DLAP Group are thrilled to announce that West End stars Frances Mayli McCann and Jordan Luke Gage will reunite as the titular pair in BONNIE & CLYDE THE MUSICAL at The Garrick Theatre from Saturday 4 March 2023 for a strictly limited 11-week season. Tickets on sale now at www.bonnieandclydemusical.com.
Frances Mayli McCann is an Olivier Award nominated actress, who originated the role of ‘Kylah’ in “Our Ladies of Perpetual Succour”. Her other West End credits include ‘Heather McNamara’ in “Heathers” at the Theatre Royal Haymarket, ‘The Mistress’ in “Evita” at Regent’s Park Open Air Theatreand ‘Eponine’ in the UK and International Tour of “Les Misérables”.On television Frances can be seen in BBC/ABC’s Silverpoint.
Jordan Luke Gage is best known for originating the role of ‘Romeo’ in the Olivier Award winning “&Juliet” at The Shaftesbury Theatre. His other West End credits include ‘Strat’ in “Bat Out Of Hell” at The Dominion Theatre and ‘JD’ in “Heathers” at Theatre Royal Haymarket. His television credits include playing ‘Adrian Barber’ in ITV’s Cilla, and ‘Luc’ in Cucumber on Channel 4.
At the height of the Great Depression, Bonnie Parker and Clyde Barrow went from two small-town nobodies in West Texas to America’s most renowned folk heroes and the Texas law enforcement’s worst nightmares. Fearless, shameless, and alluring, Bonnie & Clyde is the electrifying story of love, adventure and crime that captured the attention of an entire country. The show features the songs “Raise A Little Hell”, “This World Will Remember Me” and “Made In America”.
When Bonnie and Clyde meet, their mutual cravings for excitement and fame, combined with a desperate need to lift themselves out of the endless banality and poverty of West Dallas, set them on a mission to chase their dreams. Their bold and reckless behaviour turns the young lovers’ thrilling adventure into a downward spiral, putting themselves and their loved ones in trouble with the law. Forced to stay on the run, the lovers resort to robbery and murder to survive. As the infamous duo’s fame grows bigger, their inevitable end draws nearer.
BONNIE & CLYDE THE MUSICAL has a book by Ivan Menchell (Blended [movie], The Cemetery Club, Death Note The Musical), a Tony Award nominated score by Frank Wildhorn (Jekyll and Hyde, The Scarlett Pimpernel), lyrics by Don Black (Tell Me On a Sunday, Sunset Boulevard, Mrs Henderson Presents), arrangements and orchestrations by John McDaniel (Patti Lupone: Live, Annie Get Your Gun). The production will be directed by Nick Winston (Director of the feature film Tomorrow Morning, MAME, The Royal Variety Performance) with Set and Costume Design by Philip Witcomb (Atlantis, Stones In His Pockets, MAME),Musical Supervision from Katy Richardson (SIX, Rent, Jersey Boys), Lighting Design by Zoe Spurr (Fantastically Great Women Who Changed The World, Hamlet at Theatre Royal Windsor), Sound Design by Tom Marshall (The Drifter’s Girl, Nativity The Musical, Curtains), Video Design by Nina Dunn (The Shark Is Broken, Lazuli Sky), Casting Director Jim Arnold CDG (Wicked, The Prince of Egypt).
DLAP Group is an Olivier-Award winning production company with West End and UK Touring works including “Bonnie and Clyde in Concert”, “Rock of Ages,” “Company,” “Fame,” “Curtains,” and “The Wedding Singer.”
Disney Theatrical Productions today announces that their critically acclaimed production of Frozen is extending until 18 June 2023 due to public demand. With music and lyrics by Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez, book by Jennifer Lee, and directed by Michael Grandage, the production opened at Theatre Royal Drury Lane in August last year, and has been playing to capacity houses since, receiving 7 WhatsOnStage Awards – the most of any production – and 4 Olivier Award nominations, including Best New Musical.
The cast is Samantha Barks (Elsa), Emily Lane (Anna), Djavan van de Fliert (Kristoff), Craig Gallivan (Olaf), Oliver Ormson (Hans), Richard Frame (Duke of Weselton); and alternating the role of Sven, Mikayla Jade and Ashley Birchall. With Rhianne Alleyne, Marianne Bardgett, Jeremy Batt, Danny Becker, Rebecca Botterill, Char Burnett (Bulda), Collette Coleman, Laura Emmitt, Davide Fienauri, Jemal Felix, Jordan Fox, Molly Francis, Matt Gillett, Ben Irish (Pabbie), Justin-Lee Jones, Aoife Kenny, Jordan Livesey, Joshua Robinson, Harriet Samuels, Jacqui Sanchez (Queen Iduna), Isabella Glanznig Santos, Jak Skelly (Oaken/Bishop), Kerry Spark (King Agnarr), Caitlin Tipping, Rodney Vubya, Anna Woodside, and Luke Fraser.
Credit: Johan Persson
★★★★
“Frozen is an awesome spectacle with more heart, depth and darkness than the film.”
Time Out
Frozen was released in cinemas in 2013, winning multiple awards, including two Academy Awards® for Best Animated Feature and Best Original Song (“Let It Go”), the Golden Globe for Best Animated Feature Film and the BAFTA for Best Animated Film. It was written and directed by Jennifer Lee and Chris Buck, withmusic and lyrics by Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez. Frozen 2, which debuted in November 2019 is the highest-grossing animated film of all time.
Samantha Barks plays Elsa. For theatre, her work includes Chess (Umeda Arts Theater Main Hall / Tokyo International Forum Hall), Pretty Woman (Chicago and Broadway), The Last Five Years (St James Theatre), Amelie (Berkley Rep), City of Angels (Donmar Warehouse), Chicago (Hollywood Bowl), Oliver! (UK tour), Les Misérables (Queen’s Theatre), and Cabaret (Birmingham Rep). She was one of the participants on the BBC series I’d Do Anything. For film, her credits include Tomorrow Morning, Chocolate Cake, For Love or Money, Bitter Harvest, The Revenger, Interlude in Prague, The Devil’s Harvest, The Christmas Candle and as Eponine in Les Misérables (recipient of Empire Award for Best Female Newcomer; and nomination for Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture). She also reprised her performance as Eponine for Les Misérables in Concert: The 25th Anniversary.
Emily Lane plays Anna. Her other theatre work includes Before the Party (Almeida Theatre), and in the West End, Les Misérables and The Sound of Music.
Credit: Johan Persson
Craig Gallivan plays Olaf. For theatre his work includes School of Rock (New London Theatre), Billy Elliot (Victoria Palace Theatre), Crime and Punishment (National Theatre), Days of Significance (RSC), The Long, The Short and The Tall (Sheffield Theatres), Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat and Oliver! (UK tours). For television, his work includes Stella (as series regular Luke), Torchwood, Footballer’s Wives (as series regular Callum Watson) and Care; and for film, The Edge of Love.
Oliver Ormson plays Hans. For theatre, his work includes Back to the Future The Musical (Opera House Manchester), High Fidelity (Turbine Theatre), Cats (Kilworth House), Nerds, Protagonists (The Other Palace), The Addams Family (UK and international tours), The Book of Mormon (Prince of Wales Theatre), Sopranos vs Tenors (European tour), and Hairspray (Aberystwyth Arts Centre). Television includes West Side Story (Reef Television/BBC Symphony Orchestra).
Djavan van de Fliert plays Kristoff. He recently graduated from Arts Ed, and Frozen marks his professional stage debut.
Richard Frame plays Weselton. For theatre, his work includes The Lion King (as Timon from 2013 to 2018, Lyceum Theatre), Blue Remembered Hills (Theatre on the Fly), Pocket Comedy (UK tour), Richard III, The Comedy of Errors (The Watermill Theatre), London Assurance (National Theatre), A Midsummer Night’s Dream, The Merchant of Venice (Propeller), Absolute Beginners (Lyric Hammersmith), Promises, Promises (Sheffield Theatres), Love’s Labour’s Lost and A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre). For television, his work includes The Beast Must Die, Outnumbered, The Hollow Crown – Henry IV Parts 1 and 2, Family Affairs (as series regular Damian), Wire in the Blood, Hearts and Bones, and Hope and Glory; and for film London Road.
Credit: Johan Persson
Mikayla Jade makes her professional stage and West End debut playing Sven. Originally from Australia, she is an actress and stuntwoman. For film, her work includes Maleficent: Mistress of Evil, The Old Guard and Wonder Woman 1984.
Ashley Birchall plays Sven. For theatre, his work includes Joseph and the Amazing TechnicolorDreamcoat, Oklahoma! (Kilworth House), Wicked (Apollo Victoria Theatre), Pet Shop Boys: Inner Sanctum (Royal Opera House), Tommy (Greenwich Theatre), Starlight Express (Germany), We Will Rock You (Dominion Theatre). For film, his work includes Mary Poppins Returns.
Frozen has scheduled the following access performances – Audio Described Performance (Wednesday 18 January, 7pm), Signed Performance (Wednesday 25 January, 7pm and Sunday 18 June, 5.30pm) and Captioned Performance (Wednesday 8 February, 7pm), and a Relaxed Performance (Sunday 5 February, 1pm).
WEST END STAR STARS IN NO LIMITS A SONG CYCLE BY SAM THOMAS.
NO LIMITS WILL OPEN IN LONDON FEBRUARY 2023.
Sam Caldwell for Paper House Productions is pleased to announce No Limits – A Song Cycle by Sam Thomas will open in London at the Turbine Theatre on 15th February 2023.
Directed by Dean Johnson(BKLYN, LIFT), this exciting new production will feature West End Star and Original SIX Queen Natalie May Paris who will play the role of #DREAMER.
Natalie May Paris, #DREAMER said, “I am so looking forward to being a part of No Limits, and to have the pleasure of singing the beautiful ‘Every girl needs a mother’ again will be an absolute joy!”
No Limits creative team also includes musical direction by Ella Ingram(Kipps: the new Half a Sixpence Musical, Bob Hope Theatre, Curtain Up, Albany Theatre) and Movement direction by Rhys Wilkinson (currently performing in &Juliet).
No Limits – A Song Cycle deconstructs the concept of falling behind in life. It follows a diverse cast of characters from all walks of life as they dare to believe in themselves and strive for a brighter future.
This powerful collection of songs sees characters let go of their anxieties, take leaps of faith, and fight for who they truly are, from confessing their dreams of becoming a rockstar to catfishing their attractive neighbour.
No Limits – A Song Cycle features heartfelt and queer stories. This brand-new production emphasises that we are all in the same boat, and that with enough self-belief, we can always overcome our setbacks. There truly are No Limits to your journey.
Dean Johnson, director said, “No Limits is a contemporary song cycle which opens up a box of stories through a series of sung vignettes, each describing that universal feeling of breaking through barriers in our lives. Sam Thomas’s compositions feel somehow both innovative and familiar, which is very exciting, so we can’t wait to explore a fresh approach to the format and share it with everyone at The Turbine in February.”
Tickets for No Limits at the Turbine Theatre are on sale now
QUEENZ – THE SHOW WITH BALLS IS COMING TO THE ARTS THEATRE THIS DECEMBER
As part of a successful UK TOUR, QUEENZ – The Show With BALLS! will feature Union J and X-Factor superstar Jaymi Hensley.
Producer, David Griego, is thrilled to announce Queenz – The Show with Balls will be strutting to London’s Arts Theatre this December.
Queenz – The Show with Balls will open at Arts Theatre on Thursday 1st December and run until Sunday 4th December 2022.
Queenz – The Show with Balls is the trailblazing, life affirming drag extravaganza that has taken the UK by storm, fresh from their phenomenal debut on ITV’s Walk the Line and the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. This iconic new show features mind-blowing LIVE vocals and not a lip-sync in sight!
On their massive UK tour this autumn, join these death-dropping divas for a sequin-clad pop party featuring classics from The Spice Girls, Lady Gaga, Little Mix, Beyonce, Shakira, and everything in between.
Show creator and producer, David Griego, said:“The response up and down the country has been overwhelming! People come to the show expecting a great, fun night out but what they get is so much more. I think the reason is that Queenz represents true escapism; you get to leave your cares at the door, laugh, sing, and party with a bunch of 6-foot drag queens and, above all else, finish the night feeling fierce, fabulous, and empowered. Getting to bring the show to London means so much to us all, but the cast themselves are blown away and can’t wait to give West End something truly special this festive season.”
Union J pop star Jaymi Hensley aka Dior Monte, said: “Myself and my gorgeous Queenz are living our best lives, becoming the fierce girl group us little ‘boys’ always wanted to be. Queenz may be the ultimate feel-good night out, but it’s also a show with a message; life is for living, love is for giving and most importantly, always let you true colours shine”
From backstreet bars to West End stars, the Queenz cast are a mix of phenomenal singers and dancers who have joined forces to create the world’s number one Drag Vocal Supergroup. They have gained superstar followers, sold out at the Edinburgh Fringe, and played to thousands in central London this year and now they’re on a mission for world domination.
Josh aka Candy Caned explained:“I still have to pinch myself for this beautiful opportunity, working with West End choreographers and performing in front of TV royalty is a dream come true. Us Queenz can’t wait to share our singing, sassiness, and party with you all”
Tickets for Queenz – The Show with Balls at the Arts Theatre are on sale now.
Sleeping Trees’ comedic Christmas mashups never fail to entertain, and this year’s sees Peter Pan enter the world of two of the most brilliantly bonkers films ever made. Dan Wye joins the trio as David Bowie, and his high camp, arch performance as he messes with Peter Pan’s (James Dunnel-Smith) life is a real treat.
Peter loses a bet with Captain Hook and is banished from Neverland. After 20 years, middle-aged Peter finds out that Tinkerbell is being tricked into marrying Hook and needs to find a way to save her. Enter Bowie, in his Goblin King outfit, to challenge Peter to find the centre of the labyrinth and get his wish to return to Neverland. A simple plot, but Sleeping Trees manage to shoehorn images and characters from Pan’s Labyrinth – Hands for Eyes will never give you the chills again after seeing this version!- and Labyrinth. The excitement amongst some audience members when familiar characters appeared – especially the worm – was almost as funny as what was happening onstage.
The inclusion of a bar with themed cocktails as part of the stage ensures a relaxed and vocal audience, and Maeve Black’s set echoes the Labyrinth and allows the cast to pop up from numerous places. Ben Hales’ lighting design and Clancy Flynn’s sound design add to the camp and nostalgic party atmosphere. There are silly audience participation, games and singalongs to the hilarious parodies of Bowie songs. Kermit pops up for a cameo in the labyrinth, and the guardian of the Bog of Eternal Stench is what every child who’s watched the film wished it could be.
It’s chaotic and charming. The humour ranges from utter filth to dad jokes, and just keeps coming. Joshua Smith and John Woodburn multi role brilliantly, with puppets and ridiculous outfits galore. The cast seem to be trying to make each other laugh, which is always fantastic to watch, and Dan Wye’s insane performance as Peter’s Brummie shadow nearly tipped everyone over the edge. I have no idea how director Shenoah Allen keeps these performers on track, but the show is fantastic. A brilliant night out for Christmas – buffoonery, booze… and Bowie.
The Vaults are introducing Pay What You Can tickets across their seasonal program, to support those struggling to access culture in the current economic climate.
Every Wednesday and Sunday Pay what You Can tickets are priced from £3 and bookable in advance.
The season includes Witches of Oz, a drag dining cabaret in the Emerald City, 21st September – 15th January, and Stranger Sings!, a Stranger Things musical parody 5th October – 15th January.
I’m a huge fan of 80’s music and I love going to any concerts that I can, so I was super excited to be given the opportunity to get to see this production.
George Michael Joseph (Joseph Sansome) has been performing as George Michael for years, after being discovered singing karaoke with Careless Whisper, long before George’s untimely death, and now tours with Fastlove to packed out audiences.
As the band start playing, we heard Joseph’s singing of Fastlove, but we don’t see him for a couple of minutes. He sounds very much like George, and the impact has been made before we see him in the flesh, where he does bear a passing resemblance, especially with his tinted glasses. Once he set foot on stage the audience erupted, eager for what was to come.
For the next couple of hours, we are treated to the fabulous music that George made throughout his career. It’s easy to forget what a truly talented artist George and how many hits he had. This show covers all the greats, Don’t Let the Sun Go Down on Me, Careless Whisper, Club Tropicana, Young Guns, Edge of Heaven, Outside (yes Joseph donned the cop uniform and handcuffs just like George in the video) and many more. I am so pleased my own personal favourite from the Wham period was covered, Everything She Wants, in fact that song is up there as one of my all-time favourites by anyone.
For the majority of the performance a good proportion of the audience were up on their feet dancing along, including me. That’s a feat as York can be a bit reserved in that respect. It appeared to me, at least, that everyone was singing along to all the songs, even if they didn’t know all the words. There were a couple of men behind who sang everything word for word. I must admit that I thought the theatre would be packed up with ladies of a certain age, my demographic, but I am pleased to say that I was well and truly wrong, there were plenty of men there enjoying the show just as much. I did find at the beginning of the show I struggled to hear the vocals as the band were loud, but this improved as the show carried on.
For the first half Joseph appeared as later George with skinny jeans, jacket, cross and tinted glasses, he then changed into a leather jacket, sunglasses and wig, reminiscent of the Wham days. Still not sure about that wig though. Joseph really does come close to sounding like George and really does George’s memory justice. I have recently seen a George Michael tribute and Joseph is far superior.
Joseph was joined on stage by a group of talented musicians and singers. Carol and Jess were the backing vocalists, and they both gave stunning performances. Ellie was on the saxophone and hit every note with her solos. The band, Sam, Adam and the keyboard player (I couldn’t work out what I had written as his name, sorry), were so good, with some great energy.
Fastlove is a fabulous night out for any George Michael fan, you won’t be disappointed. After George Michael’s untimely death, approaching six years ago, this is the best chance of hearing his great music, both as part of Wham and as a solo artist. Just a shame I never got to see him perform in person, this is the next best thing.
Theatre on the Steps, Bridgnorth – Saturday 5 November 2022
Reviewed by Nadia Dodd
5*****
In the quaint venue of this theatre tonight’s performance got the audience up dancing in the aisles on a chilly, foggy Guy Fawkes Night.
The band is led by award winning film composer Phil Mountford who has been travelling the country sharing his talent as the enigmatic Elton John since 2018. Phil plays the piano plus lead vocals and really looks the part with quite a few different outfits throughout the show, all bold, bright, plus sparkles and glitter. The band is made up of a few family members, daughter Zoe, percussion and sensational backing vocals and son Josh, on keyboard and a truly mesmerising electric cello performance.
The theatre was full and there were a few avid Forever Elton fans who started off the dancing when the classics such as Crocodile Rock, Saturday Night’s Alright for Fighting and I’m Still Standing were belted out from the stage.
Don’t Go Breaking My Heart was sung as a duet with daughter Zoe and what a duo they make. Son Josh played the electric cello whilst Phil sang The Last Song, just the two of them on the stage, subtle lighting, they created such a tender atmosphere.
Phil was born in 1970 and studied the electric guitar and performed on many a stage across the Midlands. Once he had graduated in Computer Science he became a software engineer but also continued to perform keyboard and as a vocalist. His passion led to writing music for short films, which then led to composing for feature films, theatre, adverts and television.
Further performances led to him being a musical director for a charity rock concert in 2018 where he returned as a vocalist on stage. The success of this led to his 6 piece band being created ‘Forever Elton’. Playing homage to the music by Sir Elton John and Bernie Taupin. The band are now touring theatres and venues throughout the UK and also internationally.
Phil has a great relationship with his audience leaving them wanting more when he was approaching the end of the show, of course he came back onto stage and gave them what they wanted.
Music has a healing power and has the ability to take people out of themselves for a few hours. A quote by Sir Elton John, and Phil as Forever Elton lived out this quote tonight. For further information on the band, including hiring them at your event, venue or festival please visit www.foreverelton.com
‘Unknown’, a play about homelessness written by Dougie Blaxland, is as much about the complex issues behind homelessness as it is about the thousands of people who find themselves sleeping on our streets every year.
The story is informed by contributions from people who shared their experiences of living homeless on the streets of Bath with the writer. The play was inspired by a shocking discovery that nearly half of all people who die on our streets are unnamed. The show itself is consequently deeply moving, reinforcing the harrowing aspects of homelessness that we do not see as we pass on by.
The cast of only three actors portray a powerful message about people who find themselves living on our streets, missing from home, invisible and ending their days listed as ‘Unknown’.
Scott Bayliss plays the central character role of a homeless man who was recorded as ‘Unknown’ on his death but he is given a voice and a name by Scott’s commanding delivery and comment. Powerful scenes of a timeline that spans fourteen years living on the streets are interwoven with creative additions of ‘behind the scenes’ explanation portrayed by Dan Gainsford and Sabrina Laurison. All three display a deep connection with the storyline and are persuasive in their delivery.
You are left under no illusion that the reasons for homelessness are complex, that homelessness is not always a choice and is complex in itself, that many homeless people are invisible because of systems and bureaucracy and that getting off the street is not easy by any stretch of the imagination. This show is one that everyone should make an effort to see.
In PurSUEt is a one woman show, written and performed by Eleanor Higgins. Perfectly written for the small stage and theatre, the production tells the true story of a woman with an obsession for Sue Perkins (who appears only in cardboard cut-out form).
We meet a woman who has been sent for therapy to deal with her drink problem and quickly learn that in fact she believes she does not have a drink problem, that her problems are rooted in social pressures and that if she had a relationship Sue Perkins, everything would be fine.
We all relate to the social pressures cited but fewer relate to obsession with celebrity. Audience members, as though they are the therapist, get to hear the musings of a woman whose drinking seems to be intricately connected to an obsession with Sue Perkins.
A series of scenarios recount stories of a woman who knows exactly where to find Sue and makes it her mission to be wherever Sue appears. Her drive to meet and form a relationship with Sue is depicted in almost caricature moments that that lead quicky to binge drinking and embarrassment, bringing us back to the realisation that the drinking is less about Sue and more about something that is missing. Thankfully, the ending of the story shows progress towards acceptance that drinking has contributed to feelings of despair and isolation and that there could be more to life (even without Sue).
This production is cleverly presented, drawing you in from the outset. You find yourself invested in the wellbeing of a woman who is searching for something more and are relieved to join her in discovering that in fact she does need help and more than a relationship with Sue Perkins.
Dave Gorman is well known in the comedy world, having appeared on various comedy and panel shows including ‘Taskmaster’, ‘QI’, ‘Have I Got News for You’ and many more as well as having his own shows including ‘Dave Gorman: Modern Life is Goodish’. If you’re a fan of comedy shows there’s a very good chance you’ve seen him somewhere. Powerpoint to the People is Gorman’s latest tour and as the title suggests he uses powerpoint to assist in the show.
Having not seen Gorman live before I wasn’t sure what type of comedian he would be, often people you see on TV are a more extreme version of their TV persona’s when you see them live. However, Gorman’s humour is honest, good hearted fun. You will find it difficult to be offended and while there is some bad language, which is to be expected from a comedian, the is no malicious content.
Beginning the show with some warnings about getting older and things you need to think about when turning 50 Gorman goes on to talk about one of his favourite TV shows, cleverly using video clips to emphasise what he’s saying. During the second act he focuses on his writing of cryptic crosswords for the Guardian, the Independent and the Telegraph under various pseudonyms. It’s clear he is a very intelligent person and as he goes through some of his previous crossword clues it’s clear how much work goes in to them. Although, not everyone appreciates Gorman’s work as he has, unfortunately found himself a nemesis through his crossword writing. He hilariously divulges how this happened and goes in to detail on some of the reviews left by this person.
Gorman also talks about the Billionaire Space Race between, Elon Musk, Richard Branson and Jeff Bezos. He finds some of the best and most ridiculous comments people have made on social media and puts them together in a fantastically funny poem. Gorman is known for his ‘Found Poems’ created in this way on different topics.
This is a wonderful show which will have you laughing from start to finish, from someone who comes across as a genuine person who doesn’t want to offend anyone and wants everyone to have a good time. Whether or not you know much of Gormans previous work I urge everyone to give this a go.
