Salisbury Playhouse – until 20th April 2019

Reviewed by Leanne Caplis

4****

Wiltshire Creative together with Oldham Coliseum Theatre and York Theatre Royal bring to the stage Moira Buffini’s comedy Handbagged.

Six actors, one very basic stage and few props tell the story of the eleven years Margaret Thatcher was Prime Minister and reveals what the weekly conversations with the Queen might have looked like.

The use of a younger Thatcher (Eve Matheson) and an older one ( Sarah Crowden) together with the young Queen (Caroline Harker) and the older (Susan Penhaligon) was very clever. Through shared dialogue they told the story of then whilst adding their opinions of now.

Whilst the play brought many laughs from the audience I seemed to be lost for most of it. I can only put this down to an age thing. The average age of the audience revealed that the majority remembered the reign of the Iron Lady and therefore could relate to the storyline. Also listening to them during the interval and after the show brought about comments such as “absolutely brilliant”, “extremely well done” and “hilariously funny”.

Susan Penhaligon has the Queen down to a T. Her voice and facial expressions were very realistic. The start of the second half, which incidentally was my favourite part, saw the full audience on their feet for Her Majesty which brought much amusement to all.

Whilst all parts were played well the star of the show for me was Jahvel Hall who played his many parts well and had the audience in fits of laughter on more than one occasion. That said I also thought Andy Secombe is worthy of a mention as his comedy timing is spot on.

Whilst the show wasn’t my normal type of comedy I would recommend it to those over 50 years old. Going off the reaction of the audience and the almost sellout seating this will be a real hit.

SELLADOOR WORLDWIDE LAUNCHES MAJOR

EUROPEAN OFFICE IN MADRID CREATING

OPENING WITH THE TRANSFER OF FLASHDANCE THE MUSICAL 

TO THE APOLLO THEATRE, MADRID

Leading UK and international theatre producer, Selladoor Worldwide, launches a new production office in Europe. This new branch of the company, Selladoor Spain, based in Madrid, will expand Selladoor’s international reach and build Spanish language productions for Spain and the wider South American marketplace.

With offices already operating in the UK, Asia and the USA, Selladoor expands its international reach into one of Europe’s major markets with the appointment of JC Storm as Managing Director of the Selladoor Spain office.

This department will be the main continental Europe hub for the company, and launches with a transfer of Flashdance The Musical and a major sit-down run at the Apollo Theatre, Madrid – a natural progression with Madrid being fourth most successful city worldwide for musicals, after New York, London and Hamburg. The production premieres on 23 January 2020, and follows a sold out 8 week run in Barcelona earlier this year.

The full team based at Selladoor Spain comprises of JC Storm (Managing Director/Producer),Guillermo González (Musical Director), Edward Luis Alba (Financing Director), Antonio Blázquez(Stage Manager), Alberto Palanques (Technical Director), Daniel Labrado (Senior Producer’s Assistant), Mónica Martín (Secretary/Accountant) and Valentín Pereiro (Marketing).

This expansion to Spain and South America will enable Selladoor to reach a wider audience and collaborate with original and cutting-edge talent and creatives on a wider scale. Selladoor has identified a massive opportunity in the South American marketplace, and endeavor to be one of the first producers actively developing long-term theatre links in the region.

Selladoor, this year alone, has presented numerous productions across Europe including major productions in Berlin, Zurich, Barcelona and Ostend, with further plans to route work into Europe for the foreseeable future. Selladoor sees the advantage of having a mainland European hub and despite to looming uncertainty around Brexit, they are keen to foster and maintain strong ties with the continent.

David Hutchinson, Selladoor Worldwide CEO says, “We’ve been exploring a long term presence in the Spanish market for nearly a year. Following a near sell-out run of Flashdance for an 8 week run in and sit-down transfer to Madrid – the inter-office relationship has been well formed where work coming out of the UK is being routed into Spanish speaking territories, and we are exploring work coming out of Spain and routing into the major markets the company already works in. I’m delighted than JC will be leading our Spanish office with a stellar team of talented individuals. We’ve got some big plans – and indeed have our sights on further afield in some of the really exciting emerging markets in South America.”

JC Storm, Selladoor Spain Managing Director says, “I believe this is the right time to bring more theatre to Spain, and it fits perfectly with the plans for Selladoor’s expansion. The Spanish theatre industry is now a huge, booming market, where musicals have been entertaining and delighting people across the country, and adds to Madrid’s already big national and international tourism appeal. I predict this venture will be a huge success, and I’m thrilled to be part of such an ambitious project. I am very honored to have David Hutchinson and Phillip Rowntree’s trust to head up the brand of Selladoor Worldwide in Spain.”

 NOTES TO EDITORS

Selladoor Worldwide

Selladoor Worldwide began its life as Sell a Door Theatre Company in 2009, developing rapidly under co-founders David Hutchinson (CEO) and Phillip Rowntree (CFO) into an integral player in the UK and Ireland’s regional theatre landscape. The company has since established itself as a leading producer of mid- and large-scale touring theatre, with an ever-increasing international presence.

From the very outset, Selladoor Worldwide’s aim has been to make accessible work for our audiences, and their experience is at the heart of the company’s artistic planning. Our objective is to continue to encourage the next generation of theatregoers, primarily young adult audiences, and first-time attendees. Our education programmes and online presence endeavour to provide the most comprehensive experience of our productions possible.

Our origins lie in re-imagined classics and new commissions, which we continue to champion to this day. We are able to create a varied and distinctive programme; large-scale commercial touring is complimented by the company’s not-for-profit roots and ongoing investment and development of new work. As a company operating across a range of scales we continue to deliver and invest in our regional and international patron base, as well as our product.

In 2017-18 Selladoor Worldwide’s slate of productions included: Big Fish The Musical (The Other Palace, London); The Crucible (UK Tour); Fame The Musical (30^th Anniversary Tour); Flashdance The Musical (UK & International Tours); Footloose The Musical (2^nd UK Tour); Kindertransport (25^thAnniversary Tour); Guess How Much I Love You (UK & International Tours); Jersey Boys (International Tour); Madagascar The Musical (UK Tour); Of Mice and Men (UK Tour); The Producers (International Tour); Rock of Ages (UK Tour); Spamalot (UK Tour); The Very Hungry Caterpillar (DR2 Theatre, New York City); The Wizard of Oz (Winter Gardens, Blackpool).

2019 will see the return of Flashdance The Musical to Asia following a commercially and critically successful engagement in South Korea. Both Fame and Madagascar The Musical continue their popular UK tours, with the former due to land in the West End for a strictly limited 6-week engagement at the Peacock Theatre in September, and the latter touring extensively in international markets. American Idiot has been revived for a 10^th Anniversary Tour, and Avenue Q has embarked on its 3^rd UK Tour. Presenting in the UK will also be the first West End production of Dolly Parton’s 9 to 5The Musical at the Savoy Theatre, as well as European premieres of Amelie and Little Miss Sunshine, both award-winning musicals based on cult classic films. Finally, Selladoor Family will launch new stage adaptations of two beloved children’s properties for UK touring: Elmer The Patchwork Elephant Show and The Mr. Men & Little Miss Show. Selladoor are thrilled with the variety of work in production, and remain committed to creating daring, diverse and dynamic productions that are accessible to all.

Selladoor Worldwide now have offices in Bangkok, New York and Shanghai in addition to our headquarters in London, as we continue to produce and tour theatre worldwide. In 2018 Selladoor Creation was launched, which is a brand new platform for new writers to showcase and develop their work with the backing of one of the UK’s leading theatre producers, and bring innovative new work to the national and international stage, making it accessible for all audiences.

2019 brings another exciting venture to the Selladoor Worldwide group, with the announcement of Selladoor Venues. Selladoor Venues are the current operators for the Queen’s Theatre, Barnstaple and The Landmark Theatre, Ilfracombe.

Theatre Royal Glasgow – until 13 April 2019

Reviewed by Linda McLaughlan

5*****

As adults we are all aware of the role of the salesman, often from our childhoods, as the person who would come to your home and try to persuade our parents to buy the latest gadgets, bedding and even windows. Often known for their hard-sell and techniques to clinch the deal and secure their own percentage or cut.

The performance is based on the American Housing Market.

Tonights performance begins as we meet each of the cast in pairs in a local restaurant. A cast of only seven people this show is kept personal and from the offset straight to the point. This show is not for the easily offended as from the very start there is swearing and shouting. The main two characters played by Mark Benton (Shelly Levene) and Nigel Harman (Ricky Roma). Shelly is the salesman who is begging for a decent lead on the latest sales pitch to potential clients as he is a bit down on his luck and worried about his job and desperate to get on the Leaders board. Whilst Ricky Roma is the top salesman and raking in the big clients in the housing market and aiming for the big bucks. Whilst there are other salesman who are trying to convince each other to rob the office and sell on the Leads to another Broker.

Without spoiling the plot there is a twist in the outcome. Definitely a show to go and see as their are lots of laughs and one liners that had the audience in stitches

The Back Room at The Star Inn – 8th April 2019

Reviewed by Heather Chalkley

5*****

A phenomenal performance by writer and actor Pip Utton. His reputation goes before him as a world-renowned monologist and tonight he does not disappoint. Based on personal experience, Pip takes us through the emotional journey from diagnosis to death of an Alzheimer’s disease victim. This is not for the faint hearted. Playing mainly the husband of Chrissy, Pip (Michael) begins with the wake of his wife’s funeral and ends with his own, with the joy of love and funny anecdotes sandwiched in between.

Utton (Michael) had the audience in his grip from the start, cunningly beginning the piece by sitting close to the audience, sat on the edge of the stage. Eye level contact immediately displays the pain and sadness of grief. The love story of young sweethearts and the support given to them by their parents when a baby was conceived, keeps you captivated. The love and admiration he has for Chrissy is displayed through the telling of their life together. The slow decline of Michael (Utton) himself into Alzheimer’s disease, a few years after his wife’s passing, seems cruel and unjust. Micheal’s (Utton) anger was quite frightening and very real. Utton’s (Michael) physical manifestation of the disease accentuated the emotional impact.

The final scene see’s Utton playing John, the son of Michael and Chrissy. It provides the opportunity to hear how Michael found a lover that is loyal to him until the end and clearly loves him dearly. She holds the greatest respect for the love Michael has for Chrissy. In this way Utton finishes this emotional rollercoaster on a positive note.

Pip Utton has treated this subject matter with great sensitivity and profound understanding. He has the ability to connect with the audience deep in your gut, in a way that makes you part of the play or at the very least the boundaries are transparent. Utton gave a well-honed and perfectly executed master class in monologue performance.

Performed as part of the Guildford Fringe Week

Festival Theatre, Edinburgh – 5^th April 2019.

Reviewed by James Knight.

3***

Presented by the Dance Consortium, the Mark Morris Dance Group’s Pepperland is a celebration and dissection of what is considered to be the very first ‘concept album’: The Beatles’ ‘Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band’.

As Mark Morris has stated in interviews, this is not a Beatles singalong or tribute act, and anyone going into the performance expecting this will be severely disappointed. Instead, tracks such as ‘A Day in the Life’, ‘When I’m Sixty Four’ and ‘Within You Without You’ are not covered, but stripped back in an exploration of the music and how it was structured, how the Beatles brought together various inspirations including classical, Indian and music hall.

Some moments are more successful than others – in order to examine the musical components of ‘With a Little Help From My Friends’, composer and arranger Ethan Iverson has the Music Ensemble play their respective sections in different keys. It’s a solid idea, but can be off-putting to the ear, and the phrase, ‘if it ain’t broke don’t fix it’ comes to mind.

Elsewhere, the ‘Penny Lane’ and ‘A Day in the Life’ segments truly encapsulate the life and vigour of the 60s Beatles, with vocals being provided by a rich baritone (Clinton Curtis) and substituted throughout for that wonderfully strange instrument the theremin, played by Rob Schwimmer.

Onstage, Morris’ choreography is slick, accentuating phrases in the music through rhythm and repetition, with particular moves tied to particular phrases. Morris, like the Beatles, brings together various inspirations, drawing from ballet to contemporary and of course, 60s. The costumes, designed by Elizabeth Kurtzman, are unique for each performer, but the brightness of the colours is immediately as recognisable as the album cover. Strong images emerge throughout – the opening of a lotus flower, people driving to work, even a brief representation of the Fab Four before they’re chased offstage by a screaming horde of fans. However, because so much energy is devoted to breaking down the music of the Beatles, some of ‘Pepperland’ can feel devoid of heart – the music is meant to be danced and sung to, and while it can be fascinating to see what makes it so popular and ground-breaking, there was a struggle to bring that passion and enthusiasm to the audience.

‘Pepperland’ won’t win any new fans to the Beatles, and might even alienate some old ones, but as an exercise in exploration of their music, it is very different indeed.

1920s blockbuster ballet The Great Gatsby swings into Salford

Northern Ballet is returning to Salford this spring with its smash hit production of The Great Gatsby. Bringing the glamour and seduction of the roaring twenties to the stage,The Great Gatsby arrives at The Lowry for the first time with performances from 8 – 11 May 2019.  

Based on the novel by F. Scott Fitzgerald, The Great Gatsby premiered in 2013 and has since enjoyed two sell-out UK tours. Set on New York’s Long Island, in the heady, indulgent days of the 1920s, Nick Carraway comes to know his infamous neighbour Jay Gatsby – a mysterious millionaire with a secret past and a penchant for lavish parties. As the sparkling façade of Gatsby’s world begins to slip Carraway comes to see the loneliness, obsession and tragedy that lie beneath.

Nominated for a UK Theatre Award for Achievement in Dance, The Great Gatsby is choreographed by David Nixon OBE and earned him a nomination for Best Classical Choreography in the 2014 National Dance Awards. Performed to the unforgettable music of Sir Richard Rodney Bennett CBE, played live by Northern Ballet Sinfonia, The Great Gatsby also features a lavish set designed by Jérôme Kaplan, complemented by the dazzling colourful costumes designed by David Nixon OBE. 

David Nixon said: ‘The Great Gatsby is an American classic from an iconic era. The 1920s were a time of exuberance, extravagance and style in pre-depression America and The Great Gatsby incorporates these themes within what is essentially a wonderful love story. The costumes replicate the fashions from the 1920s which are still heavily influencing the trends of today and the music by Sir Richard Rodney Bennett CBE is instantly recognisable, transporting the audience straight back to the jazz age. Reimagining popular classic stories is Northern Ballet’s specialty and The Great Gatsby has everything for a great ballet: a love triangle, decadence, desperation and heartbreak.’   

Join Northern Ballet for the most glamorous party in town. 

Northern Ballet is holding a post-show talk on Friday 10 May 2019 offering the audience a chance to hear from those who work behind the scenes on how the ballet is brought to the stage. In addition, there is an audio-described performance and touch tour for visually-impaired patrons on Saturday 11 May 2019.

Listings Information
Northern Ballet’s The Great Gatsby
Dates: Wed 8 – Sat 11 May
Times: 7.30pm. Thu & Sat at 2pm
Tickets: £18.50 – £49.50
Website

Production Credits
Choreography, Direction, Scenario & Costume Design David Nixon OBE
Co-Direction & Scenario Patricia Doyle
Music Sir Richard Rodney Bennett CBE
Set Design Jérôme Kaplan
Lighting Design Tim Mitchell
Orchestrations John Longstaff & Gavin Sutherland
Music Advisor Anthony Meredith
Costume Design Assistant Julie Anderson

EVERYBODY’S TALKING ABOUT JAMIE COMING TO LEEDS GRAND THEATRE

FIRST UK TOUR

Leeds Grand Theatre is pleased to announce its first show for 2020 – the smash-hit and critically acclaimed West End musical Everybody’s Talking About Jamie from Monday 13 to Saturday 18 July.

Based on true events, Everybody’s Talking About Jamie is the story of Jamie New, a sixteen-year-old boy who lives on a council estate in Sheffield. But Jamie doesn’t quite fit in. Jamie is terrified about the future. Jamie is going to be a sensation. Supported by his brilliant loving mum and surrounded by his friends, Jamie overcomes prejudice, beats the bullies and steps out of the darkness and into the spotlight.

WINNER of WhatsOnStage Awards Best New Musical, Everybody’s Talking About Jamie is directed by Jonathan Butterell with an original score by lead singer-songwriter of The Feeling Dan Gillespie Sells and book and lyrics by writer Tom MacRae (Doctor Who).

Everybody’s Talking About Jamie is at Leeds Grand Theatre from Monday 13 to Saturday 18 July 2020

General onsale Wednesday 10 April. Book online at leedsgrandtheatre.com or call Box Office on 0844 848 2700

Theatre tailored for audiences with profound multiple learning disabilities comes to The Lowry.

‘The Isle of Brimsker’ is the latest bold and exciting production devised specifically for audiences with profound and multiple learning disabilities (PMLD) from Frozen Light Theatre Company.

Seeking to engage with new audiences and enable more people with PMLD the chance to experience the theatre, ‘The Isle of Brimsker’ will come to The Lowry Tue 23 – Sat 27 April.

Exploring friendship, isolation and how we react to change, ‘The Isle of Brimsker’ immerses audiences with PMLD in a multi-sensory story of discovery. People with PMLD are among the most excluded in society with over 16,000 people in England living with PMLD (Lancaster Centre of Disability Research).

‘The Isle of Brimsker’ has been developed specifically for these audiences and this performance has been structured to provide an accessible and theatrical environment which responds to the needs of this group by being performed at a close proximity, to small groups and with strong sensory and participation elements.

The play follows a lighthouse keeper who lives on a desolate outcrop surrounded by stormy seas. Duty bound to maintain the light that guides boats away from danger, she lives a solitary existence. One day a runaway lands on the shore, together they face the inevitable. Change is on the horizon but not in the form she expects. How do you survive when faced with the biggest decisions of your life? Would you change the world or change yourself?

There are only a small number of theatre companies worldwide who make work designed for people with PMLD, so for many in the audience seeing Frozen Light’s work will be their first time in a mainstream theatre venue. Performing to an intimately sized audience, the three-strong cast accompanies the audience from the foyer into the performance space, ensuring a smooth transition into the theatre environment.

Frozen Light co-artistic director Amber Onat Gregory says, “The theatre should be for everybody, and more and more venues are starting to look at their programme to see how they can be more accessible, how they can reach all sections of society. With this tour we will be reaching more people with PMLD than ever which we are really excited about.”

Lucy Garland, Frozen Light’s other co-artistic director added, “We are really thrilled about our new show The Isle of Brimsker. With this production we have pushed the sensory exploration further than ever before and can’t wait to see what reactions our audience have to the show. The show explores themes of transition and friendship and we hope this resonates with our audience. We have worked with some exciting commissioning partners on this project and, now we have premiered the show, are excited to take it to audiences throughout the country.”

Listings Information 
The Isle of Brimsker 
Dates: Tue 23 – Sat 27 April
Times: 11am & 1.30pm
Tickets: £8
Website
Running Time: 1 hour
Notes: 13+ with PMLD. Suitable for Adults and young adults.

On Saturday 6 April, MAMMA MIA! celebrated its 20th birthday in London. The current cast were joined on stage for the Finale of Dancing Queen by 13 former ‘Dynamos’, including the original ‘Donna’, Siobhan McCarthy, and the original ‘Rosie’, Jenny Galloway.  Producer Judy Craymer paid tribute to the original ‘Tanya’, Louise Plowright, who sadly passed away in 2016. 

The original ‘girl power’ musical, produced by Judy Craymer, directed by Phyllida Lloyd and written by Catherine Johnson, who all appeared on stage at the end of the show, was created around the songs of ABBA’s Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus, who joined the ladies and cast on stage at the curtain call. Talking to the ecstatic audience, Björn described Judy, Phyllida and Catherine as ‘three angels’.

JUL – DEC 2019 SEASON ANNOUNCED

MIRIAM MARGOLYES TO STAR IN PARK THEATRE’S WORLD PREMIERE BLACK COMEDY

SYDNEY & THE OLD GIRL

TRACY-ANN OBERMAN STARS AS A MOTHER FACING REPERCUSSIONS OF HER CRIMINAL SON IN

MOTHER OF HIM

DISNEY’S CAMP ROCK STAR MEAGHAN MARTIN TO LEAD UK PREMIERE OF TONY AWARD-WINNER CHRISTOPHER DURANG’S THE ACTOR’S NIGHTMARE

THE LIFE OF ACCLAIMED HISTORIAN AND ACTIVIST HOWARD ZINN LAID BARE IN

THE TIME OF OUR LIES

A DOMINATRIX’S FAVOURITE CLIENT THROWS HER A BIRTHDAY PARTY IN A REVIVAL OF

MARTHA, JOSIE AND THE CHINESE ELVIS

THE PRODUCERS OF LAST YEAR’S CHRISTMAS HIT RETURN WITH A GLITTERING SPECTACLE IN

THE SNOW QUEEN

GILLIAN ANDERSON, JOHN BISHOP, JIM BROADBENT, SIMON CALLOW, RONAN KEATING,

DAMIAN LEWIS, JOANNA LUMLEY, CATHERINE TATE, TIM VINE & MORE TO APPEAR IN WHODUNNIT [UNREHEARSED]

Park Theatre today announced their new July – December 2019 season. Featuring four World Premiere productions, two UK and London Premieres and a range of revivals from Broadway and the West End, the theatre also introduces a revised young person’s membership scheme called Park Up.

Artistic Director Jez Bond says: “We’re presenting a wealth of new writing talent this season, including the extraordinary work of Eugene O’Hare – whose two plays are both funny, dark and surprising – and balancing this with some well-known revivals, including the award winning Martha, Josie and the Chinese Elvis and a rare production of Lesley Storm’s play Black Chiffon, written and first presented way ahead of its time in 1949. In another new initiative, planned annually, we’ll be bringing a few choice selections from the Edinburgh Fringe Festival down to north London for a week of performances in September. We are excited to be offering a new, free membership for young people called Park Up whichallows members to access a great range of benefits including; free professional development workshops, £10 tickets during the first week of performances, £5 rush tickets on selected shows, cafe bar discounts, cheap room hire and more. I look forward to continuing to welcome audiences through our doors over the coming year as we strive to present the best possible work on our stages, with accessible and affordable experiences for all.”

The World Premiere of Whodunnit [Unrehearsed] opens the new Park200 season, as a host of guest actors including Gillian Anderson, John Bishop, Jim Broadbent, Simon Callow, Ronan Keating,

Damian Lewis, Joanna Lumley, Catherine Tate and Tim Vine take turns joining the ensemble cast of this murder mystery, with no rehearsals, script or direction: just a hidden earpiece for guidance. The life story of acclaimed historian Howard Zinn follows in Bianca Bagatourian’s The Time Of Our Lies, sharing stories from his role as a bomber in WWII through to his post-war activism. Park Theatre’s in-house produced The Weatherman, written by Eugene O’Hare, is a powerful black comedy-drama centered on two broke flatmates who become complicit in their landlord’s dark business scheme. Based on a true story, Tracy-Ann Oberman stars as a single Jewish mother dealing with the repercussions of her criminal son in Evan Placey’s Mother Of Him. Miriam Margolyes returns to Park Theatre in the World Premiere black comedy of Eugene O’Hare’s Sydney & The Old Girl, following the mutually assured destruction of a mother and son after sharing the same shabby house for fifty years. From the team behind last year’s Christmas hit Peter Pan, a new adaptation of Hans Christian Andersen’s The Snow Queen closes the Park200 season, as Gerda embarks on an epic journey through the seasons to save her best friend.

The UK Premiere of The Actor’s Nightmareby Tony Award-winning playwright Christopher Durang and starring Meaghan Martin commences the new Park90 season, in a surreal distortion of classic plays that celebrate and satirise the theatre industry. Based on a true story, Taz Skylar’s Warheads asks what happens to youth when it’s sent to war, as it follows the lives of young British soldiers returning home from the front line. Psychological thriller Black Chiffon by Lesley Storm follows the familial fallout when a wealthy, 20^th century woman shoplifted in a moment of madness. Based on a 19^th century true story from America, Kate Barton’s thrillerFast explores the horrific consequences of ‘Dr’ Linda Hazzard, who advocated a fasting-based miracle cure that captivated and then devastated a nation. Olivia Olsen’s Stray Dogs is based on the true life events of the Russian poet Anna Akhmatova, who was approached in 1940 to work for the Stalinist regime that had purged her husband and imprisoned her son. Concluding the Park90 season in December, Charlotte Jones’ quirky and kinky comedy Martha, Josie And The Chinese Elvis offers an alternative ‘adults only’ Christmas treat about a dominatrix whose favourite client decides to throw her a birthday party.