Announcing the third Thunder Girl

Coleen Nolan to star as ‘Anita’ in The Thunder Girls which will preview at The Lowry Tue 24 – Sat 28 September. 

One more leading British actress to be announced

Coleen Nolan is announced as the third star to be cast in the all-female world premiere preview of The Thunder Girls. Coleen will star alongside Coronation Street’s Beverley Callard and West End’s All About Jamie star, Mina Anwar.

‘The Thunder Girls’ is a true celebration of women.  All four of The Thunder Girls actresses are over 50, one of the most under-represented demographics in the UK entertainment industry.  The show has a female writer, female producer and female director and all from working class roots – another area which is under represented in mainstream media. 

The debut play by Melanie Blake is an adaptation from her first novel of the same name which will be released by Pan Macmillan this summer. The week long premiere preview will run at The Lowry, Salford on Tue 24 – Sat 28 September.

Coleen Nolan takes on the role of Anita, a former pop star who has been in hiding for over thirty years since an international tabloid scandal left her humiliated and tired of the fame game.  Anita’s grudges over the injustice of her downfall have been left to fester for decades and she has a major axe to grind.  When she returns for the reunion dinner showdown from hell, her former band mates will find she is a very different woman from the girl they knew 30 years ago.  If Anita finds out anyone is trying to rip her off or mislead her again, there will be hell to pay.

Coleen Nolan said: “I’ve been lucky enough to have been offered several West End shows as well as tours over my career, but never felt ready to take on my first official acting role until I read The Thunder Girls.  To be cast in the first line-up of The Thunder Girls with such amazing actresses is a dream come true.

“I’ve lived and breathed the ups and downs of girl band life and I knew as soon as I read the script that this is the real deal. The audience will love this show!  It’s like the ultimate sneak peak behind the velvet curtain of showbiz and what really can go on behind closed doors – to say it’s explosive would be an understatement! The Thunder Girls is a bit like the Christmas day episode of a soap when you wait all year for someone to get their comeuppance!  It starts off at a hundred miles an hour and doesn’t stop until the curtain comes down.

“I’ve always had terrible stage fright and never had the confidence to star in a play before but I feel I can do ‘Anita’ justice because I can draw on my past to play her.  I’m also incredibly inspired by the fact that this play has created roles for women who are fabulous over 50.  I am nervous, but Anita was just too delicious to turn down – I can’t wait to play her!”

‘The Thunder Girls’ follows an ‘80s girl group reuniting 30 years after greed, envy and egos tore their friendship and the band apart. The play focuses on what goes on during the night from hell when lead singer Chrissie tries to reunite the band she dumped. Chrissie is desperate to salvage herself from bankruptcy after being conned out of her fortune by her toy boy husband.  But is there a fee which can heal the wounds?  Or maybe some friendships never die, even if you want them to?

They say write about what you know, and as one of the UK’s most powerful music managers, Melanie has lived and breathed The Thunder Girls. Melanie came from nothing but was inspired by Jackie Collins’ books and ‘80s television to believe that she could become whoever she wanted to be.  She started her career at Top of the Pops working with the biggest names in showbiz from Destiny’s Child to The Spice Girls and went on to become a music manager to some of the biggest names in pop.

Angela Squire, Producer, said: “We are thrilled that Coleen Nolan has chosen The Thunder Girls as her first ever acting role and this is a real testament to the script. Coleen has lived this story and her experience adds to the truth and authenticity of the piece.”

Melanie Blake said: “To be returning to my home city 25 years since I left with my debut play premiering at The Lowry is an honour and a privilege – and proof that dreams really can come true. It’s taken nearly two decades to bring The Thunder Girls play and book to the public and I can’t wait to come home and see the audiences’ reaction to this strong female narrative. It’s time we saw more strong female leads in theatre and my play is about four incredibly powerful and empowered women and I can’t wait to see it staged in Salford.”

Listings Information
The Thunder Girls
Dates: Tue 24 – Sat 28 September
Times: 8pm. Wed & Sat 2pm.
Tickets: £20.50 – £28.50
Website

TALL STORIES

IN ASSOCIATION WITH

KENNY WAX FAMILY ENTERTAINMENT

PRESENTS

THE GRUFFALO

LIVE ON STAGE

MONSTROUS FUN IN THE WEST END THIS SUMMER!

AT THE LYRIC THEATRE, SHAFTESBURY AVENUE

FOR A STRICTLY LIMITED WEST END RUN

FROM 3 JULY TO 8 SEPTEMBER 2019

Celebrating the 20^th birthday of the much-loved picture book, Tall Stories’ hit musical adaptation THE GRUFFALO live on stagereturns, with a UK tour and limited ten-week West End season at The Lyric Theatre, Shaftesbury Avenue from Wednesday 3 July to Sunday 8 September 2019.

THE GRUFFALO written by Julia Donaldson and illustrated by Axel Scheffler, published by Macmillan Children’s Book in 1999, was adapted for the stage by Tall Stories in 2001 and has since been delighting audiences around the world. Founded by Artistic Directors Olivia Jacobs and Toby Mitchell, Tall Stories’ other productions include ‘Wilde Creatures’, ‘The Canterville Ghost’, ‘The Gruffalo’s Child’, ‘Emily Brown and The Thing’, ‘The Snail and The Whale’, ‘The Snow Dragon’ and ‘Room on the Broom’.

Join Mouse on a daring adventure through the deep, dark wood. Searching for hazelnuts, Mouse meets the cunning Fox, the eccentric old Owl and the high-spirited Snake. Will the story of the terrifying Gruffalo save Mouse from ending up as dinner for these hungry woodland creatures? After all, there is no such thing as a Gruffalo – is there?

Expect songs, laughs and monstrous fun for children aged 3 and up and their grown-ups!

The cast of ‘THE GRUFFALO’live on stage includes Jake Addley as ‘Predators’; Rebecca Newman as ‘Mouse’,Elliot Rodriguez as ‘the Gruffalo’ and Ashley Sean-Cook as Understudy / Assistant Stage Manager.

Toby Mitchell directs the current cast of ‘THE GRUFFALO’live on stage. The creative team includes: Co-Artistic Director Olivia Jacobs, Co-Artistic Director Toby Mitchell,Designer Isla Shaw, Puppet Designer Yvonne Stone, Composers Jon Fiber & Andy Shaw of Jolly Good Tunes and Lighting Designer James Whiteside

Roll up, roll up!

New shows on sale at Birmingham Hippodrome 

The Gruffalo, On Your Feet! and Circus 1903

On sale to Birmingham Hippodrome Friends and Patrons scheme members now.

General on sale at 2pm today.

Continuing their 120^th anniversary celebrations, Birmingham Hippodrome have announced three new productions for 2019, all visiting the theatre for the very first time.

Tickets are now on sale to Birmingham Hippodrome Friends and Patrons members for The Gruffalo, On Your Feet! and Circus 1903 – general booking opens at 2pm today, 27 Mar. These three productions are also joined by a one night only appearance from comedy legend, Ben Elton.

The Gruffalo (25 & 26 Jun) is Tall Stories’ magical, musical adaptation of the classic picture book by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler. The production is packed full of songs, laughs and monstrous fun for children aged 3 and up and their grown-ups.

The Broadway and West End production of the smash-hit musical, On Your Feet! (3-7 Sep) charts the inspiring true love story of Emilio and Gloria Estefan and their journey from Cuba, to the streets of Miami and finally onto international superstardom. This exhilarating musical features some of the most iconic pops songs of the era, including Rhythm Is Gonna Get You, Conga, Get On Your Feet, Don’t Want To Lose You Now and 1-2-3.

Celebrating the Hippodrome’s roots as a circus 120 years ago, Circus 1903 (25 Oct-2 Nov) rolls into Birmingham for the October half term. Featuring sensational life-sized elephants created by puppeteers from War Horse, this stunning show puts elephants back in the ring as never before. The circus also boasts a huge cast of jaw-dropping and dangerous acts from across the globe including acrobats, contortionists, trapeze and high wire performers, transporting you to the mesmerising Golden Age of circus.

For the first time in 15 years, Ben Elton will bring his brand-new UK tour to Birmingham Hippodrome on 14 Nov. Elton’s new tour promises to be a belly laughter-filled night, as he tries to make sense of the current state of the world.

Tickets are now on sale to Birmingham Hippodrome Friends and Patrons members and general booking opens at 2pm today, 27 Mar. To book tickets visit birminghamhippodrome.com or call 0844 338 5000 (4.5p per minute plus your phone company’s access charge). 

FULL CAST ANNOUNCED FOR DAMSEL PRODUCTIONS WORLD PREMIÈRE OF TABITHA MORTIBOY’S

THE AMBER TRAP

Damsel Productions presents

The World Première of

THE AMBER TRAP

By Tabitha Mortiboy

Theatre503

24April – 18 May

Damsel Productions today announces the full cast for the world première of Tabitha Mortiboy’s The Amber Trap, directed by Hannah Hauer-King. Jenny Bolt (Jo)joins Fanta Barrie (Hope), Misha Butler (Michael) and Olivia Rose Smith (Katie) completes the cast. The production opens on 29 April at Theatre503, with previews from 24 April and runs until 18 May.

“Some bones are like ice. They’re weaker than you’d think.”

Katie and her girlfriend Hope work at their local corner shop, where the days pass in quiet, comfortable rhythms. For Katie, the little shop is a sanctuary. A place where she can hold onto Hope without anybody watching.  But when new employee Michael arrives, the sands start to shift and the air begins to thicken.

Producing their fifth UK première, female led theatre company Damsel Productions presents The Amber Trap, a chilling portrait of craving and control.

Tabitha Mortiboy began her writing career at Bristol Old Vic’s Open Sessions scheme. Her writing credits include Billy Through the Window (The Wardrobe Theatre/Edinburgh Fringe, Udderbelly), Beacons (Park Theatre) and Bare Skin on Briny Waters (Edinburgh Fringe).

Fanta Barrie plays Hope. Her theatre credits include The Cereal Café (The Other Palace) and Songlines(Assembly, Roxy).

Jenny Bolt plays Jo. Her theatre credits include Electra (Old Vic), A Long Way From Home (Tricycle Theatre), Dark Tourism and The Last Room I Checked (Arcola Theatre).

Misha Butler plays Michael. His theatre credits include Jess and Joe Forever (Stephen Joseph Theatre) and The Winslow Boy (UK tour).

Olivia Rose Smith plays Katie. Her theatre credits include Conditionally (Soho Theatre) and Tiger Country (Hampstead Theatre).

Hannah Hauer-King is a London based theatre director; her work lies primarily in new writing, adaptation and narratives with female-drive and/or LGBTQ themes. Her theatre credits include The Funeral Director (Southwark Playhouse and UK tour 2019), Fabric. Fury (Soho Theatre), Grotty, Breathe (Bunker Theatre), Revolt. She Said. Revolt Again (RCSSD), Clay (Pleasance Theatre), Witt ‘n Camp (Edinburgh Fringe, Assembly Rooms), Dry Land (Jermyn Street Theatre), Hypernormal (Vaults Festival),and Dead Playwright (ORL Theatre). Associate credits include Romeo and Juliet (Shakespeare’s Globe), Radiant Vermin (Soho Theatre) and Daytona (Theatre Royal Haymarket).

Damsel Productions

Hannah Hauer-King and Kitty Wordsworth co-founded Damsel Productions in 2015 to place women’s voices centre stage. Damsel Productions hopes to be one cog in a larger and crucial movement addressing both the misrepresentation and under-representation of women in theatre. The idea is simple: to bring together women directors, producers, designers and all other creatives to breathe life into scripts exclusively written by women. Damsel Productions aim to provoke, inspire and entertain with true and honest representations of the female experience. Critically successful productions include the UK première of Ruby Rae Spiegel’s Dry Land (Jermyn Street Theatre), Izzy Tennyson’s Brute (Soho Theatre), Phoebe Eclair-Powell’s Fury (Soho Theatre), Izzy Tennyson’s Grotty (The Bunker) and Abi Zakarian’s Fabric (Soho Theatre & London community centre Tour). Damsel also recently produced London’s first ever all women directing festival Damsel Develops at The Bunker.

www.damselproductions.co.uk

@DamselProd

#503AmberTrap

ACTING FOR OTHERS ANNOUNCES

RECORD FUNDS DISTRIBUTED IN 2018

Theatrical charity, Acting for Others today announces a record amount of funds distributed in 2018. Through its 15 member charities Acting for Others has shared £340,000 to those in the industry most in need.

These funds were raised through bucket collections across UK theatres and a variety of events over the course of last year including One Night Only which returns later this year.

William Differ, co-Chairman of Acting for Others, said today, “Acting for Others and the 15 combined theatrical charities have been able to distribute record funds this year £340,000 to those within the profession in most need. Thank you to all our supporters and with your continued support.”

The next fundraising event hosted by Acting for Others will be the inaugural West End Flea Market, which will host a variety of stalls with showstopping goodies including signed posters, props and photos of some of the West End’s favourite performers. The pop-up event takes place on Saturday 18 May 2019 at St Paul’s Church, Covent Garden.

The Carole King Songbook: World Premiere comes to Yeadon Town Hall

The Carole King Songbook
Yeadon Town Hall
13th, 14th and 15th June, 7.30pm (Press night: 13th June)
Tickets £15

Carole King is one of the world’s greatest songwriting legends, having
penned and performed classic tunes as well as being the genius behind
several other artists’ hits.

This June, her talents are being celebrated in a brand new musical revue show, The Carole King Songbook. The two-hour adventure explores Carole King’s fascinating musical journey, so audiences can expect hit after hit.

The Carole King Songbook will feature classics such as “Beautiful”, “(You
Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman”, “The Loco-Motion”, “He’s Sure The Boy I Love”, “Take Good Care Of My Baby”, “Up On The Roof”, “You’ve Got A Friend” and “One Fine Day”.

The small cast of leading vocalists and musicians provide an intimate and original show to take on other well-known Jukebox-style musicals. The concert-style musical puts heavy focus on Carole King’s music, including her work for artists such as The Drifters and Neil Sedaka.

Jamie Hudson, Producer of the show, said: “Carole King’s music is very much still treasured by all ages today. Those who don’t think they’re familiar with Carole King’s music will be surprised by how many tunes in the show they recognise. Her songs are timeless and The Carole King Songbook recognises and celebrates that.”

The show will also include video projection and multi-media technology, providing an intriguing visual element to the show.

The Carole King Songbook is the first original production from Yeadon Town Hall. The building was recently taken over by Yeadon Town Hall CIC from Leeds City Council, and this new production signifies a great step forward for the venue – providing professional theatre to the local and wider community

The world premiere of the show will take place at Yeadon Town Hall from 13th-15th June, before embarking on a UK tour in the summer of 2019. There are also plans to continue the tour throughout 2020.

Jamie continued: “We’re delighted to be taking this original production on tour, showing the talents of Yeadon Town Hall and really putting the venue’s name on the map. As we continue restoring and regenerating the building, we hope to also grow our reputation both locally and nationally.”

For more information and to book tickets, visit www.yeadontownhall.co.uk or contact Box Office on 0333 666 33 66.

Cast and creative team soon to be announced.

RED RIDING HOOD AT CITY VARIETIES MUSIC HALL

“But Grandmother! What big ears you have,” said Little Red Riding Hood as she edged closer to the bed. “All the better to hear… the talented actor-musicians at the City Varieties Rock ‘n’ Roll Panto my dear,” replied the wolf.

City Varieties Music Hall is pleased to announce that Red Riding Hood will get the Rock ‘n’ Roll Pantomimetreatment for 2019.

Leeds audiences are invited to pick up their wicker baskets, throw on their red hooded capes and skip on down to the famous music hall for the now legendary festive treat that is a hit with children and adults alike.

“Our Rock ’n’ Roll Pantos have been extremely popular since they were first introduced in 2011,” says Ian Sime, General Manager at City Varieties. “They have grown year on year and have now become a Christmas tradition for families in Leeds and beyond. Red Riding Hood is a brand-new production from the enchanted pen of Peter Rowe and we are very excited to showcase it at The Varieties.”

A very different format to the traditional Christmas pantomime, Rock ’n’ Roll Pantomimes mix traditional elements of audience participation and corny gags with a jukebox full of classic rock anthems and chart-toppers – all performed live on stage by an ultra-talented cast of actor-musicians. Be sure to keep your wits about you though, or you may just get rocked by the legendary Boulder Battle!

“One of the secrets of its success lies with its cast of actor-musicians who waste no time in developing a great rapport with the audience in the intimate atmosphere of this historic old theatre. Full of audience participation you can cheer the goodies, hiss the baddie and shout until you are hoarse and that’s what pantomime is all about.” (YORKSHIRE EVENING POST – Aladdin, 2017).

Red Riding Hood the Rock ‘N’ Roll Pantomime is at City Varieties Music Hall from Friday 29 November 2019 to Sunday 12 January 2020. Tickets go on general sale on Monday 1 April 2019.

Tickets are priced from £14

(Prices include a 60p levy. Where applicable, a £1 charge for postage will also be payable.)

Book online at cityvarieties.co.uk or call Box Office on 0113 243 08 08.

THE NATIONAL THEATRE’S 18 VENUE UK AND IRELAND TOUR OF MACBETH SEES A TOTAL ATTENDANCE OF MORE THAN 132,000 PEOPLE, WITH 35% OF AUDIENCES BOOKING FOR THE FIRST TIME AND MORE THAN 700 SCHOOLS BOOKING A TOTAL OF 38,000 TICKETS

718 schools attended the tour, booking a total of 38,000 tickets

35% of total bookings were sold to first time bookers across 18 venues

Macbeth broke multiple records at Wolverhampton Grand Theatre, with record attendance amongst young people and a total of 6,500 audience members attending the production during the week – the largest audience for a Shakespeare title in the theatre’s recorded history

As the 18 venue UK and Ireland tour of the National Theatre’s production of Macbeth, directed by Rufus Norris, draws to an end, the NT are delighted to announce the headline successes of the production. The tour saw a total attendance of 132,000 people, of which 38,000 were students from 718 individual schools. Nearly 35% of total bookings were sold to first time bookers across the touring venues.

The success of Macbeth on tour builds on the NT’s mission to make theatre for everyone, and to reach the widest possible audience, in a year which has seen a schools tour of The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time visit 65 schools around the country, as well as tours of War Horse, This House, Hedda Gabler and LOVE.

Across the tour, audience development was a core aim, with bespoke support and subsidised tickets ensuring the production welcomed more young people and audiences new to drama.

Wolverhampton Grand Theatre and The Lowry, Salford, are two of the venues participating in the NT’s Theatre Nation Partnerships programme, a three-year scheme to build local drama audiences. Both venues saw impressive attendance by new audiences, and over 400 students attended two conferences.

A wider Learning programme available throughout the country saw the NT provide training for over 200 teachers to help them explore Macbeth in their classrooms, and over 700 young people attended eight ‘Page to Stage’ events.

In Hull, the NT and Hull New Theatre worked with local community groups to create a new piece of street art inspired by the production, and with Absolutely Cultured and Back To Ours to build on the legacy of the City of Culture.

Lisa Burger, Executive Director of the National Theatre said: “We’re so pleased to have welcomed so many new audiences to our production of Macbeth over the past six months. Working alongside the venues we’ve ensured that no stone has been left unturned in our mission to reach the widest possible audience and to encourage attendance for drama around the country. We’re delighted that young audiences, in particular, have received this play with such enthusiasm. We look forward to further growing our national audiences when A Taste of Honey tours in the autumn.”

Future National Theatre tours include Home, I’m Darling at Theatre Royal, Bath (16 –20 April), The Lowry, Salford (23 – 27 April) and Theatr Clwyd, Mold (30 April – 4 May), and A Taste of Honey which will visit The Lowry, Salford from 13 – 21 September, with a press night on Friday 20 September. The tour will also visit the Kings Theatre, Edinburgh (24 – 28 September); the Marlowe Theatre, Canterbury (1 – 5 October); Richmond Theatre (7 – 12 October); Grand Opera House,Belfast (15 – 19 October); Leicester Curve (22 – 26 October); Theatre Royal, Bath (28 October – 2 November); Grand Theatre, Wolverhampton (5 – 9 November); and the Norwich Theatre Royal (12 – 16 November).

Macbeth was produced on tour by the NT. Macbeth on tour in partnership with Lloyds Bank Private Banking. Supported by the National Lottery through Arts Council England’s cross-border touring programme, The Thompson Family Charitable Trust and The Royal National Theatre Foundation.

Sheffield Lyceum – until Saturday 30th March 2019

Reviewed by Charleigh Christmas

5*****

Having listened to Green Day’s songs and albums, and already being a fan, I was particularly excited to go see this show. I can tell you it didn’t disappoint.

Built around Green Day’s American Idiot album, the story follows 3 men on a journey of self-discovery, while changing dreams, life, and a lot of drugs get in the way.

The bulk of the story was told through song and this drove the story forward, with a few scenes being dialogue only.

I thought the cast were brilliant. The commitment from each and every one of them was superb, there was no embarrassment or holding back, you felt like they put 110% into the performance.

I really felt an emotional connection to the characters. The cast are too many to name every one of them, but a couple of stand outs for me were Tom Milner, who played “Johnny”, Luke Friend “St Jimmy” and Samuel Pope “Will”. Tom Milner’s commitment to the show was evident, as he had to perform some gruelling scenes and did so with what seemed like ease. I feel Samuel Pope added some lightness to the scenes, and had really good comic timing. Luke Friend brought the raw energy and animalism to the role of “St Jimmy” that was equally disturbing and brilliant.

The choreography was amazing, and again the cast put 100% into the dance routines. Obviously I thought the songs were amazing, and I think that having the band on stage through the play was also a really great decision. They were as much part of the production as the rest of the cast.

I think the set was extraordinary, it drew me in from the start and I love how the story was able to progress across three different locations on one stage.

The ending for me was the climax to a brilliant show, the cast received a very much deserved standing ovation as they came on for their final song.

Brilliantly cast and superbly directed, I would definitely recommend this show!

Darlington Hippodrome – until 30 March 2019

3***

Tilted Wig Productions bring Oscar Wilde’s most notorious works to Darlington this week.  When originally written, the book shocked with its hedonistic and homoerotic themes. The scandal of which sent the author to jail.

In parts this is more 50 Shades, especially with one scene in the second act, when Dorian (Gavin Fowler) and Henry (Jonathan Wrather) party in a self gratifying, decadent manner.

We start the tale with Dorian being painted by Basil Hallward (Daniel Goode), Basil is in love with Dorian, he feels he can only paint when young Dorian is with him and then he produces his best work.  At a sitting, Henry meets Dorian and begins to lead him astray.

Dorian meets actress Sybil Vane (Kate Dobson) and falls in love with her, asking her to marry him after watching her perform for a few weeks.  She calls him Prince Charming and agrees to marry him. Sybil loses her ability to act the more she falls in love and Dorian only wants the perfect actress and breaks the engagement.  Heartbroken Sybil kills herself. The shock of her death sends Dorian further into the underworld of indulgence, immorality and depravity.

Whilst Wilde’s story has the premise that Gray’s portrait ages and shows his rotten and twisted soul whilst Gray himself stay eternally young.  In this version we never see a painting, instead it’s glass in a frame which starts off clear but ages and dulls with scratches and breaks as the play progresses.

With more than one suicide, seduction and murder this is a still quite a moralistic play even with today’s liberal attitudes.

In Darlington until Saturday and on tour around the UK, this is definitely one to see if you are a fan of Wilde