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Nominations announced for Olivier Awards 2023 with Mastercard

–          “My Neighbour Totoro” leads the way with 9 nominations making it the most nominated play

–          “Standing At The Sky’s Edge” is most nominated musical with 8 nominations

–          Six National Theatre productions nominated, totalling 16 nominations

–          Nominees for acting in a play include Paul Mescal, Jodie Comer, Tom Hollander, David Tennant, Rafe Spall, Janet McTeer, Ajana Vasan, Nicola Walker, Giles Terera and Caroline Quentin

–          Beverley Knight, Clive Rowe, Marisha Wallace and Andrew Rannells are all nominated for acting in a musical

–          Mastercard Best New Musical nominees are “Sylvia”, “Standing At The Sky’s Edge”, “Tammy Faye” and “The Band’s Visit”

–          “For Black Boys Who Have Considered Suicide When The Hue Gets Too Heavy”, “Patriots”, “Prima Facie” and “To Kill A Mockingbird” are the nominees for Delta Air Lines Best New Play

Watch the Olivier Awards nominations announcement video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hGp7ak58Q7c

officiallondontheatre.com/olivier-awards

Nominations have been announced for the Olivier Awards 2023 with Mastercard, British theatre’s most prestigious honours, which will take place on Sunday 2 April at the Royal Albert Hall.

This year’s most nominated production is “My Neighbour Totoro”, the new stage adaptation of Studio Ghibli’s beloved 1988 animated film. Brought to the stage by the Royal Shakespeare Company and legendary Studio Ghibli composer Joe Hisaishi, the production received a total of nine nominations, including Best Entertainment or Comedy Play, Best Director, Best Theatre Choreographer, Best Original Score and a Best Actress nod for Mei Mac.

“Standing At The Sky’s Edge” at the National Theatre received eight nominations, the most for a musical. The production, which is set in Sheffield and premiered in the city in 2019, has earned Richard Hawley his first Olivier Award nomination for Best Original Score or New Orchestrations. Other nominations include Best New Musical, Best Director, Best Actress and Best Supporting Actress.

Garnering seven nominations – including Best Musical Revival – was Rodgers and Hammerstein’s “Oklahoma!” Newly transferred to the West End following sell-out runs on Broadway and at the Young Vic, the production has also gained acting nominations for Arthur Darvill, Anoushka Lucas, Liza Sadovy and Marisha Wallace.

With six nominations apiece are “A Streetcar Named Desire”, with nods for actors Paul Mescal, Anjana Vasan and Patsy Ferran; “The Band’s Visit”, the musical adapted from the eponymous Israeli film; and “To Kill A Mockingbird”, Bartlett Sher’s staging of Harper Lee’s classic novel which has earnt Rafe Spall, Pamela Nomvete and David Moorst acting nominations.

Jodie Comer is nominated for Best Actress for her West End debut in “Prima Facie”, which received five nominations overall, including Best New Play and Best Director. Among the Best Actor nominees are David Tennant, for a new production of C.P. Taylor’s 1989 play “Good”- which is up for four awards including Best Revival – and Tom Hollander for “Patriots”, a new play by Peter Morgan set during the fall of the Soviet Union, which is nominated in three categories.

In the musical acting categories, Katie Brayben and Andrew Rannells are both in contention for their roles in new musical “Tammy Faye”, which boasts a score by Elton John and the Scissor Sisters’ Jake Shears and tells the story of legendary televangelist Tammy Faye Messner. Beverley Knight is nominated for her role in The Old Vic’s new suffragette musical “Sylvia”, and Clive Rowe for his performance in “Sister Act”.

The National Theatre has had a strong year, boasting a total of 16 nominations across six of its productions; “Standing At The Sky’s Edge”, “Blues For An Alabama Sky”, “The Crucible”, “Phaedra”, “The Corn Is Green” and “Jack Absolute Flies Again”.

Some nominees are no stranger to the Olivier Awards. Actress Janet McTeer returns for her 6th nomination, having first been nominated in 1986 as Most Promising Newcomer in a Play. Costume designer Hugh Durrant, sound designers Max & Ben Ringham, and choreographer Crystal Pite all receive their 5th nominations this year, and actor Clive Rowe receives his 4th nomination.

This is also a big year for first-time actor nominations, with 27 people receiving their first nod – including Rose Ayling-Ellis, Jodie Comer, Paul Mescal, Caroline Quentin, Sharon Small and Anjana Vasan. Notable creative first-time nominees include fashion designer Jean Paul Gaultier for his self-titled “Fashion Freak Show” at the Roundhouse.

“For Black Boys Who Have Considered Suicide When The Hue Gets Too Heavy” saw 6 actors gain nominations in a single category – the original cast, Mark Akintimehin, Emmanuel Akwafo, Nnabiko Ejimofor, Darragh Hand, Aruna Jalloh and Kaine Lawrence, are all nominated for their West-End debut.

Commenting on the nominations, Claire Walker and Hannah Essex, co-CEOs of the Society of London Theatre and Executive Producers of the Olivier Awards, said:

‘We would like to congratulate all the nominees for the Olivier Awards with Mastercard 2023. It is incredible to see such a diverse range of people honoured for their outstanding contributions to the industry.

‘We have no doubt this year’s event will be the ultimate celebration of theatre and are anticipating showstopping performances and an electric atmosphere in the Royal Albert Hall come Sunday 2 April.’

The Olivier Awards will be hosted by Hannah Waddingham and broadcast via ITV and Magic Radio. Further details of the ceremony will be announced soon.

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Full list of nominations for Olivier Awards 2023 with Mastercard:

Noël Coward Award for Best Entertainment or Comedy Play

Jack And The Beanstalk at The London Palladium

My Neighbour Totoro at Barbican Theatre

My Son’s A Queer, (But What Can You Do?) at Garrick Theatre & Ambassadors Theatre

One Woman Show at Ambassadors Theatre

Best Family Show

Blippi The Musical at Apollo Theatre

Hey Duggee The Live Theatre Show at Royal Festival Hall at Southbank Centre

Midsummer Mechanicals at Sam Wanamaker Playhouse at Shakespeare’s Globe

The Smartest Giant In Town at St Martin’s Theatre

Gillian Lynne Award for Best Theatre Choreographer

Matt Cole for Newsies at Troubadour Wembley Park Theatre

Lynne Page for Standing At The Sky’s Edge at National Theatre – Olivier

Kate Prince for Sylvia at The Old Vic

Basil Twist for Puppetry Direction for My Neighbour Totoro at Barbican Theatre

Best Costume Design

Frankie Bradshaw for Blues For An Alabama Sky at National Theatre – Lyttelton

Hugh Durrant for Jack And The Beanstalk at The London Palladium

Jean Paul Gaultier for Jean Paul Gaultier Fashion Freak Show at Roundhouse

Kimie Nakano for My Neighbour Totoro at Barbican Theatre

Cunard Best Revival

The Crucible at National Theatre – Olivier

Good at Harold Pinter Theatre

Jerusalem at Apollo Theatre

A Streetcar Named Desire at Almeida Theatre

Magic Radio Best Musical Revival

My Fair Lady at London Coliseum

Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Oklahoma! at Young Vic

Sister Act at Eventim Apollo

South Pacific at Sadler’s Wells

d&b audiotechnik Award for Best Sound Design

Bobby Aitken for Standing At The Sky’s Edge at National Theatre – Olivier

Tony Gayle for My Neighbour Totoro at Barbican Theatre

Drew Levy for Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Oklahoma! at Young Vic

Ben & Max Ringham for Prima Facie at Harold Pinter Theatre

Best Original Score or New Orchestrations

David Yazbek, Jamshied Sharifi & Andrea Grody – Music and Lyrics by David Yazbek, Orchestrations by Jamshied Sharifi & Additional Arrangements by Andrea Grody – The Band’s Visit at Donmar Warehouse

Joe Hisaishi & Will Stuart – Music by Joe Hisaishi & Orchestrations and Arrangements by Will Stuart – My Neighbour Totoro for Barbican Theatre

Daniel Kluger & Nathan Koci – Orchestrations and Arrangements by Daniel Kluger & Additional Vocal Arrangements by Nathan Koci  – Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Oklahoma!  Young Vic

Richard Hawley & Tom Deering – Music and Lyrics by Richard Hawley & Orchestrations by Tom Deering – Standing At The Sky’s Edge at National Theatre – Olivier

Best Actor in a Supporting Role

Mark Akintimehin, Emmanuel Akwafo, Nnabiko Ejimofor, Darragh Hand, Aruna Jalloh & Kaine Lawrence for For Black Boys Who Have Considered Suicide When The Hue Gets Too Heavy at Jerwood Theatre Downstairs at The Royal Court Theatre

Will Keen for Patriots at Almeida Theatre

Elliot Levey for Good at Harold Pinter Theatre

David Moorst for To Kill A Mockingbird at Gielgud Theatre

Sule Rimi for Blues For An Alabama Sky at National Theatre – Lyttelton

Best Actress in a Supporting Role

Rose Ayling-Ellis for As You Like It at @sohoplace

Pamela Nomvete for To Kill A Mockingbird at Gielgud Theatre

Caroline Quentin for Jack Absolute Flies Again at National Theatre – Olivier

Sharon Small for Good at Harold Pinter Theatre

Anjana Vasan for A Streetcar Named Desire at Almeida Theatre

Blue-i Theatre Technology Award for Best Set Design

Miriam Buether for To Kill A Mockingbird at Gielgud Theatre

Tom Pye for My Neighbour Totoro at Barbican Theatre

Ben Stones for Standing At The Sky’s Edge at National Theatre – Olivier

Mark Walters for Jack And The Beanstalk at The London Palladium

White Light Award for Best Lighting Design

Natasha Chivers for Prima Facie at Harold Pinter Theatre

Lee Curran for A Streetcar Named Desire at Almeida Theatre

Jessica Hung Han Yun for My Neighbour Totoro at Barbican Theatre

Tim Lutkin for The Crucible at National Theatre – Olivier

Best Actress in a Supporting Role in a Musical

Beverley Knight for Sylvia The Old Vic

Maimuna Memon for Standing At The Sky’s Edge National Theatre – Olivier

Liza Sadovy for Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Oklahoma! at Young Vic

Marisha Wallace for Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Oklahoma! at Young Vic

Best Actor in a Supporting Role in a Musical

Sharif Afifi for The Band’s Visit at Donmar Warehouse

Peter Polycarpou for The Band’s Visit at Donmar Warehouse

Clive Rowe for Sister Act at Eventim Apollo

Zubin Varla for Tammy Faye at Almeida Theatre

TAIT Award for Best New Opera Production

Alcina by Royal Opera at Royal Opera House

Least Like The Other by Irish National Opera and Royal Opera at Royal Opera House – Linbury Theatre

Peter Grimes by Royal Opera at Royal Opera House

Sibyl at Barbican Theatre

Outstanding Achievement in Opera

Sinéad Campbell-Wallace for her performance in Tosca by English National Opera at London Coliseum

William Kentridge for his conception and direction of Sibyl at Barbican Theatre

Antony McDonald for his design of Alcina at Royal Opera House

Best Actor in a Musical

Alon Moni Aboutboul for The Band’s Visit at Donmar Warehouse

Arthur Darvill for Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Oklahoma! at Young Vic

Julian Ovenden for South Pacific at Sadler’s Wells

Andrew Rannells for Tammy Faye at Almeida Theatre

Best Actress in a Musical

Katie Brayben for Tammy Faye at Almeida Theatre

Anoushka Lucas for Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Oklahoma! at Young Vic

Miri Mesika for The Band’s Visit at Donmar Warehouse

Faith Omole for Standing At The Sky’s Edge at National Theatre – Olivier

Best New Dance Production

Light Of Passage by Crystal Pite at Royal Opera House

Pasionaria by La Veronal at Sadler’s Wells

Traplord by Ivan Michael Blackstock at 180 Studios (The Strand)

Triptych (The Missing Door, The Lost Room, And The Hidden Floor) by Peeping Tom at Barbican Theatre

Outstanding Achievement in Dance

Manuel Liñán for his choreography of ¡VIVA! at Sadler’s Wells

Dickson Mbi for his choreography of Enowate at Sadler’s Wells

Raquel Meseguer Zafe for her dramaturgy of Ruination by Lost Dog at Royal Opera House – Linbury Theatre

Catrina Nisbett for her performance in Family Honour by Spoken Movement at Sadler’s Wells

Unusual Rigging Award for Outstanding Achievement in Affiliate Theatre

Age Is A Feeling at Soho Theatre

Blackout Songs at Hampstead Theatre Downstairs

The P Word at Bush Theatre

Paradise Now! at Bush Theatre

Two Palestinians Go Dogging at Jerwood Theatre Upstairs at The Royal Court Theatre

Sir Peter Hall Award for Best Director

Rebecca Frecknall for A Streetcar Named Desire at Almeida Theatre

Robert Hastie for Standing At The Sky’s Edge at National Theatre – Olivier

Justin Martin for Prima Facie at Harold Pinter Theatre

Phelim McDermott for My Neighbour Totoro at Barbican Theatre

Bartlett Sher for To Kill A Mockingbird at Gielgud Theatre

Best Actress

Jodie Comer for Prima Facie at Harold Pinter Theatre

Patsy Ferran for A Streetcar Named Desire at Almeida Theatre

Mei Mac for My Neighbour Totoro at Barbican Theatre

Janet McTeer for Phaedra at National Theatre – Lyttelton

Nicola Walker for The Corn Is Green at National Theatre – Lyttelton

Best Actor

Tom Hollander for Patriots at Almeida Theatre

Paul Mescal for A Streetcar Named Desire at Almeida Theatre

Rafe Spall for To Kill A Mockingbird at Gielgud Theatre

David Tennant for Good at Harold Pinter Theatre

Giles Terera for Blues For An Alabama Sky at National Theatre – Lyttelton

Delta Air Lines Best New Play

For Black Boys Who Have Considered Suicide When The Hue Gets Too Heavy at Jerwood Theatre Downstairs at The Royal Court Theatre

Patriots at Almeida Theatre

Prima Facie at Harold Pinter Theatre

To Kill A Mockingbird at Gielgud Theatre

Mastercard Best New Musical

The Band’s Visit at Donmar Warehouse

Standing At The Sky’s Edge at National Theatre – Olivier

Sylvia at The Old Vic

Tammy Faye at Almeida Theatre

Announcing the world première of a musical full of
high stakes, high emotions… and even higher heels!

HOME, Manchester

18 July – 13 August, 2023

Written by Matt Cain and David Andrew Wilson
Concept development by Arlene Phillips

Directed by Jonathan O’Boyle

Choreography by Arlene Phillips

It’s summer in Manchester. It’s raining (obviously) and on Canal Street storm clouds of another sort are gathering. Club Fierce is under threat. But Dolly Ravage, who runs the club and is the unofficial godmother of the Gay Village, isn’t going down without a fight.

Dolly has a plan to to save it from property developers by recruiting six amazing queens to slay the runway and reinvent Club Fierce as the all-new House of Ferocity.

But will the arrival of the mysterious Bobby Carter from America – hiding a secret that could change everything – derail her battle to save the soul of the Manchester scene?

Boasting a handbag full of original high energy bangers, ballads and earworm songs, ‘Drag Addict’ is written by Matt Cain and David Andrew Wilson, with concept development and choreography by Arlene Phillips – who has just been announced as the recipient of this year’s Special Award Olivier “for her inspiring work in dance and choreography” – and is directed by Jonathan O’Boyle.

Matt Cain said: “In my novels and journalism I’ve always loved exploring themes of LGBTQ+ identity, culture and community, asking what it means to be gay or queer in our modern, digital world. So it’s a real thrill to be opening up this new channel for my creativity and exploring the same themes in musical theatre. I’m also overjoyed to be creating a show that pays tribute to my home city of Manchester, a city that saved my life as a teenager and helped shape both the person and the writer I’ve become today.”

David Andrew Wilson said: “I am so excited to be bringing ‘Drag Addict’ to HOME in Manchester.  So much of this musical was written in lockdown when Matt, Arlene and I were just dreaming about what it would be like to be back on Canal Street. And now, here we are, about to open in Manchester!  Writing pop music has always been my number one passion and I am so excited that I’ve had the opportunity to write a show that incorporates modern pop to 90s dance to Broadway big band in an entirely original score.  It’s time to Slay the Runway!”

Arlene Phillips said: “When I moved from Manchester to London in the 1970’s, many people found an escape in my dance classes from a society that still frowned upon their sexuality. It became a place where they were free to express themselves through dance in any way they wanted. It has been my dream to create a musical that embraces my love of drag and the LGBTQ+ community. I was lucky enough to have two creative friends in my life, Matt Cain and David Wilson, that I could I bring together to make it a reality.”

Cast and full creative team to be announced.

Produced by JAS Theatricals, Aria Entertainment and HOME.

Matt Cain – Writer
Born in Bury and brought up in Bolton, Matt Cain is a writer, broadcaster, and a leading commentator on LGBTQ+ issues. He’s bestselling author of novels ‘Becoming Ted’, ‘The Secret Life of Albert Entwistle’ and ‘The Madonna of Bolton’. He’s written for all the major national newspapers and between 2016 and 2018 was Editor-in-Chief of Attitude magazine. He’s a regular presenter on Virgin Radio Pride and from 2010 to 2013 was Channel 4 News Culture Editor. He’s also an ambassador for Manchester Pride and the Albert Kennedy Trust, plus a patron of LGBT+ History Month. ‘Drag Addict’ is his first musical.

David Andrew Wilson – Writer
David Andrew Wilson is a composer from Harrogate, North Yorkshire.  He studied music and songwriting at the Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts.  After graduating, he toured the UK’s club scene as part of dance/pop band ‘Untouched’.  He moved into Musical Theatre in 2011 and has been Head Of Music at Andrew Lloyd Webber’s company The Really Useful Group since 2013.  Credit highlights in this role include ‘School Of Rock’ and ‘Starlight Express’ (where he first met Arlene Philips).  Most recently, he was the UK Musical Supervisor for ‘Bad Cinderella’ on Broadway.  He was the Associate Music Producer of the ‘Cats’ movie and worked closely with international pop sensations Taylor Swift and Jenifer Hudson as well as theatre royalty Dame Judi Dench and Sir Ian McKellen. ‘Drag Addict’ is David’s third musical as a composer and he is excited to be combining three of his favourite things – musical theatre, pop music and drag – into one fierce, uplifting and heartwarming show!

Arlene Phillips – Concept Development / Choreography
Arlene Phillips is a world-renowned choreographer and theatre director, honoured as a DBE for services to dance and charity. She is a lifelong ally of the LGBTQ+ community, and first came to prominence when she created the hugely popular dance group Hot Gossip. When Arlene moved from her hometown of Manchester to London in the early 1970’s, her dance classes became a go-to haven for the gay community when there was still a fear of being outed. Everyone from dancers, lawyers, market traders, pop stars and drag artists, went to Arlene’s classes and relayed their stories, which inspired her to one day create a musical about their world. ‘Drag Addict’ became a reality when she introduced two brilliantly creative friends, David Wilson and Matt Cain, with a dream to make this happen. Included in Arlene’s extensive choreographic credits are West End musicals such as ‘Starlight Express’, ‘Grease’, ‘We Will Rock You’, and Bridge Theatre’s immersive ‘Guys and Dolls’; Hollywood films like John Huston’s ‘Annie’, Allan Carr’s ‘Can’t Stop The Music’, ‘Monty Python’s Meaning of Life’; music videos for the likes of Elton John, Queen, Whitney Houston, Diana Ross and Tina Turner. As a director, Arlene’s credits include ‘The Cher Show’ and ‘Saturday Night Fever’, and as a dance judge, for hit TV shows including ‘So You Think You Can Dance’ and ‘Strictly Come Dancing’.

Jonathan O’Boyle – Director
Jonathan trained as an actor at the Royal Central School of Speech and Drama and as a director at Birkbeck, University of London. Directing credits include ‘Wish You Were Dead’ (UK tour), ‘Looking Good Dead’ (UK tour), ‘The Last Five Years’ (Garrick Theatre, Off-West End Awards for Best Director and Best Production); ‘Top Hat’ (Mill at Sonning) ‘Hair’ (Hope Mill Theatre/The Vaults/UK & European Tours, WhatsOnStage Award for Best Off-West End Production); ‘A Guide for the Homesick’, ‘Rasheeda Speaking’, ‘Bash Latterday Plays’ (Trafalgar Studios); ‘Dear Brutus’ (Southwark Playhouse); ‘The View Upstairs’ (Soho Theatre); ‘Rain Man’ (Bill Kenwright/UK tour); ‘Aspects of Love’, ‘Pippin’ (Hope Mill Theatre/Southwark Playhouse); ‘Cruel Intentions’ (Palais du Variété/Bill Kenwright); ‘This House’ (Headlong/UK Tour, co-directed with Jeremy Herrin); ‘The Astonishing Times of Timothy Cratchit’ (Hope Mill Theatre); ‘Proud’ (Turbine Theatre); ‘Rogers and Hammerstein’s Cinderella’ (Cadogan Hall); ‘Peter Pan’ (Park Theatre); ‘Four Play, Sense of an Ending’ (Theatre503); ‘The Surplus’, A’ll The Ways To Say Goodbye’ (Young Vic); ‘Made In Britain’ (Old Red Lion); ‘The Wedding Singer’, ‘Nice Work If You Can Get It’, ‘Season’s Greetings’ (ArtsEd).  Associate Director credits include: ‘An American In Paris’ (Dominion Theatre); ‘The Judas Kiss’ (Brooklyn Academy of Music/Ed Mirvish Theatre, Toronto); ‘The Scottsboro Boys’ (Young Vic). Jonathan is the Director of the School of Musical Theatre at ArtsEd.

JAS Theatricals – Producer
JAS Theatricals (formally Kilimanjaro Theatricals) was established by Stuart Galbraith and theatre producer Joshua Andrews to produce, co produce and general manage stage productions around the world. Their first productions together saw them acting as co-producers on ‘9 to 5’ in the West End, ‘Hadestown’ on Broadway – which won the Tony Award for Best Musical, ‘Noises Off’ at The Garrick, ‘Muriel’s Wedding – The Musical’ in Australia, ‘On Your Feet’ at the London Coliseum and ‘The Last King of Scotland’ at Sheffield Theatres. Current projects they are involved in include ‘Pretty Woman’ (Savoy), ‘Hadestown’ and ‘Pretty Woman’ (US tours), the multi Olivier Award winning ‘Life of Pi’ (West End) and Agatha Christie’s ‘The Mirror Crack’d’ (UK tour).

JAS Theatricals is currently the lead UK producer on the new hit comedy whodunnit ‘Cluedo’ and the new Tom Jones musical, ‘What’s New Pussycat?’, that received rave 5-star reviews on its premiere in Birmingham at the end of last year.

Stuart Galbraith is the CEO of Kilimanjaro Group whose ownership includes Kilimanjaro Live, Fane Productions, FORM, Singular Artists, Let’s Rock Festivals and Belladrum Festival (Scotland). The group of companies produces and promotes music concerts, musical theatre, comedy, spoken word, festivals, family events and social media events, working with shows and artistes as diverse as Ed Sheeran, Andrea Bocelli, Stereophonics, Kew the Music and The Illusionists. The group of companies sells over 1.5 million tickets per year.

Joshua Andrews produced for Bill Kenwright, before setting up his own venture to produce and general manage plays and musicals, via which he has produced the successful play franchise of Peter James novels, the Olivier Award winning ‘An American In Paris’ in the West End and Kay Mellor’s ‘Fat Friends – The Musical’ on a major UK tour. A Tony winning and two time Olivier Award nominated producer, he also co produced ‘A Streetcar Named Desire’, starring Gillian Anderson, with The Young Vic in London and at St. Ann’s Warehouse in New York. Other projects include stage adaptations the global best selling novel, ‘The Girl On The Train’ (Tour and West End), Kay Mellor’s iconic TV series, ‘Band of Gold’ and he is currently a co-producer on ‘Pretty Woman’ (West End and US tour).

Aria Entertainment – Producer
Aria Entertainment was founded in 2012 by Producer Katy Lipson. In 10 years, she has produced over 80 productions in the West End, Off-West End and across the UK. Her most recent credits have included ‘Cruise’, which received an Olivier nomination for Best New Play and is now being developed as a film after two sell-out runs at the Duchess Theatre and Apollo Theatre, and the critically acclaimed transfer of ‘The Last Five Years’ to the West End. She is also a producer of several major UK tours including ‘The Osmonds’, ‘The Cher Show’, ‘Hair’, ‘The Rise and Fall of Little Voice’ and ‘The Addams Family’.

For several years, Katy was the Producing Artistic Director of the renowned Hope Mill Theatre in Manchester, creating and producing productions, many of which transferred to London. During her tenure she worked with Stephen Schwartz on creating a re-imagined version of ‘Rags’ and presented the first production of Jerry Herman’s ‘Mame’ in the UK for over 50 years. In 2017, Lipson was awarded the Best Producer award by the Off-West End Awards and in 2019 was nominated for International Producer of the Year by the League of Professional Theatre Women in New York. She is a recipient of the Stage One Bursary and Start Up Award and works as a mentor on their Bursary and Bridge the Gap programmes. In 2018 she was included in “The Stage 100” list and in 2019 and 2020 for her work at Hope Mill Theatre, Manchester and again in 2021 for her work as a solo producer. Lipson is at the forefront of new musical development in the UK, having set up the From Page to Stage festival to support new musicals at all difference stages of development. In six years, From Page to Stage has given a platform to over 100 new musicals; many of which have gone on to have full productions and be licensed worldwide. It is a keen passion of hers to cultivate new musicals that can have a long lasting legacy in the West End, on Broadway and all around the world.

HOME – Producer
HOME is Manchester’s centre for international contemporary culture. Since opening in May 2015, HOME has welcomed over four million visitors to its two theatres, five cinemas, art gallery, book shop and restaurants. HOME works with international and UK artists to produce extraordinary theatrical experiences, producing an exciting mix of thought-provoking drama, dance, and festivals, with a strong focus on international work, new commissions and artist development. HOME’s ambition is to push the boundaries of form and technology, to experiment, have fun, take risks and share great new art with the widest possible audience. The patrons of HOME are Danny Boyle, actress Suranne Jones, playwright and poet Jackie Kay CBE, artists Rosa Barba and Phil Collins, filmmaker Asif Kapadia, and actress and author Meera Syal CBE. www.homemcr.org | @HOME_mcr | Facebook HOMEmcr

LISTINGS INFO

JAS THEATRICALS, ARIA ENTERTAINMENT and HOME
present

DRAG ADDICT THE MUSICAL

Written by Matt Cain
and David Andrew Wilson
Concept development by Arlene Phillips

Directed by Jonathan O’Boyle

Choreography by Arlene Phillips

18 July -13 August, 2023

HOME
2 Tony Wilson Place
Manchester
M15 4FN

Box 0ffice:
0161 200 1500

Ticket Prices:
£15 – £35

Social Media:

Twitter:
DragAddictHOME
HOME_mcr

Facebook:
DragAddictMusical
HOMEmcr

Instagram:
DragAddictMusical
homemcr/

GOSH! IT’S GYLES & JUDI

& EVEN MORE DAMES!

DAME TWIGGY LAWSON

DAME PATRICIA ROUTLEDGE

DAME HARRIET WALTER

DAME PENELOPE WILTON

AND DAME ELIZA MANNIGHAM-BULLER LG

(and some surprise guests)

WILL JOIN GYLES BRANDRETH & DAME JUDI DENCH 

AND THE PREVIOUSLY ANNOUNCED DAMES;

DAME EILEEN ATKINS

DAME FLOELLA BENJAMIN

DAME SHEILA HANCOCK

DAME MAUREEN LIPMAN 

DAME JOANNA LUMLEY

FOR THE SOLD-OUT LONDON PALLADIUM SHOW ON

SUNDAY 5 MARCH AT 3.00 PM

WHICH IS NOW AVAILABLE TO STREAM LIVE

FOR JUST £25

ALL IN AID OF THE GREAT ORMOND STREET HOSPITAL

CHILDREN’S CHARITY

To celebrate his 75th birthday, and as a fun fundraiser for Great Ormond Street Hospital, Gyles Brandreth, with his friend Dame Judi Dench, has put together an event, with a potentially record-breaking number of theatrical Dames simultaneously on stage on Sunday 05 March.

This sold out, unmissable event at the London Palladium is now available to watch live (and on demand for one week after 05 March) for just £25, with all proceeds going to GOSH: the Great Ormond Street Children’s Charity.

To stream this special, once in a lifetime event – please click here. 

This extraordinary party at the London Palladium on Sunday 5 March has Gyles telling hilarious and revealing stories of all the great Dames he has been lucky enough to know – from Dame Olivia de Havilland to Dame Barbara Windsor – and inviting the great theatrical Dames of our time on stage to share their favourite stories – and treat us to their best party pieces! Expect songs, sonnets and surprise star guests…  

Proceeds from ticket sales will be donated to GOSH Charity, to support seriously ill children from across the UK who travel to Great Ormond Street Hospital (GOSH) for specialist care. GOSH Charity helps to fund pioneering medical research, state of the art equipment, support services for children and their families like parent accommodation and the hospital’s dedicated play team, and the vital rebuilding and refurbishment of the hospital.

LISTINGS

LONDON PALLADIUM

SUNDAY 5 MARCH 2023 AT 3.00 PM

AVAILABLE TO STREAM FOR £25.00 ONLY.

Please click HERE to stream it live, or you can watch it for one week only after the event.

Address: 8 Argyll St, London W1F 7TF

Website: www.fane.co.uk/gyles-and-dames

Social Media: @faneproductions

BRAND NEW MUSICAL COMEDY TWICE NIGHTLY PERFORMS AGAIN THIS SPRING

Award-winning musical follows double-act Don and Madge in the 1930’s golden age of variety theatre and features the voice of Joe Pasquale

Show visits venues in Liverpool, Prescot, Settle, Bridgnorth, Wirral, Middlesborough and Blackpool during April and May

A sparkling new stage musical about the golden age of variety theatre, set in the 1930’s is hitting the road again this spring with a tour visiting venues across the UK.

After premiering and captivating audiences at Liverpool Theatre Festival, winning best new production, Twice Nightly will open for three nights at Liverpool’s Royal Court from 27-29 April before heading to the new Shakespeare North Playhouse in Prescot, the historic Victoria Hall in Settle, Theatre On The Steps in Bridgnorth, Gladstone Theatre in Wirral, Middlesborough Theatre and finishing at Blackpool Grand.

Twice Nightly is a brand-new musical comedy brought to you by Bill Elms Productions (Something About George/Judy & Liza) and the newly formed Frame This Presents, written by, choreographed, and starring Maria Lovelady as Madge and Michael Alan-Bailey as Don, also featuring Roy Carruthers as The Great Wally and the voice of Joe Pasquale as The Beak. The show is directed by Waleed Hammad and with original music and score by Jessica Dives.

It’s 1931 and variety is the spice of life. Liverpool’s theatres are sizzling with the hottest star turns of the day and there’s something for every taste! Don and Madge, a song and dance double act, are living the sweet life… until things turn sour. A night they can’t remember finds them in hot water and if they want to be back on stage for their second show, they must act fast! Tales of a bolshy parrot, a Strong Man and The Great Wally all add to the flavour, but the imposing pandemic of cinema makes the duo stew over what life in the theatre means to them.  Featuring original songs and celebrating theatre’s golden years, this homemade comedy will leave you wanting second helpings!

A weekly podcast of the same name also accompanies the show which has regular interviews and chats about all things Variety theatre, from the beginnings of music hall to modern day cabaret. Guests have included Anne Reid, comedian Joe Pasquale and The Chase star Jenny Ryan. https://anchor.fm/twicenightlythepodcast

Liverpool-born actors Maria Lovelady and Michael Alan Bailey created the Twice Nightly in 2021 and also star in the show, Maria is best known for playing Helen Forrester in Twopence to Cross The Mersey and By The Waters Of Liverpool and Michael has recently performed in The Wizard Of Oz and Masquerade.

Maria and Michael said “It has been a real privilege, when writing a show about Variety Theatre, to have the support and contribution from one of the best and most loved variety performers in the country. Joe doesn’t only bring his voice and hilarious personality to the production, but everything that ‘Twice Nightly’ celebrates.”

Actor and comedian Joe Pasquale said “I loved the script as soon as I read it and it is an absolute pleasure to be part of this hilarious new musical, if only in voice. Maria and Michael are a talented pair, come along and see it, you are in for a treat, this is a show I believe will go far.”

Producer Bill Elms commented: “I loved this new musical from the very first time it performed at Liverpool Theatre Festival’s new works event and winning best production which secured a slot for a second showing at the main festival.  Audiences love the show, it’s a great piece of writing and a wonderful score. I am really pleased to be co-producing the show and ensure it is seen across the UK, starting with a short tour in Spring and with further dates in the planning.”

Facebook – @TwiceNightly:TheShow&Podcast  | Twitter – @twicenightlypod | Instagram @ twicenightlytheatrepodcast | TikTok– twicenightlypodcast

Watch the trailer – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ktwdKZ9QgAs

REVIEWS – WHAT THE CRITICS SAY ABOUT TWICE NIGHTLY

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

“The biggest crime would have been not to bring it back for another showing.”

Good News Liverpool

★ ★ ★ ★

Outstanding – “This is a wonderful piece of theatre”.

Writebase

★ ★ ★ ★

“Leaves you smiling from ear to ear… a highly amusing piece of theatre”.

North West End UK

“The finale is absolutely spectacular”.

Writebase

LISTING INFORMATION

TWICE NIGHTLY TOUR 2023

LIVERPOOL – Royal Court – Studio

Thu 27 – Sat 29 April – 2.30pm/7.30pm

www.liverpoolsroyalcourt.com

PRESCOT – Shakespeare North Playhouse – Garden

Sat 6 – Sun 7 May – Sat -2pm/6pm, Sun 4pm

www.shakespearenorthplayhouse.co.uk

ON SALE: Wed 8 February.

SETTLE – Victoria Hall                    

Thu 11 May – 7.30pm

www.settlevictoriahall.org.uk

BRIDGNORTH – Theatre On The Steps                    

Fri 12 May – 7.30pm

www.theatreonthesteps.co.uk

WIRRAL – The Gladstone Theatre

Sat 20 May – 7.30pm

www.gladstonetheatre.org.uk

MIDDLESBOROUGH – Middlesborough Theatre                 

Thu 25 May – 7.30pm

www.middlesbroughtheatre.co.uk

BLACKPOOL – Blackpool Grand – Studio

Sat 27 May – 2.30pm/7.30pm

www.blackpoolgrand.co.uk

CASTING AND FULL CREATIVE TEAM ANNOUNCED FOR

VISITORS

A MAJOR NEW UK REVIVAL OF BARNEY NORRIS’ AWARD-WINNING PLAY

OPENING AT THE WATERMILL 31 MARCH – 22 APRIL

BOOK ONLINE AT WATERMILL.ORG.UK OR VIA THE BOX OFFICE ON 01635 46044

Casting has been announced for VISITORS the major new UK revival of Barney Norris’ award-winning play that will run at The Watermill Theatre Friday 31 March until Saturday 22 April.

Edie’s mind is starting to falter and Arthur’s legs aren’t what they were but, from the comfort of their armchairs, they dive into a kaleidoscope of memories from their life together. In their sleepy farmhouse at the edge of Salisbury Plain, they await the arrival of a young visitor and a reunion that will expose a family whose closeness is fraying at the seams.

Nathalie Barclay, whose stage credits include Boeing Boeing (UK tour), Positive (Park Theatre) Antigone (The Lowry & UK tour), and whose screen credits include Killing Eve (BBC America/AMC) and Trigonometry (BBC), will play ‘Kate’.

Tessa Bell-Briggs, whose extensive stage credits include Steaming (Harold Pinter Theatre); Situation Comedy (The Ambassadors Theatre); The Daughter-in-Law (Arcola Theatre);; The Outsider and As Good a Time as Any (The Print Room at the Coronet), and whose screen credits include This Way Up and Skins (Channel 4); The Brittas Empire (BBC), Poirot: The Third Girl (Granada), will play ‘Edie’

Christopher Ravenscroft, best known for his role as Inspector Mike Burden in The Ruth Rendell Mysteries, and whose recent stage credits include Witness for the Prosecution (County Hall), Humble Boy (Orange Tree Theatre) and many roles at the Royal Shakespeare Company will play ‘Arthur’.

Patrick Toomey, whose recent screen credits include Nolly (ITV) and The Crown (Netflix) and whose extensive stage credits include The Sugar House(Finborough Theatre); The Remains Of The Day(Out Of Joint); The Exorcist(Bill Kenwright UK tour); will play ‘Stephen’.

It will also be directed by Barney Norris (The Wellspring – Royal and Derngate, Nightfall – The Bridge Theatre), an Associate Artist at The Watermill.  His tender portrayal of a family on the cusp of major change, learning to live and love with dementia, is set in his beloved rural Wiltshire. Barney Norris is an award-winning playwright and acclaimed author of novels Undercurrent, Five Rivers Met on a Wooded Plain and The Vanishing Hours.

A life-affirming tribute to love and gratitude for a life well-lived, VISITORS premiered at the Arcola Theatre in March 2014. Following a national tour and a transfer to the Bush Theatre later that year, it was selected by Henry Hitchings for the Evening Standard and Mark Lawson for the Guardian as one of the best productions of 2014 and won the Critics’ Circle Award and the OffWestEnd Award for Most Promising Playwright for Norris. It was also nominated the Writers’ Guild of Great Britain Best New Play Award, and the Evening Standard Theatre Awards Charles Wintour Award for Most Promising Playwright, and Best New Play from the Offies Awards

Barney Norris said, “VISITORS is a story about love, the way that love shapes a life, the way that love extracts a toll, the way that love defines us. It’s also a play about people clinging on to ways of life, trying to make the world work for them as it seems to be trying to fall apart. And a play about what it’s like to live in the country. I wrote it fifteen years ago, a love song to the world I come from, and with this production I am bringing it home. The play’s set outside the north Wiltshire village of Pewsey, and the Watermill, I think, is the closest producing theatre to the play’s actual landscape. When Paul Hart, the Watermill’s artistic director, asked if I’d like to do it there, I jumped at the chance.

Revisiting stories as we go through our lives is a pleasure nearly all of us know – we all see multiple productions of the same Shakespeare, re-read our favourite novels, re-watch our favourite films. Returning to a play I wrote as a younger man has been a fascinating way of marking the passing of my own time. When I first staged this play, nothing had ever really gone wrong in my life. Now, a decade older, having survived some difficult times, and been a carer myself – care and caring are central to the vision of love offered in VISITORS – I look back at this play and I can see how I have changed. That’s exciting and intriguing – it will lead to a different production, and I can’t wait to see how it develops.”

VISITORS will be directed by Barney Norris, with design from Good Teeth (a theatre design studio founded by James Perkins and Victoria Smart, Associate Artists at the Lyric Hammersmith), with lighting design by James Whiteside and with sound design and composition from Anna Clock. The stage management team are Caitlin Ravenscroft (DSM), Gracie Adlington (ASM) and Natalie Toney (ASM).

The Watermill is a 200-seat regional powerhouse, with an unparalleled reputation for producing bold, world-class theatre with local and national reach from its home in West Berkshire. It also has an extensive programme of community outreach, and schools touring work, and a firm commitment to diversity, education, and talent development. 

In the wake of the shock news that The Watermill Theatre had 100% of its annual funding from Arts Council England cut, the Newbury venue has launched a new fundraising campaign – THRIVE. Individuals can donate from as little £1 to show their support and ensure that the work of The Watermill, and everyone who is part of its community, can continue to thrive. There is also the option of becoming a Friend of the Watermill, from as little as £30 per year.

BRENDA EDWARDS & LEE MEAD

TO STAR AS KILLER QUEEN AND KHASHOGGI

IN

2 JUNE – 27 AUGUST 2023

LONDON COLISEUM

TICKETS ON SALE NOW: WEWILLROCKYOULONDON.CO.UK

West End leading lady and Loose Women panellist Brenda Edwards will star alongside musical theatre stalwart Lee Mead this summer, in Queen and Ben Elton’s sensational smash-hit show ‘We Will Rock You’ at the London Coliseum. The rock theatrical returns to London 21 years after it exploded into the West End for a strictly limited 12-week season from 2 June – 27 August.

Brenda Edwards will star in the role of Killer Queen. She previously played the part in both the UK tour and the record-breaking Dominion Theatre run. Brenda first found fame on the second season of The X Factor, where she made it all the way to the semi-final. She has since had leading roles in hit musicals including Mama Morton in Chicago, Deloris Van Cartier in Sister Act The Musical and Motormouth Maybelle in Hairspray.

Lee Mead will star in the role of Khashoggi. As winner of the BBC One series ‘Any Dream Will Do’ in 2007, Lee was awarded the prize of the lead role in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. His theatre credits include Billy Flynn in Chicago, Caractacus Potts in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, Emmett Forrest in Legally Blonde and Fiyero in Wicked.

Ben Elton said: “I’m thrilled that the wildly talented Brenda Edwards and Lee Mead are starring in We Will Rock You. They’re guaranteed to blow your mind and after that they’ll blow the roof off!”

Brenda Edwards said: “I’m delighted to be stepping back into the shoes of the legendary Killer Queen and this time at the iconic London Coliseum! I can’t wait to work with Ben again, the hugely talented Lee Mead and the rest of the amazing company.”

Lee Mead said: “I’m so excited to be joining the cast of We Will Rock and can’t wait to bring Queen’s legendary songs back to the London stage. We start rehearsing in April – bring it on!”

Following critical acclaim for their performances in the UK tour, Olivier award nominated actor Ian McIntosh and Elena Skye, reprise their roles as Galileo Figaro and Scaramouche. Further casting to be announced.

The musical features 24 of Queen’s greatest hits and a hilarious script by Ben Elton – who returns to the director’s chair for this London homecoming – ‘We Will Rock You’ rivals the scale and spectacle of the band’s legendary live performances.

It has been 21 years since We Will Rock You premiered at London’s Dominion Theatre in 2002, where it was seen by six million people over 4600 performances during an astonishing 12-year run, becoming one of the most successful musicals in West End history and the longest runner at the Dominion by a margin of nine years. It also found unprecedented popularity around the world, playing to a global audience of 20 million across 28 countries.

‘We Will Rock You’ tells the story of a globalized future without musical instruments. A handful of rock rebels, the Bohemians, fight against the all-powerful Globalsoft company and its boss, the Killer Queen; they fight for freedom, individuality and the rebirth of the age of rock. Scaramouche and Galileo, two young outsiders, cannot come to terms with the bleak conformist reality. They join the Bohemians and embark on the search to find the unlimited power of freedom, love and rock!

‘We Will Rock You’ is produced by Phil McIntyre Live, Queen Theatrical Productions and Tribeca Theatrical Productions.

“Magnifico!”

The Sun

“One of the best shows I’ve seen in yonks. An evening of sheer entertainment and enjoyment”

Daily Mirror

“The sheer power of the best Queen numbers strikes hard”

Financial Times

“There was wild applause at the climax of the show…and it only got louder”

Daily Telegraph

“Spectacular”

Daily Express

Listings Information:

London Coliseum, St Martin’s Lane, London WC2N 4ES

First show: 2 June

Final show: 27 August

Evening performances: Monday, Wednesday* – Saturday at 7:30pm

Matinees: Thursday* and Saturday at 2:30pm, Sunday at 3pm

*Please note that Brenda Edwards will not perform on Wednesday evenings (except 23 August), Thursday matinees and 24 August.

Website: wewillrockyoulondon.co.uk

Twitter: @WWRYMusical

Instagram: @WWRYMusical

Facebook: facebook.com/wwrymusical

RUTH WILSON IN THE SECOND WOMAN

ON SALE DATES ANNOUNCED

A Young Vic & LIFT co-production

Produced in association with Ruth Wilson

THE SECOND WOMAN

Created by Nat Randall and Anna Breckon

Presented in proud association with House of Oz

Young Vic Theatre – Main House

Friday 19 May at 4pm until Saturday 20 May at 4pm

The Young Vic Theatre and LIFT today announce tickets for The Second Woman starring Golden Globe and Olivier Award winner Ruth Wilson in an epic 24-hour performance which will go on priority sale on Thursday 2 March, and on general sale on Monday 6 March at 12pm.

Tickets will be available for the full 24 hours, for allocated time slots and on-the-door, with full details available at www.youngvic.org

One woman, one scene, one hundred men, one electrifying 24-hour performance.

The UK premiere of The Second Woman sees Ruth Wilson (Luther, His Dark Materials, Hedda Gabler) take on this internationally acclaimed feat of endurance theatre and live cinema at the Young Vic commencing on Friday 19 May, at 4pm and concluding on Saturday 20 May at 4pm.

Over a full 24 hours, 100 different men are invited to star opposite Ruth Wilson, as she performs over and over a scene between a man and a woman in a relationship that has lost its creativity and romance.

In an epic endurance performance inspired by John Cassavetes’ film Opening Night, none of the 100 different Martys have met or rehearsed with Ruth Wilson’s Virginia and most of them are non-actors. 

This production, created by Anna Breckon and Nat Randall, is a collaboration between LIFT and the Young Vic, bringing together two of London’s most innovative cultural institutions with one of the world’s most celebrated actors.

Whether you choose to stay for 24 minutes or the full 24 hours, The Second Woman is a unique, cinematic theatre experience in which the stage offers the audience a wide-angle view of the action, while multiple cameras capture and share live close-ups.

Ruth Wilson said: “I have a feeling that The Second Woman will challenge all norms of what it means to be actor and audience, to be performer and observer. I’m interested in what happens in that space between us all; if we form a bond as we watch and anticipate the next play partner. This is a one-off, 24-hour experience of pure, spontaneous interaction. It will never happen again.”

Kris Nelson, LIFT Artistic Director and CEO, and Stella Kanu, Executive Director, said: “We are fortunate to have some amazing partners and not many come close to the Young Vic who have been working with us tirelessly to bring this show to London since 2019! This May, you’ll get to witness an incredible performance – a mesmerising concept by Sydney-based artists Nat Randall and Anna Breckon that’s all about power, gender and the negotiations we make within a couple. Over 24 hours Ruth Wilson will reveal why she’s one of the country’s most mercurial and astounding performers. Audiences are in for a real treat!”

Kwame Kwei-Armah, Young Vic Artistic Director, and Lucy Davies, Executive Director, said: “The Second Woman is live event theatre at its very best, starring Ruth Wilson in a formidable and truly unique performance. We are proud to present Nat Randall and Anna Breckon’s genre-defying work with our brilliant co-producer LIFT, and together bring audiences non-stop, unforgettable theatre over 24 hours.”

The Second Woman is a Young Vic Theatre and LIFT co-production, produced in association with Ruth Wilson, created by Nat Randall and Anna Breckon, presented in proud association with House of Oz.

Direction is by Anna Breckon and Nat Randall, Video and Camera Design by EO Gill and Anna Breckon, Lighting Design by Amber Silk and Kayla Burrett, UK Lighting Design by Lauren Woodhead, Music Composition by Nina Buchanan and Set Design by FUTURE METHOD STUDIO.

The Second Woman is supported by the Australian Government through the Australia Council, its arts funding and advisory body, and originally supported by Next Wave 2016.

TICKET INFORMATION

The Second Woman goes on sale to Young Vic Soul Mates, Friends and LIFT members on Thursday 2 March at 12pm and on general sale on Monday 6 March at 12pm via www.youngvic.org

Demand for tickets is expected to be exceptionally high and tickets are limited to two per booking. Following priority and general on sales, there will be on-the-door tickets throughout the performance, subject to availability.

Tickets types:

24-Hour Tickets

Guaranteed entry from 4pm on Friday 19 May for the entire 24-hour experience.

Advance Timed Tickets

Book in advance for one of the following time slots: 9.30pm, 12am, 2am, 4am, 6am, 8am or 10am and stay as long as you like from that point onwards.

On-The-Door Tickets

Turn up at any point throughout the performance, join the General Queue and get entry to the show on a first come first served basis as space becomes available.

For all ticket types:

Once seated, you can choose to stay until the performance ends at 4pm on Saturday 20 May or leave whenever you wish. Short breaks outside of the auditorium are permitted. If you choose to leave for a longer period, you will be able to re-enter without paying again, but will have to re-join the General Queue and wait to be re-admitted at the earliest available opportunity.

Full tickets details are available at www.youngvic.org

JANIE DEE TO JOIN CAST OF THE MOTIVE AND THE CUE AS FULL CAST ANNOUNCED

With a week to go before rehearsals begin, the full cast for Jack Thorne’s new play, The Motive and the Cue, directed by Sam Mendes, is revealed.

It is announced today that Janie Dee (Follies, Stephen Sondheim’s Old Friends A Celebration) will play Eileen Hurlie, joining Johnny Flynn as Richard Burton, Mark Gatiss as John Gielgud and Tuppence Middleton as Elizabeth Taylor.

The cast also includes Aaron Anthony, Tom Babbage, Allan Corduner, Elena Delia, Ryan Ellsworth, Phoebe Horn, Aysha Kala, Luke Norris, Huw Parmenter, David Ricardo-Pearce, David Tarkenter, Kate Tydman, Laurence Ubong Williams and Michael Walters.

This startling new play opening in the Lyttelton Theatre on 20 April, is inspired by the making of Burton and Gielgud’s Hamlet.

Richard Burton, newly married to Elizabeth Taylor, is to play the title in an experimental new production of Hamlet under John Gielgud’s exacting direction. But as rehearsals progress, two ages of theatre collide and the collaboration between actor and director soon threatens to unravel.

The Motive and the Cue was originally commissioned by Neal Street Productions and has been developed and co-produced by the National Theatre and Neal Street Productions. Set design is by Es Devlin, costume designer is Katrina Lindsay, lighting designer is Jon Clark, composer is Benjamin Kwasi Burrell, sound designer is Paul Arditti, video designer is Luke Halls, casting by Alastair Coomer CDG and Naomi Downham and associate director is Zoé Ford Burnett.

Inspired by Letters from an Actor by William Redfield and John Gielgud Directs Richard Burton in Hamlet by Richard L. Sterne.

The Motive and the Cue runs from 20 April to 15 July.

Tickets are on sale now and available to book via the NT website.

WEST END ‘ELPHABA’ LAURA PICK

TO LEAD ‘WICKED’ UK & IRELAND TOUR CAST

Laura Pick to perform the iconic ‘Defying Gravity’on

BBC’s ‘Big Night of Musicals’, set for broadcast later this year

www.WickedTheMusical.co.uk

WICKED,“one of the most successful musicals of all time” (BBC News), will fly to cities in England, Scotland, Wales, and the Republic of Ireland from December 2023, and producers today announce that the cast will be led by former West End ‘Elphaba’ Laura Pick. The spectacular touring production opens this Christmas at the Edinburgh Playhouse, where an incredible 70,000 tickets have already been sold, and continues to Bristol, Birmingham, Bradford, Southampton, Liverpool, Dublin, Sunderland, Cardiff, and Manchester. For full tour details, to book tickets, or to sign up to access priority booking, visit www.WickedTheMusical.co.uk.

Tonight, Monday 27 February 2023, Laura Pick will perform one of the musical’smost iconic songs, ‘Defying Gravity’, as the BBC records ‘Big Night of Musicals’ at Manchester’s AO Arena. The television broadcast of the musical extravaganza is set for the Spring.

Laura Pick (Elphaba) was born in Wakefield and trained at Mountview. She made her London stage debut in July 2013 in Rodgers and Hammerstein’s The Sound of Music at Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre. Her West End journey in Wicked began in 2017, when she was cast as the Standby for ‘Elphaba’. Laura subsequently assumed the starring role full-time, playing ‘Elphaba’ in the West End at more than 350 performances to huge acclaim.

Laura Pick said: “I’m thrilled to be leading the UK & Ireland tour cast of Wicked and to be given the opportunity to continue my journey in the unique and extraordinary role of Elphaba, which first began for me in the West End in 2017. Wicked has been a life and career-changing show for me and I am proud to be part of the cast taking this incredible musical back to theatres across the UK and Ireland.”

Michael McCabe, Executive Producer (UK & Ireland) of Wicked said: “Laura Pick’s powerhouse performance wowed West End audiences at more than 350 performances and we’re excited that audiences across England, Scotland, Wales, and the Republic of Ireland will now get to experience her thrilling vocals and passionate portrayal of Elphaba.”

Further casting to be announced. Laura Pick is scheduled to appear at all venues.

It takes over 100 people on-stage and behind the scenes to deliver performances of this award-winning touring production of Wicked. Featuring all the celebrated spectacle, magic, technical wizardry, and more than 350 stunning costumes, this touring production has been acclaimed as “every bit the West End show” (The Reviews Hub) and “the ultimate Broadway experience for audiences all over the UK” (The Northern Echo).

Stephen Schwartz and Winnie Holzman’smusical, based on the novel by Gregory  Maguire, imagines a beguiling backstory and future possibilities to the lives of L. Frank Baum‘s beloved characters from The Wonderful Wizard of Oz and reveals the decisions and events that shape the destinies of two unlikely university friends on their journey to becoming Glinda The Good and the Wicked Witch of the West.

The West End and Broadway musical phenomenon, that tells the incredible untold story of the Witches of Oz, continues its open-ended run at London’s Apollo Victoria Theatre, where it is already the 12^th longest running production in West End history.

Wicked has now been seen by more than 60 million people worldwide, and 2023 marks the 20^th Anniversary of its Broadway premiere. Productions continue on Broadway, in the West End and on tour across North America. This year, Wicked will also return to Sydney, Australia and Tokyo, Japan.

Wicked has won over 100 major international awards including 3 Tony Awards; 6 Drama Desk Awards; 2 Olivier Awards; 11 WhatsOnStage Awards (including 3 for ‘Best West End Show’); 6 Australian Helpmann Awards, and aGrammy.

Wicked features songs by multi-Oscar and Grammy Award winner Stephen Schwartz (Godspell, Pippin, The Prince of Egypt, Disney’s Pocahontas, The Hunchback of Notre Dame and Enchanted). It is based on the multimillion copy best-selling novel Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West by Gregory Maguire and written by Emmy and Tony Award nominee Winnie Holzman (creator of the landmark American television series My So-Called Life). Musical staging is by Tony Award-winner Wayne Cilento with direction by two-time Tony Award-winner Joe Mantello.

Stephen Schwartz and Winnie Holzman are currently collaborating on the two-part Universal Pictures film version of Wicked, directed by Jon M. Chu and starring Cynthia Erivo, Ariana Grande, Jonathan Bailey, Michelle Yeoh,and Jeff Goldblum.

Wicked is produced by Marc Platt, Universal Stage Productions, The Araca Group, Jon B. Platt, and David Stone. Executive Producer (UK & Ireland) Michael McCabe.

Wicked – UK and Ireland 2023 – 2025 Tour Dates and On Sale information:

EDINBURGH Playhouse, Thursday 7 December 2023 – Sunday 14 January 2024

Tickets Now On Sale

BRISTOL Hippodrome, Tuesday 23 January 2024 – Sunday 25 February 2024

Tickets Now On Sale

BIRMINGHAM Hippodrome, Tuesday 5 March 2024 – Sunday 7 April 2024

Tickets on public sale 11am Thursday 9 March 2023 / Birmingham Hippodrome Friends Monday 6 March 2023 / Groups 10+ Wednesday 8 March 2023

BRADFORD Alhambra Theatre, Tuesday 16 April 2024 – Sunday 19 May 2024

Tickets Now On Sale

SOUTHAMPTON Mayflower Theatre, Thursday 23 May 2024 – Sunday 16 June 2024

Tickets Now On Sale

LIVERPOOL Empire, Thursday 20 June 2024 – Sunday 14 July 2024

Tickets on public sale Thursday 8 June 2023 / Theatre Card holders Monday 5 June 2023 / Groups 10+ Tuesday 6 June 2023

DUBLIN Bord Gáis Energy Theatre, Tuesday 23 July 2024 – Sunday 15 September 2024

Tickets on public sale in Spring 2023

SUNDERLAND Empire, Tuesday 24 September 2024 – Sunday 20 October 2024

Tickets on public sale Thursday 8 June 2023 / Theatre Card holders Monday 5 June 2023 / Groups 10+ Tuesday 6 June 2023

CARDIFF Wales Millennium Centre, Thursday 24 October 2024 – Saturday 23 November 2024

Tickets Now On Sale

MANCHESTER Palace Theatre, Tuesday 3 December 2024 – Sunday 12 January 2025

Tickets on public sale Thursday 8 June 2023 / Theatre Card holders Monday 5 June 2023 / Groups 10+ Tuesday 6 June 2023

The producers cannot guarantee the appearance of any artist, which is always subject to illness, injury, and statutory holiday entitlement. Please note that loud noises, flashing lights, smoke effects and strobe lighting feature in the production.

Official website: www.WickedTheMusical.co.uk

Twitter: @WickedUK  |  Facebook: /WickedUK  |  Instagram: @WickedUK

The Grammy Award-winning, Platinum-certified Original Broadway Cast Recording on Decca Broadway

STAR OF STAGE AND SCREEN KYM MARSH

& DAUGHTER EMILIE CUNLIFFE

TO STAR AS RACHEL AND YOUNG RACHEL IN

THE OFFICIAL TAKE THAT MUSICAL

GREATEST DAYS

UK AND IRELAND TOUR

FROM 6 MAY 2023

Producer Adam Kenwright is delighted to announce English singer, actress and TV presenter Kym Marsh and her daughter Emilie Cunliffe will star as Rachel and Young Rachel respectively in The Official Take That Musical GREATEST DAYS, with a book by award-winning playwright Tim Firth. The musical will embark on a major UK and Ireland tour from 6 May 2023 and will coincide with the summer 2023 release of the official movie version of this smash-hit musical, starring Aisling Bea and Jayde Adams. Celebrating the 30th Anniversary of Take That’s first ever UK number 1 single Pray, GREATEST DAYS features more than 15 record-breaking Take That songs alongside a heart-warming and hilarious story of love, loss and laughter from the award-winning writer Tim Firth (Calendar Girls, Kinky Boots). The musical follows a group of five best friends in the 1990’s who are obsessed with their favourite boy band. The girls then reunite more than 20 years later with a plan to see their heartthrobs one last time in what could be the Greatest Days of their lives.

Kym and Emilie will perform from 6 May in Bromley.

Further casting is to be announced.

Actress, presenter and singer Kym Marsh arrived on our screens back in 2000 while appearing on the hit reality TV show, Popstars. She went on to win a place in the band Hear’Say. During her time in the band, Kym achieved two UK number one singles and a number one album before leaving in 2002 to pursue a successful career as a solo artist. She went on to star in London’s West End, playing the role of Annette in the critically acclaimed musical, Saturday Night Fever. She appeared in BBC One’s Doctors and Channel 4’s Hollyoaks: In The City before joining the cast of ITV’s Coronation Street in the role of Michelle Connor in 2006, a part she would play for almost 14 years and during which time she won a string of prestigious awards for her work. Since then she has appeared in hit BBC One drama The Syndicate and can currently be seen on BBC One’s continuing drama, Waterloo Road, where she plays the role of Nicky Walters. In 2022 Kym made it to the quarter final of Strictly Come Dancing on BBC One with professional partner Graziano Di Prima and also played the iconic role of Alex Forest in a nationwide theatre tour of Fatal Attraction. She is a weekly presenter on hit daytime TV show Morning Live on BBC One.

Emilie Cunliffe has been singing and performing for as long as she can remember. Having trained with Carol Godby’s Theatre Workshop from a young age, she has appeared on BBC One’s The Voice and ITV’s Britain’s Got Talent. Emilie has recently finished recording her debut album which will be released later this year.

Speaking about the role and working with her daughter, Kym said: “I’m delighted to be returning to theatre and joining the cast of Greatest Days. I was in my early twenties when Take That were at the height of their fame and, of course, I was a huge Take That fan – who wasn’t? Their music takes me back to so many special times in my life as it will for so many other people. I’m thrilled to be working with my daughter, Emilie, too. She’s a real talent and I can’t wait to share the stage with her. Greatest Days is a wonderful, uplifting show with iconic music, a great storyline and I know people will love it.”

Emilie added “I’m really excited to be joining the cast of Greatest Days. I grew up listening to Take That with mum, so what an honour it is to be part of this brilliant musical celebrating their music. I’m really close to my mum and getting to work with her is a dream come true.”

GREATEST DAYS was originally produced as The Band by David Pugh & Dafydd Rogers + Take That. The UK tour of The Band originally opened at Manchester Opera House in September 2017, breaking box office records along the way.

The book of GREATEST DAYS is written by Tim Firth, with co-direction by Stacey Haynes and Tim Firth, Choreography by Aaron Renfree, Set & Costume Design by Lucy Osborne, Lighting Design by Rob Casey, Sound Design by Tony Gayle, Casting by David Grindrod Burton Casting, Musical Supervision by John Donovan, Costume Supervision by Martin Rodges.

The UK and Ireland Tour of Greatest Days by Tim Firth – The Official Take That Musical is produced by Adam Kenwright for Kindred Partners.

Website: greatestdaysmusical.com

Facebook: @GreatestDaysMusical

Twitter: @Greatest_Days

Instagram: @Greatest_Days

2023 / 2024 TOUR SCHEDULE

6 – 13 May                                Bromley Churchill Theatre                               0343 310 0020                                                   

                                                  www.churchilltheatre.co.uk                                                          

16 – 27 May                              Manchester Palace Theatre                                                                                                       

                                                       www.atgtickets.com/manchester                                    

29 May – 3 June                        Newcastle Theatre Royal                                0191 232 7010                                                   

                                                        www.theatreroyal.co.uk                                                 

5 – 10 June                               Woking New Victoria Theatre                                                                                                    

                                                       www.atgtickets.com/venues/new-victoria-theatre            

12 – 17 June                             Sheffield Lyceum Theatre                                0114 249 6000                                                   

                                                        www.sheffieldtheatres.co.uk                 

20 – 24 June                             Southend Cliffs Pavilion                                   0343 310 0030                                                   

                                                  www.thecliffspavilion.co.uk                                 

27 June – 1 July                        Cardiff Wales Millennium Centre                     029 2063 6464                                                 

                                                   www.wmc.org.uk                                  

3 – 8 July                                  Milton Keynes Theatre                                                                                                              

                                                       www.atgtickets.com/venues/milton-keynes-theatre         

10 – 15 July                              Liverpool Empire Theatre                                                                                                          

                                                 www.atgtickets.com/venues/liverpool-empire                 

17 – 22 July                              Wolverhampton Grand                                      01902 42 92 12                                                  

                                                  www.grandtheatre.co.uk                                                

24 – 29 July                              Cheltenham Everyman Theatre                          01242 572573                                                    

                                                  www.everymantheatre.org.uk                                         

31 Jul – 5 Aug                           Canterbury Marlowe Theatre                             01227 787787                                                 

                                                  www.marlowetheatre.com                                              

7 – 12 Aug                                Norwich Theatre Royal                                       01603 630 000                                                           

                                                 www.norwichtheatre.org                                                   

15 – 19 Aug                              Blackpool Opera House                                      0844 770 0593                                                   

                                                 www.wintergardensblackpool.co.uk                               

21 – 26 Aug                              Glasgow Kings Theatre                                                                                                            

                                                  www.atgtickets.com/venues/kings-theatre-glasgow        

28 Aug – 2 Sep                         Edinburgh Playhouse                                                                                                              

                                                  www.atgtickets.com/venues/edinburgh-playhouse/         

4 – 9 Sept                                 Nottingham Theatre Royal                                  0115 989 5555

                                                  www.trch.co.uk

11 – 16 Sep                              Bristol Hippodrome                                                                                                                  

                                                 www.atgtickets.com/venues/bristol-hippodrome              

18 – 23 Sept                             Bradford Alhambra Theatre                             01274 432000   

                                                  bradford-theatres.co.uk

26 – 30 Sep                              Southampton Mayflower Theatre                    02380 711 811                                                   

                                                  www.mayflower.org.uk                                                      

2 – 7 Oct                                   Royal & Derngate Northampton                      01604 624811

                                                  www.royalandderngate.co.uk

9 – 14 Oct                                  Brighton Theatre Royal                                                                                                                        

                                                   www.atgtickets.com/Brighton          

17 – 21 Oct                               Truro Hall for Cornwall                                     01872 262 466

                                                  www.hallforcornwall.co.uk                                              

23 – 28 Oct                               Leicester Curve                                                0116 242 3595

                                                  www.curveonline.co.uk                                                     

30 Oct – 4 Nov                         Hull New Theatre                                               01482 300306

                                                 www.hulltheatres.co.uk/

7 – 11 Nov                                Aylesbury Waterside Theatre                                                                                                    

                                                  www.atgtickets.com/venues/aylesbury-waterside-theatre        

14 – 18 Nov                              Sunderland Empire                                                                                                                   

                                                       www.atgtickets.com/venues/sunderland-empire              

21 – 25 Nov                              Leeds Grand Theatre                                           0113 243 0808                                                 

                                                       www.leedsheritagetheatres.com                                      

Further venues to be announced