THE LOWRY, SALFORD, MANCHESTER – UNTIL SATURDAY 5 NOVEMBER 2022
REVIEWED BY MIA BOWEN
4****
It has been more than 30 years since its first publication, as a novella and more than 25 years since I went to the cinema to watch The Shawshank Redemption on the big screen. So, when the opportunity came to see the play, I jumped at the chance and ventured along to the premiere performance at The Lowry. This freshly rewritten stage adaptation by Dave Johns and Owen O’Neill is from Stephen King’s original story rather than the iconic 1994 film.
Taking on King’s cult classic is a mammoth task, I had very high expectations and it did not disappoint. Right from the opening act, the audience can hear Frank Sinatra’s cheerful and optimistic ‘Beyond the Sea’ playing and in contrast see the grim and grey rows of prison cells. Three naked men are standing in individual spotlights, their modesty covered by the prison clothes they are holding. Above them, dark figures are looking down on them, giving the audience a sense of what a brutal and bleak place ‘The Shank’ is for the inmates.
The story follows Andy Dufresne, a successful banker, who is found guilty of murdering his wife and her lover, despite his insistent claims of innocence. He is sentenced to life in the notorious Shawshank State Penitentiary and over the years he befriends the fixer, Ellis ‘Red’ Redding, who can get his hands on ‘things’ for his fellow inmates, for a price.
Ben Onwukwe as Red, considering he had to fill Morgan Freeman’s shoes, was marvellous and a commanding presence on stage, his narration drove the play with amazing characterisation.
Joe Absolom impressed in the lead role of Andy Dufresne. He gave an astute performance, transforming his character from a withdrawn prison newcomer to the top dog.
The whole 12-man ensemble gave excellent performances, which resulted in a standing ovation. Special mentions must go to Jules Brown, his humorous portrayal of Rico was thoroughly enjoyable and outstanding. Also, Kenneth Jay as Brooksie, had the audience almost shedding tears because the prison system had beaten him.
It would be a criminal offence to miss out on seeing this thrilling stage adaptation, don’t get caught out.
A spectacular line-up of some of the world’s best professional dancers will be hitting the road next year for the 2023 official Strictly Come Dancing: The Professionals UK Tour.
This breathtaking show, featuring a 10-strong ensemble of dancers from the smash hit BBC One TV show Strictly Come Dancing, will open at Hull’s Bonus Arena on 2 May and then waltz its way around the UK before culminating at Liverpool’s M&S Arena on 30 May. Tickets will go on-sale on 4 November from StrictlyTheProfessionals.com.
Audiences across the country will enjoy an evening of world-class dance, stunning choreography and glamorous costumes, live and up close from 10 talented Strictly Professionals: Australian Open Champion and 2018 finalist Dianne Buswell; new Strictly dancer and 11-time Italian Latin American Champion Vito Coppola; Chinese National Dance Champion Carlos Gu (who is also new to Strictly this year), Professional World Mambo Champion and 2020 Strictly finalist Karen Hauer; undefeated four-time British National Champion Neil Jones; six-time Italian Latin & Ballroom Champion Nikita Kuzmin; 2017 & 2020 Strictly finalist Gorka Marquez; four-time Italian Dance Championship winner Luba Mushtuk; Polish Open Latin Champion Jowita Przystal; and World Latin Dance Championships Under 21 finalist Nancy Xu.
The 31-date tour, directed by Strictly’s Creative Director Jason Gilkison, will showcase the exceptional talent of TV’s hugely popular professional dancers, set within the wonderful world of the BBC show, with its stunning costumes and sparkling sets.
Jason said: “It is fantastic to unveil this stellar line-up of much-loved Strictly professional dancers for next year’s tour. We will be dazzling audiences across the country with the dance and choreography at the highest possible standard. To see these dancers coming together to perform on this scale is a joy for me as a director and Strictly fans are in for a real treat!”
Strictly Come Dancing – The Professionals 2023 UK Tour Dates
Roddy Doyle’s The Commitments (presented by Phil McIntyre Live) and directed by Andrew Linnie burst onto the Hull Theatre stage and kept the audience very entertained from beginning to end.
Adapted from his own novel Roddy Doyle tells the story of group of working-class amateur musicians and friends from Dublin who get together to form a ten-piece band that Jimmy Rabitte (James Killeen) describes as “the hardest working band in the world”.
Jimmy (James Killeen) loves soul music from the sixties and wants to put together a band, he knows a couple of musicians and advertises for some more and gets all sorts of different people turning up to his house to audition.
We follow the group from rehearsing in a garage to playing church halls instead of the bingo, we follow the fights, the arguments, the romances and the lives of this band of musicians and singers.
The soundtrack to this musical is amazing from Proud Mary to (I can’t get no) Satisfaction to many others. This is not a Juke Box Musical the songs are total classics and the lead singer Ian McIntosh who plays Deco has the most fabulous voice.
Its really difficult to single out one person in this fabulous show, the set designer (Tim Blazdell) produced a set that went from Rabitte family flat to a rehearsal room to night clubs which was so clever. And costume designer and supervisor (Alice Lessing) costumes took me right back to the 80’s, particularly the Ra Ra skirts. How they went from normal kids in jeans etc at the beginning to the slick suits and dresses of their last performance was brilliant.
All the singers, actors and the musicians, both on and off stage, were all so talented. This a real feel-good show that will leave you wanting more and had the New Theatre audience on its feet.
If you go and watch, and I would really recommend you do, try and watch everyone on the stage not just the person singing or acting there is something going on everywhere!
This is one of the best musicals I’ve seen in a long while…miss it at your peril!!!
DONMAR WAREHOUSE ANNOUNCES FULL CASTING FOR LILLIAN HELLMAN’S WATCH ON THE RHINE
9 December 2022 – 4 February 2023
Artistic Director Michael Longhurst and Executive Director Henny Finch today announce the full casting for Lillian Hellman’s masterpiece political thriller Watch on the Rhine. Joining the previously announced Kate Duchêne (Anise), Caitlin FitzGerald (Sara Muller) and Patricia Hodge (Fanny Farrelly)are John Light (Teck de Brancovis), Carlyss Peer (Marthe de Brancovis), Geoffrey Streatfeild (David Farrelly), Mark Waschke (Kurt Muller) and David Webber (Joseph).
They are joined by Finley Glasgow (Joshua Muller), Tamar Laniado and Chloe Raphael (Babette Muller), Bertie Caplan and Henry Hunt (Bodo Muller).
Part of the Donmar’s 30th anniversary season, the first major London revival of Watch on the Rhine in over 40 years, directed by Ellen McDougall, opens on 15 December, with previews from 9 December, and runs until 4 February 2023. It is the first production to provide £10 tickets for audiences aged under 30 to mark the special milestone of the Donmar’s 30th birthday with support from Associate Sponsor Barclays.
The production is designed by Basia Bińkowska, with lighting design by Azusa Ono, sound design by Tingying Dong, fight direction by Cristian Cardenas, musical direction by Josh Middleton, video design by Sarah Readman, casting director Anna Cooper CDG, dramaturgy by Emma Jude Harris and Zoe Svendsen, voice and dialect coaching by Nia Lynn. Anti-racism consultancy for the production is provided by mezze eade.
WATCH ON THE RHINE
by Lillian Hellman
Director – Ellen McDougall; Designer – Basia Bińkowska; Lighting Designer – Azusa Ono;
Sound Designer – Tingying Dong; Fight Director – Cristian Cardenas;
Musical Director – Josh Middleton; Video Design – Sarah Readman;
Casting Director – Anna Cooper CDG; Dramaturg – Emma Jude Harris and Zoe Svendsen
“It’s an indulgence to sit in a room and discuss your beliefs as if they were a juicy piece of gossip.”
Summer 1941. On a peaceful morning in a Washington D.C. living room, widow Fanny Farrelly anxiously awaits the return of her daughter and her German husband, fleeing Europe with their children.
As night falls, dark secrets emerge, and this American sanctuary becomes even more dangerous than what they left behind.
Known for her success on Broadway (The Little Foxes, The Children’s Hour) Lillian Hellman was also a brilliant activist, ahead of her time. Watch on The Rhine is her masterpiece political thriller, given a timely revival by director Ellen McDougall.
Bertie Caplan makes hisprofessional stage debut as Bodo Muller. His television includes Doc Martin; Carnival Row; Tulipop. Film includes: The Magic Flute; Wonka.
Kate Duchêne returns to the Donmar toplay Anise, having recently appeared in Henry V. Her other theatre credits include: Suzy Storck (Gate Theatre); Hedda Gabler, Everyman, Hansel and Gretel, A Woman Killed with Kindness, Beauty and the Beast, Attempts on Her Life, Women of Troy, Iphigenia at Aulis (National Theatre/Dublin Abbey Theatre); Waves (National Theatre/UK tour); The Forbidden Zone (Barbican/Amsterdam); Ten Billion (Royal Court Theatre/Avignon Festival); The Trial of Ubu (Hampstead Theatre); Henry VIII (Shakespeare’s Globe); A Midsummer Night’s Dream (City of London Sinfonia); The Sugar Syndrome (Royal Court); and The Herbal Bed, The Cherry Orchard, The Country Wife and Richard III (RSC). Her television credits include Cursed; Doctor Who; Foyle’s War; Afterlife; Family Life; and Kiss Me Kate; and for film, Roxane, All Good Children and An Education.
Caitlin Fitzgerald 2022 Credit: Johan Persson
Caitlin FitzGerald plays Sara Muller. She can currently be seen in Patrick Somerville’s HBO Max limited series Station Eleven for director Hiro Murai, and Shonda Rhimes’s hit Netflix limited series Inventing Anna. Previously she starred in Aaron Sorkin’s feature film The Trial of the Chicago 7, the HBO series Succession, the Starz series Sweetbitter, Sophia Takal’s independent feature Always Shine, and the third season of Emmy-nominated series Unreal. Caitlin is also known for her work in the Showtime series Masters of Sex, and had a season-long arc on the finale season of SundanceTV’s Rectify. Additional credits include Adult Beginners; Nancy Meyers’ It’s Complicated; Whit Stillman’s Damsels in Distressed; and Ang Lee’s Taking Woodstock.
Finley Glasgow returns to the Donmar to play Joshua Muller following his appearance in Love and Other Acts of Violence. His televisionwork includes Andor. Concerts include The Secret Garden.
Patricia Hodge’s theatre credits include Private Lives (Theatre Royal Bath/UK tour); A Day in the Death of Joe Egg (Trafalgar Studios); Copenhagen; Travels With My Aunt; As You Like It (Chichester Festival Theatre); Relative Values (Harold Pinter Theatre/Theatre Royal Bath); Dandy Dick (Theatre Royal Brighton/UK tour); Calendar Girls (Chichester Festival Theatre/UK tour/Noel Coward Theatre); The Clean House (Sheffield Crucible/Royal and Derngate, Northampton/UK tour); The Country Wife (Theatre Royal Haymarket); Boeing Boeing (Comedy Theatre); His Dark Materials; Noises Off; Summerfolk; Money (Olivier Award Best Supporting Actress); A Little Night Music (National Theatre); Heartbreak House (Almeida); The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie (Strand Theatre/UK tour); Separate Tables (Albery Theatre/UK tour); Shades (Albery Theatre); Nymph Errant (Adlephi Theatre/Theatre Royal Drury Lane); Noel and Gertie (Warehouse Theatre/Comedy Theatre, Olivier Award Best Actress in a Musical nomination); Benefactors (Michael Codron); The Mitford Girls (Chichester Festival Theatre/Globe Theatre, Olivier Award Best Actress in a Musical nomination); Then and Now (Hampstead Theatre); Happy Yellow (Bush Theatre); Pal Joey Look Back in Anger; The Beggar’s Opera (Nottingham Playhouse); Hair (Queen’s Theatre); Maudie (Thorndike Theatre); Pippin (Her Majesty’s Theatre); The Two Gentlemen of Verona (Phoenix Theatre); Popkiss (Globe Theatre); All My Sons; Say Who You Are; The Birthday Party; The Anniversary (Traverse Theatre). Television includes: Murder in Provence; All Creatures Great and Small; Roadkill; A Very English Scandal; Downton Abbey Christmas Special; Miranda; Poirot; Maxwell; Hustle; Miss Marple; Sweet Medicine; Waking the Dead; The Falklands Play; The People’s Passion; The Moonstone; The Legacy of Reggie Perrin; The Cloning of Joanna May; Rich Tea and Sympathy; The Secret Life of Ian Fleming; The Shell Seekers; The Heat of the Day; Inspector Morse; Let’s Face the Music of…; Exclusive Yarns; The Life and Loves of a She-Devil; Time for Murder, The Return of Sherlock Holmes; Oss; Robin of Sherwood; Hotel Du Lac (BAFTA Best Actress nomination); Behind Enemy Lines; The Death of the Heart; Dust to Dust; Hay Fever; Jemima Shore Investigates; Holding the Fort; Nanny; The Professionals; The Other ‘Arf; Edward and Mrs Simpson; Target; Rumpole of the Bailey; The One and Only Mrs Phyllis Dixey; Disraeli: Portrait of a Romantic; Softy Softly; The Naked Civil Servant; Quiller; The Girls of Slender Means; Menace. Films include: The Laureate; Before You Go; Prague Duet; Jilting Joe; The Leading Man; Sunset; Just Ask for Diamond; Thieves in the Night; Vilde, The Wild One; Betrayal; Riding High; Charlotte; The Elephant Man; Jacob Two-Two Meets the Hooded Fang; Heavy Metal; Rosie Dixon – Night Nurse; The Disappearance.
Henry Hunt returns to the Donmar to play Bodo Muller after appearing in Force Majeure. Other theatre includes Handle With Care (Dante or Die Theatre). For television his work includes Ridley Road; and forfilm, Letters from the Blue and Bump!.
Tamar Laniado plays Babette Muller. Her theatre credits include: Leopoldstadt (Wyndham’s Theatre); That Night Follows Day (Forced Entertainment); Fantastically Great Women Who Changed the World (Theatre Royal Stratford East); and Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dream Coat (London Palladium).
John Light returns to the Donmar to play Teck after appearing in Luise Miller. His other theatre credits include La Belle Sauvage (Bridge Theatre); The Son (Kiln/West End); Mary Stuart (Almeida/West End); Taken at Midnight (Olivier nomination, Chichester Festival Theatre/West End); The Winter’s Tale, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, A New World: The Life of Thomas Paine at Shakespeare’s Globe; Three Days in the Country and The Night Season (National Theatre); The Giant, The Blackest Black and My Boy Jack (Hampstead Theatre); Julius Caesar at Chicago Shakespeare Theatre; Thom Pain (Based on Nothing) (Print Room); Carmen Destruction, The Master Builder, Certain Young Men and The Tower (Almeida); Apologia and Clocks and Whistles (Bush Theatre); Hedda Gabler at the Gate, Dublin; and Julius Caesar, The Tempest, The Seagull, In the Company of Men and A Patriot for Me (RSC). Television includes Murder in Provence, Around the World in Eighty Days, Mars, Maigret, Father Brown, Silk, Endeavour, Dresden, North and South, Cambridge Spies, Band of Brothers, Love in a Cold Climate, Aristocrats, The Unknown Soldier and Holding On. Film includes There’s Always Hope, Albert Nobbs, Scoop, Partition, Heights, The Lion in Winter, Benedict Arnold, The Ascension, 5 Seconds to Spare, DK2, Trance, Purpose, Investigating Sex and A Rather English Marriage.
Carlyss Peer plays Marthe de Brancovis. Her theatreincludes Ocean at the End of the Lane (National Theatre); Juglife (Rada Festival); Rules for Living (ETT/Royal & Derngate; UK Tour); Border Control (Hack Theatre Company); Groundhog Day (The Old Vic); Jefferson’s Garden (Watford Palace); Hamlet; A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Shakespeare’s Globe); But I Made You a Mixtape (Etcetera Theatre); The Rivals (Theatre Royal Haymarket, West End, Theatre Royal Bath Productions, UK Tour); Les Liaisons Dangereuses (Salisbury Playhouse). Television includes: Beyond Paradise; Dalgliesh; The Crown; Viewpoint; Home; Intergalactic; The Feed; Silent Witness; The Tempest; Midsomer Murders; Pixies; Grantchester; Brief Encounters; Doctors; Holby City; Eternal Law; Missing. Film includes: The Great Escaper; County Lines; Peter and Wendy. Radio includes: Passenger List 2; Arkham County; Road to Lisbon; The Further Adventures of Lucie Miller; Gallifrey Time War; Now, Where Were We?; The Shame Of It; and The Boneless Wonder.
Chloe Raphael plays Babette Muller. Her theatre credits include Leopoldstadt (Wyndham’s Theatre); Matilda Jr, Annie Jr (British Theatre Academy); Little Miss Sunshine (Arcola/Selladoor); My Son Pinocchio (Southwark Theatre). Her television work includes Thomas & Friends; The Letter for the King; and for film, Thomas & Friends Race for the Sodor Cup.
Geoffrey Streatfeild returns to the Donmar to play David Farrelly following his performances in The Way of the World and My Night with Reg, which transferred to the West End. His other theatre credits include: Blithe Spirit (Bath Theatre Royal and West End); Cell Mates; Wild Honey (Hampstead Theatre); Ivanov; The Seagull; The Beaux Stratagem; Children of the Sun; Earthquakes in London; The Pains of Youth; The History Boys; Bacchai (National Theatre); Macbeth; Copenhagen (Sheffield Crucible Theatre); Eigengrau; The Contingency Plan (Bush Theatre); Henry V; Henry IV Part I and Part II; Richard III; Henry VI Part I, Part II and Part III (Royal Shakespeare Company); Journey’s End (West End); Mountain Language (Royal Court Theatre); and Nathan the Wise; Merchant of Venice (Chichester). Television includes: Consent; Anatomy of a Scandal; Life; Traitors; The Miniaturist; Prime Suspect 1973; The Hollow Crown; New Worlds; Endeavour; The Thick of it; Spooks; Point of Rescue; Above Suspicion; Ashes to Ashes; Hunter; Elizabeth I; 20,000 Streets Under the Sky; Midsomer Murders; The Other Boleyn Girl; Love in a Cold Climate; and Sword of Honour. Film includes: Making Noise Quietly; The Lady in the Van; A Royal Night Out; Spooks – The Greater Good; Rush; Private Peaceful; City Slacker; Angel; Matchpoint; Kinky Boots; and Kursk.
David Webber plays Joseph. His theatre credits include: Small Island; Death and The King’s Horseman; Leave Taking (National Theatre); A Place for We (Park Theatre and Talawa Theatre Company); The High Table (The Bush/Birmingham Rep); Barber Shop Chronicles National Theatre, West Yorkshire Playhouse, UK tour, Australia, New Zealand, USA & Canada tour (National Theatre/ Fuel Productions/ Leeds Playhouse); Arms and the Man (Watford Palace Theatre); The Hudsucker Proxy (Nuffield Southampton & Liverpool Playhouse); When Blair had Bush & Bunga (Lee Menzies Productions); Catch – 22 (Northern Stage); Sweet and Bird of Youth (The Old Vic); The Government Inspector (The Young Vic); Twelfth Night (Nottingham Playhouse); The Wizard of Oz; Night and Day (Theatre Royal, Northampton); The Big Life (Bill Kenwright/Apollo, Shaftesbury Avenue); The Beatification of Area Boy (West Yorkshire Playhouse); Master Harold & the Boys; Hiawatha (Bristol Old Vic); One Love (Bristol Old Vic & Talawa); Flyin’ West; The Looking Glass; King Lear; The Lion; Smile Orange; and The Road (Talawa); Television includes: Get Millie Black; The Bastard Son & The Devil Himself; Father Brown; Flatshare; Death in Paradise; Year of the Rabbit; Chewing Gum; Youngers; and Nan. Film includes: The Children Act; Captain Phillips; Broken; Mrs. Palfrey at the Claremont; London Voodoo; and The Avengers. Radio includes: Forty-Three Fifty-Nine – Wake.
Ellen McDougall was Artistic Director of the Gate Theatre from 2017 to 2022. Theatre includes: Dear Elizabeth, Effigies of Wickedness (Songs banned by the Nazis), The Unknown Island, Idomeneus (Gate); Our Town (Open Air Theatre Regent’s Park); The Wolves (Stratford East); Othello (Shakespeare’s Globe); Aladdin, Cinderella (Lyric Hammersmith); The Rolling Stone (Orange Tree/Royal Exchange, Manchester); The Remains of Maisie Duggan (Abbey Theatre, Dublin); The Glass Menagerie (Headlong); Anna Karenina (Royal Exchange, Manchester); Henry the Fifth (Unicorn); Glitterland (Secret Theatre/Lyric Hammersmith); and Ivan and the Dogs (Olivier Award nomination, Outstanding Achievement in an Affiliate Theatre; Actors Touring Company/Soho). Ellen was formerly part of the Secret Theatre Company at the Lyric Hammersmith. She trained as an assistant to Katie Mitchell and Marianne Elliott. She was awarded an International Artists’ Development Award (ACE/British Council) in 2012.
Lillian Hellman, born in New Orleans in 1905, was an American playwright and screenwriter. She studied at New York University and Columbia University. Her plays include The Children’s Hour (1934), The Little Foxes (1939, revived by the Donmar in 2001), Watch on the Rhine (1941), The Searching Wind (1944), Another Part of the Forest (1946), The Autumn Garden (1951), and Toys in the Attic (1960). Translations and adaptations include Jean Anouilh’s The Lark (1955), Voltaire’s Candide (1957), and My Mother, My Father, and Me (1963 – from Burt Blechman’s novel How Much?). She also edited Anton Chekhov’s Selected Letters (1955) and a collection of stories and short novels, The Big Knockover (1966) by Hammett. She also published her memoirs An Unfinished Woman (1969), Pentimento (1973), and Maybe (1980). Her collected plays were first published in 1972. She died in 1984 aged 79.
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 access@donmarwarehouse.com.
For all other access enquiries or bookings call 020 3282 3808.
CAPTIONED PERFORMANCES – 7.30pm (captioned by Stagetext)
Watch on the Rhine: Monday 23rd January
AUDIO DESCRIBED PERFORMANCE – 2.30pm (audio-described by VocalEyes)
MY SON’S A QUEER (BUT WHAT CAN YOU DO?) – PRODUCTION IMAGES
PHOTOS BY MARK SENIOR
*** FINAL WEEK OF SMASH HIT SHOW
MY SON’S A QUEER, (BUT WHAT CAN YOU DO?)
WRITTEN & PERFORMED BY ROB MADGE
AND DIRECTED BY LUKE SHEPPARD
My Son’s A Queer, (But What Can You Do?) written by and performed by Rob Madge (Oliver!, Les Misérables) and directed by Luke Sheppard(& Juliet, In The Heights) celebrates the joy and chaos of raising a queer child, and originally had a critically acclaimed, and sold out run at the Turbine Theatre in 2021. Following another sell out run at this year’s Edinburgh Festival, My Son’s A Queer, (But What Can YouDo?) transferred to the Garrick Theatre, in London’s West End, on 21 October and will run until 06 November 2022.
When Rob was 12, they attempted to stage a full-blown Disney parade in their house for their Grandma. As Rob donned a wig and played Mary Poppins, Ariel, Mickey Mouse and Belle, their Dad doubled as Stage Manager, Sound Technician and Goofy. Unfortunately, Dad missed all his cues and pushed all the floats in the wrong direction. Mum mistook Aladdin for Ursula. The costumes went awry. Ariel’s bubble gun didn’t even work properly. Grandma had a nice time though.
Winner of the ‘WhatsOnStage Best Off-West End Production 2022’ Award, My Son’s A Queer, (But What Can You Do?) is the joyous autobiographical story of social-media sensation Rob Madge, who just won the Industry Minds 2022 award for Performer of the year, as they set out to recreate that parade – and this time, nobody, no, nobody is gonna rain on it!
Paul Taylor-Mills, Artistic Director of The Turbine Theatre said “Exactly three years ago I took a group of my colleagues and friends on a boat along The Thames to a relatively unknown theatre space hiding beneath one of the most iconic buildings in Europe, The Battersea Power Station.
The Turbine Theatre was born. A bold and unique space where new work could be created. I made a commitment in front of everyone that we’d have a West End transfer within a year. Both brave and naive at the same time, little did we know what was to come. I even wrote it on the walls in big pink letters to remind me. Admittedly there were two years that we won’t go into now but we’re finally able to say that The Turbine Theatre is going to take its first show to the West End.
My Son’s A Queer, (But What Can You Do?) is the epitome of everything I dreamed The Turbine could be. A story of hope and acceptance, a celebration of life and a thrilling adventure rooted in trusting those we collaborate with. It has gone from a DM on Twitter during lockdown, to a fully produced sell out show in our theatre, to a run-a-way Edinburgh Season inside a big purple cow – many awards later, we’re at The Garrick. My Son’s A Queer, (But What Can You Do?) will play a limited season in the West End this Autumn and we hope that this is the start of many more transfers to come!”
The Almeida Theatre announces the full cast for Rebecca Frecknall’s production of Tennessee Williams’ A Streetcar Named Desire.
Joining the previously announced Paul Mescal, Anjana Vasan, Dwane Walcott and Lydia Wilson are Eduardo Ackerman, Ralph Davis, Janet Etuk, Gabriela García, Tom Penn and Jabez Sykes.
The production opens on Tuesday 20 December, with previews from Saturday 10 December and runs until Saturday 4 February.
A STREETCAR NAMED DESIRE
by Tennessee Williams
Director: Rebecca Frecknall; Set Designer: Madeleine Girling; Costume Designer: Merle Hensel; Lighting Designer: Lee Curran; Sound Designer: Peter Rice: Composer: Angus MacRae; Casting Director: Julia Horan CDG
Saturday 10 December 2022 – Saturday 4 February 2023
“How pretty the sky is! I ought to go there on a rocket that never comes down.”
On a street in New Orleans, in the blistering summer heat, a sister spirals.
Following her “spellbinding” (Financial Times) production of Summer and Smoke, Almeida Associate Director Rebecca Frecknall takes on another Tennessee Williams masterpiece.
When Blanche unexpectedly visits her estranged sister Stella, she brings with her a past that will threaten their future. As Stella’s husband Stanley stalks closer to the truth, Blanche’s fragile world begins to fracture. Reality and illusion collide and a violent conflict changes their lives forever.
Lydia Wilson (The Duchess of Malfi) returns to the Almeida to play Blanche, with the BAFTA-winning Paul Mescal (Normal People) as Stanley and Anjana Vasan (We Are Lady Parts) as Stella.
Rebecca Frecknall directs her first production at the Almeida since her multi-Olivier Award-winning production of Cabaret.
ALMEIDA LISTINGS INFORMATION
Saturday 10 December 2022 – Saturday 4 February 2023
Pandora Christie – one of the UK’s best-loved radio presenters – will make her West End theatre debut when she stars in the acclaimed musical & Juliet. Pandora, who presents the weekday mid-morning show on Heart, plus Heart’s Club Classics every Saturday night and is one of the most-listened to broadcasters in the country, will join the hit show for one night only at the Shaftesbury Theatre in London, on Thursday 10 November. Heart is the UK’s biggest commercial radio brand with 10.1m listeners tuning in every week.
Pandora will play several roles throughout the performance, and commented on her live stage debut: ‘I’m so excited to have been asked to make a guest appearance in this show. I’ve been dancing around the studio since the day I heard the news! Max Martin’s songs are literally the Heart playlist and there is no bigger fan of his legendary hits than me!’.
Pandora has been fitted for her costumes and will be rehearsing with the cast – including the Olivier-Award winning lead Miriam-Teak Lee, who plays Juliet – ahead of the night. Pandora will be supported in the audience by her fellow presenters from Heart and its parent company Global, ensuring an amazing party atmosphere on the night.
Miriam-Teak Lee – who was awarded the Olivier Award for Best Actress in 2020 for her performance as Juliet – leads a cast including Cassidy Janson, who also won an Olivier Award for Best Supporting Actress for her portrayal of Anne Hathaway, Oliver Tompsett as William Shakespeare, Tom Francis as Romeo, Nicolas Colicos as Lance, Malinda Parris as Angelique, the Nurse and Joe Foster as May. They are joined by ensemble members: Ebony Clarke, Bessy Ewa, Collette Guitart, Cassandra Lee, Nathan Louis-Fernand, Zara MacIntosh, Carl Man, Christian Maynard, Rachel Moran, Owen Saward, Aaron Shales, Benjamin Terry and Suki Wong, who join Ivan De Freitas, Rhian Duncan, Alex Tranter, Sophie Usher and Rhys Wilkinson.
The musical contains many of the biggest and most anthemic songs of the last 30 years, including Baby One More Time, Everybody (Backstreet’s Back), Love Me Like You Do, Confident, It’s My Life, Can’t Feel My Face and the roof-raising Roar.
& Juliet soars with the music of Max Martin, the acclaimed songwriter of some of pop’s most iconic songs and recorded by artists including Backstreet Boys, Justin Timberlake, Britney Spears, Katy Perry and Ariana Grande, all brilliantly arranged for the musical by Tony® and Grammy Award-winning orchestrator Bill Sherman.
Brought to life by an award-winning creative team in an explosive fusion of styles, & Juliet is directed by Luke Sheppard with a book by David West Read (Schitt’s Creek), electrifying choreography from Jennifer Weber, stunning set design from Soutra Gilmour and costume design by Paloma Young.
Max Martin and Tim Headington present & Juliet, which is produced by Martin Dodd, Tim Headington, Max Martin, Jenny Petersson and Theresa Steele Page.
Lead producer Colin Ingram, together with Robert Zemeckis and Bob Gale, the creators of the Back To The Future film trilogy, are delighted to announce that celebrated theatre actor, Cory English, will join the cast of BACK TO THE FUTURE The Musical at the Adelphi Theatre, playing the role of ‘Doctor Emmett Brown’ from 23 November 2022 until 3 January 2023. Tony Award winner, Roger Bart, who is currently playing the role, will return to the show on 5 January 2023. His final performance in London will be 20 March 2023 after which he will lead the cast of the Broadway production, which begins performances at Winter Garden Theatre (1634 Broadway) on 30 June 2023 with an official opening on 3 August 2023.
The critically acclaimed Olivier, WhatsOnStage and Broadway World Award-winning Best New Musical had its opening night in London on Monday 13 September 2021. Last week the musical broke box office records at the Adelphi Theatre for the highest gross sales in one week.
Cory English played Max Bialystock in the West End and UK Touring productions of The Producers, directed by Susan Stroman. His other credits include Sleepless at Troubadour Theatre Wembley Park, She Loves Me at the Menier Chocolate Factory, Igor in Young Frankenstein on Broadway and in the West End and Benny Southstreet in Michael Grandage’s West End production of Guys & Dolls.
BACK TO THE FUTURE The Musical currently stars Tony Award-winning Roger Bart and Ben Joyce as ‘Dr Emmett Brown’ and ‘Marty McFly’ respectively, with Amber Davies as ‘Lorraine Baines’, Oliver Nicholas as ‘George McFly’, Jordan Benjamin as ‘Goldie Wilson’, Harry Jobson as ‘Biff Tannen’, Sophie Naglik as ‘Jennifer Parker’, Gary Trainor as ‘Strickland’, Will Haswell as alternate ‘Marty McFly’ and ‘Dave McFly’ and Emma Lloyd as ‘Linda McFly’. Also in the cast are Amy Barker, Simeon Beckett, Sia Dauda, Tyler Davis, Glen Facey, Dylan Gordon-Jones, Adam Margilewski, Cameron McAllister, Alessia McDermott, Bryan Mottram, Laura Mullowney, Anna Murray, Jon Reynolds, Melissa Rose, Georgia Tapp, Justin Thomas, Charley Warburton and Tavio Wright.
The Original Cast Recording, released on Sony Music’s Masterworks Broadway label, is now available on all formats, including vinyl, and has had over 3 million streams. It features the new music by multi-Grammy Award-winners Alan Silvestri and Glen Ballard alongside classic songs from the movie including The Power of Love and Johnny B. Goode.
BACK TO THE FUTURE The Musical won the Olivier Award for Best New Musical, four WhatsOnStage Awards, including Best New Musical, and the Broadway World Award for Best New Musical. The productions in London and Manchester have so far been seen by half a million people and the musical has broken box office records at the Adelphi Theatre.
Based on the Universal Pictures/Amblin Entertainment film, BACK TO THE FUTURE The Musical has a book by Bob Gale and new music and lyrics by Emmy and Grammy Award-winning Alan Silvestri and six-time Grammy Award-winning Glen Ballard, with additional songs from the film including The Power of Love and Johnny B. Goode.
Marty McFly is a rock ‘n’ roll teenager who is accidentally transported back to 1955 in a time-travelling DeLorean invented by his friend, Dr Emmett Brown. But before he can return to 1985, Marty must make sure his high school-aged parents fall in love in order to save his own existence.
BACK TO THE FUTURE The Musical is directed by Tony Award-winning director John Rando (Urinetown, On The Town), alongside the multi Tony and Olivier Award-winning design team of Tim Hatley (set and costume design), Tim Lutkin (lighting), Hugh Vanstone (lighting consultant), Gareth Owen (sound) and Finn Ross (video), with choreography by Chris Bailey, musical supervision and arrangements by Nick Finlow and Illusions by Chris Fisher. Orchestrations are by Ethan Popp and Bryan Crook, with dance arrangements by David Chase. Casting is by David Grindrod Associates.
Back to the Future the movie was released in 1985, starring Michael J. Fox as Marty McFly and Christopher Lloyd as Dr Emmett Brown. The film grossed $360.6 million (£279 million) at the box office worldwide and the total box office for all three films in the Back to the Future franchise was $936.6 million (over $1.8 billion in today’s money).
BACK TO THE FUTURE The Musical is produced by Colin Ingram, Donovan Mannato, Frankel/Viertel/Baruch/Routh Group, Hunter Arnold, Gavin Kalin Productions, Playing Field, Crush Music, CJ ENM, Teresa Tsai, Ivy Herman/Hallee Adelman, Robert L. Hutt, Universal Theatrical Group, Ricardo Marques, Augury, Robert Zemeckis, Bob Gale, in association with Kimberly Magarro, Stage Entertainment, Glass Half Full Productions/ Neil Gooding Productions.
Website: BackToTheFutureMusical.com
Twitter: @BTTFmusical
Instagram: @BTTFmusical
TikTok: @BTTFmusical
LISTINGS INFORMATIONBACK TO THE FUTURE The Musical Adelphi Theatre Strand Covent Garden London WC2R 0NS
Current booking period to 23 July 2023
Performances:
Mondays, Wednesdays – Saturdays at 7.30pm, Thursday & Saturday matinees at 2.30pm, Sundays at 3pm
(Please note, there will be additional matinees at 2.30pm on Tuesday 14 February, Monday 10 April and Monday 29 May 2023. There will be no shows on Monday 13 February or Monday 20 February. The show on Monday 1 May will be at 2:30pm)
N.B 9 November will be a captioned performance. Further access performances will be added in the new booking period. Please keep an eye on the website for more information.
Tickets: from £19.55
Please book via the website: BackToTheFutureMusical.com – no booking fees
X-treme Magic delivered a non-stop jukebox of heart-stopping moments that pulsed with wonder, amazement and “how did they do that?” questions . An awesome show packed with fire, illusion and interesting stunts. Starring multi-talented artists: Richard Cadell (Master Illusionist), Richard Jones (Winner Of Britain’s Got Talent), John Archer (Penn & Teller Fool Us), Solange Kardinaly and Arkadio – there’s something for everyone!
Richard, who has nerves of steel, drove the drama right the way through the show and by the end of this journey you felt like you knew the man – his reasons for why he does and dares – to have and follow these dreams. An immaculate performer with a story to tell! In complete contrast is John, John Archer, who probably isn’t sure why he does what he does but it seems to work. One to speak his mind and sometimes his thoughts (that should maybe kept to himself) John is quick, full of one-liners and actually a very good magician! You think he’s let you in on the tricks but when I look back – you actually can’t work out how he did it because he adds a little John Archer twist.
Arkadio and Solange were equally as intriguing as they were smooth. Both performed outstanding illusions and tricks mesmerised and left you thinking ‘how?’. Richard Jones, had a slick and very professional delivery of his talent. Complex could be said of Richard’s stunts and magic, complex with an edge. It felt very unpredictable at times and that’s what makes talent within this strange and mysterious genre!
A truly amazing night out for all the family and your friends – fun, fabulous and fantastic!
Announcing UK workshops of a major new musical Benny & Joon BASED ON THE METRO-GOLDWYN-MAYER MOTION PICTURE WRITTEN BY BARRY BERMAN AND LESLIE McNEIL
A story about love, family and the power of a great grilled cheese based on the 1993 Johnny Depp movie
2 first-look 75-minute showcase performances open to the public Monday 14 & Tuesday 15 November at The Other Palace
Benny & Joon is a delightful new musical comedy based on the beloved hit film. Sweetly romantic and genuinely touching, it tells the story of Joon, an eccentric young woman, her protective older brother, and the charming and whimsical Sam, whose exuberant love for Joon changes them forever.
With his perfect impressions of Buster Keaton and his playful spirit, Sam shows Benny and Joon a new way to see the world. It is a moving love story full of magic and madness, unforgettable characters and a beguiling score. Benny & Joon, Book by Kirsten Guenther, Music by Nolan Gasser, Lyrics by Mindi Dickstein, explores what happens when we step out of our comfort zone and take a leap toward love.
As it prepares for an expected UK premiere, two 75-minute first-look workshop performances of Benny & Joon will take place at 5pm on Monday 14 November and 3pm on Tuesday 15 November. Tickets go on sale today at The Other Palace with £10 seats available to the public.
The cast features:
Christine Allado (Ruthie) She was Tzipporah in ‘Prince Of Egypt’ (Dominion Theatre), Peggy/Maria Reynolds u/s Eliza Hamilton in the original West End cast of ‘Hamilton’ (Victoria Palace) and u/s Imelda Marcos in ‘Here Lies Love’ at the National Theatre.
George Blagden (Sam) He was Presley Stray in Jamie Lloyd’s production of ‘The Pitchfork Disney’ (Shoreditch Town Hall) and on TV played Louis XIV, the lead, in three series of ‘Versailles’ and Athelstan in three series of ‘Vikings’.
Hannah Elless (Joon) Hannah starred on Broadway as Margo Crawford in Steve Martin’s musical ‘Bright Star’ (Cort Theatre) and most recently originated the role of Jess in Jack Thorne’s Tony award-winning Broadway adaptation of ‘A Christmas Carol’ (Lyceum Theatre).
Jak Malone (Waldo) Jak was Hester in ‘Operation Mincemeat’ (New Diorama, Southwark Playhouse/Riverside Studios), Dim in ‘A Clockwork Orange’ (Everyman Theatre, Liverpool) and Draper in ‘Terrible Tales of Horrible Horror’ (Hope Street Theatre).
Landi Oshinowo (Dr. Cruz) She is currently playing Mrs Phelps in ‘Matilda the Musical’ at the Cambridge Theatre. She was Jarene in ‘The Color Purple’ (Leicester Curve) and Nell in ‘Ain’t Misbehavin’ (Southwark Playhouse).
Simon-Anthony Rhoden (Mike) Simon is currently playing Aaron Burr in ‘Hamilton’ (Victoria Palace) and was Lola in ‘Kinky Boots’ (Adelphi).He was Robert Catesby in‘ Treason – Concert’ (Theatre Royal Drury Lane ). On TV he was Diana in two series of ‘Temple’ on SKY.
Andrew Samonsky (Benny) Andrew originated the role of Benny in the US (Old Globe). His Broadway/NY credits include Lt Cable in ‘South Pacific Live’ (PBS), Neville in ‘The Mystery of Edwin Drood’, Ormisten in ‘Scandalous’ and Frank Russell in ‘Queen of the Mist’ (Drama Desk nomination).
Eric Stroud (Larry) Eric was Dominic in ‘101 Dalmatians’ (Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre), Watson in ‘Baskerville’ (Mercury, Colchester) and Narrator in ‘The Snow Queen’ (Yvonne Arnaud, Guildford).
Creative team: Jack Cummings III – Director Jack is the Co-Founder and Artistic Director of New York’s award-winning Transport Group Theatre Company. He is a five-time Drama Desk Award nominee for Outstanding Director, Audelco Award nominee for Best Director of a Musical, and two-time Obie Award winner for Directing.
J. Oconer Navarro – Musical Director He was Music Director for ‘Benny & Joon’ at The Old Globe and Paper Mill Playhouse. J. is Head of Music and Vocal Performance at The New Studio on Broadway at NYU-Tisch.
Scott Rink – Choreographer Off-Broadway credits: ‘Once Upon A Mattress’, ‘Three Days to See’, ‘Queen Of The Mist’, ‘Hello Again’, ‘Being Audrey’, ‘Crossing Brooklyn’, ‘Songs For a New World’, ‘Nor’mal’, (Transport Group, Dir. Jack Cummings III).
Will Burton – Casting Director Will is one half of Grindrod Burton Casting and was the casting director of Olivier Award-winning ‘Matilda’, ‘In the Heights’ and ‘Jesus Christ Superstar.’
Kirsten Guenther – Writer (Book) Kirsten is the recipient of a Richard Rodgers Award,Rockefeller Grant, Dramatist Guild Fellowship, Johnny Mercer Writers Fellowship, and a Lincoln Center Honorarium. She has written several stage musicals including the book and lyrics for Little Miss Fix-it (as seen on NBC); and the book for Mrs. Sharp (Richard Rodgers Award) directed by Michael Greif, starring Jane Krakowski.
Nolan Gasser – Composer Nolan is a critically acclaimed composer, pianist, and musicologist – notably, the architect of Pandora Radio’s Music Genome Project. He holds a Ph.D. in Musicology from Stanford University. His original compositions have been performed at Carnegie Hall, and Lincoln Center, among other prestigious venues. Theatrical projects include the musical ‘Benny & Joon’ and the San Francisco Opera- commissioned ‘The Secret Garden’.
Mindi Dickstein – Lyricist Mindi is an award-winning lyricist, librettist, and playwright. She is best known as the lyricist for the Broadway musical ‘Little Women’ (licensed by MTI), Original Broadway Cast Album released by Sh-k-boom/Ghostlight Records), with music by Jason Howland and book by Allan Knee.
Larry Hirschhorn – Producer His Broadway credits include: ‘Hadestown’ (Tony Award), ‘Torch Song’, ‘Indecent’, ‘On Your Feet’, ‘The Elephant Man’ (with Bradley Cooper, Drama Desk Award); ‘Gentleman’s Guide’ (Tony Award); ‘Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike’ (Tony Award); ‘Hair’ (Tony Award), ‘Peter and the Starcatcher’.
Aria Entertainment – General Manager Aria Entertainment was founded in 2012 by Producer Katy Lipson. In 10 years, she has produced over 70 productions in the West End, Off-West End and across the UK. She most recently produced the World Première of Jack Holden’s ‘Cruise’ (Duchess Theatre) which was nominated for a 2022 Oliver Award for the Best New Play and which returned to the West End in August 2022 for a limited season at the Apollo Theatre. Other recent productions include, The Rise and Fall of Little Voice (UK Tour), Zorro – The Musical and Broken Wings (Charing Cross Theatre), the West End transfer of The Last Five Years (Garrick Theatre) and A-Typical Rainbow (Turbine Theatre). Current projects include: The Osmonds and The Cher Show (UK Tours); From Here to Eternity (CharingCross Theatre) and Claus – The Musical (The Lowry, Salford).
LISTINGS INFO
Benny & Joon Based on the Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer motion picture written by Barry Berman and Leslie McNeil
2 workshop performances
Monday 14 November at 5pm Tuesday 15 November at 3pm
