IGNITE THE INFERNO. FEEL THE FEVER.

LIKE NEVER BEFORE!

BILL KENWRIGHT

by special arrangement with the ROBERT STIGWOOD organisation presents

A NEW PRODUCTION OF THE HIT MUSICAL

SATURDAY NIGHT FEVER

Based on the Paramount/RSO Film and the story by Nick Cohn

Adapted for the stage by Robert Stigwood in collaboration with Bill Oakes

Marking 40 years since its famous UK cinema release, SATURDAY NIGHT FEVER is reimagined and revitalised in a big new music and dance spectacular.

The 1977 Travolta classic movie was an instant hit when it was released in cinemas, and the album is still one of the best-selling movie soundtracks of all time.

Whilst paying homage to the movie, this new stage version also promises

more drama, more music and hot new choreography, which is sure to have audiences on their feet and dancing the night away!

Opening in London at the New Wimbledon Theatre on 30 August 2018, a nationwide tour includes Liverpool, Birmingham, Bristol, Aylesbury, Glasgow, Edinburgh, Llandudno and Cardiff.

SATURDAY NIGHT FEVER tells the story of Tony Manero, and his reckless, yet thrilling road to dancing success. It features the Bee Gees greatest hits including Stayin’ Alive, How Deep Is Your Love, Night Fever, Tragedy and More Than a Woman as well as 70’s favorites Boogie Shoes, Disco Inferno and many more.

More exciting announcements soon.

LISTINGS

SATURDAY NIGHT FEVER

UK TOUR

DATES & VENUES:

Further dates to be announced.

Website: www.kenwright.com

Hen and Chicken, Highbury – 7 March 2018.  Reviewed by Sharon Hinds Kennedy

2**

The Theatre of Heaven and Hell presents Dario Fo’s Abducting Diana

This production took place at the Hen and Chicken Theatre Bar in Highbury and Islington, London. The theatre is above a fun and busy bar which could not be heard upstairs in the theatre. The theatre itself is small and intimate with raised seating facing a small performance area. Lighting was very good as was the use of the performance area. Props consisted of a table, a couple of chairs and a very large freezer chest (big enough to fit a large man inside!). Scene changes were cleverly accomplished by the removal of dust sheets that had been thrown over the aforementioned props before the play began.

The performance begin with the main character guiding a blindfolded man, for whom she has plans of a sexual nature. It appears she picked up this man randomly at a club. Before anything can happen between them, their intimacy is disturbed by a gang of gas mask wearing kidnappers. It soon turns out that the gang believe they have kidnapped a millionaire business woman and proprietor of a tabloid newspaper.

The performance starts off with a hilarious and entertaining scene, when they find out they have actually got the businesswoman’s body double. The first half is very funny, with the use of cardboard cut out masks to conceal the identity of the kidnappers.

However the play soon descends into farce as the incompetence of the kidnappers becomes apparent as Diana takes control of the gang to discover who is behind her kidnap and it becomes apparent they really do have the real Diana.

Just over a third of the way through the farce becomes strangely dark and loses it’s way. There is a point where a character stands on chair in a Christ like manner glowing in red light and babbles incoherently, a strange motif in a farce. After this mysterious and slightly confusing act, the play resumes its previous comedic nature. But then a twist as it ends with two dark endings.

At times the script was rather cheesy and it seemed unable to decide what genre it was aiming to place itself under.

Edinburgh Playhouse – until 24 February 2018.  Reviewed by Linda McLaughlan

5*****

This new production by Bill Kenwright of the Von Trapp family is a true version of how the family who were fierce opponents of the developing Nazi regime fled their be-loved Austria but by bringing Maria and music into the family helped ease the burden of their oppression’s.

At the beginning of the performance we see Maria played by Lucy O’Byrne as a young Novice from a Benedictine Convent enjoying some time in the Mountains she has grown up knowing. Precious time away from the strict religious life she has devoted herself too. Maria is given the task of becoming a Governess for the seven Von Trapp children.

The Mother Abbott played by Pippa Winslow in her role portraying the strict Religious figure who through her experience takes advice from the other nuns, but at the same time knowing how Maria ticks and why she finds the convents rules hard to adhere too at times. The Mother Abbott and Maria are both local girls who before taking up religious order, both had similar ideas as described in the song My Favourite Things it shows that they both look outside the convent at their past lives.

The story continues with Maria being introduced to the Von Trapp children by their father Naval Captain Von Trapp played by Neil McDermott. His strict approach shows the audience how he summons his children and staff by the use of a whistle, much to the horror of Maria who promptly refuses to be summoned this way. This causes a little discord with the Captain but he learns to get used to it.

Maria introduces the children to the wonders of singing and music by going through the musical scale Do Re Me which the children take to very well. At first the children are sceptical about a new Governess and at first consider their tricks to get hid of her but hey soon realise that Maria wants to be their friend rather than a teacher/governess. This is seen when the eldest child confides in how she feels about a local boy Rolf Gruber who finds reasons to return to the Von Trapp home delivering telegrams.

The range of music takes the audience through the story of the family’s joys and sorrows and the hardships they overcome together with the favourites such as Sixteen Going On Seventeen, The Lonely Goatherd, So Long Farewell and Climb Every Mountain

This arrangement brought freshness to the night and added a classic touch. Songs which everyone recognised allowed the audience to participate by clapping and singing throughout the performance. I would recommend that everyone makes a family night of going to the Playhouse to enjoy this performance of a classic movie played out on the stage. The evening concluded with a much deserved standing ovation and a fantastic opening performance which everyone associated with the

Production team and performers should be very proud of themselves delivery a truly spectacular performance from the youngest star to well established performers who bring a wealth of experience and talent to the show

York Theatre Royal until Saturday 17th March 2018. Reviewed by Michelle Richardson

3 ½ ***

York Light Opera Company bring the musical fable of Broadway, Guys and Dolls, by Frank Loesser, Jo Swerling and Abe Burrows, to the stage at York Theatre Royal.

The show opens with a lively dance number where the stage is full of the hustle and bustle of 1950’s New York. The story revolves around two couples, a crazy mixed bunch of gamblers, a gangster, some street missionaries and beautiful showgirls, The Hot Box Girls.

Nathan Detroit (Andy Roberts), is intent on setting up an illegal craps game and needs to find somewhere to host it, a place where he won’t be caught out, much to the disapproval of his fiancée of 14 years, Miss Adelaide (Rachael Wilkinson), a cabaret singer. He has somewhere in mind but has to fork out $1000, money he just does not have. He comes up with the idea of making a bet that he cannot lose, is there such a thing (?), with Sky Masterson (George Morgan), who will bet on anything and usually wins. The bet involves Masterson convincing Salvation Army Sergeant Sarah Brown (Annabel Van Griethuysen) to accompany him on a date to Havana. Needless to say, the charming Masterson, in all his bravado, manages to pull it off, but beneath the veneer we can see a softer side and the obvious chemistry between the characters.

The large ensemble cast showed great chemistry, that word again, worked well together and looked like they were having a blast. The orchestra, conducted by John Atkin, were uplifting and a real asset to the whole performance.

The four leads hold their own throughout the show. Roberts plays Detroit as a cheeky, loveable chancer that you can’t help siding with. Wilkinson plays his long suffering fiancée, with her squeaky New York accent, with a vulnerability and sweet innocence, belying the fact that she is a cabaret singer. Morgan and Van Griethuysen are making their first appearances with York Light, both who I would love to see again. The two, but especially Van Griethuysen, gave great vocal performances and I have already mentioned showed a lovely chemistry together and I really wanted the “guy” to get the “doll”.

There were a few teething problems on the opening night, namely the noisy scene changes from behind the curtain and a couple of mike hiccups. I’m glad to say that they weren’t too much of a distraction and I’m sure will improve as the run continues.

Guys and Dolls is really just a sweet tale about saints and sinners, but ultimately redemption, that in parts made me laugh out loud, what more could you ask?

Clapham Omnibus, London- Until 9th March.  Reviewed by Sabrina Fancy

4 ****

Fat rascals have created another brilliant production in Tom and Bunny Save the World!

Set in the UK, this is a tongue and cheek musical about diverse group of people who are trying to flee zombies who have taken over the UK and are in search of a cure for a zombie-apocalypse infested UK.

There are several queer characters with a cast of strong, fierce women! I love a good female heroine! Fat Rascals, the brilliant production company behind the show are renowned for creating fresh and funny feminist theatre-which is a real rarity in musical theatre!

The show centres around free loving Bunny (played by Robyn Grant) and Oxford graduate geek Tom (Jamie Mawson) The 2 of them form an unlikely team to make the journey up to Yorkshire. Mawson and Grant have a great on stage, presence. The other cast members deliver an equally brilliant performance as well and are real standouts, despite not being the leads.

The show pokes fun at the UK’s regional stereotypes, which is very amusing. The musical numbers are short, but punchy and all of the cast members had great vocals – especially Robyn Grant (Bunny). It is difficult not to enjoy this. With Zombies, and catchy folk tunes this is something unique. The dialogue was also very witty along with the musical score. I genuinely feel that this is a supremely talented cast. I also loved the understated political elements that were subtly weaved into the framework of the production.

My only complaint of Tom and Bunny Save The World, was that it was only an hour long, which left me wanting more! However, this is a great testament for the quality of the production.

If you can manage to catch Tom and Bunny, expect lots of laughs, madness and catchy folk tunes performed by a very talented cast. This is the third production that I have seen by Fat Rascals and I always leave with a smile on my face. I give this 4 stars.

The Vaults Festival, London – 7 March 2018.  Reviewed by Brian Gordon

5*****

The Vaults Festival has been running since 2011 and is now an exciting and vibrant collective of events and activities spread in the bowels of the tunnels below Waterloo Station. Easily accessed and a truly inviting atmosphere the festival has show after show in amongst the bars, food and social areas of this unique environment. Shows running until 18th March means you still have the chance to catch this event.

OK Bye is being delivered on its opening night like it had been running from the start of the festival. RedBellyBlack Theatre Companies production and arrangement was top draw with a cleverly articulated story of the goodbye. The recollection and reflection along with the story telling of the loss of a parent. The matriarch figure who was the glue in the siblings’ relationships is gone. Caring, death, grief and time are portrayed with the clever use of choreography, none dialogue, music and a little singing and dancing to great effect. Simple and yet effective lighting and set enabled the cast to deliver a funny and yet thought-provoking narrative to living life whilst working hard and working happy, as well as being knocked by the crackles of grief.

Wrestling with the nuances of not being guided and finding a new world order the rhythm of life has changed and will never be the same again. The eldest and only daughter April played by Kate Goodfellow gives a wonderful performance throughout with humour and poignance balanced whilst also able to deliver a lip-synched discussion over the weight of the world being on a pigeon’s shoulders…! Pete the older brother is portrayed by Sam Cornforth with hilarious and endearing quality. The baby of the family, university drop out Oli is delivered by Oscar Scott-White and is intriguing within the dynamic. Forced together again by tragedy and finding a new rhythm in life, its challenging having to be the grown up….

Musically accompanied from within view by Andrew Armfield and ably supported by Abi Toghill and Sally Colletts production this show uses a mix of techniques and craftsmanship to deliver a unique performance. Over played interviews, light boxes, dance and novel physical comedy to name but a few. You will sympathise, laugh, understand and be intrigued as you watch this hour of real moments with people.

I would recommend heading down the Vaults Festival to see this or indeed a selection of the shows on offer amongst the labyrinth of entertainment and art. OK Bye is a five star production running until 11 March 18 and for less than a tenner you will get a show that you will chat about for days for its unique story telling…

Richmond Theatre – until 10th March. Reviewed by Jessica Brady

5*****

The 70’s classic Sit-com Some Mothers Do ‘Ave’ Em gave us some wonderful years of slapstick comedy with heart behind it and notable catch phrases have stood the test of time. So, it seems like a perfect opportunity to relive this classic in a wonderfully written stage version filled to the brim with hilarious and unfortunate mishaps!

The script is sculpted around Raymond Allen’s original series, re-written and directed perfectly by Guy Unsworth, who has stayed true to the original innuendos and stunt like comedy and taken several storylines from the TV episodes to make a full and coherent play which can be enjoyed by all ages!

Taking on the title role of Frank Spencer is ‘Im a Celebrity’ King of the Jungle Joe Pasquale and what a set of shoes to fill! Michael Crawford made the original Frank Iconic, with his clumsy ways and ‘OOH Betty’ but that is not an obstacle for Pasquale who take the role and makes it his own and manages effortlessly to make the audience laugh with his interpretation. A real tour de force performance and makes you fall in love with ‘Some Mothers’ all over again.

Betty Spencer, Franks long suffering but incredibly understanding wife is played by Sarah Earnshaw who again doesn’t try to replicate the performance of Michele Dotrice, but instead brings her own warm and patience to Betty which creates a lovely chemistry between Frank and Betty.

Susie Blake is well known for her comedy prowess and playing Betty’s mother, Barbara is no obstacle and proves to be equally hilarious character as Frank. Blake even does arguably one of the best stunts in the show and nothing phases her!

The rest of the cast are fantastic and support the show with the gusto it needs! Father O’Hara (played by David Shaw Parker), Terry Luscombe (played by Moray Treadwell) and the Constable (Played by Chris Kiely) all work their magic to control the chaos that unravels.

This is a wonderful example of fantastic family fun comedy, there really is something for everyone and I often had tears in my eyes from laughing so much! If you’re a fan of the original sitcom this is something you simply can not miss out on seeing whilst its on its UK tour! A fun filled evening that will leave your belly aching from laughter!

DAN LOONEY, ADAM PAULDEN,

JASON HAIGH-ELLERY AND SELLADOOR WORLDWIDE ANNOUNCE FURTHER DATES FOR THE

UK TOUR OF

THE AWARD-WINNING SMASH HIT MUSICAL

“ROCK OF AGES”

OPENING AT THE CHURCHILL THEATRE, BROMLEY

ON 20 SEPTEMBER 2018

Dan Looney, Adam Paulden, Jason Haigh-Ellery and Selladoor Worldwide are delighted to announce further dates for the UK tour of the award-winning smash-hit musical “ROCK OF AGES” opening at The Churchill Theatre, Bromley on 20 September 2018. Further to the previously announced dates, “ROCK OF AGES” will now also play Glasgow King’s Theatre (22  – 26 January 2019), His Majesty’s Theatre Aberdeen (29 January – 2 February 2019), Regent Theatre Stoke-on-Trent (12 – 16 February 2019), The Hawth Crawley (19 – 23 February 2019), New Wimbledon Theatre (26 February – 2 March 2019), Ipswich Regent Theatre (5 – 9 March 2019), Coventry Belgrade Theatre (12 – 16 March 2019), New Theatre Oxford (19 – 23 March 2019), Theatre Royal Nottingham (2 – 6 April 2019), Bristol Hippodrome (16 – 20 April 2019), Grand Opera House York (23 – 28 April 2019), Edinburgh Playhouse (30 April – 4 May 2019), Northampton Royal & Derngate (7 – 11 May 2019), Swansea Grand Theatre (14 – 19 May 2019), New Victoria Theatre Woking (21 – 25 May 2019), Marlowe Theatre Canterbury (25 – 29 June 2019), Blackpool Winter Gardens (2 – 6 July 2019) and Sunderland Empire (23 – 27 July 2019).

Full tour schedule below with casting to be announced soon. www.rockofagesmusical.co.uk

“ROCK OF AGES” is an LA love story lavished with over 25 classic rock anthems. Lose yourself in a city and a time where the dreams are as big as the hair, and yes, they can come true!

This hilarious musical comedy features the songs, including We Built This City, The Final Countdown, Here I Go Again, Can’t Fight this Feeling and I Want To Know What Love Is, played loud and proud by an awesome live band.

WARNING: CONTAINS SERIOUS ROCK ‘N’ ROLL DEBAUCHERY!

Now a global smash with extensive runs in London’s West End, on Broadway and in Las Vegas, the show has also been made in to a star studded Hollywood movie.

“ROCK OF AGES” has a book by Chris D’Arienzo and Arrangements and Orchestrations by Ethan Popp. It is directed and choreographed by Nick Winston (“The Royal Variety Performance”, “Annie” and “The Wedding Singer”) designed by Morgan Large (“The Woman in White”, “Top Hat” and “The Christmasaurus”) and has lighting design by Ben Cracknell (“Young Frankenstein”, “Sunset Boulevard” and “Annie”).

ROCK OF AGES – UK Tour 2018/2019

THURSDAY 20 SEPTEMBER – SATURDAY 22 SEPTEMBER 2018

The Churchill Theatre, Bromley

www.churchilltheatre.co.uk

ON SALE NOW

TUESDAY 25 SEPTEMBER – SATURDAY 29 SEPTEMBER 2018

Manchester Opera House

www.atgtickets.com/venues/opera-house-manchester

ON SALE NOW

TUESDAY 2 OCTOBER – SATURDAY 6 OCTOBER 2018

Wycombe Swan Theatre

www.wycombeswan.co.uk

ON SALE NOW

MONDAY 8 OCTOBER – SATURDAY 13 OCTOBER 2018

Darlington Hippodrome

www.darlingtonhippodrome.co.uk

ON SALE NOW

TUESDAY 16 OCTOBER – SATURDAY 20 OCTOBER 2018

Bord Gais Energy Theatre, Dublin

www.bordgaisenergytheatre.ie/

ON SALE SOON

TUESDAY 23 OCTOBER – SATURDAY 27 OCTOBER 2018

Liverpool Empire Theatre

www.atgtickets.com/venues/liverpool-empire

ON SALE NOW

TUESDAY 6 NOVEMBER – SATURDAY 10 NOVEMBER 2018

New Theatre, Cardiff

www.newtheatrecardiff.co.uk

ON SALE SOON

TUESDAY 13 NOVEMBER – SATURDAY 17 NOVEMBER 2018

New Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham

www.atgtickets.com/venues/new-alexandra-theatre-birmingham/

ON SALE NOW

TUESDAY 20 NOVEMBER – SATURDAY 25 NOVEMBER 2018

The Orchard Theatre, Dartford

www.orchardtheatre.co.uk

ON SALE NOW

MONDAY 26 NOVEMBER – SATURDAY 1 DECEMBER 2018

Lyceum Theatre, Sheffield

www.sheffieldtheatres.co.uk

ON SALE SOON

TUESDAY 22 JANUARY – SATURDAY 26 JANUARY 2019

Glasgow Kings Theatre

www.atgtickets.com/venues/kings-theatre

ON SALE 12 MARCH 2018

TUESDAY 29 JANUARY – SATURDAY 2 FEBRUARY 2019

His Majesty’s Theatre, Aberdeen

www.aberdeenperformingarts.com/venues/his-majestys-theatre

ON SALE SOON

TUESDAY 12 FEBRUARY – SATURDAY 16 FEBRUARY 2019

Regent Theatre, Stoke-on-Trent

www.atgtickets.com/venues/regent-theatre/

ON SALE 12 MARCH 2018

TUESDAY 19 FEBRUARY – SATURDAY 23 FEBRUARY 2019

The Hawth, Crawley

www.parkwoodtheatres.co.uk/The-Hawth

ON SALE 12 MARCH 2018

TUESDAY 26 FEBRUARY – SATURDAY 2 MARCH 2019

New Wimbledon Theatre

www.atgtickets.com/venues/new-wimbledon-theatre

ON SALE 12 MARCH 2018

TUESDAY 5 MARCH – SATURDAY 9 MARCH 2019

Ipswich Regent Theatre

www.apps.ipswich.gov.uk

ON SALE 12 MARCH 2018

TUESDAY 12 MARCH – SATURDAY 16 MARCH 2019

Belgrade Theatre, Coventry

www.belgrade.co.uk/

ON SALE 12 MARCH 2018

TUESDAY 19 MARCH – SATURDAY 23 MARCH 2019

New Theatre, Oxford

www.atgtickets.com/venues/new-theatre-oxford/

ON SALE 12 MARCH 2018

TUESDAY 2 APRIL – SATURDAY 6 APRIL 2019

Theatre Royal, Nottingham

www.trch.co.uk

ON SALE 15 MARCH 2018

TUESDAY 16 APRIL – SATURDAY 20 APRIL 2019

Bristol Hippodrome

www.atgtickets.com/venues/bristol-hippodrome/

ON SALE 12 MARCH 2018

TUESDAY 23 APRIL – SATURDAY 28 APRIL 2019

Grand Opera House, York

www.atgtickets.com/venues/grand-opera-house-york/

ON SALE 12 MARCH 2018

TUESDAY 30 APRIL – SATURDAY 4 MAY 2019

Edinburgh Playhouse

www.atgtickets.com/venues/edinburgh-playhouse/

ON SALE 12 MARCH 2018

TUESDAY 7 MAY – SATURDAY 11 MAY 2019

Royal and Derngate, Northampton

www.royalandderngate.co.uk/

ON SALE SOON

TUESDAY 14 MAY – SATURDAY 19 MAY 2019

Swansea Grand Theatre

www.swansea.gov.uk/swanseagrandtheatre

ON SALE 10 MARCH 2018

TUESDAY 21 MAY – SATURDAY 25 MAY 2019

New Victoria Theatre, Woking

www.atgtickets.com/venues/new-victoria-theatre/

ON SALE 12 MARCH 2018

TUESDAY 25 JUNE – SATURDAY 29 JUNE 2019

Marlowe Theatre, Canterbury

www.marlowetheatre.com

ON SALE 12 MARCH 2018

TUESDAY 2 JULY – SATURDAY 6 JULY 2019

Winter Gardens, Blackpool

www.wintergardensblackpool.co.uk

ON SALE 12 MARCH 2018

TUESDAY 23 JULY – SATURDAY 27 JULY 2019

Sunderland Empire Theatre

www.atgtickets.com/venues/sunderland-empire

ON SALE 12 MARCH 2018

Lowry, Salford – Tuesday 6 March 2018.  Reviewed by Marcus Richardson

5*****

Puccini’s tragic opera “Madama Butterfly” came to the Lowry in Manchester under the company Opera North. The play follows a Geisha called Butterfly, a devoted wife to an American Navy man. Set on a hill near the city Nagasaki, we see how long Butterfly will wait for love.

The play offers powerful visuals and even more powerful acting and vocal ability. The main character of Butterfly played by Anne Sophie Duprels, the fifteen year old to be sold to Lieutenant Pinkerton played by Merūnas Vitulskis. The leading lady gave one of the most spectacular performances I have ever seen in my life, giving the character innocence and charm, whilst being able to sing with a voice that controlled the whole room, and in the end tearing her heart on stage to let the whole weep the tale of Madama Butterfly. The servant of Butterfly is Suzuki played by Anne Taylor, who share a lot of stage time with Duprels, the two had a beautiful connection on stage and gave the second act a lot of energy and life. Taylor’s vocals were also outstanding and gave a performance that complimented the show perfectly. The whole cast of the show were stunning, and I have to note the chorus in the first act who gave an introduction for Butterfly that I don’t think I will ever forget with each member having a different and interesting character.

The set at first seemed rather small with only a tenth of the stage being used, then this metal wall was lived to introduce a stunning Japanese house with walls that moved and gave the house as much character as the actual character, we are given a painting of a volcano in the background which was dormant and added to the picturesque scenery of the show. The band who brought the show to life and worked with the company of actors to deliver what we remember most about the songs from the show, the music, led by Anthony Kraus, I don’t think I heard a single instrument or voice out of tune the whole entire show and there we some complex songs that blew me away.

Whenever I go to the Opera I am always amazed by the sheer talent of the whole production and everyone who is involved in bringing a classic art form to life, but Madama Butterfly blew me away with its stellar and beautiful show. It has become the best opera I have ever seen and I’m looking forward to watching the other two productions of Opera North at the Lowry as part of a trio along with Don Giovanni and Un Ballo in Maschera.