RSPB St Aidan’s Nature Park – until Saturday 9 September 2023
Reviewed by Dawn Smallwood
4****
Written by Emma Nuttall and directed by Paul Roseby, Nest comes to RSPB St Aidan’s Nature Park in South Leeds. Nest is jointly commissioned and co-produced by LEEDS 2023 and National Youth Theatre. It is created as an immersive production in a bio-diverse landscape that explores how the climate crisis is being fought in order to create a better world for future generations. These are important issues among the young people.
The story is set in 2050 and the natural world is adversely affected by the climate change and the consequences it brings to both the bird watchers and Skylar’s everchanging habitat. The audience are invited to join in a walk around the park as the story unravels about the climate change throughout the years and the destructive strained relationships between the natural and modern world.
The performance is creatively, musically and soundly immersive with its props and performances. The performers, mingle with the audience, tell and report the story and is complemented with choreographic projections and movements that represents the landscape and society. The projections and sets are cleverly well put together throughout which is complemented with its natural setting of the park. The park’s lake is used to address the issue of increased waters and flooding.
St Aidan’s Nature Park was a former colliery, and this has been environmentally and ecologically transformed as a nature site. The remnants of the colliery are still seen including the machinery. The former machinery is used as a backdrop to begin and conclude the story from despair to hope and during the conclusion, the machinery is lighted up with video projections which harmonises the key messages and enlightening hope. All are encouraged to think about the future with regards to personal and environmental perspectives.
Nest is a passionate and emotive performance which is performed by over 100 young performers from the National Youth Theatre and choreographed evocatively with a talented creative team. The production uncovers the urgency and hope triggering from the environmental affairs including climate change and global warming. As summarised, home is those who love it with heart and fight, and one feels this with the natural world.
A unique and unforgettable performance set in a beautiful landscape and is fitting for such an important story.
5000 £20 TICKETS TO BE RELEASED EXCLUSIVELY FOR UNDER 30s, KEY WORKERS AND THOSE RECEIVING GOVERNMENT BENEFITS
FOR THE JAMIE LLOYD COMPANY’S
NEW WEST END PRODUCTION OF ANDREW LLOYD WEBBER’S
SUNSET BOULEVARD
STARRING NICOLE SCHERZINGER
AVAILABLE FRIDAY 8 SEPTEMBER AT 8.30AM
The Jamie Lloyd Company, the successful partnership between Ambassador Theatre Group and Artistic Director Jamie Lloyd, alongside Michael Harrison for Lloyd Webber Harrison Musicals today announce the release of 5000 £20 tickets for Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Sunset Boulevard directed by Jamie Lloyd, with book and lyrics by Don Black and Christopher Hampton, based on the Billy Wilder film.
As part of The Jamie Lloyd Company’s commitment to accessibility, 5000 stalls – including the front row – and dress circle seats will be available for £20 across the run exclusively for under 30s, key workers and those receiving government benefits. All 5000 tickets will be released on Friday 8 September at 8.30am for a limited time only via sunsetboulevardwestend.com/exclusive-seats.
Opening 30 years after the original West End production, Sunset Boulevard runs for a strictly limited 16 weeks at the Savoy Theatre from Thursday 21 September 2023 – Saturday 6 January 2024, with press night on Thursday 12 October at 7pm.
Nicole Scherzinger stars as the immortal Norma Desmond in Andrew Lloyd Webber’s legendary Sunset Boulevard. This thrillingly atmospheric musical, which features an iconic score including the songs With One Look, The Perfect Year and As If We Never Said Goodbye, is reimagined by visionary director Jamie Lloyd for a new generation.
Haunted by her memories and dreams, movie star Norma Desmond (Scherzinger) yearns to return to the big screen. A struggling screenwriter who can’t sell his scripts to the Hollywood studios may be her only hope, until their dangerous and compelling relationship leads to disastrous circumstances.
Drenched in champagne and cynicism, Sunset Boulevard scrutinizes the ambitions and frustrations of its characters and their intoxicating need for fame and adoration.
The cast of Sunset Boulevard comprises: Nicole Scherzinger (Norma Desmond), Tom Francis (Joe Gillis), Grace Hodgett Young (Betty Schaefer), David Thaxton (Max Von Mayerling) lead the cast joined by Carl Au (Myron / Jones), Georgia Bradshaw (Lisa), Hannah Yun Chamberlain (Patsy), Tyler Davis (Sheldrake), Kamilla Fernandes (Dorothy), Ahmed Hamad (Artie), Laura Harrison (Catherine), Charlotte Jaconelli (Joanna / Guard), Olivia-Faith Kamau (Nancy), Luke Latchman (John), Emma Lloyd (Mary / Heather), MireiaMambo (Jean / Dance Captain), Gregor Milne (Sammy), Kody Mortimer (Finance Man / Frank), Jon Tsouras (Finance Man / Stan / Cecil B. De Mille) and Charlie Waddell (Morino / Hog-Eye), with Lara Denning (Standby Norma), Jordan Cork and Shayna McPherson (Camera Operators / Ensemble), and Catherine Cornwall, Michael Lin (Assistant Dance Captain), Jon Reynolds, Kirsty Anne Shaw, Harrison Wilde and Lillie-Pearl Wildman as swings.
Rachel Tucker guest stars as Norma Desmond on Thursday 12 October matinee, and all Monday performances from 16 October 2023 – 6 January 2024.
The creative team are Soutra Gilmour (Set and Costume Designer); Fabian Aloise (Choreographer); Alan Williams (Music Supervisor and Musical Director); Jack Knowles (Lighting Designer); Adam Fisher (Sound Designer); Nathan Amzi and Joe Ransom (Video Design and Cinematography); Stuart Burt CDG (Casting Director); Hazel Holder (Voice and Dialect); Kate Waters (Fight Director); Ingrid Mackinnon (Intimacy Coordinator); Rachel Woodhouse (Costume Supervisor); Lily Mollgaard (Props Supervisor); Rupert Hands (Associate Director); Paris Green (Resident Associate Choreographer); HuwEvans (Associate Musical Director); Kelsh B-D (Associate Sound Designer); Martyn Sands (Production Manager).
The Jamie Lloyd Company production of Sunset Boulevard is produced by Ambassador Theatre Group Productions, Michael Harrison for Lloyd Webber Harrison Musicals, Gavin Kalin Productions, Wessex Grove, David Mirvish and Nick Thomas.
Sunset Boulevard is produced by arrangement with The Really Useful Group Ltd and is based on the original Paramount film by Billy Wilder.
Thursday and Saturday matinees, 2.30pm (excluding Thursday 21, Saturday 23, Thursday 28 September and Thursday 5 October)
Nicole Scherzinger will not be performing on Thursday 12 October (2.30pm performance), and Monday performances from 16 October. The role of Norma Desmond for these performances will be played by Rachel Tucker.
Access Performances:
Audio Described: Wednesday 8 November, 7.30pm
Captioned and BSL interpreted: Wednesday 15 November, 7.30pm
FIRST LOOK – PRODUCTION IMAGES HAVE BEEN RELEASED FOR THE UK TOUR OF 2:22 – A GHOST STORY WITH JOE ABSOLOM AS BEN, CHARLENE BOYD AS LAUREN, NATHANIEL CURTIS AS SAM AND LOUISA LYTTON AS JENNY
THE TOUR RUNS UNTIL SUMMER 2024. THE CAST FOR JANUARY – JUNE 2024 IS YET TO BE ANNOUNCED
PERFORMANCES AT THE APOLLO THEATRE LONDON – IT’S 6TH WEST END SEASON – CONTINUE UNTIL 17 SEPTEMBER 2023 WITH FRANKIE BRIDGE, RICKY CHAMP, CLIFFORD SAMUEL AND JAIME WINSTONE
2:22. A GHOST STORY by Robins, , Writer – Danny Robins, Director – MATTHEW DUNSTER & ISABEL MARR, Set designer – Anna Fleischle, Costume Designer – Cindy Lin, Lighting Designer – Lucy Carter, Theatre Royal Bath, 2023, Credit: Johan Persson/
Production images have been released for the UK tour of Danny Robins’ 2:22 – A Ghost Story. The edge-of-your-seat, supernatural thriller stars Joe Absolom (A Confession, Doc Martin) as Ben, Charlene Boyd (Mayflies, River City) as Lauren, Nathaniel Curtis (It’s a Sin, The Witcher) as Sam and Louisa Lytton (EastEnders, The Bill) as Jenny.
The tour opened at Bath Theatre Royal on 1 September 2023 and the current cast will perform in venues across the UK until 2 December 2023, with casting for 2024 to be announced soon.
2:22. A GHOST STORY by Robins, , Writer – Danny Robins, Director – MATTHEW DUNSTER & ISABEL MARR, Set designer – Anna Fleischle, Costume Designer – Cindy Lin, Lighting Designer – Lucy Carter, Theatre Royal Bath, 2023, Credit: Johan Persson/
What do you believe? And do you dare discover the truth?
“THERE’S SOMETHING IN OUR HOUSE. I HEAR IT EVERY NIGHT, AT THE SAME TIME”
Jenny believes her new home is haunted, but her husband Sam isn’t having any of it. They argue with their first dinner guests, old friend Lauren and new partner Ben. Can the dead really walk again? Belief and scepticism clash, but something feels strange and frightening, and that something is getting closer, so they’re going to stay up… until 2:22… and then they’ll know.
“A slick, chilling, romp of a play” The Guardian
‘A modern classic’ Sunday Times
2:22. A GHOST STORY by Robins, , Writer – Danny Robins, Director – MATTHEW DUNSTER & ISABEL MARR, Set designer – Anna Fleischle, Costume Designer – Cindy Lin, Lighting Designer – Lucy Carter, Theatre Royal Bath, 2023, Credit: Johan Persson/
The production premiered at the Noel Coward Theatre, starring Lily Allen, Julia Chan, Hadley Fraser, and Jake Wood, where it won the WhatsOnStage award for Best Play. It then transferred to the Gielgud Theatre for 10 weeks, starring Stephanie Beatriz, James Buckley, Elliot Cowan, and Giovanna Fletcher, which completed its run on 12 February 2021. For the first season at the Criterion (May – September 2022), the cast included Tom Felton, Mandip Gill, Sam Swainsbury, and Beatriz Romilly, the second season, launching in September, starred Laura Whitmore, Matt Willis, Felix Scott, and Tamsin Carroll.
2:22. A GHOST STORY by Robins, , Writer – Danny Robins, Director – MATTHEW DUNSTER & ISABEL MARR, Set designer – Anna Fleischle, Costume Designer – Cindy Lin, Lighting Designer – Lucy Carter, Theatre Royal Bath, 2023, Credit: Johan Persson/
The box office record-breaking run at the Lyric starring Cheryl, Jake Wood, Scott Karim, and Louise Ford, concluded its run on 23 April. The current West End season at the Apollo Theatre stars Ricky Champ, Clifford Samuel and Jaime Winstone with Frankie Bridge recently taking over from Sophia Bush who had to withdraw due to illness.
2:22. A GHOST STORY by Robins, , Writer – Danny Robins, Director – MATTHEW DUNSTER & ISABEL MARR, Set designer – Anna Fleischle, Costume Designer – Cindy Lin, Lighting Designer – Lucy Carter, Theatre Royal Bath, 2023, Credit: Johan Persson/
2:22 – A Ghost Story features set design by Anna Fleischle, costume design by Cindy Lin, lighting design by Lucy Carter, sound by Ian Dickinson for Autograph Sound and illusions by Chris Fisher. Casting by Matilda James.
2:22. A GHOST STORY by Robins, , Writer – Danny Robins, Director – MATTHEW DUNSTER & ISABEL MARR, Set designer – Anna Fleischle, Costume Designer – Cindy Lin, Lighting Designer – Lucy Carter, Theatre Royal Bath, 2023, Credit: Johan Persson/
2:22 – A Ghost Story is produced by Tristan Baker and Charlie Parsons for Runaway Entertainment, Isobel David and Kater Gordon.
AS NEW TICKETS RELEASED IN THE WEST END: NOW BOOKING AT THE VAUDEVILLE THEATRE UNTIL NOVEMBER 2024
DIVORCED, BEHEADED, LIVE!
Producers Kenny Wax, Wendy & Andy Barnes and George Stiles are thrilled to announce details of the new Queens joining the home-grown hit musical sensation, SIX.
Full Company. Top LtoR Janique Charles, Thao Therese Nguyen, Reca Oakley, Kayleigh McKnight, Nikki Bentley, Inez Budd, Naomi Alade, Natalie Pilkington. Bottom LtoR Meg Dixon-Brasil, Hannah Lowther and Gabriella Stylianou. Photo Credit Craig Sugden
Taking reign over the court from 17 October 2023 will be Nikki Bentley(Wicked – West End) as Catherine of Aragon, Thao Therese Nguyen(Miss Saigon – West End and UK & Ireland Tour) as Anne Boleyn, Kayleigh McKnight(Heathers the Musical – The Other Palace) as Jane Seymour, Reca Oakley(SIX – NCL) as Anna of Cleves, Inez Budd(Heathers the Musical – The Other Palace) as Katherine Howard and Janiq Charles(Disney’s The Lion King – West End & UK Tour) as Catherine Parr. They will be joined by Gabriella Stylianou(The Great British Bake Off Musical – Everyman Theatre, Cheltenham & West End) as Alternate Aragon/Seymour and Dance Captain, Naomi Alade(Beautiful – The Carole King Musical – UK Tour) as Alternate Boleyn/Cleves, Hannah Lowther(The SpongeBob Musical – Southbank Centre, London & UK Tour) as Alternate Howard/Parr, Meg Dixon-Brasil(SIX – NCL) as Super Swing and Natalie Pilkington(SIX – UK & Ireland Tour, South Korea, NCL) as UK Super Swing.
Alternates-Swings LtoR Meg Dixon-Brasil, Hannah Lowther, Gabriella Stylianou, Naomi Alade and Natalie Pilkington. Photo Credit Craig Sugden
Reca Oakley, Gabriella Stylianou and Meg Dixon-Brasil join the production having previously appeared in Norwegian Cruise Line versions of the musical. Natalie Pilkington returns to SIX, having previously being part of the musical’s UK & Ireland tour, South Korean and Norwegian Cruise Line productions of the musical, and will swing across both the West End and touring productions of the musical.
New Six Queens – LtoR Nikki Bentley, Thao Therese Nguyen, Kayleigh McKnight, Reca Oakley, Inez Budd and Janique Charles. Photo Credit Craig Sugden
Also, due to phenomenal demand, there will be another six months of SIX, with performances now available to book at The Vaudeville Theatre until November 2024. The producers are continuing their firm commitment to access and education– including BSL, audio described and captioned show in July and October 24, and new Sing A Long performances on 12 May and 25 August 24, plus the first ever schools only matinees on Thursdays during term time. Tickets are on sale now via www.sixthemusical.com
Think you know the six Wives of Henry VIII? Think again…
Prepare to lose your head and experience the Tudor Wives’ lives as they turn back the clock and take to the stage to reclaim their crowns and retell their stories of love, loss and the infamous ex they all have in common.
Join Aragon, Boleyn, Seymour, Cleves, Howard and Parr, backed by their fierce on-stage band,
the Ladies in Waiting, and Get Down to a royal retelling of the sassiest story in British Her-story.
The crowning glory of the West End, Broadway and beyond, SIX, created by Toby Marlow and Lucy Moss, is currently booking in the West End until 28 April 2024 at the Vaudeville Theatre. As recently announced, the Queendom has hit 1.5million followers globally – across YouTube, Instagram, X, TikTok and Facebook in the UK, US, Australia, Korea and beyond.
New Six Queens – LtoR Nikki Bentley, Thao Therese Nguyen, Kayleigh McKnight, Reca Oakley, Inez Budd and Janique Charles. Photo Credit Craig Sugden 2
Winner of over 35 international awards, including two 2022 Tony Awards, a Whatsonstage award, and nominated for five Oliviers, SIX can also be seen live on stage worldwide: on Broadway at the Lena Horne Theatre in New York, across the UK on its current sell-out, record-breaking tour, with two concurrent North American tours, a recent Australian tour and forthcoming productions due to play Korea, Holland and Canada.
New Six Queens – LtoR Nikki Bentley, Thao Therese Nguyen, Kayleigh McKnight, Reca Oakley, Inez Budd and Janique Charles. Photo Credit Craig Sugden 3
The show’s 2018 debut at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe hastened its West End transfer in January 2019 at the Arts Theatre. In 2020, SIX transferred for a short West End season at the Lyric Theatre before opening at its current home, the Vaudeville theatre in November 2021.
SIX is written by Toby Marlow and Lucy Moss, with direction by Lucy Moss and Jamie Armitage, Choreography is by Carrie-Anne Ingrouille, with set design by Emma Bailey, costume design by Gabriella Slade, lighting design by Tim Deiling, sound design by Paul Gatehouse, musical orchestration by Tom Curran, and musical supervision by Joe Beighton.
DARREN DAY JOINS THE 2023-24 UK TOUR OF AWARD-WINNING HIT MUSICAL
EVERYBODY’S TALKING ABOUT JAMIE
Everybody’s Talking About Jamie,the smash-hit and critically acclaimed musical, is pleased to announce Darren Day as Hugo/Loco Chanelle from 21 November – 30 December 2023. Darren shot to fame in 1993 playing Joseph in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat at the London Palladium and has been a regular on the West End stage since with credits including Godspell, Copacabana, Summer Holiday, Grease, The Rocky Horror Show, Carousel, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, We Will Rock You, Les Miserables, Priscilla Queen of the Desert, and Hello Dolly. He also appeared on the first series of I’m a Celebrity … Get Me out of Here and was a finalist on Celebrity Big Brother. Darren will be appearing in Everybody’s Talking About Jamie at Blackpool Winter Gardens, Venue Cymru in Llandudno, and for the three week Christmas season at Oxford New Theatre.
Darren Day said “I can’t wait to step into Loco Chanelle’s heels and join the brilliantly talented cast of the UK Tour of Everybody’s Talking About Jamie. It’s a wonderfully uplifting show filled with great music and humour and has a beautiful message at its heart. I’m thrilled to be part of it.”
Harriet Payne (Everybody’s Talking About Jamie Original Cast, The Wild Tonics) joins the tour as Miss Hedge in Llandudno and Oxford having originated the role of Bex in the show in Sheffield and at the Apollo Theatre, and covered the role of Miss Hedge in the West End and Los Angeles.
They join Ivano Turco (Get Up, Stand Up!, Cinderella) as Jamie New, Rebecca McKinnis (Everybody’s Talking About Jamie West End, Dear Evan Hansen, We Will Rock You, Les Misérables) as Margaret New, Shobna Gulati (The Rise and Fall of Little Voice, Everybody’s Talking About Jamie West End and Film, Coronation Street, Brassic) as Ray and Talia Palamathanan (Everybody’s Talking About Jamie Tour and film) as Pritti.
The show also stars John Partridge as Hugo / Loco Chanelle from 7 September – 19 November 2023 and 8 January – 23 March 2024. Kevin Clifton plays Hugo / Loco Chanelle from 25 March – 15 July 2024. Hayley Tamaddon plays Miss Hedge from 7 September – 26 November 2023. Giovanna Fletcher plays Miss Hedge from 8 January – 23 March 2024 and Sam Bailey plays Miss Hedge from 25 March – 15 July 2024.
Completing the cast for the 2023-24 UK Tour are KY Kelly (Anthony Gyde) (Laika Virgin), Garry Lee (Sandra Bollock), David McNair (Tray Sophisticay), Akshay St Clair (Dad), Jordan Ricketts (Dean), Liv Ashman (Vicki), Rhiannon Bacchus (Fatimah), Geoff Berrisford (Sayid), Jessica Daugirda (Bex), Finton Flynn (Young Loco Chanelle / Jamie New cover), Annabelle Laing (Becca), Luca Moscardini (Levi), Joshian Omana (Cy), Thomas Walton (Mickey), Takayiah Bailey (Swing) and Georgina Hagen (Understudy Margaret / Ray / Miss Hedge).
Following a record-breaking three-year West End residency, sold out UK & Ireland Tour and Amazon studios award-winning film the show opens at The Lowry on 7 September 2023 before visiting Sunderland, Nottingham, Bromley, Birmingham, Cardiff, Brighton, Leeds, Blackpool, Llandudno, Oxford, Southampton, Newcastle, Wolverhampton, Woking, London, Bristol, Plymouth, Sheffield, Liverpool, Eastbourne, Portsmouth, Glasgow, Aberdeen, Northampton and Leicester with further tour dates to be announced.
Jamie New is sixteen and lives on a council estate in Sheffield. Jamie doesn’t quite fit in. Jamie is terrified about the future. Jamie is going to be a sensation. Supported by his brilliant loving mum and surrounded by his friends, Jamie overcomes prejudice, beats the bullies and steps out of the darkness, into the spotlight.
This ‘Funny, outrageous, touching’ (Daily Telegraph) musical sensation is to be experienced by all the family and not to be missed!
Set to an original score of catchy pop tunes that will ‘blow the roof off the theatre’ (Mail on Sunday) by lead singer-songwriter of The Feeling, Dan Gillespie Sells and writer Tom MacRae (Doctor Who). Choreographed by Sadler’s Wells Associate Artist Kate Prince (Into The Woods, Some Like It Hip Hop, SYLVIA, Message In A Bottle). This ‘sparkling coming-of-age musical’ (The Times) will have everybody talking about Jamie for years to come.
Sixteen: the edge of possibility. Time to make your dreams come true.
Watch the Everybody’s Talking About Jamietrailer here.
Music by Dan Gillespie Sells
Book and Lyrics by Tom MacRae
From an idea by Jonathan Butterell
Directed by Matt Ryan from original direction by Jonathan Butterell
The national tour of And Then There Were None, based on the best-selling crime novel of all time, will now open at The Gaiety Theatre in Dublin on Tuesday 19 September 2023 for a sold-out week of performances, and will subsequently visit twenty-two additional UK venues with a final performance at Southampton’s Mayflower Theatre on 13 April 2024.
It will not run as planned at the Royal & Derngate, Northampton, following the unfortunate news of their temporary closure due to the discovery of reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete in their foyers.
Fiery Angel Ltd. and Royo Ltd, as co-producers of the forthcoming UK tour of Agatha Christie’s And Then There Were None in partnership with Royal & Derngate, Northampton said“We were very sorry to learn that the tour will be prevented from opening at the Royal & Derngate Theatre this week, as planned, due to the recent discovery of Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (RAAC) in the theatre foyer. We would like to express our support and thanks to the staff and customers of Royal & Derngate at this difficult time.
We would also like to reassure our customers, our venue partners and the industry in general that ‘the show will go on’ and thanks to the sterling efforts of the staff at Royal & Derngate, The Gaiety Theatre, and our wonderful company of technicians and actors we will be able to complete the technical and dress rehearsals with time to spare prior to our new opening dates in Dublin”.
The tour has been very well received by theatregoers and has already sold out several performances prior to opening. For more information and to book tickets please visit the production’s web site at https://andthentherewerenoneplay.com/
The full cast for the production are Bob Barrett (Holby City, Propeller West End and UK Tour) as Doctor Armstrong, Joseph Beattie(Hex and Silent Witness) as Philip Lombard, Oliver Clayton (National Youth Theatre and The Play That Goes Wrong) as Anthony Marston, Jeffery Kissoon (National Theatre and Complicite, Allelujah!) as General Mackenzie, Andrew Lancel (National tours, West End and Coronation Street) as William Blore, Nicola May-Taylor(Rutherford And Son) as Jane Pinchbeck, Louise McNulty as Understudy, Katy Stephens (RSC, Globe and London’s Burning) as Emily Brent, Lucy Tregear (The Country Wife) as Georgina Rogers, Sophie Walter (The Girl On The Train) as Vera Claythorne, Matt Weyland(Witness For The Prosecution) as Narracott/Understudy, and David Yelland(Poirot, Foyle’s War and The Crown) as Judge Wargrave.
This brand-new production has been reinvented for the 21st century, directed by the renowned Lucy Bailey (Agatha Christie’s Witness for the Prosecution – now in its 6th successful year and Love From A Stranger; Dial M for Murder; Baby Doll; Titus Andronicus and The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel).
Ten strangers are lured to a solitary mansion off the coast of Devon. When a terrible storm cuts them off from the mainland, and with their hosts mysteriously absent, the true reason for their presence on the island becomes horribly clear, as secrets from their past come back to haunt each and every one of them.
And Then There Were None is not only Agatha Christie’s most read work, but also the best-selling crime novel of all time. Selling over a 100 million copies worldwide since its first publication in 1939.
In recent years there have been several high profile fresh and modern takes on Agatha Christie’s best loved titles in film, television, and on stage across the UK; all proving the enduring popularity and modern relevance of her work with global audiences.
Following her hugely successful production of Witness for the Prosecution, director Lucy Bailey returns with UK Theatre Award-winning set and costume designer Mike Britton, lighting designer Chris Davey, sound designer and composer Elizabeth Purnell and movement direction by Ayse Tashkiran to direct this bold and exciting reinvention of Christie’s greatest murder mystery. Casting is by Ellie Collyer-Bristow CDG, fight direction is by Renny Krupinski and the assistant director will be Victoria Gartner.
General Management for the tour is by Rich Jones with Production Management by Setting Line Production Management. The Stage Management Team will be Sian Wiggins, William Buckenham, Sara-Jayne Smith and Lewis Mote with Wardrobe headed by Natasha Hancock.
After devoting almost two decades to Emmerdale, TV star Matthew Wolfenden will leave the hit soap opera and return to the stage by first starring as Buddy in the smash-hit musical adaptation of ELF at London’s Dominion Theatre for a strictly limited season from 15 November 2023 until 6 January 2024. He will be joined by Tom Chambers, who reprises the role of Walter Hobbs.
They join the previously announced Georgina Castle as Jovie, Rebecca Lock as Emily Hobbs, Nicholas Pound as Santa, Kim Ismay as Debsand Dermot Canavan as Store Manager.
Ben Lancaster (POLICE COPS: The Musical, Edinburgh Fringe & Southwark Playhouse) will alternate the role of Buddy at certain scheduled performances.
Also in the cast are Rhys Batten (The SpongeBob Musical, UK Tour), Evonnee Bentley-Holder (Aint Too Proud, Prince Edward Theatre), Marie Finlayson (TINA – The Tina Turner Musical, West End), Aimée Fisher (Groundhog Day, The Old Vic), Farirayi Garaba (The SpongeBob Musical, UK Tour), Alex Given (The Book of Mormon, West End), Morgan Gregory (Disney’s Newsies, Troubadour Wembley Park), Samuel John-Humphreys (Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, UK Tour/Toronto), Keir Hylands (Frozen, Theater an der Elbe, Hamburg), Dominic Lamb (Legally Blonde, Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre), Ellis Linford-Pill (We Will Rock You, London Coliseum), Theo Reece (The SpongeBob Musical, UK Tour), Chloe Saunders (Grease, West End), Heather Scott-Martin (Singin’ in the Rain, Sadler’s Wells London, Japan & UK Tour), Jessica Spalis (MAMMA MIA! The Party, O2 London), Katie Warsop (Annie, West End & Toronto) and Natalie Woods (Wind in the Willows, London Palladium).
Jude Farrant (Matilda the Musical, West End), Daniel Lee (Glory Ride, West End), Oliver Ravelini (Winnie the Pooh, Riverside Studios) and Austin Riley (The Osmonds, UK Tour) will alternate the role of Michael.
Matthew Wolfenden is best known for playing David Metcalfe in Emmerdale (ITV1), a role he leaves after 18 years to return to the stage. His other television credits include the seventh series of Dancing on Ice (ITV1), which he went on to win, guest presenter on This Morning, Loose Women and Lorraine (ITV 1), panellist on Loose Men (ITV1), The Real Full Monty (ITV1), Jason in Hollyoaks: Let Loose (E4) and Timmy Pain in The Courtroom (Mersey Television). His theatre work includes Sex, Chips and Rock ’n’ Roll (Royal Exchange, Manchester), Tomfoolery (National Tour), Aladdin (The Old Vic), A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum (National Theatre), Saturday Night Fever (National Tour) and Romeo and Juliet (Piccadilly Theatre).
Tom Chambers is best known for his roles in Father Brown (BBC), Holby City (BBC), Casualty (BBC) and Waterloo Road (BBC). His theatre credits include Dial M for Murder (UK tour), Crazy for You (Watermill Theatre and UK Tour), Stepping Out (Electric Theatre), Private Lives (UK Tour), White Christmas (West End and Sunderland Empire), Top Hat (West End), Bloody Poetry (Brockley Jack Theatre), Pendragon Pellinore (City Theatre, New York/Sadler’s Wells), October’s Children (Lyric Hammersmith), Cyrano de Bergerac and Macbeth (Derby Rep Theatre), Damn Yankees (Yvonne Arnaud Theatre), The Innocents (Derby Playhouse), The Rover (Young Vic Studio) and Journey’s End and Blue Remembered Hills (Courtyard Theatre). Some of his other TV work includes Midsomer Murders (ITV), Emmerdale (ITV), The Great Train Robbery (World Productions), The Last Will and Testament of Billy (BBC) and Elizabeth The Virgin Queen (BBC). Tom is currently on tour in Murder in the Dark for the Original Theatre Company.
After a seven-year absence from the West End, ELF’s 2022 sold-out run at the Dominion was proof of the production’s public and critical success, facilitating its return in 2023 due to popular demand.
Based on the beloved 2003 New Line Cinema hit, ELF features a book by Tony Award-winners Thomas Meehan (Annie, The Producers, Hairspray) and Bob Martin (The Drowsy Chaperone), with songs by Tony Award nominees Matthew Sklar and Chad Beguelin (The Wedding Singer).
This production will once again be directed by Philip Wm. McKinley, with choreography by Liam Steel, original set and costume design by Tim Goodchild, lighting design by Patrick Woodroffe, sound design by Gareth Owen and video design by Ian William Galloway. Casting will be by Grindrod & Burton Casting.
ELF is the funny and charming tale of Buddy, who mistakenly crawls into Santa’s bag of gifts as a baby and is transported back to the North Pole — and raised as an elf! Unaware that he is actually human, Buddy’s enormous size and poor toy-making abilities finally cause him to face the truth and realise he’ll never belong in the North Pole. With Santa’s permission, Buddy embarks on a journey to New York to find his birth father, discover his true identity and help New York remember the true meaning of Christmas.
ELF is produced by Temple Live Entertainment and directed by Philip Wm. McKinley, with original set and costume design by Tim Goodchild, choreography by Liam Steel, lighting design by Patrick Woodroffe, sound design by Gareth Owen, video design by Ian William Galloway, music supervision by Alan Williams and music direction by Jonathan Gill. Casting is by Grindrod & Burton Casting.
Newcastle Theatre Royal – until Saturday 9 September
5*****
The SpongeBob Musical is a bonkers, colourful mass of madness. A bit like a fever dream or (I’m told) a bad trip or acid high!!! Sat in a theatre, predominantly filled with students, young adults and children this is a show filled with light, colour, bubbles and joy.
Lewis Cornay stars as the eternally optimistic SpongeBob. Who lives his best life everyday along with best friend Patrick (Irfan Damani) and Sandy (Eloise Davies on press night). When certain doom hits Bikini Bottom and Mount Humongous, the underwater volcano, threatens to blow, SpongeBob aims to be the hero to save them all. Then he can show Mr Krabs (Richard J Hunt), his employer, that he is manager material and not destined to be a fry cook at the Krabbie Pattie all his life. Evil Plankton (scene stealing Divina de Campo) and his computer wife Karen (Hannah Lowther) hatch a plan to save everyone in an escape pod. Whilst all the townspeople are in the pod he planned to use mass hypnosis to make them all love chum and buy all their food from his Chum Bucket diner. In order to pay for the escape pod, the Mayor (Siobhan Diffin) plans to hold a concert to raise funds, starring the Electric Skates. Squidward (Gareth Gates) is tasked with organising the concert. Pearl Krabs (Sarah Freer) sneaks into the sound check for the Electric Skates and, after impressing with her singing voice, gets a job as backing singer with the band. Pearl just wants someone to look at her the same way her dad, Mr Krabs, looks at money. And all of this within 48 hours before the volcano explodes.
Tara Overfield Wilkinsons direction and Fabian Aloises choreography are excellent. WIth a full tap routine provided by Gates in his Squid outfit, he impresses tap dancing with 4 legs, supported by full chorus of sea anemones. Sarah Mercades costumes are outstanding, utilising gloves, cds, cups and straws. De Campo as Plankton, a character that maybe an inch high, towered above the rest with huge heeled boots and long antenna, making him at least 10 feet high! Steve Howells set is in-your-face bright and colourful and mount humungous is a masterpiece of recycling.
The music is provided by big names; Yolanda Adams, Seve Tyler, Joe Perry, Sara Bareilles, Jonathan Coulton, Alex Ebert, The Flaming Lips, Lady A, Cyndi Lauper, John Legend, Panic at the Disco, Plain White T’s. They Might be Giants and TI. All played excellently by the on stage band (Sam Beveridge, Jeremiah Olaleye, Eleanor Turiansky, Matt Billups and musical director Marcus Carter-Adams)
The SpongeBob Musical is a must see show and not just for kids. This is a show for everyone. Full of optimism, the triumph of good over evil and a sea of colour, love, hope and bubbles and a tap dancing squid – what’s not to love!
FROM 20 TO 24 SEPTEMBER 2023 CELEBRATE THE YEAR MARIE ANTOINETTE WAS BORN WITH ALL TICKETS FOR THE FIRST PREVIEW £17.55
WITH WEST END STARS ZIZI STRALLEN AND RENÉE LAMB TO REPRISE THEIR ROLES
Casting is now complete for the limited West End run of Cake at the Lyric Theatre with Kandaka Moore (Sylvia) as Nicole and Roger Dipper (A Christmas Carol) as Cardinal. The ensemble is comprised of Ope Sowande (Moulin Rouge) and Elizabeth Fullalove (Starlight Express), also as ‘Jewellers’ with Travis Kerry (Hamilton), Dance Captain, and Jane Albertsen (Hamilton).
They will be joining the previously announced Zizi Strallen (Mary Poppins) as Marie Antoinette, and Renée Lamb(SIX) as Jeanne, who are both reprising their roles from the limited season tour earlier this year.
The brand-new musical, come gig, come ballet, is from some of the most exciting figures in modern British Theatre. Cake: The Marie Antoinette Playlist will be lighting up the West End for one week only as a taster of what is to come for the exciting production.
In celebration of our central figure, all tickets for the first night of the run (20 September) will be priced at £17.55, which was the year Marie Antoinette was born.
Following the success of the UK tour earlier this year, Cake will continue its journey, now on a West End stage. This will allow audiences in London the unique chance to see this show as it continues to expand and develop before finding its forever home.
Cake: The Marie Antoinette Playlist has an award-winning creative team, including Olivier winner’s Drew McOnie (In the Heights; Jesus Christ Superstar), Morgan Lloyd Malcolm (Emilia – The Globe) with Tasha Taylor Johnson (The Cat In The Hat) and singer-song writer, Jack McManus.
Combining a multi-genre pop score with 18th century France, Cake: The Marie Antoinette Playlist, retells a story that sparked a revolution. Marie Antoinette’s reign was blighted by gossip and scandal. But when she is implicated in a crime to defraud the crown jewellers of a diamond necklace, it is not just her reputation at stake, but the monarchy and France itself.
Cake was originally commissioned by Paul Taylor-Mills (Heathers; In the Heights) and promises to re-define our expectations of what a musical can be.
Cake: The Marie Antoinette Playlist has book by Morgan Lloyd Malcolm and Tasha Taylor Johnson, music and lyrics by Jack McManus and Tasha Taylor-Johnson with direction and choreography by Drew McOnie. Set and costume design by Sami Fendall, lighting design by Joshie Harriette and sound design by Andy Sharman. Casting by Will Burton.
One Week Only – Be There For The Start Of The Revolution…We’re Only Just Beginning
Trish Wadley Productions today announces full casting for a new version of Shakespeare’s Othello which features Iago played collectively by three actors. Joining the previously announced Martins Imhangbe (Othello), Michael C. Fox, Orlando James and Jeremy Neumark Jones (collectively as Iago) and Rose Riley (Desdemona),are Rachel Leah-Hosker (Emilia/Roderigo) and Ryan O’Doherty (Cassio/Brabantio).
Directed by Sinéad Rushe, the production opens at Riverside Studios, London on 6 October, with previews from 4 October, and runs until 29 October 2023.
Director Sinéad Rushe said:“As our cast is now fully complete, I am excited that we can throw ourselves into bringing our unique Othello to life, with three actors collectively playing Iago for the first time. In collaboration with sound and music, the ensemble cast will be demonstrating how Othello’s mind is manipulated by a chorus of voices that he starts to hear everywhere as if it’s literally poisoning the atmosphere. Our hope is that audiences will be thrilled by our fast-paced, and fresh take on one of Shakespeare’s greatest tragedies.”
Trish Wadley Productions presents
OTHELLO By William Shakespeare
Cast: Michael C. Fox, Martins Imhangbe, Orlando James,Rachel Leah-Hosker, Jeremy Neumark Jones, Ryan O’Doherty, and Rose Riley
Director: Sinéad Rushe; Composer: Michael C. Fox; Set and Costume Designer: Natalie Pryce;
Sound Design: Ali Taie; Lighting Design: Alex Lewer; Assistant Director: Vivek Sharma;
Voice Coach: Shereen Ibrahim; Fight Director: Yarit Dor
Riverside Studios
4 – 29 October 2023
From the producer of the recent acclaimed sell-out production of The Shape of Things at Park Theatre, this innovative new production of Othello sees Iago performed by an ensemble of three actors and features live music composed by Michael C. Fox.
‘Tis in ourselves that we are thus, or thus. Our bodies are gardens, to the which our wills are gardeners. We have reason to cool our raging motions, our carnal stings, our unbitted lusts.’
Othello is at the peak of his success: in life, in war, and in love. Until he finds himself utterly betrayed by the person he has trusted most: ‘honest’ Iago.
Michael C. Fox plays Iago. Fox is perhaps best known as Andy the footman in Downton Abbey, both television and film. He also composes music and formed the folk duo Michael and Michelle with his Downton Abbey co-star Michelle Dockery, releasing their first EP with Decca Records last year. His theatre credits include Clybourne Park (Park Theatre), Kerry Jackson (National Theatre), All in a Row, A Lie of the Mind (Southwark Playhouse), and An Enemy of the People (Chichester Theatre). Other television work includes Endeavour,The Ark, Bombing Auschwitz, New Worlds, Littlebigmouth, and Mrs Bradley Mysteries; and forfilm, Dunkirk, The World Will Tremble, Good People, and Bonver.
Martins Imhangbe plays Othello. He has become well known for his portrayal of the boxer Will Mondrich in the Netflix hit series Bridgerton and was commended in the Ian Charleson Award 2019 for his role in The Tragedy of King Richard II. His other theatre credits include Othello (ETT), Death of a Salesman (Young Vic), The Tragedy of King Richard II (Almeida Theatre), Absolute Hell (National Theatre), The Royale (Bush Theatre), Luce (Southwark Playhouse), The Skriker (Royal Exchange Theatre), Lionboy (Complicité), and Romeo and Juliet (Orange Tree Theatre).His film work includes The Last British Execution and Digging.
Orlando James plays Iago. His theatre work includes Even Stillness Breathes Softly Against A Brick Wall (Orange Three Theatre), The Winter’s Tale,‘Tis Pity She’s a Whore, Macbeth (Cheek by Jowl), Shakespeare in Love (West End), Another Country (Theatre Royal Bath and Chichester Theatre), The Madness of George III (Theatre Royal Bath and UK tour), Curious (Riverside Studios) and Country Feedback (The Old Vic). His television work includes Six Wives and Doctor Who; and for film, Wonder Woman II and The Laureate.
Rachel Leah-Hosker plays Emilia/Roderigo. Her theatre credits include Shut Up, I’m Dreaming (National Theatre and The Pappy Show), Jews. In Their Own Words (Royal Court Theatre), The Winston Machine (New Diorama Theatre and North Wall), Girls (Vault Festival), The Butterfly Lion (Chichester Festival Theatre), Philip Pullman’s Grimm Tales (Unicorn Theatre),Left My Desk (HOME), Skate Hard, Turn Left (Out of Inc and Birmingham Old Rep), and Alan, We Think You Should Get a Dog (Theatre503). Her television work includes Protection and Platinum Jubilee Celebration: A Gallop Through History.
Jeremy Neumark Jones plays Iago. His theatre work includes Macbeth, Private Peaceful and The Real Inspector Hound (National Youth Theatre), and Much Ado About Nothing (Thelma Holt). His television work includes The Feed, The Last Post, Siblings, One of Us,Grantchester, and Jekyll and Hyde; and for film Forgiveness, Tiebreaker, Denial, and Leavey.
Ryan O’Doherty as Cassio/Brabantio. O’Doherty recently graduated from the Royal Central School of Speech and Drama. Television credits include Marvel’s Loki; and for film, the upcoming Amy Winehouse biopic, Back to Black.
Rose Riley plays Desdemona. Her theatre work includes Hamnet (RSC), Grafting (Rose Theatre Kingston), The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time (National Theatre), Loaded (Birmingham Old Rep), South of Home (Theatre503), RE:HOME (The Yard Theatre), One Minute (Delirium/The Vaults), and Tiger Country (Hampstead Theatre). Her television work includes Call The Midwife and Life After Life; and for film 90 Minutes, Big Brother and Home.
Sinéad Rushe is an Olivier Award nominated theatre director and acting coach.Her theatre work includes AntigoneNOW (UC Davis, USA), Loaded (Old Rep Birmingham), Concert (Barbican Theatre, New York and international tour), Night Just Before the Forests (Macau Arts Festival China), Diary of a Madman (Sherman Cymru and international tour), and Out of Time (Barbican Theatre, New York and international tour – Olivier Award nomination). She is the Artistic Director of Creative Actor Training and Lead Acting Tutor at RADA. She is the author of Michael Chekhov’s Acting Technique: A Practitioner’s Guide, and co-translator into French of four plays by Howard Barker.
