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DICK TURPIN RIDES AGAIN

Starring Berwick Kaler, David Leonard, Michael Barrass, Suzy Cooper and AJ Powell

The cast of this year’s pantomime at Grand Opera House York will be selling the first tickets at box office when tickets go on sale on Friday 14 February at 10am. They will also be available to chat about their roles in this spectacular production by the world’s biggest pantomime producer, Qdos Entertainment,  the Olivier Award winning team behind pantomimes across England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales, and at the world famous London Palladium each Christmas. Dick Turpin Rides Again will feature Qdos Entertainment’s hallmark of high-quality production values and special effects. Dick Turpin Rides Again promises to be a panto for all ages, young and old.

The panto will run from Saturday 12 December 2020 until Sunday 10 January 2021

TodayTix acquires Encore, the leading independent
theatre ticket distribution network in Europe.

The acquisition considerably expands TodayTix’s network, 
cementing its role as the leading global theatre ticketing innovator.

TodayTix, the premier digital gateway to theatre, announced today that it has acquired London-based Encore, Europe’s leading independent ticketing distribution network, for an undisclosed amount. The combination will establish a major global ticketing platform in the world’s two theatre capitals, London and New York.

This landmark acquisition will expand TodayTix’s global reach, offering the best access to theatregoers from around the world via its mobile-first, design-focused ticketing technologies. It will bring thousands of productions and venues across three continents together, through one integrated ticketing company.

Founded in New York in 2013, TodayTix quickly established itself as a disruptor within the theatrical ticketing industry, creating a place for audiences to discover shows and experiences in their city, and easily purchase the best-priced tickets. TodayTix has sold nearly six million tickets to date, now accounting for eight percent of all tickets sold both on Broadway and in the West End annually. Since beginning UK operations in 2015, it has achieved record growth, selling over one million West End tickets in the past year alone.

Encore Tickets was founded in 2000, and in the past twenty years has built up an expansive network of distribution channels that have sold well over one billion pounds-worth of tickets. Encore provides ticketing services to consumers, groups, retail and trade sectors through its own brands as well as landmark distribution and media partnerships. In addition Encore powers multiple sales outlets across London, including directly operating five in the West End.  

Co-Founder and CEO Brian Fenty said of the deal, “From day one, TodayTix has been all about accessibility; we believe that when theatres are full, creators, communities and audiences thrive. The acquisition of Encore will form an unprecedented ecosystem in which producers and audiences can connect, increasing their insight and heightening the ticket-buying experience, furthering our brand promise of bringing the highest quality of service to theatre ticketing.”

Merritt Baer, Co-Founder and President added, “By acquiring Encore, TodayTix renews its commitment to the West End, while continuing to focus on innovation and ensuring that theatre is accessible for everyone. Our team is thrilled to provide thousands of new opportunities for TodayTix theatrical partners to promote and sell tickets to millions of new customers on both sides of the Atlantic – in addition to in our other regional markets.”

TodayTix previously announced in May 2019 that it had received an investment from leading growth-oriented private equity firm Great Hill Partners enabling TodayTix to enter its next stage of development. Key strategic focuses are growth and acquisition, utilising the company’s proprietary data-driven technologies, and developing further personalisation for both consumers and partners.

Joe Steele, CEO of Encore said of the deal, “To be joining forces with TodayTix as we celebrate 20 years of promoting the West End across the world is an exciting moment. Together we are even better placed to deliver valuable audiences for our theatre, attractions and live entertainment partners and to distribute the best of West End, Broadway and live entertainment experiences internationally. Since ECI invested in Encore in 2013 we have grown our revenues and digital talent, expanded internationally, and invested to build a leading technology platform. Encore has always been a pioneer in the online ticketing market and we look forward to continuing our growth journey as part of the TodayTix family and with Great Hill Partners.”

Wilton’s Music Hall announce stunning summer season

Wilton’s Music Hall today announces its glorious summer season, packed full of inventive theatre and embracing its vaudeville heritage steeped in live music and performance.

The oldest grand music hall in the world goes back to its roots to host the inaugural Music 4all Festival (11 – 16 May), inviting the best emerging artists from across five music genres to showcase their talents on one of the most iconic stages in London. Mentored by industry professionals, emerging stars from the worlds of Opera; Contemporary & Jazz; Rock, Pop & Indie; Cabaret & Alternative; and Urban, Electronic & DJ will perform over five nights in a musical extravaganza, the first of its kind in the history of Wilton’s. A Charity Gala Night on 13 May will see one of the best live bands in the country, an extra-special musical band and a Wilton’s favourite come together for one amazing night of music – watch this space for more details….

With music now firmly back in the heart of Wilton’s, City of London Sinfonia present I’m A Rock ‘n’ Roll Star (20 – 23 May), paying homage to the original rock ‘n’ roll stars Mozart and Vivaldi, who headlined concerts in the biggest party venues across Europe and led lives as chaotic and incident-filled as any modern day rock star. Bringing the sounds of these classical music legends into the exhilarating and intimate atmosphere they would have known in their own day, the orchestra and guest pianist Robert Levin and Norwegian violinist Terje Tonnesen truly recapture the party spirit.

Theatre returns to Wilton’s as the London premiere of acclaimed show FRIEND (The One With Gunther) (1 – 6 June) arrives following its smash hit Edinburgh run. Comic actor Brendan Murphy reimagines the TV classic Friends through the eyes of everyone’s favourite blonde barista, before James Holmes returns with his sell-out Camden Festival hit EastEndless(26 – 27 June), taking a darkly comic look at the classic soap opera from the perspective of superfan Tony Coventry.

Following two previous sell-out shows, Dead Poets Live returns to Wilton’s led by theatre legend Rory Kinnear from 24 – 25 June for two nights of great poetry, performance and surprises, whilst music and storytelling combine for the wonderful OneTrackMinds (8 – 9 July) as another vibrant selection of writers, thinkers and musicians each present the one song that changed their life, and the thought-provoking story behind it.

It’s anarchic and surreal satire at its finest with Horse Country(30 June – 4 July), presented by Flying Bridge Theatre and Rive Productions and directed by Mark Bell (The Play That Goes Wrong, The Comedy About A Bank Robbery). The show follows Sam and Bob, two clowns hunting the elusive nine of diamonds, talking capitalism to sea-lions and everything in between.

Divas assemble as The Cabaret House presents The Marilyn Monroe Story (15 July), a fascinating look at the icon’s life from beginning to tragic death through the performance of Jojo Desmond, professional singer, actress and dancer. Audiences will then be transported back to 1957 Cuba with Marlene in Havana (13 July), a Latin-infused night of cabaret inspired by Marlene Dietrich’s famous performances and led by opera singer Ann Liebeck and award-winning jazz tango violin virtuoso Omar Puente.

Everyone’s favourite music hall singer-turned rap star Ida Barr is back with her show Granarchist (7 July), bringing her brand of Artificial Hip Hop to the Hall, whilst Martin, Izzy and Friends (30 July) present their riotous evening of music wine and song and cabaret superstar Tricity Vogue and her joyous All Girl Swing Band will take to the Wilton’s stage (22 – 23 July) with their incredible mix of cheeky dance numbers, swing versions of retro pop classics and some original numbers thrown in. Carrying on the cabaret theme, the very best of the genre’s UK scene come together for Cabaret vs Cancer’s Ashes to Ashes (20 – 21 July), celebrating the one and only David Bowie with a show exploding with song, dance, comedy and burlesque in one glittering night, all for a good cause.

Wilton’s is going galactic with children’s theatre show First Piano on the Moon (3 – 5, 24 – 26 August), which tells the story of William, the little piano player with the big dreams who is chosen to represent the school at Mozart’s birthday celebrations in Salzburg. Acclaimed pianist Will Pickvance takes audiences on an engaging, playful and joyous journey about one boy’s flight of fantasy to the moon and back.

The ever-popular Lucky Dog Picturehouse are back with Kings of Silent Film (10 – 13 August), showcasing the very best of silent cinema accompanied with live music across four nights, presenting Steamboat Bill Jr., Battleship Potemkin, Safety Last! and Nosferatu in the atmospheric surroundings of the Hall.

Renowned opera company Opera della Luna present a brilliant ‘new’ comic opera The Burglar’s Opera (2 – 5 September), a reimagining of a production that premiered in 2008 to rave reviews and has now been specially staged for Wilton’s. Based on a short story by WS Gilbert, The Burglar’s Operaby Jeff Clarke and Stephen Wyatt is set to a sparkling score of music from Sullivan’s rarely heard orchestral works.

As well as the jam-packed programme of theatre and music at Wilton’s, visitors can also delve even deeper into its history with guided tours available throughout the season: the Guided Tour gives an unprecedented look into the heritage of the magnificent building; whilst the Film Tour shows off Wiltons’ cinematic past. Other events include the Pop-up Vintage Fair (16 July), bringing together vintage traders from across the UK for an evening of shopping, cocktails and live entertainment.

Wilton’s are also on the hunt for a small-medium theatre company to develop a production that is going to the 2020 Edinburgh Fringe. Applications are open until 1 May and the successful company will receive two weeks of free rehearsal time at Wilton’s, mentoring, and the opportunity to produce their work in one of Wilton’s spaces to an invited audience. Read more about the opportunity here: http://wiltons.org.uk/learning/1

Finally, in June Wilton’s will spend two weeks enhancing acoustics and seating of the Hall as part of the Beautiful Word campaign, which was launched by David Suchet CBE in 2019.

SCHOOL’S OUT FOR SUMMER AT SOUTHBANK CENTRE!

EMMA RICE’S MUSICAL ADAPTATION OF

ENID BLYTON’S

MALORY TOWERS

OPENS AT THE QUEEN ELIZABETH HALL IN LONDON

KIDS GO HALF PRICE WHEN YOU BOOK BEFORE 1 MARCH 2020

David Pugh, the Olivier and Tony Award-winning producer, is delighted to present Emma Rice’s critically acclaimed musical adaptation of Enid Blyton’s Malory Towers, originally created with Wise Children. This new production will be co-produced with Theatre by the Lake, Keswick, where the production will open on 27 March 2020, before going on a national tour, concluding at Southbank Centre’s Queen Elizabeth Hall, where it will play from 27 July to 31 August.

David Pugh, a massive advocate of theatre for all, said, “This wonderful show should be available for as many people as possible. Tickets at the Southbank Centre range from just £15 to £49.50, but for everyone who books before 1 March, all children can go for half price.”

This production will star Rosie Abraham as Sally Hope, Alison Arnopp as Gwendoline Lacey, Georgia Bruce as Bill Robinson, Mirabelle Gremaud as Irene Dupont, Bobbie Little as Alicia Johns, Naomi Morris as Mary Lou Atkinson and Alice Vilanculo as Darrell Rivers, with Katy Ellis and Stephanie Hockley.

Nostalgic, naughty and perfect for now, Malory Towers is the original ‘Girl Power’ story, filled with high jinks, high drama and high spirits, all set to sensational live music and breath-taking animation.

Darrell Rivers is starting school with an eager mind and fierce heart. Unfortunately she also has a quick temper! Can she learn to tolerate the infuriating Gwendoline Lacey, or value the kind-hearted Sally Hope? Can she save the school play and rescue terrified Mary Lou from the grip of a raging storm? If she can do these things anywhere, she will do them at Malory Towers!

Adapted and directed by Emma Rice, this is a show for girls, boys, and all us grown up children who still dream of midnight feasts, Cornish clifftops and headmistresses like Miss Grayling. Set and costume design are by Lez Brotherston, lighting by Malcolm Rippeth, sound and video by Simon Baker and original music by Ian Ross.

The show is officially licensed by Enid Blyton Entertainment, a division of Hachette Children’s Group (HCG). Karen Lawler, Head of Licensed Content at HCG, said, “Enid Blyton created incredible female characters at Malory Towers: strong, capable and always, always kind. ‘Women the world can lean on,’ in Enid’s own words. We share Emma’s passion for these characters and we love the way Emma has brought her vision of Malory Towers to life.”

Emma Rice on Malory Towers…

I’ve always been drawn to the years that followed the Second World War. It’s a time that feels close enough to touch, as I vividly remember my grandparents and how the war affected their lives. My Mum’s parents – poor and largely uneducated – decided that their children would have access to all the things that they hadn’t. I don’t know how they managed it on a railway worker’s pay, but my mother was sent to a remote grammar school in Dorset: Lord Digby’s School for Girls.

Whilst not a boarding school, Lord Digby’s was an extraordinary place of learning that changed my mother’s, and by extension my own, life. The tendrils of passion and education that Lord Digby’s stood for reach out across 60 years and more. They reached out over my inner city comprehensive education and have shaped my own beliefs and choices to this day.

My adaptation of Malory Towers is dedicated to the generation of women who taught in schools in that period. With lives shaped by the savagery of two wars, these teachers devoted themselves to the education and nurture of other women. It is also for the two generations of men that died in those same wars, leaving us with the freedom to lead meaningful, safe and empowered lives. And it is for Clement Attlee and his Labour government of 1945 who looked into the face of evil and chose to do what was right. These people changed the political landscape in their focus on care, compassion and the common good.

Malory Towers was written at the heart of this political revolution, and embodies a kindness, hope and love of life that knocks my socks off. ‘Long live our appetites and may our shadows never grow less!’ the girls cry.

My mother wrote to her teachers at Lord Digby’s until they died and is still friends with many of the girls she met there. And when I see my Mum, born into the poorest of rural backgrounds, enjoying Dickens and Almodovar and speaking French to her childhood pen-friend, I am stopped in my tracks. She went on to dedicate her life to the NHS and the helping of others whilst never losing her appetite for life, culture and hope. I salute her, and I cheer the education that threw this mind and soul into the air and said, “be a woman that the world can lean on”.

So that’s why I have made Malory Towers, with gratitude, hope and sheer pleasure! I call it my ‘Happy Lord of the Flies’ and it is joyfully radical to its bones. Imagine a world where (left to their own devices), people choose kindness. Imagine a world where difference is respected and arguments resolved with thought and care. Imagine a world that chooses community, friendship and fun. Now that’s a world I want to live in and, at Malory Towers, you can!

Tour Schedule

27 March – 18 April             Theatre by the Lake, Keswick                              017687 74411

                                             www.theatrebythelake.com

                                             *‘Kids go half price’ offer not applicable; other substantial child discounts apply.

21 – 25 April                         The Lowry, Salford                                               0343 2098 6000

                                             www.thelowry.com

28 April – 2 May                   Nottingham Theatre Royal                                   0115 989 5555

                                             www.trch.co.uk

5 – 9 May                             Theatre Royal Bath                                              01225 448844

                                             www.theatreroyal.org.uk

12 – 16 May                         Everyman Theatre, Cheltenham                          01242 572573

                                             www.everymantheatre.org.uk

19 – 23 May                         Devonshire Park Theatre, Eastbourne                 0132 341 2000

                                             www.eastbournetheatres.co.uk

26 – 30 May                         Festival Theatre, Malvern                                     01684 892277

                                             www.malvern-theatres.co.uk

23 – 27 June                        Norwich Theatre Royal                                        01603 63000          

                                             www.theatre.org

30 June – 4 July                  Chester Storyhouse                                              01244 409113         

                                             www.storyhouse.com

7 – 11 July                           Birmingham Repertory Theatre                           0121 236 4455.

                                             www.birmingham-rep.co.uk

14 – 18 July                         Marlowe Theatre, Canterbury                              01227 787787

                                             marlowetheatre.com

21 – 25 July                         Sheffield Lyceum Theatre                                    0114 249 6000

                                             www.sheffieldtheatres.co.uk                                on sale soon

27 July – 31 August             Queen Elizabeth Hall, London                              020 3879 9555

                                             www.southbankcentre.co.uk                                on sale 4 February

Further dates to be added.

Full casting announced for the
timeless musical classic
THE SOUND OF MUSIC
at the Alhambra Theatre
Alhambra Theatre, Bradford
Tuesday 25 – Saturday 29 February 2020
*Tickets £43.50 – £18
Call the Box Office on 01274 432000 or visit bradford-theatres.co.uk
*All prices shown include booking fees but are subject to postage charge if applicable.
Bradford Theatres usual terms and conditions apply.

Bill Kenwright’s production of one of the greatest family musicals of all time The Sound of Music returns to the UK and Ireland in 2020 coming to the Alhambra Theatre, Bradford on 25 to 29 February. This musical masterpiece tells the true story of the world-famous Trapp family, from their romantic beginnings and search for happiness, to their thrilling escape to freedom as their beloved Austria becomes part of the Third Reich at the start of the Second World War.

Playing the role of Maria in this spectacular production will be Emilie Fleming. Emilie became a household name when she was a finalist in BBC One’s Over the Rainbow with Andrew Lloyd Webber. Her musical theatre credits include the West End’s 20th Anniversary production of Les Misérables at the Queen’s Theatre.

Andrew Lancel will reprise his role as Captain von Trapp. Andrew is best known as super-villain Frank Foster in Coronation Street, a role that earned him a ‘Villain of the Year’ award at the British Soap Awards. He also played DI Neil Manson in the long-running ITV television series The Bill. His numerous stage credits include Bill Kenwright’s touring productions of The Small Hand and Twelve Angry Men. Andrew starred in The Man Who Made The Beatles in Liverpool and London, and most recently appeared on stage in the UK tour of The Lady Vanishes.

Welsh soprano Megan Llewellyn will play the role of Mother Abbess and will be joined by Howard Samuels (Max), Michael Anderson (Rolf), Nicole Farrar (Liesl), Alexander Evans (Herr Zeller) Zoe Ann Bown (Sister Margaretta), Georgina Hagen (Sister Berthe), Katie Shearman (Sister Sophia), Sophie Christine (Ursula), Olivia Alexander (Baroness Elberfeld), Jon de Ville (Franz), Wendy-Lee Purdy (Frau Schmidt), Paul Lavers (Admiral von Schreiber), Sam Tithecott (Baron Elberfeld) and Jack Churms (Swing).

Producer Bill Kenwright said “The music and narrative of The Sound of Music are timeless. It’s a beautiful story about family and hope. The score transcends generations and the songs are known and loved by everyone.”

It all began with the story of the Trapp Family Singers and Baroness Maria von Trapp’s 1949 autobiography, which inspired Richard Rodgers, Oscar Hammerstein II, Howard Lindsay and Russel Crouse to create a Broadway musical in 1959. The unforgettable score features some of the most memorable songs ever performed on stage, including Edelweiss, My Favourite Things, Do-Re-Mi, Climb Ev’ry Mountain, So Long, Farewell and of course, the iconic title song, The Sound of Music.

This wonderfully lavish staging of the classic musical has delighted audiences and critics alike. Produced by Bill Kenwright, it is directed by Martin Connor and choreographed by Olivier Award winner Bill Deamer, with musical direction by Jeremy Wootton.

BILL KENWRIGHT presents
THE SOUND OF MUSIC
Music by RICHARD RODGERS
Lyrics by OSCAR HAMMERSTEIN II
Book by HOWARD LINDSAY AND RUSSEL CROUSE
Suggested by ‘The Trapp Family Singers’ by Maria Augusta Trapp.
Directed by MARTIN CONNOR
Choreographed by BILL DEAMER
Designed by GARY MCCANN
Lighting by NICK RICHINGS
Sound by DAN SAMSON
Musical direction by JEREMY WOOTTON
Presented by special arrangement with R&H Theatricals Europe www.rnh.com

FULL CASTING ANNOUNCED FOR NEW IMMERSIVE PRODUCTION OF ZORRO THE MUSICAL

• ZORRO THE MUSICAL WILL STAR A 16-STRONG CAST OF ACTOR-MUSICIANS LED BY ANTONY COSTA, ALEX GIBSON-GIORGIO, EMMA KINGSTON, GENEVIEVE NICOLE, KIT ORTON AND BENJAMIN PURKISS
• FEATURING MUSIC BY THE GIPSY KINGS, DIRECTED BY CHRISTIAN DURHAM, AND PRESENTED BY ARIA ENTERTAINMENT AND JOHN GERTZ
• THIS RE-IMAGINED PRODUCTION WILL RUN FROM 14 MARCH – 18 APRIL 2020 AT MANCHESTER’S HOPE MILL THEATRE

Full casting is announced today for the new spectacular production of Zorro The Musical which will run at the Hope Mill Theatre in Manchester from 14 March – 18 April 2020, with opening night for press on 18 March, directed by Christian Durham. The show will be brought to life by a cast including Antony Costa as Garcia, Alex Gibson-Giorgio as Ramon, Emma Kingston as Luisa, Genevieve Nicole as Inez, Kit Orton as Don Alejandro and Benjamin Purkiss as the masked hero, Zorro. The cast is completed by Ajjaz Awad, Amy Bastani, Isobel Bates, Ben Boskovic, Maxwell Griffin, Matthew Heywood, Jessica Pardoe, Thomas Ping, Seren Sandham-Davies and Stylianos Thomadakis.

The audience will be enveloped by the action of the legendary adventure of the masked hero as they are taken on a thrilling journey into an iconic story of good vs. evil, love vs. hate, brother vs. brother. The action begins in the foyer with live entertainment and a Flamenco party led by the actor-musician company before the thrills continue to grow in the theatre itself.

With music by the Gipsy Kings and John Cameron, lyrics by Stephen Clark and a book by Stephen Clark and Helen Edmundson, Zorro the Musical reinvigorates the story of the iconic hero, who appears when times are hardest and the struggle for freedom feels lost. The production is presented by Katy Lipson and John Gertz and features original music by the Gipsy Kings, alongside their international hits including Bamboleo, Baila Me and Djobi, Djoba. The production will be filled with pounding flamenco, breathtaking sword fights, tricks and magic, comedy and, at its heart, the desperate battle within a family of power versus freedom.

Antony Costa (Garcia) is best known as a member of the chart-topping boyband Blue. Most recently on stage he starred in the 2019 Rock of Ages UK tour. Previous stage credits also include A Judgement In Stone, Save The Last Dance For Me (Bill Kenwright Productions), Blood Brothers (Phoenix Theatre) and Boogie Nights (UK tour). For TV he has appeared in Holby City and Casualty.

Alex Gibson-Giorgio’s (Ramon) stage credits include Aria Entertainment’s recent production of RAGS The Musical (Park Theatre), Everything’s Coming Up Sondheim (Chapel off Chapel), Yank (Understudy Productions), Mamma Mia! (Australian Tour) and Anything Goes (Opera Australia).

Emma Kingston (Luisa) starred as Eva Peron in Evita (2017-18 international tour), Hodel in Fiddler on the Roof (Chichester Festival Theatre) and Vanessa in In the Heights (King’s Cross Theatre). Further stage credit includes Les Misérables (Queen’s Theatre), Priscilla Queen of the Desert (UK Tour) and Grease (UK Tour).

Genevieve Nicole’s (Inez) musical credits include Guys & Dolls, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels and Spamalot in the West End, UK tours of Hairspray, Chicago, The Producers, Miracle on 34th Street and White Christmas, and previously at the Hope Mill in Pippin.

Kit Orton’s (Don Alejandro / Gypsy Leader / Guitar / Violin) theatre credits include Tom (UK Tour 2014/2016), Spamalot (UK Tour & West End), Oliver!, Spend Spend Spend, Martin Guerre (Watermill Theatre) and Dickens Abridged (Arts Theatre).

Benjamin Purkiss (Zorro/Diego) recently performed as the alternate Strat in the original West End cast of the Evening Standard Award and BBC Radio 2 Audience Award winning Bat Out Of Hell The Musical (Dominion Theatre/ Manchester Opera House). His other stage credits include Broken Wings (The Other Palace), Macheath in The Beggar’s Opera (William Christie and Les Arts Florissants) and Allegro (Southwark Playhouse).

Ajjaz Awad (Ensemble / Castanets) was the winner of a Fringe First Award 2019 for How Not To Drown (ThickSkin/Traverse Theatre). Further credits include Peter and the Wolf (National Theatre River Stage and Tour), Stories on a String (Polygon Arts) and The Hound of the Baskervilles (The Mill at Sonning). Her television credits include Holby City.

Amy Bastani (Ensemble / Violin) recently graduated from the Italia Conti Academy. Zorro the Musical will mark her professional stage debut.

Isobel Bates’ (Ensemble / Trumpet) stage credits include Sleeping Beauty (Kings Lynn Corn Exchange), A Foreign Field, Poppies (Selladoor), Summer Holiday (Bolton Octagon), Red Riding Hood (New Wolsey) and Oh What a Lovely War (Oldham Coliseum).

Ben Boskovic (Ensemble / Percussion) has previously appeared at the Hope Mill in The Exonerated with further stage credits including The Secret Garden (Barn Theatre), Holding the Man (Above the Stag), Paper Hearts: A High Street Musical (Edinburgh Fringe).

Maxwell Griffin (Ensemble) is a recent ArtsEd graduate. Zorro the Musical will mark his professional debut.

Matthew Heywood (Ensemble / Guitar) graduated from Manchester School of Theatre and most recently performed in Beryl and Seagulls (Bolton Octagon).

Jessica Pardoe (Ensemble) recently appeared on stage in Dr Seuss’ How the Grinch stole Christmas (UK Tour), The Happy Prince (Palace Theatre), Thursford Christmas Spectacular 2018 and Kiss Me Kate (Kilworth House).

Thomas Ping (Ensemble / Violin)  is a winner of the Laine Theatre Arts Triple Threat Award and the Mario Lanza Opera Prize. He appeared in Thursford Christmas Spectacular last year, and previously in Sweet Charity (Watermill Theatre) and Judy! (Through The Mill).

Seren Sandham-Davies’ (Ensemble / Trumpet) stage credits include Crazy for You (UK Tour), Aladdin, Beauty and the Beast (The Production Exchange) and Brassed Off (Derby Theatre). She has also appeared on television in The Great.

Stylianos Thomadakis (Ensemble / Guitar) is a recent graduate from Bird College. He has appeared on stage in Thorn of Acacia (Ensarkosi Productions). His film credits include Mary Queen of Scots and Artemis Fowl.

Zorro the Musical brings together Director Christian Durham (Breaking The Code, Quaint Honour, Café Society Swing), Choreographer Cressida Carre (Avenue Q, Titanic, Pippi Longstocking), Designer Rosa Maggiora (Hobson’s Choice, Approaching Empty, ‘Nina’ A Story About Me & Nina Simone) and Orchestrator and Musical Director Nick Barstow (RAGS The Musical, Just So, RE:arrangement). The creative team also includes Sound Designer Andrew Johnson, Lighting Designer Matt Haskins, Flamenco Specialist Maria Vega, Fight Director Renny Krupinski, and Casting Director Jane Deitch.

Tickets are now on sale at www.hopemilltheatre.co.uk/events/zorro/

We’re having a ball and everyone’s invited

York Theatre Royal and Evolution present

York’s new spectacular family pantomime

Cinderella

York Theatre Royal, December 4 to January 10

Written by Paul Hendy with additional material by David Reed

Directed by Juliet Forster

York Theatre Royal presents Cinderella, the most magical pantomime of all, from 4 December to January 10.

This timeless rags-to-riches story will be relocated to the city of York, with the stage coming to sparkling life with magical transformations, glittering sets, stunning songs and side-splitting laughs.

Co-producing with Evolution, one of the country’s most successful and award-winning pantomime producers, the Theatre Royal is creating a brand new pantomime for everyone – with the promise of a truly epic spectacle and heaps of hilarity.

Cinderella will be directed by York Theatre Royal’s Associate Director Juliet Forster and written by Paul Hendy with additional material by David Reed.

York Theatre Royal Executive Director Tom Bird says:

“We are over the moon to be creating a spectacular new pantomime for the people of York – one that’s tailor-made for the whole family, while honouring the pantomime traditions that our audiences love so much.

“Our recipe includes two of the most exciting voices in our city, David Reed and Juliet Forster, together with Emily Wood and Paul Hendy, the finest makers of pantomime in the country – a fairytale combination.

“This phenomenal team will give the York Theatre Royal pantomime a new lease of life with a fresh, family-friendly, fun-filled approach to the story of Cinderella. It’s a pantomime for the new decade, set with pride in our amazing city.”

Evolution Productions was started by Emily Wood and Paul Hendy in 2005 and has built a reputation for superior, bespoke pantomimes with the emphasis on high quality production values, strong casting and genuinely funny scripts. They have twice won Pantomime of the Year at the Great British Pantomime Awards. They are the team behind Sheffield Theatres’ extraordinarily successful pantomime in the Lyceum Theatre.

Producer and writer Paul Hendy says:

“Emily and I are absolutely thrilled to be working with York Theatre Royal on this year’s pantomime. We are huge fans of the theatre and we’re looking forward to collaborating with Tom and his brilliant team to produce a wonderful, family friendly pantomime with spectacular production values, a superbly talented cast, and a genuinely funny script.”

Further creatives and cast for Cinderella will be announced in coming months.

Ticket prices remain the same as for 2019-2020. Family tickets and Sunday shows are being introduced as well as schools and groups discounts so that everyone can go to the ball.

There is priority booking for York Theatre Royal Members. For details about membership contact the box office.

Members 10 day priority booking opens on 3 February.

Members 5 day priority booking opens on 8 February. 9am in person at box office, 10am online and phone booking.

General booking opens on 13 February. 9am in person at box office, 10am online and phone booking.

Box office 01904 623568

yorktheatreroyal.co.uk

Royal and Derngate Theatre, Northampton – until 1 February 2020

Reviewed by Megan Raynor

4****

Holes, the story of Stanley Yelnats (the fourth) and his adventures at Camp Green Lake, holds a special place in my heart having studied it fondly at school and having grown up watching the film (2003). I was intrigued how Louis Sachar’s 1998 novel, set in the deep deserts of Texas, would be translated onto stage but I was not disappointed by this family friendly, charming piece with a lot of soul.

The story follows Stanley (James Backway), a young lad swamped in bad luck, bad luck that sees him sent to a juvenile corrections facility. It is far from the fun-filled camp that Stanley had in mind, the only activity on offer being to dig hole after hole after hole. It soon becomes clear that there is more to the digging than ‘building character’, there is history that needs to be unearthed. Adam Penford’s production seamlessly runs the two stories of Stanley’s past and present, discovering how Stanley’s ‘bad luck’ may have in fact provided him with the perfect opportunity to walk the footsteps of his ‘no-good-dirty-rotten-pig-stealing great-great-grandfather’ and undo an ancient curse on his family. The parallel storylines relied heavily on multi-rolling, Matthew Romain and Elizabeth Twells should be commended for their almost constant character changes which they did with distinction.

Stanley quickly befriends a group of lads at the camp, each going proudly by their nicknames – X-Ray (Harold Addo), Magnet (Joelle Brabban), Armpit (Henry Mettle) and Zero (Leona Allen), who he creates a particularly special bond with. Allen’s Zero was wonderfully dimensional; unpeeling the layers of a frustrated, misunderstood young man who you can’t help but fall for. The dynamic between the boys is a joy to watch, albeit their banter and their brawls. The soundtrack, featuring Bruno Mars and Michael Jackson, compliments the camp life brilliantly with playful physical sequences.

Puppetry is utilised brilliantly in the piece. Simple but skilfully operated, puppets portrayed the array of critters found in the deserts – including the famous yellow spotted lizards. Much of the set used was simple, incorporating a variety of charming tools for story telling – the wooden ‘sandpit’ boxes worked well as the holes and complimented the wooden backdrop creating the vast horizon of the desert. The production felt fresh while still following closely visually and narratively to the film, it carried with it the same 90s charm. It is a heart-warming production that does not do injustice to the unique story telling of Louis Sachar.

Holes will continue its run onto Nottingham Playhouse, Coventry Belgrade Theatre, Newcastle Theatre Royal, Theatre Royal Plymouth, Liverpool Playhouse, High Wycombe Swan, Norwich Theatre Royal, Wolverhampton Grand Theatre and Canterbury Marlowe Theatre.

CAST ANNOUNCED AS

     THE SPELLBINDING SHOW PREPARES

     TO TRANSFORM WYNDHAM’S THEATRE

Hiran Abeysekera to lead the company

with his acclaimed performance as Pi

Unprecedented reconfiguration of the theatre to bring

Yann Martel’s Man Booker Prize-winning novel thrillingly to life on stage

Full casting has been announced for Life of Pi, the celebrated Sheffield Theatres production which will transfer to London this summer. Life of Pi – Lolita Chakrabarti’s dazzling adaptation of Yann Martel’s extraordinary, award-winning book – was awarded a string of five-star reviews when it opened in Sheffield last year.

Hiran Abeysekera,whose performance in the lead role won him universal critical acclaim, will return as Pi. 

Life of Pi will transfer to the Wyndham’s Theatre where, for the first time ever, the historic theatre will be transformed to fully accommodate the magnificent elements of the production that left audiences mesmerised. Performances will begin on Sunday 28 June. The production is directed by Max Webster.

For all information, please see www.lifeofpionstage.com

The full company includes: Mina Anwar (Everybody’s Talking About Jamie, Apollo theatre and Sheffield Crucible), Sagar Arya (Casualty), Alex Chang (Golden Shield, Soho Theatre and Yellow Earth Theatre), Fred Davis (Ocean at the end of the Lane, National Theatre), Tom Espiner (Berberian Sound Studio, Donmar Warehouse), Kirsten Foster (Much Ado About Nothing, New English Shakespeare Company and Dubai Opera House), Daisy Franks (The Gruesome Twosome, The Place), Raj Ghatak (The Kite Runner, Best Actor Winner, UK Tour), Nuwan Hugh Perera (Side Show, Southwark Playhouse), Romina Hytten (The Lorax, The Old Vic and The Royal Alexander Theatre, Toronto), Sarah Kameela Impey (Much Ado About Nothing, Northern Broadsides), Tom Larkin (Bury the Dead, Finborough Theatre), David K.S. Tse (Chimerica, Almeida & Harold Pinter Theatre), Syreeta Kumar (Equus, English Touring Theatre), Deeivya Meir (Warlords & Tyrants, Rada Festival and Fireraisers), Habib Nasib Nader (Downtown Paradise, Welsh Fargo Theatre Company) and Scarlet Wilderink (Treasure Island, Stephen Joseph Theatre).

After a cargo ship sinks in the middle of the vast Pacific Ocean, there are five survivors stranded on a single lifeboat – a hyena, a zebra, an orangutan, a sixteen year-old boy and a 450-pound Royal Bengal tiger. Time is against them, nature is harsh, who will survive?

Based on one of the best-loved works of fiction – winner of the Man Booker Prize, selling over fifteen million copies worldwide – Life of Pi is a breath-taking new theatrical adaptation of an epic journey of endurance and hope.

Award winning writer Yann Martel’s works include The Facts Behind the Helsinki Roccamatios (1993), Self (1996), We Ate the Children Last (2004), Beatrice and Virgil (2010) – a New York Times Bestseller and a Financial Times Best Book, 101 Letters to a Prime Minister (2012) – a collection of letters to the prime minister of Canada; and The High Mountains of Portugal (2016).  

Lolita Chakrabarti is an award-winning actress and playwright. Her writing credits include; Red Velvet which opened at the Tricycle Theatre in London in 2012 before returning there in 2014, transferring to New York and the West End.  Red Velvet was nominated for nine major awards including two Olivier Awards. Lolita won the Evening Standard Theatre Award for Most Promising Playwright, The Critics Circle Award for Most Promising Playwright and the AWA Award for Arts and Culture.

Max Webster was the inaugural Baylis Director at the Old Vic and is now an Associate Director at the theatre where his work includes Fanny and Alexander, Cover My Tracks and Dr. Seuss’s The Lorax. Selected other stage work includes the forthcoming The Merry Widow (ENO), The Jungle Book (Northampton/Fiery Angel UK tour), The Winter’s Tale (Lyceum, Edinburgh), and King Lear (Royal and Derngate, Northampton/UK tour).

The extraordinary animals are brought to life by Puppet & Movement Director Finn Caldwell, who began his career in the original company of the National Theatre’s international phenomenon War Horse. He is the Artistic Director of his own company Gyre & Gimble, for whom work includes: co-director/puppet designer of The Four Seasons: A Reimagining (Shakespeare’s Globe), The Hartlepool Monkey (UK tour) and The Elephantom (National Theatre & West End). His other work includes: director of puppetry/movement for Angels in America (National Theatre & Broadway), The Light Princess (National Theatre), War Horse (West End & Internationally) and Groundhog Day (Old Vic & Broadway).

Life of Pi is produced by Simon Friend in association with Playing Field and Robert Bartner.

HAMPSTEAD THEATRE ANNOUNCES A SEASON OF HAMPSTEAD CLASSICS FOR SPRING/SUMMER 2020, CELEBRATING 60 YEARS OF ORIGINAL THEATRE

·         HAMPSTEAD THEATRE PRESENTS ITS SPRING/SUMMER 2020 PROGRAMME– HAMPSTEAD CLASSICS, CELEBRATING 60 YEARS OF ORIGINAL THEATRE

·         FOUR BOLD PLAYS FROM THE NEW WRITING THEATRE’S ECLECTIC ARCHIVE WILL BE STAGED BY A VARIETY OF DISTINCTIVE BRITISH DIRECTORS

·         THE PLAYS, WHICH ALL PREMIERED AT HAMPSTEAD THEATRE, WILL BE PERFORMED IN CHRONOLOGICAL ORDER AND STAGED IN THE THRUST, TO CELEBRATE THE THEATRE’S 60^TH ANNIVERSARY

·         HAMPSTEAD CLASSICS WILL OPEN WITH HAROLD PINTER’S ICONIC THE DUMB WAITER DIRECTED BY ALICE HAMILTON, DIRECTOR OF RECENT HAMPSTEAD HITS, EVERY DAY I MAKE GREATNESS HAPPEN AND PARADISE

·         TENNESSEE WILLIAMS’ INNOVATIVE AND PARTLY AUTOBIOGRAPHICAL WORK, THE TWO CHARACTER PLAY WILL FOLLOW, DIRECTED BY SAM YATES, WHO MAKES A HIGHLY ANTICIPATED RETURN TO HAMPSTEAD THEATRE FOLLOWING HIS CRITICALLY-ACCLAIMED PRODUCTION OF THE PHLEBOTOMIST

·         ALFRED FAGON’S REMARKABLE TRIBUTE TO THE COOL CULTURE OF LONDON’S 1970S KING’S ROAD, THE DEATH OF A BLACK MAN WILL BE DIRECTED BY DAWN WALTON, FOUNDER AND FORMER ARTISTIC DIRECTOR OF ECLIPSE THEATRE COMPANY

·         MARSHA NORMAN’S GROUND-BREAKING PLAY ‘NIGHT, MOTHER WILL CLOSE HAMPSTEAD CLASSICS WITH ARTISTIC DIRECTOR, ROXANA SILBERT, DIRECTING THIS PULITZER PRIZE WINNING PLAY

·         HAMPSTEAD DOWNSTAIRS, THE THEATRE’S STUDIO SPACE,WILL CONTINUE TO SUPPORT NEW VOICES AS HANNAH KHALIL MAKES HER HAMPSTEAD DEBUT WITH THE WORLD PREMIERE OF SLEEPWALKING, DIRECTED BY AUDREY SHEFFIELD

·         RUBY THOMAS, A SELECTED CHANNEL 4 PLAYWRIGHTS’ SCHEME 2019 WINNER, WILL JOIN THE THEATRE TO COMPLETE HER ONE-YEAR PLAYWRIGHT-IN-RESIDENCE ATTACHMENT AFTER THE RECENT SUCCESS OF HER DEBUT PLAY EITHER AT HAMPSTEAD DOWNSTAIRS

·         THE MONO BOX AND CREATIVE MULTILINGUALISM WILL CONTINUE TO WORK WITH HAMPSTEAD THEATRE AS ITS ASSOCIATE COMPANIES

·         PUBLIC BOOKING OPEN FROM WEDNESDAY 5 FEBRUARY AT 10.30AM

Hampstead Theatre, announces Hampstead Classics, its spring/summer programme, to mark its 60^th anniversary and celebrate its ambitious history as a new writing theatre.  Featuring four bold plays from the theatre’s eclectic archive, the productions will be performed in chronological order and staged in the thrust, by a variety of distinctive British directors.

Roxana Silbert, Artistic Director of Hampstead Theatre, said “Selecting only four plays from Hampstead Theatre’s massive backlist of world premieres was a real challenge and it really hit home just what a powerhouse this modest theatre is.  The range, diversity and singularity of the voices is extraordinary, as is how often they bring untold stories into the light.

Hampstead has always supported established writers and launched new ones by creating a space for artists to experiment and be heard.  May the next sixty years continue this wonderful tradition.”

Nobel Prize-winning writer Harold Pinter’s timeless black comedy The Dumb Waiter will open Hampstead Classics,running from 19 March until 18 April.  Originally presented in Hampstead Theatre’s first ever season, The Dumb Waiter was directed by its founder and Artistic Director, James Roose Evans, and received its UK premiere in January 1960.  Alice Hamilton will direct this classic play, often referred to as “Pinter distilled”, after her recent success at the theatre with Every Day I Make Greatness Happen and Paradise.

One of the foremost playwrights of the 20^th century, Tennessee Williams’ innovativeand partly autobiographical work, The Two Character Play, will run from 24 April until 23 May.  Also originally directed by James Roose Evans, the play received its world premiere at Hampstead in 1967 and Williams openly declared it, “My most beautiful play since Streetcar, the very heart of my life”.  Sam Yates will direct, making a highly anticipated return to Hampstead Theatre following his critically acclaimed production of The Phlebotomist.

Alfred Fagon’s remarkable tribute to the culture of London’s King’s Road in the 1970’s, The Death of a Black Man, will run from 28 May until 27 June.  Fagon was one of the first British black writers to have his work produced in the UK; he was a boxing champion, a welder, an actor, poet, and playwright who died at the early age of 49 (1986).  The Alfred Fagon Awardwas set up after his sudden death to support British black playwrights and honour his name.  The original production of The Death of a Black Man was directed by Roland Rees in 1975.  Founder and former Artistic Director of Eclipse Theatre Company, Dawn Walton, will direct this complex, rarely produced play by one of Britain’s leading black, working class, immigrant voices from the 20^th century.

Legendary American writer Marsha Norman’s ground-breaking play ‘night, Mother will close Hampstead Classics,running from 2 July until 1 August.  The original Hampstead production was directed by its then Artistic Director, Michael Attenborough, giving the play its European premiere in 1985.  This deceptively simple and moving play had already won the Pulitzer Prize for Drama (1983), the Susan Smith Blackburn Award (1982-83) and earned four Tony Award nominations.  After her widespread acclaim, Norman stated, “Now we can write plays and not have people put them in a little box labelled ‘women’s theatre’… it’s a time of great exploration of secret worlds, of worlds that have been kept very quiet.”  Hampstead Theatre’s Artistic Director, Roxana Silbert, will direct this new production.

Hampstead Downstairs, the theatre’s studio space,will continue to support new voices as Hannah Khalil makes her Hampstead debut with the world premiere of Sleepwalking which runs from 26 March until 2 May.  This dark thriller will be directed by Audrey Sheffield, who makes her Hampstead Theatre directorial debut.

Ruby Thomas joins Hampstead to complete her one-year playwright-in-residence attachment, as a Channel 4 Playwrights’ Scheme 2019 winner, which celebrates and supports emerging British writing talent.  She will have the opportunity to meet a variety of theatre practitioners, read scripts as part of Hampstead’s programming team and provide a voice for the writer in the running of the building.  Ruby had recent success with her first play Either, which had its world premiere at Hampstead Theatre.

The Mono Box and Creative Multilingualism will continue to work in-house at Hampstead Theatre as Associate Companies. 

After a successful first season working in collaboration, The Mono Box will continue their Speech Share Live events, public recordings of their podcast where actors discuss their careers and perform a favourite monologue.  Previous guests have included Sir Derek Jacobi, Denise Gough, Joseph Marcell, Sir Simon Russell Beale, Gina McKee, Prasanna Puwanarajah and Jenna Russell.  Guests for 2020 will be announced in due course along with other projects.

Creative Multilingualism and Hampstead Theatre are collaborating on the Multilingual Performance Project (MPP) an initiative todeliver a multilingual youth theatre for young people (aged 13-17) throughout the spring term, culminating in a sharing at Hampstead Theatre. 

Using devising techniques, the group will create a piece of performance which incorporates all of their languages and relates to a work within the Hampstead’s season as well as responding to issues important to them.  Sessions will take place every Wednesday after school from mid-January to mid-March.

Hampstead Theatre is marking its 60th anniversary throughout the course of its 2019/2020 season, starting from its birthday on 24 September 2019, through to the end of the summer season 2020.  Celebratory events have already taken place to mark the occasion including a special fundraising event to raise funds for the Under 30s £10 ticket scheme, and the refurbishment and expansion of Hampstead’s Main Stage auditorium.

Roxana Silbert will make her directing debut at Hampstead Theatre with Al Blyth’s new play The Haystack, which runs from 31 January 2020 until 7 March 2020.

Casting for Hampstead Classics will be announced in due course.