At Cadogan Hall from Friday 29 July to Sunday 21 August
Having enchanted audiences all over the world, Tiddler will be swimming back to London this Summer! Adapted from the bestselling books by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler, Tiddler and other Terrific Taleswill play a limited three-week engagement at Cadogan Hall from Friday 29 July to Sunday 21 August. The production will also play a short run at the New Theatre, Cardiff from Monday 25 to Wednesday 27 July.
Prepare to go under the sea, out on the farm and into the jungle, as four terrific tales are bought to life on stage with live music, puppetry and a whole host of colourful characters from the much-loved titles: Tiddler, Monkey Puzzle, The Smartest Giant in Town and A Squash and a Squeeze. Funky moves, toe tapping tunes and giggles are guaranteed.
Tiddler and other Terrific Talesweaves together four stories byJulia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler, the multi award-winning picture book pair behind some of the world’s best loved children’s books, most notably the modern classic The Gruffalo which has been published in over 100 languages. Together their books have sold over 75 million copies.
Tiddler & Other Terrific Talesis brought to the stage by Freckle Productions who return to Cadogan Hall following last summer’s smash-hit run of Zog. Their other adaptations include Stick Man, Tabby McTat and Zog and the Flying Doctors which is on tour now. Tiddler & Other Terrific Tales is directed by Mark Kane with original direction by Sally Cookson, music and lyrics by Benji Bower, designs by Katie Sykes, lighting design by El Higgins and musical direction by Brian Hargreaves.
Magic holds a tremendous appeal for people of all ages. If you’ve ever seen a magic show then you’ll know how it feels to be sat on the edge of your seat, wondering with a morbid curiosity just what would happen if it all went wrong. Mischief have teamed up with magic superstars Penn & Teller to satisfy our macabre minds and give us just that – a magic show where everything goes wrong.
Magic Goes Wrong follows an unfortunate gang of magicians in their mission to raise money in aid of victims of magic misfortune but they seem to have some misfortune of their own. The tricks of illusion and slight of hand go from bad to worse but the gang are wilful and tenacious and will not put a stop to the hypnotic tragedy that unfolds before them.
Direction from Adam Meggido really maximises on the actors’ skills in comedic timing and slapstick comedy. In particular, Sam Hill, Rory Fairbairn and Kiefer Moriarty shine in their roles: Hill’s portrayal of the great Sophisticato is highly entertaining as he delivers lines with a camp obliviousness to the tragedy of his character, Fairbairn is farcical in his role as the Mind Mangler and proves himself to be spontaneous and flexible in his performance by inviting a variety of audience participation and dealing hilariously with the challenges that it brings, Moriarty brings energy and enthusiasm to his role as The Blade and plays a calamitous but dedicated showman.
Magic Goes Wrong brings all the mystery and exhilaration of a magic show with the absurdity and ludicrousness of a slapstick comedy. It really is a win-win situation – just be aware – you may never enjoy a ‘normal’ magic show again.
The ever loved Chicago hits Bristol this week, and it does not disappoint!!
In the heart of the roaring 1920’s, we follow Roxie Hart (Faye Brookes) as she navigates through the county jail, conning the public and the media into believing she is an innocent and repentant woman. Hiring Billy Flynn (Liam Marcellino) she copies Velma Kelly’s (Djalenga Scott) pleas and eventually ends with the most Unlikely friendship between them.
This is a stand out show, with sultry costumes, dazzling choreography and breathtaking vocals. Faye Brookes astounds as she easily takes on the role of Roxie, giving the performance of a lifetime. Mama Morton (Sheila Ferguson) is an incredible star, with the perfect mixture of sass and love, she truly excels. During ‘When you’re good to Mama’ she commanded the stage and soared through the track with exceptional agility. A rarely seen, but heartwarming performance from Jamie Baughan as Amos Hart was superb. He peppered the show with elements of desperation and true love as he longed for his incarcerated wife Roxie, finally giving us the beauty of ‘Mister Cellophane’. From the audience there was an audible ‘aww’ as he sang through his trials of being unheard-it was a heart wrenching performance. Djalenga Scott as Velma Kelly was also spectacular, giving us perfect story telling from the opening ‘All That Jazz’. A perfect cast and performances from all involved-the dancing was stellar and this is a show to treasure. The music from John Kander was cleverly directed by Andrew Hilton and his exceptional orchestra who are ever present on the stage. The music makes this show a phenomenon and it was beautiful to hear the trumpets blast and the piano played without hesitation.
This is a truly wonderful show, with greed, murder and the old razzle dazzle-you would have to be criminal to miss this!!
Kings Theatre, Edinburgh – until Saturday 30th April 2022
Reviewed by Ellen Searle
5*****
Based on the picture book by Kate Pankhurst and with songs from acclaimed hit songwriter Mirander Cooper, Fantastically Great Women Who Changed the World is a wonderfully original pop of colour, music and storytelling. At the centre of this lively musical is Jade (Kudzai Mangombe), an 11 year old who finds herself accidentally separated from her class on a school trip to a museum – alone in the Hall of Greatness, distraught at her parents impending divorce, she is literally and figuratively lost. But not for long. Twelve iconic women from history appear to inspire and counsel Jade, and as they do so, we the audience are entertained and educated in equal measure. Jade Kennedy, Renee Lamb, Christina Modestou and Kirstie Skivington play these characters with the expertise, attention to detail and sheer verve these giants of history deserve, performing Miranda Cooper’s catchy and wonderfully choreographed original songs with brio.
First to appear are a heroic trio of sportspeople and adventurers led by aviator Amelia Earhart. Jade is lost and needs direction, but also needs to have her voice heard. Cue Emmeline Pankhurst (yes, a distant relative of the original book’s author), to help her express herself. Frida Kahlo and Jane Austen represent the arts, their contrasting styles and backgrounds playing together perfectly. Then we have leaders in the fields of sciences, nursing and espionage showing that women really can and do excel in any field! And finally, we are brought into the more modern era with Rosa Parks and Ann Frank (Lana Turner), completing a highly diverse line up of inspirational women.
The real life stories are seamlessly interwound with the fictional plot, cleverly often using the actual words spoken or written by the heroines. The colourful staging and imaginative use of props makes the show visually appealing. While it is aimed primarily at younger people (and my own 12 year old daughter loved it) and is meant to educate and inspire, it is never preachy. The stories, like all good stories, draw us in and take us on a journey, and while full of comic moments and some great quips, it does not shy away from more difficult aspects of the women’s lives. This add real depth, showing that change is achieved not because of a single spontaneous moment of brilliance, but by perseverance over time, by overcoming personal challenges, and almost always as part of a wider collective movement for change. As this show eloquently expresses, all of us can and do make a difference in the world – and we can have a bit of fun along the way. This show matters because, as Kate Pankhurst herself says “the stories you hear when you are young are incredibly important, they can help you look at the world in a new light and feel a little braver – they help to form the jigsaw of you.”
Everyone involved in this wonderful production can rightly be proud of their part in telling these stories, and doing their own bit to change the world through this sassy, uplifting musical.
Raymond Gubbay Limited is proud to present THEPLATINUM JUBILEE CELEBRATION, a concert of majestic music celebrating 70 years of Her Majesty’s reign, on Saturday 4 June at 2.30pm at the Royal Festival Hall, during the Jubilee weekend.
Featuring the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, the magnificent, combined sound of the Royal Choral Society and TheBach Choir along with a distinguished line-up of soloists including Christopher Warren-Green conducting, Fflur Wyn soprano and Crispian Steele-Perkins trumpet. The concert will be presented by the broadcaster Katie Derham, who is currently fronts In Tune on BBC Radio 3.
The majority of the pieces have been chosen for their connection to royal events and all have featured in the Coronation or a royal wedding.
Pieces include: Handel Zadok the Priest, Walton Crown Imperial, Schubert Ave Maria Elgar Nimrod, Vaughan Williams Fantasia on Greensleeves, Parry I was glad, Handel Eternal source of light divine, Purcell Trumpet Tune, Elgar Pomp and Circumstance March No.1 in D, Butterworth The Banks of Green Willow
Katie Derham said: ‘I am really looking forward to presenting the most wonderful afternoon of celebratory music with all sorts of fabulous pieces from different occasions and celebrations from throughout Her Majesty’s reign.’
Michael Harrison for Crossroads Pantomimes is delighted to announce that Alexandra Burke will play Mrs Blunderbore, the Giant’s devilish wife, in Jack and the Beanstalk at The London Palladium this Christmas, joining previously announced panto favourites Dawn French, Julian Clary, Paul Zerdin, Nigel Havers and Gary Wilmot. Jack and the Beanstalk plays from 10 December 2022 to 15 January 2023.
Alexandra Burke is one of the UK’s most distinguishable powerhouse voices having sold over 5 million records in the UK. Her three studio albums have spawned the smash hit singles Bad Boys, All Night Long, Start Without You, Elephant and Broken Heels. Her debut single Hallelujah was a million-selling chart-topper. Alexandra has become one of the UK’s most sought-after West End leading ladies since her 2014 theatre debut as Rachel Marron in The Bodyguard. This was followed by Deloris Van Cartier in Sister Act in 2016 before a double-whammy in 2018; Roxie Hart in Chicago while also appearing in Chessat the London Coliseum. Her most recent role, originated at The London Palladium, is The Narrator in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, currently touring across the UK. A firm favourite across both stage and screen, Alexandra reached the final of BBC One’s Strictly Come Dancing in 2017. Last year she was crowned ‘Star Baker’ in The Great Celebrity Bake Offfor Stand Up To Cancer. Most recently Alexandra was the only woman left standing on Channel 4’s SAS: Who Dares Wins, winning the show. Alexandra is writing and recording her eagerly awaited fourth studio album and will make her movie debut later this year in the BFI/BBC film Pretty Red Dress.
Once again directed by Michael Harrison,Jack and the Beanstalk will feature lavish new set designs from Mark Walters and costume designs from Hugh Durrant created especially for The London Palladium. Harrison’s production has choreography by Karen Bruce, with lighting designs by Ben Cracknell, sound designs by Gareth Owen and composition and orchestrations by Gary Hind.
Jack and the Beanstalk is produced by Michael Harrison for Crossroads Pantomimes.As a producer in the West End his credits include The Drifter’s Girl, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Gypsy, The Bodyguard, Annie and Mel Brooks’ Young Frankenstein. Crossroads Pantomimes is the world’s biggest pantomime producer and part of Crossroads Live, a global leader in the production of musical theatre and immersive entertainment experiences.
LISTINGS INFORMATION
Theatre: The London Palladium, Argyll St, London W1F 7TF
Dates: Sat 10 December 2022 – Sun 15 January 2023
Performances: visit website for performance schedule
Tickets: Tickets from £20 – no booking fees
Website: www.palladiumpantomime.com
Twitter: @PalladiumPanto
Facebook: PalladiumPanto
Instagram: palladiumpanto
Crossroads Pantomimes With a glittering array of star names headlining spectacular, lavish productions, Crossroads Pantomimes is the world’s biggest pantomime producer. With renowned creative teams, talented casts and musicians, and passionate production teams, the company create pantomimes which are at the heart of family entertainment across the UK. As part of Crossroads Live, the company works under the leadership of Michael Harrison and is chaired by David Ian.
The London Palladium has been the capital’s majestic home of variety for over a century, and to this day it continues to delight and surprise audiences with its rich tapestry of acts. We’ve welcomed a staggering selection of greats from Bob Hope and Louis Armstrong to the Two Ronnies, Bruce Forsyth and Cliff Richard. This proud tradition has continued since the theatre joined the LW Theatres family in 2000, hosting recent headliners as diverse as Sting, Bob Dylan, Madonna, Coldplay, Whoopi Goldberg, Billy Ocean and Dita Von Teese. An annual pantomime made a return to The London Palladium in 2016.
SET WITHIN, AND INSPIRED BY, LONDON’S OLDEST PUB THEATRE
The King’s Head Theatre have today announced the world premiere of Mark Ravenhill’s new play The Haunting of Susan A, which will run at the venue – London’s oldest pub theatre – from 1 – 26 June 2022.
Written as a response to the 50th anniversary celebration of the King’s Head Theatre and having celebrated the famous creatives who started their careers at the theatre, like Tom Stoppard, Victoria Wood and Bryony Lavery, Mark Ravenhill premiers his first new play as Artistic Director of The King’s Head Theatre.
Drawing on the traditions of a classic ghost story, The Haunting of Susan A explores the power of the mind to make the unseen visible and for the cruelty of the past to haunt a room.
Mark Ravenhill said of his new play, “Arriving last year as co-artistic director in time for the 50th anniversary, I reflected on the memories that might be held in this space, London’s oldest pub theatre. The result is a ghost story. Inspired by my love of the work of M.R. James, my new play is set in the King’s Head and explores how trauma from the past can realise itself in the present and the power of the imagination to make the unseen manifest.”
Further details of cast and creative team to be announced. Tickets are on sale now here.
The King’s Head Theatre was established in 1970. Passionate about great theatre, it is known for its challenging work and support of early career artists. The King’s Head is committed to fighting prejudice through the work it stages, and the artists and staff it works with. The team believes in fair pay for all on the fringe and create accessible routes for early career artists to stage their work – work they are passionate about.
OLIVIER AWARD-WINNING CONSTELLATIONS WILL BE AVAILABLE TO WATCH ONLINE FOR FOUR WEEKS ONLY
★★★★★ Daily Mail
★★★★ ‘A modern classic: Brilliant, beautiful theatre’ iNews
After winning two Olivier Awards – for Best Revival, and Best Actress in a Play for Sheila Atim, the Donmar Warehouse today announces that the on demand streaming of the critically acclaimed revival of Nick Payne’sConstellations will be available for an additional four weeks until 25 May. All four productions of this ‘sharp, smart hit of first-class drama’ (Evening Standard) – starring Sheila Atim and Ivanno Jeremiah, Peter Capaldi and Zoë Wanamaker, Olivier Award nominated Omari Douglas and Russell Tovey, and Anna Maxwell Martin and Chris O’Dowd, were filmed during the run at the Vaudeville Theatre, where they broke box office records.
In an innovative producing model, devised in response to the pandemic, Donmar Warehouse Artistic Director Michael Longhurst rehearsed four different casts, each refracting the play afresh. The productions were one of the first to open post pandemic, and ran from June until September at the Vaudeville Theatre, and were originally available online last Autumn. In addition to the two Olivier wins for Best Revival and Best Actress, the production also received two further nominations – Best Actor in a Play for Omari Douglas and Best Director for Michael Longhurst.
Michael Longhurst said today, “More than a pandemic-mitigation model, this multi-cast revival was a celebration of how different identities could reveal our shared humanity. I’m so grateful to all who worked on Constellations, originally and now: these awards and digital captures are the cherry on the top of a decade-long journey, and a triumph of artistic subsidy enabling access to live and recorded theatre in these challenging times.”
★★★★
‘Funny, heartbreaking. A sharp, smart hit of first-class drama’ Evening Standard
Each production is £7.50 to rent and households will be able to watch the show for 24 hours after purchase; or a multi buy of all 4 for £20, with 14 days viewing time. Captioned and audio described versions will be available, in partnership with VocalEyes and Stagetext.
‘A stellar revival. A Sliding Doors to the power of 100’ Guardian
Four new casts. One relationship. Infinite Possibilities
‘One drink. And if you never want to see me again you never have to see me again.’
A quantum physicist and a beekeeper meet at a barbeque. They hit it off, or perhaps they don’t. They go home together, or maybe they go their separate ways. In the multiverse, with every possible future ahead of them, a love of honey could make all the difference.
★★★★
‘This offbeat romance is the classiest show in the West End’ Daily Telegraph
★★★★★
‘An unmissable theatrical event…I honestly couldn’t advise as to which is the better pair to see… Cosmically brilliant.’ WhatsOnStage
Michael Longhurst directs, with design by Tom Scutt, lighting design by Lee Curran, sound design by David McSeveney, music by Simon Slater, movement direction by Lucy Cullingford, casting by Anna Cooper CDG for the Donmar Warehouse, BSL Consultancy by Daryl Jackson, fight direction by Kate Waters, associate direction by Debbie Hannan; associate costume design by Kinnetia Isidore; assistant direction by Sara Aniqah Malik and Robert Awosusi, assistant design by ZoëHurwitz andassistant lighting design by Laura Howard and assistant sound design by Callum Perrin.
Donmar Warehouse, Wessex Grove and Eleanor Lloyd Productions
Winner of the Evening Standard Award for Best Play and WhatsOnStage Award for Best Design.
DONMAR WAREHOUSE
The Donmar Warehouse is a 251-seat, not-for-profit theatre in Covent Garden, led by Artistic Director Michael Longhurst and Executive Director Henny Finch. We have won more than 130 awards in our 30-year history.
In our converted warehouse, we bring together audiences – never more than four rows away from an actor – to experience world class artists and rising stars create thrilling, unmissable theatre.
We rehearse life, imagine the future and exalt in the capacity for stories to effect change. We celebrate the power of live performance and visionary artistry to challenge, entertain, move and inspire us.
We develop new artists and future audiences through our renowned training programmes and our Discover activity with schools and communities. We know that theatre enriches our society, through empathy, imagination and community. We share our work far and wide to achieve this and maximise the impact of our artists’ ideas.
Welcome to important stories, thrillingly told, widely shared.
Each production is £7.50 to rent and gives audiences access to watch the show for 24 hours after purchase; or multi buy of all 4 casts for £20, with 14 days viewing time.
Sheila’s Island written by Tim Firth is about a group of ladies that are on a team-building weekend. With Sheila (Judy Flynn) a Marketing Manager being placed as the team leader thinking she knows it all, but it turns out shes overthinking and looking into the clues too deeply. This only causing thing to take a turn for the worst as their boat manages to hit a rock causing all four employees finding themselves stranded on an island in The Lake District. As the time passes by with no rescue in site and the only rucksack that has gone missing holding all their food supplies, they begin to become ratty and fights break loose making then become slightly unstable in more ways than one! As hidden secrets start also sneaking in, how will these four cope with the situation they now find themselves in.
Sheila (Judy Flynn) likes to take charge plays a very positive role, likes to think she can cope with a crisis she a constructive captain trying to keep everyone upbeat. Denise (Abigail Thaw) Is an over talker, oversharer plays her part extremely well as the sarcastic one but only has only negative things to say and is very patronising. Julie (Rina Fatania) had the audience in stitches on many occasions talking about anything and everything rambling out aloud. She’s a jack of all trades but an expert in none. Has all the camping gear but absolutely no idea! Fay (Sara Crowe) who comes across very religious after going through a traumatic time in life seems to be an avid bird watcher continuously thanking God for the birds around her seems to be enjoying herself with the natural wildlife, she comes across like shes in a running wildlife documentary so funny.
What an outstanding performance by all on stage was brilliant to watch the connection they all had as well as the many laughs. The whole audience had the attack of the hysterics throughout the play.
The stage was of a woodland forest with uneven flooring and naked tree branches surrounding the area with a see-through fabric in-between, representing fog giving it a murky look. A stillness within the branches and smoke enhancing the whole scene. Lighting was done extremely well just excellent.
Along with some fabulous one liners what more could you want. Spectacular cast offering so much. If you want a great evening out be sure to go and what this show.
Originally a stage play and then a smash-hit film, The Rise and Fall of Little Voice is the story of a young girl, who lives with her mother and rarely speaks, but has an astonishing talent to imitate the singing voices on her treasured records, left to her by her late father. This is, however, something she does purely for herself. When her mother’s boyfriend overhears her, he sees a chance to make money, so pressurises her into singing at a local club.
This is very much a play of two halves – the first setting up the characters and situations before Act Two really gets down to business. After Little Voice (referred to throughout as LV) performs at the club for the first time, things do not go as hoped and from then on the tone gets darker as LV is coerced into performing again in public. This leads to an inevitable showdown between mother and daughter. We are given a better insight as to why LV is like she is and finally LV finds her own voice.
This show has to stand or fall by the central performance of the LV character. Can YouTube sensation Christina Bianco, as LV, pull it off? I’m very happy to report that she does. We have to wait until Act Two to witness a bravura performance, where the Shirley Bassey alone is worth the price of admission, but Act One gives us a teaser of what is to come, providing an auditory double-take as we realise that the voice we are hearing is not a recording but the actor herself. Impressive.
But the emotional centre to this play is the mother Mari, played by Shobna Gulati (Coronation Street, Dinner Ladies). Here is a woman desperate to get what she believes she deserves and has, in fact, got more or less exactly what she deserves. Gulati throws herself into the role with apparent glee, shouting, swearing, drinking and wearing an amazing range of increasingly trashy outfits. Ian Kelsey (Emmerdale, Casualty) as Ray Say, the would-be impresario and Mari’s latest pick-up, gives us a wonderfully greedy and seedy performance and together they give us many almost pantomime comic moments. Later, Gulati will shine in a very different light, raging against her life and blaming anyone but herself.
William Ilkley, as the Club owner Lou Boo, displays some fine comic timing and has us all laughing and groaning at the terrible puns as he introduces Little Voice to the stage. And Akshay Gulati as Billy, LV’s (perhaps) boyfriend provides a welcome moment of stillness, where I found myself forgetting I was listening to an actor and instead listened to a man talking about his passion.
It is difficult to categorise this show; it is much more than a simple musical or comedy but not as dark as a gritty northern kitchen-sink drama – it contains elements of all these but mostly it is a highly enjoyable emotional fairground ride. We loved it and were very happy to join the standing ovation.
