Bread & Roses Theatre.  Reviewed by Claire Roderick

3***

Merde! Theatre Company’s The Plains of Delight delves deep into the absurd to tell a story that could have sprung from the imagination of the lovechild of Beckett and O Henry.

Mac (Gary Cain) and Mona (Laura Perry) sit on the same bench every day. The pair are surrounded by rubbish, and the noise of the wind never stops. She reminisces about their past in Ireland as he describes an idyllic life in the South American mountains to his blind wife. Writer Colm Molloy gives Mona’s words a poetically nostalgic melancholy in stark contrast to Mac’s almost monosyllabic responses. Only when describing South America does his language develop, but his tone betrays the emptiness of his words and his despair as he keeps his wife’s dreams alive. The repetitiveness and pointlessness of their life is stressed as they sit, but neither seem willing or able to change. So far, so Waiting for Godot, with beautifully still and measured performances from the pair.

The winds of change really begin to howl when Alfie (Bex Sian-Jane Evans) and Jarry (Arsentiy Novak) burst onto the scene as these bizarre and threatening characters cajole and bully Mac into conversation as Mona sits sleeping. As Mac is swept along by their brutal energy, the truth about his circumstances is revealed, and he somehow enters into a bargain that will change his life. Evans is (quite rightly) completely over the top with her portrayal of the unhinged Alfie and Novak’s Jarry is weirdly sweet but repellent, in a surreal take on PTSD after their wanderings in the wasteland.

Writer/director Colm Molloy has created an interesting piece, with the jarring language of Alfie in stark contrast to Mona’s passages of lyricism. The crucial scene where Novak gets his chance to shine is well done, but is just a little too long. I know the lines were “The words keep pouring out till eternity”, but it did begin to feel like that’s what we were set for. Just a few less repeats and the audience wouldn’t lose interest. Of course, that could be just what Molloy was aiming for, to hint at Alfie and Jarry’s future and the possible effect his constant stream of words could have on their relationship, but for me a trim would help the flow of the narrative.

The Plains of Delight is a brave debut for Molloy and Merde Theatre, and is well worth a look. A company to keep an eye on in the future.

Mayflower Theatre Southampton – until 7 October 2017.  Reviewed by Jo Gordon

5*****

Being a smidge over forty, I only have memories of Cilla Black beaming out of the TV on family favourites such as Blind Date and Surprise Surprise so was not really aware of her former life until ITV’s 2014 drama and have taken a great interest in her rise to fame since.  This production begins way back in 1960 when Cilla (Kara Lily)  was known as Cilla White and worked as a coat check in girl in the now infamous Liverpudlian venue, The Cavern.  Encouraged to sing at every opportunity by her friends, which included the Beatles and a smitten young man called Bobby (Carl Au), she was beginning to get noticed and after an introduction to Brian Epstein (Andrew Lancel) things started to look up.  With her first single not making it to the top spot would Cilla be the superstar she was craving ?

There are many stories intertwining throughout this show.  We follow Bobby’s struggle with wanting to be by Cilla’s side while yearning for his own success in the industry and being cast out by his father for loving a catholic girl. Cilla’s parents, John White (Neil Macdonald) and “big Cilla” (Pauline Fleming) having to let Cilla fly the nest despite their concerns and Brian Epstein’s struggle with his homosexuality, drink and drugs.  The Beatles have their path gently being told in the background amongst other pop superstars of the day.  The scenery and prop usage is outstanding and you feel like you are actually in the cavern back in its heyday with the music pulsating through your very being! Throw sequins, dancers and brilliant tunes into the mix and its a suburb night!

Kara Lily is the perfect choice to play Cilla, her amazing voice and stage presence are outstanding and she should be recognised as a star in her own right.  The whole cast do a fantastic job of bringing to life the story of how a young girl from Liverpool rose to become the highest paid female on British television and our National Treasure.

I give it a full 5*****, a heart warming, toe tapping production.

• Lazarus Theatre Company takes up a yearlong residency at The Greenwich Theatre
• Season begins with the return of our ★★★★★ EDWARD II by Christopher Marlowe

WRITER AND DIRECTOR OF SMASH HIT “BOUDICA”

REUNITE FOR 1950s ROCK ‘N’ ROLL MUSICAL

SARAH LOADER FOR SNAPDRAGON PRODUCTIONS

IN ASSOCIATION WITH

THE WATERMILL THEATRE PRESENT

THE AWARD-WINNING MUSICAL

 

“TEDDY”

BY TRISTAN BERNAYS

MUSIC BY DOUGAL IRVINE

AND DIRECTED BY ELEANOR RHODE

AT THE WATERMILL THEATRE

THURSDAY 11 JANUARY – SATURDAY 10 FEBRUARY 2018

AHEAD OF A NATIONAL TOUR AND A LONDON SEASON AT

THE VAULTS

THURSDAY 29 MARCH – SATURDAY 5 MAY 2018

 

Sarah Loader for Snapdragon Productions in association with The Watermill Theatre present the award-winning musical “TEDDY” at The Watermill Theatre from Thursday 11 January – Saturday 10 February 2018 (Press Night Monday 15 January at 7.30pm), ahead of a national tour and a London season at The Vaults, Waterloofrom Thursday 29 March – Saturday 5 May 2018. Full tour schedule and on sale information below.

 

Following the recent success of their smash hit production “Boudica” at The Globe, Tristan Bernays reunites with director Eleanor Rhode and choreographer Tom Jackson Greaves for the 1950s Rock ‘n’ Roll musicalTEDDY. First seen at the Southwark Playhouse in 2015 and winner of Best New Musical at the Off West End Awards, TEDDY has music by Dougal Irvine, Musical direction by Harrison White, Set design by Max Dorey, Lighting design by Christopher Nairne, Sound design by Max Pappenheim, Costume design by Holly Rose Henshaw and Casting by Natalie Gallacher for Pippa Ailion Casting.

Tristan Bernays said today, “More than any other play I’ve written, people keep asking me “What’s happening with Teddy? Is it ever coming back?” Well, now I can say to them “Damn right it is”, and I couldn’t be happier”.

 

Set in the aftermath of the Blitz against a backdrop of austerity, it follows the lively story of Teddy and Josie, all dressed up and ready to hit the streets of London for an unforgettable night out, no matter how dangerous the consequences. TEDDY is the ultimate story of teenage rebellion and the birth of a new musical era. Music includes electrifying original songs plus well-known hits from the 1950s performed by the on-stage live band Johnny Valentine and the Broken Hearts.

 LISTINGS

TEDDY

Twitter: @teddyuktour |Facebook page Teddy UK Tour | Instagram: @teddyuktour

The Watermill Theatre

Thursday 11 January – Saturday 10 February 2018

Press night – Monday 15 January 7.30pm

Performances – Monday – Saturday 7.30pm, Thursday and Saturday 2.30pm

Saturday 10 February at 1.30pm and 6.30pm

Tickets: £15 – £26.50

Box Office: 01635 46044 | www.watermill.org.uk

ON SALE NOW

Salford Lowry Quays Studio – Tuesday 13 February – Saturday 17 February 2018

ON SALE 20 OCTOBER 2017

 

Theatre Royal Bury St Edmunds – Monday 19 February – Saturday 24 February 2018

ON SALE 28 OCTOBER 2017

 

Nuffield Southampton – Monday 26 February – Saturday 3 March 2018

ON SALE 15 NOVEMBER 2017

 

Chesterfield Pomegranate – Monday 5 March – Saturday 10 March 2018

ON SALE SOON

 

New Wolsey Ipswich – Monday 19 March – Saturday 24 March 2018

ON SALE 11 NOVEMBER 2017

The Vaults

Thursday 29 March – Saturday 5 May 2018

www.thevaults.london/whats-on

ON SALE SOON

GWEN TAYLOR &

SUSAN PENHALIGON

STAR IN THE 2018 UK TOUR OF

OSCAR WILDE’S

“THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST”

FROM 24 JANUARY 2018

Gwen Taylor will star as Lady Bracknell in the 2018 UK tour of Oscar Wilde’s THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST, alongside Susan Penhaligon as Miss Prism. The tour will begin on 24 January at the Yvonne Arnaud Theatre in Guildford, ending on 28 April in Eastbourne. Further casting is to be announced.

 

Gwen Taylor is best known for playing the title role in the ITV sitcom Barbara, as well as Anne Foster in Coronation Street, Peggy Armstrong in Heartbeat, Rita Simcock in A Bit of A Do, for which she was nominated for a BAFTA TV Best Actress Award, and Amy in Duty Free.  Her film appearances include The Lady in the Van and Monty Python’s Life of Brian.  Gwen most recently played Mrs Bramson in Luke Sheppard’s critically acclaimed touring production of Emlyn Williams’s Night Must Fall and Daisy Worthen in Driving Miss Daisy at Dublin’s Gaiety Theatre.  Other theatre credits include Calendar Girls (UK Tour), the title role in the national tour of Shirley Valentine, Top Girls (Royal Court and New York), and Gertrude in Sir Peter Hall’s production of Hamlet (London’s Gielgud Theatre and national tour).

 

Susan Penhaligon is currently appearing in Rufus Norris’s production of Cabaret alongside Will Young and Louise Redknapp. She has a wide range of TV credits to her name, including Upstairs Downstairs, Tales of the Unexpected, Bergerac and A Bouquet of Barbed Wire. She played Judi Dench’s sister Helen in four series of the award-winning BBC sitcom A Fine Romance, and the regular role of Jean Hope in ITV’s Emmerdale. Susan also played Bianca in The Taming of the Shrew for the BBC’s Shakespeare season. Susan has toured the UK extensively, having previously worked with The Original Theatre Company, playing Queen Charlotte in their 2010 production of Alan Bennett’s The Madness of George III. She has also appeared in productions of George Bernard Shaw’s Mrs. Warren’s Profession, Agatha Christie’s Verdict and Oscar Wilde’s Lord Arthur Saville’s Crime.

 

Oscar Wilde’s greatly admired and much loved comedy THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST follows Jack Worthing’s endeavours to marry Algernon’s cousin, the beautiful Gwendolen. But first he must convince the fearsome Lady Bracknell of his respectability. Wilde’s classic play looks at the clash of town and country in a story of romance, identity, perambulators and capacious handbags.

 

THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST will be directed by The Original Theatre Company’s Artistic Director, Alastair Whatley, with set and costume designs by Gabriella Slade, sound and music by Giles Thomas and lighting by Alan Valentine. The UK tour is produced by Tom Hackney for The Original Theatre Company.

 

Website: www.originaltheatre.com

Facebook: TheOriginalTheatre 

Twitter: @OriginalTheatre

 

2018 TOUR SCHEDULE

24 January – 3 February          Yvonne Arnaud, Guildford                           01483 440000
www.yvonne-arnaud.co.uk

 

5 – 10 February                       Courtyard Theatre, Hereford                        01432 340555

                                                www.courtyard.org.uk                                      On sale 2 October

 

13 – 17 February                     Theatre Royal Plymouth                                01752 267222

                                                www.theatreroyal.com                                      On sale soon

 

20 – 24 February                     Belfast Grand Opera House                         028 9024 1919                                                                                                                     goh.org.uk                                                      

 

27 February – 3 March            Bath Theatre Royal                                        01225 448844

                                                www.theatreroyal.org.uk                                  On sale 2 November

 

5 – 10 March                           Theatre Royal Winchester                            01962 840440

                                                www.theatreroyalwinchester.co.uk                  

 

13 – 17 March                         Manchester Opera House                             0844 871 3018

                                                www.atgtickets.com/manchester                      On sale 13 October 

 

20 – 24 March                         Salisbury Playhouse                                      01722 320333                                                                                                                    www.salisburyplayhouse.com                         On sale soon

 

27 – 31 March                          Lichfield Garrick Theatre                             01543 412121

                                                 www.lichfieldgarrick.com                                 On sale soon

 

3 – 7 April                                Churchill Theatre, Bromley                           020 3285 6000                                                                                                                    www.churchilltheatre.co.uk                              On sale soon

17 – 21 April                            York Theatre Royal                                        01904 623568                                                                                                                     www.yorktheatreroyal.co.uk                            On sale soon

24 – 28 April                           Devonshire Park Theatre, Eastbourne         01323 412000
www.eastbournetheatres.co.uk                        On sale soon

 

GREASE IS BACK AND IT’S

SLICKER THAN EVER

 

Pull up your bobby socks and slick back your hair because the original high school musical (and ‘Greatest of all time’*) Greasereturns to Newcastle Theatre Royal this Autumn and it’s slicker, fresher and more star-studded than ever before! Play truant and make a date with the T-Birds and the Pink Ladies 16-21 October 2017.

 

This new hit production of the timeless 70s musical stars Tom Parker (The Wanted) in his musical theatre debut as Danny Zuko, Danielle Hope (Over the Rainbow, winner) as Sandy and Louisa Lytton (Strictly Come Dancing, EastEnders) as Rizzo.

 

Since opening on Broadway in 1972 and going global in the smash hit movie starring John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John in ‘78,Grease’s place has been firmly established in the musical Hall of Fame.  It has seduced millions with its iconic tunes and rebellious teenage characters – Sandy, Danny, the groovy T Birds, the sassy Pink Ladies and the gang at Rydell High. The new production is once again bursting with all the songs from the hit movie including You’re The One That I Want, Grease Is The Word, Summer Nights, Hopelessly Devoted to You, Sandy, Greased Lightnin’ and many more.

 

The show that spawned a thousand spin-offs, Grease has proved that a musical love story, bursting with denim, cheerleaders, ponytails, rock’n’roll, 1950’s pop culture and an irresistible mix of teenage angst and young romance is timeless and universal.  Forty five years on it remains the ultimate feel-good, pick-me-up musical – an electrifying extravaganza, packed with fun, energy and vibrant physicality. The show is guaranteed to thrill and leave everyone hand-jiving the night away with “A-wop-bop-a-loo-bop, a wop-bam-boom!”

 

This award-winning production originally opened in the West End in 1993 where it enjoyed a hugely successful run of six years at the Dominion and Cambridge Theatres.  The show has since toured throughout the world playing to sell-out audiences and breaking box office records everywhere.  It has been seen by over 12 million people in the UK alone.

 

Completing the cast are Washington-born ensemble member Anna Murray, Tom Senior as Kenickie, Michael Cortez as Sonny, Oliver Jacobson as Roger, Ryan Heenan as Doody, Callum Evans as Eugene, Lauren Atkins as Marty, Rosanna Harris as Jan, Rhiannon Chesterman as Frenchy, Gabriella Williams as Patty and Ailsa Davidson as Lynch. The ensemble also includes Charlotte Coggin, Anthony Hughes, Alessia McDermott, Natasha Mould, George Olney, Rory Phelan and Grant Thresh.

 

Tom Parker has amassed worldwide success with his band The Wanted, achieving two UK number 1s and 9 top 10 singles as well as 4 Billboard 100 singles, with Glad You Came placing in the top 5 and selling over 900,000 records. The band have had three platinum albums, two sold out arena tours, and 3 million singles sold in America. Tom is also a winner of BBC Radio 1’s Teen Choice Award and US People’s Choice Award with The Wanted.

 

Danielle Hope made her professional debut as Dorothy in The Wizard of Oz at the London Palladium, after competing against over 9,000 girls to win the BBC’s smash hit Over The Rainbow. She went on to star as Eponine in the West End production of Les Miserables (Queen’s Theatre) – a role to which she most recently returned, Cathy in The Last Five Years(Greenwich Theatre & Warren Theatre, Brighton), Narrator in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (National Tour) and Maria Rainer in The Sound of Music which visited the Theatre Royal in 2015.

 

Louisa Lytton trained at the Sylvia Young Theatre School and secured her first professional role as the innocent schoolgirl Ruby Allen in EastEnders. Following this Louisa joined The Bill, playing the inexperienced and shy police officer Beth Green. She has since enjoyed a host of varied roles, from parts in the internationally successful American Pie franchise, to the British Shakespeare Company’s productions of both A Midsummer Night’s Dream and Much Ado About Nothing. Most recently she has appeared in the new prime-time ITV comedy drama The Edge of Heaven, filmed a thriller due to be released this month called Fractured, appeared in the Canadian period drama Murdoch Mysteries and starred in the touring production of Swap!. Aside from acting, Louisa reached the quarter-finals in the fourth series of Strictly Come Dancing, and subsequently toured the country as part of the sold-out Strictly Come Dancing arena tour. She also represented the UK in the 2008 Eurovision Dance Contest. Louisa recently took park in Channel 4’s The Jump.

 

The production is written by Jim Jacobs and Warren Casey, directed by David Gilmore (Daisy Pulls It Off, Happy Days, Song & Dance, Footloose) and choreographed by Arlene Phillips (Starlight Express, Saturday Night Fever, Flashdance The Musical & BBC’s Strictly Come Dancing).  It is designed by Terry Parsons, with costumes by Andreane Neofitou. Grease is presented by Paul Nicholas and David Ian.

 

Grease is at Newcastle Theatre Royal from Mon 16 until Sat 21 October 2017, playing evenings Mon – Thu at 7.30pm, Fri & Sat 8.30pm, matinees on Friday at 5.30pm and Sat 5pm.  Tickets from £16.50.  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

 

For more information, visit www.greasethemusical.co.uk @greasemusical

 

* (100 Greatest Musicals, Channel 4)

 

Greenwich Theatre 27 – 30 September, Touring until 27 October.  Reviewed by Claire Roderick

3***

Bilimankhwe’s production of The Tempest begins in bold and beautiful style, with Robert Magasa and Joshua Bhima dancing to Ben Mankhamba’s atmospheric music. The music and physical movement was the highlight of the production for me, as this pared down version of Shakespeare’s text lost its impact.

Isolated on his island for years with only his daughter Miranda, spirit Ariel and the monstrous Caliban for company, Prospero dreams of revenge on his enemies. When he finds out that they are sailing close to the island, Prospero conjures up a fierce storm to trap them and, with Ariel’s help, sets his plot in motion. The production keeps the themes of patriarchy, with Prospero engineering his daughter’s marriage, and colonialism, with Prospero enslaving the island’s original inhabitants and acting as their god/king, but the revenge is lost. Prospero’s long speech about his brother’s backstabbing ways is kept in, but we never meet him or his devious courtiers. This makes Prospero’s anger too abstract and a little irrelevant. The only castaways we see are Ferdinand, and then Trinculo and Stephano (slightly too long spent on those “comedy” characters for my taste here) – with Ferdinand and Miranda’s romance and Caliban’s drunken antics with Trinculo and Stephano giving this production the feel, at times, of a rather vindictive episode of Love Island.

The use of Chichewa by Caliban and Ariel adds a magical quality to the characters, as does the splitting of Ariel into two actors. Magasa and Bhima watch with catlike grace as their mischievous actions cause chaos. Cassandra Hercules and Reece Weathers are a whirlwind of hormones as Miranda and Ferdinand – her giggles and gleeful jumps are a joy to watch. Christopher Brand is a strong Prospero, although his journey to redemption is somewhat stifled by the lack of protagonists. In this production, the impression is that finding a husband for his daughter was his main quest.

Bilimankhwe’s The Tempest is more of a gentle summer breeze in its dramatic impact, but is still an enjoyable and energetic production, with wonderful music and choreography.