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Public tickets now available for the Olivier Awards 2025 with Mastercard

·         The Olivier Awards 2025 with Mastercard will take place on Sunday 6 April at the Royal Albert Hall

·         Tickets are available exclusively for Mastercard cardholders via priceless.com 

Be in the room where it happens – the Olivier Awards 2025 with Mastercard returns to the majestic Royal Albert Hall with unique performances from the best new shows, a dazzling array of the biggest and brightest stars and plenty of surprises. 

See it live and take your seat on Sunday 6 April. Experience unforgettable moments as they happen and be the first to celebrate this year’s winners. 

First established in 1976, this year marks the 40th Olivier Awards since celebrated actor Sir Laurence Olivier gave his name to the ceremony in 1984. We will be celebrating this milestone with special moments leading up to and on the night. 

Get ready for a night to remember. Tickets for the Olivier Awards 2025 are available to Mastercard cardholders only via priceless.com. 

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#OlivierAwards 

THE SIX ORIGINAL QUEENS REUNITE FOR A SPECIAL, ONE-OFF PERFORMANCE SCREENED IN CINEMAS 6 APRIL

London, U.K.– Universal Pictures Content Group (UPCG) announces today it has acquired UK theatrical rights for box office smash-hit and double TONY award-winning, SIX the Musical Live! The performance, filmed at London’s Vaudeville Theatre, features the Original Queens returning to reprise their roles and will release widely in cinemas via Universal Pictures (UK) on 6 April.

Watched by audiences of over 3.5 million, SIX the Musical, has become a global theatre phenomenon since it’s 2017 debut at Edinburgh Festival Fringe, where it has redefined the boundaries of musical theatre. The show tells the extraordinary story of the six wives of King Henry VIII, who step out of the shadow of their infamous husband and reclaim their own narratives.

Written by Toby Marlow and Lucy Moss, the pop-inspired musical brings the queens – Catherine of Aragon (Jarnéia Richard-Noel), Anne Boleyn (Millie O’Connell), Jane Seymour (Natalie Paris), Anna of Cleves (Alexia McIntosh) , Katherine Howard (Aimie Atkinson), and Catherine Parr (Maiya Quansah-Breed) — right into the 21st century with infectious, empowering performances, accompanied by the on-stage band, the Ladies in Waiting.

The UK theatrical rights have been secured by Universal Pictures Content Group, who are widely known as an industry leader in the live event cinema space. The UPCG back catalogue includes some of the biggest live event cinema releases of all time such as The Phantom of the Opera, Les Misérables- The Staged Concert, Billy Elliot the Musical Live and Miss Saigon 25^th Anniversary Gala Performance, as well as record-breaking comedy titles such as Kevin Bridges: The Overdue Catch-Up and Rhod Gilbert: The Book of John. The slate currently stands at a collective BO of over $10m in the UK alone.

Helen Parker, EVP – Universal Pictures Content Group said: ““As pioneers of the theatrical event cinema model, Universal Pictures Content Group enjoyed the privilege of working with outstanding leading producers from the world of musical theatre on their globally successful highly acclaimed live shows, from Sir Cameron Mackintosh, Lord Andrew Lloyd Webber and Stephen Schwartz and many more. We can’t wait to bring UK cinema goers across the country a chance to sing their hearts out to the exceptional SIX the Musical Live! this April”.  

Show creators Toby Marlow & Lucy Moss said: “We had SO much fun making this film with the most incredible team of filmmakers and creatives, and it was so special to be reunited with the exceptionally talented and ICONIC original West End queens. We’re so grateful that we had opportunity to film the show, and that we get to share SIX with a wider audience in this new and exciting way. We hope you enjoy it as much as we enjoyed making it!!!”

SIX the Musical Live! was recorded at the Vaudeville Theatre, London with the original cast reprising their roles. The show was directed for stage by Lucy Moss & Jamie Armitage and directed for film by Liz Clare, and produced by Kenny Wax, Wendy & Andy Barnes, George Stiles and Dione Orrom.

Hosted by Grace Mouat with Special Musical Theatre Star Guests

Musical Theatre Performers | Live Music | Cocktails & Pizza

Mrs Riot, Covent Garden’s iconic technicolour punk, pop, cocktail bar and restaurant, is excited to re-launch Musical Mondays – a riotous, dazzling night packed with KILLER vocals from your favourite Musical Theatre performers, chats, games, and endless stagey fun, hosted by West End Star Grace Mouat (Original West End Casts of SiX, & Juliet, Mean Girls the Musical & more!), with a lineup of some of the biggest names in Musical Theatre.

The event will launch to a star-studded audience on Monday January 27 from 6.30pm featuring performances special guests Natalie May Paris (Original Jane Seymour in SiX, and live vocalist on Strictly Come Dancing) and Billy Luke Nevers (Currently Aaron Burr in Hamilton’s UK & Ireland Tour), then continue take place on the last Monday of every month. This is a unique opportunity for fans to see their favourite Musical Theatre performers perform up close and personal like never before, then hit the stage for free open mic after the show!

Following in the footsteps of Kitty Clive (London’s first legendary stage performer and the inspiration behind the venue), Mrs Riot will become the new showbiz hot spot for West End performers, future performers and fans.

Alongside the riotous entertainment, guests will be able to enjoy Mrs Riot’s iconic cocktails and pizza.

First Musical Monday/ Launch Event – Monday 27th January 6.30pm
with Special Musical Theatre Star Guests- Natalie May Paris (Original Jane Seymour in SiX, live vocalist on Strictly Come Dancing) and Billy Luke Nevers (Currently Aaron Burr in Hamilton’s UK & Ireland Tour)

Dates:
Last Monday of every month
Monday 27 January (launch night!), 24 February, 31 March, 28 April, 26 May & 30 June  

Address:
Mrs Riot, 10 Henrietta Street, Covent Garden, WC2E 8PS

Tickets:
£25
Tickets are for 18+ only, must be booked
Tickets are available from: https://www.mrsriotlondon.com/musical-mondays

Timings:
Doors at 6pm, performances start at 7pm, open mic from 9.30pm, venue closes at 11pm.

Links:
Website: https://www.mrsriotlondon.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mrsriotlondon/
Instagram: @mrsriotlondon

MAYFLOWER IS PROUD TO ANNOUNCE TRANSPORT BURSARY IN PARTNERSHIP WITH XELABUS

THOUSANDS OF LOCAL SCHOOL PUPILS TO BE PROVIDED WITH SUBSIDISED TRANSPORT TO THEATRE THANKS TO NEW PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN MAYFLOWER AND XELABUS

Mayflower are excited to today announce their new Transport Bursary Scheme in partnership with Xelabus. The new bursary scheme will help fulfil the belief that every person has the right to attend the theatre and experience the joy and opportunity this can bring. The bursary will support schools as well as community groups funding their transport to both Mayflower venues. In 2023, UK Theatre’s Theatre for Every Child campaign was introduced to amplify national voice about the importance of theatre visits for schools and the new bursary scheme is just one way in which Mayflower supports this national campaign.

Mayflower recognises that many schools’ finances act as a blocker to children attending live theatre and already have schemes in place to help those most disadvantaged schools including subsidised ticket schemes for schools above the national average Free School Meals percentage, free schools theatre concerts with Welsh National Opera and a partnership with Theatre Works offering free tickets to most disadvantaged schools

Outside of ticketing initiatives, the other major pressure on schools is the cost of transportation to theatre which is a national issue. Whilst schools may be able to afford the discounted ticket prices, they cannot afford the transportation costs to get to the venue. Many of the costs of theatre trips are also cascaded through to parents and result in many disadvantaged children not able to partake, which results in schools deciding not to commit.

A recent report from the Sutton Trust states that since last year “reports of cuts to trips and outings have more than doubled, now standing at 50%, up from 21% – a proportion that is even higher in schools with the most disadvantaged intakes, at 68%, compared to 44% in the least deprived schools”

The Transport Bursary Scheme has been created to alleviate some of the financial pressures that schools and community groups face to enable more people to attend theatre and experience live arts. The bursary will be a 100% subsidy of the transport cost. The bursary will be awarded on an application basis to schools that meet the following criteria:

• Are a state-funded primary, secondary school, or further education college.

• Are above the national average Free School Meal Percentage of a given year or are located in a designated Levelling Up for Culture area.

• Demonstrate how the theatre trip will benefit their school.

• Are applying for a show that is not already discounted lower than the school rate.

• A school can only be funded once per academic year.

• Are new to Mayflower or have not attended recently

Schools that are interested in applying should email [email protected]

Mayflower also recognises that many community groups face similar blockers and barriers to accessing live theatre and will also be offering the Transport Bursary to community groups that they already engage with through their participation department.

During a successful pilot of the bursary, Mayflower had 470 engagements of young people across nine different schools and the feedback has been positive with comments including:

It was lovely to see children, who are often disengaged at school, be so excited about the whole experience. Their laughter, the smiles on their faces and the questions throughout showed their engagement in the production.

The trip had an amazing impact on a child with additional needs who had never been to the theatre before. She was so excited and in awe through the whole show. Despite her having speech and language difficulties, she was able to talk animatedly about her favourite part of the show the next day which was a great achievement for her.

One of our children who is a young carer, is very shy and they thoroughly enjoyed the show. We have had emails from parents to say thank you and that they could see a big difference in their child’s personality when they got home and told their grown-ups about the show!

We are so grateful to have had this opportunity today, thank you all so much. We have brought 76 children today and 75 of them have never been inside a theatre. All of our school trips we had booked this year have been cancelled due to the cost of coach travel. The transport bursary has enabled us to bring these children today but just imagine if we could bring the whole school!

Michael Ockwell, Chief Executive at Mayflower, said “Our mission for Mayflower is to offer inspiring experiences to all, and we are delighted that we will now be able to offer our Transport Bursary Scheme in partnership with Xelabus which will help contribute to removing the barrier of transportation

costs to schools and community groups. Our role, as a charity, is to ensure that as many people in our community as possible are able to experience live theatre and the arts within their local area.”

Partick O’Sullivan, Head of Participation at Mayflower, said “For many schools and community groups, the cost of coach hire prevents them from accessing live theatre. We are delighted to work with Xelabus to remove this barrier, so more children, young people and community groups can access our rich programme across both our venues.”

Phil Blair, Commercial Manager of Xela Group, said “We at Xelabus recognise the importance of educating children and community groups with the opportunity to visit theatres and we are delighted to be working with Mayflower to achieve this especially during our 15th year of operation. Mayflower’s themed bus will be seen throughout the area and hopefully attract more theatregoers promoting the diverse range of shows on offer.”

The Transport Bursary Scheme will be in partnership with Xelabus, which is one of the longest running independent passenger transport providers within Hampshire, with over 15 years’ experience

A MAN FOR ALL SEASONS

BY ROBERT BOLT

DIRECTED BY JONATHAN CHURCH

MARTIN SHAW AS SIR THOMAS MORE AND GARY WILMOT AS THE COMMON MAN

WITH EDWARD BENNETT AS THOMAS CROMWELL, ABIGAIL CRUTTENDEN AS ALICE MORE AND NICHOLAS DAY AS CARDINAL WOLSLEY

Malvern Theatres Tuesday 4th to Saturday 8th February

PRESENTED BY THEATRE ROYAL BATH PRODUCTIONS AND JONATHAN CHURCH THEATRE PRODUCTIONS

Casting is announced for Robert Bolt’s award-winning play, A MAN FOR ALL SEASONS. One of the greatest, most powerful and dangerous figures who shaped English history is brought vividly to life at Theatre Royal Bath from 16 – 25 January 2025, before touring to Chichester, Malvern, Cheltenham, Oxford, Guildford, Canterbury, and Richmond.

The cast is led by Martin Shaw (Sir Thomas More), and Gary Wilmot (The Common Man), with Edward Bennett (Thomas Cromwell), Abigail Cruttenden (Alice More), and Nicholas Day (Cardinal Wolsey). Completing the cast is Huw Brentall, Calum Finlay (Richard Rich), Orlando James (Henry VIII), Hari Kang (Attendant to Signor Chapuys), Asif Khan (Signor Chapuys), Annie Kingsnorth (Margaret More), Andrew McDonald, Sam Parks (Archbishop Thomas Cranmer), Sam Phillips (William Roper), Louisa Sexton (A Woman), and Timothy Watson (Norfolk).

One of the UK’s best-loved actors on stage and screen, Martin Shaw is known to millions for his television roles in Judge John Deed, Inspector George Gently and The Professionals. His recent West End stage appearances include Hobson’s Choice, The Best Man and Twelve Angry Men.

Gary Wilmot’s career as one of the UK’s best- loved entertainers has seen him take on iconic West End roles in Me & My Girl, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels and Wicked.

Leading actor of the Royal Shakespeare Company, Edward Bennett’s stage credits include major productions of Hamlet, Love’s Labour’s Lost, A Midsummer Night’s Dream and Macbeth as well as many other non-classical roles.

On television Abigail Cruttenden is known for BBC’s Not Going Out as well as Sharpe and Benidorm on ITV. She has many other stage and film credits to her name.

Nicholas Day has enjoyed a long career on stage and screen. He is best known for roles in ITV’s Minder as well as BBC’s New Tricks and Goodnight Sweetheart.

Martin Shaw stars as Sir Thomas More – scholar, ambassador, Lord Chancellor and friend to King Henry VIII. Above all, he is a man of integrity, loved by the common people and his own family.

When Henry demands a divorce from Catherine of Aragon, clearing the way for him to marry Anne Boleyn, the staunchly Catholic Thomas is forced to choose between his loyalty and his own conscience, committing an incredible act of defiance for which he eventually pays the ultimate price…

Playwright Robert Bolt won an Oscar for the 1966 screen adaptation of A MAN FOR ALL SEASONS, Other notable credits include Lawrence of Arabia and Doctor Zhivago.

A MAN FOR ALL SEASONS will be directed by Jonathan Church’s whose credits include a ten-year period as artistic director of Chichester Festival Theatre. He last directed Martin Shaw in the acclaimed West End transfer of Hobson’s Choice.

The creative team is completed by Simon Higlett (Set & Costume Designer), Mark Henderson (Lighting Designer), Paul Groothuis (Sound Designer), Matthew Scott (Composer) and Gabrielle Dawes (Casting Director).

A MAN FOR ALL SEASONS is presented by Theatre Royal Bath Productions and Jonathan Church Theatre Productions.

Tuesday 4 February – Saturday 8 February 2025

Malvern Theatre

malvern-theatres.co.uk

BOOKING EXTENDED TO MARCH 2026
FOR CAMERON MACKINTOSH’S NEW PRODUCTION OF LIONEL BART’S GLORIOUS MUSICAL MASTERPIECE

www.oliverthemusical.com

Cameron Mackintosh is delighted to announce that his new production of Lionel Bart’s iconic musical, Oliver!, which has its press night tomorrow night at Gielgud Theatre in London, will extend booking through until Sunday 29 March 2026. Tickets for performances from Tuesday 30 September 2025 to Sunday 29 March 2026 will go on sale at 10am on Monday 27 January. oliverthemusical.com

This critically acclaimed production, which Mackintosh has reconceived with director and choreographer Matthew Bourne, ran at Chichester Festival Theatre as part of their 2024 Summer Season where it was the biggest success in that theatre’s history. Performances for the beginning of the West End run sold out, with patrons advised to check daily for returns. Current best availability for midweek performances is from early February. To accommodate demand, extra Sunday matinee performances have been added from March 2025 and the season has now been extended through to the end of March 2026.

The cast of Oliver! in the West End includes Simon Lipkin (Guys and Dolls, Avenue Q) as Fagin, Shanay Holmes (Miss Saigon, The Bodyguard) as Nancy, Aaron Sidwell (Henry VI, Wicked) as Bill Sikes, Billy Jenkins (Les Misérables, BBC’s Dodger) as the Artful Dodger, Oscar Conlon-Morrey (Mother Goose, Only Fools and Horses The Musical) as Mr. Bumble, Katy Secombe (The Music Man, Les Misérables) as Widow Corney, Stephen Matthews (Strictly Ballroom, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang) as Mr. Sowerberry/Dr. Grimwig, Jamie Birkett (Peter Pan Goes Wrong, Mamma Mia The Party) as Mrs. Sowerberry/Mrs. Bedwin, Philip Franks (The Rocky Horror Show, Witness for the Prosecution) as Mr. Brownlow, and Billy Byers as Alternate Artful Dodger.

The role of Oliver Twist is shared by Cian Eagle-Service (The Witches, Les Misérables), Raphael Korniets (The Snowman), Jack Philpott (The Witches, Matilda) and from the end of January by Odo Rowntree-Bailly (Love Never Dies).

Forming the young adult cast are Callum Hudson (Noah Claypole), Isabelle Methven (Bet), Lochlan White (Charley Bates) and Harry Cross (Dandy). The company is completed by Rachael Archer, Tegan Bannister, Adam Boardman, Lois Craig, Stephen John Davis, Bethany Huckle, Ebony Jonelle, Bethan Keens (Charlotte), Danny Lane, Peter Nash, Josh Patel-Foster, Sam Peggs, Jasmine Sakyiama, Wendy Somerville (Old Sally), Charlie Stripp, Leah Vassell and Matthew Whennell-Clark.

Following a nationwide search where hundreds of children from all around the country came to London to audition, the younger roles in Fagin’s gang are shared by Toba Agbelusi, Zoe Akinyosade, Ben Birch, Preston Cropp, Kylan Michael Denis, Sebastian Elton, Liam Findlay, Rudy Gibson, Stanley Guy, George Hamblin, Lily Hanna, Sammy Jones, Grace King, Jonny Niland, Hugo Pechey, Alex Prior, Teddy Probets, William Skinner, Ethan Sokontwe, Dylan Xavier and Aaron Zhao.

Lionel Bart’s musical masterpiece, freely adapted from Charles Dickens’ novel, Oliver! tells the story of the orphaned Oliver Twist, who escapes the harsh Victorian workhouse and takes refuge in London’s murky underworld with the wily gang leader Fagin and his team of resourceful pickpockets led by the Artful Dodger. He finds a friend in the kind-hearted Nancy and when he’ s wrongly arrested for stealing, Oliver meets an unexpected saviour; but is happiness truly within his grasp?

The sensational score, that can be heard on the brand new Cast Album released by First Night Records and features this sensational cast includes Food Glorious Food, Consider Yourself, You’ve Got to Pick-a-Pocket or Two, I’d Do Anything, Oom Pah Pah, As Long As He Needs Me and many more. The Olivier, Tony and Oscar-winning masterpiece vividly brings to life Dickens’ ever-popular story of the boy who asked for more.

Produced and revised by Cameron Mackintosh,Oliver! is directed and choreographed by Matthew Bourne andco-directed by Jean-Pierre van der Spuy. Designed by Lez Brotherston, lighting design is by Paule Constable and Ben Jacobs, sound design by Adam Fisher, video design by George Reeve, new orchestrations by Stephen Metcalfe based on the original by William David Brohn; music supervision is by Graham Hurman.

Oliver! is a Cameron Mackintosh in association with Chichester Festival Theatre production.

A Belgrade Theatre, Bristol Old Vic and Hackney Empire co-production

FULL CASTING ANNOUNCED FOR

William Shakespeare’s

Romeo AND Juliet

The original play, originally scored – with rap and R&B

PREMIERING AT THE BELGRADE THEATRE COVENTRY:

FRIDAY 21 FEBRUARY – SATURDAY 8 MARCH 2025

BRISTOL OLD VIC: WEDNESDAY 12 MARCH – SATURDAY 5 APRIL 2025

HACKNEY EMPIRE 23 – 26 APRIL 2025

SHAKESPEARE AND RAP. A LOVE STORY

As rehearsals start in Coventry, full casting has been announced for the 2025 world premiere of ROMEO AND JULIET, an innovative new co-production of Shakespeare’s play, originally scored with rap and R&B, opening at the Belgrade Theatre from 21 February – 8 March 2025, with a national press night on Wednesday 26 February 2025 before playing in Bristol 12 March – 5 April 2025, and at Hackney Empire 23 – 26 April.

Romeo and Juliet is a flagship Belgrade Theatre in-house production, directed by its Creative Director, Corey Campbell. A co-production with Bristol Old Vic and Hackney Empire, with set and costume design by Simon Kenny and in collaboration with local Midlands artists That’s A Rap (lyrics), and A Class (music), this will be the original play, originally scored – with rap and R&B: a Shakespearean lyrical love story – for people who love the music of the spoken word of every generation.

Joining the previously announced Mia Khan (The Motive and the Cue, West End, Steeltown Murders, BBC1) as ‘Juliet’ and Kyle Ndukuba (making his professional debut) as ‘Romeo’, will be Yasmin Wilde (Billie The Kid, Vaudeville Theatre; Glitterball, RIFCO) as ‘Friar Lawrence’, Natasha Lewis (Brief Encounter, Stephen Joseph Theatre/Theatre By The Lake; All My Sons, Queens Theatre Hornchurch/New Wolsey Theatre) as ‘Nurse’, Asheq Akhtar (screen credits include Black Mirror, Man Like Mobeen, His Dark Materials; making his stage debut) as ‘Lord Capulet’, Lauren Moakes (The Gretchen Question, Fuel Theatre/Shipwright; You are Now Approaching Old Red Lion Theatre) as ‘Lady Capulet’, Dillon Scott-Lewis (People, Places and Things, National Theatre and 42 Balloons, Vaudeville Theatre) as ‘Mercutio’, Andre Antonio (Aladdin, Lyric Theatre Hammersmith, Get Up Stand Up, West End) as ‘Benvolio’, Sam Gosrani (The Lovely Bones, Birmingham Repertory Theatre; Beyond The Rainbow, Welsh National Opera) as ‘Tybalt’, Elwyn Williams (The Butterfly Hunter, Theatr na nÓg; Just Jump/Y Naid, Theatr na nÓg) as ‘Paris’, Ellena Vincent (The Book of Grace, Arcola Theatre; Sylvia, Old Vic) as ‘Montague’, Pete Ashmore (Christmas in Exeter Street, Farnham Maltings’ Great Hall; Table Manners, Eastbourne Theatres) as ‘Prince Escalus’ and Ayesha Patel (Lizzie, Southwark Playhouse Elephant; Hope Mill Theatre; Go! The Musical, The Gatehouse) as ‘Rosalind’. A community choir, and young practitioners from the Belgrade Ensemble will also perform alongside the professional company.

This is unmistakeably Shakespeare’s love story, largely unaltered in its original text. But it’s not just Shakespeare’s play. There is an important Plus One: rap.

Everything that makes Shakespeare’s play so well loved is here. The rich, feuding families. The intense, forbidden passion. And the flash of violence that tears the young lovers apart, sending them spiralling towards tragedy.

The story shines with new, original elements of rap – as well as soul and R&B. Think every day English as well as the Elizabethan variety. And the poetry of rap rhythms as well as perfect pentameters.

Originally written by William Shakespeare, this innovative co-production of Romeo and Juliet will be directed by Corey Campbell, with music and lyrics by A Class and That’s a Rap respectively, casting direction from Polly Jerrold with sets & costumes designed by Simon Kenny, lighting design by Chris Swain, choreography and movement direction from Annie-Lunnette Deakin-Foster, vocal coach Simon Ratcliffe, fight direction by RC Annie – Rachel Bown Williams, video design from Barret Hodgson, digital content creation by Simone Herbert and Kieran Vyas, Reisz Amos will be both vocal arranger and community choir leader, joined by community choir mentors Corah Fowles and Yannick van den Bosse, camera operation from Michael Ellis and Logan Powell.

As Corey Campbell explains, this production of Romeo and Juliet offers a gateway to classical drama for new audiences. “The story’s emotional core—two people who shouldn’t love each other doing so despite the cost—remains hugely relevant. Their love is the only thing that forces their parents, the politicians, to wake up and see that love is better than war.”

The show, designed to appeal to both first-time theatre-goers and seasoned audiences, represents Corey’s vision of making classical works accessible. “Whether you love Shakespeare or think his work is ‘not for you,’ I promise this Romeo and Juliet has something for everyone.”

With the ever-growing popularity of rap music in drama, That’s A Rap aim to provide a blueprint for Theatre, Film and TV practitioners to maximize the impact of its use. With their guidance and support and creative flare, dramatic rap will jump from novelty musical moments to integral parts of the narrative, taking the work from an innovative idea to a spectacular product. That’s A Rap are active in the community, delivering workshops in storytelling and self-expression to community organisations, schools and Alternative Education Provision.  In the work they create, they strive to amplify the voices of the young people they work with, ensuring they feel seen and represented within the work That’s A Rap make. With their commitment to the authentic presentation of rap music on stage, as well as the strong sense of social consciousness within the work, That’s A Rap create work of the highest quality and impact.

Romeo and Juliet will be a Belgrade Theatre flagship in-house production. The show is part of the new strand of work under the leadership team’s creative vision for the people of Coventry and the wider region; the next step in the Belgrade’s long-standing commitment to the process of co-creation and artistic excellence.

INITIAL CAST ANNOUNCED FOR THE UK PREMIERE OF

GORDON GREENBERG AND STEVE ROSEN’S

DRACULA, A COMEDY OF TERRORS

AT THE MENIER CHOCOLATE FACTORY

With its critically acclaimed smash-hit production of The Producers currently running, the Menier Chocolate Factory today announces initial casting for the UK premiere of Dracula, A Comedy of Terrors by Gordon Greenberg and Steve Rosen. Greenberg directs James Daly (reprising the role of Dracula), Safeena Ladha (Lucy Westfeldt), Diane Pilkington (Dr. Westfeldt), and Charlie Stemp (Jonathan Harker). 

The production opens on 17 March, with previews from 8 March, and runs until 3 May. Priority booking opens today, with public booking opening on 14 January.

Full casting will be announced shortly.

The Menier Chocolate Factory

in association with Drew & Dane Productions

presents

THE UK PREMIERE OF

DRACULA, A COMEDY OF TERRORS

by Gordon Greenberg and Steve Rosen

8 March – 3 May

Cast: James Daly (reprising the role of Dracula), Safeena Ladha (Lucy Westfeldt), Diane Pilkington (Dr. Westfeldt), and Charlie Stemp (Jonathan Harker)

Director: Gordon Greenberg; Set Design: Tijana Bjelajac; Costume Design: Tristan Raines;

Lighting Design: Ben Cracknell; Sound Design: Yvonne Gilbert

Dracula, A Comedy of Terrors gives Bram Stoker’s horror classic a comic makeover in this lightning-fast gender-bending reimagining that features a Gen Z pansexual Count Dracula in the midst of an existential crisis. With a cast of five switching costumes and roles at the drop of a hat, this 90-minute freewheeling send-up plays with sexuality and gender norms in the spirit of comedy legends Charles Ludlam, Monty Python and Mel Brooks – and celebrates goth, camp, and the magic of live theatre itself. 

In the treacherous mountains of Transylvania, Jonathan Harker, a meek English estate agent, takes a harrowing journey to meet a new and mysterious client, who happens to be the most terrifying(ly narcissistic) monster the world has ever known: Count Dracula! When the Count sets his sights on Harker’s fiancé, the brilliant young earth scientist Lucy Westfeldt, he meets his match for the first time – as well as a slew of other colorful characters including vampire hunter Jean Van Helsing, insect connoisseur Renfield and behavioral psychiatrist Wallace Westfeldt, whose British country estate doubles as a free-range mental asylum.

James Daly plays Dracula after originating the role Off-Broadway (New World Stages). His theatre credits include La Cage aux Folles, Wendy and Peter Pan (Stratford Festival), Damn Yankees, Grand Hotel, Oh! What A Lovely War (The Shaw Festival), Mythic (The Segal Centre), Cabaret (The Grand Theatre), Master Harold… and the Boys (The Shaw Festival/Obsidian Theatre; Toronto Theatre Critics Award). His television credits include Letterkenny, Workin’ Moms and Frankie Drake.

Safeena Ladha plays Lucy Westfeldt and others. Her theatre credits include The 39 Steps (UK tour and Trafalgar Studios), SHE (UK tour and Omnibus Theatre), The Great Gatsby (London, Immersive Everywhere) and Stick Man Live (Leicester Square Theatre).

Award-winning actor Dianne Pilkington plays Dr. Westfeldt and others. Her theatre credits include The Red Shoes (RSC), The Wizard of Oz (The London Palladium), Only Fools and Horses (Theatre Royal Haymarket), Young Frankenstein (Garrick Theatre), Mamma Mia! (Novello Theatre), The 39 Steps (Criterion Theatre; BroadwayWorld Award winner) and Wicked (Apollo Victoria). Her film credits include Les Misérables and the upcoming Wicked: For Good.

Three-time Olivier Award-nominee Charlie Stemp plays Jonathan Harker and others. His theatre credits include Kiss Me, Kate (Barbican), Crazy For You (Chichester and Gillian Lynne – Olivier Award nomination), Mary Poppins (Prince Edward Theatre – Olivier Award nomination) and Half a Sixpence (Chichester and Noël Coward Theatre – Olivier Award nomination and WhatsOnStage Award winner for Best Actor in a Musical). He made his Broadway debut in Hello, Dolly! (Shubert Theatre) opposite Bette Midler and Bernadette Peters, and was awarded the 2018 Theatre World Award for Outstanding Broadway Debut.

Gordon Greenberg returns to the Menier Chocolate Factory to direct, having previously directed The Baker’s Wife and Barnum. HIs recent directing credits include The Heart of Rock and Roll (James Earl Jones Theatre, Broadway) and Dracula, A Comedy of Terrors (Old Globe in San Diego and New World Stages in New York).  His other projects include a new musical about Picasso (director & co-writer with Stephen Schwartz & Caridad Svich), the NBC television series Most Talkative (co-executive producer/writer),  Crime and Punishment, A Comedy (director & co-writer with Steve Rosen; The Old Globe), Single White Female (A.T.G.), The Wedding Banquet (Ang Lee, Hua Musicals, Taiwan), Ghost Tour, The Play, and the new comedy podcast series Rolling Calls starring Julie Halston & Richard Kind (co-writer with Steve Rosen). He co-wrote and directed the Broadway stage adaptation of Irving Berlin’s Holiday Inn (Studio 54 for Roundabout Theatre Company and Universal Pictures Stage Productions) and directed  Guys And Dolls (Chichester Festival Theatre/Savoy Theatre/Phoenix Theatre), Working (59 E 59 in New York – also adapted), Jacques Brel Is Alive And Well… (Drama Desk, Drama League, Outer Critics Award nominations – also adapted), Johnny Baseball (Williamstown), Tangled (Disney), Blue Sky Boys (Capital Rep), Luck Be A Lady  (Asolo), Pirates! Or Gilbert and Sullivan Plunder’d (co-creator; Huntington/Paper Mill/Goodspeed/MUNY), Band Geeks! (also co-writer; Goodspeed), The Baker’s Wife (Paper Mill/Goodspeed), 1776 (Paper Mill), Floyd Collins (Signature), Yentl (Asolo) and Half A Sixpence (Goodspeed).

Steve Rosen (co-author) has previously collaborated with Greenberg on the musical The Secret of My Success (co-book, Joseph Jefferson nomination, Chicago), the plays Crime and Punishment, A Comedy and Ebenezer Scrooge’s BIG San Diego Christmas Show, as well as the podcasts “Dracula: A Comedy of Terrors” and “Rolling Calls” (Broadway Podcast Network). He has also co-written (with David Rossmer) the book, music and lyrics of Griswolds’ Broadway Vacation (Seattle’s 5th Ave) and The Other Josh Cohen, which was nominated for six Drama Desk Awards, as well as the Lucille Lortel and Off-Broadway Alliance Awards for Best New Musical. He co-wrote the 2024 Drama Desk Awards show and also co-created (with Dan Lipton, Rossmer and Sarah Saltzberg) the long-running Broadway improv/variety show Don’t Quit Your Night Job, devising original comedic material for artists like Sting, Hank Azaria, Sutton Foster, Lin-Manuel Miranda and Ariana Grande. Education: The Tisch School of the Arts at New York University. As an actor, his credits include creating the roles of Dennis’ Mother, Sir Bedevere and Concorde in the original Broadway production of Monty Python’s Spamalot.

LISTINGS INFORMATION

MENIER CHOCOLATE FACTORY

THE PRODUCERS

Until 1 March 2025

DRACULA, A COMEDY OF TERRORS

8 March – 3 May

Box Office:                        020 7378 1713 (75p per ticket fee)

Website:                           www.menierchocolatefactory.com (75p per ticket fee)

Tickets:                              Prices vary, as below from discounted preview tickets to premier seats. With the emphasis on ‘the sooner you book, the better the price’:

Please note at this time the restaurant is unable to open due to circumstances beyond the company’s control.

www.menierchocolatefactory.com

Social handles: @MenChocFactory

Adam Garcia revealed in the lead cast
alongside Kerry Ellis and David Hunter in the
UK Premiere of IF/THEN, by Tony Awardwinning writers Tom Kitt and Brian Yorkey
Savoy Theatre, Savoy Court, Strand, London WC2R 0ET
Monday 10th February 2025, 7:30pm

Adam Garcia, Kerry Ellis, and David Hunter star in IF/THEN, the UK Premiere of the musical by Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award-winning creators Tom Kitt and Brian Yorkey (Next to Normal).

Adam Blanshay Productions and Daniel Hinchcliffe are thrilled to reveal two-time Olivier Award nominee, Adam Garcia’s leading role as Josh in If/Then. Garcia’s distinguished career spans stage and screen and is known for his standout performances in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, Coyote Ugly and The Serpent Queen. Garcia has earned widespread praise for his versatility and charm, making him a perfect fit as one of the leading men in the show. His extensive theatre credits also include 42nd Street, Wicked and Saturday Night Fever, while his film career features notable roles in Kangaroo Jack and Riding in Cars with Boys.

Kerry Ellis, renowned for her performances in Wicked, Anything Goes, We Will Rock You and Les Misérables, as well as her highly successful recording career, will portray Elizabeth, a woman torn between two possible journeys, guiding the audience into a world of hope, regret and self-discovery.

This will be the first time Garcia and Ellis have shared the stage since their performances in the original West End run of Wicked.

The other leading man, Lucas, will be performed by critically acclaimed David Hunter, following his celebrated performances in multi-award-winning West End productions such as Waitress, Kinky Boots, and The Time Traveller’s Wife.

Joining the leads is a remarkable cast, including Olivier-award nominated Preeya Kalidas (Bombay Dreams, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, West End) as Kate, Tim Howar (Rock of Ages, West End; On The Town, English National Opera – ENO) as Stephen and Jenny Fitzpatrick (Oliver, Leeds Playhouse; Christmas Carol, Old Vic Theatre) as Anne. Carl Man (Wicked, UK and Ireland Tour; Death Note, West End) will play David and Joni Ayton-Kent (Priscilla The Party, Here at Outernet; Dead Hot, Amazon) will be Elena.

The ensemble line-up features Christian Maynard (Miss Saigon, Sheffield Theatres; & Juliet, West End) and Kayleigh Thadani (Crazy for You, Chichester Festival Theatre/West End; Cats, UK Tour). As well as Lauren Hall (Mamma Mia!, West End; Sister Act, West End) and Sario Solomon (Grease, UK and Ireland Tour; Pacific Overtures, Menier Chocolate Factory). Completing the cast is M-Jae Cleopatra Isaac (Hairspray, UK Tour; The Book of Mormon, West End/UK and European Tour) and Danny Becker (Chicago, UK Tour; Disney’s Frozen the Musical, West End).

Tom Kitt and Brian Yorkey’s poignant and thought-provoking score explores the complexities of chance, choice and consequence.

This is the first time UK audiences will have the chance to experience the celebrated musical – presented in a staged concert format, the production will be directed by acclaimed award winning West End director Bill Buckhurst (101 Dalmatians The Musical; Sister Act; The Time Traveller’s Wife). The musical staging is by Olivier Award nominee Alistair David (Kiss Me, Kate, Show Boat), with music direction by acclaimed Michael England (The Phantom of the Opera, Les Misérables).

IF/THEN follows Elizabeth, a 38-year-old city planner returning to New York after twelve years, ready to rebuild her life in the wake of a recent divorce. Standing at a pivotal crossroads, Elizabeth faces a choice that will send her down two parallel paths, each leading to a radically different future. On her first day back, she reconnects with Lucas, an old friend, and meets Kate, her vibrant new neighbour. Lucas invites her to join him in the world of activism, while Kate offers a lighter diversion—coffee, music, and the temptation of a charismatic guitarist nearby. As the story unfolds, audiences follow Elizabeth’s journey along these parallel lives, exploring how every decision, no matter how small, shapes the course of destiny.

IF/THEN comes to London after opening on Broadway in 2014 and is produced by Adam Blanshay Productions and Daniel Hinchliffe in association with The Savoy Theatre. Audiences can still watch the phenomenal and exclusive music video Always Starting Over from IF/THEN, performed by Kerry Ellis, here, with special thanks to The Theatre Channel.

Presented by arrangement with Music Theatre International

Original Theatre in association with Wiltshire Creative announce the 2025 tour of Ali Milles’ chilling thriller

The Croft

starring Liza Goddard and Caroline Harker

Original Theatre in association with Wiltshire Creative presents Ali Milles’ critically acclaimed thriller The Croft on tour, opening at Salisbury Playhouse on 9 May 2025.

Directed by Philip Franks (Murder in the Dark, Agatha Christie’s The Mirror Crack’d), the production will star Liza Goddard (Noises Off, Doctor Who, Bergerac) and Caroline Harker (A Touch of Frost, Steel Magnolias).  Further cast and creatives are to be announced. 

Guaranteed to set pulses racing, The Croft is based on a true story set in the remote Scottish Highlands. Two women arrive at a former crofters hut in the deserted village of Coille Gillie. Suddenly, the weekend getaway takes an unexpected turn. Cut off from the modern world, Laura and Suzanne find themselves drawn into the dark history of the Croft and the lives that passed before them. 

In this bold and haunting play, the present interweaves with the past as ancient tales surface and the terrifying truth lurking in the Croft is revealed. 

The 2025 tour will play Salisbury Playhouse (9-17 May), Belgrade Theatre, Coventry (20-24 May), Malvern Theatres (27-31 May), Churchill Theatre Bromley (3-7 June), Yvonne Arnaud Theatre, Guildford (17-21 June), Festival Theatre, Edinburgh (25-28 June) and Liverpool Playhouse (1-5 July).

In 2020, Original Theatre released a filmed version of The Croft on its digital theatre platform Original Online, after a previous critically acclaimed tour was halted halfway through, due to the Covid lockdown (“A triumph of suspenseful writing” British Theatre Guide, “Chilling” The Guardian, ★★★★★ “Thrilling, superb new play” WhatsGoodToDo, ★★★★ “An intriguing and mysterious tale of past and present” Broadway World). 

Alastair Whatley, Artistic Director of Original Theatre, said: “I am thrilled that we are finally able to revive Ali Milles’ superb new thriller which was last seen on the eve of the Covid Lockdown in 2020. Ali’s play is a tender evocation of place, family and the ties that bind us to each other – often in ways we don’t always understand. The reaction to the play in its curtailed first production was so exciting – I can’t wait to return to the Applecross peninsula and to the magical and at turns terrifying Croft in Coille Gillie.”

For further tour details, visit https://originaltheatre.com/productions/the-croft.

2025 TOUR LISTINGS 

9 – 17 May Salisbury Playhouse

https://www.wiltshirecreative.co.uk/events/the-croft

20 – 24 May Belgrade Theatre, Coventry 

https://www.belgrade.co.uk/events/the-croft/

27 – 31 May Malvern Theatres

https://malvern-theatres.co.uk/whats-on/the-croft

3 – 7 June Churchill Theatre Bromley

https://trafalgartickets.com/churchill-theatre-bromley/en-GB/event/play/the-croft-tickets

17 – 21 June Yvonne Arnaud Theatre, Guildford

https://www.yvonne-arnaud.co.uk/whats-on/croft

25 – 28 June Festival Theatre, Edinburgh – on sale soon

1 – 5 July Liverpool Playhouse – on sale soon

Running Time: 2 hrs 5 mins including interval

Age suitability: 13+