Darlington Hippodrome – until 4 February 2018.  Reviewed by Andrew Bramfitt

4****

A thoroughly modern and unique take on a history tour

The newly refurbished Darlington Hippodrome, formerly the Civic and before that the grandly titled The New Hippodrome and Palace Theatre of Varieties has such a rich history that it was begging for someone to take it all and make something of it. Other historic recountings have invested in video or multimedia sessions with the audience sat in a plush new lounge and furnished with an audio guide but that’s not the New Hippodrome’s style. For this, the brilliant ODDMANOUT have been engaged to work with the Hippodrome and the Hippodrome Theatre Company and have produced an innovative, interactive, entertaining and downright fun approach to both guided tour and history lesson.

Starting with a flashmob-esque opening number which I guarantee will leave you with the evening’s earworm, you are brought together in a small group and taken on a behind the scenes and screens tour of the new and old, while along the way being entertained by characters from literary and theatrical stardom.

The ‘cast’ – who seems to morph seamlessly between characters, guides and even audience are brilliant in making the history come alive. Stories from giants such as Carrol & Shakespeare are rammed hard up against the comedic shoulders of Barry & Paul, driven to ‘fight’ by Lewis and then cuddled by the quintessential British Dame, all done as you wind your way through the auditorium, changing rooms, stores and flys. Not only do you get to tread the boards and gaze out at the seats, but you get to spend time in the Green room, intruding on a rehearsal which would fit perfectly with The Play that Goes….

If you have ever been to the Hippodrome (or Civic), if you enjoy theatre in general but wonder what ‘behind’ is like or if you just love great entertainment and watching a very, very good cast please, PLEASE treat yourself and grab a ticket – it’s only on for an hour but it’s so much fun and you may just learn a little. If nothing else you will appreciate why you should take heed that There’s a Fish Train Comin’.

Showstopper! The Improvised Musical heads to Manchester for one night only

The critically acclaimed improvisational frontrunner Showstopper! The Improvised Musical heads to Manchester’s Palace Theatre on Saturday 10^th February promising a night of surprises for audiences to enjoy.

No two nights are ever the same as The Showstoppers take audience suggestions and then spin a brand new comedy musical out of thin air – stories, characters, tunes, lyrics, dances, harmonies and all – with unpredictable and hilarious results. If you’ve thought improv looked difficult before, try doing it in time (and tune) to music!

Having grown since 2008 to become the UK’s most acclaimed and in-demand musical improvisers, The Showstoppers have become a must-see staple of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe. With four West End seasonsand an acclaimed BBC Radio 4 series to their name, they have also taken their ingenious blend of comedy, musical theatre and spontaneity around the globe, picking up accolades and awards including The Times Best of the Fringe, Mervyn Stutter’s Spirit Of The Fringe Award and nominations for Chortle Best Music Or Variety Act, MTM Best Production Award and MTM Judges’ Discretionary Award.

The Cast:

The rotating cast features some of the brightest minds in the world of comedy and musical theatre. The company includes:

·         Co-founder Adam Meggido, an award-winning writer/composer who has improvised at the National, The Royal Court Theatre, Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre and currently holds the world record for the directing the longest impro show – 55 hours without a break.

·         Dylan Emery, the other co-founder, has been improvising for more than 15 years – including at the National/Royal Court/Shakespeare’s Globe. He created veteran comedy impro group Grand Theft Impro, and the UK’s premier website devoted to the form thecrunchyfrogcollective.com.

·         Pippa Evans is an Edinburgh Comedy Award Best Newcomer nominee and has had great success on TV, Radio and stage – she is a regular on BBC Radio 4’s The Now Show, BBC2’s Fast and Loose, performs regularly with the Comedy Store Players and has had many years of success with her hit character act Loretta Maine.

·         Ruth Bratt is an improv Fringe regular for the last 11 years whose recent TV credits include Ricky Gervais’ Derek, Sarah Millican’s Support Group and Vic Reeves’ The Ministry Of Curious Stuff.

·         Sarah-Louise Young won the Best Musical Variety Act in the London Cabaret Awards and was nominated for the Edinburgh Comedy Awards Best Newcomer. She has performed her critically-acclaimed Cabaret Whore show across the world.

What the press have said about The Showstoppers:

“Not only is each performance achingly funny, it’s a genuinely new musical every time.  Worth seeing again and again.”  ★★★★★ Time Out London Critics’ Choice

“The show is a blast. It makes your jaw drop in impressed amazement and your ribs ache with laughter. Simultaneously a pastiche, a parody and a paean to musical theatre”   ★★★★★  Mail on Sunday

“A shining example of how good improv can be.”  ★★★★★ Chortle

“They truly are the masters of longform improvisation. These guys have to be seen to be believed! The best musical improvisation group we’ve ever come across. More talent on stage than you can shake a stick at!”★★★★★Time Out Critics’ Choice

“Showstopper! is a perfect example of skill and talent combined.” ★★★★★ British Theatre Guide

“Fabulous, fabulous, fabulous. Some creators take years to write rubbish, this team create gems in an hour every night. Simply outstanding.” ★★★★★ One4review

”An ingenious and engaging mix of improvisation and musical theatre. If you admired the Comedy Store Players for their ability to think on their feet, this bunch do it with the same verve and flair, but set to music. I was left open-mouthed. I can honestly say that I’d opt for this show’s wild, inventive energy of The Sound of Music any day.” Lyn Gardner, The Guardian

“An irresistible whirlwind of energy…Improvisation is being taken to new heights.” ★★★★★ ThreeWeeks

For more information, visit www.theshowstoppers.org / www.theshowstoppers.org

Listings Information:

10^th February | The Palace Theatre Manchester | 7.30pm

For tickets, visit www.atgtickets.com/venues/palace-theatre-manchester/

A Bristol Old Vic and Royal Exchange Theatre co-production
Writer Anton Chekhov
Translation Rory Mullarkey
Director Michael Boyd
Designer Tom Piper

Full cast announced for Michael Boyd’s
The Cherry Orchard

Full casting for Michael Boyd’s much anticipated production of The Cherry Orchard is announced today as rehearsals begin for the Bristol Old Vic and Royal Exchange Theatre co-production. Rory Mullarkey’s brand-new translation will be directed by Boyd, celebrated former Artistic Director of the Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC). Having studied Russian and trained as a director in Moscow,
extraordinarily, he will be directing Chekhov – the literary love of his life – for the first time.

Kirsty Bushell and Jude Owusu lead the ensemble in this vivid new production, which opens at Bristol Old Vic 1 March – 7 April, before transferring to Manchester’s Royal Exchange from 19 April – 19 May

Chekhov’s final masterpiece is full of wild humour and piercing sadness in this fresh, funny and honest new translation. A portrait of changing times, it maps the bittersweet tensions between the desperate longing to hold onto what is familiar, and the restless lure of the new. Revolution hangs in the air, the poor and hungry
are pushing at the doors, and a civilised and complacent culture is on the brink of collapse…

Kirsty Bushell plays Ranyevskaya, a woman whose liberal world of privilege and pleasure is beginning to show cracks while she and her family live on in denial. Kirsty was recently seen on television in BBC’s Motherland, but it is on stage where she has earned her renowned reputation. Her career is one of
dynamic variety, spanning roles from Olivia in the RSC’s Twelfth Night and Juliet for Shakespeare’s Globe to Vittoria in The White Devil (RSC), the title role in Hedda Gabler, and the recent “pitch-perfect” Regan opposite Ian McKellan’s King Lear. Her career also spans new works such as the recent Boys will Be Boys (Headlong/Bush), Torn for the Royal Court and Disgraced (The Bush). She regularly works with some of the leading directors in the world, including Ivo Van Hove, Michael Grandage and Maria Aberg, appearing regularly with the RSC, National Theatre and Royal Court

Jude Owusu plays the successful businessman Lopakhin, who has loved Ranyevskaya since childhood and now hopes to be her salvation. Jude’s recent theatre work includes A Tale of Two Cities (Regent’s Park), Gregory Doran’s Julius Caesar, Tim Crouch’s I, Cinna (both RSC/West End) and The Comedy of Errors (National Theatre). His television work includes the acclaimed The Hollow Crown series for BBC.

They are joined by Simon Coates in the role of Ranyevskaya’s well-intentioned but delusional brother Gayev. Simon has worked extensively with the National Theatre and the RSC, appearing throughout the world in many celebrated productions including: Robert Lepage’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Tim
Supple’s The Comedy of Errors, David Farr’s Coriolanus, Robert Icke’s 1984 and Declan Donnellan’s As You Like It, for which he received an Olivier award nomination for Best Supporting Actor and a New York Drama Desk Award nomination for Outstanding Featured Actor.

BAFTA-nominated Togo Igawa takes the role of Gayev’s elderly servant Firs. In 1986, he became the first Japanese actor to join The Royal Shakespeare Company. His work spans stage, film, anime, games and television. Stage work includes, Her Voice (Dublin Theatre Festival), Pacific Overtures (Donmar), and The Fair Maid of the West (RSC). His film work is extensive and includes Star Wars – The Last Jedi (2017), 47 Ronin (2013), The Last Samurai (2004), Topsy-Turvy (2000) and Eyes Wide Shut (1999).

Landowner Pischik is played by Julius D’Silva. His extensive theatre credits include Baz Luhrmann’s Strictly Ballroom (West Yorkshire Playhouse & Toronto), Made In Dagenham (Adelphi Theatre), Anne Boleyn (Shakespeare’s Globe/ETT), Oliver! (Theatre Royal, Drury Lane) and Macbeth (Shakespeare’s Globe). He has previously worked with Michael Boyd as part of the RSC’s Olivier Award-winning Histories Ensemble 2006–2008. His film credits include Notes on a Scandal and Endgame, and he can currently be seen in TV drama The Crown

Éva Magyar takes the role of Charlotta. Born in Hungary, she originally took the UK theatre scene by storm with her performance as Yseult in the original Kneehigh/National Theatre production of Tristan and Yseult. Her recent roles include Berthe in Ivo Van Hove’s Hedda Gabler (National Theatre) and the title
role of Marlene for Tristan Bates Theatre. Jack Monaghan plays the clerk Yepikhodov. He recently played Benjamin in The Graduate (West Yorkshire Playhouse) and Albert in the West End run of War Horse, as well as performing at Shakespeare’s Globe in As You Like It, and at Hampstead Theatre in Deposit

Bristol Old Vic welcomes back Emma Naomi in the role of the family’s maid, Dunyasha (previously The Crucible, Bristol Old Vic) and Enyi Okoronkwo as the eternal student Trofimov (previously Junkyard, Bristol Old Vic).

The cast also includes two recent Bristol Old Vic Theatre School graduates and 2017 Peter O’Toole Prize winners, Verity Blyth as Ranyevskaya’s daughter Anya (13, Tobacco Factory Theatres) and Rosy McEwan as Varya (Julius Caesar, Bristol Old Vic).

They are joined by Hayden Mclean as Yasha (Fair to Middling, New Wimbledon Studio; Ages, Old Vic London), Joseph Hardy (Façade/Strange Joy, East London Music Group) and Harry Humberstone (Ablutions, FellSwoop Theatre).

Michael Boyd, lauded former Artistic Director of the Royal Shakespeare Company, was a trainee director in Moscow at the start of his career, and only now directs his first Chekhov play for Bristol Old Vic and the Royal Exchange Theatre. With a unique ‘in the round’ design created by Tom Piper (co-designer of the poppy installation at the Tower of London in 2014; Romeo and Juliet, RSC; and A Midsummers Night’s Dream, RSC and UK tour), Bristol Old Vic’s theatre will be transformed into a full circle of seating, which mirrors the unique auditorium at the Exchange, allowing audiences to experience every part of this rich and
rewarding masterpiece up-close and from every angle.

Rory Mullarkey is a prize-winning playwright and translator. He was the Pearson Writer in Residence at the Royal Exchange, Manchester where he became the youngest playwright ever staged at the Exchange’s main theatre aged just 25. His debut play Cannibals was hailed “one of the most provocative,
original and disturbing debuts since Blasted”. In 2014, Rory won the Harold Pinter Playwriting Prize, the George Devine Award (jointly with Alice Birch) and the James Tait Black Prize for Drama. His most recent production was the National theatre’s Saint George and the Dragon and he is currently under commission to the Royal Exchange, The Royal Court, The Almeida and the Michael Grandage Company

THE HIGHLY ANTICIPATED WEST END PREMIERE

OF THE HIT NEW BRITISH MUSICAL

MISS NIGHTINGALE

OPENS AT THE THEATRE AT THE HIPPODROME CASINO

FOR A STRICTLY LIMITED SEASON FROM 21 MARCH – 6 MAY 2018

PRESENTED BY MR BUGG PRESENTS & THE HIPPODROME CASINO

‘A BLITZY ROMANCE OF GIN, GENTS, GARTER BELTS AND TERRIFIC SONGS!’ The Times

Miss Nightingale, will make its West End debut at the prestigious Theatre at the Hippodrome Casinoin London’s Leicester Square, for a strictly limited seven-week run in their 180-seat theatre, from 21 March – 6 May.

This original British musical, set in 1940s London during World War Two, is created and written byMatthew Bugg and features 16 original songs, from innuendo-laden Music Hall style numbers to tender ballads and complex trios and quartets, which wonderfully capture the soaring spirit and biting wit of the 40s.  

An intimate underground cabaret club opens in the heart of London. A saucy new star shines under the spotlight. Two men struggle to bring their illicit love out of the shadows. The war- torn capital has never been so revealing! 

Welcome to the Glitz of the Blitz; where showgirls, secrets and scandal abound. A world where aristocrats jostle with black-market spivs, songwriters take to the streets and nothing is quite as it seems. 

Maggie Brown, an aspiring singer and her best friend George Nowodny, a songwriter and Jewish refugee, perform a dazzling act at the newest nightclub in town, owned by wealthy socialite and RAF war-hero, Sir Frank Worthington-Blythe. Maggie’s beau Tom Connor, paves the way for the sexy and charismatic ‘Miss Nightingale’ to be born, and the musical duo quickly find themselves with a West End hit! However, what the leading lady doesn’t know, is that George and Sir Frank are hiding a secret and as Miss Nightingale’s success grows, so does a forbidden love between the two men!

From the moment the audience arrive at the Hippodrome Casino’s beautifully intimate theatre, they will be taken back in time to the hilarious and heart-warming world of the wartime West End. Themed food and drink will be served at cabaret tables and the audience will be able to immerse themselves in WW2 London life during the days of air-raids, rationing and the Great British stiff upper lip.

This joyous, new musical is performed by a cast of six actor-musicians, led by Lauren Chinery in the title role, alongside Oliver Mawdsley as Frank, Matthew Floyd Jones as George, Adam Langstaff as Tom, Tobias Oliver as Clifford and Matthew Bugg himself, in the role of Harry.

Miss Nightingale has designs by Carla Goodman, lighting by Craig Garratt, original lighting designs by David Phillips, sound by Danny Kissane, and is produced by Mr Bugg Presents and The Hippodrome Casino.

Since it was first staged in 2011 at The Lowry Studio, Salford, Miss Nightingale has completed five sold-out UK tours, a headline season at The Vaults in 2017 and featured in the Guardian’s ‘Top 50 Must-Sees’.

Sunderland Empire – until 11 February 2018.  Reviewed by Andrew Bramfitt

5*****

A giant ogre, a talking donkey, a magical princess, a tiny Lord and a fire breathing dragon – all quite feasible characters for an animated movie but surely a challenge to portray as a live stage musical – or so you’d think, but under the expert direction of Nigel Harman (and aided in no small way by the brilliant cast and choreography) Shrek the Musical is a modern day masterpiece to rival anything currently on show.

Drawing heavily from the Dreamworks animated movie made famous by the vocal talents of Mike Myers, Eddie Murphy and Cameron Diaz, this non-stop extravaganza concentrates the essence and humour of the CGI film whilst introducing new songs and some amazing costumes for which Tim Hatley should be lauded and applauded.

Right from the opening scene, the storybook backstory of how a young Shrek befell his swamp life, the whole show has a larger than life feel as though the audience are being immersed into a true fairy tale. Brilliant set design, the multitude of additional characters and the very clever little details mean there is so much to watch; in fact the interval conversation was peppered with “I didn’t see that, I was watching ….”.

The main factor that made the original movie such a must for repeat viewing was the subtle (and not so subtle) pastiches, homages or just plain ‘steals’ from multiple genres – spotting the digs at Disney, the role reversal of children’s stories or the twist on expected norms meant adults could also laugh while the kids hollered at the ‘rude’ jokes and naughty behaviours. This show has taken that premise and, in keeping for a stage musical, took a mischievous aim at many of the most popular musicals – as such you can find nods to Wicked, Rent, Matilda, Spamalot, Bob Fosse, Avenue Q, Rocky Horror, Blood Brothers and I’m sure many more. For a fan of the theatre, this is like playing Musicals Bingo, write out a list and tick them off as you find them.

The main cast are all fabulous; Steffan Harri (Shrek) seems to tower over the other fairyland creatures in presence yet never loses his soft side whilst Samuel Holmes (Lord Farquaad) is hilarious as the diminutive ruler with a desire to be considered large (his dance routines should come with a health warning of split sides and inability to breath due to laughing). Marcus Ayton (Donkey) has all the style, soul and street of a cross between James Brown and Jay Z but I think it was Laura Main (possibly best known for Call the Midwife) who gives Princess Fiona some real umpf – she is sassy, alluring and totally bonkers, laugh out loud funny and not afraid to bend her leg and let us know she can ‘Shrek’ it with the best (oh and boy can she sing)

The show has a feel of a pantomime in that it is super friendly, instantly recognisable, enthralling and entertaining through every minute (and provoking a theatre full of kids laughter), but this is no corny ‘he’s behind you’ fare, this is musical theatre at it’s very best and packed with moments of genuine hilarity.

Even though it’s only February, I’d say this will be THE show you will still be talking about come the end of the year and most certainly the one you’ll want to go and watch again and again

JAKE QUICKENDEN, CHERYL BAKER & MAX EVANS

TOGETHER WITH GUEST JUDGE DENISE VAN OUTEN

TO JOIN THE DANCING ON ICE LIVE UK TOUR

23rd MARCH – 15th APRIL 2018

TICKETS ON SALE NOW!

Dancing on Ice fans will be thrilled to learn that X Factor star Jake Quickenden, Bucks Fizz legend Cheryl Baker and rugby ace Max Evans will be getting their skates on for the Dancing on Ice Live UK Tour, which kicks off in March. This year’s tour will also feature a special guest judge, TV and West End star Denise Van Outen, who will join the ice panel hot on the heels of her judging duties on Ireland’s Got Talent.

Denise, Jake, Cheryl and Max will be joining Dancing on Ice Head Judges and live tour hosts, skating legends Jayne Torvill and Christopher Dean, on the road this spring when the Dancing on Ice Live UK Tour skates up and down the country.

Jake Quickenden has wowed both fans and the judges on the ITV show with his impressive skating which has seen him top of the leader board three times since the series began. Jake said: “This show has been such an amazing experience, so being asked to go on the live tour is awesome! I genuinely wasn’t expecting to be top of the leaderboard ever, let alone three times, so being able to go on the road to thank all those people who kept me there is such an honour.”

Cheryl Baker hasn’t had such an easy time since taking to the ice, but has entertained viewers with her best efforts and quick witted responses to the judges’ comments. Cheryl said: “I love going on tour with The Fizz, so going on the road and seeing all the Dancing On Ice fans around the country is going to be so much fun! Hopefully my skating skills will have improved by then too!”

Max Evans has proved he’s just as fast on the ice as the rugby pitch, impressing the TV Ice Panel with his skating week after week. Max said: “Being asked to be on the live tour is incredible and totally unexpected, but I am thrilled to continue my skating all over the UK.”

Denise Van Outen is no stranger to judging panels as the Loose Women regular is currently judging on Ireland’s Got Talent and previously judged on BBC1’s ‘I’d Do Anything’ and ‘Any Dream Will Do’. A muse for Lord Andrew Lloyd Webber, everyone’s favourite Roxy Hart in Chicago and a Strictly Come Dancing finalist, Denise knows her craft and is the perfect addition to the Dancing on Ice Live UK Tour. Denise said: “I’m so excited to be working on the Dancing on Ice Tour and cannot wait to see the skaters wow the audiences in the arenas. It’s going to be spectacular and as a fan of the show, I’m delighted to join the Ice Family!”

The Dancing on Ice tour will announce further celebrities and professional skaters from the new TV series in the coming weeks. The tour will open at The SSE Arena, Wembley on 23 March for the first of 27 shows. It will then visit some of the biggest entertainment venues across the UK, including Sheffield’s FlyDSA Arena, Newcastle’s Metro Radio Arena, Manchester Arena, the SSE Hydro in Glasgow and a Torvill & Dean homecoming at Nottingham’s Motorpoint Arena. The tour culminates at the Arena Birmingham on 15 April.

DANCING ON ICE LIVE 2018 TOUR DATES

23 – 25 March London: The SSE Arena, Wembley 0844 815 0815

(*Friday 23rd at 7.30pm, *Saturday 24th at 2.30pm & 7.30pm, Sunday 25th at 1.30pm & 6.30pm)

27 – 29 March Sheffield: FlyDSA Arena 0114 256 5656

(Tuesday 27th at 7.30pm, Wednesday 28th at 7.30pm, Thursday 29th at 7.30pm)

30 March – 01 April Newcastle: Metro Radio Arena 0844 493 6666

(Friday 30th at 7.30pm, Saturday 31st at 2.30pm & 7.30pm and Sunday 1st at 1.30pm)

03 – 04 April Manchester Arena 0844 847 8000

(Tuesday 3rd April at 7.30pm and Wednesday 4th April at 2.30pm & 7.30pm)

06 – 08 April Glasgow: SSE Hydro 0844 395 4000

(Friday 6th at 7.30pm, Saturday 7th at 2.30pm & 7.30pm, Sunday 8th at 1.30pm)

10 – 12 April Nottingham: Motorpoint Arena 0843 373 3000

(Tuesday 10th at 7.30pm, Wednesday 11th at 7.30pm and Thursday 12th at 7.30pm)

13 – 15 April Arena Birmingham 0844 338 8000

(Friday 13th at 7.30pm, Saturday 14th at 2.30pm & 7.30pm, Sunday 15th at 1.30pm & 6.30pm)

* Denise Van Outen will not perform on 23 or 24 March

Tickets: £35 – £65 (bands venue dependent)

The O2 prices are £36 – £66 (Inclusive of a £1 per ticket venue facility fee)

All ticket prices are subject to a booking fee

To book tickets or for further information visit: www.dancingonicetour.co.uk

Facebook: /dancingonicetour

Instagram: @DancingOnIceTour

Twitter: @DOI_Tour

Hashtags: #DOITour

#DancingOnIceTour

CAROLINE O’CONNOR

TO STAR IN KANDER AND EBB’S

THE RINK

AT SOUTHWARK PLAYHOUSE

FROM 25 MAY TO 23 JUNE 2018

NATIONAL PRESS NIGHT TUESDAY 29 MAY 2018

Renowned Broadway, West End and film actress Caroline O’Connor will star as Anna in the first London revival in 20 years of Kander and Ebb’s THE RINK, having understudied the role of Angel in the 1988 London production of the show. The new production of THE RINK will play at Southwark Playhouse for a limited season from 25 May to 23 June 2018, with a national press night on Tuesday 29 May. The role of Angel, along with further casting is to be announced

Caroline O’Connor is currently starring as Countess Lily in the Broadway musical Anastasia. She is perhaps best known for playing Nini in Baz Luhrmann’s Oscar-winning film Moulin Rouge as well as Velma Kelly in Chicago on Broadway and in Australia and Mabel Normand in Mack and Mabel in the West End, for which she received a 1996 Olivier Award nomination for Best Actress in a Musical. Caroline’s other theatre roles include the one woman play Bombshells (Arts Theatre, London) which was written especially for her and for which she received her second Olivier Award nomination, Hildy in On The Town (London Coliseum), End of the Rainbow (Sydney Opera House) and Edith Piaf in Piaf (Melbourne and Sydney). Caroline played Ethel Merman in the 2004 Cole Porter biopic De-Lovely.

Anna, an Italian housewife who runs a roller-skating rink on the Eastern seaboard, is about to sell it to developers until her estranged daughter, Angel, returns after a long absence, hoping to save the rink and patch things up with her mother.

THE RINK originally premiered on Broadway on 9 February 1984, starring Chita Rivera as Anna and Liza Minelli as Angel.  Rivera won the Tony and Drama Desk Awards for her performance. The show premiered in London at the Cambridge Theatre on 17 February 1988, starring Josephine Blake and Diane Langton as Anna and Angel respectively.

THE RINK has a book by Tony Award-winning Terrence McNally (Ragtime, Kiss of the Spider Woman, Master Class). This new production is directed by Adam Lenson and choreographed by Fabian Aloise, with musical direction by Joe Bunker and casting by Jacob Sparrow.

THE RINK is produced by Jack Maple and Brian Zeilinger.

LISTINGS INFORMATION

25 May to 23 June 2018

Southwark Playhouse

77-85 Newington Causeway

London SE1 6BD

Performance Times:

Monday – Friday 7.30pm

Saturday and Tuesday 3.00pm & 7.30pm

N.B Tuesday 29 May – no matinee performance

Tickets: £25 and £20 concessions (from £14 during previews) 

Box Office:  020 7407 0234

Website:  southwarkplayhouse.co.uk

Facebook: www.facebook.com/SouthwarkPlayhouse

Twitter: @TheRinkMusical      

             @swkplay

ANDREW LLOYD WEBBER’S OLIVIER AWARD-WINNING

S C H O O L   O F   R O C K  –  T H E   M U S I C A L

WELCOMES NEW KIDS CAST

DATES NOW CONFIRMED FOR KIDS OPEN AUDITIONS IN BRISTOL AND LEEDS

AUSTRALIAN PRODUCTION TO OPEN OCTOBER 2018

WWW.SCHOOLOFROCKTHEMUSICAL.COM

Before school’s out this February half term, Andrew Lloyd Webber announces that later this month (24 February 2018) he will welcome a new group of kids to his Olivier award-winning production of School of Rock – The Musical.   Continuing in the West End at the New London Theatre, School of Rock – The Musical is currently booking to 13 January 2019.  In October this year an Australian production will open at Her Majesty’s Theatre in Melbourne, a Broadway production continues at the Winter Garden Theatre and the US national touring production is currently booking to September 2018.

Based on the iconic 2003 film of the same title, School of Rock – The Musical sees the kids from Dewey’s band compete in the legendary Battle of the Bands and embrace the power of rock!  Playing live at every performance alongside the adult cast, the new kids company join the Olivier award-winning kids cast. 

From 24 February 2018 the ‘kids’ cast comprises Santiago Cerchione, thirteen years old from London, Oscar Rice, eleven years old from London, and Phoenix Taylor, twelve years old from York, who will play Zack; Jasper Bew, ten years old from London, Annabel Gracey, twelve years old from Bradford, and Stanley Jarvis, twelve years old from London, who will play Freddy; Gus Graham, twelve years old from London, Alfie Humphreys, eleven years old from Buckinghamshire, and Austin Kindler, eleven years old from London, who will play Lawrence; Anya Cooke, ten years old from Bristol, Amelie Leatherland, twelve years old from Brighton, and Audrey Newman, ten years old from London, who will play Katie; Jarvis Baugh, twelve years old from London, Liam Hewitt, thirteen years old from the West Midlands, and Jensen York, eleven years old from Warwickshire, who will play Billy; Anya Hewett, ten years old from County Durham, Aaliyah Monk, twelve years old from Suffolk, and Freya Yates, ten years old from Sheffield, who will play Summer; Natahlia Colbourne, eleven years old from Kent, Fayth Ifil, ten years old from Swindon, and Aaylia Rose, nine years old from London, who will play Tomika; Rayyan Chihi, twelve years old from London, Hugo Dunkley, eleven years old from London, and Jack Gale, eleven years old from Hertfordshire, who will play James; Heather Clementson, eleven years old from Hertfordshire, Romanie Jija-Wakeham, ten years old from London, and Grace Wood, twelve years old from Surrey, who will play Marcy; Daniel Luniku,eleven years old from London, Charlie Vyacheslavov, thirteen years old from Berkshire, and Jeremiah Waysome, eleven years old from London, who will play Mason; Vanecia Salam, eleven years old from London, Tia Stuart, eleven years old from Kent, and Shaye Temple, ten years old from London, who will play Shonelle; Zoe Coleman, eleven years old from London, Frankie-Mae Garner, eleven years old from Essex, and Darcy Snares, eleven years old from Essex, who will play Sophie.

Continuing the countrywide search for the opportunity to ‘join the band’, further kids open auditions will take place later this year in Bristol on the 10 March and in Leeds on 21 April with dates to be announced for London, Manchester and Plymouth.  If you are between 8 – 12 years old and play a rock instrument (guitar, bass, piano, and/or drums) or sing, registration and further details can be found by contacting Jessica Ronane Casting at [email protected] or at www.schoolofrockthemusical.co.uk/auditions.

The three teams of twelve kids who make up Dewey’s band are joined by the adult castcomprising Stephen Leask as Dewey Finn, with Florence Andrews as Rosalie Mullins, Alan Pearson as Ned Schneebly, Michelle Francis as Patty Di Marco and Craig Gallivan as Dewey Finn at certain performances.  The ‘grown up’ cast is completed by ensemble members Nick Butcher, Cassandra McCowan, Jessica Louise Parkinson, Andy Rees, Cameron Sharp, Jake Sharp, James Smoker, Wendy Somerville, Andrew Spillett, Hannah Stratton and Alex Tomkins with swings, Paul Kemble, Laura Medforth, Billy Mitchell, Tasha Sheridan and Joshua St. Clair.

With a rocking new score by Andrew Lloyd Webber, School of Rock – The Musical follows slacker and wannabe rock star Dewey Finn turn a class of straight-A 10 year old students into an ear popping, riff scorching, all conquering rock band!  Dewey poses as a substitute teacher at a prestigious prep school to make ends meet, and when he discovers his fifth graders’ musical talents, he enlists his class to form a rock group and conquer the Battle of the Bands. As Dewey falls for the beautiful headmistress, can he and his students keep this special assignment secret as they learn to fully embrace the power of rock?

School of Rock features music from the movie, as well as new music written by Andrew LloydWebber with lyrics by Glenn Slater and a book by Julian Fellowes.  School of Rock – The Musical is directed by Laurence Connor with choreography by JoAnn M. Hunter, set and costume designs by Anna Louizos, lighting design by Natasha Katz, sound design by Mick Potter, music supervision by John Rigby with Matt Smith as musical director.

Produced by Paramount Pictures, the 2003 hit film School of Rock was directed by Richard Linklater and starred Jack Black in a career-defining performance.

School of Rock — The Musical is produced in the West End by Andrew Lloyd Webber for The Really Useful Group and Warner Music Group & Access Industries with Madeleine Lloyd Webber as Executive Producer.

LISTINGS INFORMATION

Theatre:                  New London Theatre, 166 Drury Lane, London WC2B 5PW

Dates:                    now booking to 13 January 2019

Running time:          approximately 2 hours 30 minutes including interval

Box Office:                0844 811 0052

Performances:          Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday at 7.30pm, Thursday and Saturday 2.30pm, Sundays at 3pm

                             Please check website for Christmas schedule

Prices:                    from £15.00 – £75.00

Student rush tickets for £10 on Wednesday evening

All ticket prices include a £1.50 restoration levy.  No booking fee via official box office channels

Website:                 www.SchoolOfRockTheMusical.co.uk

Twitter & Instagram: @SchoolofRockuk

Facebook:               facebook.com/schoolofrockmusical

Lion and Unicorn, Kentish Town – until 2 February.  Reviewed by Brian Gordon

3***

This production from Lucrezia Pollice tackles a strong and reverent subject in modern society. A group of house mates trying to make life there’s and endeavouring to ensure the equilibrium of life is maintained whilst tackling modern social and emotional culture.

Maria played by Zoe Templeman-Young has mental health issues which in this play are simplistically based in parental rejection and drug use. Her flat mates move through the scenes attacking and transcending the centres of gravity of this issue throughout the play. The use of metaphor and the development of the relationships of the characters is most evident here, again though, it is simplistic in a raw and clearly personal level.

The portrayal of characters in the intimate Lion and Unicorn, above pub theatre is basic. Rachel is delivered well by Olivia Valler-Feltham, probably the best delivery, of the characters as the sensible but obvious centre of gravity to the story. Sophie, the drug supplying and attention supportive or distractive friend is clearly a challenging role, but represented judiciously by Tamzin Murray.

The play viably developed in the intimate theatre as Eddy played by Peter Silva calmed into the small room and managed to create a reasonable delivery of the supporting friend from the lad about tinder…

The use of multiple media created a distracted air at times but enabled the production to explore characteristics beyond the intimate theatre. Sometimes wandering into University drama club demonstration of multimedia usage, this performance could have benefited from keeping it true to the gritty and real subject which it attempted to challenge.

What was truly resonant was the discussion created in the audience beyond the play….. Although a simple display of character and a small audience, the creation of discussion and opinion of the metaphorical aspect and the use of media as a post-performance discussion, was the strongest I have seen….

Not the best, not top end, but relative and now, if you are after theatre that creates discussion, which after all is what art is for… then try it. If nothing else the venue is fantastic with great food and well-kept beers and great staff.