KATY GALLOWAY PRODUCTIONS ANNOUNCES LONDON PREMIÈRE OF KIM DAVIES’ SMOKE AT SOUTHWARK PLAYHOUSE
Katy Galloway Productions todayannounces the London première of Smoke by Kim Davies, at Southwark Playhouse. The production opens on 3 February until 25 February with previews from 1 February. Júlia Levai and Polina Kalinina co-direct Meaghan Martin as Julie, and Oli Higginson as John in this gripping modern adaptation of Miss Julie, set in a pre-‘Me Too’ New York at a BDSM party. It asks audiences to question our pre-conceived conceptions around BDSM communities. With a series of Q&As involving sex positive activists, and BDSM advocates, this production aims to tackle notable prejudices such as ‘kink shaming’.
The play originally premièred at The Flea Theatre, New York, in 2014, where it was critics pick in The New York Times and Time Out New York.
Kim Davies said today: “I couldn’t be more honoured that such a talented group of artists has been assembled for the London premiere of this play. It means so much to me that this play continues to speak to audiences almost a decade after I wrote it—and perhaps all the more so in a culture that has now more fully reckoned with the #metoo movement and sexual abuse in both mainstream and kink culture.”
Kim Davies’
SMOKE
A Katy Galloway Productions and 3 hearts canvas co-production
1 February 2023 – 25 February 2023
Co-Directors: Júlia Levai and Polina Kalinina; Production Design: Sami Fendall; Sound Design: Jamie Lu; Lighting Designer: Rajiv Pattani; Graphic Designer: Justin Williams, Intimacy Director: Asha Jennings-Grant
The story takes place in pre-‘Me Too’ New York City, at a ‘BDSM’ party. Julie is a privileged college dropout dipping her toes into the world of S&M. John is a cynical, struggling artist willing to act as her guide. Their whirlwind encounter starts as a sexually charged game of cat and mouse. As they get to know each other, these seemingly self-possessed characters have their boundaries and notions of consent challenged. The consequences are irreparable and unsettling.
Oli Higginson plays John. His theatre credits include, LAVA (Soho Theatre), A Christmas Carol (The Old Vic), The Last Five Years (Southwark Playhouse, Garrick Theatre), The Haystack (Hampstead Theatre), Maggie & Ted (Garrick Theatre), The Assassination of Marcus Garvey (Theatre503), and Napoleon Blown Apart (Arcola Theatre). His television credits include, Bridgerton, The Pursuit of Love, This England, Julia.
Meaghan Martin plays Julie. Her theatre credits include, Never Not Once and The Actor’s Nightmare (Park Theatre), and The Least We Could Do (The Other Palace). Her television credits include, House M.D, Wendy: The Series, 10 Things I Hate About You, Awkward. Her film credits include, Safelight, Bad News, Wives of the Landed Gentry, Journey, Camp Rock, Camp Rock 2, Dear Lemon Lima, Sironia, Geography Club and Ten Dates.
Júlia Levai is a theatre director from Budapest based in London. She previously received an MGCfutures bursary, and was also Director in Residence at the National Theatre in Belgrade. She is a script reader for the Papatango Prize, the Bruntwood Prize and for Paines Plough’s Women’s Prize for Playwriting. Her directing credits include, Machinal (St Mary’s University), Northern Girls (Pilot Theatre) Did I Wake You? (Young Vic), The Impresario (Lamport Hall), The Prince of Homburg (The Space), Sweeties (Theatre503), There Has Possibly Been An Incident (Blue Elephant Theatre), and Amphibious (York Theatre Royal). Her assistant directing credits include, All’s Well That Ends Well (RSC), L’Illusion Comique (National Theatre in Belgrade), and Nora: A Doll’s House (Young Vic). Her associate directing credits include, The Bone Sparrow (UK Tour).
Polina Kalinina is a theatre director. Polina is a JMK finalist, a MGCfutures Bursary recipient, and a member of the Lincoln Centre Theatre Directors Lab in New York. Her directing credits include, Shakespeare in Love (Clifftown Theatre), Julius Caesar (Globe Neuss), Romeo and Juliet (Tobacco Factory & tour), Islanders (Soho Theatre), The Playboy of the Western World (Southwark Playhouse), Flashes (Soho Theatre), Dutchman (Orange Tree Theatre). Her associate director credits include The Events (Traverse, Young Vic, Guthrie, Curran, RFH).
Adam Kenwright is delighted to announce new tour dates for 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 5 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. GREATEST DAYS celebrates the 30th Anniversary of Take That’s first ever UK Number 1 single Pray.
Further dates have been added in cities such as Canterbury, Norwich, Blackpool, Glasgow, Edinburgh, Bristol, Southampton, Brighton, Truro, Leicester, Aylesbury and Sunderland.
Casting and further dates to be announced.
Gary Barlow, Howard Donald and Mark Owen are Take That in 2022 and continue the legacy of one of the most successful bands in British chart history, with over 45 million records sold worldwide and 12 Number 1 hits in the UK. Formed as a five-piece in 1989, they enjoyed immediate success with their first two albums charting at Number 2 & Number 1 respectively. Third album Nobody Else confirmed their global domination, selling over six million copies and topping the charts in 11 countries. The departure of band member Robbie Williams prompted a break-up in 1996 and nine years in the wilderness before the remaining four members reunited for 2005’s The Ultimate Tour. This sparked one of the greatest comebacks in British music history with Take That going on to release three Number 1 albums in just four years. Robbie’s return for 2011’s Progress saw them break UK records for the fastest-selling album of the 21st century and fastest-selling tour of all time. Williams’ second departure, along with that of Jason Orange, left the remaining three members to release III, which was certified platinum. In 2019, the band celebrated their 30th anniversary with the release of Odyssey, a greatest hits album, which reached Number 1, and a UK and European stadium and arena tour.
Tim Firth is one of the UK’s most beloved award-winning writers and composers in film, television and theatre. His extensive theatre credits include the Olivier Award winning musical Our House (West End), the UK Theatre Award-winning This is My Family (Sheffield Crucible), the MEN Award-winning Neville’s Island (Nottingham Playhouse and West End, Evening Standard & Olivier nomination) and Calendar Girls (Chichester Festival Theatre, West End) which broke all British records for a professional and amateur play, was nominated for an Olivier and won the WhatsOnStage Best Comedy Award. Tim collaborated with lifelong friend Gary Barlow on Calendar Girls The Musical which had a successful run in the West End and then toured the UK and Ireland, winning a WhatsOnStage Award and receiving several Olivier nominations along the way. Tim’s film credits include Calendar Girls and Kinky Boots. Recently, Tim co-created and directed Gary Barlow’s one-man show A Different Stage currently touring the UK following a sold-out West End run.
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.
GREATEST DAYS features more than 15 of Take That’s record-breaking songs alongside a heart-warming and hilarious story of love, loss and laughter from award-winning writer Tim Firth (Calendar Girls, Our House, Kinky Boots).
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 on 8 September 2017 and closed in March 2019, breaking box office records along the way. The musical ran for a limited West End season at Theatre Royal Haymarket over Christmas in 2018/19.
WHATSONSTAGE AWARDS RETURN FOR THEIR 23RD YEAR WITH THE CEREMONY TAKING PLACE ON SUNDAY 12 FEBRUARY
WhatsOnStage today announces that the 23rd Annual WhatsOnStage Awards will take place on Sunday12 February 2023, at a West End theatre to be announced. As well as seeing the winners crowned across a range of categories, theatregoers will also enjoy a host of exclusive live performances from top stage talent. The event is co-produced with creative directors Alex Parker and Damian Sandys.
Now in their 23rd year, the WhatsOnStage Awards are the only major theatre awards decided by the theatregoers themselves.
Nominations are now open and will close on Wednesday 23 November 2022 ahead of the shortlist being announced on Thursday 8 December 2022. Voting will then open at the same time, closing on Tuesday 10 January 2023, with the winners being announced at the ceremony on Sunday 12 February 2023.
This year, the performance categories will be gender-free and, for each of the following, readers will be able to nominate and vote for one individual:
Best Performer in a Play
Best Performer in a Musical
Best Supporting Performer in a Play
Best Supporting Performer in a Musical
The shortlist for the technical categories (Choreography, Costume Design, Direction, Graphic Design, Lighting Design, Musical Direction/Supervision, Set Design, Sound Design, Casting Direction and Video Design) will be once again decided by an independent panel of industry experts from across the UK appointed by WhatsOnStage. Their shortlists will then be voted on by the general public.
Additional and returning categories include Best Takeover Performance, Best Professional Debut, Best Casting Direction, and Best Concert Event, taking the total number of categories to 24.
WhatsOnStage’s Sarah Coleman said today: “It’s been an utter joy to witness theatre bounce back revitalised and undeterred, and we can’t wait to celebrate the wealth of incredible talent on our stages at the next WhatsOnStage Awards. With our Awards we always seek to keep the nominations process fresh with changes to our categories, reflecting the changes within our community. And as ever, we want to say a special thank you to the voting public, the people who keep our industry alive.”
Shot In The Dark Theatre’s debut production of Tamsin Rees’s Cheer Up Slug is funny and thought-provoking. This exploration of friendship and adolescence begins as a quirky comedy but slowly becomes darker and more serious.
Bean and Will, neighbours and friends since early childhood, are on their Duke of Edinburgh Bronze Award practice expedition. Bean’s boyfriend and Will’s best friend, Dean, hasn’t turned up yet, and Will is getting stressed. While Bean is happy draping fairy lights on the tent and has bought Hobnobs and golden syrup as provisions for their overnight camp, Will is following every rule and is horrified by Bean’s laid back attitude. He isn’t here to have fun, this is vital for his university admission. As it becomes obvious that Dean isn’t coming, the pair play some of the DofE suggested bonding games, chat and muck about. Their recollections of childhood incidents differ wildly, with Will’s versions always showing him in a good light “helping” Bean. Rees could have simply written about the impact of growth and change on friendships that should be left behind, but adds another layer of sexual tension.
When Bean explains why Dean isn’t going to turn up, things get serious, with Charis Murray delivering her heart breaking and almost matter of fact account with a devasting emotional punch. Will’s reaction to the news has been foreshadowed in the scenes recalling their childhood, but this doesn’t lower the impact of his actions. His responses to Bean’s rejection ensure that this cannot simply be dismissed as a misjudged attempt to kiss, and Bean finally realises that their bond is not what it once was. Whether Will is echoing the attitudes and actions of the boys around him because he is neurodiverse, or insecure and trying to fit in, or projecting and enacting things seen on social media, or even his father’s attitudes (discussion of the breakup of his parents’ marriage is strictly off limits) is up for debate. The variety of options to explain Will’s behaviour is terrifying in itself, and lays bare the mixed and toxic images and messages about sexual relationships that children are exposed to. There are some effective moments, but Rees’s script tries to do too much at times, with lots of throw away lines that could be further developed in a slightly longer running time or cut in this production.
Hannah McLeod directs skilfully, allowing the first half to amble around seemingly aimlessly as the teenagers kill time. Charis Murray’s Bean is sweet and innocent, seeing the joy in simple things. This is seen as a weakness by Will, but Murray lets Bean’s quiet fury simmer as she sees Will’s true colours. Jamie Patterson is endearingly geeky and awkward as Will, with subtle flashes of his cruel and judgemental nature becoming more frequent and obvious as the plot develops. The actors have wonderful chemistry and lift the material with their infectious energy.
This is a fine debut – the future looks bright for Shot In The Dark Theatre.
New Wimbledon Theatre, Wimbledon – until 12th November 2022
Reviewed by Bobbi Fenton
4****
No Mans Land. Christmas. 1914. The worlds most famous game of football to ever take place. And a woman whose story was untold for many many years.
Don’t Shoot the Meistersinger is the incredibly funny, and often moving, story of the English soldiers and the German soldiers putting aside their differences for a festive game of football. Joseph Aylward, Alfie Noble, and Finn Pile do an excellent job of portraying three English soldiers and three German soldiers through multirole, showing a clear comparison between both sides, and how despite the war, they aren’t all that different after all. Lance Corporal Arthur Ramsbotham (Joseph Aylward) and Private Joe Bryce (Alfie Noble) welcome new recruit Private Ernie Potter (Finn Pile) to the English front line, as on the German side Hauptmann Sixtus (Joseph Aylward), Unteroffizer Hans Sachs (Alfie Noble), and Gemeiner Walther von Stolzing (Finn Pile) are in the exact same situation. However, on the English side happens to be a woman, Dorothy Lawrence (Mia Finnigan), a journalist who has managed to sneak onto the front line, steal a mans army uniform, and blend in with the other soldiers in order to try to get a true, real-life account of what it is like for the soldiers on the front line. This play does a brilliant job of telling this true story, and how she managed to get back to England where she was heavily censored, and includes a very moving monologue from Mia Finnigan. There are many moving moments within this play, however almost every single one is quickly shifted into a moment of hilarious comedy. A particular favourite reoccurring joke for me is Private Ernie Potter (Finn Pile) constantly arriving late for everything because of his father’s (Emily Littman) watch that never tells the right time which he eventually trades with a German soldier in return for a uniform button. Not to mention Emily Littman as Walther von Stolzing ‘s highly religious and modest girlfriend Eva writing increasingly erotic letters to him.
Even with the small cast, and the use of multirole, this play makes it very easy to imagine what the war was like for almost every single man that went to fight, dealing with fleas, their friends and brothers dying around them, and the dreaded meat pudding for Christmas dinner. Don’t Shoot the Meistersinger is an absolutely wonderful piece of historical theatre that should definitely not be missed.
This stirring, slimmed-down revival of From Here to Eternity is full of heart, passion … and gorgeous voices. I haven’t seen the original production, so cannot comment on the impact of the changes, but the new production hit all the right notes for me.
The story of the men of G Company, killing time in Hawaii as the war rages in Europe and the far east, is a lot grittier in James Jones’s novel than in the slick Hollywood movie – this musical sits somewhere in between, including the darker aspects of the story but with a light touch.
Captain Holmes’s (Alan Turkington) quest for promotion depends on G Company winning the boxing championship, so Prewitt (Jonathon Bentley) is transferred in with a reputation as a great boxer. Unfortunately, Prewitt refuses to fight after injuring someone in the ring, so Holmes sets his sergeants on Prewitt to grind him down. The institutionalised bullying, violence and discrimination of the army is shown in well-judged broad strokes that show enough to create credible impetus for the main characters choices that cannot be explored in much detail in the musical without losing one of the subplots. As the company are encouraged to intimidate and brutalise Prewitt into submission, he finds an ally in Maggio (Jonny Amies), a charming wise guy ducking and diving to make the most profit out of the situation in Hawaii. With so many soldiers and sailors hanging around, the opportunities are unlimited for brothel owner Mrs Kipfer (Eve Polycarpou). Prewitt is in love with one of her girls, Lorene (Desmonda Cathabel), and she is starting to fall for him. The second love story is between Holmes’s wife Karen (Carley Stenson) and Holmes’s master sergeant, Warden (Adam Rhys-Charles). All this takes place in the two weeks leading up to the attack on Pearl Harbour.
When the novel was written, the themes of homosexuality, adultery, suicide and violence were shocking, but now the story feels more of a potboiler, and Donald Rice and Bill Oakes’s book doesn’t try to update or sensationalise. There are many cliched lines, but they feel authentic coming from dedicated and naïve young men of their time. Director Brett Smock uses the traverse cleverly, with choreographer Cressida Carré setting the troops running and marching around the stage in between indolently lolling under the palm trees. The movement of concrete crates as multitasking stage furniture by the well-drilled ensemble adds to the military feel, and Louise Rhoades-Brown’ projections are hauntingly effective, particularly in the beach and stockade scenes.
The outstanding cast perform Stuart Brayson and Tim Rice’s songs with style and passion. There are a variety of influences and genres, with the bluesy numbers being a highlight. Carly Stenson’s smoky vocals are stunning, and Desmonda Cathabel’s heart stopping rendition of Run Along Joe will melt the coldest heart. Jonathon Bentley impresses as Prewitt, holding the audience’s sympathy even before the reason he doesn’t fight is revealed, and gives a barnstorming performance of Fight the Fight. Jonny Amies’s comedic bravado finally gives way to tragic defiance in I Love the Army in one of the most moving moments of the show. It all builds to an emotional and exhilarating finale, before the names of the fallen are projected on the stage as the audience leave. A real goosebumps moment. Slick, stylish and wonderfully entertaining – this is a must-see show.
Mischief have done it again, bringing their unique blend of humour and jeopardy, created through a play within a play. Written by Henry Shields early last year, he has tapped into the rich comedic material that is children’s television gone wrong. Shields captures the on-set environment, where no one really knows the whole picture and rely totally on the gallery to bring it all together. You will not see anything else quite like it!
Each character has their own hilarious role in building the tension for the final scenes and creating laugh out loud moments throughout. Tom Walker manages to take Andy from a complete unfeeling, despot director to a quivering, pleading heap, begging for his life. Chris Leask (Toby) evokes synchronised sympathy and chortles, through this ordinary bloke that is trying to be an actor, easily influenced by the stronger characters. Sean (Harry Kershaw) is the writing talent behind the children’s programme and is definitely a bit off the wall with his fruit filled thinking. Kershaw adds a different level of humour with a distinctly autistic feel to his character. The wannabe classical actor David, portrayed by Gareth Tempest, looked fabulous in his king lemon head, booming out his lines. The physical performance of Greg Tannahill (Kevin) needed no words to induce belly laughs from the audience.
As usual, the creative team work their magic with the supporting cast to make the staging hiccups and players slips, trips and falls look easy and so very funny. This play is pure escapism that provides a better than average storyline to this fresh and modern comedy.
Saturday Night Fever first hit the stage in 1998, based on the 1977 film of the same name. This jukebox musical features some of the Bee Gees best and most well-known songs including Stayin’ Alive, Disco Inferno, How Deep is Your Love and many more.
Beginning with Tony Manero (Jack Wilcox), working in a paint shop, having family troubles and only feeling happy when he dances, living for the weekends where he spends his time at the disco with his friends. When the chance to enter a dance competition arises with a £1000 prize Tony has to enter and find the best partner. He convinces Stephanie Mangano (Rekekah Bryant) to begin training and they enter the competition together. Wilcox, is a clear fan favourite as the audience whooped and cheered as he changed into the iconic Saturday Night Fever white suit and it’s clear why he got the role as the best dancer in town as both him and Bryant are sensational dancers as are the rest of the company. The chemistry between Bryant and Wilcox is clear and their dance performances together were beautiful.
Having not seen the original film I had only a basic knowledge of Saturday Night Fever and I was not disappointed after seeing this amazing show, in fact I may now have to go and watch the film to see how it holds up against the theatre production.
Directed and produced by Bill Kenwright this is a unique musical in that, the majority of the songs are performed by the onstage Bee Gees (Aj Jenks, Drew Ferry and Oliver Thomson) singing above the stage and not by the characters, however this doesn’t take away from their performance with the 3 capturing the essence of the Bee Gees wonderfully. Some of the best moments in the show were when the characters themselves sang with the band, particularly during Tragedy sung by Bobbie C (Harry Goodson-Bevan). Goodson-Bevan makes his debut in Saturday Night Fever and was fantastic.
Dark themes are also explored in what is generally an upbeat show with suicide, violence and rape featured. The staging is fantastic with the use of glitterballs transforming the theatre into a disco, the show is a whole load of fun and will have everyone up and dancing for the finale.
Full casting announced for the UK premiere of the uplifting Broadway musical ‘George Takei’s Allegiance’
George Takei, Telly Leung, Aynrand Ferrer
The 16-strong cast of ‘George Takei’s Allegiance’ are today revealed.
Starring alongside the previously announced legendary TV and film star George Takei and Broadway and TV star Telly Leung is Aynrand Ferrer, who has just played the alternate Kim in ‘Miss Saigon’ in Vienna. All three are making their London stage debuts.
The multi-national cast also features Iroy Abesamis, Mark Anderson, Masashi Fujimoto, Megan Gardiner, Raiko Gohara, Eu Jin Hwang, Hana Ichijo, Misa Koide, Patrick Munday, Rachel Jayne Picar, Sario Solomon, Joy Tan, Iverson Yabut.
Creative team: Book Marc Acito, Jay Kuo & Lorenzo Thione, Music & Lyrics Jay Kuo, Director and Choreographer Tara Overfield Wilkinson, Musical Supervisors and Orchestrations Andrew Hilton and Charlie Ingles, Set and Costume Designer Mayou Trikerioti, Lighting Designer Nic Farman, Sound Designer Chris Whybrow, Casting Director Sarah Leung CDG, Musical Director Amy Hsu, Associate Director Kirsty Malpass, Associate Choreographer Misa Koide, Assistant Musical Director Beth Jerem, Production Management New Wolf Productions, General Management Something for the Weekend, Producers Sing Out, Louise! Productions. Charing Cross Theatre
13-week season
Saturday 7 January to Saturday 8 April, 2023
The full company: Iroy Abesamis, Mark Anderson, Aynrand Ferrer, Masashi Fujimoto, Megan Gardiner, Raiko Gohara, Eu Jin Hwang, Hana Ichijo, Misa Koide, Telly Leung, Patrick Munday, Rachel Jayne Picar, Sario Solomon, George Takei, Joy Tan, Iverson Yabut
Iroy Abesamis was Marcel, Bloody Mary’s assistant in ‘South Pacific’ at Chichester Festival Theatre, Sadler’s Wells and on UK tour. His other stage musicals include ‘The King & I’ and ‘Miss Saigon’ (UK and international tours).
Mark Anderson’s West End musicals include ‘School of Rock’, ‘Book of Mormon’ and ‘The Grinning Man’. He played the lead role of Melvin Ferd the Third/Toxie in ‘The Toxic Avenger’ (Southwark Playhouse and Arts Theatre transfer). He has just finished the UK premiere tour of Disney’s ‘Bedknobs and Broomsticks’.
Aynrand Ferrer was 1st cover Kim in ‘Miss Saigon’ on a UK and international tour in 2017/18 and has recently played alternate Kim in ‘Miss Saigon’ in Vienna. She graduated from the UST Conservatory of Music in the Philippines in 2016 with a degree in Musical Theatre. She also appeared on stage in the lead role of Carrie White in ‘Carrie: the Musical’.
Masashi Fujimoto, born in Hiroshima, Japan, trained in Tokyo (BA in Music), and studied opera and musical theatre in Milan and London. He made his first major UK and US TV appearance in ‘Banzai’. His stage roles include ‘The King and I’ and ‘Insein The Opera’. He is also the composer of ‘Hexwood the Musical’ and ‘Santa’s Magical Gift’.
Megan Gardiner most recently covered and played Cosette in the UK tour of ‘Les Miserables’. She was also cover Dorothy in ‘The Wizard of Oz’ at Cork Opera House.
Raiko Gohara was most recently in ‘Red Rose’ (BBC). ‘Allegiance’ is his professional stage debut.
Eu Jin Hwang was recently in the Broadway transfer of ‘Anything Goes’ at the Barbican and on UK tour, and in the UK and international tour of ‘The King & I’.
Hana Ichijo was June in ‘Anyone Can Whistle’ (Southwark Playhouse) and Meg March in ‘Little Women’ (Park Theatre).
Misa Koide was in the West End production of ‘The King And I’ and ‘Amadigi’ for Garsington Opera. On film she is in the upcoming ‘Wonka’ and Disney’s live action ‘Snow White’.
Telly Leung transfers to London from the 2015 Broadway production of Allegiance. Best known to UK audiences as Wes, the Warbler on TV’s ‘Glee’ and to Broadway audiences for the title role in ‘Aladdin’, his other Broadway and US national touring credits include ‘Flower Drum Song’, ‘Pacific Overtures’, ‘Wicked’ (Boq, original Chicago company) and Angel in ‘Rent’ at the Hollywood Bowl, directed by Neil Patrick Harris.
Patrick Munday is currently appearing in ‘But I’m A Cheerleader’ at the Turbine Theatre. He was in ‘The Show Must Go On! Live at the Palace Theatre’ in the West End and ‘The Sorcerer’s Apprentice’ at Northern Stage.
Rachel Jayne Picar was recently Connie Wong in ‘A Chorus Line’ at Curve, Leicester. She was in ‘South Pacific’ at Chichester Festival Theatre and was Swing and Dance Captain in ‘The King & I’ at the London Palladium and on tour.
Sario Solomon was in the original cast of ‘The Band’ in the West End and on tour – cast by winning the BBC 1 programme ‘Let It Shine’. He was Cover Lucas and Lurch in ‘The Addams Family’ on tour and is currently playing Joey in ‘Friendsical the Musical’ on tour.
Joy Tan is currently in ‘The Crucible’ at the National Theatre. They were in ‘A-Typical Rainbow’ (Turbine Theatre) and are part of the ‘Showstopper! The Improvised Musical’ cast of improvisers. Iverson Yabut is a recent graduate from Mountview making his professional stage debut.
GEORGE TAKEI
George Takei is best known for his portrayal of Mr. Sulu in the acclaimed television and film series ‘Star Trek’. He is an actor, civil rights activist, social media mega-power, New York Times bestselling author, he originated the role of Sam Kimura and Ojii-chan in the Broadway musical Allegiance and was subject of ‘To Be Takei’, a documentary on his life and career.
Takei’s acting career has spanned more than six decades, with more than 40 feature films and hundreds of TV guest-starring roles to his credit. He is a member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, Academy of Television Arts and Sciences, Actors’ Equity Association and Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists.
A community activist, Takei is Chairman Emeritus and a member of the Japanese American National Museum’s Board of Trustees. In recognition of his contribution to the Japan-United States relationship, in 2004, Takei was conferred with the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold Rays with Rosette, by His Majesty, the Emperor of Japan. Takei formerly served as chair of the council of governors of East West Players, the foremost Asian Pacific American theatre in the United States. He was a member of the US Japan Bridging Foundation Board of Directors; and he served on the Board of the Japan-United States Friendship Commission under President Bill Clinton.
With Takei’s expansion into social media, interest in his personal life grew. In January 2014, ‘To Be Takei’, a Jennifer M. Kroot documentary on George’s life and career, premiered at the Sundance Film Festival that January, and was later released in select cinemas across North America.
Among his many accomplishments is a Grammy nomination Takei shared with Leonard Nimoy, in 1987, in the Best Spoken Word or Non-Musical Recording category. He received a star on Hollywood Boulevard’s Walk of Fame in 1986. And in 1991, Takei left his signature and hand print, in cement, in front of Grauman’s Chinese Theatre.
In addition to the Broadway musical Allegiance, George’s theatrical credits include ‘Undertow’, winner of the Scotsman First Award at the Edinburgh Festival, and ‘The Wash’, written by Philip Kan Gotanda and presented in New York at the Manhattan Theater Club and in Los Angeles at the Mark Taper Forum. He performed in ‘Year of the Dragon’ at the American Place Theater in New York and in ‘Fly Blackbird’ at the Billy Rose Theater in New York and the Metro Theater in Los Angeles. In the UK, George played in a musical version of’ Snow White’ at the Dome Theatre, Brighton, he was the genie in ‘Aladdin’ at the Hexagon Theatre, Reading, and he was the Emperor of China in ‘Aladdin’ at the Central Theatre, Chatham. In 2017, Takei starred in a revival of Stephen Sondheim’s ‘Pacific Overtures’ directed by John Doyle at Classic Stage Company in New York City.
Takei is well known to longtime fans of ITV’s ‘I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here!’ Takei participated in the eighth season of the series, entering camp on the 16th of November, 2008, and coming out 21 days later in third place, losing to runner-up Martina Navratilova and winner Joe Swash.
As an author, Takei’s first book, his autobiography, ‘To the Stars’, was published in 1994; and in 2012 and 2013 he published his second and third books, ‘Oh Myyy! There Goes The Internet’, and its sequel, ‘Lions And Tigers And Bears: The Internet Strikes Back’. The latter two books explored his forays on social media and the Internet, earning placement on the Amazon e-book and paperback best-seller lists in 2012 and 2013, respectively. His fifth book, the Eisner Award winning and New York Times bestselling graphic memoir ‘They Called Us Enemy’, was released in July 2019.
Takei’s social media dominance is best denoted by his numerous awards. Mashable.com named George a “social media superstar” on Facebook in 2012, where he currently has over 19.6 million combined fans. In 2013, Takei won the Shorty Award for Distinguished Achievement in Internet Culture. He has 3.4 million followers on Twitter, and posts on various social media platforms. He expanded his internet presence with the 2015 YouTube series, “It Takeis Two,” starring with husband, Brad Takei. The “reality” series shared the couple’s daily navigation of their world, with George’s vibrant sense of humour and Brad’s less-than-optimistic pragmatism. In 2015, Cosmopolitan Magazine named Takei “One of the Internet’s 50 Most Fascinating People.” Takei and his husband, Brad, were married at the Japanese American National Museum on September 14, 2008. The Takeis reside in Los Angeles, California.
Takei received both bachelor and master of arts degrees from UCLA (’60, ’64). In June 2019, Takei received the Distinguished Alumni Award in Theater from the UCLA School of Theater, Film and Television (UCLA TFT). In June 2016, California State University, Los Angeles, presented Takei with an honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters.
After the bombing of Pearl Harbor during World War II, California-born George Takei and his family were placed behind the barbed-wire enclosures of United States’ internment camps along with 120,000 other Japanese Americans. He spent years of his childhood at Camp Rohwer in the swamps of Arkansas and at wind-swept Camp Tule Lake in northern California. At the end of the war, Takei’s family returned to their native Los Angeles.
Inspired by this difficult chapter of American history and his own true childhood experiences, Takei developed the Broadway musical Allegiance, an epic story of love and heroism in which he starred alongside Tony Award winner Lea Salonga and Telly Leung in its record-breaking world premiere at the Old Globe Theatre in San Diego in 2012. The show won multiple awards and was followed by a Broadway run in 2015-2016.
Now Allegiance gets a new and more intimate production for the UK, conceived specifically for the Off West End space at Charing Cross Theatre, directed and choreographed by Tara Overfield Wilkinson (director, ‘Little Shop of Horrors’ UK tour, associate director/choreographer of ‘Come From Away’ UK).
‘George Takei’s Allegiance’ tells the moving story of Sam Kimura (Takei) as he is transported back nearly six decades to when his younger self (Leung) and his sister Kei (Ferrer) fought to stay connected to their heritage, their family and themselves after Japanese Americans were wrongfully imprisoned during World War II. A powerful story told with great resonance and intimacy, ‘George Takei’s Allegiance’ explores the ties that bind us, the struggle to persevere and the overwhelming power of forgiveness and, most especially, love.
‘George Takei’s Allegiance’ will get its UK premiere at Charing Cross Theatre, The Arches, Villiers Street, London WC2N 6NL for 13 weeks from Saturday 7 January to Saturday 8 April, 2023.
This newly reconceived UK production of ‘George Takei’s Allegiance’ has a book by Marc Acito, Jay Kuo and Lorenzo Thione with music and lyrics by Jay Kuo.
Tickets range from £20-£80 and may be purchased at AllegianceMusical.com or by calling the Charing Cross Box Office at 0844-493-0650.
Sing Out, Louise! Productions presents
‘George Takei’s Allegiance’
Book by Marc Acito, Jay Kuo, and Lorenzo Thione Music and Lyrics by Jay Kuo
Directed & Choreographed by Tara Overfield Wilkinson
Charing Cross Theatre The Arches Villiers Street London WC2N 6NL
Fourth Wall Live are delighted to announce BENJAMIN RAUHALA & HIS WEST END BESTIES at the Cadogan Hall on Sunday 5 February at 6.30pm. Tickets on sale now www.fw-live.com/ben
One of Broadway’s most trusted music directors and collaborators, Benjamin Rauhala will be joined on stage by stars of the West End including Luke Bayer (Everybody’s Talking About Jamie, Soho Cinders), Paisley Billings (Six, The Lion King, ‘Tattoo Fixers’), Lauren Drew (Six, Heathers, Legally Blonde, ‘The Voice’), Hiba Elchikhe (Everybody’s Talking About Jamie, Aladdin), WhatsOnStage Award nominee Jordan Luke Gage (& Juliet, Bonnie & Clyde, Bat Out of Hell), Ben Joyce (Back to the Future, Jersey Boys), Claudia Kariuki (Six, Wicked, School of Rock), Olivier Award nominee Frances Mayli McCann (Bonnie & Clyde, Heathers, Our Ladies of Perpetual Succour), Zara MacIntosh (&Juliet, Six) Olivier Award nominee Natalie Paris (Six, Billy Elliot, Les Miserables), Courtney Stapleton (‘Belle’ in Beauty and the Beast, Six), Jodie Steele (Six, Heathers) Benjamin Yates (Jersey Boys, School of Rock, Wicked). Guests are subject to change.
Music director Benjamin Rauhala’s love affair with the London theatre community and actors of the West End has been ongoing since his first sold-out concerts with Jeremy Jordan in the summer of 2016. Rauhala grew up obsessed with British pop music, including a subscription to Top of the Pops magazine! As a mainstay of the Broadway community, he has produced hundreds of sold-out concerts that spawned viral YouTube concert clips totalling * totalling over 56million views, including Jeremy Jordan’s ubiquitous cover of “It’s All Coming Back To Me Now” and the many medleys featured in his Broadway Princess Party concert series.
Rauhala found that everyone he met in London had a favourite one of those videos and wanted to chat about it, so he had an idea: what if he gathered a dozen of his favourite West End performers with an epic band and re-created some of those beloved videos, as well as crafting some new arrangements for these amazing singers? On the heels of a sold-out run at Theatre Royal Drury Lane with Jeremy Jordan and in preparation to play the London Palladium with Ariana DeBose and for an upcoming international tour of Disney Princess The Concert, this was the perfect moment to create a concert unlike anything London has ever seen! BENJAMIN RAUHALA AND HIS WEST END BESTIES will be a night filled with Rauhala’s signature mashups and medleys, some of the best contemporary musical theatre, some radically rearranged Disney tunes, and, of course, tunes from the likes of Céline Dion, the Spice Girls, Selena Gomez, and Sam Smith!
Benjamin Rauhala is the Music Supervisor, co-creator, and ‘Fairy Godfairy’ of Disney Princess – The Concert, touring over 100 cities in North America throughout 2022, and internationally in 2023. He helped conceive and arrange the opening and closing numbers of the 2022 Tony Awards for Academy Award winner Ariana DeBose. Rauhala has toured the world since 2014 as the music director forJeremy Jordan, the Tony-nominated star of Broadway’s Newsies and TV’s ‘Supergirl’, and in 2020, Rauhala was named ‘Best Musical Director’ at the Broadway World Cabaret Awards.
His Broadway credits include Fiddler on the Roof, American Psycho, and Pippin. His Off-Broadway credits include Hit List, the meta-musical from the NBC television show Smash, Duncan Sheik’s The Secret Life of Bees and David Byrne’s Joan of Arc: Into The Fire. He is also the music director for Academy Award Winner Ariana DeBose, Halston star Krysta Rodriguez, Tony Award nominees Derek Klena, Jennifer Damiano, Kathryn Gallagher, and Disney legend Jodi Benson, as well as Nashville star Kyle Dean Massey, Anastasia star Christy Altomare, Smash star Andy Mientus, Moulin Rouge star Ashley Loren, and Frozen stars Caroline Bowman and Austin Colby.
Rauhala co-founded the Write Out Loud songwriting competition with Mean Girls Tony Award nominee Taylor Louderman, which is currently in its fourth season of supporting the next generation of composers. Additionally, he is an Original Programming Producer at 54 Below, where he has created hundreds of sold-out concerts, including the Broadway Loves Series, that has famously honored Celine Dion, Britney Spears, Selena Gomez, Sam Smith, Demi Lovato, and many more beloved pop icons.
