“You’re lucky, he’s lucky. I’m lucky! WE’RE ALL LUCKY!” and the audience at Hull New Theatre certainly were watching this brilliant production!
I’ve seen the Rocky Horror Show quite a few times over the last 25+ years and this really was one of the best productions of it I’ve seen.
The cast, costumes, band, lighting and set were really fabulous. The cast seemed to be enjoying it just as much as the very vocal audience, who cheered, sang and danced along from the minute the curtains opened.
Audience participation is very much encouraged, with a lot of the audience dressed as their favourite character, stockings, feather boas and Basques in abundance!
The narrator (Philip Franks) holds the audience in the palm of his hand, batting back the heckling and banter from the audience with ease and brilliant comebacks particularly the comment about the upcoming panto which caused a lot of cheers!
Ore Oduba and Helen Flaherty are fabulous as the strait-laced Brad and Janet with such good singing voices. Kristian Lavercome as Riff Raff, Suzie McAdam as Usherette/Magenta and Lauren Ingram as Columbia are brilliantly with very strong voices and such good comic timing. Ben Westhead as Rocky and Joe Allen as Eddie/ Dr Scott are also brilliantly cast and so good to watch. Special mention also for the Phantoms: Reece Budin, Darcy Finden, Jordan Fox and Rachel Grundy. Swing Danny Knott and Swing/Dance captain Stefania Du Toit who are the glue that keeps the show together.
And what can be said about the main man himself, Frank N Furter played by the amazing Stephen Webb. One of the best Franks I’ve seen in a long time, strong singing voice, funny, great timing and acting, just marvellous!
The songs are what a lot of people will recognise Sweet Transvestite, The Time Warp being just two. The Time Warp had people up dancing in the first half, the music played by the brilliant band under the Musical Director Greg Arrowsmith.
To get the people of Hull up on their feet, for a standing ovation, on a cold Monday night shows how good it was.
If you go, go early and marvel at the dressed-up audience and take in the atmosphere. And me? I really enjoyed it, so I’m going back on Saturday to watch it again!
A LIVE SHOW PACKED FULL OF SONGS, GAMES, SNORTS & GIGGLES,
A DUSTING OF CHRISTMAS MAGIC AND A VERY SPECIAL GUEST…
Peppa Pig’s Best Day Ever!, the latest live show based on the much loved animated TV series from eOne, Hasbro’s independent entertainment studio, is pausing its UK and Ireland tour over the holiday season to hop on a sleigh into London’s West End.
Celebrating its 10th season in the West End, the beloved live show will run at the prestigious Theatre Royal Haymarket from 2 December 2021 – 2 January 2022,for a limited 48 performances.
Given the enduring love for Peppa Pig with children across the globe and UK box office sales at an all-time high, the 2021-2022 West End run is on track to break all previous London season records.
Peppa Pig is excited for aspecialday out with George, Mummy Pig and Daddy Pig – it’s going to be her best day ever!
Get ready for a road-trip full offunadventures. From castles to caves, dragons to dinosaurs and ice-creams to muddy puddles – there is something for the whole family and their friends to enjoy, including Miss Rabbit, Mr Bull, Suzy Sheep, Gerald Giraffe and more!
The live stage adaptation of Peppa Pigis produced by leading children’s theatre team Fierylight, in partnership with licensor Hasbro.
Over the past 13 years, Fierylight have created 6 hugely successful Peppa Pig Live productions, which have been enjoyed by over 2 million in the UK alone. Peppa Pig Live has also toured throughout the US and Australia.
The production is directed and adapted for theatre by Richard Lewis, and features music from BAFTA award-winning composer Mani Svavarsson, and lyrics by Matt Lewis.
Richard has previously directed and adapted multiple Peppa Pig live stage shows including Peppa Pig’s Adventure,Peppa Pig’s Party, Peppa Pig’s Treasure Hunt, Peppa Pig’s Big Splash and Peppa Pig’s Surprise.
Photos by Dan Tsantilis
LISTINGS
WEST END 2021-2022 CHRISTMAS SEASON
Dates: 2 December 2021 – 2 January 2022
Venue: Theatre Royal Haymarket
Performances: Performances vary, please check the website for times & dates
Running Time: Approx. 1 hour 20 minutes, including interval
It’s time to release the full spectrum of amazingness that is VAULT Festival 2022. Returning from 25th January – 20th March 2022 for its tenth anniversary, the festival will feature over 600 shows of the best new theatre, comedy, immersive experiences, cabaret, live performance, and late-night events from the UK’s brightest and boldest independent artists. Including new partnerships with leading arts organisations and artists from across the UK, the festival will draw awareness to important issues which concern us today as well as offering the best, and most affordable, nights out in London.
The climate emergency is at the forefront of many artists’ work: Decommissioned is a joyful, romantic play about how the impacts of climate change are happening right here, right now. Set in 2048, 1&Only is a near-fi, bureaucratic, satirical comedy about the politics of selling and the selling of politics. Also taking us to the future is Far Out, set in 2150 when the Earth is nearly burnt out and humans are searching for a new home. Acid’s Reign is a sustainable drag-cabaret play exploring the queerness of nature, and how the climate crisis impacts LGBTQ+ communities, and comedian Steve Hili’s The Sexy Environmentalist is a high-octane mix of environmentalism and “sexiness” in a lastditch effort to unite humanity and save the planet!
True events inspire many of the shows in the programme. Borders is a play about a Grindr encounter between a man from Israel and one from Lebanon; this delicately scripted and humorous piece explores the complexities surrounding Middle East identity. Tackling themes surrounding motherhood, mental health, child abuse and living with third degree burns, Dolly is a fast-paced two hander, presented in partnership with The Katie Piper Foundation. And Dan Kelly tells the true story of trying to run 26.2 miles in the most secretive nation on earth in How I Came Third in the North Korean Marathon, directed by Fringe favourite Joseph Morpurgo.
Based on the 1970s clothworkers’ strike in Leeds, Shake The City tells of the unheard voices of brilliant Northern women, embodying female friendship, empowerment and grit. New musical Little Sausage is a verbatim piece using real words and folk-pop music to explore the myth that meat equals manliness. Far Gone is a profoundly moving story of a young boy’s journey from childhood innocence to child soldier in Northern Uganda.
Dreamers tells first-hand accounts of the struggle for freedom; Papergang Theatre brings together a group of Hong Kong artists who navigate colonial legacies, new red lines and unexpected fractures. Also with an international focus, I’m Fine is an exploration of masculinity, vulnerability, and identity in Middle Eastern and South Asian culture. Another Lover’s Discourse is an inventive new multimedia performance from one of Palestine’s most exciting contemporary artists, inviting you to think differently about love. Housewarming brings a heartfelt touch to an important conversation around the definition of home and speaks to anyone who has experienced movement and displacement
LGBTQIA+ stories remain a focus of the VAULT programme. Structured around 13 spoken word poems combined with dub poetry and African musical harmonies, A Dozen Things I Would Rather Be explores truths about being black and gay in the Caribbean, Africa and clubs at the heart of London. Somewhere to Belong tackles misperceptions of the bi+ community, finding new ways to celebrate the authentic voices of bi, pan and queer people from around the world. Shortlisted for the New Diorama UNTAPPED Award 2020, Lesbian Space Crime is a comedy with slapdash songs about intergalactic queer dirtbags. Con-Version is a genre-bending piece about the absurdities of trying to change your intrinsic self with clowning, physical theatre and burlesque
Unheard stories of modern womanhood are given voice throughout this year’s festival. Using live vocal looping, live film, spoken word and audience interaction, Dosage is a multidisciplinary, playful interrogation of the side effects of the contraceptive pill. Dry Season interweaves music, movement and medical texts with original poetry and animation in this witty, honest and intimate piece that questions assumptions around menopause. Blanket Ban is a devised docu-play interrogating the blanket ban on abortion in Malta through interviews, verbatim, innovative use of technology, and a fondly critical look at the island state
Friendships have been tried and tested over the last two years: Incognito Theatre burst back with their raucous and riotously funny new comedy The Net Kill, interrogating friendship, brotherhood, and how men express their emotions and support each other in the face of grave danger. The multiaward-nominated, ultimate nostalgia trip is back with DJ Bazzer’s Year 6 Disco as we find just what happened to those childhood dreams, and what jealousy really does to us. Night on Boob Mountain is a surreal and raucous teen horror gig theatre show about puberty, friendships and selfdiscovery.
How we perceive ourselves and how we want others to perceive us is seen in many shows in the 2022 programme. Please, Feel Free to Share is a dynamic, darkly comic, one-woman show about our personal addictions, the never-ending pursuit of likes, and our growing desire to share all. Peppered with references to Lizzo’s music and full of joyous dance, singing and lip-sync, SELF HATE / What Would Lizzo Do? is about being worshipped – by our society, by our lovers, by ourselves. And Black Women Dating White Men looks at what happens when you’re in love with someone from a culture that systematically oppresses yours
Disciplines merge, ideas unite, and diversity is celebrated at VAULT. An electrifying re-imagining of the ultimate love triangle, the eagerly awaited Oedipus Electronica from Pecho Mama is a radical reinvention that will take you on a relentless white-knuckle ride through ecstasy and devastation. Ian Lynam’s Autistic License comically explores diagnosis, relationships, sexuality, creativity and the history of autism. How Disabled Are You explores real attitudes towards those who claim benefits and disabilities that aren’t always visible to the eye. Inspired by the death positivity movement, Dead Positive follows the women behind the doors in the death industry, allowing audiences to consider what they want to happen when they die. A darkly comic one-woman show, Frank explores the tensions of being Jewish and secular in the UK today
The family programme at VAULT offers something for all ages. Science Adventures: The Power Pickle present three fantastic new fun and accessible stories about science aimed at primary schoolaged children. Award-winning sketch troupe Privates present a family outing of their show Privates: Great Ideas by Geniuses on 20th March, alongside a saucier, late night version the night before.
Work in progress shows across the festival remain a brilliant chance to see innovative material from household names and fresh new voices. Brand new comedy this year at VAULT includes shows from the legendary Arthur Smith, professional slacker and sensitive friend Rajiv Karia (BBC Audio Contract Writer 2021) with Gallivant and Best Newcomer 2018 nominee Maisie Adam (fresh from Live at The Apollo, Mock The Week, and The Last Leg). Sweet Angel stand-up comedian Helen Bauer (as seen on Live at The Apollo, nominated for best newcomer at the Edinburgh Fringe) presents a work in progress show of her new thoughts, feelings and emotions on pretty much everything. From the genius wonky minds of master improvisers Nina Conti and Shenoah Allen come charming self-appointed relationship experts, Richard and Greta, who want to help you get the most out of your partner whether you have one or not. Plus, don’t miss the likes of viral sensation Jazz Emu, and the return of John Robertson with the world’s only live-action, text-based adventure game The Dark Room
The late night programme is where to come for the best, most diverse and exciting nights out in the city. Sexquisite presents political cabaret-theatre, created by multi-disciplinary sex worker artists, looking into their lived experiences with glitter, glamour and stigma. Making use of AI and real life drag ‘Me The Drag Queen’, Zizi & Me is a unique cabaret double act about queerness and technology. LGBTQIA+ disabled artists dive nose first into drag fabulousness in Unsightly Drag and Friends, supported by Shape Arts, with integrated AD and BSL – all performances are relaxed
Leave your expectations at the door with the Lates; Lounge Onyx is a unique event featuring some of the most talented, sought after and up and coming black cabaret performers in the UK with drag, pole dancing, poetry, burlesque, spoken word, circus performances, clowning and comedy. Showcasing the stars of tomorrow, Fresh from House of Burlesque focuses on the hottest new talent in the world of burlesque. Strange Fruit: A Cabaret by Sex and Rage focusses on black femme energy and sex education, celebrating survival and a reclamation of sexual liberty, while JuiceBox Presents: Make It Rain is the ultimate empowerment party with London’s hottest womxnled LGBTQ+ striptease experience, amazing DJs and pole performances. A safe queer-focused space, Queer House Party is full of great music and community vibes in this camp late-night event. Get sinning with a cabaret disco dance party to leave you speaking in tongues with feminist, trash-pot party starters Church of Pussy Liquor. An international sell out trope from NYC, join Blunderland for the most subversive breakout of the international cabaret and circus circuit. Then the whimsical, surreal, and psychedelic world of Blunderland explodes into a late-night party to close the festival suffused with NY underground arthouse weird and juicy magic.
Prepare for bold, ambitious, homegrown performances that celebrate and champion Essex and Outer East London artists, including the London premiere of new work by Kenny Emson and the debut solo show by Kristin Mcilquham, in association with Essex on Stage – supported by Queen’s Theatre Hornchurch and Matthew Schmolle Productions.
Handpicked by Northern Stage, the largest producing theatre company in the North East, expect fresh and innovative new work in their NORTH takeover, with four ground-breaking shows from the brightest rising artistic talent in the North East: Ankles, Certificates, Happy Meal and Mama’s Cabaret.
The brazen and original work of the next generation of performance makers can be seen in Generation V where the UK’s leading creative drama schools, East 15 and Fourth Monkey will bring their best & boldest to VAULT Festival.
When VAULT Festival 2020 was cut short by the pandemic, 97 artists lost the opportunity to present their work. Join us to celebrate the return of these incredible Lost Shows and the resilience of the artists involved. Unmissable theatre, comedy, & cabaret finally taking to the stage.
VAULT Festival is proud to partner with Shape Arts for 2022. Shape Arts is a disability-led arts organisation which works to improve access to culture for disabled people by providing opportunities for disabled artists, training cultural institutions to be more open to disabled people, and through running participatory arts and development programmes.
VAULT Festival Director & Co-Founder Andy George comments, Each and every artist in our programme this year has shown the most amazing resilience to still be making and creating after the past two years. Grass roots, independent artists are the present and the future of our culture and society. They need the support of audiences to keep going and continue to effect long lasting, positive change. We cannot wait to share their unique stories, lives, and experiences with the world
Head to vaultfestival.com for the full programme and to book your tickets to these must-see shows. VAULT Festival promises to light up the cold winter nights of 2022.
Wiltshire Creative today announces Gates Wide Open, a new exhibition for Spring 2022 at Salisbury Arts Centre, alongsidea season of theatre, workshops and exhibitions. Following the previously announced exhibitionSame Sea, Different Boat, Gates Wide Open will showcase work from four selected artists who graduated from university during the pandemic, with each artist receiving £500 to exhibit their work. Gates Wide Open will be on display from 15 March – 8 May 2022, with the open call for submissions closing 2 January 2022.
Alongside Gates Wide Open will be an extensive theatre programme on offer at Salisbury Arts Centre, including touring productions of Sophie Ross’s Swings and Roundabouts, Jennifer Irons comedy cabaret Yukon Ho!, Living Spit’s Elizabeth I: Virgin On The Ridiculous, An Evening with Kate Bush, The Day of the Triffids: Mash Up, Engine Room artist Louise Jordan’sFlorence: The Lesser Known Life and Legacy of Florence Nightingale and raucous gig theatreJeremiahfrom Jack Dean & Company. There will also be live music from Fay Hield, The Deloreons and local talent in Live and Local, and the popular Comedy Barnstormers nights will continue into 2022.
Alongside the theatre and gallery offering, Wiltshire Creative also continues their extensive workshop programme into Spring 2022 with community workshops including Collagraph on Fabric with Sue Brown for adults and Craft with Wiltshire Scrapstore for ages 4-7.
Juliet Coveney, Salisbury Arts Centre Manager, said today “We are so proud to see the Arts Centre rebuilding back into the cultural hub it was pre-pandemic, and the programme of events we are delivering in Spring 2022 is the next step in this process of community healing. We are delighted to be offering such a rich theatre and diverse programme alongside our main exhibition Same Sea, Different Boat, which will offer such a timely reflection on our recent collective experience.”
Visual arts exhibition featuring work from four recent UK based art graduates, who have each received £500 to exhibit their work. Each artist will have graduated from a creative or visual arts course in 2020 or 2021. This exhibition provides the opportunity to display their work to the Covid affected cohort of emerging artists who studied in circumstances which deprived them of face to face teaching and specialist studio experience as well as an exit exhibition.
Our panel of selectors represents contemporary voices of professional arts activists who fight for the exposure and correct treatment of emerging ideas and talents: The White Pube – Zarina Muhammad and Gabrielle de la Puente, @sadgrads2020 – Jody Mulvey
by Sue Brown in collaboration with Louise Asher, Liske Johnson and Cath Kingzett
Same Sea, Different Boat is a quilt with a difference instigated by the project founder artist Sue Brown in collaboration with artists Liske Johnson, Louise Asher and Cath Kingzett. This textile artwork is an uplifting artwork, a combination of craftivism and social documentary. The piece consists of hundreds of hand-printed and stitched stories lovingly produced by individual artists from across the UK and abroad. Each participant in this piece is reacting to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Sue Brown has been a professional artist for 15 years. Her work is inspired by nature and been driven by exploring intaglio printmaking techniques. In 2009 she embarked on a 3-year part time MA in Multi-disciplinary Printmaking at the University of the West of England, graduating with a distinction in 2012. It was during this period of study that she explored printmaking with enamel and added 3 dimensional pieces in enamel and metal to her body of work.
Louise Asher is an artist and founder of the Hope and Elvis Studios in Nottinghamshire, showcasing art from around the UK and Europe and running bespoke arts and crafts workshops.
Liske Johnson is an artist and runs Littleheath Barn Studio with Claire Lundy. The studio runs a wide range of fabric printing, dyeing and art textile workshops.
Cath Kingzett is a textile artist. She studied Soft Furnishings at City & Guilds, graduating in 1996. She was one-time part owner of the shop Two Fat Quarters, in Nailsworth, Gloucestershire, which sold patchwork and quilting fabrics. After the shop closed, Kingzett began to explore other forms of stitching and textile art and went on to complete another City and Guilds, this time in Creative Embroidery. In 2009, she opened her sewing workshop in Nailsworth, One Fat Quarter, a place for her to work and share her love of sewing.
12 February COLLAGRAPH ON FABRIC WITH SUE BROWN
A collagraph workshop inviting participants to take inspiration from the Same Sea, Different Boat quilt, sharing lockdown stories through collagraphing on fabric and experimenting with different styles led by lead artist Sue Brown.
Age guidance: 16+
Tickets: £83
24 February, 13 April
CRAFT WITH WILTSHIRE SCRAPSTORE
A casual craft session with Wiltshire Scrapstore, giving children a chance to develop their creativity in an inspiring and imaginative arts and craft session.
Age guidance: 4-7
Tickets: £2
25 February, 25 March, 29 April
COMEDY BARNSTORMERS
A Barnstormers Comedy MC will introduce three more top acts from the London Comedy Circuit and beyond.
Age guidance: 16+
Tickets: £14.50
26 February
SATURDAY STORYTIME Lulu Sparre will lead a storytelling session for children to experience the joy of bringing stories alive.
Age guidance: 3-6
Tickets: £2
3 March
FLORENCE: THE LESSER-KNOWN LIFE AND LEGACY OF FLORENCE NIGHTINGALE
Who was Florence Nightingale?
Louise Jordan explores the legacy of this pioneering statistician who used data to call for government accountability, demanding equal healthcare for all. Through song and storytelling, Jordan disrupts the traditional narrative and invites you to consider the relevance of Florence’s work today.
Louise Jordan is a UK based songwriter and performer with 10 years’ experience touring the UK & Europe. Self-accompanied on guitar and keyboard, Louise has released 7 recordings gaining national radio play on the BBC Radio 2 Folk Show & Radio 4. Her credits as a theatre maker include No Petticoats Here (UK tour), The Hard Way (UK tour) and Pop Up Pedestal (South West tour).
Age guidance: 14+
Tickets: £13.50
5 March
SWINGS AND ROUNDABOUTS Calling the bum wipers, bedtime boppers and owners of tiny humans.
Grown-ups and their babies are invited to join actor, musician, and mummy, Sophie Ross, for a brand-new comedy musical that unpacks the swings and roundabouts of the first year of parenthood. Come and laugh along as we celebrate the highs, lows and dizzying delights of parenting with original songs, a healthy dose of myth-busting, a heap of laughs and some much-needed solidarity.
Swings and Roundabouts has been generously supported by The Point Theatre Eastleigh, and Arts Council England.
Sophie Ross is co-founder and co-Artistic Director of Small Things Productions. Her theatre credits include Big & Small (Barbican Theatre), Blood Wedding, Hamlet, Before/After, Gross und Klein, Money Shots, Leviathan, Comedy of Errors, The Oresteia, Vs Macbeth, Mysteries: Genesis, Romeo & Juliet, Waikiki Hip, Woman in Mind (Sydney Theatre Company), Ladybird (Small Things Productions/B Sharp) and Stoning Mary (Griffin Theatre).
Age guidance: For new parents (new born babies)
Tickets: £9.50
10 March
YUKON HO! Fascinating, laugh-out-loud funny and at times surprisingly tender, Yukon Ho! is part physical theatre, part stand-up comedy, part cabaret, one-woman show.
Jennifer Irons grew up in Yukon, Canada and now resides in the UK. She is an award-winning choreographer, creating large-scale mass movement for international outdoor festivals, working across commercial music videos, film and TV, and making dynamic new work for theatre.
Age guidance: 14+
Tickets: £14.50
11 March
TRIFFIDS!
METEORS! KILLER PLANTS! B MOVIES!
This remarkable collision of music, text and rich visual imagery takes the audience deep into John Wyndham’s classic cold war novel The Day of the Triffids.
The live soundtrack is created with instruments including moog, double bass, theremin, hammered dulcimer and a cactus.
Platform 4 is an artist-led company that creates playful and unexpected worlds in which performers and participants can explore their creativity and the things that matter to them. The work is highly visual and musical, often intimate in scale and process, connects people and puts human relationships at the heart of the event.
Age guidance: 14+
Tickets: £15
17 March, 28 April
LIVE AND LOCAL
A relaxed evening of local live music at Salisbury Arts Centre, continuing Wiltshire Creative’s support of the live music scene in Salisbury, building on the success of their previous Friday Night events. The perfect evening to enjoy with friends. Full acts to be confirmed at a later date.
Age guidance: 12+
Tickets: Free but must be booked in advance
31 March
AN EVENING WITHOUT KATE BUSH
Enter Strange Phenomena, howl with the The Hounds Of Love and dance on the moors with Wuthering Heights.
Kate’s not there, but you are.
Acclaimed performer Sarah-Louise Young has teamed up with theatre-maker Russell Lucas explore the music and mythology of one of the most influential voices in British music.
Sarah-Louise Young is an actress, writer, director and internationally renowned cabaret performer. She has appeared with Julie Madly Deeply, Fascinating Aïda, La Soirée and Olivier winning improvised musical group, The Showstoppers. Named one of Time Out’s Top 10 Cabaret Acts and voted Best Musical Variety Act in the London Cabaret Awards she has also been nominated for an Offie and won The Stage Award for acting. She has toured extensively, both in the UK and internationally, including three appearances at the Adelaide Cabaret Festival. She is one half of writing and performing duo, Roulston & Young with whom she is developing a new musical, Maxa: The Most Assassinated Woman In The World.
Russell Lucas is an artist specialising in producing and directing live performance and original online content. He has directed gallery installation films, theatre and deliver regularly in educational settings. His credits as a theatre maker include The Bobby Kennedy Experience (UK tour)and The American Season, The Understudy, The Fat Man’s Wife (CCTheatre).
Age guidance: 14+
Tickets: £19.50
1 April
FAY HIELD TRIO Folk singer Fay Hield is back in the performing arena with the launch of a new solo album, Wrackline.
Dr. Fay Hield is a critically acclaimed folk singer and lecturer in Ethnomusicology and Music Management at the University of Sheffield.
Age guidance: 12+
Tickets: £15
5 April
SILVER SOCIAL WITH SALISBURY PLUCKERS
An afternoon of music with local ukulele group the Salisbury Pluckers, with refreshments available from the Arts Centre Café.
Age guidance: 50+
Tickets: £5
26 February, 23 April
SATURDAY STORYTIME Iona Johnson will lead a storytelling session for children to experience the joy of bringing stories alive.
Age guidance: 3-6
Tickets: £2
23 April
FILM: STORM BOY Based on the beloved book, Storm Boy is a highly emotional tale of a young boy growing up on the beautiful but uninhabited coastline of Southern Australia who unexpectedly rescues and then raises three orphaned pelicans. When he forms a close bond with them, he finds himself at odds with his fisherman father and his life takes a new and unexpected turn.
Age guidance: PG
Tickets: £8
5 – 6 May
ELIZABETH I: VIRGIN ON THE RIDICULOUS
Howard and Stu return to Salisbury Arts Centre with more live original music, silly songs, smutty shenanigans, perfunctory props, and hysterically historical horseplay, this promises to be (another) poorly researched lesson in Tudor history that you’ll never forget.
Howard Coggins is co-founder of Living Spit. His theatre credits include Mother Goose (Salisbury Playhouse), Peter Pan, Treasure Island, Short Fuses, Around the World in 80 Days, Alice’s Adventures In Wonderland, Beasts and Beauties, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Up The Feeder Down The ‘Mouth, Babes In the Wood, Jack & The Beanstalk, Aladdin, The Great Big Story Mix Up, Myrtle On The Mainline, (Bristol Old Vic), The Wind in the Willows, Treasure Island (Watermill Theatre), The Lion The Witch and The Wardrobe (West Yorkshire Playhouse), Aladdin, Jack and the Beanstalk (Watford Palace), Cinderella (Roses, Tewkesbury), City of One (Myrtle Theatre Company), The Magic Carpet (Lyric Hammersmith), The Wizard Of Oz (Hall For Cornwall), Aladdin (Reading Hexagon), Elsie and Norm’s Macbeth (Tobacco Factory), Still Waters (Theatre Gwent), Aladdin (Cheltenham Everyman), A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Watchers Of The Night Sky (Theatre Iolo). For television, his credits include The Lost Honour, Siege in the Sahara, Waking the Dead, Law and Order, Sherlock-The Great Game, Beautiful People, Moses Jones, Being Human, Doc Martin, Doctors, Jam and Jerusalem, Trevor Island, Beau Brummell, Bleak House, Dream Team, Much Ado About Nothing, The Giblets, Walk Away & I Stumble, Worst Week Of My Life, Patrick’s Planet, Every Time You Look At Me, Teachers, Black Books, Dalziel & Pascoe; Mister Charity, Othello, and Undercover Customs.
Stu McLoughlin is co-founder of Living Spit. His theatre credits include London Calling (Salisbury Playhouse), Peter Pan (Bristol Old Vic), The Odyssey (Bristol Old Vic/Lyric Hammersmith), Coram Boy (National Theatre), A Matter of Life And Death (National Theatre/Kneehigh), Brief Encounter (Kneehigh/US tour), Suspension (Bristol Old Vic) and The Wild Bride (Kneehigh/UK tour/Berkeley Rep/New Zealand International Arts Festival). For television, his credits include The Lost Honour, Waking The Dead, Little Dorritt, Trevor Island and Clone; and for film, Elizabeth: The Golden Age, The Deep Blue Sea and Made In Dagenham. He is also the Musical Director and Composer for Shanty Theatre Company, and has composed music for Smugglers, Rebel Harbour, A Rat’s Tale and The Salty Socks of Dunkirk.
Age guidance: 12+ Tickets: £12
12 May
JEREMIAH
On the 9th of June 1817, Jeremiah Brandreth assembles a crew of malcontents in a pub near Nottingham. Their plan is to march on London, overthrow the government, wipe out the National Debt and end poverty forever. What Jeremiah doesn’t know is that there is a spy in his ranks with other ideas…
Jack Dean & Company a non-profit organisation set up to help tell stories of how things could be. We collaborate with inspiring and exceptional artists to create new work across many artforms. Founded by Jack Dean in 2020, we are committed to offering people across the UK the chance to dream of a different world, whatever the current one may hold.
Age guidance: 14+
Tickets: £13
15 May
THE DELOREONS The Deloreons originally formed in 2005 as a small and lively 3-Piece pub band, since then they have gone on to work at thousands of weddings, events and corporate functions throughout Europe. The band have also held residencies on board P&O and DFDS Ferries and in 2012 and 2013 they headed to the French Alps, playing huge party nights around various venues including the world famous Rond Point in Meribel. The Deloreons now offer 5, 6 and 8 Piece Line Ups, suitable for various different events and budgets.
In 2012, The Deloreons headlined the Queens Jubilee Celebrations in Salisbury with 10,000 people partying, singing and dancing along. The Deloreons then went on to SELL OUT Salisbury City Hall 3 years running with their 80’s Party Nights and in 2017 headlined ‘Live at the Farm’ with 4,000 guests in attendance in aid of Salisbury Live.
Age guidance: Under 18s must be accompanied by an adult
Your current booking will automatically transfer to 2022/2023 with no action needed.
We are also offering ticket holders Membership benefits of priority booking for SnowWhite and the Happy Ever After Beauty Salon and 10% discount off up to 2 tickets.
Group Bookers will be contacted directly by the box office team to make revised arrangements with you.
New bookings, credit or refunds can be arranged through the box office.
In person at Salisbury Arts Centre, Bedwin Street Tuesday – Saturday 10am – 3pm.
To arrange group or access bookings please phone 01722 320 333 Tuesday – Saturday 10am – 12pm.
Thank you for your patience as we are operating with a reduced box office team.
SEE IT SAFELY -We have been granted the use of Society of London Theatre & UK Theatre’s See It Safely mark. The mark certifies that we are complying with the latest Government and industry COVID-19 guidelines, to ensure the safety of our staff and audiences. You can find out more here https://officiallondontheatre.com/see-it-safely/ about the measures we have been putting in place ready for your visit, and what you will need to know beforehand.
The Barn Theatre, Cirencester – until 2nd January 2022
Reviewed by Josie Aburrow Smith
5*****
The story of Cinderella is one we all know. This is different; it is from the perspective of the Brothers Grimm. The show starts with The Brothers Grimm, Wilhelm and Jakob arguing over a new story. Then a young girl, Cinderella, arrives and we are launched into the fairy tale. Throughout the story there is fantastic musicianship. The actors each double up playing either the clarinet, double bass, accordion or violin. This makes it a different show to your standard Christmas panto or fairy tale.
There is a brilliant performance by Jesse Ashby who is the bearded stepmother (along with other characters). The stepsisters (Emily Panes and Anna Fordham) are snarling, giggling bullies. Together with the stepmother they make a great trio on the stage.
Cinderella (Tanya Bridgeman) is delightful to watch. Her interaction with a puppet bird was captivating. The Prince (Matthew Romain) is amusing and lovable is a hapless sort of way. The love story between him and cinderella is enchanting.
This show is a mixture of song, illusion, puppetry,animation and music. It was a joy to see musical instruments being played on the stage. My 9 year old also watched the show and it was pure delight to watch her face being captivated by what was happening on the stage.
The Brothers Grimm Present: Cinderella, was written by Alan Pollock and composed & arranged by Tarek Merchant. Directed by Francesca Goodridge with design by Cory Shipp, musical direction by Dylan Townley, movement direction by Jodie Cole and Christina Fulcher, casting direction by Polly Jerrold, lighting design by Sam Rowcliffe-Tanner, sound design by Harry Smith and animation by Bryony Collishaw and Benjamin Collins.
For anyone looking for some queer cheer this Christmas, then The Guilty Feminist Presents CAMP AS CHRISTMAS is planning to provide it in spades. Hosted by Deborah Frances-White, best known for her smash hit podcast The Guilty Feminist (Have I Got News For You, Would I Lie to You? Mock the Week, Question Time) and Tom Allen (8 Out of 10 Cats Does Countdown, Mock the Week, The Great Christmas Bake Off) The Guilty Feminist Presents CAMP AS CHRISTMAS promises to offer lively, effervescent, brilliantly witty, satirical, and inevitably camp entertainment from a host of LGBTQ+ celebs including Sandi Toksvig, Russell Tovey & Raven Smith.
Taking place on 16th December at the magnificent Union Chapel in Islington, the night will bring together the best of London’s comedy, music, and conversation.
The event will be held to raise money for two amazing operations.
The Say It Loud Club, is an operation run for & by LGBTQ+ refugees fleeing homophobic violence & criminalisation.
CanDo – founded by a Syrian doctor in London provides a breakthrough early warning system in Syrian schools to give children a chance to evacuate ahead of an aerial attack.
Appearing on the glittering line-up will be Sandi Toksvig, Jessica Fostekew, Jen Brister, Grace Petrie, Travis Alabanza, Dosa Cat, Raven Smith – with Russell Tovey & Rob Diament from Talk Art, and more exclusive guests yet to be announced.
The fabulous and festive event will also host a comedy auction on the night which will offer the opportunity to bid for an array of exciting experiences including dinner for four with Rob Rinder and a personalised video from Andrew Scott – Fleabag’s hot priest himself.
Deborah Frances-White said ‘We could not be more ecstatic for The Guilty Feminist to present CAMP AS CHRISTMAS and I am so excited to host alongside the most talented & charming man in British comedy, Tom Allen. The line-up is an extraordinary array of LGBTQ+ talent. There are names so hot I am not even allowed to tell you yet. The foundations we are raising money for are doing extraordinary work. Both charities are small grassroots operations urgently in need of profile and cash. After last year’s half-measures Christmas, being in the room for such a glorious evening of comedy, music & conversation will be heavenly. We can’t wait to make your Yuletide gay.’
Dr Rola Hallam, Founder of CanDo said: ‘We are delighted and grateful to be partnering with Deborah and The Guilty Feminist team, alongside such an incredible crew of guests and comedians. The night not only promises to bring some camp Christmas joy to the audience but will help us raise much needed funds for our Save Syria’s Schools campaign to protect more than 60,000 vulnerable children, who everyday risk being killed or injured by aerial attacks whilst at school.’
Aloysius Ssali from Say it Loud said ‘At Say It Loud Club, we are so incredibly grateful to The Guilty Feminist and friends for supporting us and giving us this platform to advocate for LGBTQ+ refugees and asylum seekers. We are a grassroots organisation with a huge and fabulous community, so the funds raised will have a massive impact on the support we’re able to offer our members next year. Not only that, but having such well-renowned comedians, musicians, actors, and performers show up for us is truly special! Thank you to everyone involved for helping us to raise awareness of the challenges that LGBTQ+ refugees and asylum seekers face. In a political climate when refugees and asylum seekers are feeling particularly unwelcomed and afraid, this evening of love and celebration has reminded us of all those in the UK who are in our corner!’
The global smash hit musical MAMMA MIA! at London’s Novello Theatre is now extending its booking period to Saturday 1 October 2022. MAMMA MIA! is now in its 23rd year in London.
Mamma Mia!
London
The London cast stars Mazz Murray as Donna, Josie Benson as Tanya, Gemma Goggin as Rosie, Richard Trinder as Sam, Neil Moors as Harry, Stephen Beckett as Bill, Emma Mullen as Sophie, Jack Danson as Sky, Tegan Bannister as Ali, Sophie Matthew as Lisa, Michael Nelson as Eddie and Alexandros Beshonges as Pepper, with Natalie Langston playing the role of Donna at certain performances.
Also in the cast are Natasha Agnew, Chloe Ames, Gemma Atkins, Chloe-Jo Byrnes, Nicole Carlisle, Angus Good, Natalie Jayne Hall, Lauren Hampton, James Humpleman, Morgan Jackson, Frankie Jones, Grace Moorhouse, Jodie Nolan, Dan O’Brien, George Olney, Michael Storrs, Kyle Turner, Amy Thiroff, Michael Tyler, Simon Willmont and Alex Woodward.
Mamma Mia!
London
Since premiering in London in 1999, the irresistible feelgood musical has captured the hearts of millions around the globe. The sunny, funny tale of a mother, a daughter and three possible dads on a Greek island idyll, all unfolding to the magic of ABBA’s timeless pop masterpieces, has now been seen live on stage by 65 million people across the world and turned into two record-breaking movies – MAMMA MIA! The Movie and MAMMA MIA! Here We Go Again.
To date, MAMMA MIA! has been seen in 50 productions in 16 different languages grossing more than $4 billion at the box office. In 2011, it became the first Western musical ever to be staged in Mandarin in the People’s Republic of China.
MAMMA MIA! originally opened in London at the Prince Edward Theatre on 6 April 1999, before transferring to the Prince of Wales Theatre in 2004, and then to the Novello Theatre in 2012. The London production of MAMMA MIA! has been seen by over 9 million people, played over 8,500 performances and has broken box office records in all three of its London homes.
Mamma Mia!
London
Produced by Judy Craymer, MAMMA MIA! The Movie became the highest grossing live action musical film of all time upon its release in 2008. A second film, MAMMA MIA! HERE WE GO AGAIN, opened in July 2018 and is the most successful live musical movie sequel of all time.
With music & lyrics by Benny Andersson & Björn Ulvaeus, MAMMA MIA! is written by Catherine Johnson, directed by Phyllida Lloyd and choreographed by Anthony Van Laast. The production is designed by Mark Thompson, with lighting design by Howard Harrison, sound design by Andrew Bruce & Bobby Aitken, and musical supervision, additional material & arrangements by Martin Koch.
MAMMA MIA! is produced by Judy Craymer, Richard East & Björn Ulvaeus for Littlestar in association with Universal.
LISTINGS INFORMATION
Novello Theatre
Aldwych
London WC2B 4LD
Ticket Prices: from £17.50*
*All prices include a £2.50 per ticket booking fee and £1.25 restoration levy (£1.50 restoration levy for performances from Monday 4 April 2022)
Early Bird Pricing – anyone booking four months or more in advance of the performance they are attending (Monday to Thursday performances only) will save £20 on Band A and Premium tickets, but only through Delfont Mackintosh Theatres, either online or by calling the Novello Theatre Box Office.
THE HIPPODROME THEATRE, BIRMINGHAM – 19 NOVEMBER 2021
REVIEWED BY NADIA DODD
3***
The Good Enough Mums Club is based on a group of women thrown together to overcome all of the highs and lows that we share in motherhood. From drooping boobs, peeing on the test sticks to sleep deprivation and babies being sick in your hair, this group of ladies seemed to have covered it all.
What we saw last night was almost a run through of the story, being introduced to the five main characters and hearing the songs from the musical, which should be a full blown production in roughly 12-18 months time.
These sessions are touring across the UK are also chances for the audience to become involved and also share their own experiences of being a parent whether it be good, hilariously funny or sad. There was a brief Q&A session where mic’s were passed along to brave audience members who wanted to share stories to questions such as ‘Tell us about a time that your little one did something to embarrass you in front of others?’ or ‘What did you discover about parenthood yourself that no-one ever told you about?’ The Birmingham crowd certainly had some interesting tales to tell indeed!
The five main mums are from different backgrounds and also going through different experiences of being a parent, but throughout the journey realise that they are stronger as a group and that just sometimes being ‘good enough’ is best.
Very basic stage set up at the moment as we see the main cast, Pam, Esme, Sophie, Chantel and Michelle sat with their music stands in front of them to read through what they have put together so far for the musical. Emily Beecher is the producer from The Recreate Agency which is an all female led agency aiming to get as many women back into the Arts doing something they love after having children.
Emily shared with us that she was finally diagnosed with post natal depression many months after the birth of her baby, also after having postpartum psychosis before she finally realised that she wasn’t just a ‘rubbish’ mum, she actually had a condition and then could be finally treated for it. From Emily’s story the musical has been born.
The songs were touching, relative and some extremely funny (Heads, Shoulders, Knees and Tits for example), this production will certainly be one to look out for during 2022/2023.
Date announced for Olivier Awards 2022 with Mastercard
Watch Olivier Awards teaser video here
It has today been confirmed that the Olivier Awards 2022 with Mastercard will take place on Sunday 10 April, at the Royal Albert Hall.
Established in 1976 and run by the Society of London Theatre (SOLT), the Olivier Awards celebrate the world-class status of London theatre and are Britain’s most prestigious stage honours.
The last full ceremony was held in 2019, followed by a scaled-down event in October 2020 at the London Palladium.
ATG Productions and CAA in association with Wagner Johnson Productions are delighted to announce that following phenomenal demand, an additional performance of AN EVENING WITH BARLOW AND BEAR at the Underbelly Speigeltent, Leicester Square has been added on Monday 22 November at 9.15pm, following the sold out 7.30pm performance.
Abigail Barlow and Emily Bear are also thrilled to announce that they will be joined on stage by West End stars Shan Ako (Les Misérables, Whitney – Queen of the Night) Nathan Amzi (Jesus Christ Superstar, Heathers, Aladdin) and Paul Wilkins (Les Misérables, The Dreamers, Hair).
Abigail Barlow and Emily Bear are best known as the creators of the viral sensation The Unofficial Bridgerton Musical, inspired by Netflix’s hit series. Their songs and performances have attracted a massive international fanbase, receiving over 250 million views on TikTok. They have broken new ground by involving their audience in their process every step of the way via social media. The Unofficial Bridgerton Musical album was released in September and within two hours was #1 on iTunes U.S. Pop Albums and received over 10 million streams in one week. They have been featured in Variety, People, Entertainment Weekly, The Boston Globe and on the Today Show, BBC, NPR’s All Things Considered and The Kelly Clarkson Show.
Barlow & Bear are passionate about arts education and the power of theatre to transform lives. A portion of ticket sales will benefit Mousetrap Theatre Project – a charity dedicated to enriching the lives of young people in the UK by making theatre accessible to all, particularly those with limited resources, opportunities or support.
Emily Bear is a chart-topping concert pianist, composer, producer, singer-songwriter and performer who made her professional concert debut at five years old. Emily was featured on The Ellen DeGeneres Show for first time at six years old. She has since performed at Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, the Hollywood Bowl and Montreux Jazz Festival. She has received the highest accolades across musical styles including ASCAP Concert Music Composer of the Year, Herb Alpert Jazz Composer of the Year, W Magazine’s “It Girl” of the year and a recent award from the Songwriters Hall of Fame. Her mentor, Quincy Jones, produced her debut album and she was the subject of the Emmy-award winning documentary “Girl with a Gift.” Her film and television scoring work includes projects for Disney, Dreamworks, Warner Bros., and Universal.
As a songwriter and performer, Abigail Barlow caught the attention of Meghan Trainor when a song Abigail wrote went viral on TikTok, beginning a lasting collaboration and mentorship between them. Her recent single “Heartbreak Hotel” topped the iTunes Pop Chart at #6 and obtained over 200K streams on Spotify in less than 48 hours. To date it has 7.4 million streams on Spotify. Her artful lyricism and unique melodies have garnered international acclaim. As a young teenager, Abigail’s love of performing live was refined when she found a worldwide audience online with performance platforms YouNow and Musically. A 2017 Shorty Award nominee, she was a founding creator on TikTok — writing and performing her original music in real time for a growing fanbase.
“Bridgerton®” is a registered trademark of Netflix Studios, LLC.
