Home

“MAMMA MIA!”

ANNOUNCES NEW BOOKING PERIOD

TO SATURDAY 1 OCTOBER 2022

AT LONDON’S NOVELLO THEATRE

NOW ON SALE

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 23^rd year in 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.  

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.  

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.

Performance Times:

Monday, Wednesdays – Saturdays 7.30pm

Matinees – Thursdays & Saturdays 3.00pm, Sundays 2.30pm

Christmas 2021/22 Performance Schedule

Monday 20 December                  3.00pm and 7.30pm                                        

Tuesday 21 December                 NO PERFORMANCE

Wednesday 22 December            3.00pm and 7.30pm

Thursday 23 December                3.00pm and 7.30pm

Friday 24 December                     NO PERFORMANCE

Saturday 25 December                 NO PERFORMANCE

Sunday 26 December                   7.30pm

Monday 27 December                  3.00pm and 7.30pm

Tuesday 28 December                 NO PERFORMANCE

Wednesday 29 December            3.00pm and 7.30pm

Thursday 30 December                3.00pm and 7.30pm

Friday 31 December                     2.30pm

Saturday 1 January                      3.00pm and 7.30pm

Sunday 2 January                        2.30pm

Currently booking to 1 October 2022

The performance lasts 2 hours and 35 minutes (including a 15-minute interval)

Box Office: 0844 482 5151

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. 

Further details will be revealed soon.

OlivierAwards.com | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram 

#OlivierAwards 

FOLLOWING PHENOMENAL DEMAND

ATG PRODUCTIONS AND CAA

IN ASSOCIATION WITH

WAGNER JOHNSON PRODUCTIONS

ANNOUNCE AN ADDITIONAL PERFORMANCE OF

AN EVENING WITH

BARLOW & BEAR

CREATORS OF

THE UNOFFICIAL BRIDGERTON MUSICAL

ALONG WITH SPECIAL GUESTS

AT THE UNDERBELLY SPEIGELTENT, LEICESTER SQUARE

MONDAY 22 NOVEMBER

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.

Tickets are on sale now. www.christmasinleicestersquare.com

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.

York Theatre Royal to receive £294,952 from the third round of the Government’s Culture Recovery Fund

● York Theatre Royal is among 925 recipients to benefit from the latest round of awards from the Culture Recovery Fund

● This award will support the delivery of York Theatre Royal’s community focused winter programme

More than £100 million has been awarded to hundreds of cultural organisations across the country including York Theatre Royal in the latest round of support from the Culture Recovery Fund, the Culture Secretary announced today.

York Theatre Royal has been awarded a grant of £294,952. The third round of funding will support organisations from all corners of the sector as they deal with ongoing reopening challenges, ensuring they can thrive in better times ahead.

Culture Secretary Nadine Dorries said:

“Culture is for everyone and should therefore be accessible to everyone, no matter who they are and where they’re from.

“Through unprecedented government financial support, the Culture Recovery Fund is supporting arts and cultural organisations so they can continue to bring culture to communities the length and breadth of the country, supporting jobs, boosting local economies and inspiring people.”

Over £1.2 billion has already been awarded from the unprecedented Culture Recovery Fund, supporting around 5000 individual organisations and sites across the country ranging from local museums to West End theatres, grassroots music venues to festivals, and organisations in the cultural and heritage supply-chains.

Tom Bird, Chief Executive of York Theatre Royal said:

“We are delighted and grateful for this grant from DCMS, which supports our recovery and underpins a hugely exciting winter programme at York Theatre Royal. This award allows us to continue to help the people of York enjoy the benefits of a creative life.”

Darren Henley, Chief Executive, Arts Council England, said:

“This continued investment from the Government on an unprecedented scale means our theatres, galleries, music venues, museums and arts centres can carry on playing their part in bringing visitors back to our high streets, helping to drive economic growth, boosting community pride and promoting good health. It’s a massive vote of confidence in the role our cultural organisations play in helping us all to lead happier lives”.

Cast and creatives announced for the world
premiere of AVA: The Secret Conversations, the
new play by Elizabeth McGovern
Riverside Studios, 101 Queen Caroline St, Hammersmith, London W6 9BN
14th January – 16th April 2022

I either write the book or sell the jewels, and I’m kinda sentimental about the jewels

The incredible cast and creatives have been announced for AVA: The Secret Conversations, the spellbinding new play from Elizabeth McGovern based on the book by Peter Evans and Ava Gardner. Taking to the stage with Academy Award-nominee McGovern (Downton Abbey, ITV), who stars as Ava, is Anatol Yusef (Boardwalk Empire, HBO; Punisher, Netflix) as Peter Evans, the journalist Ava hired to write her autobiography when she lived in 1980s London. Directed by filmmaker Gaby Dellal (3 Generations, Big Beach; Angels Crest, Process Film), AVA is a captivating exploration into the fractured relationship between the public and private lives of one of Hollywood’s greatest icons.

Producer Karl Sydow comments, I’m thrilled to have cast Anatol Yusef alongside Elizabeth McGovern in this fantastic new play that explores so much about what the legendary Ava Gardner had to deal with throughout her illustrious career and tumultuous marriages.

Part memory play, part sparring match, through this tense and witty play Ava and Peter debate, fight and flirt their way through the memories of Ava’s fabulous life as they struggle to get the story straight. Expect a rich sensory journey through Ava’s whisky-soaked recollections of her life as an actor and with her three famous husbands – Mickey Rooney, Artie Shaw and Ol’ Blue Eyes himself, Frank Sinatra.

The production will feature design by 59 Productions (Oslo, Broadway and West End; An
American In Paris, Broadway, West End, Paris and US Tour), who will bring their unique talents with projection design to the production, evoking the magical atmosphere of Hollywood’s heyday. It also features costume design by Fotini Dimou (The Children’s Act, BBC Films; Hay Fever, Chichester Festival Theatre) with lighting design by Elliot Griggs (Fleabag, Wyndham’s Theatre; An Octoroon, National Theatre), sound design by Ella Wahlström (I Think We Are Alone, Frantic Assembly; Anna, National Theatre) and is produced by Karl Sydow with the support of the Ava Gardner Trust.

BEN ELTON BACK IN

THE DIRECTOR’S CHAIR FOR

‘WE WILL ROCK YOU’

20TH ANNIVERSARY

UK TOUR!

Queen and Ben Elton’s smash hit musical ‘We Will Rock You’ is back for 2022 to celebrate its 20th anniversary with a new tour in theatres across the UK, directed by Ben Elton. Tickets are available now from wewillrockyou.com.

Kicking off in Portsmouth at the Kings Theatre on 7th February, the tour will then play 27 venues around the country before culminating with a residency at Manchester‘s Palace Theatre on 5th September.

The musical has seen unprecedented success in theatres and arenas all around the world since it first premiered in London nearly 20 years ago at the Dominion Theatre in May 2002. And now, the original writer of We Will Rock You and godfather of stand-up comedy, Ben Elton will be back in the Director’s chair working with the new 2022 cast ready to rock UK audiences once again.

Ben Elton said: “I can hardly believe it’s been 20 years since We Will Rock You premiered in London. Or that much of what we thought was science fiction in the script back then has turned into science fact! I guess Queen were always ahead of the game! I’ve directed this show all over the world and I can’t wait to bring it home to the UK with a brand new production and a fabulous cast of young Bohemians, most of whom were rocking in their cradles when this adventure first began.”

The musical extravaganza featuring 24 of Queen’s greatest hits, which has been watched by over 16 million people in 19 countries, will once again rock theatres across the UK from February next year. After opening in Portsmouth, the tour will play York, Cornwall, Bournemouth, Stoke-On-Trent, Liverpool, Northampton, Milton Keynes, Cardiff, Bristol,

Reading, Aylesbury, Ipswich, Torquay, Wolverhampton, Wimbledon, Stockton, Peterborough, Norwich, Bromley, Birmingham, Southend, Canterbury, Southampton, Newcastle, Sheffield and Manchester.

The cast will see Ian McIntosh play Galileo, Elena Skye as Scaramouche, Jenny O’Leary as Killer Queen and Adam Strong as Khashoggi. Together with Michael Mckell as Buddy, Martina Ciabatti Mennell as Oz, David Michael Johnson as Brit, and an Ensemble including Laura Bird, Kate Leiper, Joanne Harper, Anna Davey, Edward Leigh, Spin, Karen Walker, David Muscat, Damien Walsh, Laura Ava-Scott, Victoria Collins, Joseph Connor, Louis Clarke-Clare and Jacob Fearey.

‘We Will Rock You’ 2022 UK Tour Dates

07/02/2022 – 12/02/2022 Portsmouth: Kings Theatre

14/02/2022 – 19/02/2022 York: Grand Opera House

21/02/2022 – 27/02/2022 Cornwall: Hall for Cornwall

28/02/2022 – 05/03/2022 Bournemouth: Pavilion Theatre

07/03/2022 – 12/03/2022 Stoke: Regent Theatre

14/03/2022 – 19/03/2022 Liverpool: Empire Theatre

21/03/2022 – 26/03/2022 Northampton: Royal & Derngate

28/03/2022 – 02/04/2022 Milton Keynes: Milton Keynes Theatre

04/04/2022 – 16/04/2022 Cardiff: Millennium Centre

18/04/2022 – 23/04/2022 Bristol: Hippodrome

25/04/2022 – 30/04/2022 Reading: Hexagon

02/05/2022 – 07/05/2022 Aylesbury: Waterside Theatre

09/05/2022 – 14/05/2022 Ipswich: Regent Theatre

16/05/2022 – 21/05/2022 Torquay: Princess Theatre

23/05/2022 – 28/05/2022 Wolverhampton: Grand Theatre

30/05/2022 – 04/06/2022 Wimbledon: New Wimbledon Theatre

06/06/2022 – 11/06/2022 Stockton: Globe Theatre

13/06/2022 – 18/06/2022 Peterborough: New Theatre

20/06/2022 – 25/06/2022 Norwich: Theatre Royal

27/06/2022 – 02/07/2022 Bromley: Churchill Theatre

04/07/2022 – 30/07/2022 Birmingham: Hippodrome

01/08/2022 – 06/08/2022 Southend: Cliffs Pavilion

08/08/2022 – 13/08/2022 Canterbury: Marlowe Theatre

15/08/2022 – 20/08/2022 Southampton: Mayflower Theatre

22/08/2022 – 27/08/2022 Newcastle: Theatre Royal

29/08/2022 – 03/09/2022 Sheffield: City Hall

05/09/2022 – 10/09/2022 Manchester: Palace Theatre

Website: wewillrockyou.com

Twitter: @wwryglobal

Instagram: wewillrockyouglobal

Facebook: facebook.com/wewillrockyouglobal

“Magnifico!”

The Sun

“One of the best shows I’ve seen in yonks. An evening of sheer entertainment and enjoyment”

Daily Mirror

“The sheer power of the best Queen numbers strikes hard”

Financial Times

“There was wild applause at the climax of the show…and it only got louder”

Daily Telegraph

“Spectacular”

Daily Express

DARLINGTON HIPPODROME TO RECEIVE £198,461 FROM THIRD ROUND OF THE GOVERNMENT’S CULTURE RECOVERY FUND

Darlington Hippodrome is among 925 recipients to benefit from the latest round of awards from the Culture Recovery Fund.

The funding will support the theatre to cover the loss of income caused by an anticipated reduction in attendance at the Hippodrome during the November 2021 to January 2022 period. Staff salaries and theatre overheads will all be supported by the funding. It is hoped that audience attendance will begin to increase by February, supporting the long term sustainability of the theatre once the funding comes to an end.

More than £100 million has been awarded to thousands of cultural organisations across the country including Darlington Hippodrome in the latest round of support from the Culture Recovery Fund, the Culture Secretary announced today.

The third round of funding will support organisations from all corners of the sector as they deal with ongoing re-opeing challenges, ensuring they can thrive in better times ahead.

£1.2 billion has already been awarded from the unprecedented Culture Recovery Fund, supporting around 5000 individual organisations and sites across the country ranging from local museums to West End theatres, grassroots music venues to festivals, and organisations in the cultural and heritage supply-chains.

Culture Secretary Nadine Dorries said:

“Culture is for everyone and should therefore be accessible to everyone, no matter who they are and where they’re from.

“Through unprecedented government financial support, the Culture Recovery Fund is supporting arts and cultural organisations so they can continue to bring culture to communities the length and breadth of the country, supporting jobs, boosting local economies and inspiring people.”

Heather Tarran-Jones, the Hippodrome’s Director of Programming and Development, said:

“We are delighted to receive news of this third Arts Council England grant. The last eighteen months has been a challenging time for the sector and we are very grateful to receive support from central government, administered through ACE, as part of the Culture Recovery Fund to protect the UK’s culture and heritage sectors from the economic impacts of Covid-19.

“We are coming to the end of a difficult journey and this funding will assist in the transition back to a sustainable business model. We are experiencing the gradual return of our fantastic audiences

purchasing tickets for current and future shows, helping to breathe life and energy back into the Hippodrome and welcoming the return of live entertainment.”

Darren Henley, Chief Executive, Arts Council England, said:

“This continued investment from the Government on an unprecedented scale means our theatres, galleries, music venues, museums and arts centres can carry on playing their part in bringing visitors back to our high streets, helping to drive economic growth, boosting community pride and promoting good health. It’s a massive vote of confidence in the role our cultural organisations play in helping us all to lead happier lives”.

CLASSICAL SINGING SENSATION

RUSSELL WATSON

TO PLAY ‘BILLY FLYNN’

IN THE UK AND IRELAND TOUR OF

THE INTERNATIONAL MUSICAL SENSATION

JOINING FAYE BROOKES AS ‘ROXIE HART’

WITH

DJALENGA SCOTT AS ‘VELMA KELLY’

BEGINNING AT LIVERPOOL EMPIRE

ON MONDAY 7 FEBRAURY 2022

David Ian in association with Barry and Fran Weissler are delighted to announce that multi-award-winning UK classical singer and stage star Russell Watson will take on the role of ‘Billy Flynn’ in the acclaimed UK and Ireland tour of the international musical sensation CHICAGO. Russell joins the previously announced Faye Brookes as ‘Roxie Hart’ and Djalenga Scott as ‘Velma Kelly’, opening at Liverpool Empire on Monday 7 February 2022. Full tour schedule and casting details below. www.chicagothemusical.com

The cast will also include Ishmail Aaron, Michelle Andrews, Gabby Antrobus, Delycia Belgrave, Joel Benjamin, Tanisha-Mae Brown, Daniel Clift, Callum Fitzgerald, Emily Goodenough, Billie Hardy, Aaron Jenkins, Liam Marcellino, Theo Reece, Hollie Jane Stephens and Harrison Wilde. 

Russell Watson is regarded as one of the world’s greatest classical singers, having released ten critically acclaimed studio albums. His debut album, ‘The Voice’ held the number one chart position in the UK for a record-breaking 52 weeks. Throughout his extensive career Watson has collaborated with Meatloaf, Lionel Richie, Paul McCartney, Alexandra Burke, and Luciano Pavarotti. He recently appeared as a contestant on the twentieth series, and castle edition, of ITV’s I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here! His stage credits include Parson Nathaniel in Jeff Wayne’s The War of the Worlds on tour and Karl Oscar in the English world premiere of Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus’ Kristina at Carnegie Hall and the Royal Albert Hall.

Faye Brookes (Roxie Hart) recently reached the final of this year’s series of ITV’s Dancing On Ice. She is best known for her role as Kate Connor in ITV’s Coronation Street, for which she won a National Television Award. Her theatre credits include Princess Fiona in Shrek and Elle Woods in Legally Blonde, both on national tour, Ann/Edna in That Day We Sang directed by Victoria Wood at Manchester’s Royal Exchange, Liesl in The Sound of Music at Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre and Frenchy in Grease at the West End’s Piccadilly Theatre. Faye’s other TV credits include Agnes Franklin in Our Girl and Helena in Atlantis, both for the BBC.

Djalenga Scott’s (Velma Kelly) West End credits include Lily St Regis in Annie at the Piccadilly Theatre, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat at the New London and Chicago at the Adelphi, Cambridge and Garrick Theatres. Her other credits include Anita in the national tour of West Side Story, Rizzo in Grease at Curve Leicester, Magenta in The Rocky Horror Show and Carmen in Fame, both on European tours, the US tour of Batman Live and Bombalurina in Cats at Kilworth House. Djalenga’s screen credits include Scarlett/Esme in Trapped for the BBC and Alexandra in the film I Give It A Year.

Set amidst the razzle-dazzle decadence of the 1920s, CHICAGO is the story of Roxie Hart, a housewife and nightclub dancer who murders her on-the-side lover after he threatens to walk out on her. Desperate to avoid conviction, she dupes the public, the media and her rival cellmate, Velma Kelly, by hiring Chicago’s slickest criminal lawyer to transform her malicious crime into a barrage of sensational headlines, the likes of which might just as easily be ripped from today’s tabloids.

Created by the musical theatre talents of John Kander, Fred Ebb and legendary choreographer Bob Fosse, CHICAGO’s sexy, sassy score includes the show-stopping songs “Razzle Dazzle”, “Cell Block Tango”, and “All That Jazz”.  Winner of six Tony Awards, two Olivier Awards and a Grammy, CHICAGO is the longest running American musical in Broadway and West End history.

Since it opened in New York in 1996, CHICAGO has played in 36 countries worldwide and has been performed in English, Dutch, German, Swedish, Spanish, Portuguese, Russian, Italian, French, Danish, Japanese and Korean.  Worldwide it has been seen by an estimated 33 million people, grossed over $1.7 billion and played over 32,500 performances.

CHICAGO, which is based on the play by Maurine Dallas Watkins, has a book by Fred Ebb and Bob Fosse, music by John Kander and lyrics by Fred Ebb.  The 1996 Broadway revival of CHICAGO was choreographed by Ann Reinking in the style of Bob Fosse, directed by Walter Bobbie, and produced by Barry and Fran Weissler.

www.lionwitchonstage.com  Twitter @LionWitchOnTour  Instagram @lionwitchonstage 

UK & IRELAND TOUR OF C.S. LEWIS’

THE LION, THE WITCH & THE WARDROBE

EXTENDED WITH TWO NEW DATES ADDED

NEW PRODUCTION PHOTOGRAPHS RELEASED TODAY

A major tour of C.S. Lewis’ classic The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe starring Samantha Womack as the evil White Witch has been extended with the addition of dates at New Wimbledon Theatre (12-16 April 2022) and the Bristol Hippodrome (3-7 May 2022).

Brand new production photographs of the show by Brinkhoff-Moegenburg have been released today.

This week the show is in Aylesbury and continues its journey of the UK and Ireland to Southampton next week, then Sunderland, Salford, Cardiff, Aberdeen, Nottingham, Edinburgh, Canterbury, Plymouth, Glasgow, Birmingham, Dublin, Woking, Norwich, Wimbledon and finally Bristol in May 2022. 

The National Press Night is at the Lowry in Salford on 9 December 2021 where the show will run over six weeks over the Christmas season.

Described by its Bristol based director Michael Fentiman as ‘total theatre’ this epic new production is a mixture of dance, puppetry and actor-musicianship.

Step through the wardrobe into the enchanted kingdom of Narnia. Join Lucy, Edmund, Susan and Peter as they wave goodbye to wartime Britain and embark on the most magical of adventures in a frozen, faraway land where they meet a faun, talking beavers, Aslan (the noble king of Narnia) and the coldest, most evil White Witch.

Samantha Womack, who plays Narnia’s evil White Witch said of her role:

‘Having been a huge fan of C S Lewis’ The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe for as long as I can remember,  I am thrilled to be playing The White Witch. The book has always been a magical read and having watched incredible actors interpret this role in the past, I am excited to see what she holds for me. This production is so beautifully conceived with thrilling sets and costumes and an amazingly talented cast and creative team. I can’t wait to seduce, plot and terrify Narnia into a permanent winter’

Samantha Womack returns to the theatre after her recent success playing the lead role in the sold-out production of The Girl on the Train in the West End and on tour.  Sam’s past theatre roles include the Tony award-winning production of South Pacific in which she starred alongside Patrick Swayze, Guys and Dolls at London’s Piccadilly Theare (directed by Michael Grandage) and playing Emma in an award-winning production of Harold Pinter’s Betrayal (directed by Sir Peter Hall). Her varied work on television has seen Samantha moving from comedy to drama with the cult success of BBC’s Game On and Babes in the Wood  to ITV’s gritty crime drama Liverpool 1, Imogen’s Face and Ronnie Mitchell in EastEnders.  Films include playing the unhinged mother of Eggsy in the The Kingsman franchise sharing the screen with Colin Firth and Samuel L Jackson and playing Hazel in Jon Godbers  Up ‘n Under. 

Joining Samantha in the cast are:  Ammar Duffus (Peter Pevensie), Shaka Kalokoh (Edmund Pevensie), Robyn Sinclair (Susan Pevensie) and Karise Yansen (Lucy Pevensie).   Aslan is played by Chris Jared, Mr Tumnus by Jez Unwin, Mr Beaver by Sam Buttery and Maugrim by Michael Ahomka-Lindsay.  They are joined by Oliver Bingham (Mr Brinkworth, March Hare and Aslan Puppeteer), Scott Brooks (Mr Pope, Fox Trot, Associate Music Captain), Rachel Dawson (Miss Chutney, Blue Badger and Spirit of the Moon), Oliver Grant (Mr Wilson, Schrodinger, Red Squirrel and Aslan Puppeteer), Matthew James Hinchliffe (Mr Marsden, Mauve Mole), Tash Holway (on stage Swing, Dance Captain), Shaun McCourt (Mr Granville, Jack Rabbit, Aslan Puppeteer), Sophie Naglik (on stage Swing) Kate Parr (Miss Gumley-Warmley and Phoenix), Conor O’Kane (on stage Swing), Christina Tedders (Mrs Beaver), Brad Veitch (on stage Swing). Johnson Willis (Professor Kirk, Father Christmas, Wise Owl and White Mouse) aand Grace Wylde (Mrs Pevensie, Robin and Falcon)

The tour of The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe is directed by Michael Fentiman, based on the original production directed by Sally Cooksonwith original Set and Costume design by Rae Smith. Michael’s previous productions include the Olivier Award-nominated Amélie (Watermill Theatre/The Other Palace/UK Tour and West End), The Windsors: Endgame (West End), The Importance of Being Earnest (Vaudeville Theatre), the 50^th anniversary production of Joe Orton’s Loot (Park Theatre/Watermill Theatre), Titus Andronicus and Ahasverus (Royal Shakespeare Company), The Taming of the Shrew (Sherman Theatre/Tron Theatre) and, as director and writer, CinderELLA (Nuffield Southampton) and The Last Days of Anne Boleyn (Tower of London). 

Joining Michael Fentiman on the creative team are Tour Set and Costume Designer Tom Paris, Dramaturg Adam Peck, Composers Benji Bower and Barnaby Race, who is also the Music Supervisor, Choreographer Shannelle ‘Tali’ Fergus, Lighting Designer Jack Knowles, Sound Designers Ian Dickinson and Gareth Tucker for Autograph, Puppetry Director Toby Olié, Puppetry Designer Max Humphries, Aerial Director Gwen Hales, Illusionist Chris Fisher, Music Director Toby Higgins, Movement Consultant Dan Canham, Casting Director Will Burton, Fight Director Jonathan Holby, Costume Supervisor Joanna Coe, Wigs and Make Up Supervisor Susanna Peretz, Props Supervisor Lizzie Frankl, and Associate Director James Callàs Ball. 

The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe is produced on tour by Elliott & Harper Productions and Catherine Schreiber and based on the original Leeds Playhouse production.  The show broke box office records when it opened at Leeds Playhouse in 2017 and played to packed houses and critical acclaim at the Bridge Theatre in London in 2019. 

Website:   www.lionwitchonstage.com

Social:          Twitter @LionWitchOnTour   Instagram @lionwitchonstage