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WICKED ANNOUNCES 2023 LONDON CAST

Alexia Khadime returns to star as ‘Elphaba’

 Lucy St. Louis to star as ‘Glinda’

from Tuesday 7 March 2023

www.WickedTheMusical.co.uk

WICKED, the West End and Broadway musical phenomenon that tells the incredible untold story of the Witches of Oz, is proud to announce its full new London cast who will begin performances at London’s Apollo Victoria Theatre on Tuesday 7 March 2023. Leading the company will be Alexia Khadime as ‘Elphaba’, returning to the role she previously played to universal acclaim, and The Phantom of the Opera star Lucy St. Louis as ‘Glinda’. Caitlin Anderson will make her West End debut as ‘Nessarose’, and current ensemble cast member Joe Thompson-Oubari will take over the role of ‘Boq’.

The full new cast is confirmed as Alexia Khadime (Elphaba), Lucy St. Louis (Glinda), Ryan Reid (Fiyero), Sophie-Louise Dann (Madame Morrible), Mark Curry (The Wizard), Caitlin Anderson (Nessarose), Joe Thompson-Oubari (Boq), Simeon Truby (Doctor Dillamond), Amy Webb (Standby for Elphaba), Lisa-Anne Wood (Standby for Glinda), Yuki Abe, Kofi Aidoo-Appiah, Conor Ashman, Jessica Aubrey, Joshua Clemetson, Fergus Dale, Effie Rae Dyson, Nicola Espallardo, Danny Fogarty, Ross Harmon, Kate Leiper, Nick Len, Jemima Loddy, Joshua Lovell, PaddyJoe Martin, Millie Mayhew, Harry Mills, Daniel Parrott, Aiesha Naomi Pease, Jeanie Ryan, Natalie Spriggs, James Titchener, Micaela Todd, Christine Tucker, Jaydon Vijn and Taela Yeomans-Brown.

Current cast members Lucie Jones (Elphaba), Helen Woolf (Glinda), Carina Gillespie (Nessarose), Nicholas McLean (Boq), Meg Astin, Alishia-Marie Blake, Pàje Campbell, Michael Colbourne, Nolan Edwards, Laura Harrison, Amie Hibbert, Lucie Horsfall, Samuel How, Christian Knight, Jasmine Leung, Maggie Lynne, Rhidian Marc, Jessica-Alice McCluskey, Stacey McGuire, Lewis Newton,and Samantha Thomas will all play their final performances on Sunday 5 March 2023.

“One of the most successful musicals of all time” (BBC News), Wicked is now in its 17th year at London’s Apollo Victoria Theatre where it has already seen by more than 11 million people. The “hugely popular show” (The Times) has won over 100 international awards including three Tony Awards, two Olivier Awards, and a Grammy. Tickets are currently on public sale until Sunday 26 November 2023, with nine extra shows added.

Alexia Khadime (Elphaba) first played ‘Elphaba’ to critical acclaim in 2008 and subsequently returned to the role for a second engagement in 2009/10. Alexia’s many other leading West End roles have included ‘Nala’ in Disney’s The Lion King; ‘Éponine’ in Les Misérables; ‘Nabulungi’ in The Book of Mormon (WhatsOnStage Award); and, most recently, ‘Miriam’ in The Prince of Egypt. At the National Theatre, she played ‘Harmonia’ in Welcome To Thebes, directed by Richard Eyre. Her many television appearances have included Comin’ Atcha! (CITV); Nick Payne’s Wanderlust (BBC); Splatalot (CBBC) with Dick & Dom; ‘Ellie’ in The Queen’s Nose (CBBC) and Grange Hill. She appeared in the films Rocketman; Les Misérables and London Road.

Lucy St. Louis (Glinda) is currently starring as ‘Christine Daaé’ in Andrew Lloyd Webber’s The Phantom of the Opera at Her Majesty’s Theatre, London. She previously starred as ‘Diana Ross’ in Motown The Musical at the Shaftesbury Theatre and as ‘Antonia’ in Man of La Mancha at the London Coliseum. Lucy’s many other London theatre credits include her West End debut in Ragtime (Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre); The Book of Mormon (Prince of Wales Theatre); and Beautiful: The Carole King Musical (Aldwych Theatre)

Caitlin Anderson (Nessarose) will make her West End debut in Wicked. She trained at Scotland’s MGA Academy of Performing Arts, graduating in 2018.

Joe Thompson-Oubari (Boq) is currently appearing in the ensemble cast of Wicked and has played the role of ‘Boq’ on many occasions. He graduated from the Royal Academy of Music in the summer of 2019, gaining an MA (with Distinction) in Musical Theatre.

Based on the novel by Gregory Maguire, Wicked 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.

Wicked has music and lyrics by multi-Oscar and Grammy Award winner Stephen Schwartz (Godspell, Pippin, The Prince of Egypt, Disney’s Pocahontas, The Hunchback of Notre Dame, Enchanted and its Disney+ sequel Disenchanted). It is based on the multi-million 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.

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

Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West by Gregory Maguire is published in the UK by Headline (the book is recommended for readers aged 16+). Wicked: The Grimmerie, a behind-the-scenes look at the musical by David Cote, is published in the UK by Hyperion.

The Apollo Victoria Theatre, Wilton Road, London, SW1V 1LG

Official UK website: www.WickedTheMusical.co.uk

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

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

The Rubens at the Palace and The Clermont Victoria are the official hotel partners of WickedLondon

  www.rubenshotel.com      www.theclermont.co.uk/victoria

Lyceum Theatre, Sheffield – until 9th November 2022

Reviewed by Sophie Dodworth

4****

The Tiger Who Came to Tea is a well-known children’s book by Judith Kerr OBE, going back 54 years. Coming directly from the West End, this Olivier nominated smash hit is on tour.

We meet Sophie (Jennifer Addey) and her mummy (Katie Tripp) who are having tea at home, when suddenly the doorbell rings. Much to their amazement, it’s a tiger. A very tall one! He is hungry and somehow they both agree to him coming in for tea. The tiger then goes on to eating the entire contents of their kitchen, including Daddies (James Carlisle) supper. When Daddy comes home, he struggles to believe this story and they end up going out to a café for some delicious food.

The majority of people in the audience either know this story well from it being read to them as child, or reading it to their children, or both, either way, it is popular and well loved…but how do they fill 55 minutes of theatre with a book that normally takes less than 5 minutes to read? Well, there is a lot of fun packed in with songs, audience participation (panto style) and dancing, along with instructions for the audience to join in.

The actors are all tremendous – not breaking a smile or their character the whole way through. Both Addey and Tripp have excellent singing voices. Carlisle has so much energy and all of that is given to the performance, a really great team on stage.

A well-polished, fun family show, full of all-round entertainment, at a perfect length.

Eleanor Lloyd Productions and Eilene Davidson Productions present

Vardy v Rooney:
The Wagatha Christie Trial

• CASTING AND A FURTHER SIX PERFORMANCES ANNOUNCED FOR VARDY V ROONEY: THE WAGATHA CHRISTIE TRIAL AT THE WYNDHAM’S THEATRE
• LUCY MAY BARKER WILL PLAY REBEKAH VARDY AND LAURA DOS SANTOS WILL PLAY COLEEN ROONEY IN THE VERBATIM PLAY.  
• 15TH NOVEMBER IS NOW SOLD OUT. ADDITIONAL DATES ADDED ARE 22ND & 29TH NOV, 6TH, 13TH & 20TH DEC AND 10TH JANUARY. TICKETS FOR ALL THESE PERFORMANCES ARE NOW ON SALE AT WWW.WAGATHAPLAY.COM / BOX OFFICE 0344 482 5151.
• LISA SPIRLING’S RESTAGING IS ADAPTED BY LIV HENNESSY FROM THE HIGH COURT TRANSCRIPT.

Due to popular demand, a further six performances have been confirmed for Vardy v Rooney: The Wagatha Christie Trial. The first performance on 15th November is now sold-out but theatre audiences will be able to watch the trial that gripped the nation in the West End on the following additional dates: 22nd and 29th November, 6th, 13th and 20th Dec and 10th January all at the Wyndham’s Theatre.

Lucy May Barker (Mamma Mia!, West End; Pine Hampstead Theatre), will play Rebekah Vardy and Laura Dos Santos (Yes So I Said Yes, Finborough Theatre; My White Best Friend, Liverpool Everyman) will play Coleen Rooney. They will be joined by Jonathan Broadbent (The Comedy of Errors, RSC; My Night With Reg, Donmar and West End) as Hugh Tomlinson QC, and Nathan McMullen (Misfits, E4; Hushabye Mountain, Hope Mill) and Sharan Phull (Everybody’s Talking About Jamie, UK Tour; The Apology, Arcola) who will both be playing multiple roles including Wayne Rooney, Jamie Vardy and Harpreet Robertson. Further casting is to be announced.

Adapted from seven days of the High Court transcript by Liv Hennessy (finalist in the Paines Plough’s Women’s Prize for Playwriting) and directed by Lisa Spirling (Artistic Director of Theatre503), Vardy v Rooney: The Wagatha Christie Trial will bring the dramatic legal action to life. 

Tickets are on sale now for the additional performances from www.wagathaplay.com / Box Office 0344 482 5151. 

From sting operations to sensational headlines, this verbatim production will reveal what went on behind closed doors in the case that turned social media sleuthing into high drama. Audiences will see first-hand, and in the words of Rebekah Vardy and Coleen Rooney, how the extraordinary week in court played out.

Vardy v Rooney is a story stranger than fiction, with lurid one-liners and revelations blurring the boundaries of tabloid and court case, social media and soap opera. This unique moment in British media history captivated the country but while public debate raged, only a handful of people witnessed what happened in the trial. Now audiences can watch the intrigue and intricacies of the case live on stage in the West End. 

Vardy v Rooney: The Wagatha Christie Trial is adapted by Liv Hennessy, directed by Lisa Spirling and designed by Polly Sullivan, the lighting designer is Ben Bull, the sound designer is Richard Hammarton and Lizzie Manwaring is assistant director.

FRANCES MAYLI MCCANN AND JORDAN LUKE GAGE

REUNITE

TO RAISE A LITTLE HELL IN

BONNIE & CLYDE

THE MUSICAL

AT THE GARRICK THEATE

FROM SATURDAY 4 MARCH 2023

DLAP Group are thrilled to announce that West End stars Frances Mayli McCann and Jordan Luke Gage will reunite as the titular pair in BONNIE & CLYDE THE MUSICAL at The Garrick Theatre from Saturday 4 March 2023 for a strictly limited 11-week season. Tickets on sale now at www.bonnieandclydemusical.com.

Frances Mayli McCann is an Olivier Award nominated actress, who originated the role of ‘Kylah’ in “Our Ladies of Perpetual Succour”. Her other West End credits include ‘Heather McNamara’ in “Heathers” at the Theatre Royal Haymarket, ‘The Mistress’ in “Evita” at Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre and ‘Eponine’ in the UK and International Tour of “Les Misérables”. On television Frances can be seen in BBC/ABC’s Silverpoint.

Jordan Luke Gage is best known for originating the role of ‘Romeo’ in the Olivier Award winning “&Juliet” at The Shaftesbury Theatre. His other West End credits include ‘Strat’ in “Bat Out Of Hell” at The Dominion Theatre and ‘JD’ in “Heathers” at Theatre Royal Haymarket. His television credits include playing ‘Adrian Barber’ in ITV’s Cilla, and ‘Luc’ in Cucumber on Channel 4.

At the height of the Great Depression, Bonnie Parker and Clyde Barrow went from two small-town nobodies in West Texas to America’s most renowned folk heroes and the Texas law enforcement’s worst nightmares. Fearless, shameless, and alluring, Bonnie & Clyde is the electrifying story of love, adventure and crime that captured the attention of an entire country. The show features the songs “Raise A Little Hell”, “This World Will Remember Me” and “Made In America”.

When Bonnie and Clyde meet, their mutual cravings for excitement and fame, combined with a desperate need to lift themselves out of the endless banality and poverty of West Dallas, set them on a mission to chase their dreams. Their bold and reckless behaviour turns the young lovers’ thrilling adventure into a downward spiral, putting themselves and their loved ones in trouble with the law. Forced to stay on the run, the lovers resort to robbery and murder to survive. As the infamous duo’s fame grows bigger, their inevitable end draws nearer.

BONNIE & CLYDE THE MUSICAL has a book by Ivan Menchell (Blended [movie], The Cemetery Club, Death Note The Musical), a Tony Award nominated score by Frank Wildhorn (Jekyll and Hyde, The Scarlett Pimpernel), lyrics by Don Black (Tell Me On a Sunday, Sunset Boulevard, Mrs Henderson Presents), arrangements and orchestrations by John McDaniel (Patti Lupone: Live, Annie Get Your Gun). The production will be directed by Nick Winston (Director of the feature film Tomorrow Morning, MAME, The Royal Variety Performance) with Set and Costume Design by Philip Witcomb (Atlantis, Stones In His Pockets, MAME),Musical Supervision from Katy Richardson (SIX, Rent, Jersey Boys), Lighting Design by Zoe Spurr (Fantastically Great Women Who Changed The World, Hamlet at Theatre Royal Windsor), Sound Design by Tom Marshall (The Drifter’s Girl, Nativity The Musical, Curtains), Video Design by Nina Dunn (The Shark Is Broken, Lazuli Sky), Casting Director Jim Arnold CDG (Wicked, The Prince of Egypt).

DLAP Group is an Olivier-Award winning production company with West End and UK Touring works including “Bonnie and Clyde in Concert”, “Rock of Ages,” “Company,” “Fame,” “Curtains,” and “The Wedding Singer.”

★★★★★

“Big, blinding, breathtaking. Frozen’s triumphant musical debut”

The Guardian

DISNEY’S CRITICALLY ACCLAIMED PRODUCTION OF

FROZEN

EXTENDS AGAIN DUE TO PUBLIC DEMAND

★★★★★

“Frozen is one hot hit”

Daily Mail

Disney Theatrical Productions today announces that their critically acclaimed production of Frozen is extending until 18 June 2023 due to public demand. With music and lyrics by Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez, book by Jennifer Lee, and directed by Michael Grandage, the production opened at Theatre Royal Drury Lane in August last year, and has been playing to capacity houses since, receiving 7 WhatsOnStage Awards – the most of any production – and 4 Olivier Award nominations, including Best New Musical.

The cast is Samantha Barks (Elsa), Emily Lane (Anna), Djavan van de Fliert (Kristoff), Craig Gallivan (Olaf), Oliver Ormson (Hans), Richard Frame (Duke of Weselton); and alternating the role of Sven, Mikayla Jade and Ashley Birchall. With Rhianne Alleyne, Marianne Bardgett, Jeremy Batt, Danny Becker, Rebecca Botterill, Char Burnett (Bulda), Collette Coleman, Laura Emmitt, Davide Fienauri, Jemal Felix, Jordan Fox, Molly Francis, Matt Gillett, Ben Irish (Pabbie), Justin-Lee Jones, Aoife Kenny, Jordan Livesey, Joshua Robinson, Harriet Samuels, Jacqui Sanchez (Queen Iduna), Isabella Glanznig Santos, Jak Skelly (Oaken/Bishop), Kerry Spark (King Agnarr), Caitlin Tipping, Rodney Vubya, Anna Woodside, and Luke Fraser.

★★★★

“Frozen is an awesome spectacle with more heart, depth and darkness than the film.”

Time Out

Frozen was released in cinemas in 2013, winning multiple awards, including two Academy Awards® for Best Animated Feature and Best Original Song (“Let It Go”), the Golden Globe for Best Animated Feature Film and the BAFTA for Best Animated Film. It was written and directed by Jennifer Lee and Chris Buck, withmusic and lyrics by Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez. Frozen 2, which debuted in November 2019 is the highest-grossing animated film of all time. 

Samantha Barks plays Elsa. For theatre, her work includes Chess (Umeda Arts Theater Main Hall / Tokyo International Forum Hall), Pretty Woman (Chicago and Broadway), The Last Five Years (St James Theatre), Amelie (Berkley Rep), City of Angels (Donmar Warehouse), Chicago (Hollywood Bowl), Oliver! (UK tour), Les Misérables (Queen’s Theatre), and Cabaret (Birmingham Rep). She was one of the participants on the BBC series I’d Do Anything. For film, her credits include Tomorrow Morning, Chocolate Cake, For Love or Money, Bitter Harvest, The Revenger, Interlude in Prague, The Devil’s Harvest, The Christmas Candle and as Eponine in Les Misérables (recipient of Empire Award for Best Female Newcomer; and nomination for Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture). She also reprised her performance as Eponine for Les Misérables in Concert: The 25^th Anniversary.

Emily Lane plays Anna. Her other theatre work includes Before the Party (Almeida Theatre), and in the West End, Les Misérables and The Sound of Music.

Craig Gallivan plays Olaf. For theatre his work includes School of Rock (New London Theatre), Billy Elliot (Victoria Palace Theatre), Crime and Punishment (National Theatre), Days of Significance (RSC), The Long, The Short and The Tall (Sheffield Theatres), Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat and Oliver! (UK tours). For television, his work includes Stella (as series regular Luke), Torchwood, Footballer’s Wives (as series regular Callum Watson) and Care; and for film, The Edge of Love.

Oliver Ormson plays Hans. For theatre, his work includes Back to the Future The Musical (Opera House Manchester), High Fidelity (Turbine Theatre), Cats (Kilworth House), Nerds, Protagonists (The Other Palace), The Addams Family (UK and international tours), The Book of Mormon (Prince of Wales Theatre), Sopranos vs Tenors (European tour), and Hairspray (Aberystwyth Arts Centre). Television includes West Side Story (Reef Television/BBC Symphony Orchestra).

Djavan van de Fliert plays Kristoff. He recently graduated from Arts Ed, and Frozen marks his professional stage debut.

Richard Frame plays Weselton. For theatre, his work includes The Lion King (as Timon from 2013 to 2018, Lyceum Theatre), Blue Remembered Hills (Theatre on the Fly), Pocket Comedy (UK tour), Richard III, The Comedy of Errors (The Watermill Theatre), London Assurance (National Theatre), A Midsummer Night’s Dream, The Merchant of Venice (Propeller), Absolute Beginners (Lyric Hammersmith), Promises, Promises (Sheffield Theatres), Love’s Labour’s Lost and A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre). For television, his work includes The Beast Must Die, Outnumbered, The Hollow Crown – Henry IV Parts 1 and 2, Family Affairs (as series regular Damian), Wire in the Blood, Hearts and Bones, and Hope and Glory; and for film London Road.

Mikayla Jade makes her professional stage and West End debut playing Sven. Originally from Australia, she is an actress and stuntwoman. For film, her work includes Maleficent: Mistress of Evil, The Old Guard and Wonder Woman 1984.

Ashley Birchall plays Sven. For theatre, his work includes Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Oklahoma! (Kilworth House), Wicked (Apollo Victoria Theatre), Pet Shop Boys: Inner Sanctum (Royal Opera House), Tommy (Greenwich Theatre), Starlight Express (Germany), We Will Rock You (Dominion Theatre). For film, his work includes Mary Poppins Returns.

Frozen has scheduled the following access performances – Audio Described Performance (Wednesday 18 January, 7pm), Signed Performance (Wednesday 25 January, 7pm and Sunday 18 June, 5.30pm) and Captioned Performance (Wednesday 8 February, 7pm), and a Relaxed Performance (Sunday 5 February, 1pm).

Twitter @FrozenLondon

Facebook /FrozenLondon

Instagram @FrozenLondon

frozenthemusical.co.uk

LISTINGS

FROZEN

Theatre Royal Drury Lane

Catherine Street, Covent Garden, London WC2B 5JF

Tickets from £20

Group rates and education rates are available – please see the website

PERFORMANCES:

Current schedule

Wednesday – Saturday                  7pm

Thursday & Saturday                      2pm

Sunday                                              1pm & 5.30pm

From 16 November:

Wednesday – Friday                       7pm

Thursday                                            2pm

Saturday and Sunday                     1pm & 5.30pm

From 1 March 2023:

Wednesday & Thursday                2pm

Thursday & Friday                           7pm

Saturday and Sunday                     1pm & 5.30pm

Christmas Schedule:

21/12/2022 14:00       Wednesday                 Matinee                      

21/12/2022 19:00       Wednesday                 Evening                      

22/12/2022 14:00       Thursday                     Matinee                       

22/12/2022 19:00       Thursday                     Evening                      

23/12/2022 14:00       Friday                          Matinee                      

23/12/2022 19:00       Friday                          Evening                       

24/12/2022 13:00       Saturday                      Matinee    

27/12/2022 19:00       Tuesday                       Evening    

28/12/2022 14:00       Wednesday                 Matinee                     

28/12/2022 19:00       Wednesday                 Evening    

29/12/2022 14:00       Thursday                     Matinee                     

29/12/2022 19:00       Thursday                     Evening    

30/12/2022 14:00       Friday                          Matinee    

31/12/2022 13:00       Saturday                      Matinee

01/01/2023 13:00       Sunday                         Matinee

01/01/2023 17:30       Sunday                         Evening                                               

February School Holidays:

15/02/2023 14:00       Wednesday                 Matinee

15/02/2023 19:00       Wednesday                 Evening

16/02/2023 14:00       Thursday                     Matinee

16/02/2023 19:00       Thursday                     Evening

17/02/2023 14:00       Friday                          Matinee

18/02/2023 13:00       Saturday                      Matinee

18/02/2023 17:30       Saturday                      Evening

19/02/2023 13:00       Sunday                         Matinee

19/02/2023 17:30       Sunday                         Evening    

22/02/2023 19:00       Wednesday                 Evening

23/02/2023 14:00       Thursday                     Matinee

23/02/2023 19:00       Thursday                     Evening

24/02/2023 19:00       Friday                          Evening

25/02/2023 13:00       Saturday                      Matinee

25/02/2023 17:30       Saturday                      Evening

26/02/2023 13:00       Sunday                         Matinee

26/02/2023 17:30       Sunday                         Evening                                        

ACCESS & RELAXED PERFORMANCES:

Audio Described Performance    Wednesday 18 January, 7pm

Captioned Performance                Wednesday 8 February, 7pm

Signed Performance                       Wednesday 25 January, 7pm

                                                            Sunday 18 June, 5.30pm

Relaxed Performance                     Sunday 5 February, 1pm

twitter @nolimitsmusical

Instagram @nolimitsmusical

WEST END STAR STARS IN NO LIMITS A SONG CYCLE BY SAM THOMAS.

 NO LIMITS WILL OPEN IN LONDON FEBRUARY 2023.

Sam Caldwell for Paper House Productions is pleased to announce No Limits – A Song Cycle by Sam Thomas will open in London at the Turbine Theatre on 15^th February 2023. 

Directed by Dean Johnson (BKLYN, LIFT), this exciting new production will feature West End Star and Original SIX Queen Natalie May Paris who will play the role of #DREAMER.

Natalie May Paris, #DREAMER said, “I am so looking forward to being a part of No Limits, and to have the pleasure of singing the beautiful ‘Every girl needs a mother’ again will be an absolute joy!”

No Limits creative team also includes musical direction by Ella Ingram (Kipps: the new Half a Sixpence Musical, Bob Hope Theatre, Curtain Up, Albany Theatre) and Movement direction by Rhys Wilkinson (currently performing in &Juliet).

No Limits – A Song Cycle deconstructs the concept of falling behind in life. It follows a diverse cast of characters from all walks of life as they dare to believe in themselves and strive for a brighter future.

This powerful collection of songs sees characters let go of their anxieties, take leaps of faith, and fight for who they truly are, from confessing their dreams of becoming a rockstar to catfishing their attractive neighbour.

No Limits – A Song Cycle features heartfelt and queer stories. This brand-new production emphasises that we are all in the same boat, and that with enough self-belief, we can always overcome our setbacks. There truly are No Limits to your journey.

Dean Johnson, director said, “No Limits is a contemporary song cycle which opens up a box of stories through a series of sung vignettes, each describing that universal feeling of breaking through barriers in our lives. Sam Thomas’s compositions feel somehow both innovative and familiar, which is very exciting, so we can’t wait to explore a fresh approach to the format and share it with everyone at The Turbine in February.”

Tickets for No Limits at the Turbine Theatre are on sale now

QUEENZ – THE SHOW WITH BALLS IS COMING TO THE ARTS THEATRE THIS DECEMBER   

As part of a successful UK TOUR, QUEENZ – The Show With BALLS! will feature Union J and X-Factor superstar Jaymi Hensley.

Producer, David Griego, is thrilled to announce Queenz – The Show with Balls will be strutting to London’s Arts Theatre this December. 

Queenz – The Show with Balls will open at Arts Theatre on Thursday 1st December and run until Sunday 4th December 2022.  

Queenz – The Show with Balls is the trailblazing, life affirming drag extravaganza that has taken the UK by storm, fresh from their phenomenal debut on ITV’s Walk the Line and the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. This iconic new show features mind-blowing LIVE vocals and not a lip-sync in sight!

On their massive UK tour this autumn, join these death-dropping divas for a sequin-clad pop party featuring classics from The Spice Girls, Lady Gaga, Little Mix, Beyonce, Shakira, and everything in between.

Show creator and producer, David Griego, said: “The response up and down the country has been overwhelming! People come to the show expecting a great, fun night out but what they get is so much more. I think the reason is that Queenz represents true escapism; you get to leave your cares at the door, laugh, sing, and party with a bunch of 6-foot drag queens and, above all else, finish the night feeling fierce, fabulous, and empowered. Getting to bring the show to London means so much to us all, but the cast themselves are blown away and can’t wait to give West End something truly special this festive season.”

Union J pop star Jaymi Hensley aka Dior Monte, said: “Myself and my gorgeous Queenz are living our best lives, becoming the fierce girl group us little ‘boys’ always wanted to be. Queenz may be the ultimate feel-good night out, but it’s also a show with a message; life is for living, love is for giving and most importantly, always let you true colours shine”

From backstreet bars to West End stars, the Queenz cast are a mix of phenomenal singers and dancers who have joined forces to create the world’s number one Drag Vocal Supergroup. They have gained superstar followers, sold out at the Edinburgh Fringe, and played to thousands in central London this year and now they’re on a mission for world domination.

Josh aka Candy Caned explained: “I still have to pinch myself for this beautiful opportunity, working with West End choreographers and performing in front of TV royalty is a dream come true. Us Queenz can’t wait to share our singing, sassiness, and party with you all”

Tickets for Queenz – The Show with Balls at the Arts Theatre are on sale now.

Thursday 1st December at 10.00pm

Saturday 3rd December at 10.00pm

Sunday 4th December at 7.00pm 

Arts Theatre, London

https://artstheatrewestend.co.uk/events

The Vaults – until 7 January 2023

Reviewed by Claire Roderick

4****

Sleeping Trees’ comedic Christmas mashups never fail to entertain, and this year’s sees Peter Pan enter the world of two of the most brilliantly bonkers films ever made. Dan Wye joins the trio as David Bowie, and his high camp, arch performance as he messes with Peter Pan’s (James Dunnel-Smith) life is a real treat.

Peter loses a bet with Captain Hook and is banished from Neverland. After 20 years, middle-aged Peter finds out that Tinkerbell is being tricked into marrying Hook and needs to find a way to save her. Enter Bowie, in his Goblin King outfit, to challenge Peter to find the centre of the labyrinth and get his wish to return to Neverland. A simple plot, but Sleeping Trees manage to shoehorn images and characters from Pan’s Labyrinth – Hands for Eyes will never give you the chills again after seeing this version!- and Labyrinth. The excitement amongst some audience members when familiar characters appeared – especially the worm – was almost as funny as what was happening onstage.

The inclusion of a bar with themed cocktails as part of the stage ensures a relaxed and vocal audience, and Maeve Black’s set echoes the Labyrinth and allows the cast to pop up from numerous places. Ben Hales’ lighting design and Clancy Flynn’s sound design add to the camp and nostalgic party atmosphere. There are silly audience participation, games and singalongs to the hilarious parodies of Bowie songs. Kermit pops up for a cameo in the labyrinth, and the guardian of the Bog of Eternal Stench is what every child who’s watched the film wished it could be.

It’s chaotic and charming. The humour ranges from utter filth to dad jokes, and just keeps coming. Joshua Smith and John Woodburn multi role brilliantly, with puppets and ridiculous outfits galore. The cast seem to be trying to make each other laugh, which is always fantastic to watch, and Dan Wye’s insane performance as Peter’s Brummie shadow nearly tipped everyone over the edge. I have no idea how director Shenoah Allen keeps these performers on track, but the show is fantastic. A brilliant night out for Christmas – buffoonery, booze… and Bowie.

The Vaults are introducing Pay What You Can tickets across their seasonal program, to support those struggling to access culture in the current economic climate.

Every Wednesday and Sunday Pay what You Can tickets are priced from £3 and bookable in advance.

The season includes Witches of Oz, a drag dining cabaret in the Emerald City, 21st September – 15th January, and Stranger Sings!, a Stranger Things musical parody 5th October – 15th January.

Grand Opera House York – Friday 4th November 2022

Reviewed by Michelle Richardson

4 ½ ****

I’m a huge fan of 80’s music and I love going to any concerts that I can, so I was super excited to be given the opportunity to get to see this production.

George Michael Joseph (Joseph Sansome) has been performing as George Michael for years, after being discovered singing karaoke with Careless Whisper, long before George’s untimely death, and now tours with Fastlove to packed out audiences.

As the band start playing, we heard Joseph’s singing of Fastlove, but we don’t see him for a couple of minutes. He sounds very much like George, and the impact has been made before we see him in the flesh, where he does bear a passing resemblance, especially with his tinted glasses. Once he set foot on stage the audience erupted, eager for what was to come.

For the next couple of hours, we are treated to the fabulous music that George made throughout his career. It’s easy to forget what a truly talented artist George and how many hits he had. This show covers all the greats, Don’t Let the Sun Go Down on Me, Careless Whisper, Club Tropicana, Young Guns, Edge of Heaven, Outside (yes Joseph donned the cop uniform and handcuffs just like George in the video) and many more. I am so pleased my own personal favourite from the Wham period was covered, Everything She Wants, in fact that song is up there as one of my all-time favourites by anyone.

For the majority of the performance a good proportion of the audience were up on their feet dancing along, including me. That’s a feat as York can be a bit reserved in that respect. It appeared to me, at least, that everyone was singing along to all the songs, even if they didn’t know all the words. There were a couple of men behind who sang everything word for word. I must admit that I thought the theatre would be packed up with ladies of a certain age, my demographic, but I am pleased to say that I was well and truly wrong, there were plenty of men there enjoying the show just as much. I did find at the beginning of the show I struggled to hear the vocals as the band were loud, but this improved as the show carried on.

For the first half Joseph appeared as later George with skinny jeans, jacket, cross and tinted glasses, he then changed into a leather jacket, sunglasses and wig, reminiscent of the Wham days. Still not sure about that wig though. Joseph really does come close to sounding like George and really does George’s memory justice. I have recently seen a George Michael tribute and Joseph is far superior.

Joseph was joined on stage by a group of talented musicians and singers. Carol and Jess were the backing vocalists, and they both gave stunning performances. Ellie was on the saxophone and hit every note with her solos. The band, Sam, Adam and the keyboard player (I couldn’t work out what I had written as his name, sorry), were so good, with some great energy.

Fastlove is a fabulous night out for any George Michael fan, you won’t be disappointed. After George Michael’s untimely death, approaching six years ago, this is the best chance of hearing his great music, both as part of Wham and as a solo artist. Just a shame I never got to see him perform in person, this is the next best thing.

Theatre on the Steps, Bridgnorth – Saturday 5 November 2022

Reviewed by Nadia Dodd

5*****

In the quaint venue of this theatre tonight’s performance got the audience up dancing in the aisles on a chilly, foggy Guy Fawkes Night.

The band is led by award winning film composer Phil Mountford who has been travelling the country sharing his talent as the enigmatic Elton John since 2018. Phil plays the piano plus lead vocals and really looks the part with quite a few different outfits throughout the show, all bold, bright, plus sparkles and glitter. The band is made up of a few family members, daughter Zoe, percussion and sensational backing vocals and son Josh, on keyboard and a truly mesmerising electric cello performance.

The theatre was full and there were a few avid Forever Elton fans who started off the dancing when the classics such as Crocodile Rock, Saturday Night’s Alright for Fighting and I’m Still Standing were belted out from the stage.

Don’t Go Breaking My Heart was sung as a duet with daughter Zoe and what a duo they make. Son Josh played the electric cello whilst Phil sang The Last Song, just the two of them on the stage, subtle lighting, they created such a tender atmosphere.

Phil was born in 1970 and studied the electric guitar and performed on many a stage across the Midlands. Once he had graduated in Computer Science he became a software engineer but also continued to perform keyboard and as a vocalist. His passion led to writing music for short films, which then led to composing for feature films, theatre, adverts and television.

Further performances led to him being a musical director for a charity rock concert in 2018 where he returned as a vocalist on stage. The success of this led to his 6 piece band being created ‘Forever Elton’. Playing homage to the music by Sir Elton John and Bernie Taupin. The band are now touring theatres and venues throughout the UK and also internationally.

Phil has a great relationship with his audience leaving them wanting more when he was approaching the end of the show, of course he came back onto stage and gave them what they wanted.

Music has a healing power and has the ability to take people out of themselves for a few hours. A quote by Sir Elton John, and Phil as Forever Elton lived out this quote tonight. For further information on the band, including hiring them at your event, venue or festival please visit www.foreverelton.com