1,000 West End Stage students to record A Million Dreams

in aid of NSPCC Childline, now on iTunes 

Kerry Ellis, star of the West End and Broadway, has teamed up with 1,000 West End Stage students, for a special charity fundraising recording of A Million Dreams from the hit film, The Greatest Showman. 

 

The track is now available to download on iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/gb/album/a-million-dreams-for-childline-feat-kerry-ellis-single/1438295345 An official video for the track will be released soon.

 

All proceeds will go to the NSPCC’s Childline service (0800 1111), which is there to give young people a voice when no one else is listening. Whatever problems or dangers they are facing, Childline is a place for them to turn for support – any time of day or night.

 

West End Stage launched in 2006 in a bid to become the UK’s leading theatre summer school by igniting a global passion for theatre. Throughout the week-long course, students take part in drama, singing and dance classes led by West End stars, and then make their own West End debut in a showcase at Her Majesty’s Theatre. This year’s students, who all took part in the recording, ranged from just 8 years old through to 21, with 26% of them attending from outside the UK, from 52 different countries as far away as Australia, Cambodia and Indonesia. 

 

Kerry Ellis, who is the Patron of West End Stage, has played many lead roles in shows in the West End and on Broadway including We Will Rock You, Oliver!, My Fair Lady, Miss Saigon, Les Miserables, Cats and Rent.

 

Mark Puddle, Chief Executive of West End Stage, said: “This year marked our 10,000th West End Stage student, and we wanted to do something fitting to celebrate that. The charity recording was an opportunity to channel 1,000 young voices to raise funds and awareness for Childline, hopefully inspiring and empowering others. Childline’s services help the same demographic of students that attends West End Stage, and at our summer schools we encourage an inclusive atmosphere where everyone can be themselves, be supported, and where no one is alone.”

 

To find out more about West End Stage visit: https://www.westendstage.com and follow @WestEndStage on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. 

 

NEW ADVENTURES

ANNOUNCES THE

WORLD PREMIERE

OF

FOLLOWING A NATIONWIDE SEARCH

BRITAIN’S BRIGHTEST YOUNG DANCE TALENT

WILL JOIN THE NEW ADVENTURES COMPANY

 

UK TOUR OPENS 13 MAY 2019

 

New Adventures is delighted to announce the world premiere of Matthew Bourne’s “ROMEO AND JULIET” opening at Curve, Leicester on Monday 13 May 2019, as part of a UK tour to 13 venues including a four-week summer season at Sadler’s Wells from Wednesday 7 August to Saturday 31 August 2019. Full tour schedule below.

Matthew Bourne’s “ROMEO AND JULIET” is a passionate and contemporary re-imagining of Shakespeare’s classic love story. Bursting with youth, vitality and Matthew Bourne’s trademark storytelling, Britain’s brightest young dance talent join the New Adventures company for this World Premiere production. Directed and choreographed by Matthew Bourne, collaborating with his entire New Adventures Associate Artistic team; Etta Murfitt, Associate Artistic Director, set and costume design by Lez Brotherston; lighting by Paule Constable; sound by Paul Groothuis; and new orchestrations of the Prokofiev score by Terry Davies, played live by the New Adventures Orchestra and conducted by Brett Morris.

As part of New Adventures’ ambition to support the next generation of on-stage talent and inspired by the success of “Lord of the Flies” in 2014, which combined professional dancers and young men with little or no dance experience, “ROMEO AND JULIET” will feature the finest emerging male and female dancers from around the UK. The search began in April 2018 with a call-out for the next generation of young dancers currently in training aged between 16 and 19. Attracting over 1000 applications and following a UK-wide audition tour, six Young Cast members at each venue will perform alongside the New Adventures company. This unique opportunity will nurture and develop young talent with a view to them embarking on a career in dance.

Matthew Bourne said today “New Adventures’ Romeo and Juliet will be a celebration of youthful energy, talent and creativity both on and off-stage and, uniquely, in all aspects of Choreography, Design and Music through the appointment of a series of “Young Associate Artists”.   As we enter our fourth decade as a company, I’m finding the development of young talent ever more important and fulfilling. Our current company of “Swan Lake” features 29 young dancers making their debuts with us, many of those have come through our Company initiatives such as “Swan School”, “A Summer Adventure” and of course, our production of “Lord of the Flies” which inspired so many young men to seek careers in dance. This time we are focusing on nurturing young male and female dancers, and I have been overwhelmed by the talent that we have had to choose from throughout the UK. I’m particularly happy to be working alongside my Young Associate Choreographer, Arielle Smith, an exceptional young dancemaker of great maturity and vision. In turn, after 30 years as a professional choreographer, I look forward to being refreshed and inspired by what this team of young artists will bring to Shakespeare’s classic tale of tragic conflict and young love”. 

The title roles of ‘Romeo’ and ‘Juliet’ will be played by six New Adventures rising stars and two exciting new dancers making their professional debuts.

‘Juliet’ will be played by Cordelia Braithwaite, currently performing as ‘Cinderella’ on the international tour; Seren Williams, who joined the company in 2016 with Matthew Bourne’s award-winning production of “The Red Shoes” and Bryony Harrison who is making her debut with New Adventures on tour with Matthew Bourne’s legendary production of “Swan Lake”.

‘Romeo’ will be performed by Andrew Monaghan, currently ‘The Pilot’ in “Cinderella”, Paris Fitzpatrick who is playing the ‘Angel’ in “Cinderella” and João Carolino who joined the company in 2017 with “Early Adventures”.

Making their professional debuts with the company are Harrison Dowzell, as ‘Romeo’, who auditioned for the Young Cast in Nottingham, and Bryony Wood, as ‘Juliet’, discovered during the Young Cast auditions in Southampton. Both are in their graduate years at Performers College and Tring Park School for the Performing Arts respectively. New Adventures is working in partnership with both vocational colleges to support the completion of their training during the tour.

Full cast to be announced shortly.

Continuing New Adventures’ commitment to developing off-stage talent we have recruited a team of Young Associate Artists to work alongside the Artistic team in the creation of this world premiere production. Arielle Smith joins as Young Associate Choreographer; Elin Steele as Young Associate Set & Costume Designer and Ali Hunter as Young Associate Lighting Designer. Further Young Associates will also be appointed in the Sound and Music departments.

For more information please visit: www.new-adventures.net

Facebook /MBNewAdventures    Twitter @New_Adventures     Instagram @MBNewAdventures

LISTINGS

ROMEO AND JULIET TOUR DATES 2019

MONDAY 13 MAY – SATURDAY 18 MAY

CURVE, LEICESTER – www.curveonline.co.uk

ON SALE 1 NOVEMBER 2018

WEDNESDAY 22 MAY – SATURDAY 25 MAY

ALHAMBRA THEATRE, BRADFORD – www.bradford-theatres.co.uk

ON SALE 12 NOVEMBER 2018

TUESDAY 28 MAY – SATURDAY 1 JUNE

ROYAL & DERNGATE, NORTHAMPTON – www.royalandderngate.co.uk

ON SALE 15 OCTOBER 2018

TUESDAY 4 JUNE – SATURDAY 8 JUNE

THEATRE ROYAL PLYMOUTH – www.theatreroyal.com

ON SALE 26 OCTOBER 2018

TUESDAY 11 JUNE – SATURDAY 15 JUNE

THE LOWRY, SALFORD – www.thelowry.com

ON SALE 15 NOVEMBER 2018

TUESDAY 18 JUNE – SATURDAY 22 JUNE

WALES MILLENNIUM CENTRE, CARDIFF – www.wmc.org.uk

ON SALE 26 NOVEMBER 2018

WEDNESDAY 7 AUGUST – SATURDAY 31 AUGUST (PRESS NIGHTS 9 AUGUST & 23 AUGUST)

SADLER’S WELLS, LONDON – www.sadlerswells.com

ON SALE 5 NOVEMBER 2018

TUESDAY 3 SEPTEMBER – SATURDAY 7 SEPTEMBER

NORWICH THEATRE ROYAL – www.theatreroyalnorwich.co.uk

ON SALE SPRING 2019

TUESDAY 10 SEPTEMBER – SATURDAY 14 SEPTEMBER

BIRMINGHAM HIPPODROME – www.birminghamhippodrome.com

ON SALE 3 DECEMBER 2018

TUESDAY 17 SEPTEMBER – SATURDAY 21 SEPTEMBER

MARLOWE THEATRE, CANTERBURY – www.marlowetheatre.com

ON SALE SOON

TUESDAY 24 SEPTEMBER – SATURDAY 28 SEPTEMBER

MAYFLOWER THEATRE, SOUTHAMPTON – www.mayflower.org.uk

ON SALE 17 OCTOBER 2018

TUESDAY 1 OCTOBER – SATURDAY 5 OCTOBER

THEATRE ROYAL, NOTTINGHAM – www.trch.co.uk

ON 19 OCTOBER 2018

TUESDAY 8 OCTOBER – SATURDAY 12 OCTOBER

THEATRE ROYAL, NEWCASTLE – www.theatreroyal.co.uk

ON SALE 9 NOVEMBER 2018

THE RENOWNED STEPHEN JOSEPH THEATRE IN SCARBOROUGH HAS PARTNERED WITH COVENTRY UNIVERSITY, A LEADING UK MODERN UNIVERSITY, TO INTRODUCE A RADICAL NEW BA (HONS) DEGREE IN ACTING.

FREE AUDITION PROCESS CONFIRMED

 

Scarborough’s renowned Stephen Joseph Theatre (SJT) has partnered with CU Scarborough, Coventry University’s campus on the Yorkshire coast, to introduce a radical new BA (Hons) Acting degree.

Commencing in September 2019, the three-year course will train students in acting for stage, T.V. and radio as well as introducing them to various non-traditional techniques such as presenting, corporate role-play, vlogging and acting for gaming.

Created through an innovative partnership with a prominent regional producing theatre, the degree curriculum will enable regular visits to the Stephen Joseph Theatre, giving students the opportunity to gain experience of acting through masterclasses with the Artistic Director, associate directors and other freelance professionals. They will also receive mentoring by SJT’s staff on the inner-workings of a regional theatre including marketing, producing, fundraising, and technical and stage management. In their third year, students will have the opportunity to audition for the SJT to be part of a professional acting company.

In a bid to champion access for all, this degree will introduce a dynamic new auditioning process which will be free to prospective students, removing some of the early financial barriers experienced by prospective drama students.

Paul Robinson, Artistic Director at the Stephen Joseph Theatre, said:

“This exciting new course, with dynamic and free audition methods is aimed at the non-traditional actor for whom access to training may have previously been prohibitive.

“There’s been much talk about making access to acting training more affordable but we still see drama schools charging an average of £60/£70, and often more, for auditions. Our course will see the first round of self-taped audition speeches – on, for instance, a smartphone – allowing us to keep the audition process manageable, free and appropriate by employing the contemporary digital techniques that are becoming more and more a part of our standard industry practice.

While the acting and vocal training will be on a par with the best drama schools, there will also be training in radio and TV acting and presenting, corporate role-play, gaming, and even vlogging – all ways in which the contemporary actor can find employment.

This will be a forward-thinking, relevant curriculum. We have designed the course to reflect the contemporary acting world, not a stuffy one from a bygone era.”

We know that access to formal training has been financially prohibitive for many people and that has resulted in an industry that does not necessarily reflect the socio-economic diversity of our country. If we are serious about the diversity of the voices in our sector, then we need to address this at the earliest possible opportunity. Our partnership with Coventry University is borne out of a set of shared values around diversity and inclusivity. We will ensure that students receive the best possible training and that they will get the chance to see their future industry in action. Access to a working producing theatre will provide a level of insight often missing in formal training, it will allow students to identify innovative routes into the profession and begin thinking about the shape of their careers earlier.

Kay Fraser, Interim Associate Pro-Vice-Chancellor of CU Scarborough, said:

“We want to train actors in the broadest possible skillset to market themselves as professionals and increase their chances of employment after they graduate.

“We’re delighted to be partnering with the Stephen Joseph Theatre to design and deliver this course: the values of our organisations are really aligned when it comes to putting the student first.”

For more information on the SJT/CU Scarborough BA (Hons) Acting please visit:www.coventry.ac.uk/cus/acting

WAYWARD PRODUCTIONS INAUGURAL PRODUCTION OF

ENDA WALSH’S ADAPTATION OF MAX PORTER’S AWARD-WINNING NOVELGRIEF IS THE THING WITH FEATHERS OPENS AT THE BARBICAN AHEAD OF PERFORMANCES IN NEW YORK

 

Wayward Productions in association with Complicité
Co-produced by the Barbican, Cork Opera House, Edinburgh International Festival,

Oxford Playhouse, St Ann’s Warehouse and Warwick Arts Centre

Cillian Murphy in

GRIEF IS THE THING WITH FEATHERS

by Max Porter

Adapted and Directed by Enda Walsh

Composed by Teho Teardo; Design by Jamie Vartan; Costume by Christina Cunningham

Lighting by Adam Silverman; Sound by Helen Atkinson; Video by Will Duke

Monday 25 March–Saturday 13 April 2019, Barbican Theatre

Wayward Productions, led by Judith Dimant, today announce that their inaugural production of Enda Walsh’s adaptation of Max Porter’s award-winning novel Grief is the Thing with Feathers. Walsh also directs, reuniting him with Cillian Murphy, following the huge success of their past collaborations: Disco Pigs, Ballyturk and Misterman.

 

Grief is the Thing with Feathers is a moving story of a widower and his young sons which becomes a profound meditation on love, loss and living. The production opens on 28 March, with previews from 25 March, and runs until 13 April, ahead of transferring to St Ann’s Warehouse in New York.

Once upon a time there was a crow who wanted nothing more than to care for a pair of motherless children…

In a London flat, two young boys face the unbearable sadness of their mother’s sudden death. Their father imagines a future of well-meaning visitors and emptiness. In this moment of despair they are visited by Crow – antagonist, trickster, healer, babysitter. This sentimental bird is drawn to the grieving family and threatens to stay until they no longer need him.

Judith Dimant said today, “It’s a real privilege to have worked with Enda and Cillian on Max Porter’s beautiful book. I had no idea how it would come to life – but it most certainly has. And it’s a dream that it should mark the start of my new company, Wayward Productions.”

Max Porter added, “Working with Enda, Cillian and the whole team on the adaptation of Grief was one of the most revelatory and rewarding experiences of my life. I think they’ve made a genuinely extraordinary piece of theatre, something radical and unforgettable. For it to be coming ‘home’ to London, where the book is set, and where the book was written, means a lot to me. The Barbican theatre is the perfect space for Crow. I couldn’t be more excited.”

Enda Walsh is a multi-award-winning Irish playwright and director. His work has been translated into over 20 languages and has been performed internationally since 1998.

His recent work includes – the opera The Second Violinist for Landmark Productions and Wide Open Opera (Galway International Arts Festival, Dublin Theatre Festival, 2017 and Barbican) written with Donnacha Dennehy; The Same, produced by Corcadorca at the Old Cork Prison; Arlington, produced by Landmark Productions and Galway International Arts Festival (Dublin, New York 2017, Galway 2016); Lazarus with David Bowie, at the King’s Cross Theatre in London and New York Theatre Workshop; 4 installations – Room 303, A Girl’s Bedroom, Kitchen, Bathroom all shown at the Galway International Arts Festival (2014-2017); the opera The Last Hotel for Landmark Productions and Wide Open Opera (Edinburgh International Festival, Dublin Theatre Festival, Royal Opera House, London, St Ann’s Warehouse, New York, Les Théâtres de la Ville, Luxembourg, 2015-2017) written with Donnacha Dennehy, Ballyturk, produced by Landmark Productions and Galway International Arts Festival (Galway, Dublin, Cork and London, 2014); Room 303, shown at the Galway International Arts Festival (2014); Misterman, produced by Landmark Productions and Galway International Arts Festival in Ireland, London and New York (2011-2012); and several plays for Druid Theatre Company, including Penelope, which has been presented in Ireland, America and London, from 2010–2011, The New Electric Ballroom, which played Ireland, Australia, Edinburgh, London, New York and LA from 2008-2009, and The Walworth Farce, which played Ireland, Edinburgh, London and New York, as well as an American and Australian tour, from 2007-2010. He won a Tony Award for writing the book for the musical Once in 2012, which played for three years on Broadway and two years in the West End as well as the Olympia Theatre in 2015, 2016 & 2017.

His other plays include Delirium (Theatre O/Barbican), which played Dublin and a British tour in 2008; Chatroom (National Theatre), which played at the NT and on tour in Britain and Asia (2006-2007); and The Small Things (Paines Plough), which played London and Galway Arts Festival (2005). His early plays include Bedbound (Dublin Theatre Festival) and Disco Pigs (Corcadorca).

His film work includes Disco Pigs (Temple Films/Renaissance) and Hunger (Blast/FILM4).

In 2014 he received an honorary doctorate from NUI Galway.

Cillian Murphy first made his mark on stage and established a longstanding relationship with writer Enda Walsh with an explosive performance in Disco Pigs. Following critically acclaimed, sold out runs in Ireland, their most recent collaboration, Ballyturk, ran at the National Theatre in London. Murphy also starred in Walsh’s stunning monologue Misterman (2012 Drama Desk Award, The Irish Times Irish Theatre Award) and Kristen Sheridan’s filmed adaptation of Disco Pigs.

In 2006, Murphy made his West End debut at the New Ambassador Theatre in John Kolvenbach’s Love Song, directed by John Crowley. His stage collaborations with Tony Award-winning director Garry Hynes include The Country Boy, Juno and the Paycock, and The Playboy of the Western World at the Gaiety Theatre in Dublin. Murphy also starred as Konstantin in the Edinburgh Fest production of The Seagull directed by Peter Stein, as Adam in Neil LaBute’s The Shape of Things at the Gate Theatre in Dublin and as Claudio in Much Ado About Nothing at Kilkenny Castle.  

 

On screen, Murphy most recently co-starred in Christopher Nolan’s groundbreaking World War II epic Dunkirk, Sally Potter’s The Party and Ben Wheatley’s Free Fire. His upcoming projects include Luc Besson’s Anna and Mark O’Rowe’s The Delinquent Season.

Murphy first garnered international attention for his performance in Danny Boyle’s 28 Days Later. In 2005, he made an indelible impression as Dr. Jonathan Crane/The Scarecrow in Christopher Nolan’s Batman Begins, for which he received a London Film Critics Circle Award nomination.  He reprised the role in Nolan’s The Dark Knight and The Dark Knight Rises and later reunited with the director for the critically acclaimed blockbuster Inception. In 2006, Murphy received a Golden Globe nomination for his performance as the transgender outcast Patrick “Kitten” Brady in Neil Jordan’s Breakfast on Pluto. He also garnered consecutive BIFA Award nominations for his performances in Ken Loach’s Palme d’Or-winning The Wind That Shakes The Barley, Danny Boyle’s Sunshine and the BIFA-winning Broken, directed by Rufus Norris. Last year, he starred in Sean Ellis’ WWII thriller Anthropoid.

 

For television, Murphy most recently returned as protagonist Tommy Shelby in Steven Knight’s Peaky Blinders. The season four première on BBC Two scored its best overnight ratings since the series launched in September 2013.

Max Porter is the author of the bestselling Grief is the Thing with Feathers (Faber & Faber, 2015), which won the International Dylan Thomas Prize, the Sunday Times PFD Young Writer of the Year Award, the Europeese Literatuurprijs and the Books Are My Bag Reader’s Award, and was shortlisted for the Guardian First Book Award and The Goldsmiths Prize. It has been sold to 27 territories. His second novel Lanny will be published in March 2019.

Wayward Productions

Wayward is a new production company led by Judith Dimant, making extraordinary theatre and live performance. The company works with established artists – writers, directors, performers – as well as developing and nurturing the talent of the future, to produce an all-embracing and inclusive programme of work of the highest quality. Grief is the Thing with Feathers is Wayward’s inaugural production.

The company is currently developing further projects including The Cherry Orchard with Toneelgroep, Amsterdam.

www.waywardproductions.co.uk

Twitter: @waywardprods

Facebook: /waywardprods

 

 

Listings

Grief is the Thing with Feathers

Barbican Theatre

Silk St, London EC2Y 8DS

Box Office: www.barbican.org.uk / 020 7638 8891 / [email protected]

Mon 25 Mar–Sat 13 Apr 2019 (18 performances)

No performances on Sundays

7.45pm

1 hour 25 mins/no interval

£16-60 plus booking fee (£2 off top three ticket prices for preview performances on Mon 25, Tue 26 & Wed 27 Mar 2019)

Age guidance: 12+

Post-show talk: Wed 3 Apr 2019 (free to same-day ticket holders)

Pre-show talk for Members: Thu 4 Apr 2019

Captioned performance: Tue 2 Apr 2019, 7.45pm

Audio-described performance with Touch Tour: Tue 9 Apr 2019, starts at 6pm

Its that time of the year again, the leaves are falling off the trees, the days are getting shorter and our thoughts turn towards Christmas. The best part of Christmas is Pantomime – “Oh yes it is!” – and I was lucky enough to be invited to the launch of Aladdin at Darlington Hippodrome today

I met the stars of the show – Zoe Birkett who is playing Princess Jasmin, Louie Spence who is playing the Genie of the Ring and Liam Mellor who plays Wishee Washee.

Have you ever been to Darlington before?

Louie – No, I’ve never been before. But it looks really nice so I’m looking forward to spending some time here.

Zoe – Yes, I’m a local. I went to school here and most of my family are here.

Liam – Yes, I’m only from Redcar so I’m also local and I’ve appeared at the Hippodrome before.

Have you done panto before?

Louie – Yes, this is my ninth consecutive panto.

Zoe – Yes, this is my 5th and my 4th one in Darlington.

Liam – Yes, this is my 13th year and my 25th pantomime.

What do you plan to do in your time off from the show?

Louie – Rest! It’s a very intensive role and I give it my all so after 2 and 3 show days I plan to spend my day off sleeping.

Zoe – Time off? I have a baby and a fiancé, I’m not sure what time off is!

Liam – Sleep! Although I am Daddy Day Care during the day so I’ll be with my kids.

What can you tell us about Aladdin?

Louie – My role is Genie of the Ring. I’ve played it before and it’s going to be fun and camp and me.

Zoe – I’m very excited as I’ve had a hand in choosing the songs for Jasmine. She’s a bit of a spicy princess and I’m really looking forward to playing her.

Liam – We have got routines never ever seen before, special effects, it’s going to be cracking.

Do you enjoy panto? Would you like to do other theatre roles?

Louie – I really do, I enjoy performing live and all the interaction from the audience. You see happy families and you get a great response. I’ve done other theatre in the past – Miss Saigon and Cats and I’ve recently been in The Producers so I’ve done theatre before.

Zoe – I love panto, the audiences, the fun, knowing that things can go wrong at any minute – it all keeps you on your toes. I love panto but I love Musical Theatre playing different parts. My favourite part was Rachel in the Bodyguard. I’ve always had Whitney Houston on in my dressing room so getting to belt out her songs live on stage every night was a dream come true.

Liam – Yes, panto is my favourite job. It makes my Christmas and Summer and Easter and October too. I’m a character singer. I can hold a tune but the type of part I can play is like Thenardier in Les Miserables and I need to be a bit older for that.

What is it like playing your character?

Louie – It’s fun and joyous, a role that’s really fun. I love to play nice characters to get the better reactions.

Zoe – Jasmine is a tough cookie princess and I’ve got some fabulous costumes to wear. I’ve been a baddie the last few years so I’m going to enjoy being good.

Liam – It’s great, I play it really innocent and I get to be a big kid again.

What do you plan to do on Christmas Day?

Louie – My husband is coming up to spend Christmas Day with me and then he is going to spend New Year with his family in Spain.

Zoe – I’m hoping to do nothing: just me, my fiancé and my little girl. She is obsessed with kitchens at the minute when we go to mums and tots, so I’m going to make her a kitchen to play with.

Liam – It’s the first year in ages I’ve not cooked Christmas dinner, so I’m going to relax, play with my kids and have a tiny tipple because I’m working on Boxing Day.

Do you plan to see any other pantos while you are here?

Louie – I’d love to but I really won’t have time, we only have one day off a week and I‘ll be recovering from our show.

Zoe – I’m not going to have time, I’d like to get to see my friend Danny in Newcastle but I doubt I’ll be able to.

Liam – I’m really hoping I’ll get to see some others – I really do love panto!

With such a talented and experienced cast, Darlington Hippodrome will be an oasis of Eastern magic this Christmas. Aladdin is perfect festive fun for all the family.

Aladdin is on at Darlington Hippodrome from Saturday 8 December to Sunday 6 January to book tickets contact the theatre www.darlingtonhippodrome.co.uk or ring 01325 405405

The Lyceum Theatre, Sheffield – runs until 13th October 2018.

Reviewed by Sophie Dodworth

3***

Fame! I’m gonna live forever is a line from a song that we (nearly) all know. Some of us have seen the film, some of us have danced away to the main number from the soundtrack in a nightclub somewhere and some of us may be avid fans of the theatre production. Either way, we all have in some way, shape or form heard of this production and that must be what helps sell the show as this production, even though many a talented performer on stage, really isn’t as strong as it should be in the shape of its story line.

This 30th anniversary tour comes from Selladoor Productions. It is based on the 1980 phenomenal pop culture film of the same name. Fame follows the lives of students at New York’s High School for the Performing Arts as they navigate their way through the highs and lows, the romances and the heartbreaks and the ultimate elation of life. This bittersweet but uplifting show explores the issues that confront many young people today: prejudice, identity, pride, literacy, substance abuse and perseverance.

There is some real talent on the stage for this show. Each and every performer is super talented and multifaceted. Jorgie Porter, playing Iris, makes a great impression for her first stage production, her dancing is remarkably beautiful and really works well alongside her on stage boyfriend Tyrone, played by Jamal Kane Crawford.

Stephanie Rojas plays Latino Carmen, her character brings life to the stage but her story ends in tragedy. Her voice is stunning and her dancing strong. Molly McGuire, playing Serena must have a huge well done and appreciation shown for her outstanding voice; even managing to not falter after running up a flight of stairs. It is sweet, clear and is the definition of a voice perfect for musical theatre.

A real standout moment has to be the solo number for Miss Sherman, played by Mica Paris. The solo of These Are my Children is a real moment; the attention of the audience is evident as Paris’ tones wash over the auditorium, evoking emotions when she sings about never being able to have a child of her own. She takes the loudest applause with her when she exits after this masterpiece.

Think of Meryl Streep is another great number for the show, sang by Molly McGuire, dramatic and impactful but leaving a smile on the faces in the audience. The highlight of the show has to be the final number and the one that we have all been waiting for of Fame. All the company injects every last inch of their energy in to it and it is colourful, loud and perfectly executed.

Fame could be a much stronger piece if they didn’t try to focus on the stories of so many individuals and maybe had a more concentrated, solid story line based on fewer members of the cast. Overall the production is bright and energetic and for fans, a must see.

Salisbury Play House – until 20 October 2018

Reviewed by Nicky Wyatt

3***

A fast moving and thought provoking play showcasing the difficulties that women struggled with to get the vote. Suffragettes were the gain of the male
dominated governments and lands during the early 1900s.

Her Naked Skin celebrates a 100 years since women got given the right vote. It’s a powerful play written by Rebecca lenkiewicz , with a strong female cast that
don’t pull their punches. The story tells of their struggles not only to get a vote
but a voice that is heard.

It is a thought provoking, toe curling story that not only shows the struggle for the vote but also feminism itself.

Celia Cain (Abigail Cruttenden) a wealthy lady that is heavily involved with the Union , is prepared to be imprisoned for following her beliefs and much to her husband’s William Cain ( Robert Hands)dismay often ends up there. Her dear friend and my stand out actor Florence Bowman ( Jane How) is also determined to be heard and suffer for her voice. On one of their rallies they meet factory machinist Eve Douglas ( Lorna Fitzgerald), she is a working class girl that gets caught up not only in the movement but also in an intimate relationship Celia, this doesn’t go in noticed by Florence, who doesn’t approve.

During their time in prison they are subjected to force feeding and other poor treatment. On the outside they enjoy illicit intimacy that is until Celia becomes bored of Eve.

It’s an interesting story. The actors are clearly passionate about the story, I found the many scene changes distracting and not always necessary for the few words that were spoken in some.

Bristol Hippodrome – until 13 October 2018

Reviewed by Lucy Hitchcock

4****

 

As a longtime fan of the film, I was excited to hear that this was coming to the stage … and I was not disappointed! We follow Marty the Zebra’s attempt to break out of Central Park Zoo and into the wild. Along with his friends Alex the Lion, Melman the Giraffe and Gloria the Hippo, they end up in Madagascar and join a clan of lemurs, where hilarity ensues.

Alex the Lion is usually played by Matt Terry, however we had the privilege of seeing his understudy Brandon Gale, who was fantastic. He encapsulated the very essence of Alex the Lion and showed complete continuity with the film that the children in the audience were used to, whilst also bring his brilliant voice to the performance. He looked totally comfortable in the very simple but effective costume designed and created by Robert Allsopp and Laura Rushton. The depth of feeling shown by Gale was enhanced by the stunning lyrics that George Noriega and Joel Someillan added to the story. He was able to hold the audience right in his paws and even when he turned to the dark side after attempting to eat Marty, he still showed intense vulnerability and love which highlighted the brilliance of Gale’s performance. He truly was a king on the stage!

Marty and Gloria were also fabulous played by Antoine Murray-Straughan and Timmika Ramsey. Murray-Straughan relished his role as Marty, prancing on the stage and making the audience forget that he wasn’t a real zebra! He was quick witted, funny and showed complete confidence in his character. Ramsey also relished her role, bringing Gloria to life. She showed much more to the audience than the happy-go-lucky hippo, but also how to love themselves. Gloria is a hippo so has a large stature, but is comfortable in her skin and that love for herself is important for children to hear, even if it was just a few lines here and there; they still heard the message.

Jamie Lee-Morgan as Melman was a sure stand out performance. He had arguably one of the most coupled roles in the show and combined with the long neck of a giraffe, he was superb! The neck was part of his costume and he held a stick to manoeuvre the face as well as using buttons to blink the eyes and move the mouth as he spoke. He walked with poise and grace whilst bobbing the head to give the illusion of a giraffe on the stage; it was a remarkable piece of puppetry.

Shane Mcdaid, Laura Johnson, Jessica Niles and Victoria Boden as Skipper, Kowlaski, Private and Rico added small titbits of hilarity to the show. These 4 penguins were extremely well handled and sung with soaring harmonies that added boost to the choral songs. These 4 penguins were choreographed well and used each aspect of the stage, including popping out of the wings to sing. The only problem was that they were a tiny bit too small and in some angles you couldn’t see the expressions of the penguin or the puppeteer. Matthew Pennington as Lars was also able to make the audience feel as though they were seeing real animals on stage with his brilliant puppetry.

The star of the show was definitely Jo Parsons as King Julien. He had all the sass, humour and cockiness as the King of the film. He really used the audience to his advantage and improvised and accentuated some of his lines to make the audience howl. The stand out song was also performed by Parsons, with ‘I like to move it, move it’. The children were clapping, singing and dancing along and so were the adults. As soon as he entered the stage, the audience were in fits of laughter. The wit and timing of his lines were so perfect, he was truly spectacular and by far my favourite character in the show. He was able to grasp every member of the audience and made us all completely enthused with his performance.

If you get the chance to see this show, it is not one to be missed! The entire show is spectacular and will leave you with a ‘smile and wave’

X-FACTOR WINNER MATT TERRY TO CONTINUE IN 2019 TOUR OF MADAGASCAR THE MUSICAL

Madagascar – The  Musical has confirmed that X Factor Winner Matt Terry will continue in the role of Alex the Lion on the critically acclaimed UK tour for 2019.

Since winning X-Factor, Matt has been non-stop. He’s been recording music all over the world including Miami, LA and Scandinavia. After a top 3 hit with Ed Sheeran penned winner’s single When Christmas Comes Around, he released his debut album ‘Trouble’ in November 2017. His first single from the album,Sucker For You has had nearly 60 million streams on Spotify. After Sucker For You, Matt went back to his Spanish childhood by featuring on Enrique Iglesias’s smash single, Subeme La Radio alongside Sean Paul.  Matt’s role in Madagascar has been hailed as a triumphant debut theatre performance. Receiving 5 star reviews across the tour.

Matt tells us; ‘I’m having such an amazing time touring in Madagascar the Musical, the audiences have been fantastic and I’m so excited to be staying with the company to tour into 2019.  The show brings together everything you will know and love from the Dreamworks film with an immense score and amazing sets, costumes and puppets.  It’s an awesome night out for the whole family and I hope to see you there! ‘

Cast Including Jo Parsons, Brandon Gale, Antoine Murray-Straughan, Timmika Ramsay, Jamie Lee-Morgan, Shane McDaid, Laura Johnson, Jessica Niles, Victoria Boden, Matthew Pennington and Darren John will also continue into the 2019 tour.

Based on the smash DreamWorks animated motion picture, Madagascar – The Musical  follows all of your favourite crack-a-lackin’ friends as they escape from their home in New York’s Central Park Zoo and find themselves on an unexpected journey to the madcap world of King Julien’s Madagascar.

Alex the lion is the king of the urban jungle, the main attraction at New York’s Central Park Zoo. He and his best friends – Marty the zebra, Melman the giraffe and Gloria the hippo – have spent their whole lives in blissful captivity before an admiring public and with regular meals provided for them. Not content to leave well enough alone, Marty lets his curiosity get the better of him and makes his escape – with the help of some prodigious penguins – to explore the world.

This wacky adventure for the whole family is brought to life by Selladoor Family, the producers behindJames And The Giant Peach, Seussical and The Owl And The Pussycat and Hartshorn – Hook, producers of the Olivier Award winning Rotterdam, Murder Ballad, Urinetown and American Idiot. Madagascar – The Musical is directed by award winning Kirk Jameson with choreography from Fabian Aloise. Designed by Tom Rogers, with Lighting design by Howard Hudson, Sound Design by Chris Whybrow, Musical Supervision from Mark Crossland Puppet design by Max Humphries and Puppet Direction from Emma Brunton.

Join Alex the Lion, Marty the Zebra, Melman the Giraffe, Gloria the hip hip Hippo and those hilarious, plotting penguins as they bound onto stage in the musical adventure of a lifetime. Filled with outlandish characters, adventure galore and an upbeat score, you’ll have no choice but to “Move It, Move It!”

For tour and booking details visit www.madagascarthemusical.co.uk  and find us at @MadUKTour

LISTINGS

09 – 13 OCT             BRISTOL HIPPODROME – www.atgtickets.com/bristol  0844 871 3012 *

16 – 20 OCT             IPSWICH REGENT – www.ipswich.gov.uk  01473 433100

23 – 27 OCT             BRADFORD THE ALHAMBRA THEATRE – www.bradford-theatres.co.uk 01274 432000

06 – 10 NOV             DERRY MILLENNIUM FORUM – www.millenniumforum.co.uk 028 7126 4455

12 – 17 NOV             EXETER NORTHCOTT THEATRE www.exeternorthcott.co.uk  – 01392 72 63 63

04 – 08 DEC             BRIGHTON THEATRE ROYAL – www.atgtickets.com/brighton 0844 856 1111 *

2019

29 JAN – 02 FEB       GRIMSBY AUDITORIUM – www.grimsbyauditorium.org.uk 0300 300 0035

05 – 09 FEB             LIVERPOOL EMPIRE – www.atgtickets.com/liverpool 0844 871 3017*

19 – 23 FEB             READING HEXAGON – www.readingarts.com 0118 960 6060

26 FEB – 02 MAR       YORK THEATRE ROYAL – www.yorktheatreroyal.co.uk 01904 623568

05 – 09 MAR             LEICESTER HAYMARKET THEATRE – www.haytheatre.com 0116 296 1236

12 – 16 MAR            NEW VICTORIA THEATRE, WOKING – www.atgticket.com/woking 0844 871 7645*

19 – 23 MAR            FLORAL PAVILLION – www.floralpavilion.com 0151 666 0000

26 – 31 MAR             DUBLIN GAIETY THEATRE – www.gaietytheatre.ie 0844 847 2455

02 – 06 APR             MALVERN FESTIVAL – www.malvern-theatres.co.uk  01684 892277

09 – 13 APR             INVERNESS EDEN COURT – www.eden-court.co.uk – 01463 234 234

23 – 27 APR             BELFAST GRAND OPERA HOUSE –  www.goh.co.uk 028 9024 1919

30 APR – 04 MAY      OXFORD NEW THEATRE –  www.atgticket.com/oxford 0844 871 3020*

07 – 11 MAY            WOLVERHAMPTON GRAND – www.grandtheatre.co.uk 01902 429 212

14 – 18 MAY            EASTBOURNE CONGRESS – www.eastbournetheatres.co.uk 01323 412 000

21 – 25                             SWANSEA GRAND THEATRE –  www.swansea.gov.uk 01792 475715

28 MAY – 01 JUN      HULL NEW THEATRE – www.hulltheatres.co.uk 01482 300 306

 

* Calls cost 7p per minute, plus your phone company’s access charge.

RITA SIMONS TO STAR ALONGSIDE JOE MCFADDEN

 

IN WORLD PREMIERE PRODUCTION OF PETER JAMES’ SPINE-CHILLING

THE HOUSE ON COLD HILL

TOURING THE UK FROM JANUARY 2019

 

EASTENDERS’ CHARLIE CLEMENTS ALSO JOINS CAST

ALONGSIDE HOLLYOAKS VILLAINESS PERSEPHONE SWALES-DAWSON, MAKING HER PROFESSIONAL STAGE DEBUT

As previously announced, the thrilling work of multi-million selling author Peter James returns to theatres in January 2019 with the world premiere production of the spine-chilling stage play The House on Cold Hill – Adapted from his best-selling 2015 novel and based on the author’s own real-life experience in a haunted house, the play will star the previously announced, BAFTA nominated actor and winner of BBC1’s Strictly Come Dancing 2017,  Joe McFadden (The Crow Road, Heartbeat, Holby City) as ‘Ollie Harcourt’ and joining him, as his wife ‘Caro Harcourt’, will be award winning actress Rita Simons, (who played the iconic Roxy Mitchell in Eastenders), as well as award winning actors, Charlie Clements (‘Bradley’ in EastEnders) as ‘Chris’, and Persephone Swales-Dawson (villainess ‘Nico Blake’ in Hollyoaks) as ‘Jade’, making her professional stage debut.

 

In Peter’s ghostly mystery, the Harcourt family – Ollie, Caro and daughter Jade – move into the house of the dreams that has been empty for the last forty years. However, their dream home quickly turns into the stuff of nightmares, as they begin to sense that they aren’t the only residents at Cold Hill…

 

The House on Cold Hill is a modern-day ghostly thriller that will send shivers down your spine and make you think twice about returning home to a dark, empty house after the show!

Rita Simons is best known for playing ‘Roxy Mitchell’ in BBC’s Eastenders, and is one of Britain’s best loved TV actresses. She won Most Popular Newcomer at the National Television Awards and other awards and nominations include Best Newcomer at the Digital Spy Soap Awards, Best Onscreen Partnership for her character partnership with Ronnie Mitchell played by Samantha Womack, Best Newcomer at the TV Now awards, a nomination for Best Newcomer at the British Soap Awards and Best Newcomer at the Inside Soap Awards. Rita has also appeared as Hannah in Mile High, Julie in Dream Team and recently toured the UK and Ireland as Paulette Bonafonte in hit musical Legally Blonde.  In Spring 2012, Rita was the subject of a major documentary film Rita Simons: My Daughter, Deafness and Me made by Leopard Films for primetime BBC1. Rita actively supports the charity RNID. Most recently Rita rave reviews for her performance as ‘Lisa Prescott’ in the film The Krays: Dead Man Walking, an untold chapter from the notorious legend of the Kray Twins.

 

Rita Simons said, “I am really thrilled to be starring in the House on Cold Hill along side such great actors as Joe, Charlie, Persephone and the rest the cast. I could not put it down when I first read the script – it’s a brilliant and modern day supernatural thriller that had me totally gripped and occasionally jumping out of my seat! I can’t wait to see audiences hopefully have the same reaction to it, in theatres around the UK.”

BAFTA nominated actor Joe McFadden is perhaps best known for playing series regular ‘Raf di Lucca in BBC1’s Holby City from 2014 – 2017, and as ‘P C Joe Mason’ in Heartbeat from 2010 – 2014. Other acclaimed TV roles include Sex, Chips and Rock n Roll, The Crow Road (for which he received a BAFTA nomination), Cranford and Take The High Road. His extensive theatrical credits include working with John Tiffany and the National Theatre of Scotland on The Missing, touring the UK with Alan Ayckbourn’s Haunting Julia, Harvey Fierstein’s Torch Song Trilogy at the Menier Chocolate Factory, Rent at the Shaftesbury Theatre in the West End and Rainbow Kiss at the Royal Court. Last year he partnered with Katya Jones in BBC1’s Strictly Come Dancing and captured the nations hearts, eventually winning the series to become the 2017 Strictly Champion.

 

Joe McFadden said, “It’s a real honour to be entrusted with the character of Ollie and the words of skilled wordsmith, Peter James. He’s created a story that is both chilling and an interesting portrayal of modern family life and will definitely make you think twice about buying that sprawling dream pad in the country!”

 

Charlie Clements starred in EastEnders from 2006 – 2010, winning several awards for his performance as ‘Bradley Manning’. Since leaving the soap, stage and screen credits include the UK tour of The Haunting, Faithat the Courtyard Theatre, and roles in Casualty and The Bill.

 

Persephone Swales-Dawson played serial killer ‘Nico Blake’ in Channel 4’s Hollyoaks from 2014-16, and returned in 2018. She won Best Bad Girl at the Inside Soap Awards in 2016. The House on Cold Hill marks her professional stage debut.

 

The House on Cold Hill becomes the fourth play in his box office smash hit and critically acclaimed stage franchise following the huge sell-out success of Not Dead Enough, The Perfect Murder and Dead Simple on stage. Nearly half a million fans have now seen his work on stage in 30 cities across the UK and Ireland, with stars including Claire Goose, Shane Richie, Jessie Wallace, Tina Hobley, Les Dennis, Jamie Lomas, Laura Whitmore, Robert Daws, and Dawn Steele.

The House on Cold Hill will reunite Peter James with two time Olivier-nominated theatre producer Joshua Andrews, the Olivier award winning director Ian Talbot and award-winning writer Shaun McKenna. Also joining the company are Padraig Lynch as ‘Fortinbras’, Tricia Deighton as ‘Annie’ and understudy Zoe Hickson, with further casting to be confirmed.

Peter James – author of the award-winning Det Supt Roy Grace series – has been acclaimed as ‘one of the most fiendishly clever crime fiction plotters’ (Daily Mail) and his brilliant international bestselling novels have been published in 37 languages and sold over 19 million copies worldwide. Earlier this year, the acclaimed author hit No. 1 again in the UK book charts for the 13^th consecutive time, with his latest page-turner, Dead If You Don’t.

 

His new thriller, Absolute Proof, was published in hardback on 4 October by Pan Macmillan. Inspired by an unforgettable, real-life phone call received by the author nearly 30 years ago, from a mysterious but altogether credible source, Absolute Proof marks a major milestone for publishing phenomenon Peter James, as his most epic and ambitious stand-alone thriller to date