THE ACCLAIMED CAST RETURNS AS

THE DONMAR WAREHOUSE PRODUCTION

TRANSFERS TO THE WEST END

NEXT TO NORMAL

CAISSIE LEVY, JAMIE PARKER,

JACK WOLFE, ELEANOR WORTHINGTON-COX,

TREVOR DION NICHOLAS & JACK OFRECIO

reunite for season at Wyndham’s Theatre, London

Music by Pulitzer, Tony, Emmy and Grammy Award-winning composer TOM KITT

Book and Lyrics by Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award-winning writer BRIAN YORKEY

For all information and tickets, visit www.nexttonormal.com

Thursday 18 January, London – The critically acclaimed cast of the smash hit Donmar Warehouse production of the Broadway musical Next to Normal – which sold every seat at every performance across its season at Donmar Warehouse, where the production made its long-awaited UK Premiere – are to return as the show prepares to transfer to London’s West End.

Next To Normal – which has just been nominated for the most Whatsonstage Awards of any new musical this year – will begin performances at Wyndham’s Theatre on Tuesday 18 June 2024 for a strictly limited 14-week season.

The cast includes:

• Caissie Levy, who played the original Elsa in Frozen on Broadway, and whose other leading roles include Caroline, Or Change and Leopoldstadt
• Jamie Parker – Olivier Award-winner for his role as Harry Potter in Harry Potter and the Cursed Child in London and on Broadway, and portrays Robin Janvrin in Season 6 of Netflix’s The Crown
• Jack Wolfe, who was nominated in the Emerging Talent category at the Evening Standard Theatre Awards for his role in Next To Normal at the Donmar Warehouse and star of Netflix series Shadow and Bone
• Eleanor Worthington-Cox, whose credits include Jerusalem at Apollo Theatre, and the youngest winner of an Olivier Award for her lead role in Matilda The Musical
• Trevor Dion Nicholas, whose West End credits include the Genie in Aladdin and George Washington in Hamilton
• Jack Ofrecio, whose credits include The Merry Wives of Windsor at Shakespeare’s Globe

When the landmark musical debuted on Broadway in 2010, Ben Brantley of The New York Times called it “Brave and breathtaking. It is something much more than a feel-good musical; it is a feel-everything musical.” And Peter Marks of The Washington Post called it “a moving, blisteringly honest, and inordinately powerful new musical stocked with beautiful songs that get to the heart of the story – and simply get to the heart.” Next to Normal went on to win three Tony Awards, including Best Original Score, as well as the Pulitzer Prize for Drama, one of only 10 musicals in history to receive the prestigious honour.

Next To Normal is an intimate exploration of family and illness, loss and grief. At its heart is Diana Goodman, a suburban wife and mother living with bipolar disorder and haunted by her past. Donmar Artistic Director Michael Longhurst directs this powerful rock musical.

Tickets are on-sale at www.nexttonormal.com

Caissie Levy plays Diana Goodman. Theatre includes: Tom Stoppard’s Leopoldstadt (Broadway); Rose in Caroline, Or Change (Broadway, Grammy Nomination for her work on the cast album); Elsa in Frozen (Broadway, cast album); Fantine in Les Miserables (Broadway); Molly in Ghost (Broadway, West End, cast album); Sheila in Hair (Broadway, West End, cast album); Elphaba in Wicked (Los Angeles, Broadway); Penny in Hairspray (Broadway, 1st US National Tour); Maureen in Rent (US National Tour); The Bedwetter (Off Broadway); First Daughter’s Suite (Off Broadway, cast album) and Murder Ballad (Off Broadway). In concert:The Music of John Kander & Fred Ebb; The Songs of Kristen and Bobby Lopez (Carnegie Hall with the New York Pops); Sir Rod Stewart (Caesars Palace Las Vegas residency); Musical Gala Concert: 10th Anniversary (Tokyu Theatre Orb, Tokyo). Extensive solo touring throughout The United States, Canada, and the UK including Cadogan Hall (London); 54 Below (New York City); Joe’s Pub (New York City); Feinstein’s (Los Angeles); Feinstein’s at the Nikko (San Francisco) and more. Her debut solo album, With You, is available wherever you buy or stream your music. caissielevy.com

Jamie Parker plays Dan. His theatre credits include The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (Southwark Playhouse Elephant); The Doctor (Adelaide Festival); Harry Potter and the Cursed Child – Olivier Award winner for Best Actor and Tony Award nominee for Best Leading Actor in a Play (Palace Theatre/Lyric Theater, Broadway); Guys & Dolls (Chichester Festival Theatre/Savoy Theatre); High Society (The Old Vic); Assassins; Proof (Menier Chocolate Factory); Candida (Theatre Royal Bath); Cat on a Hot Tin Roof (Leeds Playhouse); Henry V, Henry IV Parts I & II, A New World, As You Like It (Shakespeare’s Globe); Racing Demon (Sheffield Crucible); Rosencrantz & Guildenstern Are Dead (Chichester Festival Theatre/Theatre Royal Haymarket); My Zinc Bed (Royal & Derngate, Northampton); Revenger’s Tragedy (National Theatre); The History Boys (National Theatre/Broadway); Singer (Tricycle Theatre); Between the Crosses (Jermyn Street Theatre); The Gondoliers (Chichester Festival Theatre); and After the Dance (Oxford Stage Company).Television includes: The Long Shadow, Masters of the Air, Becoming Elizabeth, Des, Treadstone, Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrel, Count Arthur Strong, Lawless, Parade’s End, Silk, The Hour, Burn Up, Horne and Corden, Imagine Van Gogh, Silent Witness, Maxwell, As If, Wire in the Blood and Foyle’s War. Films include: 1917, The Lady in the Van, Le Weekend, Valkyrie and The History Boys.

Jack Wolfe plays Gabe. His theatre credits include Peter in The Magician’s Elephant (RSC); The Snow Queen (Rose Theatre Kingston); The Musician (The Belfast Ensemble); Sweeney Todd (Lyric Theatre Belfast) and Pinocchio (National Theatre). Television includes: Shadow and Bone, Inside No.9 and The Witcher. Film includes: The Magic Flute produced by Roland Emmerich. Award nominations include: Evening Standard Theatre Award for Emerging Talent and WhatsOnStage Award for Best Supporting Performer in a Musical.

Eleanor Worthington-Cox plays Natalie. Her theatre credits include The Secret Life of Bees (Almeida); Jerusalem (Apollo Theatre);Tom Cat (Southwark Playhouse); Bugsy Malone (Lyric Hammersmith); To Kill a Mockingbird (Regents Park Open Air Theatre) and Matilda: The Musical – Olivier Award for Best Actress in a Musical (Cambridge Theatre). Television includes: Britannia, The Irregulars, The Enfield-Haunting, Cucumber and Hetty Feather.  Film includes: Gwen, Action Point and Maleficent.

Trevor Dion Nicholas plays Dr. Madden/Dr. Fine. His theatre credits include George Washington in the West End production of Hamilton, Dr. Parker in Bat Boy: The Musical (London Palladium),Genie in Disney’s Aladdin – What’s On Stage Award for Best Supporting Actor in a Musical (West End & Broadway), Preacher in Bonnie & Clyde The Musical (Theatre Royal Drury Lane), Big River (US Tour), The Wiz, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, Ragtime, The Little Mermaid, Into the Woods, Little Shop of Horrors. Trevor is the voice of the Ghost of Christmas Present in the Netflix animated film Scrooge: A Christmas Carol. Television credits include: Panelist/Judge on All Star Musicals (ITV), Gustav in The Unstoppable Yellow Yeti (Disney), Lester in Moley (Boomerang), The Show Must Go One (Sky Arts), Strictly Come Dancing (BBC), Christmas at the Snow Globe, The Americans, Sunday Night at the Palladium, Royal Variety Performance and Disney’s Broadway Hits at Royal Albert Hall (Emmy Award).

Jack Ofrecio plays Henry. His theatre credits include From Here to Eternity (Charing Cross Theatre), Boys Will Be Boys (Flawstate) and The Merry Wives of Windsor (Shakespeare’s Globe).

Next To Normal’s creative team is led by Tony, Emmy and Grammy Award-winning composer Tom Kitt and Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award-winning writer Brian Yorkey.

Tom Kitt received the 2010 Pulitzer Prize for Drama, two Tony Awards for Best Score and Best Orchestrations, and the Outer Critics Circle Award for Outstanding New Score for Next to Normal. He is also the composer of If/Then (Tony nomination), Almost Famous (Tony nomination), Flying Over Sunset (Tony nomination), High Fidelity (Broadway), Bring it On, The Musical (co-composer with Lin-Manuel Miranda, Broadway), Superhero (Second Stage), Disney’s Freaky Friday (Signature Theater D.C), Dave (Arena Stage) among others. As a music supervisor, arranger, and orchestrator, credits include SpongeBob Squarepants, The Musical (Tony nomination), Head Over Heels, Hell’s Kitchen, Jagged Little Pill; Grease Live!, Rise (NBC), American Idiot and the Pitch Perfect franchise.

Brian Yorkey received the 2010 Pulitzer Prize for Drama, as well as the 2009 Tony Award for Best Score for Next to Normal (Second Stage Theater/Broadway). He was also nominated for the Tony Award for Best Musical and Best Book of a Musical for Next to Normal, and his work on the show earned him the Outer Critics Circle Award for Best Score. He partnered again with the Next to Normal team on If/Then (Tony Award nominee for Best Score) starring Idina Menzel. He co-wrote the libretto for The Last Ship (Outer Critics Circle Award nomination, with John Logan), with a score by Sting. His musical adaptation of Freaky Friday for Disney Theatricals enjoyed a national tour before being adapted into a Disney Channel Original Movie. Current theatrical projects in development include the original musical Jesus in My Bedroom, with composer Tim Symons. Additional theatre credits include Making Tracks, which has played off-Broadway and regionally, the musical adaptation of Ang Lee’s The Wedding Banquet, and the play, Book of Jobs with Alex Glover. Brian was the Executive Producer and Showrunner of 13 Reasons Why for Netflix, Paramount Television and Anonymous Content.

Michael Longhurst is the Artistic Director of the Donmar Warehouse. For the company, direction includes Next to Normal, Private Lives, The Band’s Visit (6 Olivier nominations), Force Majeure, Midnight Your Time (lockdown film), Teenage Dick, Europe, Belleville and the post-pandemic multicast revival of Nick Payne’s Constellations, which helped reopen the West End,broke box office records at the Vaudeville and won the 2022 Olivier Award for Best Revival. His production of Constellations previously ran on Broadway starring Jake Gyllenhaal and Ruth Wilson (Samuel J Friedman Theater, for MTC), in the West End starring Sally Hawkins and Rafe Spall (Duke of York’s, Evening Standard Award Best Play) originating at the Royal Court. His Chichester Festival Theatre production of Tony Kushner and Jeanine Tesori’s Caroline, or Change transferred to Studio 54 for Roundabout Theater on Broadway, via Hampstead Theatre and the West End, with Sharon D Clarke reprising her Olivier Award-winning performance. The Broadway production received three Tony nominations including Best Musical Revival.  Other theatre includes Amadeus featuring the Southbank Sinfonia (National Theatre/NTatHome), The Son (Kiln Theatre/Duke of York’s Theatre), Gloria (Hampstead Theatre), Bad Jews (Theatre Royal Haymarket/Theatre Royal Bath/UK tour & revival at the Arts), They Drink It In The Congo and Carmen Disruption (Almeida Theatre), ‘Tis Pity She’s A Whore, The Winter’s Tale (Shakespeare’s Globe), If There Is I Haven’t Found It Yet (Off-Broadway for Roundabout), Linda, The Art of Dying, Remembrance Day (Royal Court Theatre), A Number (Nuffield Southampton Theatres/Young Vic), Cannibals (Royal Exchange Theatre), The History Boys (Sheffield Theatres), Dealer’s Choice (Royal & Derngate), The World of Extreme Happiness (NT Shed), Stovepipe (site-specific promenade with the National Theatre, HighTide and Bush Theatre), Midnight Your Time(HighTide), On The Beach (Bush Theatre), On The Record, Gaudeamus (Arcola Theatre), dirty butterfly (Young Vic – winner of the Jerwood Directors Award) and Guardians (Pleasance/Theatre503 – Fringe First Award).

The creative team is rounded out by Musical Supervisor Nigel Lilley; Designer Chloe Lamford; Movement, Choreography and Additional Direction Ann Yee; Lighting Designer Lee Curran; Sound Designer Tony Gayle; Video Designer Tal Rosner; Casting Director Anna Cooper CDG, Musical Director Nick Barstow and Production Manager Chris Hay.

Next To Normal is produced by David Stone, James L. Nederlander, and the Donmar Warehouse.

★★★★★

“Electrifying… beautiful… heartwrenching”

Sunday Express

“Kitt and Yorkey’s decision to write about mental health implicitly rebukes those who think musicals can’t be serious. Their approach is compassionate, thoughtful, but also witty”

Evening Standard

★★★★★

“It tears at the heart in a way few musicals manage.”

Attitude

★★★★★

“A heart-shatteringly extraordinary piece of theatre. It has no heroes or villains, just ordinary people trying to survive intense heartache and the alienation of mental illness.”

Broadway World 

“Kitt and Yorkey’s musical combines a sensitive exploration of the issue with a wonderful score. Astonishing.”

Daily Telegraph

NEXT TO NORMAL | LISTINGS INFORMATION

Wyndham’s Theatre

Charing Cross Road

London

WC2H 0DA

Creative Team

Music    Tom Kitt

Book and Lyrics   Brian Yorkey

Director   Michael Longhurst

Musical Supervisor  Nigel Lilley

Designer   Chloe Lamford

Movement, Choreography

and Additional Direction Ann Yee

Lighting Designer  Lee Curran

Sound Designer   Tony Gayle

Video Designer   Tal Rosner

Casting Director   Anna Cooper CDG

Musical Director  Nick Barstow

Production Manager  Chris Hay

Performances

Performances begin Tuesday 18 June 2024

Final performance: Saturday 21 September 2024

Monday – Saturday performance at 7:30pm

Thursday & Saturday matinees at 2:30pm

Captioned Performance: Saturday 7 September at 2:30pm

Audio Described Performance: Saturday 14 September at 2:30pm

Website

www.nexttonormal.com

Social Media

Facebook, X, Instagram and Tik Tok @NextToNormalUK

LYCEUM, SHEFFIELD – UNTIL 20 JANUARY 2024

Reviewed by Alison Beaumont

5****

I Should Be So Lucky is the musical featuring Stock Aitken Waterman songs. It tells the story about a couple and their love for each other. On their Wedding Day Ella is left jilted at the alter by her finance Nathan. Ella and her friends and family decide to go on the couple’s honeymoon to Paradise Love Island, Turkey. Meanwhile Nathan has a change of heart and together with his friend Ash go to Turkey for Nathan to try to win back Ella.

There are over 20 of the 80’s smash hit songs featured in this musical, all of which are flowed into from the dialogue. Many of the songs are cut short and mere snippets but still gave you the blast from the past. When the songs that were the fuller version were sang these were outstanding. The best vocal performance for me was from Kayla Carter who played Bonnie when she sang “You’ll Never Stop Me From Loving You”, closely followed by Gary Davis (Big Mike) and Melissa Jacques (Shelley) when they did their duet.

Ella is played by Lucy-Mae Sumner whose dancing is amazing, she seems to glade effortlessly from move to move.

Nathan (Billy Roberts) and his best man Ash (Giovanni Spano) were a good duo combination.

The dancing by everyone in the night club scene was brilliant, you could easily imagine yourself years ago bopping out the moves.

The musical is full of laughter. Scott Paige playing Michael added much comedy to this hilarious musical which is full of 80’s cheese.

Ella’s grandma showcases that there is plenty of life left in the older generation and this is portrayed brilliantly by Jemma Churchill.

The scenery with the love heart shaped theme was simple but very effective, the hot air balloon basket and jet skis were a couple of my favourite props.

There were party poppers, streamers and beach balls all coming out to the audience giving it that extra bit of 80’s vibe.

The Pop Queen herself, Kylie, featured by video appearing on stage via a mirror.

When you left the theatre, you could feel and hear the buzz from everyone. Brilliant, funny and definitely one to go and watch.

Howard Panter for Trafalgar Theatre Productions

in association with the Barbican

proudly presents

“COLE PORTER’S GREATEST MUSICAL COMEDY”

Playbill

“The ultimate Broadway musical from the golden age”

Financial Times

BARBICAN THEATRE

FROM 4 JUNE 2024

STRICTLY LIMITED ENGAGEMENT UNTIL 14 SEPTEMBER

TICKETS ON SALE TOMORROW TO BARBICAN MEMBERS

PUBLIC BOOKING OPENS 10.00AM ON FRIDAY 19 JANUARY

FROM KISSMEKATEMUSICAL.COM

One of the all-time classic musical comedy farces, KISS ME, KATE is making a long awaited return to the London stage this summer for a strictly limited 15-week season at the Barbican Theatre, starring the multi-award-winning Adrian Dunbar (Ridley, Line of Duty) making his musical theatre debut as Fred Graham / Petruchio and Broadway musical superstar and Tony Award winner Stephanie J. Block (Into The Woods, The Cher Show, 9 To 5) making her West End debut as Lilli Vanessi / Katharine.

From the producer of the smash hit musical Anything Goes and A Strange Loop (both staged at the Barbican), comes this majestic new production of Cole Porter’s musical masterpiece, premiering at the Barbican Theatre on 4 June 2024 until 14 September. Tickets go on general sale on Friday January 19 at 10.00am from KissMeKateMusical.com.

With music and lyrics by Cole Porter and the original book by Bella & Samuel Spewack, this magnificent new production, directed by Bartlett Sher (The King and I, South Pacific and To Kill A Mockingbird), promises a symphony of wit, charm and musical brilliance for London audiences next year. Joining the dynamic creative team is renowned choreographer Anthony Van Laast, accomplished costume designer Catherine Zuber and leading set designer Michael Yeargan. This all-star creative team have collectively earned a remarkable 20 Tony awards. 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.

Producer Howard Panter said: “I’m delighted to be working with Adrian, Stephanie and Bart to bring this classic, hilarious golden-age musical comedy to the Barbican this summer. Cole Porter’s timeless masterpiece has everything you want: it’s fun, infectious and pure entertainment. This, like Anything Goes, will be the perfect summer treat for London audiences this year.”

Adrian Dunbar said: “I’m so delighted to be returning to the stage this summer to my spiritual home at the Barbican – where I started my career at The Guildhall School of Music and Drama – especially in this Cole Porter classic with the wonderful creative team including Bart Sher and Stephanie J. Block. Summer 2024 just got a lot brighter!”

Stephanie J. Block said: “Look…when asked to bring a Cole Porter classic to the Barbican stage under the care and vision of Bart Sher, one must say yes! There are so many ‘firsts’ to this opportunity, and at this stage of my career, ‘firsts’ are not the norm. How wonderfully scary and challenging and THRILLING. I cannot wait to dive into this timeless classic and put a fresh stamp on it alongside the incredible Adrian Dunbar. Mark my words, this KISS ME, KATE will most definitely not be just ‘another openin’, another show’.”

Toni Racklin, Head of Theatre & Dance at the Barbican, said: “We’re thrilled for this spectacular, brand new production of Kiss Me, Kate, led by its celebrated cast and creative team, to inspire first time and returning audiences this summer. With our welcoming spaces and dramatic architecture, magnificent stage and beautiful auditorium, the Barbican is uniquely suited to presenting what promises to be a dazzling and joyful experience. This exciting collaboration with Trafalgar Entertainment further solidifies the City of London’s position as a leading cultural destination, with the Barbican at the heart of its offer.”

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 – which will bring unabashed joy to audiences next year.

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: Mon – Sat eves at 7.30pm, Thu and Sat mats at 2.30pm

Running time: Approx 2 hours 40 minutes (inc. interval)

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

CRUCIBLE THEATRE

A Sheffield Theatres production

SHEFFIELD THEATRES ANNOUNCE CAST AND
CREATIVE TEAM FOR

THE CRUCIBLE

By Arthur Miller

Director Anthony Lau
Designer Georgia Lowe
Lighting Designer Jess Bernberg

Composer and Sound Designer Giles Thomas
Musical Director and Arrangements Chris Poon
Casting Director Jacob Sparrow

Movement Director and Choreographer Aline David
Intimacy and Fight Director Haruka Kuroda

Assistant Director Jessica Millward
By arrangement with Josef Weinberger Plays Ltd.

Crucible Theatre, Sheffield
Saturday 2 – Saturday 30 March 2024

Sheffield Theatres today announces the cast for The Crucible. Arthur Miller’s timeless masterpiece, based on the events of the infamous Salem witch trials, is directed by Anthony Lau (Miss Saigon, Anna Karenina) and runs in the Crucible from Saturday 2 – Saturday 30 March.

The full cast includes: Geoffrey Aymer as Giles Corey; Ian Drysdale as Deputy Governor Danforth; Jasmine Elcock as Mercy Lewis; Honor Kneafsey as Betty Parris; Joseph Langdon as Ezekiel Cheever; Anoushka Lucas as Elizabeth Proctor; Andrew Macbean as Francis Nurse; Simon Manyonda as John Proctor; Alexandra Mathie as Rebecca Nurse; Giullianna Martinez as Tituba; Laura Pyper as Ann Putnam and Sarah Good; Sid Sagar as Reverend Hale; Rose Shalloo as Abigail Williams; Mark Weinman as Thomas Putnam; Millicent Wong as Mary Warren; and Sargon Yelda as Reverend Parris.  

Returning to Sheffield after previously performing in Sheffield Theatres productions is: Andrew Macbean, who performed across all three theatres in ROCK / PAPER / SCISSORS in 2022; Simon Manyonda, who performed at the Crucible in Romeo and Juliet in 2015; Sid Sagar, who performed in hang in the Tanya Moiseiwitsch Playhouse in 2019; and Mark Weinman, who performed in Sheffield Theatres’ production of Wildfire Road in the Tanya Moiseiwitsch Playhouse in 2023. All other members of the castmake their Sheffield Theatres production debut with The Crucible.

Fear and hysteria grip a feuding community as a battle between innocence and guilt exposes the very darkest corners of human nature. When a group of young girls are discovered dancing and chanting in the forest, they are accused of witchcraft. With the threat of execution hanging over them, the girls draw the people of the town into a world of secrets, lies and manipulation where the only goal is self-preservation.

Tickets for The Crucible are on sale now. Tickets can be booked through the Box Office in person, over the phone on 0114 249 6000 or at sheffieldtheatres.co.uk

Festival Theatre, Malvern – until 20th January 2024

Reviewed by Courie Amado Juneau

4.5****

Noises Off, the wonderful British farce, is a play within a play in which a group of actors navigate through the staging of the fictional “Nothing On” where, naturally, things don’t go as planned and interpersonal relationships complicate matters.

The first act opens on the final rehearsal; the cast are suffering from rather shambolic performances, unfamiliarity with lines and battling the many props the author has inflicted upon them. Chief among these are plates of sardines. We’re introduced to the characters in the order they appear in “Nothing On” though, of course, during this first act we also get introduced to all their issues. This includes a complicated love triangle and a cast member whose familiarity with drink triggers consternation for all.

Liza Goddard plays Dotty the housekeeper (in “Nothing On”) and an actress who has a stake in the production both financially and romantically with a fellow cast member. A performance full of wit and a lovely natural quality that was ever more effective as the play rushed towards its manic finale. She was a delight to watch.

Soon enough director Lloyd Dallas (played by Simon Shepherd) interrupts to give some needed (yet seldom headed) direction, trying to get the cast back on track and focused. Mr Shepherd brought gravitas and an attractive realism to the role in a commanding performance.

A superb ensemble gave their all and each had their highlights. A tight word count prevents me waxing lyrical about each of them. I will briefly mention Paul Bradley as Selsdon as my particular highlight as I really enjoyed his bumbling, the misunderstandings he wrought and his attempts to get his hands on that bottle in the second act…

In that second act we join the cast some weeks into the play’s run to discover that the pressures have taken their toll. The backstage crew, seen in the first act, really come into their own in this second act as they try to navigate the increasingly choppy waters and series of unfortunate misunderstandings (especially when the Director turns up with the aforementioned booze and instructions to purchase flowers for one of the cast). Tim (Daniel Rainford) and Poppy (Nikhita Lesler) played these behind the scenes (and under the cosh) heroes with superb comic timing and relish; working together wonderfully to produce cascades of hilarity – especially in the non-stop, non-sequential audience announcements. The final act brings us the rather unfortunate closing night. I won’t spoil the surprise but if you have ever seen The Play That Goes Wrong you will know what to expect.

I love the premise to this work, it’s ingenious to see the same play from three different stages of its run. It looks like a whole lotta fun to perform in and it’s certainly many barrels of laughs to watch. With disappearing props driving the company to despair, wardrobe malfunctions aplenty and a cast doing their best to just get to the end at all costs whilst all around unravels, this show has plenty for everyone to enjoy. A pleasure to see this work on the stage again, it’s just what the Dr ordered to dispel those winter blues. Highly reccommended.

FLUTE THEATRE RETURNS TO ORANGE TREE THEATRE WITH

TWELFTH NIGHT

TO MARK THE COMPANY’S 10^TH ANNIVERSARY SEASON

Flute Theatre returns to Orange Tree Theatre (OT) with a new production of Twelfth Nightto mark their 10^th anniversary season. Adapted and directed by Flute Theatre Artistic Director Kelly Hunter, Twelfth Nightmarks the company’s fourth full-length show specifically created for audiences on the spectrum and runs at the OT from 29 January – 10 February. The production will then run at Riverside Studios from 12 – 16 February.

Flute Theatre performs shows for autistic individuals around the world in multiple languages, adapting performances according to the needs of the participants. Up to 12 participants will experience Shakespeare’s play on the OT stage with the actors. In addition to the new production of Twelfth Night the company celebrates their 10^th Birthday with the first International Shakespeare Festival for autistic individuals at Riverside Studios in August 2024.

Artistic Director of Flute Theatre Kelly Hunter said today, “I am very happy to be returning to the Orange Tree this year to create our 4th production of Shakespeare for autistic people. The Orange Tree may be little, but it has a huge heart and knows no bounds in imagination and ambition. A perfect fit for Flute.”   

William Shakespeare’s
TWELFTH NIGHT

Adapted and directed by Kelly Hunter
An Orange Tree Theatre and Flute Theatre co-production

29 January – 10 February

Flute Theatre creates ground-breaking productions of Shakespeare for autistic individuals and their families. In the 90-minute performance, up to 12 participants sit with the actors on the OT stage and experience Shakespeare’s story through sensory games, which everyone plays together. Each performance is adapted to the specific needs of the participants, however complex they may be.

Kelly Hunter adapts and directs. She founded Flute Theatre in 2014 and is Artistic Director. For Flute Theatre, she her directorial credits include Hamlet, The Tempest, Twelfth Night, Pericles, Wildcat’s Last Waltz and Deconstructing the Dream.

ORANGE TREE THEATRE

LISTINGS

1 Clarence Street, Richmond, TW9 2SA

Box Office: 020 8940 3633 (Mon-Sat, 10am-6pm)

orangetreetheatre.co.uk

Ticket prices (NO BOOKING FEES)

In person tickets: from £15, prices increase with demand

Under 30s: £15

OT On Screen: From £15

Access: £15

Recipients of Universal Credit / London Ticket Bank Scheme: limited £1 tickets

SEASON AT A GLANCE

SHE STOOPS TO CONQUER

OT On Screen: Tue 16 – Fri 19 January

NORTHANGER ABBEY

20 January– 24 February 2024

Mon – Sat 7.30pm

Thu & Sat 2.30pm (from Thu 25 Jan)

Captioned Performance: Wed 14 Feb 7.30pm

Audio Described Performance: Tue 13 Feb 7.30pm

OT On Screen:  Tue 21 – Fri 24 May 2024

Octagon Theatre Bolton

1 – 23 March 2024

Stephen Joseph Theatre

27 March – 13 April 2024

Theatre by the Lake

27 April – 17 May 2024

FLUTE THEATRE: TWELFTH NIGHT

29 January – 10 February 2024

Mon – Sat: 10.30am

Further summer programming includes:

UNCLE VANYA

2 March – 13 April

TESTMATCH

20 April – 18 May 2024

SUITE IN THREE KEYS

24 May – 6 Jul 2024

Primary Shakespeare: HAMLET
3 June – 5 July 2024 (workshops and performances)
Mon, Tue & Fri

RED SPEEDO

13 Jul – 10 Aug 2024

The hit play F**king Men by Tony-winning Joe DiPietro
returns to London for a final 6-week season

Waterloo East Theatre
Saturday 13 April – Sunday 26 May, 2024

After a complete SELL OUT season in 2023, the hit play F**king Men by Tony-winning Joe DiPietro is to return to Waterloo East Theatre for a final strictly limited 6-week run from April 13.

A modern retelling of Schnitzler’s infamous classic ‘La Ronde’, F**king Men is a fascinating, funny and provocative story of sex, love and connection.

This dramatic comedy follows 10 men through a series of erotic encounters that change their lives in small but significant ways. In this raw and updated new version, Joe DiPietro (‘Memphis’, ‘The Toxic Avenger,’ ‘What’s New Pussycat?’, ‘Sinatra’), takes a sharp and insightful look at the experiences of modern gay men as they navigate their conflicting desires for the comfort of monogamous love and the thrill of sexual freedom.

DiPietro said: “I couldn’t be more excited about this updated version of ‘F**king Men’. Much about our queer lives has evolved and changed since the play’s debut, so to bring contemporary attitudes to this roundelay of sex, love and intimacy has opened up new layers of meaning. I’m especially excited to see this play through a youthful and modern lens, which promises to deliver a sexy, incisive and hilarious night out.”

F**king Men starts previews at London’s Waterloo East Theatre from Saturday 13 April, 2024.  
The strictly limited season is booking to Sunday 26 May.Cast to be announced.

Creative team:
Director Steven Kunis
Movement/Intimacy Director Lee Crowley
Set/Costume Designer Cara Evans
Lighting Designer Alex Lewer  
Voice and Accent Coach Amanda Stephens-Lee
Production Manager Carrie Croft
Company Stage Manager Gareth McLeod
Marketing Manager Emma Martin
Casting Director Anne Vosser

Produced by Adam Roebuck (‘Afterglow’, UK premiere, Southwark Playhouse and Waterloo East Theatre).

LISTINGS INFO

Adam Roebuck
presents

F**king Men
by Joe DiPietro
based on Schnitzler’s ‘La Ronde’

Waterloo East Theatre
Brad Street
London
SE1 8TN

Box Office
https://www.waterlooeast.co.uk

Previews from Saturday 13 April

Booking period to Sunday 26 May

Performance Schedule:

Tuesday at 7.30pm
Wednesday at 7.30pm
Thursday at 7pm and 9.15pm
Friday at 7.30pm
Saturday at 4pm and 7.30pm
Sunday at 4pm

Ticket prices:
For the run premium seats £42
Middle seats £30
Back £28

Contains strong language,
homophobic violence and nudity

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Arcola Theatre, London – until 3rd February 2024

Reviewed by Celia Armand Smith

3***

Michael Hastings was just 18 when he wrote Don’t Destroy Me in 1956 – a play informed by his own fractured life in post war Britain. The story follows Sammy (Eddie Boyce), a Jewish teenager born in Hungary, raised by an aunt in Croydon, and sent to live with his drunk father (Paul Rider) and young stepmother (Nathalie Barclay) in a Brixton tenement. Surrounded by a carousel of outcasts, Sammy tries to navigate his new life in the city, and the trials tribulations of being a 15 year old boy. There is hardly any reprieve while neighbours come and go, and everyone’s lives are laid bare with people hanging on every word on the stairs and at the door.

Opposite lives George (Timothy O’Hara), a rakish and unlikeable bookie who is having an affair with Shani, Sammy’s bored stepmother. The upstairs neighbour (Alix Dunmore) is living in her own world, and her teenage daughter Suki (Nell Williams) who she refuses to acknowledge is barely clinging on, but is also somehow the most reasonable character in the whole piece. The damage inflicted on the teenager’s young lives is ever present and unshifting, simultaneously bringing them together and tearing them apart. There are laughs though, and the landlady Mrs Miller (Sue Kelvin) is a welcome relief bringing a different pace.

While the writing at times definitely feels like an 18 year old’s diary entry, Tricia Thorns’ Two’s Company production is clever and well put together. The cast are excellent, and Alex Marker’s claustrophobic set is full of smart details like the bare bones door and the record player that is never given a chance before being unplugged and moved. The young Hastings’ writing feels like a work in progress full of potential, much like the character of Sammy, and maybe that’s the point. All of these lives are so full of promise and hope, but the shadow of war and uncertainty looms large in this frenetic family drama.

NEW ADVENTURES ANNOUNCES

MATTHEW BOURNE’S

SWAN LAKE

The Next Generation

IN CELEBRATION OF THE 30^TH ANNIVERSARY OF THIS LEGENDARY PRODUCTION

OPENING AT PLYMOUTH THEATRE ROYAL

ON 11 NOVEMBER 2024

THEN PLAYING AT THE LOWRY, SALFORD

AHEAD OF THE ANNUAL CHRISTMAS SEASON

AT SADLER’S WELLS, LONDON

AND A 2025 UK TOUR

New Adventures is delighted to announce that Matthew Bourne’s Swan Lake will return for its 30^th anniversary with a 2024-25 UK tour. This reinvention of Tchaikovsky’s masterpiece caused a sensation when it premiered almost 30 years ago and has since become the most successful dance theatre production of all time. In celebration of that ongoing impact, Swan Lake will take flight once more in this major revival.

Matthew Bourne’s Swan Lake begins at Theatre Royal Plymouth from 11 November until 16 November before visiting The Lowry, Salford from 19 November until 30 November, ahead of the 8-week annual Christmas season at Sadler’s Wells from 3 December 2024 to 26 January 2025. Further tour dates and casting to be announced soon.

Matthew Bourne said today, “When our Swan Lake was premiered nearly 30 years ago it created a sensation that none of us could have predicted. I think we knew that we had a good idea but could never have dreamt of the impact it would have on all of us, our audiences and the wider dance world. I have seen over those 30 years how this production has continued to change lives, create new audiences and inspire young dancers.

The inspiration of Swan Lake is central to our “talent development” programme at New Adventures, especially in our Cygnet School and Swan School, where we aim to develop the dancers of the future to feature in our many productions. Indeed, this new revival of Swan Lake will feature dancers who have been nurtured through these programmes, or through their professional development as New Adventures company members, with many of them making their debuts in these coveted roles.

As our swans take flight once more in this major revival, I’m full of anticipation for the challenges it will bring for our next generation of dancers and the wonder that it will bring to audiences who will experience it for the very first time.”

Thrilling, bold, witty and emotive, this genre-defining event is still best known for replacing the female corps-de-ballet with a menacing male ensemble, which shattered convention, turning tradition on its head.

First staged at Sadler’s Wells in London in 1995, Matthew Bourne’s Swan Lake took the dance theatre world by storm becoming the longest running full-length dance classic in the West End and on Broadway. It has since been performed across the globe, collecting over thirty international accolades including the Olivier Award for Best New Dance Production and three Tony Awards for Best Director of a Musical, Best Choreography and Best Costume Design.

Alongside performances of Matthew Bourne’s Swan Lake, New Adventures will deliver a programme of activity designed to encourage talent development, and to improve the well-being of children and young people through engaging them in dance. In addition to the New Adventures regular Schools Tour, this expanded programme will be specific to Swan Lake with further details to be announced.

CROFT & DYE PRODUCTIONS AND SALT LICK PRODUCTIONS ANNOUNCE THE WORLD PREMIÈRE OF

HARRY MCDONALD’S FOAM AT FINBOROUGH THEATRE

Croft & Dye Productions and Salt Lick Productions todayannounce the world première of Harry McDonald’s Foam. Matthew Iliffe directs this new play inspired by the true story of Nicky Crane spanning twenty years of the collision of queer identity and extremist politics in 1970s and 80s London. Matthew Iliffe leads a creative team with Set Design by Nitin Pamar, Costume Design by Pam Tait and Lighting Design by Jonathan Chan.

Foam will première at Finborough Theatre on 21 March 2024, with previews from 19 March and run to 13 April 2024.

Harry McDonald said today, “Learning and then writing about Nicky Crane was a fascinating experience. A cult figure, and a personality that on a very superficial first glance appeared to be a horrible tangle of contradictory ideas, but that nonetheless made complete sense to him – a violent and vicious sense, but a sense. His life, it seemed to me, was a way to talk about how easily people can be seduced into extremist politics regardless of their identity. As I’ve worked on the play society seems to be veering ever-rightwards, and, as exemplified by a number of cultural commentators, there is no inherent contradiction between a queer identity and being a fascist.”

Director Matthew Iliffe added “Harry McDonald’s new play Foam boldly examines the life story of the infamous skinhead Nicky Crane, as it unravels through a series of exposing interactions. Through the lens of these encounters, the play skilfully examines tensions existing between identity and politics, challenging audiences to contemplate the conflict between personal beliefs and public personas. In doing so, the play provocatively invites us to confront our own contradictions and shared humanity amidst a backdrop of prejudice, violence, and mortality. Politically charged and bleakly humorous, Foam is a compelling portrait of a unique and neglected queer history that speaks directly to polarisation and political extremism of our own times.”

Croft & Dye Productions and Salt Lick Productions present

FOAM

Written by Harry McDonald

19 March – 13 April

Directed by: Matthew Iliffe; Written by: Harry McDonald;Set Designer: Nitin Pamar;

Costume Designer: Pam Tait; Lighting Designer: Jonathan Chan

“You forget I knew you were a queer long before I knew you were a fascist.”

1973, a public lavatory. Nicky shaves his head, watched by an older man.

Publicly, Nicky is a neo-Nazi. A skinhead. But right now, in this place, that doesn’t matter.

He’s not the first man Nicky meets in a public toilet, and he won’t be the last…

Spanning twenty years and inspired by a true story, Foam examines the nature of identity and the consequences of right-wing extremist ideology against the backdrop of London’s skinhead and gay scenes of the 1970s and 1980s.

With right-wing extremism again on the rise, Foam confronts the flashpoint where the terrifyingly personal and the violently political collide.

Harry McDonald’s debut play Don’t Smoke in Bed, premièred at the 2023 VAULT Festival. His short fiction has been published by Another North, and he has also created work for the Liverpool Everyman’s Love Liverpool project.

Matthew Iliffe directs. His previous credits include, Breeding (King’s Head Theatre), Bacon (Finborough Theatre, Riverside Studios, Edinburgh Festival Fringe and Bristol Old Vic), Four Play (Above The Stag), The Niceties, Maggie May (Finborough Theatre), and The Burnt Part Boys (Park Theatre); and as assistant director, Assassins (Chichester Festival Theatre), BLACK SUPERHERO (Jerwood Theatre Downstairs, Royal Court Theatre), Brass (National Youth Music Theatre/Hackney Empire), and Musik (Leicester Square Theatre).

LISTINGS

FOAM

Finborough Theatre

118 Finborough Road, London SW10 9ED

Box Office: 020 7244 7439

19 March – 13 April

Full Price Tickets from: £20

Concession Tickets from: £18