Switch_MCR are a Manchester based theatre company creating new and exciting accessible work. The company was founded by Royal Exchange Young Company members and is now one of the biggest independent theatre companies in Manchester. This Double Bill performance was a collection of two new and exciting plays, Lekhani Chirwa’s ‘Senses of Responsibility’ and Joseph Conway’s ‘Blue Moss’.
Senses of Responsibility was a Poignant, Emotional, and Informative piece which saw Hope Yolanda as Symonie, a young carer dealing with her mum being diagnosed with a life limiting and debilitating illness. The performance explores Symonie dealing with being a young carer and how she comes to accept help to have her ‘own’ life. Within this performance Sara Abanur played multiple roles that Symonie interacts with in her life, and in particular, Symonie’s social worker. The audience are able to identify these different roles with quick costume changes as well as Sara’s incredible use of accent and pitch. This intimate show was staged in the round, with Hope using direct address to engage the audience in a way where they feel they could answer Symonie’s questions. The minimalistic set of childlike items, such as plastic tea sets and plastic play food, shows the mental state of the character who is struggling with having to act like an adult when she really shouldn’t have to an should be able to enjoy her teenage years. In this performance Hope Yolanda stunned as Symonie and portrayed this role with impeccable emotion. The performance was beautiful and inspired.
Blue Moss was a stark contrast to Senses of Responsibility. This futuristic and contemporary piece of theatre explored the themes of claustrophobia, memories, dreams, and loneliness. The piece was abstract and used physical theatre as the ensemble of three, Spike De La Cruz, Justin Sadiq and Laura Masters, used hypnotic movements and dance to a methodical almost alien pieces of music. The performance felt inspired by Artaud’s Theatre of Cruelty as the actors slammed their bodies into one another and the floor in carefully choreographed movement. There were moments of disbelief between the audience and myself as we experienced the raw and intimate engagement between actors and spectators. The commitment to role must be commended in moments of extreme tension where the trio of actors used extreme vocals, screaming into the audiences faces. The minimalistic set in this performance added to its futuristic abstract feel as plants littered in plastic and paper adorned the in the round stage. Whilst all three actors gave outstanding performances I was captivated by Laura Masters.
The performances will be interpreted in BSL by Judith Jeddal but please check when booking as there was no interpreter at this performance.
These two spectacular performances by Switch_MCR will run at 53Two until July 9th so if you are in Manchester and fancy pre-drinks with a twist this fully accessible theatre is located under the arches next to Beetham Tower and only a short walk from the Deansgate-Castlefield Metrolink Stop!
The Rise and Fall of Little Voice by Jim Cartwright brings you the story of a mother and daughter who couldn’t be more different! Little Voice (Christina Bianco) loves nothing more than to stay in her bedroom listening to her records that have been left by her late father. Left alone she falls into a world of music where she becomes alive, swapping her quiet timid life and voice which suddenly transforms into her strength. Making her able to lose herself and be happy.
Her Mother Mari (Shobna Gulati) on the other hand is the complete opposite enjoys a party, is always on the booze and going out meeting men! She hasn’t much time for little voice and can’t understand why her daughter is always confined to her bedroom and doesn’t want to leave the house! They both seem to class each other as an embarrassment and have no relationship.
Then Mari meets Ray (Ian Kelsey) a small-time club owner he portrays himself as experienced in his trade and picks up on Little Voices Talents, as he hears her from downstairs singing in her bedroom. Mari on the other hand thinks all the attention and enthusiasm coming forward is towards her and not her daughter! This eventually causing a bigger rift between the two. With Ray thinking that he has found his discovery in Little Voice and that this could be his chance to hit the big time. He puts her on stage where at first, she gets booed but eventually her talent is shown and she rocks out some powerful ballads performed live.
Christina Bianco had a charming strong and exquisite voice that was enjoyable and extraordinary to listen too, she plays her part extremely well transforming from a suppressed withdrawn character to a confident singer.
Shobna Gulati plays a very convincing part as a loud drunken and overbearing mother who wants everything to be about herself.
Ian Kelsey comes across as caring in his role at first but as things unravel and doesn’t go his way, he plays the shady, slippery and later on abusive character!
Together they had a good connection on stage.
The stage was done extremely well of a slightly run-down house which had two levels with the stairs leading up to a bedroom and a hallway with the living room and kitchen downstairs it was very interesting to look at with lots of attention to detail very cleverly done.
Although this production offered some great acting as well as some great music and some light comedy throughout. I also found it to be disheartening and upsetting with a sad storyline that wasn’t very uplifting at times.
Channing Tatum and his co-producers are delighted toannounce a new year-long partnership between Magic Mike Live in London and innovative not-for-profit organisation Men’s Minds Matter; a public health initiative focused on developing psychological interventions for people in suicidal crisis. Magic Mike Live is currently running at The Theatre at the Hippodrome Casino in London, booking until Sunday 1 January 2023.
Men’s Minds Matter is a not-for-profit organisation that specialises in developing psychological interventions for people at risk of suicide. Their model of Psychological Entrapment and Suicidal Crises is the first of its kind and brings together psychological science, clinical and lived experience of suicide. The model underpins and guides everything they do and truly sets them apart from other mental health charities and not-for-profit organisations.
Men’s Minds Matter is run by Nigel Sanderson (suicide intervention specialist, lived experience expert and MMM director) and Dr Luke Sullivan (suicide intervention specialist, clinical psychologist and MMM director). Their main aim is to develop an interactive, live, web-based application that will bring their intervention to as many people as possible through their digital platforms. This is the first intervention of its kind and they believe it has the potential to save many lives.
Nigel Sanderson and Dr Luke Sullivan said of the partnership, “We’re super psyched to be partnering with Magic Mike Live over the coming year. Not only will the partnership help to raise awareness of suicide and suicide in men, it will also help to support our ambitions to save lives and bring a focus to our work. Our model of Psychological Entrapment and Suicidal Crises is already helping to save lives in the therapy room. Our model explains suicidality at the individual level and allows interventions to be designed which target the mechanisms that lead to and maintain suicidality. We want as many people as possible to support us and help make our ambitions a reality.”
Global Executive Producer of Magic Mike Live Vincent Marini added, “The impact of the pandemic on Magic Mike Live team members around the world has really brought into focus for us the importance of mental health initiatives like Men’s Minds Matter. We believe in supporting programmes that take innovative approaches to solving age old problems and Men’s Minds Matter is doing just that through their digital platforms. We are proud of our association with them and we look forward to working with them to help as many people as possible.”
The London cast of Magic Mike Live consists of Sarah Annakin, Daniel Blessing, Natacza Boon, Jake Brewer, Harry Carter, Hannah Cleeve, Peter Cleverley, Petr Fedorovskii, Luca Figarazzi, Myles Harper, Charlie Knight, Mark Lace, Theo O. Bailey, James Percy, Ross Sands, Josie Scamell and Manny Tsakanika.
Conceived and co-directed by Channing Tatum, Magic Mike Live, which has already wowed over 300,000 people in London alone and over 1,000,000 worldwide, is a large-scale, live production show based on the hit films Magic Mike and Magic Mike XXL, which opened at The Theatre at the Hippodrome Casino in London’s Leicester Square in November 2018. Magic Mike Live has inspired a new television series on HBO Max, Finding Magic Mike, which aired in the United States earlier this year. Magic Mike’s Last Dance, the third installment of the Magic Mike franchise, will be released this autumn.
From the bespoke entrance off Cranbourn Street, to the specially curated lounge and bar experience, to the cast of world-class performers, Magic Mike Live is a complete evening of unparalleled entertainment for guests aged 18 and up. Audience members enter Magic Mike’s mythical club and marvel as a group of extraordinary perform a 360-degree dance and acrobatic spectacular in front of, behind, and above them. Sexy dance routines intertwined with one-of-a-kind acts, are presented by a diverse cast of performers from around the world.
Magic Mike Live in London is co-directed by Channing Tatum and Alison Faulk, with Luke Broadlick as associate director, and choreography by Alison Faulk, Teresa Espinosa and Luke Broadlick.The Executive Producer is Vincent Marini with General Management by Crossroads Live. The production designer is Rachel O’Toole, with scenic design by Rob Bissinger and Anita LaScala (Arda Studio), costume design by Marina Toybina, lighting design by Philip Gladwell and video design by Luke Halls. Musical supervisor is Jack Rayner, with sound design by Nick Kourtides. Dreya Weber is aerial choreographer & aerial apparatus designer.
Magic Mike Live has become an international sensation since opening in Las Vegas in April 2017. In addition to breaking box office records and performing to sold-out audiences in Las Vegas and London, the show premiered in Berlin in 2020 and the Australia national tour opened in Sydney in December 2020.
Magic Mike Live is produced in London by Channing Tatum, Reid Carolin, Greg Jacobs, Peter Kiernan, Steven Soderbergh, Nick Wechsler and United Talent Agency in association with Warner Bros., Vincent Marini, The Hippodrome Casino, Bruce Robert Harris and Jack W. Batman, TSG Entertainment & Ashley DeSimone, Richard Winkler and The Creative House.
Further tickets released for Musical Con, the UK’s first ever musical theatre fan convention Saturday 22nd – Sunday 23rd October 2022 ExCel London, Royal Victoria Dock, London E16 1XL
Due to phenomenal demand, Musical Con, the UK’s first ever musical theatre fan convention, will release a limited number of additional tickets. The convention, which is taking place at ExCeL London in October, will bring thousands of musical theatre fans and enthusiasts together under one roof for the first time. This weekend-long celebration of musicals sold out quickly after launching in April. The organisers have already increased the size of the event, and with this final release will now boast over 10,000 day tickets over the weekend.
Co-founder of West End Musical Productions, Chris Steward, says, It’s clear that after the past two years we’ve all had, the musical theatre community just want real connection. Yes, with the stars and shows they love, but also and most importantly with each other. This is the event we have all been waiting for!
Ambassadors for the convention include West End superstars Aimie Atkinson, Kerry Ellis, Alice Fearn, Ben Forster, Jodie Steele, Trevor Dion Nicholas, Omari Douglas, Shanay Holmes, Jenna Russell and Layton Williams. There are also more than 30 special guests, with many more to be announced.
The convention will be every musical theatre fan’s dream, with the opportunity to meet the stars, celebrate the shows, and learn from the pros. Attendees can experience unique performances, surprise cast reunions, interviews, discussion panels and show spotlights. They can get up close and personal with their stage faves with photo and autograph opportunities. There will be an epic cosplay competition, fan meetups, musical lip-sync battles and show singalongs. A marketplace of stalls will sell unique fandom merchandise and collectibles.
Enthusiasts will also enjoy an extensive selection of musical theatre workshops, masterclasses, and talks run by the cast and creatives of the shows. They can learn about getting into musical theatre, about roles both on and off stage that make the magic happen, and there will be the opportunity to network with top schools and colleges.
Co-founder of West End Musical Productions Shanay Holmes, who is currently originating the role of Cindy Breakspeare in Get Up Stand Up and is an ambassador for the event, says, The way the fans have responded has been incredible. We’ve been asking the fans what they want to see and we have been inundated with incredible ideas for the convention. This is their event. This is for the fans.
FIERY ANGEL ENTERTAINMENT AND RED TAIL ENTERTAINMENT
PROUDLY PRESENT THE EUROPEAN PREMIERE OF
DOLLY PARTON’S SMOKY MOUNTAIN CHRISTMAS CAROL A NEW MUSICAL
FOR A CHRISTMAS SEASON AT THE
SOUTHBANK CENTRE’S QUEEN ELIZABETH HALL FROM 8 DECEMBER 2022 – 8 JANUARY 2023
TICKETS ON SALE 4 JULY 2022
Producers Fiery Angel Entertainment and Red Tail Entertainment are delighted to announce that the European Premiere of Dolly Parton’s Smoky Mountain Christmas Carol – A New Musical will play a Christmas season at the Southbank Centre’s Queen Elizabeth Hall from 8 December 2022 to 8 January 2023, with a press night on 13 December 2022. Tickets go on sale on 4 July 2022. www.dollyschristmascarol.com
Dolly Parton said today “Bringing our reimagined Charles Dickens classic to London feels like a homecoming. My songs weave the music of my beautiful Smoky Mountains into this timeless Christmas story, and I can’t wait for London audiences to hear them as we tell that story, set in a place that is truly special to me.”
Set during the 1930s in the Smoky Mountains of East Tennessee, this heart-warming and truly unforgettable production imagines Ebenezer Scrooge as the owner of a mining company town, where his callous greed blinds him to the joys and gifts of the season. As a Christmas Eve snowstorm approaches, Scrooge is visited by the spirit of his deceased business partner and three ghosts who compel him to see life anew and discover that love and family are the greatest and most precious gifts we have. Dickens’s classic characters and Parton’s heart-felt songs beautifully reimagine this timeless story in a whole new light.
Dolly Parton’s Smoky Mountain Christmas Carol is an adaptation by David H. Bell, Paul T. Couch and Curt Wollan. The book is by David H. Bell with music and Lyrics by Dolly Parton. It is produced by Fiery Angel Entertainment and Red Tail Entertainment.
Tom Ratcliffe’s play about social media hysteria and mob justice is intriguing and disconcerting. Set in the sleepy seaside town of Walton-on-the-Naze, where rumours start that a woman involved in the murder of a child has set up home under a new identity.
The details of Evelyn’s crime are described by Punch, Judy and Crocodile, making the cruelty and violence cartoonish and surreal, and encouraging loud reactions from the audience. The characters appear throughout the play to muddy further the assumptions made from the story so far and representing the online pile on of hate and disgust frenetically and animalistically.
Sandra (Nicola Harrison) arrives in Walton thinking she will be renting a flat but finds out that she is renting a room in a flat in a retirement village. Jeanne (Rula Lenska) is desperate for company as she and her daughter are estranged, and convinces Sandra to stay with her, telling everybody that Sandra is her goddaughter. Sandra goes along with this and seems to be gaslighting Jeanne at first, but soon the two become close. What happens each day is unclear as Jeanne is suffering with Dementia and Sandra lies effortlessly to entertain Jeanne.
Jeanne’s nurse, Laura (Yvette Boakye), is immediately suspicious of Sandra and is unhappy when Jeanne sets her brother Kevin (Offue Okegbe) with Sandra. As the couple’s relationship develops, the Spotted in Walton Facebook page slowly transforms from petty complaints about dog mess to panic about Evelyn settling there. Soon addresses of women that they think could be Evelyn are posted online and paranoia overruns the town.
As Sandra and Jeanne’s lies unravel, suspicion soon falls on Sandra and her mysterious past, and Kevin must choose a side.
Lenska is worth the ticket price alone as Jeanne, soulful, wise, and determined to enjoy her life even as her dementia takes hold. Her final scene with Sandra is heart wrenching as you realise that a lot of the affection she showed Sandra might have been mistaken as she calls her by her daughter’s name. Harrison’s reactions in this pivotal scene are exquisite, and she does a wonderful job keeping Sandra slightly “wrong” as she goes about her new life in Walton – defensive and wary with the body language of someone always ready to run.
Ratcliffe’s writing twists and turns, leaving you guessing and questioning what is real – both facts and feelings. The characters are all frustrating and antagonistic, but the reasons behind this are all teased out. Director Madelaine Moore alters the rhythm of the play without warning, keeping the audience on edge and unsure what will happen next, with the atmosphere becoming increasingly unsettling as Rachel Sampley’s lighting and video design gets darker and Michael Crean’s wholesome seaside music becomes more jarring and off kilter.
Evelyn is not an easy watch but is a story that needs to be told, and this memorable production is well worth a look.
Jim Steinman and Meatloaf’s classics have been adapted for a stage musical and what a treat it is!!
We follow the lives of Strat (Glenn Adamson) and Raven (Martha Kirby) as they fight to be together-Strat is a lost boy, frozen in time living in hiding whilst Raven is a teen Vogue model. Once the two finally meet, there is a true chemistry that fills the stage-a testament to these actors. Adamson has arguably the most challenging role in the show, as he is tasked with singing the titular ‘Bat out of Hell’. His vocals are impressive and it was so easy to be lost in his performance. He is a very skilled performer and made the songs truly his own-giving the performance of a lifetime! Martha Kirby as ‘Raven’ was also superb. She excelled during ‘It’s all Coming Back to me Now’ and had the perfect balance of a confused girl in love and the will to rebel. There wasn’t a moment when these two faltered, owing them a congratulation.
The other two stand out performers were ‘Falco’ and ‘Sloane’ (Rob Fowler and Franziska Schuster) as ‘Raven’s parents. These two again had amazing chemistry and sang wonderfully, creating a beautiful harmony throughout every number. There is much to be said also, for the ensemble. This group of performers are incredible and made for a brilliant show. There were, at times, some points where the choreography was a little out of time with each other, but this was not a massive issue.
Technically, this is a standout show. With camera work, flames, motorbikes and explosions, you will not have a minute where you are wanting more! Together with Steve Sidwell (orchestrator) this is a feat of a show!
The band and cast were exquisite and gave as close to a Meatloaf performance as you could get. We were also very lucky to be treated to the local Harley Davidson club conducting a drive by for the opening night, really making the evening special.
I would do anything for love, but miss this show? No. I won’t do that!!!
CASTING ANNOUNCED FOR THE UK PREMIÈRE OF DAWN KING’S THE TRIALS
Donmar Warehouse Artistic Director Michael Longhurst and Executive Director Henny Finch today announce casting for the UK première of Dawn King’s The Trialsdirected by Natalie Abrahami, which also goes on sale today. Elise Alexandre, Francis Dourado, Jowana El-Daouk, Will Gao, Pelumi Ibiloye, Honor Kneafsey, Joe Locke, Rue Millwood, Charlie Reid, Meréana Tomlinson, Taya Tower and Jairaj Varsani will perform as the jury, and are joined by Nigel Lindsay and Sharon Small as defendants. This Donmar LOCAL production runs at the Donmar Warehouse from 12 August until 27 August 2022. Over 50 £10 tickets per performance will be available to audiences under 30, with a special YOUNG+FREE performance for audiences aged 16-25 on 17 August.
Michael Longhurst, Donmar Warehouse Artistic Director said “Dawn King’s explosive new play about the climate crisis demands we consider the generation most affected. I am proud that as part of our casting process for The Trials the Donmar has created an extensive engagement programme with young Londoners from our community, opening routes into the industry and platforming the next generation of actors and activists.”
As part of the casting process, 1372 young people were engaged through schools and community groups and a further 206 young people were engaged in intensive development workshops for the play at Royal Central School of Speech and Drama (RCSSD), with support from National Youth Theatre. During this phase of the project, the participants worked with Dawn King, had sessions in voice, movement and performance skills, took part in sessions on climate activism, and devised new work on the subject of climate justice. Over half of the company will make their professional debuts at the Donmar this Summer.
Principal Lecturer and Course Leader of MA Applied Theatre at RCSSD, Professor Selina Busby, commented “This project is really exciting, the Donmar’s approach to involving local communities and young people in their work is unique and highly ambitious. We have loved partnering with them on the project and it was a vital opportunity for so many young people to be involved in theatre making at a time when cuts to school theatre provision and to the arts and youth services are reducing these opportunities.”
Working with Julie’s Bicycleand Donmar Associate Zoë Svendsen, and with guidance from the Theatre Green Book, the creative team for The Trials is focused on minimising the impact of the production on the environment. The aim is to create a piece of theatre in which every possible element is either reused or recycled and can be returned to the theatre ecosystem for use in future productions. The team will monitor and track the decision-making process in every department, collating their learning and ultimately generating a framework for sustainable productions at the Donmar and beyond.
Junior creatives are also being recruited to shadow the creative team in roles including Junior Assistant Set & Costume and Junior Assistant Director, supported by the Backstage Trust as part of the Donmar’s ongoing commitment to talent development.
Also announced today is the release of Climate Conversations, a new podcast series bringing together Donmar directors and leading climate and social justice thinkers.
This podcast series was recorded during an 18-month research project the Donmar is currently undertaking. Bringing together artists and staff, facilitated by Donmar Artistic Associate and Climate Dramaturg Zoë Svendsen, this research is exploring new ways of working and thinking in order to create the conditions for more climate-careful theatre-making. The first podcast will be available in July.
Tickets for The Trials are on sale to Donmar members from Wednesday 29 June, and on public sale Friday 1 July.
Wed 29 June 10am Director’s Forum & Steel Members
Wed 29 June 2pm Copper Members
Thu 30 June 10am Friends
Fri 1 July 10am Public booking
A DONMAR LOCAL PRODUCTION
THE UK PREMIÈRE OF
THE TRIALS
by Dawn King
Jurors: Elise Alexandre, Francis Dourado, Jowana El-Daouk, Will Gao, Pelumi Ibiloye, Honor Kneafsey, Joe Locke, Rue Millwood, Charlie Reid, Meréana Tomlinson, Taya Tower, Jairaj Varsani
Defendants: Nigel Lindsay, Sharon Small
Director: Natalie Abrahami; Designer: Georgia Lowe; Lighting Designer: Jai Morjaria; Sound Designer and Composer: Xana; Movement Directors: Anna Morrissey and Aaron Parsons; Video Designer: Nina Dunn; Voice Coach: Emma Woodvine; Associate Director: Joseph Hancock; Sustainability Consultants: Julie’s Bicycle; Production Dramatherapist: Wabriya King
12 August – 27 August 2022
It’s easy for you to accuse me now but you don’t understand. Everyone lived like we did! Well maybe not everyone, everyone. But…I wasn’t any worse than anyone else.
The near future.
The climate crisis is unfolding and our generation is being judged.
The jurors? Children. But are they delivering justice, or serving revenge?
In this searing new play by Dawn King, the next generation of talentstar alongside leading actors, directed by Natalie Abrahami.
A Donmar LOCAL Production: identifying talent of the future and proudly platforming them and the issues that matter.
The Trials received its world première at the Düsseldorfer Schauspielhaus in 2021 and was a finalist for the Susan Smith Blackburn Prize. This production is generously supported by Adam and Victoria Freudenheim. The Trials Young Assistants’ Programme is generously supported by the Backstage Trust.
With thanks to Charles Holloway, Season Supporter
THE JURY:
Elise Alexandre plays Amelia. For theatre, her credits include The Ferryman (The Royal Court Theatre, Gielgud Theatre) and Fireworks (Performing International Plays); and for film, Radioactive.
Francis Dourado (he/him) is making his professional stage debut as Mohammad. Francis has been a member of the Boury Academy and The Hebe Foundation where he has performed in productions of Into the Woods and Romeo and Juliet.
Jowana El-Daouk (she/they) is making her professional stage debut as Gabi. Jowana has previously worked with Dream Arts, an acting group which focused on writing and performing plays. She has also performed in a school production of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat.
Will Gao plays Xander. For theatre, his work includes NYT / London Fashion Week (National Youth Theatre), A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Glyndebourne Opera) and Shakespeare 400 (Royal Festival Hall). For television, his work includes Heartstopper; and he is also in the band The Wasia Project.
Pelumi Ibiloye is making his professional stage debut as Marek. He is a member of the Pauline Quirke Academy.
Honor Kneafsey plays Ren. For theatre her work includes Evita (Bill Kenwright), The Sound of Music (Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre) and Scrooge (Bill Kenwright). For television, her work includes Sick Note, Babs, Benidorm, Sherlock, Siblings, Our Zoo, X Company and Friday Night Dinner; and film includes Napoleon, Legacy of Lies, A Christmas Prince – The Royal Baby, A Christmas Prince – The Royal Wedding, Crooked House, A Christmas Prince, The Bookshop, Butterfly Kisses, Slumbers, Miss You Already, and Wolfwalkers
Joe Locke (he/him) is making his professional stage debut as Noah. His television work includes Heartstopper.
Rue Millwood (they/them) is making their professional stage debut as Chris. Rue has been a member of the National Youth Theatre for the past year, recently performing in an NYT members play Speak Out about the experiences of young trans people, as well as the NYT Big Weekender at the Royal Court Theatre. Rue has a keen interest in physical theatre and is part of the London Youth Circus.
Charlie Reid plays Tomaz. For theatre, his credits include Romeo & Juliet (Shakespeare for Schools Festival at The Watersmeet Theatre); and for film, The Bird Game; Boys Will Be Boys;The Most Reluctant Convert
Meréana Tomlinson is making her professional stage debut as Kako. Meréana has been a member of The South London Youth Theatre for the past two years, where she has performed in a production of Macbeth. Meréana remains an active member of the youth group.
Taya Tower plays Zoe. For the Donmar: [BLANK]. Other theatre includes: The Hunt (Almeida Theatre). She is the winner of The Stage Debut Award 2019 for Young Performer of the Year. Radio includes: The Voyage of St Louis (BBC Radio 4). Training includes: Stages Performing Arts – Dance (iSTD Ballet, Tap and Modern, Freestyle, Street and Jazz).
Jairaj Varsani (he/him) is making his professional stage debut as Adnan. For television, his work includes Great Expectations, Foundation, Small Axe, Avenue 5 and Hetty Feather; and for film, The Personal History of David Copperfield.
THE DEFENDANTS
Nigel Lindsay returns to the Donmar for The Trials – he previously appeared in The Same Deep Water as Me. For theatre, his work includes Faith Healer (Abbey Theatre), God of Carnage (Theatre Royal Bath), Harrogate, Sucker Punch (Royal Court Theatre), Guys and Dolls (Phoenix Theatre), Bull (Young Vic), Speed-the-Plow (Playhouse Theatre), A Small Family Business (National Theatre), Richard II (RSC), Shrek the Musical (Olivier Award nomination), Broken Glass (Tricycle Theatre – WhatsOnStage Award for Best Supporting Actor), and Under the Blue Sky (Duke of York’s Theatre). His television work includes The Chelsea Detective, Salisbury, Tin Star, Plebs, The Last Kingdom, The Capture, No Offence, Safe, White Gold, Innocent, Unforgotten, Victoria, Death in Paradise and Gifted; and for film, Six Minutes to Midnight, Dead in a Week (Or Your Money Back), Access All Areas, Alan Partridge: Alpha Papa, Breakfast with Jonny Wilkinson, Four Lions (Nomination for Best British Comedy Performance in Film), First Night, Scoop and Rogue Trader.
Sharon Small returns to the Donmar for The Trials – she previously appeared in The Threepenny Opera and Life is a Dream. For theatre, her work includes Still Alice (West Yorkshire Playhouse), The Threepenny Opera, Men Should Weep, London Cuckolds (National Theatre), Luna Gale (Hampstead Theatre), Carmen Disruption (Almeida Theatre), Arden of Faversham (RSC), Spur of the Moment (Royal Court Theatre), Lear (Sheffield Crucible Theatre), When Harry Met Sally… (Theatre Royal Haymarket) and The Nun (Greenwich Studio Theatre). Her television work includes Taggart, Roughnecks, An Independent Man, Doctor Finlay, The Bill, Hamish Macbeth, No Child of Mine, Sunburn, Glasgow Kiss, Cutting It, The Inspector, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Rebus, Nina and the Neurons, Murderland, Mistresses, Agatha Christie’s Marple, Downton Abbey, Kidnap and Ransom, New Tricks, Silent Witness, Call the Midwife, Death in Paradise, Midsomer Murders, Law & Order: UK, Stonemouth, Born to Kill, Trust Me, London Kills, Flesh and Blood and The Bay; and for film, Bumping the Odds, Bite, Driven, About a Boy, Dear Frankie, Belly Button and Last Chance Harvey.
Dawn King is an award-winning writer working in theatre, film, TV, VR and radio. Her work for the stage includes Foxfinder (originally produced by Papatango Theatre Company at The Finborough in 2011 and revived in a West End production at The Ambassadors in 2018 – winner of National Theatre Foundation Playwright Award 2013, Papatango New Writing Competition 2011 and Most Promising Playwright, Off West End awards 2012, and a finalist for the Susan Smith Blackburn Prize 2012 and the James Tait Black drama prize 2012, Brave New World, Ciphers and Salt. She also co-created immersive dystopian rave DYSTOPIA987 for Manchester International Festival 2019 (a collaboration with Skepta). Her short film The Karman Line won 17 awards including the BIFA for Best Short and was BAFTA nominated in 2014.
Natalie Abrahami is a theatre, opera and film director. Her forthcoming production of Antonín Dvořák’s Rusalka which she is creating with choreographer Ann Yee, premieres at the Royal Opera House in February 2023. Collaboration sits at the heart of Natalie’s practice and has done ever since she was Artistic Director of the Gate Theatre, Notting Hill with Carrie Cracknell for five years. During their tenure they were awarded the Paul Hamlyn Breakthrough Fund for Creative Entrepreneurs. Natalie moved on to join the Young Vic as Associate Director where she directed Juliet Stevenson in Happy Days and Wings,George Mackay in Ah, Wilderness! and Natalie Dormer in After Miss Julie. Natalie collaborated with Ella Hickson to create Swive [Elizabeth] for the Sam Wanamaker Playhouse at Shakespeare’s Globe, and to direct ANNA the immersive binaural sound piece created by sound designers Ben and Max Ringham at the National Theatre. Other work for theatre includes: The Meeting (Chichester Festival Theatre), Machinal (Almeida Theatre), Queen Anne (Royal Shakespeare Company and Theatre Royal Haymarket), How the Whale Became and Other Tales (Linbury, Royal Opera House), The Eleventh Capital (Royal Court Theatre), A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Headlong), Pericles (Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre), Yerma (Hull Truck), Play and Not I (Battersea Arts Centre), and for the Gate Theatre, Vanya and The Kreutzer Sonata (which later transferred to La MaMa, New York). For film, her work includes Mayday, The Roof and Life’s a Pitch.
£10 tickets for audiences under 30 – you may be asked to show ID on arrival at the theatre
YOUNG + FREE
Wednesday 17 August will be a special YOUNG + FREE performance, with free tickets for under 26-year-olds available to book via ballot. Sign up at www.donmarwarehouse.com.
DONMAR DAILY
New tickets on sale every day at the Donmar. Allocations of tickets will be made available every day for performances 7 days later. Tickets will be available across the auditorium at every price band.
ACCESS
The Donmar Warehouse is fully wheelchair accessible. Guide dogs and hearing dogs are welcome in the auditorium. There is a Loop system and a Radio Frequency system fitted in the main auditorium and there are also hearing loops at all the front of house counters.
ASSISTED PERFORMANCES
If you require a companion to attend the Donmar, their ticket will be free. To book call 020 3282 3808 or email [email protected].
For all other access enquiries or bookings call 020 3282 3808.
THE TRIALS
12 August – 27 August 2022
Captioned: Thursday 25 August 7.30pm
Audio-Described: Friday 26 August 7.30pm
British Sign Language Interpreted: Saturday 27 August 2.30pm
The producers of the world premiere production of FISHERMAN’S FRIENDS: THE MUSICAL are delighted to announce principal cast members and additional tour venues for the UK & Ireland Tour, setting sail from 1 September 2022 at Theatre Royal Plymouth.
James Gaddas (Casualty (BBC One), Bad Girls (ITV), Coronation Street (ITV), The Girls,Billy Elliot, Monty Python’s Spamalot, MAMMA MIA! (All West End) will play Jim, with Parisa Shahmir (The Snow Queen (The Rose Theatre), The Last Ship (Northern Stage, UK & Ireland Tour) and MAMMA MIA! (UK Tour) will play his daughter, Alwyn. Robert Duncan (Drop the Dead Donkey (Channel 4), Casualty (BBC), Where the Heart Is (ITV) Twelve Angry Men (Garrick Theatre, UK & Ireland Tour) will play Jago with Susan Penhaligon (Bouquet of Barbed Wire (ITV), Emmerdale (ITV), A Fine Romance (ITV), Three Sisters, The Real Thing, Mr Love, The Maintenance Man, Dangerous Corner and Of Mice and Men (all West End) will play his wife, Maggie. Anton Stephans (finalist in The X Factor ITV), Blues Brothers Meet Soul Sisters (Theatre Royal, Windsor), Porgy and Bess (UK Tour), Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Starlight Express (UK Tour) Smokey Joe’s Cafe (1st UK Tour/Broadway and US Tour) will play Leadville.
Further casting to be announced.
The UK & Ireland Tour follows a highly successful, sold-out season at Hall for Cornwall, where box office records were smashed, making it the biggest selling production in Hall for Cornwall’s 25-year history. The production will also make its North American premiere in Toronto this Christmas in the Royal Alexandra Theatre.
FISHERMAN’S FRIENDS: THE MUSICAL is based on the true story of the Cornish singing sensations, Fisherman’s Friends, and the hit 2019 film about their life. When a group of Cornish fishermen came together to sing the traditional working songs they’d sung for generations, they hoped to raise a few quid for charity. Nobody, least of all the fishermen, expected their story to end on the Pyramid stage of Glastonbury. Packed with sea shanties, FISHERMAN’S FRIENDS is a feelgood voyage about friendship, community and music.
Featuring hit shanties made famous by the band including Keep Haulin’, Nelson’s Blood, No Hopers Jokers & Rogues and many more.
FISHERMAN’S FRIENDS: THE MUSICAL is directed by James Grieve and written by Amanda Whittington with choreography by Matt Cole, musical direction by James Findlay, set and costume design by Lucy Osborne, musical supervision and arrangements by David White, sound design by Dan Samson, lighting design by Johanna Town and casting by Jim Arnold.
The hit 2019 FISHERMAN’S FRIENDS movie, with a screenplay by Nick Moorcroft, Meg Leonard and Piers Ashworth delighted fans across the world with the sequel film, Fisherman’s Friends: One and All, set to be released in the UK on 19 August 2022.
FISHERMAN’S FRIENDS: THE MUSICAL is produced by ROYO, Flying Fish Productions, Mighty Village, with Island Records, David Mirvish and Cornwall Playhouse Productions.
