CASTING & CREATIVE TEAM ANNOUNCED FOR

LYRIC HAMMERSMITH THEATRE’S

15^th ANNIVERSARY PANTOMIME

CINDERELLA

The fairy godmother of panto returns! The Lyric Hammersmith Theatre today announces the full cast and creative team for its highly anticipated production of Cinderella, running 18 November 2023 to 06 January 2024.

The first images are also released of Tilly La Belle Yengo as Cinderella in this magical new adaptation by award-winning comedian, writer and composer Vikki Stone who returns after winning Best Script at The British Panto Awards for Aladdin in 2021 at the Lyric Hammersmith Theatre. Cinderella is directed by Tonderai Munyevu who is the co-artistic director of Two Gents Productions and currently performing in As You Like It at The Globe.

Returning to the Lyric stage after critically acclaimed appearances in Jack and the Beanstalk in 2022 are Emmanuel Akwafo playing Lady Jelly-Bottom and Jodie Jacobs who will play the Fairy. Joining them and Tilly La Belle Yengo are Charlie Cameron playing Muffy, Damien James playing Prince Henry, Meghan Treadway playing Gusset and Maya De Faria, Jerome Lincoln,and the Lyric’s SPRINGBOARD trainee Bella Macdonald in the Ensemble.

The Lyric’s pantomime stormed West London in 2008 with Jack and the Beanstalk and since then the Lyric Hammersmith Theatre has entertained over 330,000 people at its annual pantomime. For the Lyric panto’s 15^th year, Cinderella is back bigger and better than ever before.

Further festivities at the Lyric continue with the return of critically acclaimed Raymond Briggs’ Father Christmas, adapted by Pins and Needles running from Wednesday 22 November to Saturday 30 December. Directed by Emma Earle, the production is filled with live music and puppetry and is perfect for under 6-year-olds and their families.

Internationally acclaimed singer, pianist and songwriter, Joe Stilgoe, also returns to the Lyric for two nights only on 11 and 18 December for a night of festive jazz and a Christmas party to remember. Expect special guests, gospel choirs, brass bands and singalongs.

Vikki Stone, Writer (Cinderella) said:
“There’s something uniquely special about the Lyric panto. It’s hard to put into words exactly what it is, but there’s just something about the alchemy of talent and fun in this building in particular, that makes this one of the coolest pantos in the country.”

Tonderai Munyevu, Director (Cinderella) said:

 “I cannot wait to bring Cinderella to West London this Christmas. Vikki Stone has outdone herself with this show which takes centre stage in Hammersmith. It is very cheeky, it’s very magical, and it’s definitely very poptastic! This Cinderella is hilarious and exhilarating festive fun for all the family. We have an exceptional cast ready to dance, sing and make you laugh out loud in the aisles this Christmastime. This will be an unforgettable pitch perfect panto of your dreams!”

Rachel O’Riordan, Artistic Director and CEO of the Lyric Hammersmith Theatre said:
“The Lyric Panto is tradition for many audiences in West London and beyond and we couldn’t be prouder to produce a brand new iteration of a much-loved story, Cinderella, by Vikki Stone. Our pantomimes are made right here in Hammersmith, with the glorious costumes being stitched and sequined in our wardrobe department. The Lyric Panto is part of our West London DNA – since before the Second World War we have celebrated the joyful and anarchic art of panto; and this year we celebrate 15 years of a reinvigorated version of this traditional art form. We couldn’t be more excited to share this 15^th anniversary production with our audience.”

CINDERELLA
Written by Vikki Stone
Directed by Tonderai Munyevu

Saturday 18 November 2023 – Saturday 06 January 2024

Set and Costume Designer: Good Teeth; Choreographer: Arielle Smith; Lighting Designer: Ciarán Cunningham; Composer and Arranger: Corin Buckeridge; Sound Designer: Nick Manning; Musical Director: Adam Gerber; Casting Director: Sophie Parrott CDG; Assistant Director: Mo Korede.

The Cast includes: Emmanuel Akwafo playing Lady Jelly Bottom, Charlie Cameron playing Muffy, Maya De Faria in the Ensemble, Jodie Jacobs playing the Fairy, Damien James playing Prince Henry, Tilly La Belle Yengo playing Cinderella, Jerome Lincoln in the Ensemble, Bella Macdonald in the Ensemble, and Meghan Treadway playing Gusset.

Musical Direction/Keys: Adam Gerber; Drums/Percussion: Greg Pringle; Bass Guitar: Nixon Rosembert; Guitars: Amy Shaw.

“In this brand-new show, the Queen of Panto herself, award-winning writer and composer Vikki Stone brings her outrageous adaptation of Cinderella, full to the brim with sass and magic, rip-roaring comedy, live music and chart-topping hits, directed by Tonderai Munyevu. 

Cinderella is a bonafide boss-lady who runs her own business at Shepherd’s Bush Market. One day the most handsome Prince Henry, who dreams of a life less spare, wears a disguise to the Market and falls instantly in love with Cinderella. With the paparazzi in hot pursuit the Prince is forced to flee. And so begins the quest to unite the unlikeliest of likely romances, Cinderella and the hapless Prince. But will Cinderella’s step-sisters Muffy and Gusset and step-mother Lady Jelly Bottom get in the way of their happily ever after? Of course they will, it’s panto.

So get ready to go to the ball, because this Prince is throwing one hell of a party in Hammersmith and everyone is invited! 

The Lyric Panto is an unmissable Christmas essential, get your tickets early as prices increase with demand.”

West End premiere for a major new British musical 
‘Billie the Kid’ will be semi-staged in front of a live audience
for the first time at the Vaudeville Theatre
Monday 13 & 20 November

Seventeen-year-old Billie Belle is a girl used to having the odds stacked against her. Born in a Bible Belt town to a delinquent mother, Billie spent her childhood saving discount-store coupons and working night shifts to keep the lights on in her grandma’s tiny trailer. Through it all, Billie has had one person by her side: her childhood sweetheart, Brody Benson. Brody’s a redneck with a heart of gold and they have spent years planning their future together, all pinned on Billie’s hopes for a full-ride scholarship to Charleston City College. But their plans are thrown into chaos when Billie discovers Brody has been trading dirty DMs with David Francis – the school queer punk rocker.

Torn between the pain of this betrayal and her love for her boyfriend, Billie reaches out to David and his gang of misfits. While Billie has put all her energy into thriving within the system, they’ve gone the other way, determined to be wild and joyful outsiders with no fear of offending! Inspired by and united with her new friends, Billie finds herself at the heart of a new kind of love story, one where her happily ever after is with herself in her fight for justice and equality; and the chance to ride out into the sunset on her terms.

This new British musical with music and lyrics by Gez Mercer, book by Conway McDermott and Gez Mercer, directed by Kerry Kyriacos Michael, is being semi-staged in front of a live audience for the first time.

For two nights only, come and experience the birth of a new British musical unlike anything else you may have seen or heard.

Cast and additional creative team to be announced.

Creative team:
Music and Lyrics by Gez Mercer
Book by Conway McDermott and Gez Mercer
Directed by Kerry Kyriacos Michael

Writer and Composer Gez Mercer
Writer and Composer Gez Mercer is a self-taught musician, dancer and natural-born punk. Born in Liverpool, Gez studied Theatre & Performance at the University of Leeds, before joining award winning dance collective Fat Blokes Dance Company, led by performance artist Scottee and choreographer Lea Anderson MBE, touring in their national sell out show, Fat Blokes.

‘Billie the Kid’ is his third full length musical, and his songwriting ability has netted him the Cameron Macintosh Award for Musical Theatre in 2014, West End producer’s Twitter Composer Award in 2013. Gez was a finalist in the Stiles and Drew Prize 2018, as well as being a shortlisted candidate for the Mercury Musical’s Cameron Mackintosh resident composer.

Writer Conway McDermott
Writer Conway McDermott is a trans non-binary writer from Liverpool, with a passion for juicy, accessible stories which ask big questions through the lens of a broke-ass queerdo. ‘Billie the Kid’ was the first project they worked on for stage, and their career as a writer has grown alongside it. They’re currently writing for BBC’s ‘EastEnders’, and are Playwright in Residence at Box of Tricks Theatre.  They are a winner of the Sky Studios 2021 Screen/Play Award, and have had work commissioned by The Liverpool Everyman & Playhouse, Popelei Theatre Company, and the Liverpool Light Night Festival, as well as working as an artist and performer with FACT, the Liverpool Biennale, Creative Europe, and a handful of other organizations across the UK and Europe.

Director Kerry Kyriacos Michael
Director Kerry Kyriacos Michael was Artistic Director & Chief Executive of Theatre Royal Stratford East from September 2004 to September 2017. For 13 years, he forged the Theatre’s commitment to develop new work & provide a platform for voices under-represented. He won two Olivier awards, seven nominations, two What’s on Stage Awards, and the UK Best Touring Theatre Award. In March 2018, Kerry won Artistic Director of The Year at the OFF WEST END Awards; and awarded the Freedom of the City of London. In the 2018 Queen’s Birthday Honours List, he was made an MBE for services to the Arts. Kerry’s theatre directing credits include new plays, musicals, and operas, including John Adam’s I Was Looking At The Ceiling & Then I Saw The Sky (co-production with Barbican Centre, London), The Harder They Come (transferred to the West End & tours of Canada and USA), Ray Davies’ Come Dancing (Winner What’s On Stage Best New Musical) and a new production of The Who’s Tommy – embedding creative BSL, Captioning and Audio Description, produced by Ramps On The Moon. (Winner UK Theatre Awards Best Touring Production 16/17). In June 2022 he became the creative director Theatro Technis @ 26 Crowndale, the home of Theatro Technis.

LISTINGS INFORMATION

BILLIE THE KID

Vaudeville Theatre,
404 Strand,
London
WC2R 0NH

Monday 13 November
Monday 20 November
at 7.30pm

Duration: 2 hours 15  mins  

Age Recommendation: 12+

Trigger warning:  
Depictions of homophobia, transphobic,
gun violence, and mild drug use.
Descriptions of suicide, self-harm, and sex.

Booking Information

Tickets: All seats £25.00
plus a £1.50 Restoration Levy

No booking fee if booked in person at the Box Office

Box Office: 0330 333 4814

www.nimaxtheatres.com

www.billiethekidmusical.com

Social Media

On Twitter and Instagram at
@BillieMusical

Actress, singer, dancer and musical theatre star Carly Mercedes Dyer sat down with fairypowered to answer 20 Questions.  Carly is due to star as Faye Treadwell in the tour of The Drifters Girl.  Tour details and tickets can be found here

Favourite show (whether you have been in it or not)?

Hadestown, which I was in at The National Theatre, when it was first here in London and Flowers for Mrs Harris (Chichester). 

Favourite book? 

The Time Traveller’s Wife by Audrey Niffenegger 

Favourite theatre? 

Curve, Leicester 

Favourite song? 

Glow by Victoria Monét 

Favourite music? 

I have an eclectic taste so depends on my mood. RnB, soul, Latin, funk, disco, classical, musicals, jazz. 

Favourite food? 

My mums yellow soup 

Favourite drink? 

Elderflower fizz 

What is your favourite role? 

I’ve had a few favourites but one close to my heart is Erma in Anything Goes. 

What was your first role? 

First job was in High School Musical at Hammersmith Apollo and first role was Helene in Sweet Charity at Nottingham Playhouse with Rebecca Trehearn as Charity & Amy Ellen Richardson as Nicky. 

And what role would you really like to play? 

Speaking of Amy Ellen Richardson, she’s currently being fabulous playing Mrs Wormwood in Matilda in town and I would love to have a go, or Adelaide in The Bridge Theatres version of Guys and Dolls for sure! 

If you weren’t a performer what would you be? 

A vintage clothes curator if that’s a job. 

What made you decide to be a performer? 

I got into dancing because my nursery friend Alice went and I wanted to go with her. Over the years we took part in singing competitions, went to amateur dramatic groups and my love for all things theatrical grew and knowing that I could do this as a profession, I was sold.

 Do you enjoy touring?

Yes it’s great to see the country and the audience response is so different depending where you are.

What advice would you give 16 year old Carly? 

Trust your instincts and be yourself, everybody else is taken! 

Do you fancy branching out in Producing or Directing? 

Absolutely!! 

What was the last stage show you saw and really enjoyed? 

Odyssey at The National Theatre; stunning, wholesome and magical. 

Favourite line from any show? 

“Yes….A little bit more..” from The Grinning Man. It won’t make any sense as a stand alone line but you can trust myself, Daniel Boys and Chris Jenko that it was a hysterical moment.

If you could be anyone else for the day, who would it be? 

Beyoncé because who wouldn’t want to be. 

What are the nicest/weirdest things you have ever received from fans? 

A flyer that had been mocked up as an award with a side of sugary goodness. So generous and the loveliest humans x 

Can you tell us what you will be up to next? 

Heading off on tour with The Drifters Girl as The Drifters Girl, Faye Treadwell.Carly can be seen on tour for the next few months.  Tickets can be found here

The Grand Theatre, Leeds – until Saturday 2 September 2023

Reviewed By Sal E Marino

5*****

Performing at the exquisite Grand Theatre, Leeds this week is Agatha Christie’s legendary The Mousetrap.  Christie’s and history’s longest running play really is storytelling at its best as Mrs Christie somehow weaves a magic thread of intrigue right up until the very last moment before the truth is revealed.  If you want to see a pacey, classic thriller with good, old-fashioned tongue-in-cheek English humour then this performance will hit all the right buttons.  Right from the get-go the visuals of the set and sound draw you in as the snow effect builds heavily outside on the ledges of the stained-glass windows and a radio broadcast from 1952 is crackling out onto the stage describing a gruesome murder.  I was hooked from the first few seconds!  Molly (Rachel Dawson) and Giles (Michael Lyle) Ralston appear to be just as charming as their beautiful country guest house and it’s all very twee, but one knows with Christie that that won’t last for long …

Brilliantly directed and produced by Ian Talbot OBE, Denise Silvey and Adam Spiegel, The Mousetrap is highly entertaining and manages to be many things without being overdone.  It’s funny without being a farce and complex without being complicated, I really couldn’t and wouldn’t want to fault it.  Without giving too much away, as I’m now part of that exclusive club of knowing ‘whodunnit’ and so obviously sworn to secrecy, the plot involves a group of rather mysterious guests who are staying it the Ralston’s Monkswood Hall guest house.  A terrible murder has just been committed in London and all anyone seems to know is that the culprit was wearing a soft-felt hat, overcoat, and light-coloured scarf.  All the guests arrive wearing this attire and Mr Ralston was also dressed matching the description when he came on set so anyone of them is in the frame. 

What was most pleasing was that the language of the play was kept in line with Christie’s original text and to the time of 1952 meaning that the directors and producer have given the audience the credit of being intelligent enough to understand this and chosen not to heavily edit or cancel it out.  It worked and did the opposite of being offensive as when for instance phrases such as, ‘not in front of the ladies’, were spoken, it created many giggles from the audience and highlighted just how mis-placed that wording is today.  Without these polarities, how can we see how much we’ve progressed in attitudes around issues such as those towards women? To not portray the characters using the speech Christie imagined them to have at that time is simply wrong and doesn’t give the play the correct historical context. It’s horrifying to think of a world where theatre must fit a certain narrative to suit certain sectors of society’s individual ideals to the point that history is completely rewritten.  I was so glad that this production didn’t succumb to the current pressure of cancel culture that others sadly do.

The cast of The Mousetrap are absolutely on point, first-class and totally embody their roles of a quirky bunch of misfits who are all running away and hiding from something.  I’d never really considered that after the war, there were many displaced people and that one could completely reinvent oneself with an elaborate or made up past and no one would really question you.  Christopher Wren (Shaun McCourt), Mrs Boyle (Catherine Shipton), Major Metcalf (Todd Carty), Miss Casewell (Leigh Lothian), Mr Paravicini (Steven Elliott) and Detective Sgt Trotter (Garyn Williams) all brim with energy in this enthralling production.  Every scene is slick, and every line delivered perfectly, it’s top-quality drama from start to finish.  The Mousetrap is shockingly good and even through I now know the end – I still want to go back and see it all again!

BIRMINGHAM HIPPODROME ANNOUNCE

LINE-UP OF NEW SHOWS

• New productions for 2024 include Come From Away, The Wizard of Oz and Unfortunate: The Untold Story of Ursula the Sea Witch
• New dance shows announced include Carlos Acosta On Before, Aakash Odedra and Aditi Mangaldas’ Mehek and Birmingham Royal Ballet presents: Freefalling for 21 years – ‘Still Life’ at the Freefall Café
• New productions in the Patrick Studio include History in the Making: A Black History Special and Women of the Windrush

Birmingham Hippodrome has today, (Thursday 31 August) announced a line-up of new productions for 2024 including a stellar line up of West End and Broadway smash-hit musicals.

Birmingham Hippodrome Associates Fat Rascal Theatre make a welcome return in April, with Unfortunate: The Untold Story of Ursula the Sea Witch (Thu 11 – Sat 13 Apr 2024) which comes to the main stage following sell out performances in the Patrick Studio in 2019. This laugh-a-minute dive through Ursula’s backstory is filled with an original hot pop soundtrack and much-loved characters as you’ve never seen them before.

Welsh National Opera will be bringing new two productions to Birmingham in Spring 2024; Mozart’s comic opera Così fan tutte (Fri 10 May 2024) aka The School for Lovers and Britten’s magnificently atmospheric Death in Venice (Sat 11 May 2024).

Winner of four Olivier Awards and the Tony Award for Best Direction of a Musical on Broadway, Come From Away (Tues 21 May – Sat 1 June 2024) comes to the Hippodrome on its first UK tour, sharing the incredible real-life story of the 7,000 air passengers from all over the world who were grounded in Canada during the wake of 9/11, and the small Newfoundland community that invited these ‘come from aways’ into their lives with open hearts.

In June, the sensational new production of one of the world’s most beloved musicals The Wizard of Oz (Tues 11 – Sun 16 June 2024) arrives in Birmingham, featuring the iconic original score from the Oscar-winning MGM film with additional songs from Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice. Winner of Best New Musical (What’sOnStage Awards 2023), West End smash-hit Bonnie & Clyde will hit the Hippodrome stage in September 2024. (Tues 3 – Sat 7 Sept 2024)

Dance fans can look forward to Aakash Odedra and Aditi Mangaldas’ Mehek (Tues 9 Apr 2024) an enchanting exploration of the human heart, its desires, courage, and resilience. Featuring choreography by world-renowned artists including Russell Maliphant, Kim Banstrup and Will Tuckett, alongside Carlos’ own choreograph, Carlos Acosta – On Before (Mon 6 & Tues 7 May 2024) is an homage to Carlos’ late mother and the most personal work he has ever created.

Hit musicals returning to the Hippodrome main stage by popular demand next year include the Broadway and UK smash-hit Sister Act (Mon 13 – Sat 18 May 2024), the international phenomenon SIX the Musical after three sell out runs at the Hippodrome (Tue 18 – Sat 22 Jun 2024) and the much loved musical Hairspray (Mon 16 – Sat 21 Sep 2024)

Newly announced works in the Patrick Studio this Autumn include History in the Making: A Black History Special (Tues 17 & Weds 18 Oct 2023) which takes audiences on a trip down the black history timeline, presented through drama, spoken word, dance and music performances.

In November, J. Thompson’s celebratory opera, Women of the Windrush (Thu 24 & Fri 25 Nov), will portray inspirational narratives from the lives of women who travelled to the UK from the West Indies between the 1940s and the 1960s.

Birmingham Royal Ballet’s Freefall Dance Company will celebrate their 21^st year this Novemberwith Freefalling for 21 years – ‘Still Life’ at the Freefall Café (Weds 15 – Fri 17 Nov 2023) which takes inspiration from David Bintley’s ‘Still Life’ at the Penguin Café. The Hippodrome will also host Birmingham Royal Ballet’s 21^st Anniversary Exhibition, giving an opportunity to learn more about Freefall’s history.

In April 2024 the stage adaptation of Rod Campbell’s timeless children’s classic book Dear Zoo returns to the stage(Thurs 11– Tues 16 Apr 2024). This production will delight both young and old as it unfolds with child-engaging puppets, music and lots of audience interaction.

Birmingham Hippodrome also recently launched their new pre-show dining concept The Circle Lounge, working with chef Angelina Adamo. Audiences can enjoy The Circle Lounge for a beautiful Afternoon Tea alongside a matinee performance, or sharing platters, small plates and sweet treats with friends and family for an evening performance.

Jon Gilchrist, Artistic Director and Chief Executive Officer at Birmingham Hippodrome said:

“We’re so pleased to announce a fantastic line-up of productions coming to Birmingham in 2024 in what will be our 125^th year. I’m also delighted that we have now opened The Circle Lounge, which is already providing our audiences with a whole new set of ‘goosebumps moments’ on tasting the wonderful food by Angelina Adamo.”

There will be a range of Audio Described, Captioned, BSL interpreted and relaxed performances throughout the season, to find out more head to the Hippodrome’s accessible performances web page.

Tickets for all new season showswill go on sale to Friends of Birmingham Hippodrome on Thursday 31 August at 11am and on general sale on Monday 4 September at 11am. 

Tickets for all shows can be booked at www.birminghamhippodrome.com or by calling 0844 338 5000*

 *0844 calls will cost you 4.5p per minute plus your phone company’s access charge

FULL CAST ANNOUNCED FOR

THE WORLD PREMIERE OF

THE TIME TRAVELLER’S WIFE: THE MUSICAL

WITH MUSIC & LYRICS BY JOSS STONE & DAVE STEWART

& BOOK BY LAUREN GUNDERSON

AT THE APOLLO THEATRE IN LONDON’S WEST END

WITH PERFORMANCES FROM 7 OCTOBER 2023

Producer Colin Ingram (Back to the Future the Musical, Grease the Musical) is delighted to announce the full cast joining the previously announced David Hunter (Henry) and Joanna Woodward (Clare), Tim Mahendran (Gomez), Hiba Elchikhe (Charisse) and Ross Dawes (Henry’s Dad) in The Time Traveller’s Wife: The Musical.  The world premiere production of The Time Traveller’s Wife: The Musical, based on the best-selling novel by Audrey Niffenegger and the New Line Cinema film, with screenplay by Bruce Joel Rubin, will open at the Apollo Theatre in London’s West End on 1 November, with previews from 7 October 2023. 

Sorelle Marsh (MAMMA MIA!, West End) will play Henry’s Mum, Alwyne Taylor (Claus, The Lowry) will play the Librarian, Irfan Damani (The SpongeBob Musical, UK Tour) will play Clare’s Dad, Alexandra Doar (Narrator in Joseph and The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, UK Tour) will play Clare’s Mum, Alex Lodge (The Osmonds, UK and Ireland Tour) will play Jason/Mark and Helena Pipe (Blues For An Alabama Sky, National Theatre)will play Dr Kendrick. Also in the cast are Billie Hardy, Daniel George-Wright, Serina Mathew, Nathaniel Purnell and Bobby Windebank. The role of Young Clare and Alba will be shared by Ava Critchell, Lily Hanna, Poppy Pawson and Holly-Jade Roberts.

Henry and Clare’s relationship is like no other.  And yet, it’s like all others.  Clare is a talented sculptor and Henry is – well – a time traveller.  They meet, fall in love, and marry – but not in that order.  Flung apart by time but united by love, Henry is always trying to get back to Clare. Their journey is one of resilience, impossibilities and trying to hold on to each other when everything is pulling you apart.

The Time Traveller’s Wife: The Musical is a joyous, uplifting celebration of the strange wonder of love, however and whenever we experience it.  The musical weaves a heart-breaking and soaring original musical score and lyrics by multi Grammy Award-winning composers Joss Stone and Dave Stewart with one of the most beloved novels of the last 50 years. With a book by Lauren Gunderson, additional music by Nick Finlow and additional lyrics by Kait Kerrigan, the production is directed by Bill Buckhurst and designed by Anna Fleischle, with choreography by Shelley Maxwell, lighting design by Lucy Carter and Rory Beaton, illusions by Chris Fisher, video design by Andrzej Goulding, sound design by Richard Brooker, sound FX design by Pete Malkin, musical supervision & arrangement by Nick Finlow, orchestrations by Malcolm Edmonstone and wigs, hair and make-up design by Susanna Peretz.  Casting is by Grindrod Burton Casting.  It is produced in the West End by Colin Ingram, InTheatre Productions, Gavin Kalin Productions, Teresa Tsai, Warner Bros. Theatre Ventures, Crossroads Live.

Website: timetravellerswife.com

Twitter: @TimeTWMusical

Instagram: @TimeTWMusical

TikTok: @TimeTWMusical

LISTINGS

THE TIME TRAVELLER’S WIFE: THE MUSICAL

From 7 October 2023

Apollo Theatre

Shaftesbury Avenue

London

W1D 7EZ

Currently booking to 30 March 2024

Performances: Mondays – Saturdays at 7.30pm*, Wednesday & Saturday matinees at 2.30pm**

(*No performance on Monday 9 October; **No Wednesday matinee on 11 October)

Box Office:

Email: boxoffice@nimaxtheatres.com

Phone: 0330 333 4809

Tickets from: £25

Christmas 2023 Performance Schedule

MONDAY                   25/12/2023           No Performance

TUESDAY                  26/12/2023           7.30pm

WEDNESDAY MAT    27/12/2023           2.30pm

WEDNESDAY            27/12/2023           7.30pm

THURSDAY MAT        28/12/2023           2.30pm

THURSDAY               28/12/2023           7.30pm

FRIDAY                     29/12/2023           7.30pm

SATURDAY MAT        30/12/2023           2.30pm

SATURDAY EVE        30/12/2023           7.30pm

“MAMMA MIA!” ANNOUNCES NEW WEST END CAST

FROM MONDAY 9 OCTOBER 2023

AT LONDON’S NOVELLO THEATRE

NEW BOOKING PERIOD TO SATURDAY 28 SEPTEMBER 2024

TICKETS ON SALE 10:00 TOMORROW, FRIDAY 1 SEPTEMBER 2023

Ahead of its 25^th anniversary on 6 April 2024, producer Judy Craymer is delighted to announce the new cast of the global smash hit musical MAMMA MIA! from Monday 9 October 2023 and the extension of its booking period to Saturday 28 September 2024 at London’s Novello Theatre, with tickets on sale at 10am tomorrow, Friday 1 September 2023.

The London cast will continue to star Mazz Murray as Donna, Christopher Dickins as Harry, Stephen Beckett as Bill, Meg Hateley as Sophie and Miles Henderson as Sky, with Jennifer Adab continuing as Donna at certain performances. Jessie Odeleye moves from Ensemble to play the role of Ali.  They will be joined on Monday 9 October by Kate Graham (previously played Tanya in London from 2017 to 2019 and most recently played Diane in Come From Away at Phoenix Theatre) as Tanya, Nicola-Dawn Brook (Cirque du Soleil’s Saltimbanco for the European Big Top Tours, Royal Albert Hall and World Arena Tour; West End credits include Copacabana, Fame, Aspects of Love) as Rosie, Haydn Oakley (Lord Evelyn Oakleigh in Anything Goes at Barbican, Joseph/Jesus in The Book of Mormon at Prince of Wales Theatre and Henri Baurel in An American in Paris at Dominion Theatre) as Sam, Olivia Brookes (Glory Ride at The Other Palace and Pretty Woman: The Musical at the Savoy) as Lisa, Chay Wills (The Cher Show UK & Ireland Tour) as Eddie and Arcangelo Ciulla (Newsies at Troubadour Wembley Park Theatre) as Pepper.

Also continuing in the cast are Sinéad Courtney and Lawrence Guntert.  They will be joined by Aaron Archer, Amy Barker, Matthew Barrow, John-Paul Birss, Daniel J Brian, Izzy Cross, Ellis Dackombe, Lauren Dawes, Léa Desjacques, Samantha Ivey, Jennie Jacobs, Luke Jasztal, Nicole Lupino, Flyn Mullins, Hayley-Jo Murphy, Bradley Perret, Jacob Ritzema and Ella Tweed.

Since premiering in London in 1999, the irresistible feelgood musical has captured the hearts of millions around the globe.  The sunny, funny tale of a mother, a daughter and three possible dads on a Greek island idyll, all unfolding to the magic of ABBA’s timeless pop masterpieces, has now been seen live on stage by 65 million people across the world and turned into two record-breaking movies – MAMMA MIA! The Movie and MAMMA MIA! Here We Go Again.

A new TV show, MAMMA MIA! I Have a Dream, will be broadcast on ITV1 later this year, produced by Thames (a Fremantle label) and Littlestar. The competition will culminate in a live, dazzling grand-finale, broadcast from a theatre in London’s West End, where two winners will win the roles of Sophie and Sky in MAMMA MIA! at the Novello Theatre as it celebrates its 25th year.

To date, MAMMA MIA! has been seen in 50 productions in 16 different languages grossing more than $4 billion at the box office.  In 2011, it became the first Western musical ever to be staged in Mandarin in the People’s Republic of China.   

MAMMA MIA! originally opened in London at the Prince Edward Theatre on 6 April 1999, before transferring to the Prince of Wales Theatre in 2004, and then to the Novello Theatre in 2012.  The London production of MAMMA MIA! has been seen by over 10 million people, played over 9,300 performances and has broken box office records in all three of its London homes.  It is the third longest running musical in West End history.

Produced by Judy Craymer, MAMMA MIA! The Movie became the highest grossing live action musical film of all time upon its release in 2008.  A second film, MAMMA MIA! HERE WE GO AGAIN, opened in July 2018 and is the most successful live musical movie sequel of all time.

With music & lyrics by Benny Andersson & Björn Ulvaeus, MAMMA MIA! is written by Catherine Johnson, directed by Phyllida Lloyd and choreographed by Anthony Van Laast. The production is designed by Mark Thompson, with lighting design by Howard Harrison, sound design by Andrew Bruce & Bobby Aitken, and musical supervision, additional material & arrangements by Martin Koch.

MAMMA MIA! is produced by Judy Craymer, Richard East & Björn Ulvaeus for Littlestar in association with Universal.

LISTINGS INFORMATION

Novello Theatre

Aldwych

London WC2B 4LD

Ticket Prices: from £17.75*

*All prices include a £2.75 per ticket booking fee and £1.50 restoration levy

Early Bird Pricing – anyone booking 16 weeks or more in advance of the performance they are attending (Monday to Thursday performances only) will save £20 on Band B, Band A and Premium tickets, but only through Delfont Mackintosh Theatres, either online or by calling the Novello Theatre Box Office.

Family Ticket Rate – £199 for a group of four on Band B or Band A tickets (up to a saving of £151), OR £99 for a group of four on Band D and Band C tickets (up to a saving of £111), for Monday to Thursday performances, excluding peak performances, but only through Delfont Mackintosh Theatres, either online or by calling the Novello Theatre Box Office.

Performance Times:

Monday, Wednesdays – Saturdays 7.30pm

Matinees – Thursdays & Saturdays 3.00pm, Sundays 2.30pm*

From Monday 8 January 2024

Monday – Saturday 7.30pm

Matinees – Thursdays & Saturdays 3.00pm*

*Extra 3pm matinee on Monday 2 October, Wednesday 25 October 2023, Wednesday 14 February, Tuesday 9 April, Tuesday 9 July, Tuesday 6 August and Tuesday 20 August 2024; no matinee on Thursday 5 October, Sunday 8 October 2023 and Sunday 7 January 2024.

Christmas 2023/24 Performance Schedule

Monday 18 December                3pm & 7.30pm

Tuesday 19 December               NO PERFORMANCE

Wednesday 20 December          7.30pm

Thursday 21 December              3pm & 7.30pm

Friday 22 December                  7.30pm

Saturday 23 December              3pm & 7.30pm

Sunday 24 December                NO PERFORMANCE

Monday 25 December                NO PERFORMANCE

Tuesday 26 December               NO PERFORMANCE

Wednesday 27 December          3pm & 7.30pm

Thursday 28 December              3pm & 7.30pm

Friday 29 December                  7.30pm

Saturday 30 December              3pm & 7.30pm

Sunday 31 December                2pm

Monday 1 January                     7.30pm

Tuesday 2 January                    NO PERFORMANCE

Wednesday 3 January               3pm & 7.30pm

Thursday 4 January                   3pm & 7.30pm

Friday 5 January                       7.30pm

Saturday 6 January                   3pm & 7.30pm

Currently booking to 28 September 2024

The performance lasts 2 hours and 35 minutes (including a 15-minute interval)

Box Office: 0344 482 5151

http://www.mamma-mia.com/

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@MammaMiaMusical 

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TikTok: 

https://www.tiktok.com/@mammamiaworldwide

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Nottingham Theatre Royal – until Saturday 2 September 2023

Reviewed by Amy V Gathercole

4****

Jukebox musicals have been a popular trend on stage for the last few years, and it seems that now it’s time for producers to start turning cult films into stage faves. It’s worked well for Matilda, Mean Girls and The Adams Family recently, so why not 80s cult favourite Heathers?

The film gave us Winona Ryder as Veronica Sawyer – a girl who just wants to survive high school. In this performance, she was played by the very talented and memorable Eleanor Walsh (who is usually in the ensemble), and here she got a chance to shine, and shine she did with perfect comic-timing and auditorium-filling vocals, especially in her Veronica’s ‘Dead Girl Walking‘ anthem.

Musical theatre has been using the setting of American High Schools and their issues and tolerances (or lack of) for decades with the likes of Grease, Hairspray and Fame. Like its predecessors, Heathers has an overall theme of acceptance in high school, who has it, how you gain it and why you need it.

Heathers is the latest show to take us back to the place of teenage angst, bringing the nostalgia, fashions and energy of the 80s alive once more. Its unique methods of dealing with adolescent quarrels and woes are a tad more extreme and feature some wonderful and very witty dark comedy.

Veronica narrates her woes and teen angst through a ‘Dear Diary’ format, sharing her and her classmates’ inner and most dark secrets during the show, blending them in with a lot of laughs and surprises throughout, but also making several nods to the film as the show forges its own new identity

The Heathers of the title are Heather Chandler (a scene-stealing Verity Thompson), Heather McNamara (Billie Bowman) and Heather Duke (Elise Zavou). They are the mean girls of Westerberg High. They command attention and respect, as they relish making their classmates’ lives difficult and full of despair, in whatever cruel and manipulative way they come up with that day.

Heathers has a twisted love story at its heart; as the intelligent but confused young heroine Veronica climbs the social ladder, she also falls for a narcissistic and troubled newcomer to the school, JD (Jacob Fowler).

She’s certainly got a taste for the bad boy, and they’re a great fit…at first, wanting to teach the bullies a lesson, but the oh-so-critical issue is that he’s got murderous tendencies! So, there are a few disagreements as the pair navigate love, tragedy and complicated childhood traumas

This performance was my first time seeing the infectious Heathers the Musical (and it won’t be my last). It’s fresh, fun and fantastically dark.

The choreography is terrific throughout, with energetic dance routines full of complex steps, through to more dramatic and heartfelt scenes, where clever and effective uses of lighting and tableaus are used to slow down the movement and pace of the story and the action on the stage.

The lyrics are smart and humorous, with many tongue-in-cheek innuendos and shocking laughs (listen carefully and then put the Spotify playlist on when you get home) woven in.

JD on this tour is played by Jacob Fowler – who played his 299th performance in the role in hi hometown of Nottingham tonight, and he conveyed the dark and brooding psycho to perfection with a very impressive vocal range throughout.

Full of bright colours, language and talent. Heathers the Musical is a shock to the system that is sassy, severe and sexy. It won Best New Musical in 2019 (awarded by What’sOnStage), and it’s easy to see why. Add it to your ‘to see list’ ASAP.

Please be aware that due to adult and potentially triggering themes, this show is recommended for an audience ages 14+.

Noises Off Review 

Birmingham Repertory Theatre – until 9^th September 2023

Reviewed by Emma Millward 

5*****  

Noises Off was first conceived by writer Michael Frayn whilst watching another of his plays from the wings, where he realised the action backstage is just as interesting as what is happening onstage. He set out to write a play-within-a play with a farcical flavour. The play premiered at the Lyric Theatre, Hammersmith, London in 1982. Productions of it have continued to be staged in the United Kingdom, United States and Australia ever since.  

Each of the three acts contain a performance of the first act of the ‘play-within-a-play’, a saucy sex farce called ‘Nothing On’, each time seen from a different perspective. In Act 1, we see the final rehearsal before opening night at the Grand Theatre, Weston-Super-Mare, The cast keep forgetting their lines …. and plates of sardines!  Act 2 (after a swift 180 degree turn of the set during the interval) finds us backstage at a Wednesday matinee performance at the Theatre Royal in Ashton-Under Lyne, where bickering, whiskey drinking and trousers falling down look set to ruin the show. Act 3 (after an even swifter 3-minute interval to switch the set back) finds us in the audience of a performance of the play as it nears the end of the ten-week run in Stockton-on-Tees.  Relationships between the cast have now completely soured, Nobody knows what props they are meant to be using, where they are in the script or what is happening! 

The stellar ensemble cast of nine actors left me feeling exhausted just watching them. I honestly would struggle to single any of them out, as they are all amazing and perfectly in time with each other.  The play starts slowly with Liza Goddard’s Dotty Ottley/Mrs Clackett struggling to deal with her lines of dialogue and plates of sardines, much to the annoyance of the director, Lloyd Dallas (played by Simon Shepherd, who is sitting among the audience as he directs the rehearsal).  As more of the cast take to the stage, the rehearsal descends into chaos.  Actors are questioning the script, doors aren’t opening when they should, and they can’t seem to find Selsdon Mowbray (played beautifully by Matthew Kelly), who apparently likes a tipple or ten.   

Talking of the doors, they play a huge part in the play. The two-storey set, designed to look like the interior of a cottage, has 7 doors, which are used constantly throughout the play to great comedic effect. Cast members are locked in or out of rooms, doors are swung in people’s faces and door handles fall off. Dan Fredenburgh as Garry Lejeune/Roger Tramplemain is especially frenetic as he manoeuvres staircases with his shoes tied together, bashes into the scenery and ultimately takes a spectacular forward dive down the main staircase.  The pace of the play increases minute by minute, until it’s hitting breakneck speed by the final act where things totally go off the rails and it’s down to Belinda Blair (played with shrieking glee by Lucy Robinson) to try and hold everything together and somehow, improvise a fitting ending for the show.     

Writer Michael Frayn has occasionally updated the play over the years to remove outdated subjects or add extra scenes, but the quintessential British farcical humour still runs through its centre like a stick of seaside rock!!! 

NEW CAST ANNOUNCED FOR

H A R R Y   P O T T E R   A N D   T H E   C U R S E D   C H I L D

PARTS ONE AND TWO

WWW.HARRYPOTTERTHEPLAY.COM

The producers of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child – Sonia Friedman Productions, Colin Callender and Harry Potter Theatrical Productions -are delighted to introduce you to the new cast in advance of the new Company’s first performance on 17 October 2023. The original two-part multi award-winning production is currently booking to 19 May 2023 at the Palace Theatre.

David Ricardo-Pearce will play Harry Potter, with Polly Frame as Ginny Potter and Ellis Rae as their son Albus Potter. Thomas Aldridge continues as Ron Weasley with Jade Ogugua joining the cast to play Hermione Granger along with Taneetrah Porter as their daughter Rose Granger-Weasley. Steve John Shepherd will play Draco Malfoy, with Harry Acklowe as his son Scorpius Malfoy. 

They are joined by Ishmail Aaron, David Annen, Nairn Archer, Darrell Brockis, Sabina Cameron, Robert Curtis, Toby De Salis, Odelia Dizel-Cubuca, Rory Fraser, Jemma Geanaus, Harry Goodson-Bevan, Jemma Gould, Kelton Hoyland, David Ijiti, Chris Jarman, Sally Jayne Hind, Emma Louise Jones, Kathryn Meisle, Ian Redford, Abigail Rosser, Clancy Ryan, Tonny Shim, Adam Slynn, Sara Stewart, Benjamin Stratton, Maia Tamrakar, Alex Tomkins, Jake Tuesley, Sam Varley, Jess Vickers, Wreh-asha Walton, Katie Wimpenny. Benedict Archer, Jonah Haas, Honor Hastings, Delilah O’Riordan, Jude Parry, Jojo Perez Hoadley and Isabella Woodman will alternate two children’s roles, completing the 47-strong company.

19 years after Harry, Ron, and Hermione saved the wizarding world, they’re back on a most extraordinary new adventure – this time, joined by a brave new generation that has only just arrived at the legendary Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Prepare for spectacular spells, a mind-blowing race through time, and an epic battle to stop mysterious forces, all while the future hangs in the balance.

Last month Harry Potter and the Cursed Child celebrated 7 years at the Palace Theatre, home of the original production, where it has been seen by over 1.5 million patrons. On 1 September the production will be joining the annual celebrations for Back to Hogwarts Day, when Harry Potter fans are once again invited to don their robes and join the fun at King’s Cross station over three-days, which will include a special appearance from the Harry Potter and the Cursed Child cast and creative team.

Based on an original new story by J.K. Rowling, Jack Thorne and John Tiffany, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child is a new play by Jack Thorne, directed by John Tiffany with movement by Steven Hoggett, set by Christine Jones, costumes by Katrina Lindsay, music & arrangements by Imogen Heap, lighting by Neil Austin, sound by Gareth Fry, illusions & magic by Jamie Harrison,music supervision & arrangements by Martin Lowe, and casting by Julia Horan CDG and Lotte Hines CDG. Harry Potter and the Cursed Child is produced by Sonia Friedman Productions, Colin Callender and Harry Potter Theatrical Productions.

Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, the first Harry Potter story to be presented on stage and the eight story in the Harry Potter series, has sold over 6 million tickets worldwide since its world premiere in London in July 2016 and holds a record 60 major honors, with nine Laurence Olivier Awards including Best New Play and six Tony Awards including Best New Play. This summer, the international phenomenon celebrated its seventh year with four productions running worldwide in London, New York, Hamburg, and Tokyo. 

Box Office – 0330 333 4813

WWW.HARRYPOTTERTHEPLAY.COM

@CursedChildLDN

Facebook.com/CursedChildLDN

instagram.com/CursedChildLDN

WizardingWorld.com

Access performances:

Audio Described – Saturday 9 September 2023 & Saturday 16 March 2024

British Sign Language – Saturday 4 November 2023 & Saturday 23 March 2024

Captioned Performances – Saturday 27 January 2024 & Saturday 11 May 2024