THE LITTLE GREATS: AN UNMISSABLE FESTIVAL OF SHORT OPERAS AT THE LOWRY

• Short operas, huge emotions: iconic Italian opera in Pagliacci and Cavalleria rusticana
• Family-friendly matinee of The Child and the Magic Spells
• Leonard Bernstein’s 1950s satire on the American Dream, Trouble in Tahiti
• Trial by Jury: Gilbert and Sullivan’s hilarious courtroom farce
• A rarely-performed operatic gem, Janáček’s Osud (Destiny)

Love comes under the microscope on stage this Autumn, as a festival of short operas with huge emotions heads to The Lowry, Salford Quays. Award-winning opera company Opera North returns to the North West with innovative pairings of six brand new productions; each a powerful operatic experience in miniature. Love and hate, joy and sadness, courage and fear, trust and jealousy, kindness and cruelty – this is an opera season like no other.

In a festival that celebrates the amazing variety that can be found in even the shortest operas, The Little Greats gives people the opportunity to experience a double dose of Italian passion and tragic revenge one evening, and to opt for 1950s glamour and style followed by hilarious courtroom antics the next. There is also a magical childhood fantasy from Ravel, which can be watched either as a stand-alone matinee or paired with a rarely-performed gem by Czech composer, Janáček. With choices to appeal to both opera lovers and newcomers, every production is either sung in English or has an English translation displayed on surtitle screens.

Annabel Arden, Director, L’enfant et les sortilèges and Osud:

“The Little Greats aren’t stuffy or about big sets and costumes; what they are about is telling a story with music, and moving our audience to tears — and laughter.”

Pagliacci and Cavalleria Rusticana

An iconic Italian double bill fuelled by fatal passion and filled with gorgeously lyrical melodies.

Wednesday 15 and Saturday 18 November

The Little Greats festival opens with a double bill of Italian verismo opera which shows that normal people have opera-sized emotions too. Leoncavallo’s Pagliacci (The Clowns) is a short, sharp shot of thrilling drama, raw passion and gritty realism. Directed by Charles Edwards, who is also the set designer for all six productions, this is a tale of adultery and revenge played out amongst a troupe of travelling actors. Everything might be falling apart but, as Canio’s (Peter Auty) celebrated aria ‘Vesti la giubba’ (‘Put on the costume’) says, the show must go on.

Pagliacci is partnered with Mascagni’s Cavalleria rusticana, a red-blooded tale of jealousy and revenge given an unusual twist by Polish director, Karolina Sofulak. When Turridù (Jonathan Stoughton) returns from the army, he discovers that his lover (Katie Bray) has married someone else. He consoles himself by seducing another girl, Santuzza (Giselle Allen), even though he is still consumed by desire for his previous passion. For many, this is the very essence of Italian opera in miniature.

L’enfant et les sortilèges (The Child and the Magic Spells) and Osud (Destiny)

An emotional rollercoaster pairing Ravel’s magical childhood fantasy with Janáček’s rarely-performed gem.

Thursday 16 November (double bill)

Saturday 18 November, matinee at 2.15pm (L’enfant et les sortilèges only)

When a young boy refuses to do his homework and flies into a tantrum, everything around him starts to come to life including his nursery furniture and even his arithmetic. So begins L’enfant et les sortilèges (The Child and the Magic Spells), Ravel’s most enchanting work. Dazzling, witty and surreal, this 45-minute production is directed by Annabel Arden and is offered as a Saturday matinee for adults and children (7+) alike.

In addition to the matinee on the Saturday, L’enfant et les sortilèges will be performed as a schools’ matinee introducing opera to hundreds of young people from the North West with a free cross-curricular resource pack available for teachers.

L’enfant et les sortilèges is also paired with Janáček’s Osud (Destiny) for one evening performance on Thursday 16 November. Míla (Giselle Allen) is in love with the composer Živný (John Graham-Hall), but her mother (Rosalind Plowright) forces her to take a rich suitor instead. Four years later, the couple are reunited and living together but, as Živný wrestles with the opera he is writing, a tragedy occurs which changes everything. At 80 minutes, Osud (Destiny) is the longest of The Little Greats and contains some of Janáček’s most glorious music, transporting the listener from the heights of romantic ecstasy to the depths of despair.

Trouble in Tahiti and Trial by Jury

Two musical theatre classics coupling a witty satire on the American Dream and a delightful courtroom farce.

Friday 17 November

A heady mix of hilarity, glamour and vintage style, the last pairing takes a witty look at both love and marriage.

Leonard Bernstein’s Trouble in Tahiti is the perfect introduction to opera and to Bernstein in his centenary year, expertly capturing the spirit of the 1950s with its dazzling fusion of opera, Hollywood, musical theatre and jazz. Set against the unattainable perfection of the American Dream, a couple in suburban America are dismayed at the emotional emptiness of their marriage. Canadian mezzo-soprano, Wallis Giunta, and Dutch baritone Quirijn de Lang, who both charmed audiences in Opera North’s production of Cinderella earlier this year, return to the stage as Dinah and Sam.

The evening continues with a hilarious courtroom farce which follows the fortunes of Angelina (Amy Freston) as she brings a case against her intended husband Edwin (Nicholas Watts), when he jilts her after coming to the ghastly realisation that she bores him intensely. Trial by Jury is the first operetta composed by Gilbert and Sullivan and includes all their trademark features: satirical wit, catchy tunes and an ingenious plot which refuses to turn out quite as expected. This new production is cast entirely from the Chorus of Opera North and conducted by Opera North Chorus Master, Oliver Rundell.

The performance of Trouble in Tahiti and Trial by Jury will also be audio-described and captioned, with a free touch tour for visually impaired patrons before the show (book via Box Office).

#LittleGreats

Performance Diary: The Lowry, Salford Quays

Box Office: thelowry.com or 0843 208 6000

Wed 15 Nov Pagliacci / Cavalleria rusticana 7.15pm

Thu 16 Nov L’enfant et les sortilèges 12.00pm – schools only

Thu 16 Nov L’enfant et les sortilèges / Osud 7.15pm

Fri 17 Nov Trouble in Tahiti / Trial by Jury 7.15pm

Sat 18 Nov L’enfant et les sortilèges 2.15pm

Sat 18 Nov Pagliacci / Cavalleria rusticana 7.15pm

 

The kookiest clan in musical theatre takes to
The Lowry stage

Samantha Womack, Les Dennis and Carrie Hope Fletcher will star as Morticia, Fester and Wednesday Addams in the UK & Irish premiere of The Addams Family, a musical comedy, with book by Marshall Brickman and Rick Elice, and music and lyrics by Andrew Lippa, based on the characters created by Charles Addams.

The UK & Ireland Tour will run at The Lowry, Salford from Tue 29 August until Sat 9 September.

Samantha Womack will take on the role of Morticia Addams fresh from leaving BBC1’s EastEnders after nearly a decade as Ronnie Mitchell.  Samantha has also played Tanya Dawson for three series of the hit comedy Mount Pleasant (Sky1) and, on film she will be reprising her role next summer as Michelle Unwin in Kingsman: The Golden Circle.  Her stage credits include Nellie Forbush in the Lincoln Center Theater’s Tony Award-winning production of South Pacific (Barbican Theatre & UK Tour), Michael Grandage’s West End production of Guys & Dolls opposite Patrick Swayze (Piccadilly Theatre) and Peter Hall’s production of Pinter’s Betrayal (Theatre Royal Bath).

Les Dennis spent the last three years playing burglar-turned-Romeo, Michael Rodwell, in ITV’s Coronation Street.  Immediately prior to starring in The Addams Family, he appeared at the Menier Chocolate Factory in the musical She Loves Me.  Les’ other stage credits include the musicals Me & My Girl, Chicago, Monty Python’s Spamalot and Hairspray.  He took a hit one-man play Jigsy, to the Edinburgh Fringe and, in 2016, produced and starred in the sell-out 40^th anniversary production of Alan Bleasdale’s Down the Dock Road at the Royal Court Liverpool.

Carrie Hope Fletcher’s recent theatre credits include Eponine in Les Misérables (London and Dubai), Truly Scrumptious in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang (UK & Ireland Tour), Beth in Jeff Wayne’s Arena Tour War of the Worlds, and Wind in the Willows (Regent‘s Park Open Air Theatre).  In 2015, Carrie released her first book, All I Know Now: Wonderings and Reflections on Growing Up Gracefully, and her second book, On the Other Side, was released in July 2016.

Wednesday Addams, the ultimate princess of darkness, has grown up and has a shocking secret that only Gomez knows; she’s fallen in love with a sweet, smart young man from a respectable family! Now, Gomez Addams must do something he’s never done before — keep a secret from his beloved wife, Morticia.  Everything will change for the whole family on the fateful night they host a dinner for Wednesday’s “normal” boyfriend and his parents.  All the usual clan are present – Uncle Fester, Lurch, Pugsley et al.

Marshall Brickman and Rick Elice co-wrote the book for the multi award-winning Jersey Boys.  Marshall wrote or co-wrote the film screenplays for Sleeper, Annie Hall, Manhattan, Manhattan Murder Mystery, For the Boys and Intersection, and was head writer for The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson.  Rick’s play, Peter and the Starcatcher, received nine nominations and won five 2012 Tony Awards.  Andrew Lippa wrote the music and lyrics for the Broadway musical, Big Fish, the music for the Broadway production of Aaron Sorkin’s play The Farnsworth Invention and the book, music and lyrics for the Drama Desk award-winning musical The Wild Party.  He wrote the song called ‘Evil Like Me’, which was sung by Dove Cameron and Kristin Chenoweth in the 2015 Disney film Descendants.

The UK & Ireland Tour is directed by Matthew White, who recently directed She Loves Me at the Menier Chocolate Factory, where he also directed Candide, Sweet Charity (and West End) and Little Shop of Horrors (and West End).  Other recent directing credits include the UK Tour of The Producers and the UK Tour and West End run of Top Hat.  Choreography by Alistair David, who directed and choreographed Robbie Williams’s worldwide concert tour Swings Both Ways, and whose recent theatre credits include Two Noble Kinsmen (Royal Shakespeare Company), Show Boat (Sheffield Crucible Theatre and New London Theatre) and Seven Brides for Seven Brothers (Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre).  The production has been designed by Diego Pitarch, with musical supervision by Richard Beadle, lighting design by Ben Cracknell and musical direction by Andrew Hilton.

The Addams Family UK & Ireland Tour is produced by United Theatrical, Aria Entertainment and Music & Lyrics Limited, in association with the Festival Theatre Edinburgh, and is presented through special arrangement with Theatrical Rights Worldwide.

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