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Storyhouse Live, Chester – until Saturday 14 September 2019

Reviewed by Julie Noller

5*****

Dust off your platforms, shake out your bellbottoms and prepare to let your inner disco diva shine through for quite possibly the best Disco era movie has been brought to the stage by Bill Kenwright; over 40 years after John Tavolta struted and captivated us as disco king Tony Manero.

What is special about this production is the fact Jake Byrom, James Kenneth Haughton and Danny Knott are just as centre stage as the cast in retelling a story that has you twitching in your seat itching to boogie on down reaching new highs as The Gibb Brothers or aka The Bee Gees.

This is truly a musical for it’s toe tapping, dazzling and with tunes that you can’t help but sway and join in with. Many audience members will be reliving their own Disco heydays, some like me remember dancing with parents around the front room. The costumes will have raised a few memorable smiles, there was the odd wolf whistle after the gasps as Tony Stripped to don the infamous white suit. Richard Windsor whilst not as obnoxious as John Travolta, portrays Tony Manero with a confidence that whiffs of self importance and egotism. A young man seeking his place in an ever evolving world, not to follow his Fathers footsteps. His passion for dancing along with pristine clothes and hair (don’t touch the hair) can’t help but raise a smile. So self assured and yet lost deep down here is a young man ready to break away from conventions and smash the mould.

It’s not all a happy, rose tinted trip back down memory lanes. There’s the stories that interweave and highlight friendship, the highs and lows, unwanted pregnancy, promiscuity, church, expectations and suicide along side potential rape. Natasha Firth is brilliant as Annette, poor love lorn and desperate. Seeking solace in pills yet her heart wrenching screams well you can’t help but hold your breath. Her rendition of If I Can’t Have You, highlights her singing credentials, she truly is a talented young lady, it really is superb. Then there’s Olivia Fines as Stephanie Mangano – yes we heard the line ‘your last name is almost the same’ many times, but it wasn’t just the names that were similar but personalities too I feel. Olivia dazzled us with her dancing skills and wow to wear those high cut 70s leotards, such legs! You do get to the end wondering why disco developed such a bad name and died out.

It’s skillful, energetic and joyful, the clothes fitting of the many peacocks showing off; dazzling and shiny. I loved the fact we became not the audience in the theatre but the audience on the sidelines in the disco. The disco ball glittered above us cascading us in light, encouraging our participation. All the dance moves you expect are included and more, the cast can be forgiven for being out of breath, they are as energetic as any HIIT class yet I suspect far more fun. Songs such as Stayin’ Alive, Jive Talkin’, More Than a Woman amongst others will have you singing and clapping along.

Having had a quick look through the programme I was prepared and excited in equal measures to jump to my feet after a well deserved standing ovation to join my fellow audience members to strut my stuff to the Mega mix that included Disco Inferno, Night Fever and You Should Be Dancing. Everyone was reluctant to leave wanting the party to continue, sadness was in the air, why did disco die? Moves like those exhibited by Richard Windsor deserve to live forever and should be treated with the respect such skilful choreography deserve. Unfortunately for me all that was left was to sing Stayin’ Alive (quietly) to myself and walk as only Tony Manero can walk back to my car, ok I strutted!!!

SALISBURY PLAYHOUSE ANNOUNCES CASTING FOR THIS YEAR’S ROBIN HOOD PANTOMIME

Salisbury Playhouse is delighted to announce casting for ROBIN HOOD, which runs in the Main House from Saturday 30 November until Sunday 12 January 2020 and is already Salisbury’s fastest selling pantomime.

Robin Hood will be played by West End star Giovanni Spano (X Factor, ITV; Bat Out of Hell The Musical; Footloose; Rip It Up The 70s) while Nurse Nora Virus, this year’s pantomime dame, will be played by Adrian Grove (The Night Before Christmas, Salisbury Playhouse; Follies, National Theatre).

Maid Marian will be played by Alice Stokoe (Sister Act UK tour, Mamma Mia!) while the Sheriff of Nottingham will be played by Greg Barnett (The Duchess of Malfi, RSC; Fantastic Mr Fox, UK tour). Bernadette Bangura (finalist All Together Now, BBC; Jesus Christ Superstar, London’s Barbican) will play Consuela, the Sheriff’s Spanish housekeeper.

The cast is completed by Leonard Cook (The Play That Goes Wrong and The Comedy About a Bank Robbery) as Friar Tuck; Lauren Azania AJ King-Yombo as Allan A’Dale; and Shane Gibb and Amber Sylvia Edwards in ensemble roles.

Robin and his merry band of men (and women) will set out on a fantastic adventure at Salisbury Playhouse this Christmas. With all the elements of a traditional pantomime including comedy, dance, audience participation, fantastic sets and familiar songs, it’s the perfect seasonal treat for all ages.

Robin Hood is produced by Wiltshire Creative and written by Andrew Pollard, writer of previous hit Playhouse pantomimes Beauty and the Beast, Jack and the Beanstalk, Aladdin and Cinderella. Gareth Machin (The Night Before Christmas, Her Naked Skin, Moonfleet all Salisbury Playhouse) will direct.

Set and costume design is by James Button (Beauty and the Beast and Relatively Speaking – both Salisbury Playhouse), choreography is by Nicky Griffiths (Beauty and the Beast, Jack and the Beanstalk – both Salisbury Playhouse), sound is by Michael Scott (Relatively Speaking, Salisbury Playhouse) and lighting is by Nic Farman (Billionaire Boy, UK Tour).

Sales for last year’s pantomime Beauty and the Beast were record-breaking so early booking is advised.

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

FIRST LOOK AT COSTUMES FOR

STARRING:

• Miriam-Teak Lee as Juliet
• Cassidy Janson as Anne Hathaway
• Oliver Tompsett as William Shakespeare
• Arun Blair-Mangat as May
• David Badella as Lance
• Melanie La Barrie as Nurse
• Jordan Luke Gage as Romeo
• Tim Mahendran as Francois

New photographs of the stars of the new musical & Juliet

released today:

New photographs of the joyous new West End musical that imagines Juliet’s famous ending as just her beginning show some of the stunning costumes by Paloma Young.

Soaring with the music of Max Martin, the acclaimed song-writer of some of the biggest pop anthems of the last 30 years, & Juliet stars Miriam-Teak Lee as Juliet, Cassidy Janson as Anne Hathaway, Oliver Tompsett as William Shakespeare, Arun Blair-Mangat as May, David Badella as Lance, Melanie La Barrie as Nurse, Jordan Luke Gage as Romeo and Tim Mahendran as Francois.

Previews in Manchester began last night (10 Sepetember 2019).  After its limited season at Manchester Opera House (finishing on Saturday 12 October) & Juliet  begins performances in London at The Shaftesbury Theatre on Saturday 2 November

A timely and timeless tale of one independent young woman, & Juliet is a riotous comic blast of fun and glorious pop music that proves when it comes to love, there’s always life after Romeo…

& Juliet is packed with some of the biggest pop anthems from acclaimed songwriter Max Martin and recorded by artists including Backstreet Boys, Justin Timberlake, Britney Spears, Katy Perry and Ariana Grande, all brilliantly arranged by Tony® and Grammy Award-winning orchestrator Bill Sherman.

Songs include:  ROAR, HIT ME BABY ONE MORE TIME, LOVE ME LIKE YOU DO, I KISSED A GIRL and EVERYBODY

Brought to life by an award-winning creative team in an explosive fusion of styles, & Juliet is directed by Luke Sheppard (In the Heights) with a book by David West Read (Schitt’s Creek), electrifying choreography from Jennifer Weber, stunning set design from Soutra Gilmour and costume design by Paloma Young.

Max Martin and Tim Headington present & Juliet, which is produced by Max Martin, Tim Headington, Theresa Steele, Jenny Petersson and Martin Dodd.

The Alhambra Theatre, Bradford – until 14 September 2019

Reviewed by Aimee Liddington

5*****

Adapted by Rachel Wagstaff and Duncan Abel from the widely successful novel written by Paula Hawkins, The Girl on the Train tells the story of three women whose lives have become permanently tangled through their relationships with one man. As the characters become involved in the case of a missing person, truth and lies become confused and reality becomes distorted. In today’s dysfunctional world where the mind is our worst enemy, this story highlights how we can only ever really trust ourselves and even then, the mind can play tricks.

Having thoroughly enjoyed the novel and the film adaption, I was intrigued to see how the story would translate onto the stage. Anthony Banks, as Director, exceeded my expectations. The production is dynamic and slick and the sound and lighting tricks allow the audience to be transported seamlessly through the action. A special mention should go to Ben and Max Ringham for sound, Jack Knowles for lighting and Andrzej Goulding for his projection designs. I felt emotionally pulled into the lives of the three women and as the story peaked, I felt physically shaken and breathless.

The protagonist of the story, Rachel Watson, is a lost soul who has turned to alcohol and lost all faith in herself. Samantha Womack portrays this character convincingly as she manoeuvres through life with good intentions clouded by unreliable thoughts and feelings. Lowenna Melrose and Kirsty Oswald, in their portrayal of Anna Watson and Megan Hipwell, highlight how in the modern world women are encouraged to see each other as competition rather than as allies. Scott Hipwell, played by Oliver Farnworth, depicts the perfect wounded and conflicted man who forgets his own strength when faced with the hurtful actions of the women in his life. Finally, Adam Jackson-Smith’s slimy portrayal of the manipulative Tom Watson is so believable, it made me feel physically sick to my stomach.

The Girl on the Train is a captivating thriller that seems so real it chills you to the bones. The light-hearted and relatable references to the everyday make the more twisted aspects of the story seem even more terrifying. For a fully immersive theatre experience, I would whole-heartedly recommend this production.

DEBRIS STEVENSON (WRITER AND STAR OF THE POET IN DA CORNER AT THE ROYAL COURT) AND

NED BENNETT (DIRECTOR OF EQUUS FOR ENGLISH TOURING THEATRE, THEATRE ROYAL STRATFORD EAST AND TRAFALGAR STUDIOS)

TO COLLABORATE ON BRAND NEW PRODUCTION

1ST LUV AT THE BIG HOUSE

OPENING WEDNESDAY 20 NOVEMBER

1st Luv, written by Debris Stevenson (writer and star of the critically acclaimed Poet in Da Corner at the Royal Court) and directed by Ned Bennett (whose production of Equus for the English Touring Theatre and Theatre Royal Stratford East has just finished a run in the West End at Trafalgar Studios) will premiere at The Big House – The Big House’s Islington venue – from Wednesday 20 November, with press night on Tuesday 26 November.

The Big House opened their venue in Islington in October 2018, offering both a theatre space and a centre to help young care leavers. The company’s work offers training and workshops for young people to unleash their creativity and build confidence whilst participating in theatre. These members take part in weeks of workshops and rehearsals, eventually becoming the theatre company and producing a show.

This has now drawn Debris Stevenson to work with The Big House on her hotly anticipated second show 1st Luv, whichtells the universal story of first love through poetry, music, theatre and movement in what will be The Big House’s second production at its new Islington premises. Stevenson’s unique talent and style last year saw her nominated for the 2018 Evening Standard’s Emerging Talent of the Year Award.

With music by Jammz, this production brings together an incredible team of artists with young performers for a show that represents the company’s ethos of making high-quality artistic work with a social impact. Director Ned Bennett had previously worked with The Big House on Brixton Rock before they had the space in Islington and returns to the company after his production of Equus hit the West End this summer.

Debris Stevenson said, “Writing for The Big House is a everything writing has ever meant to me – it’s 3D hybrid magic. On top of that Ned is pushing me in new ways and I have been given permission to learn into the magic realism within my work. For me, grime – my entry point to poetry and theatre – really demonstrated how real (and often grimy, gritty) life can hover above the ground. As an artist who set up a company from nothing at 20, teaching thousands of young people creative writing and performance as a life skill – working with Maggie is beautiful because she understands great art comes from community.”

Ned Bennett said: “This feels like such a massive, exciting chapter for The Big House, I’m excited to come back and make a show in their new space. The Big House have created an environment that is utterly empowering for its members. The way in which they support young people and push boundaries creatively is such a thrilling combination. There’s a universality to 1st Luv that’s being handled with Debris’ particular heightened and astonishing imagination. It’s 1st Luv through the lens of magic realism and technicolour. Her work has an incredible sense of humour and pathos to it.”

The venue’s first production Bullet Tongue received four and five stars across the board and became such a success that it returned for a second run, a phenomenal achievement for a brand-new London venue.

Maggie Norris, Artistic Director of The Big House, said:

“1st LUV brings together Ned Bennett, Debris Stevenson and Jammz to create a brand new piece of work for The Big House that promises to be dazzlingly modern and joyful. Fifteen marginalised young people will take us on a journey that explores how the templates of love that we are given as children shape our lives. The play weaves music, movement and poetry into a theatrical event that will be both magical and heartbreakingly raw. The enthusiasm and excitement that this team brings to The Big House and their unique understanding of the young people that we work with is rare and hugely inspiring.”

FROM WEST END CLASSICS TO HOT ‘NEW’ HISTORICAL HITS; 

Leeds Grand Theatre announces additional shows for 2020 

CABARET *** MY FAIR LADY (LAOS) *** SIX *** OI FROG & FRIENDS! *** SOME MOTHERS DO ‘AVE ‘EM *** 9 TO 5 THE MUSICAL *** DIAL M FOR MURDER *** BEAUTIFUL – THE CAROLE KING MUSICAL *** THE MOUSETRAP 

PRIORITY TICKETS ON SALE FROM WED 11 SEPTEMBER/GENERAL FROM WED 18 SEPTEMBER 2019 

***** 

CABARET 

Tue 3 – Sat 7 March 

Bill Kenwright presents the multi-award winning production of Kander and Ebb’s landmark musical, Cabaret, starring John Partridge (Celebrity MasterChef 2018, EastEnders, A Chorus Line, Chicago, La Cage Aux Folles) as Emcee, Kara Lily Hayworth (Cilla The Musical) as Sally Bowles, and Anita Harris (Carry On films, Cats). 

It’s 1931, Berlin is a haven of divine decadence, and the legendary Sally Bowles is about to take the stage at the infamous Kit Kat Klub. Cabaret features show-stopping choreography, dazzling costumes and iconic songs, including Money Makes the World Go Round, Maybe This Time and Cabaret. 

***** 

MY FAIR LADY (LAOS) 

Tue 31 March – Sat 4 April 

Following their critically acclaimed performances of Cats and West Side Story, Leeds Amateur Operatic Society (LAOS) returns to The Grand with the six-time Tony® Award, and eight-time Oscar winning play My Fair Lady. 

Based on George Bernard Shaw’s play, Pygmalion, My Fair Lady tells the story of Eliza Doolittle, a cockney flower girl transformed into an elegant lady by the acclaimed professor and confirmed bachelor, Henry Higgins. It has been entrancing audiences since 1956 when it was first performed on Broadway and includes the songs Wouldn’t It Be Loverly, With a Little Bit of Luck, I Could Have Danced All Night, On the Street Where You Live, and Get Me to the Church on Time. 

***** 

SIX 

Tue 16 – Sat 20 June 

Nominated for five Olivier Awards, including Best New Musical, the sell-out international smash hit SIX is the phenomenon everyone is losing their head over! 

From Tudor queens to pop princesses, the six wives of Henry VIII finally take to the mic to tell their tales, remixing 500 years of historical heartbreak into an 80-minute celebration of 21st century girl power. These Queens may have green sleeves, but their lipstick is rebellious red. 

Divorced. Beheaded. LIVE! 

***** 

OI FROG & FRIENDS! 

Thu 18 – Sat 20 June 

Frog is looking for a place to sit, but Cat has other ideas and Dog is doing as he’s told.  

Little do any of them know that chaos is coming… 

Join Frog, Cat and Dog in this new action-packed stage adaptation of Kes Gray and Jim Field’s bestselling books. Expect songs, puppets, laughs and more rhymes than you can shake a chime at.  

55 minutes of fun for ages 3+ 

***** 

SOME MOTHERS DO ‘AVE ‘EM 

Tue 23 – Sat 27 June 

Hilarious mishaps and DIY disasters are bringing the house down, quite literally, as Some Mothers Do ‘Ave ‘Em comes to The Grand starring Joe Pasquale as lovable accident-prone Frank Spencer. Susie Blake stars as his disapproving mother-in-law and Sarah Earnshaw as his long-suffering wife Betty.  

Some Mothers Do ‘Ave ‘Em is the ultimate feel-good night out, washed down with lashings of nostalgia and mother’s prune wine. 

Quite Frank-ly, it’s a hit! 

***** 

9 to 5 the MUSICAL 

Mon 29 June – Sat 4 July 

Dolly Parton’s rip-roaring musical 9 to 5 tumbles outta’ bed and stumbles back to The Grand direct from sold out audiences in London. 

9 to 5 the Musical tells the hilarious story of three workmates pushed to boiling point by their sexist boss. Based on the iconic movie, this tongue-in-cheek tale of kidnapping and girl power features an Oscar-nominated score written by the Queen of Country herself, Dolly Parton. 

***** 

DIAL M FOR MURDER 

Tue 7 – Sat 11 July 

Can you ever get away with the perfect crime? 

A brand new production of the blueprint for the modern thriller, Dial M For Murder is back.  

TV and stage favourite, Tom Chambers (Top Hat, Strictly Come Dancing) stars as the charismatic and manipulative Tony Wendice, a jaded ex-tennis pro who has given it all up for his wife Margot. When he discovers she has been unfaithful his mind turns to revenge and the pursuit of the ‘perfect crime’.  

Made famous by Alfred Hitchcock’s world-renowned film of 1950, the iconic Dial M For Murder will leave you spellbound as Tony becomes more tangled in the web of his own making.  

***** 

BEAUTIFUL – THE CAROLE KING MUSICAL 

Mon 25 – Sat 29 August 

Beautiful – The Carole King Musical tells the inspiring true story of Carole King’s remarkable rise to stardom; from being part of a hit song writing team with her husband Gerry Goffin, to her relationship with fellow writers and best friends Cynthia Weil and Barry Mann, to becoming one of the most successful solo acts in popular music history. 

King wrote the soundtrack to a generation, with countless classics such as (You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman, Take Good Care of My Baby, You’ve Got a Friend, So Far Away, It Might as Well Rain Until September, Up on the Roof and The Locomotion. 

***** 

THE MOUSETRAP 

Tue 1 – Sat 5 September 

The Mousetrap has become the longest running show of any kind in the world by keeping audiences on the edge of their seat in this masterful whodunit by the Queen of Crime, Agatha Christie. 

A snowstorm closes in on a guest house, trapping a group of strangers inside with a murderer. Who is it and why have they come to Monkswell Manor?  

And remember – keep the secret! 

Darlington Hippodrome – until 14 September 2019

4****

When it comes to Miss Marple I am a bit of a purist.  I believe the BBC adaptation starring Joan Hickson to be the best versions of Agatha Christie’s spinster sleuth.  And this version, adapted for the stage by Leslie Darbon and performed by Middle Ground Theatre Company was a joy to watch.

Set in 1950, we arrive at the home of Letitia Blacklock on Friday the 13^th to the announcement in the Chipping Cleghorn Gazette that “A Murder is Announced”. The murder is due to take place at 6.30pm at Little Paddocks that very evening. Taking care to prepare food for the villagers who are bound to just ‘drop in’, neighbours gather at 6.30pm and the scene is set for the imminent murder.

Letty Blacklock (Kazia Pelka) owns Little Paddocks in the village of Chipping Cleghorn.  Upper middle class and, as we discover, destined to inherit a fortune. Also living at the house are old school friend Dora “Bunny” Bunner (Jenny Funnell), her much younger cousins – sister and brother – Julia and Patrick (Lucy Evans and Patrick Simmons), Phillipa Haymes (Emma Fernell), a war widow working locally as a gardener, and Mitzi (Lydia Piechowiak), a Middle European refugee and Letitia’s cook. Village friends Mrs Swettenham (Cara Chase) and her son Edmund (Tom Gibbons) are in the house by 6.30 to witness the murder – allegedly by hotel employee Rudi Scherz (Adam Lloyd-James).

A clue at the very beginning discovered by Inspector Craddock (Tom Butcher) and Sergeant Mellors (Jog Maher) is that apart from Bunny, all the other people at the house have only really been in the village and known to Letty for around 3 months.  Whilst she knew of Patrick and Julia (her cousins) she hadn’t seen them since they were tiny children.

Enter Miss Marple (Sarah Thomas).  Demonstrating just the right amount of dottiness to hide the steel trap of mind she has.  Seeing and hearing everything – little nuances and characteristics. Side stepping red-herrings and keeping one step ahead of the police as she solves the crime and nails the killer.

For me this was a glorious interpretation, made even better by the fabulous set and stunning costumes all designed by Director Micheal Lunney.  Overall, Middle Ground Theatre Company have excelled themselves in this tantalising and atmospheric production of Darbon’s show. The play, running in Darlington until Saturday 14 September and around the UK, showcases clear hard work and talent all around, from an impressive set, to engaging performances to the effective buildup of tension through out, A Murder Is Announced is not one to be missed as it brings to life the excitement and intrigue of the murder mystery genre.

JAMIE WILSON

ENTERTAINMENT ONE, RAMIN SABI

AND BELGRADE THEATRE COVENTRY

ARE DELIGHTED TO ANNOUNCE

SHARON OSBOURNE

DANNY DYER

DANI DYER

RYLAN CLARK-NEAL

&

SIMON LIPKIN

TO STAR IN

BIRMINGHAM REPERTORY THEATRE’S PRODUCTION OF

IN LONDON

AT THE EVENTIM APOLLO FROM 11 – 29 DECEMBER

The highly acclaimed ‘NATIVITY! THE MUSICAL’ is back for a third year in London and the producers of the smash-hit show are thrilled to announce the fabulous

Sharon Osbourne will be joining the company as ‘President of Parker Pictures’.

Sharon will be starring as ‘Crystal Collins’ – the mother in law to ‘Harry Parker’ who will be played by the inimitable Danny Dyer. Dannyis back by popular demand as ‘The Hollywood Producer’ following a roaringly successful Christmas season at the Eventim Apollo last year.

His daughter and winner of ‘Love Island’ 2018 Dani Dyer also returns as ‘Polly Parker’. Completing the star-studded line up is the previously announced Rylan Clark-Neal who will play ‘The Critic’ and Simon Lipkin who will reprise his role as the hilarious ‘Mr Poppy’ for a third year after critical and audience acclaim.

Producer Jamie Wilson said today, ‘Nativity! The Musical has been delighting audiences in London and the U.K since 2017 and we are incredibly proud of our show. We are thrilled with this years’ cast and we can’t wait to see Sharon Osbourne and Danny Dyer on stage together in London’.

They will be joined by Scott Garnham as ‘Mr Maddens’ and Ashleigh Gray as ‘Jennifer Lore’ who both return for a second year.

Completing the cast will be Jonathan Bourne as ‘Lord Mayor’, Charles Brunton as ‘Mr Shakespeare’, Jamie Chapman as ‘Patrick Burns’ and Penelope Woodman as ‘Mrs Bevan’. They will be joined by Dawn Buckland, Connor Ewing, Kade Ferraiolo, Amy Oxley, Helena Pipe and Billy Roberts. They will play all U.K venues and London.

Dani Dyer will play ‘Polly Parker’ in, Wolverhampton, Cardiff, Southampton and London and Scott Paige will play ‘Mr Poppy’ in Wolverhampton, Cardiff, Southampton, Aylesbury and Plymouth and the role of ‘Mr Rye’ in London.

They are joined by a cast of 20 children aged 9 – 12 from across the Midlands as the pupils of ‘St Bernadette’s School’. They are, Thomas Bastable, Evie Bennell-Low, Olivia Brooks, Niamh Crowley, Erin Freeman, Lucas Haywood, Alexander Hogg, Kheiri Isaac-Osmani, Isabel Landers, Evie Mallen, Joshua Millard-Lloyd, Ana Morgan, Ela Morgan, Amy-Louise Mulhall, Alastair Ngwenya, Gerald Ngwenya, Tega Oduko, Kayan Parmar, Lyla Peters, Katelyn Rollason, Teddy Saberton, Grace Townley and Nicholas Vakis.

Sharon Osbourne made her UK theatre debut in ‘Vagina Monologues’ in 2006 and ‘Nativity! The Musical’ will mark Sharon’s second appearance on a UK stage. Shehas worked in the music industry for over 40 years, managing many artists including her husband Ozzy Osbourne and Black Sabbath. Her television career first started when she created and produced the reality series ‘The Osbournes’ which won an Emmy Award for Best Reality Show in 2002. She then leveraged her lengthy professional career in the music industry to become a talent judge on the hit UK version of ITV’S ‘The X Factor’ for a total of seven seasons. She later served as a talent judge for five seasons on ‘America’s Got Talent’.Sharon is currently the host of

CBS’ Daytime Emmy Award-winning talk show, ‘The Talk’ and won the Outstanding Entertainment Talk Show Hosts Daytime Emmy in 2017.  Sharon

Danny Dyer is best known for his role as ‘Mick Carter’ in BBC one’s ‘EastEnders’. Danny has won many awards for his role including ‘Best Soap Actor’ at ‘TV Choice Awards’ and has previously won a ‘National Television Award’ in 2015 and in 2016 for ‘Best Serial Drama Performance’. Danny’s breakthrough role was in cult 90s film ‘Human Traffic’, his other film credits include ‘The Business’ and ‘The Football Factory’. Danny’s previous stage credits Include, ‘Kurt and Sid’ at the Trafalgar Studios, ‘No Man’s Land’ at The National Theatre, ‘Celebration’, ‘Certain Young Men’ and ‘The Homecoming, all at The Almeida Theatre. Danny most recently starred in the Harold Pinter Season in the ‘Dumb Waiter’ alongside Martin Freeman.

After making her stage debut in ‘Nativity! The Musical’ last year, Dani Dyer returns in the role of ‘Polly Parker’.  Dani is best known for winning the 2018 series of ITV’s ‘Love Island’. Since winning ‘Love Island’ Dani has gone on to achieve great success in the fields of fashion, television, books and beauty and has been co-hosting ‘Capital Weekend Breakfast’ alongside presenter Rob Howard. Dani will be back on TV screens in the autumn 2019 as the host of yet-to-be-announced TV series.

Scott Garnham’s previous theatre credits include the UK Tour of ‘Billy Elliot The Musical’ and the West End productions of ‘Les Misérables’ at the Queen’s Theatre and ‘I Can’t Sing’ at the London Palladium. Scott returns as ‘Mr Maddens’ in ‘Nativity! The Musical’ after delighting audiences on tour and in London in 2018.

Ashleigh Gray is best known for playing the leading role of ‘Elphaba’ in ‘Wicked’ in the West End and on UK Tour. Her other theatre credits include ‘Vanities’ and ‘Cool Rider’ both in London. Ashleigh returns as Jennifer Lore in ‘Nativity! The Musical’ for a second year.

Every child in every school has one Christmas wish, to star in a Nativity, and at St Bernadette’s School they’ve decided to mount a musical version! Join teacher Mr Maddens and his crazy assistant Mr Poppy as they struggle with hilarious children, and a whole lot of sparkle and shine to make everyone’s Christmas wish come true. Featuring all of your favourite sing-a-long songs from the smash-hit films including Sparkle and Shine, Nazareth and One Night One Moment. NATIVITY! THE MUSICAL promises to be the perfect feel-good comedy for all the family.

Written and Directed by Debbie Isitt with music and lyrics by Nicky Ager and Debbie Isitt, NATIVITY! THE MUSICAL is choreographed by Andrew Wright, designed by David Woodhead, with lighting design by Tim Mitchell, sound design by Tom Marshall and musical supervision and orchestrations by George Dyer.

NATIVITY! THE MUSICAL will first open at the Wolverhampton Grand on 29 October and will then visit, Aylesbury Theatre, Canterbury Marlowe Theatre, Cardiff Millennium Centre, Plymouth Theatre Royal, Mayflower Theatre Southampton finishing with a run at the London, Eventim Apollo from 11-29 December.

www.nativitythemusical.com

NATIVITY – THE MUSICAL 2019 UK Tour and London:

29 October – 2 November 2019

Wolverhampton Grand Theatre

www.grandtheatre.co.uk

6 – 10 November 2019

Aylesbury Waterside Theatre

www.atgtickets.com/aylesbury

13 – 17 November 2019

Canterbury, Marlowe Theatre

www.marlowetheatre.com

*On sale 31 December 2018

19 – 23 November 2019

Wales Millennium Centre

www.wmc.org.uk

26 – 30 November 2019

Theatre Royal, Plymouth

www.theatreroyal.com

3 – 7 December 2019

Southampton, Mayflower Theatre

www.mayflower.org.uk

11 DECEMBER –29 DECEMBER 2019

Eventim Apollo Hammersmith 

[http://www.eventimapollo.com*]www.eventimapollo.com*                                                               

*Danny Dyer will not be playing the following performances

• Wednesday 11 December, 7pm
• Monday 16 December, 1pm
• Thursday 19 December, 1.30pm
• Thursday 19 December, 7pm
• Friday 20 December, 2pm
• Thursday 26 December, 2pm
• Friday 27 December, 2pm
• Friday 27 December, 7pm

*Rylan Clark-Neal will not be playing the following performances

• Friday 13December, 7pm
• Saturday 14 December, 2pm
• Saturday 21 December, 2pm
• Thursday 26 December, 2pm
• Saturday 28 December, 2pm

ABBA: SUPER TROUPERS THE EXHIBITION

A musical journey into the phenomenon that is ABBA.

Discover the story of the band, their music and the era they defined.

At The O2 from December 6^th 2019

Take an in-depth look into each band member’s history as personal items and photographs go on display

Explore a wealth of new highlights including artefacts not previously displayed in the UK

Learn about the role that ABBA’s devotees played, and continue to play, in the band’s success and legacy

Friday 6^th December 2019 – Monday 31^st August 2020

Entertainment Exhibitions International (UK) Ltd (EEI), in association with ABBA The Museum in Stockholm, are delighted to announce ABBA: Super Troupers The Exhibition in a 14,000 square foot space within London’s home of music, The O2. Running from 6^th December 2019 to 31^st August 2020, the immersive exhibition brings to life the world of chart-topping Swedish pop sensation ABBA (Agnetha Fältskog, Björn Ulvaeus, Benny Andersson, and Anni-Frid (“Frida”) Lyngstad) in a visitor experience that charts their music, lyrics, creative process and influence as one of the most iconic pop bands of the modern age.

The exhibition has been conceptualised and curated by Jude Kelly CBE, former artistic director at The Southbank Centre, and approved by ABBA.

ABBA burst onto the UK music scene with a dazzling win on 6^th April 1974 at the Eurovision Song Contest at the Brighton Dome, introducing the irresistible song that would become their first UK chart-topper, “Waterloo”. ABBA: Super Troupers The Exhibition examines ABBA’s rise to global superstardom through a series of atmospheric rooms, exploring each of ABBA’s 8 multi-million selling albums, alongside the band’s personal and public journey.

Throughout, a specially created audio guide (included in the price of admission) will give context to the developments of the decade, highlighting the global news events and musical soundtrack that defined the era. The experience will contain objects from ABBA The Museum and other archives, some of which have not previously been on display in the UK.

Transforming the traditional exhibition experience, this deeply unique take on the ABBA story takes visitors to the heart of the journey of each band member. Incorporating lyrics, costumes, instruments, experiential backdrops of the key events and locations that defined and shaped the band, album artwork, photography, film and more, ABBA: Super Troupers The Exhibition examines the band’s universal popularity. From their multi-layered sound to their iconic look, the exhibition goes behind-the-scenes to examine the heavy-weight influence of one of the most enduring acts of all time.

ABBA: Super Troupers The Exhibition is set to put objects on display that include:

A look at the lives of the band, pre-ABBA, displaying personal items from each musician’s youth including Björn’s school report, his military book and photographs from his time in service, and pictures of a 13-year-old Frida in a jazz band as a beatnik teenager.

·       Key items from the height of the band’s heyday, reflecting on both the personal – such as a collection of behind the scenes photos taken of the band on their ‘77 Australian “Arrival” tour – and the professional, with iconic items from the height of their success, including:

• A limited-edition replica of the ‘Star Guitar’ played at Eurovision ’74, signed by all four members.

o   Over 40 Gold Discs from ABBA’s personal archive including “Dancing Queen”, their biggest selling single, worldwide.

o   A collection of exquisitely designed, image-defining costumes and personal clothing.

• A recreation of super fan, Andrew and Elizabeth Boardman’s Manchester living room. A shrine to ABBA memorabilia, Andrew began collecting 40 years ago having fallen under the band’s spell at the first concert of theirs he attended, aged 16. This room explores the notion that ABBA may have the most ardent and committed fans of any contemporary band.

Visitors will be fully immersed in the ABBA story, where highlights of the exhibition’s theatrical staging include:

·       Taking a stroll through a Swedish folk park as the band’s pre-ABBA successes and folk roots are explored.

·       A recreation of the Eurovision Song Contest stage at the Brighton Dome, where, from lush deep theatre seats, fans will watch the performance before experiencing the excitement of the vote reveal.

·       Multiple photo-opportunities, where attendees can capture themselves beside:

• A full-sized replica of the helicopter that graced the cover of “Arrival’”
• Replicas of the iconic “Super Trouper” album cover costumes.
• A life-size replica of the scoreboard that saw ABBA secure Eurovision Song Contest victory.

·       A glimpse inside the band’s POLAR Studios, where the hard-working pop perfectionists refined their defining harmonised sound, with interactive elements that include a voice recording booth and mixing desk.

·       Ending the experience on a hedonistic high, guests are invited to sing, dance, add to fan mail, explore memorabilia and indeed say “Thank You For The Music” in The Legacy finale, as a specular audio-visual backdrop documents the very best of the band’s monumental success.

ABBA’s Frida Lyngstad says,

“We are delighted to support ABBA: Super Troupers The Exhibition at The O2 following the overwhelming response to our earlier exhibitions in London. From our Eurovision Song Contest win in Brighton in ’74 to the present day, the UK has long held a special place in ABBA’s heart, and we have always strongly felt the love and support of our British fans. It’s with celebration that we work with Jude Kelly CBE towards this major exhibition and can’t wait for fans to discover a host of surprises in December!”

Jude Kelly CBE, Curator, adds:

“ABBA’s music, image and personal stories not only gripped a generation, but have the transcendental ability to continue to engage millions of fans of all ages across the globe today. It was a great pleasure to see the extraordinary response and enduring respect of fans from all around the world during previous ABBA exhibitions in London. I am delighted to work with EEI and ABBA The Museum to present ABBA: Super Troupers The Exhibition at The O2 and to be able to take visitors deeper into the incredible legacy that is the ABBA story.”  

Ingrid Sutej of Entertainment Exhibitions International (UK) Ltd (EEI) continues:

“EEI is delighted to be working alongside ABBA and Jude Kelly to realise Jude’s vision of one of the most incredible cultural stories of our time. This all-new creative concept takes a different approach to telling the ABBA story through an immersive experience that will show the band and their remarkable legacy to fans in a new light.”

ABBA: Super Troupers The Exhibition will be exhibited at The O2, the home of the world’s most successful arena and within an entertainment precinct that includes the new ABBA-inspired immersive theatrical and dining experience, Mamma Mia! The Party.

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LOCKWOOD PRODUCTIONS AND FOOLS & KINGS ANNOUNCE THE UK PREMIÈRE OF THE GREEN FAIRY AT THE UNION THEATRE

Lockwood Productions and Fools & Kings present

The UK première of

THE GREEN FAIRY

by Jack Sain and Stephen Libby

Director: Jack Sain;Musical Director: William Bullivant; Dramaturg & Associate Writer: Hannah Hauer-King; Set and costume designer: Katharine Heath

Wednesday 30 October – Saturday 23 November

Lockwood Productions and Fools & Kings today announce the UK première of The Green Fairy.Opening at the Union Theatre on 4 November, with previews from 30 October and runs until 23 November.

“Come into my world, for just a minute, and cast all your doubts aside…”

Tonight, Jo saw her daughter Wendy sing for the first time in the pub where she used to work – they don’t seem to have a relationship. Jo doesn’t seem to have a relationship with anyone really, and the Green Fairy wants to know where it all went wrong…

Memories start to surface of Jo’s adolescence and early adulthood in 1990s London. Together, they explore Jo’s relationship with her ex-girlfriend, ex-husband and eventually her daughter.

An ode to queer parenting and overcoming anxiety, The Green Fairy is an immersive pub musical following one woman’s struggle to take back control of her own life before it’s too late. 

Writers Jack Sain and Stephen Libby said today, “We are incredibly excited to bring The Green Fairy to The Union Theatre this autumn. It’s a queer story, a story about Londoners, about growing up and about getting on. The show has evolved and grown, genders have changed, themes have twisted, songs and scenes have been thrown out, new ones created. Writing is incredibly new to both of us, but we’ve truly fallen in love with The Green Fairy. After a successful workshop at The Kings Head, the generous reception from the industry showing galvanised us to turn The Green Fairy into a fully-fledged piece that was true to our own lives and said things that we want to say.”

Jack Sain and Stephen Libby met three years ago and started singing in open mic nights together; The Green Fairy marks their musical theatre writing debut.

Jack Sain directs. His previous theatre credits include Beatrice di Tenda (Bel Canto Opera Festival), How I Learned to Drive (Southwark Playhouse), Four Play (The Old Vic) and Crossing Over (The Other Palace). He was the resident Assistant Director at the Donmar Warehouse in 2016, credits include Welcome Home, Captain Fox!; Elegy; Saint Joan; One Night In Miami…; Limehouse and Faith Healer. Other assistant director credits include Killer Joe (Trafalgar Studios), Jonah & Otto (Park Theatre) and Present Laughter (Gate Theatre Dublin).

The Green Fairy                                                                                                                               Listings                                                                                                                                                                                                                      

Union Theatre

OLD UNION ARCHES, 229 UNION STREET, LONDON, SE1 0LR

Box Office:

http://uniontheatre.biz/the-green-fairy.html

Friday 30 October – 23 November

Performance Schedule

Tuesday Saturday:                                          7.30pm

Saturday & Sunday matinees:                    2:30pm

Tickets: from £15

Concessions available via Box Office