IMAGINE IF presents

YOU FORGOT THE MINCE

AT THE PLEASANCE COURTYARD, EDINBURGH FESTIVAL FRINGE

FROM 7 – 28 AUGUST 2017

Following a hugely successful 2016 tour to theatres and prisons in the North of England, You Forgot the Mince, presented by Imagine If and written by Francesca Joy, will run at The Pleasance Courtyard during the Edinburgh Festival Fringe from 7 – 28 August 2017 (excl. 21 August). This will be followed by a London run in September and an Autumn tour of prisons and theatres (details to be announced).

Inspired by real life events and set in Leeds, this gritty piece of new writing tells the story of a modern day abusive relationship: ‘Rosa lives with her grandma Lily. She’s just finished college and she can’t wait to leave Yorkshire and all the people in it … until she meets Niko. They fall head over heels in love, and the future’s looking bright. But their love for each other is tested to the limit; Rosa leaves for London, Niko ends up in prison and Lily won’t stop baking cakes. Everyone’s world is falling apart, but no-one’s talking about it. How are they going to get their lives back on course?’

Francesca Joy conceived, researched and wrote You Forgot The Mince supported by dramaturg Mark Catley (BBC). Francesca, who is also Founding Artistic Director of Imagine If, grew up in care from the age of 15, and she has experienced various forms of abuse throughout her life. As a trained actor, writer and producer, Francesca uses her first-hand experience to inform the art which Imagine If creates and she is passionate about working with those underrepresented in the arts. She says:“You Forgot the Mince is a story about what we do to protect those around us and how we fuck them up in the process. It is about real people and the journeys they choose to go on in life. How we love and how we hurt. The characters came to me long before the story did. I was inspired by my own relationships with those close to me, those around me, and the people I passed on the street. I am inspired by people and the ability they have to change their own behaviour. I hope You Forgot the Mince inspires others to change too.”

You Forgot The Mince is performed by Francesca Joy, Ursula Mohan and Prince Plockey. It is directed by Stephen Whitson (UK Associate Director on the West End transfer of the Broadway hit show Hamilton and currently Associate Director of 42^nd Street at Theatre Royal, Drury Lane). Movement is by award-winning choreographers Errol White and Davina Givan, of White & Givan, and sound by Ed Clarke.

The production features an amalgamation of verbatim text, original text and physical theatre accompanied by an original score. The interactions between the characters poignantly highlight the stark reality of control and coercion, interlaced with humour and normality.

Imagine If is a Leeds-based theatre company and charity, founded in 2014, which tours new writing to theatres and prisons across the UK. Its productions are based on the world around us comprising real stories from real people, placing those without a voice at the forefront of each Imagine If production. As well as theatre productions, Imagine If runs a range of drama-based workshops across the UK with offenders, ex-offenders, those with mental health issues, recovering addicts, young adults in the care system and those from disadvantaged backgrounds. You Forgot the Mince had an extensive research phase including drama workshops in HMP Leeds and with ex-offenders within the community.

You Forgot the Mince runs from 7 – 28 August (exc. 21 August) at the Pleasance Courtyard. Tickets, priced £6.50 – £10 (‘2 for 1’ tickets on 7 and 8 August), are available from the Pleasance Box Office: https://www.pleasance.co.uk/event/you-forgot-mince and Telephone Booking: 0131 556 6550.

 

Website: www.imagineiftheatre.co.uk

Twitter: @imagine_if_co / Facebook: @imagineiftheatrecompany

Show trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Hh8yL6xQdI&t=1s

LISTINGS

Show: You Forgot the Mince

Theatre company: Imagine If

Dates: 7 – 28 August (no performance 21 August)

Times: 1.00pm

Venue: Pleasance Courtyard (Venue 33), 60 Pleasance, Edinburgh EH8 9TJ

Duration: 60 minutes (no interval)

Suitability: ages 12+.  Performance contains brief depictions of violence

Prices (standard/concession): £7.50/£6.50: Mon 14, Tues 15, Tues 22, Mon 28;  £9.00/£8.00: Weds 9, Thu 10, Weds 16, Thu 17, Weds 23, Thu 24; £10.00/£9.00: Mon 7, Tues 8, Fri 11, Sat 12, Sun 13, Fri 18, Sat 19, Sun 20, Fri 25, Sat 26, Sun 27

(Concessions available – valid for anyone under 18 years old, registered students, registered unemployed, registered disabled, or over 60 years old. ID required).

7 and 8 August: ‘2 for 1’ ticket offer available

Imagine If are supporting young adults in care with four free tickets available for every show

Box Office: https://www.pleasance.co.uk/event/you-forgot-mince / 0131 556 6550.

Mayflower Theatre Southampton  – 10th July.  Reviewed by Jo Gordon

Since being formed in 2008 by former LAMDA Drama School Students, Mischief Theatre has grown and grown into the incredibly successful beast whose productions are now loved worldwide. The Play That Goes Wrong began its humble begins above a pub in 2013 but now has an Olivier Award for Best New Comedy, The Whats on Stage Award for Best New Comedy and The Broadway World award for Best New Play.

Set in a quintessentially English country manor, members of the Cornley Polytechnic Drama Society have written, directed and starred in a production called “Murder at Haversham Manor”. From the very start when crew are frantically searching amongst the audience for missing dog “Winston” and a Duran Duran CD, you know you are in for a comedic treat. The set starts to fall apart almost immediately and the over acting portrayal of the plays characters are very amusing as we all know someone who declares to a be serious thespian but is more hammy than that tinned meat your Nan keeps in for emergencies!

Inspector Carter (Chris Bean) is called into the house after Charles Haversham  (Jonathan Harris) is found dead at his own engagement party to the beautiful Florence Colleymore (Sandra Wilkinson). The manor is put on lock down whilst the Inspector begins to piece together who the culprit may be, aided by Florence’s brother Thomas (Robert Grove), the Butler Perkins (Dennis Tyde) and Haversham’s Brother Cecil (Max Bennett).  As the mystery starts to unfold while the scenery collapses around them, lead actors are rendered unconscious, meaning the stage manager (Annie Twilloil) and the lighting and sound operator (Trevor Watson) are given their chance in the spotlight with hilarious consequences. With the frantic slapstick pace quickening and the cast and crews stress levels at an all time high will, will we get to the end to see the big reveal of who the dastardly murderer is?

I have never been to a production filled with so much raucous laughter , snorts and unidentifiable sounds coming from the audience whom were of ages across the board. I will leave you with a small piece of advice, do not drink large volumes of liquid otherwise it will not only be your face left damp with tears!

THE ONLY LEARNING DISABILITY THEATRE COMPANY AT THIS YEAR’S EDINBURGH FESTIVAL FRINGE

 

Yorkshire’s Mind the Gap Theatre Company Takes Mia to the Festival

Mind the Gap, England’s largest learning disability theatre company, is delighted to announce it is taking its production of Mia to the Edinburgh Festival Fringe next month.

Performed by four learning disabled artists and created and directed by Mind the Gap’s Resident Director Joyce Nga Yu Lee, Mia explores the truths and myths about learning disability and parenthood in today’s society.

“The issue of learning disability parenthood is complex,” explains Joyce. “Having kids is not an easy decision for any of us. Can I afford it? Have I got enough room? Will I screw it up? Imagine making these decisions if you have a learning disability.”

It was when speaking to one of the artists about a family member’s pregnancy that Joyce decided the story needed telling; Mia is based on real life accounts.

“Medical experts, geneticists, social workers, council officers and advocates have all been involved in the creation of this piece,” Joyce continues. “But the most important people involved are the learning disabled parents who have shared their stories with us.”

Cast member Alison Short says: “I think Mia is important because it gives some insight into the challenges that learning disabled parents can face which most parents wouldn’t even know existed.”

Mia originally toured studio venues around the UK in autumn last year receiving outstanding reviews.

“I’m thrilled that the piece will reach a larger and international audience at Edinburgh,” Joyce concludes. “This is a project about humanity – it aims to resonate with everybody, with or without a disability. It is fast moving and raw, funny and bold – in short Mia is wild ride!”

Mind the Gap present Mia at Edinburgh’s Summerhall Old Lab

from Tuesday 8^th to Sunday 27^th August

 

Performances are at 2.45pm from Tuesday to Sunday inclusive

 

Tickets are available from www.summerhall.co.uk

 

Mia will tour in autumn 2017 and spring 2018 with performances confirmed at Hull Truck Theatre, Hull, The Gulbenkian, Canterbury, and Square Chapel Arts Centre, Halifax

 

For more information on Mind the Gap visit www.mind-the-gap.org.uk

NEW ADVENTURES ANNOUNCES

NORTH AMERICAN TOUR DATES

AND CASTING

for

USA PREMIERE

of

MATTHEW BOURNE’S

Production of

 

Based on the film by MICHAEL POWELL and EMERIC PRESSBURGER

and the HANS CHRISTIAN ANDERSEN fairytale

Music by BERNARD HERRMANN

 

US TOUR LAUNCHES ON 15 SEPTEMBER 2017

 

New Adventures are delighted to announce North American tour dates and casting for Matthew Bourne’s double OLIVIER AWARD winning production of THE RED SHOES. The production will make its American debut as part of a World Premiere tour, starting at the Ahmanson Theatre, Los Angeles on Friday 15 September 2017; and continuing to the Kennedy Center, Washington DC; Blumenthal Performing Arts, Charlotte and New York City Center. Full tour dates are below.www.new-adventures.net.

 

The World Premiere tour of THE RED SHOES opened at the Theatre Royal Plymouth in November 2016 ahead of a sold-out eight-week Christmas season at Sadler’s Wells, where it opened to rave reviews. The performances at Sadler’s Wells were the fastest selling in New Adventures history. There are just two venues left on the UK tour. Due to popular demand, following sold out dates earlier this year the show is returning to The Lowry, Salford (11 July – 15 July) and Birmingham Hippodrome (18 July – 22 July).

The original award-winning cast returns to recreate their critically acclaimed performances in these iconic roles.

The role of “Victoria Page”, the girl who dreams of being a great dancer, immortalised on screen by Moira Shearer, was created by New Adventures leading lady, Ashley Shaw, in a career defining performance. New Adventures rising star, Cordelia Braithwaite, who has also received great praise for her interpretation will return for the USA Tour. For the run at New York City Center only, New York City Ballet star, Sara Mearns, will also play the role of “Victoria Page” making her New Adventures debut.

 

Sam Archer who created the title role of Edward Scissorhands in 2005 and who has starred in Cinderella, The Car Man and Play Without Words returned to the company to create the iconic role of Svengali-like Impresario “Boris Lermontov” Having recently made his debut in the role, Jack Jones will also play Lermontov at some performances.

The role of “Julian Craster”, was created by one of New Adventures most popular dancers, Dominic North, who was last year nominated for his second National Dance Award. Joining him, we are delighted to welcome back American Ballet Theatre star, Marcelo Gomes, who will be making his debut as Julian at all venues during the USA Tour. Marcelo was last seen with New Adventures inThe Car Man at Sadler’s Wells in 2015 having previously danced “The Swan” in Matthew Bourne’s Swan Lake in Tokyo in 2014.

 

Completing the principal cast are the leading dancers of the Lermentov Company. Prima Ballerina, “Irina Boronskaja” is played by Michela Meazza, who returns to New Adventures where she has danced and created many leading roles (Los Angeles and New York only). She is joined by Company favourites Anjali Mehra, most recently seen as both “The Queen” and “The Girlfriend” inSwan Lake and Nicole Kabera, who most recently played “Queen Eleanor” in Sleeping Beauty.

“Ivan Boleslawsky” the role made famous by Robert Helpmann has been created by one of New Adventures finest young dancers, Liam Mower (the original West End Billy Elliot but now taking on his seventh principal role with New Adventures). Also playing Ivan is popular company dancer,Danny Reubens, who scored a great personal success recently as “Jack” in Lord Of The Flies and rising star, Will Bozier.

Lermontov Company choreographer and ‘character dancer’ “Grischa Ljubov”, has been created by veteran company dancer, Glenn Graham, who as well as playing “The Swan” in Swan Lake has recently been seen as “King Benedict” in Sleeping Beauty. Also playing the role of “Grischa” will be Leon Moran recently seen in Sleeping Beauty, The Car Man and as “Jim” in Edward Scissorhands.

Completing the New Adventures cast as the leading dancers and creative team behind the Ballet Lermentov are Steph Billers (cover “Irina Boronskaia”), Jackson Fisch, Joshua Harriette, Daisy May Kemp, Phil King (cover “Julian Craster”), Dominic Lamb (cover “Grischa Ljubov”), Katrina Lyndon (who also plays “Victoria Page”) Kate Lyons, Andrew Monaghan (who also plays “Julian Craster”) Joe Walkling, Katie Webb (cover “Victoria Page”) and Seren Williams.

 

Long time company dancer Chris Trenfield, who co-created the roles of “Julian Craster” and “Boris Lermontov” will be retiring from New Adventures at the end of the UK Tour. His final performance will be at the matinee at The Birmingham Hippodrome on Saturday 22^nd July.

A beloved fairy-tale and Academy Award-winning movie, THE RED SHOES has seduced audiences and inspired generations of dancers with its tale of obsession, possession and one girl’s dream to be the greatest dancer in the world. Victoria Page lives to dance but her ambitions become a battleground between the two men who inspire her passion.

Matthew Bourne’s magical new adaptation of the legendary Powell and Pressburger film reunites him with his regular collaborators and New Adventures Associate Artists and the team that brought you the world wide hit, Sleeping Beauty; Lez Brotherston (set and costumes), Paule Constable(lighting) and Paul Groothuis (sound).

This World Premiere is set to a new score arranged by New Adventures Associate Artist, Terry Davies using the mesmerizing music of golden-age Hollywood composer, Bernard Herrmann (most famous for his collaborations with Alfred Hitchcock, Orson Welles and Martin Scorsese), whose work ranges from the witty and playfully robust to the achingly romantic and bittersweet.

An intoxicating drama where life imitates art with fateful consequences; THE RED SHOES will dazzle your senses and break your heart.

THE RED SHOES is supported using public funds by Arts Council England.

The North American tour dates will be supported across the continent with a program of workshops; curtain raisers and masterclasses for young people and emerging artists led by Re:Bourne, the charitable arm of New Adventures.

For more information please visit: www.new-adventures.net

Facebook /MBNewAdventures    Twitter @New_Adventures     Instagram @MBNewAdventures

 

THE WORLD PREMIERE TOUR OF MATTHEW BOURNE’S PRODUCTION OF THE RED SHOES 2017

www.new-adventures.net

REMAINING UK TOUR DATES 2017

TUESDAY 11 JULY – SATURDAY 15 JULY

THE LOWRY, MANCHESTER www.thelowry.com

WEDNESDAY 19 JULY – SATURDAY 22 JULY

BIRMINGHAM HIPPODROME www.birminghamhippodrome.com

US TOUR DATES 2017

FRIDAY 15 SEPTEMBER – SUNDAY 1 OCTOBER

AHMANSON THEATRE, LOS ANGELES, CA www.centertheatregroup.org

PRESS NIGHT – TUESDAY 19 SEPTEMBER

TUESDAY 10 OCTOBER – SUNDAY 15 OCTOBER

THE KENNEDY CENTER, WASHINGTON, DC www.kennedy-center.org

PRESS NIGHT – TUESDAY 10 OCTOBER

TUESDAY 17 OCTOBER – SUNDAY 22 OCTOBER

BLUMENTHAL PERFORMING ARTS, CHARLOTTE, NC www.blumenthalarts.org

PRESS NIGHT – TUESDAY 17 OCTOBER

THURSDAY 26 OCTOBER – SUNDAY 5 NOVEMBER

NEW YORK CITY CENTER, NY www.nycitycenter.org

PRESS NIGHT – THURSDAY 26 OCTOBER

SHEFFIELD PEOPLE’S THEATRE TAKE TO THE CRUCIBLE STAGE IN WHAT WE WISHED FOR

A cast of 71 local performers aged 12 to 89 bring a spectacular upside-down fairytale world to life on the Crucible Theatre stage from Wed 19 – Sat 22 July in What We Wished For by Chris Bush.

In a sleepy retirement community on the outskirts of Sheffield, a group of ex-fairytale heroes put their feet up after distinguished careers battling dragons, wolves and bears. The world is a much safer place thanks to their sacrifice. But when rumours of wolf attacks start to circulate, they prepare to face their nemesis once again. To stand any chance of success, they must join forces with their grandchildren, a generation who have never faced anything like this before…

Over the course of 237 rehearsal hours, the 71 cast members and six technical volunteers have worked alongside a professional creative team at Sheffield Theatres to create an exuberant, lively show about the lessons different generations can learn from each other. With over 120 characters this huge production wittily weaves together favourite fairytale characters in a contemporary Sheffield setting.

This is Yorkshire-based writer Chris Bush’s third collaboration with Sheffield People’s Theatre, following last year’s critically-acclaimed Shakespearean mash-up A Dream and The Sheffield Mysteriesin 2014. Sheffield People’s Theatre have now staged five productions, including Camelot: The Shining City, and members of the company have also taken part in other Sheffield Theatres productions, most recently Julius Caesar.

 

Tickets for What We Wished For are on sale now and can be purchased from Sheffield Theatres’ Box Office in-person, by phone on 0114 249 6000 or online at sheffieldtheatres.co.uk and are priced from £15.00.

Ovalhouse receive £3 million grant from The
Arts Council and offer as National Portfolio
Organisation for their move to Brixton
Ovalhouse, 52-54 Kennington Oval, London SE11 5SW

As Ovalhouse prepare to move from their current small-scale theatre in Oval to a new building in Brixton, this latest good news takes them several steps closer to their opening in late 2019.

The Arts Council has announced that they will confirm an award for a total of £3 million to be invested in the new theatre which comes in tandem with the news that Ovalhouse has secured an offer as a National Portfolio Organisation with a revenue grant for 2018-22. This incredible contribution will allow the company to build an exciting range of activities towards the opening of the new building as they plan to ‘arrive and thrive’.

Designed by Foster Wilson Architects, the building will have seven rehearsal studios and two studio theatres. It will allow disabled users to access all areas and will be built to a high sustainable standard. The balance of the cost of the building will be paid from proceeds from the sale of Ovalhouse’s current site, and additional fundraising.

Ovalhouse has an impressive history; Pierce Brosnan discovered his love of acting in the Youth Theatres and developed his talent as a professional actor with his first performances at Ovalhouse. Additionally, Sanjeev Bhaskar was commissioned by the BBC after a small show upstairs at Ovalhouse and Paulette Randall, the first black woman to take a show into the West End, was a regular as a young person. Ovalhouse alumni also include Jenny Sealey, Director of  Graeae Theatre and co-Director of the 2010 Paralympic Games opening. All these artists are supporting the ambitious move to a new building in their role as patrons.

Ovalhouse’s Director, Deborah Bestwick, comments, We have always known that this is an ambitious project – to build a new theatre in hard times, but we look at the work of our artists, and know that we are investing in the future. This grant unlocks that future.

Joyce Wilson, London Area Director, Arts Council England, said, The Arts Council is pleased to support Ovalhouse’s move to Brixton. The company does excellent work for the development of diverse artists and young people, and this represents a strong opportunity to develop a cultural hub in south London. We welcome the match funding from the London Borough of Lambeth: it is an investment not just in the project, but in a future of arts and culture for their community.

Cllr Sonia Winifred, Lambeth Cabinet Member for Equalities and Culture, added, Having seen first-hand both the quality of work and the social value that Ovalhouse add to our community, I very much welcome news of this significant investment.

Supporting a steady stream of up and coming artists who define a generation, Ovalhouse also welcomes a wide range of community members, from young refugees to the elders of Stockwell Good Neighbours, all working on cutting edge inclusive theatre.

In January 2016, The Arts Council England awarded Ovalhouse a Stage 1 development award of £130,600 and have just received a Stage 2 grant of £2,869,400.

WELCOME TO LOSERVILLE

Following the success of The Addams Family in 2016, The City Varieties Youth Theatre  (CVYT) brings Loserville – ‘the geeklovingcrowdbuzzinggamechaning musical’ to the City Varieties on Friday 28th and 29th July 2017

 

In what will be the company’s sixth full-scale musical at the UK’s most famous music hall, the 40-strong cast, plus live pit band, will have audiences reaching for their air guitars and ‘rocking-out’ to an electric pop-rock score worthy of the seventies.

Originally created by Elliot Davies and James Bourne for Youth Music Theatre UK, Loserville is based on the album, Welcome to Loserville from Bourne’s second band, Son of Dork. It tells the tale of misfit computer geek, Michael Dork, and his sci-fi obsessed, social-misfit friends, who, in 1971, are all set to change the course of history, fashion and dating – it’s just that no one knows it yet. Michael’s also discovered a girl, Holly, a prospect (almost) as exciting as his love of computers. If only he had the courage to talk to her!

CVYT Artistic Director of six years, Lizi Patch said: “I am delighted to be directing the sixth full-scale musical with the City Varieties Youth Theatre. Each year the challenge is to find a musical that both suits the large and very capable cast, and that will work on the beautiful but bijou City Varieties Stage. From the initial idea to the first performance, the cast, creative team, learning team, band and technical crew make my job a pleasure.

 

“After Oliver! and The Addams Family it was time to bring it up-to-date and work on something with a whole different flavour and Loserville ticked all the boxes. I guarantee a few earworms after people leave the theatre!”

Founded in 2012, CVYT continues to wow audiences with their take on classic shows, including Oliver!Return to the Forbidden Planet and Peter Pan – the British Musical.

A platform from which to introduce young people to the world of professional theatre, the CVYT has produced many talented young actors, including those who have gone on to perform with Opera North, train with Pineapple Dance Studios, London, gain a scholarship at Phoenix Dance Theatre, Leeds and even land a role in the new series of Game of Thrones.

Lizi said: “The City Varieties Youth Theatre explores the notion of theatre as a tool for social change and personal development for a new generation of theatre-makers and theatre goers. We give young people the skills, the time and the support to take creative and personal risks, enabling them to express themselves physically, verbally and through the written word.”

One Youth Theatre member added: “I feel very proud to be a part of the City Varieties Youth Theatre Company because of its professionalism and the amazing shows it puts on. I have enjoyed working with the professional directors and meeting lots of new friends with the same interests and ambitions as me. I think joining the Youth Theatre is the best decision I’ve ever made. I’m learning so much and I’m having the best time ever.”

CVYT will be holding an informal intro-session later this year at Leeds Grand Theatre. For more information contact the Learning Team at [email protected] or call 0113 297 7042.

 

Loserville is at City Varieties Music Hall from Friday 28^th to Saturday 29^th July

 

Tickets are priced from £12 adults and £8 child

(prices include a £1 booking fee and 60p restoration levy. Postage charge £1 where applicable)

 

Book online at cityvarietiesmusichall.co.uk or call box office on 0113 243 0808

 

IN THE RACE FOR POWER THERE CAN ONLY BE ONE WINNER

 

Martin Shaw leads the cast in the UK premiere of The Best Man. Gore Vidal’s award-winning political thriller about the race for the White House goes on sale to Sheffield Theatre members on Sat 15 July and on general sale on Wed 19 July.

 

Vidal’s drama of dirty politics has never seemed more real or relevant. At a time of political chaos,The Best Man mirrors the often surprising results of campaigning and the unscrupulous world of politics.

Two opposing presidential party candidates are neck and neck in an unscrupulous battle for the nomination. The only thing that separates the esteemed ex-Secretary of State and his newcomer populist opponent is an endorsement from a respected ex-President. But where does compromise end and corruption begin? And who in the end will be proven to be ‘the best man’?

The Best Man is directed by Simon Evans and goes on sale to members at 10.00am on Sat 15 July and on general sale at 10.00am on Wed 19 July. The Best Man is at the Lyceum Theatre from Mon 23 October – Sat 28 October.

 

Tickets can be purchased from Sheffield Theatres’ Box Office in-person, by phone on 0114 249 6000 or online at sheffieldtheatres.co.uk and are priced from £16.00. Concessions and group discounts are available.

Charing Cross Theatre 3rd July – 19th August.  Reviewed By Jessica Brady

World War 2, a time in history filled with battles, heart break and heroism amongst many other things, but it was most certainly a time where love was what pulled many people through dark days. To find love in unexpected circumstances is where Yank really tells a story that we may assume existed but wasn’t broadcast in that turbulent time and is full of attitudes that today are thankfully less prevalent. What starts with a young man’s interest in an old journal he finds in a junk shop, ends in a young G.I’s discovery about his sexuality and love for another G.I.

Stu [Played by Scott Hunter] is an 18 year old naive boy when he joins the US Army; he isn’t like the rest of his ultra manly squad who spend their free time thinking about their wives, girlfriends or woman in black and white films of the era. He realises soon after meeting a fellow squad member, Mitch [Played by Andy Coxon] that he is developing feelings that are more than just friendship. Stu struggles to get to grips with army life and is more focused on writing in his journal, documenting daily the thoughts, feelings and encounters he has whilst training. On the night his squad are sent to their first base, Stu opens up to a tipsy Mitch, thanking him for being kind to him and helping him whilst training. Stu admits he loves him and Mitch, surprisingly reciprocates and after a tender kiss quickly retreats and shuns Stu for making him do it. Stu feeling lost and alienated meets Artie [Played by Chris Kiely] who photographs for the Army magazine YANK at a bar, and Artie immediately notices that Stu is gay like him and takes him under his wing. Artie teaches him the ways of the homosexual lifestyle in the army, where it is illegal to be gay, dangerous and with little chance of survival on the frontline, hence his job as an army journalist taking him of the front line with the opportunity to be who he wants to be with the right people. Noticing that Stu has a journal he offers him the chance to become a writer for YANK and takes him out of his squad and away from Mitch. On his 13 months away from his squad Stu discovers who he really is and when he gets a letter from a fellow squad mate saying one of their troop has been killed and that Mitch has gone into himself since, he requests to write a piece on his squad in the hopes that Mitch will finally admit who he really is to himself.

YANK! Is like watching an old war movie that I wish had been made in that time and was one of the classics we know now! The score is like listening to a 1940’s radio show, songs filled with feeling and passion and great musical dance numbers. I was hooked into the story immediately as each member of the cast is outstanding. Scott Hunter leads this show with complete skill and is one of the most talented actors I have seen in a long time and his vocal and dancing talents are simply out of this world. His co star Andy Coxon has such charisma and a voice that could melt butter it’s so smooth and gorgeous that you truly are taken back to that era. The pair has electric chemistry and makes the whole story so believable and heartfelt that you are willing them to pull through each obstacle and live happily ever after but sadly this is not the case. A special mention must go to the fantastic Sarah Louise Young who is the only female in the cast and plays a multitude of roles to perfection and often brings moments of brilliance to an already astounding show. The cast of 12 is utterly spell binding and I left Charing Cross theatre with a lump in my throat and tears in my eyes!

This show is one of pure beauty and completely transfixes you the from start to finish and it really puts into perspective the long journey the LGBTQ community has gone through and continues to go through and I think that is such a strong and important message to take from this show, that love is love and no matter who it is you fall in love with, you move mountains to keep that love. PLEASE GO AND SEE YANK! It will blow you away and stick with you for so many reasons. Catch it at the Charing Cross Theatre 3rd July – 19th August.

CentrE17

Address CentrE17, 1 Church Hill,

London E17 3AB

With support of the London Borough of Waltham Forest and the GLA, new performance venue CentrE17, run by the community for the community, is opening in the heart of Walthamstow. CentrE17 will be Walthamstow’s first designated performance space, the multi-purpose venue (120 seats with flexible capacity) is located only a 5 minutes walk from Walthamstow tube station, run and managed by the team behind the Walthamstow Community Production.

CentrE17 is opening its doors in July 2017, and are programming a diverse season of theatre, dance and performances, as well as wellbeing classes and workshops. There are also talks and one off events planned ranging from bike and food lectures, cabaret and comedy nights, beer appreciation talks, and much more!

WHAT’S ON IN JULY

The first season includes one-off Edinburgh previews from Sam Quinn, Rachel Creeger and the Burning Gadulka, as well as PBJ comedy double-bill Edinburgh previews, with sets from established comedians oincluding: Dan Cook, John Luke Roberts, Phoebe Walsh, Sarah Kendall, Kat Bond and Fin Taylor. The venue will officially open with a gala launch event on July 24th, with a PBJ comedy special guest hosting.

WHAT’S ON @ CENTRE17

As a Community Interest Company (CIC), any profit goes back into the company to further support the community, whether through the Time Bank scheme (that allows acts, artists and companies the opportunity to give back while performing at the venue) or through the Pay it Forward programme (that gives time in the venue for free to community projects). CentrE17 provide accessible performance for all, including affordable ticket pricing and community participation projects.

CENTRE17 TEAM:

Founder and Artistic Director Max Peters

Producer and Programmer: Ursula Early

Associate Directors: Chrissy Baxter and Ruth Peters

Marketing Manager: Lizzy Jewall

PR: Chris Hislop

 

OPENING SEASON

July 19th, Sam Quinn

July 20th, Rachel Creeger

July 21st, Dan Cook & John Luke Roberts

July 24th, Opening Gala

July 26th, Phoebe Walsh & Sarah Kendall

July 27th, The Burning Gadulka

July 28th, Kat Bond & Fin Taylor

Address

CentrE17,

1 Church Hill,

London E17 3AB