JEREMY EDWARDS TO STAR IN WORLD PREMIERE UK TOUR OF
HILARY BONNER’S DEBUT PLAY DEAD LIES
Billed as ‘The Most Scandalous Thriller Of The Year’, Red Entertainments Dead Lies, written by No.1 Best Selling Crime Novelist Hilary Bonner, will receive its world premiere this Spring opening at The Queen’s Theatre, Barnstaple (14-16 April) prior to a UK Tour.
Dead Lies is a political thriller inspired by the Jeremy Thorpe scandal of the 1970’s set against the political backdrop of current day Westminster. In this fast-moving, hard-hitting political English thriller the action takes place during a fiercely fought election campaign, following Peter George, a politician who promises a new kind of politics beyond sleaze and spin. He is welcomed as a messiah by the British public and expected to restore trust in a broken political system. But a shocking secret lies in the past of our country’s hero. As buried truths rise from the ashes, personal and political influences begin to shake the faith of those closest to him, and a media cascade threatens to bring down Britain’s new saviour.
Making an eagerly awaited return to the stage is Hollyoaks and Holby City actor Jeremy Edwards who plays would be Prime Minister Peter George.
Jeremy Edwards said: “Joining the cast of Dead Lies is a phenomenal opportunity for me. It has that rare combination of the right script at the right time. I have been waiting for such a strong piece of drama to come along for quite some time. Not only because it is sexy, scandalous and mysterious it is incredibly on point, I’m delighted”.
Joining Jeremy on stage will be Alicia Charles (Coronation Street, Holby City) who plays Kate Compton, Press Secretary to Peter George. Kate is to Peter what Alistair Campbell was to Tony Blair and Dominic Cummings to Boris Johnson. Portia Booroff (Doctors, EastEnders) as Peter’s devoted wife Jo George, and Claire Dyson, fresh from appearing opposite Liam Neeson in Made In Italy, as ex-supermodel Stephanie Jones. Making his UK tour debut is George Verghis in the role of Peter George’s Campaign Manager James Gillen.
Dead Lies is directed by directed by the critically acclaimed Joe Harmston who said: “Hilary does that rare thing writing a thriller for the stage: like Agatha Christie, she puts psychology first, making Dead Lies the best sort of whodunnit”
The parallels between the real-life scandal that saw Barnstaple MP Jeremy Thorpe disgraced and stripped of his leadership in the 70’s and the fiction of Dead Lies are plain to see. It’s no artistic coincidence that North Devon culture heavily influences the script, a natural choice for writer Hilary Bonner who was born and raised there, prior to embarking on her illustrious career in Fleet Street where she reported on the Thorpe scandal. The opening night of Dead Lies will see Bonner’s theatrical journey turn full circle as her first experience of live theatre was as a small child sat in the stalls at the Queen’s.
RED Entertainment’s Executive Producer Matt Brinkler said: “North Devon is intrinsic to Hilary’s gripping contemporary script and her powerful, dramatic plot will have extra resonance when it plays on the Queen’s stage in its opening week. It’s so fitting that theatre goers in North Devon get to see Dead Lies on home soil before we share its brilliance with the rest of the UK.”
Mark Farley Director of the Queen’s Theatre, Barnstaple said: “We are delighted that we are able to stage the world premiere of Dead Lies prior to its national tour and welcome home its writer Hilary Bonner. We know our audiences will be on the edge of their seat for this cutting edge drama”
Dead Lies is a roller-coaster ride of a play, packed with twists and turns until the very last scene. Expect the unexpected. No one is safe.
Today (15 February 2022), the producers ofHarry Potter and the CursedChild – Sonia Friedman Productions, Colin Callender and Harry Potter Theatrical Productions – are delighted to announce a further extension to booking for the original two-part multi award-winning production at London’s Palace Theatre to 26 February 2023. Tickets for the extended booking period are now exclusively on sale through Ticketmaster and with all Harry Potter and the CursedChild’s official trade and group booking partners. The Harry Potter Fan Club will have access from 17 February 2022 and on-sale to the general public from 21 February 2022.
Tickets are now on sale for the Relaxed Performance ofHarry Potter and the Cursed Childon Wednesday 27 July 2022. The performance will be specially adapted for autistic patrons and their families. A further set of access performances are also available – on Saturday 24 September 2022 the performances will be audio described and on Saturday 7 May 2022 they will be captioned. There will also be British Sign Language performances on Saturday 17 September 2022. For patrons with physical access needs and to book for the Autism-Friendly/Relaxed performance call 0330 333 4410 (please note, there are no general ticket sales on this number) or email [email protected]
Tickets remain priced from £15 per part. Harry Potter and the Cursed Childpartners with TodayTix for The Friday Forty, the production’s Lottery for Patrons to apply for some of the very best seats in the theatre priced at £40 (£20 per part) which will secure a seat for both Part One and Part Two on consecutive performances.
The regular performance schedule is now as follows – Monday, Tuesday and Thursday – no performance; Wednesday, Friday and Saturday – 2pm Part One & 7pm Part Two; Sunday – 1pm Part One & 6pm Part Two.
The original production ofHarry Potter and the Cursed Child, one play presented in two parts, is the eighth story in the Harry Potter series and the first official Harry Potter story to be presented on stage. The critically acclaimed production received its world premiere in July 2016 at the Palace Theatre in London. The most awarded new play in theatre history, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child has won 24 major theatre awards in the UK and is the most awarded play in the history of the Olivier Awards, winning a record-breaking nine awards including Best New Play. The production has also won 25 major US awards with six Tony Awards including Best Play.
Based on an original new story by J.K. Rowling, Jack Thorne and John Tiffany, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child is a new play by Jack Thorne, directed by John Tiffany with movement by Steven Hoggett, set by Christine Jones, costumes by Katrina Lindsay, music & arrangements by Imogen Heap, lighting by Neil Austin, sound by Gareth Fry, illusions & magic by Jamie Harrison, music supervision & arrangements by Martin Lowe, and casting by Julia Horan CDG. Harry Potter and the CursedChildis produced by Sonia FriedmanProductions, Colin Callender and Harry Potter Theatrical Productions.
Waitress is a story of love and lust, nightmares and dreams, ultimately the strength of women going through hard times. Jessie Nelson (book) has done Adrienne Shelly (film writer) proud, writing a truly modern musical, with real people in mind and realistic story lines.
The musical talent is outstanding. Chelsea Halfpenny (Jenna) fills the auditorium with a depth of emotion that sinks right into your soul. Sandra Martin (Becky) belts out with passion ‘I didn’t plan it‘ . Michael Starke’s (Joe) ‘Take it from an old man‘ is sweet and lovely. All supported by a talented band that is a natural part of the set.
The Director Diane Paulus and choreographer Lorin Latarro create an extension of the spoken word with dance and movement, that emphasises the impact of the moment. A stella ensemble that work in unison.
The light and shade in the piece gave us hilarity and heartbreak. A well rounded performance that deserves the standing ovation received at the end.
Stream Theatre on demand – until 28th February 2022
4****
Reviewed by Claire Roderick
This polished production of Riot Act streaming to celebrate LGBT+ History Month is a compelling and heart-breaking show. Filmed at the Hackney Empire, celebrating their 120th anniversary, Rikki Beadle-Blair directs with intuition, compassion and an underlying sense of urgency, making you wish for more.
Written and performed by Alexis Gregory, his interviews with three people who lived through different eras of LGBTQ+ activism form the monologues in the show. Gregory’s portrayal of three very different people is extraordinary – the mannerisms and accents are spot on and are never caricatures. The pain in his eyes is palpable as deaths and violence are described, and the fighting spirit shines through in each performance.
Riot Act begins with Michael-Anthony Nozzi, a teenager fresh from Pennsylvania when he was caught up in the Stonewall riot. The state of the Stonewall Inn is described in dirty, dingy detail but the sense of safety and home that was found there shines through in his description. The series of events that led to violence would be laughable in other circumstances – Judy Garland looming large, as always. “There was something about gays and Judy Garland”. Nozzi’s description of the different types of gay men are hilariously bitchy and upbeat, making the stark description of the violence and his dawning realisation that nobody would help them even more devastating. Lavinia Co-op’s story is full of fire. From thinking they were sick as a young boy to becoming a drag artist living in a dump in Notting Hill, Lavinia’s story of the beginning of gay liberation in 70s London and the freedom drag gave them is an emotional roller coaster, laughs and gasps coming fast as the political undertones and the emergence of AIDS loom ever larger to create a rallying cry for recognition – “We need a museum to explain all of this shit!” The final interviewee, Paul Burston, was an activist in 90s London. A member of ACT UP, Paul describes his average day being a funeral, getting arrested and going to court, and the lack of interest and compassion from the public as AIDS ravaged the gay community. Paul is honest about the splits and prejudice amongst the gay community towards AIDS sufferers and warns of complacency in the modern generation that their rights cannot be taken away. The three recognise the chasm between those who lived through the darkest days of the AIDS crisis and the younger generation, and the bittersweet knowledge that they will never understand the pain so some do not appreciate the older generation as they should. Their stories are poignant, very funny and gut-wrenchingly sad, but each end with a note of pride and resilience – a battle cry for the future and an inspirational memorial for those that came before.
Stage One announces regional trainee producer partners for 2022
Stage One is partnering with Birmingham Hippodrome, Hull Truck Theatre, MAST Mayflower Studios and Sheffield Theatres to deliver their Regional Trainee Producer Placement Scheme for 2022.
The Trainee Producer Placements offer aspiring producers a 12-month fixed term contract within an established production company or producing theatre. Stage One launched the National branch of this scheme in 2013 to increase communication and shared knowledge across the subsidised and commercial sectors. The placement not only benefits the producer but also the host theatre or organisation, as the producer becomes an additional member of the in house production team.
Since 2006, Stage One has facilitated 112 paid placements in West End commercial producing offices to 79 producers and 26 paid placements in Regional houses (launched 2013). 75% of participants in the placement scheme are still actively working in the theatre industry.
Joseph Smith, Chief Executive of Stage One, said: “We are pleased to be back delivering our Trainee Producer placement scheme now that theatre doors are open after the uncertainty of the last two years. This scheme will offer four emerging producers hands-on training and the opportunity to produce in-house productions, commercial tours and transfers, as well as immerse themselves in the daily activity of these busy organisations. In turn, we hope that the addition of a trainee producer can support the theatres with resources needed to plan commercial opportunities alongside building back their local audiences.”
Birmingham Hippodrome
As the cultural beating heart of the city, Birmingham Hippodrome reaches over one million people a year through an on and off-stage programme of work, digital presence, and performances in Birmingham and beyond.
Long recognised as one of the UK’s premier presenting theatres, the past three years have seen Birmingham Hippodrome develop into a creative producing organisation focused on access, diversity and inclusion, doubling their impact to match their annual audience of 550,000 with a further 450,000 people engaged via festivals, learning, participation and produced work, including their 2019 youth musical West Side Story, award-winning co-production with Curve of The Color Purple and forthcoming collaboration with Rambert on Peaky Blinders: The Redemption of Thomas Shelby.
With 10 Associate Companies, the Hippodrome produces and commissions bold new work, telling fresh and engaging stories, reflecting the youth and diversity of the city and region.
The Hippodrome is also the largest dance campus outside London, home to Birmingham Royal Ballet (led by Carlos Acosta), DanceXchange, Dance Consortium, OneDanceUK and digital agency The Space.
Chris Sudworth, Director of Artistic Programme at Birmingham Hippodrome said: “We are thrilled to be working with Stage One to welcome a Trainee Producer into our team at Birmingham Hippodrome. Their passion, ideas, creativity and commitment to bringing bold new stories to both of our stages, on tour nationally and into the heart of communities will be an asset to our venue and our city. The Trainee Producer will gain insight into a unique organisation that is renowned as one of the UK’s leading presenting theatres and increasingly as a producer of award-winning live theatre, festivals and learning experiences, committed to access, diversity and inclusion. We are excited to meet people interested in joining us in a year where Birmingham welcomes the world for the Commonwealth Games and as we showcase new work of all scales made here, throughout the UK and beyond.”
Hull Truck Theatre
Hull Truck Theatre is a pioneering theatre with a unique Northern voice, locally rooted, global in outlook, inspiring artists, audiences and communities to reach their greatest potential. Their vision is to produce and present inspiring theatre that reflects the diversity of a modern Britain. To provide the resources, space and support to grow people and ideas, be an ambassador for our city, a flagship for our region and a welcoming home for our communities.
In 2022 we celebrate 50 years of Hull Truck Theatre. We’re doing this by focusing on the thing that makes Hull Truck Theatre magic – the people. Without our supportive audiences, generous funders, talented artists, passionate participants and dedicated staff, this theatre wouldn’t have kept its place at the heart of Hull’s creative core for half a century. With the inspiring leadership of Mark Babych (Artistic Director) and Janthi Mills-Ward (Executive Director), the theatre is on the next stage of its exceptional journey, creating a vibrant 21st-century cultural organisation.
Adam Pownall, Senior Producer for Hull Truck Theatre said: “We are excited to have the opportunity to work with Stage One and offer this placement during a flagship season celebrating 50 years of Hull Truck Theatre. We are keen to add a new voice to our artistic team to help us bring unique stories to our stages whilst gaining valuable insight into our in-house productions, programming of our two theatre spaces, talent development and continue to grow our passion for culture, diversity, and inclusion. The Trainee Producer will have the opportunity to learn alongside our nurturing and collaborative team and be connected into our various networks locally, regionally and nationally.”
MAST Mayflower Studios
MAST is a multi-art form cultural hub presenting and producing theatre, dance, musicals, music, comedy, circus, cabaret, spoken word, visual arts and family shows. MAST’s vision is to be nationally recognised in providing Inspiring Experiences. They aim to:
• Preserve and maintain MAST for the community and provide a diverse programme of quality arts experiences
• Be valuable to the community and local cultural offer as a creative hub and centre of excellence for culture in Southampton
• Be community led with engagement and consultation at its heart
MAST Mayflower Studios is the partner venue of Mayflower Theatre, Southampton and is operated under the registered company name Mayflower Academy Ltd. The Mayflower Theatre Trust established Mayflower Academy Ltd to operate MAST Mayflower Studios to be a key cultural partner within the City, and to be an integral part of Southampton’s UK City of Culture 2025 bid.
Jamie Smith, Creative Producer of MAST Mayflower Studios said: “We’re delighted to be able to offer a Trainee Producer placement here at MAST Mayflower Studios through Stage One at an extremely exciting time for the organisation. Having personally experienced the wonderful workshops and support network Stage One provides, I’m eager to see not only what the successful candidate will learn whilst here but also what they will be able to bring to our team. In a post-pandemic world, recognising and nurturing future talent will be essential not only for an individual’s personal development, but also for the health, wealth and prosperity of the Theatre Industry and its networks, particularly in the regions. With multiple in-house productions and co-productions in the pipeline for the next 18 months, as well as a wealth of knowledge to be imparted by a supportive and collaborative team, this placement provides on the job training and real opportunity for input into our vision of inspiring experiences.”
Sheffield Theatres Sheffield Theatres is home to three theatres: the Crucible, the Sheffield landmark with a world-famous reputation; the Studio, an intimate, versatile space for getting closer to the action; and the gleaming Lyceum, the beautiful proscenium that hosts the best of the UK’s touring shows. Committed to investing in the creative leaders of the future, Sheffield Theatres’ dedicated talent development hub, The Bank, opened in 2019 to support a new cohort of emerging directors, writers and producers every year.
John Tomlinson, Producer at Sheffield Theatres said: “We’re delighted to be able to host a Stage One Trainee Producer at Sheffield Theatres for 12-months. These opportunities are vital for the development of the next generation of talented leaders and we’re excited to support someone’s journey. I know from personal experience that this scheme can be the catalyst to a career in this industry – and if you’re wondering whether to apply, wonder no more and introduce yourself to us.”
Stage One is a charity whose work would not be possible without the support of many generous individuals, businesses, trusts and foundations.
Applications for 2022/23 placements open on Friday 11 February and close on Monday 7 March 2022. The application form can be found on the Stage One website: www.stageone.uk.com as well as information on their other development programmes.
For more information please contact Louise Goodman (Programme Director): 0207 557 6737 / [email protected]
The daily commute will be livened up this month by a series of West End theatre pop-ups at London stations.
As people continue to return to the office, ‘Show Time in Stations’ will offer special performances from leading cabaret singers, surprise appearances from hit West End shows and the chance for the public to unleash their inner diva and sing to win theatre ticketswith Lucky Voice musical theatre karaoke.
Last week saw a special performance at Waterloo Station from the West End cast of Dirty Dancing – The Classic Story On Stage, which has just opened at the Dominion Theatre.
The pop-up is a partnership between Network Rail and Official London Theatre, coinciding with the launch of Show Time, a new theatre promotion offering £10, £20, £30, £40 and £50 tickets to over 40 West End shows until 31 March.
Show Time in Stations began at Waterloo Station from 9 to 13 February, and will be at Victoria Station from 16 to 20 February and Charing Cross Station from 23 to 27 February.
Also this month, theatre-loving visitors to central London can visit Performance by Rankin, a landmark free exhibition by celebrity photographer Rankin, shining the spotlight on over 150 incredible on and offstage theatre workers from nearly 60 shows and venues. The exhibition is currently running until 12 March at the FUJIFILM House of Photography in Covent Garden.
Follow Official London Theatre’s Twitter, Instagram and Facebook channels for the latest updates on Show Time in Stations surprises to look out for this month
THE NATION’S FAVOURITE TEA-GUZZLING TIGER ANNOUNCES ITS RETURN TO THE WEST END THIS SUMMER
THE TIGER WHO CAME TO TEA
A musical play by David Wood based on the book by Judith Kerr
Theatre Royal Haymarket, London SW1Y 4HT11 July – 4 September 2022
Back by popular demand, the Olivier Award nominated stage production of The Tiger Who Came to Tea today announces its return to Theatre Royal Haymarket for another West End summer season following last year’s sellout success. A musical play adapted and directed by David Wood OBE, based on the classic tale by the late Judith Kerr OBE, The Tiger Who Came to Tea will open at Theatre Royal Haymarket on Monday 11 July playing until Sunday 4 September 2022. Casting for the London production is yet to be announced.
The Tiger Who Came to Tea is also currently enjoying a nationwide tour, booking until 1 September 2022.
Hailed as Britain’s best-loved picture book, Judith Kerr’s timeless classic The Tiger Who Came to Tea is now in its 54th year, selling over 5 million copies since it was first published in 1968. The stage show premiered in 2008 and has since toured nationally and internationally, including Christmas seasons at the Sydney Opera House and Melbourne Arts Centre with sold out dates in Beijing, Shanghai, Hong Kong, Singapore, Dubai and Bahrain. In 2012 the production was nominated for the Olivier Award for ‘Best Family Entertainment’. This year marks its 8th West End season.
Bringing the nation’s favourite tea-guzzling tiger to life on stage, this musical slice of teatime mayhem entertains with sing-a-long songs, oodles of magic and interactive fun. It’s the ideal introduction to live theatre for children aged three and above and the perfect summer treat for the whole family.
The doorbell rings just as Sophie and her Mummy are sitting down to tea. Who could it possibly be? What they certainly don’t expect to see at the door is a big furry, stripy tiger!
Directed by David Wood OBE, with designs by Susie Caulcutt, assistant director/choreographer Emma Clayton, music arranger & supervisor Peter Pontzen, magical illusions designed by former President of the Magic Circle Scott Penrose, lighting design by Tony Simpson and sound design by Shock Productions. Produced by Nicoll Entertainment Ltd.
LOUISE REDKNAPP JOINS THE CAST OF THE PROVOCATIVE NEW STAGE THRILLER
BASED ON THE ICONIC MOVIE PHENOMENON,
LOUISE JOINS THE FATAL ATTRACTION TOUR
AS BETH GALLAGHER
STARRING ALONGSIDE SUSIE AMY AS ALEX FORREST
AND OLIVER FARNWORTH AS DAN GALLAGHER
LOUISE’S PERFORMANCES BEGIN AT THE NEW THEATRE, CARDIFF ON WEDNESDAY 9TH MARCH
KYM MARSH CONTINUES IN THE ROLE OF ALEX FORREST UNTIL SATURDAY 5th MARCH
Smith and Brant Theatricals and Ambassador Theatre Group Productions are today delighted to announce casting for the second leg of a new production of Fatal Attraction based on the classic Paramount Pictures Corporation film. From Wednesday 9th March (New Theatre, Cardiff) acclaimed actress, musician, TV presenter and Strictly Come Dancing star Louise Redknapp joins Oliver Farnworth (Dan Gallagher) as his wife, Beth and Susie Amy who takes on the role of Alex Forrest when Kym Marsh concludes her run in the tour on Saturday 5th March 2022.
The tour then visits the Everyman Theatre, Cheltenham; Richmond Theatre, Richmond; Royal and Derngate, Northampton; Waterside Theatre, Aylesbury; Theatre Royal, Glasgow; Arts Theatre, Cambridge and the Grand Opera House, York.
LOUISE REDKNAPP is a musician, TV presenter, actress and fashion influencer. Louise rose to prominence as a member of the girl band Eternal, before embarking on a highly successful solo career. Eternal were the first all-girl group to sell over 1 million copies of an album in the UK with their debut Always & Forever and remain the top selling girl band of the 90’s with over 10 million records sold.
Louise went solo in 1995 and her first album, Naked, produced 5 hits and sold over 1 million copies. In 2016, Louise was announced as a contestant for the BBC’s flagship show Strictly Come Dancing. Here, she stormed her way to the finals and was named runner-up. The following year, she made her stage debut starring as Sally Bowles in Cabaret (National Tour) with Will Young and in 2019 made her West End debut in Dolly Parton’s9 to 5 The Musical (Savoy Theatre) as Violet Newstead, a role she reprised to great acclaim for the tour which ran throughout 2021
Since becoming a household name in Footballer’s Wives, SUSIE AMY has taken on various parts including the lead role in the American miniseries La Femme Musketeer, which also starred Gerard Depardieu and Nastassja Kinski, and a lead role in ITV’s Echo Beach and Moving Wallpaper with Ben Miller. Other Television includes: Hollyoaks, Plus One, My Family, Coronation Street, New Street Law, Hotel Babylon, Death In Paradise, The Royal, Sam’s Game, Holby City, Casualty, Dark Realm and Sirens. Films include: Andy Garcia’s Modigliani, House of 9 with Dennis Hopper and Peter Capaldi, Lesbian Vampire Killers, The Pimp, Psych:9, Two Families, Dead Fish, Bonded By Blood and Silent Hours in which she played Hugh Bonneville’s wife Rosemary. Theatre includes: The Marilyn Conspiracy (Edinburgh Festival); Out Of Order (UK Tour); Rehearsal For Murder (UK Tour); Wait Until Dark (UK Tour); After Juliet (Young Vic/ National Theatre); The Mummy (Belgrade Theatre) and Murder On The Nile (UK Tour).
OLIVER FARNWORTH’S theatre credits includes: The Girl On The Train (UK Tour); The Marilyn Conspiracy (International Tour); Down The Dock Road (Theatre Royal Liverpool); Dobbo (Royal Court Liverpool); Inherit the Wind (New Vic Theatre); Beautiful Thing (Arts Theatre/ UK Tour); Santa Claus The Musical (Grand Theater, Singapore); The Widowing Of Mrs Holroyd (New Vic Theatre); A View From The Bridge (Theatre By The Lake); Holding The Man (Trafalgar Studios); Kes (Liverpool Playhouse & UK Tour); Merchant Of Venice (Changeling Theatre); A Midsummer Night’s Dream (British Shakespeare Company); Saturday Night Sunday Morning (Harrogate Theatre/ Oldham Coliseum); London Plays: London Tongue (Old Red Lion); Under Milk Wood (New Vic Studio); The Roaring Girl (New Vic Studio) and The Lion, The Witch And The Wardrobe (Redgrave Theatre).Television includes: Endeavour Vi, Coronation Street, Mr. Selfridge, Doctors Xiv, The Royal and Hollyoaks.Films include: Love Type D.Workshops include: Dracula (New Vic Theatre).
The cast also includes Anita Booth as Joan, Troy Glasgow as O’Rourke, John Macaulay as Jimmy, Emma Laird Craig as understudy Beth / Alex and Christina Balmer as understudy Joan / O’Rourke.
Fatal Attractionis the latest grip-the-edge-of-your-seat thriller from the producers of the celebrated tours of Patrick Hamilton’s Gaslight and Patricia Highsmith’s Strangers on a Train. Fatal Attraction is written by James Dearden, who based the stage play on his Oscar-nominated screenplay, which in turn was adapted from his 1980 short film, Diversion. This brand-new production is directed by Loveday Ingram with Rachel Heyburn as Assistant Director. Fatal Attraction features Set and Costume Design by Morgan Large, Projection Design by Mogzi, Lighting Design by Jack Knowles,Sound Design by Carolyn Downing and Paul Englishby is the show’s Composer.Fatal Attraction has been cast by Anne Vosser.
One of the most iconic films of the era, Fatal Attraction was one of 1987’s highest grossing US Box Office release, securing six major Oscar nominations at the following year’s Academy Awards, including: Best Actress for Glenn Close’s mesmerising depiction of urbane sophisticate Alex Forrest, Best Supporting Actress (Anne Archer), Best Writing Adapted Screenplay (James Dearden), Best Director (Adrian Lyne), Best Editing, and Best Picture. Michael Douglas – at the peak of his Hollywood powers – was omitted from the list only as he was nominated elsewhere in the Best Actor category for his role as Gordon ‘greed is good’ Gecko in Wall Street, which he went on to win. Fatal Attraction’s success was such that the film inspired a generation of psychosexual thrillers in the years that followed.
Loveday Ingram trained with John Barton at the RSC and was previously Associate Director at Chichester Festival Theatre. Loveday’s credits include: The Rover, The Merchant of Venice (Royal Shakespeare Company); Henry V, Julius Caesar (Storyhouse); Baskerville: A Sherlock Holmes Mystery (Liverpool Playhouse/National Centre for the Performing Arts, China); My One and Only (Piccadilly Theatre/Chichester). Nominated for 4 Olivier Awards and Evening Standard Award); The Blue Room (also Chichester), When Harry Met Sally (Theatre Royal Haymarket); Bedroom Farce (Aldwych Theatre); Three Sisters, Pal Joey (nominated for TMA and Barclay Best Musical Awards), Dead Funny, Insignificance (Chichester Festival Theatre); Macbeth (Theatre Severn); Richard III (Nottingham Playhouse/York Theatre Royal); These Shining Lives (Park Theatre); Rockabye (Beckett Centenary Festival/Gate Theatre Dublin/Barbican); Boston Marriage, Hysteria (Irish Times Award) (Project Theatre Dublin); Outlying Islands, Lettice and Lovage (Bath Theatre Royal); The Messiah (National Theatre of Brent/Bush Theatre). Opera credits include All About Love (Linbury Studio); Brittain’s Rape of Lucrece (BAC) and Barber’s Vanessa (Lyric Hammersmith). Music Video includes This Time It’s Forever (Women’s Aid).
Fatal Attraction is co-produced with Gavin Kalin Productions.
The Time Traveller’s Wife: The Musical, based on the best-selling novel by Audrey Niffenegger and the New Line Cinema film screenplay by Bruce Joel Rubin, will premiere at Storyhouse in Chester from 30 September to 15 October 2022. The two-week season will precede a West End transfer, to be announced at a later date. The Box Office for the Storyhouse members is now open and it will open to non-members from 12:00noon on 21 February.
With a book by Lauren Gunderson, original music and lyrics by Joss Stone and Dave Stewart and additional lyrics by Kait Kerrigan, the production will be directed by Bill Buckhurst and designed by Anna Fleischle, with choreography by Shelley Maxwell, lighting design by Lucy Carter, illusions by Chris Fisher, video design by Andrjez Goulding, sound design by Richard Brooker, musical supervision & arrangement by Nick Finlow and orchestrations by Bryan Crook. Casting will be by Stuart Burt CDG. It will be produced by Colin Ingram for InTheatre Productions, Gavin Kalin Productions, Teresa Tsai and Crossroads Live, by special arrangement with Warner Bros. Theatre Ventures.
Henry and Clare’s love story is like no other and yet like all others; they meet, flirt, fight, love, marry… but all out of order. Henry is often and uncontrollably ripped out of time, because he suffers from a rare condition where his genetic clock periodically resets, pulling him into his past or future, vanishing before one’s eyes, never knowing where or when he’s going next. Except he knows he’ll always come back to Clare, whether she’s 5 years old playing in a field or 85, dreaming of her time-travelling husband.
Lauren Gunderson said of adapting the novel, “I will never forget reading the last chapter of Audrey Niffenegger’s book over ten years ago and being floored by its thunderous emotion and potent humanity. I knew this love story belonged on stage with music and vision that matches its emotional punch and soaring feeling. I know this musical will lift, delight, hearten and exhilarate.”
Audrey Niffenegger said of the adaptation, “I am thrilled that my book is being adapted for the stage and with the very talented artists who are creating the musical. I am really looking forward to seeing what they do with it.”
The Time Traveller’s Wife: The Musical weaves a heart-breaking and soaring original musical score by multi Grammy Award-winning composers Joss Stone and Dave Stewart with one of the most beloved novels of the last 50 years. All couples ask how to truly know one another, to trust, to commit, to build a family, to work at something bigger than ourselves. Not all of us are time travellers. How do you love across time?
Producer Colin Ingram said, “I am so delighted to be bringing this incredible new musical to the 750-seat Chester Storyhouse for a two-week run prior to a transfer to the West End and beyond. We are excited to come to this fantastic new theatre, which has an incredible ethos of accessibility and nurture lead by CEO Andrew Bentley, and to show the people of Chester and the North West this exciting, thrilling and beautiful new musical which Joss Stone and Dave Stewart have written stunning new songs for. For those who have not been to the Storyhouse, this premiere is the time to come and enjoy a fantastic musical in a fantastic venue with a great atmosphere and facilities.”
Dave Stewart and Joss Stone said of working together on the new musical, “We have been on many crazy adventures together but we’ve never ‘Time Travelled’ till meeting Lauren Gunderson. Writing these songs together whilst being in different locations on different time zones has been a trip (literally), throwing us into an eddy of emotive melodies and heart-wrenching lyrics to go with the push and pull of this unusual love story. We all time travel in our relationships and in our lives in general, but to write something that people will see and hear happening live on stage is thrilling to imagine, and hearing Bill Buckhurst’s interpretations of Lauren’s script for stage as we went along has been so inspiring.”
Lauren Gunderson has been one of the most produced playwrights in the US since 2015, topping the list twice, including 2019/20. She is a two-time winner of the Steinberg/ATCA New Play Award for I and You and The Book of Will, the winner of the Lanford Wilson Award and the Otis Guernsey New Voices Award, a finalist for the Susan Smith Blackburn Prize and John Gassner Award for Playwriting, and a recipient of the Mellon Foundation’s Residency with Marin Theatre Company. She co-authored the Miss Bennet plays with Margot Melcon.
Grammy and Brit award-winning singer-songwriter, Joss Stone, has released seven studio albums since she secured a record deal at 15 and released her critically acclaimed debut album, The Soul Sessions, in 2003. Performing alongside many legendary artists such as James Brown, Herbie Hancock, Stevie Wonder, Gladys Knight, Sting, Van Morrison and Melissa Etheridge, she has collaborated with and contributed to albums for many of the world’s finest musicians, including Jeff Beck, Mick Jagger and Damien Marley. In 2015 her album Water for Your Soul was released, achieving the spot of the number-one reggae album upon release and voted best reggae album by Billboard. In 2019, she completed her most audacious project to date, The Total World Tour, in which she has performed a gig and collaborated with local artists in over 200 countries around the world.
Joss Stone’s new album, Never Forget My Love, produced by Dave Stewart, was released on 11 February 2022.
Award-winning singer, songwriter, musician, producer and Eurythmics co-founder, Dave Stewart is recognised as one of the most respected and accomplished talents in the music industry today with a music career spanning four decades and over 100 million album sales. Stewart co-wrote and produced each Eurythmics album in his world-famous duo with Annie Lennox, and has also produced albums and co-written songs with Mick Jagger, Tom Petty, Bob Dylan, Gwen Stefani, Jon Bon Jovi, Stevie Nicks, Bryan Ferry, Katy Perry, Sinead O’Connor, Joss Stone and many others. Along the way, his work has garnered numerous awards, including 26 ASCAP and BMI Awards for the most-performed songs; four Ivor Novello Awards for Best Songwriter; four BRIT Awards for Best Producer, including a Lifetime Achievement Award; The Silver Clef Award; The Clive Davis Legend in Songwriting Award; a Golden Globe and a Grammy Award and he was inducted into the UK Hall of Fame. In 2018, Eurythmics was nominated for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Most recently, they were inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame for Sweet Dreams (Are Made Of This) and they will be inducted into The Songwriters Hall of Fame in June 2021.
In 2001, Stewart was approached by Nelson Mandela to help the fight against the Aids epidemic. Stewart developed a Global Campaign using Mandela’s prison number 46664. Stewart then went on to help organize the biggest concert ever staged in South Africa, appearing on stage with Beyoncé, Bono and Edge, Queen and many others, as well as bringing his long-time partner, Annie Lennox, on stage to perform together as Eurythmics. The concert was broadcast live to over 1 billion people. Stewart, along with songwriter/producer Glen Ballard, wrote the music for the musical adaptation of the 1990 Jerry Zucker film Ghost. With Mick Jagger, he wrote and produced the score for Alfie, starring Jude Law, which won the pair a Golden Globe for Best Original Song. More recently, Stewart created and is Executive Producer of the hit TV show for NBC, Songland.
Bill Buckhurst’s theatre directing credits for Tooting Arts Club include Sweeney Todd (West End, Harrington’s Pie and Mash Shop & Off-Broadway; Best Musical Off-West End Awards, Outstanding Revival of a Musical Lucille Lortel Awards, Best Musical Revival Off-Broadway Alliance, Best Off-Broadway Musical Theater Fans’ Choice Awards, Drama Desk Award nomination for Outstanding Director of a Musical), Barbarians, A Midsummer Night’s Dream and Tinderbox. Directing credits for Shakespeare’s Globe include Omeros, Hamlet (and International Tour), King Lear (and International Tour), Twelfth Night, Othello, The Merchant of Venice, Romeo & Juliet, A Midsummer Night’s Dream and Macbeth (Playing Shakespeare).
Anna Fleischle is an award–winning set and costume designer, working internationally in theatre, opera and dance. Her theatre designs include The Forest (Hampstead Theatre), Hamlet (Young Vic), Hangmen (West End/Broadway, 2016 Olivier Award Winner for Best Set Design, Critic’s Circle Award ‘Best Designer’, Evening Standard Award ‘Best Design’), Liberian Girl (Royal Court), Death Of A Salesman (Young Vic/West End), A Very Very Very Dark Matter (Bridge), Home I’m Darling (2019 Olivier Award Nominee for Best Set Design and Best Costume Design, Theatr Clwyd/National/ West End), Everybody’s Talking About Jamie (Crucible Sheffield West End, UK tour, Korea), Much Ado About Nothing and Troilus & Cressida (Globe), and Rosencrantz & Guildenstern Are Dead (Old Vic),
Shelley Maxwell’s choreography credits include Get Up, Stand Up! The Bob Marley Story (Lyric Theatre, London’s West End), Best Of Enemies (Young Vic), J’Ouvert (Sonia Friedman Productions Re:Emerge Season, Harold Pinter Theatre), After Life (National Theatre),Romeo & Juliet a film adaptation (a co-production between the National Theatre, Sky Arts & PBS), Master Harold…and the Boys, Hansard,Antony & Cleopatra, Twelfth Night and NineNight (all National Theatre), Equus (Theatre Royal Stratford East and Trafalgar Studios) and Tartuffe (RSC).Shelley won the award for Best Choreographer at the inaugural British Black Theatre Awards in 2019 for her work on Equus.
Chris Fisher is a member of the Magic Circle and works worldwide as international illusions and magic consultant for Harry Potter and the Cursed Child. His theatre credits as illusion consultant include Back to the Future the Musical (Manchester and West End), The Prince Of Egypt (West End), Company (West End and Broadway), Big – the Musical (Plymouth, Dublin and West End), Peter Gynt (National), A Very Very Very Dark Matter (Bridge) and Angels in America (National and Broadway).
Colin Ingram’s producing credits include Billy Elliot, Breakfast at Tiffany’s, Ghost the Musical, Back to the Future the Musical and Grease, the latter of which will open at the Dominion Theatre in May 2022. The latter will open in the West End at the Adelphi Theatre in Summer 2021. Colin worked for Cameron Mackintosh for six years, general managing Les Misérables, The Phantom of the Opera and Oklahoma! (starring Hugh Jackman). He then joined Disney Theatrical to be Managing Director and General Manager, overseeing the London productions of The Lion King and Beauty And The Beast. Colin then joined the Old Vic as Executive Producer for the first two years of the Old Vic Theatre Company and on the West End premiere of Billy Elliot – the Musical, after which he joined Madison Square Gardens in New York to run their Productions division including the Radio City Rockettes Spectaculars.
• • Annual awards recognising the UK’s unsung local authority arts heroes, presented by the National Campaign for the Arts in partnership with Community Leisure UK, Creative Lives, the Local Government Association, Thrive, UK Theatre, and Wales Council for Voluntary Action.
• • Awards judged by high-profile professionals in arts, business and journalism: Andy Dawson; Krishnan Guru-Murthy; Kadiatu Kanneh-Mason; Shaparak Khorsandi; Anna Lapwood; Deborah Meaden; Jack Thorne; and national campaign for the arts trustee Samuel West.
• • A public community poetry project, a campaign using arts and culture to bring footfall back into popular high streets, and a project encouraging intergenerational connections have all been recognised by this year’s awards.
• ● Awards to be presented by Samuel West and selected guest judges at the Hearts for the Arts digital awards ceremony hosted by the Local Government Association on Monday 7th March.
The winners have been announced for the annual National Campaign for the Arts’ (NCA) Hearts for the Arts Awards 2022. The awards celebrate the unsung heroes of Local Authorities who are championing the arts against all odds.
Nominations were received from across the UK in each of the three award categories:
Best Arts Project; Best Arts Champion – Local Authority or Cultural Trust Worker; Best Arts Champion – Councillor
The five award-winners were chosen from a shortlist of 20 projects and champions by a judging panel of high-profile professionals in arts, business and journalism as follows:
Andy Dawson, Inspire Youth Arts, winner of the 2021 HFTA award for Best Arts Champion – Local Authority or Cultural Trust Worker
Krishnan Guru-Murthy, journalist and presenter of Channel 4 News
Kadiatu Kanneh-Mason, author, speaker and supporter of music education
Shaparak Khorsandi, stand-up comedian, writer
Anna Lapwood, organist, conductor and broadcaster
Deborah Meaden, businesswoman and TV Dragon
Jack Thorne, screenwriter and playwright
Samuel West, actor and director, NCA Trustee
And the winners are:
• • Best Arts Project: Of Earth & Sky (North Lincolnshire Council). The presentation of Luke Jerram’s Of Earth & Sky to celebrate 20-21 Visual Arts Centre’s 20th anniversary, a large-scale visual art trail constructed from poetry written by Scunthorpe residents.
• • Best Arts Project: Intergenerational Connections Project (Mole Valley District Council and Surrey County Council). A multi-partner project involving District and County councils, the NHS and Primary Care Networks, using music to grow connections between vulnerable young people and older members of the local community.
• • Best Arts Project: Westminster Reveals (Westminster City Council). An overarching cultural campaign developed by Westminster City Council in response to the pandemic, which sought to support the cultural sector and attract footfall back into Westminster through the curation of a programme of accessible art interventions in outdoor public spaces, and in vacant shops.
• • Best Arts Champion – Local Authority or Cultural Trust Worker: Zerritha Brown (London Borough of Brent). Brent’s 2020 Legacy Manager, Zerritha Brown, has been championing culture in Brent and in the Council for over a decade since leading on Brent’s Cultural Olympiad programme.
• • Best Arts Champion – Councillor: Councillor Ffion Meleri Gwyn (Cyngor Tref Criccieth Town Council). As an artist and a teacher, Councillor Gwyn has rolled up her sleeves and made art for Criccieth, overseeing many creative projects for the local community.
Samuel West, actor, director and trustee of the National Campaign for the Arts, said:
“The pandemic has taught us that our needs, in the end, are simple. We need something to eat. We need somewhere to sleep. And we need cheap and interesting things to do to stop us losing our minds.
“Art has proved its worth through lockdown – music, books, TV drama, video games, have all given a lifesaving boost to our mental and physical health. What is harder in a pandemic is to feel part of a community. Care settings have suffered. Public spaces have been left empty. Loneliness and isolation have made an epidemic of their own.
“That’s why we cheer the people and projects celebrated by Hearts for the Arts. Times are hard and budgets are tight – sometimes the simple act of making anything feels like a reason to party. But we want to shine a spotlight on the arts heroes who go above and beyond, and give the cheer of encouragement that local authorities, artists and arts organisations need to keep going.
“Art has a superpower: to bring people together; to help people feel human. Because now, more than ever, there’s no them and us. It’s all us.”
Cllr Gerald Vernon-Jackson, Chair of the Local Government Association’s Culture, Tourism and Sport Board, said:
“Local arts and cultural provision has never been more important than in the last two years. Council cultural services and trusts have rallied round to support people during the pandemic, reaching out to the most isolated, providing educational support and offering moments of joy to their communities during difficult times and under challenging conditions.
“Councils remain the biggest public investor in culture, spending over £1bn a year in England alone and these services will be vital in supporting our national recovery and addressing inequalities arising from COVID-19.
“We’re delighted to be able to celebrate some of these achievements with the Hearts for the Arts Awards. The shortlisted individuals and teams are an inspiration to us all and a reminder of the importance of locally funded cultural services in engaging people in creativity and achieving wider objectives around levelling up. Congratulations to all the winners.”
The LGA’s Hearts for the Arts Awards ceremony takes place virtually on Monday 7 March.
The National Campaign for the Arts presents the Hearts for The Arts Awards each year. The awards are delivered by the NCA in partnership with Community Leisure UK, Creative Lives, the Local Government Association, Thrive, UK Theatre, and Wales Council for Voluntary Action.
For more information on the shortlisted nominees visit:
