TRIBUTE TO DIRTY DANCING SOUNDTRACK

CHA-CHAS BACK TO YORK

GRAND OPERA HOUSE YORK

SATURDAY 10 OCTOBER at 7:30pm

 

Stage Acts Entertainment’s smash hit tribute to the greatest movie soundtrack of all time, An Evening of Dirty Dancing: The Tribute Show is returning to the Grand Opera House in York for a sensational second year running, on 10 October. Embarking on its 5th Anniversary tour, the show is a fully choreographed, highly interactive celebration of the music from the iconic movie.

Musical theatre stalwart Julian Essex-Spurrier will lead the production having played numerous iconic leading roles including Tony Manero in Saturday Night Fever, Rocky in The Rocky Horror Picture Show, Riff inWest Side Story and Rusty in Starlight Express. He’s joined by Aimie Atkinson who was the winner of theBBC Radio 2 Voice of Musical Theatre and returns to the production for a third season having recently played the leading role of Penny in Carnaby Street The Musical and Chloe in the Take That musical, Never Forget.

An Evening of Dirty Dancing: The Tribute Show is directed by Paul Spicer with choreography by Leanne Harwood and pays homage to the greatest movie soundtrack of all time. A high energy emotional roller-coaster of an evening with breathtaking choreography and buckets of nostalgia. Includes the classic songs: Big Girls Don’t Cry, Hey Baby, Wipeout, Do You Love Me, Hungry Eyes and the Oscar-winning (I’ve Had) The Time of My Life.

Paul Spicer said “The atmosphere is always electric. We totally encourage our audiences to sing and dance and immerse themselves in the summer of ’63. I watch people leave the theatre on a real high. I’ve seen people burst into tears of happiness! This is a multi-award winning soundtrack steeped in nostalgia. I challenge anyone to come along and not have a fantastic time.” Please note this production is not affiliated with Dirty Dancing: The Classic Story on Stage in the West End or on tour in the UK or worldwide.

“A thoroughly entertaining, visually stunning extravaganza” – The Public Reviews

“All singing, all dancing, highly watchable entertaining” – The Stage

                                     Tickets from £20.90 plus £2.85 transaction fee

Available from www.atgtickets.com/york; tel 0844 871 3024

      www.aneveningofdirtydancing.com

Twitter – @HeyBabyUKTour

Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/AnEveningofDirtyDancing

                                                                                                                                                                                            

Newcastle Theatre Royal – 24 March 2015

A line in one of the lyrics from Shrek is “What makes us Special – makes us Stronger” and today I saw a truly special performance of Shrek

In February the Theatre Royal was the first theatre to be honoured with the Autism Access Award from The National Autistic Society.  The award was granted following a year-long project working with local schools, families and specialists developing an all-inclusive approach to theatre in relation to the specific needs of theatre-goers with autism.

This relaxed performance was fantastic.  The theatre opened early to allow for all the extra people who needed to be manoeuvred in wheelchairs.  And face painters were on hand to decorate those who were happy to be adorned.  The cast entered the spirit of the occasion and came out in costume to meet and greet with the audience as they arrived.

The whole occasion was completely relaxed, down to the staff dressing informally and with painted faces.  The lights never came all the way down and the sound was down from the normal volume.

The show began with panto stalwart Danny Adams coming on stage and entertaining the crowds with some jokes before introducing the main cast of Shrek.  Starting with Lord Farquaad played by Gerard Carey, Donkey played by Idriss Kargbo, Princess Fiona played by Faye Brookes and the hero of the show Shrek played by Dean Chisnall.  Once everyone was happy the show began…

“Relaxed Performances” are specifically designed to welcome people with an Autistic Spectrum Condition, learning disability or sensory and communication disorders into theatres to give those who otherwise might feel excluded the chance to experience live theatre.  They have a less formal, more supportive atmosphere in order to reduce anxiety levels. It is a specialist provision created to provide an opportunity for people who would otherwise find it difficult to  see a show  – for example people who make involuntary noise, or are likely to need to talk a lot, or move around. During a regular performance this can disturb the other audience members, and the show, but at a relaxed performance it’s fine.  There was a lot of noise but a lot of joy as the people attended really enjoyed themselves

I spoke to Dawn Taylor, Director of Operations at the theatre and she told me how proud she was to receive the honour from The National Autistic Society and just how much today meant to her.  Incredibly proud of her fabulous, hard working staff and happy at the way the show had gone, Dawn was also pleased at how well the the whole company from Shrek had entered into the spirit of this uplifting show.

It started later than advertised, the interval was later and longer than planned and at points the sound never got below a dull roar but it was a marvellous sight to behold.  In its purest form, Shrek celebrates equality and diversity and at the the Theatre Royal today we had a celebration too.

GILBERT O’SULLIVAN

 

GRAND OPERA HOUSE YORK

Tuesday 16 June 2015

 

Tickets on sale Friday 20 March at 10am

 

Gilbert O’Sullivan is an Irish singer-songwriter, best known for his early 1970s hits “Alone Again (Naturally)”, “Clair” and “Get Down”. The music magazine Record Mirror voted him the No. 1 UK male singer of 1972.

Worldwide he has charted 16 top 40 records including six number one songs, the first of which was 1970’s “Nothing Rhymed”. Such was his popularity in the early 1970s that “Matrimony”, an airplay and live favourite from his debut album Himself, remains one of his most famous compositions despite never having been a hit single (except in The Netherlands where it hit No. 4 in the charts).

In 1980, after a five-year hiatus, he returned to his old record label, CBS. The first single, “What’s in a Kiss?”, reached No. 19 in the UK in 1980 and No. 21 in Japan. It was his first UK Top 20 hit in five years. Apart from the single “So What ?” in 1990 and a compilation album in 1991 Nothing But The Best, O’Sullivan was absent from the charts until another compilation album, The Berry Vest of Gilbert O’Sullivan, returned him to the UK Top 20 in 2004.

O’Sullivan has continued to record and perform into the 21st century. He enjoys particular acclaim in Japan. His album A Scruff at Heart was released in 2007, featuring “Just So You Know”. On 14 July 2008, O’Sullivan released “Never Say Di”. He appeared at the 2008 Glastonbury Festival, and played London’s Royal Albert Hall on 26 October 2009. On 26 August 2010, O’Sullivan announced that he had joined Hypertension, a record company that also holds Leo Sayer, Chris DeBurgh, Fleetwood Mac and Gerry Rafferty.

His album Gilbertville was released on 31 January 2011; it featured “All They Wanted To Say”, which dealt with the 2001 attacks on the World Trade Centre, and his most recent single “Where Would We Be (Without Tea)?”. On 19 July 2011, O’Sullivan played live on the BBC Radio 2 Ken Bruce Show.  On 26 August that year, the documentary Out on His Own was broadcast by BBC 4 (before by Irish RTÉ). In March 2012, the compilation album Gilbert O’Sullivan : The Very Best Of – A Singer & His Songs entered the UK Albums Chart at No.12.

Grand Opera House York

Doors: 7.00pm

Tickets: £41

Box Office: 0844 871 3024

Online Booking: www.atgtickets.com/york

CAST ASSEMBLE FOR FLANAGAN COLLECTIVE’S ALL-FEMALE ROMEO & JULIET

The Flanagan Collective’s take on one of Shakespeare’s most enduring tragedies, Romeo and Juliet, includes two of the company’s trademark twists: not only is the cast comprised of six women, but the play will also be performed in the historical setting of St Olave’s Church on Marygate, York. The production, in association with York Theatre Royal is part of the first annual York International Shakespeare Festival and will run from 7 – 23 May.

The cast assembled for the first read-through of the script at The Fleeting Arms on Gillygate in York on Wednesday 18 March, an ambitious new venue run by the Flanagan Collective as a temporary café bar and pop-up space for performances, rehearsals, workshops and auditions.

Directed by Alexander Wright, produced by Brian Hook and performed by Holly Beasley-Garrigan, Amie Burns Walker, Yoshika Colwell, Hannah Davies, Sarah Davies and Lucy Grattan, this contemporary production of Romeo and Juliet will be infused with live music, soaring harmonies and good, honest storytelling.

Director Alexander Wright said:

We want to make this a show for people – for communities and for social and sacred spaces. For a few hours we want this stunning building to be about young romance, about recklessness and about the sheer relevance of falling in love. We want to doff our caps to all those who have loved, lost or got stranded along the way. This is not a story of fate, for us it is a story of passion and energy and wearing our hearts on our sleeves.

Producer Brian Hook added:

The all-female company started as a political choice. Our industry doesn’t give a fair representation to women on stage – we’re as guilty of that as anyone else – so we wanted to do something about it. But each time we chat and talk, it gets more and more exciting. Meeting the cast, all together, yesterday was a sheer joy. There’s a lot of imagination, energy and adventure on the way. 

Romeo and Juliet will be performed within the stunning 15th century surroundings of St Olave’s Church, following in the Flanagan Collective tradition of staging work in unusual and quirky venues. Their interpretation of A Christmas Carol has successfully filled public houses around the UK for the past three years and they brought Sherlock Holmes: A Working Hypothesis to the wonderfully ornate Council Chamber at the Guildhall, York.

York International Shakespeare Festival is brought about through an adventurous new partnership between York Theatre Royal, Parrabbola, and the University of York and takes place from 8 – 17 May at venues across York. With traditional retellings and original responses from both local and international production companies, the festival will explore the impact of Shakespeare over four hundred years after his final play.

Romeo and Juliet will run from Thursday 7 to Saturday 23 May and tickets are on sale now through the York Theatre Royal Box Office priced £18 to £14 (£1 transaction fee per booking) either securely online at yorktheatreroyal.co.uk or by calling Box Office on 01904 623568.

GARY BARLOW AND TIM FIRTH’S NEW MUSICAL

THE GIRLS

TO PREMIERE AT LEEDS GRAND THEATRE

 

Gary Barlow and Tim Firth, the creators of the new British musical, THE GIRLS, based on the true story, the film and award-winning play by Tim Firth, Calendar Girls, have announced that the world premiere will be at the Grand Theatre Leeds from Saturday 14 November to Saturday 12 December.

Gary Barlow and Tim Firth made the announcement yesterday, Sunday 22 March, in the Village Hall in Burnsall, North Yorkshire (where the whole story originally began), following a rapturous reception to a rehearsed reading of the new musical in front of the original ‘Calendar Girls’, local people and industry professionals.

Gary and Tim said, “We are over the moon with the reception our new musical THE GIRLS has had here in Burnsall, and to have received the ecstatic blessing of the original Calendar Girls is something that is so special to us.  We look forward to its world premiere on November 14 at the Leeds Grand Theatre.”

THE GIRLS is inspired by the true story of a group of ladies, who decide to appear nude for a Women’s Institute calendar in order to raise funds to buy a settee for their local hospital, in memory of one of their husbands.  This musical comedy shows life in their Yorkshire village, how it happened, the effect on husbands, sons and daughters, and how a group of ordinary ladies achieved something extraordinary.

 

The Girls is at Leeds Grand Theatre from Saturday November 14^th to Saturday December 12^th.

 

Tickets are on sale now priced from £10 to £45.

 

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

 

Gary Barlow and Tim Firth grew up in the same village in the north of England and have been friends for 25 years.  With Take That, Gary has written and co-written 14 number one singles, has sold over 50 million records worldwide and is a six times Ivor Novello Award winner.  Tim has won the Olivier Award and UK Theatre Award for Best New Musical, and the British Comedy Awards Best Comedy Film for Calendar Girls.

THE GIRLS will be directed by Roger Haines and Tim Firth, designed by Rob Jones, with comedy staging by Jos Houben, lighting design by Tim Lutkin and sound design by Terry Jardine and Nick Lidster.

Leukaemia & Lymphoma Research will receive monies from this musical.

ALADDIN – MAGICAL CAST ANNOUNCEMENT

 

Alison Hammond to play Slave of the Ring

Sunderland Empire and UK Productions are delighted to announce that Alison Hammond will play Slave of the Ringwhen Aladdin flies into Sunderland from 11 December 2015 – 3 January 2016.

Known for her quick wit, outrageous presenting style, and big heart, nobody gets a better interview than Alison Hammond. Her unforgettable charm and sense of fun rate her number one with celebrities too: she’s tap-danced with Renée Zellweger, rapped with Will Smith, jammed with Russell Crowe, and been serenaded by Hugh Jackman…to name just a few.

Audiences will take a magical carpet ride to the Far East when this gem of a pantomime flies into Sunderland from the producers behind Peter Pan, Cinderella and last year’s enchanting show Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.

Ben Phillips, Sunderland Empire General Manager, said:

“The response to pantomime has been wonderful and we look forward to hosting another high-flying pantomime from UK Productions this year. Audiences will be spellbound with Alison’s quick wit, charm and irresistible sense of fun when she waltzes into Sunderland”.

Alison’s larger than life personality has taken ITV’s ‘This Morning’ by storm and she is now a favourite of millions of viewers across the nation. Her infectious personality made her one of the most loved contestants on Strictly Come Dancing 2014 as she brought fun and laughter to the show with her partner Aljaz. This led to Alison being named as a mentor on the first ever ‘People’s Strictly’.

Other TV credits include her rise to fame in Channel 4’s ‘Big Brother’ where she first won the hearts of the British public. She then went on to appear on ‘I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here’ where she was a contestant in 2010. She has also appeared as a panellist on ‘Loose Women’ and has presented a number of shows including ‘Inside Out’, ‘BBC Exchange’, ‘Turn on Terry’, ‘Who’s doing the Dishes’ and ‘Big Star’s Little Star’.

Alison is also an accomplished actress having appeared in various TV dramas, notably ‘Boon’, ‘Chalkface’, ‘Doctors’, ‘Locksmith’, ‘Yes’, and 3 series of the BAFTA award-winning ‘Palace Hill’.

So get ready to rub the magic lamp, enter the cave of wonders and be transported to this fun fairytale world filled with adventure, mystique, stunning sets and costumes, comedy, song and dance and lots of audience participation – not to mention a flying carpet – Aladdin guarantees another Christmas extravaganza at Sunderland Empire!

Further star cast to be announced!

Tickets priced from £10* are on sale now from the Box Office on High Street West, Sunderland,
the Ticket Centre on 0844 871 3022* and online at www.ATGtickets.com/Sunderland*

*Booking/transaction fees apply to telephone and online sales.

 

Theatre critic  extraordinaire this week answers 20 questions

 

Thank you so much to Mark for answering 20 questions

ADAM SPIEGEL PRODUCTIONS, ROBERT G. BARTNER

AND THE AMBASSADOR THEATRE GROUP PRESENT

OPENING ON FRIDAY 5 JUNE 2015 AT THE MANCHESTER OPERA HOUSE AHEAD OF A UK TOUR

 

TO PLAY SUNDERLAND EMPIRE MONDAY 13 JULY – SATURDAY 18 JULY 2015

 

Adam Spiegel Productions, Robert G. Bartner and the Ambassador Theatre Group are delighted to announce the UK tour of “LOVE ME TENDER” – the new musical inspired by and featuring the music of Elvis Presley. The tour will open on Friday 5 June 2015 at the Manchester Opera House. Casting will be announced shortly. www.LoveMeTenderMusical.com

 

From the producers of Hairspray, Jersey Boys and West Side Story “LOVE ME TENDER” is a hilarious feel-good musical featuring Elvis Presley’s greatest hits. In a small town in 1950s America, a guitar-playing, hip-swivelling stranger rides his motorbike into town. Is he The Devil in Disguise or a Hound Dog in his Blue Suede Shoes? The townsfolk are about to be All Shook Up and could be headed for Heartbreak Hotel, but for Natalie, the love-struck, tomboy mechanic, it really isNow or Never.

 

Packed with 25 of the best loved songs by The King himself, “LOVE ME TENDER”, by the writer of the award-wining West End and Broadway smash hit Memphis, is a funny and moving tale of hope, second chances and the healing qualities of Rock ‘n’ Roll.

 

Producer Adam Spiegel said: “I’m delighted to be working with such a talented, award winning, Creative team to bring the UK this fantastic feel-good musical featuring some of the best music ever written – the greatest hits of the King of Rock and Roll, Elvis Presley.”

 

“LOVE ME TENDER” is Written by Tony Award Winner Joe DiPietro (Memphis) and Directed and Choreographed by Olivier Award Winner Karen Bruce (Saturday Night Fever, Dance ’Til Dawn, Pacific Overtures) with Set Design by award nominated Morgan Large (Flashdance, Cat On A Hot Tin Roof), Lighting Design by James Whiteside (Never Forget, Footloose) Costume Design by Vicky Gill (Dance ‘Til Dawn, Strictly Come Dancing) and Casting by James Orange (The Producers, Sweeney Todd.)

Tickets on sale now and are available in person at the Box Office from £10-£40 or from £12.90-£43.90 from the Ticket Centre on 0844 871 3022* or online at www.ATGtickets.com/Sunderland* Premium seats also available. Prices are subject to change and discounts can be withdrawn.
*Transaction fee applies to telephone and online bookings.

 

Premiering on Broadway in 2005 under the title “All Shook Up”, this romantic musical comedy has been retitled ‘LOVE ME TENDER’ for its UK premiere.

LOVE ME TENDER UK TOUR 2015

www.LoveMeTenderMusical.com

 

FRIDAY 5 JUNE – SATURDAY 13 JUNE

OPERA HOUSE, MANCHESTER – http://www.atgtickets.com/venues/opera-house-manchester/

ON SALE FRIDAY 20 MARCH

 

MONDAY 15 JUNE – SATURDAY 20 JUNE

BRISTOL HIPPODROME – www.atgtickets.com/venues/bristol-hippodrome

ON SALE FRIDAY 20 MARCH

 

MONDAY 22 JUNE – SATURDAY 27 JUNE

NEW WIMBLEDON THEATRE, WIMBLEDON – www.atgtickets.com/shows/calamity-jane/new-wimbledon-theatre

ON SALE FRIDAY 20 MARCH

 

MONDAY 29 JUNE – SATURDAY 4 JULY

REGENT THEATRE, STOKE ON TRENT – www.atgtickets.com/shows/calamity-jane/regent-theatre

ON SALE FRIDAY 20 MARCH

 

MONDAY 6 JULY – SATURDAY 11 JULY

NEW THEATRE, OXFORD – www.atgtickets.com/shows/calamity-jane/new-theatre-oxford

ON SALE FRIDAY 20 MARCH

 

MONDAY 13 JULY – SATURDAY 18 JULY

SUNDERLAND EMPIRE, SUNDERLAND – www.atgtickets.com/shows/calamity-jane/sunderland-empire

ON SALE FRIDAY 20 MARCH

 

MONDAY 20 JULY – SATURDAY 25 JULY

PLAYHOUSE, EDINBURGH – www.atgtickets.com/shows/calamity-jane/edinburgh-playhouse

ON SALE FRIDAY 20 MARCH

 

MONDAY 27 JULY – SATURDAY 1 AUGUST

MILTON KEYNES THEATRE, MILTON KEYNES – www.atgtickets.com/shows/calamity-jane/milton-keynes-theatre

ON SALE FRIDAY 20 MARCH

 

MONDAY 3 AUGUST – SATURDAY 8 AUGUST

KING’S THEATRE, GLASGOW – www.atgtickets.com/shows/calamity-jane-2/kings-theatre

ON SALE FRIDAY 20 MARCH

 

MONDAY 1- AUGUST – SATURDAY 15 AUGUST

EMPIRE THEATRE, LIVERPOOL – www.atgtickets.com/shows/calamity-jane/liverpool-empire

ON SALE FRIDAY 20 MARCH

 

MONDAY 17 AUGUST – SATURDAY 22 AUGUST

GRAND OPERA HOUSE, YORK – www.atgtickets.com/venues/grand-opera-house-york

ON SALE FRIDAY 20 MARCH

 

MONDAY 24 AUGUST – SATURDAY 29 AUGUST

NEW ALEXANDRA THEATRE, BIRMINGHAM – www.atgtickets.com/shows/calamity-jane/new-alexandra-theatre-birmingham

ON SALE FRIDAY 20 MARCH

 

MONDAY 31 AUGUST – SATURDAY 5 SEPTEMBER

THE CHURCHILL THEATRE, BROMLEY – www.atgtickets.com/venues/the-churchill-theatre-bromley

ON SALE FRIDAY 20 MARCH

 

MONAY 7 SEPTEMBER – SATURDAY 12 SEPTEMBER

NEW VICTORIA THEATRE, WOKING – www.atgtickets.com/venues/new-victoria-theatre

ON SALE FRIDAY 20 MARCH

 

MONDAY 14 SEPTEMBER – SATURDAY 19 SEPTEMBER

NEW THEATRE, CARDIFF – www.newtheatrecardiff.co.uk

ON SALE TUESDAY 14 APRIL

 

 

Booking Information:

Box Office: 0844 871 3022*

Groups 10+: 0844 871 3042

Online: www.ATGtickets.com/Sunderland

*Booking fee applies

 

 

Civic Theatre, Darlington – 17 March 2015

A View from the Bridge is having a revival at the moment.  The multi nominated, award winning version is playing at the National Theatre. And this version from the Touring Consortium Theatre Company is (thanks to the Arts Council) showing at the Civic and six other regional theatres,  If this show from TCTC hasn’t won an award yet it must surely do so soon.

The bridge is Brooklyn, a symbolic entry point into America for the Sicilian immigrants in the play, yet one they are never to cross

Jonathan Guy Lewis plays Eddie Carbone, who starts the show a hard working family man but falls into despair from his over familiar feelings for his niece Catherine (Daisy Boulton)  and her desire to marry the “unsuitable” Rodolpho (James Rastall).  His obsession and pride are at  the root of his entire being unravelling, leading him to risk everything and face losing those who once loved him.

The story begins with Alfieri, played by Michael Brandon, breaking the 4th wall and explaining to the audience that he is a Lawyer and an Italian and that he is ‘inclined to notice the ruin in things’ and ‘watch them run its bloody course’. He sits at his desk on the edge of the stage watching the show, allowing the events to unfold before his eyes, powerless to interfere.

Cabones wife Beatrice, wise, long-suffering and sexually frustrated, is portrayed perfectly by Teresa Banham; and niece Catherine, Daisy Boulton is exactly right – very young and innocent, oblivious to her Uncles feelings.

Miller’s narration is delivered with clarity and precision and some humour, dealing with uncomfortable topics and addressing the boundaries of love in a very intimate and intense way.  The play is full of suggestion, all of which is played out in the audiences’ minds rather than addressed directly.  But Philip Cairns is chillingly silent and still in a very well-measured performance as Marco and Rastall is enthusiastic without overplaying his differences as Rodolpho

The whole performance is dark, Eddies descent to madness helped not only by  the phenomenal acting of all on stage, but the simple and effective set designed by Liz Ascroft and the lighting, designed by Paul Pyant.

Written in 1955, A View from the Bridge is inspired by Miller’s knowledge of Italian-American families, gathered during his time as shipyard worker in Brooklyn as a young writer. This empathy and in-depth research is crucial to the success of the play’s plot, on the face of it a simple tale of a patriarch unable to come to terms with a young woman reaching adulthood. But it could be set in any place and time and the story would still be the same