The UK Pantomime Association is looking for a diverse range of volunteer judges to join its team for the 2023/24 Season
The UK Pantomime Association has launched a search for new judges to join its experienced team, visiting over 200 professional pantomimes across the length and breadth of the UK to shortlist nominations for The Pantomime Awards. The Association aims to ensure the team of more than 60 judges represents the diverse nature of pantomime audiences.
Applications are especially welcome from disabled and neurodiverse individuals, members of the LGBTQI+ community, and people from the global majority, in particular those with African, Caribbean, Middle Eastern, North African, South Asian or South East Asian heritage, as these voices are currently underrepresented in the team.
Simon Sladen, Chair of the UK Pantomime Association, said: “We aim to celebrate, support and champion diversity and inclusivity in our work, and we aspire to engage our judges from a diverse group of volunteers. We welcome applications from all backgrounds and acknowledge the importance of lived experience, as well as the significant role local audiences play in regional pantomime’s production and reception.”
Applications are invited from seasoned audience members with a critical eye, people with a professional pantomime performance or production credit and those with a journalistic/reviewing background. To apply, just complete a short questionnaire which is available here: https://forms.gle/yg9zScxX1XHo7JrD8. The deadline is 26 July 2023 at midnight.
The benefits of being a judge include complimentary tickets for pantomime performances within an agreed region, an invitation to The Pantomime Awards judging conference and tickets for The Pantomime Awards ceremony.
All judges will be required to watch approximately eight performances in their region from November until January (with the team clocking up more than 700 performances collectively!). They will be required to attend a training session and they will need to commit time to submit show reports via an online portal. Judges are engaged on a voluntary basis, with no expenses covered.
The Pantomime Awards 2023 in association with Butlin’s took place in a star-studded ceremony at the Trafalgar Theatre in London’s West End. Amongst the winners were Special Recognition Awards given to Ian McKellen for passionate advocacy and services to the artform of pantomime, Cast, Doncaster, for their ongoing commitment to integrated BSL signing in pantomime and the Theatre Royal Stratford East for their continued innovative and inclusive practice in the field of pantomime.
Founded in 2021, the UK Pantomime Association is a charity that explores, shares and celebrates pantomime by investigating the genre’s rich past, engaging with contemporary practice and inspiring the future. To find out more, visit https://pantomimeassociation.co.uk.
MAYFLOWER THEATRE WELCOMED NEIL GAIMAN, AUTHOR OF THE OCEAN AT THE END OF THE LANE TO WATCH HIS SMASH HIT PLAY LIVE ONSTAGE
Neil Gaiman, the author behind the best-selling novel, The Ocean at the End of the Lane which was adapted for stage by Joel Horwood, directed by Katy Rudd visited the National Theatre’s smash-hit production at Mayflower Theatre, Southampton on Tuesday 4 July. The company also celebrated over 200 shows on tour.
This first major stage adaptation of Neil Gaiman’s work blends magic with memory in a tour-de-force of storytelling that takes audiences on an epic journey to a childhood once forgotten and the darkness that lurks at the very edge of it.
This year marks 10 years since Neil Gaiman’s best-selling novel, The Ocean at the End of the Lane, was first published. The novel won Book of the Year at the 2013 National Book Awards and has sold over 1.5 million copies worldwide.
The 17-strong ensemble cast are: Charlie Brooks (Ursula), Daniel Cornish (alternate Boy), Trevor Fox (Dad), Emma-Jane Goodwin (ensemble/understudy), Paolo Guidi (ensemble), Millie Hikasa (Lettie Hempstock), Lewis Howard (ensemble/understudy), Kemi-Bo Jacobs (Ginnie Hempstock), Jasmeen James (ensemble/understudy), Ronnie Lee (ensemble), Aimee McGoldrick (ensemble), Laurie Ogden (Sis), Keir Ogilvy (Boy), Domonic Ramsden (ensemble), Joe Rawlinson-Hunt (ensemble/understudy), Risha Silvera (ensemble/understudy) and Finty Williams (Old Mrs Hempstock)
The award-winning creative team includes set designer, Fly Davis; costume and puppet designer, Samuel Wyer; movement director, Steven Hoggett; composer, Jherek Bischoff; lighting designer, Paule Constable; sound designer, Ian Dickinson; magic and illusions director and designer, Jamie Harrison; puppetry director, Finn Caldwell and casting director, Naomi Downham. The associate creative team includes associate director, Sophie Dillon Moniram; associate set designer, Tim Blazdell; associate movement director, Jess Williams; associate lighting designers, Rob Casey (for Ammonite) and Tom Turner; associate sound designer, Chris Reid; associate magic and illusions director, John Bulleid; and associate puppetry director, Gareth Aled.
Neil Gaiman is known for his graphic novels, including The Sandman series (a major new Netflix series which in its first 10 days was watched for over 198 million hours by audiences around the world); his novels for adults and children including Stardust, Coraline, and The Graveyard Book; and multiple film and television projects including Good Omens (season 2 is due to appear on Amazon Prime from 28 July) and Anansi Boys.
The Ocean at the End of the Lane finishes its run at Mayflower Theatre this Saturday, 8 July 2023.
Tickets for The Ocean At The End Of The Lane (Tuesday 4 – Saturday 8 July) are on sale at mayflower.org.uk or 02380 711811.
Adam Blanshay Productions and Norel Productions today announce full casting for Jean-Philippe Daguerre’s Farewell Mister Haffmann, the English language world première of one of France’s most successful new plays. Joining the previously announced Alexander Hanson, Lisa Dillon and Ciarán Owens, are Josefina Gabrielle and Nigel Lindsay. Translated by Jeremy Sams, and directed by Lindsay Posner, the production opens at the Ustinov in Bath Theatre Royal on 31 August, with previews from 24 August, and runs until 23 September.
The French play Adieu Monsieur Haffmann by Jean-Philippe Daguerre has been a commercial and critical success in France, winning four Molière Awards, including Best New Play. It has been one of the longest running plays in France and was recently made into a film starring Daniel Auteil.
Adam Blanshay Productions and Norel Productions present
FAREWELL MISTER HAFFMANN By Jean-Philippe Daguerre
Translated by Jeremy Sams
Director: Lindsay Posner; Set and Costume Designer: Paul Wills; Lighting Designer: Peter Mumford;
Sound Designer & Composer: Giles Thomas; Casting Director: Serena Hill
24 August – 23 September 2023
Opening at the Ustinov Studio in Bath Theatre Royal, this will be the English language world première of Jeremy Sams’ translation of Jean-Philippe Daguerre’s play, directed by Lindsay Posner, one of the UK’s most accomplished directors.
The year is 1942. Paris is under Nazi occupation. Jews are being rounded up. Joseph Haffmann, a Jewish owner of a jewellery shop and his long- standing employee Pierre Vigneau change roles as part of a strange deal which could only take place against the background of an absurd and tragic reality. Joseph Haffmann will transfer the ownership of the jewellery store to Pierre, but asks that Pierre hides him from the Nazis. In return, Pierre insists that that Joseph enter a very unusual intimate arrangement with Isabelle, Pierre’s wife.
Add to that a Matisse painting, an ‘art loving’ Nazi officer and his outrageous wife, marital difficulties amplified by the bizarre domestic situation, it is no wonder that Pierre is driven to the brink.
Director Lindsay Posner returns to the Ustinov Studio fresh from his widely acclaimed production of Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf? One of the UK’s most accomplished directors, his recent productions in Bath include Noises Off, God of Carnage, Stone in his Pockets, She Stoops to Conquer and Hay Fever.
Lisa Dillon plays Isabelle Vigneau. Her theatre credits includes The Fever Syndrome and Hapgood (Hampstead Theatre); The Roaring Girl, The Taming Of The Shrew, and Othello (RSC); A Flea In Her Ear and Design For Living (Old Vic); When The Rain Stops Falling, Hedda Gabler and Period of Adjustment (Almeida Theatre); Blithe Spirit, Private Lives, Under The Blue Sky and The Master Builder (West End); As You Like It, The Cherry Orchard and Iphigenia (Sheffield Theatres); Love’s Labour’s Lost and Much Ado About Nothing (Chichester/RSC/Haymarket); Present Laughter and The Hour We Knew Nothing of Each Other (National Theatre). For television, her work includes Black Work, Dirk Gently II, Midsomer Murders, The Jury II, Cambridge Spies, Cranford and Hawking; and for film, Suffragette, The Beat Beneath My Feet and Bright Young Things.
Josefina Gabrielle plays Suzanne Abetz. Her theatre credits include Les Miserables (Sondheim Theatre), Chicago (Phoenix and Adelphi Theatres), The Box of Delights (Wilton’s Music Hall), A Little Night Music (The Watermill Theatre), Stepping Out (Vaudeville Theatre), Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (Theatre Royal Drury Lane), Merrily We Roll Along (Harold Pinter Theatre), The King and I (UK tour), Me and My Girl, A Chorus Line (Sheffield Theatres), Sweet Charity (Menier Chocolate Factory and Theatre Royal Haymarket), Hello Dolly! (Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre), The 39 Steps (Criterion Theatre), Tonight at 8.30 (Chichester Festival Theatre), The Witches of Eastwick (Prince of Wales’ Theatre), Oklahoma! (National Theatre and Gershwin Theatre), The Goodbye Girl (Albery Theatre) and Carousel (National Theatre). Her television work includes Miranda, Heartbeat – as semi-regular Debbie Black, Totally Frank, Born and Bred, Auf Weidersehen Pet, and Sunburn.
Alexander Hanson plays Otto Abetz. His extensive theatre work includes Noises Off (Phoenix Theatre); Follies (National Theatre); The Truth (Menier Chocolate Factory/Bath Theatre Royal/Wyndham’s Theatre); Single Spies (Rose Theatre Kingston); Uncle Vanya (Chichester Festival Theatre); A Little Night Music (Menier Chocolate Factory/Garrick Theatre); Marguerite and Arcadia (Theatre Royal Haymarket); The Sound of Music (London Palladium); Talking to Terrorists (Out of Joint/Royal Court Theatre); Candide, The Merchant of Venice, Troilus and Cressida, and The London Cuckolds (National Theatre); Sunset Boulevard (Adelphi Theatre); and The Memory of Water (Hampstead Theatre). For television, his work includes Auf Wiedersehen Pet (as Tarquin in two series), Midsomer Murders, Killing Eve, Endeavour, Lewis, London’s Burning, Heartbeat, and Rosemary and Thyme; and for film, The Stranger in our Bed, and Kidulthood.
Nigel Lindsayplays Joseph Haffmann. His theatre credits include The Lehman Trilogy (Gillian Lynne Theatre), Woman in Mind (Chichester Festival Theatre), Same Deep Water as Me (Donmar Warehouse), Faith Healer (Abbey Theatre), God of Carnage (Theatre Royal Bath), Harrogate, Sucker Punch (Royal Court Theatre), Guys and Dolls (Phoenix Theatre), Bull (Young Vic), Speed-the-Plow (Playhouse Theatre), A Small Family Business (National Theatre), Richard II (RSC), Shrek the Musical (Olivier Award nomination), Broken Glass (Tricycle Theatre – WhatsOnStage Award for Best Supporting Actor), and Under the Blue Sky (Duke of York’s Theatre). His television work includes The Chelsea Detective, Salisbury, Tin Star, Plebs, The Last Kingdom, The Capture, No Offence, Safe, White Gold, Innocent, Unforgotten, Victoria, Death in Paradise and Gifted; and for film, Six Minutes to Midnight, Dead in a Week (Or Your Money Back), Access All Areas, Alan Partridge: Alpha Papa, Breakfast with Jonny Wilkinson, Four Lions (Nomination for Best British Comedy Performance in Film), First Night, Scoop and Rogue Trader.
Ciarán Owens plays Pierre Vigneau. His theatre work includes The Windsors: Endgame (West End); The Duchess of Malfi (Almeida Theatre); Rutherford and Son, and Love and Information (Sheffield Theatres); Abigail’s Party (Theatre Royal Bath/UK tour); A Handful of Stars (Trafalgar Studios); Disco Pigs (UK & Ireland tour); The Brink (Orange Tree Theatre); King John (Shakespeare’s Globe); So Here We Are (Manchester Royal Exchange/ High Tide); The Crocodile (Manchester International Festival); Oh What a Lovely War (Theatre Royal Stratford East); Candide, A Mad World, My Masters and Titus Andronicus (RSC); Mercury Fur (Trafalgar Studios); and Our Country’s Good (Out of Joint). For television, work includes Peaky Blinders, Father Brown, Call The Midwife, The Last Kingdom, Strike Back, Crazyhead, Arthur and George, Spotless and Wallander. Film includes Red Joan and Where Hands Touch.
Jean-Philippe Daguerre is a French writer and director. His work over the last 20 years includes: Paroles de Prévert, Le Médecin malgré lui, Les Contes des 1001 Nuits, Alice au Pays des Merveilles, Aladin, Cyrano de Bergerac, Le Cid. Jean-Philippe Daguerre is also the artistic director of “Le Grenier de Babouchka” Company. He was nominated for Molière Awards in 2016 for Aladin, in 2017 for Scapin, and in 2018 for Le Malade Imaginaire and for Clérambard. In 2018, the play Adieu Monsieur Haffmann, which he wrote and directed, won 4 Molières awards. Since then, he wrote and directed La Famille Ortiz, Le Petit Coiffeur, Le Voyage de Molière, La Chambre des merveilles and Huitième ciel.
Jeremy Sams is a translator, director, composer, and playwright. His translations and adaptations have been used at the National Theatre, on Broadway, in the West End, as well at ENO, Covent Garden, the Metropolitan Opera New York. He has directed and written music for many shows at the National Theatre, on Broadway, in the West End, and pretty much everywhere else. His most recent credits are What’s in a name?, Edmond de Bergerac, Roman Holiday (Bath) The Lavender Hill Mob, The Good Life (UK tours) as well as the operas Flight (Royal College of Music ) and Die Fledermaus (The Met).
Director Lindsay Posner has directed in every major London theatre as well as the RSC and on Broadway. His recent credits include the West End Production of Noises Off (Theatre Royal Bath, Phoenix Theatre & UK tour) starring Felicity Kendal and Edward Albee’s classic Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf? (Theatre Royal Bath). Next year Posner will direct David Morrissey in a double bill of The Lover and The Collection by Harold Pinter, and Tamsin Grieg in Terence Rattigan’s The Deep Blue Sea at Bath’s Ustinov Studio, in addition to the stage adaptation of Drop the Dead Donkey
Mayflower Theatre, Southampton – until 8th July 2023
Reviewed by Emma Barnes and Gill Gardiner
5*****
The mystical adventure that is enticingly named ‘The Ocean at the End of the Lane’ arrived in Southampton last night. This is an acclaimed National Theatre stage adaptation of Neil Gaiman’s 2013 Book of the Year in the British National Book Awards.
Having loved the book I was very intrigued as to how the mood, the emotions and the images conjured up in the mind of a reader could possibly translate to the stage. The results were amazing, an outstanding production with elements of science-fiction, thriller, fantasy, which to my mind absolutely did justice to the book.
We knew that we were in for something rather special when we entered the theatre to see the beautiful Mayflower stage transformed into a mysterious forest scene. The staging placed the story firmly into the fantasy world from the start as we are immediately drawn into the story. A man revisits the scene of his childhood trauma and takes us into an adventure of pure escapism including the unleashing of ancient forces, monsters, friendship and magic.
This production really was a treat for the senses, forcing us to suspend any disbelief. Pure theatrical magic at play, the lighting, the sound, puppetry and especially the clever illusions all worked together impeccably to create a dark and magical world laced with childlike wonder. I find myself not wanting to include any spoilers in the review, however the door scene in particular had us on the very edge of our seats.
Charlie Brooks (famous for her role as Janine in Eastenders ) is excellently cast as the demonic Ursula, she does villain so very very convincingly.
This is a story that is guaranteed to remain in my thoughts. Never have I walked away from a performance so eager to watch it all over again for the opportunity to soak up more. Hauntingly memorable. There is magic waiting for you too at the Mayflower until the 8th July.
Scottish actor and winner of Strictly Come Dancing Joe McFadden will join the 50th Anniversary tour of the legendary smash hit musical The Rocky Horror Show for a limited four week run in Belfast, Southend, Nottingham, and Swindon. Richard O’Brien’s legendary rock ‘n’ roll musical celebrates 50 years of non-stop partying with this special anniversary production that continues to play a newly extended tour through 2023 to sell-out crowds. Tickets are on sale now from RockyHorror.co.uk.
Joe, known for his extensive work on both stage and screen (Holby City/Heartbeat /Priscilla Queen of the Desert/The Mirror Crack’d), is excited to be hitting the road to add to the frivolities. No stranger to the dancefloor, Joe is more than qualified to don his fishnets as the Narrator and join this extraordinary cast to deliver a guaranteed party not to be missed.
Joe said: “I’m really excited to be joining the Rocky Horror Show during the 50th anniversary tour. I’ve seen the show countless times over the years and am a massive fan so I can’t wait to join the celebrations of this iconic show. I am looking forward to donning my fishnets as the Narrator and Time Warping up and down the country with this amazing cast”.
Since it first opened in London in June 1973 at the Royal Court Theatre The Rocky Horror Show has become the longest continuous run of a contemporary musical anywhere in the world. The show has been seen by over 30 million people worldwide in more than 30 countries and translated into 20 languages as it continues to delight audiences on its sell-out international tour.
“So fast, so funny, so sexy” – Daily Mail
“Still the sexiest and funniest show in town” – Evening Standard
Without doubt the Rocky Horror Show is as iconic as it gets. Lighting up the stage this phenomenal cast will perform songs that are embedded in pop culture. The celebratory tour will continue throughout 2023, visiting Aylesbury, Crewe, Woking, Portsmouth, Belfast, Southend, Nottingham, Swindon, Canterbury, Norwich, Aberdeen, Bradford, Ipswich and Hull – with further dates to be announced. The cast are in full throttle and ready to honour this monumental moment, delivering a guaranteed party that leaps off the stage and transcends into the audience.
Producer Howard Panter said: “Rocky Horror has always been a show I loved, since its earliest days in the Kings Road. Richard O’Brien and I are delighted this non-stop party continues to thrill audiences across the world, and we look forward to the next 50 years!”
Richard O’Brien said: “Back in the 1970’s when someone asked me to entertain the Christmas staff party at the EMI Film Studios and I turned up with a song called Science Fiction Double Feature who would have known this was the germ of the idea to turn into today what is The Rocky Horror Show. To be celebrating fifty years is beyond my wildest expectations – from the humble beginnings back in 1973 at the Royal Court Theatre in London. The fact that The Rocky Horror show continues to delight audiences as it tours the UK fifty years on is simply thrilling. The Rocky Horror Show is one of Britain’s most performed and beloved musicals of all time.”
A brilliant cast are already wowing Rocky Horror audiences up and down the country, with West End star Stephen Webb (Jersey Boys/Legally Blonde) continuing in the iconic role of Frank, slipping into a corset and heels with ease, Richard Meek (Hairspray/Spamlot) makes a welcome return as Brad and is joined by fan favourite Haley Flaherty (Mamma Mia/Chicago) as Janet.
Kristian Lavercombe (Jersey Boys/Jesus Christ Superstar) once again reprises his role as Riff Raff, following more than 2000 performances around the world, with Darcy Finden who made her professional debut last year as one of the Phantoms now stepping up to play the role of as Columbia. Ben Westhead (Oliver/The Sound of Music) plays Rocky, Suzie McAdams (School of Rock/Kinky Boots) takes on the role of Magenta and Joe Allen (Little Shop of Horrors/Charlie & The Chocolate Factory) plays Eddie & Dr Scott. Playing the Phantoms are Stefania Du Toit (Starlight Express/Singing in the Rain), Beth Woodcock (Bat Out Of Hell), Reece Budin (Beautiful: The Carole King Musical/Man of La Mancha) and Fionán O’Carroll (Theatre whilst training: Urinetown/Children of Eden) who is making his professional debut. Nathan Shaw (Walk Like A Man) and Tyla Nurden (Funny Girl/Carrie, The Musical) are Swings.
Directed by Christopher Luscombe, The Rocky Horror Show is ready to thrill you with fun and naughty moments, and features timeless classics including Sweet Transvestite, Damn it Janet, and of course, the pelvic thrusting show stopping Time Warp.
The Rocky Horror Show is the story of two squeaky clean college kids – Brad and his fiancée Janet. When by a twist of fate, their car breaks down outside a creepy mansion whilst on their way to visit their former college professor, they meet the charismatic Dr Frank’n’Furter. It is an adventure they’ll never forget, filled with fun, frolics, frocks, and frivolity. The Rocky Horror Show is a guaranteed party, which famously combines science-fiction, horror, comedy and music while encouraging audience participation – meaning, of course, getting dressed-up in the most outrageous fancy dress.
The Rocky Horror Show first began life in 1973 before an audience of just 63 people in the Royal Court’s Theatre Upstairs. It was an immediate success and transferred to the Chelsea Classic Cinema, before going on to run at the Kings Road Theatre, 1973-79 and the Comedy Theatre in the West End, 1979-80. In 1975 it was transformed into a film called ‘The Rocky Horror Picture Show’. This film adaptation took over $135 million at the Box Office and is still shown in cinemas around the world more than 40 years after its premiere, making it the longest running theatrical release in cinema history. Many stars including Russell Crowe, Tim Curry, Susan Sarandon, Jerry Springer, Jason Donovan and Meatloaf have appeared in The Rocky Horror Show over the past 45 years.
In 2015, as part of a sold-out season at London’s Playhouse Theatre, a special star-studded Gala charity performance in aid of Amnesty International was broadcast to over 600 cinemas across the UK and Europe. The live screening – featuring a host of celebrities playing The Narrator including Stephen Fry, Mel Giedroyc, Emma Bunton, Ade Edmondson, Anthony Head and Richard O’Brien – smashed box office records and was the biggest grossing film in cinemas across the UK. The performance was subsequently screened on the Sky Arts channel.
Ready to thrill you with fun and naughty moments, The Rocky Horror Show is the boldest bash of them all. But be warned, this show has rude parts!
What the press have said about The Rocky Horror Show:
“Relentlessly energetic and high on audience participation” – The Times
“Hard to think of another musical quite as unique as this. Christopher Luscombe’s affectionate production feels like a genuine blast from the past” – Mail on Sunday
“As delightfully naughty as ever!” – Daily Telegraph
3rd July – 8th July 2023 Waterside Theatre, Aylesbury
10th July – 15th July 2023 Lyceum Theatre, Crewe
17th July – 22nd July 2023 New Victoria Theatre, Woking
24th July – 29th July 2023 Kings Theatre, Portsmouth
7th August – 12th August Grand Opera House, Belfast
14th August – 19th August 2023 The Cliffs Pavillion, Southend
21st August – 26th August 2023 Royal Concert Hall, Nottingham
28th August – 2nd September 2023 Wyvern Theatre, Swindon
4th September – 9th September 2023 The Marlowe, Canterbury
11th September – 16th September Theatre Royal, Norwich
19th September – 23rd September 2023 His Majesty’s Theatre, Aberdeen
25th September – 30th September 2023 Alhambra Theatre, Bradford
2nd October – 7th October 2023 Regents Theatre, Ipswich
9th October – 14th October 2023 New Theatre, Hull
8th January – 13th January 2024 Sunderland Empire
23rd January – 28th January 2024 Manchester Opera House
Public – The Musical Pleasance Courtyard (Pleasance Two), 60 Pleasance, Edinburgh, EH89TJ Wednesday 2nd – Monday 28th August 2023 (not 9th, 21st), 18:30
The cast taking the all-new rock musical Public – The Musical to this year’s Edinburgh Fringe Festival has been announced! The story of four strangers locked in a gender-neutral toilet for an hour will be brought to life by a fresh and exciting cast this August. With an electrifying new score of anthems and heartfelt ballads that you can’t get out of your head, this musical explores identity and connection.
Returning to the Fringe and playing the role of Zo will be actor, singer-songwriter, and comedian Annabel Marlow, who made her Fringe debut playing Katherine Howard in the original 2017 Edinburgh Fringe sensation Six the Musical, and placed third in 2023’s Musical Comedy Awards. Joining them on stage as Laura will be non-binary performer Alicia Corrales. After making their professional debut as Katherine Howard in Six the Musical in 2019, and covering its UK and West End Tour, Corrales is back with another new hit musical. Making their Fringe and professional debut is Royal Conservatoire of Scotland graduate Hugo Rolland as Finley. Completing this cast and returning after its thrilling run at VAULT Festival is Andrew Patrick-Walker (The Wizard of Oz, Leicester Curve; The Rhythmics, Southwark Playhouse).
Finding themselves trapped together in a gender-neutral public toilet with an hour to kill until maintenance arrives, this group navigate the unexpected challenges and difficult conversations that arise when confined together. Winner of the Pleasance’s Charlie Hartill Fund and VAULT Origins Award, this show candidly explores gender identity, toxic masculinity, allyship, mental health and more, all against an original score.
Queer-led theatre collective Stroud and Notes is an original musical company conceived by queer singer-songwriter, Kyla Stroud, winner of London’s Busk In London Competition, and composer, co-writer and co-producer of Public – The Musical. The team also includes coproducer, co-writer and theatre-maker Hannah Sands (Associate director: Bloody Elle – a gig musical, Whatsonstage nominee), co-writer and movement director, Natalie Stroud (Choreographer: That Was Then This Is Now TV) and musical supervisor, Olivia Zacharia (Musical director: Stranger Sings, UK Tour; We Will Rock You, Barcelona; Resident musical director at Crazy Coqs, West End).
Wilton’s Music Hall Announce Autumn Season With THE MERCHANT OF VENICE 1936, Daniel Kitson’s MAYBE A GHOST STORY, WHAT IT MEANS, MARGARET THATCHER QUEEN OF SOHO, BOURGEOIS & MAURICE: PLEASURE SEEKERS and Olivier Award nominated POTTED PANTO For The Festive Season
· POTTED PANTO, the West End’s longest running pantomime, 29 Nov-30 Dec
· THE MERCHANT OF VENICE 1936 with Tracy-Ann Oberman as Shylock 07-11Nov
· MAYBE A GHOST STORY written and performed by Daniel Kitson 30 Oct-04 Nov
· WHAT IT MEANS the world premiere of a new play by James Corley 04-28 Oct
· MARGARET THATCHER QUEEN OF SOHO directed by Jon Brittain 25-30 Sep
· PLEASURE SEEKERS from alt cabaret superstars Bourgeois & Maurice 19-23Sep
Wilton’s Music Hall today announces its stunning autumn season, which sees ground-breaking productions, and collaborations with forward-thinking theatre companies. Continuing what has been an incredible year of theatre for Britain’s oldest Victorian music hall, this new season is set to be one of the best yet.
The riotous and enchanting POTTED PANTO (29 Nov-30 Dec) will make its East End debut at Wilton’s Music Hall truly encapsulating the festive season to bring seven classic pantomimes in 80 hilarious minutes to Graces Ally. The spectacular Christmas madcap ride from Daniel Clarkson, Jefferson Turner, and Richard Hurst, through all the best-loved characters from the wonderful world of panto will be a delight for all the family this Christmas.
MAYBE A GHOST STORY (30 Oct-04 Nov) is a uniquely seasonal show, originally written and performed by comedian Daniel Kitson last year for two nights over Halloween at the Globe Theatre. It has been especially restaged for one week only, amidst the singular majesty of Wilton’s Music Hall. This show is funny, possibly frightening and maybe, just maybe, a ghost story.
Ambition, power, and political unrest will explode appropriately onto the stage at Wilton’s in THE MERCHANT OF VENICE 1936 (07-11 Nov) starring co-creator Tracy-Ann Oberman (Eastenders, Doctor Who) as Shylock. One of Shakespeare’s most enduring classics is transported to London’s East End in the 1930’s in this ground-breaking new production directed and adapted by Brigid Larmour from an idea by Tracy Ann-Oberman. The production comes direct from the Royal Shakespeare Company having opened to glowing reviews at Watford’s Palace Theatre earlier this year.
Wilton’s Music Hall is delighted to be hosting the world premiere of a new play WHAT IT MEANS, (04-28 Oct) by James Corley, an adaptation of Merle Miller’s pioneering essay What It Means to be a Homosexual, presented by Nisha Oza for The Lot Productions. This true account of Miller’s journey, first printed in 1971 in the New York Times, and published as On Being Different by Penguin has become a defining part of the LGBTQ+ rights movement as it stands today. This production directed by Harry Mackrill and starring Richard Cant, is an emotional one-person voyage through history highlighting the importance of standing up for what you believe in, accepting the validity of one’s own voice and taking a courageous step onto the platform that is offered to you.
Keeping to the theme of LGBTQ+ rights and following critically acclaimed runs at Edinburgh Fringe, a UK Tour, and West End Season the smash hit and drag extravaganza Margaret Thatcher Queen of Soho returns to Wilton’s by popular demand. Created by Olivier Award winner Jon Brittain and Matt Tedford this big gay odyssey about LGBTQ+ rights, the 80’s and disco is gloriously camp with political punch (The Times) and a rollicking good laugh (Attitude).
In the rest of a jam-packed season, Wilton’s sees the return of alternative superstars and singing siblings Bourgeois & Maurice with their life-affirming and demented 5 star show PLEASURE SEEKERS, a high-energy homage to hedonism in all its filthy, fabulous glory, and the uproarious, good old-fashioned knees up that is Carradine’s Cockney Sing-a-long (21 Nov), plus the world famous Players Theatre (22 Nov) who play tribute to the music stars of yester-year in an evening of truly magnificent song, dance, magic and music.
There is more music, spanning opera and jazz, Purcell to Britten, Weill to Wallen when MIMO presents FEAST (15-16 Sep), silent movie nights with live piano scores provided by Lucky Dog Picturehouse (14-16 Nov)and the always wonderful OneTrackMinds(13-14 Sep & 24-25 Nov)where a vibrant selection of writers, musicians and thinkers celebrate the power of music by sharing stories about the one song that changed their life. For one night only the exceptionally popular Dead Poets Live presentsa sort of ghost storyThe Haunter (23 November) exploring the most complex poems ever written on love and bereavement by Thomas Hardy.
Joining them for younger theatre goers and all the family; Footsbarn Travelling Theatre presents an evening of good old-fashioned Christmas magic with puppetry, music and mayhem with an adaptation of the classic fairy tale La Petite Gerda(17-18 Nov)and Morgan & West return with a MASSIVE MAGIC SHOW (25 Nov), a relentlessly funny, fantastical and magic-filled show packed full of silliness and fun for kids aged 5-95.
WILTSHIRE CREATIVE AND OCTAGON THEATRE BOLTON ANNOUNCE CAST AND CREATIVE TEAM FOR
JEEVES AND WOOSTER IN PERFECT NONSENSE
Wiltshire Creative with Octagon Theatre Bolton today announces the full cast and creative team for Jeeves and Wooster in Perfect Nonsense. Marieke Audsley directs Luke Barton (Bertie Wooster), Patrick Warner (Jeeves) and Alistair Cope (Seppings). The production will feature design by Olivia du Monceau with lighting design by Jane Lalljee and sound design by Matt Eaton.
Robert and David Goodale’s adaptation of P.G. Wodehouse’sThe Code of the Woosters, premièred at Duke of York’s Theatre in 2013 and won the 2014 Olivier Award for Best New Comedy. This new production opens Wiltshire Creative’s autumn season on 5 September and runs until 23 September, with previews from 1 September, before completing performances at Octagon Theatre Bolton from 4 – 21 October.
Following on from the success of How the Other Half Loves,Wiltshire Creative will this season be increasing its work as a producing theatre, with three in house productions on the Salisbury Playhouse Main Stage. Jeeves and Wooster in Perfect Nonsensewill be followed by The Girl on the Train– the thriller based on the bestselling novel by Paula Hawkins and DreamWorks’ film, running from 19 October – 11 November. The season culminates with Dick Whittington, which runs from 25 November 2023 – 7 January 2024.
Octagon Theatre Bolton’s autumn/winter season also includes a contemporary co-production of Arthur Miller’s masterpiece, A View From the Bridge running from 8 – 30 September; a world première musical adaptation of Jules Verne’s classic adventure tale, Around the World in 80 Days which will run from 16 November 2023 – 13 January 2024; and a powerful re-telling of George Orwell’s classic, in a co-production of Animal Farm completing the season from 1 – 24 February 2024.
Director Marieke Audsley said today, “I’m thrilled to be working with Wiltshire Creative and the Octagon Theatre Bolton on this hilarious adaptation of P.G. Wodehouse’s much-loved novel, The Code of the Woosters. We have a really exciting cast to bring Bertie, Jeeves, their friends (and foes!) to life, and a wonderful creative team to create the fabulous world of Berkeley Mansions and Totleigh Towers. Both dedicated Wodehouse fans and anyone new to Jeeves and Wooster can look forward to a fantastically farcical evening out!”
A Wiltshire Creative and Octagon Theatre Bolton production JEEVES AND WOOSTER IN PERFECT NONSENSE
A play from the works of P.G. Wodehouse
By Robert Goodale and David Goodale
Salisbury Playhouse:
1 – 23 September 2023
Octagon Theatre Bolton:
4 – 21 October 2023
Cast: Luke Barton (Bertie Wooster), Alistair Cope (Seppings), Patrick Warner (Jeeves),
Director: Marieke Audsley; Designer; Olivia du Monceau; Lighting designer: Jane Lalljee;
Sound designer: Matt Eaton; Casting consultant: Liv Barr; Producers: Alice Bezant, Amanda Bruce and Lydia Scott
P.G. Wodehouse’s iconic double act lands in Salisbury for a night of very silly nonsense!
Following a riotous weekend at country house Totleigh Towers, Bertie Wooster has a tale to tell. Forced to play matchmaker between his newt-fancying acquaintance Gussie Fink-Nottle and the girl of his dreams, Madeline Bassett, Bertie must also secure an elusive silver cow-creamer for his formidable Aunt Dahlia. It’s a tall order, but fortunately he has the help of his loyal valet, the ever-reliable Jeeves, to navigate the many twists, turns and mishaps in this fast paced and dazzlingly inventive comedy.
Robert Goodale’s writing credits include Jeeves and Wooster: In Perfect Nonsense(Duke of York’s Theatre).
David Goodale is a documentary film maker and playwright. As a writer, his credits include Jeeves and Wooster: In Perfect Nonsense (Duke of York’s Theatre).
Luke Barton plays Bertie Wooster. His theatre credits include Busman’s Honeymoon, The Unexpected Guest, Spider’s Web (The Mill at Sonning), The Valley Of Fear,Frankenstein, That is all you need to know, Romeo and Juliet, Twelfth Night, Henry V (UK tour), The Hound of The Baskervilles (The Lost Estate), One Man, Two Guvnors (New Wolsey Theatre, Nuffield Southampton Theatres), The Sign of Four (UK and international tour), Misterman, (Liverpool Everyman and Playhouse).
Patrick Warner, whose acting credits include Netflix’s The Crown, will play the role of Jeeves. He returns to Salisbury Playhouse having previously performed in Spike. His theatre credits include Peter Pan Goes Wrong (Alexandra Palace and UK tour), The Play That Goes Wrong (Duchess Theatre and UK and international tour), Spike,Captain Flinn and the Pirate Dinosaurs 2: The Magic Cutlass, The Comedy of Errors (UK tour), Lifeboat, Junket (Arcola Theatre), Vanity Fair (Middle Temple Hall), One Man, Two Guvnors (National Theatre, UK tour), Overruled (Old Red Lion), Posh ( Royal Court Theatre), Transmission (Southwark Playhouse), Trapp (Old Vic New Voices), and Cumquats (National Theatre Studio). His television credits include The Crown, Masters of the Air and Murder on the Victorian Railway, and for film, In Dreams, To a Cinder and Closed Circuit.
Alistair Cope plays Seppings. His theatre credits include The Massive Tragedy of Madame Bovary (Jeremyn Street Theatre), A Gallop Through History (Platinum Jubilee Celebration), People, Places and Things (National Theatre, Wyndham’s Theatre), The Sound of Heavy Rain and Lungs (Paines Plough, Sheffield Theatres), Grief (Old Vic New Voices), and Arden 2.0 (The Old Vic). For television his credits include Toast of London, Ringside, Nesia and Silent Witness (as recurring character Dr Sykes); and for film, Lionhead, Judy and Yardie.
Marieke Audsley directs Jeeves and Wooster in Perfect Nonsense. Her theatre credits include Ladies’ Day (New Vic and Octagon Theatre), Jekyll and Hyde (Guildford Shakespeare Company), The Massive Tragedy of Madame Bovary! (Jermyn Street Theatre), Frost Hollow Hall, The Hound of Baskervilles (East Riding Theatre), Beryl (East Riding Theatre and Arcola Theatre), A Few Good Men (Sainsbury Theatre), Breathing Corpses (Platform Theatre), Julius Caesar (Swan Theatre and UK tour), Richard III (Sainsbury Theatre), The Voice of the Turtle (House of St Barnabas), Sleight and Hand (Edinburgh Festival Fringe), Civil Rogues (Pleasance Theatre), While the Sun Shines (Lion and Unicorn Theatre), and The Rover (Drama Studio, Sheffield).
Relaxed, BSL and Captioned Performance: 19 September at 7:30pm
Audio Described and Touch Tours: 21 September at 2:15pm and 7:30pm Tickets from £13
Octagon Theatre, Bolton
Howell Croft South, BL1 1SB
Wednesday 4 – Saturday 21 October 2023
Audio Described Performance: 13 October at 7:30pm
BSL and Captioned Performance: 17 October at 7:30pm
Tickets from £15
THE GIRL ON THE TRAIN
Salisbury Playhouse, Main house
Malthouse Lane, Salisbury SP2 7RA
Thursday 19 October – Saturday 11 November Backstage Tour: Saturday 28 October at 11am Post-Show Q&A: Wednesday 1 November BSL and Captioned Performance: Tuesday 7 November at 7.30pm Audio Described and Touch Tours: Thursday 9 November at 2.15pm and 7.30pm Tickets from £13
DICK WHITTINGTON
Salisbury Playhouse, Main House,
Malthouse Lane, Salisbury SP2 7RA
Saturday 25 November 2023 – Sunday 7 January 2024
Backstage Tour: Saturday 6 January 2024 at 11am
BSL and Captioned Performances: Wednesday 6 December 2023 at 7pm and Thursday 4 January 2024 at 2:15pm
Relaxed Performance: Saturday 6 January 2024 at 11am
Audio Described and Touch Tours: Thursday 14 December 2023 at 2:15pm and 7pm and Tuesday 19 December 2023 at 7pm
This feel-good musical returns to the Sheffield Lyceum on its current UK tour. The multi award-winning West End show, has been on the go for the last 34 years and has proved to entertain audiences consistently throughout, with a total of 10,490 UK performances! Like Buddy Hollys songs, this production has shown great staying power and when you are lucky enough to sit through this beauty, it is no surprise why.
You are taken on a journey through the years of Buddy Hollys short life, starting right at the beginning with his Texas rockabilly days. We see how he catapults quickly into fame and success due to his incredible talent and dedication. The key moments that sent his career into such a ripping success, are all marked out on the stage for us to see. Including the comical first entrance onto the Apollo stage.
Don’t expect too much drama or even anything gripping, as due to his such short years with his life ending at 22, there wasn’t much to report! This is more of a concert feeling show and is a showcase of his wonderful songs. But do expect lots of superb music, jaw dropping guitar, bass, drums and saxophone playing. The band really does make this production what it is, from Christopher Weeks playing his guitar behind his head for a minute or so impeccable at the end, to just how perfect the rest of the musicians are. Great chemistry and charisma from all the musicians, a special mention to the bass player (Joe Butcher) for his stage presence, he’s quite the star.
Christopher Weeks is perfectly cast as Buddy and looks like he is having the time of his life on the stage. His energy and accuracy of Buddys charming and sweet character and voice are so well-matched. What a talent. Laura-Dene Perryman really stood out as a bit of a star of the show, and it was hard to take your eyes off her with how well she was performing. Such a fantastic voice in her part of the duet of ‘Shout’.
The story also covers the other musicians that lost their lives on that awful day, in the form of The Big Bopper (Christopher Chandler) and Ritchie Valens (Miguel Angel). These both handle their solo numbers with gust and what energy they brought to the auditorium, especially with La Bamba – the audience went wild.
Whether you are a Buddy fan or not, it is almost impossible to not tap your feet to these super catchy, popular masterpieces. A real uplifting (albeit sad) musical with some special moments, by an enormously talented cast.
MGC today announces the world première of Marcelo Dos Santos’ new play Backstairs Billy which looks at a pivotal moment in the 50 year relationship between the Queen Mother and her loyal servant William “Billy” Tallon. Michael Grandage directs Penelope Wilton as the Queen Mother and Luke Evans as Billy, with further casting to be announced shortly. The production opens at the Duke of York’s Theatre on 7 November, with previews from 27 October, and runs until 27 January. Public booking for the production opens today.
In the company’s continued commitment to providing access for all in the West End, there will be £10 tickets available at every performance across the run. For further information, and to register for the initiative: www.michaelgrandagecompany.com. Since MGC’s creation in 2011 the company has led the way in defining a cheaper seat policy across the West End, prioritising accessibility, and to enable as wide and diverse audience as possible to experience West End Theatre.
Michael Grandage said today “It is always a great moment to celebrate the birth of a new comedy in the West End and particularly from an important new voice such as Marcelo Dos Santos. I am thrilled to be working again with Penelope Wilton and Luke Evans alongside a cast of twelve other actors as we bring an exciting new play to the stage this autumn and over the Christmas period ahead.”
The production reunites Grandage with Wilton – they previously collaborated on productions of The Chalk Garden, John Gabriel Borkman and Hamlet; and with Evans who performed at the Donmar twice under Grandage’s Artistic directorship, in Small Change and Piaf. Also, Marcelo Dos Santos was an MGCfutures Bursary recipient from 2019 – a charity established by Grandage to support theatre makers across all aspects of the industry. Following their introduction via the bursary programme, MGC commissioned Dos Santos to write Backstairs Billy.
Director: Michael Grandage; Set Designer: Christopher Oram;
Costume Designers: Christopher Oram and Tom Rand; Lighting Designer: Ryan Day;
Music and Sound designer: Adam Cork;Wigs, Hair & Makeup Designer: Carole Hancock;
Casting Director: Jacob Sparrow;Associate Director: Sophie Drake; Costume Supervisor: Mary Charlton
Set in 1979, when strikes are bringing the country to its knees and Britain is about to seismically change under Margaret Thatcher, it is business as usual for the Queen Mother and her loyal servant Billy inside Clarence House. Receptions are in full swing and the champagne is flowing as the two worlds start to collide with dizzying consequences.
Marcelo Dos Santos is an award-winning Latinx British-Brazilian-Australian writer. His play Feeling Afraid as If Something Terrible is Going to Happen (Francesca Moody Productions)won a Fringe First Award at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe in 2022, and transfers to the Bush Theatre with Samuel Barnett in November. Other work includes Lionboy (Complicité, UK & New York & International tour), Subverts (Royal Court Theatre – as part of Living Newspaper), Trigger Warning (co-creator, Camden People’s Theatre – recipient of the Jerwood Home Run Award Commission), The End of History (High Hearted Theatre & Soho Theatre at St Giles in the Fields Church), New Labour (RADA),Cheer Up is Only the Beginning (co-writer, Liverpool Playhouse), Lovers Walk (co-writer Southwark Playhouse).
Penelope Wilton plays the Queen Mother. For theatre, her work includes Taken at Midnight – Olivier Award for Best Actress (Chichester Festival Theatre and Theatre Royal Haymarket), A Delicate Balance, Heartbreak House (Almeida Theatre), Hamlet (Donmar West End), The Family Reunion, The Chalk Garden (Evening Standard Award for Best Actress), John Gabriel Borkman, The Little Foxes, The Collection, The Lover, A Kind of Alaska (Donmar Warehouse) Women Beware Women (RSC), The House of Bernada Alba, Tess, The Secret Rapture, Betrayal (National Theatre), The Seagull (Barbican) and Long Day’s Journey Into Night (Young Vic). For television, her work includes Downtown Abbey (as series regular Isobel Crawley), as widower Anne in Ricky Gervais’ award-winning After Life, Brief Encounters, South Riding, Margot, Doctor Who, The Passion, Half Broken Things, Five Days, Celebration, Falling, Lucky Jim, Bob and Rose, Victoria and Albert, The Whistle-Blower, Wives and Daughters, Alice Through the Looking Glass, Talking Heads, The Borrowers and Ever Decreasing Circles; and for film, The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry, Zoo, The BFG, The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel 2, Belle, The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel, The History Boys, Pride and Prejudice, Match Point, Shaun of the Dead, Iris, Calendar Girls, Tom’s Midnight Garden, Carrington, The Secret Rapture, Blame it on the Bellboy, Cry Freedom, Clockwise, The French Lieutenant’s Woman, and the Downton Abbey films.
Luke Evans plays Billy. He returns to the stage for first time in over fifteen years. He previously appeared at the Donmar Warehouse in Piaf and Small Change, under Grandage’s tenure as Artistic Director. For television, his work includes Echo 3, Nine Perfect Strangers, Pembrokeshire Murders, The Angel of Darkness, The Grand Tour, The Alienist, and The Great Train Robbery; and for film, Good Grief, Our Son, Pinocchio, Crisis, Murder Mystery, Angel of Mine, Midway, Anna, MA, State Like Sleep, 10 X 10, The Fate of the Furious, Beauty and the Beast, Professor Marston and The Wonder Woman, The Girl on the Train, Message from the King, Hugh Rise, Fast & Furious 7, Dracula Untold, The Hobbit – The Desolation of Smaug, Fast & Furious 6, The Hobbit – There and Back Again, The Hobbit – An Unexpected Journey, No One Lives, The Raven and The Three Musketeers.
Michael Grandage is Artistic Director of the Michael Grandage Company (MGC) where for theatre he has directed Emma Corrin in Orlando (Garrick Theatre), Dawn French in Dawn French is a Huge Tw*t (UK tour and The Palladium), Ian McDiarmid in The Lemon Table (UK Tour), Aidan Turner in The Lieutenant of Inishmore (Noël Coward Theatre), Alfred Molina and Alfred Enoch in Red (Wyndham’s Theatre), Nicole Kidman in Photograph 51 (Noël Coward Theatre), Dawn French: 30 Million Minutes (national and international tour and West End), Jude Law in Henry V, David Walliams and Sheridan Smith in A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Daniel Radcliffe in The Cripple of Inishmaan, Judi Dench and Ben Whishaw in Peter and Alice and Simon Russell Beale in Privates on Parade as part of the season at the Noël Coward Theatre. His film work for MGC includes My Policeman (2022) starring Harry Styles, Emma Corrin, Gina McKee, Linus Roache, David Dawson and Rupert Everett, and Genius (2016) starring Colin Firth, Jude Law, Nicole Kidman, and Laura Linney. His opera work includes Madama Butterfly for Houston Grand Opera and Chicago Lyric Opera, Le Nozzi de Figarofor Glyndebourne and Houston, Don Giovannifor the Met and Billy Budd for San Francisco, Glyndebourne and BAM in New York. He was Artistic Director of the Donmar Warehouse (2002–2012) and Sheffield Theatres (2000-2005) where his work included Chiwetel Ejiofor in Othello, Frank Langella and Michael Sheen in Frost/Nixon, Derek Jacobi in King Lear, Eddie Redmayne and Alfred Molina in Red (Tony Award for Best Director), Jude Law in Hamlet and Kenneth Branagh in Ivanov. He won three Olivier Awards for his musical productions of Guys and Dolls, Merrily We Roll Along and Grand Hotel. His production of Disney’s Frozen – The Musical is currently running at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane. He was President of the Royal Central School of Speech and Drama from 2010 to 2022 and is currently President of the Morrab Library. He was appointed CBE in the Queen’s Birthday Honours 2011. His book, A Decade At The Donmar, was published by Constable & Robins in 2012. His charity, set up to help young theatre makers, can be found at www.mgcfutures.com.
