Charlie Stemp, Devon-Elise Johnson, Ian Bartholomew, Emma Williams and Vivien Parry lead the cast for

HALF A SIXPENCE

Based on the H.G.Wells novel Kipps: The Story of a Simple Soul and the original musical byBeverley Cross and David Heneker

Book by Julian Fellowes  New music and lyrics by George Stiles and Anthony Drewe

Original songs by David Heneker

Co-Created by Cameron Mackintosh

Directed by Rachel Kavanaugh

14 July – 3 September, Festival Theatre

Chichester Festival Theatre and Cameron Mackintosh’s new production of HALF A SIXPENCE will introduce two young actors – Charlie Stemp as Arthur Kipps* and Devon-Elise Johnson as Ann Pornick – alongside three times Olivier-nominated actor Ian Bartholomew as Chitterlow, three times Olivier-nominated actress Emma Williams as Helen Walsingham, and Vivien Parry as Mrs Walsingham.

Playing in the Festival Theatre from 14 July, this new stage version of HALF A SIXPENCE, the musical adaptation of H.G. Wells’s disguised autobiographical novel Kipps: The Story of a Simple Soul, is a completely fresh adaptation which reunites book-writer Julian Fellowes (Oscar-winning screenwriter and creator of Downton Abbey) with George Stiles and Anthony Drewe, the musical team that co-creator Cameron Mackintosh first put together to create the hit stage adaptation ofMary Poppins with Disney. The score is inspired by and features several of composer David Heneker’s exhilarating songs from the original production, including Flash Bang Wallop, Money To Burn and Half A Sixpence.

Charlie Stemp and Devon-Elise Johnson have both recently completed the international tour ofMamma Mia!.  Charlie has also appeared in Wicked in the West End, while Devon-Elise’s London theatre credits include Taboo, and Susan Parks in Billy Elliot as a child performer.

Ian Bartholomew’s extensive West End credits include Mrs Henderson Presents, for which he received an Olivier Award nomination for Best Actor in a Musical; Into The Woods and Radio Times(for both of which he also received Olivier Award nominations), Shakespeare in Love, Tommy, Dead Funny and many roles for the National Theatre. The most recent of his many television appearances include Maigret, New Blood, DCI Banks and South Riding.

Emma Williams is currently playing Maureen in Mrs Henderson Presents, for which she received her third Olivier Award nomination. Her London theatre credits also include Jenny in Love Story (which premiered at Chichester) and Luisa in Zorro, both of which earned her Olivier Award nominations. She made her West End debut as Truly Scrumptious in the original cast of Chitty Chitty Bang Bangand went on to play leading roles in Bat Boy: The Musical and Desperately Seeking Susan. Emma’s screen credits include The Parole Officer with Steve Coogan, Bleak House with Gillian Anderson and, most recently, Silent Witness (both BBC).

Vivien Parry’s stage work includes The Girls (UK tour); A Midsummer Night’s Dream and The Shoemaker’s Holiday (RSC); Top Hat, Mamma Mia! and Fame in the West End.  Her film and television credits include Beauty and the Beast, Crash and Holby City.

Arthur Kipps, an orphan and over-worked draper’s assistant at the turn of the last century, unexpectedly inherits a fortune that propels him into high society. His childhood companion, Ann Pornick, watches with dismay as Arthur is made over in a new image by the beautiful and classy Helen Walsingham. Both young women undoubtedly love Arthur – but which of them should he listen to? With the help of his friends, Arthur learns that if you want to have the chance of living the right life, you need to make the right choices.

HALF A SIXPENCE will be directed by Rachel Kavanaugh and designed by Paul Brown, with choreography by Andrew Wright and orchestrations by William David Brohn. The musical supervisors will be Stephen Brooker and Graham Hurman, who will also conduct; with lighting by Paule Constable, sound by Mick Potter and video design by Luke Halls.

Half A Sixpence is sponsored by Covers Timber & Builders Merchant, Henry Adams, Reynolds Fine Furniture and Seaward Properties.

*Due to a scheduling conflict, Chichester Festival Theatre agreed to release Bryan Dick, who was previously announced to play Kipps, from his commitment to Half a Sixpence. He will continue with his role in Hobson’s Choice in the West End.

Booking information

Half A Sixpence is at the Festival Theatre, Chichester from 14 July – 3 September. Evenings at 7.30pm (except for Press Night, 26 July at 7pm), matinees at 2.30pm.

Box Office 01243 781312

Online cft.org.uk

Prologue: £8.50 tickets for 16 – 25s

An allocation of tickets for 16 – 25 year olds priced at just £8.50 will be available for all performances of Half A Sixpence. Tickets go on sale on 14 June; sign up free at cft.org.uk/prologue.

WALES MILLENNIUM CENTRE &

CAPE TOWN OPERA PRESENT

MANDELA TRILOGY

TO TOUR THE UK AND IRELAND FROM 24 AUGUST 2016

Wales Millennium Centre and Cape Town Opera are delighted to present the return of Mandela Trilogy, opening at Wales Millennium Centre on 24 August 2016, followed by a UK and Ireland Tour, finishing on 24 September 2016.

Mandela Trilogy, written and directed by Michael Williams with music by Peter Louis van Dijk and Mike Campbell, is a musical tribute to the life of Nelson Mandela and had its European premiere at Wales Millennium Centre in 2012.

Graeme Farrow, Artistic and Creative Director at Wales Millennium Centre said “Following its debut performances and fantastic reception at Wales Millennium Centre in 2012, we are delighted to be presenting Cape Town Opera’s Mandela Trilogy on a UK and Ireland tour next summer. Showcasing the talent of the hugely gifted Cape Town Opera’s company, this production will offer audiences a wonderful spectacle with its exceptional cast, award-winning chorus and original score. I’m delighted we are able to share the story of Nelson Mandela’s heroic and inspirational life, two years after his death. This tour is another step in the development of collaborative and exchange projects between the Centre and our strategic partner – Cape Town Opera.”

From tribal initiation rites on the banks of the Mbashe River, through the heady and rebellious jazz-fuelled days in Sophiatown, to incarceration and reflection on Robben Island and finally beyond, to freedom – this is the story of one of the world’s most iconic figures.

The amazing life of Nelson Mandela is brought vividly to the stage by Cape Town Opera in a large-scale celebration and tribute to the man who touched hearts and minds around the world.

Told in three parts by a cast and orchestra of over 60 South African performers, the music matches the vastly different phases of Mandela’s journey from freedom fighter to president. The upbeat jazz and swing-influenced songs of Sophiatown are framed by musical styles more familiar in contemporary opera – with a dash of Xhosa folk music that grounds the production in its African roots.

Written by two different composers, each Act is in stark contrast to the others, but with an over-arching dramatic theme that shines a light on the life of an extraordinary man.

For more information, visit http://www.wmc.org.uk/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WalesMillenniumCentre/

Twitter: @theCentre

TOUR SCHEDULE 2016

24-27 August Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff Now on sale www.wmc.org.uk 029 2063 6464

31 August-3 September Royal Festival Hall at Southbank Centre Now on sale www.southbankcentre.co.uk 0844 847 9910

7-10 September Mayflower Theatre, Southampton Now on sale www.mayflower.org.uk 02380 711811

14-17 September Bord Gáis Energy Theatre, Dublin Now on sale www.bordgaisenergytheatre.ie 0818 719 377

20-21 September Birmingham Hippodrome On sale soon www.birminghamhippodrome.com 0844 338 5000

23-24 September Lowry Theatre, Salford Now on sale www.thelowry.com 0843 208 6000

Civic Theatre, Darlington – 9 May 2016

I’m not a huge Beatles fan, by the time I was born they had split up – John was in bed, Paul in the Mull of Kintyre and Ringo on the Island of Sodor with Thomas.  But I am aware of their music and on their influences on British music.

Let It Be is a “Celebration of the Music of the Beatles”, more of tribute concert than anything else but it is immensely enjoying

Four men who have a passing resemblance to John, Paul, George and Ringo come on stage and steer us through the Beatles catalogue. They start with the joyous songs of innocence, such as She Loves You and I Want to Hold Your Hand, and move on to the multilayered songs of experience, such as Strawberry Fields Forever and Lucy in the Sky With Diamonds. Periodically, contact is made with the rest of us: John Lennon repeats his famous injunction to a Royal Variety Performance audience (“Would the people in the cheaper seats clap your hands. And the rest of you, if you’ll just rattle your jewellery”) and we are periodically bidden to our feet to scream and shout. The whole evening, however, is an exercise in nostalgia.  With most of the audience being of a certain age and who would have been original fans of the Fab Four

Paul Canning as John, Ian B Garcia as Paul, Paul Mannion as George and Stuart Wilkinson as Ringo are all incredible musicians presenting, on a nightly basis, a repertoire of songs that includes All You Need Is Love, Blackbird, Eleanor Rigby, Get Back, Help, Hey Jude, Let It Be, Penny Lane, Please Please Me and Yesterday, amongst many, many others. Whilst most shows struggle to have one or two hit songs, Let It Be has over forty of them!

There doesn’t seem to be any set script, just banter between the band themselves and the audience. That combined with some period video projections ensure that Let It Be is staged simply but effectively.

A word of warning, don’t go to Let It Be if you’re idea of theatre is sitting in silence whilst watching. The producers make it abundantly clear from the start that photography is encouraged, and the performers make a point of getting the audience up on their feet to dance at every opportunity. On opening night the audience responded with gusto

The authentic detail is impressive, be it Roberts’s Ringo smoking a fag while playing at The Cavern or John chewing gum while singing in the later days. The sky darkening as The Beatles play Shea Stadium is another sign of a thoroughly switched-on show that takes the regular path from Liverpool to the Royal Variety Show, New York and Sgt Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band, flowers, palm trees et al.  Although our Paul wasn’t left handed.  John had some arrogance about him and Paul was barefooted in the Abbey Road section.

There were some surprises for me too though – I didn’t know that Ringo sang but he led us in Yellow Submarine and I didn’t know that Roll Over Beethoven had been covered by the Beatles either.

For me the second half of the show was the best.  The songs I like best by the Beatles were featured in the second half and I loved the acoustic section showing off the individual versatility of the performers.  I know most people praise John and Paul but for me George was the genius.  I loved Mannions version of Here Comes the Sun but it was his rendition of While My Guitar Gently Weeps completely stole the show.  If nothing else you must go and see the show purely for that

This is a hugely entertaining and enjoyable show and I recommend it all.  In Darlington until Saturday 14th May and on tour around the UK

Jamie Hendry Productions

and Gavin Kalin Productions

present

THE WORLD’S GREATEST MAGIC SHOW

RETURNS TO LONDON’s WEST END FOR 60 PERFORMANCES ONLY!

Highly acclaimed, box-office smash to mesmerize London

once again with even bigger illusions

The magic is back from Friday 8 July at the Noël Coward Theatre

IMPOSSIBLE, the world’s greatest magic show, will return to London this summer, following its acclaimed West End season last year. The show, which features the world’s greatest illusionists including new cast members Josephine Lee, Sabine Van Diemen and Magical Bones, will begin performances at the Noël Coward Theatre on Friday 8 July and run through to Saturday 27 August 

Fusing death-defying stunts, technological trickery, grand stage illusions and close-up magic in a fast-paced breath-taking performance, IMPOSSIBLE reinvents the biggest illusions in history in the greatest magic show on earth.

Audiences should prepare to be mesmerized and baffled as IMPOSSIBLE brings together world-class performers showing off a stunning range of magical artistry. 

IMPOSSIBLE’s company includes:

Magical Bones: South London street conjurer and break-dancing master Magical Bones is considered the world’s best hip-hop magician. Starting out in the music industry as a dancer for the likes of Madonna and the Black Eyed Peas Bones has since turned his attention to wowing the public with expert sleight-of-hand, and there’s no doubt the tricks up his sleeve will stump any seasoned skeptic.

Chris Cox: Clear your mind before award-winning mind reading specialist Chris Cox gets his hands on it! Chris stars in BBC3’s Killer Magic, bewildering audiences with his unique mind reading talent. He’s the man behind the magic at Heston Blumenthal’s Fat Duck, he has flummoxed audiences including One Direction’s Louis Tomlinson and Jonathan Ross on stages across the country and continues to control minds in his multi-award winning tour Fatal Distraction.

Sabine van Diemen: European star Sabine van Diemen has collaborated with some of the greatest illusionists in the world. She began her career in dance before delving into the world of magic and illusion where she has performed as Diva of Magic alongside names such as Hans Klok.

Jonathan Goodwin: Daredevil and Escapologist Jonathan Goodwin will have audiences on the edge of their seats as he dances with death on stage. After first appearing on Channel 4’s Dirty Tricks, Goodwin has brought his unique stunts to various TV specials including The Seven Stupidest Things to Escape From and How Not to Become Shark Bait! In his television series The Incredible Mr Goodwin, he pushes the limits of possibility with stunts that range from extreme planking to climbing skyscrapers.

Ben Hart: Ben invents unique magic which pushes the boundaries of film, theatre and television and tests the limits of illusion, including decapitation, vanishing and levitation. At the age of 16 he won the Magic Circle’s ‘Young Magician of the Year’ Award and his most recent show The Vanishing Boy sold-out to astonished audiences. He starred in BBC 3’s Killer Magic, where his unique and unorthodox approaches amazed audiences across the country and has recently been seen wowing BBC’s The Voice coaches.

Josephine Lee: Grand Illusionist Josephine Lee is one of the fastest in the business, breaking the world record for the most number of illusions performed in 5 minutes with the world-renowned Hans Klok – an accolade held to this day.

Jamie Hendry (Producer): “We were overwhelmed by the welcome that London audiences showed IMPOSSIBLElast year and are delighted to be returning to the Noël Coward Theatre with a bigger show than ever before. I’m proud to welcome two of the world’s leading female magicians, Josephine Lee and Sabine van Diemen to the company, and am excited about seeing audiences’ reactions to their stunning performances”.

IMPOSSIBLE is produced by Jamie Hendry Productions and Gavin Kalin Productions and is directed by Lloyd Woodwith scenic design by Andrew D. Edwards, lighting design by Howard Harrison, video design by 59 Productions,sound design by Gareth Owen and music by Ryan Martin.

For more information and to view video footage, please visit the official website www.ImpossibleLive.com

Website: www.ImpossibleLive.com

Facebook: /ImpossibleTheShow

Twitter: @ImpossibleShow

STRICTLY DUO ON FINAL TOUR

Britain’s best-loved dance duo to perform their last tango in Darlington.

Fresh from their sell-out hit shows Midnight Tango and Dance ’Til Dawn, Strictly superstars Vincent Simone and Flavia Cacace have created their most moving production yet as the pair prepare to dance in their final ever theatre show. The Last Tango comes to Darlington Civic Theatre from Monday 16 to Saturday 21 May.

Twenty years of dancing together has seen them become Strictly Come Dancing favorites, World Argentine Tango Champions, create and star in their own Olivier Award nominated West End productions – and now, as the nation’s favorite dancers prepare to take on new projects, it is time for Vincent and Flavia to say goodbye to audiences across the UK in a brand new, thrilling live performance.

Flavia said; “We have had such a fantastic time creating and dancing in Midnight Tango and Dance ’Til Dawn. It’s an incredible experience to perform live in front of our wonderful audience night after night, but all good things must come to an end, so we’re creating our final ever theatre show. It’s going to be intimate, intense and full of our award-winning Argentine tango. The Last Tango is going to showcase our best work and most beautiful dance moves before we finally say farewell to theatre.”

Vincent said “The last few years have been amazing – we’ve loved it. It may be our final theatre tour but we’re going to go out with a bang! This is going to be our best show yet!”

Don’t miss your last ever chance to see this dynamic duo do what they do best live – in an intimate, passionate and explosive experience. It’s time for The Last Tango.

The Last Tango comes to Darlington Civic Theatre from Monday May 16 to Saturday May 21, 2016. Tickets* are priced from £21 – £36

To book contact the Box Office on 01325 486 555 or visit www.darlingtoncivic.co.uk

*All ticket prices include a £1 restoration levy

The Boys in the Band

by Mart Crowley

STARRING OLIVIER AWARD WINNER

MARK GATISS AND IAN HALLARD

TO OPEN AT PARK THEATRE THIS AUTUMN

FOLLOWED BY A UK TOUR

Producers Tom O’Connell and James Seabright are pleased to announce that they will be staging a first-class revival of Mart Crowley’s ground-breaking play, THE BOYS IN THE BAND, opening at Park Theatre in London this autumn, and that, due to popular demand, the production will embark on a short tour to The Lowry, Theatre RoyalBrighton and West Yorkshire Playhouse.

There’s a party about to commence when nine men gather in a New York apartment for a birthday celebration. Harold, a self-confessed ‘Jew fairy’, receives a surprise birthday gift – a beautiful male hustler dubbed Cowboy. Meanwhile, party host Michael gets an unwanted surprise of his own in the shape of a figure from his past. As the booze is drunk and the dope smoked, the mood swings from hilarity to heart-break.

Olivier Award winner Mark Gatiss will star alongside his husband Ian Hallard in this eagerly anticipated production, which sees the pair playing ‘Harold’ and ‘Michael’.

The production is directed by A Small Family Business & One Man Two Guvnors’ director, Adam Penford, and will open at Park Theatre in London from 28 September 2016 – 30 October 2016, with a press night on Tuesday 4 October. The show will then embark on a short UK Tour visiting The Lowry, Salford from 3 – 6 November, Theatre Royal, Brighton from 8 – 12 November, and the West Yorkshire Playhouse from 14 – 19 November.

Mark Gatiss and Ian Hallard said, “We are thrilled to be a part of this production, which will bring this seminal gay play back to London for the first time in eighteen years. The script is razor sharp, with huge amounts of wit and pathos, and is as fresh, startling and relevant as it was back in 1968. It’s tremendously exciting to be working with a superb creative and production team who are bringing the show to Park Theatre. And we can’t wait to work together on stage for the first time.”

From the producers of the critically acclaimed revivals of Beautiful Thing, Our Boys and Another Country, and the forthcoming stage adaptation of Brokeback Mountain, comes this eagerly anticipated revival of Mart Crowley’s seminal piece, which premiered in 1968 just before the Stonewall riots. This witty, dark American play which changed the landscape of gay theatre was adapted into a film in 1970, becoming a cult hit. The play was last revived in New York in 2010, and this UK revival will mark almost 20 years since the last West End production.

Producer Tom O’Connell said, “James and I are thrilled to be producing this wonderful play, which is loved by so many around the world. Together with Mart Crowley and Adam Penford we are delighted that Mark and Ian will lead our first class cast at London’s award-winning Park Theatre, the perfect intimate space to open this revival, before then touring to Manchester, Brighton and Leeds. We are also thrilled to be partnering with charity Stonewall, popular restaurant chain Balans and Gay Times Magazine”.

The production will be produced by Tom O’Connell and James Seabright, in association with Jack Maple, the Kings Head Theatre and Park Theatre. Rebecca Bower will design the production with Sound design by James Nicholsonand Lighting design by Jack Weir, casting is by Stephen Moore CDG.

The production will be partnered with Gay Times, Stonewall & Balans.

James Baker from Stonewall said, ‘We’re thrilled to be the charity partner for this new tour of The Boys in the Band and it’s fantastic that the producers recognise the importance of our work. The tour will not only raise awareness but also vital funds to continue Stonewall’s work tackling homophobic, biphobic and transphobic bullying in schools.  We’re looking forward to seeing the production later on this summer and to talking more about our work to anyone attending.’

Tag the production on social media:

@BoysBandPlay

www.facebook.com/boysbandplay

BoysBandPlay.com

Cast announced for the UK premiere of

STALKING THE BOGEYMAN 

by Markus Potter & David Holthouse

with additional writing by Santino Fontana, Shane Zeigler and Shane Stokes.

Southwark Playhouse

13 July to 6 August 2016

Gerard McCarthy will take on the lead role in Stalking the Bogeyman, the extraordinary true story of award-winning journalist David Holthouse’s secret plot to murder the man who raped him when he was seven years old.

McCarthy, who is probably best known for his award-winning performance as Kris Fisher on ‘Hollyoaks’, also played Kevin McSwain in BBC 2’s BAFTA nominated drama ‘The Fall’ starring Gillian Anderson.  His theatre credits include: Tony in ‘Beautiful Thing’ (Nottingham Playhouse and Leicester Curve); Bruce in Blue/Orange’ (Brighton Theatre Royal); Fenton in ‘The Merry Wives of Windsor’ (Shakespeare’s Globe); and the West End productions of ‘Mamma Mia!’ (Prince Edward Theatre) and ‘Saturday Night Fever’ (Apollo Victoria Theatre).

Glynis Barber plays David’s mother Nancy Holthouse. Glynis’ television work includes: Glenda Mitchell in ‘EastEnders’ and DCI Grace Barraclough in ‘Emmerdale’. Her theatre credits include the original London cast of ‘Beautiful: The Carole King Story’ (Aldwych Theatre), ‘Love Letters’  (Dundee Rep), ‘Once In A Lifetime’ (RSC/West End), The Graduate’ (UK Tour), ’Macbeth’ (Shakespeare Festival), and ‘What The Butler Saw’, ‘The Norman Conquest’, ‘Rebecca’,’ Black Comedy’ and ‘The Browning Version’ (all Theatre Royal Northampton).

Geoffrey Towers plays David’s father Robert Holthouse. Geoffrey’s theatre work includes ‘Travelling Light’ and ‘The Veil’ (National Theatre); ‘The Homecoming’, ‘The Ruling Class’, ‘The Weir’, ‘Passion Play’, ‘Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead’, ‘Spring Awakening’, ‘Losing Louis’ and ‘The Graduate’ (all West End).

Others in the cast are Russ Bain whose credits include ‘The Rack Pack’ (BBC) ‘Shakespeare’s Villains’ (California Shakespeare Ensemble) and ‘Graceland’ on USA Channel Fox TV.

John Moraitis’ theatre credits include the title role in King Lear (UK/International), ‘Six Degrees of Separation’ (Old Vic), ‘A View From The Bridge’ (West End/UK Tour/Theatre Clwyd), and Willy Loman in ‘Death of a Salesman’ (European Tour. His television credits include ‘Crossing Lines’, ‘Murder in Paradise’ and ‘Law and Order’.

Amy Van Nostrand’s theatre credits include the American premiere of Harold Pinter’s ‘The Hothouse’ directed by Harold Pinter and Adrian Hall on Broadway; and the worldwide premieres of ‘Off The Kings Road’ and ‘Scrambled Eggs’ Off-Broadway.

David Holthouse is an investigative journalist whose best-known work has been published in alternative weekly newspapers including: the Chicago Reader, Denver Westword, Miami New Times and Phoenix New Times.  He’s the winner of numerous journalism and literary non-fiction writing awards, and was senior writer and editor for the Southern Poverty Law Center team that in 2007 won the Utne Reader Independent Press Award for its work exposing right-wing extremism in the U.S. and Europe.

Stalking The Bogeyman will run at Southwark Playhouse from Wednesday 13 July to Saturday 6 August. The Production is directed by Markus Potter (who received an Outer Critics Circle nomination for the Off-Broadway production); Set & costume design is by Rachel Stone, lighting design by Rob Casey, original music by Erik T. Lawson, sound design by David Gregory and the Casting Director is Anne Vosser.

Stalking the Bogeyman is partnered by the following charities NAPAC, Survivors UK, Safeline and 1in6.

Listings information

Producer:                           David Adkin and New York Rep

Theatre:                             Southwark Playhouse, 77-85 Newington Causeway, London SE1 6BD

Dates:                                 13 July to 6 August 2016

Times:                                Monday – Saturday at 20.00; Tuesday and Saturday at 15.30

Running Time:                   85 minutes

Previews:                           Wednesday 13 July and Thursday 14 July

Press Night:                       Friday 15 July

Box Office:                         Tickets are available from the Southwark Playhouse Box Office on 020 7407 0234 or online atwww.southwarkplayhouse.co.uk.                                             Tickets are priced at £20 Full and £16 Concessions. All Preview tickets are £12

LOCAL THEATRE SOCIETY GO FOR SOMETHING

COMPLETELY DIFFERENT

DarlingtonOS to present SPAMALOT, the musical inspired by Monty Python.

Following their smash-hit production of Legally Blonde, DarlingtonOS is looking to something completely different for their next musical offering.

Rude Frenchmen, can-can dancers, the Lady of the Lake and her Laker Girls, killer rabbits, catapulting cows, and the somewhat odd Knights who say “ni” are just part of the adventures and dangers awaiting them as they join King Arthur and his Knights of the very, very, very round table in their quest for the holy grail in the West End and Broadway smash hit musical, Spamalot.

Lovingly ripped off from the motion picture, Monty Python and the Holy Grail,

Spamalot is the irreverent parody of the Arthurian legend. It was nominated for 14 Tony Awards, winning three, including Best New Musical for 2005. During its initial run, it was seen by more than two million people.

There are, if only briefly , references to famous Monty Python sketches including The Lumberjack Song, Spam and the Dead Parrot, while some of Broadway’s best-loved musicals are lovingly and jokingly slotted it along the way including a spoof of Andrew Lloyd Webber, Fiddler on the Roof, West Side Story, Les Miserables, and The Producers.

But Spamalot is hilarious on so many levels that you don’t have to have seen (or even heard of) Monty Python to enjoy the show. Everyone knows the legend of King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table… just add glamour, glitz and more than a touch of showbiz and you end up with Spamalot.

Spamalot, written by Monty Python legend Eric Idle and John Du Prez includes some of modern musical’s classics including The Song That Goes Like This, Diva’s Lament, Find Your Grail and the ultimate comedy sing-along song Always Look On The Bright Side Of Life.

With Darlington Civic Theatre undergoing seventeen months of restoration, DarlingtonOS will be performing Spamalot at the 750 seat Princess Alexandra Auditorium at Yarm School.

Spamalot will run for just one week, from Monday 24 to Saturday 29 October. Tickets are on sale now at £16 for adults and £10 for children (aged 14 and under). Call the ticket hotline on 01325 244659 or book online at www.darlingtonos.org.uk

WESTENDFEST RETURNS
ON THE 15th MAY 2016
AT THE ACTORS CHURCH, COVENT GARDEN
WITH THE THEME OF “ICONS, YOUR OWN SPIN”
RAISING FUNDS FOR THE MAKE A DIFFERENCE TRUST (MAD TRUST)

The evening of Sunday 15th May sees the 2016 return of WestEndFest to The Actors Church in Covent Garden, for the first time raising funds for The Make A Difference Trust (MAD Trust).

WestEndFest was founded four years ago by Sabrina Aloueche and Parnell Page, and it has since become a hugely popular bi-annual celebration combining dance, comedy, songs and raising lots of money for charity.

This time around the event’s comperes – Ian Stroughair and Kieran Brown – will be hurdling their way through this year’s theme of “Icons, your own spin”.  Many of the West End’s leading performers will tackle their favourite songs from their most adored icons in their own individual way. Previous popular themes have included “Mis-cast”, at which singers attempted to deliver first class performances in roles they would never normally be cast in, and “Songs you love but shouldn’t – Guilty Pleasures”.   Expect many laughs and perhaps a few surprises, with songs that have been sung by millions worldwide being sung in ways you’ve never seen before – including the hugely anticipated “HAMILTON the musical medley”!

The line-up of performers includes (subject to change): Sabrina Aloueche, Kieran Brown, Ambra Caserotti, Cassie Compton, Peach Coyne, Liam Doyle, Franklin Lake, Sarah French, Georgina Hagen, Simon Harvey, Claudia Kariuki, Emma Kingston, Jonny Labey, Sam Mackay, Mitch Miller, Ceili O’Connor, Sarah O’Connor, Oliver Savile, Aaron Sidwell, Anton Stephans, Ian Stroughair, Rebecca Trehearn, Lauren Varnham, Ross William Wild and Matthew Wycliffe.

WestEndFest will have Musical Direction by Scott Morgan and Bob Broad, photography by Darren Bell and videography by West End Video.

Booking is now open with tickets on sale for £15 (general admission) and £22 (VIP):http://www.seetickets.com/tour/westendfest.

All profits will go to The Make a Difference Trust.  With a legacy of over 25 years, the MAD Trust, trading as TheatreMAD, brings together the theatre industry and its supporters to raise funds for HIV and AIDS projects that raise awareness, and provide care, support and education in the United Kingdom and Sub-Saharan Africa. The Trust also supports those in the entertainment industry facing hardship as a result of a long term illness.

LIVE AT THE HIPPODROME

A star-studded theatre experience to celebrate and anticipate the restoration of Darlington Civic Theatre on Tuesday 31 May.

A glittering, unforgettable evening of live music, comedy, dancing and entertainment is on the cards as a whole host of acts descend on Darlington Civic Theatre for its final curtain call before the multi-million pound restoration commences.

The evening will be compèred by British national treasure Christopher Biggins. ‘Biggins’ began his pantomime career here in Darlington in the seventies and we are delighted to welcome him back on this special evening. As an actor he has appeared in many British television classic dramas and in theatre from Shakespeare to musicals all over the world. With his warmth and personality he was crowned King Of The Jungle in I’m A Celebrity – Get Me Out Of Here.

Topping the bill will be Mari Wilson – The Neasden Queen of Soul. Mari first arrived on the scene in the early eighties with her skyscraper beehive hairdo, individual fashion sense and twelve piece band The Wilsations. Mariʼs live shows were spoken about as an event – pure entertainment.

Mari soon had six hit singles, the biggest being ʻJust What Iʼve Always Wantedʼ and ʻCry Me A Riverʼ. For the past 18 months Mari has been touring her show, Ready Steady Girls to sell out crowds. The show features Mari’s unique interpretations of the songs of Dusty Springfield, Petula Clark, Sandie Shaw, Cilla Black and many more.

Also on the bill is Matt Edwards following his hugely successful appearance as Buttons in Cinderella. Matt will wow audiences once more with his zany comedy and amazing magic.

Friends near and far including DarlingtonOS, The Vocal Soul Community Choir, ArtsSpark Dance and Youth Theatre groups will come together with a host of other guests for this final performance to say farewell to the Civic Theatre as it is now and welcome the plans for its future.

The stage is set.

The stage is set for Darlington Civic Theatre’s restoration work to commence. A host of new facilities will be added including a café-bar, education centre, heritage gallery, better disabled access, including a lift, and improvements to backstage areas to allow the theatre to accommodate larger shows and expand its range of activities, including youth and education work.

The number of seats will be increased to over one thousand, new heritage seating will provide greater legroom and improved sightlines, and better ventilation will make your visit to the theatre much more comfortable.

Live At The Hippodrome is at Darlington Civic Theatre on Tuesday 31 May. Tickets are priced £20 & £18.

To book contact the Box Office on 01325 486 555 or visit www.darlingtoncivic.co.uk

All proceeds go towards the restoration project.