MILES JUPP ANNOUNCES UK TOUR

RBM presents

MILES JUPP: SONGS OF FREEDOM

 

Astronauts. Regrets. The sexes. Social Media. Hipsters. Poo. Rage. Medicine. Manners. Identity. Lost stuff. Other stuff.

 

Miles Jupp, (Stand-up, actor, writer, thinker, father, husband, worrier, fool, star of Rev. and host of The News Quiz) hits the road in a freshly-ironed shirt and some robust trousers and tries to make some bloody sense of it all. 

 

A very British tour-de-force of comedy” Daily Telegraph

 

Miles Jupp has appeared in many of the genre-defining British TV comedy shows of the past decade such as the cliché smashing BAFTA Award-winning Rev. and Armando Iannucci’s artful skewering of Westminster The Thick of It.  He has also made numerous appearances on Have I Got News For You and Mock The Week, as well as Eight Out Of Ten Cats and Never Mind The Buzzcocks. He has performed stand-up on both Michael McIntyre’s Comedy Roadshow and Live At The Apollo.

 

Last year he became the host of BBC Radio 4’s The News Quiz, and he also contributed to a huge number of other shows on the station including Just A Minute, I’m Sorry I Haven’t A Clue and The Unbelievable Truth. He also hosted three series of the panel show It’s Not What You Know. He also wrote and starred as Damien Trench in four series of In And out Of The Kitchen for the station, as well as a TV version on BBC4. He is currently writing a Damien Trench book.  He has also starred in two series of Boswell’s Lives, written by Jon Canter. The first series won The Prix Europa 2015 for Best Radio Fiction Series.

Miles started performing stand-up comedy in 2000 and quickly gained recognition, winning both the ‘So You Think You’re Funny’ and ‘Leicester Mercury Comedian of the Year’ awards in 2001. He went on to become a regular performer on BBC Scotland’s Live Floor Show. His first solo show at the Edinburgh Fringe, Gentlemen Prefer Brogues, earned him a nomination for the Perrier Best Newcomer award in 2003. In 2010 he performed his sixth solo show, the critically acclaimed Fibber In The Heat. The show toured the UK in 2011 and 2012 culminating in a sell out performance in London’s West End. The book was published by Ebury Press in May 2012 and was shortlisted for the William Hill Sports Book Of The Year.

Miles has acted in two plays at the National Theatre; People by Alan Bennett in 2012 and Sam Holcroft’s Rules For Living in 2015. He has also appeared in Neville’s Island  in the West End and A Day In The Death Of Joe Egg at the Glasgow Citizens. He has been seen in a number of fims too including George Clooney’s The Monuments Men, Jon Stewart’s Rosewater and Michael Winterbottom’s The Look Of Love. He is also in this summer’s The Legend of Tarzan, directed by David Yates.

A new level of middleclass angst in comedy” Chortle

 

His last tour in 2014 Is The Chap You’re Thinking Of  was a critical and commercial hit selling out over seventy shows ,it is now available as a DVD from Go Faster Stripe.

 

For full tour information please visit www.rbmcomedy.com.  tbc

 

 

2016/ 2017 TOUR SCHEDULE

 

September 2016     

                                   

Wednesday 7th          Milton Keynes Stables

Friday 9th                     Hertford Theatre

Saturday 10th             Hertford Theatre

Tuesday 13th               Epsom Playhouse

Wednesday 14th        Swindon Wyvern

Friday 16th                   Stafford Gatehouse

Wednesday 21st         Newbury Corn Exchange

Friday 23rd                   Henley Kenton

Saturday 24th             Durham Gala

Sunday 25th                Leeds City Varieties

Wednesday 28th       Northampton Royal Theatre

        

October 2016           

                                     

Sunday 2nd                   Bristol Redgrave

Monday 3rd                 Colchester Mercury

Wednesday 5th          Westcliff on Sea Palace Theatre

Friday 7th                     Portsmouth Theatre Royal

Saturday 8th               Taunton Brewhouse

 

 

 

Tuesday 11th               St Albans Arena

Wednesday 12th        Margate Theatre Royal

Tuesday 18th               Nottingham Playhouse

Wednesday 19th        Salisbury Town Hall

Friday 21st                    Yeovil Octagon

Saturday 22nd            Medina Theatre, Isle of Wight

Sunday 23rd                Wimborne Tivoli Theatre

Wednesday 26th       Bromley Churchill Theatre

Friday 28th                   Buxton Opera House

Saturday 29th             Birmingham Town Hall

 

January 2017

Wednesday 4th          Andover Lights

                                                                                               

Monday 9th Norwich Theatre Royal

Wednesday 11th         Swansea Grand Theatre

Friday 13th                   Canterbury Marlowe

Saturday 14th             Oxford Playhouse

Friday      20th            Taunton Brewhouse

Friday 27th                   Peterborough Quay Theatre

Saturday 28th             Scunthorpe Plowright Theatre

 

February 2017

Wednesday 1st           Guildford G Live                           

 

Friday 3rd                     Brighton Dome

Saturday 4th               Dartford Orchard

Sunday 5th                   Lowry Manchester

Monday 6th                 Newcastle Tyne and Opera House

Tuesday 7th                Leeds City Varieties

Friday 10th                   Chelmsford Civic Theatre

Sunday 12th                Exeter Northcott

Wednesday 15th       Bury St Edmunds Theatre Royal

Friday 17th                   Shrewsbury Severn

Saturday 18th            Leamington Spa Royal Spa Centre

Tuesday 21st               Crewe Lyceum

Friday 24th                  Aldershot Princes Hall

Darlington Civic Theatre – Gangsta Granny

DAVID WALLIAMS’ BEST SELLER TO HIT THE STAGE

Watch out! The cabbage-crunching, criminal master-mind, Gangsta Granny is coming to Darlington Civic Theatre later this month.

Birmingham Stage Company, the acclaimed producers of Horrible Histories, are bringing their world premiere of David Walliams’ Gangsta Granny to Darlington Civic Theatre from Tuesday 24 to Saturday 28 May, prior to a West End run.

Walliams, who is one of the judges on the popular Britain’s Got Talent TV show and creator of the ground-breaking comedy series, Little Britain, is now the best-selling author for children in the country.

David began his publishing career at Harper Collins in early 2008 with his debut novel The Boy in the Dress. Then, after writing two other popular stories, in 2011 he published Gangsta Granny, which was shortlisted for both The Red House Children’s Book Award and for the Roald Dahl Funny Prize. In 2013 a TV version of Gangsta Granny was shown on BBC One with an all-star cast including David Walliams himself. Gangsta Granny went straight to number 1 in the children’s book charts and his books have been translated into no fewer than 30 languages.

David Walliams said at the first night of Gangsta Granny from the stage at Birmingham New Alexandra Theatre : “What a fantastic show! Superb! And so much better than the book!”.

It’s Friday night and Ben knows that means only one thing – staying with Granny! There will be cabbage soup, cabbage pie and cabbage cake and Ben knows one thing for sure – it’s going to be sooooooooo boring! But what Ben doesn’t know is that Granny has a secret – and Friday nights are about to get more exciting than he could ever imagine, as he embarks on the adventure of a lifetime with his very own Gangsta Granny!

Gangsta Granny is a must for all families as the show will be enjoyed by everyone from 5 to 105! It’s both laugh out loud funny with some brilliant comic scenes but also has some very moving and truthful things to say about family relationships..

Gangsta Granny is at Darlington Civic Theatre from Tuesday 24 to Saturday 28 May. Tickets* are £16.50 and £14.50 for adults, £13 and £11 for children, family ticket £50, schools £8.50 plus one free with every ten booked.

To book contact the Box Office on 01325 486 555 or visit www.darlingtoncivic.co.uk *All ticket prices include a £1 restoration levy

Strictly Come Dancing star Joanne Clifton to star in Norma Jeane: The Musical at the LOST Theatre

JOANNE CLIFTON STARS AS MARILYN MONROE AT THE LOST THEATRE

May 30th – June 18th 2016, LOST Theatre

KSW Productions and the LOST Theatre are thrilled to announce the cast of their upcoming production Norma Jeane: The Musical, including Strictly Come Dancing star Joanne Clifton as Marilyn Monroe.

Joanne is most famous for her appearances on Strictly Come Dancing, where she has partnered Scott Mills, Russell Grant and Harry Judd, with whom she won the Christmas Special 2015. She has been performing on stage as a dancer since the age of 4, with recent work also including Burn The Floor (Australia and Japan, 2014) and the UK premiere of Irving Berlin’s Face the Music (Ye Olde Rose and Crowne, 2015), for which she was nominated for an Off West End Award. Joanne is the 2013 World Professional Ballroom Showdance Champion.

Joanne is joined by Sarah Rose Denton (Welcome to New York, Hard Rock Café) as Norma Jeane, Joseph Bader (Der Rosenkavalier, Royal Albert Hall) as Marion, Darrie Gardner (Profumo The Musical, Waterloo East Theatre) as Ida, Maggie Robson (A Catered Affair, London Theatre Workshop) as Gladys, Hugo Joss Catton (Annie Jr, Arts Theatre) as the Doctor, Martin Rossen (An Inspector Calls, Richmond Theatre) as Stanley, John McInnes (Mandrake, Brockley Jack Theatre) as Fletcher, Ruth Betteridge (Free as Air, Finborough Theatre) and sees the debut of Erica Martin as Grace, and Bradley Richardson, James Andrews,  Martyn Ian Davies and Jasmine Avis in the ensemble.

Showing a side of Marilyn Monroe that to many is still a mystery, Norma Jeane: The Musical casts a beady eye on the dark side of fame and fortune. The show opens on May 30th, with a press night gala on June 1st, which would’ve been Norma Jeane’s 90th birthday.

First look at Kenneth Branagh in The Entertainer – Tickets now on sale for the live cinema broadcast on 27 October 2016

Fiery Angel presents
PLAYS AT THE GARRICK
KENNETH BRANAGH THEATRE COMPANY

10 May 2016

  • TICKETS NOW ON SALE FOR THE LIVE CINEMA BROADCAST OF THE ENTERTAINER ON 27 OCTOBER 2016
  • FIRST IMAGE OF KENNETH BRANAGH IN JOHN OSBORNE’S THE ENTERTAINER RELEASED TODAY
  • DIRECTED BY ROB ASHFORD, THE CAST ALSO INCLUDES JOHN HURT, SOPHIE MCSHERA AND GRETA SCAACHI, WITH PERFORMANCES AT THE GARRICK FROM 20 AUGUST UNTIL 12 NOVEMBER 2016

The Kenneth Branagh Theatre Company, in partnership with Picturehouse Entertainment, has confirmed that the date of the final Branagh Theatre Live cinema broadcast of this season will be The Entertainer at 19:00 on Thursday 27 October 2016. Tickets for the broadcast of The Entertainer and details of participating cinemas can be found at branaghtheatrelive.com

Set against the backdrop of post-war Britain, John Osborneʼs modern classic conjures the seedy glamour of the old music halls for an examination of public masks and private torment. The Entertainer will play at the Garrick Theatre from Saturday 20 August until Saturday 12 November, with press night on Tuesday 30 August.

John Hurt will return to the London stage for the first time in a decade as patriarch Billy Rice opposite Kenneth Branagh, who as previously announced, will play Archie Rice in Rob Ashford’s production. Also joining the company will be Phil Dunster (Graham), Jonah Hauer-King (Frank Rice), Pip Jordan (dancer), Crispin Letts (Brother Bill), Sophie McShera (Jean Rice), Greta Scacchi (Phoebe Rice) and Kate Tydman (dancer).

Tickets are also now on sale for the next Branagh Theatre Live broadcast, Romeo and Juliet on 7 July 2016. Directors Rob Ashford and Kenneth Branagh have reunited the stars of the celebrated film Cinderella, Richard Madden and Lily James, in Shakespeareʼs heartbreaking tale of forbidden love, with Derek Jacobi as Mercutio and Meera Syal as The Nurse. Romeo and Juliet will play at the Garrick from 12 May to 13 August 2016.

The cinema broadcasts of The Winter’s Tale, Romeo and Juliet and The Entertainer are directed by Benjamin Caron, who has also recently collaborated with Kenneth Branagh on the forthcoming series of Wallander which is due to be broadcast on the BBC in Summer 2016.

The Kenneth Branagh Theatre Company’s award-winning production of The Winter’s Taletopped the UK cinema box office when it was broadcast in the UK on 26 November 2015. It was broadcast to over 500 cinemas across the country live from the Garrick, beating The Hunger Games: Mockingjay, Part 2 to claim the top spot. Worldwide, The Winter’s Tale was broadcast to more than 1000 cinemas, with strong audiences from Australia, USA and across Europe including Finland, Sweden and Germany. Encore screenings took place across the festive period and throughout January 2016, giving even more people the opportunity to see The Winter’s Tale.

The Winter’s Tale, Harlequinade / All On Her Own, Red Velvet, The Painkiller, Romeo and Juliet and The Entertainer make up the Plays at the Garrick season for the Kenneth Branagh Theatre Company. For more information and to buy theatre tickets for these productions please see www.branaghtheatre.com

Jason Donovan in Million Dollar Quartet

image005 (1)JASON DONOVAN TO PLAY “THE FATHER OF ROCK ‘N’ ROLL”

AT LEEDS GRAND THEATRE

 

Million Dollar Quartet, the Tony Award-winning Broadway musical and West End hit that celebrates some of the greatest names in rock ‘n’ roll history, is set to embark on its first ever UK Tour, landing in Leeds in November.

 

Inspired by the true story of the famed recording session where Sam Phillips, brought together iconsJohnny Cash, Carl Perkins, Jerry Lee Lewis and Elvis Presley, Million Dollar Quartet brings the night to life featuring a score of rock hits including including Blue Suede Shoes, Hound Dog, I Walk The Line and Great Balls of Fire.

 

Jason Donovan is confirmed as the legendary record producer Sam Phillips – the man who created music history. Jason has an impressive musical theatre background, including leading roles in The Rocky Horror Show, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, Sweeney Todd and most famously, Priscilla Queen of the Desert. A household name, Jason was launched to stardom appearing as Scott in the hit Australian soap operaNeighbours. His hugely successful pop career has seen Jason sell millions of albums and top the charts worldwide. He is currently visiting venues around the UK with his Ten Good Reasons and Greatest Hits tour and presents a show every Sunday on Heart FM.

 

Martin Kaye plays Jerry Lee Lewis. Martin played the role on the first North American tour of Million Dollar Quartet, which, after a year and a half, led him to open the Las Vegas Production at Harrah’s. Martin has received countless accolades and the award for Best Actor by Vegas Seven Magazine.

 

Robbie Durham performs as Johnny Cash. His stage credits include 1st cover Tony in Billy Elliot (Victoria Palace); Hoods (Arts Theatre); Sunny Afternoon (Harold Pinter Theatre); Dreamboats and Petticoats (West End & UK tour); Kiss Me, Kate (Upstairs at the Gatehouse); The Confession Room (Landor Theatre); Olivier Awards 2011 (Drury Lane Theatre); Cinderella (Pavilion Theatre Rhyl); Broadway to West End (Drury Lane Theatre).

 

Ross William Wild joins the cast as Elvis Presley. Recent roles include Norman in Dreamboats and Miniskirts (UK Tour), Michael in The Witches of Eastwick (The Watermill Theatre), Jason in the European Premiere of BARE (Union Theatre and Greenwich Theatre in London) and Kenickie in Grease (National tour).

Matt Wycliffe appears as Carl Perkins. Stage credits include Outspan Foster in The Commitments (Palace Theatre) Bob Guadio in Jersey Boys (Prince Edward Theatre, WhatsOnStage Award nomination), Buddy inThe Buddy Holly Story (Duchess Theatre).

 

Katie Ray is Dyanne. Her stage credits include Beauty in Beauty and the Beast (Central Theatre Chatham), Wendy in Peter Pan (Grand Canal Theatre, Dublin and Mayflower Theatre, Southampton), Truly Scrumptious in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang (UK Tour), Liesl in The Sound of Music (Royal Palladium).

 

 

Million Dollar Quartet is at Leeds Grand Theatre from Monday 7th to Saturday 12th November

 

Tickets are on sale now priced from £19.50 to £38

 

Book online at leedsgrandtheatre.com or call box office on 0844 848 2700

Lead casting announced for HALF A SIXPENCE at Chichester Festival Theatre

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.

FIRST LOOK – MANDELA TRILOGY TRAILER

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

Let It Be Review

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

 

 

MAGIC SHOW ‘IMPOSSIBLE’ RETURNS TO THE WEST END!

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

Darlington Civic Theatre – The Last Tango

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