AFTER 33 EXTRAORDINARY YEARS

SUSAN HILL’S

THE WOMAN IN BLACK

WILL HAUNT THE STAGE

OF THE FORTUNE THEATRE

FOR THE FINAL TIME

AS THE PRODUCTION ENDS IN THE WEST END

SATURDAY 4 MARCH 2023

PW Productions announce that after 33 extraordinary years in London’s West End, the theatrical sensation that is Susan Hill’s THE WOMAN IN BLACK, will play its final performance at The Fortune Theatre, London on Saturday 4 March 2023.

Producer Peter Wilson said today, “The Woman in Black’s miraculous theatricality has never faltered. Out of a gauze, a wicker skip and a door Stephen Mallatratt and Robin Herford conjured a complete world into which generations of young people have entered, surrendering to the ultimate magic of theatre: their own imaginations. However, the economic reality of attracting so many young people has caught up with us in a world of rising prices.

My thanks to Charles Kay and John Duttine, the first cast in 1989, to the generations of actors who have maintained the tradition of excellence while inhabiting Susan’s marvellous novella and Stephen’s extraordinary adaptation, to Robin Herford – who has directed every cast over the 33 years – to all the staff at the Fortune and of course the team at PW Productions.”

Susan Hill, writer of the novel said, “I am extremely sad that The Woman in Black is closing at The Fortune Theatre in March next year. It has been the perfect home for us for over 33 years. I am especially proud that Stephen Mallatratt’s wonderful stage adaptation of my ghost story has given generations of young people the opportunity to experience the enjoyment and the life-changing impact of theatre.”

Director Robin Herford said, “Since commissioning Stephen Mallatratt to write me a ghost story for Christmas to present for three and a half weeks at the Stephen Joseph Theatre in the Autumn of 1987, The Woman in Black has been a significant part of my life for a third of a century – and counting!

The Fortune has been a very happy London home for this play, its intimacy providing not only the right scale and atmosphere for the action, but also a treat for the audience in appreciating this West End jewel with its classic Art Deco architecture. A perfect fit. Leaving The Fortune is the end of a significant chapter in the story of The Woman in Black. It has been a privilege to have stewardship of this theatre with its wonderful staff in which to tell Susan’s devastating story in the highly original and imaginative manner in which Stephen conceived it for the stage.

I am proudest of the number of schoolchildren for whom this production has constituted one of their first experiences of theatre. Young people really respond to this play, and it gladdens my heart when I hear large numbers of schoolchildren queueing up outside before a performance. Earlier this Autumn, I got chatting to a teacher who had brought no fewer than 17 different parties of students to this show over the years! It’s how we grow our next generation of audiences.”

THE WOMAN IN BLACK has played over 13,000 performances in the West End and been seen by over 7-million people in the UK. In June 2019 the production celebrated its 30th Anniversary in London’s West End with a special gala performance.

Following a Christmas production in 1987 at a pub in Scarborough, THE WOMAN IN BLACK was brought to Hammersmith’s Lyric Theatre in January 1989. Reviews were sufficiently encouraging (apart from The Independent, who regretted the production’s inability to incorporate a live dog) to warrant a West End run. Its West End tour started at the Strand (now Novello) Theatre in March and moved to the Playhouse in April, finally lodging at the Fortune on June 7, 1989.

Throughout the run the producer has been determined to keep ticket prices within the range of students and young people. Nevertheless, the production has netted investors more than £8,000,000 over the years at the Fortune.  This policy will continue in whatever form the play and production take in the future.

THE WOMAN IN BLACK currently stars Julian Forsyth as Arthur Kipps and Matthew Spencer as The Actor.

THE WOMAN IN BLACK is directed by Robin Herford, with designs by Michael Holt and lighting by Kevin Sleep.

Southampton Mayflower – until 12 November 2022

Reviewed by Lucy Hitchcock

3***

Jay Osmond has written a new musical based on the life of his life with The Osmonds.

Alex Lodge plays ‘Jay’, one of the brothers of the band and talks us through the rise to stardom and development of the group. He is essentially narrating, taking us step by step and segueing through songs that saturate the performance. Ryan Anderson, Jamie Chatterton, Danny Nattrass, Austin Riley and Tristan Whincup play the other brothers-Merrill, Alan, Wayne, Jimmy and Donny. This was a good mix of actors who had very good vocals and sounded very much like the Osmonds themselves!

The show was very vocal centric, with characters literally bursting into song every few minutes-showing the strength these actors have in order to continue with the energy and vocals. The young Osmonds – Osian Slater as Donny, Jack Jones as Alan, Alfie Jones as Wayne, Harrison Skinner as Merrill, Tom Walsh as Jay and Fraser Fowkes as Jimmy were delightful and brought a childish charm to the show.

For me, the standout performance was Georgia Lennon as Marie Osmond. She is an incredible vocalist and immediately changed the second Act into a better version of itself.

Bristol Costumer Services outdid themselves with the costumes and really brought a nostalgic feel to the show perfectly.

If you want to be transformed to the swinging 60’s and get as close to the Osmonds as you will be able to-this is the show for you!

The Lowry, Salford – until Saturday 12 November 2022

Reviewed by Zoe Brown

4****

Following its short run in October at the Belgrade Theatre, Coventry, this marvel of Bollywood glitz and glamour from Phizzical Theatre Company has brought its magic to the Quays stage, at The Lowry

Despite a shaky start from a technical point of view (mics not being switched on, spots not coming up for the actors) this tale of behind the scenes 70’s and 80’s Bollywood reveal, romance and rivalry exploded onto the stage in a burst of musical delight and colour.

The story begins with the tale of Laila, (Nisha Aâliya) orphaned and alone, traveling to Bombay to find her father, Din Dayal, a successful Bollywood Director, (Chirag Rao). What follows is as much a coming-of-age story and reverence to the rise the female heroine in Bollywood, as a musical celebration of the amazing dance and song routines synonymous with the Bollywood slate of films.

There were particularly strong performances by Robby Khela, as Vicky, the insanely fame hungry and jealous hero of yesteryear and Sheetal Pandya, as Dolly, his young and treacherous bride.

Nisha Aâliya, as Laila and Pia Sutaria, as Mala, were equally stunning and mesmerizing as the love rivals and arguably heroines of the show. Rav Moore as the love interest and rising star, Sikander, was entertaining and humourous throughout.

The strength of character, confidence and vocal talent of Amar, as Pammi/Amma was wonderful, and the beautiful vocals of Chirag Rao, Robby Khela and Amar equally carried the show. I only wish when they provided vocals during the dance sequences, they were not visible – as this broke the illusion that the leads were in fact singing – as they desperately tried to lip synch along.

I must make special mention of Adeel Ali, who covered as Tiger, its never easy to step in as understudy and particularly on press night!

I was very pleased by the over-stage captions throughout the show (as a hard of hearing person I appreciate being able to follow the story) alongside translation of the songs (for those of us who don’t speak Hindi) However, it may have been prudent to not have the lighting rig directly in front as when a spot was raised it blocked the view.

You don’t need to be a fan of Bollywood to enjoy this show, although there were plenty of lifelong fans to whoop with delight when a favourite movie was referenced, or snigger when an infamous real-life incident was hinted at in the script.

Lastly the live musical talent provided by Dhaivat Acharya Bindi Bhumbra Ragen Bhrambhatt Vikaash Sankadecha Trushar Tailor was thrilling.

If you’re going to go, be prepared to sing, dance and clap along. This show deserves an audience with as much energy and gusto as their performances provide.

LILY ALLEN & STEVE PEMBERTON

TO STAR IN WEST END PREMIERE OF

ACADEMY & OLIVIER AWARD WINNING

MARTIN McDONAGH’S ELECTRIFYING PLAY

THE PILLOWMAN

Production reunites McDonagh with MATTHEW DUNSTER,

the director of their acclaimed production of Hangmen

DUKE OF YORK’S THEATRE

10 June – 2 September 2023

With an all-star cast including Lily Allen and Steve Pemberton, Matthew Dunster directs the first major revival and West End season of Martin McDonagh’s electrifying and savagely funny Olivier Award-winning play The Pillowman. Performances begin at the intimate Duke of York’s Theatre on Saturday 10 June, for a strictly limited 12-week run through to Saturday 2 September 2023 (Press Night: Wednesday 21 June).

Tickets will go on general sale at 12pm on Friday 11 November at www.pillowmanplay.com (please note previous bookers will be contacted prior to this and have a priority booking period).

Martin McDonagh, who has just won the Best Screenplay Award at the Venice Film Festival for his new, critically-acclaimed movie The Banshees of Inisherin, is also the multi Olivier, BAFTA and Academy Award-winning playwright and screen-writer responsible for Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri, In Bruges, Seven Psychopaths and Six Shooter.

Martin McDonagh commented:

“I’m thrilled that The Pillowman is finally making its West End premiere. It’s a play that’s always been very close to my heart, in terms of its combination of dark comedy with its exploration of the nature of story-telling itself and the role of the artist in society. With so many personal freedoms under attack by governments and religions around the world I think it’s a perfect time to put this play on.

I am a huge admirer of both Steve Pemberton and Lily Allen – their intelligence, their wit, their fun – and having Lily play Katurian, the first time this role has been played by a woman in an English-speaking version, is just so, so exciting to me. With such a strong cast, and Matthew at the helm once again, I can’t wait to be part of it.”

Lily Allen, who made her West End debut in 2:22 – A Ghost Story at the Noel Coward Theatre in a role for which she was awarded Best Female-Identifying Role in a Play at the Whatsonstage Awards and Olivier nominated, will play Katurian, the first time the role has been played by a woman.  Up next, Allen will star in the new Sky original comedy Dreamland which will premiere in 2023. Lily is also an internationally renowned singer and songwriter.

Lily Allen commented:

“One of our most inventive playwrights, Martin McDonagh, is renowned for pushing boundaries and it’s a privilege to join this show. Together with my incredible 2.22 director Matthew Dunster, I am excited to help create a production of The Pillowman that is sorely needed right now in these unprecedented times. I can’t wait to bring it to life each night on stage and for audiences to get to experience it.”

Steve Pemberton is a member of The League of Gentlemen with Reece Shearsmith, Mark Gatiss and Jeremy Dyson. He co-wrote and appeared in Psychoville and Inside No. 9 for which he won the BAFTA for Best Male Comedy Performance in 2019.  His other television credits include: Killing Eve, Good Omens, Worzel Gummidge, Doctor Who, Benidorm, Blackpool, Shameless, Whitechapel, Happy Valley and Mapp and Lucia.  His stage work includes playing Mr Hardcastle in She Stoops to Conquer at the National Theatre. Steve will play Tupolski.

Steve Pemberton commented:

“As a huge fan of Martin McDonagh’s writing, I’m delighted that The Pillowman is heading to the West End next year. I can’t wait to help bring this blisteringly dark and funny play to life and I’m honoured to be working with such an exciting creative team.”

Further casting is yet to be announced.

In a totalitarian state a Writer is questioned by the authorities about a spate of murders that bear similarities to her short stories. Is this life imitating art or something more sinister? This black comedy widely regarded as one of the greatest plays of the past 25 years, examines the role of the artist in society and asks what price do we pay for freedom of expression.

Martin McDonagh’s Olivier Award-winning Hangmen ran successfully in the West End and on Broadway. His other plays include The Beauty Queen of Leenane, A Skull in Connemara, The Lonesome West, The Lieutenant of Inishmore, The Cripple of Inishmaan, A Behanding in Spokane and A Very Very Very Dark Matter. 

Matthew Dunster is a theatre and film director and writer. He has directed or written over sixty shows, often with major national companies (including RSC, NT, Royal Court, Young Vic, Royal Exchange, Shakespeare’s Globe, The Bridge), as well as directing in the West End, on Broadway and internationally. He has been the Associate Director of The Young Vic and Shakespeare’s Globe. Matthew has been nominated for three Olivier Awards and his Broadway production of Hangmen was nominated for five Tony’s. 

Joining Martin and Matthew on the creative team are: Set and Costume Designer Anna Fleischle, the Lighting Designer is Neil Austin, Sound Designer, Ian Dickinson for Autograph and Casting is by Amy Ball.

The Pillowman is produced by Empire Street Productions, the same company that brought the hugely successful Prima Facie starring Jodie Comer to the West End this year, and which went on to break audience records when it was subsequently released in cinemas by NT Live. The production opens on Broadway in 2023. As with Prima Facie, accessibility to The Pillowman is fundamental to the producer, and there will be a Pay What You Can scheme, with 20 tickets per performance for the week, released the Wednesday beforehand.

Marylebone Theatre announces second season
From January 2023
Marylebone Theatre, 35 Park Road, London NW1 6XT

London’s new cross-arts venue, Marylebone Theatre, has announced its exciting second season. Near Baker Street, the new performing arts venue is carving out a special place on the London cultural scene as a beautiful and grand but intimate setting offering a wide variety of programming with theatre, music, dance and spoken word. The theatre’s second season will launch in January 2023, opening with a particular focus on music, bringing internationally renowned music artists to London this winter, including Benjamin Appl and Rachel Podger. In partnership with Quip Shed Comedy, Marylebone Theatre will host top names from the world of comedy including Ed Gamble and Phil Wang and further programming will be announced later.

The exciting music programme will see six concerts by internationally renowned artists. Apollo5, the critically acclaimed a capella group known for its rich, dynamic sound, will open the season in January. The five-piece vocal group has a versatile approach to music, with a repertoire spanning Renaissance, classical and choral works, as well as folk, jazz and pop. Norwegian-American pianist and composer Ola Gjielo, one of the most frequently performed will take to the Marylebone stage in January with his distinct style of cinematic, evocative harmonious sounds

Award-winning cellist Constantin Macherel will perform in January. Marylebone Theatre has a strong Rudolf Steiner heritage, who was known not just for his plays but also his movement artform, eurythmy. Macherel will be accompanied by eurythmy performer Benjawan Boonyawat for a special and expressive evening of music and movement. Contralto Jess Dandy will bring her velvety, plangent voice in January, accompanied by pianist Dylan Perez. Dandy has previously performed with the BBC Symphony Orchestra, Dunedin Consort and The Academy of Ancient Music. Baritone Benjamin Appl will perform with pianist James Baillieu. Appl, who was a BBC New Generation Artist 2014-16, is celebrated by audiences and critics across Europe and America, and his recent highlights include Dido and Aeneas with London choral composers in the world, Philharmonic Orchestra and Schubert’s song cycles at the Armory, New York. Renowned violinist Rachel Podger will close out the music programme with her mastery of the Baroque and Classical, known for her skilled interpretations of Bach, Vivaldi, Mozart, Purcell and more

Marylebone Theatre’s spoken word programme will include The Soldier, an evening of the poetry of Kipling, Owen and Sassoon, performed by Olivier Award-winning actor Kenneth
Cranham (The Father, West End; Hot Fuzz, Universal; The White Princess, Starz). Steinwerk will see Marylebone Theatre become a laboratory for a sculpture of voice. Poet and artist Sean Borodale and vocalist and performance sound artist Steve Boyland will explore the voice as a sculptural medium. Alongside their installation, which will feature performances, will be an exhibition of prints drawn from a stock of vocal scores and lyrigraphs.

Audiences in need of fun and cheer in the middle of winter will enjoy some of the biggest and best upcoming names in comedy, including Ed Gamble (Pointless and Mock the Week, BBC; Taskmaster, Channel 4), known for presenting The Peacock and Gamble and Off Menu podcasts; stand-up comedian and writer Phil Wang (Would I Lie to You? and Have I Got News For You, BBC; Roast Battle, Comedy Central); Scottish comedian Fern Brady (8 Out of 10 Cats and Taskmaster, Channel 4); Edinburgh Comedy Award-nominated comedian Ahir Shah (Live at the Apollo and Have I Got News For You, BBC; Dots, HBO Max); and exciting new stand-up and MC Michael May

Artistic Director of Marylebone Theatre Alexander Gifford comments, It is a great pleasure to be announcing a second season of work, which consolidates and expands upon our first. The Marylebone’s potential as a performance space will be fully explored with our upcoming programme. I am particularly pleased that we will be show-casing the beautiful movement form of eurythmy, as well as welcoming our first sculpture installation. Audiences are getting to know us as a place where they can be sure of high quality theatre and music, and it is exciting that in the New Year they will also be able to discover us as a home for dance, stand-up and the visual arts.

Further programming for Marylebone Theatre’s second season will be announced in due course.

Grand Opera House York – until Saturday 12th November 2022

Reviewed by Michelle Richardson

5*****

Based on the Roddy Doyle novel of the same name, who has also adapted this musical, and directed by Andrew Linnie, The Commitments is back on tour after its successful debut over 5 years ago. Back in York at the Grand Opera House, will it still prove to be a success?

The Commitments tells the story of “the hardest working band in the world”, put together in Dublin by Jimmy (James Killeen). He wants to create a sweet soul band, with auditions at his house, a house he shares with his Da (Nigel Pivaro, most notably known for his role in Coronation Street). The auditions are very hit and miss, but somehow, he manages to create his band of musicians and singers. What follows is a rollercoaster of a ride.

After getting drunk, at the works Christmas party, and showing off his vocal skills, there can only be one lead singer, Deco (Ian McIntosh), obnoxious that he is. Providing the backing vocals are Imelda (Ciara Mackey), Natalie (Eve Kitchingman) and Bernie (Sarah Gardiner). All three have superb, powerful voices and certainly hold their own, with some great numbers, Chain of Fools and Think amongst them.

As the story unfolds the band goes from strength to strength, as they get used to playing their respective instruments. They truly are a talented bunch of musicians, acting and singing, all whilst playing. Unfortunately, things implode with Deco’s shoddiness and attitude, he is always late for rehearsals and shows and has a complete disregard for anyone else. I enjoyed their Irish brogue.

McIntosh is magnificent as Deco, he sure can sing, I could listen to him forever, and obnoxious as his character is, I could not help but be drawn to him. Check out his Superman undies as he strips off. When the cast were performing the encore, his true personality shone through, with his cheeky grin. He has such a great stage presence, a natural born star. Another stand out for me was Ronnie Yorke as the skinhead Mickah. He was menacing as the bands bouncer and was so hyper and fired up, his energy never let up.

Everyone in the cast really looked like they were having a blast. I enjoyed their Irish accents and the vitality they portrayed. I wannabe part of the band, even though I’m completely tone deaf and can’t sing, dance or play an instrument.

The set was impressive, from Jimmy’s two storey house to Joey’s garage, where they held the rehearsals, and the bingo hall for the bands fist gig. The whole stage was utilised to the max.

By the end of the show and the finale, we were up on our feet, dancing and singing along to Mustang Sally, the fabulous song that is synonymous with the film, with even more songs to whet our appetite. When it came to the applause, it was never ending, the whole theatre erupted and just kept on going and going.

This is a fabulous show with some fabulous music and fabulous entertainers. A must see for anyone who loves that sweet soul music.

Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham – until Saturday 12th November 2022

Reviewed by Lesley Eagles

5*****

This well loved and epic film has been bravely taken and adapted for the stage. It tells the story of injustice, desperation, friendship and hope from behind the walls of a maximum-security prison.

The scene from the outset was set as cold and dank with industrial steel girders supporting a prison guard platform that housed every aspect of prison life with dull concrete flooring.

The prisoners themselves brought the prison to life with their strengths, flaws and diversities that everyday life brings. Despite all wearing the same prison uniform each one wore it in their own unique way demonstrating their obvious differences.

The actors were utilised effectively as scene shifters transitioning smoothly within and between scenes as they were working to clean and maintain the facility as prisoners.

The atmospheric changes were brought to life through creative and subtle use of clever lighting and sound to redirect focus throughout.

Andy Dufresne played by the wonderful Joe Absolom (better known for his role in Doc Martin) is a good man. He is wrongly convicted of the brutal murder of his wife and her lover. As a result he finds himself incarcerated in the Shawshank maximum-security prison facility. Andy tries to keep his head down whilst being surrounded by those who are determined to break him including the prison warden Stammas played by Mark Heenehan who bully’s Andy and exploits his talent for finance.

However he strikes up an unlikely friendship with Ellis Reddy (played by Ben Onwukwe) who is known in the facility as ‘Red’. Red is the prison fixer who can smuggle anything in. This he does, providing Andy with a rock hammer, which unbeknown to his fellow inmates becomes the means by which he manages to escape some twenty years later.

Joe Obsolom had the difficult job of bringing a well-known film character to the stage, which he did so convincingly, appealing to the audience with his quiet, thoughtful and unbreakable spirit. Ben Onwukwe also does a fantastic job in portraying Red’s endearing character as a loyal and compassionate friend to Andy. I particularly enjoyed Jules Brown performance as Rico who injected some humour in what is predominantly gritty subject matter. He would switch from quoting passages from the bible, to pages from a raunchy novel that was stuffed down his trousers! The whole cast should be proud of what was an outstanding performance.

The final scene is in sharp contrast to the entire production,

No longer is it the dark claustrophobic confinement of prison life but rather the whole stage was opened up to reveal a full breadth backdrop of a beautiful secluded beach scene. Untouched golden sand against the piercing blueness of the sea and to the forefront the two almost silhouetted figures of Andy and Red breathing in the calm following their new found freedom and release. Their sense of hope now being realised. Persistence pays off.

If you’re a fan of the film but not of the stage, then let this be the first time you venture in to the theatre, you wont regret it!

 New Wimbledon Theatre – until 12 November 2022 

Reviewed by Carly Burlinge  

5*****

Just Amazing  

New Wimbledon brings you the story of Strictly Ballroom the film we all love and know, made in the 90’s and written and directed by Baz Luhrmann. The story is brought to life on stage and takes your through Scott Hastings (Kevin Clifton) journey. Where he has been dancing the strict steps of the Australian Dancing Federation, which to him doesn’t make him feel alive. For him his own individual style is the path he wants to lead. However, when everybody has had enough of his solitary dance moves. He ends up without a dance partner for the championships. He then finds a partner in Fran (Maisie Smith) a beginner in his mother’s dance group. Who plays an excitable character that can easily get carried away. She challenges him to take her on! With his ignorance getting in the way, as he is a championship dancer after all! and she is a beginner of course!  Fran begins to rock out her own moves in her own style and it begins to feel like maybe they might just have something in common.  The pair begin to form a relationship and begin to dance together they find something inside of each other that they never knew was there before. With Scott’s mother Shirley Hastings (Nikki Belsher) who has a scary, fixated smile but is nasty on the inside and will do anything to get what she wants for her son. Even if he doesn’t want the same things. It’s clear that she doesn’t care who gets hurt along the way! 

Then there’s his dad Doug Hastings (Mark Sangstar) The nonexciting husband that finds everything far too much and would rather disappear out of the limelight could he be holding a secret? 

Then there is Frans family with an overprotective Father Rico (Jose Agudo) who at first is not interested in his daughter getting involved in any way, until he meets Scott who performs his championship paso doble dancing only to be laughed at. Rico then performs the dance from the heart which completely takes the audience away, with such magnificent skill that was not only electrifying to watch but showed talent and such satisfaction. This was such an astounding scene! 

Kevin Clifton also showed equal talent throughout the performance and was a joy to watch with such precision and passion in his dancing it blew me away. 

Maisie Smith also offered an outstanding performance that was delicate and racy and what a voice! Her voice was spectacular, and she fit the role perfectly it was like the part was made for her! 

To be honest I could go on and on about what an exceptional show this was to watch but I don’t think I would stop.  The last thing would be the outfits that were dazzling and bright with so much glitter and sparkle that also made the whole performance. The stage and lighting were also exceptional and gave it the full experience to make it a sensational production that you just shouldn’t miss. 

Absolutely outstanding!!!!  

FULL CASTING ANNOUNCED

EMMERDALE AND HOLLYOAKS STAR

AYDEN CALLAGHAN

TO PLAY FRANK FARMER

ALONGSIDE PREVIOUSLY ANNOUNCED

GRAMMY-NOMINEE AND FORMER PUSSYCAT DOLL

MELODY THORNTON

AS RACHEL MARRON

FOR THE UK AND IRELAND TOUR OF

AWARD-WINNING INTERNATIONAL

SMASH HIT MUSICAL 

THE BODYGUARD

FROM 28 JANUARY 2023

Producers, Michael Harrison and David Ian are delighted to announce that Emmerdale and Hollyoaks star Ayden Callaghan will join the previously announced Grammy-nominated, former Pussycat Doll, Melody Thornton for the forthcoming UK and Ireland tour of the award-winning international smash hit musical THE BODYGUARD in the roles of Frank Farmer and Rachel Marron respectively. The production opens at Glasgow Kings Theatre on Saturday 28 January 2023. Full tour schedule can be found below. www.thebodyguardmusical.com.

Further casting for the tour includes Emily-Mae as Nicki Marron, John Macaulay as Bill Devaney, Graham Elwell as Tony, James Groom as Sy Spector, Marios Nicolaides as Stalker and Fergal Coghlan as Ray Court.  The role of Fletcher will be shared by Kaylenn Aires Fonseca, Iesa Miller, Frankie Keita and Reneo Kusi-Appauh.

The cast is completed by Alexandros Beshonges, Kayne Gordon, Jack Hardwick, Kalisha Johnson, James Lee Harris, Samantha Mbolekwa, Abbie Quinnen, Kellie Rhianne, Charlotte Scally, Yiota Theo and Marco Venturini.

Ayden Callaghan is best known for his roles as Miles De Souza in Emmerdale and fan favourite Joe Roscoe in Hollyoaks. Additional television credits include Doctors, Eastenders, Bad Education, Casualty and The Bill. His stage credits include the roles of Dr Treves in The Elephant Man at The Trafalgar Studios, Malcolm in Alan Ayckbourn’s Bedroom Farce on UK Tour, directed by Peter Hall, and Dean Snaith in Ayckbourn’s If I Were You on UK Tour.

Melody Thornton is a multi-platinum Grammy-nominated artist, selling over 70 million albums as a member of one of the most celebrated girl groups of all time, The Pussycat Dolls. In 2020 she released her much-lauded debut solo EP, Lioness Eyes. Melody received rave reviews and audience acclaim for her performance as Rachel Marron when The Bodyguard toured China for six months. In 2018 she reached the final five in ITV’s Dancing On Ice, and most recently won The Masked Singer Australia.

Emily-Mae’s theatre credits include Disney’s Frozen and City of Angels both in the West End, Are You as Nervous as I Am? and Brooklyn the Musical at Greenwich Theatre, the National Tour of Paul Kerryson’s Hairspray, Little Shop of Horrors at Storyhouse, Chester and The Producers at the Royal Exchange.

John Macaulay’s theatre credits include the UK Tour of Fatal Attraction, The Comedy of Errors at Citizens Theatre, Glasgow and the RSC’s productions of The Merry Wives of Windsor, Romeo and Juliet and Macbeth. Graham Elwell’s credits include Of Mice and Men at the Birmingham Rep and UK Tour, and the role of Carlos in the UK Tour of The Last Of The Duty Free. His screen credits include BBC’s The Miniaturist and Trying for Apple TV. James Groom’s theatre credits include the titular role of Killer Joe at the Trafalgar Theatre. His television credits include ITV’s Emmerdale and BBC’s The First Team. Marios Nicolaides’ theatre credits include the role of Frank Jr in Saturday Night Fever both in the West End and UK Tour, Annie at the Piccadilly Theatre and in Toronto, and the UK Tour of Thoroughly Modern Millie. Fergal Coghlan most recently appeared in Sus at the Park Theatre, and For King and Country at the Southwark Playhouse. His television credits include ITV’s Emmerdale, HBO’s Watchmen and Channel 4’s Humans.

Former Secret Service agent turned bodyguard, Frank Farmer, is hired to protect superstar Rachel Marron from an unknown stalker. Each expects to be in charge; what they don’t expect is to fall in love. A romantic thriller, THE BODYGUARD features a host of irresistible classics including Queen of the Night, So Emotional, One Moment in Time, Saving All My Love, Run to You, I Have Nothing, I Wanna Dance with Somebody and one of the biggest hit songs of all time – I Will Always Love You.

Based on Lawrence Kasdan’s 1992 Oscar nominated Warner Bros. movie starring Whitney Houston and Kevin Costner, THE BODYGUARD, directed by Thea Sharrock with book by Oscar winning Alex Dinelaris, had its world premiere at the Adelphi Theatre in London’s West End and was nominated for four Olivier Awards. A sell out 18 month UK and Ireland tour followed, before the show returned to the West End at the Dominion Theatre ahead of a second sell out tour of the UK and Ireland in 2018/19.  To date, THE BODYGUARD has played to over 3.6 million people in 15 countries and 45 US cities. Countries include the Netherlands, Germany, South Korea, China, Canada, Italy, Australia, Spain, France, the US, Austria and Japan.

Wessex Grove, Gavin Kalin Productions and Francesca Moody Productions present:

• JENNA COLEMAN AND AIDAN TURNER STAR IN SAM STEINER’S LEMONS LEMONS LEMONS LEMONS LEMONS DIRECTED BY JOSIE ROURKE AT THE HAROLD PINTER THEATRE FROM 18 JANUARY – 18 MARCH 2023.
• THE PRODUCTION WILL THEN PLAY MANCHESTER OPERA HOUSE FROM 21 – 25 MARCH 2023 AND THEATRE ROYAL BRIGHTON FROM 28 MARCH – 1 APRIL 2023.
• TICKETS GO ON SALE TODAY AT MIDDAY AT WWW.LEMONSTHEPLAY.CO.UK

Jenna Coleman (The Serpent, BBC One; All My Sons, The Old Vic) and Aidan Turner (The Suspect, ITV; The Lieutenant of Inishmore, West End) will star in the West End premiere of Sam Steiner’s hilarious and provocative play Lemons Lemons Lemons Lemons Lemons directed by Josie Rourke (BAFTA and Oscar nominated Mary Queen of Scots, currently directing As You Like It, Soho Place).

Following a strictly limited run at the Harold Pinter Theatre in the West End from 18 January – 18 March 2023, the production will then play Manchester Opera House from 21 – 25 March 2023 and Theatre Royal Brighton from 28 March – 1 April 2023.  Tickets are on sale today from midday at www.lemonstheplay.co.uk.

‘Let’s just talk until it goes.’

You’re going to speak more than 123 million words in your lifetime. What will you do when they run out? 

Lemons Lemons Lemons Lemons Lemons is a tender and funny romantic comedy about what we say, how we say it, and what happens when we can’t say anything anymore.  

Sam Steiner’s debut play received great acclaim when it was first staged at Warwick Arts Centre in 2015, winning three Judges’ Awards at the National Student Drama Festival. It has since been performed at Latitude Festival, the Edinburgh Festival Fringe and Camden People’s Theatre. His other works for theatre include You Stupid Darkness! (Paines Plough and Theatre Royal Plymouth), Kanye the First (HighTide) and A Table Tennis Play (Walrus Theatre, Edinburgh Fringe).

Sam Steiner said:
“Writing ‘Lemons Lemons Lemons Lemons Lemons’ taught me how to be a playwright. The opportunity to revisit and grow the play all these years later and bring it to a larger audience with Josie, Aidan, Jenna and an alarmingly inspiring creative team is thrilling and confounding in equal measure. I hope it speaks to now in a way that I couldn’t have predicted then. And I hope to keep learning.”

Josie Rourke said:
“I’m thrilled to be working with these electric actors on this brilliant play. I feel we are in a moment where – however indirectly – theatre might help us digest how we lived and changed through the extremes of the past few years. Sam’s play finds the humanity in how people and couples work through extreme situations. There is the potential for great joy, fun, reflection and healing in that. “

Lemons Lemons Lemons Lemons Lemons will be directed by Josie Rourke, designed by Robert Jones with lighting design by Aideen Malone, movement by Annie-Lunnette Deakin-Foster and the Associate Costume Designer is Kinnetia Isidore. Further creatives to be announced.