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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.

Theatre Royal, Nottingham – until 26 October 2019

Reviewed by Boo Wakefield

3***

Have you heard of Jack Cardiff? I hadn’t. From the impact this play had on my fellow audience, particularly the preponderant older cohort, who rose to their feet in ecstasy and tears and words like “masterclass” at the end, I am certain it would have helped if I had. Indeed, I wish I had, because overall this play didn’t have quite the same impact on me.

Jack Cardiff was the cinematographer behind some of early colour film’s greatest, like The African Queen, Black Narcissus and The Red Shoes. He famously once described his role as being: “the cinematographer works with the director to achieve an atmosphere”. And this play is built around Jack’s lifelong passion for light: the lighting of his stills photography; the Impressionists who painted light over form; and the magic of the prism within vintage film cameras that allowed light to be captured into colour film.

In the first half of the play Jack (Robert Lindsay) is presented as a distressed man suffering from at times quite acute dementia, unable to recognise his own wife Nicola (Tara Fitzgerald) and with little or no short-term memory. Yet the script is laced with the sort of light humour of the sitcoms we are all so familiar with Robert Lindsay. It was a juxtaposition I found slightly uncomfortable. Into this mix is thrown his son, Mason (Oliver Hembrough) whose principal interest is in getting his father to commit his memoires, particularly the more salacious elements of them, to a book for his own gain. He has employed Lucy (Victoria Blunt) as his father’s carer cum secretary but she also has a complicated home life to cope with.

The set comes into its own in the second half as the converted garage the play is based in changes to a scene from The African Queen set in the jungle, one of many memories Clifford slips back into. The pictures on the garage walls of famous actresses Cardiff had once filmed changing to support the story, which were good visual prompts for the story telling.

Prism was partly Robert Lindsay’s idea and he excels in his role switching from comic timing to reminiscing his successful career and his many celebrity conquests to portraying a stream of different emotions. He is complimented by his three fellow actors: Fitzgerald’s raw grief from not being recognised by her dementia-ridden husband was very moving; Hembrough’s strong portrayal as a loving but frustrated son having lived in his father’s shadow all his life; and Blunt’s slightly dippy carer desperate to please to keep her job to her portrayal of Monroe was a joy. A thought-provoking play for the film buffs.

RORY MAGUIRE TO STAR AS DENNIS IN

British actor Rory Maguire will star as Dennis in Selladoor Family and Beano Studios’ new stage production Dennis & Gnasher The Musical! which opens on 23 January 2020 at the Waterside Theatre in Aylesbury before embarking on a UK tour throughout 2020.

Rory is currently starring as Gerard in American Idiot (UK Tour & New Zealand). His previous theatre credits include Summer Holiday (UK Tour), Thoroughly Modern Millie (Avalon, Canada), Mamma Mia (UK Tour), Peter Pan (Greenwich Theatre & Rickmansworth), George’s Marvellous Medicine (88 London Road, Brighton), Grease (BKL), Ushers (Arts Theatre & Edinburgh Festival), Aladdin (Brighton Emporium) and Shrek (UK Tour).

The musical tells the story of the iconic duo Dennis & Gnasher and along with their best friends, Rubi, JJ and Pieface and their mission to save Beanotown from the grips of the evil W Corps! Featuring live music, hilarious pranks, and of course, Dennis’ trademark skateboard, this brand new, high-octane musical is perfect for pranksters young and old!

The stage production follows on from the success of Beano Studios’ International Emmy-nominated TV series Dennis & Gnasher: Unleashed! The TV show stars Beano’s irrepressible hero Dennis, his dogged side kick Gnasher and fearless mates including Rubi, JJ, Pieface and his pet potato Paul. Together they cook up crazy plans, get in all sorts of scrapes and take on every challenge, no matter how big.

BAFTA-winning writer/producer-director Will Brenton will write and direct the show which will feature Dennis and Gnasher’s imitable sense of fun and ageless humour delivered with a repertoire of songs.  The creative team will also include set and costume designer Jean Chan and choreographer Kendra Horsburgh.

Further casting and tour dates to be announced shortly.

THE HIT TV SHOW FINALIST

BRITAIN’S GOT TALENT SENSATION

MARK McMULLAN

MAKES HIS MUSICAL THEATRE DEBUT IN

TIM RICE & ANDREW LLOYD WEBBER’S

JOSEPH AND THE AMAZING TECHNICOLOR DREAMCOAT

THE MOST SPECTACULAR CHRISTMAS PRODUCTION EVER TO PLAY FOR A SEASON AT DONCASTER DOME

‘BRILLIANT! IT EXPLODES LIKE GLITTERING FIREWORKS’

SUNDAY TIMES

Bill Kenwright’s production of Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber’s much-loved family favourite, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, will be visiting the Doncaster Dome for a three-week Christmas season, before continuing its tour into 2020.  

Britain’s Got Talent finalist, Mark McMullan, will don the Technicolor Dreamcoat in his first major musical role. Mark, from Northern Ireland, floored the Britain’s Got Talent judges bringing Simon Cowell and thousands of the shows viewers to tears with his emotional rendition of Les Misérables’ Bring Him Home, which was dedicated to his brother Declan.  Declan suffered a tragic cardiac arrest at the age of nineteen resulting in long-term brain damage and now lives with the devastating effects of Locked-in Syndrome.

Prior to competing on Britain’s Got Talent, Mark had given up on his dream of being a singer in favour of becoming an architect, all to ensure that he could be around to support and care for his beloved brother. When he finally auditioned for the show, Declan served as a source of inspiration for Mark who dedicated the song to him. His performances earnt him a place in the semi-finals of the show.

Mark will now be donning the Technicolor coat of his dreams in this exciting role and continue to bring both joy and comfort to his brother, whilst pursuing what he loves.  

“Being cast as Joseph in Bill Kenwright’s record-breaking production is absolutely amazing! I grew up performing musical theatre and it really helped me find my voice as a singer and gave me the drive to pursue my passion. Unfortunately, due to my brother’s illness, my hopes of making a career as a performer had to be put on hold – until my appearance on Britain’s Got Talent changed everything for me. Joseph is the role that I have always wanted to play and now I am thrilled to have the opportunity to do so at theatres all around the country. The Dreamcoat really is making my dreams come true!”

Retelling the Biblical story of Joseph, his eleven brothers and the coat of many colours, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat is the first of Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber’s musicals to be performed publicly. Seen by an estimated 26 million people, and counting, Joseph continues to enthral audiences around the world.

Full of life and colour, the magical musical features the unforgettable and timeless songs including Go, Go, Go Joseph, Any Dream Will Do, Jacob and Sons and Close Every Door To Me.

The UK tour of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat is directed and produced by Bill Kenwright, with original choreography by Henry Metcalfe, additional new choreography by Gary Lloyd, set designs by Sean Cavanagh, sound design by Dan Samson and lighting by Nick Richings.

With further star casting to be announced.

LISTINGS

BILL KENWRIGHT PRESENTS JOSEPH AND THE AMAZING TECHNICOLOR DREAMCOAT

BY ARRANGEMENT WITH THE REALLY USEFUL GROUP

LYRICS BY TIM RICE & MUSIC BY ANDREW LLOYD WEBBER

UK TOUR 2020

Website: www.kenwright.com

Twitter: @BKL_Productions

Instagram: @bklproductions

The Dome, Doncaster

18 December 2019 – 4 January 2020

01302 370777

www.dclt.co.uk

ACTING FOR OTHERS ANNOUNCE PARTICIPANTS FOR

THE 16^TH ANNUAL BUCKET COLLECTION

Today, theatrical charity Acting for Others announce initial participants for its 16^th annual bucket collection. Post-show bucket collections began this week and will continue in almost every theatre across London and throughout the whole of the UK for two weeks.

In 2018 over £250,000 was raised with theatres across the UK taking part. This year more than 90 UK theatres will be taking part, including last year’s Golden Bucket Award-winners – the company of Book of Mormon at the Prince of Wales Theatre and the Mayflower Theatre, this year with the company of Les Miserables.

All donations go to Acting for Others, an umbrella organisation for 15 theatrical charities which use the funds raised to offer emotional and financial support to all theatre workers in times of need. These are the only theatre collections endorsed in London by Society of London Theatre and nationally by UK Theatre, and supported by all the leading theatre groups including Ambassadors Theatre Group, Delfont Mackintosh Theatre, Nimax, LW Theatres, Bill Kenwright Ltd as well as virtually every major grant-aided company and commercial producers.

The Acting for Others charities are Actor’s Children’s Trust, Dancers’ Career Development, Denville Hall, Drury Lane Theatrical Fund, Equity Charitable Trust, Evelyn Norris Trust, Grand Order of Water Rats Charities Fund, SafetyCurtain formerly the International Performers’ Aid Trust, King George V Fund for Actors and Actresses, Ralph and Meriel Richardson Foundation, Dance Professionals Fund, The Royal Opera House Benevolent Fund, The Royal Theatrical Fund, Theatre Chaplaincy UK and The Theatrical Guild.

Initial participating theatres:

Adelphi Theatre

Aldwych Theatre

Alexandra Palace

Apollo theatre

Apollo Victoria Theatre

Arts Theatre

Aylesbury Waterside Theatre

Belgrade Theatre & Belgrade Studio

Blackpool Opera House

Bridge Theatre

Bristol Old Vic

Cambridge Theatre

Capitol Theatre

Charing Cross Theatre

Chichester Festival Theatre

Churchill Theatre Bromley

Criterion Theatre

Devonshire Park Theatre

Dominion Theatre

Donmar Warehouse

Duchess Theatre

Duke of York’s Theatre

Dundee Repertory Theatre

Edinburgh Festival Theatre

Edinburgh Playhouse

Everyman Theatre Cheltenham

Finborough Theatre

Fortune Theatre

Garrick Theatre

Gielgud Theatre

Grand Opera House York

Grand Theatre & Opera House Leeds

Harold Pinter Theatre

Hawth

Her Majesty’s Theatre

Hope Mill Theatre

Kings Theatre Glasgow

Liverpool Empire

London Coliseum

Lyceum Theatre, Crewe

Lyceum Theatre London

Lyric Theatre London

Malvern Theatres

Mayflower Theatre

Menier Chocolate Factory

Milton Keynes Theatre

New Theatre Cardiff

New Victoria Theatre

Novello Theatre

The Old Vic

Palace Theatre

Phoenix Theatre

Pitlochry Festival Theatre

Playhouse Theatre, London

Playhouse Theatre, Weston-Super-Mare

Prince of Wales Theatre

Princess Theatre

Richmond Theatre

Royal Opera House

Royal Shakespeare Company

Salisbury Playhouse

Savoy Theatre

Shakespeare’s Globe

Sherman Cymru

Southwark Playhouse

St Martin’s Theatre

Sunderland Empire

The Gillian Lynne Theatre

The Other Palace

Theatre Cafe

Theatre Royal & Concert Hall Nottingham

Theatre Royal Bath

Theatre Royal Brighton

Theatre Royal Haymarket

Theatre Royal Stratford East

Theatre Severn

Trafalgar Studios

Vaudeville Theatre

Victoria Palace Theatre

Watermill Theatre

Wolverhampton Grand

Wyndham’s Theatre

Yvonne Arnaud Theatre

Northern Ballet’s Little Red Riding Hood

to tour Yorkshire in 2020

Children’s ballet to première in Leeds

plus new Yorkshire dates announced for 2020

Leeds: 28 October – 2 November 2019

National tour: March – May 2020

northernballet.com/hood

This half term Northern Ballet’s new ballet for children, Little Red Riding Hood, will have its World Première in Leeds with 17 performances at the Stanley & Audrey Burton Theatre from 28 October – 2 November 2019. In addition, Northern Ballet has just announced that Yorkshire audiences will be able to catch this delightful new show at six more theatres in the county as the production tours to Bradford, Bridlington, Goole, Doncaster, Harrogate and Hull as part of a major national tour in spring 2020.

Adapted from the classic fairytale, Little Red Riding Hood tells the story of a little girl who comes across a very hungry wolf in the forest. But is he really such a big, bad wolf? This child friendly 40 minute ballet follows their adventure as they meet friends and discover the importance of kindness. It has been created especially for children and their families to experience live dance, music and theatre together.

Little Red Riding Hood follows in the footsteps of the Company’s six previous children’s ballets, which have achieved huge popularity live on stage, in CBeebies TV adaptations and in cinemas nationwide. With an all female creative team, Little Red Riding Hood will feature choreography by Mariana Rodrigues, set designs by Marjoke Henrichs, lighting by Abbi Fearnley, costume designs by Mariana Rodrigues in collaboration with Kim Brassley and Carley Marsh, and music composed by Eloise Gynn, played live by members of Northern Ballet Sinfonia at every venue.

Daniel de Andrade, Northern Ballet’s Artistic Director of Children’s Ballets, said:

‘We are thrilled to première Little Red Riding Hood in Leeds this October half term and tour the production to wider Yorkshire audiences in the spring. Our children’s ballets have been enchanting families across the UK for several years, creating a truly magical live dance experience for all ages to enjoy together. We are delighted to continue that tradition with Mariana’s new production.’

Limited tickets remain for the Leeds 2019 performances, for availability please call the Stanley & Audrey Burton Theatre Box Office on 0113 220 8008 or visit theatreleeds.com

For information on 2020 performances, on sale dates and booking details, please visit northernballet.com/hood