BALLETBOYZ® ANNOUNCE TOUR DATES FOR WORLD PREMIERE PRODUCTION,LIFE

20 APRIL – 4 JUNE 2016

BRAND NEW TRAILER HERE

BalletBoyz have announced they will tour their brand new production Life, which will receive its world premiere at London’s Sadler’s Wells in April 2016.  The show features new commissions by Javier de Frutos and Pontus Lidberg. After opening at Sadler’s Wells where BalletBoyz are Associate Artists, the production will embark on a UK tour, followed by a tour of the USA in 2017. The piece is co-produced by Sadler’s Wells in association with artsdepot.

Performed by the award-winning all-male company of ten dancers, the show features an original score and the evening takes an elegant, powerful and provocative look at life and death, presented in BalletBoyz’ inimitable style. After premiering in London the production, will tour to: Worthing; London; Oxford; Exeter; Guildford; Yeovil; Edinburgh; Dundee; Southport; Lichfield; Cheltenham and Cambridge. Full listings are below.

Javier de Frutos said: “I’m thrilled to be working with BalletBoyz again. This time the subject is LIFE and inevitably Death, an intoxicating cocktail, and this is a company of exquisite ingredients and one of a kind in the Dance World so I’m looking forward to the exhilarating experience that it is creating work with them!”

Pontus Lidberg said: “I’m truly excited to be creating for one of the world’s most forward thinking dance companies. Working with BalletBoyz on this new piece is proving to generate engaging material and ideas.”

Tickets for most venues are now on sale.

https://instagram.com/balletboyz
@BalletBoyz
www.balletboyz.com

LISTINGS INFORMATION
2016 TOUR DATES

LONDON, Sadlers Well’s
On Sale Now
20 – 24 April
20 -23 April, 7.30pm
24 April, 4pm
Box Office 020 7863 8000
www.sadlerswells.com

WORTHING, Connaught
On Sale Now
9 May
7.30pm
Box Office 01903 206 206
www.worthingtheatres.co.uk

LONDON, Arts Depot
On Sale Now
11 May
7.30pm
Box Office 020 8369 5454
www.artsdepot.co.uk

OXFORD, New Theatre
On Sale Now
13 May
7.30pm
Box Office 0844 871 3020
www.atgtickets.com/venues/new-theatre-oxford

EXETER, Northcott Theatre
On Sale Now
15 May
7.30pm
Box Office 01392 726363
www.exeternorthcott.co.uk

GUILDFORD, G Live
On Sale Now
17 May
7.30pm
Box Office 01483 369350
www.glive.co.uk

YEOVIL, Octagon Theatre
On Sale Soon
19 May
7.30pm
Box Office 01935 422884
www.octagon-theatre.co.uk

EDINBURGH, Kings Theatre
On Sale Now
22 May
7.30pm
Box Office  0131 529 6000
www.edtheatres.com

DUNDEE, Dundee Rep
On Sale Now
22 – 23 May
8pm
Box Office 01382 223530
www.dundeerep.co.uk

SOUTHPORT, Atkinson
On Sale Now
26 May
8pm
Box Office 01704 533 333
www.theatkinson.co.uk

LICHFIELD, Garrick Theatre
On Sale Now
28 May
7.30pm
Box Office 01543 412121
www.lichfieldgarrick.com

CHELTENHAM, Everyman Theatre
On Sale Soon
1 June
7.45pm
Box Office 01242 572573
www.everymantheatre.org.uk

Pipeline Theatre presents:

KULLY THIARAI NAMED NATIONAL THEATRE WALES’ NEW ARTISTIC DIRECTOR

THE CURRENT EXECUTIVE & ARTISTIC DIRECTOR OF
CAST, DONCASTER WILL BECOME NTW’S ARTISTIC DIRECTOR
& CHIEF EXECUTIVE FROM MAY 2016

Kully Thiarai, the founding Artistic Director of Doncaster’s Cast has today been named as the new Artistic Director and Chief Executive of National Theatre Wales, the country’s English-language national theatre, following John McGrath’s departure to run the Manchester International Festival.

Kully has been credited with both putting Doncaster firmly on the UK’s cultural map and giving the town’s artistic appetite an astonishing transformation since the £22million venue Cast was opened in September 2013, drawing 40,000 people through its doors in its first three months.

She already had, by then, an impressive background leading some of the UK’s best-loved theatre venues and producing companies, including Contact Theatre in Manchester, Leicester Haymarket Theatre, Theatre Writing Partnership Nottingham, and Red Ladder Theatre Company, Leeds.

Her directing credits for productions staged in Wales, across the UK and internationally over almost 30 years span a range of work from large-scale outdoor shows to intimate theatre performances, with a demonstrable emphasis on new writing, genuine diversity both on and off-stage, truly inclusive audience development and meaningful community engagement.

These include: Sleeping Beauty, Aladdin, Kes and Cinderella (for Cast); United Colours of FrustrAsian (Cast, Black Country Touring, Oldham Coliseum and Southbank Centre); Obama The Mamba by Kevin Fegan, (nominated for two Manchester Theatre Awards – Best Play and Best Actor 2012); Mandala, a large-scale outdoor arts spectacular for the Cultural Olympiad; The Soul Exchange, created with the communities of Butetown, Cardiff as part of NTW’s launch year, and Digital Tea Dance for Bangor University.

Her other productions include Do We Ever See Grace? by Noël Greig, Salaam – a devised show made with young Muslim men, Beautiful Thing by Jonathan Harvey, Bogus Woman by Kay Adshead (London, UK, Australia, New York), The Fortune Club and Unsuitable Girls by Dolly Dhingra (London, Leicester), Oscar Wilde’s The Happy Prince, Athol Fugard’s Master Harold and the Boys, Captured Live!, West Side Story, The Witches, Bollywood Jane, Plague of Innocence and Death of a Salesman.

Kully is much in demand as an international keynote speaker on the arts (e.g. at No Boundaries in 2014 & 2015, supported by ACE & British Council), a consultant (inc. to the Secretary of State and the DCMS, on Supporting Excellence in the Arts), a tutor (e.g. for Hong Kong University’s Advanced Cultural Leadership Programme 2015) and board member (inc. of the Manchester International Festival).

Kully said: “I am thrilled to be joining National Theatre Wales. I have been hugely inspired by the range and diversity of work that has taken place over the last five years under John McGrath’s leadership. A wonderful artistic mapping of Wales and its people; extraordinary work that is daring, provocative and joyous, found in surprising places across the country.

I intend to build on this legacy by ensuring that National Theatre Wales continues to be original, radical and relevant. Many people and organisations have contributed brilliantly to making the company such a national and international success, and I look forward to working with them all.”

Phil George, Chair of NTW’s Board, said: “I’m delighted to welcome Kully to the leadership of NTW. She has a deep connection with the values and ambitions of the company and brings terrific experience from her times as Artistic Director at major theatres in Leicester and Manchester and from the creation of Cast, Doncaster as a dynamic and socially-significant performance venue. She has superb cooperative skills and will forge strong relationships with artists and writers in Wales and internationally. There are exciting times ahead as we build on John McGrath’s legacy of a bold, innovative company with deep community engagement and a strong, international profile.”

Dai Smith, Chair of the Arts Council of Wales, said: “”In a short space of time, National Theatre Wales has gone from the dream of a national need to the reality of a national marker for Wales, both here at home and on the international stage. Phil George as its first Chair and John McGrath as its first Artistic Director have more than fulfilled the brief given them by the Arts Council of Wales to be excellent in the work on offer and socially engaged with particular audiences right across Wales. Now comes the challenge of the second Act: how to continue to be daring, radical, rooted and inspirational in the young tradition which NTW has created. In appointing Kully Thiarai, a creative talent whose own vision and practice clearly mirror what Wales has been enjoying from NTW, the signal given out is bright and confident. I am sure that the cultural institution she will now lead is set to deliver more of the amazing drama and performance we have come to relish as all our own, and some for the rest of the world too.”

Outgoing Artistic Director John McGrath said: “I am utterly delighted that Kully Thiarai has been appointed the new Artistic Director of National Theatre Wales. An inspiring leader with a proven commitment to extraordinary international theatre, and to deep engagement with the widest range of communities, she is a perfect choice for this fantastic job.”

Andy Carver, Chair of Cast’s Board of Trustees, said: “Kully has achieved fantastic success in launching and running Cast as a vibrant new cultural venue in Doncaster, producing great work and building new audiences. We are sad to see her leave but wish her every success in this fantastic new challenge at NTW.” 

STRICTLY COME DANCING

THE LIVE TOUR

RETURNS FOR A FAB-U-LOUS NINTH YEAR

SHEFFIELD ARENA
Tuesday 26^th & Wednesday 27^th January 2016

 TICKETS ON SALE NOW! 

Congratulations to Jay McGuiness & his dancing partner Aliona who were crowned the BBC Strictly Come Dancing Champions 2015! See them right here at Sheffield Arena later this month, along with fellow celebs Georgia May Foote, Helen George, Anita Rani, Ainsley Harriott, Jake Wood and Frankie Bridge. Strictly super fan Mel Giedroyc is the tour’s brand new host and judges from the TV series Len Goodman, Craig Revel Horwood and Bruno Tonioli are reunited for the tour. 

Strictly Come Dancing the Live Tour stops off at Sheffield Arena for two nights on Tuesday 26^th & Wednesday 27^th January 2016.

The professional dancers from the ratings winning BBC One TV series and their celebrity partners for the tour are: 

Frankie Bridge and Kevin Clifton
Georgia May Foote and Giovanni Pernice
Helen George and Aljaz Skorjanec
Ainsley Harriott and Natalie Lowe
Jay McGuiness and Aliona Vilani
Anita Rani and Gleb Savchenko
Jake Wood and Janette Manrara
Karen Clifton will also join the tour for the professional dances and group numbers.

Jay McGuiness is one fifth of the globally successful band, The Wanted. Since their 2010 debut album was released, they have enjoyed huge success all over the world, including two number one singles in the UK with All Time Low and Glad You Came.

Jay says: “I’m used to performing in front of massive crowds when touring with The Wanted, but performing with Aliona on the Strictly Live Tour will be a totally different experience. I loved my time on the TV series, but the idea of being back out in front of live arena audiences is something I’m very much looking forward to.”

Tickets for the 2016 Strictly Come Dancing Live UK Tour, which stops off at Sheffield Arena on Tuesday 26^th & Wednesday 27^th January 2016 are now on sale.

Tickets purchased by telephone on 0114 256 5656 or online at www.sheffieldarena.co.uk are priced £38.50 – £71.50 (including booking fee).  Tickets purchased in person at the Arena Box Office are priced £36.75 – £68.25 (including booking fee).

LAST CHANCE TO SEE

JIM BROADBENT as Ebenezer Scrooge in

A Christmas Carol

By PATRICK BARLOW
Adapted from the Christmas story by Charles Dickens

Presented by SONIA FRIEDMAN PRODUCTIONS 

Must end its limited run on Saturday 30 January

Director PHELIM MCDERMOTT
Designer TOM PYE
Director of Movement TOBY SEDGWICK
Lighting Designer PETER MUMFORD
Sound Designer GARETH FRY
Music Supervisor STEVEN EDIS

Last chance to see Academy Award-winner Jim Broadbent in A Christmas Carol at the Noël Coward Theatre. Must end its limited run on Saturday 30 January.

This new comic re-telling of A Christmas Carol, adapted by Patrick Barlow from Charles Dickens’ classic story of greed, grief, ghoulish ghosts and eleventh-hour redemption opened in the West End on 30 November starring Jim Broadbent as Ebenezer Scrooge with Adeel Akhtar, Amelia Bullmore, Keir Charles, Samantha Spiro and puppeteers Jack Parker and Kim Scopes.

From Scrooge and Tiny Tim to Bob Cratchit and Mr. Fezziwig, Patrick Barlow’s imaginative and comic adaptation of A Christmas Carol brings some of Dickens’ most memorable characters to life at the Noël Coward Theatre this winter.

This innovative new work is created by some of our most loved and mischievous maverick theatre-makers. The play is written by the Olivier award-winning and Tony nominated Patrick Barlow (The 39 Steps) with whom Jim Broadbent performed for many years in Barlow’s cult comedy troupe The National Theatre of Brent. A Christmas Carol is directed by Olivier award-winning Phelim McDermott, Artistic Director of Improbable, one of Britain’s most inventive theatre companies, who is responsible for the iconic production Shockheaded Peter. McDermott also directed Theatre of Blood at the National Theatre in which Broadbent last appeared on stage over ten years ago. Joining them is the critically-acclaimed designer Tom Pye (The Testament of Mary, The Death of Klinghoffer, The Low Road) and Toby Sedgwick (War Horse, The 39 Steps) as Director of Movement, Peter Mumford designs the lighting and Gareth Frydesigns sound.

Listings:

Performances:

Monday to Saturday at 7.30pm

Matinee performances on Wednesday and Saturday at 2.30pm

Noël Coward Theatre, St Martin’s Lane, London

Final performance: Saturday 30 January 2016

Tickets:

Tickets from £20

Front row £10 day seats available for every performance throughout the run. Available to buy in person from the Box Office from 10.30am, limited to two tickets per person.

Website: www.achristmascaroltheplay.com

Box Office: 0844 482 5140

All tickets are subject to a booking fee and restoration levy

St Martin-in-the-Fields Christmas Appeal 2015
A Christmas Carol and The Mackintosh Foundation are proud to be supporting St Martin-in-the-Fields’ Christmas Appeal by donating 50 pence for each ticket purchased. Customers, as part of the purchasing process, will be asked if they would also like to donate 50 pence with each ticket purchased. Registered charity no 1156305/261359.

FERRIS & MILNES

ANNOUNCE ST. JAMES STUDIO RESIDENCY

AND RELEASE EXCLUSIVE VIDEO OF ‘33 SONDHEIM NUMBERS IN 5 MINUTES’

FOLLOWING ACCLAIMED PERFORMANCE AT SONDHEIM’S 85^th BIRTHDAY GALA, AT THEATRE ROYAL, DRURY LANE

The producers of Ferris & Milnes, the musical theatre comedy cabaret performed by Dominic Ferris and Martin Milnes, are delighted to announce the duo’s 2016 residency at the St. James Studio, London. To coincide with the announcement, an exclusive new video of Ferris and Milnes’ ‘33 Sondheim Numbers in 5 Minutes’ has been released, giving theatre-lovers the chance to see the medley which was performed live to great acclaim, at Sondheim’s 85^th Birthday Gala at Theatre Royal, Drury Lane.

The first show of the St. James Studio residency will be Ferris & Milnes: Live at the St. James – Let’s Go On With The Show!, which will be performed for two nights only, on Saturday 30 and Sunday 31 January.  The production offers an eclectic and vitality-packed musical programme, ranging from the Golden Age of Broadway and Hollywood to current favourites and pop classics, all performed in Ferris & Milnes’ original musical arrangements. The numbers sit alongside Dominic’s and Martin’s unique brand of ‘banteriffic’ comedy, which has always found audiences ‘expecting the unexpected’.  Ferris & Milnes will perform further shows on Saturday 26 March and Tuesday 26 April. Details of these shows, and further dates, are to be announced.

Ferris and Milnes were invited to the St. James Studio by St. James Theatre’s Creative Director James Albrecht following their sell-out performances at The Pheasantry, and their show-stopping turn at Stephen Sondheim’s 85^th Birthday Gala at Theatre Royal, Drury Lane.  An exclusive studio version of the “33 Sondheim Numbers In 5 Minutes” medley, which Ferris & Milnes devised and performed as a unique tribute to the acclaimed composer, is now available to watch here:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B08hMm9v9Xg

Dominic Ferris and Martin Milnes are a unique combination. Dominic is a pianist extraordinaire, regularly showcasing his skills touring the world as one half of The Piano Brothers – his Steinway & Sons accredited piano duo. Martin has ‘two voices’- excelling as both a tenor and in his acclaimed falsetto register, having diversely crossed the musical worlds between West End and opera. Together, Dominic and Martin combine comedy, music and vocals in a dynamic cocktail of explosive Broadway glamour and fun.

The St. James Studio residency is produced by Richard Douglas Productions, and created and devised by Dominic Ferris and Martin Milnes.

Website: www.ferrisandmilnes.com  Twitter: @ferrisandmilnes 

LISTINGS

Ferris & Milnes: Live At The St James – Let’s Go On With The Show!

St James Studio, St James Theatre, 12 Palace Street, London, SW1E 5JA

Tickets: £15-25; transaction fees apply to online and telephone bookings

Online bookings: www.stjamestheatre.co.uk/studio/lets-go-on-with-the-show/

Telephone bookings: 0844 264 2140

Saturday 30 January 2016: 8.00pm (doors open 7.15pm)

Sunday 31 January 2016: 7.00pm (doors open 6.15pm)

Saturday 26 March 2016: date confirmed; further details to be announced

Tuesday 26 April 2016: date confirmed; further details to be announced

Further dates to be announced.

Running time: 2 hours (including interval)

STORYSTOCK 2016
17 – 19 February

• Tickets on sale now for children’s story-telling festival at the Bush Theatre
• Featuring A Pocketful of Grimms & Arabian Nights from Story Pocket Theatre – winner of Primary Times Best Children’s Show Edinburgh Fringe 2015
• STORYSTOCK 2016 will continue to Clapham Omnibus in April, Wilderness Festival in August & more dates to be announced

Tickets are now on sale for the hugely popular travelling story circus STORYSTOCK, taking place during spring half-term. The autumn edition of the circus at the Bush Theatre attracted nearly 3000 visitors over three days. STORYSTOCK is a festival of storytelling for children aged 2-11 and their families.

Bookish acts will bring stories to life through live shows, storytelling, creative workshops, parties and a story treasure hunt. Hosted by the fabulous Storymaster with an all-day creative doodling café, pop-up author signings, competitions, Tales on Moon Lane bookshop, quizzes and games.

STORYSTOCK is for writers, readers and lovers of stories – 3 days of fun for 2-11 year olds and their families.

STORYSTOCK is sponsored by angels & urchins magazine, Finlay Brewer, Keystone Tutors, Science Wizards and Song Academy and is produced in partnership with the Bush Theatre.

Storystock                                                                                          Listings

Storystock 2016
17-19 February 2016
Bush Theatre
7 Uxbridge Road, London, W12 8LJ

Box Office: 020 8743 5050 / bushtheatre.co.uk

Tickets range from £2 to £15 and are on sale via the Bush Theatre box office.

Find out more at storystock.co.uk or follow the festival on twitter @StoryStockFest

LEEDS GRAND THEATRE IN 2016

(Basically there’s loads on!)

There’s a heady mix of comedy, drama, dance, music and musical theatre at Leeds Grand this year.  With big names including Pixie Lott taking the role made iconic by Audrey Hepburn in Breakfast at Tiffany’s,Alexandra Burke in The Bodyguard, Strictly’s Pasha, Paddy McGuinness, Sean Lock, Ray Mears, Jodie Prenger, Derren Brown, Jane McDonald and many more.

Big Musicals include Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Cats, Guys & Dolls, The Commitmentsand Blood Brothers.

Booking details: leedsgrandtheatre.com / 0844 848 2700

********************

CAST ANNOUNCED FOR RATTIGAN CLASSIC

Casting has been announced for the extended national tour of Terence Rattigan’s war-time classic Flare Path, which comes to Darlington Civic Theatre in April

The highly acclaimed 2015 national tour of Terence Rattigan’s Flare Path, directed by Justin Audibert, has been extended due to popular demand and will visit Darlington Civic Theatre from Tuesday 12 to Saturday 16 April. The cast will be led by Graham Seed as Squadron Leader Swanson, Lynden Edwards as Peter Kyle and Hedydd Dylan as Patricia Graham. They will be joined by Claire Andreadis as Countess Skriczevinsky, William Reay as Flying Officer Count Skriczevinsky and Corporal Jones, Jamie Hogarth as Sergeant Miller, Charlie G Hawkins as Percy, Polly Hughes as Mrs Miller and Emma Carter as Betty.

Graham Seed is perhaps best known for playing Nigel Pargetter in the BBC radio series The Archers for 27 years until his dramatic exit at the beginning of 2011. He is the recipient of the Broadcaster of the Year Awards 2010 from the Broadcasting Press Guild and the Voice of Listener & Viewer Special Award 2010. Graham’s recent work in theatre includes An Audience with Jimmy Savile opposite Alistair McGowan (London’s Park Theatre and Edinburgh Fringe Festival 2015), The Mousetrap (National Tour), Yes Prime Minister (National Tour) and Toad of Toad Hall (West End).

Lynden Edwards’s West End credits include Mr Lindquist and Carl Magnus in Trevor Nunn’s Tony Award-winning production of Stephen Sondheim’s A Little Night Music (Garrick & Menier Theatres), Les Misérables (Palace Theatre) and The Mousetrap (St Martin’s Theatre).

Hedydd Dylan’s recent theatre credits include The Watchman/Cassandra/Cilissa/Athene in The Oresteia (HOME Theatre), Helena in A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Jackie Oppenheimer in Oppenheimer and Jane Damport in The Shoemaker’s Holiday (all for the Royal Shakespeare Company).

Based on Rattigan’s experiences as a tail gunner during World War II, Flare Path paints an evocative portrait of life in wartime Britain for the life-and-death existence of the RAF bomber crews, and their wives and sweethearts who were left waiting their return.

Set in 1942 against a backdrop of heartache and quiet bravery, Flare Path tells the story of former actress Patricia, the wife of RAF pilot Teddy, whose marriage is tested to the limits by the surprise arrival of Patricia’s ex‐lover and Hollywood idol Peter Kyle. An unexpected and dangerous mission over Germany puts Patricia at the centre of an emotional conflict as unpredictable as the war in the skies.

Flare Path combines highly charged drama with a truly authentic taste of the fear, camaraderie and passion experienced by the men and women who fought to save their country, their families and each other.

Flare Path runs at Darlington Civic Theatre from Tuesday 12 to Saturday 16 April with a free post show talk on Wednesday 13 April.

Recommended age 12+. Tickets* are £17 to £25.50. For tickets and more information visit darlingtoncivic.co.uk or call 01325 486555.

*All prices include a £1 restoration levy