Edinburgh Playhouse – until Saturday 13 May 2107.  Reviewed by Linda McLaughlan 

Opening night at the Edinburgh Playhouse for the production of Dreamboats and Petticoats, who could I expect? The show began with a grandfather and granddaughter reminiscing over his teenage years an old vender and the love of his life (or so he thought).

“Teenage love, Heartbreak and Rock N Roll’………. so the adventure begins.

The story of teenage years in the 1950’s and the group of hopeful rock stars who dream of hitting the big time rehearsing at their local Youth Club and love they find along the way.

Act 1

Exceptional use of songs and music guide you easily through the story of young unacquainted love and the main character’s Bobby, Sue, Laura, Norman, Donna and Ray who all want to noticed by the person of their dreams….

Bobby kicks off the music with ‘Let’s Dance ‘ as he tries out for lead singer in the band and he is successful for all of five minutes when the overly confident and somewhat arrogant Norman makes his appearance and charms not only the ladies but also the group with his vocals, singing ‘The Wanderer’ . A disheartened Bobby is unaware of the effect he has on Laura who watches from the sidelines dancing and cheering him on … why because he only has eyes for Sue.

Sue however has set her sights on Norman and goes out of her way to get noticed with her flirtatious dance moves…. but Norman is not interested. The opportunity to try make Norman jealous arises and although Bobby is not her usual catch, she uses him in her game. The opportunity to enter a songwriting competition presents itself and Laura seizes her opportunity to spend time with Bobby (who subsequently is her brother Rays best friend). Bobby is as proud as punch to have Sue on his arm for the trip to Southend, unaware of her intentions. The day progresses and Sues’s plan works and Norman is won over but things do not go to plan for Sue.

The songs go from strength to strength with hits from the Rock N Roll era that have everyone dancing in their seats and follows the characters highs and lows of unacquainted love, fist fights for the honour of their true love and budding romances.

Act 2

The return of Older Bobby with his granddaughter starts off with him talking about his true love Sue as they are now an item after he fought for her honour during the trip to Southend. Bobby still unaware of the flame Laura carries for him, neglects the time to spend writing for the song competition preferring to be with Sue (who still carries a flame for Norman despite his behaviour). Like all teenage romances there are turbulent times ahead when hormones are raging and urge to grow up and be a man brings Bobby’s romance to a turbulent halt, when he pushes Sue out his bedroom window due to the prompt arrival of his dad. Again the expert timing of songs such as ‘Only the lonely’ has you feeling for Bobby who just doesn’t have much luck in love.

The story begins to focus on what Laura has been doing in preparation for her ‘Sweet Sixteen’ party. A time when 16 was seen as a ‘Coming of Age’ the music has everyone singing along to ‘Happy Birthday Sweet 16’ and ‘Da Do Ron Ron’ songs that everyone knows no matter what your generation. The hearts of our young characters are put through their paces but love conquers all and when Bobby realises how Laura feels about him he realises what a lucky guy he really is and to top it all they enter and win the song writing competition with their version of ‘Dreamboats and Petticoats’

I would recommend everyone takes the opportunity and spend the evening watching this fantastic performance which takes you back to the time of Rock N Roll and no matter what generation you belong to this is a feel good show for eveyone

NEW SHOWS AT SHEFFIELD THEATRES

A host of new shows have been added to the Lyceum Theatre’s line-up, including master illusionist Derren Brown, a stage adaptation of best-selling novel The Kite Runner, and looking ahead to 2018, the return of everyone’s favourite ogre in Shrek The Musical. Tickets for the productions go on sale to Sheffield Theatres’ Centre Stage Members on Saturday 13 May and to the general public on Saturday 20 May.

 

The latest stage show from the multi award-winning master of psychological illusion Derren Brown: Underground comes to Sheffield from Thursday 24 – Saturday 26 August.  Provocative and entertaining, this spell-binding show offers a unique opportunity to see the ultimate showman perform some of his favourite work, live on the Lyceum stage.

Cut loose with rock ‘n’ roll musical Footloose when it bursts onto the stage from Tuesday 29 August – Saturday 2 September.  Based on the 1980s film which took the world by storm with its youthful spirit, dazzling dance and electrifying music, Footloose tells the story of city boy Ren who moves to a rural American backwater, where dancing is banned. Starring Maureen Nolan as Vi Moore, the show features a score of classic hits including Holding Out For A Hero, Let’s Hear It For The Boy and Footloose.

TV favourites Paul Bradley (Elliot Hope – Holby City, Nigel Bates – EastEnders) and Jessie Wallace (Kat Slater – EastEnders) lead the cast in Ira Levin’s spine-chiller Deathtrap fromWednesday 6 – Saturday 9 September.  With a plot full of twists and turns, it’s guaranteed to have you on the edge of your seat.

The Kite Runner a haunting tale of friendship based on Khaled Hosseini’s international best-selling novel comes to the Lyceum from Tuesday 17 – Saturday 21 October.  Spanning cultures and continents, it follows one man’s journey to confront his past and find redemption.   

 

Following the unprecedented success of its UK tour, Shrek The Musical returns to the Lyceum Theatre for Easter 2018 (Wednesday 28 – Sunday 8 April 2018).  This larger than life production sees unlikely hero Shrek and his loyal steed Donkey embark on a quest to rescue the beautiful (if slightly temperamental) Princess Fiona from a 14 foot fire-breathing, love-sick dragon.  Featuring new songs as well as cult Shrek anthem I’m a Believer, Shrek The Musical brings over 100 much-loved fairytale characters to life in an all-singing, all-dancing extravaganza.

The new shows go on sale to Sheffield Theatres’ Centre Stage Members on Saturday 13 May at 10.00am and to the general public on Saturday 20 May.  For more details about Centre Stage membership or to book tickets call the Box Office on 0114 249 6000 or visit sheffieldtheatres.co.uk. 

SMOLDERING NIGHT IN BUENOS AIRES PROMISED WITH 21^ST CENTURY TANGO SHOW

 

This spring audiences can take a trip to late night Buenos Aires with a seductive new dance show celebrating the art of Tango.  m¡longa or ‘tango dance party’, will be immersing Newcastle Theatre Royal in rhythm for two nights only, Fri 16 & Sat 17 June 2017.

 

m¡longa is the work of contemporary dancer and choreographer Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui, the man behind Beyoncé’s breath-taking routine for the 2017 Grammy Awards. A Sadler’s Wells Associate Artist, Cherkaoui is internationally renowned for his ground-breaking productions and celebrated as one of the most original talents working in contemporary dance today.

 

Deeply rooted in Argentinean culture, tango has long captivated the world with its sexuality, power and beauty. Inspired by the late night tango scene in intimate bars across Buenos Aires (the street dance culture of Argentina that has influenced popular tango shows today such as Vincent & Flavia and TV’s Strictly Come Dancing), Cherkaoui draws on traditional influences and adds a contemporary twist. The result is a seductive and fascinating exploration of tango for the 21st century.

 

Combining a cast of 17 performers – ten Argentinean tango dancers, two contemporary dancers and five musicians – Cherkaoui brings his own unique choreographic style to the production.

 

m¡longa features music from Argentinean composer Fernando Marzan. He continues the legacy of the Marzan family as a line of extremely reputable and well-known musicians in Buenos Aires and some of his many recordings include the soundtracks of Evita, starring Madonna, and The Impostors, starring Oliver Platt and Stanley Tucci. For m¡longa, Cherkaoui reunites with long term collaborator, additional composer Szymon Brzóska. Video and set design is by Eugenio Szwarcer, costumes are by renowned fashion designer Tim Van Steenbergen, lighting is by Adam Carrée and sound by Gaston Briski.

 

Tango superstar Nélida Rodriguez de Aure is artistic consultant for the production. An accomplished tango teacher, some of Nélida’s most well-known students include stars of stage and screen Rita Moreno, Sharon Stone, Ivan Vasiliev, Anthony Quinn and Robert Duvall.

 

m¡longa is at Newcastle Theatre Royal for two nights only, Friday 16 and Saturday 17 June 2017, at 7.30pm. Tickets are from £16.  Tickets can be purchased from the Theatre Royal Box Office on 08448 11 21 21 (Calls cost 7ppm plus your phone company’s access charge) or book online at www.theatreroyal.co.uk

Dementia friendly first for The Lowry with Gilbert and Sullivan classic.

Ahead of Dementia Awareness Week (14-20 May 2017) The Lowry are pleased to announce they will be presenting their first ever dementia friendly performance this Summer.

Regan De Wynter Williams Productions will present Sasha Regan’s all-male The Mikado Tue 25 – Sat 29 July at The Lowry, with a specially adapted dementia friendly performance on Wed 26 July, 2pm.

Dementia friendly performances were pioneered by West Yorkshire Playhouse, The Lowry is proud to be the first theatre to offer one in the North West.

Although not yet confirmed, adaptions to The Mikado for the dementia friendly performance can include things like looking at the pacing of the story, if there are quick plot developments they may look to slow things down and make more obvious references to changes in the story. There may also be a lot of repetition so that theatregoers are able to follow along with the story.

As a theatre The Lowry can make adaptions like keeping the lights up in the auditorium so that theatregoers are not in complete darkness; having an open door policy so that theatregoers can see all exits and are free to leave when they need to; having extra trained staff on hand to help out with individual’s needs.

The Lowry is committed to providing access to the arts and has a silver ‘attitude is everything’ award. The Salford arts centre regularly presents British Sign Language performances, Audio Described performances, Captioned performances and Relaxed performances. This work extends into the galleries with accessible gallery tours and relaxed family activity.

More information on access at The Lowry can be found on the website.

Following the highly successful all-male tours of H.M.S. Pinafore and The Pirates of Penzance, Sasha Regan returns to Salford with the irresistible The Mikado – one of Gilbert and Sullivan’s most famous operettas.

In true topsy –turvy fashion, Gilbert and Sullivan’s inherent humour and timeless tunefulness are married with Regan’s wicked sense of fun. This vibrant production successfully pokes playful fun at British politics and institutions. The crazy storyline takes us to 1950s England where a school camping trip is visiting the far away land of Titipu – a place where flirting is banned on pain of death and where tailors can become Lord High Executioners but cannot cut off another’s head, until they have cut off their own!
Listings Info
The Mikado
Dates: Tue 25 – Sat 29 July
Times: 7.30pm. Thu & Sat 2pm.
Dementia friendly performance: Wed 26 July, 2pm.
Tickets: £26.50 – £29.50. Conc £2 off.
Website

FULL CAST ANNOUNCED FOR

“MAMMA MIA!”

AT LONDON’S NOVELLO THEATRE

FROM MONDAY 12 JUNE 2017

Joining the previously announced Sara Poyzer, Kate Graham, Jacqueline Braun, Richard Trinder, Alasdair Harvey, Dugald Bruce-Lockhart, Georgina Castle, Christopher Jordan-Marshall, Bobbie Little, Harriet Bunton, Damian Buhagiar, Nye Rees and Caroline Deverill in the global smash hit musicalMAMMA MIA! at London’s Novello Theatre from Monday 12 June 2017, will be Alishia-Marie Blake, Stuart Hickey, Mark Isherwood, Matt Jordan-Pidgeon, Tyler Kennington, Madeleine Leslay, Natasha O’Brien, Alice O’Hanlon, Alexanda O’Reilly, Adam Paul-Robertson, Oli Reynolds and Katy Stredder.  They will be joining Tabitha Camburn, Adam Clayton-Smith, Katy Day, Katy Hards, Jennifer Hepburn, Robert Knight, Stacey Leanne Mills and Robbie Scotcher, who are already in the Ensemble.

 

From West End to global phenomenon, MAMMA MIA! is Judy Craymer’s ingenious vision of staging the story-telling magic of ABBA’s timeless songs with an enchanting tale of family and friendship unfolding on a Greek island paradise.  To date, it has been seen by over 60 million people in 50 productions in 16 different languages grossing more than $2 billion at the box office.  In 2011, it became the first Western musical ever to be staged in Mandarin in the People’s Republic of China. MAMMA MIA! is currently on its first ever UK Tour, receiving great critical and public acclaim.

 

MAMMA MIA! originally opened in London at the Prince Edward Theatre on 6 April 1999, before transferring to the Prince of Wales Theatre in 2004.  The musical re-opened at the Novello Theatre in 2012, where it recently celebrated its London 18^th birthday on 6 April 2017. 

 

The London production of MAMMA MIA!  has been seen by nearly 8 million people, played over 7,500 performances and has broken box office records in all three of its London homes.  

 

Produced by Judy Craymer, MAMMA MIA! The Movie, starring Meryl Streep and Pierce Brosnan, is the highest grossing live action musical film of all time.

 

With music & lyrics by Benny Andersson & Björn Ulvaeus, MAMMA MIA! is written by Catherine Johnson, directed by Phyllida Lloyd and choreographed by Anthony Van Laast. The production is designed by Mark Thompson, with lighting design by Howard Harrison, sound design by Andrew Bruce & Bobby Aitken, and musical supervision, additional material & arrangements by Martin Koch.

 

MAMMA MIA! is produced by Judy Craymer, Richard East & Björn Ulvaeus for Littlestar in association with Universal.

LISTINGS INFORMATION

 

Novello Theatre

Aldwych

London WC2B 4LD

 

Ticket Prices: From £15.00

 

A £2.25 per ticket booking fee applies to tickets booked online, and a £2.75 per ticket booking fee applies to tickets booked by phone. No booking fee on tickets purchased in person at the Novello Theatre Box Office.

 

All prices include £1.25 restoration levy.

 

Early Bird Pricing – anyone booking four months or more in advance of the performance they are attending (Monday to Thursday performances only) will save £20 on Band A and Premium tickets, but only through Delfont Mackintosh Theatres, either online, in person at the theatre, or by calling the Novello Theatre Box Office.

 

Performance Times:

Monday – Saturday 7.45pm

Matinees – Thursday & Saturday 3.00pm*

*extra Tuesday matinees on 8 & 22 August, 24 October 2017 and 13 February 2018

 

Christmas 2017/18 Performance Schedule

 

Monday 25 December           NO PERFORMANCE

Tuesday 26 December          7.45pm

Wednesday 27 December     3.00pm and 7.45pm

Thursday 28 December         7.45pm

Friday 29 December              3.00pm and 7.45pm

Saturday 30 December         3.00pm and 7.45pm

Monday 1 January 2018        7.45pm

Tuesday 2 January                3.00pm and 7.45pm

Wednesday 3 January           7.45pm

Thursday 4 January               3.00pm and 7.45pm

Friday 5 January                    7.45pm

Saturday 6 January               3.00pm and 7.45pm

 

Currently booking to 3 March 2018

The performance lasts 2 hours and 35 minutes (including a 15-minute interval)

Box Office: 0844 482 5115

http://www.mamma-mia.com/

http://www.facebook.com/mammamiamusical

http://twitter.com/MammaMiaMusical 

WILTON’S MUSIC HALL, THE WORLD’S OLDEST SURVIVING GRAND MUSIC HALL, TO BE ADDED TO GOOGLE’S DIGITAL ARCHIVES

• The first music hall and one of only seven London theatres to get an online Google archive
• Users around the world can now take a virtual tour of the iconic venue using Google Expeditions

Today Wilton’s Music Hall is proud to launch their digital archive in partnership with Google Arts and Culture, giving unprecedented access to the legendary Grand Music Hall’s heritage through its collections and via a new virtual reality tour.

Years of renovation, building repair and conservation at the multi-arts venue in the East End have unearthed the full extent of Wilton’s fascinating history both as a building and a cornerstone of the Music Hall genre. Now, partnering with Google Arts and Culture, Wilton’s Music Hall is proud to be able to share these remarkable resources for the very first time. The new digital archive allows online visitors to explore first-hand documents that trace the history of Wilton’s – from Victorian Music Hall, to Methodist Mission, through years of dereliction and campaigning to its hard-won rebirth as the much-loved venue it is today.

Items can be seen in high definition, allowing visitors to identify hidden details in photographs and drawings, whilst preserving the fragile originals. The prize possession, a sketch drawn in the hall in 1871, can now be explored in minute detail – the faces of the audience, the fashions of the times, and numerous other insights yet to be discovered.

Using Google Expeditions, another unique feature of Google’s digital archive, online visitors can also take a virtual reality tour of Wilton’s with access to the building via an app designed for students and teachers. With online questions and remote access to the venue, this takes Wilton’s and its history into classrooms around the world.

Other fascinating additions to the online archive include brand new Street View images, giving online visitors the chance to visit hidden parts of Wilton’s Music Hall not accessible to the public. An online exhibition documents 50 years of campaigning, charting the deteriorating condition of the building before the epic campaign that brought it back from the brink, saving Wilton’s for future generations.

Access to the online archive can be found here

Sonia Friedman Productions presents
Edward Albee’s
Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?
Directed by James Macdonald

• 5 star hit production of Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf? enters final weeks at the Harold Pinter Theatre

• Strictly limited West End run starring Imelda Staunton, Conleth Hill, Imogen Poots and Luke Treadaway must come to an end on 27th May

• Albee’s landmark play will be broadcast to cinemas as part of National Theatre Live on 18th May

Twitter: @WhosAfraidLDN
Facebook: /WhosAfraidOfVirginiaWoolfLDN
#Whosafraidofvirginiawoolf?
Website: www.whosafraidofvirginiawoolf.co.uk
Audiences now have just three weeks left to see the critically acclaimed West End production of multi-Tony and Pulitzer prize-winning playwright Edward Albee’s Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf? The play stars Imelda Staunton as Martha, Conleth Hill as George, Imogen Poots as Honey and Luke Treadaway as Nick.

Directed by James Macdonald, this production of Albee’s landmark play runs at the Harold Pinter Theatre until the strictly limited season ends on Saturday 27th May 2017. Over 100 tickets for every performance have been made available to buy at £15.

There will also be a live broadcast of the play to cinemas throughout the UK and beyond as part of National Theatre Live. The broadcast will take place on 18th May at 7.30pm. Tickets are now on sale, visit your local cinema website for details.

In the early hours of the morning on the campus of an American college, Martha, much to her husband George’s displeasure, has invited the new professor Nick and his wife Honey to their home for some after-party drinks. As the alcohol flows and dawn approaches, the young couple are drawn into George and Martha’s toxic games until the evening reaches its climax in a moment of devastating truth-telling.

The production is directed by James Macdonald and designed by Tom Pye. Lighting is by Charles Balfour with sound and music by Adam Cork.

For more information and tickets visit www.whosafraidofvirginiawoolf.co.uk

DISNEY’S ‘THE LION KING’
WELCOMES NEW CAST MEMBERS

INCLUDES JANIQUE CHARLES AS ‘NALA’
AND GARY JORDAN AS ‘ZAZU’

Today, the London production of THE LION KING welcomes 11 new cast members, includingJanique Charles, Gary Jordan and Dominique Planter who take over the principal roles of ‘Nala’, ‘Zazu’ and ‘Shenzi’ respectively. Now in its 18th triumphant year, over 14 million people have seen Disney’s award-winning musical at the Lyceum Theatre.

THE LION KING marks Janique Charles’ West End debut. Born and raised in Trinidad & Tobago, Janique moved to London to join the UK touring cast of THE LION KING in 2013. A rising star, she has travelled extensively and brings her experiences to her role as Nala. She joined the London production of THE LION KING in May 2016 as part of the ensemble cast, but she now steps up to play the principal role of Nala.

Gary Jordan has performed in London’s West End in Grease (Victoria Palace), Anyone Can Whistle (Savoy) and in the UK tours of High Society and Playdays Live. Gary is also a pianist and musical director.

Dominique Planter has been a swing in the THE LION KING since 2016, this marks her West End debut in a principal role.

THE LION KING also welcomes new cast members from The Philippines, Malawi, Zimbabwe, South Africa, Brazil and the UK: Lila Anderson, Owen Chaponda, Deborah Dada, Debôrah Godchaser, Brian James Leys, Nathan Louis-Fernand, Nonhlanhla Makthathini, Rutendo Mushonga, Luciano Santos Souza and Karlene Wray.

They join a uniquely international company, which already includes performers from 11 countries around the world. The company is led by George Asprey as Scar, Shaun Escoffery as Mufasa, Brown Lindiwe Mkhize as Rafiki, Richard Frame as Timon, Keith Bookman as Pumbaa,Nick Afoa as Simba, David Blake as Banzai and Mark McGee as Ed.

Disney’s award-winning musical THE LION KING is now in its 18th triumphant year at London’s Lyceum Theatre. Since the UK premiere in London on Tuesday 19th October 1999, THE LION KING has entertained over 14 million theatregoers and remains the West End’s best-selling stage production. It is currently the sixth longest-running West End musical of all time. Tickets are currently on sale until 25th May 2018 for Groups.

Julie Taymor’s internationally-celebrated stage adaptation of Disney’s beloved animation film premiered on Broadway in 1997 and has now been seen by more than 90 million people across six continents. Ten productions are running concurrently around the globe. In addition to the record-breaking production in London and New York, THE LION KING can currently be seen in Hamburg, Madrid, Scheveningen (The Netherlands), Shanghai, Tokyo, Sapporo, Mexico City and across North America.

THE LION KING is produced by Disney Theatrical Productions.

 

Press & Listings Information
Disney’s THE LION KING
Lyceum Theatre
21 Wellington Street, London WC2E 7RQ
Box Office number: 0844 871 3000
www.thelionking.co.uk
THE LION KING plays Tuesday to Saturday at 7.30pm with matinee performances on Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday at 2.30pm.
There is no performance on a Monday evening.

Bill Bailey Announces

A brand new live tour for 2018

Coming to Newcastle City Hall Fri 2 Feb 2018

Bill Bailey today announced his new tour Larks in Transit  is a compendium of travelers’ tales and the general shenanigans of twenty years as a travelling comedian. With musical virtuosity, surreal tangents and trademark intelligence, Bill Bailey tackles politics, philosophy and the pursuit of happiness. Plus, he fashions a symphony from a ringtone, tells the real story of Old McDonald, and a re-imagines the Stars and Stripes.

 

Tickets will go on general sale this Friday 12 May 2017 at 10am from www.theatreroyal.co.uk or by calling the Box Office on 0844 811 21 21.

 

Bill Bailey plays Newcastle City Hall on Friday 2 February 2018. Tickets are £31.50 and can be purchased at www.theatreroyal.co.uk or from the Theatre Royal Box office on 08448 11 21 21 (Calls cost 7ppm plus your phone company’s access charge).