Vaudeville Theatre – booking until 29 October 2023

Reviewed by Claire Roderick

5*****

The phenomenal pop-concert musical about Henry VIII’s wives continues to be fantastic fierce fun, changing history into HERstory with flair and attitude. The new cast of Queens taking their thrones are an incredible ensemble with boundless energy and attitude – and talent that blows the roof off the theatre.

Everybody remembers the divorced, beheaded, died, divorced, beheaded, survived rhyme, but in Six the wives get to step into the limelight and decide to tell their sob stories so that the audience can vote for the wife that has suffered the most to become the lead singer of the group, accompanied in style by the Ladies in Waiting of the wonderful onstage band (Lauren Hopkinson, Alice Angliss, Emma Jemima and Kelly Morris).

Toby Marlow and Lucy Moss’s exuberant celebration of the women in the shadow of the king gives a sassy twist to everything we think we know about these women, in a glorious range of styles inspired by female musical icons with wise and witty lyrics. Rhianne-Louise McCaulsky is a total diva as Catherine of Aragon, demanding to know what exactly she did to deserve Henry’s shoddy treatment of her in a barnstorming number, followed by Baylie Carson’s comedic take on Anne Boleyn as a girl who just wanted to have fun in the hysterical “Don’t Lose Ur Head”. Linking the numbers is some bitchy banter between the queens that could be a little hit and miss with a weaker ensemble, but these Queens nail every line. There are some cracking one-liners, mostly from the younger wives, Anne and Katherine Howard, and the other Queens’ reactions are sublime.

There is a complete change in tone as Jane Seymour tells her story, with Claudia Kariuki showing her impeccable vocal skills and stage presence in her power ballad, Heart of Stone, that allows the audience to breathe, and some to sob, before the tempo reaches fever point again as Anne of Cleves takes centre stage. Let’s face it, we all know the story of the Holbein portrait, but not much about Anne’s life after divorce. Six has a wonderfully bonkers number “Haus of Holbein” showing the selection of a wife from her “profile picture” before Anne sings about her “terrible” life as a divorcee – the gleeful “Queen of the Castle” showcases her life of wealth and privilege in Richmond with loads of swagger. The West End has always found an insanely charismatic Anne in each cast change, and Dionne Ward-Anderson is possibly the best yet, full of sly looks and fierce attitude that win the audience’s heart instantly. Koko Basigara’s Katherine Howard is a brilliantly imagined teenage hedonist whose understanding of the appalling way older men use her becomes clearer with each “romance” and chorus until she stands alone and numb at the end of her song.

The roster of fierce characters somehow pale into insignificance when the survivor, Catherine Parr tells her story. Roxanne Couch quietly and calmly describes her life of widowhood and lost love as she is chosen by Henry, and her number begins as a letter to her love before morphing into an angry wail against Henry and the misogyny of the Tudor age. This is where the feminist message truly leaps to the fore, making the previous girl power moments in the show seem very flimsy and vacuous, which is exactly as it should be. This was a Queen who entered the marriage with eyes open and tried to use her position to change things for the better. The faux bitchiness and competitiveness of the wives plays with societal expectations and norms that reality TV and dramas portray, with the message of sisterhood, support, diversity and freedom of choice shining through in the final section.

The energy of the cast is phenomenal, and this carries the audience along on a huge wave of enthusiasm and joy. Six is an unbeatable night out – a true jewel in the crown of musical theatre.

Lyceum Theatre, Sheffield – until 24th January 2023

Reviewed by Sophie Dodworth

4****

Drag arrives at Sheffield Theatres with this superbly funny production. A rip off of Sister Act the musical and with an all drag-star cast; smut, humour and energy awaits! As part of the UK tour, this West End treat is unique and a refreshing piece of theatre.

Living the simple life in the convent of St Babs are the four nuns, Mother Superior (Victoria Scone), Sister Mary Berry (Cheryl Hole), Sister Maria Julie Andrews (River Medway) and Sis Tits (Alex Roberts). The don’t really have that much of a connection with the church and tend to live life in the convent and stay in the convent at all times. Then everything is turned upside down with the arrival of Father Alfie Romeo (LoUis CYfer). Romeo is investigating a multitude of things – reports of sinful phenomena and unholy apparitions, finding out what happened to Father Reginald Spanking (a Vatican emissary that went missing) and finally he is looking for any valuable relics which he can take back to Rome. The nuns find his presence annoying and a distraction and make no secret that he is unwelcome there.

The script (written by Rob Evans) is well written and leaves gaps for the actors to make some comical local references throughout. It also gives opportunity for the drag artists to ad-lib if needed, which is great for getting some extra gags in. The set (designed by Peter McKintosh) is quite simple but super effective when needed, it has a macabre feeling which is perfect for the horror-like references that are made during the show.

Missing Kitty Scott-Claus on this performance was felt! She really would have made the show extra special, however the cast (and her understudy, Roberts) were really strong. These are not classically trained actors and you would not have a clue. All of them completely warranted being in a West End performance and shone brightly in their own way. An extra bow needed for the wonderful LoUis CYfer, what a talent! Perfect comedic timing and got laughs consistently throughout. Roberts had one of the only songs towards the end and what a beautiful singing voice.

There is room for more music in this show for sure, with all the actors being drag stars, they are so competent and regular music performers that this would surely be welcomed and would add some extra dynamics.

NEW CASTING ANNOUNCED

AIMEE LOU WOOD, JOHN McCREA

AND NATHAN IVES-MOIBA

TO JOIN

THE MULTI AWARD-WINNING AND CRITICALLY ACCLAIMED PRODUCTION OF

CABARET

AT THE KIT KAT CLUB

FROM 13 FEBRUARY UNTIL 27 MAY 2023

The producers of the multi award-winning, critically acclaimed production of CABARET at the KIT KAT CLUB in London’s West End are delighted to announce that BAFTA Award winner Aimee Lou Wood will play ‘Sally Bowles’, Olivier Award nominee John McCrea will play ‘The Emcee’ and Nathan Ives-Moiba will play ‘Cliff Bradshaw’ from 13 February 2022 until 27 May 2023. kitkat.club

Aimee Lou Wood said today “I’ve wanted to be Sally Bowles since I was around 10 so this is really special. I’m unbelievably excited and having the greatest time in rehearsals. The production is so wonderful and I feel honoured to be stepping into this beautiful team of people!”

John McCrea said today “I’m thrilled to be taking on the iconic role of the Emcee in this ground-breaking production of Cabaret.  It’s an absolute honour to be joining this amazing company of artists.”

Aimee Lou Wood is best known for her portrayal of Aimee Gibbs in all three series of the Netflix series Sex Education for which she won the BAFTA Award for Best Female Comedy Performance. She recently starred in the critically acclaimed film Living opposite Bill Nighy. Her stage credits include Sonya in Uncle Vanya at the Harold Pinter Theatre in the West End and Downstate at the National Theatre.

John McCrea created the role of Jamie New in the smash hit musical Everybody’s Talking About Jamie at both the Sheffield Crucible Theatre and the West End’s Apollo Theatre. For his performance he was nominated for the Olivier Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role in a Musical and won the Most Promising Newcomer at the Critics Circle Theatre Awards, the WhatsOnStage Award for Best Actor in a Leading role in a Musical and the UK Theatre Award for Best Musical Performer. He recently appeared as Max in Daddy at the Almeida Theatre and his film credits include Artie in the hit Disney film, Cruella.  

Nathan Ives-Moiba’s many theatre credits include As You Like It at the National Theatre, My Children My Africa at Trafalgar Studios, Our Country’s Good for Out of Joint, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, And Did Those Feet and Tull, all at the Octagon Theatre. For his performance in Tull, Nathan was nominated for the Best Newcomer at the Manchester Theatre Awards.

At certain performances, the role of Sally Bowles will be played by Emily Benjamin.

As a member of the original cast of this production, Emily has been a swing and understudy to the role of Sally Bowles since the show opened.Her other West End theatre credits include Bat Out of Hell The Musical at the London Coliseum and The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe at the Bridge Theatre.

The final performance for Callum Scott Howells as ‘The Emcee’ and Madeline Brewer as ‘Sally Bowles’ will be Saturday 28 January 2023. Sid Sagar’s final performance as ‘Cliff Bradshaw’ will be Saturday 11 February 2023.

Between 30 January 2023 – 11 February 2023 the role of ‘The Emcee’ will be played by Matthew Gent and the role of ‘Sally Bowles’ will be played by Emily Benjamin. At certain performances the role of ‘Sally Bowles’ will be played by Sally Frith.

Matthew Gent’s West End theatre credits include Sweeney Todd at the Adelphi Theatre, The Phantom of the Opera at Her Majesty’s Theatre and Les Misérables at the Queen’s Theatre. His other theatre credits include Rags at the Park Theatre, The Queen of the Mist at Charing Cross Theatre, The Water Babies at Leicester Curve, The Carnival of the Animals at Riverside Studios and Taboo at Brixton Club House.

The cast also includes Vivien Parry as ‘Fraulein Schneider’, Richard Katz as ‘Herr Schultz’, Danny Mahoney as ‘Ernst Ludwig’ and Michelle Bishop as ‘Fraulein Kost’. The cast is completed by Gabriela Benedetti, Charles Croysdill, Laura Delany, Sally Frith, Matthew Gent, Ying Ue Li, Ela Lisondra, Chris O’Mara, Grant Neal, Hicaro Nicolai, Adam Taylor, Toby Turpin, Patrick Wilden and Sophie Maria Wojna.

The Prologue Company currently includes Rachel Benson, Ami Benton, Laura Braid, Reuben Greeph, James Hastings, Samantha Ho, Emma Holt, Liz Kamille, Andrew Linnie, Aine McLoughlin and Callum Sterling.

This unique production of CABARET opened in December 2021 to critical and audience acclaim, widely praised as the ultimate theatrical experience. In April 2022 the production won a record-breaking seven Olivier Awards, the most for any musical revival in Olivier history. The production has also won three prestigious Critics Circle Awards and most recently the Evening Standard Theatre Award for Best Design for designer Tom Scutt.

Transforming one of London’s most famous theatres with an in-the-round auditorium and reimagined spaces, before the show guests are invited to enjoy and explore the Kit Kat Club with pre-show entertainment, drinks and dining all on offer. When booking, guests receive a ‘club entry time’ to allow enough time to take in the world of the Kit Kat Club before the show starts. But of course, the show really starts when you first join us in the club…

One of the most successful musicals of all time CABARET features the songs Wilkommen, Don’t Tell Mama, Mein Herr, Maybe This Time, Money and the title number. It has music by John Kander, lyrics by Fred Ebb, book by Joe Masteroff. Based on the play by John Van Druten and stories by Christopher Isherwood.

CABARET is directed by Rebecca Frecknall, set and costume design is by Tom Scutt with choreography by Julia Cheng. Musical supervision is by Jennifer Whyte and musical direction is by Ben Ferguson with lighting design by Isabella Byrd and sound design by Nick Lidster. The casting director is Stuart Burt and the associate director is Jordan Fein.

CABARET at the KIT KAT CLUB is produced by Ambassador Theatre Group Productions and Underbelly.

HOSTS ANNOUNCED FOR THE

23^RD ANNUAL WHATSONSTAGE AWARDS

WhatsOnStage today announce that Courtney Bowman, Laurie Kynaston and Billy Luke Nevers will host the 23^rd Annual WhatsOnStage Awards on 12 February 2023 at the Prince of Wales Theatre. Bowman, herself a nominee for last year’s smash-hit Legally Blonde, will team up with Kynaston who starred in the heavily nominated 2021 revival of Spring Awakening, and her Legally Blonde co-star and current & Juliet cast member Nevers. The annual Awards ceremony is the only major theatre prize-giving decided entirely by the theatregoers themselves. Further details of the ceremony, including the performances at the event, will be announced shortly. Voting for this year’s awards closes tomorrow, 10 January.

Courtney Bowman: “The talent is already oozing! It’s gonna be a nice celebration of theatre, as always. I’m getting a great vibe from my co-hosts – they’re very, very silly – and we’ve got each other for support as well.”

Laurie Kynaston: “The fact that the Awards are publicly voted for shows the power that audiences hold… without them we wouldn’t be here at all! It’s also going to be gorgeous to be back in a room packed with the cream of British theatre royalty, having a right old knees up. What can you expect? The unexpected! Costume changes? Surprise guest appearances? Me forgetting my lines? Who knows! It’s going to be great fun, and it’s an awards ceremony for all of us. See you there on the 12th!”

Billy Luke Nevers: “I am so excited to be presenting the WhatsOnStage Awards this year and celebrate all the achievements of this year in the UK theatre industry with two wonderful people. This year is going to be a bit different to what the awards will have seen before…. You’ll have to come and find out why!”

Leading this year is My Neighbour Totoro with 9 nominations – Mei Mac for Best Performer in a Play, Best New Play, Best Direction for Phelim McDermott, Best Musical Direction/Supervision, Best Lighting Design, Best Set Design, Best Sound Design, Best Video Design and Best Graphic Design. The next best nominated straight play is Good with 5 nominations, including 3 acting nominations for David Tennant, Sharon Small and Elliot Levey.

The critically acclaimed Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Oklahoma!,  which transfers to the West End in February, leads the musical categories, with 8 nominations – Best Supporting Performer in a Musical for Marisha Wallace, Best Musical Revival, Best Director for Daniel Fish and Jordan Fein, Best Musical Direction/Supervision, Best Casting Direction, Best Lighting Design, Best Sound Design and Best Video Design. Other top nominees in the musical categories were both Almeida Theatre productions, directed by the company’s Artistic Director Rupert Goold – Spring Awakening with 6 nominations, and Tammy Faye, the most nominated new musical, with 5 nominations.

THE NOMINATIONS IN FULL:

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, 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

awards.whatsonstage.com

Twitter @WhatsOnStage #WOSAwards
Instagram @WhatsOnStage

Forum Theatre, Malvern – 7th January 2023

Reviewed by Courie Amado Juneau

5*****

I have been lucky enough to have seen the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra many times but always at symphony hall so I was intrigued to hear how they would sound on tour, outside their acoustically near perfect home of Birmingham Symphony Hall. Tonight they did not disappoint. In fact they were as wonderful as ever in a joyous Viennese programme to usher in the New Year.

Suppe’s “Light Cavalry Overture” got proceedings off to a rousing start, setting out tonight’s stall with big brass, sparkling woodwind, lush strings and a busy percussion section. I always love hearing some background to the music and tonight’s introductions from Conductor Christoph Altstaedt were most welcome, presenting us with many interesting and highly amusing facts in areas as diverse as the parallel invention of the telephone, Danish pastry, Eintracht Frankfurt football club and some composer prison stories. A very personable host who I could have listened to all night long, I had not had the privilege to have seen him conduct before but I was about to learn that he is a very fine conductor indeed. He also plays a mean typewriter – played perfectly in time (the sticking keys only adding to the fun) during Anderson’s “The Typewriter”. Humor was a key component throughout the night – like having a popular ringtone “interrupt” at the end of Strauss’s “Telephone Polka”. The percussion section (in particular) was having a rare old time looning it up – for instance during Lumbye’s “Copenhagen Steam Railway Galop” they announced (complete with signalman’s hat and waved flag) that the performance would not proceed as the train to Birmingham had been canceled due to the Conductor being on strike, being pretty typical! Tonight’s singer, Anna Devin, was sensational with an impressive range and incredible technique to make those arias seem so effortless. The finale to the evening, the last trio of pieces, was worth the price of admission all on

its own. First was Lehár’s Giuditta: “Meine Lippen, sie kussen so heiss” in which Ms Devin inhabited her role with impressive sensuousness. I only wish I spoke German so I could have understood the lyrics. Even so I was totally transported! Then probably the most famous waltz; Strauss’s “Blue Danube” and the same composer’s “Radetzky March” rounded things off with aplomb, gusto and panache (the orchestra are so well drilled a musical unit they did not even need the conductor for this encore). Our conductor had reminded us in his final address that we are fortunate to have a truly world class orchestra on our doorstep and how right he is! Their playing was flawless throughout and they looked like they were having a ball – I hope they enjoyed it as much as we did, since they were thrilling us with top notch entertainment. A privilege to see them and one I shall be making less rare this year. A life affirming evening of gorgeous tunes from a first rate orchestra! What more could one ask to celebrate the New Year?

Birmingham Hippodrome – until Sunday 29th January 2023

Reviewed by Amarjeet Singh

3.5***

A pantomime is traditionally a fairy tale complete with songs, dances, jokes, exaggerated characters and lots of audience participation. This production of Dick Whittington is a little different. More reminiscent of a variety performance than a traditional pantomime, it delivers on entertainment, glitz and glamour but is thin on story, plot and originality.

There were some truly wow moments, a flying bus, fire performers, and a giant rat (which sadly only appears once), however, and this was the opinion of my daughter, it was not really aimed at the young.

Main lead, Matt Slack was a brilliant performer, he had the audience in stitches with his sketches, routines, impersonations and general silliness, but a lot of it was borrowed from comedians of yesteryear and was a repetitive cycle of sex and toilet humour (as in the same jokes being told again in the same performance). Being both lead and comedian and being the focus for the majority of the show, Slack left no room for the other cast members to shine.

Marti Pellow appears as the evil Ratman who is hellbent taking over London with his rats and foiling Dick’s achievements. He has a wonderful stage presence, but he was hardly on stage with the other cast members, so it was almost like watching 2 different shows. It would have been great to have seen him interact more with Slack and have a more multidimensional aspect to his character. His vocal talents were amazing but unfortunately the sound levels meant we could hardly hear him over the music.

Suzanne Shaw sporadically appeared as Alice Fitzwarren, the daughter of the dame and potential love interest. Her talent as a singer and dancer was sorely under utilised.

Slack did banter quite well with Dr Ranj as the Spirit of the Bells, the Fairy Godmother-like character, Andrew Ryan as the Dame, and Doreen Tipton’s Doreen the Cat. All three brought the humour and corpsed as they caught each other off guard with innuendos.

There is a lot of adult humour in this production, and at times it teeters on the brink of what goes too far for some families. At 2hrs 40min it can also be a bit long for some. Cutting the children coming up on stage would not be a bad thing.

The sets are stunning, full of colour and character, embodying the streets of London, the inside of the Fitzwarren’s sweet shop, and the Ratman’s Palace. The costumes are sumptuous and spectacular, an obvious standout would be the Dame’s many changes of outfit, but my favourite was a lady dressed as a Jammie Dodger (you have to see it to believe it!)

Overall, Dick Whittington is a fun, festive night out. You will be entertained as it’s a show full of laughter and excitement. Is it a panto in the traditional sense? Oh no it isn’t. Is it a show to be seen? Oh yes it is!

Northern Ballet’s The Great Gatsby swings into

theatres this Spring

Touring nationally 8 March – 20 May 2023

Coming to Leeds, Sheffield and London

northernballet.com/gatsby 

Northern Ballet’s The Great Gatsby is returning to theatres across the UK this March, opening at Leeds Grand Theatre on Wednesday the 8th before touring to Sheffield’s Lyceum Theatre and London’s Sadler’s Wells. 

In their newly released trailer, Northern Ballet give a glimpse of the glitz and glamour audiences can expect, as they reimagine F. Scott Fitzgerald’s infamous 1920s novel on stage.

The Great Gatsby first premiered in 2013 and has since enjoyed four successful UK tours, becoming one of the Company’s most popular productions.

Set in New York’s Long Island during the 1920’s, The Great Gatsby tells the tale of Jay Gatsby, a mysterious millionaire with a secret past and a penchant for lavish parties. As the champagne flows, glamour and romance give way to jealousy and tragedy. Because in Prohibition-era New York, everybody has something to hide…

The Great Gatsby is choreographed by Northern Ballet’s former Artistic Director David Nixon CBE and earned him a nomination for Best Classical Choreography in the 2014 National Dance Awards.  

The production features lavish sets by Jérôme Kaplan and dazzling Chanel-inspired costumes designed by Nixon. Sir Richard Rodney Bennett’s CBE’s unforgettable score completes the backdrop, played live by Northern Ballet Sinfonia.  

Tickets to The Great Gatsby are now on-sale. Please visit northernballet.com/gatsby for more information and to book. Audio described performances are available at each theatre, please visit northernballet.com//audio-described-performances to find out more.

PANdemonium Comes to Broadway!

From the creators of the Tony® and Olivier® award-winning

The Play That Goes Wrong

Kevin McCollum, Kenny Wax, Stage Presence, and Catherine Schreiber

present

the Mischief Theatre Production

PANdemonium Comes to Broadway!

From the creators of the Tony® and Olivier® award-winning

The Play That Goes Wrong

Kevin McCollum, Kenny Wax, Stage Presence, and Catherine Schreiber

present

the Mischief Theatre Production

By Henry Lewis, Jonathan Sayer, Henry Shields

Based on Peter Pan by J.M. Barrie

Limited 16 ½ week Broadway engagement starring

the Original Mischief Company

First Performance March 17, 2023

Official Opening Night April 19, 2023

at the Ethel Barrymore Theatre

PanGoesWrongBway.com

This spring, brace yourself for an awfully big adventure as you finally get the chance to laugh again on Broadway.

Peter Pan Goes Wrong, the international comedy sensation from Mischief, will premiere on Broadway with a limited engagement starting March 17, 2023 at the Ethel Barrymore Theatre (243 West 47^th Street) on Broadway.  The official opening is set for April 19, 2023.

Tickets go on sale at Telecharge.com on Thursday, January 5 at 10 AM. For groups call Broadway.com / Group Sales Box Office at 1-800-BROADWAY x2. Call now to guarantee disappointment. 

Co-written by Mischief company members Henry Lewis, Jonathan Sayer and Henry Shields, Peter Pan Goes Wrongis a highly physical comedy packed with finely-tuned and inspired slapstick, delivered with split-second timing and ambitious daring.  The play sees the ‘Cornley Drama Society’ back on stage battling technical hitches, flying mishaps and cast disputes as they attempt to present J.M Barrie’s much-loved tale. But will they ever make it to Neverland?

The cast of Peter Pan Goes Wrong on Broadway includes Chris Leask, Henry Lewis, Ellie Morris, Charlie Russell, Jonathan Sayer, Henry Shields, Greg Tannahill and Nancy Zamit. 

Peter Pan Goes Wrong is directed by Adam Meggido, with set designs by Simon Scullion, costumes by Roberto Surace, lighting by Matt Haskins, sound by Ella Wahlström, co-composed by Richard Baker and Rob Falconer.

Peter Pan Goes Wrong is produced on Broadway by Kevin McCollum, Kenny Wax, Stage Presence, and Catherine Schreiber.

Peter Pan Goes Wrong made its premiere at the Pleasance Theatre in London in December 2013. After a UK Tour in 2014, the production transferred to the West End’s Apollo Theatre for a Christmas season run in 2015 and returned to the West End the following year for another Christmas season run from October 2016. The play was also adapted into a one-hour television special, which was broadcast on December 31, 2016, on BBC One. The play made its North American premiere in 2022 at the Citadel Theatre in Edmonton, Canada.

Peter Pan Goes Wrong was nominated for Best New Comedy at the Olivier® Awards and has joyfully wowed critics across the UK.

“A joyous masterclass of physical comedy.”

• London Evening Standard

“A dizzying, dazzling display of meta-theatrical brilliance.”

• The Stage

“Riotously Funny. An absolute must see.”

• WhatsOnStage

“Joyfully silly.”

• Time Out

“Two hours of pure, comic bliss.”

• Official London Theatre

“Joyful disaster from the comedy masters.”

• BBC Radio 4

“A smartly staged, heartily performed, cannily conceived comedy.”

• The Times (London)

“Comedy Gold.”

• The Telegraph

“Irresistibly funny.”

• Financial Times

“This show should be Panned.”

• C. Hook

Mischief’s Tony® Award-winning Broadway hit The Play That Goes Wrong, opened in March 2017 at the Lyceum Theatre running longer than any other play that debuted in the 2017/2018 Season.  After 737 performances the production moved to the New World Stages where the show continues to play to packed houses. The North American Tour was one the most successful Broadway play tours of the past twenty years. broadwaygoeswrong.com   

Kevin McCollum (Producer) received the Tony Award for Best Musical for Rent (1996), Avenue Q (2004) and In the Heights (2008). Current: SIX (Broadway, U.S. Tour); Olivier Award-winning The Play That Goes Wrong (Broadway, U.S. Tour, Off-Broadway).  Credits: Mrs. Doubtfire (Broadway, West End); Motown: The Musical (Broadway, West End, U.K. and U.S. tours); The Drowsy Chaperone (Broadway, UK); Something Rotten! (Broadway, U.S. tour); Hand to God (Broadway, West End);  Baz Luhrmann’s La Bohème; [title of show] (Broadway); Irving Berlin’s White Christmas (Broadway, tour); and the 2009  revival of West Side Story (Broadway, tour). McCollum also produced the West Side Story film (2021) directed by Steven Spielberg. Upcoming Musicals: The Devil Wears Prada, The Notebook

Kenny Wax (Producer) recently completed a three-year term as president of the Society of London Theatre. He is one of the producers of the Tony Award-winning and Olivier-nominated production of SIX, produced Top Hat (winner of three Olivier Awards, including Best New Musical), Once on This Island (winner of the Olivier Award for Best New Musical), the world premiere of Identical based on Erich Kastners novel The Parent Trap and most recently Tom, Dick and Harry based on the true story of the Great Escape. Productions with Mischief Theatre include The Play That Goes Wrong (winner of the Olivier Award for Best New Comedy, currently playing Off-Broadway), Peter Pan Goes Wrong, The Comedy About a Bank Robbery and Magic Goes Wrong, in collaboration with Las Vegas magicians Penn & Teller. Family productions include Hetty Feather, The Worst Witch (Olivier Award for Best Family Show) and Fantastically Great Women Who Changed the World.

Stage Presence Ltd. (Producer) is delighted to be part of the team presenting Mischief comedies in New York and across the United States.

Peter Pan Goes Wrong is presented in arrangement with Mischief Worldwide Ltd.

Mischief Theatre Ltd. was founded in 2008 by a group of acting graduates of LAMDA and began as an improvised comedy group. Mischief performs across the UK and internationally with original scripted and improvised work and also has a programme of workshops. The company is owned and controlled by its original members and is led by a creative group and its directors Henry Lewis and Jonathan Sayer. 

Mischief shows can currently be watched all over the globe with their award-winning smash hit The Play That Goes Wrong currently playing in London and New York. Following its West End premiere Peter Pan Goes Wrong was nominated for Best New Comedy at the Olivier Awards, and in 2022 made its North American premiere in Canada at the Citadel Theatre, Edmonton. Other hit stage comedies include The Comedy About A Bank Robbery (which played in London for four years) and Groan Ups, both currently performed across Europe. Magic Goes Wrong closed in London in March 2022 after a limited engagement and continued to wow critics and audiences across the UK until the UK tour ended in May 2022. Returning to their comedy roots Mischief took three shows to the Edinburgh Festival Fringe in 2022, with Mischief Movie Night and two new shows Mind Mangler: Member of the Tragic Circle and Charlie Russell Aims To Please. Following sold out success in Edinburgh Charlie Russell Aims To Please performed in London for one night only in December 2022. Mind Mangler: Member of the Tragic Circle begins touring the UK from January 2023, which includes dates in the West End. A new production Good Luck, Studio opened October 2022 in the UK at the Mercury Theatre, Colchester before a short tour to Salisbury and Guildford.

In 2017 Mischief Theatre Ltd. and Kenny Wax & Stage Presence, the producers of all the company’s West End productions, formed Mischief Worldwide Ltd. to manage the rights to all Mischief projects in all artforms. Mischief Worldwide Ltd., based in London, licenses copyrights, trademarks and other Mischief properties to producers, distributors, publishers and others around the world. 

Mischief was first seen on television in the Royal Variety Performance of 2015 and subsequently in two BBC One Christmas specials, Peter Pan Goes Wrong (2016) and A Christmas Carol Goes Wrong (2017). In 2018 Mischief Worldwide Ltd. and the Anthology Group formed Mischief Screen Ltd., an independent TV production company headed by CEO Hilary Strong. Their Royal Television Society award-winning BBC One series The Goes Wrong Show aired in December 2019 with a Christmas special, further episodes in early 2020, and a hit Nativity Goes Wrong Christmas special in 2020. The second BBC series aired in September 2021 on BBC One and iPlayer where the gang tackled a Downton-esque family saga and a US-style prison break drama, with predictably disastrous results. All shows can be watched on BBC iPlayer in the UK.

All the companies develop, create and perform under the single name of Mischief. Mischief develops new works of comedy for theatre, TV, film and other media.

Mischief®, Mischief Theatre®, The Play That Goes Wrong® and ® are trademarks and registered trademarks of Mischief Worldwide Ltd.

#             #             #

www.PanGoesWrongBway.com

www.MischiefComedy.com

GARTLAND PRODUCTIONS AND CHRIS MAGUIRUE ANNOUNCE CAST FOR EUROPEAN PREMIÈRE OF HEAD OVER HEELS

Gartland Productions and Chris Maguire today announce the cast for the European première of Head Over Heels at the Hope Mill Theatre in Manchester set to the music of the iconic 1980’s all-female rock band The Go-Go’s.  Luke Bayer leads the cast as Musidorus, alongside Alison Driver (Ensemble) Iz Hesketh (Pythio), Jenny O’Leary (Pamela), Daniel Page (Dametas), Maiya Quansah Breed (Philoclea), Samuel Routley (Ensemble), Khadija Sallet (Mopsa), Julie Stark (Gynecia), Marina Tavolieri (Ensemble), Timo Tatzber (Ensemble), and Fed Zanni (Basilius). The production opens on 1 February 2023,with previews from 26 January, running until 4 March.

This fantastically queer juke box musical was adapted from The Countess of Pembroke’s Arcadia written by Sir Philip Sidney in the 16th century. It had its world première in June 2015 at the Oregon Shakespeare Festival, after which it was adapted by James Magruder and his version opened in San Francisco 2018. It is also notable for starring Peppermint (Pose, RuPaul’s Drag Race) – who was the first trans woman to originate a principal role on Broadway.

Director Tom Jackson Greaves said today: “We’re so excited to introduce you to the cast of Head Over Heels – each individual bringing such a glorious breadth of talent, generosity and go-go spirit to the production. I am so buzzing to dance; sing and tell stories with them and Manchester is In for a real treat.”

Gartland Productions and Chris Maguire co-present

HEAD OVER HEELS

Based on ‘The Arcadia’ by Sir Philip Sidney

Conceived and Original Book by Jeff Whitty

Adapted by James Magruder

Songs by The Go-Go’s

26 January – 4 March 

Director and Choreographer: Tom Jackson Greaves; Musical Director: Arelene McNaught; 

Casting Director: Lucy Casson; Set and Costume: Sophia Pardon; Lighting Designer: Jamie Platt

Luke Bayer (Musidorus); Alison Driver (Ensemble); Iz Hesketh (Pythio); Jenny O’Leary (Pamela); Daniel Page (Dametas); Maiya Quansah Breed (Philoclea); Samuel Routley (Ensemble); Khadija Sallet (Mopsa); Julie Stark (Gynecia); Marina Tavolieri (Ensemble); Timo Tatzber (Ensemble); and Fed Zanni (Basilius).

This laugh-out-loud love story is including the hit songs, We Got the Beat, Our Lips Are Sealed, Vacation, Belinda Carlisle’sHeaven is a Place on Earth, and Mad About You.

A hilarious, exuberant celebration of love, Head Over Heels follows the escapades of a royal family on an outrageous journey to save their beloved kingdom from extinction—only to discover the key to their realm’s survival lies within each of their own hearts.

Head Over Heels is presented through special arrangement with Broadway Licensing, 7 Penn Plaza, Suite 904, New York, NY 10001, www.broadwaylicensing.com.

Luke Bayer plays Musidorus. His theatre credits include, RENT (Hope Mill Theatre), Hair (London Palladium), I Could Use a Drink (Garrick Theatre), Fiver, The Great Gatsby (Southwark Playhouse), Everybody’s Talking About Jamie (Apollo Theatre), Soho Cinders (Charing Cross Theatre), Yank! (Hope Mill Theatre), The 12 Tenors (China Tour), and Les Misérables 20th Anniversary (Queen’s Theatre). His television credits include Ackley Bridge, and The X Factor.

Alison Driver, Ensemble and Dance Captain. Her theatre credits include What’s New Pussycat? (Birmingham Rep), RENT (Hope Mill Theatre), Love Story (Cadogan Hall), and Paw Patrol Live Race to The Rescue (UK tour).

Iz Hesketh plays Pythio. Their theatre credits include Legally Blonde (Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre), RENT (Hope Mill Theatre), and The Book of Mormon (UK tour).

Jenny O’Leary plays Pamela. Her theatre credits include Groundhog Day (The Old Vic), RENT (UK tour), The Secret Garden (The Barn Theatre), Heathers (Theatre Royal Haymarket, and The Other Palace). Her television credits include Gangs of London; and film credits, Matilda and Unicorns.

Daniel Page plays Dametas. His theatre credits include My Kingdom Is a Horse (Rose Theatre Kingston), Billy Elliot – The Musical (UK tour), The Producers (Gordon Craig Theatre) Players Music Hall (Charing Cross Theatre), Priscilla, Queen of The Desert (NCL), and The Wind in The Willows (Kew Gardens/Australian Shakespeare Company). His television credits include Simply Musicals, Musicool, The Royal Butlers, Nightmare Situation,and  Worzel Gummidge; and for film credits include Reaper, Ill Manors, Better Than Tomorrow, Chasing Charlie, Vandalis, Open Mic, Open Your Eyes, The Heist, Kill Ben Lyk, and Snow White.

Maiya Quansah Breed plays Philoclea. Her theatre credits include RENT (Hope Mill Theatre), and Six: The Musical (Arts Theatre), The Secret Garden (London Palladium), I Could Us a Drink (Garrick Theatre) and The Love Revue and Starry (Stanley Arts).

Samuel Routley, Ensemble. His theatre credits include Priscilla, Queen of The Desert, The Osmonds (UK tour), and West Side Story (Ljubljana Festival).

Khadija Sallet plays Mopsa. Her theatre credits include Last Life (Edinburgh Fringe), The Amen Corner (West-coast Black Theatre), Hair, Ragtime (AxelRod Theatre), In the Heights (West-coast Black Theatre), Legally Blonde (Sarasota Players Theatre), and James and The Giant Peach (Venice Theatre).

Julie Stark plays Gynecia. Her theatre credits include The Lesson (Icarus Theatre), Bat Out Of Hell (Dominion Theatre), Rapunzel, The Producers (Gordon Craig Theatre), Priscilla, Queen of The Desert, Les Misérables (UK tour), Sleeping Beauty (Wakefield Theatre Royal), Chess – The Musical (Aberystwyth Arts Centre), Love Story (Duchess Theatre), The Witches of Eastwick (Manchester Opera Hose), and Shout! (Arts Theatre). Her film credits include Les Misérables.

Marina Tavolieri, Ensemble. Her theatre credits include Mother Goose (Hackney Empire), Sister Act (Eventim Apollo, London), and A Chorus Line (Leicester Curve).

Timo Tatzber makes his professional stage debut in the ensemble.

Fed Zani plays Basilius. His theatre credits include Mamma Mia! The Party (O2), The 12 Tenors (European tour) Tenderly, The Rosemary Clooney Musical (New Wimbledon Theatre), and The Night of The Iguana (Noel Coward Theatre). His television credits include Delicious, Being Human, Hotel Babylon, ShakespeaRe-Told and Afterlife, and for film The Girl in The Café.

Tom Jackson Greaves is a theatre maker based in the UK, specialising in creating cross-art-form, collaborative work with movement at its heart. Greaves is an Associate Artist at The Watermill Theatre, and he has won the 2012 New Adventures Choreographer Award. As a director his credits include Whistle Down the Wind and The Jungle Book (The Watermill Theatre), Brother (Southwark Playhouse), Extraordinary Women, Lucky Stiff (GSA), High Fidelity (Turbine Theatre) and Run For Your Life (Kneehigh).  His credits as choreographer/movement director include The Book Thief (Bolton Octagon), The Da Vinci Code, Zog and The Flying Doctors, Priscilla Queen of the Desert (UK tours), Rent (Hope Mill Theatre), Amélie (The Other Palace), King John (RSC), , Miracle on 34th Street, Paint Your Wagon, Fiddler on the Roof (Liverpool Everyman and Playhouse), The Audience, Billionaire Boy (Nuffield Southampton), Macbeth, Sweet Charity, Midsummer Night’s Dream, Twelfth Night, The Borrowers, Romeo and Juliet (The Watermill Theatre), Spring Awakening (Hope Mill Manchester), Teddy (The Vaults/UK tour), Boudica (Shakespeare’s Globe), The Life (Southwark Playhouse), Peter and the Starcatcher (Royal and Derngate), The Glass Menagerie (Headlong) and The Crocodile (MIF)

Listings

Hope Mill Theatre

Hope Mill Theatre, 113 Pollard Street, Manchester, M4 7JA

Box Office: 0161 275 9141 (Tuesday to Friday 12:00pm-6:30pm)

https://hopemilltheatre.co.uk/

Performances: 

Tuesday – Sunday at 7:30pm

Matinees 2:30pm on Wednesday & Saturday and 5:00pm Sunday https://hopemilltheatre.co.uk/events/head-over-heels

Gartland Productions/Liam Gartland is a commercial theatre producer based in London. In 2021, Liam was named one of the ‘Rising Stars of the West End’ after producing Drew Gasparini’s ‘I Could Use A Drink’ at The Garrick Theatre. 

Previous productions include; Daddy Issues (Seven DIals Playhouse), LIFT (Southwark Playhouse) Tell Me Straight (King’s Head Theatre) and A Song For Christmas (Iris Theatre). 

In 2020, Liam co-founded and is the Executive Director of The Grad Fest, an award winning company providing performance opportunities and support for recent theatre graduates. The Grad Fest were awarded a ‘ONEOFF Special Award’ for their dedicated work through the pandemic supporting theatre graduates and were nominated for the ‘Recognition Award’ by Industry Minds. 

Liam is proudly supported by Stage One, a charity that supports new UK Theatre producers. Having attended the Stage One New Producer’s Workshop in 2021, the following year he went on to be a recipient of the  Stage One Bursary.

gartlandproductions.com

Broadway Licensing is a full-service theatrical partner specialising in the development, production and worldwide distribution of new and established theatrical properties. Approaching the licensing universe with a wholly personal and productorial vision, the company partners with authors, agents and producers to harness the power derived from embracing the intersection of art and commerce. Broadway Licensing advocates for the author, committing to have as many people experience their work as possible while protecting the copyright, utilising its pioneering digital platform, high touch servicing and cutting-edge strategies to execute that vision. As a trusted curator of important, daring, and entertaining theatre, with a dedication to diversity and inclusion, Broadway Licensing helps build experiences that are bigger than itself; where communities come together to share the ideas of an author’s work, inspiring conversations and forging memories that last a lifetime. 

EMPIRE THEATRE, LIVERPOOL – UNTIL SATURDAY 7TH JANUARY 2023

REVIEWED BY MIA BOWEN

4****

Dreams do come true! This sensational and iconic, multi award winning musical returned to the Empire Theatre last night for a second time during their UK tour, direct from the West End. It is a musical extravaganza from start to finish and never in all the years of going to the theatre have I witnessed an emotional standing ovation at the end of the first half!

Nominated for 5 2017 Oliver awards, including Best Musical, Dreamgirls transports you to a revolutionary time in American Motown music history and when being Black and being female meant persecution, suppression and fighting for every opportunity. It follows the lives of three young talented friends, Effie, Deena and Lorelle, the Dreamettes that went from rising backing singers to world famous phenomenons. It was first performed on stage in 1981 on Broadway and in 2006 the story of the Dreams was adapted into a film with a star studded line up.

The music by Henry Krieger is impressive and known around the globe. There is such a variety of styles, from Motown, gospel, R&B, smooth pop, disco and more. The score pulses with drive and energy throughout and the music rarely stops because it accompanies much of the dialogue. The visuals are remarkable throughout and credit should be given to the creative team for such a marvellous show, Hugh Vanstone’s lighting and Tim Hatley’s set and costume design enhanced ‘Steppin’ To The Bad Side’, making it my favourite musical performance.

Without doubt the unassailable star of the show is Nicole Raquel Dennis, as Effie. Her voice is commanding, beautiful and brought the whole audience to a roaring standing ovation at the end of the first half. And of course the audience favourite, Brandon Lee Sears as Jimmy, who’s performance is impressive, he is a gymnast, a dancer and an incredible vocalist.

Dreamgirls is dazzling and beautiful to watch with a whole lotta soul.