DIRECT FROM LONDON’S WEST END

THE COMMITMENTS

DUBLIN & UK TOUR – STARTING OCTOBER 2016

CASTING ANNOUNCEMENT

 

KEVIN KENNEDY TO STAR AS JIMMY’S DA

BRIAN GILLIGAN TO STAR AS DECO

ANDREW LINNIE TO STAR AS JIMMY RABBITTE

Tickets on sale now

 

“The Commitments is the musical we’ve been waiting for.

So good, our critic almost weeps”

The Sunday Times ★★★★★

 

“This hugely enjoyable show touches the sublime. Wonderfully funny”

Daily Telegraph ★★★★

 

“Unstoppable fun. A big-hearted, big-night out”

The Times ★★★★

 

Coronation Street legend, Kevin Kennedy, is to star as Jimmy’s Da in the UK tour of the critically acclaimed musical The Commitments written by Roddy Doyle, starting in October 2016.

 

The UK tour will also feature many of the cast from the record breaking show’s two year run at London’s Palace Theatre, including Brian Gilligan who will reprise his starring role of Deco and Andrew Linnie who will star as Jimmy Rabbitte.

 

Thirty years since The Commitments first burst from the pages of Roddy Doyle’s best-selling novel, the world’s hardest working soul band will be going on a seven month UK tour. The smash hit musical will begin at the Churchill Theatre in Bromley on 3 October, before opening in Dublin for the first time ever. It will then travel to theatres across the UK until May 2017.

Roddy Doyle said: “The Commitments were born in Dublin, moved to London, and will soon be hopping all over the shop. I wrote the novel – invented the characters – in 1986, and it thrills me to think that they will be entertaining audiences throughout the UK and Ireland 30 years later, in 2016.”

 

Kevin Kennedy won the hearts of the nation when he starred as Curly Watts in Coronation Street. Since leaving Coronation Street, Kevin has regularly appeared in theatre productions including: Chicago, The Rocky Horror Show, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang and We Will Rock You.

 

Kevin said: “After working abroad, I am delighted to be returning to such an iconic musical as The Commitments. It is a pleasure to travel around the country playing to enthusiastic audiences who love this show.”

 

Brian Gilligan originally played the role of drummer Billy ‘The Animal’ Mooney in the West End production.  Several months later, he was overheard singing to himself in the stairwell at The Palace Theatre and blew away the director, leading to him being cast as Deco a few weeks later.

 

Brian said: “I am very fortunate to be returning to a role and show that I really love. It’s gonna be exciting bringing the show back home to Dublin.”

 

Andrew Linnie was originally part of the West End production’s ensemble, but saved the day when the actor playing Jimmy Rabbitte damaged his knee and both of the understudies were unavailable. Despite not having performed the role before on stage, Andrew stepped up to the plate to take over that the role that evening, and received a standing ovation after just a few hours rehearsals. He then carried on playing the role for the rest of the week and got great reviews for his performances.  After performing the role in the West End, Andrew will now play Jimmy Rabbitte on the UK tour.

 

Andrew said: “I made my West End debut in this show and couldn’t be more delighted to be returning to play the wonderful music again.”

 

The Commitmentettes will be played by sisters Amy Penston, (Natalie) and Leah Penston (Imelda), while Christina Tedders (Bernie) will complete the talented trio.

 

Amy said: “I’m absolutely over the moon to be back with The Commitments playing Natalie. I’m so looking forward to working with some of the old gang and rock the stage together again. Not only that, but it’s a dream come true to back on stage with my wonderful sister, Leah. We’re just elated to be working together again!”

 

Leah said: “I’m so thrilled to be joining the cast of The Commitments, playing the role of Irish icon Imelda Quirke, which was originally portrayed in the film by Angeline Ball. I have some pretty big shoes to fill! The fact that I get to perform alongside my amazing big sis makes it all the more special. It’s going to be a tour to remember!” 

 

Christina said: “I have loved The Commitments since I was a little girl – my nightly renditions of ‘Mustang Sally’ were both the joy and bane of my parent’s evenings! I’m totally thrilled to be playing the role of Bernie.”

 

Also appearing on the tour, having appeared in the West End production, are Peter Mooney (Derek), Padraig Dooney (Dean), Sam Fordham (Mickah) and John Currivan (Billy). They will be joined by Rhys Whitfield (James), Alex McMorran (Joey), and Christian James (Outspan).

 

The Commitments received huge critical acclaim following the September 2013 World Premiere in London.  Opening to rave reviews, it was quickly hailed as a smash hit musical sensation.  The Sunday Times awarded the show five stars, saying “The Commitments is the musical we’ve been waiting for. So good, our critic almost weeps”. The Daily Telegraph and The Times both gave the show four stars and the Daily Mail said the show was “a fabulous fun night out”.

 

The show has been adapted for the stage by Booker Prize-winning author Roddy Doyle, from his original novel. Directed by C Jay Ranger, The Commitments is packed with more than 20 classic soul songs performed live on stage including: Night Train, Try A Little Tenderness, River Deep, Mountain High, In The Midnight Hour, Papa Was A Rolling Stone, Save Me, Mustang Sally, I Heard It Through The Grapevine, Thin Line Between Love and Hate, Reach Out, Uptight, Knock On Wood, I Can’t Turn You Loose and more!

 

The Commitments tells the story of Jimmy Rabbitte, a young working class music fan, who shapes an unlikely bunch of amateur musicians into an amazing live act, the finest soul band Dublin has ever produced. The show follows the journey of two members of a frustrated synthesiser band – the opening scene has them playing, but ignored, in a shop window – who turn to Jimmy, the local music expert, for help.

 

Placing a classified advert in a music paper, Jimmy auditions a number of wannabes before finalising the new line up who he names The Commitments. The humour kicks in as the band get to know each other and their instruments, and proceed through early rehearsals for their first gig. Just as they improve and begin to get a name for themselves they combust. The backing singers are all getting off with the middle aged horn playing legend, the singer has entered Eurovision, the drummer has walked out mid-gig and the saxophone player has dangerous leanings towards a jazz career.

Velvet Trumpet present:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Agatha Christie’s beloved murder mystery The Mousetrap will begin the final leg of its record-breaking, and first ever, UK tour at Glasgow Theatre Royal on 12th September. The tour will then visit Swindon, Cardiff, Wakefield, Perth, Ayr, Edinburgh, Guildford, Birmingham, Tunbridge Wells, Isle of Wight, Derry, Oxford, Carlisle and Aberystwyth.

The Mousetrap originally opened at Nottingham Theatre Royal in 1952 starring Richard Attenborough and his wife Sheila Sim before embarking on its current record-breaking West End run. The production has been the world’s longest running stage production at its London home since breaking the record in 1958 and recently celebrated its 26,000th performance. The 60th Anniversary – and first ever – UK tour of this beloved murder mystery has now played over 1,100 performances up and down the country and been seen by over 1 million people, having broken box office records in many of its tour venues.

The Autumn 2016 tour will star Anna Andresen (Mollie Ralston), Nick Barclay (Giles Ralston),Tony Boncza (Major Metcalf), Lewis Collier (Sgt Trotter), Gregory Cox (Mr Paravicini), Amy Downham (Miss Casewell) and Oliver Gully (Christopher Wren) and Sarah Whitlock (Mrs Boyle).

Anna Andresen trained at The Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama, her previous theatre credits include The Frozen Scream (Birmingham Hippodrome/Wales Millennium Centre),The 39 Steps (Criterion Theatre)  Above & Beyond, You Once Said Yes (LLLR) Into The Sunlit Uplands (Theatre 80.St Marks, NYC)  Texting From Dachau (Red Bean Studio, NYC) Running On Empty, Lisa Is Looking Into The Mirror (Bennett Media Studio, NYC) , Red Admiral (Soho Studio)The Bald Prima Donna (The Etc) and Crossed Wires (Theatre 503). In addition to her work on stage Anna has also appeared in Fortitude, Miss Marple, Silent Witness and Wire in the Blood.

Nick Barclay trained at Mountview Theatre School and has appeared in more than 240 professional stage productions. Nick’s previous theatre credits include Stone Cold Murder, Dial M for Murder, The 39 Steps, The Titfield Thunderbolt, Strangers on a Train, Dead Funny, Romantic Comedy, Dangerous Corner, House Guest and Kind Hearts and Coronets. He is also a veteran of numerous repertory seasons in places such as Wolverhampton, Bournemouth, Crewe and Sidmouth. He has also written and performed for the world famous NewsRevue in London and directed various productions up and down the country. Nick has toured internationally with productions such as Stones in His Pockets, Art, Private Lives and The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged).

Tony Boncza originally trained as a journalist before joining The National Youth Theatre and then the Central School of Speech and Drama. Tony’s recent stage appearances have included roles in Great Britain (National Theatre), the South East Asian tour of The Mousetrap, Yes Prime Minister (West End & UK Tour), The Critic and The Real Inspector Hound (both Chichester Festival Theatre). Tony also played Sgt Trotter in the West End’s production of The Mousetrap25 years ago. In addition to his work on stage, Tony has appeared on screen in The Royals, The Sarah Jane Adventures and EastEnders.

Lewis Collier’s previous stage credits include Classic Ghost Stories (UK Tour), The Three Lions(St James Theatre & Tour), Macbeth (Erasmus International Theatre Co. Italy) and Two Noble Kinsmen (Round Pebble Theatre Co.). Lewis has also appeared on film in Checkmate.

Gregory Cox trained at the Bristol Old Vic Theatre School, and has had an illustrious career on stage beginning with Oliver! (West End) and Little Lies which starred John Mills (Wyndham’s Theatre and Toronto). Gregory’s other theatre work includes Muswell Hill (Park Theatre),Arcadia (UK Tour), Don Juan (Lyric Theatre, Hammersmith), The Picture of Dorian Gray(Windsor and UK tour), Tale of Two Cities (Sheffield Crucible), Hamlet (Rose Theatre), The Devils (Union Theatre) and The Seagull (UK tour). Gregory was also Mr Paravicini in the 2013 cast of The Mousetrap at St. Martin’s Theatre, London.

Amy Downham trained at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama and has appeared on stage in Generation Y (MF Productions), Twelfth Night (Attic Theatre Company), Out of Love(White Bear Theatre), Daisy Pulls it Off (Watermill Theatre) and Every Brilliant Thing(Nabokov). Amy has also appeared on TV in Doctors, EastEnders and Hollyoaks.

Oliver Gully trained at the Guildhall School of Acting; his previous stage credits include Hamlet(The Courtyard Theatre), A Midsummer Night’s Dream (UK Tour) and Timebomb (The White Bear).

Sarah Whitlock reprises the role of Mrs Boyle, having previously appeared in both the Far East tour and West End productions of The Mousetrap. Her other stage credits include No Sex Please We’re British (Strand Theatre) and Curse of the Werewolf (The Union Theatre), alongside UK Tours of Blithe Spirit, Keeping Up Appearances, Not Now Darling and Dry Rot. Her television appearances have included Filth, The Mary Whitehouse Story, Upstairs Downstairs, The Miss Marple Series and The Bill. She appears regularly in pantomime productions, with credits including Cinderella, Jack and the Beanstalk, Dick Whittington and Sleeping Beauty. She has also appeared at the Up The Creek comedy club performing her own stand-up routine.

Mousetrap Productions has also licensed 60 productions of The Mousetrap worldwide to mark the 60th year, and many of these have also broken records, from Cape Town to Philadelphia, Singapore to Sydney. During this period, the world’s longest running show will have been seen in every continent with professional productions in Australia, China, Korea, Turkey, South Africa, Russia, Czech Republic, Hungary, France, Germany, Holland, Italy, Poland, Spain, Scandinavia, Venezuela, and across the United States and Canada.

The Mousetrap continues its open-ended run at St. Martin’s Theatre, London. The UK tour is now booking until December 2016

THE HOLLYWOOD SPECIAL EFFECTS SHOW 

RETURNS – BIGGER AND BETTER THAN EVER

TOURING 3 JUNE UNTIL 15 AUGUST 2016

A DANGEROUSLY EXPLOSIVE FAMILY TREAT!

The Hollywood Special Effects Show, the interactive science and special effects family show, is back! Bigger and better than ever, the dangerously explosive school holiday treat will tour from 3 June until 15 August 2016.  

2016 tour venues include The Lowry, Salford (3-4 June), Grand Theatre, Swansea (26-27 July), Baths Hall, Scunthorpe (30-31 July), Artrix, Bromsgrove (2-3 August), The Hawth, Crawley (5 August), Rose Theatre, Kingston (6-7 August), Theatre Royal, Windsor (8-10 August), Charter Theatre, Preston (12 August), Opera House, Buxton (14 August) and Churchill Theatre, Bromley (15 August). For further details of all tour dates visit www.hollywoodspecialeffects.co.uk  

Audiences will be able to get closer to the action than ever before as this interactive and explosive family show goes behind the scenes of many favourite blockbusters films to discover the science and secrets of creating movie magic.  Live on stage, the show’s team will give a revealing insight into the world of special effects, taking families on an exciting journey as they feel the heat of an onstage inferno, marvel at gruesome sci-fi monsters, are blown away by apocalyptic weather and hold on tight through huge explosions!

The Hollywood Special Effects Show uses more pyrotechnics than any other UK touring theatre show, and for some sequences, the audience is protected by bullet proof glass placed across the stage.  The animatronic dinosaur that appears in the show was built by specialists in Japan, and the large air cannon used in the finale of the show is capable of firing a projectile over a whopping 500 metres. 

The show was selected as one of two productions to appear at the 2016 Big Bang Fair, the largest science fair in the UK, which was visited by over 70,000 people in four days.

For a peek behind the scenes in the Hollywood Special Effects Show trailer, and details of how to book, visit www.hollywoodspecialeffects.co.uk This family show is suitable for ages 6+.

Follow the show on Twitter: www.twitter.com/HollywoodSFXS and Facebook: www.facebook.com/hollywoodsfxs

This production is presented by Nick Brooke Ltd & RIP Productions. 

LISTINGS 

2016 – All venues now on sale

3rd June         7pm The Lowry, Salford 0843 208 6000 www.thelowry.com  

4th June         2pm & 7pm The Lowry, Salford 0843 208 6000 www.thelowry.com   

26th July         7pm Grand Theatre, Swansea01792 475715 www.swansea.gov.uk/SFX2016

27th July         2pm & 7pm Grand Theatre, Swansea 01792 475715 www.swansea.gov.uk/SFX2016

30th July         7pm Baths Hall, Scunthorpe 0844 854 2776 www.bathshall.co.uk  

31st July 2pm & 7pm Baths Hall, Scunthorpe 0844 854 2776 www.bathshall.co.uk  

2nd August 6pm Artrix, Bromsgrove 01527 577330 www.artrix.co.uk  

3rd August 2pm & 7pm Artrix, Bromsgrove 01527 577330 www.artrix.co.uk  

5th August 7pm The Hawth, Crawley 01293 553636 www.parkwoodtheatres.co.uk  

6th August 7pm Rose Theatre, Kingston 020 8174 0090 www.rosetheatrekingston.org  

7th August 2pm & 7pm Rose Theatre, Kingston 020 8174 0090 www.rosetheatrekingston.org  

8th August 7pm  Theatre Royal, Windsor 01753 853 888 www.theatreroyalwindsor.co.uk   

9th August 2pm & 7pm Theatre Royal, Windsor 01753 853 888 www.theatreroyalwindsor.co.uk  

10th August 2pm & 7pm Theatre Royal, Windsor 01753 853 888     www.theatreroyalwindsor.co.uk  

12th August 2.30pm Charter Theatre, Preston 01772 80 44 44 www.prestonguildhall.com  

14th August 7pm Opera House, Buxton 01298 72190 www.buxtonoperahouse.org.uk  

15th August 2.30pm & 7pm Churchill Theatre, Bromley 020 3285 6000 www.churchilltheatre.co.uk 

LOST Theatre May 30 – June 18.  Reviewed by Claire Roderick

Opening on what would have been Marilyn Monroe’s 90th birthday, Norma Jeane the Musical takes a look at the demons that haunted her.

Opening with Marilyn Monroe being institutionalised after her split from Arthur Miller and critical mauling of her latest film, a bedraggled Norma Jeane (Sarah Rose Denton) sits forlornly on the bed as Marilyn Monroe (Joanne Clifton) enters in full song and dance mode, with accompanying troupe of male dancers. The difference between Norma Jeane and her polished, glamourous alter ego provides most of the comedy in the show, with Marilyn’s image conscious posturing and posing in iconic outfits in stark contrast to Norma Jeane’s slip wearing mess. Denton is impressive as Norma Jeane, managing to portray the unravelling mind without going over the top. Over the top is a perfect description for Clifton’s performance as Marilyn, and it is joyous. She has great comic timing, uses all the familiar mannerisms and brings her dance training into every gesture.

Throughout the show Marilyn is visited by ghosts and voices from her past, the most intimidating and brutally honest being Uncle Marion (Joseph Bader – he could read the phone book and make it enthralling with that voice). The abandonments, religious upbringing and first marriage are explored, along with the father fixation, and Norma is constantly reminded of her bad blood and the madness that runs in her family. Not a happy story, or ending, but the show is not all doom and gloom, providing lots of bittersweet laughs. Erica Martin is wonderful as Grace, Monroe’s religious mother, veering from gentle supportive words to vehement biblical condemnation of Hollywood in the blink of an eye, and Ruth Betteridge as young Norma Jeane (yes, there are three of her on stage by the end) is sweet and flirtatious, with a delightful soaring voice.

The structure of the show feels like a review, with each new voice having a song and cheesy choreography to show an issue from Marilyn’s early life. The use of multiple composers adds to this effect, with no coherent style running through the show. This may be intentional to emphasise the fracturing of Monroe’s mind and character, but it does make you wonder what the show could have been if Anton Mullan had written the whole thing – all the best songs were his, including the fantastic finale. The sound balance needs some tinkering, with some vocals being drowned out by the music and the dancers’ footsteps in certain numbers.

Norma Jeane the Musical takes a look at the darker side of Monroe’s life with a light affectionate touch and is full of energy and great performances. Well worth a look.

Thursday 30 June to Saturday 23 July 2016

A Live Theatre Production: World Premiere

The Savage
Written by David Almond
Directed by Max Roberts
Associate Director Jamie Jackson
Designed by Alison Ashton
Original music by Beth Brennan

Choreography by Lee Proud

Audio Visuals by NOVAK

The cast have been confirmed for the World Premiere of The Savage adapted by Carnegie Medal-winning author David Almond from his illustrated novel, and start rehearsals at Live Theatre from today (Tuesday 31 May).  The Savage is David’s first full length commission for Live Theatre where its World Premiere between Thursday 30 June to Saturday 23 July 2016.

Dean Bone, a regular at Live Theatre takes on the lead role of central character Blue. Dean has performed in Live Theatre in Rendezvous, Write Stuff and The Heights and has also appeared in Vera (ITV), The Dumping Ground and Wolfblood (BBC).

Other cast members Adam Walsh, Dani Arlington and Kate Okello make their debut appearances at Live Theatre. Adam Walsh originally from Spennymoor performed in War Horse at the National Theatre and previously appeared in Skellig – the Opera, also written by David Almond at Sage Gateshead. Dani Arlington from Teesside starred in the film Soulboy, and has appeared extensively on stage. Kate Okello, originally from Gosforth is a recent graduate of Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts.

Max Roberts, Artistic Director said:

“In order to realise David’s beautiful adaptation of his own novel we decided to recruit an ensemble of young actors, all originally from the North East who can all act, sing and dance. Their energy, talent and charisma will deliver David’s compelling narrative and music and movement as well as stunning visual effects will create a magical and engaging theatrical experience that will appeal to all ages.”

The Savage it is an uplifting contemporary fable about creation and renewal, wildness and civilisation. It shows the importance of creativity in finding consolation, redemption and fulfilment in the world around us. The novel is popular for reading in schools and also used discuss behaviour with young people.

David Almond, said:

“It’s a real thrill to be working with the great Live Theatre, to bring this story to vivid life in Newcastle, right on the banks of the river. Tyneside is my literary heartland. It’s where my stories, my dreams and my language come from, and it’s where the strange, scary, tender savage was born.”

Max Roberts, Artistic Director, Live Theatre added:

“It’s great to have a writer of David’s quality and reputation writing for Live Theatre. I’m very much looking forward to bringing David’s play to fruition moulding his rich lyrical writing with music and beautiful settings that will appeal to a wide age range of audience.”

 

In the play, Blue Baker wants to write a story. After the death of his dad and to escape the unwanted attention of Hopper, the neighbourhood bully, Blue imagines a ‘truely wild’ character – full of anger, adventure and thoughts of revenge. Life is dark and complicated and so is Blue’s story. Helped by his friend Elaine, his mum and baby sister Jess, he tries to discover where life starts and the story ends.

The Savage has been commissioned to coincide with the launch of Live Tales, Live Theatre’s new writing centre for children. This new strand of Live Theatre’s education programme is an extension of its successful playwriting initiatives for young people. Live Tales will offer creative story writing sessions to pupils aged 7-12 from September 2016.

Max Roberts added:

“David’s enthusiasm and support for Live Theatre has been enormous. We have commissioned The Savage to mark the opening of Live Tales, our new children’s writing centre, of which David is a champion.”

A series of events accompany the play including two free talks for audiences. In Live Tales Introduction, David Almond will discuss the importance of children’s writing and creativity, with Christina Castling from Live Theatre’s Education & Participation team, and discuss the plans for children’s writing centre Live Tales, of which he is a champion, following the 2pm performance of the play on Saturday 9 July. In a Meet the Writer EventDavid Almond and Director Max Roberts discuss the making of the play, and transforming the story for the stage, after the 7.30pm show on Tuesday 12 July. David will also be available for book-signing after this talk. Both events are free but booking is essential. David will also lead aWild Writing Workshop between 11.30am and 1pm on Saturday 16 April, at Live Theatre. Participants will be encouraged to lose their writing inhibitions and explore their imagination to discover their inner wild writer. The Wild Writing Workshop costs £10, £6 concs and is suitable for young people age 9+ and adults.

Free 90 minute Telling Tales Workshop are available for educational groups visiting daytime performances of the Savage at 2pm on Wednesday 6 July, 10.30pm on Tuesday 12 July, 1.30pm at Tuesday 19 July (also a captioned performance) and 10.30pm on Thursday 21 July (which is also designated as a relaxed performance for young people with special educational needs). Workshops have limited places and must be booked in advance.

The Savage is a family friendly play suitable for ages 9+ and is at Live Theatre, Newcastle from Thursday 30 June to Saturday 23 July. Tickets forThe Savage cost £22-£10 full price, £16-£12 over 60s concessions and £15-£6 for other concessions. For more information or to book tickets visitwww.live.org.uk or contact Live Theatre’s box office on (0191) 232 1232.

THE FIRST UK TOUR OF THE WORLDWIDE SMASH HIT MUSICALMAMMA MIA!

COMES TO LEEDS GRAND THEATRE

TUESDAY 30^th MAY – SATURDAY 8^TH JULY 2017

TICKETS ON GENERAL SALE FROM WEDNESDAY 1^ST JUNE 2016

The first ever MAMMA MIA! UK Tour will come to Leeds Grand Theatre from Tuesday 30^th May – Saturday 8^th July 2017. Tickets go on general sale on Wednesday 1^st June 2016.

MAMMA MIA! is Judy Craymer’s ingenious vision of staging the story-telling magic of ABBA’s timeless songs with an enchanting tale of family and friendship unfolding on a Greek island paradise. To date, it has been seen by more than 60 million people in 50 productions in 16 different languages. MAMMA MIA! The Movie is the highest worldwide grossing live-action musical film of all time.

From West End to global phenomenon, the London production of MAMMA MIA! has now been seen by more than 10% of the entire UK population. It is one of only five musicals to have run for more than 10 years both on Broadway and in the West End, and in 2011, it became the first Western musical ever to be staged in Mandarin in the People’s Republic of China.

With music & lyrics by Benny Andersson & Björn Ulvaeus, MAMMA MIA! is written by Catherine Johnson, directed by Phyllida Lloyd and choreographed by Anthony Van Laast. The production is designed by Mark Thompson, with lighting design by Howard Harrison, sound design by Andrew Bruce & Bobby Aitken, and musical supervision, additional material & arrangements by Martin Koch.

Creator and Producer Judy Craymer said: ‘MAMMA MIA! is such a joyous show, it’s really thrilling to be bringing it to Leeds for the first time and for audiences to embrace its heart-warming story and the irresistible songs of ABBA. It’s a perfect treat for all ages and we look forward to sharing the fun with Leeds!’

Casting will be announced in due course.

The MAMMA MIA! UK Tour is produced by Judy Craymer, Richard East & Björn Ulvaeus for

Littlestar in association with Universal and NGM.

• Producer Mark Goucher today announced plans for two new productions for the West End

• Sean Foley is to direct a prestigious revival of Ronald Harwood’s The Dresser and Molière’s classic comedy The Miser

• A stellar range of actors including Griff Rhys Jones, Reece Shearsmith and Ken Stott will appear

• Tickets for the West End run of The Dresser go on sale Wednesday 25th May at 10am and tickets for The Miser go on sale Thursday 26th May 2016 at 11am

 

Director Sean Foley who has recently enjoyed sell out success adapting and directing The Painkiller in the Kenneth Branagh Theatre Company season of Plays at the Garrick will, starting this autumn, under producer Mark Goucher, direct two new productions in the West End.

First will be a revival of Ronald Harwood’s much loved play The Dresser. Starring Ken Stott and Reece Shearsmith, the play tells the heart-breaking story of an ageing actor-manager and his long-suffering dresser as they struggle to keep the show on the road against the backdrop of a down-at-heel regional theatre in wartime. First performed in 1980 in the West End and on Broadway, the play was in 1983 made into a multi award-winning film starring Albert Finney and Tom Courtenay. This new production of The Dresser will play at The Duke of York’s Theatre previewing from 5th October with a press night on Wednesday 12th October following performances in Richmond, Brighton and Cheltenham.

In early 2017, Griff Rhys Jones will return to the London stage to lead an ensemble cast in a revival of Molière’s classic play The Miser which has been newly adapted by Sean Foley and Phil Porter. Best known for his television work, Rhys Jones is making his return to the London stage after five years where he is widely recognised as one of the country’s great comedic performers. The Miser will be presented at Bath Theatre Royal and Richmond Theatre, prior to opening at the Garrick Theatre on Wednesday 1st March 2017, with an opening night on Monday 13th March 2017.

Sean Foley is an award-winning actor, writer and director. He co-founded The Right Size, creating over 10 original comedies for the theatre including the Olivier Award-winning and Tony-nominated production of The Play What I Wrote (Best Comedy 2002), Do You Come Here Often? (Best Entertainment 1999), and Ducktastic! (Albery Theatre – Best Entertainment nomination 2006). As director his work includes The Painkiller, Jeeves and Wooster in Perfect Nonsense (Best New Comedy 2014), The Walworth Farce (The Olympia Theatre, Dublin), the multi Olivier-nominated The Ladykillers (Liverpool Everyman, Gielgud Theatre, UK Tour), A Mad World My Masters (Royal Shakespeare Company & Barbican), What The Butler Saw (Vaudeville Theatre), The Painkiller (The Lyric Theatre, Belfast), Arturo Brachetti – Change (Garrick – Best Entertainment nomination 2010) , The Critic/The Real Inspector Hound (Chichester Festival Theatre), The Armstrong and Miller Show Live UK Tour and I Can’t Sing! (London Palladium). Foley’s first film Mindhorn will be released this autumn.

Mark Goucher has previously collaborated with Sean Foley on the hugely successful production of Jeeves and Wooster in Perfect Nonsense which played in the West End and on tour and is currently under option for a Broadway season.

The Dresser is to be co-produced with Mark Rubinstein Ltd and Jonathan Church Productions in the first production for Church’s new company after leaving Chichester Festival Theatre.

The Miser will be produced with long term producing partner Mark Rubinstein Ltd.

BRAND NEW BRITISH MUSICAL “EUGENIUS!” TO HOLD ITS WORLD PREMIERE AT THE LONDON PALLADIUM THIS JUNE IN CONCERT PERFORMANCE

STARRING

WARWICK DAVIS

DAVID BEDELLA

AMY LENNOX

AND SUMMER STRALLEN

WITH NARRATION BY MARCUS BRIGSTOCKE

A concert premiere performance of the new, original British musical EUGENIUS! will take place on 29 June 2016 at the London Palladium. This exciting and innovative musical is produced by (and stars) actor Warwick Davis. Joining the Harry Potter and Star Wars favourite will be a host of musical theatre stars including double Olivier Award-winner David Bedella (In The Heights, Jerry Springer, The Opera, The Rocky Horror Show), Amy Lennox (Kinky Boots, Legally Blonde), Samuel Holmes (Mrs Henderson Presents, Spamalot) and Summer Strallen(Sound of Music, Love Never Dies). Comedian Marcus Brigstocke will join the cast as the Narrator and Brian Blessed will provide a guest voiceover.

 

Set in the 1980s, EUGENIUS! is a classic love story between two teenagers, Eugene and Janey. She is in love with him, but he always has his head inside a comic book – so much so that he actually writes his own comic about a superhero. Against the odds, Eugene’s creations take him to Hollywood and he becomes the unlikely hero of his own intergalactic battle! The musical has an original score based on the sounds of the 1980s, with a story which hilariously merges real life and the intergalactic world of the comic book.

The book, music and lyrics for EUGENIUS! have been written by Ben Adams and Chris Wilkins. The concert premiere performance will be directed by award winner Ian Talbot and Olivier Award nominee Michael Jibson. Choreography will be by Aaron Renfree and Nick Winston. The sound designer for the performance will be multi-award winner, Gareth Owen. Lighting will be by Andrew Ellis, with musical supervision by Steve Power and musical direction by Nathan Jarvis.

 

Producer Warwick Davis said, “We are really excited to be bringing a brand new, original production to the London stage. The performance on 29 June will give the audience a chance to experience this new ‘80s-inspired musical before it is staged in the West End as a full production next year. We have a hugely talented cast and production team, and the music is just phenomenal. We look forward to sharing our work with the first, lucky audience at the London Palladium this June.”

 

EUGENIUS! will be presented in a concert version for one night only at the London Palladium on Wednesday 29 June 2016.