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LONDON CLASSIC THEATRE ANNOUNCES

FULL CAST AND CREATIVE TEAM FOR UK AND IRELAND TOUR OF BRIAN FRIEL’S FAITH HEALER

Following the success of Abigail’s Party, now running until 7 October, London Classic Theatre today announces full cast and creative team for a new tour of Brian Friel’s masterpiece Faith Healer. Michael Cabot, founder, and Artistic Director of London Classic Theatre directs Paul Carroll (Frank), Gina Costigan (Grace) and Jonathan Ashley (Teddy). Designs by Bek Palmer and lighting design by Matthew Green.

Faith Healer premièred at Longacre Theatre, New York in 1979, before opening in London at Royal Court Theatre in 1981. London Classic Theatre’s tour opens at New Vic Theatre, Newcastle-under-Lyme on 5 Septemberbefore touring to a further nineteen venues across the UK and Ireland, concluding at Connaught Theatre, Worthing on 17 November.

Artistic Director of London Classic Theatre, Michael Cabot said today: “I’ve wanted to direct Faith Healer for many years.  It’s such a wonderful, complex piece of writing, with beautifully realised characters and Brian Friel’s remarkable use of language. It draws you in, surprises, intrigues and, ultimately, takes your breath away.  I’m working on the show with my long-term collaborator, set and costume designer Bek Palmer, and I’m very excited about her vision for the play.  We’re taking the play on tour for eleven weeks, to 20 venues around the UK and Ireland, opening in-the-round at the wonderful New Vic Theatre, Newcastle-under-Lyme.  We have assembled a cast of three extraordinary actors, Paul Carroll, Gina Costigan and Jonathan Ashley, with whom I’m delighted to be working.  Faith Healer is one of the great plays of the twentieth century, arguably Friel’s masterpiece and I can’t wait for us to bring it to life in 2023.”

London Classic Theatre presents

FAITH HEALER

by Brian Friel

Cast: Paul Carroll (Frank), Gina Costigan (Grace), Jonathan Ashley (Teddy)

Directed by Michael Cabot; Designed by Bek Palmer; Lighting by Matthew Green

UK and Ireland tour

5 September – 17 November

Frank Hardy has a gift.  A gift of healing.

A frayed banner hangs outside a desolate village hall.  The sick, the suffering and the desperate arrive from out of the wind and the rain.  They come in search of restoration, a cure.  

Through the 1950s and 1960s, Hardy and his wife, Grace, travel to remote corners of Scotland, Wales and Ireland.  Accompanied by manager Teddy, they move from village to village, bringing an unpredictable mix of theatricality and the spiritual. 

Using four enthralling monologues to interweave the stories of these three intriguing characters, Friel takes us on an extraordinary journey of shifting perspectives and uncertain memories.

Paul Carroll plays Frank. His theatre credits include Strike! (Southwark Playhouse), The Beauty Queen of Leenane (Rapture Theatre, Traverse Theatre, tour), Twelfth Night (East London Shakespeare Festival), Victorian Ladies in Bed (Calder Theatre), A Skull in Connemara (Nottingham Playhouse), The Non-Stop Connolly Show, Continuity (Finborough Theatre), Permanence, That Dar Place (Old Red Lion), An Incomplete History of Faces (Tristan Bates Theatre), and Way Back (Pleasance Theatre). His solo sketch show 40 Shades of Strawberry Blond played at Soho Theatre, Leicester Square Theatre and Brighton Festival. Film credits include Chosen and Pretty Music for Very Ugly People.

Gina Costigan plays Grace. Her theatre credits include On McQuillan’s Hill (Finborough Theatre), The Valley of the Squinting Windows (Mullingar Arts Centre), An Triail le Mairéad Ní Ghráda (Irish tour) and The Risen People (Gaiety Theatre, Dublin). US theatre credits include Hangmen (Golden Theater), The Ferryman (Bernard B. Jacobs Theater), Party Face (New York City Center), Suitcase Under the Bed (Mint Theater Company), Crackskull Row (Irish Repertory Theater), and The Seedbed (New Jersey Repertory Company). Her television credits include Kin, Atlanta, Harry Wild, Halston, I Know This Much is True, Vikings, The Marvellous Mrs. Maisel, Fair City;and for film, Twig, My Sailor, My Love, Suspicious Minds, The Ferry, Brittany Runs a Marathon, Gender Bender, Halal Daddy, The Clowning, Becoming Jane, Veronica Guerin.

Jonathan Ashley plays Teddy. His previous credits with London Classic Theatre include The Birthday Party, Waiting for Godot, Entertaining Mr Sloane, The Importance of Being Earnest and The Double Inconstancy. Other theatre credits include The Tempest, Hansel and Gretel (Theatre Royal, Bury St Edmunds), Abigail’s Party, Arsenic and Old Lace, Dick Barton and the Secret of the Pharoah’s Tomb, One for the Pot, Ladies in Retirement, Hay Fever, Salad Days (Southwold Sunner Theatre), Mansfield Park (Redgrave Theatre, Farnham), Arms and the Man (Cambridge Theatre Company), The Secret of Theodore Brown (Unicorn Theatre), Scaramouche (Brighton Festival), The Hooligan Clown (Lyric Hammersmith Theatre), The Snow Queen (Pomegranate, Chesterfield), Stiffs (Hen and Chickens), King Lear (Courtyard Theatre), Scapin’s Tricks, The Winter’s Tale (Wimbledon Studio Theatre), Waiting for Godot, The Dumb Waiter (Albany Empire), and Landscape (Finborough Theatre). His television credits include Dead Man’s Cardy, Tyne Bride, Divine Magic, Digital Gothic, Petite, The Score, Divine Magic, Flying Colours, The Unbecoming and Infinity Minus Infinity.

Michael Cabot directs and is the founder and Artistic Director of London Classic Theatre. He has directed all forty-five LCT productions since their touring debut in 2000, including Abigail’s Party, Boeing Boeing, Same Time, Next Year, Absurd Person Singular, No Man’s Land, My Mother Said I Never Should, Private Lives, Hysteria, The Birthday Party, Waiting for Godot, Absent Friends and Equus.  His recent freelance work as director includes three collaborations with award-winning playwright Henry Naylor, The Collector (Arcola Theatre/UK tour), Angel and Borders (Edinburgh Festival Fringe, Adelaide Fringe & Brits Off Broadway).

FAITH HEALER

LISTINGS

New Vic Theatre, Newcastle-under-Lyme

5 – 9 September

Box office: 01782 717 962 / www.newvictheatre.org.uk

The Mix, Theatr Clwyd

12 – 16 September

Box office: 01352 344 101 / https://www.theatrclwyd.com/

Malvern Theatres

19 – 23 September

Box office: 01684 892277 / www.malvern-theatres.co.uk

The Theatre Chipping Norton

26 – 27 September

Box office: 01608 642350 / https://www.chippingnortontheatre.com/

Lighthouse, Poole

28 – 30 September

Box office: 01202 280000 / https://www.lighthousepoole.co.uk/

Theatre Royal, Bury St Edmunds

3 – 7 October

Box office: 01284 769505 / www.theatreroyal.org

Hawk’s Well Theatre, Sligo

10 October

Box office: 071 916 1518 / https://www.hawkswell.com/

Millennium Forum, Derry

11 – 12 October

Box office: (0044) 28 71264455 /  https://www.millenniumforum.co.uk/

Theatre at the Mill, Newtownabbey

13 October

Box office: 0300 123 7788 / https://theatreatthemill.com/

Ramor Theatre, Virginia

14 October

Box office: 049 8547074 / https://ramortheatre.com/

Middlesbrough Theatre,

18 October

Box office: 01642 815181 / https://www.middlesbroughtheatre.co.uk/

Alnwick Playhouse

19 October

Box office: 01665 660550 / https://alnwickplayhouse.co.uk/

Brunton Theat, Musselburgh

20-21 October

Box office: / https://thebrunton.online.red61.co.uk/

Arena Theatre, Wolverhampton

24 October

Box office: 01902 321 321 / https://www.wlv.ac.uk/arena-theatre/

Stamford Arts Centre

25 – 26 October

Box office: 01780 763 203 / https://www.stamfordartscentre.com/

Litchfield Garrick Theatre

27 -28 October

Box office: 01543 412121 /  https://www.lichfieldgarrick.com/

Cambridge Arts Theatre

31 October – 4 November

Box office: 01223 503333 / www.cambridgeartstheatre.com

Eastbourne Theatres

7 – 11 November

Box office: 01323 412000 / https://www.eastbournetheatres.co.uk/

Theatre Royal Winchester

14 – 16 November

Box office: 01962 840 440 /  www.theatreroyalwinchester.co.uk

Connaught Theatre, Worthing

17 November

Box office:  01903 206206 / https://wtm.uk/

CASTING ANNOUNCED FOR THE PREMIERE OF

SHOOTING HEDDA GABLER

By Nina Segal

After Henrik Ibsen

Directed by Jeff James

Set design by Rosanna Vize

Costume design by Milla Clarke

A Rose Original Production in association with The Norwegian Ibsen Company

29 September 2023 – 21 October 2023

Rose Theatre today announces full casting for the premiere of Shooting Hedda Gabler, a Rose Original Production in association with The Norwegian Ibsen Company, a new play by Nina Segal after Henrik Ibsen, directed by Jeff James.  Antonia Thomas plays the role of Hedda, with Christian Rubeck as Henrik, Avi Nash as Ejlert, joined by Anna Andresen as Berta, Matilda Bailes as Thea, and Joshua James as Jørgen. The Casting Director is Sam Jones CDG.

Rose Theatre is thrilled to announce this collaboration with The Norwegian Ibsen Company, to present a brand-new adaptation of one of Ibsen’s most performed plays, Hedda Gabler. Antonia Thomas (The Good Doctor) leads a cast of six as Hedda, alongside one of Norway’s leading stage actors Christian Rubeck (Succession) and Avi Nash (Silo) who both appear for the first time on a British stage, playing Henrik and Ejlert.

Shooting Hedda Gabler opens at the Rose Theatre on 4 October, with previews from 29 September, playing until 21 October 2023.

Further creative team also announced today includes Rosanna Vize (Set Designer), Milla Clarke (Costume Designer), Hansjörg Schmidt (Lighting Designer), Kieran Lucas (Composer & Sound Designer), Ingrid Mackinnon (Intimacy & Movement Director), and Amy Crighton (Assistant Director).

Director, Jeff James said:

“I’m so excited to start rehearsals with this amazing company of actors. Nina’s daring and hilarious play reimagines Ibsen’s Hedda Gabler in an utterly original way and working with this stellar cast I hope we’re going to make something really special for the Rose’s audiences.” 

When offered the lead part in a Norwegian film adaptation of Hedda Gabler, an American actress seizes the opportunity to escape Hollywood – and gain some artistic credibility.  She’s running away from her past as a child star, from her present as a tabloid punchline, and from an unfortunate collision between a self-driving Tesla and a member of the paparazzi. 

What awaits her in Norway is Henrik, the brilliant and demanding director – and a film set where reality and fiction are blurred, not least by the arrival of one of her real-life exes.  With every moment being filmed, she becomes unmoored and paranoid.  As the atmosphere on set becomes increasingly claustrophobic, Henrik becomes fixated on how to end the movie with a bang.

Shooting Hedda Gabler is a radical and affectionate adaptation of Henrik Ibsen’s Hedda Gabler, about doing whatever is necessary to get the shot.

Supported by Cockayne Grants for the Arts, a donor advised fund held at The London Community Foundation

Booking now open: rosetheatre.org/whats-on/shooting-hedda-gabler

Actress and Author Emma Swan sat down with fairypowered to answer 20 Questions. Emma is currently starring in Horrible Histories at the Garrick Theatre until 2 September

Lets start with a few favourites

Favourite show (whether you have been in it or not)?

What a good but difficult question errrrmmm I think it’s a tie between Sweeney Todd and Duncan Macmillan’s Every Brilliant Thing.

Favourite book?

Oh wow these questions don’t get easier do they… I’m not a very decisive person, I’m currently pacing around my flat looking at my book shelf. I really enjoyed Ruth Jones’ ‘Never Greener’, and Anstey Harris’ ‘The Truths and Triumphs of Grace Atherton’. Anything Jacqueline Wilson also pretty much shaped my childhood.

Wait, sorry, that wasn’t one book…

Favourite theatre?

It has to be the Garrick. I made my West End debut here last year with Terrible Tudors so this theatre will always be so important to me.

Favourite song?

I’m now frantically checking my Spotify haha. My favourite musical song I would say is ‘Nothing’ from ‘A Chorus Line’ and in my dressing room at the moment I’m listening to a lot of Lizzo.

Favourite music?

I’ve always been a huge musical theatre fan.

Favourite food?

A Chinese takeaway or a cream egg. They’re both always a great idea. But maybe not together.

Favourite drink?

I couldn’t live without a cup of Yorkshire tea (or 7) a day.

What is your favourite role?

In Terrible Tudors I absolutely love playing Elizabeth I. Her costume and wig is fabulous and I particularly enjoy her duet/ rap battle with William Shakespeare.

What was your first role?

My first role was ‘the littlest angel’ in my school Nativity but at the time I was the tallest girl in my year so I’m not sure what happened with the casting there. I’m now only 5”1 and pretty much the smallest in any cast so maybe they could predict the future …

And what role would you really like to play?

I would love to one day play Mrs Lovett in Sweeney Todd.

If you weren’t a performer what would you be?

I would be a writer and I do also write alongside my acting. (My mother is delighted with all my safe and stable career choices.)

What made you decide to be a performer?

I’ve wanted to be an actor for as long as I can remember. I was a big Horrible Histories fan when I was younger so little Emma would be so so happy right now.

Do you enjoy touring?

I do enjoy touring it’s really fun exploring the country with a brilliant cast of pals.

What advice would you give 16 year old you?

Stop wearing high heels in the snow on nights out in Sheffield… you will fall.

Do you fancy branching out in Producing or Directing?

I think I would be absolutely hopeless at both of these things. Producing you have to be very organised which I’m definitely not and directing you need to make clear decisions and as you can see from some of these answers… I think I’ll stick with the acting!

What was the last stage show you saw and really enjoyed?

A show I saw recently and loved was Mumsy at Hull Truck written by my pal and old flat mate Lydia Marchant. It’s a brilliant, funny northern play about 3 different generations of women.

Favourite line from any show?

Back to the book shelf I go!

Ooh actually – “Though she be but little she is fierce.” (This interview is highlighting a height complex)

If you could be anyone else for the day, who would it be?

I would be Imelda Staunton – because she is just the coolest.

What are the nicest/weirdest things you have ever received from fans?

I have received some amazing drawings and cards from Horrible Histories fans at stage door and I’m always so grateful to get them. I’ve never actually received anything strange but maybe this year – I’ll let you know if so!

Can you tell us what you will be up to next?

Absolutely! Over Christmas I’m working with Horrible Histories again and we will be doing a UK tour, including the Barbican in London, of Horrible Christmas. I’m also writing a children’s book at the moment and have just signed with a literary agent.

Please do give me a follow @emmalittleswan on Twitter/ Instagram for more updates and do come and see Terrible Tudors at the Garrick until September 2nd. We would love to see you there!

CASTING ANNOUNCED

FOR THE UK AND IRELAND TOUR OF

THE ACCLAIMED NEW MUSICAL

CARLY MERCEDES DYER
TO STAR AS FAYE TREADWELL

WITH

ASHFORD CAMPBELL, MILES ANTHONY DALEY,
TARIK FRIMPONG AND DALTON HARRIS

And welcoming JAYDAH BELL-RICKETTS to her first UK Tour

Hit songs include Stand By Me, Saturday Night At The Movies,
Under The Boardwalk, Save The Last Dance For Me
and Kissin’ In The Back Row of the Movies

www.thedriftersgirl.com

Michael Harrison and David Ian are delighted to announce casting for the first-ever UK and Ireland tour of The Drifters Girl, the acclaimed new West End musical which tells the remarkable story of one of the world’s greatest vocal groups and the woman who made them.

Carly Mercedes Dyer, former star of Six the Musical and who delighted audiences with her performances as Erma in Anything Goes, will play music industry change-maker, Faye Treadwell.

Carly will star alongside Ashford Campbell (who hit UK screens in ITV’s The X Factor as member of The Risk and now continues his journey with The Drifters Girl having performed as part of the West End company), Miles Anthony Daley (Tina Turner: The Musical, Aldwych Theatre; Choir of Man, Arts Theatre), Tarik Frimpong (The Wiz, Hope Mill Theatre; Aladdin, Prince Edward Theatre) and Dalton Harris, who won The X Factor in 2018.

Today’s casting announcement also welcomes Jaydah Bell-Ricketts (A Little Princess, Royal Festival Hall; School Of Rock, Gillian Lynne Theatre) to her first touring role as Girl.

Completing the cast is Loren Anderson, Tre Copeland-Williams, Ethan Davis, Matthew Dawkins and Linseigh Green.

Having played to packed houses and nightly standing ovations at the Garrick Theatre in London’s West End (following a triumphant run at Newcastle’s Theatre Royal), the production recently announced a UK Tour to open in 2023, with performances beginning at the Mayflower Theatre, Southampton, on Tuesday 12^th September 2023.

Following huge public demand, initial tour dates were extended through to 2024, where it now concludes in Cardiff, in May 2024.A full list of tour dates follows.

Telling the remarkable story of The Drifters, one of the world’s greatest vocal groups, and the truth about the woman who made them. Faye Treadwell is the legendary manager of The Drifters who fought for three decades alongside her husband (George Treadwell) to turn Atlantic Records’ hottest vocal group into a global phenomenon.

From the highs of hit records and sell-out tours to the lows of legal battles and personal tragedy, The Drifters Girl charts the trailblazing efforts of the world’s first African American female music manager and how she refused to ever give up on the group she loved. Thirty years and hundreds of hit songs later, there is no doubt that Faye Treadwell was and always will be, The Drifters Girl.

The Drifters Girl boasts an incredible soundtrack of some of the most famous songs in history, including Save The Last Dance For Me,Under The Boardwalk, Kissin In The Back Row Of The Movies, Stand By Me, Come On Over To My Place, Saturday Night At The Movies and many more.

The Drifters Girl, with abook by Ed Curtis, is based on an idea by Tina Treadwell and is co-created by Beverley Knight, Adam J Bernard, Tarinn Callender, Matt Henry and Tosh Wanogho-Maud. It is directed by Jonathan Church. Set design is by Anthony Ward, choreography by Karen Bruce, costume design by Fay Fullerton, lighting design by Ben Cracknell, sound design by Tom Marshall, video design by Andrzej Goulding, orchestrations by Chris Egan and Will Stuart as Musical Supervisor. 

For further information, please see www.thedriftersgirl.com

Social Media

FACEBOOK @thedriftersgirl
TWITTER @thedriftersgirl
INSTAGRAM @thedriftersgirlmusical

THE DRIFTERS GIRL 2023 /2024 TOUR DATES

2023

Tue 12^th – Sat 16^th September  Box Office: 023 8071 1811
Mayflower Theatre, Southampton   www.mayflower.org.uk

Tue 19^th – Sat 23^rd September   Box Office: 01603 630 000
Theatre Royal, Norwich    www.theatreroyalnorwich.co.uk

Tue 26^th – Sat 30^th September    Box Office: 0114 249 6000
Lyceum Theatre, Sheffield     www.sheffieldtheatres.co.uk

Tue 3^rd – Sat 7^th October    Box Office: 01274 432000  
Alhambra Theatre, Bradford  www.bradford-theatres.co.uk

Tue 10^th – Sat 14^th October   Box Office: 0844 871 3019
Opera House, Manchester      www.atgtickets.com/venues/palace-theatre-manchester

Tue 17^th – Sat 21^st October   Box Office: 01227 787 787
Marlowe Theatre, Canterbury  www.marlowetheatre.com

Tue 24^th – Sat 28^th October   Box Office: 0844 871 7652
Milton Keynes Theatre   www.atgtickets.com/venues/milton-keynes-theatre 

Tue 31^st October – Sat 4^th November Box Office: 0116 242 3595
Curve Theatre, Leicester    www.curveonline.co.uk 

Tue 7^th – Sat 11^th November   Box Office: 01702 351135
Cliffs Pavilion Southend    www.thecliffspavilion.co.uk

Tue 14^th – Sat 18^th November  Box Office: 08448 11 21 21
Theatre Royal, Newcastle   www.theatreroyal.co.uk

Tue 21^st – Sat 25^th November  Box Office: 0844 871 7645
New Victoria Theatre, Woking  www.atgtickets.com/venues/new-victoria-theatre

Tue 28^th November – Sat 2^nd December   Box Office: 01322 220000     
Orchard Theatre, Dartford   www.orchardtheatre.co.uk 

2024

Tue 9^th – Sat 13^th January   Box Office: 03330 096 690
Bristol Hippodrome, Bristol   www.atgtickets.com/venues/bristol-hippodrome

Tue 16^th – Sat 20^th January   Box Office: 03330 096 690
Regent Theatre, Stoke   www.atgtickets.com/venues/regent-theatre/

Tue 23^rd – Sat 27^th January   Box Office: 01492 872000
Venue Cymru, Llandudno   www.venuecymru.co.uk

Tue 30^th January – Sat 3^rd February  Box Office: 08187 19377
Bord Gais Energy Theatre, Dublin  www.bordgaisenergytheatre.ie/

Tue 6^th – Sat 10^th February   Box Office: 028 9024 1919
Grand Opera House, Belfast  www.goh.co.uk

Tue 13^th – Sat 17^th February  Box Office: 01752 267 222
Theatre Royal, Plymouth   www.theatreroyal.com

Tue 20^th – 24^th February   Box Office: 0115 989 5555
Theatre Royal, Nottingham   www.trch.co.uk

Tue 27^th February – Sat 2^nd March  Box Office: Box Office: 03330 096 690
Empire Theatre, Liverpool   www.atgtickets.com/venues/liverpool-empire/

Tue 5^th – Sat 9^th March   Box Office: 03330 096 690
New Theatre, Oxford   www.atgtickets.com/venues/new-theatre-oxford/

Tue 12^th – Sat 16^th March      Box Office: 01482 300 306
New Theatre, Hull      www.hulltheatres.co.uk

Tue 19^th– Sat 23^rd March   Box Office: 0113 243 0808
Grand Theatre, Leeds   www.leedsheritagetheatres.com  

Tue 26^th – Sat 30^th March   Box Office: 03330 096 690
Empire Theatre, Sunderland  www.atgtickets.com/venues/sunderland-empire/

Tue 2^nd – Sat 6^th April   Box Office: 01224 641 122  
His Majesty’s Theatre, Aberdeen  www.aberdeenperformingarts.com  

Tue 9^th – Sat 13^th April   Box Office: 03330 096 690
King’s Theatre, Glasgow   www.atgtickets.com/venues/kings-theatre-glasgow/   

Tue 16^th – Sat 20^th April   Box Office: 0844 338 5000
Hippodrome Theatre, Birmingham  www.birminghamhippodrome.com  

Tue 23^rd – Sat 27^th April   Box Office: 0343 310 0020
Churchill Theatre, Bromley   www.churchilltheatre.co.uk

Tue 30^th April – Sat 4^th May   Box Office: 03330 096 690
Playhouse Theatre, Edinburgh  www.atgtickets.com/venues/edinburgh-playhouse/

Tue 7^th – Sat 11^th May   Box Office: 029 2063 6464
Wales Millenium Centre, Cardiff  www.wmc.org.uk

Pulse Stage Productions and Bill Elms present 

JUST FOUR WEEKS UNTIL NEW 

HELEN FORRESTER PLAY 

‘BY THE WATERS OF LIVERPOOL’ 

OPENS ITS UK TOUR 

Last chance to see Helen Forrester’s life story on stage 

Cast features Coronation Street’s Tom Roberts and Emmerdale’s Joe Gill,

Emma Mulligan, Lynn Francis, Daniel Taylor, Lynne Fitzgerald, 

Joe Owens, Samantha Alton, and Roy Carruthers 

Autumn 2023 UK Tour will open in Liverpool on 4 September 

followed by dates in Port Sunlight, Crewe, Coventry, Sale, Rhyl, Darlington, 

Lichfield, St Helens, Southport, Halifax, Lytham, and New Brighton 

By The Waters Of Liverpool Autumn 2023 UK Tour opens in four weeks. It tells the captivating life story of best-selling author Helen Forrester – and this will be the only chance fans will have to experience the new production live on stage. 

The team behind By The Waters Of Liverpool and the earlier stage productions of Twopence To Cross The Mersey – which premiered in Liverpool almost 30 years ago – have announced the new tour will be the last one telling the life story of Helen’s fascinating life.  

By The Waters Of Liverpool Autumn 2023 UK Tour will run for eight weeks visiting 13 venues across the country. 

The tour will open in Liverpool on Monday 4 September 2023 and finish in New Brighton late October – with both locations being hugely important in Helen’s life story. 

The team behind the production recently announced the full tour cast. 

Coronation Street’s Tom Roberts will play John Forrester, Helen’s father; Emmerdale’s Joe Gill will play Harry O’Dwyer, Helen’s love interest; with Emma Mulligan in the lead role of Helen Forrester. 

The nine-strong cast play more than 50 characters, and the line-up also features Lynn Francis, Daniel Taylor, Lynne Fitzgerald, Joe Owens, Samantha Alton, and Roy Carruthers. 

Further cast information is included in the Notes To Editors. 

The By The Waters Of Liverpool tour will open with four performances at The Auditorium at M&S Bank Arena, later concluding with six dates at the Floral Pavilion in New Brighton in late October– just a few miles from where Helen Forrester was born in Wirral. Both venues are located on the banks of the River Mersey which was instrumental throughout Helen’s books. 

Between the dates in Liverpool and New Brighton, the production will also visit venues in Port Sunlight, Crewe, Coventry, Sale, Rhyl, Darlington, Lichfield, St Helens, Southport, Halifax, and Lytham. 

By The Waters Of Liverpool is a stunning period drama produced by the team who brought the smash-hit Twopence To Cross The Mersey to the stage. 

The creative team are producers Rob Fennah and Lynn McDermott for Pulse Stage Productions and Bill Elms. The show is directed by Gareth Tudor Price and written by Rob Fennah. 

By The Waters Of Liverpool Autumn 2023 UK Tour is highly anticipated. Its inaugural tour was scheduled to run for 12 weeks across 17 venues in Spring 2020. It was abandoned after visiting only three theatres due to the Covid-19 pandemic and rescheduled twice when the pandemic failed to abate.    

The team have now made the decision that this will be the ‘final chapter’ of Helen’s story on stage. 

The original production of Twopence To Cross The Mersey was brought to the stage in 1994 when it was premiered at the Liverpool Empire Theatre. This is the final opportunity for fans of Helen’s million-selling books to experience her story first-hand. 

Writer and producer Rob Fennah explained: “We’ve had a fantastic run with Twopence To Cross The Mersey over the years with hundreds of thousands of theatregoers flocking to see it. This new Helen Forrester play, By The Waters Of Liverpool, is an adaptation of her third autobiography and the final chapter of Helen’s life in Liverpool during the Great Depression. 

“By The Waters Of Liverpool also features sizeable chunks from Helen’s earlier book Liverpool Miss, together with flashbacks to Twopence To Cross The Mersey. I’ve even weaved in a storyline from Helen’s fourth autobiography Lime Street At Two. That way, those unfamiliar with Helen’s work will still get a complete picture of her life.” 

The new stage production is based on the book of the same name by the acclaimed author Helen Forrester. Her enigmatic and touching portrayal of her life story continues to win her fans worldwide through four best-selling volumes of autobiography Twopence To Cross The Mersey, Liverpool Miss, By The Waters of Liverpool, and Lime Street At Two. 

By The Waters Of Liverpool Autumn 2023 UK Tour finally ventures out across the UK after its premiere run was cut short in March 2020. After some years in the planning, the production was just 3 theatres into a 17-venue tour when the country was forced into a national lockdown. 

Writer and producer, Rob Fennah, enjoyed a long friendship with Helen Forrester since adapting her first book Twopence To Cross The Mersey in 1994. Helen travelled from her home in Edmonton, Canada, to see first-hand her story brought to life on stage.  

Prior to author’s death in 2011, Rob and Helen often discussed the possibility of another play to conclude her life story. By The Waters Of Liverpool is the result of many conversations and numerous letters between the author and playwright and, as such, the show is packed with provenance. 

Rob has remained friends with Helen’s son, Robert Bhatia, and this production is fully endorsed by the Helen Forrester Estate.  

Robert Bhatia, said: “The partnership between playwright Rob Fennah and my mother Helen, and her legacy, has been outstanding.” 

By The Waters Of Liverpool has sold more than a million books. It is set in the 1930s after Helen’s father went bankrupt during the Depression. Her family were forced to leave behind the nannies, servants and comfortable middle-class life in the South West of England. The Forrester’s chose Liverpool to rebuild their shattered lives. They were in for a terrible shock. Taken out of school to look after her young siblings, Helen is sick of being treated as an unpaid slave and begins a bitter fight with her parents for the right to go out to work and make her own way in life. But by 1939 and with Britain on the verge of war Helen, now aged 20, has still never been kissed by a man. But things start looking up for her when she meets a tall strong seaman and falls in love. 

Helen’s literary achievements were further celebrated in 2020 to mark her 100^th Birthday when an iconic Blue Plaque was unveiled at the Forrester family home in Hoylake on the Wirral, a place which featured heavily in her work. 

Helen Forrester’s best-selling volumes of autobiography include Twopence To Cross The Mersey, Liverpool Miss, By The Waters Of Liverpool, and Lime Street At Two. 

Written by Rob Fennah   ·   Directed by Gareth Tudor Price 

Produced by Pulse Stage Productions and Bill Elms 

Fully endorsed by the Helen Forrester Estate 

Website:         www.bythewatersofliverpool.com 

Facebook:       www.facebook.com/ByTheWatersThePlay 

YouTube:        https://youtu.be/r6TLMnPUleg 

LISTING INFORMATION 

HELEN FORRESTER’S  

BY THE WATERS OF LIVERPOOL 

LIVERPOOL – THE AUDITORIUM AT M&S BANK ARENA 

Monday 4 September – Wednesday 6 September 2023 

www.mandsbankarena.com 

PORT SUNLIGHT – GLADSTONE THEATRE 

Tuesday 12 September – Thursday 14 September 2023 

www.gladstonetheatre.org.uk 

CREWE – LYCEUM 

Monday 18 September – Tuesday 19 September 2023 

www.crewelyceum.co.uk  

COVENTRY – ALBANY THEATRE 

Wednesday 20 September – Thursday 21 September 2023 

www.albanytheatre.co.uk  

SALE – WATERSIDE 

Friday 22 September – Saturday 23 September 2023 

www.watersidearts.org  

RHYL – PAVILION 

Tuesday 26 September – Wednesday 27 September 2023 

www.rhylpavilion.co.uk 

DARLINGTON – HIPPODROME 

Friday 29 September – Saturday 30 September 2023 

www.darlingtonhippodrome.co.uk 

LICHFIELD – GARRICK 

Tuesday 3 October – Wednesday 4 October 2023 

www.lichfieldgarrick.com 

ST HELENS – THEATRE ROYAL 

Monday 9 October – Wednesday 11 October 2023 

www.sthelenstheatreroyal.com 

SOUTHPORT– THE ATKINSON 

Thursday 12 October – Saturday 14 October 2023 

www.theatkinson.co.uk 

HALIFAX – VICTORIA THEATRE 

Monday 16 October – Tuesday 17 October 2023 

www.victoriatheatre.co.uk 

LYTHAM – LOWTHER PAVILION 

Thursday 19 October – Saturday 21 October 2023 

www.lowtherpavilion.co.uk 

NEW BRIGHTON – FLORAL PAVILION 

Tuesday 24 October – Sunday 29 October 2023 

www.floralpavilion.com 

The Roundhouse, Chalk Farm Road, Chalk Farm, London NW1 8EH

Reviewed by Alec Legge

4****

The Roundhouse comedy festival started with a bang on Wednesday, 5th August 2023, with a Gala performance and runs until Wednesday 23 Aug 2023.

The MC, Kiri Pritchard McLean, opened the proceedings appearing in an amazing silver metallic floor length dress which immediately caught the eye as it shone and reflected all the lights/ A vision indeed! She then went into a routine involving the audience with plenty of humour. An amazing lady. She very ably MC’d the whole show giving a few minutes of stand up before introducing each act. Very funny

After her routine she introduced the first act, Rhys James, who gave a great performance based on people taking a cold shower in the mornings on the advice of a life coach guru and also bringing in life as a +30 year old. He also bemoaned the fact that he has the same name as a famous footballer. Very funny!

Next came Jordan Gray and what an outstanding performance she gave! She was tall with very long legs and she capered and moved around the stage at a speed to take your breath away, She is also obviously a talented musician / singer playing a keyboard and singing songs she has written. She was also extremely funny, a lot of which was directed at her own situation as a transgender. An amazing and hilarious act from an extremely entertaining and talented performer!

Amy Gledhill was next and she in turn was hilarious, She was a native of Hull and firstly her material was based on the Hull accent. Her tour de force though was a description of a third date with a tall man with big feet! Her description of a woman wondering about the size of the man’s appendage was side splitting, which was followed by a description of what happened when a man pulled his clothing down, backed up with descriptive actions was simply bawdily uproarious. Again a very talented comedian,

The following performer was Lolly Adefope. What a clever funny and intelligent act! She based it around what was supposed to be a novel she had written and read extracts from it which were extremely funny. Lolly again has tremendous talent. A co star once praised her when describing her acting for ‘how much she can convey with just the slightest movement of her eyes’ I agree wholeheartedly/

Then last but certainly not least Rose Matefeo, a brilliant performer from New Zealand. Rose gave a sterling and funny performance which the audience appreciated no end. Some of her observations and jokes about relationships were really funny. Another very talented lady.

All the above performers are well known and together the made for a funny and very entertaining evening. If the rest of the Roundhouse Festival of Comedy is as good as this night then it surely will be a hit with fans of stand up.

The Roundhouse as it’s name suggests is a circular auditorium which seats 750 people with the stage on one side. Unfortunately the stalls consist of removable seats which myself and my companion found uncomfortable. Apart from this the venue is an amazing space to visit with bars on all levels and access for the disabled.

THE NATIONAL THEATRE’S HIT SOLD-OUT PRODUCTION OF DEAR ENGLAND, BY JAMES GRAHAM,
TRANSFERS TO LONDON’S WEST END
FOR A STRICTLY LIMITED 14-WEEK RUN,
FROM 9 OCTOBER 2023

The National Theatre announces today that its critically acclaimed, sold-out production of Dear England will transfer to the Prince Edward Theatre, in London’s West End, from 9 October 2023 for a strictly limited 14-week run.  This new play by James Graham, directed by Rupert Goold, tells the story of the England men’s football team under Gareth Southgate.  Tickets go on sale to the General Public on 11 August at 10am.

It’s time to change the game. The country that gave the world football has since delivered a painful pattern of loss. Why can’t England’s men win at their own game?

With the worst track record for penalties in the world, England manager Gareth Southgate knows he needs to open his mind and face up to the years of hurt to take team and country back to the promised land.

Commissioned by the National Theatre, Dear England was developed with the theatre’s New Work department and had its world premiere in the Olivier theatre on 20 June 2023.

National Theatre Director and Chief Executive, Rufus Norris said:

“We’re delighted to be transferring Dear England to the Prince Edward Theatre.  James’s brilliant play takes the topic of football and uses it as a fascinating lens on English identity, leadership, flawed masculinity, and how we see ourselves and are seen on a very different world stage.  The production has been playing to packed houses all summer creating an electrifying buzz in the auditorium, with Joseph Fiennes’ pitch-perfect portrayal of Gareth Southgate.  We’re so pleased that Dear England is joining the roster of NT productions transferring to the West End this year, and we’re thrilled that there will now be even more opportunities for new audiences to experience this show.”  

Following their acclaimed productions of Tammy Faye and Ink at the Almeida Theatre, writer James Graham (Best of Enemies, Young Vic; Sherwood, BBC) has reunited with director Rupert Goold (Spring Awakening, Almeida Theatre; Judy, 20th Century Fox) for this gripping examination of both nation and game.

Playwright James Graham said:

“To put the National Game on the stage of the National Theatre has been an utter dream and, in particular, to see the subject matter draw in new audiences to watch a play.  It fills me with such excitement and joy to be bringing Rupert’s euphoric and entertaining production to the West End, with all its incredible movement and music and – what seems to be, for audiences so far – a deeply moving story inspired by the incredible journey of the men’s England football team.”

Director Rupert Goold said:

“I have thoroughly loved making Dear England with James, at the National Theatre.  We have an incredible team of artists and actors and it’s been a joy to see audiences so engaged with this production, many of whom were young people visiting theatre for the first time.  I can’t wait to transfer it to the West End and give even more people the opportunity to experience this brilliant play.”

Joseph Fiennes (The Handmaid’s Tale, Hulu; The Mother, Netflix) will reprise his role as Gareth Southgate, with further casting to be announced.

Goold is joined by set designer, Es Devlin; costume designer Evie Gurney; lighting designer, Jon Clark; movement directors, Ellen Kane and Hannes Langolf; sound designers, Dan Balfour and Tom Gibbons and video designer, Ash J Woodward.  Casting is by Bryony Jarvis Taylor; dialect coach is Richard Ryder and associate director is Elin Schofield.

Tickets for Dear England are available from £20. 

Dear England in the West End is supported by American Express, the National Theatre’s Preferred Card Partner.

IT HAS BEEN
BEAUTIFUL

BY LAURENCE O’KEEFE & KEVIN MURPHY

DIRECTED BY ANDY FICKMAN

WILL FINISH ITS CURRENT SCHEDULED RUN

AT THE OTHER PALACE ON 3 SEPTEMBER

WINNER OF BEST NEW MUSICAL – WHATSONSTAGE AWARDS 2019

****

Daily Telegraph, The Independent, Metro, Daily Express,

The Stage, Attitude, The Arts Desk, Broadway World

*****

The New European, City AM

Dear diary, this September will see Heathers The Musical graduate from the Other Palace stage, as it hangs up the croquet mallets and bids a farewell to London audiences. The current run of Heathers the Musical at The Other Palace will finish, as scheduled, on Sunday 3^rd September.

Produced by Bill Kenwright and Paul Taylor-Mills, the musical started its UK journey with a cult following and was a box office record-breaker at The Other Palace in 2018, before transferring to the Theatre Royal Haymarket for a limited season later that year, going on to win the WhatsOnStage award for Best New Musical 2019. The production then returned to the Haymarket and played a hugely successful summer season 2021, kick-starting the West End’s pandemic recovery, before returning back to its original home to reopen The Other Palace.

However, we don’t say goodbye to the cult favourite musical for good. The hugely popular UK and Ireland Tour will be continuing into the autumn and will finish at the New Wimbledon Theatre on 28 October 2023, giving audiences up and down the country the opportunity to visit the Candy Store this year.

And there is still plenty of BIG FUN to be had between now and September at the Other Palace as well. With summer in session, how VERY would it be to celebrate, hold our breath and count the days, since we’re graduating soon with the Corn Nuts?

With a dazzling book, music and lyrics by Kevin Murphy and Laurence O’Keefe, Heathers the Musical is based on one of the greatest cult teen films of all time, and starred Winona Ryder and Christian Slater. The production is directed by Andy Fickman, withchoreography by Thriller Live’s Gary Lloyd, designs by David Shields, lighting by Ben Cracknell, sound by Dan Samson, the assistant choreographer is Christopher Parkinson.

Westerberg High’s Veronica Sawyer is just another nobody dreaming of a better day. But when she joins the beautiful and impossibly cruel Heathers, her dreams of popularity may finally come true. Mysterious teen rebel JD teaches her that it might kill to be a nobody, but it is murder being a somebody…

Currently staring Miracle Chance (Be More Chill), as Veronica Sawyer, George Renshaw (South Pacific) as Jason ‘J.D’ Dean.

Our titular ‘Heathers’ are Olivia Barnett-Legh,who made her professional debut as the formidable Heather Chandler, Kia-Paris Walcott (But I’m A Cheerleader) as Heather Duke, and Katharine Pearson (Back To The Future)as Heather McNamara.

The 2023 graduating class of Westerberg is completed with Katie Ramshaw (Roger and Hammerstein’s Cinderella) as Martha Dunnstock, Seb Harwood (Eugenius!) as Kurt Kelly, Cristian Zaccarini (Grease) as Ram Sweeney, Rachel Breeze (La Boheme) as Ms Fleming, Alexander McMorran (Come From Away) as Ram’s Dad/Big Bud Dean/Coach, Alexander Service (Little Women) as Kurt’s Dad/Veronica’s Dad/Principal Gowan with Elliot David Parkes (Heathers) as Beleaguered Geek, Carly Burns (Blood Brothers) as Midwestern Surfer Punk, Georgia Anderson (Hairspray) as New Wave Party Girl, Sophie Hutchinson (The Addams Family) as Drama Club Drama Queen, Georgia Iudica-Davies (The Book of Mormon) as Young Republicanette, Bibi Jay (Betty Blue Eyes) as Stoner Chick, Kaine Ruddach (Mamma Mia!) as Preppy Stud, and Lewis Asquith (Heathers) as Hipster Dork.

Leeds Playhouse

Reviewed by Dawn Smallwood

4****

In Dreams is a new musical written by David West Read, directed by Luke Shepphard and based on the music and songs by Roy Orbison. This musical is making its debut at the Leeds Playhouse.

The story is centred around a Mexican restaurant which also serves as a memorial service, in the US Deep Southwest. It follows Kenna (Lena Hall), a lead singer of the band Heartbreak Radio, and she is seriously ill. She is drawn to the Mexican rituals which includes celebrations of deceased loved ones. Kenna is acquainted with Oscar (Manuel Pacific) and his wife and mother to be Nicole (Gabriela García) and his grandmother Ana Sofia (Alma Cuervo) whom are owners of the restaurant and memorial service.

The story unravels with Kenna’s musical past including her former bandmates; Jane (Sian Reese-Williams and Donavan (Noël Sullivan) whom are husband and wife, and Ramsey (Oliver Tompsett) who is her ex-partner. They have been invited to Kenna’s “leaving party” at the restaurant. Another visitor to the restaurant is George (Richard Trinder) who reflects on his late wife and is currently seeking love and companionship.

Roy Orbison’s songs and music is cleverly arranged and set to the story and the characters’ state of minds and emotions. The musical numbers feature a wide range of Roy Orbison’s songs; some well-known, You Got it and Oh, Pretty Woman, and others not as familiar. The songs and music are placed well into the story and under the common theme of dreams which is echoed throughout.

Traditionally the Mexican culture and traditions includes Día de Muertos (Day of the Dead) every year on the 2nd of November. These were interlinked by all the characters in the story with observation and celebration; remembering dead loved ones and celebrating the present no matter what adversary and challenges one faces, individually and collectively.

Every member of the cast gives their full commitment and energy to this well projected performance. The production is timely choreographed and thoroughly directed, courtesy of Shepphard and Fabian Aloise. Arnulfo Maldonado’s staging compliments the backdrop to the show with Howard Hudson’s lighting, Tom Marshall’s soundscapes and George Reeves’s videography.

In Dreams is certainly well received by the audience and Roy Orbison’s songs and music work very well in this production. The musical encourages and dares people to dream life and celebrate the now as well as in the past and in the future.

Theatre Royal Stratford East, Leeds Playhouse and HOME Manchester present

CAST AND CREATIVE TEAM ANNOUNCED FOR NEW

30^TH ANNIVERSARY PRODUCTION OF JONATHAN HARVEY’S

BEAUTIFUL THING

Stratford East

08 September – 07 October 2023

Theatre Royal Stratford East, Leeds Playhouse and HOME Manchester today announce cast and creatives for a new production to celebrate the 30^th anniversary of Jonathan Harvey’s coming-out and coming-of-age story Beautiful Thing, directed by Anthony Simpson-Pike.

Raphael Akuwudike (Ste) and Joshua Asaré (Jamie) will lead the cast and are joined by Trieve Blackwood-Cambridge (Tony), Shvorne Marks (Sandra) and Scarlett Rayner (Leah).

Commenting on his new production, Director Anthony Simpson-Pike says:

“Beautiful Thing is an iconic queer story that holds a special place in so many people’s hearts. Many people saw their own stories on stage and screen for the first time. In its 30th anniversary year, I feel excited for people who look like me to see their own stories reflected on stage too, to feel that same stirring of recognition in this seminal piece. Black queer people have always been around, this beautiful story of discovering your true self and falling in love belongs to all of us.”

Beautiful Thing opens at Stratford East from 08 September – 07 October, before playing Leeds Playhouse 18 – 28 October and HOME Manchester 31 October – 11 November.

Writer Jonathan Harvey

Director Anthony Simpson-Pike

Set & Costume Designer Rosie Elnile

Lighting Designer Elliot Griggs

Sound Designer Xana

Movement & Intimacy DirectorAnnie-Lunnette Deakin-Foster

Casting Director Isabella Odoffin CDG

Associate Director Robert Awosusi

Fight Director Bret Yount

Costume Supervisor Jackie Orton

Voice & Dialect Coach Joel Trill

Production Dramatherapist Wabriya King

Casting Assistant Joanna Sturrock

Teenage boys Ste and Jamie are neighbours on a South London estate. Jamie is more knowledgeable about The Sound of Music than football, while classmate Ste never misses a sports day. Both are being bullied, Jamie at school and Ste at home by his violent father and brother. One night, when things get too much, Ste seeks refuge in Jamie’s flat and, sharing a bed, the boys strike up a new relationship. Together they come to terms with their sexuality and explore their feelings alongside their Mama Cass loving, rebellious friend Leah and with the much-needed emotional support of Jamie’s lioness mother, Sandra. 

This 30th-anniversary revival of Jonathan Harvey’s iconic, coming-out and coming-of-age story set in the nineties, is about community, friendship, rites of passage and what it is to be 16 and in love. 

 
Beautiful Thing is a touching, urban love story, full of warmth and humour. 

Age guidance: 14+ 

Presented by Theatre Royal Stratford East, Leeds Playhouse and HOME Manchester.

Tickets now on sale. For more information visit www.stratfordeast.com.