The visitors to the Empire this week are Bulgaria’s prestigious Varna International Ballet and orchestra, who are in the midst of a debut UK tour with not one but four ballets: The Nutcracker, Swan Lake, Coppélia and Giselle. Last night I was lucky enough to witness their production of Swan Lake, one of the most magnificent ballets of all time. I was treated to a beautiful and spellbinding performance of this compelling tale of tragic romance, set to Tchaikovsky’s unforgettable score.
Founded in 1947 and currently celebrating their 75th anniversary, the critically acclaimed Varna International Ballet has been delighting audiences for decades at home and abroad with its performances of excellence.
The ballet, composed by Pyotr Ilych Tchaikovsky in 1875-76, premiered in 1877 under Moscow’s Bolshoi ballet company. Although it was initially a failure in the eyes of most critics, it has since established itself as one of the most popular ballets in the world. Albeit done to death, when performed veraciously, Swan Lake is a treat for ballet newcomers and dedicated fans alike. This rendition of the timeless ballet, choreographed by Marius Petipa, Lev Ivanov and Sergey Bobrov, does just that – honouring the art of ballet without making it dull.
The principal soloist Anastasia Lebedyk (born in Ukraine) who performs Odette, was mesmerising. Perhaps the most difficult portrayal in all ballet because of the technically and artistically demanding double role of Odette (White Swan) and Odile (Black Swan). Lebedyk executed both roles impeccably, it’s a potentially heart-breaking portrait of two complex and very different women.
Prince Siegfried, performed by lead soloist Marcello Pelizzoni (born in Italy) is a very talented dancer and the audience celebrated his outstanding solo’s with loud cheers.
For me the true standouts of the evening, were the full complement of swan maidens, a magnificent sight of tutu-clad ballerinas moving in unison on stage, they were faultless, synchronised and disciplined.
Swan Lake is a classic and luckily a lot of people know the story without necessarily having seen it. With no dialogue, the storytelling can sometime be difficult to follow but last night it was very clear and easy to follow.
The orchestra needs commending, they brought to life the ballet with Tchaikovsky’s moving and indelible score, conducted by Peter Tuleshkov. I cannot imagine why Swan Lake was once tepidly received, as Tchaikovsky’s ballets astound every time. It truly was before its time.
Showpath Entertainment are delighted to announce Gareth Gates and Divina de Campo will star in the UK Premiere of the Tony Award nominated, award-winning THE SPONGEBOB MUSICAL which opens at the Mayflower Theatre, Southampton* on Wednesday 5 April 2023. The production then visits Birmingham*, Bradford, Oxford*, Dublin*, Manchester, Belfast*, Cardiff*, Blackpool*, Peterborough, Wolverhampton, Norwich*, Leicester, Aberdeen ahead of spending five weeks over the summer at theSouthbank Centre’s Queen Elizabeth Hall prior to visitingPlymouth. Full tour details and listings below www.spongebobstage.com
*Venues where Gareth Gates will be performing as Squidward. Further casting, including for the role of Squidward at other venues, to be announced.
THE SPONGEBOB MUSICAL cast stars Gareth Gates (he/him) as Squidward, Divina de Campo (she/her) as Sheldon J. Plankton, Lewis Cornay (he/him) as SpongeBob, Irfan Damani (he/him) as Patrick, Chrissie Bhima (she/her) as Sandy, Richard J Hunt (he/him) as Mr Krabs, Sarah Freer (she/her) as Pearl, Eloise Davies (she/her) as Mrs Puff, Hannah Lowther (she/her) as Karen and Rebecca Lisewski (she/her) as Mayor. They are joined by Sam Beveridge (he/him), Jeremiah Olaleye (he/him), Eleanor Turiansky (she/her),Rhys Batten (he/him) and Reece Kerridge (he/him).
Gareth Gates (Squidward) shot to fame in 2002, coming runner up in the UK’s first Pop Idol. He went on to sell over 5-million records worldwide including five UK number-one singles. His theatre credits include playing Marius in the both the West End and 25th Anniversary Tour of Les Misérables, Joseph in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat in the West End and on tour, Warner in the UK tour of Legally Blonde and Willard in the UK tour of Footloose.
Divina De Campo (Sheldon J. Plankton) is a seasoned British drag queen and singer who was recently crowned runner up on the first Series of RuPaul’s Drag Race UK. Known for her high soprano and four -octave range, Divina has been featured on ITV’s The Voice and the BBC’s All Together Now. Her critically acclaimed theatre credits include Mary Sunshine in Chicago and most recently her award nominated performance as Hedwig in Hedwig and the Angry Inch.
Lewis Cornay (SpongeBob) was most recently seen as Amos in Whistle Down The Wind at The Watermill. His West End credits include The Book of Mormon, The King and I, The Sound of Music and Mary Poppins. As a writer, Lewis had his debut play Daddy Issues premiere at the Seven Dials Playhouse last year.
Irfan Damani (Patrick Star) was most recently seen in The New Musketeers and The Aliens Who Saved Christmas as part of Trinity Theatre Christmas Rep. His West End credits include Raj in Billionaire Boy at the Garrick Theatre and Father in Ishq the Musical at Sadler’s Wells Theatre. On television he has appeared as Saleem in BBC One’s EastEnders and on film in Mamma Mia: Here We Go Again.
Chrissie Bhima (Sandy) graduated from ArtsEd in 2022. Her theatre credits include Candy in Whistle Down The Wind at The Watermill, Jennifer in The Witches of Eastwick in Concert at the Sondheim Theatre and Avatar in Lift at the Southwark Playhouse.
Richard J Hunt (Mr Krabs) most recently appeared as Mudge in Dolly Parton’s Smoky Mountain Christmas Carol at the Southbank Centre. His other theatrical credits include Bromance The Dudesical at The Other Palace, the UK and European Tour of Jesus Christmas Superstar, Mack and Mabel at the Southwark Playhouse, Me and My Girl at the London Palladium and the UK and European Tour of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. On television he has been seen BBC2’s Beautiful People, RTE’s The Late Late Show and Channel 4’s Teachers.
Sarah Freer (Pearl) has recently appeared in Jack and the Beanstalk at Sheffield Lyceum as well as in the UK Tour of Zog and the Flying Doctors. She has also appeared in The Color Purple at Cadogan Hall.
Eloise Davies’ (Mrs Puff) West End credits include 42 Balloons at the Vaudeville Theatre, Grease at the Dominion Theatre, Bonnie & Clyde in Concert at Theatre Royal Drury Lane, Taboo 10th Anniversary at The London Palladium, Be More Chill at The Other Palace, and West End Heroes at the Dominion Theatre.
Hannah Lowther (Karen) has most recently appeared in the West End concerts for Emojiland at the Garrick Theatre and Kinky Boots at Theatre Royal Drury Lane. She has also appeared in Millennials in The Other Palace Studio and Heathers The Musical at The Other Palace where she made history as the first actress to play all three Heathers in Heathers The Musical and went on to win three West End Wilma Awards including Best Understudy.
Rebecca Lisewski (Mayor)most recently appeared in the West End in Strictly Ballroom at the Piccadilly Theatre. Her other West End credits include Mamma Mia! And Carousel. She has also appeared in the UK Tours of Priscilla Queen of the Desert, Tango Moderno, The Last Tango, and Starlight Express.
Who lives in a pineapple under the sea and became the hottest star on Broadway? SpongeBob SquarePants! Plunge into this stunning all-singing, all-dancing, dynamic stage show!
When the citizens of Bikini Bottom discover that a volcano will soon erupt and destroy their humble home, SpongeBob and his friends must come together to save the fate of their undersea world!
With lives hanging in the balance and all hope lost, a most unexpected hero rises up. The power of optimism really can save the world! An exciting new production featuring irresistible characters, magical choreography and dazzling costumes; this deep-sea pearl of a show is really set to make a splash with audiences young and old as the must-see musical of 2023. The future is bright, the future is bold, the future is THE SPONGEBOB MUSICAL.
THE SPONGEBOB MUSICAL is based on the series by Stephen Hillenburg, with book by Kyle Jarrow and featuring original songs by Yolanda Adams, Steven Tyler and Joe Perry of Aerosmith, Sara Bareilles, Jonathan Coulton, Alex Ebert of Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros, The Flaming Lips, Lady A, Cyndi Lauper, John Legend, Panic! At the Disco, Plain White T’s, They Might Be Giants and T.I. and songs by David Bowie, Tom Kenny and Andy Paley. Additional lyrics by Jonathan Coulton. Additional music by Tom Kitt. Musical production conceived by Tina Landau.
THE SPONGEBOB MUSICAL will be directed by Tara Overfield Wilkinson (she/her), with choreographer Fabian Aloise (he / him), designer Steve Howell (he / him), Musical Supervisor Mark Crossland (he / him), Musical Director Marcus Carter-Adams (he/him), Costume Designer Sarah Mercade (she / her), Lighting and Video Designer Ben Bull (he / him), Sound Designer Ben Harrison (he / him), Costume and Wig Supervisor Megan Rarity (she / her), Associate Choreographer Paris Green (she/her) and Casting Director Harry Blumenau Casting (he / him). Selladoor Worldwide General Management.
Nickelodeon, now in its 43rd year, is the number-one entertainment brand for kids. It has built a diverse, global business by putting kids first in everything it does. The brand includes television programming and production in the United States and around the world, plus consumer products, digital, location-based experiences, publishing and feature films. For more information or artwork, visit http://www.nickpress.com. Nickelodeon is a part of Paramount’s (Nasdaq: PARA, PARAA) global portfolio of multimedia entertainment brands.
This comedy caper originally came out of the Ealing Studios in the early 1950’s, a post war film that still takes the odd swipe here and there at the ‘enemy’. Writer Phil Porter brings it to life for the stage, with the classic unlikely gang transcending class, brought together by the skills needed to pull off the heist.
Miles Jupp (Holland) takes great delight in glamourising the tale of his successful heist, in an expat club in Rio De Janeiro. Justin Edwards (Pendelbury) takes great glee in playing his unlikely stooge. Convincing themselves that visitor Farrow (Guy Burgess) is a film director, fellow expats and club staff are willing players, unfolding the tangled web of the robbery, striking ensemble poses in farcical fashion.
This action packed caper, takes you on twists and turns from the moment a fleck of gold lands on Jupp’s (Holland) shoe to him being led away in cuffs. The cast offer a variety of characters, switching between proper cockney, working class men portrayed by upper class Lady Agnes (Tesa Churchard) and Audrey (Victoria Blunt) to stereo typical French characters played by Brazilian hostess Fernanda (Aamira Challenger) and entertainer Sammy (Tim Sutton). The supporting cast all play a group of English school children at one point! You certainly have to keep your wits about you to keep up!
The magic of the play is created by fantastic staging and props, with moving parts that emerge as an Eiffel tower that Holland (Jupp) and Pendlebury (Edwards) climb! The cast move with ease sometimes passing props between them in comedic style.
This retro play is pure escapism for all generations.
If nostalgia, fantasy, and slapstick are your thing, you will love Told by an Idiot Company’s “Charlie & Stan” at Wilton’s Music Hall. Actually, If you’re just looking for an evening of innocent fun, laughter and escape from the grind and cynicism of city life, “Charlie & Stan” – part of the London International Mime Festival. – will do the job in spades.
Just being in the magnificently vintage surroundings of Wilton’s is an experience to savour. It’s surely the perfect venue for a trip back to 1910 when the SS Cairnrona set sail from Southampton bound for the US with Fred Karno’s vaudeville company aboard. Amongst the troupe of artists are Charlie Chaplin, already a music hall star in Britain and one Arthur Stanley Jefferson, known as Stan Laurel, his understudy and cabin mate.
That is the starting point for a high energy series of comic episodes including real events, flashbacks and also flash forwards. All much in the style of the silent movies with occasional directional texts projected onto the curtain that doubled as cabin privacy for Charlie and Stan. The surreal voyage has no discernible chronological thread, but is a well judged 80 minutes without an interval, packing in a lot of cleverly choreographed content and playful pratfalls. Whilst the brisk pace, timing and subtlety of mime demands and rewards close attention, the action comes so thick and fast, a second viewing is likely to reward in equal measure. As writer and director, Paul Hunter has brought to life, an original, intricate and highly accomplished entertainment.
The four main performers are on top form – the dainty Danielle Bird (a magnetic Chaplin), the athletic Jerone Marsh-Reid (a thoroughly convincing Stan Laurel), the marvellously shape-shifting Nick Haverson taking on a portfolio of roles (Karno, Chaplin’s father, Oliver Hardy, butler, drummer) and, last but not least, the versatile Sara Alexander on excellent live piano and doubling up as Chaplin’s mum. Essential to the performance was the superbly crafted “silent film” soundtrack by Zoe Rahman and the extraordinary multiplatform stage set, very evocative of a chaotic 1910 passenger ship, by Ioana Curelea.
There were so many, individual episodes are difficult now to recall. So, not being a fan of audience participation moments, it’s a source of frustration that the couple in this show linger in fine detail. For me, the most memorable scene involved Laurel (Jerone Marsh-Reid) with Havering’s brilliant Oliver Hardy playing golf with the threat of a real golf ball being driven the length of the hall.
Overall, “Charlie & Stan” showcases a quite awe inspiring array of performing industry talent in an imaginative, unique and timeless show. The Wilton’s crowd gave it a well deserved standing ovation.
One of the many rules in life we are taught is to never judge a book by its cover. We are taught that from primary school all the way up into adulthood, whether that be judging an album by its cover, a film by its poster or, in my case, a play by its poster and title. I can say now honestly that I will never judge a play by its title and poster ever again – universe, I have learned my lesson.
The story follows Sara (portrayed by Abigail Stone) and her husband Jams (portrayed by Brad Leigh) as they navigate domestic life in a dystopian future taking place in the year 2077 when Sara’s ‘brother’ (portrayed by Paul Brayward) comes to visit. Threatened with ecological disaster and economic chaos, governments have become authoritarian and repressive. Domestic family life struggles to survive in a world of fleeing refugees, mass suicides, ruined and deserted suburbs with soldiers patrolling the streets. The old cities are in ruins and people have been resettled in regimented suburbs.
It goes without saying that these fantastic actors were let down enormously by an abysmal script. Abigail Stone’s acting was impeccable, given what she had to work with. She carved that character and performed it with everything she had even with the strange twists and turns this play took.
The play itself was trying to be Shakespeare in modern language, however there were just too many metaphors in the dialogue for it to make sense. Along with completely out of context costume choices most of this play felt like a fever dream on acid. At one point Stone’s character came out wearing a coat with spoons on it and that was never explained or visited ever again.
Upon first glance, “Have I None” by a “giant of British theatre” – (Guardian) is a black mirror-esque post apocalyptic dystopian thriller which, on paper, is everything I love about theatre. However, upon seeing the play in the flesh I can firmly say that was the most bizarre, confusing and downright terrible 50 minutes of my life that I will never get back. The most heartbreaking thing about this play is that it was supported by a fantastic cast that put their heart and soul into performing writing that was just not good.
Overall, I think the actors in this play were fantastic, it is such a shame they were let down by such poor writing and storytelling. Maybe it was me, maybe I just didn’t get it but I think for your show to be successful, you need to explain and explore plots with more depth. From a furniture rendezvous that was left unexplained to out of context costume choices, this play was a disappointing watch. I would not recommend seeing this unless confusing plot hole driven plays are your thing.
This is a rough, tough, in-yer-face production of Othello, first devised by Frantic Assembly in 2008. Othello is a gang leader rather than a general, and the setting is the grotty Cypress pub (rather than Cyprus), complete with pool table, fruit machine and oppressive red wallpaper. The blokes wear trackies and trainers and hoodies; the women are sassy and knowing; and violence, sex and racism always seem near the surface. The cast are good at moving in the springy, restless way of people who used to fighting, and the play starts with a choreographed fight, the first of several eruptions of violence in this fast, loud production. And it all works –Shakespeare’s text becomes completely believable and alive.
The plot? Quite simple really – Iago has a grudge against Othello, and manipulates him into a state of mad jealousy against his lover/wife Desdemona. Othello kills Desdemona and himself, then Iago gets killed, and in the meantime Iago’s machinations have caused more death and injury – heigh ho, just another night in a deprived urban area. Michael Akinsulire is Othello, the fighter who is physically super-strong but also plausibly naive and gullible; Chanel Waddock plays Desdemona, with a fresh directness and spirit that work well for a character who can be a bit drippy and passive. Joe Layton is Iago and is superb – a deviously brilliant schemer who pulls all the strings.
Most of the action takes place on and around the pool table, or in a dark, misty outside created by the cast pushing aside the walls and furniture. At one point the walls lurch and fold to highlight the drunken confusion; at another we see Desdemona talking with her friend Emilia (Kirsty Stuart) in the grimy pub toilet.
With loud, pumping music, it all makes for a believably claustrophobic world in which passions rage and become destructive. The director is Scott Graham, the designer Laura Hopkins..
Acclaimed production of Rose, starring Maureen Lipman, transfers to London’s West End Tuesday 23rd May 2023 – Sunday 18th June 2023 The Ambassadors Theatre, West Street, London WC2H 9ND
After sell-out runs at Hope Mill Theatre, Manchester, and The Park Theatre, London, in 2022, Maureen Lipman returns to the West End with a performance of unassailable greatness (What’s On Stage). This award winning, critically acclaimed production of Martin Sherman’s Rose transfers to The Ambassador’s Theatre for only 28 performances, from Tuesday 23rd May 2023.
Olivier Award-winning Maureen Lipman has performed with The National Theatre and the Royal Shakespeare Company, and has starred in innumerable West End productions including Outside Edge, Messiah, See How They Run, Wonderful Town, Re:Joyce, Glorious, Oklahoma, A Little Night Music and Daytona. For the last five years she has been delighting television audiences as Evelyn Plummer on ITV’s Coronation Street. Other classic television appearances include The Evacuees, The Knowledge, Agony, Smiley’s People, Doctor Who and Ladies of Letters.
Rose is written by award winning writer Martin Sherman whose plays include Bent, Messiah, A Mad House in Goa, When She Danced, Some Sunny Day and Gently Down The Stream. His body of work also includes films Alive and Kicking and Mrs Henderson Presents and the Broadway Musical The Boy From Oz.
Rose is directed by Scott Le Crass, designed by David Shields with musical composition and Sound design by Julian Star with lighting design by Jane Lalljee.
Maureen Lipman reprises her award-winning performance as Rose, a woman whose tumultuous journey through anarchic times takes her from the devastation of Nazi- occupied Europe to the allure of the American dream. Through the life of one woman, Rose tells the story of a century where everything changed except the violence of the strong against the weak.
The original production of Rose was produced at The National Theatre and on Broadway in 1999. It is perhaps even more relevant today, with the plight of refugees and allegations of antisemitism continuing to dominate the news. This powerful production is a moving reminder of the harrowing events that shaped the last century.
Maureen Lipman comments, I am delighted to be putting Rose back on her bench for a limited run at the Ambassadors in May. I thought I could never have the power to revisit Martin Sherman’s mystical, magical deeply philosophical and wildly funny creation, but Rose is in my blood and she has to be revived.
Martin Sherman comments, Maureen Lipman’s performance as Rose is the greatest gift a playwright could ever dream of. Performance is perhaps the wrong word; she totally inhabits the role, the woman, the space, the language, the times, the events. I’m so happy that her astonishing alchemy has the opportunity to be witnessed again, for four weeks (only!) at the Ambassadors Theatre.
Find out more about Rose at www.roseonstage.co.uk. You will be able to book tickets for Rose from 12pm, Friday 27th January.
CASTING ANNOUNCED FOR WORLD PREMIERE OF NEW MUSICAL BERLUSCONI WRITTEN BY RICKY SIMMONDS AND SIMON VAUGHAN AND PRODUCED BY FRANCESCA MOODY PRODUCTIONS AND THOMAS S. BARNES AT SOUTHWARK PLAYHOUSE ELEPHANT FROM 25 MARCH – 29 APRIL
SEBASTIEN TORKIA WILL PLAY SILVIO BERLUSCONI, SALLY ANNE TRIPLETT WILL PLAY ILDA, EMMA HATTON WILL PLAY VERONICA AND JENNY FITZPATRICK WILL PLAY FAMA.
DIRECTED BY JAMES GRIEVE, CHOREOGRAPHED BY REBECCA HOWELL AND DESIGNED BY LUCY OSBORNE
Francesca Moody Productions (Fleabag, Baby Reindeer) and Thomas S. Barnes are delighted to announce the casting for the world premiere of BERLUSCONI – a naughty, noisy exposé of the original perma-tanned media mogul turned populist politician, told through the eyes of three formidable women ready to share their side of the story and break the veneer of that million Lira smile.
The full cast includes: McCallam Connell (The Colour Purple, UK Tour) as the Judge, John Conroy (Half a Sixpence, Noel Coward) as Luigi, Susan Fay (The Girls, UK Tour) as Mama Rosa, Jenny Fitzpatrick (A Christmas Carol, The Old Vic) as Fama, Natalie Kassanga (Dreamgirls, UK Tour) as Bella, Emma Hatton (Wicked, West End) as Veronica, Sebastien Torkia (RSC’s Matilda The Musical, West End) as Silvio Berlusconi, Sally Ann Triplett (Cabaret, Lido 2 Paris) as Ilda, Gavin Wilkinson (Guys and Dolls, Théâtre Marigny) as Vladimir Putin and Matthew Woodyatt (Piaf, Nottingham Playhouse) as Antonio. Full biographies can be found in Notes to Editors.
Rehearsals begin on 13 February with first preview on 25 March and press night on 29 March.
BERLUSCONI is an urgent and prescient story about a brand of political leadership that has become all too familiar. With soaring melodies and driving beats, this hilarious and outrageous new musical assembles an award-winning team to tell the astonishing, outlandish, almost true story of one of the world’s most charismatic, charming and morally dubious political leaders.
As Silvio tries to enshrine his legacy by grandiosely writing the opera of his life, his detractors are closing in…
Written by Ricky Simmonds and Simon Vaughan, this modern-day cautionary tale is produced by Francesca Moody Productions (Fleabag) and Thomas S. Barnes and directed by James Grieve (Fisherman’s Friends). The musical will be choreographed by Rebecca Howell (The Secret Diary of Adrian Mole Aged 13 ¾ ) with Set and Costume by Lucy Osborne (The Famous Five), Paul Schofield (Hair – In Concert) as Musical Supervisor, Arranger and Co-Orchestrator Jordan Li Smith (City of Angels) as Musical Director, Oliver Fenwick (Blues for Alabama Sky) as Lighting Designer Dan Samson (Heathers) as Sound Designer, Video Design by Stanley Orwin Fraser for Duncan McClean Projection (The Jungle), Music Production and Co-orchestration by Lewis Andrews and Original Vocal Score and Original Vocal Arrangements by David White (Cabaret) and Math Roberts (Merrily We Roll Along) as Associate Musical Director and Casting by Will Burton CDG. Associate produced by Alex Cooke and Alan Hayling, based on an original idea by Alan Hayling.
Twelve voice-over artists, a mix of actors, impressionists and comedians have just started work on recording voices for over one hundred Spitting Image characters for the World Premiere of the stage show, Idiots Assemble: Spitting Image Saves the World which previews at Birmingham Rep from 1 February.
They are: Al Murray (The Royal Variety Performance,Al Murray’s Happy Hour,Why Does Everyone Hate the English? We Have Ways of Making You Talk), Debra Stephenson (The Impressions Show, Dead Ringers, Rich Hall’s Election Breakdown, Newzoids, Coronation Street and Bad Girls), Jess Robinson (Spitting Image, The Last Leg, Stars in Their Ears, and The Rise and Fall of Little Voice and Britain’s Got Talent, Jojo Lin (Spitting Image Puppeteer), Jason Forbes (The Tracy Ullman Show, The Mash Report and Horrible Histories: The Movie and Borg Mcenroe), Josh Berry (Josh Berry’s Fake News, NewsJack, Dead Ringers, The Tracey Ullman Show and The Michael McIntyre Show), Kathryn Drysdale (Bridgerton, Meghan Markle in TheWindsors, Christmas on Mistletoe Farm, The Bubble, The Queen and I and Plebs), Lorna Laidlaw (Mrs Tembe in Doctors, Aggie in Coronation Street, Getting ItStraight and A Midsummer Night’s Dream for Birmingham Rep), Luke Kempner (Spitting Image, Steph’s Packed Lunch, The Last Leg, Stand-up Sketch Show and The Imitation Game) Matt Forde (Spitting Image, Unspun with Matt Forde, The Royal Variety Performance, Have I Got News for You, The Political Party podcast and British Scandal) Ronan Summers (Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom and Krays: Code of Silence, Doctor Who and Episodes) and Shri Patel (Rishi Sunak in This England, Emmerdale and Pennyworth)
With a creative team that includes original Spitting Image co-creator, Roger Law, alongside a comedy tour de force writing team of Al Murray, Matt Forde and Sean Foley, Idiots Assemble: Spitting Image Saves the World promises to be the unmissable, laugh-out-loud show to kick-start 2023.
The full creative team is: Director Sean Foley, writers Al Murray, Matt Forde and Sean Foley, Caricaturist Supremo Roger Law, Set Designer, Alice Power, Video Designer Nina Dunn, Sound Designer Paul Groothuis, Lighting Designer Tim Mitchell, Puppet Master Scott Brooker,Costume Designer Lotte Collet, Choreographer Lizzi Gee, Composer Felix Hagan, Associate Composer and Musical Director Alexander Bermange Production Manager John Rowland, Associate Director Nyasha Gudo, Associate Sound Designer Simon King, Assistant Set Designer Catherine Morgan, Puppet Casting Director Mikey Brett, Creators of Spitting Image Peter Fluck and Roger Law, Producer for Birmingham Rep Chloe Naldrett, General Manager Emma Brunjes and Executive Producers Richard Allen-Turner and Jon Thoday for Avalon.
The puppeteers are: Will Palmer, Tom Quinn, Katie Bradley, Rayo Patel, Paula Brett, Jojo Lin, Kaidan Dawkins, Chand Martinez, Pena Liyambo, Faye Weerasinghe, Bertie Harris and Helen Parke.
World famous celebrities will be thrown together as Tom Cruise is tasked by King Charles with saving Great Britain. Greta Thunberg duets with Stormzy as Putin and Xi watch on from their premium seats in the stalls. Have they just come out for a night on the town? Or will they wipe out all of civilisation? A show simultaneously inspired and appalled by real events.
Sean Foley said: ‘Trying to develop a satirical comedy based on the shifting politics of today has been the original fool’s errand: we’ve already thrown away 3 entire scripts – and several famous puppets aren’t even going to make their stage debuts anymore… But the sheer joy of casting Tom Cruise alongside King Charles, Greta Thunberg, RuPaul, PrinceHarry and Meghan Markle has made up for it. To be premiering this theatrical extravaganza in Birmingham, the home of the original ground-breaking television series, is a wonderful thrill.’
‘It’s a who’s who of the good, the bad and the ugly’ commented Al Murray. ‘I know Marvel like to say it, but our show is the greatest cross over event of all time. Where else could you get Michael Gove, Tom Cruise, Sir Ian McKellen, Idris Elba, Daniel Craig, Fiona Bruce and Paddington Bear on a single stage?’
Matt Forde added: ‘We are living through an insane, abnormal, infuriating period, so the timing of this show couldn’t be better. It’s vital that we see our leaders lampooned with cutting satire and yes, whacked over the head with a big stick.’
The BAFTA and Emmy award-winning satirical Spitting Image television series originally ran for 18 series between 1984 and 1996, and was watched by over 15 million viewers. It recently made a popular return to TV on BritBox, where across official social media channels, Spitting Image content has been hugely popular with over 200 million views globally, three number 1 trending videos on YouTube and achieved critical praise across the political divide. Three one-off specials for ITV have also seen huge success on terrestrial television: with a 4.4 million audience achieving ITV’s highest Saturday night ratings at that time in four years.
Idiots Assemble: Spitting Image Saves the World, Live on Stage is presented by Avalon and Birmingham Rep.
The Rocky Horror Show at the Sheffield Lyceum Theatre was nothing less than flamboyantly extraordinary! 5 stars for sure, and here’s why;
Let’s start at the very beginning. The hype began whilst queuing to get into the theatre… as expected when seeing Rocky Horror, a large number of audience members were in full Rocky Horror dress up, the vibe was electric and everyone was absolutely in the theatre mood! What a great start. It’s a vibe that comes only with this show, and I love it.
The show opened with an exquisite vocal performance of ‘Science Fiction – Double Feature’ by the super talented Suzie McAdam, who also played Magenta to a great reaction. This performer was perfection in both roles, chefs kiss!
We were then introduced to Hayley Flaherty and Richard Meek’s Brad and Janet. What a pair! With perfectly sharp vocals and wonderful stage presence, these two were instant hits. They complimented each other in every way possible. Following their journey throughout the show was great fun. From start to finish I was fully engaged. Both held their own in the dance numbers too, Hayley Flaherty’s execution of the choreography was particularly fabulous.
Here’s a special shout out to Kristian Lavercombe’s Riff Raff, now I must mention that with over 2000 performances of Rocky Horror under his belt, Kristian has performed in this show more than anyone else in its whole 48 year history! This man is theatrical gold! I’m not sure how I can sing enough praises his way. Absolute perfection, his characterisation, physicality, stage presence, vocals, makeup, everything! 11 out of 10 for Kristian. He delivered a delicious rendition of arguably the shows most popular song, ‘Time Warp’ and as soon as the intro music was heard every audience member was on their feet performing with the ensemble of professionals on the stage. It was camp! It was fantastic!
Columbia was brought to life by the sensation that is Darcy Finder, not only did she serve up some side splitting laughs, she also hit us hard with some deeply strong and somewhat perfectly executed emotional acting. What a diverse talent. I could watch Darcy perform for hours!
Both the roles of Eddie and Dr. Scott we’re played by the hilarious Joe Allen. All of the Eddie fans in the audience went wild when he was revealed in the fridge! And rightly so, he was brilliant.
Rocky was played by Ben Westhead respectively. He had a soft charm about him and his scenes with Frank N Furter were great! His lovely vocals matched his performance well. He was fun!
Jackie Clune took the role of the Narrator and made it her own. She was hilarious. With her quick witted remarks to anticipated heckles from the audience, she took it all in her stride and she really was the glue of the entire show. My cheeks hurt from laughing so much – Beautifully brilliant!
And now, Stephen Webb as Frank N Furter was superb! He had the audience in the palm of his hands from the get-go, he knew it, and we did too. His vocals were unmatched and his sexual stage presence had us all hooked. He gave us plenty of marvellous comedic moments, and a few sharper moments of drama too. It was the perfect blend of sweet and sour.
The set was very effective, it framed the action perfectly, with pieces that were easily brought on and off and with no major full set changes – the show to run incredibly smoothly.
The lighting, sound, atmosphere were all perfectly on pointe!
Hand on my heart, I can not recommend The Rocky Horror Show enough. One of the best pieces of theatre I’ve seen in years!
