Please find below a link to exclusive footage of Ryan Anderson (Merrill Osmond), Jamie Chatterton (Alan Osmond), Alex Lodge (Jay Osmond), Danny Nattrass (Wayne Osmond) and Joseph Peacock (Donny Osmond) singing The Osmonds hit song Love Me For A Reason. THE OSMONDS: A New Musical will tour the UK and Ireland from 3 February 2022 and will run through to 3 December 2022.
THE OSMONDS: A New Musical with story by Jay Osmond tells the true story of the five brothers from Utah who were pushed into the spotlight as children and went on to create smash hits, decade after decade. From their star residency on The Andy Williams Show from 1962 to 1969, to pop stars and ‘Osmondmania’ from 1971 to 1975, to the arrival of The Donny & Marie Show, a popular variety TV show, from 1976 to 1979, The Osmonds lived a remarkable life recording chart-topping albums, selling out vast arena concerts and making record-breaking TV shows – until one bad decision cost them everything. The musical features a list of 1970s anthems, including One Bad Apple, Down by the Lazy River, Crazy Horses, Let Me In, Love Me for a Reason, (We’re) Having a Party, Puppy Love, Long Haired Lover From Liverpool, Paper Roses and many more.
HAMPSTEAD THEATRE ANNOUNCES THREE WORLD PREMIERES FOR 2022, FEATURING NEW PLAYS BY FLORIAN ZELLER (TRANSLATED BY CHRISTOPHER HAMPTON), ALEXIS ZEGERMAN AND ROY WILLIAMS
Hampstead Theatre is delighted to announce three world premieres for its Main Stage in 2022.
The Forest by Florian Zeller, translated by Christopher Hampton, with direction by Jonathan Kent, will run from 4 February until 12 March.
The Fever Syndrome by Alexis Zegerman, directed by Hampstead Theatre’s Artistic Director, Roxana Silbert, will run from 18 March until 23 April.
The Fellowship by Roy Williams, directed by Paulette Randall, will run from 17 June until 23 July.
Priority Booking opens today at 10.30am. Public Booking opens on Friday 19 November at 10.30am. Further details are available via hampsteadtheatre.com.
Roxana Silbert, Artistic Director of Hampstead Theatre, said:
“I am delighted to be announcing three world premieres today for 2022. Since its inception, Hampstead Theatre has been a home for dramatists and a centre for presenting new plays in front of audiences for the first time. I’m very excited to be welcoming some incredible artists to our Main Stage. Each has a rich and unique story to share about family, love and relationships. I’m especially delighted to be welcoming Roy and Alexis back to Hampstead, and deeply honoured that Florian has chosen Hampstead for his new play – the first to receive its world premiere outside of France.
It will have been two years since we offered a new play on the Main Stage and it is a profound joy to be able to do so for our amazing audiences who have remained so loyal during difficult times.”
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The Forest is an uncompromising and mysterious new play by the multi-award-winning French novelist, playwright, theatre director, screenwriter, and film director, Florian Zeller. It is translated by his long-time collaborator, Christopher Hampton and directed by Jonathan Kent, who re-unites with Zeller after his production of The Height of the Storm, which was critically acclaimed in London (2018) and on Broadway (2019).
“He can’t help himself and he plunges into the forest…until the moment it dawns on him: night has fallen and he is completely lost.”
At this turning-point of his life, Pierre finds himself tormented by the conflicting demands of family, career and sexual desire. His struggle to resolve this crisis, without fracturing his marriage or compromising his moral code, is explored in unsettling ways.
I’m telling you a story, if that’s all right by you. Apparently, you’ve no objection to telling stories yourself.Am I right?
Florian Zeller’s play The Father (Wyndham’s) has the status of a modern classic and the screen adaptation won the 2021 Academy Award for Zeller and Christopher Hampton. His recent plays in London include The Son (Duke of York’s), The Height of the Storm (Wyndham’s), The Mother (Kiln Theatre), The Truth (Wyndham’s) and The Lie (Menier Chocolate Factory).
Multiple-award winning playwright and screenwriter Christopher Hampton won an Academy Award for his screen adaptation of his play Les Liaisons Dangereuses (as Dangerous Liaisons). He was also nominated for adapting Ian McEwan’s novel Atonement in 2007. Hampton has previously adapted Zeller’s The Father, The Mother and The Truth.
Jonathan Kent returns to Hampstead Theatre, having previously directed Good People (2014) and The Slaves of Solitude (2017). Kent’s recent credits include Talking Heads (BBC and Bridge Theatre), The Height of the Storm (Wyndham’s), A German Life (The Bridge), Long Day’s Journey into Night (Broadway) and Peter Gynt (National Theatre).
The full cast and creative team of The Forest will be announced in due course.
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The Fever Syndrome, Alexis Zegerman’s vivid, new play directed by the theatre’s Artistic Director, Roxana Silbert, is a thrilling portrait of a brilliantly dysfunctionalfamily.
“You have to ignore the dissenters… You have to be a god, or the heart transplant would never have happened.”
Dr Richard Myers, the great IVF innovator, is virtually a secular saint because of the thousands of babies he has created throughout his career. Now, his family gather to see him receive a lifetime achievement award.
This fractious group are more accustomed to debate than empathy, so it’s not long before the family home in the Upper West Side of Manhattan is once again alive with dispute: conflicting Thanksgiving memories, polarised opinions on investment banking, and how best to care for their ailing father. And crucially, who will inherit Richard’s wealth and Richard’s prestigious science institution?
Alexis Zegerman was Pearson Writer-in-Residence at Hampstead Theatre in 2007, where her play Lucky Seven premiered in 2008. A Susan Smith Blackburn Prize finalist for The Steingolds (2011),her other plays include I Ran The World (2003), Killing Brando (2004) and Holy Sh!t (2018). Zegerman also wrote the screenplay for The Honeymoon Suite.
Hampstead Theatre’s Artistic Director Roxana Silbert directs her third Main Stage production, following Al Blyth’s espionage thriller The Haystack (2020) and Masha Norman’s Pulitzer Prize-winning play ‘night, Mother (2021). Downstairs, she has recently directed Deborah Bruce’s tender new play Raya (2021) and her production of Nell Leyshon’sFolk, inspired by a true story and featuring live folk song, will debut from 18 December until 5 February.
The full cast and creative team of The Fever Syndrome will be announced in due course.
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The world premiere of Roy Williams’ The Fellowship, directed by Paulette Randall, is, by turns, an electrifying, hilarious, gripping tale set in modern Britain.
“Where’s the glory Mum? Where’s that perfect world for us, your kids?”
Children of the Windrush generation, sisters Dawn and Marcia Adams grew up in 1980s London and were activists on the front line against the multiple injustices of that time. Decades on, they find they have little in common beyond family… Dawn struggles to care for their dying mother, whilst her one surviving son is drifting away from her. Meanwhile, high-flying lawyer Marcia’s affair with a married politician might be about to explode and destroy her career. Can the Adams sisters navigate the turmoil that lies ahead, leave the past behind, and seize the future with the bond between them still intact?
Roy Williams OBE is one of the UK’s leading dramatists. His plays include The Firm, Wildefire (Hampstead Theatre), Sucker Punch (Royal Court)and Death of England and Sing Yer Heart Out For The Lads (National Theatre). In 2020, his play Death of England: Delroy reopened the National Theatre and he received both a BAFTA Nomination (Best Short Form Drama) and an RTS nomination (Best Writer, Drama) for his contribution to BBC4’s Soon Gone, A Windrush Chronicle. Williams is also mentor of the theatre’s year-long writers’ programme Inspire.
Associate Director of London’s 2012 Olympic Opening Ceremony and a former Artistic Director of Talawa Theatre Company, Dr. Paulette Randall MBE makes her Hampstead Theatre debut. Other directing credits include Doctor Faustus (Shakespeare’s Globe), Gem of the Ocean (Kiln) and Fences with Lenny Henry (Duchess Theatre).
The Fellowship is a T.S. Eliot Foundation commission.
The full cast and creative team of The Fellowship will be announced in due course.
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Hampstead Theatre is currently staging the astonishing Pulitzer Prize-winning play ‘night, Mother by Marsha Norman. Featuring Stockard Channing and Rebecca Night, with direction by the theatre’s Artistic Director, Roxana Silbert, ‘night, Mother is running until 4 December 2021.
The world premiere of little scratch, by Rebecca Watson, in an adaptation by Miriam Battye, directed by Katie Mitchell, is currently running at Hampstead Theatre Downstairs until 11 December. little scratchis a fearless and exhilarating account of a woman’s consciousness over the course of 24 hours, with sound score by Melanie Wilson, featuring Morónkẹ́ Akinọlá, Eleanor Henderson, Eve Ponsonby and Ragevan Vasan.
AS THE ROYAL SHAKESPEARE COMPANY’S MATILDA THE MUSICAL CELEBRATES 10 YEARS IN THE WEST END, THE SHOW EXTENDS BOOKING PERIOD TO 18 DECEMBER 2022
NEW BEHIND-THE-SCENES VIDEO RELEASED FEATURING INTERVIEWS WITH SOME OF THE CAST AND CREATIVE TEAM IS AVAILABLE
Ahead of the 10th birthday performance this evening, the Royal Shakespeare Company’s Matilda The Musical has confirmed that it has extended its booking period through to 18 December 2022. For further information visit www.matildathemusical.com.
A new behind-the-scenes video from the 10th birthday press day featuring interviews with Tim Minchin (music and lyrics), Dennis Kelly (writer), Catherine Mallyon (Executive Director of the Royal Shakespeare Company), Elliot Harper (Miss Trunchbull) and Landi Oshinowo (Mrs Phelps)
This iconic British musical has won 99 international awards including 24 for Best Musical and has been seen by more than 10 million people across more than 90 cities worldwide. A tonic for audiences of all ages, this anarchic production about a strong and determined heroine with a vivid imagination has welcomed almost 4 million audience members in London. Adapted from the much-loved Roald Dahl book and commissioned by the Royal Shakespeare Company, the musical premiered at the RSC’s Stratford-upon-Avon home in 2010, before transferring to the West End in October 2011, where it opened to rave reviews.
Matilda The Musical swept the board at the 2012 Olivier Awards, with a record-breaking seven awards, and won four Tony Awards and a Tony Honor for Excellence in the Theater for the four girls sharing the title role on Broadway. It has since toured North America, Australia, New Zealand, the UK and Ireland, South Africa and China and played its first non-English language production in Seoul, South Korea in 2018/19. Matilda The Musical will also play the Netherlands for the first time, translated into Dutch for a run at the Oude Luxor Theater Rotterdam in 2022. Tickets are now on sale for Matilda De Musical in Rotterdam at matilda-demusical.nl
Matilda The Musical is the story of an extraordinary little girl who, armed with a vivid imagination and a sharp mind, dares to take a stand and change her own destiny.
Written by Dennis Kelly, with music and lyrics by Tim Minchin and developed and directed by Matthew Warchus, the theatre production is designed by Rob Howell, with choreography by Peter Darling, orchestrations, additional music and musical supervision by Christopher Nightingale, lighting by Hugh Vanstone, sound by Simon Baker and the special effects and illusions are by PaulKieve.
With the upcoming film adaptation from the same core creative team as the theatre production (direction by Matthew Warchus, adapted for the screen by Dennis Kelly, with the music and lyrics of Tim Minchin), Roald Dahl’s themes of bravery and standing up for what you believe in will continue to inspire young audiences all over the world. Produced by Tim Bevan and Eric Fellner of Working Title, Jon Finn, and Luke Kelly of The Roald Dahl Story Company. Sony Pictures U.K. and Tristar Pictures will release Matilda across the U.K. and Ireland exclusively in cinemas on 2nd December 2022 for Christmas. Netflix will release the film in the rest of the world in December 2022.
Matilda The Musical is produced by Executive Producers Denise Wood and Griselda Yorke for the Royal Shakespeare Company. The production was developed with the support of Jeanie O’Hare and the RSC Literary Department.
André Ptaszynski had worked as one of the Executive Producers of the production from 2011 until his untimely death in 2020. He is much missed by all of his colleagues
From tutu making with Wimbledon College of Arts to carpentry, metalwork and props-buying with the National Theatre, hair and makeup with Disney’s The Lion King and fitting radio mics with the Association of Sound Designers – nearly 60 top theatre organisations from around the country are lifting the curtain for this year’s TheatreCraft, the UK’s largest free, offstage theatre careers event for 16 to 30-year-olds.
For the first time ever, TheatreCraft – which takes place on Monday 22 November – will be a hybrid event, with the whole day’s programme of over 40 workshops, panels, Q&As and networking sessions available to join live online via the Whova app – meaning young people can join from anywhere for free. Limited places are also available, by application, to watch selected panel discussions in person at the Royal Opera House.
Attendees can enjoy a huge range of practical workshops and talks on every area of working offstage in theatre. As always, there will be opportunities to chat one-to-one with industry professionals and visit a virtual careers marketplace packed with theatres, universities and arts organisations.
A series of ‘Insider’ panel discussions will offer expert knowledge on areas including marketing, arts management, producing, education, writing, directing and stage management.
There will also be a variety of sessions designed to help with getting that first foot on the theatre career ladder, including speed-networking, an introduction to apprenticeships and talks on everything from using TikTok to volunteering at the Edinburgh Fringe and navigating the post-pandemic cultural landscape.
The day will culminate in a Super Panel event on the theme ‘build back fairer’, hosted by Backstage Niche, which will see industry leaders Kerry Kyriacos Michael (MENA Arts UK), Kelsie Acton (Battersea Arts Centre) and Daniel York Loh (writer and Moongate co-founder) come together to discuss how the industry can return from the pandemic shutdown as a more inclusive and supportive working environment.
Nana-Kofi Kufuor’s debut play, My Voice Was Heard But It Was Ignored, is filled with riveting dialogue, spiky confrontations and thought-provoking observations about power struggles and racial identity. Brought to us by Red Ladder Theatre with support from Leeds Playhouse and Oldham Coliseum Theatre, My Voice Was Heard But It Was Ignored, focuses on the experiences of 15-year-old Reece and his teacher, Gillian. Brilliantly directed by Dermot Daly, the intricate and complex subtleties of discrimination, prejudice, stereotyping, guilt and shame are skilfully explored through testing debates, arguments and head-to-head disputes between these two compelling characters.
Reece (played by the fabulous up-and-coming young actor Jelani D’Aguilar) finds himself being accosted by the police in a most brutal way outside M&S; where Gillian (excellently portrayed by Misha Duncan-Barry), who has just been questioned about shoplifting – sees what has happened – but does nothing. Later on, Reece, angry and desperate, locks them both in a classroom where he interrogates Gillian about her lack of support and what he sees; as a total lack of trust and integrity. What then ensues is; a highly charged excavation of the ingrained institutional prejudice and the complex power dynamics of these two characters, that also delves into gender, generational differences and ‘stereotype’ too.
My Voice Was Heard But It Was Ignored is a touchstone in providing a glimpse of the daily, true realities of the racism that exists in the UK today, as we see and hear how Reece and Gillian go about their everyday lives. What goes on underneath the surface is stripped bare as they both share their stories, role-play each other’s views and address the complicated layers of what has created the position they find themselves in today. In the beginning of the play, when Reece is on the floor being violently detained that involves a policeman’s knee digging into his back, one cannot but help but think about the atrocious events that resulted in the death of George Floyd and My Voice Was Heard But It Was Ignored is a stark reminder that we must listen, reflect and take action towards creating what should be ‘a given’: equality for all.
My Voice Was Heard But It Was Ignored, is unique and covers a myriad of important messages, as it takes you on two people’s life journey’s; that involve the most paramount and important issue that the world faces today: racism. Through each others’ eyes and voices they explore each other’s gender, sexuality and generational culture but dig deep into what it’s like to walk in each other’s shoes and what they learn is that at times, it’s really tough.
Packed with so many thought provoking and light-bulb moments, My Voice Was Heard But It Was Ignored, is definitely a play to see if you want to advance the way towards equality, by gaining a better understanding into each other’s world’s.
ATG Productions and Underbelly, the producers of CABARET at the KIT KAT CLUB in London’s West End are delighted to announce today the official daily mobile lottery in partnership with TodayTix for six exceptional £25 seats per performance, including tickets at a cabaret table. https://www.todaytix.com/london/shows/23939-cabaret
At each performance of CABARET at the KIT KAT CLUB there will be a £25 online ticket lottery held via TodayTix, which will be open for entries for that day’s performance(s) from 00.01am with entries closing four hours prior to the performance time. Winners will be notified by email and/or push notification and will have 30-minutes to accept their tickets.
CABARET stars Eddie Redmayne as ‘The Emcee’, Jessie Buckley as ‘Sally Bowles’ Omari Douglas as ‘Cliff Bradshaw’, Liza Sadovy as ‘Fraulein Schneider’, Elliot Levey as ‘Herr Schultz’, Stewart Clarke as ‘Ernst Ludwig’ and Anna-Jane Casey as ‘Fraulein Kost’. The cast is completed by Josh Andrews,Emily Benjamin, Sally Frith, Matthew Gent, Emma Louise Jones, Ela Lisondra, Theo Maddix, Chris O’Mara, Daniel Perry, Andre Refig, Christopher Tendai, Bethany Terry, Lillie-Pearl Wildman and Sophie Maria Wojna.
Transforming one of London’s most famous theatres with an in-the-round auditorium and reimagined spaces, before the show guests are invited to enjoy and explore the Kit Kat Club with pre-show entertainment, drinks and dining all on offer. When booking, guests will receive a ‘club entry time’ to allow enough time to take in the world of the Kit Kat Club before the show starts. But of course, the show really starts when you first join us in the club…
In a time when the world is changing forever, there is one place where everyone can be free… Welcome to the Kit Kat Club, home to an intimate and electrifying new production of CABARET. This is Berlin. Relax. Loosen up. Be yourself.
The Kit Kat Club has occupied the Playhouse Theatre. The performers have infiltrated the premises. The artists have staked their claim. Who knows for how long they’ll stay, but for now they are enjoying the party. The party at the end of the world.
One of the most successful musicals of all time CABARET features the songs Wilkommen, Don’t Tell Mama, Mein Herr, Maybe This Time, Money and the title number. It has music by John Kander, lyrics by Fred Ebb, book by Joe Masteroff. Based on the play by John Van Druten and stories by Christopher Isherwood.
CABARET is directed by Rebecca Frecknall (the Almeida’s Olivier Award winning Summer and Smoke, The Duchess of Malfi, Three Sisters), set and costume design is by Tom Scutt (A Very Expensive Poison, Constellations, King Charles III, Jesus Christ Superstar, collaborations with Sam Smith, Christine and the Queens) with choreography by Julia Cheng (founder of the House of Absolute, Philharmonia Orchestra Artist in Residence, recipient of the runner-up prize for Hip Hop Dance futures, Resident Choreographer for the Royal Academy of Dance, Judge and mentor for BBC Young Dancer and Breakin’ Convention – the UK’s biggest Hip Hop Festival, collaborations with London Fashion Week, Google and Dr Martens). Musical supervision and direction is by Jennifer Whyte (Les Misérables film, Caroline Or Change, Parade). Lighting design is by Isabella Byrd (Heroes of the Fourth Turning and Light Shining in Buckinghamshire – both in New York, Daddy – A Melodrama at the Almeida and The Flick at the National theatre) with sound design by Nick Lidster (City of Angels, Passion, Pacific Overtures and Parade at the Donmar Warehouse, Sweeney Todd and On The Town for English National Opera, A Chorus Line, Les Misérables and Miss Saigon). The casting director is Stuart Burt (& Juliet, The Drifters Girl and 2021 CDG Award for Best Casting in Theatre for Cyrano De Bergerac) and the associate director is Jordan Fein. Angus MacRae is the Prologue composer. Fight direction is by Jonathan Holby. The dialect coach is Michaela Kennen and the voice coaches are Claire Underwood and Mark Meylan.
CABARET at the KIT KAT CLUB is produced by Ambassador Theatre Group Productions and Underbelly.
MIRROR, MIRROR ON THE WALL – NEWCASTLE THEATRE ROYAL’S PANTO IS THE FAIREST OF THEM ALL!
The count-down has begun! There’s less than two weeks to go until Newcastle Theatre Royal opens its magical panto – Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs – which will run for seven weeks from 23 November 2021 to 9 January 2022.
After a year away panto, legends Danny Adams and Clive Webb return this year to play Danny, The Court Jester and Oddjob along with Chris Hayward as the Queen Dragonella.
The long-time favourites will be joined by X Factor star Joe McElderry as The Man in Mirror and this year’s cast also sees the return of Danny & Mick’s Mick Potts with musical theatre star Carole Stennett making her Newcastle Theatre Royal panto debut as the Spirit of Pantomime
They are joined by Steve Arnott as Mrs Nelly Nightnurse, Wayne Smith as the Prince and Kirsty Ingram as Snow White. The seven dwarfs will be played by Jamie John, Scott English, Fergus Rattigan, Simeon Dyer, Andrew Martin, Josh Bennett and Blake Lisle.
Featuring a brand-new script and epic sets, the panto will be full of fun, laughter and surprises that audiences have come to love and expect from a Newcastle Theatre Royal pantomime and more. Spectacular choreography, glittering sets, breath-taking special effects and a wonderful musical score form the backdrop to a tale full of adventure and hilarious slap-stick.
Newcastle Theatre Royal pantomimes are widely thought to be among the best in the UK due to the exceptional combination of father and son team Clive and Danny – for whom Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs will mark their sixteenth Theatre Royal panto appearance with West End producer and Chief Executive of Crossroads Pantomimes (and Newcastle’s own) Michael Harrison, who produces and directs the show.
Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs was last performed at Newcastle Theatre Royal during the 2021/2022 season and is one of the venue’s most popular pantomimes ever.
Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs will play Tue 23 Nov 2021 – Sun 9 Jan 2022. Tickets are on sale now with prices starting from £14.50 and can be purchased at theatreroyal.co.uk or by calling 0191 232 7010.
Straight from the West End, Heathers, Andy Fickman, Kevin Murphy and Laurence O’Keefe’s brilliant direction, lyrics and music has landed in Bristol and ‘how very’ fabulous it is!!
Set in Westerberg School, Veronica Sawyer (Rebecca Wickes) tries to fit in with the Heathers (Maddison Firth, Merryl Ansah and Lizzy Parker). She subsequently falls in love with JD (Simon Gordon) who turns out to be a dangerous individual, killing anyone who makes Veronica feel inadequate.
Vocally, this cast excelled. There was not a single moment during the show where the energy lulled, a huge achievement. Rebecca Wickes was phenomenal-her voice was so versatile and she really showcased her talents during ‘Dead Girl Walking’. Her expertise and fluidity throughout the song was superb. Coupled with Simon Gordon, the two were a perfect match and during ‘Our Love is God’ had the most beautiful harmonies that were so clean! The Heathers-Firth, Ansah and Parker-were the perfect villains you love to hate. Firth was so animated and made us all laugh through our hatred. Ansah and Parker were also vocally encapsulating during their solos.
For me, the stand out performance was Mhairi Angus as Martha Dunnstock, the outcast who seemed to be the butt of the jokes. She was astounding, at no point when she was on stage did she falter and her solo ‘Kindergarten Boyfriend’ was the best of the night. She grasped the audience from the first note, and at one point my jaw dropped through complete awe of her performance-truly spectacular!‘Shine a Light’ sung by Georgina Hagen as Ms.Fleming was also a standout song. It was vocally exquisite and used some very simple but effective choreography and props. And a special mention to Bayley Hart
Heathers is definitely the show for you if you want modern brilliance with a love story twist. The cast are amazing with such energy, excitement and pride that I don’t know how you couldn’t come out of the theatre smiling!
