Home

FULL CAST AND NEW DATES
ANNOUNCED FOR

THE UK AND IRELAND TOUR OF

ROCK OF AGES

STARRING

KEVIN KENNEDY AS ‘DENNIS DUPREE’

AND

MATT TERRY AS ‘STACEE JAXX’

The producers of ROCK OF AGES are thrilled to announce full casting and new dates for the UK and Ireland tour, including the return of Coronation Street star KEVIN KENNEDY as ‘Dennis Dupree’, a role he previously played to huge acclaim in 2018. Kevin joins the previously announced X Factor winner and musical theatre star MATT TERRY as ‘Stacee Jaxx’ in the show from Tuesday 10 May 2022 at the Edinburgh Playhouse. The cast also includes Sam Turrell as ‘Drew’, Gabriella Williams as ‘Sherrie’, Vicki Manser as ‘Regina’ and Kellie Rhianne as ‘Justice’, as well as returning cast members Joe Gash as ‘Lonny’, Vas Constanti as ‘Hertz Klinemann’, Andrew Carthy as ‘Franz Klinenmann’ and Erin Bell as ‘Constance’.

The full cast of ROCK OF AGES is completed by Billy Roberts, Scott Hayward, Darius James, Siobhan James, Hollie-Ann Lowe, Phoebe Samuel-Gray and Morgan Scott.

Alongside the previously announced venues the production will also visit Tunbridge Wells (13 – 17 September 2022), Truro (28 February – 4 March 2023), Sheffield (5 – 11 March 2023) and Barnstaple (21 – 25 March 2023) with more dates to be announced. Full tour schedule below. www.rockofagesmusical.co.uk

ROCK OF AGES will open at New Victoria Theatre, Woking (27 – 30 April 2022) with Joshua Dever playing ‘Dennis Dupree’ and the role of ‘Stacee Jaxx’ to be announced, followed by The Hawth, Crawley (3 – 7 May 2022) with Joshua Dever as ‘Dennis Dupree’ alongside Matt Terry as ‘Stacee Jaxx’.

Kevin Kennedy is probably best known for his portrayal of ‘Curly Watts’ in “Coronation Street”. His West End theatre credits include ‘Amos’ in “Chicago” at the Adelphi Theatre and “We Will Rock You” at the Dominion Theatre. Kevin has played both ‘Caractacus Potts’ and ‘The Child Catcher’ in the hit musical “Chitty Chitty Bang Bang”, becoming the first actor to have played both roles. He appeared as ‘Dennis Dupree’ in the 2018 UK Tour of “Rock of Ages” and has also appeared in the national tours of the musicals “The Rocky Horror Show”, “The Commitments” and Kay Mellor’s “Fat Friends”.

Performer, singer and songwriter Matt Terry is perhaps best known as the champion of the  2016 series of ITV’s “The X Factor”, gaining a Top 3 hit with his Ed Sheeran penned winner’s single, “When Christmas Comes Around”. He was also featured on Enrique Iglesias’ smash Summer single ‘Subeme La Radio’ with Sean Paul, which spent 14 weeks in the Top 10. Matt Terry’s debut album ‘Trouble’ was released in November 2017 which featured ‘Subeme La Radio’ and the lead single ‘Sucker For You’, which has now been streamed over 100 million times. In addition to music, Matt has also fronted his own radio show for Capital FM and has toured the world in leading roles in “Dreamwork’s Madagascar The Musical” and Broadway’s “Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas! The Musical”.

Sam Turrell returns to “Rock of Ages” and the role of ‘Drew’ having performed the show around the world on the NCL Breakaway cruise ship.

Gabriella Williams theatre credits include ‘Sophie’ in “Mamma Mia!” at the Novello Theatre, “Eugenius!” at the London Palladium, “Carrie The Musical” at the Southwark Playhouse and “Miss Saigon” and “Grease”, both on a UK tour.

Vicki Manser’s theatre credits include ‘Katherine Howard’ in “Six” both at the Arts Theatre and on a UK tour, “Beautiful the Carole King Musical” at the Aldwych Theatre and on a UK tour, “Bat Out of Hell” at the Dominion Theatre and “Sunny Afternoon” at the Harold Pinter Theatre.

Joe Gash’s theatrical credits include entertainment for P&O Cruises Australia and ‘Kenickie’ in “Grease” for Royal Caribbean’s Harmony of the Seas. Most recently Joe appeared as ‘Freddie Mercury’ on ITV1’s new show “Starstruck”.

“ROCK OF AGES” is the hilarious musical comedy lavished with over 25 classic rock anthems, including, ‘We Built This City’, ‘The Final Countdown’, ‘Wanted Dead or Alive’, ‘Here I Go Again’, ‘Can’t Fight This Feeling’ and ‘I Want To Know What Love Is’, played loud and proud by an awesome live band. Leave it all behind and lose yourself in a city and a time where the dreams are as big as the hair, and yes, they can come true!

Now a global smash with hit seasons on Broadway, London’s West End and Las Vegas and a star-studded Hollywood movie version this show promises you the best party night out around.

The crew is made up of Company Stage Manager Matt Harper, Technical Stage Manager Ben Larkin, Technical Assistant Stage Manager Kyle Campbell, Deputy Stage Manager Sophie Mason, Assistant Stage Manager/Book Cover Mali-Beth Rose, Sound 1 Nicholas Newman and Wardrobe Assistant Nicola Riley.

The band is made up of Musical Director and Keys Liam Holmes, Guitar1 Liam Stevenson, Guitar 2 Alex Ward, Bass Guitar Elliot Mason and Drums Vito Guerrieri.

“ROCK OF AGES” has a book by Chris D’Arienzo and arrangements and orchestrations by Ethan Popp.

The full creative team includes Nick Winston  (Director of the feature film “Tomorrow Morning”, “MAME”, “The Royal Variety Performance”) who Directs and Choreographs the show, Set and Costume design by Morgan Large (“The Woman in White”, “Joseph and the Technicolour Dreamcoat” and “Tell Me On A Sunday”), Lighting Design by Ben Cracknell (“Sunset Boulevard”, “Pantoland at the Palladium”, “Priscilla Queen of the Desert”), Sound Design by Ben Harrison (“Mame”, “Priscilla Queen of the Desert” and “Fame”) and Video and Projection design by  Duncan McLean (“The Car Man, Nutcracker! and Magic Goes Wrong”). Casting Director is Jim Arnold CDG, Associate Director is Victoria Gimby, Associate Choreographer is Ryan-Lee Seager and Associate Lighting Designer is Chris Vaughan. Costume Supervision by Lee Tassie and Production Management by Phil McCandlish. 

★★★★★

“ALL RISE FOR A MAGNIFICENT ‘MOCKINGBIRD’.

UNBEARABLY MOVING. SHEER EMOTION AND MORAL FORCE MAKE THIS

A POWERFULLY UPLIFTING EVENT’ EVENING STANDARD

TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD OPENS

IN THE WEST END TO CRITICIAL ACCLAIM

AND IMMEDIATELY EXTENDS DUE TO PUBLIC DEMAND

★★★★★

“THIS UTTERLY RIVETING AND REVELATORY STAGING

BLAZINGLY CAPTURES THE ZEITGEIST.” DAILY TELEGRAPH

Barry Diller and Sonia Friedman today announce the extension of the critically acclaimed West End production of Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird – a new play by Aaron Sorkin – with the production now running at the Gielgud Theatre until 19 November, 2022. 

Bartlett Sher directs a cast of over thirty – Rafe Spall (Atticus Finch), Harry Attwell (Mr Cunningham/Boo Radley), Amanda Boxer (Mrs Henry Dubose), Poppy Lee Friar (Mayella Ewell), John Hastings (Bailiff), Simon Hepworth (Mr Roscoe/Dr Reynolds), Laura Howard (Miss Stephanie/Dill’s Mother), Lloyd Hutchinson (Link Deas), Gwyneth Keyworth (Scout Finch), Tom Mannion (Sheriff Heck Tate), David Moorst (Dill Harris), Pamela Nomvete (Calpurnia), Jim Norton (Judge Taylor), Patrick O’Kane (Bob Ewell), Jude Owusu (Tom Robinson), Harry Redding (Jem Finch), David Sturzaker (Horace Gilmer) and Natasha Williams (Mrs Dubose’s Maid), with Helen Belbin, Laurence Belcher, Paul Birchard, Ryan Ellsworth, Rebecca Hayes, Danny Hetherington, Matthew Jure, Anna Munden, Tiwai Muza, Oyin Orija and Itoya Osagiede making up the ensemble and understudies, with Candida Caldicot on organ and Frank Dawkins on guitar.

★★★★★

“SENSATIONAL SPALL. 

MOCKINGBIRD SOARS ANEW IN SORKIN’S BLISTERING ADAPTATION. SPELLBINDING.”  DAILY MAIL

To Kill a Mockingbird is running the All Rise ticket scheme in an exclusive partnership with TodayTix, offering £15 seats for every performance across the run. The initiative provides access at affordable prices to as wide an audience as possible. More than 1,400 tickets will be released each month. So far more than 2,000 tickets have been sold via the scheme with a further 10,000 being made available through to November starting from next week. In addition to the All Rise initiative, there is an opportunity to purchase £15 tickets via Today Tix daily rush – where a limited number of additional seats will be available on each performance day via the app. The TodayTix app can be downloaded onto iOs or Android devices for free via the app store; or you can access online via TodayTix.com.

Set in Maycomb, Alabama in 1934, To Kill a Mockingbird has provided American literature with some of its most indelible characters: lawyer Atticus Finch, the tragically wronged Tom Robinson, Atticus’ daughter Scout, her brother Jem, their housekeeper and caretaker Calpurnia and the reclusive Arthur “Boo” Radley. For the past six decades and for every generation, this story, its characters and portrait of small-town America have helped to, and continue to, inspire conversation and change.

Harper Lee’s enduring story of racial injustice and childhood innocence has sold more than 45 million copies of the novel worldwide. 2020 marked the 60^th anniversary of its publication. 

Sher and the original Broadway creative team – Miriam Buether (Set), Ann Roth (Costume), Jennifer Tipton (Lighting), Scott Lehrer (Sound), Adam Guettel (Original Score), Kimberly Grigsby (Music Supervision) and Campbell Young Associates (Hair & Wigs) – are joined by Serena Hill as Casting Director, Hazel Holder as Voice & Dialect Coach, Titas Halder as Associate Director, Rasheka Christie-Carter as Assistant Director, Tavia Rivée Jefferson as Cultural Coordinator, and Candida Caldicot as Musical Director.

For latest news sign up at www.tokillamockingbird.co.uk.  

OLIVIER AWARD-WINNING WEST END PRODUCTION OF

D E A R   E V A N   H A N S E N

RELEASES NEW MUSIC VIDEO OF

“Y O U   W I L L   B E   F O U N D”

FROM THE GRAMMY, TONY & OLIVIER AWARD-WINNING SCORE

WWW.DEAREVANHANSEN.COM

Producer Stacey Mindich is delighted to announce the release of a new music video from the West End cast of Dear Evan Hansen. Featuring the full Company and starring Sam Tutty as Evan, this new music video of the show’s Act One anthem You Will Be Found from the show’s Olivier Award-winning score written by Grammy®, Tony® and Academy Award® winners Benj Pasek and Justin Paul, is released today (7 March 2022). The music video was shot at the Noël Coward Theatre, home to the production, where the show is currently booking to 22 October 2022. In 2021, along with the track Waving Through a Window also from the musical Dear Evan Hansen, You Will Be Found was included in the top 50 of the BBC Radio 2 Greatest Songs from a Musical, voted for by the public.

The current Olivier award-winning cast of Dear Evan Hansen includes Sam Tutty who has returned to the lead role of Evan Hansen that won him the 2020 Olivier Award for Best Actor in a Musical. He is joined by cast members Lucy Anderson (Zoe Murphy), Doug Colling (Connor Murphy), Iona Fraser (Alana Beck), Marcus Harman (who plays Evan Hansen at certain performances), Jack Loxton (Jared Kleinman), Rebecca McKinnis (Heidi Hansen), Lauren Ward (Cynthia Murphy) and Rupert Young (Larry Murphy).  Completing the Company are Tricia Adele-Turner, Haydn Cox, Ellis Kirk, Joanna Kirkland, Hannah Lindsey, Samantha Mbolekwa, Mark Peachey, Hannah Qureshi, James Winter and Mitchell Zhangazha.

Dear Evan Hansen, also the recipient of the2020 Olivier Award for Best Musical and Best Score, opened at the Noël Coward Theatre to great critical acclaim November 2019. Prior to lockdown, the show welcomed the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge to a special performance for The Royal Foundation which funds the Heads Together and Heads Up initiatives and the mental-health support service, Shout. The Grammy Award-winning Original Broadway Cast Recording produced by Atlantic Records, was released in February 2017, making an extraordinary debut on the Billboard 200 and entering the chart at #8 – the highest charting debut position for an original cast album since 1961 – and went on to win the 2018 Grammy Award for Best Musical Theater Album and received gold status in 2019.

Dear Evan Hansen features a book by Tony Award-winner Steven Levenson, a score by Grammy®, Tony® and Academy Award® winners Benj Pasek and Justin Paul and direction by four-time Tony Award nominee Michael Greif.

Dear Evan Hansen opened on Broadway to rave reviews on 4 December 2016, where it went on to win six 2017 Tony Awards including Best Musical among many other accolades and has broken all box office records at its Broadway home, the Music Box Theater. The show launched its First North American Tour in Denver, Colorado in October 2018 and prior to the shutdown had performed in more than 40 cities across North America playing for more than 1.5 million audience members. The show’s now-iconic blue polo and arm cast are part of the permanent collection of the National Museum of American History in Washington, DC. The Broadway production and the US National Tour resumed performances in December 2021.

Dear Evan Hansen features choreography by Danny Mefford, scenic design by David Korins, projection design by Peter Nigrini, costume design by Emily Rebholz, lighting design by Japhy Weideman, sound design by Nevin Steinberg, and hair design by David Brian Brown. Music supervision, orchestrations and additional arrangements are by Alex Lacamoire. Ben Cohn is the Associate Music Supervisor. UK Casting is by Jill Green Casting,Vocal arrangements and additional arrangements are by Justin Paul. Judith Schoenfeld is the Production Supervisor. General Management is by 101 Productions, Ltd with Adam Speers as UK Executive Producer.

SOCIAL MEDIA

Instagram: @dearevanhansen

Twitter: @dearevanhansen

Facebook: /DearEvanHansen

#YouWillBeFound

Facebook: @DEHWestEnd

Twitter: @DEHWestEnd

Instagram: @DEHWestEnd

WEBSITE

www.dearevanhansen.com

www.dearevanhansen.com/london/

LISTINGS

Theatre                              Noël Coward Theatre, St Martin’s Lane, London WC2N 4AU

Box Office                          0844 482 5151

Dates:                                until 22 October 2022

Windsor Theatre Royal – until 2^nd April 2022

Reviewed by Carly Burlinge  

4**** 

It’s 1962 in New York City and Murray Burns (Will Young) is trying to bring up his nephew Nicholas (Rhys Bailey) who is a gifted and intelligent child. However, when Social Services arrive in the form of Albert (Leon Ockenden) and Sandra (Evanna Lynch) who want to check the boy’s welfare and upbringing. It seems they clearly have their own issues as a working duo with not much collaborating going on! Sandra who is new on the scene is wanting to stay and help as she feels there is more to the story than what’s on paper. Although Albert clearly insists that he has more experience and authority and believes he knows best and needs no persuasion regarding his decisions. Albert decides that things are not up to scratch and improvements must be made! To him the environment is unworthy and Murray needs to obtain a job to keep things in check. Nicholas the nephew seems to have all the answers available and can tell them exactly what they want to hear. As things continue it becomes clear that Murray is straightening out and unravelling other issues; helping them make things more certain and developed for themselves. With things getting even stranger when Albert decides to leave and Sandra decides to stay. What will the outcome be, will Murray leave his joking ways and step up as the guardian that he needs to be in order to care for his nephew or will things spiral out of control. 

This performance gives you the insight of being on air with the use of everyday objects from teacups being clinked to doorbells being rang, curtains being closed and folders being rustled, bringing the entire show to life. A very clever and enjoyable notion to watch. 

At first, I wasn’t sure how this production was going to unravel but after a short period of time it became very engaging as well as the storyline kicking in. With many laughs had by the audience it was a pleasure to watch and left a comforting smile.  

A show that brought much pleasure and enjoyment, a great evening out. 

Southampton Mayflower – until 2 April 2022

Reviewed by Lucy Hitchcock

3***

Matthew Bourne reimagines the Christmas classic The Nutcracker to a modern style as it hits Southampton’s Mayflower.

Staying close the the well loved version, Matthew Bourne has re-imagined some aspects of the Nutcracker to bring us a perfectly sweet version. We follow Cordelia Braithwaite as Clara as she navigates to Sweetieland and eventually finds her true love. Braithwaite was breath taking, with elegance and poise she glided across the stage with ease, entrancing the audience. Together with the rest of the stand out company, this is a real treat for the eyes. From the darkness of the orphanage Clara grows up in, to the glittery skating rinks of the ice palace and through to Sweetieland, you will never once feel your eyes wonder from Anthony Wards delicious sets and superb costumes. With the wondrous score from Tchaikovsky, you will be transported to the magical worlds and won’t want to leave!

This piece is a perfect introduction for children into the world of ballet, with it’s easy to follow plot, comedic characters, beautiful costumes and fabulous choreography, but is also a real treat for the more seasoned ballet lover. Bourne has created a wonderful world for you to visit and you won’t regret it when you do!

THE EVERYMAN THEATRE & BARN THEATRE PRESENT A SPECIAL

EVENING OF LAUGHER, MUSIC AND MAGIC IN SOLIDARITY AND SUPPORT OF THE PEOPLE OF UKRAINE

from the Everyman Theatre Cheltenham

• Join the worldwide LIVE Stream On Saturday 02 April @ 7.30pm
• Book Live Stream here: https://barntheatre.org.uk/ukraine or https://www.everymantheatre.org.uk/shows/stand-up-for-ukraine-live-stream
• Variety program will bring star-studded cast of writers, actors, performers, musicians, comedians of international renown to stand in solidarity with Ukraine
• Event follows on history of Barn & Everyman theatres philanthropic work for refugees from conflicts; ambition to raise £50,000 through tickets and donations

The Barn Theatre and the Everyman Theatre Cheltenham have teamed up to host a night that will benefit refugees fleeing Ukraine conflict that can be live streamed worldwide at 7.30pm BST on Saturday 02 April.

The night will consist of a variety line-up including classical music, opera, comedy, choral music, classical and showtunes, as well a special reading by acclaimed writer Sir MICHAEL MORPURGO (War Horse, The Mozart Question). Other performers will include the impressionist RORY BREMNER, sketch actor BEN MILLER (Armstrong & Miller Show, Bridgerton), renowned comedian DOM JOLY, actor LISA MAXWELL, JOHN OWEN-JONES (Les Misérables, The Phantom of the Opera), JESSICA DALEY (BBC’s Over The Rainbow, White Christmas), and many more

Everyman regulars will welcome panto-extraordinaire and host of ceremonies SAMUEL HOLMES (Curtains, Mrs Henderson Presents), as well as star clown TWEEDY to entertain audiences coming together for the good cause. There will be music by Every Voice Choir as well as a special performance by comedy-magician JOHN ARCHER (Britain’s Got Talent, CBBC’s Help! My Supply Teacher’s Magic).

In addition to the DEC Ukrainian appeal, proceeds from the night will go to charities with which the Everyman has worked previously, Cheltenham Welcomes Refugees and GARAS (Gloucestershire Action for Refugees and Asylum Seekers), groups which work to work provide support to asylum seekers and to help foster compassion and cooperation in communities.

The ambition will be to raise £50,000 for these charities through ticket sales and through donations on the night.

For those who missed getting tickets, the live stream will be available worldwide with tickets on sale here:

https://barntheatre.org.uk/ukraine and https://www.everymantheatre.org.uk/shows/stand-up-for-ukraine-live-stream

For further information are available via the link below:

https://www.everymantheatre.org.uk/shows/stand-up-for-ukraine/

MARK GOUCHER, Everyman Theatre chief executive said: ‘I am delighted we can put our efforts together and make this special evening happen. There is a tremendous outpouring for Ukraine, and we wanted to everything we can to make a difference in the lives of those fleeing this conflict. I also hope this will focus peoples’ attention on the plight of refugees fleeing conflicts all over the world.’

IWAN LEWIS, Barn Theatre chief executive and Artistic Director, said: ‘We have been racking our brains about what we can do to help in this tragic time for Ukraine, and we decided to put together our resources and use existing channels to help those fleeing the war. I am grateful to Mark and the Everyman Theatre for opening their theatre to this great cause and am thrilled to help bring about a spectacular and moving evening. This is about showing solidarity across borders and doing what we do best—entertaining our audiences—to encourage them to donate.’

This event is made possible thanks to the support of BPE Solicitors and Crowe

LIVERPOOL EMPIRE THEATRE – UNTIL  SATURDAY 9^TH APRIL 2022

Reviewed by Carla Whittaker

5*****

What a show! What a night! I have been waiting since 2008 (when the film adaptation was released) to see Mamma Mia! the musical, and I was so excited to finally get the chance to see it on stage at the Liverpool Empire Theatre last night!  It was clear, from the start of the show that it was going to be a night filled with excitement, full to the brim with Abba songs including Mamma Mia, Waterloo, Money Money Money and Dancing Queen.

Created by Judy Craymer and writer Catherine Johnson ‘Mamma Mia!’ is an absolute phenomenal musical. It is a simple story set within a small picturesque Greek Island and is based around Sophie (Phoebe Roberts) who is getting married and wants to be walked down the aisle by her father on her wedding day. Sophie’s relationship with with Sky (Toby Miles) was beautiful. The problem is, she does not know who her father is. After reading her mum’s diary from the year she was born, she invites three potential men who could be her father. This brings her mum Donna (Sara Poyzer) face to face with her past. It is a story of friendship and love carefully told through over 20 Abba songs which share a range of emotion from joy to sadness. The well-known Abba energetic hits got the audience singing, clapping, and dancing from the start so was undeniably a crowd pleaser.  Despite all the well-known Abba hits, for me the highlights were the lesser-known songs such as Our Last Summer and Slipping Through My Fingers, with sensational vocals from Sara Poyzer who delighted the audience.

The set was a simple revolving Greek taverna which was effective, with white and blues making you feel like you were on holiday, it was also a change to the more contemporary sets which are often flashy, with heavy production designs.  The cast act with great energy, and choreography is done with precision.

Mamma Mia! Has a very strong talented cast with a mixture of youngsters who are friends of Sophie and older cast members who are friends with Donna. In addition to the three dads providing lots of laugh out loud hilarious moments. The chemistry between the cast members was perfect.

If you want to rewind back to the 70’s, and see a fun, feel good show then this is the show for you! Watching Mamma Mia! last night provided the most enjoyable evening, and the most fun I have had in a theatre in a long time, and for me, offered so much more than the film! Mamma Mia! is playing at the Liverpool Empire Theatre until Saturday 9^th April 2022 so grab your self some tickets, sit back and enjoy!

KING’S THEATRE, EDINBURGH – UNTIL 2^nd APRIL

 REVIEWED BY RACHEL FARRIER 

4****

This show has clearly been an annual fixture in the Edinburgh Theatre scene for a number of years (apart from last couple of years, obviously) and the audience attending the show last night seemed to know exactly what to expect – skits with characters that were clearly familiar brought the house down before even a word had been uttered. And these skits between Allan Stewart and Grant Stott are the mainstay of the show – with gentle but fairly adult humour throughout, the pair clearly love working together and the warmth between them is both endearing and makes for excellent comedy timing. For those who have been to the Panto at the King’s Theatre, some of the routines and characters will be familiar.

Their tribute to their former colleague Andy Gray, who sadly died last year, was touching and funny, and I imagine that for audiences of previous variety shows, his absence must have been felt keenly. 

Other stand out performances came from Max Fulman the ventriloquist, who performed a brilliantly clever, engaging and funny routine with his puppets Gordon the Monkey and Eugene the Grandad. Nicola Meehan’s vocal set was incredible and held the audience spell-bound. And a special mention should go to Andy Pickering and his band, who were on stage throughout, providing top notch musical accompaniment. 

I had taken a teenager with me to see the show and a lot of the references, joke and music went totally over her head, so it was clear that the show was aimed at a more middle aged/older demographic who were long term Allan Stewart fans. However it was an amusing, old-style night out and the standing ovation at the end demonstrated that this audience was delighted with what they had seen. 

York Theatre Royal – until 2nd April 2022

Reviewed by Ellie Watson

4****

Imagine living in a town where it is illegal to dance! How awful would that be? Well, that is what the musical Footloose is about. Based on the 1984 film starring Kevin Bacon, Footloose tells the story of Ren McCormack who forced to relocate from the lively city of Chicago with his mother, Ethel, after Ren’s father left them. Ren loves all things dance and rock ‘n’ roll but when he arrives to the town of Bomont he is shocked to discover dancing is banned. This is due to a previous accident that occurred in the town, involving Reverend Shaw Moore’s son. With the help of Willard Hewitt, Ren’s best friend and a classic southern American country boy, and the reverend’s rebellious daughter Ariel, with whom he starts a romantic relationship with, Ren is determined to overturn the law so that the senior year can hold a dance and bring back dancing to Bomont once and for all.

Generally, musicals usually display the idea of the triple threat portraying strong acting, dancing, and singing skills but Footloose took this to a new level and added a fourth threat, one which I personally have never experienced before. All the actors would be playing their own instruments! The orchestra of the production was made up from the cast with them playing multiple instruments on stage including, clarinets, saxophones, flutes, guitars, bass, and piano. However, the talent did not stop there! They were not just stood playing their instruments but often dancing simultaneously and even at one point jumping over a skipping rope as well!!! How impressive! This did not affect their vocals either, with most having impeccable vocal technique showing the high standard of the performance.

The standout performance to me was Ariel, played by the recent graduate of Mountview, Lucy Munden. Her portrayal of Ariel was stunning, and it was hard to believe this was her professional debut. Her voice had such a lovely tone and her belting skills throughout ‘Holding Out for A Hero’ showed exceptional technique.

Ren, played by Josh Hawkins, also outstanding performance with his amazing dancing and singing skills. Thoroughly enjoyed watching his performance. When Hawkins and Munden sang their duet together, their voices worked so well together and was lovely to hear.

Reverend Shaw Moore, played by Darren Day, was also a fantastic performance, with flawless vocal technique. However, the more upbeat songs were personally more enjoyable to me.

I also really enjoyed Jake Quickenden’s performance of Willard, very funny and good vocals. I always have been a fan of Jake’s as I watched him on X Factor, I’m a Celeb and voted for him every week in Dancing on Ice. Very much enjoyed watching his performance in Musical Theatre as a huge theatre fan. Also really enjoyed his section in ‘Holding Out for a Hero’ when Ariel and Dusty rip off his dungarees to reveal his gold boxers.

Jess Barker also really stood out for me with her amazing acting. Just fun to watch and had such musical talent. Having said this, everyone in the cast were amazing and stood out for different reasons.

The set for the production was also amazing, with smooth and creative transitions. It was fairly simple with what they had, but it was clear to see how well thought out the design was, especially when shower cubicles were then turned around and revealed a steering wheel, before changing again to depict a car. Very imaginative.

I must say this is a really good production. It is slightly slow at the start and Act One seems to drag slightly but overall is enjoyable. Would 100% recommend seeing this production if you can. The curtain call is very engaging and encourages audience participation making it a fun night for everyone. Everyone was standing, dancing, and having fun at the end which made it the perfect end to the day.

Very enjoyable night. Bomont was dancing again and so was the whole of York Theatre Royal.

Full company announced to join Henry Goodman

in

MURDER ON THE ORIENT EXPRESS

By Agatha Christie

Adapted for the stage by Ken Ludwig

13 May – 4 June, Festival Theatre

The full company has been announced for Chichester Festival Theatre’s spectacular new staging of Agatha Christie’s masterpiece Murder on the Orient Express, adapted for the stage by Ken Ludwig, running from 13 May – 4 June.

Joining double Olivier Award-winner Henry Goodman as Hercule Poirot are: Marc Antolin (as Michel the Conductor), Philip Cairns (Colonel Arbuthnot), Samuel Collings (Hector MacQueen), Joanna McCallum (as Princess Dragomiroff), Taz Munyaneza (Mary Debenham), Patrick Robinson (Monsieur Bouc), Laura Rogers(Countess Andrenyi), Sara Stewart (Helen Hubbard), Joanna van Kampen (Greta Ohlsson) and Timothy Watson (Samuel Ratchett), together with Matt Addis, Kelvin Ade, Joelle Dyson, Jacqueline Tate and juvenile actors Sophie Bye and Eleanor Sebastian.

Murder on the Orient Express is directed by former CFT Artistic Director Jonathan Church (Amadeus, Singin’ in the Rain, The Resistible Rise of Arturo Ui) and designed by Robert Jones (Oklahoma!, Mack & Mabel).

The celebrated detective Hercule Poirot boards the legendary Orient Express, enjoying the prospect of a luxurious rail journey from Istanbul to Calais in the dead of winter.

The train is surprisingly packed for the time of year; only the intervention of the manager secures Poirot a first class berth, alongside an intriguing and glittering company of international travellers.

But just after midnight, the Orient Express screeches to a halt, marooned by a snowdrift. And by morning, one passenger is dead…

Nobody can leave. A guard appears to be missing. A killer is in their midst. And Poirot must deploy his ‘little grey cells’ on the most difficult case of his career: one that will force him to question his deepest beliefs.

Henry Goodman makes a welcome return to Chichester to play Poirot, following his appearances in Yes, Prime Minister (2010) and The Resistible Rise of Arturo Ui (2012/13), also directed by Jonathan Church, and which both transferred to the West End. His many other roles encompass his Olivier Award-winning Shylock in The Merchant of Venice, Roy Cohn in the UK premiere of Angels in America and Nathan Detroit in Guys and Dolls (all National Theatre), Volpone for the RSC, and Assassins for which he also won an Olivier Award at the Donmar Warehouse.

Marc Antolin last appeared at Chichester in Taken at Midnight; recent theatre credits include The Magician’s Elephant (RSC), Romantics Anonymous (Bristol Old Vic) and Little Shop of Horrors for which he received an Olivier Award nomination (Regent’s Park).

Philip Cairns’ recent stage work includes Cyrano de Bergerac (West End) and Peer Gynt (National Theatre), and on television Call The Midwife.

Samuel Collings’ TV work includes Hex and Outlander, and on stage, The Great Murder Mystery, and Othello and Macbeth (HOME Manchester/Lyric Hammersmith).

Sara Stewart returns to the Festival Theatre where she last appeared in ENRON and Heartbreak House; recent TV includes Cell 8, Father Brown, Queens of Mystery and State of the Union.

Joanna McCallum’s many Chichester appearances include A Month in the Country, The Merchant of Venice, The Scarlet Pimpernel and Cavalcade, while TV includes Doctors, New Tricks, Holby City and The Gathering Storm.

Taz Munyaneza’s credits include Our Lady of Kibeho (Theatre Royal Stratford East) and on TV The One.

Patrick Robinson appeared in King Lear with Ian McKellen at Chichester in 2017; his many TV credits include The Bill, Casualty, Death in Paradise and The Last Kingdom.

Laura Rogers previously appeared in Pressure at Chichester and on tour; recent theatre work includes The Ocean at the End of the Lane (National Theatre/West End).

Joanna van Kampen is known to a huge radio audience as Fallon in The Archers; recent theatre includes An Ideal Husband (West End) and on TV, The Outlaws.

Timothy Watson – also an alumnus of The Archers as Rob Titchener – was last seen at Chichester in Shadowlands in 2019.

Ken Ludwig has had six productions on Broadway and seven in London’s West End. His 30 plays and musicals are staged around the world and throughout the United States every night of the year. Crazy for You was on Broadway for five years, the West End for three, and won the Tony and Olivier Awards for Best Musical. Lend Me a Tenor won two Tony Awards. He has won the Edwin Forrest Award for Contributions to the American Theater, two Laurence Olivier Awards, two Helen Hayes Awards, the Charles MacArthur Award, and the Edgar Award for Best Mystery. His book How to Teach Your Children Shakespeare won the Falstaff Award for Best Shakespeare Book of the Year. His most recent plays include Pride and Prejudice, Part 2: Napoleon at Pemberley; Lady Molly of Scotland Yard; and Moriarty. For more information, visit www.kenludwig.com.

The production will have lighting by Mark Henderson, music by Adrian Sutton, sound by Christopher Shutt, movement by Lucy Hind, and casting by Gabrielle Dawes CDG.

It is sponsored by Greenwood Wealth Solutions.

Murder on the Orient Express will also run at Theatre Royal Bath from 9 – 25 June, immediately following its Chichester premiere.

MURDER ON THE ORIENT EXPRESS

Stage Play © 2018 Agatha Christie Limited & Ken Ludwig

MURDER ON THE ORIENT EXPRESS, AGATHA CHRISTIE and POIROT are registered trademarks of Agatha Christie Limited. 

ENDS

Tickets from £10

cft.org.uk       Box Office 01243 781312