New images have been released of Lee Mead starring as Billy Flynn in the UK and Ireland tour of CHICAGO.
Lee Mead joins the production from Tuesday 31 May 2022 at the Sunderland Empire, alongside Gemma Collins as Mama Morton, Faye Brookes as Roxie Hart, Djalenga Scott as Velma Kelly, Jamie Baughan as Amos Hart and B.E. Wong as Mary Sunshine.
Created by the musical theatre talents of John Kander, Fred Ebb and legendary choreographer Bob Fosse, CHICAGO’s sexy, sassy score includes the show-stopping songs “Razzle Dazzle”, “Cell Block Tango”, and “All That Jazz”. Winner of six Tony Awards, two Olivier Awards and a Grammy, CHICAGO is the longest running American musical in Broadway and West End history.
CHICAGO, which is based on the play by Maurine Dallas Watkins, has a book by Fred Ebb and Bob Fosse, music by John Kander and lyrics by Fred Ebb. The 1996 Broadway revival of CHICAGO was choreographed by Ann Reinking in the style of Bob Fosse, directed by Walter Bobbie, and produced by Barry and Fran Weissler.
Crucible Studio Theatre, Sheffield – 11th May 2022
Reviewed by Sophie Dodworth
4****
Lava stops at the at the Crucible Studio theatre for one night only. The play (written by James Fritz) is a journey through the stages of grief and how people cope through that; while experiencing all the usual other bits and bobs that life throws as you, like friendship, love and basic human contact.
It is set in a small town, miles away from London. London is in the aftermath of a natural disaster (a small asteroid has hit) and everybody has been affected someway or another. We meet a young man, Vin (Dan Parr) who is not able to speak as he has done in the past. The reasons for his silence are left as a mystery right until the end, and they’ll be no spoilers here! Vin’s mum Vicky (Kacey Ainsworth) cares immensely but has had a recent loss of her own. We watch the story unfold and observe Vin’s friend, Rach (Bethany Antonia) trying to get Vin out of his silence…
The cast are awesome with outstanding performances from each actor. Antonia is fresh, playful and you feel yourself really warming to her. Ainsworths’ performance is intense at times and so believable with touches of humour that really get you giggling. She really does steal the show with her emotive talk to Vin towards the end, leaving you rather unsure about how much more real it could feel. The comedic timing and presence from Oli Higginson (Jamie) is polished and he gets the most laughs during some of the cringe-worthy moments in this black comedy.
The set is plain and simple but hats off to the company for the use of the stage, every inch and corner is used. The lighting and visuals projected on to the set are effective and enable the one-act play to stay engaging and bright.
Lava explores what happens to those who can’t express themselves fully in a world that celebrates self-expression. It digs deep and feels like a real dive into the world of mental health and how it effects the individual and those around them.
Please find below images from a media night for the Tony, Grammy and Olivier Award-winning smash hit musical, JERSEY BOYS, which took place at the Trafalgar Theatre on Wednesday 11 May.
Amy Anzel
Chris Kowalski
Hayley Palmer
Linda Robson
The cast is led by Ben Joyce as Frankie Valli, Adam Bailey as Bob Gaudio, Karl James Wilson as Nick Massi and Benjamin Yates as Tommy De Vito.
Amy Hart
Claire Sweeney
Jack Malin and Natalie Edwards
Michael Josepth Hardwick
JERSEY BOYS is the remarkable true story of Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons and their rise to stardom from the wrong side of the tracks. The show is packed with hits, including Beggin’, Sherry, Walk Like A Man, December, 1963 (Oh What a Night), Big Girls Don’t Cry, My Eyes Adored You, Let’s Hang On (To What We’ve Got), Bye Bye Baby, Can’t Take My Eyes Off You, Working My Way Back to You, Fallen Angel, Rag Doll and Who Loves You.
Ben Norris
Esther McVey
Janie Dee
Paula London
JERSEY BOYS is written by Marshall Brickman & Rick Elice, with music by Bob Gaudio and lyrics by Bob Crewe.
Cheryl Baker
Freddie Cousin-Brown
Larissa Eddie
Precious Muir
Shirkant Shelar
The production is staged by the original Broadway creative team, led by the Tony Award-winning team of director Des McAnuff and choreographer Sergio Trujillo.
Fourth Wall Live is thrilled to announce that Broadway star JEREMY JORDAN will be performing a solo show live in London at Theatre Royal Drury Lane on Monday 29 August 2022. Pre-sale sign up is open now. www.fw-live.com/jeremy
This marks Jeremy’s fourth solo engagement in London after three previous sold-out runs as well as the sold-out Bonnie and Clyde in Concert at Theatre Royal Drury Lane in January of this year. The show is an opportunity for Jeremy to celebrate the some of music he is most loved for performing as well as personal favourites both old and new.
JEREMY JORDAN is a Broadway performer who is best known for Newsies (Tony, Grammy, Drama Desk nominations), Bonnie and Clyde (Theatre World Award), American Son, Little Shop of Horrors, West Side Story, Waitress and Rock of Ages. On television he has appeared as a series regular on Supergirl, Smash, and Disney’s Tangled. His film credits include The Last 5 Years, Joyful Noise, American Son, Newsies. He will soon star as the tenacious record industry giant, Neil Bogart, in the upcoming feature film, Spinning Gold. Jeremy is also a singer-songwriter whose concerts and cabaret shows have won awards and acclaim worldwide.
BENJAMIN RAUHALA is one of the Broadway community’s most trusted music directors and collaborators. He is the Music Supervisor and co-creator of Disney Princess – The Concert, touring over 90 cities in North America throughout 2022. He was named Best Musical Director at the 2020 Broadway World Cabaret Awards. He has toured the world as the music director for Jeremy Jordan, the Tony-nominated star of Broadway’s Newsies and The CW’s Supergirl. He is also the music director for Academy Award Winner Ariana DeBose, Halstonstar Krysta Rodriguez, Tony nominees Derek Klena, Jennifer Damiano, Kathryn Gallagher, Nashvillestar Kyle Dean Massey, and Frozenstars Caroline Bowman and Austin Colby. He was the Associate Music Director for the world premiere of The Secret Life of Bees at the Atlantic Theater, directed by Sam Gold, with music by Duncan Sheik. He worked on the music team for both Bartlett Sher’s Broadway revival of Fiddler on the Roof and the Broadway production of Duncan Sheik’s American Psycho simultaneously during the 2016 season. His Off-Broadway credits include David Byrne’s Joan of Arc: Into The Fire at The Public Theater and The Marvelous Wonderettes at Theater Row. He previously served as music director for Hit List, the meta-musical from the NBC television show SMASHand is an Original Programming Producer at Feinstein’s/54 Below, where he has created dozens of sold-out concerts, including the Broadway Loves Series, that has famously honoured Britney Spears, Demi Lovato, Selena Gomez, Celine Dion and many more beloved pop icons.
Fourth Wall Live (FWL) is a live entertainment company that produces events, concerts and on-stage shows. This January FWL presented Bonnie & Clyde the musical in concert for two nights to a sold-out audience at Theatre Royal Drury Lane starring Broadway favourite Jeremy Jordan. This concert broke Drury Lane box office records selling out a 2-night run in less than 6 minutes.
FWL regularly brings Broadway artists to the UK, previous concerts include Broadway and TV regulars Chita Rivera, Keala Settle, Laura Benanti, Sierra Boggess, Kelli O’Hara, Laura Michelle Kelly, Megan Hilty, Tituss Burgess, Jeremy Jordan, Matthew Morrison, Erich Bergen, Eden Espinosa, Julia Murney and Cynthia Erivo. Other concerts include West End and UK Stars solo concerts including Michael Ball, Matt Cardle, Kerry Ellis, Oliver Tompsett, Hannah Waddingham, Sharon D Clarke, Bonnie Langford and Jenna Russell.
Tori Amos’s musical The Light Princess was presented to critical acclaim, as a special one-off concert in the summer of 2018. Rodgers + Hammerstein’s Cinderella and Zorro The Musical were presented with musical-all-star-casts in 2019 and 2020 respectively to sold out audiences.
Fourth Wall Live also regularly partners with the Hippodrome Casino, in November-December 2020 they produced 25 nights of socially distanced entertainment, proudly being the first live concert event post lockdown in the UK. Season two at the Hippodrome concerts ran from September 2021 to December 2021 and featured 20 nights of musical entertainment from the world of musical theatre and pop cross over.
Today (Thursday 12 May 2022) the Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC) releases a new episode of its in-house podcast, Interval Drinks, featuring RSC Associate Artist and star of stage and screen David Tennant in conversation with Mark Quartley, who currently plays Henry VI in the RSC productions of Henry VI: Rebellion and Wars of the Roses.
The second episode, which features an interview with composer and musician Femi Temowo (Much Ado About Nothing) with sound designer Claire Windsor, will be available to download on Thursday 19 May. The third episode of the series will be available on Thursday 26 May with theatre director and winner of the Genesis Future Directors Award Tinuke Craig in conversation with RSC director Aaron Parsons. Further episodes to be announced later this summer.
Interval Drinks is an opportunity to learn more about the life of the RSC from those at the heart of the Company. The Podcast offers audiences a rare insight into the professional journeys of these RSC artists, as well as a chance to explore the craft of modern theatre and discuss some of the biggest issues facing the theatre industry today.
Henry VI: Rebellion production photos taken on 2nd April 2022 at RST Stratford upon Avon
In episode one, actor Mark Quartley, who is currently playing Henry VI in the RSC’s productions of Henry VI:Rebellion and Wars of the Roses, speaks to David Tennant about auditioning for drama school as a 16-year-old from Paisley, how it feels when you forget the lines on stage and imposter syndrome. They also chat about what David likes about playing characters by Steven Moffat and Russell T Davies and Shakespeare.
Episode two features sound designer Claire Windsor chatting to composer and musician Femi Temowo about his musical journey, from first picking up a guitar at age 19, to MOBO Award nominated musician who composed the music for the RSC production of Much Ado About Nothing. Femi explains why theatre is like Power Rangers and shares his guilty pleasure in music.
In the third episode, theatre director Tinuke Craig meets RSC director Aaron Parsons to explain what is similar about directing a Sarah Kane play about trauma and a pantomime. She talks about what drives her as a director, how she decides which are the stories she wants to tell and some of the barriers she faced on her way to becoming a director.
The series launched in Spring 2021, bringing together members of the RSC’s acting company with inspirational personalities from the Company’s history. Previous episodes include conversations with Adjoa Andoh,Justin Audibert, Paul Chahidi, Kate DiCamillo, Juliet Gilkes Romero, John Kani, Lucien Msamati, Tim Minchin and David Threlfall. Each episode of the series is available to download for free via the RSC website, as well as multiple podcast platforms, including Spotify and Apple Podcasts (formerly iTunes). There are also vodcast episodes with Charlotte Arrowsmith and Sophie Woolley available via the RSC YouTube channel.
The music is ‘Oberon’s Theme – King of Shadow’, originally composed by Sam Kenyon for A Midsummer Night’s Dream (2016).
The Theatre Cafe are delighted to announce new venture The Theatre Cafe Diner Opening Summer 2022 154 Shaftesbury Avenue, WC2H 8HL
The Theatre Cafe are delighted to announce a UK first with The Theatre Cafe Diner. Opening Summer 2022, it will be situated over two floors at 154 Shaftesbury Avenue.
The Theatre Cafe Diner will be a full theatrical dining experience like no other. The main feature will be the highly trained singing waiting team who will perform musical theatre classics around the diner to entertain the customers throughout their meal. The menu will offer classic high quality diner food, catering for all, alongside a wide selection of cold & hot drinks, alcoholic beverages and cocktails. Much like The Theatre Cafe, the walls will be covered in theatrical memorabilia, but it will also include some very special unique spaces showcasing some of the much-loved West End productions.
Joe Davey, Managing Director and founder of The Theatre Cafe, said, I am so excited to be launching The Theatre Cafe Diner in the West End. It’s been a tough few years for our industry, so we are thrilled that The Theatre Cafe brand is expanding. The Theatre Cafe has grown so much from its beginnings as a family ticketing business, and we are delighted to be seen as a key beacon within the theatre industry. The diner is going to be an excellent companion to The Theatre Cafe, and I can’t wait to open the doors and for people to experience a diner like no other!
Julia Wilkinson, Restaurant Director at Shaftesbury, commented, We are thrilled The Theatre Cafe have selected Seven Dials as the chosen destination to expand their brand with an experiential diner concept. The Theatre Cafe Diner will further energise Seven Dials’ dynamic F&B offering, and the brand’s dedication to showcasing popular West End theatre productions, will perfectly complement its setting at the heart of London’s iconic theatre scene. We are confident that the theatre fans and food lovers from near and far will be eager to experience this vibrant new operator.
The Theatre Cafe Diner, which will operate alongside The Theatre Cafe, will also be used to host special events, such as West End Musical brunches, live performances from the stars of the West End and Broadway and an exclusive space to book for special theatrical events.
Production images are released today for the transfer of Danny Robins’ edge-of-your-seat, supernatural thriller 2:22 – A Ghost Story for a third season at the Criterion Theatre. The run at the Criterion follows two record breaking runs at the Noel Coward and Gielgud Theatres, three Olivier Nominations including Best New Play, and winning the Best New Play category in the Whatsonstage awards.
Credit: Johan Persson/
Tom Felton plays the role of Sam. Having made his breakthrough as ‘Draco Malfoy’ in the Harry Potter series of films, Tom has gone on to star in award winning films The Rise of the Planet of the Apes, A United Kingdom, and Belle, television series The Flash, Netflix filmThe Forgotten Battle and was most recently seen on screen in SKY’s Save the Cinema. Coming up, he will star in Independent Film Burial.
Credit: Johan Persson/
Mandip Gill plays Jenny. Mandip played companion Yasmin Khan in series 11, 12 and 13 of Doctor Who opposite Jodie Whittaker. She also played Phoebe McQueen in Hollyoaks and has appeared in Cuckoo, Doctors, The Good Karma Hospital and Casualty.
Credit: Johan Persson/
Beatriz Romilly plays the role of Lauren. Beatriz was born in Spain. She is best known for her work in Assassin’s Creed Valhalla, Final Fantasy XIV: Shadowbringers and War of the Worlds. She has also appeared on stage at Chichester Festival Theatre, Shakespeare’s Globe and The Bush Theatre.
Credit: Johan Persson/
Sam Swainsbury plays Ben. Sam is known best for his roles as Jason in the BBC sitcom Mum and Rowan in the 2019 film Fisherman’s Friends. In 2015, Swainsbury featured in the film Thor: The Dark World, In 2017, Swainsbury appeared on Fearless, In 2019, he appeared in Victoria as Dr John Snow.
After breaking all box office records for a new play at the Noel Coward Theatre; described as the theatre event of the year and the hottest ticket in the West End; and after weeks of sell-out performances, the show transferred for another record breaking run at the Gielgud Theatre. The run there ended in February and a third season, this time to the Criterion Theatre, was immediately announced.
Credit: Johan Persson/
2.22 – A Ghost Story is written by award-winning writer Danny Robins, creator of the hit BBC podcast The Battersea Poltergeist and it is directed by Matthew Dunster. Intriguing, funny and scary, it takes audiences into one adrenaline fueled night where secrets will emerge and ghosts may appear….What do you believe? And do you dare to discover the truth?
“There’s something in our house. I hear it every night, at the same time.”
Credit: Johan Persson/
Jenny believes her new home is haunted, but her husband Sam isn’t having any of it. They argue with their first dinner guests, old friend Lauren and her new partner Ben. Can the dead really walk again? Belief and scepticism clash, but something feels strange and frightening, and that something is getting closer, so they are going to stay up… until 2.22am… and then they will know.
Credit: Johan Persson/
2:22 – A Ghost Story features set design by Anna Fleischle, costume design by Cindy Lin, lighting design by Lucy Carter, sound by Ian Dickinson for Autograph Sound, co-direction by Isabel Marr, casting by Jessica Ronane CDG and illusions by Chris Fisher.
2:22 – A Ghost Story is produced by Tristan Baker and Charlie Parsons for Runaway Entertainment, Isobel David and Kater Gordon.
Based on the 1980s screen sensation which took the world by storm, Footloose sizzles with spirit, fun and the best in UK musical talent. With cutting edge modern choreography, you’ll enjoy classic 80s hits including Holding Out for a Hero, Almost Paradise, Let’s Hear It For The Boy and of course the unforgettable title track Footloose.
City boy Ren thinks life is bad enough when he’s forced to move to a rural backwater in America. But his world comes to a standstill when he arrives at Bomont to find dancing and rock music are banned. Taking matters into his own hands, soon Ren has all hell breaking loose and the whole town on its feet.
The show began with the audience being told that the actors would be playing their own musical instruments on stage and as far as I could see, this was indeed the case.
When the lights went down, and the curtain went up the audience witnessed a splendid show. The first scene illustrated a factory setting (in Chicago) where the actors sang along in unison to the Footloose tune. This was an epic start to the show.
From that moment on, the musical delivered in all areas from acting, singing, choreography, lighting, music and scene changes. Ren, played by Joshua Hawkins played the character convincingly. This role was played by Kevin Bacon in the original film. Although I thought that his voice was not as strong as some of the other characters, he nevertheless delivered his part in spades.
As the scene shifted to a Church, we see Darren Day who plays Rev. Shaw Moore, the town’s spokesperson, and what he says goes. Rock music and dance has been made illegal in the town of Bomont but the kids are allowed to sing Gospel music. Other music is illegal because the Reverend lost his son in a car crash on the way back from a dance and he bears a grudge.
The demure ‘Ariel’ played admirably by Lucy Munden, appears and she is railing against her father, the Reverend. Her boyfriend is a local bad boy, Chuck, played with great zeal by Tom Mussel.
The characters begin to reveal themselves in a scene at the local café as we meet Willard Hewitt (Jake Quickenden) who fancies Rusty (Oonagh Cox). The cast, comprising of several actors (some of whom had been changed at the beginning so I cannot be sure who was who) began to build the story and set the scene for the rest of the show. In essence the plot was that Ren and friends wanted to put on a dance in the town, but they must seek permission from the Town Council who have already been influenced by the Reverend and told how to vote. So it is a resounding ‘non.’
Ren and the Rev have a heart to heart and the outcome is that the dance goes ahead. What unites them? This is a reflective moment of loss and grief and guilt.
The dance does go ahead and it is a raging success as depicted in the final scene of the show. The cast and crew interacted with the Waterside audience at this point imploring them to stand up and dance/sing along which the packed house did with glee. This was a fitting end to a joyful evening.
During the show there were memorable moments, such as Willard having his clothes ripped off in good old Buck’s Fizz style, revealing a ripped body and tiny gold shorts (phew) and Oonagh Cox providing the enthralled audience with a rip-roaring rendition of ‘Let’s Hear it for the Boy’
Ariel’s performance was slick and smooth, and her song ‘Holding out for a Hero’ was in my view as good as anything Bonnie Tyler could deliver. I should say that Darren Day is still the custodian of a marvellous voice and in general the whole cast sang competently and professionally which of course is expected of a major musical performance. Well done to all. I particularly enjoyed the lighting and stage sets and the very quick scene changes.
The audience (including myself) came away from the theatre feeling happy and nostalgic. I thoroughly enjoyed myself and congratulate the players and the venue on yet another first-class show. I must give this a 4/5 rating based on my experience.
Set in the 1960’s where three friends Effie (Nicole Raquel Dennis), Deena (Natalie Kassanga), and Lorrell (Paige Peddie) take a journey through music and fame and enter a talent contest in which at first, they don’t succeed but get snapped up, whilst there as backup singers on a 10-week tour with the amazing Jimmy Early (Brandon Lee Sears). Assisted by Curtis (Dom Hartley Harris) who wants to take charge and become their manager he plays a strong dominant character making them believe Hes the only one who can guide them in the right direction, knows what’s best for them and can turn them into the stars they truly want to become! As they tour along with Jimmy who thinks himself as a sex god that has soul. Is very over the top a true performer he was amazing to watch and had the audience involved from start to finish with his fast-paced dance moves and fab vocals. So much laughter was involved just fantastic. The girls blew me away with their vocals also and Effie’s song And I’m Telling you I’m not Going – was just outstanding and beautiful to watch what a voice and was sang with so much emotion and with ease just incredible to view and take in. The three sang together with an outstanding connection for all to see was unforgettable and glamorous.
Now to mention the astonishing costumes so much glitz and glam in one setting that was just eye catching and exceptional. Also, remarkable staging and lighting that was over the top fitting in perfectly well making the whole show complete.
Such a dazzling rich and rewarding show, was refreshing to watch and will stay with me for some time what an experience just phenomenal
Applications open to find Most Welcoming Theatre ahead of 2022 UK Theatre Awards
The search is on for the UK’s Most Welcoming Theatre, with venues around the country invited to compete for this accolade ahead of this year’s UK Theatre Awards.
Applications, which are now open to all UK Theatre member venues until 1 July, will be judged on how theatres can demonstrate they are welcoming in three distinct areas; ‘place’, ‘people’ and ‘programme’ – looking at the building itself, the relationship with audiences and everyone interacting with the venue, and the creative work offered.
Theatres will be judged by an expert panel, who will shortlist three finalists and visit them in person to determine the overall winner. This could involve the panel meeting staff, having a tour of the building, taking part in a scheduled activity, seeing a production or speaking to audience members.
The official Most Welcoming Theatre 2022 will be announced at the UK Theatre Awards, which take place on Sunday 23 October at London’s Guildhall. The last ceremony took place before the pandemic in 2019, with Storyhouse in Cheshire crowned that year’s Most Welcoming Theatre.
For 30 years, the UK Theatre Awards have been the only nationwide awards to celebrate the outstanding achievements of theatre across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. Further details of this year’s UK Theatre Awards will be announced in due course.
