RICHMOND THEATRE’S BOX OFFICE SALES ASSISTANT TO STAR IN THE WOMAN IN BLACK

AT RICHMOND THEATRE TUE 14 – SAT 18 NOV

Today, Richmond Theatre are pleased to announce that a member of their own team will be stepping out from behind the Box Office and onto the stage as he takes on an iconic theatre role.

Mark Hawkins, who currently works at Richmond Theatre as a Box Office Sales Assistant and a Tour Guide, played the role of The Actor during The Woman in Black’s 30^th Anniversary year at the West End’s Fortune Theatre. Now, he will be returning to the role on a UK tour, which will see him perform at Richmond Theatre in November.

Mark said: “It’s going to be such a special week to be able to play a theatre I know so well, and an amazing full circle moment to be on the stage here at Richmond Theatre.”

Steve Joyce, Theatre Manager at Richmond Theatre, said: “I know I speak for all of Team Richmond when I say that we are incredibly excited to see Mark perform in this iconic show in our beautiful theatre. Richmond audiences will most likely have met Mark during his time behind our Box Office, and I hope they will come along to see him step out onto centre stage. We are very proud and will be cheering him on every single night!”

Mark Hawkins first played The Actor in The Woman in Black at the Fortune Theatre and The Madinat Theatre. His other theatrical credits include The Railway Children at Kings Cross Theatre, Julius Caesar at The Globe, the UK tour of Lady Chatterley’s Lover and the international tour of The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde. His television credits include HBO’s The Nevers and ITV’s Vera.

The show also stars Malcolm James who returns to The Woman in Black having first played Arthur Kipps on a UK Tour and then at the Fortune Theatre. His other West End credits include The Mousetrap at St. Martin’s Theatre and Volpone at the National Theatre. His on-screen credits include HBO’s My Dinner with Herve, Secret Invasion on Disney+, the BBC’s Doctors and EastEnders, ITV’s Coronation Street and The Bill. On radio he has been heard on Letters to an Icon, The History Man and several afternoon dramas all on BBC Radio 4.

The tour cast is completed by Jon de Ville (The Sound of Music UK Tour, Netflix’s Scoop, BBC’s Strike) as understudy Arthur Kipps and Dominic Price (The Woman in Black) as understudy The Actor.

Over 33-years The Woman in Black played over 13,000 performances in the West End and has been seen by over 7-million people in the UK. In June 2019 the production celebrated its 30^th Anniversary in London’s West End with a special gala performance.

Stephen Mallatratt’s adaptation of Susan Hill’s best-selling novel tells the story of a lawyer obsessed with a curse that he believes has been cast over his family by the spectre of a ‘Woman in Black’. He engages a young actor to help him tell his story and exorcise the fear that grips his soul. It begins innocently enough, but as they delve further into his darkest memories the borders between make-believe and reality begin to blur and the flesh begins to creep.

Following a Christmas production in 1987 at a pub in Scarborough, The Woman in Black was brought to Hammersmith’s Lyric Theatre in January 1989. Reviews were sufficiently encouraging (apart from The Independent, who regretted the production’s inability to incorporate a live dog) to warrant a West End run. Its West End tour started at the Strand (now Novello) Theatre in March and moved to the Playhouse in April, finally lodging at the Fortune on June 7, 1989.

Throughout the production’s run in the West End and during its many tours the producer has been determined to keep ticket prices within the range of students and young people. This policy will continue in whatever form the play and production take in the future.

The Woman in Black is directed by Robin Herford, with designs by Michael Holt and lighting by Kevin Sleep. 

NIAMH CUSACK LEADS FIRST LONDON REVIVAL OF POLLY STENHAM’S THAT FACE

Orange Tree Theatre (OT) today announces the full cast for the first major London revival of Polly Stenham’s That Face. Josh Seymour directs the previously announced Niamh Cusack alongside Kasper Hilton-Hille, Dominic Mafham, Sarita Gabony and Bridgerton’s Ruby Stokes in this powerful and darkly comic exploration of what happens when children become parents to their parents. That Face is Stenham’s debut play and won the Evening Standard Charles Wintour Award, the TMA Best New Play Award, and the Critics’ Circle Award. The production opens on 13 September with previews from 9 September and runs until 7 October.

Artistic Director Tom Littler said today: “We cannot wait to launch our autumn season with Polly Stenham’s remarkable first play. Niamh Cusack brings her unique talent to the role of Martha, and she is joined by two stage debutants in Ruby Stokes and Kasper Hilton-Hille, playing her children. Dominic Mafham and Sarita Gabony complete a very exciting cast. For those who saw the original production, this is a chance to re-encounter a contemporary classic; those who’ve never seen That Face are in for a treat.”

Orange Tree Theatre presents

THAT FACE

By Polly Stenham

Director: Josh Seymour; Designer: Eleanor Bull; Lighting Designer: Jamie Platt;

Sound Designer and Composer: George Dennis; Assistant Director: Chani Merrell;

Fight and Intimacy Director: Ingrid Mackinnon

9 September – 7 October

OT On Screen: Tue 10 – Fri 13 October

When Mia is expelled from boarding school, her mother Martha isn’t interested. Martha prefers to hang out with her son Henry. And now her estranged husband Hugh, who’s run off to Hong Kong with his new girlfriend, is charging back threatening to sort things out. What is there to sort out? Everything is fine.

Polly Stenham’s blazing debut play exposes the secret lives of the rich with anarchic humour. That Face won the Evening Standard Charles Wintour Award, the TMA Best New Play Award, and the Critics’ Circle Award. This is its first major London revival.

Niamh Cusack plays Martha. Her theatre credits include Hamlet (Bristol Old Vic), Faith Healer (Abbey Theatre), My Brilliant Friend, The Enchantment, His Dark Materials (National Theatre), Macbeth (Barbican), Ghosts (Home Theatre Manchester), Unfaithful (Found111), The Winter’s Tale (Sam Wanamaker Playhouse), Tickling (Trafalgar Studios), The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time (Apollo Theatre), Women, Power & Politics (Kiln Theatre), Dancing at Lughnasa, The Tutor (The Old Vic), Breathing Corpses (Royal Court Theatre), The Maids (Donmar Warehouse), As You Like It, Mary After The Queen, Othello, Romeo and Juliet, The Art of Success (Royal Shakespeare Company). Her television credits include Archie, The Tower, The Virtues, Silent Witness, New Tricks, Best of Men, Henry IV, Lewis, Midsomer Murders, Fallen Angel, The Last Detective, The Last Detective, Too Good to be True, State of Mind, Always and Everyone, Little Bird, Colour Blind, Heartbeat, Trauma, A Marriage of Inconvenience, Chalkface, Jeeves and Wooster, Poirot, and Angel Train; and for film, Four Mothers, In the Land of Saints and Sinners, Unwelcome, The Ghoul, Testament of Youth, Five Minutes of Heaven, The Closer you Get, Playboys, In Love With Alma Cogan, Hereafter, A Shadow of the Sun, Paris by Night, Lucky Sunil, and Fools of Fortune.

Kasper Hilton-Hille plays Henry.  He graduated from Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama this summer.

Ruby Stokes makes her professional stage debut in That Face, playing Mia. Her television credits include The Burning Girls, Lockwood & Co, Bridgerton, Da Vinci’s Demons, Not Going Out and, for film, Rocks and Una.

Dominic Mafham plays Hugh. His theatre credits include Still Alice (West Yorkshire Playhouse), King Lear (Chichester Festival Theatre), The Merchant of Venice (Shakespeare’s Globe, US and China tour), King John (Rose Theatre), Linda (Royal Court Theatre), 66 Books – A response to Daniel (Bush Theatre), Journey’s End (Duke of York’s Theatre and UK tour), Nabokov’s Gloves (Hampstead Theatre), The Pretenders, All’s Well That Ends Well, Antony and Cleopatra, Oliver!, and Edward II (Royal Shakespeare Company). His television credits include Vigil, The Chelsea Detective, You and Me, Coronation Street (as series regular Henry Thorne), Grantchester, Miss Scarlet and The Duke, Killing Eve, W1A, The Strike Series: The Silkworm, Father Brown;and for film, Golda, Doom: Annihilation, Backdraft 2, and Ophelia.

Sarita Gabony plays Izzy. Her theatre credits include Common: A Trilogy Workshop (National Theatre Studio), James IV: Queen of the Fight (National Theatre of Scotland), Our Generation (Chichester Festival Theatre, National Theatre), Deciphering (New Diorama Theatre), Love Ugly City, The Treatment, Little Revolution (Almeida Theatre), The Nobodies (Roundhouse), and The Sound of Music (The London Palladium); and for film, Spectrum.

Writer Polly Stenham’s theatre credits include Julie, Hotel (National Theatre), No Quarter, Tusk Tusk, and That Face (Royal Court Theatre) then it transferred to The Duke of York’s Theatre. Her screenwriting credits for film include Neon Demon, and for television Foxtrot.

Director Josh Seymour’stheatre credits include The Narcissist (Chichester Festival Theatre), Musik (Edinburgh Festival/Arts Theatre), Adding Machine (Finborough Theatre) and One Arm (Southwark Playhouse), for which he won Best Director at the 2016 Off-West End Awards.

Josh has worked as Associate/Assistant Director for Dominic Cooke, Michael Grandage, Josie Rourke, Lyndsey Turner, Peter Gill, Matthew Warchus, Robert Hastie and Alexander Zeldin.

Orange Tree Theatre

Listings

1 Clarence Street, Richmond, TW9 2SA

Box Office: 020 8940 3633 (Mon-Sat, 10am-6pm)

orangetreetheatre.co.uk

Ticket prices (NO BOOKING FEES) 

In person tickets: From £15Under 30s: £15 

Access: £15 

Prices increase based on demand

SEASON AT A GLANCE:

THAT FACE

9 September 2023 – 7 October 2023

Mon – Sat 7.30pm

Thu & Sat 2.30pm (from Thu 14 Sep)

Captioned Performances: 28 September 7.30pm

Audio Described Performance: Tue 26 Sep 7.30pm

OT On Screen: Tue 10 – Fri 13 Oct

MEETINGS

14 October 2023– 11 November 2023

Mon – Sat 7.30pm

Thu & Sat 2.30pm (from Thu 19 Oct)

Captioned Performance: Wed 1 Nov 7.30pm

Audio Described Performance: Mon 30 Oct 7.30pm

OT On Screen: Tue 14 – Fri 17 Nov

SHE STOOPS TO CONQUER

18 November 2023 – 6 January 2024

Mon – Sat 7.30pm

Thu & Sat 2.30pm (from Thu 23 Nov)

Captioned Performance: Tue 12 Dec 7.30pm

Audio Described Performance: Mon 11 Dec 7.30pm

OT On Screen: Tue 16 – Fri 19 Jan

SHAKESPEARE UP CLOSE: MACBETH and ROMEO AND JULIET

5 – 10 December 2023

Schools tour: 20 – 30 Nov
Schools performances at the OT: 5 – 8 Dec
Public performances at the OT: 9 – 10 Dec

TINY TIM’S CHRISTMAS CAROL

18 December – 6 January 2024

Mon – Sat 11am

Mon, Wed, Fri 2.30pm (no performances Mon 25 Dec, Mon 1 Jan)

NORTHANGER ABBEY

24 January– 20 February 2024

Mon – Sat 7.30pm

Thu & Sat 2.30pm (from Thu 25 Jan)

Captioned Performance: Wed 14 Feb 7.30pm

Audio Described Performance: Tue 13 Feb 7.30pm

OT On Screen: Tue 27 Feb – Fri 1 Mar

FLUTE THEATRE: TWELFTH NIGHT

29 January – 20 February 2024

Mon – Sat: 10.30am

THE LOWRY, SALFORD – UNTIL 29TH JULY 2023

REVIEWED BY MIA BOWEN

5*****

I grew up listening to Sting, as my dad was a huge fan. I have even been fortunate enough to see him live, back in 1994. I haven’t listened to his music in years, and I wasn’t sure I would remember any of the songs but as soon as Desert Rose came on, I found myself getting goosebumps and remembering the lyrics, I was captivated!

This musical is a hip-hop dance show, set to the backdrop of legendary artist Sting’s greatest hits. Now that may not seem the most obvious pairing, especially as that’s combined with a story line about refugees but directed and choreographed by Kate Prince makes it work wondrously. In a world where people are being displaced every day, Prince imagines a fictional story of a family fleeing from civil war in their homeland and undertake a perilous journey to safer shores. Along the way they lose another, and they must find their way on their own. There is darkness and despair but there is also a powerful message of survival, love and the overwhelming feeling of hope.

The Sting soundtrack does work. The clever use of his hits is certainly relevant, as music supervisor Alex Lacamoire links each Sting song to a situation. Directly relevant is Invisible Sun, written during the troubles and about surviving a war-torn place. While the majority are sung by Sting himself, there are some guest vocalists and some songs sound like classics and others have been altered completely.

Ben Stone’s set design combined with Natasha Chivers’ lighting has moments that really chill the body, like the scene when balaclava-clad henchmen step down from illuminated gaps and cross the stage like stalking panthers. Andrzej Goulding’s projections were perfectly timed to specific dance sequences and detailed, like the floating life jackets at sea.

But hands down it is the amazing dancers who steal the show, each and every one of them! They were flawless. The story is done through a hip-hop, ballet and contemporary dance journey. I watched in awe as they performed energetic, acrobatic and sometimes gravity defying moves. It was exhilarating, every little thing they did was magic!

After selling out two shows at the London Palladium in just 5 hours and adding an extra matinee
 the European premiere
of the multi award-winning manga stage musical
Death Note THE MUSICAL in Concert
will transfer to the Lyric Theatre
for 6 performances
Thursday 7 September – Sunday 10 September

Tickets go on priority sale for Death Note mailing list subscribers at 11am Friday 28 July
and general sale 12noon Friday 28 July

Cast to be announced.

Please note that due to work commitments, Adam Pascal (Roger in the original 1996 cast of Jonathan Larson’s musical ‘RENT’ on Broadway) is unable to transfer with the production to the Lyric Theatre.

A few seats remain to see him at the London Palladium on 22 August at 2.30pm.

Light Yagami, a bright but dissatisfied high school student in Tokyo comes across a discarded notebook owned by Ryuk, a mythological god of death. Discovering he can kill anyone by just writing their names in the supernatural notebook, Light takes justice into his own hands by filling the notebook with names of the nation’s most wanted criminals. But a detective only known as “L” is soon tracking him down…

Following acclaimed productions in Japan and Korea Death Note: The Musical will get its English language premiere with a semi-staged London concert production.

Based on the best-selling Japanese manga series of the same name by Tsugumi Ohba and Takeshi Obata/Shueish, this ground breaking musical (Winner Best Musical, Korea Musical Awards) has a score by Frank Wildhorn (‘Jekyll & Hyde’, 4 years on Broadway, ‘Dracula’, ‘Bonnie & Clyde’) with lyrics by Jack Murphy and book by Ivan Menchell.

It will be directed by Nick Winston and is produced by Carter Dixon McGill Production (‘Chess in Concert’, ‘Kinky Boots in Concert’, ‘Treason the Musical in Concert’) Indie Theatrical and HoriPro in association with Pinnacle Productions, Greg A. DeLuca and Wild Yak Productions.

Death Note THE MUSICAL premiered in 2015 in Tokyo, Japan. A 2022 Korean production won four awards at the Korea Musical Awards after being nominated in 10 categories (“Death Note offers a glimpse at the future of musicals”, The Korea Herald). In 2017, Netflix released a TV adaptation of ‘Death Note’ starring Willem Defoe.

Frank Wildhorn said: “Death Note THE MUSICAL has been the most unique, strange, edgy, and wonderful musical journey for me. It’s been a dream of mine to bring this show from Asia to the West End of London, and here we are!”

Creative team:
Director and Choreographer Nick Winston
Associate Director and Choreographer Alexzandra Sarmiento,
Costume Designer Kimie Nakano
Musical Supervisor  Katy Richardson
Musical Director Chris Ma
Orchestrator Jason Howland
Designer Justin Williams
Lighting Designer Ben Cracknell
Sound Designer Ben Harrison
Casting Harry Blumenau
Artwork by Rebecca Pitt Creative
Producers Carter Dixon McGill Productions, Indie Theatrical and HoriPro
with Pinnacle Productions, Greg A. DeLuca and Wild Yak Productions

LISTINGS INFO

Carter Dixon McGill Productions, Indie
Theatrical and HoriPro in association with Pinnacle Productions, Greg A. DeLuca and Wild Yak Productions present

Death Note THE MUSICAL
in Concert
Music by Frank Wildhorn,
Lyrics by Jack Murphy, book by Ivan Menchell
©️Tsugumi Ohba, Takeshi Obata/SHUEISHA, HoriPro

Lyric Theatre
Shaftesbury Avenue
London W1D 7ES

Thursday 7 September –
Sunday 10 September
at 7.30pm
matinees
Saturday 9 & Sunday 10 September at 2.30pm

running time:
2hrs 20 including interval

age recommendation: 12+

Tickets from £25

Tickets go on priority sale for Death Note mailing list subscribers at 11am Friday 28 July
and general sale 12noon Friday 28 July

Booking link:
www.nimaxtheatres.com

Website
www.deathnotethemucial.co.uk

CRUCIBLE

A Sheffield Theatres production

SHEFFIELD THEATRES ANNOUNCE CAST AND CREATIVE TEAM FOR MOLIÈRE’S

CRUCIBLE

A Sheffield Theatres production

SHEFFIELD THEATRES ANNOUNCE CAST AND CREATIVE TEAM FOR MOLIÈRE’S

THE HYPOCHONDRIAC

FEATURING EDWARD HOGG (HARLOTS/TABOO) AND
JESSICA RANSOM (DOC MARTIN/HORRIBLE HISTORIES)

Crucible Theatre, Sheffield
Saturday 30 September – Saturday 21 October 2023

Press performance: Thursday 5 October at 7pm

By Molière
Adapted by Roger McGough
Director Sarah Tipple
Designer Colin Richmond
Lighting Designer Johanna Town
Composer Oliver Birch
Sound Designer Ella Wahlstrom
Casting Director Ellie Collyer-Bristow
Movement Director Ali James
Assistant Director James Cottis

Sheffield Theatres today announces the cast for The Hypochondriac, Roger McGough’s celebrated adaptationof Molière’s witty satire.

The cast includes: Jonathan Ainscough as the Purgeon and Main Carer to Ill Servant, and the on-stage Musical Director (playing piano and accordion); Zak Ghazi-Torbati as Clèante and Servant; Chris Hannon as Doctor Diaforius and Béralde; Edward Hogg as Argan; Zweyla Mitchell Dos Santos as Toinette; Jessica Ransom as Béline and Servant; Saroja-Lily Ratnavel as Angélique; André Refig as Bonnefoi and Ill Servant; and Garmon Rhys as Thomas Diaforius, Fleurant and Servant.

Jessica Ransom returns to Sheffield Theatres after her recent appearance in the UK Tour of Home, I’m Darling at Sheffield’s Lyceum Theatre. Having grown up in Sheffield, she was also part of the Crucible’s Youth Theatre and performed on the Crucible stage as part of the Sheffield Children’s Festival with High Storrs School. All other members of the castmake their Sheffield Theatres debut with The Hypochondriac.

‘Perhaps you could take my pulse?  Simply to confirm my worst fears. How long do I have? Days, months or years?’

Self-obsessed and fixated on his health, wealthy Argan spends his time and money on frequent visits to the family physician.  

With medical bills piling up, Argan believes he has found the perfect solution to his problem. But with an exasperated household growing tired of his antics, Argan’s time may be better spent addressing what is real, rather than worrying about what is imagined.  

A witty satire punctuated with music and dance, this adaptation of Molière’s masterpiece proves that laughter really is the best form of medicine. 

Tickets for The Hypochondriac are on sale now. Tickets can be booked through the Box Office in person, over the phone on 0114 249 6000 or at sheffieldtheatres.co.uk.

WEST END CAST RECORDING NOW AVAILABLE!

DLAP Records Ltd present

BONNIE & CLYDE THE MUSICAL
 

Released today, the West End Cast Recording of BONNIE & CLYDE THE MUSICAL is now available to download. The eagerly-awaited cast album can be purchased at bonnieandclydemusical.com/album, produced by Katy Richardson and Sam Featherstone, released through Broadway Records.

Recorded at Livingston Studios in London, the West End cast recording of Bonnie & Clyde The Musical features; Frances Mayli McCann (Bonnie Parker), Jordan Luke Gage (Clyde Barrow), George Maguire (Buck Barrow), Jodie Steele (Blanche Barrow), Cleve September (Ted Hinton), Dom Hartley-Harris (Preacher), and featured Ensemble Robbie Scotcher, Alexander Evans, Kit Esuruoso, Barney Wilkinson (Alternate Clyde Barrow), Lauren Jones (Alternate Bonnie Parker), Julie Yammanee, Pippa Winslow, Chloe Saunders, Charlie McCullagh, Sydnie Hocknell and Michael Cortez.

The orchestra includes; Nick Barstow (Musical Director/Keys), Honor Halford-Macleod (Assistant Musical Director/Keys 2), Kobi Pham (Guitar 1), Daniel Vildósola (Guitar 2), Annie Blake (Bass/Double Bass), Zach Okonkwo (Drums), Kate Ingram (Reed 1), Claire McInerney (Reed 2) and Clodagh Kennedy (Fiddle).

Music for Bonnie & Clyde The Musical is by Tony® nominee Frank Wildhorn (Jekyll & Hyde, The Scarlett Pimpernell), lyrics by Tony® and Oscar® winner Don Black (Sunset Boulevard, Aspects of Love), a book by Emmy® Award nominee Ivan Menchell (Blended [movie], The Cemetery Club, Death Note The Musical).

Presented by DLAP Group, Bonnie & Clyde The Musical had two hell-raising hit seasons in London’s West End at the Arts Theatre and the Garrick Theatre. Opening at Leicester Curve on Thursday 22nd February 2024, the UK & Ireland tour is currently set to visit nineteen cities with more dates to be announced soon. 

Fan-favourite and winner of Best New Musical (What’sOnStage Awards 2023) Bonnie & Clyde The Musical is the story of two small-town kids from the middle of nowhere who became the biggest folk heroes in all America. They craved adventure – and each other. Fearless, shameless, and alluring, this is the electrifying story of love, adventure and crime that captured the attention of an entire nation. 

The album is produced by Katy Richardson & Sam Featherstone, Executive Producer: DLAP Records Ltd & Andrew Paradis, Engineer: Marcus Locock, Assistant Engineer: Luke Farnell, Mix Engineer: Sam Featherstone, Mastering Engineer: Ste Kerry, Show Photography: The Other Richard and Package Design: Robbie Rozelle.

For Broadway Records; President / Executive Producer: Van Dean, A&R Director: Robbie Rozelle, Project Manager: Michael Swan, Social Media: Kathy Ng, Press Representative: Elizabeth Skollar. 

Bonnie & Clyde The Musical is directed by Nick Winston (Director of the feature film Tomorrow Morning, MAME, The Royal Variety Performance) with Set and Costume Design by Philip Witcomb (Atlantis, Stones In His Pockets, MAME), Musical Supervision from Katy Richardson (SIX, Rent, Jersey Boys), Original Arrangements and Orchestrations by John McDaniel (Patti Lupone: Live, Annie Get Your Gun), Additional Orchestrations by Jen Green(Fantastically Great Women, Vanara), Additional Arrangements by Katy Richardson and Nick Barstow, Lighting Design by Zoe Spurr (Fantastically Great Women, Hamlet at Theatre Royal Windsor), Sound Design by Tom Marshall (The Drifter’s Girl, Nativity The Musical, Curtains), Video Design by Nina Dunn (The Shark Is Broken, Lazuli Sky), Wig Design by Darren Ware (Bonnie & Clyde) and Casting Director Jim Arnold CDG (Wicked, The Prince of Egypt). 

Bonnie & Clyde The Musical is presented by DLAP Group, an Olivier Award-winning production company with West End and UK Touring credits including Bonnie and Clyde in Concert, Rock of Ages, Company, Fame, Curtains, and The Wedding Singer.

For more information and tickets visit bonnieandclydemusical.com. 

broadwayrecords.com @bwayrecords

Bat Boy: The Musical returns to London’s
West End with a star-studded concert this
Halloween
Tuesday 31st October 2023, 8.00pm
London Palladium, 8 Argyll Street, London, W1F 7TF

The cult classic Bat Boy: The Musical descends on the London Palladium for a Halloween concert with Jordan Luke Gage (Bonnie and Clyde, Heathers) appearing as fans have never seen him before in the transformational title role. Joining him in the star-studded cast are two-time Olivier Award nominee Victoria Hamilton-Barritt (Cinderella, In The Heights), Trevor Dion Nicholas (Hamilton, Next To Normal) and Jodie Steele (Bonnie and Clyde, Heathers).

The rock horror musical with music and lyrics by Laurence O’Keefe (Heathers, Legally Blonde) first premiered on Halloween in 1997. Since then, Bat Boy has garnered a devoted following with its award-winning off-Broadway and West End runs and addictive soundtrack.

Edgar (Gage) is a half boy/half bat creature who is discovered in a cave in a rural American town. Thelocal sheriff brings Bat Boy to the home of the town veterinarian, Dr. Parker (Nicholas), where he is eventually accepted as a member of the family by the veterinarian’s wife, Meredith (HamiltonBarritt), and teenage daughter, Shelley (Steele). However, resentment and a dreadful secret about his shocking origins threaten to turn the town, and everyone he loves against him.

Set against a backdrop of a small town ravaged by prejudice, the dark comedy explores themes of fear, acceptance and the consequences of othering, questioning what it means to be ‘normal’.

The producers Chris Steward and Shanay Holmes for West End Musical Productions and director Dean Johnson (Once, BKLYN) promise a dark, truthful reimagining of the musical, with more cast and creatives to be announced. A new obsession for musical fans to sink their teeth into and a bloody brilliant way to spend Halloween.

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

CELEBRATES 7^th ANNIVERSARY

AT LONDON’S PALACE THEATRE

PARTS ONE AND TWO NOW BOOKING TO 19 MAY 2024

WWW.HARRYPOTTERTHEPLAY.COM

Harry Potter and the Cursed Child celebrates its 7th anniversary at London’s Palace Theatre on Sunday 30 July 2023 where it is now booking to 19 May 2024.

Since its first preview at the Palace Theatre in 2016, the original two-part multi award-winning production has welcomed over 1.5 million patrons with visitors from over 146 countries. There have been 1149 performances combined of Part One and Part Two over the past 7 years totaling 5457 hours of performance from the 42 strong London cast.

Each performance of Part One and Part Two sees 560 costumes and 100 wigs bring the Harry Potter and the Cursed Child characters to life each night, along with 42 wands which have cast 57450 spells in total over the last 7 years at the Palace Theatre. Behind the scenes there are 53 backstage staff illuminating the stage with 1200 lighting cues and 660 sound cues.

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.

The current London cast comprises Sam Crane (Harry Potter), Frances Grey (Ginny Potter), Thomas Grant (Albus Potter), Thomas Aldridge (Ron Weasley), Michelle Gayle (Hermione Granger), Grace Wylde (Rose Granger-Weasley), James Howard (Draco Malfoy) and Adam Wadsworth (Scorpius Malfoy). 

They are joined by Gabriel Akamo, Troy Alexander, Harry Ames, David Annen, Sue Appleby, Sabina Cameron, Phil Cheadle, Robert Curtis, Tim Dewberry, Iskandar Eaton, Lewis Edgar, Jack Gardner, Jemma Gould, Kelton Hoyland, April Hughes, Max Hutchinson, Emma Louise Jones, Tom Mackean, David Mara, James McGregor, Kathryn Meisle, Gigi Noel-King, Melaina Pecorini, Niamh Perry, Ruchi Rai, Ian Redford, Rosalind Steele, Tom Storey, Joshua Talbot, Susan Vidler and Wreh-asha Walton. Benedict Archer, Hector Baldwin, Chloe Grant, Honor Hastings, Harry Munson, Delilah O’Riordan and Jude Parrywho alternate two children’s roles, complete the 46-strong company.

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. 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 eighth 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. The international phenomenon has four productions running worldwide in London, New York, Hamburg and Tokyo. 

MULTI-PLATINUM

AUSTRALIAN RECORDING ARTIST

EMILY WILLIAMS

TO STAR AS RACHEL MARRON

IN THE

AWARD-WINNING INTERNATIONAL

SMASH HIT MUSICAL 

THE BODYGUARD

FROM 12 SEPTEMBER 2023

AT THE LIVERPOOL EMPIRE

Producers, Michael Harrison and David Ian are delighted to announce that multi-platinum Australian recording artist Emily Williams will star as Rachel Marron in the award-winning international smash hit musical THE BODYGUARD, from Tuesday 12 September 2023 at the Liverpool Empire. www.thebodyguardmusical.com.

Emily Williams returns to the role of Rachel Marron, having previously starred in the 2017 Australian production, which marked her theatrical debut. Emily rose to fame on Australian Idol, becoming the runner-up of the competition. Following this, she found commercial success as a member of the Australian girl group Young Divas before going solo gaining numerous ‘Favourite Australian Female Artist’ nominations.

Emily will join Emmerdale and Hollyoaks star Ayden Callaghan as Frank Farmer, with Emily-Mae as Nicki Marron, John Macaulay as Bill Devaney, Graham Elwell as Tony, James Groom as Sy Spector, Marios Nicolaides as Stalker and Phil Atkinson as Ray Court.  The role of Fletcher will be shared by Ryo Appadu, Kaylen Luke, Manasseh Mapira and Sam Stephens.

The cast is completed by Alexandros Beshonges, Kayne Gordon, Jack Hardwick, James-Lee Harris, Kalisha Johnson, Samantha Mbolekwa, Liam Morris, Abbie Quinnen, Charlotte Scally, Yiota Theo and Marco Venturini.

Ayden Callaghan is best known for his roles as Miles De Souza in Emmerdale and fan favourite Joe Roscoe in Hollyoaks. Additional television credits include Doctors, Eastenders, Bad Education, Casualty and The Bill. His stage credits include the roles of Dr Treves in The Elephant Man at The Trafalgar Studios, Malcolm in Alan Ayckbourn’s Bedroom Farce on UK Tour, directed by Peter Hall, and Dean Snaith in Ayckbourn’s If I Were You on UK Tour.

Emily-Mae’s theatre credits include Disney’s Frozen and City of Angels both in the West End, Are You as Nervous as I Am? and Brooklyn the Musical at Greenwich Theatre, the National Tour of Paul Kerryson’s Hairspray, Little Shop of Horrors at Storyhouse, Chester and The Producers at the Royal Exchange.

Former Secret Service agent turned bodyguard, Frank Farmer, is hired to protect superstar Rachel Marron from an unknown stalker. Each expects to be in charge; what they don’t expect is to fall in love. A romantic thriller, THE BODYGUARD features a host of irresistible classics including Queen of the Night, So Emotional, One Moment in Time, Saving All My Love, Run to You, I Have Nothing, I Wanna Dance with Somebody and one of the biggest hit songs of all time – I Will Always Love You.

Based on Lawrence Kasdan’s 1992 Oscar nominated Warner Bros. movie starring Whitney Houston and Kevin Costner, THE BODYGUARD, directed by Thea Sharrock with book by Oscar winning Alex Dinelaris, had its world premiere at the Adelphi Theatre in London’s West End and was nominated for four Olivier Awards. A sell out 18 month UK and Ireland tour followed, before the show returned to the West End at the Dominion Theatre ahead of a second sell out tour of the UK and Ireland in 2018/19.  To date, THE BODYGUARD has played to over 3.6 million people in 15 countries and 45 US cities. Countries include the Netherlands, Germany, South Korea, China, Canada, Italy, Australia, Spain, France, the US, Austria and Japan.

THE BODYGUARD 2023/2024 TOUR

www.thebodyguardmusical.com

LISTINGS

Tuesday 12 – Saturday 16 September 2023

Liverpool Empire

www.atgtickets.com/venues/liverpool-empire

Tuesday 19 – Saturday 23 September 2023

Dublin, Bord Gais Energy Theatre

www.bordgaisenergytheatre.ie

Monday 25 – Saturday 30 September 2023

Belfast, Grand Opera House

www.goh.co.uk

Tuesday 3 – Saturday 7 October 2023

Inverness, Eden Court

www.eden-court.co.uk

Tuesday 10 – Saturday 14 October 2023
Sheffield Lyceum  

www.sheffieldtheatres.co.uk

Monday 16 – Saturday 21 October 2023

Eastbourne, Congress Theatre

www.eastbournetheatres.co.uk

Monday 23 – Saturday 28 October 2023

Woking, New Victoria Theatre

www.atgtickets.com/venues/new-victoria-theatre

Monday 30 October- Saturday 4 November 2023

Southampton, Mayflower Theatre

www.mayflower.org.uk

Monday 6 – Saturday 11 November 2023

Blackpool, Winter Gardens

www.wintergardensblackpool.co.uk

Tuesday 14 – Saturday 18 November 2023

Truro, Hall for Cornwall

www.hallforcornwall.co.uk

Monday 27 November – Saturday 2 December 2023

Oxford, New Theatre

www.atgtickets.com/venues/new-theatre-oxford

Monday 4 – Saturday 30 December 2023

Birmingham, The Alexandra

www.atgtickets.com/venues/the-alexandra-theatre-birmingham

Wednesday 3 – Saturday 6 January 2024

Glasgow, Theatre Royal

www.atgtickets.com/venues/theatre-royal-glasgow

MULTI-AWARD-WINNING PLAY LIFE OF PI TO PLAY AN EXTENDED SEASON AT THE

CHICHESTER FESTIVAL THEATRE THIS AUTUMN

THE SHOW VISITS THE VENUE AS PART OF A YEAR-LONG UK AND IRELAND TOUR, BEGINNING ITS JOURNEY AT SHEFFIELD’S LYCEUM THEATRE THIS AUGUST

HAVING OPENED ON BROADWAY THIS SPRING, THE SHOW RECENTLY ADDED THREE TONY AWARDS TO ITS FIVE OLIVIER AWARDS

INTRODUCING DIVESH SUBASKARAN WHO LEADS

THE COMPANY AS ‘PI’

www.lifeofpionstage.com

Simon Friend Entertainment is today delighted to announce that Lolita Chakrabarti’s dazzling Olivier Award-winning stage adaption of Yann Martel’s best-selling novel Life of Pi, will play an extended run at the celebrated Chichester Festival Theatre this autumn where it plays from Thursday 16 November – Saturday 2 December 2023. Tickets go on sale to Friends on Thursday 27^th July at www.cft.org.uk. General booking will open on Saturday 16 September with CFT’s full Winter Season (to be announced in early September).

Beginning its first-ever tour of the UK and Ireland at the Sheffield’s Lyceum theatre this August 2023, and starring an extraordinary life-size puppeteered Bengal Tiger, Divesh Subaskaran is confirmed to make his professional debut in the central role of Pi.

He is joined by Antony Antunes, who performs as Tiger Hind / Cook / Father Martin, Adwitha Arumugam as Pi Alternate, Bhawna Bhawsar as Lulu Chen/Mrs Biology Kumar, Ralph Birtwell as Mamaji/ Admiral Balbir Singh, Kriss Dosanjh as Father, Sebastian Goffin as Tiger Head, Akash Heer asTiger Head,  Romina Hytten as Tiger Heart and Hind,  Katie Kennedy-Rose as Tiger Heart and Hind, Aizah Khan as Tiger Heart and Hind, Chand Martinez as Pandit-ji,  Keshini Misha as Rani, 

Goldy Notay as Amma, Sharita Oomeer as Lulu Chen / Mrs Biology Kumar, Kate Rowsell as Tiger Heart and Hind, Lilian Tsang as Mrs Okamoto/Zaida Khan/Ships Captain, Peter Twose and Tiger Head/Voice of Richard Parker/Cook/Father Martin. 

‘BREATH-TAKING. IT WILL MAKE YOU BELIEVE IN THE POWER OF THEATRE.

ROAR IT OUT: THIS IS A HIT’ The Times

Life of Pi, which concluded its West End run on 15 January 2023, first opened to critical acclaim at the Crucible theatre in Sheffield in 2019. International commitments for the show include its North American Premiere at the American Repertory Theater at Harvard University where it ran from 4 December 2022 to 29 January 2023, followed by its Broadway premiere at the Gerald Schoenfeld Theater where it opened on 9 March 2023. A European tour will follow the tour of the UK and Ireland and there are plans underway for a tour of Australia and Asia.

‘IT WILL MAKE YOU BELIEVE IN THEATRE. A TRIUMPH.’

SUNDAY TIMES

Life of Pi won five Olivier Awards in April 2022. As well as Best New Play, and Best Actor for Hiran Abeysekera (the original Pi); in an historic first for the Olivier Awards – the seven performers who puppeteer the Tiger ‘Richard Parker’ were collectively awarded Best Actor in a Supporting Role. The production also picked up awards for set (Tim Hatley, Nick Barnes and Finn Caldwell), and lighting design (Tim Lutkin and Andrzej Goulding).

Life of Pi made its Broadway premiere at the Gerald Schoenfeld Theater this spring, opening on 9 March 2023 to celebratory reviews and five Tony Award nominations. It went on to win in three categories: Best Scenic Design of a Play (Tim Hatley & Andrzej Goulding) and Best Lighting Design of a Play (Tim Lutkin) and Best Sound Design of a Play (Carolyn Downing).

‘THE PUPPETRY IS OUT OF THIS WORLD’

DAILY MAIL

The production is directed by Max Webster, Set and Costume Designer is Tim Hatley, the Puppet Designers are Nick Barnes and Finn Caldwell, the Puppet and Movement Director is Finn Caldwell, the Video Designer is Andrzej Goulding, the Lighting Designer is Tim Lutkin, theSound Designer is Carolyn Downing, the Composer is Andrew T Mackay, Dramaturgy is by Jack Bradley, the Casting Director is Polly Jerrold, the Associate Director is Leigh Toney, the Associate Puppetry and Movement Director is Scarlet Wilderink, the Associate Set Designer is Ross Edwards, the Associate Puppet Designer is Caroline Bowman,  the Costume Supervisor is Sabrina Cuniberto and the Props Supervisor is Ryan O’Conner.  

Based on one of the best-loved works of fiction – winner of the Man Booker Prize, selling over fifteen million copies worldwide – Life of Pi is a breath-taking new theatrical adaptation of an epic journey of endurance and hope.

After a cargo ship sinks in the middle of the vast Pacific Ocean, there are five survivors stranded on a single lifeboat – a hyena, a zebra, an orangutan, a sixteen year-old boy and a 450-pound Royal Bengal tiger. Time is against them, nature is harsh, who will survive?

Award-winning writer Yann Martel’s works include The Facts Behind the Helsinki Roccamatios (1993), Self (1996), We Ate the Children Last (2004), Beatrice and Virgil (2010) – a New York Times Bestseller and a Financial Times Best Book, 101 Letters to a Prime Minister (2012) – a collection of letters to the prime minister of Canada; and The High Mountains of Portugal (2016).  

‘EVERYTHING ABOUT THIS PRODUCTION IS AMAZING.’

OBSERVER

Life of Pi is produced by Simon Friend in association with Playing Field and Tulchin/Bartner.

LIFE OF PI TOUR

28 August 2023 – 29 June 2024

Sheffield Lyceum

29 August – 16 September 2023

Milton Keynes Theatre

19 – 23 September 2023

Norwich Theatre Royal

25 – 30 September 2023

Woking, New Victoria Theatre

2 – 7 October 2023

Southend Cliffs Pavilion

9 – 14 October 2023

Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff   

17 – 21 October 2023

Marlowe Theatre, Canterbury

23 – 28 October 2023

Alhambra Theatre, Bradford

6 – 11 November 2023

Chichester Festival Theatre    Tickets on sale from September 2023

16 November – 2 December    

Lowry, Salford

5 December 2023 – 6 January 2024 

Leeds Grand Theatre

9 – 13 January 2024

Bristol Hippodrome

15 – 20 January 2024

Newcastle Theatre Royal    

23 January – 3 February 2024

Birmingham Hippodrome

12 – 17 February 2024

Grand Opera House, Belfast    

20 – 24 February 2024

Bord Gais Energy Theatre, Dublin   

26 February – 2 March 2024

Theatre Royal Plymouth

5 – 9 March 2024

Leicester Curve

12 – 17 March 2024

Bromley, Churchill Theatre

19 – 23 March

Hull New Theatre     

25 – 30 March 2024

Northampton Derngate Theatre

2 – 6 April 2024

Coventry Belgrade

8 – 13 April 2024

Nottingham Theatre Royal    

15 – 20 April 2024

Wolverhampton Grand Theatre    

22 – 27 April 2024

Liverpool Empire

29 April – 4 May 2024

Severn Theatre, Shrewsbury    

6 – 11 May 2024

Mayflower Theatre, Southampton

14 – 18 May 2024

Truro, Hall for Cornwall

28 May – 01 June 2024

Cheltenham Everyman Theatre

3 – 15 June 2024

Glasgow Theatre Royal

17 – 22 June 2024

Edinburgh Festival Theatre

25 – 29 June 2024

LIFE OF PI

CREATIVE TEAM

Yann Martel     Original Author   

Lolita Chakrabarti     Adaptation  

Max Webster     Director

Tim Hatley     Set & Costume Designer

Finn Caldwell     Puppet & Movement Director

Nick Barnes & Finn Caldwell   Puppet Designers

Andrzej Goulding    Video Projection Designer

Tim Lutkin     Lighting Designer

Carolyn Downing    Sound Designer

Andrew T Mackay    Composer

Jack Bradley      Dramaturgy

Polly Jerrold     Casting Director

Leigh Toney     Associate Director

Scarlet Wilderink     Associate Puppetry & Movement Director

Ross Edwards     Associate Set Designer

Caroline Bowman    Associate Puppet Designer

Sabrina Cuniberto    Costume Supervisor

Ryan O’Conner     Props Supervisor

www.lifeofpionstage.com

 SOCIAL MEDIA

Facebook/Instagram/Twitter  @LifeOfPiWestEnd