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

DIRECT FROM LONDON’S WEST END

THE COMMITMENTS

DUBLIN & UK TOUR – STARTING OCTOBER 2016

Tickets on sale now

GRAND OPERA HOUSE YORK

Monday 13 – Saturday 18 February 2017

“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 ★★★★

Nearly 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 touring the UK.

Direct from a record-breaking residency at the Palace Theatre in London’s West End, the smash hit musical will begin a seven month tour on 12 October 2016 at Dublin Bord Gáis Theatre. Tickets are now on sale.

Roddy Doyle says; “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 thirty years later, in 2016.”

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. It is directed by the award-winning Jamie Lloyd, famed for directing the critically acclaimed Macbeth, and 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 is 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 synthesizer 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.

Tickets: From £15

Box Office: 0844 871 3024

Online Booking: www.atgtickets.com/york

The Commitments Tour Dates

2016 Dates

12 – 29 October          Dublin Bord Gáis Theatre                   ON SALE NOW

31 Oct – 5 November Milton Keynes Theatre                       ON SALE NOW

7 – 12 November        Nottingham Theatre Royal                 ON SALE NOW

14 – 19 November      Stoke Regent Theatre                         ON SALE NOW

21 – 26 November      Sheffield Lyceum Theatre                   ON SALE NOW

5 – 10  December       Leeds Grand Theatre                          ON SALE NOW

12 – 30 December      Glasgow Theatre Royal                       ON SALE NOW

2017 Dates

2 – 7 January               Brighton Theatre Royal                      ON SALE NOW

9 – 14 January             Oxford New Theatre                           ON SALE NOW

16 – 21 January           Liverpool Empire                                ON SALE NOW

23 – 28 January                       Belfast Opera House                           ON SALE NOW

30 Jan – 4 February    Southampton Mayflower                    ON SALE NOW

6 – 11 February           Newcastle Theatre Royal                    ON SALE NOW

13 – 18 February         York Grand Opera House                    ON SALE NOW

20 – 25 February         Bristol Hippodrome                            ON SALE NOW

27 Feb – 4 March        Edinburgh Playhouse                          ON SALE NOW

7 – 12 March              Aberdeen His Majesty’s Theatre        ON SALE NOW

13 – 18 March            Birmingham Alexandra Theatre         ON SALE NOW

20 – 25 March            Canterbury Marlow Theatre              ON SALE NOW

27 March – 8 April      Manchester Palace Theatre               ON SALE NOW

10 – 15 April                Cardiff Millennium                             ON SALE SOON

17 – 22 April               Woking New Victoria Theatre                        ON SALE NOW

DARLINGTON CIVIC THEATRE – FROM THE BEGINNING TO A NEW ERA

On Friday 22 January Darlington Civic Theatre is opening the doors for an exciting and informative look behind the scenes with a special Heritage Tour.

Theatres are amazing spaces, especially old ones. As soon as you walk in to any auditorium you feel the warmth and history of the hundreds or thousands of stars who have appeared on the stage, you can almost hear the echo of applause ringing around the building, the atmosphere of anticipation of the production you are about to see is almost tangible.

Imagine, then, the opportunity to get a glimpse behind the scenes – the areas you never get to see as a member of the audience. See the technical areas and offices. Add to that the history of secret apartments, the dressing rooms (some of which are known to be haunted) and you have an exciting and informative tour of one of Darlington’s most wonderful and historic buildings.

There will also be the opportunity to learn about the forthcoming restoration of the theatre under the current Heritage Lottery bid – a chance to see plans for the project and discuss the benefits to audience members, touring companies and the cultural impact it will have on the town.

See Darlington Civic theatre as you have never seen it before.

The Darlington Civic Theatre Heritage Tour will take place on Friday 22 January at 7pm. Tickets are priced £5

To book contact the Box Office on 01325 486 555

Empire Cinemas bring big stage productions to the big screen this February and March

·         Royal Opera House – La Traviata (LIVE)

·         National Theatre Live – As You Like It (LIVE)

·         Imagine Dragons: Smoke + Mirrors Live Concert

·         MET Opera – Manon Lescaut

14^th January 2016… From theatre to opera, ballet and music, this February and March cinemagoers can experience live stage productions and events from the comfort of their local cinema courtesy of the Empire Extra programme from Empire Cinemas. Customers can relish the big screen experience in stunning high definition and witness arts screenings of the highest calibre. In February, the month of love, Empire Cinemas will screen Shakespeare’s glorious comedy of love and change, As You Like It from National Theatre Live, as well as Verdi’s tragic opera of a Parisian courtesan who sacrifices all for love; La Traviatafrom The Royal Opera House.

The March line-up sees stunning live operas, theatre and concerts brought to the big screen; enjoy a screening of world-renown band Imagine Dragon’s worldwide tour ‘Smoke + Mirrors’. As well as a brand new production of Musorgsky’s historical masterpiece, Boris Godunov, from the Royal Opera House.

February and March’s full listings are as follows:

February

Royal Opera House – La Traviata (LIVE)

Released 4^th February 2016

Ticket link: http://bit.ly/1SV02Tl

Regarded as one of Verdi’s finest operas, La Traviata is one of The Royal Opera’s most popular productions. The opera tells the story of the Parisian courtesan Violetta Valéry, one of opera’s greatest heroines. In this revival, Violetta is sung by Russian soprano Venera Gimadieva in her debut with The Royal Opera, following her successful appearance as Violetta at the Glyndebourne Festival.

National Theatre Live – As You Like It (LIVE)

Released 25^th February 2016

Ticket link: http://bit.ly/1NL2Ezu

Shakespeare’s glorious comedy of love and change comes to the National Theatre for the first time in over 30 years, with Rosalie Craig (London Road, Macbeth at MIF) as Rosalind. With her father in exile, Rosalind and cousin Celia leave court life behind them and journey into the Forest of Arden. Released from convention, Rosalind transforms and finally experiences life and love- as a man.

March

Imagine Dragons: Smoke + Mirrors Live Concert

Released 2^nd March 2016

Ticket link: http://bit.ly/1N74TMl

For the first time ever, one of the world’s hottest bands, Imagine Dragons, are coming to cinemas worldwide for one night only, with their concert Smoke + Mirrors Live. Filmed as part of their current tour, Smoke + Mirrors Live features hits such as Demons, It’s Time and the Grammy Award-winning Radioactive from their platinum-selling debut album Night Visions. The Smoke + Mirrors album charted at #1 around the world earlier this year, including the US Billboard and UK Official Album Charts and features recent hits such as I Bet My Life, Gold and Shots, all performed as part of the concert film.

NT Live: Hangman

Released 3^rd March 2016

Ticket link: http://bit.ly/1Si0VIN

Following a sell-out run at London’s Royal Court Theatre, Olivier and Academy Award® winner Martin McDonagh (The Pillowman, The Cripple of Inishmaan, In Bruges) returns to the West End with Matthew Dunster’s award-winning production of his deeply funny new play Hangmen, broadcast live to cinemas by National Theatre Live.

MET Opera – Manon Lescaut

Released 5^th March 2016

Ticket link: http://bit.ly/1SV5PbI

The Met stage ignites when soprano Kristine Opolais and tenor Jonas Kaufmann join forces in Puccini’s obsessive love story. Directed by Director Richard Eyre; Opolais sings the title role of the country girl who transforms herself into a Parisian temptress, while Kaufmann is the dashing student who desperately woos her. Met Principal Conductor Fabio Luisi leads the stirring score.

ROH – Boris Godunov (LIVE)

Released 21^st March 2016

Ticket link: http://bit.ly/1ldCw96

Richard Jones and Antonio Pappano renew their creative collaboration with this new production of Musorgsky’s historical masterpiece, here seen in its compact 1869 first version. Keenly awaited will be Bryn Terfel’s assumption of the title role – one of the most complex characters in opera – while John Graham-Hall appears as the crafty Prince Shuisky and John Tomlinson as the vagabond monk Varlaam.

The Railway Children (Filmed Theatre Event)

Released 28^th March 2016

Ticket link: http://bit.ly/1Pb4k5M

E. Nesbit’s The Railway Children follows the story of Roberta (Bobbie), Phyllis and Peter, three
sheltered siblings who suffer a huge upheaval when their father, who works for the Foreign Office, is taken away from their London home and falsely imprisoned. The children and their mother, now
penniless, are forced to move from London to rural Yorkshire near a railway line. The story deals with themes of justice, the importance of family and the kindness of strangers.

Jon Nutton, Marketing Director of Empire Cinemas, said: “Empire Extra provides arts fans with the experience of attending live stage productions from the comfort of their local cinema, and at a fraction of the price. 2015 saw a brilliant reception of our Empire Extra programme and we are looking forward to another superb year of big stage productions on the big screen.”