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CASTING ANNOUNCED FOR THE WORLD PREMIERE OF CHLOË MOSS’ RUN SISTER RUN, A CO-PRODUCTION FROM PAINES PLOUGH, SHEFFIELD THEATRES AND SOHO THEATRE

Casting has today been announced for a new play by award-winning playwright Chloë Moss. RUN SISTER RUN, a co-production between Paines Plough, Sheffield Theatres and Soho Theatre, explores the lives of two sisters and the different directions life takes them in as they desperately hold onto their unbreakable bond.

The production is directed by Paines Plough co-Artistic Director Charlotte Bennett and the cast includes: Lucy Ellinson; Helena Lymbery; Lucas Button; Silas Carson. The show will open at Sheffield Theatres on 27 February with a Press Night on 4 March before transferring to Soho Theatre from 25 March with a Press Night on 27 March. The production runs until 2 May.  ‘You can’t pick your family but if you could I’d still pick you’

Connie and Ursula are sisters, connected by the same beginning but heading in different directions. Spanning four decades up to the present day, nurture competes with nature as the pair navigate their unbreakable bond. From award-winning playwright Chloë Moss, this story of family, love and dependence asks who gets it right?

Lucy Ellinson’s theatre credits include: MACBETH (Royal Exchange Theatre); TOP GIRLS (National Theatre); JUBILEE (Lyric Hammersmith/Royal Exchange Theatre); KINGDOM COME, A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM: PLAY FOR THE NATION (RSC); THE RESISTABLE RISE OF ARTURO UI (Donmar Warehouse); GROUNDED, THE CHRISTIANS, TROJAN WOMEN, TENET (The Gate); WORLD FACTORY (Metis Arts/Young Vic/New Wolsey); MAD MAN (Chris Goode/Theatre Royal Plymouth); Television includes: BRITANNIA; NEW TRICKS.

Helena Lymbery’s theatre credits includes: MR GUM AND THE DANCING BEAR; TREASURE ISLAND; THIS HOUSE; THE CAT IN THE HAT; …SOME TRACE OF HER; WOMEN OF TROY; ATTEMPTS ON HER LIFE; IPHIGENIA AT AULIS; HIS DARK MATERIALS; WICKED YAAR; HENRY V (National Theatre); DEAR ELIZABETH (Gate Theatre); QUEEN MARGARET (Royal Exchange Theatre); PITY; ROUGH CUTS: GOD BLESS THE CHILD; THE LAWS OF WAR (Royal Court); THE WOLVES ARE COMING FOR YOU (Pentabus); HARRY POTTER AND THE CURSED CHILD (West End); WE WANT YOU TO WATCH (RashDash/National Theatre); THE SECRET AGENT (Young Vic/Theatre O); AFTER DIDO (Young Vic/ENO); SLEEPING BEAUTY (Young Vic); COASTING (Bristol Old Vic). Television includes: DOCTOR FOSTER, FATHER BROWN, OLIVER TWIST, ALASTAIR MCGOWAN’S BIG IMPRESSION, THE INSPECTOR LYNLEY MYSTERIES, THE BILL, NIETTA’S FARM, ORANGES AND LEMONS. Film includes: LONDON ROAD.

Lucas Button’s stage credits include WAR HORSE (UK Tour & National Theatre), THE BUTTERFLY LION (Chichester Festival Theatre), KES (Leeds Playhouse), ALAN, WE THINK YOU SHOULD GET A DOG (New Diorama Theatre), THE WINTERS TALE (English National Opera), PINOCCHIO and A TENDER THING (The Dukes Theatre), THE LOST PALACE (Fuel Theatre and Uninvited Guests) His short film credits include BILLY AND JAKE (Andrew Jonathan Smith). 

Silas Carson’s recent theatre credits include: THE CAPTIVE QUEEN (Shakespeare’s Globe); OCCUPATIONAL HAZARD; DRAWING THE LINE (Hampstead Theatre); HALF LIFE (Theatre Royal Bath); A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM (Royal & Derngate Northampton); THE PROPHET (Gate Theatre); THE COMEDY OF ERRORS (National Theatre); RUINED; MACBETH (Almeida Theatre); ARABIAN NIGHTS (RSC) MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING (Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre). Recent film credits include: THE CORRUPTED; POSTCARDS FROM LONDON; MISS YOU ALREADY. Recent television includes: THE ACCIDENT; SICK OF IT; SILENT WITNESS; TRUST; EASTENDERS; UNFORGOTTEN; INDIAN SUMMERS; THE CASUAL VACANCY; THE ‘C’ WORD; GLUE.

Chloë Moss is an accomplished playwright and screenwriter. Her celebrated play THIS WIDE NIGHT (Clean Break, Soho Theatre, 2008) won the prestigious Susan Smith Blackburn prize and was subsequently produced off-Broadway, starring Edie Falco. She has written numerous other plays including THE GATEKEEPER (Royal Exchange Theatre, 2012), FATAL LIGHT (for Clean Break at Soho Theatre, 2010 and 2011), CATCH (Royal Court Theatre, 2006), and HOW LOVE IS SPELT (Bush Theatre, 2004, and New York’s Summer Play Festival, 2005). She has also written extensively for television, including SIX WIVES (BBC One) and DICKENSIAN (Red Planet Pictures), and written episodes for NEW TRICKS (BBC One), THE SMOKE (Kudos), and PRISONER’S WIVES and THE SECRET DIARY OF A CALL GIRL (Tiger Aspect). She has also written CARE, a single drama for Warp Films and Sky Arts, and an original series SWITCH, co-written with Tim Price, for Touchpaper / ITV2.

Charlotte Bennett directs. She is Joint Artistic Director of Paines Plough. Previously she was Associate Director at Soho Theatre where she led the new writing department, developing artists and commissions and programming the upstairs studio. For Soho she has directed WHITEWASH by Gabriel Bisset-Smith, HAPPY HOUR by Jack Rooke, curated a six-month off-site arts festival in Waltham Forest and led playwriting competition the Verity Bargate Award. Prior to this she was Artistic Director of Forward Theatre Project; an artists’ collective she founded. For Forward Theatre Project she made and directed new plays which toured nationally inspired by working in partnership with different communities around the UK and at venues including National Theatre, York Theatre Royal, Northern Stage, Derby Theatre, Live Theatre and The Lowry. As a freelance director she has worked extensively for Open Clasp Theatre Company, creating new plays inspired by marginalised women in the North-East. She also held the role of Creative Producer for theatre company RashDash where she toured experimental new theatre around the UK.

Set and Costume design by Rosie Elnile, Lighting design is by Zoe Spurr, Composition and Sound Design by Arun Ghosh, Casting by Nadine Rennie CDG and dramaturgy by Sarah Dickenson.

THE OLIVIER AWARD-WINNING “BEST NEW MUSICAL” ENTERS ITS SECOND YEAR IN THE WEST END AND WELCOMES NEW CAST MEMBERS FROM 10 FEBRUARY

As the Olivier Award-winning “Best New Musical” Come From Away enters its second year in the West End,  it welcomes new cast members from Monday 10 February 2020. This joyous musical tells the remarkable true story of 7,000 stranded air passengers during the wake of 9/11, and the small town in Newfoundland that welcomed them. Cultures clashed, and nerves ran high, but as uneasiness turned into trust, music soared into the night and gratitude grew into enduring friendships.

On 11 September 2001 the world stopped. On 12 September, their stories moved us all.

The multi award-winning musical continues sold-out, record-breaking engagements on Broadway, in Canada, in Australia and on a 60-city North American Tour. It has recently been announced that a tour of China will commence in Shanghai from May 2020, and a feature film adaptation is in the works.

The new cast of Come From Away in the West End will include Tarinn Callender (Bob and others), James Doherty (Claude and others), Alice Fearn (Beverley/Annette and others) Kate Graham (Diane and others), and Alasdair Harvey (Nick/Doug and others), with Ricardo Castro, Stuart Hickey, Sorelle Marsh, Micha Richardson and Matthew Whennell-Clark.

They join Jenna Boyd (Beulah and others), Mary Doherty (Bonnie and others), Mark Dugdale (taking over the roles of Kevin T/Garth and others), Jonathan Andrew Hume (Kevin J/Ali and others), Harry Morrison (Oz and others), Emma Salvo (Janice and others), Cat Simmons (Hannah and others) and Chiara Baronti, Alexander McMorran and Jennifer Tierney.

Under the Musical Direction of Alan Berry (Keyboard/Accordion/Harmonium), the band includes Matt Bashford (Whistles/Irish Flute/Uilleann Pipes), Aoife Ní Bhriain (Fiddle), Oli Briant (Electric, Acoustic and Nylon Guitars), Ray Fean (Bodhrán/Percussion), Joey Grant (Electric Bass/Acoustic Bass), Justin Quinn (Acoustic Guitar/Mandolins/Bazouki) and Ian Whitehead (Drums/Percussion).

Come From Away features a book, music and lyrics by Irene Sankoff and David Hein and is directed by Christopher Ashley, with musical staging by Kelly Devine, music supervision and arrangements by Ian Eisendrath, scenic design by Beowulf Boritt, costume design by Toni-Leslie James, lighting design by Howell Binkley, sound design by Gareth Owen, hair design by David Brian Brown, orchestrations by August Eriksmoen, and casting by Pippa Ailion CDG and Natalie Gallacher CDG.

In addition to winning 4 Olivier Awards (London) including “Best New Musical”, Come From Away has scooped multiple awards all across North America:  the Tony Award for “Best Direction of a Musical”, 5 Outer Critics Circle Awards (NYC) including “Outstanding New Broadway Musical”, 3 Drama Desk Awards (NYC) including “Outstanding Musical”, 4 Helen Hayes Awards (Washington DC) including “Outstanding Production of a Musical”, 4 Los Angeles Drama Critics’ Circle Awards, 4 Gypsy Rose Lee Awards (Seattle) including “Excellence in Production of a Musical”, 6 San Diego Critics Circle Awards including “Outstanding New Musical”, 3 Toronto Theatre Critics Awards including “Best New Musical”, 3 Dora Awards (Toronto) including “Outstanding New Musical/Opera” and “Outstanding Production”, and the 2017 Jon Kaplan Audience Choice Award (Toronto).

Come From Away was originally co-produced in 2015 by La Jolla Playhouse and Seattle Repertory Theatre, and presented in 2016 by Ford’s Theatre in Washington DC and Mirvish Productions at the Royal Alexandra Theatre in Toronto, Canada, all in partnership with Junkyard Dog Productions. Come From Away (NAMT Festival 2013) was originally developed at the Canadian Music Theatre Project, Michael Rubinoff Producer, Sheridan College in Oakville, Ontario, Canada, and was further developed at Goodspeed Musicals’ Festival of New Artists, in East Haddam CT. The Canada Council for the Arts, the Ontario Arts Council and the 5th Avenue Theatre in Seattle WA also provided development support.

Come From Away is produced in the UK by Junkyard Dog Productions and Smith & Brant Theatricals. The European premiere of Come From Away was co-produced with the Abbey Theatre, Ireland’s National Theatre.

Powerful five-star dance performance based on 9/11 photographs

WITHIN THIS DUST

Ustinov Studio, Wednesday 22 January

WITHIN THIS DUST is the powerful and inspiring dance performance from Dundee-based dance company Shaper/Caper, who make their first visit to the Ustinov Studio this Spring. This beautiful cinematic dance performance was inspired by photographer Richard Drew’s iconic ‘Falling Man’ images – startling photographs of one of the victims falling from the World Trade Center during the 9/11 attacks, images which later featured in a documentary film.

Developed by award-winning choreographer and the company’s artistic director, Thomas Small, WITHIN THIS DUST includes three live dance works blended with animation and survivors’ accounts, balancing movement and subtle storytelling to explore themes of loss, survival and humanity.

The work is performed within a backdrop of almost 3,000 pieces of white paper that symbolize the lives lost that day, and serve as a dynamic, ever-changing landscape to evoke memories from the day. It was recently presented to sold out audiences at the 9/11Memorial and Museum at the World Trade Center in New York City.

★★★★★ “Poignant and evocative” Across the Arts

★★★★★ “I had tears pouring down my face” The Scotsman

★★★★★ “Evocative, subtle” The Skinny

★★★★★ “A powerful and moving tribute” ReviewsHub 

WITHIN THIS DUST is at the Ustinov Studio on Wednesday 22 January at 8pm. Tickets are on sale now from the Box Office on 01225 448844 or online at www.theatreroyal.org.uk/ustinov

View the WITHIN THIS DUST trailer here – www.vimeo.com/225849778

THE JMK YOUNG DIRECTOR AWARD 2020 APPLCATIONS NOW OPEN

The JMK Trust today announces that applications for the 2020 JMK Young Director Award are now open and will close on 24 January at 11pm.

In 2019 the JMK Award partnered with the Orange Tree Theatre for the first time to stage Arinzé Kene’s Little Baby Jesus, directed by JMK award-winning director Tristan Fynn-Aiduenu, and designer Tara Usher. Continuing its relationship with the Orange Tree Theatre in 2020, the JMK award will offer a talented director with the opportunity to stage a full-scale production, forming a core part of the theatre’s annual programme.

The JMK Trust was founded in memory of James Menzies-Kitchin, a young director of great promise who died suddenly and unexpectedly at the age of 28, to give opportunities to theatre directors of similar ability and vision. Previous winners have become major players in British theatre, including Thea Sharrock, Orla O’Loughlin, Bijan Sheibani, Joe Hill-Gibbins, Natalie Abrahami, Roy Alexander Weise MBE and Polly Findlay.

Chair of the JMK Trust Stephen Fewell today said “We’re really pleased to be working again with the Orange Tree Theatre to give one emerging director the space, support and finance to create and share their production. We’re more aware than ever that the challenges facing early career artists are considerable, so whilst the JMK Award alone cannot erase them all, it continues to offer a unique, openly accessible, direct pathway into the heart of the theatre industry. We hope it will carry on inspiring all young directors to develop their professional practice as they apply for the Award this year.”

Artistic Director of Orange Tree, Paul Miller today said “Our partnership with the JMK Trust, offering a unique opportunity to an emerging artist, further extends the Orange Tree’s historic commitment to director development. We’re hugely proud to work with an Award with such distinguished alumni. And after Tristan Fynn-Aiduenu’s stunning winning production last year, we can’t wait to see what the future holds!”

For full details of how to apply for the JMK Award, see: http://www.jmktrust.org/the-jmk-award/

The JMK Trust also works around the UK offering groups for young and emerging theatre directors, to provide access to exclusive free workshops and development opportunities as well as a chance to meet regularly with a group of peers to network and share ideas. The expanding National Directors Programme, works in partnership with 13 regional theatres including Bristol Old Vic, Tobacco Factory Theatres, HOME in Manchester, Royal and Derngate Northampton, Salisbury Playhouse, Traverse Edinburgh, Birmingham Rep, New Vic Stoke, Northern Stage, Nottingham Playhouse, Nuffield Theatres Southampton, Reading Rep and Leeds Playhouse.

Supporters

The JMK Trust is kindly supported by Philip Hooker, The Martin Bowley Charitable Trust, The Directors Charitable Foundation, The Backstage Trust, The Leche Trust, The Fidelio Trust, The Andrew Lloyd Webber Foundation, Arts Council England, the and all our individual donors.

For further information on how to support the Trust, please see: http://www.jmktrust.org/support-us/

Patrons

Tom Morris OBE (Founding Chair), Dame Judi Dench, Baroness Howe and Sir Ian McKellen.

Trustees

Justin Audibert, Stephen Fewell (Chair), Robert Gill (Secretary), Christopher Haydon, Clare Menzies-Kitchin MBE, Cordelia O’Neill, Lucy Popescu, Ben Power and Mark Rosenblatt 

LAMBERT JACKSON PRODUCTIONS ANNOUNCE CAST FOR WORKSHOP OF

NEW BRITISH MUSICAL THE THROWAWAYS

Lambert Jackson Productions today announce the full cast for the workshop performance of Dylan Wynford’s new musical The Throwaways. The performance will star Lizzie Bea (Commentator 2), Francesca Forristal (Peggy), Michael Hamway (Hitchcock), Sahera Khan (Charlie), Andrew Langtree (Danny), Siobhan O’Driscoll (Meghan), Lawrence Smith (Commentator 1), and Courtney Stapleton (Audrey). The workshop performance will take place at The Other Palace, Friday 31^st January, 2pm.

Written by Dylan Wynford, with an uplifting folk score, The Throwaways follows the story of a group of misfits attempting to save their beloved comic bookstore from closing by entering the World Championships of a popular trading card game.

Jamie Lambert and Eliza Jackson, CEO and Creative Director of Lambert Jackson Productions today said “We couldn’t be happier with this brilliant cast who will be working on this brand new British musical. We are so excited to see the stunning music and script by Dylan Wynford come alive with this very exciting cast.”

Dylan Wynford writes. His previous writing credits include Bright Young Things (The Other Palace), The Lost Ones (BEAM 2018, Bush Theatre), and Catatonic Matt. His acting credits include Now and Then (Above the Stag), Just So (Barn Theatre), Parade (Frogmore Papermill), My Lands Shore (Theatr Soar) and Sing Street (New York Theatre Workshop). Dylan is the lead singer of the band Dylan Wynford and His Yesteryears.

Lizzie Bea plays Commentator 2. Lizzie was recently announced as Tracy Turnblad in the forthcoming Hairspray (London Coliseum). Her other theatre credits include Kinky Boots (Adelphi Theatre), Becoming Nancy (Alliance Theatre), Fat Friends the Musical (UK tour), and The Three Little Pigs (Palace Theatre).

Francesca Forristal plays Peggy. Her previous theatre credits include Oddball (King’s Head Theatre, The Gatehouse), and The Dragprov Revue (The London Improv Theatre).

Michael Hamway plays Hitchcock. His theatre credits include Waitress (Adelphi Theatre), The Last Five Years (Wales Millennium Centre, UK tour), Legally Blonde, Jackie the Musical (UK tour), Forty Years On (Chichester Festival Theatre), Aladdin (Stafford Gatehouse), and Five Children and It (Tristan Bates Theatre).

Sahera Khan plays Charlie. Her theatre credits include Am I Dulhan (Bride) Yet? (Hammersmith Lyric, Battersea Arts Centre, Cockpit Theatre), and The Lonesome West, Rice Boy (Deafinitely Theatre).

Andrew Langtree plays Danny. His theatre credits include The Secret Diary of Adrian Mole Aged Thirteen and ¾ (Ambassadors Theatre), Troilus & Cressida (RSC), Imperium (RSC, Gielgud Theatre), The Wizard of Oz (Sheffield Theatres), Albert’s Boy (Orange Tree Theatre), The Hypocrite (RSC, Hull Truck Theatre), Treasure Island (Birmingham Rep), Groundhog Day (Old Vic), Cat On a Hot Tin Roof (Theatr Clwyd), Oppenheimer (RSC, Vaudeville Theatre), and The Shoemaker’s Holiday (RSC).

Siobhan O’Driscoll plays Meghan. Her theatre credits include American Idiot (UK and international tour).

Lawrence Smith plays Commentator 1. His theatre credits include Avenue Q (UK tour), Brass (Union Theatre), The Divide (The Old Vic), All the Angels: Handel and the First Messiah (Shakespeare’s Globe), and Sweeney Todd (Theatre Royal Stratford East).

Courtney Stapleton plays Audrey. Her theatre credits include Dear Evan Hansen (Noel Coward Theatre), Six (The Arts Theatre), Bat Out Of Hell (Dominion Theatre, international tour), Les Miserables (Queen’s Theatre), and Mamma Mia! (Novello Theatre).

The Throwaways                                                                                                                                Listings

The Other Palace, 12 Palace Street, London, SW1E 5JA

Box Office: 0207 087 7900

https://lwtheatres.co.uk/whats-on/the-throwaways/

All tickets £7.50

ABOUT LAMBERT JACKSON PRODUCTIONS

Lambert Jackson Productions is a production company dedicated to producing musical theatre shows and stunning one-night performances. Founded by Jamie Lambert (CEO) and Eliza Jackson (Creative Director), the company made its debut at Cadogan Hall in August 2018 with There’s Nothin’ Like a Dame – 100 Years of Women in Musical Theatre, and has since produced West End Women – A Celebration of Women in Musicals, Main Men of Musicals and two very successful seasons of Sunday Favourites at The Other Palace. Due to popular demand, they have just announced their first spin-off season: New Year, New Favourites for January next year. They also received critical acclaim for their 5-star concert version of Doctor Zhivago in the summer of 2019. They are currently working on a brand-new British musical by Dylan Wynford, The Throwaways.

Twitter: @LJProds 
Instagram: @lambertjacksonproductions 
Facebook: /lambertjacksonproductions 

ANDY NYMAN & JENNA RUSSELL

Join Imelda Staunton

IN THE NEW PRODUCTION OF THE ICONIC MUSICAL

Jerry Herman’s unforgettable score includes

Put On Your Sunday Clothes, Before the Parade Passes By,

It Only Takes a Moment and Hello, Dolly!

Strictly limited season begins at Adelphi Theatre on 11 August 2020

Today Michael Harrison and David Ian are thrilled to announce that Andy Nyman and Jenna Russell are to join the cast of Hello, Dolly! as one of the most iconic musicals of all time comes to the Adelphi Theatre this summer. This brand new production is headlined by Imelda Staunton, as she reunites with director Dominic Cooke,following the critically acclaimed production of Follies at the National Theatre.

With an unforgettable score by the legendary Jerry Herman, Hello, Dolly! will begin performances at the Adelphi Theatre in London on Tuesday 11 August 2020 for a strictly limited 30-week season.

Andy Nyman – who will play Horace Vandergelder – is a multi-award winning actor, writer and director. Most recently he won unanimous acclaim for his memorable portrayal of Tevye in the celebrated production of Fiddler On The Roof at the Menier Chocolate Factory and its subsequent transfer to the Playhouse Theatre.

Nyman’s acting credits include the Royal Court production of Hangmen and the West End hit Ghost Stories, which he also created and starred in the film adaptation. His various TV roles include Winston Churchill in Peaky Blinders and he has frequently collaborated with illusionist Derren Brown, co-writing and co-directing four of his stage shows.

Olivier Award winner Jenna Russell will play Irene Molloy. Jenna recently starred in the UK premiere of The Bridges of Madison County. She won an Olivier Award for Best Actress in a Musical in 2006 for her performance in Sunday In The Park With George at the Menier Chocolate Factory (a performance she later reprised on Broadway) and was nominated for her work in the Menier’s 2012 revival of Merrily We Roll Along. She also appeared in the acclaimed, London premiere production of Fun Home the Young Vic.

Multi Olivier and BAFTA Award winning Imelda Staunton plays meddlesome socialite turned matchmaker Dolly Levi, as she travels to Yonkers, New York to find a match for the miserly, unmarried ‘half-a-millionaire’ Horace Vandergelder. But everything changes when she decides that the next match she needs to make is for herself.

With music and lyrics by Jerry Herman (La Cage aux Folles, Mack and Mabel, Mame) and book by Michael Stewart (42nd Street, Mack and Mabel, Barnum), Hello, Dolly! is one of the most iconic musicals of all time. Jerry Herman’s timeless score includes ‘Put On Your Sunday Clothes’, ‘Ribbons Down My Back’, ‘Before the Parade Passes By’, ‘Elegance’, ‘It Only Takes a Moment’ and of course, ‘Hello, Dolly!’.

Imelda Staunton and Dominic Cooke most recently worked together to spectacular effect with the critically acclaimed National Theatre production of Stephen Sondheim’s Follies. Now Hello, Dolly! reunites star and director in this classic Broadway musical.

Hello, Dolly! also reunites Imelda Staunton with producers Michael Harrison and David Ian. Their production of Gypsy at the Savoy Theatre was awarded the Olivier Award for Best Musical Revival, and for which Imelda also won the Olivier Award for Best Actress In A Musical for her acclaimed portrayal of Momma Rose.

Further casting for the production will be announced at a later date.

ANDREW LLOYD WEBBER’S

CINDERELLA

TO WORLD PREMIERE IN LONDON

LATE SUMMER 2020

New version of the classic story from Killing Eve’s Emerald Fennell

Gillian Lynne Theatre will undergo seat upgrade and refurbishment work ahead of show

School of Rock to play last gig on Sunday 1 March before major UK tour in 2021

Sign up for further information and exclusive priority purchase for tickets at

www.andrewlloydwebberscinderella.com

Andrew Lloyd Webber’s highly anticipated Cinderella will open at the Gillian Lynne Theatre in London’s West End, with performances beginning in September 2020, producers have announced today.

The production, a complete reinvention of the classic fairytale, is based on an original idea by Emerald Fennell, the Emmy Award nominated lead scriptwriter of the second season of international smash hit Killing Eve, with a brand new score from the legendary composer.

Fennell’s new film A Promising Young Woman, that she has written and directed and which stars Carey Mulligan, will open this Spring.  As an actress she played Patsy Mount on the BBC’s Call The Midwife and currently depicts Camilla Parker Bowles on the Netflix hit The Crown.

The show’s lyrics are from David Zippel, a multi-award winner for Broadway productions including City of Angels, The Goodbye Girl, The Woman in White and Liza at the Palace, as well as for work on film including Disney’s Hercules and Mulan, both of which received Oscar nominations.

Cinderella will be directed by Laurence Connor, with choreography from JoAnn Hunter, who previously partnered on School of Rock and the recent, sold out production of Joseph & the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat at The London Palladium.

Andrew Lloyd Webber said: “I have long wanted to write my own version of Cinderella but could never find a take on the classic story that really grabbed me.  Emerald Fennell has written something truly exciting and original, and the moment I read her outline I knew I’d found my latest collaborator.  I’m very pleased to be working with David Zippel, a hugely witty lyricist, once again.

I’m also excited to be reunited with Laurence and JoAnn, who I loved creating School of Rock with and who delivered a knock out Joseph last Summer at The London Palladium, where it rightfully returns in June.”

All further creative team and cast announcements regarding Cinderella will be made at a later date.

School of Rock The Musical will complete its hugely successful run at the Gillian Lynne Theatre on Sunday March 1, having played more than 1400 performances, before heading out on a major UK Tour in 2021. All tour dates and further information will be announced in due course.

Seen by over 1.3 million people, the West End production of School of Rock, based on the hit movie comedy starring Jack Black, received widespread critical and audience acclaim when it opened in November 2016, going on to win both Olivier and Whatsonstage.com Awards.  Since opening the show has also welcomed over 100 young actor musicians to the kids cast of the show, who play their instruments live at every performance.

School of Rock opened in London following a triumphant Broadway premiere in 2015.  The New York production ran for more than three years and also embarked on an 18 month US tour.  The show is also currently playing in Sydney, following dates in Melbourne, Brisbane, Auckland, Korea and a multi-city tour of China.  This extensive Australasian tour will continue into 2020 with dates across the region and a major UK tour will launch in February 2021.  Standalone productions have also played in Italy, Brazil and Israel with runs in Argentina, Spain, South Africa, Mexico and Germany planned.

Andrew Lloyd Webber further said: “I’ve been thrilled by School of Rock’s success around the world, especially in the West End.  I’m very glad that so many kids have seen the show and been inspired to pick up an instrument and take up music after seeing what our young performers do live every night.  There are local language productions now planned around the world, and I’m particularly keen to see the Chinese kids band rock out in due course!”

Following School of Rock’s departure from the Gillian Lynne Theatre, owners LW Theatres will carry out internal upgrade work to the building including the addition of more toilets, refurbishment to areas of the auditorium and Front of House, as well as the potential increase in seating capacity on the circle level of the theatre.

THÉNARDIER CASTING UPDATE FOR

L E S   M I S É R A B L E S

AT THE SONDHEIM THEATRE

Matt Lucas stepped in to play the role of Thénardier for a few weeks when Gerard Carey was unable to perform before the first preview of the new production of Les Misérables at the Sondheim Theatre last monthdue to vocal injury caused by contracting pneumonia.  Last week Lucas regrettablysustained a back injury which has meant he is unable to continue in the role.  

Consequently, Ian Hughes whorecently took over the role of Thénardier to great acclaim in the current sell-out UK and International tour of Les Misérables will now join the London company to partner Josefina Gabrielle (Madame Thénardier) from tomorrow, Friday 10 January 2020,until the end of February when Gerard Carey is expected to return to the role as originally announced having over the past few weeks been on complete rest to avoid any long-term damage to his vocal chords.  

Ian Hughes was the first recipient of the Ian Charleson Award for his performance in Torquato Tasso and has appeared in the West End productions of Guys and Dolls at the Savoy Theatre, The Lion King at the Lyceum Theatre and The 39 Steps at the Criterion Theatre.  His many credits for the Royal Shakespeare Company include A Midsummer Night’s Dream, King Lear, The Comedy of Errors, The Winter’s Tale and The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe. 

Cameron Mackintosh said: “To lose one master of the house is unfortunate and two perhaps careless!  I am delighted to be bringing Ian Hughes to the wonderful London Company to partner Josefina Gabrielle in order that Les Misérables can officially open at the Sondheim Theatre next week as planned. I am sure it will be third time lucky!  I am so grateful to Matt Lucas who abandoned his holiday plans to help us out and am looking forward to welcoming back Gerard to the Company at the end of February.  I wish them both speedy recoveries.”

Ian will be out of the Les Misérables tour during the upcoming 5-week engagement at Theater 11 Zurich and will return to the tour when the production opens in Norwich at the beginning of March. The role of Thénardier for the run in Zurich will be played by Cameron Blakely. 

Cameron’s many credits include Thénardier in Les Misérables at the Queen’s Theatre, as well as in Singapore and Manila, Bamatabois in the Les Misérables 25th Anniversary Concert at the 02 Arena, Gomez Addams in the national tour of The Addams Family, Narrator/Mysterious Man in Into the Woods at the Royal Exchange Manchester, Fagin in Oliver! at the Watermill Theatre, Mr Lucas/Mr Scruton in The Secret Diary of Adrian Mole at Leicester Curve and Sam in the International Tour of Mamma Mia!

The cast of Les Misérables at the Sondheim Theatre also features Jon Robyns  as ‘Jean Valjean’, Bradley Jaden as ‘Javert’, Carrie Hope Fletcher as ‘Fantine’, Shan Ako as ‘Eponine’, Josefina Gabrielle as ‘Madame Thénardier’, Harry Apps as ‘Marius’, Ashley Gilmour as ‘Enjolras’ and Lily Kerhoas as ‘Cosette’. Rachelle Ann Go will return to the role of ‘Fantine’ for 7 weeks in the Spring and will take over the role next Summer.

They are joined by Kelly Agbowu, Ciaran Bowling, Richard Carson, Cellen Chugg Jones, Rodney Earl Clarke, Matthew Dale, Matt Dempsey, Harry Dunnett, Jessie Hart, Jessica Joslin, Sarah Lark, Georgie Lovatt, Ellie Ann Lowe, Luke McCall, Leo Miles, Claire O’Leary, Shane O’Riordan, Kathy Peacock, Sam Peggs, Mark Pearce, Emma Warren, Sake Wijers, Mared Williams and Samuel Wyn-Morris. 

Royal Concert Hall Nottingham – until Saturday 11 January 2020

Reviewed by Louise Ford 

4***

An enchanting evening full of lightness and grace.

The post Christmas ballet offering from the Moscow City Ballet was either Swan Lake or the more Christmasy Nut Cracker in Nottingham this week. The auditorium was full on a decidedly wet and dark January evening.

The ballet opens in the court of of Prince Siegfried with a gloriously muted autumnal pallet of costumes. These scenes and dances are stolen by Sanzhar Omurbeav performing the role of the Jester  with both mischief and comedy. His agility and expressive dancing gives a lift to the performance.

The role of Odette /Odile is danced by Lilya Orekhova, who moves easily between the two roles. She handles the role of Odette with shy grace and poise and a sense of sadness. Contrasted with the darker,scheming role of Odile.

Swan Lake is a tragic love story, Prince Siegfried  (Mikhailo Tkachuk) has to chose a bride from a range of candidates who are all show cased in the ballroom waltzes, for his 21st birthday celebration, which draw on Spanish, Neapolitan and Hungarian influences. Unimpressed by this bevy of lovelies, Siegfried falls for the shy and innocent Odette, ( Liliya Orekhova) Queen of the Swans.

Odette has been cursed by the evil Von Rothbart, performed by (Alimkhan Turebekov) in a menacing but low key way. Odette is doomed  to live life as a swan except for a few fleeting hours at night when she reverts back into human form. Only a vow of true love and fidelity will break the spell but when Von Rothbart tricks Siegfried into breaking his vow by disguising his own daughter Odile (the Black Swan) as Odette, the enchanting love story takes a tragic turn. Swan Lake is one of the most famous and popular classical ballets of all time, with Moscow City Ballet billing it as one of its signature pieces. The score from the 1877 Tchaikovsky’s Swan Lake is the real star of piece with its familiar refrains which allowed you to drift off on a sea of love and despair. The Moscow City Ballet Orchestra, conducted by Igor Shavruk, were a credit and totally in synch with the dancers. The ensemble pieces, especially the Dance of the Little Swans, are performed with a busy precision and lightness, a whirl of grace and beauty. Overall an enchanting evening full of lightness and grace. The audience showing their appreciation of the solo performances. Sadly there were no bouquets of flowers or any of the male ensemble at the final curtain call, which seemed a little odd. 

Nominations announced for the 2^nd CDG Casting Awards 

Tuesday 11 February 2020

The Casting Directors’ Guild (CDG) in partnership with Spotlight is pleased to announce the nominations for its second CDG Casting Awards, which will take place on Tuesday 11 February 2020 at Ham Yard Hotel London. This year’s event will feature six award categories: Best Theatre, Best Musical, Best Film, Best TV Drama, Best TV Comedy, Best Commercial. The CDG and Spotlight would like to welcome for the first time, headline sponsors Identity Agency Group.

Victor Jenkins, Chair of the Casting Director’s Guild commented: “We are delighted to present our second year of the CDG Casting Awards – the first of their kind to celebrate the expertise and significant casting achievements across Film, TV, Theatre and Commercials. The categories have been expanded this year, and as the nominations indicate, the calibre is exceptional. We were thrilled at the news last year that BAFTA has introduced a category for casting in both their film and television Awards and look forward to their debut appearance in this year’s ceremonies.”

The nominations for the 2020 CDG Casting Awards are:

The 2020 CDG Award for Best Casting in a Theatre production sponsored by Independent Talent

• Amy Ball for Sweat (Donmar Warehouse)
• Stuart Burt and Julia Horan for Pinter at the Pinter Season(Harold Pinter Theatre)
• Isabella Odoffin for Small Island (National Theatre)
• Robert Sterne for A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Bridge Theatre)
• Charlotte Sutton for Death of a Salesman (Young Vic)

The 2020 CDG Award for Best Casting in Musical Theatre sponsored by LW Theatres

• Pippa Ailion and Natalie Gallacher; Casting Assistant Katherine Skene for Come from Away (The Abbey Dublin and The Phoenix Theatre)
• Will Burton for Evita (Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre)
• Alastair Coomer and Charlotte Sutton for Company (Gielgud Theatre)
• Stephen Crockett and David Grindrod for Waitress (Adelphi Theatre)
• David Grindrod for Sweet Charity (Donmar Warehouse)
• Sam Jones for Wise Children (The Old Vic)

The 2020 CDG Award for Best Casting in a TV Drama sponsored by United Agents

• Suzanne Crowley and Gilly Poole for Killing Eve Series 2(BBC1)
• Nina Gold and Robert Sterne for Chernobyl (HBO)
• Sam Jones for Black Earth Rising (BBC2 and Netflix)
• Kate Rhodes James and Daniel Edwards; Casting Associate Gordon Cowell for Line of Duty 5 (BBC1)
• Kate Rhodes James for The Long Song (BBC1)
• Andy Pryor; Casting Associate Ri McDaid-Wren for Years and Years (BBC1)

The 2020 CDG Award for Best Casting in a TV Comedy sponsored by Hamilton Hodell

• Nicky Bligh for Stath Lets Flats (Channel 4)
• Lauren Evans for Sex Education (Netflix)
• Tracey Gillham for After Life Series 1 (Netflix)
• Tracey Gilham for Catastrophe Series 4 (Channel 4)
• Kelly Valentine Hendry; Casting Associate Alex Irwin for Ghosts (BBC1)
• Fiona Weir and Alice Searby; Casting Associate Sarah Wilson for Brassic (Sky One)

The 2020 CDG Award for Best Casting in a Film Sponsored by EON Productions

• Kahleen Crawford for Only You
• Kahleen Crawford for Wild Rose  
• Jina Jay; Casting Associate Olivia Brittain for Black Mirror: Bandersnatch
• Reg Poerscout-Edgerton for Rocketman
• Andy Pryor; Casting Associate Ri McDaid-Wren for Stan and Ollie
  

The 2020 CDG Award for Best Casting in a Commercial

• Claire Catterson, Kharmel Cochrane, Sasha Robertson, Jessica Ronane, Nicci Topping for John Lewis 2018 Christmas ‘The Boy and the Piano’
• Martin Gibbons for McCain ‘Differences’
• Martin Gibbons for British Heart Foundation ‘Boy’
• Sasha Robertson for Amazon Echo ‘Bedtime Story’
• Emma Stafford for BBC ‘Wonderland’

The nominated productions premiered between 1 September 2018 – 31 August 2019 and have been selected by members of the Casting Directors’ Guild, who will now vote for a winner in each category.

The headline sponsor for the CDG Casting Awards is Identity Agency Group. The Awards are sponsored by LW Theatres, EON Productions, United Agents, Independent Talent Group and Hamilton Hodell, with support from Joe and Steph’s Popcorn, Organise-Us, Branded Talent and RikRak.