HERE at Outernet, London – until 29 September 2024

Reviewed by Emily Smith

5*****

Priscilla the Party! is a new West End experience and re-imagining of the musical, Priscilla Queen of The Desert, which has been performed in cities across the world since 2006. Originally based on a book by Stephan Elliott and Allan Scott, before being made into a film of the same name, the show explores poignant themes impacting the drag, non-binary, gay and transgender communities, told through the stories of three friends – Tick/Mitzi (Owain Williams), Bernadette (Dakota Starr) and Adam/Felicia (Reece Kerridge) – who travel on a bus through the Australian outback, finding friendship, love and acceptance along the way.

When you walk into the new venue, HERE at Outernet, you’re transported to the Cockatoo Club in Australia, which is darkly lit with glitterballs across the ceiling, pink, fluorescent signs, and pop music playing, making you feel fully immersed in the drag club where the show begins. It was great to see all the audience members embracing the suggested dress code with face glitter, sequined cowboy hats, flashing disco ball earrings and light-up flower garlands! If you’re unsure what to wear… don’t hold back! And… for anyone who doesn’t have these items lying around at home, they are available to buy at the Merchandise stall.

The experience has three ticket options; you can opt to stand on the main dancefloor, sit to the sides of the dancefloor, or dine on the mezzanine levels and watch from above. We had standing tickets which allowed us to move around freely throughout the performance and choose where to position ourselves. Of course, as is the nature with a dancefloor of people standing, there are people of various heights around you, constantly moving (you’ll see why shortly!) which means visibility is changeable and could be an issue for anyone on the shorter side. It should also be noted that there will be people for whom standing for close to three hours is not comfortable, and who should perhaps opt for seated tickets as there are no additional seats on the dancefloor.

The show itself is split into three acts with two mini intervals to allow for regular breaks. The bar, food, and merchandise stalls at the back of the dancefloor remain open throughout the performance though, allowing people to move freely to refill their drinks and get snacks when they want. There are also several performances before the main show begins, and during the intervals, to keep the audience entertained throughout.

The set itself is simple but utilizes a large screen onstage to project the bus and scenes of the desert. Another incredibly unique aspect of the show is that there are several smaller stages that detach from the main stage and literally move around the dancefloor, around the audience. Of course, this requires great coordination and there is a large team of staff on the dancefloor that intermittently appear to indicate to the standing members where to move, based on where the stages are moving or where the actors are entering/exiting. This adds a dynamic element to your viewing position with the standing audience constantly moving and repositioning, but also frequent change with where the main action is taking place. I thought this was really unique and engaging for the audience – I’ve never seen anything like it! Bravo to Brian Thomson and Justin Nardella for their staging and video design.

The show features well-known and well-loved songs such as It’s Raining Men, I will Survive and, a more recent addition, Born This Way. The musical component of the show has been dialled up to support the dancefloor setting of this Party version, with dialogue from the original production being reduced. While the West End has recently struggled with audiences inappropriately singing along during performances, that isn’t an issue at Priscilla the Party! where singing and dancing along are encouraged (with respect for fellow audience members of course)!

Despite the dialogue being reduced, the heart of the story still shines through with the message of love, support and acceptance being clear throughout. It was an incredibly inclusive and welcoming environment for all! Lots of the audience were chatting to one another in the intervals, hearing about each other’s experiences of this show that has been well-loved for many years.

Now… to the show itself! The entire cast were absolutely incredible and very talented. I particularly enjoyed the three Divas (Grace Galloway, Gracie Lai and Sara Louise) who delivered flawless vocals throughout and who provided the live vocals anytime the drag queens of the production were lip syncing. I think this really added to the authenticity of the show compared with lip syncing to a backing track.

The casting of Benjy (Tick’s son) presents a challenge for the production, with child actors not being the optimal choice for this show. This production cleverly solves that issue by selecting a (potentially) unassuming member of the audience who is thrown on stage and joins the production. This provides both comedy value and solves a problem for the casting team!

Trevor Ashely (Gaye Cliché) reports for hosting responsibilities, opening the show with Get This Party Started before explaining the format of the show to the audience on the dancefloor, offering comedic quips, and then appearing throughout the show in various roles. Owain Williams (Tick/Mitzi), Dakota Starr (Bernadette) and Reece Kerridge (Adam/Felicia) also truly shine in their leading roles in this production.

The glitzy array of costumes and head-dresses by Tim Chappel and Lizzy Gardiner were absolutely extraordinary, and Andrew Hallsworth’s choreography was spectacular with the large ensemble filling the stage and runway and providing plenty to look at! The skill of the ensemble to wear such flamboyant and outrageous outfits and perform flawless choreography and deliver incredible vocals still amazes me! Overall, Simon Phillips has done an excellent job directing this production.

This is not your ordinary West End show – it truly is an experience – a party not to be missed!

Theatre Royal Drury Lane, London – until 26 March 2024

Reviewed by Emily Smith

3***

The world premiere of Wild About You took place at the stunning Theatre Royal Drury Lane on Monday night, with the audience full of anticipation to see this musical staged, in concert, for the first time ever. This production, in London for two nights only, follows a 29-hour read-through in March 2023 and cast recording released in November 2023 that featured the vocals of theatrical royalty, such as Lea Salonga.

The star-studded cast of six West End and global theatre heavyweights included Rachel Tucker as Olivia, Eric McCormack as Michael, Oliver Thompsett as Thomas, Tori Allen-Martin as Jessica, Jamie Muscato as Billy and Todrick Hall as Nurse Shae/Robin. To include all the cast’s theatre credits would take up too much space here, but suffice to say, they are incredibly talented and experienced performers and it was a pleasure to see them come together in this production. Each stole the show, which seems as though it should be impossible, yet, it happened!

The plot, based on a book by Eric Holmes, centres around Olivia who wakes up in a hospital having lost her memory. What follows is a series of cut scenes through her past which explore the intricacies of her romantic relationships, and that of her relationship with her son. The entangled stories explored in this production highlight the complexities of human relationships; those we form when we are here, and the lasting impressions we leave behind when we are gone.

The set design by Justin Williams was more substantial than I had imaged it would be considering this was a musical ‘in concert’. The stage was divided into three main scenes with semi-transparent panels at the rear which periodically featured cast members looming somewhat ominously behind them. Generally, I found this simple staging very effective for the purposes of the production – it was more than ‘in concert’, yet not a fully staged version either.

Rachel Tucker, who remains onstage almost throughout the entire duration, delivered an enchanting performance as Olivia, showing incredible stamina and flawless vocals, cementing her position as one of the greatest performers of our time (and my personal favourite!). Her rendition of What I leave behind was beautiful yet powerful – a real highlight. She was authentic and captivating all at once.

Oliver Tompsett was a fantastic Thomas; his smooth vocals were those of a true West End leading man. I really enjoyed his beautiful duets with Tucker that were reminiscent of Elphaba and Fiyero’s As long as you’re mine (despite the two never performing together during their respective stints in Wicked). While Jamie Muscato (Billy) doesn’t enter until Act 2, he brought a new burst of energy to the performance and was an incredible performer delivering effortless vocals.

Todrick Hall (Nurse Shay/Robin) was another stand-out of the evening with his comedic timing and reactions to the scenes as they unfolded leaving the audience laughing away and feeling engaged with the performance. He was a real star.

Unfortunately, the majority of the songs by Chilina Kennedy were not memorable, each sounding similar to the previous and none leaving a lasting impression. This becomes more apparent when you consider other West End shows with songs that are stuck in your head for days afterwards. The titular song of the show Wild about you, for example, did not feel integral enough to the storyline to be the title of the show, but that being said, there were some well-written numbers that did fit the storyflow well and showed promise.

The show has a good heart yet feels disjointed and disconnected in parts. In my opinion, the audience never fully feels the depth of the relationships that are explored which, if developed further, would lead to more emotional investment from the audience.

There were also a few teething issues such as microphones not being turned on at the appropriate times and audio issues making it difficult to hear the words the cast were singing, potentially an imbalance in the volume of the live band versus the cast’s microphones. That being said, the live band was brilliant throughout.

Overall, the cast delivered a performance that I am sure made everyone involved in bringing this production to life very proud indeed, and I am honoured to have attended the world premiere.

Southampton Mayflower – until 30th March 2024

Reviewed by Lucy Hitchcock

4****

Andrew Lloyd-Webber’s smash hit Jesus Christ Superstar hits Southampton during Holy Week-making it a great week to see this rock concert extravaganza. 

We follow the final days of Jesus’ (Luke Street) life, through the eyes of Judas (Shem Omari James). A brilliant cross adorns the stage, almost cutting it directly in half, with the band stood either side-almost as if up in the gods! We witness the betrayal, crucifixion and rising of Jesus whilst being lashed with song after song-all sang fairly well. There were a few points where the integrity of the songs was lost, due to the use of handheld microphones, thus leaving me unsure of the words being sung. This however, did not detract from the ensemble who did a perfect job of additional vocals and all of these performers would be considered a triple threat in this industry! The stand out ensemble member, was Jordan Michael Todd as ‘Simon’. His vocals during ‘Simon Zealotes’ were superb and he was truly captivating. Street and James as Jesus and Judas also gave some great vocals and Street’s portrayal of the lashings and crucifixion was very well done. Adding some very much needed humour to this heavy piece, was Timo Tatzber as ‘Herod’. This was my favourite song during the performance and he lifted what was an extremely ominous mood. Hannah Richardson as ‘Mary Magdalene’ was good, but I found it hard to believe the performance at some points-her voice during the iconic ‘I don’t know how to love him’ was good, but I felt myself wanting more emotion during this from her. Jad Habachi as Caiaphas added a knee-trembling bass which was pitch perfect at every point! 

Choreographed by Christopher Tendai, this was a mixture of ballet, contemporary and street dance. For me, the dancing became a little bit intrusive and busy, leaving me unsure as to what section I was to be focusing on. Head of Wardrobe Claire Tucker added a modern twist on the costumes, and I really enjoyed the choices that were made. 

This is a good show, dealing with a hard hitting subject and it does so well. If you want to know what’s the buzz, head on down to the Mayflower

GIVE HIM A FULL BALLERINA SKIRT

AND A HINT OF SALOON

OLIVIER AWARD-WINNING MATT HENRY

IS ON BOARD AS RUNWAY’S
CREATIVE FASHION DIRECTOR IN

WITH MUSIC BY ELTON JOHN,

LYRICS BY SHAINA TAUB,

AND BOOK BY KATE WETHERHEAD

DIRECTED & CHOREOGRAPHED BY
THE MULTI AWARD-WINNING JERRY MITCHELL

BASED ON THE NOVEL BY LAUREN WEISBERGER AND THE HIT TWENTIETH CENTURY STUDIOS MOTION PICTURE

Matt Henry will bring the esteemed character of Nigel to the stage in The Devil Wears Prada, a new musical. Matt is best known for his Olivier award winning performance playing Lola in Kinky Boots and for being a finalist on the second series of The Voice. Other critically acclaimed stage performances include starring in Saturday Night Fever, Avenue Q and most recently The Drifters Girls, which he also co-created alongside the original West End Cast Beverley Knight, Adam J Bernard, Tarinn Callender and Tosh Wanogho-Maud. In 2017 he was awarded an MBE for services to musical theatre.

He joins the previously announced, Vanessa Williams, best known for her celebrated roles in Ugly Betty and Desperate Housewives and as a multi-award winning singer, as the irrepressible Miranda Priestly.

Matt Henry said, “having been a huge fan of the film, a passion for fashion and the fact that the role of Nigel is iconic, what’s not to love about joining the cast of The Devil Wears Prada The Musical?!

Being able to draw inspiration and pay homage to the leading black men in the fashion industry, such as the amazing Edward Enninful and the late André Leon Talley is what truly excites me about taking on this incredible role.”

The Devil Wears Prada, a new musical, based on the blockbuster film and bestselling novel, will strut into London’s Dominion Theatre in October 2024, featuring an original score by music icon, and Olivier and Tony Award winner Elton John, lyrics by singer-songwriter Shaina Taub, book by Kate Wetherhead with direction & choreography by three-time Tony Award winner Jerry Mitchell.

The production will play an exclusive preview engagement in Summer 2024 at Theatre Royal Plymouth prior to opening in the West End in October.

Hilariously fun and fabulously stylish, The Devil Wears Prada tells an inspiring story about discovering what kind of person you truly want to be. Choose your outfit carefully and get ready for a new musical that’s hautter than hell!

Fresh out of college, aspiring journalist Andy scores a job at the prestigious Runway magazine working for fashion’s most powerful and terrifying icon — editor-in-chief Miranda Priestly. Sacrificing her personal life to meet Miranda’s impossible demands, Andy finds herself seduced by the glamorous world she once despised. How far will she go to succeed… and will it be worth selling her soul to get what she’s always wanted?

The Devil Wears Prada, features an all-star, award-winning creative team led by
Elton John (Tammy Faye, Billy Elliot: The Musical, The Lion King), new direction & choreography by Jerry Mitchell (Kinky Boots, Legally Blonde, Pretty Woman, Hairspray), lyrics by singer-songwriter Shaina Taub (Suffs), book by Kate Wetherhead (Ever After, Submissions Only), set design by Tim Hatley (Life of Pi, Back to the Future), costume design by Gregg Barnes (Some Like It Hot, Legally Blonde), lighting design by Bruno Poet (The Tina Turner Musical, Frankenstein), sound design by Gareth Owen (Come From Away, & Juliet) and casting by Jill Green CDG.

Further casting for the production will be announced in due course.

The musical is based on Lauren Weisberger‘s best-selling 2003 novel and the 2006 blockbuster film from Twentieth Century Studios which went on to gross $326 million worldwide and received two Academy Award nominations.

The Devil Wears Prada is produced by Tony Award winner Kevin McCollum (In the Heights, Avenue Q, Rent, SIX and Mrs. Doubtfire), Rocket Entertainment/David Furnish (Tammy Faye, Billy Elliot: The Musical) and Jamie Wilson (Mrs Doubtfire, Ain’t Too Proud, Sister Act The Musical) and presented by special arrangement with Buena Vista Theatrical.

Jerry Mitchell now steers this brand-new reimagined production of The Devil Wears Prada to new heights following a developmental run in Chicago in 2022.

JAMES GRAHAM’S ACCLAIMED ADAPTATION OF ALAN BLEASDALE’S

BOYS FROM THE BLACKSTUFF

TO PLAY LIMITED EIGHT-WEEK SEASON

AT THE GARRICK THEATRE IN LONDON’S WEST END

PERFORMANCES BEGIN 13 JUNE

WITH GALA NIGHT ON TUESDAY 18 JUNE

James Graham’s powerful new adaptation of Alan Bleasdale’s seminal TV drama, Boys from the Blackstuff is directed by Kate Wasserberg and the Liverpool’s Royal Court and National Theatre production is presented in the West End by Bill Kenwright Limited.

Graham’s acclaimed adaptation of Alan Bleasdale’s Boys from the Blackstuff will transfer to the West End for a strictly limited eight-week season at the Garrick Theatre, following runs at Liverpool’s Royal Court and the National’s Olivier Theatre.  Performances will begin on Thursday 13 June, with a Gala Night on Tuesday 18 June, and will run until Saturday 3 August 2024.  Tickets on sale from 12 noon on Thursday 28 March.

Graham said of adapting Bleasdale’s drama, “To work with Alan Bleasdale in the room has been the biggest treat of my life. He’s one of the reasons I became a writer. I think Boys from the Blackstuff is more resonant today than it’s ever been before. We’re living through a time right now, with the cost of living crisis, where those fears and that anger towards the lack of hope, the lack of a plan to get us out of this crisis, makes an audience respond and react. And because of how iconic these characters are, and because of all those famous lines that a lot of people still remember, it feels really alive in the theatre. It’s actually really funny: Alan Bleasdale is an hilarious writer and Liverpool has this dark sense of humour that cuts through all the tragedy and all the bleakness.”

1980s Liverpool.  Chrissie, Loggo, George, Dixie and Yosser are used to hard work and providing for their families.  But there is no work and there is no money.  What are they supposed to do?  Work harder, work longer, buy cheaper, spend less?  They just need a chance.  Life is tough but the lads can play the game.  Find the jobs, avoid the ‘sniffers’ and see if you can have a laugh along the way.

The cast will include George Caple (Doctor Who, BBC; a member of the Liverpool Everyman Rep company) as Snowy/Kevin/Scotty, Dominic Carter (DC Hooch in Coronation Street, ITV; Janos Slynt in Game of Thrones, HBO; The Responder, BBC; Around the World in 80 Days, BBC; Crossfire, BBC) as Molloy/Marley/Landlord/Catholic Priest/Policeman, Helen Carter (The Flint Street Nativity at Liverpool Everyman, Top Girls at the Royal Court) as Miss Sutcliffe/Freda/Margaret, Aron Julius (Kenneth Branagh’s Death on the Nile; Death in Paradise, BBC; DCI Banks, ITV) as Loggo, Nathan McMullen (Doctor Who Christmas Special, BBC; Finn Samson in Misfits, E4; Wagatha Christie: Rooney v Vardy, Ambassadors Theatre) as Chrissie, Lauren O’Neil (Witness for the Prosecution at London County Hall; This House, National Theatre, Chichester Festival Theatre and Garrick Theatre; King Lear, Chichester and BAM, New York; Women Beware Women, National Theatre) as Angie/Jean/Lawton/Student/Lollipop Lady, Jamie Peacock (Masquerade, Epstein Theatre) as Moss/Anglican Reverend, Barry Sloane (Chris Fischer in The Bay, ITV; DS Lawson in Litvinenko, ITV; Aiden Mathis in Revenge, Channel 4; Niall Rafferty in Hollyoaks, Channel 4; originated the role of Troy Whitworth in Jez Butterworth’s Jerusalem, West End and Broadway) as Yosser, Liam Tobin (Sean in Then and Now, a member of the Liverpool Everyman Rep company) ensemble and Mark Womack (Barry in The Responder, BBC; DI Malone in Emmerdale, ITV; Eddie Spearritt in Hillsborough, ITV; Jack in Sorted, BBC; David Callard in Murphy’s Law, BBC; DC Mark Callaghan in Liverpool 1, ITV) as Dixie.

James Graham’s Dear England (National Theatre and West End), a portrait of England footballer and team manager Gareth Southgate starring Joseph Fiennes, has been nominated for nine Olivier Awards and the BBC has commissioned a four-part drama by Graham based on his play.  His new play, Punch, will premiere at the Nottingham Playhouse from 4 to 25 May and is based on Jacob Dunne’s book Right from Wrong, an unflinching true-life account of how teenager Jacob throws a single punch with fatal consequences and then, when released from prison, meets the parents of his victim. Graham’s other writing includes The Way (BBC), Sherwood (BBC), Best of Enemies (Young Vic and Noel Coward Theatre), Quiz (Chichester’s Minerva Theatre, West End and ITV), Ink (Almeida Theatre, West End, Broadway) and This House (National Theatre and Garrick Theatre).

Boys from the Blackstuff is directed by Kate Wasserberg (Artistic Director, Theatr Clwyd), with set and costume design by Amy Jane Cook, lighting design by Ian Scott, movement direction by Rachael Nanyonjo, original music composed and sound design by Dyfan Jones, associate sound design by Kate Harvey, audio visual design by Jamie Jenkin, fight direction by Rachel Bown-Williams of RC-Annie Ltd and associate movement direction by Jocelyn Prah.  Staff director is Lauren Dickson.

Boys from the Blackstuff will be staged at Liverpool’s Royal Court from 19 April to 11 May and the Olivier Theatre from 22 May to 8 June, with a press night on 29 May. 

Bill Kenwright Ltd presents the Liverpool’s Royal Court and National Theatre production of Boys from the Blackstuff at the Garrick Theatre, London from 13 June.

For more information, visit boysfromtheblackstuff.com.

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LISTINGS INFORMATION

13 June – 3 August 2024

Garrick Theatre

2 Charing Cross Rd, London WC2H 0HH

Box Office:  0330 333 4811                          

nimaxtheatres.com

Performances:  Monday – Saturday evenings 7.30pm, Wednesday and Saturday matinees 2.30pm

Tickets:  From £20

LYRIC HAMMERSMITH THEATRE AND SONIA FRIEDMAN PRODUCTIONS
ANNOUNCE CASTING FOR THE UK PREMIERE OF FANGIRLS

FANGIRLS
A Lyric Hammersmith Theatre and Sonia Friedman Productions co-production
Book, Music and Lyrics by Yve Blake
Directed by Paige Rattray
Saturday 13 July – Saturday 24 August 2024

Lyric Hammersmith Theatre today announces initial casting for the new summer musical FANGIRLS, co-produced by Sonia Friedman Productions. The smash-hit Australian musical will have its UK premiere at the Lyric Hammersmith Theatre from 13 July – 24 August.

Making her musical theatre debut in the role of 14-year-old superfan, Edna, is Jasmine Elcock [she/her]. Jasmine, a recent graduate of the Central School of Speech and Drama, is currently performing in The Crucible at Sheffield Theatres and recently starred in the English Touring Theatre’s Macbeth. Jasmine is also known for her performance on Britain’s Got Talent in 2016, for which she received the Golden Buzzer.

Joining Jasmine as fellow superfans are Miracle Chance [she/her] (The Witches, Heathers)as Brianna, Mary Malone [she/her] (Burnt at the Stake, Netflix’s Missing You)plays Jules, Gracie McGonigal [she/her] (The Little Big Things, The Crucible)plays Lily, and Terique Jarrett [he/him] (Daddy, Hulu’s Find Me in Paris)plays Salty.

Eve De Leon Allen [they/them] (The House with Chicken, Sugar Coat) joins the company as Dom/Ensemble, Max Gill [he/she/they] plays Greta/Ensemble after previously performing at the Lyric in Bugsy Malone and Herons,  Lena Pattie Jones [she/her] (She Loves Me, Urinetown – Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts) celebrates her professional debut as Ash/Ensemble,and Nicky Wong Rush [he/him/they/them] (The Wedding Singer – The Urdang Academy) alsomakes their professional debutasDancer.

Further casting to be announced.

Director, Paige Rattray said about the musical:

“The greatest joy of FANGIRLS is always the people in the room. We have created a show that allows us to adapt the roles to people most suited to the spirit of the show. I’m so excited to start work with the new members of our FANGIRLS family – the talent, charisma and great energy we’ve seen in auditions over the last months has been so inspiring that its been hard to make final decisions as we’ve moved closer to rehearsals – it’s always been one of those shows where you wish you could have a cast of thousands.

This cast is really very special. I’m so grateful to Lotte Hines our stunning Casting Director for all of the work and expertise she’s put in to find these exceptional people, I’m beyond excited to share their talents with our audience.”

Meet Edna: she’s 14, she’s a misfit, and she’s in love with Harry. There’s just one problem: Harry’s in the world’s biggest boy band, has 38 million fans, and doesn’t know she exists. When Harry’s band announces a tour stop in Edna’s hometown of Sydney, Australia, she knows this is her destiny – her one chance to meet him. But how on EARTH will she get Harry’s attention?! And exactly how far is she prepared to go in the name of love?

Book, Music and Lyrics for FANGIRLS are by Yve Blake. The musical is directed by Paige Rattray, and the creative team includes David Fleischer as Production Designer, Ebony Williams as Choreographer, Ash J Woodward as Video Designer, Jessica Hung Han Yun as Lighting Designer, Tony Gayle as Sound Designer, Zara Stanton as Music Supervisor, Vocal Arranger and Orchestrator, Candida Caldicot as Musical Director, David Muratore as Music Producer, Lotte Hines CDG as Casting Director, Ardyn Flynt as Associate Choreographer, Laurence Stannard as Associate Musical Director, Kwame Owusu as Associate Director, and Bobbie Chatt as Casting Associate.

THE ICONIC ST. MARTIN’S THEATRE IN LONDON CELEBRATES 50 YEARS PLAYING HOST TO AGATHA CHRISTIE’S
THE MOUSETRAP

uk.the-mousetrap.co.uk

St. Martin’s Theatre, one of London’s most iconic venues in the heart of the West End, celebrates 50 years playing host to Agatha Christie’s genre-defining murder mystery, The Mousetrap.

The Mousetrap,which marked its 70^th anniversary in 2022 and confirmed its standing as the longest running play in the world, premiered at Theatre Royal Nottingham in 1952 and toured the UK, before opening at London’s Ambassadors Theatre. In March 1974, it moved next door to St. Martin’s Theatre where it continues to enthral audiences 50 years on.

St Martin’s Theatre first opened its doors in 1916. Designed by W. G. R. Sprague, it was commissioned by Richard Verney, 19th Baron Willoughby de Broke, together with B. A. (Bertie) Meyer, as one of a pair of theatres, along with the Ambassadors Theatre. The St. Martin’s theatre, which was Grade II listed by English Heritage in March 1973, is still owned by the present Lord Willoughby de Broke and his family.

Lord Willoughby de Broke says of this milestone anniversary:

At St. Martin’s Theatre, we’re thrilled to mark 50 incredible years since ‘The Mousetrap’ first graced our stage on March 25, 1974. As we celebrate this milestone, we also tip our hats to the 22 years it spent captivating audiences next door at the Ambassadors. It’s 72-year run is testament to the enduring charm of Agatha Christie’s masterpiece and the dedicated team on Stage and behind the scenes. Here’s to half a century of theatrical excellence, with ‘The Mousetrap’ continuing to shine brightly in London’s West End.

Adam Spiegel, Producer of The Mousetrap says:

I’m immensely proud that St. Martin’s Theatre as provided a home for The Mousetrap over the past 50 remarkable years, contributing to its illustrious 72-year legacy. Millions of theatregoers have experienced the show in the intimate atmosphere and rich historical backdrop that St. Martin’s provides. It is the perfect setting for our timeless production. I’m deeply grateful for the legacy established before my tenure and eagerly anticipate the milestones yet to unfold.  

The current London cast of Agatha Christie’s The Mousetrap includes Rachel Summers as Mollie Ralston, Christopher Bonwell as Giles Ralston, Joshua Glenister as Christopher Wren, Gay Soper as Mrs Boyle, Miles Richardson as Major Metcalf, Jessica Temple as Miss Casewell, Sebastien Torkia  as Mr Paravicini, and George Hannigan as Detective Sgt. Trotter, with Clive Marlowe, Sarah Parkins, Ben Riddle, Kieran Seabrook France, Alexander Scrivens, and Cathryn Sherman.

As news spreads of a murder in London, a group of seven strangers find themselves snowed in at Monkswell Manor, a remote countryside guesthouse. When a police sergeant arrives, the guests discover – to their horror – that a killer is in their midst. One by one, the suspicious characters reveal their sordid pasts. Which one is the murderer? Who will be their next victim?

The Mousetrap’s 70^th Anniversary tour opened in Nottingham in September 2022, and continues to travel throughout the UK and Ireland, marking its milestone anniversary by visiting over 70 theatres, including all cities to which it originally played 70 years ago, plus many more.

The Mousetrap is produced by Adam Spiegel with Direction by Ian Talbot OBE and associate direction by Denise Silvey.

MATT CARDLE

TO PLAY SHAKESPEARE

IN AWARD-WINNING MUSICAL

& JULIET UK & IRELAND TOUR

FROM 8 JULY 2024

FURTHER CAST ANNOUNCED

The producers of the global sensation & JULIET are delighted to announce that multi-platinum selling recording artist and award-winning West End actor, Matt Cardle, will play the role of Shakespeare in the upcoming UK and Ireland tour. He joins the previously announced Gerardine Sacdalan as Juliet, Sandra Marvin as Angélique and Lara Denning as Anne. The UK and Ireland tour opens at Manchester Opera House on 8 July 2024. 

Also in the cast are Jack Danson (Mamma Mia, Novello Theatre) as Romeo, Kyle Cox (Crazy For You, Gillian Lynne Theatre & Chichester Festival Theatre) as Francois, Jordan Broatch (42 Balloons, The Lowry & Vaudeville Theatre) as May, Michael Nelson (Dirty Dancing, UK & International Tour) as Henry, Liam Morris (The Bodyguard, UK Tour) as Richard, Jade Johnson (Book of Mormon, Prince of Wales Theatre) as Nell / Lady C, Rosie Singha (Love Never Dies concert, Theatre Royal Drury Lane) as Judith, Nia Stephen (Cinderella, Imagine Theatre) as Imogen, Psalms-Nissi Myers-Reid (Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Theatre Royal Drury Lane) as Lucy/Alternate Juliet, Andilé Mabhena (Shrek The Musical, UK & Ireland Tour) as Augustine / Dance Team, Harriet Caplan-Dean (SIX, West End, UK Tour & International Tour), as Eleanor, Alexander Kranz (To Wong Foo, Hope Mill Theatre) as Lennox Aaron Shales (& Juliet, Shaftesbury Theatre) as Gregory / Dance Team, Toni Paise (theatrical debut) as Violet and Samuel Wilson-Freeman (Mrs Doubtfire, Shaftesbury Theatre) as Fletcher / Resident Director and Dance Captain.  

Matt Cardle rose to fame as the winner of The X Factor’s highest ever rated series in 2010, beating One Direction who came third. His performance with Rihanna on the show has been viewed over 41 million times on YouTube and his debut single When We Collide, taken from his platinum selling debut album, has sold over 1.1 million copies. Since then, Matt has released four studio albums and has collaborated with artists such as Melanie C and Gary Barlow, the latter on Run For Your Life, which has amassed over 22 million streams to date. Matt is also set to release his fifth studio album later this year.

Matt starred as Huey Calhoun in Memphis (Shaftesbury Theatre, Wes End) alongside Beverley Knight, for which he received the WhatsOnStage award for ‘Best West End Debut.’ He also appeared as Wally Strand in Strictly Ballroom (Piccadilly Theatre) and Pilate in Jesus Christ Superstar (Barbican Theatre).

There is life after Romeo!

Get whisked away on a fabulous journey as Juliet ditches her famous ending for a fresh beginning and a second chance at life and love—her way. Created by the Emmy-winning writer from “Schitt’s Creek,” this hilarious new musical flips the script on the greatest love story ever told and asks, what would happen next if Juliet didn’t end it all over Romeo?

Juliet’s new story bursts to life through a playlist of pop anthems as iconic as her name, including Britney Spears’ “…Baby One More Time,” Katy Perry’s “Roar”and chart toppers “Since U Been Gone,” “It’s My Life,” “I Want It That Way,” and “Can’t Stop the Feeling!” — all from Max Martin, the genius songwriter/producer behind more #1 hits than any other artist this century, and his collaborators. Break free of the balcony scene and get into this romantic comedy that proves there’s life after Romeo. The only thing tragic would be missing it.

& JULIET is a global success and an Olivier and WhatsOnStage Award winning and Tony Award nominated musical. The West End production at the Shaftesbury Theatre thrilled audiences from 2019-2023, with the smash-hit Broadway production, breaking box office records and entering its second year in November 2023 and a US tour set to embark in September 2024. The musical made its North American premiere with the pre-Broadway production opening at the Princess of Wales Theatre in Toronto in 2022. The Australian production opened in Melbourne in February 2023 before heading to Marina Bay Sands in Singapore this summer and is currently playing a return engagement in Australia.

The full creative team for the UK and Ireland tour of & JULIETincludes David West Read (Book), Max Martin & Friends (Music & Lyrics), Luke Sheppard (Direction), Jennifer Weber (Choreography), Bill Sherman (Musical Supervision, Orchestrations and Arrangements), Soutra Gilmour (Scenic Design), Paloma Young (Costume Design), Howard Hudson (Lighting Design), Gareth Owen (Sound Design), Andrzej Goulding  (Video & Projection Design) and Suzy Bennett (Hair, Wig & Makeup Design) and Dominic Fallacaro (Additional Arrangements and Orchestrations). Casting is by Stuart Burt.

& JULIET is presented by Max Martin and Tim Headington and is produced by Max Martin, Tim Headington, Theresa Steele Page, Jenny Petersson, Martin Dodd and Rebecca Quigley.

Website: www.andjulietthemusical.co.uk

Instagram: @julietmusical

Facebook: @julietmusical                                                            

X: @julietmusical

YouTube: @julietmusical1925                                                              

REGENT’S PARK OPEN AIR THEATRE ANNOUNCE FULL CAST FOR

TWELFTH NIGHT or What You Will

Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre today announce full cast for Twelfth Night or What You Will, Shakespeare’s comedy of mistaken identities directed by Owen Horsley and set against the heat of the Mediterranean sun. The production runs 3 May – 8 June 2024.

Horsley will direct Raphael Bushay (Orsino), Richard Cant (Malvolio), Sally Cheng (Querelle), Andro Cowperthwaite (Sebastian), Anna Francolini (Olivia), Nicholas Karami(Antonio/Captain), Julie Legrand (Feste),Michael Matus (Toby Belch), Evelyn Miller (Viola), Anita Reynolds(Maria), Matthew Spencer (Andrew Aguecheek), Katherine Toy (Valentine/Priest), Jon Trenchard (Fabian/Musical Director), and Harry Waller (Curio/Officer).

The production marks the first production of Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre’s summer season, and features new original songs in addition to the numerous songs in the text of Twelfth Night or What You Will.

A Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre production

Twelfth Night

or What You Will

By William Shakespeare

Basia Binkowska (Set Designer); Rachel Bown-Williams and Ruth Cooper-Brown for Rc-Annie (Fight and Intimacy Directors);Ryan Dawson Laight (Costume Designer); Kate Godfrey(Voice and Text Director); James Hassett Associate Sound Designer); Daniel Hay-Gordon ( Movement Director); Lotte Hines (Casting Director); Cory Hippolyte (Associate Director); Owen Horsley (Director); Sam Kenyon (Composer & Musical Supervisor); Aideen Malone (Lighting Designer); Max Pappenheim (Sound Designer)

3 May – 8 June 2024

‘What country, friends, is this?’

At a moonlit cafe surrounded by the sea, Olivia sings a lament to her lost brother, watched on by faded crowd.

When a shipwreck catapults Viola into their world of abandoned festivities, a web of disguise and deception begins. This new injection of life rocks this melancholic community to the core, but can she finally shake them from their languor and get the party started again? 

Set against the heat of the Mediterranean sun, Shakespeare’s comedy of mistaken identities is a glorious celebration of love. Directed by Owen Horsley (Henry VI: Rebellion, Wars of the Roses, Royal Shakespeare Company) in a marriage of happiness, nostalgia and riotous partying.

CAST

Raphael Bushay, Orsino

For Regent’s Park: Peter Pan and Henry V 

Theatre includes: The Crucible (National Theatre and West End); Oklahoma! (Young Vic and West End); Don Quixote (RSC); Red Riding Hood (Theatre Royal Stratford East); The Tempest and Henry V (Shakespeare’s Rose); Queen of Chapeltown (West Yorkshire Playhouse); As You Like It (Lamb Players); Fantastic Mr Fox (UK and UAE tour); and Kampala (Arcola). 

Television includes: Holby City. 

Richard Cant, Malvolio

Theatre includes: What It Means (The Lot at Wilton’s); The Vortex (Chichester); Orlando (Garrick); The Normal Heart (National); Handbagged/ Wife (Kiln); After Edward (Sam Wanamaker); Henry Sixth Rebellion/Maydays (RSC); Stella (LIFT); Medea (Almeida); Saint Joan/My Night With Reg (Donmar); Salome (Headlong); Cymbeline; As You Like It (Cheek by Jowl); Other People (Royal Court)

Television includes: It’s A Sin; The Crown; Taboo; Mapp & Lucia; Bleak House; Gunpowder, Treason & Plot; The Way We Live Now; Midsomer Murders.

Film includes: Stan & Ollie, Mary Queen Of Scots.

Sally Cheng, Querelle

Theatre includes: The Wizard of Oz (The Watermill Theatre); Tony! The Rock Opera (London and UK Tour); Richard II (GSC); A Christmas Carol (RSC); The Secret Diary of Adrian Mole Aged 13, 3/4 The Musical (Queen’s, Hornchurch); The Play that Goes Wrong (West End); A Christmas Carol, A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Scoot Theatre); The Wind in the Willows (Jermyn Street/GSC); The Last of the Pelican Daughters (The Wardrobe Ensemble/ Complicite/Bristol Old Vic); A Christmas Carol, The Emperor and the Nightingale (Theatre by the Lake); For Services Rendered (Jermyn Street); Shadowlands (Chichester Festival Theatre); A Christmas Carol (RSC); Macbeth (Watermill Theatre); Twelfth Night (RSC); Love’s Labour’s Lost, Robin Hood (Guildford Shakespeare Company); Footprints on the Moon (Finborough Theatre); Singin’ in the Rain (Bolton Octagon/ Salisbury Playhouse/New Vic Theatre).

Andro Cowperthwaite, Sebastian

Theatre includes: Dead Hot (Quay Street Productions); Thong for Europe (Royal Court Liverpool); Incompleteness Theorum (Soho Theatre); Dorian (Reading Rep); Lion Witch and Wardrobe (Bridge Theatre); Salome, Dido: Queen of Carthage (RSC).

Film and Television includes: Cold Blow Lane (Feature); The Agency (Short); Caterpillar (Short film); Lord Of The Rings; Rings of Power (Amazon Prime TV Series); Red, White and Royal Blue (Amazon Prime Feature).

Andro was previously a member of Brit Award Winning music collective JUNGLE. Now a solo artist with two independent released EPs, with support from BBC Sounds, BBC Music Introducing Featured Artist, CLASH and Wonderland magazines and more. 

Anna Francolini, Olivia

Theatre includes: Tom Fool (Orange Tree); Strictly Ballroom (Piccadilly Theatre); Peter Pan (National Theatre), Wonder.land (National Theatre & Theatre du Chatelet), Assassins (Menier Chocolate Factory); Our Town (Almeida Theatre); That Day We Sang, A View From The Bridge (Royal Exchange, Manchester); Mare Rider, How The World Began, Anatol (Arcola Theatre); Victor/Victoria (Southwark Playhouse); Onassis, Daisy Pulls It Off, Mahler’s Conversion (West End); Taking Steps (Orange Tree Theatre); The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie (Royal & Derngate Theatre, Northampton/ Edinburgh); Awaking Beauty (Stephen Joseph Theatre); Wolves at the Window (Arcola/59E59 New York); Three Sisters on Hope Street, In The Club (Hampstead Theatre); Into The Woods (Royal Opera House); Caroline, Or Change (National Theatre); Six Pictures of Lee Miller (Minerva Theatre, Chichester); Things You Shouldn’t Say Past Midnight (Soho Theatre); The Ballad of Little Jo, Floyd Collins, Saturday Night (Bridewell Theatre); Merrily We Roll Along, Company (Donmar Warehouse),  Oliver (Palladium); Godspell (National Tour).

Television includes: House of the Dragon (HBO); Sex Education S4 (Netflix); Call The Midwife (BBC); Surface (Apple); Too Much (Netflix); The Diplomat (Netflix); The Ipcress Files (ITV); The Man Who Fell to Earth (Showtime); Roadkill (BBC); Homeland (Showtime); Vera (ITV); New Tricks (ITV); Pixelface (BBC);  Rome (HBO);  Jonathan Creek (BBC). 

Film includes: Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny; Emma; Solo, a Star Wars Story; Gun Shy; The Kill Team; The Christmas Candle; Topsy Turvy. 

Anna won the TMA Award for Best Performance in a Play for The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie and received an Olivier Award nomination for her role in Caroline, Or Change. She has also worked extensively in radio drama. 

Nicholas Karami, Antonio/Captain

Trained at Rose Bruford College.

For Regents Park: A Tale of Two Cities

Theatre includes: Arabian Nights (Bristol Old Vic); Henry VI (parts 2&3); RSC, Adventures with the Painted People (Pitlochry Festival Theatre); The Twilight Zone (West End); A View from the Bridge (Theatre Royal York and Royal and Derngate Theatres, Northampton); The Comedy of Errors (Royal Shakespeare Company); Macbeth, An Oak Tree, Everyman, War Horse (National Theatre and West End); The Arabian Nights (Lyceum Theatre, Edinburgh); The Kite Runner (West End, Nottingham Playhouse and Liverpool Playhouse); Any Means Necessary (Nottingham Playhouse); Lardo (Old Red Lion Theatre); The Hairy Ape (The Old Vic); Titus Andronicus (Shakespeare’s Globe); Damascus Aleppo (National Theatre of Scotland at Òran Mór, Glasgow, and Traverse Theatre, Edinburgh); Game of Life (The Yard); The Double (Theatre Royal Bath); I Was A Beautiful Day, Outward Bound and The Fear of Breathing (Finborough Theatre); The Pearl Fisher and Nova Scotia (Traverse Theatre, Edinburgh); Mother Courage (Benchtours); The Dead Fiddler (New End Theatre, Hampstead).

Film includes: Saving Christmas Spirit; Medusa Deluxe (EMU/BFI).

Television includes: The Witcher (Netflix); You Don’t Know Me (BBC/Netflix); Surface (Apple TV)

Radio includes: Welcome To Iran (BBC Radio 3).

Julie Legrand, Feste

For Regent’s Park: To Kill a Mockingbird, The Importance of Being Earnest.

Theatre includes: An American in Paris (The Dominion); Gypsy, Fiddler on the Roof (The Savoy); Wicked (The Apollo, Victoria); My Fair Lady (Naples Opera House); Romeo and Juliet, Cymbeline, The Revengers Tragedy, Oedipus, Beauty and the Beast (all for The Royal Shakespeare Theatre); The Duchess of Malfi, The Cherry Orchard, Remembrance of Things Past, Way Upstream, Don Quixote (all for The National Theatre); Arcadia (The Haymarket); See How They Run (The Duchess); The House of Bernarda Alba (The Gielgud).

TV includes: Ludwig; Romantic Getaway; Doctor Who; Call The Midwife; Footballers’ Wives.

Films include: One For The Road; Prick Up Your Ears.

Michael Matus, Toby Belch

Training: RADA.

For Regent’s Park: The Sound of Music.

Theatre includes: 42^nd Street (Crossroads Live); Aspects of Love (Lyric Theatre); HEX (National Theatre); Singing in the Rain (UK Tour); La Cage aux Folles (Park Theatre); King Lear (West End); Richard III (Headlong); Broken Glass (Watford Palace); The Phantom of the Opera (Her Majesty’s Theatre); The Return of the Soldier (Jermyn Street Theatre); The Baker’s Wife (The Union); Lend Me a Tenor (West End); ‘Tis Pity She’s a Whore (West Yorkshire Playhouse); A Christmas Carol (West End); Oklahoma! (Chichester); The Canterbury Tales and Eastward Ho! (RSC in the West End); A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Timon of Athens (Globe); Rough Crossings (Headlong); Imagine This (New London); The Comedy of Errors and The Wizard of Oz (Sheffield Crucible); Martin Guerre (West End).

Television includes: Suspect (Disney+ / ITV); The Lazarus Project (Sky); Endeavour (ITV);  The Split (ITV); Shakespeare and Hathaway: Private Investigators (BBC); EastEnders (BBC); Invasion (Apple TV); Marilyn Monroe (Netflix).

Film includes: The Crying Game;  A Muppet Christmas Carol.

Michael has been nominated for a TMA Award, a WhatsOnStage Award, a Helen Hayes Award, a BroadwayWorld Award and an Off West End Award, and jointly won an Olivier for Best Acting Ensemble with RSC.

Evelyn Miller, Viola

Theatre includes: Patriots (Noel Coward Theatre); Cyrano de Bergerac (Harold Pinter Theatre / BAM, New York); Deep Night, Dark Night (Sam Wanamaker Playhouse); The Taming of the Shrew, Twelfth Night, Comedy of Errors, Pericles (Shakespeare’s Globe); A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Sheffield Crucible); Jane Eyre (National Theatre, UK Tour); Richard II, Henry IV Part 1, Henry IV Part 2, Henry V, The Famous Victories of Henry V (RSC); Swallows and Amazons (Bristol Old Vic); Peer Gynt (Barbican); Romeo and Juliet (Orange Tree Theatre); The Little Prince (Royal Opera House).

Television includes: The Lovers (Drama Republic/Sky); Foundation (Apple TV), Flowers in The Attic – The Origin (A&E Studios/CBS); Doctors (BBC); Holby City (BBC).

Anita Reynolds, Maria

Theatre includes: Romeo & Julie (NT/Sherman); The Importance of Being Earnest (ETT) A Monster Calls (Old Vic/UK/US Tour); The Merry Wives of Windsor/Bartholomew Fair (Shakespeare’s Globe); Ear For Eye (Royal Court); Absolute Hell (National Theatre); Hang (The Other Room); The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe (Sherman Theatre); Arabian Nights (Sherman Theatre); Horrible Histories (Sherman Theatre); Speechless (Shared Experience); Romeo and Juliet (Sherman Theatre); Measure for Measure (Sherman Theatre); The Move (Made in Wales); Carers (Turning Point); Cinderella (Unicorn Theatre); Forbidden Fruit (Nottingham); Wishful Thinking (Hijinx); Dealing with Feelings (London Theatre); How High is Up (Theatre Centre); Mirror Mirror (Theatre Centre).

Television includes: The One That Got Away; Mother’s Day; The Light In the Hall; Somewhere Boy; The Pembrokeshre Murders; In My Skin; Relik; Keping Faith; Casualty; Stella; Holby City; Gwaith Cartef; Talking to the Dead; Being Human; Caerdydd; Belonging; Dau Dy A Ni; Nice Day for a Welsh Wedding; Doctors; The Story of Tracy Beaker;  Does;  Bay College; Nuts and Bolts; Pobol Y Cwm; The Bench; The Hull Project.

Film includes: Grappling; G Flat; Wild Geese; I Used To Be Famous; Telling Tales; Sweet 16; Rain; Paradise Grove.

Radio includes: The Garden Centre; Station Road.

Matthew Spencer, Andrew Aguecheek

Matthew trained at Guildhall School of Music and Drama and he has worked extensively throughout Theatre and Screen. His credits include:

Theatre includes: The White Factory (Marylebone Theatre); The Woman in Black (West End, Fortune Theatre); Animal Farm (Birmingham Rep); Amadeus (National Theatre); 1984 (Playhouse Theatre and  International Tour); This Happy Breed (Theatre Royal, Bath); The Invisible Man (Queen’s Theatre); Macbeth (Orange Tree Theatre); Sleuth (Watermill Theatre); Romeo and Juliet (Headlong); The Busy Body (Southwark Playhouse); Tartuffe (Watermill Theatre and Tour); War Horse (National Theatre).

Television includes: Trying (BBC studios/Apple TV); The Girlfriend Experience (Amazon Prime).

Film includes: Magpie (55 films); The Man You’re Not (FMW Films); Alice (Ruby Films/Film 4); The Runner (Emperor’s New).

Katherine Toy, Valentine/Priest

Theatre includes: The Borrowers (Theatre by the Lake, Keswick); The Man in the White Suit (Wyndhams and Bath); Much Ado about Nothing (Rose Theatre, Kingston); Coriolanus, Vice Versa, Salome (RSC); As You Like it, Two Gentlemen of Verona, Stig of the Dump (Storyhouse Chester); The Snow Queen (New Vic Theatre, Newcastle-under-Lyme); Cinderella (Derby Theatre); Brief Encounter (Torch Theatre, Milford Haven); Merlin (Theatre Royal, Northampton); The Goodenoughmumsclub (UK tour); Suitcase 1938 (Hope Street Productions); 3Witches (Hoopla and Belgrade Theatre, Coventry); Othello, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Cyrano de Bergerac (Grosvenor Park, Chester); The Prince and the Pauper (Unicorn Theatre); Treasure Island (Watermill Theatre, Newbury); Caucasian Chalk Circle (Shared Experience); Macbeth (Southwark Playhouse); Pool Piece (Oily Cart); Life of Galileo, Cyrano de Bergerac, The False Servant (National Theatre); Wild Orchids (Chichester Festival Theatre).

Music includes: The Virtuosos; Nicetoy; Ideal Condition tour with Paul Hartnoll; The Shtetl Superstars; Table for Sinners; The Johnson Famiy and Anna 254 and the Gardenists.

Jon Trenchard, Fabian/Musical Director

Training:London Academy of Performing Arts

Theatre includes: The Comedy About A Bank Robbery (Mischief Theatre); Vice Versa, Salome, A Midsummer Night’s Dream (RSC); Two Noble Kinsmen (Shakespeare’s Globe); She Stoops To Conquer, A Government Inspector (Northern Broadsides); The Bolds, Baddies The Musical (Unicorn Theatre); Fiddler On The Roof (Music & Lyrics); Swallows & Amazons, A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Bristol Old Vic); Oh What A Lovely War! (Northern Stage); Sunset Boulevard, Mack & Mabel (The Watermill Theatre); The Taming Of The Shrew, Twelfth Night, The Merchant Of Venice, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, The Comedy of Errors, Richard III (Propeller).

TV/Film includes: The Da Vinci Code, My Family.

Harry Waller, Curio/Officer

Theatre includes: Oliver! (Leeds Playhouse); Love’s Labour’s Lost, Much Ado About Nothing (RSC/West End); The Christmas Truce, Wendy & Peter Pan (RSC); Puffs (New World Stages, Off-Broadway); America is Hard to See (Life Jacket Theatre, NYC/Underbelly, Edinburgh); King Lear (Shakespeare Forum, NYC); The Way of the World, Hobson’s Choice (Sheffield Crucible); Miss Nightingale (New Wolsey Theatre & tour); Parkway Dreams, The Brontës of Dunwich Heath & Cliff (Eastern Angles); The History Boys (West Yorkshire Playhouse & UK tour); Sondheim’s Saturday Night (Jermyn Street Theatre/Arts Theatre). 

Harry is a Co-Founder of Bard City, with Owen Horsley. Alongside running Shakespeare workshops there, he has composed music for several Shakespeare in a Week projects. 

Voiceover credits include: Talking Bulldog (Bulldog Skincare USA “Goodest Man” commercials).

CREATIVE TEAM

Basia Binkowska, Set Designer

Basia Bińkowska is a theatre designer based between London and Poland.

Before completing theatre design course in the UK, she trained in fine arts in her native Poland. She is the Overall Winner of the Linbury Prize for Stage Design 2017 with the winning design for Lyric Hammersmith’s production of othellomacbeth. 

Upcoming Productions include: Twelfth Night (Regent’s Park Open Air); Bluebeard from Bartok – La Danse des morts (Opera National de Lorr); Women as Lovers (Norrlandsoperan AB).

Recent credits include: Cinderella & Poppea (English Touring Opera); Macbeth (English Touring Theatre); Pagliacci and Gianni Schicchi (Nevill Holt Opera); Watch on the Rhine (Donmar Warehouse); SM – Syn Marnotrawny (touring Poland 2022), Vader en Moedertje (Theatre Bellevue, Amsterdam/Grand Theatre, Groningen, Netherlands); La bohème (Nevill Holt Opera); Il Piccolo Principe (Teatro Alla Scala, Milano); Love and Other Acts of Violence (Donmar Warehouse); Arianie (Narodowy Teatr Start, Kraków); ONGOING (Young Vic : Taking Part); Under my Barbie Duvet, Ivan and the Dogs (Young Vic); Where do we go Next? (Bunker Theatre); Talking Heads (Watford Palace Theatre); Mephisto [a Rhapsody] (Gate Theatre); Crooked Dances (Royal Shakespeare Company); Acts of Resistance (Headlong Theatre & Bristol Old Vic); Wolfie (Theatre503); Blood Knot (Orange Tree Theatre); othellomacbeth (Lyric Hammersmith & HOME Manchester).

Rachel Bown-Williams and Ruth Cooper-Brown for Rc-Annie, Fight and Intimacy Directors

Rc-ANNIE Ltd, established in 2005 by Rachel Bown-Williams and Ruth Cooper-Brown, is the UK’s leading Dramatic Violence and Intimacy Company.

Theatre credits include: The Duchess of Malfi, A Midsummer Nights Dream, The Tempest, Hakawatis, Midsummer Mechanicals, I, Joan, Henry VIII, Romeo and Juliet, Macbeth, Emilia, Othello, Boudica, Lions and Tigers, Much Ado About Nothing, Twelfth Night (Shakespeare’s Globe); A Midsummer Nights Dream, The Empress, Julius Caesar, Richard III, Henry VI: Rebellion, The Wars of the Roses, King John, Measure for Measure, The Taming of the Shrew, Tartuffe, The Duchess of Malfi (Royal Shakespeare Company); Bronco Billy (Charing Cross Theatre); Macbeth (Donmar Warehouse); Minority Report (Nottingham Playhouse); Great Expectations (Royal Exchange Manchester); The Boys from the Blackstuff (Liverpool Royal Court/Stockroom and National Theatre); The Pillowman (Duke of York Theatre); It’s Headed Straight Towards Us (The Park Theatre); Linck & Mülhahn, ‘Night Mother (Hampstead Theatre); Noises Off (Theatre Royal Bath/West End); Oklahoma (Young Vic/West End); Newsies (Wesley Troubadour); Baghdaddy (Royal Court Theatre); James IV (Raw Material/Edinburgh Festival Theatre); Never Have I Ever; Crazy for You, The Taxidermist’s Daughter, Plenty (Chichester Festival Theatre); As You Like It (CBBC and Shakespeare’s Globe); The Scandal at Mayerling (Scottish Ballet); Lucia di Lammermoor, Theodora (Royal Opera House); The Father and the Assassin, The Welkin, Three Sisters, Anna, When We Have Sufficiently Tortured Each Other, Peter Pan, The Threepenny Opera, The James Plays (co-production with National Theatre of Scotland/Edinburgh International Festival) and Cleansed (National Theatre); To Kill A Mockingbird (West End)

Ryan Dawson Laight, Costume Designer

For Regent’s Park: La Cage aux Folles (2023). 

Theatre includes: My Son’s A Queer (Lyceum Theatre, Broadway); Burlesque (Manchester Opera House); The Nutcracker for Drew McOnie (Southbank Centre); My Son’s A Queer But What Can You Do (West End – New Ambassadors, Garrick Theatre, Edinburgh and Turbine Theatre); A Sudden Violent Burst of Rain (Gate Theatre); 2022 Roundabout Season (Paines Plough – Edinburgh and Tour); My Brilliant Friend (National Theatre, Associate Costume Design for Soutra Gilmore); 10 shows for CYFT including The Jungle Book (Chichester Festival Theatre); Frankenstein’s Monster Is Drunk And The Sheep Have Jumped All The Fences… and Department Story (Big Telly- Belfast International Arts Festival); Over 25 shows for Creation Theatre as Associate Designer; Torch Song Trilogy (Turbine Theatre, dir. Drew McOnie); for Le Gateau Chocolat: Duckie (Royal Festival Hall), Icons (Edinburgh Festival), Black (Unity Theatre Liverpool/Soho Theatre) and Le Gateau Chocolat (Menier Chocolate Factory); HMS Pinafore, Chess, Blondel and The Mikado (Union Theatre National Tours).

Dance includes: Until We Sleep for Botis Seva (Sadler’s Wells and International Tour); Neighbours for Brigel Gjoka, Rauf “RubberLegz” Yasit & Ruşan Filiztek created in collaboration with William Forsythe (Sadler’s Wells and International Tour); A Tale of Two Cities (Lost Dog/Ben Duke – International Tour), Speak Volumes, Quartier Paradis for Alessandra Seutin (NYDC/Sadler’s Wells), Botis Seva’s Good Youts Walk (Tour), Botis Seva’s BLKDOG (Sadler’s Wells, Olivier Award Best New Dance 2019); Blak Whyte Gray (Boy Blue/Barbican, Olivier Award Nomination 2018); REDD (Boy Blue/Barbican Theatre); Madhead (NYDC/Sadler’s Wells); Wasteland, Coal (Gary Clark Company, UK Theatre Award for Achievement in Dance); Toro, Mariposa, Ham and Passion (DeNada Dance Theatre); Drew McOnie’s Drunk (Leicester Curve/Bridewell Theatre); Je Suis (Aakash Odedra Company/Lillian Baylis Studio, Sadler’s Wells); Ruffle (Carlos Pons Guerra/Rambert Dance/Lowry Theatre); Hear Hear (Deaf Men Dancing, Sadler’s Wells).

Kate Godfrey, Voice and Text Director

Kate was head of the Royal Shakespeare Company’s voice and text department from 2015-2021.

Theatre includes: The Ocean at the end of the Lane (National Theatre and tour); Prima Facie (West End and Broadway); The Crucible (West End, Gielgud); Old Friends (West End, Gielgud);  A Christmas Carol (Nottingham Playhouse and West End); The Enfield Haunting, A Midsummer Night’s Dream (RSC) and The Great Murder Mystery (Lost Estate Productions)

James Hassett,  Associate Sound Designer

For Regent’s Park: La Cage aux Folles; Robin Hood: The Legend. Re-written; Once On This Island; Antigone; 101 Dalmations; Carousel; Romeo and Juliet; Jesus Christ Superstar (also at the Lyric House Chicago/Barbican); Evita; Hansel and Gretel; Little Shop Of Horrors; As You Like It; Turn Of The Screw; On The Town

Theatre includes: Orpheus in the Underworld; The Man of La Mancha; Carousel (ENO); Myth The Rise and Fall of Orpheus (Other Palace); Sunny Afternoon (Harold Pinter); Hetty Feather (Vaudville); We Will Rock You (Dominion); Saucy Jack and the Space Vixens (Leicester Square Theatre); Chitty Chitty Bang Bang (Palladium). As Sound Designer: A Chorus Line; The Beautiful Game (Arts Ed). As Associate Sound Designer: Jesus Christ Superstar (UK Tour); The Last Five Years (Southwark Playhouse); Aladdin (Churchill Theatre).

Daniel Hay Gordon, Movement Director

Daniel’s work as a movement director and choreographer spans dance, opera, theatre and film. He has collaborated with a broad range of artists and independent organisations as well as companies such as The Royal Ballet (Covent Garden), Staats Opera Berlin, The Hollywood Bowl (Los Angeles), Landestheater Passau (Germany), Nevill Holt Opera, Aldeburgh Music Festival, The Print Rooms, Tanzkompagnie Theater St.Gallen (Switzerland), Blind Summit, Akademi, Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama, Anjali Dance Company, the BBC and The Fritz Koenig Museum of Sculpture (Germany). 

Daniel co-directs Thick & Tight with Eleanor Perry. They have presented their work at Sadler’s Wells, London International Mime Festival, The Place, Royal Festival Hall, Barbican, Wilton’s, V&A and The Tate as well as internationally. Their work continually focuses on queerness and the intersection of marginalised communities. They are currently Associate Artists with The Lowry and Artists in Residence at the Philharmonia Orchestra. Thick & Tight were recently nominated for best Independent Dance Company by the Critics Circle Award. 

Lotte Hines, Casting Director

For Regent’s Park: The Tempest reimagined for everyone aged 6 and over (2023); As You Like It (2018); Pride & Prejudice (2016); To Kill a Mockingbird (2013).

Theatre includes: Macbeth (ETT); Mlima’s Tale (Kiln); Never Have I Ever, The Vortex, Mom, How Did You Meet The Beatles? (Chichester Theatre); Accidental Death of an Anarchist (Haymarket/Lyric Hammersmith/ Sheffield Crucible); Harry Potter and The Cursed Child (Sonia Friedman Productions); Influencer (short film) (Young Vic/Financial Times); Romeo and Juliet; Let The Right One In, Nora – A Doll’s House, The Mountaintop, Glee & Me (Royal Exchange Manchester); Closer, Jack and the Beanstalk (Lyric Hammersmith); The Forest (Hampstead Theatre); Data (Sonia Friedman Productions/Financial Times); Ivan and the Dogs, Things of Dry Hours (Young Vic); The Dark (Oval House/UK Tour); Hole (Royal Court Theatre); The Wolves (Theatre Royal Stratford East); Meek (Headlong).

Lotte worked in Royal Court Casting Department 2008 – 2014.

Cory Hippolyte, Associate Director

For Regent’s Park: The Tempest reimagined for everyone aged 6 and over (2023).

As Director: Cory trained at Guildhall School of Music and Drama and since graduating work in theatre includes: for Rutgers Conservatory at Shakespeare’s Globe, Twelfth Night, Comedy of Errors, Anthony and Cleopatra as Assistant Director and will be Directing their upcoming production of Much Ado About Nothing. As Assistant Director  Hansel & Gretel and at Chichester Theatre Festival, Regents Park Open Air and The Unicorn.

Cory also works as a facilitator for The Unicorn Theatre, Guildhall School of Music and Drama, Yard, Half Moon, Soho Theatre, writing and co-directing devised shows for The Kiln Youth Theatre Companies.

As an Actor:

Film includes: Wings (selected for London Film Festival 2023).

Television includes: African Queens; Njinga (Netflix)

Theatre: King Lear (Globe).

Owen Horsley, Director

Owen is Associate Artist of the Royal Shakespeare Company and Associate Director of Cheek By Jowl.

Theatre includes: Henry VI: Rebellion, The War of the Roses, Maydays, Salome, The Famous Victories of Henry V (Royal Shakespeare Company); Linck & Mülhahn (Hampstead Theatre); Dorian (Reading Rep); Diana in Concert (Eventim Apollo); Hamlet (CSC, New York); Miss Littlewood, Boundless as The Sea (RSC/Cunard); Henry V (Shanghai Dramatic Arts Centre); The Picture of Dorian Gray (Watermill Theatre); The Richard Project (American Academy); Outside on the Street (Arcola Theatre/Edinburgh Festival); Edward II (St Andrew’s Crypt); See What I See (St Clements); The Duchess of Malfi (Southwark Playhouse/UK Tour); This Restless House (Drama Centre); Into The Woods, Uncle Vanya, The Two Noble Kinsmen (RWCMD); Antony and Cleopatra, Lysistrata, As You Like It (GSMD); All’s Well That Ends Well (Stella Adler); ‘Tis Pity She’s A Whore (Co-Director, Cheek By Jowl Tour). 

Opera includes: La Cenerentola (Nevill Holt); A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Garsington); Don Giovanni (LaMaMa, New York). 

Owen created Bard City in 2016, offering Shakespeare training in New York and London as well as presenting innovative versions of his plays. 

Sam Kenyon, Composer & Musical Supervisor

Sam Kenyon is a writer, composer and teacher based in London. He wrote the book, music and lyrics for Miss Littlewoodwhich premiered at the RSC in 2018. His first novel, I Am Not Raymond Wallace was published by Inkandescent in 2022. He is currently adapting Les Liaisons Dangereusesas a musical. He read English Literature at Cambridge University before training in Musical Theatre at the Royal Academy of Music.

Composer/Lyricist credits include: Vice Versa, A Midsummer Night’s Dream: A Play for the Nation, The Christmas Truce (RSC); Playing for Time (Sheffield Crucible); The Borrowers (Northern Stage, Winner of Best Show for Children & Young People, UK Theatre Awards 2013); The Glass Slipper (Northern Stage); Best Friends & Butterflies (Winner of Best Show for Young People at the 2000 Vivian Ellis Awards). Sam was commissioned by the BBC to write a verse-narration book for Kurt Weill & Ira Gershwin’s The Firebrand of Florence(Barbican Theatre/Capriccio Records).

Directing credits include: How the Vote was Won (Union Theatre); Oh What a Lovely War (Co-director: Northern Stage & National Tour, nominated for Best Musical Production and Best Performances in a Musical TMA Awards 2011).

As Musical Supervisor: Playing for Time (Sheffield Crucible); The Glee Club(Cast in Doncaster); Close the Coalhouse Door (Northern Stage & National Tour); Swallows & Amazons(Bristol Old Vic, West End & National Tour); Oh What a Lovely War (Northern Stage & National Tour).

Performing credits include: Merrily we Roll Along (Watermill Theatre); Amadeus (Wilton’s Music Hall); Sweeney Todd (Watermill & West End); Sunset Boulevard (Comedy Theatre, West End); As You Like It (Young Vic & Wyndham’s); Les Justes, Ion (The Gate); Macbeth, The Othello Music (BAC).

 Film : Victoria & Abdul (Stephen Frears, 2017); Venus (Roger Michell, 2006).

Aideen Malone, Lighting Designer

For Regent’s Park: Carousel (2021).

Theatre includes: Dracula (National Theatre Scotland); Tess of the d’Ubervilles (Peacock Theatre);  Lemons Lemons Lemons Lemons Lemons (Pinter Theatre);  You Bury Me, Wonder Boy (Bristol Old Vic); Duet For One (Orange Tree);  The Clothes They Stood Up In (Nottingham Playhouse);  Running With Lions (Lyric Hammersmith);  Hamlet (Young Vic); Old Bridge (Bush Theatre);  A Kind Of People (Royal Court); Death of a Salesman (Young Vic & Piccadilly Theatre);  A Monster Calls (Old Vic & Bristol Old Vic); Brighton Rock and A View From A Bridge (York Theatre Royal); La Strada (The Other Palace); Jane Eyre and Peter Pan (National Theatre & Bristol Old Vic); Fiddler On The Roof / Conquest To The North Pole (Liverpool Everyman); Hetty Feather (Duke of York); Napoleon Disrobed and The Strange Tale of Stan Laurel and Charlie Chaplin  (Told By An Idiot); A Raisin in the Sun (Sheffield Theatre).

Musical credits include:  Now Is Good (Storyhouse); Talent (Sheffield Theatre); Worst Witch (Vaudeville).

Dance credits include:  Outwitting The Devil and Kaash (Akram Kahn Co); Darbar Festival (Sadlers Wells); Raft (GED); Unkindest Cut (Sadhana); Time Over Distance Over Time (Liz Roche); La Tete (Jasmin Vardimon).

Opera credits include: Ariodante, Turn of the Screw, The Marriage of Figaro, A Midsummers Night’s Dream, Mary Queen of Scots, Cosi Fan Tutte, Jenufa and Tosca (English Touring Opera).

Architectural credits include: Sadler’s Wells East Foyer.

Max Pappenheim, Sound Designer

Theatre includes The Night of the Iguana (Noel Coward Theatre); Cruise (Duchess Theatre); A Doll’s House Part 2, The Way of the World (Donmar); Henry V (Shakespeare’s Globe); Village Idiot, One Night in Miami (Nottingham Playhouse); Anthropology, Nineteen Gardens, Blackout Songs, Sea Creatures (Hampstead Theatre); Hamlet (Bristol Old Vic/BBC Four); The Children (Royal Court/Broadway); Feeling Afraid As If Something Terrible Is Going To Happen, Old Bridge (Bush Theatre); Ophelias Zimmer (Royal Court/Schaubühne).

Opera and Ballet includes The Marriage of Figaro (Salzburg Festival); Miranda (Opéra Comique, Paris); Hansel and Gretel (BYO/Opera Holland Park); Scraww (Trebah Gardens); Carmen: Remastered (ROH/Barbican). 

Radio includes Home Front (BBC Radio 4). Awards include Off West End Award for Sound Design (Old Bridge). 

Associate Artist of The Faction and Silent Opera.

BOX OFFICE INFORMATION

Box Office 0333 400 3562* | openairtheatre.com                          

Inner Circle, Regent’s Park, London, NW1 4NU

* Lines open Monday – Sunday, 10am – 4pm. A £1.80 per ticket telephone booking fee applies. 0333 numbers are charged at the same rate as calls to 01 and 02 numbers as regulated by Ofcom. Please check with your provider for further details.

Visit openairtheatre.com for latest ticket prices, concessions and discounts.

REGENT’S PARK OPEN AIR THEATRE

Established in 1932, the multi-award-winning Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre is one of the largest theatres in London (at a capacity of 1,304). Passionate about producing popular, enriching and unexpected theatre that provides a lens into the here and now, the scale and ambition of our productions together with our magical outdoor setting, makes us unique in the capital’s cultural landscape. Every year we welcome over 150,000 people to our 20-week summer season.

Drew McOnie assumed the role of Artistic Director in January 2024, taking over from Tim Sheader, and will programme the 2025 season onwards. James Pidgeon was appointed Executive Director in 2021.

Over the last fifteen years, our productions have won seven Olivier Awards, ten WhatsOnStage Awards, and four Evening Standard Awards. We were named London Theatre of the Year in 2017 by The Stage, and received the Highly Commended Award for London Theatre of the Year in 2021. Our productions have toured the UK, and have transferred to both the West End and the United States. Our 2016 revival of Jesus Christ Superstar​ is currently touring North America for the second time, and commenced a UK tour in September 2023.

As a registered charity that receives no regular public subsidy, we rely entirely on earned income and charitable contributions. Nevertheless, we have introduced 33,000 tickets at £15 across the whole of 2024’s summer season, our BREEZE scheme enables those aged 18-25 to buy tickets for £10, and we regularly work with local charities. Each year, on average, we subsidise tickets for 6,000 school pupils.

Food and drink plays a significant role in the Open Air Theatre experience, with our in-house bars and restaurants including Covered Dining (recently certified as a Sustainably Run Restaurant), The Grill and The Pizza Oven. We also have our own picnic lawn and the West End’s longest bar!

Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre has become one of the most independently sustainable and financially successful producing theatres in the country, and we’re proud to embark on the next stage of our vision with ever-increasing artistic ambition and entrepreneurial spirit.

X (formerly Twitter): @OpenAirTheatre

Facebook: RegentsParkOpenAirTheatre

Instagram: @RegentsParkOAT

#OAT2024 / #BearSnoresOn / #TheEnormousCrocodile / #TwelfthNight / #TheSecretGarden / #FiddlerOnTheRoof

2024 SEASON AT A GLANCE

A Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre production

BEAR SNORES ON
Until 21 April 2024

Access performances:

Relaxed: Saturday 6 April, 2pm and Thursday 11 April, 11am

BSL Interpreted: Tuesday 16 April, 1pm

Age Recommend: 4+

Tickets from: £12.50

A Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre production

TWELFTH NIGHT

3 May – 8 June 2024

Access performances:

Captioned: Friday 31 May, 7.30pm

BSL Interpreted: Thursday 6 June,7.30pm

Audio Described & Touch Tour: Saturday 8 June, 2pm

Age Recommend: 12+

Tickets from: £15

A Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre, Roald Dahl Story Company and Leeds Playhouse production

THE ENORMOUS CROCODILE17 May – 8 June 2024

Access performances:

BSL Interpreted: Wednesday 5 June, 10.15am

Audio Described & Touch Tour: Friday 7 June, 1.45pm

Age Recommend: 4+

Tickets from: £15

A Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre production

THE SECRET GARDEN

15 June – 20 July 2024

Access performances:                         

BSL Interpreted: Tuesday 9 July, 7.45pm and Wednesday 17 July, 7.45pm

Relaxed: Sunday 14 July, 5pm

Captioned: Friday 19 July, 7.45pm

Audio Described & Touch Tour: Saturday 20 July, 2.15pm

Age Recommend: 10+

Tickets from: £15

A Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre production

FIDDLER ON THE ROOF27 July – 21 September 2024

Access performances:

BSL Interpreted: Tuesday 3 September, 7.45pm

Captioned: Friday 6 September, 7.45pm

Audio Described & Touch Tour: Saturday 7 September, 2.15pm

Age Recommend: 12+

Tickets from: £15

ON TOUR

David Ian for Crossroads Live and Work Light Productions present

Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre production of

JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR

UK Tour until August 2024

Runaway Entertainment present

101 DALMATIONS

Reimagined from the 2022 Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre production

UK Tour from June 2024

FURTHER CASTING ANNOUNCED

ELAINE C. SMITH

TO PLAY THE ROLE OF ‘THE CHILDCATCHER’

JOINING

ADAM GARCIA AS ‘CARACTACUS POTTS’

EMMERDALE STAR LIAM FOX AS ‘GRANDPA POTTS’

AND

ELLIE NUNN AS ‘TRULY SCRUMPTIOUS’

IN

THE NEW PRODUCTION OF THE

MOST FANTASMAGORICAL MUSICAL OF ALL TIME
CHITTY CHITTY BANG BANG

OPENING AT

MAYFLOWER THEATRE, SOUTHAMPTON

ON 30 APRIL 2024
AHEAD OF A UK TOUR

David Ian for Crossroads Live is delighted to announce that Elaine C. Smith will play the role of The Childcatcher in the new production of the most fantasmagorical musical of all time, CHITTY CHITTY BANG BANG opening at Mayflower Theatre, Southampton on Tuesday 30 April 2024 where it plays until 12 May 2024, before embarking on a UK tour. www.chittyontour.com

Casting schedule and listings below. Elaine C. Smith will play the role in Edinburgh, Aberdeen, Glasgow and Inverness only. Casting for the role of The Childcatcher in all other venues to be announced soon.

Elaine will join Olivier-nominee Adam Garcia as Caractacus Potts, Emmerdale star Liam Fox as Grandpa Potts, Ellie Nunn as Truly Scrumptious, Martin Callaghan as Baron/Sid, Jenny Gayner as Baroness/Violet, Adam Stafford as Boris, Michael Joseph as Goran and John Macaulay as The Toymaker. The cast also includes Charlie Bishop, Ruaraidh Blackwood, Hadrian Delacey, Belle Kizzy Green, Tia Gyngell, Kirsty Ingram, Bibi Jay, Isabella Mason, Joe Press, Theo UK Rose, Molly Rees Howe, Callum Train and Luke Woollaston.

The roles of Jeremy and Jemima Potts will be shared by Gracie Cochrane, Ayrton English, Isla Ithier, Isabella Manning, Charlie McGuire, Jasmine Nyenya, Roshan Thomson and Louis Wilkins.

Elaine C. Smith is one of Scotland’s best known performers. For over 30 years she has worked extensively in radio, television, film and theatre. She is perhaps best known for her portrayal of Mary Doll, wife of Rab in the six series of the iconic BBC comedy production Rab C Nesbitt which started out as a sketch in Naked Video. Elaine also had leading roles in City Lights and 2000 Acres of Skye. She is one of the few women in the UK to consistently headline in major pantomimes completing eight years at His Majesty’s Theatre in Aberdeen and has just finished her 13^th year at the Glasgow Kings for which she won an award as Best Fairy in the British Pantomime Awards in London in 2018. Elaine started out touring in political theatre with 7.84 Theatre CO and then Wildcat but also with Borderline, the Lyceum Theatre, The Tron and also includes being the original Dolly in The Steamie and in her own company’s production of Shirley Valentine. Elaine was Cora in the original UK tour and West End run of Calendar Girls followed by her portrayal of Susan Boyle in the UK musical tour of I Dreamed a Dream which she co-wrote with Alan McHugh. She has recorded three series of her own award winning STV series Burds Eye View and last year appeared again as the outrageous Christine in the seventh series of the hit BBC sitcom Two Doors Down for which she won a Scottish BAFTA for Best Actress in 2018.

Adam Garcia recently received rave reviews as Julian Marsh in Curve and Sadler’s Wells hit production of 42^nd Street. His musical theatre credits include Tony Manero in Saturday Night Fever and Bill Calhoun in Kiss Me, Kate, for which he received Olivier Award nominations for both roles. His other theatre credits include Fiyero in Wicked, The Artilleryman in The War of the Worlds and Damien Karras in The Exorcist. His film credits include Kenneth Branagh’s Death on the Nile and Murder on the Orient Express, Confessions of a Teenage Drama Queen, Coyote Ugly and Riding in Cars with Boys. Adam recently appeared as a finalist in the UK series of The Masked Dancer, finishing in second place.

Liam Fox is probably best known for playing the role of Dan Spencer in ITV’s Emmerdale, where he featured in more than a thousand episodes. His many other TV credits include Stephen Poliakoff’s Dancing on the Edge, Cold Feet, Coronation Street, Hollyoaks, Clocking Off, A Touch of Frost, Always and Everyone, At Home with the Braithwaites and Dinnerladies. His many theatre credits include The Collector and Tuesday’s Class, both at The Lowry Studio and Iron at Manchester’s Royal Exchange.

Ellie Nunn’s many theatre credits include Identical at Nottingham Playhouse, the UK tour of Posh, Shakespeare in Love at the Noel Coward Theare, Twelfth Night at Leicester Square Theatre, The Game of Love and Chance and Daughter in Law, both at the Arcola Theatre, Honk! at the Union Theatre and on tour and Gatsby at the Arts Theatre.

Based on Ian Fleming’s timeless story for children and later made into the famous 1968 film, CHITTY CHITTY BANG BANG features the unforgettable songs by the Sherman Brothers including Toot Sweets, Hushabye Mountain, Truly Scrumptious and the Academy Award-nominated title song, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang.

This new production will be directed by Thom Southerland (Titanic, Parade), choreographed by Karen Bruce (BBC’s Strictly Come Dancing, The Bodyguard) with Set and Costume design by Morgan Large (Newsies, Joseph and the Technicolour Dreamcoat), Lighting design by Ben Cracknell, Sound design by Gareth Tucker, Musical Supervision by George Dyer (The Wizard of Oz, Annie, Billy Elliot) and casting by Debbie O’Brien.

In CHITTY CHITTY BANG BANG we meet absent-minded inventor Caractacus Potts who restores a broken-down old racing car with the help of his children Jemima and Jeremy. Soon the family discover the car has magical powers, and along with the delectable Truly Scrumptious, the family end up on a hilarious fantastical adventure to far off lands.

CHITTY CHITTY BANG BANG has Music and Lyrics by Richard M. Sherman and Robert B. Sherman, Music by Special Arrangement with Sony/ATV Publishing and is Adapted for the Stage by Jeremy Sams. Based on the MGM Motion Picture the Licensed Script is adapted by Ray Roderick. It was Originally produced by Eon Productions, Dana Broccoli, Frederick Zollo, Nicholas Paleologos, Jeffrey Sine, Miriam Productions and Michael Rose at The London Palladium.

This production is presented by permission of Music Theatre International.