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Swipe Right Theatre present

Scream Phone

By Natasha Granger and Kerrie Thomason

Directed by Tom Parry; Arrangements and Music: Martin Higgins; Set Design: Casey Jay Andrews Lighting Design: David Doyle

UK tour: 28 October – 26 November 2021

It’s 1989, the girls are having a sleepover and you’re like, totally invited!

Pillow fights in their underwear, singing into hairbrushes, and gossiping about their crushes, what could possibly go wrong? As long as they don’t answer the over-sized pink phone… dun dun DUUUN!

Based on the retro classic game Dream Phone, Scream Phone will take you on a killer journey back to the ‘80s with an infectious soundtrack.

Natasha Granger is co-writer and plays Melody. She is co-founder of Swipe Right Theatre; her credits for the company include 2 Become 1 (Edinburgh Festival Fringe/Brighton Fringe/King’s Head Theatre). She is also co-founder of Anglo-Swiss theatre company, Theatre Fideri Fidera, where her credits include Ugg ‘n’ Ogg and the World’s First Dogg, Pitschi: The Kitten with Dreams (Edinburgh Festival Fringe/UK tour), and Oskar’s Amazing Adventure in the Snow (UK tour). Her other theatre credits include Don Rodolfo, The Wrestling and The Reunion (Edinburgh Festival Fringe).

Kerrie Thomason is co-writer and plays Janice. She is co-founder of Swipe Right Theatre, her credits for the company include 2 Become 1 (Edinburgh Festival Fringe/Brighton Fringe/King’s Head Theatre). Her stage credits include Single White Slut (Edinburgh Festival Fringe/UK tour/Duchess Theatre/The Melbourne Comedy Festival), and Max & Ivan: Prom Night and Hamlet (Edinburgh Festival Fringe). Thomason also volunteers for Scene And Heard, a theatre based children’s charity.

Alexandra Lewis plays Stacey. Her theatre credits include A Night at the Musicals (Welsh Musical Theatre Orchestra), I’m Sorry But… (The Bread and Roses Theatre) and Perfectly Ordinary (Guildford Fringe Festival). Her television credits include Sex Education; and for film, Miss Marx.

Tom Parry directs. His theatre credits include The Reunion by Max and Ivan (Edinburgh Festival Fringe) and Don Rodolfo by Ciaran Dowd (Edinburgh Festival Fringe/Soho Theatre). As one third of the award-winning sketch group Pappys he wrote six Edinburgh shows, twice being nominated for the Edinburgh Comedy Award; and as a stand-up his credits include Yellow T Shirt (Edinburgh Festival Fringe – Best Newcomer nomination), which was also developed into BBC Radio 4’s Fancy Dressed Life. As a writer, his television credits include Class Dismissed and Badults; and the upcoming film, Your Christmas Or Mine?.

SCREAM PHONE

 LISTINGS

Soho Theatre

28 – 30 October 2021

Box Office: 020 7478 0100 / www.sohotheatre.com

Old Joint Stock, Birmingham

3 – 6 November 2021

Box Office: 0121 200 1892 / www.oldjointstock.co.uk

Yvonne Arnaud Guildford – The Mill Studio

10 November 2021

Box Office: 01483 44 00 00 / www.yvonne-arnaud.co.uk

The Wardrobe Theatre, Bristol

11 – 12 November 2021

Box Office: 0117 902 0344 / www.thewardrobetheatre.com

The Rondo Theatre, Bath

13 November 2021

Box Office: 0333 666 3366 / www.rondotheatre.co.uk

Leighton Buzzard Library Theatre

17 November 2021

Box Office:www.centralbedfordshire.ticketsolve.com/shows

Town and Gown Theatre, Cambridge

18 – 20 November 2021

Box Office: 01223 309796 / www.townandgown.co.uk

Komedia, Brighton

26 November 2021 

Box Office: 01273 647100 / www.komedia.co.uk/brighton

• EUROPE’S LARGEST CHRISTMAS SHOW IS BACK! THURSFORD CHRISTMAS SPECTACULAR RETURNS TO NORFOLK FOR SEVEN WEEKS FROM 9TH NOVEMBER – 23RD DECEMBER 2021.
• FOLLOWING A HIATUS LAST YEAR DUE TO THE PANDEMIC, THIS YEAR’S AWARD-WINNING FESTIVE EXTRAVAGANZA PROMISES TO BE BIGGER AND BETTER THAN EVER BEFORE WITH THREE HOURS OF NON-STOP MUSIC, VARIETY, DANCE AND COMEDY.
• FEATURING A CAST OF 130 PERFORMERS ALONGSIDE VARIETY ACTS INCLUDING ACROBATIC DUO DELFINA AND BARTEK, BRITAIN’S GOT TALENT STARS BILLY GEORGE AND KEV ORKIAN, AND THEATRE ORGANIST PHIL KELSALL, TICKETS ARE ON SALE NOW FOR THIS SHOWSTOPPING CELEBRATION.

Preparations are well underway in the tiny Norfolk village of Thursford for Europe’s largest and most lavish Christmas show as it returns for its most ambitious and extravagant show to date, following a hiatus last year due to Covid.  Running for seven weeks only from 9 November – 23 December, tickets can be purchased here: www.thursford.com

Set in the midst of the world’s largest collection of steam engines, mechanical organs and fairground rides, Thursford’s opulent Christmas spectacular is performed by a cast of 130 professional performers, many of whom have come directly from the West End in this three-hour show-stopping bonanza featuring a wide range of music, dance and comedy, with many more surprises along the way.

This glittering, tinsel-packed variety show has been entertaining visitors of all ages from across the globe since opening its doors on Christmas Eve more than 40 years ago in 1977. Seen by nearly 6 million people and regularly attracting up to 50 coaches a day from far and wide, the team have been busy auditioning over 3000 performers this year, as well as installing a brand-new lighting experience to ensure that this year’s beloved and highly anticipated family-run show brings bucket loads of Christmas cheer to audiences who missed out last year.

This family-run annual festive treat is delighted to be re-employing around 360 dancers, singers, musicians, variety acts, technicians, wardrobe teams, ushers, caterers and production staff. It was with great sadness that last year was the first time since opening its doors, that the show was unable to happen.

John Cushing OBE, CEO, Founder, Producer and Director of Thursford Christmas Spectacular, said:

“We are absolutely thrilled to be back this year with our Christmas Spectacular show. It is such an important occasion, not just for the cast and crew but the local community, hotels, B&Bs, rental properties and hospitality venues throughout Norfolk.

We cannot wait to welcome the thousands of you back through our doors and give you the most extravagant Spectacular show yet. It has been a challenging couple of years for so many and we want to provide as much joy, over the festive period, as we possibly can.”

Ready to light up the Norfolk countryside this festive season, this year’s extraordinary selection of acts includes ITVs Britain’s Got Talent finalists, the brilliantly eccentric and energetic British-Armenian comedian Kev Orkian who will introduce the world-class acrobat Billy George on the Cyr Wheel. Returning to the stage is renowned theatre organist Phil Kelsall on Thursford’s Mighty Wurlitzer (one of the largest remaining Wurlitzers in Europe and the centre piece for the show) and the gravity-defying duo Delfina & Bartek will also feature in an acrobatic spectacle.

The creative team includes John Cushing OBE (Producer and Director), Benjamin Ellin (Musical Director and Conductor), Tracey Iliffe (Choreographer), Peter Savidge (Casting Director), Jonathan Smith (Musical Orchestrator) and Stephen Adnitt (Designer).  

Nestled in the beautiful Norfolk countryside, visitors will also have the opportunity to experience the truly unique Thursford Collection which also includes The Enchanted Journey of Light, a magical walk-through experience for all ages running from 19th November 2021 until 23rd December 2021. Replacing the full production in 2019 due to the pandemic, this indoor wonderland trail of steam engines, kinetic fairy-tale characters and an immersive light and sound experience will lead to a 4-acre Lantern Light Extravaganza of beautiful and breath-taking outdoor luminous sculptures, from a fantasy forest of jungle animals to the wilds of the North Pole. Tickets for The Enchanted Journey of Light are available separately through the website www.thursford.com.

Thursford Christmas Spectacular will run from 9th November – 23rd December 2021, with afternoon performances beginning at 2.00pm and evening shows at 7.00pm. Tickets can be booked via the website https://www.thursford.com/

Musical Theatre Icon Ruthie Henshall leads
Re-imagining of Stephen Sondheim’s MultiAward Winning Passion
Thursday 5th May – Sunday 5th June 2022
Hope Mill Theatre, 113 Pollard Street, Manchester M4 7JA

Olivier Award winner and Musical Theatre icon Ruthie Henshall (Les Miserables; Miss Saigon; Oliver; Crazy For You; Chicago; Billy Elliot) will lead a reimagining of Stephen Sondheim and James Lapine’s multi-award-winning Passion at the Hope Mill Theatre for a limited run. Under the direction of Michael Strassen (Pacific Overtures; Company; Assassins), Henshall will breathe life into this anticipated revival, reenergising the tale of love, sex and obsession in a new dynamic staging. In its strictly limited run of 37 performances at The Hope Mill, the producers are embracing Manchester’s “Factory of Creativity” to re-develop the show for a future life. Further casting will be announced in due course.

Arguably Sondheim’s most lyrical and romantic work, Passion is a legendary musical based on Ettore Scola’s Italian film, Passion d’Amore. Situated in 19 th Century Italy, the production tells the tale of a young soldier, Giorgio, who is obsessively pursued by the relation of his superior officer, Fosca – a woman prone to severe melancholy and mania. Strassen’s modern retelling of the tale, with movement direction by Sundeep Saini (As You Like It, Little Shop of Horrors), will put Fosca front and centre, finding the real heart and truth within the piece.

Exploring the consequences of intense passion and obsessive adoration, Passion is a ravishing and thought-provoking look at the lengths people go to for desire. The renowned musical will be revitalised with modern staging and production, and provides an opportunity to see what is regarded as one of Sondheim’s most personal explorations up close, whilst it is being developed and conceived in Manchester.

Henshall comments, I am so honoured to finally have the opportunity to play the role of Fosca, in one of my all time favourite musicals. From even before I was involved in ‘Putting It Together’ on Broadway, I fell in love with Stephen Sondheim’s music and lyrics; and I only continue to do so more and more each day. Passion is a deep exploration of what it is to love, and be loved; If that wasn’t enough, the score is some of the best musical theatre ever written. To be able to develop this show in such an intimate space and alongside one of my dearest friends Michael Strassen (director), only makes this production an even more rare and exciting event.

Passion features the music and lyrics of the legendary Stephen Sondheim, whose prolific portfolio includes West Side Story, Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street, Company, Follies and his new musical Square One, which premieres next year on Broadway. His longtime collaboration with writer James Lapine, which also produced the award-winning Sunday in the Park with George and Into The Woods, brings this rich tale to life.

RICHARD O’BRIEN‘S LEGENDARY ROCK AND ROLL MUSICAL

ANNOUNCES

LIVE CINEMA SCREENING ACROSS THE UK & EUROPE

FOR ONE NIGHT ONLY – THURSDAY 28 OCTOBER

TICKETS ON SALE NOW FROM

ROCKYHORRORINCINEMAS.COM

★★★★★

“Fresh, subversive, essential”

Daily Telegraph

Ready to thrill you with fun and naughty moments, Richard O’Brien’s legendary rock ‘n’ roll musical, The Rocky Horror Show, is coming to a big screen near you later this month. This special Halloween performance will be broadcast live from the Sadler’s Wells Peacock Theatre in London’s West End on Thursday 28 October to over 500 hundred cinemas across the UK and Europe. Tickets are on sale now from rockyhorrorincinemas.com

Starring Strictly Come Dancing winner Ore Oduba as Brad, the screening live from the Peacock Theatre is part of the UK Tour that continues to break records in theatres across the country which runs until June 2022. The Rocky Horror Show is a guaranteed party featuring timeless classics, including Sweet Transvestite, Dammit Janet, and of course, the pelvic-thrusting, show-stopping Time Warp.

With the announcement of October’s cinema broadcast, even more theatre lovers across the UK will have the opportunity to watch this “colourful, in your face, relentlessly energetic” (The Times) musical that continues to stand the test of time and fill theatres across the country.

Joining Ore to the cast of the Rocky Horror Show as Frank is Stephen Webb (Jersey Boys / Legally Blonde), alongside Philip Franks (The Darling Buds of May) as The Narrator. They will be joined by fan favourite Haley Flaherty (Mamma Mia / Chicago) as Janet.

Kristian Lavercombe (Jersey Boys / Jesus Christ Superstar) once again reprises his role as Riff Raff, following more than 1800 performances around the world, with Lauren Ingram (Beauty and the Beast / My Fair Lady) as Columbia. Ben Westhead (Oliver / The Sound of Music) as Rocky, with Joe Allen (Little Shop of Horrors / Charlie & The Chocolate Factory) as Eddie & Dr Scott.

The cast as Phantoms are Reece Budin (Beautiful: The Carole King Musical / Man of La Mancha), Jordan Fox (Kinky Boots / Hairspray) and Rachel Grundy (Starlight Express / Peter Pan), Darcy Finden who is making her professional debut, Danny Knott (Saturday Night Fever / A Midsummer Nights’ Dream) as Male Swing and Stefania Du Toit (Starlight Express / Singing in the Rain), as Female Swing and Dance Captain.

The Rocky Horror Show is the story of two squeaky clean college kids – Brad and his fiancée Janet. When by a twist of fate, their car breaks down outside a creepy mansion whilst on their way to visit their former college professor, they meet the charismatic Dr Frank’n’Furter. It is an adventure they’ll never forget, filled with fun, frolics, frocks, and frivolity.

The Rocky Horror Show first began life in 1973 before an audience of just 63 people in the Royal Court’s Theatre Upstairs. It was an immediate success and transferred to the Chelsea Classic Cinema, before going on to run at the Kings Road Theatre, 1973-79 and the Comedy Theatre in the West End, 1979-80. Since then, it has become the world’s favourite Rock ‘N’ Roll musical, having been performed worldwide for over 48 years in more than 30 countries and translated into 20 languages.

Ore Oduba says: “I am thrilled to be part of the Halloween live cinema screening of the Rocky Horror Show. It’s been a wild ride so far on tour, the audiences have been incredible. So we can’t wait to share the fun, frolics and frivolity with cinema audiences all over the UK – for one night only!”

Trafalgar Releasing CEO Marc Allenby says: “We’re excited to bring The Rocky Horror Show back to cinemas for this special Halloween broadcast, working with our partners within the Trafalgar Entertainment Group. As audiences return to cinemas on a major scale, this fan favourite provides an opportunity for a guaranteed fun-filled night out, packed with classic songs and humour”.

The Rocky Horror Show tour is produced by

Howard Panter for Trafalgar Theatre Productions,

Mallory Factor for Hill Street Productions and Rupert Gavin

In association with Christian C. Yegen, Mark Lubkeman, Kathryn Bricken, and Jason Brueschke for APOTA Productions

WHAT THE PRESS HAVE SAID ABOUT THE ROCKY HORROR SHOW

“Still the sexiest and funniest show in town”

Evening Standard

“Hard to think of another musical quite as unique as this. Christopher Luscombe’s

affectionate production feels like a genuine blast from the past”

Mail on Sunday

“As delightfully naughty as ever!”

Daily Telegraph

“So fast, so funny, so sexy”

Daily Mail

LISTINGS INFORMATION

Screening Date: Thursday 28 October

Screening Time: 7.45pm BST

Website: rockyhorrorincinemas.com

Twitter: @rockyhorroruk

Instagram: @rockyhorrorofficial

Facebook: /rockyhorrorshow

FULL CAST ANNOUNCED FOR

WORLDWIDE SMASH HIT

THE CHOIR OF MAN

OPENING IN LONDON’S WEST END

AT THE ARTS THEATRE

FROM FRIDAY 29 OCTOBER 2021

The producers of THE CHOIR OF MAN, the runaway international hit, are delighted to announce the cast for the West End premiere. Tom Brandon (original cast member of The Choir of Man and appeared in Andrew Lloyd Webber’s The Beautiful Game) will play the Hard Man, Miles Anthony Daley (made West End debut with Thriller Live) the Romantic, Daniel Harnett (worldwide tour and Sydney Opera House production of The Choir of Man and appeared in Witches of Eastwick at Contact Theatre, Manchester) the Joker, Alistair Higgins (US Tour, Cleveland residency and performed three times at Sydney Opera House in The Choir of Man) the Maestro, Freddie Huddleston (original cast member of The Choir of Man, including US Tour, Edinburgh and Sydney Opera House, and the show’s choreographer, making his West End debut) the Handyman, Richard Lock (Edinburgh, Sydney Opera House and US Tour of The Choir of Man) the Beast, Mark Loveday (original cast member of The Choir of Man, including US Tour, Edinburgh and Sydney Opera House, making his West End debut) as the Barman, Ben Norris (the voice of Ben Archer in The Archers on BBC Radio 4, making his West End debut) the Poet and Tyler Orphé-Baker (The Railway Children, King’s Cross Theatre) the Pub Bore. Also joining the West End cast will be Matt Beveridge (US Tour and Sydney Opera House production of The Choir of Man) and George Bray (Sydney Opera House, European Tour, Cleveland residency of The Choir of Man).

The band features Jack Hartigan as guitarist, Zami Jamil will play the violin, Emanuel Bonsu as drummer and Caleb Wilson as bassist. 

Following three sell-out seasons at the Sydney Opera House and multiple sold-out US and European tours, THE CHOIR OF MAN will open at The Arts Theatre on Tuesday 9 November, following previews from 29 October 2021. The show is currently booking to 13 February 2022.  Tickets are now on sale. 

THE CHOIR OF MAN is the best trip to your local you’ll ever have, featuring amazing reinventions of folk, pop, Broadway and rock chart-toppers from artists including Guns ‘N’ Roses, Fun!, Adele, Avicii, Paul Simon, Sia and many more. It’s a party, it’s a concert and it’s a lock-in like no other.

The cast of nine multi-talented guys combine beautiful harmonies and foot-stomping singalongs with world-class tap dance and poetic meditations on the power of community. This is a riotously feel-good homage to that gathering place we’ve all missed so much over the past year: the pub, complete with a real working bar on stage.

THE CHOIR OF MAN is created by Nic Doodson and Andrew Kay, directed by Nic Doodson, with musical supervision, vocal arrangements and orchestrations by Jack Blume, movement direction and choreography by Freddie Huddleston, monologues written by Ben Norris, scenic design by Oli Townsend, lighting design by Richard Dinnen, costume design and associate scenic design by Verity Sadler, sound design by Sten Severson, casting by Debbie O’Brien.

Associate Choreographer is Rachel Chapman and Associate Musical Director is Hollie Cassar.

The show is produced by Immersive Everywhere, Nic Doodson, Andrew Kay, Wendy & Andy Barnes and AK Theatricals.

Website: choirofmanwestend.com

Facebook: @thechoirofman

Twitter & Instagram: @choirofman

LISTINGS INFORMATION

THE CHOIR OF MAN

The Arts Theatre

Great Newport Street

London WC2H 7JB

Box Office:  020 7836 8463

Tickets: from £15.00 (reduced price previews from 29 October to 8 November – check website for details)

Performances:  Tuesdays to Saturdays at 7.30pm*, Saturday matinees at 3.30pm, Sundays at 2.30pm & 6.00pm (*Tuesday 9 November at 7.00pm)

Christmas 2021/New Year 2022 Schedule

Monday 20 December               NO SHOW

Tuesday 21 December               3.30pm & 7.30pm

Wednesday 22 December          7.30pm

Thursday 23 December              7.30pm

Friday 24 December                  2.30pm

Saturday 25 December              NO SHOW

Sunday 26December                 2.30pm & 6.00pm

Monday 27 December               3.30pm & 7.30pm

Tuesday 28 December               7.30pm

Wednesday 29 December          7.30pm

Thursday 30 December              7.30pm

Friday 31 December                  2.30pm & 6.00pm

Saturday 1 January                    NO SHOW

Sunday 2 January                      2.30pm & 6.00pm

Currently booking to 13 February 2022

Approximate Running Time: 80 minutes (no interval)

Suitable for 12+

IPSWICH’S NEW WOLSEY THEATRE ANNOUNCES CAST OF IN PERSON & LIVE-STREAMED ROCK ‘N’ ROLL PANTOMIME JACK AND THE BEANSTALK

RUNNING FROM 25 NOVEMBER – 8 JANUARY

The New Wolsey Theatre in Ipswich have today announced the cast for their upcoming rock ‘n’ roll pantomime Jack and the Beanstalk, which will play to in person and livestreamed audiences from 25 November 2021 – 8 January 2022.

Jack and the Beanstalk, written by New Wolsey Artistic Director Peter Rowe and directed by Kate Golledge, is billed as a “rock ‘n’ rock panto” that features a cast of multi-skilled actor musicians presenting a glorious mash up of pantomime and pop concert. The production will feature classic and beloved elements of pantomime combined with live performances of classic rock and pop songs including Hit The Road Jack, Lady Marmalade, Get Offa My Cloud and Go Your Own Way.

Following the critically acclaimed success of the theatre’s hybrid pantomime offering The Snow Queen last year, which was “adored” by New York Times critics Alexis Soloski and Elisabeth Vincentelli, this year’s offering will once again include interactions with audiences at home, participation and shout-outs, and the chance to supply a prop during the show.

Captioned, Audio Described, British Sign Language and Relaxed performances will be available during the run with all livestream performances having captioning and audio described options available, except for British Sign Language performances where the live stream’s captioning option will be replaced by a British Sign Language option.

Join Jack’s adventure as we find that Dame Dolly Durden’s family farm has fallen on hard times – Squire Snuffbox is demanding the rent and Giant Blunderbore, with his wicked sidekick, Fleshcreep, is terrorising the land. There’s only one thing for it – Jack will have to sell their last remaining cow, Bessie. But when Jack comes back from the market with nothing more than a bag of beans it looks like the Durdens are done for. Then up pops Fairy Aubergine, up jumps a gigantic beanstalk and Jack is soon on his way up too, battling giants, rescuing the family farm and romancing the Squire’s spirited daughter, Jill.

The cast for Jack and the Beanstalk are: Nicola Bryan (Sweet Charity) as Fleshcreep, Joe Butcher (Buddy – The Buddy Holly Story) as The Giant, Daniel Carter-Hope (Made In Dagenham) as Squire Snuffbox, James Haggie (Jesus Christ Superstar)as Billy, Natasha Magigi (Don Quixote) as Fairy Aubergine/Gemima, Daniella Piper (The Secret Garden) as Jill, Steve Simmonds (Assassins) as Dame Dolly Durden and Neil Urquhart (Bicycle Boy) as Jack. All other roles are played by members of the company.

Jack and the Beanstalk is written by New Wolsey Artistic Director Peter Rowe and directed by Kate Golledge with Rebekah Hughes (Musical Director), Neil Irish (Set & Costume Director), Darragh O’Leary (Choreographer), Richard G Jones (Lighting Designer), James Cook (Sound Designer), Jake Barinov (AV Programmer & Content Creator) and Debbie O’Brien (Casting Director).

The production team consists of: David Phillips (Head of Production), Lewis Moore (Deputy Production Manager), Margaret Lock (Wardrobe Supervisor), Laura Hammond (Company Stage Manager), Ellie Randall (Deputy Stage Manager), Crystal Gayle (Assistant Stage Manager) and Jack Ryan (LX Programmer).

Tickets for in person audiences begin from £12 with livestream tickets at £25. Tickets can be purchased at http://www.wolseytheatre.co.uk/

Anti-bullying campaigner and chat show presenter, Charlie Kristensen,

reveals the top West End musical theatre performers who will be joining him for his fundraising gala

#CheerUpCharlie – The Show

on 31 October 2021 at 7.30pm at The Actor’s Church, Covent Garden

Charlie Kristensen, the 11 year old passionate anti-bullying campaigner and much-loved host of the online chat show Musical Chairs with #CheerUpCharlie, will be joined by an exciting line-up for his fundraising gala #CheerUpCharlie – The Show on Sunday 31 October 2021 at 7.30pm at The Actor’s Church in Covent Garden, London.

Produced by Mark Robert Petty and hosted by Ben Stock and Hilary O’Neil, with Musical Direction by Tom Knowles, the evening will feature a whole host of the West End’s much-loved top musical theatre performers: Lewis Asquith, Lizzie Bea, Nikki Bentley, Daniel Boys, Kieran Brown, Robin Cousins, Maria Coyne, Ferris & Milnes, Adrian Hansel, Jacqueline Hughes, Sophie Isaacs, Melissa Jacques, Alison Jiear, Gemma Knight Jones, Carolyn Maitland, Nadim Naaman, Sara Poyzer, Oliver Savile, Jon Tarcy, Shona White and Jacinta Whyte as well as Joseph Fletcher and Natasha Volley from DMD+ (Deaf Men Dancing+, founded by Mark Smith), country cross-over duo One Trick Pony, This One’s For You – A Tribute To Elton John (with Dougie Carter, Ben Barrow and Sam Ebenezer), the cast of Rumi: The Musical, mind-reader Matt Daniel-Baker and ventriloquist Max Fulham. They will be joined by students from ASA Theatre Arts, London School of Musical Theatre, MX Masterclass and The Royal Central School of Speech and Drama. Charlie also has some special surprises up his sleeve.

Profits from ticket sales will be split between Acting For Others, which provides financial and emotional support to all theatre workers in times of need through the 14 member charities, and The National Deaf Children’s Society which is the leading charity for deaf children. They support the UK’s 50,000 deaf children and young people and their families, and they are there for every deaf child who needs them – no matter what their level or type of deafness or how they communicate. (Charlie overcame a severe infection, which has left him mainly deaf in his left ear and required 15 operations).

Box office: https://actorschurch.ticketsolve.com/shows/873612837. Standard tickets: £40. Restricted view: £30 (pulpit partially obscures sight lines). VIP tickets: £60 (includes a meet-and-greet with Charlie, second row seating, programme, glass of champagne and a #CheerUpCharlie T-Shirt (various sizes available).  Running time: 2hrs 30mins. The show will be BSL signed by Paul Whittaker and another signer (to be announced). The venue is wheelchair accessible. Please wear a mask (unless exempt) and use the hand sanitizer provided. There are no on-site public toilets.

Charlie started his ‘#CheerUpCharlie’ campaign in 2019. Having been bullied severely for over 18 months, in part due to his love of performing, Charlie couldn’t take any more. When he opened up to his performance coach West End actress Jacqueline Hughes, she rallied support from the theatre industry via Twitter. Hundreds of performers and creatives from the West End, Broadway and even Hollywood identified with Charlie’s story, and inundated him with video messages of support. This led to backstage invitations and national media interviews including BBC Breakfast and Michael Ball’s BBC Radio 2 show. Charlie then knew he wanted to channel his own traumatic experiences, and use the support he had received, to help him fight for others. He trained as an Ambassador for The Diana Award and in June 2021, he was recognised with the The Diana Award himself – the highest accolade a young person can achieve for social action or humanitarian efforts. Earlier in 2021, Charlie’s work was celebrated with a What’s On Stage Angel Award, after being nominated by his theatrical peers for having gone above and beyond to provide joy in the midst of the pandemic.

Charlie now devotes over one hundred hours each month to help others by mentoring, campaigning, fundraising and raising awareness. His successes have included the release of a charity single performed alongside West End talent, the development of a musical theatre workshop in partnership with Nathaniel Morrison, and his popular weekly YouTube chat show, Musical Chairs, with guests including Matt Lucas, Gaby Roslin, Jodie Prenger, Faye Tozer, Baz Bamigboye, Lucie Jones, Alice Fearn, Gemma Knight Jones, Rob Madge, Aimie Atkinson, Rachel Tucker and many more.

#CheerUpCharlie – The Show

Twitter: @CharlieKristens, Instagram: @cheerupcharlie__

Facebook: @musicalchairswithcheerupcharlie and YouTube @Charlie Kristensen #CheerUpCharlie,

LISTINGS

Show: #CheerUpCharlie – The Show

Date/Time: 31 October 2021 at 7.30pm. Running Time: 2hrs 30 mins

Venue: The Actor’s Church, Bedford St, London WC2E 9EDTickets: Standard tickets: £40. Restricted view: £30 (pulpit partially obscures sight lines). VIP tickets: £60 (includes a meet-and-greet with Charlie, second row seating, programme, glass of champagne and a #CheerUpCharlie T-Shirt (various sizes available).

Box Office: https://actorschurch.ticketsolve.com/shows/873612837

Access: BSL signed. Wheelchair accessible. There are no public toilets available on site.

Sunderland Empire – until 9 October 2021

5*****

The special gala performance of School of Rock, to celebrate the official reopening of Sunderland Empire after a long 18 months, finished early due to an alarm in the building and a mass evacuation of the building.  I can only assume it was the heat from the red-hot talent of the kids on stage that caused the alarms to go off, because those children were on fire!

It’s hard to equate the people who wrote The Phantom of the Opera and Downton Abbey could collaborate to write a rock musical, but the Lords have done an excellent job.  Andrew Lloyd Webber’s music and Julian Fellows book, come together with Glenn Slater’s fabulous lyrics and Laurence Connors assured direction to give us a rather fantastic production.

Based on the Jack Black film of the same name, Dewey Finn (Jake Sharp) is a rock star in his head and a waster in real life.  No job, living in the spare room of his friend Ned (Matthew Rowland) and hated by Ned’s girlfriend Patty (Nadia Violet Johnson) and thrown out of his own band.  But all of this changes when Dewey takes a phone call intended for Ned, inviting him to teach at the prestigious Horace Green Prep School.  Dewey Finn is suddenly substitute teacher Mr Schneebly and the chaos ensues.

After witnessing his class being taught to play Mozart by Principal  Rosalie Mullins (Rebecca Lock), Dewey realises he has a band and sets about changing them from classical musicians to rock stars so they can compete in Battle of the Bands.

With three sets of youngsters playing the individual roles, it’s fair to say the future of musical theatre is assured with the insane talent of these amazing child performers.  Each of them has more talent in their little finger than I will have in a lifetime.  And it was nice to see the grown up band (Micheal Riley, Sam Hill, Eddie Tatton, Ben Castle, Adam Smith, Dan Humphreys, Gordon Wilson and Stephen Hill) cheering on the kids from the pit, during the Battle of the Bands.

It was a shame we never got to see the end of the show and didn’t get the chance to giving a very deserving standing ovation to this class of outstanding  performers but I’m sure we would raised the roof of the Empire cheering on these ultra talented teenyboppers

Cambridge Arts Theatre, Cambridge – until Saturday 9 October 2021

Reviewed by Steph Lott

4****

The latest touring production of Dial M for Murder is an entertaining night out. Although it was probably more thrilling when it was first performed seventy years ago, it still has a clever plot with some excellent twists. There’s considerable fun, tension and excitement to be had as you wonder whether the dastardly Tony will get away with murder or whether he will be caught.

Ex-tennis pro Tony Wendice decides to murder his wife for 2 reasons: for her money and because she had an affair the year before. He blackmails someone he knew at school to kill her, but when things go wrong he can still see a means to achieve the same villainous end.

By and large, this production is very entertaining. The transitions between scenes are fast and stylish. David Woodhead’s stylish angular set design, with much Sixties detail, gives a good sense of the period. The soundtrack mixes atmospheric sound with some great songs from the era. I loved the lighting from Lizzie Powell. Long shadows are cast from the wings, hinting at action taking place offstage. It creates a tense and sinister atmosphere which I think Hitchcock himself would have been proud of!

There are 2 very fine players in the lead roles. Tom Chambers, as Tony Wendice, is wonderfully charming yet superbly menacing. He gives a very enjoyably physical performance and his sinister creepiness made me squirm at times. He chills the audience, showing the much darker side of would-be murderer Wendice,

Christopher Harper, who plays the dual roles of Captain Lesgate in the first act and Inspector Hubbard in the second, was excellent as a Yorkshire incarnation of Columbo! He captured a similar dogged, apparently dim witted, very annoying yet ultimately successful policeman persona to great effect. There were only a couple of odd moments; when he ignored Max Halliday’s proffered hand, (played by Michael Salami) and then when he incongruously roughed him up, which seemed out of character for the bumbling Hubbard. If it was intended as a comment on the police and historic racism, then it jarred.

I felt that Diana Vickers, playing Margot Wendice, the wife, gave a rather mixed performance. At times it was hard to make out what she was saying and she played the role very seriously (this may be the fault of director, rather than Ms Vickers). Her performance was rather flat and lacking in nuance, although she did become very convincing as a helpless potential murder victim who was easy prey for the evil Tony. Much of the first half, while entertaining, did feel a little disjointed.

The pace picks up considerably after the interval. The atmosphere is tense. Is Margot doomed? Will Inspector Hubbard work it out or will the dastardly Tony get away with it?

The show was well received by the audience and the cast got a great round of applause at the end. This classic thriller is certainly worth going to see.

New Victoria Theatre, Woking – until 9 October 2021

Reviewed by Becky Doyle

3***

Never have I ever seen so many people looking for a black French bulldog, or a Duran Duran CD in the middle of Woking, let alone in the theatre. From the moment that this play set off I knew that we were going to be in for a giggle! As the name suggest EVERYTHING went wrong for the cast of “Murder at Haversham Manor” HOWEVER, that subsequently meant that everything was perfectly right for the cast of “The Play That Goes Wrong”.

Tom Babbage had the audience in stitches with his theatrical explanation of the story line and his characteristic approach to a non existent small but vicious dog. He was by far the highlight of the show for me. That doesn’t take anything away from any of the other actors as each in their own right had the audience on the edge of their seats, with tears from laughter in their eyes making people question “who’d done it”

The set also was highly impressive with varying moving parts, falling floors, collapsing walls and a grand father clock that hid a variety of characters during some tricky moments all contributed to the fun of the show with the snow outside and the fire in there were so many clever interactions with the audience. Including a “OH NO HE DIDN’T” moment that really did feel like it was an in the moment action and result of a Tom Bulpett’s quick thinking and actions that made the play all the more fun.

The reason for my mid level rating is because although funny and very slap stick, I think it lacked depth to the story and I found that after a while the incidents and jokes were predictable and less imaginative. This doesn’t however take away from the fact that the actors and actresses in this show were fantastic and if you want a good belly laugh, this is one to add to the wish list.