Hartshorn – Hook Productions, Selladoor Productions, The Watermill Theatre & Broadway Asia present

DANNY MAC COMPLETES CASTING FOR

UK PREMIERE OF 

Watermill Theatre, Newbury 11 Apr – 18 May | UK Tour 22 May – 21 Sep

West End performer, Strictly Come Dancing favourite and television actor Danny Mac has been confirmed to join the UK tour of Amélie The Musical, based on the much-loved, five-time Oscar®-nominated film. Joining previously announced French-Canadian stage and screen star Audrey Brisson as Amélie Poulain, Danny Mac will play the sweet daydreamer Nino Quincampoix from 22 May. The role of Nino will be played by Chris Jaredduring performances at The Watermill Theatre.

This beloved story of an imaginative and shy romantic with a gift for helping others, will tour the UK in a vibrant, re-conception with new orchestrations. Press night will be held on Wednesday 17 April, 7.30pm at TheWatermill Theatre in Newbury, with a gala performance at the New Wimbledon Theatre on Thursday 23 May, 7:30pm.

Amélie is the story of an astonishing young woman who lives quietly in the world, but loudly in her mind. She secretly improvises small, but extraordinary acts of kindness that bring happiness to those around her. But when a chance at love comes her way, Amélie realises that to find her own contentment she’ll have to risk everything and say what’s in her heart. Although times are hard for dreamers, Amélie is someone to believe in…

Danny Mac captured the nation’s hearts and received overwhelming support during his incredible time on flagship entertainment show Strictly Come Dancing (BBC One) in 2016, with a series of perfect scores taking him to the final. Having begun his performing career at an early age in Cameron Mackintosh’s tour of Les Miserables, he reprised the role a year later in the West End. His other theatre credits include Wicked (West End), Legally Blonde (Curve Theatre), On The Town (Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre), White Christmas(Leicester Curve) and his award-winning turn in Sunset Boulevard (UK Tour).

Audrey Brisson’s theatre credits include: The Elephantom, Pinocchio and Pericles (National Theatre), Midnight’s Pumpkin and The Wild Bride (Kneehigh), The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe (Kensington Gardens), Dead Dog in a Suitcase & Other Love Songs (Kneehigh), Romeo and Juliet (Rose Theatre, Kingston), The Flying Lovers of Vitebsk (Kneehigh), The Grinning Man (Bristol Old Vic), The Strada (UK Tour & The Other Palace). Her film credits include: Hereafter directed by Clint Eastwood and W.E. directed by Madonna. Television includes:Outlander (Amazon), Money (BBC Two). Radio includes the title role in Amy Dorrit (BBC Radio).

Chris Jared’s theatre includes: 946 US Tour (Headlong), Duchess Of Malfi (Nottingham Playhouse), 946 (Shakespeare’s Globe), The Late Henry Moss (Southwark Playhouse), Cyrano De Bergerac(Northern Stage/Royal and Derngate), Praxis Makes Perfect (National Theatre Wales), Taming Of The Shrew, All’s Well That Ends Well, As You Like It, Hamlet (Royal Shakespeare Company), A Letter From Shakespeare (Wales Theatre Company), Late At Tate (Pop Up Theatre Event), Revenger’s Tragedy(Independent Productions), Coriolanius (National Theatre Wales), Emperor and Galilean (National Theatre), Marathon (Wales Graduate Theatre Company), Much Ado About Nothing (Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre), Three Sisters (Manchester Royal Exchange). His screen credits include: Agatha Raisin (Mammoth), Robin Hood (Merry Men Films Ltd) and Limbo (Jen X Films).

The full cast also includes Oliver Grant as Lucien / Mysterious Man (War Horse – UK Tour, Twelfth Night – Chichester Festival Theatre), Samuel Morgan-Grahame as Joseph / Fluffy (Sister Act – UK Tour, All My Sons – Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre), Sioned Saunders as Gina (Sunshine on Leith -West Yorkshire Playhouse,Sleeping Beauty – Watermill Theatre), Johnson Willis as Collignon / Dufayel (Harold and Maude – Charing Cross Theatre, Dido Queen of Carthage & Salome – RSC The Swan Theatre), Caolan McCarthy as Hippolito / Elton John (The Plough and the Stars – National Theatre, The Beggar’s Opera/Alice in Wonderland – Storyhouse), Faoileann Cunningham as Georgette / Sylvia (Mary Stuart – Almeida, Ulysses – Abbey Theatre), Kate Robson-Stuart as Suzanne (Crazy For You – UK Tour, Untold Stories (Watermill Theatre), Josh Sneesby as Blind Beggar / Gnome (The Hypocrite & Birthday Bash – Royal Shakespeare Company, One Man, Two Guvnors – Adelphi Theatre/Theatre Royal Haymarket), Jez Unwin as Raphael / Bretodeau (Oliver – Leicester Curve, Once – Phoenix Theatre) and Rachel Dawson as Andamine / Philomene (The Jungle Book – UK Tour, A Little Night Music – The Watermill).

With music by Hem’s Daniel Messé, lyrics by Nathan Tysen and Daniel Messé and book by Craig Lucas, this new musical adaptation of the five-time Oscar®-nominated film written by Jean-Pierre Jeunet and Guillaume Laurant, will be directed by Michael Fentiman.

The original film, Le Fabuleux Destin D’Amélie Poulain, was released in 2001, starring Audrey Tautou and Matthieu Kassovitz. Taking over $33 million in a limited theatrical release, it is to date the highest-grossing French-language film released in the United States, and one of the biggest international successes for a French film. Amélie won Best Film at the European Film Awards, four César Awards in 2002 (including Best Film and Best Director), two BAFTA Awards (including Best Original Screenplay), and was nominated for five Academy Awards, including best foreign language film.

Amélie The Musical was first staged in California in 2015 and was described as an ‘enchanting act of theatrical reinvention’ (The Los Angeles Times).

When the UK tour concludes in September 2019 Amélie The Musical will tour internationally, with dates to be announced.

Amélie The Musical, is produced by Hartshorn – Hook Productions, Selladoor Productions, The Watermill Theatre and Broadway Asia.

Greenwich Theatre – until 16th March 2019

Review by Elizabeth J Smith

4****

Suicide in Young men isn’t usually a subject we want to think about let alone spend an evening contemplating it.

No Miracles Here is a musical covering this sad and emotive subject in a humorous, lively and toe tapping way.

We meet Ray, Stan Hodgson, a young man struggling with life. He has no enthusiasm for his dead end job, constantly being pulled up on being late and compared to the confident slightly sleazy top sales man Ross, Michael Blair. Ray feels there is no point in living anymore and tonight he will end his life. He is slightly derailed by his co workers inviting him to an all night dance marathon, he figures “why not” and as the night progresses he learns that all of us have issues we are dealing with and appreciating that may help each of us deal with our own problems in a more compassionate way to our selves.

The stage is set as a live band and all the characters are part of the band and they are all very accomplished musicians. We move from the office of the kitchen company where Ray works, to the dance hall where the marathon dance is taking place and you get a real sense of the exhaustion you may feel if you were dancing all night. The dance moves are slick in their simplicity and the pace of the piece has great tempo. The costumes are very much in the Northern Soul style as is the dance moves.

Ray finds that as he reconnects with others and learns that they too have their issues his decision to commit suicide is put in question.

Written by Meghan Doyle, who also plays Ida. The play is an informed and sympathetic piece of work. With reference to the Samaritans and Mind in the free programme they show a knowledge that anyone could be suffering and if you reach out it may just help you through.

“Tighten your laces, look at the band and don’t let your knees touch the dirty ground” is the anthem of the piece and just like your told when things are tough just keep putting one foot in front of the other and it will take you to a better place eventually. You leave the theatre not sad but uplifted knowing that a little love and friendship can be all it takes to change lives.

Royal & Derngate, Northampton, and New Wolsey Theatre, Ipswich, announce new musical comedy by award-winning East Midlands writers

A Royal & Derngate and New Wolsey Theatre, Ipswich, co-production
The Season
A new musical by Jim Barne & Kit Buchan

Royal & Derngate, Northampton – Friday 1 & Saturday 2 November
New Wolsey Theatre, Ipswich – Thursday 5 to Saturday 16 November
Royal & Derngate – Tuesday 19 to Saturday 30 November

Royal & Derngate, Northampton, and New Wolsey Theatre, Ipswich, have just announced their co-production of a new musical, The Season, by 2018 Stiles + Drewe Mentorship Award winners, Jim Barne and Kit Buchan, playing in Northampton and Ipswich in November.

It’s Christmas Eve and Dougal has travelled from Northampton to New York for his father’s wedding. At JFK Airport he’s greeted by Robyn. Tomorrow her sister becomes his stepmother and Robyn’s dreading it. Dougal can’t wait.

Thrown together for a wild weekend in the city that never sleeps, their adventure becomes a musical whirlwind of confession, frustration and excess. Will these two endearing misfits provide the ultimate test for the theory that opposites always attract?

This brand new romantic comedy, filled with heart-warming and hilarious songs from exciting young writers Jim Barne and Kit Buchan, is the recipient of the 2018 MTI Stiles + Drewe Mentorship Award, celebrating the very best of emerging British song-writing talent.

Jim Barne and Kit Buchan said: “We are proud and happy that The Season, the first full-length Buchan Barne musical, will be having its debut run at Royal & Derngate and New Wolsey theatres this autumn. Both theatres have been incredibly supportive and enthusiastic throughout the development process. We’ve spent the last six months workshopping The Season with Royal & Derngate and New Wolsey Ipswich, under the wing of the Stiles + Drewe mentorship programme, and we can’t wait to see Dougal and Robyn up on such well respected stages this November.”

George Stiles and Anthony Drewe added: “We are both delighted that The Season, which was the winning musical in the 3rd year of our Stiles + Drewe Mentorship Award, has been selected for a full scale production in Northampton and Ipswich later this year. Over the past 9 months we have thoroughly enjoyed working with Kit and Jim on honing their story, and it is particularly gratifying when our belief in both the writers and their musical is endorsed by two of our great regional theatres.”

James Dacre, Artistic Director of Royal & Derngate commented: “Since first seeing Kit and Jim’s work at BEAM 2018, it has been thrilling to collaborate with New Wolsey to develop these remarkable artists’ first full scale musical, which has so benefited from the mentorship of George Stiles and Anthony Drewe.” 

The cast and creative team will be announced later in the year.

The Season is a co-production in association with Glass Half Full Productions and Tim Johanson Productions, and is part of Royal & Derngate’s Made in Northampton season, which is sponsored locally by Michael Jones Jeweller.

#TheSeasonMusical

Cast of Kinky Boots meet Dudley’s school boy 
Drag Queen, Athena Heart

Athena Heart (centre) with the cast of Kinky Boots – Credit: Simon Hadley

The cast of Kinky Boots at Birmingham Hippodrome had a big welcome waiting for Dudley’s school boy Drag Queen, Athena Heart when she visited the production this week.

Last year, 14 year old Lewis Bailey, who performs as Athena Heart, was told by Castle High School and Visual Arts College in Dudley that he was not permitted to perform his drag act in the end-of-year talent show the day before it was to go ahead. The school cited that they thought the act was ‘not appropriate’ due to Lewis’s age. However, despite not being able to perform his act, Lewis still chose to attend that day’s non-school uniform day in drag as Athena.

Promoting the message of “just be who you want to be”, the cast welcomed Athena with open arms and words of encouragement as she headed backstage after watching the multi-award-winning production.

Currently playing at Birmingham Hippodrome until 23 March, Kinky Boots tells the story of Charlie Price, a young man struggling to live up to his father’s expectations and continue the family business of Price & Son. With the shoe factory’s future hanging in the balance, help arrives in the unlikely but spectacular form of Lola – a fabulous performer in need of some sturdy new stilettos.

Kinky Boots was nominated for 7 Olivier Awards during its West End run and won the award for ‘Best New Musical’. The production has now won every major Best Musical award across the globe and was seen by over 1.4 million people during its time in London alone.

Kinky Boots runs at Birmingham Hippodrome until Sat 23 March. To book tickets visit birminghamhippodrome.com or call 0844 338 5000 (4.5p per minute plus your phone company’s access charge). 

• NEW CHILDREN’S CASTING ANNOUNCED FOR THE ROYAL SHAKESPEARE COMPANY’S MATILDA THE MUSICAL
• HANNAH SELK AND ZOE SIMON JOIN ISOBEL HUBBLE AND FRANCESCA MCKEOWN IN THE TITLE ROLE FROM 19 MARCH 2019

The Royal Shakespeare Company’s West End production of Matilda The Musical has announced that Hannah Selk and Zoe Simon will join Isobel Hubble and Francesca McKeown in the title role of Matilda from 19 March 2019.

To mark the arrival of the new children’s cast, a video has been released today of the four young actresses that share the role of Matilda sampling Marcus Wareing’s new Matilda The Musical inspired menu at Tredwells restaurant.

Seen by over 9 million people across more than 70 cities worldwide, the multi award-winning production is currently playing its eighth year in London, booking at the Cambridge Theatre until 24 May 2020.

Winner of 94 international awards including 23 for Best Musical, the hit show is now the longest running production to play at the Cambridge Theatre and is one of the top twenty longest running musicals in the West End having now welcomed over 3 million audience members in London.

The RSC’s Matilda The Musical UK and Ireland tour is currently in Bradford where it’ll play until 23 March before touring to Edinburgh Playhouse (2 – 27 April), Bristol Hippodrome (7 May- 8 June), Southampton Mayflower (11 June – 6 July) and Norwich Theatre Royal (16 July – 17 August). 

The other young performers announced today join the London company in the three teams who play the roles of Bruce, Lavender, Amanda and the rest of the pupils at Crunchem Hall and are as follows:William Biletsky, Jaden Campbell, Lottie Cook, Toby Cohen, Lucia Coleman, Leonardo Dickens, Ta’niyah Fearon-Telfer, Skye Hastie, Elliot Kelly, Angelina Li, Alexander Morrell, Sophie Richards, Ava Sawford, Bella Simmons, Cameron Sutherland, Mia White and Isaac Wiles.

Toby Brandon, Tom Brown, Imogen Darwen, Darmani Eboji, Jimmy Fordham Reed, Archie Lewis, Sadie Victoria Lim and Rochelle Wyatt will continue in the roles of Bruce, Lavender, Amanda and the pupils at Crunchem Hall.

The new cast will join the current adult company which includes Hayden Tee as Miss Trunchbull,Gina Beck as Miss Honey, Rob Compton as Mr Wormwood and until 27 March Holly Dale Spencer as Mrs Wormwood. Marianne Benedict will then return to the role of Mrs Wormwood from 28 March.

The full adult cast includes Alex Louize Bird, Gina Beck, Marianne Benedict, Rob Compton, Holly Dale Spencer, Jaye Elster, Glen Facey, Alex Hammond, Peter Houston, Jessica Joslin, Bethany Kate, Sammy Kelly, Ben Kerr, Bryan Mottram, Malinda Parris, James Revell, Gemma Scholes, Simon Shorten, Hayden Tee, Callum Train and Robert Tregoning.

Matilda The Musical is written by Dennis Kelly, with music and lyrics by Tim Minchin, and direction by Matthew Warchus. The production is designed by Rob Howell, with choreography byPeter Darling, orchestrations, additional music and musical supervision by Christopher Nightingale, lighting by Hugh Vanstone, sound by Simon Baker and the special effects and illusions are by Paul Kieve.

Inspired by the incomparable Roald Dahl’s beloved book, Matilda The Musical was commissioned by the Royal Shakespeare Company and premiered at the RSC’s Stratford-upon-Avon home in November 2010, before transferring to London’s West End in October 2011, where it opened to rave reviews. The New York production of Matilda The Musical opened in April 2013 at Broadway’s Shubert Theatre and was celebrated on 10 “Top Ten” lists for 2013, including TIME Magazine’s #1 Show of the Year.

Matilda The Musical swept the board at the 2012 Olivier Awards, with a record-breaking seven awards, and won four Tony Awards and a Tony Honor for Excellence in the Theater for the four girls sharing the title role on Broadway.

The Australian and New Zealand production won a Sydney Theatre Award for Best Musical in 2015, and played sold-out seasons in Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, Adelaide and Auckland. The show broke further records in July 2016 by winning all 13 Helpmann Awards for which it was nominated. Matilda The Musical played its first non-English language production at the LG Arts Centre in Seoul, South Korea from September 2018 to February 2019.

Matilda The Musical is produced by the Royal Shakespeare Company with André Ptaszynski and Denise Wood as Executive Producers. The production was developed with the support of Jeanie O’Hare and the RSC Literary Department.

LISTINGS INFORMATION

MATILDA THE MUSICAL
Cambridge Theatre
Earlham Street
London WC2H 9HU

Tuesday – Friday 7pm
Wednesday 2pm
Saturday 2.30pm & 7.30pm
Sunday 3pm

Box Office: Cambridge Theatre 020 7087 7745 / RSC Ticket Hotline 01789 331111
No booking fee.

Booking until 24 May 2020

www.matildathemusical.com
Twitter: @MatildaMusical
Facebook: @MatildaTheMusical
Instagram: @MatildaTheMusical

Mark Goucher and Jason Donovan present
PRISCILLA, QUEEN OF THE DESERT THE MUSICAL
in association with Nullarbor Productions and MGM On Stage

Book by Stephan Elliott and Allan Scott
Directed by Paul Kerryson

Joe McFadden (Tick/Mitzi), Nick Hayes (Adam/Felicia) and Miles Western (Bernadette). Photo credit Darren Bell

• PRODUCERS MARK GOUCHER AND JASON DONOVAN ANNOUNCE EXTENSION THROUGH TO SPRING 2020
  
• JOE MCFADDEN TO STAR IN BRAND-NEW PRODUCTION OF THE CULT CLASSIC PRISCILLA, QUEEN OF THE DESERT THE MUSICAL
• PAUL KERRYSON WILL DIRECT THE SHOW WHICH WILL OPEN IN DARTFORD IN SEPTEMBER 2019 AHEAD OF A UK AND IRELAND TOU

Mark Goucher and first-time producer Jason Donovan have today announced that their brand-new production of the much-loved glittering hit musical Priscilla, Queen of the Desert the Musical will extend its UK tour dates through to 2020. The show, which was announced last year, and will star Strictly Come Dancing winner Joe McFadden, will tour the UK and Ireland from September 2019. It marks Donovan’s first time as a producer, having performed in the cast of the original West End production and two subsequent UK tours. The producing team is completed by Gavin Kalin and Matthew Gale. Priscilla, Queen of the Desert the Musical will preview in Dartford from 5 September 2019.

Full tour dates include: Dartford; Bradford; Rhyl; Milton Keynes; Wimbledon; Malvern; Blackpool; Leicester; Edinburgh; Liverpool; Inverness; Manchester; Brighton;Southampton; Plymouth; Nottingham; Dublin; Cambridge; Newcastle; Southend; Sheffield; Carlisle; Woking; Ipswich; Hull; Oxford; Birmingham; Northampton; Glasgow; Cardiff; Bristol. 

Full casting for the production has also been announced today. Previously announced Joe McFadden will play Tick/Mitzi, Laurence Olivier Award Winner Miles Western will take on the role as Bernadette and Nick Hayes will play Adam/Felicia. They are joined by Daniel Fletcher(Bob), Miranda Wilford (Marion), Kevin Yates (Miss Understanding), Jacqui Sanchez(Cynthia). The Divas will be played by Nikki Bentley, Claudia Kariuki, Rosie Glossop and the cast is completed by Jak Allen-Anderson, Natalie Chua, Emma Crossley, Jordan Cunningham, Martin Harding, Justin-Lee Jones, Nell Martin and Edwin Ray.

The iconic hit musical has more glitter than ever before, featuring a dazzling array of stunning costumes, fabulous feathers and a non-stop parade of dance-floor classics including It’s Raining Men, I Will Survive, I Love The Nightlife, Finally and many more.

Based on the Oscar-winning film, PRISCILLA is the hilarious adventure of three friends who hop aboard a battered old bus bound for Alice Springs to put on the show of a lifetime. Their epic journey is a heart-warming story of self-discovery, sassiness and acceptance. 

This brand new production comes from the team behind the critically acclaimed UK tours of Hairspray; with direction by Paul Kerryson, choreography by Tom Jackson-Greaves with designs by Phil R Daniels and Charles Cusick Smith, musical supervision by Stephen ‘Spud’ Murphy, musical direction from Sean Green, lighting design by Ben Cracknell and sound design by Ben Harrison. Casting by David Grindrod Associates.

PriscillaUKTour.com & PriscillaUKTour.co.uk 

TOURING SCHEDULE

Thursday 5 September – Saturday 14 September 2019
DARTFORD ORCHARD THEATRE
Tel: 01322 220000
Tickets now on sale

Tuesday 17 September – Saturday 21 September 2019
BRADFORD ALHAMBRA THEATRE
Tel: 01274 432000
Tickets now on sale

Monday 23 September – Saturday 28 September 2019
RHYL PAVILLION
Tel: 01745 330000
Tickets now on sale

Monday 30 September – Saturday 5 October 2019
MILTON KEYNES THEATRE
Tel: 0844 8717652
Tickets now on sale

Monday 7 October – Saturday 12 October 2019
NEW WIMBLEDON THEATRE
Tel: 0844 8717646
Tickets now on sale

Monday 14 October – Saturday 19 October 2019
MALVERN FESTIVAL THEATRE
Tel: 01684 892277
Tickets now on sale

Monday 21 October – Saturday 26 October 2019
BLACKPOOL WINTER GARDENS
Tel: 0844 8561111
Tickets now on sale

Monday 28 October – Saturday 2 November 2019
LEICESTER CURVE
Tel: 0116 2423595
Tickets now on sale

Tuesday 5 November – Saturday 9 November 2019
EDINBURGH PLAYHOUSE
Tel: 0844 8713014
Tickets now on sale

Monday 11 November – Saturday 16 November 2019
LIVERPOOL EMPIRE THEATRE
Tel: 0844 8713017
Tickets now on sale

Monday 18 November – Saturday 23 November 2019
INVERNESS EDEN COURT
Tel: 01463 234234
Tickets now on sale

Monday 25 November – Saturday 30 November 2019
MANCHESTER PALACE THEATRE
Tel: 0844 8713019
Tickets now on sale

Tuesday 17 December 2019 – Saturday 4 January 2020 
BRIGHTON THEATRE ROYAL
Tel: 0844 871 7650
Tickets now on sale

Monday 13 January – Saturday 18 January 2020
SOUTHAMPTON MAYFLOWER THEATRE
Tel: 02380 711811
Tickets now on sale

Monday 20 January – Saturday 25 January 2020
PLYMOUTH THEATRE ROYAL
Tel: 01752 267222
Tickets now on sale

Monday 27 January – Saturday 1 February 2020
NOTTINGHAM THEATRE ROYAL
Tel: 01159 895555
Tickets now on sale

Monday 3 February – Saturday 8 February 2020
BORD GÁIS ENERGY THEATRE
Tel: 01 677 7999
Tickets on sale soon

Monday 10 February – Saturday 15 February 2020
CAMBRIDGE CORN EXCHANGE
Tel: 01223 357851
Tickets now on sale

Monday 17 February – Saturday 22 February 2020
NEWCASTLE THEATRE ROYAL
Tel: 08448 112121
Tickets now on sale

Monday 24 February 2020 – Saturday 29 February 2020
SOUTHEND CLIFFS PAVILION
Tel: 01702 351135
Tickets on sale soon

Monday 2 March 2020 – Saturday 7 March 2020
SHEFFIELD LYCEUM
Tel: 01142 496000
Tickets on sale soon

Monday 9 March 2020 – Saturday 14 March 2020
CARLISLE SANDS CENTRE
Tel: 01228 633766
Tickets now on sale

Monday 16 March – Saturday 21 March 2020
WOKING NEW THEATRE
Tel: 08448 717645
Tickets now on sale

Monday 23 March – Saturday 28 March 2020
IPSWICH REGENT THEATRE
Tel: 01473 433100
Tickets now on sale

Monday 30 March – Saturday 4 April 2020
HULL NEW THEATRE
Tel: 01482 300306
Tickets on sale soon

Monday 6 April – Saturday 11 April 2020
OXFORD NEW THEATRE
Tel: 08448 713020
Tickets now on sale

Monday 13 April – Saturday 18 April 2020
BIRMINGHAM HIPPODROME
Tel: 08443 385000
Tickets on sale on 2 April

Monday 20 April – Saturday 25 April 2020
ROYAL & DERNGATE
Tel: 01604 624811
Tickets on sale soon

Tuesday 28 April – Saturday 2 May 2020
GLASGOW KING’S THEATRE
Tel: 0844 871 7648
Tickets now on sale

Tuesday 5 May – Saturday 9 May 2020
CARDIFF WALES MILLENNIUM CENTRE
Tel: 02920 636464
Tickets on sale on 25 March

Tuesday 12 May – Saturday 16 May 2020
BRISTOL HIPPODROME
Tel: 08448 713012
Tickets now on sale

Haymarket Theatre, Basingstoke – until 15th March

Review by Heather Chalkley

3***

The Director, Mary Swan, attempts to blend Shakespeare’s Macbeth with the events written in Liar’s Poker by author Michael Lewis, sticking to the original script. Liar’s Poker is based on the events that lead to black Monday on 19th October 1987. Swan is clever in her use of modern references in the old text, particularly with the amount of narcotics used! The physical use of the stripped back set manages to create just enough imagery to know whether you were in the bedroom, on the battlements or in a night club, all of which has a touch of the 80’s.

You have some strong players in the cast, particularly Alexandra Afryea as Lady Macbeth. She has a touch of Grace Jones about her, with added eloquence and emotional intelligence. It is worth seeing the play just for her performance. Danny Charles (Duncan/Macduff/Lennox) also has a clarity in his performance that Shakespeare’s script welcomes. Jessica Andrade (Malcolm, Lady Macduff/Witch/Doctor) and Umar Butt (Banquo/Witch/Ross/attendant) display an impressive range of accents and characters, moving seamlessly between each. Unfortunately, Riz Meedin (Macbeth) is not a believable stock market wise guy or Macbeth. The ruthless greed and passion do not come across in Meedin’s performance. His lines are too often mumbled and trip over themselves. As a whole, the cast needed more rehearsal time to polish their dialogue so that it matched the almost seamless physical performance.

This is an interesting experiment for Proteus, who are known for pushing the boundaries and experimenting. I have to commend them for their ingenuity and having the courage to give it a go.

Peter Polycarpou to play Sancho Panza

in the Tony Award-winning musical

MAN OF LA MANCHA

joining Kelsey Grammer, Danielle de Niese,

Nicholas Lyndhurst & Cassidy Janson

London Coliseum

Friday 26 April – Saturday 8 June 2019

It was announced today (Friday 15 March 2019) that renowned stage, film and TV performer Peter Polycarpouwill play Don Quixote’s squire, Sancho Panza in Man of the Mancha at the London Coliseum; the first West End production of this multi-Tony award-winning Broadway musical for 50 years.

Polycarpou joins the already announced cast of  Kelsey Grammer, Danielle de Niese,  Nicholas Lyndhurst and Cassidy Janson in the acclaimed musical which opens at the London Coliseum on 26 April 2019 for a limited six week season and will be performed with the ENO orchestra.

Peter is a leading artist in musical theatre, having appeared in some of this country’s most enduring West End Musicals, in plays, on film and television.  His work in musicals includes Les Miserables (on stage and in the film version with Madonna), Fagin in Olivier! and Beadle Bamford in Jonathan Kent’s triple Olivier winning production of Steven Sondheim’s Sweeney Todd at The Adelphi Theatre.  On TV he is well known for playing Chris Theodopoulopoudos in five series of the popular BBC1 comedy, Birds of a Feather.

Featuring the iconic song ‘Dream the Impossible Dream’, Man of La Mancha is inspired by Miguel de Cervantes’s masterpiece Don Quixote.  It is produced by Michael Linnit and Michael Grade, the same team who brought to the Coliseum the smash hit productions of Sweeney Todd, Sunset Boulevard, Carousel and Chess.

Emmy award winning and Tony nominated actor Kelsey Grammer, best known for playing Dr Frasier Crane in NBC’s hit series Cheers and Frasier will make his West End debut playing Miguel de Cervantes and Don Quixote and the international opera star and soprano Danielle de Niese will share the role of Aldonza and Dulcinea with Cassidy Jonson.  Danielle will play the roles in 33 performances and Cassidy in 17. 

Nicholas Lyndhurst,  best known for his TV work which includes the classic series Only Fools and Horses as well as Goodnight Sweetheart and New Tricks will play the Innkeeper and Governor. His previous stage credits include  the Grade/Linnit production of Carousel at The Coliseum and Trevor Nunn’s The Tempest at the Theatre Royal Haymarket.

Opera Soprano Danielle de Niese, who wasdescribed by the New York Times magazine as ‘opera’s coolest soprano’ has performed to audiences world-wide, from the Metropolitan Opera to Covent Garden as well as performing on stage with LL Cool J.

Cassidy Janson played the lead role in the recent production of Chess at the London Coliseum and the lead in the West End production of Beautiful: The Carole King Story.  Cassidy is one third of Leading Ladies, a group formed in 2017 with fellow musical stars, Beverly Knight and Amber Riley.

Completing the cast of Man of La Mancha are:  Eugene McCoy (Dr Carrasco/The Duke), Lucy St Louis(Antonia), Natasha Leaver (Fermina), Debra Michaels (Maria), Julie Jupp (Housekeeper), Minal Patel (Padre),Emanuel Alba (Barber), Rakesh Boury (Muleteer), Stephen John Davies (Muleteer), Paul F Monaghan(Muleteer), Ryan Pidgen (Muleteer), David Seadon-Young (Muleteer/Pedro), Samuel Thomas (Muleteer),Teddy Wills (Muleteer), Femi Akinfolarin (Muleteer), Tim Hodges (Ensemble), Luke Jackson (Ensemble),Dominic Owen (Ensemble), Joseph Poulson (Ensemble), Jocelyn Prah (Ensemble), Anna Woodside (Ensemble),Tash Holway (Swing), Helen Walsh (Swing), Luke McCall (Swing) and Alex Pinder (Swing).

Man of La Mancha will be directed by Lonny Price, who directed Linnit and Grade’s acclaimed London production of Sunset Boulevard at the Coliseum starring Glenn Close, as well as its hugely-successful subsequent Broadway transfer. 

In a 16^th century dungeon Cervantes and his man servant await trial from the Spanish Inquisition.  In his possession he has a trunk carrying an unfinished novel, Don Quixote.  As prisoners attempt to steal his possessions, Cervantes embarks on acting out his novel as his defence, transforming himself into Alonso Quijano.

Quijano, deluded, believes he is a knight errant, renames himself Don Quixote de la Mancha, and sets off on a fantastical quest with his man servant Sancho Panza. 

Chivalry abounds in this classic tale of knighthood, love, loyalty and adventure. 

The music in Man of La Mancha is by Mitch Leigh, lyrics by Joe Darion and book by Dale Wasserman.

‘The impossible Dream’ has become an internatonally-renowned song, and has been performed by Frank Sinatra, Elvis Presley, Andy Williams, Luther Vandross and The Temptations, amongst others.

Joining Lonny Price on the creative team is conductor David White, set designer James Noone, lighting designer Rick Fisher, sound designer Mick Potter and casting director David Grindrod CDG.

Royal Exchange Theatre, Manchester – until Saturday 23rd March 2019

Reviewed by Julie Noller

5*****

I’ll begin with the one thing that was weighing on me before I even arrived at the theatre, at nearly 2 hours long without an interval, would my mind be actively engaged for that length of time? If this is putting you off, honestly; don’t let those doubts win out. Be warned; don’t bank on any running times going to plan for now you’re on African time! The fast paced action you will somehow follow and understand totally and the only disappointment you will feel is when it’s time to leave the theatre and go home.

Barber Shop Chronicles was written by self confessed poet Inua Ellams, who after receiving a flyer back in 2010 all about how barbers should be taught the basics in counselling started to develop and the very idea of how much impact barbers have on everyday lives. How the men would lounge in their local barbers around his home in Peckham, this revived memories of his early days in Nigeria. What began life as 60 hours of recordings from researching barbers shops around Africa and London was slowly whittled down and polished into those nearly 2 hours of dissecting one day and life in six cities.

The action begins before the play even starts, there’s music, there’s dancing so take your seat early or you may miss a treat. A theme that repeats throughout; it bonds the stories and characters together, for isn’t music and dance a sort of universal language that speaks to our very soul? The interaction with the audience is fantastic and watching men and women pulled up out of their seats before they’ve had a chance to remove coats and relax is interesting, are we an audience or just part of the performance?

The Globe, no one can fail to notice, how you choose to interpret it is down to the individual. It hangs suspended from the ceiling as a central object. It’s educational, cities are lit up when it’s their segment in the story. Not everyone has a great grasp for geography. But is it there as a reminder that we are all living together on one planet, Earth. How we may leave our homes, where we were born, but how big or small the world feels, it’s people who make it so. The rope lights that are spread out across the upper floors reminded me of the World Wide Web or perhaps telephone lines how they make time and miles appear meaningless. Around the world we can still be connected, regardless of what we may believe. Barber Shop Chronicles is so full of ‘banging tunes’ you can’t help but move in your seat, wanting to jump up. You’ll be smiling throughout, it’s certainly fast paced the way the set can be switched around to reflect all six cities. This contrasts brilliantly against the day to day existence within the barber shops, where life is so chilled you wonder how they survive. This is only a small cast of twelve actors, most take multiple roles, leaving the arena and changing costumes. This does not impact with your enjoyment in any way.

The concept of the barber shops at first I found puzzling, perhaps because I’m a woman? But what I came away believing is that simply visiting the barber shop is for a majority of these men the equivalent of women getting together for a coffee, it’s to chat, to share laughter and tears. And put the world of politics and football to rights! My sad moment has to be how self sacrificial the barber can be; Anthony Ofoegbu as Emmanuel portrays this with great empathy and perfection in how he stands back and allows the petulance and almost toddleresque rants of Mohammed Mansaray as Samuel wash over him. His sadness indeed becomes apparent at the very end and it is a heartbreaking moment as he confesses after being ribbed throughout about how no one ever sees his wife. In a simple statement we discover how his wife died only months earlier, how do they not know? These people who visit daily, these friends. How much we are caught up in our own lives and fail to truly see those closest to us.

It’s not all poignant moments there is certainly many humorous moments, some so incredibly subtle it will take a keen eye to see them. My laugh out loud moment has to be an audience member being offered a crisp, almost as if they were sitting waiting in a chair to be called forward for a cut. The debate rages on throughout should English be the dialect of choice or should Pidgin be used, not once did I feel confused by the switch in language. The overall story is extremely easy to follow. It brings to life an understanding of being human. To witness the stories develop is poetic justice. So many morals interwoven it’s not hard hitting but in it’s own way it’s sharp. London appears to be the connecting city, London we like to see portrayed as cosmopolitan with an eclectic culture. Sometimes in life the one father figure you have may just be your barber, he knows what an important role he has. But who will be the listening ear for him. If offered a chance to watch Barber Shop Chronicles again, well I wouldn’t hesitate.

SECOND PRODUCTION OF

DOLLY PARTON’S

9 TO 5 THE MUSICAL

TO PLAY 11 CITIES ONLY ACROSS THE UK,

STARTING AT THE ALEXANDRA THEATRE BIRMINGHAM

ON 6 SEPTEMBER 2019

Following the huge success of 9 TO 5 THE MUSICAL at the Savoy Theatre in London’s West End, the producers of the show are delighted to announce that a second production of the hit musical will play 11 cities throughout the UK and Ireland, opening at the Alexandra Theatre Birmingham on 6 September 2019, before visiting Manchester, Milton Keynes, Liverpool, Glasgow, Woking, Aberdeen, Cardiff, Sunderland, Edinburgh and Dublin

The London production continues at the West End’s Savoy Theatre where it is currently booking until 31 August 2019. It stars Caroline Sheen as ‘Violet Newstead’ (until 23 March 2019), Amber Davies as ‘Judy Bernly’,Natalie McQueen as ‘Doralee Rhodes’, Bonnie Langford as ‘Roz Keith’ and Brian Conley as ‘Franklin Hart’.Louise Redknapp re-joins the cast as ‘Violet Newstead’ from 25 March – 29 June 2019. The show opened in the West End last month, where Dolly Parton attended the premiere and joined the cast on stage at the finale.

9 TO 5 THE MUSICAL features a book by Patricia Resnick, the legendary film’s original screenwriter, and an original Oscar, Grammy and Tony award-nominated score by multi Grammy Award winner, country legend and pop icon Dolly Parton.

Dolly Parton said today “I am beyond thrilled to the response from across the pond to 9 to 5 The Musical.  The overwhelmingly positive fan reaction to this universal story tickles every rhinestone on my body! I can’t wait for more people throughout the UK and Ireland to enjoy it and sing along”. 

9 TO 5 THE MUSICAL tells the story of Doralee, Violet and Judy – three workmates pushed to boiling point by their sexist and egotistical boss. Concocting a plan to kidnap and turn the tables on their despicable supervisor, will the women manage to reform their office – or will events unravel when the CEO pays an unexpected visit?Inspired by the cult film this hilarious new West End production is about teaming up, standing up and taking care of business!

9 TO 5 THE MUSICAL is written by Patricia Resnick, with music and lyrics by Dolly Parton. It is directed by Jeff Calhoun, choreography by Lisa Stevens, design by Tom Rogers, lighting design by Howard Hudson, sound design by Poti Martin, video design by Nina Dunn, original arrangements by Stephen Oremus & Alex Lacamoire, original Broadway orchestrations by Bruce Coughlin, musical supervisor, reductions & extra arrangements by Mark Crossland, musical direction by Andrew Hilton and casting by Victoria Roe.

Based on the 20^th Century Fox Picture. Originally produced on Broadway by Robert Greenblatt, April 2009.

9 TO 5 THE MUSICAL is produced by Ambassador Theatre Group, Selladoor Worldwide and Gavin Kalin Productions with Benjamin Lowy Productions, Glass Half Full Productions, Showtime Theatre Productions, Hartshorn – Hook Productions, Harmonia Holdings and Kilimanjaro Live.

LISTINGS INFORMATION

9 TO 5 THE MUSICAL

Savoy Theatre, Savoy Court, London, WC2R 0ET

Currently booking until 31 August 2019

Box Office: 0844 871 7687

Performances: Monday – Saturday 7.30pm, Wednesday and Saturday 2.30pm

Website: 9to5themusical.co.uk

Instagram: @9to5themusicaluk

[http://Facebook:%20www.facebook.com/9to5TheMusicalUK/]Facebook: 9to5TheMusicalUK

Twitter: @9to5MusicalUK

YouTube: 9 to 5 The Musical

VENUE LISTINGS

FRIDAY 6 SEPTEMBER – SATURDAY 14 SEPTEMBER 2019

The Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham

https://www.atgtickets.com/shows/9-to-5-the-musical/alexandra-theatre-birmingham

ON SALE 18 MARCH

TUESDAY 17 SEPTEMBER – SATURDAY 21 SEPTEMBER 2019

Palace Theatre, Manchester

https://www.atgtickets.com/shows/9-to-5-the-musical/palace-theatre-manchester

ON SALE 18 MARCH

TUESDAY 24 SEPTEMBER – SATURDAY 28 SEPTEMBER 2019

Milton Keynes Theatre

https://www.atgtickets.com/shows/9-to-5-the-musical/milton-keynes-theatre

ON SALE 18 MARCH

TUESDAY 1 OCTOBER – SATURDAY 5 OCTOBER 2019

Liverpool Empire

https://www.atgtickets.com/shows/dolly-parton-9-to-5-the-musical/liverpool-empire

ON SALE 18 MARCH

TUESDAY 8 OCTOBER – SATURDAY 12 OCTOBER 2019

King’s Theatre, Glasgow

https://www.atgtickets.com/shows/9-to-5-the-musical-2/kings-theatre

ON SALE 18 MARCH

TUESDAY 15 OCTOBER – SATURDAY 19 OCTOBER 2019

New Victoria Theatre, Woking

https://www.atgtickets.com/shows/9-to-5-the-musical/new-victoria-theatre

ON SALE 18 MARCH

TUESDAY 22 OCTOBER – SATURDAY 26 OCTOBER 2019

His Majesty’s Theatre, Aberdeen

www.aberdeenperformingarts.com/his-majestys-theatre

ON SALE 22 MARCH

TUESDAY 29 OCTOBER – SATURDAY 2 NOVEMBER 2019

Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff

www.wmc.org.uk

ON SALE 25 MARCH

TUESDAY 5 NOVEMBER – SATURDAY 9 NOVEMBER 2019

Sunderland Empire

https://www.atgtickets.com/shows/9-to-5-the-musical/sunderland-empire

ON SALE 18 MARCH

TUESDAY 12 NOVEMBER – SATURDAY 16 NOVEMBER 2019

Edinburgh Playhouse

https://www.atgtickets.com/shows/9-to-5-the-musical/edinburgh-playhouse

ON SALE 18 MARCH

TUESDAY 19 NOVEMBER – SATURDAY 23 NOVEMBER 2019

Bord Gáis Energy Theatre, Dublin

www.bordgaisenergytheatre.ie

ON SALE 22 MARCH