Created and performed by Mary Higgins and Ell Potter
Directed by Jessica Edwards with Mary Higgins and Ell Potter
Designer: Rūta Irbite
Soho Theatre
3 December 2019 – 4 January 2020
Following the critically acclaimed success of HOTTER, Hotter Project and Ellie Keel Productions today announce the world première of FITTER opening at Soho Theatre on 9 December, with previews from 3 December, running until 4 January 2020.
A rugby ball’s soft, a hockey stick’s hard, what does that make me?’ – Boy, 12
Hello, we’re Ell and Mary.
We’re ex-girlfriends and bisexuals and we’re a bit bummed out by boys.
Three years ago we interviewed women and transpeople aged 11 to 97 for our five-star sell-out show HOTTER. We didn’t interview men. We just didn’t want to. Because men are trash, right?
Wrong. Well, sometimes wrong. We asked trans-men, cis-men, and masculine presenting people aged 8 to 85 about what makes them hard. This is a show about what we learned: about strength, fitting in, feeling yourself, and arseholes.
Through singing, dancing, and f*cking around in crap drag, Ell and Mary write a love letter to masculinity which they are forever tearing up and taping back together again.
Mary Higgins devised and stars in FITTER. Her previous theatre credits include Callisto: A Queer Epic (Arcola Theatre) and Suddenly Last Summer (Oxford Playhouse). Her screen credits include Misbehaviour (Left Bank Pictures), Traitors (Channel 4), and she recently wrapped on The English Game for Netflix.
Ell Potter devised and stars in FITTER. She graduated from LAMDA earlier this year. While studying, she was named Audible’s ‘Breakout Star’ of 2019, recording their bestselling Thriller of the Year, Winter Dark; and was shortlisted for the Alan Bates Award. She is also a prizewinner in the BBC Carleton Hobbs Bursary Award. Her credits include The Unwelcome and The Country Girls (BBC Radio Drama).
Jessica Edwards is an award-winning freelance director and writer. She makes work that is formally inventive and new. She often explores the queer and female experiences, and creates theatre that is iconoclastic, pop-tastic, subversive and outrageous. She is a Supported Artist at Shoreditch Town Hall, and has directed shows at the Soho Theatre, Edinburgh Fringe, the Arcola, Southwark Playhouse, Theatre503, the Almeida Young Company, and Trafalgar Studios. As a writer, she is currently developing her first screenplay, and was recently awarded a Peggy Ramsay Grant for her first play, Crashland. She holds a first in English from Oxford University is represented by Camilla Young at Curtis Brown.
Recent directing: Hotter (Underbelly / Soho Theatre), Passengers (Summerhall), Sparks (Vaults / Pleasance / HighTide), Nacktsängerin (BKA Theater Berlin), Denim: World Tour (Soho Theatre / Underbelly), Punts (Theatre503), Torch (Latitude / Edinburgh Festival 2016), Haters Make You Famous (Almeida Theatre), Queering Marlowe (Jamie Lloyd Company / Duke of York’s Theatre), The Box (Latitude / Theatre Delicatessen), The Itinerant Music Hall (Lyric Hammersmith / Watford Palace / GDIF / Latitude), and Jekyll & Hyde (Southwark Playhouse / Assembly Edinburgh).
HOTTER Project are a new creative collective founded by Mary Higgins and Ell Potter. Dedicated to creating radically honest and silly work, HOTTER Project aims to speak to and platform the voices of those we don’t normally hear. While working on their stage projects HOTTER and FITTER, the company have recently recorded a pilot episode of a new podcast for BBC Sounds, and are developing a book with Susanna Lea Associates.
EKP (Ellie Keel Productions) is an award-winning new companyproducing new plays in London, Edinburgh, and on tour in the UK and internationally.
Today marks one year since Kiln Theatre opened the doors of its refurbished building with a re-opening season including seven world premières, a UK première, twelve commissions and a major musical revival. The opening season featured leading and emerging talent that took us on a journey through time and cultures – from our doorstep of Kilburn High Road to around the world and back – presenting original and unique stories bringing different voices to the London stage.
Since then, Kiln Theatre has received its first West End transfer, with Florian Zeller’s critically acclaimed The Son currently playing at the Duke of York’s Theatre, and the New York transfer of the 2013 production of Moria Buffini’s Handbagged.
The venue is now selling more tickets than ever before, with 65,00 theatre tickets sold this year, and the top three bestselling shows in the venue’s history being from this season; White Teeth, Blues in the Night, and The Son.
As a proudly local theatre in the heart of Kilburn, Kiln Theatre continues to create world-class theatre that is accessible to the local community, as well as celebrating the creativity and talent of young people across Brent.
Artistic Director, Indhu Rubasingham today said “This date last year, we opened the doors, by the skin of our teeth, to the first preview of Alexis Zegerman’s Holy Shit! – the first performance in our newly renovated building.
“It has been an exhilarating year; five world premières, one British première and a musical revival thus far. We are about to stage our first community play – another world première, with 100 volunteers as well as beginning rehearsals for our next new play, When The Crows Visit.
“This has been an immense journey and today is a moment to thank everyone involved in delivering this beautiful building and for all their incredible hard work and commitment. Thank you to all the donors and supporters who made it even possible. A big shout out to the Kiln team for enduring this rollercoaster ride as well as all the actors, creatives, playwrights, technical teams, stage management and directors who have baptised this new space with their energy, talent and joy. And finally. a big ‘thank you’ to you, the audience who have come and given your time and support to Kiln Theatre.
We look forward to you coming with us on the next stage of our journey as we head into 2020, with the soon-to-be announced new season in the year that Brent is the London Borough of Culture.”
Kiln Theatre’s next production is the world première of Anupama Chandrasekhar’s When The Crow’s Visit, opening on the 23 October, followed by the London debut of Snowflake written by Olivier Award-winning Mike Bartlett.
Mayflower Theatre Southampton – until 14 September 2019
Reviewed by Jo Gordon
5*****
With an unusual setting of a Northampton shoe factory, many would wonder how Kinky Boots has become the huge hit it is today and if they chose not to go and see why, they are missing out on an absolute treat! On the death of his father, Charlie ( Joel Harper-Jackson) inherits the struggling family business but has aspirations to succeed in the big smoke that is London alongside his fiancé Nicola (Helen Ternent). Who wishes for bigger and better things that she believes Northampton can offer them. On returning to the factory Charlie realises its not just about him, there’s also a factory full of staff who are relying on him to save their jobs. Enter Lola (Kayi Ushe) and her Angels, a Drag Queen Diva and her glorious cross dressing ensemble in need of the highest stiletto heels that can withstand the life of a Drag Queen. A friendship is formed and they set to work developing the perfect, reddest boot much to the disdain of some of the workers, who have an issue with Lola.
There are some wonderful moments as we follow the production of the boots, from big choreography numbers involving the whole cast and treadmills, to solo pieces like Lauren’s (Paula Lane) quirky realisation that she fancies Charlie and Lola’s beautiful, moving visit to entertain the local old peoples home .
Joel’s gentle, bumbling Charlie balances well with Kayi’s loud, confident Lola and each compliments the other wonderfully. The whole cast are brilliant at bringing each character to life and as someone who can just about manage to walk in socks on a flat floor I’m in awe of the fact they manage to fling themselves around in those heels in the Milan scene…. impressive!
With the shows lyrics written by the famous Cyndi Lauper you are in for a treat, there are some enormous numbers like Sex is in the Heel, What a Woman Wants and Raise You Up/Just Be that get the audience clapping along and eventually raising up to their feet at the end.
This glittered, thigh high extravaganza is a reminder that acceptance of yourself and others should always be the norm.
SIXTHE WEST END SMASH HIT MUSICAL SIX ANNOUNCES FULL CASTING FOR UK TOURUK Tour: 24 Oct 2019 – 25 Jul 2020
The West End smash hit musical SIX written by Toby Marlow and Lucy Moss, today announces the full cast for its 2019/20 UK Tour. The touring Queens will be played by Lauren Drew (Catherine of Aragon), Maddison Bulleyment (Anne Boleyn), Lauren Byrne (Jane Seymour), Shekinah McFarlane (Anna of Cleves), Jodie Steele (Katherine Howard) and Athena Collins (Catherine Parr), with Alternates Jennifer Caldwell, Cassandra Lee and Harriet Watson. The cast are backed by the show’s all-female band, The Ladies in Waiting.
SIX opens its nine-month UK tour at the Yvonne Arnaud Theatre, Guildford on 24 October 2019, visiting 33 venues until 25 July 2020, including a Christmas season at The Lowry Quays Theatre from 3 December 2019 to 5 January 2020.
The SIX phenomenon shows no sign of abating. Two years to the day since the show premiered as a student production at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, SIX announced its Broadway transfer to the Brooks Atkinson Theatre in New York following sold out runs in Chicago and Boston. Back in London where SIX continues to sell every seat for every performance at the Arts Theatre, the show was nominated for five 2019 OIivier Awards, including Best New Musical, Best Choreography and Best Costume Design. The show will open at the Sydney Opera House in January and is due to reopen in Chicago next summer. Productions are being planned for China, Japan, South Korea and Canada.
From Tudor queens to pop princesses, SIX sees the six wives of Henry VIII take to the mic to tell their own personal tales, remixing five hundred years of historical heartbreak into an 80-minute celebration of 21st century girl power. The songs from the show have proved to be a chart storming sensation racking up 50 million streams and adding 300,000 daily. Ann Boleyn’s song ‘Don’t Lose Ur Head’ has been shared over half a billion times on the TIK TOK app.
These Queens may have green sleeves, but their lipstick is rebellious red. Think you know the rhyme, think again… Divorced. Beheaded. LIVE! SIX is co-directed by Lucy Moss and Jamie Armitage, featuring choreography by Carrie-Anne Ingrouille. The design team includes Emma Bailey (Set Design), Gabriella Slade (Costume Design), Paul Gatehouse (Sound Design) and Tim Deiling (Lighting Design). The score features orchestrations by Tom Curran with music supervision and vocal arrangements by Joe Beighton. Associate Choreographer Freya Sands, Musical Director Katy Richardson, Associate Musical Director Arlene McNaught. SIX is produced by Kenny Wax, Wendy & Andy Barnes and George Stiles.
WINNER! BEST ENSEMBLE IN A PLAY OR MUSICAL The BroadwayWorld Awards 2018 WINNER! BEST COSTUME DESIGNER The BroadwayWorld Awards 2018 WINNER! BEST UK CAST RECORDING The Curtain Up Show Album of The Year Awards 2018 WINNER! MUSICAL OF THE YEAR The Spy in the Stalls Awards 2018 WINNER! BEST OFF WEST END PRODUCTION WhatsOnStage Awards 2019 NOMINATED FOR SIX WHATSONSTAGE AWARDS Best New MusicalBest Off-West End ProductionBest Original Cast RecordingBest ChoreographyBest Lighting Design Best Costume Design NOMINATED FOR FIVE LAURENCE OLIVIER AWARDS Best New Musical Outstanding Achievement in Music Best Actress in a Supporting Role in a Musical (The Queens)Best Theatre Choreographer Best Costume Design
Tour Listings Information:
SIXUK TOUR2019 / 2020
Thu 24 – Sun 27 October GUILDFORD Yvonne Arnaud Theatre Millbrook, Guildford, Surrey GU1 3UXEves: Thu – Sat 8pm, Sun 7pm Mats: Sat & Sun 2pm Box Office: 01483 44 00 00 | yvonne-arnaud.co.uk
Tue 29 Oct – Sun 3 November MALVERN Theatres Grange Rd, Malvern WR14 3HB Eves: Tue, Wed, Thu, Sat 8pm; Fri 6pm & 8.30pm Mats: Sat & Sun 2.30pm Box Office: 01684 892277 | malvern-theatres.co.uk
Tue 5 – Sun 10 November GLASGOW Theatre Royal 282 Hope Street, Glasgow G2 3QAEves: Tue, Wed, Thu, Sat 8pm; Fri 6pm & 8.30pm Mats: Sat 2.30pm & Sun 2pm Box Office: 0844 871 7648 | atgtickets.com/glasgow
Tue 12 – Sat 16 November KINGSTON Rose Theatre Eves: Tue, Thu 8pm; Wed & Fri 6pm & 8.30pm; Sat 5pm & 8pm [Sing-Along Performance Wed 6pm]24-26 High Street, Kingston KT1 1HLBox Office: 020 7174 0090 | rosetheatrekingston.org
Tue 19 – Sat 23 November OXFORD Playhouse Eves: Tue, Wed, Thu, Sat 8pm; Fri 6pm & 8.30pm; Mat: Sat 2pm Beaumont Street, Oxford OX1 2LWBox Office: 01865 305305 | oxfordplayhouse.com
Mon 25 – Sat 30 November MILTON KEYNES Theatre 500 Marlborough Gate, Milton Keynes MK9 3NZ Eves: Mon – Sat 8pm; Mats: Wed 2.30pm & Sat 3.30pm Box Office: 0844 871 7652 | atgtickets.com/miltonkeynes
Tue 3 December – Sun 5 January SALFORD QUAYS The Lowry, Quays Theatre Pier 8, Salford Quays M50 3AZ Various times during the Christmas season, see website for detailBox Office: 0843 208 6000 | thelowry.com
Tue 14 – Sun 19 January CHICHESTER Festival Theatre – PUBLIC ONSALE 14 SEP Oaklands Way, Chichester PO19 6AP Eves: Tue – Thu 8pm; Fri & Sat 6pm & 8.30pm; Mat: Sun 2.30pm Box Office: 01243 781312 | cft.org.uk
Tue 21 – Sat 25 January CARDIFF Wales Millennium Centre Eves: Tue, Wed, Thu, Sat 8pm; Fri 6pm & 8.30pm, Mat: Sat 2.30pm Bute Pl, Cardiff Bay CF10 5AL Box Office: 029 2063 6464 | wmc.org.uk
Mon 27 January – Sat 1 February CHELTENHAM Everyman Theatre Eves: Mon, Tue, Thu, Sat 8pm; Wed 8.30pm; Fri 6pm & 8.30pm; Mat: Sat 4pm Regent Street, Cheltenham GL50 1HQBox Office: 01242 572573 | everymantheatre.org.uk
Tue 4 – Sun 9 February EDINBURGH Festival Theatre Eves: Tue, Wed, Thu, Sat 8pm; Fri 6pm & 8.30pm; Mats: Sat 2.30pm & Sun 2pm 13-29 Nicolson St, Edinburgh EH8 9FT Box Office: 0131 529 6000 | capitaltheatres.com
Tue 11 – Sat 15 February AYLESBURY Waterside Theatre Eves: Tue, Thu, Sat 8pm; Wed & Fri 6pm & 8.30pm; Mat: Sat 2.30pm Exchange Street, Aylesbury, Bucks HP20 1UG Box Office: 0844 871 7607 | atgtickets.com/aylesbury
Tue 18 – Sun 23 February BATH Theatre Royal Sawclose, Bath BA1 1ET Eves: Tue – Sat 8pm, Wed & Fri 5.30pm & 8pm; Mats: Sat & Sun 4pm Box Office: 01225 448844 | theatreroyal.org.uk
Tue 24 – Sun 29 March NOTTINGHAM Theatre Royal Eves: Tue, Wed, Thu, Sat 8pm; Fri 6pm & 8.30pm; Mats: Sat & Sun 2.30pm Theatre Square, Nottingham NG1 5ND Box Office: 0115 989 5555 | trch.co.uk
Tue 31 March – Sun 5 April BROMLEY Churchill Theatre High Street, Bromley, BR1 1HA Eves: Tue – Sat 8pm, Mats: Sat 5pm, Sun 2pm & 5pm Box Office: 020 3285 6000 | churchilltheatre.co.uk
Tue 7 – Sun 12 April SOUTHEND Cliffs Pavilion Station Road, Southend-on-Sea, Essex SS0 7RA Eves: Tue, Wed, Thu, Sat 8pm; Fri 6pm & 8.30pm; Mats: Sat & Sun 2.30pm Box Office: 01702 351135 | southendtheatres.org.uk
Tue 28 April – Sat 2 May SHEFFIELD Lyceum Theatre – PUBLIC ON SALE 26 OCT 55 Norfolk Street, Sheffield S1 1DA Eves: Tue – Thu 8pm; Mat: Wed 2pm; Fri 6pm & 8.30pm; Sat 4pm & 8pm Box Office: 0114 249 6000 | sheffieldtheatres.co.uk
Wed 13 – Sat 17 May HULL New Theatre Kingston Square, Hull HU1 3HF Eves: Wed, Thu 8pm; Fri & Sat 6pm & 8.30pm; Mat: Sun 2.30pm Box Office: 01482 300 306 | hulltheatres.co.uk
Tue 19 – Sun 24 May CANTERBURY Marlowe Theatre The Friars, Canterbury CT1 2AS Eves: Tue, Wed, Thu, Sat 8pm; Fri 6pm & 8.30pm Mats: Sat & Sun 2.30pm Box Office: 01227 787787 | marlowetheatre.com
Tue 2 – Sun 7 June COVENTRY Belgrade Theatre – PUBLIC ONSALE 1 OCT Belgrade Square, Coventry CV1 1GSEves: Tue, Wed, Thu, Sat 8pm; Fri 6pm & 8.30pm; Mats: Sat & Sun 4pm Box Office: 024 7655 3055 | belgrade.co.uk
Tue 9 – Sun 14 June LEICESTER Curve Theatre 60 Rutland Street, Leicester LE1 1SB Eves: Tue, Wed, Fri, Sat, Sun 8pm; Thu 6pm & 8.30pm; Mats: Sat & Sun 5pm Box Office: 0116 242 3595 | curvetheatre.com
Tue 16 – Sat 20 June LEEDS Grand Theatre – GENERAL ON SALE 18 SEP 46 New Briggate, Leeds LS1 6NU Eves: Tue – Sat 8pm; Wed, Fri, Sat 5pm Box Office: 0844 848 2700 | leedsgrandtheatre.com
Mon 22 – Sat 27 June NEWCASTLE Theatre Royal 100 Grey St, Newcastle Upon Tyne NE1 6BR l Eves: Tue, Wed, Thu, Sat 8pm; Fri 5pm & 8pm; Mat: Sat 2.30pm Box Office: 08448 11 21 21 | theatreroyal.co.uk
Wed 1 – Sun 5 July SOUTHAMPTON Mayflower Theatre 22-26 Commercial Rd, Southampton SO15 1GE Eves: Wed – Sat 8pm; Mats: Sat & Sun 4pm Box Office: 02380 711811 | mayflower.org.uk
Tue 14 – Sun 19 July NORWICH Theatre Royal – PUBLIC ON SALE 8 OCT Theatre Street, Norwich NR2 1RL Eves: Tue – Thu 8pm; Fri 6pm & 8.30pm; Sat 4pm & 8pm; Sun 2.30pm Box Office: 01603 630000 | theatreroyalnorwich.co.uk
ENGAGEMENT BEGINS 5 FEBRUARY 2020 AT LONDON’S DOMINION THEATRE
EXTRA SHOWS NOW ON SALE
THE PRINCE OF EGYPT, the brand-new stage musical with music and lyrics by Stephen Schwartz (Wicked, Godspell), a book by Philip LaZebnik (Mulan, Pocahontas) and based on the celebrated DreamWorks Animation film, today announces the full cast for its London premiere production.
The previously announced Luke Brady (Moses), Liam Tamne (Ramses), Christine Allado (Tzipporah), Alexia Khadime (Miriam),Joe Dixon (Seti), Debbie Kurup (Queen Tuya), Gary Wilmot (Jethro), Adam Pearce (Hotep), Tanisha Spring (Nefertari) and Silas Wyatt-Barke (Aaron) will be joined by Mercedesz Csampai (Yocheved), Simbi Akande, Casey Al-Shaqsy, Joe Atkinson, Danny Becker, Felipe Bejarano, Pàje Campbell, Adam Filipe, Soophia Foroughi, Natalie Green, Jack Harrison-Cooper, Rachael Ireson, Kalene Jeans, Christian Knight, Jessica Lee, Oliver Lidert, Jay Marsh, Scott Maurice, Carly Miles, Sam Oladeinde, Alice Readie, Christopher Short, Ricardo Walker, Danny Williams, Niko Wirachman and Sasha Woodward.
THE PRINCE OF EGYPT today also releases the first scenic design illustration by KevinDepinet of the newly conceived London production.
Performances begin at London’s Dominion Theatre on Wednesday 5 February 2020, with an official West End premiere on Tuesday 25 February 2020, for a limited 32-week engagement. Tickets are available via www.ThePrinceofEgyptMusical.com and all usual agents.
The following EXTRA SHOWS have been added: Tuesday 14 April, Tuesday 11 August and Tuesday 25 August 2020, all at 2.30pm. Tickets are now on sale.
THE PRINCE OF EGYPT features 10 new songs written by Stephen Schwartz, together with 5 of his acclaimed songs from the DreamWorks Animation film, including Deliver Us, All I Ever Wanted, Through Heaven’s Eyes and the Academy Award®-winning When You Believe (which was a global hit for Whitney Houston and Mariah Carey as well as a UK chart-topping winner’s single for The X-Factor).
Journey through the wonders of Ancient Egypt as two young men, raised together as brothers in a kingdom of privilege, find themselves suddenly divided by a secret past. One must rule as Pharaoh, the other must rise up and free his true people; both face a destiny that will change history forever.
THE PRINCE OF EGYPT is directed by Scott Schwartz with choreography by Sean Cheesman;set designs by KevinDepinet;costume designs by Ann Hould-Ward; lighting design by Mike Billings; sound design by Gareth Owen; projection designs by Jon Driscoll; illusion designs by Chris Fisher; orchestrations by August Eriksmoen; musical supervision and arrangements by Dominick Amendum; musical direction by Dave Rose and casting by Jim Arnold CDG.
A milestone in cinematic achievement, DreamWorks’ The Prince of Egypt captivated audiences across the world and recently celebrated its 20th Anniversary. Hailed as “an outstanding artistic achievement” (Variety) and “a stunning film” (The Guardian), it remains one of the most beloved and acclaimed animated feature films of all time.
Developmental productions of THE PRINCE OF EGYPT were presented at TheatreWorks Silicon Valley (winner of the 2019 Regional Theatre Tony Award®) and Fredericia Teater Denmark.
The West End premiere production of THE PRINCE OF EGYPT is produced by DreamWorks Theatricals (a division of Universal Theatrical Group), Michael McCabe and Neil Laidlaw.
The Edinburgh Fringe Festival smash-hit musical comes
to Birmingham for a limited season
Laura Elmes Productions and Theatre Deli present a Fat Rascal Theatre production
Unfortunate: The Untold Story of Ursula the Sea Witch A Musical Parody
Disney villain. Octo-woman. Plus-size icon. But who is the woman behind the tentacles? Following a complete sell-out run at the 2019 Edinburgh Fringe Festival and from the multi-award winning Fat Rascal Theatre, Unfortunate: the untold story of Ursula the Sea Witch will come to Birmingham Hippodrome’s Patrick Studio from Monday 16 – Sunday 22 December 2019.
Tickets are now on sale to Birmingham Hippodrome Friends and Patron scheme members with tickets on general sale from 1pm, Wednesday 4 September.
It’s time to take the plunge as Fat Rascal Theatre reveal what really happened under the sea, in a tell-all tale of sex, sorcery and suckers. When Disney released ‘The Little Mermaid’ in 1989, they had no idea they were also giving birth to an icon. Despite having just one song and only a handful of scenes, Ursula the Sea Witch quickly took her place as the queen of Disney villains: a bad bitch, a pop culture legend, and an endless source of quotes, memes, and merchandise. She’s the toast of the film, and yet she’s woefully underused.
So who better to take us on a scorching trip through the problematic minefield that is Disney? Much of what makes Ursula a ‘villain’ is also what makes her a feminist badass. She’s loud. She’s clever. She’s a ruthless businesswoman, and oh boy is she sexy. Sexy, and unapologetically fat. Even now, in 2019, where posters still demand that we are ‘beach body ready’ and plus-size models remain a controversial topic; where young women are raised on a diet of lithe and limby princesses, fairies and (yes) mermaids; where disproportionately sized heads and miniature waists are the animated norm… a woman like Ursula is needed more than ever. She’s not defined by slipper-sized feet, or enchanted blonde hair, or snow white skin. Ursula is plump, purple and proud.
With her character design based on the outlandish drag queen Divine, and brought to life by gay lyricist Howard Ashman, Ursula has become a major icon for the LGBTQ+ community, too. A community still woefully underrepresented by Disney, thrown only the occasional veiled hint or (most recently, in Beauty and the Beast) a two second scrap of dancing. But, once again, there stands Ursula, defiant against her creator and with a message for all us ‘poor unfortunate souls’: love the skin you’re in, value your voice over your body, and don’t be afraid to be a little bit nasty.
Fat Rascal Theatre are a creative team packed to the brim with the plus size, the gay and the fabulous: and they’re ready to give Ursula the story she deserves. In this parody remix of the classic tale, Ursula spills the ink and tells audiences what really happened beneath the waves. We’ll see how she dealt with the embodiment of toxic masculinity that is King Triton, and tried to teach his airhead daughter, Ariel, to treasure her voice. Our hero is rude, she’s opinionated, and she’s got no time for faint-hearted Disney darlings. Think Wicked, but wider and wetter. And definitely not for kids.
Chris Sudworth, Director of Artistic Programme at Birmingham Hippodrome said; “The moment I saw Fat Rascal’s hilarious production at this year’s Edinburgh Fringe I knew that we had to bring the show to Birmingham.
“The ideal adults-only outing for Christmas, this inventive and one-of-a-kind show is sure to be the must-see of the festive season and continues Birmingham Hippodrome’s commitment to showcasing fresh, new musicals.”
Unfortunate: the untold story of Ursula the Sea Witch plays at The Patrick Studio, Birmingham Hippodrome from Monday 16 – Sunday 22 December 2019.
Tickets are now on sale to Birmingham Hippodrome Friends and Patron scheme members, with tickets on general sale from 1pm, Wednesday 4 September. To book visit birminghamhippodrome.com or call 0844 338 5000 (4.5p per minute plus your phone company’s access charge).
THE WORLD PREMIERE ADAPTION OF THE BEST-SELLING NOVEL THE THUNDER GIRLS BY MELANIE BLAKE
TUESDAY 24TH – SATURDAY 28TH SEPTEMBER 2019
THE LOWRY, SALFORD QUAYS, SALFORD M50 3AZ
Q&A WITH TRACY BRABIN MP, 7PM
Melanie Blake’s best-selling debut novel The Thunder Girls has been adapted for the stage by the author and will receive its world premiere at The Lowry this September. Having already broken the venue’s box-office records for a new play, this new ‘playsical’ features a stellar cast including Coleen Nolan, Coronation Street’s Beverley Callard, Carol Harrison (EastEnders; Death of a Salesman, National Theatre; Ripen Out Darkness,Royal Court) and West End musical star Sandra Marvin (Hairspray, Chicago, Stepping Out) who quit Emmerdale to join The Thunder Girls.
The Thunder Girls is a true celebration of women with a powerhouse of female creatives: Melanie Blake playwright and bestselling novelist is joined by producer Angela Squire and acclaimed director Joyce Branagh (sister of Kenneth Branagh)to bring to life this theatrical sensation.
With all four of The Thunder Girls actresses in their 40s, 50s and 60s, one of the most under-represented demographics in the UK entertainment industry, this production also shines a light on the creative team’s working class roots – another area which is under-represented in the entertainment industry. Tracy Brabin MPwill host a pre-show Q&A on the press night and will be joined on stage by the show’s empowering creative team to discuss these pertinent issues further.
The Thunder Girls are Chrissie, Roxanne, Carly and Anita the eighties pop sensation who dominated the airwaves, their faces on every magazine cover, millions of fans worldwide, constantly at the top of the charts until it all fell apart. 30 years later the play takes us to the reunion dinner from hell when lead singer Chrissie tries to reunite the band she dumped. Chrissie is desperate to salvage herself from bankruptcy after being conned out of her fortune by her toy boy husband. But is there a price which can heal the wounds? Or maybe some friendships never die, even if you want them to? Each character will sing one original song as we followan ‘80s girl group who reunite 30 years after greed, envy and ego tore the band and their friendship apart.
With performing arts running in the Branagh blood, Joyce Branagh (Twelfth Night, Shakespeare’s Rose Theatre in York; Aladdin, Lawrence Batley Theatre; Two, Oldham Coliseum; Measure for Measure, Lancaster Castle) has a flair for Shakespeare, new writing and comedy and has worked with some of the UK’s most prestigious touring venues for almost 25 years. She’s no stranger to the North West and recently received two nominations at the Manchester Theatre Awards where she won ‘Best Fringe Performance’for Boomtown Gals and is the perfect fit for The Thunder Girls.
Carol Harrison takes on the role of Chrissie, former lead singer of The Thunder Girls, who at the height of the band’s success, ditched the others to pursue a solo career, taking their manager, Rick, her bandmate’s boyfriend with her. Chrissie trampled on anyone and everyone to get to the top and stay there. For decades Chrissie maintained her stardom whilst the other girls’ lives and careers fell apart. Now Chrissie must face the former friends and bandmates. But can a price be put on pain, anger, heartache and betrayal?
Coleen Nolan takes on the role of Anita. The former pop has been in hiding for over thirty years since an international tabloid scandal left her humiliated and tired of the fame game. Anita’s grudges over the injustice of her downfall have been left to fester for decades and she has a major axe to grind. Now a very different woman from the girl they knew 30 years ago – if Anita finds out anyone is trying to rip her off or mislead her again, there will be hell to pay.
Beverley Callard takes on the role of Roxanne, the former band member who holds the balance of power at the reunion dinner. Roxanne’s wounds are the deepest as Chrissie didn’t just steal her career when she broke up the band, she stole her man. Roxanne has nothing left to lose. For her revenge might be sweeter than reconciliation and it has been a long time coming.
Sandra Marvin takes on the role of Carly, the youngest member of The Thunder Girls and the peace maker of the group. Fiercely loyal and level headed, Carly has always been the beating heart of The Thunder Girls. Now on the brink of 50, Carly has finally found her voice – but at the band reunion from hell, will Carly be the one to bring the group together? Or will the bitter betrayal she faced at the hands of corrupt music industry, force her hand? Carly has always played it nice and paid the price, but now that a second chance is on the table, justice could be sweet.
They say write about what you know and having lived through many band reunions as one of the UK’s most powerful music managers, Melanie Blake has lived and breathed The Thunder Girls. Melanie came from nothing but was inspired by ‘80s television to believe that she could become whoever she wanted to be. She started her career at Top of the Pops working with the biggest names in showbiz from Destiny’s Child to The Spice Girls and went on to become a music manager to some of the biggest names in pop.
Steve Cowton, head of theatre operations at The Lowry, said:“We love being able to host exciting new work. We’re particularly looking forward to welcoming The Thunder Girls premiere as it’s a story that is rooted in the North West and we’re sure our audiences are going to love the show.”
Joyce Branagh said: “I’m very excited to be working on The Thunder Girls – especially as it’s a story driven by women over 50 (pretty unusual in drama unfortunately) who show us throughout the play how vibrant, complex, vulnerable and strong they are. Working-class lasses who had a short burst of fame and glamour – but they haven’t forgotten their roots. The mix of down-to-earth straight-talking and glitzy pop-star glamour is going to be great fun to create. And at its heart is the huge power of female friendships and how important that is when all the cash, glitter and fame has gone…”
NEXT LONDON CAST ALBUM KARAOKE NIGHT WILL TAKE PLACE ON 25 SEPTEMBER
JOE SUGG AND MARISHA WALLACE WILL BE YOUR HOSTS FOR THE EVENING
Waitress has announced its next Cast Album Karaoke Night will take place on 25 Septemberoffering audience members the chance to sing songs from the smash hit comedy musical, by 7-time Grammy® nominee Sara Bareilles, live on the West End stage. The event will be hosted by Joe Sugg who takes over the role of Ogie from 9 September and Marisha Wallace who plays waitress Becky, in the production. Audience members who want to take part in the Cast Album Karaoke Night just need to sign up before that evening’s show for the chance to sing one minute of any song fromWaitress at the Adelphi and accompanied by the show’s musical director Katharine Woolley.
Waitress celebrated its official opening night at the AdelphiTheatre on 7 March and the Tony-nominated musical has recently announced it is extending by popular demand and is now booking through Christmas and New Year to 4 January 2020.
In Waitress the Musical the ingredients of life don’t taste too good for our heroine Jenna, but a blend of true friendship, rare talent and sweet, sweet music combine to deliver a story of hope, love and a delicious future. You will leave with a spring in your step and tears of joy in your eyes.
Brought to life by a ground breaking, female-led creative team, Waitress features an original score by 7-time Grammy® nominee Sara Bareilles (Love Song, Brave), a book by acclaimed screenwriter Jessie Nelson (I Am Sam) and direction by Tony Award® winner Diane Paulus (Pippin, Finding Neverland) and choreography by Lorin Latarro. The production is also currently touring the US and Canada and has announced an Australian premiere in 2020 at the Sydney Lyric Theatre with further productions to open in Holland next year and Japan in 2021.
STAGE TRAFFIC PRODUCTIONS & EILENE DAVIDSON PRESENT THE WORLD PREMIERE OF
THE GIRL WHO FELL
A POIGNANT NEW PLAY BY SARAH RUTHERFORD
& DIRECTED BY HANNAH PRICE
RUNNING FOR A LIMITED WEST END SEASON AT TRAFALGAR STUDIOS FROM 15 OCTOBER – 23 NOVEMBER 2019
Stage Traffic Productions and Eilene Davidson present the world premiere of The Girl Who Fell, a powerful new play by Sarah Rutherford,former Writer in Residence at Park Theatre and writer of sell-out hit Adult Supervision.
“It seems wrong that she experienced something so huge without me.
Like if your kids had sex before you did.”
Teenager Sam’s dead.
After some social media foolishness.
And everyone says it’s her mum’s fault.
When bereaved mother Thea sets off on a mission to find out why her daughter Sam is dead, she is joined in her journey by bickering teen twins Lenny and Billie, plus Gil — a lost-soul whose life collides with theirs in a way that can only ever get messy.
This poignant and darkly funny play about loss, guilt and snapchat, stars Navin Chowdhry (Gil), Rosie Day (Billie), Will Fletcher (Lenny)and Claire Goose (Thea), and runs for a strictly limited season atTrafalgar Studios from 15 October – 23 November, with press night on Thursday 17 October.
The Girl Who Fell is directed by Hannah Price, with designs by Georgia de Grey, lighting by Robbie Butler and sound by Adrienne Quartly.
New Victoria Theatre, Woking – until 7 September 2019
Reviewed by Becky Doyle
5*****
What an absolutely brilliant adaptation of the much loved story The Mousetrap. From the very beginning they had us guessing and wondering who on earth could be behind the London murder? Well it had to be the person wearing the black hat, light scarf and the dark overcoat of course?! But which one?!
The story was engaging and direct throughout with laughter through the mystery. My opinions on the culprit changed a number of times due to the sheer talent on stage and manner in which each character was portrayed. Each member of the cast played their character to their upmost and I cannot single out an individual as they all excelled and brought to life their act.
The props and the stage were laid out well and you could see all that was needed and intended from all areas of the audience. There were doors and crannys that led to various different hide always always where the murderer could be hiding. There was no music involved only that of a children’s nursery rhyme, which added suspense and an edge to each break away from screen or focus.
Before the show I had been told to expect suspense and ‘at the edge of your seat’ enjoyment, though I can honestly say that I wasn’t expecting half of what I got. During the interval you could hear others deliberating over who it could be, yet when the show came to a conclusion there were gasps and shocked faces. Up until the very end it could have gone a multiple of ways.
Overall, I would highly recommend this show to anyone who is looking for a thriller, with a little comedy and a lot of detective work with the challenge of whether they can work out who did it…?!
