion Theatre), and Singin’ in the Rain (London Palladium). For television, her work includes The Knick, Daylight Robbery, Where There’s Smoke, Big Women, The Queen’s Noise, and Clem; and for film, Everybody’s Talking About Jamie, Jack Brown and The Curse of the Crown, Endgame, Evita, and Beg.
Gary Milner plays Kurtz. His theatre credits include My Fair Lady (Playmakers Rep), Chasing Rainbows (Goodspeed), Mary Poppins (North Carolina Theatre), Dr Zhivago (Broadway Theatre), Mamma Mia! (West End), Pericles, The Crucible (Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre), Bells are Ringing (Union Theatre), Love Story (Duchess Theatre), A Streetcar Named Desire, Parade (Donmar Warehouse), Dr Dolittle (Hammersmith Apollo), Imagine Theatre (New London Theatre), Music Man (Chichester Festival Theatre), Brighton Rock (Almeida Theatre), and Evita (Adelphi Theatre). For television, his work includes The Good Fight, Deadbeat, Elementary, Law & Order: SVU, Peter Pan Live, Doctor Who, and Spooks; and for film, Outliving Emily, Emily & Tim, The Preppie Connection, Dead Europe, John Carter, and Prodigals.
Harry Morrison plays Popescu. He previously appeared at the Chocolate Factory in Assassins. His theatre work includes Come From Away (Pheonix Theatre), Half a Sixpence A Damsel in Distress, Guys and Dolls, Kiss Me, Kate (Chichester Festival Theatre), Brecht Cabaret, All the Town’s Men (Theatre on the Fly), Oliver! (Sheffield Crucible), The Sound of Music (Regent’s Park Open Air), Casablanca (Future Cinema), Crazy for You (Novello Theatre and Regent’s Park Open Air), and Lend Me a Tenor (Theatre Royal, Plymouth). For television, his work includes Mongrels, and Doc Martin.
Sam Underwood plays Holly. His theatre work includes One Day When We Were Young (Assembly George Square Theatre – The Box), Equus (John Drew Theatre), Candida (Irish Reertory Theatre), Henry V (Bryant Park), Veritas (NY Fringe Festival), American Soldier (Sonnet Repertory Theatre), Seussical (tour), and The Picture of Dorian Gray (Pershing Square Signatire Theatre). For television, his work includes The Rookie: Feds, Dynasty (as series regular Adam Carrington), Madam Secretary, Fear the Walking Dead, Power, The Following, Homeland, Dexter, and Zero Hour; and for film, The Drummer, and The Last Keepers.
Alan Vicary plays Dr Winkel. His theatre work includes The Girl from the North Country, Goodnight Mister Tom, To Kill a Mockingbird, The Remains of the Day, The Fantasticks, The Phantom of the Opera (UK tours), The Phantom of the Opera (Her Majesty’s Theatre), Moll Flanders (Mercury Theatre Colchester), The Crucible (The Old Vic), Kinky Boots (Adelphi Theatre), King Lear, Carousel (Chichester Festival Theatre and BAM), A Damsel in Distress (Chichester Festival Theatre), The Power of Yes (National Theatre), Gone With the Wind (New London Theatre), The Sound of Music (Lonson Palladium), Mary Poppins (Prince Edward Theatre), Peace Child, She Loves Me, Piaf (Perth Theatre), Les Miserables (West End), and The Duchess of Malfi (Edinburgh Royal Lyceum). His television work includes Taggart; and for film, London Road.
Graham Greene was born in 1904. He was educated at Berkhamsted School and Balliol College, Oxford. In 1926 Greene’s first novel, The Man Within, was published in 1929 and its favourable reception led him to resign from the Times where he was working as a sub editor to take up full-time writing. Success, however, eluded him until the publication of Stamboul Train, his fourth novel, in 1932. In 1935 he trekked across northern Liberia, (described in Journey Without Maps) and his 1938 travels in Mexico, sponsored by Longmans, inspired The Lawless Roads and The Power and the Glory. During the war, he worked for the Foreign Office and spent 1942-1943 in Sierra Leone (the setting for The Heart of the Matter). Brighton Rock was published in 1938. He became Literary Editor of the Spectator in 1940. After the war he returned to journalism and began a series of wide-ranging travels which gave rise to The Quiet American, Our Man in Havana, A Burnt Out Case, The Comedians, Travels With My Aunt, The Honorary Consul, The Human Factor, Monsignor Quixote and The Captain and the Enemy. Beside the novels, which have been translated into many languages, most of which are currently in print in English, Greene wrote collections of short stories, two works of autobiography (A Sort of a Life and Ways Of Escape), two biographies, eight plays – among them The Living Room (1953), The Potting Shed (1957) and The Complaisant Lover (1959) – a book on English dramatists, four illustrated children’s books as well as hundreds of essays and film and book reviews. Many of his novels and short stories have been made into films. He wrote the screenplay for The Third Man which was released in 1949 and later published as a novella using his preparatory narrative for the screenplay. Graham Greene was named a Companion of Honour in 1966 and received the British Order of Merit in 1986. He died in April 1991 at the age of 86.
George Fenton works in film, theatre and television and has frequently adapted music for scores, notably Handel for The Madness of King George, and Vivaldi and JS Bach for Dangerous Liaisons. His theatre work includes Straight Line Crazy, Visit from an Unknown Woman, The Smoking Diaries, Collaborators, Untold Stories, Mrs Henderson Presents and, at the Bridge Theatre, Allelujah!, Talking Heads and Beat The Devil. For television, his work includes The Jewel in the Crown, The Monocled Mutineer, Talking Heads, Life and many themes including Shoestring, Bergerac, BBC News, Newsnight and On the Record, as well as The Blue Planet, Planet Earth and The Frozen Planet. He conducts the Planet scores in concert with orchestras worldwide. His recent film work includes The United Way, The Duke and The Secret: Dare to Dream. Other films include Cry Freedom, Shadowlands, The Fisher King, Groundhog Day, You’ve Got Mail, Hitch, The Wind that Shakes the Barley, I Daniel Blake and The Lady in the Van.
Don Black made his West End debut as a theatre lyricist with composer John Barry on the musical Billy, starring Michael Crawford at the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane. Black is the recipient of two Tony Awards for Best Book and Lyrics of a musical for his work (with Christopher Hampton) on Sunset Boulevard, which marked his third collaboration with Andrew Lloyd Webber. They first joined forces to write the song cycle Tell Me on a Sunday which was developed to form the basis of the stage show Song and Dance, and they later were reunited for Aspects of Love. He also wrote lyrics for the Andrew Lloyd Webber-produced Bombay Dreams. His other many musical credits include Bonnie andClyde (currently at the Garrick Theatre), Feather Boy, Whistle Down the Wind, Dracula, The Goodbye Girl, Radio Times and Budgie. His other awards include an Oscar for his song “Born Free”, five Academy Award nominations, and a further three Tony Award nominations, six Ivor Novello Awards, a Golden Globe and many platinum and gold discs. He has written a quintet of theme songs for the James Bond films Thunderball, Diamonds Are Forever, The Man with the Golden Gun, “Surrender” from Tomorrow Never Dies and The World Is Not Enough. Among his many popular songs are two U.S. number ones – “Ben” for Michael Jackson and “To Sir with Love” for Lulu. He was inducted in the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2008 and recently honoured in London with a BMI Icon award. He also received the Order of the British Empire in the Queen’s Honours list; and last year he was awarded an Olivier Award for his outstanding services to theatre. Most recently he wrote his critically acclaimed memoir The Sanest Guy in The Room which featured in The Sunday Times best sellers list.
Christopher Hampton has translated plays by Ibsen, Molière, Chekhov, Yasmina Reza (including Art and Life x 3) and Florian Zeller’s The Father, The Mother,The Truth, The Lie and In the Height ofthe Storm. His other plays include The Talking Cure, White Chameleon, Tales from Hollywood, Treats, Savages, The Philanthropist, Total Eclipse and When Did you Last See My Mother?. He has written the books for the musicals Sunset Boulevard, Dracula – theMusical and Stephen Ward. He won an Academy Award for Best Adapted Screenplay for the adaptations of The Father and of his own play, Les Liaisons Dangereuses (released as Dangerous Liaisons). He was nominated again in 2007 for adapting Ian McEwan’s novel Atonement. His television work includes adaptations of The History Man and Hotel du Lac.
From 1968 to 1986, Trevor Nunn was the youngest ever Artistic Director of the Royal Shakespeare Company, directing over thirty productions, including most of the Shakespeare canon, as well as Nicholas Nickleby and Les Misérables. From 1997 to 2003, he was Artistic Director of the National Theatre, where his productions included Troilus and Cressida, Oklahoma!, The Merchant of Venice, Summerfolk, My Fair Lady, A Streetcar Named Desire, Anything Goes and Love’s Labour’s Lost. He has directed the world premières of Tom Stoppard’s plays Arcadia, The Coast of Utopia and Rock n Roll; and Cats, Sunset Boulevard, Starlight Express and Aspects of Love by Andrew Lloyd Webber. Other theatre includes Fiddler on the Roof (Menier Chocolate Factory and Playhouse Theatre), Timon of Athens, Skellig (Young Vic); The Lady From The Sea (Almeida Theatre); Hamlet, Richard II, Inherit the Wind (The Old Vic), A Little Night Music (Menier Chocolate Factory, West End and Broadway), Cyrano de Bergerac, Kiss Me Kate (Chichester Festival Theatre and Old Vic); Heartbreak House, Flare Path, Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead, The Tempest (Theatre Royal, Haymarket); Scenes from a Marriage (Coventry & St James), All That Fall (Jermyn Street & New York); A Chorus of Disapproval and Relative Values (West End). Work for television includes Antony and Cleopatra, The Comedy of Errors, Macbeth, Three Sisters, Othello, The Merchant of Venice and King Lear, and on film, Red Joan,Hedda, Lady Jane and Twelfth Night.
LISTINGS INFORMATION
MENIER CHOCOLATE FACTORY
53 Southwark Street, London, SE1 1RU
MARJORIE PRIME
Until 6 May
CHRISTINA BIANCO – IN DIVINE COMPANY
11 – 20 May
THE THIRD MAN
10 June – 9 September
CLOSE UP – THE TWIGGY MUSICAL
18 September – 18 November
PACIFIC OVERTURES
25 November 2023 – 24 February 2024
Box Office: 020 7378 1713 (£2.50 transaction fee per booking)
THE ROYAL COURT THEATRE ANNOUNCES CAST FOR HOPE HAS A HAPPY MEAL BY TOM FOWLER DIRECTED BY LUCY MORRISON
SATURDAY 3 JUNE – SATURDAY 8 JULY 2023
Clockwise from top left: Laura Checkley (credit: Phil Sharp), Mary Malone (credit: YellowBelly), Amaka Okafor (credit: YellowBelly), Felix Scott (credit: Pip), Nima Taleghani (credit: Sam Irons).
Laura Checkley, Mary Malone, Amaka Okafor, Felix Scott and Nima Taleghani have been cast in Hope has a Happy Meal, written by Tom Fowler and directed by Royal Court Associate Lucy Morrison. It will run at the Royal Court Jerwood Theatre Upstairs from Saturday 3 June to Saturday 8 July 2023, with press night on Friday 9 June 2023 at 7pm.
Hope has a Happy Meal is designed by Naomi Dawson, with lighting design by Anna Watson, sound design by Annie May Fletcher and movement direction by Jonnie Riordan.
“Hope? Hope, is that you?”
Years and years ago, Hope disappeared. Now, she’s back. To find something she left behind.
But in the People’s Republic of Koka Kola – a world of dwindling resources, corruption and corporate giants – what happens to Hope?
Follow Hope on a surreal and frenetic quest through a hyper-capitalist country.
Hope has a Happy Meal is a co-production with SISTER.
There will be a post-show talk with Tom Fowler on Tuesday 13 June 2023.
REGENT’S PARK OPEN AIR THEATRE ANNOUNCES FULL CAST AND CREATIVE TEAM FOR FIRST 2023 FAMILY SHOW
EVERY LEAF A HALLELUJAH
Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre today announces full cast and creative team for the brand new adaptation of Ben Okri’s Every Leaf A Hallelujah, adapted and directed by Chinonyerem Odimba (22 May – 10 June, press performance 25 May, 11am).
The full cast includes Hannah Akhalu (Jack V Giant) as Mangoshi, Rosemary Annabella Nkrumah (The Color Purple, Waitress West End) as Mummy, Florence Odumosu (2:22 A Ghost Story at Lyric and Criterion Theatres) as Boabab Tree, and Fred Smiley (The Book of Mormon, Kinky Boots UK Tour)as Daddy.
Completing the creative team alongside Chinonyerem Odimba (Adaptor & Director) is Heather Basten (Casting Director), Ewa Dina (Associate Director), Ingrid Mackinnon (Movement Director & Season Associate – Intimacy Support), Khadija Raza (Designer), Riwa Saab (Sound Designer), Abdul Shyllon (Voice & Singing Director) and Sura Susso (Composer, Musical Director & Musician).
Booker Prize-winner Ben Okri‘s new fairytale, Every Leaf A Hallelujah invites children aged 4+ and their families into an enchanted world of extraordinary endangered trees. Commissioned by Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre, this 45-minute show plays during the day on the theatre lawn. All you’ll need is a blanket to sit on and an open heart.
Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre’s 2023 season also includes Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty’s musical Once On This Island (10 May – 10 June), directed by Ola Ince. Robin Hood: The Legend. Re-written (17 June – 22 July) written by Carl Grose andcommissioned by Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre with direction by Melly Still. The Tempest re-imagined for everyone aged six and over (30 June – 22 July), revised and directed by Jennifer Tang in a co-production with the Unicorn Theatre. Musical La Cage aux Folles (29 July – 16 September),directed by Artistic Director Timothy Sheader with a book by Harvey Fierstein, music and lyrics by Jerry Herman, andbased on the play by Jean Poiret. Finally, this summer, Nicoll Entertainment’s Dinosaur World Live(11 August – 3 September) returns to the Open Air Theatre, written and directed by Derek Bond.
