Hall for Cornwall, Truro – until the 24 August 24

Reviewed by Kerry Gilbert

4****   

‘Don’t miss your chance to experience this captivating romance brought to life on stage’

An Officer and a Gentleman The Musical is based on the award winning 1982 film which starred Richard Gere and Debra Winger.   This timeless story of love, courage, and redemption will make your heart soar and leave you breathless, longing for more.  

Be part of the emotional journey of Zack Mayo (Luke Baker) a fearless young officer candidate, and the captivating Paula Pokrifki (Georgia Lennon) whose fiery spirit matches his own.  Most will be familiar with the plot;  a new set of wannabe US Navy jet fighter pilots arrive at an Aviation Officer Candidate School to be drilled hard over 12 weeks to attain their wings, knowing that few of them will succeed the gruelling course and even fewer will go on to actually fly the coveted F-14 or anything like it.  Zack arrives for training where he and his cohorts find themselves at the mercy of a ruthless drill instructor, Gunnery Sergeant Emil Foley (Jamal Crawford).   Jamal Crawford is awesome as the drill sergeant, his rapid dialogue and his overpowering presence – both actor and character, is felt throughout.  The relationship between him and his trainees, especially Zack, is an interesting and complex one.  Whilst attending the course, Zack befriends Sid (Paul French) the son of Admiral.  One night, while on liberty, the boys meet and develop friendships with local women, Lynette (Sinead Long) and Paula.  The two women have their hearts set on leaving their local town but have conflicting opinions on how to do that.  Luke Baker is fantastic in the lead role of Zack Mayo.  His voice is stunning and seductive – he showed it off to perfection during Bon Jovi’s ‘Blaze of Glory’.  For me, a standout performance has to be Paul French as Sid Worley, always trying to live up to his brother’s reputation, he inhabits the character so well and his facial expressions and delivery are second to none. 

The full ensemble dance numbers is where this show comes alive.  With fun choreography by Joanne Goodwin, every member of the company throws themselves into the routines with conviction.  The military routines are striking and there is a fight scene well executed with dramatic music, lighting and skilful choreography.   Set to a smash hit soundtracks featuring the songs of Madonna, Bon Jovi, Cindi Lauder, Blondie, Kim Wilde and many more.   The power of the music will carry you through the highs and lows of their extraordinary love story, including the award winning (Love Lift Us) Up Where We Belong.   The entire show is building up to the final scene and the final song when Zack lifts Paula ‘Up where she belongs’ and carries her out of the factory.  I’m guessing most of the audience has seen the film because there were gasps and applause before we even arrived at the pinnacle moment, for which the original film was most famous. 

It’s a fitting, and extremely satisfying, end to a performance where everyone gave their all and were rewarded with a standing ovation.  Don’t miss your chance to experience this captivating romance brought to life on stage.

CELEBRATE A DECADE OF DISASTER

WITH

£10 FRONT ROW TICKETS

FOR ALL SEPTEMBER PERFORMANCES

AT

THE PLAY THAT

GOES WRONG

£10 Tickets for 10^th Anniversary Video

Sung By Tenors Released Today

10^th Anniversary Gala Performance

on 10^th September 2024

As The Play That Goes Wrong, the Olivier and Tony Award-winning smash hit running at the Duchess Theatre prepares to celebrate a phenomenal 10 years in the West End on September 10^th, Mischief have announced over 360 £10 front row tickets will be released throughout September. To access these tickets, sign up at www.MischiefComedy.com to receive weekly ticket release via email every Friday at 12 noon from 30 August.

The co-writers and original performers in the show, Henry Lewis, Jonathan Sayer and Henry Shields  said:  ‘We can’t quite believe it’s been 10 years since our show began its run at the Duchess Theatre.  When we began our journey at the Old Red Lion Theatre – none of us imagined that The Play that Goes Wrong would have reached this milestone.  And we are delighted to be able to celebrate with our loyal audiences by releasing 360 front row tickets for £10 throughout our anniversary month of September.’

The Play That Goes Wrong opened at the Duchess Theatre in September 2014 and the production shows no signs of slowing down since its first performance at The Old Red Lion Theatre playing to only four paying customers.  The show’s success is a testament to the hard work and determination of a group of drama school graduates who became friends, set up a company under the name ‘Mischief’ and created an extraordinary body of work over the past decade.  The show’s many achievements to date include:

• A Whatsonstage Award for Best New Comedy in 2014
• An Olivier Award for Best New Comedy in 2015
• A Tony Award for the Broadway Transfer
• It has been performed in over 50 countries around the world.
• It has been seen by over 3.5 million people globally on every continent except Antarctica (where producers fear a frosty reception).
• And Winston the Dog is still missing a decade on.

The cast of The Play that Goes Wrong is:  Jordan Akkaya as Trevor, Daniel Anthony as Dennis, Joe Bolland as Jonathan, Daniel Fraser as Chris, Billie Hamer as Annie, Owen Jenkins as Robert, Jay Olpin as Max and Hannah Sinclair Robinson as Sandra.  The understudies are:  Alex Bird, Munashe Chirisa, Colm Gleeson, Dumile Sibanda and Alice Stokoe. 

The Play That Goes Wrong is co-written by Mischief company members Henry Lewis, Jonathan Sayer and Henry Shields and is directed by Mark Bell, with set designs by Nigel Hook, costumes by Roberto Surace, lighting by Ric Mountjoy, original music by Rob Falconer, sound design by Andy Johnson, the Associate Director is Amy Milburn  and the Resident Director is Lexie Ward. The Play That Goes Wrong is produced in the West End by Kenny Wax Ltd and Stage Presence Ltd.

The £10 Tickets for the 10^th Anniversary Video song sung by Tenors released today is sung by the London Gay Men’s Chorus.  A behind the scenes video of the recording can be downloaded here.

Kerry Ellis to lead One Night Only Musical Concert Riddles & Romance

• Kerry Ellis will lead the cast of a new one night only musical concert at Underbelly Boulevard on 30^th September
• Composer Clive Richard Davis will premiere songs from new musical project The Three Riddles

Monday 30^th September, Underbelly Boulevard London

@atlastmusicals | #RiddlesAndRomance | www.atlastmusicalproductions.com

Kerry Ellis will lead the cast of a new one night only musical concert at Underbelly Boulevard this September produced by Matty Hurst Productions. Known for originating the role of Elphaba in the West End’s Wicked, Ellis will star in this new concert of works by composer Clive Richard Davis. All proceeds from ticket sales will be donated to Parkinson’s UK.

After a triumphant debut with At Last, It’s Summer at The London Palladium last year, Davis returns with his new concert Riddles & Romance showcasing brand new compositions. Reflecting Clive’s passion for melody and lyricism, Riddles & Romance will provide an exclusive first look at Davis’s new project, The Three Riddles, along with a selection of standalone songs that evoke the timeless quality of the English Song Book. Additionally, the concert will feature highlights from At Last, It’s Summer, his previous musical comedy set in July 1920 on a picturesque English country estate.

Further casting includes Rob Houchen, whose previous roles include Marius Pontmercy in the West End’s Les Misérables, and Carl Alan Award nominated dancer and choreographer Jack Pallister, most known for his work at the infamous Brick Lane Music Hall as well as starring in Alice in Wonderland at the Phoenix Theatre (2022). Joining the cast after starring in the West End premiere of At Last, It’s Summer is actor and singer Shannon Rewcroft. The cast is completed by Henryk Firth whose further work includes MAMMA MIA! UK & International Tour and MAMMA MIA! The Party and Wendy Carr, a founding member of London’s leading classical-crossover girl group, Ida.

Composer Clive Richard Davis said, “It is a genuine privilege and a joy to have present day musical royalty like Kerry and Rob deliver my work. Everybody needs a hobby and mine is composing music that could have been written in the heyday of musical theatre, inspired by Gershwin, Porter and Berlin, to name but three of many.  Ideas for a melody or harmonic progression pop into my head when I should be practicing Chopin or Schumann and probably because I am not good enough to play either properly. It is like a child let loose in the sweetshop and long may it continue.”

Kerry Ellis is recognised as the leading lady of West End musicals from her starring roles in London and on Broadway. After originating the role of Meat, in Queen’s We Will Rock You, Ellis became the first British Elphaba in the West End’s Wicked, for which she won the WhatsOnStage Award for Best Takeover in a Role before transferring to the Broadway production. Her many other leading role credits include Nancy in Oliver! at Theatre Royal Drury Lane, Eliza Doolittle in My Fair Lady at the National Theatre, Ellen in Miss Saigon UK Tour and Fantine in Les Misérables at Queen’s Theatre. Kerry released her first major CD Wicked in Rock in collaboration with longtime friend and Queen guitarist Brian May, which led to her being signed to Universal as a solo recording artist, and her debut album Anthems was released in 2010 on Decca Records. Other appearances include performances at the Royal Variety Performance, the Laurence Olivier Awards, duetting with Barry Manilow on BBC Television and Radio, on Loose Women, Alan Titchmarsh Show, BBC Breakfast, at the Henley Festival alongside John Barrowman, the Queen’s Jubilee Concert at Buckingham Palace, and An Audience With Kerry Ellis at the Shaw Theatre.

Company

Director Jordan Langford                          

Musical Director Jack Bennett

Producer Matty Hurst Productions Ltd

Listings information

Underbelly Boulevard

6 Walker’s Ct, London W1F 0BT

Monday 30^th September, 19:00

£55 VIP Tables & Pre-Show Meet and Greet, Seated £40 – £20, £15.00 Standing

Tickets available at: www.atlastmusicalproductions.com

Social media

Twitter:     @atlastmusicals

Instagram: @atlastmusicalproductions

All proceeds from ticket sales will be donated to Parkinson’s UK

SONIA FRIEDMAN PRODUCTIONS ANNOUNCES

FULL CAST FOR

SEÁN O’CASEY’S

JUNO AND THE PAYCOCK

STARRING J. SMITH-CAMERON AND MARK RYLANCE

DIRECTED BY MATTHEW WARCHUS

Sonia Friedman Productions (SFP) today announces full cast for the new production of Seán O’Casey‘s timeless masterpiece, Juno and the Paycock, directed by Tony and Olivier award-winner Matthew Warchus.

Joining the previously announced J. Smith-Cameron (Juno Boyle) and Mark Rylance (‘Captain’ Jack Boyle) are Paul Hilton (‘Joxer’ Daly), Aisling Kearns (Mary Boyle), Eimhin Fitzgerald Doherty (Johnny Boyle), Ingrid Craigie (Mrs Tancred), Anna Healy (Mrs Maisie Madigan), Chris Walley (Charles Bentham), Seán Duggan (‘Needle’ Nugent), Leo Hanna (Jerry Devine), Jessica Cervi, Caolan McCarthy, Bryan Moriarty, John Rice and Jacinta Whyte.

Juno and the Paycock sees Sonia Friedman, Matthew Warchus and Mark Rylance reunite following their acclaimed productions of Boeing-Boeing and La Bête. The strictly limited run opens at the Gielgud Theatre on Thursday 3 October, with previews from Saturday 21 September, and runs until Saturday 23 November 2024.

The creative team is Rob Howell (Set and Costume Designer), Hugh Vanstone (Lighting Designer), Claire van Kampen (Composer), Simon Baker (Sound Designer) and Serena Hill CDG (Casting Director).

As part of an ongoing commitment to make theatre accessible for as many people as possible, there are over 1100 tickets per week at £25 or lower, with more than one third of the house for every performance priced at £55 or lower.

Additionally, there will be 1260 tickets across the run priced at £30 for under 30s as well as £25 day seats for every performance. Each week there will be a limited number of seats released for the week ahead in the Stalls and Dress Circle at £25 or Standing at £10.

‘WHAT CAN GOD DO AGAINST THE STUPIDITY OF MEN?’

Dublin, 1922, the Irish Civil War is tearing the nation apart. In the cauldron of the family’s tiny tenement flat, Juno Boyle, a beleaguered matriarch whose sharp wit is a survival tool, struggles to make ends meet and keep the family together. Her husband, ‘Captain’ Jack Boyle, fancies himself a ship’s commander but sails no further than the pub. When providence comes knocking with life changing news, could the family’s troubles finally fade away?

Poetic, poignant, and hilarious, Juno and the Paycock is a big-hearted, black-humoured, tragi-comic triumph that reflects on a mother’s resilience in the midst of life’s most trying moments.

J. Smith-Cameron (Juno Boyle)

J. Smith-Cameron is a lauded stage, film, and television actress whose career has spanned over four decades. J. is best known for starring as a series regular on the hit HBO series Succession. Her portrayal of Gerri Kellman, Waystar Royco’s General Counsel, garnered J. two back-to-back Primetime Emmy® Award nominations as well as Golden Globe® Award and Critics Choice Award nominations.

Most recently, J. appeared as a recurring guest star opposite Jean Smart on the hit comedy series Hacks on HBO Max. She also starred in Peacock’s animated comedy series In the Know.

In film, J. is well known for her leading performance as Joan in her husband Kenneth Lonergan’s beloved, critically acclaimed film Margaret (2011). She also starred in Blumhouse and Focus Feature’s thriller Vengeance, the directorial debut of B.J. Novak, and The Year Between, an independent drama feature from Alex Heller, which premiered at the 2022 Tribeca Film Festival. Among her many film credits, J. was featured in the Sundance-winning film Nancy opposite Andrea Riseborough, Steve Buscemi, and John Leguizamo. Her striking portrayal of a mother whose child goes missing three decades prior garnered her an Independent Spirit Award for Best Supporting Actress.

On television, J. is also well known as a series regular on Sundance TV’s Rectify, as well as her recurring roles on HBO’s True Blood and Divorce.

Also an acclaimed stage actress, J.’s Broadway credits include: Lend Me a Tenor (1989); Our Country’s Good (1991), for which she was nominated for a Tony® Award for Best Featured Actress in a Play; Night Must Fall (1999); Tartuffe (2002), and Elaine May’s After the Night and the Music (2005).

Her extensive off-Broadway work includes: As Bees in Honey Drown (1997), for which she won an Obie Award and earned a Drama Desk and Outer Critics Circle Award nomination; Fuddy Meers (1999), for which she was nominated for a Drama Desk Award; Sarah, Sarah (2004); The Starry Messenger (2009); Sorry (2012); Juno and the Paycock (2013), for which she was nominated for a Drama Desk Award and was the recipient of the 2013 Joe E. Callaway Award; and Peace for Mary Frances (2018).

Mark Rylance (‘Captain’ Jack Boyle)

This is happily the seventh theatrical collaboration between Mark and Matthew Warchus.

Giles Havergal and The Glasgow Citizens Theatre gave Mark his first professional job in 1980.

In the eighties and nineties, Mark worked with many theatre companies in England and America, including the NT; The Bush; The Tricycle, Contact (Manchester); TANA (New York); A.R.T. (Boston); The Guthrie (Minneapolis). He became an Associate Artist of the RSC, where he played Hamlet, Romeo, and a number of other roles. He founded two cooperative theatre companies, The London Theatre of Imagination and Phoebus’ Cart, which toured sacred sites such as The Rollright Stones.

He trained at RADA in the great days of Hugh Cruttwell and the work of Mike Alfreds, and his company, Shared Experience, continues to be particularly inspiring and transformative in all he does.

In 1996, at age 36, Mark became the first Artistic Director of Sam Wanamaker’s project to rebuild Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre. Throughout his career, he has acted in more than 50 productions by Shakespeare and his contemporaries. He is a trustee of The Shakespearean Authorship Trust and friend of The Francis Bacon Research Trust.

After leaving the Globe in 2006, Sonia Friedman became his angel. With her company and associates she has supported Rylance in eight productions, Boeing-Boeing, La Bête, Jerusalem, Twelfth Night, Richard III, Farinelli and the King, Nice Fish, and most recently Dr Semmelweis. Rylance was a co-author of Dr Semmelweis and Nice Fish, and also wrote I am Shakespeare for Greg Ripley Productions and The Chichester Festival Theatre.

Film work includes three films with Steven Spielberg, Bridge of Spies, The BFG, and Ready Player One. Other films include The Outfit, Don’t Look Up, The Phantom of the Open, Bones and All, Waiting for the Barbarians, Dunkirk, Prospero’s Books, The Grass Arena, and The Institute Benjamenta.

His television appearances include four mini-series with Peter Kosminsky; The Government Inspector, The Undeclared War, Wolf Hall, and the soon to be broadcast Wolf Hall: The Mirror and the Light.

Mark is an honorary bencher of the Middle Temple Hall in London. He is also a founding patron of the London-based charity Peace Direct, which supports local peacebuilders in areas of conflict. Lately his work has focused on Intermission Youth Theatre and The Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust. He will always be a patron of Survival, the international movement for Tribal Peoples and Stop the War.

In 2017 he was knighted for services to the Theatre.

Jessica Cervi (Ensemble)

Training: Royal Academy of Music.

Theatre whilst training: California Suite, City of Angels, Titanic, Talent.

Theatre includes: Family Talent Night (24 Hour Plays/ Abbey, Dublin); Toy Show: The Musical (RTÉ/ The Convention Centre, Dublin); The Commitments (Palace); Fame: The Musical (Bord Gáis Energy Theatre, Dublin/ Irish National Tour).

Television includes: Sunday Night at The Palladium, Fame: The Musical.

Ingrid Craigie (Mrs Tancred)

Theatre includes: Dinner with Groucho (Dublin Theatre Festival/ Belfast International Arts Festival/ Arcola); The Beauty Queen of Leenane (Chichester Festival Theatre/ Lyric Hammersmith); Richard III (Abbey, Dublin/ Lincoln Center, New York); Sweet Bird of Youth (Chichester Festival Theatre); Juno and the Paycock, A Month in the Country, The Deep Blue Sea, Faith Healer, (Gate, Dublin); The Cripple of Inishmaan (Noël Coward/ Cort, New York); Hay Fever (Gate, Dublin/ Spoleto Festival, Charleston); The Plough and the Stars, Aristocrats, Measure for Measure, The Merchant of Venice (Abbey, Dublin); Wonderful Tennessee (Abbey, Dublin/ Plymouth, New York); A Life (Abbey, Dublin/ Old Vic); Talbot’s Box (Abbey, Dublin/ Royal Court); Boston Marriage, Copenhagen, Splendour (Project Arts Centre, Dublin); Crave (Edinburgh Fringe Festival/ Ambassadors/ Royal Court/ Paines Plough); The Weir (Centaur, Montreal); The Wexford Trilogy (Bush).

Television includes: The Hardacres, Blackshore, Epic, Roadkill, The Madame Blanc Mysteries, Blood, Striking Out, The Alienist, Jack Taylor, The Rebel Doctor, When Harvey Met Bob, Prosperity, The Whistleblower, The Running Mate, Pure Mule, Ballykissangel, Thou Shalt Not Kill, Force of Duty, Caught in a Free State, Ballroom of Romance.

Film includes: You Are Not My Mother, Death of a Ladies’ Man, Delinquent Season, Entebbe, Psychic, The Flag, The Girl with the Mechanical Maiden, Citadel, Sensation, Benedict Arnold, A Man of No Importance, Da, Circle of Friends, The Dead.

Eimhin Fitzgerald Doherty (Johnny Boyle)

Training: Lír Academy, Dublin.

Theatre whilst training includes: Arcadia (dir. Hilary Wood), The Visit (dir. Oonagh Murphy), Absolute Hell (dir. Davey Kelleher), Punk Rock (dir. Tom Creed).

Theatre includes: The Beauty Queen of Leenane (Dorset Theatre Festival, Vermont).

Seán Duggan (‘Needle’ Nugent)

Theatre includes: Safe House (Abbey Theatre); Hamlet (Volta / National Opera House); A Face in The Crowd (Discover/Recover Theatre Project); Bees! (WillFredd Theatre / The Dublin Theatre Festival); Yeats Besotted (Mouth On Fire); All That Fall (Out Of Joint); Gerry and the Peace Process (Volta); Othello (Storytellers); Alone It Stands (Lane Productions); The Murdering Hole (Town Hall Theatre, Galway); How High Is Up (TEAM); Rhinoceros (Kabosh); The Merchant of Venice (Corcadorca); An Triail (Aisling Ghéar); As You Like It (Classic Stage Ireland); Fire Face (Nervousystem); Measure For Measure (Rattlebag); Twelfth Night (Natural Shocks); A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Natural Shocks); Hamlet (Praxis); The Tender Mercies (Dark Horse Theatre Company).

Television includes: House of Guinness, Sherlock & Daughter, The Hardacres, The Velveteen Rabbit, Der Irland Krimi, Harry Wild, Clean Sweep, Redemption, The Spectacular, Normal People, Miss Scarlet and the Duke, Dublin Murders, Blood, Into the Badlands, Bridget and Eamon, Murdair Mhám Trasna, Striking Out, Can’t Cope Won’t Cope, Wrecking the Rising, Cumann na mBan, Clean Break, Vikings, Damo and Ivor, Ripper Street, The Savage Eye, Trivia, Three Wise Women, The Tudors, Killinascully, The Clinic, Fair City.

Film includes: Stockholm Bloodbath, Lee, Hammarskjöld: Fight for Peace, Farmers!?, Disenchanted, Herself, The Fear, My Mother’s Shoes, The Sisters Brothers, The Man Who Invented Christmas, How Was Your Day?, End of Sentence, The Professor and the Madman, The Lobster, Love Rosie, The Food Guide to Love, Jimi: All Is By My Side, Sanctuary, Killing Bono, Death of a Superhero.

Leo Hanna (Jerry Devine)

Training: The Lir Academy, Dublin.

Theatre whilst Training: Blood Wedding (dir. Catríona McLaughlin); Playboy of the Western World (dir. Eoghan Carrick); The Merchant of Venice (dir. Lynne Parker); Thebans (dir. Annabelle Comyn).

Theatre includes: Let’s Try Swingin’ (Smock Alley, Dublin); The Giggler Treatment (Ark, Dublin); Master Class (Smock Alley, Dublin); Toy Show: The Musical (RTÉ/ The Convention Centre, Dublin).

Film includes: Cocaine Bear, About Joan, Joyride, Wolf.

Anna Healy (Mrs Maisie Madigan)

Theatre includes: Audrey or Sorrow, Portia Coughlan (winner of Irish Theatre Award for Best Supporting Actress), The Fall of the Second Republic (Abbey Theatre); Theatre for One: This Ireland – Cygum Canticum (Cork Midsummer Festival); Druid O’Casey: The Dublin Plays (Druid); The Last Return (Galway International Arts Festival/ Edinburgh Festival/ Gate Theatre/ UK tour, winner of Best Supporting Actress at Irish Theatre Awards); The White Devil (Shakespeare’s Globe); The Seagull (Gaiety Theatre Dublin); The Spin (Corcadorca, winner of Best Supporting Actress at Irish Theatre Awards).

Television includes: Small Town Big Story, Showtrial.

Film includes: Housejackers.

Paul Hilton (‘Joxer’ Daly)

Theatre includes: An Enemy of the People, The Glass Menagerie (Duke of York’s); Ghosts (Sam Wanamaker Playhouse); Othello, Mosquitoes, Peter Pan, Wonder.land (National Theatre); The Inheritance (Young Vic / Noël Coward / Broadway, Tony nominated); Anatomy of a Suicide (Royal Court).

Television includes: Slow Horses, A Very English Scandal, The Crown.

Upcoming television includes: A Cruel Love: The Ruth Ellis Story.

Film includes: Wasteman, Earwig, Eternal Beauty, Lady Macbeth, London Road, Wuthering Heights, Sweet Sue, Klimt.

Aisling Kearns (Mary Boyle)

Training: University of Limerick and Gaiety School of Acting.

Theatre includes: The Long Christmas Dinner (Abbey, Dublin); Circle of Friends, The Lieutenant of Inishmore (Gaiety, Dublin); Asking for It (Landmark Productions); The Spin (Corcadorca).

Television includes: Faithless, Darklands, Fair City.

Upcoming television includes: Sherlock & Daughter.

Film includes: Barber.

Caolan McCarthy (Ensemble)

Training: RADA.

Theatre includes: Amélie the Musical (Criterion/ UK and Ireland tour); The Beggar’s Opera (Storyhouse, Chester); Much Ado About Nothing (Rose, Kingston); Once (New Wolsey, Ipswich / Queen’s Theatre, Hornchurch); The Plough and the Stars (National).

Film includes: Belfast.

Discography includes: own debut album Paper and Stone, Amélie (Original London Cast Recording).

Bryan Moriarty (Ensemble)

Training: LAMDA.

Theatre includes: A Christmas Carol (Folkoperan, Stockholm); Rapture (Pink Sky Theatre); Saint Jude (Swamp Motel); Kindred Spirits (Jack Studio Theatre); Three Short Plays by Samuel Beckett (Old Red Lion); Lady Windermere’s Fan (UK tour); Hamlet (Changeling Theatre).

Television includes: Vera, The Vanishing Triangle, Almost Never.

Film includes: The Wonder.

Publications include: Sounds Like Fun.

John Rice plays (Ensemble)

Training: LAMDA.

Theatre includes: Sive (Gaiety, Dublin).

Film includes: Mix Tape.

Chris Walley (Charles Bentham)

Theatre includes: The Lieutenant of Inishmore (Noël Coward, winner of Olivier Award and Critic’s Choice Award); Portia Coughlan (Almeida); The Sugar Wife (Abbey, Dublin).

Television includes: Bodkin, Bloodlands, The Young Offenders.

Film includes: Christy, Lies We Tell, The Last Voyage of Demeter, The Little People, 1917, The Young Offenders, Unwelcomed.

Jacinta Whyte (Ensemble)

Theatre includes: Cats (International tour); Angela’s Ashes the Musical (UK/ Ireland tour, winner of Broadway World Ireland Award for Best Actress); Titanic (UK/ International tour); Les Misérables (Palace); Miss Saigon (Theatre Royal Drury Lane); Blood Brothers (Phoenix); Aspects of Love (UK tour); The Card (Watermill, Newbury); Mary Makebelieve (Gate, Dublin); Brighton Beach Memoirs, Gypsy, One of Our Own, The Scatterin’ (Gaiety, Dublin); Grease (UK tour); Private Lives, West Side Story, Cinderella (Everyman, Cheltenham); Anne of Green Gables, Grease (New Wolsey, Ipswich); A Slice of Saturday Night (Theatre Royal, Northampton); Annie (Victoria Palace, Original company).

Television includes: RTÉ TV own series Jacinta.

Film includes: My Left Foot, The Commitments, The Lilac Bus, A Green Journey.

Concerts include: The Music of Andrew Lloyd Webber, Tell Me on a Sunday, Jesus Christ Superstar (RTÉ Concert Orchestra); Friday Night is Music Night (BBC Concert Orchestra for Radio 2); Raymond Gubbay concerts (Royal Albert Hall/ Symphony Hall, Birmingham/ Glasgow Concert Hall/ Bridgewater Hall, Manchester); Musical World of Bond (Gothernberg Symphony Orchestra); Broadway the Concert (Melbourne Symphony Orchestra); Queen Symphonic, Symphonic Rock (Royal Philarmonic Orchestra); Beatlemania (Bergen Philarmonic Orchestra); ABBA Symphonic (Philarmonic of Flanders); Cole Porter You’re the Tops (City of Birmingham Symphony); Brit Hits (Nuremberg Symphony).

Workshops include: Saving Grace, Top of the World – The James Cagney Musical, Grand Central.

Seán O’Casey, Writer

SeánO’Casey was born on the north side of Dublin in 1880 and lived through troubled and turbulent times; the 1913 Lock-out and Strike, the 1916 Easter Rising, the Anglo-Irish War and the Civil War. SeánO’Casey was involved directly with the Lock-out and Strike, starving with his fellow workers, and like many other Dubliners, he saw and was affected by the horrors of the Rising and the troubles that followed.

When he was forty he wrote three plays within three years depicting the lives of the slum dwellers he was familiar with; The Shadow of a Gunman, Juno and the Paycock and The Plough and the Stars. These plays now stand with the great plays of the Twentieth Century.

The most remarkable thing he had ever done, O’Casey later said, was to escape from the slums of Dublin. He managed to do this after his second play, Juno and the Paycock, was performed at the Abbey Theatre in 1924. Only then was he able to give up his job as labourer working on the roads. These three plays made his name, and he became known to an international audience. 

In 1926 he travelled to London to receive the Hawthornden Prize for Literature and also give publicity for The Plough and the Stars. He decided to stay. During re-casting he met and later married Eileen Carey. They moved to Devon in 1938 with his two sons Breon and Niall: a daughter, Shivaun, was born a year later. Niall tragically died of Leukaemia, aged 21, and Seán O’Casey died eight years later, aged 84.

Matthew Warchus, Director

Theatre includes: The Constituent, Lungs, Present Laughter, The Caretaker, The Master Builder, Future Conditional, Speed-the-Plow, OLD VIC: IN CAMERA – A Christmas Carol, Faith Healer, Three Kings, Lungs (The Old Vic); A Christmas Carol, Groundhog Day, The Norman Conquests (The Old Vic/ Broadway); Matilda The Musical (RSC/ West End/ Broadway/ International tour); Ghost the Musical (West End/ Broadway/ South Korea); La Bête (West End/ Broadway); God of Carnage (West End/ Broadway/ LA); Deathtrap, Endgame (West End); Our House, Much Ado About Nothing (West End/ UK tour); Boeing-Boeing (West End/ Broadway/ UK tour); The Lord of the Rings (West End/ Toronto); Buried Child, Volpone (National Theatre); Follies (Broadway); Life x 3 (National Theatre/ The Old Vic/ Broadway); True West (Donmar/ Broadway); The Unexpected Man (RSC/ West End/ Broadway); ‘Art’ (Broadway/ West End/ Los Angeles); Hamlet, Henry V, The Winters Tale (RSC); Life Is A Dream, Betrayal, Death of a Salesman, The Plough and the Stars, Fiddler on the Roof, Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?, True West, Peter Pan (Leeds Playhouse); Master Harold And The Boys (Bristol Old Vic).

Opera includes: Falstaff, Così Fan Tutte (ENO); The Rake’s Progress (ROH/ WNO).

Film includes: Roald Dahl’s Matilda The Musical, Pride — BIFA Best British Independent Film, Simpatico. 

Matthew has been Artistic Director of The Old Vic since 2014.

www.JunoAndThePaycock.com

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LISTINGS

JUNO AND THE PAYCOCK

Gielgud Theatre

Saturday 21 September – Saturday 23 November 2024

Opening Night: Thursday 3 October, 7pm

Box Office: www.JunoAndThePaycock.com

Performance schedule:

Previews:

21 September – 1 October: Monday – Saturday at 7pm

Wednesday 2 October at 2pm and 7:30pm

From 4 October:

Monday – Saturday at 7.30pm

Wednesday & Saturday at 2pm

Tickets: from £20

DAY SEATS:There will be at least 20 tickets per performance across the run, including the front row of Stalls, at £25. Available online and in person from Box Office daily.

UNDER 30S: There will be 1260 tickets at £30 for under 30s across stalls and dress circle. Available to book in person at the Gielgud Theatre box office or on the Delfont Mackintosh website.

WEEKLY RELEASE: Each week, there will be a limited number of seats released for the week ahead. These will be in Stalls and Dress Circle at £25 or Standing at £10. More information to come soon. 

Access performances:

BSL Interpreted Performance – Saturday 19 October, 2pm

Audio Described Performance – Saturday 2 November, 2pm

Captioned Performance – Saturday 9 November, 2pm

NOMINEES ANNOUNCED FOR THE STAGE DEBUT AWARDS 2024

The Stage Debut Awards announce today the nominees for its annual awards ceremony, celebrating the finest emerging talent in UK theatre. This year’s 44 nominations across eight categories celebrate a diverse array of individuals from across the industry making their professional or West End debuts.

Among the highlights of this year’s nominations is the fiercely contested Best West End Debut Performer category—the only award decided by public vote. This category features some of the most celebrated names from stage and screen, including Olivier award-winner Will Close for his iconic portrayal of footballer Harry Kane in Dear England, Olivier award-nominee Jack Wolfe for his magnetic performance in Next to Normal, Emmy award-winner Billy Crudup, best known for starring opposite Reece Witherspoon and Jennifer Anniston on The Morning Show, for his solo performance in Harry Clarke, and Ted Lasso star and Emmy award-nominee Toheeb Jimoh for his role in Player Kings opposite Ian McKellen. Other notable nominees this year include Francesca Amewudah-Rivers for her starring role opposite Tom Holland in Jamie Lloyd’s Romeo and Juliet, Grace Hodgett Young for her role as Betty Schaefer alongside Nicole Scherzinger in the Olivier Award-winning Sunset Boulevard (for which she is also nominated for Best Performer in a Musical), and Ed Larkin for his poignant portrayal in The Little Big Things. Larkin, in his role as Henry Fraser, is the first actor in a wheelchair to lead a West End musical. Finally, Louis McCartney is nominated for his performance in the Olivier award-winning Stranger Things: The First Shadow, earning nods for both Best West End Debut Performer and Best Performer in a Play. Originally from Belfast, Louis was just 20 years old at the start of the run.

A legendary name gracing this year’s list is Grammy award-winner Elvis Costello, nominated for Best Composer, Lyricist, or Book Writer for his musical contributions to Cold War at The Almeida Theatre.

The full shortlist reflects the wealth of emerging talent across the UK. Both Louis McCartney and Best Director nominee Emily Foran hail from Northern Ireland. Laura Dawkes (Best Performer in a Musical for her role as Elsa in Frozen) and Gareth John (Best Performer in a Play at Sherman Theatre, Cardiff for Housemates) fly the flag for Wales. The Midlands is represented by Grace Hodgett Young and Jeevan Braich (Best Performer in a Musical in Starlight Express) while Hannah Morely and Jack Wolfe represent Yorkshire.

The shortlist also boasts exciting and recognisable names from across the Atlantic. In addition to Billy Crudup, nominees include Tony award-winner and Grammy award-nominee Myles Frost for his portrayal of Michael Jackson in MJ the Musical, and Canadian actor Taylor Russell for her role in the Olivier award-nominated The Effect.

For the first time in the awards’ history, all three Best Director nominees are women. Joining Emily Foran in the short list are nominees Ellie Coote (42 Balloons at the Lowry) and Sophie Drake (The Bleeding Tree at Southwark Playhouse Borough).

The National Theatre and at @sohoplace are tied for originating the most nominations this year, each securing multiple nods for creatives on their productions. The National Theatre, alongside Will Close and Taylor Russell’s nominations, received a further Best Performer in a Play nomination for Ellie-May Sheridan for London Tide. Meanwhile, @sohoplace shines with nominations from The Little Big Things – including alongside Ed Larkin’s nomination, Nick Butcher and Tom Ling for Best Composer, Lyricist, or Book Writer and Daniel Bailey for Best Creative West End Debut with Red Pitch.

Reflecting its success at the Oliviers, Sunset Boulevard leads this year’s nominations. Alongside Grace Hodgett Young’s two nominations are Nathan Amzi and Joe Ransom, who are in the running for Best Designer for their video work on the production.

Owing to the exceptional quality of new writing this year, nominees include Sam Grabiner (Boys on the Verge of Tears at Soho Theatre), Martha Loader (Bindweed at the Mercury Theatre), Harry McDonald (Foam at Finborough Theatre), Hannah Morley (We Could All Be Perfect at Sheffield Theatres), Azuka Oforka (The Women of Llanrumney at Sherman Theatre) and Anastasia Osei-Kuffour (Love Steps at Omnibus Theatre, London).

With many of the productions on this shortlist, such as Stranger Things: The First Shadow and Sunset Boulevard, securing future runs on Broadway, The Stage Debut Awards are proud to celebrate creatives at the start of what are sure to be exciting illustrious careers.

Click HERE to see award-winning alumni Natasha Hodgson of Operation Mincemeat’s SpitLip and Emmanuel Akwafo of For Black Boys Who Considered Suicide When The Hue Gets Too Heavy, announcing the nominees.

The Stage editor Alistair Smith comments: “It has been an extraordinarily difficult deliberation for the judges this year. We had a longlist of more than 250 supremely talented debut theatremakers and whittling it down to this shortlist meant some very tricky decisions.

However, we’re delighted to celebrate this extraordinary line-up featuring talent from across the UK and with nominees ranging from teenagers and those fresh out of drama school to experienced artists such as Elvis Costello making cross-over theatre debuts.

I can’t wait to celebrate with all our nominees and our fabulous host Divina De Campo on the night.”

Votes for Best West End Debut Performer opens on August 21 and can be cast online at www.thestage.co.uk/best-west-end-debut-2024-vote, voting closes on September 15. This award honours a performer’s first appearance in London’s West End.

Winners will be announced at The Stage Debut Awards’ seventh annual ceremony, hosted by the legendary drag artist, performer and singer Divina De Campo, on September 29 at 8 Northumberland Avenue, London, in association with headline sponsor ATG Entertainment.

The line-up of Guest Presenters and Performers will be revealed in September

THE FULL LIST OF 2024 NOMINEES ARE…

Best Performer in a Play (sponsored by Theatrical Rights Worldwide):

●      Deborah Ayorinde for Wedding Band: A Love/Hate Story in Black and White at the Lyric Hammersmith, London

●      Imogen Elliott for The Voice of the Turtle at Jermyn Street Theatre, London

●      Kasper Hilton-Hille for That Face at the Orange Tree Theatre, London

●      Gareth John for Housemates at the Sherman Theatre, Cardiff

●      Louis McCartney for Stranger Things: The First Shadow at Phoenix Theatre, London

●      Nadia Parkes for The House Party at Chichester Festival Theatre, Chichester

●      Taylor Russell for The Effect at the National Theatre, London

●      Ellie-May Sheridan for London Tide at the National Theatre, London

Best Performer in a Musical (sponsored by Michael Harrison Entertainment):

●      Scarlett Ayers for The Verge of Forever at the Other Palace, London

●      Jeevan Braich for Starlight Express at Troubadour Wembley Park Theatre, London

●      Laura Dawkes for Frozen at Theatre Royal Drury Lane, London

●      Myles Frost for MJ the Musical at Prince Edward Theatre, London

●      Joshua Ginsberg for Cable Street at Southwark Playhouse Borough, London

●      Grace Hodgett Young for Sunset Boulevard at the Savoy Theatre, London

Best Director (sponsored by Arts Council England):

●      Ellie Coote for 42 Balloons at the Lowry, Manchester

●      Sophie Drake for The Bleeding Tree at the Southwark Playhouse Borough, London

●      Emily Foran for Little Women at the Lyric Theatre, Belfast

Best Designer (sponsored by Preevue):

●      Nathan Amzi and Joe Ransom (video) for Sunset Boulevard at the Savoy Theatre, London

●      Ellie Koslowsky (set) for Vegetables at A secret location, London

●      Nadya Sayapina (set), Anastasiya Ryabova (costume), Lidiia Dresch-Pyshna (costume) and Dmytro Guk (video/projection) for King Stakh’s Wild Hunt at Barbican Theatre, London

●      Skylar Turnbull Hurd (lighting) for These Demons at Theatre503, London

Best Writer (sponsored by Sonia Friedman Productions):

●      Sam Grabiner for Boys on the Verge of Tears at Soho Theatre, London

●      Martha Loader for Bindweed at Mercury Theatre, Colchester

●      Harry McDonald for Foam at the Finborough Theatre, London

●      Hannah Morley for We Could All Be Perfect at Sheffield Theatres, Sheffield

●      Azuka Oforka for The Women of Llanrumney at the Sherman Theatre, Cardiff

●      Anastasia Osei-Kuffour for Love Steps at the Omnibus Theatre, London

Best Composer, Lyricist or Book Writer (sponsored by Crossroads Live):

●      Ahmed Abdullahi Gallab for The Enormous Crocodile at Leeds Playhouse, Leeds

●      Nick Butcher and Tom Ling for The Little Big Things at @sohoplace, London

●      Elvis Costello for Cold War at the Almeida Theatre, London

●      Jack Godfrey for 42 Balloons at the Lowry, Manchester

Best West End Debut Performer (Sponsored by Noël Coward Foundation):

●      Francesca Amewudah-Rivers for Romeo and Juliet at the Duke of York’s Theatre, London

●      Will Close for Dear England at the National Theatre, London

●      Billy Crudup for Harry Clarke at Ambassadors Theatre, London

●      Grace Hodgett Young for Sunset Boulevard at the Savoy Theatre, London

●      Toheeb Jimoh for Player Kings at the Noël Coward Theatre, London

●      Ed Larkin for The Little Big Things at @sohoplace, London

●      Louis McCartney for Stranger Things: The First Shadow at the Phoenix Theatre, London

●      Jack Wolfe for Next to Normal at Wyndham’s Theatre, London

Best Creative West End Debut (sponsored by Trafalgar Entertainment):

●      Daniel Bailey (director) for Red Pitch at @sohoplace, London

●      Jim Barne and Kit Buchan (composer, lyricist) for Two Strangers (Carry a Cake Across New York) at the Criterion Theatre, London

●      Marcelo Dos Santos (writer) for Backstairs Billy at the Duke of York’s Theatre, London

●      Kip Williams (director) for The Picture of Dorian Gray at Theatre Royal Haymarket, London

●      Brian Yorkey (lyricist) and Tom Kitt (composer) for Next to Normal at Wyndham’s Theatre, London

For table bookings please contact Sarah DuMay, sarah.dumay@thestage.co.uk

With thanks to our sponsors ATG Entertainment, Theatrical Rights Worldwide, Michael Harrison Entertainment, Arts Council England, Preevue,  Sonia Friedman Productions, Crossroads Live, Noël Coward Foundation, and Trafalgar Entertainment.

The inaugural The Stage Debut Awards took place in 2017 and recipients of these awards have gone on to star in West End shows, television series and films. Last year’s winners included Rob Madge for My Son’s a Queer, (But What Can You Do?) at the Garrick Theatre and Ambassadors Theatre, Isobel Thom for their leading role in I, Joanat Shakespeare’s Globe, Michael R Jackson for composing A Strange Loop at the Barbican Theatre and Tingying Dong for her sound design on The Crucible, the Gielgud and National Theatre. A further roll call of notable award winners from previous years include Best West End Debut for Jodie Comer (Prima Facie), Shan Ako (Les Misérables), SpitLip (Operation Mincemeat), Tyrell Williams (Red Pitch), Sam Tutty (Dear Evan Hansen), Miriam-Teak Lee (& Juliet), Bush Theatre artistic director Lynette Linton (Sweat) and composers Femi Temowo (Death of a Salesman) and Dan Gillespie Sells (Everybody’s Talking About Jamie).

For details on eligibility and the judging process see The Stage Debut Awards website: HERE

Theatre Royal Drury Lane – until 20th August 2024

Reviewed by Ava Clarkson

4****

The Theatre Royal Drury Lane is the perfect venue to celebrate the 80^th anniversary of Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Oklahoma! In 1947, Oklahoma! opened at the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane, London, where it ran for 1,548 performances

Oklahoma! was Rodgers and Hammerstein’s first musical together and has proved a much-loved favourite with catchy songs such as “Oh what a beautiful morning” and its title song “Oklahoma!” The musical is set in 1906 on a farm in Oklahoma and tells the story of the farm owners’ niece, Laurey and her courtship by two love rivals, cowboy Curly McLain and farmhand Jud – a loner who is obsessive and aggressive in his advances towards Laury and his actions towards Curly. A second romantic storyline plays out in comedic style between cowboy Will Parker and his flirtatious fiancée, Ado Annie.

Curly is played by Phil Dunster (Ted Lasso) and Laurey is played by Zizi Strallen (Mary Poppins). They are joined by Christina Bianco who plays Ado Annie and Jordan Shaw as her love interest Will Parker. Aunt Eller is played by 2-time Olivier Award winner Joanna Riding (Sondheim’s Old Friends and Carousel). Other prominent cast members are Tosh Wanogho-Maud as Jud Fry, Irvine Iqbal as Ali Hakim, Nicole-Lily Baisden as Gertie, and Sebastien Torkia as Andrew.

As the concert starts, we are treated to a musical interlude by the 28-piece London Musical Theatre Orchestra, conducted by Ben Glassberg. The music transports you back to the black and white era of Sunday matinees and soothes you as the orchestra displays its amazing talents. The stage is split in levels so that the orchestra are higher than the performance area. This allows us to see them as very much part of the show. The actors move between the musicians, and we see their inclusion within the performance.

The performance is true to story and takes us through the journey of Curley and Laurey as they tease each other and flirt while Aunt Eller looks on knowingly. This is all leading to the Box Social Dance – the event of the season – which includes an auction of food hampers prepared by the ladies to raise Monday for a schoolhouse. The menfolk bid to win a basket and eat lunch with the lady who prepared it. While most of the story is playful and fun, with much loved songs and amazing dance routines, including Tap and Ballet, there is a sinister under story where farmhand Jud is trying to win the hand of Laurey and take her away from Curley. The “dream ballet” sequence is emotive and shows Laureys struggles with her feelings for both men trying to win her affection.

Rodgers and Hammerstein’s first collaboration of Oklahoma! in the early 1900’s was groundbreaking. It was seen as the first successful truly unified musical, in which all creative elements worked together to support the story. This performance has done the original justice, with the production directed and choreographed by Olivier Award-winner Bill Deamer.

It’s hard to re-create a classic, but with the amazing vocals of Phil Dunster and cast, this is truly a musical where orchestra, cast, songs and dancing are fully integrated. They flow seamlessly throughout and evoke laughter as well as sadness. The characters are endearing and feel familiar. The songs are well known and lots of toe tapping and clapping can be heard throughout the theatre. The show is given a well-deserved standing ovation, with the biggest round of applause given to the orchestra who truly shine throughout.

Oklahoma! in Concert will play three performances only at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane from 19-20 August 2024.

Tanya Moiseiwitsch Playhouse Sheffield – until Saturday 17^th August

Reviewed by Carol Crann

4****

I would challenge anyone to find a much more diverse cast and performance than that of Something Old, Something New.

It is a Sheffield People’s Theatre Production, a team that – by their own description – are an ‘intergenerational theatre company for anyone aged 12+ with a shared passion for creating great theatre – both on stage and behind the scenes’.

The story is all about a couple who, after a bit of a whirlwind romance, decide to get married in Natalie’s (Ezzie Nettleingham) hometown of Sheffield. Her husband to be, Alex (Mark Kenny) and all his friends and family have travelled up from Surrey for the event, and some are clearly quite amused by the trip – judging by the fake Yorkshire accents and the derogatory comments.

The audience are greeted jovially as they walk in, by the wedding party. This, for me, is where the humour started as I watched members being accosted by the rather over enthusiastic best man and groomsmen. Some played along, some looked terrified, and some even rose to the challenge and posed for the wedding photographer. It immediately set the tone.

Because what transpired from that point onwards is something that can probably best be described as chaos… Both families, clearly quite dysfunctional in their own ways, are completely different, and as the story unfolds the gap between them widens. Tricia, Natalie’s Mum gets embroiled in a situation with her estranged husband and her toy-boy with a crush, Raj. Patricia and her husband, Alex’s parents, show distain for virtually everything; the city – which it turns out she originally came from – as well as the rules, and more importantly other people’s feelings.

Throughout the performance there is a great deal of humour delivered by the various members of the cast, with different levels of success and comic timing, and the majority of it was well received by the audience judging by the belly laughs around us.  

Set changes were achieved by a group of young people dressed in bright body suits, all of whom worked with over exaggerated gestures and actions, another aspect of the show that was meant to – and successfully did – cause some hilarious moments.

As the story evolves, some misfortune occurs at the venue planned for the wedding breakfast, and it has to be moved to a local community centre, one that was recently closed down and previously run by Natalie. Using a highly strung professional chef for the catering, and a band who had broken up because of artistic differences – that had clearly not been resolved – was obviously a recipe for disaster.

The level of ability in this hugely diverse cast was also varied – with some clearly being very talented and able to portray their character with ease. For those less able in that department they definitely made up for it with enthusiasm.

This show is a real triumph for inclusivity, and successfully blends a show that is both full of humour and featuring a story that has a real feel-good factor. For a local there are also lots of brilliant references to the city, and it all leaves you with that delightfully warm, fuzzy feeling as you exit.

GROSVENOR PARK OPEN AIR THEATRE, CHESTER – UNTIL SUNDAY 1ST SEPTEMBER 2024

REVIEWED BY MIA BOWEN

5*****

In the early 1890s, Oscar Wilde created four society comedies, establishing himself as one of the most successful playwrights in late-Victorian London. “The Importance of Being Earnest” made its premiere on 14th February 1895 at London’s St James’s Theatre. This farcical comedy tells the story of characters who take on fake identities to escape their societal duties. It serves as a satire of Victorian social hypocrisy and is widely regarded as Wilde’s most significant theatrical work. Described by Wilde as a “trivial comedy for serious people,” the play has charmed audiences for 129 years. The reasons for its enduring popularity were clear from the amazing production I saw last night at Grosvenor Park Open Air Theatre.

The show’s sheer entertainment value, along with its wonderful tribute to the work of Oscar Wilde, is truly exemplified by the cast that Natasha Rickman has assembled. They are incredibly expressive, making them stand out as one of the most captivating casts I’ve had the pleasure of seeing. Their performances are so engaging that even in a larger venue, their expressions and mannerisms would not be lost to the distance. This ensemble is truly exceptional, with each member showing clear talent, preparation, and mastery in their portrayals.

The production takes place in a ‘theatre in the round’, allowing the audience to feel involved
in the show as characters move among them and interact. In the last night’s performance,
James Sheldon, playing Mr Worthing, attempted to elucidate his actions by discussing
‘repentance’. He locked eyes with a priest in the front row, hoping for his approval, which
then led to the audience erupting into laughter.

The highlight of this production is the use of ‘Wilde language’, overseen by Dialect Coach
Nick Trumble. Their work is truly praiseworthy, offering the audience some of the most
dazzling verbal wit ever witnessed. Joanne Howarth delivered a standout performance as
Lady Bracknell, drawing comparisons to characters like Moira Rose from Schitt’s Creek and
Violet Crawley, the Dowager Countess of Grantham from Downton Abbey.

This production is highly entertaining and wonderfully whimsical, making it near impossible
not to love. Simultaneously, it offers a reflective and meticulously crafted take on a well known classic.

The Stage Door Theatre, London – until 17 August 2024

Review by Elizabeth J Smith

4****

If you are a child of the 70’s a visit to the Stage Door Theatre is a must this week.

Dust off your tartan 3/4 length trousers, tie your tartan scarf around your wrist and don your tartan cap and get yourself down to the Stage door theatre for an evening of nostalgia with the phenomenon that was the Bay City Rollers.

The play is the tale of a Scottish apprentice plumber who goes on to be a member of a band that was bigger than the Beatles at the time. His name was Alan Longmuir and he was the bass guitarist for the Bay City Rollers, a name, you learn, was picked by throwing a dart into a map of the USA.

The story takes you from Alans childhood memories of listening to Elvis, to the dizzy heights of being every teenage girls heart throb. There were times of great good luck, when their appearance on Crackerjack was cancelled but an invite to appear on Top of the Pops was offered instead and the rest, as they say is history. They had their own TV show and broke North America and Japan with Rollermania.

It wasn’t all plain sailing, with bad management and Alan feeling uncomfortable being a teenage heart throb when in his late 20’s he steps back and resumes his plumbing ways, but never losing his love for the music and performing.

Michael Karl-Lewis gives an endearing performance of young Alan, exuding cheerfulness with cheeky chap vibe. The only down side was he wasn’t playing the guitar, it would have added to the performance if he had.

Lee Fanning narrates the tale and plays the unscrupulous manager, taking on a deceitful persona for the role. You ask yourself “what happened to the money?” Lee also co-produced the show.

Ross Jamieson gives a lively performance of a Roller and the lead singer Les McKeown. I remember the band and Ross gets Les’s movements just right.

When the songs begin the audience stand and the concert begins, Bye Bye Baby, Give a Little Love, Saturday Night and Shang a Lang, remind us of what a great pop band the Bay City Rollers really were.

The performance was also attended by Alan and Les’s wives, which is a great tribute to their husbands and fans who still turn out to remember a local plumber and his four pals who became the Bay City Rollers, 70’s icons.

Theatre Royal, Nottingham – until Saturday 17 August 2024

Reviewed by Louise Ford

3***

This place is busier than Piccadilly Circus

The second offering, in The Colin McIntyre 2024 Classic Thriller season at The Theatre Royal, is Fatal Encounter by Francis Durbridge.

Durbridge made his name originally in the 1930s when he wrote his Paul Temple series for radio. The prolific author also wrote for TV, film and the theatre. The play is directed by Karen Henson and the set is designed by Conan Walsh. The music of the 1960s sets the scene, although the play was written in 1991.

The thriller this time is more of a suspense and there are a great number of “whys” to keep the audience guessing and intrigued. Is everyone or everything exactly as they seem? From the nervous wife to the mysterious Mrs Clayton; the reappearing handbag to the significance of the art work and  just why does he keep calling the Inspector ”he”? There are plenty of clues and red herrings to keep everyone guessing right up until the end.

The action takes place in the living room of a large house in London, and is set over three days. The house belongs to publisher(?) Howard Mansfield (John Goodrum) and his wife Joanna (Hannah Blaikie). A series of apparently unconnected events leads to the “accidental” shooting of Perry Kingsley (Pav Maru). Howard decides to take the rap for the killing and dispatches his wife to their country cottage. Howard unwittingly takes centre stage in a world of blackmail and conspiracy, in an attempt to protect his wife and unravel the mystery that is impacting on his family and friends. Sarah Wynne  Kordas plays Inspector Chris Caldwell, who is an excellent mix of Columbo (just one more question) and Juliet Bravo with a touch of Angela Merkel, works with Howard to unpick the mystery.

Whilst in some ways the style may seem a bit dated and wordy it is nicely performed and moves at pace in the second half. There is some humour but the cast  on the whole played it with a straight bat, although they couldn’t help “hamming it up” for the murders, which greatly amused the audience. The cast clearly enjoyed themselves and had a bop to celebrate at the end.

So get dialling for an evening of suspense!