THE TURBINE THEATRE IS ASHAMED TO PRESENT

RUNNING THIS FESTIVE SEASON FROM
30 NOVEMBER – 23 DECEMBER 2023

Forget what you think you know about the Christmas classic, and this year be taken to distant lands (like Winter Wonderland…and M&M World!) by way of the Turbine Theatre. For a limited time this Christmas, audiences will get to enjoy the very adult pantomime, The Nuctcracker.

Written by Joshua Coley (Elf The Musical, The Wind In The Willows), this new pantomime is, for audiences 18+, the perfect Christmas tale about learning to love after heartbreak …and seeking revenge.

Carlie’s had a terrible year: her love rat ex has ghosted her, her father died in a collision with a Just Stop Oil protest and now her Mum is insistent on still throwing their annual festive party. A typical year in the 2020’s some may say, but thanks to a prezzie from her inappropriate, local drunk uncle – this Christmas will be anything but typical!

The Charlie Kristensen Foundation in partnership with  

New Frame Productions announces the final line-up for 

There’s No Place Like Home 

A West End Musical Celebration hosted by Divina De Campo 

on Sunday 22 October 2023 at the Lyric Theatre, Shaftesbury Avenue 

celebrating the launch of 13-year-old Charlie’s anti-bullying charity 

The full line-up of performers has been revealed for There’s No Place Like Home at the Lyric Theatre, Shaftesbury Avenue, on Sunday 22 October 2023 at 7.30pm. As previously announced, the evening celebrates the launch of The Charlie Kristensen Foundation by 13-year-old Charlie, a multi-award-winning anti-bullying campaigner, stage and screen actor and presenter of #MusicalChairs online chat show. 

Joining the previously announced line-up of performers are Julie Atherton (Sister Act, Avenue Q), Anna-Jane Casey (Cabaret, Mother Goose) and Renée Lamb (SIX, Cake). The Ensemble now includes Connor Carson (The Phantom of the Opera), Lois Morgan Gay (The Pirate Queen), Emily Kitchingham (Scouts! The Musical), Nathan Lorainey-Dineen (Lordin) (& Juliet), Kaya Palmer and Amelia Walker (42 Balloons). 

The glamorous Divina De Campo (RuPaul’s Drag Race UK finalist) will host the show (Jodie Prenger is regrettably now unable to do so due to her filming schedule).   

They join the previously announced performers Allyson Ava-Brown (Hamilton, Les Misérables), Jenna Boyd (Come From Away, The Wind in the Willows), Allie Daniel (Legally Blonde, Happy Meal), Jacob Fowler (Heathers, Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Cinderella), Adrian Hansel (We Will Rock You, Guys and Dolls), Dom Hartley-Harris (Bonnie & Clyde, Hamilton), Sophia Nomvete (Amazon’s The Lord of The Rings: The Rings of Power, Netflix’s Wednesday), Mark Oxtoby (Back to the Future, Guys and Dolls), Bradley Riches (Heartstopper, Kin The Musical) and Ella Vaday (BBC’s Rupaul’s Drag Race UK, Sumotherhood).  

Charlie will share the première performance of his brand new charity single Beyond The Sky, written and composed by charity Patron Danyl Johnson (The People’s Postcode Lottery, The X Factor UK) and Justin Potter. Beyond The Sky will be released in Spring 2024. 

There will also be performances from Sylvia Young Theatre School, The Alana Shirley Academy of Theatre Arts and Sing Space Musical Theatre Choir, and some surprise special celebrity guest appearances. 

The musical concert will take the audience on a journey down the yellow brick road of Charlie’s imagination, to find the place where he belongs. There will be songs from The Wizard of Oz, Sister Act, Pippin, Mean Girls, Carousel and more. 

With direction by Dean Johnson, musical direction by Ellie Verkerk, script consultation and additional material by Beth Granville, choreography by Khiley Williams, lighting design by Joseph Ed Thomas, sound design by Josh Robins and projection design by Sam Diaz. There’s No Place Like Home will feature a ten-strong band. 

Charlie, who lives on the Surrey/Hampshire border, is thrilled to be launching The Charlie Kristensen Foundation, a registered charity through which he will share his own story in person to young people and teachers in schools, whilst delivering anti-bullying support and resources which they can also access online. Charlie started his #CheerUpCharlie campaign in 2019. Having been bullied severely for over 18 months, in part due to his love of performing, he couldn’t take any more. When Charlie opened up to his performance coach, West End actress Jacqueline Hughes, she rallied the theatre industry into action. Hundreds of performers and creatives from the West End, Broadway and Hollywood identified with Charlie’s story, inundating him with supportive video messages. Following backstage invitations and national media interviews, Charlie decided to channel his own experiences and the support he’d received into fighting for others, becoming an anti-bullying ambassador. In 2021, he was recognised with The Diana Award – the highest accolade a young person can achieve for social action or humanitarian efforts.   

The Charlie Kristensen Foundation is grateful for the support and commitment of its Chair Jamie Read, the Board of Trustees and its Patrons Nikki Bentley, Dominic Ferris, Danyl Johnson, Nathaniel Morrison, Will Poulter, Jodie Prenger, Sam Retford and Ben Stock.  

To find out more about The Charlie Kristensen Foundation (registered charity no. 1201186), including donating, fundraising or signing up to volunteer, visit https://cheerupcharlie.co.uk.  

To join Charlie for a truly wonderful evening of music, ruby red carpets and fundraising at There’s No Place Like Home on 22 October, visit: https://nimaxtheatres.com/shows/theres-no-place-like-home/.  Ticket prices range from £10-£65 (£65 tickets include an exclusive signed poster). 

The production is presented by The Charlie Kristensen Foundation in partnership with New Frame Productions. Media Partner: WhatsOnStage.   

 -LISTINGS- 

2023 TOUR 

Show: There’s No Place Like Home 

Venue: Lyric Theatre, Shaftesbury Avenue 

Date/Time: Sunday 22 October 2023, 7.30pm 

Tickets: £10-£65 

Box Office: https://nimaxtheatres.com/shows/theres-no-place-like-home/  

Running Time: tbc 

Access details: 0330 333 4815 or email access@nimaxtheatres.com. For full venue access information, visit: https://nimaxtheatres.com/accessibility/. 

DISCOVER BOLD NEW THEATRE IN THE PLAYHOUSE
THIS AUTUMN

From late October, Sheffield Theatres welcomes an exciting range of touring productions to the Tanya Moiseiwitsch Playhouse. From a zombie thriller in the run up to Halloween, to medieval mayhem for little ones, to compelling female narratives – there is something for everyone this autumn.

Will Tell and the Big Bad Baron comes tothe Playhouse on Tuesday 24 October. A fun-filled comic adventure about Wilhelmina Tell’s attempt to rescue her folk-hero dad from the wicked Baron Boris’s deepest darkest dungeon. A hilarious new play for the whole family.

Paper Mug Theatre presents Steve and Tobias versus Death on Saturday 28 October. In this throat-ripping zombie thriller, Tobias hates mash and Steve hates Tobias, but when they discover their Mom to be patient zero in a world of flesh-eating zombies, there’s no time left for ‘feelings’. Pitting the depths of horror against the hysterical instability of family, watch brothers torn apart get pieced back together, only to be torn apart all over again.

An ARC Stockton Production co-commissioned by the Albany, BAC, Cambridge Junction and Theatre in the Mill and Northern Stage: YOU HEARD ME, a true story by Luca Rutherford, runs on Monday 30 October. YOU HEARD ME is a story of discovering quiet power in a moment of making a lot of noise. YOU HEARD ME is about the stories we tell. The ones that get retold. The ones we hide behind. The ones we have the power to re-make, re-mould and disrupt.

Full of humour and beauty, Penguin plays on Thursday 9 – Friday 10 November. Hamzeh Al Hussien’s extraordinary story takes you on a tour of his village in Syria, Za’atari camp in Jordan, Gateshead and inside his mind. A place full of music, dancing, fantasies and marbles. Hamzeh invites the audience to be his childhood friends, to hold up the moon to light his way, and into his dreams: brushing the dust from his clothes, and taking the stage.

parler femme is a dance-based triple bill celebrating innovative and inspiring stories about women, playing on Saturday 11 November. Experienced through live performance, screen and immersive technologies, the work is the latest from South Yorkshire’s Tala Lee-Turton Productions.

Brand new musical Gwenda’s Garage plays on Monday 13 – Tuesday 14 November. 1980s Sheffield. The People’s Republic of South Yorkshire. A women’s car repair workshop. This is feminist action at its zaniest, craziest, its most serious – where anything can happen and usually does. Welcome to Sheffield. Lesbian Capital of the North. This is a concert performance: work in progress. Written by Nicky Hallett and Val Regan and directed by Jelena Budimir. An Out Of The Archive project, funded by Historic England.

BONFIRE plays on Wednesday 15 – Thursday 16 November. Leon’s gone live. Stood in his Nana’s lounge, blasting the Sugababes, Leon’s determined to confront the demons of his past; both digital and physical. Through pop music, movement and storytelling BONFIRE is a sharp monologue-play exploring growing up on the internet in rural Derbyshire, reclaiming queer identity and resisting shame.

Tin Cat Entertainment proudly presents England & Son from Tuesday 28 – Wednesday 29 November. A one-man play written specifically for the award winning political comedian Mark Thomas, be taken on a kaleidoscopic odyssey where disaster capitalism, empire, stolen youth and stolen wealth merge into the simple tale of a working-class boy who just wants his dad to smile at him.

Over the festive period, journey to A Town Called Christmas from Friday 15 – Saturday 30 December. Clementine dreams of a gingerbread village where chocolate coins are currency, and laughter hangs like baubles in the air! The happiest place on Earth. Or at least it used to be… Together with a cantankerous caretaker and a glitching robot, can you help her save the day, and the town called Christmas? A brand-new show for adventurers aged 3+ and their grown-ups. Brought to you by Gala Durham and Wrongsemble.

All Playhouse productions 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.

RSC ANNOUNCES CASTING FOR THE FAIR MAID OF THE WEST  

Adapted by Olivier award-winning playwright and director Isobel McArthur (Pride & Prejudice* (*sort of)) after Thomas Heywood

The Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC) today announces casting for The Fair Maid of the West, which will run in the Swan Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon, from Saturday 2 December 2023 to Sunday 14 January 2024.  

The production is adapted and directed by Isobel McArthur from the original by Thomas Heywood. McArthur’s five-star West End adaptation of the classic novel Pride & Prejudice* (*sort of) received the Olivier award for Best Comedy in 2022. Isobel’s plays have toured the UK and are also performed internationally. The Fair Maid of the West was last seen in the Swan Theatre in 1986 as part of the theatre’s official opening programme, directed by Trevor Nunn.  

The play tells the story of Liz Bridges, a good landlady who pacifies the vexed, enlightens the perplexed, and always knows who’s next. Thomas Heywood’s Elizabethan romp will be a celebratory, music-filled, ensemble comedy about the life-saving powers of community, compromise and compassion.  

Commenting on the production, Isobel McArthur said: “One thing that excited me about staging a version of The Fair Maid of The West is how much of the action takes places in pubs. These theatres of the human condition! Where we may choose to perform or be the audience – and all of human life plays out! So often in portside public houses a carousel of remarkable eccentrics pass through the harbours and doorways, leaving lasting impressions on all those bearing witness. Of course, all are in search of something: shelter, sustenance, company, often love.”  

“With this in mind, we knew we needed a cast who could bring great humour and heart, including brilliantly funny multi-rollers with keen dramaturgical minds, possessing of a great facility for both language and music. Our whole ensemble needed to be able to sing, play multiple musical instruments, move beautifully through Ana Inés Jabares Pita’s set and truly take over the Swan Theatre space with their luminescent, celebratory energy.” 

Liz Bridges will be played by Amber James whose previous RSC credits include Cymbeline, Troilus & Cressida, Antony & Cleopatra, Dido Queen of Carthage and Titus Andronicus. Amber’s other theatre credits include On the Ropes (Park Theatre), Snowflake (London), Wendy & Peter Pan (Leeds Playhouse), Vassa (Almeida Theatre) and A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre). Amber’s screen credits include Ransom (CBS), Doc Martin (ITV), Vera (ITV) Dodger (BBC) and Grace (ITV). Amber will soon be seen in the feature film Reawakening starring Jared Harris.  

Accompanying Amber and making his RSC debut, Spencer will be played by Philip Labey, whose theatre credits include Village Idiot (Stratford Theatre Royal/Nottingham Playhouse), While the Sun Shines (Orange Tree Theatre), Shakespeare in Love (Theatre Royal Bath), Posh (Nottingham Playhouse/Salisbury Playhouse), First Episode (Jermyn Street Theatre), Not About Heroes (Theatre by the Lake), The History Boys (Mercury Theatre, Colchester), The Dark at the Top of the Stairs (Belgrade, Coventry), The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe (360 Theatre), Peter Pan (New Vic), Hamlet, Henry V (Cambridge Shakespeare Company), Adam Lives in Theory (Finborough Theatre).  Philip’s TV credits include The Power (Amazon Prime), Vanity Fair (ITV), Holby City, Casualty, Doctors, Red Dwarf (BBC), The Royals (Lionsgate).  Philip’s film credits include The People We Hate at the Wedding (Amazon), On Chesil Beach (Number 9 Films & Lionsgate), London Wall (Master Media).  Philip’s radio credits include Doctor Who (BBC).  

Returning to the RSC for the 13^th time is Richard Katz and completing the company are Tom Babbage, Aruhan Galieva, Marc Giro, Melissa Lowe, William Pennington, David Rankine, Emmy Stonelake, Christina Tedders and Matthew Woodyatt.

Isobel McArthur is an Olivier award winning actor, director and playwright. McArthur’s playwrighting credits include The Grand Old Opera House Hotel (Traverse Theatre Company with Dundee Rep Theatre), A Christmas Carol (Pitlochry Festival Theatre), Quiz! (National Theatre of Scotland/BBC Scotland) with joint credits as lead performer and playwright including How to Sing it (Tron Theatre) and Daphne Oram’s Wonderful World of Sound (Tron Theatre/Scottish Tour). Isobel trained the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, and her acting credits include Ella Hickson’s Wendy & Peter Pan, Anthony Neilson’s Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland (Lyceum Theatre), the Scottish premiere of Mike Bartlett’s Cock (Tron Theatre), Temp/Casual (Contact Theatre) and Edwin Morgan’s Scots language Cyrano De Bergerac (National Theatre of Scotland/Citizens Theatre).   

The Fair Maid of the West features Design by Ana Inés Jabares-Pita, Lighting by Sinéad McKenna, Music by Michael John McCarthy, Sound by Niamh Gaffney, Movement by Emily Jane Boyle, Dramaturgy by Pippa Hill, Fights by Claire Llewellyn. Casting is by Martin Poile.  

ELEANOR LLOYD PRODUCTIONS AND EILENE DAVIDSON PRODUCTIONS PRESENT THE NOTTINGHAM PLAYHOUSE PRODUCTION OF

CHARLES DICKENS’ A CHRISTMAS CAROL 

A GHOST STORY 

ADAPTED BY MARK GATISS 

INSTAGRAM, FACEBOOK, TWITTER – @XmasCarolLDN

• NEW REHEARSAL IMAGES HAVE BEEN RELEASED OF MARK GATISS’ ADAPTATION OF A CHRISTMAS CAROL STARRING KEITH ALLEN AS SCROOGE
   
• TICKETS ARE ON SALE NOW AT WWW.NOTTINGHAMPLAYHOUSE.CO.UK AND WWW.CHRISTMASCAROLONSTAGE.CO.UK

New rehearsal images have been released today of Mark Gatiss’ adaptation of A Christmas Carol, directed by Nottingham Playhouse’s Artistic Director Adam Penfold and starring Keith Allen as Scrooge. The production opens at Nottingham Playhouse on 27 October. It will then transfer to London’s Alexandra Palace opening on 24 November. Tickets are on sale now.

Filled with Dickensian, spine-tingling special effects, prepare to be frightened and delighted in equal measure as you enter the supernatural Victorian world of A Christmas Carol.

It’s a cold Christmas Eve and mean-spirited miser Ebenezer Scrooge has an unexpected visit from the spirit of his former business partner Jacob Marley. Bound in chains as punishment for a lifetime of greed, the unearthly figure explains it isn’t too late for Scrooge to change his miserly ways in order to escape the same fate, but first he’ll have to face three more eerie encounters…

In the creative team, joining writer Mark Gatiss and director Adam Penford are Paul Wills (Designer), Philip Gladwell (Lighting Designer), Ella Wahlström (Sound Designer), Nina Dunn for PixelLux (Video Designer), Georgina Lamb (Movement Director), Tingying Dong (Composer), John Bulleid (Illusions Designer), Ginny Schiller CDG (Casting Director), Verity Naughton CDG (Children’s Casting Director), Matthew Forbes (Puppet Designer and Director), Tom Attwood (Musical Director), Kate Godfrey (Voice and Dialect Coach) and Joseph Marshall (Associate Designer).

Noël Coward Theatre – until 25th November 2023

Reviewed by Amber Mills

4****

Based on Neil Gaiman’s short 2013 novel, this seemingly simple story is of a man who revisits his childhood where he discovers friendship for the first time and copes with the aftermath of his mother’s death. He’s transported to his 12th birthday when his friend Lettie claimed it wasn’t a pond, but an ocean…

Plunged into a magical world, their survival depends on their ability to reckon with ancient forces that threaten to destroy everything around them.

As the lights slowly dimmed and the tranquil music of the overture played it transported me into the supernatural land. There were many moments in the show where I was gripping onto my seat as the sheer intensity of the actors, especially when moving through the audience, was spine tingling. It felt like you were actually living and breathing their world.

This show had quite a small ensemble, however these people had to multi-role and do everything from the movement scenes to puppetry which I think is a skill in itself. A special mention to Charlie Brookes who plays Ursula/Skarthach. Her performance was so captivating and musical that I lost where I was. This just proves Charlies doing her job very well. Every actor should make us feel a certain way and she did just that. There’s no other words to describe her intelligent talent.

Furthermore, the adults who were playing the ‘children’ in the show were incredibly focused and actually when watching I forgot they were adults as they did such a great job of conveying childlike characteristics that they felt like real children.

The set is simple but effective and the use of lighting throughout really carries the plot forward and complements the feelings of characters. The use of illusion and magic elevates the performance as it adds a sense of realness to the piece.

The score is very eerie and it put me on edge when watching. From a person who’s never read or seen this I was on the edge of my seat for most of the show because I didn’t know what to expect next. The theatre was literally screaming with fear for the entirety of the performance. The Ocean at the end of the lane is a fantasy drama and this type of escapism is something that many people find exciting.

There were some more intense action scenes in Act 2 that were all executed beautifully. But there’s an especially beautiful tear jerking scene when they go into the “ocean”. It was a stunning mix between set, props, lighting and sound that made you feel like you’re swimming. This Sci-Fi, modern fantasy musical has all the elements that make up this beautiful world and most importantly creates lots of atmosphere and entrances the audience, just like sci-fi films do. I fully believe that this cast did just that as everyone was just gripped in in the action the entirety of the performance.

Overall, every aspect of this musical from the set design and music to the actors really brought you into the story. This musical is a rollercoaster for emotions as you go from feeling moved to terrified to elegiac. This is a definite watch as I feel most musical theatre can become very the same, whereas this musical brings a different energy and feeling. Make sure you get your tickets as this ends at the Noël Coward Theatre on the 25th November 2023!

TRAVEL BACK IN TIME TO THE ICONIC  
MUHAMMAD ALI V GEORGE FOREMAN FIGHT
‘RUMBLE IN THE JUNGLE’ REMATCH IN 1974 ZAIRE

WITH THIS IMMERSIVE SPECTACLE 

RUN EXTENDED TO 9 DECEMBER

● Rumble in the Jungle Rematch has been captivating  audiences since it opened on 13 September in London. Fans experience the atmosphere and iconic moments surrounding one of the Greatest fights of all time – from the build up to the legendary lost ‘Zaire 74 music festival’ with all its sights, sounds and tastes

● Created by award winning UK start up Rematch – The Sporting Time Machine, Rumble in the Jungle Rematch continues at London’s easy-to reach Dock X venue in Canada Water, Tickets for 1 November to 9 December are on sale now!

Website /  tickets: rumblerematch.com

Fusing theatre, sport and technology – and taking immersive experiences in a whole new direction – Rumble in the Jungle Rematch launched in London this September and today extends its run through to 9th December. We invite you to attend during its extended run (or prior) to enjoy and review the show.
 

Widely considered to be ‘The Greatest Sporting event of the 20th Century’ the Ali v Foreman Heavyweight Championship boxing match (the first to be held in Africa) is the stuff of legend, and this live immersive event recreates all the sights, sounds and festival atmosphere that surrounded this zeitgeist capturing event.The event offers a fresh perspective and a view from the Congolese perspective, as well as the widely covered Western Media.
 

Following the footsteps of  Ali and Foreman, the cast of characters, including David Frost who reported on the match, legendary boxing promoter Don King (who was as much about show business as boxing), circulates amongst the audience as the story unfurls around the audience. This includes the intense media attention and press conferences to sparring sessions with the boxers and the actual fight itself.
 

There is a riot of music with the Zaire ‘74 festival, which saw the biggest global acts in black music perform, including; James Brown, BB King, Bill Withers, Sister Sledge, Miriam Makeba and Celia Cruz and a slew of Latin America’s best musicians, heavily featured.

The second event by immersive event producers Rematch, following their recreation of the famous Borg v McEnroe Wimbledon final of 1980, Rumble in the Jungle Rematch, is a roller coaster experience that takes you from the intimate dressing rooms to the global stage, from the pre-match trash talking to the step-by-step play-out of the fight, and everywhere in between. 

Spearheaded by an amazing creative team, 12 year Secret Cinema veteran Miguel Hernando Torres Umba is Creative Director, and Writer Tristan Fynn-Aiduenu, best known for two-time Olivier nominated For Black Boys Who Have Considered Suicide When the Hue Gets Too Heavy.

Heading up the music elements, Femi Temowo, acclaimed Composer and Jazz Guitarist, known for working with high profile Artists like Amy Winehouse and George Benson is Music Director.

Rematch has developed the show together with Authentic Brands Group (ABG),iin partnership with Lonnie Ali as trustee of the Muhammad Ali Family Trust‘s (MAFT) own Muhammad Ali Enterprises.

Yvonne Arnaud – until Saturday 14th October 2023

Reviewed by Rebecca Salveson

4****

Farm Hall is a war time thriller which is based on a fascinating true story based on transcripts detailing the conversations of the German Scientists held at Farm Hall between July 1945 and January 1946. Written by Katherine Moar and directed by Stephen Unwin, Farm Hall tells the story of Hitlers Uranverein (Uranium Club) . The ‘club’ was made up of six German Physicists Weizsäcker played by Daniel Boyd, Von Lau played by William Chubb, Heisenberg played by Alan Cox, Diebner played by Julius D’Silva, Bagg played by George Jones and Hahn played by Forbes Masson, who find themselves forced into close confinement as they were held captive at Farm Hall a Country House in Cambridgeshire.

The whole time that the men were being held the British secret service were listening in having bugged the property hoping to find out the secrets surrounding the Germans advances in creating the atomic bomb! With little to do the men find themselves having to amuse them selves by acting out plays, playing chess and spend a good deal of time bickering and contemplating their part in Hitlers War.

As their story unfolds throughout the drama, we learn of how each character is linked and involved in the actions of Uranverein as they grapple with their part and moral position in the creation of the bomb. Some characters refuse to acknowledge any responsibility, some boast of their resistance to Hitler, but they are all implicated in some way. Despite us knowing how this story ends it is still a thrilling story and all the actors bring the characters to life with their believable performances.

The only scene we see is the drawing room where the characters meet at various points throughout the play. The room has fading peeling wallpaper an open fireplace and décor to meet the era, it is instantly recognisable as an old country house. Authentic furniture and lighting helps you to fully immerse in the story.

Hahn, Forbes Masson sense of responsibility over the discovery that ultimately led to the first atomic bomb is portrayed wonderfully at the end of the play and leaves us pondering the question if he sabotaged his own scientific breakthrough as a way that he could resist Hitlers regime?

An exciting play perfect for lovers of Drama and History that is thought provoking and a fascinating glimpse into the past.

MENFULNESS – the men’s mental health and community charity.

Raising funds for urgent counselling for men at crisis point.

Charity information: FIND OUT MORE

THE FULL MONTY is at the GRAND OPERA HOUSE next week from Tuesday 17th October and we are delighted to announce that at payment points at bars and kiosks, donations can be made to Menfulness to help provide urgent counselling for men at crisis point.

These donations can be made (by card) throughout the week of the show until Saturday 21st October.  

The show focuses on a group of men, coming together and building relationships for support in their community.  Menfulness is a community charity group that provides events and support and encourages men to chat and socialise to help with mental health and well-being.  They have just won a Community Pride award and are well known in the area for the fantastic work they do and the help they provide, including counselling support.

From the charity website: We are really proud to be able to offer men in York some professional counselling through a wonderful partnership with Serendipity. These sessions are already funded, but if you’d like to contribute you can do so here.

The Full Monty show: As in the 1997 smash hit film, this brand-new production, featuring the music of the 90s, is a rollercoaster ride of ups and downs, laughs and heartbreak. There are no heroes in Simon Beaufoy’s heartfelt play, just a group of lads trying to regain their dignity and pride. This fast and funny play is still very much of our time, as again we are hit by a cost-of-living crisis. Gaz and his mates are down on their luck and feel they have been thrown on the scrap heap, but they are determined to fight back and bare a little more than they ever thought they would have to.

Starring Danny Hatchard (Eastenders, Ridley Road, Our Girl, SCROOGE) as Gaz, Jake Quickenden (Footloose, Hair, X Factor, Dancing on Ice) as Guy and Bill Ward (Coronation Street, Emmerdale, Everybody’s Talking About Jamie) as Gerald, with Neil Hurst (Fat Friends the Musical, All Creatures Great and Small, Coronation Street) as Dave, Ben Onwukwe (The Shawshank Redemption, Professor T, Marcella) as Horse and Nicholas Prasad (Around the World in 80 days, The Comedy of Errors, Doctors) as Lomper.

LUCIE JONES &

JAMIE MUSCATO

TO STAR IN

WORKSHOP PERFORMANCES OF

13 GOING ON 30 THE MUSICAL

FROM 25 – 28 OCTOBER 2023

EXTRA PERFORMANCE ADDED DUE TO DEMAND

ROYO are delighted to announce the full cast for the development workshops of new musical 13 GOING ON 30 THE MUSICAL. The workshop presentations will include Lucie Jones (Les Miserables, Waitress, Wicked) as Jenna Rink, Jamie Muscato (Moulin Rouge, West Side Story) as Matt Flamhaff, Grace Mouat (SIX, & Juliet) as Lucy, Caleb Roberts (TINA: The Tina Turner Musical) as Richard, Alex Stoll (Groundhog Day) as Alex, Andrew Berlin (Oklahoma!) as Kyle, Kia-Paris Walcott (Heathers) as Wendy, Mary-Jean Caldwell (Heathers) as Bev, Jena Pandya (UK and International tour of MAMMA MIA!) as Arlene, Lewis Asquith (Heathers) as Wayne, and Ivan Fernandez Gonzalez (Heathers) as Darius.

The cast will also feature a Young Company including Doireann McNally (Toy Show The Musical) as Young Jenna, Louie Gray (Bonnie and Clyde) as Young Matt, Bea Ward (School of Rock) as Lulu, Delilah Bennett-Cardy (School of Rock) as Becky, Finn Henry Barwell (School of Rock) as Young Kyle and Jasmine Djazel (TINA: The Tina Turner Musical) as Tess.

An extra matinee performance has been added on Saturday 28 October due to demand. Tickets are on sale now.

Written by the writers of the hit film of the same name, Josh Goldsmith and Cathy Yuspa 13 GOING ON 30 THE MUSICAL will be holding a two week workshop hosted at Battersea Arts Centre. During the workshop, there will be four script-in-hand public performances with a brilliant cast and live band on Wednesday 25 October, Thursday 26 October, Friday 27 October and Saturday 28 October at 7:30pm. The workshop will take place ahead of a run in Summer 2025.

13 GOING ON 30 THE MUSICAL is a stage reimaging of the beloved 2004 hit romantic comedy film that starred Jennifer Garner and Mark Ruffalo. It follows the story of Jenna Rink, an adorably awkward 13 year-old girl who wishes she could skip over the horrors of middle school. 

What does Jenna Rink want for her birthday? That’s easy. At thirteen years old, she wants one thing only – to be thirty, flirty and thriving. As she blows out her birthday candles, she magically wakes up seventeen years later: a thirty-year-old fashion magazine editor with a life that seems to be perfect. As she unravels the mystery of the person she has grown up to be, Jenna must work out what, and who, really matters. 

13 GOING ON 30 THE MUSICAL will have music and lyrics by Michael Weiner and Alan Zachary (First Date (Broadway)), High School Musical: The Musical: The Series (Disney+) and direction by Andy Fickman (Heathers, She’s The Man). Casting for the adult company is by Will Burton for Grindrod & Burton Casting and casting for the children is by Keston and Keston. 

Purchase Tickets: bac.org.uk/whats-on

TikTok: 1330musical

X: 1330musical

Instagram: 1330musical

LISTINGS INFORMATION

25 – 28 October 

Hosted at:

Battersea Arts Centre

Lavender Hill

London SW11 5TN

bac.org.uk

Box Office: 020 7223 2223

Tickets: £13.30

Performances: Wednesday – Saturday at 7.30pm, Saturday at 2.30pm