NEW CASTING ANNOUNCED

EMMY, TONY AND GRAMMY AWARD WINNER

BILLY PORTER AS THE EMCEE

DOUBLE OLIVIER AWARD NOMINEE

MARISHA WALLACE AS SALLY BOWLES

IN

THE MULTI AWARD-WINNING, CRITICALLY ACCLAIMED

WEST END PRODUCTION OF

CABARET

AT THE KIT KAT CLUB

FROM 28 JANUARY 2025

The producers of the multi award-winning, critically acclaimed West End production of CABARET at the KIT KAT CLUB are delighted to announce new casting.

From 28 January 2025, Emmy, Tony and Grammy award winner Billy Porter will play The Emcee and double Olivier award nominee Marisha Wallace will play Sally Bowles.  Joining the cast on 27 January 2025 will be Vivien Parry, who returns to the role of Fraulein Schneider having played the part in 2022.

They join Daniel Bowerbank as Clifford Bradshaw, Fenton Gray as Herr Schultz, Fred Haig as Ernst Ludwig and Jessica Kirton as Fraulein Kost/Fritzie. The cast is completed by Xenoa Campbell-Ledgister, Sam Darius, Damon Gould Adrian Grove, El Haq Latief, Justin-Lee Jones, Ela Lisondra, Hícaro Nicolai, Andy Rees Alexandra Regan, Marina Tavolieri, Ben Simon Wilson, Anne-Marie Wojna, Patrick Wilden and Lucy Young.

Billy Porter and Marisha Wallace’s final performance will be Saturday 24 May 2025.

CABARET at the KIT KAT CLUB also announces today that free educational packs for schools and audience members have been made available for download now. Featuring resources which support work for secondary school, college and undergraduate students, the packs include information on the production’s themes, the ideas behind the creative process, interviews with the creative team and classroom activities for those looking to explore the world of the Kit Kat Club. Visit kitkat.club/education for more.

CABARET recently celebrated the milestone of 1000 performances at the KIT KAT CLUB and is currently booking until Saturday 4 October 2025. kitkat.club

Billy Porter is an Emmy, Tony and Grammy Award-winning and Golden Globe nominated actor, singer, director, composer and playwright. His electric portrayal of Pray Tell in FX’s breakthrough series Pose earned him the Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series as well as Golden Globe and Critics Choice Award nominations. He also starred in the eighth series of Ryan Murphy’s acclaimed series American Horror Story. A veteran of the theatre, Billy created the role of Lola in the smash hit musical Kinky Boots on Broadway, for which he won the Drama Desk, Outer Critics Circle and Tony Award for Best Actor in a Musical, as well as the Grammy Award for Best Musical Theatre Album. His other Broadway credits include Shuffle Along, Miss Saigon and Five Guys Named Moe.

Marisha Wallace recently starred as Miss Adelaide in the hit production of Guys and Dolls, for which she was nominated for the Olivier Award for Best Actress in a Musical. She played Ado Annie in the critically acclaimed production of Oklahoma! at the Young Vic receiving a nomination for Best Supporting Actress in a Musical at the Olivier Awards. Marisha’s many other credits include performing for His Majesty the King, playing Motormouth Maybelle in Hairspray at the London Coliseum and Becky in the original West End cast of the musical Waitress at the Adelphi Theatre. She made her West End debut as Effie White in Dreamgirls at the Savoy Theatre.

The prologue company are Rachel Benson, Ami Benton, Onyemachi Ejimofor, Joseph Hardy, Liz Kamille, Andrew Linnie, Aine McLoughlin, Jack William Parry, Jazmyn Raikes, Oliver Stockley and Ena Yamaguchi.

Marisha Wallace is not scheduled to appear on Wednesday 29 January at 2.00pm, Thursday 6 February at 7.30pm, Wednesday 12 February at 2.00pm, Thursday 20 February at 7.30pm, Wednesday 26 February at 2.00pm, Thursday 6 March at 7.30pm, Monday 10 March at 7.30pm, Tuesday 11 March at 7.30pm, Thursday 20 March at 7.30pm, Wednesday 26 March at 2.00pm, Thursday 3 April at 7.30pm, Wednesday 9 April at 2.00pm, Thursday 17 April at 7.30pm, Wednesday 23 April at 2.00pm, Thursday 1 May at 7.30pm, Wednesday 7 May at 2.00pm, Thursday 15 May at 7.30pm and Wednesday 21 May at 2.00pm.

At these performances, the role will be played by our alternate Sally Bowles, Anne-Marie Wojna.

Billy Porter is scheduled to appear at every performance between 28 January and 24 May 2025.

This unique production of CABARET opened in December 2021 to critical and audience acclaim, widely praised as the ultimate theatrical experience. In April 2022 it won a record-breaking seven Olivier Awards. The production has also won three prestigious Critics Circle Awards as well as the Evening Standard Theatre Award for Best Design for designer Tom Scutt.

The Tony award winning Broadway production of CABARET opened in April this year at the KIT KAT CLUB at the August Wilson Theatre where it continues to play and currently stars?.

Transforming one of London’s most famous theatres with an in-the-round auditorium and reimagined spaces, before the show guests are invited to enjoy and explore the Kit Kat Club with pre-show entertainment, drinks and dining all on offer. When booking, guests receive a ‘club entry time’ to allow enough time to take in the world of the Kit Kat Club before the show starts. But of course, the show really starts when you first join us in the club…

One of the most successful musicals of all time CABARET features the songs Wilkommen, Don’t Tell Mama, Mein Herr, Maybe This Time, Money and the title number. It has music by John Kander, lyrics by Fred Ebb, book by Joe Masteroff. Based on the play by John Van Druten and stories by Christopher Isherwood.

CABARET is directed by Rebecca Frecknall, set and costume design is by Tom Scutt with choreography by Julia Cheng. Musical supervision is by Jennifer Whyte and musical direction is by Ben van Tienen with lighting design by Isabella Byrd and sound design by Nick Lidster. The casting director is Stuart Burt and the original associate director and prologue director is Jordan Fein. The prologue composer and musical director is Angus MacRae.

CABARET at the KIT KAT CLUB is produced by ATG Productions and Underbelly.

Disability Arts Charity Appoints New CEO as They Celebrate 40 Years

DaDa Disability and Deaf Arts this week launched their 40th anniversary festival DaDaFest International 40 at the Unity Theatre Liverpool, and as part of the celebration announced the appointment of new CEO, Zoe Partington.

The award-winning, cutting-edge multi artform charity was founded in 1984 and since then has become an integral part of the campaign for greater equality and access for disabled artists across the arts and cultural sector.

Having received confirmation in 2022 of remaining an Arts Council National Portfolio Organisation until at least 2026, DaDa has since been expanding its programming and board, and is now in a position to appoint a new CEO as a final step in solidifying the stability and future of the organisation.

New CEO, Zoe Partington, is an international consultant and speaker on Disability Art, heritage and architecture in relation to inclusion and accessibility and, alongside her role at DaDa, Zoe is C/Director of Disordinary Architecture working with cultural institutions such as The Bartlett School of Architecture, The British Library, Tate Modern and disabled people as architects and curators.

An awardee of a Henry Moore Fellowship, Zoe is currently writing a book about female disabled sculptors and artists having managed National Disability and Arts Archive Collection, NDACA and supported Shape on initiatives like their work with Kings College London KCL and working with British Council on cultural developments leading up to Cultural Olympiad programmes in Brazil, Japan and many other countries.

Zoe graduated from a Media and Design Degree BA (Hons) via the University of Portsmouth before going on to study for an Art, Design and Architecture PgDip at the University of Central England.

A practising disabled artist, Zoe references her own sight loss and chronic condition in her work, and is excited to lend her expertise to Liverpool based DaDa.

Zoe spoke of her delight in accepting the role of CEO with DaDa saying:

“As a disabled woman in a leadership role I feel honoured to follow other strong political disabled women form the North. I believe as disabled people we should not let fear hold us back from striking out and being at the centre of decision making in the cultural sector -our voices are often ignored, we will change this together in partnerships and with allies. I am so fortunate to have an amazing team and board.”

DaDa develops and presents excellent disability and Deaf arts through an artistic programme that includes high quality festivals and events, fed in to by a year-round programme of engagement work with developing and established artists, young disabled, Deaf and neurodivergent people, their families and the wider community.

The centrepiece of DaDa’s work is DaDaFest International – launched in 2001 as a platform to showcase the work of disabled, Deaf and neurodivergent artists and which is set to return in March 2025 with the theme for the special anniversary festival revealed as ‘RAGE – A Quiet Riot!’.

Over DaDa’s 40 years it has made an important impact through advocacy and social change and through partnership and collaboration with a range of organisations and bodies.

That includes supporting Liverpool City Council on policy making around access to services and transport; being consulted during the redevelopment of the Liverpool Everyman to make it one of the most accessible theatres in the country and working with the Unity for more than 20 years to change perceptions of disabled artists and for the theatre to independently programme work by and support disabled artists.

DaDa Chair Robert Martin spoke about the new appointment saying:

“DaDa is turning 40 years old this year and we are looking forward to celebrating that legacy with DaDaFest International 40 in March 2025. Its subject, Rage, captures the feeling amongst deaf, disabled and neurodivergent people that, whilst much has been achieved and should be celebrated, we’re still too often left out of conversations that are about us and that impact on us. With her brilliant track record as an artist, activist and consultant on creativity and inclusive culture, Zoe Partington brings a rare combination of skills which, we feel, will carry DaDa forward into our next phase as a leader in, and instigator of, those very conversations. Zoe is a hugely respected and talented person and, on behalf of everyone at DaDa and also our funders, we’re very much looking forward to seeing where she’ll take us next.”

DaDaFest International 40 will run from 8-31 March 2025. More detail can be found at https://www.dadafest.co.uk/what-we-do/dadafest/dadafest-2025-ddfi40-rage /

ON WORLD AIDS DAY, SUNDAY 01 DECEMBER

A SPECIAL GALA PERFORMANCE OF

WAS PRESENTED

IN SUPPORT OF THE ELTON JOHN AIDS FOUNDATION (EJAF) RAISING MORE THAN £750,000 TO END THE AIDS EPIDEMIC

On Sunday 01 December 2024, a special gala performance of The Devil Wears Prada, a new musical, was presented on World AIDS Day, at the Dominion Theatre, in support of the Elton John AIDS Foundation.

A host of special guests attended the performance, followed by the after party at the British Museum, including; Anna Wintour, Donatella Versace, Lily Collins, Edward Enninful, Bob Geldof, Graham Norton, Zandra Rhodes, Amelia Dimoldenberg, Elizabeth Hurley and many more!

The special gala performance of The Devil Wears Prada has raised more than £750,000 for the Elton John AIDS Foundation. This will support their work towards ending the AIDS epidemic in the UK and globally.

Elton John said “It’s a real honour to have so many friends from the worlds of music, fashion and entertainment join us for the special gala performance of The Devil Wears Prada at a World AIDS Day event in support of the Elton John AIDS Foundation. It’s a joy for me to see this musical on stage, celebrate it with the team and share it with the world on such an important day in recognition of those we’ve lost and what we have left to do to end AIDS. We need the world to understand that HIV is not yesterday’s story, it should be a priority today. Every minute a life is still lost to this terrible disease because people are too afraid or seen as undeserving of treatment. But it doesn’t have to be that way. By truly accepting each other for who we are, we can be the generation to end AIDS.” 

Donatella Versace said “As Co-Chair of The Rocket Fund for The Elton John AIDS Foundation, I am truly honoured to be here tonight to support my friends Elton and David in the incredible work that they do.     We must all join in the mission to end AIDS.  What better way to support the foundation and see this iconic story brought to life with Elton’s incredible music.  That’s all!”

Special thank you to our platinum sponsors Pamella Roland, Bill and Tani Austin/ Starkey Foundation and Olena Pinchuk and our gold sponsor The Caring Family Foundation for making this evening possible.

The Elton John AIDS Foundation was established in 1992 and is one of the leading independent AIDS organizations in the world. The Foundation’s mission is simple: an end to the AIDS epidemic. The Elton John AIDS Foundation is committed to overcoming the stigma, discrimination and neglect that keep us from ending AIDS. With the mobilization of our network of generous supporters and partners, we fund local experts across four continents to challenge discrimination, prevent infections, and provide treatment as well as influencing governments to end AIDS. www.eltonjohnaidsfoundation.org 

THE DEVIL WEARS PRADA – A NEW MUSICAL

The Devil Wears Prada, a new musical,opens this week after previewing from 24 October at the Dominion Theatre.

Starring in the production is Vanessa Williams, best known for her celebrated roles in Ugly Betty and Desperate Housewives and as a multi-award-winning singer, asthe irrepressible Miranda Priestly, alongside Olivier Award winner, Matt Henry,as Runway’s Creative Fashion Director, Nigel.

They are joined by Georgie Buckland (Shrek The Musical; Bedknobs and Broomsticks) making her West End debut playing the driven Andy, Amy Di Bartolomeo (SIX; We Will Rock You) as the icy First Assistant to Miranda, Emily, James Darch (Mamma Mia!; Wicked) as the devious journalist, Christian, and Rhys Whitfield (The Phantom of the Opera; Summer and Smoke) as Andy’s long-term boyfriend, Nate.

Completing the cast are: Maddy Ambus, Gabby Antrobus, Selena Barron, Pamela Blair, Robertina Bonano, Josh Damer-Jennings, Lloyd Davies, Elishia Edwards, Akeem Ellis-Hyman, Elizabeth Fullalove, Jinny Gould, Natasha Heyward, Samuel How, Luke Jackson, Debbie Kurup, Liam Marcellino, Ciro Lourencio Meulens, Theo Papoui, Christopher Parkinson, Eleanor Peach, Ethan Le Phong, Jon Reynolds, Harriet Samuel-Gray, Olivia Saunders, Kayleigh Thadani, Ella Valentine, Rhys Whitfield and Tara Yasmin.

The Devil Wears Prada, features an all-star, award-winning creative team led by
Elton John (Tammy Faye, Billy Elliot: The Musical, The Lion King), new direction & choreography by Jerry Mitchell (Kinky Boots, Legally Blonde, Pretty Woman, Hairspray), lyrics by singer-songwriter Shaina Taub (Suffs) and Mark Sonnenblick (Theatre Camp), book by Kate Wetherhead (Ever After, Submissions Only), set design by Tim Hatley (Life of Pi, Back to the Future), costume design by Gregg Barnes (Some Like It Hot, Legally Blonde), lighting design by Bruno Poet (The Tina Turner Musical, Frankenstein), sound design by Gareth Owen (Come From Away, & Juliet) and casting by Jill Green CDG.

The production played an exclusive preview engagement from 06 July – 17 August at Theatre Royal Plymouth prior to opening in the West End.

Hilariously fun and fabulously stylish, The Devil Wears Prada tells an inspiring story about discovering what kind of person you truly want to be. Choose your outfit carefully and get ready for a new musical that’s hautter than hell!

Fresh out of college, aspiring journalist Andy scores a job at the prestigious Runway magazine working for fashion’s most powerful and terrifying icon — editor-in-chief Miranda Priestly. Sacrificing her personal life to meet Miranda’s impossible demands, Andy finds herself seduced by the glamorous world she once despised. How far will she go to succeed… and will it be worth selling her soul to get what she’s always wanted?

The musical is based on Lauren Weisberger‘s best-selling 2003 novel and the 2006 blockbuster film from Twentieth Century Studios which went on to gross $326 million worldwide and received two Academy Award nominations.

The Devil Wears Prada is produced by Tony Award winner Kevin McCollum (In the Heights, Avenue Q, Rent, SIX and Mrs. Doubtfire), Rocket Entertainment/David Furnish (Tammy Faye, Billy Elliot: The Musical) and Jamie Wilson (Mrs Doubtfire, Ain’t Too Proud, Sister Act The Musical) as a co-production with Theatre Royal Plymouth, and presented by special arrangement with Buena Vista Theatrical.

Stratford East Theatre, Stratford, London – until 4th January 2025

Reviewed by Bobbi Fenton

4****

What better way to get into the Christmas spirit than going to the theatre for a bit of panto. Pinocchio follows the classic tale of a wooden puppet boy on his journey towards becoming a real human boy. In the town of Stratty Ash lives a lonely widower, Geppetto (Tok Morakinyo), who used to dream of raising a son with his late wife. As luck would have it, he happens upon a magical piece of wood which he carves into a wooden puppet, not expecting that this same puppet will come to life. Geppetto tries his best to raise Pinocchio (Dylan Collymore), but he still faces many of the same conflicts most children will experience. Pinocchio battles with his conscience and whether he should do the right thing or the fun thing, often being led astray by the Sly Fox (Rushand Chambers) and Miss Kat (Jhanaica Van Mook). Luckily, this wooden puppet has a very useful trick up his sleeve which I’m sure many parents would wish for their own children, a nose that grows whenever he tells a lie.

Leading the breaks in the show for some very fun sing alongs and dances are the animated and cheery Krik-Krak the cricket (Nicole Louise Lewis) and the hilarious Blue Rinse Fairy (Michael Bertenshaw). While this show doesn’t feature quite as many jokes for the grown-ups in the audience that are typical for panto, it makes up for this with beautiful vocals and fun dances. I especially enjoyed the various duets sung by Dylan Collymore and Tok Morakinyo, as their voices are simply incredible. Not to mention the many dance scenes featuring the whole cast, which are almost hypnotic.

This show is truly magical and is the perfect panto for the whole family.

Presented by Phil McIntyre Live

DIRECT FROM THE WEST END THE CRITICALLY ACCLAIMED PRODUCTION OF

JOHN CLEESE’S

FAWLTY TOWERS – THE PLAY

WILL TOUR THE UK & IRELAND IN 2025/2026

SEPTEMBER 2025 – JULY 2026

TICKETS GO ON SALE ON 2 DECEMBER 2024 AT 10.00AM FROM FAWLTYTOWERSTOUR.CO.UK

Currently playing to sold-out houses at London’s Apollo Theatre Shaftesbury Avenue, John Cleese’s Fawlty Towers – The Play, today announces a major theatre tour for 2025 and 2026.

Following the hugely successful West End run – which has seen the show extend twice – “the funniest show in town” (Daily Express) will embark on the 10-month tour across the UK and Ireland on 30 September 2025 through to July 2026. Tickets go on sale on 2 December 2024 from FawltyTowersTour.co.uk.

Based on three of the original BBC TV episodes of the “greatest British sitcom of all time” (Radio Times), Fawlty Towers – The Play has been adapted for the stage by original co-creator John Cleese into a two-hour play, complete with a new finale. Casting will be announced in due course.

Theatre goers across the country are in for a treat as this “comedy masterpiece makes a seamless transition to the stage” (The Arts Desk) to deliver “an indisputably funny evening” (Daily Telegraph), as “from the moment Basil walks on stage, the audience start laughing” (Daily Mail) whilst watching “some of the best punchlines ever written” (London Theatre). To quote Broadway World; “if you loved the original TV series, you will adore this show”.

Directed by the West End originating director, Caroline Jay Ranger, this “as good as it gets” production (Sunday Times) will visit major towns and cities across the UK and Ireland: Eastbourne, Bournemouth, Wimbledon, High Wycombe, Manchester, Liverpool, Northampton, Southend, Plymouth, Guildford, Leeds, Glasgow, Aberdeen, Edinburgh, Sunderland, Wolverhampton, Stoke-on-Trent, Southampton, Ipswich, Birmingham, Bradford, Blackpool, Torquay, Truro, Milton Keynes, Llandudno, Hull, York, Woking, Nottingham, Norwich, Cardiff, Newcastle, Dartford and Oxford.

John Cleese said: “When we came up with the idea of bringing Fawlty Towers to the stage, I never thought it would get the reception that it has. On 23 December it will be 50 years to the day since we recorded the pilot at BBC Television Centre and I’m delighted that the audiences we’ve had in the West End still think it’s as funny as ever. The announcement of the tour means many more people will now have the chance to laugh themselves helpless.”

Following a tip off that hotel inspectors may be visiting and eager to impress, Basil attempts to ingratiate himself with guests that he suspects are there to critique the establishment. The situation is further plagued by a party of Germans, the deaf and dotty guest-from-hell, Mrs Richards, whose infuriating complaints prevent him from hiding a gambling win from his ever vigilant and bossy wife, Sybil. Together they run their hotel with a little help from the unflappable Polly, and very little help at all from Manuel, the trainee waiter from Barcelona who is the butt of Fawlty’s frustration.

Fawlty Towers was first broadcast on BBC Two on 19 September 1975. The iconic TV show went on to win many awards and plaudits including two BAFTAS for Best Situation Comedy and in 2000 it was voted the best British programme of all time in a British Film Institute poll. Set in a fictional hotel in the seaside town of Torquay, just 12 half hour episodes of the iconic comedy were made.

The sitcom is based on a real-life hotel owner, Donald Sinclair. John Cleese came up with the idea for the character Basil Fawlty when he stayed at Sinclair’s Gleneagles Hotel in Torquay and became fascinated with his incredibly rude behaviour.

Creative Team:

Written by John Cleese & Connie Booth

Adapted for the stage by John Cleese

Directed by Caroline Jay Ranger

Set and Costume Designer – Liz Ascroft

Lighting Designer – Ian Scott

Casting Director – Anne Vosser

Assistant Director – Denise Ranger

LISTINGS INFORMATION

Website: FawltyTowersTour.co.uk

Instagram: @FawltyTowersWestEnd

Facebook: @FawltyTowersWestend

X: @FawltyTowersWE

Performance Times

Tuesday – Saturday: 7:30pm Wednesday, Thursday & Saturday: 2:30pm

DATE VENUE

30 September – 4 October Churchill Theatre, Bromley

07 – 11 October Eastbourne Congress Theatre

14 – 18 October Bournemouth Pavilion

21 – 25 October New Wimbledon Theatre

28 October – 1 November Wycombe Swan Theatre

04 – 08 November Manchester Opera House

11 – 15 November Liverpool Empire

18 – 22 November Northampton Royal & Derngate

25 – 29 November Southend Cliffs Pavilion

02 – 06 November Theatre Royal Plymouth On sale soon

09 – 20 November Guildford G Live

2026

06 – 10 January Leeds Grand Theatre

13 – 17 January King’s Theatre, Glasgow

20 – 24 January Aberdeen Music Hall

27 – 31 January Edinburgh Playhouse

03 – 07 February Sunderland Empire

10 – 21 February Wolverhampton Grand Theatre

24 – 28 February Regent Theatre, Stoke

03 – 07 March Southampton Mayflower On sale 6 December

10 – 14 March Ipswich Regent Theatre

17 – 21 March Birmingham New Alexandra Theatre

24 – 28 March Bradford Alhambra Theatre On sale 6 December

31 March – 4 April Blackpool Opera House

14 – 18 April Princess Theatre, Torquay

21 – 25 April Truro Hall for Cornwall On sale 20 January

28 April – 02 May Milton Keynes Theatre

05 – 09 May Llandudno Venue Cymru

12 – 16 May Hull New Theatre

19 – 23 May Grand Opera House, York

26 – 30 May New Victoria Theatre, Woking

02 – 06 June Theatre Royal, Nottingham On sale 9 December

09 – 13 June Norwich Theatre Royal On sale 20 December

23 – 27 June Cardiff Wales Millenium Centre On sale 6 December

30 June – 4 July Newcastle Theatre Royal On sale 9 December

07 – 11 July Orchard Theatre, Dartford On sale 3 December

14 – 18 July New Theatre, Oxford

LET IT BOE, LET IT BOE, LET IT BOE

AWARD-WINNING TENOR ALFIE BOE JOINS SHERIDAN SMITH FOR MANCHESTER AT THE MUSICALS AT CO-OP LIVE ON

FRIDAY 20 DECEMBER 2024

JOIN THE ULTIMATE FESTIVE PARTY WITH A TWIST! TICKETS ON SALE NOW AT WWW.COOPLIVE.COM

Manchester, UK – 28 November 2024: Today it has been announced that joining double Olivier Award winner Sheridan Smith at her ultimate Christmas party, is West End and Broadway royalty, Tony Award winner and Grammy nominee Alfie Boe OBE. Together, along with a star-studded line up, they’ll be stepping into Christmas at Co-op Live, for Manchester at the Musicals on Friday 20 December 2024.

Alfie Boe is best known for his iconic portrayal of Jean Valjean in Les Misérables in the West End, on Broadway and in the 2010 25th Anniversary Concert. He is a multi-platinum selling artist, Grammy nominee, Tony award winner, and this Christmas, he is coming to town to co-host the holiday party of the year.

Joining Sheridan and Alfie are some of her exceptionally talented West End friends, including the previously announced critically-acclaimed star of stage and screen, and co-host, Samantha Barks (Disney’s Frozen, Les Misérables), West End favourite John Owen-Jones (Les Misérables, The Phantom of the Opera), star of Wicked Alice Fearn, and the newly announced, Elesha Paul Moses (Tina Turner the Musical).

Alfie Boe said: “I’m delighted Sheridan asked me to join her and my wonderful friends for this special, one-off festive night of fun and dancing. From West End classics to Christmas classics, all set in a holiday dreamland created by Co-op Live it’s a show to get us all in the festive spirit.

If you love theatre, Christmas or are just looking for a fun night out, join us for an evening of dancing, singing and a true celebration of musicals and the festive season. I can’t wait to Manchester to show us how they do Musical Theatre”

Get ready to rock around the Christmas tree to festive favourites, and enjoy some of the biggest hits from the West End stage, all performed by the brightest stars in theatre.

Expect songs from Wicked, Hamilton, Les Misérables, Jesus Christ Superstar and more, plus seasonal classics like ‘White Christmas’ and ‘All I Want for Christmas is You’, at a very special party perfect for theatre lovers, Christmas fanatics, and those looking for a unique night out with friends and family.

Join us for a fun-filled festive night like no other as Co-op Live is transformed into a winter wonderland, bringing the magic of the West End with a Manchester twist.

Manchester at the Musicals will be accompanied by the Manchester Camerata orchestra, performing holiday crackers along with songs from the world’s best loved musicals. They’ll be joined by performing arts students from across the North West with the Pendleton School of Theatre Choir, conducted by Nathan Jarvis.

Pendelton School of Theatre Choir has a long tradition of training North West performing arts students who go onto have incredible careers in the industry. The department, based at Pendleton Sixth Form College, has courses in Musical Theatre, Dance, Acting and Production Arts. The singers will be selected from members of the school’s choirs who perform all around the country. Pendleton is also well known for its ‘Season of Shows’ featuring fully staged musicals, dance shows and plays.

Tickets for the ultimate Christmas party are available now. To find out more, visit cooplive.com.

Sam Tutty and Aimie Atkinson are first incredible cast members announced in Drew Gasparini’s WE AREN’T KIDS ANYMORE at the Savoy Theatre Monday 28th April 2025 Savoy Theatre, Savoy Court, The Strand, London WC2R 0ET

Acclaimed musical theatre composer and song-writer Drew Gasparini’s new contemporary musical WE AREN’T KIDS ANYMORE will mark its world premiere on Monday 28th April 2025. Olivier Award-winning Sam Tutty (Two Strangers (Carry a Cake Across New York); Dear Evan Hansen) and revered West End performer Aimie Atkinson (SIX The Musical; Pretty Woman) are the first two cast members set to bring this heartfelt musical to life at the Savoy Theatre in the Spring. Further casting will be announced, including the last three cast members, completing the company for this highly anticipated production

WE AREN’T KIDS ANYMORE is a dynamic and thoughtful musical exploration which taps into the profound feeling of never truly growing up. It is followed by a second act which sees Gasparini in concert, presenting some of his most iconic work from his extensive musical career. Gasparini and the cast will be joined by some special invited guests, yet to be announced

Originally an autobiographical tale, WE AREN’T KIDS ANYMORE has evolved into a poignant exploration of the complex, yet fundamentally universal, experience of navigating our path through life, and all the emotional multiplicity it brings; the highest joys, the deepest regrets, and the fleeting moments of pride – life is often a series of guesses, punctuated by key moments of feeling as we negotiate its inevitable failures and successes. The story of this uplifting musical is told from 5 distinct perspectives, crossing age, generation and gender. WE AREN’T KIDS ANYMORE explores the complexities of having a dream, chasing that dream, and the rocky path between the two. At its core, this musical reminds us that, no matter who you are, growing up is still a journey of guesses made in the dark

This concert performance follows a successful workshop in June 2024 which marked the first stage presentation of Gasparini’s viral concept album WE AREN’T KIDS ANYMORE. Recognised for his music in Smash, as well as the scores for Broadway musicals; The Karate Kid, Skittles Commercial: The Broadway Musical and It’s Kind of a Funny Story, Gasparini offers a radical approach to traditional musical theatre in a show which explores self-discovery and growth. Demonstrating a range of styles, including pop, rock and country, WE AREN’T KIDS ANYMORE celebrates the versatility of musical theatre when the conventional rules are broken

Sam Tutty comments, I am so excited to be working on this project – I am familiar with Drew and his work and to be working with him is truly wonderful. I can’t wait to explore the work on this project and see what the team and I can make together!

Aimie Atkinson comments, I’m so excited to be a part of this fantastic new musical. I cannot wait for audiences to see this new exciting show.

The rest of the cast joining Sam Tutty and Aimie Atkinson are soon to be announced.

Mayflower theatre, Southampton – 29th November 2024

Reviewed by Joanna Huggett

5*****

From the moment Nutcracker started we were mesmerised by the wonderful ballet and orchestral music. The story began in Drosselmeyer’s workshop where he and his assistants were preparing toys for the local children. Junor Souza who played Drosselmeyer was excellent. The story then moves down into the sweet shop below and the festive street market. The sets were very attractive and festive looking, and the sweet shop looked very enticing.

The story moves on to the Stahlbaums Christmas Eve party. Again, another lovely festive scene. The junior dancers were excellent. Particularly the little girl who played the young Clara, who we thought acted the part superbly, as well as dancing very well.

We loved the dream scene where the older Clara defeats the Rat King and the Nutcracker transforms into a young Prince. We felt that Clara, played by Ivana Bueno, and the Nutcracker prince, played by Francesco Gabriele Frola, danced beautifully together and had great chemistry. We loved the effects of the ice realm and particularly the glistening ice sleigh which took flight.

We loved all of Act 2. The story begins in the land of sweets and delights. We loved all the sweet themed dances. We thought all the dancers were excellent, and the music was very rousing. We particularly enjoyed the sugar plum fairy’s dance with the sugar plum cavalier, played by Emma Hawes and Aitor Arrieta respectively.

The story ends with young Clara waking up back in the salon wondering whether her adventures had all been just a dream.

I think it is fair to say that my teenage daughters and I loved every second of Nutcracker! A truly breath-taking performance, and the best ballet we have seen. We thought all the dancers and the orchestra did an exceptional job.

This is a must see!

Charing Cross Theatre – until 11 January 2025

Reviewed by Claire Roderick

4****

He’s Behind You! return to Charing Cross Theatre for another Christmas season of filthy fun and saucy shenanigans.

Dame Dolly Trott (Matthew Baldwin) has lost her job on a famous Northern soap opera and has moved to a farm. She and her son Jack (Keanu Adolphus-Johnson) are not taking to the agricultural life however, with the dairy herd depleted to just two cows – Tess and Claudia – and Jack’s attempts at crop production resulting in some laughable lettuces. Used to a hedonistic life in Leeds, Jack has taken to cruising the local graveyard as no one is on the apps out there in Upper Bottom. Dishy Reverend Tim (Joe Grundy) could be the perfect man for Jack, but Tim wants to keep their relationship on the downlow and Dolly thinks he fancies her.

Local fairy and jack-of-all-trades Dale (Chris Lane) pops up everywhere while the villagers despair as evil lady of the manor, Lady Fleshcreep (Jordan Stamatiadis) plots to evict tenants on technicalities to fulfil her ambitious dreams. Meanwhile her hapless niece, Simone (Laura Anna-Mead) lusts after local midwife Alice (Caitlin Swanton) but is too shy to approach her.

Claudia is reluctantly sold for a bag of magic beans and Jack (and Dolly) venture up the phallic plant to seek their fortune. The traditional magic harp is there, but also the giant’s bagpipes, whose magical effects boost their bank balance and the local menfolk’s prospects.

David Shield’s set is a candy-coloured delight and with wonderfully camp costumes by Robert Draper and Sandy Lloyd, this looks like a traditional panto. Jon Bradfield and Martin Hooper’s script is anything but family friendly, and the gags about fisting and rimming are crammed in, along with jokes about Huw Evans and the Archbishop of Canterbury. Bradfield’s songs are lots of fun and the filth is countered by the nostalgic panto staples of call and response (beavers are involved – obviously), sweetie throwing and audience singalongs and in director Andrew Beckett’s assured hands, the show is a fast-paced treat.

Jordan Stamatiadis is brilliantly OTT as the dastardly Fleshcreep, and Chris Lane flirts wonderfully while Matthew Baldwin is at his dry and manic best as Dolly – still one of the best dames out there. The cast perform with boundless energy and create an infectious and joyful atmosphere.

Bawdy and bonkers, this is gloriously silly adult Christmas fun

Greenwich Theatre – until 5 January 2025

Reviewed by Claire Roderick

4****

Anthony Spargo’s swinging sixties-set Dick Whittington is a riot of fun and silliness.

When Dick (Samuel Bailey) and Tommie the talking cat (Inés Ruiz) come to London to seek their fortune, they are puzzled by the lack of cats, but the voice of Bow Bells predicts a great future for Dick. In Pudding Lane, Dick falls for Alice Fitzwarren (Jasmine Jules Andrews), but Dick’s happiness is in jeopardy as the daft but dastardly Ratticus (Anthony Spargo) and sidekick Muffy (Louise Cielecki) frame Dick for theft. Bow Bells grants Dick’s wish to change the past and provides a time machine, and the panto gets all wibbly-wobbly timey-wimey as Ratticus hijacks it and changes history to ensure that he will be all powerful. It’s all wonderfully unhinged, and writer Spargo crams in heaps of pop culture references to delight all the adults in the audience. The jokes are brilliantly judged – double entendres for the grownups and silly visual gags and puns for the children.

Emily Bestow’s bright and cartoonish set and costumes are a delight – with Ratticus’s and Meggs the Baker’s outfits being the highlights. Director James Haddrell knows the Greenwich audience, and keeps things running smoothly, with MD “Uncle” Steve Markwick on stage with guitarist Gordon Parrish while drummer Chris Wyles is out of sight in Ratticus’s lair. The sixties setting is genius, each song is a classic and gets the audience clapping and singing along.

Samuel Bailey and Jordan Jules Andrews gamely keep straight faces as the sweet lovebirds while the Greenwich tradition of Trinity Laban students making their professional debut in the ensemble continues with Nabi Brown, Archie Fearon and Annabelle Lane nailing Nancy Kettle’s slick choreography. Phil Yarrow as Meggs the Baker is a hoot, decked out in dough-based products and simpering over Alderman Fitzwarren (Paul Kemble) while delivering the obligatory Dick jokes. Inés Ruiz is lots of fun as Tommie, playing some fine sax. Louise Cielecki returns as a sidekick for Spargo, and their physical and verbal comedy is incredible. Spargo is an incredible baddie, channelling too many comedy legends and rock stars to mention and giving the audience everything you’d expect from a panto villain, dialled up to eleven.

Dick Whittington and his Cat is another Christmas cracker from Greenwich Theatre – fabulous family entertainment.