Winners announced for the

Also Recognised Awards 2017

Ahead of Olivier Awards, nominees

recognised in non-Olivier fields

Several shows in the running for this year’s Olivier Awards, announced next Sunday 9 April, are also recognised this week in the third-annual Also Recognised Awards – in some notably different categories. The full list of winners is announced today in this audience-voted, industry accolade set up by theatre commentators Mark Shenton and Terri Paddock to celebrate lesser-known but equally worthy talent in fields overlooked by other awards bodies.

Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, nominated for a record-breaking eleven Oliviers including Best New Play, wins in two further fields in the Also Recognised Awards: Theatre Event of the Year and, for its online activity, Best Twitter Engagement.

Groundhog Day, trying to convert eight Olivier Award nominations, bags an Also Recognised award for composer Tim Minchin for Best Original Music.

Another two-time Also Recognised winner is the musical revival Half a Sixpence, which wins both Best Show Trailer and London Newcomer of the Year for Charlie Stemp, who is Olivier nominated for Best Actor in a Musical.

Five-time Olivier nominee Dreamgirls wins the Also Recognised award for Best Musical Direction for Nick Finlow for his work on the show. At their inauguration in 2015, the Also Recognised became the first UK awards to include Best Musical Direction, launched with the backing of industry lobbyists, director Andrew Keates and musical director Mike Dixon.

Elsewhere in the 2017 Also Recognised Awards: A Midsummer Night’s Dream, directed by outgoing Globe artistic director Emma Rice, is named Best Shakespearean Production; Sheffield Crucible’s vibrant artwork for new musical Flowers for Mrs Harris wins in another of marketing categories, Best Show Poster; Sophie Melville wins Best Solo Performance for her critically acclaimed turn in Gary Owen’s Iphigenia in Splott for Sherman Cymru at the National Theatre; the cast of Thom Southerland’s revival of Titanic at Charing Cross Theatre win Best Ensemble Performance; and one-time Avenue Q co-stars Jon Robyns, Simon Lipkin and Giles Terera take the prize for Best Musical Cabaret for their charity fundraiser reunion at the Orange Tree Theatre (they also submit an amusing three-part video acceptance!)

Full voting results, acceptance videos and winners’ ‘certificate selfies’ are published on www.mytheatremates.com from Friday 31 March 2017.

The full list of winners

Best Musical Direction – Nick Finlow for Dreamgirls, Savoy Theatre

Best Original Music – Tim Minchin – Groundhog Day, Old Vic Theatre

Best Twitter Engagement – @HPPlayLDN – Harry Potter & the Cursed Child

Best Ensemble Performance – Titanic – Charing Cross Theatre

Best Solo Performance – Sophie Melville – Iphigenia in Splott, National Theatre

Best Shakespearean Production – A Midsummer Night’s Dream – Shakespeare’s Globe

Best Musical Cabaret – Simon Lipkin, Jon Robyns & Giles Terera – Orange Tree Theatre

London Newcomer of the Year – Charlie Stemp – Half a Sixpence, Chichester Festival & Noel Coward Theatre

Theatre Event of the Year – The premiere of Harry Potter & the Cursed Child

Best Show Poster – Flowers for Mrs Harris – Sheffield Crucible

Best Show Trailer – Half a Sixpence – Chichester Festival & Noel Coward Theatre

Underbelly Productions
in association with Cameron Mackintosh,
Steven Harris and Westminster City Council presents

FIVE GUYS NAMED MOE
A musical by Clarke Peters
Featuring Louis Jordan’s greatest hits

•        MAJOR NEW PRODUCTION OF THE HIT WEST END AND BROADWAY MUSICAL TO PLAY AT BRAND NEW LONDON THEATRE 

•        UNDERBELLY PRODUCTIONS TO OPEN NEW THEATRE IN MARBLE ARCH

•        DIRECTED BY CLARKE PETERS WITH MUSICAL STAGING AND CHOREOGRAPHY BY ANDREW WRIGHT

Underbelly Productions have today confirmed that a brand new production of Clarke Peters’ Olivier Award-winning and Tony-Award nominated musical, Five Guys Named Moe, will open in September 2017 in a brand new pop-up theatre for London in Marble Arch.

First seen at the Theatre Royal Stratford East in 1990, it transferred to the West End and played for four years, subsequently playing on Broadway from 1992. Clarke Peters’ (The Wire, Treme, Person of Interest, Porgy and Bess, The Ice Man Cometh) career defining musical features the irresistible hits of trailblazing ‘King of the Jukebox’ Louis Jordan, including Early In The Morning, Is You Is or Is You Ain’t My Baby, Choo Choo Ch’Boogie and Saturday Night Fish Fry. The soundtrack of soul, blues, gospel and early r ‘n’ b is performed on stage by a live band.

The Marble Arch Theatre is being designed specifically for the production and will transport the audience back to the engrossing jazz bars of 1940s New Orleans. A unique, circular auditorium will ensure that the action take place all around the theatre and pre and post-performance drinks never felt so good in the theatre’s authentic 1940s foyer cocktail bar. The band is playing, the bourbon is flowing… come and join the party!

The production, which is to be directed by Peters himself and features the hits of jazz legend Louis Jordan, will have an initial booking period from 28 August to 25 November 2017, with an Opening Night on 14 September. Tickets go on sale today at 2pm.

Five Guys Named Moe will be directed by Clarke Peters with musical staging and choreography by Andrew Wright (Half a Sixpence, Singin’ in the Rain, Guys and Dolls), inspired by Charles Augins’ original choreography, set and costume design by takis (Side Show, In The Heights, Hairspray, The Good Person of Sichuan), lighting design by Philip Gladwell (The James Plays, Cymbeline, Trainspotting, After Miss Julie, Hairspray) and sound design by Ben Harrison(Cabaret, Dreamboats and Petticoats, Dancing in the Streets, The King & I, Starlight Express, Blood Brothers, Soul Sister).

Cameron Mackintosh said: “I am really thrilled that Underbelly are producing a brand new production of Five Guys Named Moe in London later this year. It’s a show that brought fun and joy to audiences in the West End for many years so it’s great to see its return for its 25th Anniversary. I am particularly excited that this new production is being staged in a Spiegeltent theatre specifically tailored for Five Guys so that Underbelly’s unique style will give audiences and the show a special intimate experience which will definitely make it the best party in town – a party which I’m delighted to support Underbelly in throwing.”

Clarke Peters said: “It’s a rare and wonderful thing to have the chance to direct a show that not only you have created but also performed in. It’s a show that is very close to my heart and soul and is so much of who I am. It’s an honour to return to it on its 25th Anniversary and reimagine the show in this new theatre space; one which is perfect for creating a closeness and dynamic energy between the story and the audience. Further to this it’s a treat to be working with a fantastic creative team and I can’t wait to transport audiences into the magical world of rhythm and blues. This rhythm will lift one and all from their blues!”

Robert Davis, Westminster City Council Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Business, Culture and Heritage said: “Westminster City Council is delighted to be working with Underbelly Productions to bring Five Guys Named Moe to Marble Arch in its very own, bespoke theatre. Bringing this internationally acclaimed musical to this world-renowned, iconic space is a truly mouth-watering prospect that will further increase the cultural offer available to residents, businesses and visitors throughout the City of Westminster.  To quote the show itself; ‘Let The Good Times Roll!’”

Clarke Peters has a long-established and wide-ranging career in theatre, television, radio and film. His many stage credits include: King Lear (Shakespeare in the Park), Race, Chicago, The Iceman Cometh (New York), Guys and Dolls, Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom and Mourning Becomes Electra (National Theatre), Porgy in Gershwin’s Porgy and Bess (Savoy Theatre), Driving Miss Daisy, Kiss of the Spiderwoman, Little Shop of Horrors, Blues in the Night and Five Guys Named Moe also written by Clarke.  Films include: Spike Lee’s Red Hook Summer, Notting Hill, Mona Lisa, Bad Education, Marley and Me, Freedomland, The Benefactor, Endgame, Mandela: The Prison Years and Nativity! Peters is also known for his varied television career including regular appearances in The Wire, Tremé, Jericho, The Divide, Chance and The Corner.

Andrew Wright is a double Olivier Award nominee. He choreographed Half A Sixpence for Cameron Mackintosh (Chichester Festival Theatre, Noel Coward Theatre), Singin’ In The Rain (Chichester Festival Theatre, Palace Theatre, UK national tour, Japan, Asia, Russia and Australia; winner of Best Choreographer WhatsOnStage Awards 2013 and nominated for Best Choreographer Olivier Awards 2012), Guys and Dolls (Chichester Festival Theatre, Phoenix Theatre, Savoy Theatre, UK national Tour; nominated for Best Choreographer Olivier Awards 2016 and Broadway World Awards 2014/16), Barnum  (Theatre in the Park, Chichester, UK national Tour), 42nd Street  (Chichester Festival Theatre, Curve Theatre, Leicester), The Critic/The Real Inspector Hound  (Minerva Theatre), High Society (UK national tour), Wonderful Town (UK national tour), Betty Blue Eyes  (UK national tour), Saturday Night Fever  (UK national tour), A Little Night Music  (Palace Theatre), Follies (Royal Albert Hall), the world premiere ofMrs Henderson Presents (Theatre Royal, Bath, Noel Coward Theatre, Toronto), The Showgirl Within (Garrick Theatre) and Almost Like Being In Love (National Theatre).

Let the Good Times Roll!

LISTINGS

Underbelly Productions
in association with Cameron Mackintosh,
Steven Harris and Westminster City Council presents
FIVE GUYS NAMED MOE
A musical by Clarke Peters
Featuring Louis Jordan’s greatest hits
Directed by Clarke Peters
Musical Staging and Choreography by Andrew Wright
Inspired by Charles Augins’ original choreography

Set and Costume Design by takis
Lighting Design by Philip Gladwell
Sound Design by Ben Harrison
Casting by Will Burton CDG for DGA

The original production of FIVE GUYS was produced in 1990 at the Theatre Royal Stratford East and subsequently in the West End by Cameron Mackintosh
Performed by arrangement with
MUSIC THEATRE INTERNATIONAL (EUROPE) LIMITED

Marble Arch Theatre
Marble Arch
London
W1C 1CX

Initial booking period 29 August 2017 – 25 November 2017
Monday – Saturday 7.45pm
Thursday and Saturday matinees 2.30pm
Opening Night 14 September
Pricing: from £10
Box office: 0844 545 8252
Online: fiveguysmusical.com

REHEARSALS BEGIN FOR NEW WEST END CAST OF

H A R R Y   P O T T E R   A N D   T H E   C U R S E D   C H I L D

PARTS ONE AND TWO

WWW.HARRYPOTTERTHEPLAY.COM

 

 

Rehearsals began this week for the new West End cast of Harry Potter and the Cursed Childwho will start their performances at the Palace Theatre in London’s West End on 24 May 2017 following the final performance from the current cast on 21 May 2017.  Jamie Glover will play Harry Potter with Emma Lowndes as his wife Ginny Potter and Theo Ancient as their son Albus Potter.  Thomas Aldridge will play Ron Weasley with Rakie Ayola as Hermione Granger andHelen Aluko as their daughter Rose Granger-Weasley.  Playing Draco Malfoy will be James Howard with Samuel Blenkin as his son Scorpius Malfoy.

They are joined by new cast members David Annen, Ruthxjiah Bellenea, Danny Dalton, Leah Haile, Rupert Henderson, Elizabeth Hill, April Hughes, James McGregor, Sarah Miele, Jordan Paris, James Phoon, Henry Rundle, Ged Simmons, Mark Theodore, Gideon Turner and Ed White.  Original cast members Nicola Alexis, Rosemary Annabella,Phoebe Austen, Annabel Baldwin, Jabez Cheeseman, Morag Cross, Esme Grace, Lowri James, Martin Johnston, Alfred Jones, Barry McCarthy, Sandy McDade, Tom Mackley, Harrison Noble, Ben Roberts, Nuno Silva, Hope Sizer and Joshua Wyatt complete the 42-strong company playing a variety of characters, including seven children who will alternate two roles.

  

Harry Potter and the Cursed Child is the eighth story in the Harry Potter series and the first official Harry Potter story to be presented on stage.  The critically acclaimed production received its world premiere in June 2016 at the Palace Theatre and is now the recipient of thirteen theatre awards including the Evening Standard Best Play Award.  Earlier this month it was announced that Harry Potter and the Cursed Child was nominated for a record-breaking eleven Olivier awards, making it the most nominated new play in Olivier history.

Harry Potter and the Cursed Child is currently booking to 29 April 2018.  The next advance ticket release will take place on 25 April 2017.  Tickets are priced from £15 per part and for every performance there are over 300 tickets at £20 or less per part. Further ticket releases will be announced throughout the year, details of which will published via the official Harry Potter and the Cursed Child website, social media channels and the official newsletter.  

It was always difficult being Harry Potter and it isn’t much easier now that he is an overworked employee of the Ministry of Magic, a husband and father of three school-age children.  While Harry grapples with a past that refuses to stay where it belongs, his youngest son Albus must struggle with the weight of a family legacy he never wanted.  As past and present fuse ominously, both father and son learn the uncomfortable truth: sometimes, darkness comes from unexpected places.

 

Jamie Glover (Harry Potter) was last on stage in What’s in a Name? for Birmingham Repertory Theatre. His other theatre credits include The Rehearsal, An Ideal Husband and If Only all for Chichester Festival Theatre, Donkeys’ Years at the Rose Theatre Kingston, Noises Off at the Old Vic and Novello Theatre in the West End, The Chalk Garden for the Donmar Warehouse, The Shawl and The Man Who Had All the Luck both for Sheffield Crucible, The Novice for the Almeida Theatre and The Invention of Love for the Theatre Royal Haymarket.  For the Royal Shakespeare Company his credits include All’s Well That Ends Well, The Roman Actor and Edward III.  On film his credits include These Foolish Things, Sacred Life and Age of Treason.  He is best known on television for playing Andrew Treneman in Waterloo Road and James Lacey in Agatha Raisin, and has also been seen in Endeavour and Doctor Who: An Adventure in Space and Time.

 

Emma Lowndes’ (Ginny Potter) many television credits include Bella Gregson in Cranford, Mary Rivers in Jane Eyre and Margie Drewe in Downton Abbey. She can soon be seen as Carla Davis in Channel 4’s The Trial. Her theatre credits include The Herbal Bed at the Royal and Derngate Theatre Northampton, Children of the Sun and Thérèse Raquin for the National Theatre, The Accrington Pals, Port, The Rise and Fall of Little Voice and The Seagull for the Royal Exchange Theatre and Whose Life is it Anyway? at the Comedy Theatre.  On film her credits includeMother’s Milk and All or Nothing.

 

Theo Ancient (Albus Potter) trained at RADA and will make his professional stage debut in Harry Potter and the Cursed Child.

Thomas Aldridge (Ron Weasley) is currently appearing in Les Misérables at the Queen’s Theatre.  His previous theatre credits include The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe for Birmingham Rep, Made in Dagenham at the Adelphi Theatre, A Midsummer Night’s Dream andThe Taming of the Shrew for the Open Air Theatre Regent’s Park, The Secret Garden and Peter Pan – A Musical Adventure for West Yorkshire Playhouse and Birmingham Rep, His Dark Materialson UK tour, Only the Brave for Soho Theatre, and High Society at the Shaftesbury Theatre.  His television credits include Undercover, Titanic, Call the Midwife, Silent Witness, Hope and Glory andThe Support Group.  His film credits include Flea and Blasted.

 

Rakie Ayola (Hermione Granger) was last on stage in The Rest of Your Life at the Bush Theatre.  Her previous theatre credits include King Lear at the Royal Exchange Theatre where she played Goneril, Crave/4.48 Psychosis for Sheffield Crucible, The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time at the Apollo Theatre, Dido Queen of Carthage for the Globe Theatre, The Winter’s Tale for the Royal Shakespeare Company and Welcome to Thebes for the National Theatre.  Her television credits include No Offence, Vera, Under Milk Wood, Black Mirror, Doctor Who, Silent Witness andHolby City.  Her film credits include Been So Long, Dredd, Now is Good and Sahara.

 

Helen Aluko (Rose Granger-Weasley) is an original member of the Harry Potter and the Cursed Child company.  Her previous theatre credits include Doctor Faustus for the Royal Exchange Theatre, Once Language, Many Voices for TNT, The Price for Walking Forward, The Wind in the Willows for Sixteen Feet Productions and Beauty and the Beast at Theatre Royal Stratford East.  Her television credits include The Driver.

 

James Howard (Draco Malfoy) is an original member of the Harry Potter and the Cursed Childcompany.  His previous theatre credits include Brave New World for Northampton Theatre Royal, Romeo and Juliet, As You Like It, Mojo, King Lear and Morte D’Arthur for the Royal Shakespeare Company, Twelfth Night and Ivanov for Donmar Warehouse and The Duchess of Malfi for the National Theatre.  His television credits include Black Mirror, Dark Matters, Skins, Spooks, Inspector Lynley Mysteries and Dream Team.  On film his credits include Survivor, The Theory of Everything, The Oxford Murders and Penelope.

Samuel Blenkin (Scorpius Malfoy) trained at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama and also makes his professional stage debut in Harry Potter and the Cursed Child.

 

Based on an original new story by J.K. Rowling, Jack Thorne and John Tiffany, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child is a new play by Jack Thorne, directed by John Tiffany with movement by Steven Hoggett, set by Christine Jones, costumes by Katrina Lindsay, music & arrangements by Imogen Heap, lighting by Neil Austin, sound by Gareth Fry, illusions & magic by Jamie Harrison, music supervision & arrangements by Martin Lowe and casting byJulia Horan CDG.

 

Harry Potter and the Cursed Child is one play presented in two parts.  Both parts are intended to be seen in order on the same day (matinee and evening) or on two consecutive evenings.  On Thursdays there is an evening performance of Part One and on Fridays an evening performance of Part Two. On those days tickets to each part can be bought together or separately.  Tickets for Wednesday matinee and Wednesday evening performances can also be bought together or separately.

The regular performance schedule is as follows – Monday – no performance, Tuesday – no performance, Wednesday – 2pm Part One & 7.30pm Part Two, Thursday – 7.30pm Part One, Friday – 7.30pm Part Two, Saturday – 2pm Part One & 7.30pm Part Two, Sunday – 1pm Part One & 6.30pm Part Two.

Every Friday, The Friday Forty takes place at 1pm when 40 tickets are released for every performance the following week for some of the very best seats in the theatre.  Subsequent ticket releases take place each Friday for performances the following week.  Priced at £40 (£20 per part) tickets will secure a seat for both Part One and Part Two on consecutive performances.  Customers will be selected at random for the opportunity to buy tickets online and will be able to purchase a maximum of two tickets for both Part One and Part Two in one transaction.  To ensure that as many people as possible have the chance to access these tickets, they will only be available to buy online www.harrypottertheplay.com/ticket-information

Returned and other late-release tickets may also become available at short notice. These are not guaranteed, but any tickets that do become available will be sold on a first-come-first-served basis, online or in person at the Palace Theatre box office at full price.

Harry Potter and the Cursed Child is produced by Sonia Friedman Productions, Colin Callender and Harry Potter Theatrical Productions.

Box Office – 0343 208 0500

www.HarryPotterthePlay.com

www.harrypottertheplay.com/questions

@HPPlayLDN

facebook.com/HPPlayLDN

instagram.com/hpplayldn

www.pottermore.com

ALL ‘OGRE’ THE LAND

FURTHER VENUES ANNOUNCED FOR NEW NATIONWIDE TOUR OPENING IN EDINBURGH IN DECEMBER 2017

DIRECTED BY NIGEL HARMAN

Producers have today announced further venues for the 2017/18 tour of SHREK THE MUSICAL®, with new dates in Sheffield, Cardiff, Woking, Liverpool, Canterbury, Milton Keynes, Bristol, Llandudno and Leeds. Priority booking opens from 10am on Thursday 30 March, with general on-sale on Monday 10 April.

As previously announced, the larger-than-life production opens at the Edinburgh Playhouse for the Christmas 2017/18  season from 12 December 2017 to 7 January 2018 and will also tour to Manchester, Sunderland, Birmingham, Aberdeen, Northampton, Stoke and Blackpool, with further venues to be announced.

Glasgow Evening Times
‘A fun, fairytale spectacular fit for all the family’

Nigel Harman will return as director, having made his directorial debut on SHREK THE MUSICAL’s first UK and Ireland Tour. Best known for his television and stage work, Nigel Harman originated the role of Lord Farquaad in the West End production, winning the Olivier Award for Best Performance in a Supporting Role in a Musical. Television credits include heart-throb Dennis Rickman in EastEnders, villainous valet Mr Green in Downton Abbey and Bradley in Sky’s Mount Pleasant, which aired its sixth series in Autumn 2016. Notable stage appearances include Jamie Lloyd’s production of Three Days of Rain alongside James McAvoy, Privates on Parade at the Donmar Warehouse and A Chorus of Disapproval, directed by Trevor Nunn.

Manchester Evening News
‘A perfect mixture of music, dance and performance comedy, with a sprinkling of fresh gags and slightly risqué humour to keep adults on their toes.’
(Winner of 2014 CityLife Award for Best Musical)

SHREK THE MUSICAL® is based on the story and characters from William Steig’s book Shrek!and the Oscar®-winning DreamWorks Animations feature film. Originally directed in the West End by Jason Moore and Rob Ashford, the production has book and lyrics by David Lindsay-Abaire, music by Jeanine Tesori with multi award-winning set and costume design by Tim Hatley.

Join our unlikely hero Shrek and his loyal steed Donkey as they embark on a quest to rescue the beautiful (if slightly temperamental) Princess Fiona from a fire-breathing, love-sick dragon. Add the diminutive Lord Farquaad, a gang of fairytale misfits and a biscuit with attitude, and you’ve got the biggest, brightest musical comedy around! Featuring all new songs as well as cult Shrek anthem I’m a Believer, SHREK THE MUSICAL® brings over 100 much-loved fairytale characters, plus a 14 foot dragon, to life in an all-singing, all-dancing extravaganza.

Bristol Post *****
‘Simply Shrektacular – a musical extravaganza for big kids and little kids alike’

SHREK THE MUSICAL® was seen by nearly 800,000 people on its first highly acclaimed UK and Ireland tour in 2014, visiting 25 major venues over 20 months. The production was first staged in the UK at London’s Theatre Royal Drury Lane in 2011. Since opening on Broadway in 2008 SHREK THE MUSICAL®  has toured to nearly 150 cities in the USA and Canada, with productions having also played in Spain, Poland, France, Malaysia, China, Brazil, Italy, Denmark, The Netherlands, Estonia, Israel and Turkey.

The UK and Ireland tour of the original DreamWorks Production will be presented by Neal Street Productions, Playful Productions, Ron Kastner, Saracen Films, Tulchin/Bartner Productions, Gavin Kalin, Glass Half Full Productions/Just For Laughs Theatricals, Lee Menzies and Mark Cartwright.

Casting and further tour dates will be announced in due course.

LISTINGS INFORMATION

Tuesday 12 December 2017 – Sunday 7 January 2018
EDINBURGH PLAYHOUSE
www.atgtickets.com/edinburgh
0844 871 3014

Tuesday 16 January – Sunday 28 January 2018
PALACE THEATRE, MANCHESTER
www.atgtickets.com/manchester
0844 871 3019

Wednesday 31 January – Sunday 11 February 2018
SUNDERLAND EMPIRE THEATRE
www.atgtickets.com/sunderland
0844 871 3022

Wednesday 14 February – Sunday 25 February 2018
NEW ALEXANDRA THEATRE, BIRMINGHAM
www.atgtickets.com/birmingham
0844 871 3011

Wednesday 28 February – Sunday 11 March 2018
HIS MAJESTY’S THEATRE, ABERDEEN
www.boxofficeaberdeen.com
01224 641 122

Wednesday 14 March – Sunday 25 March, 2018
ROYAL & DERNGATE, NORTHAMPTON
www.royalandderngate.co.uk
01604 624 811

Wednesday 28 March – Sunday 8 April 2018 *On Sale from May*
SHEFFIELD LYCEUM THEATRE
www.sheffieldtheatres.co.uk
0114 249 6000

Tuesday 10 April – Sunday 22 April 2018
WALES MILLENNIUM CENTRE, CARDIFF
www.wmc.org.uk
029 2063 6464

Wednesday 2 May – Sunday 13 May 2018
REGENT THEATRE, STOKE
www.atgtickets.com/stoke
0844 871 7649

Tuesday 15 May – Sunday 27 May 2018
BLACKPOOL WINTER GARDENS THEATRE
www.wintergardensblackpool.co.uk
01253 625 252

Wednesday 30 May – Sunday 10 June 2018
NEW VICTORIA THEATRE, WOKING
www.atgtickets.com/woking
0844 871 7645

Tuesday 12 June – Sunday 24 June 2018
LIVERPOOL EMPIRE
www.atgtickets.com/liverpool
0844 871 3017

Wednesday 11 July – Sunday 22 July 2018
MARLOWE THEATRE, CANTERBURY
www.marlowetheatre.com
01227 787787

Wednesday 25 July – Sunday 5 August 2018
MILTON KEYNES THEATRE
www.atgtickets.com/miltonkeynes
0844 871 7652

Wednesday 8 August – Sunday 19 August 2018
THE BRISTOL HIPPODROME
www.atgtickets.com/bristol
0844 871 3012

Tuesday 21 August – Sunday 2 September 2018
VENUE CYMRU, LLANDUDNO
www.venuecymru.co.uk
01492 872000

Tuesday 18 December 2018 – Sunday 6 January 2019
LEEDS GRAND THEATRE
www.leedsgrandtheatre.com
0844 848 2700
FURTHER TOUR DATES TO BE ANNOUNCED IN DUE COURSE
WEBSITE:  www.shrekthemusical.co.uk
TWITTER: www.twitter.com/shrekuktour
FACEBOOK: www.facebook.com/shrekthemusicallondon
YOUTUBE: www.youtube.com/ShrekLondon

Grand Opera House York – 28 March 2017.  Reviewed by Michelle Richardson

Bill Kenwright brings to stage the Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice’s 1970s musical Evita, now playing at the Grand Opera House, York, running until Saturday 1st April.

The story follows the meteoric rise from rags to riches of Eva Peron. Born in poverty she moves to Buenos Aires and becoming a bit part actress. We see her basically sleeping her way to the top, discarding suitors along the way as she moves onto the next, someone who will benefit her more, becoming the first lady after marrying military leader Juan Peron and becoming the spiritual leader of Argentina, until ultimately dying at the age of 33, succumbing to cancer.

Emma Hatton plays a convincing Eva, showcasing her musical talents in the excellent rendition of Don’t Cry For Me Argentina, which she sings with great sentimentality and delivers a powerful statement. She may be small but she can sure pack a punch, portraying both the power and fragility of Eva.

Gian Marco Schiaretti as Che, is certainly pleasing on the eye (am I allowed to say that?), is the narrator prowling and dominating the stage, being the voice of the people. His confident story telling, through song, binds the show together, taking the audience on a journey. We see him lurking in the shadows, always representing the people. This is his first UK role, he is Italian, and his vocals are quite rich with that European lilt.

This pair were definitely the stand out members of the cast for me, but they were well backed by the other cast members, including Kevin Stephen-Jones as Juan Peron. All the ensemble and live musicians worked hard to deliver a great show.

This is the first time I’ve seen Evita, I’ve never even seen the film, and though I’ve heard of Eva Peron I did not know the story. All I can say now is that I don’t think I like Eva Peron. She slept her way to the top and manipulated the common people of Argentina whilst getting rich in the process. She may have been adored by the people, but not me.

This was a powerful show and one not to be missed!

York Theatre Royal – 28 March 2017.  Reviewed by Marcus Richardson

‘Silver Lining’ is a new comedy by Sandi Toksvig, if that name sounds familiar that’s because she took over Stephan Fry on ‘QI’ and will soon be presenting the ‘Great British Bake-Off”.

 

The play with its very feminist and socio-political roots explores issues such as how we treat the elderly and people of different genders, race and sexuality, touching upon these issues can be dodgy as there is a fine line between a joke and an insult, when watching this play I found myself laughing all the way through and not at one point did I find anything a step too far.

 

It follows a group of old women who are left abandoned in their care home whilst a flood is about to destroy the house, waiting for help that isn’t going to arrive they decide to work it out for themselves. The cast was made up of 5 old ladies each with a unique but wacky personality, the interaction between each other on stage is one of the most hilarious things that you can see on stage; you will be laughing from start to finish.

 

I loved the character May Trickett (Maggie McCarthy), she stole the show for her interaction with June Partridge (Joanna Monro) as sisters was just so funny to watch since they couldn’t be more apart, with one being the one we all love and the one we try to love. The actors were absolutly stunning with Keziah Joseph who played the young trendy girl Hope Daley, whose job is to escort them out of the building, the script was so funny and the way she worked with it added so much comic value to the play.

 

The Stage was transformed into the communal area of the care home and gave a naturalistic feel to the play, I love how the actors used the stage to the max, with a sewing machine at the back and several seats around the stage. Now if you go to the theatre often you know you will always be reminded to turn your phone off, we had a rather sweet message about turning your phone and support nonmusical theatre that doesn’t have a celebrity cast from Sandi Toskvig which made the whole audience laugh before the play even begun.

 

As part of English Touring Theatre, the show will be going around the UK and is in York until The 1st of April, if you can go and see the show you will love it as much is I do, This is defiantly topping all other comedies I have seen and has headed straight to the top as my favourite comedy. Sandi Toskvig and cast has done an amazing job in creating a hilarious but eye opening comedy that touches issues in a light manner

Mark Cartwright presents A Hampstead Downstairs Orginal

Kiss Me

Trafalgar Studios, 14 Whitehall, London SW1A 2DY

Tuesday 6th June – Saturday 8 th July 2017

Press Night: Friday 9th June, 7pm

I’m thirty two and I want a baby. There are no men.

Multi-award winning writer Richard Bean’s Kiss Me opens at Trafalgar Studios after a sold out run at Hampstead Theatre Downstairs in 2016. Claire Lams (The King’s Speech, Chichester Festival Theatre; The Little Mermaid, Bristol Old Vic; Routes, The Royal Court) and Ben Lloyd-Hughes (Future Conditional, Old Vic; Henry V, Michael Grandage Company; Jumpy, Duke of York’s Theatre) reprise their roles.

This new play is a beautiful and unorthodox love story about two people struggling to escape the guilt and ghosts of the past, set against the shifting world of London post World War I. As the roles women play change, Stephanie, a war widow finds it increasingly difficult to play by the rules as she still longs to have a baby. A meeting with Dennis changes everything. A desperate woman. A chivalrous man. And a forbidden kiss

While Bean is more often know for comedy and farce, this intimate and tender portrayal reflects emotion in a time of great crisis and suffering. Bean’s other plays include One Man, Two Guvnors, Great Britain, Made in Dagenham and the recent sell out hit The Nap, which starred Jack O’Connell. He comments, I’m very excited that Kiss Me is transferring to Trafalgar Studios, and this intriguing story will hopefully find a wider audience. It will be great to be working with Claire Lams, Ben Lloyd-Hughes and Anna Ledwich again.

Director Anna Ledwich will be returning to the Trafalgar Studios following her Olivier-award nomination for Four Minutes Twelve Seconds.

Hampstead Theatre also announce two other Hampstead Downstairs Originals, which will open at Hampstead this Spring. Following an initial development run at Hampstead Downstairs, the updated plays, Deposit by Matt Hartley and Alligators by Andrew Keatley will run from May.

Northern Broadsides and
New Vic Theatre to tour swashbuckling new adaptation of
Cyrano de Bergerac to The Lowry

Cyrano
Tue 18 – Sat 22 April 2017
Press night: Tue 18 April, 8pm

Northern Broadsides are set to join forces with the award-winning New Vic Theatre, Newcastle-under-Lyme, to stage Cyrano at The Lowry. Cyrano is an exciting new adaptation by award-winning playwright Deborah McAndrew (An August Bank Holiday Lark) of Edmond William classic romantic comedy Cyrano de Bergerac.

Directed by Northern Broadsides Resident director Conrad Nelson, the adaptation will be at The Lowry from Tue 18 – Sat 22 April 2017.

Set in the golden age of musketeers, Deborah McAndrew’s lively new adaptation brings fresh vigour to this swashbuckling tale of unrequited love. Add to this Northern Broadsides’ musical panache, acclaimed charisma and exuberant performance style and you have a delightful evening of pure drama that will lift your spirits and make your heart ache.

Director Conrad Nelson said: “The adaptation embraces the poeticism of Rostand’s drama, but does not confine itself to regular rhyming couplets of the original.  Poetry and prose combine in this vibrant, funny, romantic and heartbreaking adaptation. Debbie McAndrew has created a carefully crafted version that marries the energy and vibrancy of youth with the romance and classicism of the original.

“Broadsides are committed to producing high quality new adaptations and new writing for the stage. This is an ideal combination for Northern Broadsides of a classic play and a contemporary adaptation. It is a process in which McAndrew and I work closely to create a new premiere for the stage and celebrates a fourth foreign language collaboration featuring a bespoke marriage of text, musicality, wit and invention.”

Playing the title role will be Christian Edwards whose recent theatre includes playing Grantaire in the West End production of Les Miserables and most recently in The Winter’s Tale at the Octagon Theatre, Bolton. Christian will be joined in the cast by Paul Barnhill (Brassed Off, Oldham Coliseum and the recent Steven Spielberg version of The BFG which he appeared alongside his daughter Ruby who played the lead role of Sophie. Paul will also be appearing in Spielberg’s next film  Ready Player One); Angela Bain (Made in Dagenham, Queens Theatre); Adam Barlow (The Merry Wives, Northern Broadsides);Andy Cryer (Consuming Passions, Stephen Joseph Theatre, Scarborough)Jessica Dyas (The Winter’s Tale, Northern Broadsides); Francesca Mills (A Pacifist’s Guide to the War on Cancer, National Theatre, See How They Run, The Reduced Height Theatre Company, and Star Wars: Force Awakens);Michael Hugo (Around the Day in Eighty days, New Vic Theatre/ Royal Exchange); Anthony Hunt (The Commitments, West End); , Perry Moore(Peter Pan in Scarlet, New Vic Theatre); Robert Wade, Andrew Whitehead(Unsung, Liverpool Everyman Theatre) and newcomer Sharon Singh as Roxane.

Cyrano will be the first production of Northern Broadsides 25^th anniversary year. The acclaimed company will be joining forces with Hull Truck Theatre, as part of Hull 2017, for a revival of its original production in 1992 – Richard III.