Star studded London Premier Benefit Performance: Villain DeBlanks

Glynis Barber, David Bedella, Don Gallagher, Leon Lopez, Cherrelle Skeete, & Harriet Thorpehave volunteered their time and considerable talent to raise funds for the Make A Difference Trust with an evening of uproarious improvisational comedy, where the cast say the words that you put into their mouths: Villain DeBlanks. The audience provides nouns, adjectives, and verbs (the wilder, the better), and the actors provide the laughs—uncensored and unrehearsed—as they solve the mystery of Philip DeBlanks’ untimely demise. The show ends with an audience “vote” for the murderer’s identity and a brief, absurd confession.

The Time Out New York critics pick is premiering in London on

3^rd September 2017

9.15pm

The Crazy Coq, 20 Sherwood Street,  London

The money raised through the support of the theatre community over the years has allowed the Make A Difference Trust to make a difference in so many ways. The Trust has distributed over £1.6 million in grants to support individuals experiencing hardship across the UK.  In addition, we have provided over £1 million to support projects with our UK and international partners, to relieve poverty, provide a safe environment and education for children affected by HIV and AIDS and to secure the needs of the individual and the greater community as a whole.

Further information and tickets: http://bit.ly/2vS9yoc

York Theatre Royal – until 2nd September.  Reviewed by Michelle Richardson

4****

This summer’s family show at York Theatre Royal is Robin Hood. We all think we know the story of the heroic Robin Hood stealing from the rich to give to the poor, but this showing, written by Richard Hurford, is certainly a retelling with a twist.

Marian (Siobhan Athwal) is the star of the show, not Robin (Neil Reynolds), and in fact we do not even set eyes on him until at least 30 minutes into the show. Marian has been left to look after her people whilst her father is off fighting in faraway lands. She is struggling to feed them as well as being robbed blind by the arch villain of the piece, The Sheriff of Nottingham (John Elkington), through unjust taxes, and certainly doesn’t want to be forced into marriage to his nephew, Guy of Gisbourne (Ed Thorpe). With the help of Friar Tuck (Trevor A Toussaint) she goes in search of the myth of Robin Hood, hoping that he can save them from tyranny.

On her quest, she is helped along by The Oak King (voiced by Jo Servi). This tree certainly has a beautiful soulful, melodic voice and is full of words of wisdom, I could listen to his voice all day long. Marian adopts the disguise of Will Scarlett and stumbles upon Robin, who unfortunately does not live up to all the hype. When we first meet him he is a bush?? He is an immature, naive young man, out enjoying the woods with his young band of merry men and Little John (Joanna Holden). He has no real clue about the outside world and certainly does not merit his reputation, with no fighting or arrow skills. Little does he know that Little John is in fact a woman, his mother, as well as Marian.

Ultimately Marian is the saviour that her people have been looking for as she saves the day.

This show uses puppets and though confusing at first their usage was inspired, coming into their own as the story unfolded. They also looked a bit scary, to me at least. The young, and I mean young, support cast all did a fantastic job.

Athwal could certainly belt out a tune and was definitely the star of the show, though all of the cast were great. I really loved the rapping, the chemistry and the comic timing that all showed. For Reynolds this was his first stage production and he took to it like a duck to water, playing Robin with a boyish charm.

This summer pantomime is a definite must see for all the family, especially as the heroine saves the day, go Girl Power!

Showing at York Theatre Royal until 2nd September.

4 stars

EASTENDERS STAR AARON SIDWELL TO PLAY ‘FIYERO’ IN WICKED 2018 UK & IRELAND TOUR

CURRENTLY PLAYING ‘STEVEN BEALE’ IN BBC SERIES DRAMA

WICKED, the West End and Broadway musical phenomenon that tells the incredible untold story of the Witches of Oz, is delighted to announce that EastEnders star Aaron Sidwell will play Fiyero on the forthcoming return engagement of the spectacular, critically acclaimed and multi record-breaking UK & Ireland Tour in 2018.

 

Aaron Sidwell is currently playing ‘Steven Beale’ in the BBC’s EastEnders, a role he originally played in 2007/08. His many musical theatre appearances include Grey Gardens (Southwark Playhouse), American Idiot (Arts Theatre, London) and the leading role of ‘Michael Dork’ in Loserville The Musical (West Yorkshire Playhouse and in the West End).

 

Aaron Sidwell is scheduled to appear at all venues. The full UK & Ireland Tour cast will be announced in September.

The tour will visit: Bristol Hippodrome (Wednesday 31 January – Saturday 3 March 2018);Liverpool Empire (Wednesday 7 – Saturday 31 March 2018); Birmingham Hippodrome (Wednesday 4 – Sunday 29 April 2018); Edinburgh Playhouse (Tuesday 8 May – Saturday 9 June 2018); Leeds Grand Theatre (Wednesday 13 June – Saturday 7 July 2018); Dublin Bord GáisEnergy Theatre (Tuesday 17 July – 26 August 2018); Sunderland Empire (Thursday 6 – Saturday 29 September 2018); Southampton Mayflower Theatre (Wednesday 3 – Saturday 27 October 2018,tickets on sale September 2017); Cardiff Wales Millennium Centre (Wednesday 31 October – Saturday 24 November 2018) and Manchester Palace Theatre (Tuesday 4 December 2018 – Saturday 5 January 2019). For further details visit: www.WickedTheMusical.co.uk

 

Acclaimed as “one of the greatest musicals of our time” (Daily Mail), “the hit musical with brains, heart and courage” (The Sunday Telegraph) and “a magical adventure that casts its spell on young and old” (Metro), WICKED tells the incredible untold story of an unlikely but profound friendship between two sorcery students and their extraordinary adventures in Oz, which will ultimately see them fulfil their destinies as Glinda The Good and the Wicked Witch of the West. Based on the acclaimed, best-selling novel by Gregory Maguire that ingeniously re-imagines the stories and characters originally created by L. Frank Baum in ‘The Wonderful Wizard of Oz’,WICKED has become a global phenomenon featuring astounding technical wizardry, stunning costumes, a compelling ‘untold’ story and show-stopping songs, including the incredible ‘Defying Gravity’.

 

A three-time winner of the theatregoer-voted WhatsOnStage Award for ‘Best West End Show’ and a two-time winner of the Olivier Audience Award, WICKED played a fifteen-city tour of the UK & Ireland from September 2013 – July 2015, winning five-star rave reviews at every venue. It resumed touring in July 2016 to embark on a major international tour including engagements in Singapore, Hong Kong, Manila, Shanghai and Beijing. This spectacular production will also play an engagement in Zurich immediately prior to its return to the UK & Ireland.

 

WICKED is already the 16^th longest running show in West End theatre history and is currently celebrating 11 remarkable years at London’s Apollo Victoria Theatre, where it continues an open-ended run. Around the world, WICKED has now been seen by over 50 million people in 15 countries, and won over 100 major awards.

 

WICKED has music and lyrics by multi Grammy and Academy Award-winner Stephen Schwartz(Godspell, Disney’s Pocahontas, The Hunchback of Notre Dame and Enchanted and, for DreamWorks, The Prince of Egypt) and is based on the novel ‘Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West’ by Gregory Maguire and adapted for the stage by Winnie Holzman (My So-Called Life). Musical staging is by Tony Award-winner Wayne Cilento and the production is directed by two-time Tony Award-winner Joe Mantello.

 

WICKED is produced around the world by Marc Platt, Universal Stage Productions, The Araca Group, Jon B. Platt and David Stone. Executive Producer (UK & Ireland) Michael McCabe.

 

Official website: www.WickedTheMusical.co.uk

 

Twitter: @WickedUK  |  Facebook: /WickedUK  |  Instagram: @WickedUK

 

Pop-up theatre puts Little Hulton centre stage

Residents of Little Hulton in Salford are set to welcome a 160-seat pop-up theatre to Peel Park next month (7-10 September).

Entitled ‘Roundabout’, the ‘plug-in and-play’ venue is the brainchild of Paines Plough – a theatre company from London that focuses on presenting new work by acclaimed playwrights.

Its residency in Peel Park has been commissioned by The Lowry as part of its commitment to bringing the thrill of live performance to all Salfordians – not just those that visit its home on Salford Quays.

Julia Fawcett OBE, chief executive of The Lowry, said: “We fundamentally believe that our responsibility in terms of presenting work to audiences stretches far beyond the footprint of The Lowry building, or indeed the artistic choices of our creative team.

“Roundabout contributes significantly to that mission – not just because it presents work ‘on location’ so to speak – but because a central part of the line-up is programmed by the local community.”

Alongside three new plays direct from the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, Roundabout will present:

‘Allo ‘Allo with Peel Drama Group: The senior group of Peel local drama society perform an extract from much loved 80s sitcom ‘Allo ‘Allo; Growing Pains by Tom Gill: Carrying the weight of the world in his J.D Sports bag, a working class lad trades his bag-head mates and council estate for a one-way ticket out of Salford; and Little Hulton Sings: Local Primary Schools from Little Hulton, including Wharton, St Andrews and St Pauls come together to form a community choir performing some of their favourite songs.

Fawcett added: “The shows that we have programmed – Black Mountain, Out of Love and How to be Kid – are, we believe, some of the best new work on the circuit. We’re excited to present that work in the heart of Little Hulton alongside the work of the community.”

Roundabout forms part of the inaugural Little Hulton Goes Large festival.

For more information or to book tickets, visit:https://www.thelowry.com/events/roundabout-in-little-hulton

Clothing optional performance for new production of HAIR

The private link to book tickets for a one off ‘clothing optional performance’ during the run of the new production of rock musical Hair at the Vaults in London….has been leaked out into the public domain.

First staged off Broadway in 1967, the new production of HAIR opens to celebrate its 50^thAnniversary production. The iconic musical also became known for its subtle and fleeting nudity on stage, and audiences will now be able to watch the show naked for a special one-off performance.

The private link for this one off audience clothing optional performance, is intended as a safe space for both audiences and performers, and was sent out to naturist and life drawing clubs, before the link found its way onto social media.

Audiences are advised to bring a bag to carry their clothes in and a sarong or towel to sit on during the late night performance, on 11^th November at 10pm. Those that have the official link will be able to buy tickets for this performance where you leave your worries and clothes at the door to enjoy the 60s vibe and the classic rock musical HAIR. The producers are now gauging the public interest of this performance, to see if there should be a further optional performance during the run of HAIR.

The Vaults will transform into a mini Woodstock, for a  60s experience as soon as the audience walk through the doors. However, the theatre auditorium is an intimate 200 seated audience.

This thrilling, young and moving production of HAIR as relevant now as it was in the 60s,created a huge buzz in Manchester when it opened at the award wining Hope Mill Theatre.The 50^th Anniversary production of HAIR will run at The Vaults beneath Waterloo station, from October 4 2017 to January 14 2018.

This new production of HAIR, originally ran at the Hope Mill Theatre in Manchester and is directed by Jonathan O’Boyle and produced by Aria Entertainment, Senbla and the Hope Mill Theatre.

BILL KENWRIGHT presents
THE EXORCIST

THE CHILLING BEST-SELLING NOVEL – THE SHOCKING OSCAR-WINNING FILM.

AND NOW THE NEW
STAGE PRODUCTION

INSPIRED BY TRUE EVENTS

“I’m telling you that ‘thing’ upstairs isn’t my daughter…”

Forty-five years after William Peter Blatty’s best-selling novel terrified an entire generation, The Exorcist will be unleashed onto the West End stage for the very first time in a uniquely theatrical experience directed by Sean Mathias and adapted for the stage by John Pielmeier.

The Exorcist will play a strictly limited run at the Phoenix Theatre from 20 October 2017 to 10 March 2018. Tickets will go on general sale at 4pm on Friday 11 August.

Widely considered the scariest movie of all time, the film adaptation of The Exorcist sparked unprecedented worldwide controversy when it was released in cinemas in 1973. Winner of two Academy Awards, William Friedkin’s masterpiece saw audiences petrified to the point of passing out and went on to become one of the top ten highest grossing films of all time.

“Oh please, Mother, make it stop! It’s hurting.”

When the medical profession fails to provide answers to young Regan’s strange symptoms her desperate mother Chris turns to a local priest for help. But before Father Damien can tackle what’s before him, he must overcome his own shaken beliefs, as this fight is for more than just one girl’s soul…

Sean Mathias has worked at the Royal National Theatre and many times in the West End and on Broadway, as well as extensively internationally. In 2009/2010 Sean’s production of Waiting For Godot played two seasons at the Theatre Royal Haymarket and toured the UK and internationally. In 2013 Godot played Broadway along with his production of Pinter’s No Man’s Land, the latter transferring to Wyndham’s Theatre in October 2017 starring Ian McKellen and Patrick Stewart, and won Best Revival at the Evening Standard Theatre Awards 2016.

The Exorcist is designed by Olivier Award-winning Designer Anna Fleischle (Hangmen) with lighting by Tim Mitchell (RSC/Guys and Dolls), composition and sound design by Adam Cork (London Road) and illusion design is by Ben Hart (Impossible).

LISTINGS

Bill Kenwright presents
THE EXORCIST

A play by John Pielmeier.
Adapted from the novel by William Peter Blatty.
Directed by Sean Mathias.

By Special Arrangement with Ben Sprecher and Stuart Snyder
In Association with Birmingham Repertory Theatre

Phoenix Theatre
Charing Cross Rd
London
WC2H 0JP

PLEASE NOTE this production contains material which may shock and offend. Recommended age guidance 18+.

First Performance: 20 October 2017
Booking to 10 March 2018

Monday – Thursday 8pm
‘Friday is Fright-Night’ 6pm evening and ‘Fright Night late show’ 9pm
Saturday 4pm and 8pm

http://www.atgtickets.com/shows/the-exorcist/phoenix-theatre/
0844 871 7629

Facebook: @TheExorcistLIVE
Twitter: @TheExorcistLIVE

FULL CAST

ANNOUNCED FOR

SALAD DAYS

AT THE UNION THEATRE, STRICTLY LIMITED SEASON

16 AUGUST – 9 SEPTEMBER 2017

 

63 years after its first London production, Salad Days returns in an exciting revamp of the much-loved classical musical. Reimagined for the Union Theatre, Bryan Hodgson’s new production is the highlight of this year’s off West-End season running from 16 August to 9 September 2017 at the Union Theatre.

The cast of Salad Days will be led by Lowri Hamer as Jane and Laurie Denman as Tim. Both are making their professional debut having recently graduated from Guildford School of Acting. They will be joined by Maeve Byrne as Asphynxia, Darrie Gardner as Mrs Dawes, James Gulliford as Nigel, Emma Lloyd as Rowena, Lewis McBean as Tom/Fosdyke, Sophie Millett as Lady Raeburn, Karl Moffatt as Uncle Clam, Tom Norman as Boot, Stephen Patrick as The Inspector, Francesca Pim as Fiona, Jacob Seickell as Troppo, Tom Self as The Tramp and Ashlee Young as Marguerite.

Salad Days is the delightful story of recent graduates Tim and Jane in the midst of a sunny summer in 1954. Glum with their overbearing and pushy parents insisting that they ‘find themselves something to do’, Tim and Jane take on a job looking after a piano in a park. Little are they prepared to deal with the magic that follows, getting them into all kinds of musical trouble and choreographic hilarity. Madness ensues!

Julian Slade and Dorothy Reynolds’ timeless musical is an absolute romp of polite naughtiness and saucy encounters, that endeavours to put a smile on your face and a tap in your toes. With an energetic and peppy score featuring songs such as ‘We Said We Wouldn’t Look Back’, ‘Look At Me, I’m Dancing’, and ‘We’re Looking For A Piano’, Salad Days is a classical musical glittered with thoughts of community, love and happiness that are still as necessary and vital today as they have ever been.

For the full 1950’s ‘picnic in the park’ Salad Days experience, there will be special limited-availability front row ‘PICNIC’ seats from which audiences can enjoy front-row action from cushions and blankets spread on the floor.

Salad Days is directed by Bryan Hodgson (Kray Kray at Theatre N16, Judy! at The Arts Theatre), with associate direction by Samuel Hopkins. Choreography is by Joanne McShane (A Christmas Carol at Blackpool Winter Gardens, Bad Girls and Soho Cinders at the Union Theatre), musical direction by Elliot Styche (MAMMA MIA! for RCCL/Little Star, Old Mother Goose and Dick Whittington at York Theatre Royal), set design by Catherine Morgan (The Arsonists and Punk Rock at Courtyard Theatre) and lighting design by Jack Weir (Summer

In London at Theatre Royal Stratford East, The Boys In The Band at the Vaudeville). Sasha Regan is producing for the Union Theatre, with Ben Dewynter co-producing.

Bryan Hodgson, Director, said: “Salad Days is one of the all-time classics and I’m honoured to be reviving it at such a wonderful venue as the Union Theatre. We’re hoping to build a unique experience that will leave you tapping your toes ’til next Tuesday!”

Salad Days runs at the Union Theatre in Southwark from 16 August – 9 September 2017. Tickets: full price £25, concessions £22.50, front row ‘PICNIC’ seats sat on the floor with cushions and blankets £20 (limited availability). Box Office: 020 7261 9876 http://www.uniontheatre.biz/salad-days.html

Twitter: @SaladDaysLDN #SaladDaysLDN Facebook: @SaladDaysLDN

 

LISTINGS

Venue: Union Theatre, 229 Union Street, London, SE1 0LR

Dates: 16 August – 9 September 2017 (press performance 18 August)

Performances: Tuesday to Saturday evening: 7.30pm; Saturday and Sunday matinee: 2.30pm

Running Time: TBC

Suitability: suitable for all ages

Tickets: full price £25, concessions £22.50, front row ‘PICNIC’ seats sat on the floor with cushions and blankets £20 (limited availability) Bookings: http://www.uniontheatre.biz/salad-days.html

MY LAND’S SHORE FUNDRAISING CONCERT

All Star Productions present a Fundraising Concert at Ye Olde Rose and Crown Theatre in support of the Welsh Premiere of My Land’s Shore, in Merthyr Tydfil, February 2018.

The concert will feature songs by British Composers in support of a new British Musical and will be hosted by Tim McArthur with Musical Direction by Aaron Clingham.

---

Designer of poppies at
Tower of London presents bold new staging in World Premiere of
Bayadère – The Ninth Life.

Bayadère – The Ninth Life
World premiere: Thu 28 & Fri 29 September. 
Press Night: Thu 28 Sept, 8pm.

Shobana Jeyasingh’s latest dance work gets bold new stage design from Tom Piper, co-creator of the Blood-Swept Lands and Seas of Red poppy installation for the Tower of London, at The Lowry this September.

The world premiere of Bayadere – The Ninth Life (Thu 28 & Fri 29 Sept) is a radical reworking of the world-famous ballet La Bayadère by French choreographer Marius Petipa.

Award winning theatre designer Tom Piper is best known for his co-collaboration on the installation at Tower of London which had over 5 million visitors. In this new work, he and Jeyasingh have undercut the stereotypical exoticism of Victorian vision of the Bayadère.  Piper has created a series of shifting structures – museum-like vitrines and cages – to frame the nine exceptional dancers.

La Bayadere, a term used to describe Indian temple dancers, features one of ballet’s most celebrated scenes ‘Kingdom of the Shades.’ More than a re-telling, Jeyasingh’s new 2017 edit looks at the excesses of the 19th century classic, and the European fantasy of Indian culture over the centuries.

The work opens with Jas, a young British Asian male at a train station, messaging his friend about a ballet that his girlfriend has dragged him to see… La Bayadère. Jas feels disassociated from Petipa’s view of Indian culture and in his imagination he is transported to 19th century Paris. In Bayadere – The Ninth Life Jas is transported through history into Jeyasingh’s very own version of the ‘Kingdom of the Shades.’

Composer, producer and DJ Gabriel Prokofiev was nominated for a British Composer Award for his commissioned score for the original piece in 2015. For this new version, he intersperses the score with sounds from city streets to reflect the urban reality of the dancers’ 21st century world. French critic Théophile Gautier’s lascivious impressions of Indian temple dancers on their first visit to Europe in 1838 are spoken as part of the sound score.

Jeyasingh’s earlier version of Bayadère – The Ninth Life premiered at the Linbury Studio Theatre, Royal Opera House in 2015.

Listings Information
Bayadère – The Ninth Life
Dates: Thu 28 & Fri 29 September
Times: 8pm
Tickets: £16.50    
Website