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Jack Studio Theatre – until 30 November 2019

Reviewed by Claire Roderick

4****

With a successful international career and a seemingly happy marriage, Catherine’s need to be a mother is overwhelming. After 18 rounds of IVF over 11 years, she is exhausted and decides to attempt surrogacy. Jane Cafarella’s award-winning play follows Catherine and her American surrogate Nellie’s experiences with wit, warmth and compassion.

The technicalities and legal labyrinth of surrogacy agreements are a mountain to climb before the emotionally and physically draining medical procedures themselves, and Cafarella hasn’t held back in presenting the harsh realities of surrogacy. Creating two characters who would never enter each other’s worlds is a masterstroke, with Nellie’s goofy and naive excitement contrasting brilliantly with Catherine’s business-like, detail-oriented mindset immediately as Nellie completes Catherine’s questionnaire to find suitable candidates.

Of course, things don’t run smoothly, when three embryos are successfully implanted, the fate of one is shown in devastating style as Catherine arranges three sets of baby clothes in front of a screen tracking three heartbeats. It is in scenes like this that Kat-Anne Rogers excels as Catherine – hard-nosed and unsympathetic in her drive for motherhood but showing the chinks in the armour she has had to build for herself over the years to keep going. The sense of loss and devastation conveyed is palpable. Her matter-of-fact declaration that she’s NOT going to stop working when the baby arrives – much to Nellie’s horror – is completely understandable and healthy for her and the child, as is her classifying Nellie alongside the baby’s future nannies, although she will have been a special type of nanny.

Rachel Bellis as Nellie is larger than life and watching her transform from excited and evangelical about surrogacy at the beginning of her “journey” to frustrated and angry as Catherine’s stipulations overwhelm her is a joy. Nellie’s religious beliefs throw obstacles in the way when aborting one baby to save the other (she’s named them Brad and Angelina, while Catherine calls them A and B), but her need to do something worthwhile for others that can also give her a sense of purpose and worth is never lost, even when she is ranting in her vlogs about choosing gays as intended parents next time.

Under Pamela Schermann’s direction, the story unfolds in short scenes, with the women communicating via Skype, or through awkward meetings in New York, punctuated by Nellie’s vlog, which demonstrate the exhaustion motherhood can bring as her children torment each other off-screen. The ending is bittersweet but serves to show the disparate expectations of their relationship the two very different women hold. Heart-breaking, joyous and painfully honest, e-baby is a play you won’t want to miss.

Above The Stag Theatre – until 11 January 2020

Reviewed by Claire Roderick

5*****

Pantos are so much better when you don’t have to shoehorn in Baby bloody Shark for the toddlers in the house, and Above The Stag’s offering this year is glorious.

Puppet-maker Geppetta (Matthew Baldwin), her niece Cornetta (Christy Bellis) and Chianti the cat (Briony Rawle) have had to flee Rome after an unfortunate incident with one of the Pope’s favourite paintings and have settled in the sleepy town of Placenta. Lusted after by boatman Pedro (Shane Barragan), penniless and bored, Geppetta is told to wish upon a star to make her dreams come true by Fatima the fairy (Dami Olukoya). But when her wish comes true and her puppet Pinocchio (Jared Thompson) springs to life, he calls her Momma! The town is ruled by the dastardly Figaro Fox (Christopher Lane) – mayor, landlord and football manager, with his eye on Pinocchio too. Actually, Figaro has his eye on anything with a penis, as you would expect from someone whose motto is Carpe Phallus, and footballer Joe (Oli Dickson) is on his radar as well.

Jon Bradfield and Martin Hooper have written a brilliant mixture of filth and fairy tale, full of running jokes that never lose their appeal, corny songs, audience interaction/abuse and the traditional singalong – a fantastic ode to pasta. The rustic locals moving scenery with a flourish of their tambourines are just one of the sweetly knowing touches that make the show irresistible. Obviously, this being The Stag, it’s not Pinocchio’s nose that grows when he tells a lie, but the fact that he can’t whistle and must summon Fatima with a fart appeals to the inner child in everyone.

Matthew Baldwin is one of the best dames out there, and is on brilliant form as Geppetta, owning the audience with his first lines. Christopher Lane is hissingly odious as Figaro, and Jared Thompson is a sweet hero. The whole cast is wonderful, with immaculate comic timing and a dynamic sense of fun and joy.

Pinocchio: No Strings Attached! is the perfect panto for not-so-grownups to let loose and enjoy some filthy festive fun – just brilliant.

THEATRE (Cross-Arts, New Writing, Female/LGBTQ+)

OPIA Collective and The Bunker in association with The Maya Centre present:
The Girl With Glitter In Her Eye
WORLD PREMIERE

A cross-arts explosive collaboration of female and LGBTQIA+ artists that tells the story of a friendship complicated by the revelation of trauma
The Bunker Theatre, 12 – 27 January 2020 (Sundays and Mondays), 7.30pm (65 mins)

Written and directed by Masha
Kevinovna

“Innovative and challenging work
that addresses important issues
and pushes boundaries.”
Sabrina Mahfouz

Following a string of sell-out scratch performances, OPIA Collective present their debut show, The Girl With Glitter In Her Eye.

Two women, three voices, one story…

Phil is keeping a secret that she might never overcome. Helen is an artist with opportunities but must battle everyone’s expectations. A swan sings…

Desperate to stand out amongst a sea of artists and pressured to exploit her own narrative, Helen compromises a close friendship when she finds inspiration in Phil’s story. But is it possible to tell someone’s story without silencing them along the way?

The Girl With Glitter in Her Eye tells the story of a complex, female friendship complicated by the revelation of trauma and examines where the boundaries of consent lie. Fusing spoken word, original composition, live music and exceptional performances, OPIA Collective explore socially and politically challenging topics in their trademark multidisciplinary style.

Director Masha Kevinovna said, ‘The original aim with this story was to explore and expose rape culture that is engrained into our society yet as the show developed it evolved into becoming a story about consent and the different contexts in which the lines are blurred. It is a particularly important theme not just for me personally but in the current political landscape where voices are being removed or silenced with ease.’

@OpiaCollective | #TheGirlWithGlitterInHerEye | www.opiacollective.co.uk

OPIA Collective was formed in 2018 as a collective of six artists who identify as either queer, female or both and whose strengths lie in various art forms such as film-makers, writers, musicians, poets and dancers. Their primary mission is to create multidisciplinary work that brings an authentic representation of the female and LGBTQIA+ experience. The Girl With Glitter In Her Eye has been performed, commissioned and developed at Theatre Royal Stratford East, Lyric Hammersmith, Battersea Arts Centre, Omnibus and The Albany. They have also been programmed for their latest show, This Queer House, at Theatre Peckham and will be taking this show to Vault Festival 2020. The Creative Team is spearheaded by Masha Kevinovna who was recently Assistant Director to Stef O’Driscoll at Royal Court on A History of Water in the Middle East; Nikita Karia (Producer) and Ben Ramsden, 2018 nominee for The Gold Medal Prize at Trinity Laban Conservatoire for Music.

Running Time: 65 mins | Suitable for ages 15+

Company information
Written and directed by Masha Kevinovna Produced by Nikita Karia

Cast
Modupe Salu, Anna Mackay, Naomi Gardener, Ben Ramsden

Listings information
Bunker Theatre, 53A Southwark St, London SE1 1RU
12 – 27 January 2020, (Sundays and Mondays only) 7.30 – 8.30pm
Tickets: £12.00 (£10.00)
www.bunkertheatre.com/ | 0207 234 0486

The Witham, Barnard Castle – 22 November 2019

4****

The Castle Players present Ibsen’s Hedda Gabler, an amateur group by name but not an amateur production by any means.

Libby Harding directed a small but wonderful cast in a version set in 1925, more in keeping with Ibsens 1891 debut rather than some of the more modern versions of late.  It is set in the main room of the Tesmans new flat – a place Hedda doesn’t want to live and which she can’t begin to decorate due to lack of money

Hedda is complex and elusive, intelligent, yet deeply unfulfilled, bored already by her marriage – aware she is married beneath her.. This model of marital discontent is said to be one of the great parts to which any female actor can aspire and Suzanna Handley tackles the role with gusto.  Reclining on dust-sheet covered furniture, her new husband, kindly academic George, is very much in love with her but has no idea how to deal with her; his repeated allusions to her pregnancy actively repulse her. By the time her old school friend (or bully victim) Thea and her former lover, the equally wild Eilert Lovborg suddenly reappear in her orbit, she is a powder keg ready to explode. As she meddles with people’s lives and loves, in a spurious plot to boost George’s career which is, in fact, a desperate attempt to relieve her own tedium, damage is inevitable.

As for the cast themselves, they play their very disparate characters with finesse and sensitivity. Cal Baker’s George is a masterclass in loveable, oblivious bumbling, in stark contrast to Ben Pearson’s oily, devious Brack. Thea, Phoebe Lorenz, is a nervous wreck and Oliver Smith brilliantly portrays the mercurial Lovborg as a man ever on the brink of falling. Of course, the success of the play rests on Hedda’s slim shoulders, and Handley bears the weight with no sign of breaking into a sweat. Her Hedda is a study in manic energy, despairing lethargy and repressed rage. We watch her careering headlong and we know she is going to crash, but we can’t tear our eyes away.

The Witham is intimate, the perfect place to immerse yourself in the perceived stifle of the life of Hedda. There are a few moments of humour – George repeatedly misses the point of Julia Tesman’s (Heather Armstrong) ‘expectations’. And some humour in the sarcasm – mainly from Hedda but also Berte the maid (Isobel Harvey). Within this production some of the sarcasm was just hilarious and nailed perfectly. Essentially though the mood is dark, Hedda’s antagonism drives the action. Whether you are new to Ibsen or have seen the play many times, like all the greats, it was worthy of a visit.

Stanley and Audrey Burton Theatre, Leeds – 21 November 2019

Reviewed by Sally Richmond 

5*****

The audience were welcomed with high energy and fervor right from the very first step, as they entered into the world of Rosie Kay’s Fantasia, at the Stanley and Audrey Burton theatre in Leeds last night.

Performed in three parts and lasting fifty five minutes only, this mesmerising fusion of spectacular choreography and euphonious music scores endeavoured to answer Kay’s burning question: what makes dance beautiful and pleasurable? 

After carrying out extensive research through many scientific experiments, Rosie collaborated with music director Annie Mahtani, and together they produced a show worthy of filling the heart to the brim with delight.  

The three spectacular dancers: Shanelle Clemenson, Harriet Ellis and Carina Howard flawlessly mirrored, blended, leaped across and melted into each other with perfected, smooth and dynamic  moves. Each performer also gave us breathtaking solos within the three captivating sequences themed on: the sun, the moon and the Earth.  

‘Sun’ was performed in a traditional and classic style, with tutus and pirouettes,  which illuminated the sheer skill and strength of the dancers. In ‘Moon’, the costume change of grey fringed catsuits   led into a completely different mood and form altogether – free, loose and less conventional. ‘Earth’ evoked a more emotional response and irradiated an ethereal atmosphere, almost haunting.  Ellis’s solo, in which she was shrouded in black floaty chiffon, conjured up images of Cathy from Wuthering Heights, who dreamt she cried with joy when the angels dropped her back on earth, on her beloved moors –  the audience were transfixed!  

Did Rosie Kay accomplish her mission in delivering pleasurable and beautiful dance?  Yes, is the simple answer, absolutely!

Salford Lowry – 20 November 2019

Reviewed by Angelos Spantideas

5*****

Showing human arrogance and the excessive ambition of Dr Faustus the protagonist in its pursuit for more success sells his soul to the devil in exchange for having Mephistopheles as his servant for 24 years.

It is made obvious to the audience that making a deal with the devil cannot fill the emptiness of Dr Faustus lust which leaves him with an unbreakable contract and an everlasting wish for more.

The production is simple with everyday props which nevertheless does not make the play anything less than captivating.

The three actors brilliantly change characters in stage, are constantly engaging with the audience and are perfect fit for a production that makes sure to break every barrier between the stage and the audience. The energy of the three actors fills the theater and entertains throughout the duration of the play, with no scene seeming to be slow or boring.

The hour long play maintains high energy with members of the audience joining the stage, the audience actively engaging with the actors, who create a comedic atmosphere from the beginning of their performance.

A most certainly enjoyable play which due to its light, funny and entertaining nature is perfect for younger audiences, without missing the opportunity to use sarcasm and parody to address deeper and important issues which are relevant to all.

Leeds Playhouse – until 23 November 2019

Reviewed By Dawn Smallwood

3***

It’s True, It’s True, It’s True is currently playing at the Leeds Playhouse on the last stop of their tour. Breach’s award winning production returns to Bramall Rock Void’s intimate stage and retells the 1612 trial of Agostino Tassi for the rape of Artemisia Gentileschi, a baroque painter.

Ellice Stevens, Kathryn Bond and Sophie Steer star in this short one act play which is based on surviving court transcripts of the seven-month trail which had caught the attention of Renaissance Rome. This contemporary play is bold, daring, direct and dramatic which captures and grips the attention of the audience. The staging works well though a bit cluttered at times for retelling this dramatic documentary.

Breach theatre takes pride in their reworking of this production and ensures the darker messages, not usually encouraged, are just as relevant today than they were in the 17th Century. This is targeted for an adult audience, nudity being part of the show, and the themes and linked messages could not be any clearer. Breach theatre caringly supports local charities for those who have been a victim of rape or sexual violence.

The performance from Stevens (Artemisia) is very outstanding and one could not hear a pin drop as the whole audience is fixated to her powerful, emotive and poignant portrayal of the Baroque painter testifying as the victim and explicitly telling what exactly happened. As well as exploring sexual violence It’s True, It’s True, It’s True explores the role of women particularly in the patriarchal culture at the time and how the horrific experiences empowered Artemisia to become one of the most successful painter of her time. Though she felt revengefully expressed her experiences in the form of art, no doubt this was a saviour for her. Though the play is dark, hope and light are shared.

With an eclectic blend of modern music and modern language, under the direction of Billy Barrett and dramaturgic support from Dorothy Allen Pickard, this is an interesting and tense retelling of the court trial with the use of verbatim materials.

STAGE ONE ANNOUNCES REGIONAL HOSTS FOR 2020

Birmingham Repertory Theatre, Liverpool Everyman & Playhouse, Mercury Theatre Colchester and Cardiff’s Sherman Theatre have been announced as the hosts for theatre producers’ charity Stage One’s Regional Placement Scheme in 2020.

Stage One’s Trainee Producer Placement scheme offers unique hands-on training and development opportunities for outstanding entrepreneurial individuals. Stage One launched the Regional Producer Placement Scheme in 2013, in response to the success of their corresponding London scheme, which allows trainee producers to hone their skills in a West End producing office. Emerging producers can apply for both the London and regional placement schemes when applications open on Friday 10 January 2020.

The aims of the regional scheme are:

• To graduate 4 outstanding individuals from the programme who have developed their producing knowledge and increased their commercial contacts over a 12-month placement.
• To support subsidised venues in their plans to exploit work commercially and acknowledge the importance of the placements in supporting this cultural change.

Joseph Smith, Chief Executive of Stage One, said:

“The scheme aims to enhance communication, share knowledge and seed networks between the subsidised and commercial sectors. Stage One places an ambitious producer at the heart of a regional theatres production team. This enables the producer to learn from the regional producing team while at the same time adding to that team’s strength. We are delighted to be partnering with Birmingham Repertory Theatre, Liverpool Everyman & Playhouse, Mercury Theatre Colchester and Sherman Theatre in the upcoming year.” 

Sean Foley, Artistic Director of Birmingham Repertory Theatre said:

“The REP is extremely proud to be a 2020 host venue for The Stage One Regional New Producer Placement.  The REP has a history of supporting emerging artists from the region in their development, and we’re delighted to be working with Stage One again to create this opportunity for an emerging producer to join us as we enter a new era with myself as Artistic Director, along with my colleagues, Amit Sharma, new Deputy Artistic Director and new Executive Director Rachael Thomas.”

Victoria Rope, Producer at the Everyman & Playhouse Theatres, said:

“Stage One has made such a significant contribution to the UK theatre landscape by providing this incredible industry focussed opportunity to support early career producers. The Everyman & Playhouse are proud to be partnering with Stage One to provide this unique opportunity for an emerging producer, as it will develop skills, give insight along with invaluable experience and offer a bridge into the industry for a young producer.”

Tracey Childs, Executive Producer at Mercury Theatre Colchester, said:

“The Mercury is thrilled to be a host venue for a Stage One Regional New Producer Placement in 2020, as our refurbished theatre opens for it’s important first season. Having taken part in the scheme five years ago, we understand exactly how valuable these placements are in nurturing and supporting new talent and we are extremely grateful to the Stage One charity for their essential work in enabling the development of the producers of the future.”

Julia Barry, Executive Director of Sherman Theatre, said:

“We are delighted to be embarking upon this relationship with Stage One having long admired their work in supporting producers to be able to take an important step in their early careers.  The nurturing of emerging talent across all disciplines is a key priority for us at Sherman Theatre and to now partner with Stage One to support the development of a producer is very exciting.”

One week to go until magical ‘Christmas Carol – a fairy tale’ opens at Wilton’s Music Hall starring Sally Dexter as first female Scrooge on a London stage

·       Running 29 November – 4 January  

·       A brand-new reimagining of a Christmas classic written by Piers Torday

·       Staged in the most festive venue in London, Wilton’s Music Hall

One week today Christmas Carol – a fairy tale opens at Wilton’s Music Hall, with Emmerdale’s Sally Dexter starring as the first female Scrooge on a London stage.

Dickens’ festive tale has been reimagined by renowned children’s author Piers Torday especially for Wilton’s, and has taken the classic story of miserly Scrooge, a ghostly voyage of discovery and finding out the real meaning of Christmas and reinvented it as audiences have never seen it before…

Musical theatre legend and soap opera superstar Sally Dexter will play Fan Marley, the late Ebeneezer Scrooge’s sister who married Marley and who, as his widow, has inherited the business and his reputation as the meanest miser in town. Notorious as the lonely, penny-pinching and downright malicious misanthrope and despised by all who cross her path, three spirits visit Fan on Christmas Eve to show her why she must change her nasty ways.

Known to many as Emmerdale’sFaith Dingle, Sally has appeared in some of the West End’s most loved productions including Billy Elliot The Musical and Oliver! and won an Olivier Award for her performance in Dalliance at the Lyttleton Theatre.

Brought to Wilton’s by the team behind the critically-acclaimed The Box of Delights, this adaptation written by children’s author Piers Torday (The Frozen Sea, The Last Wild), has design by Tom Piper and directed by Stephanie Street, previously seen in James Graham’s Quizand Nightwatchmen at the National Theatre.

Brimming with spellbinding magic, haunting music and out-of-this-world puppetry, arguably the most famous festive story ever written will be retold beautifully at the most Christmassy theatre in London.

BRADFORD THEATRES ANNOUNCE
SPRING 2020 SEASON

Bradford Theatres are delighted to announce the Spring 2020 season which is jam packed with new musicals, returning favourites, world-class dance, family shows and top names in comedy and entertainment.

Adam Renton, General Manager Bradford Theatres says:
“With a wide range of exciting events taking place at all four of our venues, there’s something for everyone to enjoy in our forthcoming spring season.

There’s still time to grab a ticket for the fairest panto in Yorkshire, Snow White & The Seven Dwarfs, which runs at the Alhambra Theatre until the end of January. Then we launch into our spring season with, amongst other things, a superb range of dance productions. We have a welcome return by Rambert and Matthew Bourne’s The Red Shoes; and a Yorkshire exclusive visit by Acosta Danza, with a guest appearance by international ballet superstar Carlos Acosta.

We also have an array of amazing musicals this season at the Alhambra Theatre with the awe-inspiring We Will Rock You; and return visits by Beautiful, Joseph and the global phenomenon Disney’s The Lion King, which will take up its 8 week residency at the end of April.

The new Café at St George’s Hall is now open and we hope you will call in to enjoy a drink and some food with us. The spring season at our newly refurbished venue includes a fantastic mix of family shows and comedy, as well as classical music with visits from the Hallé including their popular New Year Viennese concert.”

December & January
Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs – Saturday 14 December 2019 – Sunday 26 January 2020, Alhambra Theatre. Signed: Thur 19 December 2pm, Audio Described: Thur 2 January 2pm/7.15pm, Captioned: Sun 12 January 1pm, Relaxed Performance: Tue 14 Jan 6pm.
Don’t miss the magic of this year’s enchanting family pantomime, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs starring Alhambra Theatre panto legend Billy Pearce, Steps star and Strictly Come Dancing finalist Faye Tozer and family TV favourite Paul Chuckle.

The Hallé – Sunday 5 January 3pm, St George’s Hall
Part of Bradford’s International Classical Music Season 2019/20 – 152nd Bradford Orchestral Season
An Evening with Alan Titchmarsh, Trowel and error – tales from my life on earth – Thursday 9 January 7.30pm, King’s Hall Ilkley
Sandi Toksvig Live! National Trevor – Saturday 11 January 7.30pm, St George’s Hall
Sounds of the 60s Live with Tony Blackburn – Thursday 16 January 7.30pm, St George’s Hall
Gary Delaney Gagsters Paradise – Saturday 18 January 8pm, The Studio. SELLING FAST!
I’m Sorry I Haven’t A Clue Stage Tour – Mon 27 January 7.30pm, St George’s Hall
Join Tim Brooke-Taylor, Tony Hawks, Marcus Brigstocke, Richard Osman and host Jack Dee for an unmissable evening of inspired nonsense.

An Inspector Calls – Wednesday 29 January – Saturday 1 February, Alhambra Theatre
Captioned: Fri 31 January 7.30pm, Audio Described: Sat 1 February 2.30pm
Stephen Daldry’s multi award-winning production for the National Theatre of An Inspector Calls returns after a sell-out London season and American tour. Daldry’s visionary, radical, challenging version of JB Priestley’s classic thriller is hailed as the theatrical event of its generation

February
European Union Chamber Orchestra – Sat 1 February 7.30pm, St George’s Hall
Part of Bradford’s International Classical Music Season 2019/20 – 152nd Bradford Orchestral Season

Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor® Dreamcoat – Tuesday 4 – Saturday 8 February, Alhambra Theatre
Signed: Thur 6 February 7.30pm, Captioned: Fri 7 February 8pm, Audio Described: Sat 8 February 2pm
Bill Kenwright’s production of Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber’s sparkling family musical comes to the Alhambra Theatre. Starring Britain’s Got Talent sensation Mark McMullan as Joseph

Spirit of the Dance – Wednesday 5 February 7.30pm, St George’s Hall
Clinton Baptiste The Paranormalist Returns! Thursday 6 February 7.30pm, The Studio
As seen on Peter Kay’s Phoenix Nights – Age recommendation 14+.
John Archer Against The Odds – Friday 7 February 8pm, The Studio. Age recommendation 12+
Good Vibrations Classic Beach Boys – Saturday 8 February 7.30pm, St George’s Hall
Featuring The English Philharmonic Orchestra.

Rambert – Wednesday 12 – Friday 14 February, Alhambra Theatre Post-show Q&A with members of the company: Wed 12 February – free to ticket holders All great artists start somewhere. Don’t miss world-class dance company Rambert’s new show, bringing together three choreographers’ moments of breakthrough.

Steve Steinman’s Vampires Rock Ghost Train – Thursday 13 February 7.30pm, St George’s Hall
The Traveling Wilburys Songbook – Saturday 15 February 7.30pm, King’s Hall Ilkley
The Hallé – Saturday 15 February 7.30pm, St George’s Hall
Part of Bradford’s International Classical Music Season 2019/20 – 152nd Bradford Orchestral Season
John Shuttleworth’s Back – Tuesday 18 February 7.30pm, King’s Hall Ilkley

We Will Rock You – Monday 17 – Saturday 22 February
Signed: Thursday 20 February 7.30pm, Captioned: Fri 21 February 7.30pm, Audio Described: Sat 22 February 2.30pm
The worldwide smash hit musical by Queen and Ben Elton returns to the UK. The multi-million pound show dazzles all the senses in breath-taking style. Guaranteed to blow your mind, this musical phenomenon is not to be missed!

Tango Fire – Accompanied by the Tango Fuego Quartet – Wednesday 19 February 7.30pm, St George’s Hall
Herman’s Hermits 55th Anniversary Tour – Thursday 20 February 7.30pm, King’s Hall Ilkley
Fascinating Aida – Thursday 20 February 7.30pm, St George’s Hall. Age recommendation 14+
With Dillie Keane, Adèle Anderson and Liza Pulman. Aria Quartet, Basel – Friday 21 February 7.30pm, St George’s Hall
Part of Bradford’s International Classical Music Season 2019/20 – 32nd Bradford Chamber Season

The Sound of Music – Tuesday 25 – Saturday 29 February
Captioned: Fri 28 February 7.30pm, Audio Described: Sat 29 February 2.30pm
One of the greatest musicals of all time returns to the Alhambra Theatre. This wonderfully lavish staging tells the true story of the world-famous singing family, from their romantic beginnings and search for happiness, to their thrilling escape to freedom at the start of WWll.

Flo and Joan Before The Screaming Starts – Friday 21 February 8pm, The Studio
The Music of Prince – Saturday 22 February 7.30pm, St George’s Hall
Menopause the Musical 2 Cruising Through Menopause – Wednesday 26 February 7.30pm, St George’s Hall. Age recommendation 16+.

Dom Joly’s Holiday Snaps Travel and Comedy in the Danger Zone – Thursday 27 February 7.30pm,
King’s Hall Ilkley. Parental guidance.
The Foundations – Friday 28 February 7.30pm, King’s Hall Ilkley
Boyzlife Tour 2020 – Featuring Brian McFadden and Keith Duffy – Saturday 29 February 7.30pm, St George’s Hall

March
Beautiful The Carole King Musical – Tuesday 3 – Saturday 7 March, Alhambra Theatre
Signed: Thur 5 March 7.30pm, Captioned: Fri 6 March 7.30pm, Audio Described: Sat 7 March 2.30pm
Beautiful tells the inspiring true story of Carole King’s remarkable rise to stardom, from being part of a hit song-writing team with her husband Gerry Goffin, to her relationship with fellow writers and best friends Cynthia Weil and Barry Mann, to becoming one of the most successful solo acts in popular music history.

The Tiger Who Came To Tea – Tuesday 3 & Wednesday 4 March, St George’s Hall. Suitable for children aged 3+.
Andy Parsons Healing The Nation – Thursday 5 March 8pm, King’s Hall Ilkley Ages 14+ (parental guidance) due to swearing and adult content
Benjamin Grosvenor – Friday 6 March 7.30pm, St George’s Hall
Part of Bradford’s International Classical Music Season 2019/20 – 32nd Bradford Chamber Season
The Tina Turner Experience – Friday 6 March 7.30pm, King’s Hall Ilkley
Lipstick on Your Collar – Saturday 7 March 7.30pm, King’s Hall Ilkley
Stephen Bailey Can’t Be Bothered – Thursday 12 March 7.30pm, The Studio. Age recommendation 16+

Acosta Danza Evolution – Friday 13 & Saturday 14 March, Alhambra Theatre
Audio Described: Sat 14 March 7.30pm Post-show Q&A with members of the company: Fri 13 March – free to ticket holders.
International ballet superstar Carlos Acosta and his critically acclaimed Cuban company Acosta Danza perform a programme of new and existing works. Acosta makes a guest appearance in the iconic Rooster, choreographed by Christopher Bruce to music by the Rolling Stones.

Matthew Bourne’s The Red Shoes – Tuesday 17 – Saturday 21 March, Alhambra Theatre
Audio Described: Sat 21 March 2.30pm. Post-show Q&A with members of the company: Tue 17 March – free to ticket holders A sell-out before its world premiere tour opened in 2016, Matthew Bourne’s triumphant adaptation of the legendary film returns after winning two Olivier Awards and dazzling audiences across the UK and the USA.
Age recommendation 7+

Adam Kay This is Going to Hurt (secret diaries of a Junior Doctor) – Sunday 15 March 7.30pm, St George’s Hall. Age recommendation 12+
Thank You for The Music The ultimate tribute to ABBA – Thursday 19 March 7.45pm, King’s Hall Ilkley
Northern Live – Do I Love You – Friday 20 March 7.30pm, St George’s Hall
Ian Waite & Vincent Simone The Ballroom Boys Act Two – Monday 30 March 7.30pm, St George’s Hall

Senbla by arrangement with Opera International presents An Ellen Kent Production
La Bohème – Wednesday 25 March, 7.30pm, Alhambra Theatre
La Bohème is one of the most romantic operas ever written. This classic tale of Parisian love and loss features many famous arias including Your Tiny Hand Is Frozen, They Call Me Mimi and Musetta’s Waltz.
Madama Butterfly – Thursday 26 March, 7.30pm, Alhambra Theatre
Madama Butterfly is one of the world’s most popular operas. Highlights include the melodic Humming Chorus, the moving aria One Fine Day and the unforgettable Love Duet.

David Walliams’ Billionaire Boy – Tuesday 31 March – Saturday 4 April, Alhambra Theatre
Signed:Thur 2 April 10.30am
Joe Spud is twelve years old and the richest boy in the country. He has his own sports car, two crocodiles as pets and £100,000 a week pocket money! But what Joe doesn’t have is a friend. So he decides to leave his posh school and start at the local comp. But things don’t go as planned for Joe and life becomes a rollercoaster as he tries to find what money can’t buy!

April
Linos Piano Trio – Friday 3 April 7.30pm, St George’s Hall
Part of Bradford’s International Classical Music Season 2019/20 – 32nd Bradford Chamber Season
Kiri Pritchard-McLean – Empathy, Pains – Saturday 4 April 7.30pm, The Studio. Age recommendation 16+.

What’s In A Name? Tuesday 7 – Saturday 11 April, Alhambra Theatre
Captioned: Fri 10 April 7.30pm, Audio Described: Sat 11 April 2.30pm
You are invited to take a seat at the table for a riotously funny evening that questions whether a person’s name truly reflects who they are. Stars Joe Thomas (The Inbetweeners, Fresh Meat), Bo Poraj (Miranda, Musketeers) and Laura Patch (Afterlife, Star Stories). Age recommendation 14+

A Tribute to Amy – The Amy Winehouse Celebration – Thursday 9 April 7.45pm, King’s Hall Ilkley
Northern Ballet Presents Little Red Riding Hood – Thursday 9 April, St George’s Hall
Retelling the classic fairytale with a Northern Ballet twist, Little Red Riding Hood is the perfect opportunity for your little ones to enjoy live ballet, music and theatre. Suitable for children aged 3+
The Elvis Years – The Story of the King – Saturday 11 April 7.30pm, King’s Hall Ilkley
Exciting Science – Wednesday 15 April 11.30am, King’s Hall Ilkley
Faith – The George Michael Legacy -Thursday 16 April 7.45pm, King’s Hall Ilkley
The Real Thing Greatest Hits Tour 2020 – Friday 17 April 7.30pm, King’s Hall Ilkley
You Can’t Hurry Love The Music of Diana Ross and The Supremes – Saturday 18 April 7.30pm, St George’s Hall

BalletBoyz – Wednesday 22 April, Alhambra Theatre, 7.30pm
Get ready to meet Joey, Ben, Harry, Liam, Sandi and Will – the six exceptional young dancers who star in this feast of mesmerising and sublime dance, cleverly fused with the BalletBoyz trademark use of film and behind the scenes footage.

Rumours of Fleetwood Mac Live In Concert 2020 – Wednesday 22 April 7.30pm, St George’s Hall
The Hallé – Friday 24 April 7.30pm, St George’ Hall
Part of Bradford’s International Classical Music Season 2019/20 – 152nd Bradford Orchestral Season
Jimmy Carr Terribly Funny – Tuesday 28 April 8pm, St George’s Hall. Age recommendation 18+. SELLING FAST!

Disney’s THE LION KING – Thursday 30 April – Saturday 20 June, Alhambra Theatre
Signed: Thur 14 May 7.30pm, Audio Described: Thur 4 June 2.30pm, Captioned: Thur 11 June 7.30pm,
Relaxed performance: Tue 16 June 5pm
Brilliantly reimagined by acclaimed director Julie Taymor, Disney’s beloved film has been transformed into a spectacular theatrical experience that explodes with glorious colours, stunning effects and enchanting music. The Lion King is recommended for ages 6 and up. Children under 3 years of age are not permitted.

Amateur
Buttershaw St Paul’s Amateur Operatic & Dramatic Society Presents – Kipps The New Half A Sixpence Musical – Wednesday 22 – Saturday 25 January, St George’s Hall

To book for all of these shows please contact the Box Office on 01274 432000
or visit our website: bradford-theatres.co.uk
Booking fees apply