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FULL CASTING ANNOUNCED FOR

OUR MAN IN HAVANA

OPENING AT THE WATERMILL

THURSDAY 7 APRIL – SATURDAY 21 MAY

BOOK ONLINE AT WATERMILL.ORG.UK OR VIA THE BOX OFFICE ON 01635 46044

Full casting and creative team have been announced for OUR MAN IN HAVANA, the world premiere musical adaptation of Graham Greene’s iconic novel, opening at Newbury’s The Watermill on Thursday 7 April – Saturday 21 May, with a press night on Monday 11 April.

A roller coaster comedy full of colourful characters and uplifting Cuban inspired songs, this new musical is based on Graham Greene’s iconic novel that cleverly satirises the fine line between truth and lies. The production was originally programmed as part of The Watermill’s Spring 2020 season but had to be postponed by the pandemic, and now Artistic Director Paul Hart, Executive Director Claire Murray and the whole team are thrilled to welcome the show to The Watermill for a new run of the show this spring.

‘And all around them, the night comes alive with the music of Havana…’

It’s 1958 and Havana is on the brink of revolution. All day and night, the streets are filled with dancing and the shadows are filled with criminals. In the midst of the warm tropical air, an English vacuum cleaner salesman lives a quiet life running a modest business, raising his teenage daughter Milly and collecting miniature whisky bottles.

Just as Milly’s love of shopping reaches new heights, James Wormold receives an offer from the British Secret Intelligence Service that is too good to refuse. What Wormold lacks in sleuthing experience, he makes up for with imagination. Nothing stays quiet for long in Havana and his life is soon turned upside down when the fictional events of his intelligence reports start to come true!

Nigel Lister (The Secret Adversary – The Watermill and Footloose – UK tour) will play ‘James Wormold’, Daniella Agredo Piper (Electrolyte – The Watermill, The Secret Garden – Barn Theatre) will play ‘Milly Wormold’, Paula James (Beauty and the Beast – Rose Theatre, Gin Craze! – Royal & Derngate) will play ‘Beatrice / Maria’, Alvaro Flores (ClubMex – Hope Mill Theatre, Time of Our Lies – Park Theatre) will play ‘Segura / Hawthorne / Marco’, Adam Keast (The Sound of Fury – Liverpool Everyman/Playhouse, The Rise and Fall of Little Voice – Bolton Octagon) will play ‘Hasselbacher/Chief’ and Antonio Sanchez (Mamma Mia! – Sala Joaquin Turina; Seville, Beauty and the Beast: The Musical – Asociacion de Teatro La Ribera; Seville) will be the Onstage Musical Director.

Directed by Watermill Associate Director Abigail Pickard Price, designed by Kat Heath, with Eliane Correa and Ben Morales Frost as co-orchestrators, OUR MAN IN HAVANA has music & lyrics by Ben Morales Frost, book by Richard Hough, sound design by Adam Fisher, lighting design by Robbie Butler and choreography by Andrea Pelaez, with Chris Cuming as Associate Choreographer.The Stage Management team consists of Rose Burston (DSM), Natalie Toney and Fern Bamber (ASMs) with Katie Crump on ASM placement.

Richard Hough said, “The greatest honour of my career, the acme of my story so far, is being given the chance to transpose the finest writer of the 20th century from the printed page to the Watermill stage. Graham Greene has been an inspiration to me since I first read Our Man in Havana  at university, a thousand years ago. The thought of bringing his world to life, of planting my feet in the soil of a little bit of Greeneland, makes me happier than I can say, and quite frankly, more excited than is seemly. To be working with such a superb company and crew is a privilege, and to do it in Newbury a pleasure.”

Ben Morales Frost said, “It was an irresistible challenge: a story half set in 1950s Havana, half in London; a father-daughter relationship wrapped up in a tale of intrigue and international espionage; a cast of 6 who have to act, sing, dance, play instruments, and still operate a vacuum cleaner convincingly…  

Working with Eliane to create authentic Cuban orchestrations has been a real treat, and has helped us create a gloriously jarring contrast to the buttoned-up atmosphere of England in the mid-20th Century. We hope you enjoy the result.”

Abbigail Pickard Price said,“The heat and heart of Cuba perhaps feels somewhat far away from the rolling hills of Bagnor but on first reading of Ben and Rich’s new telling of Graham Greene’s Our Man in Havana I felt immediately transported. I have loved getting to delve further into this as the team has come together; seeing the brilliantly bright snapshot of Havana that Designer Kat Heath is creating and hearing Eliane and Ben’s Cuban orchestrations. I look forward to joining this wonderful team in rehearsals and hope that the audiences of Newbury will enjoy being transported across the globe and back in time to the world of Our Man in Havana as much as I did the first time I set eyes on this script.” 

The Watermill continues to follow measures to control the risk of Covid-19 and to ensure the safety and confidence of its audience members, staff, actors and creative teams. The wearing of face coverings continues to be requested in the auditorium. Enhanced cleaning procedures, including regular fogging of the auditorium, and an efficient ventilation system supplying conditioned and filtered fresh air also remain in place.

To help audience members to book with confidence, The Watermill are operating a flexible booking policy. In the event that their booking is affected by Covid-19, audience members will be offered a ticket exchange, account credit or refund.

York Theatre Royal – until Saturday 5th March 2022

Reviewed by Michelle Richardson

3***

The Bone Sparrow is a 2016 novel by Australian writer Zana Fraillon. It is a powerful story set in an Australian detention centre and is about friendship, cruelty, and resilience. S Shakthidharan has adapted this stage production for Pilot Theatre.

Subhi (Yaamin Chowdhury) is a member of the Rohingya people of Myanmar. He was the first child to be born in the permanent detention centre, after his Maa (Kiran L Dadlani) fled persecution, with his big sister Queenie (Siobhan Athwal). He has known nothing else, only guards and fences, in his short life. His lifelines are his drawings, his imagination, a belief that someday his world will be a different place and his rubber duck. Chowdhury brings Subhi to life with his innocence and ability to escape into his own world.

He meets a girl from outside his “cage”, Jimmie (Mary Roubos), a local, who has somehow found a hole in the fencing. They both relish their meetings, Jimmie bringing along her mother’s notebook full of tales for Subhi to read out loud to her, as she is unable to read them herself. All is not well inside the camp with tempers flaring from the unjust treatment the detainees are experiencing. Eli (Elmi Rashid Elmi) and Queenie are the main antagonists, fighting against the system, rioting and risking themselves in order to be heard.

Visually this piece is quite striking, the metal racking moving to depict the confines of the camp, Shubi’s drawings are depicted on a screen at the back of the stage, large heads incorporated in the story of Oto and Anka. Not too sure about the duck puppet, but it did create a much-needed chuckle and respite.

I found that I struggled with the storytelling, and at 2 hours and 50 minutes long, including interval, this was a test for my attention span. It needed to be tighter and half an hour shorter, especially as it is meant to be appealing to a teenage audience.

It is a tale of friendship and resilience, and it does have an important message that resonates, especially now in these trying times. With the atrocities that are happening in Ukraine, and all the displaced people that are fighting for survival. Surely there must be a better system in place globally, than what is effectively a prison? How can it be right for a human being to be locked up for so long, and to be treated so terribly, due to where they were born?

Dave Moutrey, CEO of HOME and Director of
Culture for Manchester City Council,
appointed as Theatres Trust Chair

Theatres Trust, the national public advisory body for theatres, is pleased to announce that Dave Moutrey has been appointed as its new Chair by the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport. Dave Moutrey is Director and Chief Executive of HOME, a purpose built multi art form venue, having conceived and led both the merger of Cornerhouse and Library Theatre Company and the £25m capital project to create HOME. Since 2018 he has also been Director of Culture for Manchester City Council where he is responsible for advising the council on policy and strategy for culture.

Dave Moutrey says, Theatres Trust has a crucial role to play in helping to protect our heritage and advise on the design of new performance spaces to make sure that these important assets continue to serve their vital role at the heart of our communities and cultures. I am therefore delighted and honoured to be joining the organisation as Chair and to work with the trustees and team as we navigate the challenges and opportunities presented across the UK.

Four Trustees have also been appointed to Theatres Trust Board: James Dacre, Artistic Director of Royal & Derngate Theatres in Northampton; Suba Das, Creative Director Designate of Liverpool Everyman and Playhouse Theatres and current Artistic Director and Chief Executive of HighTide; Stephanie Hall, a barrister specialising in town and country planning at Kings Chambers and Lucy Osborne, set and costume designer and co-founder of studio three sixty.

Theatres Trust Director Jon Morgan says, I am delighted that Dave Moutrey will take up the reigns as Theatres Trust’s Chair, as his wealth of experience leading HOME and advising Manchester City Council will be invaluable to our work making the case for theatres. I am also looking forward to working with the other new Trustees, who bring an extraordinary array of skills and expertise that will complement and strengthen our existing Board.

All appointments are for a three year term, beginning on 21 February 2022.

LIAM TAMNE JOINS

EMMA RICE’S WUTHERING HEIGHTS

★★★★★

“Emotionally epic entertainment from Emma Rice” The Times

Wise Children today announce that Liam Tamne joins the company as Heathcliff for the world première production of Emily Brontë’s Wuthering Heights on 15 March, completing the run at the National ahead of the UK tour. Adapted and directed by Emma Rice, the show is a co-production with the National Theatre, Bristol Old Vic and York Theatre Royal.

★★★★★

““a wildly imaginative, exhilarating piece of theatre” Daily Mail

Tamne joins Lucy McCormick as Cathy, and Sam Archer (Lockwood/Edgar Linton), Nandi Bhebhe (The Leader of the Moor), Mirabelle Gremaud (Zillah), Stephanie Hockley (Ensemble), TJ Holmes (Robert), Craig Johnson (Mr Earnshaw/Dr Kenneth), Jordan Laviniere (John), Katy Owen (Isabella Linton/Linton Heathcliff), Tama Phethean (Hindley Earnshaw/Hareton Earnshaw) and Witney White (Frances Earnshaw/Young Cathy), with music performed by Sid Goldsmith, Nadine Lee and Renell Shaw.

★★★★

“a bold and ingenious production” Guardian

After completing performances at the National Theatre on 19 March, the production tours to Hall for Cornwall; Norwich Theatre Royal; The Lowry, Salford; Sunderland Empire; Brighton Festival; Kings Theatre Edinburgh; and Eden Court, Inverness.

The Yorkshire moors tell an epic story of love, revenge and redemption.

Rescued from the Liverpool docks as a child, Heathcliff is adopted by the Earnshaws and taken to live at Wuthering Heights. He finds a kindred spirit in Catherine Earnshaw and a fierce love ignites. When forced apart, a brutal chain of events is unleashed.

Shot through with music, dance, passion and hope, Emma Rice transforms Emily Brontë’s masterpiece into a powerful and uniquely theatrical experience. Lucy McCormick leads the company of performers and musicians in this intoxicating revenge tragedy for our time.

“I am Heathcliff! Whatever our souls are made of, his and mine are the same.”

With composition by Ian Ross; set and costume design by Vicki Mortimer; sound and video by Simon Baker; lighting design by Jai Morjaria; movement and choreography by Etta Murfitt.

Sam Archer returns to the company to play Lockwood/Edgar Linton – he previously appeared in Wise Children (The Old Vic/UK tour).His other theatre credits include An Ideal Husband (Vaudeville Theatre/Oscar Wilde Season), Wonderland (National Theatre/Châtelet Theatre, Paris), La Bohème (Royal Albert Hall), We Will Rock You (Dominion Theatre), and The Red Shoes, Lord of the Flies, Swan Lake, Cinderella, Edward Scissorhands (Matthew Bourne’s New Adventures Company).

Nandi Bhebhe returns to the company to play The Leader of the Moor – she recently appeared in Bagdad Cafe (The Old Vic). Her theatre credits include A Monster Calls (The Old Vic), Fela! (National Theatre/Al Hirschfeld Theatre), Season in the Congo (Young Vic), A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Twelfth Night, 946 The Amazing Story of Adolphus Tips (Shakespeare’s Globe), Boy Breaking Glass (Sadler’s Wells), The Tin Drum (Bristol Old Vic), Ubu! A Singalong Satire (Shoreditch Town Hall).

Mirabelle Gremaud returns to the company as Zillah – she previously appeared in Wise Children (The Old Vic/UK tour) and Malory Towers (Bristol Passenger Shed/UK tour). Her theatre credits as an actress/dancer and contortionist includeLe Conte des Contes (Théâtre Kléber-Mélau), Peter Pan (Birmingham Rep), Swan Lake (The Lost Estate), Acrojou (Roundhouse), Falling (Complicité), and her solo show Sombre Sloughing (UK and European tour).

Stephanie Hockley returns to the company – she previously appeared in Malory Towers. Her other theatre credits include Robin Hood (Watermill Theatre), A Christmas Carol (Storyhouse), The Show Must Go On (St Luke’s Bombed Out Church), Return to the Forbidden Planet (Upstairs at the Gatehouse), Robin Hood the Rock n’ Roll Panto, Sleeping Beauty, The Little Mermaid, Beauty and the Beast, Rapunzel (Liverpool Everyman), Julius Caesar, A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Storyhouse, Chester) and Sleeping Beauty (Mercury Theatre Colchester).

TJ Holmes plays Robert. His theatre credits include One Man, Two Guvnors (UK tour), The Hired Man, Love, Lies and Lust (Queen’s Theatre Hornchurch), Mother Courage (Leeds Playhouse), Two Gentleman of Verona (Shakespeare’s Globe/Liverpool Everyman), La Strada (The Other Palace), Hansel and Gretel (Kneehigh), The BFG, I Was A Rat (Birmingham Rep), The Jungle Book, The Threepenny Opera (UK tour), Spend Spend Spend!, Some Like It Hotter (The Watermill Theatre), As You Like It (Curve), Cider with Rosie, Merchant of Venice (Theatre Royal Bury St Edmunds) and What To Do When You Find A Dinosaur (Oxford Playhouse).

Craig Johnson plays Mr Earnshaw/Dr Kenneth. His theatre credits include The Lighthouse Keeper’s Lunch, The Railway Children and The Secret Garden (Minack Theatre), Alaska, One Darke Night (UK tours), The Sea Show, Skillywidden, Stones and Bones, Curious Creatures, Tales from the Trees, Myths and Monsters, The Christmassy Christmas Show, Shivers and Shadows, Universarama! (Squashbox Theatre UK tours), Tristan & Yseult, Cymbeline, Don John, A Matter of Life and Death and The Bacchae (Kneehigh).

Jordan Laviniere plays John. His theatre credits include All That (King’s Head Theatre), Everybody’s Talking About Jamie (Apollo Theatre), Bugsy Malone (Lyric Hammersmith), The Life (The English Theatre, Frankfurt) and We Will Rock You (European tour).

Lucy McCormick plays Catherine. Her previous theatre credits include Life: LIVE! (Battersea Arts Centre), Triple Threat and Post Popular (Edinburgh Fringe Festival/Soho Theatre/UK and international tours), Roller Diner, First Love is the Revolution (Soho Theatre), Dear Elizabeth, Effigies of Wickedness (Gate Theatre), Collective Rage (Southwark Playhouse), Cinderella (Oxford Playhouse), The Naked Truth (UK tour), Splat! (Barbican), and The House of Bernada Alba (Tristan Bates Theatre). Her television credits include This Time with Alan Partridge; and for film, Fast and Furious Presents: Hobbs & Shaw, and Uncle David 2.

Katy Owen returns to the company to play Isabella Linton/Linton Heathcliff – she previously appeared in Wise Children (The Old Vic/UK tour). Her other theatre credits include UBU Karaoke!, Rebecca (Kneehigh), The Little Matchgirl and Other Happier Tales (Bristol Old Vic/Shakespeare’s Globe/UK tour), Twelfth Night, A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Shakespeare’s Globe), 946: The Amazing Story of Adolphus Tipps (Kneehigh/Shakespeare’s Globe/UK tour), The World of Work, The Night Before Christmas (Chapter Arts Centre), Apparitions of Spirits with the Forsythe Sisters (Gaggle Babble), Maudie’s Rooms, Plum – and Me, Will!, Cinders (Sherman Theatre), Ill Met by Moonlight (Wales Millennium Centre), The Tempest (Theatr Iolo) and The Moon Dragon & The Wounded Angel (Theatr Gwent). Her television credits include The Story of Tracy Beaker.

Tama Phethean plays Hindley Earnshaw/Hareton Earnshaw. His theatre credits include The Great Christmas Feast (The Lost Estate), Man Muck (Etcetera Theatre) and Night of the Living Dead Live (Pleasance Theatre).

Liam Tamne plays Heathcliff. His theatre work includes The Prince of Egypt (Dominion Theatre – Grammy nomination for Original Cast Recording), Bonnie and Clyde (Theatre Royal Drury Lane), The Light in the Piazza (Royal Festival Hall/LA Opera), Spamilton (Menier Chocolate Factory), Mack and Mabel (concert – Hackney Empire), Working (Southwark Playhouse), The Rocky Horror Show (UK tour), The Phantom of the Opera (Her Majesty’s Theatre), Les Miserables (Queen’s Theatre), Departure Lounge — the Musical (Perfect Pitch), HAIR (Gielgud Theatre), Hairspray (Shaftesbury Theatre) and Wicked (Apollo Victoria Theatre). For television, his work includes Doctors.

Witney White plays Frances Earnshaw/Young Cathy. Her theatre credits include Five Plays Project: Irreconcilable Differences (Young Vic), Light Falls (Royal Exchange Theatre), A Christmas Carol, Sylvia, A Monster Calls (The Old Vic), NOF*CKSGIVEN (Vault Festival), Room (Theatre Royal Stratford East/Dundee Rep/Abbey Theatre), wonder.land (National Theatre), Dusty (Charing Cross Theatre) and Loserville (West Yorkshire Playhouse). For television, her credits include Cleaning Up.  

Emma Rice is the proud and excited Artistic Director of her company, Wise Children. She adapted and directed the company’s Bagdad Cafe (The Old Vic), Angela Carter’s Wise Children (The Old Vic/UK tour) and Enid Blyton’s Malory Towers (Bristol Passenger Shed/UK tour). For the ENO she directed Orpheus in the Underworld. As Artistic Director of Shakespeare’s Globe (2016/18), she directed Romantics Anonymous, Twelfth Night, A Midsummer Night’s Dream and The Little Matchgirl (and Other Happier Tales). For the previous 20 years, she worked for Kneehigh as an actor, director and Artistic Director. Her productions for Kneehigh include The Flying Lovers of Vitebsk, Tristan & Yseult, 946: The Amazing Story of Adolphus Tips, The Wild Bride, The Red Shoes, The Wooden Frock, The Bacchae, Cymbeline (in association with RSC), A Matter of Life and Death (in association with National Theatre), Rapunzel (in association with Battersea Arts Centre), Brief Encounter (in association with David Pugh and Dafydd Rogers Productions), Don John (in association with the RSC and Bristol Old Vic), Wah! Wah! Girls (in association with Sadler’s Wells and Theatre Royal Stratford East for World Stages), and Steptoe and Son. Other work includes the West End production of The Umbrellas of Cherbourg, Oedipussy (Spymonkey), The Empress (RSC), and An Audience with Meow Meow (Berkeley Repertory Theatre). In 2019 Rice received the UK Theatre Award for Outstanding Contribution to British Theatre.

WUTHERING HEIGHTS

LISTINGS

National Theatre, Lyttelton

Until 19 March

Box Office: 020 7452 3000 / www.nationaltheatre.org.uk   

Hall for Cornwall

29March – 9 April 2022

Box Office: 01872 262466 / www.hallforcornwall.co.uk

Theatre Royal Norwich

12– 16 April 2022

Box Office: 01603 630 000 /www.norwichtheatre.org

Theatre Royal Nottingham

26 – 30 April 2022

Box Office: 0115 989 5555 / www.trch.co.uk

The Lowry

3 – 7 May 2022

Box Office: 0343 208 6000 / www.thelowry.com

Sunderland Empire

10 – 14 May 2022

Box Office: 03330 096 690 / https://www.atgtickets.com/venues/sunderland-empire/

Brighton Festival

17 – 21 May

Box Office: Brighton Festival | Brighton Festival

King’s Theatre, Edinburgh

24 – 28 May 2022

Box Office: 0131 529 6000 /www.capitaltheatres.com/your-visit/kings-theatre

Eden Court

31May – 4 June

Box Office: 01463 234 234 / www.eden-court.co.uk

THE DA VINCI CODE

BASED ON THE BEST-SELLING NOVEL BY DAN BROWN

CHRISTOPHER HARPER TO PLAY ROBERT LANGDON ALONGSIDE DANNY JOHN-JULES

& HANNAH ROSE CATON

IN WORLD PREMIERE PRODUCTION

Coronation Street star Chris Harper joins the tour of Dan Brown’s best-selling thriller, The Da Vinci Code to play Robert Langdon alongside Danny John-Jules as Sir Leigh Teabing, Hannah Rose Caton as Sophie Neveu and Joshua Lacey as Silas.  This World Premiere production which visits Richmond Theatre from 2-7 May 2022 is directed by Luke Sheppard, who also directed the award-winning West End musical & Juliet.

The cast also includes:  Basienka Blake (Vernet), Alasdair Buchan (Remy) Alpha Kargbo (Fache), Leigh Lothian (Collet), Andrew Lewis (Saunière) and Debra Michaels (Sister Sandrine/Marie).

Producer Simon Friend said: “We have a truly stellar cast and creative team bringing The Da Vinci Code to life on stage for the first time, and with Dan Brown’s full endorsement of the show and the talented director Luke Sheppard at the helm, we’re confident that we’ll please devoted fans as well as newcomers to this magnificent story.”

‘Dan Brown’s epic thriller has been read by millions worldwide, and seen by millions worldwide on the big screen, and we are all looking forward to taking our brand new stage version to audiences all over the UK.’

Dan Brown said: “I am thrilled that The Da Vinci Code is being adapted for the stage, and excited to see the unique potential of live theatre enhance this story. The team making the production has been faithful to the book, but will also bring something new for the audience, in what is certain to be a gripping, fast-paced stage thriller and a thoroughly entertaining show.”

Christopher Harper’s previous theatre credits include: Dial M For Murder; Apollo 13: The Dark Side of the Moon, Birdsong; Dance; Strangers on a Train; Much Ado About Nothing (Shakespeare’s Globe); Slipping (Stephen Joseph Theatre, Scarborough); The Wind in the Willows, Man of the Moment and Private Fears in Public Places (Royal & Derngate); I Know How I Feel About Eve (Hampstead Downstairs); The Night Before Christmas; The Village Bike (Sheffield Crucible Studio); Our Country’s Good and Journey’s End; Persuasion, After Miss Julie and People at Sea (Salisbury Playhouse); Saturn Returns; Light Shining in Buckinghamshire and Lie of the Land; See How They Run, Separate Tables and Volpone (Royal Exchange); Adam Bede and Strange Orchestra (Orange Tree Theatre); Tabloid Caligula (Arcola and Brits off Broadway) and Twelfth Night.  His films include: The War Below, Patiala House, Rules of the Game and Charlie.  On television he played the high profile character of Nathan Curtis in Coronation Street, and appeared in Holby City, Endeavour, The Suspicions of Mr Whicher, Doctors, Upstairs Downstairs, The Bill, Heartbeat, The Roman Mysteries, Rosemary and Thyme, Life on Mars and Housewife 49 with Victoria Wood.  Chris also produced and voiced the award-winning charity animation The Mouse.

 Danny John-Jules is probably best known for his role as Cat in Red Dwarf and has appeared in every episode of the 13 series. He also made the character of Dwayne Myers in BBC’s hit series, Death in Paradise, his own. Danny has also appeared in many other film and TV roles across his 40 year career as an actor.Danny has appeared in Barnum at the London Palladium, Cats at the New London Theatre and Time at the Dominion Theatre. He created the role of ‘Rocky 1’ in Starlight Express at the Apollo, Victoria, and was Dink in the first West End production of Carmen Jones at the Old Vic Theatre for director Simon Callow and musical director Henry Lewis.

 Hannah Rose Caton makes her UK theatre debut in The Da Vinci Code.  Hannah is based both in London and New York and is a recent graduate of The Juilliard School’s Drama Division. Her theatre credits (off Broadway and in theatres across the US) include: Mrs. Christie at Vermont Theatre Festival, An Octoroon for Chautauqua Theatre Company and Hay Fever for West Fulton Theatre. 

Her TV and films include: The Falling, Last Knights and Wizards vs Aliens. 

 The Da Vinci Code is described as follows: The curator of the Louvre has been brutally murdered, and alongside his body are a series of baffling codes. Follow the pulse-racing journey as Professor Robert Langdon and fellow cryptologist Sophie Neveu, attempt to solve the riddles, leading to the works of Leonardo Da Vinci and beyond, deep into the vault of history. In a breathless race through the streets of Europe, Langdon and Neveu must decipher the labyrinthine code before a shocking historical secret is lost forever.

The Da Vinci Code is adapted for the stage by Rachel Wagstaff (Flowers For Mrs Harris, Birdsong) and Duncan Abel (The Girl on the Train).  Director Luke Sheppard, who most recently directed the acclaimed new West End musical, & Juliet and What’s New Pussycat at Birmingham Rep is joined on the creative team by Set and Costume Designer David Woodhead, Video Designer Andrzej Goulding, Composition and Sound Design team, Ben and Max Ringham, Lighting Designer Lizzie Powell and Casting Director Stuart Burt CDG.

Luke Sheppard said: “Cracking The Da Vinci Code open for the stage reveals an epic thriller steeped in theatrical potential, rich in suspense and surprising at every turn. Rachel Wagstaff and Duncan Abel’s brilliant adaptation leaps off the page and demands us to push the limits of our imagination, creating a production that champions dynamic theatrical storytelling and places the audience up close in the heat of this gripping mystery.”

The Da Vinci Code is produced by Simon Friend. 

OLD FRIENDS

Celebrate

SONDHEIM At The Sondheim

Tuesday 3May 2022

An All-Star Gala in aid of the launch of:

The Sondheim Foundation

Cameron Mackintosh has invited many of Stephen Sondheim’s old friends to join him in celebrating his extraordinary talents and legacy at the theatre which was recently gloriously rebuilt in Sondheim’s honor. The all-star cast for OLD FRIENDS so far includes Michael Ball, Petula Clark, Judi Dench, Daniel Evans, Bonnie Langford, Adrian Lester, Damian Lewis, Julia Mckenzie, Bernadette Peters, Elaine Paige, Clive Rowe, Imelda Staunton and Hannah Waddingham. They will be joined by a featured company of West End stars, currently being finalised.

The evening, which takes place for one night only on 3 May 2022 at 8pm, will be staged by Matthew Bourne and Maria Friedman with choreography by Stephen Mear and a 26-piece orchestra conducted by Alfonso Casado Trigo.

Patrons can sign up for priority booking at sondheimoldfriends.com.  Tickets will go on sale on 15 March to DMT Plus members at 11am, the Priority List at 12noon with Public Booking opening at 1pm.

Cameron Mackintosh said: “It is impossible to overstate the influence and contribution Stephen Sondheim has made to Musical Theatre, both personally and professionally. He was as great a teacher as he was an incomparable writer and the Little Things that he did for so many people forged legions of friendships throughout his long life. I was lucky enough to be Steve’s friend and occasional collaborator for over 45 years since I first produced Side By Side By Sondheim and the Wyndham’s Theatre in 1976. It was a friendship full of laughter, gossip and glorious insightful camaraderie.

Steve was so prolific and profound as a writer that it’s impossible to put together a definitive list of his greatest songs, as everyone has their own favourites, so our choice of songs will purely reflect the joy and love I have for one of the greatest Broadway Babies of all time.”

All profits from the evening will go to the Stephen Sondheim Foundation, which the legendary composer and lyricist established under his Will to receive future income from his copyrights and intellectual property, with the proceeds to be used principally for the support of playwrights, composers, and lyricists in the early stages of their careers to assist in the development and advancement of their work, as well as for sustaining other aspects of the musical theatre craft and arts education.

Until the Stephen Sondheim Foundation has completed the process of its formation, the proceeds derived from this event will be held in trust by The Mackintosh Foundation (registered charity number: 327751) on its behalf.

OPERA HOUSE, MANCHESTER – UNTIL SATURDAY 5TH MARCH 2022

REVIEWED BY MIA BOWEN

5*****

Footloose is a 1998 musical based on the screen sensation starring Kevin Bacon. When the film was released in 1984, it became the highest crossing February release in US film history. The soundtrack album knocked Michael Jackson’s Thriller off the number one spot and went to top album charts all over the world. I caught up with the current UK Touring stage production when it touched down at the Opera House. This adaptation is pure fun, full of passion and energy, containing pop rock hits like ‘Almost paradise’, ‘Let’s hear it for the boy’, ‘Holding out for a hero’ and ‘Footloose’.

The musical tells the story of city boy Ren McCormack (Joshua Hawkins) and his mother Ethel (Geri Allen) who has moved to the small town of Bomont in the rural Southwest. At school Ren befriends Willard (Jake Quickenden) and learns that the town council has banned dancing and rock music within the town boundary. Ren shakes things up by falling in love with Ariel (Lucy Munden), the daughter of Rev Moore (Darren Day), the main influence behind the ban. As well as teenage angst, Footloose is all about fun and the carefree nature of being a teen, which of course is never fully appreciated at the time.

It wouldn’t be Footloose without spectacular stage dancing and Matt Cole deserves a special mention as his choreography did not disappoint, it was demanding but stunningly executed. Every time a choreographed musical number ended the audience broke out in a booming applause and loud cheers. This response was also due to the cast giving the whole production an air of exhilaration, not only did they act, sing, dance and move sets around, they played multiple instruments whilst on roller skates!

Footloose is a solid piece of toe tapping entertainment, literally bringing a cheering audience to their feet

Malvern Theatre – until 5th March 2022

Reviewed by Kathie Hodges

5*****

I was absolutely thrilled to be able to see Willy Russell’s Blood Brothers.

This legendary show arrived At Malvern Theatre to a sold out audience and it did not disappoint. 

Blood Brothers is a musical telling the intriguing and tragic story of the Johnstone twins, separated at birth.

One remains with his birth mother and the other is reluctantly given up in the hope of a better life.

Set in Liverpool in the 60’s Mrs Johnstone struggles to make ends meet. Her husband who once took her dancing and compared her beauty to that of Marilyn Monroe, leaves her after she falls pregnant yet again, for a younger woman who looks even more like Marilyn Monroe.

With seven children and twins on the way, and the constant threat of debt collectors, she’s drawn in to a peculiar pact.

Her wealthy employer Mrs Lyon’s desperately wants a child to fulfil her but unable to bear a child of her own, Mrs Lyon’s convinces Mrs Johnstone to give one of her babies to her. That way at least one of her children will have the best start in life.

Understanding the struggle of living during that time is a huge part of understanding Mrs Johnstones actions, and indeed to understanding why Mickey and Eddie’s lives differ so much. 

The set is brilliantly designed to show the divide between rich and poor. 

One side made up of mansions, the other a council estate.

The real problems arise when fate brings the pair back together years later. Bonding immediately, but with tragic circumstances.

Sean Jones is first seen as a playful seven year old Mickey. Obviously he is a grown man however he plays the part of this cheeky young lad brilliantly bringing some big laughs to the show.

Joel Benedict is fantastic as Eddie, deeming everything ‘fantastic’ in his ever so posh voice.

Mrs Johnstone played by Niki Evans brings so much charm to the role, we can feel nothing but adoration for her. 

Her flawless voice delivers every note perfectly and ‘Tell me it’s not True’ to a standing ovation. The love she has for her children is evident in spite of the lack of money and we feel every bit of her struggle, and her emotion.

Mrs Lyon’s however is a very tough role to play. Paula Tappenden portrays the character of this desperate woman who eventually has a break down, unable to live with the lies she has told.

Narrator Robbie Scotcher remains on stage throughout the duration of the show, seeming to act as the conscience of both woman, reminding them both of the terrible choices they have made.

For the most part the play gives a lot of laughs, but the fate of the boys keeps you on the edge of your seat.

The finale is greeted with a standing ovation. There were gunshots, there were tears, it was tense. Would I recommend it. Absolutely! 

Book a seat today. 

CAST AND TOUR DATES ANNOUNCED

BEAUTIFUL – THE CAROLE KING MUSICAL

Molly-Grace Cutler as Carole King
Tom Milner as Gerry Goffin
Seren Sandham-Davies as Cynthia Weil
Jos Slovick as Barry Mann

A Curve, Theatre Royal Bath Productions and Mayflower Theatre Southampton co-production

Leicester’s Curve, Theatre Royal Bath Productions and Mayflower Theatre Southampton have announced the company of talented actor-musicians joining their new UK tour of Beautiful – The Carole King Musical.

Opening at Curve on Monday 28 February 2022, the company will be led by Molly-Grace Cutler (The Worst Witch, Girls Don’t Play Guitars, We’ll Live and Die in these Towns) as Carole King. Tom Milner (Holby City, Waterloo Road) will play Gerry Goffin, Carole’s former husband and collaborator. Seren Sandham-Davies (Crazy For You, Brassed Off) and Jos Slovick, who performed in the original West End production of Once, will play husband and wife song-writing duo Cynthia Weil and Barry Mann.

Garry Robson returns to Curve as music producer and talent manager Don Kirshner. Garry was last seen on-stage in Leicester as General Henry Waverly in the 2018 Made at Curve production of White Christmas.

Claire Greenway, who originated the role of Sister Mary Patrick in Sister Act at the London Palladium, will play Carole’s mother Genie Klein, and Dan de Cruz will join as the production’s on-stage Musical Director. The cast is completed by Naomi Alade, Kemi Clarke, Chris Coxon, Amena El-Kindy, Louise Francis, Dylan Gordon-Jones, Jessica Jolleys, Sorrel Jordan, Myles Miller, Peter Mooney, Adrien Spencer and Kevin Yates.

After its run in Leicester, Beautiful – The Carole King Musical will tour to Theatre Royal Bath 17 – 26 March, Theatre Royal Brighton 29 March – 2 April, Festival Theatre Edinburgh 5 – 9 April, Mayflower Theatre, Southampton 12 – 16 April, Newcastle Theatre Royal 19 – 23 April, Orchard Theatre Dartford 26 – 30 April, Malvern Theatres 3 -7 May, Cambridge Arts Theatre 10 – 21 May and New Theatre, Cardiff 24 – 28 May.

Based on the story of Carole King’s remarkable rise from singer/songwriter to chart-topping music legend, this production of Beautiful – The Carole King Musical will take audiences back to the heart of King’s landmark 1971 album ‘Tapestry’.

The musical will be directed by Curve’s Artistic Director Nikolai Foster, whose recent credits include acclaimed five-star productions of A Chorus Line, West Side Storyand 2020’s streamed production of Sunset Boulevard – at Home.

Speaking about the cast, Curve’s Chief Executive Chris Stafford and Artistic Director Nikolai Foster said:

“Carole King’s body of work speaks for itself and it is an honour to work on a show which celebrates some of the greatest pop songs ever written and the extraordinary life of the woman who has provided the soundtrack to our lives across the decades.

“In Molly-Grace Cutler, we have the perfect actor to lead our production and embody the spirit of King’s supreme artistry. Molly leads a phenomenal company of actor-musicians, who will recreate all the hits live onstage, under the supreme musical talents of Grammy winner Steve Sidwell and Tony winner Sarah Travis.

“We are thrilled to be collaborating with our friends at Theatre Royal Bath and Southampton Mayflower, flying the flag for Leicester once Beautiful tours from Curve.”

Carole King’s music will be brought to life by Grammy Award-winning Orchestrator Steve Sidwell and adapted by Tony Award-winning Curve Associate and Musical Supervisor Sarah Travis. The production will be choreographed by rising star Leah Hill (The Wiz, Hope Mill Theatre), with Associate Choreographer Tarik Frimpong, and the creative team also includes Set Designer Frankie Bradshaw, Costume Designer Edd Lindley, Lighting Designer and Curve Associate Ben Cracknell, Sound Designer Tom Marshall, Associate Director Jennifer Lane Baker and Casting Director and Curve Associate Kay Magson CDG. The production will also provide training opportunities for Regional Theatre Young Directors Scheme (RTYDS) Resident Assistant Director Lilac Yosiphon and Birkbeck Trainee Director Thyrza Abrahams.

Featuring countless classics such as You Make Me Feel Like a Natural Woman, Take Good Care of my Baby, You’ve Got a Friend, Up on the Roof, Locomotion and You’ve Lost That Loving Feeling, Beautiful – The Carole King Musical is written by Douglas McGrath, with songs by Carole King, Gerry Goffin, Barry Mann and Cynthia Weil.

Beautiful – The Carole King Musical was originally produced on Broadway and in London by Paul Blake, SONY/ATV Music Publishing and Mike Bosner.

Beautiful – The Carole King Musical

Book by Douglas McGrath

Words & Music by Gerry Coffin & Carole King, Barry Mann & Cynthia Weil

Music by arrangement with Sony/ATV Music Publishing

MAMMA MIA! celebrates 9000 performances in London’s West End

The global smash hit musical will celebrate its 23rd birthday in London on 6 April 2022.  MAMMA MIA! originally opened in London at the Prince Edward Theatre on 6 April 1999, before transferring to the Prince of Wales Theatre in 2004, and then to the Novello Theatre in 2012.  The London production of MAMMA MIA! has been seen by over 9 million people and has broken box office records in all three of its London homes.  

The London cast stars Mazz Murray as Donna, Josie Benson as Tanya, Gemma Goggin as Rosie, Richard Trinder as Sam, Neil Moors as Harry, Stephen Beckett as Bill, Emma Mullen as Sophie, Jack Danson as Sky, Tegan Bannister as Ali, Sophie Matthew as Lisa, Michael Nelson as Eddie and Alexandros Beshonges as Pepper, with Natalie Langston playing the role of Donna at certain performances.

Also in the cast are Natasha Agnew, Chloe Ames, Gemma Atkins, Chloe-Jo Byrnes, Nicole Carlisle, Angus Good, Natalie Jayne Hall, Lauren Hampton, James Humpleman, Morgan Jackson, Frankie Jones, Grace Moorhouse, Jodie Nolan, Dan O’Brien, George Olney, Michael Storrs, Kyle Turner, Amy Thiroff, Michael Tyler, Simon Willmont and Alex Woodward.  

Since premiering in London in 1999, the irresistible feelgood musical has captured the hearts of millions around the globe.  The sunny, funny tale of a mother, a daughter and three possible dads on a Greek island idyll, all unfolding to the magic of ABBA’s timeless pop masterpieces, has now been seen live on stage by 65 million people across the world and turned into two record-breaking movies – MAMMA MIA! The Movie and MAMMA MIA! Here We Go Again.

To date, MAMMA MIA! has been seen in 50 productions in 16 different languages grossing more than $4 billion at the box office.  In 2011, it became the first Western musical ever to be staged in Mandarin in the People’s Republic of China.

With music & lyrics by Benny Andersson & Björn Ulvaeus, MAMMA MIA! is written by Catherine Johnson, directed by Phyllida Lloyd and choreographed by Anthony Van Laast. The production is designed by Mark Thompson, with lighting design by Howard Harrison, sound design by Andrew Bruce & Bobby Aitken, and musical supervision, additional material & arrangements by Martin Koch.

MAMMA MIA! is produced by Judy Craymer, Richard East & Björn Ulvaeus for Littlestar in association with Universal.

LISTINGS INFORMATION

Novello Theatre
Aldwych
London WC2B 4LD

Ticket Prices: from £17.50*
*All prices include a £2.50 per ticket booking fee and £1.25 restoration levy (£1.50 restoration levy for performances from Monday 4 April 2022)

Early Bird Pricing – anyone booking four months or more in advance of the performance they are attending (Monday to Thursday performances only) will save £20 on Band A and Premium tickets, but only through Delfont Mackintosh Theatres, either online or by calling the Novello Theatre Box Office.

Performance Times:
Monday, Wednesdays – Saturdays 7.30pm
Matinees – Thursdays & Saturdays 3.00pm, Sundays 2.30pm
The performance lasts 2 hours and 35 minutes (including a 15-minute interval)
Box Office: 0844 482 5151

http://www.mamma-mia.com/

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