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).
Michael Cohl, Tony Smith, the estate of Janis Joplin and Jeffrey Jampol for Jam, Inc. are delighted to announce A NIGHT WITH JANIS JOPLIN which makes its UK premiere at the Peacock Theatre, Sadlers Wells’ home in the West End, on 20 August starring Mary Bridget Davies as Janis, running until 28 September 2024. Tickets will go on sale on 26 January. Further casting is to be announced.
A NIGHT WITH JANIS JOPLIN is a musical journey celebrating Janis Joplin and her biggest musical influences – trailblazers like Aretha Franklin, Etta James, Odetta, Nina Simone and Bessie Smith, all of whom inspired Joplin to become one of Rock ‘n’ Roll’s greatest legends. Like a comet that burns far too brightly to last, Joplin exploded onto the music scene in 1967 and, almost overnight, became the Queen of Rock ‘n’ Roll. Her unmistakable voice, filled with raw emotion and tinged with Southern Comfort, made Joplin a must-see headliner from Monterey to Woodstock. Audiences will enjoy Joplin’s favourites, including ‘Piece of My Heart,’ ‘Cry Baby’, ‘Me and Bobby McGee’ and many others.
A NIGHT WITH JANIS JOPLIN began in 2011 and was an immediate success, touring for the next 2 years and breaking box office records at nearly every theatre. In October 2013, the show opened on Broadway at the Lyceum Theatre to rave reviews and has been touring the US ever since. The show also played in Japan in 2022 at the Tokyo International Forum Hall. Mary Bridget Davies played the role of Janis Joplin for both the touring and Broadway productions, receiving a Tony Award® nomination for Best Lead Actress in a Musical for her performance.
Janis Joplin’s sister, Laura Joplin, says A NIGHT WITH JANIS JOPLINis a “full belted memory that drives joy into my heart and tears from my eyes” with The New York Times saying the show “rocks the house with a fervour that is riveting”.
A NIGHT WITH JANIS JOPLIN has a Book and direction by Randy Johnson, choreography by Patricia Wilcox (A NIGHT WITH JANIS JOPLIN – Broadway, Motown – Broadway, West End). Casting is by Anne Vosser.
Randy Johnson (creator, writer and director) made his Broadway debut as a playwright and director with Tony Award nominated musical A NIGHT WITH JANIS JOPLIN at the Lyceum Theatre. At the MGM Grand in Las Vegas and on Broadway at the Longacre Theatre, Randy directed and co-wrote The World Premiere of Mike Tyson – The Undisputed Truth, starring international sports legend Mike Tyson and directed and staged Carly Simon’s return to the concert stage at The Apollo Theatre in New York. Randy also co- conceived and directed the now historic ELVIS THE CONCERT, which reunited Elvis’ original band, singers and musical director in a virtual interactive concert featuring Elvis. The show was an immediate hit, with sold out shows at Radio City Music Hall and arenas worldwide including Wembley and the O2 Arena. Other regional theatre credits include the world premieres of Jukebox Hero – The Foreigner Musical (Ed Mirvish Theatre, Toronto). He was honored twice by the NAACP for his direction on Shout Sister Shout – The Rosetta Tharpe Story (Pasadena Playhouse and Seattle Repertory Theatre).
Mary Bridget Davies is a distinguished American singer and actress who has made musical history with her powerhouse vocals and captivating performances. Davies’ accolades include the 2014 LA Outer Critic’s Circle Award and Theatre World Award, alongside a Helen Hayes Award nomination and numerous Blues Blast Award nominations. In 2019, Davies recorded her album Stay With Me: The Reimagined Songs of Jerry Ragovoy, the late legendary songwriter who co-wrote Joplin classics ‘Piece of my Heart’ and ‘Cry Baby’. Davies’ career has also included touring with Janis Joplin’s original band, Big Brother and the Holding Company, starring as Virginia Wolf in the developmental readings of A Room of One’s Own (54 Below and The Public Theatre’s Joe’s Pub), and Narrator in Joseph and The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (Beck Theatre).Currently, Davies is set to embark on the soon to be announced U.S. leg of her tour Don’t Compromise Yourself.
A NIGHT WITH JANIS JOPLIN is produced by Michael Cohl, Tony Smith and the estate of Janis Joplin and Jeffrey Jampol for Jam, Inc, with UK General Management by MPSI Ltd.
HOW DID IT ALL GO RIGHT FOR THE TEAM BEHIND PETER PAN GOES WRONG?
Mischief, the multi-award-winning comedy team and firm favourites with audiences, return to the regions with the global phenomenon Peter Pan Goes Wrong
We spoke to Jonathan Sayer, Henry Shields and Henry Lewis, who have been causing mayhem together for more than a decade now as the core creative team of Mischief, to find out more about turning mishaps into a fine art…
Their success started with The Play That Goes Wrong, which grew from a short run in a pub theatre in 2012 – where they had to lean against the set to stop it from accidentally falling over – to conquering the West End. Now this global sensation has been seen by over 3.5 million people, in over 30 countries.
They’ve had huge success with The Comedy About a Bank Robbery, Magic Goes Wrong, two series of The Goes Wrong Show on TV, countless improv nights, a podcast and, of course, Peter Pan Goes Wrong, in which the hopeless Cornley Drama Society attempt (and hilariously fail) to stage a production of J.M. Barrie’s classic.
Their shows are full of slapstick humour and carefully choreographed disasters, but so many shows over such a long period of time means, inevitably, there have been occasional unscripted accidents, too.
As Peter Pan Goes Wrong sets off on a UK tour, the team remember one particularly hilarious moment. ‘At the end of act one there’s a moment when Pan falls from the sky because his wire has snapped,’ says Lewis. ‘The way we do it is that the actor flies out, then a dummy dressed in the same clothes falls down to create the illusion. During one performance, they were doing a scene in the nursery where Pan is talking to Wendy and suddenly the dummy dropped. Pan said the immortal line, ‘ignore that, that’s not me. That’s the other, dead Pan.’
Sayer adds: ‘If that dummy drops, that’s it, the game’s up. There’s little you can do on stage, you can’t just sidestep it.’
It’s been a very Peter Pan year for the trio. As well as the UK tour which kicked off in September, they have previously been performing the show on Broadway – where it was nominated for eight awards – followed by a run at the Ahmanson Theatre in Los Angeles
Shields and Sayer tell of a recent day when they were watching a grainy recording they made of the show’s very first run in a tiny theatre in London in 2013. ‘That was a really stark reminder of how far we’ve come,’ says Shields. ‘There are lots of bits in the recording that are in the show now on Broadway, but there’s also so much that’s changed and evolved over time.’
When they’re standing on a Broadway stage or casting a national tour, do they ever take a moment to think about the progress they’ve made in the last decade?
‘If you spend a lot of time looking at what’s happened,’ says Sayer, ‘then you’d probably take your eye off the ball a little bit. But there’s enough water under the bridge to notice the water a little bit more. There are landmarks that creep in, like recognising that Peter Pan Goes Wrong premiered a decade ago, and when you do take stock it’s such a lovely surprise.’
Actually, their Broadway run marked the first time the three of them had done anything together in a while. ‘The thing that I’ve been reminded about is just how much laughter there is every single day,’ says Sayer.
In the meantime, they’ve each been working on individual projects. Lewis has taken the role of the Riddlemaster on ITV quiz show Riddiculous, as well as directing a show written by Shields called Good Luck, Studio.
‘The longer we’ve done Mischief, the more important it’s been to do other bits and bobs outside,’ Lewis explains. ‘Mischief is an amazing thing, and I do genuinely love it with all my heart, but it’s also quite intense. We’ve all known each other for a long time, we’re friends as well, so it’s been interesting to go and do these other things and bring those learnings back into Mischief.’
Sayer agrees. ‘It’s good to be a fully rounded person. A big part of my personality is that I really like sport and community events, so it’s been good to find a home for that.’
The home he’s referring to is his unexpected side hustle as co-chairman of semi-professional football club Ashton FC. He’s just written a book about what it’s like to run the Greater Manchester-based team called Nowhere To Run and, by the sounds of it, things are just as prone to going wrong in the world of football: after arriving a few minutes late for our video chat, he explains that he was dealing with an infestation of tens of thousands of bees under the pitch.
For now, though, they’re focusing on the adventures of Peter Pan and Wendy and, as Lewis explains, it’s the perfect time for the show. ‘It’s all about not growing up, making life an adventure and laughing through it. I think that’s a message right now that really resonates.
For Sayer, ‘There’s such a need to laugh at the moment. Post-pandemic it has a kind of profundity to it that didn’t exist beforehand. There’s a need for silliness now, whereas before people would have just thought ‘that’s nice’. Right now, people could really do with some total nonsense and joyousness for a couple of hours.’
Following the success of their previous visits to the theatre with The Play That Goes Wrong, Mind Mangler and Magic Goes Wrong, Peter Pan Goes Wrong is on tour now. Currently at Leeds Grand until Saturday 20 January then Cardiff, Canterbury and Newcastle. Get tickets here
Henry Lewis and Jonathan Sayer, creators of the global smash hit The Play that Goes Wrong and the BBC’s The Goes Wrong Show, will star in Mischief’s riotous new comedy Mind Mangler: Member of the TragicCirclein the West End. Mind Mangler: Member of the TragicCirclewill play at the Apollo Theatre, Shaftesbury Avenue from Thursday 14 March to Sunday 28 April 2024, with a Gala Performance on Sunday 24 March 2024 at 3pm. Tickets are on sale at 10am on Friday 19 January from www.mindmangler.com with a top preview ticket price of £35.
Written by Henry Lewis, Jonathan Sayer and Henry Shields, Mind Mangler is based on a character originally created in Magic Goes Wrong by Penn Jillette, Henry Lewis, Jonathan Sayer, Henry Shields& Teller.
Henry Lewis and Jonathan Sayer said:“We could not be more excited for Mind Mangler: Member of the Tragic Circle to be appearing in the West End this Spring. Touring the UK with this show in early 2023 was an absolute joy and we’re so looking forward to bringing it to new audiences. We texted the Mind Mangler to ask him how he felt about performing his show at the beautiful Apollo Theatre, this was his reply…
Join ‘The Mind Mangler’ as he attempts a spectacular return to his West End debut two man solo show. Witness hilarious feats of mentalism spiral into chaos as he attempts to read your mind, mind mind….
Mind Mangler: Member of the TragicCircle is directed by Hannah Sharkey, with set design by Sara Perks, costume design by Roberto Surace, lighting design by David Howe, sound design by Helen Skiera, video design by Gillian Tan. The magic consultant is Ben Hart andthe composer is Steve Brown.
Mind Mangler began at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival in 2022 and after a sold-out season was later developed into a two-act show that toured the UK and ran in New York in 2023.
This year, 2024, the extraordinarily successful and Olivier and Tony Award-winning Mischief celebrates 10 years in the West End with their award winning The Play That Goes Wrong – which shows no signs of slowing down since its first performance at The Old Red Lion with only four paying customers. Its achievements since include:
Whatsonstage Award for Best New Comedy in 2014
Olivier Award for Best New Comedy in 2015
Tony Award for the Broadway Transfer
Performing to over two million people round the world in every continent except Antarctica.
Mischief’s other West End stage successes include:
Peter Pan Goes Wrong
Mischief Movie Night
A Comedy about a Bank Robbery
Groan Ups
Magic Goes Wrong
Further information about Mischief’s The Play that Goes Wrong in the West End10th anniversary celebrations will be announced in due course.
Mind Mangler: Member of the Tragic Circle is produced by Kenny Wax, Stage Presence and Kevin McCollum.
Leeds Grand Theatre – until Saturday 20 January 2024
5*****
Cornley Polytechnic returns with their classic Christmas (not a pantomime) vignette of Peter Pan in Peter Pan Goes Wrong.
The joy of Mischief is the pure genius in their writing. You can see the jokes coming a mile away – and that just makes them all the funnier. The technical aspects are outstanding; the incidents and accidents precise, concise and well executed. From tiny mishaps such as a falling light missing an actress by millimetres, to the huge disasters that befall the rest of the show, show the high calibre of the writing (Henry Lewis, Jonathan Sayer and Henry Shields) and acting as well as the direction (Adam Meggido), production and technical crew ensuring that everything goes very badly but really well. And with a misbehaving rotund it can be no coincidence that by the end it looks like the death scene on the barricade from Les Miserables!
Peter Pan Goes Wrong is a very visual show within a show which needs to be seen to be believed, so it’s unfair to give away too much of the plot. However there are simple added extras that make the show shine from the start. Being stuck in the theatre foyer due to “technical issues” until almost before the show starts, the stage crew led by Trevor (Jake Burgum) still being in the auditorium as we get seated doing last minute bits, arguing between themselves and asking for help from the audience, and an impromptu rendition of “Happy Birthday” for an audience member.
The show is introduced by Directors Chris Bean (Jack Michael Stacey) and Robert Grove (Matthew Howell). This time with a huge budget due to a generous donation from the uncle of Max (Theo Toksvig-Stewart). It’s then just a splash of glitter as Francis the Narrator (Jean-Luke Worrell) begins the show. Comedy looms with John Darling played by Dennis (Clarke Devlin) who has memory problems so is fitted with “a barely visible headset that will pass on his lines without the audience noticing” that predictably picks up different radio stations, police reports and taxis.
Wendy Darling played by Sandra (Ciara Morris) is flirty and over-acting. She is the girlfriend of Peter Pan played by Jonathan (Gareth Tempest), who thinks he is the star lead, while huge respect goes to Annie (Jamie Birkett) playing Mrs Darling, Liza the Maid, a lost boy and who gets electrocuted in her role of Tinkerbell. Special mention also to Robert’s niece Lucy (Rosemary Akwafo) playing Tootles, who overcomes her crippling stage fright to get the whole audience yelling “I do believe in Fairies”, managing to keep her head and admirably finish the show.
The whole cast and crew are outstanding, and Peter Pan Goes Wrong really has to be seen to get the full effect that a review will never convey. You will laugh to the extent you may feel you are going to suffocate from lack of air. With a donation going to Great Ormond Street Hospital, even though JM Barrie might not recognise this version of his classic tale, you really need to see this show to believe the madness – Mischief at their best. In Leeds until the 20th and on tour around the UK
THE PHOENIX ARTS CLUB ANNOUNCES SPECIAL EVENTS FOR BURNS NIGHT, GALENTINE’S DAY, VALENTINE’S DAY AND ST PATRICK’S DAY
The Phoenix Arts Club, the renowned hub for entertainment nestled in the heart of London’s West End, is proud to announce four special events to be held to celebrate: Burns Night, Galentine’s Day, Valentine’s Day and St Patrick’s Day.
The Burns Night Cabaret Show & Supperon 25 January will be hosted by international drag diva Vanity von Glow and will feature performances from Scotland’s very best cabaret performers alongside a three course traditional Scottish supper (vegan and gluten free options available) served throughout the night. Tickets include a dram of whisky, and the night will also include traditional Burns Night piper, poetry readings and a late night ceilidh.
The Galentine’s Day Cabareton 13 February will consist of a three-course culinary adventure combined with a show from the Phoenix Artist Club’s dazzling cabaret performers. The event is billed as a night of indulgence, entertainment, and the kind of memories that are best made with your favourite friends. Tickets include a glass of prosecco.
The Cupid’s Cabareton 14 February promises gourmet indulgence and dazzling cabaret spectacle with a lavish three-course dinner followed by a special cabaret show that whisks couples int a world of love, laughter, and glamour. Tickets include a glass of prosecco on arrival.
The St Patrick’s Day Cabaret Show & Dinneron 17 March will consist of a jam-packed night of cabaret featuring the very best of Irish talent. The night will include a traditional Irish three course dinner (vegan options available), and the show will feature comedians, burlesque artists, West End musical theatre stars, Irish dancers, drag kings and more.
Peter Dunbar, Managing Director of the Phoenix Arts Club said, “At Phoenix Arts Club, we are dedicated to curating exceptional experiences that resonate with our diverse and vibrant community. The introduction of our Galentine’s Day event and the encore of our top-selling show exemplify our commitment to providing unique and engaging entertainment for our valued patrons.”
Rehearsals for the UK Premiere of Bhangra Nation – A New Musical, presented by Birmingham Rep in association with Mara Isaacs, Tom Kirdahy and Peggy Koenigbegan this week.
Completing the already announced cast is the internationally renowned Sohm Kapila. Her many credits include: Aquaman 2, Spider-Man Across the Spider Verse, Grizzly Night Out, The Uninvited, The Mummy on the big screen and Never Have I Ever, The Morning Show, Charmed, Jane the Virgin, Madam Secretary and 911 for TV. She is very excited to be back in Birmingham after her many years working at The Mailbox on the radio play Silver Street for BBC Worldwide.
Bhangra Nation – A New Musical is a powerful and pulsating new show about competitive Bhangra dancing, which will run at Birmingham Rep from 17 February to 16 March 2024,with a press night on Tuesday 27 February 2024. When Mary and Preeti’s Bhangra team qualifies for the USA nationals, they set off on opposing quests to dance to their own beat. Drawing from competitive Bhangra and mixing it with other Indian and Western dance forms, Bhangra Nation – A New Musical is a brash, intoxicating and joyous musical comedy for today.
The complete cast is: Zaynah Ahmed (Preeti), Gregory Armand (Jake), Siobhan Athwal (Sunita), Tia Antoine Charles (Lily), Lydia Danistan (Shilpa), Kyle Evans (Noah), Iván Fernández González (Billy), Kuldeep Goswami (Mohan), Bob Harms (Wallace), Raimu Itfum (Varun), RoMaya Jey (Swing), Sophie Kandola (New Mary), Sohm Kapila (Rekha), Arysha Kelly (Shetal), Ai Kumar (Constance), Aaron Mistry (Swing), Mervin Noronha (Amit), Jena Pandya (Mary), Ajay Sahota (Gobind), Edward Turner (Swing) and Leo Udvarlaky (Bob).
With a book by Rehana Lew Mirza and Mike Lew, music and lyrics by Sam Willmott, direction by Stafford Arima and choreography by Rujuta Vaidya, this ambitious and exhilarating new musical will be built and rehearsed at The Rep. Joining the already announced creative team are: Michael Taylor (set design), Linda Cho (costume design), Nick Richings (lighting design) Adam Fisher (sound design), David Bengali (projection design), Rebecca Howell (additional choreography and musical staging), Parambeer Samrai (bhangra consultancy), Richard Morris (musical supervision), Matthew Malone (orchestrations) Kuljit Bhamra(additional arrangements and orchestrations) and casting by David Grindrod for Grindrod Burton Casting.
The Tony Award-winning producers Mara Isaacs (Hadestown) and Tom Kirdahy(Hadestown and The Inheritance) said:
‘Bhangra Nation – A New Musical is a joyful, exuberant celebration of Bhangra and a deeply felt exploration of identity and community among young people finding their own way forward in the world. We can’t imagine a better home to help launch Bhangra Nation in the UK than in Birmingham!’
Birmingham Rep Artistic Director Sean Foley added:
‘I am beyond thrilled to be welcoming the amazing cast, the award-winning producing team, the extraordinary international creative team, and this spectacular show, to the Birmingham Rep. In a City that has a claim to be the modern centre of Bhangra, I’m looking forward to seeing the show connecting with both our South Asian communities, and with all audiences looking for a great night out. The Rep is a theatre for everyone, and I hope many people who perhaps will have never been to the theatre before will come along to enjoy the sheer talent involved in this feel-good new musical.’
The show originally premiered at La Jolla Playhouse in San Diego in 2022 under the title Bhangin’ It.
NEW CAST MEMBERS JOIN GUYS & DOLLS AT THE BRIDGE THEATRE AHEAD OF ITS FIRST ANNIVERSARY
with Owain Arthur as the new Nathan Detroit and Timmika Ramsay as Miss Adelaide
credit Craig Sugden
London, 15 January 2024 – Nicholas Hytner’s critically acclaimed immersive production, Guys & Dolls is delighted to unveil an exciting lineup of new cast members ahead of their first anniversary.
Owain Arthur (The History Boys, One Man, Two Guvnors, The Lordof the Rings) will star as Nathan Detroit and Timmika Ramsay (MoulinRouge, Cinderella) as the new Miss Adelaide. GeorgeIoannides (An Officer and a Gentleman, Annie, MAMMA MIA!) will continue his lead role as Sky Masterson, and Celinde Schoenmaker (Howard Goodall’s Love Story, Les Misérables, The Phantom of the Opera) will continue playing Sarah Brown.
Other additions to the cast include Jonathan Andrew Hume (Come from Away; nominated for Best British Actor in a Musical at the Black British Theatre Awards)playing Nicely-Nicely Johnson, Ryan Pidgen (Matilda (for the RSC), Man of La Mancha, The Wind in the WiIlows) as Benny Southstreet, Tori Scott (The Cher Show, Cotton Candy and Cocaine in NYC)as General Cartwright, Niall Buggy (To Kill A Mockingbird, Juno and The Paycock, Rough Crossing) as Arvide Abernathy, TJLloyd as Rusty Charlie and Dashaun Vegas as Harry the Horse.
Continuing in the cast, Iroy Abesamis (Swing), Cornelius Clarke (Lieutenant Brannigan), Cameron Johnson (Big Jule), Saffi Needham (Ensemble), James Revell (Swing), Charlotte Scott (Swing, Co-Dance Captain), and Dale White (Swing, Dance Captain, Fight Captain) will be joined by new ensemble cast members; Katie Bradley, Tanisha-Mae Brown, Filippo Coffano, Eamonn Cox, KamillaFernandes, AlexGiven, LucieHorsfall, HollieJaneStephens, DominicLamb, Siân Nathaniel-James, Sophie Pourret, Nathan Rigg, PierceRogan and SamuelRoutley.
Guys & Dolls– a musical fable of Broadway, based on the story and characters of Damon Runyon – opened on 14 March 2023, marking Hytner’s first musical presented at the Bridge Theatre. The award-winning musical takes its audience on a whirlwind adventure from Broadway to Havana. In November 2023, the production won Best Musical at the Evening Standard Theatre Awards.
The Bridge transforms one of the greatest musicals of all time. It has more hit songs, more laughs and more romance than any show ever written. The seating is wrapped around the action while the immersive tickets transport you to the streets of Manhattan and the bars of Havana in the unlikeliest of love stories. Join us on Broadway for the explosion of joy that is Guys & Dolls.
Guys & Dolls has music and lyrics by Frank Loesser and book by Jo Swerling and Abe Burrows, with – choreography by Arlene Phillips with James Cousins, musical supervision and arrangements by Tom Brady, set by Bunny Christie, costumes by Bunny Christie and Deborah Andrews, lighting by Paule Constable, sound by Paul Arditti, orchestrations by Charlie Rosen, associate direction by James Cousins and Lily Dyble, casting by Charlotte Sutton, Fight Direction by Kate Waters and Wigs, Hair and Make-Up by Campbell Young Associates.
Guys & Dollsis booking at the Bridge Theatre until 31 August 2024.
LISTINGS INFORMATION FOR THE BRIDGE THEATRE
Address: Bridge Theatre, 3 Potters Fields Park, London, SE1 2SG
Orange Tree Theatre (OT)today announces full casting for Chekhov’s Uncle Vanya. Trevor Nunn directs David Ahmad (Telegin), William Chubb (Professor Serebryakov), Juliet Garricks (Marina), Madeleine Gray (Sonya), James Lance – best known for his Emmy nominated performance in Ted Lasso (Vanya), Guys and Dolls’ Andrew Richardson (Astrov), Lily Sacofsky (Elena) and Susan Tracy (Maria) in his adaptation of Chekhov’s tragicomedy. Uncle Vanya opens at the Orange Tree on 7 March and runs until 13 April, with previews from 2 March.
Trevor Nunn said today, “Uncle Vanya is a masterpiece of naturalistic theatre, requiring of the audience total belief in each and every character and situation. So, it is a great privilege for me to have the opportunity to investigate Chekhov’s multi-layered human comedy in the intimate, inclusive and immersive environment of the Orange Tree Theatre. The keenness of my anticipation has now been multiplied by having assembled a cast of brilliant actors to explore all three dimensions of this famous play.”
Anton Chekhov’s
UNCLE VANYA
Adapted and directed by Trevor Nunn
2 March – 13 April 2024
Cast: David Ahmad (Telegin), William Chubb (Professor Serebryakov), Juliet Garricks (Marina), Madeleine Gray (Sonya), James Lance (Vanya), Andrew Richardson (Astrov), Lily Sacofsky (Elena), Susan Tracy (Maria).
Associate Director: Leah Harris; Designer: Simon Daw; Lighting Designer: Johanna Town; Sound Designer: Max Pappenheim; Casting Director: Matilda James CDG.
Production supported by Derek Robinson.
I cannot go on living in the country. Human beings were not meant to live in the wild
Sonya and her Uncle Vanya lead an uneventful life on their country estate, animated only by visits from the dashing local doctor. But when Sonya’s famous father and his glamorous new wife unexpectedly turn up, old grudges return, and new desires ignite. In the heat of summer, tempers boil over and forbidden lusts threaten to end in catastrophe.
An unmissable opportunity to see Chekhov’s tragi-comic masterpiece about the frustrations of rural life and middle age performed in the most intimate surroundings.
David Ahmad plays Telegin. He returns to the Orange Tree having previously appeared in Romeo and Juliet. His theatre credits include Pop Music (Hull Truck Theatre), The Crucible, Hamlet (National Theatre), The Bolds, Mr. Holgado (Unicorn Theatre), The Prince and The Pauper (New Vic Theatre Newcastle Under-Lyme), The Man Without A Past (New Perspectives Theatre), Our Man in Havana (Frinton Festival Theatre), The Kite Runner (Wyndham’s Theatre, Nottingham and Liverpool Playhouse), Ideomotor (Vaults Festival), Earnest and The Pale Moon, What I heard about Iraq (Edinburgh Festival Fringe), The Good Soul of Szechuan (Watford Palace Theatre), Eyecatcher (Sheffield Theatres) and Potted Potter – The Unauthorised Harry Experience (Melbourne International Comedy Festival, Little Shubert Theatre, New York). His television credits include Ghosts, Apple Tree Yard, The Frank Skinner Show; and for film, The Phantom of the Open and Kat and The Band.
William Chubb plays Professor Serebryakov. His theatre credits include Farmhall, The Tempest, Racing Demon and You Can Never Tell (Theatre Royal Bath), The Taxidermist’s Daughter, Life of Galileo (Chichester Festival Theatre), Othello, Richard II (Shakespeare’s Globe), This House, Waste, Great Britain, Othello, Scenes From An Execution, The History Boys, The London Cuckholds, The Madness Of George III (National Theatre), Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead, King Lear (The Old Vic), In the Depths of Dead Love (Coronet Theatre), Lawrence After Arabia (Hampstead Theatre), Yes Prime Minister (Chichester Festival Theatre, Gielgud Theatre), The Sea, Hayfever (Theatre Royal Haymarket), Whose Life is it Anyway? (Duke of York’s Theatre), Galileo’s Daughter, Man and Superman, Fight for Barbara (Theatre Royal, Bath), Justifying War (Kiln Theatre), Homebody Kabul and A Raisin in the Sun (Young Vic Theatre). His television credits include The Lord Of The Rings: The Rings Of Power, Vampire Academy, Sandman, Pistol, Miracle Workers, Quiz, Close to the Enemy, My Baby, Breathless, Edge of Heaven, Jonathan Strange and Mr Norrell, Silk, A Very British Sex Scandal, Phoo Action, Absolute Power, Cherished, Trial and Retribution VIII, A & E, Extremely Dangerous and The Ambassador; and for film, A Week in Paradise, Empire of Light, 6 Days, Adrift in Soho, Tezz, The Taking of Prince Harry, Veer, Affair of the Necklace, Mrs Caldicot’s Cabbage War, Milk and The Woodlanders.
Juliet Garricks plays Marina. Her theatre credits include The Doctor (Park Avenue Armory, New York, Almeida Theatre), and 100 Paintings (The Bread & Roses Theatre). Her television credits include Mr. Loverman and Murder they Hope; and for film Out of the Grey, South Facing, Reliable Witness, Phallacy, Secrets and After Work.
Madeleine Gray plays Sonya. Her theatre credits include A Murder Has Been Arranged (Theatre Royal Windsor), She Howls Kelp (Vault Festival), Endless Second, Timpson the Musical (Edinburgh Festival Fringe), The Unfortunate Life of Bees (Etcetera Theatre), Hot Lane (Spode Works, Claybody Theatre). Her television credits include Riches; and for film, The Batman.
James Lance plays Vanya. His theatre credits include Of Kith and Kin (Sheffield Theatres, Bush Theatre), The Dead Monkey (Park Theatre), Jeeves and Wooster in Perfect Nonsense (Duke of York’s Theatre), Celebrity Autobiography (Leicester Square), Ingredient X (Royal Court Theatre), Pythonesque (Edinburgh Festival Fringe), Ordinary Dreams (Trafalgar Studios), Pirandello’s Henry IV (Donmar Warehouse), Christmas, A Place at the Table, The Back Room (Bush Theatre), Tape (New Venture Theatre), The Inland Sea (Wilton’s Musical Hall), Elegies for Angels, Ragin Queens (King’s Head Theatre) and Brilliant The Dinosaur (Chichester Festival Theatre). His television credits include Ted Lasso (Primetime Emmy Award Nomination for Outstanding Guest Actor in a Comedy Series), The Canterville Ghost, Pennyworth, Agatha Raisin, Mount Pleasant, Hoff The Record, I Want My Wife Back, Houdini and Doyle, Babylon, Siblings, Toast of London, Black Mirror, Being Human, Boy Meets Girl, No Heroics, Top Buzzer, People Like Us, Saxondale, The Book Group, The Upper Hand, Sensitive Skin, Teachers, The Impressionists, The Famous Five, Smack the Pony and Absolutely Fabulous; and for film, Northern Soul, Marie Antoinette, Bel Ami, Hounded, Me Myself and Di, Late Night Shopping, The Search for John Gissing and Bronson.
Andrew Richardson plays Astrov. His previous theatre credits include Guys and Dolls – Evening Standard Theatre Award Nomination for Emerging Talent(Bridge Theatre), The Rover, The Three Muskateers (Carnegie Mellon), Othello, The 39 Steps (Harvey Theater) and The Taming of the Shrew (Chautaqua Institution). His television credits include Extrapolations, Triage, and The Last O.G; and for film, Daughter of the Bride, The Independent, Killer Among Us, Martin Eden and A Call to Spy.
Lily Sacofsky plays Elena. Her theatre credits include The Mighty Waltzer (Royal Exchange Theatre) and Three Days in the Country (National Theatre). Her television credits include McDonald and Dodds, Sanditon, Dangliesh, Summer of Rockets and Bancroft.
Susan Tracy plays Maria. Her theatre credits include Our Church (The Watermill Theatre), About Leo (Jermyn Street Theatre), Cyril’s Success, Dream of Perfect Sleep, Variation on a Theme (Finborough Theatre), A Day By The Sea (Southwark Playhouse), The Wars of the Roses (Rose Theatre Kingston), A Chorus of Disapproval (Harold Pinter Theatre), Playhouse Creatures, Rattigan’s Nijinsky, The Deep Blue Sea (Chichester Festival Theatre), Inherit the Wind, Richard 11, 900 Oneonta (The Old Vic), Gone With the Wind (Gillian Lynne Theatre), Anything Goes (Theatre Royal Drury Lane, National Theatre), Denial (Bristol Old Vic), The Old Country (English Touring Theatre, Trafalgar Studios), Runaway, The Merry-Go-Round (Royal Court Theatre), Eurydice (Trafalgar Studios), His Lordship’s Fancy (Gate Theatre), Favourite Nights (Lyric Hammersmith Theatre), The Relapse, Bartholemew Fair, Twelfth Night, Julius Caesar, Heresies, Mephisto, No Limits to Love, Anna Christie, Othello, The Merry Wives of Windsor, The Suicide, Three Sisters (RSC), Zack, The Rivals, Much Ado About Nothing, Loot (Royal Exchange Theatre), Les Liaisons Dangereuses (Ambassadors Theatre) and Long Day’s Journey into Night (Cambridge Theatre, UK tour). Her television credits include Ted Lasso, Manhunt: The Night Stalker, Piss Off, I Love You, The Trial, Silk, The Cry, Goodnight Sweetheart, Minder/Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner, Playing the Field; and for film, The Death and Life of John F Donovan.
Trevor Nunn was Artistic Director of the National Theatre from 1997 to 2003, where his productions included The Merchant of Venice, Summerfolk and The Cherry Orchard, as well as Oklahoma!, My Fair Lady and Anything Goes. He was also the longest serving Artistic Director of the RSC, from 1968 to 1986, directing much of the Shakespeare canon, as well as Nicholas Nickleby and Les Misérables. He has directed the world premieres of Every Good Boy Deserves Favour, Arcadia, The Coast of Utopia and Rock ’n’ Roll, Cats, Starlight Express, Sunset Boulevard and The Woman in White. Other theatre includes, Timon of Athens and Skellig (Young Vic), The Lady from the Sea (Almeida), Hamlet, Richard II and Inherit the Wind (Old Vic), A Little Night Music (London/New York), Cyrano de Bergerac and Kiss Me, Kate (Chichester Festival Theatre), Flare Path, Rosencrantz and GuildensternAre Dead, The Tempest and The Lion in Winter (Theatre Royal, Haymarket), A Chorus of Disapproval (West End), Beckett’s All That Fall (London/New York), Relative Values and Agnes Colander (Bath Theatre Royal/West End), Schikaneder (Vienna), Love in Idleness, Fiddler on the Roof (West End). Opera includes, Idomeneo, Porgy and Bess, Così fan tutte and Peter Grimes (Glyndebourne and Salzburg) and Katya Kabanova and Sophie’s Choice (Royal Opera House). His television credits include, Antony and Cleopatra, The Comedy of Errors, Macbeth, Three Sisters, Othello and King Lear; and for film, Hedda, Lady Jane, Twelfth Night and Red Joan.
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 Jan
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 – 20 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
ABOUT THE ORANGE TREE THEATRE
The Orange Tree (OT) is an award-winning, independent theatre. Recognised as a powerhouse that creates high-quality productions of new and rediscovered plays, it entertains 70,000 people across the UK every year.
The OT’s home in Richmond, South West London, is an intimate theatre with the audience seated all around the stage: watching a performance here is truly a unique experience. We believe in the power of dramatic stories to entertain, thrill and challenge us; plays that enrich our lives by enhancing our understanding of ourselves and each other.
As a registered charity (266128) sitting at the heart of its community, we work with 10,000 people in Richmond and beyond through participatory theatre projects for people of all ages and abilities. Our mission is to enable audiences to experience the next generation of theatre talent, experiment with ground-breaking new drama and explore the plays from the past that inspire the theatre-makers of the present. Operating without regular support from Arts Council England, the OT relies on the support of its audiences and funders to raise £500k a year to create this outstanding work on stage and in the community.
Ahead of its 25th anniversary on 6 April 2024, Stevie Doc and Tobias Turley, the winners of ITV’s MAMMA MIA! I Have a Dream, will join the production of the global smash hit musical MAMMA MIA! in the respective roles of Sophie and Sky at London’s Novello Theatre from Monday 29 January 2024.
Each week on the TV show, Stevie and Tobias, along with the other theatre star hopefuls, were put through a series of challenging paces with workshops, masterclasses and performances by no other than MAMMA MIA!’s legendary choreographer Anthony Van Laast and the show’s musical maestro Martin Lowe, before being whittled down to the final four by the show’s judges, Alan Carr, Jessie Ware, Amber Riley and Samantha Barks, who had creator and global producer of MAMMA MIA!, Judy Craymer as mentor. In the end, though, it was down to the great British public to make the difficult choice on deciding who of the four finalists would take the prize, with host Zoe Ball revealing Stevie and Tobias as the worthy winners in the show-stopping final, live from The Novello Theatre on Sunday 10 December.
Judy Craymer said, “After their extraordinary performances on ITV’s hit series MAMMA MIA! I Have A Dream, I cannot wait to see Stevie and Tobias make their debut at the Novello Theatre on 29 January. The stakes were high, but they both completely shone throughout the competition and dazzled both the judges and the public to win their respective roles in our musical. I am super excited to welcome them to the MAMMA MIA! family and celebrate this incredibly special year.”
Stevie Doc graduated from Arts Educational Schools in 2023 and will be making her professional and West End debut in MAMMA MIA!. Tobias Turley graduated from the Guildford School of Acting and has since appeared in Heathers The Musical (The Other Palace), West Side Story (Ljubljana Festival), Giovanni Pernice: Made In Italy (UK Tour), Sleeping Beauty (Mansfield), The Nutcracker (Birmingham Royal Ballet) and Magic of Animation and Carousel in Concert (both West End Does at Cadogan Hall).
Stevie and Tobias will join the London cast led by Mazz Murray as Donna, Kate Graham as Tanya, Nicola-Dawn Brook as Rosie, Haydn Oakley as Sam, Christopher Dickins as Harry and Stephen Beckett as Bill, with Natalie Langston returning from maternity leave on 22 January and playing Donna at certain performances. Also in the cast are Jessie Odeleye as Ali, Olivia Brookes as Lisa, Chay Wills as Eddie and Arcangelo Ciulla as Pepper.
Also in the cast are Aaron Archer, Amy Barker, Matthew Barrow, John-Paul Birss, Daniel J Brian, Sinéad Courtney, Izzy Cross, Ellis Dackombe, Lauren Dawes, Léa Desjacques, Lawrence Guntert, Samantha Ivey, Jennie Jacobs, Luke Jasztal, Nicole Lupino, Flyn Mullins, Hayley-Jo Murphy, Bradley Perret, Jacob Ritzema and Ella Tweed.
Since premiering in London in 1999, the irresistible feelgood musical has captured the hearts of millions around the globe. The sunny, funny tale of a mother, a daughter and three possible dads on a Greek island idyll, all unfolding to the magic of ABBA’s timeless pop masterpieces, has now been seen live on stage by over 65 million people across the world and turned into two record-breaking movies – MAMMA MIA! The Movie and MAMMA MIA! Here We Go Again.
To date, MAMMA MIA! has been seen in 50 productions in 16 different languages grossing more than $4 billion at the box office. In 2011, it became the first Western musical ever to be staged in Mandarin in the People’s Republic of China.
MAMMA MIA! originally opened in London at the Prince Edward Theatre on 6 April 1999, before transferring to the Prince of Wales Theatre in 2004, and then to the Novello Theatre in 2012. The London production of MAMMA MIA! has been seen by over 10 million people, played over 9,300 performances and has broken box office records in all three of its London homes. It will be only the third musical in West End history to reach 25 years.
Produced by Judy Craymer, MAMMA MIA! The Movie became the highest grossing live action musical film of all time upon its release in 2008. A second film, MAMMA MIA! Here We Go Again, opened in July 2018 and is the most successful live musical movie sequel of all time.
With music & lyrics by Benny Andersson & Björn Ulvaeus, MAMMA MIA! is written by Catherine Johnson, directed by Phyllida Lloyd and choreographed by Anthony Van Laast. The production is designed by Mark Thompson, with lighting design by Howard Harrison, sound design by Andrew Bruce & Bobby Aitken, and musical supervision, additional material & arrangements by Martin Koch.
MAMMA MIA! is produced by Judy Craymer, Richard East & Björn Ulvaeus for Littlestar in association with Universal.
LISTINGS INFORMATION
Novello Theatre
Aldwych
London WC2B 4LD
Ticket Prices: from £17.75*
*All prices include a £2.75 per ticket booking fee and £1.50 restoration levy
Early Bird Pricing – anyone booking 16 weeks or more in advance of the performance they are attending (Monday to Thursday performances only) will save £20 on Band B, Band A and Premium tickets, but only through Delfont Mackintosh Theatres, either online or by calling the Novello Theatre Box Office.
Family Ticket Rate – £199 for a group of four on Band B or Band A tickets (up to a saving of £151), OR £99 for a group of four on Band D and Band C tickets (up to a saving of £111), for Monday to Thursday performances, excluding peak performances, but only through Delfont Mackintosh Theatres, either online or by calling the Novello Theatre Box Office.
Performance Times:
Monday – Saturday 7.30pm
Matinees – Thursdays & Saturdays 3.00pm*
*Extra 3pm matinee on Wednesday 14 February, Tuesday 9 April, Tuesday 9 July, Tuesday 6 August and Tuesday 20 August.
Currently booking to 28 September 2024
The performance lasts 2 hours and 35 minutes (including a 15-minute interval)
