DICKIE BEAU’S RE-MEMBER ME COMES TO HAMPSTEAD THEATRE
Actor and artist Dickie Beau brings his remarkable show Re-Member Me to Hampstead Theatre for a strictly limited run from 25 May to 17 June.
When lip-synching sensation Dickie Beau realised he might never get to play The Dane, he decided instead to build a human Hamlet mix-tape, taking recordings of great Hamlets from the past to channel into an epic one-man lip-sync show.
Along the way he found one especially masterful rendition. This ghost from Hamlet’s past left an indelible mark on all who saw it, however, this Hamlet can never be “re-membered” because no recording exists.
Join Dickie Beau as he brings this Hamlet back to life, through exclusive recordings of interviews with Ian McKellen, Richard Eyre and more. Re-Member Me is part documentary theatre, part 21st century séance, and a unique theatrical eulogy to the greatest Hamlet almost never seen.
Dickie Beau’s work is considered unlike that of any other practitioner, with The Guardian calling him “theatre’s master of lip-sync”, The Times proclaiming him “peerless”, and What’s On Stage declaring him “one of our great living artists”. He dazzled audiences with a new stage-show iShowmanism! at the Ustinov Studio, Bath last year and played the title role in Botticelli in the Fire at Hampstead Theatre in 2019. His other wide-ranging credits include Kenny Everett in Bohemian Rhapsody and The Dame in Dick Whittington at the National Theatre.
First presented as a scratch performance at the Almeida Theatre on the set of Robert Icke’s production of Hamlet in 2017, Re-Member Me transferred to the Public Theater, New York and went on to play at the Melbourne International Arts Festival and Perth International Festival. It was subsequently nominated for a Helpmann Award in Australia.
Re-Member Me is directed and co-devised by Jan-willem van den Bosch with lighting design by Marty Langthorne.
Re-Member Me is at Hampstead Theatre from 25 May to 17 June. Tickets are on sale from today, Monday 24 April, for priority bookers and on general sale from Thursday 27 April athampsteadtheatre.com.
SPECIFICALLY FOR UNDERREPRESENTED GROUPS AND THOSE AGED 25 AND UNDER
TO SEE THE SHOW FREE OF CHARGE
TICKETS WILL BE AVAILABLE FROM 5PM
ON TUESDAY 25 APRIL
FOR PEOPLE AGED 25 OR UNDER
AND NEW PRODUCTION IMAGES ARE RELEASED FOR THE AWARD-WINNING PRODUCTION
ATG Creative Learning and Community Partnerships will target schools, youth organisations, youth services, alternative education provisions and community organisations to access A Streetcar Named Desire for free/free at point of access. In the past 12 months, the UK wide Creative Learning programme has engaged 101,296 participants across 1446 creative learning events and experiences and offered 8727 tickets across this period.
Almeida For Free is a programme that the Almeida Theatre runs for people aged 25 and under, giving young people the chance to see productions for free. There will be 500 free of charge tickets available through this scheme for people aged 25 or under, and they will be able to book these on a first-come, first-served basis from 5pm on Tuesday 25 April for the performance at 2pm on Tuesday 02 May.
A further 500 free of charge tickets are being placed within specific community and outreach groups of all ages by ATG’s Creative Learning department and the Almeida’s Participation team.
Rebecca Frecknall, Director of A Streetcar Named Desire, and Associate Director at the Almeida Theatre said “I am delighted that ATG and the Almeida Theatre can offer this extra performance of Streetcar to ensure that audiences and groups that can’t normally access West End theatre will be able to see the production. I am really proud that we can offer this extra performance and want to thank the company for agreeing to do this extra show”.
A Streetcar Named Desire just won the Best Revival award at the 2023 Olivier Awards, alongside Paul Mescal winning a Best Actor award, Anjana Vasan winning for Best Supporting Actress in a Play, whilst Patsy Ferran took the award for Best Actress at the Critic’s Circle Awards.
Other ticket schemes to see A Streetcar Named Desire continue as detailed below, before the production finishes on 06 May.
ENTER THE ONLINE LOTTERY A limited number of £25 tickets are reserved for lottery winners at each performance. The lottery will be drawn every Wednesday for all of the performances in the following week. Winners will be sent a unique link and have 24 hours to pay for their tickets. To maximise your chances, you will be automatically entered into the draw every week once you sign up but can unsubscribe at any time. To enter the lottery sign up HERE.
DAY SEATS Day seats are located in the front rows of the stalls and cost just £10 each. Day Seats are sold in person from the box office at 5pm (evenings) or 12pm (matinees). The opportunity to buy these seats is allocated via a game of chance that takes place in-person outside the Phoenix Theatre. There are 10 Day Seats in total and 5 winners will have the opportunity to buy a pair. For safety and security, the ticket draw is limited to no more than 30 people.
The full cast for Streetcar is Eduardo Ackerman (Pablo), Alexander Eliot (Steve),
Patsy Ferran (Blanche), Gabriela García (Mexican Woman),Cash Holland (Eunice)
Paul Mescal (Stanley), Tom Penn (Doctor/Drummer), Jabez Sykes (Young Collector), Anjana Vasan (Stella)Dwane Walcott (Mitch)alongside understudies Rob Dempsey, Francesca Knight, Zach Parkin and Constanza Ruff.
A Streetcar Named Desire runs at The Phoenix Theatre from 20 March to 06 May 2023.
★★★★★
The Times, The Sunday Times, The Observer, The i
“How pretty the sky is! I ought to go there on a rocket that never comes down.”
On a street in New Orleans, in the blistering summer heat, a sister spirals.
When Blanche unexpectedly visits her estranged sister Stella, she brings with her a past that will threaten their future. As Stella’s husband Stanley stalks closer to the truth, Blanche’s fragile world begins to fracture. Reality and illusion collide and a violent conflict changes their lives forever.
Almeida Associate Director Rebecca Frecknall’s “heart-stopping” (The Telegraph)revival of Tennessee Williams’ masterpiece runs in the West End until 06 May 2023.
Paul Mescal (“tremendous” The Times)stars as Stanley alongside Patsy Ferran (“astonishingly good” Time Out) as Blanche DuBois and Anjana Vasan (“outstanding” New York Times) as Stella in this “mesmerising” (The i) production.
A Streetcar Named Desire is presented by special arrangement with The University of the South, Sewanee, Tennessee.
A Streetcar Named Desire’s creative team is as follows: Director: Rebecca Frecknall; Set Designer: Madeleine Girling; Costume Designer: Merle Hensel; Lighting Designer: Lee Curran; Sound Designer: Peter Rice: Composer: Angus MacRae and Casting Director: Julia Horan CDG.
A Streetcar Named Desire is produced by Ambassador Theatre Group Productions the Almeida Theatre, Gavin Kalin productions, Wessex Grove, GGRS and Los Angeles Media Fund.
LISTINGS
A STREETCAR NAMED DESIRE
DIRECTED BY REBECCA FRECKNALL
RUNNING AT THE PHOENIX THEATRE
20 MARCH – 06 MAY 2023
EXTRA ‘FREE OF CHARGE’ PERFORMANCE – TUESDAY 02 MAY AT 2PM
There will be 500 free of charge tickets available through this scheme for people aged 25 or under, and they will be able to book these on a first-come, first-served basis from 5pm on Tuesday 25 May for the performance at 2pm on Tuesday 02 May.
To access tickets for this please go to streetcarwestend.com/u25.
A further 500 free of charge tickets are being placed within specific community and outreach groups of all ages by ATG’s Creative Learning department and the Almeida’s participation team.
Performance schedule: Monday – Saturday at 7.30pm, matinees on Thursday and Saturdays at 2.30pm (N.B no matinee on 23 March)
Ticket Prices: From£15
Running Time: Approx. 2 hours 45 minutes including a 20-minute interval
Age Recommendation: Recommended for ages 14+. This production contains xenophobic language, domestic violence, alcoholism, mental health difficulties including anxiety and depression as well as references to suicide and sexual assault. It also includes sudden loud noises, haze and the smoking of herbal cigarettes.
David Morrissey leads the cast in this compelling double bill of two works from one of the most influential British dramatists of the last century, Harold Pinter.
These two plays showcase Pinter’s unique and darkly comic perception of love, marriage and relationships. The Lover is a quirky, tense and intriguing glimpse at the private intricacies of modern marriage; The Collection, a comic play of suspense and sexual jealousy between two couples, sparked by an anonymous phonecall in the dead of night…
Described by the British Film Institute as “one of the most versatile English actors of his generation”, David Morrisey’s 40-year screen and stage career has established his position as one of the leading figures of British acting thanks to roles on both sides of the Atlantic, including the original UK series of State of Play, The Walking Dead, Doctor Who and his current role as the star of the Sky/Amazon Prime series, Britannia. His film credits include roles in major movies such as Captain Corelli’s Mandolin, Robin Hood and The Other Boleyn Girl. He has played some of the great theatre roles, including Macbeth, Julius Caesar, and Peer Gynt, and has also played with the Royal Shakespeare Company.
Director Lindsay Posner returns to the Ustinov Studio fresh from his widely acclaimed production of Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf? One of the UK’s most accomplished directors, his recent productions in Bath and for the West End include Noises Off, God of Carnage, Stone in his Pockets, She Stoops To Conquer and Hay Fever.
Further cast and further creative team will be announced in due course.
Listings
DAVID MORRISSEYin THE LOVER / THE COLLECTION by Harold Pinter Directed by Lindsay Posner
Ustinov Studio, Theatre Royal Bath
Thursday 14 March – Saturday 13 April 2024 Evenings 7.30pm Matinees Thursday & Saturdays 2.30pm (not 14 & 16 March)
Tuesday 16 – Saturday 20 May 2023 THE BEEKEEPER OF ALEPPO
Nottingham Playhouse, in association with Liverpool Everyman and Playhouse and UK Productions Ltd, present the world premiere tour of Nesrin Alrefaai and Matthew Spangler’s stage adaptation of Christy Lefteri’s gripping bestselling novel, The Beekeeper of Aleppo.
Reuniting the team that produced the international stage sensation The Kite Runner, the production opens in Cambridge on Tuesday 16 May and runs until Saturday 20 May.
☆ ☆ ☆ ☆
‘Sparklingly assured… anchored in strong performances from a
uniformly excellent ensemble cast.’
The Telegraph
‘Open-hearted…’ and ‘beautifully acted…’
The Times
Directed by Olivier Award winning Miranda Cromwell (Death of a Salesman – Young Vic, Piccadilly Theatre and Broadway), the production will feature Alfred Clay (The Winter’s Tale, The Comedy of Errors – RSC) as Nuri, Roxy Faridany (This Is Going To Hurt – BBC, Magic Goes Wrong – West End) as Afra, Joseph Long (Spiderman Far From Home – Marvel Studios, Captain Corelli’s Mandolin – tour & West End) as Mustafa, Aram Mardourian (The Borrowers – Polka Theatre, The Night Of The Iguana – Ustinov Studio) as Nadim, Fotakis, Ali and other parts, Daphne Kouma (Dirty Dancing – Secret Cinema, Offside – Pleasance Courtyard) as immigration officer, Dr Faruk, Dahab and other parts, Nadia Williams (The Darkest Part of The Night – Kiln Theatre, The Meaning of Zong – Bristol Old Vic) as Angeliki, Lucy Fisher and other parts, Elham Mahyoub (The Visit – National Theatre, A Midsummer Night’s Dream – Lazarus Theatre) as Mohammed and Sami and Fanos Xenofós (Margot, The Most Famous Ballerina In The World – King’s Head Theate, Don Quixote of Algiers – White Bear Theatre) – and Lily Demir (The Secret Love Life of Ophelia – Greenwich Theatre, Empty – Soho Theatre) – as swings.
The Beekeeper of Aleppo tells the story of Nuri, a beekeeper, and his wife Afra, an artist. They live a simple life, rich in family and friends, in the beautiful Syrian city of Aleppo – until the unthinkable happens. When all they care for is destroyed by war, they are forced to escape. On their terrifying journey, they must face the pain of their own unbearable loss alongside incredible danger. Above all, they must journey to find each other again.
This compassionate and beautiful play is a story of connection – between friends, families and strangers.
☆ ☆ ☆ ☆
‘Essential viewing… There is hope and beauty to be found in The Beekeeper of Aleppo’
Broadway World
Nottingham Playhouse Artistic Director, Adam Penford says ‘We’re delighted to be bringing this beautiful and humane story to the stage. Miranda Cromwell is one of the UK’s most exciting directors, and it’s an honour to welcome her to Nottingham, following her recent success with Death of a Salesman on Broadway. It’s also a pleasure to be reunited with our co-producers, UK Productions and Liverpool Everyman and Playhouse, and writer Matthew Spangler, following the continuing global success of The Kite Runner. Nottingham Playhouse proudly holds Theatre of Sanctuary status and this production continues our commitment to supporting refugees and asylum seekers, by telling their stories onstage, and through offstage initiatives, such as the Conversation Cafe.’
Director of The Beekeeper of Aleppo, Miranda Cromwell says ‘I am so thrilled to be working on this beautiful adaptation of Christy Lefteri’s stunning book. An arresting, courageous exploration of one family’s struggle to deal with the aftermath of losing everything. Deeply moving and visually striking this layered story illuminates their nearly impossible journey to find a way to live again, a way back to each other. It holds a mirror to this moment in our history when so many people are being forced from their homes. It is a call to arms for compassion, understanding, connection and love.’
Christy Lefteri’s novel was the Winner of the Aspen Words Award, Runner up for the Dayton Literary Peace Prize, and one of The Times top three bestselling books of 2020.
PAUL ZERDIN, NIGEL HAVERS, GARY WILMOT AND ROB MADGE
TO HEADLINE
Performances begin 9 December at The London Palladium
London, Monday 24 April: Michael Harrison for Crossroads Pantomimes today announced the return to the West End of The London Palladium Pantomime for an eighth year, with Jennifer Saunders and Julian Clary leading the cast in a brand new production of Peter Pan.
Saunders and Clary will be joined by returning Palladium panto favourites Paul Zerdin, Nigel Havers, Gary Wilmot and Rob Madge, with performances beginning on Saturday 9 December at the world-famous London Palladium for a strictly limited five-week run.
Once again directed by Michael Harrison, Peter Pan will run from Saturday 9 December 2023 – Sunday 14 January 2024. Priority booking opens at 10am on Thursday 27 April 2023 (sign up at www.palladiumpantomime.com) with public booking opening on Friday 28 April 2023 at 10am.
Jennifer Saunders, who will be making her Palladium Panto debut in Peter Pan playing Captain Hook, said:
“I could not be more delighted to be doing my first panto ever at the Palladium. I am a huge fan of panto and The Palladium always delivers. I wouldn’t want to be in Peter Pan’s tiny soft shoes let me tell you, because I am going to give Hook my all!’
Michael Harrison, Producer and Director of all eight London Palladium pantomimes said:
“I’m thrilled to be welcoming comedy legend Jennifer Saunders to our panto as Captain Hook. She is going to be a sensational addition to our show. Julian Clary is without doubt one of the greatest performers ever to grace The Palladium stage and it’s also a huge pleasure to welcome back the much-loved team of Paul, Nigel and Gary. I am particularly excited that the inimitable Rob Madge loved appearing in last year’s show so much they have signed up for another year of Palladium madness!”
Julian Clary, Nigel Havers and Paul Zerdin have starred in pantomimes at The London Palladium since the 2016 production of Cinderella. Gary Wilmot joined the cast in 2017, with Rob Madge making a triumphant Palladium Panto debut in last year’s production of Jack and the Beanstalk.
Gary_Wilmot photographed by Wolf Marloh
Harrison’s production has set designs by Mark Walters and costume designs by Hugh Durrant created especially for The London Palladium, choreography by Karen Bruce, lighting designs by Ben Cracknell, sound designs by Gareth Owen and composition and orchestrations by Gary Hind.
Peter Pan is produced by Michael Harrison for Crossroads Pantomimes.As a producer in the West End his credits include The Drifters Girl, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Gypsy, The Bodyguard, Annie, Mel Brooks’ Young Frankenstein, Crazy For You and The Wizard of Oz.
Crossroads Pantomimes is the world’s biggest pantomime producer and part of Crossroads Live, a global leader in the production of musical theatre and immersive entertainment experiences.
With a glittering array of star names headlining spectacular, lavish productions, Crossroads Pantomimes is the world’s biggest pantomime producer. With renowned creative teams, talented casts and musicians, and passionate production teams, the company create pantomimes which are at the heart of family entertainment across the UK. As part of Crossroads Live, the company works under the leadership of Michael Harrison and is chaired by David Ian.
The London Palladium has been the capital’s majestic home of variety for over a century, and to this day it continues to delight and surprise audiences with its rich tapestry of acts. We’ve welcomed a staggering selection of greats from Bob Hope and Louis Armstrong to the Two Ronnies, Bruce Forsyth and Cliff Richard. This proud tradition has continued since the theatre joined the LW Theatres family in 2000, hosting recent headliners as diverse as Bob Dylan, Madonna, Coldplay, Whoopi Goldberg, Billy Ocean and Dita Von Teese. An annual pantomime made a return to The London Palladium in 2016.
Animal arrives in London riding high on rave reviews – believe the hype! John Bradfield’s unflinching but hilarious play is a queer, inclusive joy.
David (Christopher John-Slater) is a 25-year-old virgin who can’t stop thinking about sex. David also has cerebral palsy and cannot feed or wash himself without assistance, so scratching this itch himself is out of the question. We first see David making a complaint call about a sex aid he is unable to use, and he is encouraged by his friend Mani (Harry Singh) to take the plunge and download Grindr.
John-Slater is brilliant as David – effortlessly delivering cutting one liners and withering looks with perfect comic timing, but also heartbreakingly vulnerable in quieter moments. Bradfield, working with story originator Josh Hepple, ensures that David is not some heroic disability role model – in fact, David is often his own worst enemy as he navigates his way through a series of sexual encounters and disappointments, taking his frustrations out, often cruelly, on his friends. His support network is a group that could so easily slip into stereotypes, but in the skilful hands of the cast, each character is nuanced and believable. Mani (Harry Singh) is gloriously flamboyant and seemingly flippant about life, but there is much more beneath the surface and Singh excels in the more thoughtful and reflective moments. Struggling actor Derek (Matt Ayleigh) is Derek’s daytime assistant while live in assistant Jill (Amy Loughton) works in a terrarium shop, where she begrudgingly must mix with actual customers. Ayleigh is hilarious as Derek haplessly tries to defuse tense situations between David and Jill, and Loughton is a hoot as straight talking but caring Jill who is becoming increasingly aware that her friendship with David won’t survive unless she leaves.
David’s messages are projected onto the walls of Gregor Donnelly’s versatile set, and the rejections when he tells various men that he is in a wheelchair are soul destroying as are the times he is ghosted after meeting for sex. All his meetings happen in his flat and include William Oxborrow as three different older men (his pensioners, as Mani calls them) in unforgettably toe curling and hilarious encounters. When he meets Liam (Joshua Liburd), David thinks he has made a connection, but Liam lets him down. Liburd plays Liam almost meditatively, as if the effort of presenting a calm and “normal” exterior to the world is all that Liam can focus on. This makes his opening up to David, just for a few minutes, even more poignant.
Director Bronagh Lagan masterfully keeps the pace fast, with stark portrayals of the reality of living with a disability, and an honest look at friendship and co-dependency layered amongst the laughs. The play doesn’t shy away from the danger of inviting strangers into your home for sex – and one excruciating scene lays David’s vulnerability bare. Filthy and funny, Animal is unmissable entertainment.
THE WORLD PREMIERE OF NEW MUSICAL ‘STARTER FOR TEN’ BASED ON THE BESTSELLING DAVID NICHOLLS NOVEL AND POPULAR HBO/PLAYTONE FILM WILL RUN AT BRISTOL OLD VIC 29 FEBRUARY – 30 MARCH 2024
SET IN 1980’S BRISTOL, WITH THE BACKDROP OF TV QUIZ SHOW UNIVERSITY CHALLENGE, THIS BIG-HEARTED SHOW IS PART OF NANCY MEDINA’S FIRST SEASON AS ARTISTIC DIRECTOR OF BRISTOL OLD VIC
‘STARTER FOR TEN’ WILL FEATURE AN 80S-INSPIRED ORIGINAL SCORE AND LYRICS BY TOM RASMUSSEN AND HATTY CARMAN, WITH BOOK AND LYRICS BY EMMA HALL AND CHARLIE PARHAM
TICKETS GO ON GENERAL SALE ON THURSDAY 27 APRIL AT 10AM. FOR MORE INFORMATION VISIT WWW.STARTERFORTENMUSICAL.COM
Antic Productions, Bristol Old Vic, Longshot Films and Playtone are delighted to announce that new musical Starter for Ten will receive its world premiere at Bristol Old Vic from 29 February – 30 March 2024 as part of Nancy Medina’s inaugural season as Artistic Director.
Based on the hilarious coming-of-age novel by David Nicholls (One Day, Us, Sweet Sorrow) and the popular 2006 film adaptation starring James McAvoy, Benedict Cumberbatch, James Corden and Rebecca Hall, this tale of love, class and growing up in the 1980s is set in Bristol against the backdrop of legendary British quiz show University Challenge. Casting for the new musical is to be announced.
Starter for Ten will have a book and lyrics co-written by Emma Hall and Charlie Parham, Artistic Directors of Antic Productions. The 80s-inspired original score and lyrics will be composed by queer, pop-punk composers Tom Rasmussen (who recently supported Self Esteem on UK tour with their debut album, Body Building) and Hatty Carman. The production will be directed by Charlie Parham, with set and costume design by Olivier award nominee Frankie Bradshaw, lighting design by Jai Morjaria and casting by Will Burton for GBC.
David Nicholls, author of the bestselling novel Starter for Ten, said “Nearly 20 years after publication, it’s such a thrill that Brian’s misadventures are being brought to the stage, and by such a brilliant, dynamic team.”
Emma Hall and Charlie Parham, Artistic Directors of Antic Productions, said: “Ever since we first read David Nicholls’ brilliant novel, which brims with music on every page, we just knew it had to be a stage musical. To be presenting the world premiere of a Bristol-based story at the Bristol Old Vic is sincerely a dream come true. We cannot wait to bring this electrifying mix of general knowledge and anthemic, 80s-inspired music to audiences.”
Hatty Carman and Tom Rasmussen, composers of the new musical, said “We have absolutely adored bringing David Nicholls’ totally flawed, completely loveable characters to the stage. As musicians, it’s exhilarating to bring our love of the DIY music scene that raised us to a theatre like Bristol Old Vic.”
Fingers on buzzers! Here’s your Starter for Ten…
What is eighteen-year-old Brian Jackson’s proudest achievement to date? His A-level results. His idol? Kate Bush. His lifelong dream? To compete on legendary TV quiz show University Challenge. It’s 1985 and, leaving Southend to start his first year at Bristol University, Brian soon discovers that falling in love and growing up take a lot more than general knowledge…
Featuring an irresistible original soundtrack inspired by the riotous student scene of the 80s, Starter for Ten is a bright, big-hearted coming-of-age comedy about love, belonging and the all-important difference between knowledge and wisdom.
Michael Harrison and the Really Useful Group are thrilled to announce that Dianne Pilkington, Louis Gaunt and Christina Bianco will join the cast of The Wizard of Oz this summer. Dianne will play the Wicked Witch of the West, Louis will be the Scarecrow and Christina will play Glinda The Good Witch.
They join the previously announced Jason Manford (the Cowardly Lion), Ashley Banjo (the Tin Man) and Palladium legend Gary Wilmot, who will play The Wizard.
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.
Dianne Pilkington has starred in West End shows including Wicked (as Glinda at Apollo Victoria Theatre) and Mel Brooks’ Young Frankenstein (Garrick Theatre) and originated the iconic role of Eglantine Price in the world stage premiere of Bedknobs and Broomsticks(National Tour).
Louis Gaunt has West End credits including the title role in last year’s production of Jack and the Beanstalk(London Palladium) and Bert in Mary Poppins(Prince Edward Theatre). He can be seen as Lord Lumley in Series 2 of hit series Bridgerton on Netflix.
Christina Bianco is a two-time Drama Desk Award nominee, who made her West End debut starring in the Menier Chocolate Factory’s production of Forbidden Broadway at the Vaudeville Theatre. She captured international acclaim as a YouTube sensation with her ‘diva’ impression videos gainingover 25 million views.
Further casting is to be announced.
Join Dorothy and Toto on an unforgettable adventure as they are swept over the rainbow to the merry old land of Oz.
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 MagsonCDG, 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.
NATIONAL THEATRE ANNOUNCES TWO NEW PRODUCTIONS FOR 2023 AND REVEALS CASTING FOR UPCOMING SHOWS
– Lyndsey Turner directs Lucy Kirkwood and Dave Malloy’s new musical version of Roald Dahl’s The Witches, in a co-production with the Roald Dahl Story Company
– Jamie Lloyd directs The Effect by Lucy Prebble with a cast that includes Paapa Essiedu and Taylor Russell, in association with The Jamie Lloyd Company
– Hiran Abeysekera and Paul Bazely are cast in the revival of Anupama Chandrasekhar’s The Father and the Assassin, directed by Indhu Rubasingham
The National Theatre today announces two new productions, Roald Dahl’s The Witches, in a co-production with the Roald Dahl Story Company, and The Effect, in association with The Jamie Lloyd Company. The Witches will play in the Olivier theatre from November in a new musical version of the iconic story by Lucy Kirkwood and Dave Malloy, directed by Lyndsey Turner, whilst The Effect by Lucy Prebble will play in the Lyttelton theatre from August, directed by Jamie Lloyd. Also announced today is casting for the revival of The Father and the Assassin by Anupama Chandrasekhar, which will play in the Olivier theatre from September, directed by Indhu Rubasingham. Tickets for all three productions go on sale to the public on Thursday 27 April.
Director of the National Theatre Rufus Norris said:
‘I’m thrilled that the National Theatre and Roald Dahl Story Company are coming together for the first time to bring one of Dahl’s most enduring stories to the Olivier stage. This extraordinary, exciting production of The Witches with Lucy Kirkwood’s brilliant, witty book and Lyndsey Turner’s ambitious vision is the culmination of many years of development at the National Theatre’s exceptional New Work Department. With Dave Malloy at the musical helm, I couldn’t be more excited to be bringing this ambitious new piece of music theatre to the stage.
‘To have Jamie Lloyd returning to the National Theatre with his production of Lucy Prebble’s The Effect – a timelessly prescient play from this singular writer – is a particular joy, not least because of the two wonderful lead actors Paapa Essiedu and Taylor Russell. It’s also a great delight to welcome Hiran Abeysekera back to the NT for the first time since Behind the Beautiful Forevers, to lead a brilliant company in Indhu Rubasingham’s revival of Anupama Chandrasekhar’s hit play The Father and the Assassin.’
Roald Dahl’s The Witches
The Witches is a rip-roaring musical version of Roald Dahl’s timeless tale, filled with wit, daring and heart.
Everything you know about witches is wrong. Forget the pointy hats and broomsticks: they’re the most dangerous creatures on earth. And now they’ve come up with their most evil plan yet.
The only thing standing in their way is Luke and his Gran. But he’s ten and she’s got a dodgy heart. Time is short, danger is everywhere, and they’ve got just one chance to stop the witches from squalloping every stinking little child in England.
One of Dahl’s most loved stories, The Witches is a brilliant blend of his trademark humour and hair-raising action, featuring one of his most iconic characters, the Grand High Witch. A firm fan favourite across the generations, the book has sold over 11 million copies since it was first published.
Cast includes three-time Olivier-nominated Katherine Kingsley(The Larkins) as the Grand High Witch and BAFTA Award-winner Daniel Rigby (One Man, Two Guvnors) as Mr Stringer, alongside Julie Armstrong, Chrissie Bhima, Zoe Birkett, Daniele Coombe, Molly-May Gardiner, Tiffany Graves, Tania Mathurin, Jacob Maynard, Laura Medforth and Ben Redfern.
Directed by Lyndsey Turner (The Crucible) with book and lyrics by Olivier Award-winner Lucy Kirkwood (Mosquitoes) and music and lyrics by Tony Award-nominee Dave Malloy (Natasha, Pierre & The Great Comet of 1812). The set and costume designer is Lizzie Clachan with choreographer Stephen Mear, music supervisor Nigel Lilley, music director Cat Beveridge, lighting designer Bruno Poet, co-sound designers Alexander Caplen and Ian Dickinson, video designer Ash J Woodward, illusions by Chris Fisher and Will Houstoun, casting director Bryony Jarvis-Taylor, associate director Séimí Campbell, staff director Priya Patel Appleby, associate set designer Shankho Chaudhuri, associate costume designer Johanna Coe, associate choreographer Jo Morris, associate music director Natalie Pound and children’s and assistant music director Sarah Morrison.
The Witches will play in the Olivier theatre from 7 November and is recommended for ages 8+.
The Effect
In the Lyttelton theatre from August, Jamie Lloyd (Cyrano de Bergerac) directs The Effect, Lucy Prebble’s (Succession) funny and intimate examination of love and ethics.
Hearts and minds racing, Connie and Tristan are falling for each other fast. But is their sudden and intoxicating chemistry real, or a side effect of a new antidepressant? As two young volunteers in a clinical drug trial, their romance poses startling dilemmas for the supervising doctors.
Paapa Essiedu (I May Destroy You) is cast as Tristan and Taylor Russell (Bones and All) as Connie, with further casting to be announced.
Directed by Jamie Lloyd with set and costume designer Soutra Gilmour, lighting designer Jon Clark, composer Michael ‘Mikey J’ Asante, sound designer George Dennis, movement directors Sarah Golding and Yukiko Masui (SAY), , fight director Kate Waters, intimacy co-ordinator Ingrid Mackinnon and casting director Alastair Coomer CDG.
The Effect will play in the Lyttelton theatre from 1 August.
The Father and the Assassin
Director Indhu Rubasingham reunites with writer Anupama Chandrasekhar for this essential exploration of oppression and extremism.
Mahatma Gandhi: lawyer, champion of non-violence, beloved leader. Nathuram Godse: journalist, nationalist – and the man who murdered Gandhi. This gripping play traces Godse’s life over 30 years during India’s fight for independence: from a devout follower of Gandhi, through to his radicalisation and their tragic final encounter in Delhi in 1948.
The cast includes Olivier Award-winner Hiran Abeysekera (Life of Pi) as Nathuram Godse with Paul Bazely reprising his role as Mahatma Gandhi. The cast also includes Azan Ahmed, Ravi Aujla, Ayesha Dharker, Ravin J Ganatra, Raj Ghatak, Halema Hussain, Nadeem Islam, Tony Jayawardena, Nicholas Khan, Raj Khera, Hari Mackinnon, Sid Sagar and Akshay Shah.
Directed by Indhu Rubasingham with set and costume designer Rajha Shakiry, lighting designer Oliver Fenwick, movement director Lucy Cullingford, composer Siddhartha Khosla, additional music by David Shrubsole, sound designer Alexander Caplen, fight directors Rachel Bown-Williams and Ruth Cooper-Brown of Rc-Annie Ltd, casting director Alastair Coomer CDG and associate set and costume designer Khadija Raza.
The Father and the Assassin will play in the Olivier theatre 8 September–14 October.
Tickets for The Witches, The Effect and The Father and the Assassin go on sale to the public on Thursday 27 April. Also going on sale via the National Theatre website are tickets to the previously announced A Strange Loop at the Barbican.
A Strange Loop
The Broadway musical sensation, A Strange Loop, a co-production with Howard Panter for Trafalgar Theatre Productions, Barbara Whitman and Wessex Grove in association with the Barbican, is transferring from New York to London this summer.
Having co-produced A Strange Loop on Broadway, some of the most influential names in entertainment – Alan Cumming, Ilana Glazer, Jennifer Hudson, Mindy Kaling and Billy Porter – reunite to produce the smash-hit musical in London when it opens at the Barbican Theatre on 17 June for a strictly limited, one-time-only 12-week season.
Nominated for 11 Tony Awards and winner of every Best Musical award in New York, Michael R. Jackson’s critically acclaimed Pulitzer Prize-winning, blisteringly funny masterwork exposes the heart and soul of Usher – a young, gay, Black writer who hates his day job, writing a musical about a young, gay, Black writer who’s writing a musical about a young, gay, Black writer…a strange loop. Usher grapples with desires, identity and instincts he both loves and loathes, all brought to life on stage by a hilarious, straight-talking ensemble. Casting is to be announced.
Michael R. Jackson is a playwright, composer, and lyricist who is a rising star in the world of contemporary writing and quickly gaining recognition as one of the most innovative voices in American theatre. His latest new musical, White Girl in Danger, is currently running, Off-Broadway, at the Tony Kiser Theatre in New York.
Directed by Stephen Brackett, choreographed by Raja Feather Kelly, with Rona Siddiqui as music supervisor, orchestrations by Charlie Rosen, scenic design by Arnulfo Maldonado, costume design by Montana Levi Blanco, lighting design by Jen Schriever and sound design by Drew Levy.
Tickets are available from £20. For further information, please visit Strangeloopmusical.com
Doncaster Cast / National Theatre
The Odyssey: Episode 2 – The Cyclops –
Written by Tajinder Singh Hayer and directed by Madeleine O’Reilly, The Cyclops is the second episode in an epic retelling of the adventures of Odysseus and their journey home after the Trojan War.
The Odyssey: The Underworld
Celebrating five years of Public Acts, the National Theatre’s multi-location production of The Odysseyis being told in five locations in England. This epic story of resilience and hope began its journey in Stoke-on-Trent and Doncaster, with the next episodes coming to Trowbridge Town Hall on 22–23 April and The Fire Station in Sunderland on 28–29 April.
The culmination of The Odyssey’s journey, The Underworld, will be staged as a full-scale musical production at the National Theatre on 26–28 August 2023. This fifth and final production will feature community performers from all four previous episodes, as well as members recruited through Public Acts founding community partners, founding theatre partner Queen’s Theatre Hornchurch, and Trybe House Theatre in London.
The Underworld is written by Olivier-award winning playwright Chris Bush with music composed by Jim Fortune and directed by Director of Public Acts Emily Lim. Set designed by Sadeysa Greenaway-Bailey, movement directed by Dan Canham, costume designed by Fly Davis, music supervised and directed by Tarek Merchant, lighting designed by Joshua Pharo, sound designed by Paul Arditti and casting by Bryony Jarvis-Taylor.
Direct from a critically acclaimed run at HOME Manchester, world renowned performer Will Young stars in Song From Far Away, by Olivier award-winner Simon Stephens and Mark Eitzel, for a strictly limited London run at HampsteadTheatre from 28 June – 22 July.
Marking the multi-award-winning singer/songwriter and actor Will Young’s first live theatre role for a decade, Song From Far Away played at HOME Manchester earlier this year.
Song From Far Away is an unforgettable story and a personal letter to those left behind.
One crisp winter day in New York, Willem receives a phone call – it’s time to go home. Home to Amsterdam – to estranged family and forgotten relationships. As he reflects on his life, unwilling to face the future, he finds himself reaching out to the brother he lost.
“It was then that I decided to write you these letters”
Written by Simon Stephens (The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time, Punk Rock, Sea Wall) and Mark Eitzel, Song From Far Away is directed by Kirk Jameson and designed by Ingrid Hu with sound by Julian Starr. Composer, musical supervisor and arranger is Paul Schofield and dialect coach is Penny Dwyer. It is co-produced by Thomas Hopkins, Guy Chapman and HOME.
Song From Far Awayis at Hampstead Theatre from 28 June – 22 July. Tickets are on sale from today, Wednesday 19 April, for priority bookers and on general sale from 2.00pm on Monday 24 April at hampsteadtheatre.com.
