Full casting has been announced for the UK tour of Chicago.

Joining the previously announced John Partridge, Hayley Tamaddon and Sam Bailey will be Jersey Boys and Wicked actress Sophie Carmen-Jones as Velma Kelly, The Secret Diary of Adrian Mole star Neil Ditt as Amos Hart and A.D. Richardson (The Pirates of Penzance International tour) as Mary Sunshine.

The cast will be completed by Daniele Arbisi, Nicola Coates, Frances Dee, Adam Denman, Francis Foreman, Waylon Jacobs, Justin-Lee Jones, Dann Kharsa, Chelsea Labadini, Ellie Mitchell, Peter Nash, Helen Siveter, Kerry Spark, Lindsey Tierney and Emily Warner.

The award-winning musical is based on real life events from the 1920s and follows nightclub singer Roxie Hart, double-murderess Velma Kelly and smooth talking lawyer Billy Flynn as they fight to keep Hart off death row after she shoots her lover.

Chicago, which is based on the play by Maurine Dallas Watkins, has a book by Fred Ebb and Bob Fosse, music by John Kander and lyrics by Fred Ebb and includes well -known songs such as “All That Jazz”, “Razzle Dazzle” and “Cell Block Tango”.

Chicago will open on 12 February at the New Theatre, Oxford.

King’s Head Theatre 15-30 January.  Reviewed by Claire Roderick

“Could Adolf come to the diary room?”  – Best housemate ever!

After receiving a second rejection letter from university, Adolf tries to kill himself, but wakes up in a strange place to find a homosexual in leopard skin top and pink shorts singing Cilla Black songs at him. That goes down well.

Hew Rous-Eyre and Max Elton’s play is a fantastic and timely satire demonstrating how easily a charismatic leader can manipulate isolated, ill-informed and disenfranchised people into accepting doctrine and carrying out acts of cruelty on certain parts of society.

The housemates are worrying that they are boring, and Adolf’s arrival (they have never heard of him) brings great excitement. Inside the house are Felix – gay, upbeat and always glugging red wine; M-Cat – eager to please and making Ali G look credible; Lucy – basically Katy Hopkins; Charlie – left wing and femi-gender (don’t ask!) and Rachel – quiet, motherly… and Jewish.

Watching Hitler playing ridiculous games and taking part in team tasks (he calls his team the Ubermenschen!) is a highlight – Felix’s description and impression of Gandalf, and Adolf’s frustration when his team haven’t heard of Frederick the Great are brilliant moments. On winning a task, Adolf’s luxury item request is better cleaning equipment – this is one meticulous man.

The insanity of the situation enables the audience to laugh as Adolf begins to rant about Rachel. (Stephen Chance is fantastic mimicking the familiar gestures and facial expressions, and also manages to give Hitler’s childishly defiant, snooty little comments a certain amount of warmth.) More sinisterly, he gently encourages the housemates to discuss and blame her for perceived injustices.

The constant animal metaphors and allegories Adolf spits at his bewildered housemates, among more familiar soundbites work their magic, and Adolf makes it through to the final three, alongside Charlie and Felix – “one of the most entertaining sub-humans I’ve ever met”!

This is a play full of belly laughs and surreal moments. The memory of Adolf Hitler sitting in the diary room chair with Felix in tight Tshirt and lip print shorts sitting on his lap will haunt me for months, along with the final, chilling image that brought reality crashing down on the audience.

Thought-provoking, funny and extremely relevant, this is a play you need to see.

King’s Head Theatre 15-30 January.  Reviewed by Claire Roderick

Set on one hot day in 1960s Indiana, Paul Minx’s play revisits familiar themes of racial inequality and dysfunctional families, but does so with style.

The characters are basic stereotypes – the teenage daughter, spoiled rotten and used to manipulating every man she meets (Lydea Perkins – coquettish and so convincingly brattish you want to give her as slap); the alcoholic mother (Imogen Stubbs – simply amazing. There should be a new award for best drunk acting. Showing no vanity, with makeup becoming more and more panda-like, Stubbs stumbles around the stage and makes you feel increasingly guilty for laughing at her character); the brutish father (Michael Brandon – brilliantly switching from clownish dad to menacing master in an instant, and drawing audible gasps from the audience); and their “help”, noble, bible-quoting Andre (Cornelius Macarthy – effortlessly portraying Andre’s constant struggle to keep calm and dignified) and his outspoken girlfriend Grace (Krissi Bohn – all flaring nostrils and barely concealed anger at the world).

Andre and Grace want to collect their wages and leave to drive to Alabama to join the civil rights movement and start a new life with Andre’s daughter, but young Ivy doesn’t want Andre to leave, and will try anything to keep him there. Throughout the day, secrets from everyone’s past are revealed, leading to tense confrontations and a downbeat but wholly satisfying conclusion

We have seen these themes and characters many times before, but Minx manages to keep the story interesting with his sharp and witty writing, and the wonderful cast give committed and memorable performances. This play will make you angry, make you squirm (Ivy and her daddy – just wrong), but most of all, it will make you laugh.

Civic Theatre, Darlington – 15 January 2016

Vampires Rock is like watching a panto for grown-ups.  Its cheesy, its as camp as Christmas but packed full of rock songs and its a brilliant night out

This year sees a change from the usual story as we’re transported 100 years into the future.  As Club Live and Let Die burns to the ground, Barron Von Rockula played By Steve Steinman flees the ill fated club with his band of blood sucking vampires in search of a new home. Eventually they come across an old abandoned fairground ride The Ghost Train where they take refuge and make this their new home. The Barron and his motley crew then set a cunning plan to lure victims into the ride and to live in Rock n Roll hell forever

There are still the same terrible jokes, dancing girls and characters, and huge gaps in the storytelling, but that is the charm and the attraction of the show. You don’t go expecting anything less than mayhem and hilarity.  John Evans had a much larger vocal role than in previous incarnations, playing a new character, Van Halen Sing, the vampire hunter, but we still got to enjoy the spectacle of him clad head to toe in Lycra.

The gaps in the story allow some of the cast to get more involved in the singing.  Steve Steinman, John Evans and Victoria Jones – a female vampire – share the singing equally with outstanding vocals from all.  The band are as awesome as ever, some of the notes produced by Richie Barlow, Mary Garcia Garner, Matt Vero, Andy Lewis and Chris Reed deny what’s believable.  Hayley Russels rendition of Holding Out for a Hero is an incredibly dark version and possible the best singing ever.  With dancing, fire eating and aerial acrobatics from Victoria Jones and Chloe Bass, the show is a great ensemble piece

Songs included, I Believe in a Thing Called Love, Don’t Stop Believin’, a rousing Sweet Child O Mine, Holding Out For A Hero and Because The Night.  The closing numbers of The Final Countdown, I Love Rock N Roll and Jump left everyone with a smile on their face

The set and location may have changed – and a lot of the playlist – but the energy and enthusiasm were still there.

It was all good fun, but don’t take it too seriously.

On tour around the UK

http://www.vampiresrock.com/home/

Civic Theatre, Darlington – 14 January 2016

Returning to Darlington, in their 17th year of touring, Beyond the Barricades played to a full house at the Civic.

The show began with a medley of songs from Miss Saigon. It started with the fast paced ‘The Heat is On’ and moved subtly into a couple of the slower and more moving Bui Doi. Then followed a medley from Phantom Of the Opera before suddenly stepping right back in time with Rebecca Vere singing ‘If I loved you’ from Rodger’s and Hammerstein’s Carousel, at which the woman sat next to me was genuinely moved to tears

The show is made up of four singers – David Fawcett, who  introduces each section, Andy Reiss, who puts the show together and plays keyboard, Rebecca Vere and Katie Leeming – and they don’t just have impeccable voices in common, they have all played principals in Les Miserables.

From West Side Story sung brilliantly so to a compilation of Juke Box musical numbers from We Will Rock You, Jersey Boys and Mamma Mia the quartet showed their talent and versatility.

Andy and Katie duetted from the Little Shop of Horrors and  Fawcett and Vere had the audience laughing uproariously with their rendition of ‘A Song That Goes Like This’ from Spamalot. Showing the comedy in their music as well as the serious.  From Jesus Christ Superstar to Spamalot in one sow

The group finished with songs from Les Miserable section and you get what you expect from this quality line-up. From Rebecca’s ‘I Dreamed a Dream’ and Katie’s ‘On My Own’ to David’s ‘Bring Him Home’ and Andy’s ‘Stars’, there is not a wrong note.

But the pièce de résistance is ‘One Day More’ – a song which is normally performed by eight principals, a 25 ensemble and a 40 piece orchestra. Beyond the Barricade has four singers and four musicians – it is simply an astonishing and spectacular performance.

This extended finale, all featuring songs from Les Mis, prompted an encore and loud appreciation from the crowd. The show is terrific entertainment from a versatile and talented group, whose enthusiasm for musical theatre was matched by their talent to share it with an appreciative audience.

Touring around the UK, go and see this outstanding show

http://www.beyondthebarricade.com/tour

THE MARVELLOUS ADVENTURES OF MARY SEACOLE
written and performed by Cleo Sylvestre

As part of The Rosemary Branch’s 20th anniversary,  Joint Artistic Director, Cleo Sylvestre, returns with her acclaimed  hour long, one woman show based on the autobiography of Mary Seacole. 

Born in Jamaica in 1805 to a Scottish father and Creole mother, her extraordinary life as a herbalist and doctress took her to disease ridden regions and war torn battlefields all over the world where she was a fine example of triumph over adversity.

Cleo is proud to be an Ambassador for the Mary Seacole Memorial Statue Appeal and has performed her show for many fundraising events in numerous venues including the House of Lords and London City Hall.   She is delighted that later this year Mary Seacole will become the first black woman to have a statue erected in England in honour of her life and achievements.

 

 

“I could happily have spent much longer with this Mary Seacole than the hour the performance lasts and, if it is too late for you to catch it this time, it is worth looking out for the next time Sylvestre revives it. ”  Howard Loxton British Theatre Guide
“A superb performance from Ms Sylvestre – who acts out all the characters she encounters- convincingly changing from one to another.”  Remote Goat

9-10 March 7.30pm £13.00/£11.00 (concessions) Celebration performance on 11 March with rum punch, Q and A and special guest. All £25.00

RECORD SIX-TIME TONY AWARD-WINNER
AUDRA McDONALD
MAKES HER WEST END DEBUT IN

LADY DAY AT EMERSON’S BAR & GRILL

WYNDHAM’S THEATRE, LONDON
From 25 June to 3 September

TICKETS NOW ON SALE HERE

Tony, Grammy, and Emmy Award-winner Audra McDonald will make her long awaited West End debut this summer portraying legendary jazz singer Billie Holiday in the musical play Lady Day at Emerson’s Bar & Grill. This critically acclaimed production will play a limited engagement at the West End’s Wyndham’s Theatre from 25 June to 3 September, having broken box office records at the Circle in the Square in New York in a run that netted McDonald her record-setting sixth Tony Award.

Written by Lanie Robertson and Directed by Lonny Price, Lady Day at Emerson’s Bar & Grillrecounts Holiday’s life story through the songs that made her famous, including “God Bless the Child,” “What a Little Moonlight Can Do,” “Strange Fruit” and “Taint Nobody’s Biz-ness.”

Lady Day at Emerson’s Bar & Grill won two Tony Awards in 2014 including ‘Best Lead Actress in a Play’ for Audra McDonald, making her Broadway’s most decorated performer, winner of 6 Tony Awards and the first and only person to receive awards in all four acting categories.

Billie ‘Lady Day’ Holiday had what is widely considered one of the greatest jazz voices of all-time. Born Eleanora Fagan in April 1915, she rose to popularity in the 1930’s and 1940’s with her pioneering vocal style strongly inspired by jazz instrumentalists. After a turbulent personal life and struggle with addiction, she died at the untimely age of 44. In 2000, Holiday was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

1959, in a small, intimate bar in Philadelphia, Holiday puts on a show that unbeknownst to the audience, will leave them witnesses to one of the last performances of her lifetime.  Through her poignant voice and moving songs, one of the greatest jazz singers of all-time shares her loves and her losses.   

“Audra McDonald is a vocal genius!
One of the greatest performances I ever hope to see.”
New York Magazine

“Mesmerizing! Pouring her heart into her voice, Audra McDonald breathes life into Billie Holiday’s greatest songs.”
The New York Times

“One of the most exquisite & haunting performances of the year!”
Entertainment Weekly

Prior to making her West End debut in Lady Day at Emerson’s Bar & Grill this summer, Audra McDonald will be in London performing two sold-out concerts at Leicester Square Theatre on Sunday 17 January before starring in Shuffle Along at the Music Box Theatre in New York with preview performances from Tuesday 15 March.

LISTINGS:

Wyndham’s Theatre, Charing Cross Road, London

Performances
Monday to Saturday evening performances at 7.45pm
Wednesday and Saturday matinee performances at 2.45pm
(No matinee performances on Wednesday 29 June or Wednesday 6 July)

First performance: 25 June 2016
Final performance: 3 September 2016
Press Performance: 5 July 2016

Box Office
Website:       LadyDayWestEnd.com
Telephone:    0844 482 5120
£19.50, £39.50, £62.50 (including fees)
Premium and exclusive Club seating available

Social Media
Twitter:        @LadyDayWestEnd
Instagram:     @LadyDayWestEnd
Facebook:     Facebook.com/LadyDayWestEnd

THE PROCLAIMERS SET TO PLAY LEEDS GRAND THEATRE

Twin brothers Craig and Charlie Reid – best known as The Proclaimers – have carved a musical niche for themselves and enjoyed  global success.  Pop, folk, new wave and punk collide with emotional honesty, political fire, wit and sing-along raucousness.  They are heading to Leeds Grand Theatre in June.

Expect to hear the classics Sunshine on Leith, (I’m Gonna Be) 500 Miles, Letter From America, I’m on My Way, Life With You, Let’s Get Married.

The Proclaimers are at Leeds Grand Theatre on Sunday 12^th June

Tickets go on pre-sale – for priority members – next Wednesday 20^th January and on general sale Wednesday 27^th

Tickets are priced at £32.50

Book online at leedsgrandtheatre.com or call Box Office on 0113 29 77 007