Death Note transfers to the Lyric Theatre

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

SHEFFIELD THEATRES ANNOUNCE CAST FOR MOLIÈRE’S THE HYPOCHONDRIAC

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 HypochondriacRoger 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.

BONNIE & CLYDE THE MUSICAL – WEST END CAST RECORDING

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 & HydeThe Scarlett Pimpernell), lyrics by Tony® and Oscar® winner Don Black (Sunset BoulevardAspects of Love), a book by Emmy® Award nominee Ivan Menchell (Blended [movie]The Cemetery ClubDeath 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 MorningMAMEThe Royal Variety Performance) with Set and Costume Design by Philip Witcomb (AtlantisStones In His PocketsMAME), Musical Supervision from Katy Richardson (SIXRentJersey Boys), Original Arrangements and Orchestrations by John McDaniel (Patti Lupone: LiveAnnie Get Your Gun), Additional Orchestrations by Jen Green(Fantastically Great WomenVanara), Additional Arrangements by Katy Richardson and Nick Barstow, Lighting Design by Zoe Spurr (Fantastically Great WomenHamlet at Theatre Royal Windsor), Sound Design by Tom Marshall (The Drifter’s GirlNativity The MusicalCurtains), Video Design by Nina Dunn (The Shark Is BrokenLazuli Sky), Wig Design by Darren Ware (Bonnie & Clyde) and Casting Director Jim Arnold CDG (WickedThe 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 ConcertRock of AgesCompanyFameCurtains, 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

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.

HARRY POTTER AND THE CURSED CHILD CELEBRATES 7TH ANNIVERSARY

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 7th 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 TiffanyHarry 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 CDGHarry Potter and the Cursed Child is produced by Sonia Friedman ProductionsColin 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 Announced as ‘Rachel Marron’ in the UK and Ireland Tour of THE BODYGUARD 

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 Empirewww.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 AppaduKaylen LukeManasseh Mapira and Sam Stephens.

The cast is completed by Alexandros BeshongesKayne GordonJack HardwickJames-Lee HarrisKalisha JohnsonSamantha MbolekwaLiam MorrisAbbie QuinnenCharlotte ScallyYiota 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 NightSo EmotionalOne Moment in TimeSaving All My LoveRun to YouI Have NothingI 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

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 27th July at www.cft.org.ukGeneral 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

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Noises Off UK Tour announces full casting starring Liza Goddard, Matthew Kelly and Simon Shepherd

FULL CASTING ANNOUNCED FOR UK TOUR OF MICHAEL FRAYN’S ‘NOISES OFF’STARRING LIZA GODDARD, MATTHEW KELLY & SIMON SHEPHERD 

DIRECT FROM THE WEST END 

UK Tour: from 23 August 2023 

The 40th anniversary production of Michael’s Frayn’s multi award-winning farce, Noises Off is heading out on a major UK tour this autumn, following a sell-out West End season at the Phoenix Theatre earlier this year. Directed by Lindsay Posner, the touring production will star Liza Goddard as Dotty Otley, Matthew Kelly as Selsdon Mowbray and Simon Shepherd as Lloyd Dallas. They will be joined on tour by Simon Coates as Frederick Fellowes, Lucy Robinson as Belinda Blair, Daniel Rainford as Tim Allgood, Dan Fredenburgh as Garry Lejeune, Lisa Ambalavanar as Brooke Ashton and Nikhita Lesler as Poppy Norton-Taylor. 

Noises Off will open at Birmingham Rep on 23 August for three weeks, before touring to a further 13 cities nationwide until 13 January 2024 including: Newcastle, Bath, Truro, Blackpool, Poole, Salford, Guildford, York, Norwich, Aberdeen, Milton Keynes, Sheffield and Chichester. Further dates and casting for 2024 to be announced. 

One of the greatest British comedies ever written, Michael Frayn’s celebrated play serves up a riotous double bill, a play within a play. Hurtling along at breakneck speed, Noises Off follows the on and off-stage antics of a touring theatre company as they stumble their way through the fictional farce, ‘Nothing On’. From the shambolic final rehearsals before opening night in Weston-super-Mare, to a disastrous matinee in Ashton-Under-Lyme seen entirely, and hilariously silently, from backstage, we share their final, brilliantly catastrophic performance in Stockton-on-Tees. 

Liza Goddard’s extensive stage comedy credits include Life of Riley, Communicating Doors, Season’s Greetings and Relatively SpeakingMatthew Kelly won the Olivier Award for Of Mice and Men and his West End credits include Waiting for Godot, Comedians and Troilus and Cressida.Simon Shepherd’s many stage and TV credits include Peak Practice and West End productions of Posh, The Duck House, Rapture, Art and Hay Fever. 

Hailed as the master of farce comedy, multi award-winning playwright and novelist Michael Frayn has inspired a generation of comedies since his production of Noises Off first opened in 1982. Now considered a comedy classic, Frayn’s legendary play has enjoyed stagings worldwide, including five productions in the West End and three on Broadway. 

The 40th anniversary production also returns to the West End in September playing at the Theatre Royal Haymarket with Felicity Kendal, Jonathan Coy and Alexander Hanson reprising their roles. The West End production will run concurrently with the touring production. 

Noises Off is written by Michael Frayn. Directed by Lindsay Posner, with design by Simon Higlett, lighting by Paul Pyant, sound by Gregory Clarke, composition by Will Stuart, movement and fight direction by Ruth Cooper-Brown and casting by Ginny Schiller. The Associate Director is George Jibson. Produced by Theatre Royal Bath Productions in association with Birmingham Rep. 

Listing Information: 

NOISES OFF UK TOUR 2023-24 

Wed 23 – Sat 9 Sep

BIRMINGHAM Rep

BOX OFFICE 0121 236 4455 | birmingham-rep.co.uk

Tue 12 – Sat 16 Sep

NEWCASTLE Theatre Royal

BOX OFFICE 08448 11 21 21 | theatreroyal.co.uk

Tue 19 – Sat 23 Sep

BATH Theatre Royal

BOX OFFICE 01225 448844 | theatreroyal.org.uk

Tue 26 – Sat 30 Sep

TRURO Hall for Cornwall

BOX OFFICE 01872 262466 | hallforcornwall.co.uk

Tue 3 – Sat 7 Oct

BLACKPOOL Grand Theatre

BOX OFFICE 01253 290 190 | blackpoolgrand.co.uk

Tue 10 – Sat 14 Oct

POOLE Lighthouse, Poole’s Centre for the Arts

BOX OFFICE 01202 280000 I lighthousepoole.co.uk

Tue 17 – Sat 21 Oct

SALFORD The Lowry

BOX OFFICE 0343 208 6000 | thelowry.com

Tue 24 – Sat 28 Oct

GUILDFORD Yvonne Arnaud Theatre

BOX OFFICE 01483 44 00 00 | yvonne-arnaud.co.uk

Tue 31 Oct – Sat 4 Nov

YORK Theatre Royal

BOX OFFICE 01904 623568 | yorktheatreroyal.co.uk

Tue 7 – Sat 11 Nov

NORWICH Theatre Royal

BOX OFFICE 01603 63 00 00 | norwichtheatre.org

Tue 14 – Sat 18 Nov

ABERDEEN His Majesty’s Theatre

BOX OFFICE 01224 641122 | aberdeenperformingarts.com

Tue 21 – Sat 25 Nov

MILTON KEYNES Theatre

BOX OFFICE 0844 871 7652 | atgtickets.com/miltonkeynes

Tue 28 Nov – Sat 2 Dec

SHEFFIELD Lyceum Theatre

BOX OFFICE 0114 249 6000 | sheffieldtheatres.co.uk

Tue 9 – Sat 13 Jan

CHICHESTER Festival Theatre – ON SALE SOON

BOX OFFICE 01243 781312 | cft.org.uk

FIRST LOOK AT THE BRAND-NEW PRODUCTION OF ‘SHREK THE MUSICAL’ UK AND IRELAND TOUR

Mark Goucher, Gavin Kalin and Matthew Gale present
SHREK THE MUSICAL

  • FIRST LOOK AT THE BRAND-NEW PRODUCTION OF SHREK THE MUSICAL UK AND IRELAND TOUR
     
  • THE OFFICIAL DREAMWORKS PRODUCTION OPENED AT THEATRE ROYAL PLYMOUTH ON FRIDAY 21 JULY AND  TOURS THROUGH TO APRIL 2024.
     
  • THE SHREK-TACULAR PRODUCTION STARS ANTONY LAWRENCE (SHREK), JOANNE CLIFTON (FIONA), JAMES GILLAN (LORD FARQUAAD), BRANDON LEE SEARS (DONKEY) AND CHERECE RICHARDS AS THE DRAGON.

Footage and images are released today for the brand-new production of Shrek The Musical which opened at Theatre Royal Plymouth on Friday 21 July. The official Dreamworks production is touring through to April 2024 with a Shrek-tacular principal cast line up including Antony Lawrence (Shrek), Joanne Clifton (Princess Fiona), James Gillan (Lord Farquaad), Brandon Lee Sears (Donkey) and rising star Cherece Richards (Once on This Island, Regent’s Park Theatre) who is making her debut in a principal role as the Dragon. The smash hit musical will tour through to April 2024 to a total of 31 venues. 

Shrek the Musical opened at Theatre Royal Plymouth on 21 July 2023 and then tours to Manchester, Dublin, Bristol, Southend, Carlisle, Aberdeen, Oxford, Wimbledon, Dartford, Northampton, Bradford, Woking, Eastbourne, Cardiff, York, Blackpool and in 2024: Glasgow Kings, Edinburgh Playhouse, Coventry Belgrade, Sunderland Empire, Liverpool Empire, Southampton Mayflower, Milton Keynes Theatres, Hull New, Cheltenham Everyman, Theatre Royal Nottingham, Norwich Theatre Royal, Grand Opera House Belfast, The Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham and The Millenium Forum, Derry. For full listings, please see the notes to editors below.

From the producers of Hairspray and Priscilla Queen of the DesertShrek the Musical has brought together a new creative team to re-imagine this award-winning Broadway and West End hit show for a new audience, featuring all the classic characters from the Oscar®-winning DreamWorks animated film and the iconic songs and story from David Lindsay-Abaire and Jeanine Tesori’s original musical.

The team who have joined forces to re-create the bright and beautiful world of Shrek the Musical includes acclaimed director and choreographer Nick Winston (Bonnie and Clyde, Arts Theatre; Beauty and the Beast, UK tour), co-director Sam Holmes (Club Tropicana the Musical), who returns to the swamp having played Lord Farquaad in the previous UK tour. He is joined by set and costume designer Philip Witcomb (Bonnie & Clyde,Garrick Theatre; Jack & The Beanstalk, Everyman Theatre Cheltenham). Further creative team includes Ben Cracknel (lighting), Jim Arnold (casting) and Ben Harrison (sound), Nina Dunn (projection design) and Jimmy Grimes (puppet design).

As previously announced, Antony Lawrence plays Shrek. His previous credits include Scar in The Lion King, (International Tour) Mary Poppins (National Tour), Matilda the Musical (Cambridge Theatre/RSC) and We Will Rock You (International Arena Tour).

Joanne Clifton, best known for her time as a professional dancer on the BBC’s Strictly Come Dancing, plays Fiona.  She joined the iconic TV show after winning the World Professional Showdance Champion and the European Professional Ballroom Championship. During her time on the show, she won the Christmas Special with McFly’s Harry Judd and went on to win the glitterball trophy as the 2016 champion with her partner Ore Oduba. On stage Joanne Clifton was most recently seen in Windfall (Southwark Playhouse) and The Addams Family (UK Tour).  

Olivier Award-nominee James Gillan (Lord Farquaad) most recently created the role of Tray in Everybody’s Talking About Jamie (Apollo Theatre, Shaftesbury Avenue) – a role he stayed with through the show’s entire West End run. He has also performed in productions of Wicked, Starlight Express and Taboo!

Brandon Lee Sears (Donkey) most recently played the role of Jimmy Early in Dreamgirls (UK tour).  His previous theatre credits include the original West End productions of Be More Chill (Shaftesbury Theatre), Come From Away (Phoenix theatre); Heathers (Theatre Royal Haymarket); Motown the Musical (Shaftesbury Theatre); and On The Town (Regents Park Open Air Theatre).

The ensemble cast of Shrek the Musical are Leo Abad, Scotty Armstrong, Imogen Bailey, Jabari Braham, Georgie Buckland, Natasha Cayabyab, Mark D’Arcy, Jonathan David Dudley, Remi Ferdinand, Sonny Grieveson, Edward Leigh, Bethany Kate, Jessica Lim, Andile Mabhena, Bronte MacMillan, India Thornton. Talia Duff, Gabriela Gregorian, Rory Shafford and Jamie Jonathan complete the full cast line-up.

Leave your troubles Far Far Away and come join the adventure as Shrek and Donkey endeavour to complete their quest of defeating the dragon and saving Princess Fiona. Featuring fabulous songs including ‘I’m A Believer’, ‘Big Bright Beautiful World’ and ’I Know It’s Today’. Shrek the Musical has cemented itself as the “musical extravaganza for big kids and little kids alike”.

Annette Hannah Completes the Cast of Sean Aydon’s UK Tour of Frankenstein

ANNETTE HANNAH JOINS THE CAST OF

FRANKENSTEIN

A NEW STORY INSPIRED BY MARY SHELLEY’S CLASSIC NOVEL

WRITTEN AND DIRECTED BY SÉAN AYDON

ON A MAJOR UK TOUR FROM 14 SEPTEMBER

Annette Hannah will play the role of ‘Francine’ in Séan Aydon’s brand-new adaption of Mary Shelley’s classic novel Frankenstein which will start a major UK theatre tour at the Churchill Theatre Bromley on 14 September, before playing 10 further venues around the country.

Frankenstein marks Annette’s professional theatre debut. She has most recently appeared in the third season of Netflix’s The Witcher and in the CBBC show The Worst Witch as ‘Mabel Tapioca’. Annette made her first on screen appearance in HBO’s Game of Thrones.

She will join the previously announced Eleanor Mcloughlin who will play ‘Victoria Frankenstein’, Basienka Blake as ‘Captain/Richter’, Cameron Robertson as ‘The Creature’, Dale Mathurin as ‘Henry’ and Lula Marsh as ‘Elizabeth’.

This new thriller, inspired by the classic gothic novel and complete with a stunning original score, explores the very fabric of what makes us human and the ultimate cost of chasing “perfection”.  

1943. Whilst Europe tears itself apart, two women hide from their past at what feels like the very end of the world. And one of them has a terrifying story to tell…

“I created life. You don’t believe me but it’s true. I didn’t start from scratch of course but out of portions and odd ends I made something –alive. But what I created… it wasn’t a superhuman. It was a monster.”

Frankenstein is an electrifying reimagining of the world’s favourite horror story that will send shivers down the spine and ignite the imagination.

The production is unsuitable for under 12s.

Frankenstein is produced by Tilted Wig Productions.

https://www.tiltedwigproductions.com/frankenstein

Twitter @tiltedwiguk

Facebook @TiltedWigProductions

Insta @tiltedwig

FRANKENSTEIN TOUR DATES 2023

14 – 16 September                Churchill Theatre Bromley

19 – 23 September               Derby Theatre

26 – 30 September              Exeter Northcott

3-7 October                          Cambridge Arts Theatre

10 – 14 October                     Theatre By The Lake, Keswick

17 – 21 October                      Darlington Hippodrome

24 – 28 October                   York Theatre Royal

31 October – 4 November  Theatre Royal, Bury St Edmunds

7 – 11 November                    Ipswich New Wolsey Theatre

14 – 18 November                 Malvern Theatres

21 – 25 November                Devonshire Park Theatre Eastbourne