The Girl on the Train

Full casting and creative team have been announced for the London return of THE GIRL ON THE TRAIN which plays at Upstairs at the Gatehouse, Highgate Village, from Wednesday 8 June – Sunday 3 July 2022.

Joining the previously announced Katie Ray (The Mousetrap) as Rachel Watson, are, Tori Hargreaves (Blood Brothers) as Anna Watson, Chrystine Symone (The Magician’s Elephant) as Megan Hipwell, Cavin Cornwall (Star Wars) as D.I. Gaskill, Scott Hume (The Crown) as Scott Hipwell, Kirk Smith (My Only Relative) as Kamal Abdic and Tom Gordon (Romeo and Juliet) as Tom Watson.

Based on the bestselling novel by Paula Hawkins and blockbuster DreamWorks film, this new stage adaption by Rachel Wagstaff and Duncan Abel tells the story of Rachel Watson, who longs for a different life, her only escape is the perfect couple she watches through the train window everyday, happy and in love, or so it appears. When Rachel learns that the woman she’s been secretly watching has suddenly disappeared, she finds herself as a witness and even a suspect in a thrilling mystery in which she will face bigger revelations than she could ever have anticipated.

This new production will be directed by Joseph Hodges, with set design by Richard Cooper, lighting design by Seb Blaber, sound design by Sam Glossop, casting by Jay Gardner and produced by Gardner Hodges Entertainment.

Tickets are available from the Upstairs at the Gatehouse box office by phone on 020 8340 3488 or online at www.upstairsatthegatehouse.com.

You can find ‘The Girl on the Train’ on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram at @GirlonTrainUK

DUE TO PHENOMENAL DEMAND,

THE MULTI-OLIVIER AWARD

NOMINATED

PRODUCTION

OF

LIFE OF PI

EXTENDS BOOKING TO

4 SEPTEMBER 2022

Following its recently announced nine Olivier award nominations, it was announced today (17 March 2022) that public booking for Life of Pi, Lolita Chakrabarti’s dazzling stage adaptation of Yann Martel’s award-winning book, has been extended until 4 September 2022.

Producer Simon Friend said: ‘‘We are absolutely thrilled to announce that we will once again be extending public booking for Life of Pi, and that audiences continue to flock to this unique show. We are also delighted to have been nominated for nine prestigious Olivier Awards, including the first in history to recognise puppeteers – and when you see them in action you’ll see why!’

The Olivier Nominations for Life of Pi are: Best New Play, Best Actor (Hiran Abeysekera), Best Director (Max Webster), Best Set Design (Tim Hatley, Nick Barnes and Finn Caldwell), Best Lighting (Tim Lutkin and Andrzej Goulding), Best Sound Design (Carolyn Downing), Best Original Score (Andrew T Mackay), Best Choreographer (Finn Caldwell) and Best Supporting Actor (The Tiger Puppeteers:  Fred Davis, Daisy Franks, Romina Hytten, Tom Larkin, Tom Stacy, Scarlet Wilderink and Habib Nasib Nader).

Hiran Abeysekera takes the central role of Pi, alongside Mina Anwar as Ma, Nicholas Khan as Father, Payal Mistry as Rani, Tom Espiner as Father Martin and Commander Grant-Jones, Raj Ghatak as Mamaji and Pandit-Ji, Syreeta Kumar as Mrs Biology Kumar and ZaidaKhan, David K.S. Tse as Mr Okamoto, Kirsten Foster as Lulu Chen, Habib Nasib Nader as Cook and Voice of Tiger.

They are joined by the Oliver Award-nominated puppeteers: Fred Davis (Tiger Head), Daisy Franks (Tiger Hind), Romina Hytten (Tiger Heart), Tom Larkin (Tiger Head), Tom Stacy (Tiger Hind) and Scarlet Wilderink (Tiger Heart).

Nuwan Hugh Perera is Pi alternate, and understudies are Alex Chang and Deeivya Meir.

The production is directed by Max Webster, Set and Costume designer is Tim Hatley, the Puppet and Movement Director is Finn Caldwell, the Puppet Designers are Nick Barnes and Finn Caldwell, the Video Designer is Andrzej Goulding, the Lighting Designer is Tim Lutkin, theSound Designer is Carolyn Downing, the Composer is Andrew T Mackay, Dramaturgy is by Jack Bradley, the Casting Director is Polly Jerrold, the Associate Director is Leigh Toney, the Associate Set Designer is Ross Edwards, the Costume Supervisor is Sabrina Cuniberto and the Props Supervisor is Ryan O’Conner.

For all information, please see www.lifeofpionstage.com

Based on one of the best-loved works of fiction – winner of the Man Booker Prize, selling over fifteen million copies worldwide – Life of Pi is a breath-taking new theatrical adaptation of an epic journey of endurance and hope.

After a cargo ship sinks in the middle of the vast Pacific Ocean, there are five survivors stranded on a single lifeboat – a hyena, a zebra, an orangutan, a sixteen year-old boy and a 450-pound Royal Bengal tiger. Time is against them, nature is harsh, who will survive?

Award winning writer Yann Martel’s works include The Facts Behind the Helsinki Roccamatios (1993), Self (1996), We Ate the Children Last (2004), Beatrice and Virgil (2010) – a New York Times Bestseller and a Financial Times Best Book, 101 Letters to a Prime Minister (2012) – a collection of letters to the prime minister of Canada; and The High Mountains of Portugal (2016).  

Lolita Chakrabarti OBE is an award-winning playwright and actress. Her writing credits include: Red Velvet which opened at the Tricycle Theatre in London in 2012, returning in 2014 before transferring to New York and the West End; Red Velvet was nominated for nine major awards including two Olivier Awards. Lolita won the Evening Standard Theatre Award for Most Promising Playwright, The Critics Circle Award for Most Promising Playwright and the AWA Award for Arts and Culture; She adapted Italo Calvino’s Invisible Cities for MIF in 2019 a collaboration with 59Productions and Rambert; her play Hymn was live streamed in February 2021 from the Almeida, before opening to audiences later in July; she was dramaturg on Message in a Bottle for ZooNation and Sadler’s Wells; she curated The Greatest Wealth for Old Vic, a series of monologues marking the 70th birthday of the NHS. Acting credits include: Vigil, The Casual Vacancy (BBC),  Riviera, Delicious (Sky), Born to Kill, My Mad Fat Diary (Ch4), Criminal (Netflix), Fanny and Alexander (The Old Vic), Hamlet (RADA). She can soon be seen in Showtrial for the BBC and Wheel of Time for Amazon Prime. 

Max Webster was the inaugural Baylis Director at the Old Vic and is now an Associate Director at the theatre where his work includes Fanny and Alexander, Cover My Tracks and Dr. Seuss’s The Lorax. Selected other stage work includes the forthcoming The Merry Widow (ENO), The Jungle Book (Northampton/Fiery Angel UK tour), The Winter’s Tale (Lyceum, Edinburgh), and King Lear (Royal and Derngate, Northampton/UK tour).

The extraordinary animals are brought to life by Puppet & Movement Director Finn Caldwell, who began his career in the original company of the National Theatre’s international phenomenon War Horse. He is the Artistic Director of his own company Gyre & Gimble, for whom work includes: co-director/puppet designer of The Four Seasons: A Reimagining (Shakespeare’s Globe), The Hartlepool Monkey (UK tour) and The Elephantom (National Theatre & West End). His other work includes: director of puppetry/movement for Angels in America (National Theatre & Broadway), The Light Princess (National Theatre), War Horse (West End & Internationally) and Groundhog Day (Old Vic & Broadway).

Life of Pi is produced by Simon Friend in association with Playing Field and Tulchin/Bartner.

Edwardian Hotels London is proud to be the official hotel partner of Life of Pi in the West End. 

FULL CASTING ANNOUNCED FOR 101 DALMATIANS

KATE FLEETWOOD PLAYS CRUELLA DE VIL

Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre have today announced full casting for their forthcoming production of 101 Dalmatians (12 Jul – 28 Aug), a newly commissioned musical written by Douglas Hodge (music and lyrics) and Johnny McKnight (book), from a stage adaptation by Zinnie Harris. Based on the book by Dodie Smith, leading the cast as the iconic villain Cruella de Vil is Olivier and Tony Award nominee Kate Fleetwood.

Dalmatians Pongo and Perdi are puppeteered by Danny Collins (Pongo Voice), Emma Lucia (Perdi Voice), Yana Penrose (Perdi Head) and Ben Thompson (Pongo Head).

Also joining the cast are: Jamil Abbasi (Ensemble), Stuart Angell (Captain Head), George Bukhari (Jasper), Sonya Cullingford (Ensemble), Jade Davies (Swing), Karen Fishwick (Danielle), Joseph Fletcher (Ensemble), Taofique Folarin (Swing), Courtney George (Ensemble), Tash Holway (Swing and Dance Captain), CJ Johnson (Ensemble), Kody Mortimer (Ensemble), Simon Oskarsson (Swing), Tom Peters (Captain Voice), Eric Stroud (Dominic), Jonny Weldon (Casper), and Grace Wylde (Madam Doué).

Director Timothy Sheader said:

“We are incredibly excited to finally bring 101 Dalmatians to our stage after postponing the production twice due to the pandemic. I think audiences are going to love reconnecting with this favourite story outside in Regent’s Park; the original home of Pongo and Perdi. The brand new script and music are both packed with fun and joy and I am delighted that Kate Fleetwood’s filming schedule for The Wheel of Time allows us the opportunity to work with her on creating that all time baddie, Cruella de Vil.”

101 Dalmatians is created by: Shanaé Chisholm (Casting Assistant), Josie Daxter (Associate Director),   Jill Green CDG (Casting Director), Tash Holway (Associate Choreographer), Barbara Houseman (Voice and Text & Season Associate Director), Howard Hudson (Lighting Designer), Maia Kirkman-Richards (Assistant Puppet Director), Nick Lidster for Autograph (Sound Designer), Katrina Lindsay (Costume Designer), Ingrid Mackinnon (Season Associate: Intimacy Support), Tarek Merchant (Musical Director), Verity Naughton and Nick Hockaday for Verity Naughton Casting (Children’s Casting Directors), Toby Olié (Puppetry Designer and Director), Colin Richmond (Set Designer), Timothy Sheader (Director), Liam Steel (Choreographer) and Sarah Travis (Musical Supervisor and Orchestrator).

The Open Air Theatre is working with Mousetrap Theatre Projects to create a relaxed performance of 101 Dalmatians on Sunday 14 August (2.15pm). Relaxed performances are designed to provide those with learning disabilities, those who are on the autism spectrum or have other sensory and communication needs who would benefit from a more relaxed environment, the opportunity to experience the production.

Kate Fleetwood currently plays the leading role of Liandrin Guirale in Amazon Prime’s The Wheel of Time. Her previous stage roles include: Lady Macbeth (Chichester Festival/Gielgud/ BAM/Broadway) for which she was nominated for a Tony Award, Medea (Almeida) and Goneril in King Lear (National Theatre). She also appeared in Absolute Hell and Ugly Lies the Bone (National Theatre), Bug (Found111) and Life is a Dream (Donmar Warehouse), for which she received a WhatsOnStage Award nomination for Best Supporting Actress. Kate received an Olivier Award nomination for Best Actress in a Musical for London Road (National Theatre), and she also played Tracy Lord in High Society (Old Vic).

Kate’s television credits include: Victoria, War and Peace, The People Next Door, The Widower, Brave New World and Fate: The Winx Club Saga. Her film credits include: Star Wars: The Force Awakens, The Negotiator, London Road, Philomena, Les Misérables and Harry Potter and The Deathly Hallows: Part 1.

Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre’s 90^th Anniversary season also includes the musical Legally Blonde     (13 May – 2 July) directed by Lucy Moss, co-writer and co-director of Six the Musical, and – in a second commission from the theatre in 2022 – Antigone (3 – 24 September) by Barber Shop Chronicles writer Inua Ellams after Sophocles, directed by Max Webster and co-directed by Jo Tyabji.

SIMON RUSSELL BEALE TO PLAY

J O H N   G A B R I E L   B O R K M A N

IN A NEW VERSION OF IBSEN’S CLASSIC BY LUCINDA COXON

Simon Russell Beale will play the title role in Henrik Ibsen’s John Gabriel Borkman in a new version by Lucinda Coxon at the Bridge Theatre.  Directed by Nicholas Hytner with set designs by Anna Fleischle and costume designs by Liam Bunster, John Gabriel Borkman will have its first performance on 24 September 2022 with opening night on 29 September 2022 with the run concluding on 26 November 2022.  Booking opens today at 10am for Bridge Priority members and public booking is from 10am on 22 March 2022.  Further casting and the full creative team will be announced shortly.

John Gabriel Borkman, once an illustrious entrepreneur, has been brought low by a prison sentence for fraud. As he paces alone in an upstairs room, bankrupt and disgraced, he is obsessed by dreams of his comeback. Downstairs, his estranged wife plots the restoration of the family name. When her sister arrives unannounced, she triggers a desperate showdown with the past.

Simon Russell Beale (John Gabriel Borkman) was last at the Bridge in A Christmas Carol and Bach & Sons, both also directed by Nicholas Hytner. His previous theatre credits include The Lehman Trilogy at National Theatre, in the West End and on Broadway. His other collaborations with Hytner include The Alchemist, Much Ado About Nothing, Major Barbara, Collaborators, London Assurance and Timon of Athens, all at the National Theatre. As well as being the recipient of multiple theatre awards, in 2003 he was made a CBE for his services to the Arts and in 2019 he was made a Knight Batchelor.

Lucinda Coxon previously collaborated with Nicholas Hytner at The Bridge on the world premiere of Alys, Always. Her other theatre writing credits include Herding Cats, Happy Now, The Eternal Not, Nostalgia, The Shoemaker’s Wife, Vesuvius, Wishbones, Three Graces, The Ice Palace and Waiting at the Water’s Edge. Her screen writing credits include the award-winning The Danish Girl starring Eddie Redmayne and Alicia Vikander, The Little Stranger starring Domhnall Gleeson and Ruth Wilson, The Crimson Petal and The White starring Romola Garai for the BBC, Wild Target starring Emily Blunt and The Heart of Me starring Paul Bettany and Helena Bonham-Carter.

For the Bridge Theatre Nicholas Hytner has directed Young Marx, Julius Caesar, Allelujah!, Alys, Always, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Two Ladies, Beat the Devil, The Shrine, Bed Among the Lentils, A Christmas Carol, Bach & Sons and The Book of Dust – La Belle Sauvage. This month he directs Ralph Fiennes in David Hare’s Straight Line Crazy also at The Bridge and in June he will direct Alex Jennings in Stephen Beresford’s The Southbury Child at Chichester Festival Theatre and The Bridge. Previously he was Director of the National Theatre from 2003 to 2015.

LISTINGS INFORMATION

Address:                            Bridge Theatre, 3 Potters Fields Park, London, SE1 2SG

Box Office:                         0333 320 0051 or [email protected]

Access:                              0333 320 0051 or [email protected]

Website:                            www.bridgetheatre.co.uk

Twitter:                              @_bridgetheatre

Instagram:                          _bridgetheatre

Facebook:                           facebook.com/bridgetheatrelondon

THE NEW WOLSEY THEATRE IPSWICH AND QUEEN’S THEATRE HORNCHURCH TO

CO-PRODUCE FIRST UK REVIVAL & REGIONAL PREMIERE OF

KINKY BOOTS

THE MUSICAL

MARKING 10 YEARS SINCE THE

MUSICAL’S DEBUT

NEW WOLSEY THEATRE, IPSWICH:  1 – 24 SEPTEMBER

QUEEN’S THEATRE HORNCHURCH: 28 SEPTEMBER – 22 OCTOBER

The New Wolsey Theatre Ipswich and Queen’s Theatre Hornchurch have today announced that they will be co-producing the first UK revival and regional premiere of the Tony and Olivier Award-winning musical Kinky Boots. The production will also mark 10 years since the musical’s debut at Chicago’s Bank of America Theatre in 2012.

The new production, which will be directed by Tim Jackson, will run at New Wolsey Theatre, Ipswich from 1 – 24 September and Queen’s Theatre Hornchurch from 28 September – 22 October.

Based on the Miramax motion picture, the musical adaptation features a Tony-Award nominated book by Harvey Fierstein and Tony and Grammy award-winning music and lyrics by Cyndi Lauper.

Charlie Price has reluctantly inherited a struggling shoe business from his ‎dad, which he’s desperate to save. He unexpectedly bumps into a larger than life drag queen Lola, who’s looking for some sturdy stilettos. They think they’ve nothing in common, but as the unlikely pair ruffle a few feathers, designing some fabulous footwear for the factory floor, perhaps they do…

The new production sees Tim Jackson reunite with the two theatres, having previously choregraphed their celebrated revival of Made in Dagenham. Tim Jackson has also previously worked with the New Wolsey Theatre as director and dramaturg of The Stage Debut Award-winning co-production of The Season (Royal and Derngate, New Wolsey).

Tim Jackson is staging the upcoming 2022 Olivier Awards Ceremony at the Royal Albert Hall and will choreograph Merrily We Roll Along, directed by Maria Friedman andstarring Daniel Radcliffe, at New York Theater Workshop later this year.  

Tim Jackson said of the new production, “I’m thrilled to be directing the first UK revival of this fabulous musical. It’s a show that’s got it all: big laughs, a banging pop score and an uplifting story about community, identity and embracing ourselves and each other. Ten years since it took the world by storm, I’m relishing the opportunity to re-explore Kinky Boots in a brand-new production for a new generation. The piece remains as potent as ever, and I cannot wait to join audiences in celebrating our beautiful kaleidoscope of a world.”

Mathew Russell, Executive Director of Queen’s Theatre Hornchurch said, “We’re thrilled to be working with the New Wolsey Theatre again, after a string of brilliant co-productions, including our acclaimed actor musician versions of Made in Dagenham and Once, which we were able to tour together too. We’re equally excited that QTH’s new Creative Associate, Tim Jackson, will be directing, and know that he and the team will do a great job of making a fresh, warm hearted, sassy and gloriously working class take on this hit show, which we’re sure audiences are going to adore”

Douglas Rintoul,Incoming Chief Executive of New Wolsey Theatre, Ipswich said “I can’t think of a better way to mark the start of my new role at the New Wolsey Theatre than with this very special regional premiere. Made by my favourite theatres, and directed by a supremely talented director, Kinky Boots is going to be a smart and gloriously uplifting night out.”

Cast and full creative team will be announced at a later date. There will be British Sign Language, Audio Described and Captioned performances available at both theatres.

GARY BARLOW’S

A DIFFERENT STAGE

TO OPEN AT THE DUKE OF YORK’S THEATRE IN LONDON’S WEST END 

TICKETS ON SALE 10AM WEDNESDAY 23 MARCH HERE

adifferentstage.show

*****A story that deserves to be told and it’s delivered beautifully…A brave and beautiful retelling of his whole life story…A seriously emotional experience – Manchester Evening News

Acclaimed singer, songwriter, composer and producer, Gary Barlow is bringing his theatrical one man stage show, A Different Stage, to London’s West End, with a string of dates announced today. He will perform at The Duke of York’s Theatre from 30 August to 18 September, with tickets on sale Wednesday 23 March at 10am from adifferentstage.show.

To date, Gary has performed sold out performances of A Different Stageat The Brindley in Runcorn, Cheshire and the Lowry Quays Theatre in Salford. He’s currently performing another sold out run at The Playhouse in Liverpool before he heads to Edinburgh’s Royal Lyceum Theatre from 22 March. Limited tickets are available for select dates in Edinburgh from adifferentstage.show.

A Different Stage, which Gary Barlow created with his long-time friend and collaborator, Tim Firth, is an intimate evening with Gary, as he recounts, with humour, some tears and unflinching honesty, his life story. Of course, along the way, there will be some music, but some of which will be a surprise to many.

Gary said: “I’ve thoroughly enjoyed performing ‘A Different Stage’ at venues across the country for the past few months. Bringing it to London is a dream come true and The Duke of York’s Theatre is the perfect setting for this story.”

Gary Barlow is one of Britain’s most successful songwriters and record producers. As part of the group Take That, he has won eight BRIT Awards and sold over 45 million records. Aside from his achievements with Take That, he has also co-written and produced music for other renowned artists including Dame Shirley Bassey, Sir Elton John and Robbie Williams.

In more recent years, Gary has also turned his attention to the world of theatre, composing the score for the hugely successful production of Finding Neverland, working alongside Tim Firth on Calendar Girls The Musical, and collaborating with Tim and his Take That bandmates on The Band, a record-breaking stage musical currently being adapted into a feature film.

A Different Stage is directed by Tim Firth, with design by Es Devlin, lighting by Bruno Poet and sound design by Gareth Tucker.

LISTINGS INFORMATION

30 August – 18 September 2022

Duke of York’s Theatre

St Martin’s Lane

London WC2N 4BG

Performances: Tuesday – Saturday at 7.30pm and Sunday at 2.30pm

Tickets: from £35

Box Office: adifferentstage.show

Meet the West End stars of tomorrow!

Three sets of twins who are starring in Identical,

the new musical adaptation of The Parent Trap

After a five-year casting search and multiple auditions across the UK, three sets of talented identical twins are about to become Britain’s latest musical theatre stars. The trio of twins will be starring in Identical, the new musical adaptation of Erich Kästner’s novel ‘The Parent Trap’ directed by Olivier & Tony award-winning director Sir Trevor Nunn and produced by Kenny Wax whose current hits include ‘SIX the musical’ and ‘The Play That Goes Wrong’. 

They say you should never work with children or animals but this summer Olivier and Tony award-winning director Sir Trevor Nunn will be doing both, with three sets of identical twins! Kyla and Nicole Fox, aged 12, from County Armagh, Northern Ireland, Emme and Eden Patrick, 12 from Waltham Abbey and Sienna and Savannah Robinson, 12 from Bromley, are the youngsters playing Lottie and Lisa in the world premiere of Identical, a new musical destined for the West End.

Identical is based on the novel ‘The Parent Trap’ by Erich Kästner, which inspired hugely successful Disney films featuring Hayley Mills in 1961 and Lindsay Lohan in 1998.

It will open at Nottingham Playhouse from 26 July – 14 August, then transfers to The Lowry from Fri 19 August – Sat 3 September 2022. Future dates will be announced.

Identical tells the story of Lottie and Lisa, twin girls separated at birth, reunited by chance at a summer camp 10 years later. In an attempt to re-join their divorced parents, they decide to swap identities.

It has Music and Lyrics by George Stiles and Anthony Drewe, (the multi award-winning writers of the Olivier award-winning National Theatre hit ‘Honk!’, who also created a new score for the international smash-hit Cameron Mackintosh/Disney production of ‘Mary Poppins’) with a Book by Stuart Paterson.

Identical is co-produced by Nottingham Playhouse and Kenny Wax Ltd (producer of the new global musical phenomenon ‘SIX’ and the ‘Goes Wrong’ shows) and directed by Olivier and Tony award-winning Sir Trevor Nunn (responsible for some of the greatest hits in the world, including ‘Les Misérables’, ‘Starlight Express’, ‘Cats’ and ‘Sunset Boulevard’).

Producer Kenny Wax says:

“Identical is a story about the reuniting of twins separated shortly after birth and the healing of a family which has been fractured. The narrative offers a powerful message for the world right now and under the directorial genius of Sir Trevor Nunn, I have no doubt that Identical will be regarded as one of the great musicals of its generation…..providing that we can consistently cast incredibly talented identical twins!”

Nottingham Playhouse’s Executive Director Stephanie Sirr commented:

“We can’t wait to create this show. It’s particularly exciting to give kids from our community the chance to work alongside world class professionals and to take part in the premiere of a newly commissioned musical.”

Stiles and Drewe said:

“It’s been a delight to adapt Erich Kästner’s hauntingly beautiful and timeless tale of two identical twins separated as babies, and their wily determination to stitch their family back together. It’s a story packed with wonderful humour and characters which makes it a great canvas to become a musical and retell for a 21st-century audience.”

Nottingham Theatre Royal – 16th March 2022

Reviewed by Louise Ford

5*****

Not everything is black or white when it comes to curses…

Last night’s performance was introduced by Richard Mantle (General Director of Opera North), he gave a moving speech about the  importance of the Arts in the time of struggle and war. He read out a message which referenced not only the current conflict in The Ukraine but also the Opera North Ensemble which includes singers from both Ukraine and Russia. The whole audience stood for the  Ukrainian National Anthem. It was a moving start to a wonderful night of Opera.

I went to last night’s performance with my daughter who hasn’t seen any live opera performances before, although she and her sister were sent off to sleep by various arias and musical pieces when they were little, so she is no stranger to the music. By way of preparation I sent her a synopsis of Verdi’s Rigoletto. Whilst she was looking forward to seeing the production she had some reservations about the subject matter.  It is difficult to reconcile the storyline (based on Victor Hugo’s Le Roi s’amuse) with today’s moral code about  rights and sexual abuse. 

Taking this last point first this production ( directed by Femi Elufowoju jnr) takes the central theme of the opera, Rigoletto a hunchbacked court jester who keeps his daughter (Gilda) hidden away to protect her from philandering 16th century aristocrats. And casts Rigoletto as a black man with a vulnerable daughter who he hides away to protect her from the Duke  and a bunch of entitled white men who cannot be trusted around women. The dynamic between Rigoletto ( Eric Greene (absolutely fantastic ) and Gilda (Jasmine Habersham) is superb. The roles are played with tenderness and strength and just the right amount of vulnerability and torment.

The opera is made up of three acts and has four main scenes. The sets and costume design (Rae Smith) are an interesting mixture of modern day scenes with an added pinch of exotic colour and glamour, along with traditional agbada and dashiki for Count Monterone (Sir Willard White) and Marullo (Themba Mvula). On the whole the sets are not too distracting from the action although the scene with the life sized zebra and the closing scene with the wrecked car  and pop up tent still has me puzzled. Having said that the singing is wonderful, Roman Arendt makes a great sneering and leering Duke and Sir Willard White (Count Monterone) whose strong presence and curse is crucial to the way the story unfolds for Rigoletto, has a powerful stage presence.The conductor at last night’s performance was Garry Walker. It was a full house in Nottingham last night and the audience really enjoyed the performance with several standing ovations which seemed to take the company by surprise!

THEATR CLWYD TO RECEIVE £22 MILLION IN CAPITAL FUNDING TO SUPPORT REDEVLOPMENT OF THE THEATRE

Theatr Clwyd has today confirmed it will receive up to £22m from the Welsh Government in additional capital funding to support the ambitious redevelopment of the theatre. The transformative redevelopment will deliver a much-improved visitor experience and enhanced income-generating facilities within a greener, more efficient, and welcoming building.

Attracting over 200,000 paying visitors annually, Theatr Clwyd is the biggest producing theatre in Wales, known for world class theatre productions and having a significant social, cultural and economic impact in North-East Wales. This redevelopment will allow Theatr Clwyd to continue to produce world-class art that can thrive and ensure that social action is rooted for generations to come.

Theatr Clwyd’s Executive Director, Liam Evans-Ford, and Artistic Director, Tamara Harvey, are working with Flintshire County Council, Arts Council of Wales and acclaimed architects Haworth Tompkins on the redevelopment.

Deputy Minister for Arts and Sport, Dawn Bowden, said: “Theatr Clwyd has an international and national reputation for excellence and is a key part of Wales’ cultural infrastructure. Through its innovative services and partnerships Theatr Clwyd brings considerable social, cultural and economic benefits to Wales, particularly the local communities in north east Wales. We look forward to working with the team on delivering such an exciting and innovate project.”

With an industry-leading zero carbon target and dedicated theatre-making, learning, family and wellbeing spaces, including on-site scenic construction for the first time, the project will bean exemplar of 21st century cultural space.

Liam Evans-Ford, Executive Director at Theatr Clwyd, said: “The confirmation of Welsh Government’s investment towards the essential redevelopment of Theatr Clwyd, alongside the previously confirmed investment from Flintshire County Council and the Arts Council of Wales, is a significant statement about how the arts, and its social and economic impact, is viewed in Wales, a nation fast becoming one of the best in the world at supporting its cultural sectors. This funding will unlock further private investment and enable us to deliver something that our local communities, our theatre makers, our audiences, our region, and our nation can be proud of, a world class producing theatre in North Wales that will now have facilities to match the standard of work on our stages.”

Flintshire County Council’s Chief Executive, Neal Cockerton, said:This is a really welcome announcement by Welsh Government and will allow us and the Theatr to move forward with its exciting plans for refurbishment and development. This is a dynamic period in the theatre’s history – the future is looking bright with the theatre continuing as a vital and vibrant arts centre at the heart of our community.

Minister for North Wales, Lesley Griffiths, said: “Investing in our theatres and committing to Theatr Clwyd is an important element of our Programme for Government.  This announcement today recognises Theatr Clwyd’s high standing and cultural significance not only in North Wales itself but further afield too. It is a valuable asset to the region.”

Phil George, Chair, Arts Council of Wales, said: “This crucial investment from Welsh Government recognises the impact of the arts in community life, in the wellbeing of citizens and in economic development. Theatr Clwyd richly demonstrates that impact through its high-quality and eye-catching productions, its community outreach and its work in areas like Arts and Dementia and youth justice. This redevelopment will further energise all that work and be a major benefit to the people of north-east Wales. The Arts Council of Wales is proud to support it.”

Throughout the building work Theatr Clwyd will remain open with work expected to be completed by 2024.

Our website: www.theatrclwyd.com

Twitter: @ClwydTweets                Facebook: TheatrClwyd                 Instagram: Theatr Clwyd

Patrick’s Day Made Extra Special

International screen and stage star Patrick Duffy had a double reason to celebrate recently as he marked St Patrick’s Day and his birthday.

To celebrate, his partner and co-star Linda Purl presented him with a cake made by one of the Hippodrome staff after today’s matinee performance of Catch Me If You Can. In addition, the audience sang happy birthday, and staff members gave his dressing room a birthday makeover. It was a celebration fit for a Hollywood star!

Catch Me If You Can is running at Darlington Hippodrome until this Saturday, with the last performance at 7:30pm. Alongside Patrick Duffy and Linda Purl, Gray O’Brien stars in this gripping drama filled with twists and turns that have had audiences guessing until the last minute.

Set in the remote Catskill Mountains, Inspector Levine is called to investigate the disappearance of the newly married Elizabeth Corban. In a bizarre development a woman arrives at the house claiming to be the missing Elizabeth but, instead of celebrating the reunion, her husband accuses her of being an imposter…

Booking information

www.darlingtonhippodrome.co.uk

Box office: 01325 405405