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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

BIRMINGHAM ROYAL BALLET GLIDES INTO 2020 WITH UK TOUR OF SIR PETER WRIGHT’S ACCLAIMED SWAN LAKE, FIRST STEPS: SWAN LAKE AND SWAN LAKE DREAMS

Birmingham Royal Ballet’s critically acclaimed Swan Lake, first created in 1981 by Sir Peter Wright and Galina Samsova, will tour the UK from 29 January 2020.  

SWAN LAKE: 29 January – 4 April 2020

Ballet’s greatest love story returns in Birmingham Royal Ballet’s lavish production. This romantic fable of ill-fated passion, powerfully illuminated by Tchaikovsky’s legendary score played live by the Royal Ballet Sinfonia, has bewitched audiences for generations. In 2020 the production will tour to Southampton, Birmingham, Salford, Sunderland and Plymouth.

By a moonlit lake, a grieving prince witnesses the transformation of a swan into a beautiful princess. Compelled by an evil spell to spend her days in the form of a bird, she can only be saved by the power of love.

Filled with exquisite ensembles, lyrical pas de deux and bravura solos, this Swan Lake is atmospheric, romantic and beautiful – an unforgettable experience.

The cast will include Céline Gittens and Momoko Hirata in the double principal roles of Odette/ Odile, partnered respectively with Tyrone Singleton and César Morales as Prince Siegfried.

RELAXED PERFORMANCE OF SWAN LAKE: 25 February 2020 at Birmingham Hippodrome, 12pm
In partnership with the Hippodrome, Birmingham Royal Ballet is presenting a relaxed performance of Swan Lake during its Birmingham run. Pioneers in making ballet accessible for all audiences, this is a carefully thought through experience that can be enjoyed by everyone, whatever their access needs.

FIRST STEPS: SWAN LAKE: 31 January – 3 April 2020

Alongside the full Swan Lake production, this hour-long, interactive afternoon show features excerpts from the ballet, performed by Birmingham Royal Ballet’s amazing dancers and full orchestra. These are interspersed with scenes in which a storyteller sets the scene, introduces the children to the music and characters, and shares some of the technical magic surrounding the ballet. A feast of dance, music, costumes and lots of fun, this is a perfect introduction to ballet.

SWAN LAKE DREAMS: 2 February – 31 March 2020

Birmingham Royal Ballet has been rolling out its large-scale performance project, Swan Lake Dreams, to ballet students of all ages and abilities in two of its touring regions as well as from across the Midlands.

A cast of approximately 70 selected students from each of the Birmingham, Plymouth and Southampton areas were invited earlier this year to audition for a role in a performance on the main stage of their local theatre, alongside the company.

They have each been given the opportunity to train, rehearse and perform in a full-length ballet alongside Birmingham Royal Ballet dancers. Open to ballet students aged eight+, the Swan Lake Dreams project gives insight into the Company workings while aiming to develop talent and raise aspirations for dancers of all ages.                                                                  

The Company will partner with the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire, whose orchestra will accompany the Swan Lake Dreams Birmingham performance, conducted by Birmingham Royal Ballet’s principal conductor, Paul Murphy.

Birmingham Royal Ballet’s Participation Manager, Rebecca Brookes, said “We are thrilled to be working inclusively with ballet students across the country to encourage their passion for dance. After the success in previous years of our Sleeping Beauty Dreams and Cinderella Dreams projects, Swan Lake Dreams aims to reach even more talented and aspiring dancers and to provide enjoyable and empowering experiences for those interested in learning more about a leading international Ballet Company.”                             

For further information about the project, please visit brb.org.uk/dreams

Listings Information

Swan Lake, First Steps: Swan Lake and Swan Lake Dreams

29 January – 4 April 2020

Music: Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky
Choreography: Peter Wright, Lev Ivanov, Marius Petipa
Production: Peter Wright, Galina Samsova
Designs: Philip Prowse
Lighting: Peter Teigen

Mayflower Theatre
22-26 Commercial Rd, Southampton SO15 1GE; 02380 711811 www.mayflower.org.uk
Wednesday 29 January – Saturday 1 February 2020
First Steps: Swan Lake: Friday 31 January 2020, 1pm
Swan Lake Dreams: Sunday 2 February 2020, 7pm
 

Birmingham Hippodrome
Hurst St, Southside, Birmingham B5 4TB; 0844 338 5000 birminghamhippodrome.com
Tuesday 18 – Saturday 29 February 2020
First Steps: Swan Lake: Friday 21 February 2020, 4.30pm
Audio-described performance of Swan Lake: Saturday 22 February 2020, 2.30pm (Touch Tour: 10.30am)
Swan Lake Dreams: Sunday 23 February 2020, 7pm
Relaxed performance of Swan Lake: Tuesday 25 February 2020, 12pm
 

The Lowry
Pier 8, The Quays, Salford M50 3AZ; 0343 208 6000 www.thelowry.com
Wednesday 4 – 7 March 2020
Audio-described performance of Swan Lake: Saturday 7 March 2020, 2pm (Touch Tour: 10.30am)
First Steps: Swan Lake: Friday 6 March 2020, 4.30pm
 

Sunderland Empire
4-5 High Street West, Sunderland SR1 3EX; 0844 871 3022 www.atgtickets.com/venues/sunderland-empire
Thursday 12 – Saturday 14 March 2020
First Steps: Swan Lake: Thursday 12 March 2020, 4.30pm
 

Theatre Royal Plymouth
Royal Parade, Plymouth PL1 2TR; 01752 267222 www.theatreroyal.com
Wednesday 1 – Saturday 4 April 2020
Swan Lake Dreams: Tuesday 31 March 2020, 7pm
First Steps: Swan Lake: Friday 3 April 2020, 4.30pm

Canal London – until 8 December 2019

Reviewed by Sabrina Fancy

5****

Amanda Broomell wrote and performs this solo show based on her autobiographical accounts of her dating experiences. This one women production follows 40-year-old single Mandy Broomell’s search for a romantic partner. In the process, she ends up finding herself.

Set in the US we follow her ups and downs and learn about her romantic history and the challenges of dating in the modern world. Mandy is smart and very witty and very likeable. She is very funny, narrating many of the pitfalls of dating and explores modern day dating hazards such as ghosting and gaslighting- many of her experiences are very familiar in this disposable dating culture.

Broomell cleverly peppers in snippets and re-worded 80’s and a few 90’s classics to convey her emotions or drive home a point. Some of these included Foreigner’s ‘I Wanna Know What Love Is’ and Human League’s ‘Don’t You Want Me Baby’, sung acapella with Amanda’s lovely voice.

I loved the references to the Bachelor franchise, one of the most popular American realty TV shows about the and the early influences it had on Mandy’s dating perceptions (spoiler- the show is completely unrealistic) and other American pop culture references ‘skinny girl wine.’ We also get to sit in to Mandy’s amusing and insightful sessions with her various therapists.

While there are lots of laughs, the production takes an unexpected dark turn when Mandy narrates her experiences with abuse, body dysmorphia and addiction that she suffered as a result of some traumatic childhood experiences. We see how Mandy uses men for validation and determining herself worth based on how men treat her. It was so sad to see how abuse shapes one’s future ideas on love and relationships. While I found this part of the production very unsettling, I couldn’t help being engaged and moved. There was a real rawness to the performance which I did not expect.

Despite being just one performer, Mandy totally captivated the audience’s attention and is a strong, funny, vulnerable and strong women!

My only complaint of was that it was only an hour long, which left me wanting more! I huge ask considering it was a one woman show! I also found myself feeling extremely uncomfortable by some of Mandy’s revelations which only serves to reinforce that this is a great testament for the quality of the production.

If you can manage to catch this, expect lots of laughs and introspection performed by a very talented individual. My friend and I left having a new appreciation for our husbands and grateful for no longer being in the dating world! I give this a very deserving 5 stars.

Sally Cookson’s Acclaimed Production of The Lion, The Witch & The Wardrobe coming to The Lowry for Christmas 2020

Sally Cookson’s highly acclaimed stage production of C.S. Lewis’ The Lion, the Witch & the Wardrobe, will run at The Lowry in Salford from 9 December 2020 to 23 January 2021.

The production, which is currently playing to packed houses at the Bridge Theatre in London, broke box office records when it premiered at Leeds Playhouse in 2017.

This extraordinary adaptation of CS Lewis’ much loved novel re-tells the story with a mix of Cookson’s trade-mark theatricality, humour, music and puppetry.  It will see audiences step through the wardrobe into the icy, enchanted realm of Narnia for the most mystical of adventures in a faraway land.  

Audiences will join Lucy, Edmund, Susan and Peter as they wave goodbye to war-time Britain and say hello to a talking Faun, an unforgettable Lion and the coldest, cruellest White Witch.  

Sally Cookson’s previous productions include Peter Pan and Jane Eyre for the National Theatre, Hetty Feather in the West End and the Olivier Award-winning A Monster Calls at London’s Old Vic and on tour.  Tony and Olivier Award-winning designer, Rae Smith is the designer of the National Theatre’s internationally successful production of War Horse, and will be designing the upcoming West End production of Hello Dolly with Imelda Staunton.

Joining Cookson and Smith on the creative team are writer in the room Adam Peck, movement director Dan Canham, puppetry designer and director Craig Leo (part of the National Theatre’s original War Horse creative team), lighting designer Bruno Poet, sound designer Ian Dickinson and composer Benji Bower.   

Elliott & Harper Productions and Catherine Schreiber present this Leeds Playhouse production of C.S. Lewis’ The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe on tour.  Recent reviews include:

★★★★★
Sunday Times
“Sally Cookson’s vision of Narnia will restore your faith in theatre”

★★★★★
DAILY MAIL 
“Spectacular new life for Narnia” 

★★★★
THE TELEGRAPH
‘An absolutely spellbinding return to Narnia’

‘DEAR DIARY, DID YOU HEAR?’
THEATRE ROYAL WINDSOR ANNOUNCED AS
OPENING VENUE FOR FIRST UK TOUR OF
RECORD-BREAKING SMASH HIT

BY LAURENCE O’KEEFE & KEVIN MURPHY
BEST NEW MUSICAL – WHATSONSTAGE AWARDS 2019

**** 
Daily Telegraph, The Independent, Metro, Daily Express,
The Stage, Attitude, The Arts Desk, Broadway World

In the immortal words of Heather Chandler, ‘Honey whatcha waitin’ for?’… Theatre Royal Windsor has been announced as the opening venue for the highly anticipated UK tour of Heathers the Musical in 2020 (WhatsOnStage 2019 award for BEST NEW MUSICAL).

Following two record-breaking seasons at London’s The Other Palace and West End transfer to the Theatre Royal Haymarket in 2018, Heathers the Musical, the sassiest show around, will be opening its first-ever UK Tour at Theatre Royal Windsor (13– 23 May 2020).

Produced by Bill Kenwright and Paul Taylor-Mills, this high-octane, black comedy, rock musical based on one of the greatest cult teen films of all time, starring Winona Ryder and Christian Slater, is back with a bang!

Greetings and salutations!
Westerberg High’s Veronica Sawyer is just another nobody dreaming of a better day. But when she joins the beautiful and impossibly cruel Heathers, her dreams of popularity may finally come true. Mysterious teen rebel JD teaches her that it might kill to be a nobody, but it is murder being a somebody.

The award-winning writing team, Laurence O’Keefe and Kevin Murphy’s hit musical adaptation has enjoyed successful runs in Los Angeles and New York, and its West End premiere saw it become the highest grossing show at The Other Palace. It subsequently had spectacular success on transferring to the Theatre Royal Haymarket.

The musical is directed by acclaimed American screen and stage director Andy Fickman, with choreography by Thriller Live’s Gary Lloyd, design by David Shields, lighting by Ben Cracknell and sound by Dan Samson.

The 2020 Class of Westerberg High will be announced shortly …

BILL KENWRIGHT & PAUL TAYLOR-MILLS PRESENT
HEATHERS THE MUSICAL
2020 UK TOUR
By Laurence O’Keefe & Kevin Murphy
Directed by Andy Fickman
Choreography by Gary Lloyd
Design by David Shields
Lighting by Ben Cracknell
Sound by Dan Samson
Running Time: Approx. 2 hours 30 minutes including interval
www.kenwright.com
theatreroyalwindsor.co.uk
@BKL_Productions
@HeathersMusical
@TheatreWindsor

#HowVery

Theatre Royal Windsor theatreroyalwindsor.co.uk
Wednesday 13 May – Saturday 23 May 01753 853 888

Salisbury Playhouse – until 12 January 2020

Reviewed by Jo Gordon

5*****

Silly season has begun and what a way to start it. I always look forward to the Salisbury Playhouse Pantos as they never fail to impress me and this years outstanding effort did not let me down. This year I borrowed a friends child as a cover to fully immerse myself in the booing, cheering and “he’s behind you’s” but on surveying the audience there were many adults in attendance without a young sidekick who were very involved and loving it. Its a fantastic, intimate venue which suits panto well as it can wrap its sparkly magical arms around the audience and bring them in nice and close for the adventure.

The story this year was about the well known Robin Hood and his quest to save his one true love Maid Marion from the dastardly (but hilarious) Sheriff Of Nottingham. With the help of his merry men Friar Tuck and Alan A’dale along with Marion’s Nurse Nora Virus they come up with a cunning plan to get her back. There are some well known songs along the way adapted for the production that will get everyone’s toes tapping paired with fantastic choreography in the show tunes and fight scenes.
The set is well designed with colourful backdrops for Sherwood Forest and the sheriffs castle with an appearance from the most adorable dragon!

It has everything a family friendly panto should have, big costumes, slapstick, multi levelled jokes, heroes, heroines and true love. It matches any of the “big budget” pantos I’ve seen and the fact its home grown makes it special. To date, it has become the favourite one I’ve seen at the Playhouse as every year they get better and better. My young sidekick did not stop laughing and singing from start to finish, it was his first ever panto and I’m glad it was this one. On asking what his favourite part was, he thought the Sheriff was funny, he liked the pretty nurse and loved the “bottom jokes” …..not more you can ask for really!