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International singing star, producer and director Earl Carpenter answered 20 questions. Fresh from highly successful 6 week return at the Phantom, in Andrew Lloyd Webbers Phantom of the Opera, Earl can be seen in Bournemouth on Saturday 29 April in Three Phantoms and supporting Claire Sweeney at the Cowes Fringe Festival on Sunday 28 May.

Let’s start with a few favourites

1. Favourite show (whether you have been in it or not)? 

Tanz de Vampire

2. Favourite book? 

Arabia by Levison Wood

3. Favourite theatre? 

The Esplanade, Singapore

4. Favourite song (any genre)? 

20 Years by The Civil Wars

5. Favourite type of music? 

Anything

6. Favourite food? 

Stir Fry

7. Favourite line from any show?

 “Isn’t though!” Gaston’s reply to Belle saying “Gaston, what a pleasant surprise!”

8. What is your favourite role so far?

 Darryl van Horne in The Witches of Eastwick

9. What role would you really love to play? 

Trunchball in Matilda

10. What was your first role? 

Will Scarlet, Robin Prince of Sherwood – yup, it was a rock musical

11. If you could be anyone else for the day, who would it be?

The younger me.

12. If you weren’t a brilliant singer what would you be? 

The younger me. LOL

13. What advice would you give to 16 year old Earl? 

Be more aware of how quickly time flies.

14. What was the last stage show you saw and enjoyed? 

Tanz de Vampire in Vienna

15. What are the nicest/weirdest things you’ve ever received from fans? 

I daren’t make this public!!

16. Would you like to do a straight play on stage rather than a musical? 

Yes.

17. Would you consider bringing out a CD?  The Best of Earl Carpenter? 

Absolutely not. HAHAH

18. Madonna once said she gets bored singing “Like a Virgin” but knows she owes the song for her career. So she always changes it to a different type of performance. Do you ever want to change “Bring Him Home”or “Music of the Night”to something different? A reggae version or maybe rap? Or maybe a beatbox version? 

No, and have never sang “Bring Him Home”. Ha. Would happily retire from singing – 30 years is a long time. But I wouldn’t change something that has been soooo successful.

19. Would you like to write your own musical? 

Too many amazingly talented people out there who are able to do that.

20. Can you tell us what you will be up to next?

Not yet but keep an eye on my social media.

The Almeida Theatre announces the full cast of Rebecca Frecknall’s production of Romeo and Juliet. 

Joining the previously announced Isis Hainsworth and Toheeb Jimoh are Raphael Akuwudike, Jamie Ballard, Miles Barrow, Amanda Bright, Luke Cinque-White, James Cooney, Paul Higgins, Jyuddah Jaymes, Kieron Jecchinis, Jo McInnes, Daniel Phung, Jack Riddiford and Gideon Turner.  

Following the recent success of her Olivier Award-winning production of A Streetcar Named Desire, Almeida Associate Director Rebecca Frecknall directs Romeo and Juliet. The production opens on Wednesday 14 June, with previews from Tuesday 6 June, and runs until Saturday 29 July. 

ROMEO AND JULIET  

by William Shakespeare
Directed by Rebecca Frecknall 

Designer: Chloe Lamford; Costume Designer: Debbie Duru; Lighting Designer: Lee Curran; Sound Designer: Gareth Fry; Casting Director: Julia Horan CDG; Fight Director: Jonathan Holby 

Tuesday 6 June – Saturday 29 July 2023  

“These violent delights have violent ends, 

And in their triumph die like fire and powder, 

Which as they kiss consume.” 

Your family teaches you to hate. 

You meet someone forbidden. 

You act without thinking. 

Verona is a powder keg of blood-lust and rage, with death threats proudly shouted in the streets. 

As two families wage war, will a young couple become the next sacrifice of this brutal feud? 

Following her “electrifying and revelatory” (New York Times) production of A Streetcar Named Desire, Almeida Associate Director Rebecca Frecknall (Cabaret) directs Isis Hainsworth (Our Ladies of Perpetual Succour, A Midsummer Night’s Dream) and Emmy Award-nominee Toheeb Jimoh (Ted Lasso, Nine Lessons and Carols: stories for a long winter) in this reimagining of Shakespeare‘s ferocious and bloody tragedy.

Announcing a major new West End musical

‘I’m Every Woman – The Chaka Khan Musical’
A first UK workshop will take place in November 2023

The life and songs of 10-time GRAMMY® Award-winner Chaka Khan are being developed into a major new West End show – ‘I’m Every Woman – The Chaka Khan Musical’.

The project is fully endorsed by Chaka Khan, who will attend a London workshop in November this year.

Chaka Khan is one of the world’s most gifted and celebrated musicians, with a rich musical legacy that includes 22 albums, 25 Billboard magazine charted songs, 7 gold singles, and 10 gold and platinum albums.

‘I’m Every Woman’ depicts Chaka’s life from her time in the Black Panther party to lead singer of the band Rufus, and onto the 10-time Grammy award-winning solo artist, who has tallied up over 100 million albums sold and downloads worldwide with hits such as ‘I Feel For You’, ‘Ain’t Nobody’, ‘This Is My Night’, ‘Through The Fire’ and ‘Eye to Eye’.

‘I’m Every Woman’ is produced by Adrian Grant, whose ‘Thriller Live’ ran for a record-breaking 12 years in the West End, and is being written by screenwriter Tina Andrews (‘Sally Hemings: An American Scandal’, ‘Why Do Fools Fall In Love?’), directed by Racky Plews (‘American Idiot’, ‘Footloose’ ‘Josephine Baker’) with Musical Director Ian Oakley (‘The Color Purple’, ‘The Lion King’ (UK Tours).

Chaka, who recently celebrated her 70th birthday and is enjoying her 50th anniversary in the music business, said, “London has a very special place in my heart, and I’m honoured that my life and music will be celebrated on a West End stage. Working with such a talented team, producer Adrian Grant,  writer Tina Andrews and director Racky Plews, on my life story is a dream come true.”

Adrian Grant said, “I’m thrilled to be producing a theatrical stage musical about the life of Chaka Khan. She has been an icon across many genres and decades, but I grew up in the 80s, and songs such as ‘Ain’t Nobody’ and ‘I Feel For You’ created an everlasting cultural imprint that will form a part of this show, with electric choreography and vocals that blow the roof off! We have an amazing creative team, and Tina (Andrews) and Chaka, who both hail from Chicago, have formed a great bond during the writing process. There’s a long way to go, but every day I wake up excited with the possibilities that lay ahead!”

‘I’m Every Woman’ will play a pre-West End engagement in Autumn 2024, with further casting and additional creative team members to be announced.

For more information, visit www.imeverywomanmusical.com

Chaka Khan – Singer, Songwriter, Actor, Activist
Chaka Khan is one of the world’s most gifted and celebrated musicians, with a rich musical legacy. The 10-time GRAMMY® Award-winner is a songwriter, actor, author, philanthropist, entrepreneur and activist who has influenced generations of recording artists. She has the rare ability to sing in seven music genres, including R&B, pop, rock, gospel, country, world music and classical. Affectionately known around the world as Chaka, she is revered by millions of fans as well as her peers for her timeless, classic and unmatched signature music style and ability. The late, great Miles Davis often said, “She [Chaka] sings like my horn.” And the Queen of Soul, Aretha Franklin says, “[Chaka] is a one- of- a -kind, premier vocalist.”

Throughout her legendary career, Chaka has released 22 albums and racked up 10 #1 Billboard magazine charted songs, 7 RIAA certified gold singles and 10 RIAA certified gold and platinum albums. Chaka’s recorded music has produced over 2,000 catalogue song placements. “I am honoured and blessed to celebrate 50 years in music and entertainment,” says Chaka. “I am so humbled by the love, support, and gracious spirit of my fans worldwide and the continuous support my peers have shown over the years. Throughout my 50-year career, I have been through the fire a few times over and I’m still here as a living testament to God’s love and grace.”

Early on, she caught the attention of music icon Stevie Wonder, who penned her first smash hit with Rufus, ‘Tell Me Something Good’. The single from the group’s 1974 platinum-selling album, ‘Rags to Rufus’, earned Chaka her first GRAMMY® Award. With Chaka as the group’s dynamic center, Rufus became one of the most popular acts around selling out shows throughout the country and dominating the airwaves with hit after hit with songs such as ‘You Got the Love,’ which Chaka co-wrote, ‘Once You Get Started’, ‘Sweet Thing’, ‘Everlasting Love’, ‘Do You Love What You Feel?’ and ‘Ain’t Nobody’, Chaka’s second GRAMMY Award-winning song with Rufus. Rufus and Chaka Khan racked up five RIAA certified gold and platinum albums during their time together. ‘Once You Get Started’, ‘Sweet Thing’, ‘Everlasting Love’, ‘Do You Love What You Feel?’ and ‘Ain’t Nobody’, Chaka’s second GRAMMY Award-winning song with Rufus. Rufus and Chaka Khan racked up five RIAA certified gold and platinum albums during their time together.

It was inevitable that a singer with Chaka’s star power would eventually venture out on her own. In 1978, Chaka blazed onto the music scene as a solo artist with the release of the smash hit ‘I’m Every Woman’ written by Ashford & Simpson. Paired with the late producer extraordinaire, Arif Mardin (Aretha Franklin, Bette Midler), her catalogue grew even more impressive with hits such as ‘Clouds’, ‘Papillon’, and ‘What ‘Cha Gonna Do For Me?’. It was during this time that Chaka began pursuing her love of jazz. She and Arif brilliantly re-worked the classic song ‘Night in Tunisia’ with the song’s originator, Dizzy Gillespie, on trumpet. Chaka also recorded an album of jazz standards titled ‘Echoes of an Era’, which featured such luminaries as Chick Corea, Stanley Clarke, and Lenny White. Her crowning achievement in jazz was the GRAMMY® Award-winning tune, ‘Be Bop Medley’. The song’s album, titled ‘Chaka Khan’, also won a GRAMMY® for Best Female R&B Vocal Performance.

However, the song that made Chaka Khan a household name and propelled her to superstardom the world over was ‘I Feel For You’, written and first performed by Prince. This chart-topping, GRAMMY® Award-winning song also made music history. Released in 1984, it was the first R&B song to feature a rap, which was performed by Grandmaster Melle Mel. Chaka also topped the charts with ‘This Is My Night’ and the instant classic, ‘Through The Fire’. Now in top demand, Chaka lent her voice and producer skills to two of the biggest hits of 1986, Steve Winwood’s ‘Higher Love’ and Robert Palmer’s ‘Addicted to Love’. Both were GRAMMY®-winning songs.

In 1995, she made her musical theatre debut on London’s West End, where she starred in ‘Mama I Want to Sing’. In 2002 she travelled to Las Vegas, where she starred in ‘Signed, Sealed Delivered’, a critically-acclaimed musical based on the music of Stevie Wonder. Her Broadway debut came in 2008 when she took over the role of Sofia in Oprah Winfrey’s musical ‘The Color Purple’.

Chaka’s autobiography, ‘Through the Fire’, was published by Rodale Books in 2003.

Adrian Grant – Producer
Adrian Grant has worked in the entertainment and media industries for over 30 years, producing magazines, books, records, videos, television, concerts, and theatre shows. Adrian had an amazing 20-year working relationship with Michael Jackson which led him to create ‘Thriller Live’, a show seen by over five million people worldwide, and becoming the 12th longest-running West End musical of  all-time. Adrian also produces the Visionary Arts Awards which celebrate inspirational culture, media and entertainment.

Racky Plews – Director
Directing and Choreography credits include: ‘American Idiot’ (West End and UK Tour, (winner of Best New Musical in the West End Broadway World Awards, Best Director and Best Choreographer nomination What’s On Stage Awards), ‘Summer Holiday’ (UK Tour), ‘Knights of the Rose’ (West End), ‘Thoroughly Modern Millie’ (UK Tour & Canada), ‘Footloose’ (West End and UK Tour), ‘Vanities’ (Trafalgar Studios), ‘Guys and Dolls’, ‘The Drowsy Chaperone’ and ‘Into The Woods’ (The Gatehouse), ‘Respect La Diva’ (Garrick Theatre), ‘Jekyll and Hyde’ (UK Tour), ‘Josephine Baker’ (Off Broadway, New York), ‘Cougar’ (The Belgrade), ‘Denise Pearson – The Jackson’s World Tour’ (Arena Tour), ‘Bare – The Rock Musical’ (Best Choreography nomination Broadway World), ‘Effectors’ (Spectrum of the Seas), ‘Flight’ (Symphony of the Seas), ‘Columbus’ (Harmony of the Seas), ‘The 48hour Musicals – The BoyFriend’ (Her Majesty’s Theatre), ‘Crazy For You’ and ‘Me & My Girl’ (London Palladium).

Tina Andrews  – Book Writer
Tina Andrews is an international award-winning writer, producer, director, as well as author,
playwright, and multi-media visual artist. Her non fiction book, ‘Sally Hemings An American Scandal: The Struggle to Tell The Controversial True Story’ (The Malibu Press), won the NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Achievement in Literary Nonfiction and the Literary Award of Excellence from the Memphis Writers Conference. The book was based on her award-winning CBS miniseries, ‘Sally Hemings: An American Scandal’ which she wrote and Executive Produced. It was the highest rated, most watched miniseries of its season garnering Tina the Writers Guild of America Award for Outstanding Long form Television, She is the first African American to win the award in Long form).  She also won the NAACP Image Award for Outstanding TV Movie, Miniseries or Special. CBS bought the miniseries based on her play ‘The Mistress of Monticello’, which Tina originally wrote and directed at the Chicago Dramatists Workshop. She also wrote the screenplay for the 1998 movie ‘Why Do Fools fall in Love?’. Tina’s work in film and television has led to other accolades, including a Proclamation from the City Council of New York. Her novel, ‘Charlotte Sophia’, told the story of Queen Charlotte of England’s concealed African Ancestry and was released as an audiobook voiced by ‘Bridgerton’ actress Adjoa Andoh. HBO Max recently acquired the novel, and Tina is working on the script.

Ian Oakley  – Musical Director
Ian Oakley is a London-based, multi-award-winning (including two Black British Theatre Awards) musical director, composer and arranger with more than 25 years’ experience in both the UK and the USA. Commended for his versatility, Ian has worked across the spectrum of the music industry – from the creative genesis of a project, to working with legendary Grammy Award-winning artists (Dionne Warwick, Take 6), to conducting orchestras (London Symphony Orchestra). Ian was the orchestrator for Stormzy’s 2017 performance of Blinded By Your Grace Pt. 2. on the UK series of ‘X-Factor’ which wasviewed by over 6 million people. Theatre credits include: ‘The Color Purple’ (Birmingham Hippodrome), ‘On the Ropes’ (Park Theatre/The Production Exchange), ‘To The Streets’ (China Plate/Birmingham Hippodrome), ‘Playboy of the West Indies’ (Birmingham Rep), ‘Coming to England’ (Birmingham Rep), ‘Respect – The Aretha Franklin Songbook’ (UK Tour), ‘The Lion King’ (UK Tour).

GEORGINA ONUORAH

SOARS OVER THE RAINBOW AS SHE IS ANNOUNCED IN THE STARRING ROLE OF DOROTHY

AT THE LONDON PALLADIUM THIS SUMMER

Georgina joins the previously announced principal cast:

JASON MANFORD (The Cowardly Lion) ASHLEY BANJO (The Tin Man)

DIANNE PILKINGTON (The Wicked Witch of the West), LOUIS GAUNT (The Scarecrow)

CHRISTINA BIANCO (Glinda The Good Witch)

and

GARY WILMOT as The Wizard

Performances begin Friday 23 June 2023 |www.wizardofozmusical.com

London, Wednesday 26 April: Michael Harrison and the Really Useful Group are thrilled to announce that Georgina Onuorah will play the lead role of Dorothy in The Wizard of Oz this summer.

Georgina is currently playing Ado Annie in the critically acclaimed, multi-award-winning production of Oklahoma! (Wyndham’s Theatre). She starred as Dorothy when The Wizard of Oz originally played at Curve, Leicester last year, and her other West End credits include Millennials (The Other Palace) and as Alternate Cinderella in Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Cinderella (Gillian Lynne Theatre).

Georgina graduated from The Arts Educational School in 2020, where she was awarded the Andrew Lloyd Webber Foundation Scholarship.

Michael Harrison, the producer of the smash-hit Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, presents Curve’s brand-new production of one of the world’s most beloved musicals, beginning performances on Friday 23 June.

Georgina joins the previously announced principal cast of Jason Manford (who will play The Cowardly Lion), Ashley Banjo (The Tin Man), Dianne Pilkington (The Wicked Witch of the West), Louis Gaunt (The Scarecrow), Christina Bianco (Glinda The Good Witch) and Gary Wilmot as The Wizard/Professor Marvel.

The full cast is completed by Ben Thompson (as Toto), Annie Southall, Charlotte St.Croix, Claire O’Leary, Eamonn Cox, Emily Ann Potter, Geoff Aymer, Harrison Wilde, Jacqui Dubois, Jessica Daley, Jonathan Dryden Taylor, Lauren Stroud, Marley Fenton, Michael Lin and Sam Stones.

Michael Harrison said:

“It’s thrilling to announce today that Georgina will play Dorothy in our new production of The Wizard of Oz. She is a rare talent with great warmth. When she first played the role in Leicester last year, her soaring rendition of Over The Rainbow brought the whole house to their feet. She completes our casting, and along with Jason, Ashley, Dianne, Louis and Christina, is going to ensure it will be a summer to remember at the Palladium.”

Featuring the iconic original score from the Oscar-winning MGM film, including Over The Rainbow, Follow The Yellow Brick Road and We’re Off To See the Wizard – with additional songs from Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice – this spectacular production will be a magical experience for all the family.

Directed by Nikolai Foster (Billy Elliot The Musical, A Chorus Line) The Wizard of Oz has choreography by Shay Barclay, Set Designer is Colin Richmond, Projection Designer is Douglas O’Connell,Costume and Puppet Designer is Rachael Canning, Lighting Designer is Ben Cracknell, Sound Designer is Adam Fisher, Creative Consultant is Mark Kaufman, Musical Director and Musical Supervisor is George Dyer, Casting Director is Kay Magson CDG, Props Supervisor is Marcus Hall Props and Wigs, Hair and Makeup Designer is Elizabeth Marini.

Follow the yellow brick road next summer to The London Palladium!

Michael Harrison, Gavin Kalin with David Mirvish, Crossroads Live, Tulchin Bartner Productions, Nick Thomas, Rupert Gavin, Mallory Factor & Playing Field by arrangement with The Really Useful Group Limited, present the Curve production of The Wizard of Oz.

ELF THE MUSICAL

TO RETURN TO THE

WEST END ON 15 NOVEMBER 2023

FOR A STRICTLY LIMITED SEASON

TICKETS ON SALE 10AM 28 APRIL

Due to popular demand, ELF the smash hit musical returns to London’s Dominion Theatre for a second consecutive year to play a strictly limited season from 15 November 2023 until 6 January 2024. After a seven-year absence from the West End, ELF’s 2022 sold-out run at the Dominion was further proof of the production’s public and critical success. Tickets are on sale from 10am 28 April.

Based on the beloved 2003 New Line Cinema hit starring Will Ferrell, ELF features a book by Tony Award-winners Thomas Meehan (Annie, The Producers, Hairspray) and Bob Martin (The Drowsy Chaperone), with songs by Tony Award nominees Matthew Sklar and Chad Beguelin (The Wedding Singer).

This production will once again be directed by Philip Wm. McKinley, with choreography by Liam Steel, original set and costume design by Tim Goodchild, lighting design by Patrick Woodroffe, sound by Gareth Owen and video design by Ian William Galloway. Casting will be by Grindrod Burton Casting.

ELF is the funny and charming tale of Buddy, who mistakenly crawls into Santa’s bag of gifts as a baby and is transported back to the North Pole and raised as an elf! Unaware that he is actually human, Buddy’s enormous size and poor toy-making abilities finally cause him to face the truth and realise he’ll never belong in the North Pole. With Santa’s permission, Buddy embarks on a journey to New York to find his birth father, discover his true identity and help New York remember the true meaning of Christmas.

Casting is to be announced.

ELF is produced by Temple Live Entertainment.

Website: elflondon.com

Instagram: @elfmusicalLDN

Facebook: @elfmusicalLDN

Twitter: @elfmusicalLDN

LISTINGS INFORMATION

ELF the Musical

15 November 2023 to 6 January 2023

Dominion Theatre

268-269 Tottenham Court Road

London W1T 7AQ

Box Office:  0345 200 7982

Performance Schedule

15 November – 2 December

Monday to Saturday at 7.30pm, Saturday at 2.30pm

N.B there are additional matinees on 22 & 30 November

4 – 16 December

Monday to Saturday at 7.30pm, Thursday & Saturday at 2.30pm

Christmas 2023/2024

Monday 18 December – 2.30pm

Tuesday 19 December – 2.30pm & 7.30pm

Wednesday 20 December – 2.30pm

Thursday 21 December – 2.30pm & 7.30pm

Friday 22 December – 7.30pm

Saturday 23 December – 2.30pm & 7.30pm

Sunday 24 December – No Performance

Monday 25 December – No Performance

Tuesday 26 December – 7.30pm

Wednesday 27 December – 2.30pm & 7.30pm

Thursday 28 December – 2.30pm

Friday 29 December – 2.30pm & 7.30pm

Saturday 30 December 2.30pm & 7.30pm

Sunday 31 December – no performance

Monday 1 January – 7.30pm

Tuesday 2 January – 7.30pm

Wednesday 3 January – 7.30pm

Thursday 4 January – 2.30pm & 7.30pm

Friday 5 January – 7.30pm

Saturday 6 January – 2.30pm & 7.30pm

Running Time:  2 hours 25 minutes (including interval)

Full company announced for ASSASSINS

Music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim
Book by John Weidman

Directed by Polly Findlay

Chichester Festival Theatre, 3 – 24 June

Audiences will be catapulted into the American political arena where music, folklore and show-business collide head-on with the American Dream, for the first major production of Stephen Sondheim’s musical ASSASSINS since the composer’s death in 2021. Directed by Polly Findlay, it will run at Chichester Festival Theatre from 3 – 24 June.

The full company is Amy Booth-Steel (Tammy Faye, The Magician’s Elephant) as Moore, Daniel Bowskill (Let’s Face The Music) as Onstage Swing, Luke Brady (The Prince of Egypt, Sweeney Todd) as Zangara, Lizzy Connolly (Sweet Charity, On The Town) as Balladeer 2, Ivan De Freitas (& Juliet, Jesus Christ Superstar) as Bystander 2, Carly Mercedes Dyer (Olivier Award nominee and WhatsOnStage Award winner for Anything Goes) as Fromme, Peter Forbes (Follies, Singin’ in the Rain) as The Proprietor, Bob Harms (Pretty Woman, Come From Away) as Bystander 1, Harry Hepple (Hamilton, Follies) as Guiteau, Nick Holder (The Threepenny Opera, London Road) as Byck, Charlotte Jaconelli (The Wizard of Oz, Heathers The Musical) as Goldman, Danny Mac (Sunset Boulevard, Pretty Woman The Musical) as Booth, Kody Mortimer (Hex, Hairspray) as Bystander 4, Sam Oladeinde (Come From Away, A Christmas Carol) as Czolgosz, Jaimie Pruden (Beauty and the Beast, Company) as Onstage Swing, Jack Shalloo (Girl From The North Country, Groundhog Day) as Hinckley, Liam Tamne (Wuthering Heights, Bonnie and Clyde) as Balladeer 1, and Samuel Thomas (The Normal Heart, The Last Five Years) as Oswald/Balladeer 3.

Assassins is full of high drama, with musical influences ranging from The Carpenters and James Taylor to American folk songs and Scott Joplin. With music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim and book by John Weidman, this Tony Award-winning biting musical comedy takes us on a daring, time-bending journey through American history.

A surreal carnival. And a group of people who have one thing in common: they want to assassinate the President of the United States.

Some succeed, some fail. But there’s a prize for them all: a place in the history books.

John Wilkes Booth. Lee Harvey Oswald. Leon Czolgosz. Lynette “Squeaky” Fromme. John Hinckley. Charles Guiteau. Sara Jane Moore. Giuseppe Zangara. Samuel Byck. Men and women whose fervour took them to the very edge.

For audiences, the experience will begin as soon as they step into the theatre foyer, where smells, sights and sounds will sweep them into the carnival.

A giant of musical theatre, celebrated for the inventive sophistication of his melodies and lyrics, Sondheim died in 2021. His landmark works also include Company, Follies and Sweeney Todd. John Weidman’s Tony Award-winning works include Contact as well two further collaborations with Sondheim, Road Show and Pacific Overtures.

Director Polly Findlay makes her CFT debut. Her recent productions include White Noise and A Number (Bridge Theatre), Beginning and Middle (National Theatre) and The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie (Donmar Warehouse).

The designer is Lizzie Clachan, and the choreographer, Neil Bettles; musical supervisor Richard John, musical director Jo Cichonska, orchestrator Michael Starobin, lighting designer Richard Howell, sound designer Gregory Clarke, video designer Akhila Krishnan, fight director Kate Waters, and casting directors Charlotte Sutton CDG and Christopher Worrall.

Assassins is sponsored by Genesis Town Planning and Kuoni.

BOOKING INFORMATION

Tickets £10 – £59

cft.org.uk       Box Office 01243 781312      

Prologue: £5 tickets for 16 – 30s

£5 tickets are available for 16 to 30 year-olds; sign up for free at cft.org.uk/prologue.

NEW CASTING ANNOUNCED FOR WEST END PRODUCTION

OF MULTI-AWARD WINNING
HAMILTON
AT THE VICTORIA PALACE THEATRE

Jeffrey Seller and Cameron Mackintosh, producers of the West End production of Lin-Manuel Miranda’s HAMILTON, are delighted to announce new casting for the show who will have their first performance at the Victoria Palace Theatre on 19 June 2023 where tickets are currently on sale to 2 March 2024.

Joining the cast will be Declan Spaine in the title role of Alexander Hamilton, Ava Brennan as Angelica Schuyler, Simbi Akande as Peggy Schuyler/Maria Reynolds, Dom Hartley-Harris as George Washington and Lemuel Knights as Marquis De Lafayette/Thomas Jefferson.

Joining the ensemble will be Gabriela Acosta, Elizabeth Armstrong, Alishia-Marie Blake, Aimie Hibbert, Sam Holden, Christian Knight, Nathan Louis-Fernand, Stacey McGuire, Lewis Newton, Hassun Sharif, Alex Tranter and Maddison Tyson.

Continuing in the show will be Simon-Anthony Rhoden as Aaron Burr, Shan Ako as Eliza Hamilton, Emile Ruddock as Hercules Mulligan/James Madison, Jake Halsey-Jones as John Laurens/Philip Hamilton and Joel Montague asKing George III.  At certain performances the role of Alexander Hamilton will be played by Alex Sawyer. Continuing in the company will be Matthew Elliot-Campbell, Manaia Glassey-Ohlson, Maya Britto, Barney Hudson, Nicolais-Andre Kerry, Ella Kora, Aaron Lee Lambert, Kerri Norville, Samuel Sarpong-Broni, Lindsey Tierney and Brandon Williams.

A second National Company of HAMILTON will be touring the UK and Ireland opening this November at the Manchester Palace Theatre, followed by a season at Edinburgh Festival Theatre. Many performances in these venues are already sold out with both theatres seeing unprecedented levels of ticket sales. Further dates have just been announced at the Bristol Hippodrome (30 April – 22 June 2024; on sale 15 May 2023), Birmingham Hippodrome (25 June – 31 August 2024; on sale 10 May 2023) and Bord Gais Energy Theatre, Dublin (17 September – 16 November 2024; on sale 28 April 2023).

The show will go on to play at the Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff (26 November 2024 – 25 January 2025), Alhambra, Bradford (28 January – 15 March 2025), Mayflower, Southampton (18 March – 26 April 2025), Liverpool Empire (6 May – 7 June 2025), Sunderland Empire (17 – 26 July 2025), Plymouth Theatre Royal (30 July  – 6 September 2015) and Norwich Theatre Royal (16 September – 25 October 2025) with tickets for these venues on sale soon.

Declan Spaine (Alexander Hamilton) trained at Italia Conti Academy of Theatre Arts and graduated in 2019. His theatre credits include:  Get Up, Stand Up! (Lyric, West End), Red Dust Road (National Theatre Scotland), Four Play (Above the Stag). Short film includes: The Gossip (Tanktop Films)

Simon-Anthony Rhoden’s (Aaron Burr) theatre credits include: The Color Purple for Birmingham Hippodrome and Leicester Curve, Kinky Boots at the Adelphi Theatre for which he won the Broadway World UK Award for Best Long-Running West End Show Performer, If I Should Stay for Soho Theatre and Parade at the Edinburgh Fringe. His screen credits include a bold and beautiful new digital streamed version of the WhatsOnStage Award-winning production of ColorPurple, Temple for Sky TV, Feel Good for Channel 4 & Netflix, Let It Snow for Sky TV and Blue a short film. 

Ava Brennan (Angelica Schuyler) theatre credits include: June in The Secret Life of Bees for the Almeida Theatre, Fantine in Les Misérables at the Sondheim Theatre, Alline Bullock in Tina The Tina Turner Musical, Mrs Cratchit in A Christmas Carol for the Old Vic, Nala in Disney’s The Lion King for the UK tour, Hamburg and West End, Luisa Vampa in The Count of Monte Cristo Gallen and Dynamite/Ensemble in Hairspray both for Theater St Gallen; Nehebka/Cover Aida in Aida German Tour.Film credits include: Hellboy, Rocketman, Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again and Beauty and the Beast. Television Credits include: Vee in Top Boy Season 4 for Netflix.

Shan Ako (Eliza Hamilton) trained at the Brit School and her theatre credits include Eponine in the All Star Staged Concert of Les Misérables before going on to recreate the role in the full production of Les Misérables at the Sondheim Theatre for which she won Best Performer in a Musical at The Stage Debut Awards.  Her other performance credits include the London Jazz Festival at the Barbican, touring the UK and Europe playing the lead role in Whitney Queen of the Night, and being seen on the live finals of X Factor and the subsequent 2019 X Factor National Arena Tour.  Her television credits include Reasons to Be Cheerful with Matt Lucas and she was also the recipient of the Project Aloft Star for emerging artists.

Dom Hartley-Harris (George Washington) theatre credits include: Preacher in Bonnie & Clyde (Garrick Theatre), Curtis Taylor Jr in Dreamgirls (UK Tour), Collins in RENT (Hope Mill Theatre), George Washington in Hamilton (Victoria Palace), Ratsey in Moonfleet (Salisbury Playhouse), The Emperor in Aladdin (Royal and Derngate), Jagwire in Bat Out of Hell (Manchester Opera House & London Coliseum), Drifter in Beautiful: The Carole King Musical (Aldwych Theatre), Vince in Accidental Brummie (Birmingham Rep), Malcolm in Macbeth and Hugo Daniels in Billy Young: A Life on Death Row (The Old Joint Stock). TV and Film credits include:  Alex Verney in Doctors (BBC) and Ben in The Waiting Room (Short Film).

Lemuel Knights (Marquis De Lafayette/Thomas Jefferson) theatre credits include: Barman in Choir of Man (West End, US Tour); David Letterman in 42 Balloons (Vaudeville Theatre); Dewey Finn in School of Rock (International tour); Mike In But I’m a Cheerleader (Turbine Theatre); Big Mickey in What’s New Pussycat (The Rep); Bob in Billionaire Boy (Nuffield Southampton Theatre/UK Tour); Miss Understanding in Priscilla Queen of the Desert (Queens Theatre); The Hundred and One Dalmatians (The Rep); One Love: The Bob Marley Musical (The Rep); Ragtime (Charing Cross Theatre) Screen credits include: JoJo in Cells: a Musical Film  (Metta productions); Ben in Hapless (Magnet Films).

Emile Ruddock’s (Hercules Mulligan/James Madison) previous theatre credits include Me and My Girl at the Chichester Festival Theatre; Five Guys Named Moe at the Marble Arch Theatre; Crazy for You at the Watermill Theatre; Kiss Me Kate on UK Tour and The Scottsboro Boys at the Young Vic and at the Garrick Theatre.

Jake Halsey-Jones (John Laurens/Philip Hamilton) is currently playing John Laurens/Philip Hamilton and cover Alexander Hamilton in Hamilton at the Victoria Palace Theatre. His previous credits include Lady Chatterley’s Lover at the Shaftesbury Theatre; Spring Awakening and West Side Story at the Frogmore Papermill and West Side Story for the BBC Proms 2018, Royal Albert Hall.  His recording credits include the musical 42 Balloons for Perfect Pitch and stream.theatre and the indie-rock musical For Tonight UK Concept Album. His concert credits include Soft Sessions 2020, The Industry Minds Awards 2019 and Live at the Zedel at the Brasserie Zedel.

Simbi Akande (Peggy Schuyler/Maria Reynolds) theatre credits include: ‘Jill’ in Mother Goose (Duke of York and UK Tour) The Prince of Egypt (Dominion Theatre) A Christmas Carol (Dominion Theatre); The Light in the Piazza (Royal Festival Hall and LA Opera); ‘Lula Buffington’ and ‘Almeta’ in Violet (Charing Cross Theatre); Putting It Together (Hope Mill Theatre); ‘Marta’ in Company (Aberdeen Arts Centre); ‘Tzeitel’ in Fiddler on the Roof (Chichester Festival Theatre); ‘Clara Brown’ in Ghost (UK Tour) and Show Boat (Gillian Lynne Theatre).

Joel Montague’s (King George III)theatre credits include Amos Hart in Chicago on tour in the UK and internationally; Ogie in Waitress at the Adelphi Theatre; Mendel in Falsettos at The Other Palace; Nicely-Nicely Johnson in Guys and Dolls at the Théâtre Marigny, Paris; Kiss Me Kate for Sheffield Crucible; Kevin in Fat Friends on UK Tour; alternate Dewey Finn in The School of Rock at the New London Theatre; Eddie in Funny Girl at the Savoy Theatre/Menier Chocolate Factory; Urinetown at the Apollo Theatre/St James Theatre; The Rocky Horror Picture Show, The Producers and Sister Act all on UK Tour and Billy Elliot at the Victoria Palace Theatre. His screen credits include Kay Mellor’s Girlfriends.

Alex Sawyer’s (Alexander Hamilton) theatre credits include Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead for the Old Vic, Girl from the North Country at the Noël Coward Theatre, Pride and Prejudice for Nottingham Playhouse, ROOM for Theatre Royal Stratford East and Alice in Wonderland for Bolton Octagon.  His television credits include Get Shorty, The End of the F**king World, Harlots, House of Anubis, Father Brown, Eve and The White Princess.  In 2021 he released his debut solo EP The Illusion of Perfect as a singer/songwriter and rapper.

HAMILTON has book, music and lyrics by Lin-Manuel Miranda, is directed by Thomas Kail, with choreography by Andy Blankenbuehler, musical supervision and orchestrations by Alex Lacamoire and is based on Ron Chernow’s biography of Alexander Hamilton. HAMILTON features scenic design by David Korins, costume design by Paul Tazewell, lighting design by Howell Binkley, sound design by Nevin Steinberg and hair and wig design by Charles G. LaPointe.

The Olivier, Tony, Grammy and Pulitzer Prize winning production opened at the newly re-built and restored Victoria Palace Theatre in London in December 2017 and continued to play there until the start of lockdown in March 2020. The production resumed performances in August 2021.

HAMILTON is produced in London by Jeffrey Seller, Sander Jacobs, Jill Furman, The Public Theater and Cameron Mackintosh.

LISTINGS INFORMATION

Theatre: Victoria Palace Theatre, Victoria Street, London SW1E 5EA

Dates: Now booking to 2 March 2024

Prices: Tickets from £20, no booking fee applies

Box Office: 0344 482 5151

Website: hamiltonmusical.com

Social Media:

facebook.com/HamiltonWestEnd

twitter.com/HamiltonWestEnd

instagram.com/HamiltonWestEnd

#HamiltonLDN

JONATHAN CHURCH THEATRE PRODUCTIONS AND RJG PRODUCTIONS ANNOUNCE

IT’S HEADED STRAIGHT TOWARDS US

JONATHAN CHURCH THEATRE PRODUCTIONS AND RJG PRODUCTIONS ANNOUNCE IT’S HEADED STRAIGHT TOWARDS US

A COMEDY BY ADRIAN EDMONDSON AND NIGEL PLANER

OPENING AT PARK THEATRE –

STARRING RUFUS HOUND AND SAMUEL WEST

Jonathan Church Theatre Productions and RJG Productions today announce It’s Headed Straight Towards Us, a comedy written by stars of The Young Ones, Adrian Edmondson and Nigel Planer. Rachel Kavanaugh directs Rufus Hound (Gary Savage)and Samuel West (Hugh Delavois), with further casting to be announced. The production opens at Park Theatre on 19 September, with previews from 13 September, and runs until 20 October 2023.

Jonathan Church Theatre Productions and RJG Productions present

In association with Park Theatre

IT’S HEADED STRAIGHT TOWARDS US

A comedy by Adrian Edmondson and Nigel Planer

Directed by Rachel Kavanaugh

Park Theatre: Park200

13 September – 20 October 2023

Two actors, stuck in a trailer on the side of a volcano, in Iceland. The glacier is melting, the volcano is active. Bitter rivalries emerge between fussy ‘bit part’ actor Hugh Delavois and fading Hollywood bad boy Gary Savage, going back to their time at college together, as the film they are meant to be working on collapses around them and the trailer they are in begins to slip.  An avalanche wipes out the only escape road and the only bridge to safety subsides into the ravine.   

Stuck with them is 21-year-old Leela, the runner on the film, and supposed seismology expert.  As their arguments and point-scoring become increasingly fractious, it is down to Leela to contain their petty squabbles and prepare them for the possibility that they may not get out of this alive.  

Acclaimed theatre director Rachel Kavanaugh directs multi-award-winning actors, Rufus Hound and Samuel West in this quirky, surprisingly tender, laugh out loud comedy.

It’s Headed Straight Towards Us is written by British actor-comedians Adrian Edmondson and Nigel Planer, who rose to fame in TV comedies The Comic Strip Presents, and the BAFTA award-winning cult classic The Young Ones.

Rufus Hound said today, “Nigel and Ade have written something of rare brilliance. Poetic, comedic and human in equal measure and a keen observation of the fragility of the male ego; of actors especially. (Please note in all publications of this statement, that I come ahead of Samuel in the billing). I am more excited than I have been about anything in ages. I think this may well be magnificent.”

Samuel West also commented, “Just what the world needs: another examination of the irrelevance of the white male middle-aged actor. I’ve had to do a LOT of research.  This one’s very funny though, and true, and touching. Two dinosaurs like Rufus and me should be able to do Ade and Nigel’s beautiful script justice. And if not, we’ll just blame the millennials.”

Adrian Edmondson writer. Adrian accidentally became a comedian in the mid 70’s when he and his friend Rik Mayall performed in pubs in an effort get equity cards. They became a double act called ‘20th Century Coyote’ performing at the Comedy Store and the Comic Strip clubs before going on to make the TV series The Young Ones, The Comic Strip Presents…, Filthy, Rich & Catflap, Saturday Live and Bottom. The latter of which spawned five national tours. Simultaneously an acting career saw Adrian take leading roles in two Les Blair films Honest Decent & True and Newshounds; as well as If You See God, Tell Him; Jonathan Creek a three-year stint in Holby City, six months in Eastenders. More recently he has appeared in the dramas War & Peace; Star Wars: The Last Jedi; A Spy Among Friends, and Rain Dogs. In the theatre he has appeared as Brad in The Rocky Horror Show, as Estragon in Waiting for Godot, as William in Bits of Me are Falling Apart (Soho Theatre); and as Malvolio in Twelfth Night and Scrooge in A Christmas Carol for the RSC. As a musician he created the spoof heavy metal band Bad News; the folk/punk band Bad Shepherds; the more comedic Idiot Bastard Band; and has been a regular guest with The Bonzo Dog Doo-Dah Band. He has also performed in Hyde Park with The Who. He has written numerous TV comedies, most notably Bad News Tour; The Dangerous Brothers; Bottom and Teenage Kicks. He wrote a novel The Gobbler in the late 90s, and more recently two books for children Tilly & the Time Machine and Junkyard Jack & the Horse That Talked. A reality TV addict, Adrian has appeared in Comic Relief Does Fame Academy (3rd); Hell’s Kitchen (2nd) and Celebrity Masterchef (Winner!). He also presented 36 episodes of The Dales and 50 of the travelogue Ade in Britain.

Nigel Planer writer. He was an original member of the Comedy Store and Comic Strip groups at the centre of the so-called ‘Alternative Comedy’ movement in the 1980s and one of the stars of the TV series The Young Ones, and The Comic Strip Presents. Since then, he has enjoyed a successful career as an actor in television, theatre, film and radio. He has played leading roles in the original productions of Evita, Chicago, We Will Rock You, Wicked, Hairspray, Feelgood and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. He won a BRIT award in 1984 and has been nominated for Olivier, TMA, What’s on Stage, and BAFTA awards. With Christopher Douglas, he created the actor character ‘Nicholas Craig’, who featured in TV and radio series, a spoof autobiography and one man show.

Writer; His first play, On the Ceiling, was produced in Birmingham and in London’s West End, his second; Death of Long Pig premiered at the Finborough in London. The Game of Love and Chai, a re-imagining of Marivaux’s farce, opened at the Tara Arts theatre, London, followed by a National tour. All Above Board, toured in 2021 with the Northern Theatre of Comedy. He has written novels, radio plays, and TV scripts as well as writing and voicing over one hundred episodes of The Magic Roundabout for Channel 4. This year sees the release of his latest novel, Jeremiah Bourne in Time (Unbound) – a strange and funny take on time-travel, and a collection of poetry, Making Other Plans. (Flapjack Press).

Rufus Hound plays Gary Savage. He is an award winning actor who has worked across film, television, audio, games and theatre. Film including: Lore (release tbc), The Wedding Video, Big Fat Gypsy Gangster. Television including: Queens of Mystery (AcornTV), Trollied (SkyTV), Doctor Who (BBC), Cucumber (Channel 4), Zapped (Dave), Hounded (CBBC). Audio including: Ronja the Robber’s Daughter (Studio Ghibli), Sadie Sparks (Disney), Waffle the Wonderdog (Cbeebies) and The Monk across The Doctor Who Audio Universe (Big Finish). Theatre includes: The Boy in the Dress, The Provoked Wife, Don Quixote (RSC), The Wind in the Willows (The London Palladium), One Man, Two Guv’nors (National Theatre on tour and West End). He is also the host of BBC Radio 4’s Sony Award winning My Teenage Diary.

Samuel West plays Hugh Delavois. He has played Hamlet and Richard II for the Royal Shakespeare Company, Valentine in the first production of Tom Stoppard’s Arcadia at the National Theatre, Jeffrey Skilling in Enron in the West End and the voice of Pongo in Disney’s 101 Dalmations II. TV includes Siegfried Farnon in the new All Creatures Great and Small, Slow Horses, The Crown, Small Axe, W1A, The Hollow Crown II, Jonathan Strange and Mr Norrell, Cambridge Spies and four series of Mr Selfridge. Films include Darkest Hour, The Gentlemen, On Chesil Beach, Suffragette, Van Helsing, Notting Hill, Zeffirelli’s Jane Eyre and Hyde Park on Hudson. He was nominated for a BAFTA for Howards End. As a reciter, he has appeared with orchestras all over the world; in 2002 he was soloist in Walton’s Henry V at the Last Night of the Proms. Samuel has toured the West Bank three times with the Choir of London and directed The Magic Flute for the Palestine Mozart Festival. From 2005 to 2007 he was the artistic director of Sheffield Theatres, where he revived The Romans in Britain. Samuel West is an Associate Artist of the RSC and a trustee of the Campaign for the Arts.

Rachel Kavanaugh directs.Theatre credits include: Great British Bake Off the Musical (Cheltenham Theatre and West End), The Witches of Eastwick (Cirkus Theatre in Stockholm and Cameron Mackintosh), The Wind in the Willows (Palladium and UK Tour); Rough Crossing (UK Tour); for Chichester Festival Theatre: Shadowlands, Half a Sixpence (also Noel Coward Theatre), The Winslow Boy (and UK Tour), Single Spies (and UK Tour), An Ideal Husband, The Way of the World,  Love Story (transferred to Duchess Theatre and Walnut St Theatre, Philadelphia and received an Olivier Award Nomination for Best New Musical)  The Music Man, and A Small Family Business;  for the RSC: A Christmas Carol, The Merry Wives of Windsor and Alice in Wonderland;  for Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre:  Seven Brides for Seven Brothers (Olivier Award Nomination for Best Musical Revival), The Sound of Music (Olivier nomination for Best Musical Revival and Winner WhatsOnStage Award for Best Musical Revival);  The Taming of the Shrew, Cymbeline, As You Like It, Much Ado About Nothing, Twelfth Night, Love’s Labours Lost, A Midsummer Night’s Dream; Hope Place at the Liverpool Everyman; The Rivals and Arcadia at the Bristol Old Vic; Oklahoma! (UK Tour); Oklahoma! for the BBC Proms with The John Wilson Orchestra. As Artistic Director of the Birmingham Repertory Theatre productions included Arthur and George, Notes to Future Self, His Dark Materials, The Cherry Orchard, Peter Pan – a Musical Adventure, Uncle Vanya, The Madness of King George III and Arcadia.

IT’S HEADED STRAIGHT TOWARDS US

LISTINGS

Park Theatre,Clifton Terrace, Finsbury Park, London N4 3JP

Park Theatre: Park200

13 September – 20 October 2023

www.parktheatre.co.uk

Box Office: [email protected] / 020 7870 6876

Age recommended: 12+

Performances
Mon – Sat Evening 7.30pm
Thu & Sat Matinees 3pm (no matinee Thu 14 September)

Access performance dates to be announced

Prices
Previews: £15 – £25
Standard: £22.50 – £44.50
65+: £20 – £22.50 (Mon eve and Thu mat)
Access: £17.50

Book early to secure the best prices.
Prices may change, subject to demand. To access the best prices at the earliest opportunity, consider becoming a Park Keeper.

Park Up Members (16-26 years)
Tickets £10 (available on Band C seats for all perfs)
Find out more about joining our Park Up scheme with great perks here. 

Group bookings
Buy 10 tickets and get the 11th ticket free. Discount automatically applies in basket.

Booking Fees
No booking fee online or in person.
Telephone booking fee applies

Match Day
Finsbury Park station and the surrounding area can get very busy when Arsenal play at home. These days are highlighted on the schedule.

Latecomers may not be admitted.

FULL CASTING ANNOUNCED

FOR THE WEST END TRANSFER OF

PETER MORGAN’S CRITICS’ CIRCLE AWARD-WINNING NEW PLAY

PATRIOT

PLAYING AT THE NOËL COWARD THEATRE

FOR A LIMITED TWELVE WEEK SEASON

FROM 26 MAY TO 19 AUGUST 2023

‘Peter Morgan’s magnificent Patriots, dealing with the decline of a Russian oligarch

and the rise of Vladimir Putin’

Michael Billington – The Guardian

‘It had me on the edge of my seat, and a West End transfer is a must’

Robert Gore-Langton – Mail on Sunday

‘This is a cracking, exciting piece of theatre that’s become, sadly, very timely’

Nick Curtis – Evening Standard

‘Peter Morgan’s absorbing, acerbic new play’

David Benedict – Variety

‘Tom Hollander gives one of the performances of the year’

Jessie Thompson – The Independent

The full cast is announced for Patriots, Peter Morgan’s new play, which has just won the Critics’ Circle Award for Best New Play 2023. This award follows Will Keen’s Olivier Award win for Best Actor in a Supporting Role for his portrayal of Vladimir Putin.

Joining the previously announced BAFTA-winning actor Tom Hollander (White Lotus, The Night Manager; Travesties) as Boris Berezovsky, Will Keen (His Dark Materials) as Vladimir Putin and Luke Thallon (Albion) as Roman Abramovich are Matt Concannon (Assistant/Daniel Kahneman/Russian Captain), Ronald Guttman (Professor Perelman), Sean Kingsley (Voloshin /Nurse), Paul Kynman (Korzhakov/Yeltsin/FSB Boss/Reporter/Bodyguard) and Jessica Temple (Anna Berezovsky/Newscaster/Journalist/Secretary/Pianist) all reprising their roles from the Almeida Theatre run, and new cast members Josef Davies (Alexander Litvinenko), Ashley Gerlach (Lawyer/Home Office), Howard Gossington (Teacher/Compromised Newscaster), Stefanie Martini (Marina Litvinenko/Nina Berezovsky) and Evelyn Miller (Tatiana/Katya/Judge/Lover). They are joined by understudies Peter Eastland, Lydia Fraser and Matt McClure.

Patriots is internationally award-winning writer Peter Morgan’s (Frost/Nixon) first new play since The Audience. Peter is best known for writing the multi award-winning Netflix hit, The Crown.

It is the Almeida’s fastest selling new play and transfers to the Noël Coward Theatre for a limited twelve-week run from 26 May to 19 August 2023, with opening night on 6 June 2023. Directed by the Almeida’s Artistic Director, Rupert Goold (Ink, Enron), Patriots is a brilliant and startlingly timely story of ambition, loyalty and betrayal in a brave new world.

“If the politicians cannot save Russia, then we businessmen must. We have not just the responsibility but the duty to become Russian heroes”

1991. The Fall of the Soviet Union.

With the dawning of a new Russia, there are winners and losers, and today’s patriot can fast become tomorrow’s traitor.

As a new generation of oligarchs fights to seize control, PATRIOTS follows billionaire businessman Boris Berezovsky from the president’s inner circle

to public enemy number one.

The full creative team for Patriots is Director: Rupert Goold, Set Designer: Miriam Buether, Co-Costume Designers: Deborah Andrews and Miriam Buether,Lighting Designer: Jack Knowles, Sound Designer and Composer: Adam Cork, Casting Director: Robert Sterne CDG, Movement Director Polly Bennett, Associate Director: Sophie Drake.

FULL CAST ANNOUNCED FOR

ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE

THEATRICAL PROJECT

‘PLAYAI’ AT RIVERSIDE STUDIOS

OPENING THIS FRIDAY 28 APRIL 2023

Metatheto Theatrical is delighted to announce the full cast for PlayAI at London’s Riverside Studios, running this week on Friday 28 April 2023 and Saturday 29 April. 

PlayAI will star Joe Bolland (Othello), Bella Bowen (Fat Friends UK Tour), David Lee Jones (A Midsummer Night’s Dream), Findlay MacDonald (BU21 at Old Joint Stock Theatre), Moyege Oke (Coram Boy at Nottingham Playhouse) and Lucy Park (Come From Away).

PlayAI is a thrilling unique theatrical project, written by ChatGPT (an AI model which interacts in a conversational way) which seeks to prompt a conversation about the future of our industry and the relationship it will have with AI. A popular topic at the moment, this project is anything but a gimmick. PlayAI is a play written by ChatGPT for the specified make up of cast members, pushing the boundaries of what AI can do in terms of theatre making – with artificial intelligence suggesting lighting, sound and set design for the piece of work it creates. The show will hold a panel debate after the final performance, with the panellists to be announced. 

Director Matt Bond said: “Our hope is that AI augments the work of industry professionals and it is a technological revolution that, although we may not be able to accurately predict what it will look like in 10 years’ time, we will be living with. AI in 2023 is looking very much like 2007 and the advent of mass social media and the iPhone.”

This production of PlayAI is produced by Metatheto Theatrical and Directed by Matt Bond, with Casting by Pearson Casting and General Management by Jack Maple Productions. 

LISTINGS INFORMATION

Performances: Friday 28 April – 7pm & Saturday 29 April – 4pm & 7pm

Riverside Studios

101 Queen Caroline Street

London W6 9BN

Tickets from £15.00

Website: https://riversidestudios.co.uk