CASTING ANNOUNCED FOR

BRAND NEW SITE-SPECIFIC PRODUCTION OF

DAVID HARE’S

THE PERMANENT WAY

THE VAULTS, BENEATH WATERLOO STATION

FRIDAY 13 SEPTEMBER – SUNDAY 17 NOVEMBER

“Britain, yeah, beautiful country, shame we can’t run a railway…”

“What happened would simply not have happened under British Rail. It wouldn’t have happened. Not in the British Rail days.”

David Hare’s award-winning play roars to life in a provocative new site-specific staging performed in The Vaults, London’s alternative subterranean venue beneath Waterloo Station, running from Friday 13 September – Sunday 17 November, with a press night on Thursday 19 September. Casting has been announced for the first major revival of The Permanent Way, which first had an award-winning run in York and then at the National Theatre in 2003

Revelatory, witty, and moving, The Permanent Way is an astonishing interrogation of the chaos arising from the botched privatisation of Britain’s railways. Told through the first-hand accounts of those involved at every level, from passengers to Civil Service mandarins, this extraordinary verbatim piece asks challenging questions of responsibility and governmental mismanagement. Have we learned anything from recent history?

“As a major new government report into the current state of the nation’s railways is being prepared to be released in the autumn, and with the Rail Review chair Keith Williams comments that the UK railway needs “revolution, not evolution” we feel this play is more timely than ever, commented director Alexander Lass.

David Hare said, “I had hoped my 2003 play would become outdated. But the latest Independent review in 2019 proves the truth of what the play argued over 15 years ago: that the state of the railways is a whacking great distressing metaphor for just how badly the British were governed, and how even more hopelessly badly they’re governed today.”

The producer is pleased to include within the ticketing offer a special industry and friends rate available to all core and auxiliary railway employees. For information on registering a company or organisation in this scheme please contact [email protected]

The cast will be as follows:

Anna Acton, best known for roles in EastEnders and The Bill, will play “An Investment Banker/A Second Bereaved Mother”

Jonathan Coote, co-founder of Red Shift Theatre Co, and National Theatre regular, with credits including Home, Emil and the Detectives and As You Like it and West End credits including The Audience will play “A Senior Civil Servant/A British Transport Policeman/Another Senior Operating Executive/Lord Cullen”

Paul Dodds, whose recent RSC credits include Macbeth, Romeo & Juliet and The Merry Wives of Windsor, will play “John Prescott/A Leading Entrepreneur/A Rail Union Leader/Technical Director of a Maintenance Company/A Squadron Leader”

Jacqui Dubois, whose recent credit include the national tour of Ghost the Musical, People, Places and Things in the West End, tour and Broadway, Emil and the Detectives at the NT, and Looking for Obama at the Bristol Old Vic, will play “Dawn/A Bereaved Mother”

Lucas Hare, whose National Theatre credits include The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time, Children of the Sun, Scenes from an Execution, The Last of the Haussmans, Season’s Greetings and whose screen credits include The Crown, Broadchurch and Die Another Day, will play “A High Powered Treasury Thinker/A Managing Director of Railtrack”

Gabrielle Lloyd, whose recent extensive stage credits include Misalliance at the Orange Tree, The Heresy of Love at The Globe and The Lady in the Van at the Theatre Royal Bath, will play “A Campaigning Solicitor/A Bereaved Widow”

Tej Obano, whose recently been seen in The Jumper Factory at the Bristol Old Vic and whose screen credits include EastEnders and film LoveSticks, will play “A Senior Rail Executive/A Young Man in Denim/A Vicar of Hatfield”

Sakuntala Ramanee, whose recent stage credits include East Is East at the Trafalgar Studios, Romeo and Juliet for the RSC and Bring on the Bollywood at the Coventry Belgrade and on tour, will play “Wendy/A Survivor Group Founder”

Jonathan Tafler, whose recent stage credits include The Mousetrap in the West End, The Crucible UK tour and The Mighty Walzer at the Royal Exchange, will play “An Experienced Rail Engineer/A Bereaved Father/A Scottish Literary Editor”.

“Why aren’t people angry? They were robbed. What belonged to them was taken from them by a bunch of bankers and incompetent politicians. What was theirs was given away. What was foredoomed to fail failed. And they weren’t angry.”

The original production of The Permanent Way was based on a series of verbatim interviews by Hare, and then directed by Max Stafford-Clark with Out of Joint. It premiered at the Theatre Royal, York on 13 November 2003 and toured – winning ‘Best Touring Production’ from the Theatrical Management Association. It opened at the National Theatre in January 2004, where it was such a huge critical and box office hit that it transferred from the Cottesloe to the Lyttelton. 

The Permanent Way will be directed by Alexander Lass, nominated for Best Director at the 2017 Stage Debut awards for 46 Beacon at Trafalgar Studios 2, and whose other credits include Associate Director on Shakespeare in Love at the Theatre Royal Bath and on tour, and on No Man’s Landin the West End.

The Permanent Way will have Set and Costume by Ruth Hall, lighting design by Rick Fisher, sound design by Roly Witherow, movement direction by Siân Williams, casting by Ellie Collyer-Bristow CDG, and is produced by Debbie Hicks.

Troubadour Wembley Park Theatre – until 1 Setember 2019

Reviewed by Lottie Davis-Browne

5*****

Following on from last years successful touring production which played at London’s Regents Park Open Air Theatre, the tour is back but this year swapping open air for industrial chic, in the brand new theatre – Troubadour Wembley Park Theatre. 

Wembley Park is a dynamic new cultural neighbourhood in North West London. The area has become a landmark destination enriched with culture, entertainment and a community at its heart.  It includes state-of-the-heart homes (over 6,000 new homes have been built in the area), primary and nursery schools, plus a GP surgery. 

The opening of the new Troubadour Wembley Park Theatre is a key moment in the transformation of the area as it establishes its credentials as a new creative hub for. North West London. Located within the former Fountain Studios, which were best known for being the venue of live televised shows including The X Factor, Britains Got Talent and Pop Idol. The venue is @ flexible 1000-2000 capacity space that can be transformed to suit the requirements for a range of productions.  Opening within the Theatre later this year will be a modern state-of-the-heart restaurant and a large sociable bar space. 

Dinosaur World Live is the first production to perform in this new venue, so apart from being excited to revisit last years Dinosaur filled show I was also curious to be one of the first to check out the new theatre.  Located on Fulton Road, just a stones throw away from Wembley Central railway station, with great links to the underground.  Being a newly opened venue, there is still evident work taking place meaning it doesn’t yet quite look like it’s prototype photo just yet – there’s no name sign on the building and it blends in to the background of all the other major developments taking place in the area – so much so we’d circled the entire building twice before asking builders to point us in the right direction (ironically we were literally inches away from the entrance!).

 Whilst there has been no major changes to last years touring production, Lucy Varney has taken over the role of Miranda, who introduces us to the variety of dinosaurs.  I personally felt that Varney gelled better with the young audience than last years “Miranda” which was evident in the reactions and audience participation.

What makes this touring production magical is the life size realistic dinosaur puppets, which I’d forgotten just how life like they are! The real highlight is the opportunity to get up close to them after the show.  I have a feeling this show is going to become an annual event; seeing the joy it brings a dinosaur obsessed four year old is well worth the long road trip. 

Whilst you may have missed your chance to see these fantastic puppets at Wembley hottest new venue, older kids and adults alike have the chance to capture the magic of War Horse for its limited run at the Troubadour Theatre from 18th October, for a strictly limited run (six weeks).  I eagerly await my return visit to this stylish new theatre, hopefully being able to sample food from its yet-to-be opened restaurant. 

More information about the venue and upcoming events can be found at www.troubadourtheatres.com

Grand Opera House York – Saturday 20th July 2019.

Reviewed by Michelle Richardson

5*****

As part of the Great Yorkshire Fringe, Austentatious was performed at the Grand Opera House in York. It was great to see the packed-out theatre and to see the show so well supported, all on a Saturday afternoon. Austentatious is an entirely improvised comedy play in the style of Jane Austen.

On entrance to the theatre a pianist plays tunes fitting of the Austin era, whilst the audience were handed out a small leaflet in the style of a vintage Penguin book cover, where we were encouraged to make up our own title for a Jane Austen novel. Jane Austin was introduced to the audience as a poetess, a novelist of six books, but it is believed that she actually wrote 335 novels and, as virtually all are missing, the audience were asked to shout out names of these lost works. Titles were shouted out before it was decided that the show we were to see, was the long forgotten ACU: Austen Cinematic Universe.

With a cast of six, what followed was the mad cap story of playwright, Miss Johnson (Amy Cooke-Hodgson) preparing to put on a show, which has been 20 years in the making. Her friends, played by Cariad Lloyd and Lauren Shearing, are busy making cinematic buns, black (made with coal) and white ones. There couldn’t be an Austen novel without the love interests. We have Gregory Peck (Daniel Nils Roberts), the faithful friend, who has been frequently friend-zoned, and the famed critic Peter Kermode (Joseph Morpurgo), who is in town ready to review her work, and after a savage review becomes the cad of the piece. The remaining cast member was Andrew Hunter Murray, playing several characters, a proper gentleman amongst them.

Just like a proper Austen novel, true love conquers, as Peck wins Miss Johnson’s heart, but she has one stipulation, she will keep her surname as no one wants to be known as Mrs Peck!

This was a show like no other, full of modern references, Podcasts, CGI, Thunderbirds, KPI’s, which certainly resonated with me, and Marvel, enjoyed the Guardians of the Galaxy one. I also noted Lloyd doing a wonderful “Catherine Tate”. Mentions of Frida Kahlo, which resulted in an hilarious mono-brow scene, courtesy of a fan, brilliant. Other comic highs are Fetid Margaret and her leakages, thoroughly disgusting, misunderstood mimes, which involved painting, a monkey and a glass of water.

The talented cast showed how good they were at improvising, not knowing what absurd random thing was coming their way. It was great to see how hard they worked coming up with such great whacky ideas and lines, rolling with all the surprises coming their way. I enjoyed seeing the mirth of the other actors whilst waiting in the side lines. They were all truly masters of their craft.

You don’t have to be an Austen fan to appreciate this show, it is more about the comedy and the unknown, after all no two shows are exactly the same. Austentatious is an absolutely bonkers play, with ridiculous plot, it is a bit of a stretch to even call it that, but it is simply hilarious and so fun to watch. One not to be missed.

Park Theatre until 10 August 2019

Reviewed by Alex Sykes

3***

This is a show with a twist, instead of being one big show it is 6 little shows performed one after the other – all written by Tony Award winner Christoper Durang. Ostensibly a one act play, the show is 90 minutes with no interval

The first is Mrs Sorken, with the titular character being played by Kate Sumpter. The character monologues the meaning of words linked to theatre and how they are used in every day life.

The second Business Lunch At The Russian Tea Room. This features Meaghan Martin as a powerful Hollywood producer and Adrian Richards as a scriptwriter who isn’t sure he likes the idea of a priest falling in love with a rabbi and pair then going through a sex change.

The third play is Medea, which a voiceover states this was choreographed by Britney Spears. Medea herself is played by Kate Sumpter with the chorus being played by Richards, Martin and Layo-Christina Akinlude.

The fourth play is a short one woman play in which Martin plays an unsuccessful comedian who admits she uses a laugh track to build her confidence as her self-confidence has been ruined by her mum.

The fifth play is Desire, Desire, Desire in which a census taker (Stefan Menaul) finds himself being desired by Ellen (Akinlude).

The final play is The Actor’s Nightmare which features Menaul as George, a man who isn’t sure who he is or what play he he is in.

With a minimalist but effective set (Anna Drifmtier), this adaptation directed by Lydia Parker, allows its actors to shine, unencumbered by complicated set changes, distracting lighting ( Jia Morjaria) or overly ambitious soundscapes (Odinn Orn Hilmarsson). In short, this play was a pleasure to watch, and should certainly not be the basis for any nightmares.

Although a good night out, if you don’t read the programme you can get very confused very quicky.

LAYTON WILLIAMS AND SHANE RICHIE
TO STAR IN NATIONAL TOUR OF
EVERYBODY’S TALKING ABOUT JAMIE

Everybody’s Talking About Jamie, the smash-hit, critically acclaimed West End musical is to embark on its first UK tour in 2020. Initial casting includes West End star Layton Williams as Jamie New and EastEnders’ much-loved Shane Richie as Hugo / Loco Chanelle. Both Layton and Shane will be reprising their roles from the West End production. The tour commences in February 2020 in Sheffield, where the show is set and first opened four years ago.

★★★★★
‘It’s the real deal. Everyone really should be talking, singing, shouting about Jamie now’
The Times

★★★★★
‘Every parent can relate. Every child can relate. This is a show about family. A treat for any age’
Daily Express

Layton Williams said:
“I’ve loved my time in the West End but am beyond excited to be playing Jamie on tour! This will be my 6th tour and I can’t wait to come back to some of my favourite venues with this beautiful show. I hope you’ll welcome me back with open arms as we share this beautiful story and spread love across the U.K! See you’s soon…”

Shane Richie said:
“I had such a fantastic time playing Hugo/Loco Chanelle in Everybody’s Talking About Jamie in the West End, so when I was offered the chance to be involved in the touring production I jumped at the opportunity to get back into those heels! I believe this show has such an important message for younger and older generations I’m excited to be taking it to a larger audience around the UK.”

Nica Burns, Producer of Everybody’s Talking About Jamie said:
“Since Everybody’s Talking About Jamie opened in early 2017 at the Sheffield Crucible, written by a virgin British musical theatre writing team and performed by a large cast of mostly new faces, all our dreams for the show have come true. We are a hit! In November we will be starting our third year in the West End! The movie is currently shooting in Sheffield! We have won awards! Now we are going to be playing 20 cities nationwide led by two of our brilliant West End stars, the superb Layton Williams as Jamie and the wonderful Shane Richie as Hugo / Loco Chanelle. Fittingly, we are looking forward to opening our national tour back at its home in Sheffield on the 4th anniversary of its first performance.”

Layton Williams plays Jamie New. Layton is one of the most exciting talents in UK theatre. He has been playing Jamie New in the West End production of Everybody’s Talking About Jamie since JanuaryLayton recently performed as Angel in the UK Tour of much-loved musical Rent, for which he received great reviews and in the Sheffield Crucible production of Kiss Me, Kate.

On screen Layton is known for playing the character Kylie in the BBC’s Beautiful People, and for playing the lead alongside Jack Whitehall in the critically acclaimed BBC comedy Bad Education and follow up film.

Layton began his career as one of the boys who played the title role in the West End production of Billy Elliot the Musical. He then went on to star as the original Young Michael Jackson in Thriller. Further theatre credits include the role of Seaweed in Hairspray and the touring production of Matthew Bourne’s The Car Man.

Layton is an anti-bullying and LGBTQ+ activist

Shane Richie plays Hugo/Loco Chanelle has had a hugely successful career in theatre, film and television spanning four decades and is a regular fixture on primetime television. He is best known for his role as Alfie Moon in the BBC’s EastEnders which he first started playing in 2002 and for which he has won several industry awards and accolades including Best Actor at the Rose d’Or Television Festival.

His extensive television drama credits include Oliver Twist (BBC), New Tricks (BBC), We’re Doomed: The Dad’s Army Story (BBC), What We Did on Our Holidays (ITV), The Good Samaritan (ITV), As Good As It Gets (ITV), Skins (CH4), Moving On (BBC), Minder (CH5), Redwater (BBC), Benidorm (ITV) and Claude (Disney). He has also hosted television shows including Lucky Numbers (ITV), The Shane Richie Experience (ITV), Win, Lose or Draw (ITV), Don’t Forget the Lyrics! (SKY1), Reflex (BBC) and Win Your Wish List (BBC).

On stage Shane has starred in Grease (West End), One Flew over The Cuckoo’s Nest (UK Tour), Scrooge: The Musical (UK Tour), Lone Star and Private Wars (Kings Head Theatre). He also played the leads in Peter James’ The Perfect Murder and Not Dead Enough. Shane co-wrote and co-produced the UK tour of Boogie Nights which went on to a sell-out season at the Savoy Theatre in the West End. Film roles include Macbeth (CH4), The Reverend (Burn Hand Film), Prisoners of the Sun (Miromar Entertainment) and Flushed Away (Dreamworks Animation).

In 2003 Shane wrote the No.1 autobiography and The Sunday Times best seller Rags to Richie. In the same year he released the No.1 record I’m Your Man for BBC Children In Need. In 2017 Shane’s album A Country Soul made it to No.1, securing his position as the UK’s biggest selling country artist.

Further casting to be announced.

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 singersongwriter 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.

Music by Dan Gillespie Sells
Book and Lyrics by Tom MacRae
From an idea by Jonathan Butterell
Directed by Matt Ryan from original direction by Jonathan Butterell
Design by Anna Fleischle
Choreography by Kate Prince
Lighting design by Lucy Carter
Sound design by Paul Groothuis
Casting by Will Burton
Musical Supervisor Theo Jamieson
Video Design Luke Halls

THE GLOBAL PHENOMENON RETURNS

QUEEN AND BEN ELTON’S 
‘WE WILL ROCK YOU’

CASTING ANNOUNCED

FOR 2019/20 UK TOUR

TICKETS ON SALE NOW

Casting has been announced for the brand new 2019/2020 tour of Queen and Ben Elton’s smash hit musical We Will Rock You, which will storm the UK and Ireland from 19 September.

Taking on the role of Galileo is Olivier Award nominee Ian McIntosh (Beautiful – The Carole King Musical / The Commitments), who will be joined by Elena Skye (Les Misérables / Kinky Boots) in the role of Scaramouche. Playing Killer Queen is Jennifer O’Leary (Heathers The Musical / Rent), with Michael McKell (Macbeth / Blood Brothers)as Buddy. Adam Strong (Jesus Christ Superstar / Rock of Ages)will take on the role of Khashoggi, with David-Michael Johnson (We Will Rock You, Germany / Jesus Christ Superstar) reprising the role of Brit and Amy Di Bartolomeo (Bat Out of Hell / Priscilla Queen of the Desert) playing Oz.

Brian May said: “This is a stunning state-of-the art new-look production of WWRY – but of course the original story is now more relevant than ever. We’re confident WWRY fans will love revisiting the world’s first true Rock Theatrical, and a whole new generation will now discover the VIBE!” 

Featuring 24 of Queen’s biggest hits and Ben Elton’s hilarious futuristic comedy writing, We Will Rock You boasts the scale and spectacle that marked the band’s legendary live performances. This global phenomenon will continue to be one of the most spectacular musicals to tour the United Kingdom & Ireland.

The show has seen unprecedented success in theatres and arenas around the world and the nine month tour will see the Rock Theatrical performed in front of thousands of rock fans in Bromley, Ipswich, Sheffield, Edinburgh, Newcastle, Derry, Dublin, Southend, Leeds, Nottingham, Plymouth, Glasgow, Blackpool, Hull, Southampton, Manchester, Aberdeen, Bradford, Canterbury, Oxford, Llandudno, Bristol, Milton Keynes, Liverpool, Cardiff, Birmingham, Norwich, Northampton, Bournemouth, Stoke and Reading.

Since 2002 over 15 million theatregoers in 17 countries have been thrilled by We Will Rock You’s awe-inspiring production showcasing a number of Queen’s finest hits, including We Are The Champions, Radio Ga Ga, I Want To Break Free, Somebody To Love, Killer Queen, Under Pressure, Bohemian Rhapsody, Another One Bites The Dust and, of course, We Will Rock You. Before closing its glorious 12 year run at London’s Dominion Theatre,the show was performed an astonishing 4600 times.

The touring production of We Will Rock You reaches theatres carrying with it an impressive legacy: when it first became news that one of Britain’s most phenomenally successful comedy writers Ben Elton was teaming up with legends of rock, Queen, for a musical there was much speculation on what such a unique collaboration would turn out. So impressed after attending the original workshop, screen icon Robert De Niro and his company Tribeca came on board as American partners. De Niro continues to support the show, even making a special visit to London in 2013 to help celebrate the 10th anniversary in style. The audience erupted with thunderous applause, as he joined the cast on stage after the landmark performance.

The announcement of the We Will Rock You UK & Ireland tour follows the smash hit release of the hugely anticipated Queen biopic ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’. The Oscar nominated film, celebrating the career of one of the greatest ever rock bands has wowed Queen fans all around the world, opening at the number one box office position in over 30 countries.

“Magnifico!”

The Sun

“One of the best shows I’ve seen in yonks. 
An evening of sheer entertainment and enjoyment”

Daily Mirror

“The sheer power of the best Queen numbers strikes hard”

Financial Times

“There was wild applause at the climax of the show…and it only got louder”

The Daily Telegraph

“Spectacular”

Daily Express

We Will Rock You UK Tour Dates

19 – 21 September 2019                                Bromley Churchill Theatre

23 – 28 September 2019                                Ipswich Regent Theatre

30 September – 5 October 2019                  Sheffield Lyceum

7 – 12 October 2019                                         Edinburgh Playhouse

14 – 19 October 2019                                       Newcastle Theatre Royal

21 – 26 October 2019                                       Derry Millennium

28 October – 2 November 2019                  Dublin Bord Gais Theatre

5 – 9 November 2019                                      Southend Cliffs Pavilion

11 – 23 November 2019                                 Leeds Grand Theatre     

25 – 30 November 2019                                 Nottingham Concert Hall              

2 – 7 December 2019                                       Plymouth Theatre Royal               

9 – 28 December 2019                                    Glasgow Theatre Royal

6 – 11 January 2020                                          Blackpool Opera House

13 – 18 January 2020                                       Hull New Theatre

20 – 25 January 2020                                       Southampton Mayflower Theatre

27 January – 8 February 2020                       Manchester Palace

10 – 15 February 2020                                     Aberdeen His Majesty’s Theatre

17 – 22 February 2020                                     Bradford Alhambra                         

24 – 29 February 2020                                     Canterbury Marlowe

2 – 7 March 2020                                               Oxford New Theatre

9 – 14 March 2020                                            Llandudno Venue Cymru

16 – 21 March 2020                                          Bristol Hippodrome                       

23 – 28 March 2020                                          Milton Keynes Theatre

30 March – 4 April 2020                                  Liverpool Empire

6 – 18 April 2020                                                Cardiff Millennium Centre

20 April – 2 May 2020                                      Birmingham Hippodrome            

4 – 9 May 2020                                                   Norwich Theatre Royal                  

11 – 16 May 2020                                              Northampton Derngate

18 – 23 May 2020                                              Bournemouth Pavilion Theatre

25 – 30 May 2020                                              Stoke Regent Theatre

1 – 6 June 2020                                                  Bromley Churchill Theatre

15 – 20 June 2020                                          Newcastle Theatre Royal

22 – 27 June 2020                                             Southend Cliffs Pavilion

29 June – 4 July 2020                                       Ipswich Regent Theatre

6 – 11 July 2020                                                 Reading Hexagon

Further cast includes:

Ensemble                                                            Laura Ava-Scott 

Ensemble/Aretha                                            Emily Olive Boyd   

Ensemble                                                            Jack Chambers        

Ensemble                                                            Louis Clarke-Clare

Ensemble                                                            Victoria Collins  

Ensemble                                                            Christopher D Hunt

Ensemble                                                            Anna Davey       

Ensemble                                                            Joanne Harper 

Ensemble                                                            Crystal Leah      

Ensemble                                                            Edward Leigh    

Ensemble                                                            Kate Leiper                                              

Ensemble                                                            Andres Quero Marin  

Ensemble/Puff                                                  Sam Robinson       

Ensemble                                                            Sjoerd van der Meer          

Male Swing/Dance Captain                          Jacob Fearey     

Female Swing                                                    Ellie Mitchell      

Website: wewillrockyou.com

Twitter: @wwryglobal

Instagram: wewillrockyouglobal

Facebook: facebook.com/wewillrockyouglobal

STORYHOUSE ANNOUNCE

AUTUMN SEASON PACKED

WITH HEADLINE SHOWS

Saturday Night Fever, The Rocky Horror Show, Cabaret,

Calendar Girls The Musical, Ed Byrne, Ben Elton all feature

A star-studded programme of headline shows is heading to Storyhouse this autumn, completing a fantastic year of live entertainment at the Chester venue.

The coming season’s spotlight firmly falls on musicals, and theatregoers will be spoilt for choice with the high calibre of shows heading to the city.

Season highlights include Saturday Night Fever, The Rocky Horror Show, Cabaret, and Calendar Girls The Musical – bringing a real “feel good factor” to Chester.

The new season programme starts with Bill Kenwright’s reimagined and revitalised stage version of cult film Saturday Night Fever from Tuesday 10 September to Saturday 14 September.

West End star Richard Winsor dons the famous white suit in the iconic role of Tony Manero, made famous in the Box Office smash hit film by Hollywood actor John Travolta. The musical features the greatest hits of the Bee Gees including Stayin’ Alive, How Deep Is Your Love, Night Fever, Tragedy and More Than a Woman, as well as 1970s favourites Boogie Shoes, Disco Inferno – the show also features a group playing the Bee Gees live on stage.

Cult classic The Rocky Horror Show returns to the stage this autumn for the return of one of theatre’s naughtiest musicals from Monday 16 September to Saturday 21 September. Theatregoers can expect a guaranteed party combining science fiction, horror, comedy and music – and audience participation means (optional) outrageous fancy dress!

The Rocky Horror Show tells the story of Brad and his fiancée Janet, two squeaky clean college kids who meet Dr Frank ‘n’ Furter by chance when their car breaks down outside his house whilst on their way to visit their favourite college professor. It’s an adventure they’ll never forget with fun, frolics, frocks, and frivolity – bursting with timeless songs and outrageous outfits.

Strictly’s Joanne Clifton plays Janet in The Rocky Horror Show, and is joined by James Darch as Brad;Stephen Webb as Frank ‘N’ Furter; and Kristian Lavercombe as Riff Raff. Television actor Philip Franks,known for his roles in The Darling Buds Of May, Heartbeat, Absolutely Fabulous, Foyle’s War, and Midsomer Murders, plays The Narrator.

Continuing the theme of film favourites, Bill Kenwright returns with Cabaret from Tuesday 24 September to Saturday 28 September.

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

The cast features former EastEnders actor and West End star John Partridge as Emcee; fresh fromCilla The Musical, actress and singer Kara Lily Hayworth as Sally Bowles; and singer and screen iconAnita Harris as Fraulein Schneider.

Musical fun and frolics continue with Calendar Girls The Musical by Gary Barlow and Tim Firth fromTuesday 29 October to Saturday 2 November.

Calendar Girls The Musical is inspired by the true story of a group of ladies, who create a Women’s Institute (WI) calendar to raise funds to buy a settee for their local hospital in memory of one of their husbands. The twist is they appear nude in the pictures. This musical comedy highlights life in their Yorkshire village, the effect on husbands, sons and daughters, but most of all how a group of ordinary women achieved something extraordinary. Their story was also made into a smash hit film.

The cast features Ruth Madoc, Rebecca Storm, Sarah Jane Buckley, Sue Devaney, Julia Hills, Judy Holt, and Lisa Maxwell. They are joined by Phil Corbitt, Ian Mercer, Sebastian Aberneri, Alan Stocks, Pauline Daniels, Ellie Leah, Danny Howker, Isabel Caswell, and Tyler Dobbs.

Continuing with music, Wireless Wise – A Celebration Of Radio 4 is on Sunday 22 September.

Wireless Wise brings together a remarkable group of seasoned radio personalities – Alistair McGowan, the Reverend Richard Coles, Garry Richardson, Charlotte Green, and special guest Richie Web – to celebrate BBC Radio in an unforgettable evening of comedy, anecdotes, sketches, music and nostalgia. Collectively, these presenters have appeared on the airwaves for more than two centuries.

There’s something gruesome and thrilling for youngsters with a double bill Horrible Histories fromTuesday 5 November to Friday 8 November with brand new shows, Terrible Tudorsand Awful Egyptians.

Terrible Tudors take a trip through the horrible Henrys to the end of evil Elizabeth and hear the legend (and the lies!) about the torturing Tudors. Find out the fate of Henry’s headless wives and his punch-up with the Pope. Survive the Spanish Armada as it sails into the audience! Terrible Tudorsruns from Tuesday 5 November to Friday 8 November 2019.

Awful Egyptians invites visitors to meetthe fascinating Pharaohs, gasp at the power of the pyramids, and discover the foul facts of death and decay with the meanest mummies in Egypt. It’s the history of Egypt with the nasty bits left in! Awful Egyptians runs from Wednesday 6 November to Friday 8 November 2019.

Comedy continues to feature strong on the Storyhouse programme, and this season dates include Ed Byrne, Ben Elton, Tom Rosenthal, Vikki Stoneand Laurence Clark.

Ed Byrne presents his new show If I’m Honest on Monday 18 November. Ed’s new masterclass in observational comedy comes hot on the heels of his 2017/2018 tour, Spoiler Alert. Ed takes a long hard look at himself, and tries to decide if he has any traits that are worth passing on to his children. Ed has recently appeared on Live At The Apollo, Mock The Week, The Pilgrimage, Top Gear, and QI.

Catch Ben Elton Live on Tuesday 10 December. The comic burst onto television screens more than 30 years ago hosting Channel 4’s ground-breaking Saturday Live. Now, after a 15-year absence, Ben is back on the road with an all-new stand-up show – and promises to try and make sense of a world which appears to have gone stark raving mad.

Tom Rosenthal brings his Manhood show to Storyhouse on Friday 20 September. Known for his roles in Friday Night Dinner and Plebs, Tom was named Leicester Mercury Comedian of the Year and was also nominated for Best Breakthrough Artist at the British Comedy Awards.

Multi award-winning comedian and musician Vikki Stone presents her show, Songbird, on Thursday 24 October. The show promises an evening of full of Vikki’s trademark comedy songs and stand up. Vikki has appeared on BBC Radio 4’s The Now Show, BBC One’s John Bishop Show, and the BBC Proms Podcast.

Comedian Laurence Clark brings his inspirational show An Irresponsible Father’s Guide To Parentingto Storyhouse on Sunday 8 September. Growing up Laurence never saw dads with cerebral palsy, which made him think he’d never be a parent himself. The BBC1 documentary We Won’t Drop The Babyfollowed his family’s journey as they welcomed their second child. This new stage show gives a brutally honest and charming account of what it’s really like to be a disabled parent. Challenging and engaging, it has the potential to reach new audiences by exploring the commonality and differences in the experiences of disabled and non-disabled fathers.

An exciting autumn season concludes with the Storyhouse show for Christmas 2019 – Peter Pan,which runs from Friday 6 December 2019 through to Sunday 12 January 2020.

Following last year’s stunning production of The Wizard Of Oz, Storyhouse presents classic Peter Panto entertain audiences of all ages this festive season. Journey to Neverland for a high-flying adventure. The forever young Peter Pan sails through the skies to bring Wendy and the Darling children to the Lost Children’s enchanted island, where the fearsome Captain Hook rules over the high seas. Based on the timeless book by JM Barrie.

Storyhouse Artistic Director Alex Clifton commented: “No sooner does one season finish, than we start counting down to starting all over again and welcoming a brand new programme of entertainment. The spotlight is most definitely on music and dance for autumn, and as the evenings draw in and the days get shorter, what’s better than a trip to the theatre to experience a live show – giving you the real feel-good factor.”

Storyhouse has a dynamic pricing policy on the majority of shows, ensuring the earlier you book your tickets, guarantees the best seats at the lowest price.

Website:         www.storyhouse.com

Facebook:       www.facebook.com/storyhouselive/

Twitter:           @StoryhouseLive

LISTING INFORMATION

STORYHOUSE AUTUMN SEASON 2019

LAURENCE CLARK: AN IRRESPONSIBLE FATHER’S GUIDE TO PARENTING

Garret Theatre

Dates: Sunday 8 September 2019

Times: 7.30pm

SATURDAY NIGHT FEVER

Dates: Tuesday 10 September – Saturday 14 September 2019

Times: Tuesday – Saturday 7.30pm / Wednesday, Thursday & Saturday matinees at 2.30pm

ROCKY HORROR SHOW

Dates: Monday 16 September – Saturday 21 September 2019

Times: Monday – Thursday 8.00pm / Friday – Saturday 5.30pm & 8.30pm

TOM ROSENTHAL: MANHOOD

Garret Theatre

Date: Friday 20 September 2019

Time: 8pm

WIRELESS WISE – A CELEBRATION OF RADIO 4

Date: Sunday 22 September 2019

Time: 7.30pm

CABARET

Dates: Tuesday 24 September – Saturday 28 September 2019

Times: Monday – Saturday 7.30pm / Wednesday, Thursday & Saturday matinees at 2.30pm

VIKKI STONE: SONGBIRD

Garret Theatre

Date: Thursday 24 October 2019

Time: 8pm

CALENDAR GIRLS THE MUSICAL

Dates: Tuesday 29 October – Saturday 2 November 2019

Times: Tuesday – Saturday 7.30pm / Wednesday, Thursday & Saturday matinees at 2.30pm

HORRIBLE HISTORIES: TERRIBLE TUDORS

Dates: Tuesday 5 November – Friday 8 November 2019

Time: Tuesday 5.30pm / Wednesday 1.30pm / Thursday 6pm / Friday 10.30am

HORRIBLE HISTORIES: AWFUL EGYPTIANS

Dates: Wednesday 6 November – Friday 8 November 2019

Time: Wednesday 10.30am / Thursday 10.30am / Friday 6pm

ED BYRNE: IF I’M HONEST

Date: Monday 18 November 2019

Time: 8pm

PETER PAN

Dates: Friday 6 December 2019 – Sunday 12 January 2020

Time: Performance times vary, check website listings

BEN ELTON LIVE

Date: Tuesday 10 December 2019

Time: 8pm

STORYHOUSE

Hunter Street, Chester, CH1 2AR

HOW TO BOOK

Online:            Visit www.storyhouse.com

By Phone:       Call 01244 409 113

In person:       Visit the Ticket Kiosks at Storyhouse, Hunter Street, Chester, CH1 2AR

Howard Panter for Trafalgar Theatre Productions

and Eilene Davidson Productions

present

Starring

TOBY STEPHENS & CLAIRE SKINNER

WRITTEN BY PETER NICHOLS

DIRECTED BY SIMON EVANS

TRAFALGAR STUDIOS

PREVIEWS FROM SATURDAY 21 SEPTEMBER

TICKETS ON SALE FRIDAY 19 JULY

Toby Stephens (Oslo, Lost in Space) and Claire Skinner (Outnumbered, The Father) will make their long awaited returns to the West End stage this autumn in Peter Nichols’(Privates on Parade, Passion Play) funny and moving masterpieceA Day in the Death of Joe Egg.  Directed by Simon Evans (Killer Joe, Arturo Ui), this revival of Nichols’ acclaimed bittersweet comedy reunites two of the greatest actors of their generation. The stars, who last worked together 18 years ago on the award winning BBC TV drama ‘Perfect Strangers’, will now be performing on stage together for the very first time. Opening at Trafalgar Studios on Saturday 21 September, tickets go on-sale on Friday 19 July.

Bri (Stephens) and Sheila (Skinner) have been struggling to care for their disabled 10-year old daughter Josephine ever since she was born. Nicknaming her “Joe Egg”, they lose themselves in fantasy games and black humour to help cope with the struggle of their daily reality. This remarkable story challenges all our assumptions on the limits of love and the power of family.

Inspired by Nichols’ own experience of bringing up his disabled daughter in the 1960s, Joe Egg was one of the ground-breaking plays of its generation and the issues faced by two parents in this bittersweet comedy still resonate with audiences today, breaking your heart one minute and filling it with warmth the next. Now this startlingly funny and celebrated play returns to the West End for a limited season until Saturday 30 November.  Further casting will be announced soon.

Toby Stephens said: “I’m thrilled to be part of a revival of this fantastic play.  Reading it for the first time, I couldn’t believe that it had been written in the late sixties; it felt so vivid, dark and anarchically funny. The play still feels very raw and relevant, today. I’m very glad to be working with Claire Skinner again after quite a long interval – some 18 years!  I think she is a very fine actor and I was really excited to hear that she wanted to do the play as well.”

Claire Skinner said: “I’m really looking forward to coming back to the West End with this complex, thought provoking and funny play and I’m also looking forward to working with Toby again after 18 years!”

Simon Evans said: “At a time when the act of living well from day to day seems tougher than ever, I can’t help but resonate with the characters in Joe Egg: displaying such wit, weakness, cruelty and courage as they struggle on. I’ve been a fan of Toby and Claire for years and the opportunity to explore Bri and Sheila with actors of their calibre, and share Peter’s seminal play again with a London audience, is such an honour.”

LISTINGS INFORMATION

Performances: Monday – Saturday at 7:30pm, Thursday and Saturday matinees at 2:30pm
Box Office: www.atgtickets.com/trafalgarstudios / 0844 871 7632

Ticket Prices: From £25

Access performance dates to be confirmed

Website: www.JoeEggPlay.com 

Cast and creatives announced for
This is Black at The Bunker
The Bunker, 53A Southwark Street London SE1 1RU
Monday 5th – Sunday 25th August 2019

Opening The Bunker’s Autumn Season the curated festival This is Black will premiere theatre productions by four new and exciting Black writers across an alternating double-bill. Exploring identity, family relationships and universal struggles, the festival will showcase All the Shit I Can’t Say to My Dad by Abraham Adeyemi and Blue Beneath My Skin by Macadie Amoroso with PYNEAPPLE by Chantelle Alle and Melissa Saint and Teleportation by Ronkẹ Adékoluẹjo.

The festival will also feature a visual art exhibition curated by Sophia Tassew, an art director and creative who has curated a number of sell-out exhibitions with brands such as ASOS and Converse. The exhibit will run every Sunday, highlighting the work of artists Amaal Mohamed, Sharon Adebisi and Taja Boodie in response to the stimulus, ‘What does it mean to be Black in the UK? Past, present and future’.

Abraham Adeyemi’s All the Shit I Can’t Say to My Dad is a musical exploration of unresolved conflicts within a strained parent relationship, from differences of faith to absent fatherhood. Through music the relationships are analysed and unspoken truths surface. Director Jade Lewis (Superhoe, Royal Court and Brighton Festival, Assistant Director for Nine Night, National Theatre and Trafalgar Studios) will bring the production to life, with casting still to be announced.

Macadie Amoroso will both write and star in her one-woman debut, Blue Beneath my Skin, directed by established actor Janet Etuk (TAO of Glass, Royal Exchange Theatre; Love, National Theatre, Birmingham Rep and UK Tour). Using her own experiences and poetic prose to capture the mixedrace experience of identity and knowing your heritage, Macadie explores the universal struggles of humanity – we can all feel blue regardless of race, gender, or ethnicity.

A debut from the SPYCE collective, PYNEAPPLE by writers Chantelle Alle and Melissa Saint, is a vibrant and humorous new play grappling with the stereotypes surrounding young black women. Set in a London hair salon, shampoo and social conditioning get the theatre treatment as a group of women come together with difference voices but same shared experiences. Directed by Abigail Sewell (The Lost Ones, Ovalhouse; Assistant Director for Pah-La, Royal Court Theatre; Things of Dry Hours, Young Vic) the cast includes co-writer Melissa Saint, as well as Amba Rose Mendy, Elise Palmer, and Odera Ndujiuba.

Differing cultures collide in the debut play Teleportation by actress Ronkẹ Adékoluẹjo (Doctor Who, BBC; The Mountaintop, Young Vic) when a carer meets her new disabled companion, exploring how two polar-opposites can share a single spirit, question their prejudices and discover themselves through one another. This will be directed by festival curator, Steven Kavuma (BOYS, Dalston Eastern Curve Garden; Assistant Director for Still No Idea, Royal Court Theatre), starring actress Antonia Layiwola.

This is Black curator Steven Kavuma comments, As a writer and director, I have always wanted to go and showcase my work at the Edinburgh Fringe but have felt mindful of participating as I am aware of the mental and physical baggage it involves to be a Black artist presenting work in Edinburgh and other fringe theatre spaces which are often occupied by white people. I have heard stories from friends about their experiences from racial profiling, racist comments and white audiences unwilling to take flyers for their shows.

It feels as though there is only space, time, money and resources for a particular kind of person in this industry, who is always given the license to make “edgy”, “radical” and “experimental” work. When we do make work and take ownership of spaces, it is often branded by some critics as “aggressive”, “too loud”, “too violent” and “not challenging enough”. As an artist, this annoys me but as a Black person making work, it displaces me in this industry and in this country.

Kavuma adds, I believe that Blackness is not one dimensional; it is layered, complex, beautiful, ugly, angry, loud, and everything more that is unsaid and with all the plays in this festival, we aim to offer audiences a varied depiction of Black stories. With the DJ sets and exhibition, I hope this will begin to deconstruct how none or not regular theatregoers interact and engage with theatre.

This is Black aims to support, encourage and celebrate Black artists, and to create a supportive fringe festival experience that existing platforms do not always successfully provide. Friday and Saturday nights will also include a DJ set until late from Ashleigh Simone who has DJed events such as Sony Music Entertainment’s International Women’s Day Event, Boxpark Croydon Ree-Up Presents and Syco’s Annual Summer Party at the V&A museum.

Grease is the word as 1959 pink Cadillac rolls 
in to Birmingham

This week, ahead of the arrival of the world’s best-loved musical, GREASE a 1959 pink Cadillac rolled in to Birmingham’s Brindley Place bringing those Summer Nights to the people of Brum.

The Cadillac even added some Summer Lovin’ to a special day as a pair of newlyweds stopped by to have their photo taken just minutes after tying the knot.

The brand new production of GREASE comes to Birmingham Hippodrome from Tuesday 13 – Saturday 24 August. Peter Andre and Ore Oduba will share the role of Teen Angel at certain performances with Dan Partridge as Danny, Martha Kirby as Sandy, Louis Gaunt as Kenickie and Rhianne-Louise McCaulsky as Rizzo.

GREASE originally opened in Chicago in 1971, followed by a move to Broadway in 1972, where it received seven Tony Award nominations, including one for Best Musical. During the show’s eight-year run, at the time, little known actors, including Peter Gallagher, Patrick Swayze and John Travolta, all appeared in the production, with Richard Gere understudying many roles before going on to star as Danny Zuko in the 1973 London premiere.

The 1978 film adaptation starring John Travolta and Olivia Newton John, when adjusted for inflation, is the highest-grossing live action musical of all time and celebrated its 40th anniversary last year. The musical features beloved songs, including Summer Nights,Greased Lightnin’, Hopelessly Devoted To You and You’re The One That I Want.

GREASE is directed by Nikolai Foster and choreographed by Arlene Phillips, with designs by Colin Richmond, orchestrations and musical supervision by Sarah Travis, lighting design by Guy Hoare and sound design by Tom Marshall and casting by David Grindrod CDG for DGA.

This new production of GREASE is produced by Colin Ingram, InTheatre Productions, Donovan Mannato, William Sinclair, Ricardo Marques, Hunter Arnold and Curve.

GREASE comes to Birmingham Hippodrome from Tuesday 13 – Saturday 24 August. To book visit birminghamhippodrome.com or call 0844 338 5000 (4.5p per minute plus your phone company’s access charge).