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FEBRUARY HALF-TERM ACTIVITIES AT THE ROYAL SHAKESPEARE COMPANY

STRATFORD-UPON-AVON 
TO BOOK TICKETS CALL 01789 331111 
www.rsc.org.uk/februaryhalfterm
Monday 17– Friday 21 February 2020

The Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC) will have a whole host of exciting activities for young people based around its heart-warming new musical The Boy in the Dress this February Half Term.

Highlights include: 

• Join Associate Choreographer Carl Harrison and spend the day learning the dance moves to Robbie Williams and Guy Chamber’s songs from The Boy in the Dress
  
  
• Make a dress and eat it too with a biscuit decorating workshop led by the RSC’s own pastry chefs
• Smash the stereotypes with artist Megan Clark-Bagnell in a day of creative-making that breaks all the rules and celebrates the differences in all of us

Dance Dance Dance Workshop, £10
Discover (8 – 12 year olds), Monday 17 February, 10am – 12pm
Explore (13- 17 year olds), Monday 17 February, 2 – 4pm
Clore Learning Centre
Spend the day learning the dances to our brand-new hit musical The Boy in the Dress in this workshop lead by Associate Choreographer Carl Harrison.Please wear comfortable clothes that you can easily dance in and bring a bottle of water.

Backstage Discovery Tour, £9 adult £8 child
Monday 17 February, 10.30am – 12.30pm
Wednesday 18 February, 10.30am – 12.30pm
Friday 20 February, 10.30am – 12.30pm
Meet by the Royal Shakespeare Theatre Cloakroom
Suitable for ages 6+
Go behind the scenes of the Royal Shakespeare and Swan Theatres before heading to The Other Place where you can try on costumes and make something inspired by your tour.

Discover: Set and Costume Design, £4 adult £3.50 child
Tuesday 18 February, 11am – 12.30pmUpper Circle Bar
Suitable for ages 8 – 12Join RSC assistant designers to create your own costume and set design inspired by scenes from The Boy in the Dress.

Introduce: The Boy in the Dress, £3.50 adult £3 child
Tuesday 18 February, 11 – 12pm
Clore Learning Centre
Suitable for ages 4-8Introduce your child to The Boy in the Dress through games and simple rehearsal techniques.

Biscuit Decorating, £2.50 per biscuit, £4 biscuit and hot drink
Tuesday 18 February, 2 – 4pm
Thursday 20 February, 10.30am – 12.30pm
Susie’s Cafe, The Other Place.
Suitable for all ages
Design and decorate your very own dress shaped biscuit with the help of our pastry chefs. No need to book, simply buy a voucher from Susie’s Bar at The Other Place.

Singing Workshop, £10
8 – 12 year olds – Wednesday 19^th February, 10.30am – 12.30pm
13 – 17 year olds – Wednesday 19^th February, 1.30pm – 3.30pm
Clore Learning Centre
Come and have fun learning some of the hit songs from The Boy in the Dress with Associate Musical Director Laura Bangay. Discover some of the voice warm-ups the cast do every night, and then sing your heart out. For young people to attend without their parents or carers.

Smash the Stereotypes
Thursday 20 February, 11am – 4pm
Upper Circle Bar
Suitable for ages 7+
Wouldn’t it be boring if we were all the same?

Join Artist Megan Clark-Bagnall in a day of creative-making that breaks the rules and celebrates you!

The Play’s The Thing, £8.50 adult, £4.25 child
Kids go FREE during Warwickshire summer holidays
Royal Shakespeare Theatre
Open all day
Suitable for all ages

Take a magical journey through 100 years of theatre making in our award-winning interactive exhibition.

Tower and Tours
Royal Shakespeare Theatre
Suitable for all ages

Get closer to the world of theatre on a tour and enjoy spectacular views from our Tower.

Family Activity Trail, FREE
Royal Shakespeare Theatre
Available all day
Suitable for all ages

Explore our building and discover all the fun things to do. Find our dressing up cabinet, amazing Lego mosaic, big bear, shining stars installation and peep holes mural.

FREE, pick up from leaflet racks in the theatre.

Rules Don’t Apply, FREE
PACCAR Room, Royal Shakespeare Theatre
Available all day
Suitable for all ages

 An exhibition of making, creating and fun! Inspired by The Boy in the Dress and co-created by artist Megan Clark-Bagnall and young people during October half-term, this lively and fun exhibition is full of activities for all ages.

The RSC is supported using public funding by Arts Council England.

The work of the RSC Literary Department is generously supported by The Drue and H.J. Heinz II Charitable Trust

The Boy in the Dress is supported by RSC Production Circle members Elizabeth Boissevain and Andrew Jeffreys, Charles Holloway, Ms Teresa Tsai and Kathleen J. Yoh

The redevelopment of the Swan Wing and The Play’s The Thing exhibition are generously supported by The National Lottery Heritage Fund

The Lowry, Salford – until 1 February 2020

Reviewed by Angelos Spantideas

4****

Hilarious, enticing and ridiculously genius, are only a few words that can describe Ubu. The sing along show employs contemporary and older, timeless songs to engage the audience that participates throughout the show. The screens with lyrics encourage the audience take part, with even the shyest people getting prompted to sing their heart out.

Satire, laugh and smart commenting keep the energy high throughout the show, while the vocals of the cast are nothing short of breath taking. Each and every member of the cast contributes something different to the whole experience, while jokes and audience participation remain in the center of the show.

Ubu presents an opportunity for a fun and exciting night, which will take your mind away from any worries, by making you laugh and enjoy each moment of being there

The Lowry, Salford – until 1 February 2020

Reviewed by Angelos Spantideas

5*****

Buddy, with its 30 years of history, is a must-see musical which offers fascinating performances, jaw-dropping vocals and a nostalgic feeling to the lovers of Rock and Roll.

The cast delivers impressively the energy of the genre, making this musical a tribute to the legacy of Buddy Holly. The comedic touches create a fun environment, with the cast coming across not as actors, but rather as musicians with passion for entertaining and a captivating lust for being on stage.

It is rare to experience genuinely how Rock and Roll used to move and unite people, and Buddy might be one of the last shows to provide that generously. With the whole show feeling like a real concert, Buddy is not just a sneak peak into the 50s, but rather a full immersive time travelling journey in the Rock and Roll era which has the audience hooked from the beginning till the end.

Lyceum Theatre, Sheffield – until 1 February 2020

Reviewed by Sophie Dodworth

3***

Mischief Theatre are back in Sheffield on their tour of Peter Pan Goes Wrong. Mischief has come a very long way in a short few years, starting from a group of theatre students. They made their debut at a gig with less people in the audience than on the stage in 2008. Their first production of The Play That Goes Wrong made The West End in 2015 then Broadway in 2017. This is their second production with the familiar style of slapstick and chaos running through it.

The plot follows The Cornley Polytechnic Drama Society as they mount their haphazard amateur production of the J.M Barrie’s classic. Whatever the possibilities are of something going wrong on stage, it will happen here. There is a constant stream of gags and jokes, although sometimes too much, which has many of the audience in stitches. The company are in the audience before the show starts in the same style as their first production, meeting people in character and setting the scene. This is a real crowd pleaser and almost gives you the feeling of getting a bit more performance for free!

The energy that each cast member puts into this two hour performance is respectable and they really are giving it their all. However, it is felt at times that their efforts are a little lost with the repetitive unnecessary gags, for example the character Dennis, played by Romayne Andrews. What a talented actor but once you have laughed at the fact that he is being fed lines via his earphones and reading everything out verbatim, it gets tired.

Highlights of the show must be the musical numbers, displaying the vocal talents of Katy Daghorn, playing Wendy and Pheobe Ellabani playing Mrs Darling, Lisa, Tinker Bell and Tiger Lily. They both have songs which are sang around and with the rest of the cast and are uplifting and a welcome break from some of the lib. You are also treat to a well rehearsed dance routine during one of these numbers in the second half.

Ellabani must get a mention for the pace of her role and her ability to be in the right place at the right time, in the right costume. She plays four different characters (with a theme of fast changes) and she must be exhausted after each show. Tom Babbage plays Michael Darling, Mermaid and the Crocodile and is an intentionally likeable lad who plays the ‘feel sorry for me’ very well, he gets lots of ‘ahhhs’ and support from the audience.

This production is more ambitious than The Play That Goes Wrong in a lot of ways, more technical for sure, it is a shame that it is not as good, albeit it does have a lot to live up to.

Fun and uplifting.

FULL CAST  AND

FURTHER DATES

ANNOUNCED FOR

SOME MOTHERS DO ‘AVE ‘EM

2020 UK TOUR

The producers of the highly acclaimed UK tour of Some Mothers Do ‘Ave ‘Em are delighted to announce the casting of Moray Treadwell as Mr Luscombe/Mr Worthington, David Shaw-Parker as Father O’Hara and Ben Watson as Desmond/Constable. They join the previously announced Joe Pasquale as the loveable but accident-prone Frank Spencer, Sarah Earnshaw as his long-suffering wife Betty and Susie Blake as his disapproving mother-in-law, Mrs Fisher. Also in the cast are Peter F Gardiner and Jayne Ashley.

Moray Treadwell most recently appeared in the UK tour of No Man’s Land. His other theatre credits include Hysteria (national tour for London Classic Theatre Company), The Railway Children (King’s Cross Theatre), The Beatles LOVE Show (Cirque Du Soleil, Las Vegas), Waiting For Godot (Italian tour), The Importance of Being Earnest (Vienna’s English Theatre) and The Ruling Class (Frankfurt’s English Theatre).

David Shaw-Parker began his career at the Royal Shakespeare Company, appearing in over 25 productions for them.  His many other theatre credits include Telyegin in Uncle Vanya (Hampstead Theatre), Leo Fairchild in Lady in The Van (Bath Theatre Royal), John Hitchcock in McQueen (St. James Theatre),Trevor Nunn’s productions of  My Fair Lady (National Theatre and Theatre Royal Drury Lane), Acorn Antiques (West End), and Lucy Bailey’s production of Titus Andronicus (Shakespeare’s Globe).

Ben Watson is an actor, writer, director and comedian who recently starred in Aladdin (White Rock Theatre, Hastings). His theatre credits include The History of Everything (UK Tour), I Capture The Castle (Watford Palace / Bolton Octagon / Oxford Playhouse), Blue Brothers Party (UK / Japan Tour) The Jungle Book (UK Tour), A Midsummer Night’s Dream and Comedy of Errors (Cambridge Shakespeare Festival).

The 2020 UK Tour of Some Mothers Do ‘Ave ‘Em will begin at Churchill Theatre, Bromley on Wednesday 26 February 2020, with a Gala night on Thursday 27 February 2020.

In addition, Some Mothers Do ‘Ave ‘Em will now play Theatre Royal Windsor (24 – 28 March), The Beck Theatre Hayes (31 March – 4 April), Stoke Regent Theatre (14 – 18 April), Aylesbury Waterside Theatre (28 April – 2 May), The Gordon Craig Theatre Stevenage (5 – 9 May), Swansea Grand Theatre (9 – 13 June), Leeds Grand Theatre (23 – 27 June) and Kings Theatre Portsmouth (30 June – 4 July).

Some Mothers Do ‘Ave ‘Em will be directed by Guy Unsworth and designed by Simon Higlett, with lighting design by Matt Haskins, sound design by Ian Horrocks-Taylor and choreography by Jenny Arnold.

The UK Tour will be produced by Limelight Productions.

Website: www.somemothersdoaveem.com

Facebook: www.facebook.com/somemothersuk/

Twitter: @somemothersuk

2020 TOUR SCHEDULE

26 – 29 February                                   Churchill Theatre, Bromley                              020 3285 6000

                                                              churchilltheatre.co.uk

3 – 7 March                                           Lighthouse, Poole                                            01202 280000

                                                              www.Lighthousepoole.co.uk                             

10 – 14 March                                       Nottingham Theatre Royal                                0115 989 5555

                                                              www.trch.co.uk                                                   

17 – 21 March                                       Everyman Theatre, Cheltenham                        01242 572573

                                                              www.everymantheatre.org.uk

24 – 28 March                                       Theatre Royal Windsor                                     01753 853 888

                                                              theatreroyalwindsor.co.uk

31 March – 4 April                                 The Beck Theatre, Hayes                                  020 8561 8371

                                                              www.becktheatre.org.uk

14 – 18 April                                          Stoke Regent Theatre                                       0844 871 7649                                                                                                                                                    www.atgtickets.com/stoke

21 – 25 April                                          Blackpool Grand Theatre                                  01253 290190

                                                              www.blackpoolgrand.co.uk

28 April – 2 May                                    Aylesbury Waterside Theatre                            0844 871 7607*

                                                              www.atgtickets.com/aylesbury-waterside-theatre*

5 – 9 May                                              The Gordon Craig Theatre, Stevenage 01438 363200

                                                              www.gordon-craig.co.uk

12 – 16 May                                          Newcastle Theatre Royal                                  0844 811 2121

                                                              www.theatreroyal.co.uk                                       

19 – 23 May                                          The Alexandra, Birmingham                             0844 871 3011

                                                              www.atgtickets.com/birmingham                       

2 – 6 June                                             St Helens Theatre Royal                                   01744 756 000

                                                              www.sthelenstheatreroyal.com

9 – 13 June                                           Swansea Grand Theatre                                    01792 475715

                                                              www.swanseagrand.co.uk

16 – 20 June                                         Marlowe Theatre, Canterbury                            01227 787787

                                                               marlowetheatre.com                 

23 – 27 June                                         Leeds Grand Theatre                                        0844 848 2700

                                                              www.leedsgrandtheatre.com     

30 June – 4 July                                    Kings Theatre Portsmouth                                023 9282 8282

                                                              www.kingsportsmouth.co.uk

7 – 11 July                                            Yvonne Arnaud, Guildford                               01483 440 000

                                                              www.yvonne-arnaud.co.uk                                

14 – 18 July                                          Palace Theatre, Southend                                01702 351135

                                                             palacetheatresouthend.co.uk

*Fees apply. Calls cost up to 7p per minute, plus your phone company’s access charge.

Theatre Royal Windsor – until Saturday 1 Feb 2020

Reviewed by Carly Burlinge

4****

Ten Times Table by Alan Ayckbourn, Directed by Robin Herford is a play which focuses on a crew of committee members who meet up at an old ballroom local pub/hotel which is now a slightly rundown place called The Swan. Their goal to plan the Pendon Folk Festival in order to re-enact a historical street protest but unfortunately there becomes a divide within the committee causing all sorts of problems.

Run by Chairman Ray (Robert Daws) who’s character is very over chatty and smiley a little inexperienced but very enthusiastic with lots of expression. He likes to hear his own voice and is always thinking up ideas regarding his committee for upcoming events. Alongside him his wife Helen (Deborah Grant) plays a well dress character  who speaks very loudly at almost everyone. Is very opinionated constantly moaning and can come across quite intimidating, bossy and demanding at times but loves a good gossip and seems to know everything about everyone. She seems to always have a serious matter or disagreement to raise within the committee. Their Secretary Donald (Mark Curry) comes across very organised in his role and very legit wanting everything done by the book, his strong beliefs can sometimes annoys others with his continuous chat as once he starts he just can’t stop himself. He is joined by his old mother Audrey (Elizabeth Power) who is there to write the minutes from the committee meetings but never quite succeeds due to her lack of hearing and fiddling around with various bits she sometimes doesn’t know whether she’s coming or going and is very humorous playing a great role making the audience laugh on many occasions.

Eric (Craig Gazey) who plays a slightly awkward and strange character is a little  fidgety. He comes across quiet at first as he only answers with one word replies, then throughout the play finds his voice has a lot to say but is he enthusiastic or just mad!!!

He has Sophie (Gemma Oaten) another committee member  on his side her brother Tim (Harry Gostelow) has other ideas and can not stand Eric (Craig Gazey) making him take control of the situation once and for all.

Also in their committee Laurence (Robert Duncan) who is having some marital issues and appears to be quite drunk  most of the time and once on a role likes to chat and get everything off his chest.

With the first half of the show taking a slow approach you’ree kicked into place with a very manic fast and funny second half with costume mishaps, pretend horses, drunken individuals, wooden weapons and some fabulous piano playing by Audrey.

All in all this was a great show to watch with much excitement, fun and laughter had throughout.

West End Misfits: The Valentine’s Edition

The Other Palace, February 14th 2020

Giving performers the opportunity to present the material that they feel best represents themselves, West End Misfits return at The Other Palace for a night of ground-breaking musical theatre and love songs as we celebrate the diversity and imagination of West End performers who just don’t seem to fit into the casting they want to be.

Imagine Evan Hansen sung by a woman, the leading lady taken on by the characterful bass, or the young cast of Matilda replaced with their future selves!

West End Misfits is an uplifting cabaret show that celebrates uniqueness and advocates for diversity by representing marginalised groups and those who feel they are ‘misfits’ within the industry. West End Misfits showcases performers through solo and group renditions of show tunes, always with an unexpected and exciting twist.

Following on from their critically acclaimed Christmas Edition, West End Misfits returns to the Studio to tackle the most powerful feeling of all in this heartwarming and uplifting show. Featuring a cast of fantastic talent from the stage and your television screen, The Valentines Edition will take you on a musical journey through the sweet mystery of love, with plenty of swooning and sighing, a little heartbreak, and a good helping of butterflies!

It will be presented by Lara de Belder (Sing: Ultimate A Cappella, Sky One; Comedy Bigmouths, Channel 5), Nic Chiappetta (Beans from Bella and Beans TV; All Together Now, BBC One; Sing: Ultimate A Cappella, Sky One; Vocalist for Avatar World) and Boris Alexander (The Ivan & Andrey Show and Sutreshen Blok (The Morning Show), Bulgarian National TV; Joseph and the Technicolour Dreamcoat, UK tour with Bill Kenwright Productions), as well as being musically directed by Ben Levy (Sweet Charity, Emil Dale Academy; Stars in Your Eyes, Carriageworks Theatre; BBC Children in Need 2019).

THE ADDAMS FAMILY, A MUSICAL COMEDY

EMBARKS ON A NEW UK & IRELAND TOUR IN 2020

ON-SALE NOW AT THE ALEXANDRA, BIRMINGHAM

Katy Lipson for Aria Entertainment and Music & Lyrics Limited are delighted to announce a new UK & Ireland Tour of THE ADDAMS FAMILY, a musical comedy, with book by Marshall Brickman and Rick Elice, the creators of multi award-winning Jersey Boys, and music and lyrics by Andrew Lippa, based on the characters created by Charles Addams.  This follows a highly successful premiere tour in 2017.  The 2020 Tour will play at The Alexandra, Birmingham from Tuesday 8^th until Saturday 12^th September 2020 and will once again be directed by Matthew White.  Casting is to be announced.

Wednesday Addams, the ultimate princess of darkness, has grown up and has a shocking secret that only Gomez knows; she’s fallen in love with a sweet, smart young man from a respectable family! Now, Gomez Addams must do something he’s never done before — keep a secret from his beloved wife, Morticia.  Everything will change for the whole family on the fateful night they host a dinner for Wednesday’s “normal” boyfriend and his parents.  All the usual clan are present – Uncle Fester, Lurch, Pugsley et al.

Academy Award-winner Marshall Brickman wrote or co-wrote the film screenplays for Sleeper, Annie Hall, Manhattan, Manhattan Murder Mystery, For the Boys and Intersection, and was head writer for The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson.  Rick Elice’s play, Peter and the Starcatcher, received nine nominations and won five 2012 Tony Awards.  He also wrote the book for The Cher Show, a musical based on the early life and career of Cher, which opened at the Neil Simon Theatre on Broadway in December 2018.  Andrew Lippa wrote the music and lyrics for the Broadway musical, Big Fish, the music for the Broadway production of Aaron Sorkin’s play The Farnsworth Invention and the book, music and lyrics for the Drama Desk award-winning musical The Wild Party.  He wrote the song called ‘Evil Like Me’, which was sung by Dove Cameron and Kristin Chenoweth in the 2015 Disney film Descendants.

British director Matthew White has directed the UK Tours of Mr Stink, Carousel and The Producers, the UK Tour and West End run of the multi award-winning Top Hat, and, for the Menier Chocolate Factory, The Boy Friend, She Loves Me, Candide, Sweet Charity (and West End) and Little Shop of Horrors (and West End).

THE ADDAMS FAMILY 2020 UK & Ireland Tour is produced by Katy Lipson for Aria Entertainment and Music & Lyrics Limited, and is presented through special arrangement with Theatrical Rights Worldwide.

For further information, please visit www.theaddamsfamily.co.uk Twitter: @AddamsFamilyUK

Tarot
VAULT Festival, The Vaults, Leake Street, London, SE1 7NN
Tuesday 28th January – Saturday 1st February 2020

Live Tarot reading meets mesmeric contemporary circus as The Feathers of Daedalus come to VAULT Festival with a spell-binding reworking of their Edinburgh Fringe hit, Tarot. Taking audiences on a thrilling and unpredictable adventure guided by fate, the visual imagery and characters of the cards are brought to life through skilled acrobatic and musical improvisation.

Audience members are invited onstage for Tarot readings which guide the evening’s events in this enticing experiential piece. From the turn of the first card, no two shows are ever the same. Jaw-dropping physicality and a bewitchingly live soul-funk soundtrack intertwines with the spectacle of divination, conjuring a fantastical gothic night at the circus.

The Feathers have gathered a stellar multidisciplinary troupe to tantalise and delve into the unknown. Enchanting new compere drag artist Ruby Wednesday will be joined by mesmerising hand balancer Imogen Huzel, gender-bending acrobatic double act Josh Frazer and Tessa Blackman, and daring aerialist Lauren Jamieson. Challenged by this ambitiously complex production, the performers use their eclectic skills to create a unique show every night, embodying the Tarot. Will the fool become the empress, or the king lose his crown? Will the lovers be trapped in the caverns of the moon or the stars shine down on the hapless hanged man?

This highly charged circus display is underscored by an incredible soundtrack from the band, Yoshi, led by director of the experimental Svalbard company, Ben Smith. The soul-funk quartet add another layer to the evening’s proceedings with their playful and atmospheric melodies.

Director Joanna Vymeris comments, While receiving my first ever Tarot card reading in New Orleans one year ago, I couldn’t help but see the illustrations leap out of the cards, their theatricality and possibility for circus interpretation evident. There is a theatricality that is inherent to the Tarot. It captures every aspect of life and humanity and does so in extremes. We are taking our show to another level this time with the addition of Ruby, not only using the Major Arcana as we did previously, but using the entire deck of 78 cards, challenging the cast and their abilities for improvisation and collaboration yet further.

Tarot is a spell-binding hour of incredible human feats that leaves you awestruck and changed. (★★★★ EdFringe Review)

Nottingham Theatre Royal – until 1 February 2020

Reviewed by Louise Ford

4****

Priscilla Queen of the Desert is back. Buckle up it’s gonna be a bumpy ride!

It’s been a few years since I last saw the musical of Priscilla in Nottingham, with Jason Donovan, who is now a Producer on this new production, so I was a little apprehensive if it would live up to my memories. I need not have had any concerns.

The show does not disappoint with its mixture of high camp, sequins, disco music, sequins and dance routines. 

In essence the show is about the journey of an unlikely trio; two drag queens Mitzi (Joe McFadden) and Felicia (Nick Hayes) and a transsexual Bernadette (Miles Western). From the city lights of Sydney to Alice Springs, to a promised gig; coupled with a plea for acceptance and understanding for all people of homosexuality and transgenderism.

The show starts with a blast of disco sounds complete with tiny silver disco pants and a drag act. There are camp cabaret acts, some crude comedy and crazy choreography and lots of sequins, feathers and elaborate outfits.

Joe McFadden (Tick/Mitzi) brings a boyish charm to his starring role and clearly enjoys himself with the dance routines and songs. Miles Western (Bernadette) is elegant and graceful and works her inner Hollywood glamour of the 40s in her tea dresses and silk dressing gowns. Nick Hayes (Felicia/Adam) is a firecracker of high camp, pathos, and bitchiness

The narrative is moved along by the heavenly trio of Divas (Aiesha Pease, Claudia Kariuki and Rosie Glossop) who are sassy and gorgeous with their matching hairdos and sequined dresses. They manage to steal the show whenever they are on stage, with their outstanding vocals and shimmering routines. The ensemble is vibrant and enthusiastic and delivers all of the routines with energy. They are superbly supported by The Band who are excellent and don’t miss a disco beat!

The show has a happy ending with an audience called for encore and a somber plea from the cast for a “silent” collection for the recent disaster in Australia.