Stunning ballet performances in the New Year – Varna International Ballet’s 2025 UK tour

A perfect festive treat!

RG Live presents the return of the celebrated Varna International Ballet and Orchestra to the UK following a breathtaking debut tour in 2023. The company will visit 20 venues around the UK from 2 January – 5 March 2025, with beloved classics Swan Lake, The Nutcracker and Romeo and Juliet. 

The performances are suitable for all ages and are a treat for ballet novices and balletomanes alike. The tour begins in Manchester on 2 January 2025, and visits Buxton, Bristol, Liverpool, Blackpool, Edinburgh, Basingstoke, Ipswich, Southend, Brighton, Nottingham, Reading, Oxford, Darlington, Wimbledon, Norwich, Hull, Sheffield, Leicester and Northampton, where it finishes on 5 March.

The Nutcracker is an enchanting story that takes place on Christmas Eve. When midnight strikes, we are swept away to a fairy-tale world where nothing is quite as it seems. Often considered the greatest romantic ballet of all time, Swan Lake is brought to life by Tchaikovsky’s haunting and unforgettable score. Shakespeare’s tale of primal passion and timeless tragedy, Romeo and Juliet,is an emotionally-charged and unmissable ballet.

Founded in 1947 and renowned for its award-winning soloists and magnificent corps de ballet, Varna International Ballet has been delighting audiences for decades at home in Bulgaria and abroad with performances of the highest quality. 

Tickets available from rg.live

Full tour details:

MANCHESTER The Bridgewater Hall
bridgewater-hall.co.uk
2 Jan Nutcracker 2.30pm & 7pm
3 Jan Swan Lake 2.30pm & 7pm

BUXTON Opera House
buxtonoperahouse.org.uk
4 Jan Swan Lake 2pm & 7pm
5 Jan Nutcracker 2pm & 5.30pm

BRISTOL Hippodrome
atgtickets.com/Bristol
7 Jan Romeo and Juliet 7.30pm
8 Jan Nutcracker 2.30pm & 7.30pm
9 Jan Swan Lake 7.30pm

LIVERPOOL Empire Theatre
atgtickets.com/Liverpool
10 Jan Swan Lake 7.30pm
11 Jan Nutcracker 2.30pm & 7.30pm

BLACKPOOL Grand Theatre
blackpoolgrand.co.uk
13 Jan Romeo and Juliet 7.30pm
14 Jan Swan Lake 7.30pm
15 Jan Nutcracker 2.30pm & 7.30pm

EDINBURGH Playhouse
atgtickets.com/Edinburgh
16 Jan Romeo and Juliet 7.30pm
17 Jan Swan Lake 7.30pm
18 Jan Nutcracker 2.30pm & 7.30pm

BASINGSTOKE The Anvil
anvilarts.org.uk
21 Jan Nutcracker 7.30pm
22 Jan Swan Lake 7.30pm

IPSWICH Regent Theatre
ipswichtheatres.co.uk
23 Jan Romeo and Juliet 7.30pm
24 Jan Swan Lake 7.30pm
25 Jan Nutcracker 2.30pm & 7.30pm

SOUTHEND Cliffs Pavilion
thecliffspavilion.co.uk
26 Jan Nutcracker 2pm & 5.30pm
16 Feb Swan Lake 2pm & 5.30pm

BRIGHTON Theatre Royal
atgtickets.com/brighton
27 Jan Romeo and Juliet 7.45pm
28 Jan Swan Lake 7.45pm
29 Jan Nutcracker 2.30pm & 7.45pm

NOTTINGHAM Royal Concert Hall
trch.co.uk
30 Jan Romeo and Juliet 7.30pm
31 Jan Swan Lake 7.30pm
1 Feb Nutcracker 2.30pm & 7.30pm

READING The Hexagon
whatsonreading.com
2 Feb Nutcracker 2pm & 5.30pm
3 Feb Swan Lake 7.30pm

OXFORD New Theatre
atgtickets.com/oxford
5 Feb Nutcracker 7.30pm

6 Feb Swan Lake 2.30pm & 7.30pm
7 Feb Romeo and Juliet 7.30pm

DARLINGTON Hippodrome
darlingtonhippodrome.co.uk
8 Feb Nutcracker 2.30pm & 7.30pm
9 Feb Swan Lake 2.30pm
10 Feb Romeo and Juliet 7.30pm

WIMBLEDON New Theatre
atgtickets.com/Wimbledon
13 Feb Swan Lake 7.30pm
14 Feb Swan Lake 7.30pm
15 Feb Nutcracker 2.30pm & 7.30pm

NORWICH Theatre Royal
norwichtheatre.org
17 Feb Romeo and Juliet 7.30pm
18 Feb Nutcracker 2.30pm & 7.30pm
19 Feb Swan Lake 2.30pm & 7.30pm

HULL New Theatre
hulltheatres.co.uk
20 Feb Romeo and Juliet 7.30pm
21 Feb Swan Lake 7.30pm
22 Feb Nutcracker 2.30pm & 7.30pm

SHEFFIELD City Hall
Sheffieldcityhall.co.uk
23 Feb Swan Lake 3.30pm
24 Feb Swan Lake 7.30pm

LEICESTER De Montfort Hall
demontforthall.co.uk
27 Feb Nutcracker 7.30pm
28 Feb Romeo and Juliet 7.30pm
1 Mar Swan Lake 2.30pm & 7.30pm

NORTHAMPTON Royal & Derngate
royalandderngate.co.uk
3 Mar Romeo and Juliet 7.30pm
4 Mar Swan Lake 7.30pm
5 Mar Nutcracker 2.30pm & 7.30pm

Tickets available from rg.live

SAME DRESS DIFFERENT BODIES LIVE

STARRING INTERNET SENSATIONS LAURA ADLINGTON & LOTTIE DRYNAN

AT THE LONDON PALLADIUM ON 23 MARCH 2025 @ 2PM

Get ready, London! Same Dress Different Bodies is taking over the legendary London Palladium for an empowering and unforgettable LIVE performance on Sunday 23 March 2025. This isn’t just a fashion event; it’s a revolution in how we see clothing, confidence and ourselves.

Through inspiring conversations, live catwalks and the famously emotional Wonder Women makeovers, this event will challenge the idea of “fashion rules”.

Same Dress Different Bodies Live promises to heal the souls of all the nineties and noughties narratives that told us to hide our bodies, cram ourselves into god-awful shapewear and defy aging. Instead, it’s a bold celebration of individuality, diversity and wearing what makes you feel GOOD. You’ll witness first-hand how different looks are equally stunning on different shapes, sizes and styles —proving that fashion really is for everyone.

Hosted by the inspirational duo Laura Adlington and Lottie Drynan, the event is a bold statement that proves style has no boundaries. It’s all about showing that true confidence comes from within and empowering every person in the audience to embrace their bodies and uniqueness.

With inclusivity at its core, this show promises to leave you feeling celebrated, uplifted, and equipped with practical tips to boost your confidence and elevate your wardrobe while staying true to yourself. Whether it’s everyday looks, swimwear, or that perfect outfit that makes you feel unstoppable, this event is all about helping you find what works for you – on the inside and out.

The pilot Same Dress `different Bodies Live event back in June sold out in just 7 minutes, and attendees walked away feeling empowered and inspired. Experience the magic, discover the power of self-expression, and join a community that celebrates individuality in all its forms.

Same Dress Different Bodies Live is produced by Lambert Jackson.

Tickets will go on pre-sale at 10am on Wednesday 4 December, with public on sale at 10am on Thursday 5 December.

Pre-sale sign up link: https://mailchi.mp/15035372c35c/samedresspresale

Booking link – https://lwtheatres.co.uk/whats-on/same-dress-different-bodies-live/

Instagram: @samedressdifferentbodies @lambertjacksonproductions

X: @ljprods

FULL CAST ANNOUNCEMENT FOR UK & IRELAND TOUR OF CALAMITY JANE

Directed by Curve’s Artistic Director, Nikolai Foster

Playing at Curve from Tuesday 8 to Saturday 12 July.

As rehearsals get underway today, Jamie Wilson Productions are delighted to announce the full casting of the revival of The Watermill Theatre’s whip-crackin’ production of the Broadway and West End hit musical CALAMITY JANE, they will be joining previously announced multi-award-winning West End star Carrie Hope Fletcher. CALAMITY JANE will tour the UK and Ireland from January 2025 prior to the West End.

Joining Carrie Hope Fletcher as Calamity Jane will be Vinny Coyle as Wild Bill Hickock, Luke Wilson as Danny, Seren Sandham-Davies as Katie Brown. Peter Peverley as Henry Miller, Hollie Cassar as Susan, Isaac Savage as Francis Fryer, Molly-Grace Cutler as Adelaide Adams, Richard Lock as Rattlesnake, Ben Mabberley as Hank and Stage Door Keeper, Fergus Murphy as Joe and Harry, Tomas Wolstenholme as Buck, Claire Greenway as Doc. The cast is completed by swings Emma Jane Morton, Lara Lewis, Jacob Leeson, Theo Diedrick and Stephen Scott Stark.

CALAMITY JANE opens at Aylesbury Waterside Theatre on 14 January 2025 and will tour to Manchester Opera House, Southend Cliffs Pavilion, Sunderland Empire, New Victoria Woking, Leeds Grand Theatre, Wales Millennium Centre, Birmingham Hippodrome, Nottingham Theatre Royal, Brighton Theatre Royal, Norwich Theatre Royal, Edinburgh Festival Theatre, Liverpool Empire, York Grand Theatre, New Wimbledon Theatre, Canterbury Marlowe, Southampton Mayflower, Sheffield Lyceum, Stoke Regent Theatre, Blackpool Opera House, Glasgow Kings, Curve Leicester, Plymouth Theatre Royal, Hull New Theatre, Milton Keynes Theatre, Truro Hall For Cornwall, Dublin Bord Gais, Llandudno Venue Cymru, Bradford Alhambra, Wolverhampton Grand, Bromley Churchill Theatre and Bristol Hippodrome. For the full details please visit www.CalamityJaneMusical.com.

Marking ten years since the show hit the road the production reunites the previous creative team with Direction by Curve Artistic Director, Nikolai Foster (An Officer and a Gentleman, Kinky Boots), Co-Direction and Choreography by Nick Winston (Shrek The Musical, Burlesque The Musical), Orchestration and Music Supervision by Catherine Jayes (The Color Purple, Merrily We Roll Along), and Set and Costume Design by Matthew Wright (Everyone’s Talking About Jamie, Evita). This production will have Lighting Design by Tim Mitchell, Sound Design by Ben Harrison and Casting by Debbie O’Brien.

Carrie Hope Fletcher is a three-time WhatsOnStage Best Actress in a Musical winner. She recently originated the title role in Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Cinderella (Gillian Lynn Theatre, West End). Her previous credits include Veronica in Heathers, Wednesday in The Addams Family and Eponine in Les Misérables. Carrie is a 2022 GRAMMY nominee for two competing albums for Best Musical Theatre Album – Cinderella (Original Concept Album) and Les Misérables: The Staged Concert (Live Album). Carrie went out on her first solo tour in 2023 which was entitled An Open Book – she toured the UK (including a sold-out performance at the London Palladium) and the show was a huge celebration of her career so far. She also embarked on her hugely successful second solo tour, Love Letters, in Autumn 2024. Alongside theatre, Carrie has also written several best-selling novels and has huge social media presence with over 635,000 subscribers to her YouTube channel with over 1 million views every month.

Based on the much-loved Doris Day movie, this foot-stomping new production features all the sure-fire classic songs including The Deadwood Stage (Whip-Crack-Away), The Black Hills of Dakota, Just Blew in from the Windy City, and the Oscar-winning Secret Love.

Meet the fearless, gun slingin’ Calamity Jane – biggest mouth in Dakota territory and always up for a fight. She’ll charm you hog-eyed though, especially when trying to win the heart of the dashing Lieutenant Gilmartin, or shooting insults at the notorious Wild Bill Hickok. But when the men of Deadwood fall hard for Chicago stage star Adelaid Adams, Calamity struggles to keep her jealousy holstered. Her heart’s a thumpin’… but who for?

What are you waiting for, you wild coyotes? Whip-crack-away!

Calamity Jane was adapted for the stage by Charles K. Freeman from a screenplay by James O’Hanlon, produced by Warner Bros. With music by Sammy Fain, lyrics by Paul Francis Webster and Orchestral & vocal arrangements by Philip J. Lang.

Jamie Wilson Productions, Alchemation, Gavin Kalin Productions, Tilted, Evolution Productions, Willette & Manny Klausner, in association with Grace Street Collective and David & Hannah Mirvish present the Watermill Production of Calamity Jane.

CALAMITY JANE comes to Curve from Tuesday 8 to Saturday 12 July, tickets are on-sale now. To find out more and book, visit www.curveonline.co.uk, call 0116 242 3595 or visit Curve’s Box Office in-person.

RSC TO REACH RECORD NUMBER OF SCHOOLS AND COMMUNITIES IN 2025

Matilda The Musical embarks on second national tour of UK and Ireland

First Encounters: Spring and Autumn 12-week tours to schools and theatres

A Midsummer Night’s Dream broadcast for free to schools across UK

An estimated 24,000 young people will see a Shakespeare production in their school hall or local theatre next year when the RSC takes two First Encounters with Shakespeare productions on tour. Aimed at younger and ‘first-time’ audiences, the shows will tour for 24 weeks to school halls, town halls and regional theatres across the country throughout Spring and Autumn 2025.

Reaching more schools and communities than ever before in 2025, the RSC will also stream the 2024 production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream into classrooms nationwide in February, whilst the award-winning Matilda The Musical begins its second major tour of the UK and Ireland in October next year.

At a time when creative learning provision in English schools has reached an all-time low, the RSC’s expanded touring activity gives thousands more pupils and teachers the opportunity to enjoy a live performance of Shakespeare or live theatre in their own hometown or city.

RSC Director of Creative Learning and Engagement, Jacqui O’Hanlon, expands:

“Access to the arts in schools is at a crossroads after being eroded over many years with thousands of young people denied the sorts of experiences that we know positively impact on life chances and learning outcomes.

“Taking our work directly into schools and communities we see the very real difference that expressive arts subjects and experiences make to children’s lives. We believe that the very best way for Shakespeare’s work to be experienced by young people is through performance; and we believe that live theatre and an arts-rich education are the right of every child.”

Bringing Shakespeare’s magical play into school halls, theatres and town halls across England, the first RSC First Encounters with Shakespeare production for 2025is The Tempestwhich will tour between February and May 2025. A fresh, abridged take on Shakespeare’s original text, the creative team includes Aaron Parsons (Director and Movement), Aldo Vázquez (Set and Costume Designer) and Jack Drewry (Composer and Sound Designer). A team of RSC Creative Associates will collaborate with young people in preparation for the production, exploring and developing the world of the play through sound, as well as delving into the key moments, themes, characters in the play.

The production will open in early February and travel to RSC partner schools and theatres in County Durham, Middlesbrough, Hartlepool, York, Hull, Bradford, Stratford-upon-Avon, Stoke-on-Trent, Newcastle upon Tyne, Corby, Blackpool and Cumbria, culminating in Northampton on 10 May 2025 (see notes to editors for list of venues). The tour of First Encounters: The Tempest is supported using public funding by the National Lottery through Arts Council England, which makes it possible for the RSC to expand its tour to work in partnership with more places across England.

In Autumn 2025, thousands more pupils will get their first taste of Shakespeare and live performance when the second First Encounters with Shakespeare production begins its 12-week tour of schools and theatres. Full details to be announced in the New Year.

On-demand access to A Midsummer Night’s Dream will be available from 3-7 February as part of the RSC’s free Schools’ Broadcast Programme. Eleanor Rhode’s 5-star production with Mathew Baynton as Bottom delighted audiences when it opened in Stratford-upon-Avon earlier this year, and the production opens at the Barbican theatrein London on 3^rd December. The creative team includes Lucy Osborne (Set and Costume Designer), John Bulleid (Illusion Director and Designer), Matt Daw (Lighting Designer) Will Gregory (Composer) Pete Malkin (Sound Designer), Annie-Lunnette Deakin-Foster (Movement Director), Will Duke (Video Designer), Rachel Bown-Williams and Ruth Cooper-Brown (Fight and Intimacy Directors), Matthew Dewsbury CDG (Casting Director).

Audiences can also see the second major UK and Ireland tour of the RSC’s multi award-winning Matilda The Musical, opening in Leicester on 6 October 2025. Based on Roald Dahl’s best-selling novel with literacy and books at its heart,the show has already been seen by 12 million people across 100 cities worldwide. The musical will celebrate 15 years on stage when it opens at Leicester Curve before traveling to Bradford, Liverpool, Plymouth, Sunderland, Edinburgh, and Manchester where it will run through March and April 2026. Further tour dates to be announced in 2025.

Written by Dennis Kelly, with music and lyrics by Tim Minchin and developed and directed by Matthew Warchus, the production is designed by Rob Howell, with choreography by Peter Darling, orchestrations, additional music and musical supervision by Christopher Nightingale, lighting by Hugh Vanstone, sound by Simon Baker and special effects and illusions by Paul Kieve.

Further information about First Encounters: The Tempest can be found here

Further information about RSC Schools’ Broadcast programme can be found here

Further information about Matilda The Musical can be found here.

More information about the RSC and its Creative Learning and Engagement work can be found here.

JOE McELDERRY

TO APPEAR AS PHARAOH IN FURTHER DATES OF

DONNY OSMOND PLAYS PHARAOH IN EDINBURGH

CHRISTINA BIANCO IS NARRATOR

ADAM FILIPE IS JOSEPH

Performances begin at the Edinburgh Playhouse Tuesday 3 December 2024

Michael Harrison is delighted to announce that Joe McElderry is set to perform as Pharaoh in further dates of the upcoming Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoattour.The Joseph star adds Manchester, Opera House; Bristol Hippodrome; Southend, Cliffs Pavilion; Liverpool Empire; Cardiff, Wales Millenium Centre; Glasgow, King’s Theatreand Milton Keynes Theatreto his previously announced engagements.

The 2025 tour opens tomorrow (Tuesday 3 December) at the Edinburgh Playhouse for a magical Christmas season, where Donny Osmond will appear as Pharaoh in his only UK tour dates until Sunday 29 December. Tickets for all dates are on sale now at http://uktour.josephthemusical.com/

Joe McElderry previouslyperformed as Joseph in Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber’s iconicmusical during an extensive 2017 / 2018 UK tour. It has been previously announced that Joe will appear in the 2025 tour in Sunderland, Empire Theatre; Canterbury, Marlowe Theatre; Nottingham, Theatre Royal; Belfast, Grand Opera House; Leeds, Grand Theatre; Wimbledon, New Theatre; Blackpool, Winter Gardens; Woking, New Victoria Theatre; Newcastle, Theatre Royal; Plymouth, Theatre Royal; Leicester Curve;and at Sheffield’s, Lyceum Theatre.

Further Pharaoh casting is to be announced in Norwich, Southampton and Birmingham.

Playing all dates across the tour are Christina Bianco as Narrator and Adam Filipe as Joseph. Christina Bianco is a two-time Drama Desk Award nominee, who made her West End debut starring in the Menier Chocolate Factory’s production of Forbidden Broadway at the Vaudeville Theatre. She captured international acclaim as a YouTube sensation with her ‘diva’ impression videos gainingover 25 million views and more recently delighted audiences as Glinda in The Wizard of Oz at The London Palladium. Adam Filipe’s credits include Titanic The Musical (UK Tour); Prince Of Egypt, Original West End Cast and Les Misérables (Queens Theatre). Concert Credits: vocalist for Lea Salonga: Stage, Screen & Everything In Between (UK Tour) and Houdini in Side Show: in Concert (London Palladium).

The 2025tour completing company are Hugh Cotton asReuben and Will Haswell as Simeon. The rest of the company comprise: Aaron Archer; Bella Baldock; Daniel Bowskill; Imogen Bowtell; Taylor Bridges; Joseph Brownlie-Johnson; Joseph Craig; Davide Fienauri; Ellie Greenway; Oliver Hawes; Kiera Haynes; Siobhan James; Ben Lancaster; Nicole Lupino; Bradley Perret; Harvey Shulver; Jessica Sutton; Charley Warburton; Jenna Warne and Alex Woodward.

The production’s children’s company consists ofLuke Beggs, Sofija Bele, Sidney Bond, Chloe Boyle, Coco Chapman, Charlie Cox, Max Crisp, Shae Marie David, Isabelle Chiara Dawodu, Josh Desai, Erin Donovan, Jasper Eglin, Safia Francis, Ernie Seiji Fransella, Marisia Georgiannaki, Poppy Graham, Coco-Lili Hodder, Poppy Kunorubwe, Eliott Marsden, Alex Neophytou, Shyanne Ononiwu, Rio-Blake Power, Leia O’Sullivan, Zachary Richardson, Daniel Rodriguez Castillo, Felix Schmitt, Dexter Seaton, Azalea-Belle Sharp, Arthur Tennant and Raine Williamson.

Released as a concept album in 1969, the stage version ofJoseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoathas become one of the world’s most belovedfamily musicals. The multi-award-winning show – Tim Rice (lyrics) and Andrew Lloyd Webber’s (music) first major collaboration – has been performed hundreds of thousands of times including multiple runs in the West End and on Broadway and international tours in over 80 countries worldwide. Featuring much-loved pop and musical theatre classics, including Any Dream Will Do, Close Every Door, There’s One More Angel In Heavenand Go, Go, Go, Joseph, the London Palladium production received a rapturous reception during its 2019 and 2021 summer seasons, ahead of its first major UK tour in 2022.

Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat is directed by Laurence Connor. Laurence’s credits include the acclaimed London production of School of Rock and the Tony-Award nominated production on Broadway, the recent London productions of Miss Saigon, Chess and Cinderella, the international arena tour of Jesus Christ Superstar and he is also the Co-Director of the new version of Les Misérables which has enjoyed worldwide success including Broadway, UK and US tours.

JoAnn M Hunter (who has 20 Broadway shows to her credit, including School of Rock and On A Clear Day You Can See Forever) is the show’s choreographer; Set and Costume Design are by the award-winning Morgan Large, Ben Cracknell is Lighting Designer; Gareth Owen, Sound Designer; Sam Cox is Wigs, Hair & Make Up Designer; John Cameron, Orchestrator; John Rigby, Musical Supervisor and Musical Director; Nikki Woollaston is Associate Director; Thalia Burt, Associate Choreographer; David Grindrod CDG, Casting Director and Amy Beadel, Children’s Casting Director.

Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat is produced by Michael Harrison.

For further information, please see http://uktour.josephthemusical.com/

NEW CASTING ANNOUNCED

EMMY, TONY AND GRAMMY AWARD WINNER

BILLY PORTER AS THE EMCEE

DOUBLE OLIVIER AWARD NOMINEE

MARISHA WALLACE AS SALLY BOWLES

IN

THE MULTI AWARD-WINNING, CRITICALLY ACCLAIMED

WEST END PRODUCTION OF

CABARET

AT THE KIT KAT CLUB

FROM 28 JANUARY 2025

The producers of the multi award-winning, critically acclaimed West End production of CABARET at the KIT KAT CLUB are delighted to announce new casting.

From 28 January 2025, Emmy, Tony and Grammy award winner Billy Porter will play The Emcee and double Olivier award nominee Marisha Wallace will play Sally Bowles.  Joining the cast on 27 January 2025 will be Vivien Parry, who returns to the role of Fraulein Schneider having played the part in 2022.

They join Daniel Bowerbank as Clifford Bradshaw, Fenton Gray as Herr Schultz, Fred Haig as Ernst Ludwig and Jessica Kirton as Fraulein Kost/Fritzie. The cast is completed by Xenoa Campbell-Ledgister, Sam Darius, Damon Gould Adrian Grove, El Haq Latief, Justin-Lee Jones, Ela Lisondra, Hícaro Nicolai, Andy Rees Alexandra Regan, Marina Tavolieri, Ben Simon Wilson, Anne-Marie Wojna, Patrick Wilden and Lucy Young.

Billy Porter and Marisha Wallace’s final performance will be Saturday 24 May 2025.

CABARET at the KIT KAT CLUB also announces today that free educational packs for schools and audience members have been made available for download now. Featuring resources which support work for secondary school, college and undergraduate students, the packs include information on the production’s themes, the ideas behind the creative process, interviews with the creative team and classroom activities for those looking to explore the world of the Kit Kat Club. Visit kitkat.club/education for more.

CABARET recently celebrated the milestone of 1000 performances at the KIT KAT CLUB and is currently booking until Saturday 4 October 2025. kitkat.club

Billy Porter is an Emmy, Tony and Grammy Award-winning and Golden Globe nominated actor, singer, director, composer and playwright. His electric portrayal of Pray Tell in FX’s breakthrough series Pose earned him the Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series as well as Golden Globe and Critics Choice Award nominations. He also starred in the eighth series of Ryan Murphy’s acclaimed series American Horror Story. A veteran of the theatre, Billy created the role of Lola in the smash hit musical Kinky Boots on Broadway, for which he won the Drama Desk, Outer Critics Circle and Tony Award for Best Actor in a Musical, as well as the Grammy Award for Best Musical Theatre Album. His other Broadway credits include Shuffle Along, Miss Saigon and Five Guys Named Moe.

Marisha Wallace recently starred as Miss Adelaide in the hit production of Guys and Dolls, for which she was nominated for the Olivier Award for Best Actress in a Musical. She played Ado Annie in the critically acclaimed production of Oklahoma! at the Young Vic receiving a nomination for Best Supporting Actress in a Musical at the Olivier Awards. Marisha’s many other credits include performing for His Majesty the King, playing Motormouth Maybelle in Hairspray at the London Coliseum and Becky in the original West End cast of the musical Waitress at the Adelphi Theatre. She made her West End debut as Effie White in Dreamgirls at the Savoy Theatre.

The prologue company are Rachel Benson, Ami Benton, Onyemachi Ejimofor, Joseph Hardy, Liz Kamille, Andrew Linnie, Aine McLoughlin, Jack William Parry, Jazmyn Raikes, Oliver Stockley and Ena Yamaguchi.

Marisha Wallace is not scheduled to appear on Wednesday 29 January at 2.00pm, Thursday 6 February at 7.30pm, Wednesday 12 February at 2.00pm, Thursday 20 February at 7.30pm, Wednesday 26 February at 2.00pm, Thursday 6 March at 7.30pm, Monday 10 March at 7.30pm, Tuesday 11 March at 7.30pm, Thursday 20 March at 7.30pm, Wednesday 26 March at 2.00pm, Thursday 3 April at 7.30pm, Wednesday 9 April at 2.00pm, Thursday 17 April at 7.30pm, Wednesday 23 April at 2.00pm, Thursday 1 May at 7.30pm, Wednesday 7 May at 2.00pm, Thursday 15 May at 7.30pm and Wednesday 21 May at 2.00pm.

At these performances, the role will be played by our alternate Sally Bowles, Anne-Marie Wojna.

Billy Porter is scheduled to appear at every performance between 28 January and 24 May 2025.

This unique production of CABARET opened in December 2021 to critical and audience acclaim, widely praised as the ultimate theatrical experience. In April 2022 it won a record-breaking seven Olivier Awards. The production has also won three prestigious Critics Circle Awards as well as the Evening Standard Theatre Award for Best Design for designer Tom Scutt.

The Tony award winning Broadway production of CABARET opened in April this year at the KIT KAT CLUB at the August Wilson Theatre where it continues to play and currently stars?.

Transforming one of London’s most famous theatres with an in-the-round auditorium and reimagined spaces, before the show guests are invited to enjoy and explore the Kit Kat Club with pre-show entertainment, drinks and dining all on offer. When booking, guests receive a ‘club entry time’ to allow enough time to take in the world of the Kit Kat Club before the show starts. But of course, the show really starts when you first join us in the club…

One of the most successful musicals of all time CABARET features the songs Wilkommen, Don’t Tell Mama, Mein Herr, Maybe This Time, Money and the title number. It has music by John Kander, lyrics by Fred Ebb, book by Joe Masteroff. Based on the play by John Van Druten and stories by Christopher Isherwood.

CABARET is directed by Rebecca Frecknall, set and costume design is by Tom Scutt with choreography by Julia Cheng. Musical supervision is by Jennifer Whyte and musical direction is by Ben van Tienen with lighting design by Isabella Byrd and sound design by Nick Lidster. The casting director is Stuart Burt and the original associate director and prologue director is Jordan Fein. The prologue composer and musical director is Angus MacRae.

CABARET at the KIT KAT CLUB is produced by ATG Productions and Underbelly.

Disability Arts Charity Appoints New CEO as They Celebrate 40 Years

DaDa Disability and Deaf Arts this week launched their 40th anniversary festival DaDaFest International 40 at the Unity Theatre Liverpool, and as part of the celebration announced the appointment of new CEO, Zoe Partington.

The award-winning, cutting-edge multi artform charity was founded in 1984 and since then has become an integral part of the campaign for greater equality and access for disabled artists across the arts and cultural sector.

Having received confirmation in 2022 of remaining an Arts Council National Portfolio Organisation until at least 2026, DaDa has since been expanding its programming and board, and is now in a position to appoint a new CEO as a final step in solidifying the stability and future of the organisation.

New CEO, Zoe Partington, is an international consultant and speaker on Disability Art, heritage and architecture in relation to inclusion and accessibility and, alongside her role at DaDa, Zoe is C/Director of Disordinary Architecture working with cultural institutions such as The Bartlett School of Architecture, The British Library, Tate Modern and disabled people as architects and curators.

An awardee of a Henry Moore Fellowship, Zoe is currently writing a book about female disabled sculptors and artists having managed National Disability and Arts Archive Collection, NDACA and supported Shape on initiatives like their work with Kings College London KCL and working with British Council on cultural developments leading up to Cultural Olympiad programmes in Brazil, Japan and many other countries.

Zoe graduated from a Media and Design Degree BA (Hons) via the University of Portsmouth before going on to study for an Art, Design and Architecture PgDip at the University of Central England.

A practising disabled artist, Zoe references her own sight loss and chronic condition in her work, and is excited to lend her expertise to Liverpool based DaDa.

Zoe spoke of her delight in accepting the role of CEO with DaDa saying:

“As a disabled woman in a leadership role I feel honoured to follow other strong political disabled women form the North. I believe as disabled people we should not let fear hold us back from striking out and being at the centre of decision making in the cultural sector -our voices are often ignored, we will change this together in partnerships and with allies. I am so fortunate to have an amazing team and board.”

DaDa develops and presents excellent disability and Deaf arts through an artistic programme that includes high quality festivals and events, fed in to by a year-round programme of engagement work with developing and established artists, young disabled, Deaf and neurodivergent people, their families and the wider community.

The centrepiece of DaDa’s work is DaDaFest International – launched in 2001 as a platform to showcase the work of disabled, Deaf and neurodivergent artists and which is set to return in March 2025 with the theme for the special anniversary festival revealed as ‘RAGE – A Quiet Riot!’.

Over DaDa’s 40 years it has made an important impact through advocacy and social change and through partnership and collaboration with a range of organisations and bodies.

That includes supporting Liverpool City Council on policy making around access to services and transport; being consulted during the redevelopment of the Liverpool Everyman to make it one of the most accessible theatres in the country and working with the Unity for more than 20 years to change perceptions of disabled artists and for the theatre to independently programme work by and support disabled artists.

DaDa Chair Robert Martin spoke about the new appointment saying:

“DaDa is turning 40 years old this year and we are looking forward to celebrating that legacy with DaDaFest International 40 in March 2025. Its subject, Rage, captures the feeling amongst deaf, disabled and neurodivergent people that, whilst much has been achieved and should be celebrated, we’re still too often left out of conversations that are about us and that impact on us. With her brilliant track record as an artist, activist and consultant on creativity and inclusive culture, Zoe Partington brings a rare combination of skills which, we feel, will carry DaDa forward into our next phase as a leader in, and instigator of, those very conversations. Zoe is a hugely respected and talented person and, on behalf of everyone at DaDa and also our funders, we’re very much looking forward to seeing where she’ll take us next.”

DaDaFest International 40 will run from 8-31 March 2025. More detail can be found at https://www.dadafest.co.uk/what-we-do/dadafest/dadafest-2025-ddfi40-rage /

ON WORLD AIDS DAY, SUNDAY 01 DECEMBER

A SPECIAL GALA PERFORMANCE OF

WAS PRESENTED

IN SUPPORT OF THE ELTON JOHN AIDS FOUNDATION (EJAF) RAISING MORE THAN £750,000 TO END THE AIDS EPIDEMIC

On Sunday 01 December 2024, a special gala performance of The Devil Wears Prada, a new musical, was presented on World AIDS Day, at the Dominion Theatre, in support of the Elton John AIDS Foundation.

A host of special guests attended the performance, followed by the after party at the British Museum, including; Anna Wintour, Donatella Versace, Lily Collins, Edward Enninful, Bob Geldof, Graham Norton, Zandra Rhodes, Amelia Dimoldenberg, Elizabeth Hurley and many more!

The special gala performance of The Devil Wears Prada has raised more than £750,000 for the Elton John AIDS Foundation. This will support their work towards ending the AIDS epidemic in the UK and globally.

Elton John said “It’s a real honour to have so many friends from the worlds of music, fashion and entertainment join us for the special gala performance of The Devil Wears Prada at a World AIDS Day event in support of the Elton John AIDS Foundation. It’s a joy for me to see this musical on stage, celebrate it with the team and share it with the world on such an important day in recognition of those we’ve lost and what we have left to do to end AIDS. We need the world to understand that HIV is not yesterday’s story, it should be a priority today. Every minute a life is still lost to this terrible disease because people are too afraid or seen as undeserving of treatment. But it doesn’t have to be that way. By truly accepting each other for who we are, we can be the generation to end AIDS.” 

Donatella Versace said “As Co-Chair of The Rocket Fund for The Elton John AIDS Foundation, I am truly honoured to be here tonight to support my friends Elton and David in the incredible work that they do.     We must all join in the mission to end AIDS.  What better way to support the foundation and see this iconic story brought to life with Elton’s incredible music.  That’s all!”

Special thank you to our platinum sponsors Pamella Roland, Bill and Tani Austin/ Starkey Foundation and Olena Pinchuk and our gold sponsor The Caring Family Foundation for making this evening possible.

The Elton John AIDS Foundation was established in 1992 and is one of the leading independent AIDS organizations in the world. The Foundation’s mission is simple: an end to the AIDS epidemic. The Elton John AIDS Foundation is committed to overcoming the stigma, discrimination and neglect that keep us from ending AIDS. With the mobilization of our network of generous supporters and partners, we fund local experts across four continents to challenge discrimination, prevent infections, and provide treatment as well as influencing governments to end AIDS. www.eltonjohnaidsfoundation.org 

THE DEVIL WEARS PRADA – A NEW MUSICAL

The Devil Wears Prada, a new musical,opens this week after previewing from 24 October at the Dominion Theatre.

Starring in the production is Vanessa Williams, best known for her celebrated roles in Ugly Betty and Desperate Housewives and as a multi-award-winning singer, asthe irrepressible Miranda Priestly, alongside Olivier Award winner, Matt Henry,as Runway’s Creative Fashion Director, Nigel.

They are joined by Georgie Buckland (Shrek The Musical; Bedknobs and Broomsticks) making her West End debut playing the driven Andy, Amy Di Bartolomeo (SIX; We Will Rock You) as the icy First Assistant to Miranda, Emily, James Darch (Mamma Mia!; Wicked) as the devious journalist, Christian, and Rhys Whitfield (The Phantom of the Opera; Summer and Smoke) as Andy’s long-term boyfriend, Nate.

Completing the cast are: Maddy Ambus, Gabby Antrobus, Selena Barron, Pamela Blair, Robertina Bonano, Josh Damer-Jennings, Lloyd Davies, Elishia Edwards, Akeem Ellis-Hyman, Elizabeth Fullalove, Jinny Gould, Natasha Heyward, Samuel How, Luke Jackson, Debbie Kurup, Liam Marcellino, Ciro Lourencio Meulens, Theo Papoui, Christopher Parkinson, Eleanor Peach, Ethan Le Phong, Jon Reynolds, Harriet Samuel-Gray, Olivia Saunders, Kayleigh Thadani, Ella Valentine, Rhys Whitfield and Tara Yasmin.

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) and Mark Sonnenblick (Theatre Camp), 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.

The production played an exclusive preview engagement from 06 July – 17 August at Theatre Royal Plymouth prior to opening in the West End.

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 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) as a co-production with Theatre Royal Plymouth, and presented by special arrangement with Buena Vista Theatrical.

Stratford East Theatre, Stratford, London – until 4th January 2025

Reviewed by Bobbi Fenton

4****

What better way to get into the Christmas spirit than going to the theatre for a bit of panto. Pinocchio follows the classic tale of a wooden puppet boy on his journey towards becoming a real human boy. In the town of Stratty Ash lives a lonely widower, Geppetto (Tok Morakinyo), who used to dream of raising a son with his late wife. As luck would have it, he happens upon a magical piece of wood which he carves into a wooden puppet, not expecting that this same puppet will come to life. Geppetto tries his best to raise Pinocchio (Dylan Collymore), but he still faces many of the same conflicts most children will experience. Pinocchio battles with his conscience and whether he should do the right thing or the fun thing, often being led astray by the Sly Fox (Rushand Chambers) and Miss Kat (Jhanaica Van Mook). Luckily, this wooden puppet has a very useful trick up his sleeve which I’m sure many parents would wish for their own children, a nose that grows whenever he tells a lie.

Leading the breaks in the show for some very fun sing alongs and dances are the animated and cheery Krik-Krak the cricket (Nicole Louise Lewis) and the hilarious Blue Rinse Fairy (Michael Bertenshaw). While this show doesn’t feature quite as many jokes for the grown-ups in the audience that are typical for panto, it makes up for this with beautiful vocals and fun dances. I especially enjoyed the various duets sung by Dylan Collymore and Tok Morakinyo, as their voices are simply incredible. Not to mention the many dance scenes featuring the whole cast, which are almost hypnotic.

This show is truly magical and is the perfect panto for the whole family.

Presented by Phil McIntyre Live

DIRECT FROM THE WEST END THE CRITICALLY ACCLAIMED PRODUCTION OF

JOHN CLEESE’S

FAWLTY TOWERS – THE PLAY

WILL TOUR THE UK & IRELAND IN 2025/2026

SEPTEMBER 2025 – JULY 2026

TICKETS GO ON SALE ON 2 DECEMBER 2024 AT 10.00AM FROM FAWLTYTOWERSTOUR.CO.UK

Currently playing to sold-out houses at London’s Apollo Theatre Shaftesbury Avenue, John Cleese’s Fawlty Towers – The Play, today announces a major theatre tour for 2025 and 2026.

Following the hugely successful West End run – which has seen the show extend twice – “the funniest show in town” (Daily Express) will embark on the 10-month tour across the UK and Ireland on 30 September 2025 through to July 2026. Tickets go on sale on 2 December 2024 from FawltyTowersTour.co.uk.

Based on three of the original BBC TV episodes of the “greatest British sitcom of all time” (Radio Times), Fawlty Towers – The Play has been adapted for the stage by original co-creator John Cleese into a two-hour play, complete with a new finale. Casting will be announced in due course.

Theatre goers across the country are in for a treat as this “comedy masterpiece makes a seamless transition to the stage” (The Arts Desk) to deliver “an indisputably funny evening” (Daily Telegraph), as “from the moment Basil walks on stage, the audience start laughing” (Daily Mail) whilst watching “some of the best punchlines ever written” (London Theatre). To quote Broadway World; “if you loved the original TV series, you will adore this show”.

Directed by the West End originating director, Caroline Jay Ranger, this “as good as it gets” production (Sunday Times) will visit major towns and cities across the UK and Ireland: Eastbourne, Bournemouth, Wimbledon, High Wycombe, Manchester, Liverpool, Northampton, Southend, Plymouth, Guildford, Leeds, Glasgow, Aberdeen, Edinburgh, Sunderland, Wolverhampton, Stoke-on-Trent, Southampton, Ipswich, Birmingham, Bradford, Blackpool, Torquay, Truro, Milton Keynes, Llandudno, Hull, York, Woking, Nottingham, Norwich, Cardiff, Newcastle, Dartford and Oxford.

John Cleese said: “When we came up with the idea of bringing Fawlty Towers to the stage, I never thought it would get the reception that it has. On 23 December it will be 50 years to the day since we recorded the pilot at BBC Television Centre and I’m delighted that the audiences we’ve had in the West End still think it’s as funny as ever. The announcement of the tour means many more people will now have the chance to laugh themselves helpless.”

Following a tip off that hotel inspectors may be visiting and eager to impress, Basil attempts to ingratiate himself with guests that he suspects are there to critique the establishment. The situation is further plagued by a party of Germans, the deaf and dotty guest-from-hell, Mrs Richards, whose infuriating complaints prevent him from hiding a gambling win from his ever vigilant and bossy wife, Sybil. Together they run their hotel with a little help from the unflappable Polly, and very little help at all from Manuel, the trainee waiter from Barcelona who is the butt of Fawlty’s frustration.

Fawlty Towers was first broadcast on BBC Two on 19 September 1975. The iconic TV show went on to win many awards and plaudits including two BAFTAS for Best Situation Comedy and in 2000 it was voted the best British programme of all time in a British Film Institute poll. Set in a fictional hotel in the seaside town of Torquay, just 12 half hour episodes of the iconic comedy were made.

The sitcom is based on a real-life hotel owner, Donald Sinclair. John Cleese came up with the idea for the character Basil Fawlty when he stayed at Sinclair’s Gleneagles Hotel in Torquay and became fascinated with his incredibly rude behaviour.

Creative Team:

Written by John Cleese & Connie Booth

Adapted for the stage by John Cleese

Directed by Caroline Jay Ranger

Set and Costume Designer – Liz Ascroft

Lighting Designer – Ian Scott

Casting Director – Anne Vosser

Assistant Director – Denise Ranger

LISTINGS INFORMATION

Website: FawltyTowersTour.co.uk

Instagram: @FawltyTowersWestEnd

Facebook: @FawltyTowersWestend

X: @FawltyTowersWE

Performance Times

Tuesday – Saturday: 7:30pm Wednesday, Thursday & Saturday: 2:30pm

DATE VENUE

30 September – 4 October Churchill Theatre, Bromley

07 – 11 October Eastbourne Congress Theatre

14 – 18 October Bournemouth Pavilion

21 – 25 October New Wimbledon Theatre

28 October – 1 November Wycombe Swan Theatre

04 – 08 November Manchester Opera House

11 – 15 November Liverpool Empire

18 – 22 November Northampton Royal & Derngate

25 – 29 November Southend Cliffs Pavilion

02 – 06 November Theatre Royal Plymouth On sale soon

09 – 20 November Guildford G Live

2026

06 – 10 January Leeds Grand Theatre

13 – 17 January King’s Theatre, Glasgow

20 – 24 January Aberdeen Music Hall

27 – 31 January Edinburgh Playhouse

03 – 07 February Sunderland Empire

10 – 21 February Wolverhampton Grand Theatre

24 – 28 February Regent Theatre, Stoke

03 – 07 March Southampton Mayflower On sale 6 December

10 – 14 March Ipswich Regent Theatre

17 – 21 March Birmingham New Alexandra Theatre

24 – 28 March Bradford Alhambra Theatre On sale 6 December

31 March – 4 April Blackpool Opera House

14 – 18 April Princess Theatre, Torquay

21 – 25 April Truro Hall for Cornwall On sale 20 January

28 April – 02 May Milton Keynes Theatre

05 – 09 May Llandudno Venue Cymru

12 – 16 May Hull New Theatre

19 – 23 May Grand Opera House, York

26 – 30 May New Victoria Theatre, Woking

02 – 06 June Theatre Royal, Nottingham On sale 9 December

09 – 13 June Norwich Theatre Royal On sale 20 December

23 – 27 June Cardiff Wales Millenium Centre On sale 6 December

30 June – 4 July Newcastle Theatre Royal On sale 9 December

07 – 11 July Orchard Theatre, Dartford On sale 3 December

14 – 18 July New Theatre, Oxford