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The Royal Exchange Theatre, Manchester – until 25 January 2020

Reviewed by Joseph Everton

4****

After years of being the second best sister, craving her mother’s attention, Louise, or Gypsy Rose Lee, burst onto American stages, emerging from the shadows to become a legendary performer in Burlesque. Jo Davies’ production, which tells the story of Louise’s childhood, brings together a strong cast, some clever staging and dazzling lighting by Colin Grenfell.

Reminiscent of American reality TV dross, Dance Moms, Rose (Ria Jones) is the ultimate pushy parent. Utterly determined for her favourite daughter June to achieve fame, Rose drags the family across the country, performing the same routine, with June thrust to the fore, in an attempt to make a life for her daughters that she was never able to obtain. Rose is a steely, unrelenting character who is sometimes difficult to like. However, Ria Jones’ Rose is more warm than some of her predecessors with much made of of the bond between her daughters and her. She is also adored by Herbie (Dale Rapley), who overlooks her personality flaws in a patient wait for the chance to marry her.

Melissa James as Louise is almost a figure of fun. Overshadowed by her sister’s talent, often forced to play one half of a cow, her character and charisma is hidden behind a meek yet likeable exterior, and a baggy and uninspiring wardrobe. Aside from a delicate performance of Little Lamb, James did a wonderful job of being thoroughly a underwhelming understudy to her sister. However, when she burst into life, finding a release in Burlesque, she was breathtaking.

Ria Jones earned rapturous applause for her passionate performance of Rose’s Turn which brought an excellent show to a close. The Royal Exchange seemed the perfect venue for a show that was a treat for the eyes and the ears. It is a must see

ACTING FOR OTHERS ANNOUNCE OVER £90,000 HAS BEEN RAISED AT THIS YEAR’S ONE NIGHT ONLY AT THE IVY

Theatrical charity Acting for Others announces that over £90,000 has been raised at this year’s One Night Only at The Ivy.

Stars of the stage and screen swapped their costumes for aprons, and served diners for a one-off sitting at The Ivy. Hostesses welcoming guests included Tracie Bennett, David Mitchell and Shelia Hancock, whilsthusband and wife duos Imelda Staunton and Jim Carter, and Dame Emma Thompson and Greg Wise were Maitre d’s for the evening. Behind the bar serving drinks and mixing up cocktails for guests was Phyllis Logan, Harriet Thorpe, Ginny Holder and Jodie Prenger, whilst unfaltering service was executed by a wait staff including Annette Badland, Laura Carmichael, Janie Dee, Michael C. Fox, Cassidy Janson, George Layton, Caroline Quentin, Jemma Redgrave and Hannah Waddingham.

Sir Derek Jacobi, Sir Ian McKellen and Dame Penelope Wilton were also in attendance at the Dame and Knights table.

The evening also included an auction taking place after dinner, led by Carl Mullaney, with prizes including the chance to win a meal prepared exclusively for 10 guests in their own home by The Ivy team, and dinner at The Ivy with Sir Derek Jacobi and Samantha Bond before going on to see Mary Poppins, with a walk on part in Phantom of the Opera going for the highest amount at £13,000.

Sir Stephen Waley-Cohen, co-chair of Acting for Others said, “What a brilliant year, once again we must thank all the actors who turned their hands to service at The Ivy on Sunday evening, as well as those who donated auction prizes and those who won them and gave so generously. Together they were able to raise over £90,000 for Acting for Others to help us continue to support all theatre-workers in need.”

Director of The Ivy, Fernando Peire added, “Acting for Others once more pulled out all the stops on Sunday night. The Ivy in Theatreland hosted another memorable evening filled with famous faces from stage and screen, much laughter and merriment and, most importantly, abundant generosity from The Ivy’s patrons.”

FINAL FEW TICKETS REMAIN FOR THE HIT
NEW MUSICAL

Laura Elmes Productions and Theatre Deli present a Fat Rascal Theatre production
Unfortunate: The Untold Story of Ursula the Sea Witch
A Musical Parody   

Disney villain. Octo-woman. Plus-size icon. But who is the woman behind the tentacles? Following a complete sell-out run at the 2019 Edinburgh Fringe Festival and from the multi-award winning Fat Rascal Theatre, Unfortunate: the untold story of Ursula the Sea Witch comes to Birmingham Hippodrome’s Patrick Studio from Monday 16 – Sunday 22 December 2019.

Audiences have been going guppy for this hilarious new musical, with a number of performances now sold-out – act fast for a chance to get your tentacles on tickets.

It’s time to take the plunge as Fat Rascal Theatre reveal what really happened under the sea, in a tell-all tale of sex, sorcery and suckers. When Disney released ‘The Little Mermaid’ in 1989, they had no idea they were also giving birth to an icon. Despite having just one song and only a handful of scenes, Ursula the Sea Witch quickly took her place as the queen of Disney villains: a bad bitch, a pop culture legend, and an endless source of quotes, memes, and merchandise. She’s the toast of the film, and yet she’s woefully underused.

So who better to take us on a scorching trip through the problematic minefield that is Disney? Much of what makes Ursula a ‘villain’ is also what makes her a feminist badass. She’s loud. She’s clever. She’s a ruthless businesswoman, and oh boy is she sexy. Sexy, and unapologetically fat. Even now, in 2019, where posters still demand that we are ‘beach body ready’ and plus-size models remain a controversial topic; where young women are raised on a diet of lithe and limby princesses, fairies and (yes) mermaids; where disproportionately sized heads and miniature waists are the animated norm… a woman like Ursula is needed more than ever. She’s not defined by slipper-sized feet, or enchanted blonde hair, or snow white skin. Ursula is plump, purple and proud.

With her character design based on the outlandish drag queen Divine, and brought to life by gay lyricist Howard Ashman, Ursula has become a major icon for the LGBTQ+ community, too. A community still woefully underrepresented by Disney, thrown only the occasional veiled hint or (most recently, in Beauty and the Beast) a two second scrap of dancing. But, once again, there stands Ursula, defiant against her creator and with a message for all us ‘poor unfortunate souls’: love the skin you’re in, value your voice over your body, and don’t be afraid to be a little bit nasty.

Fat Rascal Theatre are a creative team packed to the brim with the plus size, the gay and the fabulous: and they’re ready to give Ursula the story she deserves. In this parody remix of the classic tale, Ursula spills the ink and tells audiences what really happened beneath the waves. We’ll see how she dealt with the embodiment of toxic masculinity that is King Triton, and tried to teach his airhead daughter, Ariel, to treasure her voice. Our hero is rude, she’s opinionated, and she’s got no time for faint-hearted Disney darlings. Think Wicked, but wider and wetter. And definitely not for kids.

Chris Sudworth, Director of Artistic Programme at Birmingham Hippodrome said; “The moment I saw Fat Rascal’s hilarious production at this year’s Edinburgh Fringe I knew that we had to bring the show to Birmingham.

“The ideal adults-only outing for Christmas, this inventive and one-of-a-kind show is sure to be the must-see of the festive season and continues Birmingham Hippodrome’s commitment to showcasing fresh, new musicals.”

Unfortunate: the untold story of Ursula the Sea Witch plays at The Patrick Studio, Birmingham Hippodrome from Monday 16 – Sunday 22 December 2019. To book visit birminghamhippodrome.com or call 0844 338 5000 (4.5p per minute plus your phone company’s access charge). 

Wales Millennium Centre & KAITE O’REILLY’S THE BEAUTY PARADE fuses deaf and hearing artforms to tell an extraordinary WORLD WAR II story

Wales Millennium Centre has announced a brand new and innovative, female-led theatre show made by Deaf and hearing artists. Inspired by true events, The Beauty Parade honours the unsung heroes of one of the most unique operations of the Second World War…

It’s the 1940s, deep in wartime. Men are fighting on the front line. Women don’t engage in armed combat; they keep the fires burning, the factories going, and the children fed at home. Or so we were told.  

The Geneva Convention forbade women from engaging in combatant duties, so the Special Operations Executive set about recruiting a top-secret army of civilians including young, French-speaking women from Wales and England. These women were given just a few weeks’ training before being set to work with the Resistance, preparing, in Churchill’s words, ‘to set Europe ablaze’.

Award-winning writer Kaite O’Reilly, composer Rebecca Applin and performer and visual language expert Sophie Stone have created this new production that follows a group of ordinary women plucked from obscurity and parachuted behind enemy lines, who became extraordinary saboteurs and silent killers, sworn to secrecy yet tasked with some of the most dangerous missions of the war.

The Beauty Parade incorporates live music, evocative songs, dialogue and visual language and works inclusively between D/deaf and hearing cultures to give a multi-sensory interpretation of this incredible true story. It will be performed at the Centre’s Weston Studio 5-14 March 2020. Tickets are on sale now.

Writer Kaite O’Reilly said: “It’s a privilege and a pleasure to be our interpretation of how these extraordinary ‘ordinary’ women achieved so much, working clandestinely and subversively with the Resistance in the months and years leading to the D-Day landings. It is also a great privilege to work between Deaf and hearing cultures on a collaboration interweaving visual, projected, spoken, sung and musical languages. The work is unusual – but then, so were the women who’ve inspired it.”

THE BEAUTY PARADE – Cynhyrchiad canolfan mileniwm Cymru a Kaite O’Reilly, GYDAG artistiaid byddar a sy’n clywed – i adrodd STORI ANHYGOEL O’r Ail Ryfel Byd

Mae Canolfan Mileniwm Cymru wedi cyhoeddi sioe theatr newydd sbon ac arloesol sy’n cael ei harwain gan fenywod a’i chreu gan artistiaid Byddar ac artistiaid sy’n gallu clywed. Wedi’i hysbrydoli gan ddigwyddiadau go iawn, mae The Beauty Parade yn talu teyrnged i arwyr di-glod un o weithrediadau unigryw yr Ail Ryfel Byd.

Yr 1940au yw’r cyfnod, yng nghanol y rhyfel. Mae’r dynion yn ymladd ar flaen y gad. Dyw menywod ddim yn cymryd rhan yn y brwydro; nhw sy’n cadw’r  fflam i losgi ar yr aelwyd, yn cadw’r ffatrïoedd i fynd, ac yn bwydo’r plant yn y cartref. Neu dyna maen nhw’n ei ddweud wrthon ni, o leiaf. 

Roedd Cytundeb Geneva yn gwahardd menywod rhag cymryd rhan yn nyletswyddau ymladd.  Er mwyn osgoi hyn, aeth yr Adran Gweithrediadau Arbennig ati i recriwtio byddin gyfrinachol o sifiliaid, yn cynnwys menywod ifanc o Gymru a Lloegr a oedd yn siarad Ffrangeg. Cafodd y menywod ond ychydig wythnosau o hyfforddiant cyn cael eu gosod i weithio gyda’r Fyddin Gêl, yn paratoi , yng ngeiriau Churchill, ‘to set Europe ablaze’.

Daeth y dramodwr arloesol Kaite O’Reilly, y cyfansoddwr Rebecca Applin a’r perfformiwr ac arbenigwr iaith weledol Sophie Stone ynghŷd i greu’r cynhyrchiad newydd yma, sy’n dilyn grŵp o fenywod cyffredin a cafodd eu tynnu o’u bywydau dinod a’u parasiwtio y tu ôl i linellau’r gelyn. Daeth y menywod hyn yn sabotwyr ac yn llofruddion tawel, yn tyngu llw i gyfrinachedd ond yn gweithredu ar rai o genadaethau mwyaf peryglus y rhyfel.

Mae The Beauty Parade yn cyfuno cerddoriaeth fyw, caneuon atgofus, deialog ac iaith weledol ac yn gweithio’n gynhwysol rhwng diwylliannau pobl Byddar a phobl sy’n clywedol i roi dehongliad aml-synhwyrol o’r stori anhygoel yma. Bydd y cynhyrchiad yn cael ei berfformio yn Stiwdio Weston y Ganolfan rhwng 5-14 Mawrth 2020. Mae tocynnau ar werth nawr.

Dywed y dramodwr Kaite O’Reilly: “Mae’n bleser ac yn fraint cyflwyno ein dehongliad  o sut aeth y meywod ‘arferol’ yma ati i gyflawni cymaint o bethau anhygoel. Roeddent yn gweithio’n gudd ac yn ddirgel i wrthsefyll y gelyn – a hynny yn y blynyddoedd cyn glaniadau D-Day. Mae hefyd yn fraint gweithio rhwng diwylliannau pobl Byddar a phobl y’n clywed ar gydweithrediad sy’n dod â nifer o ieithoedd ynghyd: iaith weledol, tafluniadau, gair llafar, canu a cherddoriaeth. Mae’r gwaith yn anarferol – ond, wrth gwrs, roedd y menywod a ysbrydolodd y gwaith yn anarferol hefyd.”

Yn cyflwyno’r sioe, dywedodd Cyfarwyddwr Artistig y Ganolfan, Graeme Farrow: “Mae Canolfan Mileniwm Cymru yn falch iawn o gyd-gynhyrchu, ac yn gyffrous i rannu The Beauty Parade gyda chynulleidfaoedd ym mis Mawrth. Yn wir, dyma gynhyrchiad arloesol sydd wedi’i greu gan dîm o artistiaid benywaidd arweiniol, gyda phrofiad o adrodd straeon anhygoel mewn ffordd anhygoel. Mae’n ddifyr, ffeithiol, hygyrch ac yn torri tir newydd., ae’n argoeli i fod yn ychwanegiad gwefreiddiol i’n calendr o sioeau yn 2020.”

FOLLOWING A SELL-OUT 2019 TOUR

2020 DATES NOW ANNOUNCED

FOR

DOLLY PARTON’S

9 TO 5 THE MUSICAL

Music and Lyrics by Dolly Parton, Book by Patricia Resnick

and Directed by Jeff Calhoun

Based on the 20^th Century Fox Picture

Following a sell-out 2019 tour that ends in Dublin this Saturday, Dolly Parton has announced that 9 TO 5 THE MUSICAL will return for a second tour in 2020, visiting the Palace Theatre from 25-29 August. 9 TO 5 THE MUSICAL continues to play at The Savoy Theatre in London’s West End where it is booking until May 2020.

9 TO 5 THE MUSICAL opened in the West End in February this year, where Dolly Parton attended the premiere and joined the cast on stage at the finale. The musical features a book by Patricia Resnick, the legendary film’s original screenwriter, and an original Oscar, Grammy and Tony award-nominated score by multi Grammy Award winner, country legend and pop icon Dolly Parton.

9 TO 5 THE MUSICAL tells the story of Doralee, Violet and Judy – three workmates pushed to boiling point by their sexist and egotistical boss. Concocting a plan to kidnap and turn the tables on their despicable supervisor, will the women manage to reform their office – or will events unravel when the CEO pays an unexpected visit? Inspired by the cult film this hilarious new West End production is about teaming up, standing up and taking care of business!

9 TO 5 THE MUSICAL is written by Patricia Resnick, with music and lyrics by Dolly Parton. It is directed by Jeff Calhoun, choreography by Lisa Stevens, design by Tom Rogers, lighting design by Howard Hudson, sound design by Poti Martin, video design by Nina Dunn, original arrangements by Stephen Oremus & Alex Lacamoire, original Broadway orchestrations by Bruce Coughlin, musical supervisor, reductions & extra arrangements by Mark Crossland, musical direction by Andrew Hilton and casting by Victoria Roe and Anne Vosser.

Based on the 20^th Century Fox Picture. Originally produced on Broadway by Robert Greenblatt, April 2009.

9 TO 5 THE MUSICAL is produced by Ambassador Theatre Group Productions, Selladoor Worldwide and Gavin Kalin Productions with Benjamin Lowy Productions, Glass Half Full Productions, Showtime Theatre Productions, Hartshorn – Hook Productions, Harmonia Holdings and Kilimanjaro Live.

9 TO 5 THE MUSICAL

PALACE THEATRE MANCHESTER

TUESDAY 25 AUGUST – SATURDAY 29 AUGUST 2020

https://www.atgtickets.com/venues/palace-theatre-manchester/

ON SALE SOON

Birmingham Hippodrome New Season Announcement

ON SALE TO FRIENDS AND PATRON SCHEME MEMBERS FROM 11AM TODAY
GENERAL ON SALE – MONDAY 2 DECEMBER, 11AM

New shows announced

Bring It Birmingham Hippodrome New Season Announcement

ON SALE TO FRIENDS AND PATRON SCHEME MEMBERS FROM 11AM TODAY

GENERAL ON SALE – MONDAY 2 DECEMBER, 11AM

On the Musical

Live In Effect – Surinder Shinda
bollywood DIVAS

Room on the Broom

Aakash Odedra Company: Samsara

Hairspray
Slava’s Snowshow
Goldilocks and the Three Bears

New experiences for everyone

Chinese New Year 2020

B-SIDE Hip-Hop Festival 2020

UniSlam

Faulty Towers The Dining Experience

Verve Poetry Festival

Birmingham Hippodrome is pleased to raise the curtain on a new season of world-class productions and enriching cultural experiences for the city and beyond.

Just announced today, Birmingham Hippodrome will officially open the UK Tour of Bring It On – The Musical (2-6 Jun) featuring music by Tom Kitt and Hamilton creator, Lin-Manuel Miranda. BritAsiaTV presents Live In Effect – Surinder Shinda feat. the Tru-Skool Live Band (8 Feb) which will see the living legend of Panjabi folk performing his greatest hits plus bollywood DIVAS (4 Apr) will bring to the stage a breathtaking dance tribute to the women of Indian Cinema. The highly acclaimed Aakash Odedra Company presents Samsara (11 Jun) as part of Birmingham International Dance Festival, big-haired hit Hairspray (12-17 Oct) returns and Slava’s Snowshow (28 Oct-1 Nov) brings a flurry of family fun. Finally, Birmingham’s favourite pantomime star, Matt Slack will return in Goldilocks and the Three Bears (19 Dec-31 Jan 2021) with sets and costumes direct from the London Palladium – tickets on general sale from 20 Dec 2019.

In the Patrick Studio, the best-selling children’s picture book Room on the Broom (19-24 May) will burst into life on stage, Ask Me Anything (3&4 Mar) is an immersive theatrical experience set in the teenage bedrooms of the 90s and 00s and Hippodrome Associate Company, Open Theatre present The Twisted Tale of Hansel and Gretel (12-15 Feb).

Beyond the two stages, Birmingham Hippodrome will continue to present cultural experiences across the city including a four day celebration to mark Chinese New Year: Year of the Rat (23-26 Jan) featuring a host of free performances, workshops and food. B-SIDE Hip-Hop Festival (29 May-7 Jun) will once again bring together international artists and enthusiasts from across the globe featuring dance battles, live music, grafitti, street sports and much more. Verve Poetry Festival (20-23 Feb) will feature a lively and celebratory programme of raucous performance poetry, quiet reading events and studious workshops plus UniSlam (8 Mar) will mark the grand finals of the UK’s premier student and young people’s poetry event as the country’s top four poetry slam teams go head to head for the champions trophy and prize. Finally, Birmingham Hippodrome’s Circle Restaurant will transform into an immersive mad-cap dining experience for the very first time as Faulty Towers The Dining Experience (1-4 Apr) checks in.

Tickets for all newly announced productions are now on sale to Birmingham Hippodrome Friends and Patrons scheme members. Tickets go on general sale Monday 2 December at 11am – visit birminghamhippodrome.com or call 0844 338 5000 (4.5p per minute plus your phone company’s access charge).

FIONA ALLAN, Artistic Director and Chief Executive at Birmingham Hippodrome said:

“This year, Birmingham Hippodrome celebrated 120 years in style – from gala dinners to our recent family-themed circus open day we have found many reasons to mark the occasion.

“Next year brings an unequalled line up of blockbusters: We Will Rock You, The Phantom of the Opera, Les Misérables and Mamma Mia! returning by popular demand to the Hippodrome, and for the very first time Lin-Manuel Miranda’s (Hamilton) cult cheerleading musical Bring It On, and the smash-hit SIX.

“Alongside, we continue our work producing and supporting the city’s festivals: Chinese New Year, Verve Poetry Festival, Birmingham International Dance Festival, our own B-SIDE Hip Hop Festival, and BRB’s Curated by Carlos, marking the first season with Carlos Acosta at the artistic helm of the company.

“As a significant centre for dance, we present Matthew Bourne’s The Red Shoes, Kate Prince’s Message In A Bottle – based on songs of Sting, BRB’s Swan Lake and Don Quixote, and some ground-breaking contemporary dance throughout the year in our Patrick Studio.

“As we head into the season of giving, remember that Birmingham Hippodrome is a charity and that every pound you spend with us helps to ensure thousands of children and adults across the region enjoy life enhancing education and cultural activities. Last year we engaged 250,000 times through free and low cost cultural activity.

“We thank you for your ongoing support, so that we continue to bring culture to so many across the city and region.”

Menier Chocolate Factory – until 7 March 2020

Reviewed by Claire Roderick

4****

Just walking into the theatre and seeing Paul Anderson’s vibrantly coloured set chases away the winter blues and transports you to 1920s Riviera in this sparkling production.

The refreshingly simple plot of Sandy Wilson’s 1953 musical is corny but so much fun. The girls at Mme Dubonnet’s School for Young Ladies are excited about attending the carnival ball with their French beaus, but Polly Browne, sick of young men only wanting her for her fortune, has invented a boy friend from Paris. Falling instantly for the messenger boy who delivers her costume, Polly tells him that she is a secretary, hoping that he loves her for herself and not her father’s money. Holidaying British aristocrats and Polly’s father’s romantic past with Mme Dubonnet throw a few obstacles in the path of true love, but the inevitable happy ending is sweet and satisfying.

Matthew White wisely keeps the tweeness without any modern irony or self-awareness, instead just letting the camp antics shine through with a gleeful joy. The girls speaking and acting in unison as a high-pitched Greek chorus never gets old, and the cast are tremendous. Janie Dee and Tiffany Graves as Mme Dubonnet and her maid Hortense are fantastic fun with their ‘Allo ‘Allo accents and barnstorming vocal performances, and Amara Okereke and Dylan Mason are delightful as the two earnest young lovers. Ade Edmondson and Issy Van Randwyck steal every scene as lecherous Lord Brockhurst and his harridan wife, making you forgive and forget the tricky morals of their big number as you laugh along with their ridiculous antics.

Wilson’s music and lyrics are unashamedly jolly, even the slower, heartfelt songs make you smile, and Bill Deamer’s energetic choreography is pitch perfect. The cast use the small stage brilliantly, with Gabrielle Lewis-Dodson, Jack Butterworth, Tom Bales, Peter Nash and Ryan Carter bringing the house down with their stunning Charleston.

The perfect pick-me-up on dark December nights, The Boy Friend is a frivolous fluffy fun show that will warm your heart.

Disney’s THE LION KING returns to THE PALACE THEATRE in 2020

Priority booking sign-up opens today, Friday 6 December 2019

General tickets go on sale February 2020

The Walt Disney Company UK and Ireland and the Palace Theatre have today announced that Disney’s The Lion King will return to Manchester in 2020. ­­­

The iconic musical that was seen by over 388,000 when it visited Manchester in 2012 and 2015 will return from 22 October 2020 – 31January 2021. General tickets go on sale in February 2020 and patrons can sign up for priority access at either www.atgtickets.com/the-lion-king-tour or www.thelionking.co.uk from today, Friday 6 December 2019.

The UK cities of The Lion King tour are exclusively supported by VeryMe Rewards from Vodafone UK. Vodafone customers will be the first to access pre-sale tickets through the My Vodafone app at 8am on Friday 31 January 2020.

This year, The Lion King celebrated an incredible 20 years in the West End. The musical had its premiere in London on 19 October 1999 at the Lyceum Theatre, which remains its home in London.

Additional ticket information

ATG Card holders and Groups members will be able to purchase tickets from 8am on Monday 3 February 2020 and ATG and Disney sign up list priority can buy tickets from 8am on Tuesday 4 February 2020. 

Tickets will be going on general sale from 8am on Thursday 6 February 2020, with demand expected to be huge.

Tickets can be purchased by visiting www.atgtickets.com/manchester or www.thelionking.co.uk

Relaxed / Accessible performances

The Lion King will also be presented as a dedicated Relaxed Performance on Sunday 31 January 2021 at 1.30pm. The Lion King is committed to creating a friendly and inclusive audience experience. Having now hosted five Autism-Friendly performances in London, the landmark musical is delighted to be presenting a Relaxed Performance in each city it visits on the tour.

Relaxed performances are specially adapted to be accessible to a wide range of audiences such as those with autism, learning difficulties or other sensory and communication needs, 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. 

Access line: 0800 912 6971

Type talk: 18001 0844 871 7677 (textphone user)

Type talk: 18002 0844 871 7677 (hearing person)

An internationally celebrated stage adaptation

Julie Taymor’s internationally celebrated stage adaptation of The Lion King opened on Broadway in 1997 and 25 global productions have now been seen by more than 100 million people. The Lion King is produced by Disney Theatrical Productions, under the direction of Thomas Schumacher. 

The show has been performed in nine different languages (English, Japanese, German, Korean, French, Dutch, Spanish, Mandarin and Portuguese). In addition to this current UK & Ireland tour, productions of The Lion King can currently be seen on Broadway; London’s West End; Hamburg; Tokyo; Madrid; on tour across Japan and North America, with a separate production touring internationally, for a total of eight productions running concurrently across the globe.

Having played in more than 100 cities in 20 countries on every continent except Antarctica, The Lion King’s worldwide gross exceeds that of any film, Broadway show or other entertainment title in box office history.  

The previous tour of The Lion King broke attendance records across the nation and the 2019 tour coincides with The Lion King celebrating 20 years at London’s Lyceum Theatre. Since the UK premiere in 1999, The Lion King has entertained more than 16 million theatregoers and is the sixth longest-running West End musical of all time.

With a cast of more than 50 actors, singers and dancers, the story of The Lion King is miraculously brought to life using masks, puppets and striking costumes to tell the story of Simba’s epic adventures as he struggles to accept the responsibilities of adulthood and becoming king.

The stunning artistry of the production is the work of a team of designers which drew on diverse cultural influences to recreate the rich colours and vast expanses of the African savanna in this daring and inspiring reinvention of one of the most successful animated feature films of all time.

Julie Taymor, one of the world’s most innovative directors, brought a vast array of disciplines to The Lion King, including extensive experience staging epic theatre and opera productions, exploring classic myths through ritualised puppetry, mask, and movement. The Lion King was the first musical Taymor directed in the commercial theatre and she made Broadway history by becoming the first woman to win the Tony Award® for Best Director of a Musical.  

The Broadway show’s full creative team, which won five Tony Awards® for its work on The Lion King, reunited in 1999 to recreate the show in London. Julie Taymor and Michael Curry created hundreds of masks and puppets.

Scenic design is by British designer Richard Hudson and lighting is by Donald Holder. Costume design is by Julie Taymor, and choreography by Garth Fagan. The book was adapted by Roger Allers, who co-directed the animated feature and Irene Mecchi, who co-wrote the screenplay.

The original score from the animated film was expanded for the stage and now features 15 musical numbers.  As well as writing completely new songs, South African composer Lebo M created an

evocative blend of African rhythms and chorales, with additional material by Julie Taymor and Mark Mancina.

Elton John and Tim Rice have added three new numbers to the five that they wrote for the award-winning score of the animated film. The resulting sound of The Lion King is a fusion of Western popular music and the distinctive sounds and rhythms of Africa, including the Academy Award®-winning Can You Feel The Love Tonight and the haunting Shadowland.

Ticket information

·         VeryMe Rewards by Vodafone presale: Friday 31 January 2020 at 8am

·         ATG Card and Groups Priority on sale: Monday 3 February 2020 at 8am

·         ATG and Disney sign up list priority: Tuesday 4 February 2020 at 8am

·         General on sale: Thursday 6 February 2020 at 8am  

·         Tickets can be purchased by visiting www.atgtickets.com/manchester or www.thelionking.co.uk

Performance information:

·         Previews: Thursday 22 October – Sunday 1 November

·         Premiere/Press Night: Tuesday 3 November 2020 at 7.30pm

·         Signed Performances: Thursday 5 November 2020 at 7.30pm

·         Captioned Performances: Tuesday 17 November 2020 at 7.30pm

·         Audio Described Performances: Thursday 3 December 2020 at 7.30pm

·         Relaxed performance: Sunday 31^st Jan 2021 at 1.30pm

SELLADOOR PRODUCTIONS ANNOUNCE

THE UK AND IRELAND TOUR OF

BRING IT ON THE MUSICAL

WITH LIBRETTO BY

JEFF WHITTY

MUSIC BY

TOM KITT AND LIN-MANUEL MIRANDA

AND LYRICS BY

AMANDA GREEN AND LIN-MANUEL MIRANDA

OPENING AT

BIRMINGHAM HIPPODROME

2 JUNE 2020

PERFORMED BY ARRANGEMENT WITH MUSIC THEATRE INTERNATIONAL (EUROPE) LIMITED.

Selladoor Productions is delighted to present a brand-new UK and Ireland Tour of the Tony Award nominated BRING IT ON THE MUSICAL opening at Birmingham Hippodrome from 2 – 6 June 2020. The production will then visit Sunderland Empire from 9 – 13 June, Milton Keynes Theatre 16 – 20 June, Wales Millennium Centre 23 – 27 June, Stoke Regent Theatre 30 June – 4 July; Hull New Theatre 7 – 11 July, Bradford Alhambra Theatre 14 – 18 July, Manchester Opera House 21 – 25 July, Dublin Bord Gáis Energy Theatre 4 – 8 August, New Theatre Peterborough from 18 – 22 August, Malvern Festival Theatre 17  – 21 November and Edinburgh Festival Theatre 24 – 28 November. Further tour dates and casting to be announced soon.

Inspired by the 2000 film of the same name, BRING IT ON THE MUSICAL features an original score by the multi award winning creator of “Hamilton”, Lin-Manuel Miranda and Pulitzer Prize winning Tom Kitt, composer of “Next To Normal”. The book is written by the Tony Award winning writer of “Avenue Q”, Jeff Whitty and the lyrics are by both Lin-Manuel Miranda and writer of the stage adaptation of “High Fidelity”, Amanda Green.

BRING IT ON THE MUSICAL takes audiences on a high-flying, energy fuelled journey which tackles friendship, jealousy, betrayal and forgiveness – wrapped up in explosive choreography and tricks.

Cheer-royalty and newly crowned Squad Captain, Campbell, should be embarking on her most cheertastic senior year at Truman High School. But when she’s forced to move to the neighbouring hard-knock Jackson High, Campbell fears her life is over.  But an unlikely friendship catapults Campbell back into contention with a powerhouse squad and the fire to achieve the impossible.

BRING IT ON THE MUSICAL is produced by Selladoor Productions, has a libretto by Jeff Whitty, a score by Tom Kitt and Lin-Manuel Miranda lyrics by Amanda Green and Lin-Manuel Miranda. BRING IT ON THE MUSICAL is inspired by the motion picture Bring It On written by Jessica Bendinger. Performed by arrangement with Music Theatre International (Europe) Limited.

BRING IT ON THE MUSICAL

UK and Ireland Tour Listings

Tuesday 2 June – Saturday 6 June 2020

BIRMINGHAM HIPPODROME

www.birminghamhippodrome.com

ON SALE NOW

Tuesday 9 June – Saturday 13 June 2020

SUNDERLAND EMPIRE

www.atgtickets.com/venues/sunderland-empire

ON SALE 13 DECEMBER

Tuesday 16 June – Saturday 20 June 2020

MILTON KEYNES THEATRE

www.atgtickets.com/venues/milton-keynes-theatre

ON SALE 13 DECEMBER

Tuesday 23 June – Saturday 27 June 2020

WALES MILLENNIUM CENTRE

www.wmc.org.uk/en

ON SALE NOW

Tuesday 30 June – Saturday 4 July 2020

STOKE REGENT THEATRE

www.atgtickets.com/venues/regent-theatre/

ON SALE SOON

Tuesday 7 July – Saturday 11 July 2020

HULL NEW THEATRE

www.hulltheatres.co.uk

ON SALE 13 DECEMBER

Tuesday 14 July – Saturday 18 July 2020

BRADFORD ALHAMBRA THEATRE

www.bradford-theatres.co.uk

ON SALE 20 JANUARY

Tuesday 21 July – Saturday 25 July 2020

MANCHESTER OPERA HOUSE

www.atgtickets.com/venues/opera-house-manchester

ON SALE 13 DECEMBER

Tuesday 4 August – Saturday 8 August 2020

BORD GÁIS ENERGY THEATRE, DUBLIN

https://bordgaisenergytheatre.ie/

ON SALE NOW

Tuesday 18 August – Saturday 22 August 2020

NEW THEATRE, PETERBOROUGH

Home Page

ON SALE NOW

Tuesday 17 November – Saturday 21 November 2020

MALVERN FESTIVAL THEATRE

www.malvern-theatres.co.uk/

ON SALE SOON

Tuesday 24 November – Saturday 28 November 2020

EDINBURGH FESTIVAL THEATRE

www.capitaltheatres.com

ON SALE 6 JANUARY