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FULL CAST ANNOUNCED FOR

BAT OUT OF HELL – THE MUSICAL

2025 UK TOUR

The producers of the Award-winning Bat Out Of Hell – The Musical, featuring Jim Steinman and Meat Loaf’s greatest hits, are delighted to announce the full cast joining the 2025 UK tour. Performances will begin on 6 January 2025 at Edinburgh Playhouse, running through to 20 September 2025 in Northampton.

Joining the previously announced Glenn Adamson as Strat, Katie Tonkinson as Raven, Rob Fowler as Falco and Sharon Sexton as Sloane will be Georgia Bradshaw (A Night With Janis Joplin, Peacock Theatre) as Zahara, Ryan Carter (Ain’t too Proud, West End) as Jagwire, Carla Bertran (Jesus Christ Superstar, UK Tour) as Tink, Luke Street (Jesus Christ Superstar, UK Tour) as Ledoux and Carly Burns (Rehab The Musical) as Valkyrie. 

Completing the cast are Leo Abad (Hello Dolly, West End), Peter Camilleri (MAMMA MIA! UK & International Tour), Joshua Dever (Mrs Doubtfire, West End), Reece Duncan (Rock of Ages, UK Tour), Georgia Holland (We Will Rock You, UK Tour), Georgia Iudica-Davies (Heathers, The Other Palace), Natalie Pilkington (SIX the Musical, UK Tour), Harriet Richardson-Cockerline (ITV’s Starstruck), Sophie-Rose Emery (Lead vocalist for Aida Cruises), Catherine Saunders (SuperYou, Leicester Curve), Ethan Tanner (The Boybands, UK Tour), Craig Watson (Cruel Intentions, The Other Palace), James Wilkinson-Jones (An Officer and a Gentleman The Musical, UK & Ireland Tour) and Beth Woodcock (The Rocky Horror Show, International Tour). 

At certain performances the role of Strat will be played by Luke Street, the role of Falco by Joshua Dever, the role of Sloane by Beth Woodcock and the role of Ledoux by Reece Duncan.

Inspired by the spectacular arena tour of Australia and New Zealand, this reimagined show promises to be a thrilling experience, featuring a dynamic eight-piece rock band on stage and sprawling multi-level platforms that will transport you through the diverse worlds of Bat Out of Hell, and featuring some of the most iconic rock songs ever recorded!

Bat Out Of Hell – The Musical wowed critics and public alike when it played limited seasons at Manchester Opera House, London Coliseum and London’s Dominion Theatre. The musical also had successful runs in Canada, Germany and New York, a residency in Las Vegas and the international tour took the show to the UK, Ireland, Germany, Australia and New Zealand. Bat Out of Hell – The Musical won the Radio 2 Audience Award for Best Musical at the Evening Standard Awards and was nominated for 8 WhatsOnStage Awards, including Best New Musical.

Bat Out of Hell became one of the best-selling albums in history, selling over 68 million copies worldwide.  16 years after the release of the original album, Steinman scored again with Bat Out of Hell II: Back into Hell, which contained the massive hit I Would Do Anything for Love (But I Won’t Do That).

For the stage musical, the legendary and award-winning Jim Steinman incorporated iconic songs from the Bat Out of Hell albums, including You Took the Words Right Out of My Mouth, Bat Out of Hell, I Would Do Anything for Love (But I Won’t Do That) and Two Out Of Three Ain’t Bad, as well as the previously unreleased song What Part of My Body Hurts the Most.

As the Lost boys and girls flee into the tunnels below the city from its ruler Falco, his teenage daughter Raven locks eyes with fearless leader of the Lost, the immortal Strat, and the immensity of their love-at-first-sight-obsessions threaten to destroy both of their families. Experience the thrill of the electrifying songs of Jim Steinman and Meat Loaf’s epic collaboration: “Bat Out of Hell.”

Bat Out of Hell – The Musical has book, music and lyrics by Jim Steinman, direction by Jay Scheib, with musical supervision and additional arrangements by Michael Reed, additional choreography by Xena Gusthart, set and costume design by Jon Bausor, original wig designs by Linda McKnight, video design by Finn Ross, lighting design by Patrick Woodroffe, sound design by Gareth Owen, orchestrations by Steve Sidwell, original casting by David Grindrod CDG, UK Tour casting by Anne Vosser and General Management by Julian Stoneman & Jack Maple for MPSI Ltd.

The West End & UK Tour of Bat Out of Hell – The Musical is produced by Michael Cohl, Tony Smith & David Sonenberg with executive producer Julian Stoneman.

Website:  BatOutOfHellMusical.com

Instagram, X & Facebook: @BatTheMusical

2025 TOUR SCHEDULE

6 – 11 January                                   Edinburgh Playhouse

                                                           atgtickets.com/edinburgh

13 – 18 January                                 Portsmouth Kings Theatre

                                                           kingsportsmouth.co.uk

20 – 25 January                                 Liverpool Empire Theatre

                                                           atgtickets.com/liverpool

27 January – 1 February                   Bromley, Churchill Theatre

                                                           churchilltheatre.co.uk

3 – 8 February                                   Cardiff New Theatre

                                                           trafalgartickets.com/new-theatre-cardiff

10 – 22 February                               Birmingham The Alexandra

                                                           atgtickets.com/venues/birmingham

24 February – 8 March                      Manchester Palace                                 

                                                           atgtickets.com/venues/manchester

10 – 15 March                                    Aberdeen His Majesty’s Theatre

                                                           aberdeenperformingarts.com

17 – 22 March                                    Peterborough New Theatre

                                                           newtheatre-peterborough.com

31 March – 5 April                             Cheltenham Everyman

                                                           everymantheatre.org.uk

7 – 19 April                                         Glasgow King’s Theatre

                                                           www.atgtickets.com/glasgow

21 – 26 April                                       Leeds Grand Theatre                                                                   0113 243 0808

                                                           leedsheritagetheatres.com           

28 April – 3 May                                 Sheffield Lyceum                                                                         On Sale Soon

                                                           sheffieldtheatres.co.uk

5 – 10 May                                         Woking New Victoria Theatre

                                                           atgtickets.com/new-victoria-theatre

12 – 17 May                                       Plymouth Theatre Royal

                                                           theatreroyal.com

21 May – 7 June                                London Peacock Theatre

                                                           sadlerswells.com

9 – 14 June                                        Leicester Curve

                                                           curveonline.co.uk                                                                                                       

16 – 28 June                                      Milton Keynes Theatre

                                                           atgtickets.com/milton-keynes-theatre                                                                        

30 June – 5 July                                Stoke Regent Theatre                                         

                                                           atgtickets.com/stoke                                                                                                  

21 – 26 July                                       Wycombe Swan

                                                           wycombeswan.co.uk

4 – 9 August                                       Southend Cliffs Pavilion

                                                           thecliffspavilion.co.uk

18 – 23 August                                   Sunderland Empire

                                                           atgtickets.com/sunderland-empire

25 – 30 August                                  Dartford Orchard Theatre                                                             01322 220000

                                                           orchardtheatre.co.uk

1 – 13 September                              Bristol Hippodrome

                                                           atgtickets.com/bristol

15 – 20 September                            Northampton Royal & Derngate             

                                                           royalandderngate.co.uk                                                                                             

Further dates to be announced

*Calls cost 7p per minute plus your phone company’s access charge

World renowned vocalist Georgi Mottram 

presents 

Magic of Hollywood

at the Charing Cross Theatre on 3 November 2024

With special guest performers Rob Houchen, Jasmine Faulkner
and Finlay McKillop

Georgi Mottram, international singing sensation and West End star, is set to dazzle London’s Charing Cross Theatre on Sunday 3 November at 5.30pm for one night only, with an unforgettable evening of magical music from Hollywood.

Magic of Hollywood, a concert of the most beloved showstoppers from the silver screen, will feature tunes ranging from Hans Zimmer to the golden days of The Sound of Music, Camelot and more – inviting audiences to relive the magic of these timeless classics.

Georgi will be joined for the evening by acclaimed West End star Rob Houchen, best known for his leading roles in Les Misérables, The Light in the Piazza and South Pacific. With a growing reputation both on the West End and beyond, Rob’s stunning vocals and dynamic stage presence promise to deliver a breathtaking musical journey for all in attendance. 

Classical crossover star Jasmine Faulkner and TikTok sensation Finlay McKillop will also be appearing as Georgi’s special guests. 

A world-class vocalist, Georgi has graced stages from Broadway’s 54 Below to the London Palladium (Camelot). She is a No.1 Classical Charting soprano and Classic Brit Award Nominee and was hailed by ITV as ‘Classical Rising star’. She has captivated audiences globally, and as a billed artist on Last Night of the Proms, West End Proms and the Proms on Thames with the London Symphony Orchestra. With performances for royalty at Windsor Castle, Westminster Abbey and Houses of Parliament, she’s also performed at West End LIVE, BBC’s Friday Night is Music Night and so much more. Georgi’s versatile talent and charisma shines across genres. 

This special performance at Charing Cross Theatre offers a unique opportunity to experience these four powerhouse talents live. 

For more information about Magic of Hollywood, and to book tickets, visit charingcrosstheatre.co.uk/theatre/magic-of-hollywood. 

LISTINGS INFORMATION

Title: Magic of Hollywood

Venue: Charing Cross Theatre, The Arches, Villiers Street, London WC2N 6NL 

Date & time: Sunday 3 November, 5:30pm

Running time: 1 hour 20 minutes, no interval

Tickets: Stalls £22.50, Meet & Greet Front Row £60.00

Box office: charingcrosstheatre.co.uk/theatre/magic-of-hollywood / 08444 930 650

Access information: charingcrosstheatre.co.uk/your-visit/access-information 

Lambert Jackson Presents

SONDHEIM IN THE CITY

IN CONCERT WITH MELISSA ERRICO

AT CADOGAN HALL IN LONDON ON SATURDAY 12 JULY 2025

Tony Award-nominated Broadway superstar, recording artist and author Melissa Errico will bring SONDHEIM IN THE CITY – IN CONCERT to London in 2025, playing for one night only at Cadogan Hall on Saturday 12 July, in a celebration of Sondheim that no musical theatre lover should miss.  Melissa will be joined on stage by Olivier-Award-winning West End legend Julian Ovenden.

Melissa Errico has been praised by the New York Times as “one of Sondheim’s deepest-hearted yet lightest-touch interpreters” while The Wall Street Journal called her 2018 album, Sondheim Sublime, “The best all-Sondheim album ever recorded.”

Her new album SONDHEIM IN THE CITY (Concord), is Melissa’s kaleidoscopic vision of Sondheim’s songs of urban life, which Gramophone magazine said, “takes the musical theatre compilation album to a new level.”

A street fair of New York scenes and moments, it summons back to life the poetic vision of a man who once confessed that his entire creative life had been spent in a twenty-block radius of Manhattan. From the wide-eyed newly-wed for whom a basement room with a quarter-inch view is all that she needs, to the cynical nouveau from New Rochelle who can’t choose between uptown and downtown for her bitter pleasures, Melissa celebrates and embodies New York characters, and their follies, of all kinds – with a clear arc of passage along the way.

From innocence (“What More Do I Need?” and “Another Hundred People”) passing into experience (“The Little Things You Do Together”, “Everybody Says Don’t”) and arriving at the plaintive, bittersweet ambivalence that is Sondheim’s tonic note on “Good Thing Going” and “Sorry-Grateful” and the deeply emotional, and redemptive “Being Alive”, Melissa sings Sondheim as no one else can.

“Sondheim in The City,” Melissa Errico’s tribute to Sondheim’s urbanity, feels like a New York house tour of thrill and heartbreak…You can almost hear the martini glasses clink—and shatter.” – The New York Times

SONDHEIM IN THE CITY – IN CONCERT has arrangements and musical direction by Ted Firth and is produced in London by Lambert Jackson.

Ticket Link: https://cadoganhall.com/whats-on/melissa-errico-sondheim-in-the-city/

Instagram and Facebook: @lambertjacksonproductions

Twitter: @ljprods

Instagram: @melissa_errico_fairymom

CASTING ANNOUNCED FOR

THE UK PREMIERE OF

WRITTEN BY CRAIG WRIGHT
DIRECTED BY IYA PATARKATSISHVILI

RUNNING AT RIVERSIDE STUDIOS
FROM 15 NOVEMBER – 14 DECEMBER 2024

Casting is now complete for the London debut of Craig Wright’s gripping play, The Unseen which will open at Riverside Studios next month.

The cast features BAFTA Cymru Award-winning actor Richard Harrington (Fisherman’s Friends: One and All; Home I’m Darling) as Wallace and Waj Ali (Carnival Row; King Lear) as Valdez, two prisoners incarcerated together, with Ross Tomlinson (Allelujah; This Is Going To Hurt) as Smash, a prison guard.

The Unseen delves into the human spirit’s resilience under oppressive regimes and will be directed by Iya Patarkatsishvili, with set and costume design by Simon Kenny,playing at Riverside Studios from 15 November 2024. Accompanying the play will be a series of post-performance discussions featuring special guest speakers and the UK premiere of international exhibition Faces of Russian Resistance.

Craig Wright’s play, first seen at the Humana Festival in 2007 and subsequently at New York’s Cherry Lane Theatre is a powerful exploration of the human spirit’s capacity for connection, even in the direst of circumstances. It challenges audiences to confront the realities of power, cruelty, and the costs of survival.

In a brutal totalitarian regime, two strangers are imprisoned for reasons unknown. Wallace and Valdez communicate only through their cell walls, navigating waves of hope and disillusionment whilst seeking an escape route.

Finding solace in one another they create their own philosophies in an attempt to assign meaning to their state of confinement. Meanwhile, their torturer finds himself torn between his duty and his own self-revulsion and plans a showdown that will change everything.

GUEST SPEAKERS

A series of post-performance events have been programmed in conjunction with the production, focusing on the play’s themes and contemporary human rights issues. Special guests to be announced, with support from the Russian Democratic Society.

FACES OF RUSSIAN RESISTANCE

Acclaimed exhibition, Faces of Russian Resistance, will make its UK premier at Riverside Studios to coincide with the production of The Unseen. The exhibition focuses on Russians who oppose the Putin regime and paid for it with their freedom. Its heroes are not only politicians who led an open struggle for the freedom of Russia. These are ordinary citizens who did not believe false propaganda and did not accept the invasion to a neighbouring country. There are men and women, young and old, political activists, artists, scientists, students, fathers and mothers. They were all jailed for years, some of them — for decades.
www.politzk.com/en

The Unseen is written by Craig Wright, directed by Iya Patarkatsishvili, has set and costume design by Simon Kenny, lighting design by Anna Watson, sound design by Mike Walker with James Robert Moore as associate director. The composer is Danny Short, who also executive produces alongside, Peter Huntley and Callum Runciman for Smart Entertainment.

Waterloo East Theatre – until 26 October 2024

Reviewed by Claire Roderick

4****

After a run at Theatre at the Tabard last year, Peter Hamilton’s tragicomedy comes to Waterloo east with a new director and new cast.

When Ashley Davenport’s (Richard Linnell) never-ending gap year took him to India, he came face to face with Yama, King of Death (Tanya Katyal) and decides to turn his back on life and embrace death. Booking himself into the exclusive Gethsemane Garden Village Retirement Home, he is met with incredulity by the staff and residents – but money talks – so Ashley becomes the newest resident at the ripe old age of 24.

The comfortable but repetitive, institutionalised lives of the elderly residents as they reminisce about past lives and fatalistically look to the future are at odds with the staff – undocumented immigrants who share their stories of abuse and captivity from their perilous entry to the UK. Hamilton plays with culture clashes between teenagers and the elderly, the entitlement of the rich compared to those struggling to survive in a cruel and unfair world, and whimsical riffs on happiness, life, and death.

All these threads felt a little disconnected in the previous production, but director Ross McGregor uses music and movement with the entire cast to create a mystical feel and a more coherent play. James Maxwell’s elephant animation is fantastic, and Lucy Moxon’s design – with a simple screen allowing scenes in different locations to flow almost seamlessly – Johnathan Simpson’s lighting, Alistair Lax and Michael Bird’s sound, and Susie Hamilton and Lucy Ioannou’s art design add layers of weird and wonderful atmosphere, while movement directors Will and Dorie Pinchin create a gentle ritualistic dance of life and death. The addition of Yama, constantly watching and silently influencing the characters helps the plot, making journeys to and returns from the lilac room, and Miguel’s (Ryan Crellin-Simpson) sad choice more reasonable and emotional.

Richard Linnell is great fun as the entitled and clueless Ashley, bouncing bemusedly off the effusive but tragic Mr Krish (Jamie Zubairi). The residents (the fantastic Ian Crowe, Annette Holland, Sian Howard, and Moray Treadwell) have become less caricatures with more humanity and an underlying melancholy, making their sillier moments much more affecting.

A fun, thought-provoking and thoughtful production about life, death and free will. Well worth a look.

Leeds Grand Theatre – until 31 October 2024

Reviewed by Dawn Smallwood

4****

Opera North’s new Season is underway with A Midsummer Night’s Dream at the Leeds Grand Theatre. Benjamin Britten’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream is based on his and Peter Pears’ libretto set on the Shakespeare comedy. The Three Act Opera first premiered in 1960 in Aldeburgh and this production was first performed in 2008.

The story is about Oberon (James Laing) and Tytania (Daisy Brown), King and Queen Fairies, who have an argument over a child. Oberon in revenge asks Puck (Daniel Abelson), his loyal spirit, to sprinkle some juice of a magical flower into Tytania’s eyes while she sleeps. The intention is for his wife to fall in love with the first creature she sees when she wakes up.

There is a ‘love square’ between four people: Hermia (Siân Griffiths), Lysander (Peter Kirk), Demetrius (James Newby) and Helena (Camilla Harris). Lysander and Demetrius want Hermia however Helena is not wanted but is in love with Demetrius. Oberon intends to make Demetrius love Helena with assistance from Puck and use of the magic potion. However, Puck gets Lysander instead and subsequently the scenario becomes chaotic along with a confused trance like dreamy ambience, reflecting their state of minds.

The staging is interesting and contemporary and set in the 1960s at the time the opera was written, and the staging with is translucent Perspex and enormous bubbles floating above the stage. The characters specifically the four lovers, reflect flower power and its retro and vintage vibes resonates one of the 1960s. Noted is the sharp attire with the use of metallic silver for the costumes of Oberon and Tytania and the black wings and same-like blonde wigs for the fairies, performed by children.

Excellent portrayals of the characters from the cast members. There is humour aplenty and laughter living up to the Shakespeare’s comedy. The standout performance must be Henry Waddington’s Nick Bottom, a weaver and his transformation as an ass. The engagement and entertainment Waddington bring to the characters captivates the audience. This is also same to Abelson’s Puck whose agility and pivotal presence noticeably unfolds the comedic attributes of when the plot unravels.

The cast are supported by Martin Duncan and Matthew Eberhardt’s direction and Ben Wright’s choreography. The contemporary and Swinging Sixties staging and costumes by the late Johan Engels and Ashley Martin-Davies. The staging is complimented by Bruno Poet’s lighting and its marvellous use of colours illuminating the Perspex and the bubbles on stage. Musically lead by Garry Walker, Britten’s composition plays so well to the play referencing the society changing era of the 1960s of when the music was composed.

Like all Shakespeare’s comedies, the story ends all well. A Midsummer Night’s Dream is recommendable and an entertaining production.

Curve Theatre Leicester – until 12^th October 2024

Reviewed by Amarjeet Singh

5*****

Run Rebel is a powerful story about 15-year-old Amber Rai and her courageous awakening. Amber is a typical teenager dealing with all the usual issues that come with being a schoolgirl. However, behind closed doors she is trapped by her family’s rules, their cultural expectations and by her own thoughts. Her overbearing, alcoholic, non-English speaking father controls the family. He is violent towards their mother who must work all hours to support the family, and he refuses to allow Amber, her mother and her sister, any autonomy. Amber’s sister, Ruby, has had an arranged marriage which has strained their relationship and has left Amber alone, at home, to face the terror of her father. Threats, fear, suppression and terror are all Amber has known growing up. School is her sanctuary and running is her respite. When Amber is running, she is completely free, and she can be the person she wants to be. Coming top in her school, with the chance to progress professionally, revolution calls when her father puts a stop to it, when he puts mum in hospital and when he threatens murder.

This theatrical rendition of Manjeet Mann’s spectacular novel has been expertly directed by Tessa Walker and produced by Pilot Theatre. Designed specifically for audiences of 11+, it’s a combination of compelling physicality, lyrical motif, clever visuals, and a hugely talented cast. Jessica Kaur is an absolute powerhouse playing Amber Rai. Bursting on to the stage to tell us her story and telling us we all have a story inside us, she commands the stage with ease. Delivering a performance which is emotionally charged, endearing and energetic, she captures the audience’s attention and hearts immediately, refusing to let go until the show is done. Yet, her message sits with us still, so powerful is her performance.

The rest of the cast do a tremendous job of playing multiple roles. Whilst Kaur navigates Amber’s journey emotionally and physically, the others do the same  but playing multiple roles. With the addition of a hat or the switch of a jacket they fully embody another character. Pushpinder Chani and Asha Kingsley play mum and dad deftly, handling difficult scenes with skill and care. Heather Forster and Kiran Raywilliams play Ambers friends as well as others. Their energy and switching so completely from Gym Teacher, potential love interest and then to best friend with the change of accent is superb. Simran Kular plays Ruby and the indomitable Beena, amongst others, to perfection. Hair twirling, singing and sass, she adds a lot to this production. The talent of this cast and their ability to bring this text to life is astounding.

The industrious and deceptively minimalist set designed by Debbie Duru enables the cast to seamlessly slide from the oppressive family home to school to sloped running track with ease. When combined with Daniel Denton’s video projections, movement by movement director Kuldip Singh-Barmi and a stunning sound scape by composer Niraj Chag and sound designer Yvonne Gilbert, we found ourselves fully immersed in Amber’s world.

There are spectacular running scenes which place us in the centre of the action, urgent, pulsating and liberating, we can’t help but find ourselves cheering Amber on. There are also gentle, heart wrenching scenes where we glimpse the connection between Amber and her mum and sister, and we see the power of women when they understand their power. This production has the perfect balance of light and dark and it is wonderfully paced, as well as having some truly funny moments. Run Rebel is a transformative story of revolution, empowerment, courage and hope, which will stay with you long after the lights go down.

FULL CASTING UNVEILED FOR THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST AS REHEARSALS BEGIN

The National Theatre today unveils the full cast for its upcoming production of Oscar Wilde’s joyful and flamboyant comedy The Importance of Being Earnest as rehearsals begin. Reimagined by director Max Webster (Donmar’s Macbeth, Life of Pi), who is making his highly anticipated National Theatre debut, the show will run in the Lyttelton theatre from 21 November 2024 to 25 January 2025.

Rounding out the cast are ensemble members Shereener Browne (The Effect), Jasmine Kerr (Follies), Gillian McCafferty (The Rise & Fall of Little Voice), Elliot Pritchard (Museum of Austerity) and John Vernon (Coriolanus). They join previously announced cast members  Ronkẹ Adékọluẹ́jọ́ (Blues for an Alabama Sky)as Gwendolen Fairfax, Julian Bleach (Doctor Who) as Lane and Merriman, Richard Cant (Stan & Ollie) as Reverend Canon Chasuble, Sharon D Clarke (Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom)as Lady Bracknell, Ncuti Gatwa (Doctor Who) as Algernon Moncrieff, Amanda Lawrence (Star Wars: Episode – IX The Rise of Skywalker) as Miss Prism, Eliza Scanlen  (Little Women) as Cecily Cardew and Hugh Skinner (W1A) as Jack Worthing.

While assuming the role of a dutiful guardian in the country, Jack (Hugh Skinner) lets loose in town under a false identity. Meanwhile, his friend Algy (Ncuti Gatwa) adopts a similar facade. Hoping to impress two eligible ladies, the gentlemen find themselves caught in a web of lies they must carefully navigate.

Directed by Max Webster alongside set and costume designer Rae Smith,lighting designer Jon Clark, sound designer Nicola T. Chang, movement director Carrie-Anne Ingrouille, composer DJ Walde, physical comedy advisor Joyce Henderson, intimacy coordinator Ingrid Mackinnon, casting directors Alastair Coomer CDG and Chloe Blake, dialect coach Hazel Holder, voice coach Shereen Ibrahim, associate set designer Isabel Munoz-Newsome, associate costume designer Petros Kourtellaris, associate sound designer Christopher Reid, associate wigs, hair and make-up designer Adele Brandman and staff director Tanuja Amarasuriya.  

The Importance of Being Earnest runs in the Lyttelton theatre from 21 November 2024 to 25 January 2025, with press performance on 28 November 2024.

The production will also be released to cinemas on 20 February 2025 via National Theatre Live, and audiences can find their nearest screening at ntlive.com.

FULL CAST & CREATIVE TEAM ANNOUNCED FOR HOPE MILL THEATRE’S NEW PRODUCTION OF THE MUSICAL VERSION OF
A CHRISTMAS CAROL

WEST END STAR CLAIRE MOORE PREVIOUSLY ANNOUNCED AS ‘SCROOGE’

THE LOWRY, SALFORD

FROM FRIDAY 6^th DECEMBER 2024 to SUNDAY  5^th JANUARY 2025

The full cast and creative team have been announced for Hope Mill Theatre’s new production of the magical musical version of A Christmas Carol which is playing The Lowry, Salford for the 2024/25 festive season.

They join the previously announced musical Theatre star Claire Moore who is to play ‘Scrooge’.

As part of Hope Mill Theatre’s future development, the venue is expanding their operations to produce its award-winning musicals on a larger scale in other venues and A Christmas Carol will run in The Lowry’s Quays Theatre from Friday 6^th December 2024 to Sunday 5^th January 2025.

Starring alongside Claire Moore will be Josie Benson (Mrs Fezziwig), Alexander Evans (Mr Fezziwig), James Hume (Ghost of Christmas Present), Barry Keenan (Marley), Matthew Jeans (Mr Cratchit), Mari McGinlay (Ghost of Christmas Past), Marienella Phillips (Mrs Cratchit) and Chomba S.Taulo (Fred).

Making up the Featured ensemble will be Erica Jayne Alden, Nic Cain, Jamie Chidzey, Olly Christopher, Sammy Graham, Holly Henderson, Megan Jade- Johnson, Tamsin January, Clint Lesch and Harry Warburton.

Completing the cast is the Young Company made of Joel Tennant, Nicholas Teixeira, Jett Moises, Zane Chaba, Harmony Raine Riley, Olive Davis, Marnie Fletcher and Halle Brady, Eden Beach and Amelia Minto.

The creative team comprises Joseph Houston and William Whelton – directors, with Whelton also choreographing, alongside co-choreographer George Lyons. Joining them will be Joseph Clayton – musical director, Andrew Exeter – set designer, Lorraine Parry – costume designer, Florencia Melone – wig designer and supervisor, Alessandro Uragallo – video designer, Alex Musgrave – lighting designer, Sam Glossop – sound designer and Will Luckett – resident director/ choreographer. 

Completing the production team is Rhianna Swyer – general manager & assistant producer, Adam Moore-White – CSM, Lizzie Hodge– DSM, Niamh Horsfall – ASM, Molly Dawson – head of wardrobe, Nikki Armstrong –wardrobe & wigs assistant, James Anderton – production manager and Naomi Albans – young company co-ordinator. Casting by Jim Arnold CDG.

Based on Charles Dickens’ 1843 novella of the same name, A Christmas Carol has music by Alan Menken, lyrics by Lynn Ahrens and book by Mike Ockrent and Lynn Ahrens. It was a New York festive staple from 1994 to 2003 where it was presented annually at The Theater At Madison Square Garden and in 2004 it was adapted for television by Hallmark Entertainment for NBC starring Kelsey Grammer as Scrooge.

The classic Dickens story comes to life with true Broadway spectacle in this Musical version brought to you by Alan Menken (Disney’s Beauty And The Beast The Little Mermaid and Newsies and Little Shop Of Horrors) and Lynn Ahrens (Ragtime, Seussical, Once On This Island), and breathes fantastic new life into the classic tale of A Christmas Carol.

Scrooge believes that personal wealth is far more valuable than the happiness and comfort of others. With an infuriated “Bah! Humbug!”, Scrooge is visited by three ghosts on Christmas Eve which leads Scrooge on a journey through the Past, Present and Future. 

Hope Mill Theatre will be running its First Curtain Scheme alongside this run of A Christmas Carol the Musical. 

Launched in 2020 First Curtain uses donations to offer free tickets to young people across Greater Manchester, many of them having their first ever theatre experience. 

For more information and to donate visit: https://hopemilltheatre.co.uk/first-curtain/

A CHRISTMAS CAROL
Music by Alan Menken

Lyrics by Lynn Ahrens

Book by Lynn Ahrens and Mike Ockrent

Based on the story by Charles Dickens
Original choreography by Susan Stroman Originally directed by Mike Ockrent
Originally presented by Radio City Entertainment at the Theater at Madison Square Garden
Presented by arrangement with Music Theatre International

A Hope Mill Theatre Production

Interactive Theatre International– Associate Producer; Stuart Bishop and Vicky Gregg– Associate Producer and Richard Seddon – Associate Producer

LISTING INFO:

Hope Mill Theatre present A Christmas Carol

The Lowry, Salford

Friday 6^th December 2024 to Sunday 5^th January 2025

Tickets: https://thelowry.com/whats-on/a-christmas-carol/

Jack Studio Theatre – until 19 October 2024

Reviewed by Claire Roderick

5*****

So It Goes Theatre just had to produce Slaughterhouse-Five at some point – and their treatment is as bold and affecting as ever.

Eric Simonson’s intelligent and witty adaptation of Kurt Vonnegut’s groundbreaking novel is just 90 minutes long, portraying the fragmented timelines of Billy Pilgrim’s lives as he jumps back and forth at such pace that the fatalistic worldview (universe-view?) of the Tralfamadorians becomes completely understandable as events have happened, will happen, are happening – and there’s’ nothing we can do to change that. Billy Pilgrim’s survival of the Dresden bombing, with the Allied prisoners of war surviving inside the slaughterhouse as the city burned around them, his survival of an air crash, his abduction and incarceration in the Tralformadorian zoo are all shown with a vibrant intensity and dry humour.

Director Douglas Baker’s striking video design marks the year Billy is experiencing and creates a remarkably clear sense of place – from veteran hospital to cheerfully cartoonish aliens and spacecraft that Kilgore Trout would adore. Calum Perrin and Benji Tranter’s sound and Laurel Marks’s lighting design are perfectly judged to compliment the horrors or absurdity of the action onstage. The fantastic cast (Sofia Engstrand, Alex Crook, Ben Howarth and Ethan Reid) multirole expertly, with just a minor change of costume and body language enough to make it clear which character they are portraying in each scene. Some minor characters are projections, mere faceless sketches as they observe or interact with Billy and vanish from his life. The Tralformadore throwaway refrain of “so it goes,” equalising every death, is represented visually to devastating effect as Billy and his fellow POWs are “corpse mining.”

The production’s intricately considered and executed design and staging is remarkable – a truly memorable show.