CAST ANNOUNCED FOR THE UK AND IRELAND TOUR

 

“MOTOWN THE MUSICAL”

 

OPENING AT THE

BIRMINGHAM ALEXANDRA THEATRE

ON 11 OCTOBER 2018

The producers of “MOTOWN THE MUSICAL” are delighted to announce the cast for the UK and Ireland tour. Edward Baruwa will play the leading role of ‘Berry Gordy’, Karis Anderson will play ‘Diana Ross’, Nathan Lewis will play ‘Smokey Robinson’ and Shak Gabbidon-Williams will play ‘Marvin Gaye’.

The production will open at the Birmingham Alexandra Theatre on 11 October 2018 and will then tour across the UK until autumn 2019. Full tour dates below.

Edward Baruwa’s previous credits include the West End productions of “Motown the Musical” at The Shaftesbury Theatre, “Les Misérables” at the Queen’s Theatre, “Five Guys Named Moe” at the Marble Arch Theatre and the UK Tour of “Sister Act”.

Karis Anderson is best known as being one third of pop band ‘Stooshe’ who celebrated a top five single ‘Black Heart’ in 2012 for which they received a nomination for Best British Single at the 2013 Brit Awards.

Nathan Lewis was a finalist on ITV’s The X Factor in 2016 as part of boyband ‘Five After Midnight’. Nathan makes his stage debut as ‘Smokey Robinson’.

Shak Gabbidon-William’s previous credits include ‘Young Simba’ in “The Lion King” in the West End and most recently starred as ‘Seaweed’ in the UK tour of “Hairspray”.

The ensemble includes, Dayo Adeoye, Scott Armstrong, Simeon Beckett, Natalia Brown, Ethan Davis,Andrew Dillon, Akeem Ellis-Hyman, Christopher Gopaul, Daniel Haswell, Olivia Hibbert, Karis Jack,Michael Jeremiah, Amana Jones, Abz Kareem, Kane Matthews, DeeArna McClean, Matt Mills, Cordell Mosteller, Nicole Nyarambi, Spencer O’Brien, Perry O’Dea, Alex Okoampa, Reece Richards and Emma Robotham-Hunt

Charles Randolph-Wright, Director of “Motown the Musical” said,

“I am so thrilled that we have been able to find this incredible cast of British artists for the UK tour of Motown the Musical. Their talent has astounded us all, as they embody the soul of Motown and capture the energy and essence of those iconic artists. We are so excited to bring this show to cities across the UK and can’t wait to begin. Get ready!

With music and lyrics from the Motown catalogue and book by Motown founder Berry Gordy, Charles Randolph-Wright’s production features a live orchestra playing 50 Motown tracks including Ain’t No Mountain High Enough, I’ll Be There, Dancing In The Street, Stop! In The Name Of Love, My Girl and I Heard It through the Grapevineand tells the story behind the classic hits.

 

With just $800 borrowed from his family, Motown founder Berry Gordy, goes from featherweight boxer to heavyweight music mogul, discovering and launching the careers of Diana Ross, Michael Jackson, Stevie Wonder, Smokey Robinson, Marvin Gaye and many more.  Motown the Musical uncovers the true story of the legendary record label that changed music history and created the soundtrack of a generation.  

Tony nominated “Motown the Musical” received its world premiere in April 2013 in New York and recouped its $18 million investment by the end of 2014.  The first US National Tour opened to critical acclaim in Spring 2014 in Chicago, grossing $20 million dollars during its standing room only sixteen-week run.

The London production of “Motown the Musical” opened on 11 February 2016.  The production continues to play to standing ovations at the Shaftesbury Theatre where it is half way through its third year and is booking until April 2019.

 

“Motown the Musical” has music supervision, orchestrations and arrangements by Ethan Popp, co-orchestrations and additional arrangements by Bryan Cook, dance arrangements by Zane Mark.  Choreography is by Patricia Wilcox and Warren Adams, scenic design by David Korins, costumes by Emilio Sosa, lighting design by Natasha Katz, sound design by Peter Hylenski, video by Daniel Brodie and Wig design by Charles Lapointe. “Motown the Musical” is produced in the UK by Kevin McCollum, Doug Morris, Adam Spiegel andBerry Gordy.

The original Broadway cast recording of “Motown the Musical” is available via Motown Records, a label of UMG Recordings – www.classicmotown.com

 

MOTOWN THE MUSICAL – UK and Ireland tour 2018/2019

11 OCTOBER – 3 NOVEMBER 2018

BIRMINGHAM ALEXANDRA THEATRE

ATGTICKETS.COM/Birmingham – 0844 871 3011

6 – 17 NOVEMBER 2018

LEEDS GRAND THEATRE

leedsgrandtheatre.com – 0844 848 2700

20 NOVEMBER – 8 DECEMBER 2018

EDINBURGH PLAYHOUSE

ATGTICKETS.COM/Edinburgh – 0844 871 3014

10 JANUARY – 2 FEBRUARY 2019

BRISTOL HIPPODROME

ATGTICKETS.COM/Bristol – 0844 871 3012

5 – 23 FEBRUARY 2019

BORD GAIS ENERGY THEATRE DUBLIN

bordgaisenergytheatre.ie –  +353 1 677 7999

26 FEBRUARY – 23 MARCH 2019

MANCHESTER OPERA HOUSE

ATGTICKETS.COM/Manchester – 0844 871 3018

26 MARCH – 6 APRIL 2019

WALES MILLENNIUM CENTRE, CARDIFF

wmc.org.uk – 02920 63 64 64

6 – 22 JUNE 2019

NEWCASTLE THEATRE ROYAL

www.theatreroyal.co.uk – 08448 11 21 21

 

3 – 14 SEPTEMBER 2019

THE MARLOWE CANTERBURY

marlowetheatre.com – 01227 787787

ON SALE SOON

1 – 12 OCTOBER 2019

MAYFLOWER THEATRE, SOUTHAMPTON

Mayflower.org.uk – 02380 711 811

Avant Garde Dance and The Place present
Tony Adigun’s Fagin’s Twist
UK Tour: Tuesday 25th September – Monday 12th November 2018

Following the critically-acclaimed 2016 premiere of Fagin’s Twist and last year’s highly successful tour, Avant Garde Dance and The Place collaborate once again to present the 2018 UK autumn tour. The story unravels and explodes into a captivating performance and ambitious dance show, based on Charles Dickens’ much-loved classic. Fagin’s Twist is the untold story of a notorious and complex villain with a mischievous twist

This explosive retelling throws a less sympathetic spotlight on orphan Oliver. Fagin’s Twist follows the gang leader in his youth, driven by greed and ambition in the face of overwhelming poverty. The dark Victorian streets are a place of little comfort and fairy-tale endings are hard to find in this poignant coming-of-age tale

Tony Adigun’s dynamic choreography uses dance motifs taken from the streets to bring to life this adaptation set on the streets themselves, flipping the audience’s expectations of the five familiar characters – Oliver, Fagin, Nancy, Bill Sykes and the Artful Dodger – with an unmatched hip-hop contemporary style

Tony Adigun comments, I’m excited to be bringing back Fagin’s Twist this autumn with new cast members, new energies, new spirit. I can’t wait to share this show with new audiences and surprise those who have seen it before. I’m motivated to bring hip-hop and physical theatre to inspire a new generation

Fagin’s Twist is a daring, dynamic and hugely enjoyable rethink of a much-loved Victorian tale seen through the eyes of its infamous villain. (★★★★ The Times)

Fagin’s Twist was originally commissioned by Theatre Bristol, East London Dance, Pavilion Dance South West, Dance East and The Place, and co-produced by The Place. Fagin’s Twist has already performed around the country to critical and audience acclaim, including a run at leading London contemporary dance venue The Place and was performed in August 2017 at Edinburgh Fringe as part of the British Council Showcase

Continuing to push the boundaries of Hip-Hop Contemporary dance, Avant Garde provides an intensive participation model for people all around the country to give easy access to dance industry

Fagin’s Twist is generously supported by Arts Council England

York Theatre Royal – until 8 September 2018

Reviewed by Marcus Richardson

4****

Alan Bennett’s ‘The Habit of Art’ is at the York Theatre Royal. A rehearsal of a show about W.H. Auden and Benjamin Britton, within the play itself. The play explores the character of Auden and how he deals with his poetry, sexuality and age. Through the rehearsal we see the cast braking in and out of the scene and discussing issues they have with the play such as a rent-boy not carrying a bag filled with a towel and lotion. There are various comical elements to the play, Auden’s crude character gives a tongue-in-cheek humour and the cast arguing on the script also lends funny arguments to the show.

Matthew Kelly plays the character of Fitz, a hilarious actor who has a problem learning the lines of Auden’s character. Kelly does a terrific job of creating both the comedy in both characters of Auden and Fitz.  John Wark plays Donald, an actor struggling to find the essence of Humphrey Carpenter. Through his persistence of having a monologue in the play and blaming the script for not giving justice to Carpenter, leading up to the point where he dresses up in a dress and plays the trombone and reciting poetry, one of the more farcical moments of the play. Veronica Roberts and Alexandra Guelff play the stage managers and lend their skill into the performance filling in for two minor actors missing from rehearsal, coming on during certain scenes as cleaners, beds and mirrors. The scene with them being household objects reciting poetry is definitely surreal and wacky, needless to say I found it hilarious. The whole cast  gave a performance that was both thought provoking and funny.

Throughout the play we learn things about Auden and Britton, that I certainly didn’t know, the look into their lives give a whole new aspect to how I read Auden’s poems. Bennett captures the complex issue of sexuality in the 1930’s and 1970’s, with Auden having no regard to society at the time. The play doesn’t really have a climax or a battle to overcome, rather than the audience watching an everyday rehearsal and the process creating a show. I would say you do have to go into the show with a little bit of knowledge of Auden to understand a lot of the play, however if you go in blindly there is still a lot to appreciate and to laugh at. Although the lack of action, I still found it to be entertaining and insightful.

 

Salisbury Playhouse – until 8 September 2018

Reviewed By Jo Gordon 

5*****
I hold my hands up in admittance to not really having much knowledge when it comes to The Goon Show. However, I am aware of the three very funny men that are Harry Secombe, Spike Milligan and Peter Sellers. On mentioning the show to older friends and family many a quote and chortling began to head my way and great intrigue into how a radio show would be portrayed upon the stage ….. I was not left disappointed!

The Apollo Theatre Company have produced an absolute gem in the stage version of The Goon Show. A very simple but effective set that shows behind the scenes of  the BBC radio broadcasting’s that ran from 1951 to 1960 right down to the ON AIR sign. Julian Howard McDowell (Peter Sellers), Colin Elmer (Spike Milligan), Clive Greenwood (Harry Secombe) and their announcer Tom Capper (Wallace Greenslade) bring to life original scripts from the radio show in the style of The Goons and much hilarity ensues. Colin is on the mark with his Spike , full of boundless energy, silly voices and mischief  alongside Julian’s cool, dry Sellers and Clive’s jolly Secombe. Not only do we get to enjoy surreal characters like Neddie Seagoon, Bluebottle and Eccles we also get to hear the wonderful singing voices of Rachel Davies and Anthony Coote and their very clever use of sound props.

A fully deserved five star show where I left being the Goons newest fan and laughed so much my face ached!

Stellar Cast and Creative team announced for World Premiere of Clear White Light at Live Theatre

Written by Paul Sirett
With the songs of Alan Hull of Lindisfarne
Musical Direction and performed live by Ray Laidlaw and Billy Mitchell

Directed by Joe Douglas
Designed by Neil Warmington
Dramaturgy by Max Roberts
Lighting Design by Ali Hunter
Sound Design by Dave Flynn

 

Clear White Light, a modern Gothic story set at St. Nicholas’ hospital in Gosforth, written by Olivier Award nominated writer Paul Sirett has its World Premiere at Live Theatre between Thursday 18 October and Saturday 10 November.

Inspired by Alan Hull’s time working as a psychiatric nurse at St. Nick’s and set against the backdrop of cuts to the 70-year-old NHS, the play features many of the hit songs he wrote for Lindisfarne at that time, including Winter Song, Lady Eleanor and Clear White Light that will be played by a live band on stage including Ray Laidlaw and Billy Mitchell of Lindisfarne.

The cast includes Charlie Hardwick, who makes her return to Live Theatre’s stage after starring in Emmerdale, Live Theatre regular Joe Caffrey who was most recently seen in Live Theatre productions Iris and Cooking with Elvis, and Bryony Corrigan who recently starred in Live Theatre’s popular romantic comedy, My Romantic History, alongside newcomers to Live Theatre, actor Dale Jewitt, and actors and musicians Phil Adèle and Alice Blundell.

Actor Charlie Hardwick said:

“I am over the moon to be performing at Live Theatre after 16 long years away.  Clear White Light is a belter of a play and I get to sing the brilliant songs of Lindisfarne’s Alan Hull.  How could I resist?  I first saw Live Theatre in my home town of Wallsend in 1980 and they inspired me to become an actor.  In 1988 I landed my first job with Live and went on to perform in over twenty glorious productions.  Some of my happiest times have been working in that intimate little jewel of a theatre on the Quayside.  I can’t wait to be there again.”

Clear White Light is a modern interpretation of Edgar Allan Poe’s short story The Fall of the House of Usher. Originally commissioned by Max Roberts, Live Theatre’s Emeritus Artistic Director, it is the first play at Live Theatre to be directed by its new Artistic Director, Joe Douglas with Max and Joe working closely together to bring the play to life.

 

Also on board are designer Neil Warmington and Lighting Designer Ali Hunter who has previously worked on the lighting for Rattle Snake at Live Theatre and on tour earlier this year.

 

Max Roberts, Emeritus Artistic Director said:

 

“This play has been in development for a number of years, as I have worked with Ray to find the right story to bring the life and music of Lindisfarne’s Alan Hull to the stage. Working with Olivier Award nominated writer Paul Sirett enabled us to combine the elements into a play that has drama, suspense and of course the fabulous music of Lindisfarne, which we hope will be appreciated by those that already love their music and by a whole new generation.”

 

Joe Douglas, Artistic Director said:

 

“It is an honour to be able to work with Max in such an in-depth, creative way on Paul Sirett’s new play – a poignant, contemporary story set at St. Nick’s hospital in the year which marks the 70^th birthday of our NHS. For me, it exemplifies what a Live Theatre play should be: funny, moving, entertaining and a bit political. It’s pretty eerie too, in time for Halloween, and we are echoing that gothic feel in the set design. We have a cracking team of actors and creatives to realise this fantastic play, as my first full length production here at Live Theatre.” 

 

Ray Laidlaw said:

‘’We’ve been working with the wonderfully creative team at Live Theatre for a long time, searching for the perfect vehicle for Alan’s great songs which doesn’t rely on cliché. Clear White Light is just that – it’s fresh and inventive, and I’m sure it’ll introduce Alan’s music to a whole new audience.”

Billy Mitchell added:

“Alan was profoundly touched by his time at St. Nick’s, caring for people with mental health issues. The music he wrote around then – often while on duty – has stood the test of time. Unfortunately the NHS hasn’t fared so well, something Clear White Light addresses head-on.”

Clear White Light is at Live Theatre from Thursday 18 October to Saturday 10 November. Writer paul Sirett will give a free post show talk after the 2pm show on Saturday 20 October and Musical Directors Ray Laidlaw and Billy Mitchell will take part in a post show talk after the 7.30pm performance on Wednesday 24 October. Both talks are free for ticket holders for that performance and will be recorded and available to listen again at www.live.org.uk/talks. There will also be a number of additional talks and events linked to the play.

 

For more information or to book tickets which are between £12 and £26, and concessions from £10 call Live Theatre’s Box Office on (0191) 232 1232 or see www.live.org.uk

Degrees of Error & Something for the Weekend present:

MURDER, SHE DIDN’T WRITE:

THE IMPROVISED MURDER MYSTERY

NEW WEST END RESIDENCY

AT LECIESTER SQUARE THEATRE

FOLLOWING SUCCESSFUL SUMMER RUN

 

“Hilarious, interactive improv show…the show is a riot” Scottish Daily Mail (Edinburgh Festival 2018)

“This is a fascinating take on the classic murder mystery genre that keeps all of the intrigue while adding humour and farce” ***** The Student Newspaper

 “Outstanding performances delivered by a seriously talented cast” ***** ThreeWeeks

“Sleuth! – an improvisation style mystery play that totally hits the spot!” ***** Theatre Bubble

“A hilarious and incredibly take on the classic murder mystery” ***** Voice Magazine

“An incredibly impressive feat. A funny and outrageous show” ***** Fringe Explosion

 

“a show that people of all ages will find hilarious” **** Theatre Weekly

Fresh from yet another successful Edinburgh Fringe run in August, Degrees of Error’s hilarious and innovative Murder, She Didn’t Write heads back to the Leicester Square Theatre for an extended residency where they will in September, October and November. In this riotous show, the audience becomes both author and sleuth as they are invited to help to create their very own Agatha Christie-inspired masterpiece – and to watch it unfold on stage.

 

Every night, the extraordinarily talented company create a unique space where audiences can unleash their literary prowess and create an original and extremely comical improvised murder-mystery. Miss Crimson poisoned in the parlour? Mr Gold exploded by cannon in Sainsbury’s? You decide! But will you guess whodunit?

 

Using audience suggestions, evidence and ideas, the team create a bespoke world – and one lucky audience member gets to play god, choosing both the murderer and victim.

 

Founded in 2010, Degrees of Error have recently been appointed as the first resident theatre company at the brand new Bristol Improv Theatre – the first theatre in Britain dedicated to the art of improv – where they rehearse and perform regularly. Their improvised murder mystery play Murder, She Didn’t Write has toured the UK and enjoyed sell-out runs at the Fringe since 2013.

 

Degrees of Error invite audiences to take up their magnifying glasses, and don their deerstalkers for a never-before-seen (and never-to-be-seen-again), unscripted murder-mystery, which promises to dazzle, enthral and delight.

 

A unique format and an even more unique experience that will thrill all lovers of both classic crime fiction and top level on-the-hoof comedy.

 

“The combination of clever comedy and suspense keeps the audience excited, satisfied and

guessing until the end.” **** The Skinny

“Everything a fringe comedy should be: original, professional, and very, very funny” **** Ed Fringe Review

 

“Unrestrained bursts of joy.” ***** Bristol Theatre Review

 

“Remarkably intricate and engaging… the incredibly sharp company spin out the intrigue

over an hour with wit and skill.” **** Broadway Baby

 

“Full of surprises for both audience and cast members…most definitely worth seeing more than once.”

**** Edinburgh Festivals Magazine

 

“A live action game of Cluedo, but with far more laughs…” **** Fringe Guru

 

“Marvellously silly scenes” **** Mumble

Harrogate Theatre – until Saturday 8th September 2018

Reviewed By Dawn Smallwood

4****

Three plays, three weeks and one company are part of Harrogate Theatre’s Rep Company. It is significant because the theatre is bringing back repertory theatre for the first time after a 50 year absence. The line-up of plays includes Boeing Boeing on its very first night.

Marc Camolotti’s Boeing Boeing, a French farce is about Bernard (Alan Drake) who is an architect and bachelor in Paris. He is engaged to three air hostesses, Gloria (Polly Lister), Gabriella (Katy Dean) and Gretchen (Polly Smith). With Bernard’s ordered and thorough schedule, based on the airlines’ timetable book, the air hostesses don’t know of each other’s presences and of course his blatant infidelity. This has remained so until the arrival of his old school friend, Robert (Philip Stewart), and his rigid schedule is disrupted with flight delays, bad weather and a new modern and faster Boeing jet. This results in the three fiancées arriving at his apartment at the same time simultaneously.

Set in the 1960s the farce unfolds outrageously with chaos and the plot lives up to the expectations and correctly guessed assumptions remain so until the very end, literally the very end. The repertory cast portray the said characters passionately particularly with its quick thinking co-ordinated silly and clumsy tactics and plans of action. This is met with continuous and periodically exploded laughter which from time to time is met with applause.

Boeing Boeing is entertaining, cleverly written and ingeniously directed by Ben Roddy and produced by Stewart (also starring in the play). The farce invariably explores male and female relationships, individually and collectively and how attitudes towards them were viewed particularly during at that era of big social changes. The repertory cast delivers an excellent performance and actors are carefully chosen for their versatility across the Rep’s three plays.

This production is welcomed in Harrogate after previous productions in London’s West End and on Broadway. The Rep Company will next present Dial M for Murder and Private Lives during its runs.

 

FULL CASTING ANNOUNCED FOR THE

SEVEN NEW MUSICALS IN THE 2018

WORLD RENOWNED FESTIVAL OF NEW MUSICAL THEATRE

 

PRESENTED BY KATY LIPSON OF ARIA ENTERTAINMENT

AT SOUTHWARK PLAYHOUSE FROM 11 SEPTEMBER

 

 

With rehearsals starting today, the full cast has been announced for Aria Entertainment’s prestigious festival of new musical theatre, From Page To Stage (FPTS), which returns with gusto for a 6^thsuccessful year from September 2018 at London’s Southwark Playhouse. Jane Deitch has cast the 37-strong company, who will each star in one of the seven brand new musicals featured in the 2018 festival.

 

Leading the cast of The Astonishing Times Of Timothy Cratchit is Felix Mosse (Aspects of Love, Les Misérables) who will be joined by: Barry James (Beauty and the Beast, Les Misérables); Beverley Klein(Fiddler on the Roof, The Beggar’s Opera); Jessie May (Hair, Mamma Mia!); Rebecca Bolton (Spring Awakening); Gavin James (Sweeney Todd, Whistle Down the Wind); Nicholas Mclean (The Book of Mormon); Cornelius Clarke (The Beaux’ Stratagem, Juno and the Peacock) and Jake Small (Mamma Mia!, Shrek).

 

The full cast for Cult! includes: Genevieve Nicole (Pippin, Guys and Dolls); Ashley Samuels (Fun Home, Motown); Michael Storrs (The 39 Steps, Impossible); Janet Kumah (The Bodyguard the Musical, Dancing in the Streets); Laura Mansell (Priscilla, Queen of the Desert); Josie Kemp (Les Misérables);Robbie Shepherd-White (Once, Flashdance) and Miles Western (Pageant, Priscilla, Queen of the Desert).

 

To Paint The Earth’s cast includes: Fred Haig (Follies); Natalie Dunne (Elegies for Angels, Punks and Raging Queens); Rose Shalloo (The Selfish Giant, A Pacifists Guide to the War on Cancer); Michele Moran (Into the Woods, Alice Underground); Gary Tushaw (The Mousetrap, Les Misérables); Lauren Lebowitz (Footloose, Godspell); Sam Peggs (Sunset Boulevard, Around the World in 80 Days); Dale Rapley (The Addams Family, Wicked); Simon Oskarsson (Return to the Forbidden Planet); Kai Spellman (Slaves of Solitude, Imogen); Lottie Johnson (The Importance of Being Earnest) and Ashley Knight (Frontier of Farce, Grand Hotel).

 

The Astonishing Times of Timothy Cratchit will be directed by Jonathan O’Boyle, with musical direction by Nathan Jarvis, Cult! directed by Amy Corcoran with musical direction by Phil Cornwell andTo Paint The Earth directed by Michael Howcroft, with musical direction by Nick Barstow. All will be presented as rehearsed readings.

 

The remaining musicals, Villages, Benjamin Button, Smoke and Never Change, will be performed by a repertory cast as part of a showcase evening directed by Bronagh Lagan, with musical direction by Marcus Adams. The cast includes: Simbi Akande (Ghost, A Feast of the Gods); Rosemary Ashe (The Phantom of the Opera, The Witches of Eastwick); David Bardsley  (The Grinning Man, Titanic – The Musical); Will Carey (It’s Only Life); Adam Linstead (Les Misérables, Broken Wings); Emma Salvo (The Toxic Avenger, Sincerely, Mister Todd); Lawrence Smith (All The Angels, The Divide) and Benjamin Stratton (The Navigator, Boxed).

With over 150 entries from across the country and internationally, each new musical submitted the show title, lyricist/composer/book writer, a short synopsis and three record tracks and scenes from the show, which were then fully assessed by the From Page To Stage expert literary team who carefully selected the fantastic shows for the 2018 festival.

FPTS are thankful and proud to be sponsored by Harmonia, Cameron Mackintosh, RnH Theatricals, Theatrical Rights Worldwide, WhatsOnStage, AKA and Anthony Field Associates.

 

LISTINGS

 

ARIA ENTERTAINMENT’S 2018 FROM PAGE TO STAGE FESTIVAL

SOUTHWARK PLAYHOUSE

FROM 11 – 25 SEPTEMBER 2018

 

Tuesday 11 September @ 3:30pm & 8pm – Staged Reading:

The Astonishing Times Of Timothy Cratchit – Music and lyrics by Andre Catrini and book by Allan Knee. Directed by Jonathan O’Boyle and Musical Direction by Nathan Jarvis.

 

Monday 17 and Tuesday 18 September @ 8pm – Showcases: Directed by Bronagh Lagan and Musical Direction by Marcus Adams

Villages – Music and lyrics by Drew Dillon

Benjamin Button – Music by Natalie Tenenbaum and lyrics by Brett Boles

Smoke – Book by Darren Rapier and music and lyrics by Sam Hall

Never Change – Music and lyrics by Nick Barstow and Jonathan Kirwan 

 

Monday 24 September @ 8pm – Staged Reading:

Cult! – Music and lyrics by Tasha Taylor Johnson. Directed by Amy Corcoran and Musical Direction by Phil Cornwell.

 

Tuesday 25 September @ 3:30pm & 8pm – Staged Reading:

To Paint The Earth – Music by Jonathan Portera and lyrics by Daniel Frederick Levin. Directed by Michael Howcroft and Musical Director by Nick Barstow.

 

Tickets: £12 for rehearsed readings / £15 for showcase nights

 

Box Office: 020 7407 0234 / www.southwarkplayhouse.co.uk

 

Address: Southwark Playhouse, 77-85 Newington Causeway, London, SE1 6BD

 

Website:

www.frompage2stage.com

www.aria-entertainment.com

 

Twitter:

@FromPage2Stage

@AriaEnts

@Swkplay

 

Facebook:

@FromPageToStageMusicals

@AriaEntertainment

@SouthwarkPlayhouse

Ahead of Strictly Come Dancing 2018, exciting news regarding the 2017 Champion!

JOE MCFADDEN TO STAR IN WORLD PREMIERE PRODUCTION OF

PETER JAMES’ SPINE-CHILLING

THE HOUSE ON COLD HILL

TOURING THE UK FROM JANUARY 2019

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 TV favourite Joe McFadden.

 

BAFTA nominated actor Joe McFadden (The Crow Road, Heartbeat, Holby City, and winner of BBC1’s Strictly Come Dancing 2017) will star as ‘Ollie Harcourt’, husband to Caro and father to Jade, whose new 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!

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, “I am so pleased to be on board for the new Peter James stage play. Peter’s had such incredible success as a novelist around the world and it’s been great to see how well his books have translated to the stage. The three previous plays have been huge hits with audiences around the country, so I am excited to have the opportunity to now bring his brilliant ghostly thriller to the stage for the very first time. I am looking forward to us shocking and thrilling audiences around the UK with The House On Cold Hill.”

 

Peter James said: “I am very excited that Joe McFadden is going to be starring in the stage adaptation of my novel, The House On Cold Hill. Joe is a brilliant and highly acclaimed actor who has graced our TV screens for many years and I could not have asked for a better leading man for the next Peter James stage outing. I know that audiences around the country will be thrilled to see him back on stage and hopefully equally pleased to see the return of my work to theatres after the sell out runs of the first three plays.  I am humbled by the incredible success of the plays and can’t wait to see audiences enjoying The House On Cold Hill!”

 

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. Further star casting to be announced.

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, will be 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.