RAMPS ON THE MOON AWARDED FUNDING

Ramps on the Moon and Sheffield Theatres have received £280,000 in funding from Esmée Fairbairn Foundation to continue Ramps on the Moon’s work supporting anti-ableist practice in the performing arts sector. Ramps on the Moon will also take residency at Sheffield Theatres, advancing the organisation’s work, having been part of the first sector leading cohort.

Ramps on the Moon’s vision is a mainstream cultural sector that embeds the Social Model of Disability across systems, policy and practice, increasing and elevating the presence of disabled people in performing arts. For the last seven years Ramps on the Moon, funded by Arts Council England, worked with a consortium of seven major theatres to embed change and transform the understanding of what access can be. An inaugural consortium member, Sheffield Theatres are now hosts of Ramps on the Moon as they enter the next phase of activity.

This funding will enable Ramps on the Moon, with Sheffield Theatres, to support organisations to grow careers and leadership opportunities for disabled people in the performing arts, ensuring they can work, innovate, develop ambition and flourish as professionals in the mainstream.

A core strand of the upcoming work is the Change Partner programme. In each of the two years, partnering with People Make it Work, Ramps on the Moon will work with a new cohort of arts organisations over 12 months to facilitate and support change at the heart of how they are operating, embedding disability equality.

Michèle Taylor, MBE, Director for Change, Ramps on the Moon said:

“I am excited about what Ramps on the Moon founding partners have achieved since 2015, and excited to work closely with new partner organisations to further transform them and the performing arts sector to celebrate and promote disabled people in the cultural landscape. We’re very grateful to Esmée Fairbairn Foundation for recognising the impact and importance of our work.”

Tom Bird, Chief Executive of Sheffield Theatres said:

“We are delighted to be furthering our partnership, and for Ramps on the Moon to make Sheffield their home. Ramps on the Moon has had a massive impact on the theatre industry over the last seven years, and being part of the cohort has been transformational for Sheffield Theatres. We’re excited about the impact this funding will have to support organisations across the performing arts in making change.” 

Many organisations are already signed up to start working on the Change Partner programme, including One Dance UK, City of London Sinfonia, Norwich Theatre Royal and New Perspective Theatre Company.

Chinyere Ogbue, Head of Workforce Development at One Dance UK said:

“As a Disability Confident Committed employer, One Dance UK are delighted to work with Ramps on the Moon through the Change Partner programme; this will be fundamental and instrumental in ensuring that our practices are as accessible and inclusive as possible. It’s a pleasure to have Ramps on the Moon with us on our disability equality journey.”

The Change Partner programme begins in April for organisations of all scales and genres. Any organisations wishing to find out more about how to get involved can find more information at rampsonthemoon.co.uk/workwithus.

WILTON’S MUSIC HALL ANNOUNCES SUMMER SEASON FOR 2024

Wilton’s Music Hall is continuing to bring a vibrant programme of theatre and music to its iconic venue for a wonderful 2024 summer season in which there is a show for everyone to enjoy.

World-class opera will be making a very welcome return with Charles Court Opera presenting a highly anticipated new production of one of G & S’s first ever operas The Sorcerer [11-15 June]. It promises to be a magical occasion with Gilbert at his topsy-turvy best. This production is directed by CCO’s Artistic Director John Savournin, and musically directed by David Eaton.

There will be more opera from the world’s first Pidgin English opera Song Queen: A Pidgin Opera[14-15 May]. This ground-breaking show is composed and written by the brilliant Helen Epega (The Venus Bushfires) who has crafted an unforgettable experience transporting audiences to a world where music’s transformative power inspires, heals, and unites – a timely message for the world today. And not to be missed Opera della Luna will celebrate its 30^th Anniversary by restaging its first considerable success, the funniest production of The Pirates of Penzance ever seen The Parson’s Pirates [27-31 August].

The nation’s favourite sitcom returns with Jack Lane and Something for the Weekend presenting the highly acclaimed stage production Dad’s Army Radio Show [17–22 June]. With two actors, two microphones, over twenty-five characters – and lots of sound effects they will enact three new episodes of this hilarious show.

There is more theatre from Long Lane Theatre Company who will present The Giant Killers [27-29 June], an inspiring true story of class, sport, and the survival of the underdog. The play tells the fascinating true story of the Darwen vs The Old Etonians F.A. Cup tie. A story of a town that finds its voice and a team that change the beautiful game forever. And for Shakespeare fans The Duke’s Theatre Company will present a new edition of As You Like It [01-02 August] directed by Kevin Bennett (Shakespeare’s Globe, Stratford Festival, Ontario).

Following multiple sell-out runs at Edinburgh Fringe Festival there is some extraordinary magic from Britain’s Got Talent finalist, West End star and multi-award-winning sell-out magician Ben Hart who returns to Wilton’s with another spellbinding show; Ben Hart: Live [15-16 July] and CSI: Crime Scene Improvisation [12 July] present their rip-roaring crime comedy made up entirely on the spot.

Music plays a big part in Wilton’s Music Hall this season and sees the return of its favourite piano-playing host Tom Carradine as he and his friends celebrate the British Music Hall Society’s 4^th Annual Music Hall and Variety Day [16 May] in a proper East End jubilant sing-a-long which will include songs made famous by the likes of George Formby, Ella Shields and Gracie Fields. There will be more nostalgia when Tom leads the Players Theatre Magnificent Music Hall [21 May] on a trip down memory lane to The Good Old Days and he is back again for another good old-fashioned knees up with Carradine’s Cockney Sing-A-Long accompanied by his amazing 5-piece band, The China Plates [30-31 July].

Singer and comedian Liza Pullman has teamed up with the quick-witted musical virtuoso Joe Stilgoe for a brand-new show; A Couple of Swells [04-05 July] featuring some of their all-time favourite songs. While OneTrackMinds [31 May & 2-3 July] returns with another vibrant selection of writers, thinkers, and musicians, including Elf Lyons, Joanna Neary and Onjali Rauf, each presenting a thought-provoking story about a song that has changed their life, and the five-piece shanty-folk band The Salts return with a rousing night of Songs from the Sea [11 July].

More music-filled nights are provided by Martin, Bisi and Friends [23 May] the hilarious cabaret concert is back for more celebrations of the life and activism of Bisi Alimi, ‘angelic troublemaker’, with pop, jazz, showtunes and performances from the London Gay Men’s Chorus, with proceeds going to a foundation supporting LGBTQ people in Nigeria and the finest female jazz musicians Tricity Vogue’s All Girl Swing Band [29-30 May] will celebrate their tenth Birthday at their favourite venue with a joyous romp through their eclectic setlist with pop classics and twenties tunes.

Ida Barr, the people’s pensioner, and the Queen Mother of our hearts, brings bingo hilarity in Eyes Down! Bingo with Ida Barr [28 May & 23 July] and Ashes To Ashes [17-18 July] a new show from Cabaret vs Cancer’s annual Bowie tribute show fundraiser were the very best of UK cabaret will come together in song, dance, circus, and burlesque to celebrate the ‘greatest entertainer of the 20th century’ the late and the great David Bowie.

For one night only dance fans will be thrilled by Rendez-Vous dance show The Monocle [17 May] a highly virtuosic contemporary dance performance from choreographer Mathieu Geffré featuring the voluptuous jazz chanteuse Imogen Banks presenting the untold story of Le Monocle, a secretly notorious lesbian cabaret in 1930s Paris, and there will be an exhilarating performance of Allen Ginsberg’s landmark poem Howl [19 July], accompanied by a live, improvised jazz score. And Mulberry Schools Trust will take over Wilton’s for one night only to present Shoulder To Shoulder An Evening With Mulberry Arts [10 July] in support of The Mulberry Schools Foundation showcasing music, theatre and more.

This season Wilton’s will once again be transported to a bygone era with a series of silent movie nights along with original, era-specific, live scores provided by The Lucky Dog Picturehouse. Experience a trip to the cinema 1920s-style, with a live music score and a behind-the-scenes look at some of the bizarre and bonkers musical instruments that bring film alive in Action! The (Not So Silent) Silent Movie Show [18 May]. This is a treat for any age, expect honky horns and hilarity with cartoons and comedies from over 100 years ago. Be transported back to the 1924 hit film Harold Lloyd’s ‘Girl Shy’ 100 Year Anniversary [18 May] or see the world premiere screening of Pandora’s Box (1929) [24 June], a film which launched the icon of the flapper age Louise Brooks to international stardom and ranks among The Guardian’s top 100 films of all time.  The masterpiece The Hunchback Of Notre Dame (1923) [25 June] composed and performed by Ben Comeau will also be a world premiere.

The greatest British silent-screen director Anthony Asquith will be celebrated this summer with The Silent Films Of Anthony Asquith [26 June, 24 July & 26 July], melodramas Shooting Stars (1928) [26 June] and A Cottage On Dartmoor (1929)  [24 July], and the romantic comedy set on the London Underground; Underground (1928) [26 July] and since 2024 marks a century since Buster Keaton’s best-loved comedy first graced the big screen – The Lucky Dog Picturehouse is celebrating with Buster Keaton’s Sherlock Jr. 100 Year Anniversary [25 July]. This season of silent films will conclude with the British masterpiece Piccadilly [29 July] starring Hollywood and fashion icon Anna May Wong playing a woman working in the nightclubs of London with an incredible live score performed by pianist Christopher Eldred.

Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts expands its world-class offering with a full-time Musical Theatre CertHE across two terms, offered in London, Manchester, Birmingham and Exeter from September

Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts is launching a new two-term Certificate of Higher Education (CertHE) in Musical Theatre across four locations which will welcome its first class of students in September 2024. This is the first time Mountview has offered a CertHE, building on its outstanding reputation and student offering. The CertHE replaces Mountview’s Foundation Musical Theatre course, which previously ran in London and Manchester, and will provide students with an artistically safe and supportive environment where they can develop their creative instincts and prepare for careers in the performing arts.

As well as being available in London (Mountview) and Manchester (Z-arts), students will have the opportunity to study the Musical Theatre CertHE in Exeter (Exeter Phoenix) and Birmingham (Midlands Arts Centre). The course will include 30 hours of training per week, and successful applicants will be able to apply for loans and other funding pending validation of the course by the University of East Anglia. The application deadline is 3 June 2024.

Sally Ann Gritton, Principal of Mountview, said: “We are proud to extend Mountview’s training opportunities to Birmingham and Exeter, building on our current offering in London and Manchester. By expanding our training beyond our home in Peckham, we are excited to be able to bring world-class training to new students across the country and open up access to the dramatic arts.”

Students will study full-time for two terms developing their personal strengths and growing as creative artists. Students will gain an understanding of potential vocational routes through career tutorials alongside audition preparation and individual coaching. They will hone their acting, singing and dancing skills, culminating in a shared performance at the end of each term.

The course will serve either as preparation for an undergraduate degree at Mountview or elsewhere, or as a standalone programme prior to beginning a career in the performing arts. With its launch, Mountview broadens the scope of its training and thus the future of the creative industries.

THE GLOBAL PHENOMENON RETURNS
THE NATIONAL THEATRE’S
MULTI-AWARD-WINNING PRODUCTION OF
WAR HORSE
TO EMBARK ON A MAJOR UK TOUR  BEGINNING SEPTEMBER 2024

The National Theatre’s global smash-hit production ofWar Horse, the unforgettable theatrical event based on Michael Morpurgo’s beloved novel, will embark on a major 18-month UK Tour from 5 September 2024, touring through to 2026.

Opening at the New Wimbledon Theatre (5 – 14 September), War Horse will then tour to The Lowry, Salford (18 – 28 September) Mayflower Theatre, Southampton (8 – 19 October), The Marlowe, Canterbury (22 October – 2 November), Sunderland Empire (5 – 16 November), Theatre Royal Plymouth (26 November – 7 December), New Theatre Oxford (10 December 2024 – 4 January 2025), with future dates and venues to be announced. For more information and to sign-up for priority booking visit WarHorseOnStage.com.   

War Horse, adapted by Nick Stafford and originally directed by Marianne Elliott and Tom Morris, has become the most successful play in the history of the National Theatre, winning more than 25 major awards and has been seen by over 8.3 million people worldwide.  This all-new tour is co-produced with Michael Harrison, Fiery Angel, and Playing Field.

War Horse tells the remarkable story of a young boy called Albert and his horse Joey, set against the backdrop of the First World War.  This powerfully moving and imaginative drama is a show of phenomenal inventiveness, filled with stirring music and songs, featuring ground-breaking puppetry work by South Africa’s Handspring Puppet Company, which brings breathing, galloping, charging, horses to thrilling life on stage and has inspired a generation of theatre-makers since its premiere in 2007.

Director, Tom Morris said, “It is a huge privilege to be invited to revisit War Horse and to share this powerful story once more with audiences around the country.  Michael Morpurgo’s brilliant idea, to explore the crushing violence of war through the experience of a horse, makes his story as powerful and resonant today as it has ever been.   And in this time of increasing commercialism in theatre, it’s worth remembering that the production which carried War Horse to an international audience was a wild experiment, developed through workshops at the National Theatre Studio, the unique theatre laboratory where ground-breaking hits from Coram Boy and London Road to The Witches were devised.   It has been an enormous thrill to return there in recent months to reunite Adrian Kohler’s magnificent puppets with designer Rae Smith, composer Adrian Sutton and other members of the original cast and creative team to start the process of bringing Joey back to the stage.”

Author, Michael Morpurgo said: “I am so delighted the National Theatre’s iconic production of War Horse is back!  When Covid closed the show down in 2020 in Australia in the midst of its second World Tour, many thought, and I was amongst them, that we’d never see War Horse on stage again.  Now it’s really happening – we will hear the music and songs, be amazed by its design and lighting, live Joey’s story again.  War Horse is about the tragedy of war and about a horse and his boy, but it’s also so many other things – it’s about family and community, courage and loss, hope, and most importantly reconciliation.”

At the outbreak of World War One, Joey, young Albert’s beloved horse, is sold to the Cavalry and shipped to France. He’s soon caught up in enemy fire, and fate takes him on an extraordinary journey, serving on both sides before finding himself alone in no man’s land. Albert, who remained on his parents’ Devon farm, cannot forget Joey. Though still not old enough to enlist he embarks on a treacherous mission to find him and bring him home.

This tour of War Horse marks 110 years since the start of the First World War and follows the 40^th anniversary of the publication of Michael Morpurgo’s global best-selling novel, which has now sold over 35 million copies world-wide and in 37 different languages.

Executive Director of the National Theatre, Kate Varah said: “We are delighted that we are able to launch this major new UK tour of War Horse.  This moving and spectacular production has captured the imagination of millions of audience members across the world since it was first performed on the Olivier stage in 2007 and we are deeply appreciative and excited, to be working with our co-producers to make this possible in the current landscape.  We look forward to connecting with our partner venues with this much-loved story, that appeals to all ages and which beautifully showcases the magic of live performance.”

Creative development for the tour is being led by Tom Morris with revival director Katie Henry, featuring reimagined designs by Rae Smith and additional music by Adrian Sutton.  Puppet design and fabrication is by Basil Jones and Adrian Kohler for Handspring Puppet Company, lighting design is by Rob Casey, movement and horse choreography is by Toby Sedgwick with puppet direction by Matthew Forbes.  Animation and projection design is by Nicol Scott for 59 Productions, John Tams is songmaker and sound design is by Christopher Shutt.  Casting is by Jill Green CDG andassociate designer is Will Fricker.  Casting is to be announced.

War Horse received its world premiere on 9 October 2007 at the National Theatre, where it played for two seasons before opening at the New London Theatre in March 2009.  Since then, War Horse has been seen in 97 cities in 14 countries, including productions on Broadway, in Toronto and Berlin, with touring productions in the UK and Ireland, North America, the Netherlands and Belgium. 

For more information visit WarHorseOnStage.com.  War Horse will visit Theatre Nation Partner venues, including The Lowry in Salford and Sunderland Empire.  Assisted performances are available throughout the run at each venue. 

Coach & Horses, 29 Greek Street, W1D 5DH (Soho) – until February 26 2024

Reviewed by Mandi Riggi

3***

Keith Waterhouse’s 1989 comedy, “Jeffrey Bernard Is Unwell,” has been revived once
again at the Coach and Horses pub, an infamous drinking hole frequented by Jeffrey Bernard, an inebriated journalist and a Soho fixture played by Robert Bathurst. The Coach and Horses, a real-life pub in London’s Soho, was Bernard’s regular haunt, and it became a symbol of his lifestyle.

The premise of the play is that Jeffrey Bernard fell asleep in the bathroom and woke up to find himself locked inside. The first thing he does is reach for a bottle of vodka, as he waits for the pub owner, Norman, to let him back out. The play revolves around and celebrates the much-loved old Soho character, Jeffrey Bernard, a well-known British journalist and writer notorious for his excessive drinking and gambling habits, and some may argue, a misogynist.

Robert Bathurst has a clear handle on this role, playing a larger-than-life personality who dominates the stage as he regales the audience with tales of his misadventures. Delivering a little over an hour-long monologue, Bathurst navigates the crowded pub, engaging with the audience perched on bar stools. There are many entertaining oneliners; however, the combination of topicality and datedness doesn’t appeal to everyone, especially younger audiences who might struggle to understand the historical context and references.

Bathurst’s performance is energetic and entertaining, capturing Bernard’s wit and charm. However, some may argue that there wasn’t enough emotion and heart in portraying such a dark and lonely character who leads a self-destructive lifestyle. To be fair, Waterhouse includes witty criticisms of Bernard’s behaviour from his wives and lovers, offering a more nuanced portrayal of the character.

But Bathurst’s polished delivery made me wonder if it might be a bit disconnected from Bernard’s actual lifestyle. The omission of Bernard’s slurred and growly speech and drunken behaviour might contribute to a sense of disconnect between the character and Bathurst’s portrayal.

Despite these concerns, “Jeffrey Bernard Is Unwell” does offer entertaining anecdotes, particularly with punchlines that elicit laughter from the audience. The play provides a glimpse into a bygone era and offers a reflection on the consequences of a life consumed by vices. One memorable moment is the hilarious story about racing cats, which resulted in roaring laughter from the audience.

Overall, while “Jeffrey Bernard Is Unwell” offers an entertaining experience and attempts to raise important questions about addiction and the consequences of a life consumed by vices, it falls short in fully exploring the complexities of this celebrated
character.

University Drama Studios, Sheffield – until 10th February

Reviewed by Carol Crann

5*****

SIX is the story of the six wives of Henry VIII, but with a very modern twist. The wives are staging a pop concert, and in order to find out who will lead the group, they decide to have a singing battle. This competition will be won by the wife who is deemed to have suffered the most at the hands of the infamous king – and the ladies go out of their way to try and prove who had it the toughest. They soon realise, though, that their legacy is only because of one man and they no longer want that to define them. So they decide to rewrite their own stories – because they can!

I was invited to the dress rehearsal of this performance by the Splinters Theatre Group, who work with young people between the ages of 14 and 30 and have been performing in Sheffield for over 30 years. For this show they decided to have two casts, a challenge in itself, but with such an iconic show, with some incredible numbers and six very sassy characters, I was concerned that they had bitten off more than they could chew. But boy did they prove me wrong! So much so that I stayed to see both casts, and I left the theatre absolutely buzzing! A few issues with sound in the first performance were quickly rectified in the second, and some of the subsequent individual renditions actually gave me goosebumps.

Not only did the twelve young ladies have amazing voices and delivered very impressive versions of all of the incredible songs in the show, but they also had a enviable stage presence throughout the performance. The choreography was spot on, and they managed to maintain their energy levels right to the end of the show – which is no mean feat in a show that is entirely centred around the six of them.

I was also impressed by the lighting – with lines of bulbs that moved and changed colour constantly to emphasise the mood of what was happening on stage, doing so without detracting from the power of the performance. The costumes, meanwhile, were in keeping not only with the characters, but – importantly – with the age of the performers as well.

A brilliant performance by a very talented cast. By the end of the show, everyone was up and dancing in their seats – and this was only the dress rehearsal!

Hull New Theatre – until 10th February 2024

Reviewed by Dawn Bennett

5*****

Ambassador Theatre Group Productions, Paula Wagner, Nice Productions, LPO, New Regency Productions, Gavin Kalin Productions, Jas Theatricals/Josh Andrews Productions, Hunter Arnold, Caiola Productions & Co, John Gore Organization, Edward Walson, Deroy Kierstead presents Pretty Woman the Musical.

Based on the book by Garry Marshall and J.F. Lawton with music and lyrics by Bryan Adams and Jim Vallance this production was a joy to watch, all the cast were so good and it made for a very enjoyable evening of theatre. Set in the 1980’s the fashion is garish, colourful and the costumes (designed by Tom Rogers) were very much how I remembered it!

If you’ve seen the film of the same name, starring Richard Gere and Julia Roberts, this show followed the plot. Vivian Ward (Sydnie Hocknell) and her friend and housemate Kit de Luca (Natalie Paris) are hookers on Hollywood Boulevard in LA where Vivian meets rich businessman Edward Lewis (Ben Darcy) who wants directions to the Beverly Wilshire Hotel. She charges him for the directions and what starts as a onetime business deal turns into a six day stay together at one of LA’s exclusive and very expensive hotels. A lady of the night is not welcome in this type of establishment but Vivian is taken under the wing of the hotel manager Mr Thompson (Curtis Patrick, who also played Happy Man) who helps her negotiate how to behave and dress during her time with Edward. Edward is a business man whose job is to break up companies that are in trouble and make as much cash as he can, along with his lawyer Philip Stuckey (Stuart MacIver) they plot to take over a another failing company. The story then takes us on a rocky but romantic journey and we find out does true love finally win out?

There were some outstanding performances in the show last night, Curtis Patrick as the Happy Man and Hotel Manager was a joy to watch, such a talented triple threat. Natalie Paris as Kit De Luca was a brilliant singer…what a voice! Noah Harrison who played the bellboy Giulio was so good, his timing, facial expressions and stage presence was outstanding.

The toe tapping songs, played magnificently by the Orchestra under Musical Director Griff Johnson, were very memorable. The sets (designed by David Rockwell) were very clever, taking us from Hollywood Boulevard to the Hotel to a polo match, they were simple but very effective.

This production is definitely worth the five stars I have given it. A stunning night was had watching this very talented cast!

Presented by Howard Panter for Trafalgar Theatre Productions

in association with the Barbican

“COLE PORTER’S GREATEST MUSICAL COMEDY”

Playbill

OLIVIER AWARD NOMINEE CHARLIE STEMP

& RISING STAR GEORGINA ONUORAH

JOIN THE CAST OF

“The ultimate Broadway musical from the golden age”

Financial Times

Starring

Multi-Award-Winning Tony Award Winner

ADRIAN DUNBAR STEPHANIE J. BLOCK

As Fred Graham / Petruchio As Lilli Vanessi / Katharine

Music and Lyrics by COLE PORTER

Book by SAM AND BELLA SPEWACK

Directed by Tony Award Winner BARTLETT SHER

BARBICAN THEATRE

FROM 4 JUNE 2024

STRICTLY LIMITED ENGAGEMENT UNTIL 14 SEPTEMBER

TICKETS ON SALE NOW FROM KISSMEKATEMUSICAL.COM

Olivier nominee Charlie Stemp (Crazy For You, Mary Poppins) and rising star Georgina Onuorah (The Wizard of Oz, Oklahoma!) are set to captivate audiences this summer as they co-star in the much-loved quintessential Cole Porter musical comedy KISS ME, KATE. They will join multi-award-winning actor Adrian Dunbar, making his musical theatre debut and Tony Award winner and Broadway Royalty Stephanie J. Block, making her West End debut, for a strictly limited 15-week season at the Barbican Theatre from 4 June.

Stemp will be bringing his impressive tap-dancing skills to the role of the impulsive gambler Bill Calhoun/Lucentio and Onurofah her soaring voice to the charming Lois Lane/Bianca. The dynamic duo are set to shine as they bring their unparalleled talent, energy and charisma to the Barbican stage.

Charlie Stemp said: “Kiss Me, Kate has always been a favourite show of mine, so to get the chance to return to the West End so soon in this title and specifically opposite Adrian Dunbar, Stephanie J. Block and Georgina Onuorah is a dream come true.”

Georgina Onuorah said: “I am thrilled to be involved in this reimagined Kiss Me, Kate – with a Lois/Bianca that looks like me! Bart Sher is a remarkable director and I am so excited to get working on this beloved musical with this wonderful team.”

Producer Howard Panter said: “I’m delighted that the dynamic Charlie Stemp and Georgina Onuorah are joining the cast of KISS ME, KATE. Their youthful energy and exceptional talents will bring an exciting vibrancy to Cole Porter’s timeless masterpiece. KISS ME, KATE is the perfect summer treat for London audiences this year. It’s fun, infectious and pure entertainment – it’s musical theatre at its very best.”

One of the all-time classic musical comedy farces, KISS ME, KATE is making a long-awaited return to the London stage. From the producer of the smash hit musical Anything Goes and A Strange Loop (both staged at the Barbican), this majestic production of Cole Porter’s musical masterpiece is set dazzle West End audiences once again this summer.

Directed by Bartlett Sher (The King and I, South Pacific and To Kill A Mockingbird), this all-star creative team have collectively won a remarkable 20 Tony awards between them. Joining the dynamic creative team is renowned choreographer Anthony Van Laast, accomplished costume designer Catherine Zuber and leading set designer Michael Yeargan. With music and lyrics by Cole Porter and the original book by Bella & Samuel Spewack, this new production, promises a symphony of wit, charm and musical brilliance. With a company of over 50, including a full-scale orchestra, and featuring Cole Porter classics such as ‘Another Op’nin’, Another Show’, ‘Brush Up Your Shakespeare’, ‘Tom, Dick or Harry’ and ‘It’s Too Darn Hot’ KISS ME, KATE is the perfect musical spectacle for 2024.

This musical farce which brilliantly showcases Cole Porter’s razor-sharp wit, has won Best Musical at the Tony Awards. It’s a sophisticated, ferociously funny, show within a show – which whisks you into a world of backstage chaos and romantic entanglements as a theatre company attempt to put on a production of Shakespeare’s ‘The Taming of the Shrew’. The battle of the sexes takes centre stage as former spouses feud, only to find the off-stage antics rival the drama on-stage. Throw in a number of cases of mistaken identity, confused love, gangsters and a spectacular tap routine and you get...KISS ME, KATE.

CREATIVE TEAM

Bartlett Sher – Director

Anthony Van Laast – Choreographer

Michael Yeargan – Set Designer

Catherine Zuber – Costume Designer

Donald Holder – Lighting Designer

Adam Fisher – Sound Designer

Stephen Ridley – Music Supervisor

LISTINGS INFORMATION

Barbican Theatre, Silk Street, London EC2Y 8DS

First Performance: 4th June 2024

Final performance: 14th September 2024

Performances: Monday – Saturday at 7.30pm & Thursday and Saturday at 2.30pm

Running time: Approx 2 hours 40 minutes (including interval)

Age guidance: 10+

Tickets from £29.50

Barbican Box Office: Barbican.org.uk or 020 7870 2500

(Telephone lines open Monday to Friday, 12.00 – 5.30pm)

Website: KissMeKateMusical.com

X: @KissMeKateUK

Facebook: @KissMeKateUK

Instagram: @KissMeKateUK

Access Performances:

Audio Described: Wednesday 17 July, 7.30pm (Touch Tour 5.30pm) and Saturday 10 August, 2.30pm (Touch Tour 12.30pm)

Captioned: Wednesday 24 July, 7.30pm and Saturday 17 August, 2.30pm

BSL interpreted: Wednesday 31 July, 7.30pm and Saturday 24 August, 2.30pm

Presented in association with the Barbican

Paulus announces the Spring/Summer 2024 tour dates 

for his nostalgic musical celebration 

Looking For Me Friend: The Music of Victoria Wood

Looking For Me Friend: The Music of Victoria Wood, the celebration of the music of the late comedy genius and national treasure written and performed by Paulus (‘The Cabaret Geek’, BBC1’s All Together Now and ‘King of Cabaret’ The Stage), will return to delight audiences this year.

Directed by multi-award-winning cabaret artist Sarah-Louise Young(An Evening Without Kate Bush), the show is filled with love, laughter and fabulous memories for Victoria Wood fans as well as the ultimate ‘beginner’s guide’ for audiences new to her work. 

The 2024 Spring/Summer tour will visit The Bungalow, Paisley (16 Mar), The Maltings, Berwick (17 Mar),Quay Theatre, Sudbury (24 Mar), Albany Theatre, Coventry (3 Apr), Town Hall Theatre, Hartlepool (5 Apr), Grove Theatre, Eastbourne (11 Apr), East Point Pavilion, Lowestoft (12 Apr), Norden Farm Centre for the Arts, Maidenhead (13 Apr), Lowther Pavilion Theatre, Lytham St Annes (17 Apr), Selby Town Hall(26 Apr), Otley Courthouse (27 Apr), Pavilion Arts Centre, Buxton (10 May), Sarah Thorne Theatre, Broadstairs (12 May), The Mill Arts Centre, Banbury (23 May), Ludlow Piano Festival (25 May), King’s Hall Ilkley (29 May), Ropery Hall, the Ropewalk, Barton-upon-Humber (31 May), Crazy Coqs, London (2 Jun), Bolton Gate Farm, Stoke-on-Trent (8 Jun), Thimblemill Library, Smethwick (29 Jun) and Ripon Theatre Festival (5 Jul). 

Many of Victoria Wood’s best-loved songs through the decades are featured including It Would Never Have Worked, Reincarnation and, of course, the classic Ballad of Barry & Freda (Let’s Do It), as well as some of her lesser-known and more poignant compositions. 

The acclaimed pianist Michael Roulston (Fascinating Aida)joins Paulus on stage, proving what many have known for decades: that it takes two men to do the work of one woman – half as well! 

Paulus said: “As we embark on our fifth year travelling the UK to celebrate a lost, much-loved friend, I’m more excited than ever to meet fellow fans of the unforgettable Victoria Wood, and to introduce a whole new generation to her wit, wisdom and word-play.”

Paulus, ‘The Cabaret Geek’, is an entertainer and educator specialising in cabaret. Best known for his appearances on BBC1’s All Together Now as a talent judge, his musical tribute to Victoria Wood premièred in London in 2020. For fifteen years, Paulus had close ties to the cult London cabaret venue The Battersea Barge, producing many cabarets for them including the hugely successful talent contest Cheese ‘n’ Crackers, Diva Nite and their annual adult pantomimes. For ten years, Paulus ran the entertainment agency Excess All Areas (formerly Better Chemistry) and under this banner he spearheaded the annual Cabaret Convention and London Cabaret Awards. His expertise has been sought to judge many talent competitions including National Burlesque Awards, Drag Idol for Royal Vauxhall Tavern, Pride’s Got Talent, Musical Comedy Awards and Burlesque Idol at The Hippodrome Casino. 

To find out more about Paulus and his show, visit: www.lookingformefriend.com.

TOM HOLLAND

STARS IN

THE JAMIE LLOYD COMPANY’S

NEW PRODUCTION OF SHAKESPEARE’S

ROMEO & JULIET

AT DUKE OF YORK’S THEATRE

The Jamie Lloyd Company today announces its new West End production of Shakespeare’s Romeo & Juliet, starring Tom Holland as Romeo, and directed by Jamie Lloyd. Romeo & Juliet runs at the Duke of York’s Theatre, Saturday 11 May – Saturday 3 August 2024.

Further casting to be announced. Tickets go on sale to those signed up for priority booking and ATG+ members on Tuesday 13 February at 8am; general booking opens on Tuesday 13 February at 12pm.

Sign up for priority booking here: www.romeoandjulietLDN.com

The Jamie Lloyd Company also continues its commitment to accessibility, offering 10,000 tickets priced at £25 and under, with 5,000 of these exclusively for under 30s, key workers and those receiving government benefits. Further information to be announced. 

Jamie Lloyd said today, “Tom Holland is one of the greatest, most exciting young actors in the world. It is an honour to welcome him back to the West End.”

The Jamie Lloyd Company presents

ROMEO & JULIET

By William Shakespeare

Directed by Jamie Lloyd

Text edited by Nima Taleghani; Set and Costume Design: Soutra Gilmour; Lighting Design: Jon Clark; Sound Design; Ben and Max Ringham;Video Design and Cinematography: Nathan Amzi and Joe Ransom; Composer: Michael ‘Mikey J’ Asante; Casting Director: Stuart Burt CDG;Movement Directors: Sarah Golding & Yukiko Masui (SAY); Intimacy Coordinator: Ingrid Mackinnon; Associate Director: Jonathan Glew; Associate Designer: Rachel Wingate

Duke of York’s Theatre

Saturday 11 May – Saturday 3 August 2024

Violent delights have violent ends.

Tom Holland is Romeo in Jamie Lloyd’s pulsating new vision of Shakespeare’s immortal tale of wordsmiths, rhymers, lovers and fighters. 

Romeo & Juliet is produced by The Jamie Lloyd Company and David Binder Productions.

www.romeoandjulietLDN.com

Instagram:          @RomeoJulietLDN

X:                           @RomeoJulietLDN

Facebook:           /RomeoJulietLDN

Tom Holland plays Romeo. He is a global star as a result of his iconic portrayal of ‘Peter Parker’ in the box office record-breaking franchise Spider-Man in Spider-Man: Homecoming, Spider-Man: Far From Home and Spider-Man: No Way Home as well as the installments of the Marvel Cinematic Universe including Captain America: Civil War, Avengers: Infinity War and Avengers: Endgame. Other film credits include Uncharted with co-stars Mark Wahlberg and Antonio Banderas and directed by Ruben Fleischer; Cherry for directors Joe and Anthony Russo; Chaos Walking for director Doug Liman, opposite Daisy Ridley, Mads Mikkelsen, David Oyelowo and Demián Bichir; The Devil All The Time directed by Antonio Campos, also stars Robert Pattinson and Mia Wasikowska; Alfonso Gomez Rejon’s The Current War, alongside Benedict Cumberbatch and Michael Shannon; Juan Antonio Bayona’s The Impossible, for which he was awarded ‘Breakthrough Actor of the Year’ by the National Board of Review, received the ‘Spotlight Award’ from the Hollywood Film Awards and was nominated for the ‘Best Young Actor/Actress’ BFCA Critics’ Choice Award; James Gray’s Lost City Of Z with Charlie Hunnam, Robert Pattinson and Sienna Miller; Ron Howard’s In The Heart Of The Sea; Kevin MacDonald’s How I Live Now opposite Saoirse Ronan; Steven Knight’s Locke with Tom Hardy; and Rob Connolly’s Edge Of Winter opposite Joel Kinnaman.

Television credits include The Crowded Room (Apple TV+), for which he serves as an executive producer and received a Critics Choice Award nomination for his performance; and Wolf Hall (BBC), alongside Mark Rylance and Claire Foy.

He has appeared as a featured voice in the PIXAR animated film, Onward, opposite Chris Pratt; Disney action-adventure animated film, Spies In Disguise; and the feature adaptation of Dolittle, opposite Robert Downey Jr. and Antonio Banderas.

Holland made his stage debut as the title role in Billy Elliot The Musical (Victoria Palace Theatre).

Jamie Lloyd directs. His credits for the company include Sunset Boulevard (Savoy Theatre – Evening Standard Theatre Award for Best Director), The Effect (National Theatre), A Doll’s House (Hudson Theatre, New York – nominated for six 2023 Tony Awards including Best Direction of a Play and Best Revival of a Play), The Seagull (Harold Pinter Theatre), Cyrano de Bergerac (Playhouse Theatre/Harold Pinter Theatre/Brooklyn Academy of Music, New York – Olivier Award for Best Revival), Betrayal (Pinter at the Pinter, Harold Pinter Theatre/ Bernard B. Jacobs Theatre – nominated for four 2021 Tony Awards including Best Direction of a Play and Best Revival of a Play), Pinter One, Two, Three, Six and Seven (Pinter at the Pinter, Harold Pinter Theatre), The Maids, The Homecoming, The Ruling Class, Richard III, The Pride, The Hothouse and Macbeth (Trafalgar Studios).

LISTINGS

ROMEO & JULIET

Duke of York’s Theatre

Saturday 11 May – Saturday 3 August 2024

Box Office: www.romeoandjulietLDN.com