Three Bears Productions and Grand Opera House York are delighted to announce that their 2017 pantomime will be…

BEAUTY AND THE BEAST

TICKETS ON SALE NOW!

Friday 15 December 2017 – Sunday 7 January 2018

BOOK NOW FOR A BEAST OF A PANTOMIME AT THE GRAND OPERA HOUSE YORK

Grand Opera York are delighted to announce that Three Bears Productions will return next Christmas with another spectacular pantomime, with lots of surprises.  After a successful run with Aladdin last year the popular story of Beauty and The Beast is sure to be the Biggest and the Beast in Yorkshire.

‘Three Bears Productions are thrilled to hear that all panto box office records at the Grand Opera House York were broken this past Christmas with

the hit production of Aladdin. We are pleased to announce that a brand new production of BEAUTY AND THE BEAST  with some very exciting special effects and fabulous sets and costumes will be this year’s sensational pantomime. A star cast will be announced shortly.’ Chris Moreno, Producer

‘We would like to thank all our customers for supporting us during our 2016 pantomime. It was fantastic to see our audiences marvel at the transformation scene and scream wildly at the 3D effects while wearing yellow glasses. This was our busiest pantomime yet. We are pleased to have The Three Bears returning later this year with their Beauty and the Beast pantomime. This pantomime title is a first for the Grand Opera House and we’re all looking forward to the cast announcement and the costumes.

The producer isn’t telling us about the special effects yet!’ Lizzie Richards, General Manager

 

Tickets from £15.75 from box office on 0844 871 3024 or online atwww.atgtickets.com/york

Schools and Family rates available.

 

Mayflower Theatre, Southampton –  until 21 Jan 2017.  Reviewed by Sharon MacDonald-Armitage

1940’s Buenos Aires sizzles to life at Southampton’s Mayflower Theatre which welcomes Bill Kenwright’s production of Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice’s musicalEvita.  Having originally opened in London’s West End in 1978 and over the years toured and returned to London a couple more times and toured yet again it is always a concern as to how fresh yet another dusted off tour might be. However, there are no obvious concerns with this current production.

Evita tells the rags to riches story of how Eva Peron an actress who caught the eye of and married Juan Peron the Argentinian President. Told often through the narration of Che (Gian Marco) who gives a solid performance in the role, we are taken through a journey of classic Webber tunes including the memorable “Oh What a Circus”, sang by Marco himself and “Another Suitcase in Another Hall”, beautifully delivered by Sarah O’Connor, but it is “Don’t Cry for me Argentina” which the audience wait patiently for. They are not disappointed. Emma Hatton is stupendous as Evita, her vocals are crisp, clear and perfect, her performance breath taking. She absolutely sparkles as she steps onto the balcony to deliver the iconic song. It is such a shame that there isn’t a clear moment for the audience to show their appreciation as there is no clear break after the song in which to do so. This was rectified however, with the ebullient applause for Hatton at curtain call.

Kevin Stephen-Jones has a beautiful voice and is convincing as a man totally in love with his wife. There are poignant and moving moments with a clear connection between him and Hatton making their character’s relationship believable.

With Latin choreography by Bill Deamer and a simple but dramatic set design by Matthew Wright there is an intense feel to the show.

The audience clearly enjoyed themselves something that was evident by the number of them singing the songs as they left the auditorium.  If you have not seen Evita before then do take a trip to the Mayflower Theatre before it moves on and if you have seen it before, still go as this show is fresh and an enjoyable evening out.

 

LEEDS GRAND THEATRE TO HOST WORLD PREMIERE OF FAT FRIENDS THE MUSICAL

Leeds’ own writer, director and producer Kay Mellor has made her hit TV series Fat Friends into a brand new stage musical – and it is set to premiere in the very city from where the story shot to fame.

Fat Friends – The Musical – written and directed by multi award-winning Kay Mellor with a score of original music by Nicholas Lloyd Webber and a lead role for Jodie Prenger – will stage its world premiere at Leeds Grand Theatre from Tuesday November 7^th 2017 for four weeks only.

Kay Mellor says: “I’m absolutely thrilled for the premier of Fat Friends The Musical to be held at Leeds Grand Theatre. Not only is Leeds my home town, but it’s where I set the television series and the stage musical. I love Leeds with a passion and the people of Leeds inspire me every day, so it fills me with pride to know that the musical will be seen by the people of Leeds first.”

The brand new production sees the nation’s favourite group of dieters reunited at the Headingley branch ofSuper Slimmers. The foodie friends are put through their Zumba paces by the lovelorn Lauren; Kelly is desperate to get into her dream wedding dress; Alan wants his wife back; Betty wants to win Slimmer of the Year and Super Slimmer founder, Julia Fleshman, wants the world to buy into her business.

“About once or twice a week I get asked if Fat Friends is going to come back on the television,” continues Kay.

“I’m always flattered that people loved the characters and premise and I thought there could be a musical using those characters and looking at weight – it’s such a topical subject matter, more so today than ever.”

Fat Friends hit British television screens in October 2000 and followed the lives of a group of overweight friends as they struggled with the absurdities of modern dieting. Running for five years on ITV, the show starred Alison Steadman, Sheridan Smith and Lisa Riley and launched the careers of James Corden andRuth Jones.

Jodie Prenger said, “I am over the moon to be starring in Kay Mellor’s Fat Friends – The Musical! I have been a huge fan of Kay’s for so long – she is the most brilliant writer, director and just one hell of a lovely lady that you could ever wish to work with. I loved Fat Friends when it was such a successful TV series so to see some of those characters come to life on stage is a joy, and I am honoured to be playing the wonderful Kelly. And what a thrill for us to premiere the show at the Leeds Grand. Knowing all the creatives involved, I am sure it’s going to be a big (fat?) hit there and around the country! I can’t wait.”

Nicholas Lloyd Webber added, ‘It’s been such a treat to collaborate with Kay on Fat Friends. The musical world of the show is bright, fresh, catchy and poppy, with tenderness as well as music to move to. My hope is that I’ve written some songs that are at once accessible yet original with as big a heart as the wonderful piece Kay has written.”

Kay concludes:  “I’m blessed to have the opportunity to work with Nick Lloyd Webber who absolutely gets my characters and world. The musical is funny and sad with a big story and some meaty and memorable songs; together I think we’ve created something rather unique.” 

 

Fat Friends – The Musical makes its premiere at Leeds Grand Theatre

from Tuesday 7^th November to Saturday 2^nd December

 

Tickets go on sale to Priority Members on Wednesday 18^th January and on General Sale Wednesday 25^thJanuary priced from £21 to £50

 

Book online at leedsgrandtheatre.com or call Box Office on 0844 848 2700

The UK’s best-selling children’s paperback of 2016,

AWFUL AUNTIE

comes to Richmond Theatre 2 November 2017

The Birmingham Stage Company are delighted to announce that the world premiere of David Walliams’ Awful Auntie, published by HarperCollins Children’s Books, will open at The Capitol Theatre in Horsham on 20 September prior to an eighteen-month UK tour.

It follows the BSC’s record-breaking tour of David Walliams’ Gangsta Granny which recently finished a sell-out fifty-week tour of the UK. The show will begin a new tour from 15 February before it transfers to the West End for a summer season at The Garrick from 26 July to 3 September.

David Walliams said today: “The Birmingham Stage Company’s Gangsta Granny is truly brilliant, so I’m hugely excited that they’re now bringing Awful Auntie to the stage. It promises to be a thrilling show and a total hoot – Wagnar and I can’t wait to see it!”

Awful Auntie was published in September 2014 and went to No.1 in the children’s book chart for seven weeks. The paperback was published in February 2016 and has sold 212,000 copies, making it the best-selling children’s paperback of the year. Combined sales of the hardback and paperback have reached 950,000 copies. It has helped to make Walliams one of the country’s best-selling children’s authors, with four of his books charting in the 2016 children’s top ten. They have also been translated into over 50 languages, bringing worldwide sales to 16.7 million.

Walliams began his publishing career at Harper Collins in 2008 with his debut novel The Boy in the Dress. Since then he has written nine more books plus five picture books. Three of his books have won National Children’s Book Awards.

Awful Auntie tells the story of Stella, who when she set off to visit London with her parents had no idea her life was in danger. Waking up from a coma three months later, only her Aunt Alberta can tell Stella what has happened. But not everything Aunt Alberta tells her turns out to be true and Stella quickly discovers she’s in for the fight of her life against her very own awful Auntie. David Williams’ amazing tale of frights, fights and friendship features a very old car, a very large owl and a very small ghost.

Awful Auntie will mark the Birmingham Stage Company’s 25th anniversary. Starting life at The Old Rep Theatre in Birmingham, the company’s productions now visit Australia, Hong Kong, Dubai and Singapore. For twelve years they have produced all the Horrible Histories stage shows which now regularly feature in the West End. Their sixth anniversary at The Garrick this summer will feature More Best of Barmy Britain.

Families around the country will not want to miss Awful Auntie, which promises to be awfully thrilling fun for everyone over 5! Starting in September the tour will visit: Horsham Capitol, Glasgow Theatre Royal, Stoke Regent Theatre, Oxford new Theatre, Shrewsbury Theatre Severn, Cambridge Arts Theatre, Richmond Theatre, Milton Keynes Theatre, Nottingham Theatre Royal, Birmingham New Alexandra Theatre and Newtown Theatr Hafren. All theatres open booking today except Cambridge which will be on sale soon.

Twitter @_AwfulAuntie

ROCK OF AGES

 

Grand Opera House York

Friday 7 – Saturday 15 April

The legendary Rock of Ages returns to the Grand Opera House in a brand new production, courtesy of York Stage Musicals, the hit producers of Ghost, Hairspray and Sister Act!

Get ready to back comb your hair, dig out that ra-ra skirt and prepare to air-guitar the evening away. This hilarious 80s themed musical features legendary 80s songs including Don’t Stop Believin’, We Built This City, The Final Countdown, Wanted Dead or Alive, Here I Go Again, Can’t Fight This Feeling and I Want To Know What Love Is – all performed live.

Starring Conor Mellor (Hairspray The Musical), Lauren Sheriston (Emmerdale, ITV’s Eternal Law, Ghost The Musical) & Adam Tomlinson (BBC Radio York)

So – grab your ticket now and be ready to Hit Me With Your Best Shot as you attend what can only be described as the most Rock-tastic theatrical party of the Year!

A triumph in every way YORK PRESS

Once again York Stage Musicals have not been afraid to set themselves a challenge, embraced ambition and delivered a result that is nothing less than a heart wrenching spectacle NOUSE

Reviews from previous productions

Tickets from £10 from box office on 0844 871 3024 or book online at www.atgtickets.com/york

WARNING: This show contains scenes of full frontal Rock Debauchery!!

Sheffield Theatres have added to their 2017 line-up with the announcement of a host of exciting new shows at the Lyceum and Studio Theatres, including Matthew Bourne’s mesmerizing production of The Red Shoes and music from Sheffield’s Everly Pregnant Brothers. Tickets for the productions go on sale to Sheffield Theatres’ Centre Stage Members on Saturday 21 January and to the general public on Saturday 28 January.

 

A beloved fairytale and Academy Award-winning movie, The Red Shoes has seduced audiences and inspired generations of dancers with its tale of obsession, possession and one girl’s dream to be the greatest dancer in the world. Matthew Bourne’s acclaimed production comes to the Lyceum Theatre from Tuesday 30 May – Saturday 3 June, following a sell-out eight week season at Sadler’s Wells. The Red Shoes is sure to dazzle your senses and break your heart.

Fresh from their recent chart success, Everly Pregnant Brothers present Electric Gravyland at the Lyceum Theatre on Friday 7 and Saturday 8 July.  This new show features tracks from their brand new album, along with usual crowd classics and stadium uke anthems.

Shaun Williamson (EastEnders, Extras, One Man Two Guv’nors) returns to the Lyceum stage inRay Cooney’s hilarious comedy Out Of Order (Wednesday 14 – Saturday 17 June). When a Government Junior Minister plans to spend the evening with one of the Opposition’s typists in the Westminster Hotel, things go disastrously wrong – beginning with the discovery of a body. This hilarious Olivier Award-winning farce also stars Sue Holderness (Only Fools & Horses, Green Green Grass); Andrew Hall (Butterflies, Coronation Street); Susie Amy (Footballers’ Wives) andJames Holmes (Miranda).

Take the family on an exciting and enchanting musical adventure with Ben and Holly’s Little Kingdom from Wednesday 5 – Thursday 6 July. Packed full of games, songs and laughter, this beautiful story of elves, princesses and childhood innocence will delight fans of the BAFTA award-winning TV programme.

 

Looking further ahead, the Christmas season begins at the Lyceum with Nativity! The Musical(Wednesday 22 – Sunday 26 November).  Every child in every school has one Christmas wish, to star in a Nativity. Join teacher Mr Maddens and his crazy assistant Mr Poppy as they struggle with hilarious children, unruly animals and a whole lot of sparkle and shine to make everyone’s Christmas wish come true. Based on the festive film, of the same name, Nativity! The Musical promises feel-good fun for all.

 

The Studio Theatre plays host to comedy from Reginald D Hunter on Friday 17 March, with a preview gig for his highly anticipated new show Some People V. Reginald D Hunter and multi award-winning Tony Law, with a brand new show of inimitable surreal comedy-art, Tony Law: A Law Undo His-elf What Welcome on Thursday 18 May.  Don’t miss the chance to see two comedyfavourites in these intimate Studio gigs.

 

The new shows go on sale to Sheffield Theatres’ Centre Stage Members on Saturday 21 January at 10.00am and to the general public on Saturday 28 January.  For more details about Centre Stage membership or to book tickets call the Box Office on 0114 249 6000 or visit sheffieldtheatres.co.uk. 

THE WORLD’S MOST SUCCESSFUL ROCK & ROLL MUSICAL

 

BUDDY – THE BUDDY HOLLY STORY

 

 

CONTINUES TO TOUR THE UK IN 2017

DUE TO HUGE POPULAR DEMAND!

 

TICKETS ON SALE NOW

 

Due to phenomenal demand for tickets Buddy – The Buddy Holly Story has announced it will extend its tour into 2017. The incredibly successful tour visits Grand Opera House York from Tuesday 21 to Saturday 25 March.

Buddy – The Buddy Holly Story tells the enduring tale of the musical icon’s meteoric rise to fame and his final legendary performance at the Surf Ballroom in Clear Lake, Iowa, before his tragic and untimely death at the age of 22. In 18 short months the Texas-born boy revolutionized the face of contemporary music influencing everyone from The Beatles to Bruce Springsteen.

The production boasts a phenomenally multi-talented cast comprising of Glen Joseph and AlexFobbester (who alternate the role of Buddy Holly), Miguel Angel, Joe Butcher, Celia Cruwys-Finnigan, Jordan Cunningham, Josh Haberfield, Kerry Low, Thomas Mitchells, Matthew Quinn, Tom Sowinski and Alex Tosh. Together they present two terrific hours of music with over 20 of his greatest hits, including the timeless classics That’ll Be The Day, Peggy Sue, Oh Boy and Rave On.

With the Big Bopper’s Chantilly Lace and Ritchie Valens’ La Bamba completing a stellar musical line-up, Buddy is a not to be missed evening of family entertainment.

Although there have been many imitations Buddy – The Buddy Holly Story has stood the test of time. The show has inspired a generation of multi-million selling juke-box musicals, including Mamma Mia and We Will Rock You, still remains a true original and a musical phenomenon.

Seen by over 22 million music fans since it opened in London’s West End in 1989, Buddy speaks an international language and continues to have audiences from aged 8 to 80 years old rockin’ in the aisles across the globe!

Buddy’s widow, Maria Elena Holly, says of the show: “When we opened the show we never imagined Buddy’s music and story would still be rocking stages and entertaining audiences around the world week-in week-out over 25 years later. I believe this is testament to a great show – the first of its kind – and to the enduring appeal of Buddy Holly and what he represents; a youthful energy, huge talent and creativity, combined with a determination to make a lasting impression in this world.”

Writer/Producer Alan Janes says “Audiences aged 8 to 80 dance in the aisles every night to our enactment of the story of a young man whose musical career spanned an all-too-brief period but whose music will be remembered forever”.

To book tickets for Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story at Grand Opera House York from 21 – 25 March visit www.atgtickets.com/york or call the Box Office on 0844 871 3024.

 

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English Touring Theatre have confirmed casting for the world première of Sandi Toksvig’s new comedy Silver Lining, a co-production withRose Theatre Kingston. Sheila Reid plays Gloria, with Rachel Davies as Maureen, Keziah Joseph as Hope, Maggie McCarthy as May, Joanna Munro as June andAmanda Walker as St Michael in the production directed by Rebecca Gatward. The production will be at The Lowry from Tue 4 – Sat 8 April. Silver Lining tells the tale of five extraordinary yet forgotten women, who come together one treacherous night to recreate The Great Escape – senior citizen style. On one dark and stormy night in the upper day room of the Silver Retirement Home, five elderly ladies are trading stories of their remarkable lives. With the storm floods rising and no rescue team in sight, the ladies are faced with the sudden realisation that in order to survive they are going to have to do what they have done for their entire lives – do it themselves! Sandi Toksvig is a writer, actor, presenter and political activist.  Her previous writing for the stage includes the musical Big Night Out at the Little Sands Picture Palace and The Pocket Dream.  Until last year she was the presenter of BBC Radio 4’s The News Quiz and in October 2016 she takes over from Stephen Fry as the host of BBC television quiz show QI.  She is the joint founder of the Women’s Equality Party which was established in March 2015. Sheila Reid plays Gloria.  Her theatre credits include Pericles (Shakespeare’s Globe), Othello and The Three Sisters (The Old Vic), Romeo and Juliet, Tis Pity She’s a Whore and Richard III (RSC), When I Was A Girl I Used To Scream And Shout and My Mother Said I Never Should (Royal Court Theatre), The Importance of Being Earnest (Theatre Royal Haymarket), Pornography (Tricycle Theatre), Into The Woods (Donmar Warehouse), Filomena (Almeida Theatre), Hedda Gabler (National Theatre) and at Edinburgh Festival, Love Among the Butterflies, Terrible with Raisons In It (both of which she wrote) and Maurice’s Jubilee (also UK tour).  For television, she is perhaps best known for her role as Madge in ITV comedy Benidorm; her other television credits include Call the Midwife, Doctor Who, Father Brown and Psychobitches. Rachel Davies plays Maureen. Her theatre credits include Ecstasy (Hampstead Theatre), The Party and The Bacchae (National Theatre), Long Day’s Journey Into Night (New Theatre and Old Vic). For television her credits include Emmerdale, A Passionate Woman, New Tricks, Best Friends, Bodies, Cutting it, The Chase, Dalziel & Pascoe and Linda Green. Keziah Joseph as Hope. Keziah trained at the Central School of Speech and Drama this marks her professional debut. Maggie McCarthy plays May. Her theatre credits include We Wait in Joyful Hope (Theatre 503), The Absence of War (Headlong/Sheffield Theatres/Rose Theatre Kingston), Juno and the Paycock (Bristol Old Vic/Liverpool Theatres), Gaslight (Salisbury Playhouse), Children of the Sun, Cocktail Sticks, Doctor’s Dilemma, Major Barbara, Much Ado About Nothing, Philistines, The Rose Tattoo, Mother Clap’s Molly House (National Theatre), Private Lives and Uncle Vanya (Chichester Festival Theatre). Her work for television includes Dancing On the Edge, Feather Boy and She’s Out. Her work for film includes Attack the Block, Leap Year and Hilary And Jackie. Joanna Munro plays June.  Her theatre credits include Jack and the Beanstalk (Hall for Cornwall), Mamma Mia (West End and international tour), Breeze Block Park (Liverpool Playhouse), Habeus Corpus (Exeter Northcott), Women On The Verge Of HRT, Golden Leaf Strut and The Master Builder (Belgrade Theatre, Coventry), Blood Brothers (West End), Prisoner Cell Block H, Baby Love, Rough Crossing, All’s Well That Ends Well, Dead White Males, The Price Of Meat and The Taming Of The Shrew (Nuffield Theatre) and Dreams Of San Francisco (Bush Theatre).  For television her work includes Confessions of a Diary Secretary, Angels, People Like Us, The Cazelet Chronicles, Doctor Who, Fast Forward, The Life and Death of Philip Knight and Dream Team.  She is currently a recurring character in the BBC Radio 4 series Homefront. Amanda Walker plays St Michael.  Her theatre credits include Orpheus Descending (Haymarket Theatre), Waiting in September: The War On Terror (Southbank Centre) and Superior Donuts (Southwark Playhouse).  Her television work includes The Missing, Murphy’s Law, My Family, Daylight Robbery, Fish and The New Adventures of Robin Hood;  and for film The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus, Captain America: The First Avenger and Cloud Atlas. Rebecca Gatward directs. Her theatre credits include The Night Watch (Manchester Royal Exchange), The Merry Wives of Windsor (Grosvenor Park Open Air Theatre, Chester), for West Yorkshire Playhouse; The Accrington Pals and Beryl (also Rose Theatre Kingston), The Trial Of Dennis The Menace (Southbank Centre), The Comedy Of Errors, The Merchant Of Venice (Shakespeare’s Globe), Pandas (Traverse Theatre), The Indian Boy (RSC Complete Works Festival), The Canterbury Tales directed in partnership with Greg Doran and Jonathan Munby and Thyestes for The Other Place (RSC), Touched (Salisbury Playhouse), Cancer Tales (New Wolsey Theatre Ipswich). She was Company Director on This Is Our Youth with Matt Damon and Casey Affleck at the Garrick Theatre.  Her work for television includes EastEnders (winner Broadcast award and soap award nominations for best episode and scene), Casualty, Doctors and Sadie J. Listings Info Silver Lining The Lowry Tue 4 – Sat 8 April 2017 7:30pm, Wed & Sat 2pm Tickets: £24.50 – £30.50 (Including booking fees) Box office: 0843 208 6000 Website

THE HOSPITAL CLUB PRESENTS

RICHARD FOSTER: BETWEEN SENSE AND UNCERTAINTY

 

ACCLAIMED STILL LIFE PHOTOGRAPHER STEPS OUT FROM BEHIND THE LENS

WITH THE FIRST EVER EXHIBITION OF HIS PERSONAL WORK

MARKING TEN YEARS SINCE THE ACCIDENT THAT PUT HIM IN A WHEELCHAIR

 

WITH PROCEEDS GOING TO BACK UP – THE ORGANISATION THAT HELPED HIM REGAIN HIS INDEPENDENCE, IN HONOUR OF ITS 30^TH ANNIVERSARY 

 

PRIVATE VIEW THURSDAY 2 MARCH – PUBLIC EXHIBITION 3 – 5 MARCH 2017

 

The Hospital Club is pleased to announce the first ever exhibition of acclaimed still life photographer Richard Foster’s personal work: a collection of abstract and figurative photographs taken over the last ten years since the car accident which paralysed him from the chest down. Proceeds from the exhibition will go to Back Up a charity supporting those affected by spinal cord injury, which recently celebrated its 30^th anniversary. The exhibition is FREE to the public from 3 – 5 March, with a private view on 2 March.

Richard Foster has been working as a still life photographer and director for over 20 years. Working mainly in the luxury goods industry, he specialises in making products look aspirational through beautifully lit, textural images. Richard’s clients include Burberry, Prada, Mulberry, Rolls-Royce, Vogue, DeBeers, Glenfiddich, Johnnie Walker and many more.

 

In 2006 Richard was travelling in Australia with his wife and three sons when they had a car crash. His family avoided lasting injury, but Richard broke his neck and was left paralysed from the chest down. After 6 months of rehabilitation at Stoke Mandeville, he moved home and with the love and support of his family he began to rebuild his life. It was around this time that Richard discovered Back Up, who were instrumental in helping him regain his independence.

 

Back Up is a UK charity that exists to help those affected by spinal cord injury. Their services include mentoring, wheelchair skills training and activity courses as well as support in getting back to work or school after an injury.

 

Richard Foster said, “Back Up opened my mind to the possibilities of being up a mountain, returning to work, or the even greater challenge of how to get up the curb on a London street. They focused me on what I could, rather than what I couldn’t do. To mark a decade since my accident, and 30 years of Back Up, I thought this would be the perfect time to step out from behind the lens and exhibit my personal work for the very first time, and I hope we raise a lot of money for a cause that is very close to my heart.”

 

10 years on Richard continues to do what he loves most: photography. Reinforcing his reputation as one of the preeminent photographers in the field of still life, his skills are called upon from all over the world. He recently published a critically acclaimed book of abstract imagery, Between Sense and Uncertainty.

www.richardfoster.com