New West End fringe venue opens with the transfer of
 smash-hit ‘Strangers in Between’Stage Door Theatre is located at the Prince of Wales pub
in Drury Lane, Covent Garden and will offer dinner theatre ticket options

Strangers In Between
8 January to 3 February

London’s West End is to get a new fringe theatre right in the heart of Covent Garden.

The Stage Door Theatre is located at The Prince of Wales, 150-151 Drury Lane. It will offer joint dinner- theatre ticket deals alongside show-only tickets.

The opening production will be the transfer of LAMBCO Production’s award-winning, critically acclaimed production of Tommy Murphy’s Australian drama, ‘Strangers in Between’, directed by Adam Spreadbury-Maher, from south London’s Golden Goose Theatre.

The cast will again feature Stephen Connery-Brown and Alex Ansdell, who were both Offie nominated for the production, with the third role still to be cast.

‘Strangers in Between’ is an unflinching look at the highs and lows of growing up gay in modern Australia, bursting with laugh-out-loud one-liners, simmering sexual tension and heartfelt confessions.

Cast includes:
Stephen Connery-Brown (as Peter) was born and raised in Sydney. This is Stephen’s fourth time playing Peter in ‘Strangers in Between’ (King’s Head Theatre/Trafalgar Studios 2). His other roles include Dad in ‘The Sum of Us’ (Above the Stag), Henry Higgins in ‘Pygmalion’ and ‘Scrooge’ in ‘A Christmas Carol’ (both European tours).

Alex Ansdell (as Shane) is making his professional debut.

Creative team includes:
Director Adam Spreadbury-Maher
Designer David Shields
Produced by LAMBCO Productions

‘Strangers in Between’ was awarded the prestigious Best Play Award at the New South Wales Premiere’s Literary Awards. It made its debut at the renowned  Griffin Theatre Company in Sydney, where it broke box office records. It received its critically acclaimed UK premiere at the King’s Head Theatre in 2016, also directed by Adam Spreadbury-Maher.

Adam Spreadbury-Maher (Director)
Adam is a highly regarded director in the realms of opera and theatre. He began his journey as an operatic tenor, studying at the Australian National University’s Canberra School of Music, and later honed his directing skills at the Royal Central School of Speech and Drama in London. He received recognition with the Canberra Critics Circle Award and the Gold Award at the Canberra Area Theatre Awards before making his mark in the UK. As Associate Director of the White Bear Theatre, he directed the UK premiere of Louis Nowra’s ‘Cosi’, along with other critically lauded productions which transferred to larger theatres and toured the UK. In 2008, Adam established the Cock Tavern Theatre, where he produced notable premieres by renowned playwrights. His production of ‘La Boheme’ (directed by Robin Norton-Hale) earned an Olivier award and became the UK’s longest-running opera. He also garnered acclaim with the Peter Brook Empty Space Award and the Best Artistic Director title at the Fringe Report Awards. Adam’s passion for opera led him to found OperaUpClose in 2009, a highly regarded touring opera company. He served as Artistic Director of the King’s Head Theatre from 2010, demonstrating his versatility by directing both operas and plays, such as Puccini’s ‘Madame Butterfly’, Tommy Murphy’s ‘Strangers in Between’, and Kevin Elyot’s ‘Coming Clean’. His directorial skills have also been showcased in 10 West End productions. He directed acclaimed productions, including a revival of Peter Gill’s ‘The York Realist’ and Irvine Welsh’s ‘Trainspotting’, which has toured internationally for 11 years. In 2017, he directed a memorable Australian tour of Terrence McNally’s ‘Masterclass’ at Sydney Opera House.

Richard Lambert
Richard is OFFIE Producer of the Year 2021-2022 and, in conjunction with Peter Bull, was listed in the Stage Top 100 theatre awards 2021. Richard’s company, LAMBCO Productions, again in conjunction with Peter Bull, created the award winning Garden Theatre in the garden of a pub in Vauxhall to open up the 1st ever musical between the West End and Broadway as London restrictions slowly lifted. Producing credits include: Christmas Skating Events (5 seasons, Torquay); ‘Bluebirds the Musical’ (Above the Stag Theatre); LAMBCO Fringe Festival 2014 – 2016 (LOST Theatre); ‘Sincerely Yours’ (Landor Theatre);’ Bewitchment on Black Ice’ (Associate Producer, Landor Theatre); ‘Do You Have a Secret Crush (Sleeping with Straight Men)?’ (LOST Theatre); ‘The Crumple Zone’ (Clapham Omnibus, Pleasance Theatre, King’s Head Theatre); ‘Boys in the Buff the Musical’ (Stockwell Playhouse) and ‘Boys in the Buff’ (King’s Head Theatre), ‘Skin Deep’ (UK Tour and Ed Fringe 2018), ‘Margot, Dame – the Most Famous Ballerina in the World’ (King’s Head Theatre), ‘Tickle’ (King’s Head Theatre) which gained a London Pub Theatres Standing Ovation Award, ‘Boys in the Buff’ (Drayton Arms Theatre) which was awarded Lead Performance OFFIE nomination and won the OFFIE Choreography Award (Robbie O’Reilly), ‘Twinkle’ (Drayton Arms Theatre) which was awarded an OFFCOM, ‘Tickle’ (Drayton Arms Theatre), ‘Twinkle’ (Drayton Arms Theatre). At the Edinburgh Festival Fringe 2022, LAMBCO produced  ‘Soho Boy’, ‘Bette Midler & Me’ and ‘Twinkle’ which gained 5 Star Reviews, awards including OFFFEST nominations and is currently producing ‘Twinkle’, ‘Tickle’, ‘Boys in the Buff’ and ‘Love is Blue’.

Listings Info

LAMBCO Productions
present

STRANGERS IN BETWEEN
by Tommy Murphy

Directed by Adam Spreadbury-Maher

Stage Door Theatre
Prince of Wales
150-151 Drury Lane
London
WC2B 5TD

Box Office:
www.ticketsource.co.uk/strangers-in-between

8 January to 3 February
evenings at 19:30 including Mondays

Wednesday & Saturday matinees at 15:00
from 17 January

(2 hours including interval)

Prices from £10 – £25
Two-course dinner & theatre packages from £27

www.stagedoortheatre.co.uk

www.strangersinbetween.co.uk

Social Media:
https://twitter.com/LAMBCO_Prods
https://www.instagram.com/lambcoproductions/
https://www.tiktok.com/@lambco_productions

Further information is available on
www.lambcoproductions.co.uk

WICKED’ RELEASES TOUR REHEARSAL IMAGES

Spectacular tour opens in Edinburgh a month today

www.WickedTheMusical.co.uk

WICKED, “one of the most successful musicals of all time” (BBC News), today releases rehearsal photography by Mark Senior of its 2023/5 tour cast.

The 13-month tour of cities in England, Scotland, Wales, and the Republic of Ireland begins in 31 days at the Edinburgh Playhouse, where more than 120,000 tickets have already been sold. The tour then continues to Bristol Hippodrome; Birmingham Hippodrome; Bradford Alhambra Theatre; Southampton Mayflower Theatre; Liverpool Empire; Dublin Bord Gáis Energy Theatre; Sunderland Empire; Cardiff Wales Millennium Centre; and Manchester Palace Theatre. For full details and booking visit www.WickedTheMusical.co.uk

The Wicked Tour stars Laura Pick (Elphaba), Sarah O’Connor (Glinda), Carl Man (Fiyero), Donna Berlin (Madame Morrible), Simeon Truby (The Wizard and Doctor Dillamond), Jed Berry/Daniel Hope* (Boq), Megan Gardiner (Nessarose), Casey Al-Shaqsy (Standby for Elphaba), Thomas Charles, Julie Cloke, Charlotte Coggin, Freddie Conway, Áine Curran, Jade Davies, Kamau Davis, Russell Dickson, Maddison Firth, Lydia Gerrard, James Gower-Smith, Shoko Ito, Holly Lawrence, Nick Len, Stephanie Lindo, Will Lucas, Will Luckett, Rozz Mbwembwe, Georgia McElwee, Conor O’Hara, Shereen Osman, Stuart Rouse, Christina Shand, Adam Stickler,and Frazer Woolcott.

*The role of Boq is being temporarily played by Daniel Hope while Jed Berry recovers from an injury sustained prior to rehearsals.

The West End and Broadway musical phenomenon, that tells the incredible untold story of the Witches of Oz, continues an open-ended run at London’s Apollo Victoria Theatre where it is now in its 18^th year.Winner of more than 100 global awards, Wicked has now been seen by 65 million people worldwide and is currently celebrating the 20^th Anniversary of its Broadway premiere. The two-part Universal Pictures film version of Wicked will be released in November 2024 (Part 1) and November 2025 (Part 2).

Stephen Schwartz and Winnie Holzman’s celebrated musical, based on the novel by Gregory Maguire, imagines a beguiling backstory and future possibilities to the lives of L. Frank Baum’s beloved characters from ‘The Wonderful Wizard of Oz’, revealing the decisions and events that shape the destinies of two unlikely university friends on their journey to becoming ‘Glinda The Good’ and the ‘Wicked Witch of the West’.

Wickedfeatures songs by multi-Oscar and Grammy Award winner Stephen Schwartz (‘Godspell’, ‘Pippin’, ‘The Prince of Egypt’, Disney’s ‘Pocahontas’, ‘The Hunchback of Notre Dame’and ‘Enchanted’). It is based on the multimillion-copy best-selling novel ‘Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of theWest’ by Gregory Maguire and written by Emmy and Tony Award nominee Winnie Holzman (creator of the landmark American television series ‘My So-Called Life’). Musical staging is by Tony Award-winner Wayne Cilento with direction by two-time Tony Award-winner Joe Mantello.

Wicked is produced by Marc Platt, Universal Stage Productions, The Araca Group, Jon B. Platt, and David Stone. Executive Producer (UK & Ireland) Michael McCabe.

Official website: www.WickedTheMusical.co.uk

‘X’ (Twitter): @WickedUK  |  Facebook: /WickedUK  |  Instagram: @WickedUK

ADAM BLANSHAY PRODUCTIONS AND PARK THEATRE
PRESENT
KIM’S CONVENIENCE

8 JANUARY – 10 FEBRUARY 2024

UK PREMIERE OF THE AWARD-WINNING COMEDY DRAMA
WRITTEN BY AND STARRING INS CHOI

There’s humour and heart in every aisle

Adam Blanshay Productions and Park Theatre kick off the New Year with the UK Premiere of the award-winning original stage play Kim’s Convenience which spawned the beloved hit Netflix sitcom of the same name.

Written by leading playwright, screenwriter and actor Ins Choi, the comedy drama follows the hilarious and heart-warming tale of a Korean family-run convenience store. First staged at the Toronto Fringe Festival in 2011, this ground-breaking play won many plaudits for its East Asian representation and its rare foregrounding of their characters. This brand-new production at Park Theatre in Park200, will be the first time the play has been seen by audiences outside of Canada and the US.

In a full circle moment, Ins (who played Mr Kim’s son in the original stage play) will star as Mr Kim (Appa) the proud, hardworking patriarch of the family who grapples with his changing neighbourhood and the growing schism between his first-generation immigrant values and those of his second-generation children.

Ins, whose own experiences growing up in a family-run convenience store inspired the play, comments: “My family arrived in Canada in 1975 in search of freedom, with just two hundred dollars, three kids and a lot of hope. My father worked at my uncle’s convenience store by day and went to English speaking language classes by night while my mother took care of me and my two older sisters. This story is my love letter to my parents and to all first generation immigrants who have made the country they have settled in their home.”

On playing the title character, Ins says: “I’m very much looking forward to returning to where it all began 12 years ago. It’s a wonderful journey and it feels great to have finally grown into this role. This play launched my career and continues to provide a great vehicle for Asian actors and shines an important light on representation.”

Esther Jun, who also has a long history with the play, having been cast in the original, returns this time to direct the five strong cast which for the UK production also includes Namju Go, Jennifer Kim, Brian Law and Miles Mitchell.

Esther Jun says: “I have been involved with Kim’s Convenience in some shape or form for nearly 20 years and to finally bring it to London, where I learned my craft as a director is extra meaningful. There is so much love and history in this story. The simple genius of this play is how it continues to resonate for different cultures and ages at different times in people’s lives. It’s a true generational play with so much heart, truth and laughter. It’s a gift that keeps on giving.” See Esther talk about the play here.

Adam Blanshay, the show’s Canadian/UK based producer says: “Kim’s Convenience is a true snapshot of multiculturalism in Canada, and a view into the traditions and heritages that make up the vast tapestry of the Nation. I hope this universal story resonates in the UK and that it will win a new legion of fans on this side of the pond.”

Jez Bond, Artistic Director of Park Theatre adds: ”I’m excited to be staging this comedy drama whose characters so many people are already familiar with through its wildly successful television series. I hope this play, where it all began, resonates with a whole new audience coming to Park Theatre.”

Previous praise for Kim’s Convenience in Canada:

“Choi masterfully hits all of the play’s snappy jokes (he did write them after all!), but what stands out is the humanity in his performance. Appa’s emotional vulnerability can sometimes get lost in the laughter of other productions, but Choi ensures this story’s patriarch has a wonderfully complex inner life. “ Intermission (2023 production
at Grand Theatre, Ontario)

‘Do yourself a favour and see this marvellous show‘ Vancouver Sun 2011

★★★★ ‘A cause for celebration’ Toronto Star 2011

★★★★★ ‘As stomach-hurtingly funny as it is dramatic and moving’ NOW 2011

‘A rich, deep and compelling comedy/drama whose themes of immigration and
disrupted families continue to resonate’ Hartford Courant 2011

Cast:

Ins Choi Appa 

Namju Go Umma

Jennifer Kim Janet 

Brian Law Jung 

Miles Mitchell Rich/Mr Lee/Mike/Alex

Creative Team:
Ins Choi Playwright
Esther Jun Director
Mona Camille Set & Costume Designer
Jonathan Chan Lighting Designer
Holly Khan Sound Designer and Composer
Pete Rickards for eStage Production Manager
Reuben Bojang Company Stage Manager
Jinwen Chen Assistant Stage Manager

Listings Information: PARK 200
Dates: 8 Jan – 10 Feb 2024 (Previews 8 – 10 Jan)
Times: Mon – Sat at 7.30pm (Thu & Sat 3pm matinees)
Tickets: From £15 – £44.50
Booking Link: https://parktheatre.co.uk/whats-on/kims-convenience
Age 14+
Running Time 75 mins approx.

Social media
Twitter: @ParkTheatre
Instagram @ParkTheatreLondon
Facebook www.facebook.com/ParkTheatreLondon
TikTok @ParkTheatreLondon

#Kimsconvenienceuk

Rehearsals images are released today for the first ever UK and Ireland tour of the multi award-winning HAMILTON, which begins performances at the Manchester Palace Theatre from Saturday 11 November 2023.

HAMILTON stars Shaq Taylor as Alexander Hamilton, Sam Oladeinde as Aaron Burr, Gabriela Benedetti as Peggy Schuyler/Maria Reynolds,  KM Drew Boateng as Hercules Mulligan/James Madison, Daniel Boys as King George, Maya Britto as Eliza Hamilton, Aisha Jawando as Angelica Schuyler, DeAngelo Jones as John Laurens/Philip Hamilton, Billy Nevers as Marquis de Lafayette/Thomas Jefferson and Charles Simmons as George Washington.

They are joined by Simeon Beckett, Taylor Bradshaw, Cletus Chan, Kyerron Dixon-Bassey, Kyeirah D’marni, Yesy Garcia, Jonathan Hermosa-Lopez, Levi Tyrell Johnson, Honey Joseph, Akmed Junior Khemalai, Richard Logun, Buna McCreery-Njie, Mia Mullarkey, Antoine Murray-Straughan, Kiran Patel, Izzy Read, Alice Readie, Harry Robinson, Phoebe Samuel-Gray, Jasmine Jia Yung Shen, Samantha Shuma, Michael James Stewart, Rhys West, Jack Whitehead and Sian Yeo.

HAMILTON is the story of America then, told by America now.  Featuring a score that blends hip-hop, jazz, R&B and Broadway, HAMILTON has taken the story of American founding father Alexander Hamilton and created a revolutionary moment in theatre—a musical that has had a profound impact on culture, politics, and education. 

With book, music, and lyrics by Lin-Manuel Miranda, direction by Thomas Kail, choreography by Andy Blankenbuehler, and musical supervision and orchestrations by Alex Lacamoire, HAMILTON is based on Ron Chernow’s acclaimed biography.  The HAMILTON creative team previously collaborated on the Tony Award®-Winning Best Musical In the Heights.

HAMILTON features scenic design by David Korins, costume design by Paul Tazewell, lighting design by Howell Binkley, sound design by Nevin Steinberg and hair and wig design by Charles G. LaPointe.

HAMILTON is produced in the UK by Jeffrey Seller, Sander Jacobs, Jill Furman, The Public Theater and Cameron Mackintosh.

Home

Top London shows announced for Official London Theatre’s New Year Sale

Mastercard presale: 10am Thursday 16 November

General sale: 10am Tuesday 21 November

Over 40 of London’s biggest theatre shows are welcoming in 2024 with Official London Theatre’s New Year Sale. Tickets are available at £10, £20, £30, £40 and £50 for performances from 1 January to 29 February 2024, with no booking or postage fees.

Mastercard cardholders can buy tickets through https://www.priceless.com/celebrity/17884/official-london-theatre from 10am on Thursday 16 November, and tickets go on general sale from 10am on Tuesday 21 November, via officiallondontheatre.com/new-year-sale. 

From comedies and musicals to opera, dance and drama, audiences can get into London theatre with New Year Sale tickets for many of the biggest shows in the West End and beyond, as part of one of the theatre industry’s longest-running audience development initiatives.

Theatregoers with access needs can submit ticket requests before general booking. For Mastercard holders, the access form will go live on Friday 10 November at midday and close on Sunday 13 November at 6pm. For general booking, the form with be live from Friday 17 November at midday to 6pm on Sunday 19 November. The theatres will respond to access requests directly on Thursday 16 November and Tuesday 21 November.

Emma De Souza, Director of Audiences and Commercial at Society of London Theatre and UK Theatre, said:

“Getting audiences excited about theatre is at the very heart of what we do, so we’re thrilled to be bringing back the Official London Theatre New Year Sale for another year.

An experience can be the perfect Christmas gift for a loved one, and luckily there are amazing shows across London on offer this year, with tens of thousands of tickets available to snap up ahead of the December rush.”

The list of participating shows is available below and on the Official London Theatre website.

LIST OF PARTICIPATING SHOWS ***

Back To The Future The Musical

The Barber Of Seville

The Boy At The Back Of The Class

Bronco Billy

The Choir Of Man

A Christmas Carol – A Ghost Story

Cinderella

Crazy For You

The Duchess Of Malfi

Edward Scissorhands

Elf

Everybody’s Talking About Jamie

Frozen The Musical

Ghosts

Giselle

The Gruffalo’s Child

Hamnet

The Handmaid’s Tale

Hansel And Gretal

Kim’s Convenience

The King And I

Disney’s The Lion King

The Little Big Things

Mamma Mia!

RSC’s Matilda The Musical

Metamorphosis

Les Misérables

The Mousetrap

Mrs. Doubtfire

Nutcracker

Peter Pan

The Phantom Of The Opera

The Play That Goes Wrong

A Sherlock Carol

Six

Sleeping Beauty Takes A Prick

The Smartest Giant In Town

The Snow Queen

The Time Traveller’s Wife

Tina – The Tina Turner Musical

Unbelievable

The Unfriend

Wicked

Witness For The Prosecution

*** The list of participating shows is correct at the time of going to press

Follow OfficialLondonTheatre.com on:

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Norwich Theatre leads the charge for the return of touring opera following Arts Council England’s cuts

• New audience insight research by Norwich Theatre shows sales data and patterns that indicate a strong demand and desire for opera
• The research shows the appeal for the genre has not dropped since the pandemic
• While the focus has been on London-based ENO and where it should go, touring opera has been disproportionately hit – with provision for audiences across the UK in decline

Tuesday 7^th November – New research, Opera Voices, published by Norwich Theatre highlights a strong demand for opera as numerous cuts plague the sector. Norwich Theatre acknowledges Arts Council England’s (ACE) independently conducted analysis, but is calling for a clearer strategy and action plan that represents all voices for the future of opera in the regions, as touring productions have been disproportionally affected by the cuts.

ACE’s cuts to English National Opera (ENO) have dominated the news, but cuts to Welsh National Opera (WNO), and Glyndebourne have seen touring opera decimated. Norwich Theatre was one of the regular venues on Glyndebourne’s touring circuit for more than five decades.

The new research surveyed 1,144 audience members who attended any of Norwich Theatre’s programme. It highlights four key trends, they are:

• Audience levels in opera and demand for the genre have not dropped since

• CovidThe perception of opera is the challenge – not the art form itself

• 25% of opera audiences, pre-Covid, were from Arts Council levelling up areas

• The decisions to cut funding have adversely been discriminatory towards those with access needs and disabled audiences

Since the pandemic the research shows that the demand for opera has largely remained the same with only one art form, musicals, performing better by average number of tickets sold. Importantly, despite the major changes to cuts opera has also remained stable against the largest shift in performance numbers. Post-Covid, Norwich Theatre maintained a 64% average capacity despite the selection of opera performances being reduced by 54%.

Another key finding is that the audience perception of opera is potentially more harmful to the art form, and not art itself. 39% of participants felt that it was not for them, referring to price, lack of ability to understand the story line, and feeling out of place at the performances. Much of this perception leads to the idea that opera is generating audiences from affluent areas, with people of high socioeconomic backgrounds. Whereas the study shows a quarter of the audiences of opera goers, came from places deemed priorities for levelling up.

There is a lack of general understanding about the diversity of opera as an art form, with varying languages and lengths, as well as topics and themes explored. Norwich Theatre’s work calls for action to be taken to rebrand the art form as an inclusive space fit-for-purpose for all audiences. In terms of the perceived price barrier, although the average price of opera pre-Covid was £36.64 rising to £41.39 post, musicals have had a larger increase in cost, with pre-Covid tickets averaging £39.26 and post-Covid averaging £43.40 at Norwich Theatre.

As part of their commitment to introducing audiences to opera, Norwich Theatre is collaborating with Buxton International Festival to bring Peter Brook’s La tragédie de Carmen to their audience in Norwich in July next year.

Chief Executive and Creative Director, Stephen Crocker said, “Our research shows that audiences crave opera and that they want to see it nearby. Whilst we welcome the independent analysis being conducted by ACE, it must be swiftly followed with an inclusive action plan that represents touring companies, venues and audiences alike. We are calling on ACE to re-consider and recognise the impact cuts to organisations like Glyndebourne have on access in the regions.”

Norwich Theatre’s Podcast, Norwich Theatre Talks, has recorded a special episode exploring opera available to listen to here. The podcast, hosted by Chief Executive and Creative Director, Stephen Crocker, was recorded live at Norwich Theatre Playhouse, featuring guests including: General Director of English Touring Opera Robin Norton-Hale, and audience member Marion Well.

In the Norwich Theatre Talks podcast, General Director of English Touring Opera Robin Norton-Hale said, ‘‘This perception that opera’s expensive, I think is tied a little bit to the resentment about the amount of the funding pie that opera gets. And I think we possibly need to get better at telling the story about the breadth of the work we do […] If we don’t get funding then and we start charging hundreds of pounds a ticket…because that’s what it costs, then that very much does limit who is able to come to the opera.’’

When discussing the Glyndebourne change to touring, Norwich Theatre audience member, Marion Well said, ‘‘I started to come here 20 years ago and then came to watch Glyndebourne every year. Opera in places like this are very important…it’s an intimate feeling and you get the full impact of the feelings on stage.’’

GRACE MOUAT AND JACOB FOWLER STAR IN

UK STAGE PREMIÈRE OF NEW BRITISH MUSICAL

BEFORE AFTER

The Grey Area today announce casting for the UK stage première of new British musical Before After by Stuart Matthew Price and Timothy Knapman, following a record-breaking live stream from Southwark Playhouse in 2020. Grey Area’s Artistic Director, Georgie Rankcom, will direct Grace Mouat (Six) and Jacob Fowler (Heathers) in this musical love story about a couple given a second shot at happiness.

The production opens at Southwark Playhouse Borough (Little) on 9 February, with previews from 7 February, and runs until 2 March 2024.

Before After received a UK workshop in the studio space at The Other Palace (previously known as the St. James Theatre), and has had successful productions in Japan and on tour around the Netherlands. This will be the UK première of the show.

Artistic Director of The Grey Area, Georgie Rankcom, said, “Before After has a strong cult following across the globe – our rehearsed reading streamed during lockdown reached 44 countries, causing #BeforeAfterUK to trend on Twitter, and led to calls for a fully staged version to follow. A long running Japanese translation and a successful tour of the Netherlands have given the writers an opportunity to hone the piece over the last few years. We established The Grey Area to support the growth of new musicals, so I can’t wait to bring this show home to the UK in our new production.”

The Grey Area presents

BEFORE AFTER

Music and Lyrics by Stuart Matthew Price

Book and Additional Lyrics by Timothy Knapman

Cast: Jacob Fowler (He/Him) and Grace Mouat (She/Her)

Directed by Georgie Rankcom (She/They); Musical Director: Ben McQuigg (He/Him); Movement Director: Tinovimbanashe Sibanda (She/Her); Set and Costume Designer: Yimei Zhao (She/Her); Lighting Designer: Alex Musgrave (He/Him) Casting Director: Peter Noden (He/Him), Production Stage Manager: Waverley Moran (She/They), Artwork: Jed Berry (He/Him), Photography: Danny Kaan (He/Him)

7 February – 2 March

Ami meets Ben by a tree on a beautiful hillside. She recognises him instantly: they were once very much in love. But Ben doesn’t remember her at all. What went so terribly wrong in the past, and is there a chance that, in the present, these two lovers might just find their happy ever after, after all?

With sweeping romantic music, Before After takes the audience on a hugely emotional journey in the life of a very unusual couple.

Grace Mouat plays Ami. Her theatre credits includeSIX (Arts Theatre and UK tour), & Juliet (Shaftesbury Theatre), Be More Chill (Shaftesbury Theatre), Legally Blonde (Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre), The Great British Bake Off Musical (Nöel Coward Theatre), and Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Cinderella (Hope Mill Theatre).

Jacob Fowler plays Ben.His theatre credits include Dreamboats & Petticoats (UK tour), Heathers (The Other Palace – Fowler is also the longest running JD on the UK tour of Heathers), Vanara (Hackney Empire) and In Pieces (Turbine Theatre). He supported Little Mix on their 2022 arena tour after winning the BBC One show Little Mix: The Search.

Stuart Matthew Price is a composer, lyricist and performer. His writing credits include Before After, and also with Knapman, Stuart wrote musical Imaginary (The Other Palace) which was commissioned by the National Youth Music Theatre. Other musical theatre writing credits include The Diary of Me, sci-fi musical Earth 3001 – Piper, and an adaptation of Daphne Du Maurier’s Rebecca. Other projects currently in development include an adaptation of the Netflix documentary Man vs. Snake with Daniel Fletcher, and an adaptation of the best-selling novel Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close with collaborator Victoria Gimby. He is developing a two-part album of original work called Melodies & Motion coming next year. Price is also an actor whose credits include Parade (Donmar Warehouse), The Sound Of Music (Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre), Shrek The Musical (Theatre Royal Drury Lane), and The Rocky Horror Show (European tour).

Timothy Knapman is a lyricist, musical theatre book writer and the author of over 50 children’s books. His musical credits with Stuart Matthew Price include Before After and Imaginary (National Youth Music Theatre). With Laurence Mark Wythe, credits include Midnight (Union Theatre), Danny Hero (Perfect Pitch Musicals/Made in Corby) and Growl: The True Story of the Big Bad Wolf (National Youth Music Theatre). Other theatre writing credits include Gilbert and Sullivan: All at Sixes and Sevens (King’s Head Theatre), The Smallest Person (Trestle Theatre), and The Stag King (Edinburgh). Children’s books include Mungo and the Picture Book Pirates, Dinosaurs in the Supermarket, Follow the Track all the Way Back, Captain Sparklebeard, and the Superhero Dad, Mum and Gran books.

The Artistic Director of The Grey Area Georgie Rankcom directs. Their credits for The Grey Area include How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying, Help! We Are Still Alive, Anyone Can Whistle, You Are Here, and Before After. Other directing work includes My Sister Is Missing (King’s Head Theatre/The Other Palace), and as Associate Director on The Sex Party (Menier Chocolate Factory).

BEFORE AFTER

LISTINGS

Southwark Playhouse Borough, Little

77-85 Newington Causeway, London SE1 6BD

7 February – 2 March

Performances at 8pm

Mon-Sat 8pm

Tues/Sat 3:30pm

Tickets

£21/26.50 (£10/16 for Previews)

THE WEST END’S FIRST CHAT SHOW IS COMING TO LONDON THIS DECEMBER

 @aspotlightonline on Tik Tok, Facebook, YouTube, and Instagram

@aspotlighton on Twitter

www.aspotlighton.tv | #ASpotlightOnLive

GUESTS INCLUDE MENTALIST AND ILLUSIONIST DERREN BROWN, WEST END AND BROADWAY STARS RACHEL TUCKER AND ANDY NYMAN

A Spotlight On, is thrilled to announce its guests for the West End’s first chat show coming to London this December.

Premiering at London’s Sondheim Theatre on Sunday 10^th December, A Spotlight On Live will be hosted by Carl Mullaney (recently Albin in La Cage aux Folles, Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre).

Tickets for A Spotlight On Live go on general sale on Wednesday 8^th November at midday.  Priority on sale will be given to DMT+ members at 10am and A Spotlight On Premium members at 11am.

Derren Brown began his UK television career in December 2000 with a series of specials called Mind Control. In the UK his name is now pretty much synonymous with the art of psychological manipulation. 

Recently Derren Brown created, wrote and directed UNBELIEVABLE currently playing at the Criterion Theatre with his long-time collaborators Andy Nyman and Andrew O’Connor.

Recently announced as Horace Vandergelder, in Holly Dolly! at the London Palladium, Andy Nyman’s credits include Ghost Stories, Fiddler on the Roof and Hangman.

Broadway and West End leading lady Rachel Tucker, currently guest stars as Norma Desmond in Sunset Boulevard at Savoy Theatre. Her credits include Come From Away, Wicked, The Last Ship and Songs For A New World. Rachel Tucker has also recently released her new album ‘you’re already home’

A Spotlight On Live is a new engaging event that shines a spotlight on some of the most prominent talents from the world of Theatre and beyond.

This unique experience allows you to get intimately acquainted with these stars, giving you insights into their craft, the dedication required to maintain excellence, and the secrets of their success.

Enhanced by electrifying live performances, A Spotlight On Live offers you an exclusive opportunity to venture through the Stage Door and uncover the captivating world of theatre behind the scenes as you’ve never seen it before!

To mark LoveTheatre Day

LOVEtheatre.com announces first ever LOVEtheatre Week

WITH NO FEES FOR ALL SHOWS

LOVEtheatre.com, one of London’s leading ticket agents, announces the first ever LOVEtheatre Week from 11 – 19 November 2023, with fees waived on all theatre, dance, opera and musical productions across the website, and great discounts available during the week. Centred around this year’s LoveTheatre Day on 15 November,LOVEtheatre.com shares its passion for theatre with theatre lovers by presenting this exclusive offer – no fees, all shows, all week long.

Mark Bower, Head of Agency Sales at LOVEtheatre, said: “We are delighted to launch this new week-long celebration of all things on stage, by giving theatre lovers an opportunity to book for their favourite shows minus our standard booking fees. LOVEtheatre.com is your trusted source for getting West End tickets and other London theatretickets at great prices, and we look forward to welcoming you through theatre and entertainment doors across the capital.”

Current theatre, musicals and events with LOVEtheatre.com include Cabaret, Moulin Rouge! The Musical and The Phantom of the Opera, together with other West End shows including Frozen, The Mousetrap, The Little Big Things, Cirque du Soleil, Crazy For You, Harry Potter & the Cursed Child, The Play That Goes Wrong, Private Lives, The Time Traveller’s Wife, Back to the Future The Musical, Noises Off, Guys & Dolls and La Clique.

LOVEtheatre.com is an official agent for booking London theatre tickets, featuring exclusive ticket allocations for each major venue and for the most popular London shows, events and attractions. It is owned and operated by The Ticket Machine Group Ltd., a multi award-winning, London-based ticket agency, and has been a member of STAR (The Society of Ticket Agents and Retailers) for over 25 years. The ticket agency provides exclusive deals and offers, with transparent, clear pricing and seat numbers confirmed at the time of reservation.

Launched in 2014, #LoveTheatreDay sees theatrical communities sharing behind the scenes content throughout the day across social media. The online event, which takes place on the middle Wednesday in November, aims to provide insight into the industry and reach new audiences.

Use #LOVEtheatreweek to highlight this exclusive offer – no fees, all shows, all week long.

www.lovetheatre.com

X: @LOVEtheatrecom

Instagram @lovetheatrecom

facebook.com/lovetheatre

YouTube: @lovetheatre

#LOVEtheatreweek

St James’s Church Woodside, Horsforth, Leeds – 2nd November 2023

Reviewed by Sal E Marino

5 *****

Last night I sat in a church that was celebrating it’s one hundred and seventy fifth birthday through various events, and one of those was hosting a gig performed by the fabulous folk band, Granny’s Attic. St James’s Woodside church in Horsforth is simply beautiful in both it’s architecture and, more importantly, it’s very warm and welcoming community. As a newcomer and alone, I had no awkward moments of feeling like Billy-no -mates as various people welcomed me like I was their friend. That’s rare and special now in a world that appears to immerse itself in technology during social events rather than actually ‘talk’ to one another and so I’m glad to say I experienced the opposite of that at the bar before the main event.

Granny’s Attic, where do I start …? This young and vibrant trio were not just outstanding, phenomenal musicians and performers but also, so funny! And I mean funny as in a laugh-out-loud stand-up comedian act. I chuckled at every song introduction at the group’s quick wit and banter with the audience and between themselves. It was like I was having the opportunity of seeing live music and a comedy act in one.

Back to the music, and the voices of the band were so rich and soulful that you were taken to various places across timelines and through a myriad of emotions that ranged from sheer joy to compassion for oneself and others. The instrumentals were exceptional, and it was hard to believe that these three young people could perform easily on a par with folk players I’ve heard before who have had at least sixty years or more of folk gigging experience.

What made it more than just a gig was by the end of the performance, I felt I knew the band (George, Lewis and Cohen) as they made a relationship with us, the audience. We simply bonded which is hard to explain but go to one of their gigs and you will know what I mean. We (the audience) and Granny’s Attic had ‘in-jokes’ by the end of the night and of course we were by far the best audience they’ve ever played to before! Whether you’re a folk fan or not, you will enjoy an evening with Granny’s Attic – the music and the band’s energy uplifts you (I guarantee it) and you’ll laugh lots (you can’t fail to) so it’s a win-win event.

The world is in a state that no one can deny is becoming tragic. We have come to a point in humanity where we are destroying one another: in war, greed and in conflict through various forms and not just in person but attacking one another about various issues online in the narrative of ‘I’m right and you’re wrong’. However, there are times and places and through mediums like music where we can come together in unity and as one, such as what I experienced last night. I feel it’s so important to get out and support local events as the more we do this, the more we raise the vibration of the collective and make a positive frequency change to our home, the Earth. Through the arts we can experience beauty that touches us inside and then comes out into our magnetic fields which connects us to others experiencing the same and so we magnetise, and that’s when we feel and know that we’re all connected and that last thing we want to do in that state is hurt one another, we want to exchange a smile instead.

It was a very special evening at St James’s Woodside church in Horsforth and was made so by its very lovely members and vicar Jonanthan Cain – and it was cool! Cool is not a word one usually associates with church, but I do now. Granny’s Attic are very cool and very, very talented and so I hope to see them again soon on their tour next year as I know it will be a great night of music but will also feel like I’m seeing a good and fun friend