A NEW PARODY MUSICAL ABOUT FRIENDS

INSPIRED BY THE ICONIC TV SHOW FRIENDS

MARKING THE SHOW’S 25^TH ANNIVERSARY

WILL TOUR NATIONALLY FROM 15 JULY 2019

WITH A FULL RUN AT THE EDINBURGH FESTIVAL FRINGE

FROM 1 – 25 AUGUST AS PART OF THE ASSEMBLY FESTIVAL PROGRAMME AT THE ASSEMBLY ROOMS

The UK tour of the hilarious parody musical Friendsical written by Miranda Larson, opens at the Everyman Theatre in Cheltenham on 15 July 2019 followed by a nationwide tour visiting: Darlington, Derry, Newcastle, Kingston, Malvern, Blackpool, Chelmsford, Southampton and Croydon. Friendsicalwill have a full run at the Edinburgh Festival from 1 – 25 August as part of the Assembly Festival programme in the Music Hall of The Assembly Rooms.

When Ross’ wife leaves him for another woman, he fears he will never find love again. But then Rachel runs back into his life… will he end up with his one true love?

Featuring original songs such as ‘(He’s her) Lobster!’, ‘Richard’s Moustache’ and ‘You’re Over Me? When Were You Under Me?’, the gang take on naked Thursdays, a power cut, and a dinosaur convention.

What could possibly go wrong?

This is a loving parody not to be confused with the Warner Bros Entertainment Inc. series Friends.

Miranda Larson is a highly experienced writer-director for TV and theatre. A huge fan of the TV Show,Friends, Miranda was inspired to write her own friends-based comedy, The Box Upstairs and it was her first commissioned play in 2004.

Her most recent credits include the adaptation of Tom Fletcher’s Christmasaurus for the Hammersmith Apollo, and the writing and directing of Peter Harris and Deborah Allwright’s The Night Pirates, which opened at the Rose Theatre Kingston and toured the UK. In addition are Cartoon Network Live and Trolls Live currently touring overseas. Other live show credits include the comediesSpongeBob Live & The Amazing World Of Gumball.

TV credits include Life Bites and Bienvenue Bienvenida Welcome for the Disney Channel. Hubble, Bubble & Squeak for Nickelodeon, Chip and Potato for Darrall Mcqueen & Netflix.

Miranda is currently developing Sleepy Hollow for the stage.

Friendsicalis produced by Birdbrooke Entertainment ltd. Full casting and creatives will be announced in due course.

LISTINGS

FRIENDSICAL

WRITTEN BY MIRANDA LARSON

15 JULY – 2 NOVEMBER 2019

UK TOUR

Twitter/Instagram: @Friendsical

TOUR DATES

CHELTENHAM Everyman Theatre                          Everymantheatre.org.uk
15 – 20 July 2019                                                       01242 572 573

DARLINGTON Hippodrome                                      Darlingtonhippodrome.co.uk

22 – 27 July 2019                                                       01325 405405

EDINBURGH Assembly Rooms                                assemblyfestival.com

01 – 25 August 2019                                                  01316233030

DERRY Millennium Forum                                       Millenniumforum.co.uk
26 – 31 August 2019                                                  028 7126 4455

NEWCASTLE Northern Stage                                  Northernstage.co.uk

2 – 7 September 2019                                              0191 230 5151

KINGSTON Rose Theatre                                         Rosetheatrekingston.org

9 – 14 September 2019        020 8174 0090

MALVERN Festival Theatre                                      Malvern-theatres.co.uk

16 – 21 September 2019      01684 892277

BLACKPOOL Grand Theatre                                     Blackpoolgrand.co.uk

23 – 28 September 201901253 290 190

CHELMSFORD Civic Theatre                                      Chelmsford.gov.uk/theatres
14 – 19 October 2019                                                 01245 606 505

SOUTHAMPTON Nuffield Theatre                           Nstheatres.co.uk

21 – 26 October 2019                                                 0238067 1771

CROYDON Ashcroft Theatre                                     Fairfield.co.uk
28 October – 2 November 2019                               0203 292 0001

FESTIVAL THEATRE, EDINBURGH – UNTIL SATURDAY 13TH APRIL 2019

REVIEWED BY SIOBHAN WILSON

5*****

I am now asking myself why I have never been to the Ballet before. This phenomenal show had the whole audience enraptured from start to finish, and I even found myself leaning forward in order to get closer to the action.

The thought-provoking display of a historical monarch legend was not only educational but entertaining.

Following the death of Queen Victoria, Princess Beatrice reads the Queen’s diaries. Scenes from the diaries are impeccably danced out by an extremely talented cast. It is as though Princess Beatrice is trying to rewrite her mother’s life with her tearing out pages from the diaries and writing in her own version. The incredible yet simple set design further displays this starting with library of red books becoming empty shelves and slowly refilling with the blue diaries of Princess Beatrice. The flashback dimension is regularly broken with older Beatrice mirroring and dancing with younger Beatrice.

Pippa Moore’s portrayal of an older Princess Beatrice is flawless, her expressionism through facial expression and dance is amazing and enrapturing. You completely emphasis with all the emotions that she is going through.

Miki Akuta as young Princess Beatrice echoes Pippa seamlessly, she is equally apt with the mirrored movements when dancing along side and with Pippa.

Abigail Prudames’ vast ability to portray a multitude of emotions is incredible. She portrays a whole life of highs and lows with such realism that you feel like you are going through the extreme events with her in real time.

The score is written to mirror the emotions and the orchestra played superb throughout. The thoughtful accents to mirror small actions such as Beatrice writing in her diary do not go unnoticed.

This is a strong show all round. Whether you are a seasoned ballet goer or a newbie like me this enrapturing display cannot be missed.

Leeds Playhouse – until 28April 2019

Reviewed by Sally Richmond

5*****

Around the World in Eighty Days, based on the famous novel by Jules Verne, is primarily set in Victorian England and is the story of Phileas Fogg, an eccentric toff, who takes a wager that he will be able to go around the world in eighty days. The spirit of adventure was bubbling high at the turn of the century and so with his valet Passepartout, Fogg sets off using all forms of transport available to him within the era. What ensues is a fast-moving frolic of a show filled with madcap mayhem. It is brought to us by four outstanding actors (Darren Kuppan, Joe Alessi, Robert Pickavance and Dan Parr) who give it their all with highly energetic and lively performances from start to finish.

Some outstanding moments were during the train sequence which is a really well crafted set piece, that contains vaudeville performances with extremely funny laugh-out-loud slapstick moments due to perfect comic timing. Another spectacular and theatrical scene is set on a boat in a storm and it really showcases the broad range of skills the actors possess; as we go from playful childlike humour to something more serious.

The set is simple yet effective and it allows us to really appreciate how the actors use their bodies within such a small space to produce carefully controlled movements, bringing the colourful and exciting journey of our protagonist, Fogg, to life. The gifted and talented actors switch between scenes and characters seamlessly and really bring the novel to life whilst making the audience roar with laughter.

I promise you, this show will not disappoint and is one that all the family will enjoy as it is bursting energy and creativity. There was a wide range of ages at the performance I was lucky enough to attend and looking around the room, at an audience of both young and old, all had expressions of sheer delight on their faces.

GHOST STORIES EXTENDS RUN

UNTIL SATURDAY 18 MAY 2019

AT THE LYRIC HAMMERSMITH

****

‘An exquisitely eerie evening’

The Times

****

‘This show is a bona fide crowdpleaser… It is, if anything, even more impressive this time around’

WhatsOnStage

Following critical acclaim and public demand the Lyric Hammersmith are delighted to announce thatAndy Nyman and Jeremy Dyson’s worldwide cult phenomenon, Ghost Stories, will extend its run at the theatre until Saturday 18 May 2019. Tickets for the extension are available to purchase now and start from £15.

WARNING. Please be advised that Ghost Stories contains moments of extreme shock and tension. The show is unsuitable for anyone under the age of 15. We strongly advise those of a nervous disposition to think very seriously before attending.

Are you brave enough to book?

Full cast includes Garry Cooper, Simon Lipkin, Preston Nyman and Richard Sutton.

CREATIVE TEAM

Written by                   Jeremy Dyson and Andy Nyman

Directed by                  Jeremy Dyson, Andy Nyman and Sean Holmes

Associate Director       Joe Murphy

Designed by                Jon Bausor

Lighting by                   James Farncombe

Sound by                     Nick Manning

Special Effects by       Scott Penrose

Twitter/ Facebook / Instagram / website 
#LivingDeadLondon

Aria Entertainment and Senbla, by special arrangement with Samuel French Ltd, present George A. Romero’s
NIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD™ LIVE
Written by Christopher Bond, Dale Boyer and Trevor Martin 
Created by Christopher Harrison and Phil Pattison 
 

• NIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD LIVE™ EXTENDS TO 8 JUNE AT PLEASANCE, LONDON
   
• THE PRODUCTION PLAYS HOMAGE TO THE 1968 FILM WITH A MONOCHROME SET AND DESIGN AND OFFERS AUDIENCES SEATING OPTIONS IN THE ‘SPLATTER ZONES’ OR ‘SUPPOSEDLY SAFE ZONES’ 
   
• THE ONLY STAGE ADAPTATION OFFICIALLY AUTHORISED BY THE ROMERO ESTATE, PRESENTED BY ARIA ENTERTAINMENT AND SENBLA

Night of the Living Dead™ Live has announced that it will extend to 8 June, playing a total of nine weeks at Pleasance, London, with opening night for press on 16 April. The first ever UK stage adaptation and the only officially authorised production based on George A. Romero’s cult zombie classic is directed by Benji Sperring (The Toxic Avenger: The Musical; Shock Treatment, Valley Of Song) and produced by Katy Lipson for Aria Entertainment and Ollie Rosenblatt for Senbla. Production images are now available to download in the link above.

This new adaptation of Night of the Living Dead™ will be played out on a monochrome set paying homage to the 1968 classic and featuring all the iconic scenes along with an entirely new journey for the beloved characters from the farmhouse in the second act. A loving, comedic tribute to the world-renowned zombie film, this production skirts the line between the horrific and the hysterical, culminating in a frightening and funny night out. Audiences can choose to get amongst the gore in one of the special ‘Splatter Zones’ or those who prefer to keep zombies at arm’s length can opt for seating in the ‘Supposedly Safe Zones’.  

1960s, rural Pennsylvania. Six strangers, a lonely farmhouse, surrounded by zombies – what could possibly go wrong? Who will make it out alive?

Night of the Living Dead™ Live had its world premiere in Toronto in 2013 and is the only officially authorised stage production endorsed by the Romero Estate which will come to the UK for the first time this spring.

The production stars Ashley Samuels (Ben), recently seen in Fun Home at the Young Vic andMotown the Musical in the West End, in the iconic role of the protagonist, with Jennifer Harding(Helen/Judy) who was named Hello Magazine’s Rising Star of 2018 and received multi-award nominations for her role in The Clockmaker’s Daughter, Marc Pickering  (Harry) best known for playing the young Sheriff Enoch Thompson in Sky Atlantic’s Boardwalk Empire, Mari McGinlay(Barbra) winner of the Young Scottish Musical Theatre Performer of the Year Award, Mike Bodie(Chief McClelland) who has starred in The Comedy About a Bank Robbery and is a creator and founding member of Mischief Theatre, and Tama Phethean (Tom) previously seen at The Globe inThe Great Duke of Florence and The False One.

First seen in 1968, Night of the Living Dead™ is widely regarded as one of the most iconic and influential releases of all time. Previously dominated by Hammer horror, George A. Romeroradically redefined the genre of the modern horror film introducing zombies as a social construct in his seminal 1968 movie. His influence is still felt today spawning countless zombie films and series such as Sean of the Dead and The Walking Dead. Now, more than 50 years on, the story of Night of the Living Dead™ remains as relevant as ever through its exploration of race, class division and America’s national identity.

Night of the Living Dead™ Live, based on the film by George A. Romero, is co-produced by award-winning producer Katy Lipson for Aria Entertainment and Ollie Rosenblatt for Senblaby special arrangement with Samuel French Ltd. It is written by Christopher Bond, Dale Boyerand Trevor Martin and created by Christopher Harrison and Phil Pattison.  The production is directed by Benji Sperring, designed by Diego Pitarch with lighting design by Nic Farman,soundscape design by Samuel West, sound design by James Nicholson and Paul Gavin, and casting by Jane Deitch. 

Tickets on sale at www.LivingDeadLondon.com

The Royal Exchange Theatre, Manchester- until 25th May 2019

Reviewed by Joseph Everton.

5*****

West Side Story is a ground-breaking adaptation of Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet, modernised to replace Montagues and Capulets with Puerto Rican Sharks and White American Jets. Renowned for its brilliant Leonard Bernstein music with Sondheim lyrics, West Side Story blends together bebop, latino and operatic musical styles in a clash of cultures, to create a story of gang warfare, fuelled by racism, with a foot tapping musicality. This modern production, directed by Sarah Frankcom, made use of the incredible Royal Exchange space, a three-tiered structure and largest theatre in the round in the country, set within and cocooned by a beautiful grade II listed building. On the ground level, the audience were almost immersed by the performance, with actors thundering down surrounding steps, with an all-too-relevant clash of knives close enough to have you leaning back in your seat.

The story? Maria (Gabriela Garcia), a Puerto Rican immigrant to the States, is to be matched with Chino (Manuel Pacific) whom she is underwhelmed by. In a war-like climate, Maria meets Tony (Andy Coxon), a former member of the Jets, and they fall in love. Their love was as believable as it was beautiful to watch, both actors excelling vocally and each appearing to genuinely quite like the other. Maria’s brother Bernardo (Fernando Mariano), leader of the Puerto Rican Sharks, skin suitably adorned with religious iconography, forbids the match and, within 24 hours, the rival gangs clash with devastating results. The Shakespearian story, originally set in Verona, set in Manhattan for West Side Story and later dropped into a fictional Verona Beach in America for Baz Luhrmann’s movie remake, could easily be played out on the streets of London or a hundred cities around the globe, making the story line as fresh and relevant as ever.

The music, played by an orchestra tucked away in a hidden booth but feeling as though they may have been seated with the audience, was accompanied by some outstanding, modern choreography by Aletta Collins and probably the highlight of an excellent show. The cast, highly skilled in dance, brought incredible energy and aggression to the Gym scene and, later, the rumble under the highway which contrasted sharply with the beautiful moments of tenderness shared by Garcia’s Maria and Coxon’s Tony. The former delighting with her stunning operatic style.

NUFFIELD SOUTHAMPTON THEATRES ANNOUNCES COMMISSION OF NEW PLAY ABOUT SOUTHAMPTON PUB – THE HOBBIT

With Peter Morgan’s The Audience opening next month, Samuel Hodges, director of Nuffield Southampton Theatres today announces the company will be commissioning a new play about local pub, The Hobbit and its legal battle with a Hollywood film company over copyright infringement which began in 2012.

Sir Ian McKellen, who alongside Stephen Fry spoke out in support of the pub in 2012, marked the announcement with a surprise visit to the establishment on Wednesday 10 April while he was visiting Southampton on his UK tour, Ian McKellen on Stage.

Samuel Hodges, said today, “With Tolkien’s masterpiece interrogating the battle between disadvantaged man and the things the world throws at him, this is life imitating art in both senses of the phrase, and a brilliant premise for a new play. As we have over the last year with The Shadow Factory and SS Mendi, we want to continue to celebrate and share local stories with our audiences and it was very special to have Sir Ian’s support on his visit to Southampton.”

The company’s Autumn Season includes New Wolsey Theatre’s One Man Two Guvnors produced in association with Nuffield Southampton Theatres, which following a run at New Wolsey Theatre in September, opens at the NST Campus on 1 October and runs until 12 October. The Royal Lyceum Theatre Edinburgh in co-production with Birmingham Repertory Theatre, Bristol Old Vic, Northern Stage, Nuffield Southampton Theatres and Oxford Playhouse present Tron Theatre Company and Blood of the Young’s Pride and Prejudice* (*Sort Of). The production tours the UK from September 2019 and opens at NST City on 16 March until 28 March 2020.

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

STEPHEN MANGAN

and

KARA TOINTON

 in
The Man in the White Suit

Adapted for the stage 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 STUDIO CANAL

Directed by Sean Foley

Designed by Michael Taylor

• SEAN FOLEY ADAPTS AND DIRECTS THE EALING COMEDY CLASSIC FOR THE WORLD PREMIERE STAGE PRODUCTION WHICH WILL STAR STEPHEN MANGAN AND KARA TOINTON
• THE PRODUCTION WILL PLAY A LIMITED SEASON AT THEATRE ROYAL BATH AS PART OF ITS 2019 SUMMER SEASON FROM SEPTEMBER 5TH – 21ST, PRIOR TO OPENING AT WYNDHAMS THEATRE IN PREVIEW FROM SEPTEMBER 26TH WITH AN OPENING NIGHT OF OCTOBER 8TH
• TICKETS ARE NOW ON SALE

Producers today announced that a stage adaptation by Sean Foley of the classic Ealing Studios comedy The Man in the White Suit, will play a three week season at Theatre Royal Bath, prior to receiving its world premiere at Wyndhams Theatre in preview from September 26th with an opening night of October 8th. The production will be directed by Sean Foley and will starStephen Mangan as Sidney Stratton and Kara Tointon as Daphne Birnley. Set and costume design will be by Michael Taylor.

The 1951 iconic EALING comedy 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).

When Sidney Stratton, played by Stephen Mangan, 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 (Kara Tointon) the mill owner’s daughter, shows Stratton any sympathy as his world gradually falls apart before he finally finds love and a new idea.  

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.

WWW.MOUSETRAPONTOUR.COM

Adam Spiegel and Stephen Waley-Cohen present
THE MOUSETRAP TOUR

• SUSAN PENHALIGON JOINS THE UK TOUR OF AGATHA CHRISTIE’S RECORD-BREAKING MURDER MYSTERY THE MOUSETRAP AS MRS BOYLE FROM 15 JULY 2019 – 16 NOVEMBER 2019
   
• THE LEGENDARY WHODUNNIT CONTINUES ON AN EXTENSIVE TOUR OF THE UK WITH FURTHER DATES TO BE ANNOUNCED THROUGHOUT 2020 
   
• THE RECORD-BREAKING RUN CONTINUES IN THE WEST END AT THE ST MARTIN’S THEATRE

Television star Susan Penhaligon (Bouquet of Barbed Wire, A Fine Romance, Emmerdale) will join the cast of Agatha Christie’s legendary whodunnit as Mrs Boyle this summer as it continues on a major UK tour. Susan Penhaligon will take over the role from Gwyneth Strong (Only Fools and Horses) from 15 July at Malvern Festival Theatre through to and including Birmingham Alexandra Theatre until 16 November 2019. Directed by Gareth Armstrong, the timeless thriller returned to the road by popular demand in January 2019 and has been earning standout reviews from critics and public alike as it continues to visit more than 40 venues, travelling the length and breadth of the country.  

The Mousetrap has been delighting audiences for 67 years and the identity of the murderer remains theatre’s best kept secret. This is the second major national tour of the smash hit murder mystery following a record-breaking 60th anniversary debut in 2012.

Susan Penhaligon (Mrs Boyle) is well-known for her role in the ITV drama Bouquet of Barbed Wire, and for playing Helen Barker in the ITV sitcom A Fine Romance. She also played Jean Hope in UK soap Emmerdale. She has toured the UK extensively with stage productions including The Importance of being Earnest, Cabaret, Rehearsal for Murder, And Then There Were None, The Constant Wife, Verdict and Dangerous Obsessions. Stage credits also include Caste (Finborough Theatre), Murder on Air (Theatre Royal Windsor), Broken Glass (West Yorkshire Playhouse), The Compliant Love (Palace Theatre) and The Cherry Orchard (Royal Exchange). Susan has also appeared on film in Top Dog, Citizen Versus Kane, Say that You Love Me, Say Hello to Yesterday and Private Road.

The full cast includes David Alcock (Mr Paravicini), Geoff Arnold (Detective Sgt. Trotter), Nick Biadon (Giles Ralston), Lewis Chandler (Christopher Wren), John Griffiths (Major Metcalf), Harriett Hare (Mollie Ralston) and Saskia Vaigncourt-Strallen (Miss Casewell).

The Mousetrap is playing at Coventry Belgrade Theatre this week with Gwyneth Strong scheduled to continue in the role of Mrs Boyle in the following venues: Crawley Hawth, Darlington Hippodrome, Exeter Northcott, Salford Lowry, York Grand Opera House, Edinburgh Playhouse, Liverpool Empire, Southend Palace, Nottingham Theatre Royal, Bristol Hippodrome, Stoke Regent, Brighton Theatre Royal and Norwich Theatre Royal. Susan Penhaligon is scheduled to perform from 15 July at Malvern Festival followed by Blackpool Grand, Barnstaple Queens, Bournemouth Pavilion, Llandudno Venue Cymru, Milton Keynes, Woking New Victoria, Torquay Princess, Dartford Orchard, Eastbourne Devonshire Park, Cardiff New Theatre, Chesterfield Pomegranate, Portsmouth Kings, Windsor Theatre Royal, Glasgow Theatre Royal, Peterborough New Theatre and Birmingham Alexandra. Further venues to be announced in due course.

First seen in Nottingham in 1952 starring Richard Attenborough and his wife Sheila Sim, The Mousetrap went on to become the world’s longest running stage production following its West End transfer to The Ambassadors in 1952 and St Martins in 1973 where it has played ever since, continuing a record-breaking run with over 27,500 performances in London so far. The beloved murder mystery returns to the road following the success of the first ever UK tour in 2012.

The Mousetrap continues its open-ended run at St. Martin’s Theatre, London.

Underbelly Festival – until 5 May 2019

Reviewed by Adam Craddock

4****

As an actor training in musical theatre I was at first a bit sceptical about taking up the offer to review A Simple Space at the Underbelly Festival. I didn’t feel that it was necessarily in my skill set and what I’d strive to see. But then the memories of that childish amazement that I felt the last time I went to a circus came flooding back and I bit our organisers hand off to get this show.

A Simple Space sees the cast of “Gravity and Other Myths” take on a series of death defying stunts all for our simple amusement. From a skipping rope strip off to human pyramids, base jumping onto each other’s backs to doing a Rubik’s cube while stood on your head, this show was, as it says, beautifully simple yet utterly awe inspiring. The whole cast were absolutely phenomenal but I do have to give a couple of special shout-outs. Simon McClure’s natural stage presence is absolutely fantastic, he really drew me in with just with how much he was enjoying what he was doing himself. Andre Augustus also excelled in this field, and his banter with the audience was a real highlight for me as this really helped draw us in and make us feel at ease. Annalise Moore and Ashleigh Pearce also deserve credit for their work as the flyers, making us feel at ease with their obvious danger.

In conclusion, I could not recommend this show more highly! If you are looking for a good night to enjoy with the family, come see A Simple Space while tickets are still out!