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JASON DONOVAN & PETER ANDRE 

RETURN TO

GREASE

AT THE DOMINION THEATRE

FULL CAST ANNOUNCED

Lead Producer Colin Ingram is delighted to announce Australian stars Jason Donovan and Peter Andre will return to Jim Jacobs & Warren Casey’s iconic musical GREASE at the Dominion Theatre following their highly acclaimed performances last year. Jason will play the role of Teen Angel at certain performances from 14 August to 28 October. Peter will play the roles of Vince Fontaine and Teen Angel at certain performances from 29 August to 19 October. As previously announced, Louise Redknapp will play Teen Angel from 2 June to 29 July, excluding Mondays. Patrons are advised to check the website for specific dates.

Colin Ingram is also happy to announce the full cast joining previously announced 2022 returning cast members Dan Partridge as Danny, Olivia Moore as Sandy and Jocasta Almgill as Rizzo. Soloman Davy will play Kenickie, Callum Henderson will play Roger, Katie Brace will play Jan, 2022 returning cast members Jake Reynolds and Ellie Kingdon will play Doody and Marty respectively, George Michaelides will play Sonny, Olivia Foster-Browne will play Frenchy, Jayd’n Tyrone will play Eugene, Chloe Saunders will play Patty Simcox, Katie Dunsden will play Cha Cha, Liam McHugh will play Johnny Casino, Darren Bennett will play Vince Fontaine and Teen Angel at certain performances and Rachel Stanley will play Miss Lynch. Also in the cast are Michael Anderson, Alicia Belgrade, Kirsty Ingram, Jordan Isaac, D’Mia Lindsay-Walker, Carly Miles, Luke Redmore, Samuel Routley, Darcey Simmons, Sario Solomon, Joshua Steel and Allana Taylor.

GREASE is directed by Nikolai Foster and choreographed by Dame Arlene Phillips.

Jason Donovan first appeared as Scott Robinson in the hit Australian series Neighbours in the 1980s. He then followed on as a recording artist and had several hit songs in the late 1980s. His album Ten Good Reasons was the best-selling album of 1989.  His hit songs included Too Many Broken Hearts, Especially For You (with Kylie Minogue), Any Dream Will Do, Sealed With A Kiss, and many more.  On stage, he had a record-breaking run in Joseph and the Technicolor Dreamcoat and subsequently starred in The Rocky Horror Show, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, Priscilla, Queen of the Desert, The Sound of Music, Annie Get Your Gun, The King’s Speech, Million Dollar Quartet, Jeff Wayne’s The War Of The Worlds and Chicago. In autumn 2021, Jason undertook his first solo music concert in five years with his ‘Even More Good Reasons’ Tour which he performed whilst also filming the BBC hit show Not Going Out. Jason’s recent TV credits also include ITV’s Dial M for Middlesbrough and Dave’s Meet the Richardsons. In 2019 and 2021, Jason spent the summer months at The London Palladium as Pharaoh in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat and in 2022 starred in the nationwide tour taking the show to venues throughout the UK. He can currently be seen playing Dr Frank-N-Furter in cult classic Rocky Horror Picture Show at the Theatre Royal Sydney in Australia.

Peter Andre has achieved immense success over the years with many No1 hit singles and international awards.

Now a global media star, Peter has diversified into film, theatre and television, as well as continuing to tour all over the world.  2023 sees Peter celebrating an incredible 30 years in show business and he is currently on a UK tour: Peter Andre 30.

In 2022, GREASE was seen by over 500,000 people in the West End, making it the Dominion Theatre’s most successful summer run since We Will Rock You. GREASE recently received 4 WhatsOnStage Award nominations for Best Musical Revival, Best Choreography for Arlene Phillips and Best Supporting Performer in a Musical for original cast members Jocasta Almgill and Paul French.

This production of GREASE is dedicated to the memory of Olivia Newton-John, who sadly passed away in August 2022.

GREASE originally opened in Chicago in 1971, followed by a move to Broadway in 1972, where it received seven Tony Award nominations, including one for Best Musical. During the show’s eight-year run at the time, little known actors including Peter Gallagher, Patrick Swayze and John Travolta all appeared in the production, with Richard Gere understudying many roles before going on to star as Danny Zuko in the 1973 London premiere. GREASE was first performed at the Dominion Theatre in 1993 before transferring to the Cambridge Theatre in 1996. It returned to the West End, opening at the Piccadilly Theatre in 2007.

The 1978 film adaptation starring John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John is the fourth highest-grossing live action musical of all time. The musical features beloved songs, including Summer Nights, Greased Lightnin’, Hopelessly Devoted To You and You’re The One That I Want.

GREASE has designs by Colin Richmond, orchestrations and musical supervision by Sarah Travis, lighting design by Ben Cracknell, sound design by Tom Marshall and Richard Brooker, video and projection design by Douglas O’Connell and casting by David Grindrod CDG.

This production of GREASE is produced by Colin Ingram for InTheatre Productions, Donovan Mannato, Playing Field, Gavin Kalin, and Curve.

Website: www.greasemusical.co.uk

Facebook: @GreaseWestEnd

Twitter: @GreaseWestEnd

Instagram: @GreaseWestEnd

TikTok: @GreaseWestEnd     

LISTINGS INFORMATION

2 June – 28 October 2023

Dominion Theatre

268-269 Tottenham Court Road

London

W1T 7AQ

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

Please note, there will be an additional matinee at 2.30pm on Tuesday 24 October

Tickets from: £17.50

Box Office: 0345 200 7982

Southampton Mayflower – until 1st April 2023

Reviewed by Lucy Hitchcock

3***

Roddy Doyle’s well loved book has been transformed into a stage production, directed by Andrew Linnie and brings a taste of Dublin to Southampton.

The story starts in Dublin, with Jimmy Rabitte (James Killeen) wanting to start up a band and so enlists a group of misfits-ending up with a superstar band that becomes successful in their own right. This is a great cast, with some incredible vocal talents. The driving force of the show is undoubtedly Ian McIntosh as Deco, the short tempered lead singer of the band who blows a fuse at almost any given moment! His incredibly infectious energy was radiating and he got the audience on their feet, dancing and singing away. As a natural entertainer, it was a real joy to watch him navigate through his character – ultimately creating one of the greatest encores around! We see Deco spat with almost every member of the band and ends up with some members leaving, causing Jimmy to need to rethink his ensemble.

Tim Blazdell’s set design was great, effortlessly transporting you to a backstreet in Dublin and creates some interesting and smooth transitions through the performance. Along with Emma Stillman’s costuming, it was easy to define who was who, with signature pieces for the 3 girls-Imelda, Natalie and Bernie. This helped aid the understanding of the audience and navigation of the story.

With some great music including hits like ‘Proud Mary’, ‘Papa was a Rolling Stone’ and ‘Signed, Sealed, Delivered, I’m Yours’, make sure that once you have ‘Heard it Through the Grapevine’, you book a ticket to this rousing success.

I, Daniel Blake stage premiere: cast & creative team announcement 

Cast and creative team announced for first stage adaptation of I, Daniel Blake

• Adapted by Dave Johns who played Daniel Blake in Ken Loach and Paul Laverty’s multi-award winning film
• Premiere at Northern Stage (25 May – 10 June) before touring

The world premiere stage adaptation of I, Daniel Blake that exposes the stark reality behind the cost-of-living crisis headlines will open at Northern Stage (25 May – 10 June) before touring.

The first stage adaptation of Ken Loach’s Palme d’Or and BAFTA award-winning film will be written by actor and comedian Dave Johns who won the Best Actor award at the British Independent Film Awards and Best Newcomer at the EMPIRE Awards for his role in the film. Ken Loach said, “This story is more relevant now than ever. And who better to put it on stage than Dave Johns, the original Daniel Blake?”

David Nellist will play Daniel. Originally from Wallsend in Newcastle, he appeared as Mike Stamford in Sherlock on BBC ONE with Benedict Cumberbatch and was recently in Stonehouse opposite Matthew Macfadyen on ITV. His theatre credits include West End productions Billy Elliott, War Horse, The Pitmen Painters and The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time, and closer to home A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Not Too Tame, Shakespeare North Playhouse, Northern Stage), and Close the Coalhouse Door (Northern Stage). Bryony Corrigan will play Katie. Inspired to become an actor after doing work experience at Northern Stage aged 15, Bryony is best known as series regular Vanessa in Mischief Theatre’s The Goes Wrong Show on BBC ONE. Her theatre credits include the recent stage adaptation of Bill Bryson’s Notes from a Small Island (Watermill Theatre) and My Romantic History at Live Theatre, which she won Performing Artist of the Year for at the Journal Culture Awards. Kema Sikazwe (also known as Kema Kay) will play China, a role he played in the film after being spotted by Ken Loach on a visit to Newcastle. The actor, rapper and singer wrote and starred in the critically acclaimed Shine at Live Theatre – a show about his experience of moving to Newcastle aged three which is about to be adapted for a TV musical drama. The rest of the cast are Janine Leigh who appeared alongside Joanne Froggatt in Channel 4 film In Our Name, Micky Cochrane (Billy Elliot the Musical, Curve), and former Northern Stage Young Company member Jodie Wild making her professional stage debut.

Dave Johns is a multi-award-winning film actor, stage actor and stand-up comic who has written for theatre and radio, including the stage adaptation of The Shawshank Redemption. He says, “I was thrilled to be asked to adapt Paul Laverty’s screenplay. But I didn’t just want to put the film on stage, I wanted to update the story for 2023, making it contemporary and exploring more of single mum Katie’s journey and the family unit she forms with Daniel. To show the kindness, compassion, humour, and hope that can help us through the toughest of times. Sadly, during my research it was disheartening to find not much had changed since the film’s release. The story is still as relevant as it was in 2016; maybe even more so now with the cost-of-living crisis making it even harder for those who are already struggling. Daniel and Katie’s story could be anyone’s.”

With 14.5m people in the UK now living in poverty*, and more people than ever relying on food banks** Director Mark Calvert says, “It’s a big responsibility to honour the film but also to find ways to raise awareness of the hardship huge numbers of people in our country are facing right now. I’ve spent months volunteering at local food banks, and I can tell you that this is not fiction. It is reality. And the cost-of-living crisis affects even more people now than when the film was released in 2016. For me I, Daniel Blake frames the working-class experience in modern Britain – there’s hope, humour and humanity in the story, but audiences should feel angry and outraged; I know I am.

“When we first started to think about how to adapt the film for the stage we knew that we needed to offer a fresh perspective on the ramifications of 13 years of government cuts. Inspired by activists Led By Donkeys, Cold War Steve and Cassette Boy, the production will feature factual interviews, speeches and social media posts showing the impact of government decisions on people’s lives. We hope reflecting the harsh reality will galvanise audiences and inspire activism.”

I, Daniel Blake will be designed by Rhys Jarman (Gecko), lighting design by Simisola Majekodunmi (Is God Is/Royal Court Theatre and winner of the 2022 Light Recognition Award at the Black British Theatre Awards), original music by Ross Millard (The Futureheads, Putting the Band Back Together/Unfolding Theatre), sound design by Roma Yagnik (The Mare of Easttown/HBO), movement direction by Martin Hylton (Gateway Studio and Phoenix Dance) and AV design by Matthew Brown for PixelLux (Bonnie & Clyde/West End) incorporating creative captioning for all performances.

Composer Ross Millard says, “I vividly remember seeing the film at Tyneside Cinema when it came out – how profoundly moving it was, and how relevant it still feels now. The film has no music, no soundtrack, which means composing for the show has a weight of responsibility but is hugely appealing, too. Presenting the story to an audience in a new context has the potential to be extremely powerful.”

I, Daniel Blake is a Northern Stage, Birmingham Rep, Oldham Coliseum, English Touring Theatre, and tiny dragon Productions co-production, in association with Cardboard Citizens who make theatre for social change with and for homeless people who are working with Northern Stage on a programme of wraparound events.

After its Newcastle premiere at Northern Stage (25 May – 10 June), the production will tour to Birmingham Rep (13 – 25 June), HOME Manchester (27 June – 1 July) and Exeter Northcott Theatre (5-8 July). Confirmed venues for the autumn include Liverpool Everyman & Playhouse, Leeds Playhouse and the Belgrade Theatre Coventry and a full autumn 2023 tour will be announced soon.

For more information or to book tickets visit northernstage.co.uk 

The UK Pantomime Association appoints Derek Griffiths  

as its inaugural Vice President 

Derek Griffiths MBE, the highly-acclaimed and much-loved actor, children’s television presenter, composer and pantomime performer, has been appointed as the inaugural Vice President of the UK Pantomime Association.  

Founded in 2021, the UK Pantomime Association is a charity that explores, shares and celebrates pantomime by investigating the genre’s rich past, engaging with contemporary practice and inspiring the future.  

Derek Griffiths has played numerous pantomime roles over the years, both comic and villain, from Dick Whittington which he wrote, directed and composed at Royal Exchange Theatre, Manchester, in 1976 to Beauty and the Beast, at Fairfield Halls, Croydon, in 2021. Special memories include the prestigious London Palladium 1987 pantomime Robin Hood and the Babes in the Woods with actress Barbara Windsor, who has one of The Pantomime Awards named in her memory. This was the final pantomime to play the Palladium until the welcome return of star-studded pantomimes at the venue in 2016. Derek also appeared with the UK Pantomime Association’s President Christopher Biggins in Mother Goose at Theatre Royal Brighton, and its Trustee Chris Jarvis in Peter Pan at The Hexagon, Reading, and in the CBeebies pantomime, A Christmas Carol. 

Derek’s countless other stage credits in the West End and around the UK, include The Mousetrap at St Martin’s Theatre, Exit The King at the National Theatre, Driving Miss Daisy on tour, Cat on a Hot Tin Roof alongside James Earl Jones and Adrian Lester at the Novello Theatre, and Miss Saigon at the Drury Lane Theatre playing the Engineer. Family stage highlights include West End roles playing the Child Catcher in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang and originating the role of Lumière in the West End première production of Disney’s Beauty and the Beast. 

Alongside his theatre work, Derek Griffiths has worked in television for many years from his early days on Play School and Play Away to most recently the hit drama series, Unforgotten. 

Derek Griffiths said: “I am delighted and honoured to become the Vice President of the UK Pantomime Association. I understand the importance it holds in the UK Theatre industry. It is critical in introducing children to live theatre. I look forward to working with a great team of people who share the same passion, to help them promote and nurture pantomime for many future generations of theatregoers.”  

Simon Sladen, Chair of the UK Pantomime Association, said: “We are delighted to welcome Derek as Vice President of the UK Pantomime Association. He is such an experienced, respected and loved performer, with a wealth of pantomime knowledge. We look forward to working together to champion pantomime; an artform we both care so much about.” 

The UK Pantomime Association recently announced the nominations for The Pantomime Awards 2023 in association with Butlin’s. The Awards ceremony will be held at the Trafalgar Theatre, in London’s West End, on Tuesday 11 April 2023, hosted by Christopher Biggins.  

For further information about The UK Pantomime Association visit: https://pantomimeassociation.co.uk.   

Duke of York’s Theatre then touring until May

Reviewed by Claire Roderick

4****

Nick Mohammed’s brilliantly bonkers creation is touring the UK for the first time – and the country is in for a treat.

Addressing fans of hit show Ted Lasso in the audience who have never seen Mohammed’s alter ego before with a sharp intake of breath and “this is a VERY different show”, Mohammed’s squeaky-voiced character soon has the audience in the palm of his hand as he whizzes through his material. Much of the content has been seen on his appearances on 8 out of 10 Cats Does Countdown, but rather than feeling like a rehash, the show is more of a celebration of greatest hits. Audiences who have seen Mr Swallow’s Houdini and Christmas Carol live shows may miss the more manic and egotistical side of Mr Swallow as he berates his co-stars, but this tour showcases the more mild-mannered, but still snarky know-it-all pedant as seen on TV.

Split into two parts with low tech presentations on numbers, then improving your memory, Mr Swallow begins with an increasingly irate examination of the cumulative reality of receiving all those gifts in The 12 days of Christmas before taking the audience down a rabbit hole critiquing the plot of Les Mis. The audience breathlessly follow Mohammed on various insane and seemingly random meanderings and he even manages to make solving a Rubik’s cube exciting. Watching him use the memory linking method he showcased in ridiculous fashion to recall a set of cards shouldn’t really be this entertaining, but the squeaks and grimaces as he does the trick are fabulous. Mr Swallow’s original libretto for Jurassic Park is a highlight that gets funnier each time you see it, and the failed number demonstrations and tricks throughout the show aren’t the disasters they appear, with Easter eggs that the audience missed revealed with glee in a whirlwind mind-melting reveal that highlights the intricate and clever writing and skill behind this seemingly chaotic hour.

Equally annoying and irresistible – but always hilarious – Mr Swallow is a comedy character that can make you howl with a simple grimace and shrug. The absurd energy – he performs on roller skates, never explaining why – and ridiculous analysis carries the audience along on waves of laughter leaving them wanting more of this strange little man. A seriously silly evening of comedy gold – get your skates on and catch Mr Swallow at a venue near you.

TOUR DATES:

01.04.22 EDINBURGH – ASSEMBLY ROXY

02.04.22 GLASGOW – INT’L COMEDY FESTIVAL AT TRAMWAY

05.04.23 LEEDS, CITY VARIETIES MUSIC HALL

13.04.22 BIRMINGHAM – THE OLD REP THEATRE

14.04.22 LEEDS, CITY VARIETIES MUSIC HALL

15.04.22 DURHAM, GALA THEATRE

16.04.22 SALFORD, THE LOWRY

27.04.22 OXFORD, OXFORD PLAYHOUSE

28.04.22 BRIGHTON, THEATRE ROYAL

29.04.22 BRISTOL, REDGRAVE THEATRE – & MATINEE

30.04.22 MACHYNLLETH COMEDY FESTIVAL

03.04.22 EXETER, CORN EXCHANGE

05.04.22 CARDIFF, SHERMAN THEATRE

14.04.22 NORWICH, NORWICH THEATRE PLAYHOUSE

14.05.22 NORWICH, NORWICH THEATRE PLAYHOUSE – MATINEE

17.05.23 SALFORD, THE LOWRY

21.05.23 LONDON, DUKE OF YORK’S THEATRE

Nottingham Theatre Royal – until Saturday 1 April 2023

Reviewed by Louise Ford

4****

Do anything rather than marry without affection….

The Tron Company based in Glasgow was set up in 2017 to early critical acclaim. The Company’s writer Isobel McArthur was tasked with adapting Pride & Prejudice for the stage. The adaptation was an immediate hit. With the support of Harriet Mackie ( the producer at The Lyceum in Glasgow), the show was picked up and started touring in the regions. Fast forward a few years and the show was scheduled to hit the West End. Post covid the show won the Laurence Olivier Award for Best Comedy.

This is no ordinary bonnet ripper adaptation for a start the, reduced, cast is just six women playing all of the roles. The story is moved along with songs and some choice language. Viewers of a nervous disposition be warned!

This is not, in case you haven’t already guessed, a Sunday evening costume drama . The show opens with some underdressed cleaning ladies doing some final touches to their daily clean of the auditorium, the audience and the grand hallway. They set the scene at Longbourn, the eyes and ears of the servants who watch, help and hinder the pursuit of love and of happiness!

We see the Bennett family at home, with Mrs Bennett (Dannie Harris) lamenting her and her daughters’ fate that when ( the silent but smoking) Mr Bennett dies they will all be homeless and destitute unless at least one of the girls manages to get married. As (unmarried ) woman they cannot inherit property or money in their own right.

So the game is a foot to find a husband. Could it be the cousin, Mr Collins, ( Leah Jamieson) the dull curate obsessed with his benefactor Lady Catherine de Bourgh (Megan Louise Wilson), the nice but dim Mr Bennett, the  dastardly George Wickham or the vain and aloof Fitzwilliam Darcy? Through a series of balls, walks through the parks, letters and periods of ennui the matches are finally made.

The opening set is dominated by a sweeping staircase which comes into its own as a stage for the songs. From the landing the scenes unfold with limited props being brought on by the cast . All the time the servants are working and watching the story unfold.

As previously said this is a modern adaptation and a musical one to boot. The choice of songs is at times inspired and I won’t spoil any of the surprises.  The songs are performed by different cast members and are accompanied at times by a piano, accordion, saxophone and even a flute!

It’s an energetic and youthful production a little reminiscent of a fringe offering which the audience clearly loved !

So hold on to your bonnets, grab a microphone and let’s all have pride in this adaptation!

@PaddingtonBearExperience

#PaddingtonBearExperience

http://www.paddingtonbearexperience.com/

‘THE PADDINGTON BEAR EXPERIENCE’ WILL OPEN AT LONDON COUNTY HALL LATER THIS YEAR

• A LARGE-SCALE INTERACTIVE EXPERIENCE INSPIRED BY THE WORLD OF PADDINGTONTM WILL OPEN AT LONDON COUNTY HALL ON THE SOUTHBANK THIS YEAR, 65 YEARS SINCE MICHAEL BOND’S FIRST PADDINGTON BEAR BOOK WAS PUBLISHED.
• EMBARK ON A MISSION TO HELP PADDINGTON AND THE BROWN FAMILY GET OUT OF A STICKY SITUATION IN THIS MULTI-SENSORY, INTERACTIVE EXPERIENCE.
• TO BE THE FIRST TO KNOW WHEN TICKETS GO ON SALE, SIGN UP HERE http://www.paddingtonbearexperience.com/

The Paddington BearTM Experience is a large-scale interactive experience inspired by everyone’s favourite bear. It will be taking up residence in the iconic County Hall on the Southbank later this year, unfolding across 26,000 square ft. To be the first to know when tickets go on sale sign up at www.paddingtonbearexperience.com 

Get ready to be thrown into the thick of the action as you embark on a mission to help Paddington and The Brown family prepare for a very special day. Step into the world of Paddington and become immersed in some of the most iconic locations, culminating in a Windsor Gardens extravaganza. This multi-sensory experience incorporates ground-breaking design, live performance, and video to capture the hearts of the entire family from ages 4-94. Themed food, beverage, and retail will also be available.

About Paddington:

2023 marks 65 years since a kind bear from Peru with a big appetite for marmalade was first introduced to the world. Paddington is a beloved children’s character, created by author Michael Bond in 1958. The first book, “A Bear Called Paddington”, introduced readers to the friendly and polite bear from Peru who is discovered by the Brown family at Paddington Station in London. The series of stories that followed, chronicle Paddington’s adventures in London and around the world. Since its first publication, the Paddington books have sold more than thirty-five million copies worldwide.

The popularity of these books led to numerous adaptations, including television shows and feature films. In 2014, a live-action feature film called “Paddington” was released, which was followed by a sequel, “Paddington 2” in 2017. A third film is in the works. The movies were produced by Studiocanal, part of the international content and media group Vivendi. In 2020, a brand-new Paddington TV series designed for a pre-school audience, ‘The Adventures of Paddington’ launched on Nickelodeon, introducing him to a whole new set of fans.

About ‘The Paddington Bear Experience’:

‘The Paddington Bear Experience’ will be directed by Immersive Octopus, written by Katie Lyons (Peaky Blinders: The Rise, Camden Stables Market), designed by Rebecca Brower (Doctor Who: Time Fracture, West End), with costume design by Stewart J Charlesworth (Respect La Diva, West End), lighting design by Terry Cook (Dubai World Expo 2020) for Woodroffe Bassett, sound design by Luke Swaffield (Saw: The Escape Experience, Tower Hill) for Autograph and video design by Novak (Lumiere Festival, London, Durham and Derry-Londonderry).

‘The Paddington Bear Experience’ is presented by The Path Entertainment Group and The Copyrights Group in partnership with Lionsgate, Copyrights’ agent for experiences.

Runaway Entertainment presents

2:22 – A GHOST STORY

The hit play by Danny Robins

Directed by Matthew Dunster

@222AGhostStory #222AGhostStory 

• SMASH HIT 2.22 – A GHOST STORY ANNOUNCES RECORD-BREAKING 5TH WEST END TRANSFER TO THE APOLLO THEATRE FOR A LIMITED SIXTH SEASON OF 18 WEEKS WITH PREVIEWS FROM 14 MAY 2023
   
• THE APOLLO WILL BE THE SHOW’S 5TH THEATRE IN THE WEST END, AND THE 3RD THEATRE ON SHAFTESBURY AVENUE
   
• THE WORLD PREMIERE WAS AT THE NOEL COWARD THEATRE IN SUMMER 2021
   
• THE PRODUCTION MOVED TO THE GIELGUD THEATRE BEFORE TRANSFERRING FOR TWO SEASONS AT THE CRITERION AND THEN ON TO THE LYRIC WHERE THE CURRENT CAST WILL PERFORM UNTIL 23 APRIL 
   
• THE PRODUCTION IS DIRECTED BY MATTHEW DUNSTER AND IS WRITTEN BY AWARD-WINNING WRITER DANNY ROBINS
   
• CAST FOR THE APOLLO THEATRE WILL BE ANNOUNCED SOON
   
• TICKETS FOR THE APOLLO THEATRE ARE ON SALE FROM 10AM ON MARCH 28 FROM WWW.222AGHOSTSTORY.COM WHERE THERE IS ALSO STILL SOME AVAILABILITY FOR THE CURRENT CAST

Producer Runaway Entertainment is delighted to announce that the critically acclaimed, smash hit, supernatural thriller 2:22 – A Ghost Story will transfer theatres for a record-breaking 5th time  – and its sixth season – to The Apollo Theatre, where it will play a 18 week season beginning on 14 May 2023. No other play has ever transferred this many times within a two year period.

The production began its life last summer 2021 at the Noel Coward Theatre starring Lily Allen, Julia Chan, Hadley Fraser and Jake Wood. It then transferred to the Gielgud Theatre for 10 weeks from 4 December 2021. The production there, starring Stephanie Beatriz, James Buckley, Elliot Cowan and Giovanna Fletcher, completed its run on 12 February 2022. For the first season at the Criterion (May – September 2022) the cast was Tom Felton, Mandip Gill, Sam Swainsbury and Beatriz Romilly. In Late September Laura Whitmore, Matt Willis, Felix Scott and Tamsin Carroll took over at the Criterion before the show transferred once again to it’s biggest house yet at the Lyric Theatre where the current cast of Cheryl, Jake Wood, Louise Ford and Scott Karim will end their run on 23 April. Cast for the transfer to the Apollo Theatre will be announced soon. 

‘Danny Robins has penned a modern classic’Sunday Times 

The West End theatre event of 2021, 2022 and now 2023 returns again by popular demand. A UK wide tour begins at Theatre Royal Bath in September 2023 and continues through to May 2024. Cast for the touring production is also to be announced.

“It’s happening again…”

2:22 is written by award-winning writer Danny Robins, creator of the hit BBC podcasts The Battersea Poltergeist and Unanny, and is directed by Matthew Dunster. Look out for the clues to unlock the mystery in this brilliantly funny and intriguing play; it’s an adrenaline-filled night where secrets emerge and ghosts may or may not appear…

Danny Robins said: ‘We’re on the move again! This time next door! It blows my mind that we have been on this incredible journey of what is now a record breaking 5 transfers and 6 seasons! I’m just delighted to see the continued appetite for my play. The amazing audience reactions, coupled with one outstanding cast after another, have catapulted it into bonafide long-runner territory and I can’t wait to see who’ll pick up the mantle in this next iteration. Watch this space and prepare to be deeply spooked!’

What do you believe? And do you dare discover the truth?

“THERE’S SOMETHING IN OUR HOUSE. I HEAR IT EVERY NIGHT, AT THE SAME TIME”

‘Sheer nerve-shredding escapism! I jumped out of my skin several times’ Mail on Sunday

Jenny believes her new home is haunted, but her husband Sam isn’t having any of it. They argue with their first dinner guests, old friend Lauren and new partner Ben. Can the dead really walk again? Belief and scepticism clash, but something feels strange and frightening, and that something is getting closer, so they’re going to stay up… until 2:22… and then they’ll know.

‘A sensational event’ Evening Standard

2:22 – A Ghost Story features set design by Anna Fleischle, costume design by Cindy Lin, lighting design by Lucy Carter, sound by Ian Dickinson for Autograph Sound, illusions by Chris Fisher, casting by Matilda James CDG and co-direction by Gabriel Vega Weissman.

2:22 – A Ghost Story is produced by Tristan Baker and Charlie Parsons for Runaway Entertainment, Isobel David and Kater Gordon. 

TIM MAHENDRAN, HIBA ELCHIKHE & ROSS DAWES

JOIN THE CAST OF THE WORLD PREMIERE OF

THE TIME TRAVELLER’S WIFE: THE MUSICAL

WITH MUSIC & LYRICS BY JOSS STONE & DAVE STEWART

& BOOK BY LAUREN GUNDERSON

AT THE APOLLO THEATRE IN LONDON’S WEST END

WITH PERFORMANCES FROM 7 OCTOBER 2023

Producer Colin Ingram (Back to the Future the Musical, Grease the Musical) is delighted to announce that joining the previously announced David Hunter (Henry) and Joanna Woodward (Clare) in the West End cast of The Time Traveller’s Wife: The Musical will be Tim Mahendran as Gomez, Hiba Elchikhe as Charisse and Ross Dawes as Henry’s Dad.  The world premiere production of The Time Traveller’s Wife: The Musical, based on the best-selling novel by Audrey Niffenegger and the New Line Cinema film screenplay by Bruce Joel Rubin, will open at the Apollo Theatre in London’s West End on 1 November, with previews from 7 October 2023.  Further casting is to be announced.

With a book by Lauren Gunderson, original music and lyrics by Joss Stone and Dave Stewart and additional music by Nick Finlow and additional lyrics by Kait Kerrigan, the production will be directed by Bill Buckhurst.  As with David Hunter and Joanna Woodward, Tim Mahendran, Hiba Elchikhe and Ross Dawes will be reprising the roles they played in Chester in October 2022.

Tim Mahendran played the regular role ofNelly in Channel 4’s comedy The Horne Section last year and previously appeared in Channel 4’s Stath Lets Flats.  He made his professional debut in Spring Awakening, directed by Luke Sheppard, before playing Raj in The Midnight Children for Chichester Festival Theatre and Francois in the original cast of & Juliet in the West End.

Hiba Elchikhe’s credits include Pritti Pasha in Everybody’s Talking About Jamie (West End & LA), Millennials (The Other Palace), Secretary in Lift (Southwark Playhouse), Brooklyn in Brooklyn The Musical (Greenwich Theatre), Fiver (Southwark Playhouse), Antony & Cleopatra (National Theatre), Princess Jasmine in Aladdin (Australia), Mrs Santiago/Understudy Molly in Ghost the Musical (Asia) and The Sound Of Music: Live (ITV).

Ross Dawes can currently be seen in Disney’s Newsies at London’s Troubadour Wembley Park Theatre.  His West End credits include The Phantom of the Opera, Girl from the North Country, the original cast of Charlie & the Chocolate Factory, Shrek the Musical, Passion, Spamalot, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, Starlight Express and Saturday Night Fever.

Henry and Clare’s relationship is like no other.  And yet, it’s like all others.  Clare is a talented sculptor and Henry is – well – a time traveller.  They meet, fall in love, and marry – but not in that order.  Flung apart by time but united by love, Henry is always trying to get back to Clare. Their journey is one of resilience, impossibilities and trying to hold on to each other when everything is pulling you apart.

The Time Traveller’s Wife: The Musical is a joyous, uplifting celebration of the strange wonder of love, however and whenever we experience it.  The musical weaves a heart-breaking and soaring original musical score by multi Grammy Award-winning composers Joss Stone and Dave Stewart with one of the most beloved novels of the last 50 years.  All couples ask how to truly know one another, to trust, to commit, to build a family, to work at something bigger than ourselves.  Not all of us are time travellers.  How do you love across time?

With a book by Lauren Gunderson, original music and lyrics by Joss Stone and Dave Stewart, additional music by Nick Finlow and additional lyrics by Kait Kerrigan, the production will be directed by Bill Buckhurst and designed by Anna Fleischle, with choreography by Shelley Maxwell, lighting design by Lucy Carter and Rory Beaton, illusions by Chris Fisher, video design by Andrzej Goulding, sound design by Richard Brooker, sound FX design by Pete Malkin, musical supervision & arrangement by Nick Finlow, orchestrations by Malcolm Edmonstone and wigs, hair and make-up design by Susanna Peretz.  Casting will be by Grindrod Burton Casting.  It will be produced by Colin Ingram, InTheatre Productions, Gavin Kalin Productions, Teresa Tsai, Crossroads Live, by special arrangement with Warner Bros. Theatre Ventures.

Website: timetravellerswife.com

Twitter: @TimeTWMusical

Instagram: @TimeTWMusical

TikTok: @TimeTWMusical

LISTINGS

THE TIME TRAVELLER’S WIFE: THE MUSICAL

From 7 October 2023

Apollo Theatre

Shaftesbury Avenue

London

W1D 7EZ

Currently booking to 30 March 2024

Performances: Mondays – Saturdays at 7.30pm*, Wednesday & Saturday matinees at 2.30pm**

(*No performance on Monday 9 October; **No Wednesday matinee on 11 October)

Box Office:

Email: [email protected]

Phone: 0330 333 4809

Tickets from: £25

Christmas 2023 Performance Schedule

MONDAY                   25/12/2023           No Performance

TUESDAY                  26/12/2023           7.30pm

WEDNESDAY MAT    27/12/2023           2.30pm

WEDNESDAY            27/12/2023           7.30pm

THURSDAY MAT        28/12/2023           2.30pm

THURSDAY               28/12/2023           7.30pm

FRIDAY                     29/12/2023           7.30pm

SATURDAY MAT        30/12/2023           2.30pm

SATURDAY EVE        30/12/2023           7.30pm

FURTHER DETAILS ANNOUNCED FOR THE NEXT SEASON OF THE TAKEOVER AT THE KING’S HEAD THEATRE

A QUEER INTERROGATION
CURATED BY GUEST ARTISTIC DIRECTOR TOM RATCLIFFE
19 APRIL – 14 MAY

ALONGSIDE THE WEEK-LONG PLATFORM NEW WRITING FESTIVAL, FOR NEW LGBTQI+ STORIES AND VOICES, CO-CURATED WITH RIKKI BEADLE-BLAIR
8 – 14 MAY

CASTING NOW ANNOUNCED FOR HEADLINE SHOW, BREEDING

The King’s Head Theatre are thrilled to announce further details of A QUEER INTERROGATION, the second season of the Takeover, curated by Guest Artistic Director Tom Ratcliffe, playing at the iconic Islington pub theatre 19 April – 14 May. In the final week, from 8 – 14 May, Tom will be working with artists such as writer, actor and director Rikki Beadle-Blair to produce Platform Festival – a full week of work-in-progress writing aimed at promoting new LGBTQI+ stories and voices. Rikki will be bringing 4 new plays by 4 different writers to the festival which contains 15 new plays in just one week.

Casting has also been announced for Tom’s headline show Breeding  by Barry McStay – a funny, moving drama about adopting as gay  parents – written by Barry McStay and directed by Offie Award Winning Director Matthew Iliffe (Bacon – Finborough Theatre), playing 19 April – 7 May, with a press night on Monday 24 April. Aamira Challenger (The Lavender Hill Mob – UK tour, Blithe Spirit – Bath Theatre Royal and West End) will play ‘Beth’, alongside Barry McStay as ‘Eoin’ and Dan Nicholson (Sleep No More – Punchdrunk, The Man Who Would Be King – Dawn State) as ‘Zeb’.

The rest of Tom’s season centres on new writing – plays and stories that have something BIG to say and ask important, necessary questions about the world we live in today. These stories are plot driven, and from the best up and coming LGBTQI+ playwrights.

Playing alongside Breeding is Vault Festival transfer That’s Ace, a story about asexuality, attraction and the difference between romantic and platonic love; Rapture, from interdisciplinary group Pink Sky uses verbatim recordings to explores polyamory, ones chosen family and queer identities; Belinda, from regular KHT cabaret collective  Bold Mellon (Aqueerius), a new play of friendship, tarot cards and imposter syndrome; Post Traumatic Slay Disorder a story exploring how mental illness can be navigated through Tik Tok trends; Rotting Hart, explores the history of homophobia in Spain, a horror period drama but with Werewolves. Brighton Fringe Nominated comedy Generation Why looks at how Pokemon ruined the millennial generation. Director Scott Le Crass (Harry’s Christmas) returns to King’s Head Theatre with Self-Tape a narrative that oscillates between a jobbing actor and his online sex-shows for clients. Written during lockdown this piece holds a mirror up to society. 

Tom’s season continues with Tangerines – a show looking at what would happen if Princess Charlotte was gay; Naughty, an intimate story about a taboo relationship between a teacher and their student. Another royal themed show God Save The Kink, performed on King Charles III coronation, this kinky cabaret by Letitia Delish is on a mission to expose our heads of states, guiding the audience through BDSM & fetishes. Finally, Drag Queen Rosacea Blemish brings you Will it Actually Ever Happen? a camp murder mystery set in a drag contest.

In the final week Tom will be working with artists such as writer, actor and director Rikki Beadle-Blair to produce Platform Festival – a full week of work-in-progress writing from some of the most exciting up and coming LGBTQI+ playwrights. Rikki will be bringing 4 new plays by 4 different writers to the festival which contains 15 new plays in just one week.

Tom Ratcliffe said, “I’m so excited to announce a season of work which celebrates and platforms such an exciting and important range of queer stories and artists. Having my work staged at fringe and off-west end venues such as the Kings Head over the years has absolutely shaped the artist I am still becoming. To be able to provide the same opportunities that have benefitted me to other artists is something that I am incredibly passionate about. Audiences can expect to be entertained, challenged, to laugh and cry but most importantly, they can expect to question the world around them through engaging with theatre that asks questions about our society.”

Rikki Beadle-Blair said, “It’s my thrill and ongoing passion to introduce exciting new visions from brave new minds to the world; to offer unforgettable new experiences to audiences, creatives and performers. These four performances offer the chance to say – ‘I was there that night. And what a night it was!”

Senior Producer Sofi Berenger said “A commitment to staging new writing has been important to the artistic ethos of Kings Head Theatre since founding artistic director Dan Crawford, who famously championed the early careers of writers such as Tom Stoppard, Steven Berkoff and Bryony Lavery. I’m so glad Tom and Rikki are continuing this during this season, especially since they have both previously had new writing themselves on at Kings Head Theatre.”

The Takeover sees the iconic Islington pub venue welcoming four guest Artistic Directors, drawn from different theatre backgrounds, curating their own individual programmes. The guest Artistic Directors – Isabel Adomakoh Young, Tom Ratcliffe, Tania Azevedo and David Cumming – are all mid-career LGBTQ+ artists from various disciplines.

The King’s Head Theatre was established in 1970. A vibrant and vital part of the UK theatre scene, they are known for their challenging work and support of emerging artists. They are committed to fighting prejudice through the work they stage, the artists and staff they work with. They believe in fair pay for all on the fringe and create accessible routes for early career artists to stage their work – work they are passionate about. 

Their artistic policy is unapologetically broad: they welcome new work, critical theatrical revivals, accessible opera and a full spectrum of LGBTQIA+ work.

The guest artistic directors’ seasons will be some of the final seasons ever programmed in the Kings Head Theatre Pub in its current building, London’s oldest pub theatre. More details on the new theatre space to be announced in due course. 

The programme has been supported by Arts Council England.