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Omnibus Theatre – until April 20 2019

Reviewed by Heather Chalkley

5*****

This is a well crafted monologue by Andy Barrett, the writer, providing a window into the life of a respected and admired politician. Today’s generation may not have heard of Tony Benn. This is a fitting tribute to the memory a colourful, passionate political career.

Using a tape recorder as a diary and to listen to previous entries, we are taken through Tony’s search for a fitting story, for the eulogy of yet another comrade. He has written so many it’s hard to find one not yet used.

The creatives, Rachael Jacks and Martin Curtis, have created a set that draws you in to the private world of Tony’s study. Philip Bretherton (Tony Benn) keeps you absorbed from the first moment. The director’s (Giles Croft) use of the physical context of the study keeps Bretherton (Benn) moving around, renewing the interest of the audience and piquing curiosity. Bretherton has brilliantly taken on Tony Benn’s mannerisms and irascible character, well known to an appreciative audience. The occasional murmur of familiarity at certain dates mentioned and rumble of laughter through the audience somehow increased the intimacy of the piece.

Tony (Bretherton) has promised his family this will be the last public speaking he will do – flying round the world and the UK to give a speech at a conference or rally is long gone, its now time to stop, maybe…..

This piece certainly appeals to fellow Socialists and people of a certain age, however I would strongly recommend any young person, take this opportunity to get an insight into the life of a political legend. I would watch again anytime.

CONFIRMS KATHARINE McPHEE’S FINAL
PERFORMANCE AS JENNA WILL BE 15 JUNE

Music and lyrics by seven-time Grammy Award-nominee Sara Bareilles
Book by Jessie Nelson
Based upon the motion picture written by Adrienne Shelly
Directed by Tony Award-winner Diane Paulus

Audiences have ten weeks to catch the critically-acclaimed Katharine McPhee in the West End production of Waitress. The Smash and Scorpion actress will play her final performance onSaturday 15 June with new casting for the role of Jenna to be announced soon. The Tony-nominated musical by Sara Bareilles began performances at the Adelphi Theatre on 8 February and is now booking to Saturday 19 October.

London’s brand-new smash hit musical comedy Waitresstells the story of Jenna, a waitress and expert pie-maker who dreams her way out of a loveless marriage. When a hot new doctor arrives in town, life gets complicated. With the support of her workmates Becky and Dawn, Jenna overcomes the challenges she faces and finds that laughter, love and friendship can provide the perfect recipe for happiness. 

Brought to life by a ground breaking, female-led creative team, the hit show features an original score by 7-time Grammy® nominee Sara Bareilles (Love Song, Brave), a book by acclaimed screenwriterJessie Nelson (I Am Sam) and direction by Tony Award® winner Diane Paulus (Pippin, Finding Neverland) and choreography by Lorin Latarro. The production is currently touring the US and has also announced it will have its Australian premiere in 2020 at the Sydney Lyric Theatre.

Since finding international fame as a captivating singer on American Idol – Season 5, Katharine McPhee (Jenna) has become a successful recording artist, landing numerous songs and albums on Billboard’s pop, jazz, holiday and adult-contemporary charts in her native US. Her latest album of timeless American standards “I Fall In Love Too Easily” was released by BMG in 2017. As an acclaimed actress, she was the breakout star of the 2013 NBC-TV musical series Smash, Executive Produced by Steven Spielberg with music and lyrics by Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman (Hairspray). She recently starred in the hit CBS dramatic series Scorpion.

Alongside Katharine McPhee as Jenna, Waitress stars Jack McBrayer as Ogie, Marisha Wallace as Becky, Laura Baldwin as Dawn, Peter Hannah as Earl, David Hunter as Dr. Pomatter and Shaun Prendergast as Old Joe.

The full company includes Kelly Agbowu, Laura Baldwin, Piers Bate, Nicole Raquel Dennis, Michael Hamway, Peter Hannah, David Hunter, Stephen Leask, Jack McBrayer, Chris McGuigan, Katharine McPhee, Olivia Moore, Nathaniel Morrison, Sarah O’Connor, Leanne Pinder, Shaun Prendergast, Charlotte Riby, Marisha Wallace and Mark Willshire.

On its Broadway opening, Waitress was nominated for four Outer Critics’ Circle Awards, including Outstanding New Broadway Musical; two Drama League Award Nominations, including Outstanding Production of a Broadway or Off-Broadway Musical; six Drama Desk Nominations, including Outstanding Musical; and four Tony Award Nominations, including Best Musical.

Trafalgar Studio 2 – until 27th April 2019

Review by Elizabeth J Smith

Written, directed and staring John Godber, Scary Bikers is a “new comedy about life, love and staying on your bike”. In truth it is a play about two bereaved people who happen to meet at the grave side and even though they come from very different back grounds they seem to hit it off.

Don, John Godber, is approaching 65 and mourning the loss of his feisty or as he says, bonkers wife Jean. He is a retired miner who stood proud on the picket lines during the miners strike and now works as a porter in a NHS hospital, that he feels is failing their elderly patients.

Carole, Jane Thornton, also mourning the death of her successful architect husband Rob. Formerly a private school teacher, who originally had ambitions of being an artist but failed. She is approaching 60 and running a bike shop in memory of her husband and his passion for cycling.

The pair discover they share a passion for cycling and decide to join forces and cycle to Florence. As the trip is expensive and Don is a little strapped for cash they decide a tandem is a cost effective way to go. Their journey begins the day the UK voted on to “stay or leave” the EU. Don was a leaver and Carole a remainer. Was this the end before the journey began? They soldier on and discover why each voted the way they did.

Scary Bikers looks closely at social politics and how each of us assumes everyone else thinks the same. How politicians seem only to be out for their own gain, appearing on reality TV shows to show how they are one of the people. How the propaganda surrounding Brexit lead many to vote out not realising that once again the powers that be in Westminster were all lying through their teeth and how the North never feels represented in parliament.

With laugh out loud moments, funny one liners only a Northerner knows how to deliver, to tender flash backs of the dead partners that will move you to tears. The pair convey the physical agony of long distance bike riding and the dangers of other road users with great comic timing. A fascinating master piece of social observation and extremely relevant in our time.

Peter Pan Set To Fly High For Christmas 2019

·         Birmingham Repertory Theatre announces a new spectacular staging of Peter Pan for Christmas 2019.

·         Tickets now on sale for members with public booking opening Friday 12 April 2019.

Audiences across the Midlands will be able to enjoy the adventures of Peter Pan as Birmingham Repertory Theatre announces a new staging of the J. M. Barrie classic for Christmas 2019.

Filled with swashbuckling adventure and the magic of youth, the eternal classic Peter Pan has enthralled audiences across generations. Now, following his highly acclaimed retelling of The Wizard of Oz at Birmingham Repertory Theatre last year, director Liam Steel returns to direct a striking new version based on J. M. Barrie’s original story.

All children, except one, grow up. One night, the headstrong Wendy Darling is visited by a mysterious boy floating outside her window. The mischievous stranger introduces himself as Peter Pan and after teaching Wendy and her two brothers to fly, invites them on a quest to an enchanted island called Neverland. It is a world of feisty fairies, malevolent mermaids and a raucous gang of abandoned Lost Children.

But a crew of ruthless pirates, led by the dastardly and vengeful Captain Hook, also await in Neverland. Can Wendy, Peter, and his gang band together to win the day as they cross paths and swords with the pirates? And will Wendy and her brothers ever find their way back home?

Director, Liam Steel said: 

“What better way to spend the run up to Christmas than travelling to Neverland to tell the famous story of the boy who didn’t want to grow up? With breath-taking flying, amazing adventures and all of your favourite characters, this magical story promises to be everything a Christmas treat should be. I am thrilled to be back at The REP to enable a bold new re-imagining of this classic tale to take flight, and with a healthy sprinkling of REP fairy dust, I promise we have all the vital ingredients for a wonderful Christmas show that can be enjoyed by everyone.”

Liam Steel is a multi-award winning director and choreographer whose most recent credit includes choreographer for the highly-acclaimed West End production of Stephen Sondheim’s Company (2019 Olivier award nomination for Best Theatre Choreographer). His work has included creating productions for the National Theatre, The Globe, RSC, Birmingham Repertory Theatre, Royal Court, Manchester Royal Exchange, Chichester Festival Theatre, Frantic Assembly and many more. He is a core collaborator at Regents Park Open Air Theatre and has worked on ten productions there over ten seasons, including co-directing and choreographing Sondheim’s Into The Woods, which was awarded an Olivier Award for Best Musical Revival. He has created many award winning contemporary dance commissions, choreographed for Musical Theatre on the West End and Broadway. In the commercial sector his work includes creating all the musical staging and choreography for the film version of the musical Les Misérables – winner of 3 Oscars, 4 BAFTAS and 3 Golden Globes – including Best Motion Picture.

Peter Pan will be designed by Michael Pavelka (Funny Girl / West End; A Midsummer Night’s Dream and The Merchant of Venice / Propeller Theatre Company and Winner of 2009 TMA Award Best Set Design) with lighting design by Lee Curran (Woyzeck / Birmingham Repertory Theatre;Summer and Smoke / West End; Jesus Christ Superstar / Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre). Casting and further creatives to be announced.

As part of The REP’s commitment to making theatre accessible to everyone all performances ofPeter Pan between 5 December  and 19 January will be Audio Described and Captioned, meaning that audiences with visual or hearing impairments can enjoy these services on any performance.

Peter Pan will open at Birmingham Repertory Theatre on 30 November 2019 and run until 19 January 2020.  Tickets cost from £15 (subject to availability, £2.50 transaction fee applies) and are on sale from today (Friday 5 April 2019) for members with general booking opening on Friday 12 April,12 noon.

Box Office: 0121 236 4455 / birmingham-rep.co.uk

Playhouse Theatre, Edinburgh until 27 April 2019

Reviewed by James Knight

5*****

‘Bambinatum est Magitum’, the motto of the terrifying Trunchem Hall where Matilda goes to school, translates as ‘Children are Maggots’. In the case of this production, they are also sickeningly talented.

After sell-out runs at the RSC, London and Broadway, Matilda embarks on its first UK tour. It’s a joyous celebration of youth, imagination and above all, love of language. Writer Dennis Kelly and Composer/Lyricist Tim Minchin evidently had a ball coming up with as many linguistic tricks as they could, and they do not disappoint. Songs like The Smell of Rebellion and Revolting Children revel in the wordplay and double meanings of words, but for me the standout song lyrically is The School Song, into which the entire alphabet is subtly woven into (‘And so you think you’re Able/To survive this mess by Being a prince or a princess/You will soon ‘C’ etc. Ugh, genius). Even the set has words embedded in it throughout.

All the performers at the top of the game, from the well-established actors to the younger cast, some of whom are making their professional debut with this production. Matilda (Scarlett Cecil when I reviewed) commands the stage excellently, even garnering a round of applause when standing up to the fearsome Miss Trunchbull (a by turns terrifyingly and hilariously agile Elliot Harper). Matilda’s parents are a suitably rotten pair, played with gusto by Sebastien Torkia and Rebecca Thornhill – Mr Wormwood being a fast-talking used car salesman and Mrs Wormwood an amateur competitive Latin dancer and microwave dinner chef extraordinaire. It’s a show with a lot going on, but the rest of the youth cast (Toby Mocrei, Ben Pike, Alfie Sanderson, Toby Hales, Lillie Downton, Aiya Augustin, Lily Van Veen, Darcy Kelly – phew) all get their various moments to shine, with newt shenanigans, ear-pulling, cake-scoffing and pigtail swinging galore. Providing the heart and emotional core of the piece are Miss Honey (Carly Thoms), Matilda’s quiet and caring teacher, and Mrs Phelps (Michelle Chantelle Hopewell), the librarian enraptured by Matilda’s natural gift for storytelling.

Couple this with outstanding choreography, executed with slick precision by performers of all ages, there’s so much high energy action happening onstage, it’s a feast for the eyes and ears and would definitely hold up to multiple viewings. Personal highlight? The ode to youthful optimism, When I Grow Up, as characters on swings almost fly over the audience.

In a word, spectacular.

Freckle Productions and Rose Theatre Kingston present

ZOG

Based on the book by Julia Donaldson with illustrations by Axel Scheffler

Flying into London this Summer

At Cadogan Hall

From Wednesday 31 July to Sunday 25 August 2019

Freckle Productions and Rose Theatre Kingston are delighted to announce that Zog, based on thebook by Julia Donaldson with illustrations by Axel Scheffler, will fly into London this Summer. Following its current world premiere UK Tour, Zog will play a limited 4-week run at Cadogan Hall from Wednesday 31 July to Sunday 25 August 2019. Tickets are on sale now.

Large in size, and keen in nature, Zog is so eager to win a golden star at Madam Dragon’s school, where dragons learn all the things that dragons need to know. He bumps, burns and roars his way through school, until the plucky Princess Pearl patches him up ready to face his biggest challenge yet…a duel with a knight, Sir Gadabout the Great! Featuring original music, inventive puppetry and Freckle’s distinctive style, Zog promises to be roaring fun for all ages.

Zog is adapted and directed by Mike Shepherd (founder and Artistic Director of Kneehigh) with an original folk score by Johnny Flynn (actor, musician and frontman of The Sussex Wit) and designs by Katie Sykes (Jane Eyre at the National Theatre). Completing the creative team are movement director Tom Jackson Greaves (Billionaire Boy, UK Tour), lighting designer Ric Mountjoy (The Play that Goes Wrong), sound designer Julian Starr (Violet, Charing Cross Theatre), puppet designerLyndie Wright (Little Angel Theatre), puppet director Sarah Wright (Kneehigh’sBrief Encounter) and movement and circus consultant Tina Koch.

Zog is produced by Freckle Productions and Rose Theatre Kingston. Freckle Productions’ most recent show is Tabby McTat, an adaptation of the book by Julia Donaldson, following their acclaimed productions of Tiddler and Other Terrific Tales and Stick Man.

The cast features Elliot MacKenzie (professional debut) as Zog, Emily Benjamin (Bat Out Of Hell)as Princess Pearl, Robert Ginty (Salome and Coriolanus, Royal Shakespeare Company) as Sir Gadabout the Great and Euan Wilson (Stick Man, UK Tour) as Madame Dragon, with Dixie McDevitt (National Youth Theatre alumni) as Ensemble. The cast of actor-puppeteers bring the world of Zog to life with handcrafted puppets designed and created by Little Angel Theatre co-founderLyndie Wright.

Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler are the UK’s number one picture book pair and are creators of many modern classics, including The Gruffalo which is in 75 languages.

Zog was first published in 2010 and won the Galaxy National Children’s Book of the Year Award. Ithas gone on to become a perennial bestseller. On Christmas Day 2018, Magic Light Pictures premiered an animated film of Zog on BBC One featuring an all-star cast, following their award-winning films The Gruffalo, Room on the Broom and Stick Man.

Suitable for children and families of all ages.

Website: www.ZogLive.com

Twitter: @Freckle_Prods

Facebook: /FreckleProductions

Instagram: Freckle_Productions

#ZogLive

Sonia Friedman Productions and Fox Stage Productions present

ALL ABOUT EVE 
by Joseph L Mankiewicz

Adapted and directed for the stage by Ivo van Hove

• One week to go until All About Eve is broadcast live from the Noël Coward Theatre to cinemas across the UK and internationally with National Theatre Live 
   
• All About Eve has broken all box office records at the Noël Coward Theatre since opening in February 
   
• With only five weeks left of the production’s run, limited tickets are still available

One week before the NT Live broadcast of All About Eve, Sonia Friedman Productions and Fox Stage Productions have today announced that the Olivier Award-nominated production has broken box office records at the Noël Coward Theatre. Each week since official opening on 12th February, All About Eve has exceeded the previous record for weekly net sales. Ivo van Hove’s production must end on 11th May 2019.

The world premiere of Ivo van Hove’s highly anticipated stage adaptation of the 1950 Twentieth Century Fox film and the play “The Wisdom of Eve” by Mary Orr will be broadcast on 11th April 2019 by NT Live.

Emmy Award-winning Gillian Anderson and Lily James lead the cast, which also includesMonica Dolan, Ian Drysdale, Tsion Habte, Jessie Mei Li, Julian Ovenden, Sheila Reid, Rhashan Stone, Stanley Townsend and Philip Voyzey. 

Ivo van Hove’s direction is accompanied by set and lighting design from Jan Versweyveld,costume design by An D’Huys and music from double Mercury Prize-winner PJ Harvey, alongsideTom Gibbons’ sound design. Casting is by Julia Horan CDG.

Margo Channing. Legend. True star of the theatre. The spotlight is hers, always has been. But now there’s Eve. Her biggest fan. Young, beautiful Eve. The golden girl, the girl next door. But you know all about Eve…don’t you…?

 Ivo van Hove directs Gillian Anderson and Lily James in his new adaptation of All About Eve, a razor-sharp, unsettling exposé of the eternal obsession at the heart of show-business. Lifting the curtain on a world of jealousy and ambition, this new production, from one of the world’s most innovative theatre directors, asks why our fascination with celebrity, youth and identity never seems to get old.

Throughout the run of All About Eve, over 20,000 tickets have been offered at £25 or under. Day Seats are available each day from 10:30am at the Box Office, priced at £25. Audiences can also access seats through the Today Tix mobile and online lottery at the same price.

National Theatre Live will turn ten on 25th June this year – the date of the first ever NT Live broadcast which was Phédre starring Academy Award® winner Helen Mirren. Over ten years there have been over 80 theatre productions have been shown in 3500 venues worldwide, reaching an overall audience of nearly 9 million people. NT Live currently screens in 2500 venues across 65 countries. Recent broadcasts include Antony and Cleopatra with Ralph Fiennes and Sophie Okonedo,Julius Caesar with David Morrissey and Ben Whishaw, Cat on a Hot Tin Roof with Sienna Miller, Follies with Imelda Staunton, Yerma with Billie Piper, Angels in America withAndrew Garfield and Russell Tovey, Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf? with Imelda Staunton and Conleth Hill, Rosentcrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead with Daniel Radcliffe and Hedda Gabler with Ruth Wilson.

Participating cinemas can be found here: http://ntlive.nationaltheatre.org.uk

RETURNING TO LONDON FOR 10 PERFORMANCES ONLY

THE INTERNATIONALLY RENOWNED

MALY DRAMA THEATE OF ST.PETERSBURG PRESENTS

ANTON CHECKOV’S THREE SISTERS – VAUDEVILLE THEATRE

WEDNESDAY JUNE 19^TH –  SATURDAY JUNE 29^TH

“St. Petersburg’s Maly Drama Theatre, led by the superstar director Lev Dodin, simply has no peer in interpreting Chekhov”

Time Out, New York

Following a critically acclaimed West End Season at the Theatre Royal Haymarket last year, with celebrated productions of Uncle Vanya and Life & Fate (Critics’ Choice The Guardian, Financial Times, Telegraph, Sunday Times) the Maly Drama Theatre of St. Petersburg return with a luminous retelling of Chekhov’s masterpiece,Three Sisters. Playing in London for 10 performances only from June 19th at the Vaudeville Theatre, press nights will be held on June 19^th and 20^th.

Rediscover the tragicomic story of the Prozorov sisters as they contend with their disillusioned lives in provincial Russia. Renowned director Lev Dodin directs this radiant, complex play with rich insight into Chekhov’s eloquent understanding of passion, resignation, longing, and love.

“Ethereal… these Russian actors seem to have an intuitive ability to make whiplash fluctuations feel like the most authentic expression of humanity’s common lot”

Critics’ Pick – New York Times

Under the artistic directorship of Lev Dodin – one of the most celebrated theatre practitioners working today – the Maly Drama Theatre of St. Petersburg has become one of the greatest theatres in the world. During his 35-year tenure many of Dodin’s shows have won international awards including state prizes of Russian and the USSR, Golden Mask Awards and a Lawrence Olivier Award (becoming the first international company to do so for Stars in the Morning Sky, 1989). In 2000 he received the European Theatre Award.

Of Three Sisters, Dodin comments: “Checkov speaks with passion and eloquence about the hopelessness of our life, about the tragic discrepancies between our yearnings and reality, about the vital importance of staying true to oneself and preserving your dignity.

Three Sisters is a play about people with ideals. I think today too many of us – the world over – understand only too well what unfulfilled hopes are and the nature of fallen-through plans, lost illusions and impossible loves. We all unfortunately understand the universal language of loss. We understand the stern language in which life speaks to us – and in this life we must stay true to ourselves and preserve our personal dignity at any cost.”

CAST

ANDREI PROSOROV – AlexanderBikovsky

NATASHA, his fiancée, later his wife – Ekaterina Kleopina / Nadezhda Nekrasova                                                                      

OLGA, his sister – Irina Tychinina

MASHA, his sister – KseniaRappoport (19-23 June) | Elizaveta Boyarskaya (25-29 June)

IRINA, his sister – Ekaterina Tarasova

KULIGIN, school teacher, Masha’s husband – Sergey Vlasov

VERSHININ, lieutenant-colonel – IgorChernevich

TUZENBACH, baron, lieutenant in the army – Oleg Ryazanzev

SOLENI, captain – Stanislav Nikolskiy                                                                                

CHEBUTIKIN, army doctor – SergeyKuryshev

FEDOTIK, sub-lieutenant – Artur Kozin

RODE, sub-lieutenant – Nikita Sidorov

FERAPONT – Alexander Koshkarev                                                             

ANFISA, nurse – NataliaSokolova(19-23 June)|Natalia Akimova (25-29 June)                                                                                                                                                                                    MAID – Arina Sumkina

SOLDIER – Sergey Ivanov

Maly Drama Theatre of St. Petersburg’s Vaudeville season is presented by

Oliver King and Ekaterina Kashyntseva for Belka Productions

For more information visit Maly2019.com

CASTING ANNOUNCED

FOR THE UK PREMIERE OF
ON YOUR FEET!

THE STORY OF EMILIO AND GLORIA ESTEFAN

PLAYING A LIMITED SEASON

AT THE LONDON COLISEUM

FROM

FRIDAY 14 JUNE – SATURDAY 31 AUGUST 2019

Jamie Wilson and Gavin Kalin are delighted to announce casting for the UK premiere of ON YOUR FEET! The Story of Emilio and Gloria Estefan, which will play a limited season at the London Coliseum from Friday 14 June – Saturday 31 August 2019. Prior to the London run there will be seven performances at Curve, Leicesterfrom 3 – 8 June 2019.

Christie Prades will play ‘Gloria Estefan’, George Ioannides ‘Emilio Estefan’ and at certain performances the role of ‘Gloria Estefan’ will be played by Philippa Stefani. Madalena Alberto will play ‘Gloria Fajardo’, Karen Mann ‘Consuelo’.

Christie Prades played the role of ‘Gloria Estefan’ in “On Your Feet!” on Broadway and can currently be seen in the same role on the US tour of the show. Christie’s other credits include ‘Vanessa’ in “In the Heights”and “West Side Story”.

George Ioannides has appeared in the West End productions of “Annie” and “Mamma Mia!” and was most recently seen as ‘Eduardo Cortez’ in “An Officer and a Gentleman” at Curve, Leicester and on national tour.

Philippa Stefani played ‘Mimi’ in the recent national tour of “Rent”. She has also played ‘Daniela’ in “In The Heights” at King’s Cross Theatre. Her other theatre credits include the original London casts of “Wicked” at the Apollo Victoria and “I Can’t Sing” and “Sister Act”, both at the London Palladium. She has also appeared in “High Society at the Old Vic and ”Ghost” at the Piccadilly Theatre.

Madalena Alberto’s West End credits include the title role in “Evita” at the Dominion Theatre and ‘Grizabella’ in “Cats” at the London Palladium. She has also appeared as ‘Fantine’ in the 25^th Anniversary tour of “Les Miserables” and was most recently seen as ‘Giulietta’ in “Aspects of Love” at the Southwark Playhouse.

Karen Mann’s many credits include ‘Golde’ in the national tour of “Fiddler on the Roof” opposite Paul Michael Glaser, ‘Marley’ in “Scrooge” at Curve and ‘Mother Superior’ in “Sister Act” also at Curve and on national tour. Her extensive work at the Watermill Theatre in Newbury includes ‘Gladys’ in “Copacabana”, ‘Viv’ in “Spend Spend Spend” and ‘Mrs Lovett in “Sweeney Todd”, which transferred to both the New Ambassadors Theatre and Trafalgar Studios.

Completing the cast will be Hollie Cassar, Francisco Del Solar, Katie Dunsden, Eduardo Enrikez, Laura Friedrich Tejero, Denzel Giskus, Francesca Lara Gordon, Yonly Leyva Desdunes, Elia Lo Tauro, Martin McCarthy, Alicia Mencía, Ciro Lourencio Meulens, Carl Patrick, Clayton Rosa, Julia Ruiz Fernandez, Shanna Michelle Slaap, Dawnita Smith, Frank van Hengel, Despina Violari and Alain Zambrana Borges.

Klaudia Gjergji, Holly McDonagh, Emily Perra will share the role of ‘Little Gloria’ and Santiago Huertas Ruiz, Jonathan Naranjo, Alejandro Puentes Motato will share the role of Nayib/Young Emilio/Jeremy.

ON YOUR FEET! is the inspiring true love story of Emilio and Gloria and charts their journey from its origins in Cuba, onto the streets of Miami and finally to international superstardom and features some of the most iconic pops songs of the era, including ‘Rhythm is Gonna Get You’, ‘Conga’, ‘Get On Your Feet’, ‘Don’t Want To Lose You’ and ‘1-2-3’.

Gloria Estefan has sold over 100 million records worldwide and is the most successful Latin crossover performer in the history of pop music.  In addition to her 38 number 1 hits across the Billboard charts, Gloria recorded the Oscar-nominated song ‘Music of My Heart’ and has received numerous honours and awards over the course of her illustrious career. Emilio Estefan is a founding member of the pioneering Miami Sound Machine, who created a brand new Latin crossover sound – fusing infectious Cuban rhythms with American pop and disco. Combined, they have won a staggering 26 Grammy awards.

The Tony Award® nominated show ran on Broadway for two years, playing for over 750 performances. It is currently on a two year US tour, whilst the production in Holland played to sell out business and standing ovations for a season in 2017/18.

ON YOUR FEET! is directed by two-time Tony Award® winner Jerry Mitchell (Kinky Boots, Legally Blonde), with choreography by Olivier Award-winner Sergio Trujillo (Jersey Boys) and book by Academy Award® winner Alexander Dinelaris (Birdman).

ON YOUR FEET! is produced by Jamie Wilson and Gavin Kalin with Colin Ingram and Peter Kane for InTheatre, Marc David Levine and Curve.

LISTINGS

ON YOUR FEET! The Story of Emilio and Gloria Estefan

London Coliseum, St Martin’s Lane, WC2N 4ES

Friday 14 June – Saturday 31 August 2019

Box Office: 0207 845 9300

Performances: Tuesday – Saturday at 7.30pm

Matinees – Thursdays and Saturdays at 2.30pm, Sundays at 3.00pm

onyourfeetmusical.co.uk 
@OnYourFeetUK

Curve Leicester, Rutland Street, Leicester, LE1 1SB

Monday 3 June – Saturday 8 June 2019

Box Office: 0116 242 3595

Performances: Monday – Saturday at 7.30pm

Matinee: Saturday at 2.15pm

curveonline.co.uk

THE BIG HOUSE ANNOUNCES RETURN OF

BULLET TONGUE RELOADED

The Big House presents

Bullet Tongue Reloaded

By Andrew Day and Sonya Hale

Directed by Maggie Norris;Assistant Directors: Freddy Wilson and Steffi Novia; Designer: Zia Bergin-Holly Lighting Designer: Michael Harpur; Sound Designer and Original Music: Ed Clarke

Video Designer: Mic Pool; Costume Designer:  Paulina Domaszewska

The Big House

151A Englefield Road, London N1 3LH

Wednesday 22 May – Saturday 15 June 2019

The Big House today announces the return of Bullet Tongue Reloaded a promenade piece at the new home of The Big House in Islington. Written by Andrew Day and Sonya Hale, the production tackles the topic of County Lines and was developed with a young cast many of whom are directly affected by this issue. The production opens on 24 May, with previews from 22 May and runs until 15 June.

Bigger, bolder, and braver than the 2018 production, Bullet Tongue Reloaded will submerge you in the underworld of county lines drug dealing, where teenagers fight for status, wealth, love, survival, and the simple right to be heard.

You know the second I put one foot on the pavement the game is on – like it or not. The opps could be up in my face, with a blade, with a bullet. We is all in the game, just like we was wearing a shirt with our names on. In the game, from young.

Maggie Norris, Artistic Director and CEO of The Big House, and director of Bullet Tongue Reloaded, said today, “We are re-staging Bullet Tongue because of the overwhelming response from critics, audiences and professionals coping with the phenomenon of county lines drug dealing. The show asks how and whether we should dismantle an outlaw economy that has taken the place of the welfare state for excluded youth.

County lines is the name given to drug distribution networks extending from urban centres into suburbs and small towns across the land. Gangs recruit vulnerable children as young as 11 to move drugs and money for them, using social media. Many of the young people that we work with know about County Lines first hand. Both exhilarating and unsettling, Bullet Tongue Reloaded is a rare opportunity in the theatre to experience a radically different view of the society that we supposedly share – raw and unrefined.”

Maggie Norris is Artistic Director and CEO of The Big House for which she has directed productions includingPhoenix, Babylon, Politrix, The Realness, Electric, Knife Edge, Brixton Rock, Phoenix Rising. Her other directing credits include Bad Girls – The Musical (West Yorkshire Playhouse/Garrick Theatre), The Sunshine Boys (West Yorkshire Playhouse), The Bodies (Live Theatre, Newcastle) and Josephine (Battersea Arts Centre/The Coliseum Theatre/UK tour). She was previously Artistic Director of Only Connect where her credits include Any Which Way, Family Matters, Badman Christmas and His Teeth (Wormwood Scrubs). As an actress Norris appeared as series regular Claire Palmer in Coronation Street. For film she produced Mrs Ratcliffe’s Revolution, based on her own personal story.

Andrew Day is a Writer in Residence for The Big House. His previous writing credits for the company includePhoenix, Babylon, Electric and Phoenix Rising. 

Sonya Hale has had plays performed at The Southbank Centre, Latitude Festival and in prisons and treatment centres. She has worked with Synergy Theatre Project, Clean Break Theatre Company and The Outside Edge. She runs writers’ workshops and is associate workshop facilitator at Outside Edge; and is currently under commission at Clean Break. Hale won the Synergy Theatre Project’s national prison scriptwriting competition and her most recent play Dean McBride won the Heretic Voices competition in and was performed at Arcola Theatre last year, directed by Roy Alexander Weise.

ABOUT THE BIG HOUSE

The Big House is a place where people who may have given up on themselves gain the skills and confidence to turn their lives around. It works with care leavers and marginalised young people who are at a high risk of social exclusion and provides a platform for them to participate in the making of theatre and to have their voices heard. It uses drama and long term support to inspire members and to facilitate personal growth. The Big House recognises the vulnerability of care leavers as well as their talents, hopes and dreams. Through the use of theatre, the development of life and employment skills and therapeutic intervention, The Big House nurtures a relationship of trust with its membership to work on behavioural and emotional problems. By tackling these fundamental needs it unleashes their members’ creative potential and builds core skills to help them manage the stressful complexities of taking up a positive role in the community and to make better informed decisions.

Established in November 2012, The Big House has gone from start-up to award-winning charity in under three years, delivering nine productions: Phoenix, Babylon, Politrix, The Realness, Electric, Knife Edge, Brixton Rock, Phoenix Rising and Loose Lips. It is the only theatre company in the UK which works with at-risk care leavers, using theatre to transform lives combined with long term support, psychotherapy and the teaching of life and employment skills. In 2014 TBH was awarded the ‘Born to Be’ Award from the Centre for Social Justice in recognition of its impact. It is the youngest charity to ever win this prestigious award. The charity has received several Off West End nominations for its productions and won an award for Phoenix Rising performed in a car park underneath Smithfield Meat Market.

None of the casts at The Big House are auditioned to be part of this process but are assessed on the basis of need.

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The Big House                                                                                                                                               Listing

151A Englefield Road, London N1 3LH

Wednesday 22 May – Saturday 15 June 2019

Box Office: https://billetto.co.uk/e/bullet-tongue-reloaded-tickets-349404

Monday – Friday: 7.30pm

Saturdays – 2pm, 7pm

With matinees on Thursday 6 and 13 June at 2pm