Dave Moutrey, CEO of HOME and Director of Culture for Manchester City Council, appointed as Theatres Trust Chair
Theatres Trust, the national public advisory body for theatres, is pleased to announce that Dave Moutrey has been appointed as its new Chair by the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport. Dave Moutrey is Director and Chief Executive of HOME, a purpose built multi art form venue, having conceived and led both the merger of Cornerhouse and Library Theatre Company and the £25m capital project to create HOME. Since 2018 he has also been Director of Culture for Manchester City Council where he is responsible for advising the council on policy and strategy for culture.
Dave Moutrey says, Theatres Trust has a crucial role to play in helping to protect our heritage and advise on the design of new performance spaces to make sure that these important assets continue to serve their vital role at the heart of our communities and cultures. I am therefore delighted and honoured to be joining the organisation as Chair and to work with the trustees and team as we navigate the challenges and opportunities presented across the UK.
Four Trustees have also been appointed to Theatres Trust Board: James Dacre, Artistic Director of Royal & Derngate Theatres in Northampton; Suba Das, Creative Director Designate of Liverpool Everyman and Playhouse Theatres and current Artistic Director and Chief Executive of HighTide; Stephanie Hall, a barrister specialising in town and country planning at Kings Chambers and Lucy Osborne, set and costume designer and co-founder of studio three sixty.
Theatres Trust Director Jon Morgan says, I am delighted that Dave Moutrey will take up the reigns as Theatres Trust’s Chair, as his wealth of experience leading HOME and advising Manchester City Council will be invaluable to our work making the case for theatres. I am also looking forward to working with the other new Trustees, who bring an extraordinary array of skills and expertise that will complement and strengthen our existing Board.
All appointments are for a three year term, beginning on 21 February 2022.
“Emotionally epic entertainment from Emma Rice” The Times
Wise Children today announce that Liam Tamne joins the company as Heathcliff for the world première production of Emily Brontë’sWuthering Heights on 15 March, completing the run at the National ahead of the UK tour. Adapted and directed by Emma Rice, the show is a co-production with the National Theatre, Bristol Old Vic and York Theatre Royal.
★★★★★
““a wildly imaginative, exhilarating piece of theatre” Daily Mail
Tamne joins Lucy McCormick as Cathy, and Sam Archer (Lockwood/Edgar Linton), Nandi Bhebhe (The Leader of the Moor), Mirabelle Gremaud (Zillah), Stephanie Hockley (Ensemble), TJ Holmes (Robert), Craig Johnson (Mr Earnshaw/Dr Kenneth), Jordan Laviniere (John), Katy Owen (Isabella Linton/Linton Heathcliff), Tama Phethean (Hindley Earnshaw/Hareton Earnshaw) and Witney White (Frances Earnshaw/Young Cathy), with music performed by Sid Goldsmith, Nadine Lee and Renell Shaw.
★★★★
“a bold and ingenious production” Guardian
After completing performances at the National Theatre on 19 March, the production tours to Hall for Cornwall; Norwich Theatre Royal; The Lowry, Salford; Sunderland Empire; Brighton Festival; Kings Theatre Edinburgh; and Eden Court, Inverness.
The Yorkshire moors tell an epic story of love, revenge and redemption.
Rescued from the Liverpool docks as a child, Heathcliff is adopted by the Earnshaws and taken to live at Wuthering Heights. He finds a kindred spirit in Catherine Earnshaw and a fierce love ignites. When forced apart, a brutal chain of events is unleashed.
Shot through with music, dance, passion and hope, Emma Rice transforms Emily Brontë’s masterpiece into a powerful and uniquely theatrical experience. Lucy McCormick leads the company of performers and musicians in this intoxicating revenge tragedy for our time.
“I am Heathcliff! Whatever our souls are made of, his and mine are the same.”
With composition by Ian Ross; set and costume design by Vicki Mortimer; sound and video by Simon Baker; lighting design by Jai Morjaria; movement and choreography by Etta Murfitt.
Sam Archer returns to the company to play Lockwood/Edgar Linton – he previously appeared in Wise Children (The Old Vic/UK tour).His other theatre credits include An Ideal Husband (Vaudeville Theatre/Oscar Wilde Season), Wonderland (National Theatre/Châtelet Theatre, Paris), La Bohème (Royal Albert Hall), We Will Rock You (Dominion Theatre), and The Red Shoes, Lord of the Flies, Swan Lake, Cinderella, Edward Scissorhands (Matthew Bourne’s New Adventures Company).
Nandi Bhebhe returns to the company to play The Leader of the Moor – she recently appeared in Bagdad Cafe (The Old Vic). Her theatre credits include A Monster Calls (The Old Vic), Fela! (National Theatre/Al Hirschfeld Theatre), Season in the Congo (Young Vic), A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Twelfth Night, 946 The Amazing Story of Adolphus Tips (Shakespeare’s Globe), Boy Breaking Glass (Sadler’s Wells), The Tin Drum (Bristol Old Vic), Ubu! A Singalong Satire (Shoreditch Town Hall).
Mirabelle Gremaud returns to the company as Zillah – she previously appeared in Wise Children (The Old Vic/UK tour) and Malory Towers (Bristol Passenger Shed/UK tour). Her theatre credits as an actress/dancer and contortionist includeLe Conte des Contes (Théâtre Kléber-Mélau), Peter Pan (Birmingham Rep), Swan Lake (The Lost Estate), Acrojou (Roundhouse), Falling (Complicité), and her solo show Sombre Sloughing (UK and European tour).
Stephanie Hockley returns to the company – she previously appeared in Malory Towers. Her other theatre credits include Robin Hood (Watermill Theatre), A Christmas Carol (Storyhouse), The Show Must Go On (St Luke’s Bombed Out Church), Return to the Forbidden Planet (Upstairs at the Gatehouse), Robin Hood the Rock n’ Roll Panto, Sleeping Beauty, The Little Mermaid, Beauty and the Beast, Rapunzel (Liverpool Everyman), Julius Caesar, A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Storyhouse, Chester) and Sleeping Beauty (Mercury Theatre Colchester).
TJ Holmes plays Robert. His theatre credits include One Man, Two Guvnors (UK tour), The Hired Man, Love, Lies and Lust (Queen’s Theatre Hornchurch), Mother Courage (Leeds Playhouse), Two Gentleman of Verona (Shakespeare’s Globe/Liverpool Everyman), La Strada (The Other Palace), Hansel and Gretel (Kneehigh), The BFG, I Was A Rat (Birmingham Rep), The Jungle Book, The Threepenny Opera (UK tour), Spend Spend Spend!, Some Like It Hotter (The Watermill Theatre), As You Like It (Curve), Cider with Rosie, Merchant of Venice (Theatre Royal Bury St Edmunds) and What To Do When You Find A Dinosaur (Oxford Playhouse).
Craig Johnson plays Mr Earnshaw/Dr Kenneth. His theatre credits include The Lighthouse Keeper’sLunch, The Railway Children and The Secret Garden (Minack Theatre), Alaska, One Darke Night (UK tours), The Sea Show, Skillywidden, Stones and Bones, Curious Creatures, Tales from the Trees, Myths and Monsters, The Christmassy Christmas Show, Shivers and Shadows, Universarama! (Squashbox Theatre UK tours), Tristan & Yseult, Cymbeline, Don John, A Matter of Life and Death and The Bacchae (Kneehigh).
Jordan Laviniere plays John. His theatre credits include All That (King’s Head Theatre), Everybody’s Talking About Jamie (Apollo Theatre), Bugsy Malone (Lyric Hammersmith), The Life (The English Theatre, Frankfurt) and We Will Rock You (European tour).
Lucy McCormick plays Catherine. Her previous theatre credits include Life: LIVE! (Battersea Arts Centre), Triple Threat and Post Popular (Edinburgh Fringe Festival/Soho Theatre/UK and international tours), Roller Diner, First Love is the Revolution (Soho Theatre), Dear Elizabeth, Effigies of Wickedness (Gate Theatre), Collective Rage (Southwark Playhouse), Cinderella (Oxford Playhouse), The Naked Truth (UK tour), Splat! (Barbican), and The House of Bernada Alba (Tristan Bates Theatre). Her television credits include This Time with Alan Partridge; and for film, Fast and Furious Presents: Hobbs & Shaw, and Uncle David 2.
Katy Owen returns to the company to play Isabella Linton/Linton Heathcliff – she previously appeared in Wise Children (The Old Vic/UK tour). Her other theatre credits include UBU Karaoke!, Rebecca (Kneehigh), The Little Matchgirl and Other Happier Tales (Bristol Old Vic/Shakespeare’s Globe/UK tour), Twelfth Night, A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Shakespeare’s Globe), 946: The Amazing Story of Adolphus Tipps (Kneehigh/Shakespeare’s Globe/UK tour), The World of Work, The Night Before Christmas (Chapter Arts Centre), Apparitions of Spirits with the Forsythe Sisters (Gaggle Babble), Maudie’s Rooms, Plum – and Me, Will!, Cinders (Sherman Theatre), Ill Met by Moonlight (Wales Millennium Centre), The Tempest (Theatr Iolo) and The Moon Dragon & The Wounded Angel (Theatr Gwent). Her television credits include The Story of Tracy Beaker.
Tama Phethean plays Hindley Earnshaw/Hareton Earnshaw. His theatre credits include The Great Christmas Feast (The Lost Estate), Man Muck (Etcetera Theatre) and Night of the Living Dead Live (Pleasance Theatre).
Liam Tamne plays Heathcliff. His theatre work includes The Prince of Egypt (Dominion Theatre – Grammy nomination for Original Cast Recording), Bonnie and Clyde (Theatre Royal Drury Lane), The Light in the Piazza (Royal Festival Hall/LA Opera), Spamilton (Menier Chocolate Factory), Mack and Mabel (concert – Hackney Empire), Working (Southwark Playhouse), The Rocky Horror Show (UK tour), The Phantom of the Opera (Her Majesty’s Theatre), Les Miserables (Queen’s Theatre), Departure Lounge — the Musical (Perfect Pitch), HAIR (Gielgud Theatre), Hairspray (Shaftesbury Theatre) and Wicked (Apollo Victoria Theatre). For television, his work includes Doctors.
Witney White plays Frances Earnshaw/Young Cathy. Her theatre credits include Five Plays Project: Irreconcilable Differences (Young Vic), Light Falls (Royal Exchange Theatre), A Christmas Carol, Sylvia, A Monster Calls (The Old Vic), NOF*CKSGIVEN (Vault Festival), Room (Theatre Royal Stratford East/Dundee Rep/Abbey Theatre), wonder.land (National Theatre), Dusty (Charing Cross Theatre) and Loserville (West Yorkshire Playhouse). For television, her credits include Cleaning Up.
Emma Rice is the proud and excited Artistic Director of her company, Wise Children. She adapted and directed the company’s Bagdad Cafe (The Old Vic), Angela Carter’s Wise Children (The Old Vic/UK tour) and Enid Blyton’s Malory Towers (Bristol Passenger Shed/UK tour). For the ENO she directed Orpheus in the Underworld. As Artistic Director of Shakespeare’s Globe (2016/18), she directed Romantics Anonymous, Twelfth Night, A Midsummer Night’s Dream and The Little Matchgirl (and Other Happier Tales). For the previous 20 years, she worked for Kneehigh as an actor, director and Artistic Director. Her productions for Kneehigh include The Flying Lovers of Vitebsk, Tristan & Yseult, 946: The Amazing Story of Adolphus Tips, The Wild Bride, The Red Shoes, The Wooden Frock, The Bacchae, Cymbeline (in association with RSC), A Matter of Life and Death (in association with National Theatre), Rapunzel (in association with Battersea Arts Centre), Brief Encounter (in association with David Pugh and Dafydd Rogers Productions), Don John (in association with the RSC and Bristol Old Vic), Wah! Wah! Girls (in association with Sadler’s Wells and Theatre Royal Stratford East for World Stages), and Steptoe and Son. Other work includes the West End production of The Umbrellas of Cherbourg, Oedipussy (Spymonkey), The Empress (RSC), and An Audience with Meow Meow (Berkeley Repertory Theatre). In 2019 Rice received the UK Theatre Award for Outstanding Contribution to British Theatre.
CHRISTOPHER HARPER TO PLAY ROBERT LANGDON ALONGSIDE DANNY JOHN-JULES
& HANNAH ROSE CATON
IN WORLD PREMIERE PRODUCTION
Coronation Street star Chris Harper joins the tour of Dan Brown’s best-selling thriller, The Da Vinci Code to play Robert Langdon alongside Danny John-Jules as Sir Leigh Teabing, Hannah Rose Caton as Sophie Neveu and Joshua Lacey as Silas.This World Premiere production which visits Richmond Theatre from 2-7 May 2022 is directed by Luke Sheppard, who also directed the award-winning West End musical & Juliet.
The cast also includes: Basienka Blake (Vernet), Alasdair Buchan (Remy) Alpha Kargbo (Fache), Leigh Lothian (Collet), Andrew Lewis (Saunière) and Debra Michaels (Sister Sandrine/Marie).
Producer Simon Friend said: “We have a truly stellar cast and creative team bringing The Da Vinci Code to life on stage for the first time, and with Dan Brown’s full endorsement of the show and the talented director Luke Sheppard at the helm, we’re confident that we’ll please devoted fans as well as newcomers to this magnificent story.”
‘Dan Brown’s epic thriller has been read by millions worldwide, and seen by millions worldwide on the big screen, and we are all looking forward to taking our brand new stage version to audiences all over the UK.’
Dan Brown said: “I am thrilled that The Da Vinci Code is being adapted for the stage, and excited to see the unique potential of live theatre enhance this story. The team making the production has been faithful to the book, but will also bring something new for the audience, in what is certain to be a gripping, fast-paced stage thriller and a thoroughly entertaining show.”
Christopher Harper’sprevious theatre credits include:Dial M For Murder; Apollo 13: The Dark Side of the Moon, Birdsong; Dance; Strangers on a Train; Much Ado About Nothing (Shakespeare’s Globe); Slipping (Stephen Joseph Theatre, Scarborough); The Wind in the Willows,Man of the Moment and Private Fears in Public Places (Royal & Derngate); I Know How I Feel About Eve (Hampstead Downstairs); The Night Before Christmas; The Village Bike (Sheffield Crucible Studio); Our Country’s Good and Journey’s End; Persuasion, After Miss Julie and People at Sea (Salisbury Playhouse); Saturn Returns; Light Shining in Buckinghamshire and Lie of the Land; See How They Run, Separate Tables and Volpone (Royal Exchange); Adam Bede and Strange Orchestra (Orange Tree Theatre); Tabloid Caligula (Arcola and Brits off Broadway) and Twelfth Night. His films include:The War Below, Patiala House, Rules of the Game and Charlie. On television he played the high profile character ofNathan Curtis inCoronation Street, and appeared in Holby City, Endeavour, The Suspicions of Mr Whicher, Doctors, Upstairs Downstairs, The Bill, Heartbeat, The Roman Mysteries, Rosemary and Thyme, Life on Mars and Housewife 49 with Victoria Wood. Chris also produced and voiced the award-winning charity animation The Mouse.
Danny John-Jules is probably best known for his role as Cat in Red Dwarf and has appeared in every episode of the 13 series. He also made the character of Dwayne Myers in BBC’s hit series, Death inParadise, his own. Danny has also appeared in many other film and TV roles across his 40 year career as an actor.Danny has appeared in Barnum at the London Palladium, Cats at the New London Theatre and Time at the Dominion Theatre. He created the role of ‘Rocky 1’ in Starlight Express at the Apollo, Victoria, and was Dink in the first West End production of Carmen Jones at the Old Vic Theatre for director Simon Callow and musical director Henry Lewis.
Hannah Rose Caton makes her UK theatre debut in The Da Vinci Code. Hannah is based both in London and New York and is a recent graduate of The Juilliard School’s Drama Division. Her theatre credits (off Broadway and in theatres across the US) include: Mrs. Christie at Vermont Theatre Festival, An Octoroon for Chautauqua Theatre Company and Hay Fever for West Fulton Theatre.
Her TV and films include: The Falling, Last Knights and Wizards vs Aliens.
The Da Vinci Code is described as follows: The curator of the Louvre has been brutally murdered, and alongside his body are a series of baffling codes. Follow the pulse-racing journey as Professor Robert Langdon and fellow cryptologist Sophie Neveu, attempt to solve the riddles, leading to the works of Leonardo Da Vinci and beyond, deep into the vault of history. In a breathless race through the streets of Europe, Langdon and Neveu must decipher the labyrinthine code before a shocking historical secret is lost forever.
The Da Vinci Code is adapted for the stage by Rachel Wagstaff (Flowers For Mrs Harris, Birdsong) and Duncan Abel (The Girl on the Train). Director Luke Sheppard, who most recently directed the acclaimed new West End musical, & Juliet and What’s New Pussycat at Birmingham Rep is joined on the creative team by Set and Costume Designer David Woodhead, Video Designer Andrzej Goulding, Composition and Sound Design team, Ben and Max Ringham, Lighting Designer Lizzie Powell and Casting Director Stuart Burt CDG.
Luke Sheppard said: “Cracking The Da Vinci Code open for the stage reveals an epic thriller steeped in theatrical potential, rich in suspense and surprising at every turn. Rachel Wagstaff and Duncan Abel’s brilliant adaptation leaps off the page and demands us to push the limits of our imagination, creating a production that champions dynamic theatrical storytelling and places the audience up close in the heat of this gripping mystery.”
Cameron Mackintosh has invited many of Stephen Sondheim’s old friends to join him in celebrating his extraordinary talents and legacy at the theatre which was recently gloriously rebuilt in Sondheim’s honor. The all-star cast for OLD FRIENDS so far includes Michael Ball, Petula Clark, Judi Dench, Daniel Evans, Bonnie Langford, Adrian Lester, Damian Lewis, Julia Mckenzie, Bernadette Peters, Elaine Paige, Clive Rowe, Imelda Staunton and Hannah Waddingham. They will be joined by a featured company of West End stars, currently being finalised.
The evening, which takes place for one night only on 3 May 2022 at 8pm, will be staged by Matthew Bourne and Maria Friedman with choreography by Stephen Mear and a 26-piece orchestra conducted by Alfonso Casado Trigo.
Patrons can sign up for priority booking at sondheimoldfriends.com. Tickets will go on sale on 15 March to DMT Plus members at 11am, the Priority List at 12noon with Public Booking opening at 1pm.
Cameron Mackintosh said: “It is impossible to overstate the influence and contribution Stephen Sondheim has made to Musical Theatre, both personally and professionally. He was as great a teacher as he was an incomparable writer and the Little Things that he did for so many people forged legions of friendships throughout his long life. I was lucky enough to be Steve’s friend and occasional collaborator for over 45 years since I first produced Side By Side By Sondheim and the Wyndham’s Theatre in 1976. It was a friendship full of laughter, gossip and glorious insightful camaraderie.
Steve was so prolific and profound as a writer that it’s impossible to put together a definitive list of his greatest songs, as everyone has their own favourites, so our choice of songs will purely reflect the joy and love I have for one of the greatest Broadway Babies of all time.”
All profits from the evening will go to the Stephen Sondheim Foundation, which the legendary composer and lyricist established under his Will to receive future income from his copyrights and intellectual property, with the proceeds to be used principally for the support of playwrights, composers, and lyricists in the early stages of their careers to assist in the development and advancement of their work, as well as for sustaining other aspects of the musical theatre craft and arts education.
Until the Stephen Sondheim Foundation has completed the process of its formation, the proceeds derived from this event will be held in trust by The Mackintosh Foundation (registered charity number: 327751) on its behalf.
OPERA HOUSE, MANCHESTER – UNTIL SATURDAY 5TH MARCH 2022
REVIEWED BY MIA BOWEN
5*****
Footloose is a 1998 musical based on the screen sensation starring Kevin Bacon. When the film was released in 1984, it became the highest crossing February release in US film history. The soundtrack album knocked Michael Jackson’s Thriller off the number one spot and went to top album charts all over the world. I caught up with the current UK Touring stage production when it touched down at the Opera House. This adaptation is pure fun, full of passion and energy, containing pop rock hits like ‘Almost paradise’, ‘Let’s hear it for the boy’, ‘Holding out for a hero’ and ‘Footloose’.
The musical tells the story of city boy Ren McCormack (Joshua Hawkins) and his mother Ethel (Geri Allen) who has moved to the small town of Bomont in the rural Southwest. At school Ren befriends Willard (Jake Quickenden) and learns that the town council has banned dancing and rock music within the town boundary. Ren shakes things up by falling in love with Ariel (Lucy Munden), the daughter of Rev Moore (Darren Day), the main influence behind the ban. As well as teenage angst, Footloose is all about fun and the carefree nature of being a teen, which of course is never fully appreciated at the time.
It wouldn’t be Footloose without spectacular stage dancing and Matt Cole deserves a special mention as his choreography did not disappoint, it was demanding but stunningly executed. Every time a choreographed musical number ended the audience broke out in a booming applause and loud cheers. This response was also due to the cast giving the whole production an air of exhilaration, not only did they act, sing, dance and move sets around, they played multiple instruments whilst on roller skates!
Footloose is a solid piece of toe tapping entertainment, literally bringing a cheering audience to their feet
I was absolutely thrilled to be able to see Willy Russell’s Blood Brothers.
This legendary show arrived At Malvern Theatre to a sold out audience and it did not disappoint.
Blood Brothers is a musical telling the intriguing and tragic story of the Johnstone twins, separated at birth.
One remains with his birth mother and the other is reluctantly given up in the hope of a better life.
Set in Liverpool in the 60’s Mrs Johnstone struggles to make ends meet. Her husband who once took her dancing and compared her beauty to that of Marilyn Monroe, leaves her after she falls pregnant yet again, for a younger woman who looks even more like Marilyn Monroe.
With seven children and twins on the way, and the constant threat of debt collectors, she’s drawn in to a peculiar pact.
Her wealthy employer Mrs Lyon’s desperately wants a child to fulfil her but unable to bear a child of her own, Mrs Lyon’s convinces Mrs Johnstone to give one of her babies to her. That way at least one of her children will have the best start in life.
Understanding the struggle of living during that time is a huge part of understanding Mrs Johnstones actions, and indeed to understanding why Mickey and Eddie’s lives differ so much.
The set is brilliantly designed to show the divide between rich and poor.
One side made up of mansions, the other a council estate.
The real problems arise when fate brings the pair back together years later. Bonding immediately, but with tragic circumstances.
Sean Jones is first seen as a playful seven year old Mickey. Obviously he is a grown man however he plays the part of this cheeky young lad brilliantly bringing some big laughs to the show.
Joel Benedict is fantastic as Eddie, deeming everything ‘fantastic’ in his ever so posh voice.
Mrs Johnstone played by Niki Evans brings so much charm to the role, we can feel nothing but adoration for her.
Her flawless voice delivers every note perfectly and ‘Tell me it’s not True’ to a standing ovation. The love she has for her children is evident in spite of the lack of money and we feel every bit of her struggle, and her emotion.
Mrs Lyon’s however is a very tough role to play. Paula Tappenden portrays the character of this desperate woman who eventually has a break down, unable to live with the lies she has told.
Narrator Robbie Scotcher remains on stage throughout the duration of the show, seeming to act as the conscience of both woman, reminding them both of the terrible choices they have made.
For the most part the play gives a lot of laughs, but the fate of the boys keeps you on the edge of your seat.
The finale is greeted with a standing ovation. There were gunshots, there were tears, it was tense. Would I recommend it. Absolutely!
Molly-Grace Cutler as Carole King Tom Milner as Gerry Goffin Seren Sandham-Davies as Cynthia Weil Jos Slovick as Barry Mann
A Curve, Theatre Royal Bath Productions and Mayflower Theatre Southampton co-production
Leicester’s Curve, Theatre Royal Bath Productions and Mayflower Theatre Southampton have announced the company of talented actor-musicians joining their new UK tour of Beautiful – The Carole King Musical.
Opening at Curve on Monday 28 February 2022, the company will be led by Molly-Grace Cutler (The Worst Witch, Girls Don’t Play Guitars, We’ll Live and Die in these Towns) as Carole King. Tom Milner (Holby City, Waterloo Road) will play Gerry Goffin, Carole’s former husband and collaborator. Seren Sandham-Davies (Crazy For You, Brassed Off) and Jos Slovick, who performed in the original West End production of Once, will play husband and wife song-writing duo Cynthia Weil and Barry Mann.
Garry Robson returns to Curve as music producer and talent manager Don Kirshner. Garry was last seen on-stage in Leicester as General Henry Waverly in the 2018 Made at Curve production of White Christmas.
Claire Greenway, who originated the role of Sister Mary Patrick in Sister Act at the London Palladium, will play Carole’s mother Genie Klein, and Dan de Cruz will join as the production’s on-stage Musical Director. The cast is completed by Naomi Alade, Kemi Clarke, Chris Coxon, Amena El-Kindy, Louise Francis, Dylan Gordon-Jones, Jessica Jolleys, Sorrel Jordan,Myles Miller, Peter Mooney, Adrien Spencer and Kevin Yates.
After its run in Leicester, Beautiful – The Carole King Musical will tour to Theatre Royal Bath 17 – 26 March, Theatre Royal Brighton 29 March – 2 April, Festival Theatre Edinburgh 5 – 9 April, Mayflower Theatre, Southampton 12 – 16 April, Newcastle Theatre Royal 19 – 23 April, Orchard Theatre Dartford 26 – 30 April, Malvern Theatres 3 -7 May, Cambridge Arts Theatre 10 – 21 May and New Theatre, Cardiff 24 – 28 May.
Based on the story of Carole King’s remarkable rise from singer/songwriter to chart-topping music legend, this production of Beautiful – The Carole King Musical will take audiences back to the heart of King’s landmark 1971 album ‘Tapestry’.
The musical will be directed by Curve’s Artistic Director Nikolai Foster, whose recent credits include acclaimed five-star productions of A Chorus Line, West Side Storyand 2020’s streamed production of Sunset Boulevard – at Home.
Speaking about the cast, Curve’s Chief Executive Chris Stafford and Artistic Director Nikolai Foster said:
“Carole King’s body of work speaks for itself and it is an honour to work on a show which celebrates some of the greatest pop songs ever written and the extraordinary life of the woman who has provided the soundtrack to our lives across the decades.
“In Molly-Grace Cutler, we have the perfect actor to lead our production and embody the spirit of King’s supreme artistry. Molly leads a phenomenal company of actor-musicians, who will recreate all the hits live onstage, under the supreme musical talents of Grammy winner Steve Sidwell and Tony winner Sarah Travis.
“We are thrilled to be collaborating with our friends at Theatre Royal Bath and Southampton Mayflower, flying the flag for Leicester once Beautiful tours from Curve.”
Carole King’s music will be brought to life by Grammy Award-winning Orchestrator Steve Sidwell and adapted by Tony Award-winning Curve Associate and Musical Supervisor Sarah Travis. The production will be choreographed by rising star Leah Hill (The Wiz, Hope Mill Theatre), with Associate Choreographer Tarik Frimpong, and the creative team also includes Set Designer Frankie Bradshaw, Costume Designer Edd Lindley, Lighting Designer and Curve Associate Ben Cracknell, Sound Designer Tom Marshall, Associate Director Jennifer Lane Baker and Casting Director and Curve Associate Kay Magson CDG. The production will also provide training opportunities for Regional Theatre Young Directors Scheme (RTYDS) Resident Assistant Director Lilac Yosiphon and Birkbeck Trainee Director Thyrza Abrahams.
Featuring countless classics such as You Make Me Feel Like a Natural Woman, Take Good Care of my Baby, You’ve Got a Friend, Up on the Roof, Locomotion and You’ve Lost That Loving Feeling, Beautiful – The Carole King Musical is written by Douglas McGrath, with songs by Carole King, Gerry Goffin, Barry Mann and Cynthia Weil.
Beautiful – The Carole King Musical was originally produced on Broadway and in London by Paul Blake, SONY/ATV Music Publishing and Mike Bosner.
Beautiful – The Carole King Musical
Book by Douglas McGrath
Words & Music by Gerry Coffin & Carole King, Barry Mann & Cynthia Weil
Music by arrangement with Sony/ATV Music Publishing
MAMMA MIA! celebrates 9000 performances in London’s West End
The global smash hit musical will celebrate its 23rd birthday in London on 6 April 2022. MAMMA MIA! originally opened in London at the Prince Edward Theatre on 6 April 1999, before transferring to the Prince of Wales Theatre in 2004, and then to the Novello Theatre in 2012. The London production of MAMMA MIA! has been seen by over 9 million people and has broken box office records in all three of its London homes.
Mamma Mia!
London
The London cast stars Mazz Murray as Donna, Josie Benson as Tanya, Gemma Goggin as Rosie, Richard Trinder as Sam, Neil Moors as Harry, Stephen Beckett as Bill, Emma Mullen as Sophie, Jack Danson as Sky, Tegan Bannister as Ali, Sophie Matthew as Lisa, Michael Nelson as Eddie and Alexandros Beshonges as Pepper, with Natalie Langston playing the role of Donna at certain performances.
Mamma Mia!
London
Also in the cast are Natasha Agnew, Chloe Ames, Gemma Atkins, Chloe-Jo Byrnes, Nicole Carlisle, Angus Good, Natalie Jayne Hall, Lauren Hampton, James Humpleman, Morgan Jackson, Frankie Jones, Grace Moorhouse, Jodie Nolan, Dan O’Brien, George Olney, Michael Storrs, Kyle Turner, Amy Thiroff, Michael Tyler, Simon Willmont and Alex Woodward.
Mamma Mia!
London
Since premiering in London in 1999, the irresistible feelgood musical has captured the hearts of millions around the globe. The sunny, funny tale of a mother, a daughter and three possible dads on a Greek island idyll, all unfolding to the magic of ABBA’s timeless pop masterpieces, has now been seen live on stage by 65 million people across the world and turned into two record-breaking movies – MAMMA MIA! The Movie and MAMMA MIA! Here We Go Again.
Mamma Mia!
London
To date, MAMMA MIA! has been seen in 50 productions in 16 different languages grossing more than $4 billion at the box office. In 2011, it became the first Western musical ever to be staged in Mandarin in the People’s Republic of China.
Mamma Mia!
London
With music & lyrics by Benny Andersson & Björn Ulvaeus, MAMMA MIA! is written by Catherine Johnson, directed by Phyllida Lloyd and choreographed by Anthony Van Laast. The production is designed by Mark Thompson, with lighting design by Howard Harrison, sound design by Andrew Bruce & Bobby Aitken, and musical supervision, additional material & arrangements by Martin Koch.
MAMMA MIA! is produced by Judy Craymer, Richard East & Björn Ulvaeus for Littlestar in association with Universal.
LISTINGS INFORMATION
Novello Theatre Aldwych London WC2B 4LD
Ticket Prices: from £17.50* *All prices include a £2.50 per ticket booking fee and £1.25 restoration levy (£1.50 restoration levy for performances from Monday 4 April 2022)
Early Bird Pricing – anyone booking four months or more in advance of the performance they are attending (Monday to Thursday performances only) will save £20 on Band A and Premium tickets, but only through Delfont Mackintosh Theatres, either online or by calling the Novello Theatre Box Office.
A bespoke one-off experiential festival takes place in the heart of London next month to attract new audiences in a post-Covid environment with an indoor & outdoor mix of short events followed by equal intervals of fresh air.
Box office opens today with 30 actors, writers and musicians leading a reimagining of T S Eliot’s five part epic poem The Waste Land in the world’s largest celebration of the poem in the geography of its setting.
Star artists led by Tamsin Greig, Toby Jones, Jeanette Winterson, Gavin Bryars, Jenna Russell, Liam Ó’Maonlaí (Hothouse Flowers), Sam Lee, Erland Cooper and the 2022 T S Eliot Prize winner Joelle Taylor head up a cross disciplinary line-up of classical, folk & world music, fado & flamenco, talks & readings and free sound, video and film installations performed in 22 City of London mediaeval churches.
Commissioned by the T S Eliot Estate, the arts imagineers DoranBrowne (former curators of the 50th anniversary Beatles’ Sgt. Pepper in Liverpool in 2017 and the highly acclaimed annual Happy Days Samuel Beckett Festival in Ireland) have devised a new festival model in search for new audiences of the post Covid era – short espresso hit 15 minute f r a g m e n t performances across a square mile of 22 churches (15 by Sir Christopher Wren).
Audiences will balance a rotation of 15-minute performances followed by 15 or less minutes walking through the streets of old London encountering hidden and extraordinary beautiful church interiors. Cultural offerings in the church acoustics range from Indian Raga to Ragtime, the Syrian Qunan to Kaustinen folk, Sufi to spirituals music and western classical and baroque music to contemporary minimalism & hip-hop.
Audiences can book one of five walking route options in any of the 5 x 3 hour f r a g m e n t slots getting the opportunity to watch and listen up to 7 short 15 minute event bursts. The more adventurous ticket buyer can deviate from the routes and create their own order of events in an unique ‘shuffle festival’ style.
The festival opens on April 7th with the writer Jeanette Winterson giving a secular sermon in Southwark Cathedral at 7pm followed by the Hothouse Flowers supremo Liam Ó’Maonlaí with the Opening Concert in St. Mary Woolnoth church, known as the Amazing Grace church. The festival centrepiece, a world premiere 40 minute electro-acoustic music composition by French composer Pierre-Yves Macé opens in the Bow Bells church, St. Mary-Le-Bow, on April 8th. This is followed by 5 x 3 hour f r a g m e n t s sessions: April 8th 7-10pm; April 9th 10.30-1.30pm & 3.30pm-6.30pm and April 10th 10.30am-1.30pm & 4.30pm-7.30pm. The final event will be at Wilton’s Music Hall. Exploring the deep and surprising relationship between Marie Lloyd, T. S. Eliot’s poetry Marie, Marie, Hold on Tight! is a sort-of-musical that marks the centenary of Marie Lloyd’s death and The Waste Land’s birth. It tells the very funny and moving story of the unlikely relationship between the work of two unhappy people and great artists. Starring Jenna Russell, Luke Thallon & Tom Hanson. Tickets available at www.wiltons.org.uk
A single 3 hour slot event ticket costs £20 (£15 concession) with Day tickets £35 on Saturday and Sunday April 9 & 10. Full programme information and tickets are available from www.thewasteland2022.com
Iris Theatre today announces A Midsummer Night’s Dream as part of their Summer Festival 2022. It opens on 5th July, with previews from 29 June, and running until 30 July, at the Actors’ Church in the heart of Covent Garden.
Alongside A Midsummer Night’s Dream there will be three Iris commissions to complete the line-up, with more information to follow in the coming months. Now in its 14th year, Iris’ summer season has become an essential part of the theatrical calendar, welcoming thousands of people. Join Iris this year, and escape to the forest, where fairies, lovers and a travelling band of actors await magical wonderment in A Midsummer Night’s Dream.
We are thrilled to be announcing A Midsummer Night’s Dream as part of our upcoming Summer Season. After it was sadly postponed in 2020, it has been great to return to a show that we have been passionate about sharing with audiences for two years. We are also very excited to be supporting three commissions of early-career companies which will make up our Summer Festival; Iris is proud of our history in supporting early-career artists and cannot wait to support more exceptional and innovative work. Keep an eye out for applications opening soon and come and join us in the garden for some fairy-led mayhem!”– The Iris Team
Iris Theatre presents
A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM
By William Shakespeare
29 June – 30 July
Are you sure that we are awake? It seems to me that yet we sleep, we dream.
It’s the height of Summer, and the ancient city of Athens has never felt colder. The young nobleman Demetrius is set to marry his bride Hermia, and their parents are overjoyed. The only problem is, she’s in love with someone else. Fleeing the broken court, and her impending nuptials, Hermia escapes to the forest beyond the city, ready to elope.
There, deep in an enchanted forest of lights, new mysteries await her. A feuding fairy King and Queen plot revenge, a band of travelling misfit actors prepare their latest performance, and a magical trickster, ready to cause mischief, has other ideas for the young lovers’ midsummer’s night.
Experience Shakespeare’s best-loved comedy in the heart of Covent Garden with the award-winning Iris Theatre, celebrate the arrival of Summer and find out whether love really can conquer all.
