Home

• A WORKSHOP OF LESLIE BRICUSSE’S MUSICAL SAMMY, BASED ON THE EXTRAORDINARY LIFE OF SAMMY DAVIS JR., WILL BE PRESENTED BY ANTHOLOGY THEATRE AND KATY LIPSON FOR ARIA ENTERTAINMENT

• CLARKE PETERS WILL DIRECT OLIVIER AWARD-WINNING ACTOR GILES TERERA IN THE TITLE ROLE 
          

A workshop of Leslie Bricusse’s musical SAMMY will be presented by Anthology Theatre Productions and Katy Lipson for Aria Entertainment on Thursday 31 October to an invited audience of producers, theatre owners and investors. Olivier Award-winning actor, singer, writer, and director, Clarke Peters will direct recent Olivier Award-winner Giles Terera in the title role in this rousing musical written by Oscar and Grammy Award winning composer, lyricist and playwright Leslie Bricusse.

Clarke Peter’s vision for this modern re-imagining of Bricusse’s original musical, which played a short season in San Diego previously, will examine the life and enduring legacy of the 20th Century’s greatest entertainer. Through the era-defining music of Leslie Bricusse, Sammy’s collaborator and friend, with innovative elements of projection and dance, SAMMY celebrates Sammy Davis Jr. as a phenomenal talent, a cultural pioneer, and a complicated man – both shaped by the times he lived in and defining them.

Sammy Davis Jr. recorded more than 60 songs written by Leslie Bricusse, including his only No.1 hit, “The Candy Man.” The musical will feature new work by Bricusse and stand-out numbers from the Leslie Bricusse and Anthony Newley songbook, including; “What Kind of Fool Am I?” “Feeling Good”, “Who Can I Turn To?” and “The Candy Man Can”.  Mike Dixon will be the musical supervisor.

The producers hope to mount a full production of the show in 2020 which will mark what would have been Sammy Davis Jr.’s 95th Birthday.

INITIAL CASTING AND PRODUCTION TEAM ANNOUNCED

FOR THE WORLD PREMIERE OF

L E O P O L D S T A D T

 A NEW PLAY BY TOM STOPPARD, DIRECTED BY PATRICK MARBER

BOOKING EXTENDED BY FOUR WEEKS, NOW PLAYING TO 13 JUNE 2020

Sonia Friedman Productions today (25 October 2019) announces initial casting for the world premiere of Tom Stoppard’s Leopoldstadt to be directed by Patrick Marber, as well as a four-week extension to the run which goes on sale today at 10am. Now booking to 13 June 2020, Leopoldstadt begins previews at Wyndham’s Theatre on 25 January 2020. 

The cast includes Sebastian Armesto, Jenna Augen, Rhys Bailey, Joe Coen, Mark Edel-Hunt, Clara Francis, Ilan Galkoff, Caroline Gruber, Sam Hoare, Natalie Law, Noof McEwan, Dorothea Myer-Bennett, Jake Neads, Aaron Neil, Alexander Newland, Yasmin Paige, Adrian Scarborough, Griffin Stevens, Ed Stoppard, Luke Thallon, Eleanor Wyld and Alexis Zegerman.  The children’s cast, comprising three sets of five children, includes Toby Cohen, Zachary Cohen, Olivia Festinger, Tamar Laniado, Maya Larholm, Daniel Lawson, Louis Levy, Libby Lewis, Jack Meredith, Chloe Raphael, Beatrice Rapstone and Montague Rapstone.Further adult and children’s casting will be announced at a later date. 

Sonia Friedman said: “We are thrilled to announce initial casting for Leopoldstadt, the remarkable new play from one of the world’s greatest living playwrights. Our company of 41 actors will come together in Patrick Marber’s production, to tell Tom Stoppard’s powerful and humane story spanning several decades during one of the most turbulent periods in world history. Focussing on endurance, survival, assimilation and resilience, it is a privilege to be producing this potent and timely new work.”

Set designs are by Richard Hudson, with costume designs by Brigitte Reiffenstuel, lighting by Neil Austin, sound and original music by Adam Cork, and movement by EJ Boyle. Casting is by Amy Ball CDG,with children’s casting by Verity Naughton.

Vienna in 1900 was the most vibrant city in Europe, humming with artistic and intellectual excitement and a genius for enjoying life. A tenth of the population were Jews. A generation earlier they had been granted full civil rights by the Emperor, Franz Josef. Consequently, hundreds of thousands fled from the Pale and the pogroms in the East and many found sanctuary in the crowded tenements of the old Jewish quarter, Leopoldstadt.

Tom Stoppard’s new play, directed by Patrick Marber, is an intimate drama with an epic sweep; the story of a family who made good. “My grandfather wore a caftan,” says Hermann, a factory owner, “my father went to the opera in a top hat, and I have the singers to dinner.”  It was not to last. Over the next fifty years this family, like millions of others, was to re-discover what it meant to be Jewish in the first half of the 20th century. Leopoldstadt is a passionate drama of love, endurance and loss. It is Stoppard’s most humane and heart-breaking play.

Leopoldstadt, the sixth collaboration between SFP and Tom Stoppard, reunites Stoppard, Marber and Friedman who last collaborated on Travesties in 2017.

Leopoldstadt is co-produced with Gavin Kalin Productions, Scott Rudin, Tulchin Bartner Productions, Scott M. Delman/Patrick Gracey in association with Rupert Gavin, 1001 Nights Productions, Nica Burns, Burnt Umber Productions, Bradford W. Edgerton, Eilene Davidson Productions, Richard Winkler.

LISTINGS INFORMATION

Theatre:                           Wyndham’s Theatre, Charing Cross Road, London, WC2H 0DA

Dates:                              25 January – 13 June 2020

Box Office:                         0844 482 5151

Performances:                    Monday – Saturday at 7.30pm, Thursdays (from 20 February) and Saturdays at 2.30pm

                                      Tuesday 17 March 2020 at 7.30pm Captioned Performance

Tuesday 24 March 2020 at 7.30pm Audio Described Performance

Website:                           leopoldstadtplay.com

Twitter:                           @LeopoldstadtLDN

Facebook:                         @LeopoldstadtLDN

Instagram:                        @LeopoldstadtLDN   

BRENDAN COLE ANNOUNCES FINAL BIG BAND TOUR – SHOW MAN

Brendan Cole announces today that he will revive his hugely popular 2019 tour for 2020 Show Man, announcing this will be his last big band tour after 10 years of touring 5 exceptional critically acclaimed productions.  Show Man opens at Grimsby Auditorium 19 Feb 2020 before touring the UK and Ireland.

Taking its inspiration from the magic of theatre and the movies Show Man brings something for everyone.  With his amazingly talented hand-picked championship dancers and scorching eight piece live big band and singers, Brendan will bring audiences many of their favourite Strictly dance styles with choreography full of excitement, intimacy, emotion & skill. With laughter and chat throughout you are guaranteed to have a ball.  This is no ‘sit back and watch’ production;  Each show is full on high energy dance dynamite, up close and personal, with superb choreography, stunning lighting and amazing special effects. Expect a cheeky Charleston to Pencil Full of Lead, a sexy Salsa to Despacito, music from Beggin’ to Bublé, plus numbers from The Greatest Showman and La La Land.

Brendan Cole is best known from TV favourite Strictly Come Dancing where he danced the first show of the first series and lifted the very first glitterball trophy.

Show Man is Brendan’s fifth theatrical production and will see him tour the UK for the twelfth time . He has presented ten hugely successful concert tours to date: Live & Unjudged (2010/2011 x 2/2012), Licence to Thrill (2013 & 2014), A Night To Remember (2015/2016) and All Night Long (2017/2018)

Brendan tells us ‘I’m really excited to be bringing back Show Man having toured this production early in 2019 .  This is my most exciting tour to date it’s so dynamic and theatrical – much more so than any previous tour.  We have five male dancers, three female dancers, choirs, a violinist and brand new staging which allows the choreography to be exciting and different; bigger and better lifts, some very strong theatrical numbers as well as a new look set, it really is something special!  My aim is to wow the audience and give them everything they’d expect and much, much more.

Brendan continues ‘ This will be my last big band tour after touring for so many years. I’ve loved every second of being own the stage with my friends who have now become family. It’s time for something different and I’m honoured to be taking Show Man out for one last run. I’m so proud of this production and I’m going out on a high’

If you love live music from one of the best touring bands and exciting and emotive dance this is the show for you.  Don’t miss your chance to experience the ultimate Show Man at his best.

For more information and tour dates visit www.brendancolelive.com or www.pmbpresentations.com     

Find us on Twitter and Facebook @BrendanColeTour  

LISTINGS

Wed 19-Feb    Grimsby Auditorium              www.grimsbyauditorium.org.uk            0300 300 0035

Fri 21-Feb        Southend Cliffs Pavilion         www.thecliffspavilion.co.uk              01702 351135

Sun 23-Feb      Ipswich Regent                       www.ipswichregent.com                   01473 433100

Tue 25-Feb      York Grand Opera House       www.atgtickets.com/york                  0844 871 3024

Wed 26-Feb    Aberdeen Music Hall              www.aberdeenperformingarts.com            01224 641122

Thu 27-Feb      Glasgow Royal Concert Hall   www.glasgowconcerthalls.com            0141 353 8000

Sat 29-Feb       Dunfermline Alhambra          www.alhambradunfermline.com            01383 740384 

Sun 01-Mar     Newcastle Theatre Royal       www.theatreroyal.co.uk                    08448 11 21 21

Mon 02-Mar   Birmingham Symphony Hall   www.thsh.co.uk                                 0121 780 3333

Tue 03-Mar     Perth Concert Hall                  www.horsecross.co.uk                       01738 621031

Wed 04-Mar   Inverness Eden Court              www.eden-court.co.uk                      01463 234234

Sat 07-Mar      Dublin Bord Gais                     www.bordgaisenergytheatre.ie            +353 (1) 677 7999

Sun 08-Mar     Dublin Bord Gais                     www.bordgaisenergytheatre.ie            +353 (1) 677 7999

Fri 13-Mar       Eastbourne Congress              www.eastbournetheatres.co.uk            01323 412000

Sun 15-Mar     Wales Millenium Centre        www.wmc.org.uk                                029 2063 6464

MANCHESTER OPERA HOUSE TEAMS UP WITH OXSIGHT AND HENSHAWS TO OFFER VISUALLY-IMPAIRED GUESTS AND THEIR GUIDE DOGS A NIGHT AT THE THEATRE

Registered blind individuals were given the opportunity to experience the new musical & Juliet wearing new smart glasses that allowed them to see the entire performance.

Participants with ‘tunnel vision’ also known as ‘peripheral vision loss’ entered a competition to experience the show using new smart glasses technology which allowed them to see the entire musical & Juliet before its West End debut. In addition, a further 10 registered blind winners were given an exclusive touch tour which allowed them to feel the props, costumes and meet the cast – followed by the Opera House’s fantastic audio description accessibility option.

Kevin Crompton, 48 from Manchester who has lost 95% of his vision and describes his remaining sight as “looking through pin hole”, commented on the performance and said:“It was very emotional putting the glasses on for the first time in the theatre, usually I wouldn’t be able to see the stage, but I was able to follow the entire story and see the full stage and all of the characters. Sight loss doesn’t mean having to give up on life, it means doing life differently – this is exactly what OXSIGHT are doing for people.”  

The Opera House teamed up with Henshaw’s to make theatre experiences more accessible for those living with a visual impairment and as part of the World Sight Day 2019 campaign, giving free tickets to new musical.

The Opera House also welcomed five guide dogs into the venue’s Ambassador Lounge for the evening, who each received VIP treatment throughout the performance with their very own Palace Theatre and Opera House water bowls, provided by yappy.com.   

Theatre Director, Sheena Wrigley commented; “When we were asked to be involved, our answer was a fervent yes. This is an opportunity where we can support developments in accessibility and change how people can experience live entertainment. Working with OXSIGHT means there’s a chance of breaking down barriers and we are committed to making theatre to be accessible to everyone.”

OXSIGHT users have experienced an increased field of view of up to 68 degrees. Many utilise the different modes on offer to enhance their remaining vision and experience sights they thought they had lost forever.

Kirsty Hill from Shrewsbury lost her peripheral vision following a stroke three years ago commented on her experience: “I can’t tell you how much the glasses mean to me, I never thought I would be able to enjoy anything like this properly again. The planning and care that went into looking after all of us and our dogs was so appreciated. The show was an opposite of sensory deprivation, still feel like my hair is standing on end!” 

There are more than two million people in the UK living with sight loss that noticeably affects their quality of life. In addition, it is estimated that 250 people start to lose their vision every day.

Hayley Allen, OXSIGHT Customer Care Manager, said: “It’s great to be able to collaborate with Henshaw’s, who do such amazing and important work in supporting the visually impaired. And Opera House Manchester have been brilliant. They’re always working hard to ensure that the visually impaired community feel as welcome as possible.”

This theatre event marks the first of many partnerships that OXSIGHT and Henshaw’s will be seeking out in order to increase accessibility at cultural venues for the visually impaired community.

About OXSIGHT:

OXSIGHT is a fast-growing digital eye care technology company established in 2016 as a spinout from Oxford University. It has developed a portfolio of products for the global markets that are transforming the lives of the visually impaired, their friends, colleagues and the community around them.

The Company’s easy-to-use glasses use artificial intelligence and image interpretation software to make a real difference to people with conditions that cause peripheral vision loss. These include Glaucoma, Diabetic Retinopathy, Retinitis Pigmentosa, Myopic Degeneration, Retinopathy of prematurity and other degenerative eye diseases. Its glasses have also helped people with a visual impairment caused following a stroke, such as homonymous hemianopia.

The company has worked in partnership with leading global players from both the visually impaired community and the technology sector. These include Google, The Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB), Moorfields Eye Hospital, Guide Dogs Association and The Royal Academy of Engineering. 

OXSIGHT is building a network of clinics in the UK and currently has operations in Europe, India and China.

OXSIGHT’s smart glasses use pioneering image interpretation software and artificial intelligence to enhance the remaining sight of people living with peripheral vision loss. The company launched its first products – OXSIGHT Prism and OXSIGHT Crystal – last year and is currently rolling them out around the world.

SALISBURY PLAYHOUSE PREMIERES NEW
BEATRIX POTTER FAMILY MUSICAL

Casting is today announced for a new musical adaptation of Beatrix Potter’s The Tailor of Gloucester, premiering in The Salberg at Salisbury Playhouse this Christmas (9 – 28 December).

Wiltshire Creative has commissioned this new adaptation for young children, written by Gareth Machin and Glyn Kerslake, whose previous collaborations include The Night Before Christmas and Little Robin Redbreast (also in The Salberg).

The cast includes Glyn Kerslake (The Night Before Christmas, Little Robin Redbreast) as The Musician, while Lara Stubbs (The Night Before Christmas) plays the Tailor.

Natalie Williams (Perfectly Ordinary, Hope Mill Theatre) plays Simpkin and Jake Mitchell (Offie-nominated Flat Out) plays the Flunkey.

Christmas day is just around the corner and the Tailor of Gloucester is busy working on an extraordinary new coat for the Mayor. But the Tailor is unwell and worried that the coat might not be finished in time for the Mayor’s wedding on Christmas Day. Simpkin, his cat, is too busy chasing mice to help but who knows what might happen on this, the most magical night of the year.

Beatrix Potter remains one of our best-loved children’s writers, highly regarded for her gentle stories of characters such as Peter Rabbit, Jemima Puddleduck and Mrs Tiggywinkle.

The musical is directed by Wiltshire Creative Associate Director Jo Newman and designed by Verity Quinn. Lighting is by Dave Marsh and the musical director is Glyn Kerslake. Choreography is by Joanne Redman.

The Tailor of Gloucester runs in The Salberg at Salisbury Playhouse from 9 to 28 December with morning and afternoon performances. With a running time of an hour, it is perfect Christmas entertainment for young children and their families.

Tickets are on sale now and can be booked by calling Ticket Sales on 01722 320333 or by visiting www.wiltshirecreative.co.uk. 

Ballet Black returns to Leeds

Ballet Black

Friday 15 & Saturday 16 November

Stanley & Audrey Burton Theatre, Leeds

theatreleeds.com

Award-winning dance company and Leeds favourites, Ballet Black, return to the city next month with a triple bill of bold and inventive dance in Ingoma, Pendulum and CLICK! They will be performing at the Stanley & Audrey Burton Theatre on Friday 15 and Saturday 16 November 2019.

The Company’s 2019 programme will feature inventive storytelling in a lively showcase of three modern ballets, beginning with Ingoma (song) by Company dancer and choreographer Mthuthuzeli November. A fusion of ballet, African dance and singing, this world première, and Barbican co-commission, portrays a milestone in South African history and imagines the struggles of black South African miners and their families in 1946, when 60,000 of them took courageous strike action.

The second ballet of the programme is a revival of Martin Lawrance’s Pendulum, an intimate duet that originally premièred in 2009 and was the choreographer’s first work for the Company. CLICK!, an up-beat piece by Scottish Ballet’s chorographer-in-residence Sophie Laplane, also a world première, completes the triple bill.

Cassa Pancho, Founder and Artistic Director of Ballet Black, says: ‘Our 2019 programme is a particularly exciting one for us. I am really excited that we have been able to offer one of our own dancers, Mthuthuzeli November, a main stage commission. This is an extremely important aspect of Ballet Black: diversifying the world of British ballet – not only in the visible landscape on stage, but throughout the art form, including diverse choreographic voices telling stories from a new perspective.’

Limited tickets remain for Ballet Black at the Stanley & Audrey Burton Theatre, Leeds, please call the Box Office on 0113 220 8008 for availability.

Theatre Casting Toolkit launched to improve onstage diversity

www.theatrecastingtoolkit.org

A Theatre Casting Toolkit has been launched to help make the UK’s stages and rehearsal rooms more reflective of modern society.

Designed to support people involved in any part of the casting process – from directors, casting directors and producers to marketers and management – the website offers a set of practical tools, a resources library and reflective ‘food for thought’.

The Toolkit was developed by Tonic following a commission from UK Theatre and Society of London Theatre (SOLT), in response to the needs of industry members. Individuals, organisations and theatre companies across the country, including Equity and members of the Casting Directors’ Guild, have been involved in consultation and trialling.

Specially created tools on the platform include a complex Tracker spreadsheet developed in partnership with the National Theatre Data Studio, which allows theatre companies to set targets for better onstage representation, record casting decisions and collect nuanced data across multiple productions.

Also available are a checklist for ensuring audition spaces are accessible, a glossary of relevant language and terminology, legal FAQs around discrimination, tips on managing change, a character tool to encourage broader thinking around the casting process, and a ‘what are we watching?’ spreadsheet for keeping track of productions you are seeing and venues you are visiting.

As well as original tools, the Toolkit signposts existing organisations, initiatives and materials, showcasing great work already happening to improve representation in the theatre industry and beyond. These materials are collected into a resource library, which contains everything from a list of legally protected characteristics to instructions on measuring socio-economic background.

Lucy Kerbel, founder of Tonic, said:

‘While there has been much conversation within the industry on broadening casting, conversation alone doesn’t make change happen. When UK Theatre commissioned Tonic to create the Theatre Casting Toolkit we jumped at the chance. By creating a hub of resources and practical tools – some designed by Tonic from scratch and others generated by experts from across theatre – we hope to convert conversation into action. The Toolkit is designed to be organic and adaptable, and we welcome feedback and suggestions from users.’

Wendy Spon, casting director and Vice Chair of the Casting Directors’ Guild, said:

‘As theatre casting directors, representation on our stages informs what we do every day and is always at the forefront of our minds, but we can never be complacent, and we don’t work in isolation. The Theatre Casting Toolkit is a brilliant resource for everyone involved in the casting process; it encourages imaginative thinking and offers a wealth of tools and information that individuals and companies large and small can access in one place.’

Indhu Rubasingham, Artistic Director of the Kiln Theatre, said:

‘I enjoyed being part of the consultation process for the Theatre Casting Toolkit. We’re making progress as an industry but there is always more to learn. In my experience, there are always good intentions to make positive changes in the casting process, but often there are obstacles in the way of carrying this through meaningfully. The Toolkit provides extremely useful, inspiring day-to-day support to make these intentions a reality in a very busy, time precious industry.’

www.theatrecastingtoolkit.org

Opera House, Manchester – until 26 October 2019

Reviewed by Sally Hopper

5*****

As a BIG fan of the movie, I wasn’t sure if the show would live up but it exceeded everything I thought it would be. From the cast, stage, lighting and sound it was amazing through and through. The place to start is the beginning, before everyone had even been seated the room filled with smoke and made to be cold, the perfect match with the set. A loud bang and plunge straight into darkness starts an encore of screams, perfect for building the tension straight out the gate. The stage in its Labyrinth style, created a 3 story house effect which was perfect and worked so well for the story. Regan’s bedroom was a highlight of the stage set up, in the silent moments it felt as if we were all in the room a part of the exorcism itself. The special effects that looked so realistic on the back wall, just gave an effect you can’t often gain from a stage show, a wilting Lilly as a part of the story was so well done. The window was also a really good aspect for me, the light pouring in as if from a street lamp and the curtains that had wind flowing through them when the window was open. The shadows which seemingly had no body making them were so creative, well placed and added to the atmosphere of the scenes.

The Cast were brilliant especially Regan herself played by Susannah Edgely, her performance was incredible going from a young innocent girl to the rude and vile possessed soul. It was so intensely believable, I felt at any second she was going to get out of bed and run towards the audience. Her screams to call the attention of the other characters was shrill and gave me the chills every time. With the booming sound of the demon’s voice performed by Ian Mckellen filled the room with a terrifying presence and echo.

Overall, I LOVED this production. I left wanting to go straight back and watch it all over again. As a big horror fan I will be looking for other movie adaptations and most definitely will be looking out for this show again. This had everything I was hoping it would have from the famous head spin (which I’ve still not figured out how they did) to the projectile vomit. EVERYTHING WAS AMAZING!

WHOOPI GOLDBERG

TO REPRISE HER STARRING ROLE AS DELORIS VAN CARTIER
WITH

JENNIFER SAUNDERS

AS MOTHER SUPERIOR

IN A NEWLY ADAPTED PRODUCTION

OF THE SMASH HIT MUSICAL

AT LONDON’S EVENTIM APOLLO

FROM 29 JULY – 30 AUGUST 2020

TICKETS ON SALE NOW

Whoopi Goldberg will reprise her starring role as Deloris Van Cartier for the first time on stage with Jennifer Saunders as Mother Superior in a newly adapted production of the smash hit musical SISTER ACT at London’s Eventim Apollo from 29 July to 30 August 2020. Tickets on sale now.

Goldberg is also a producer of the new production, as she was when the show first debuted in the West End in 2009. The beloved musical has since played a successful run on Broadway and in touring companies around the world. Goldberg briefly appeared as Mother Superior at the London Palladium in 2010.

Producer Jamie Wilson said today ‘It has been so exciting to work with Whoopi, Alan Menken, Douglas Carter Beane and Glenn Slater to revise and refresh Sister Act for this newly adapted production. This is a very special one-off opportunity created just for London to see one of the most loved actors of our time playing the part she is so famous and so loved for. The addition of Jennifer means that Sister Act truly promises to be the ultimate night of laughs and smiles with two comedy greats. I’m also thrilled that Brenda Edwards, who has been so instrumental in Whoopi agreeing to return to the stage, has been able to schedule her TV commitments so she can play Deloris on Thursday matinees. It really is going to be a brilliant Summer!’.

Whoopi Goldberg plays Deloris Van Cartier for the first time on stage having played the part in the hugely successful films Sister Act and Sister Act 2 – Back in the Habit. Whoopi is one of the few people to hold the distinction of winning the four major American awards – an Emmy, a Grammy, an Oscar and a Tony. As well as Sister Act, Whoopi’s other film credits include Ghost and The Color Purple. On TV she has hosted the Oscars four times and is a moderator and co-host on The View. On stage Whoopi has appeared in A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum and Xanadu on Broadway, Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom and her own acclaimed one-woman show.

Jennifer Saunders is a multi award-winning actress, comedian and writer. She is one half of the successful comedy duo French and Saunders and also wrote and starred in five series, three specials and a feature film of her hit comedy Absolutely Fabulous. Her many other TV credits include writing and starring in Jam and Jerusalem and guest starring in Friends and Roseanne. Film credits include the voice of the evil Fairy Godmother in Shrek 2. On stage she has appeared in Lady Windermere’s Fan at the Vaudeville Theatre and Blithe Spirit at Bath Theatre Royal. This production transfers to the Duke of York’s Theatre next year. Sister Act the musical will mark Jennifer’s musical theatre debut.

Brenda Edwards first came to the public’s attention when she became a semi-finalist in the 2005 series of ITV1’s The X Factor. Since then, she has become one of the most sought-after leading ladies in musical theatre. Her many theatre credits include Killer Queen in We Will Rock You at the Dominion Theatre and on the original UK Tour, Mama Morton in Chicago at the Cambridge Theatre and the 10^th Anniversary Gala, Nettie Fowler in Carousel at the London Coliseum, Pearl Pastor in Carmen Jones at the Royal Festival Hall, Esta in Moby Dick at the Union Theatre and most recently Motormouth Maybelle in the UK tour of Hairspray. Brenda is also a regular panellist on ITV’s Loose Women.

SISTER ACT has direction by Bill Buckhurst, choreography by Alistair David, Set Design by Morgan Large,  Lighting Design by Tim Mitchell, Sound Design by Tom Marshall and Musical Supervision by Stephen Brooker. Casting is by Stuart Burt.

SISTER ACT features original music by Tony® and 8-time Oscar® winner Alan Menken(Disney’s Aladdin, Enchanted), lyrics by Glenn Slater, book by Bill and Cheri Steinkellner with additional book material by Douglas Carter Beane. SISTER ACT is produced by Jamie Wilson and Whoopi Goldberg. Tom Leonardis, Head of Whoopi’s production company, is also on the producing team. On Thursday matinee the roles of Deloris Van Cartier will be played by Brenda Edwards.

Based on the iconic movie, this sparkling tribute to the universal power of friendship, sisterhood and music tells the hilarious story of the disco diva whose life takes a surprising turn when she witnesses a murder. Under protective custody she is hidden in the one place she won’t be found – a convent!  Disguised as a nun and under the suspicious watch of Mother Superior, Deloris helps her fellow sisters find their voices as she unexpectedly rediscovers her own. 

Win tickets to Snow White and meet the cast

Grand Opera House York are looking for a talented youngster to design a picture for the front cover of their pantomime programme for Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.   

The winner will receive four tickets for the panto and an invitation to the VIP evening, where they will have their photo taken with the cast.  The winning design will be on the front cover of all the show programmes during the three week pantomime run.

All entries need to include the child’s name, age and address and phone number on the reverse side of the picture. The design will need to be portrait layout, preferably on A4 paper.  Send to: The Marketing Department, Grand Opera House, Cumberland St, York YO1 9SW.  All entries need to be in by  4^th November 2019.

Snow White and The Seven Dwarfs is showing from Thursday 12 December 2019 until Saturday 5 January 2020.