Hilary Tones (Wire in the Blood, Persuasion, Swallows and Amazons- Vaudeville Theatre) is announced to play Susan with Sam Parks (Les Miserables, Silent Witness) as David. Recent RADA Graduate Scott Westwood (Sam Wanamaker Festival –The Globe, Inigo- The Pleasance) will be playing Michael with Elle van Knoll (Atlantis) as Ruby. Helen Oakleigh (NDTC Award for “Best Director”) is announced to direct.

In response to the 50/50 industry call for more work for women on & off stage VKU present their first production and the world premiere of We Just Keep Going by actress Elle van Knoll (Atlantis, Inigo- The Pleasance). This sharp new comedy drama will have a three-week run at The Hen & Chickens Theatre in Islington from 1-19 September 2015.

I don’t hate her. It’s just… I told you, it’s complicated.

Watching her daughter Ruby (Elle van Knoll) grow into a young adult, Susan (Hilary Tones) must find a way to forge their fragile relationship before it’s too late. A typical relationship between a teenager and her mother quickly turns into more than meets the eye, as the past, and the men in their lives, keep finding a way to come between them. A touching play filled with mother-daughter explosions, unexpected turns, awkward sexual encounters, teenage confusion, and a great deal of love, new and old.

Mother, daughter, father or son, this hysterical and heart-breaking story about change, and facing the un-faceable will remind you how unconditional love conquers all, even as family are tap-dancing on your final nerve!

WE JUST KEEP GOING
September 1-19, Hen & Chickens Theatre, London
https://www.unrestrictedview.co.uk/

All Star Productions have announced A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC – ONLY 22 PERFORMANCES FROM OCTOBER 6TH with Music and Lyrics by Stephen Sondheim and Book by Hugh Wheeler

The Creative team behind last years Critically Acclaimed Into The Woods reunite to bring you Sondheim’s most romantic score: A Little Night Music.

Based on Ingmar Bergman’s comedy of manners, Smiles of a Summer Night, it is a musical of masterful execution and elegance. Winner of four TONY Awards, this is a musical work that has forever entranced the world of theatre.

Set in 1900 Sweden, A Little Night Music explores the tangled web of affairs centered around actress Desirée Armfeldt and the men who love her: a lawyer by the name of Fredrik Egerman and the Count Carl-Magnus Malcom. When the traveling actress performs in Fredrik’s town, the estranged lovers’ passion rekindles. This strikes a flurry of jealousy and suspicion between Desirée, Fredrik, Fredrick’s wife, Anne, Desirée’s current lover, the Count, and the Count’s wife, Charlotte. Both men as well as their jealous wives agree to join Desirée and her family for a weekend in the country at Desirée’s mother’s estate. With everyone in one place, infinite possibilities of new romances and second chances bring endless surprises.

The Creative team will be lead by Offie Nominated Director and Musical Director Tim McArthur and Aaron Clingham. Casting will be by Benjamin Newsome and the show is produced by Andrew Yon for All Star Productions.

Venue: Ye Olde Rose and Crown Theatre, 53 Hoe Street, London, E17 4SA
Closest Tube/National Rail: Walthamstow Central, Victoria Line. (5 mins walk)
Dates: 6th – 31st October 2015
Press Night: Friday 9th October 2015
Times: Tuesday – Saturday at 7.30pm; Sunday at 3.00pm; No performances on Mondays
Price: £18.00/ £16.00 Concessions
Box Office: 020 8520 8674/ www.allstarproductions.ticketsource.co.uk
Cast: To be announced shortly
Director: Tim McArthur
Musical Director: Aaron Clingham
Casting: Benjamin Newsome
Producer: Andrew Yon
Website: www.allstarproductions.co.uk
Other: Presented by arrangement with Josef Weingerger Ltd on behalf of MTI New York

Further details on all the below on our website www.rsc.org.uk

SEE BRAND NEW PRODUCTIONS

In the Royal Shakespeare Theatre:

Wendy & Peter Pan (13 Nov – 31 Jan) – Ella Hickson’s retelling of JM Barrie’s much loved book, is revived for family audiences at the end of the year with brand new music and new cast members. This critically acclaimed and spectacular production played to packed houses in 2013 and will be revived with the original set and costumes. It will be directed, as before, by Jonathan Munby, designed by Colin Richmond and lit by Oliver Fenwick.

In the Swan Theatre:

Queen Anne (19 Nov – 23 Jan) – Helen Edmundson’s gripping new play about the relationship between Queen Anne and the Duchess of Marlborough, directed by Natalie Abrahami. The title role will be played by Jodhi May (The Other Boleyn Girl) and Sarah, first Duchess of Marlborough is played by Natascha McElhone (Californication /The Truman Show).

Love for Love (28 Oct – 22 Jan) – Congreve’s glorious Restoration comedy is performed for the first time by the RSC, where love for love is stronger than love for money is, directed by Selina Cadell.

Booking: 01789 403493 / www.rsc.org.uk

Take part in one of the many EVENTS AND ACTIVITIES in the building. Take the lift to the top of the theatre Tower and look out over Shakespeare’s home town from the 32 m high viewing platform.

Visitors can discover magical fairies and sprites caught in jam jars around the theatre as part of Sprite Symphony is an arts installation created by Davy and Kristin McGuire.

In the PACCAR Room, in the Royal Shakespeare Theatre, audiences can explore the world of Wendy & Peter Pan through the eyes of artists and illustrators in new exhibition Make-believe: the art of Neverland. Generations of children and families have been influenced by the many wonderful illustrations that have been part of the story since it was first published. In this exhibition artists have transformed the story, book and page into new artworks. The exhibition includes work by Paula Rego, Tom Gallant and Béatrice Coron, as well as original costume and stage designs for the RSC production of Wendy & Peter Pan.

Eat in our acclaimed ROOFTOP RESTAURANT on the third floor of the Royal Shakespeare Theatre and enjoy great views over the River Avon. Listed in the 2012 Good Food and Michelin Guides, the Rooftop Restaurant serves freshly-cooked, locally sourced modern British cuisine. The Rooftop also serves High Tea, Sunday brunch and evening cocktails. The Christmas menu is available from the 24 November.

Splash out on the ultimate theatre Christmas visit with an RSC VIP Theatre Experience. Packages include top price tickets for an RSC performance, a meal in the Rooftop Restaurant, champagne on arrival and a programme.

Booking: 01789 403449 or [email protected] (Christmas party bookings now being taken). Alternatively, have delicious homemade sandwiches, cakes and soups in the RIVERSIDE CAFE on the ground floor. Open every day.

Browse round the RSC SHOP either in person or online at www.rsc.org.uk/shop
Discover our huge range of gift ideas, including jewellery, stationery, books, T shirts, Christmas decorations, toys, CDs, DVDs and merchandise from our shows. Including the newly released DVDs of last year’s Christmas productions of Love’s Labour’s Lost and Love’s Labour’s Won (Much Ado About Nothing).

For someone who loves theatre, there’s no better present than RSC Gift Membership from just £18, which offers a number of year-long exclusive benefits such as Priority Booking, regular newsletters with behind the scenes insights and special offers. RSC Full Membership is £40 and can be given as a gift – this includes brand new benefits for families, including £5 tickets for under 18s on Fridays.

Alternatively, let your friend decide with an RSC Gift Voucher available in any denomination, valid for theatre tickets, Theatre Tours, Tower visits and Membership subscription.

You can also buy £25 Gift Vouchers for our acclaimed Rooftop Restaurant.

If you’re after a gift for a young theatre lover, check out the BP 16 – 25 Shakespeare Pass. This offer is the cheapest possible way to enjoy five shows (not just Shakespeare) at the RSC. For £20 you can see five RSC shows in Stratford-upon-Avon throughout the year. Tickets can be redeemed by calling the box office on 01789 403493, or by visiting in person.

Stay at the boutique ARDEN HOTEL, opposite the Royal Shakespeare Theatre. The Eden Hotel Collection has refurbished this historic hotel on Waterside in Stratford-upon-Avon which is just a short stroll from the RSC’s theatres. Rooms have great views over the river and there are new bar and restaurant facilities.

Booking: 01789 298682 or www.theardenhotelstratford.com.

ON ELSEWHERE

See the RSC’s Olivier Award winning musical in London. Matilda The Musical – the RSC’s adaptation of Roald Dahl’s book with music by Tim Minchin continues its hugely successful run at the Cambridge Theatre in Covent Garden.
Booking: www.rsc.org.uk/buy-tickets/matilda-the-musical/

This winter at the Barbican, Gregory Doran, RSC Artistic Director, continues his exploration through Shakespeare’s History plays as he directs Henry V. Alex Hassell, who played Prince Hal in both productions of Henry IV and recently played Biff Loman in Doran’s production of Death of a Salesman, plays the title role of King Henry. Doran’s History tetralogy culminates in January 2016 at the Barbican in London, with a major theatrical event marking the start of the 400th anniversary year of Shakespeare’s death, King & Country, a complete 4-play season cycle of Richard II, Henry IV Parts I and II and Henry V playing in repertoire.www.rsc.org.uk/whats-on/king-and-country

Run ends 15 August 2015

Two weeks left to see Rebecca Lenkiewicz’s world premiere, directed by Michael Oakley

The Invisible, Rebecca Lenkiewicz’s new play examining the human impact of cuts to the Legal Aid system, will end its run at the Bush Theatre on 15 August 2015.  .

The cast of The Invisible includes Nicholas Bailey, Niall Buggy, Alexandra Gilbreath, Scott Karim andSirine Saba. It is directed by Michael Oakley and designed by Ruth Sutcliffe.  The production received its world premiere at the Bush Theatre in July.

Based on interviews with real people at all levels of the British justice system, this play tells the stories of those ordinary people affected by the cuts and examines how they are driving ever deeper cracks into the fabric of our society.  With cuts currently totalling £350m, the reforms to the legal aid system are arguably one of the biggest threats to human rights in Britain today.

Rebecca Lenkiewicz is an award-winning writer who, in 2008, was the first living female playwright to have her work produced on the Olivier Stage at the National Theatre, London. Rebecca is currently under commission to Out of Joint Theatre Company, Manhattan Theatre Club, New York, and the National Theatre. Rebecca’s screenplay Ida, co-written with Pawel Pawlikowksi, won Best Film at various festivals including the London Film Festival as well as the Oscar for best foreign language film at this year’s awards.

Michael Oakley’s most recent credit is directing Caroline Quentin in The Life and Times of Fanny Hill at Bristol Old Vic Theatre. In 2012 he was Co-Artistic Director of Theatre on the Fly – a pop-up venue at Chichester Festival Theatre – where his productions included the acclaimed Playhouse Creatures. Prior to this, he was Trainee Director in Residence at Chichester Festival Theatre, and a recipient of the prestigious JMK Award for young directors.

The Invisible will be followed in the Bush’s autumn season by the world premiere of F*ck the Polar Bears by Tanya Ronder (11 September – 24 October 2015), a surreal family drama about the power of the individual to affect changes to our planet.

Supported by The Law Society

LISTINGS

BRAND NEW PRODUCTION OF SISTER ACT ANNOUNCED AT LEEDS GRAND THEATRE

DIRECTED AND CHOREOGRAPHED BY CRAIG REVEL HORWOOD

An all new production of the hit musical comedy SISTER ACT, directed and choreographed by Craig Revel Horwoodwith musical supervision and arrangements by Tony award-winning Sarah Travis, has been announced at Leeds Grand Theatre today; it comes to the city next year for one week only from Monday 22^nd to Saturday 27^th August 2016.

Director and Choreographer Craig Revel Horwood said today “I am truly thrilled to be directing and choreographing this all new production of Sister Act, a show I fell in love with when I saw it a few years ago. I am currently putting together a dream creative team and can’t wait to get started next year on this hilarious and wonderful show”.

Based on the smash hit movie starring Whoopi Goldberg and Maggie Smith, SISTER ACT tells the hilarious story of Deloris Van Cartier, a disco diva whose life takes a surprising turn when she witnesses a murder. Under protective custody she is hidden in the one place she won’t be found – a Convent! Disguised as a nun and under the suspicious watch of Mother Superior, Deloris helps her fellow sisters find their voices as she unexpectedly rediscovers her own.

SISTER ACT features original music by the 8 time Oscar and Tony Award winner Alan Menken. Alan’s credits include the films and stage musicals of Disney’s “Beauty and the Beast”, “Aladdin”, “The Little Mermaid” and “Newsies” as well as “Tangled”, “Enchanted”, “The Hunchback of Notre Dame”, “Pocahontas” and “Hercules” on film.  His other credits include the film and stage production of “Little Shop of Horrors”.

Producer Jamie Wilson said “I am delighted to be presenting this all new production of Sister Act at both Curve, Leicester and on tour. I couldn’t think of a better theatre to be producing this show with and am thrilled Nikolai Foster and his team will be welcoming those singing nuns next Summer!”

Craig Revel Horwood is probably best known as a judge on BBC One’s “Strictly Come Dancing”. As a director and choreographer his many credits include the recent all-star concert of Stephen Sondheim’s “Follies” at the Royal Albert Hall, “Sunset Boulevard” at the Comedy theatre in the West End, the national tours of “Fiddler on the Roof”, “Spend Spend Spend” and “Chess” (also Toronto) and “The Witches of Eastwick”, “Martin Guerre” and “Copacabana”, all at the Watermill Theatre. Craig also wrote and directed a brand new show, “Strictly Confidential” that toured the UK starring familiar faces from Strictly Come Dancing as well as the annual arena tours of “Strictly Come Dancing”.  As a performer his West End Theatre credits include: ‘Munkustrap’ in “Cats” at the New London Theatre, “Miss Saigon” at the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane and ‘Harry’ in “Crazy for You” at the Prince Edward Theatre. He is currently playing ‘Miss Hannigan’ in the tour of “Annie”.

Artistic Director of Curve, Nikolai Foster said “It’s been a great joy collaborating with Craig on Annie and having been inspired by many of his innovative productions as director, I know, along with Sarah’s inspired musical leadership, they will deliver an exhilarating and hugely original production at Curve“.

Sister Act is at Leeds Grand Theatre from Monday 22^nd to Saturday 27^th August 2016

Tickets are on sale now priced from £23.50 to £44.

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

Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre

Presents

LORD OF THE FLIES
CASTING AND FULL TOUR DATES ANNOUNCED

Casting and full tour dates are announced today for Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre’s critically acclaimed production of William Golding’s Lord of the Flies, which will return following its 2011 sell-out premiere for a limited run from Thursday 3 to Saturday 12 September 2015 prior to a major UK tour.

The cast of young actors will feature Freddie Watkins (Nativity) as Jack, Luke Ward-Wilkinson (Wild at Heart,Beautiful People) as Ralph, Anthony Roberts as Piggy, Keenan Munn-Francis (The Scottsboro Boys, The Lion King) as Simon, Matthew Castle as Roger, Dylan Llelwellyn as Henry, Michael Ajao as Maurice, Yossi Goodlink as Bill and Jonathan Holby as Naval Officer. Twin brothers Thiago Pigatto and Fellipe Pigatto will play twins Sam and Eric. The role of Perceval will be shared by David Evans, Guy Abrahams and Ben Barker.

The tour will open at Woking New Victoria Theatre on Wednesday 16 September and continue until March 2016, with a press night at Southampton’s Mayflower Theatre on Wednesday 30 September at 7.00pm. 

After a group of schoolboys survive a plane crash, what starts as a classic desert island adventure quickly descends into a struggle for survival in a darkly sinister world of superstition and immorality. William Golding’s 20^th century classic explodes onto the stage in this remarkable production, returning to the award-winning Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre.

First published in 1954, Lord of the Flies was William Golding’s debut novel. His other works including Free Fall,The Spire, Rites of Passage (Booker Prize winner), The Paper Men and Fire Down Below. In 1983 Golding was awarded The Nobel Prize in Literature.

Lord of the Flies is directed by Timothy Sheader and co-directed by Liam Steel, with design by Jon Bausor, composition and sound score by Nick Powell, lighting design by Paul Keogan and sound design by Avgoustas Psillas for Autograph. Lord of the Flies is supported using public funding by the National Lottery through Arts Council England’.

TOUR SCHEDULE

Thursday 3 – Saturday 12 September 2015

REGENT’S PARK OPEN AIR THEATRE

Box Office 0844 826 4242 | www. openairtheatre.com

Wednesday 16 – Saturday 19 September 2015

WOKING New Victoria Theatre

Box Office: 0844 871 7645 | www.atgtickets.com/venues/new-victoria-theatre

Tuesday 22 – Saturday 26 September 2015

BELFAST Grand Opera House

Box Office 028 9024 1919 | www.goh.co.uk

Tuesday 29 September – Saturday 3 October 2015

SOUTHAMPTON Mayflower Theatre

National Press Night: Wednesday 30 September, 7.00pm

Box Office 023 8071 1811 | www.mayflower.org.uk

Tuesday 6 – Saturday 10 October 2015

CAMBRIDGE Corn Exchange

Box Office 01223 357851 | www.cambridgelivetrust.co.uk

Tuesday 13 – Saturday 17 October 2015

EDINBURGH Festival Theatre

Box Office 0131 529 6000 | www.edtheatres.com

Tuesday 20 – Saturday 24 October 2015

TRURO Hall for Cornwall

Box Office 01872 262466 | www.hallforcornwall.co.uk

Tuesday 3 – Saturday 7 November 2015

BIRMINGHAM Rep Theatre

Box Office 0121 236 4455 | www.birmingham-rep.co.uk

Tuesday 10 – Saturday 14 November 2015

SHEFFIELD Lyceum Theatre

Box Office 0114 249 6000 | www.sheffieldtheatres.co.uk

Tuesday 17 – Saturday 21 November 2015

HIGH WYCOMBE Swan Theatre

Box Office 01494 512000 | www.wycombeswan.co.uk

Tuesday 24 – Saturday 28 November 2015

DUBLIN Bord Gais Theatre

Box Office +353 1 677 7999 | www.bordgaisenergytheatre.ie

Tuesday 1 – Saturday 5 December 2015

SALFORD The Lowry

Box Office 0843 208 6000 | www.thelowry.com

Tuesday 12 – Saturday 16 January

BATH Theatre Royal

Box Office 01225 448844 | www.theatreroyal.org.uk

Tuesday 19 – Saturday 23 January

RICHMOND Theatre

Box Office 0844 871 7651 | www.atgtickets.com/venues/richmond-theatre

Tuesday 26 – Saturday 30 January

GUILDFORD G Live

Box Office 01483 369350 | www.glive.co.uk

Tuesday 2 – Saturday 6 February

LIVERPOOL Playhouse

Box Office 0151 709 4776 | www.everymanplayhouse.com

Tuesday 9 – Saturday 13 February

LEICESTER Curve Theatre

Box Office 0116 242 3560 | www.curveonline.co.uk

Tuesday 23 – Saturday 27 February

WARWICK Arts Centre

Box Office 024 7652 4524 | www.warwickartscentre.co.uk

Tuesday 1 – Saturday 5 March

BRADFORD Alhambra Theatre

Box Office 01274 432000 | www.bradford-theatres.co.uk

Tuesday 8 – Saturday 12 March

NEWCASTLE Theatre Royal

Box Office 0844 811 2121 | www.theatreroyal.co.uk

Tuesday 15 – Saturday 19 March

BROMLEY Churchill Theatre

Box Office 0844 871 7620 | www.atgtickets.com/venues/the-churchill-theatre-bromley

Billed as the final Les Miserables v The Phantom of the Opera football match, the MAD Match, played at Bromley Arena yesterday ended with a decisive 6:2 victory to Phantom FC. The crowd clearly are hoping for a return match as this leaves the score standing at 2 games each.

The concert got off to a rocking start with Killian Donnelly’s Mustang Sally, with a pretty good effort at backing vocals by the crowd. Rachelle Ann Go stepped away from musical theatre and despite her reservations wowed with Chandelier. Then came the incomparable John Owen Jones, who entertained the audience by “killing ants” on the red carpet before a roof raising set, (had there been a roof) closing with Thunderball which got thunderous applause from the crowd. Carrie Hope Fletcher dazzled in her Disney dress with Colours of the Wind, beautifully sung despite her being under the weather. Stepping in at the last minute Rob Houchen sang an amazing duet Who Wants To Live For Ever with Kerry Ellis, who then closed the concert, with the audience on their feet swaying to We Are The Champions.

The MAD Match kicked off at 3.00pm with Les Miserables taking an early lead. A penalty was awarded against Les Mis and tension mounted as Ryan Goscinski stepped up to take the spot kick. Facing Paul Jones, ex Welsh International, he kept his cool and found the back of the net. At 1 : 1, a sneaky Phantom ball rolled into the net giving them the lead at half time.

Take Four ended their interval performance by encouraging the teams back onto the pitch with Walk Like A Man.

Mark Sampson, set aside his duties as England Ladies manager, and stepped up to manage Phantom FC. Mark and his assistant Lee Kendall’s half time team talk did the trick. Phantom took charge of the game for most of the second half. Les Mis fought back from 5:1 down but it wasn’t enough, and assisted to their victory by Francis Benaliand Luke Benali, the final score was 6:2 to Phantom.

Mark Clemmit of BBC Radio Five Live was on the touchline to get the thoughts of Alan Irvine, manager of Les Miserables team, who thought his team had given their all. “I couldn’t have asked for more from my lads” The assistant manager of Les Mis FC, James Townsen, took to the pitch, but it still wasn’t enough.

Just to make sure everyone knew exactly what was happening on the pitch, live commentary for the day was provided by Carl Mullaney and Tim Morgan.

A fantastic day for everyone looks to have raised over £15,000 for the Make A Difference Trust to support HIV and AIDS projects.

Donations can be made on line at: www.justgiving.com/lesmisvphantom4

The Menier Chocolate Factory today announced that award-winning actress Sheridan Smith returns to the theatre to play Fanny Brice in a major new revival of Funny Girl. The multi award-winning Michael Mayer directs the production, which opens on 2nd December, with previews from 20th November, and runs until 5th March 2016. This production is presented in association with Sonia Friedman Productions and Scott Landis.

Funny Girl returns to the London stage for the first time since its 1966 première. With music by Jule Styne, lyrics by Bob Merrill and book by Isobel Lennart, the Broadway smash which skyrocketed Barbra Streisand to stardom, is revived with Sheridan Smith playing Fanny Brice, who rose from the Lower East Side of New York to become one of Broadway’s biggest stars under producer Florenz Ziegfield. While she was cheered onstage as a great comedienne, offstage she faced a doomed relationship with the man she loved. With a score featuring now-classic songs such as “People”, “You Are Woman, I Am Man” and “Don’t Rain on My Parade”, this brand new production promises to be a major theatrical event .

Sheridan Smith returns to the Menier Chocolate Factory to play Fanny Brice. She previously appeared in Little Shop of Horrors for the company (also Duke of York’s Theatre). Her other theatre work includes A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Michael Grandage Company at the Noel Coward Theatre), Hedda Gabler (Old Vic), Flare Path (Theatre Royal Haymarket – Olivier Award for Best Supporting Actress, Evening Standard and Critics’ Circle Awards for Best Actress), Legally Blonde (Savoy Theatre – Olivier Award for Best Actress in a Musical), Tinderbox (Bush Theatre), The People are Friendly (Royal Court) and Into the Woods (Donmar Warehouse). For television, her credits include Blackwork, The C Word, Cilla, The Widower, The 7.39, Dates, Mr Stink, Mrs Biggs (BAFTA Best Actress), Accused, Scapegoat, Little Crackers, Jonathan Creek, Gavin & Stacey, Larkrise to Candleford, Grown Ups, Love Soup, Two Pints of Larger and a Packet of Crisps, The Royale Family and Wives and Daughters; and for film, The Huntsman, Powder Room, Quartet, Tower Block and Hysteria.

Michael Mayer directs. His West End credits include Spring Awakening (Lyric Hammersmith and Novello) and Thoroughly Modern Millie (Shaftesbury Theatre). For Broadway his work includes Hedwig and the Angry Inch (Tony nomination for Best Director), On a Clear Day You Can See Forever, American Idiot (Drama Desk Award for Best Director of a Musical), Spring Awakening (Tony Award for Best Direction of a Musical), Thoroughly Modern Millie (Drama Desk Award for Best Direction of a Musical) and You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown (Drama Desk nomination for Best Direction of a Musical). For television, his work includes Smash; and for film, A Home at the End of the World, Flicka and currently in production, Chekhov’s The Seagull.

Tickets go on sale to the Menier Chocolate Factory supporters at 9am on Monday 10 August, with public booking opening at 9am on Monday 17 August.
https://www.menierchocolatefactory.com

Aria Entertainment has today announced the full programme of work for the annual season. Nine shows have been announced as part of the third From Page To Stage season of new musicals. Readings include a new musical by Loserville writing duo Elliot Davies and James Bourne and also a new piece from Tim Sanders and Charles Miller, whose Return Of The Soldier received a full production last year at Jermyn Street Theatre after a reading in the season.

The Stationmaster, a brand new British musical with Music and Lyrics by Tim Connor and Book by Susannah Pearse, is to get a two-week run as part of the third annual From Page To Stage season, a season of new musical theatre at the Tristan Bates Theatre from Monday 26 October to Saturday 21 November.

Producer Katy Lipson of Aria Entertainment said: “We are delighted to confirm this year’s chosen work of 1 full scale musical, 3 readings and 4 showcases amongst others. The 2015 season has been selected from an open application process which saw 80 musicals submitted and presents a mixed programme of work at various stages of development. From Page To Stage serves as a platform for new writing with a focus on new British musicals and supports not only the writers, but our audiences too. We hope the season will continue to act as a strong vehicle for the development of new musicals here in the UK and help secure partners for the future of some of the works included.”

She added: “The Stationmaster is a wonderfully, dark, chamber piece with an interesting book to explore in the form of a musical. The musical language is unique and has a blend of tuneful melody and interesting harmony. The story of the piece instantly grabbed my attention when we were reading through our submissions, and I feel it is a great example of what a British writing team has to offer. I think it will represent the From Page To Stage brand well as our headline musical this year.”

Producer Kim Sheard joins the team this year as Associate Producer.

For more details about the full season of work visit:
www.tristanbatestheatre.co.uk
@frompage2stage

FROM PAGE TO STAGE – LISTINGS
THE STATIONMASTER
Tuesday 3rd – Sunday 15th November
Tuesday – Friday at 7.30pm, Saturday at 2.30pm and 7.30pm, Sunday at 2.30pm
Tickets – £18.00 / £16.00
The Stationmaster is a brand new British musical with Music and Lyrics by Tim Connor and Book by Susannah Pearse. Inspired by Horvath’s Judgment Day, translated by Christopher Hampton

It’s 1958 and we’re in the town of Kirby in the Lake District. Railway stationmaster Thomas Price is the pillar of the local community. Until a young woman arrives on the platform and distracts him from his duties. Thomas forgets to set a crucial signal and a tragic train crash occurs. The guilty pair decide to cover up their mistake. But as ghosts start to appear to them in the town, things begin to unravel…

Three musicals will be presented in the form of fully-staged, rehearsed readings

OUT THERE
Tuesday 27 to Thursday 29 October at 7.30pm
Tickets: £12.00
A new musical from Elliot Davis and James Bourne, the writing team that brought you Loserville.  Newman Carter, a world famous astronaut, mysteriously disappears in 1969. Forty years later, a troubled young man, turns up on his doorstep with a letter, which changes everything, for everyone… Out There is an original tale about fathers, grandfathers, families, love, loss, hope, learning to be a child, learning to be a parent and never, ever, giving up on your dreams. This show gives cast and audience alike the chance to go where no one has gone before, on the journey of a lifetime. The show is set in the deep south of the USA and follows the fortunes of runaway Logan Carter, how he saves the town of Hope, Texas, and rediscovers his family at the same time.

FIVE CHILDREN & IT
Friday 30 and Saturday 31 October at 7.30pm and Saturday at 2.30pm
Tickets: £12.00
A new musical with Book by Helen Watts, Music and Lyrics by Eamonn O’Dwyer.
Based on the original story by E. Nesbit. When exploring the land around their new country house, Cyril, Anthea, Robert, Jane and ‘The Lamb’ come across a rare and extremely grumpy Psammead. This magical ‘sand-fairy’ is able to grant any wish the children ask for, with the rule that at sunset their wish will turn to stone or disappear. The children are initially excited at having their wildest dreams come true but soon discover that making these wishes isn’t quite as easy as they thought. A summer of mayhem ensues, and the children find that they must pay the price and grant the Psammead a wish of his own…

PRINCESS PHYLLIDA’S FORTNIGHT
Tuesday 17 to Thursday 19 November at 7.30pm
Tickets: £12.00
A new musical with Book and Lyrics by Tim Sanders and Music by Charles Miller. Everyone thinks Phyllida lives inside a fairytale…except Phyllida. The pampered Bavarian princess is planning to escape the turrets and tiaras for a more simple life. Spurning a distinctly handsome prince, Phyllida absconds with her long-suffering tutor, Fritzing, under the name of Ethel Shultz. But the unlikely exiles settle in a God-fearing Somerset village, where the locals are ill-prepared for a German princess who can’t help acting like one! As Phyllida wreaks havoc, a certain jilted prince catches up with her. The runaway princess must now make a choice… Princess Phyllida’s Fortnight is a quirky delight – a ripping yarn of derring-do, heady romance and Latin grammar!

The season will open with a one-off performance and is completed by a set of showcase evenings that will present four pieces in development in one performance

MAP OF THE PAST
Monday 25 October at 7.30pm
Tickets: £16.00
Music and Lyrics by John Mitchell & John Beck, Book by Guy James.
Map of the Past tells the story of a small boy that finds a box of photographs in his grandparents’ loft. As he searches through the faded, sepia pictures he yearns to know more about the people and the stories behind the photographs. Based on the classic rock album by It Bites, Map Of The Past is a sung-through musical that promises a journey through love, loss and truth’s perhaps best left in the past…

FROM PAGE TO STAGE SHOWCASES
Friday 20 and Saturday 21 November at 7.30pm and Saturday at 2.30pm
Tickets: £15.00
These showcases will present 25-minute excerpts of four new musicals in development, performed by a repertory company of actors. Shows included are:
Lord Arthur Savile’s Crime
By Kirby and Beverly Ward
Based on the story by Oscar Wilde
With only a fortnight remaining before he is to wed his beloved Sybil, Lord Arthur Savile attends a party where a palm reader foretells a horrifying event in his future: he will commit murder. A stunned Arthur realizes a happy marriage is now impossible. Frightening mishaps the following morning make it clear that Arthur may, in fact, murder his darling Sybil if he doesn’t act quickly. With the help of his trusted manservant, Saunders, Arthur embarks upon the only conscientious course of action a devoted fiancé would take – to kill someone right away.

Cousins Grimm
By Michael Biello, Dan Martin, and Ted Sod
Jackie and Leon, The Cousins Grimm, are adapting some of their ancestors’ lesser known stories into a musical adding a queer sensibility to them. Their contemporary twists on the stories represent their combined subconscious and reflect their own personal lives. When the characters they are inventing decide they are not happy with the direction the musical is taking, they express themselves to the authors. Leon is disturbed by this phenomenon, but Jackie encourages Leon to accept it and go forward. Then Jacob Grimm appears to advise the writing team, when something very odd happens…

This is Also England
By Joseph Finlay and Raphael Smith
1957, West London. In a deeply conformist post-war society, immigrants from the West Indies, Eastern Europe, and Ireland struggle to fit in. Lloyd George Gambles, recently arrived from Antigua, urges his family to assimilate into all things English, but his younger daughter Miriam has other ideas. In the run down, overcrowded house they live in she meets Lazar, a reclusive and eccentric Hungarian Jew, who tries to hide away from the world. With Lazar’s help, Miriam confronts her father and their corrupt landlord, and in doing so learns that if you want a home you have to make it yourself.

Just a Man
By Johnny Whetstone, Mick Bass, and Guy James
The true-life story of Walter Tull, the first mixed-race British footballer in the top English division and the first mixed-race combat officer in the British Army. Battling racial discrimination that threatens to stop his career and chooses to play the ‘greater game’ when he joins the army at the outbreak of World War 1, rising to Second
Lieutenant, despite Military Law excluding ‘Mulattos’ from exercising command as officers.