Opportunity announced for ‘Be Our Guest’ Bursaries –
As part of Hull Truck Theatre’s
Grow Festival 2024
Hull Truck Theatre are excited to once again be offering three bursaries to local artists or theatre companies to develop new ideas for testing in front of a live audience this June.
Each successful Be Our Guest bursary recipient will receive £1,500 along with five days of rehearsal space at Hull Truck Theatre to develop their work. The residency opportunity will coincide with the theatre’s GrowFestival 2024, which aims to support artists and develop local talent with a programme of sharing workshops and networking opportunities. The festival offers a platform for artists of all ages and at any point in their careers to share their work with local audiences and make new industry connections.
Luke Dankoff, Producer / Programmer at Hull Truck Theatre said:
“We are proud to continue Hull Truck Theatre’s long-standing history of supporting the creation of new work with the ‘Be Our Guest’ residency. We understand the current challenges facing artists and believe that the Be Our Guest offer reflects our commitment to local artists, providing support through all stages of their careers.”
There are three bursaries available as part of Be Our Guest for to anyone aged 18+ who lives in (or is originally from) Hull or the East Riding of Yorkshire. Hull Truck Theatre is looking to support and develop bold new work that has not been performed before, offering a platform to present something inspiring, important, or uniquely fun and entertaining. Applications are open to writers, directors, actors, movement directors – either as individuals or a collective. Please note that pieces of work that have been fully staged before and adaptations or revivals will not be considered, unless you can demonstrate that your approach to the story is new and innovative.
AnastasiiaManina, Be Our Guest Bursary Recipient 2023, said:
“I am incredibly grateful to Hull Truck Theatre for their ongoing support of the project that was staged within the Grow Season 2023. I’ve found comprehensive support and much respect from Hull Truck Theatre all the way through implementation of the project.
Successful artists will spend a week in residence at the theatre and at the end of the week share their work with a live audience in the Godber studio. There will be access to the theatre’s artistic, production, communications and technical departments for support and mentoring if required.
For more information and to apply for this exciting opportunity, please apply online by Friday 15th March. Visit Get Involved | HullTruckTheatre
If any of this process is inaccessible to you, please contact Hull Truck Theatre on [email protected] to let them know how you would like to apply e.g., by video, and they will work with you to accommodate your requirements.
Tickets for the Be Our Guest sharing will be made available to buy from April via the Hull Truck Theatre website and will be priced on a Pay What You Can (PWYC) basis.
Written by Chris Chibnall, this hilarious play is set to make your evening!
Set in real time, Jen and Mark (Laura Main and Sam Alexander) are expecting their first baby and are tackling the challenges of pre-parenthood. The dynamic between this couple was electric; genuinely touching but with the occasional debate about parking, traffic and how firm the birthing pool needs to be. Both Laura and Sam added a tender touch to these roles that mimics real life perfectly.
Accompanied by Marks Dad Dave (James Gaddas), Dave’s outrageous girlfriend Alize (Valerie Antwi), Jen’s mum/doula hopeful Eileen (Sherry Baines) and the neighbour upstairs, Paul (David Partridge), who has a vendetta against the local badger, this love story turns into a chaotic disaster of love and affection. The badger was by far one of the funniest parts of this play-which had us in stitches!
Simon Kenny’s set design is great, using screens to show smartphone interactions and adding to the overarching plot. The stage was realistic, well laid out and every inch of the stage was utilised. This show is about how to combat birthing …. but what can you really expect when you are expecting?
Bumper Christmas Season at Liverpool Everyman & Playhouse as Rocky Horror Show Announced for 2024, alongside Rapunzel
Christmas 2023 proved to be another bumper season at the Liverpool Everyman and Playhouse, with the annual Rock ‘n’ Roll panto Cinderella playing to full houses and standing ovations, while the West End hit The Woman in Black spooked audiences at the Playhouse. The theatres have already announced Rapunzel at the Everyman (16 November to 18 January), with Richard O’Brien’s global sensation Rocky Horror Show taking up residency for the festive season at the Liverpool Playhouse (3 December to 4 January).
Cinderella and The Woman in Black attracted a diverse audience of all ages, with performances enjoyed by over 45,000 people, a quarter of whom were children and young people attending as families, with schools and with youth groups. As the theatres share their plans for Christmas 2024, Mark Da Vanzo, CEO for the Liverpool Everyman and Playhouse said:
“We’ve been thrilled at the brilliant success of this year’s festive season and want to say a huge thank you to those who joined us, who shared their love for the shows on social media and to those who generously donated to our annual appeal, which raised over £8,000 towards our Young Everyman Playhouse [YEP] programme. I’d also like to pay tribute to the exceptional efforts of all the team here who ensured the smooth-running of our shows on and off stage, welcoming so many to our theatres and to our city. For the first time ever, we went on sale with our iconic Rock ‘n’ Roll panto for 2024 as we opened the 2023 show, with Rapunzel already selling over 4,000 seats. Adding the Rocky Horror Show to our Christmas calendar is an incredible coup for us and we can’t wait to have both our theatres filled with laughter and music.”
Richard O’Brien’s legendary musical The Rocky Horror Show has been enjoyed by 30 million people across the globe and is packed full of timeless classics including Sweet Transvestite, Damn it Janet, and of course, the pelvic thrusting show stopping Time Warp. It’s sure to be the biggest Christmas party in Liverpool, with extra performances during Christmas and New Year’s Eve too.
Tickets are now on sale for both shows, priced from £15 to £60. Rapunzel is at the Liverpool Everyman from Saturday 16 November to Saturday 18 January, while at the Liverpool Playhouse Rocky Horror Show is showing from Tuesday 3 December to Saturday 4 January. For more information and to book visit www.everymanplayhouse.com
“Rock’n’roll reimagining of Ibsen’s timeless drama is revolutionary”
David Binder Productions and Wessex Grove today announce that Thomas Ostermeier’s bold reimagining of Henrik Ibsen’s An Enemy of the People, originally produced at SchaubühneBerlin,extends due to public demand, now completing its run on 13 April.
★★★★★ Radio Times
“This unflinching Matt Smith reimagining shines.
You’ll be thinking about the show for days afterwards”
Opening last night at the Duke of York’s Theatre this “surreal, provocative and very funny” (Time Out) production stars Matt Smith as Dr Stockmann alongside Jessica Brown Findlay (Katharina Stockmann), Priyanga Burford (Aslaksen), Zachary Hart (Billing), Paul Hilton (Peter Stockmann), Nigel Lindsay (Morten Kiil), and Shubham Saraf (Hovstad).
★★★★ Financial Times
“Matt Smith is terrific in this blistering production”
David Binder Productions and Wessex Grove present
AN ENEMY OF THE PEOPLE
by Henrik Ibsen
In a version by Thomas Ostermeier and Florian Borchmeyer
Conceived and directed by: Thomas Ostermeier
Originally produced by Schaubühne Berlin
What is truth without power?
Doubt spreads faster than disease in Ibsen’s thought-provoking play about truth in a society driven by power and money.
When Dr Stockmann makes an unbelievable discovery about the healing waters in his local baths, he holds the future of the town in his hands, but those with everything to lose refuse to accept his word. As the battle goes beyond contaminated water, barriers are broken in this contemporary production as Ostermeier shows us why this perennial classic will be relevant forever.
Making his West End debut, celebrated director Thomas Ostermeier‘s iconoclastic production of An Enemy of the People premieres at the Duke of York’s Theatre for a strictly limited run.
Sheffield Lyceum Theatre – until Saturday 24 February 2024
Reviewed by Amarjeet Singh
5*****
Mischief, the creators of ‘The Play That Goes Wrong’, now into its 10th year, are still wowing audiences with its guaranteed mayhem, brings us the rather delicious ‘Peter Pan Goes Wrong’. The gags in this production are aimed at a slightly more grown-up audience with its sauce and sea faring theme, yet it’s still cleverly crafted with its deceptively simple but ingenious premise: of a show that falls apart before its even started, in the most startling and hilarious fashion.
The story revolves around the Cornley Youth Theatre, attempting to stage a well-known children’s classic, Peter Pan. Its most definitely not a pantomime, oh yes it is, oh no it isn’t. There is in fighting, romance, affairs, terrible acting, props which appear to operate on their own. Sets which have not passed any kind of health and safety test and spookly self-playing audition tapes which reveal the true motivations behind some of the players.
The cast were outstanding, never missing a beat, running around the theatre before the performance had started causing chaos and mayhem and a real stir of excitement amongst the audience. Jake Burgum played Trevor, the put-upon stagehand wonderfully, who had to give more of himself then he had anticipated. Jack Michael Stacey played the pompous and highly strung director Chris to perfection, his breaking of the fourth wall and sparring with the audience was a delight. Matthew Howell’s Robert shined as the mumbling pirate and as the sultry shadow. Clark Devlin was brilliant as gormless, line-fed Dennis. Ciara Morris plays Wendy Darling earnestly which is the right balance in light of the chaos surrounding her.
Gareth Tempest played as suave Peter Pan, his acrobatic spinning skills were impressive. Rosemarie Akwafo made us squirm as calamitous Lucy who whilst overcoming stage fright encountered a series of barriers of a different nature. Theo Toksvig-Stewart’s Max is snap snap snappy, making the most of his roles of Michael and The Crocodile, but why shouldn’t he be…his uncle paid heavily for them. An absolute stand out for me was Jamie Birkett, she brought oodles of physical comedy to all her roles and was the mistress of the quick-change gag, smashing it as Mrs Darling, Maid Lisa and Tinker Bell, as well as having the most beautiful singing voice.
Simon Scullion’s set is incredible, revolving from scene to scene which amps up to a frenetic pace in the finale. Adam Meggido’s direction in the energetic, high stakes end sequence is an experience to behold. This show is packed to the rafters with gags galore and not a moment to be bored, just pure silliness and unadulterated fun from beginning to it’s explosive, and I mean explosive end
TODRICK HALL TO JOIN ERIC McCORMACK, RACHEL TUCKER, JAMIE MUSCATO, OLIVER TOMPSETT & TORI ALLEN-MARTIN IN WORLD PREMIERE OF NEW MUSICAL ‘WILD ABOUT YOU’ IN CONCERT
We are delighted to announce that Todrick Hall will be joining Eric McCormack, Rachel Tucker, Jamie Muscato, Oliver Tompsett and Tori Allen-Martin in the new musical in concert Wild About You, which is making its World Premiere at Theatre Royal Drury Lane on 25th and 26th March.
Wild About You is a new musical with music and lyrics by Chilina Kennedy and book by Eric Holmes.
When Olivia finds herself in the hospital with limited memory, she must dig through her messy past to figure out which of the loves of her life is her emergency contact, only to understand that her desire to make everyone happy has left no one happy. Through a series of realizations, she reclaims her right to be flawed and loved in all her human complexity. However, as she regains clarity, tragedy strikes, but that is when Olivia literally moves Heaven and Earth to reconnect with her greatest love – her son.
Eric McCormack:
Best known for his eleven seasons as “Will Truman” on NBC’s Will & Grace, Eric McCormack was nominated for four Emmy Awards and six Golden Globes, receiving the Emmy for Lead Actor in a Comedy in 2001. He served as a producer, director and leading actor on three seasons of Travelers, for Netflix, and for three seasons of Perception. Other series include Lonesome Dove: The OutlawYears, Atypical, Trust Me, Departure and Slasher. Born in Toronto, McCormack got his start in theatres across Canada, including five seasons with the Stratford Festival, eventually starring on Broadway in Tony-nominated productions ofThe Music Man, Gore Vidal’s The Best Man and in this year’s hit comedy, The Cottage. Films include Holy Man, The Architect, Free Enterprise and the award-winning Canadian comedy, Drinkwater. You can hear Eric and his old Will & Grace pal, Sean Hayes, on their new hit show “Just Jack & Will”. Eric splits his time between Vancouver and Los Angeles and has been honored with a star on Canada’s Walk of Fame and the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
Todrick Hall:
TODRICK HALL – With over 9 million followers across several social media platforms, Mr. Hall is one of the most high-profile and prolific storytellers in the world. He has collaborated with superstars in every industry including: Beyoncé, Taylor Swift, Ariana Grande, RuPaul and Chaka Khan.
Since his namesake in a television show “Todrick” aired on MTV, he has been featured on a dozen more. He has written, co-produced, and released seventeen studio albums; composed the “Magic Happens” parade at Disneyland; collaborated on brand deals with Calvin Klein, Just Dance, Samsung, Skittles and Virgin Airlines; directed, choreographed and headlined eight world tours; and appeared in and co-executive produced Taylor Swift’s LGBTQ+ anthem “You Need to Calm Down”, for which he also won a Video Music Award.
Mr. Hall was in the original Broadway casts of The Color Purple and Memphis. He starred as Lola in Kinky Boots, Ogie in Waitress, and played Billy Flynn in Chicago on Broadway and the West End. Todrick contributed songs to the film-to-stage adaptation of Burlesque, and will be creating the role of Sean in the world premiere this summer.
Jamie Muscato:
Theatre: Christian in Moulin Rouge! (Piccadilly Theatre); Guy in Once In Concert (London Palladium); Enjolras in Les Misérables The Staged Concert (Sondheim Theatre); Tony in West Side Story (Leicester Curve); JD in Heathers (Theatre Royal Haymarket/ The Other Palace); Story Edward in Big Fish (The Other Palace); Ben in Lazarus (Kings Cross Theatre); George Jacob Holyoake in A Subject of Scandal and Concern (Finborough Theatre); Jake in Stay Awake Jake (The Vaults); Joe in Bend it Like Beckham (Phoenix Theatre); Anthony in Sweeney Todd (Welsh National Opera); Nathan in House of Mirrors and Hearts (Arcola Theatre); Eddie in Dogfight (Southwark Playhouse); The Light Princess (National Theatre); Rock of Ages (Shaftesbury Theatre); Love Story (Duchess Theatre); Jean Prouvaire in Les Misérables (25 Anniversary tour); Spring Awakening (Novello/ Lyric Hammersmith). TV and Film: Chemistry of Death (Paramount+); Darkness Rising (Channel 4/NBC); Pistol (FX Network); The Colour Of Spring (Winterlight Productions); The Trial of Christine Keeler (BBC); The Nun (New Line Cinema/ Warner Bros); Cilla (ITV); Les Miserables (Working Title Films).
Rachel Tucker:
Rachel Tucker is an Olivier Award nominated Actress who has just guest starred as Norma Desmond in Jamie Lloyd’s production of Sunset Boulevard at the Savoy Theatre. She recently starred in Come From Away at the Gerald Schoenfeld Theatre on Broadway, playing the role of Annette/Beverley Bass: the role she originated in London. Rachel received her Olivier Nomination for Best Actress in a Supporting Role in a Musical at the 2019 Olivier Awards and Best Supporting Actress in a Musical at the 2020 WhatsOnStage Awards for her performances in this role.
An experienced screen actress – she can be seen playing the role of Siobhan O’Hare in Northern Irish Television series Hope Street for BBC One.
Theatre credits include: Songs For a New World (London Palladium & Streaming), Elphaba in Wicked (West End, Broadway and the London 10th Anniversary Cast); Meg Dawson in Sting’s musical The Last Ship (Neil Simon Theatre, New York and Bank of America Theatre, Chicago); Communicating Doors (Menier Chocolate Factory); Jen in John and Jen (Southwark Playhouse) for which she won Best Lead Performance In A Musical in the Off West End Awards OFFIES 2022; Farragut North (Southwark Playhouse) and Meat in We Will Rock You (Dominion).
Television credits: Siobhan O’Hare in Hope Street (BBC1/BritBox); Sharon Collins in Informer (BBC1/Neal Street productions) and I’d Do Anything (BBC), where she reached the semi-final stages for the role of Nancy in Cameron Mackintosh’s Oliver
Oliver Tompsett:
THEATRE: Ramsey in In Dreams (Leeds and Toronto); Edward Lewis in Pretty Woman (Savoy Theatre); Shakespeare in &Juliet (Shaftesbury); Charlie Price in Kinky Boots (Adelphi); Sky Masterson in Guys and Dolls (Phoenix); Galileo in We Will Rock You (Dominion); Drew Boley in Rock of Ages (Dominion); Fiyero in Wicked (Apollo Victoria); Phil Davis in White Christmas (West Yorkshire Playhouse); Starlight Express (The Other Palace); The World Goes Round (St. James); The Royal Hunt of the Sun (The National); Mamma Mia! (Prince of Wales); Our House (Cambridge); Caliph in Kismet (Arcola); Harry Lytton in Over My Shoulder (Wyndham’s) and Tony in West Side Story (Canizzaro Park Festival).
WORKSHOPS: Ghost; The WallandHoods The Musical
FILMS: Chauncey in Showdogs (Open Road Films) and Jake in The Hard Way (Fireapple).
Tori Allen-Martin
Tori is a regular in BBC 1 comedy Here We Go and was previously seen as a leading regular in 4 series of BBC’s London Kills and as a regular on Channel 4’s Pure.
Further television credits include Mrs Sidhu Investigates (Acorn); Significant Other (Hatrick); Plebs: The War (the finale) (Rise films); The Other Half (Ranga Bee Productions); Flatshare (42 for Paramount+); Back To Life (Two Brothers Pictures); and Pandemonium (BBC).
Recent stage credits include Samuel Takes a Break (The Yard Theatre); Then, Now and Next (Southwark Playhouse); Park Bench (Park Theatre); One Man, Two Guvnors (New Wolsey, Ipswich/Nuffield Southampton); The Season (Glass Half Full Productions and Tim Johanson); The Hardest One (The Other Palace/ Criterion); and Hair the Musical (European tour).
The World Premiere Recording
The album was released on 17th November under the Broadway Records label. The all-star recording includes Jackie Burns (Wicked), Kennedy Caughell (Paradise), Jenn Colella (Come From Away), Rachel Ling Gordon (How the Grinch Stole Christmas), Aisha Jackson (Once Upon a One More Time), Joaquina Kalukango (Tony Award® winner for Paradise Square), Chilina Kennedy (Beautiful: The Carole King Musical), Eric McCormack (Emmy Award winner for Will & Grace), Jay McKenzie (Beautiful: The Carole King Musical), Katherine McPhee (Smash), Jessie Mueller (Tony Award® winner for Beautiful: The Carole King Musical), Alex Newell (Tony Award® winner for Shucked), Paul Alexander Nolan (Parade), Noah J. Ricketts (Frozen) and Lea Salonga (Tony Award® winner for Miss Saigon)
Wild About You Album Tracks:
Floating and Falling – Katharine McPhee
Bad Day Box – Jackie Burns & Paul Alexander Nolan
Wild About You – Jenn Colella & Chilina Kennedy
Gold – Jessie Mueller
Fast Train – Jay McKenzie
High- Noah J. Ricketts, Chilina Kennedy, Eric McCormack & Jenn Colella
What I’m Here To Find – Joaquina Kalukango
Without You – Kennedy Caughell & Rachel Ling Gordon
I Wouldn’t Call It Love – Aisha Jackson
Take Us Down – Chilina Kennedy & Noah J. Ricketts
Dangerous Lines – Alex Newell
Here – Lea Salonga
The album is produced by two-time Tony Award®winner Brian Spector (www.keakaproductions.com) and Daniel Edmonds, who also serves as the album’s Music Supervisor/Director, Arranger and Orchestrator.
Chilina Kennedy (Music & Lyrics) is an award-winning actress, writer, composer, and the Artistic Producer of Eclipse Theatre Company. She has been writing original music for over 20 years and most recently contributed an original song to the new Canadian song cycle ‘Til Then’. Chilina is the longest running “Carole King” in Beautiful: The Carole King Musical on Broadway, playing over 1,200 performances. Other Broadway roles include “Annie” in Paradise Square and “Mary” in Des McAnuff’s Jesus Christ Superstar (2012). Chilina played “Dina“ in the North American Tour of The Band’s Visit (Toronto Theatre Critics’ Award), originated “Phoebe” in A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder (CT and San Diego Critics’ Circle Nominations) and “Binky” in This Ain’t No Disco (Atlantic Theatre Company). Film: With Me (BravoFact, NY Shorts and Whistler Film Festivals) and “Elle” in The Human Voice (OAC).
Chilina honored Carole King at the 2015 Kennedy Center Honors by playing and singing Aretha Franklin, James Taylor, Sara Bareilles and Janelle Monáe.
Multiple award winner Eric Holmes (Book) has a proven track record of succession both stage andscreen. Eric was a writer on the critically acclaimed TV series The Good Fight on Paramount+ for four seasons. His musical Fly More Than You Fall, co-written with Nat Zegree, received nine regional BroadwayWorld Awards, including Best Musical and Best New Work, at its premiere at the NOORDA Center in Orem, Utah. His musical, Born Country, that he wrote with his wife Erin Holmes, received a NYC workshop in 2023 helmed by Kenneth Ferrone (Grease Live! and the Broadway bound musical The Wanderer). Eric has recieevd the David S. Hawes Scholarship for his farce Nearly Departed and was nominated for the Otis Guernsey New Voices Playwriting Award for his play Black Friday. He participated in the LARK’s Writer’s Retreat and was a writer in residence at The New Harmony Project. Other credits include Evil (CBS), Smash (NBC).
Nick Winston- Director & Choreographer: Nick has over 100 production credits to his name, and his work has been seen in 25 countries across four continents. His West End musical credits include “Bonnie & Clyde” (WhatsOnStage Award for Best Musical), “Fame”, “Annie”, “Loserville” (Olivier Award nomination for Best New Musical), and the acclaimed concert productions of “Chess” and “The Secret Garden”.
Casting: Harry Blumenau
General Management: Carter Dixon McGill Productions
Opening hours extended again! The Olivier-nominated international stage sensation THE CHOIR OF MAN now in its second singsational year continues its sell-out West End run at the Arts Theatre, with new tickets released for dates until 29 September 2024.
Welcome to THE JUNGLE, the best pub in the world.
Here, an (extra)ordinary cast of nine guys combine beautiful harmonies and foot-stomping singalongs with first-rate tap dance and poetic meditations on the power of community.
Brimming with hits from artists such as Queen, Luther Vandross, Sia, Paul Simon, Adele, Guns & Roses, Avicii and Katy Perry to name but a few, this is a pub like no other!
An uplifting celebration of community and friendship with something for everyone – including free beer! Enjoy 90 minutes of feel-good, foot-stomping entertainment unlike anything else in the West End.
The cast members who are staying as pub regulars are Adam Bayjou (The Choir of Man – US Tour, Les Misérables – West End)as ‘The Hard Man’, Michele Maria Benvenuto (The Choir of Man – Norwegian Cruise Line, West End debut), as ‘The Maestro’, Ben Goffe (Hex – National Theatre, Snow White at the London Palladium – London Palladium) as ‘The Handyman’, Luke Conner Hall (Bat Out of Hell – International Tour, Australia/New Zealand, Peacock Theatre, QUEENZ: The Show With Balls! – Coventry, Edinburgh Fringe, UK Tour) as ‘The Romantic’, Mark Irwin (The Choir of Man – Korea, US Tour, Sydney Opera House, Norwegian Cruise Line, European Tour, The Commitments – Palace Theatre) as ‘The Barman’ withSam Ebenezer (The Mousetrap – St Martin’s Theatre, Cinderella – Sunderland Empire) moving from swing to a permanent role as ‘The Poet’ and Niall Woodson (making his West End debut) continuing as a swing.
Choir of Man International alumni joining the West End Company include Robert Godfrey (Choir of Man – Sydney Opera House)as ‘The Beast’, with Seán Keany (Once in Concert – West End, China and Japan, The Choir of Man – Korea) and Richard Lock (Original ‘Beast’ in The Choir Of Man – West End) to join as swings.
New cast joining The Jungle from Tuesday 12 March are Sam Pope (Bat Out of Hell – UK Tour) as ‘The Joker’, swing Alex James Ellison (Fiver at Southwark Playhouse, Glory Ride – The Other Palace) and finally music producer and bassist from Metronomy, Olugbenga Adelekan will be making his West End debut as ‘The Pub Bore’.
The on-stage band has Emmanuel Nana Kwasi Bonsu on drums, Jack Hartigan on guitar, Darius Luke Thompson on violin and Sam Tookey on bass.
THE CHOIR OF MAN previously played three sell-out seasons at the Sydney Opera House and multiple sold-out US and European tours. Following its last run at the Arts Theatre from October 2021 to April 2022, it received an Olivier nomination for Best Entertainment or Comedy Play, and then went on to play in Coventry as part of the City of Culture Assembly Festival season and at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. The show re-opened at the Arts Theatre in October 2022, and has continued to see many sold-out shows, with loyal audiences returning again and again. In 2023 the show announced partnerships with suicide prevention charity CALM (The Campaign Against Living Miserably), and Big Drop Brewing Co – the world’s first brewer dedicated to alcohol-free beer – as the show’s Official Alcohol-Free Beer Partner.
THE CHOIR OF MAN is created by Nic Doodson and Andrew Kay, directed by Nic Doodson, with musical supervision, vocal arrangements and orchestrations by Jack Blume, movement direction and choreography by Freddie Huddleston, monologues written by Ben Norris, scenic design by Oli Townsend, lighting design by Richard Dinnen, costume design and associate scenic design by Verity Sadler, sound design by Sten Severson, casting by Debbie O’Brien. Tom Brandon (Original ‘Hard Man’) serves as Associate Director with Lee Freeman as Musical Director and Adam Hilton as associate movement director.
The show is produced by Immersive Everywhere, Nic Doodson, Andrew Kay, Wendy & Andy Barnes, Gavin Kalin and Hunter Arnold.
Nic Doodson said, “We’re absolutely delighted to extend the opening hours of The Choir of Man in the West End. Since first opening at the Arts Theatre in 2021, it’s come to be a real home for us and we love opening the doors to The Jungle, our onstage pub, and welcoming everyone in to share an evening of stories, song and of course, a beer or two. The new company that will be the landlords of The Jungle are an incredible group of performers and we can’t wait for not only our regulars but also our new visitors to see them every night!“
Rachel Stockdale’s powerful and hilarious Fat Chance heads on tour this spring UK Tour March – April 2024
Written and performed by Rachel Stockdale, this powerful one-woman play Fat Chance is heading on tour from 8th March, International Woman’s Day. This funny and honest production, directed by Jonluke McKie, explores Stockdale’s true-life experiences of weight gain from size 8 to size 18 as she rebels against toxic beauty standards and expectations, and takes back the word fat.
Stockdale (Scar Top, BBC Radio 4; The Black Prince, Netflix), a fat, benefit-class actress from Middlesbrough, explores her experiences as she fights against conformity and celebrates her own body in this critically acclaimed production. The audience is invited to dive in headfirst with Stockdale as she faces challenges on her journey to carve out a career as an actress, all while tackling diet culture, stigma and audition nerves.
Writer and performer Rachel Stockdale comments, It’s important to have authentic fat representation on stage and I think being confident and happy in my skin as a woman who is a size 18-20 is pretty radical. We’re seeing an increasing number of people taking Ozempic (diabetes medication) to lose weight regardless of the impact on their health and actors winning awards for daring to wear a fat suit and be seen as ugly (I have strong opinions on The Whale’s fatphobia!). As a professional actor I’ve been told by top agents that even though I have talent I’m ‘too Northern, fat and female’. Fat Chance is a funny, reflective look at my life and struggles to succeed in an industry that doesn’t want to represent people like me.
Fat Chance is for anyone who’s felt like they had to shrink themselves, adapted to be more palatable to others, put on or lost weight and been treated differently and anyone who’s had free school dinners. Fat Chance is an opportunity for anyone who feels they don’t fit to come along and celebrate themselves.
Previous praise for Fat Chance:
Eat your heart out Jo Brand, there’s a new girl on the block and one with a message to boot. -★★★★ The Reviews Hub
I’ve never felt an audience collectively hold its breath in sheer shock and anticipation. This is raw and this is real. – ★★★★★ The Crack Magazine
On rare occasions… you get to see a theatre performer who changes the way you see the world. So it was when Rachel Stockdale held the stage and audience… in Fat Chance. – ★★★★★ North East Bylines
The tour of Fat Chance has been made possible with funding from the National Lottery through Arts Council England, and in associated with Northern Stage.
theSpaceUK announce over 100 shows go on sale at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe 2024
Clockwise from the top: Death Becomes Us, Tom Hearn Live: How Fabulous is That?, Thots and Prayers
It’s time to bring a little cheer into your life as theSpaceUK announces the first shows on sale for the 2024 Edinburgh Festival Fringe. With over 100 shows are going on sale, here’s a quick peak at some you should definitely book early for
Theatre Double Fringe First winners, Xhloe and Natasha are back with the absurd brilliance of A Letter to Lyndon B Johnson or God: Whoever Reads This First. After picking up consecutive Fringe Firsts in the last two years, the talented NYC based duo are back with their brand new two-hander that explores the complexities of the idealised American childhood and the lingering impact it leaves behind.
Explore the revolutionary reimagining of Shelley’s Frankenstein in Cruel Britannia: After Frankenstein by Kristen Smyth and Ben Anderson, which offers a daring transgender perspective set in the tumultuous landscape of Maggie Thatcher’s Britain. There’s queer, political coming-of-age fantasy in The Sun King by Peedie Productions, which tells the story of a boy’s adolescence in conversations with the king of a magical realm.
The mysterious world of Charles Dickens: The Hanged Man’s Bride by Blue Orange Arts is a tale of suspense and intrigue, questioning what is real and what is not. Step into the tumultuous world of social media in Addict from Motovoho Productions, when a seemingly innocuous tweet goes viral, the relentless online trolls attack in this brand-new tale of revenge and self-discovery.
Death Becomes Us by Hannah Whittingham is a brand new drama that faces death head-on with confessions, music and an explanation as to why no decent death jokes exist. One Sugar, Stirred to the Left by Karekare Production is a heart-warming new musical play, where nurse Bronwyn finds herself commissioned to write an album by one of her dying patients.
Based on true events of one woman’s odyssey to escape Syria’s brutal war with her baby Hagar: War Mother by Amena Shehab is apoignant journey. Winning is more than eternity in The Gospel of Joan (Crawford) by teatrito where five women united in Hell face a high-stakes poker match dealt by the illustrious Joan Crawford, vying for a spot in Heaven.
Music & Musicals There’s crimes, rhymes, and good times in the thrilling world of The Detective’s Demise by Grownup Playhouse. In this new murder-mystery comedy musical, a detective meets his demise at his own birthday party and trainee sleuth Molly Evans is keen to crack the case. There’s a wild ride through the trials and triumphs of growing up in Essex in Trust Me, I’m from Essex. Buckle up as Lindsay Lucas-Bartlett takes you on a wild ride through what it was like growing up in Essex, being bullied at school, and everything in between. Five down the rabbit hole in the family-friendly adventure Alice in Wonderland by Nardone’s Academy of Performing Arts a brand-new musical adaptation of the timeless classic that’s packed with zany adventures, curious characters, and whimsical wonders.
Discover the remarkable life story of Helen Carte in Gilbert and Sullivan’s Improbable New Musical: …and Helen by The Coily Dart Theatre Company that features music from every Gilbert & Sullivan production and shines a spotlight on Carte’s contributions to the success of these famous operettas. Frankie Mack – The Vegas Showman stars the electrifying Frankie Mack. Experience a powerhouse fusion of charm, energy, flair, smoothness, and wit as Mack channels the spirits of Dean Martin, Elvis Presley, Robbie Williams, Michael Bublé, and Freddie Starr.
Night Owl Shows return with a packed programme of old favourites and brand-new shows in their inimitable style depicting the lives of some of the most influential singer songwriters of the 20th Century. Returning fan favourites feature 007 Voices of Bond, California Dreams, Back to Black: The Music of Amy Winehouse, The Blondie Story, The Billy Joel Story, The Look of Dusty and The Fleetwood Mac Story. Whilst new for 2024 are 21: The Music of Adele with the awe-inspiring Ella McCready, The Elton John Story, and The Story of Sting and The Police fromAngus Munro whilst Hannah Richards premieres the newest addition to the award-winning Night Owl line-up in The Kate Bush Story.
Comedy Join Private Eye’s MD Phil Hammond and DrClare Gerada in Fifty Minutes to Save the NHS as they devise a revolutionary health manifesto with your help. Blending the silly with the serious, this subversive take on the challenges facing the NHS is supporting the charity, Doctors in Distress. Prepare to have your perceptions of pleasure dissected and examined in The Ins and Outs of Pleasure by Phil Hammond. Using a blend of science and storytelling, Phil Hammond helps audiences in safe and sustainable pleasuring practices.
In the whimsical world of AL! The Weird Tribute (and How Daniel Radcliffe Got Mixed Up in This Nonsense) by Steve Goodie, “Weird Al” Yankovic and Daniel “Harry Potter” Radcliffe join forces at the Fringe (sort of)! Packed full of laughter, surprises, and perhaps a touch of magic.
This fabulous new comedy from viral sensation Tom Hearn in Tom Hearn Live: How Fabulous is That?! whichfeatures an array of original characters alongside musical performances and guest appearances. Laugh until your sides ache with Antics Joke Show: Sketch and Improv Comedy by Up the Antics with their mix of sketches, improvising and non-stop laughter.
And finally, don’t miss Ajahnis Charley: Thots and Prayers as the feisty twink navigates the challenges of Gay Heaven. Witness the HOMO, or suffer the FOMO.
Plenty of shows to pour over and ponder for the 2024 Edinburgh Festival Fringe.
The chart-topping Paranormal Activity podcast is launching its first LIVE podcast recording at the Richmond Theatre on Wednesday 6th March.
Join the newest member of the Paranormal Activity family, TV’s Gail Porter, as alongside expert guests, she explores the infamously haunted theatre to dig deeper into the stories of what goes on after dark.
Whether you are a sceptic or a believer, this live podcast recording is sure to send shivers down your spine and spark your imagination.
Melissa Mercury, a tarot reader from London who is fascinated by witchcraft and the occult, will be debunking tarot myths, and Spectrum Paranormal, one of London’s longest-standing and prominent paranormal research teams will be looking for tangible evidence of supernatural phenomena.
Come armed with your own paranormal experiences, and expect terrifying tales, audience interaction, surprise guests and hopefully…a spirit or two!
Book your tickets now and step into the captivating world of the paranormal!
Gail Porter said, “I’m so excited for this show! The history of Richmond Theatre as one of England’s most haunted makes it the perfect venue to search for signs of the paranormal – staff and visitors alike have reported spine tingling encounters with unexplained phenomena with the theatre’s walls, so we should be in for an interesting evening!”
Marcus Railton from Create Podcasts, the agency that produces the podcast said: “Paranormal Activity has been such a huge hit podcast so we wanted to take things to the next level and bring the energy and experiences from a live podcast recording to the fans.”
