Darlington Hippodrome – until 20 November 2021

3***

I’ve never seen the film version of Sleepy Hollow, but Phillip Meeks’ adaption of Washington Irving’s tale did intrigue me enough to want to seek out the book to read.  (Currently 49p for the Kindle edition).

This version tells a lot of little tales, jumping forward and backward in time, all interspaced with music and dancing and some ghoulish chanting of nursery rhymes.  It’s a bit hard to follow if I’m honest, so I’m hoping the book will explain what I was actually watching.

The production begins quite promisingly, walking into the auditorium to be faced with a magnificently spooky set designed by Amy Watts, with lighting designed by Jason Addison and sound designed by Sam Glossop.  But then the production began and what could have been a very promising and terrifying show fell a bit flat.

The accents of the inhabitants of Sleepy Hollow were, at times, hard to follow, especially when the cast were facing away from the audience.  

Ichabod Crane (Sam Jackson) arrives in Sleepy Hollow supposedly by accident but begins to work as the school teacher.  Brom van Brunt takes against him seeing him as both a rival for the affections of Katrina van Tassel (Rose Quentin) but also with a fancy for him, himself.  Katrina’s supposed father Balthus (Bill Ward) is the village elder, in charge of everything in the Hollow.  And Widow Papenfuss (Wendi Peters) seems to be the village wise woman, taking Ichabod as a lodger in her house.  With the whole cast playing all the roles Tommy Sim’aan is at his best when he plays Alice.  It appears that Ichabod was searching for someone on the orders of his guardian, but all these stories intermingle with the ghostly tales told on Hallowmas with the headless horseman finally making an appearance.  

For me the best scene was the beginning of Act 2, when Ichabod has a nightmare.  Chris Cuming’s choreography was outstanding and gave the dream real depth and substance, something which was lacking from the rest of the show.

Imagine if Blue Peter made horror stories and you might get the idea.

Katy Lipson for Aria Entertainment and

Glass Half Full Productions present
THE RISE AND FALL OF LITTLE VOICE

• FULL CASTING, CREATIVE TEAM AND FURTHER DATES ANNOUNCED FOR THE BRAND-NEW PRODUCTION OF JIM CARTWRIGHT’S THE RISE AND FALL OF LITTLE VOICE WHICH EMBARKS ON A UK TOUR NEXT SPRING OPENING IN SOUTHAMPTON ON 23 MARCH 2022.
• AKSHAY GULATI, ANNA HALE, WILLIAM ILKLEY, FIONA MULVANEY AND JAMES ROBERT MOORE WILL JOIN THE PREVIOUSLY ANNOUNCED SHOBNA GULATI AS MARI HOFF, IAN KELSEY AS RAY SAY AND TWO-TIME DRAMA DESK AWARD NOMINEE AND YOUTUBE SENSATION, CHRISTINA BIANCO AS LITTLE VOICE.
• DIRECTED BY BRONAGH LAGAN, THIS BITTERSWEET COMEDY FEATURES MUSIC FROM THE GREATEST DIVAS OF ALL TIME INCLUDING EDITH PIAF, JUDY GARLAND, BARBRA STREISAND, MARILYN MONROE AND SHIRLEY BASSEY.

Full casting has been announced for the brand-new touring production of Jim Cartwright’s The Rise And Fall of Little Voice, produced by Katy Lipson and Glass Half Full Productions, directed by Bronagh Lagan (Cruise, West End; Little Women The Musical, Park Theatre/ Hope Mill) and starring international YouTube sensation Christina Bianco in the title role.

Akshay Gulati (The Family Way; East is East; The Rise and Fall of Little Voice, all Bolton Octagon) will play Billy, Anna Hale (London Road, Cuba Pictures/BBC Films) will understudy the role of  LV and Sadie, with William Ilkley (War Horse, UK/ International Tour; The Full Monty, UK Tour; The Mousetrap, West End/ UK Tour), playing cabaret club owner Mr. Boo. The cast is completed by Fiona Mulvaney (The Ferryman, West End; Silent Witness, BBC) as Sadie and James Robert Moore (All That, Lion and Unicorn; Fanny & Stella, Above the Stag) in the role of Phone Man. James will also be Resident Director on the production.

They will join the previously announced Shobna Gulati as Mari Hoff, much loved for her roles in Everybody’s Talking About Jamie (West End/film) and Coronation Street, and West End leading man Ian Kelsey as Ray Say. Two-time Drama Desk nominee Christina Bianco, whose extraordinary diva videos have been viewed over 25 million times on YouTube, will play LV. Described as ‘the girl of a thousand voices,’ Christina has performed her amazing impressions on many major television programs such as The Ellen DeGeneres Show and The Today Show.

Directed by Bronagh Lagan, with Musical Director and Associate Sound Designer Eamonn O’Dwyer, The Rise and Fall of Little Voice will feature set and costume design by Sara Perks, casting by Jane Deitch, lighting design by Nic Farman, Andrew Johnson as Sound Designer and Chris Matanlé as General Manager.

The Rise and Fall of Little Voice will open in Southampton on 23 March 2022 and tour to The Capitol Horsham, Exeter Northcott, Malvern Theatres, Theatre Clwyd, Theatre Royal Brighton, Derby Theatre, Salisbury Playhouse, Liverpool Playhouse, Theatre Royal Wakefield, Crewe Lyceum Theatre, The Lowry Salford, Blackpool Grand, Mercury Theatre Colchester, Richmond Theatre, York Theatre Royal and Everyman Theatre, Cheltenham. For full dates and listings information please see ‘Notes to Editors’.

From Judy Garland to Shirley Bassey, Marilyn Monroe to Billie Holliday, Christina Bianco will vividly bring to life performances from the great chanteuses in Cartwright’s tender and life-affirming play. The Rise and Fall of Little Voice won both the Olivier award and Evening Standard award for Best Comedy when it premiered at the National Theatre in 1992 in a production directed by Sam Mendes which transferred to the Aldwych, starring Jane Horrocks and Alison Steadman. Horrocks later reprised the role of LV in a film adaptation also starring Brenda Blethyn, Michael Caine, Ewan McGregor and Jim Broadbent.

Meet Little Voice and Mari Hoff. A mother and daughter central to the heart of this Northern fairy-tale, but as far apart in character as can be. Left to her own devices, Little Voice starts to embody the famous divas she plays on repeat, from Judy Garland to Shirley Bassey, and becomes an overnight sensation.

With humour, heart and countless powerhouse ballads all performed live on stage, Cartwright’s timeless and iconic tale explores the highs and the lows of small-town dreams, family rivalry and finding your voice in a noisy world.

Mayflower, Southampton – until 20 November 2021

Reviewed by Jo Gordon

5*****

I am ashamed to say I have never seen Chicago before, despite its 25 years wowing theatre audiences across the globe. I was aware of some of it’s biggest show tunes but, it is one show that has passed me by….. kicking myself now for not embracing it sooner! 

Set in the 1920’s where prohibition caused a rise in crime and jazz was its musical soundtrack, Cook County jail and it’s “ Murderess Row “ became home to many women awaiting trial for murder. Our main two protagonists Roxie and Velma, desperately finding ways to walk away free with the help of Lawyer Billy Flynn. The interesting thing is that all of this is based on a true story which I never realised before and makes interesting reading in the programme! 

I’m not sure where the cast get their energy from as it’s non stop show tunes and high kicks set in front  of an equally energetic orchestra. Faye Brookes (Roxie) and Djalenga Scott (Velma) bounce off each other beautifully, their vocal performances were impeccable and perfect for their parts. Darren Day (Billy)  Sinitta Malone (Mama) did not fail to please the audience and the Soprano singing Divina De Campo’s (Mary) comedic timing was faultless! 

All the hit tunes were there, opening with the famous “All that jazz “ against the backdrop of a full Jazz orchestra which was an absolute treat to watch. My personal favourite was “Mister Cellophane“ an emotional performance  by Joel Montague (Amos), that will tug at the heartstrings. 

A superb production full of wonderful music, dance numbers and  comedy to lift the spirits. Sanitise those jazz hands and shimmy along to the show! 

THE SOLD OUT MUSICAL SENSATION

‘ANYTHING GOES’

RETURNS TO THE BARBICAN SUMMER 2022 & ANNOUNCES SPRING UK TOUR

TICKETS ON SALE FROM FRIDAY 19 NOVEMBER AT ANYTHINGGOESMUSICAL.CO.UK

The smash hit ‘show of the year’ ANYTHING GOES is sailing back to the Barbican Theatre next summer for an eight week return residency from 15 July until 3 September. Since ANYTHING GOES opened at the Barbican in July this year, audiences have been on their feet giving this multi–Tony Award winning show multiple standing ovations night after night. This spectacular show has been described as the “musical equivalent of sipping one glass of champagne after another” (The Times) and is “delightful, delicious, and as buoyant as helium” (Evening Standard).

ANYTHING GOES takes you back to the Golden Age of high society on the seas from the comfort of your seat. The lavish production has smashed multiple Box Office records at the Barbican Theatre including the single highest grossing performance week for a musical in the Barbican’s 39 year history and the highest sales across a weekend for a musical, as audiences flooded through the doors for the 15 week sold out season!

Now from spring 2022, audiences across the country will also get the chance to enjoy the truly spectacular, multi-Tony Award winning, “show of the year!” (★★★★★ Daily Telegraph), as the S.S American will be heading to theatres in Bristol, Liverpool, Edinburgh, Canterbury on its way to the Barbican! Casting will be announced soon.

Producer Sir Howard Panter said: “We are delighted to be back with the glorious Anything Goes musical at the Barbican next summer! We were thrilled with the response to this energetic and uplifting show – audiences just couldn’t get enough and to achieve 15 weeks sold out night after night and a gross of £717,000 in one week really is quite some feat! We are equally delighted to take this majestic show on tour across the UK, so audiences around the country can enjoy the glorious set design, breathtaking choreography and stage direction, and of course the wonderful score!”

ANYTHING GOES has music and lyrics by Cole Porter, an original book by P.G. Wodehouse & Guy Bolton with Howard Lindsay & Russel Crouse and a new book by Timothy Crouse and John Weidman. This production is directed and choreographed by three time Tony Award Winner Kathleen Marshall.

When the S.S. American heads out to sea, etiquette and convention head out the portholes as two unlikely pairs set off on the course to true love… proving that sometimes destiny needs a little help from a crew of singing sailors, a comical disguise and some good old-fashioned blackmail. This hilarious musical romp across the Atlantic featuring a collection of some of theatre’s most memorable songs – including ‘I Get A Kick Out of You’, ‘Anything Goes’, ‘You’re the Top’, ‘Blow, Gabriel, Blow’, ‘It’s De-Lovely’, ‘Friendship’ and ‘Buddie Beware’ – will take you back to the Golden Age of high society on the seas. ANYTHING GOES is set to sail away with audiences all over again.

★★★★★

‘Makes you gasp in wonder and laugh till it hurts. Pure class’

Daily Telegraph

★★★★★

‘The show of the year. I would give it six stars if I could’

Daily Telegraph

★★★★★

’The musical equivalent of sipping one glass of champagne after another’

The Times

★★★★★

‘When a musical packs this much energy and spectacle, nothing else goes!’

Daily Mail

★★★★★

’Bubbly wit and stylish fun. It shimmers and sparkles’

The Times

★★★★★

‘Anything Goes offers the delirious delight of a musical in full sail’

Financial Times

CREATIVE TEAM

Kathleen Marshall – Director & Choreographer

Derek McLane – Set Designer

Jon Morrell – Costume Designer

Hugh Vanstone – Lighting Designer

Jonathan Deans – Sound Designer

Stephen Ridley – Music Supervisor

Dates: Venue:

11th – 16th April 2022 Bristol: Hippodrome Theatre

20th – 30th April 2022 Liverpool: Empire Theatre

11th – 21st May 2022 Edinburgh: Festival Theatre*

24th May – 4th June 2022 Canterbury: Marlowe Theatre**

15th July – 3rd September 2022 London: Barbican Theatre

*Tickets for Edinburgh will go on-sale from 26 November

** Tickets for Canterbury will go on sale from 29 November

Yvonne Arnaud Theatre, Guildford – until 20 November 2021

Reviewed by Alun Hood

4****

Despite being billed as Tell Me On A Sunday, this touring production really should be entitled An Evening With Jodie Prenger as that is actually what we have here, and very enjoyable it is too. The first act is indeed Ms Prenger in the Andrew Lloyd Webber-Don Black song cycle chronicling the romantic misadventures of a young English woman in 1980s New York, but the second, equally enjoyable, half is a Q&A session with a couple of numbers thrown in. As much cabaret as it is theatre, it all adds up to a rather splendid time.

Few leading ladies are as loveable as Prenger, and even fewer would have the confidence and sheer personality to follow an hour of vocal and emotional fireworks with a session of (frequently hilarious) chat. She even brings on, and duets with, her cover, Jodie Beth Meyer, a vocalist of such charm, range and talent that a less generous spirited headliner might be tempted to lock her in the understudy dressing room for the duration of the evening. The superb musical director Francis Goodhand conducts a small but tight band for Tell Me On A Sunday but then gets to cut loose at a grand piano in the second half.

Tell Me On A Sunday, originally written as a TV special and album for Marti Webb when she was starring as the West End’s second Evita after Elaine Paige, is a fairly familiar property and has gone through a number of incarnations. It was the first half of the long running London and Broadway show Song & Dance (where Webb’s successors included such random talents as recording stars Lulu and Melissa Manchester, and Broadway divas Bernadette Peters and Betty Buckley) then it returned in an extended, substantially rewritten, iteration as a West End vehicle for Denise Van Outen.

The version on offer here is nearer to the Marti Webb original, but with some later revisions and additional songs added. A notable omission is the soaring, heart-catching ‘Unexpected Song’ which was added for the Sarah Brightman screen version and has since been included in most other editions ever since. Stick around for the second half though, as Prenger does an exquisitely understated rendition to close the evening.

Director Paul Foster intelligently strips back all of the bombast and flamboyance that often attends this piece, and lets Jodie’s principal character just speak (sing) to us. Unlike in earlier versions, none of the big numbers feel like set pieces with a diva bowling her big notes and even bigger emotions at the audience. Instead, we get an honest, real, funny rendition that becomes even more moving as the heroine’s romantic house of cards repeatedly collapses around her.

Prenger is warmer and more magnetic than many of her predecessors in the role and if her honeyed purr of a voice is probably better suited to classic big band Broadway (can somebody cast her as Miss Adelaide in Guys & Dolls please) than Lloyd Webber’s poppy, belty melancholia, it’s still a satisfying performance, genuinely moving where it could so easily have just lapsed into sentimentality. She’s a real star.

THE ALEXANDRA THEATRE, BIRMINGHAM – UNTIL SATURDAY 20TH NOVEMBER 2021

REVIEWED BY NADIA DODD

4****

Love or hate good old Dolly Parton, 9-5 the Musical was a real crowd-pleaser tonight at the Alex.

From the start with the opening famous toe tapping beat of the song 9-5, I believe the packed auditorium knew they were in for a great few hours ahead.

Dolly herself appears as the narrator at times in the show, introducing the main characters at the start and updating us throughout, she appears via a video within a bright golden yellow clock above the stage.

Clever scenery, bright lights and colours set the scene back to the 80’s office where men ruled and women were merely secretaries being told what to do by the afore mentioned men.

The musical is an adaptation of the 1980’s hit movie, featuring Dolly, which I have never seen so had no idea what so ever to expect. After seeing the show I now want to watch the movie and see Dolly in action.

Our 3 main characters in the show Violet (Louise Redknapp), Doralee (Stephanie Chandos) and Judy (Vivian Panka) race around the office trying to make careers for themselves in what was then a very male world in the workplace. Their boss, Franklin Hart Jr (Richard Taylor Woods filling in for Sean Needham) is sleazy and corrupt and the 3 women set out to expose him.

Great unity is portrayed from the 3 women who each have their own stories and backgrounds to tell, who join forces to defeat their horrible boss.

Parton wrote all of the songs for the musical which first hit the theatres in 2009. For me, it was Vivian Panka who played Judy who really stood out with such stunning vocals for her UK debut, she was perfection to say the least.

There is nothing unkind to be said about this production, littered with so many opportunities for audience laughter, it is entirely harmless.

Yes the overall message of women being accepted as equals in what was seen as a man’s world then may now be dated, but the sisterhood between the main characters came over very loud and clear.

An extremely funny, feel good production that I would encourage anyone to see even if they aren’t a Dolly fan, you won’t be disappointed.

SHOSHANA BEAN

ANNOUNCES

BRITTEN NEWBILL

RICHARD FLEESHMAN

CELINDE SCHOENMAKER

AND

ROB HOUCHEN

TO JOIN HER AT

SING YOUR HALLELUJAH

AT THE CADOGAN HALL ON SATURDAY 4 DECEMBER

Fourth Wall Live and Broadway sensation Shoshana Bean are delighted to announce that singer songwriter Britten Newbill and West End stars Richard Fleeshman, Celinde Schoenmaker and Rob Houchen will be joining Shoshana’s SING YOUR HALLELUJAH concert at the Cadogan Hall on Sunday 4 December at 7.30pm.

Shoshana Bean’s three solo albums have all topped the iTunes R&B and Blues charts in the US and UK, with her fourth and most recent project, “Spectrum” debuting at number one on the Billboard Jazz charts. She has sold out solo concerts around the globe and performed alongside the likes of Ariana Grande, David Foster, Postmodern Jukebox, Brian McKnight and Michael Jackson. She is a veteran of the Broadway stage and is perhaps best known for her portrayal of ‘Elphaba’ in the Broadway production of “Wicked”. Other prominent performances include ‘Shelley’ in the Tony-Award-winning production of “Hairspray” and ‘Jenna’ in the Broadway production of “Waitress. She won a IRNE Award for her performance as “Fanny Brice” in Funny Girl and earned a Jeff Award nomination for her portrayal of “CeeCee Bloom” in the pre-Broadway musical production of Beaches. This solo show, “Sing Your Hallelujah” is produced by For The Record Live and presented by Fourth Wall Live. David Cook serves as Music Director.

Britten Newbill is a prolific American singer, songwriter and performer whose work includes writing for Macy Gray, John Legend and many more.

Richard Fleeshman is an Olivier Award nominated stage and television star whose West End credits include Company, Urinetown, Ghost The Musical and Legally Blonde. His television credits include Reign, Monday Monday and playing ‘Craig Harris’ in Coronation Street for four years.

Celinde Schoenmaker is a West End star whose credits include ‘Fantine’ in Les Misérables and Christine Daaé in The Phantom of the Opera. Her other credits include Barnum, The Light in the Piazza and Marry Me A Little. On film she can be seen as ‘Renate Blauel’ in Rocketman.

Rob Houchen is a musical theatre performer and singer, whose theatre credits include ‘Marius’ in Les Misérables, The Producers, Spring Awakening, Eugenius!, Godspell and The Light in the Piazza. In 2016 he released his self-titled debut album.

Fourth Wall Live is a live entertainment company that produces concerts internationally. It regularly brings Broadway artists to the UK, previous concerts include Broadway and TV regulars Laura Benanti, Sierra Boggess, Kelli O’Hara, Chita Rivera, Laura Michelle Kelly, Megan Hilty, Tituss Burgess, Jeremy Jordan, Matthew Morrison, Erich Bergen, Eden Espinosa, Julia Murney and Cynthia Erivo. Other concerts include West End Stars solo concerts including Michael Ball, Matt Cardle, Kerry Ellis, Oliver Tompsett, Hannah Waddingham, Sharon D Clarke and Bonnie Langford. Upcoming productions at Cadogan Hall include Jenna Russell, Shoshana Bean, Keala Settle and Jessica Vosk.

Tori Amos’s musical The Light Princess was presented to critical acclaim, as a special one-off concert in the summer of 2018. Next year Bonnie & Clyde the musical concert will run for two nights to a sold-out audience at Theatre Royal Drury Lane starring Jeremy Jordan. 

Fourth Wall Live also regularly partners with the Hippodrome Casino, in November-December 2020 they produced 25 nights of socially distanced entertainment, proudly being the first live event post lockdown. The current season of Hippodrome concerts runs from September 2021 to December 2021 and features 20 nights of musical entertainment featuring Alice Fearn, Kerry Ellis, Hayley Tamaddon and David O’Reilly.

Fourth Wall Live is committed to following all relevant UK Government Covid-19 guidelines, creating a safe working environment for our cast, musicians, creatives, crew and their families.

THE WEST END’S LONGEST RUNNING

IMMERSIVE THEATRICAL PRODUCTION

THE GREAT GATSBY

EXTENDS FURTHER INTO THE ROARING TWENTIES

TICKETS NOW ON SALE UNTIL 30 OCTOBER 2022

Immersive Everywhere – led by Olivier Award-winning producers Louis Hartshorn and Brian Hook – are pleased to announce a further extension to the run of London’s longest running immersive theatrical production THE GREAT GATSBY. Created and directed by Alexander Wright, THE GREAT GATSBY is now playing at Gatsby’s Mansion at Immersive LDN in Mayfair until 30 October 2022.

Welcome back to the roaring twenties! Jay Gatsby invites you to one of his infamous parties. the champagne flows and as the drama unfolds the man himself will be the perfect host. As invites go, this is the hottest ticket in town. A hedonistic world of red hot rhythms, bootleg liquor and pure jazz age self-indulgence awaits. Dress to the nines and immerse yourself in this heart racing adaption of F Scott Fitzgerald’s seminal tale.

Oliver Towse plays ‘Gatsby’, with Lucinda Turner as ‘Daisy’, Hugh Stubbins as ‘Nick’, Jermaine Dominique as ‘Tom’, Steve McCourt as ‘George Wilson’, Jessica Hern as ‘Jordan’, Aminita Francis as ‘Myrtle Wilson’, Alex Wingfield as ‘Rosy Rosenthal’, Aimee Barrett as ‘Lucille’ and Greg Fossard as ‘Joey’.

THE GREAT GATSBY– forced to close in March 2020 by the pandemic – was one of the first shows to re-open that year under socially distanced conditions and with changes to the show to incorporate extra safety measures in October, before its forced closure in November due to the subsequent lockdown. It reopened in September 2021 back to its original pre-pandemic format, and with the venue at full capacity, and continuing to follow all current government guidelines and Covid safety measures.

Tickets for THE GREAT GATSBY are on sale now via www.immersivegatsby.com. 

IMMERSIVE LDN has been granted the use of Society of London Theatre & UK Theatre’s See It Safely mark. The mark certifies that the venue is complying with the latest Government and industry COVID-19 guidelines, to ensure the safety of all staff and audiences. 

Olivier Award winning producers Louis Hartshorn and Brian Hook, who are currently co-producing the immersive production of DOCTOR WHO: TIME FRACTURE and CHOIR OF MAN– launched a new company in 2019, IMMERSIVE EVERYWHERE, entirely dedicated to developing and staging theatre-led immersive experiences, and IMMERSIVE | LDN is the newest of their network of venues, which will house cafes, bars and rehearsal and workshop spaces to help the development of new work.

IMMERSIVE | LDN is a 32,000sq ft historic building in the heart of Mayfair, which was home to the Queen Victoria’s Rifles Association until 2017. It includes three floors of immersive theatre and event spaces designated for performance, live gaming, events, escape rooms and private parties. For information about programming and venue hire visit www.immersiveldn.com

First conceived in 2015 when director Alexander Wright and producer Brian Hook were running The Fleeting Arms – a pop arts and community pub in an abandoned building in York, the show then ran in York in 2016 with a parallel production in Sheffield, and was produced by the Guild of Misrule . The Great Gatsby first came to London as part of VAULT Festival in 2017 and sold out before the show opened. Since then the show has run in Wales in co-production with Theatr Clwyd, at Halifax’s Square Chapel, and at Castle Howard in North Yorkshire. All the while the show has played night after night at Gatsby’s Drugstore in London SE1, inviting audiences into the hedonistic world of F. Scott Fitzgerald’s extraordinary tale, and in 2018 it became the UK’s longest running immersive production.

Amie Burns Walker and Oliver Tilney are Associate Directors. Choreography is by Holly Beasley-Garrigan, with MJ Lee as Associate Choreographer, design by Casey Jay Andrews, costume design by Heledd Rees, sound design by Phil Grainger and lighting design by Rachel Sampley. The original score was composed and produced by Glen Brown and Tendai Humphrey Sitima, with arrangement and additional composition by David Sims. The original production was created by Holly Beasley-Garrigan, Amie Burns Walker, Hannah Davies, Phil Grainger, Michael Lambourne, Thomas Maller and Oliver Tilney.

This production of The Guild of Misrule’s THE GREAT GATSBY is produced by Immersive Everywhere, with co-producers Gavin Kalin Productions and Glynis Henderson Productions, with Theatr Clwyd and We Culture Connects as Associate Producers.

VENUE SOCIAL @ldn_immersive

SHOW SOCIAL @immersivegatsby

www.immersivegatsby.com

Authentic adaptation of A Christmas Carol
comes to Dickens’s much-loved Greenwich
Greenwich Theatre, Crooms Hill, Greenwich, London, SE10 8ES
Monday 6th and Monday 13th December 2021

European Arts Company are returning to Greenwich Theatre with their authentic adaptation of A Christmas Carol, starring John O’Connor (Before We Die, Channel 4).

Charles Dickens visited Greenwich throughout his life – enjoying Greenwich Fair, frequenting the Trafalgar Tavern and visiting his parents when they moved to Blackheath. He also gave some public readings at Greenwich Literary Institution in 1866. From Bleak House to Sketches by Boz, Dombey and Son to Our Mutual Friend, Dickens had a soft spot for Greenwich – frequently featuring the area in his stories, and so it’s particularly fitting that this acclaimed production comes to Greenwich Theatre this Christmas.

Few people know that Charles Dickens originally wanted to be an actor and A Christmas Carol was the first public performance he gave of his own work. After his opening night he
said The success was most wonderful and prodigious – perfectly overwhelming and astounding altogether! Dickens enacted the work over 150 times and the effect on the public was phenomenal; he had a magnetic stage presence, riveting eyes, expressive voice and wonderful powers of characterisation. Remarkably, Dickens made more money from his readings than all his novels and stories put together.

This exciting production, adapted from Dickens’s own public reading scripts and eyewitness accounts of him on stage, recreates the spirit of his original performances. O’Connor says, I’m delighted to be coming back to Greenwich with A Christmas Carol.  Dickens himself toured all over the UK and America performing the story and it’s wonderful to follow in his legendary footsteps. The show was a sell-out success when we last performed at Greenwich Theatre in 2019 and the audience reaction was delightful. There will be laughs, tears and plenty of Christmas cheer.

A Christmas Carol was directed by the distinguished director, actor, teacher (and Greenwich resident) Peter Craze, who sadly died a year ago. This was the last show he directed and the production is dedicated to his memory.

The production will be in aid of Great Ormond Street Hospital, which Dickens helped to found. This Christmas, you can experience what it must have been like to be in the audience in the 1860s. Enjoy a seasonal treat in the spirit of Christmas past, present and future.

Rehearsal photos released for the National Theatre’s new musical Hex, based on Sleeping Beauty, with Rosalie Craig, Kat Ronney, Michael Elcock and Tamsin Carroll  

Rehearsal photos have been released for Hex, a new musical based on Sleeping Beauty, that will open in the Olivier theatre for previews on 4 December.

Rosalie Craig plays the fairy in this vividly original retelling of Sleeping Beauty: a mythic, big-hearted musical that goes beyond the waking kiss.

Deep in the wood, a lonely fairy longs for someone to bless. When she is summoned to the palace to help the princess sleep, her dream turns into a nightmare and her blessing becomes a curse. Soon, she is plunged into a frantic, hundred-year quest to somehow make everything right.

The cast is led by Tamsin Carroll as Queenie, Rosalie Craig as Fairy, Michael Elcock as Bert and Kat Ronney as Rose.     

Rufus Norris directs with music by Jim Fortune, book by Tanya Ronder, lyrics by Rufus Norris, designs by Katrina Lindsay and choreography by Jade Hackett.

The cast also includes Christopher Akrill, Delroy Atkinson, Esme Bacalla-Hayes, Madeline Charlemagne, Ebony Clarke, Sonya Cullingford, Hanna Dimtsu, Tamsin Dowsett, Joe Foster, Ben Goffe, Eleanor Kane, Daisy Maywood, Kody Mortimer, Joseph Prouse, Shaq Taylor and Sargon Yelda.

Orchestrations by Simon Hale, music supervision by Marc Tritschler, music direction by Tarek Merchant, lighting design by Paul Anderson, choreography by Jade Hackett with consultant choreography by Bill Deamer, sound design by Simon Baker and video design by Ash Woodward.

Hex will be in the Olivier theatre from 4 December 2021 until 22 January 2022. It is recommended for ages 8+.

Hex will be broadcast to cinemas as a National Theatre Live from Thursday 17 March in the UK and Thursday 5 May internationally.