Bread and Roses Theatre – until 27 October

Reviewed by Claire Roderick

4****

Food, family, romance and music – the perfect ingredients for this charming show from Divergent Theatre Collective.

British Jamaican Camilla Morgan (Melissa Park) and British Chinese Yi Chen (Jarrod Lee) share a passion for food, with Camilla being a regular visitor to Yi’s parents’ Chinese restaurant. Yi knows her order by heart and becomes a grinning idiot whenever she is near. But Camilla is fascinated by Big Yi – a vlogger with a fusion cooking show experimenting with Jamaican/Chinese food. When Yi builds up the courage to suggest the two of them try a “fusion thing” Camilla laughs him off, unaware that Yi is actually Big Yi. The awkwardness and humour of their developing relationship is played out alongside their clashes with their families over their careers.

Both families have an older child who is held up as the ideal role model for the younger sibling and, on the surface, has the professional success and freedom their parents dreamt of for them when they came to the UK. Camilla’s parents Monica and Desmond (Andrea Leslie and Daniel Grant) are proud of architect Sinclair (never seen onstage in a lovely running joke) and his fiancée Rosina (Rochelle Thomas), while Yi’s older brother is successful and has provided a grandchild for Mei and Jian (Susan Mitchell and Sok-ho Trinh). Teacher Camilla and trainee accountant Yi both dream of being chefs, which goes down like a lead balloon with both families.

Writer Lorna Wells has created instantly recognisable but not caricatured, families in this culture clash comedy. Leslie and Grant are a hoot as they despair over Camilla and long for a little house back home in Jamaica while Trinh’s constant appeasement of Mitchell’s constantly disappointed and disdainful Mei is comedy gold. Wells doesn’t shy away from the harsh realities of living in the UK, with the Morgans sharing jokes and stories resignedly about their experiences of racism. Most of their true feelings about life are, in true musical theatre style, expressed through song – which works brilliantly as they keep up their cheerful facades for each other.

Eudora Yutong Qiao’s music and Lorna Wells’ lyrics are catchy and fun, fusing cultural influences and moving the plot forward, and sung beautifully by the talented cast. There’s even room for a little choreography on the tiny stage, with the Morgan’s home on one side, the Chen’s on the other, and Chen’s café taking centre stage. The homes and costumes are colour coded to show the strength of the families’ cultural identity, and director Roman Berry’s assured direction ensures the fast-moving story never loses its emotional clout. The emotional pull and comfort of food, home, family and cultural identity are portrayed joyfully, while also tackling the pressures and guilt of parental expectation and the barriers put up for self-protection and survival in an unfair and prejudiced world in a sensitive, realistic and unsensational manner.

The entire cast give wonderful performances, but the two young leads are surely names to look out for in the future. Melissa Parke and Jarrod Lee both have voices to die for and have glorious chemistry and charisma.

It Tastes Like Home is simply a delight – an exuberant celebration of family, culture and food that will warm your heart and set your stomach rumbling. It’s only on for another week – so grab a ticket while you can.

Sadlers Wells, London, 20 October 2018

Reviewed by Antonia Hebbert

4*****

A double bill of highly stylized theatre by the China National Peking Opera Company sounded, em, interesting and worthy rather than a fun afternoon. But how wrong can you be? These two short works were funny and charming, not just for the chortling Chinese families in the audience but also for those like me who know next to nothing about Chinese cultures.

Just to clarify – ‘Peking opera’, or Jingju, means an art form that grew up in the 19th century from folk and formal sources. It mixes mime, speech, music, dance, martial arts and acrobatics, and the visual arts of elaborate face painting and costumes. So although the set was very plain and harshly lit, the characters were wonderful to look at. Embroidered robes, enormous sleeves, elaborate headdresses and mask-like faces all followed strict conventions but also helped to tell the story. Movements are highly stylized – women flowed along as if on little wheels, warriors leapt and twirled in the air before landing as lightly as cats. Subtitles and programme notes helped, but weren’t essential because the actors were so expressive. Jingju proverb: ‘the actor carries the scene on his body’, or indeed hers – the female characters had less to do than the males, but Dai Zhongyu and Liu Mengjiao managed to convey subtle comedy.

The Crossroad Inn is a case of mistaken identity that leads to two characters fighting in the dark (actually the same flat light) – a showpiece sequence of intertwining, not-quite-touching martial arts acrobatics. Liu Bo (as comical innkeeper Liu Lihua) provided some of the afternoon’s most gravity-defying moves; Wang Haoquiang was his worthy opponent Ren Tanghui; and Liu Kuikui was splendid as Jiao Zan, the general they are trying to protect. Wang Luyu provided the highly atmospheric percussion accompaniment.

The Monkey King and The Leopard King also combines comedy with wonderful acrobatic fight sequences. Zhang Zhifang (The Evil Leopard Spirit, with the most fantastic painted face and some fabulous moves) and Ma Yanchao (the Monkey King) had that same skill of conveying a lot of character through stylized movements. Drummer Wang Luyu was joined this time by a small band of musicians.

An entertaining and intriguing show.

Hackney Empire, London – 19 & 20 October

Reviewed by Antonia Hebbert

4****

A festive crowd made this feel like party night for London’s LGBT+ community (and ‘allies’, as any straights in the audience were kindly called). I say London, because Jonny Woo’s casual timekeeping doesn’t cater for anyone boring enough to need to catch the last train home, and the show was still going strong at 11pm. It’s ‘nu-variety’, which is quite like old variety but cooked up in a raucous gay club, with queer burlesque, raunchy comedy, dancers, singers, cabaret and experimental theatre. That means lots of wigs, super-high heels, frills, weird eyes, glitter, buttocks (sometimes both at once), improbably perfect waxed bodies and a lot of no-holes-barred banter.

‘We are entertainers and teachers,’ says Jonny Woo, who has created this third Un-Royal Variety with composer Richard Thomas (co-writer of Jerry Springer the Opera). The serious aim is to get new identities recognised and celebrated, rather than to produce perfectly polished acts. Some of the turns were brilliant, others were less secure, but a sense of things teetering on the edge is maybe part of the attraction. Garry Starr’s ‘anything but Shakespeare’ performances were good fun and got the audience engaged. Christeene and Lucy McCormick were gruesome, gory and hilarious. Carla Lippis kicked off the second half with a cracking performance. Mawaan Rizwan’s comedy routine and dancing were fabulous; Rhys’s Pieces eerie dancing was utterly wonderful, and a hard act to follow for Jayde Adams – but she swiftly won us over with girl-next-door charm, then belted out a fine Barcelona duet with Jonny Woo. The Theresa May choir – formerly the Kate Middleton Choir, now a whole choir of Theresa May-alikes – didn’t come across as strongly as it should have done – perhaps that will be sorted out on the second night. An excellent house band and dancers (choreography by Lottie Croucher) kept things going nicely.

In The Willows

The Hip-Hop Musical of The Wind in the Willows

CLIVE ROWE TO STAR IN BRAND NEWMUSICAL

TOURING THE UK FROM FEBRUARY 2019

Olivier award-winning actor, ‘the nation’s favourite pantomime dame’, and star of BBC’s The Story of Tracey Beaker, Clive Rowe will star as ‘Mr Badger’ in the UK tour of IN THE WILLOWS, a brand new musical from the award-winning Metta Theatre, opening at the Exeter Northcott on 22 February 2019, and touring the UK until June.

IN THE WILLOWS transforms Kenneth Grahame’s well-loved tale into a thrilling new hip hop musical, written and directed by Poppy Burton-Morgan (Jungle Book, UK & International Tour),with music from award-winning composer Pippa Cleary (The Secret Diary of Adrian Mole, Chocolate Factory; Prodigy, St James Theatre) and groundbreaking hip-hop Composer Keiran Merrick, set and lighting design by William Reynolds, costume design by Ryan Dawson Laight (Blak Whyte Gray, Barbican), and with choreography from Rhimes Lecointe (Associate choreographer for Zoo Nation, and Artistic Director Boudicca).

Mole’s first day in ‘The Willows’. The kids look a bit rough. Surely Mr Badger will look out for her, while hip-hop cool girl Rattie, rich kid rapper Toad and street-dancing Otter teach her the ways of the Riverbank. But when Toad gets locked up for joyriding, the Weasel Clan break in and squat his pad, the Pool Hall. Now it’s only a matter of time before Chief Weasel reveals Mole’s dark secret…

 

With epic show tunes and killer beats, this classic story is brought popping and locking into the twenty first century in an extraordinary new hip-hop musical.

Clive Rowe said, ‘From the moment I was first introduced to In The Willows I knew it was something I had to be a part of – a classic piece of British theatre given the voice and unquenchable energy of the modern generation. Crafted with unabashed love and respect by Poppy, Pippa and Keiran it literally takes my breath away.’

After their smash hit street-dance JUNGLE BOOK and circus-musical LITTLE MERMAID, the award-winning Metta Theatre bring you a bold new take on this much loved classic. Metta Theatre is at the forefront of cross-art-form theatre practice, known for combining emotionally powerful performances with imaginative theatricality and striking visual style. Metta Theatre is one of the UK’s leading mid-scale touring companies – making exceptional theatre and opera that represents and celebrates the diversity of our world.

As Metta’s Artistic Director Poppy Burton-Morgan explains, “Representation is at the heart of our storytelling, so we’re thrilled to develop that further in Willows – integrating BSL into the Choreography and providing a platform for the extraordinary Chris Fonseca, a deaf street dancer, who plays Otter. The show is also full of trans-positive and body positive role models and we hope that in seeing themselves reflected on stage we’re empowering our audiences as we entertain them”.

Exeter Northcott Theatre’s Artistic & Executive Director Daniel Buckroyd said, ‘After three years working with Metta as an Associate Company here at the Northcott, we’re thrilled to be co-producing their extraordinary new musical – when I heard an early sing-through I knew this was going to be something special – a quintessentially English family tale brought bang up-to-date with a brilliant Hip Hop score – as if someone had spliced Matilda with Hamilton!’

Olivier-award winner Clive Rowe MBE has had an illustrious career on stage and screen; best-known to family audiences for his role as ‘Norman “Duke” Ellington in BBC Children’s drama The Story of Tracy Beaker, Clive’s extensive stage credits include Me and My Girl (Chichester), Guys and Dolls(NT and West End), Chicago (Adelphi), The Light Princess(NT), Kiss Me Kate (Chichester and Old Vic), and many appearances in panto, particularly at the Hackney Empire.

IN THE WILLOWS is produced by Metta Theatre and Exeter Northcott Theatre, supported by the Arts Council Strategic Touring Fund.

www.mettatheatre.co.uk

@mettatheatre

www.facebook.com/mettatheatre

www.inthewillows.co.uk

@mettatheatre

#MettaTheatre #InTheWillows

IN THE WILLOWS – UK TOUR DATES 2019

22 February – 2 March Box Office: 01392 726363 Exeter, Northcott Theatre Website: https://exeternorthcott.co.uk

7 – 9 March Box Office: 023 9264 9000 Portsmouth, New Theatre Royal Website: https://www.newtheatreroyal.com/

20 – 23 March Box Office: 024 76553055 Coventry, Belgrade Theatre Website: http://www.belgrade.co.uk/

27 – 30 March Box Office: 0131 529 6000 Edinburgh, Festival Theatre Website: https://www.capitaltheatres.com/

2 – 6 April Box Office: 017687 74411 Keswick, Theatre by the Lake Website: https://www.theatrebythelake.com/

9 – 10 April Box Office: 01865 305305 Oxford, Oxford Playhouse Website: https://www.oxfordplayhouse.com/

16 – 20 April Box Office: 01904 623568 York, York Theatre Royal Website: https://www.yorktheatreroyal.co.uk/

24 – 27 April Box Office: 01684 892277 Malvern Forum Website: https://www.malvern-theatres.co.uk/

1 – 4 May Box Office: 01253 290 190 Blackpool, The Grand Theatre Website: https://www.blackpoolgrand.co.uk/

9 – 11 May Box Office: 0844 871 7646 Wimbledon, New Wimbledon Theatre Website: https://www.atgtickets.com/venues/new-wimbledon-theatre/

21 – 26 May Box Office: 01708 443333 Hornchurch, Queens Theatre Hornchurch Website: https://www.queens-theatre.co.uk/

29 May – 1 June Box Office: 0117 987 7877 Bristol, Bristol Old Vic Website: https://bristololdvic.org.uk/

TWO GIANTS OF THE YORKSHIRE ARTS SCENE ANNOUNCE FIRST EVER COLLABORATION

Leeds-based companies Phoenix Dance Theatre and Opera North are to collaborate for the first time to present a re-working of the iconic ballet The Rite of Spring.

The 20^th century piece, set to Igor Stravinsky’s ground-breaking score, will open at Leeds Grand Theatre in February 2019.

The 1913 premiere of The Rite of Spring almost caused a riot as unconventional choreography and shockingly dissonant music provoked anger from the Parisian audience.

 

Sharon Watson, Artistic Director, Phoenix Dance Theatre: “By presenting our diversity and brand-new contemporary choreography alongside the thoroughly modern and complex score performed by Opera North’s orchestra, we are becoming a part of the colourful history of this piece over 100 years after it was first performed.”

In another ‘first’, internationally-acclaimed Haitian Choreographer, Jeanguy SAINTUS, is to rework the piece – it will be his UK choreography debut.

Jeanguy SAINTUS: “I am thrilled about my upcoming adventure with Phoenix Dance Theatre. To re-envision a revered narrative choreographed by luminaries sounds like a feat. I’m very excited, grateful and humbled that I was chosen to do the work.”

The newly choreographed version of this era-defining work will be performed by Phoenix’s ensemble and the Orchestra of Opera North, led by conductor Garry Walker, playing the unmistakable modernist score. It will be presented in a double-bill with Puccini’s short comic opera Gianni Schicchi, at Leeds Grand Theatre in February and March and on tour to The Lowry, Salford Quays, Theatre Royal Newcastle and Theatre Royal Nottingham.

“Opera North has long sought to programme a new version of The Rite of Spring,” says Opera North’s General Director, Richard Mantle. “We are delighted that Jeanguy SAINTUS will be choreographing this new version of one of the most significant pieces of dance music of the 20^th century, and we are equally excited to collaborate with the exceptional ensemble of Phoenix Dance Theatre for the first time for this visceral, gripping work.

 

“Opera North has a long history of experimental programming, constantly seeking to reinvigorate the classical artforms and deliver exceptional experiences to audiences across the country. We believe this is the first time The Rite of Spring has been paired with Puccini’s Gianni Schicchi, and it will take pride of place in our history alongside previous opera and dance mixed-bills.”

The Rite of Spring opens at Leeds Grand Theatre on Saturday 16th February 2019, in a double-bill with Puccini’s short comic opera Gianni Schicchi.

 

-ends-

 

Performance Listings:

 

The Rite of Spring/Gianni Schicchi

 

Leeds Grand Theatre

Saturday 16^th, Saturday 23^rd, Thursday 28^th February and Saturday 2^nd March at 7.30pm

www.operanorth.co.uk

Box Office: 0844 848 2720

The Lowry, Salford Quays Friday 8 March 2019 at 7.30pm
www.thelowry.com
Box Office: 0843 208 6000

Theatre Royal Newcastle, Saturday 16 March 2019 at 7.30pm
www.theatreroyal.co.uk 
Box Office: 08448 112 121

 

Nottingham Theatre Royal, Friday 22 March 2019 at 7.30pm

www.trch.co.uk

Box Office: 0115 989 5555

Semites
Verbatim disclosures from Palestine and Israel
The Bunker, London SE1 1RU – 30 October – 3 November 2018 
The Loco Klub, Bristol, BS1 6QH – 6 – 10 November 2018 
‘siːmʌɪt,ˈsɛmʌɪt/
noun. a member of any of the peoples who speak or spoke a Semitic language, including
in particular the Jews and Arabs

Palestinians and Israelis have one indisputable thing in common: they are all Semites. Featuring recently gathered testimonies from Palestinians and Israelis, Semites, directed by Daniel Goldman (Thebes Land, You’re not like the Other Girls Chrissy) explores the challenges of living an ordinary life under extraordinary circumstances, of having dialogue with the other, of loss and hope, of staying alive. In a world of echo chambers, fake news and fear, we invite you to leave your preconceptions at the door, and open your eyes, ears and heart.

Semites is the culmination of three years of research and interviews on location in Israel and Palestine. Interviewees included students, farmers, yoga practitioners, lawyers, engineers, journalists, peace activists, settlers and combatants. Creator Ben Nathan heard stories from those who are Jewish, Muslim, Christian, secular, orthodox, settler, ideological, military and political, on both sides of the Green Line. Using family and friends in the region, and his familiarity with life on the ground, Ben gained the commitment and trust of these individuals, groups and organisations

Ben Nathan comments, Using their words, verbatim, I want to encourage intelligent discourse on the subject. This rarely happens because of our often linear and simplistic view of the conflict. By presenting genuine, human experiences from those living this story, I want to challenge polarised perspectives and encourage audiences to reflect and re- examine what they thought they knew. I also want to explore and challenge how much we can trust a verbatim expression, how messages are transmitted and received

The production is supported by Bristol-based Muslim-Jewish dialogue charity, Salaam Shalom, and funded by Arts Council England

FULL CAST ANNOUNCED FOR WORLD PREMIÈRE OF DAVID WALLIAMS’ BILLIONAIRE BOY THE MUSICAL

 

NST Campus

A Nuffield Southampton Theatres in association with Belgrade Theatre Coventry Production

The World Première of

BILLIONAIRE BOY THE MUSICAL

Adapted by Jon Brittain from the book by David Walliams

Music by Miranda Cooper and Nick Coler

Directed by Luke Sheppard; Musical Supervisor and Co-Orchestrator: Ben Holder

Set and Costume Design: Gabriella Slade; Lighting Design: Nic Farman

Sound Design: Paul Gatehouse; Choreographer: Tom Jackson Greaves

19 November – 6 January 2019

Director of Nuffield Southampton Theatres, Sam Hodges today announces the full cast for the world première stage adaptation of David Walliams’ Billionaire Boy The Musical. Luke Shepard directs Alex “Teddy” Clements(MD / Ensemble), Ryan Heenan (Joe Spud), Avita Jay (Sapphire / Raj), Eleanor Kane (Lauren), Lem Knights (Bob), Jared Leathwood (Dave Grubb), Natalie Morgan (Sue Grubb), Daisy Noir (Drummer / Ensemble), Dean Nolan (Len Spud) and Sophia Nomvete (Bobs Mum (Gwen). The production, which marks Miranda Cooper and Nick Coler’s first musical opens on 28 November, with previews from 19 November, and runs until 6 January in Southampton. Billionaire Boy The Musical then tours to Manchester, Coventry and Cardiff.

Imagine being the wealthiest child in the land!

One-day factory worker Len Spud invents a new loo roll “Bum Fresh – wet on one side, dry on the other.” The wiping-wonder is an instant hit. Len, and his son Joe, become overnight billionaires, turning their lives upside down.

Whilst Mr Spud spends, spends, spends on fast cars, 100-inch TVs, and lavish gifts for his glamorous new girlfriend, Sapphire Diamond, Joe is left to fend for himself.

In the unforgiving world of the school playground, things are about to get more complicated. With his new best friend, Bob, at his side, Joe navigates an assault course of school bullies and dangerously inedible canteen food.  To make matters worse, is the impossibly pretty new girl Lauren all that she appears to be?

But can money really buy happiness? This hilarious new musical adaptation is a triumphant treat for the whole family, based on the bestselling book by David Walliams, and presented by the NST team following their award-winning “whisker – licking treat” Fantastic Mr Fox.

David Walliams is a global phenomenon in the world of children’s literature with worldwide sales of over 19.5 million books in more than 53 languages. He is the first children’s author to spend 100 weeks in the number one position in the UK children’s book charts, beating his nearest rivals by over 20 weeks. Three of his books have been awarded Children’s Book of the Year at the National Book Awards. Additionally, The Boy in the Dress, Ratburger, Mr Stink and Gangsta Granny have all been adapted for TV. As well as being a bestselling children’s author, Walliams is one of Britain’s most popular writers and comic actors. Along with Matt Lucas, he created the BAFTA award-winning Little Britain which also played to over 1 million people on tour across the UK, Ireland and Australia. He starred in the Agatha Christie TV series Partners in Crime and as Frankie Howerd in the biopic Rather You Than Me. He is also a judge on one of the biggest shows on TV, Britain’s Got Talent.

Jon Brittain is a playwright, comedy writer and director. His theatre credits include Rotterdam 

(Theatre503/Trafalgar Studios/59E59/Arts Theatre – winner of Most Promising Playwright at the Evening Standard Theatre Awards 2016 and an Olivier Award for Outstanding Achievement in an Affiliate Theatre in 2017.), Margaret Thatcher: Queen of Soho, Margaret Thatcher Queen of Game Shows; and A Super Happy Story (About Feeling Super Sad) which won a Fringe First Award in 2017. He directed both of John Kearns’s Fosters Award winning shows Sight Gags for Perverts and Shtick and Tom Allen’s Both Worlds and Indeed.

 

Miranda Cooper is a British songwriter. Her credits alongside Nick Coler include writing for Girls Aloud and the Sugababes, Alesha Dixon, Gabriella Cilmi, and Kylie Minogue. Cooper’s songs have spent more years on the UK chart than any other female songwriter in history, and she has penned four number one hits – Round Round, Sound of the Underground, Hole in the Head and The Promise.

Nick Coler is a British songwriter. His credits alongside Miranda Cooper include 35 top 10 hits for acts such as Girls Aloud, The Sugababes, Gabriella Cilmi, Alesha Dixon and numerous other artists. In addition, he co-wrote a song with Alastair Lloyd Webber for Starlight Express as well as numerous films and TV shows including Wayne’s World where he wrote Feed my Frankenstein. He has also been nominated three times for an Ivor Novello Award and has won producer of the year.

Alex “Teddy” Clements (Performance Musical Director / Ensemble). He returns to Nuffield Southampton Theatres after his work as Assistant Musical Director on The Shadow Factory. Musical Director Credits include Fortune Lane (Union Theatre), Things We’re Learning Now (Battersea Barge), Tomorrow, Maybe (Actor’s Centre, Bridge House Theatre, C Nova, Omnibus), Blueprints (Theatre Royal Winchester), Theory of Relativity (Theatre Royal Winchester) and A Christmas Carol (Luton Library Theatre). Composer Credits include Tomorrow, Maybe (Actor’s Centre, Bridge House Theatre, C Nova, Omnibus) and Blueprints (Theatre Royal Winchester).

 

Ryan Heenan plays Joe Spud. His theatre credits include Moonfleet (Salisbury Playhouse), Grease (UK tour/international tour), Peter Pan (Churchill Theatre), Sweeney Todd (Derby Theatre/Mercury Theatre Colchester), The Burnt Part Boys (Park Theatre), Variété (Riverside Studios), Mort the Musical (Rose Theatre Kingston) and The Sound of Music (London Palladium).

Avita Jay plays Sapphire / Raj. Her theatre credits include The Secret Garden (York Theatre Royal), The Jungle Book, Bring on the Bollywood, The Merry Wives of Windsor (UK tour), Bottled Up (Lyric Hammersmith), We’re Stuck (Shoreditch Town Hall/UK tour), Rapunzel, Warde Street (Park Theatre), Pioneer (Sheffield Theatres/UK tour), Unsung (Wilton’s Music Hall) and Sunday Morning at the Centre of the World (Southwark Playhouse). Her film credits include The Rezort, The East London Story: Slap or Die, London, Paris, New York and Twenty8K.

Eleanor Kane plays Lauren. Her theatre credits include Fun Home (Young Vic – Stage debut award nomination).

Lem Knights plays Bob. His theatre credits include Priscilla Queen of the Desert (Queen’s Theatre, Hornchurch),The Hundred and One Dalmatians, One Love: The Bob Marley Musical (Birmingham Rep), Boxed (The Vaults), Ragtime (Charing Cross Theatre), Below the Breadline and Different Windows (Edinburgh Festival Fringe).

Jared Leathwood plays Dave Grubb. This marks his professional stage debut.

 

Natalie Morgan plays Sue Grubb. Her theatre credits include Gala (Arcola), Mountains of Madness(Old Red Lion Theatre, Etcetera Theatre), A Christmas Carol: The Musical (LOST Theatre), One More Time (Tristan Bates Theatre) and The Thing On the Doorstep: Asenath’s Tale (Etcetera Theatre).

 

Daisy Noir (Drummer / Ensemble). This production marks her professional stage debut.

Dean Nolan plays Len Spud. His theatre credits include Brief Encounter (Birmingham Rep/Empire Cinema, Haymarket), Big Fish (The Other Palace), Fiddler on the Roof, Conquest of the South Pole, Romeo and Juliet, A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Liverpool Everyman), The Oresteia, Measure For Measure, ‘Tis A Pity She’s A Whore, The Knight Of The Burning Pestle (Shakespeare’s Globe), The Winter’s Tale (Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre) and Steptoe and Son (UK tour). His film credits include Pan and London Road.

 

Sophia Nomvete plays Bobs Mum (Gwen). Her theatre credits include A Midsummer Night’s Dream, The Wizard of Oz (Sheffield Theatres), Miss Littlewood, Vice Versa (RSC), Wind in the Willows the Musical (Theatre Royal Plymouth/ The Lowry/Mayflower Theatre), Noises Off (Nottingham Playhouse/Northern Stage/Nuffield Southampton Theatres), The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe (Birmingham Rep), The Heresy of Love, As You Like It (Shakespeare’s Globe), Much Ado About Nothing (Royal Exchange Theatre), Tuxedo Junction (The Watermill Theatre), The Color Purple (Menier Chocolate Factory), The Pyjama Game (Chichester Festival Theatre), Ragtime and A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre), Antony and Cleopatra (Nuffield Southampton Theatre), Grimm Tales (Library Theatre), England People Very Nice (National Theatre), Our House (Cambridge Theatre), The Drowsy Chaperone (The Gatehouse), Footloose (Novello Theatre) and Fame (UK tour).

 

Luke Sheppard directs. His credits include In The Heights (Southwark Playhouse/ King Cross Theatre – winner of 3 Olivier Awards), Murder for Two (The Other Palace / UK tour), Spring Awakening (Hope Mill, Manchester), The Secret Diary of Adrian Mole Age 13 ¾ (Menier Chocolate Factory / Leicester Curve), Working, Casa Valentina (Southwark Playhouse), Jersey Boys (international tour), Oliver! (The Watermill Theatre), Peter and the Starcatcher (Theatre Royal Northampton), Night Must Fall (Salisbury Playhouse) and Stig of the Dump (Arts Theatre).

Listings

Nuffield Southampton Theatres

NST Campus, University Rd, Southampton, SO17 1TR

NST City, Above Bar Street, Guildhall Square, Southampton, SO14 7DU

www.nstheatres.co.uk

Twitter:                @nstheatres

Facebook:           /nstheatres

Box Office:          023 8067 1771

Monday – Friday: 10am – 6pm

Saturday: 10am – 4pm

Tour:

The Lowry, Manchester

14 February – 17 February

www.thelowry.com

084 3208 6000

 

Belgrade Theatre, Coventry

20 – 23 February

www.belgrade.co.uk

024 7655 3055

 

New Theatre, Cardiff

26 February – 2 March

www.newtheatrecardiff.co.uk

029 2087 8889

TOUR EXTENDED FOR IAN HISLOP AND NICK NEWMAN’S NEW COMEDY

TRIAL BY LAUGHTER

 

THE PRODUCTION IS CURRENTLY PLAYING AT THE WATERMILL THEATRE, NEWBURY, BEFORE HEADING ON A UK TOUR

Following critical acclaim and huge demand for tickets, Trademark Touring and Watermill Theatre are pleased to announce a UK tour extension for Ian Hislop and Nick Newman’s new play, Trial By Laughter. In addition to Newbury, Guildford, Ipswich, Cheltenham and Brighton, the show is now set to visit Malvern, Greater Manchester, Chichester, Glasgow, Richmond, Milton Keynes and Eastbourne in early 2019.

After the sell-out success of The Wipers Times in the West End and across the country, Ian Hislop and Nick Newman have once again taken inspiration from real life events for their new play Trial by Laughter, based on their critically acclaimed original BBC Radio 4 drama of the same name. The production is a Trademark Touring and Watermill Theatre co-production.

In 1817 bookseller, publisher and satirist William Hone stood trial for parodying religion, the despotic government and the libidinous monarchy. The only crime he had committed was to be funny. In 2018, the satirists Ian Hislop and Nick Newman rediscover this forgotten hero of free speech and ask if just over two hundred years later our press has any greater freedom.

The current cast includes Helena Antoniou (Lady Hertford), Philippe Edwards (Sidmouth), Jeremy Lloyd (Prince Regent), Peter Losasso (Cruickshank), Nicholas Murchie (Justice Abbott/Duke of York), Joseph Prowen (Hone), Eva Scott (Lady Conyngham/Sarah) and Dan Tetsell (Lord Ellenborough), with casting for 2019 to be confirmed in due course.

Satirist, writer and journalist Ian Hislop has been the editor of Private Eye since 1986. He has frequently appeared on Question Time (BBC One), and since 1990 has been team captain on BBC’s Have I Got News for You. At Private Eye he works with life-long friend Nick Newman, an award-winning cartoonist and writer, who alongside his role at Private Eye, has been pocket cartoonist for The Sunday Times since 1989. As a scriptwriting duo, Ian and Nick’s work includes five years on Spitting Image (ITV), Harry Enfield and Chums (BBC Two), and My Dad’s the Prime Minister (BBC One), as well as the film A Bunch of Amateurs and The Wipers Times, which won the Broadcast Press Guild Award for single drama, and was nominated for a BAFTA. Trial by Laughter is Ian and Nick’s third play to be co-produced with The Watermill Theatre and Trademark, following adaptations of A Bunch of Amateurs and The Wipers Times.

Ian Hislop and Nick Newman said:

“In an age of ‘fake news’ and increased censorship, free speech and press freedom are still under threat as they were 200 years ago when William Hone took on the might of Royalty and a bullying Tory government. Hone dared to ask ‘Is laughter treason?’ – raising issues which are as relevant now as they were then. It’s a tale of lawyers, lechers and libel – with added sedition and blasphemy. It is immensely exciting to bring this world to life on stage, with this funny, inspiring and true story of a satirical David versus Goliath.”

Trial by Laughter is directed by Caroline Leslie. It is designed by Dora Schweitzer with lighting design by Matt Leventhall and sound by Steve Mayo.

 

The Wipers Times, also produced by Trademark Touring and The Watermill Theatre is likewise touring and is due to transfer for a second time to the Arts Theatre in the West End in October, where it plays a limited season until 1 December 2018.

TRIAL BY LAUGHTER – FULL TOUR DATES AND LISTINGS INFORMATION

Thursday 20^th September – Saturday 27^th October                                     Watermill Theatre, Newbury

Monday 29^th October – Saturday 3^rd November                                                      Yvonne Arnaud Theatre, Guildford

Monday 5^th November – Saturday 10^th November                                                The New Wolsey Theatre, Ipswich

Monday 12^th November – Saturday 17^th November                                   Everyman Theatre, Cheltenham

Monday 19^th November – Saturday 24^th November                                      Theatre Royal, Brighton

Monday 21^st January – Saturday 26^th January                                               Malvern Theatre

Monday 28^th January – Saturday 2^nd February                                                       The Lowry                            

Monday 4^th February – Saturday 9^th February                                             Chichester Festival Theatre

Monday 11^th February – Saturday 16^th February                                              King’s Theatre, Glasgow

Monday 18^th February – Saturday 23^rd February                                         Richmond Theatre

Monday 25^th February – Saturday 2^nd March                                                    Milton Keynes Theatre

Monday 4^th March – Saturday 9^th March                                                       Devonshire Park Theatre, Eastbourne 

A Royal & Derngate, Northampton, Kenny Wax Family Entertainment, Novel Theatre and Nica Burns co-production

The Worst Witch
Adapted from Jill Murphy’s original books by Emma Reeves

Royal & Derngate, Northampton – Tuesday 27 November to Sunday 30 December 2018

Then touring to venues nationwide until 1 June 2019

Cast and creative team confirmed for world premiere of Made in Northampton production The Worst Witch at Royal & Derngate this Christmas before nationwide tour

The all-female cast has been confirmed for the world premiere production of The Worst Witch which opens at Royal & Derngate this Christmas as part of the theatre’s Made in Northampton season. An original story for the stage by Emma Reeves (Royal Television Society Award for Best Children’s TV Programme and 2017 British Screenwriters Award for Best Children’s Programme) based upon Jill Murphy’s beloved series of classic novels The Worst Witch, the production will be directed by Theresa Heskins (2017 UK Theatre Award for Best Show for Children and Young People) and designed by Simon Daw, with music by Luke Potter.

The Worst Witch is co-produced by Royal & Derngate with Kenny Wax Family Entertainment, Novel Theatre and Nica Burns and will embark on a major national tour in 2019, after its run in Northampton.

The Worst Witch is the story of an ordinary girl who finds herself in an extraordinary place: a school for witches. Now in her final year, accident-prone Mildred Hubble and her fellow pupils leave a trail of mayhem behind them as they find themselves at the centre of a battle that’s being fought for their future. The show features magic, puppetry, original music and plenty of Mildred’s unique brand of utter pandemonium.

Playing the hapless Mildred Hubble is Danielle Bird, whose recent stage credits include The Hypocrite (Royal Shakespeare Company/Hull Truck) and Macbeth (Shakespeare’s Globe). Taking the roles of Agatha and Miss Cackle is UK Theatre Award-winning actor Polly Lister whose credits include The Snow Queen (New Vic Theatre, Newcastle-under-Lyme) and Great Expectations (Derby Theatre). Rachel Heaton (Passing, Bunker Theatre) plays Miss Hardbroom. Rebecca Killick (Pink Mist, Bristol Old Vic) plays Maud, Rosie Abraham (Peter Pan Goes Wrong, West End and tour) plays Ethel and Anna Crichlow (Common, National Theatre) plays Enid. The cast is completed by Molly-Grace Cutler as Miss Bat/musician, Megan Leigh Mason as Miss Drill/musician, Emma Lau as Drusilla and Meg Forgan as Fenella/musician.

Jill Murphy’s The Worst Witch stories have sold more than five million copies and been made into films and TV series by HBO, ITV and CBBC. Jill commented: “My first trip to the theatre aged four, opened up a magical world – so real to me, that I had to be restrained from climbing onstage to help the children in peril! My mum was quite cross with me, but I never wanted the show to end and sang the songs loudly all the way home on the bus. Imagine how proud I feel, all these years later, seeing my own Mildred Hubble on stage with all the characters from Miss Cackle’s Academy. I still feel thrilled to bits when I go to the theatre and I just know The Worst Witch is going to be a magical production.”

Emma Reeves added: “We’re creating a brand new story as well as revisiting moments from the books. Jealous Ethel Hallow is out to spoil Mildred’s fun, and Miss Hardbroom is opposed to all fun in general. But, without giving too much away, Mildred faces a greater danger than she ever imagined as an old enemy returns, with a plan for revenge that could threaten not just the Academy, but the whole world… “

Winner of the Royal Television Society Award for Best Children’s Television Programme, and of the 2017 British Screenwriters Award for Best Children’s Programme for the television adaptations of The Worst Witch, Emma Reeves’ screen writing credits include Eve, The Dumping Ground, Young Dracula and The Story of Tracy Beaker. Her stage work includes the Olivier Award-nominated and critically acclaimed adaptation of Hetty Feather (UK tour and West End).

The production will be directed by Theresa Heskins, Artistic Director of the New Vic Theatre, Staffordshire. Theresa commented: “This year, when we’ve seen the start of a rebalancing of power within our society, it feels like an important time to be creating a play about young women who are learning, collectively and individually, to use their power; and the danger if they decide to use it not for good but for ill.”

Theresa’s past productions include The Snow Queen which won the 2017 UK Theatre Award for Best Show for Children and Young People. Her wonderfully inventive and hugely popular production ofAround the World in 80 Days was nominated for the same award, in both 2015 and 2017, and will tour to America in 2019.

The show is designed by Simon Daw, whose credits include Baskerville (Liverpool Playhouse) andHumble Boy (Orange Tree Theatre). Lighting design is by Aideen Malone, whose credits include A Monster Calls (London Old Vic/Bristol Old Vic) and Peter Pan (National Theatre), and sound design is by Leigh Davies whose recent work includes Spring Awakening (Hope Mill Theatre, Manchester) andKing Lear (Old Vic). Original music will be composed by Luke Potter (Hetty Feather), while Vicki Amedume leads on Aerial Direction, Beverley Norris-Edmunds choreographs, and magician John Bulleid creates illusions for the show.

 

Made in Northampton is sponsored locally by Michael Jones Jeweller.

@RoyalDerngate / #MadeInNorthampton / #WorstWitchThePlay

 

Listings information:

Royal & Derngate, Guildhall Road, Northampton NN1 1DP

Dates: Tuesday 27 November to Sunday 30 December 2018
Times: Times vary – see website for details
Tickets: From £11*
Box Office: 01604 624811 or online at www.royalandderngate.co.uk

* A charge of £3 applies for all transactions £15 and over. Does not apply to Groups, Friends or Disabled Patrons, and is per-transaction, not per-ticket.

Royal & Derngate Christmas Show Dates
and 2019 UK Tour Details:

Northampton, Royal & Derngate – Tue 27 Nov – Sun 30 Dec
royalandderngate.co.uk

Sheffield, Lyceum Theatre – Tue 29 Jan – Sat 2 Feb
sheffieldtheatres.co.uk

Cambridge Arts Theatre – Wed 6 – Sun 10 Feb
Tickets On Sale Soon

Hull, New Theatre – Tue 12 – Sat 16 Feb
hulltheatres.co.uk

Derby Theatre – Mon 18 – Wed 20 Feb
derbytheatre.co.uk

Canterbury Marlowe Theatre – Thu 21 – Sat 23 Feb
marlowetheatre.com

Dartford Orchard Theatre – Wed 27 Feb – Sun 3 Mar
orchardtheatre.co.uk

Southampton Mayflower Theatre – Wed 6 Mar – Sat 9 Mar
mayflower.org.uk

Malvern Theatre – Tue 12 – Sat 16 Mar
malvern-theatres.co.uk

Leicester Curve – Tue 19 – Sun 24 Mar
curveonline.co.uk

Salford Lowry – Tue 26 – Sun 31 Mar
thelowry.com

Plymouth, Theatre Royal – Tue 9 – Sat 13 April
theatreroyal.com

Norwich, Theatre Royal – Tue 16 – Sat 20 April
Tickets Go On Sale 9 November 2018

Coventry, Belgrade Theatre – Wed 24 – Sat 27 April
belgrade.co.uk

Edinburgh, King’s Theatre – Tue 7 – Sun 12 May
capitaltheatres.com

Birmingham Hippodrome – Wed 22 – Sun 26 May
Birminghamhippodrome.com

Liverpool Playhouse – Tue 28 May – Sat 1 June
Tickets Go On Sale Late November 2018

More dates to be added

Stephen Sondheim and George Furth’s musical

COMPANY

 

EXTENDS SEASON TO 30 MARCH 2019

 

Marianne Elliott’s production opens to widespread critical acclaim

 

Star-studded opening night at the Gielgud Theatre

 

 

Following critical acclaim across the board, Marianne Elliott’s new production of Company – with Rosalie Craig in the central role of Bobbie and also starring Patti LuPone, Mel Giedroyc and Jonathan Bailey – has announced it is to extend booking through to 30 March 2019.

 

Stephen Sondheim and George Furth’s multi-award winning musical comedy about life, love and marriage opened last night at the Gielgud Theatre in the presence of a star-studded audience, including Emma Thompson, Graham Norton and Andrew Garfield. Today the production announced that a further 100,000 tickets are to be released.

The cast of Company is: Rosalie Craig as Bobbie, Patti LuPone as Joanne, Mel Giedroyc as Sarah, Jonathan Bailey as Jamie, George Blagden as PJ, Ashley Campbell as Peter, Richard Fleeshman as Andy, Alex Gaumondas Paul, Richard Henders as David, Ben Lewis as Larry, Daisy Maywood as Susan, Jennifer Saayeng as Jenny,Matthew Seadon-Young as Theo and Gavin Spokes as Harry.  Joining them are:  Michael Colbourne, Francesca Ellis, Ewan Gillies, Grant Neal and Jaimie Pruden.

 

At Bobbie’s 35^th birthday party all her friends are wondering why she isn’t married; why she can’t find the right man and why she hasn’t settled down to have a family. The multi-award winning musical comedy about life, love and marriage includes Stephen Sondheim’s iconic songs include The Ladies who Lunch, Being Alive, Side by Side and You Could Drive a Person Crazy.

Marianne Elliott, Artistic Director of Elliott & Harper Productions, a company she founded in 2016 with producer Chris Harper, was awarded an OBE in the 2018 Queen’s Birthday Honour’s List for her services to theatre. Elliott is the first woman in Broadway history to win two Tony Awards for Best Director and her recent Broadway transfer of Tony Kushner’s Angels in America received the 2018 Tony Award for Best Revival of a Play.  Angels in America at the National Theatre also received the 2018 Olivier Award for Best Revival of a Play. Marianne’s ground-breaking production of The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time received 7 Olivier Awards in London, including Best New Play and Best Director and 5 Tony Awards for its run on Broadway, including Best Play and Best Director and will soon return to the West End for a run at the Picadilly Theatre.  Her production of Saint Joan earned her the Olivier Award for Best Revival of a Play and Pillars of the Community earned her the Evening Standard Award for Best Director.  War Horse, which she co-directed, and has been seen by over 7 million people world-wide, and will be making a return to the National Theatre later this year.

 

Joining director Marianne Elliott on the creative team are:  choreographer Liam Steel, designer, musical supervisor and conductor Joel Fram, designer,  Bunny Christie, lighting designer Neil Austin, sound designer Ian Dickinson (for Autograph Sound), illusions designer Chris Fisher, orchestrator David Cullen, dance arranger Sam Davis and casting directors Alastair Coomer CDG and Charlotte Sutton CDG.

The producers for Company at the Gielgud Theatre are: Elliott & Harper Productions, Catherine Schreiber, Grove Entertainment, Jujamcyn Theaters, LD Entertainment, David Mirvish, Aged in Wood Productions/Ricardo Hornos, Bob Boyett/Tom Miller, Bruno Wang Productions/Salman Al-Rashid, Across the Pond Theatricals/ Trio Theatricals and Greek Street Productions/Christopher Ketner.

 

 

Company Box Office information:

Address:                              Gielgud Theatre, Shaftesbury Avenue, London

Dates:                                   Booking through to 30 March 2019

Performances:                  Monday to Saturday at 7.30pm, Thursday and Saturday at 2.30pm

 

Ticket prices from £25

Gielgud Theatre Box Office – Booking 0844 482 5130

 

Online from www.delfontmackintosh.co.uk

 

Website:                   CompanyMusical.co.uk

Facebook:                facebook.com/CompanyWestEnd

Instagram:               @CompanyWestEnd

Twitter:                     @CompanyWestEnd