Mayflower Theatre, Southampton – until 20 July 2019

Reviewed by Jo Gordon

4**** 

Rock of Ages just about covers all that was wonderful about 80s – rock music, big hair, big sounds, big rock Gods and tiny tiny rock chick shorts!

Every classic rock anthem you can think cleverly entwined within the story about southern belle Sherries (Jodie Steele) new adventures on LA’s Sunset Strip. After gaining a job in the famous Bourbon Club owned by Dennis (Kevin Kennedy), she meets wannabe rock star Drew (Luke Walsh) in a boy-meets-girl will-they-won’t-they scenario which is thread throughout the whole show and keeps us guessing till the end.  After an incident with the superstar known as Stacee Jaxx (Kevin Clifton) things take a turn for the worst and Sherrie ends up working in a local strip joint. Meanwhile the areas club owners have a fight on their hands as German developer Hertz (Vas Constanti) and his son Franz (Andrew Carthy) plan to bulldoze the strip and rebuild it as a classier area. With the organisation of protests by local hippy Regina (Rhiannon Chesterman) just maybe it could all be saved.

A simple but effective backdrop of neon lights, industrial buildings and rugged rock club set the scene well and true to most rock dens I may have frequented on occasion in the early 90’s! 

The highlight for me was the shows narrator Lonnie (Lucas Rush), very funny at times and got the audience revved up at all the right points. On a whole its a strong cast that carry the predictable story well and all the popular tunes keep the audience playing air drums and signing along. I personally feel that the choreography of the dancing girls at times could be toned down a little and some of the “action” Jaxx received at times was a bit much in parts but that aside its a great easy watch, toe tapping production that appeared to bring in those who wouldn’t normally frequent a theatre which can only be a good thing!

Be warned though, after watching it you will be digging out the classic rock compilations and releasing your inner rocker in the car to work the next day…or maybe that’s just me!

Jenny King, Jonathan Church, Matthew Gale and Mark Goucher present

STEPHEN MANGAN

KARA TOINTON and SUE JOHNSTON

 in

The Man in the White Suit

Written and Directed by Sean Foley

Based on the play The Flower Within the Bud by Roger MacDougall and Screenplay by Roger MacDougall, John Dighton and Alexander Mackendrick.  

By special arrangement with Studiocanal

• FULL CAST AND CREATIVE TEAM ANNOUNCED FOR THE WORLD PREMIERE STAGE PRODUCTION OF THE EALING COMEDY CLASSIC
   
• WRITTEN AND DIRECTED BY SEAN FOLEY, THE PRODUCTION WILL PLAY AT THEATRE ROYAL BATH AS PART OF ITS 2019 SUMMER SEASON FROM 5TH – 21ST SEPTEMBER, PRIOR TO OPENING AT WYNDHAM’S THEATRE IN PREVIEW FROM 27TH SEPTEMBER  WITH AN OPENING NIGHT OF 8TH OCTOBER 
   

The full cast and creative team is announced for Sean Foley’s hotly anticipated stage adaptation of classic Ealing Studios comedy The Man in the White Suit, which will have a three week engagement at Theatre Royal Bath from 5th September as part of its 2019 summer season before its world premiere at the Wyndham’s Theatre, London with performances from 27th September 2019 until 11th January 2020 and opening night on 8th October 2019.

Leading the cast of The Man in the White Suit will be the previously announced  Stephen Mangan as Sidney Stratton, Kara Tointon as Daphne Birnley and Sue Johnston* as Mrs Watson.

They will be joined by Richard Cordery as Birnley, Richard Durden as Sir John, with Delroy Atkinson, Katie Bernstein, Ben Deery, Matthew Durkan, Rina Fatania, Oliver Kaderbhai, Eugene McCoy, Elliott Rennie and Katherine Toy.

The Man in the White Suit is adapted for the stage and directed by double Olivier Award-winning writer, actor and director Sean Foley and has set and costume design by award-winning designer Michael Taylor.

Brand new songs have been written for this world premiere production by Charlie Fink, known for fronting indie-folk band ‘Noah and the Whale’ as well as being a composer for theatre and film including The Lorax (Old Vic) and A Street Cat Named Bob.

Choreography will be by Lizzi Gee, lighting by the Tony Award-winning Mark Henderson, sound by brothers Ben Ringham and Max Ringham, fights directed by Alison De Burgh and songs arranged by Phil Bateman.

When Sidney Stratton develops a fabric that never gets dirty and never wears out, manufacturers and trades unions are terrified by the threat it poses to their industry and their jobs. Only Daphne, the mill owner’s daughter, shows Stratton any sympathy as his world gradually falls apart before he finally finds love and a new idea.  

The 1951 iconic Ealing Studios comedy film starred Alec Guinness, Joan Greenwood and Cecil Parker. It was directed by Alexander Mackendrick and was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Writing (Screenplay).

Stephen Mangan’s theatre credits include a Tony Award-nominated performance in The Norman Conquests (The Old Vic / Broadway), Birthday and The People Are Friendly (Royal Court), Jeeves and Wooster (Duke of York’s), Hayfever (Savoy), Midsummer Night’s Dream (RSC) and Rules For Living (National Theatre). Stephen has an extensive list of television credits including Sean Lincoln in Episodes, and new comedy series Bliss. Previous TV credits include the BAFTA-winning British sitcom Green Wing, Free Agents, Dirk Gently. Film credits include Billy Elliot, Birthday, Postman Pat: The Movie (Voice), Rush, Beyond The Pole, Confetti and Festival.

Kara Tointon’s theatre credits include: Twelfth Night (RSC), Gaslight (UK Tour), Relatively Speaking (Wyndham’s), Absent Friends (Harold Pinter Theatre) and Pygmalion (Garrick). Her film work includes appearances in Let’s Be Evil, The Last Passenger, The Sweeney, Warrior Queen,Never Play With The Dead, The Football Factory and Just My Luck.  On television Kara has appeared in The Keith and Paddy Picture Show, Henry IX, The Halcyon, The Sound of Music Live,Mr Selfridge, Suntrap, Lewis, Bedlam, The Bill, Dream Team, Keen Eddie, Harry and Cosh andEastEnders.

BAFTA nominated and British Comedy Award-winning actress Sue Johnston’s theatre credits include Small Change (Donmar Warehouse), The Master Builder (Albery Theatre) and The Play What I Wrote (Wyndham’s). Sue has also played seasons at Manchester Royal Exchange, Bolton Octagon and the Bush Theatre. Best known for her television roles in The Royale Family andBrookside, other screen credits include The Cockfields, Hold the Sunset, Death on the Tyne, Murder on the Blackpool Express, Age Before Beauty, Walk Like a Panther, Good Karma Hospital, Moving On, Waking the Dead, Downton Abbey, Coronation Street, Rovers, Sex, Chips & Rock N’ Roll, Goodbye Cruel World, My Uncle Silas, Brassed Off, Little Dorrit, A Passionate Woman, Sugartown and Jam & Jerusalem amongst others. Sue was appointed OBE in the 2009 Queen’s Birthday Honours for services to Drama and to Charity.

Richard Cordery’s many theatre credits include Network, Power of Yes and ‘Tis Pity She’s a Whore (National Theatre), Richard III, Henry VI, Twelfth Night, Hamlet, Merry Wives of Windsor, Volpone, Romeo and Juliet, Othello, and Henry IV part II (RSC), Sweet Bird of Youthand The Front Page (Chichester Festival Theatre), Waste (Almeida), Spring Awakening (Novello),Love Story (Duchess) and Waiting For Godot (Crucible Theatre Sheffield). Television credits include Marcella, Dickensian, Esio Trot, Inside No 9, Backup and Love Hurts. Film credits includeAbout Time, The Wife, Les Miserables and Social Suicide.

Richard Durden’s career spans 50 years with recent theatre credits including Ben Hur (Tricycle),Titus Andronicus and A Mad World My Masters (RSC), The Emperor and Gallilean (National Theatre), Shadowlands (Wyndham’s and UK Tour), Once Bitten and The Madras House (Orange Tree), Richard III and High Society (Crucible Theatre, Sheffield), and Orpheus Descending(Donmar Warehouse). Television credits include Back To Life, Ghosts, The Child in Time, Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell, The Last Days of Lehman Brothers, The Amazing Mrs Pritchard, andFingersmith. Film credits include Churchill, Star Wars: Episode IX, Oliver Twist, The Awakening,The Jacket and Batman.

Delroy Atkinson’s theatre credits include Sylvia (Old Vic), Present Laughter (Chichester Festival Theatre), The Firm (Hampstead), The Amen Corner (National Theatre), The Book of Mormon (The Prince of Wales), Avenue Q (Gielgud) and Five Guys Named Moe (UK Tour).

Katie Bernstein’s theatre credits include The Play That Goes Wrong (Duchess and International Tour), Allegro (Southwark Playhouse), Mrs Henderson Presents (Noel Coward and Theatre Royal Bath), Urinetown (Apollo and St. James Theatre), Rent (UK Tour), Run (Polka) and Goodbye Barcelona (Arcola)

Ben Deery’s theatre credits include King Lear, Titus Andronicus, A Mad World My Masters(RSC), The Art Of Success, The Taste Of The Town (Rose Theatre Kingston), Death of a Salesman(UK Tour) and Insignificance (Theatre Clwyd). Screen credits include Father Brown, Call the Midwife and A Street Cat Named Bob.

Matthew Durkan’s theatre credits include Rosencrantz & Gildenstern Are Dead and Housed (Old Vic), The Secret Garden (York Theatre Royal), Kiki’s Delivery Service (Southwark Playhouse), Oxy & The Morons (New Wolsey Theatre), Nell Gwynn (Apollo) and The Cherry Orchard and Doctor Selavy’s Magic Theatre (New Wimbledon Studio).

Rina Fatania’s most recent theatre credits include Dead Dog in a Suitcase (UK Tour),Approaching Empty (Kiln), The Village (Theatre Royal Stratford East), The Tin Drum (Kneehigh, UK Tour), Oliver Twist (Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre), Roller Disco (Soho) and Anita & Me (UK Tour). Screen credits include Wanderlust, People Just Do Nothing, Raabta and Mumbai Charlie.

Oliver Kaderbhai’s theatre credits include Margot, Dame, The Most Famous Ballerina in the World (Kings Head), The Best Man (Playhouse), Jumping on my Shadow (Lakeside Arts Centre), Hatch (Polka Theatre), One Minute (The Vaults), The Provoked Wife (UK Tour) and Go to Your God Like a Soldier (Old Vic Tunnels/The Underbelly).

Eugene McCoy’s theatre credits include La Mancha (ENO), A Christmas Carol and Groundhog Day (Old Vic), The Pajama Game (Shaftesbury/Chichester Festival Theatre), American Psycho(Almeida Theatre), Jersey Boys (Prince Edward), Little Shop of Horrors (UK Tour), They’re Playing Our Song (Menier Chocolate Factory), Oklahoma! (Chichester Festival Theatre) and Guys and Dolls (Piccadilly and Donmar Warehouse). Screen credits include Paddington 2 and Little Crackers.

Elliott Rennie’s theatre credits include Alice in Wonderland, Thumbelina and A Scarborough Christmas Carol (Stephen Joseph Theatre), Shakespeare in Love (Duke of York’s), The Jungle Bookand The B.F.G. (Derby Theatre).

Katherine Toy’s theatre credits include Coriolanus, Vice Versa and Salome (RSC), Much Ado About Nothing (Rose Theatre Kingston), As You Like It, Two Gentlemen of Verona and Stig of the Dump (Storyhouse Chester), Othello, A Midsummer Night’s Dream and Cyrano de Bergerac(Grosvenor Park, Chester) and Life of Galileo, Cyrano de Bergerac and The False Servant (National Theatre). As a musician, her credits include Comedy of Errors (RSC) and Wild Orchids (Chichester Festival Theatre).

This world premiere production will reunite Stephen Mangan and Sean Foley who created the Olivier Award winning comedy Jeeves and Wooster together. Foley also teams up again with Michael Taylor with whom he created the five times Olivier Award nominated The Ladykillers. Foley’s production will feature a cast of fourteen including actor musicians and a specially written score.

Based on the play The Flower Within the Bud by Roger MacDougall and screenplay by Roger MacDougall, John Dighton and Alexander Mackendrick, this world premiere production of The Man in the White Suit is presented by Jenny King, Jonathan Church, Matthew Galeand Mark Goucher, by special arrangement with Studiocanal.

*Sue Johnston will play the role of Mrs Watson for a strictly limited engagement until the end of November, with further casting to be announced.

LISTINGS

THE MAN IN THE WHITE SUIT

Theatre Royal Bath
Saw Cl, Bath BA1 1ET
5th – 21st September 
Monday – Saturday at 7.30pm, Wednesday and Saturday matinees 2.30pm 
www.theatreroyal.org.uk/
01225 448844

Wyndham’s Theatre
Charing Cross Rd, Covent Garden, London WC2H 0DA
First preview: 27th September at 7.30pm
Opening night: 8th October at 7pm
Final performance 11th January at 7.30pm
Monday – Saturday at 7.30pm, Wednesday and Saturday matinees 2.30pm
www.delfontmackintosh.co.uk/theatres/wyndhams-theatre/

@whitesuitcomedy 
maninthewhitesuit.co.uk   

LONDON CLASSIC THEATRE ANNOUNCE

AUTUMN TOUR OF NO MAN’S LAND

London Classic Theatre present

NO MAN’S LAND

By Harold Pinter

Director: Michael Cabot; Designer: Bek Palmer; Lighting Design: Andy Grange

London Classic Theatre today announce their UK tour of Harold Pinter’s No Man’s Land, with the company’s Artistic Director Michael Cabot directing Nicholas Gasson, Joel Macey, Graham O’Mara and Moray Treadwell. The new production opens at Hull Truck Theatre on 12 September, with previews from 5 September at Oldham Coliseum, and visits 22 venues in total before the tour concludes at Trinity Theatre, Tunbridge Wells on 2 November.

A chance meeting between two elderly writers in a North London pub leads to an alcohol-fuelled night of reminiscences and verbal sparring.

Hirst, a wealthy recluse, invites Spooner, a down-at-heel poet, to his Hampstead townhouse for a nightcap. As the shadows lengthen and the whisky flows, their stories become more elaborate and improbable, until the arrival of two younger men forces events to take an unexpected turn.

In his most beguiling and atmospheric play, Pinter interweaves truth, language and memory to create a world of dark comedy and subtle power games.

Artistic Director Michael Cabot said today “I’m absolutely thrilled to be working on No Man’s Land. It’s my sixth time directing a Pinter play so it goes without saying I’m a huge admirer of his work. The terrific success of Jamie Lloyd’s recent Pinter at the Pinter season has reinforced how his writing still has the power to intrigue and resonate with audiences today and we’re very excited about carrying the torch around the UK this autumn. No Man’s Land is a wonderfully complex, layered play but also full of comic nuance.  I’m delighted that Bek Palmer and Andy Grange, the team who worked on our productions of The Birthday Party and Betrayal,are joining LCT again for this new chapter.”

Nicholas Gasson plays Spooner. His credits for the company include The Caretaker, Someone Who’ll Watch Over Me and Entertaining Mr Sloane. Other theatre credits includes Wings (Young Vic),The Dumb Waiter, The Lover (European Arts), James and the Giant Peach (No.1 tour), A Chip in the Sugar from Talking Heads (Theatre Royal, Bury St Edmunds), Season’s Greetings (The Mill at Sonning), The Picture of Dorian Gray (Greenwich Theatre), Pink for a Boy (Oldham Coliseum) and School for Wives (BAC). His television credits include Shadow in the North, Private Life of an Easter Masterpiece and Merlin.

Joel Macey plays Foster. His previous theatre credits include The Mousetrap (St Martin’s Theatre), Othello (UK tour), Tartuffe, Hamlet, All’s Well That Ends Well (Tobacco Factory) and Treasure Island (The Avenue Theatre).His television credits include 3am and Jess’s Suicide.

Graham O’Mara plays Briggs. His theatre credits include Government Inspector and The Three Musketeers(Young Vic), Alice (Sheffield Crucible), Food (Traverse Theatre) Borders (Arcola Theatre), Punts, Cans(Theatre503), Fatzer: Downfall Of An Egoist (North Wall Arts Centre), Carry On Jaywick (Vaults), BU21 (Trafalgar Studios), Romeo and Juliet, The Merry Wives of Windsor, The Wind in the Willows, Othello, A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Storyhouse Chester), Sense and Sensibility (The Watermill Theatre), Horniman’s Choice, Hindle Wakes (Finborough Theatre), A Man of Letters (Orange Tree Theatre) and The Rise and Fall of Little Voice(Theatre Royal, Bury St. Edmunds). Television includes Friday Night Dinner, Good Cop, Sirens, The Queen: 1974and Silent Witness.

Moray Treadwell plays Hirst. His credits for the company include Hysteria. Other theatre credits include Some Mother’s do ‘Ave ‘Em (UK tour), The Railway Children (London King’s Cross Theatre), Macbeth (Mercury Theatre), Romeo and Juliet (Theatre Royal, Bury St Edmunds), Wait Until Dark and The Little Foxes (Perth Theatre), The Caretaker, The Last Yellow (Nuffield Southampton Theatre), Arsenic and Old Lace, and Chitty Chitty Bang Bang (UK tours). His television credits include Manchild, My Family, Murder Most Horrid, Beck, Ultraviolet, Wuthering Heights, Planespotting and Whose Baby Is it Anyway?. For film his credits include Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest and Round Ireland with a Fridge.

Michael Cabot directs. He is the founder and Artistic Director of London Classic Theatre. He has directed all forty LCT productions since their London debut in 1993, including My Mother Said I Never Should, Private Lives, Hysteria, The Birthday Party, Waiting for Godot, Absent Friends, Entertaining Mr Sloane, Betrayal, The Importance of Being Earnest and Equus. He has overseen the company’s transition from one of the success stories of the London Fringe in the late nineties to its current position as one of the UK’s leading touring companies. His freelance work as director includes three recent collaborations with award-winning playwright Henry Naylor, The Collector (Arcola Theatre 2014 & UK tour 2016), Angel (Edinburgh Festival Fringe première 2016) and Borders (Edinburgh Festival Fringe première 2017). Angel has won several theatre awards, including a Scotsman Fringe First and the Holden Street Theatres Edinburgh Award in 2016. The production transferred to the Adelaide Fringe in February 2017, winning the Adelaide Critics Circle Award, before playing at the 59E59 Theatre in New York as part of the Brits off Broadway season. Angel was chosen by The Times as one of the UK’s Top Ten productions in 2016. Borders won a Scotsman Fringe First and the Carol Tambor Best of Fringe Award. It also won the Adelaide Critics Circle Award and transferred to New York Theatre Workshop in June 2018.

www.londonclassictheatre.co.uk

Facebook: @LondonClassicTheatre

Twitter: @londonclassic1

No Man’s Land                                                                                                                                 LISTINGS

Oldham Coliseum Theatre                          

5 – 7 September

Box Office: 01616 242829

www.coliseum.org.uk

Hull Truck Theatre

11 – 14 September

Box Office: 01482 323638

www.hulltruck.co.uk

Theatre Royal, Winchester

17 – 18 September

Box Office: 01962 840 440

www.theatreroyalwinchester.co.uk

Lighthouse, Poole

19-21 September

Box Office: 01202 280000

www.lighthousepoole.co.uk

Octagon Theatre, Yeovil

24 September

Box Office: 01935 422884

www.octagon-theatre.co.uk

The Theatre, Chipping Norton

25-26 September

Box Office: 01608 642350

www.chippingnortontheatre.com

Roses Theatre, Tewkesbury

27 September

Box Office: 01684 295074

www.rosestheatre.org

Atkinson, Southport

28 September

Box Office: 01704 533 333

www.theatkinson.co.uk

New Vic Theatre, Newcastle-under-Lyme

1-5 October

Box Office: 01782 717 962

www.newvictheatre.org.uk

Lincoln Performing Arts Centre

10 October

Box Office: 01522 837600

lpac.co.uk

CAST, Doncaster

11 October

Box Office: 01302 303959

www.castindoncaster.com

Middlesbrough Theatre

12 October

Box Office: 01642 81 51 81

www.middlesbroughtheatre.co.uk

Connaught Theatre, Worthing

15-16 October

Box Office: 01903 206 206

worthingtheatres.co.uk

Devonshire Park Theatre, Eastbourne

17-19 October

Box Office: 01323 412 000

www.eastbournetheatres.co.uk

Queen’s Hall, Hexham

22-23 October

Box Office: 01434 652477

www.queenshall.co.uk

Phoenix Theatre, Blyth

24 October

Box Office: 01670 367 228

www.thephoenixtheatre.org.uk

Brunton, Musselburgh

25- 26 October

Box Office: 0131 665 2240

www.thebrunton.co.uk

Arena Theatre, Wolverhampton

29 – 30 October

Box Office: 01902 321 321

www.wlv.ac.uk/arena-theatre

Cornerstone, Didcot

31 October

Box Office: 01235 515144

www.cornerstone-arts.org

Theatre Royal, Margate

1 November

Box Office: 01843 292795

www.margate-live.com

Trinity Theatre, Tunbridge Wells

2 November

Box Office: 01892 678678

www.trinitytheatre.net

Cast announced for immersive adult
fairy tale Red Palace
The Vaults, Leake Street, London SE1 7NN
Tuesday 24th September 2019 – Sunday 12th January 2020

Showcasing cabaret, circus, dance and genre-defying performance, the cast has been announced for London’s new immersive masquerade ball, Red Palace. Shotgun Carousel invite their audiences to be escorted by a glorious array of audacious characters through swirling revelry to a place of glamour, danger and transformation where they can find their own fairy tale ending

The wholly female and non-binary cast of players, aerialists and cabaret artists includes Ella Prendergast (Secret Cinema presents Bladerunner: The Final Cut), Teddy Lamb (Since U Been Gone, HighTide), Porscha Present (Divine Proportions, The Vaults) and Emer Dineen (The Dark Side of Love, Camden Roundhouse). Actors and circus artists, EM Williams (Captain Corelli’s Mandolin, Harold Pinter Theatre), Rosie Rowlands (Anna Nicole, Royal Opera House), Emily Essery (Doctor Dolittle, UK tour), and Rebecca Solomons (Hive City Legacy, Roundhouse) will also join the company. Completing this ensemble production are Steffi Walker (Baba’s War, White Bear Theatre and War Festival), Megan Ford (Feminasty, UK tour), Eleanor Dillon-Reams (HoneyBEE, Edinburgh Fringe), Camilla Harding (The Tempest, Rose Playhouse), and Alice Morgan-Richards (Alice’s Adventure’s Underground, The Vaults)

Following the huge success of Divine Proportions, Shotgun Carousel return to The Vaults with a Gothic cabaret guided by an irresistible tale. Join The Prince and meet the court; witness the beautiful, the brilliant, the wanton, the bizarre – nothing and no one is what they seem. Gastro- storyteller and Masterchef semi-finalist Annie McKenzie will provide an exclusive menu for booked diners to enjoy a decadent evening of feast and fantasy (subject to limited availability). Red Palace is inspired by the vicious narratives of the Brothers Grimm and Hans Christian Andersen but these are not the fairy tale characters we think we know as Snow White joins Gretel, mermaids and the Big Bad Wolf. With the allure of the carnivals of Venice, topped up with the Gothic macabre of Edgar Allan Poe, audiences must dance, dine and discover the mystery at the heart of the masked ball. The stories threaded through the production look behind the mask to explore power and duplicity. The Red Palace sheds the binds of gender and sexual conformity to release a world of pleasure and freedom

Director Celine Lowenthal comments, I am so thrilled to be working with our extraordinary cohort of performers on Red Palace, and it is a pure delight to be able to introduce to our audiences such a fantastic range of experienced and charismatic artists. We are drawing together a phenomenal array of Shakespearean character actors, death-defying circus performers, cabaret and burlesque royalty, with some of the most experienced immersive and promenade actors in the UK. You name it, we’ve got it: tarot readers, improvisational comedians, singer-songwriters, contortionists, drag kings, MCs – all ready to bring their phenomenal array of talents to the wild and exciting Red Palace experience. And, as always with Shotgun Carousel, we are proud to be introducing to you an all-female/non-binary/trans* cast, celebrating, elevating, and providing a platform for the artists we most want to see centre stage. I can’t wait to begin our exciting new collaboration!

Deliciously risqué, the sybaritic evening is an all-encompassing voyage through a world where extravagance is the norm, labels are left at the door, and everyone can be who they truly are (Broadway World on Divine Proportions).

STAR CAST REVEALED FOR BAND OF GOLD PREMIERE AT LEEDS GRAND THEATRE

LAURIE BRETT, GAYNOR FAYE, KIERON RICHARDSON, SHAYNE WARD AND SACHA PARKINSON TO STAR IN KAY MELLORS PREMIER STAGE ADAPTATION OF BAND OF GOLD

Band of Gold – the premiere stage adaptation of Kay Mellor’s multi award-winning ITV series – today announces that Laurie Brett (EastEnders,Waterloo Road, Les Miserables), Gaynor Faye (Emmerdale, Playing the Field, Calendar Girls), Kieron Richardson (Hollyoaks, Heatbeat), Shayne Ward (Coronation Street, Rock Of Ages, X Factor winner) and Sacha Parkinson (Mr Selfridge, The Mill) will star in the production when it opens at Leeds Grand Theatre later this year.

Following the unprecedented sell-out success of Fat Friends The Musical, producer Josh Andrews and Kay Mellor have teamed up again for Band of Gold, to be directed by Mellor, which will run from Thursday 28 November to Saturday 14 December 2019 at The Grand, before embarking on the 2020 Tour.

Band of Gold was the ground-breaking crime drama that captivated over 15 million viewers each week when it aired on ITV in March 1995 starring (amongst others) Geraldine James, Cathy Tyson, Barbara Dickson and Samantha Morton. The nail-biting thriller tells the story of a group of women – Carol, Rose, Anita and Gina – as they battle to survive whilst working in a notorious red-light district. When one of their colleagues is murdered, they need to find the killer before they strike again.

Band of Gold is at Leeds Grand Theatre from Thursday 28 November to Saturday 14 December 2019.

Book online at leedsgrandtheatre.com or call Box Office on 0844 848 2700

FURTHER CASTING ANNOUNCED FOR

BACK TO THE FUTURE THE MUSICAL

AT MANCHESTER OPERA HOUSE

OPENING ON THURSDAY 20 FEBRUARY 2020

FOR 12-WEEK SEASON

AHEAD OF WEST END TRANSFER

Producer Colin Ingram (Ghost – The Musical) and the creators of the film Back To The Future, Robert Zemeckis and Bob Gale, are delighted to announce the casting of ‘George McFly’, ‘Lorraine Baines’ and ‘Goldie Wilson’ in the world premiere of BACK TO THE FUTURE The Musical, which will open at the Manchester Opera House on 20 February 2020 for a strictly limited 12-week season, finishing on 17 May, prior to transferring to the West End.  Hugh Coles will play ‘George’, Rosanna Hyland ‘Lorraine’ and Cedric Neal ‘Goldie’.  They will be joining the previously announced Olly Dobson as ‘Marty McFly’.

Hugh Coles graduated from LAMDA in 2017 and landed one of the lead roles in last year’s British summer movie The Festival. He most recently finished working on the BBC series Defending the Guilty, playing young barrister ‘Liam’ alongside Will Sharpe and Katherine Parkinson. Hugh’s other screen credits include Urban Myths: The Mysterious Disappearance of Agatha Christie for Sky Arts and the final series of Doc Martin for ITV. 

Rosanna Hyland’s theatre credits include ‘Rosalie Mullins’ in School Of Rock The Musical (Gillian Lynne), ‘Alice’ in I’m Getting My Act Together and Taking It on the Road (Jermyn Street), ‘Betty Hapschatt’ in Shock Treatment (King’s Head), ‘Hope Cladwell’ in Urinetown (Apollo), Shrek The Musical (Theatre Royal Drury Lane), Sister Act The Musical (London Palladium) and Carousel (The Savoy). 

Cedric Neal most recently was a semi-finalist on The Voice UK 2019 Series. He made his West End debut as ‘Berry Gordy’ in the original London cast of Motown The Musical. Neal was featured as ‘The Arbiter’ in the first revival of Chess at London’s Coliseum. He can currently be seen as ‘Willie’ in the Soho Theatre premiere of The View Upstairs. Other London theatre includes the critically acclaimed concert staging of Martin Smith’s musical King, portraying Martin Luther King Jr.,  Cy Coleman’s revue Rhythm Of Life (St. James’s Theatre), and ‘Sporting Life’ in the Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre Olivier nominated production of Porgy And Bess. Broadway credits include the Tony nominated After Midnight and the 2012 Tony Award-winning revival of Porgy And Bess. Television credits include The Good Guys (Fox) and Seasons 4 & 5 of the Emmy Award-winning drama Friday Night Lights (NBC-Universal). Film credits include Lost In London, which was written and produced by and starred Woody Harrelson.

Based on the Universal Pictures/Amblin Entertainment film, BACK TO THE FUTURE The Musical will have a book by Bob Gale and new music and lyrics by Emmy and Grammy Award-winning Alan Silvestri and six-time Grammy Award-winning Glen Ballard, with additional songs from the film including The Power of Love and Johnny B. Goode.

BACK TO THE FUTURE The Musical will be directed by Tony Award-winning director John Rando (Urinetown, On The Town), alongside the multi Tony and Olivier Award-winning design team of Tim Hatley (set and costume design), Hugh Vanstone and Tim Lutkin (lighting), Gareth Owen (sound) and Finn Ross (video), with choreography by Chris Bailey, illusions by Paul Kieve and musical supervision and vocal arrangements by Nick Finlow. Orchestrations will be by Ethan Popp, with dance arrangements by David Chase.

Back to the Future the movie was released in 1985, starring Michael J. Fox as Marty McFly and Christopher Lloyd as Dr Emmett Brown. The film grossed $360.6 million (£279 million) at the box office worldwide and the total box office for all three films in the Back to the Future franchise was $936.6 million (over $1.8 billion in today’s money).

Marty McFly is a rock ‘n’ roll teenager who is accidentally transported back to 1955 in a time-travelling DeLorean invented by his friend, Dr Emmett Brown.  But before he can return to 1985, Marty must make sure his high school-aged parents fall in love in order to save his own existence.

BACK TO THE FUTURE The Musical is produced by Colin Ingram, Donovan Mannato, Frankel/Viertel/Baruch/Routh Group, Gavin Kalin Productions, Hunter Arnold, Crush Music, CJ ENM, Teresa Tsai, Robert Zemeckis, Bob Gale, Augury in association with Herman-Adelman, Kimberly Magarro, Robert L. Hutt, Ricardo Marques, Glass Half Full Productions.

Website: BackToTheFutureMusical.com  

Twitter: @BTTFmusical

Instagram: @BTTFmusical        

LISTINGS INFORMATION

BACK TO THE FUTURE The Musical

20 February – 17 May 2020

Opera House Manchester

3 Quay Street 
Manchester 
M3 3HP

Box Office: 0844 871 3018

Performances: 
20 Feb – 14 Mar: Mon – Sat 7.30pm, Sat matinee 2.30pm

17 Mar – 17 May: Tue – Sat 7.30pm, Wed, Sat & Sun matinees 2.30pm

Tickets: From £19.55

Milton Keynes Theatre – until 20 July 2019

Reviewed by Alex Sykes

5*****

Set in 1960s America, at the height of the Vietnam war, Hair tells the story of a tribe of Hippies in New York.

The audience are first introduced to Berger (Jake Quickenden) who is one of the more vocal members of the tribe. Along with Berger there is also Claude (Paul Wilkins) who has been enlisted into the army to help with the war that the rest of the tribe are against. Joining then are Jeanie, a pregnant hippy, Sheila, who loves Berger, and various other members of the tribe.

The songs are short and catchy and add to the story, and the audience sang along with Let The Sunshine In as everyone seemed to know it. The staging is basic, with the background being made up of lots of ribbons. The band are also on stage in tents and shelters which have been made to look like the rest of the hippie commune.

The story is easy to follow and portrays a serious matter in a comical way with the cast interacting with the audience, especially in the finale when audience members are invited on to the stage. The only questionable part is why the first act ends with every one naked on stage.

All in all a good night out with plenty of songs to keep you singing for days afterwards

Darlington Hippodrome – until 20 July 2019

5*****

Stones in his Pocket, this wonderful little gem of a show, arrives in to Darlington as part of it current tour – and what a treat the audiences are in for

When a touch of glamour lands in a quiet village, the impact on the local community can be enormous. Stones in his Pockets tells such a story. The central premise is fairly simple, as a Hollywood film crew descend on a remote, sleepy village in Ireland, and engage many of the local people as extras, setting in motion a chain of events that leads to tragedy. All is not doom and gloom, however. being very funny, and at the same time very poignant. 

Marie Jones’ award winning play is about  the stars, the villagers, the extras and the production team shooting The Quiet Valley in County Kerry. There’s Aisling, Assistant Director, and Simon her superior, John the weary dialogue coach, Jock from security, Caroline Giovanni the glamorous leading lady, Clem, the English director and Wee Mickey, who is the only surviving extra from The Quiet Man. Not to mention Charlie and Jake, our two extras, each with disappointments in his past and dreams for his future. Charlie, an outsider from the village has written a screenplay after his DVD rental outlet ironically went under. Jake, a likeable local lad, is just back from the States after getting homesick.

All of the characters are played by two incredibly talented actors, Owen Sharpe and Kevin Trainor, who effortlessly slip into the voice and the physique of a dozen or more cherishable characters and sketching scores of memorable scenes: coffee in Caroline’s trailer, the “destitution” mime, the poignant flashback to Sean and Finn’s childhood friendship, before drugs and life push Sean to take his own life by drowning with stones in his pockets

The only props are a box and two stools, so the illusion is maintained by the skill of the two actors and some clever dialogue, against a backdrop of the impressive but simple set by Peter McKintosh and Lindsay Posner’s excellent direction

Though there are darker themes, what we always take away is the tour-de-force that brings all these characters to life – Simon becomes the seductive, needy Caroline, Finn becomes the kindly old teacher, Brother Gerard. And they all appear at once in the Flatley inspired finale – this Irish jig is sheer brilliance 

Stone in His Pockets allows its audience to enter the world of its characters providing an entertaining, amusing and thought-provoking evening.  Despite the tragedy and undercurrent of exploitation that run through the piece, we are left with a feeling of hope that for some people at least, their experiences on film have awakened a sense of determination and self-belief. A complete joy throughout

THEY’RE ON A MISSION…

THE CHICAGO BLUES BROTHERS

COME TO THE WEST END:

LONDON’S SAVOY THEATRE – FOR ONE NIGHT ONLY

 “Tight Classy and Brassy” Time Out

“Fun and Infectious” The Stage

“A high octane musical mash up” Bristol Post

On August 4^th audiences are invited to dance the night away ‘The Chicago Blues Brothers’ – Europe’s biggest and best-loved production of the Blues Brothers which comes to the West End London’s Savoy Theatre

This award-winning spectacular is a high-octane, adrenaline-pumping musical mash-up presents the best material from the original Blues Brothers movies; jam-packed full of songs by legends such as Aretha Franklin, James Brown, Otis Redding, Ray Charles, Tina Turner, Cab Calloway – plus many more.

Featuring blues, soul, Motown and funk classics with a few surprises thrown in along the way ‘The Chicago Blues Brothers’ captures the sound, energy and persona that propelled the film to a cult status and that still thrills audiences worldwide today.

Backed by the multi award winning CBB Band and the Sweet Soul Sisters, a new stage set and state of the art full stage projection

‘The Chicago Blues Brothers’ is a joyous hoot, a musical riot, a juiced-up jamboree of the coolest, funkiest soul, blues and Motown hits performed with style, class and showmanship by a troupe of some of the finest entertainers working in modern musical theatre.

Infectious, dazzling, riotous, exuberant and spirited, the legacy of Jake and Elwood has been jump-started for a new generation with an energy. ‘The Chicago Blues Brothers’ are on a mission once again and hope to give London audiences a night to remember. 

CHRIS HINDLE is JOLIET JAKE BLUES

Chris Hindle is the driving force behind ‘The Chicago Blues Brothers’, not only does he play Jake in the show, he also is responsible for the production of the show. From stage set to artwork, social Media to arrangements – Chris is right there at the heart of everything.

Chris also trained at the De Costa academy in York studying the art of Italian Opera. A natural tenor and performer, he was able to hit those high notes with ease, but his musical passion laid elsewhere. In Joliet Jake Blues he has truly found his calling.

GARETH DAVEY is ELWOOD BLUES

Award winning vocalist Gareth ‘Elwood’ Davey was a well-established solo artist for several years touring throughout the UK but he decided to leave his solo career behind him and join ‘The Chicago Blues Brothers’. He amazes audiences with his natural vocal ability; from deep bluesy bass vocals to sweet soulful falsetto, Gareth has a vocal range that very few pro singers can compare to.

Chris and Gareth have been best friends for over 16 years, and this shines through on stage. They are both professional wind up artists and enjoy playing tricks on everyone in the band and members of the public. Their off-stage friendship is one of the magical aspects that makes the Chicago Blues Brothers such a fun and unique show.

FIRST TOUR DATES ANNOUNCED FOR 2020 UK TOUR OF

Selladoor Family and Beano Studios are delighted to announce that their all new musical stage production Dennis & Gnasher Unleashed! will open on 23 January 2020 at the Waterside Theatre in Aylesbury before embarking on a year-long UK tour throughout 2020.

This new family friendly show is based on the hit TV show Dennis & Gnasher: Unleashed! and is being developed by Selladoor – the company behind hits including Madagascar the Musical and Little Shop of Horrors.

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

BAFTA-winning writer/producer-director Will Brenton will write the show which will feature Dennis and Gnasher’s imitable sense of fun and ageless humour delivered with a repertoire of songs.  He commented:

“The idea behind this show has always been to do something different. This adaptation takes the spirit of Dennis and the Dinmakers and puts them at the centre of an indie rock musical – where the characters take human form, play live music and won’t be happy unless the audience end up on their feet dancing. With amazing music, both original and known, slick dance routines, pranks, explosions and surprises to delight and transport the audience, this show is aimed at the whole family”.

The creative team will also include set and costume Designer Jean Chan and choreographer Kendra Horsburgh.

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

Casting and further tour dates will be announced in due course.

DENNIS AND GNASHER UNLEASHED! 2020 TOUR DATES

Thursday 23 – Sunday 26 January                                                                 Box Office: 0844 871 7607

Aylesbury Waterside Theatre                                                                         Website: www.atgtickets.com/aylesbury

Tuesday 28 January – Saturday 1 February                                                Box Office: 01262 678258

Bridlington Spa                                                                                                   Website: www.bridspa.com

Tuesday 4 – Saturday 8 February                                                                  Box Office: 0844 871 3017

Liverpool Empire                                                                                                Website: www.atgtickets.com/liverpool

Tuesday 18 – Saturday 22 February                                                              Box Office: 0844 871 3019

Palace Theatre, Manchester                                                                           Website: www.atgtickets.com/manchester

Tuesday 25 – Saturday 29 February                                                              Box Office: 0844 871 3011

Birmingham Alexandra                                                                                     Website: www.atgtickets.com/birmingham

Tuesday 3 – Saturday 7 March                                                                       Box Office: 0118 960 6060

Reading Hexagon                                                                                               Website: www.readingarts/hexagon

Tuesday 10 – Saturday 14 March                                                                  Box Office: 01684 892277

Malvern Theatres                                                                                              Website: www.malvern-theatres.co.uk

Tuesday 17 – Saturday 21 March                                                                  Box Office: 0844 871 7646

New Wimbledon Theatre                                                                                Website: www.atgtickets.com/wimbledon

Tuesday 24 – Saturday 28 March                                                                  Box Office: 01271

Queen’s Theatre, Barnstaple                                                                          Website: www.queenstheatre-barnstaple.com

Tuesday 31 March – Saturday 4 April                                                           Box Office: 0844 871 7647

Glasgow Theatre Royal                                                                                     Website: www.atgtickets.com/glasgow

Tuesday 7 – Saturday 11 April                                                                        Box Office: 01482 300306

Hull New Theatre                                                                                               Website: www.hulltheatres.co.uk

Tuesday 14 – Saturday 18 April                                                                      Box Office: 01904 623568

York Theatre Royal                                                                                            Website: www.yorktheatreroyal.co.uk

Further dates to be announced