Aylesbury Waterside Theatre – Sunday 12 February 2023

Reviewed by Sue Portman

5*****

I don’t do tribute bands – at least I didn’t, but I was aware of this band and heard very good noises about them. I have loved Pink Floyd since I was a kid (who hasn’t?) and although my husband saw them live at the London Docklands, I never did.

The thing is, you simply cannot beat live music, and if I want to hear Floyd ‘live’ I need to go where the action is. The world doesn’t stop turning just because they refuse to tour.

Pink Floyd were formed back in 1965 and we have since lost the genius of Syd Barrett and Rick Wright. Roger Waters and Dave Gilmour simply don’t get on and we’ll not see them perform again. The great thing about their music in my view is that it is timeless and as relevant today as it has always been. Dark Side of The Moon is the third best selling album of all time, and with albums such as The Wall, Animals and Wish You Were Here the mighty Floyd have given humanity an everlasting gift.

The UK Pink Floyd Experience are now in their 17th year and were founded by David Power who was a schoolboy in 1973 when Dark Side was released and it seduced him immediately. I was wondering though how they could please so many Floyd fans? You cannot play their
catalogue in a couple of hours. It was testament to the skill and experience of the band then that they managed to cover a good many favourites, playing excerpts to please the happy throng who were sat glued to their seats at the Waterside Theatre.

It seems appropriate to provide the set list – or at least I am pretty sure
this was the set list.
In the Flesh
The Dogs of War
Seeing Emily Play
Shine on You Crazy Diamond Parts 1 – V
The Great Gig in the Sky
One of These Days
Sorrow
Wish You Were Here
Brain Damage/Eclipse
Interval
Pigs on The Wing
Echoes
Hey You
Young Lust
Money
Keep Talking
Mother
Happiest Days / Another Brick in the Wall Part 2
Comfortably Numb

The songs were played with an astonishing professionalism and as the light and sound filled the theatre I let myself go in the moment – now I know why they put the word ‘experience’ in the band.

Let me attend immediately to the players, fretting and strutting their stuff about the stage.

Emma Street’s vocals on The Great Gig In The Sky was sensational in every sense of the word. I mean, it is the best that I have ever heard, and I include the DVD’s I have seen of the actual band. What a gift of a voice. Not many would even dare to try to carry that off but I could listen to it again and again. It is this that separates humans from other animals – the ability to deliver something so beautiful, so unforgettable that you want to bottle it forever. I rather think that the original Floyd ladies should do a tribute to her!

Francesco Borrelli, the Italian on drums was bang in rhythm, leading the band from the back, so to speak. Sometimes gentle and other times frenetic he demonstrated a skill, doubtless honed over thousands of hours of practice. Great timing, he kept the band tight, and with a smile too.

David Power is obviously the ‘father’ of the band and he managed to enjoy the limelight himself, but defer to his band mates to give them their moment also. That’s testament to the man, I suspect. He has nothing to prove, after all. He had a lovely, easy going rapport with the audience, and I felt as if the band were playing just for me at times. He is an awesome bass player and as he filled the hall with that deep thumping resonance that Echoes brings I was literally on the edge of my seat, drawn in as the track built steadily, then soared majestically. Oh, it was wonderful.

Mike Bollard was first-class on guitars, stepping in and out of the gaze of the spotlight, clearly enjoying himself, and when there was a technical hitch late in the second set, he calmly and ably rectified it and played on.

David Power and the audience agreed that this is what makes ‘live’ music so personal – things can go wrong, but so what? The audience were with the band and happy to wait for them to go again and do it as they would have wanted to.

I enjoyed watching Rick Benbow on the keyboard, clearly having a whale of a time with his fingers flying around the keyboard in a blur of activity. How does he remember all those notes? His enthusiasm was infectious and I smiled and relaxed sitting as I was way up in the gods near the back of the theatre.

Paul Andrews was front and centre on lead guitar and vocals. In a way who on earth would try to stand in front of an audience and replicate Dave Gilmour’s guitar work? Well he did, and he did it extremely well and in his own style – well done. At times I was lost in his fretwork – especially during Comfortably Numb. The best compliment I can give him is at times I simply enjoyed the music and it could have been Gilmour himself. Andrews is no replicant however, and I reiterate that he stamped his own mark on the songs, weaving and bending like a dandelion in the wind as he drew the best out of his guitar.

Jo Paterson-Neild played a massive role on Tenor and Saxophone and once again we had another band member who has mastered her craft playing beautiful soaring notes on an instrument that I have always loved. There are parts in Floyd’s music where the Sax makes the whole thing come together and she weaved her magic powerfully and confidently. Superb.

When David Power introduced the band he also quite rightly mentioned the lighting and sound engineers and thanked the staff at the Waterside and the audience. Nice touch – duly noted.

The video images on the screen behind the band were very apt, with various politicians, dictators and other ne’er do wells being shown during Money and Dogs of War. Social injustice was vividly portrayed with the have’s and the have-nots of the world. Millionaire politicians on the one hand and street children with little hope on the other. It is truly thought provoking as it is meant to be, accentuating as it does the mindlessness of humanity. The lighting was clever, especially around the video screen and I didn’t mind the fact that one errant green light kept on shining in my eyes at the back of theatre. The synchronicity between the mixing desk, the band playing, the visuals on screen, the lights and sound effects must have taken a very long time to hone and they have it spot
on – so well done again.

As individuals they are all excellent musicians. However, this does not always mean that collectively a band will gel, but there was no fear of that here. The whole was as good as if not greater than the sum of its parts. Like a Mozart symphony that would be ruined if there were one note too many or too few, so this band should retain this line up and keep doing what they do best – delivering Pink Floyd music to their fans.

Shine On You Crazy Diamond made me cry (we buried a lifelong friend to that during Covid) and the The Great Gig brought me out in goose bumps.

Watching the band cruise through the songs with energy and obvious passion brought back many memories over a lifetime. People, places and experiences all seem to have a Pink Floyd Connection.

Is there anything can be picky about? Not really. Certainly not in terms of the band and the delivery. I would say that I was a tad disappointed in the quality of the £10 programme in that I think some of the images don’t do the band or the experience justice but that’s being a bit pedantic. It’s just my view. I played the CD when I got home – one that they made during Covid-19 lockdown, and I am so glad they did. I now have something of permanence from this band.

The best compliment I can give to this band is not only that the ‘real’ Pink Floyd would be (and surely are) proud of them but that in so many ways these are not a tribute at all but a superb band in their own right, that plays tribute music, delivering a sublime mix of quality music that people still crave.

The bad news for many is – this was one night only. However, they said they will be back in 2024 and you’ll have to keep scrutinizing their web site for information. You can find that here: https://www.ukpinkfloydexperience.com/

My final comment then is this. Rather aptly the final track they played for us was Comfortably Numb and that’s precisely how I felt when the lights faded and the smoke cleared. I drove home (with my programme and a CD) happy, impressed and most importantly wanting more!

I don’t award 5/5 very often (because there is always room for improvement) but I am clear, that in this case, it is totally justified.

Keep shining on, you crazy diamonds.

Shirley Valentine starring Sheridan Smith in Rehearsal

Images have been released today of SHIRLEY VALENTINE starring Sheridan Smith in rehearsal:

SHIRLEY VALENTINE is the joyous, life-affirming story of the woman who got lost in marriage and motherhood, the woman who wound up talking to the kitchen wall whilst cooking her husband’s chips and egg. But Shirley still has a secret dream. And in her bag, an airline ticket. One day she may just leave a note, saying: ‘Gone!  Gone to Greece.’

SHIRLEY VALENTINE is written by Willy Russell, directed by Matthew Dunster, designed by Paul Wills, with lighting design by Lucy Carter, sound design by Ian Dickinson for Autograph and is produced by David Pugh. 

SHIRLEY VALENTINE 

The Duke of York’s Theatre, St. Martin’s Lane, London, WC2N 4BG

From 17 February 2023 to 3 June 2023

www.atgtickets.com/shows/shirley-valentine/duke-of-yorks-theatre

Tickets are priced £20, £25, £45, £60, £75 with reduced price previews.

shirleyvalentineonstage.com

Instagram & Twitter – @ShirleyOnStage

FULL COMPANY ANNOUNCED

FOR 10^th ANNIVERSARY UK TOUR OF

TITANIC THE MUSICAL

REHEARSALS BEGIN TODAY

16 March – 29 July 2023

Rehearsals began today (Monday 13 February 2023) for the Tony Award-winning Titanic The Musical which embarks on a tour of the UK from 16 March 2023.  

Presented by Danielle Tarento in association with Mayflower Theatre, Southampton, Harmonia, Bruce Robert Harris and Jack W Batman, the production will open at the Churchill Theatre in Bromley on 16 March 2023, 10 years since it made its critically acclaimed debut at Southwark Playhouse in London.

The cast is:  Martin Allanson (J. Bruce Ismay), Valda Akiks (Ida Straus), Graham Bickley (Captain Edward Smith), Sam Brown (Frederick Fleet), James Darch (Edgar Beane), David Delve (Isidor Straus), Catherine Digges (Head Maid), Adam Filipe (Frederick Barrett), Emily George (Kate Murphy), Luke Harley (Andrew Latimer), Emma Harrold (Lady Caroline Neville), Alastair Hill (Harold Bride), Abi Hudson (Maid), Barnaby Hughes (Herbert Pitman/Henry Etches), Paul Kemble (Joseph Boxhall), Niamh Long (Kate Mullins), Matthew McDonald (Charles Clarke), Ian McLarnon (Thomas Andrews), Danny Michaels (Joseph Bell), Chris Nevin (Jim Farrell), Jack North (Charles Lightoller), Joseph Peacock (Bellboy/Wallace Hartley), Billy Roberts (William McMaster Murdoch), Bree Smith (Alice Beane) and Lucie-Mae Summer (Kate McGowan).   Cast biographies be downloaded here.

Following it’s launch in Bromley,  the tour will go on tothe Grand Theatre, Blackpool, Newcastle Theatre Royal, Grand Opera House, Belfast, Mayflower Theatre, Southampton, Birmingham Hippodrome, Regent Theatre, Stoke-on-Trent, Norwich Theatre Royal, Cardiff New Theatre,  Nottingham Theatre Royal, Wycombe Swan, Hull New Theatre, Hall for Cornwall, Truro, Everyman Theatre, Cheltenham, Edinburgh Festival Theatre, The Orchard Theatre Dartford, The Lowry in Salford, New Victoria Theatre in Woking, and Sheffield Lyceum and Liverpool Empire Theatre, completing the tour on 29 July 2023.

Producer Danielle Tarento said ‘We are so excited to have our brilliant new cast together to begin rehearsals for this 10th anniversary production. After the couple of years that we’ve all lived through, to be able to mark this anniversary by revisiting some favourite venues from the last tour and also bringing the show to some wonderful new ones feels especially joyful’.

In the final hours of 14th April 1912, the RMS Titanic, on her maiden voyage from Southampton to New York, collided with an iceberg and ‘the unsinkable ship’ slowly sank. It was one of the most tragic disasters of the 20th Century. 1517 men, women and children lost their lives.

Based on real people aboard the most legendary ship in the world, Titanic The Musical is a stunning and stirring production focusing on the hopes, dreams and aspirations of her passengers who each boarded with stories and personal ambitions of their own. All innocently unaware of the fate awaiting them, the Third Class immigrants’ dream of a better life in America, the Second Class imagine they too can join the lifestyles of the rich and famous, whilst the millionaire Barons of the First Class anticipate legacies lasting forever. 

With music and lyrics by Maury Yeston (Nine, Grand Hotel) and a book by Peter Stone (Woman of the Year and 1776), the pair have collectively won an Academy Award, an Emmy Award, an Olivier Award and three Tony awards.

The original Broadway production of Titanic The Musical won five Tony Awards including Best Musical, Best Score and Best Book. This new production celebrates the 10th anniversary of its London premiere where it won sweeping critical acclaim across the board.

The director is Thom Southerland, the set and costume designer is David Woodhead, the lighting designer is Howard Hudson, the sound designer is Andrew Johnson, musical staging is by Cressida Carré, musical supervision is by Mark Aspinall and new musical arrangements are by Ian Weinberger. 

www.TitanicTheMusical.co.uk 

Twitter: @TitanicOnTour

TITANIC

THE MUSICAL

TOUR DATES  – 2023

16 – 18 March                                  

Churchill Theatre, Bromley     

20 -25 March                                    

Grand Theatre, Blackpool

27 March – 1 April                          

Newcastle Theatre Royal 

4 – 8 April                                           

Grand Opera House, Belfast

11 – 15 April                                       

Mayflower Theatre, Southampton

18 – 22 April                                       

Birmingham Hippodrome 

24 -29 April                                        

Regent Theatre, Stoke-on-Trent

1 – 6 May                                             

Norwich Theatre Royal                        

9 – 13 May                                          

New Theatre, Cardiff     

15 – 20 May                                     

Nottingham Theatre Royal          

22 – 27 May                                      

Wycombe Swan      

29 May – 3 June                             

Hull New Theatre

5 -10 June                                           

Hall for Cornwall, Truro

13 -17  June                                    

Everyman Theatre, Cheltenham

19 – 24 June                                   

Festival Theatre, Edinburgh                     

27 June – 1 July                              

Orchard Theatre, Dartford   

4 – 8 July                                             

The Lowry, Salford

10-15 July                                           

New Victoria Theatre, Woking

18 – 22 July                                      

Sheffield Lyceum    

24 – 29 July                                        

Empire Theatre, Liverpool 

FULL CASTING ANNOUNCED

FOR THE

TONY AWARD-WINNING BROADWAY MUSICAL

AT THE

PRINCE EDWARD THEATRE

FROM 31 MARCH 2023

Full casting has been announced for the West End premiere of the smash hit Tony Award-winning Broadway musical AIN’T TOO PROUD, opening at the Prince Edward Theatre from Friday 31 March 2023. ainttooproudmusical.co.uk

Joining the previously announced Cameron Bernard Jones as Melvin Franklin, Kyle Cox as Paul Williams, Sifiso Mazibuko as Otis Williams, Tosh Wanogho-Maud as David Ruffin and Mitchell Zhangazha as Eddie Kendricks will be Evonnee Bentley-Holder, Natalia Brown, Ryan Carter, Hannah Fairclough, Christopher Gopaul, Daniel Haswell, Naomi Katiyo, Akmed Junior Khemalai, Holly Liburd, Darnell Mathew-James, Simeon Montague, Posi Morakinyo, Sadie-Jean Shirley, Michael James Stewart, Toyan Thomas-Browne, Dylan Turner and Kevin Yates.

Cameron Bernard Jones’ theatre credits include Punchdrunk’s The Burnt City, the titular role in The Wiz at the Hope Mill Theatre, South Pacific at the Chichester Festival Theatre and Tina The Musical and Motown The Musical both in the West End, the latter in which he also played the role of Melvin Franklin.

Kyle Cox most recently appeared in Elf at the Dominion Theatre. His additional theatre credits include the role of Wyatt in Crazy For You at the Chichester Festival Theatre, and a workshop production of Halls: The Musical at the Turbine Theatre.

Sifiso Mazibuko’s theatre credits include the role of Aaron Burr in Hamilton at the Victoria Palace Theatre, as well as Malindadzimu at the Hampstead Theatre and Motown The Musical in the West End.

Tosh Wanogho-Maud’s theatre credits include the role of Ben E King/ Rudy Lewis in The Drifter’s Girl at the Garrick Theatre, Jimmy Early in Dreamgirls at the Savoy Theatre, Joe in Show Boat at the Gillian Lynne Theatre, Mutumbo in The Book of Mormon at the Prince of Wales Theatre, Young Simba in The Lion King at the Lyceum Theatre and Winston in Whistle Down the Wind at the Aldwych Theatre.

Mitchell Zhangazha’s most recently appeared in Dolly Parton’s Smoky Mountain Christmas Carol at the Southbank Centre’s Queen Elizabeth Hall. His other theatre credits include Dear Evan Hansen at the Noel Coward Theatre, for which he won the Black British Theatre Award 2022 for Best Understudy/Swing in a Theatre Production, Back to the Future at the Manchester Opera House, Motown The Musical at the Shaftesbury Theatre, The Lion King at the Lyceum Theatre, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang at the London Palladium, Caroline or Change at the National Theatre, Porgy and Bess at the Savoy Theatre, Oliver! at the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane, and Young Michael Jackson in Thriller Live at the Lyric Theatre and on tour.

AIN’T TOO PROUD – The Life and Times of The Temptations, which won the 2019 Tony Award for Best Choreography, is the electrifying new musical that follows the remarkable journey of the group from the streets of Detroit to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. With their signature dance moves and unmistakable harmonies, they rose to the top of the charts creating an amazing 42 Top Ten Hits with 14 reaching number one. The rest is history – how they met, how they rose, the ground-breaking heights they hit, and how personal and political conflicts threatened to tear the group apart as the United States fell into civil unrest. This thrilling story of brotherhood, family, loyalty and betrayal is set to the beat of the group’s Grammy Award-winning music including the hits My Girl, Just My Imagination, Papa Was a Rollin’ Stone, Get Ready, Ain’t Too Proud to Beg and so many more.

AIN’T TOO PROUD has a book by Kennedy Prize-winning playwright Dominique Morisseau and reunites two-time Tony Award winning director Des McAnuff with Tony and Olivier Award winning choreographer Sergio Trujilio, whose previous collaborations include the Tony Award winning hit show Jersey Boys. It has Scenic Design by Tony Award nominee Robert Brill with Costume Design by Tony Award winner Paul Tazewell. Tony Award winning Lighting Designer Howell Binkley and Tony Award winning Sound Designer Steve Canyon Kennedy united once again following their success working together on Jersey Boys. Projection Design is by Drama Desk Award winner Peter Nigrini, Hair and Wig Design by Charles G. LaPointe. Music Supervision and Arrangements are by Kenny Seymour, Orchestrations by Drama Desk Award winner Harold Wheeler, Music Direction by Matt Smith and Casting by Pippa Ailion CDG and Natalie Gallacher CDG.

The Temptations are often referred to as American Music Royalty, with an expansive catalogue of hit songs and an ongoing prolific six-decade career. Ranked Number One in Billboard Magazine’s recent list of ‘Greatest R&B/Hip Hop Artists of All Time’, the group were also named one of Rolling Stone magazine’s ‘100 Greatest Artists of All Time’.  “My Girl,” released in December 1964, was The Temptations’ first #1 charted record and sold millions of copies. “My Girl” was inducted into The Grammy Hall of Fame in 1998 and in 2018 it was entered into the National Recording Registry by the Library of Congress. It has become a standard now. The Temptations have over 50 gold, platinum and multi-platinum awards all combined, and also have been awarded five Grammy® Awards, including the Recording Academy’s Lifetime Achievement Grammy® Award. They won Motown’s (and their) first ever GRAMMY in 1969 for Best Rhythm and Blues Performance by a Duo or Group for their song “Cloud Nine.” In 1989 The Temptations were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, and their songs “Just My Imagination”, “Papa was a Rollin’ Stone” and “My Girl” are among the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame’s ‘500 Songs That Shaped Rock and Roll.’ In 1994 The Temptations were given a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in Los Angeles, California and in 2019 a star on the Apollo Theater’s Walk of Fame in Harlem, New York City. Still helmed by founding member, Otis Williams, The Temptations celebrate their 60^th Anniversary with a brand-new album, Temptations 60, available now.

AIN’T TOO PROUD is produced in the West End by Ira Pittelman, Tom Hulce, Stephen Gabriel and Jamie Wilson.

THE ACCLAIMED WEST END PRODUCTION OF
THE LION, THE WITCH AND THE WARDROBE
ROARS INTO BIRMINGHAM REP THIS CHRISTMAS

Based on the novel by C.S. Lewis. Presented by Birmingham Rep in association with Elliott & Harper Productions and Catherine Schreiber.

Birmingham Rep have announced that the smash-hit production of C.S. Lewis’ classic, The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe will roar into The Rep this Christmas direct from London’s West End from Tue 14 Nov 2023 – Sun 28 Jan 2024.

Tickets are now on sale at birmingham-rep.co.uk with 25% off Adult & Child tickets if booked by Sun 26 Feb 2023.

The production played to packed houses at The Gillian Lynne Theatre in London’s West End in 2022 and was seen by a quarter of a million people on its previous nineteen-week tour of the UK and Ireland.

The Rep’s Artistic Director, Sean Foley said; “The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe is a wondrous and beloved family tale – The Rep is delighted to be presenting this acclaimed, sensational production of C.S Lewis’s classic story to the city this Christmas.

“This spectacular show brings the snowy world of Narnia to magical life, with amazing stagecraft, astounding large-scale puppets, and live on-stage music and song. The production is a thrilling theatrical experience for all ages. 

“The Rep is the home of the very best of family theatre over the festive period – following our record-breaking run of Nativity! The Musical, we look forward to welcoming audiences to another truly magical experience”

Step through the wardrobe into the magical kingdom of Narnia for the most mystical of adventures in a faraway land. Join Lucy, Edmund, Susan and Peter as they wave goodbye to wartime Britain and say hello to Mr Tumnus, the talking Faun; Aslan, the unforgettable Lion and the coldest, cruellest White Witch.

With magical storytelling, bewitching stagecraft and incredible puppets, The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe is guaranteed to delight audiences of all ages.

The show is directed by Michael Fentiman, based on the original production by Sally Cookson.

C.S. Lewis’ book (published by HarperCollins) has been engrossing readers young and old for over 70 years, has sold 85 million copies in 60 languages and is one of the top ten best-selling books of all time. More information about C.S. Lewis from www.narnia.com.

The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe runs at Birmingham Rep from Tue 14 Nov 2023 – Sun 28 Jan 2024. To book tickets visit Birmingham-rep.co.uk, call 0121 236 4455 or visit the box office during opening hours.*

Birmingham Rep presents The Lion, The Witch And The Wardrobe
Based on the novel by C.S. Lewis
In association with Elliott & Harper Productions and Catherine Schreiber
First performed at Leeds Playhouse in 2017

REGENT’S PARK OPEN AIR THEATRE ANNOUNCES PRINCIPAL CASTING AND CREATIVE TEAM FOR OPENING 2023 SEASON MUSICAL

ONCE ON THIS ISLAND

·      GABRIELLE BROOKS TO PLAY TI MOUNE AND STEPHENSON ARDERN-SODJE TO PLAY DANIEL

·      DIRECTED BY OLA INCE WITH CHOREOGRAPHY BY KENRICK ‘H2O’ SANDY,

DESIGN BY GEORGIA LOWE, AND COSTUME DESIGN BY MELISSA SIMON-HARTMAN

Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre have today announced principal casting for their forthcoming production of the Tony and Olivier Award-winning musical Once On This Island (10 May-10 June, press night 17 May 2023), along with the creative team.

Gabrielle Brooks (Get Up Stand Up! The Bob Marley Musical, Olivier Award Nomination) will play the central role of Ti Moune with Stephenson Ardern-Sodje (Hamilton) as Daniel.

Full casting will be announced in due course.

Directed by Ola Ince, Once On This Island has a book and lyrics by Lynn Ahrens and music by Stephen Flaherty, and is based on the novel My Love, My Love by Rosa Guy. The original West End production won Best New Musical at the Olivier Awards when it premiered in 1995 and the most recent Broadway revival won the Tony Award for Best Musical Revival in 2018.

The creative team also includes Phil Bateman (Musical Supervisor), Niamh Gaffney (Associate Sound Designer), Jessica Hung Han Yun (Lighting Designer), Niquelle LaTouche (Associate Choreographer), Nick Lidster (Sound Designer), Georgia Lowe (Designer), Lindsay McAllister (Associate Director), Philip d’Orléans (Fight Director), Chris Poon (Musical Director), Kenrick ‘H2O’ Sandy (Choreographer), Melissa Simon-Hartman (Costume Designer) and Jacob Sparrow (Casting Director).

Astory of love, grief, faith and hope, Once On This Island tells of peasant girl Ti Moune, a boy called Daniel, and a union that prejudice forbids. Against the heat of the Caribbean sun and destruction of tropical storms, can Ti Moune settle the wager of the Gods, and prove that love is more powerful than death? 

Director Ola Ince said:

“Once on this island is a poignant, moving and politically charged story. I’m thrilled to be working with an extraordinary talented team at Regent Park’s Open Air Theatre; a place where true magic happens. It’s a dream come true!”

Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre’s 2023 season also includes Ben Okri’s Every Leaf A Hallelujah (22 May – 10 June), adapted by Chinonyerem Odimba for ages 4+ and their families, performed on the Theatre Lawn. Robin Hood: The Legend. Re-written (17 June – 22 July) written by Carl Grose andcommissioned by Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre with direction by Melly Still. The Tempest re-imagined for everyone aged six and over (30 June – 22 July), revised and directed by Jennifer Tang in a co-production with the Unicorn Theatre. Musical La Cage aux Folles (29 July – 16 September),directed by Artistic Director Timothy Sheader with a book by Harvey Fierstein, music and lyrics by Jerry Herman, andbased on the play by Jean Poiret. Finally, this summer, Nicoll Entertainment’s Dinosaur World Live (11 August – 3 September) returns to the Open Air Theatre, written and directed by Derek Bond.

Tickets for Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre 2023 are now on sale www.openairtheatre.com.

PRIORITY SIGN UP FOR

CAMERON MACKINTOSH’S “EXTRAORDINARY MUSICAL CELEBRATION”

STEPHEN SONDHEIM’S

O L D   F R I E N D S

‘A GREAT BIG BROADWAY SHOW’

STARRING BROADWAY LEGEND BERNADETTE PETERS MAKING HER BRITISH STAGE DEBUT AND THE RETURN OF LEA SALONGA TO THE LONDON STAGE AFTER 27 YEARS

PLUS AN ALL-STAR CAST

COMING TO THE GIELGUD THEATRE FOR ONLY 16 WEEKS FROM 16 SEPTEMBER 2023

WINNER OF THE 2023 WHATSONSTAGE BEST THEATRE EVENT AWARD

Following last night’s triumph at the 2023 Whatsonstage Awards when Old Friends won the Best Theatre Event Award, and the unforgettable all-star gala performance to celebrate the life and work of the great Stephen Sondheim at the theatre named after him in May 2022.  Stephen Sondheim’s Old Friends, devised and produced by Cameron Mackintosh,will open for 16 weeks only from 16 September 2023 – 6 January 2024 at the Gielgud Theatre with many of that Gala cast. Patrons can sign up for priority booking at sondheimoldfriends.com from today.  Tickets will go on sale on 22 February to priority bookers and DMT+ members, with a general on-sale on 27 February at 11am.

Old Friends all-star cast will again include Bernadette Peters who is appearing in a West End run for the first time in her legendary career and Lea Salonga who is appearing for the first time in 27 years.  Co-stars include several of the fabulous Gala company, including Christine Allado, Janie Dee, Bonnie Langford and Jeremy Secomb, joining them will be Beatrice Penny-Touré, Joanna Riding, and Jac Yarrow with further exciting casting to be announced soon.

Cameron Mackintosh said: “Old Friends began its journey to the West End in a conversation I had with Steve during our enforced pandemic isolation – ‘It’s time we did a third show’ said Steve, and complete the trilogy that started with Side-by-Side by Sondheim in the 1970s, followed by Putting It Together in the ‘90s. We commenced work on it but as theatres and shows started to reopen post Covid, we got distracted and then suddenly on Thanksgiving just over a year ago Steve sadly left us, leaving his extraordinary legacy of work to live on forever. Over Christmas ‘21 I put together all our thoughts, and inspired by the shows I had worked on with him and Julia McKenzie, and the desire to showcase his greatest music as well as his great lyrics, the material of Old Friends miraculously fell onto the page pretty much as it is. Thanks to a phenomenal Gala cast, the show proved to be the great celebration we all wanted for our friend and inspiration – performed in the Sondheim Theatre, which I had rebuilt and renamed in his honour. The response to both the show and the subsequent television version recently screened by the BBC over the New Year has been quite overwhelming, so I am thrilled that Broadway legend, Bernadette Peters, one of my favourite old friends, is going to reprise her brilliant performance in what is astonishingly going to be her British stage debut – to be joined by Lea Salonga, who of course became my youngest old friend, when she created a sensation at the age of 17, starring in the original Miss Saigon – this will be her first West End run since Les Misérables 27 years ago. Bernadette and Lea head a stellar cast of co-stars, many of whom also appeared in last year’s unforgettable Gala. Steve was always a Broadway Baby at heart, so I’m delighted that I have been able to put together one last great hurrah for my old friend, containing many of the greatest songs ever written for the musical theatre, in one ‘great big Broadway show’ – just as he wanted.”

The thrilling, joyously staged Gala of Stephen Sondheim’s Old Friends sold out within a couple of hours last year leaving thousands of disappointed fans unable to get tickets, so a simultaneous screening took place at the Prince Edward Theatre.  Now by popular demand, audiences will have another chance to see the never to be forgotten and one of the most talked about theatrical events of the year.  

Directed by Matthew Bourne, side by side with Julia McKenzie, with choreography by Stephen Mear, conducted by Alfonso Casado Trigo, musical supervision is by Stephen Brooker, musical arrangements by Stephen Metcalfe, set design by Matt Kinley, projection design by George Reeve, lighting design by Warren Letton and sound design by Mick Potter.

LISTINGS INFORMATION     

Theatre:                 Gielgud Theatre, Shaftesbury Ave, London W1D 6AR

Dates:                    16 September 2023 – 6 January 2024

Website:                 sondheimoldfriends.com

WINNERS ANNOUNCED FOR THE

23^RD ANNUAL WHATSONSTAGE AWARDS

1. WOMEN DOMINATE THE PERFORMING CATEGORIES WITH WINS FOR JODIE COMER, COURTNEY BOWMAN, LAUREN DREW, LUCIE JONES AND GWYNETH KEYWORTH
2. MY NEIGHBOUR TOTORO LEADS THE STRAIGHT PLAY CATEGORIES WITH 5 WINS INCLUDING BEST DIRECTION FOR PHELIM McDERMOTT
3. PRIMA FACIE WINS BEST NEW PLAY
4. BONNIE & CLYDE WINS BEST NEW MUSICAL AND BEST MUSICAL REVIVAL GOES TO OKLAHOMA!
5. NICA BURNS RECEIVES THE AWARD FOR SERVICES TO THEATRE

At a ceremony tonight at the Prince of Wales Theatre hosted by Courtney Bowman, Laurie Kynaston and Billy Luke Nevers, the winners of the 23^rd Annual WhatsOnStage Awards were announced – the only major theatre awards decided entirely by the theatregoers themselves and the first theatre awards to establish gender-neutral performance categories. Award presenters on the night included Jake Shears, George Takei, Bonnie Langford, Tracy-Ann Oberman, Arlene Phillips and Lisa Scott-Lee.

WhatsOnStage’s Sarah Coleman and Alex Wood said today, “Today’s awards demonstrate that our theatre industry is going from strength to strength, and with the continued support of our wonderful audiences, there has been another vibrant year of productions across the UK. We are proud to be the first theatre awards to introduce gender-neutral performance categories to honour our world-leading on-stage talent, and it is heartening to see the ongoing prevalence of new work in our theatres. Our thanks as ever go to the audiences who have remained with us, who have bought tickets, who have seen shows and who have decided our award winners from such a wellspring of creativity. All of us at WhatsOnStage look ahead with anticipation to another year of stories brought to life in our theatres.”

For the first ever gender-neutral performance categories, female performers triumphed with Courtney Bowman and Lauren Drew winning for Best Performer in a Musical and Best Supporting Performer in a Musical respectively for Legally Blonde, and Jodie Comer receiving Best Performer in a Play for her solo tour-de-force in Prima Facie. Best Supporting Performer in a Play went to Gwyneth Keyworth for her performance of Scout in To Kill a Mockingbird and Lucie Jones won Best Takeover for her turn as Elphaba in Wicked. For his performance in The Trials at the Donmar Warehouse, Joe Locke scored with Best Professional Debut.

The big winner of the night was the enchanting My Neighbour Totoro with 5 awards from 9 nominations, receiving Best Direction for Phelim McDermott, Best Set Design for Tom Pye and Basil Twist, Best Lighting Design for Jessica Hung Han Yun, Best Musical Direction or Supervision for Bruce O’Neil and Matt Smith and Best Sound Design for Tony Gayle.

The Best New Musical Award went to Bonnie & Clyde the Musical, while Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Oklahoma!, which previews in the West End from this week, won Best Musical Revival for its sell-out run at the Young Vic, while also winning Best Video Design for Joshua Thorson. In the straight play categories, the critically acclaimed Prima Facie, which opens on Broadway in the spring, won the prized Best New Play award, and Best Play Revival went to the West End première of Cockat the Ambassadors Theatre.

In the year that saw the opening of @sohoplace – the first new-build West End theatre in 50 years – producer and theatre owner Nica Burns was honoured with the Services to Theatre Award, in recognition of her extraordinary career and her unfailing commitment to the health of the theatre industry.

Homegrown hit musical SIX triumphed yet again in the Best West End Show category, picking up the prize for the third time; Curve Leicester’s production of Billy Elliot the Musical earned Best Regional Production, and Best Off-West End Production went to But I’m A Cheerleader: The Musical at The Turbine Theatre.

awards.whatsonstage.com

Twitter @WhatsOnStage #WOSAwards

Instagram @WhatsOnStage

THE NOMINEES IN FULL – WINNERS IN BOLD:

BEST PERFORMER IN A MUSICAL sponsored by TICKX                                

Courtney Bowman, Legally Blonde, Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre

Katie Brayben, Tammy Faye, Almeida Theatre

Divina De Campo, Hedwig and the Angry Inch, Leeds Playhouse and HOME Manchester

Jordan Luke Gage, Bonnie & Clyde the Musical, Arts Theatre

Frances Mayli McCann, Bonnie & Clyde the Musical, Arts Theatre

Charlie Stemp, Crazy for You, Chichester Festival Theatre

BEST SUPPORTING PERFORMER IN A MUSICAL sponsored by NEWMAN DISPLAYS                         

Jocasta Almgill, Grease, Dominion Theatre

Lauren Drew, Legally Blonde, Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre

Paul French, Grease, Dominion Theatre

Natalie McQueen, Bonnie & Clyde the Musical, Arts Theatre

John Owen-Jones, The Great British Bake Off Musical, Everyman Theatre, Cheltenham

Marisha Wallace, Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Oklahoma!, Young Vic

BEST PERFORMER IN A PLAY sponsored by SINE DIGITAL                                         

Jonathan Bailey, Cock, Ambassadors Theatre

Jodie Comer, Prima Facie, Harold Pinter Theatre

Carrie Hope Fletcher, The Caucasian Chalk Circle, Rose Theatre Kingston

Mei Mac, My Neighbour Totoro, Barbican Theatre

Rafe Spall, To Kill a Mockingbird, Gielgud Theatre

David Tennant, Good, Harold Pinter Theatre

BEST SUPPORTING PERFORMER IN A PLAY sponsored by EDWARDIAN HOTELS LONDON (Official Hotel Partner)           

Jade Anouka, Cock, Ambassadors Theatre

Gwyneth Keyworth, To Kill a Mockingbird, Gielgud Theatre

Elliot Levey, Good, Harold Pinter Theatre

Natasha Magigi, The Clothes They Stood Up In, Nottingham Playhouse

Sharon Small, Good, Harold Pinter Theatre

Greg Tannahill, Good Luck, Studio, Mercury Theatre, Salisbury Playhouse and Yvonne Arnaud Theatre

BEST TAKEOVER PERFORMANCE sponsored by TANDEM MARKETING                                              

Lauren Byrne, Matilda The Musical, Cambridge Theatre

Erin Caldwell, Heathers: The Musical, The Other Palace

Joel Harper-Jackson, Cock, Ambassadors Theatre

Lucie Jones, Wicked, Apollo Victoria Theatre

Reuben Joseph, Hamilton, Victoria Palace Theatre

Ben Joyce, Back to the Future: The Musical, Adelphi Theatre

BEST PROFESSIONAL DEBUT PERFORMANCE sponsored by AKA                            

Tomisin Ajani, The Play That Goes Wrong, Duchess Theatre

Joe Locke, The Trials, Donmar Warehouse

Oliver Nicholas, Back to the Future: The Musical, Adelphi Theatre

Aharon Rayner, The Great British Bake Off Musical, Everyman Theatre, Cheltenham

Nadine Shah, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Shakespeare North Playhouse

Djavan van de Fliert, Frozen, Theatre Royal Drury Lane

BEST NEW MUSICAL sponsored by TRAVELZOO                             

Bonnie & Clyde the Musical, Arts Theatre

The Great British Bake Off Musical, Everyman Theatre, Cheltenham 

Identical, Nottingham Playhouse and The Lowry Salford

Tammy Faye, Almeida Theatre

The Band’s Visit, Donmar Warehouse

The Osmonds: A New Musical, UK tour

BEST MUSICAL REVIVAL sponsored by CONCORD THEATRICALS                             

Billy Elliot, Curve, Leicester

Grease, Dominion Theatre

Legally Blonde, Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre

My Fair Lady, London Coliseum and tour

Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Oklahoma!, Young Vic

Spring Awakening, Almeida Theatre

BEST NEW PLAY sponsored by TICKETMASTER                               

A Different Stage, Duke of York’s Theatre and tour

Best of Enemies , Young Vic and Noël Coward Theatre

Eureka Day, The Old Vic

My Neighbour Totoro, Barbican Theatre

Prima Facie, Harold Pinter Theatre

To Kill a Mockingbird, Gielgud Theatre

BEST PLAY REVIVAL sponsored by AUDIENCEVIEW                                                   

Blues for an Alabama Sky, National Theatre

Cock, Ambassadors Theatre

Good, Harold Pinter Theatre

The Caucasian Chalk Circle, Rose Theatre, Kingston

The Crucible, National Theatre

The Seagull, Harold Pinter Theatre

BEST WEST END SHOW sponsored by DEWYNTERS                                     

Back to the Future: The Musical, Adelphi Theatre

Hamilton, Victoria Palace Theatre

Les Misérables, Sondheim Theatre

SIX, Vaudeville Theatre

The Phantom of the Opera, Her Majesty’s Theatre

Wicked, Apollo Victoria Theatre

BEST REGIONAL PRODUCTION sponsored by MUSIC THEATRE INTERNATIONAL                                         

Billy Elliot the Musical, Curve, Leicester

Crazy for You, Chichester Festival Theatre

The Great British Bake Off Musical, Everyman Theatre, Cheltenham

Rodgers + Hammerstein’s Cinderella, Hope Mill Theatre

The Book Thief, Octagon Theatre, Bolton

The Osmonds: A New Musical, UK tour

BEST OFF-WEST END PRODUCTION                                                   

Anyone Can Whistle, Southwark Playhouse

But I’m A Cheerleader: The Musical, The Turbine Theatre

DIVA: Live from Hell!, The Turbine Theatre

Millennials, The Other Palace Studio

RIDE – A New Musical, Charing Cross Theatre

Ruckus, Southwark Playhouse

BEST CONCERT EVENT                                             

Chess, Theatre Royal Drury Lane

Jeremy Jordan, Theatre Royal Drury Lane

SIX in Concert, Hampton Court Palace

Stephen Sondheim’s Old Friends, Sondheim Theatre

The Witches of Eastwick, Sondheim Theatre

Treason , Theatre Royal Drury Lane

BEST DIRECTION sponsored by LOVETHEATRE                               

Dominic Cooke, Good, Harold Pinter Theatre

Daniel Fish and Jordan Fein, Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Oklahoma!, Young Vic

Nikolai Foster, Billy Elliot, Curve Leicester

Rupert Goold, Spring Awakening, Almeida Theatre

Phelim McDermott, My Neighbour Totoro, Barbican Theatre

Indhu Rubasingham, The Father and the Assassin, National Theatre

BEST MUSICAL DIRECTION/SUPERVISION                                                      

Daniel Kluger, Nathan Koci and Tom Brady, Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Oklahoma!, Young Vic

Nigel Lilley and Tarek Merchant, The Band’s Visit, Donmar Warehouse

Stuart Morley, Georgie Francis and Elliot Mackenzie, Whistle Down the Wind, Watermill Theatre

Bruce O’Neil and Matt Smith, My Neighbour Totoro, Barbican Theatre

Ted Sperling and Gareth Valentine, My Fair Lady, London Coliseum and tour

Sarah Travis, Steve Sidwell and the company, Beautiful: The Carole King Musical, UK tour

BEST CASTING DIRECTION                        

Pippa Ailion and Natalie Gallacher, Spring Awakening, Almeida Theatre

Stuart Burt, The Seagull, Harold Pinter Theatre

Anji Carroll, Marvellous, New Vic Theatre, @sohoplace

Natalie Gallacher for Poppa Ailion Casting, Legally Blonde, Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre

Jacob Sparrow, Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Oklahoma!, Young Vic

Anne Vosser and Jo Hawes, Identical, Nottingham Playhouse and The Lowry, Salford

BEST CHOREOGRAPHY                              

Fabian Aloise, Bring It On: The Musical, Southbank Centre

Maxine Doyle, The Burnt City, Woolwich Works

Ellen Kane, A Chorus Line, Curve Leicester

Lynne Page, Spring Awakening, Almeida Theatre

Susan Stroman, Crazy for You, Chichester Festival Theatre

Arlene Phillips, Grease, Dominion Theatre

BEST COSTUME DESIGN                                          

Evie Gurney and Richard Mawbey, The 47^th, The Old Vic

William Ivey Long, Crazy for You , Chichester Festival Theatre

Katrina Lindsay, Tammy Faye, Almeida Theatre

Melissa Simon-Hartman, Much Ado About Nothing, Royal Shakespeare Theatre

Gabriella Slade, The Cher Show, UK tour

Catherine Zuber, My Fair Lady, London Coliseum and UK tour

BEST LIGHTING DESIGN sponsored by WHITE LIGHT                                    

Neil Austin, Tammy Faye, Almeida Theatre

Nic Farman, The Book Thief, Octagon Theatre, Bolton

Jessica Hung Han Yun, My Neighbour Totoro, Barbican Theatre

Jack Knowles, Spring Awakening, Almeida Theatre

Tim Lutkin, The Crucible, National Theatre

Scott Zielinski, Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Oklahoma!, Young Vic

BEST SET DESIGN sponsored by PREEVUE                                        

Jon Bausor, Into the Woods, Theatre Royal Bath

Es Devlin, The Crucible, National Theatre

Robert Jones, Murder on the Orient Express, Chichester Festival Theatre

Morgan Large, Sister Act, Eventim Apollo Hammersmith and tour

Tom Pye and Basil Twist, My Neighbour Totoro, Barbican Theatre

Ben Stones, Hedwig and the Angry Inch, Leeds Playhouse and HOME Manchester

BEST SOUND DESIGN sponsored by STAGE SOUND SERVICES                                 

Neil Bettles, Blood Harmony, Traverse Theatre

Annie May Fletcher, Hedwig and the Angry Inch, Leeds Playhouse and HOME Manchester

Tony Gayle, My Neighbour Totoro, Barbican Theatre

Paul Groothuis, Into the Woods, Theatre Royal Bath

Adam Fisher, The Band’s Visit, Donmar Warehouse

Drew Levy, Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Oklahoma!, Young Vic

BEST VIDEO DESIGN                                                 

Luke Halls and Zakk Hein, The Book of Dust: La Belle Sauvage, Bridge Theatre

Douglas O’Connell, Identical, Nottingham Playhouse and The Lowry, Salford

Finn Ross, Spring Awakening, Almeida Theatre

Finn Ross and Andrea Scott, My Neighbour Totoro, Barbican Theatre

Joshua Thorson, Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Oklahoma!, Young Vic

Max Spielbichler, Best of Enemies, Young Vic and Noël Coward Theatre

BEST GRAPHIC DESIGN sponsored by HEXAGON PRINT                              

AKA, Tammy Faye, Almeida Theatre

Bob King Creative, My Fair Lady, London Coliseum and tour

Felicity McCabe and National Theatre Graphic Design Studio, The Crucible, National Theatre

Muse Creative Communications, The Book of Dust: La Belle Sauvage, Bridge Theatre

Studio Doug, Prima Facie, Harold Pinter Theatre

Toshio Suzuki and Dewynters, My Neighbour Totoro, Barbican Theatre

Forum Theatre, Malvern – 10th February 2023

Reviewed by Courie Amado Juneau

5*****

If you’re thinking “Tim Rice, I know him so well” you are in for a treat in this fascinating show.

The hits began with “Any Dream Will Do” from Joseph and just kept coming. What a way for any artist to kick off a retrospective of their career. Half the joy of the evening was hearing about the journey these works took to get to the stage or screen. Although the music will be familiar and enormously loved, those moments of “wow, I never knew that” will be a delicious revelation.

The introduction billed him as a very nice man and so he was! A charming, modest, genuinely funny host with a gentle storytelling style, I loved his self deprecating manner. We hung on his every word and could have listened well into tomorrow night. To give you a flavour of the evening (as I don’t want to spoil the show), I didn’t know that “I Don’t Know How To Love Him” (one of the most fabulous stage songs ever in this writer’s humble opinion, from Jesus Christ Superstar) had different words put to it to attempt to have a pop hit. Mr Rice was kind enough to give us a rendition (“I Love The Kansas Morning”) complete with tongue planted firmly in cheek (it was a self acknowledged flop). I was particularly glad that Judas’s “Heaven On Their Minds” was included from Superstar – that opening guitar part sends a shiver of delight down my spine. It was interesting to hear these tunes in the classic rock band lineup of guitar, bass, keyboards and drums. Without the full orchestral grandeur one might think they would lose something in the translation – not a bit of it, they sounded magnificent. It was a pleasure to hear them in their new guise.

The Duncan Waugh Band & Singers were fantastic with tight playing, giving us the full drama of these most theatrical of pieces. It takes a good voice to hit the notes these tunes demand and tonight we had four of them – all exceptional.

Back to the music – everything (and more) is represented: Evita, something with David Essex, a Bond theme tune (I know), a song recorded by Elvis! Something for everybody. And it was all capped off with an Oscar medley – including an honest to goodness Oscar! There were 3 other major awards brought on stage tonight, which were almost as impressive, but I’ll let you discover those yourself … Another personal favourite was belted out too, “Anthem” from Chess: “My lands only borders lie around my heart”. Not the first tear brought to my eye this evening. A very fitting appreciation of a remarkable life and career that few could emulate but all will enjoy. It’s not often the Oscars come to Malvern (well one of them anyway) but tonight was special in very many ways! Even buffed to perfection and spotlit, little Oscar still paled into comparison to the genuine star on stage – Mr Tim Rice. Well done that man and thank you.

Gillian Lynne Theatre – until 20 May 2023

Reviewed by Claire Roderick

5*****

The multi-award winning Lehman Trilogy returns to the West End with an exciting new cast. Packing 164 years of history into a 3-hour play, Ben Power’s adaptation of Stefano Massini’s Italian original charts the rise of the Lehman brothers’ business from newly arrived immigrants owning one store in Alabama to financial giants.

Ben Power’s masterful adaptation uses the rhythms and repetitions of folk tales, with the actors skilfully and charismatically telling the story in the third person creating a stunningly intelligent play that feels both epic and like a sophisticated episode of Jackanory.

The assimilation of the brothers and their families into American culture is made clear by the erosion of accents and traditions brought from the homeland as they expand and create new roles in business. This is history seen through their eyes, so the wars and social upheaval affecting the US are mentioned in passing in terms of the impact on the company. As the generations of Lehmans die and no longer control the board, the events leading to the fall of the bank in 2008 are shown with quiet and fatalistic detachment, contrasting with the visceral portrayal of the Wall Street Crash that the Lehman’s experienced themselves.

Sam Mendes, and West End director Zoé Ford Burnett deliver pacy and intricate action, with the cast moving around Es Devlin’s brilliant set with immaculately choreographed precision. Devlin’s stark glass office and boardroom set revolves as the cast move file boxes to represent everything from carriages to shop counters to the tower of Babel. Projected onto the huge curved wall behind are Luke Halls eerie and atmospheric videos depicting the fields in Alabama, the buildings of New York and unsettling dreamscapes that combine with the spinning set to create fabulously disconcerting and disorienting sequences. Pianist Yshani Perinpanayagam sits at the front of the auditorium like an old fashioned cinema organist and accompanies the play with delightful music that adds further layers to the atmosphere on stage.

The cast are remarkable, playing the three brothers, their children and wives, and assorted businessmen with only the addition of glasses or the flick of a collar. The scenes where various Lehmans woo the women in their lives are a joy, and all three actors are a scream as infants . Nigel Lindsay is wonderful as the solid and confident Henry Lehman, grounding the play with his opening monologue before taking on the more showy and whimsical roles of wives and the almost robotic Philip Lehman. Michael Balogun is equally impressive as Emanuel Lehman, full of fiery gravitas, and Hadley Fraser gives a comedy masterclass as peacemaker Mayer and Philip’s mother. Together the stellar cast weave the intricate story – from gossipy asides and explanations of financial services to gruesome accounts of suicides – with style and charm, keeping the audience in the palms of their hands from beginning to end.

A welcome return for this remarkable play – The Lehman Trilogy is not to be missed.