Brand new production images and teaser released for CLOSE TO YOU, a new musical featuring Burt Bacharach’s songbook, which will make its highly anticipated West End transfer to the Criterion Theatre from 3rd October.

Performed by a young, multi-talented cast led by the visionary musician and performer Kyle Riabko, the show features Riabko’s thrillingly new yet beautifully faithful interpretations of Bacharach’s classics.  Blending nostalgia and innovation, generations old and new can now revel in all the hits as if for the very first time.  The show redefines the songbook musical by fusing this extraordinary reinterpretation of over 30 timeless Bacharach melodies with innovative choreography, taking the audience on an emotional and exhilarating journey.

Burt Bacharach has given the show his wholehearted and enthusiastic support, exclaiming, “It’s brilliant. Kyle has done something truly unique with my music. I loved it!”

The show, newly renamed CLOSE TO YOU, premiered to critical acclaim and was a smash hit at New York Theatre Workshop, original home of both Once and Rent, becoming the longest running show in the history of that theatre, followed recently by a sold out and highly acclaimed run at The Menier Chocolate Factory.

Directed by Olivier Award winner Steven Hoggett, best known for his iconic movement for such hits as Once, The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time and Black Watch, Riabko leads an incredibly talented group of singers and musicians from both sides of the Atlantic through Bacharach’s greatest hits.

CLOSE TO YOU will make hearts sing and spirits soar with such classics as Alfie, Anyone Who Had a Heart, I Say a Little Prayer, Magic Moments, The Look of Love, Walk on By, Raindrops Keep Falling on My Head, I’ll Never Fall in Love Again, What’s New Pussycat, I Just Don’t Know What to Do with Myself, This Guy’s in Love With You, What the World Needs Now is Love and, of course, Close to You.

The New York Theater Workshop / Menier Chocolate Factory production of CLOSE TO YOU is presented in the West End by David Lane Seltzer for Entertainment 360, the producing arm of Management 360, also responsible for the blockbuster TV series Game of Thrones and the upcoming, highly anticipated Danny Boyle-directed Steve Jobs biopic.

CLOSE TO YOU features Music by Burt Bacharach and Lyrics by Hal David and others, with Musical Arrangements by Kyle Riabko who also conceived the show with Seltzer, and is Directed by Steven Hoggett, with Set Design by Christine Jones and Brett Banakis, Costume Design byMatthew Wright, Lighting Design by Tim Lutkin, and Sound Design by Richard Brooker.

Kyle Riabko will be opening the main stage at OnBlackheath Festival on Saturday 12thSeptember at 1.30pm. Also appearing at the Festival are Elbow and Manic Street Preachers. Tickets are available at: www.OnBlackheath.com.

Festival promoter Harvey Goldsmith said: ‘I caught Kyle in the show and was blown away by his performance. Booking him for the main stage for OnBlackheath made perfect sense. He will make a fantastic addition to the festival line-up’.

 

CHARLIE AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY ANNOUNCES FIRST RELAXED PERFORMANCE

The award-winning West End production of Roald Dahl’s Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, directed by Sam Mendes, will mount a special relaxed performance at 6pm on Tuesday 19 January 2016.

Presented in association with Mousetrap Theatre Projects, the relaxed performance is aimed at families with one or more children with special needs. It is designed to provide an opportunity for people with autism, learning difficulties or other sensory and communication needs, who require a more relaxed environment, to enjoy the show.

Special provisions made for a relaxed performance include:

• Adjustments to sound and lighting
• Free support resources to help families prepare for the visit
• Trained volunteers and staff to help at the event
• A relaxed and supportive atmosphere on the day
• Subsidised ticket cost

The following resources will also be made available via www.mousetrap.org.uk  to help families prepare for their trip:

• SEN Educational Resource Pack
• Visual Story booklet – detailing the journey to the theatre, and the experience once inside
• Visual Story video – following ‘John’ on the journey from his house to the theatre
• Guide for Carers: Lights, Sounds and Scary Bits
• Meet the Characters
• Travel and Parking guides

Tickets for the Relaxed Performance will range in price from £2.50 to £20.

Susan Whiddington, Director, Mousetrap Theatre Projects: “Mousetrap Theatre Projects is thrilled to offer families with young people with special needs the wonderful opportunity to attend a relaxed performance of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.  Over the years, we have had so many requests from families to see this fantastic musical and we know it will be a very special experience for all the families in the auditorium on 19th January.”

Caro Newling, Director, Neal Street Productions: “This relaxed performance of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory is a great opportunity to share the world of this beautiful show with a new audience, and all of us are delighted to be working with Mousetrap Theatre Projects to make it happen.”

Ticket applications must be made via a recognised Referring Organisation. Please see http://www.charlieandthechocolatefactory.com/charlieandthechocolatefactory-relaxed-performance.asp  or www.mousetrap.org.uk or more information.

Roald Dahl’s Charlie and the Chocolate Factory has quickly become one of the West End’s most popular and successful stage musicals. It won two Olivier awards in April 2014, and has broken records at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane, where it has been seen by over 1,500,000 people since it opened in June 2013. It is currently taking bookings until 4 June 2016.

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory is directed by Sam Mendes. Featuring ingenious stagecraft, the wonder of the original story that has captivated the world for almost 50 years is brought to life with music by Marc Shaiman, and lyrics by Scott Wittman and Marc Shaiman, a book by award-winning playwright and adaptor David Greig, set and costume designs by Mark Thompson and choreography by Peter Darling.

The Official Cast Recording album is available on Sony Records, on CD and download.

This world premiere musical is produced by Warner Bros. Theatre Ventures, Neal Street Productions and Langley Park Productions.

Full cast: Jonathan Slinger, Barry James, Ross Dawes, Josefina Gabrielle, Jasna Ivir, Paul J. Medford, Lara Denning, Derek Hagen, Roni Page, Myra Sands, Kraig Thornber, Joe Allen, Meg Astin, Joel Baylis, Andy Brady, Simon Campbell, Georgia Carling, Andrew Carthy, Collette Coleman, Dan Cooke, Divine Cresswell, Billy Cullum, Connor Dowling, Kelly Edwards, Gemma Fuller, Kate Graham, Sam Lathwood, Lucinda Lawrence, Mark Oxtoby, Matthew Rowland, Rebecca Seale, Steven Serlin, Gregory Sims, Robert Tregoning, Tara Verloop, Michelle White, Mark Williamson.

www.CharlieandtheChocolateFactory.com

Theatre Royal, Drury Lane, London, WC2B 5JF

Booking until 4 June 2016

 

Fiery Angel, The Ambassador Theatre Group, Fiery Dragons & The Children’s Touring Partnership present the Chichester Festival Theatre Production of
Goodnight Mister Tom
By David Wood
From the classic novel by Michelle Magorian

The Olivier award-winning Chichester Festival Theatre production of this much loved children’s classic returns to the West End for a 10 week season from 11 December – 20 February

David Troughton will play the central role of Tom Oakley

Following a hugely successful West End season in 2012/13, this critically acclaimed Chichester Festival Theatre adaptation of Michelle Magorian’s classic novel returns to London for a limited 10 week season. The story is brought beautifully to life in David Wood’s Olivier Award winning stage version. The production will play this Christmas at the Duke of York’s Theatre, previewing from December 11th, with a press performance on December 17th at 2.30pm.

Now a modern classic, Michelle Magorian’s wonderfully uplifting tale is brought gloriously to life in this magical stage adaptation by David Wood. Set during the dangerous build up to the Second World War, Goodnight Mister Tom follows young William Beech, who is evacuated to the idyllic English countryside and forges a remarkable and heart-warming friendship with the elderly recluse, Tom Oakley, played by David Troughton.  All is perfect until William is suddenly summoned by his mother back to London.

Winner of the Guardian Children’s Fiction Prize and commended for the Carnegie Medal,Goodnight Mister Tom is now a world-wide literary favourite and BAFTA award-winning TV film (starring John Thaw), and continues to inspire audiences and bring generations together.

David Troughton has performed numerous times with both the RSC (The Shoemaker’s Holiday,Macbeth, Macbett, Henry IV parts 1 and 2, Richard II and Richard III, The Cherry Orchard, The Tempest, King Lear, A Midsummer Night’s Dream and The Venetian Twins) and the National Theatre (Season’s Greetings, Playing with Fire, Measure for Measure, Peter Pan and Fool For Love). He is also a regular on TV where his appearances include Grantchester, Unforgotten, The Hollow Crown and many more.

Author Michelle Magorian was inspired to write Goodnight Mister Tom after hearing her mother’s tales about her time as a nurse in the war.  Published in 1981, it has been translated into 11 languages and won awards in the UK, America and Australia.  Her latest novel Just Henrywon the Costa Award for children’s fiction in 2008 and in 2011 was adapted into a TV film starring Sheila Hancock.

Goodnight Mister Tom is adapted for the stage by David Wood OBE, the country’s leading writer and director of plays and musicals for children.  David’s other productions include his Olivier nominated production of The Tiger Who Came For Tea, James and the Giant Peach, Tom’s Midnight Garden and George’s Marvellous Medicine.   

The production is directed by Angus Jackson, whose work includes Oppenheimer for the RSC Swan and Vaudeville Theatre, King Lear for Chichester and The Brooklyn Academy of Music, The Browning Version for Chichester and The Harold Pinter Theatre, Bingo for The Young Vic and Chichester, The Power Of Yes for the National Theatre Lyttleton, and Elmina’s Kitchen for the National’s Cottesloe Theatre and The Garrick Theatre. Forthcoming work includes Don Quixote in a new version by James Fenton for the RSC’s 400th anniversary season, starring David Threlfall and Rufus Hound.

LISTINGS:
Fiery Angel, The Ambassador Theatre Group, Fiery Dragons & The Children’s Touring Partnership present the Chichester Festival Production of
GOODNIGHT MISTER TOM
Duke of York’s Theatre
St Martin’s Lane, London WC2N 4BG
BOX OFFICE
08448717623
http://www.atgtickets.com/venues/duke-of-yorks/

11 December 2015- 20 February 2016

PERFORMANCE TIMES

Mon – Sat eves 7.30pm, Wed*, Thu & Sat mats at 2.30pm
Tue 22 Dec & Tue 29 Dec at 2.30pm
*Except Wed 20 Jan, Wed 27 Jan, Wed 3 Feb, Wed 10 Feb at 1.30pm

TICKET PRICES from £15
Please visit the website or call the Box Office for full details

 

 

The Play That Goes Wrong, the Olivier Award-winning box office hit, celebrates its first, triumphant year in the West End, and as a new booking period opens with tickets going on sale until 11th September 2016, the show’s phenomenal popularity with audiences looks set to continue.

For a limited run over the festive season at the Apollo Theatre, the original cast of The Play That Goes Wrong will bring their trademark comic mayhem to the J.M. Barrie classic and timeless favourite, Peter Pan. In Peter Pan Goes Wrong, the members of The Cornley Polytechnic Drama Society once again battle against technical hitches, flying mishaps and cast disputes on their way to Neverland with hilarious and disastrous results.

Awarded the 2014 Whatsonstage.com Best New Comedy and the 2015 Olivier Award for Best New Comedy, The Play That Goes Wrong continues to thrive and it is a remarkable rags-to-riches story. The production’s unparalleled trajectory of success began in 2013, when it opened as a one-act show at the Old Red Lion in London with only four paying members of the public at the first performance.

This was followed by a transfer to the Trafalgar Studios, where the show’s unique potential was spotted by producers Kenny Wax and Stage Presence, and subsequently to the Duchess Theatre.

Producer Kenny Wax said: “We are quite staggered to be celebrating the first birthday of The Play That Goes Wrong with the announcement of an extension to the booking period which will take us to the end of two years in the West End – so we are now doubly thrilled to be presenting Peter Pan Goes Wrong at the same time. As producers we are well aware of the negative publicity surrounding West End ticket pricing. But with Peter Pan Goes Wrong we have instigated a policy, ‘never to be beaten on price‘. So we have ensured that we have at least two tickets per performance available for £12,350 each. If, for any reason these do not sell in advance, they will be available on the day of performance for £20.”

In the next two years, productions of The Play That Goes Wrong will open in China, USA, Australia, Hungary, Poland, Spain, Greece, Israel, Scandinavia, France, Italy, Brazil, Germany, Belgium, Holland, Argentina, Uruguay, Turkey, New Zealand, Hong Kong, Singapore, Philippines and South Africa.

The Play That Goes Wrong has a growing legion of celebrity fans, and has already been seen by, amongst others Alice Cooper, Harrison Ford, Tom Hardy, Mel Giedroyc, Sue Perkins, Joanna Lumley, Ant & Dec, Simon Cowell, Richard Curtis, David Baddiel, Iwan Rheon, JJ Abrams, Miranda Hart, Claudia Winkleman, Robert Lindsay, Ben Elton, Mike Leigh, Nicholas Lyndhurst, Richard E Grant, Paul Merton, Neil Patrick Harris, Stanley Tucci, Joe Pasquale, Mary Portas, JK Simmons, Janet Street Porter, Ellie Goulding, Woody Harrelson, Bradley Walsh, Rowan Atkinson, Jon Culshaw, Dara O’Briain, Angus Deayton, Jeremy Irvine, and Armando Iannucci.

Co-written by Mischief Theatre company members Henry Lewis, Jonathan Sayer and Henry Shields, both productions are renowned for their highly physical comedy packed with finely-tuned farce and Buster Keaton inspired slapstick delivered with split-second timing.

Mischief Theatre was founded in 2008 by a group of graduates of The London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art (LAMDA) and began as an improvised comedy group. Mischief Theatre performs across the UK and internationally with improvised and original scripted work. The company is led by Artistic Director Henry Lewis and Company Director Jonathan Sayer.

THE PLAY THAT GOES WRONG is directed by Mark Bell, with set designs by Nigel Hook, lighting by Ric Mountjoy, sound design by Andy Johnson, costumes by Roberto Surace and is performed by Leonard Cook, Bryony Corrigan, Harry Kershaw, Laura Kirman, Chris Leask, James Marlowe, Laurence Pears and Niall Ransome.

PETER PAN GOES WRONG is performed by Mischief Theatre members: Dave Hearn, Henry Lewis, Charlie Russell, Jonathan Sayer, Henry Shields, Greg Tannahill and Nancy Wallinger, and is directed by Adam Meggido, with sets designs by Simon Scullion, lighting by Matt Haskins, costumes by Roberto Surace, sound design by Ella Wahlstrom, songs composed by Richard Baker and Rob Falconer.

The Play That Goes Wrong and Peter Pan Goes Wrong are produced in the West End by Kenny Wax Ltd and Stage Presence Ltd.

Duchess Theatre
3-5 Catherine Street
London WC2B 5LA
Booking number: 0844 482 9672
www.theplaythatgoeswrong.com
Twitter: @playgoeswrong
Facebook: The Play That Goes Wrong

PETER PAN GOES WRONG
Apollo Theatre
31 Shaftesbury Avenue
London W1D 7ES
Booking number: 0844 482 9671
www.peterpangoeswrong.com
4th December 2015 to 31st January 2016
PERFORMANCE TIMES (performance schedule varies over holiday period)
Tuesday to Saturday at 7:30pm
Saturday at 2:30pm
Sunday at 3:00pm & 7:00pm
AGE 8+

 

 

SHERMAN BROTHERS’ CHITTY CHITTY BANG BANG

FULL CAST ANNOUNCED

FOR WEST YORKSHIRE PLAYHOUSE RUN  

FROM 2 DECEMBER 2015 – 30 JANUARY 2016

Casting has been announced for the West Yorkshire Playhouse and Music & Lyrics Limited production of the much-loved Sherman Brothers musical CHITTY CHITTY BANG BANG, opening at West Yorkshire Playhouse, Leeds on 2 December, with a national press night on Thursday 10 December, for a nine-week season finishing on 30 January 2016. 

Jon Robyns (Memphis, Spamalot, Avenue Q) will play Caractacus Potts, with Amy Griffiths (Everyman, Stephen Ward, The Pajama Game) as Truly Scrumptious.

CHITTY CHITTY BANG BANG will also feature Don Gallagher as Lord Scrumptious/Baron Bomburst, Tamsin Carroll as Baroness Bomburst, Stephen Matthews as The Childcatcher and Andy Hockley as Grandpa Potts.

Ewen Cummins plays The Toymaker/Mr Coggins, with Sam Harrison as Boris and Scott Paige as Goran, and Kathryn Barnes, Rosanna Bates, Alex Louize Bird, Abigail Climer, Jade Davies, Matt Gillett, Ewan Gillies, Joanna Goodwin, Christopher D Hunt, Paul Iveson, Nia Jermin, Kelsie-Rae Marshall, Mollie Melia-Redgrave, Perry O’Dea, Matt Overfield, Ross Russell, Craig Turner and Robert Wilkes.

CHITTY CHITTY BANG BANG has music and lyrics by Richard M Sherman and Robert B Sherman, who were also responsible for Mary Poppins, The Slipper and the Rose, The Aristocats and The Jungle Book.  The Sherman Brothers have won two Academy Awards with a further nine nominations, two Grammy Awards and they have received 21 gold and platinum albums.

The film made from Ian Fleming’s classic story has been adapted for the stage by Jeremy Sams, based on the MGM Motion Picture Licensed Script adapted by Ray Roderick.

This new production of CHITTY CHITTY BANG BANG will be directed by West Yorkshire Playhouse Artistic Director James Brining, with new choreography by Stephen Mear. There will be a live orchestra with Musical Supervision by Stephen Ridley. Set and costume design is by Simon Higlett, lighting design is by Tim Mitchell, sound design is by Ben Harrison and video design is by Simon Wainwright.

The new production will have sensational sets and stunning special effects and, of course, the memorable score by the Sherman Brothers, which includes such standards as Truly Scrumptious, Toot Sweets, Hushabye Mountain and the Oscar-nominated title song Chitty Chitty Bang Bang.

CHITTY CHITTY BANG BANG will begin a UK and Ireland Tour on 10 February at Southampton Mayflower. Further details of the tour to be announced.

This production is presented by permission of JOSEF WEINBERGER LIMITED on behalf of MUSIC THEATRE INTERNATIONAL of New York.

For more information, visit www.chittythemusical.co.uk

Facebook:  Chitty Chitty Bang Bang The Musical       

Twitter:  @ChittyMusical / #chittymusical

LISTINGS INFORMATION for WEST YORKSHIRE PLAYHOUSE

2 December 2015 – 30 January 2016        West Yorkshire Playhouse            

www.wyp.org.uk                        0113 213 7700 

 

A NEW MUSICAL COMEDY

WITH MUSIC & LYRICS BY IRVING BERLIN

BY SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT WITH STUDIOCANAL

DIRECTED BY THOM SOUTHERLAND

STARRING LIZA GODDARD & BRIAN CAPRON

THE SMALLEST SHOW ON EARTH

TO TOUR THE UK FROM 25 SEPTEMBER 2015

Mercury Theatre, Colchester, Brian Eastman and Christabel Albery present a new musical comedy based on the StudioCanal Peter Sellers/Margaret Rutherford film The Smallest Show on Earth. The stage show, which has a book by Thom Southerland and Paul Alexander, contains some of Irving Berlin’s greatest songs, including Blue Skies, Shakin’ the Blues Away, Let Yourself Go, Steppin’ Out with my Baby and How Deep is the Ocean, as well as some rediscovered gems.

Director Thom Southerland said “Berlin’s music provides the perfect accompaniment to our 1950s story, not only in lyric, but in style and period too.”

The UK tour of The Smallest Show on Earth will begin performances on Friday 25 September at the Mercury Theatre, Colchester, before playing Coventry, High Wycombe, Glasgow, Plymouth, Crewe, Swansea and Malvern.

Newly-weds Matt and Jean Spenser inherit a cinema and think their fortune is made. But the Bijou, better known as the fleapit, is the victim of a dirty tricks campaign from its rival flashy neighbour The Grand. The Bijou’s benevolent manageress Mrs Fazackalee and unreliable projectionist Mr Quill combine with Matt and Jean to outwit the opposition and restore the Bijou to its former glory.

StudioCanal’s The Smallest Show on Earth was a 1957 British Lion film written by William Rose (Genevieve, The Ladykillers) and directed by Basil Dearden (Blue Lamp, League of Gentlemen). It starred Peter Sellers as Mr Quill and Margaret Rutherford as Mrs Fazackalee, along with Virginia McKenna and Bill Travers as Matt and Jean.

The cast of the new musical comedy will be led by Liza Goddard (Take Three Girls, Bergerac, Grandpa in my Pocket) as Mrs Fazackalee and Brian Capron (Coronation Street, Where the Heart Is, Grange Hill) as Mr Quill. Also in the cast will be Haydn Oakley as Matthew Spenser, Laura Pitt-Pulford as Jean Spenser, Ricky Butt as Ethel Hardcastle, Philip Rham as Albert Hardcastle, Christina Bennington as Marlene Hardcastle, Sam O’Rourke as Tom Fazackalee and Matthew Crowe as Robin Carter, with Leo Andrew, Jacob Chapman, Matthew Dale, Nova Skipp and Leah West.

The UK tour of The Smallest Show on Earth will be directed by Thom Southerland (Parade, Mack & Mabel, Victor/Victoria, Titanic) with set and costume design by David Woodhead, choreography by Lee Proud, lighting design by Howard Hudson, sound design by Andrew Johnson, musical supervision by Gareth Valentine, orchestrations by Mark Cumberland, musical direction by Mark Aspinall and casting by Will Burton CDG.

The UK tour of The Smallest Show on Earth – A new Irving Berlin Musical is produced by Brian Eastman, Christabel Albery and Mercury Theatre, Colchester, by special arrangement with StudioCanal.

For more information, visit www.thesmallestshowonearth.co.uk

Facebook: The Smallest Show On Earth

Twitter: @TheSmallestShow

TOUR SCHEDULE

25 September – 10 October COLCHESTER 01206 573948 Mercury Theatre www.mercurytheatre.co.uk

13 – 17 October COVENTRY 024 7655 3055 Belgrade Theatre www.belgrade.co.uk

19 – 24 October HIGH WYCOMBE 01494 512 000 Wycombe Swan www.wycombeswan.co.uk

26 – 31 October GLASGOW 0844 871 7647 Theatre Royal www.atgtickets.com/glasgow

3 – 7 November PLYMOUTH 01752 267222 Theatre Royal www.theatreroyal.com

9 – 14 November CREWE 01270 368 242 Lyceum www.crewelyceum.co.uk

16 – 21 November SWANSEA 01792 475715 Grand Theatre www.swansea.gov.uk/swanseagrandtheatre

23 – 28 November MALVERN 01684 892277 Malvern Theatres www.malvern-theatres.co.uk

ROARING TRADE

NICK MORAN AND MICHAEL MCKELL TO STAR IN

STEVE THOMPSON’S DARK COMEDY ABOUT

BOND TRADERS TEARING UP THE CITY

 

Casting has been announced for ROARING TRADE by Steve Thompson (Dr Who, Sherlock, Upstairs Downstairs), directed by Alan Cohen, at Park Theatre from Wednesday 23 September – Saturday 24 October, with a press night on Wednesday 30 September.

 

Canary Wharf. As the curtain comes down on the recession, four wildly different bond traders put their limits to the test.

 

The coarse tactics of top dog Donny are challenged when young, bright Cambridge graduate Spoon arrives and fights to stake his claim in the bank. Savvy young Jess is wrapping clients around her little finger, but seasoned trader PJ lags behind as he struggles to paper over the cracks of a family life in suburbia.

 

In glass buildings that never sleep, what will it take to shatter the glass ceiling?

 

Nick Moran will star as ‘Donny’, alongside Michael McKell as ‘PJ’, Lesley Harcourt as ‘Jess’, Timothy George as ‘Spoon’, Melanie Gutteridge as ‘Sandy’, and introducing William Nye as ‘Sean’.

 

BIG FEAST TO OPEN LITTLEFEST.

A special ticketed event will launch Helmsley’s LittleFest this year on the evening of Friday 25th September. LittleFest Big Feast, will be held at Helmsley Walled Gardens, which will see diners entertained by different artists while enjoying a three course meal.

Chef Will Mowbray of The Vine House Café is creating a specially selected menu, chosen to complement the acts taking place. Different artists will perform throughout the night including folk band Aelfen, magician and storyteller WonderPhil, Lute player Peter Lagan, and singer/songwriter Sam Lunn.

Tricia Harris, Marketing Manager at Helmsley Walled Gardens, said:

We are delighted to be able to hold what promises to be a magical and very entertaining start to Helmsley’s LittleFest 2015. Diners will be entertained by different artists as the evening goes on and with such a variety of performers, along with a menu carefully created by our expert chef, it will make for a really interesting and enjoyable evening. LittleFest is a great festival for the town, that is friendly and lots of fun. It will bring all kinds of arts to everyone, which on the Saturday and Sunday will all be free, and it would be great to get lots of support for it from visitors across the region.

LittleFest aims to introduce new arts to different people, in an informal setting. It includes visual arts, storytelling, music, theatre, poetry and dance popping up in often unexpected spaces across the town – from shops and cafes, to street corners, gardens and car parks. Dozens of Helmsley businesses have signed up to be involved by playing host to a performer on Saturday 26th September. Sunday 27th September will see two intimate performances of An Icy Man taking place at Helmsley Arts Centre, along with a lively debate about the arts and a Pot Luck Lunch.

LittleFest is created in conjunction with York Theatre Royal and the Helmsley Arts Centre as part of the On Our Turf initiative. Three other towns around York are involved in the project: Pocklington, Selby and Easingwold.

LittleFest Big Feast will run from 6.30pm and tickets cost £35 per person. The evening is a fundraiser with all proceeds split between LittleFest and Helmsley Walled Garden. Tickets are on sale now from York Theatre Royal Box Office on 01904 623568 or securely online at yorktheatreroyal.co.uk (£1 transaction fee per booking).

 

A compelling mix of drama, family shows, comedy and music will feature in Chichester Festival Theatre’s Winter 2015 season.

Penelope Keith returns in the world premiere of ‘Mrs Pat’ from 15 October – 7 November. This one-woman play about the celebrated 19^th and 20^th century actress Mrs Patrick Campbell is written by Anton Burge and directed by Alan Strachan. This production reunites the actress and director who worked together on Festival 2006’s Entertaining Angels.

Also receiving its world premiere is Walter & Lenny, which documents the delightful friendship between composer and conductor Leonard Bernstein and the Dean of Chichester Cathedral, Walter Hussey. Their collaboration led to the composition of The Chichester Psalms, a choral work performed at the Cathedral in 1965. Devised by Peter McEnery and directed by Julia St John, this new production marks the 50^th anniversary of the Cathedral performance. The play runs from 11 – 14 November.

As well as brand-new work, the drama offerings also include the 60^th anniversary production of a classic thriller, Agatha Christie’s The Mousetrap from 23 – 28 November. The setting is a country house cut off by snow where a group of people discover there is a murderer in their midst.

The Olivier award-winning drama King Charles III runs from 30 November – 5 December, following acclaimed seasons at the Almeida Theatre and in the West End. This provocative exploration of power, democracy and the conscience of Britain’s most famous family is by Mike Bartlett, directed by Rupert Goold with Whitney Mosery. The cast features Robert Powell as King Charles III.

Also exploring the enduring fascination with royalty (and Russian spies) is an award-winning double bill by Alan Bennett. Single Spies chronicles the lives of Guy Burgess and Anthony Blunt, two of the ‘Cambridge Five’ spy ring in the 1950s. Following the success of The King’s Speech, Chichester Festival Theatre and Birmingham Repertory Theatre collaborate again for this co-production, directed by Olivier-nominated Rachel Kavanaugh, which runs from
4 – 13 February.

Chichester’s ongoing commitment to staging high quality work especially for children and young people is a key aspect of this season. Following its highly acclaimed promenade production of Running Wild this summer, the Youth Theatre returns to the Festival Theatre stage with a revival of its much-loved production of A Christmas Carol from 18 December – 2 January, adapted by Bryony Lavery and directed by Dale Rooks and Jake Smith.

Hetty Feather is an enchanting story about a young girl’s adventures following her escape from a Victorian Foundling Hospital. Based on a novel by Jacqueline Wilson, adapted for the stage by Emma Reeves and directed by Sally Cookson, this production uses songs, live music and circus skills to glorious effect and runs from 27 – 31 January.

Thrills are also on offer from Dinosaur Zoo which brings an array of prehistoric creatures to life ranging from cute baby dinos to ravenous reptiles. This interactive show for all the family includes a 15-minute ‘meat and greet’ with the dinosaurs! Ages 3+. The show runs from 16 – 20 February.

Moscow City Ballet – one of Russia’s most successful touring companies – returns to herald the New Year with two classic productions accompanied by a live orchestra from 5 – 10 January. Swan Lake is the powerful story of a tragic love affair, performed to Tchaikovsky’s evocative score, coupled with The Sleeping Beauty’s magical characters and opulent costumes.

The dark art of juggling will be unleashed by Gandini, making their Chichester debut on 20 January with an unforgettable mix of circus, dance and theatre. They have been at the forefront of contemporary performance for over 20 years, and have performed in over 40 countries. Their mesmerising juggling show Smashed is inspired by the work of modern dancer, choreographer and director Pina Bausch.

Comedy lovers can enjoy two singular performers with highly distinctive styles. Having entertained audiences for over 40 years, Pam Ayres returns on 14 February with her wry and gently humorous look at the detail of everyday life, following her latest book,You Made Me Late Again!

Stewart Lee has also won critical acclaim and a devoted following, thanks to his unique deconstruction of his own comedy routines. He brings his new live show A Room With A Stew to Chichester on 20 February with fresh material, in advance of his next BBC2 series of Stewart Lee’s Comedy Vehicle. Age guidance 14+.

There’s music for lovers of all genres ranging from iconic pop to classical concerts.  Joan Armatrading plays a solo gig on 20 November as part of her final major world tour. It’s the chance to experience a live performance of career defining songs such as Love And Affection, Me Myself I and Willow.

As part of a long-established tradition in Chichester, the Christmas Concerts will return to the Festival Theatre from 7 – 12 December offering a festive mix of carols old and new alongside readings, anecdotes and poems.

The BBC Concert Orchestra returns to its regional home at Chichester for two dates. The Orchestra joins forces with award-winning folk duo Nancy Kerr and James Fagan to reinterpret traditional material on 18 November. This will be followed by a celebration of musical productions at Chichester Festival Theatre including hit songs from The Music Man, Kiss Me, Kate and Sweeney Todd on 22 January, conducted by Keith Lockhart and presented by Ken Bruce for a live Radio 2 broadcast.

There will also be musical offerings from The Band and Bugles of The Rifles whose concert will feature some of Britian’s best loved pieces such as Nimrod and Land of Hope and Glory on 21 November, and Southern Pro Musica’s popular Children’s Concert which includes musical classics and audience participation compered by magician-extraordinaire Neil Henry and conducted by Jonathan Willcocks on 19 January.

HMS Pinafore In Concert conducted by Martin Handley features a cast of the country’s finest G&S singers and an orchestra on 21 January, while one of the world’s most famous brass bands, the Black Dyke Band performs well known classical pieces, military marches and film music on 23 January, and Spotlight On the Edge, a charity concert in support of Children on the Edge will be an evening of music, song and dance on 24 January.

BOOKING INFORMATION
Priority booking for Friends of Chichester Festival Theatre opens:
Monday 14 September (online and booking forms only)
Thursday 17 September (phone and in person)

Public booking opens:
Monday 21 September (online only)
Thursday 24 September (phone and in person)

Box Office 01243 781312; Online cft.org.uk

16 – 25s Ticket Scheme
An allocation of tickets priced at just £8.50 are available for 16 to 25 year olds for most plays in the Festival Theatre. These will be available one month before each production opens. cft.org.uk/850