LIDLESS THEATRE ANNOUNCES MAJOR REVIVAL
OF PHILIP RIDLEY’S THE PITCHFORK DISNEY
AT KING’S HEAD THEATRE
 WITH FULL CREATIVE TEAM ALSO ANNOUNCED

Lidless Theatre, Zoe Weldon and King’s Head Theatre today announces major revival and the full creative team for their new production of Philip Ridley’s seminal work The Pitchfork Disney,directed by Lidless Theatre’s Co-Artistic Director Max Harrison. Completing the creative team, following their previous work with Lidless Theatre, are Kit Hinchliffe (Designer – Co-Artistic Director of Lidless Theatre), Ben Jacobs (Lighting Designer – 2025 Olivier Award Winner for Oliver!) and Sam Glossop (Sound Designer), among others.

This will be the fourth collaboration between Lidless Theatre and Philip Ridley, following their productions of Ridley’s Moonfleece (Pleasance Theatre), Tender Napalm (King’s Head Theatre) andLeaves ofGlass (Park Theatre, OFFIE Award winner for Best Performer), with the latter breaking box office records and returning for a second sell-out run.

Ridley’s first professional stage play, ThePitchfork Disney,premiered at Bush Theatre on 2 January 1991 and was instrumental in launching the In-Yer-Face theatre movement. A dark and unsettling play, ThePitchfork Disney follows the relationship of two siblings and an encounter they have with an unexpected visitor.

Philip Ridley said today, “I’m so thrilled and honoured that my play, The Pitchfork Disney, is to be seen at the wonderful King’s Head Theatre. And in the hands of the truly remarkable theatre company, Lidless Theatre, who have done several of my plays, including Leaves of Glass at the Park last year, and Tender Napalm at the King’s Head in 2021. People often ask me what The Pitchfork Disney is about. I tell them it’s about fear. And fear. And fear. And fear. And fear. It seems an apt time to be doing the play.”

Sofi Berenger, Acting CEO and Executive Producer of King’s Head Theatre added, “Max Harrison has such a brilliant understanding and knack with Philip Ridley, his revival of Leaves of Glass at Park Theatre and Tender Napalm at King’s Head pub in 2021 was gripping and fresh. So for Lidless Theatre to be returning to our new larger main stage, with our Angels of Angel production fund as co-producers, is a really exciting addition to our Autumn season. The Pitchfork Disney was one of Ridley’s seminal pieces and most renowned, and there’s no better time for a revival of this incredible play.”

The production opens on 2 September 2025, with previews from 27 August and runs until 4 October at King’s Head Theatre.

Lidless Theatre, Zoe Weldon and King’s Head Theatre present

THE PITCHFORK DISNEY

By Philip Ridley

27 August – 4 October 2025

Director: Max Harrison
Designer: Kit Hinchcliffe
Lighting Designer: Ben Jacobs
Sound Designer: Sam Glossop
General Manager: James Quaife
Production Manager: Carrie Croft

You know why the ghost train is so popular? Because there are no ghosts. Once you’ve learnt that you can make a fortune.

Ten years ago something terrible happened to Presley and Haley. Since then they’ve lived alone in their dead parents’ house, doors bolted against the terrors of the world. But, one night, Presley sees a beautiful stranger on the street outside. And while his sister sleeps…he invites in their worst nightmare.

Darkly comic and deeply unsettling, Philip Ridley’s seminal masterpiece single-handedly changed the course of British drama. Its exploration of ‘a climate of fear’, living in ‘alternate worlds’, and persistent thrum of sexual anxiety has continued to act as a tuning fork for the zeitgeist. It is a play whose relevance is forever in the now.

Philip Ridley’s plays include The Pitchfork Disney (now published as a Methuen Modern Classic), The Fastest Clock in the Universe (winner of a Time Out Award, the Critics’ Circle Award for Most Promising Playwright, and the Meyer-Whitworth Prize), Ghost from a Perfect Place, Vincent River (nominated for the London Festival Fringe Best Play Award), the highly controversial Mercury Fur, Leaves of Glass, Piranha Heights, Tender Napalm, Shivered, Dark Vanilla Jungle (winner of an Edinburgh Festival Fringe First Award), Radiant Vermin (now published as a Methuen Modern Classic), Tonight With Donny Stixx, Karagula, The Beast of Blue Yonder, The Poltergeist, and Tarantula, plus several plays for young people (collectively known as The Storyteller Sequence): Karamazoo, Fairytaleheart, Moonfleece (named as one of the 50 Best Works About Cultural Diversity by the National Centre for Children’s Books), Sparkleshark (the first of the Connections Festival plays for young people to be staged professionally by the National Theatre), and Brokenville; also, Feathers in the Snow (shortlisted for the Brian Way Best Play Award).

Max Harrison is a freelance theatre director and Co-Artistic Director of Lidless Theatre. His directing credits include Miss Julie, Leaves of Glass (Park Theatre), Tender Napalm (King’s Head Theatre), Vesper Monologues (Arcola Theatre), and In Place of Fear and Moonfleece (Pleasance Theatre). As Associate Director, his credits include Waiting for Godot (Theatre Royal Haymarket), and as Assistant Director, Five Characters in Search of a Good Night’s Sleep (Southwark Playhouse).


LISTINGS

THE PITCHFORK DISNEY
King’s Head Theatre
116p Upper St, London N1 1QP

Box Office: 0207 226 8561
https://kingsheadtheatre.com/whats-on/29/by-philip-ridley-directed-by-max-harrison/the-pitchfork-disney
27 August – 4 October 2025

Tickets from £10

EXTENSION ANNOUNCED FOR UK TOUR OF

ANNE-MARIE CASEY’S NEW STAGE ADAPTATION OF

LITTLE WOMEN

Lee Dean and Daniel Schumann today announce eight further venues for their hit UK tour of Anne-Marie Casey’s new stage adaptation of Louisa May Alcott’s much loved novel Little Women directed by Loveday Ingram.

The tour, which was originally scheduled to conclude at Theatre Royal Plymouth on 21 June, will now continue to eight further venues this autumn, beginning at Salisbury Playhouse from 3 – 13. Little Women will now finish its run at Liverpool Playhouse from 4 – 8 November.

Belinda Lang best known for her roles in Sister Boniface Mysteries and 2point4 Children and Foyles War’s Honeysuckle Weeks will reprise their roles as Aunt March and Marmie respectively. Full cast to be announced.

Lee Dean and Daniel Schumann present

LITTLE WOMEN

Adapted by Anne-Marie Casey

Cast includes Belinda Lang (Aunt March) and Honeysuckle Weeks (Marmee)

Director: Loveday Ingram; Designer: Ruari Murchison; Lighting: Mike Roberston; Composer and Sound Designer: Mathew Bugg; Movement: Mike Ashcroft

Louisa May Alcott’s Little Women was an immediate critical and commercial success. The book was inspired by Alcott’s experiences growing up and is one of the best loved novels of all time.

Experience the enduring journey of the March sisters – tomboy Jo, beautiful Meg, sensitive Beth, and spoilt Amy, as they as they navigate the challenges of the Civil War era, forging unbreakable bonds of love and family. Step into the world of sisterhood, courage, ambition and follow them as they progress into womanhood. 

Still as relevant today Little Women is a celebration of women proving that women can be heroes of their own story, can be bold, persistent, self-assured to stand strong in who they are, and what they desire for themselves in their present and future. 

Anne-Marie Casey’s masterful new adaptation of the classic story offers a captivating rendition of Little Women that breathes new life into a cherished classic. 

The recent success of the Greta Gerwig film, the nostalgia of the classic book, combined with a beautiful adaptation provides an exciting theatrical experience guaranteed to be a night (or afternoon!) filled with laughter, tears, and a heart-warming lifting of the spirits. 

Anne-Marie Casey’s play adaptations include Wuthering Heights – adapted from the novel by Emily Brontë and Tess – the circus adaptation of Thomas Hardy’s novel. For television, her credits include Miss Haversham, The Shockers, The Story of Lucy Gault – adapted from the novel by William Trevor, Wild Irish Girl, The Master

Belinda Lang plays Aunt March. Her theatre credits include Duet For One, Single Spies, Ladies in Lavender, The Reluctant Debutante, Present Laughter, Duet For One (National tours), The Country Wife (Chichester Festival Theatre), Humble Boy (Orange Tree Theatre), Oklahoma (Albert Hall Prom) ,The Constant Wife (Gate Theatre, Dublin), School For Scandal (Park Theatre), The Letter of Last Resort (Traverse Theatre) The Bomb (Tricycle Theatre), The Killing of Sister George (Arts Theatre), An Hour and A Half Late (Bath Theatre Royal), Hayfever (Manchester Royal Exchange/ Haymarket Theatre) Liberty (Globe Theatre) and What The Butler Saw (Criterion Theatre), Dead Funny (Savoy Theatre), Mrs Klein (National Theatre). Her television credits include Sister Boniface Mysteries (as series regular Mrs Clam), This England, Citizen Khan, My Family, Three Minute Moments, Rosemary & Thyme, Justice in Wonderland, Midsomer Murders, 2point4 Children (as series regular Bill Porter), Second Thoughts (as series regular Liza), The Inspector Alleyn Mysteries (as series regular Agatha Troy), Dear John (as series regular Kate)and To Serve Them All My Days.

Honeysuckle Weeks plays Marmee. Her theatre credits include Accolade, Calendar Girls, Absurd Person Singular (UK tours), The Best Man (Playhouse Theatre), These Shining Lives (Park Theatre), and A Daughter’s A Daughter (Trafalgar Studios, Theatre Royal Windsor). Her television credits include Frankie Drake Mysteries, Lewis, The Five, Death in Paradise, and as series regular Samantha Stewart in Foyle’s War.

Loveday Ingram’s directing credits include Room 13 (Barn Theatre), Rebus: A Game called Malice,  Fatal Attraction (UK tours), Dinner with Groucho (Dublin Theatre Festival, Belfast International Festival and Arcola Theatre), The Girl on the Train (Salisbury Playhouse) The Rover (RSC), My One and Only, Pal Joey (Chichester Festival Theatre), The Blue Room (Theatre Royal Haymarket), Baskerville: A Sherlock Holmes Mystery (Liverpool Playhouse), Baskerville (National Centre for the Performing Arts, China) Julius Caesar, Henry V (Storyhouse Theatre), Macbeth (Theatre Severn), Boston Marriage and Hysteria (B*Spoke Theatre Company). Additional directing credits include the original Assistant Director for Mamma Mia! and Associate Director at Chichester Festival Theatre. Her writing credits include a short film selected to represent Women’s Aid internationally for the campaign for Elimination of Violence Against Women.

LITTLE WOMEN

LISTINGS

Malvern Festival Theatre

Until 19 April

Box Office: 01684 892277 / https://malvern-theatres.co.uk/

Devonshire Park Theatre, Eastbourne 

22 – 26 April

Box Office: 01323 412000 / https://www.eastbournetheatres.co.uk/whats-on

New Theatre, Cardiff 

29 April – 03 May

Box Office: Office: 0343 310 0041 / https://trafalgartickets.com/new-theatre-cardiff/en-GB

Lyceum Theatre, Sheffield

6 – 10 May

Box Office: 0114 249 6000 / https://www.sheffieldtheatres.co.uk/whats-on/lyceum

His Majesty Theatre, Aberdeen

13 – 17 May

Box Office: 01224641122 / https://www.aberdeenperformingarts.com/his-majestys-theatre/ 

Birmingham Repertory Theatre, Birmingham

20 – 24 May

Box Office: 0121 236 4455 / https://www.birmingham-rep.co.uk/whats-on/

Oxford Playhouse, Oxford 

27 – 31 May

Box Office: 01865 305305 / www.oxfordplayhouse.com

Richmond Theatre, London

3 – 7 June 

Box Office: https://www.atgtickets.com/venues/richmond-theatre/

Leeds Grand Theatre and Opera House, Leeds  

10 – 14 June 

Box Office: 0113 243 0808 / https://leedsheritagetheatres.com/whats-on/

Theatre Royal Plymouth, Plymouth

17 – 21 June

Box Office: 01752 668282 / https://theatreroyal.com/whats-on/

Autumn tour:

Salisbury Playhouse

3 – 13 September

Box Office: 01722 320333 / https://www.wiltshirecreative.co.uk

On sale: Friday 16 May

Lighthouse Poole

16 – 20 September

Box Office: 01202 280000 / https://www.lighthousepoole.co.uk/

Darlington Hippodrome

7 – 11 October

Box Office: 01325 405405 / https://www.darlingtonhippodrome.co.uk/

Chelmsford Theatre, Chelmsford

7-11 October

Box office: 01245 606 505 / https://www.chelmsfordtheatre.co.uk/

Storyhouse, Chester

21 – 25 October

Box Office: 01244 409 113 / https://www.storyhouse.com/

On sale: Friday 25April

Yvonne Arnaud Theatre, Guildford

21 – 25 October

Box Office: 01483 44 00 00 / https://www.yvonne-arnaud.co.uk/our-venue/contact-us

Bath Theatre Royal

28 October – 1 November

Box Office: 01225 448844 / https://www.theatreroyal.org.uk/

Liverpool Playhouse

4 – 8 November

Box Office: 0151 709 4776 / https://everymanplayhouse.com/

The Birmingham Rep – until 3rd May 2025

Reviewed by Nadia Dodd

5*****

A Thousand Splendid Suns is based on the book by Khaled Hosseini, and tells the story of the last fifty years of Afghanistan through one family: Rasheed (Jonas Khan), his two wives Mariam (Rina Fatania) and Laila (Kerena Jagpal) and Laila’s children, Aziza (Humera Syed) and Zalmai (Noah Manzoor).

The play opens up in Kabul, the young Laila’s family is packing up to seek refuge until a bomb drops on their house killing her parents and leaving Laila an orphan.

Their neighbour, Mariam, takes Laila in, and the story develops from there. Including getting to know Mariam’s husband Rasheed.

The play flashes back to Mariam’s childhood and jump forward to Aziza and Zalmai grown up, over the performance and covers a lot of ground and Afghan history.

You are never really told what years the play is based although depending on your age you can roughly work out some of the information yourself. There is a delightful comic interlude in which Aziza celebrates her love of the film Titanic, which led me to approx. 1997. The programme says the final scene unfolds in 2001 although this is not spoken about on stage.

After reading the book many years ago, I thought the play by Ursula Rani Sarma has been put together so well, obviously you are unable to really get to know the characters in as much detail in the play compared to the book although the flashback and jump forward scenes were easily followed and just flowed perfectly.

The staging designed by Simon Kenny, was a whole carpet filling the entire stage. Used for characters to pray on, sit on eating food with family or even entertaining guests. It worked perfectly no matter what was happening on stage at the time. The atmospheric lighting was simply gorgeous.

A tough watch at times with scenes of violence, domestic and sexual abuse and of course war, this is also why it wouldn’t be advised to be viewed by the younger audience.

Watching the relationship develop between Laila and Mariam both woman who have been thrown together was beautiful, helping each other eventually in deciding to flee their evil and controlling husband Rasheed. Mariam had a great sense of humour in some scenes raising some light-heartedness’ with the audience.

The standing ovation, the applause and cheers showed the nine cast members how much we had all be engrossed in the scenes that had unfolded in front of our eyes for the past 2 hours plus.

A fantastic production, suffering and resilience, tears and laughter, sadly many women have lived and still live like this. I would recommend that you also take tissues along to the show there are teary moments a plenty.

Octagon Theatre, Bolton – until Saturday 10th May 2025

Reviewed by Rebecca Hampson

3***

Adapted by Patrick Barlow from the novel by John Buchan and the movie by Alfred Hitchcock, The 39 Steps follows Richard Hannay as he embarks on an adventure of romance and murder.

This new production at the Octagon allows its 4 strong cast to perform a variety of characters (over 150 in total!) charming the audience with comedy and whit.

In this production Mateo Oxley takes on the illustrious role of Richard Hannay, and his performance is close to swoon worthy with the impeccable RP accent we know so well to Hannay.

The stand out performance for me was from Phil Yarrow in the role of Mrs Jordan. This slapstick performance left me giggling as I watched others in the audience laughing along too.

Having taught this play, I found it a great joy to finally see it on stage, even if it was not quite what I had dreamt up.

Whilst this new take on a classic was enjoyable I did find myself confused by certain choices made. I couldn’t tell if things were meant to be going wrong, in the way of the fantastic “The Play That Goes Wrong” or if these were elements that needed fine tuning.

That being said the consistent laughter from the audience proved that if intentional, the audience were lapping it up.  

Theatre Royal Windsor – until Saturday 19th April 2025

Reviewed by Carly Burlinge

4****

Windsor brings you Alan Bennett’s well known and loved play – The Lady in the Van, a funny yet heartfelt true story. About the unlikely and unwanted relationship, that springs up between Miss Shepherd (Nichola Mcauliffe) and Alan Bennett (Robert Duncan). Miss Shepherd is  living in her van on Mr Bennetts road in Camden, but seems to be  continuously  moved along by many of the residents who seem to have had enough of her eccentric,  irritating and unsanitary ways. Things take a different direction when  Miss Shepherd is scared in the night by thugs tapping at her window and shouting abuse, causing Mr Bennett concern about how safe Miss Shepherd really is. Due to this Mr Bennett offers for Miss Shepherd to park her van in his front garden.

With many  neighbours and a social worker (Sara Crowe) always popping by and with interest from others. A lady from the church then offers to buy her a new van which ends up on Bennett’s driveway supposedly on a temporary basis but she actually ends up staying there for 15 years! Mr Bennett has an ageing mother, who he regularly makes comparisons of to Miss Shepherd in a satirical and melancholy way, however despite his prickly exterior, he gradually begins to care about Miss Shepherds welfare. All the above forming a quirky yet strange friendship where over time they begin to learn more about each other; for instance Miss Shepherds ability to speak fluent French and her dislike of any music! She also becomes aware of his skills  as a writer all these things filling  a loneliness that they both have within their lives.

The play is narrated by Alan Bennett (Matthew Cottle) as if he is writing the story and looking back upon the past, sometimes questioning his younger self (Robert Duncan), his memories and the emotions he experienced during his encounters with Miss Shepherd.

Rather than presenting this play in the usual way with different scenes, changing scenery, costume changes and a large cast this performance was delivered in the style of the classic radio drama – set in an intimate studio, with the cast reading their parts in front of microphones and a foley artist (Michael Workman) using props to recreate sound effects and create atmosphere. By presenting the play in this way the director (Roy Marsden) gives us a nostalgic view of vintage radio dramas, whilst ensuring that the words of Alan Bennett are enhanced by the simplicity of the performance and not detracted from.

The cast used a limited number of simple props to help them to get into their characters, especially when the actor played more than one part. A pair of glasses, a hat and a tote bag were some of the props used and helped the audience to distinguish between the characters with ease. The foley artist used a wide range of props to recreate sound effects, ranging from traditional props such as a piano and door knocker, to the more obscure rear of a van, including doors! These sound effects really brought the performance to life as if you were hearing the drama over the radio waves.

I really enjoyed this production in its simplicity with its nostalgic feel. That shows the versatility available within the theatre. A classic play with serious, comedic and satirical moments that drew the audience in. Well worth a watch.

The Kings Theatre, Portsmouth- until 20 April 2025

Reviewed by Lorna Hancock

5*****

With book by Thomas Meehan, music by Charles Stouse and lyrics by Martin Charnin. The story of Annie, originates all the way back to the 1885 poem ‘Little Orphant Annie’. It’s developed over the years through comics, radio dramas and films to the Broadway musical we know and love today. This production, brilliantly directed by Timothy Quinlan follows the original Broadway production. It tells the heartwarming story of the lively eleven-year-old orphan Annie (Sienna Salter), her hard life in the orphanage, with luck leading her to meet billionaire Oliver Warbucks (Steve Reading) and her desperate longing to be reunited with her real parents.

The show opens in the orphanage, where we meet a very lively bunch of orphans with an energetic rendition of ‘Hard Knock Life’. It was great to see the children’s characters shining through, a special mention goes to Savana Murray for her very cheeky yet lovable portrayal of Molly. This is also when we first meet Annie, wonderfully played by Sienna Salter, she beautifully encapsulates the iconic character. From the moment she bounded on to the stage, red curls bouncing and eyes shining with hope, she was Annie. 

Miss Hannigan played by Andee Jordan gave a dazzling performance as the cruel alcoholic proprietor of the orphanage, delivering a villain the audience loved to loathe. Later teaming up with Lily (Fenn Trodd) and Rooster (Curtis Mclennan) both with a magnetic stage presence, the dastardly trio really captured the spotlight.

The ensemble was strong throughout, I especially enjoyed their animated performance of ‘Hooverville’. Playing a smaller part, I also loved the comedic interjections from Drake (Nigel James). 

With an obvious array of local talent, there is no ‘Maybe’ that this run will be a shining success. It lights up the stage with heart and hope, and ended with a resounding standing ovation.

YASH RAJ FILMS RELEASE

THE TITLE TRACK OF

ADITYA CHOPRA’S

DEBUT MUSICAL

COME FALL IN LOVE

– THE DDLJ MUSICAL

SET FOR ITS UK PREMIERE

AT MANCHESTER OPERA HOUSE

29 MAY – 21 JUNE 2025

From Punjab to Paddington, Vishal and Sheykhar are asking everyone to ‘Come Fall In Love’ with the title track of Come Fall In Love – The DDLJ Musical. Directed by Aditya Chopra, Come Fall in Love – The DDLJ Musical is set to premiere in the UK at Manchester Opera House from Thursday 29 May to Saturday 21 June 2025.

The new musical comedy is based on one of the biggest blockbuster films in the history of Indian cinema, Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge (DDLJ) and will star Jena Pandya and Ashley Day, who will play the role of Simran and Roger respectively. 

Ahead of the musical’s premiere, YRF released the title track ‘Come Fall In Love’ featuring renowned music duo Vishal-Sheykhar. Come Fall In Love beautifully blends the essence of both Eastern and Western influences. Vishal and Sheykhar seamlessly weave together traditional Indian instruments, like the dhols, with the vibrant energy of the West which is bound to be an earworm for everyone, including musical theatre lovers. The lyrics of this title track have been written by Nell Benjamin.

Speaking about the song, Sheykhar Ravjiani said,

“I have enjoyed every moment of the experience of creating the music for ‘Come Fall In Love – The DDLJ Musical’, and I’m glad Aditya Chopra got us onboard for this project. This song is incredibly special – I’m sure the audience will absolutely love it and that it will heighten their anticipation for the show. This high-energy anthem captures the beautiful spirit of India and celebrates the cross-cultural connection of East meets West. It is sure to connect with everyone regardless of who they are and where they’re from!  I can definitely say we’ve created this song with all our heart and if you wish to know more about India and its vibrant culture, then you must go and watch Come Fall In Love – The DDLJ Musical.”

Vishal Dadlani echoed similar sentiments.

He said, “Come Fall In Love – The DDLJ Musical celebrates India’s culture, tradition and everything India is loved for. Working on the musical has been hugely satisfying. For the Come Fall In Love song title track, we wanted to arouse a strong sense of nostalgia for someone who has roots in India and, at the same time, would introduce people in the West to India’s great heritage, which is prevalent in its food, music, cinema, and culture. Nell Benjamin wrote the song as an energetic glorification of India, an India that is even more than just colours and festivals, an India that resides in her people. I’m thrilled to have that thought so beautifully evident in our song. Come Fall In Love is a musical made with a lot of heart and will resonate with a diverse audience – the Come Fall In Love track is just a teaser to what’s in store for you.”

Come Fall In Love – The DDLJ Musical premieres in the UK this May. It is directed by Aditya Chopra, the original director of the record-breaking, award-sweeping Hindi-language film Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge, also known as DDLJ. Come Fall In Love, the song, is one of the 18 all-new English songs created for the production.

The award-winning creative team for Come Fall in Love – The DDLJ Musical includes Book and Lyrics by Nell Benjamin (Mean Girls with Tina Fey, Olivier Award winner for Legally Blonde with Laurence O’Keefe), Music by Vishal Dadlani and Sheykhar Ravjiani (popularly called Vishal & Sheykhar in India), Choreography by Rob Ashford (Tony, Olivier and Emmy Award winner whose credits include Frozen, Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying on Broadway), Co-Choreography – Indian Dances by Shruti Merchant (Ladies vs. Ricky Bahl, Taj Express), Scenic Design by Derek McLane (two-time Tony Award winner whose credits include MJ the Musical and Moulin Rouge! The Musical on Broadway and West End), Casting is by David Grindrod CDG for Grindrod Burton Casting, Lighting Design by Japhy Weideman, Sound Design by Tony Gayle, Video Design by Akhila Krishnan, the Musical Supervisor and Arranger is Ted Arthur and Musical Direction is by Ben Holder.

Tickets are on sale at comefallinlovemusical.com.

RECORDING ARTIST AND PRESENTER

FLEUR EAST

TO STAR AS TINA TURNER ALONGSIDE

KARIS ANDERSON IN

THE WEST END PRODUCTION OF

T I N A – T H E   T I N A   T U R N E R   M U S I C A L

BOOKING EXTENDED AT THE ALDWYCH THEATRE

TO 10 JANUARY 2026

The producers of the hit West End production TINA – THE TINA TURNER MUSICAL which is based on the life of legendary artist Tina Turner and was produced in association with Tina Turner herself, are delighted to welcome TV and Radio presenter and recording artist Fleur East to the cast where she will share the role of Tina alongside one of its current stars, Karis Anderson. The musical, which today also extends booking until 10 January 2026, marks Fleur’s West End and theatrical debut. Fleur will perform in the musical from Tuesday 24 June to Saturday 13 September 2025. Patrons are advised to check the website for her performances dates. Tickets on sale now.

Fleur rose to fame when she placed second in the 2014 series of hit ITV talent show The X Factor. Her widespread acclaim on the show where she performed Uptown Funk with Bruno Mars in the live semi-final, saw her bag a record deal with Syco and release the single ‘Sax’, which hit number three in the charts and stayed in the top 10 for seven weeks. In 2022 she was a fan favourite competing on BBC talent show Strictly Come Dancing, where she narrowly missed out on winning the illustrious Glitterball trophy with partner Vito Coppola. Since her success on Strictly, Fleur has become co-host of the BBC 2 sister show Strictly: It Takes Two and presents the Hits Radio Breakfast Show alongside Will Best and James Barr. Throughout her career, Fleur has also appeared on I’m A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here, been part of the Saturday Night Takeaway presenting team, hosted ITV game show The Void and appeared in three episodes of Ted Lasso.

Producer Tali Pelman said “I am a huge admirer of Fleur, who has always struck me as an extraordinary woman; an exceptional talent who, like Tina Turner, will not allow herself to be defined by others. Fleur’s generosity, optimism, kindness and determination are all qualities that are truly Tina. She is a natural, and we are thrilled she has decided to make her stage debut in our musical. I am tremendously excited that our journey together has begun!”

The musical has been running in the West End for over 7 years, making it the longest running show ever to play at the Aldwych Theatre.

Developed in London together with Tina Turner, the critically acclaimed production received its world premiere in April 2018 and has subsequently broken all Box Office records at the Aldwych Theatre. Since its opening, 10 first-class productions have opened worldwide on Broadway, in North America, Germany, Australia, Spain and the Netherlands. A new UK and Ireland tour opened in March 2025 with a Brazilian production opening in February 2026.

The full 2025/26 cast will be announced in due course.

Discover the heart and soul behind the Queen of Rock ‘n’ Roll at TINA – THE TINA TURNER MUSICAL, the long-running mega hit in London’s West End and a musical celebration of resilience and triumph over adversity. TINA – THE TINA TURNER MUSICAL reveals a comeback story like no other, of a woman who dared to defy the bounds of racism, sexism and ageism to become a global icon. Set to the pulse-pounding soundtrack of her most beloved hits, including River Deep, Mountain High, We Don’t Need Another Hero (Thunderdome) Proud Mary, The Best and What’s Love Got To Do With It, experience Tina Turner’s story live on stage as this exhilarating celebration honours the woman who dared to dream fiercely, shatter barriers, and conquer the world against all odds.

TINA – THE TINA TURNER MUSICAL opened at the Aldwych Theatre on London’s West End in 2018 before a global roll-out that brought the show to sold-out audiences across the world. In North America, the Broadway production opened in November 2019 and was nominated for 12 Tony Awards including Best Musical and can currently be seen across the continent on tour. In Europe, TINA – THE TINA TURNER MUSICAL has had productions at Stage Operettenhaus in Hamburg, Germany, the Apollo Theater in Stuttgart, Germany, the Beatrix Theater in Utrecht, Netherlands and at the Teatro Coliseum in Madrid, Spain. TINA – THE TINA TURNER MUSICAL recently finished touring across Australia, with sell out seasons at Theatre Royal Sydney, Astor Theatre Perth and Lyric Theatre, Brisbane. In February 2026, the musical will open in Sao Paulo in Brazil marking its 11^th worldwide production.

Directed by Phyllida Lloyd and written by Pulitzer Prize-winner Katori Hall with Frank Ketelaar and Kees Prins, TINA – THE TINA TURNER MUSICAL is choreographed by Anthony van Laast, with set and costume designs by Mark Thompson, musical supervision by Nicholas Skilbeck, lighting by Bruno Poet,sound by Nevin Steinberg, projection design by Jeff Sugg, orchestrations by Ethan Popp, wigs, hair and makeup design by Campbell Young Associates, casting by Pippa Ailion CDG and Natalie Gallacher CDG and fight direction by Kate Waters.

TINA – THE TINA TURNER MUSICAL is produced in the West End by Stage Entertainment, Joop van den Ende and Tali Pelman, in association with Tina Turner.

Produced by Stage Entertainment and Ghostlight Records and featuring the original London cast, TINA – THE TINA TURNER MUSICAL: Original Cast Recording is available worldwide on CD, both online and in stores. The CD features a 20-page booklet, which includes liner notes, synopsis, and production and studio photography. The album was recorded in February 2019 at Angel Studios and RAK Studios, produced by the show’s Music Supervisor Nicholas Skilbeck and Kurt Deutsch, and co-produced by Tom Kelly. To download or stream the album, or order the CD please visit www.ghostlightrecords.lnk.to/riverdeep-tinaturnermusical

TINA – THE TINA TURNER MUSICAL is dedicated to the memory of Tina Turner, who sadly passed away in May 2023.

LISTINGS INFORMATION

Theatre:                              Aldwych Theatre, Aldwych, London WC2B 4DF

Dates:                                 Now booking to 10 January 2026

Performances 2024: Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday at 7pm, Thursday, Friday and Saturday at 7:30pm, Thursday and Saturday at 2.30pm.    

Box Office:                          0845 200 7981

Website:                             www.tinathemusical.com

Facebook:                           TinaTheMusical

Twitter:                               TinaTheMusical

Instagram:                          TinaTheMusical

Royal & Derngate Northampton – Monday 14 April 2025

Reviewed by Amarjeet Singh

4****

Who doesn’t love a good whodunit? However, Murder She Didn’t Write is a completely improvised performance from start to finish, so nobody knows who did it or who’s going to get done in until the murder mystery has begun. Every night the Degrees of Error performers act out an original story, never seen before and never to be seen again, based on suggestions offered up from the audience.

The premise is very Cludo-esque, with our main characters donning colours reminiscent of the boardgame. We are guided through the story by detective Agatha Crusty, who tosses her deer stalker into the audience to find her trusty sidekick Jerkins. This helpful audience member along with the rest of the audience are asked to choose the setting, an item integral to the story, and an event. Part way through the performance, Jerkins aids Crusty in randomly choosing the murder victim and murderer. Only the players are privy to this information.

Murder She Didn’t Write is fast paced frenetic and fun. The performers are really enjoying themselves and this is infectious. Punctuated with puns galore and quick quips, the humour is spot on. The laughter is continuous, and everyone is eager to join in, especially when you have a pet rock called William as the murder weapon. Tonight, the improvisers were caught between a rock and a soft place. The location, a Cushion convention, the pivotal item a sharp rock and the event was simply ‘dentist’. With these rather bizarre prompts, this talented troupe created a highly entertaining and hilarious murder mystery.

Lizzy Skrzypiec is a fantastic Agatha Crusty. Explaining how the process works in an entertaining and engaging fashion and interjecting in the show at key moments, forcing the players to up their game and expand on things they have said or done with comical results. Stephen Clements is brilliant as Vernon Blue. Scowl faced, Somme damaged, his spontaneous kiss with the jazz handed Peter Baker, Mr Green, is quite the showstopper. Peter Baker’s energy and physical comedic timing is brilliant, his high note is something to behold. Mr and Mrs Red, Douglas Walker and Rachael Procter-Lane are a marvel to watch. Between the live cat stuffed cushions and the insatiable love for a chaise lounge, I had to catch my breath between laughs. Sylvia Bishop played Violet, aka ‘Dentist’, with aplomb. She brought the house down when she declared that she couldn’t possibly be the murderer as she had taken the toothy version of the Hippocratic oath. Sara Garrard, musical director/pianist and Rob Kershaw technician/show editor both elevated the show with lighting and music adding depth to the performance, letting us know when there were flashbacks, key moments, mood changes and any other important bits which helped us to solve the murder.

I think you get the gist of how creative and inventive this incredible group of artists are. Given a few prompts, and mere moments to get their heads around them, they develop a fully realised and side-splitting show. How do they make magic out of mayhem, before our very eyes…here lies the real mystery!

CASTING ANNOUNCED FOR WEST END RETURN OF

JOHN CLEESE’S

FAWLTY TOWERS – THE PLAY

APOLLO THEATRE, SHAFTESBURY AVENUE

24 JUNE – 13 SEPTEMBER 2025

DANNY BAYNE IS BASIL FAWLTY

HELEN LEDERER IS MRS RICHARDS

PAUL NICHOLAS IS THE MAJOR

JOANNE CLIFTON IS POLLY

TICKETS FROM: FAWLTYTOWERSWESTEND.COM

Casting is announced today for the West End return of John Cleese’s Fawlty Towers – The Play. “The funniest show in town” (Daily Express) is back at the Apollo Theatre Shaftesbury Avenue this summer for a strictly limited three-month season from 24 June – 13 September. Tickets are on sale now from FawltyTowersWestEnd.com.

This “as good as comedy gets” production (Sunday Times) – which first opened in May 2024 to a host of rave reviews – is directed by originating West End director Caroline Jay Ranger, and stars Danny Bayne as Basil Fawlty, Mia Austen as Sybil, Hemi Yeroham reprising his role as Manuel, Joanne Clifton as Polly, Paul Nicholas reprising his role as The Major and Helen Lederer as Mrs Richards.

Nearly 50 years since Fawlty Towers was first broadcast on BBC Two on 19 September 1975, comedy legend John Cleese, who originally co-wrote the “greatest British sitcom of all time” (Radio Times) with Connie Booth, has chosen three of his favourite original TV episodes – ‘The Hotel Inspector’ and ‘The Germans’ from series one and ‘Communication Problems’ from series two – and adapted them into a two-hour play.

John Cleese said: “I’m thrilled with the top-class group of comedy actors that we’ve assembled for Fawlty Towers’ return to the West End stage this June. September this year marks exactly 50 years since the first ever episode was broadcast on the BBC and here we are, all these years later, still making theatres rock with laughter.”

The play also features other beloved characters from the original TV sitcom: Mr Hutchinson / Wilhelm played by Greg Haiste; Miss Tibbs played by Emily Winter; Miss Gatsby played by Dawn Buckland; Mr Thurston / Günter played by John Hasler; Mr Walt played by Adam Elliott; Taxi Driver/ Mr Firkins / Mr Kerr / Mr Sharp played by Neil Stewart; and Johanna and Liz (Hotel Guest) played by Josie Brightwell. Completing the company of players are Ashleigh Harvey playing Debbie (Hotel Guest), Ben Jacobson playing Ken (Hotel Guest), Matthew Gordon playing Mr Dale (Hotel Guest) and Raymond Rose playing Philip (Hotel Guest).

Following a tip off that hotel inspectors may be visiting and eager to impress, Basil attempts to ingratiate himself with guests that he suspects are there to critique the establishment. The situation is further plagued by a party of Germans, the deaf and dotty guest-from-hell, Mrs Richards, whose infuriating complaints prevent him from hiding a gambling win from his ever vigilant and bossy wife, Sybil. Together they run their hotel with a little help from the unflappable Polly, and very little help at all from Manuel, the trainee waiter from Barcelona who is the butt of Fawlty’s frustration.

Set in a fictional hotel in the seaside town of Torquay, only 12 half hour episodes of the original BBC comedy were ever made. Based on a real-life hotel owner, Donald Sinclair. John Cleese came up with the idea for the character Basil Fawlty when he stayed at Sinclair’s Gleneagles Hotel in Torquay and became fascinated with his incredibly rude behaviour.

The iconic TV show won many awards and plaudits including two BAFTAS for Best Situation Comedy and in 2000 it was voted the best British programme of all time in a British Film Institute poll.

Following the West End summer season, this unmissable evening of “Fawltless” (Mail on Sunday) comedy will tour major theatres across the country from 30 September 2025 – 25 July 2026.

The creative team includes:

Written by John Cleese & Connie Booth

Adapted for the stage by John Cleese

Directed by Caroline Jay Ranger

Set and Costume Designer – Liz Ascroft

Lighting Designer – Ian Scott

Casting Director – Anne Vosser

Assistant Director – Denise Ranger

LISTINGS INFORMATION

Apollo Theatre, Shaftesbury Avenue, W1

Booking until: 13 September 2025

Performances: Tuesday – Saturday at 7:30pm. Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday matinee at 2:30pm

Website: FawltyTowersWestend.com

Instagram: @FawltyTowersWestEnd

Facebook: @FawltyTowersWestend

X: @FawltyTowersWE