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Stars of stage and screen to play Bath in award-winning Broadway hit comedy about love, marriage and squirrels!

THE REALISTIC JONESES

By Will Eno; Directed by Simon Evans

Ustinov Studio, Thursday 6 February – Saturday 7 March

Next month, the Ustinov Studio hosts the latest in its internationally acclaimed programme of UK premieres, the award-winning comedy, THE REALISTIC JONESES -a hilarious, quirky and touching portrait of marriage, life and squirrels, starring screen favourites Corey Johnson and Sharon Small.

Will Eno’s play begins in a suburban backyard one bucolic evening where Bob and Jennifer Jones, and their new neighbours, John and Pony Jones, find they have more in common than their identical homes and last name. The couples find they are drawn to each other and their desperate attempts to connect evolve into a funny, intimate and profound meditation on life.

Corey Johnson’s television credits include playing Donald Trump in Channel 4’s The Windsors and the Doctor Who episode, Dalek. His many film credits include Hellboy, Kingsman: The Secret Service, Captain Phillips and The Bourne Ultimatum. Stage credits include A Streetcar Named Desire in New York, the National Theatre’s production of Man and Superman and West End roles in Enron, Frost/Nixon and Popcorn.

Sharon Small is well-known as DS Barbara Havers in The Inspector Lynley Mysteries, and Trudi Malloy in the BBC drama Mistresses. Film credits include About A Boy. She recently toured in the West Yorkshire Playhouse production of Still Alice.

They are joined by Jack Laskey, who has played numerous roles for the RSC, and plays DS Peters in ITV’s Endeavour, and Olivier Award nominee Clare Foster, whose West End credits include Travesties, Merrily We Roll Along, Avenue Q and Crazy For You.

The Realistic Joneses appeared on Broadway in 2014, where it received a Drama Desk Special Award and was named Best Play on Broadway by USA Today, and best American play of 2014 by The Guardian. It was named as one of the “25 best American plays since Angels in America” by the New York Times. Will Eno’s play The Open House was on both TIME Magazine and Time Out New York’s Top Ten Plays of 2014 and was staged in the Ustinov Studio in 2017.

Director Simon Evans has worked at the Trafalgar Studios, the Donmar Warehouse, the National Theatre and the Bush where his recent credits include Will Eno’s Thom Pain (based on nothing), Killer Joe, The Resistible Rise of Arturo Ui and The Dazzle. He is also a two-time recipient of the Close-Up Magician of the Year Award.

THE REALISTIC JONESES is at the Ustinov Studio from Thursday 6 February – Saturday 7 March. Tickets are on sale now from the Box Office on 01225 448844 or online at www.theatreroyal.org.uk/ustinov

CELEB CHEF GLYNN PURNELL TRANSFORMS

INTO THE FAIREST DAME OF THEM ALL

This week, Brummie celebrity Chef, Glynn Purnell swapped the kitchen for kitsch as he went behind the scenes at Birmingham Hippodrome’s Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs for a larger than life makeover.

Andrew Ryan, who plays Nanny Annie Aspirin in the show and has played the role of dame in pantos up and down the country for some thirty years, gave Glynn a head-to-toe makeover to become the fairest dame of them all including a full face of make-up, fluttering fake eyelashes, a show-stopping outfit and an outrageous new hairdo.

Audience favourite Matt Slack also took a break from performances to teach Glynn a series of pantomime tongue twisters and the art of being an on-stage comic.

Glynn Purnell said “It was a fantastic experience going behind the scenes at Birmingham Hippodrome’s spectacular pantomime. My family and I have been coming annually to the show for many years and it was a real treat to get a taste of life backstage. Thanks to the honed skills of Andrew Ryan and Matt Slack, I have realised a dream of mine I never knew I had, to become Birmingham’s bearded brummie panto dame!”

Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs features Lesley Joseph as the Wicked Queen, Matt Slack as Muddles, Joe McElderry asThe Spirit in the Mirror, Faye Brookes asSnow White, Flawless as The Wicked Queen’s Men, Doreen Tipton asThe Lady in Waiting, Andrew Ryan as Nanny Annie Aspirin and Jac Yarrow as The Prince.

Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs runs at Birmingham Hippodrome until Sunday 2 February 2020. To book visit birminghamhippodrome.com or call 0844 338 5000 (4.5p per minute plus your phone company’s access charge). 

The Lowry, Salford, Greater Manchester – until 18 January 2020

Reviewed by Angharad Crabtree

5*****

It can be difficult to ensure that such a traditional story still maintains its original charm, however this was perfectly executed by Stephen Daldry in this ‘murder mystery’-esque tale. The audience was kept on the edge of their seats by the unexpected twists and turns of J B Priestley’s classic thriller, yet this tension could not have been executed without clever direction and enchanting performances by the cast. So engaged were the viewers, that audible gasps and gestures of surprise were seen on more than one occasion, which is no surprise given the sheer volume of plot twists entwined in the storyline.

The setting also added a unique level of ambience. The rain and mist woven into the storyline gave a rich feeling of pathetic fallacy, as well as adding a general dimness to the whole situation. This was additionally emphasized by the dramatic additions of sudden lighting and music changes. On the other hand, the stage itself changed minimally throughout the performance, with the cast making small adjustments throughout to give a different angle of the Edwardian house where the family in question reside. This meant that any required changes were seamless, whilst not detracting the audience’s attention from the most important element of the play, the dialogue.

The inspector himself, Inspector Goole (played by Liam Brennan) was performed with a perfect level of curtness, combined with empathy and concern for the deceased. This resulted in the inspector becoming a likeable character for the audience to side with and root for, acting the role of almost the conscience for the affluent Birling family. The role of Arthur Birling (Jeffrey Harmer) gave the audience feelings to the contrary, excellently portraying a nonchalant attitude toward the poorer half of society, which well reflected a common theme that was present in 1912. In a similar vein, his wife Sybil Birling (Christine Kavanagh) also presented very haughty and unsympathetic viewpoints, showing how their generation were very set in their traditional opinions of the world. In contrast, the two children of theirs Sheila (Chloe Orrock) and Eric (Ryan Saunders) were considerably more sympathetic and remorseful of their actions, showing how despite their upbringing, it wasn’t too late for these two to realign their worldviews. All in all, a fantastically thought-provoking and stimulating performance.

BIRMINGHAM ROYAL BALLET CELEBRATES VALENTINE’S WEEKEND WITH A ROMANTIC FLOURISH OF EXQUISITE ORCHESTRAL CLASSICS AND PAS DE DEUX

Birmingham Royal Ballet and its internationally acclaimed orchestra, the Royal Ballet Sinfonia led by Principal Conductor Paul Murphy, present an exquisite evening of romance with A Valentine’s Celebration of Music and Dance this February. Birmingham Royal Ballet Director Carlos Acosta will introduce the company from the stage of Birmingham’s magnificent Symphony Hall on Friday 14 February 2020, and on Saturday 15 February 2020 the company and Royal Ballet Sinfonia will perform together for the first time at Warwick Arts Centre.

Birmingham Royal Ballet offers an elegant pairing of music and dance over this year’s Valentine’s weekend; a perfect matchmaking of its world-class dancers performing sumptuous pas de deux from the romantic classical canon, including Swan Lake, Romeo and Juliet, Don Quixote and a world premiere of choreography by First Soloist Kit Holder, along with the Royal Ballet Sinfonia, Britain’s most prolific ballet orchestra, performing stunning orchestral highlights from Puccini, Prokofiev and Tchaikovsky.

Valentine’s Day will mark Carlos Acosta’s first public appearance as Birmingham Royal Ballet’s Director, as he takes to the stage at Birmingham’s Symphony Hall in conversation with the night’s compere, BBC One’s Midlands Today Presenter, Nick Owen (Good Morning with Anne and Nick).

Birmingham Royal Ballet will visit Coventry’s Warwick Arts Centre for the first time, with A Valentine’s Celebration of Music and Dance on Saturday 15 February. This second night of performances will be compered by Dr Ranj Singh, This Morning Doctor in Residence (and former Strictly Come Dancing contestant), who previously presented a live broadcast from Birmingham Royal Ballet as part of BBC Arts and One Dance UK’s #DancePassion festival in April last year.

PROGRAMME:

Gershwin: Girl Crazy Overture

Tchaikovsky/ Petipa: Swan Lake Act III (White Swan) Pas de Deux and coda
Cast: Samara Downs & Yasuo Atsuji

Prokofiev: Waltz and Midnight Act II from Cinderella

Reade/ Bintley: Far from the Madding Crowd swordplay Pas de Deux
Cast: Delia Mathews & Tyrone Singleton

Rodgers/ Bennett: Oklahoma selection

Messager/ Ashton: The Two Pigeons pas de deux
Cast: Maureya Lebowitz & Max Maslen

INTERVAL

Tchaikovsky: Polonaise from Eugene Onegin

Grieg/ Holder: Piano Concerto and The Breath We Took (World Premier)

Cast: Céline Gittens & Brandon Lawrence
           Rosanna Ely, Alys Shee, Alexander Yap, Haoliang Feng

Puccini: Manon Lescaut Intermezzo

Prokofiev/ MacMillan: Romeo and Juliet balcony Pas de Deux
Cast: Yaoqian Shang & César Morales

Lehár: The Merry Widow Overture

Minkus/ Petipa: Don Quixote Pas de Deux and Solos
Cast: Momoko Hirata & Mathias Dingman

Historic cinema takes to the road with major redevelopment set to begin

With the Hyde Park Picture House set to close its doors and begin work on a major development from the end of February, it was announced at an event held on Tuesday 14 January, that the cinema will continue screening films throughout 2020, with the launch of its On the Road film programme.

Starting mid-February, the cinema will begin screening an exciting mix of new independent films, documentaries, cult-classics and family favourites – working in partnership with venues across the city, including Leeds University Union, Heart in Headingley, The Brunswick and the Brudenell Social Club.

This follows the announcement last year that the UK’s last remaining gas-lit cinema has secured a National Lottery Heritage Fund grant of £2.3million to deliver The Picture House Project, that will see the Grade II listed building undergo essential repair and restoration work, alongside the creation of new accessible facilities including a brand new second screen.

At the event, Head of Cinema Wendy Cook and Page Park architect Mark Johnston delivered a project update to partners and stakeholders, detailing the ways in which the cinema’s unique heritage features will be repaired, including the cinema’s nine gas-lights.

Wendy Cook, Head of Cinema said:

“The Picture Houses’ story has been over 100 years in the making, shaped by hundreds of thousands of film lovers. Having the opportunity to safeguard the cinema for another 100 years is both a privilege and a pleasure. “   

It was also announced that Francis Lee, the BAFTA-nominated writer and director of the acclaimed 2017 hit God’s Own Country, is set to become the Picture House’s first ever patron. Yorkshire-born and an avid supporter of the cinema, Lee is currently working on his new film Ammonite starring Kate Winslet and Saoirse Ronan, due for release later this year.

Filmmaker & Hyde Park Picture House Patron Francis Lee said:

” I am delighted to be the patron of Hyde Park Picture House. It is a huge honour. The Picture House team have been very supportive of me from the beginning of my career as a film maker; our association beginning in 2012 when they screened my very first short film.

Hyde Park Picture House is a vital part of the cultural identity of not just Leeds, but the surrounding area, offering an incredible mix of cinema, community involvement and support to local film makers. I am very excited to see how the Picture House continues to evolve and grow.”

Local sponsors Kirkstall Brewery also announced plans to brew an exclusive beer with the cinema this spring as part of the cinema’s community fundraising campaign, with 20% off all sales going towards the project.

The Picture House Project will see the cinema undergo essential conservation work to the façade and existing auditorium, alongside the creation of new facilities, including a larger foyer space and a second screen located in the cinema’s large basement. The project will also allow the cinema’s rich history to be explored and celebrated through archival screenings, heritage tours and educational workshops – helping to tell the story of film making and film watching in the region.

As well as support from the National Lottery Heritage Fund, the project has only been made possible thanks to significant backing from Leeds City Council and the Garfield Weston Foundation; alongside funding support from Film Hub North, Leeds Inspired the Pilgrim Trust, the Gwyneth Forrester Trust and the Co-op Community Fund.

The Leader of Leeds City Council Councillor Judith Blake said:

“The Picture House is a rare cultural gem in our city and Leeds City Council is delighted to play a vital part in securing its future.

With work on The Picture House Project set to coincide with Channel 4’s move to Leeds and the opening of Screen Yorkshire’s new Film Office, it has never been a more exciting time for film and television in our city. Collectively this brings us another step closer to making Leeds a truly innovative city, one that uses culture to shine a light on what is possible.”

Paul Scholey, Chairperson of the Leeds Grand Theatre and Opera House Board, added:

“As custodians of three of Leeds’ most historic cultural venues, we’re very proud of the important role Hyde Park Picture House plays in making our city so special.

Finding a way to preserve historic buildings, which is both true to the story of the building and of value to the community who enjoy it, is a challenge. But with the support of the many fantastic partners we’ve had on this project, we feel more confident than ever that we have found that way forward, and as a result, the future of this wonderful gas-lit cinema is secured at last.”

The cinema remains open as normal until the end of February with a busy upcoming schedule of the latest new independent releases, including Jojo Rabbit, 1917, Waves, The Lighthouse and Parasite.

Trafalgar Studios – until 1 February 2020

Review by Elizabeth J Smith

4****

Coming Clean is a play about relationships, friendship, love, betrayal and sex. Set in the early 80’s before the Aids epidemic struck. A time when it seemed every gay man could have his cake and eat it, as much and as often as he liked, with no consequence or is there?

We follow Tony, an aspiring writer who doesn’t write much, and Greg, a successful American writer, as they celebrate their 5 year anniversary.  They have an open relationship and their commitment to each other is to only sleep with any other man once and never at their home. 

They live in a  squalid flat where Tony is expected to play housewife and resents this assumption as it stops him from writing. While Greg is away on business Tony visits the disco’s of London with his neighbour William enjoying all sorts of one night stands. Tony decides to employ a cleaner and we see the arrival of Robert.  Robert is an out of work actor making ends meet by cleaning houses and cooking on the side. His arrival seems to unbalance the equilibrium of Tony and Gregs polyamorous relationship.

A big congratulations to Elliot Hadley and his portrayal of William the neighbour. His mannerisms and facial expressions  were extremely funny, as well as tear evoking in the after attack scene. Then again brought tears of laughter for his German gay man who typified the 80’s gay scene to me.

Jonah Rzeskiewicz, played timid Robert superbly. With his self doubt shinning through from his entrance but growing in confidence as the piece expands the story. 

Lee Knight, Tony, gave a very emotional performance of a man who really just wants “married bliss” but goes down the sharing road to keep his man.

Stanton Plummer-Cambridge, Greg, showed us how a successful gay man could impose his will on others who he saw as slightly less in their standing.

Some may say this play was dated but I believe it showed the similarities between all relationships whether gay or straight, now or then. How sacrifices are quite often made by one partner to please and appease the other. How we are all in search of a place to be safe, loved, liked and cared for.

With laughter, tears and a little nudity a thoroughly enjoyable insight into the gay world.

New Victoria Theatre, Woking – until Saturday 18 January 2020

Reviewed by Alexandra Sykes

5*****

Peter Pan Goes Wrong has crashed into Woking and things started to go wrong, in a good way, from the start.

First of all, stage manager Tessa (Ava Pickett) couldn’t find a hammer and then had to help reroute a cable to enable the electrics to work, and this was before the show started. Once the show got underway, it was clear things were never going to go smoothly. With dodgy electrics, Nana the dog (Oliver Senton) getting stuck in the door and the Darling children’s bunk bed collapsing with the children in the bed, laughs were a plenty. Although Chris (Tom Babbage) keeps remind the audience that it is not a pantomime, there are plenty of shouts of “he’s behind you” and the ever popular ” oh yes it is/oh no it isn’t” which annoys him and prompts him to remark that this is what happens when the theatre is inside a shopping centre.

The set is impressive, set on rotating platform which shows the Darling children’s nursery, Peter Pan’s hideout and Captain Hooks ship. However it does have its downfalls as the cast keep saying it uses a lot of electricity and it doesn’t always work when it is meant to, which becomes clear when it constantly spins whilst the cast are trying to have a sword fight.

The cast work well together, even with some understudies having to step in but the true star of the show was Fred Gray, who played Michael Darling and the crocodile. He captured the audiences hearts when it is revealed he is in love with the shows leading lady (Katy Daghorn) and he was only given a part in the show due to his uncle donating money to the production. Although things don’t always go his way he does end up with the girl of his dreams in the end.

All in all a very good show with lots of laughs for all the family, this is a show that will never be the same twice and will leave audiences laughing for days.

Crime and Comedy Theatre Company PRESENTS

A NEW PRODUCTION OF ROBIN HAWDON’S PSYCHOLOGICAL THRILLER
REVENGE

Directed by LOUISE JAMESON

Opening Thursday 6^TH February at Greenwich Theatre before touring nationally

Louise Jameson (EastEnders, Doctor Who, Bergerac) will direct a new stage production of Robin Hawdon’s suspense-filled thriller Revenge. The play opens at Greenwich Theatre, London, on 6^th February before touring the UK.

Revenge tells the story of Bill Crayshaw MP, who leads a charmed life: he’s hailed in the corridors of Parliament, lauded in business, and loved at home. That is until he returns from a business trip to find his party agent has been killed. Was it a terrible, tragic accident? Or, are the circumstances more sinister? Mary Stewart is determined to find out, and she seems prepared to go to extraordinary lengths to discover the truth. But what is her motive? Journalism, blackmail, seduction or… revenge?

Louise Jameson has had a number of high-profile acting roles on television. In the 1970s, she starred as Leela, the companion of Tom Baker’s Doctor Who in the iconic BBC series. Later, she had a leading role as Blanche Simmons in the first two series of Tenko, before starring for five years in Bergerac as Susan Young, Jim Bergerac’s girlfriend. In the mid-1980s, she played Tania Braithwaite, Pandora’s mother, in both The Secret Diary of Adrian Mole Aged 13 3/4 and The Growing Pains of Adrian Mole for Thames Television. Soap fans will recognise Louise as EastEnders’ Rosa DiMarco, a part she played in over 200 episodes.

Recent theatre tours include Mrs Boyle in The Mousetrap and Miss Marple in A Murder Is Announced.  She also appeared in Alan Ayckbourn’s Ten Times Table at The Mill At Sonning and Alan Bennett’s The Madness of George III at Nottingham Playhouse. Louise also writes, directs and performs with Big Finish Productions. Their most recent audio production Ata Girl, about World War II female pilots, was nominated for a BBC Audio Award. 

Bill Crayshaw MP will be played by Jonathan McGarrity. Jonathan graduated from Arts Ed in 2015 and has since appeared in Coronation Street, Outlander, and toured with The Full Monty. Most recently, Jonathan played Bob Cratchit in Blixten & Co’s production of A Christmas Carol in Stockholm.

Kate Ashmead will play Mary Stewart. Following training at Birmingham School of Speech and Drama, Kate has performed a variety of roles onstage and screen. Theatre credits include Miss Prism in The Importance Of Being Earnest (tour, Palchetto Stage), Rita in Educating Rita (Regent Theatre), and Wait Until Dark (Mowlem Theatre). On screen, Kate starred in the short film Intangible alongside Arthur Darville and Phoebe Waller-Bridge.

Revenge is produced by Martin Parsons for Crime and Comedy Theatre Company. Lighting design is by Claire Childs, fight direction is by Dan Styles, and set construction & props by Snugglebean Ltd.

WEBSITE | TWITTER | FACEBOOK

TOUR DATES

Thu 6^th – Sat 8^th February                                                                                           

Box Office: 0208 858 7755

Greenwich Theatre                                                                                

greenwichtheatre.org.uk

Tue 11^th – Wed 12^th February                                                                                

Box Office: 01344 484 123

Wilde Theatre, Bracknell                                                                          

southhillpark.org.uk

Thu 13^th – Sat 15^th February                                                                                      

Box Office: 02476 553 055

Belgrade Theatre, Coventry                                                                      

Belgrade.co.uk

Mon 17^th –  Tue 18^th February                                                                                   

Box Office: 01785 619 080

Stafford Gatehouse Theatre                                                                     staffordgatehousetheare.co.uk

Thu 20^th – Sat 22^nd February                                                                                      

Box Office: 01983 868 000

Shanklin Theatre, Isle of Wight                                                                

shanklintheatre.com

Tue 25^th February                                                                                                         

Box Office: 01264 368 368

The Lights, Andover                                                                                 

thelights.org.uk

Wed 26^th February                                                                                                        

Box Office: 01205 363 108

Blackfriars Theatre, Boston                                                                      blackfriarsartscentre.co.uk

Fri 28^th February                                                                                                            

Box Office: 01704 533 333

The Atkinson, Southport                                                                       

theatkinson.co.uk

Sat 29^th February                                                                                                           

Box Office: 01325 633 296/255

Majestic Theatre, Darlington                                                                                     

majestictheatre-lee.com

Mon 2^nd – Tue 3^rd March                                                                                            

Box Office: 01438 363 200

Gordon Craig Theatre, Stevenage                                                            

gordon-craig.co.uk

Wed 4^th March                                                                                                              

Box Office: 01245 606 505

Chelmsford Civic Theatre                                                                          Chelmsford.gov.uk/theatres

Fri 6^th – Sat 7^th March                                                                                                  

Box Office: 01539 440 872

Old Laundry Theatre, Windermere                                                        

oldlaundrytheatre.co.uk

Wed 11^th March                                                                                                            

Box Office: 01623 633133

Mansfield Palace Theatre                                                                          

mansfieldpalace.co.uk

Thu 12^th – Sat 14^th March                                                                                         

Box Office: 01962 840 440

Theatre Royal, Winchester                                                                         theatreroyalwinchester.co.uk

Wed 18^th – Thu 19^th March                                                                                        

Box Office: 01823 283 244

Brewhouse Theatre, Taunton                                                                    

thebrewhouse.net

Fri 20^th – Sat 21^st March                                                                                             

Box Office: 01202 885566

Tivoli Theatre, Wimborne                                                                     

tivoliwimborne.co.uk

Tues 24^th – 28^th March                                                                                                

Box Office: 0203 292 0002

Fairfield Halls, Croydon                                                                           

fairfield.co.uk

Aylesbury Waterside Theatre – until Saturday 18 January 2020

Reviewed by Annie Hughes

4****

Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat burst on to the stage of Aylesbury Waterside Theatre last night and what an explosion of colour and joy it was! Seeking inspiration from the least likely of places for a musical, Joseph tells the old testament story of Joseph, son of Jacob, and brother to eleven siblings burning with jealousy. It is most definitely a story with a moral, a story of brotherhood, jealousy, forgiveness and redemption, all packaged in the most comic, glitzy yet heart-warming way.

The show had every you could want as a theatre goer from the catchy Rice and Webber songs executed perfectly by the lead singers to the adorable yet without doubt highly professional Joseph Choir provided by the Peploe-Williams Academy of Theatre and Performing arts. Equally enjoyable were, for the dance lovers in the audience, some wonderful dance breaks choreographed by Henry Metcalfe and Gary Lloyd.

The whole show is colourful, vibrant and the audience were beaming, clapping and laughing throughout. But the most brilliant moment of the show, when the whole audience were left silenced, was undoubtedly Mark McMullan as Joseph’s astounding solo rendition of “Close Every Door” while in a jail cell. The emotional depth that is reached during that song as well as the sheer power of McMullan’s voice really does raise the whole calibre of the show. No wonder he was a Britain’s Got Talent finalist! Honestly, your ticket is worth it only for these few minutes!

At times the musical can feel a bit erratic and somewhat perplexing, such as when the brothers break out in to a Calypso number with Samba dancers in the background which somewhat distracts from the emotions that one would expect to feel for brother Benjamin who has been framed for theft. Nevertheless, this can be forgiven as what this production of Joseph does so well is transport the audience; you are transported in to a world of magical theatre, transported in to a world where dreaming is possible and I was certainly transported to my memory of my very first year 6 production of Joseph when I fell in love with musicals.

So if you are a dreamer and want to be transported to an evening of musical bliss, you must go go go get a ticket for Joseph!

CAST ANNOUNCED FOR THE LAST QUIZ NIGHT ON EARTH

Innovative new play from Box of Tricks theatre company

Award winning Box of Tricks theatre company recently announced plans for a UK Tour of their latest production The Last Quiz Night on Earth an immersive, innovative new play by Alison Carr.

Today the company can announce the cast for the unique production which will be staged in urban and rural venues across the country, including theatres, village halls, community arts centres and local pubs.

Pub Landlady Kathy will be played by Meriel Scholfield; Meriel trained at RADA and is a regular on TV with appearances in all the major soaps including Coronation Street, fans may recognise her from numerous appearances on the famous cobbles, she has also appeared in Last Tango in Halifax, Holby City and Doctors.

Shaban Dar takes the role of ‘host with the most’, pre-apocalyptic Quizmaster Rav. Shaban is a familiar face in theatre with credits including I Believe in Unicorns (Theatre Alibi),  Peggin Out (Unheard Theatre) and Brink (Royal Exchange Theatre).

Unexpected guests Bobby and Fran played by Chris Jack and Amy Drake bring plenty of drama to the piece when they arrive at the quiz with some unresolved business.

Chris Jack has appeared in a number of stage plays including Beryl (Octagon Theatre),  Noughts and Crosses (Pilot Theatre/ Derby Theatre/ Coventry Belgrade)  and Brighton Rock (York Theatre Royal/ Pilot Theatre); his TV credits include Hollyoaks, Coronation Street and Emmerdale.

Amy Drake’s TV credits include Cold Feet, Hollyoaks and Emmerdale. In theatre Amy has appeared in several productions including A Christmas Carol (Theatr Clwyd) and My Mother Said I Never Should (Theatre by the Lake)

The cast of four will embark upon a UK tour throughout Spring 2020 –connecting with audiences in the heart of local communities.

The tour opens at the Welcome Inn in Salford, in association with The Lowry, from Tuesday 11 February to Saturday 15 February 2020, before touring unusual spaces until Saturday 11 April 2020.

The latest tour from Box of Tricks follows two sold-out tours of critically acclaimed Chip Shop Chips. Pre-apocalyptic comedy, The Last Quiz Night on Earth,breaks the fourth wall, plunging audiences in to the drama of the show.

It’s the final countdown. Landlady Kathy invites audiences to the last quiz night on earth with Quizmaster Rav. He’s the host with the most. But with time ticking, some unexpected guests turn up out of the blue. Bobby wants to settle old scores, and Fran wants one last shot at love. Expect the unexpected to the bitter end and plenty of drama as the show gets quizzical!

The Last Quiz Night on Earth is written by Alison Carr, directed by Hannah Tyrrell-Pinder, associate producer is Max Emmerson, with design by Katie Scott.

Playwright Alison Carr received critical acclaim for her plays Caterpillar and Iris, and her play Tuesday has been commissioned for the National Theatre’s 2020 Connections programme.

Announcing the cast Director Hannah Tyrrell-Pinder said: “We’re really excited to announce the cast for our latest tour. We have four exceptionally talented actors and I’m looking forward to creating a great piece of immersive theatre – and a great night out – with them.”

Website:         www.boxoftrickstheatre.co.uk

Facebook:       www.facebook.com/boxoftrickstheatre
Twitter:           @bottc #LastQuizNight

Instagram:      @boxoftrickstheatre

Box of Tricks is an award-winning new writing theatre company based in Manchester. They are an Associate Company at the Stephen Joseph Theatre.

LISTING INFORMATION

THE LAST QUIZ NIGHT ON EARTH

Running time approximately 120 minutes including interval

Age guidance 14+

THE WELCOME INN, SALFORD (in association with The Lowry)

Tuesday 11 February – Saturday 15 February 2020, 7.30pm

Tickets: From £12

Booking: https://thelowry.com/whats-on/last-quiz-night-on-earth/

HIGHLIGHTS NORTH (Various Venues)

Thursday 20 February – Saturday 22 February 2020, 7.30pm

Tickets: From £8

Booking: https://highlightsnorth.co.uk/event/the-last-quiz-night-on-earth-by-box-of-tricks-theatre-company/

THE HOLBECK, SLUNG LOW, LEEDS

Sunday 23 February 2020, 5pm

Tickets: PWYD (Pay what you decide)

Booking: https://www.slunglow.org/event/the-last-quiz-on-earth/

ARTS OUT WEST, KIRKGATE (Various Venues)

Thursday 27February – Sunday 1March 2020, 7.30pm

Tickets: From £8

Booking: https://www.kirkgatearts.org.uk/arts-out-west/

HOPE MILL THEATRE, MANCHESTER
Monday 2 March – Wednesday 4 March 2020, 7.30pm

Tickets: £12/10

Booking: https://hopemilltheatre.co.uk/events/the-last-quiz-night-on-earth

SPOT ON LANCASHIRE (Various venues)

Thursday 5 March – Sunday 8March 2020

Booking: http://spotonlancashire.co.uk/whats-on/

BANK TOP TAVERN (in association with Oldham Coliseum & live@thelibrary)

Monday 16 March – Tuesday 17 March 2020, 7.30pm

Tickets: £10

Booking https://www.coliseum.org.uk/plays/the-last-quiz-night-on-earth/

BLACK COUNTRY TOURING (Various venues)

Wednesday 18 March 2020 – Thursday 19March 2020

Tickets: £8/7

Booking: http://bctouring.co.uk/whats-on/

POCKLINGTON ARTS CENTRE

Friday 20March 2020

Booking: https://www.pocklingtonartscentre.co.uk/

NORTHWICH MEMORIAL COURT
Saturday 21 March 2020

Booking: https://www.brioleisure.org/what-we-offer/entertainment/whats-on

STEPHEN JOSEPH THEATRE, SCARBOROUGH
Tuesday 24 March – Wednesday 25March 2020, 7.30pm

Tickets: From £10

Booking: https://www.sjt.uk.com/event/940/the_last_quiz_night_on_earth

HIGHLIGHTS NORTH (Various venues)
Thursday 26 March – Sunday 29 March 2020, 7.30pm

Tickets: £10

Booking: https://highlightsnorth.co.uk/event/the-last-quiz-night-on-earth-by-box-of-tricks-theatre-company/

THE BURNTWOOD PUB, BUCKLEY (in association with Theatr Clwyd)
Tuesday 31 March – Wednesday 1 April 2020, 7pm

Tickets: £10

Booking: https://www.theatrclwyd.com/en/whats-on/the-last-quiz-night-on-earth/

CHESHIRE RURAL TOURING ARTS (Various venues)

Friday 3 April – Sunday 5 April 2020

Booking: http://www.cheshireruraltouringarts.co.uk/whats-on/

THE TWO TUBS, BURY

RADCLIFFE MARKET

RAMSBOTTOM CIVIC HALL

(in association with The Met, Bury)

Tuesday 7 April – Thursday 9 April 2020

Booking: https://themet.org.uk/whats-on/

THE DUKES, LANCASTER

Friday 10 April – Saturday 11 April 2020

Booking: https://dukes-lancaster.org/events/theatre/