Sheffield Theatres, Crucible Studio – until 28 September 2019
Reviewed by Ian K Johnson
5*****
Reasons to Stay Alive is the true story of Matt Haigs struggle with depression and thoughts of suicide.
The play opens on stage with what looks like the inside of a persons brain. The brain opens up and we have on stage two guys playing the role of Matt (Phil Cheadle plays the older Matt while Mike Noble is the younger Matt). The older Matt is on stage telling the audience how things could have taken a different turn of events. We see the younger Matt talking to himself and counting steps to reach the top of a cliff which he contemplates jumping off. Older Matt tells him to stop and think of what he’s planning to do, to be told he has nothing to live for and is going to jump. Matt asks his younger self if he has anyone in his life to which he reply’s mother, father and a girlfriend, Older Matt tells him these are ‘Reasons to Stay Alive’. Older Matt tells him things will get better and to think of those who care for him. This leaves young Matt thinking of what he’s said and manages to climb down the cliff.
We then have flashbacks into how Matts life was back when he was working in Ibiza with his girlfriend Andrea (Janet Etuk), during nights partying with friends things start to materialise in Matts brain showing the audience that something isn’t quite right with him. He starts to spend his days in bed, no energy or inclination to get up, wanting, begging Andrea to stay with him. She has to continue going out to earn money to enable them to stay in Ibiza. Matts boss (Dilek Rose) calls to see Matt and cant see how ill he is. Andrea has to point out how unwell Matt is and decides to take him back home to Hull to stay with his parents (Chris Donnelly and Connie Walker). Matt falls into a deep depression and after being treated at the hospital starts medication and a long struggle to get back to some normality.
Mike Noble plays his part with so much emotion, his expressions take on a roller coaster of so many feelings of loss, grief and a void that no one will ever know.
During the play we are informed of many sentences, words, comments that folk think need to be said but don’t offer any help or support to people that are depressed.
This production is Co produced by Jonathan Watkins and adapted by April De Angelis.
Following on from its performances in Sheffield the production tours to Bristol Old Vic, HOME Manchester, York Theatre Royal, Leeds Playhouse, Northern Stage and Lawrence Batley Theatre and tours until 16th November.
New Victoria Theatre, Woking, until 21 September, then touring
Reviewed by Antonia Hebbert
4****
This Cinderella is retold in a Russian setting, and it has a charming, pop-up picturebook look, with costumes inspired by Russian traditions and folk art. Choreographer and director David Nixon has avoided pantomime conventions but still provides plenty of enchantment. Instead of a fairy godmother, there’s a magician (Mlindi Kulashe) who does a very nifty spell to turn kitchen rags into a sparkly ball gown. He also transforms a kitchen stove into a coach drawn by cuddlesome dogs that should delight children in the audience.
If you are taking children, you might need to explain the slightly amended plot. The opening scenes show Cinderella as a child, who loses her father in an accident partly caused by the stepsisters. The stepmother blames Cinders and packs her off to work in the kitchen. Actually this backstory makes more sense than the usual version. Cinderella is saved because she is good: she helps the magician and he repays the favour.
The dancing is graceful and lovely, as far as this non-expert can tell. The acting is also very good. Rachel Gillespie is a sweet young Cinders, and Antoinette Brooks-Daw takes over as a radiant older Cinderella. The stepmother (Minju Kang) is splendidly chilly, and the stepsisters (Kyungka Kwak and Ayami Miyata) are convincingly mean rather than ugly. There’s a street fair with a dancing bear, skating scenes on a crystal lake, and a pretty (though rather long) ballroom scene. In a surprise plot twist (spoiler alert), the prince (Sean Bates) initially turns down Cinderella – seemingly because she has washing-up hands. My companion did briefly hope that Cinders would reject him and go off with the magician, but all ends well, in a swirl of sparkly magic dust.
Seeing this on a hot September day felt like an early taste of Christmas. If you’ve had a surfeit of over-the-top pantos, this is a subtler alternative, with bags of charm. It was first put on in 2013, and has a specially commissioned score by Philip Feeney, played with spirit by the Northern Ballet Sinfonia.
Mayflower Theatre Southampton – until Saturday 21 September 2019
Reviewed by Leanne Caplis
4****
Directed by Stephen Daldry the classic thriller An Inspector Calls is playing as part of its tour at The Mayflower Theatre in Southampton where it runs until Saturday 21st September 2019.
With an opening night audience of mainly school children the house was sold out. It is clear to see that this thriller is still enjoyed by old and young alike. With deafening applause and whooping I believe I could hear the faint sound of an air raid siren as the curtain went up.
In the middle of an eerie street with rain pouring down and street urchins running about in the mist there stands the magnificent home of the upper class Birling family. Hats off to the production team as the house on stilts is one of the most remarkable bit of staging I have seen thus far at the theatre.
Whilst the Birling family celebrate the engagement of Sheila Birling (Chloe Horrock) and Gerald Croft (Alasdair Buchan) little do they know that their fun is about to come to an abrupt end with the arrival of Inspector Goole (Liam Brennan).
One by one Goole interrogates each family member to reveal their snobbish, stuck up and down right arrogant behaviour to make them realise the part they could have played in the suicide of a young woman. Who was to blame? Was it Arthur Birling (Jeffrey Harmer) who would not agree to a pay rise? Was it this that led her into the arms of other men? A love affair and an unplanned child saw the woman homeless and destitute and turning to ask for charity from Sybil Birling (Christine Kavanagh) but was abruptly turned away.
The clever storyline makes the actions of different classes at the turn of the century as relevant as those chosen by some today. An emotional speech, a plea for tolerance, by Goole makes everybody consider their own morality. It will most certainly leave you questioning how you react to and treat those around you.
I found it difficult at times to follow what was being said and I can only guess that there were some sound issues on the night. That said all actors played their parts amazingly well. Jeffrey Harmer as Arthur Birling really stood out for me. His obnoxious and snobby ways saw him constantly reminding those who would listen about his time as Mayor and his position in society. Alasdair Buchan as Gerlad Croft oozed privilege and disregard for those who were inferior to him; he will be easy to liken to those snobs we all might know.
A real whodunnit story with plot twists and turns throughout kept me fully engrossed in this show. Would I have guessed what was to come… certainly not! For those studying this at GCSE and for those that enjoy a thriller this is definitely a must see.
WITH AN EXCITING SEASON OF THEATRE, MUSIC, COMEDY AND FAMILY ENTERTAINMENT TO COME THIS AUTUMN
On Monday 16 September 2019, Dame Judi Dench formally re-dedicated the Ashcroft Playhouse at Croydon’s Fairfield Halls to her friend and Croydon-born fellow actress Dame Peggy Ashcroft.
The award-winning actress unveiled the People’s Picture, a giant commemorative mosaic by artist Helen Marshall, before taking to the stage in the Ashcroft Playhouse for a live Q and A with broadcaster John Hannam, and Ashcroft’s biographer and Guardian theatre critic Michael Billington OBE, with questions from local drama GCSE and A-Level students. She was joined by local spoken word poet Darren Randon from Well Verked ink, who performed a special commission.
This event kicked off a week of special events, marking the reopening of the iconic venue, following a multi-million pound Croydon council-led restoration.
The mural unveiling and Q&A was followed by a civic ceremony where the Mayor of London Sadiq Kahn formally opened the main venue and unveiled a plaque in his name, following speeches from the Leader of Croydon Council, Councillor Tony Newman; cabinet member for culture, leisure and sport and Councillor Oliver Lewis, and BH Live’s Venue & Artistic Director for Fairfield Halls Neil Chandler.
The audience enjoyed performances from Silvastone with the London Mozart Players, and Shaniqua Benjamin, spoken word artist and Founder of Young People’s Insight. Shaniqua performed a special commission, A Palace of Magic and Memories, dedicated to Fairfield Halls. Councillor Alison Butler, Deputy Leader of Croydon Council, then concluded the ceremony by formally handing over the keys of the building to operators BH Live.
Artistic and Venue Director Neil Chandler said: “To be custodians of this wonderful venue is a privilege and we are delighted to now begin what we are here to do, to deliver a diverse programme of arts, culture, events, entertainment and education for the people of Croydon and its wider communities.”
Councillor Tony Newman, Leader of Croydon Council, said: “Today is a great day for Croydon. We’re proud to have restored this magnificent building, but also to have transformed its cultural offer so that it truly reflects 21st century Croydon – exciting, vibrant, rich in opportunity and open to all.”
Gipton Working Men’s Club, Leeds – Tuesday 17 September 2019
Reviewed By Dawn Smallwood
5*****
Red Ladder Theatre invariably connects to what matters for all walks of life including communities across many town and cities especially hosting performances at non-theatre spaces. Gipton, an East Leeds neighbourhood, is no exception and this company brings their latest production The Parting Glass, written by Chris O’Connor and following on from The Life and Soul, at the Working Men Club which is intimately hosted and draws a sell out audience.
The Parting Glass explores masculinity and mental health, issues which are evidently big concerns in all communities and addresses them with dialogue and also shares what support is available. Masculinity and mental health have never gone hand in hand and hence the widespread stigma and tragic consequences that follow including depression and cases of suicide. This play voices about everyone having mental health, good and not so good, and that everyone can either experience.
Before The Parting Glass, Tony Spirett who is writer/performance is invited to the stage and performs an excellent The Girl Across The Street. This monologue has comedic, consequential and reflective narrative. This links to his life revolving around dancing at the legendary Northern Soul every Saturday night at the Wigan Casino and his life after he meets Julie on the street. He draws on his eventual relationships with the past and present and realises what really matters.
After a very brief interval The Parting Glass begins and stars Jim (Tom Swift) and Sara (Alyce Liburd), two locals, who share their life journeys. They appear at first “normal” and “uneventful” and their mutual longing to be happy. Jim is gregarious and his past times are being with his friends at the pub, betting football scores and being at the football matches supporting Leeds United. It seems that the football ground is the only place where Jim can truly express himself. Sara on the other hand is an explorer physically and figuratively. She is able to sum up imaginatively, picturesquely and comically the state of society especially with social media and its dis-connective impact particularly among children whose lives revolve round the “Black Mirror” (smart phones). Poignantly, Jim also shares how a “cloud” lingers over him, feeling trapped mentally and having a sense of not belonging, and this intensifies even more over time. There seems to be some happiness and hope, temporary unknown at the time, when both Jim and Sara meet and begin dating. However Sara suspects that things are not alright with Jim which is evident with his excessive drinking and the amount of time spent on social media. Besides he couldn’t able to share with her how he really felt. Jim’s mental and emotional plight leads to fateful consequences which changed both the couple’s lives and more so tragically with Jim’s at the time of his 30th Birthday.
It is a very powerful and moving play, under the direction of Rod Dixon, with thought provoking topical content packed in short period of time. It certainly and strongly portrays the issues of mental health in men which sadly still draws stigma and discrimination in today’s society. Both Swift and Liburb emotively portray well the characters particularly their humorous sides and also their vulnerable ones. It is heartening to see Red Ladder Theatre Company give such issues a voice to be heard by many from this well done production. This production is tragic however reflection and impetus can come out of which can aspire and inspire many to creatively and innovatively support men in need as well as everyone.
MICHAEL BRANDON, BRENDA EDWARDS, DANIELLE HOPE AND CLARE HALSE
JOIN THE PREVIOUSLY ANNOUNCED
DANNY MAC AND DAN BURTON IN
IRVING BERLIN’S WHITE CHRISTMAS
FOR A STRICTLY LIMITED SEASON
AT LONDON’S DOMINION THEATRE FROM 16 NOVEMBER 2019 – 4 JANUARY 2020
Jamie Wilson, Mark Goucher, Gavin Kalin and Kevin McCollum are delighted to announce full casting for the Made at Curve production of Irving Berlin’s WHITE CHRISTMAS at London’s Dominion Theatre from Saturday 16 November 2019 – Saturday 4 January 2020.
Michael Brandon will play General Henry Waverly, Brenda Edwards Martha Watson, Danielle Hope Betty Haynes and Clare Halse Judy Haynes. They will be joined by the previously announced Danny Mac as Bob Wallace and Dan Burton as Phil Davis, who both reprise their acclaimed roles following the successful run at Curve, Leicester in 2018.
Michael Brandon is probably best known for starring in the classic 80’s television series Dempsey and Makepeace. His most recent television credits include four seasons as Elliot Salad in Episodes with Matt Le Blanc. His theatre credits include creating the role of Jerry Springer in Jerry Springer The Opera at the National Theatre, for which he was nominated for an Olivier Award as Best Actor in a Musical, Singin’ in the Rain at the Palace Theatre in the West End and the New York productions of The Lady and the Clarinet with Stockard Channing and Does a Tiger Wear a Necktie? with Al Pacino on Broadway.
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 West End and touring 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 10th 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.
Danielle Hope is best known for winning Andrew Lloyd Webber’s hit BBC television series Over The Rainbow resulting in her playing the leading role of Dorothy in The Wizard of Oz at the London Palladium. Her other West End credits include the title role in Snow White, also at the London Palladium and Eponine in Les Misèrables at Queen’s Theatre. Her UK touring credits include Sandy in Grease, Maria in The Sound of Music, The Narrator in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat and most recently Sherrie in Rock of Ages.
Clare Halse most recently played the lead role of Peggy Sawyer in 42nd Street at the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane. Clare’s other West End credits include Gypsy at the Savoy Theatre, Wicked at the Apollo Victoria and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and Shrek The Musical, both at the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane. Her UK touring credits include Amber Von-Tussle in Hairspray.
Danny Mac’s many theatre credits include Joe Gillis in the recent tour of Sunset Boulevard, Gabey in On The Town at Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre and the West End productions of Wicked and Legally Blonde. He can currently be seen as Nino in the UK tour of Amelie. Danny captured the nation’s hearts and received overwhelming support during his incredible time on BBC1’s Strictly Come Dancing, making it all the way to the final.
Dan Burton was nominated for an Olivier for his performance as Tulsa in Gypsy at the Savoy Theatre. His other West End credits include Jersey Boys, The Pajama Game, Chicago, Legally Blonde, Betty Blue Eyes and Guys and Dolls at the Royal Albert Hall.
The rest of the cast includes Stephane Anelli, Delycia Belgrave, Sophie Camble, Matthew Caputo, Jordan Crouch, Aimee Hodnett, Michael Lin, Robbie McMillan, Jo Morris, Oliver Ramsdale, Erin Rushidi, Kayleigh Thadani, Sion Tudor Owen, Alexandra Waite-Roberts, Sasha Walters, Matthew Whennell-Clark, Jack Wilcox, Anna Woodside and Freya Yates.
A timeless romantic comedy to warm hearts of all ages, WHITE CHRISTMAS features the classic songs “Blue Skies”, “Sisters” and the most famous festive song of all… “White Christmas”.
WHITE CHRISTMAS has Music and Lyrics by Irving Berlin and a Book by David Ives and Paul Blake. It is Directed by Curve Artistic Director Nikolai Foster (Annie, Breakfast at Tiffany’s) and Choreographed by two-time Olivier Award-winning choreographer Stephen Mear (Mary Poppins, Gypsy). Set Design is by Michael Taylor and Costume Design is by Diego Pitarch. Musical Supervision is by Stephen Brooker, Lighting Design by Mark Henderson and Sound Design by Tom Marshall. Orchestrations are by Larry Blank with New Musical arrangements by Jason Carr.
Presented by special arrangement with Concord Theatricals Ltd. on behalf of R&H Theatricals.
WHITE CHRISTMAS is produced by Jamie Wilson, Mark Goucher, Gavin Kalin with Hunter Arnold, Jason Haigh-Ellery, Laurence Myers, InTheatre, Curve, Carlos Candal and Kevin McCollum.
Everybody’s Talking About Jamie, the award-winning feel good musical sensation, is delighted to welcome back Phil Nichol as he reprises his role of Hugo/Loco Chanelle and thrilled to announce Melissa Jacques will step up into the role of Margaret New from 30 September 2019.
Phil Nichol played Hugo/Loco Chanelle in the original West End cast of Everybody’s Talking About Jamie. Melissa steps up to play Margaret, having understudied this role for over a year. She follows in the footsteps of Rebecca McKinnis, who also landed the role of Margaret from her understudy position, and now moves on to play Heidi Hansen in Dear Evan Hansen.
Joining Phil and Melissa are Alexander Archer as Mickey, Tilly La Belle Yengo as Fatimah and Gillian Ford as understudy Margaret, Miss Hedge and Ray.
Nica Burns, Producer of Everybody’s Talking About Jamie said:
Sad as we are to lose Rebecca Mckinnis, we are delighted that she is leaving to play the role of Heidi Hansen for the UK premiere of the Broadway hit, Dear Evan Hansen. Rebecca started with Jamie as understudy 2 years ago and was promoted into the leading role of Margaret New and made it her own. It is wonderful to see Melissa Jacques following in her footsteps as she too steps up to the role of Margaret. Like Rebecca, Melissa is a terrific actress with a fantastic voice. There is an extraordinary wealth of performing talent in the UK and it is exciting to see artists developing within a company and establishing themselves as lead performers. A big welcome back to comedian and actor Phil Nichol who so brilliantly originated the role of Loco Chanelle at the Apollo.
Phil Nichol’s previous theatre credits include: The Machine (MIF, Armory NY Directed by Josie Rourke), One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest (Gielgud Theatre), appearing alongside Bill Bailey in Twelve Angry Men (Assembly Rooms, directed by Guy Masterson) and starring in the original West End production of Taboo with Boy George.
Television and film credits include: Man Down (C4), the first series of Catastrophe (C4), Siblings (BBC), Uncle (BBC), as well as playing Terry Gilliam in Holy Flying Circus, BBC4’s BAFTA nominated drama about the Pythons and the feature Confetti directed by Debbie Isitt for BBC Films.
As the Artistic Director of Comedians’ Theatre Company, Phil has produced and starred in over 15 shows in the past 12 years including True West, School for Scandal, Killer Joe, Gagarin Wayand Talk Radio, directed by Stewart Lee.
Phil is also a stand up comedian – he gigs regularly on the UK and international comedy circuit and, having been nominated twice previously, won the 2006 Edinburgh Comedy Award. He is lead singer of the glam rock band Muscle.
Melissa Jacques trained at The Constance Grant Dance Centre, Sheffield and London School of Musical Theatre.
Theatre includes: Trish in Kinky Boots (Adelphi Theatre) Wicked, Midwife, Madame Morrible Cover (Victoria Palace); Original cast member of Mamma Mia! (London), alternate ‘Donna’ and understudying all of ‘The Dynamos’; My Fair Lady (Esplanade Theatre, Singapore); Chess (Spektrum Arena, Oslo); Company, Into the Woods (Derby Playhouse); The Full Monty (UK tour); Spend, Spend, Spend (West Yorkshire Playhouse & UK tour); A Slice of Saturday Night, Oliver, Beauty and the Beast (Theatre Royal, Lincoln); Little Shop of Horrors (Millfield Theatre); Me and My Girl, Crazy for You (Aberystwyth).
Workshops include: We Will Rock You, Desperately Seeking Susan, Blag, Paris Thunder.
Melissa was one-sixth of the close vocal harmony group The Unconventionals who released their album Flower to the People.
Phil and Melissa will join cast members: Layton Williams (Jamie New), Alex Anstey (Laika Virgin), Alexander Archer (Mickey), Luke Baker (Dean Paxton), Marvyn Charles (Swing), Marlon G Day (Dad), Momar Diagne, Zahra Jones (Becca), James Gillan (Tray Sophisticay), Daniel Jacob (Sandra Bollock), Emily Kenwright (Vicki), Sejal Keshwala (Ray), Luke Latchman (Sayid), Jordan Laviniere (Cy), Harriet Payne (Bex), Rachel Price (Swing), Sabrina Sandhu (Pritti Pasha), Rita Simons (Miss Hedge), Biancha Szynal (Swing), Adam Taylor (Swing), Ziggy Tyler Taylor (Levi) and Tilly La Belle Yengo (Fatimah).
Jamie New is sixteen and lives on a council estate in Sheffield.
Jamie doesn’t quite fit in.
Jamie is terrified about the future.
Jamie is going to be a sensation.
Supported by his brilliant loving mum and surrounded by his friends, Jamie overcomes prejudice, beats the bullies and steps out of the darkness, into the spotlight. With catchy songs by lead singer-songwriter of The Feeling, Dan Gillespie Sells, and book and lyrics by writer Tom MacRae, this funny, fabulous, feel-good, musical sensation has been wowing audiences and critics alike. Sixteen: the edge of possibility. Time to make your dreams come true.
Watch the Everybody’s Talking About Jamie trailer here.
Andrew Ryan, Matt Slack, Faye Brookes, Lesley Joseph, Joe McElderry, Jac Yarrow, Doreen Tipton – credit: Simon Hadley
This week, the cast of the fairest panto in the land came together for the first time in costume to officially launch Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs which plays at Birmingham Hippodrome from Saturday 21 December 2019 – Sunday 2 February 2020.
The spectacular production will feature Lesley Joseph as the Wicked Queen, Matt Slack as Muddles, Joe McElderry asThe Spirit in the Mirror, Faye Brookes asSnow White, Flawless as The Wicked Queen’s Men, Doreen Tipton asThe Lady in Waiting, Andrew Ryan as Nanny Annie Aspirin and JacYarrow as The Prince.
Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs will feature stunning costumes and sets along with outstanding special effects direct from the sold-out London Palladium production in 2018.
Lesley Joseph’s extensive career has seen her appear on stage in dramas, musicals and reviews in the west end and across the UK and on every major television channel and on film working with major directors including Franco Zeffirelli. Most recently Lesley starred as Miss Hannigan in Annie, Mrs Meers in Thoroughly Modern Millie as well as appearing in Home directed by Peter Hall. Last year she starred in the musical adaptation of Mel Brooks’ Young Frankenstein in London’s west end starring as Frau Blücher, a role for which she was nominated for the 2018 Laurence Olivier Award for Best Supporting Actress in a Musical. Lesley most recently appeared at Birmingham Hippodrome as Jessie in Calendar Girls The Musical.
Birmingham’s much-loved panto favourite, Matt Slack will return for the seventh consecutive year, bringing his trademark comedy and chaos. Making Midlands panto-goers laugh every year, The Great British Pantomime Award winner has also recently been seen on Casualty and EastEnders, both for the BBC.
Singer, songwriter and actor Joe McElderry became a household name after winning the sixth series of ITV’s The X Factor in 2009. His first single, The Climb reached number one in the UK singles chart. Joe was also a contestant on ITV’s Pop Star to Opera Star and Channel 4’s The Jump and regularly tours the UK. In theatre he has starred in The Who’s Tommy, in the lead role of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat and in pantomime for Qdos Entertainment for five seasons. He is currently touring the UK in new musical Club Tropicana.
Best known for her role as Kate Connor in ITV1’s Coronation Street, Faye Brookes will play the title role. Having trained in musical theatre, Faye has starred as Frenchie in Grease, Princess Fiona in Shrek The Musical in the West End and as Elle Woods in Legally Blonde The Musical on tour across the UK. Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs will see Faye swap the famous cobbles of Corrie for the stage after leaving the popular soap.
Street dance troupe Flawless rose to fame having competed in the third series of ITV’s Britain’s Got Talent and have been a mainstay of the hip-hop dance scene for the last decade. In addition to wowing Simon Cowell on the hit ITV talent show, the boys regularly tour the UK and have also appeared on screen in feature films StreetDance 3D and its 2012 sequel StreetDance2. Flawless appeared alongside Kylie Minogue in the presence of Her Majesty The Queen at the Diamond Jubilee Concert outside Buckingham Palace in 2012.
Lazy internet sensation, Doreen Tipton has become something of a national treasure – at least regionally – in her native Black Country. Doreen’s original million hit YouTube viral success has now blossomed into a series of theatre tours, a full-length feature film featuring fellow Yam Yams and rock legends Robert Plant and Steve Bull, an autobiography (which somebody else had to write) her own BBC radio show, and even her own online comedy sketch channel called Doreen TV.
This year will mark Andrew Ryan’s 33rd pantomime, his 29th year as dame and his third in Birmingham.
Completing the principal line up is Jac Yarrow. Jac graduated from the Arts Educational Schools in the summer of 2019 and made his professional debut as Joseph in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat at the London Palladium. For his performance, Jac garnered extraordinary critical and public acclaim, and has been twice nominated for The Stage Debut Awards 2019 for Best Actor in a Musical and for Best West End Debut.
They will be joined by Josh Bennett, George Coppen, Simeon Dyer, Craig Garner, Lee Hill, Jamie John and Blake Lisle as The Magnificent Seven.
The production will once again be directed by Michael Harrison who has been at the helm of the Hippodrome pantomime for the last nine years. Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs is produced by Qdos Entertainment, the world’s biggest pantomime producer.
Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs runs at Birmingham Hippodrome from Saturday 21 December 2019 – Sunday 2 February 2020. Book now to secure the best seats, or you won’t be able to look yourself in the mirror! To book visit birminghamhippodrome.com or call 0844 338 5000 (4.5p per minute plus your phone company’s access charge).
ILLUSIONIST DARCY OAKE ANNOUNCES LONDON HALLOWEEN SHOW
LEICESTER SQUARE THEATRE
31st October 2019
TICKETS ON SALE NOW
It began with an innocent card trick at the age of seven. Who could have imagined it would lead to Darcy Oake reappearing on our TV screens on Saturday night on ITV’s Britain’s Got Talent – The Champions. Today, he also announces his London show this Halloween at the Leicester Square Theatre on 31st October 2019.
Darcy will be taking London by storm to deliver a magical extravaganza that promises to be an evening of breath-taking, logic-bending illusions in the grand old tradition of stage magic, fused with his very own modern twist. Darcy’s show is a blend of stunning illusions, audience interaction and death defying escapes.
Darcy said: “I am so thrilled to be coming back to the UK and performing at the Leicester Square Theatre this October. Always on the edge of logic and danger this show is like no other. I will be delivering magic that will literately blow your mind. It will be a Halloween the audience will never forget!”
That electrifying 2014 breakthrough performance on Britain’s Got Talent – which has been watched by more than 200 million people worldwide – catapulted Darcy’s career to stratospheric heights. Not only proving the impossible is possible but demonstrating magic is young, fresh and dare devilish.
Making such an impact on the UK show the US beckoned and in 2016 he made a guest appearance on America’s Got Talent leaving the judges once again in awe of his talent. Darcy was further honoured to be a part of Queen Elizabeth’s 90th birthday celebration where he performed before the Royal Family at a private dinner.
Since then Darcy has been delighting audiences worldwide performing jaw dropping magic with finesse, intensity and his unique style. In 2018, Darcy headlined 10 shows at the world famous Calgary Stampede in his home country of Canada, in front of over 20,000 per night.
Darcy’s electrifying magic extravaganza is set to hit London this Halloween on 31st October at the Leicester Square Theatre. Darcy’s spine tingling tricks, illusions and death defying escapes will astonish, amaze and have you undoubtedly on the edge of your seats. Be prepared to have your mind blown!
What critics have said about Darcy Oake:
“A magician who specialises in sleight of hand and illusions – and blowing our minds”
Daily Mirror
“We are witnessing the birth of a star”
Simon Cowell
“No-one will be let down by the sheer brilliance of this bona fide star”
TO TOUR THE UK FROM 2020Following a highly acclaimed tour in 2018, The Original Theatre Company and The Anthology Group in association with Peter Stickney and York Theatre Royal’s production of Alan Bennett’s THE HABIT OF ART will return and tour the UK in 2020. Directed by Philip Franks and starring Matthew Kelly as Fitz (W. H. Auden) and David Yelland as Henry (Benjamin Britten). The tour begins on 18 March 2020 at Devonshire Park Theatre, Eastbourne.
THE HABIT OF ART explores friendship, rivalry and heartache, the joy, pain and emotional cost of creativity. It is centred on a fictional meeting between poet W. H. Auden and composer Benjamin Britten. Bennett wrote it as a play-within-a-play – actors Fitz, Henry, Tim and Donald are rehearsing a play called Caliban’s Day under the direction of stage manager, Kay, and in the presence of the playwright, Neil. In Caliban’s Day, a fictitious meeting occurs in 1973 in Auden’s (Fitz) rooms at Oxford not long before he dies. Britten (Henry) has been auditioning boys nearby for his opera Death in Venice, and arrives unexpectedly – their first meeting in 25 years after falling out over the failure of their opera Paul Bunyan.
Matthew Kelly is currently appearing in BIG The Musical, (Dominion Theatre). His other West End credits include Waiting For Godot with Ian McKellan and Roger Rees, Tim Firth’s play Sign of the Times, the musical Lend Me A Tenor! and Lennie in the Birmingham Repertory Theatre’s production of Of Mice and Men at the Savoy Theatre, for which he won the Olivier Award for Best Actor. Other recent theatre includes Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Carousel: A Concert (Cadogan Hall), The Box of Delights (Wilton’s Music Hal), Desire Under The Elms (Sheffield Crucible), Pride & Prejudice (Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre & UK Tour), The Jew Of Malta, Volpone and Love’s Sacrifice for the RSC, and Toast (Park Theatre & 59E59 in New York). Matthew’s television work includes the award-winning thriller Cold Blood, Benidorm and Bleak House, though he is probably best known for presenting You Bet! and Stars in their Eyes.
David Yelland’s theatre credits include Witness for the Prosecution (London County Hall), All Our Children (Jermyn Street Theatre), A Winter’s Tale (Shakespeare’s Globe), Taken at Midnight (Chichester Festival Theatre and Theatre Royal Haymarket). West End credits include Deathtrap (Garrick), The Deep Blue Sea (Haymarket), The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie (Strand), Richard III (Savoy – for which he won the Clarence Derwent Award), Life x3 (Savoy) and Man and Boy (Duchess). His television credits include the title role in David Copperfield, Nick Rumpole in Rumpole of the Bailey, George in Agatha Christie’s Poirot, EastEnders, The Crown and Endeavour. Film credits include Happy End (directed by Michael Haneke), Hunter Killer, Coriolanus (directed by Ralph Fiennes), Field Marshal Haig in Michael Morpurgo’s Private Peaceful (directed by Pat O’Connor) and The Prince of Wales in Chariots of Fire.Veronica Roberts plays the role of Kay, the Stage Manager. Her recent theatre credits include Mrs Gascoyne in The Daughter-in-Law (Arcola), Joy Bray in 49 Donkeys Hanged (Plymouth), and Marina in Uncle Vanya (Theatr Clywd/Sheffield Crucible). She is perhaps best known for playing Dorothy Bennett in the BBC Drama Tenko and Laura Elliot in ITVS’s Peak Practice. She has recently starred as Mrs Bookham in BBC’s Scarborough.
Robert Mountford plays the Author, Neil. His one man show Vagbonds – My Phil Lynott Odyssey played between 2015 and 2019 to sell-out audiences in Edinburgh, London and Dublin. In 2017 Robert was nominated for Best Supporting Actor at the UK Theatre Awards for House & Garden (Newbury Watermill). His other theatre credits include: Parolles in All’s Well That Ends Well (GSC/Jermyn Street Theatre), The Omission of the Family Coleman (Ustinov Studio, Theatre Royal Bath), Harold Pinter’s Betrayal (Salisbury Playhouse) and Anita and Me for Birmingham Rep. Robert has toured extensively with the Royal Shakespeare Company.John Wark plays Donald (Humphrey Carpenter). His theatre work includes Dead Sheep (UK Tour & Park Theatre), Toast (UK Tour, 59E59 New York & Park Theatre), The Cocktail Party (The Print Room), Keepers of Infinite Space (Park Theatre), Thark (Park Theatre), and The Fear of Breathing (Finborough Theatre).
Jessica Dennis plays the role of George, the Assistant Stage Manager. Her recent theatre credits include Henry V and The Tempest (Shakespeare’s Rose, York), The Wind In the Willows (Polka Theatre), Meet Me in the Ruins (Belgrade Theatre, Coventry), Romeo and Juliet (Orange Tree Theatre) and Offside (Futures Theatre, National Tour). She is also a regular performer for the award-winning Wireless Theatre Company and Audible.
Benjamin Chandler will play Tim (Stuart). His previous credits include The Passing Of The Third Floor Back (Finborough Theatre) and Three Sisters (The Union Theatre).
Alan Bennett’s THE HABIT OF ART premiered at the National Theatre in November 2009, directed by Nicholas Hytner and starring Richard Griffiths, Alex Jennings and Frances de la Tour. The National then toured the production in Autumn 2010 with a new cast led by Desmond Barrit, Malcolm Sinclair and Selina Caddell.The 2020 UK Tour of THE HABIT OF ART will be directed by Philip Franks and designed by Adrian Linford, with lighting by Johanna Town, sound by Max Pappenheim and casting by Joyce Nettles.
