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BILL KENWRIGHT PRESENTS

PATRICK DUFFY

LINDA PURL  & GRAY O’BRIEN

IN

CATCH ME IF YOU CAN

BY JACK WEINSTOCK AND WILLIE GILBERT

ON TOUR THROUGHOUT THE UK IN 2022

Dallas legend Patrick Duffy (The Man from Atlantis; Step by Step) and Linda Purl (Happy Days; Homeland) fly in from Hollywood to star alongside Gray O’ Brien (Peak Practice; Coronation Street), leading the cast in this exciting new production of the classic Broadway thriller.

Catch Me If You Can, written by Jack Weinstock and Willie Gilbert, and directed by Bob Tomson, will embark on its nationwide tour, opening at the Theatre Royal, Windsor on 8 February 2022. Adapted from Robert Thomas’s French play Trap for a Lonely Man, this highly entertaining mystery has inspired three successful screenplays. 

Inspector Levine is called to a house in the remote Catskill mountains to investigate the disappearance of newly married Elizabeth Corban. But when Elizabeth suddenly turns up, her husband seems surprised – and this is only the beginning of a truly baffling train of events, in which nothing is what it seems and no-one is as they appear. Will this extraordinary sequence of surprising twists and turns lead to a murderous conclusion?

Patrick Duffy is known to audiences around the world for his twelve years in the role of Bobby Ewing in the CBS primetime drama Dallas. Other notable roles include Mark Harris in NBC’s Man from Atlantis, Frank Lambert in the ABC sitcom Step by Step and Stephen Logan in CBS’The Bold and the Beautiful. On stage, he played Serge in the award-winning West End production of Art.

Linda Purl’s numerous screen roles include Ashley (Fonzie’s girlfriend) in Happy Days, Helene  in the American version of The Office, Charlene Matlock in the legal drama series Matlock, and Elizabeth Gaines in Homeland. Her stage appearances include the international tour of Seven Deadly Sins Four Deadly Sinners, Blanche DuBois in A Streetcar Named Desire (Rubicon Theatre, California) and, most recently, Rosemary Clooney in Tenderly at the New Vic, Santa Barbara.

Gray O’Brien is best known for his portrayal of villainous Weatherfield businessman Tony Gordon in Coronation Street, as Dr Tom Deneley in Peak Practice and as Dr. Richard McCraig in Casualty. He played Milo Tindle in Sleuth at the West End’s Apollo Theatre.

The cast also includes Ben Nealon, who played Captain Jeremy Forsythe in ITV’s award-winning series Soldier Soldier. He has appeared regularly on stage with the Agatha Christie Theatre Company and the Classic Thriller Theatre Company.

Catch Me If You Can is directed by Bob Tomson (Blood Brothers, Scrooge, Evita, On The Piste), with design by Julie Godfrey (How The Other Half Loves, Pack of Lies, Rehearsal for Murder) and lighting by Chris Davey (Witness for the Prosecution, the Car Man, Touching the Void). 

LISTINGS

Bill Kenwright presents

CATCH ME IF YOU CAN

UK Tour from 8 February 2022

by Jack Weinstock and Willie Gilbert

Based on the French play Trap for a Lonely Man by Robert Thomas.

Directed by Bob Tomson

Designed by Julie Godfrey

Lighting by Chris Davey

Website: kenwright.com 

Twitter: @BKL_Productions

Instagram: @bklproductions

DATES AND VENUES

Theatre Royal Windsor                                              theatreroyalwindsor.co.uk

08 February – 19 February 2022                                  01753 853 8888  

Belfast Grand Opera House                                          www.goh.co.uk

21 February- 26 February 2022      02890 241 919

New Theatre Cardiff                                                      newtheatrecardiff.co.uk

28 February- 05 March 2022                                        03433 100 041

Blackpool Grand                                                             www.blackpoolgrand.co.uk

07 March- 12 March 2022                                             01253 290 111

Darlington Hippodrome                                                darlingtonhippodrome.co.uk

14 March- 19 March 2022                                             01325 405405

Malvern Festival Theatre                                              malvern-theatres.co.uk

21 March- 26 March 2022                                             01684 8922770

Theatr Clwyd                                                                   www.theatrclwyd.com

28 March- 02 April 2022                                                01352 344101

Milton Keynes Theatre                                                  atgtickets.com/miltonkeynes         
04 April- 09 April 2022                    02072 061174

Richmond Theatre                                                          atgtickets.com/richmond

11 April- 16 April 2022                                                    0844 8717615

Alexandra Theatre Birmingham                                   atgtickets.com/birmingham

25 April- 30 April 2022                                                    0333 0096690

Eastbourne Devonshire Park                                        eastbournetheatres.co.uk

09 May- 14 May 2022                                                     0132 3412000

Theatre Royal Bath                                                         theatreroyal.org.uk

16 May- 21 May 2022                                                     On Sale Soon

Cambridge Arts Theatre                                             cambridgeartstheatre.com              

23 May- 28 May                                                          On Sale Soon

The Lowry Salford                                                      thelowry.com

30 May- 04 June                                                          On Sale Soon

Aylesbury Waterside Theatre                                       atgtickets.com/aylesbury

06 June- 18 June                                                               On Sale Soon

Yvonne Arnaud Guilford                                           yvonne-arnaud.co.uk

13 June- 18 June                                                         On Sale Soon

Churchill Theatre Bromley                                             churchilltheatre.co.uk

20 June- 25 June                                                               On Sale Soon

Theatre Royal Glasgow                                                   atgtickets.com/glasgow

27 June- 02 July                                                                 On Sale Soon

Although 2021 has been a yet another trying year with regards to theatre, we are absolutely delighted to announce the winner of the Aurora Award 2021 is Rob Madge.

Our reviewers nominated them because “They deserves an award just for existing – heavenly”

You can find the review for their 5* show, My Son’s a Queer, But What Can You Do? here :

“If you want to feel uplifted after lock down and feel enveloped into a loving family this little show will do that for you” https://fairypoweredproductions.com/my-sons-a-queer-but-what-can-you-do-review/

and the 5* Bedknobs and Broomsticks here:

“Norton the very northern fish voiced by Rob Madge all add an extra dimension of magic to the show” https://fairypoweredproductions.com/bedknobs-and-broomsticks-review/

So a huge congratulations to Rob and thank you for their amazing contribution to keeping us entertained during 2021

CAST AND TOUR DATES ANNOUNCED

BEAUTIFUL – THE CAROLE KING MUSICAL

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Beautiful – The Carole King Musical

Book by Douglas McGrath

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

Music by arrangement with Sony/ATV Music Publishing

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THE BARN THEATRE ANNOUNCES FULL 2022 BUILT BY BARN SEASON

MURDER FOR TWO (4 FEBRUARY – 5 MARCH)

THE MOZART QUESTION (21 MARCH – 30 APRIL)

SOME ENCHANTED EVENING® – THE SONGS OF RODGERS & HAMMERSTEIN (6 – 28 MAY)

MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET (6 JUNE – 16 JULY)

DRIVING MISS DAISY (19 AUGUST – 17 SEPTEMBER)

THE GIRL ON THE TRAIN (26 SEPTEMBER – 29 OCTOBER)

THE TRUE ADVENTURES OF MARIAN AND ROBIN HOOD

(21 NOVEMBER – 7 JANUARY)

The Barn Theatre in Cirencester has today announced their 2022 Built by Barn Season, which comprises seven new productions.

Iwan Lewis, Chief Executive and Artistic Director of Barn Theatre, said of the season:

“In March 2020, our team at The Barn Theatre were preparing for our second birthday celebrations and had just opened our most ambitious season to date. It is difficult to now comprehend that it won’t be long before we will be planning to celebrate our fourth birthday and we will have spent half of the theatre’s existence in a pandemic.

Our 2022 season is a sign of the theatre’s ambitious, innovative, and resilient nature. It comprises of new work, family entertainment, musical theatre, and new productions of beloved work that we are thrilled to share with our audiences.

This season would not have been possible without the support from the Culture Recovery Fund from the DCMS and Arts Council England or from our loyal supporters.

I will be forever grateful for the lifeline our theatre has been granted over this difficult period. This has enabled us to come out fighting in 2022 as we go into a new phase of rebuilding. The ambition remains the same, remarkable theatre for our remarkable community”

The 2022 season will begin with a new revival production of Kellen Blair and Joe Kinosian’s award-winning musical comedy Murder For Two from 4 February – 5 March. The high-energy musical whodunit, which is a zany blend between classical musical comedy and madcap murder mystery, follows Officer Marcus Moscowicz as he is put to the test to prove his super sleuthing skills and solve the crime of novelist Arthur Whitney’s death before the real detectives arrive.

Bryan Hodgson will reunite with the Barn Theatre to direct the new production of the musical, which sees two actors play thirteen characters and the piano as they pay homage to the murder mystery canon. Bryan Hodgson previously directed the Barn Theatre’s 2019 Built by Barn production of The Importance of Being Earnest, which had successful runs at the Barn Theatre and London’s Turbine Theatre (which marked the Barn’s first London transfer).

The Cirencester theatre will then stage the world premiere of Vicki Berwick’s theatrical adaptation of Michael Morpurgo’s beloved novel The Mozart Question from 21 March – 30 April. The play, which was originally planned to debut as part of the theatre’s 2020 season, will be the fourth production based on Michael Morpurgo’s work to be staged at the theatre and continues their ongoing relationship with the internationally best-selling author.

The Mozart Question follows acclaimed violinist Paolo Levi as he recounts, to a young reporter, his family’s connection to the Holocaust and the power of music in the hardest of times. The new adaptation of Michael Morpurgo’s haunting tale of love, secrets and survival will be directed by Jessica Daniels (The Butterfly Lion, Girl From The North Country) and comprise of an actor-musician ensemble with composition, arrangements and musical supervision by Rudy Percival.

Michael Morpurgo said of his story and the new stage adaptation, “…It is the most important story I have ever written, about the best and most beautiful and most heavenly that is in us, and the worst and most wicked and most hellish too. I have no doubt the Barn are creating a play worthy of the immensity of the tragedy, a play that reflects the power of music to heal, to bring reconciliation and peace in a troubled world.”

The Mozart Question will be produced by the Barn Theatre in association with Anthology Theatre and Everyman Theatre, Cheltenham.

Creative Director of Cheltenham’s Everyman Theatre Paul Milton will direct a new production of the Rodgers & Hammerstein revue Some Enchanted Evening® – The Songs of Rodgers & Hammerstein from 6 – 28 May. The musical revue celebrates the work of the iconic duo during the golden age of musical theatre, featuring a parade of songs from Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II’s most beloved scores including Oklahoma!, The Sound of Music and South Pacific. Conceived by Jeffrey B. Moss, the revue juxtaposes numbers in theatrical settings: ‘backstage’, where the songs are sung as personal interplay and ‘onstage’, where the songs are presented to the audience.

Some Enchanted Evening® – The Songs of Rodgers & Hammerstein is a co-production between the Barn Theatre and Everyman Theatre, Cheltenham.

The theatre will then debut a new production of the musical Million Dollar Quartet, which follows the events of the December 4, 1956, recording session at Memphis’ Sun Studio that brought four of the music’s best talents together for a once-in-a-life-time event: Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis, Carl Perkins and Elvis Presley. Million Dollar Quartet is based on an original concept by Floyd Mutrux, who also directed the original production. The new revival of the one-act musical, which features the songs of the legendary performers and book by Colin Escott and Floyd Mutrux, will run in Cirencester from 6 June – 16 July.

Next in the season, the Barn will mark the 35th anniversary of Alfred Uhry’s Pulitzer Prize-winning Driving Miss Daisy with a new staging from 19 August – 17 September. The magnificent eulogy to friendship, which spans 25 years from 1948 to 1973, follows the relationship of an elderly Southern Jewish widow Daisy Werthan and her African American chauffeur Hoke Coleburn and how despite their early differences and prejudices become lifelong friends.

A new staging of Rachel Wagstaff and Duncan Abel’s adaptation of the gripping mystery, suspense thriller The Girl on the Train will run at the Barn Theatre from 26 September – 29 October. Based on the bestselling novel by Paula Hawkins and the blockbuster DreamWorks film, the thriller follows Rachel Watson as she finds herself a witness and suspect in a thrilling mystery in which she will face bigger revelations than she could have ever anticipated.

The final production of the 2022 season sees Alan Pollock return for his fourth annual Christmas production with The True Adventures of Marian and Robin Hood from 21 November – 7 January. The new take on the classic tale follows archer, swordswoman, and trick rider Marian as she joins forces with her childhood nemesis Robin to thwart her hapless husband-to-be, the Sherriff of Nottingham, and overthrow his evil protector Prince John.

The Barn Theatre will hold a 2022 season launch event announcing further details on 21 January 2022.

Royal & Derngate nominated for Theatre of the Year in The Stage Awards

Royal & Derngate is thrilled to have been nominated for Theatre of the Year Award in The Stage Awards 2022.

The theatre has been recognised for its outstanding work throughout 2021, reopening after the pandemic closure with acclaimed shows including original new musical Gin Craze! and taking Ralph Fiennes in Four Quartets to the West End. It has also been noted for launching a new three year partnership with the National Youth Theatre and re-imagining its education, community and outreach programme, both online and in-person

The other nominees for the award are Battersea Arts Centre, Donmar Warehouse, Lyric Theatre Belfast, Marlowe Theatre Canterbury and Pitlochry Festival Theatre.

Artistic Director James Dacre said: “It’s a heartening end to a really challenging year to be shortlisted for the Theatre of the Year Award. We’re truly proud to work with such remarkable colleagues and collaborators and hugely grateful to our amazing audiences and artists for their enduring support as we continue to weather the storm.”

Royal & Derngate Chief Executive Jo Gordon added: “This nomination cites some of the many projects that we’ve been lucky enough to have led on, but what it can’t capture is the tsunami of support from our Northamptonshire audiences, our funders, the artists we’ve worked with, our industry and the local partners and friends who have made it all possible and to whom we are truly grateful. It’s still a tough time for theatre and we are thinking of everyone trying to get back to doing what they do best, against impossible odds, doing brilliant and courageous work.”

The Stage Awards launched in 2010 to highlight the achievements of theatre companies and individuals across the UK and globally. Now in its twelfth year, The Stage has awarded 85 winners with its prestigious accolades, from national theatres and large-scale organisations to tiny theatres above pubs and individual unsung heroes. For the first time the regional and London theatre of the year categories have been merged to create a single “Theatre of the Year” award.

The winner of each category will be announced at the awards ceremony on Monday 31 January 2022 at Theatre Royal Drury Lane, London.

Royal & Derngate was previously named Regional Theatre of the Year in 2011 in The Stage Awards’ inaugural year.

THE SHOW MUST GO ONLINE NOMINATED FOR THE STAGE AWARDS’ DIGITAL PROJECT OF THE YEAR

The Show Must Go Online has been shortlisted for the Digital Project of the Year Award at The Stage Awards 2020. The innovative Zoom theatre collective has been nominated alongside the National Theatre and Metcalfe Gordon’s digital productions of Romeo & Juliet.

The nomination from The Stage reads:

The Show Must Go Online was one of the first digital productions to take place after theatres were forced to shut because of Covid-19. Created by Robert Myles, and using Zoom, the first reading –The Two Gentlemen of Verona –went live on March 19, 2020, just days after the West End shut down and theatres across the UK closed.

The initial First Folio series took the form of readings of Shakespeare’s plays in what is believed to be chronological order. But once they completed this series, the project didn’t stop, it continued to evolve and grow across 2021.

Setting out to champion early-career and under-represented directors, and actively supporting global-majority, disabled and queer-led work, it produced readings of Doctor Faustus, Dido, Queen of Carthage and Gallathea, as well as a Marlowe-inspired cabaret.

The series eventually made a move away from the free-to-watch format to ticketed performances. At a time when audiences were starved of live performances and actors and creatives starved of work, The Show Must Go Online was one of the first projects to address this mutual need and to do so using gender balanced casting and proactive inclusion of under-represented groups.

It has also created a hardship fund for actors, so those experiencing difficulties in the pandemic could receive financial support. So far it has raised £23,534 in total. Viewing figures have also been extremely impressive, with the series attracting about 250,000 views from more than 60 countries.

Rob Myles, co-creator and Artistic Director said of the nomination, “We had a simple vision: to stay connected and creative at a time when the pandemic robbed us of both. It was a time of exclusion, isolation, shutdown, danger and fear, so we responded with a project we hoped would champion inclusion, connection, productivity, safe space, and hope. We had only the most rudimentary of resources, but we shared a mindset to do what we could. The execution required values-led practice, innovation, endurance, collaboration and community. In the beginning, the first thing we’d get asked was whether we would even finish the First Folio. Not only did we do that, but we went on to do so much more than that, and that same spirit of innovation is still driving us forward behind the scenes. Now, to be nominated alongside the country’s biggest producers is a testament to audacity, creativity in constraint, and shared passion.”

Tilted Wig, Malvern Theatres and Churchill Theatre Bromley
The Legend of Sleepy Hollow extends tour
into 2022
Now extended to 19th March 2022

Following a hugely successful UK tour in 2021, The Legend of Sleepy Hollow have announced more dates so that this thrilling adaptation can be performed on more stages across the UK. Washington Irving’s classic tale has been given new life by acclaimed playwright Philip Meeks (Murder, Margaret and Me; Harpy) who wields the horror genre to reflect on the lingering appeal of fables, storytelling and monsters. The ghoulish production revitalises the classic text to leave audiences simmering with anticipation. Welcome to Sleepy Hollow.

Stars of the stage and screen, Wendi Peters (Big! The Musical; Coronation Street) and Bill Ward (Everybody’s Talking About Jamie; Emmerdale) lead on the stage, alongside Sam Jackson (Skins, E4; Beautiful Thing, National Tour), Rose Quentin (York Witches Society, MSR Media), Lewis Cope (Vera, ITV; Witness for the Prosecution, London County Hall) and Jon Paul Rowden (The Government Inspector, Newcastle Theatre Royal; Twelfth Night, UK tour with The Lord Chamberlain’s Men).

Arriving as the new teacher, Ichabod Crane finds himself embroiled in the secrets and unsettling traditions of the locals. However, all is not as it seems. When disturbing events overwhelm the small town, he finds himself swept up in a dangerous mystery which leaves him doubting his own sanity – and audiences on the edge of their seats. Directed by Jake Smith (The Hound of the Baskervilles; A Christmas Carol; I’m Gonna Pray For You So Hard), this production transforms the American Dream into the American Gothic.

Jake Smith comments, Sleepy Hollow is undoubtedly one of the greatest horror stories ever written and a tour de force to stage. This production has at its heart the power of nomadic storytelling and gathering around the campfire for a good ghost story. It is an important story for now as we look at conversations around the identity of nations, communities and humankind throughout the world

This production has allowed an incredible ensemble of actors to viscerally and inventively bring the Hollow to life. We look forward to transporting the audience through a quest of logic and illusion, creating fear and defying expectation.

Filipe J. Carvalho (Back To The Future The Musical; Secret Cinema presents Stranger Things) brings jaw-dropping illusions that resurrects the Headless Horseman and brings the Hollow to life. Also bringing their talents to the creative team are designer Amy Watts, choreographer Chris Cuming, sound designer Sam Glossop and lighting designers Jason Addison.

Previous praise for The Legend of Sleepy Hollow:

“Nifty illusions”. The Times

“What’s thoroughly enjoyable, though, is the sheer panache with which director Jake Smith’s six-strong company deliver all this lively tosh, with Wendi Peters excelling herself as village crone Marietta Papenfuss, and the rest of the ensemble working so hard and so wittily in support that the audience fairly cheer them to the echo, when they all return to the land of the living for their final bow.” The Scotsman

“this version plays with your fears and superstitions… it’s a real chiller, powerfully performed.” The Fine Times

Cambridge Arts Theatre, Cambridge – until Sunday 9th Jan 2022

Reviewed by Steph Lott

5*****

It’s pantomime season and it was wonderful to join an enthusiastic and excited audience for Cambridge Art Theatre’s production of Aladdin. This is a fun, vibrant and entertaining show, full of glitz, tradition and dodgy jokes. At the start of the show Dave Murphy, Chief Executive of the Cambridge Arts Theatre and producer of the show gave a heart-warming introduction to the performance, in which he asked the audience to “go ballistic”, which we did, at the many opportunities to boo and cheer, to show our appreciation of a wonderful family show.

This production has a very strong cast who are skilfully directed by Michael Gattrell. Of course there isn’t a great deal of plot or tension, but this is panto after all. The show ticks all the boxes for a great traditional piece of family entertainment.

Of course we must have a pantomime dame and Matt Crosby as Widow Twankey steps up to the plate here in fine style, with perfect comic timing, clad in a splendid array of wigs and dresses, and a set of enormous eye lashes. Indeed all the principals get a moment in the spotlight in this show and they all sing brilliantly. Carl Au as Aladdin sings Katy Perry’s “Roar” wonderfully as he flies on the magic carpet to rescue the Princess (and lots of the kids around me were very impressed by the flying carpet!) Rolan Bell’s performance as Abanazar is outstanding, all velvet-voiced villain as he sings his solo “I want it All”. Aiesha Pease as the Spirit of the Ring got a round of thunderous applause for her singing. I was impressed at how well these performers could sing, given that it was a pantomime!

And we must not forget the ensemble. They really were excellent, bringing the stage alive in each of the full ensemble numbers, accompanied by music from a live four-piece pit band (Musical Director Dean McDermott).

I want to give a special mention to the script. Writer Al Lockhart-Morley did a fabulous job. What I loved about it was that it was really funny, with some innuendo for the adults but it didn’t ever become too knowing or smutty. We were given a never-ending stream of the worst best kind of puns, plays on words and Christmas cracker jokes, which really are my favourite. We didn’t stop laughing the whole way through, both at the script but also at some great slapstick, in particular the scene in the launderette which had us crying with laughter at Widow Twankey and Wishy-Washy (played by Isaac Stanmore) haplessly trying to get some washing done!

I loved everything about this show. From start to finish it never ceased to entertain both myself and everyone else in the audience, both young and old. This show is brilliant entertainment for all the family, embracing every well-loved panto tradition. It’s slick and full of laughs and there are some seriously talented players. It’s a better booster than your third jab!

The POD – until 19th December 2021

Reviewed By Emily Cliff

4****

With Christmas just around the corner, the theatre has never been so active and here at the POD, they have done it again with captivating stage magic and pure joy. Hidden in the magical Covent Garden, is a small tent with a big imagination. The POD truly has something for everyone, from its imaginative stage productions to its bar filled with festive snacks and drinks it really does add to the magic in Covent Garden ver Christmas. Unlike most Christmas productions this one is suitable for people of all ages, with the high energy and imagination levels for the children and a few jokes thrown in for the grownups too.

One thing this production did extremely well was capturing that last sleep before Christmas and all of the joy and excitement that goes along with it. The energy levels performed by Teddy Hinde and Sydney Hocknell were through the roof for the whole night making us feel a part of the excitement of Christmas eve. Retelling the well-loved stories these Christmas songs had to offer the pair showed the next generation the wonderful magic hidden in these songs. Clever lighting gave the illusion that the space we were in was far bigger than it was, and offered the opportunity for us the audience to really open up our imagination to the world of creativity that was going on inside the tent.

Christmas songs were cleverly woven throughout the whole play with each of them getting their very own little storyline. A favourite of mine was the one surrounding ‘I want a Hippopotamus for Christmas and without giving too much away, it’s expertly funny for both children and adults. Overall despite being crammed into an hours performance, the pacing was impeccable. Many people know that it is hard to keep a young audience captivated and engaged with certain performances, but towards the end of this show (much like Christmas) many of us didn’t want it to end. This show is a real delight to go and see, whether you are 8 or 80 this show will be a delightful addition to your Christmas itinerary this year.

Sasha Regan’s swashbuckling all-male take on W. S. Gilbert & Arthur Sullivan’s ‘The Pirates of Penzance’ returns to living rooms around the globe this Christmas.

Recorded Live at the Palace Theatre in London last year, just before Lockdown 2, it will stream on demand on Stream.Theatre from 23^rd December – 2^nd January 2022

Winner of Best Off-West End Production, WhatsOnStage Awards 2009

    ★★★★★ 
‘A beacon of joy in this most dark of winters’
IAN BOWKETT, MUSICAL THEATRE REVIEW

 ★★★★★
‘Joyful and unforgettable’
CLARE RODERICK, FAIRY POWERED

 ★★★★
‘A tonic in tough times’
GEORGE HALL, THE STAGE

Lock down with rum, prosecco and Twiglets this Christmas and prepare for the return of Sasha Regan’s handsome hairy pirates and their bevy of beautiful Victorian maidens.

Due to popular demand, the inventive smash hit all-male take on W. S. Gilbert & Arthur Sullivan’s ‘The Pirates of Penzance’ returns to screens from 23^rd December 2001 – 2^nd January 2022 on www.stream.theatreand will stream on demand.Recorded live at the Palace Theatre in London last December, just before Lockdown 2, the recent streaming makes a very welcome return during the festive period. 

Expect a much-needed dose of musical comedy in the comfort and safety of home.  Features gorgeous pirates and their winsome Victorian love interests! The perfect tonic to raise spirits and a show the whole family will enjoy. Packed with comedy, romance, clumsy policemen, bonkers adventures and an abundance of men in petticoats, it will put a stop to the gloomy wintery nights.  

    ★★★★★   
‘Sheer Joy’
EMMA CLARENDON, LOVE LONDON LOVE CULTURE

Frederic, a pirate’s apprentice falls in love with Mabel, the daughter of Major-General Stanley, but will his leap year birthday prevent him from breaking with duty into the arms of his love?  Find out this Christmas!

Featuring a dazzling shipshape cast singing songs including: “I Am A Pirate King”; “Oh, Happy Day, With Joyous Glee”, and “A Rollicking Band of Pirates We”, you are sure to swashbuckle your way around your lounge sofas.

THE PIRATES OF PENZANCE sees one of Gilbert & Sullivan’s best-known, much loved classic operettas recorded in a theatre founded by Richard D’Oyly Carte in the 1800s as the Royal English Opera House, now called the Palace Theatre.  D’Oyly Carte who was already producing comic operas at his Savoy Theatre decided to commission the ornate Gothic building as a home for grand operas. The Royal English Opera House opened 10 years after the Savoy Theatre which championed Gilbert & Sullivan’s well-known “Savoy operas”. Although their operettas never ran at the Royal English Opera House, in a nod to the two men, D’Oyly Carte opened in January 1891 with Sir Arthur Sullivan’s Ivanhoe. Sadly, D’Oyly Carte’s cherished opera house came under financial pressure leaving him with no alternative but to lease it and eventually sell it within one year of opening.

Throughout his life, D’Oyly Carte managed Gilbert & Sullivan and nurtured their careers including setting up the D’Oyly Carte Opera Company. Together these talented men introduced a new way of presenting light opera to families, touring these works to bring them out to the wider community.

★★★★
‘Gaiety, frivolity, vim and artistic rigour’
DOMINIC CAVENDISH, THE DAILY TELEGRAPH

Sasha Regan’s production was first staged at her original 50-seater Union Theatre in Southwark over a decade ago. From day one it became a critically acclaimed overnight hit, winning Best Off-West End production in the 2009 WhatsOnStage Awards. Following several sell-out runs in the UK, the merry band of pirates toured Australia including a three-week run at the Sydney Theatre thanks to Cate Blanchett who was then co-artistic director. It enjoyed another sell-out run at Wilton’s Music Hall in 2019.

Expect plenty of hilarity from the swashbuckling crew!

How to watch:
The performance will be streamed on: https://www.stream.theatre/season/232

Performance dates and times: 23^rd December 2021 – 2^nd January 2022

Streams on demand

CAST: Tom Senior (Frederic); Oliver Savile (Pirate King); Alan Richardson (Mabel); Leon Craig (Ruth); David McKechnie (Major-General Stanley); Marc Akinfolarin (Sergeant of Police); Michael Burgen (Samuel); Lee Greenaway (Connie); Dominic Harbison (Kate); Richard Russell Edwards (Isabel); Sam Kipling (Edith); Benjamin Vivian-Jones (Ensemble); Daniel Miles (Ensemble); Jamie Chidzey (Ensemble); Joel Elferink (Ensemble); Tom Duern (Ensemble); Matthew Facchino (Ensemble); Richard Baker (piano) – Musical Director.

CREATIVES
Director and Co-Producer – Sasha Regan
Choreographer – Lizzi Gee
Designer – Robyn Wilson-Owen
Musical Director – Richard Baker
Associate Choreographer – Lee Greenaway
Lighting Design – Ben Bull
Casting – Adam Braham Casting
Marketing and Public Relations – Fiona Lockley
Co-produced by Ben De Wynter, Sasha Regan, Hilary A. Williams and Stuart Williams

SOCIAL MEDIA: Twitter @allmalepirates
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/allmalepirates