WINNER OF BEST NEW MUSICAL – WHATSONSTAGE AWARDS 2019
****
Daily Telegraph, The Independent, Metro, Daily Express,
The Stage, Attitude, The Arts Desk, Broadway World
*****
The New European, City AM
Dear diary, this September will see Heathers The Musical graduate from the Other Palace stage, as it hangs up the croquet mallets and bids a farewell to London audiences. The current run of Heathers the Musical at The Other Palace will finish, as scheduled, on Sunday 3rd September.
Produced by Bill Kenwright and Paul Taylor-Mills, the musical started its UK journey with a cult following and was a box office record-breaker at The Other Palace in 2018, before transferring to the Theatre Royal Haymarket for a limited season later that year, going on to win the WhatsOnStage award for Best New Musical 2019. The production then returned to the Haymarket and played a hugely successful summer season 2021, kick-starting the West End’s pandemic recovery, before returning back to its original home to reopen The Other Palace.
However, we don’t say goodbye to the cult favourite musical for good. The hugely popular UK and Ireland Tour will be continuing into the autumn and will finish at the New Wimbledon Theatre on 28 October 2023, giving audiences up and down the country the opportunity to visit the Candy Store this year.
And there is still plenty of BIG FUN to be had between now and September at the Other Palace as well. With summer in session, how VERY would it be to celebrate, hold our breath and count the days, since we’re graduating soon with the Corn Nuts?
With a dazzling book, music and lyrics by Kevin Murphy and Laurence O’Keefe, Heathers the Musical is based on one of the greatest cult teen films of all time, and starred Winona Ryder and Christian Slater. The production is directed by Andy Fickman, withchoreography by Thriller Live’s Gary Lloyd, designs by David Shields, lighting by Ben Cracknell, sound by Dan Samson, the assistant choreographer is Christopher Parkinson.
Westerberg High’s Veronica Sawyer is just another nobody dreaming of a better day. But when she joins the beautiful and impossibly cruel Heathers, her dreams of popularity may finally come true. Mysterious teen rebel JD teaches her that it might kill to be a nobody, but it is murder being a somebody…
Currently staring Miracle Chance (Be More Chill), as Veronica Sawyer, George Renshaw(South Pacific) as Jason ‘J.D’ Dean.
Our titular ‘Heathers’ are Olivia Barnett-Legh,who made her professional debutas the formidable Heather Chandler, Kia-Paris Walcott (But I’m A Cheerleader) as Heather Duke, and Katharine Pearson (Back To The Future)as Heather McNamara.
The 2023 graduating class of Westerberg is completed with Katie Ramshaw (Roger and Hammerstein’s Cinderella) as Martha Dunnstock, Seb Harwood (Eugenius!) as Kurt Kelly, Cristian Zaccarini (Grease) as Ram Sweeney,Rachel Breeze (La Boheme) as Ms Fleming, Alexander McMorran (Come From Away) as Ram’s Dad/Big Bud Dean/Coach, Alexander Service (Little Women) as Kurt’s Dad/Veronica’s Dad/Principal Gowan with Elliot David Parkes (Heathers) as Beleaguered Geek, Carly Burns (Blood Brothers) as Midwestern Surfer Punk, Georgia Anderson (Hairspray) as New Wave Party Girl, Sophie Hutchinson (The Addams Family) as Drama Club Drama Queen, Georgia Iudica-Davies (The Book of Mormon) as Young Republicanette, Bibi Jay (Betty Blue Eyes) as Stoner Chick, Kaine Ruddach (Mamma Mia!) as Preppy Stud, and Lewis Asquith (Heathers) as Hipster Dork.
In Dreams is a new musical written by David West Read, directed by Luke Shepphard and based on the music and songs by Roy Orbison. This musical is making its debut at the Leeds Playhouse.
The story is centred around a Mexican restaurant which also serves as a memorial service, in the US Deep Southwest. It follows Kenna (Lena Hall), a lead singer of the band Heartbreak Radio, and she is seriously ill. She is drawn to the Mexican rituals which includes celebrations of deceased loved ones. Kenna is acquainted with Oscar (Manuel Pacific) and his wife and mother to be Nicole (Gabriela García) and his grandmother Ana Sofia (Alma Cuervo) whom are owners of the restaurant and memorial service.
The story unravels with Kenna’s musical past including her former bandmates; Jane (Sian Reese-Williams and Donavan (Noël Sullivan) whom are husband and wife, and Ramsey (Oliver Tompsett) who is her ex-partner. They have been invited to Kenna’s “leaving party” at the restaurant. Another visitor to the restaurant is George (Richard Trinder) who reflects on his late wife and is currently seeking love and companionship.
Roy Orbison’s songs and music is cleverly arranged and set to the story and the characters’ state of minds and emotions. The musical numbers feature a wide range of Roy Orbison’s songs; some well-known, You Got it and Oh, Pretty Woman, and others not as familiar. The songs and music are placed well into the story and under the common theme of dreams which is echoed throughout.
Traditionally the Mexican culture and traditions includes Día de Muertos (Day of the Dead) every year on the 2nd of November. These were interlinked by all the characters in the story with observation and celebration; remembering dead loved ones and celebrating the present no matter what adversary and challenges one faces, individually and collectively.
Every member of the cast gives their full commitment and energy to this well projected performance. The production is timely choreographed and thoroughly directed, courtesy of Shepphard and Fabian Aloise. Arnulfo Maldonado’s staging compliments the backdrop to the show with Howard Hudson’s lighting, Tom Marshall’s soundscapes and George Reeves’s videography.
In Dreams is certainly well received by the audience and Roy Orbison’s songs and music work very well in this production. The musical encourages and dares people to dream life and celebrate the now as well as in the past and in the future.
Theatre Royal Stratford East, Leeds Playhouse and HOME Manchester present
CAST AND CREATIVE TEAM ANNOUNCED FOR NEW
30TH ANNIVERSARY PRODUCTION OF JONATHAN HARVEY’S
BEAUTIFUL THING
Stratford East
08 September – 07 October 2023
Theatre Royal Stratford East, Leeds Playhouse and HOME Manchester today announce cast and creatives for a new production to celebrate the 30th anniversary of Jonathan Harvey’s coming-out and coming-of-age storyBeautiful Thing, directed by Anthony Simpson-Pike.
Raphael Akuwudike (Ste) and Joshua Asaré (Jamie) will lead the cast and are joined by Trieve Blackwood-Cambridge (Tony), Shvorne Marks (Sandra) and Scarlett Rayner (Leah).
Commenting on his new production, Director Anthony Simpson-Pike says:
“Beautiful Thing is an iconic queer story that holds a special place in so many people’s hearts. Many people saw their own stories on stage and screen for the first time. In its 30th anniversary year, I feel excited for people who look like me to see their own stories reflected on stage too, to feel that same stirring of recognition in this seminal piece. Black queer people have always been around, this beautiful story of discovering your true self and falling in love belongs to all of us.”
Beautiful Thing opens at Stratford East from 08 September – 07 October, before playing Leeds Playhouse 18 – 28 October and HOME Manchester 31 October – 11 November.
Writer Jonathan Harvey
Director Anthony Simpson-Pike
Set & Costume Designer Rosie Elnile
Lighting Designer Elliot Griggs
Sound Designer Xana
Movement & Intimacy DirectorAnnie-Lunnette Deakin-Foster
Casting Director Isabella Odoffin CDG
Associate Director Robert Awosusi
Fight Director Bret Yount
Costume Supervisor Jackie Orton
Voice & Dialect Coach Joel Trill
Production Dramatherapist Wabriya King
Casting Assistant Joanna Sturrock
Teenage boys Ste and Jamie are neighbours on a South London estate. Jamie is more knowledgeable about The Sound of Music than football, while classmate Ste never misses a sports day. Both are being bullied, Jamie at school and Ste at home by his violent father and brother. One night, when things get too much, Ste seeks refuge in Jamie’s flat and, sharing a bed, the boys strike up a new relationship. Together they come to terms with their sexuality and explore their feelings alongside their Mama Cass loving, rebellious friend Leah and with the much-needed emotional support of Jamie’s lioness mother, Sandra.
This 30th-anniversary revival of Jonathan Harvey’s iconic, coming-out and coming-of-age story set in the nineties, is about community, friendship, rites of passage and what it is to be 16 and in love.
Beautiful Thing is a touching, urban love story, full of warmth and humour.
Age guidance: 14+
Presented by Theatre Royal Stratford East, Leeds Playhouse and HOME Manchester.
‘PETER PAN GOES WRONG’ ANNOUNCES BRAVE NEW CAST FOR UK TOUR
UK TOUR: 23 SEPTEMBER 2023 – 14 APRIL 2024
Mischief, the multi award-winning company responsible for the global comedy phenomenon, The Play That Goes Wrong, and the BBC One television series, The Goes Wrong Show, today announces full casting for its forthcoming UK Tour of Peter Pan Goes Wrong.
The touring production reunites returning Mischief cast members with some courageous new recruits. The full cast line-up includes: Jake Burgum (Trevor), Jack Michael Stacey (Chris), Matthew Howell (Robert), Jean-Luke Worrell (Francis), Ciara Morris (Sandra), Theo Toksvig-Stewart (Max), Clark Devlin (Dennis), Jamie Birkett (Annie), Gareth Tempest (Jonathan) and Rosemarie Akwafo (Lucy). With understudies: Romeo Mika, Clare Noy,Consuela Rolle and Phil Yarrow. Opening at Richmond Theatre on 23 September, the production will visit Aylesbury, Nottingham, Liverpool, Southampton, Wolverhampton, Bath, Leeds, Cardiff, Canterbury, Newcastle, Sheffield, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Woking, Birmingham, Manchester and Cheltenham.
Co-penned by Mischief’s celebrated writing trio, Henry Lewis, Jonathan Sayer and Henry Shields, Peter Pan Goes Wrong is a highly physical comedy packed with finely-tuned farce and Buster Keaton inspired slapstick, delivered with split-second timing and ambitious daring. The play sees the ‘Cornley Drama Society’ back on stage battling technical hitches, flying mishaps and cast disputes as they attempt to present J.M. Barrie’s much-loved tale. But will they ever make it to Neverland?
Meanwhile across the pond, the original Mischief team have just completed a four-month run of Peter Pan Goes Wrong on Broadway at the Ethel Barrymore Theatre in New York City, where it received eight award nominations, winning the Drama Desk Award for ‘Best Unique Theatrical Experience’ and the Broadway.com Audience Choice Award for ‘Favourite New Play’. The production now heads to Los Angeles for a strictly limited five weeks at the Ahmanson Theatre, from 8 August to 10 September.
Nominated for an Olivier Award for ‘Best New Comedy’ in 2016, Peter Pan Goes Wrong has enjoyed two West End runs, a season on Broadway, a tour of Australia and New Zealand and two UK tours. BBC One broadcast a one-hour version of the show on primetime television in December 2016, starring David Suchet as the guest narrator, watched by an audience of over six million worldwide.
Peter Pan Goes Wrong is directed by Adam Meggido, with set designs by Simon Scullion, costumes by Roberto Surace, lighting by Matt Haskins and sound by Ella Wahlström. Original compositions by Richard Baker and Rob Falconer. The Associate Director is Fred Gray. Peter Pan Goes Wrong is produced by Kenny Wax Ltd and Stage Presence Ltd in arrangement with Mischief Worldwide Ltd.
Mischief’s other stage successes include The Play That Goes Wrong (West End, Broadway and on tour across the UK and internationally with productions staged on every continent – with the exception of Antarctica), Mind Mangler – Member of the Tragic Circle, Magic Goes Wrong,Groan Ups, A Comedy About A Bank Robbery and Mischief Movie Night. Their ‘Royal Television Society’ award-winning BBC One series The Goes Wrong Show aired in December 2019 with a Christmas special, with further episodes in early 2020, and a hit Nativity special last Christmas. The second series aired in September 2021 on BBC One and iPlayer
PW Productions is delighted to announce casting for the UK And Ireland tour of Susan Hill’s The Woman in Black. The production will star Malcolm James as Arthur Kipps and Mark Hawkins as The Actor, opening at the Wolverhampton Grand Theatre on Wednesday 6 September 2023. Following Wolverhampton, the tour will visit Cardiff, Billingham, Buxton, Aylesbury, Southend, Blackpool, Malvern, Richmond, Poole, Nottingham, Liverpool, Swindon, Norwich, Truro, York, Birmingham, Bradford, Brighton, Ipswich, Bath, Glasgow, Milton Keynes, Dartford, High Wycombe, Crewe, Coventry, Belfast, Derry, and Dublin.
Malcolm James 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.
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 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 30th Anniversary in London’s West End with a special gala performance.
A scene from The Woman In Black tristram@tristramkenton.com
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.
Cambridge Arts Theatre, Cambridge – until Saturday 5th August 2023
Reviewed by Steph Lott
5*****
On the opening night of Blood Brothers at Cambridge Arts I witnessed, and was part of, a standing ovation unlike any other I have experienced. There was almost a roar of appreciation from the audience. I had tears in my eyes and I’m sure that I was not alone.
Willy Russell initially wrote Blood Brothers as a school play, and it was first performed in November 1981. This 40-year-old phenomenon tells the story of Mrs Johnstone, a single mother who is struggling to make ends meet. Finding herself pregnant with twins, she realises that she can only afford to keep one of the babies so enters a pact to give one of the children to a well-to-do neighbour who she works for, Mrs Lyons. Despite the best efforts of their respective mothers, by a twist of fate the boys meet and become best friends, never knowing that they were twins secretly separated at birth. But as they grow up their lives take very different paths, leading to tragedy.
Blood Brothers blends music, comedy, tragedy and social commentary. As well as being a great musical, the show is a biting social commentary on the issue of class, of the ‘nature versus nurture’ debate and on the opportunities afforded or denied to families due to socio-economic circumstances.
This production was directed by Bob Tomson and Bill Kenwright. Although Blood Brothers is a musical, you almost don’t notice as the songs blend so well into the overall story.
Danny Whitehead as The Narrator gave a wonderfully haunting performance as he foreshadowed the dark events at the end of the show. Blending menace in with compassion, he carried the narrative along with great vocal talent.
There are pivotal pairings in the play which are so well performed by the actors in this production. Firstly, there are the mothers, Mrs Johnstone and Mrs Lyons. Sarah Jane Buckley plays Mrs Lyons with finesse and admirably portrays her sadness at not being able to conceive, her joy at finally having a son and her ultimate descent into paranoia.
The contrast between Mrs Johnstone and Mrs Lyons is excellently conveyed here and Niki Colwell Evans’ Mrs Johnstone was a favourite of mine. She played the role with strength and grit, yet her vulnerability shone through. She gave some stunning vocal performances with a voice made for musicals.
Then we meet Mickey and Eddie. The relationship between the two boys is funny, touching and ultimately heart-breaking.
Mickey is played by Sean Jones, and what he does with the role of Mickey is truly extraordinary. Watching him take Mickey from a child into adulthood is an almost visceral experience.
Eddie is played by Joe Sleight. His moments with both mothers are heart-stopping. Caught between both women without even realising, Joe Sleight handles the role of Eddie with delicacy and charm.
Mention must be made also of the fabulous supporting cast who swop between roles seamlessly and provide a solid foundation for the main characters.
This is an extraordinary show. There are tears and laughter, sometimes at the same time. The humour is still fresh and not forced, with moments of genuine laughter shared between the cast and the audience. Poignant and powerful, it’s impossible not to be moved by this performance of a compelling and memorable tale. If I could give it more than 5 stars I would. Go and see it.
GROSVENOR PARK OPEN AIR THEATRE – UNTIL 27TH AUGUST 2023
REVIEWED BY MIA BOWEN
5*****
This summer season from the 1st of July until the 27th of August, two magical timeless tales are running at the Grosvenor Park Open Theatre. With a magical festival atmosphere and theatre-in-the-round, these stories are brought to life under the starry skies, by the Storyhouse. This year, they have extended their programme to include live music, comedy, children’s theatre and more.
This year Deborah McAndrew’s adaption of the beloved American classic, The Great Gatsby makes its world premiere at the Grosvenor Park Open Air Theatre. Based on the magnificent novel by F Scott Fitzgerald, it explores international themes, including indiscretion, societal standards, morality, fate and destiny. Each character represents a common identity everyone can connect with.
Set in roaring 20’s. Gatsby (Daniel Burke) is a man who successfully, if unethical, worked his way to fortune and hosts extravagant soirees. The host, however, is never seen during these parties and is never completely known by any one person. Gatsby’s neighbour, Nick Carraway (Thomas Cotran) narrates Gatsby’s tragic and ultimately fall from the world of the rich and famous. Gatsby hopes to pursue Nick’s cousin Daisy (Molly-Grace Cutler), with whom he had a love affair that he never forgotten. But Daisy is married to the violent and savage Tom Buchanan (Laurie Jamieson), who has a mistress, Myrtle (Alyce Liburd) on the side. As the love triangle threatens to tear their lives apart, the glamour of pretentious living proves to be no more than an appearance covering their emptiness.
Performing in-the-round and on bark is not an easy task but the cast utilizes the floor area and appears from all corners of the theatre. In the beginning, we the audience are asked to rise as the magistrate comes onto the stage. Then Cotran’s character, Nick appears from a seat in the audience, and he engages every person in the auditorium and ensures we see everything that unfolds through his eyes.
Most of the cast and supporting ensemble not only act but play musical instruments live on stage and perform simple dance movements. Some of the audience members got invited to join the cast on the stage, dancing the Charleston, making the evening an immersive experience. A particular mention must go to all the cast as they also play characters simultaneously in Shakespeare’s A Midsummers Night Dream at the Open Air Theatre, during their run this summer.
Part of making this theatre accessible to all, the actors’ spoken words are converted into visible text via two display screens, making it easy to follow with the action on stage and helps to still follow the story when noises from the park interferes.
There is a lovely atmosphere in the audience with it being held outdoors. Whether you are a fan of the book, the film or play in general, you will find something wonderful here.
Unique York Guest House Unveils Refurbishment Project
The Bar Convent Guest House is located within the oldest living convent in the UK.
The renovation project involved refurbishment of all rooms and development of seven new rooms to create
en-suites throughout.
The guest house is ideally located just a five minute walk from York Train Station and a ten minute walk to
York City Centre.
There is a kitchen, seating area and garden on site for guests.
Book direct to receive an award-winning breakfast included in your stay.
The Bar Convent Guest House on Blossom Street, York, is pleased to announce the completion of its two-year renovation project.
All rooms have been refurbished and upgraded with bespoke hand-finished furnishings, seven brand new rooms have been launched and we now offer en-suite throughout in addition to a fully equipped kitchen, seating area and laundry facilities.
As the oldest living convent in the UK, established in secret during the reformation, the Bar Convent Guest House offers a truly unique and unforgettable experience. It is the perfect combination of modern facilities with beautiful original features against the backdrop of a Grade 1 listed building that is steeped in history.
James Foster, Chief Operations Officer at the Bar Convent, said: “We are thrilled to be able to unveil the recent renovations made to our guest house.
“The guest house has always been renowned for it’s unique location within this beautiful historic convent and for it’s warm welcome and award-winning breakfast.
“Following this extensive work, our new rooms have a fresh new look, while remaining sympathetic to this special heritage house, with all the facilities to ensure a comfortable and relaxing stay.
Hannah Wilkinson, Guest House Manager at the Bar Convent, added: “We have the rare advantage of offering self-catering facilities and an ideal location just a five minute walk from York Train Station and stone’s throw from the Royal entrance to the City Walls.
“This is the perfect spot for those looking for a friendly, independent guest house with the option of self-catering in the stunning city of York.”
Make sure you book direct to receive our award-winning cooked breakfast included in your stay. To book directly with the Bar Convent and for more information please visit the website or call our reception team on 01904 643238.
The Bar Convent Living Heritage Centre
The convent was established in 1686 in complete secrecy when Catholicism was illegal. The sisters also founded the first ever schools for girls in the country- the second in this house- while hiding their true identities. Guests can discover more about the history of our house with discounted admission to our fascinating exhibition. There is also a garden, café, shop and C18th chapel on site.
Reviews
Friendly staff, very clean room, fantastic breakfast” – Booking.com
“Historic and lovely building. A privilege to be able to stay there. Excellent location for old city and station”- Booking.com
‘Welcoming Friendly. Amazing history and building. Great breakfast’- Booking.com
“Fantastic stay at the Bar convent whilst visiting York and friends. Will definitely be back. Hospitality in all ways was fantastic and staff were so welcoming and lovely. It is really close to the city centre and room, food and facilities were all great.”- Google Review
“Lovely place to stay, friendly helpful staff, amazing room with comfortable bed and most definitely a great breakfast.”- TripAdvisor
Nottingham Theatre Royal – until Saturday 5 August 2023
Reviewed by Louise Ford
3***
It’s always the quiet ones!
Tabs Productions started back in 1989 and took on The Colin McIntyre Thriller Season in 2012 ,so they have a long history with their Nottingham audiences. This summer’s Classic Thriller series kicked off with a psychological thriller. Love from a Stranger is by the Queen of Crime herself Agatha Christie and Frank Vosper (an actor and dramatist ). The story was first made into a film in 1937 staring Basil Rathbone and Ann Harding (although some of the characters’ names were changed).
The set opens in a London flat with Aunty Lou (Susan Earnshaw), bustling around helping and hindering the packing up of the family silver. Whoops, butter fingers! It’s 1950s London and two girls who share a flat Mavis (Kia Pope) and Cecily (Lara Lemon) have had the most incredible luck. They have won a sweepstake.
One of the flat mates is taking advantage of the winnings to free herself from the grind of her office job and is going to travel for three months. Hence the flat packing. The other is anxiously awaiting the return of her fiancée Nigel (Pavan Maru), from the Sudan for their wedding. I’m not quite sure why the Sudan was chosen, it’s not clear what he’s been doing there. Suffice to say that they haven’t seen each other for several years and Cecily is getting cold feet.
Back to the packing. The advert has been placed for temporary tenants and the telephone calls lead to some amusing exchanges and misunderstandings. Aunty Lou decides to take a break and heads off for a lovely lunch. Cecily is alone in the flat and enter a mysterious stranger. His arrival puts the cat amongst the pigeons . Suffice to say a whirlwind romance, a quiet wedding and a move to an isolated cottage in the country (without a telephone) are not necessarily the ingredients for marital bliss.
All of the characters are at one level firmly rooted in the tradition of the suspense genre and at another abit of a characature. The role of the daft country maid, Ethel (Juliette Strobel), is a bit laboured . There are however some nice touches, Cecily’s clipped vowels and reserve are very Brief Encounter, Aunty Lou has more than a touch of Hyacinth Bucket and Hodgson (Sarah Wynette Korda) as the creepy gardener who finds the buried bottles.
It all picks up the pace towards the end and finishes with a flourish. No plot spoilers please.
ANTONY COSTA OF BRITISH BOY BAND BLUE JOINS THE NEW CAST OF MAMMA MIA! THE PARTY AT THE O2, LONDON FROM THE END OF AUGUST.
THE AWARD-WINNING SINGER-SONGWRITER AND ACTOR WILL PLAY THE ROLE OF NIKOS IN BJÖRN ULVAEUS’ THEATRICAL DINING EXPERIENCE.
THE NEW CAST WILL BEGIN PERFORMANCES FROM 31 AUGUST.
2024 MARKS THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF ABBA’S WIN AT THE 1974 EUROVISION SONG CONTEST WITH ‘WATERLOO’.
Antony Costa (Photo credit: Mamma Mia! The Party)
MAMMA MIA! THE PARTY is delighted to announce the new cast arriving at Nikos Taverna on the Greek island of Skopelos, including British pop star Antony Costa who will play the role of Nikos.
Antony Costa said: ‘I am thrilled to have been given such a unique opportunity to be a part of MAMMA MIA! THE PARTY. Being a massive ABBA fan myself, I cannot wait to get stuck into such a fun project and immerse myself into the world that Björn Ulvaeus and Sandi Toksvig have so masterfully crafted. See you in the Taverna!’
Antony Costa formed the boyband Blue in 2000 with members Lee Ryan, Simon Webbe and Duncan James, going on to sell 15 million records worldwide and winning the prestigious Brit award for best British Pop Act in 2003. The band recently sold-out arenas across the UK on tour in 2022. Alongside his music career, Costa’s theatre credits include leading roles in Blood Brothers (West End), Boogie Nights (UK Tour), Rock of Ages (UK Tour), Zorro (Hope Mill Theatre), The Cat and The Canary (UK Tour), Popstars: The Musical (UK Tour), Aladdin (De Montfort Hall, Leicester) and Beauty and the Beast (Grand Opera House, York).
The rest of the new cast of London’s premier dining experience includes Rosemary Annabella Nkrumah (Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, Palace Theatre) as Debbie, Jacob Dachtler (Halls The Musical, Turbine Theatre) as Adam and Sarah Drake (From Here to Eternity, Charing Cross Theatre) as Nina. Adam Redford (The 12 Tenors, Europe Tour) joins the lineup as Ruben/Swing, Emanuel Alba (Man of La Mancha, London Coliseum) as Carlos/Swing, Deschenes Graham (‘Alice’ in Mad Hatter’s Circus) as Joyce/Swing, Lucy-Anne Stacey (We Will Rock You, Royal Caribbean) as Sue/Swing and Gemma McLean (Only Fools and Horses, Theatre Royal Haymarket) as Kate (at certain performances).
They join existing cast members Molly Cleere who will be playing the role of Konstantina, Kimberly Powell who will continue as Kate (at certain performances), Dawn Spence as Grandma, Oscar Balmaseda as Fernando, Robban Hogstrom as Robin/Swing and Claudia Bradley as Loretta/Swing whilst Rosie Rowlands and Allie Ho Chee share the role of Bella, along with the musicians, John Donovan, Luke Higgins, Kathryn Tindall, Steve Rushton and Luke Roberts.
Due to extraordinary demand, MAMMA MIA! THE PARTY is now booking until 3 March 2024 at The O2, London. 2024 marks the 50th anniversary of ABBA’s legendary performance of Waterloo at the 1974 Eurovision Song Contest and a trip to Nikos Taverna on the Greek Island of Skopelos (the stunning location where most of the exteriors of the first MAMMA MIA! film were shot) is the perfect way to celebrate this milestone. Created by ABBA’s Björn Ulvaeus, with the English book by Sandi Toksvig, MAMMA MIA! THE PARTY is a unique and magical experience, bringing ABBA’s hits to life more vividly than ever before. Over the course of four glittering hours, guests can immerse themselves in a spectacular musical extravaganza, a set four-course Greek feast and an ABBA disco, all in one unforgettable evening of dancing, dining and singing!
Nikos and his wife Kate run the exotic and wonderful Nikos Taverna together with their family and friends. Told through dialogue and timeless ABBA songs, a warm, romantic and funny story evolves and unfolds during the evening, taking place around the guests as they enjoy a gourmet Greek meal. The evening ends with a 1970s disco, where audience members are encouraged to stay to sing and dance to ABBA’s greatest hits.
MAMMA MIA! THE PARTY has music and lyrics by Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus (some songs with Stig Anderson), and a story by Calle Norlén, Roine Söderlundh and Björn Ulvaeus, with the English book by writer, comedian and broadcaster Sandi Toksvig.
The London version of MAMMA MIA! THE PARTY, which originally opened in Stockholm in January 2016, is co-directed and choreographed by Stacey Haynes and Roine Söderlundh, with set designed by Bengt Fröderberg, lighting designed by Patrick Woodroffe, sound designed by Gareth Owen, costumes designed by Annsofi Nyberg, music supervision by Robin Svensson and casting by David Grindrod CDG for Grindrod Burton Casting.
MAMMA MIA! THE PARTY is executively produced by Björn Ulvaeus and produced by U-Live.
