FULL CASTING ANNOUNCED FOR

THE LONDON PREMIERE OF

CARRIE

AT SOUTHWARK PLAYHOUSE

FROM FRIDAY 1 TO SATURDAY 30 MAY 2015

Full casting is announced today for Carrie, which will receive its long awaited London Premiere in The Large atSouthwark Playhouse from Friday 1 to Saturday 30 May 2015, with a press night on Wednesday 6 May. Preview performances are now sold out, following the best on-sale week of any show in the venue’s 22-year history.

Evelyn Hoskins will star as Carrie White and Kim Criswell will star as her mother Margaret.

Evelyn Hoskins played Thea in the original cast of Spring Awakening at the Lyric Theatre and in the West End, with other theatre credits including Christmas with the Stars (Royal Albert Hall), Cool Rider (Lyric Theatre), This is My Family(Sheffield Crucible) and The Secret Garden (Birmingham Rep). Television credits include the reoccurring roles Lucy inMisfits (E4) and Shona in Casualty (BBC).

Kim Criswell is an Olivier Award-nominated actress whose career spans 4 decades and both sides of the Atlantic. In America, Kim featured in the original Broadway casts of The First, Nine, Baby and The Threepenny Opera, as well as playing Grizabella in the original LA cast of Cats. In the UK, Kim’s many theatre credits include Singin’ In The Rain in Concert (Royal Festival Hall), Follies (London Palladium), Company (Hackney Empire), On The Town (Royal Festival Hall) and her Olivier-nominated performance in the title role in Annie Get Your Gun (Prince of Wales Theatre).

The cast also features Sarah McNicholas as Sue, Greg Miller Burns as Tommy, Gabriella Williams as Chris, Dex Lee as Billy, Jodie Jacobs as Miss Gardner, David Habbin as Mr Stephens, Molly McGuire as Norma, Bobbie Little as Frieda, Emily McGougan as Helen, Patrick Sullivan as George, Olly Dobson as Freddy and Eddie Myles as Stokes.

View the new trailer here: http://bit.ly/CARRIEUK

Pray for your Salvation….

Carrie is back like you’ve never seen her before.

Twenty seven years after first wreaking havoc, the world’s most talked about Broadway musical is coming to London. Academy Award winning Dean Pitchford and Michael Gore (Fame), and original screenplay writer Lawrence D. Cohen, have transformed Stephen King’s unlikely Cinderella story into an infectiously modern musical that has gripped audiences from Australia to America with its timeless story and thrilling score.

A taunted and terrified seventeen-year-old misfit, Carrie White has a burning secret… a secret that will eventually ignite her revenge. Make your date for the Senior Prom to see who will be crowned Queen, and who will have blood on their hands. After one night with Carrie you will always remember her name.

Based on Stephen King’s bestselling novel, the musical of Carrie hasn’t been seen since the legendary original production. Produced by the Royal Shakespeare Company, it first premiered in Stratford-upon-Avon in 1988 before transferring straight to Broadway, but never made it to London. In 2012, its score and book were revised by original composer Michael Gore, lyricist Dean Pitchford and librettist Lawrence D. Cohen and this newly reworked and fully re-imagined vision for Carrie will now be presented for the first time on the London stage.

The revised 2012 MCC production won Best Musical Revival by the Off-Broadway Alliance, and had its premiere cast recording released on Ghostlight/Sh-K-Boom Records, which debuted as the No. 1 selling album of the week on Billboard’s Top Broadway chart in its first week of release.

Carrie will be directed and choreographed by Gary Lloyd, director and choreographer of global hit show Thriller Live!. Gary is renowned for his crossover from music to theatre, working as Creative Director on shows including American Idoland The X Factor. Other theatre credits include 20th Century Boy at Coventry Belgrade Theatre and the UK Tour ofAspects Of Love.

Carrie is presented by Paul Taylor-Mills Ltd, who return to Southwark Playhouse following their acclaimed productions of In The Heights and Bat Boy: The Musical.

@CarrieMusicalUK

Carrie has music by Michael Gore, lyrics by Dean Pitchford and book by Lawrence D. Cohen, based on the novel byStephen King. It is directed by Gary Lloyd with Musical Direction by Mark Crossland, Design by Tim McQuillen-Wright, Lighting Design by Tim Oliver, Sound Design by Dan Samson, Music Programming by Gary Hickeson and Special Effects by Jeremy Chernick. It is presented by Paul Taylor-Mills Ltd. by arrangement with Bill Kenwright Ltd. and licensed by arrangement with R&H Theatricals Europe. Casting is by Will Burton.

LISTINGS

FRIDAY 1 – SATURDAY 30 MAY 2015

SOUTHWARK PLAYHOUSE, The Large

77-85 Newington Causeway, London SE1 6BD

Press Night:                  Wednesday 6 May, 7.30pm

Performances:             Monday – Saturday 7.30pm, Thursday 2.30pm (except 7 May), Saturdays 3.00pm

Tickets:                         £18-22 (£12 previews)

Box Office                    020 7407 0234 | www.southwarkplayhouse.co.uk

ON SALE NOW

• AGATHA CHRISTIE’S THE MOUSETRAP CELEBRATED 26,000 PERFORMANCES AT ST MARTIN’S THEATRE ON MONDAY 6 APRIL 2015

• THE MOUSETRAP CONTINUES AS THE WORLD’S LONGEST RUNNING STAGE PRODUCTION AFTER OPENING IN 195226,000 Performance

Agatha Christie’s The Mousetrap celebrated 26,000 performances at the St Martins Theatre in London on Monday 6 April. The production, which originally opened in 1952 starring the late Richard Attenborough and his wife Sheila Sim, became the world’s longest running stage production in 1958 exceeding the run of Chu-Chin-Chow after 2,239 performances.

As part of the 60th anniversary of The Mousetrap, the first ever UK tour took to the road in 2012 and has now been seen by over 600,000 people across more than 600 performances. Breaking box office records in many of the theatres around the country, the beloved murder mystery will begin the 2015 leg of its tour at His Majesty’s Theatre in Aberdeen on 28 April. The show will visit over 25 venues across the UK including a return visit to The Marlowe Theatre, Canterbury from 1 – 5 September where the record-breaking tour began back in September 2012.

Mousetrap Productions has also licensed 60 productions of The Mousetrap worldwide to mark the 60th year, and many of these have also broken their records, from Cape Town to Philadelphia, Singapore to Sydney.  During this period the world’s longest running show has been seen in every continent, with professional productions in Australia, China, Korea, Turkey, South Africa, Russia, Czech Republic, Hungary, France, Germany, Holland, Italy, Poland, Spain, Scandinavia, Venezuela, and across the United States and Canada.

The Mousetrap
continues at
St. Martin’s Theatre
West Street
London
WC2H 9NZ

Box Office 08444 99 1515
www.the-mousetrap.co.uk

Performances
Monday to Saturday at 7.30pm
Matinee performances at 3.00pm on Tuesday and 4.00pm on Saturday

The Mousetrap UK Tour
The Mousetrap continues on tour in 2015, for full tour dates please visit: www.mousetrapontour.com

Empire Theatre, Sunderland – 4 April 2015

Wicked has been entertaining audiences in the West End since 2006, and this first UK tour shows just why it is so popular.

To give it is full title – Wicked: The Untold Story of the Witches of Oz with music and lyrics by Stephen Schwartz, is based on the 1995 novel Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West by Gregory Maguire.  This itself is based on the L Frank Baum story The Wonderful Wizard of Oz and the classic Judy Garland 1939 film The Wizard of Oz.  And a little trivia fact, Elphaba is named from L Frank Baum.

Although mainly green, the show is colourful and vibrant  and tells a story of love, friendship and embracing differences.

Glinda played by Emily Tierney, is saccharine sweet with a strong soprano voice and superb comic timing. Tierney’s performance of comical number ‘Popular’ provides a show highlight but her rendition of ‘Thank Goodness’ which truly allows her to shine revealing the character’s inner vulnerability.

Fiyero, Samuel Edwards, plays such an under used part.  He has a ruggedness to his acting and gives the character definition.

Marilyn Cutts was sinister and sickly and marvellously malevolent as Madame Morrible. Steven Pinder combined Doctor Dillamond with his role of the Wizard and shined in both. Carina Gillespie as the tragically beautiful Nessa Rose shows a tough side and her love hate relationship with Boq, Richard Vincent, gives her a hard edge to her character.

But it is Ashleigh Gray as Elphaba, the green skinned heroine, who steals the show  It is probably easy to learn the script and play the part but Gray has given layers and depth to her interpretation of the part.  Her careful pronunciation of her words and outstanding singing voice allow a powerful emotional intensity. And the show stopping ‘Defying Gravity’ was breath-takingly powerful

There were some lovely nods to the original Wizard of Oz.  Nessa Rose’s stripy black and white tights, the origins of the Tin Man, Lion and Scarecrow. And the keeping of the original books idea’s that the shoes belonging to Nessa were silver until enchanted then they became ruby red.

Wicked is Sunderland until 25 April and then on tour round the UK and playing in the West End at the Apollo Victoria.  Full details at http://www.wickedthemusical.co.uk/

TICKETS AVAILABLE NOW!!!!

Fresh from an acclaimed London run, OJSMTC present the iconic new musical, Dogfight – a story of war and loss, where love turns up in the ugliest of places.

It’s November 21, 1963. On the eve of their deployment to a small but growing conflict in Southeast Asia, three young Marines set out for one final boys’ night of debauchery, partying and maybe a little trouble. But when Corporal Eddie Birdlace meets Rose, an awkward and idealistic waitress he enlists to win a cruel bet with his fellow recruits, she rewrites the rules of the game and teaches him the power of compassion.

What the critics are saying about Dogfight:

‘This is a cleverly written and hugely enjoyable show, with a lovely folky score.’ The Guardian

‘The most enjoyable, moving and stimulating new musical that I have seen in ages … a wonderful evening and one that, in any truly discriminating theatrical culture, would win awards.” The Independent

‘A production that is beautifully underscored…The flow of the narrative almost has a cinematic quality.’ The Stage

Philip Meeks actor, writer and Pantomime Dame extrodinaire answers 20 questions

Lets start with some favourites

STEPHEN WIGHT

&

DIANNA AGRON

STAR IN THE WORLD PREMIERE OF

McQUEEN

AT ST. JAMES THEATRE

FROM TUESDAY 12 MAY

Award-winning actor Stephen Wight takes on the title role of Lee McQueen and Dianna Agron will play Dahlia in the world premiere of James Phillips’s play McQUEEN directed by John Caird, which will run at St. James Theatre from 12 May, with press nights on Tuesday 19 and Wednesday 20 May. The play will also star Tracy-Ann Oberman as Isabella Blow, Laura Rees as Arabella, and David Shaw-Parker as John Hitchcock, along with Sophie Apollonia, Amber Doyle, George Hill, Eloise Hymas, Jordan Kennedy, Rachel Louisa Maybank, James Revell and Carrie Willis.

Stephen Wight was named Outstanding Newcomer at the Evening Standard Awards for his performances in Michael Grandage’s production of Don Juan in Soho and Samuel West’s production of Dealer’s Choice. Other theatre includes Nicholas Hytner’s production of The Habit of Art at the National and Sean Foley’s production of The Ladykillers in the West End. On television, he has played Simon in Bluestone 42 (BBC 3), Sam in The Paradise (BBC 1), Mitch in Threesome (Comedy Central), Fletcher in Sherlock and Charles in the BBC mini-series Fingersmith. His films include Wilderness, Highlander: The Source, Weekender with Jack O’Connell, Henry Lloyd-Hughes and Zawe Ashton and Ashes with Jim Sturgess and Ray Winstone.

Critically acclaimed actress Dianna Agron’s breakthrough role was playing Quinn Fabray on the hit series Glee. Most recently, Agron was seen opposite Robert De Niro and Michelle Pfeiffer in the film The Family, directed by Luc Besson. This year, she will appear in several films, including the romantic comedy Tumbledown opposite Jason Sudeikis and Rebecca Hall, Bare directed by Natalia Leite, Zipper opposite Patrick Wilson, and the independent ensemble Conspiracy on Jekyll Island. McQUEEN will mark Agron’s British stage debut.

Tracy-Ann Oberman played Chrissie in EastEnders, Yvonne Hartman in Doctor Who, Lizzie Clapham in Monroe, Aunty Val in Friday Night Dinner, Mrs Purchase in Toast of London and Diana in the film Filth starring James McAvoy and Jamie Bell. In theatre, she has acted with the Royal Shakespeare Company and at the National, including playing opposite Kenneth Branagh in Edmond.

Laura Rees’s theatre credits include Ophelia in Ninagawa’s Hamlet at the Barbican, Christopher Luscombe’s Comedy of Errors, Lucy Bailey’s Titus Andronicus and Kathryn

Hunter’s Pericles at Shakespeare’s Globe, and Rupert Gould’s Macbeth and Philip Franks’s Twelfth Night at Chichester.

David Shaw-Parker began his career at the Royal Shakespeare Company, appearing in over 25 productions. His many other theatre credits include Trevor Nunn’s productions of My Fair Lady at the National Theatre and in the West End and Acorn Antiques in the West End, and Lucy Bailey’s production of Titus Andronicus last year at Shakespeare’s Globe.

McQUEEN is a journey into the visionary imagination and dark dream world of Alexander McQueen, fashion’s greatest contemporary artist.  Set on a single London night, it is more than a bio-play. It is stepping into the fairy story landscape of McQueen’s mind, the landscape seen in his immortal shows, where with a dress an urchin can become an Amazon, where beauty might just help us survive the night.  A girl has watched McQueen‘s Mayfair house for eleven consecutive days. Tonight she climbs down from her watching tree and breaks into his house, to steal a dress, to become someone special. He catches her, but, instead of calling the police, they embark together on a journey through London and into his heart.

McQUEEN will be directed by John Caird, with production design by David Farley, choreography by Christopher Marney, video design by Tim Bird, lighting design by David Howe, sound design by John Leonard, casting by Jayne Collins CDG & Kate Plantin CDG.

McQUEEN will be produced at St. James Theatre by Robert Mackintosh, AMIR Ltd, Hilary Williams, Deborah Negri, with Julian Stoneman as executive producer, for and on behalf of McQ Productions Ltd.

LISTINGS INFORMATION

From 12 May 2015

St. James Theatre

12 Palace Street

London SW1E 5JA

Performances: Monday to Saturday at 7.30pm*, Thursdays and Saturdays at 2.30pm**

*7.00pm on Tuesday 19 and Wednesday 20 May

**No 2.30pm performances on Thursday 14 and Thursday 21 May

Ticket Prices: £25, £35, £55, £65

Box Office: 0844 264 2140

Website: www.mcqueentheplay.com

Facebook: facebook.com/McQueenThePlay

Twitter: @McQueenThePlay

Newcastle Theatre Royal says it is responding to overwhelming feedback from parents of local children with autism and other sensory conditions, by offering a Relaxed Performance of upcoming children’s show The Tiger Who Came to Tea, outside of school hours.

The Theatre recently became the first in the UK to be awarded the Autism Access Award by the National Autistic Society, in recognition of its work with autistic audience members through the specially adapted relaxed performances.

The shows, which have a less formal, more supportive atmosphere in order to reduce anxiety levels and which include toned down lighting and special effects have been met with an overwhelming response from audiences, particularly parents of children with special needs.

Louise Relton’s son is autistic and has attended Newcastle Theatre Royal’s Relaxed Performances of their record-breaking Pantomime and the recent tour of Shrek The Musical. She said: “In the past I tried to take my son to a regular theatre performance but he was unable to manage. The Relaxed Performances at Newcastle Theatre Royal have introduced him into a whole new world in a magical place and for that I can’t thank their Relaxed Performance team enough.”

All of Newcastle Theatre Royal’s Relaxed Performances so far have been held during the school day and the Relaxed Performance of The Tiger Who Came to Tea, on Friday 3 July, will be held at 4pm. Director of Operations at Newcastle Theatre Royal, Dawn Taylor, explained: “Our Relaxed Performances are extremely popular and exceptionally well received but we have had a lot of feedback that the mid-afternoon slot means that local parents find it difficult to attend as a family and the parents of those children who don’t attend a school where a trip is organised, are unable to bring their child out of school for the performance.

“By offering The Tiger Who Came to Tea Relaxed Performance at 4pm, we hope that even more people who could benefit from attending a Relaxed Performance will be able to enjoy the experience of live theatre in this supportive setting. We still hope that schools will book to bring their children with extra needs to see the show as part of an out-of-hours school trip.”

The Tiger Who Came to Tea Relaxed Performance plays on Fri 3 July at 4pm, tickets are £8.50. For more information visitwww.theatreroyal.co.uk or call Group Bookings on 08448 11 21 22.

New hit British musical SUNNY AFTERNOON today announced new members of the cast to start from April 6 2015.  Originating cast members will be joined by Jason Baughan in the role of Eddie Kassner and Jo Servi as Gregory Piven. 

Nominated for five Olivier Awards, including Best New Musical, SUNNY AFTERNOON is currently booking until 24 October 2015, at the Harold Pinter Theatre, London.

Olivier-nominated John Dagliesh and George Maguire will continue to play Ray Davies and Dave Davies respectively alongside Ned Derrington as Pete Quaife and Adam Sopp as Mick Avory, who complete the band.

Full cast (from 6 April 2015): Carly Anderson, Jason Baughan, Philip Bird, John Dagleish, Ned Derrington, Lillie Flynn, Emily Goodenough, Elizabeth Hill, Vince Leigh, George Maguire, Amy Ross, Jo Servi, Adam Sopp, Dominic Tighe and Tam Williams.

Also joining the company, as understudies, will be Lia Given, Lloyd Gorman, Vicki Manser, Kay Milbourne, Ryan O’Donnell, Robbie White and Silas Wyatt-Barke

Fifty years ago, The Kinks were sitting at Number One in the UK charts with their fifth single ‘Tired of Waiting For You’. The band’s popularity has not faded since the 1960s, with crowds of all ages filling the Harold Pinter Theatre night after night.

Featuring some of The Kinks’ best-loved songs, including You Really Got Me, Waterloo Sunset and Lola,Sunny Afternoon marks the 50th anniversary of the band’s rise to fame.

Following a sold-out run at Hampstead Theatre, this world premiere production, with music and lyrics by Ray Davies, new book by Joe Penhall, original story by Ray Davies, direction by Edward Hall, design by Miriam Buether and choreography by Adam Cooper, opened at the Harold Pinter theatre on 28 October 2014. Lighting is by Rick Fisher, sound by Matt McKenzie and the Musical Supervisor and Musical Director is Elliott Ware.

The official cast recording album, produced by Ray Davies at his Konk studios, is released on BMG Chrysalis and is available to buy at http://www.amazon.co.uk/Sunny-Afternoon-The-Kinks/dp/B00NH8O7LU.

Sonia Friedman Productions commissioned Joe Penhall in 2011 to write the book based on Ray Davies’s original story. The company developed the production over the next four years, assembling the creative team and cast that presented Sunny Afternoon last year at Hampstead Theatre under the direction of Edward Hall, and now at the Harold Pinter Theatre.

Ray Davies is an influential and prolific rock musician and was co-founder and lead singer and songwriter for rock band The Kinks, and later a solo artist. He has an outstanding catalogue of hits from the earliest 1960s to the present day with estimated record sales in excess of 50 million. He has also acted, directed and produced shows for theatre and television.

Joe Penhall is an award winning playwright and screenwriter. Plays include Some Voices (Royal Court),Blue/Orange (National Theatre and West End), winner of Best New Play at the Evening Standard Awards, Olivier Awards and at the Critics Circle, and Dumb Show, Haunted Child and Birthday (all Royal Court). Screenplays include Enduring Love and The Road.

As Artistic Director of Hampstead Theatre, Edward Hall’s productions include Wonderland, Sunny Afternoon, Raving, Chariots of Fire, No Naughty Bits, Loyalty and Enlightenment. As Artistic Director of Propeller, his work has toured worldwide, played the West End and Broadway and has won numerous awards both in the UK and overseas. Other theatre work includes A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum (National Theatre), Edmond with Kenneth Branagh (National Theatre), Macbeth with Sean Bean (Albery), The Constant Wife (Apollo), Julius Caesar (RSC), Henry V (RSC) and The Deep Blue Sea(Vaudeville). Television work includes Downton Abbey, Spooks and Kingdom.  Edward is an Associate of the National Theatre and the Old Vic.

Sonia Friedman Productions

with Tulchin Bartner Productions, Greg Ripley-Duggan for Hampstead Theatre Productions, Tanya Link Productions, Just for Laughs Theatricals/Glass Half Full Productions, Rupert Gavin present

SUNNY AFTERNOON

In association with Hampstead Theatre and Arlon Productions

• Run ends 18 April 2015
• Two weeks left to see critically acclaimed play directed by Madani Younis, written by Marco Ramirez

The Royale, the story of Jay ‘The Sport’ Jackson, the first black heavyweight champion of the world, will end its run at the Bush Theatre on 18 April 2015. The production opened in March to public and critical acclaim, starring Nicholas Pinnock. 

Written by Marco Ramirez (Orange is the New Black), directed by Madani Younis (Artistic Director of the Bush Theatre), The Royale is loosely based on the true story of the boxer Jack Johnson.

Scripted in 12 rounds by Orange is the New Black writer Marco Ramirez, this play looks at the transcendence of sporting heroes as cultural icons of our time.

The production is designed by Jaimie Todd, with lighting by James Whiteside.

Jay ‘The Sport’ Jackson dreams of being the undisputed heavyweight champion of the world. But it’s 1905, and in the racially segregated world of boxing, his chances are as good as knocked out. When a crooked boxing promoter hatches a plan for ‘the fight of the century’, The Sport just might land a place in the ring with the reigning white heavyweight champion.

Through the sights and sounds of the early 20th century boxing circuit, The Royale examines society’s relationship with our present-day cultural heroes and the responsibilities that are thrust upon them when they find themselves outside of the ropes.

The Royale is loosely based on the real-life story of Jack Johnson, whose story is one of great talent and triumph, but also racism and injustice. Despite Johnson being one of the greatest fighters who had ever lived, one newspaper wrote at the time of his first title fight: “If the black man wins, thousands and thousands of his ignorant brothers will misinterpret his victory as justifying claims to much more than mere physical equality with their white neighbors.”

Madani Younis took over as Artistic Director of the Bush Theatre in 2012. For 2013 he programmed the company’s most successful season to date, which saw the theatre play to 99% capacity, and for which the theatre was awarded the Groucho Club Maverick Award 2013. For the Bush Theatre he has previously directed Perseverance Drive and Chalet Lines. Prior to his appointment at the Bush, he was Artistic Director of Freedom Studios in Bradford, Yorkshire where his work included the site-specific work, The Mill – City of Dreams. He has also worked nationally and internationally as a theatre director, writer and practitioner. Whilst at Freedom Studios he collaborated with the Bush Theatre through workshops culminating in Freedom’s two week residency in 2010 at the theatre. He was previously Director of Red Ladder Theatre Company’s Asian Theatre School. He originally trained in film, and his debut short film Ellabellapumpanella, commissioned by the UK Film Council, was screened at the Cannes Film Festival in May 2007. He was the recipient of the Decibel Award at the South Bank Awards show in 2006.