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 Theatre, Cast in Doncaster, Lawrence Batley Theatre, Everyman Theatre Cheltenham, Oldham Coliseum Theatre, The New Wolsey Theatre, Warwick Arts Centre, Northern Stage and Lighthouse Poole.

ETT will continue its commitment to make touring theatre accessible to young people with their 25^th 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.

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 Othello, ETT’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

6 – 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 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.

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

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 Blackstock, Adam Burton, Richard Corgan, Lindsay Fraser and Abdul Salis.

The official press night will be on Friday 7^th 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 Ape, The 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).

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 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

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 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 50^th 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 Show, Father Brown, 101 Dalmatians, The Borrowers, Shakespeare 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 Gold, Singer, A 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 Off, Pickwick, Harvey, Goodbye, Mr Chips, Scrooge and Victor/Victoria, while films (songs and/or screenplays) include Scrooge, Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory, Goodbye, Mr Chips, Superman, Victor/Victoria, Home Alone 1 & 2, Hook, Goldfinger, You Only Live Twice, The Last Emperor and various Pink Panthers.  His songs include What Kind of Fool Am I?, My Old Man’s A Dustman, Goldfinger, You Only Live Twice, On A Wonderful Day Like Today, The 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 Mort, Zorro, Taboo, We Will Rock You, The 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 Presents, Oh What A Lovely War, Bodyguard, Taboo, Hair, Zorro, Never 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 Family, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, Oklahoma!, Fiddler on the Roof, High 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

Hope Street Theatre, Liverpool – until 21st July 2018

Reviewed by Julie Noller

5*****

Bottleneck is the first production by Hiding Place Theatre. It’s originally written by Luke Barnes. Performed in the new Hope Street Theatre venue, itself steeped in history as an old Masonic Building. Unconventional but highly promising for small upcoming productions to test the waters and find their feet and well worth the effort of keeping an eye on for future productions worthy of your time.

The theatre itself is simple with black wall coverings, black flooring and simple blocks as a makeshift stage. The background is white with Liverpool FC posters and scarves, you could be forgiven for thinking it was many a youngsters bedroom wall. We are introduced to Greg Williams a young lad of 14, ok a few days short of his 15th birthday. He lives in his footie kit, his football isn’t far away, I imagine his bedroom walls and ceiling have a few football shaped marks adorning them. This is 1989 a year many will remember, I anticipated a nostalgia fest – for I was myself 15 in 1989. Be warned Greg’s language is rather blue (I bet he won’t like that being a red through and through) He’s a typical teenager and I found his anecdotal Scouse one liners hilarious. Credit where credit is due Daniel Cassidy is fantastic as Greg, it can’t be easy standing up in front of a Liverpudlian audience to deliver a one man show on a subject as emotive as teenagers and football not to mention one fateful day that changed the lives of an entire city.

You listen to Greg ranting on about Marmite, Quavers (never again will I be able to view a simple cheesy snack in the same way) his Mum having left his Dad. He views life simply; he says he is thick and doesn’t understand why people are scared of his Dad as his Dad isn’t a fighter. But everyone knows him, doesn’t suggest notoriety of years gone by? Greg is a teenager who knows it all without actually fully knowing anything. I found myself leaning forward in my chair watching Greg’s escapades with bated breath. His best friend is asthmatic Tom, reaching for his inhaler in times of panic. Tom is a blue and that’s where the lads banter comes in. Greg wants to be John McClane, he bounces around the set with energy and enthusiasm shooting anyone foolish enough to get in his way.

Tom manages to get 2 tickets from his brother for the match on Saturday (Greg’s birthday) you feel a sense of foreboding, genuinely want to shout don’t go, stay home. But teenagers long for adventure. The action turns somewhat from comedy to action, it steps up a gear as the boys try to work together to get the money to buy the ticket from Greg’s Dad who is trying to instil a sense of worth into his son. As a parent you know its because you can’t be seen to condone anyone stealing and those tickets were stolen. They save lunch money, Greg attempts to help in a local barbers shop but somehow whilst gelling hair to his top lip and flouncing into John McClane mode manages to get himself barred and earning a paltry £3 that’s still £6 short of the £15 ticket price and we won’t mention the Sarah Jane incident and her mothers medicine. They resort to stealing £10 from the burger man. Tom hands over the money to Greg stating he wants his friend to have it all as it’s his birthday. He can even get a muzzie implant if he wants. They manage to throw a stone and smash a police car sorry the bizzies. Which results in the belt, grounding and no happy birthday for Greg.

Daniel manages to switch characters extremely well you fully follow him on this journey, his accent changes are a good break, the pauses remind you that time often stops especially when you’re a bored teenager. You don’t want Greg to creep into his Dads room and take the ticket, to shimmy out of his bedroom window. He shouts abuse at his Dad says ‘see you later’. Never leave angry, never leave in hatred is something we learn as we’re older. Greg and Tom are small they make their way through the crowd in Sheffield, manage to get to the front they are joking and laughing glad to be there. But as I become aware of the people around me, no longer laughing, I become aware I’m holding my breath, my hand is clasped to my face. A man is clearing his throat of emotion and my friend is already weeping. This is still a raw emotion here in Liverpool for many the memories of that fateful day will stay with them forever. It was delivered with perfect clarity and timing the sense of bewilderment and anger building in one so young, to feel the confusion, no sense of being alive or dead. You want to scoop him up tell him he’ll be ok. Trauma is dealt with differently these days but then it was still a mentality of get on with it. You can’t see any broken bones but you do feel a broken teenager, one who lost his best friend and has to learn how to deal with that too. I felt shellshocked when the play ended, utterly amazed at how the memories came flooding back to me, as a Liverpool supporter I had turned the tv on that April day, to see if I could spot people I knew as well as cheer my team on. My Uncle never went to another Liverpool game again, his story was heartbreaking, friends in school we were glad to see return. We talked about how breathtakingly good Bottleneck is during our trainride home. We spoke about football – yes 2 middleaged women sharing stories and remembering that one day nearly 30 years ago. Don’t be put off watching Bottleneck because of the emotional subject but go and enjoy it’s pure brilliance, packed into just 60 minutes, oh and take tissues.