FULL CAST ANNOUNCED WITH KEITH ALLEN AND BRYAN DICK LEADING THE COMPANY OF ROSE THEATRE KINGSTON’S WORLD PREMIÈRE DOUBLE-BILL HOGARTH’S PROGRESS

FULL CAST ANNOUNCED WITH KEITH ALLEN AND BRYAN DICK LEADING THE COMPANY OF ROSE THEATRE KINGSTON’S WORLD PREMIÈRE DOUBLE-BILL HOGARTH’S PROGRESS

 

Rose Theatre Kingston presents

The world première of

Hogarth’s Progress

The Art of Success & The Taste of the Town

A double-bill by Nick Dear

Director: Anthony Banks; Set & Costume Designer: Andrew D Edwards

Video and Projection Designer: Douglas O’Connell; Lighting Designer: James Whiteside

Music: Olly Fox; Sound Designer: Max Pappenheim; Casting Director: Stuart Burt

Fight Directors: Rachel Bown-Williams and Ruth Cooper-Brown for Rc-Annie

Movement: Naomi Said

13 September – 21 October 2018

 

Rose Theatre Kingston today announces the full cast for Nick Dear’s double-bill Hogarth’s Progress.Anthony Banks directs Bryan Dick as the younger William Hogarth in the first major UK revival of Dear’s acclaimed comedy The Art of Success, which follows Hogarth through a bawdy night in 1730 and Keith Allen as the older William Hogarth in the world première of The Taste of the Town which rejoins the now hugely successful artist 30 years later towards the end of his career. Ruby Bentall (Jane Hogarth and Nancy/Mrs Ryott), Emma Cunniffe (Louisa and Mrs Colquhoun/Mrs Bascombe), Ben Deery (Frank and Zachariah Blunt), Jack Derges (Henry Fielding and Parson Venables), Ian Hallard (Oliver and Horace Walpole), Susannah Harker (Queen Caroline and Jane Hogarth), Jasmine Jones (Sarah Sprackling and Bridget), Sylvestra Le Touzel (Mrs Needham and Lady Thornhill) and Mark Umbers (Robert Walpole and David Garrick) complete the company.

The plays will run in rep as part of Rose Theatre Kingston’s 10th anniversary season; opening Saturday 29 September, with previews from Thursday 13 September, and running until Sunday 21 October.Each play can be seen as a single performance or enjoyed together, either over different days or as a thrilling all-day theatrical experience.

Hogarth’s Progress is a riotous double-bill of comedies by BAFTA Award winner Nick Dear, following one of Britain’s most celebrated artists on two monumental pub crawls. The plays explore the extraordinary lives of William and Jane Hogarth at a time when culture escaped from the grasp of the powerful into the hands of the many.

 

The Olivier Award nominated comedy The Art of Success, in its first major revival, compresses the newlywed William’s rise to fame into a dizzying and hilarious night out through 18th century London’s high society and debauched underworld.

 

A world première, The Taste of the Town catches up with the Hogarths in Chiswick some 30 years later. Now hugely successful, William and Jane are still at odds with the world and with each other. Facing public ridicule for what he considers his finest painting, William sets out to confront his fiercest critic, but there’s always time for one more pint on the way.

 

Running alongside Hogarth’s Progress will be an exhibition of work from Kingston School of Art’s Illustration Animation course critiquing contemporary Britain, as well as a series of post-show conversations, in collaboration with Kingston University, which will explore Hogarth’s world and his influence today. Full details of the programme will be announced shortly.

Nick Dear is a playwright and screenwriter, best known for his adaptation of Frankenstein (National Theatre and broadcast globally via NT Live) and his BAFTA Award-winning adaptation of Persuasion (BBC). His writing for theatre includes Dedication (Nuffield Southampton Theatres), The Dark Earth and the Light Sky, Food of Love (Almeida Theatre), Power, The Villains’ Opera (National Theatre), Zenobia, Pure Science, Temptation (RSC) and In the Ruins (Bristol Old Vic). His adaptations include The Promise (Tricycle Theatre), Summerfolk, Le Bourgeois Gentilhomme (National Theatre), The Last Days of Don Juan (RSC) and A Family Affair (Cheek by Jowl). His other screenplays include The Turn of the Screw, CinderellaThe GamblerByron, Eroica and Agatha Christie’s Poirot. He has also written extensively for BBC Radio.

 

Keith Allen returns to Rose Theatre Kingston to play William Hogarth in The Taste of the Town. He previously starred in the company’s revival of Smack Family Robinson. Later this year he will be appearing in Landscapeand A Kind of Alaska as part of the Pinter at the Pinter season. Other theatre credits include Gaslight (UK tour), The Homecoming (National Theatre/Trafalgar Studios), Comedians (Lyric Hammersmith), Treasure Island(Theatre Royal Haymarket), The Celebration & The Room (Almeida Theatre), Murmuring Judges (National Theatre), and Illuminatus and Macbeth (Citizen’s Theatre, Glasgow). His television credits include MarcellaMy Mad Fat Teenage Diary, The Body Farm, Treasure Island, The Runaway, Robin Hood, Bodies, Roger Roger, Adrian Mole: The Cappuccino Years, Martin Chuzzlewit, Faith and Making Out; and for film, Kingsman: The Golden CircleEddie the EagleA Film with Me in ItAgent Cody Banks 2: Destination LondonDe-Lovely24 Hour Party PeopleThe OthersTwin TownTrainspottingBlue JuiceShallow GraveBeyond BedlamSecond Best, Young Americans, Carry On ColumbusScandalComrades and The Supergrass.

Ruby Bentall plays Jane Hogarth in The Art of Success and Nancy/Mrs Ryott in The Taste of the Town. Her theatre credits include Ramona Tells Jim (Bush Theatre), Peter and Alice (Noël Coward Theatre), Hansel and GretelGriefThe Miracle (National Theatre), Blue Heart Afternoon (Hampstead Theatre), Remembrance Day(Royal Court Theatre), and Alice (Sheffield Theatres). Her television credits include Verity in Poldark and roles in AbsentiaJekyll and HydeLarkrise to CandlefordLost in Austen and You Can Chose Your Friends; and for film, Interlude in PragueBikini BlueMr TurnerRobin Hood and Tormented.

 

Emma Cunniffe returns to Rose Theatre Kingston to play Louisa in The Art of Success andMrs Colquhoun/Mrs Bascombe in The Taste of the Town. Her credits for the company include Dumb Show. Her other theatre credits include the title role in Queen Anne (Swan Theatre/Theatre Royal Haymarket), Proof(Menier Chocolate Factory), Conquest of the South Pole (Arcola Theatre), Amongst FriendsThe Glass Room (Hampstead Theatre), The Entertainer (The Old Vic), Losing Louis (Hampstead Theatre/Trafalgar Studios), A Buyer’s MarketCaravan (Bush Theatre), Tales From Hollywood (Donmar Warehouse), and The Master Builder (UK tour – winner of UK Theatre Award for Best Supporting Actress). Her television credits include UnforgottenInspector LewisSouthcliffePlace of ExecutionThe Lakes and Life After Birth; and for film, Rabbit on the MoonDreaming of Joseph Lees and Among Giants.

 

Ben Deery plays Frank in The Art of Success and Zachariah Blunt in The Taste of the Town. His theatre credits include Death of a Salesman (Royal & Derngate Northampton/UK tour), Insignificance (Theatre Clwyd), Casa Valentina (Southwark Playhouse), A Mad World My Masters, Titus Andronicus, King Lear(RSC), The Woman In Black (Fortune Theatre), Anne Boleyn, All’s Well That End’s Well, Henry VIII(Shakespeare’s Globe), and La Cage Aux Folles (Playhouse Theatre). His television credits include And Then There Were None; and for film, A Street Cat Named Bob.

Jack Derges plays Henry Fielding in The Art of Success and Parson Venables in The Taste of the Town. His theatre credits include Queers (The Old Vic), The Boys in the Band (Vaudeville Theatre), The Sweethearts (Finborough Theatre), and Territory (Pleasance, London). His television credits as series regular include Andy Flynn inEastEnders, ‘Synth’ Simon in Humans and Bill Pearson in WPC56, as well as roles in CrimsThe Royals,Cucumber and Dungeons and Dragons: The Book of Vile Darkness; and for film, Freak of Nurture, and AUX.

 

Bryan Dick plays William Hogarth in The Art of Success and Samuel in The Taste of the Town. His theatre credits include The Two Noble Kinsmen (Shakespeare Globe), Great Apes (Arcola Theatre), Fatherland (Royal Exchange Theatre), Years of Sunlight (Theatre503), Hobson’s Choice (Theatre Royal Bath), Seminar (Hampstead Theatre),School Play (Soho Theatre), Sliding with SuzannePlasticineBone (Royal Court Theatre), Lear (Sheffield Theatres), The Life of GalileoThe Alchemist (National Theatre), Tinderbox (Bush Theatre), and Kursk and Public Enemy (Young Vic). His television credits The SplitCapitalWolf HallSilent WitnessThe Ice Cream GirlsAll The Small ThingsSurvival CodeLewisBeing HumanAshes to AshesExcludedEric and Ernie and Haven; and for film, Colour Me KubrickDreamMaster and CommanderBrothers of the HeadBlood and ChocolateDay of the FlowersI, Anna and The Numbers Station.

Ian Hallard plays Oliver in The Art of Success and Horace Walpole in The Taste of the Town. His theatre credits include The Boys in the Band (Park Theatre/Vaudeville Theatre), Outings (Lyric Theatre), Cat on a Hot Tin Roof(Theatr Clywd), Lovesong of the Electric Bear (Arts Theatre/Hope Theatre), The Vote (Donmar Warehouse),Great Britain (National Theatre/ Theatre Royal Haymarket), and Scenes from an Execution (National Theatre). His television credits include The CrownDoctor WhoSherlock, PoirotAn Adventure in Space and Time,Crooked House, Where the Heart Is; and for film, The Dark Room.

 

Susannah Harker plays Queen Caroline in The Art of Success and Jane Hogarth in The Taste of the Town. Her theatre credits include Abigail’s Party (Menier Chocolate Factory/Wyndham’s Theatre), A Good Death(National Theatre), Lucky Seven (Hampstead Theatre), On the Shore of the Wide World (Royal Exchange Manchester/National Theatre), Three Sisters (Playhouse Theatre), Uncle Vanya (Gate Theatre, Dublin/La Guardia Drama Theater), and Tartuffe (Almeida Theatre). For television recurring roles include Jane Bennett in BBC’s Pride and Prejudice and Mattie Storin in House Of Cards – for which she received a Best Actress BAFTA nomination. Other television credits include Doctor Who: ShadaWaking the Dead, Ultra-Violet, Faith, Chancer and The Fear; and for film, A Carribean DreamBurke and WillsA Dry White Seasonand White Mischief.

 

Jasmine Jones plays Sarah Sprackling in The Art of Success and Bridget in The Taste of the Town. Her theatre credits include Buggy Baby (The Yard Theatre), The Phantom Seahorse (Soho Theatre), Philippa and Will are Now in a Relationship (New Diorama Theatre), Fewer Emergencies (Royal Court Theatre), Porno GirlSenseThis Child (Southwark Playhouse), Blue Funk (Old Red Lion), and Arden of Faversham (White Bear).

 

Sylvestra Le Touzel plays Mrs Needham in The Art of Success and Lady Thornhill in The Taste of the Town. Her theatre credits include The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie (Donmar), GivingImagine Drowning (Hampstead Theatre), Waste (National Theatre), Les Parent TerriblesIvanov (Donmar West End), Topless Mum (Tricycle Theatre), Wild EastOurselves AloneUnity, Glasshouses (Royal Court Theatre), A Midsummer’s Night Dream(Almeida Theatre), Inspector Calls (Aldwych Theatre), The IllusionMarya (The Old Vic), and Harvest(Ambassadors Theatre). Her television credits include The CrownEndeavourUtopiaThe Thick of ItSecret StateTitanicThe Appropriate AdultBonkersBeast and Vanity Fair; and for film, The Death of StalinMr TurnerCloud AtlasThe Iron LadyHappy-Go-Lucky and Amazing Grace.

Mark Umbers plays Robert Walpole in The Art of Success and David Garrick in The Taste of the Town. His theatre work includes Merrily We Roll Along (Menier Chocolate Factory/Harold Pinter Theatre/Huntington Avenue Theatre), She Loves Me (Menier Chocolate Factory), The Browning Version (Chichester Festival Theatre/Harold Pinter Theatre), Sweet Charity (Menier Chocolate Factory/Theatre Royal Haymarket), Funny Girl (Chichester Festival Theatre), The Glass Menagerie (Apollo Theatre), The Vortex (Donmar Warehouse), and The Merchant of VeniceCandide and My Fair Lady (National Theatre). His television work includes CollateralHome FiresEternal LawMistressesThe Turn of the ScrewPrinces in the TowerHarley StreetBlackbeardThe Merchant of VeniceBerkeley SquareSilent WitnessThe Scarlet Pimpernel and The Student Prince; and for film, King Arthur: Legend of the SwordA Good WomanChe (Part Two)These Foolish ThingsCassandra’s DreamColour Me Kubrick and Love Is The Devil.

Anthony Banks directs. His theatre credits include Strangers On A TrainGaslight, DNA (UK tour), Twilight Song(Park Theatre), After Miss Julie (Theatre Royal Bath/UK tour), Raz (Trafalgar Studios/Assembly Edinburgh/UK tour), CesarioMore LightThe Eternal NotPrince Of Denmark (National Theatre), Pignight (Menier Chocolate Factory), The Experiment (Soho Theatre/Berliner Ensemble), Herding Cats (Theatre Royal Bath/Hampstead Theatre), Bassett (Bristol Old Vic), ReWrite (Westminster Hall/National Theatre) and The Hotel Plays (Grange & Langham Hotels, London). He was also Associate Director at the National Theatre 2004 – 2014 where he commissioned and developed a hundred new plays for NT Connections.

Hogarth’s Progress                                                                                                                                 Listings

Rose Theatre Kingston

24-26 High Street, Kingston, KT1 1HL

13 September – 21 October 2018

Press performances: Saturday 29 September, 2.30pm & 7pm

www.rosetheatrekingston.org

Twitter:                @Rosetheatre

Facebook:           /RoseTheatreKingston

Instagram:          RoseTheatreKingston

Performance Schedule

The Art of Success – can be booked individually

Thursday 13 September                7.30pm

Friday 14 September                      7.30pm

Saturday 15 September                7.30pm

Wednesday 26 September          7.30pm

Thursday 27 September                2.30pm

Wednesday 3 October                   7.30pm

Thursday 4 October                        2.30pm

Thursday 11 October                      2.30pm

Friday 12 October                            8pm

Wednesday 17 October                7.30pm

Thursday 18 October                      2.30pm

Friday 19 October                            8pm

The Taste of the Town – can be booked individually

Friday 21 September                      7.30pm

Saturday 22 September                7.30pm

Tuesday 25 September                 7.30pm

Thursday 27 September                7.30pm

Friday 28 September                      8pm

Sunday 30 September                   3pm

Thursday 4 October                        7.30pm

Friday 5 October                               8pm

Wednesday 10 October                2.30pm

Thursday 11 October                      7.30pm

Thursday 18 October                      7.30pm

The Art of Success and The Taste of the Town – can only be booked together

Saturday 29 September                2.30pm & 7.30pm

Saturday 6 October                         2.30pm & 7.30pm

Sunday 7 October                            2.30pm & 7.30pm

Sat 13 October                                  2.30pm & 7.30pm

Sun 14 October                                 2.30pm & 7.30pm

Sat 20 October                                  2.30pm & 7.30pm

Sun 21 October                                 2.30pm & 7.30pm

Box Office:                          020 8174 0090

                                                Monday – Saturday: 10am – 8pm (6pm non-performance days)

                                                Sun: one hour before the performance

 

Concessions:                      Only one discount per ticket, subject to availability

Terms and conditions apply – no discounts on Pit Cushion prices.

Over 60, unwaged, entertainment union, children under 16 and Students: £5 off.

Access:                                 Patrons with disabilities enjoy half price tickets.

The Rose is a fully accessible organisation and we welcome everyone.

                                                There is Blue Badge parking in High Street and Rose car park.

Sensory Access:                A digital hearing system is available for patrons with a hearing aid, and Sennheiser headsets for patrons without a hearing aid. Guide and hearing dogs are welcome. Please let us know in advance so we can provide a dog-sitter and water bowl.

Learning Disabilities:       Please contact us in advance to discuss how we can help make your visit as comfortable as possible, on 0208 174 0090 or email [email protected].

ENGLISH TOURING THEATRE ANNOUNCES VICTOR OSHIN’S PROFESSIONAL DEBUT AS OTHELLO – WITH FURTHER TOUR DATES AND EDUCATION PROGRAMME

ENGLISH TOURING THEATRE ANNOUNCES

VICTOR OSHIN’S PROFESSIONAL DEBUT AS OTHELLO 

WITH FURTHER TOUR DATES AND EDUCATION PROGRAMME

 

English Touring Theatre today announces Victor Oshin as Othello in the upcoming revival of Richard Twyman’s critically acclaimed production of Othello, a co-production with Oxford Playhouse and Shakespeare at the Tobacco Factory. Full cast to be announced shortly.

 

Further dates are announced for the tour which opens at Oxford Playhouse on 20 September and tours to Harrogate TheatreCast in DoncasterLawrence Batley TheatreEveryman Theatre CheltenhamOldham Coliseum TheatreThe New Wolsey Theatre, Warwick Arts CentreNorthern Stage and Lighthouse Poole.

 

ETT will continue its commitment to make touring theatre accessible to young people with their 25th anniversary ticket scheme 25 for £2.50 which will offer £2.50 tickets to Othello for young people aged 25 and under.

 

In addition ETT’s Othello Education Programme will run alongside the tour offering students and teachers insight into Shakespeare’s Othello and their critically acclaimed production. The programme will provide education packs, workshops, pre and post show talks with members of the company, as well as additional resources including podcasts and recorded footage.

English Touring Theatre said today, ‘We are thrilled to announce the full tour of our critically acclaimed production of Othello which will visit 10 cities this Autumn, continuing our commitment to touring exceptional work to audiences across England.

Alongside the production, the Othello Project and our £2.50 tickets for under 25’s will ensure that we continue to reach new and diverse audiences.

We are delighted to be working with Victor Oshin in the title role. Victor is a dynamic actor of huge potential and we look forward to giving audiences across the country the chance to see him in his professional stage debut. We’ll soon be announcing the full company of actors that he will be working alongside to bring this masterful play to life.’

 

English Touring Theatre, Oxford Playhouse and Shakespeare at the Tobacco Factory present   

Othello

By William Shakespeare

 

UK tour 18 September – 24 November 2018

Director: Richard Twyman; Designer: Georgia Lowe; Associate Designer: Alex Berry

Composer & Sound Designer: Giles Thomas; Lighting Designer: Matt Graham

Movement Director: Lanre Malaolu; Creative Advisor: Abdul-Rehman Malik

Casting Director: Annelie Powell CDG

 

Othello is one of Shakespeare’s most startlingly contemporary plays – a masterful depiction of a life torn apart by prejudice.

 

Venice; a western colonial power employs the newly-married Othello, a Muslim general, to lead their army against the impending Turkish invasion. The strain of fitting into a society riven by discrimination and fear soon take their toll. Manipulated by Iago, Othello’s life quickly unravels as he turns on everything he holds dear.

 

Originally co-produced with Tobacco Factory Theatres.

 

Victor Oshin plays Othello. This marks his professional stage debut.

 

Richard Twyman is Artistic Director of English Touring Theatre for which he has directed Othello (also Shakespeare at the Tobacco Factory/Tobacco Factory Theatres). Prior to this he was Associate Director (International) at the Royal Court Theatre between 2013-2016, where his directing work included Torn, Harrogate (also HighTide and UK tour), You For Me For You, Fireworks, The Djinns of Eidgah and PIIGS. His other theatre credits include Les Liaisons Dangereuses (Tokyo) Henry IV Pt II (RSC), Ditch (Old Vic Tunnels and HighTide), Dr Marigold & Mr Chops (Theatre Royal Bath and UK tour), Sixty-Six Books (Bush Theatre) and Give Me Your Hand (Irish Rep, New York – nomination for the Drama Desk Award 2012 for Outstanding Unique Theatrical Experience). Between 2003 and 2008 he worked at the Royal Shakespeare Company, where he was Associate Director to Michael Boyd on the multi-award winning Histories Cycle and for which he directed Henry IV Pt II.

ETT’s Othello Education Programme

 

Through an exploration of their critically acclaimed production of OthelloETT’s Othello Education Programme offers students and teachers the opportunity to gain an exciting insight into one of Shakespeare’s most startlingly contemporary plays.

The programme offers an education pack, workshops, talks and other resources including podcasts and recorded footage. The lessons and activities provided are specifically designed to support KS3-4 students studying the play and who have attended the production, and cover themes including Moorish identity, women’s roles in the play and the setting and staging.

Education Pack

Click here to access the Othello Education Pack – the pack includes discussion topics, exercises and links to podcasts and video footage.

Workshops

Workshops are designed to enrich and expand on the themes discussed in the Othello Education Pack. Each workshop runs for 2 hours, for up to 30 students, and is run by a specially trained facilitator. The workshops can be held at your venue at any time to suit your schedule.

Pre and post show talks
There will be free pre-show talks, with the production’s Assistant Director and ETT’s Producer, and post-show talks with the company. The dates for these can be found at:

www.ett.org.uk/whats-on/othello/access

If you are unable to attend the pre or post-show talk but would like to discuss how you can access these digitally or alternatively arrange an additional talk for a fee then please do get in touch.

To book a workshop or other enquiries regarding ETT’s Othello Education Programme please contact Bridie: [email protected]

Tour Dates

Oxford Playhouse

18 September – 22 September

Press night: 20 September

Box Office: 01865 305305 / www.oxfordplayhouse.com

Harrogate Theatre

25  29 September

Box Office: 01423 502 116 www.harrogatetheatre.co.uk

Cast in Doncaster

2 – 6 October

Box Office: 01302 303 959 www.castindoncaster.com

 

Lawrence Batley Theatre

9  13 October

Box Office: 01484 430528 / www.thelbt.org

Everyman Theatre Cheltenham

16 – 20 October

Box Office: 01242 572573 www.everymantheatre.org.uk

 

Oldham Coliseum Theatre

23 – 27 October

Box Office: 0161 624 2829 / www.coliseum.org.uk

Wolsey Theatre Ipswich

30 October – 3 November

Box Office: 01473 295900 / www.wolseytheatre.co.uk

 

Warwick Arts Centre

– 10 November

Box Office: 024 7652 4524 / www.warwickartscentre.co.uk

 

Northern Stage

13 – 17 November

Box Office: 0191 230 5151 / www.northernstage.co.uk

 

Lighthouse Poole

20 – 24 November

Box Office: 01202 280000 www.lighthousepoole.co.uk

Year of the Cat Hit Maker Al Stewart Returns to Hull

Year of the Cat Hit Maker Returns to City

Al Stewart celebrates more than fifty years in the music industry

Hull New Theatre celebrates the Year of the Cat this August as singer-songwriter Al Stewart makes a welcome return to the city.

For more than fifty years this stalwart of the British music industry has entertained fans across the world with his unique folk-rock sound delicately woven with tales of characters and events from history.

Stewart, who found fame during the sixties and seventies; played at the first Glastonbury Festival in 1970; worked with Yoko Ono pre-Lennon and shared an apartment with a young Paul Simon, boasts one of the most extensive back catalogues in the business having recorded 19 studio albums between Bedsitter Images in 1967 and Sparks of Ancient Light in 2008.

He returns to the city on 7 August to perform an acoustic set featuring classic and lesser known tracks from his musical inventory, accompanied by long-time collaborator Dave Nachmanoff and joined by Guitarist Tim Renwick.

Tickets for Al Stewart at Hull New Theatre on 7 August are on sale now. Book at the Hull City Hall Box Office, call 01482 300 306 or visit the website www.hulltheatres.co.uk to book online.

Blackpool, What a Shit Place to Die Review

3 Minute Theatre, Manchester – until 20 July
Reviewed by Angela Hazeldine
4****
Last night I went to see Blackpool, What a Shit Place to Die at 3MT. First of all, I’m ashamed to say this was my first trip to 3MT. What a great little theatre it is and the perfect setting for this one-man show starring the very engaging Mark Newsome.
I find it difficult to review shows like this because I don’t want to give anything away, I want you to go and see for yourself.. It’s a real shame it’s only on for two nights but I can imagine it will be coming back at some point because it is very good.
Mark plays Billy Costello, a … ’young, gay, depressed, autistic actor with a drug problem’ and as the title of the show also suggests, this may be heavy. And it is  … but with a lot of laughs, the epitome of a dark comedy.
Mark holds your attention from the moment he walks on stage and under the excellent direction of Grace Cordell tells us a story of how he has got to this erratic, drug fuelled, possibly final trip to sunny Blackpool. It’s a story of family, prejudice, bullying, talent shows, tans, death and loneliness.
I always have a huge admiration for an actor that can deliver lines for an hour on their own on stage and not falter but when they do it in such an engaging, humorous, heart breaking way I feel very lucky that I’ve been able to see it.
Phil Pearson’s writing is spot on, him and Mark clearly make a good team. I recommend you go see this show tonight, book your ticket now, you might even get a stick of Blackpool rock!

Not Dead Yet – Wednesday 25 July

Not Dead Yet

 

Wed 25 Jul 2018, 7:30PM

 

www.ticketsource.co.uk

 

Not Dead Yet is a new one man play featuring Peter Cockerill (following his work with the RSC). Written by Rob Wilson and directed by Andrew Harrison, the play uses real life experiences to explore memory loss: music and humour are used to challenge our perceptions and confront our pre-conceptions of this all too common issue

 

Not Dead Yet follows last years sell out success of D Day Dodgers (an attempt to right a wrong)

 

This production is a PAY WHAT YOU DECIDE EVENT. Customers can book a ticket without making any payment, then decide after the show what they think it is worth – therefore removing the risk of paying for something you might not enjoy. It requires audiences to book in advance, but voluntarily pay an amount determined by them after the show, based on their experience

Casting announced for Distance at Park Theatre

Fine Line Productions in association with Rough Fiction and Park Theatre present

the World Premiere of
DISTANCE

5 – 29 September 2018| Park Theatre

Casting has been announced for Distance, the only male-directed play in PARK90’s season, shining a light on male mental health and suicide (the biggest killer of men under 45 in the UK) with the story of Steven: a man trying to make sense of his world. Written by Alex McSweeney and directed by Simon Pittman (Associate Director, Frantic Assembly), the cast includes Doreene BlackstockAdam BurtonRichard CorganLindsay Fraser and Abdul Salis.

 

The official press night will be on Friday 7th September at 7pm.

 

Steven, recently separated and heading towards divorce, bumps into an old friend on the journey to a job interview. A complex recent past and a fragile present collide, as Steven tries to make sense of the world around him and his place within it. We accelerate headlong into Steven’s chaotic and troubled inner life, as the everyday encounter unravels into something dark, disturbing and unrestrained.

 

Writer Alex McSweeney has stated of the play’s creative origins: “I wrote Distance because five people I know have killed themselves in little over five years. All of them were men. I wanted to try and understand why suicide is particularly prevalent among men. While the crisis in masculinity might be regarded as a well-trodden path in terms of explaining the pressures that men are feeling, it is important to acknowledge that a crisis in male wellbeing is something that affects women, children, families and society itself.”

 

The Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM) have revealed that suicide is the single biggest killer of men aged under 45 in the UK and that, in 2015, 75% of all UK suicides were male.

 

Distance is an urgent examination of mental illness, and its impact on the individual, their family, and the society around them. Following the acclaimed Out Of The Cage (Park Theatre), Fine Line Productions, Alex McSweeney and Simon Pittman, return with this darkly funny and visually dynamic portrayal of the mind.

 

This play was developed as part of the Park Theatre Script Accelerator programme.

 

Doreene Blackstock will play Folami. Her theatre credits include: Much Ado About Nothing (The Globe), Roundelay (Southwark Playhouse), Cymbeline, Hamlet, Noughts & Crosses (Royal Shakespeare Company) and The Container (Young Vic Theatre). Her screen credits include: Death in Paradise, The Child in Time, EastEnders, The Game, Silent Witness, Trinity, The Bill, Life Begins, Family Business, Wire in the Blood, Medics, Casualty, Holby City, Judge John Deed, Gimme Gimme Gimme, Tom Jones, Common as Muck, Mm Hm and This Year’s Love.

 

Adam Burton plays Steven. His stage credits: include: Jerusalem, All My Sons (Watermill Theatre), My Brilliant Friend (Rose Theatre), The Hairy ApeThe Dutchess Of Malfi (Old Vic), Everyman (National Theatre), The Drowned Man, Masque of the Red Death and Faust (Punchdrunk), The Orphan Of Zhao, Boris Godunov, A Life of Galileo, American Trade, King Lear, Anthony and Cleopatra, The Winter’s Tale, The Drunk and Julius Caesar(Royal Shakespeare Company). His television credits include: Bloody Queens: Elizabeth and Mary (Pioneer Productions), RMS Titanic: Case Closed (Bedlam), Doctors (BBC), Jerkyll (Hartswood Films), Casualty (BBC), Happy on the Boat (Hewland), Dangerfield (BBC) and Treflan (S4C).

 

Richard Corgan plays The Duke. His theatre credits include: A Provincial Life (National Theatre Wales), Taming of the Shrew (The Globe), It’s About Me (Hampstead Theatre), Money & Science & Me (Liverpool Everyman), The Ballad of Blood & Darling (Rose Theatre), La Fanciulla Del West, Fighter (Royal Opera House), Macbeth andThe Changeling (The Pit, Barbican). His screen credits include: Baker Boys (BBC Wales), Doctors, Casualty, Caught in the Web, The B World (BBC) and Pobol Y Cwm (S4C).

               

Lindsay Fraser plays Sojna. Her stage credits include: Out Of The Cage (Park Theatre), Execution Of Justice(Southwark Playhouse), Just So Stories (The Kings Head) and Oh Go My Man (Tristan Bates Theatre). Her screen credits include: Touch (Largo Films), Still Waters (Memoir Pictures), In Control (Thirty-Two Films), Jacob (Pigtail Productions), Cygnus (I Am The Sand Man), Collateral Damage (NFTS) and Hard Light (Major Arcana/LFS).

 

Abdul Salis plays Alan. Abdul’s theatre credits include: The Barbershop Chronicles (National Theatre), Birth!(Manchester Royal Exchange), War Horse (National Theatre), Boy (Almeida) The Rise and Shine of Comrade Fiasco (The Gate), Lungs, The Initiate and The Human Ear (Paines Plough) Joe Guy (The Soho Theatre) and Don Juan in Soho (Donmar Warehouse). His screen credits include: Father Brown (BBC), Urban Myths ‘Public Enemy’(Happy Tramp), Power Monkeys (Hat Trick), Doctors (Blunt Pictures), Hacks (Hat Trick), Strike Back (Leftbank Pictures), Outnumbered (Hatrick), Victoria Wood Christmas Special (Phil McIntyre Productions), Casualty (BBC), Doctor Who (Kudos), Gifted (Red Productions), Trevor’s World of Sport (Hat Trick), Roger Roger (BBC) and The Hidden City (Hallmark).

 

Alex McSweeney is an actor, playwright and director.  His writing/directing credits include: Out Of The Cage(Park Theatre), A Hero Of Our Time (Rose Theatre Kingston) and Between Women (Hen and Chickens). As an actor he has worked extensively across television, film, radio and theatre, including regular collaborations with Steven Berkoff including On The Waterfront (Nottingham Playhouse and Theatre Royal Haymarket) and Oedipus(Liverpool Playhouse). 

 

Director Simon Pittman co-directs the theatre company Rough Fiction and is Associate Director (Learn & Train) at Frantic Assembly. His credits as a director include: The Expected (Wilton’s Music Hall), Othello (National Youth Theatre / Frantic Assembly – The Ambassadors, West End), Not A Game for Boys (Library Theatre Manchester), His Wild Imaginings (LSO St Luke’s), The Last of The Lake (Brighton Dome & Tour). As Associate Director: The Go-Between (West Yorkshire Playhouse), Floyd Collins (Southwark Playhouse) and The Shawshank Redemption (Edinburgh Festival / Gaiety Theatre).

Songs From The Seven Hills Review

Sheffield Crucible – until 21 July 2018

Reviewed by Lottie Davis-Browne

4****

Seven hills, six stories to tell, and one city – Sheffield.

With six different stories which intertwine, from a group of asylum seekers, to a same-sex couple fighting to keep the local community centre open, a trans-gender teen fighting for her rights to treatment, a Vicar on the verge of divorce from an abusive relationship, a grieving wife seeking comfort and a fresh start following the unexpected tragic death of her husband, to a Scandi-clad home furnishings store opening, Songs From The Seven Hills – the latest production to come from Sheffield People’s Theatre is based on interviews with the local community – from people who were born and raised here, to those who came seeking asylum.

The story starts with the recently deceased steel worker Gerald (Ian J France) talking about how life can quickly flash before ones eyes; Gerald then acts as a narrater of sorts as we meet the different families each with a different battle on their hands.

The first family the audience meet are part of a group of Syrian refugees sleeping rough at the borders awaiting their opportunity to flee to safety by any means possible. One of the refugees states he believes Sheffield to be his second home as a family heirloom of some stainless steel “Made In Sheffield” cutlery has been a part of his family and he states that a relative went to University in Sheffield, which is where he is hoping to settle down. The guy is an English teacher in Syria and is fleeing the war with his children.

The stories flit back and forth constantly to each of the six families stories, sometimes it’s done in such a quick way you loose track somewhat but then soon pick up the pace again.

The story seems to focus mainly on two stories – Gerald’s grieving daughter and wife striving to save The Lighthouse Community Centre in Shiregreen from closure to make way for a new housing development and Gerald’s wife being the one who eventually meets the family of refugees and having sworn her late husband has visited her she is motivated to sell the family home (yet refuses to down size instead opting for a large four-bed Victorian property she kits out in trendy “Skandea” furnishings!) and give the Syrian family a safe place to call home until they are granted asylum. The stories, although at points seem to loose their appeal, each have their highs and lows and moments most of us can relate to in our own lives.

The stage set changes constantly from everything to the back of a lorry used to smuggle the refugees into London, to the overcrowded Underground of Kings Cross St Pancras, to the local Church and the community centre, with the large ensemble being heavily involved in the process of changing sets. The Skandea store (a mock up version of Sheffield’s recently opened Ikea), was by far the best part of the stage design for me personally (yes, I was one of the people mocked in the stores official opening scene – I was sat next to the doors of the newly opened Sheffield store in my wheelchair a good hour or so before the store officially opened – eager to finally be able to buy as much flat packed furniture to make me never want to see an Allen key again!)

The Skandea song and the whole mockery of all things Ikea alone could have been made into a production – my request to Sheffield People’s Theatre is that next years production to be entitled “Skandea – The Musical – Life in Flatpack” (I think I would camp outside for tickets ahead of opening night!)

Overall Songs From The Seven Hills is witty, uplifting and most importantly tells the audience what it really means to be “Made In Sheffield”.

I have only seen a couple of productions by Sheffield People’s Theatre, none have which have particularly floated my boat. However this production has been a game changer for me. I laughed, I cried and as a newcomer to Sheffield it made me proud to be able to call Sheffield home. Bravo!

WEST END BARES Announces 2018 Theme TOP OFF THE POPS

WEST END BARES 2018 THEME ANNOUNCED

SUNDAY 28 OCTOBER

AT 7.00PM AND 9.30PM

AT THE SHAFTESBURY THEATRE

Now in its ninth year, and in a brand-new venue, the West End’s hottest annual fundraiser     WEST END BARES announces WEST END BARES: TOP OFF THE POPS! at The Shaftesbury Theatre on Sunday 28 October with performances at 7.00pm and 9.30pm.

WEST END BARES: TOP OFF THE POPS celebrates the sexiest tracks from some of the world’s most iconic music artists. For the first time the show will feature an incredible live band and sensational singers alongside all the flesh audiences have come to expect with over 100 performers from the West End and beyond. All monies raised will go to The Make A Difference Trust to fund HIV and AIDS projects that raise awareness, educate and provide care and support in the UK and Sub-Saharan Africa.

Fresh from her Tony Award nominated Broadway debut, Eva Noblezada (Miss Saigon, Les Misérables) will open the show singing a brand-new song written for the occasion by returning favourites Mark Anderson and Luke Di Somma. Eva said today, “I am so damn excited for West End Bares: Top Off The Pops for MAD Trust. I had fun the first time I was a part of it in 2014 but I was such a baby. I want to bring my own fire to it now that I didn’t have back then. I cannot wait to get on that stage and perform with everyone. This year is something completely different too. It’s gonna blow the roof off the theatre, and we’re gonna be performing with a live band, with more flesh than ever before. We’re making something pretty special for the opening with a few surprises that I’ve been sworn to secrecy about but you really don’t want to miss it, see you there!”

Award winning director and choreographer, Jerry Mitchell, creator of the original concept ‘Broadway Bares’, the inspiration behind West End Bares, said: “Music gets everybody in the mood and I can’t wait for the West End to turn it up and rock out for Bares in London this year with the sexiest tracks and the sexiest dancers. I never thought that what we started in Splash in New York in 1992 would be fast approaching its 10th birthday in London next year – FULLOUT!  What we do together really does make a difference so get your tickets and get ready to party!”.

 

For the fourth year in a row, WEST END BARES will be directed by David Grewcock with choreography fromTommy Wade-Smith (Book of Mormon, We Will Rock You), Racky Plews (American Idiot, Footloose, Knights of the Rose), Chris Whittaker (Seussical, Judy!, Top Hat), Matt Overfield (Motown the Musical, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, Tommy), Callum Aylott  (Dreamgirls, The Illusionists, West Side Story), Matt Krazn (Chicago, Cats), Will Lucas (Wicked, Cats) and Joanna Goodwin (Sunset Boulevard, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, Barnum) with more to be announced.

WEST END BARES benefits the Make A Difference Trust, a UK based charity with a vision of a world free from HIV and AIDS.  Since its first scintillating show in 2010 WEST END BARES has raised over £250,000. Building on the legacy of 25 years of fundraising by the Theatre industry, they continue to make the vision a reality having distributed over £1.6 million in grants to support individuals experiencing hardship across the UK as well as over £1million to support projects with their UK and international partners.  WEST END BARES is based on the original concept BROADWAY BARES by Tony Award winning Broadway and West End director and choreographer Jerry Mitchell. For further information about the Make A Difference Trust please visit  www.madtrust.org.uk

Tickets for WEST END BARES are now on sale and are priced at £25 – £80. They are available fromwww.madtrust.org.uk or the Shaftesbury Theatre booking line 020 7379 5399 or in person at The Shaftesbury Theatre Box Office. Booking fees apply plus your phone company’s access charge.

VIP Tickets are available directly from MAD Trust by calling 020 7231 9719 and include access to the pre-show drinks reception, VIP entrance to the theatre with a drink on arrival, £10 of MAD money, the best seats in the house for the legendary Rotation and access to the exclusive after party. Booking fees apply.

WEST END BARES are proud to be partnering with 100 Wardour St for this year’s exclusive After Party where you can continue to celebrate with the cast of the show. Tickets cost £10 and are only available when you buy a ticket for the 7pm or 9.30pm show.  Once again, there is limited availability for the After Party and when the tickets are gone, they’re gone – so don’t miss out!

International hit LA CLIQUE and brand new family musical YOU CHOOSE announced as part of Edinburgh’s Christmas 2018

International hit LA CLIQUE
and brand new family musical YOU CHOOSE announced as part of Edinburgh’s Christmas 2018

 

 

Edinburgh’s Christmas / 16 November – 5 January

  • International hit La Clique, returns with La Clique Noël – Part Deux to Edinburgh’s Christmas, mixing cabaret, new burlesque, circus and contemporary vaudeville and featuring fire-eating, sword-swallowing Heather Holliday, the remarkable Bernie Dieter as MC and aerialist Stephen Williams, with more acts to be announced soon.
  • You Choose, an interactive family musical show based on Pippa Goodhart and Nick Sharratt’s best-selling children’s book also announced for Edinburgh’s Christmas 2018.
  • Tickets available to book now at www.edinburghschristmas.com
  • This season’s Edinburgh’s Christmas takes place between 16 November 2018 and 5 January 2019 and remains one of the most popular Christmas celebrations in the UK

Edinburgh’s Christmas is set to return to Scotland’s capital from 16 November 2018 to 5 January 2019 and is sure to remain one of the most popular Christmas celebrations in the UK. 2018 will see the biggest, brightest and best programme of events and entertainment to date.

 

Two headline shows are announced and go on sale today offering adults and children alike a Christmas treat.

La Clique Noël returns home for Christmas with a new seasonal spectacular, La Clique Noël – Part Deux. Born at the Edinburgh Fringe in 2004, the multi-award winning La Clique has since toured the globe to international acclaim and after wowing audiences in Edinburgh last Christmas the show returns with an all new stellar cast for La Clique Noël – Part Deux.

Following on last year’s Christmas-season success, La Clique Noël – Part Deux has a reimagined line up of new eclectic and eccentric artists plus a few firm favourites for this year’s festive edition, including the astounding fire-eater and sword-swallower Heather Holliday, aerialist Stephen Williams with his famous bath act and mistress of mayhem, host Bernie Dieter. The show will feature a scintillating live band and the best of the best in adult, genre-bending, new variety – in a night you won’t forget!

Edinburgh’s Christmas is the place to be for families too. This year they will be amazed and entertained by You Choose, a brand new interactive musical show for people of all ages to enjoy. Based on the brilliant book by Pippa Goodhart and Nick Sharratt, the show comes fromNonsense Room Productions whose Shark in the Park wowed Edinburgh-based and visiting families in 2017. But in this show – you choose what happens… Using the best-selling picture book as inspiration and through a series of games and challenges each show will come up with a unique story, with different characters every time.

Edinburgh’s Christmas favourite, Princes Street Gardens’ Christmas Market – voted best Christmas market in the UK last year in a survey conducted by McCarthy & Stone – will be back to offer visitors a wide range of local and international gifts as well as mouth-watering delicacies, all topped with a generous helping of Christmas spirit. Edinburgh’s Christmas also features a variety ofrides and attractions for all the family to enjoy, and it wouldn’t be Christmas if Santa wasn’t back in his Grotto!

Light Night on 18 November officially marks the start of the Christmas season with live performances from local talent and stunning fireworks.

The full programme for Edinburgh’s Christmas 2018 will be announced on 25 September.

 

SHOW INFORMATION

Edinburgh’s Christmas, David Bates and Spiegeltent International proudly present La Clique Noël – Part Deux.

Festival Square Spiegeltent, Lothian Road

Previews: 16-22 November (not 19th) at 8pm (4pm on Sunday 18th)

23 November 2018 to 5 January 2019 at 8.00pm Monday to Friday (Thursdays 6pm and 9pm), 5.00pm and 8.00pm Saturday, 4pm Sundays.

Days off: 19 and 26 November, 3, 10, 17, 24-25, 31 December and 1 January.

Tickets starting from £14.50 for previews, from £20.50 on weekdays and £20.50 during weekends are available to book now at www.edinburghschristmas.com and 0131 510 0395

Running time: 120 minutes, includes an interval.

No age restrictions. Show contains adult content such as strong language and nudity. Children must be accompanied by a responsible adult.

 

Nonsense Room Productions present You Choose based on a book by Pippa Goodhart and Nick Sharratt.

Festival Square Spiegeltent, Lothian Road

30 November 2018 – 5 January 2019 (not on 3, 10, 17, 24-25 December and 1 January).

Tickets starting from £10 weekdays, from £11.5o weekends are available to book now atwww.edinburghschristmas.com and 0131 510 0395

Age recommendation: 2 – 7 year olds.

 

Brian Capron & Vicky Entwistle Join Mark Williams in Tour of Doctor Dolittle

BRIAN CAPRON & VICKY ENTWISTLE JOIN

MARK WILLIAMS  IN THE NEW STAGE PRODUCTION OF LESLIE BRICUSSE’S

DOCTOR DOLITTLE

UK & IRELAND TOUR OPENS ON 9 NOVEMBER 2018

NATIONAL PRESS NIGHT ON THURSDAY 17 JANUARY 2019

Brian Capron, Vicky Entwistle, Mollie Melia-Redgrave and Patrick Sullivan are confirmed to join Mark Williams, who plays Doctor Dolittle, in the UK & Ireland Tour of Doctor Dolittle.  Brian will play Albert Blossom/Straight Arrow, Vicky will play Polynesia, Mollie Emma Fairfax and Patrick Matthew Mugg.  Mark Williams and Brian Capron will play the first ten venues on the tour – Bromley, Salford, Oxford, Wolverhampton, Newcastle, Hull, Aberdeen, Northampton, Nottingham and Sheffield.  The others will play the entire tour.  There will be a national press night on Thursday 17 January 2019 at the Oxford New Theatre.

This new production of Doctor Dolittle, with book, music and lyrics by double Academy Award-winner Leslie Bricusse, will be part of the 50th anniversary celebrations of the original film starring Rex Harrison and will feature the same songs, including the Academy Award-winning Talk To The Animals.  Featuring stunning visual puppetry, this new production, with the book reworked by Leslie Bricusse, will be directed by Christopher Renshaw.

Also in the cast will be Femi Akinfolarin. Erica Jayne Alden, Lydia Bannister, Joel Bayliss, Evonnee Bentley-Holder, Jane Cranshaw, Emily Essery, Jacob Fisher, George Hankers, Catherine Hannay, Evan James, Leon Kay, Emma Lloyd, Ross Meagrow, Owen McHugh, Tom Norman, Emily Ann Potter, Ellie Seaton and Richard Vorster.  The role of Tommy Stubbins will be shared by Harry Cross, Elliot Morris, Quillan O’Meara McDonald, Louis Parker, Elliott Rose and Thomas Ryan.

Mark Williams’s screen credits include The Fast ShowFather Brown101 DalmatiansThe BorrowersShakespeare in Love and seven of the Harry Potter films.  His many theatre credits include Fanshen at the National Theatre, Doctor of Honour for Cheek by Jowl, Moscow GoldSingerA Dream of People and As You Like It for the Royal Shakespeare Company, Art in the West End, Toast at the Royal Court and Tartuffe at the Birmingham Repertory Theatre.

Brian Capron is probably best known for his role as Richard Hillman in Coronation Street, for which he won a clutch of awards, including a record-breaking five at The Soap Awards.  Other well-known television roles include Mr Hopwood in Grange Hill and Ozias Harding in Where The Heart Is.  His theatre credits include James in Harper Regan at the National Theatre, Nathan Detroit in The Donmar/West End/UK Tour of Guys and Dolls, Geoffrey in Stepping Out (MEN Award nomination for Best Actor in a touring show) and Narrator in The Rocky Horror Show in the West End/UK Tour.  He can currently be seen in the Channel 5 series Celebrity 5 Go Caravanning.  He is most proud that he was a finalist in Celebrity Masterchef!

 

Vicky Entwistle is probably best known for her role as Janice Battersby in Coronation Street.  Other television credits include Father Brown and Sandra in Ackely Bridge.  Her theatre credits include East is East for Northern Stage, The Rise and Fall of Little Voice at West Yorkshire Playhouse, Madame Thenardier in the West End production of Les Misérables and the UK tour of The Vagina Monologues.

 

Mollie Melia-Redgrave appeared in Drew McOnie’s production of On the Town at the Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre and the UK & Ireland Tour of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang for Music & Lyrics.  Patrick Sullivan can currently be seen as Blake in Bat Out Of Hell the Musical at the Dominion Theatre, a role he created in the original Manchester Opera House/London Coliseum production. 

 

Eccentric Doctor Dolittle embarks on an extraordinary adventure to find the Giant Pink Sea Snail that holds the secret of life and makes the world a happier place. Helped by his human companions and an exotic menagerie of animal friends, including the Pushmi-Pullyu and trusty sidekick Polynesia the parrot, the larger-than-life Doctor Dolittle teaches us not only to talk to the animals but to listen to them as well!

Leslie Bricusse has written the book, music and/or lyrics for more than 40 musical films and plays.  Stage musicals include Stop the World – I Want to Get OffPickwickHarveyGoodbye, Mr ChipsScrooge and Victor/Victoria, while films (songs and/or screenplays) include ScroogeWilly Wonka and the Chocolate FactoryGoodbye, Mr ChipsSupermanVictor/VictoriaHome Alone 1 & 2HookGoldfingerYou Only Live TwiceThe Last Emperor and various Pink Panthers.  His songs include What Kind of Fool Am I?My Old Man’s A DustmanGoldfingerYou Only Live TwiceOn A Wonderful Day Like TodayThe Candy Man and Oompa-Loompa-Doompa-Dee-Doo.  As well as winning two Oscars, he has won a Grammy and eight Ivor Novello Awards.

The new stage production of Doctor Dolittle will be directed by Christopher Renshaw (Le Grand MortZorroTabooWe Will Rock YouThe King and I), with choreography by Josh Rhodes (Carousel and Sweeney Todd at the London Coliseum, Company starring Neil Patrick Harris for PBS, and Cinderella and Bright Star on Broadway), design by Tom Piper (Associate Designer at the RSC from 2004  to 2014, and designed the installation for the Tower of London poppies installation and subsequent tours – original concept and Poppies by Paul Cummins), puppet design by Jimmy Grimes, lighting by Chris Davey, sound by Ben Harrison, and musical supervision by Mike Dixon (most recent theatre includes Mrs Henderson PresentsOh What A Lovely WarBodyguardTabooHairZorroNever Forget and We Will Rock You).

Doctor Dolittle is based on the Doctor Dolittle stories by Hugh Lofting and the Twentieth Century Fox film.

Doctor Dolittle is performed by arrangement with Music Theatre International (Europe) Ltd.

The UK & Ireland Tour of Doctor Dolittle is produced by Music & Lyrics Limited, the producers behind the highly successful recent tours of The Addams FamilyChitty Chitty Bang BangOklahoma!Fiddler on the RoofHigh Society and The King and I, in association with Churchill Theatre Bromley.

Website: www.doctordolittlemusical.com

Facebook: Doctor Dolittle The Musical

Twitter: @DolittleMusical

TOUR SCHEDULE

9 – 24 November 2018                            Churchill Theatre Bromley*                                                         020 3285 6000                                                                                                                                                                  www.churchilltheatre.co.uk 

11 December – 5 January 2019               The Lowry Salford*                                                                     0843 208 6000                                                                                                                                                                   www.thelowry.com

15 – 26 January                                       Oxford New Theatre*                                                                  0844 871 3020                                                                                                                                                                   www.atgtickets.com/venues/new-theatre-oxford

29 January – 9 February                          Wolverhampton Grand Theatre*                                                 01902 42 92 12

                                                                  www.grandtheatre.co.uk                                                              

12 – 23 February                                      Newcastle Theatre Royal*                                                          0844 811 2121

                                                                    www.theatreroyal.co.uk                                                                

26 February – 9 March                              Hull New Theatre*                                                                      01482 300 306                                                                                                                                                                   www.hulltheatres.co.uk                                                                

12 – 23 March                                           His Majesty’s Theatre, Aberdeen*                                              01224 641122

                                                                     www.aberdeenperformingarts.com

26 March – 6 April                                      Royal & Derngate Northampton*                                               01604 624811                                                                                                                                                                     www.royalandderngate.co.uk                                                     

9 – 20 April                                                 Nottingham Theatre Royal*                                                        0115 989 5555                                                                                                                                                                    www.trch.co.uk                                                                                                                                                                       

23 April – 4 May                                         Sheffield Lyceum Theatre*                                                          0114 249 6000

                                                                     www.sheffieldtheatres.co.uk                        

14 – 25 May                                                Festival Theatre Edinburgh                                                         0131 529 6000

                                                                    www.edtheatres.com 

28 May – 8 June                                         Alhambra Theatre Bradford                                                         01274 432000

                                                                     www.bradford-theatres.co.uk                                                      

11 – 22 June                                                Bord Gáis Energy Theatre, Dublin                                              0844 847 2455

                                                                     www.bordgaisenergytheatre.ie                                                   On sale to be announced

25 June – 6 July                                          Millennium Forum, Derry                                                             02871 264455

                                                                     www.millenniumforum.co.uk                          

9 – 20 July                                                  The Marlowe, Canterbury                                                             01227 8787787

                                                                     www.themarlowetheatre.com                                                     

                                                                    

23 July – 3 August                                      Glasgow King’s Theatre                                                               0844 871 7648

                                                                     www.atgtickets.com/venues/kings-theatre

6 – 17 August                                              Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff                                                02920 636464

                                                                     www.wmc.org.uk                                                                        On sale to be announced

20 – 31 August                                             Mayflower Theatre, Southampton                                              02380 711811

                                          www.mayflower.org.uk                                                                

3 – 14 September                                         Blackpool Winter Gardens                                                         0844 856 1111

                                        www.wintergardensblackpool.co.uk                                          

17 – 28 September                                      New Wimbledon Theatre, London                                              0844 871 7646

                                                                     www.atgtickets.com/venues/new-wimbledon-theatre

8 – 19 October                                             Milton Keynes Theatre                                                                0844 871 7652

                                                                     www.atgtickets.com/milton-keynes-theatre

22 October – 2 November                            Birmingham Hippodrome                                                            0844 338 5000

                                                                     www.birminghamhippodrome.com                                              On sale to be announced

*Mark Williams & Brian Capron dates