DISNEY’S THE LION KING ANNOUNCES NEXT DEDICATED RELAXED PERFORMANCE Special performance to be held on Sunday 02 June 2019 at London’s Lyceum Theatre
Disney’s hit West End musical THE LION KING has today announced that it will hold a dedicated Relaxed Performance on Sunday 2nd June 2019 at 1:30pm. Tickets are now on sale.
Disney’s THE LION KING is committed to creating a friendly and inclusive audience experience at the Lyceum Theatre, London. Having hosted its fifth Autism-Friendly Performance in London in June 2018, the landmark musical is delighted to be presenting a Relaxed Performance for 2019. Relaxed performances are specially adapted to be accessible to a wide range of audiences such as those with autism, those with a learning disability or anyone with a sensory predisposition, with extra trained staff on hand and dedicated quiet areas inside the theatre should anyone need to leave their seat. All patrons who feel this performance might suit their specific needs are warmly encouraged to attend.
Audience members can find out more information and purchase tickets at https://thelionking.co.uk/relaxedperformances/. Tickets are sold at a specially reduced rate and can be selected on a virtual map of the auditorium.
Disney’s award-winning musical THE LION KING is now in its 19th triumphant year at London’s Lyceum Theatre. Since the UK premiere in London on Tuesday 19th October 1999, THE LION KING has entertained over 15 million theatregoers and remains the West End’s best-selling stage production. It is currently the sixth longest-running West End musical of all time.
A fun afternoon with disabled children & young peopleand their families who will take you on a journey of creativity,colour and inclusion. Be ready to smile. Fundraising for Stimul8 – to build a leisure and training facility for disabled children and young people in York.
Having a disabled child of her own, Ruth Thompson realises the difficulties faced by many families when trying to access mainstream activities. Her 14 year old daughter was born with a virus called Cytomegalovirus (CMV), which caused to her to have a stroke, attacked her optic nerve causing her to be born blind, though she now has a little bit of vision, severe epilepsy and learning difficulties. As Georgina has grown up Ruth became aware of more and more gaps in provision for play and development. Despite having the vision for Stimul8 7 years ago, with the help of her business partner Jo Rodwell the pair have resurrected the plans and begun fundraising to build a state of the art facility providing nursery care for very complex needs children, fully adapted play centre and NVQ/ training hub plus some paid work for disabled children and young people.
Ruth says ‘As Georgina has grown I’ve become more and more aware of the gaps in provision and just knew I needed to do something about it. With Jo’s help we know this is going to make a difference to so many families.’
Ruth also runs York Inspirational Kids, a support group for families who have a disabled child. They decided to get involved with York Fashion Week to show fashion designers, retailers and others involved within the fashion industry that disabled children also want to be fashionable but need a few adaptations to be made to help them access everyday clothing. Items such as adjustable clothing, adapted fastenings such as magnets or Velcro, fashionable shoes with Velcro fastenings in adult sizes and seamless clothing to accommodate sensory issues.
Jo says ‘at the end of the day they’re just children who want to have fun and dress like their peers. If they need wider legs to help go over splints, higher waists or longer tee shirts to enable wheelchair users not to get cold then it really shouldn’t be too much to ask. Just getting a wheelchair into some of the stores can be impossible. This fashion show will highlight these children’s fashion needs and will showcase what some retailers are doing to accommodate them. We are so grateful that the Grand Opera House also thought this was a priority too and is enabling us to put on this show. ‘
The aim of the show is to raise awareness, encourage inclusivity as well as raising funds to build Stimul8.
Rachel Watson (Samantha Womack) is a mess. Alcoholic and depressed, unable to live the life of which she had dreamed with her now ex-husband Tom (Adam Jackson-Smith), she watches the people she can see from her train journeys and imagines who they are, who they could be, and what it might be like to live as them. In particular, she focuses on Megan and Scott Hipwell (Kirsty Oswald and Oliver Farnworth), or as she imagines them, Jess and Jason. Of course, surely nothing could come of the fact that they live just a few doors down from Rachel’s ex and his new family? So when Megan goes missing, and Rachel has gaps in her memory, the stage is set for an intimate thriller.
The Girl on the Train was a stunning success as a book and film, and so, naturally, producers wanted to turn it into a theatrical production. The end product is, like Rachel’s memory, lacking in clarity. Apart from some clever uses of light and projection, and strong performances from the supporting characters of D.I. Gaskill (John Dougall) and Anna Watson (Lowenna Melrose), the term ‘thriller’ cannot truly be applied to the lack of enthusiasm in almost any other aspect. The stakes simply do not feel high enough. Without the use of multiple points of view from the book, and the visual language of the film, the stage version suffers. Not that the book is un-stageable, far from it, but the determinedness to present the events as naturalistically as possible means that when the more stylistic interpretations of Rachel’s memories and drunken stupors are shown, it comes across as forced and jarring.
The lack of effort is particularly frustrating as actors speak words and step to their marks to deliver them, with little thought or intention. Little is done to convince the audience to care for Rachel’s predicament and too many scenes just devolve into shouting clunky and cliched dialogue. The second half is a marked improvement on the first, as events and revelations come to light, but by then it is difficult to stay engaged.
The original production at the West Yorkshire Playhouse was slated critically, and it seems little has been done to improve on what was not working.
HULL NEW THEATRE, HULL – UNTIL SATURDAY 30TH MARCH.
REVIEWED BY DAWN BENNETT
5*****
Moving into a new house should be a happy time but Peter James’ The House on Cold Hill (adapted for stage by Shaun Mckenna} proves it can be as far away from happy as possible!
Set in in the modern day, in an 800-year-old country house, we meet the family Ollie Harcourt (Joe McFadden), his wife Caro (played brilliantly by understudy Hannah Lindsey) and teenage daughter Jade (Persephone Swales-Dawson).
They move into the house (which has been strangely standing empty for 40 years) and start renovating with the help of builder Phil (Leon Stewart) and this is when the fun starts, the electrics go awry, pipes groan, doors bang shut or slowly open and all this can seem to be explained logically…or can it?
Chris (Charlie Clements), is the IT “geek” from the village who is brought in by Ollie to help with his web design business and sort out the Wi-Fi. His transformation from mild mannered IT man to ghost hunter is brilliantly written and acted.
The history of the house starts to unravel and we learn about the previous residents with some scary scenes that were made the people around me jumpy! The tension gets broken by the slightly dotty cleaner Annie (Tricia Deighton) who’s lines, and talent for mediumship make you laugh one minute and gasp with shock the next.
Fortinbras the Vicar (Padraig Lynch) offers some more history of the house, some more of what had happened to its residents and a blessing with some very interesting results!
Along with O’Hare (Simon Balcon) we are treated to excellent acting from all the cast, the characters are very believable, particularly Joes character Ollie who is the gel that holds the family together.
Everything from the set to set to the special effects was very well done.
A dark atmospheric production full of tension and humour and if you like Peter James’ books, and ghost stories in general, I would highly recommend you go and see it.
If you want to know the ending…well that would be telling!!
THE DEADLY WORLD PREMIERE OF THE GROUDBREAKING IMMERSIVE GAMING EXPERIENCE VARIANT 31
WILL MOVE TO 1 SEPTEMBER 2019
Space 18, the huge new theatrical complex built specifically to house immersive and experiential theatre is now even bigger! Combining 7 buildings, 35 floors and now more than40,000 square feet, Space 18 is preparing for an even bigger and deadly reveal for its new World Premiere date of 1 September 2019.
Dalton Dale, Artistic Director, Big Dreamer Productions and creator of Variant 31 said “We have made the decision to postpone the opening of the Production so that we may ensure the entirety of the experience exceeds the highest possible standard.
For over two years Variant 31 has been in development, and every element from the ground breaking technology, score, costumes, special effects, creatures, and the purpose built venue are never before seen. Each element is custom crafted for us by industry leading artists from around the world. With all of these unique components, it takes a great deal of care and effort to ensure they each function in perfect harmony.
The last thing we want to offer guests is an experience that may not excel in every possible way.
For ticketing queries, we ask that guests contact their point of sale where they may rebook their experience. We look forward to screaming with all of you this autumn!”
The opening production will feature a cast of 150 highly trained professional actors; experienced in parkour, aerial acrobatics, stage combat, fire poi, and intense full contact performances, making Variant 31 the largest employer of actors and theatrical technicians currently running in the West End.
Unlike traditional theatre, Dalton Dale and his co-producers wish to explore clever and innovative techniques to engage today’s audiences who simply crave more than the traditional theatrical experience. By creating this ambitious new venue, they have provided a world of possibilities for audiences to fully immerse themselves and explore the colossal structure, which occupies an entire city block in the heart of London’s West End.
VARIANT 31
Variant 31 is a 90 minute long adrenaline-fuelled live-action game, in which players navigate through the expansive 40,000 square foot labyrinth. Once inside this immaculately detailed hidden world, the aim is simply to survive and escape. Work in teams to solve group challenges and play individually to complete personal objectives and puzzles to forge your own path to freedom. Those seeking safety in numbers are free to work together and find their way through the experience as a group.
Get off the couch, leave the video game behind and star in your own story.
Do you have what it takes to stay alive?
Welcome to Toxico Technologies’ top-secret live demonstration of their latest weapon in modern warfare, ‘Variant 31’; a serum so powerful it allows the user to control death itself.
The demonstration goes horribly awry and turmoil ensues as reanimated cadavers go on the warpath. Their sole mission is to hunt and destroy the invading enemy… you.
Do you have the skills and the stamina to overcome an array of terrifying creatures, and make it out alive? Or will the sheer terror be too much to handle….
Unleash the horror, choose your adventure and #AimForTheHead
Unlike any other immersive experience, audiences have the ability to traverse the massive arena however they so choose, utilizing custom-built state of the art wearable technology. Up, down, left and right – the journey you take through the apocalyptic world truly is your own; with over a thousand possible routes, no two adventures will be the same. From unlocking secrets, finding hidden passageways, interacting with characters in one-on-one experiences and piecing together the story for a narrative gaming experience that is uniquely your own.
LISTINGS
VARIANT 31 – AN IMMERSIVE SURVIVAL EXPERIENCE
FROM 1st September 2019
SPACE 18
Tickets: From £55
Bookings Line: 0844 815 7141 (KX Tickets)
Open from 9am until 9pm every day. Calls cost 7p per minute, plus your standard network rate
Address: Space 18, 39-41 New Oxford Street, London, WC1A 1BN
Website: Variant31.com
Twitter/Facebook/Instagram: @Variant31
#AimForTheHead
#TheExperimentBegins
#ControlYourFear
#TheChoiceIsYours
Age Requirement: Suitable for 18+
Warning: This experience is only suitable for the brave and adventurous. The production utilizes strong language, simulated violence, actor nudity and is a high adrenaline, fast paced, full contact survival game. This experience is not meant for the faint of heart, expectant mothers, claustrophobic, asthmatic, or those suffering from recent surgery, trauma, phobias, heart conditions, PTSD or any other mental, physical, or medical afflictions. Enter at your own risk.
Variant 31 is produced by Big Dreamer Productions and Stephen McGill Productions, in association with Rachel Kraftman Productions and MDR Productions.
Freckle Productions and Rose Theatre Kingston present Zog
From the book by Julia Donaldson with illustrations by Axel Scheffler
ZOG THE DRAGON FLIES
INTO STORYHOUSE NEXT WEEK
The highly anticipated family stage show Zog flies into Chester next week for three days at Storyhouse.
The production is based on the book by Julia Donaldson with illustrations by Axel Scheffler, which is being brought to life on stage through a UK tour which started earlier this month in Leeds.
Zog comes to Storyhouse from Friday 5 April to Sunday 7 April 2019, for six performances only. Tickets are on sale now.
The cast of actor-puppeteers will bring the world of Zog to life with handcrafted puppets, designed and created by Little Angel Theatre co-founder Lyndie Wright.
Zogis adapted and directed by Mike Shepherd (founder and Artistic Director of Kneehigh), with an original folk score by Johnny Flynn (currently starring in True West in the West End), and designs byKatie Sykes (Jane Eyre at the National Theatre).
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; Euan Wilson (Stick Man, UK Tour) as Madame Dragon; and Dixie McDevitt (National Youth Theatre alumni) as Ensemble.
Large in size and keen in nature, Zog is eager to win a golden star at Madam Dragon’s school, where dragons learn all the things that dragons need to know.
Zog tries so very hard, perhaps too hard, and he bumps, burns and roars his way through years one, two and three. Luckily, the plucky Princess Pearl patches him up ready to face his biggest challenge yet…a duel with a knight, Sir Gadabout the Great! Zog promises to be roaring fun for all ages.
Zog is produced by Freckle Productions and Rose Theatre Kingston. Freckle Productions’ most recent show is Tabby McTat, an adaptation of the book byJulia Donaldson, following their acclaimed productions of Tiddler and Other Terrific Tales and Stick Man.
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. It has gone on to become a perennial bestseller.
On Christmas Day 2018, Magic Light Pictures premiered an animated film ofZogon BBC One featuring an all-star cast, following their award-winning films The Gruffalo, Room on the Broom and Stick Man.
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 designer Lyndie Wright (Little Angel Theatre), puppet director Sarah Wright (Kneehigh’sBrief Encounter), and movement and circus consultant Tina Koch.
Zog is suitable for children and families of all ages. #Zog
Tickets for Zog are on sale now, £16 for adults and £14 for children. Each ticket is subject to a £1.50 booking fee. Group rates are available.
Evening Standard, Financial Times, Metro, The Observer, The Stage, Daily Telegraph, Time Out
Broadway World, Culture Whisper, LondonTheatre, What’s On Stage
JESUS HOPPED THE ‘A’ TRAIN
By Stephen Adly Guirgis
Directed by Kate Hewitt
Young Vic Main House
Final performance Saturday 6 April 7.30pm
Relaxed performance Wednesday 3 April 2.30pm
Just 15 performances remain of Jesus Hopped the ‘A’ Train, a critically acclaimed dark comedy about the American justice system and the contradictory nature of faith from Pulitzer Prize winner Stephen Adly Guirgis (The Motherf*cker with the Hat).
Inside the lockdown wing of Rikers Island prison, a frightened young man accused of murdering a cult leader is confronted with a charismatic born-again serial killer and a sadistic guard. Will one man’s redemption lead to another’s damnation?
The cast includes Oberon K. A. Adjepong (Lucius Jenkins), Matthew Douglas (Charlie D’Amico),Dervla Kirwan (Mary Jane Hanrahan), Ukweli Roach (Angel Cruz) and Joplin Sibtain (Valdez).
Director: Kate Hewitt; Set Designer: Magda Willi; Costume Designer: Kinnetia Isidore; Lighting Designer: Guy Hoare; Sound Designer: Peter Rice; Movement Director: Imogen Knight; UK Casting Director: Julia Horan CDG; US Casting Director: Jim Carnahan CSA
Stephen Adly Guirgis is a playwright, screenwriter, director, and actor. As a playwright, his other credits include Our Lady Of 121st Street, The Last Days of Judas Iscariot, Little Flower of East Orange, The Motherf*cker with the Hat, and Between Riverside and Crazy, which won the 2015 Pulitzer Prize for Drama. His television writing credits include NYPD Blue and The Get Down.
Kate Hewitt directs. Her theatre credits for the company include as director Far Away (JMK Young Director Award, 2014) and as Associate Director, Yerma. Her other directing credits includeFrost/Nixon, Tribes (Sheffield Theatres), The Ice Road (Raucous Theatre), Kiki’s Delivery Service,Tomcat (Southwark Playhouse), Romeo & Juliet (Ambassador’s Theatre) and Portrait (Edinburgh Festival/UK tour). As Associate Director her credits include, One Love: The Bob Marley Musical(Birmingham Rep), Charlie & The Chocolate Factory (Drury Lane), Medea (Headlong Theatre Company) and Electra (Gate Theatre/Latitude Festival).
Oberon K. A. Adjepong plays Lucius Jenkins. His theatre credits include Good Grief (Vineyard Theatre), TheWinter’s Tale, Measure For Measure, Pericles, Tamburlaine (TFANA), Homecoming Queen (Atlantic Theatre Company – AUDELCO nomination), Uncommon Sense (Tectonic Theater Project), Party People (The Public Theater), 12 Angry Men (The Billie Holiday Theatre), Like I Say,Cellophane (Flea Theatre), Mother Courage, The Blacks (The Classical Theater of Harlem/Classic Stage Company), Wabenzi (New Ohio Theatre), Hamlet Project (La MaMa), Sango (NBT – AUDELCO nomination). His television credits include Blacklist, The Knick and Louie; and for film,CrazyFamous and CrownHeights.
Matthew Douglas returns to the Young Vic to play D’Amico. His previous credits for the company include King Lear. Other theatre credits include An Inspector Calls (UK tour/Playhouse Theatre), Far from the Madding Crowd (The Watermill Theatre), The Widowing of Mrs Holroyd (The New Vic),Travesties, TheImportance of Being Ernest (Birmingham Rep), Hay Fever (West Yorkshire Playhouse), She Stoops to Conquer (Birmingham Rep/Chichester Festival Theatre/UK tour), The Big House (Abbey Theatre, Dublin), Salt Meets Wound (Theatre503), Hecuba (RSC/Albery Theatre) andOthello (international tour). His television credits include Miracle Landing on the Hudson; and for film,Papadopoulos and Sons.
Dervla Kirwan plays Mary Jane Hanrahan. Her theatre credits include King Lear, Frankie and Johnny, Uncle Vanya (Chichester Festival Theatre), Mr Foote’s Other Leg (Hampstead Theatre, Theatre Royal Haymarket), The Weir (Donmar Warehouse and West End), Betrayal (Donmar Warehouse), Aristocrats (National Theatre) and Hush (Royal Court Theatre). Her television credits include White Dragon, The Silence, Material Girl, True Dare Kiss, 55 Degrees North, Hearts and Bones, Ballykissangel and Goodnight Sweetheart; and for film, Trautmann, Interlude in Prague, Luna,Entity, Ondine and Dangerous Parking.
Ukweli Roach plays Angel Cruz. His theatre credits include Nightfall (Bridge Theatre), 5,6,7,8 (rough cuts) (Royal Court Theatre), Romeo & Juliet and Helen (Globe Theatre). Television credits includeHumans, Hard Sun, Blindspot (series 1 – 3), Dickensian, The Royals, Grantchester, Silk, Drifters,Starlings, Monroe and Eternal Law. Film credits include One Day, Streetdance 3D and Venus And The Son. Roach is Artistic Director of dance company Birdgang, touring with the Blaze international Hiphop dance show.
Joplin Sibtain plays Valdez. His theatre credits include The Beaux’ Stratagem, Dara, An Oak Tree,Behind The Beautiful Forevers, Othello, The Wind in the Willows, The Absence of War (National Theatre), Godchild (Hampstead Theatre), A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Shakespeare’s Globe), King Lear (Almeida Theatre), The King and I (Curve), An Enemy of the People (Sheffield Theatres), A Street Car Named Desire (Nuffield Southampton Theatres), The Crucible (Octagon Theatre Bolton),Indian Ink (Salisbury Playhouse), The Ark an The Covenant (Battersea Arts Centre), The Fall Guy,The Moonstone (Royal Exchange Theatre), and Romeo and Juliet (RSC). His television credits include Nightflyers, Safe, Hard Sun and No Offence; and for film, Honey in the Head and Naachle London.
Oberon K.A. Adjepong is appearing with the permission of UK Equity, incorporating the Variety Artistes’ Federation, pursuant to an exchange program between American Equity and UK Equity.
Based on The Cut in London’s Waterloo, we produce new plays, classics, musicals, adaptations of books, short films, digital projects and game changing forms of theatre. We attract large audiences from many different backgrounds, and forge deep connections in our neighbourhood where we provide extensive free activities. For many years the Young Vic has been synonymous with inclusivity, accessibility and creativity. We foster emerging talent and collaborate with some of the world’s finest directors, performers and creatives; creating productions that say much about the world we live in.
THE ROYAL SHAKESPEARE COMPANY ANNOUNCES ITS SIXTH RELAXED PERFORMANCE FOR MATILDA THE MUSICAL ON SUNDAY 9 JUNE 2019
Following the sold-out success of the previous relaxed performances of Matilda The Musical, theRoyal Shakespeare Company will present its sixth at the Cambridge Theatre at 3pm onSunday 9 June.
Building on the programme of relaxed performances that the RSC has been running in Stratford-upon-Avon since 2013, the RSC is proud to have been amongst the first to adopt and promote the concept. The National Autistic Society and Mousetrap Theatre Projects will again work closely with the RSC, offering full access to the theatre for people with autism and learning disabilities and their families.
The performance provides a relaxed environment for everyone, with elements of the production adapted to reduce anxiety or stress, and with lighting and sound levels adjusted to soften their impact. Audience etiquette throughout the whole theatre is also relaxed with all audience members given the freedom to make noise and/or move about the auditorium according to their needs without restriction. Designated ‘chill-out’ areas are provided outside the auditorium with soft seating and activities available for people to use if they want to take a break. All theatre staff, crew and company members also receive specialist training in advance to anticipate a wider range of different audience needs.
The Royal Shakespeare Company is offering tickets for the relaxed performance at the reduced rate of £25 and £10 which can be booked through the RSC Ticket Hotline (01789 331111) or in person at the Cambridge Theatre box office.
Specially trained staff will be able to help bookers by speaking to them directly and ensuring that all their specific needs and requirements are taken into consideration when assigning their seat allocation.
All bookers will be sent a visual story to help them familiarise themselves with the plot, characters and the setting before they arrive at the theatre. Detailed event and transport information will also be available from www.matildathemusical.com.
Seen by over 9 million people across more than 70 cities worldwide, the multi award-winning production is currently playing its eighth year in London, booking at the Cambridge Theatre until 24 May 2020.
Winner of 94 international awards including 23 for Best Musical, the hit show is now the longest running production to play at the Cambridge Theatre and is one of the top twenty longest running musicals in the West End having now welcomed over 3 million audience members in London.
The RSC’s Matilda The Musical UK and Ireland tour will have its Scottish premiere in Edinburgh Playhouse on Tuesday 2 April playing until 27 April before continuing on to Bristol Hippodrome (7 May- 8 June), Southampton Mayflower (11 June – 6 July) and Norwich Theatre Royal (16 July – 17 August).
Matilda The Musical is written by Dennis Kelly, with music and lyrics by Tim Minchin, and direction by Matthew Warchus. The production is designed by Rob Howell, with choreography byPeter Darling, orchestrations, additional music and musical supervision by Christopher Nightingale, lighting by Hugh Vanstone, sound by Simon Baker and the special effects and illusions are by PaulKieve.
Inspired by the incomparable Roald Dahl’s beloved book, Matilda The Musical was commissioned by the Royal Shakespeare Company and premiered at the RSC’s Stratford-upon-Avon home in November 2010, before transferring to London’s West End in October 2011, where it opened to rave reviews. The New York production of Matilda The Musical opened in April 2013 at Broadway’s Shubert Theatre and was celebrated on 10 “Top Ten” lists for 2013, including TIME Magazine’s #1 Show of the Year.
Matilda The Musical swept the board at the 2012 Olivier Awards, with a record-breaking seven awards, and won four Tony Awards and a Tony Honor for Excellence in the Theater for the four girls sharing the title role on Broadway.
The Australian and New Zealand production won a Sydney Theatre Award for Best Musical in 2015, and played sold-out seasons in Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, Adelaide and Auckland. The show broke further records in July 2016 by winning all 13 Helpmann Awards for which it was nominated. Matilda The Musical played its first non-English language production at the LG Arts Centre in Seoul, South Korea from September 2018 to February 2019.
Matilda The Musical is produced by the Royal Shakespeare Company with André Ptaszynski and Denise Wood as Executive Producers. The production was developed with the support of Jeanie O’Hare and the RSC Literary Department.
The global smash hit musical MAMMA MIA! celebrates its 20th anniversary in London’s West End at the Novello Theatre on Saturday 6 April. Since premiering in London in 1999, the irresistible feelgood musical has captured the hearts of millions around the globe.
The sunny, funny tale of a mother, a daughter and three possible dads on a Greek island idyll, all unfolding to the magic of ABBA’s timeless pop masterpieces, has now been seen live on stage by 65 million people across the world, and turned into two record-breaking movies – MAMMA MIA! The Movie and MAMMA MIA! Here We Go Again.
To celebrate the musical’s 20th anniversary, the producers of MAMMA MIA! will be offering 20 tickets for £20 on the day of performance for every performance throughout April 2019, either via the TodayTix app or todaytix.com (https://www.todaytix.com/x/london) or in person at the Novello Theatre Box Office.
A new booking period, from Monday 16 September 2019 to Saturday 7 March 2020, will open at 10.00am on Wednesday 3 April 2019.
The London cast of MAMMA MIA! currently stars Sara Poyzer as Donna, Kate Graham as Tanya, Ricky Butt as Rosie, Richard Trinder as Sam, Neil Moors as Harry, Stephen Beckett as Bill, Lucy May Barker as Sophie, Alec Porter as Sky, Charlotte O’Rourke as Ali, Leah St Luce as Lisa, Damian Buhagiar as Pepper and Eamonn Cox as Eddie, with Caroline Deverill playing the role of Donna Sheridan at certain performances.
Also in the cast are Chloe Ames, Chloe-Jo Byrnes, Adam Clayton-Smith, Adam Davidson, Luke Hall, Lauren Hampton, Jack Heasman, Jennifer Hepburn, Stuart Hickey, Zoe Humphryes, Mark Isherwood, Tyler Kennington, Robert Knight, Chanel Mian, James Willoughby Moore, Natasha O’Brien, Dean Read, Beth Relf, Annie Southall and Katy Stredder.
To date, MAMMA MIA! has been seen in 50 productions in 16 different languages grossing more than $2 billion at the box office. In 2011, it became the first Western musical ever to be staged in Mandarin in the People’s Republic of China. MAMMA MIA! is also currently playing a German-language tour in Germany, Austria and Switzerland, a Dutch-language production in Utrecht and a Mandarin-language production in China. Upcoming productions include a UK and International Tour and productions in Korea, Berlin and Denmark.
MAMMA MIA! originally opened in London at the Prince Edward Theatre on 6 April 1999, before transferring to the Prince of Wales Theatre in 2004, and then to the Novello Theatre in 2012.
The London production of MAMMA MIA! has been seen by over 8.9 million people, played over 8,000 performances and has broken box office records in all three of its London homes.
Produced by Judy Craymer, MAMMA MIA! The Movie became the highest grossing live action musical film of all time upon its release in 2008. A second film, MAMMA MIA! HERE WE GO AGAIN, opened in July 2018 and is the most successful live musical movie sequel of all time.
With music & lyrics by Benny Andersson & Björn Ulvaeus, MAMMA MIA! is written by Catherine Johnson, directed by Phyllida Lloyd and choreographed by Anthony Van Laast. The production is designed by Mark Thompson, with lighting design by Howard Harrison, sound design by Andrew Bruce & Bobby Aitken, and musical supervision, additional material & arrangements by Martin Koch.
MAMMA MIA! is produced by Judy Craymer, Richard East & Björn Ulvaeus for Littlestar in association with Universal.
LISTINGS INFORMATION
Novello Theatre
Aldwych
London WC2B 4LD
Ticket Prices: From £15.00
Performances until 14 September 2019 – a £2.25 per ticket booking fee applies to tickets booked online, and a £2.75 per ticket booking fee applies to tickets booked by phone. No booking fee on tickets purchased in person at the Novello Theatre Box Office.
Performances from 16 September 2019 onwards – a £2.50 per ticket booking fee applies to tickets booked online and by phone. No booking fee on tickets purchased in person at the Novello Theatre Box Office.
All prices include £1.25 restoration levy.
Early Bird Pricing – anyone booking four months or more in advance of the performance they are attending (Monday to Thursday performances only) will save £20 on Band A and Premium tickets, but only through Delfont Mackintosh Theatres, either online, in person at the theatre, or by calling the Novello Theatre Box Office.
Performance Times:
Monday – Saturday 7.45pm
Matinees – Thursday & Saturday 3.00pm*
* extra Tuesday matinees 22 October 2019 & 18 February 2020
Christmas 2019/20 Performance Schedule
Monday 23 December 3.00pm and 7.45pm
Tuesday 24 December NO PERFORMANCE
Wednesday 25 December NO PERFORMANCE
Thursday 26 December 7.45pm
Friday 27 December 3.00pm and 7.45pm
Saturday 28 December 3.00pm and 7.45pm
Monday 30 December 3.00pm and 7.45pm
Tuesday 31 December 3.00pm and 7.45pm
Wednesday 1 January 7.45pm
Thursday 2 January 3.00pm and 7.45pm
Friday 3 January 7.45pm
Saturday 4 January 3.00pm and 7.45pm
Currently booking to 7 March 2020
The performance lasts 2 hours and 35 minutes (including a 15-minute interval)
REHEARSAL IMAGES RELEASED FOR SECOND YEAR COMPANY OF
T I N A – T H E T I N A T U R N E R M U S I C A L
AT THE ALDWYCH THEATRE AS FULL CAST IS CONFIRMED
Final casting and rehearsal images are released today (26 March 2019) for the second year West End Company of TINA – THE TINA TURNER MUSICAL. Based on the life of legendary artist Tina Turner, this hit production is playing to packed houses at the Aldwych Theatre and currently booking to 21 December 2019.
From 15 April 2019, Nkeki Obi-Melekwe will lead the cast in the title role with Ashley Zhangazhaas Ike Turner. They are joined by Maria Omakinwa who will play the role of Tina’s mother Zelma,Aisha Jawando who will play the role of Tina at some performances each week, Irene-Myrtle Forrester as Tina’s Grandmother GG, Howard Gossington as Record Producer Phil Spector and Lyricist Terry Britten, Francesca Jackson as Ike and Tina’s manager Rhonda Graam,Ava Brennanas Tina’s sister Alline Bullock, Jammy Kasongo as Tina’s father Richard Bullock and Tina’s first love Raymond Hill, Edward Bourne as record company Marketing Manager Erwin Bach and Oscar Batterham as Tina’s Manager Roger Davies.
The children’s cast are Athea Andi, 11 years old from Richmond upon Thames, Navaeah Hoath, 11 years old from Bromley and Fayth Ifil, 11 years old from Swindon,who share the role of Young Anna Mae, Perola Da Cunha, 11 years old from Hackney, Jasmine Djazel, 9 years old from Wandsworth and Teri Ofon, 12 years old from Surrey, who share the role of Young Alline andRomell Barrocks-Bedeau, 9 years old from Lamberth, Riotafari Gardner, 8 years old from Brent and Myles Grant, 8 years old from Hertfordshire, and who share the role of Young Craig.
Directed by Phyllida Lloyd and written by Katori Hall with Frank Ketelaar and Kees Prins,TINA – THE TINA TURNER MUSICAL is choreographed by Anthony van Laast, with set and costume designs by Mark Thompson, musical supervision by Nicholas Skilbeck, lighting byBruno Poet,sound by Nevin Steinberg, projection design by Jeff Sugg and orchestrations byEthan Popp.
A 2018 graduate of the The University of Michigan’s School of Music, Theater and Dance, Nkeki Obi-Melekwe will make her West End debut in the title role. She made her professional off-Broadway debut last month in Alice by Heart at Robert W. Wilson MCC Theater Space. Her television credits include Smilf for Showtime and Bull for CBS.
Ashley Zhangazha was last on stage in Death of a Salesman at the Royal Exchange in Manchester where he also appeared in Hamlet and Guys and Dolls, for which he won Best Performance in a Musical at 2018 UK Theatre awards. His other theatre credits include Henry V and Fences in the West End, Pericles and Danton’s Death for the National Theatre, A Raisin in the Sun and Macbeth (for which he won the Ian Charleson Award) at the Sheffield Crucible, Terror for the Lyric Hammersmith,Ah, Wilderness! for the Young Vic, Human Animals, Belong and Truth and Reconciliation for the Royal Court and Richard II and King Lear at the Donmar Warehouse. His television credits include Victoria II, Humans and Ordinary Lies.
The critically acclaimed production received its world premiere in April 2018 in London and subsequently has broken all Box Office records at the Aldwych Theatre. Earlier this month the German premiere of TINA – THE TINA TURNER MUSICAL began performances at the Stage Operettenhaus in Hamburg and the musical will have its Broadway premiere in Autumn 2019. In February this year a new music video of River Deep – Mountain High was released featuringAdrienne Warren performing the track from the original cast album. This was followed by the release of the single The Hunter featuring Kobna Holdbrook-Smith. The full album is now available for pre-order and is scheduled to be released for digital download and streaming shortly.
TINA – THE TINA TURNER MUSICAL is nominated for Best Musical at the 2019 Olivier awards with Adrienne Warren nominated for Best Actress in a Musical and Kobna Holdbrook-Smith for best Actor in a Musical.
TINA – THE TINA TURNER MUSICAL is produced in the West End by Stage Entertainment,Joop van den Ende and Tali Pelman, in association with Tina Turner. Nkeki Obi-Melekwe will be appearing with the support of UK Equity, incorporating the Variety Artistes’ Federation, pursuant to an exchange program between American Equity and UK Equity.
