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Curve Theatre, Leicester and The Pleasance Theatre, London. On demand from 16 – 30 August 2021

Reviewed by Aimee Liddington

3***

Jo is ‘sort of a lesbian’ and she’s ‘sort of friends’ with Eva who is ‘sort of a liability’ – together they navigate the ups and downs of womanhood. When Jo becomes pregnant, she turns to Eva for support but Eva is going through her own dilemma. The two women support each other and in a story about sexuality and sexual health, we are reminded that family can be so much more than what it appears to be in a traditional sense.

Writer and producer, Holly Boyden covers some prominent difficulties for young women in this modern story set in the East Midlands. Although the audience is amused by the one-liners delivered by Eva, played by Lisa Ronkowski, her character also allows the audience to confront some serious topics such as abortion, STIs and infertility. Additionally, Jo, played by Gemma Kenny, brings some thought-provoking issues to the forefront concerning bisexuality and attitudes towards motherhood.

Holly Boyden herself, who played the role of Sheela, was successful in stepping in as extra characters such as the waitress in the restaurant scene and the doctor at the women’s clinic. I did, however, often feel confused by her presence when she stepped back into her role as the narrator. At times she seemed to need more confidence and could have delivered some of her lines with more conviction. I wonder whether this character would be better scaled back and if Boyden could work on the subtlety of the omnipresence of the narrator with director Natasha Kathi-Chandra.

The choice of staging was clever and Kenny, Ronkowski and Boyden worked well together to move the tables which were used to transform the stage from scene to scene. The lighting and sound, although very basic, seemed to work but during the filmed version there seemed to be a lot of background noise. At times, it wasn’t clear whether the noise was part of the production or was coming from elsewhere. This is of course something that would not have been an issue when viewing the play in person.

It Kind of Looks Like a Doughnut is an intriguing production which covers some very interesting and challenging topics with humour. The skeleton of a successful production is definitely there, the team just need to polish the finished article.

Trafalgar Theatre, London- until 2 January 2022

Reviewed by Liberty Noke

5*****

Jersey Boys tells the story of Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons as they rise from a small town in New Jersey to become best selling artists. The story is told in four parts or “seasons” with each member of the band getting the chance to narrate their story.

Featuring such recognisable classics as “Beggin” and “Can’t Take my Eyes Off You” and with complex and endearing characters it is clear to see why this musical has been so popular since its debut in 2004 and this performance was no different. The talented cast had pitch perfect vocals throughout and the choreography, while it may appear simple, perfectly matched the music and the period and was performed so immaculately, not once was any actor off beat.

Ben Joyce’s performance of Frankie Valli was incredible his vocals were stunning and he gave a fantastic portrayal of Frankie from start to finish. A remarkable West End debut. Tommy De Vito played by Benjamin Yates, despite his despicable acts was charming and you couldn’t help but quite like him. Adam Bailey played the character of Bob Gaudio, the song writing talent of the group. He brings such likeability to the character. Karl James Wilson plays Nick Massi who is often the voice of reason in the group. He added humour to the show in the blunt way he delivered some of his lines.

The staging was simple, grey in colour with a raised walkway along the back accessed by a staircase in either side to add layers to the stage. Act one ended with the Four Seasons facing away from the audience as if to a crowd allowing the audience to feel that they were backstage at a Four Seasons show. A fantastic and unusual way to close the first act that made the audience feel closer to the story.

Overall this was an energetic and upbeat performance that had the whole theatre on their feet. A sensational musical that is not to be missed.

KILN YOUNG COMPANY 16-18s PRESENT A NEW BEGINNING

Kiln Young Company 16-18s will be presenting a scratch production called A New Beginning on Kiln Theatre stage this evening at 7pm. The group of young people from Brent and North West London have been taking part in free sessions since May, supported by Director David Gilbert, Associate Director Basheba Baptiste and Writing Associate Sara Kosar, where they have been developing their writing, acting and directing skills culminating in tonight’s performance.

Many young people are participants who have taken part in Kiln Theatre projects before and some are new to the project. The first part of the course was online and focussed on writing skills, with in person sessions resuming in June at Kiln Theatre. 

With a focus on independent writing skills at the start of the project, and supporting young people’s own voices and ideas, the piece encompasses multiple short pieces in one night. Participants developed 6 short plays, and are directing and acting in each other’s work. One of the aims of the project is to support the development of young people’s creative Agency, to help them gain a range of theatre making skills to enable them to create their own work in the future.

Head of Creative Engagement, Jenny Batt said, As with the theatre industry and Brent borough, the Participants and the Creative Team have faced many challenges over the course of the project due to the pandemic. I’m completely inspired by the commitment to creativity that the young company have showed in this time, as well as their talent. It’s a total privilege to be working with the young people and amazing creative team on this scratch, which is the first Creative Engagement project to return to Kiln Theatre Stage since lockdown 2020. Come down.

Listings: A New Beginning

Tickets are free, and can be reserved via the website: https://kilntheatre.com/whats-on/a-new-beginning/

Kiln Theatre Young Company 16-18s

19 August 2021, 7pm

A NEW BEGINNING

Inspired by those moments that leave your perspective changed forever, A NEW BEGINNING journeys to 6 very different worlds to meet characters that are all trying to make sense of the circumstances they find themselves in.

Kiln Theatre Young Company have worked online and in person, through isolation and challenges and we are so proud to finally share their vision with you in a scratch production on Kiln Theatre stage.

MIRROR IMAGE

Written and directed by Maksymilian

Aver: Jyothi

Gabri: Terriesia

TOUGH LOVE

Written and directed by Sami

Guard: James

X: Lily

Dad: Chioma

OBSESSION

Written by Tempest

Directed by Jyothi

Akira: Maksymilian

Min-Jun/Dae: Tempest

DAYS

Written and directed by Lily

Performed by Chioma and Terriesia

THE DOOR  

Written by James, Josh and Rafael

Directed by Tempest

Tobias: Sami

James: James

Josh: Josh

MY MYSELF

Written and directed by Terriesia

Performed by Bathseba and Terriesia

CREATIVE TEAM 

Director David Gilbert, Associate Director Bashevba “Bashiie” Baptiste, Designer Roisin Martindale, Lighting Designer Lucía Sánchez, Sound Designer Joseff Harris, Writing Facilitator Sarah Kosar

For ages 12+

Soho Theatre – until 21 August 2021

4****

Reviewed by Claire Roderick

Inspired by the incident at DSTRKT in 2015 when a group of women were turned away for being “too black”, Jessica L Hagan’s Queens of Sheba, directed by Jessica Kaliisa, is a blistering rollercoaster of emotion as four women share their stories of what it is to be a black woman in a world of misogynoir. The noises of recognition from the audience throughout the show, from men and women, say it all. After each story, their refrain is: They ask me where I am from! I say I am a mix of both racism and sexism. They lay equally on my skin, passed down unknowingly by my next of kin.

The amazingly talented cast – Tosin Alabi, Eshe Asante, Kokoma Kwaku and Elisha Robin – have performed the show many times, and their chemistry is electric. The sense of sisterhood as they share spoken word sections, comfort each other, make each other laugh, sing, or just sit in silence is palpable. The everyday racism and sexism they describe is instantly recognisable, from the first days at a new job and the attitude of white co-workers, to an awful first date with a white man who fetishizes “exotic” women. The cast slip into different characters effortlessly, with their caricatures of men, white and black, hilariously accurate. The section in the club as they portray a group of men hitting on women is hysterical and awful – you will cringe and cry with laughter at the same time. Whenever things look bleak, the women lose themselves in the songs of Aretha Franklin, Diana Ross and Tina Turner – with stunning singing and harmonies. The show also tackles the women’s tricky relationship with modern black artists, lifted up the music but oppressed and brutalised by the lyrics.

Laying bare the realities and struggles of black women, but also celebrating the strength and sisterhood this creates, Queens of Sheba is an exhilarating show that will stay with you for a long time.

Pleasance Theatre – until 21 August 2021

4****

Reviewed by Claire Roderick

Billed as part poetry, part stand-up, part gig, Moist, Moist, Moist is a charmingly chaotic show that you can’t help but love. After listening to me rave about the show, my friend told me it sounds like Bob Mortimer and Paul Whitehouse Go Fishing – The Teenage Years. Which I suppose is quite accurate on the surface – two friends sharing surreal comic riffs, ridiculous skits and songs alongside deeply emotional explorations of life and love.

Chris White’s poetry about the queer experience and falling in love takes the sea metaphor and stretches it until it breaks with a knowing glee in the funniest parts of the performance. With a set that looks like the themed play area in a nursery (and looks like 30 children have run riot in it all day by the end of the show) – a paddling pool and inflatable fish take centre stage – and a panto-style singalong, there are moments when you’re not sure if anybody in the room knows what’ll happen next, but that is the joy of this performance.

Chris White and Hal Kelly are a great double act, with Kelly accompanying White’s “singing” live. White talks about growing up far from the sea and about first going to gay clubs, Grindr hook-ups, and relationships using the language of the ocean to describe the emotions and sensations of love and sex. While he lays the metaphors on thick in jokier sections there are some quieter sequences of poetry that capture the essence of love beautifully. After reeling the audience in with his irresistible charm, the revelations of the last 5 minutes hit hard, but White and Kelly end the show with hope and love – and an absurdly silly joke.

This fantastic, funny show only has a short run, so grab a ticket while you can before Chris and his paddling pool get back on the Exeter train.

Come What May

Full Casting Announced

For Major UK Theatre Tour from 15 September 2021

Come What May, a tribute to the greatest movie musicals of all time including Moulin Rouge, Rocketman, The Greatest Showman, A Star is Born and Burlesque, today announces full casting. The show, which stars Britain’s Got Talent winner Jai McDowall, will head out on a major national theatre tour this September, playing across the UK including at the Mercury Theatre Colchester, the Mayflower Theatre Southampton, the New Theatre Royal Lincoln and Buxton Opera House, where the show kicks off on 15 September.

Joining the previously announced Jai McDowall are: Celyn Cartwright, David Wyatt, Óscar Fonseca, Chloe Gatward, Emma Jane, Georgia McEnaney, Hannah Morcos, Stuart Rouse, Marco Venturini, and Reece Woodier.

Travel back in time as the children of the revolution take you into the sexy, disreputable and glamorous underworld of Paris at the Moulin Rouge.  Have a musical peep into the flamboyant world of Elton John, journey on into the imagination of the original showman P.T Barnum before heading to the bright lights of Los Angeles as well as the kitsch glamour of Sunset Boulevard’s Burlesque Lounge.  

The musical extravaganza is packed with timeless classics from Moulin Rouge including Come What May, Your Song, Diamonds Are A Girls Best Friend, Roxanne and Lady Marmalade as well as hits from other iconic movie musicals from Come Alive, Saturday Night’s Alright and Shallow to Show Me How You Burlesque.

This all-singing, all-dancing show is an unforgettable combination of dreams, adventure and above all – love! 

Jai McDowall won the fifth season of Britain’s Got Talent, capturing the hearts of a nation with his powerhouse vocals, natural charm and versatile song interpretations.  Jai appeared at the 2011 Royal Variety Performance and has since toured the UK with his own show, as well as appearing in the theatre shows Mad About the Musicals and Les Musicals as well as in London at Live at Zedel.

Come What May is presented by Sweeney Entertainments and Sisco Productions. The show is created by Scott Garnham and Simon Schofield for Sisco Productions with choreography by Scott Coldwell and arrangements/musical Supervision by James Doughty.

Co-founded by Julie and Peter Sweeney, Sweeney Entertainments has been providing a wide repertoire of top-quality touring shows for theatre and corporate events for over fifteen years both in the UK and internationally and now boasts a repertoire of fourteen touring productions. 

Sisco Productions is a company of enthusiastic and ambitious theatre makers, led by Barricade Boys creators Scott Garnham and Simon Schofield, whose primary mission is to create and provide high quality live theatre to the widest possible audience.

www.comewhatmayshow.com

CONFIRMED DATES FOR 2021

(MAY BE SUBJECT TO CHANGE)

15/09/2021 BUXTON OPERA HOUSE

16/09/2021 HOWDEN PARK CENTRE

17/09/2021 ELGIN TOWN HALL

18/09/2021 ALHAMBRA DUNFERMLINE

21/09/2021 OCTAGON THEATRE YEOVIL

25/09/2021 MERCURY THEATRE COLCHESTER

26/09/2021 MAYFLOWER THEATRE SOUTHAMPTON

04/10/2021 THE GROVE THEATRE DUNSTABLE  

07/10/2021 GAIETY THEATRE AYR

10/10/2021 QUEENS THEATRE HORNCHURCH

11/10/2021 WYVERN THEATRE SWINDON

12/10/2021 ROYAL SPA THEATRE LEAMINGTON

13/10/2021 NEW THEATRE ROYAL LINCOLN

16/10/2021 ASHCROFT THEATRE CROYDON

17/10/2021 TOWNGATE THEATRE BASILDON

21/10/2021 PLOWRIGHT THEATRE SCUNTHORPE

22/10/2021 EMPIRE THEATRE CONSETT

23/10/2021 THEATRE ROYAL WAKEFIELD

24/10/2021 HEXAGON READING

26/10/2021 THE STABLES WAVENDON

27/10/2021 THE BREWHOUSE TAUNTON

28/10/2021 BARNSTAPLE THEATRE

29/10/2021 SOUTHMILL ARTS CENTRE BISHOP STORTFORD

31/10/2021 PALACE THEATRE SOUTHEND

01/11/2021 CHELTENHAM TOWN HALL

04/11/2021 THEATRE ROYAL ST HELENS

05/11/2021 WATERSMEET THEATRE RICKMANSWORTH

10/11/2021 LEAS CLIFF HALL FOLKESTONE

12/11/2021 NORTHCOTT THEATRE EXETER

13/11/2021 BABBACOMBE THEATRE

18/11/2021 ASSEMBLY ROOMS TAMWORTH

• SHOWCASING THE NEXT GENERATION OF MUSICAL THEATRE TALENT: KATY LIPSON AND ADAM LENSON ANNOUNCE THE CHAMBER MUSICAL SESSIONS CONCERT AT THE GARRICK THEATRE IN THE WEST END ON MONDAY 4 OCTOBER TO CELEBRATE FIFTEEN OF THE MOST TALENTED NEW WRITING TEAMS IN THE UK
• LIPSON AND LENSON HAVE SELECTED TWO WINNERS, ‘EARTHA, EDDIE AND THE UPSIDE-DOWN TREE’ BY LEO MUNBY AND ANNABEL MUTALE REED AND ‘ECHOES’ BY FREYA SMITH AND JACK WILLIAMS OUT OF THE NEW COMMISSIONS FROM THE CHAMBER MUSICAL PROJECT WHICH WILL RECEIVE FURTHER DEVELOPMENT AND MENTORSHIP 
• AUDIENCES WILL BE TREATED TO AN EXCLUSIVE FIRST-LISTEN OF ORIGINAL SONGS FROM THE NEW SHOWS THAT ARE BEING WRITTEN
• THE WRITERS WILL BE JOINED BY SOME OF THE WEST END’S FAMILIAR AND NEW FACES AND A HOUSE BAND TO SHARE AN EVENING OF UNEXPECTED, EXHILARATING AND EXTRAORDINARY NEW MUSICAL THEATRE

A concert to celebrate the Chamber Musical Project will take place on Monday 4th October at 7:30pm at the Garrick Theatre in the West End. The Chamber Musical Sessions concert will invite audiences to join the selected fifteen writing teams from across the UK to hear an array of new songs from the chamber musicals that they are writing. This concert celebration of the Aria-ALP Chamber Musical Project will give audiences a chance to hear extracts from all of the longlisted shows and get to know a new generation of musical theatre artists. The writers will be joined by some of the West End’s biggest stars, new faces and a house band to share an evening of unexpected, exhilarating and extraordinary new musical theatre.

The two newly commissioned shows which have been selected as the winners by the Aria-ALP Chamber Musical Project for further development, mentorship and financial support are:

EARTHA, EDDIE, AND THE UPSIDE-DOWN TREE

by Leo Munby & Annabel Mutale Reed
A contemporary fairy tale about wishing for love in a world of missed connections.

ECHOES

by Freya Smith & Jack Williams

A new musical about a queer relationship told from two perspectives, in two parts. Agnes and Bea meet unexpectedly and become entangled in a web of lies and deception while falling in love. Two complex, flawed and relatable young women explore themselves and each other in this new piece which examines themes including sexuality, class and the unreliability of memory.

The concert will also include work from the writers Christina Bloom (Detached), Cordelia O’Driscoll (Bitter/Sweet), Emelie Odukwe and Lily Vincent-Frankland (At The Centre),  Guy Woolf and Isla Van Tricht (How To Save The World), Tommy Antonio and Robert Casey (Harder Baby), Hilmi Jaidin (Clickbait), Jen Green and Caroline Wigmore (Elizabeth Holmes: How to bleed dry in Silicon Valley), Michelle Payne & Craig Webb (Enthusiastically, Yes!), Natalie Pound, Sam Young and Sam Hoppen (Thanks I’m Cured), Jonathan O’Neill and Isaac Savage (Letting Go), Poppy Burton-Morgan and Robin Simões da Silva (Treehouse), Sarah-Louise Young, Richard Link and Paul Chronnell (Escape Room) and Eden Tredwell (Open Mic 1803).

The commissioning fund was set up as a response to the lack of established British chamber musicals within mainstream publishing and licensing houses and would like to help support UK-based writers in creating content which in the long term could fill these gaps.

Both companies are hugely committed to new musical theatre, evidenced by Aria’s FROM PAGE TO STAGE festival and full-time literary department, and Lenson’s regular SIGNAL concerts. There were over 200 entries for this opportunity with each writing team submitting a pitch and a sample of previous work.

Katy Lipson said:

“We are incredibly proud to have launched a new musical theatre writing award over the last year and to be presenting a night showcasing 15 submissions for that award on top of the set for the much-loved American chamber musical THE LAST 5 YEARS. We are hugely committed to the future of New British Chamber Musicals and cannot wait to see this award grow.”

Adam Lenson said:

“We have been aware of how few opportunities there are for writers to be supported as they develop new musicals and it has been so wonderful to collaborate with Katy to create a little more space for the UK’s writing talent. We hope other theatres and producers will follow our lead and commission and stage more new musical theatre. We are so excited to see what Annabel, Leo, Jack and Freya create and can’t wait to celebrate them and the other longlisted writers in the West End in October.

Tickets are £10-25 and are available now www.nimaxtheatres.com

www.aria-entertainment.com // www.alpmusicals.com // @AriaEnts // @ALPMusicals

The Wardrobe Ensemble’s The Theatre on
the Downs in Bristol announces more shows
The Theatre on the Downs, Breaking Bread, The Downs, Stoke Road, BS9 1FG
Tuesday 10th August – Saturday 2nd October 2021

More shows have been announced to join The Wardrobe Ensemble’s 10th anniversary celebration: The Theatre on the Downs, an ambitious new theatre festival running from August to October. Don’t miss out on this exciting new venue in Bristol and its eclectic and unmissable selection of family and theatre shows that are now on-sale!

Drag queen and party princess Topsie Redfern is getting back to her roots with Topsie Redfern’s Crystal Balls, an exploration of queer acceptance, Crystal Balls and her personal journey from WestEnd Star to drag artist. Shane Warne In Knowle: Stage Reading is a hilarious staged reading of a brilliant new play about men, cricket and the power of Australian legends. An unforgettable onewoman play about the 20th Century African American experience, Woke by Apphia Campbell tells the story of two women from different decades involved in the struggle for civil rights. Supported by The Wardrobe Ensemble and Tobacco Factory Theatres, Ad Infinitum’s latest work-in-progress, Beautiful Evil Things is a breathtaking adventure about one woman who unearths the epic stories of powerful Greek legends.

Stop Trying to be Fantastic by Molly Naylor is a funny and lyrical spoken-word show about suffering, saviour-complex, self-acceptance, and a magpie who refuses to quit. Sing, dance and cry in the bittersweet gig theatre show, Hero & Leander, Or, I Love You But Everything’s Under Water, as six multi-instrumentalists tell an epic seaside tale through songs encompassing folk, indie, sea shanties and choral music. Jonesy and Single Sex are a frank and powerful double bill presented by Bristol School of Acting first-year students tackling gender roles, toxic masculinity and being a teenager in today’s society.

Running until the end of August will be The Wardrobe Ensemble’s WINNERS. In their own inimitable style, this exciting new show explores capitalism and tracks the shift of labour in the history of food from farming to fast food. Directed by Jesse Jones (Death Drop, West End) and Helena Middleton (Education, Education, Education, West End), WINNERS is a rollicking and fantastical look at manipulation, monopoly and money, capitalism and currency.

This is the perfect festival for all the family with brilliant works by leading children’s companies. Two, Four, Six, Eight is a funny and charming journey into the world of numbers for 3 – 8 year olds and their families by Shoofly Theatre, from Bristol theatre-makers Craig Edwards and Katie Sykes. Deep in the woods on the big oak tree, lives a little squirrel with big ideas; Silly Squirrel is perfect for under-5s. The Great Big Story Mix Up is a live and interactive improvised storytelling show which puts the audience at the centre of the action. Science Adventures: The Power Pickle is a fantastical show that explores the wonders of science for ages 5+. With puppetry, poetry and song, TooRaLooRum explores the importance of imagination and how bravery can come from even the smallest of places

The Wardrobe Ensemble comments, We are thrilled to announce more shows to The Theatre on the Downs! It has been a wild ride so far but we are excited to continue to delight audiences with our extraordinary programme of theatre shows. Come and see us and have a drink!

The Theatre on the Downs is kindly supported by The Wardrobe Theatre, Arts Council England, Backstage Trust and WECA. Ticketing in association with Bristol Old Vic.

Please note, The Wardrobe Ensemble is a producing theatre company, running The Theatre on the Downs; The Wardrobe Theatre is a venue in Old Market. The two organisations are good friends and have produced several shows together including The Great Gatsby and The Seekers Trilogy, but they are separate organisations

KIDS ACROSS THE UK…

YOU’RE IN THE BAND!

FULL CAST ANNOUNCED FOR THE FIRST-EVER TOUR OF

ANDREW LLOYD WEBBER’S SMASH HIT WEST END & BROADWAY MUSICAL

TAKE A SNEAK PEAK AT OUR NEW INTAKE OF STUDENTS ON THEIR FIRST DAY AT ROCK SCHOOL HERE

MAJOR UK AND IRELAND 2021/22 TOUR PREMIERE AT

HULL NEW THEATRE ON TUESDAY 7^TH SEPTEMBER

School of Rock – The Musical, Andrew Lloyd Webber’s smash hit, Olivier Award-winning West End show today reveals casting for its first-ever UK and Ireland tour.

Jake Sharp is getting the band back together as it is confirmed that he will lead the cast as Dewey Finn having previously performed the role in the West End. Alex Tomkins will perform in the role at certain performances. They are joined by Rebecca Lock asRosalie Mullins, Matthew Rowland as Ned Schneebly and Nadia Violet Johnson as Patty Di Marco. The remaining adult cast comprises Ryan Bearpark, James Bisp, Joanna O’Hare, Samuel Haughton,  Tom Hext, Harveen Mann, Richard Morse, Annell Odartey, Amy Oxley, Helena Pipe, Michaela Powell, Richard Vorster and Craig Watson.

‘A FOOT-STOMPING, DELIRIOUSLY ENJOYABLE FABLE OF FREEDOM AND FUN’

THE SUNDAY TIMES

One of three incredibly talented teams of twelve children will perform live alongside Dewey each night and are currently getting ready to stick it to the man when the bell rings for the new school term in September. They comprise (including covers) Eva McGrath (thirteen years old from Birmingham), Emerson Sutton (thirteen years old from the West Midlands), Thomas Harvey (twelve years old from Cheshire) and Isaac Forward (twelve years old from Buckinghamshire) who will play Freddy; Chloe Marler (ten years old from Essex), Marikit Akiwumi (twelve years old from Guildford), Daisy Hanna (thirteen years old from Surrey) and Ivy Balcombe (nine years old from Surrey) who will play Katie; Oliver Forde (twelve years old from London), Angus McDougall (thirteen years old from Buckinghamshire), David Gluhovsky (twelve years old from London) and Oliver Pearce (eleven years old from North Wales)who play Lawrence;  Joseph Sheppard (twelve years old from the West Midlands), Harry Churchill (nine years old from Devon), Hanley Webb (ten years old from Northamptonshire) and William Laborde (twelve years old from Surrey) who will play Zack;  Wilf Cooper (twelve years old from Surrey), Logan Matthews (eleven years old from Berkshire) and Alfie Morwood (ten years from South Wales) who play Billy;  Keira Laver (eleven years old from Essex), Florrie May Wilkinson (ten years old from London) and Saffia Layla (eleven years old from Hertfordshire) who will play Summer; Jasmine Djazel (eleven years old from London), Souparnika Nair (ten years old from Bury St. Edmunds) and Angel Lucero (eleven years old from London), who will play Tomika; Hadlee Snow (ten years old from Brighton), Darmani Eboji (twelve years old from Essex), Devon Francis (eleven years old from London), Riotafari Gardner (ten years old from London) who will play James; Lily Rose Martin (eleven years old from Kent), Elodie Salmon (eleven years old from London) and Paris Banyong (nine years old from London) who will play Marcy; Caelan Wallington (eleven years old from Watford), Alex Shotton (twelve years old from Buckinghamshire) and Nesim Adnan (ten years old from Kent) who will play Mason; Kyla Robinson (eleven years old from Surrey), Eden Anthony (twelve years old from London) and Elisha Kerai (eleven years old from London) who will play Shonelle; Ophelia Parsons (twelve years old from London), Jemima Newman (nine years old from Bedfordshire), Ava Masters (eleven years old from Kent) and Inez Danielak (twelve years old from Essex) who play Sophie.

‘THE MOST ENJOYABLE FEW HOURS MONEY CAN BUY’

 THE DAILY TELEGRAPH

Based on the hilarious hit movie, this new musical follows Dewey Finn, a failed, wannabe rock star who decides to earn a few extra bucks by posing as a substitute teacher at a prestigious prep school. There he turns a class of straight-A students into a guitar-shredding, bass-slapping, mind-blowing rock band – sensationally performed live by the production’s young actors every night with roof-raising energy! While teaching these pint-sized prodigies what it means to truly rock, Dewey falls for the school’s beautiful, but uptight headmistress, helping her rediscover the wild child within.

School of Rock – The Musical features new music written by Andrew Lloyd Webber with lyrics by Glenn Slater (The Little Mermaid, Sister Act) and a book by Julian Fellowes. Originally directed by Laurence Connor (Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, London Palladium 2019) with choreography by JoAnn M Hunter, set and costume designs by Anna Louizos, lighting design by Natasha Katz, sound design by Mick Potter and music supervision by John Rigby. 

School of Rock- The Musical debuted at Broadway’s Winter Garden Theatre in New York in 2015, and ran for more than three years, picking up four Tony nominations along the way.  It transferred to London in late 2016 and ran for over three year at the New London Theatre, winning an Olivier Award for Outstanding Achievement in Music.

For the production’s first UK and Ireland tour, Christopher Key takes the reigns as Associate Director, Maria Graciano as Associate choreographer and Musical Supervision is by Matt Smith.  Adam Fisher and Stuart Porter complete the team as Associate Sound and Lighting Designers.

The UK & Ireland Tour of School of Rock – The Musical is produced by David Ian for Crossroads Live by arrangement with the Really Useful Group.

Theatre Royal Nottingham – until Saturday 21 August 2021

Reviewed by Louise Ford

4**** 

I got chills… 

This week’s show at the Theatre Royal is another musical classic, Grease (Directed by Nikolai Foster), all high school anx ,rivalry, peer pressure, rock and roll, cars and a bit of education thrown in for good measure.

A coming of age story which starts, appropriately  enough, at the end of a long hot summer of beaches and summer love (well we can all dream!), when the mismatched summer lovers Sandy (Georgia Louise) and Danny (Dan Partridge) start back at Rydell High, under the watchful eye of Miss Lynch (Corina Powlesland)

The original book, music and lyrics was written, in 1971, by Jim Jacobs and Warren Casey and draws heavily on the rock and roll of the 1950s. The current staging remains true to the fashion and hairstyles (cue back combing that DA) of the era. The show and song lyrics are more gritty and raunchy than you may remember from the film version ( made in 1978). Think pelvic thrusting and grinding, as well as teenage pregnancy, gang violence and class conflict. The story inverts the norm of the girl taming her man and instead the girl is transformed into a wild (male?) fantasy.

One of the funniest songs and duos, that didn’t make it into the film,  is that between Rump and Jan (Maeve Byrne), the song titled Mooning celebrates his skill at, well, mooning at girls,”I guess I’ll keep striking poses. Until my cheeks have lost their roses”! Trust me is was hilarious! They make a lovely pairing of chubbiness and snacking!

The stage (Colin Richmond), is nicely pared back and easily changes from the beach, Rydell High cafeteria ,the garage, back alley and bedroom, with minimal effort. The set easily divides in two for the early rendition of Summer Nights, tell me more,tell me more! All of the great familiar songs, in a slightly different order to the film, ( you’ll be word perfect, as the Nottingham audience were last night) are there, with some wonderful ensemble dance routines (choreographed by Arlene Phillips) lots of energy, hand jiving (Born to Hand Jive) and pelvic thrusts.

My only gripe is that my favourite song “Grease Lightening” wasn’t on for long enough, although it is included in the finale mash up, which was a lot of fun. The audience were on their feet singing and clapping away,  sadly not enough room for any jiving in the aisles maybe just enough space for a bit of pelvic thrusting!

The stand out performance for me was Peter Andre. He has reprised his 2019 role as both  Vince Fontaine and the Teen Angel. In some performances he is also the Beat Cop. So some rapid costume changes! He’s on stage nearly all the time, from his eyrie record studio looking down on the unfolding action, to the heavenly (are there any other kind) Teen Angel giving career advice to Frenchie (Marianna Neofitou), to the iconic  rock n’roll  legend Vince Fontaine judging the dance competition. The choreography for Beauty School Drop Out is wonderfully camp all white suits, sunnies, and glittery wings. As Vince Fontaine he is working the full leopard print (think Cat from Red Dwarf) zoot suit and brothel creepers. He’s full of energy and is clearly enjoying the role, and manages to do the splits!

All in all a great evening’s entertainment, so Pink Ladies and Burger Palace Boys grab your jackets, comb through that grease and get on down to the Royal for a nostalgic evening of Rock and Roll!” It doesn’t matter if you win or lose, it’s what you do with your dancing shoes”, Vince Fontaine.