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BIRMINGHAM HIPPODROME ANNOUNCE A

PANTO CAST THAT’S JUST RIGHT FOR

GOLDILOCKS AND THE THREE BEARS

After a year of absence, Birmingham Hippodrome will be bringing Pantomime back to the city with Goldilocks and the Three Bears from Saturday 18 December, and today have announced the exciting cast line-up who will be joining Jason Donavon in his panto debut and Birmingham Panto favourite Matt Slack.

The UK’s biggest regional panto follows Dame Betty Barnum and her daughter Goldilocks’, who are battling to save their Big Top circus from the Evil Ringmaster who is intent on stealing their three loveable bears and leave them in ruin.

Alongside Jason – who will be playing the Evil Ringmaster – and Matt as Ringmaster will be Doreen Tipton as Doreen the Lion Tamer, Andrew Ryan as Dame Betty Barnum, Alexia McIntosh as Candy Floss and Samantha Dorrance as Goldilocks.

Chief Executive of Crossroads Pantomimes, Michael Harrison, said: “I am really delighted to be announcing so many returning cast today alongside the addition of local Midlands’s talent in the form of Alexia and Samantha.”

Michael, who will be producing and directing Goldilocks and the Three Bears at the Hippodrome added: “The audiences are going to truly love Goldilocks and the Three Bears, the first circus-themed pantomime at the Hippodrome for 24 years! The show will incorporate the very best of the production I created for the sell-out London Palladium panto in 2019, alongside lots of new material created especially for our Birmingham cast and audience.”

This will be the first pantomime back in the Hippodrome since the venue recently reopened after almost 18 months of closure.

Birmingham Hippodrome Artistic Director and Chief Executive, Fiona Allan added: “We are delighted to be preparing to welcome back our much anticipated pantomime this December. We really felt the absence of pantomime in the 2020 festive season, and we know our audiences did as well, so with such a wonderful cast on board I am sure Goldilocks and the Three Bears will more than make up for a missed year.”

Alongside the headline cast, the Hippodrome have also revealed a spectacular line-up of circus acts including the magnificent magician Phil Hitchcock, awe-inspiring motorcycle act Peter Pavlov and The Globe of Speed, the Death-Defying Gemini Sisters and international circus artist Pierre Marchand.

Cast Biographies

Doreen Tipton is a regional treasure and over the past few years has morphed effortlessly from YouTube sensation to Queen of the Black Country. She has previously had six sell-out theatre tours, made a Doreen movie (featuring rock legend Robert Plant, no less), wrote an autobiography ‘From Rug-Rats to Riches’, made a documentary DVD on the Black Country, as well as being voted Midlands Personality of the Year by What’s On readers. Doreen’s appearance in Goldilocks follows her triumphant Hippodrome panto debut in 2019.

Goldilocks will be Andrew Ryan’s 35^th pantomime and 31^st year as Dame and he is delighted to return to the Hippodrome for a fifth pantomime season. Andrew’s previous West End credits include Giles in The Mousetrap at the St. Martin’s Theatre, and Mark Styler in Anthony Horowitz’s Mindgame at The Ambassador’s. Andrew has also toured across the country in many shows including The Rocky Horror Show where he played Brad and Riff Raff in multiple tours.

Birmingham’s own Alexia McIntosh is a graduate of The Royal Birmingham Conservatoire and is very excited to be starring in pantomime in her home city. For the last three years Alexia has played Anna of Cleaves in the hugely successful production of SIX in London’s West End for which she was nominated as Best Supporting Actress in a musical at the Olivier Awards. Her other theatre credits include Rent, Sister Act and Wind In The Willows.

Samantha Dorrance is from Wolverhampton and began her career on Disney Channel after winning their talent search show, You’re The Star. Her previous theatre credits include Dreamboats and Petticoats in the West End and on UK Tour. Samantha is also founder of Sammy & The Sparks, a family-friendly pop band and her self-written stage show, Sammy & The Sparks LIVE can be seen touring around the UK.  At 9 years old, Samantha performed in her very first pantomime as a child dancer in Goldilocks and the Three Bears and is thrilled to be returning in a different role many years later!

Goldilocks and the Three Bears runs at Birmingham Hippodrome Saturday 18 December 2021 – Sunday 30 January 2022. To book visit birminghamhippodrome.com or call 0844 338 5000 (4.5p per minute plus your phone company’s access charge). 

CHRISTMAS AT WILTSHIRE CREATIVE

INCLUDING WINTER WANDERLAND, EVENTS, CRAFTS AND FESTIVE ENTERTAINMENT FOR ALL

The full Christmas programme at Wiltshire Creative is announced today, including festive main house production at Salisbury Playhouse, Snow White and the Happy Ever After Beauty Salon by Mike Akers alongside a programme of festive events and activities in the beautiful deconstructed church of Salisbury Arts Centre. The extensive Christmas offering continues Wiltshire Creative’s commitment to cultural recovery and community togetherness, whilst enhancing creativity among audiences of all ages.

Wiltshire Creative will also take part in Winter Wanderland this year, an initiative transforming streets into magical outdoor galleries with lit up window displays. Between 4-7 November 2021, Salisbury Playhouse and Salisbury Arts Centre will be illuminated with enchanting window displays drawing on themes of hope, positivity, and triumphing over darker times.  

Gareth Machin, Wiltshire Creative’s Artistic Director said today, “We’re delighted that Salisbury Arts Centre will offer a distinctive festive offer this year for young and old alike. It is a magical space and I’m sure our programme will bring much joy to all of our community.

Juliet Coveney, Salisbury Arts Centre Manager said today, “We are so pleased to be able to offer a diverse range of shows and activities this December at Salisbury Arts Centre.  This exciting programme offers something for everyone; if that be nights out with friends, craft workshops for children and adults as well as an endearing family show plus so much more.”

Alongside the previously announced Snow White and the Happy Ever After Beauty Salon by Mike Akers, the Christmas programme at Wiltshire Creative includes a one-off performance of Long Nose Puppets family show The Hug on 11 December.

For festive evening entertainment, 5-piece jazz band Jazz Dynamos will perform at the Arts Centre on 10 December, well known songs from the 1970s and ‘80s, transforming them with a mix of jazz, bossa, and samba. Their unique set of original, contemporary jazz arrangements includes hits by, amongst others, Dolly Parton, Madonna, U2, Police, a-ha and Britney Spears. Celebrate all things 80s television mysteries had to offer with Tim Benzie’s Solve-Along-Murder-Mystery on 3 December, a live ‘solve-along’ alongside a classic episode of Murder She Wrote. For comedy fans, there will be a festive edition of the popular Barnstormers comedy nights on 17 December.

The festive offering also includes ample opportunities to get creative in the studio spaces at Salisbury Arts Centre and its fully equipped pottery studio, including a five-week Make Your Christmas Decorations Pottery Workshop course and Christmas Wrapping Paper with Bridget Timoney, Willow Christmas Trees with Louise Brown, and Festive Crafts with Wiltshire Scrapstore. 

The full festive programme of workshops and performances is now on-sale at https://www.wiltshirecreative.co.uk/whats-on/. 

Salisbury Playhouse

Snow White and The Happy Ever After Beauty Salon

Written by Mike Akers

Music by Tayo Akinbode, Lyrics by Mike Akers, with additional songs by Christopher Peake.

3 December – 31 December 2021

Director Gareth Machin; Designer James Button; Musical Director Christopher Peake; Choreographer Nicky Griffiths; Lighting Designer Nic Farman; Sound Designer Michael Scott;

Casting Director Gabrielle Dawes CDG

In a magical 1950s fairytale wonderland, young apprentice Snow is working hard in her Aunt Trish’s Beauty Salon. She curls the tails of the three little pigs, sharpens the teeth of the Big Bad Wolf, and perfectly sets Prince Charming’s quiff.

But, suddenly stumbling upon Aunt Trish’s magic mirror puts Snow’s life in peril.

Will she be able to survive as she heads underground and attempts to carve her own path to a happily ever after?

With toe-tapping live music, dazzling design, puppetry and laugh out loud entertainment, the show will delight the whole family this Christmas.

Salisbury Arts Centre

White Christmas: Make Your Christmas Decorations Pottery Workshop

Wednesday 3 November-Wednesday 1 December
 

A five-week course led by Bridget Timoney with opportunities to create a variety of 2D and 3D handmade decorations, including napkin holders, angels and festive nightlight holders to give as gifts and stocking fillers. For that White Christmas feel, the creations will be made from porcelain and white clay and can be embellished and glazed for that special shimmering effect. 

Bridget Timoney is a potterer, previously Visual Arts and Pottery Assistant at Salisbury Arts Centre. She studied ceramics at Limerick School of Art and Design, trained by Gus Mableson at the Thomastown Skills Course and has completed an Adopt a Potter apprenticeship with Julie Ayton.  

  
Festive Workshop: Willow Christmas Trees with Louise Brown

Wednesday 1 December, 6pm-8pm 

An evening of Christmas crafts, making delightful decorations at Salisbury Arts Centre to gift to friends or keep for beautiful homemade decorations. This workshop is led by willow basket-maker, Louise Brown, who has bundles of knowledge and passion for sustainable craft with previous work featuring in exhibitions at Salisbury Arts Centre. 

Tickets cost £22, including workshop materials.

Solve-Along-A-Murder-She-Wrote  
Friday 3 December, 8pm  

Can you solve the crime before Cabot Cove’s best amateur sleuth?

Pit your wits against JB Fletcher at Solve-Along-A-Murder-She-Wrote, an interactive screening of a classic episode of Murder, She Wrote. Celebrate all things 80s television mysteries had to offer: contrived scenarios! No DNA evidence! Massive hair! Has-been guest stars! Taking centre stage is film and Broadway star Angela Lansbury as novelist and detective JB Fletcher. 

Solve-Along-A-Muder-She-Wrote is hosted by Tim Benzie and features games, prizes and audience participation, with special permission from NBC Universal Television.

Festive Crafts with Wiltshire Scrapstore 

Saturday 4 December 10.15-11.00, 11.30-12.15 and 12.45-13.30 

A festive craft session for 4-7 year olds with Wiltshire Scrapstore, with a chance for children to develop their creativity in an inspiring and imaginative festive arts and craft session.   

Tickets cost £2 per child; adults do not require tickets.

Festive Workshop: Christmas Wrapping Paper with Bridget Timoney

Wednesday 8 December, 6pm-9pm 

An evening of craft with the chance to make unique festive wrapping paper at Salisbury Arts Centre, led by Bridget Timoney, an Irish potter based in Salisbury.

Tickets cost £21, including workshop materials. 

Jazz Dynamos: Jazz’n’80s 

Friday 10 December, 8pm 

5-piece jazz band Jazz Dynamos will take well known songs from the 1970s and ‘80s, transforming them with a mix of jazz, bossa, and samba. Their unique set of original, contemporary jazz arrangements includes hits by, amongst others, Dolly Parton, Madonna, U2, Police, a-ha and Britney Spears. 

The Hug 

Saturday 11 December, 1.30pm 

A tale of hope, empathy and acceptance starring a Hedgehog and a Tortoise both in search of a restorative hug. They face many rejections along the way from a rather scary badger, a squirrel (who knows A LOT about nuts), a shy frog, a fabulous fox and an owl who really wants to be wise.  

Set to Tom Gray’s beautiful and witty music, the audience are invited on a journey full of fun, laughter and love…and at the end, a very special hug from our puppets.  

The Hug is presented by Long Nose Puppets and is based on the heart-warming and funny book ‘The Hug’ by Eoin McLaughlin and Polly Dunbar.

Long Nose Puppets, founded by Eoin McLaughlin and Polly Dunbar, make critically acclaimed puppet shows for young audiences. Their previous shows include Shoe Baby (Winner: Best Children’s Show at the Brighton Fringe Festival), Fly Away Katie, Penguin, Arthur’s Dream Boat , Pat-a-Cake Baby andOut of the Hat!. 

Festive Barnstormers  

Friday 17 December, 8.30pm 

A night of up-and-coming stand-up comedians from the London comedy circuit introduced by a guest compere.

Festive Saturday Storytime 

Saturday 18^th December, 10.30am – 11.15am

Join actor, musician and storyteller Iona Johnson as she takes you on a festive story time journey. Suitable for ages 3 to 6.     

Tickets cost £2 per child; adults do not require tickets. 

Lyceum, Sheffield – until 11 September 2021

Reviewed by Alison Beaumont

4****

The first time back to the theatre felt quite strange but I was so excited to be doing something normal.

Groan Ups is a comedy by Mischief and is about the lives of 5 people Moon (Yolanda Ovide), Katie (Lauren Samuels), Simon (Matt Cavendish), Spencer (Daharmesh Patel) and Archie (Daniel Abbot) and follows their journey from their time at Bloomfield School at the age of 6 into their teenage years age 14 and adulthood at a school reunion and is around 2 hours 2 mins by the creators of “The Play that Goes Wrong”.

The characters are all typical of modern day classrooms Moon, the popular girl, Katie, the clever smart girl, Simon, the nerd, Spencer, the class clown and Archie the nervous child hiding his feelings. All actors played their roles brilliantly and performed their characters faultlessly. Throughout the performance I kept changing my mind on who was my favourite but they are all worthy of praise.

The first scene I thought was quite strange and when it first started I wasn’t sure if I was going to enjoy the show but I kept an open mind and was still laughing at the jokes and inuendoes. Personally for me the show really began after this scene when they were left alone in the classroom.

There was a brief part with the headteachers giving awards out which I felt was a bit flat but this only lasted a few minutes and gave the cast time to change into their teenage roles.

The final scene is the school reunion. There is a part in this scene where Paul (Killian Macardle) attends the school reunion and is at the wrong school and starts to act at being a lobster. I felt this was a bit over the top and wouldn’t have been missed if this was not part of the show. The character Chemise (Jamie Birkett) makes an appearance in this scene as Simon’s (pretend) girlfriend and is so funny, definitely a good addition to the show at this point.

This show is easy watching and so funny, just the tonic needed for everyone at the moment. The audience all seemed to enjoy it laughing all the way through. If you want a fun enjoyable evening this is definitely one to go and watch. The age recommendation is age 12+, my daughter came with me who was 14 years old and I would say that age 14 is more of a suitable age.

The next Mischief production at the Lyceum is Magic Goes Wrong starting on the 12th October and if it is as funny as Groan Ups the surely will be another one to watch.

Leeds Grand Theatre – until 11 September 2021

Reviewed by Katie Goldsbrough

3***

Looking Good Dead, based on Peter James’ novel of the same name follows the Bryce family and their involvement as witnesses in a brutal murder. After Tom Bryce brings home a memory stick he found on the train him, and his son Max unintentionally witness a young woman being killed online. 

Tom (played by Adam Woodyatt who found fame playing Ian Beale in EastEnders for over 30 years) stars alongside Gaynor Faye (Emmerdale and Coronation Street) who plays his wife Kellie and Luke Ward-Wilkinson who plays their son Max. We soon learn there have been other issues in the Bryce house with crippling debt causing major problems for the family. Things go from bad to worse when detective Roy Grace gets involved and they find themselves fighting for their lives.

Initially it seems this is just payback for contacting the police, but could there be something more personal going on? With twists and turns from the start you will find yourself on the edge of your seat trying to guess what might happen next and who might be involved. With a shocking opening scene and a shocking end reveal you will be in suspense throughout. There’s sure be some surprise revelations along the way.

The set was cleverly set up switching from the Bryce family’s home to the murderer’s lair, enabling us easily to transition from one to the other. allowing the action to flow and to keep you in a constant state of suspense.

Looking good Dead is an enjoyable murder mystery with a few light-hearted moments provided by the police officers and their ‘cracker jokes’. 

THE ALEXANDRA’S SPECTACULAR AUTUMN SEASON BEGINS

CULMINATING IN A FOUR-WEEK

CHRISTMAS RUN OF JERSEY BOYS

A JAM-PACKED PROGRAMME TO CELEBRATE THE ICONIC VENUE’S 120TH BIRTHDAY YEAR

· Bumper schedule of musicals to wow audiences until March 2022

· Packed programme of shows on offer at full capacity

Since The Alexandra’s grand reopening in mid-July, the theatre has roared back into action and welcomed audiences at full capacity for almost two months. This week, the theatre is thrilled to embark on a jam-packed series of superb musicals which will propel the Birmingham venue forward in its milestone 120th birthday year.

Just a week after almost 8,000 fans watched six incredible sold-out Riverdance performances over three days, theatregoers will once again be flocking to The Alexandra to watch the first musical the venue has hosted since its closure in March 2020. Starting its tour right here in Birmingham, musical comedy Rock of Ages plays this weekend from 9 – 11 September, featuring more than 25 classic rock anthems and headlined by Strictly champion Kevin Clifton.

And that’s just the beginning, as audiences can expect to see a whole host of fantastic productions throughout the remainder of the year as West End smash-hits embark on their first tours, popular favourites return and new premieres are welcomed to the city.

The Alexandra’s Theatre Director Simon Creed said: “It is a huge honour and pleasure to be leading the venue in such a milestone year. We have a jam-packed season of smash-hit musicals and there is something on offer for everyone.

“An incredible amount of hard work has gone in across so many departments to bring top quality theatre back to The Alexandra in a safe environment, but this effort only pays dividends thanks to the loyal support of our customers.

“The Alexandra has been a huge part of the Birmingham and wider West Midlands community for a very long time, but the past 18 months have presented challenges never experienced before in our history. However, we have come through the other side and once again shown the longevity the theatre is renowned for.

“This is a very special 120th birthday year for us so, whether you have enjoyed many shows at The Alexandra or have yet to pay us a visit, please come along and see some great performances. You won’t be disappointed!”

The venue’s 120th year will end with the hugely popular – and much-loved by the city of Birmingham – Jersey Boys, as they work their way back to the city for a four-week Christmas run from Tuesday 7 December. The smash-hit musical has won 65 major awards and has been seen by more than 27 million people worldwide – the perfect celebration to mark the theatre’s longstanding history in the region

Must-see, sensational musicals take to the stage week by week throughout the autumn, including premieres Heathers and Bedknobs & Broomsticks and returning favourites The Rocky Horror Show, Dirty Dancing, 9 to 5 The Musical and Chicago.

Next week, the venue comes full circle since its closure, as it welcomes back Everybody’s Talking About Jamie – the cast of which were at The Alexandra and set to go on stage when the first national lockdown was imposed.

There will be fun and laughter galore for younger theatre fans when Gangsta Granny and Horrible Histories – Barmy Britain take centre stage.

Derren Brown’s first brand-new theatre show in six years visits The Alexandra in late October. Whilst the content of his Showman tour remains a closely-guarded secret, what is known is that the performance will be a powerhouse treat as audiences are taken to places they’ve never been before.

The fun doesn’t stop when the curtain falls, so audiences can head to the Piano Bar to enjoy post-show events including parties after Rock of Ages, The Rocky Horror Show and 9 to 5 The Musical and Late Bar Live when Black Voices and Black Arts Forum will be curating performances on selected dates for performances of Jersey Boys and Bat Out Of Hell.

Autumn season highlights include:

Rock of Ages: 9 – 11 September, 2021

Everybody’s Talking About Jamie: 14 – 18 September, 2021

Heathers The Musical: 21 – 25 September, 2021

The Rocky Horror Show: 27 September – 2 October, 2021

The Cat and the Canary: 4 – 9 October, 2021

Dirty Dancing: The Classic Story On Stage: 12 – 16 October, 2021

Gangsta Granny: 20 – 23 October, 2021

Derren Brown: Showman: 26-30 October, 2021

Grease: 2 – 6 November, 2021

Bedknobs and Broomsticks: 10 – 14 November, 2021

9 to 5 The Musical: 16 – 20 November, 2021

Death Drop: 22 – 27 November, 2021

Horrible Histories – Barmy Britain: 1 – 4 December, 2021

Jersey Boys: 7 December, 2021 – 1 January, 2022

Bat Out Of Hell: 4 – 15 January, 2022

Chicago: 24 – 29 January, 2022

School of Rock: 31 January – 5 February, 2022

Looking Good Dead: 21 – 26 February, 2022

The Lion, The Witch & The Wardrobe: 8 – 12 March, 2022

For a full calendar of shows and events, please visit ATGTICKETS.COM/Birmingham

MARK CORNELL AND SIENNA MILLER PRESENT THE ATG SUMMER PARTY

IN AID OF SIR SAM MENDES AND THEATRE ARTISTS FUND

WITH AN AUCTION RAISING £90,000

Monday 6^th September, London. This evening Mark Cornell and Sienna Miller presented the Ambassador Theatre Group’s (ATG) Summer Party at Kensington Palace Gardens in support of Sam Mendes and his Theatre Artists Fund (TAF) with an auction hosted by Lord Harry Dalmeny, Chairman of Sotheby’s. The proceeds from the auction will contribute towards the next round of grants, which will open on Wednesday 8^th September enabling the fund to reach more freelance theatre professionals during this early phase of the industry’s recovery from the pandemic.

The ATG Summer Party 2021 continues ATG’s ongoing work with charitable causes, and their passion to nurture and support the current and next generation of industry talent, which is at the heart of their ethos. 

Theatre Artists Fund was spearheaded by Sam Mendes and launched in July 2020 to provide emergency support for freelance theatre professionals across the UK in need of urgent and critical financial support due to the devastating impact of Covid-19 on the theatre sector. Through generous donations and public fundraising, Theatre Artists Fund has so far supported more than 7,200 industry workers affected by the crisis. 

Speaking after this evening’s auction, the Theatre Artists Fund’s founder Sam Mendes said “I am incredibly grateful to Mark Cornell and everyone at Ambassador Theatre Group for their support this evening in assisting us to raise more urgent money to go towards our fund. It’s down to the extraordinary work of everyone that has donated so far that we have now raised over £7.4 million and, with the ongoing support, we can reopen the grants again. We pledge to continue helping freelance theatre artists in these unprecedented situations while continuing to develop a new and permanent way to empower freelancers for the future.”

Mark Cornell, ATG’s Chief Executive Officer said “On behalf of everyone at ATG we are proud to have been working with Sam and Theatre Artists Fund for our Summer Party this year to raise money for such an important cause. It’s no secret that the theatre industry and far too many of its remarkable workers have been, and still are, impacted by the pandemic, so the grants from Theatre Artists Fund are crucial in helping change that, through sustaining freelancers until they can get back into employment. I would like to thank Theatre Artists Fund for joining forces with ATG for this event, and thank you to my fantastic co-presenter this evening, Sienna Miller and to Lord Harry Dalmeny for brilliantly hosting the auction.”

Sienna Miller added “It’s been such a joy to co-host the ATG Summer Party with Mark this evening, and to see the generosity of the guests helping raise invaluable money for Theatre Artists Fund during the auction. Theatre has always been a huge passion of mine, and I’ve been saddened to see the impact of the pandemic on so many talented workers within the industry. That’s why the work that Theatre Artists Fund have done, and continue to do is vital as the industry continues to recover, and I’m so glad that the money raised tonight will go towards helping the workers and freelancers, who are the lifeblood of the Theatre industry, get back to where they belong” 

The ATG Summer Party in aid of Theatre Artists Fund at Kensington Palace Gardens, was attended by theatre industry figures and supporters who donated generously during the auction, bidding on items including a trip to the set of Sam Mendes’ new film Empire of Light starring Olivia Colman and Michael Ward. A two-night stay at the iconic The Dorchester hotel, and two top-tier entry passes to the elusive Kit Kat Club, home to the highly anticipated production of Cabaret, starring Eddie Redmayne and Jessie Buckley. Two business-class return flights to New York, for the opening night of Neil Simon’s Plaza Suite, with an exclusive ‘meet and greet’ photo opportunity with Matthew Broderick and Sarah Jessica Parker, and a chance to step through the door of the red windmill and experience a first-class full-service hospitality package for ten at the spectacle that is Moulin Rouge! The Musical. 

In addition to the auction prizes, Providence Equity Partners, the owners of Ambassador Theatre Group, generously donated a further £25,000 to the fund to achieve a significant total of £90,000 raised for Theatre Artists Fund.

All proceeds raised from the auction at the ATG Summer Party will go directly to Theatre Artists Fund, which is administered by the UK Theatre Association and the Society of London Theatre on behalf of the Theatre Development Trust (TDT).

Guests in attendance at the ATG Summer Party included Aimee Atkinson, Alice Eve, Bay Garnett, Bertie Carvel, Caro Newling, Carrie Cracknell, Dame Harriet Walter and Guy Paul, Dame Pippa Harris, David Baddiel, David Hare and Nicole Farhi, Dominic West, Eddie and Hannah Redmayne, Emma Squire CBE, George Osborne CH and Thea Rogers, Griff and Jo Rhys Hones, Helen George and Jack Ashton, Jane Horrocks and Esther Coles, Jenna Coleman, Josette Bushell-Mingo OBE, Julia Cheng and Dickson Mbi, Lady Antonia Fraser CH, DBE and Benji Fraser, Lia Williams and Angus Wright, Liza Sadovy, Louisa Parker Bowles, Lord Neil Mendoza, Mark Gatiss, Michael Landes, Neil Tennant, Nicolas Brown, Nima Telaghini, Omari Douglas, Phil Edgar-Jones, Rob Brydon, Ronni Ancona, Rupert Gavin, Rupert Goold, Sam Lister, Sam Mendes (Founder, Theatre Artists Fund) and Alison Balsom, Sienna Miller (Co-host) and Archie Keswick, Simon Curtis and Elizabeth McGovern, Susan Hampshire CBE, Sir Lenny Henry and Lisa Makin, Sir Nicholas Hytner, Tamara Rojo, Tom and Sabrina Stoppard, Trevor Eve and Trevor Nunn.

Sonia Friedman Productions, Scott Landis
GFour Productions, Tulchin Bartner Productions
THE SHARK IS BROKEN
Written by Ian Shaw and Joseph Nixon
 

• FULL CASTING IS ANNOUNCED FOR ‘THE SHARK IS BROKEN’, AS THE CRITICALLY ACCLAIMED SMASH-HIT OF THE 2019 EDINBURGH FRINGE PREPARES TO MAKE WAVES IN THE WEST END.
• CO-WRITTEN BY ROBERT SHAW’S SON IAN AND JOSEPH NIXON, THIS BRILLIANTLY FUNNY, DEEPLY MOVING PLAY TAKES AUDIENCES BEHIND THE SCENES OF THE BLOCKBUSTER JAWS.

• LIAM MURRAY SCOTT WILL PLAY RICHARD DREYFUSS AND DEMETRI GORITSAS WILL PLAY ROY SCHEIDER ALONGSIDE IAN SHAW WHO STARS AS HIS FATHER ROBERT SHAW.

• ‘THE SHARK IS BROKEN’ WILL PLAY A STRICTLY LIMITED RUN AT THE WEST END’S AMBASSADORS THEATRE FROM 9 OCTOBER 2021 – 15 JANUARY 2022.

Sonia Friedman Productions is delighted to announce full casting for The Shark is Broken when it opens at the Ambassadors Theatre from 9 October 2021.   Co-written by Robert Shaw’s son Ian Shaw and Joseph Nixon, this brilliantly funny play reveals the hilarious and moving behind-the-scenes drama on Steven Spielberg’s blockbuster movie JAWS.

As previously announced, Ian Shaw (War Horse and Common, National Theatre) will star as his father Robert Shaw. He will be joined by Liam Murray Scott as Richard Dreyfuss (reprising the role he performed at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival 2019), and Demetri Goritsas (ear for eye, Royal Court; Black Mirror, Netflix) as Roy Scheider. 

Cape Cod, 1974: shooting on ‘Jaws’ has stalled. The film’s lead actors – Robert Shaw, Roy Scheider and Richard Dreyfuss – are stuck on a boat, at the mercy of foul weather and a faulty mechanical co-star. Awash with alcohol and ambition, three hammered sharks start to bare their teeth…

The Shark is Broken is written by Ian Shaw and Joseph Nixon, directed by Guy Masterson, set and costume are by Duncan Henderson, lighting is by Jon Clark, sound and music are by Adam Cork and video is by Nina Dunn. Casting is by Julia Horan CDG.

The Associate Director will be Martha Geelan, the Associate Lighting Designer will be Simisola Majekodunmi and the Costume Associate will be Deborah Andrews.

The production runs in the West End for a strictly limited season from 9 October 2021 – 15 January 2022. 

MICHAEL MORPURGO’S ‘PRIVATE PEACEFUL’ ANNOUNCES UK TOUR

TOURING FROM 1 MARCH 2022

The Nottingham Playhouse production of Michael Morpurgo’s award-winning novel, Private Peaceful, adapted for the stage by Simon Reade and directed by Elle While, today announces it will embark on a major UK tour following its Nottingham premiere. The tour will open at Chichester Festival Theatre on 1 March 2022, before visiting Bromley, Cambridge, Oxford, Hayes, Hull, Bath, Birmingham, Blackpool, Malvern, Coventry, Guildford, Crewe and Norwich, with further venues still to be announced. 

First published in 2003 by Harper Collins, Private Peaceful was shortlisted for the Carnegie Medal and won the Red House Children’s Book Award and the Blue Peter Book Award. Acknowledged by Morpurgo as his favourite work, this thrilling new ensemble retelling for the stage explores the lengths a young soldier will go to, to fight for what is right.

Michael Morpurgo OBE says: 

“Young men and young women who grew up just like Private Peaceful, at home, safe with their families, went off in their millions to the battlefields of the First World War from all over the world. What followed was universal human suffering on a scale never witnessed in human history before. The universality of the tragedy disguises all too easily that each one of those who went was a son or a daughter, loved and so often, lost. Private Peaceful was one of those. 

It’s so important to me, and not because I wrote the story, that his story and the story of all the others, is told and told again. It’s wonderful to me that through this extraordinary play, the story is being told in theatres all over this country.”

Private Peaceful introduces us to the Peaceful brothers, Tommo and Charlie, whose tough rural childhood, framed by the loss of their father, forges an irrevocable sibling loyalty. Until one day they both fall for the same girl. And then the Great War comes. Here we join 18-year-old Private Tommo Peaceful in the trenches as he takes us on a journey through his most cherished memories and tells his story of courage, devotion, family and friendship.

Director, Elle While says: 

“I am so delighted to bring this extraordinarily talented team back together to fully realise this powerful new adaptation of Michael Morpurgo’s classic story of love, loss and loyalty. We cannot wait to finally be able to share this production, which relishes in the power of theatrical storytelling, with live audiences throughout the UK.”

Private Peaceful is directed by Elle While, with Design by Lucy Sierra, Lighting Design by Matt Haskins, Sound Design by Dan Balfour, Movement Direction by Neil Bettles, Composer Frank Moon, Voice and Dialect Coach Marianne Samuels and Casting Director Ginny Schiller. The UK Tour is produced by Jonathan Church Theatre Productions and supported by Arts Council England through a National Lottery Project Grant award.

Access performances including BSL, Audio Described, Captioned performances and Touch Tours will be available across the tour. There will also be an accompanying education programme for schools, further details to be announced. 
This adaptation is suitable for ages 9+.

THE NIGEL HAVERS THEATRE COMPANY’S

INAUGURAL PRODUCTION OF

NOEL COWARD’S CLASSIC COMEDY

PRIVATE LIVES

STARRING PATRICIA HODGE & NIGEL HAVERS

TO TOUR FROM 28 OCTOBER 2021

Theatre Royal Bath Productions and Moss Empires are delighted to present The Nigel Havers Theatre Company in Noel Coward’s gloriously entertaining PRIVATE LIVES.  This will be the inaugural show for The Nigel Havers Theatre Company, which will be touring the country with a wonderful line-up of theatrical gems.  The UK Tour of PRIVATE LIVES will begin at Theatre Royal Bath on 28 October 2021.

The production stars Olivier Award-winning Patricia Hodge, one of the country’s most loved actresses, as Amanda and Nigel Havers, ever suave and thoroughly charming, as Elyot, the role taken by Noël Coward himself in the original production in 1930.  Astonishingly, it is the first time Nigel Havers has appeared in a Coward play on stage.  Dugald Bruce-Lockhart plays Victor, Natalie Walter Sibyl and Aïcha Kossoko Louise.

Coward’s dazzling comic masterpiece is both a scintillatingly witty and scathingly vitriolic study of the rich and reckless in love.  Elyot and Amanda, who were once married, find themselves in adjoining rooms in the same hotel on the French coast, both on honeymoon with their new partners. Their initial horror quickly evaporates and soon they’re sharing cocktails and a romantic serenade. 

Patricia Hodge’s many theatre credits include A Day in the Death of Joe Egg (Trafalgar Studios), Copenhagen (Chichester Festival Theatre), Travels With My Aunt (Minerva, Chichester), Relative Values (Harold Pinter), Calendar Girls (Noel Coward Theatre), The Country Wife (Theatre Royal Haymarket), His Dark Materials (National), Noises Off (National), Money (National, for which she won the Olivier for Best Supporting Actress) and A Little Night Music (National).  Her recent television credits include Ursula Thorpe in A Very English Scandal (BBC), Mrs Pelham in Downton Abbey (ITV) and Penny in Miranda (BBC).

Nigel Havers’s television credits include Roger in Finding Alice (ITV) and General Ransom in All Creatures Great & Small (Channel 5).  Other recent television credits include Lewis Archer in Coronation Street (Granada), Stanley Keen in Benidorm (ITV) and Lord Hepworth in Downton Abbey (ITV).  Theatre includes Serge in the UK Tour and West End productions of Art, Algernon Moncrieff in the UK Tour of The Importance of Being Earnest and Maxim de Wynter in the UK Tour of Rebecca.  His film credits include playing David Niven in The Life and Death of Peter Sellers, Hofstadter in Paradise Lost, Dr Rawlins in Empire of the Sun and Lord Andrew Lindsay in Chariots of Fire.

Dugald Bruce-Lockhart most recently appeared as Michael Gove in The Last Temptation of Boris Johnson at Park Theatre.  He has also played David Cameron in The Three Lions (St James Theatre and Edinburgh Festival), for which he was nominated for Best Actor in The Stage Awards.  Other theatre credits include Bill Austin in Mamma Mia! (Novello), David Hart in Wonderland (Hampstead), Richard Hannay in The 39 Steps (UK Tour) and, for Ed Hall’s Propeller Theatre Company, he has played the title role in Henry V, Antipholus of Syracuse in Comedy of Errors and Ratcliffe in Richard III.

Natalie Walter’s most recent theatre credits include Pack of Lies (Menier Chocolate Factory), Jerusalem (Watermill Theatre), Smash (Menier Chocolate Factory), 50 Ways to Leave Your Lover (Bush), 39 Steps (Criterion), Hay Fever (Chichester Festival Theatre) and, for the RSC, A Midsummer Night’s Dream and Love’s Labour’s Lost.  Natalie was a regular performer in the CBBC series Horrible Histories.

Aïcha Kossoko’s most recent theatre credits include playing Alia Aminu in Josie Rourke’s production of The Vote at the Donmar Warehouse, Antony & Cleopatra at Chichester Festival Theatre and Liverpool Playhouse, The Taming of the Shrew for the Royal Shakespeare Company, Welcome To Thebes and The Observer at the National Theatre and La Dispute at the Abbey Theatre Dublin.  Recent films include The Fever and Claude Chabrol’s La comédie du pouvoir.  Television credits include Skins, In Deep, Coronation Street, Casualty, EastEnders and Kingmakers. She played Lady Detective and BBC Radio 4’s dramatization of The Number One Ladies Detective Agency.

PRIVATE LIVES will be directed by Christopher Luscombe, with set and costume designs by Simon Higlett, lighting design by Mark Jonathan, music by Nigel Hess, sound design by Jeremy Dunn, fight direction by Malcolm Ranson and casting by Sarah Bird.

The Nigel Havers Theatre Company’s PRIVATE LIVES is produced by Theatre Royal Bath Productions and Moss Empires.

Facebook:  nigelhaverstheatrecompany

Twitter:  nigelhaversco

TOUR SCHEDULE 2021

Theatre Royal Bath

28 October – 6 November

01225 448844

theatreroyal.org.uk

Richmond Theatre

9 – 13 November

0844 871 7651

atgtickets.com/Richmond

Chichester Festival Theatre

16 – 20 November

cft.org.uk

Tickets on sale 18 September

Cambridge Arts Theatre

22 – 27 November

01223 503333

cambridgeartstheatre.com

Further dates to be announced.

Booking fees may apply. Calls to 0844 numbers cost up to 7p per minute plus your phone company’s access charge.

OPENING UP: WAITRESS SERVES UP A SLICE OF MUSICAL PIE AT LEEDS GRAND THEATRE

• WEST END HIT WAITRESS WITH SCORE BY SARA BAREILLES COMES TO LEEDS GRAND THEATRE
• STARRING BUSTED’S MATT WILLIS, MUSICAL THEATRE STAR LUCIE JONES AND EMMERDALE ACTRESS SANDRA MARVIN

London’s smash-hit musical comedy Waitress finds A Soft Place To Land at Leeds Grand Theatre next week from Tuesday 14 to Saturday 18 September.

Brought to life by a ground-breaking, female-led creative team, this ‘warm, witty, wise and hilarious’ (EXPRESS) hit features ‘one of the best scores in years’ (STAGE) by the Grammy Award-winning Sara Bareilles (Love Song, Brave) a book by acclaimed screenwriter Jessie Nelson (I Am Sam) and direction by Tony Award-winner Diane Paulus (Pippin, Finding Neverland).

Premise: Meet Jenna, a waitress and expert pie-maker who dreams of some happiness in her life. When a hot new doctor arrives in town, life gets complicated. With the support of her workmates Becky and Dawn, Jenna overcomes the challenges she faces and finds that laughter, love, and friendship can provide the perfect recipe for happiness.

Lucie Jones (Waitress, Les Misérables, Legally Blonde) stars as Jenna, with Sandra Marvin (Waitress, ITV’s Emmerdale, Hairspray) playing Becky, Evelyn Hoskins (Waitress, Spring Awakening) as Dawn and Matt Willis (Busted, A Christmas Carol, Wicked) as Dr Pomatter.