This big, bold and beautiful musical comedy will begin its UK tour at Leicester’s Curve theatre on 9 September 2015 and will then tour to more than 25 venues across the UK, including a Christmas residency at Birmingham Alexandra Theatre in December 2015.

Hairspray will star Tony Maudsley (ITV1’s Benidorm) as Edna Turnblad, TV and stage actress and presenter Claire Sweeney (Educating Rita, Guys and Dolls) as Velma Von Tussle, Olivier Award nominated actor and much-loved Blue Peter presenter Peter Duncan (BBC1 Tumble) as Wilbur Turnblad and British singer and West End performer Brenda Edwards (Chicago, We Will Rock You, The X Factor) as Motormouth Maybelle.

Freya Sutton will reprise the role of Tracy Turnblad alongside established musical theatre performerJon Tsouras (A Chorus Line) who will play the role of Corny Collins. Dex Lee (The Scottsboro Boys) will play Seaweed, Ashley Gilmour (Miss Saigon) will play Link Larkin, Lauren Stroud (Wicked) will play Amber, Monique Young (Top Hat) will play Penny, Karis Jack (Urinetown) will play Little Inez, Adam Price (Hairspray) will play Male Authority Figure, Tracey Penn (Made in Dagenham) will play Female Authority Figure and Layton Williams (Bad Education, Billy Elliot) will play Duane.

It’s Baltimore 1962, where Tracy Turnblad, a big girl with big hair and an even bigger heart, is on a mission to follow her dreams and dance her way onto national TV. Tracy’s audition makes her a local star and soon she is using her new-found fame to fight for equality, bagging local heartthrob Link Larkin along the way.

Hairspray is a musical based on the 1988 film of the same name which starred Divine and Ricki Lake by cult filmmaker John Waters. With music and lyrics by Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman and book by Mark O’Donnell and Thomas Meehan, Hairspray originally opened to rave reviews on Broadway in 2002 and subsequently won eight Tony Awards. The production opened in London at the Shaftesbury Theatre in 2007 and won four Laurence Olivier Awards including Best New Musical. Proving to be an international success, Hairspray has also opened in South Africa, Japan, South Korea, China and Dubai. Following the musical’s phenomenal success on stage, a film of the musical was released in 2007 which starred John Travolta, Michelle Pfeiffer and James Marsden.

Hairspray is produced by Mark Goucher and Laurence Myers, Tom O’Connell for QNQ, Just for Laughs Theatricals, Gale King Productions and Curve theatre, Leicester.

Joan Armatrading is to perform at Darlington Civic Theatre on Thursday 23 July as part of her final major world tour.

Three times Grammy nominated, Brit award nominee and Ivor Novello winner, producer and musician Joan Armatrading MBE is recognised as one of the world’s leading singer / songwriter / guitarists.

This is a fantastic opportunity to see Joan perform songs spanning the whole of her career including Love and Affection, Willow, Drop the Pilot and Me Myself I.

Joan said “I will never retire but this will be the last major tour that I will undertake. For the first time these concerts will be me solo on stage playing the guitar and piano and singing. I want these concerts to be a special, lively, interactive one to one experience. I have absolutely enjoyed the last 42 years of performances but now, with my final major tour, I want to capture a unique memory for both myself and the audience.”

Joan Armatrading is at Darlington Civic Theatre on Thursday 23 July. Tickets* are £28.50 and £30.50.

*Includes £1 restoration levy

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

Mark Benton and Noel Sullivan stopped off for a quick pic as they arrived at Leeds Grand Theatre yesterday (Tuesday 30^th June) for the opening of the West End Hit Show Dirty Rotten Scoundrels.

The pair are clearly enjoying each other’s comedic company – jostling for the camera, exchanging banter and jovially endorsing a Noel Sullivan album on sale at the theatre as part of the show’s merchandise.  “It’s great to be back in ‘Costa del Leeds’’ joked Sullivan as they stepped out into the heatwave on Briggate.

Based on the legendary 1988 film Dirty Rotten Scoundrels with Michael Caine and Steve Martin the comedy-musical is at Leeds Grand Theatre until this Saturday 4^th July.

Starring Michael Praed (Robin of Sherwood), Noel Sullivan (Hear’Say, We Will Rock You), Carly Stenson (Hollyoaks, Spamalot, Shrek) and Mark Benton (Waterloo Road, Doctor Who, Hairspray), audiences will be transported to the luxurious lap of the French Riviera where the decadent world of sophisticated conman Lawrence Jamieson (Praed) is set to come crashing down with the arrival of larger-than-life Freddy Benson (Sullivan) – a conman of an entirely different order. 

Soon realising the town ain’t big enough for the both of them, the two find themselves going head to head in the con of their lives, pulling out all of the stops in a bid for the affections of millionaire soap heiress Christine Colgate (Stenson).  Little do they know what they’ve let themselves in for.

Noel Sullivan was last in Leeds with We Will You Rock You also at The Grand. He said:

“Leeds Grand is such a beautiful theatre … I like playing up north because in places like Leeds people go out for a good time and you really feel the difference down south where I think people are a bit more reserved.”

Dirty Rotten Scoundrels is at Leeds Grand Theatre until  Saturday 4^th July

Tickets are on sale now at £25

Book online at leedsgrandtheatre.com or call Box Office on 0844 848 2700

Civic Theatre, Darlington – 30 June 2015

Arnold Ridley’s Ghost Train arrives in Darlington this week in a tense thriller.

Telling the tale of a very mixed group of passengers reluctantly  spending the night in the bleak Fal Vale station in Cornwall because there is no train to the next stop, Truro, for nine hours.  Sam Hodgkin (Jeffrey Holland) is hugely-believable as the grumpy station master who regales them with spooky tales, with a warning that the place is haunted, and anyone who sees the ghost train will die.

Ben Roddy as Richard Winthrop and Corrinne Wicks as his wife Elsie excel as they argue their way towards a separation while Chris Sheridan and Sophie Powles are perfectly cast as newly weds Charles and Peggy Murdock.   Judy Buxton is the eccentric Miss Bourne, who has a parrot in a cage, and for someone supposed to be teetotal can knock back her spirits, and spends the majority of the play comatose on the table.  However,  Tom Butcher stealing most of the laughs as upper class twit Teddie Deakin, who seemingly pulled the communication cord as a joke but we learn that there’s more to him than the nitwit in waistcoat, loud tweeds and plus-fours jumping about like a jack in a box.

Liz Garland as Julia Price, along with David Janson (her brother Herbert Price)  and John Hester as Dr Sterling introduce a sinister note to the proceedings, while William Towler as a small but important part as police officer Jackson.

The waiting room set is simple yet effective, and there is excellent use of light to suggest the passing of trains outside, and of sound to convey the raging storm.  And the costumes, Wicks and Powles in particular, are glorious and beautiful.

To be honest, time has not been kind to some parts of The Ghost Train script and it’s interesting to consider how much of the phraseology which would have been commonplace 90 years ago, now sounds simply comical, creating far more laughter than would have originally been intended.  But the story has suspense and tension with more than one jump-out-of-your-seat moment, and a twist in the tale.  Its then such a shame that such a well written play seems to end so suddenly, as if Ridley ran out of time and idea’s.  An extra ten minutes and the ending could have been so much better.

In Darlington until Saturday 4th July

LOCAL PERFORMERS TO SHOWCASE TALENT

Darlington ArtsSpark students to showcase their dancing and theatre skills in a special, one-off performance at Darlington Civic Theatre on Tuesday 14 July.

Darlington Civic Theatre’s youth dance and drama group, ArtsSpark will be celebrating the best of their young performers when they present a special one-off performance.

Young people aged seven and over will be taking part in the event, to share work that they have created during their Youth Theatre and dance sessions throughout the year.

It promises to be a fun and exciting evening of performances with eighty young people taking part under the direction of the ArtsSpark tutor team.

ArtsSpark youth sessions provide a safe, welcoming environment for young people to create, explore and participate in quality theatre activity leading to regular performances such as this special showcase.

The ArtsSpark Showcase is at Darlington Civic Theatre on Tuesday 14 July. Tickets are £4, discounts £2

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

Idris Elba takes on the world’s toughest racing challenges for Discovery Channel’s new series Idris Elba: No Limits

Golden Globe-winning and Emmy Award-nominated actor and producer Idris Elba is to push his body, mind and engineering know-how to the limit by racing on land and in the air for a new four part series for Discovery Channel, airing July 2015.

This explosive new series, titled Idris Elba: No Limits, will see Idris immerse himself into a range of speed challenges across the disciplines of rally driving, drag racing, aerobatics, as well as an attempt to break the “Flying Mile” record set by Malcolm Campbell in 1927.

Idris will join up with the very best professional teams, take on challenges and receive coaching from some of the world’s leading pilots and drivers across the world including rally driving legend Jimmy McRae, aerobatics champion Ed Cyster, drag racing icon Antron Brown and rally champion Ari Vatanen – all of whom will mentor him to take on a series of extreme, high-speed challenges.

Each episode starts with Idris visiting a renowned motor sport competition, shot on locations including Florida, California, the United Kingdom and Ireland, that will inspire his mission to take on some of the toughest racing disciplines in the world. To push his car or plane to the utter limit, Idris gets under the bonnet and miles under his belt, to prepare for the big race day that will see him go head to head with the professionals.

Idris Elba, said: “I’m taking on the toughest racing challenges of my life for this new Discovery TV series. Along the way I’ll meet extraordinary individuals, spectacular machines and hear amazing stories of how far people go to satisfy their love of speed. The extreme challenges will take me right out of my comfort zone as I compete against the best on land and in the air.”

Please see below for some clips from Episode 1 in which Idris takes on the legendary Circuit of Ireland rally.

Training schedule – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3i_e8Rx8jFY

Heading to Monaco – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GPzaoUuCxLs

No margin for error – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=feC90fWDekM

Legendary Circuit of Ireland rally – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lWMDxXALK-A

“Still the sexiest and funniest show in town”

Evening Standard

CASTING ANNOUNCEMENT

DIANA VICKERS (X FACTOR / LITTLE VOICE)

PAUL CATTERMOLE (S CLUB 7)

BEN FREEMAN (EMMERDALE)

KRISTIAN LAVERCOMBE (ROCKY HORROR SHOW 40^th ANNIVERSARY TOUR)

TO STAR IN NEW UK TOURING PRODUCTION OF THE

LEGENDARY MUSICAL EXTRAVAGANZA

STARTING DECEMBER 2015 – TICKETS ON SALE NOW!

Produced by Howard Panter for Ambassador Theatre Group

Since its first appearance at the Royal Court Theatre in June 1973, Richard O’Brien’s The Rocky Horror Show has become the world’s favourite Rock N’ Roll musical. It has been performed worldwide for over 40 years in over 30 countries and has been translated into more than 20 languages. Director Christopher Luscombe created a stunning new production to celebrate the 40^th Anniversary and this critically acclaimed version of the classic show is back by popular demand, now embarking on a year-long national adventure starting at Brighton’s Theatre Royal on 14 December 2015.

X Factor finalist and star of the stage version of The Rise and Fall of Little Voice, Diana Vickers will star in the role of Janet Weiss. S Club 7 star, Paul Cattermole, will play the role of Eddie and Dr. Scott. Emmerdale actor. Ben Freeman, will join Diana and Paul, playing the role of Brad Majors. Following his huge success in over 900 performances of the 40^th Anniversary Global Tour of The Rocky Horror Show, Kristian Lavercombe returns as Riff Raff. Further casting to be announced soon.

Diana Vickers (Janet) first came to public attention in 2008 when she was a finalist on The X Factor, before signing a record deal with RCA Records and getting a number one single and album. After her second album, Diana starred in the West End production of The Rise and Fall of Little Voice, for which she received excellent reviews from the press and the role won her the Whatsonstage.com Theatregoers’ Choice Awards ‘London Newcomer of the Year’. She then went on to star in the West End production of Duck House alongside Ben Miller and Simon Shepherd.

Paul Cattermole (Eddie / Dr. Scott) has just completed the sold out S Club 7 Bring It All Back 2015 UK Tour with the other members of S Club 7 after they reformed at the start of the year. The group initially shot to fame in 1999 and had four number one singles and a number one album, as well as a series of TV shows including Miami 7, LA 7,Hollywood 7 and Viva S Club. Paul and the rest of S Club 7 also performed at Party At The Palace as part of Queen Elizabeth II’s Golden Jubliee celebrations on 1 June 2002.

Ben Freeman (Brad) is best known for playing the role of Scott Windsor in Emmerdale, but he also starred on stage in the West End productions of Legally Blonde, Dreamboats and Petticoats and Wicked. He has also starred as The Fonz in the UK touring production of Happy Days.

Kristian Lavercombe (Riff Raff) delighted fans when he starred in over 900 performances of The Rocky Horror Showas Riff Raff in The Rocky Horror Show’s 2013 / 2014 40^th Anniversary World Tour in 2013, before continuing in the role as part of the global 40^th Anniversary Tour.

This musical extravaganza features all of its famous musical classics including “Science Fiction/Double Feature”, “Dammit Janet” and of course, the timeless floor-filler, “The Time-Warp”.

The Rocky Horror Show was first performed on 19 June 1973 at the Royal Court Theatre and continues to break box office records around the world, currently selling out in Australia, Germany, Switzerland, Japan and Austria. It tells the story of Brad and his fiancée Janet, two squeaky clean college kids who meet Dr Frank’n’Furter by chance when their car breaks down outside his house whilst on their way to visit their former college professor. It is an adventure they’ll never forget, with fun, frolics, frocks, and frivolity, bursting with timeless songs and outrageous outfits. Directed by Christopher Luscombe, The Rocky Horror Show is a guaranteed party, which famously combines science-fiction, horror, comedy and music and encourages audience participation meaning, of course, getting dressed in your most outrageous fancy dress.

Many stars, including Russell Crowe, Tim Curry, Jerry Springer and Meatloaf have appeared in The Rocky Horror Show over the past four decades. Ready to thrill you with fun and naughty moments, O’Brien’s Rocky Horror Showis the boldest bash of them all. Be warned, this show has rude parts!

What the press have said about The Rocky Horror Show:

“Panto for grown-ups – colourful, in your face, relentlessly energetic and high on audience participation” – The Times

“Hard to think of another musical quite as unique as this. Christopher Luscombe’s affectionate production feels like a genuine blast from the past” – Mail on Sunday

“As delightfully naughty as ever!” – Daily Telegraph

“So fast, so funny, so sexy” – Daily Mail

The Rocky Horror Show 2015 / 2016 UK Tour Dates

14 December– 2 January 2016    Brighton: Theatre Royal                               0844 871 7650

04 – 16 January 2016                       Manchester: Opera House                         0844 871 3018

25 – 30 January 2016                       Birmingham: New Alexandra Theatre       0844 871 3011

01 – 06 February 2016                    Liverpool: Empire Theatre                           0844 871 3017

15 – 20 February 2016                    Sunderland: Empire Theatre                       0844 871 3022

29 February – 5 March 2016         Wimbledon: New Wimbledon Theatre     0844 871 7646

07 – 12 March 2016                          Torquay: Princess Theatre                           0844 871 3023

28 March – 2 April 2016                  Edinburgh: Playhouse Theatre                    0844 871 3014

11 – 16 April 2016                             York: Opera House                                        0844 871 3024

18 – 23 April 2016                             Aylesbury: Waterside Theatre                    0844 871 7607

02 – 07 May 2016                              Richmond: Richmond Theatre                     0844 871 7651

23 – 28 May 2016                              Stoke: Regent Theatre                                  0844 871 7649

27 June – 2 July 2016                        Woking: New Victoria Theatre                    0844 871 7645

18 – 23 July 2016                               Bristol: Hippodrome                                       0844 871 7652

22 – 27 August 2016                        Glasgow: King’s Theatre                                                                                0844 871 7648

Further dates and details to be announced

Please note that Diana Vickers, Ben Freeman, Paul Cattermole and Kristian Lavercombe will perform from 14 December 2015 through to 28 May 2016.

For online bookings and show times please visit www.atgtickets.com/rockyhorror

Ticket prices range from £12.90 – £51.90 (with additional booking fee)

Additional discounts are available for ATG Theatre Card Holders and Millennium Club Members.

28 July – 30 August 2015 – Leeds Civic Hall

You Have Been Summoned For Jury Service

“One of the best pieces of theatre you’ll see this year” The Northern Echo

The prosecution calls for their first witness – and many others – to come and watch first-hand a courtroom theatre production like no other. This summer Agatha Christie’s most celebrated courtroom drama Witness for the Prosecution returns in a thrilling new and memorable way. Join us in the historic Chambers of Leeds Civic Hall for a unique, in-the-round theatre experience not to be missed.

How say you, guilty or not? Leonard Vole stands accused of murdering a rich widow. The stakes are high – a shocking witness testimony, impassioned outbursts from the dock and a young man’s fight to escape the hangman’s noose. You must shut out from your minds everything except what will take place in this court…

As someone who has booked a performance at Leeds Grand Theatre you can take advantage of an exclusive early bird booking offer for performances on the 28 & 29 July and 1, 2, 4, 5 & 6 August 2015 (press night 29 July 2015)

SEE YOU IN COURT

Standard Bookings
Ticket Discount: £4 per ticket*
Offer Code: JUSTICE1

Group Bookings of 4+
Ticket Discount: £5 per ticket*
Offer Code: JUSTICE2

Book Now 0844 848 2700 / www.leedsgrandtheatre.com

Further information here

*T&Cs: Offer valid until 6th July 2015. Offer available on full ticket price only. Concession tickets can not be used in conjunction with this offer. Applicable to Leeds dates only.

Book Here

The explosive new production of Jesus Christ Superstar, Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber’s ground-breaking rock opera, is set to entertain audiences when it comes to Newcastle Theatre Royal from Mon 14 – Sat 19 September 2015, as part of its major UK tour.

Leading performer Glenn Carter returns as Jesus, a role he has played in the West End, on Broadway and in film. His extensive musical theatre credits include leading roles in Whistle Down the Wind, Les Misérables, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Godspell and Merrily We Roll Along.

Australian star Tim Rogers made his UK stage debut 15 years ago and hasn’t looked back since. Tim’s musical theatre credits include The Man in Whistle Down the Wind (UK Tour and West End), West Side Story, Jersey Boys, The Full Monty, Aspects of Love and the title role in Jekyll & Hyde at the Union Theatre. Most recently he starred in Carousel at the Arcola Theatre London.

X Factor finalist Rachel Adedeji plays Mary Magdalene direct from the UK and European tour of Thriller Live. The cast also includes David Burilin, Alistair Lee, Ed Handoll, Andy Barke, Tim Oxbrow, Richard J Hunt, Johnathan Tweedie, Cellen Chugg Jones, Michael Ward and Lizzie Ottley.

Bob Tomson and Bill Kenwright reunite to direct Jesus Christ Superstar, a partnership that has seen them at the helm of iconic musicals including Evita (in the West End and on tour) and Blood Brothers; a show they have directed for almost 30 years, scooping up no less than four awards for best musical in London and seven Tony Award nominations on Broadway.

Jesus Christ Superstar exploded onto the musical scene in 1971. Stunning audiences, it changed the face of musical theatre forever. Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber’s rock opera tells the story of the last seven days in the life of Jesus through the eyes of Judas Iscariot.

As compelling today as it was at its inception over 40 years ago, Jesus Christ Superstar features some of musical theatre’s most legendary songs from I Don’t Know How to Love Him, Everything’s Alright, Gethsemane and Superstar.

Jesus Christ Superstar appears at Newcastle Theatre Royal from Monday 14 – Saturday 19 September 2015. Tickets from £13 (pay 50p less per ticket when you book online). Tickets can be purchased from the Theatre Royal Box Office on 08448 11 21 21, (calls cost 7p per minute plus your phone company’s access charge) or select your own seat and book online atwww.theatreroyal.co.uk