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Autumn/Winter at York Theatre Royal

Two plays by Alan Bennett, Northern Broadsides in a political satire set in Brexit Britain, and Phoenix Dance Theatre’s new work marking the 70th anniversary of Caribbean migrants arriving in the UK feature in York Theatre Royal’s autumn/winter line-up.

Award-winning actor Matthew Kelly returns as does international hit An Inspector Calls which began life at the Theatre Royal nearly 30 years ago. Jeeves & Wooster, Morecambe & Wise and music hall star Marie Lloyd are among the characters audiences will encounter during the season.

Matthew Kelly and David Yelland star in Alan Bennett’s The Habit of Art (30 Aug – 8 Sept), the first revival since the play was first seen at London’s National Theatre. It focuses on a meeting between the poet W H Auden and the composer Benjamin Britten. Philip Franks directs this York Theatre Royal and Original Theatre Company co-production.

Stephen Daldry’s multi award-winning production of the J B Priestley classic An Inspector Calls (14 – 22 Sept), has been hailed as ‘the theatrical event of its generation’ and has won more awards than any other play in history. This fresh take on the classic play was first directed by Daldry at York Theatre Royal several years before he directed the play at London’s National Theatre. A new tour opens in York before touring the UK and the US.

After co-producing When We Are Married, York Theatre Royal and Northern Broadsides join forces for They Don’t Pay? We Won’t Pay! (5 – 13 Oct). Deborah McAndrew’s new adaptation transposes Dario Fo’s political satire of civil disobedience Can’t Pay? Won’t Pay! to Brexit Britain. Conrad Nelson, Broadsides new artistic director and joint CEO, directs. “Our new adaptation gives us the opportunity to bring a fresh and vibrant voice to the work while remaining faithful to the play and the original intentions of the author,” he says.

York Theatre Royal and tutti frutti present Snow Queen (27 Sept – 13 Oct). Ivan Stott returns to tutti frutti to create memorable music and songs in an adaptation of Hans Christian Andersen’s story by Mike Kenny and directed by Wendy Harris.

Gecko presents Missing (17 – 20 Oct), with Amit Lahav’s production inviting the audience to experience a series of extraordinary images, jaw-dropping choreography and a tantalizing multilingual vocal landscape.

York Opera stages one of the world’s most famous operas Carmen (23 – 27 Oct), sung in English and supported by a full orchestra.

Sharon Watson’s new dance work for Phoenix Dance Theatre Windrush: Movement of the People (1 – 2 Nov) celebrates the 70th anniversary of the arrival of the SS Windrush bringing the first large numbers of Caribbean migrants to the UK. Maybe Yes, Maybe No and a revival of Shadows by Christopher Bruce complete the programme.

The Lakes Season brings to York five productions from Theatre by the Lake in Keswick. York Theatre Royal Associate Director Juliet Forster directs Sense & Sensibility (6 – 10 Nov) adapted from Jane Austen’s novel by Jessica Swale, who is also responsible for adapting the Theatre Royal’s summer show The Secret Garden. Jeeves & Wooster In Perfect Nonsense (16-17 Nov) by the Goodale Brothers is taken from the works of P. G. Wodehouse with three actors playing a multitude of characters. The final Main House Lakes production is Alan Bennett’s Olivier Award-winning comedy Single Spies (13-14 Nov) which explores the world of spies Guy Burgess and Anthony Blunt with a little help from the Queen.

Two more shows in The Lakes Season feature in the Studio – Rails (16-17 Nov), Simon Longman’s funny, poignant and emotionally arresting new play that was shortlisted for the 2015 Bruntwood Prize for Playwriting, and Bold Girls (13-14 Nov), set in 1991 West Belfast where the revelations of a mysterious young woman upsets the lives of three friends.

London Classic Theatre present Charlotte Keatley’s My Mother Said I Never Should (20 – 24 Nov), the most commonly performed work by a female playwright worldwide. The play earned Keatley the George Devine Award, as well as the Manchester Evening News Award for Best New Play. She examines the lives of four women through the immense social changes of the 20th century, focussing on four generations of one family as they confront the most significant moments of their lives.

Ballet Black Double Bill (27 Nov) features The Suit, choreographed and directed by Cathy Marston and inspired by Can Themba’s South African fable The Suit. The bill also features A Dream Within A Midsummer Nights Dream, choreographed and directed by Arthur Pita which mixes the classical and contemporary to distil the essence of Shakespeare’s comedy. The eclectic soundtrack includes Eartha Kitt, Barbra Streisand and Yma Sumac.

Elizabeth Mansfield, seen as Edith Piaf in the most recent Theatre Royal season, returns as ‘the greatest music hall artist of all time’ in Marie: The Story of Marie Lloyd (28 Nov). Proceeds from the fundraising performance will contribute to the theatre’s on-going work with people in the community.

Morecambe and Wise’s Christmas TV shows are the stuff of legend and An Evening of Eric & Ernie at Christmas (1 Dec) promises a brilliant homage filled with their famous comedy sketches to evoke memories of the comic pair’s Christmas specials.

The Theatre Royal’s first Studio Christmas show for younger audiences Book of Dragons last year is followed by The Elves and the Shoemakers (11 Dec – 5 Jan), a version of the Grimm fairy tale by Mike Kenny and directed by Juliet Forster. And of course Christmas and the New Year at York Theatre Royal wouldn’t be Christmas without pantomime and Berwick Kaler who celebrates 40 years as York’s Dame with The Grand Old Dame of York (13 Dec – 2 Feb).

The programme in the Studio features a wide range of visiting companies including New Nigerians (17-20 Oct), Oladipo Agbouuaje’s sparkling satire that has enjoyed a sold out run at London’s Arcola Theatre. The Studio season also presents Studio Discoveries (20 – 24 Nov) a week of exciting, new theatre curated by Visionari, the group of disparate theatre-lovers from all over York, with the brief to reflect and engage the diverse community. Expect a showcase of new, nationally touring shows with something for everyone.

Looking forward to 2019 … Emma Rice’s new company Wise Children brings Angela Carter’s novel Wise Children (5 – 16 March) to York from London’s Old Vic. This big, bawdy tangle of theatrical joy and heartbreak is a celebration of showbusiness, family, forgiveness and hope. Expect showgirls and Shakespeare, sex and scandal, music, mischief and mistaken identity – and butterflies by the thousand.

Before that the penguins are coming to York in Madagascar: A Musical Adventure (26 Feb to 2 March), featuring all the favourites from the Dreamworks animated movie including Alex, Marty, Melman and Gloria.

Box office yorktheatreroyal.co.uk / 01904 623568

Birmingham Hippodrome – until 21 July 2018

Reviewed by Lucy Hitchcock

4****

The play that goes….very right! This brilliantly funny piece of theatre is brought to light by Chris Bean (played by Jake Curran),  from the wonderful mind of Mischief Theatre. There are not enough words to describe the excellence of excellence of Mischief, to bring this hilariously perfect script to the stage.

The auditorium is adorned with an extortionately ornate set accompanied with a jaunty soundtrack to get you in the mood. The stage manager, Annie Twilloil, accompanied by lighting operator Trevor Watson burst onto the stage as the audience are coming in and start shouting across the auditorium in hopes of finding their lost cast member, Winston the bulldog. Right away, the action starts with the set falling apart and this really sets the tone for what will ensue for the rest of the night.

Jake Curran, whilst playing Chris Bean, who plays Inspector Carter as well as being Director, designer, prop maker and so many other credits is superb. He has exceptional comedic timing and kept the production going as best he could! We saw a very raw, unscripted moment during the production, where an audience member shouted out and he stayed completely in character whilst addressing the audience and the particular member. It showed his prowess and conveyed his astonishing ad-lib skills. He truly makes a perfect production.

Each member of the cast was outstanding and it is so difficult to pinpoint one actor for expertise as the cast worked amazingly together. It really was a treat to be able to see the chemistry and friendship on stage that is clear to be a strong bond offstage also.

The set is a work of art in this production. Whatever is on stage is a hazard and as described by the stagehand Trevor Watson (Gabriel Paul) ‘This set is a bloody death trap!’

It is flimsy and wobbly and falls at any given moment. Paintings fall from the walls, buckets set on fire, mantle pieces come apart and most impressively, the study floor slants forward multiple times and nearly throws members of the cast off of it! It was a throat in stomachs moment, as I  feared for the wellbeing of Robert Grove (Kazeem Tosin Amore), who plays Thomas Colleymore.

The Murder at Haversham Manor is a play that definitely goes wrong, whilst going very right! My cheeks were hurting from smiling so much and the laughter throughout the auditorium was infectious. I commend each member of the cast, who all managed to keep a straight face throughout the hilarity and chaos and gave us a preposterously peculiar performance.

If you are in Bristol, this is one to catch – You will not be disappointed

The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time schools tour to visit 60 secondary schools across the UK

A specially staged production of the National Theatre’s award-winning play, The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time will begin a 12-week tour to 60 schools across the UK in September 2018.

The production will visit five selected secondary schools each week across London and the UK, touring to the National Theatre’s six Theatre Nation partner areas: Outer East London in partnership with the Queen’s Theatre Hornchurch; Wakefield, in partnership with the Theatre Royal; Doncaster, in partnership with Cast; Sunderland in partnership with Sunderland Empire and Sunderland Culture; Wolverhampton, in partnership with the Grand Theatre; and the Greater Manchester area in partnership with The Lowry, Salford.

The schools tour is a 90-minute version of the play performed in the round and will be followed by a Q&A session for students with the company. The tour is accompanied by a learning programme which includes professional development for teachers led by the NT and Curious Incident movement directors Frantic Assembly, as well as curriculum-based resources and workshops.

The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time brings Mark Haddon’s best-selling novel to life on stage, adapted by two-time Olivier Award-winning playwright Simon Stephens and directed by Olivier and Tony Award®‑winning director Marianne Elliott. The novel has won more than 17 literary awards and is widely studied in schools. Simon Stephens’ adaptation is a set text for GCSE English Literature.

The play tells the story of Christopher John Francis Boone, who is fifteen years old.  He stands besides Mrs Shears’ dead dog, Wellington, who has been speared with a garden fork, it is seven minutes after midnight and Christopher is under suspicion. He records each fact in a book he is writing to solve the mystery of who killed Wellington.  He has an extraordinary brain, and is exceptional at maths while ill-equipped to interpret everyday life.  He has never ventured alone beyond the end of his road, he detests being touched and distrusts strangers. But his detective work, forbidden by his father, takes him on a frightening journey that upturns his world.

Speaking about the schools tour Simon Stephens said: “It means the world to me that Curious Incident will be touring schools around the country. I worked as a schoolteacher teaching kids in Dagenham in Essex 20 years ago. I loved it. I still think of myself as a teacher. I have seen firsthand how inspiring drama is to young people in schools. I believe the arts to be fundamental to our society. We can’t afford to lose them from our education system. I am delighted that our play will play its part in introducing young people to the theatre. I always hoped that Curious Incident was a play that could be performed anywhere, by anyone. The play is designed to provoke and inspire imagination and interpretation in its staging and inspiration in its audience. The tour will, I hope, provide the same kind of imagination and inspiration throughout the country.”

Alice King-Farlow, Director of Learning at the National Theatre said, “At the National Theatre we believe that all young people should have the opportunity to experience and participate in drama no matter where they are in the UK. We’re delighted to be touring this award-winning play to schools, and via our Theatre Nation Partnerships, we hope that bringing Simon Stephen’s brilliant Curious Incident to young audiences across the country will help to spark imaginations and encourage participation in theatre”.

The production is designed by Olivier and Tony Award-winner Bunny Christie and Tony Award-winning lighting designer Paule Constable. Movement is by Scott Graham and Olivier Award-winning Steven Hoggett for Frantic Assembly, music by Adrian Sutton (who also composed music for War Horse) and sound by Ian Dickinson for Autograph.  The Associate Director is Anna Marsland. Casting to be announced.

The National Theatre’s Partner for Learning is Bank of America Merrill Lynch.

Schools Touring is supported by: The Mohn Westlake Foundation, The Garfield Weston Foundation, The Ingram Trust, Archie Sherman Charitable Trust, Behrens Foundation, Cleopatra Trust, Jill and David Leuw, Mulberry Trust and The Royal Victoria Hall Foundation.

Park Theatre – until 4th August

Review by Heather Chalkley

12th July

5*****

The dips are on the table, Nick (Alan Mahon) is already drinking and Sophie (EJ Martin) is freaking out. She is desperate to get things back on track with her old friend Sarah (Claire Cartwright), concerned Sarah is being ‘groomed’ by the new boyfriend Ali (Nitin Kundra) to become a Muslim extremist. What more could you add to a perfect evening at home entertaining friends? Throw in a few amphetamines, plenty of alcohol, some frank talking, the appearance of Ali’s ex-wife (Reena Lalbihari) and a sick child and you have Alkaline!

From the outset the Director Sarah Meadows cleverly set the play to feel like you were listening through the living room window, to one of those everyday conversations you never see. It makes you question yourself. Is it just my family who has these discussions? Do we hide our ignorance with arrogance and pretend to be knowledgeable and cosmopolitan? By expressing our derogatory views about the plight of the victims of austerity/racism/sexism, how many of us are showing our arrogance and need to check our privilege?

The questions for me continue. Which character was actually being honest? Martin expressed Sophie’s fears with a naivety, laying bare the ignorance fed her through an all white middle class upbringing. She showed her as a vulnerable, lost and confused character not knowing what to do about any of it. Cartwright gave Sarah calmness and strength, a sense of sadness that others cannot be pleased for the happiness her new faith has given her. She was honest about the difficulty others have accepting her and her relationship and fearful about telling her family.

Mahon portrayed the ‘jack the lad’ veneer of Nick, bringing humour in to lighten difficult moments. The scene with him sat on the ‘naughty step’ made us all laugh out loud. Kundra captured well the uncomfortableness and contained anger felt by Ali, particularly when talking about his children.

To pack everything in to the 90 minutes, the writer Stephanie Martin, ensured not a superfluous word was spoken. The intensity drew you in and engaged the audience throughout. The acrid dialogue, which I suspect reflects what happens in so many homes across Britain, accentuated the fight that Sarah had. To prove that she had found her ‘Alkaline’ through Islam, the place within where she could be content, safe and happy.

Alkaline is an all round thought provoking, relevant and intense piece.

Barbican Theatre – until 29 July

Reviewed by Judith Black

4****

It is said that the ripple from a butterfly’s wing will have an irredeemable effect on the far side of the world.

And so it is that I find myself in the Barbican as a consequence of a visit, six decades ago, to a second-hand bookshop in Melbourne, by the schoolboy Barry Humphries.

An impulse purchase of a stack of sheet music in an old case, moved the musically illiterate Humphries to decode his find. The result, finally is Weimar Cabaret, here, now, in 21st century London.

Playing ‘himself’ for a change, the notoriously chameleonic and hilarious Humphries, at one point in silk pyjamas, meshed personal memories with fascinating revelations from the Weimar era; the history, the composers and their lives.

This captured trove of music from Weimar Germany — an experimental mix of jazz and classical — reveals itself to be an invigoratingly energetic combination of the thrilling and original; symbolic of a time of frivolity, artistic freedom and appreciation.

Featured composers range from the relatively well-known Hindemith and Weill, to the more obscure Paul Abraham, Jaroslav Ježek and Wilhelm Grosz.

All of this is illustrated by the rich and versatile vocal performance of cabaret artist Meow Meow, accompanied by the excellent Aurora Orchestra, on a range of instruments from banjo to 1726 Stradivarius. Musical director, Satu Vänskä, on violin and vocals was outstanding. A particular highlight was Meow Meow’s interpretation of Schulhoff’s Sonata Erotica [1919] a vocal orgasm, if you like.

Giving us comedy, history, music and cabaret, the now elder-statesman Humphries hosts yet another perfect night’s entertainment.

FIRST LOOK AT DON’T TELL ME NOT TO FLY CELEBRATING WOMEN IN THEATRE

Underbelly, 4-27 August at 5pm / tickets here

• First look at Janie Dee (Follies, Hello Dolly!), Danielle Hope (BBC’s Over the Rainbow, Grease), Ria Jones (Sunset Boulevard, Cats) and Claire Sweeney (Chicago, Legally Blonde) in Don’t Tell Me Not To Fly, brand new production on Edinburgh Fringe
• A joyous show celebrating women and their limitless potential, featuring West End and Broadway hits as well as an exclusive insight into the artists’ professional lives
• A new show from Underbelly Productions at the newly reopened McEwan Hall in Bristo Square, Edinburgh from 4 until 27 August at 5pm.

 

Promotional images are released today for Don’t Tell Me Not To Fly, a brand new Fringe show from Underbelly Productions, taking over McEwan Hall at 5pm daily from 4 August!

 

Joyously celebrating women in theatre and their limitless potential, the show features West End leading ladies: Janie Dee, Danielle Hope, Ria Jones and Claire Sweeney, performing much-loved songs from West End and Broadway musicals as well as pop hits and sharing an exclusive insight into the performers’ on and off stage lives, all accompanied by live piano and spectacular projections.

Each day a celebrated West End star will take centre stage to perform:

Janie Dee: 4-6 August

Claire Sweeney: 7-13 August

Danielle Hope: 14-20 August

Ria Jones: 21-27 August

Hear how they took the spotlight and let their voices soar!

THERE’S A NEW DOROTHY IN TOWN!

BONNIE LANGFORD

TO HEADLINE SPECTACULAR SHOW

Bonnie Langford, the much-loved star of stage and screen, is to join the cast of 42nd STREET, the spectacular homage to the world of musical theatre, as the production extends its residency at Theatre Royal Drury Lane for a final time, through to Saturday 5 January 2019.

 

Bonnie will join the show on Monday 3 September, straight from her headline-making role as Carmel Kazemi in BBC’s Eastenders. Her previous starring credits in the West End include Gypsy, Chicago and the original London production of Cats.

 

Bonnie has had an outstanding career which has embraced success in theatre, television, film and radio in both Britain and America. She made her theatre debut in the West End at the age of seven in Gone with the Wind at the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane, starred in Gypsy opposite Angela Lansbury which also enjoyed a highly successful run on Broadway, and has made a wealth of appearances across TV and film. Her full biography follows below.

Following the conclusion of 42^nd Street’s triumphant residency at Theatre Royal Drury Lane on Saturday 5 January 2019, the refurbishment of the theatre  (announced earlier this year) will commence.

This new production of the show, the dazzling and romantic fable of Broadway, opened on Tuesday 4 April 2017 in the presence of HRH The Duchess of Cambridge and to widespread acclaim across the media. It has since been seen by almost one million people and has won numerous awards. It recently celebrated its 500^thperformance.

The show includes an all-singing, high-kicking cast of over 50 and some of the greatest songs ever written, such as ‘We’re In The Money’, ‘Lullaby of Broadway’, ‘Shuffle Off To Buffalo’, ‘Dames’, ‘I Only Have Eyes For You’, and ‘42nd Street’.

 

The production is directed by the show’s co-author Mark Bramble (whose other hit shows include Barnum, Treasure Island, The Three Musketeers, The Grand Tour) and director of many award-winning previous productions of 42^nd Street on Broadway and around the world.

 

Bonnie will star alongside Tom Lister who plays the role of ‘Julian Marsh’, Clare Halse, who plays ‘Peggy Sawyer’ and Ashley Day as ‘Billy Lawlor’.

The cast also includes:

 

Jasna Ivir is ‘Maggie Jones’, Graeme Henderson is ‘Andy Lee’, Christopher Howell is ‘Bert Barry’, Bruce Montague is ‘Abner Dillon’, Mark McKerracher is ‘Mac/Doc/Thug’, Emma Caffrey is ‘Anytime Annie’,  Matthew Goodgame is ‘Pat Denning’.

42nd Street is presented in London by Michael Linnit and Michael Grade together with The Global Group of Companies for Gate Ventures with Executive Producer Johnny Hon.

LAMBERT JACKSON ANNOUNCES COMPETITION OFFERING WINNER THE OPPORTUNITY TO PERFORM IN

THERE’S NOTHIN’ LIKE A DAME –

100 YEARS OF WOMEN IN MUSICAL THEATRE AT CADOGAN HALL

Lambert Jackson announces competition to find future musical theatre star, offering the winner an opportunity to perform in its debut show There’s Nothin’ Like a Dame – 100 Years of Women in Musical Theatre a celebration of women in musical theatre.

Louise Dearman, Ria Jones, Alexia Khadime and Rachel Tucker come together to perform songs from some of the most famous female roles over the past century, from classics like Rogers and Hammerstein to modern smash hits, from Andrew Lloyd Webber and Stephen Schwartz.

The winner will be selected to join this incredible group of leading ladies and will perform a solo to an audience of up to 950 people at the beautiful, historic Cadogan Hall on Thursday 30 August.

The competition is open to all women. Entrants must be available on Wednesday 29 August and Thursday 30 August for rehearsal and show.

To enter, simply submit a one minute video recording of any musical theatre song to [email protected] by Monday 30 July at 12pm.

The winner will be selected by a judging panel including Collabro’s Jamie Lambert, CEO of Lambert Jackson, and Eliza Jackson, Creative Director of Lambert Jackson. The winner will be notified by Monday 6 August.

 

There’s Nothin’ Like a Dame – 100 Years of Women in Musical Theatre

Cadogan Hall

5 Sloane Terrace, London SW1X 9DQ

 

Box Office: 020 7730 4500 

www.cadoganhall.com

               

Cadogan Hall

Thursday 30 August, 7.30pm

 

Tickets: from £28

FULL CAST ANNOUNCED FOR SHEFFIELD THEATRES’

CHRISTMAS MUSICAL, KISS ME, KATE

 

CRUCIBLE

A Sheffield Theatres Production

KISS ME, KATE

Music and Lyrics by Cole Porter

Book by Sam and Bella Spewack

7 December 2018 – 12 January 2019

Director: Paul Foster; Designer: Janet Bird; Choreographer: Matt Flint

Musical Director: James McKeon; Lighting Designer: Howard Hudson

Sound Designer: Mike Walker; Casting Director: Will Burton CDG; Fight Director: Kate Waters

Artistic Director of Sheffield Theatres, Robert Hastie, today announces the full cast for Paul Foster’s major revival of Kiss Me, Kate. Foster directs Delroy Atkinson (Gangster 1), Edward Baker-Duly (Fred), Cindy Belliot (Hattie), John Conroy (Baptista), Dafydd Emyr (Harrison Howell), Dex Lee (Bill), Rebecca Lock (Lilli), Ross McLaren (Gremio), Joel Montague (Gangster 2), Adam Rhys-Charles (Hortensio), Amy Ellen Richardson (Lois), Matthew Whennell-Clark (Ralph) and Layton Williams (Paul), with Jessica Buckby, Ronan Burns, Louis Gaunt, Ruby Greenwood,  Tash Holway (also Assistant Choreographer and Dance Captain), Jennifer Louise Jones,  Bobbie Little, Emmanuele N’Zuzi, Simon Oskarsson and Clancy Ryan. The production opens on 12 December, with previews from 7 December, and runs until 12 January 2019.

From the Golden Age, a riotous, romantic musical comedy to make your heart soar. It’s opening night for feuding divorcees Fred and Lilli as they star in The Taming of the Shrew. But as the curtain rises, gambling, gangsters and mistaken identity conspire to create chaos.

Paul Foster directs this lavish and sensational celebration of theatre featuring some of Cole Porter’s finest songs: So In Love, Brush Up Your Shakespeare and Too Darn Hot.

Delroy Atkinson plays Gangster 1. His theatre work includes Sylvia (The Old Vic), Present Laughter (Chichester Festival Theatre), The Firm (Hampstead Theatre), Book of Mormon (Prince of Wales Theatre), Albion (Bush Theatre), All My Sons (Royal Exchange Manchester) and The Amen Corner (National Theatre). For television, his work includes The Morgana Show, Sherlock, Small Island, My Family, After You’ve Gone and No Heroics; and for film, Pirates of the Caribbean – Dead Men Tell No Tales, Still Crazy, Rivers of Blood and Fish Out of Water.

Edward Baker-Duly plays Fred. His US theatre credits include the Broadway production of The King And I; and the Off-Broadway production of Peter And The Starcatcher. His West End theatre work includes The King and I,The Wizard Of Oz, Gone With The Wind, South Pacific, West Side Story, Salad Days. UK: Rookery Nook, Noises Off, Anyone Can Whistle, The Lady Vanishes, Copacabana, The Pirates of Penzance, Singing in the Rain, The Full Monty, Twelfth Night and The Mikado. For television, his work includes Shades Of Blue, Billions, Elementary, The Blacklist, Royal Pains, Downton Abbey, Upstairs Downstairs, Micro Men, New Tricks and Yes Prime Minister; and for film, Heidi Queen Of The Mountain, DeLovely, Botched, The Circle and Welkome Home.

 

Cindy Belliot plays Hattie. Her theatre credits include Sweet Charity (Nottingham Playhouse), Aladdin (Prince Edward Theatre), Motown (Shaftesbury Theatre), Fela (Broadway, National Theatre London and USA tour), The Hurly Burly Show (Garrick Theatre), Dirty Dancing (Aldwych Theatre) and Wicked (Apollo Victoria).

John Conroy returns to Sheffield Theatres to play Baptista – he previously appeared in Translations, Me and My Girl and Guys and Dolls. His extensive theatre work also includes Half a Sixpence (Chichester Festival Theatre and Noel Coward Theatre), Top Hat (UK tour), Dirty Dancing (Aldwych Theatre), Take Flight (Menier Chocolate Factory), Glengarry Glen Ross, Guys and Dolls (Piccadilly Theatre), Grand Hotel (Donmar Warehouse) and Two Gentlemen of Verona and A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre). His television work includes Women on the Verge, Atlantis, Pay and Display, The Mrs Bradley Mysteries and Young Indiana Jones Chronicles.

Dafydd Emyr play Harrison Howell. For theatre, his credits include Kick The Breeze (BAC), Man of Fire (Cwmni Whare Teg), Amdani (Script Cymru), and Pinocchio and Danny The Champion Of The World (Sherman Theatre Co). For television, his work includes Lazarus Ladies, Old Scores, The Famous Five,  A Touch Of Love, Excalibur: The Search For Arthur, Realms Of Gold Young Dracula, Doctor Who, Da Vinci’s Demons, Bastard Executioner, The Windsors, Lleifior, Mae Gen I Gariad and Amdani; and for film, Natural Justice and Carrie’s War.

Dex Lee plays Bill. His stage work includes Oklahoma! (Grange Park Opera), Five Guys Named Moe (Marble Arch Theatre), The Wild Party (The Other Palace), Grease (Curve, Leicester), Father Comes Home From The Wars (Parts 1, 2 & 3) (Royal Court Theatre), In The Heights (King’s Cross Theatre and Southwark Playhouse), Hairspray (UK tour), Carrie (Southwark Playhouse) and The Scottsboro Boys (Garrick Theatre).

Rebecca Lock returns to Sheffield Theatres to play Lilli – she previously appeared in Oliver!. Her other theatre work includes Heathers (The Other Palace), Moonfleet (Salisbury Playhouse), A Christmas Carol (Lyceum Theatre), Committee (Donmar Warehouse), Mary Poppins (UK tour), Mamma Mia! (Novello Theatre), Dear World (Charing Cross Theatre), Merrily We Roll Along (Theatr Clwyd), The Tempest (Theatre Royal Bath) and The Phantom of the Opera (Her Majesty’s Theatre).

Ross McLaren play Gremio. His theatre work includes It Happened in Key West (Charing Cross Theatre), Elf (Theatre Royal Plymouth and Lowry Theatre), Top Hat, Thoroughly Modern Millie (Kilworth House Theatre), The Wiper’s Times (Arts Theatre), Big the Musical (Plymouth Theatre Royal) and Singin’ in the Rain (Théâtre du Châtelet). His film work includes Muppets Most Wanted and The Reunion.

Joel Montague plays Gangster 2. His theatre work includes Fat Friends (UK tour), School Of Rock (New London Theatre), Funny Girl (Menier Chocolate Factory and Savoy Theatre), The Producers (UK tour), Urinetown (St. James Theatre and Apollo Theatre), The Rocky Horror Show and Sister Act (both UK tours). For television, his work includes Girlfriends, Girls in Love and In Suspicious Circumstances.

Adam Rhys-Charles returns to Sheffield Theatres to play Hortensio – he previously appeared in Anything Goes (also UK tour) and Oliver!. His other theatre work includes Follies (National Theatre), Top Hat (Aldwych Theatre and UK tour), Mrs Henderson Presents (Toronto), Mary Poppins (UK tour) and Seven Brides for Seven Brothers (Regent’s Park Open Air).

Amy Ellen Richardson plays Lois. Her theatre work includes Sweet Charity (Nottingham Playhouse), Beautiful: The Carole King Musical (UK tour), Singin’ in the Rain, She Loves Me, Oklahoma! (Chichester Festival Theatre), Into the Woods (Royal Exchange Manchester), How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying (Royal Festival Hall), Follies (Royal Albert Hall), Merrily We Roll Along (Menier Chocolate Factory and Harold Pinter Theatre) and Crazy for You (Novello Theatre); and for film, Les Miserables.

Matthew Whennell-Clark returns to Sheffield Theatres to play Ralph – he previously appeared in My Fair Lady. His theatre work includes Young Frankenstein (Garrick Theatre), Carousel (ENO), 42^nd Street, Singin in the Rain (Théâtre du Châtelet), Guys and Dolls (Chichester Festival Theatre, UK tour, Phoenix Theatre) and Seven Brides for Seven Brothers (Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre).

Layton Williams plays Paul. Hs theatre work includes Hairspray, Rent, The Car Man, Lord of the Flies (UK tours), Thriller (Lyric Theatre) and the title role in Billy Elliot. For television, his work includes Bad Education, Postcode, Beautiful People and Benidorm; and for film, Bad Education.

Paul Foster returns to Sheffield Theatres where he previously directed Annie Get Your Gun. His other theatre credits include The Light Princess and Sweet Charity (Cadogan Hall), A Little Night Music and Laurel and Hardy (The Watermill Theatre), Tell Me on a Sunday (The Watermill Theatre and UK tour) Bette Midler and Me (St James Theatre), Flora the Red Menace (Edinburgh Festival), Bells are Ringing, Darling of the Day, Crimes of the Heart (Union Theatre), A State Affair (MTA), Cowardy Custard (Yvonne Arnaud and UK tour), The Vagina Monologues (UK tour) and Little One (Royal Court Young Writers Festival). His radio credits include Britannicus.

 

Season at a Glance

LOVE AND INFORMATION

Until 14 July

 

SONGS FROM THE SEVEN HILLS

18 July – 21 July

 

STEEL

13 September – 6 October 2018

 

A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM

28 September – 20 October 2018

 

CLOSE QUARTERS

25 October – 10 November 2018

 

KISS ME, KATE

7 December 2018 – 12 January 2019

 

 

RUTHERFORD AND SON

8 – 23 February 2019

 

HANG

21 February – 9 March 2019

 

STANDING AT THE SKY’S EDGE

15 March – 6 April

West End:

EVERYBODY’S TALKING ABOUT JAMIE

Apollo Theatre

Booking until  April 2019

 

DISNEY’S WEST END SHOWS ALADDIN AND
THE LION KING ANNOUNCE SUMMER POP-UP EXPERIENCE IN LONDON

Disney’s hit West End musicals Aladdin and The Lion King have today announced that a summer Pop-Up will open its doors to Disney fans old and new in Covent Garden throughout August. Located at 25 Long Acre in the heart of Theatreland, the Pop-Up will be open every day from Tuesday 31stJuly until Sunday 26th August with a host of free interactive experiences and special events to enjoy.

Within this unique space guests will be able to explore the iconic masks, puppets and costumes from the Tony-Award winning The Lion King up-close and learn about the inspiration behind many of the show’s impressive designs. Guests will also have the opportunity to step inside a specially-created ‘Cave of Wonders’, where they will be able to take a photo with the legendary lamp from Aladdin.

The fun continues around Covent Garden’s Piazza where visitors are invited to delve into a treasure hunt to uncover four magic lamps – each offering a clue to an Aladdin themed puzzle. Those who unscramble the message can take home a limited edition poster as their well-earned reward.

In addition to this, a variety of free events will take place daily within the Pop-Up including performances from cast members of the two West End shows, puppetry demonstrations and stage makeup masterclasses, as well as vocal and movement bite-sized workshops to get a first-hand flavour of the shows’ music and choreography. The full schedule is available to view at www.disneyonstage.co.uk and access to events is available on a first-come first-served basis.

This summer Disney UK celebrated the second anniversary of Aladdin in the West End, which opened at the Prince Edward Theatre in June 2016, while The Lion King enjoys its 19th triumphant year at the Lyceum Theatre.