CRUCIBLE

CRUCIBLE

Sheffield Theatres’ new production of
Boublil and Schönberg’s legendary musical
By special arrangement with Cameron Mackintosh

SHEFFIELD THEATRES ANNOUNCE FULL CAST AND CREATIVE TEAM FOR NEW REIMAGINED PRODUCTION OF

MISS SAIGON

Crucible Theatre, Sheffield
Saturday 8 July – Saturday 19 August 2023

Sheffield Theatres today announces the full cast and creative team for the first non-replica regional production of Miss Saigon. By special arrangement with Cameron Mackintosh, Boublil and Schönberg’s hit musical retelling of Madame Butterfly set during the Vietnam war.

The previously announced Joanna Ampil, who has previously played Kim in the London, Sydney, UK touring and 10^th anniversary productions of Miss Saigon, will play The Engineer.

She is joined by a full cast, including: Desmonda Cathabel as Mimi and Alternate Kim, Aynrand Ferrer as Gigi; Shanay Holmes as Ellen, Jessica Lee as Kim and Alternate Mimi,Ethan Le Phong as Thuy,  Christian Maynard as Chris, Emily Ooi as Yvonne and Understudy Gigi, Shane O’Riordanas John, Ericka Posadas as Fifi and Understudy The Engineer.

Making up the ensemble and GIs will be: Adam Colbeck-Dunn as GI and Understudy John, Andrew Davison as GI and Ensemble, Oscar Kong as Ensemble, Abel Law as Ensemble, Lavinia Mai as Ensemble, Patrick Munday as Ensemble and Understudy Thuy, Rachel Jayne Picar as Ensemble, Aharon Rayner as GI and Understudy Chris, Ernest Stroud as GI and Ensemble, Rumi Sutton as Ensemble and Understudy Ellen, Callum Tempest as GI and Ensemble, Danny Whelan as GI and Ensemble, Riley Woodford asGI and Ensemble, and Iverson Yabut as Ensemble.

All members of the castmake their Sheffield Theatres debut with Miss Saigon.

Miss Saigon has music by Claude-Michel Schönberg and Lyrics by Richard Maltby Jnr and Alain Boublil, adapted from Original French Text by Alain Boublil with additional lyrics by Michael Mahler and orchestrations by William David Brohn. Originally produced on the stage by Cameron Mackintosh.

The full creative team includes Directors Robert Hastie and Anthony Lau, Designer Ben Stones, Choreographer Jade Hackett, Lighting Designer Jessica Hung Han Yun, Sound Designer Mike Walker, Video and Animation Designer Andrzej Goulding, Musical Director Chris Poon, Orchestral Management David Gallagher, Casting Director Stuart Burt CDG, Children’s Casting Director Sarah De Souza, Intimacy Coordinator and Fight Director Haruka Kuroda,  Wigs, Hair and Make-up Designer Sam Cox, Associate Director Lexine Lee, Associate Choreographer Nicola Mac, Assistant Musical Director Matthew Jackson, Music Assistant Tom Crathorne and Occupational Therapist Jane Titterton.

“Dance like it’s the last night of the world”

The last days of the Vietnam War, 1975.

At the infamous Dreamland night club, Vietnamese bargirl Kim meets American GI Chris and in one fateful night their lives become entwined forever.

Forced apart as Saigon falls, the lovers embark on a journey across continents to find their way back to each other.

Passionate and poignant, Boublil and Schönberg’s unforgettable and multi-award-winning musical features the songs Movie in My Mind, American Dream, Last Night of the World and The Heat Is On in Saigon.

Tickets for Miss Saigonare 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.

Aylesbury Waterside – until Saturday 3rd June 2023

Reviewed by Julia Spargo

4****

It is 1989 and Veronica Sawyer is a student at Ohio’s Westerberg High. Longing to be accepted, she joins the Heathers, three popular but cruel students, abandoning her best friend Martha in the process. Then Jason “JD” Dean arrives at the school, and bewitched, Veronica finds herself involved in a killing spree, as the popular students are picked off one-by-one by JD, with Veronica acting as an accomplice in staging the murders as suicide.

High-energy from the opening, Kevin Murphy and Laurence O’Keefe’s musical, based on the 1988 cult teenage film of the same name, is about teenage suicide, murder and bullying and might not be to everyone’s taste. Act II begins with the song, “My Dead Gay Son”, and might further give clues as to the trajectory of this riotous black comedy. As I relaxed into it, however, I enjoyed it more and more. Jenna Innes, playing Veronica, brings an exceptional spark to the musical, matched only by Verity Thompson as the bitchy Heather Chandler and Kingsley Morton as the abandoned friend Martha Dunnstock. When they are on stage, it is difficult to pay attention to anyone else. Jacob Fowler as JD lacked the swagger and charisma I expected of JD and struggled, along with the rest of the cast, to compete with Aylesbury’s continued sound issues which made hearing most of the lyrics impossible unless the song was a ballad, such as the spellbinding Kindergarten Boyfriend, sung by Martha shortly before she attempts suicide. The sound issues were frustrating but I got the gist, helped by familiarity with the original film. Those unfamiliar might not have been able to follow, which would have been a great shame.

The musical gains momentum in the second half, starting with a well-choreographed funeral scene, and the costumes, choreography and lighting add to the camp fun; school jocks Kurt (Alex Woodward) and Ram (Morgan Jackson) spend most of the second act appearing as their dead characters in nothing but a pair of briefs. High School hippy teacher Ms Fleming (Katie Paine) delivers a belting Shine a Light, singling out an unsuspecting member of the audience, surrounded by the cast, shimmering in sequined rainbow jackets.

The predictably redemptive ending did not lose pace, and left me humming the catchy Seventeen for the journey home. Triggering for some? Perhaps – but great, great fun.

ALADDIN TO LIGHT UP ST HELENS THEATRE ROYAL THIS CHRISTMAS

Emmerdale star leads sensational pantomime

Leanne Campbell will cast a spell as the magical Genie of the Mirror

Aladdin is flying into St Helens Theatre Royal this Christmas – and today the first two members of its star-studded cast can be revealed.

Emmerdale star Liam Fox will make his panto debut in the role of the evil Abanazer, and panto royalty Leanne Campbell will appear as a magical ‘Genie of the Mirror’.

The spectacular seasonal production from Regal Entertainments comes to the Theatre Royal stage from Saturday 2 December to Sunday 14 January 2024. Tickets are on sale now costing from £21.

Take a magic carpet ride this Christmas and be whisked off to pantoland where young street urchin Aladdin lives with his hapless brother Wishee Washee and larger-than-life mum Widow Twankey in their family laundry.

Then join our young hero as he battles the wicked Abanazer who has a dastardly plan to rule the world with the help of one very special lamp.

Can Aladdin save the day – and can he also win the heart of the fair Princess Jasmine?

Liam Fox is best known for playing Emmerdale’s Dan Spencer and has appeared in more than 1,000 episodes since he joined the award-winning ITV soap in 2011.

The popular actor, presenter, voice artist and writer made his professional acting debut in Coronation Street in 1999. His many other TV credits include Dinnerladies, Cold Feet, Clocking Off, Hollyoaks, The Case (Lime Pictures), Our Great Yorkshire Life, Fat Friends, Casualty 1909, and Stephen Poliakoff’s Dancing on the Edge.

Film credits include Demon Eye, Snappers and There’s Only One Jimmy Grimble.

Liam has also appeared on stage in productions including The Collector and Tuesday’s Class at the Lowry Studio, Iron (directed by Noreen Kershaw) at Manchester Royal Exchange, The Dumb Waiter for Three Ducks Theatre Company, and Cornered for Rocket Theatre Company.

Meanwhile actress and award-winning Radio City Breakfast Show host Leanne Campbell will play a digital Genie who appears as if by magic at every performance thanks to amazing state-of-the-art audio-visual technology.

Leanne started her acting career at the age of 10 while training at the Elliott Clarke School of dance and drama, with early roles including Annie at the Liverpool Playhouse and an award-winning performance as young Helen in the much-loved Twopence to Cross the Mersey.

She went on to win a scholarship to study at the prestigious Laine Theatre Arts, and continued her theatre career both in Liverpool and on tour playing many leading roles in musicals and plays including Me and My Girl, Carousel, The Sound of Music and Scrooge. She was also cast as Pam in ITV’s Children’s Ward.

In 2020 she wrote and starred in the successful comedy play Pete Price is Dead at Liverpool’s Royal Court, and other recent productions include leading roles in The Salon and Achy Breaky Bride.

Leanne was headhunted for radio after being spotted playing Fairy Liquid in Snow White at the Royal Court in 2003. Her many other high-profile panto appearances include a five-year reign as princess and villain at the Liverpool Empire, starring in everything from Peter Pan to Snow White, and six consecutive years at the city’s M&S Bank arena.

More casting is yet to be announced.

Theatre Manager Chantelle Nolan says: “We’re absolutely thrilled to be working with such talented performers on this festive season’s unmissable production of Aladdin.

“Liam Fox is making his pantomime debut and I know he’s going to be an absolutely fantastic panto villain, while Leanne is panto royalty and will bring plenty of magical sparkle to our state-of-the-art genie.

“Aladdin is a fantastic adventure story of good triumphing over evil, and it’s a real favourite with the family audiences at St Helens Theatre Royal.

“As always, I can guarantee gorgeous sets, dazzling costumes, plenty of laugh-out-loud moments and a soundtrack that will have you dancing in your seat and singing along. Roll on Christmas!”

NOTE: Leanne Campbell will appear as the Genie of the Mirror by the power of video projection and does not appear in person.

Tickets can be booked over the phoneor in person at the box office between 10am and 5pm, from Monday to Friday.Tickets can also be purchased online. For more information please visit www.sthelenstheatreroyal.com

Follow St Helens Theatre Royal on social media channels:

Facebook: www.facebook.com/St-Helens-Theatre-Royal

Twitter: @TheatreRoyalStH

Instagram: @TheatreRoyalStH

LISTING DETAILS

Regal Entertainments Ltd Presents: Aladdin

Dates: Saturday 2 December 2023 – Sunday 14 January 2024

Tickets: From £21* (Schools’ tickets £11*)

*All prices are inclusive of a £1 per seat booking fee. Online bookings are subject to an additional 50p per seat online processing fee.

THEATRE ROYAL BOOKING DETAILS

Book in person at the Theatre Royal Box Office, Corporation Street, St. Helens, Merseyside WA10 1LQ (Mon – Fri 10am – 5pm). Alternatively, call 01744 756 000 or log on to: www.sthelenstheatreroyal.com.

THERE’S A MONSTER IN YOUR SHOW

BASED ON THE BELOVED, BEST-SELLING PICTURE BOOK

BY TOM FLETCHER & GREG ABBOTT

ADAPTED FOR THE STAGE BY ZOE BOURN

DIRECTED BY MIRANDA LARSON

ON A MAJOR UK THEATRE TOUR FROM OCTOBER 2023

Tom Fletcher’s interactive adventures for big imaginations are leaping from page to stage, as the beloved ‘Who’s in Your Book?’ series, makes its debut as a brand-new musical show.

Premiering at the Watford Palace Theatre on 12 October, there are currently a host of further dates confirmed at 43 venues across the UK, with more still to come! The latest info can be found at www.monsterinyourshow.com

A high-energy 50-minute adventure featuring lively original music, this show is the perfect introduction to live theatre.

Expect plenty of playful fun for your littlest ones as their favourite characters come to life in a show that is packed with interactive moments to enjoy together.

A group of performers are preparing to start their show, but quickly discover they are not alone on stage. Little Monster wants to be part of the fun too! With an invitation to his friends, Dragon, Alien and Unicorn to join him, you can expect comedy and chaos as they help to create a magical show, learning about the joy of books and friendship along the way.

There’s a Monster in Your Show… and he can’t wait to meet you!

Tom Fletcher said, “I’m so excited to see ‘There’s a Monster In Your Book,’ come to life on stage! The whole journey is incredibly exciting and I can’t wait to get to rehearsals to meet the puppets. Theatre is such an important way to introduce children to the arts and ‘There’s a Monster In Your Show’ is the perfect first theatre trip for pre-schoolers and their families. I’m so looking forward to seeing their reactions first-hand.”

The production is presented by MEI Theatrical, the team who have brought some of the world’s best loved family brands to the stage including Twirlywoos Live, Sarah & Duck and The Very Hungry Caterpillar Show. 

There’s a Monster in Your Show is adapted for the stage by Zoe Bourn (Thomas & Friends, Fireman Sam, Mr Men Little Miss). A keen advocate of children’s literacy and the accessibility of story books, she is thrilled to be part of the creative team introducing this debut show to fans of Tom’s book series.  The show has design by Laura McEwen (Oh, No George!, The Singing Mermaid and Twirlywoos Live) and puppets created by Keith Frederick (Twirlywoos, Jack V Giant, Dog’s Don’t Do Ballet).

New music will be composed by Tom Fletcher and Barry Bignold.

The show is directed by Miranda Larson who adapted Tom Fletcher’s The Christmasaurus and the YouTube phenomena Little Baby Bum for the stage. Other UK theatre credits include the current tours of Milkshake Monkey’s Musical and Fireman Sam Saves The Circus. Puppet direction is by Roman Stefanski, associate director at Polka Theatre (Sarah & Duck and Twirlywoos).

The Who’s in Your Book? picture-book series by Tom Fletcher and Greg Abbot is published by Puffin.

There’s a Monster in Your Show is produced on stage by Millennium Entertainment International.

www.monsterinyourshow.com

Facebook: @MEITheatrical

Twitter: @MEI_Worldwide

Instagram: @mei.worldwide

Tour Dates 2023/24

(This list is subject to change)

Oct-23

12 & 13 October              Watford Palace Theatre

15, 16 & 17 October        King’s Lynn Corn Exchange

18 & 19 October              Mansfield Palace

21October                       Gwyn Hall, Neath

22 October                      Newport Riverfront

23 & 24October            Hall for Cornwall  ON SALE SOON

26October                      The Beacon (Wantage Literary Fest)

27October                      South Hill Park Arts Centre  ON SALE SOON

28& 29October            Bedford Quarry Theatre 

30 October                      Theatre Royal Wakefield

Nov-23                            

1 November                    The Met, Abertillery

2 November                   Milford Haven Torch Theatre 

3November                   Taunton Brewhouse

4 & 5 November           Theatre Royal Winchester 

7November                    Royal Spa Centre Leamington Spa 

8 & 9 November           Eric Morecambe Centre

11 & 12 November          Dorking Halls

13November                  Radlett Centre

16November                  Middleton Arena  ON SALE SOON

17 November                  Atkinson Southport

19 November                  Sunderland Fire Station  ON SALE SOON

20 November                 Alnwick Playhouse  ON SALE SOON

23November                 Halesowen Town Hall 

24 & 25 November      Swansea Grand

26November                 Spalding South Holland Centre

28 & 29November      Stamford Arts Centre

Dec-23                            

11-23December            Mill Arts Centre, Banbury

28December – 7 January      Artsdepot, London

Apr-24                         

2-5 April                      Corn Exchange Newbury  ON SALE SOON

6 & 7 April                    Birmingham Town Hall ON SALE SOON

13 & 14 April                 Lincoln Arts Centre

18 & 19 April                 Norwich Playhouse  ON SALE SOON

20 & 21 April                Marina Lowestoft

23 & 24 April                Trinity Theatre Tunbridge Wells 

26-28 April                  Southampton MAST  ON SALE SOON

30 April-1 May            Swan Theatre Worcester

May-24                          

3 & 4 May                   Tamworth Assembly Rooms

5 & 6 May                   Chelmsford Theatre

7 & 8 May                    Grove Theatre Dunstable

11 & 12 May                  Derby Theatre

14 & 15 May                  Tyne Theatre & Opera House

17-19 May                    Yvonne Arnaud Theatre Guildford  ON SALE SOON

22 & 23 May                Canterbury Gulbenkian  ON SALE SOON

25 & 26 May               Theatre Royal, Bury St Edmunds

28 May – 1 June          Liverpool Playhouse

BACK TO THE FUTURE THE MUSICAL

EXTENDS PERFORMANCES

AT THE ADELPHI THEATRE

NOW BOOKING UNTIL 11 FEBRUARY 2024

Due to overwhelming demand, lead producer Colin Ingram, together with Robert Zemeckis and Bob Gale, the creators of the Back To The Future film trilogy, are delighted to announce that BACK TO THE FUTURE The Musical’s performances at the Adelphi Theatre in London’s West End will extend to 11 February 2024. Tickets on sale now. The critically acclaimed Olivier, WhatsOnStage and Broadway World Award-winning Best New Musical had its opening night in London on Monday 13 September 2021, with performances beginning on Broadway on 30 June and the official opening on 25 July 2023. The musical also has further plans to rollout internationally.

BACK TO THE FUTURE The Musical currently stars Cory English and Ben Joyce as ‘Doctor Emmett Brown’ and ‘Marty McFly’ respectively, with Amber Davies as ‘Lorraine Baines’, Oliver Nicholas as ‘George McFly’, Jordan Benjamin as ‘Goldie Wilson’, Harry Jobson as ‘Biff Tannen’, Sophie Naglik as ‘Jennifer Parker’, Gary Trainor as ‘Strickland’, Will Haswell as alternate ‘Marty McFly’ and ‘Dave McFly’ and Emma Lloyd as ‘Linda McFly’. Also in the cast are Amy Barker, Simeon Beckett, Sia Dauda, Tyler Davis, Glen Facey, Dylan Gordon-Jones, Adam Margilewski, Cameron McAllister, Alessia McDermott, Bryan Mottram, Laura Mullowney, Anna Murray, Jon Reynolds, Melissa Rose, Georgia Tapp, Justin Thomas, Charley Warburton, Tavio Wright and Rhodri Watkins.

The Original Cast Recording, released on Sony Music’s Masterworks Broadway label, is now available and has had over 3 million streams. It features the new music by multi-Grammy Award-winners Alan Silvestri and Glen Ballard alongside classic songs from the movie including The Power of Love and Johnny B. Goode. 

In July 2023, a brand new behind-the-scenes book documenting the creation of the stage show, Creating Back to the Future the Musical by Michael Klastorin, will be released worldwide, published by abrams&chronicle books.

BACK TO THE FUTURE The Musical won the Olivier Award for Best New Musical, four WhatsOnStage Awards, including Best New Musical, and the Broadway World Award for Best New Musical. The productions in London and Manchester have so far been seen by half a million people and the musical has broken box office records at the Adelphi Theatre.

Based on the Universal Pictures/Amblin Entertainment film, BACK TO THE FUTURE The Musical has a book by Bob Gale and new music and lyrics by Emmy and Grammy Award-winning Alan Silvestri and six-time Grammy Award-winning Glen Ballard, with additional songs from the film including The Power of Love and Johnny B. Goode.

Marty McFly is a rock ‘n’ roll teenager who is accidentally transported back to 1955 in a time-travelling DeLorean invented by his friend, Dr Emmett Brown.  But before he can return to 1985, Marty must make sure his high school-aged parents fall in love in order to save his own existence.

BACK TO THE FUTURE The Musical is directed by Tony Award-winning director John Rando (Urinetown, On The Town), alongside the multi Tony and Olivier Award-winning design team of Tim Hatley (set and costume design), Tim Lutkin (lighting), Hugh Vanstone (lighting consultant), Gareth Owen (sound) and Finn Ross (video), with choreography by Chris Bailey, musical supervision and arrangements by Nick Finlow and Illusions by Chris Fisher. Orchestrations are by Ethan Popp and Bryan Crook, with dance arrangements by David Chase. Casting is by David Grindrod Associates.

Back to the Future the movie was released in 1985, starring Michael J. Fox as Marty McFly and Christopher Lloyd as Dr Emmett Brown. The film grossed $360.6 million (£279 million) at the box office worldwide and the total box office for all three films in the Back to the Future franchise was $936.6 million (over $1.8 billion in today’s money).

BACK TO THE FUTURE The Musical is produced by Colin Ingram, Donovan Mannato, Frankel/Viertel/Baruch/Routh Group, Hunter Arnold, Gavin Kalin Productions, Playing Field, Crush Music, CJ ENM, Teresa Tsai, Ivy Herman/Hallee Adelman, Robert L. Hutt, Universal Theatrical Group, Ricardo Marques, Augury, Robert Zemeckis, Bob Gale, in association with Kimberly Magarro, Stage Entertainment, Glass Half Full Productions/ Neil Gooding Productions.

Website: BackToTheFutureMusical.com  

Twitter: @BTTFmusical

Instagram: @BTTFmusical      

LISTINGS INFORMATION

BACK TO THE FUTURE The Musical

Adelphi Theatre

Strand

Covent Garden

London

WC2R0NS

Currently booking until 11 February 2024

Performances:

Mondays, Wednesdays – Saturdays at 7.30pm, Thursday & Saturday matinees at 2.30pm, Sundays at 3pm

(Please note, there will be additional matinees on 29 May at 2.30pm, 27 December at 2.30pm, 29 December at 2.30pm and 2 January at 2.30pm

N.B BACK TO THE FUTURE The Musical has partnered with Gala Pro – a revolutionary app for accessibility and translation to enhance accessible experiences at live performances so you can enjoy any performance of Back to the Future with audio description and closed captioning.

The next scheduled signed performance is Sunday 10 September.

Further access performances such as a dedicated relaxed performance will be added in the new booking period. Please keep an eye on the website for more information.

Tickets: from £19.55

Please book via the website: BackToTheFutureMusical.com – no booking fees  

Booking line: 0203 925 2998

Christmas 2023/24 Performance Schedule

Sunday 17 December                1pm & 6pm

Tuesday 19 December               7:30pm

Wednesday 20 December          7:30pm

Thursday 21 December              2:30pm & 7:30pm

Friday 22 December                  7:30pm

Saturday 23 December              2:30pm & 7:30pm

Sunday 24 December                1pm

Monday 25 December               No performance

Tuesday 26 December               No performance

Wednesday 27 December          2:30 & 7:30pm

Thursday 28 December              2:30 & 7:30pm

Friday 29 December                  7:30pm

Saturday 30 December              2:30pm & 7:30pm

Sunday 31 December                3pm

Monday 1 January                     No performance

Tuesday 2 January                    2:30pm & 7:30pm

Wednesday 3 January               7:30pm

Thursday 4 January                   7:30pm

NICK MOHAMMED ANNOUNCES WEST END RESIDENCY AT THE DUKE OF YORK’S WITH CRITICALLY ACCLAIMED SHOW

‘THE VERY BEST & WORST OF MR. SWALLOW’

Berk’s Nest in association with United Agents are thrilled to announce that the critically acclaimed show from two-time Emmy award nominee and star of Ted Lasso Nick Mohammed, ‘Nick Mohammed presents The Very Best & Worst of Mr. Swallow’ will receive a week long residency at the Duke Of York’s Theatre.

Following an eagerly anticipated debut tour across the UK, he presents a mix of new, old, very old, and previously unusable material. Opening on Tuesday 5^th September until Saturday 9^th September audiences will have the chance to see Mr Swallow skating the stage in London’s glittering West End once more.  In addition, the shows on Thursday 7th September will be live captioned by Claire Hill.

Tickets are on sale now and are available from berksnest.com/nick.

Mr. Swallow is one of the country’s most popular/irritating comedy creations from Nick Mohammed – one of the UK’s most celebrated comedians, actors and writers. Nick has received feverish critical acclaim for his live character comedy work and has transferred the success of Mr. Swallow to the small screen as a regular face in Dictionary Corner on Cats Does Countdown.

Prepare to be dazzled in The Very Best & Worst of Mr. Swallow as Swallow attempts to solve a Rubik’s cube, memorise a deck of playing cards and do some pretty horrendous maths while on roller-skates. Oh, plus the whole of Les Mis! This and countless more classic Mr. Swallow moments such as the one where he complains about eating a banana. 

Mr. Swallow said: “Just when I thought my little legs (and toes) couldn’t take it anymore, I’ve decided to don my skates FOR AN ENTIRE WEEK of shows at the Duke of Yorks in the hope that everyone in the UK has the opportunity to see this show at least twice. A million thanks to everyone who’s already seen it but frankly it’s not enough! Love and hugs.”

Nick has wowed audiences as Mr. Swallow multiple times on Channel 4’s Cats Does Countdown, with clips of his performances quickly going viral. Viewing figures for the clip of Mr. Swallow’s rendition of Jurassic Park stand at over 9 million on Facebook whilst the clip of him memorising a deck of playing cards has been viewed over 12 million times!

Aside from Mr. Swallow, Nick Mohammed is a two-time Emmy-nominated actor, comedian and writer who stars as the regular fan-favourite role of Nate in Apple TV+’s smash-hit, multi award-winning series – Ted Lasso – opposite Jason Sudeikis, Brett Goldstein and Hannah Waddingham. Seasons One and Two were hugely critically acclaimed, showered with awards and nominations and beloved by audiences globally and Season Three concludes this week. The show received an astonishing 20 Emmy nominations (the most for a comedy and the second year they’ve achieved that) including Nick’s second nomination for Outstanding Supporting Actor In A Comedy Series.

Nick was also recently nominated for Best Supporting Actor in a Streaming Comedy Series at the Hollywood Critics Choice Award and the key cast were also nominated for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series at the 2021 Screen Actors Guild Awards, with the show itself winning Best Comedy Series at the Critics’ Choice awards along with a nomination for Best TV Series – Musical or Comedy at the Golden Globes. This year Nick will also be awarded the Actor Award for Television as part of the Critics’ Choice Association’s Celebration of Asian and Pacific Cinema and Television.

Nick also created, wrote, executive produced and co-starred, alongside David Schwimmer, in Sky’s hit show Intelligence which has gone on to have a feature length episode alongiside two critically acclaimed series with The Wall Street Journal calling it “Frequently hilarious… Intelligence goes rollicking along, with much to commend it, chiefly its wit and energy”. For his role Nick was also nominated for an RTS Award for Comedy Performance.

Nick recently shot a lead role in the upcoming feature film Maggie Moore(s), opposite co-stars Jon Hamm and Tina Fey, with John Slattery directing. It will be released later in 2023.

His other recent TV and film credits include Sky’s Christmas hit film Roald and Beatrix, Ridley Scott’s The Martian, box office smash Bridget Jones’ Baby, and The Ab Fab Movie. He voiced Piglet in Disney’s live action feature Christopher Robin and will voice Dr. Fry in Aardman’s upcoming feature Chicken Run: Dawn of the Nugget. He has featured in a host of TV comedies including the regular role of Anthony Stappan in Channel Four’s BAFTA-winning series Stath Lets Flats, HBO and Sky’s Sally4Ever, Sky’s Camping and the BBC’s Uncle, Inside No. 9 and This Time with Alan Partridge.

Nick is also a successful radio broadcaster. Following the success of his hit BBC Radio 4 debut Quarters he went on to write and record Nick Mohammed In Bits, Apollo 21 and most recently two series of Detective Sergeant Nick Mohammed.

He is an Associate of the Inner Magic Circle and author of The Young Magicians series of children’s books published by Penguin Random House.

Twitter: @nickmohammed | Instagram: @nickmohammedy

Praise for The Very Best and Worst of Mr. Swallow:
“there’s scarcely a dull moment in this one-off comic masterclass” ★★★★ The Times

” It’s pure entertainment and genuinely impressive to boot.” ★★★★ The Telegraph

“Impressive… Why he’s on roller-skates is anyone’s guess.”★★★★ The Guardian

“A bona fide hoot… superb”★★★★ Evening Standard

“A brilliant comic creation… you may end up with a pain in your side or sore face muscles from laughing so hard”★★★★★ Broadway World

“Hilarious… Chaos that is carefully, craftily cultivated”★★★★★ The Reviews Hub

LISTINGS:

SEPTEMBER 2023                                

05.09.23                LONDON, DUKE OF YORK’S THEATRE                           8pm      

06.09.23                LONDON, DUKE OF YORK’S THEATRE                           8pm

07.09.23                LONDON, DUKE OF YORK’S THEATRE                           7pm and 9.30pm

08.09.23                LONDON, DUKE OF YORK’S THEATRE                           7pm and 9.30pm

09.09.23                LONDON, DUKE OF YORK’S THEATRE                           5pm and 8pm

UK TOUR DATES ANNOUNCED FOR

★★★★★

One of the Best Musicals of the Century
The Times

Come From Away, the multi award-winning ‘Best Musical’ across the globe, announces dates and venues for its first ever tour of the UK and Ireland. This critically acclaimed show comes direct from the West End where it celebrated over 1000 performances and played to more than 850,000 people at the Phoenix Theatre.

As previously announced, the tour will open in Leicester in February 2024. The production will then perform in Liverpool, Cardiff, Plymouth, Southampton, Oxford, Leeds, Birmingham, Hull, Belfast, Ipswich, Sheffield, Newcastle, Bristol, Aberdeen, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Nottingham, Wimbledon, Norwich, Wolverhampton, Milton Keynes, and Salford, with further dates to be announced.

For full schedule, information and to be first in line for tickets please go to comefromawaylondon.co.uk

Winner of Best New Musical across the globe, Come From Away shares the incredible real-life story of the 7,000 air passengers from all over the world who were grounded in Canada during the wake of 9/11, and the small Newfoundland community that invited these ‘come from aways’ into their lives.

★★★★★

This miraculous masterpiece is totally, soul-feedingly wonderful
Time Out

Experience the joyous story and soaring music as spirited locals and global passengers come together and forge friendships that will stay with them forever. The first female American Airlines captain, the quick-thinking town mayor, the mother of a New York firefighter and the eager local news reporter are among the many real characters caught at the start of the moment that changed the course of history, and whose stories became a true celebration of hope, humanity, and unity.

The international hit musical has celebrated record-breaking engagements in the West End, on Broadway, in Canada, throughout Australia, and on a 60-city North American Tour.

Casting for the UK and Ireland tour of Come From Away is still to be announced.

The Come From Away Creative team include Irene Sankoff and David Hein (Book, Music and Lyrics), Christopher Ashley (Director), Kelly Devine (Musical Staging), Ian Eisendrath (Music Supervision and Arrangements), Beowulf Boritt (Scenic Design), Toni-Leslie James (Costume Design), Howell Binkley (Lighting Design), Gareth Owen (Sound Design), David Brian Brown (Hair Design), August Eriksmoen (Orchestrations), Pippa Ailion CDG and Natalie Gallacher CDG (Casting), Tara Overfield Wilkinson (Associate Director), and Richard Hinds (Associate Choreographer).

Come From Away is produced in the UK by Junkyard Dog Productions and Smith & Brant Theatricals.

LEEDS HERITAGE THEATRES LAUNCHES NEW ACCESSIBLE PERFORMANCES FUND

• LEEDS HERITAGE THEATRES AIMS TO MAKE THEATRE FOR ALL THROUGH NEW ACCESSIBLE PERFORMANCES FUND
• £30,000 NEEDED TO PROVIDE AT LEAST ONE OF EACH TYPE OF ACCESSIBLE PERFORMANCE FOR EVERY WEEK-LONG PRODUCTION

As part of its commitment to ‘Theatre for All’, Leeds Heritage Theatres is launching an Accessible Performances Fund, hoping to raise £30,000 by Thursday 31 August 2023.

Following a generous legacy donation of £5,000, the organisation is using this to start a fund that will directly help to increase the number of Access performances across its venues, including at least one of each type of Accessible performance for all week-long productions at Leeds Grand Theatre.

Leeds Heritage Theatres statement: “We believe that the arts and culture can change lives, improve well-being, and remind us of what connects us as humans. We want everyone to experience and benefit from the shared connection of live performances, screenings, and events but we know there’s more we need to do to make this happen and we need your help.”

Accessible performances are those which have additional elements to support audience members with access requirements. Leeds Heritage Theatres offers several types of Accessible performances including Audio Described, Signed, Captioned and Relaxed.

Audio Described performances have the option of a live commentary to describe the action onstage for patrons with visual impairments. Before some Audio Described performances, Touch Tours may also be available for blind or partially sighted audience members to explore the stage and set, and can include handling selected props, costumes and scenery for familiarisation purposes.

Audio description massively improves how blind or visually impaired audience members experience performances. Tmara Senior, an audience member who has been blind since birth said: “Audio Described performances mean that as a totally blind person you can laugh when everyone else is laughing, cry when other people are crying. In short, the totally blind person can have the same theatre experience as any sighted person can. You don’t have to guess what is happening on the stage or wonder why everyone around you is laughing or what they are laughing at.”

During signed performances, trained BSL interpreters will stand in view of the audience to interpret the show live while it is being performed.

During Captioned performances, the dialogue is shown on screens at the front of the auditorium as it is spoken. Alice, an audience member with hearing loss said: “I have only ever managed to see one theatre performance with captions…and it completely changed my engagement with it and I enjoyed myself so much more!”

Leeds Heritage Theatres has invested in new captioning equipment through a grant but to pay the specially trained staff to deliver one of each of these types of interpretation in a week costs £2,000.

Relaxed performances have a more informal atmosphere particularly aimed to welcome those with sensory difficulties or autism. Performances remain the same but with small adjustments such as the house lights in the auditorium remaining on, loud noises being softened, and audience members being free to leave and re-enter.

Leeds Heritage Theatres is asking supporters to kindly donate to help improve the Access performances offering for audience members with visual impairments or who are D/deaf or hard of hearing.

To find out more about the Accessible Performances Fund, visit www.leedsheritagetheatres.com/theatre-for-all/.

Hull New Theatre – until 3rd June 2023

Reviewed by Dawn Bennett

5*****

Titanic The Musical (presented by Danielle Tarento in association with Mayflower Theatre, Southampton and Harmonia) got a very deserved standing ovation at Hull New Theatre last night.

The story of the ill-fated RMS Titanic, the White Star Lines luxury liner, is very well documented. The “un sinkable” ship did the unthinkable and sank on 15th April 1912 on its maiden voyage to New York, after hitting an iceberg, with a loss of over 1500 people.

Based on the book by Peter Stone the musical tells the story of the journey of the liner from the view of the passengers and crew, from the 3rd class steerage passengers looking for a new life in America, the 2nd class passengers begin able to afford a holiday and some also looking for a new life and the 1st class passengers enjoying the opulence and grandeur on the White Star Lines brand new, ultra-modern ship.

In the first half of the show, we meet the passengers and find out why they are on board, we see them enjoying parties, see them happy and looking forward to arriving in America. Also, we saw the crew, some on their first voyage and some on their last before retiring. I felt uneasy watching them knowing, how soon, disaster would befall the liner. We could only imagine what the people went through when the ship hit the iceberg and knowing, that for some, there was no hope.

In the second half we see the aftermath of the collision and how it suddenly dawns on everyone how big the unfolding tragedy is.

You would think that this could make this production depressing or sad but Titanic The Musical is an absolutely beautiful piece of theatre. The score for this musical is outstanding (music and lyrics by Maury Yeston) played by the wonderful band (Thomas Leate, Bridget Mansfield, Gemma Connor, Jack Cherry and Craig Apps led by Musical Director Ben Papworth). I found it impossible to single anyone in the cast as they were all just brilliant, they were obviously very well-rehearsed and looked to be enjoying every minute. Their singing and acting was sublime and their movement around the stage was breath-taking.

This show is something not to be missed, it is a thought provoking, heart-breaking true story brought to life by this amazing production.

Leeds Grand Theatre – until Sunday 4 June 2023

Reviewed by Dawn Smallwood

4****

Opera North, Phoenix Dance Theatre and two South African companies, Jazzart Dance Theatre and Cape Town Opera, collaborate ON Requiem, Journeys of the Soul. Opera North and Phoenix Dance Theatre. They have previously collaborated back in 2021 on West Side Story Symphonic Dances and the idea of doing Mozart’s Requiem arose then.

The programme begins with Requiem (Mass for the Dead, K626) which was composed by Mozart up to his death and was completed by Franz Xaver Süssmayr in 1792. Franz Von Walsegg originally commissioned Requiem to commemorate the first anniversary of his wife’s death. Mozart’s Requiem is extremely popular and universally links to mourning by anyone anywhere and have given other composers impetus to make requiems after tragic events.

The second piece of work in the double bill, Neo Muyanga’s After Tears (After a Requiem) is next performed. The contemporary piece of work is having its world premiere and links to new and existing traditions with experiences of loss in South Africa. This vibrant and colourful piece also emphasises the need to move forward collectively and after loss. Dane Hurst, the director and choreographer, discusses the roots of this work which goes back to the Covid-19 pandemic where numerous emotions were triggered particularly with the loss and sorrow. Hurst feels it is appropriate to stage this work in response to this.

A multicultural cast, singers, and dancers, from the four companies, perform to Mozart’s sublimely ingenious Requiem and Muyanga’s After Tears through song and contemporary dance, which triggers feelings evocatively and profoundly, to present post-modem contexts. It is certainly very well put together and all supported with the Chorus of Opera North and under the baton of Garry Walker.

Requiem: Journeys of the Soul, through these excellent works, resonates with regards to remembering and reviving the next steps. Opera North, Phoenix Dance Theatre, Jazzart Dance Theatre and Cape Town Opera have successfully staged this international collaboration with contemporary dancing and soulful singing to moving music. Both works are creatively supported with ambient staging and visuals courtesy of Joanna Parker and Peter Mumford