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Guildford Fringe Festival, Surrey’s annual multi-arts festival,  

opens this Friday 2 July 2021, running until 25 July  

Guildford Fringe Festival opens this Friday 2 July 2021, running until 25 July with a packed programme of entertainment after last year’s event was sadly cancelled due to Covid-related restrictions. Booking is now open at GuildfordFringeFestival.com for more than 70 arts events with an average ticket price of just £9. 

Set up by Managing Director Nick Wyschna in 2013, Guildford’s largest independent multi-arts festival is an open-access celebration featuring theatre, comedy, poetry, music, visual arts, family-friendly shows, talks and free events.  

Festival venues this year include Clandon Wood Nature Reserve, Yvonne Arnaud Theatre, The Back Room of the Star Inn, The Keep Pub, The Guildhall and the historic town centre of Guildford. 

Gag House Comedy Superstars headlined by Rich Hall kick off the Festival at the Yvonne Arnaud Theatre delivering some of the UK’s best stand-up comedy.  

Highlights of this year’s Free Fringe include Surrey Fringe Chorus (3 July), Colour with Guildford in Bloom (4 July) and Guildford’s Rock Choir (11 July) which all take place in the town centre.   

Nick Wyschna, Managing Director of Guildford Fringe Festival, said:  “It’s here, Guildford Fringe Festival 2021! Can you believe it, we are actually back and putting on a month-long festival full of art and culture?  I am completely thrilled. The line-up of acts is sublime and I am so excited to watch every single show.  

“It is clear to me that the public has missed live entertainment. Tickets are selling fast so please do book in advance as, due to the restrictions being extended, once we are full, we are full – there will be no squeezing chairs in this year I am afraid.  

“We have gone to great expense to make sure everyone is, and feels, safe at the shows. We have brand new hospital grade air-purifiers and we have bought clear dividers to put in-between audience bubbles. All the venues will be cleaned before and after all shows and we will be adhering to all COVID safety rules. Just come along and have a great time with us!” 

Visit GuildfordFringeFestival.com for the full line-up and to book tickets. The Box Office phone number is 01483 361101. During the Festival, the Fringe Team will be at The Star Inn, Quarry Street, 7 days a week, from 6-7pm, where they will run a Box Office for all Festival events and be happy to have a chat.  There is a video on Guildford Fringe Festival’s YouTube channel which details some of the Covid safety measures which have been put in place.

DAME JUDI DENCH INVITES ALL TO CELEBRATE   “THE MUSICAL SPECTACULAR OF 

THE YEAR” AT  THE ROYAL ALBERT HALL ON 21ST JULY!

Alpha will re-open the best theatre district in the world – in aid of the Acting For Others charity, on freedom week.

The Alpha Family are incredibly excited to announce that they will have the honour of being the first West End production on the opening week of the iconic Royal Albert Hall. This will be Alpha’s third “Best of the West End” show, following their previous sell-outs at the Hall over the last three years.

Alpha’s Creative Director, and West End superstar, Ben Forster has assembled and Olivier Award-winning production team including choreographer Stephen Mear CBE, Lighting Designer Tim Lutkin and West End Musical Director Dr. Stuart Morley – putting this historic opening night in the hands of musical theatre royalty.

In line with Alpha’s philanthropic ethos and love for the arts, they are extremely proud to confirm that £5 from every ticket sold, together with all profits made, will be donated to Acting for Others. As seen over the closure of all venues, including the Royal Albert Hall, the arts have been particularly hit hard by the pandemic. As a prolific supporter of the West End, the Alpha Family are thrilled to champion a cause so close to their hearts.

Dame Judi Dench, President of Acting for Others said: We are incredibly grateful to be the chosen charity for Alpha’s The Best Of The West End at The Royal Albert Hall. Thank you to the wonderful creative team, Alpha Solutions and spectacular cast. We hope you enjoy this special event and can join us in celebrating the reopening of this iconic venu in its 150th year.

The incredible line up of West End favourites new and old, include Ruthie Henshall, Ben Forster, Mica Paris, Layton Williams, John Owen-Jones, Matt Henry MBE, Sophie Evans and the Alpha Ambassadors of Arts, Lauren Samuels and mezzo-soprano Friederike Krum.

The year’s The Voice contestant Matthew Croke, known for his title role in Disney’s Aladdin will be performing some West End classics, whilst all-powerful, female supergroup WOMAN will perform their charity single “I’m A Woman”, (also from the 1995’s Leiber & Stoller- themed musical revue Smokey Joe’s Cafe). Brian May created this super talented group that consists of long time Killer Queen star and “Friend of Alpha” Mazz Murray alongside Kerry Ellis, Anna-Jane Casey and Gina Murray.

Supported by the superb MX Masterclass Choir and the incredibly talented orchestra, this vibrant West End performance will cover the breadth of musical theatre from classic hits to ground-breaking new musicals including: Chicago, Wicked, West Side Story, 42nd Street, Jesus Christ Superstar, Les Mis, Sister Act and many more!

“I am so honoured to be appointed Creative Director for Alpha’s Best of the West End annual concert at the iconic Royal Albert Hall. This is no ordinary concert and I am so excited to be part of the team creating what will be the most spectacular event, all in aid of a charity so close to my heart, Acting for Others.”

–   Ben Forster, Alpha’s Creative Director

‘We are delighted to head back to The Royal Albert Hall on 21st July for the third time with our latest breath- taking Best of the West End production. It is a privilege to be working alongside some of the UK’s most spectacular West End performers and Creative Team. The Alpha Family are so excited to be back doing what we love after such a challenging time for us all. This production means so much to so many,as it’s not only the celebration that we have all been waiting for, but it also supports so many artists on the day and into the future. I am extremely grateful to the commitment and support from all involved.’

–   Emma Longley, Alpha’s Group Brand

FULL CASTING ANNNOUCED AS REHEARSALS BEGIN FOR

T I N A – T H E   T I N A   T U R N E R   M U S I C A L

RE-OPENING AT THE ALDWYCH THEATRE 28 JULY 2021

The hit production of TINA – THE TINA TURNER MUSICAL will re-open at the Aldwych Theatre on 28 July 2021 following over a year of shutdown across the West End.

Joining Aisha Jawando and Jammy Kasongo as Tina and Ike are Chanel Haynes who plays the role of Tina at some performances each week, Joe Evans as Record Producer Phil Spector and Lyricist Terry Britten, Irene Myrtle Forrester as Tina’s Grandmother GG, Francesca Jackson and Alice Bailey Johnson as Ike and Tina’s manager Rhonda Graam, Rhianne-Louise McCaulsky as Tina’s sister Alline Bullock, Matt Mills as Tina’s father Richard Bullock, Posi Morakinyo as Tina’s first love Raymond Hill, Garmon Rhys as Tina’s Manager Roger Davies, Joseph Richardson as record company Marketing Manager Erwin Bach and Madeline Appiah as Tina’s mother Zelma.

Ensemble members are Lori Barker and Kelly Hampson, Chris Grahamson who plays Carpenter, Paul Mukembo who plays Tina’s son Craig and Alex Okoampa who plays Tina’s son Ronnie, the Ikettes are played by Samara Casteallo, Mia Musak and Anu Ogunmefun and swings Derek Aidoo, Joshua Da Costa, Livvy Evans, Raquel Jones, DeeArna McLean, Michael Thomas, Saran Webb and Samuel J Weir.

The children’s cast comprises Tia Murrell, thirteen years old from Surrey, Rae Ann Quayle, eleven years old from Redbridge and Poppy Cunningham, ten years old from Hertfordshire share the role of Young Anna Mae; Shai Codrington, nine years old from Barnet, Sophia Anne Angiama, ten years old from Sutton and Mia Jones, eleven years old from Solihull share the role of Young Alline; Elias Agbodan George, nine years old from Havering, Remi Dabiri-McQuaid, eight years old from Hackney and Romell Barrocks-Bedeau, eleven years old from Lambeth share the role of Young Craig.

TINA – THE TINA TURNER MUSICAL which is based on the life of legendary artist Tina Turner and produced in association with Tina Turner herself, has tickets available at all prices and is currently booking to 26 June 2022, including new Sunday performances.  The critically acclaimed production received its world premiere in April 2018 in London and subsequently broke all Box Office records at the Aldwych Theatre. 

Having originally played Tina’s sister Alline Bullock, Aisha Jawando who has been with the company since its world premiere in Spring 2018, will continue in the title role.  Jammy Kasongo, who also was a member of original company and then played the roles of Richard and Raymond, steps up to play the role of Ike.  Joining them and making her West End debut is Chanel Haynes as the alternate Tina who will perform the iconic role of Tina at certain performances. 

This new musical reveals a comeback story like no other, of a woman who dared to defy the bounds of racism, sexism and ageism to become the global Queen of Rock n’ Roll. TINA – THE TINA TURNER MUSICAL is a celebration of resilience and an inspiration of triumph over adversity.

Aisha Jawando’s London theatre credits include the title role in Cinderella at the Hackney Empire, The Life at Southwark Playhouse, Martha Reeves in the original London cast of Motown The Musical at the Shaftesbury Theatre, Beautiful – The Carole King Musical at the Aldwych Theatre, The Book of Mormon at the Prince of Wales Theatre, Fela at the National Theatre, The Lion King at the Lyceum Theatre and Soul Sister at the Savoy Theatre.

Jammy Kasongo’sother theatre credits include Grand Hotel at the Southwark Playhouse, Beautiful – The Carole King Musical at the Aldwych Theatre and Hair at The Vaults.

Chanel Haynes, who will make her London stage debut as the alternate Tina,was discovered by Quincy Jones while she was still a teenager and went on to become an original member and lead singer of the New Orleans-based group Trin-i-tee 5:7 selling over 2.5million albums worldwide and earning two Grammy nominations.  At the 2008 Grammy Awards, she was part of the line-up with her band Trin-i-tee 5:7, which also included performances from Tina Turner, Beyoncé and Aretha Franklin.  She made her musical theatre debut in 2014 at the Zach Theatre in Austin, Texas, where, in 2018, she won the B. Iden Payne Award for Best Leading Actress in a Musical for her role as Billie Holiday in Lady Day at Emerson’s Bar and Grill.

Directed by Phyllida Lloyd and written by Katori Hall with Frank Ketelaar and Kees Prins, TINA – THE TINA TURNER MUSICAL is choreographed by Anthony van Laast, with set and costume designs by Mark Thompson, musical supervision by Nicholas Skilbeck, lighting by Bruno Poet,sound by Nevin Steinberg, projection design by Jeff Sugg and orchestrations by Ethan Popp. 

TINA – THE TINA TURNER MUSICAL is produced in the West End by Stage Entertainment, Joop van den Ende and Tali Pelman, in association with Tina Turner.

In November 2019 the Broadway production opened at the Lunt-Fontanne Theatre where is recommences performances on 8 October 2021.  In March 2019, the German production opened at Stage Operettenhaus in Hamburg, and the Dutch production opened at the Beatrix Theater, Utrecht, in February 2020.  A third European production is due to open at the Teatro Coliseum in Madrid, Spain in Autumn 2021.

In May 2021 Tina Turner was inducted into Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.  Previously in 1991 she was inducted as a duo alongside Ike Turner.

The feature documentary TINA is now available to stream on Sky and Now TV. A revealing and intimate look at the life and career of musical icon Tina Turner, TINA charts her improbable rise to early fame, her personal and professional struggles throughout her life and her even more improbable resurgence as a global phenomenon in the 1980s. The feature documentary is from Academy Award-winning directors Dan Lindsay, T.J. Martin and Lightbox, the production company founded by Academy Award-winning producer Simon Chinn and Emmy-winning producer Jonathan Chinn, together with Emmy-nominated producer Diane Becker.

Obtaining Government backed contingency insurance to protect against further unscheduled closures remains a priority.  All plans for the re-opening are in accordance with the Government’s latest directives and therefore subject to change. 

Jon Morgan, director of Theatres Trust, has responded to the government’s announcement that Step 4 of lockdown easing is on target for 19^th July, following the 4 week delay from 21^st June:

In view of the current status of the pandemic, confirmation that restrictions will not be lifted earlier than the 19^th July is understandable. It does however place the theatre sector in a difficult position, with no clarity yet that theatres will be able to fully reopen at that time. This makes planning incredibly challenging for the theatre industry.

What the theatre sector really needs at this moment is a commitment that events already found to be safe through the Events Research Programme, including indoor theatre, can reopen fully on 19^th July.

DIANA VICKERS TO JOIN STRICTLY WINNER TOM CHAMBERS IN

DIRECTED BY ANTHONY BANKS

Can you ever get away with the perfect crime?

Dial M for Murder is to resume UK tour dates this autumn with The X Factor songstress – now renowned for her acting roles – Diana Vickers joining the production alongside Tom Chambers, Christopher Harper and Michael Salami as they resume their roles in the genre-defining thriller.

Performances begin on Tuesday 31^st August at Leicester’s Curve Theatre. The show then plays at the Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury; Playhouse Theatre, Liverpool; Churchill Theatre, Bromley; Theatre Clwyd, Mold; Everyman Theatre, Cheltenham; Lyceum Theatre, Sheffield, Milton Keynes Theatre; New Theatre, Cardiff; Palace Theatre, Southend; The Lowry, Salford before concluding its run at the Malvern Theatre in December.

The new production of Frederick Knott’s stage and screenplay – made world-famous by Hitchcock’s iconic 1954 film – is directed by Anthony Banks and began performances at the Richmond Theatre on Tuesday 14^th January 2020.

TV and stage favourite, Tom Chambers, (Top Hat, Strictly Come Dancing) stars as the charismatic and manipulative Tony Wendice, a jaded ex-tennis pro who has given it all up for his wife Margot, played by Diana Vickers. When he discovers she has been unfaithful his mind turns to revenge and the pursuit of the ‘perfect crime’. Christopher Harper (Coronation Street, Strangers on a Train) performs in the dual roles of Captain Lesgate and Inspector Hubbard and Michael Salami (Hollyoaks) as Max Halliday, Margot’s lover.

Tom Chambers plays Tony Wendice. Tom’s theatre creditsinclude: Crazy For You (UK tour); Private Lives (UK tour); White Christmas (Dominion); Top Hat (Aldwych); White Christmas (Sunderland Empire); The Rover (Young Vic Studio); Journey’s End (Courtyard Theatre); Bloody Poetry (Brockley Jack Theatre); Pendragon (City Theatre Broadway NYMT and Sadler’s Wells); October’s Children (NYMT and Hammersmith Lyric); Cyrano De Bergerac and Macbeth (Derby Rep Theatre); Damn Yankees (Yvonne Arnaud Theatre); The Innocents (Derby Playhouse) and Stepping Out (Electric GSA).Film includes: Fakers and Great in Britain: the Movie. Television includes: Midsomer Murders, Emmerdale, Casualty, Father Brown, The Great Train Robbery, Waterloo Road and Holby City. Radio includes: Mellow Magic every Saturday 10am-1pm.

Diana Vickers appears as Margot Wendice. Diana first came to public attention as a semi-finalist on The X Factor in 2008 and is remembered for her heart-felt, barefoot performances. Her theatre credits include: The Entertainer (dir. Sean O’Connor); Little Voice (West End); I Wish My Life Were Like A Musical, Myth (dir. Arlene Philips); Son of A Preacher Man (dir. Craig Revel-Howood); Big (Theatre Royal Plymouth); The Rocky Horror Show (ATG tour) and The Duck House (dir Terry Johnson). Film includes: Awaiting (dir. Mark Murphy); To Dream (dir. Nicole Albarelli)and The Perfect Wave (dir. Bruce MacDonald). Television work includes: Josh (BBC3), Top Coppers and Give out Girls.

Christopher Harper performs as Captian Lesgate and Inspector Hubbard. Christopher’stheatre credits include: Strangers on a Train (UK tour); Much Ado About Nothing (Shakespeare’s’ Globe); Slipping (Stephen Joseph Theatre, Scarborough); The Wind in the Willows, Man of the Moment and Private Fears in Public Places (Royal & Derngate); I Know How I Feel About Eve (Hampstead Downstairs); The Night Before Christmas (Different Breed); The Village Bike (Sheffield Crucible Studio); A Kid Like Jake (Old Vic New Voices); OurCountry’s Good and Journey’s End (Original Theatre Company); Persuasion, After Miss Julie and People at Sea (Salisbury Playhouse); Saturn Returns (Finborough Theatre); Light Shining in Buckinghamshire and Lie of the Land (Arcola). Television includes: Holby City, Endeavour, Coronation Street, The Suspicions of Mr Whicher,Doctors, Upstairs Downstairs, The Bill, Heartbeat, The Roman Mysteries, Housewife 49,Life on Mars and Rosemary and Thyme. Chris also produced and voiced the award-winning charity animation The Mouse.

Michael Salami is Max Halliday. Michael Salami is a multi-award-winning actor. Born in America and raised in London, Salami discovered his passion for acting in 2007. Salami made his first on-stage appearance at Oval Theatre in 2010 and has since then performed at The Old Vic, Soho Theatre, Lyric Hammersmith, Southwark Playhouse and Theatre503. Salami studied at Stella Adler Studio of Acting in New York graduating in 2016 and since then has appeared in Hollyoaks; Catastrophe; The Temple and Magic Hour. His leading role in Just A Couple has landed him a number of nominations and awards such as a Screen Nation Award for Best Actor. Just A Couple is now in full development with Channel 4.

During lockdown Tom Chambers, Christopher Harper and Michael Salami continued their theatrical collaboration, starring together in Apollo 13: The Dark Side of the Moon, an online dramatization of the troubled 1970 lunar mission which won celebrated reviews.

Anthony Banks directs Frederick Knott’s Dial M For Murder, adding to credits that recently include Gaslightand Strangers on a Train. His production of the hit thriller, Girl on a Train, continues to tour the UK. The creative team is completed by David Woodhead, Designer; Katy Osborne, Resident Director; Lizzie Powell, Lighting Designer; Ben & Max Ringham, Sound Design; Betty Marini, Wigs Supervisor; Siobhan Boyd, Costume Supervisor, Luke Child as Production Manager and Alison de Burgh as Fight Director.

Dial M For Murder is produced by Simon Friend and Gavin Kalin. 

11 year old anti-bullying mentor and campaigner 

Charlie Kristensen from Wokingham  

has received a prestigious award in memory of Princess Diana 

Charlie Kristensen, 11, from Wokingham has been recognised with the highest accolade a young person can achieve for social action or humanitarian efforts – The Diana Award.  He is honoured with the award for going above and beyond in his daily life to create and sustain positive change. 

Established in memory of Diana, Princess of Wales, the Award is given out by the charity of the same name and has the support of both her sons, The Duke of Cambridge and The Duke of Sussex. 

Charlie is a passionate anti-bullying campaigner, and the brains behind the ‘#CheerUpCharlie’ campaign, which he started in 2019. Having been mentally and physically 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 and broke down during one of his singing lessons, 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 and solidarity including exciting backstage invitations. This led to national media interviews including live chats on the BBC Breakfast sofa and Michael Ball’s BBC Radio 2 show. Charlie then knew he wanted to channel his own traumatic experiences of being bullied for his love of musical theatre, and use the support he had received, to help him fight for others. He trained as an Ambassador for The Diana Award and started his #CheerUpCharlie work.  

Charlie now devotes over one hundred hours each month to help others by mentoring, campaigning, fundraising and raising awareness, on a local, national and international level. 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 a popular weekly YouTube chat show, with guests including Matt Lucas and Gaby Roslin. Charlie works tirelessly and his campaign is making a real impact on the lives of so many other young people. 

Alongside the bullying, Charlie has overcome a severe infection, which has left him mainly deaf in his left ear and required 15 operations. He has tackled this challenge with great fortitude and determination.  

Charlie Kristensen said: “I never dreamed two years ago, going through what I went through, that I’d now be in the position I’m in. To receive a Diana Award is just a dream come true. I hope I really can become the change maker for my generation that I want to be.” 

Tessy Ojo, CEO of The Diana Award, said: “We congratulate all our new Diana Award recipients from the UK and all over the globe who are changemakers for their generation. We know by receiving this honour they will inspire more young people to get involved in their communities and begin their own journey as active citizens. For over twenty years The Diana Award has valued and invested in young people encouraging them to continue to make positive change in their communities and lives of others.” 

Diana Award recipients have been put forward by adults who know the young people in a professional capacity and recognised their efforts as a positive contribution to society. Charlie was nominated by his publicist, Alison Duguid. Through a rigorous nomination process, these nominators had to demonstrate the nominee’s impact in five key areas: Vision, Social Impact, Inspiring Others, Youth Leadership, and Service Journey. 

There are 12 Diana Award Judging Panels representing each UK region or nation and a further three panels representing countries outside of the UK. Each panel consist of three judges; one young person, an education or youth work professional, and a business or government representative. The panels have an important main purpose: to determine which nominations from each UK region/nation/country will receive The Diana Award. Nominations are judged using the Criteria Guide and Scoring Guide which have been created to measure quality of youth social action. 

Follow Charlie:  

YouTube @Charlie Kristensen #CheerUpCharlie,  

Instagram: @cheerupcharlie__ 

Twitter: @CharlieKristens 

Facebook: @musicalchairswithcheerupcharlie        

Lawrence Batley Theatre, Huddersfield – 26 June 2021

Reviewed by Sally Richmond

5*****

To me, a Gilbert and Sullivan operetta should explode with jouissance, be injected with sharp humour and accompanied by the most delightful tunes that serve up a tasty dish of the absurd  – and in this case – that dish was a pork pie!  What may sound even more ludicrous is that the complete works of Gilbert and Sullivan could be performed in a tight 75 minutes but they were and brilliantly done so!  Performed by Charles Court Opera’s, at the wonderful Lawrence Batley theatre, Huddersfield (where a very warm and covid-friendly welcome was received)  the G & S Express truly brought the foolish follies of the Victorian age to life! 

On board the G & S Express we meet an enigmatic gentleman, Poirot, who persuades the waitress, Bridgette, to serve him the quintessential afternoon high-tea despite it being late in the evening.  The complaints about the pork pie are forewarned here and later on, the tea trolley is discovered massacred – shock horror – call the police!  But, who could have committed such a terrible crime?  There are some clues left on the trolley and Poirot takes it upon himself to solve this most farcical mystery.  

Throughout the next 60 minutes we meet a whole host of characters from the Gilbert and Sullivan collection and who through the most comical of portrayals, invite us to observe the English class system with all its:  insane constraints, Victorian gender roles and culture, excessive nationalism and the peculiar customs of the natives within this era (is it still relevant today one must ask?). 

In this production, the parody and satire were pin-sharp and the plot so cleverly crafted that all the operas were woven together and formed the most witty and whimsical narrative.  All three performers (Matthew Kellett, Catrine Kirkman and Philip Lee)  the most energetic and exuberant recitals with smooth and flawless transitions into a whole host of characters.  Each cast member had outstanding vocal ranges and how they constantly switched into different personas and regained the continuity of the story was exceptional.  This of course could not have been achieved without the pianist (Musical Director David Eaton) who was a master at work and the powerful engine running the machine – first-class!  

Charles Court Opera’s G & S Express is major coup of riotess jollity, silliness at its best and just the ticket to raise your spirits as you won’t fail to enjoy the sparkling melodies and hilarious joke-packed japes.

Turbine Theatre, Battersea Power Station – until 17 July 2021

Reviewed by Elizabeth J Smith

5*****

My sons a queer, but what can you do? Well, what you can do is be their biggest supporter and encourage them to believe in their dreams and help them make those dreams come true.

Rob Madge found fame in 2005 when they landed a role in the revival of Mary Poppins, they have gone on to have an outstanding West End career. But this journey started long before then and this show tells us how.

Some may say this is an indulgent, ego massaging exercise, I would say not on your nelly. This is a show about struggling for acceptance of who you are and what you want to be. How the love of a family can change how you see the world and how the world sees you.

Through family videos Rob shows us that from a very early age they loved to live in the world of imagination, even when doubters like their teachers criticised their behaviour. How with a few bits of material, wool wigs, an old curtain and the living room anyone can pull off a major production to rival Disney.

Showered by the unconditional love of their parents, grandparents, aunties and cousins allowed Rob to direct, write and star in many a living room extravaganza. Which we are privileged to see.

From the opening scene Rob’s joyous face lifts your spirits and carries you along on a journey of love, hope and reflection.

The staging is compact and cosy. You are in the living room watching the show. You are part of the family. Sharing the in jokes. Feeling the love.

When I was a child I would dress up in my Mums wedding dress and pretend to be a princess, while watching the old Saturday afternoon film, this show reminded me of that and I think it’s not too late to live out my dream of doing the weekly shop dressed as Giselle from Disney Enchanted.

If you want to feel uplifted after lock down and feel enveloped into a loving family this little show will do that for you.

Well done Rob can’t wait for the teenage years!!

Chiswick House and Gardens, London – until 11 July 2021

Reviewed by Heather Chalkley

4****

Since the year 2000 when Nell realised her ambitious to create a village green circus, Gifford’s have never disappointed. The combination of art, jeopardy and humour creates a traditional small circus vibe, with an added delightful and different storytelling twist each season. The Hooley was dreamt up by Director Cal McCrystal and produced by Nell’s niece, Lil Rice. A magical fairyland seems fitting for the first year without the founder Nell and also their 21^st anniversary.

Those familiar with Gifford’s will be pleased to know some of the firm favourites continue to entertain, with Tweedy bringing new comic routines as a leprechaun – it suits him! Nancy Trotter Landry makes a comical fairy for him to team up with. As well as producing the show Lil lends her beautiful voice to some Irish ballads and raucous ceilidh, foot tappers. The New Revolution Troupe provide ample jeopardy, despite their pixie suits! By far my favourite act of the night is Jonny Grundy and Manuel Artino on the ariel hoop. Their dance training shines through in the grace and beauty of their movements, as they position themselves into impossible, strength-based frames. The audience is almost silent throughout and then erupts into a foot stamping, roar of applause.

Gifford’s artistic team and front of house, create the sensation of walking onto a village green, with beautiful wooden food wagons and plenty of hospitality. Whatever your age, you will be captivated by the other worldly feel of The Hooley. I am sure Nell Gifford is looking on, proud of the heritage she has established.  

THE LAST FIVE YEARS

TO NOW PLAY AN EXTENDED SEASON

AT THE GARRICK THEATRE

IN LONDON’S WEST END

OPENING ON 23 SEPTEMBER 2021

Jason Robert Brown’s Drama Desk Award-winning musical, The Last Five Years, will now be opening at the larger Garrick Theatre for an extended limited season, previewing from 17 September, with an opening night on Thursday 23 September and now running until 17 October 2021.  Directed by Jonathan O’Boyle, Molly Lynch and Oli Higginson will reprise their roles as Cathy and Jamie, following a critically acclaimed run at Southwark Playhouse last year and a highly successful worldwide stream with stream.theatre.  This will be the first time the musical will have had a significant run of length in the West End.

The production at Southwark Playhouse was nominated for eight Offie Awards and won two for Best Director and Best Musical Production.  Oli Higginson was nominated for a Stage Debut Award for his performance as Jamie.

The Last Five Years is an emotionally powerful and intimate story about two New Yorkers who fall in and out of love over the course of five years.  The musical’s unconventional structure unfolds as Cathy, a struggling actor, tells her story in reverse, from the end of their turbulent relationship, whilst Jamie, a literary prodigy, tells his story chronologically from the spark of their initial meeting. In the musical, the two characters meet only once, at their wedding, which falls in the middle of the show. 

Jonathan O’Boyle’s new actor-musician production has the actors on stage at all times and playing the piano to add a new narrative dimension to the story, accompanied by a four-piece band. 

Brown’s cult classic musical was first seen in 2001 and ran off-Broadway in 2002. It was turned into a film in 2014 starring Anna Kendrick and Jeremy Jordan.

Molly Lynch made her professional debut in the West End in ENO’s production of Sweeney Todd starring Emma Thompson and Bryn Terfl.  She then played the role of Chava in Grange Park Opera’s production of Fiddler on the Roof, also starring Bryn Terfl.  She played Betty in the UK Tour of Sunset Boulevard starring Ria Jones and Danny Mac and most recently appeared in The Light in The Piazza starring Renee Fleming at the Royal Festival Hall.

Oli Higginson’s previous theatre credits include The Haystack at Hampstead Theatre, Maggie & Ted at White Bear Theatre, Napoleon Blown Apart at Arcola Theatre and The Assassination of Marcus Garvey at Theatre 503.  Most recently, he has been seen in the Netflix hit series Bridgerton and in BBC1’s The Pursuit of Love.

The creative team, led by director Jonathan O’Boyle, includes choreographer Sam Spencer-Lane, set and costume designer Lee Newby, lighting designer Jamie Platt and sound designer Adam Fisher.  Musical director is Leo Munby.  Casting is by Jane Deitch.

The Last Five Years, written and composed by Jason Robert Brown, was originally produced for the New York stage by Arielle Tepper and Marty Bell and originally produced by Northlight Theatre, Chicago.  It is produced at the Garrick Theatre by Katy Lipson for ARIA ENTERTAINMENT, Eilene Davidson Productions, Edward Prophet, People Entertainment Group, with Dan Looney, Adam Paulden and Jason-Haigh Ellery for DLAP GROUP, David Treatman and Max Johnson.  General Manager and Assistant Producer is Chris Matanlé for Aria Entertainment.  The original Southwark Playhouse production was produced by Katy Lipson for Aria Entertainment, Edward Prophet and People Entertainment Group.

Website: last5yearsUK.com

Facebook: @L5YearsUK

Twitter: @L5YearsUK

Instagram: @L5YearsUK

LISTINGS INFORMATION

THE LAST FIVE YEARS

17 September – 17 October 2021

Garrick Theatre

2 Charing Cross Road

London WC2H 0HH

Performances: Tuesday – Saturday at 8pm, Thursday, Saturday & Sunday at 3pm*

*4pm matinee on Saturday 18 September and 6pm matinee on Sunday 19 September

Running time: 90 minutes

Tickets: from £20

Box Office: 0330 333 4811