Cast announced for Three Men In A Boat at the The Mill at Sonning Theatre

Three Men In A Boat
by Jerome K. Jerome
adapted by Clive Francis

Joe Harmston Director
Sean Cavanagh Set Designer
Natalie Titchener Costume Designer
Mike Robertson Lighting Designer
Tom Lishman Sound Designer
Kate Plantin Casting Director

6 June – 13 July

Jerome K. Jerome’s classic Victorian memoir, Three Men In A Boat has been gloriously adapted by celebrated star of stage and screen, Clive Francis (The Crown, A Clockwork Orange, Entertaining Mr. Sloane) preserving the timeless humour and infusing it with a fresh and vibrant touch for contemporary audiences.

This warm and witty play invites you on an uproarious journey down the meandering waters of the Thames with the delightful trio of friends Harris, George, and Jerome, as they set sail on an unforgettable adventure through the English countryside, each twist and turn bringing a fresh dose of laughter and unexpected encounters. So, pack your bags, grab your oars, and prepare to be swept away by the camaraderie, and mischievous antics of this unforgettable trio, as they navigate not just the river’s currents but the comical currents of life itself.

When in 1889 Jerome K Jerome took his fictionalised friends up the Thames in a rowing boat  – describing Sonning as being “the most fairy-like little nook on the whole river…more like a stage village than one built of bricks and mortar” – his book was an instant success. Within a year river boating licences had doubled; Jerome had created a lifestyle craze. And the book has never been out of print since…

Director Joe Harmston says: “I’ve chosen to move the play’s action forward in time to the years shortly before the First World War to add some piquancy to our perception of Jerome, Harris and George’s antics.  I’ve also cast younger men than is sometimes the case. These three are not filling time at the end of their lives but searching for adventure in their prime.  In but a few short years they will have an existentially great game to be part of, and when that comes the world of pottering about on the river will in many ways be exactly what they are fighting for. Identity is forged in adversity not in the milk and honey of peaceful prosperity. In the last decade the English have been asked questions about who they are and want to be in an unprecedented manner. Perhaps that’s why we return to our metaphorical oars now and take to the river where so much remains unchanged. What I hope we find as we pull against the flow of the Thames is three generous-spirited, open-minded men, bound together in the fellowship of shared experience. What I hope we take away is that we can inherit from our past qualities entirely suited to an exciting and very different future.”

Cast:

James Bradshaw (George) is best know for playing Home Office pathologist Dr. Max DeBryn in nine series of ITV’s Endeavour, the prequel to the long-running Inspector Morse series. His other TV roles include Gordon Grimley in the Granada series The Grimleys and D.S Geoff Thorpe in Hollyoaks. He has worked at the Birmingham Rep, Hampstead Theatre, and the National Theatre in House/Garden, directed by Sir Alan Ayckbourn. His West End credits include Breakfast at Tiffany’s at the Theatre Royal, Haymarket.

Sean Rigby (Harris) is best know as Detective Sergeant Jim Strange in nine series of ITV’s Endeavour.  In the 2017 historical drama TV mini-series, Gunpowder, Rigby played William Parker, 4th Baron Monteagle, who received a letter, maybe or maybe not self-penned, warning of the Gunpowder Plot. On stage he was David in The Rubenstein Kiss (Southwark Playouse) and Moe in Pomona (Orange Tree).

George Watkins (Jerome K. Jerome) returns to The Mill following his recent starring role as Clifford in Ira Levin’s DeathTrap. His other theatre credits includes Salieri in Amadeus (Northcott Theatre). Recent TV work includes playing Lord Morrison in Bridgerton Season 2 (Netflix ) and BBC1’s Silent Witness. Films include Universal’s The Huntsman: Winter’s War.

Joe Harmston (Director)
His directing career began in 1993 with the critically acclaimed King James’ Ear at The Old Red Lion. Since then he has directed over 100 productions around the world and forged associations with some of British theatre’s most significant voices including Harold Pinter, Ronald Harwood, Michael Frayn, Trevor Nunn, Peter Hall, Peter Ustinov and Bill Kenwright. He created and ran the hugely commercially and critically successful Agatha Christie Theatre Company with Bill Kenwright and Julius Green while at the other end of the spectrum he has been a career-long champion of new writing projects. Highlights have been The Lover and The Collection (Donmar Warehouse) starring their writer, Harold Pinter and the world premiere of King James’ Ear by Rod Dungate. More recently he was nominated by the TMA as Best Director for his ‘riveting reassessment’ of Strindberg’s The Father at Coventry’s Belgrade Theatre, starring Olivier Award winners Joe Dixon and Katy Stephens and written by Laurie Slade.

The Mill at Sonning Theatre
Set majestically on the banks of the River Thames, the Mill at Sonning Theatre is celebrating more than 40 years of entertainment. Uniquely, as one of the only dinner theatres in the United Kingdom, it has gained unrivalled praise both nationally and internationally, winning awards such as the 2023 UK  Theatre Award Winner for the Best Musical Production for GYPSY, and The Most Welcoming Theatre 2016, 2017 and 2018. The intimate theatre seats 217. The elegant restaurant, separate from the theatre but within the premises, with views over the river Thames has the friendliest young staff of waiters and waitresses. A spinning waterwheel features in the gorgeous bar. Only a short taxi journey from the Elizabeth Line (Reading Station or Twyford Station), The Mill at Sonning Theatre is the perfect day trip from London. A two-course meal, coffee and tea, and a beautiful programme are included in the price of the tickets

LISTINGS INFO

Three Me In A Boat
by Jerome K. Jerome
adapted by Clive Francis

Directed Joe Harmston

The Mill at Sonning Theatre
Sonning Eye
Reading
RG4 6TY

www.millatsonning.com

6 June – 13 July

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Norwich Theatre Royal – until Saturday 11th May 2024

Reviewed by Boo Wakefield

4****

Whether for fans of the classic 1990s satirical comedy or for those new to it, this is a real treat – a fun, edgy, witty and upbeat treat.

26 years after the original Drop The Dead Donkey TV series finished, the story continues in The Reawakening. Written by the same writers, Andy Hamilton and Guy Jenkins, and with nearly all the classy original cast returning to play their parts again but on stage, it is nevertheless fresh and full of vitality. I was worried it might be a bit boiler-plate but it certainly wasn’t – it was just plain fun with the quality of the acting permeating every part of it.

Gus (Robert Duncan) leads the newsroom team at the launch of a new news station Truth News, with George (Jeff Rawle) as his editor along with Helen (Ingrid Lacey), Damien (Stephen Tompkinson), Sally Smedley (Victoria Wicks), Joy (Susannah Doyle) and Dave (Neil Pearson). They are all from the original series and are joined by two new characters, Julia Hills (Mairead) and Kerena Jagpal (Rita). As the team scramble to get the show launched on time, with some wonderfully comic spats between Sally and Damien over who should be the main broadcaster, and George swooning over his new girlfriend, it has all the tempo of the newsroom where it’s set – bags of energy carries the story on with the quality of the actors just kicking it on further – fantastic.

The set is cleverly designed by Peter McKintosh with clear walls dividing the news desk from the rest of the office allowing the cast to use the stage actively for different scenes. David Swift and Haydn Gwynne who played Henry and Alex in the original series have sadly passed away but they are remembered by the cast during the curtain call when their images are projected onto the large screen over the news desk, which is touching and poignant. This same screen is also used effectively during scene changes with tweets scrolling down it showing how disastrously the launch is going – but that’s not just for the comedy because, as with the original TV show, the undercurrent is always about the essentiality of journalistic ethics and integrity underpinning the Fourth Estate even in the face of ratings-driven pressure and media manipulation. Indeed, this play is so current the script changes nightly to reflect changes in the day’s news headlines; it’s genius and this pacy, finger-on-the pulse feel is hugely refreshing.

Nottingham Theatre Royal – until Saturday 11 May 2024

Reviewed by Amy V Gathercole

4****

“2.22 A Ghost Story masterfully balances suspense, humour, and mystery with a few jump scares—see it, but don’t spoil it!”

When you leave a play swapping voice notes back and forth with people you know who have seen it previously and your mind won’t stop reminding you of elements of what you’ve just seen, as it poses questions, you know you have just enjoyed a great show. I picked it apart and looked for clues long after leaving the theatre.

I deliberately avoided knowing much about 2.22 A Ghost Story before seeing it. Other than being aware that it has been a smash hit in London and that it has featured many different casts in the West End, including Lily Allen, Tom Felton, and Cheryl Cole, to name a couple of actors, I didn’t know much about it.

This UK touring cast includes a few household names, too. Sam (George Rainsford) and Jenny (Fiona Wade) are a couple like many others with a newborn. They’ve pretty much dropped off the face of the earth while adjusting to their new family life and are finally in a place to host dinner parties, drink wine, and reconnect with old friends in their in-progress renovation.

Having recently moved into and started renovating their new house, Jenny and Sam invite Sam’s university friend Lauren (Vera Chok) and her new partner, Ben (Jay McGuiness), over for the evening. Jenny has recently experienced some abnormal activity in her home and is desperate for someone else to witness this potential ghostly activity.

Lauren is Sam’s long-time friend from their university days and is full of anecdotes of their times together, much to Ben and Jenny’s annoyance. Her new fella Ben isn’t quite Sam’s cup of tea as he’s a local cockney lad, and Sam’s rather posh and clearly doesn’t feel Ben’s good enough for Lauren. Sam’s a know-it-all and hates to be proven wrong, but he goes to great lengths to avoid it. He also has quite the superiority complex.

Jenny is nervous, unsettled, and unsure of what’s going on in her own house! Sam is determined to dismiss Jenny’s supernatural thoughts, and it turns out that Ben is a bit of a believer… Meanwhile, Lauren is drowning her sorrows and contemplating her life’s choices. It’s a crazy combination of company and circumstance.

She spends the majority of the evening attempting to convince her oh-so-scientific husband that not everything can be argued away or rationalised with logic. This is a dinner party where a few secrets will be spilled, clues investigated, and truths shared.

Naturally, Jenny insists that everyone stay, drink, and chat until 2.22 a.m. – the time when disturbances have occurred for the last few evenings. A whole mix of elements is thrown into the pot, which makes for an exciting and explosive final act. The entertaining interplay between this very different foursome – Sam, Jenny, Lauren, and Ben—creates tension and intrigue and their contrasting personalities and relationships contribute to the overall suspense.

The tight writing from Danny Robins (best known for his work on some very famous paranormal podcasts) is smart and slick. It cleverly poses questions to the audience and his characters on the stage: Do you believe in the supernatural? Are ghosts real?

As a country, we’ve always been interested in telling and sharing ghost stories, and this modern and contemporary show is a wonderful and fresh addition to the list of the likes of The Woman in Black and Phantom of the Opera. 2.22 A Ghost Story joins this list as it masterfully balances suspense, humour, and mystery with a few jump scares thrown in.

At first glance, the set seems pretty practical and simple, but it has some hidden secrets to reveal as the events of the evening and the show unfold. The design from Olivier and Tony award winner Anna Fleischle compliments Lucy Carter’s impressive and, at times, startling lighting design and Ian Dickson’s memorable sound design.

Not much is as it seems in this frightening and fun thriller. Some complex relationships are at play, and you’re never quite sure who to trust, which is delightful. Just remember, once you learn the secrets, don’t spoil them for anyone!

Kings Theatre, Portsmouth – until 11 May 2024

Reviewed by Gill Gardiner 

5*****

Based on the real life story of a 16 year old boy who dreamed about being a drag queen and attending his school prom wearing a dress, this is a heart warming celebration of identity, self expression and proving doubters wrong. After wowing the West End in  2017, the award winning musical is again touring the UK to huge acclaim with a hugely talented cast.

Ivano Turco takes on the role of Jamie in this production, from the moment he steps on stage you know you are in for a good time. Funny, vivacious and vulnerable, whether learning to strut in killer high heels, struggling with self doubt or taking to the stage as a drag queen, Turco captures all the emotions.

Rebecca McKinnis plays Jamie’s devoted and careworn mother Margaret, struggling to protect her son in a world that is trying to bring him down, she gives powerful and emotionally charged performances of ‘If I met myself again” and “He’s my boy”.

Thalia Palamamathan also gives a notable performance as Jamie’s best friend Pritti, another outsider who is unapologetically herself, an aspiring doctor who is more concerned with studying than prom planning.

Taking on the role of Hugo / Loco Chantelle is Kevin Clifton, Kevin gives a very sound performance as the retired drag queen, proving he has many other talents besides dancing. Former X Factor contestant Sam Bailey also shows that she is multi talented, giving a great performance as Jamie’s teacher Miss Hedge.

There is no doubt that everyone will be talking about this show for many years to come, full of humour, song and emotion. This is a modern classic of musical theatre, its strong messages of identity, expression and inclusivity all make it worthy of revisiting time and again.

Yvonne Arnaud – until Saturday 11 May 2024

Reviewed by Heather Chalkley

5*****

This exciting new play is written by an insider of the machinations of political office. Writer Michael McManus was a political aide for Edward Heath, working alongside politicians like Margaret Thatcher, so knows a thing or two about how it works. Do not despair, this is a farce and McManus has humour running through from beginning to end! Based in the near future, you can almost see it happening for real!

Matthew Cottle (John) skilfully plays the newly elected prime minister and leader of new political party One Nation. One Nation is made up of defected MP’s from mainly the Conservative and Labour parties, decimating these main parties in the election. He resonates with bumbling Boris Johnson, only with an undercurrent sharp edge of knowing and a good moral foundation. He hilariously talks a jumble of Latin, Greek and gibberish until he is on the political platform talking to the masses. The fast pace of the piece takes you on a journey punctuated by John’s (Cottle) ineptitude in office and inability to make a decision. This gives an open field for the rest of the cast to express their own political views, often interrupted by A1 virtual assistant Medianne (Debra Stepheson). The poor beleaguered civil servants, Luke (Jason Callender) and Candice (Krissi Bohn) have their tolerance stretched to the limits by advisor and sociopath extremist Seth (Ryan Early). Early’s body language creates a caricature out of Seth that has the audience laughing out loud. Callender (Luke) gives a passionate performance and a great contrast to the cool calm Bohn (Candice), who remains the consummate professional. Debra Stephenson plays the lefty Lisa, with familiar reflections of current women in Labour politics. Her ability to deliver a funny line is not lost in the fast paced dialogue. The cynical Anne (Natalie Dunne) who protects and supports her husband, the prime minister, is a great counterbalance to the more extreme characters. To cap it all off you have the Chief Whip (William Oxborrow) and his pet tarantula, who encapsulates all the imagined traits of a back bench politician, portrayed in any other political farce. The audience is laughing before he even opens his mouth!

There is no doubt politics is a serious business, which is why it is so ripe for humour. McManus gives us a revealing insider’s view of government office that will have you belly laughing throughout. However, there is a serious note that gives you the opportunity to see how easy it could be to let extremism into the mix.

RUNAWAY ENTERTAINMENT PRESENTS THE UK TOUR OF

FULL CAST ANNOUNCED FOR THE UK AND IRELAND TOUR OF THE NEW MUSICAL ADAPTATION OF 101 DALMATIANS

101 Dalmatians has today released the full cast joining previously announced Cruella de Vils Kym Marsh and Faye Tozer touring the UK and Ireland from June 2024 – Charles Brunton (Casper), Victoria Compson-Bradford (Swing), Ross Dorrington (Ensemble), Benjamin Durham (Ensemble), Jessie Elland (Danielle), Benedict Hastings (Ensemble), Danny Hendrix (Jasper), Linford Johnson (Pongo), Lottie Johnson (Ensemble), Rachel Lea-Gray (Ensemble), Tom Norman (Ensemble), Hugo Rolland (Ensemble), Lindo Shinda (Ensemble), Eugene Shire (Swing), Samuel Thomas (Tom), Emma Thornett (Perdi) and Jasmine Triadi (Ensemble). 

The new musical version of Dodie Smith’s classic book, 101 Dalmatians is written by Douglas Hodge (music and lyrics) and Johnny McKnight (book), from a stage adaptation by Zinnie Harris. The director is Bill Buckhurst, with sets designed by David Woodhead, costumes designed by Sarah Mercadé and choreography by Lucy Hind. Musical supervision is from Alfonso Casado Trigo, orchestration by Jack Hopkins, the puppets are designed by Jimmy Grimes, with lighting by James Whiteside and sound design from Chris Whybrow. The musical director is Leigh Stanford Thompson, and casting director is Lucy Casson. 

When fashionista Cruella de Vil plots to swipe all the Dalmatian puppies in town to create her fabulous new fur coat, there’s trouble ahead for Pongo and Perdi and their litter of adorable, tail-wagging young pups.

This classic canine caper is brought to life on stage with spectacular puppetry, show-stopping choreography, hilarious songs and irresistible puppies!

After launching in Wimbledon the production will visit Birmingham, Norwich, Canterbury, Leicester, Manchester, Belfast, Wolverhampton, Newcastle, Southend, Dublin, Liverpool, Milton Keynes, Woking, Cardiff, Southampton, Aberdeen, York, Glasgow, Edinburgh, Oxford and Brighton. 

Kym Marsh |Cruella de Vil

Faye Tozer | Cruella de Vil

Charles Brunton | Casper

Victoria Compson-Bradford | Swing

Ross Dorrington | Ensemble

Benjamin Durham | Ensemble

Jessie Elland | Danielle

Benedict Hastings | Ensemble

Danny Hendrix | Jasper

Linford Johnson | Pongo

Lottie Johnson | Ensemble

Rachel Lea-Gray | Ensemble

Tom Norman | Ensemble

Hugo Rolland | Ensemble

Lindo Shinda | Ensemble

Eugene Shire | Swing

Samuel Thomas | Tom

Emma Thornett | Perdi

Jasmine Triadi | Ensemble

Written by Douglas Hodge (music and lyrics) and Johnny McKnight (book)

Stage adaptation by Zinnie Harris

Director Bill Buckhurst

Set design David Woodhead

Costume design Sarah Mercadé 

Choreography Lucy Hind

Musical supervision Alfonso Casado Trigo

Orchestration Jack Hopkins

Puppets design Jimmy Grimes

Lighting design James Whiteside 

Sound design Chris Whybrow

Musical director Leigh Stanford Thompson

Casting director Lucy Casson

Original production first performed at Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre, London in 2022

For more information visit www.101dalmatians.co.uk

Facebook: /101Dalmatians  | Instagram/TikTok: @101DalmatiansUK

NEW CASTING ANNOUNCED FOR WEST END PRODUCTION

OF MULTI-AWARD WINNING
HAMILTON
AT THE VICTORIA PALACE THEATRE

Jeffrey Seller and Cameron Mackintosh, producers of the West End production of Lin-Manuel Miranda’s HAMILTON, are delighted to announce new casting for the show who will have their first performance at the Victoria Palace Theatre on Monday 17 June 2024 where tickets are currently booking to 29 March 2025.

Alex Sawyer will take on the title role of Alexander Hamilton, having previously been the alternate, opposite Jay Perry who returns to the production, this time in the role of Aaron Burr. Joining them will be Nathania Ong as Eliza Hamilton, Thomas Vernal as George Washington, Jordan Castle as Hercules Mulligan/James Madison, Jordan Benjamin as John Laurens/Philip Hamilton.At certain performances, the role of Alexander Hamilton will be played by Adam J. Bernard.

Joining the ensemble will be Richard Appiah-Sarpong, Turrell Barrett-Wallace, Roxanne Couch, Nicola Espallardo, Remi Ferdinand, Jack Harrison-Cooper, Jairus McClanahan, Jamai Robinson and Paulo Teixeira.

Continuing in the show will be Jordan Frazier as Angelica Schuyler, Simbi Akande as Peggy Schuyler/Maria Reynolds, Lemuel Knights as Marquis De Lafayette/Thomas Jefferson and Joel Montague as King George III. Continuing in the company will be Gabriela Acosta, Elizabeth Armstrong, Alishia-Marie Blake, Manaia Glassey-Ohlson, Amie Hibbert, Sam Holden, Barney Hudson, Nicolais-Andre Kerry, Christian Knight, Ella Kora, Aaron Lee Lambert, Stacey McGuire, Kerri Norville, Samuel Sarpong-Broni and Hassun Sharif.

Please note, Manaia Glassey-Ohlson will perform the role of Aaron Burr from Monday 17 June until Tuesday 13 August, with Jay Perry taking over from Wednesday 14 August.

A second National Company of HAMILTON is touring the UK and Ireland, currently playing at the Bristol Hippodrome until 22 June 2024. Further dates can be found at www.hamiltonmusical.com/uk-tour/

HAMILTON has book, music and lyrics by Lin-Manuel Miranda, is directed by Thomas Kail, with choreography by Andy Blankenbuehler, musical supervision and orchestrations by Alex Lacamoire and is based on Ron Chernow’s biography of Alexander Hamilton. HAMILTON features scenic design by David Korins, costume design by Paul Tazewell, lighting design by Howell Binkley, sound design by Nevin Steinberg and hair and wig design by Charles G. LaPointe.

HAMILTON is produced in London by Jeffrey Seller, Sander Jacobs, Jill Furman, The Public Theater and Cameron Mackintosh.

LOVEtheatre Week RETURNS IN MAY 2024

WITH NO FEES FOR ALL SHOWS ON LOVEtheatre.com

LOVEtheatre.com, one of London’s leading ticket agents,today announces the return of LOVEtheatre Week. Following the success of the inaugural LOVEtheatre Week last year, the event returns with fees waived on all theatre, dance, opera and musical productions across the website on bookings made from 10 – 19 May 2024 for performance dates from 11 May – 7 July.

Mark Bower, Head of Agency Sales at LOVEtheatre said today “We are delighted to be returning to deliver LOVEtheatre Week this May, offering theatre lovers across the capital the chance to book a wide range of West End and London shows without our standard booking fees. As your trusted source for West End and London theatre tickets at great prices, we at LOVEtheatre.com look forward to welcoming you to shows across London this summer!” 

Current theatre, musicals and events confirmed for LOVEtheatre Week this May include Cabaret, Fawlty Towers, Guys & Dolls, Kathy & Stella Solve A Murder, Kiss Me, Kate, Sister Act, Shrek, Standing at the Sky’s Edge, Tina, The Book of Mormon, The Choir of Man, The Hills of California and The Play That Goes Wrong.

LOVEtheatre.com is an official agent for booking London theatre tickets, featuring exclusive ticket allocations for each major venue and for the most popular London shows, events and attractions. It is owned and operated by The Ticket Machine Group Ltd., a multi award-winning, London-based ticket agency, and has been a member of STAR (The Society of Ticket Agents and Retailers) for over 25 years. The ticket agency provides exclusive deals and offers, with transparent, clear pricing and seat numbers confirmed at the time of reservation.

Use #LOVEtheatreweek to highlight this exclusive offer – no fees, all shows, all week long.

www.lovetheatre.com

X: @LOVEtheatrecom

Instagram @lovetheatrecom

facebook.com/lovetheatre

YouTube: @lovetheatre

#LOVEtheatreweek

NEW SEMESTER ROLL CALL!

CAST ANNOUNCED FOR THE LIMITED SEASON AT @SOHOPLACE AND 2024 UK TOUR OF

BY LAURENCE O’KEEFE & KEVIN MURPHY

DIRECTED BY ANDY FICKMAN

WINNER OF

BEST NEW MUSICAL

WHATSONSTAGE AWARDS

****

Daily Telegraph, The Independent, Metro, Daily Express, Daily Mail,

The Stage, Attitude, Sunday Express, The Arts Desk, Broadway World

*****

The New European, City AM

Following smash hit West End seasons at the Theatre Royal Haymarket, two national tours and record-breaking runs at London’s The Other Palace, the WhatsOnStage ‘BEST NEW MUSICAL’ winner, the beloved Heathers the Musical is back in the West End for only six weeks from 22 May before embarking on its third UK tour from 24 July at the Theatre Royal Windsor. Full dates and venues can be found at www.heathersthemusical.com

The 2024 class of Westerberg includes 13 cast members making their West End debuts, with Jenna Innes (Les Miserables) making it beautiful in blue returning as Veronica Sawyer, having wowed audiences up and down the country last year when she first took on the role. She will be joined by Keelan McAuley (Clueless; Grease) taking on the mysterious, Jason “J.D” Dean.

Starring as the titular ‘Heathers’ are Esme Bowdler (ITV’s I have a Dream finalist) as the formidable Heather Chandler, Sedona Sky (professional debut) as Heather Duke and Daisy Twells (Heathers) as Heather McNamara.

The 2024 register is completed by Amy Miles (professional debut) as Martha Dunnstock, Lucy Sinclair (Rehab the Musical, We will Rock You) as Ms. Fleming/Veronica’s Mom, Iván Fernández González (Bhangra Nation; Joseph) as Kurt Kelly, Jason Battersby (Just for One Day)as Ram Sweeney, Alexander Service (Heathers) as Kurt’s Dad/Big-Bud/Principal, Conor McFarlane (Once; Heathers)as Ram’s Dad/Veronica’s Dad/Coach, Ben Fenwick (Pippin in Concert)as Beleaguered Geek, Madeleine Hargrave (Hairspray) as Midwestern Surfer Punk, Eliza Bowden (Heathers)as New Wave Party Girl, May Tether (Very Very Bad Cinderella; Heathers)as Drama Club Drama Queen, Jasmine Cole (Crazy Coqs Cabaret)as Young Republicanette, Kelly Sweeney (Six (NCL); Hair) – as Stoner Chick, Lewis Asquith (Heathers)as Hipster Dork and Bradly Doko (Sideshow in Concert)as Preppy Stud.

Produced by Bill Kenwright Ltd and Paul Taylor-Mills, this high octane, black comedy, rock musical based on one of the greatest cult teen films of all-time that starred Winona Ryder and Christian Slater, is back with a bang!

Greetings and salutations! Welcome to Westerberg High, where popularity is a matter of life and death, and Veronica Sawyer is just another of the nobodies dreaming of a better day.

But when she’s unexpectedly taken under the wings of the three beautiful and impossibly cruel Heathers, her dreams of popularity finally start to come true.

That is until JD, the mysterious teen rebel, turns up and teaches her that it might kill to be a nobody, but its murder being a somebody.

The award-winning writing team, Laurence O’Keefe and Kevin Murphy’s hit musical adaptation has enjoyed successful runs in Los Angeles and New York, and its European premiere saw it become the highest grossing show at The Other Palace, having sold over 20,000 tickets across the initial run and selling out prior to its opening gala performance. It had similar success transferring to the Theatre Royal Haymarket. The show then broke records again back at its original home, The Other Palace, as the longest running show in the venue’s history.

The musical is directed by acclaimed American screen and stage director Andy Fickman, with choreography by Gary Lloyd, design by David Shields, lighting by Ben Cracknell and sound by Dan Samson.

NEW CASTING ANNOUNCED

RHEA NORWOOD AS SALLY BOWLES,

LAYTON WILLIAMS AS THE EMCEE,

SALLY ANN TRIPLETT AS FRAULEIN SCHNEIDER

AND

FENTON GRAY AS HERR SCHULTZ

IN

THE MULTI AWARD-WINNING, CRITICALLY ACCLAIMED

WEST END PRODUCTION

OF

CABARET

AT THE KIT KAT CLUB

FROM 3 JUNE 2024

The producers of the multi award-winning, critically acclaimed West End production of CABARET at the KIT KAT CLUB are delighted to announce new principal casting.

From 3 June 2024, star of the Netflix smash hit series Heartstopper Rhea Norwood will play Sally Bowles and Everybody’s Talking About Jamie and Bad Education star Layton Williams will play The Emcee. They will be joined by Sally Ann Triplett as Fraulein Schneider and Fenton Gray as Herr Schultz. 

Rhea Norwood and Layton Williams will play the roles until Saturday 21 September 2024.

CABARET recently celebrated the milestone of 1000 performances at the KIT KAT CLUB and is currently booking until February 2025. kitkat.club

Rhea, Layton, Sally Ann and Fenton join Michael Ahomka-Lindsay as Clifford Bradshaw, Wilf Scolding as Ernst Ludwig, Jessica Kirton as Fraulein Kost/Fritzie, Liv Alexander as Texas, Natalie Chua as Frenchie, Laura Delany as Rosie, Taite-Elliot Drew as Hans, Damon Gould as Victor, El Haq Latief as Helga, Grant Neal as Herman/Max, Hicaro Nicolai as Lulu and Travis Ross as Bobby. The cast is completed by Rebecca Lisewski, Ela Lisondra, Nic Myers, Andy Rees, Toby Turpin and Patrick Wilden.

Nic Myers plays the role of Sally Bowles once a week.

The prologue company are Rachel Benson, Ami Benton, Onyemachi Ejimofor, Joseph Hardy, Liz Kamille, Andrew Linnie, Aine McLoughlin, Jack William Parry, Jazmyn Raikes, Oliver Stockley and Ena Yamaguchi.

Rhea Norwood trained at the Bristol Old Vic Theatre School. She is probably best known for playing Imogen Heaney in the Netflix hit, Heartstopper, and will also appear in the third series later this year. Her other screen credits include the Amazon Prime comedy Your Christmas or Mine 2 and the Channel 4 drama Consent. Cabaret marks Rhea’s professional stage and West End debut.

Layton Williams recently reached the final of Strictly Coming Dancing. His many theatre credits include Jamie in Everybody’s Talking About Jamie in the West End and on the International Tour, Angel in Rent at The Other Palace, Kiss Me, Kate at the Sheffield Crucible, the national tour of Hairspray, Billy in Billy Elliot at the Victoria Palace and The Car Man and Lord of the Flies, both for Matthew Bourne’s New Adventures. His TV credits include Stephen Carmichael in Bad Education, Benidorm and Beautiful People and his film credits include Rocketman, The Bad Education movie and Everybody’s Talking About Jamie. 

Sally Ann Triplett most recently appeared as Gran in The Witches at the National Theatre and Aunt Eller in Oklahoma! at the Wyndham’s Theatre. Her many other West End credits include Donna in Mamma Mia!, Roxie in Chicago, Grizabella in Cats, Reno Sweeney in Anything Goes, Miss Adelaide in Guys and Dolls, Rizzo in Grease, Ruby Keeler in Jolson and Miss Berta in Acorn Antiques The Musical. She has also appeared on Broadway in Finding Neverland and Sting’s The Last Ship. She is well known for representing the United Kingdom twice at the Eurovision Song Contest in the 1980s.

Fenton Gray’s many West End credits include Gus in Cats, Blood Brothers and Les Misérables. He has appeared many times with the D’Oyly Carte Opera Company playing lead roles in productions of The Mikado and The Yeoman of the Guard on tour throughout the UK, in the West End and extensively throughout the US. His other credits include Seymour in Little Shop of Horrors at Leicester Haymarket and Into the Woods at Manchester Library Theatre.

Rhea Norwood is not scheduled to perform on Wednesday 5 June (matinee), Thursday 13 June (evening), Wednesday 19 June (matinee), Thursday 27 June (evening), Wednesday 3 July (matinee), Thursday 11 July (evening), Wednesday 17 July (matinee), Thursday 25 July (evening), Wednesday 31 July (matinee), Thursday 8 August (evening), Wednesday 14 August (matinee), Thursday 22 August (evening), Wednesday 28 August (matinee), Thursday 5 September (evening), Wednesday 11 September (matinee) and Thursday 19 September (evening. At these performances, the role will be played by our alternate Sally Bowles, Nic Myers.

Layton Williams is not scheduled to perform on Saturday 29 June (matinee and evening), Tuesday 16 July (evening), Wednesday 17 July (matinee and evening), Monday 5 August (evening), Friday 13 September (evening) and Saturday 14 September (matinee and evening). At these performances, the role will be played by Toby Turpin.

This unique production of CABARET opened in December 2021 to critical and audience acclaim, widely praised as the ultimate theatrical experience. In April 2022 it won a record-breaking seven Olivier Awards. The production has also won three prestigious Critics Circle Awards as well as the Evening Standard Theatre Award for Best Design for designer Tom Scutt.

The Broadway production of CABARET starring Eddie Redmayne and Gayle Rankin opened last month at the KIT KAT CLUB at the August Wilson Theatre and recently received nine Tony Award nominations.

Transforming one of London’s most famous theatres with an in-the-round auditorium and reimagined spaces, before the show guests are invited to enjoy and explore the Kit Kat Club with pre-show entertainment, drinks and dining all on offer. When booking, guests receive a ‘club entry time’ to allow enough time to take in the world of the Kit Kat Club before the show starts. But of course, the show really starts when you first join us in the club…

One of the most successful musicals of all time CABARET features the songs Wilkommen, Don’t Tell Mama, Mein Herr, Maybe This Time, Money and the title number. It has music by John Kander, lyrics by Fred Ebb, book by Joe Masteroff. Based on the play by John Van Druten and stories by Christopher Isherwood.

CABARET is directed by Rebecca Frecknall, set and costume design is by Tom Scutt with choreography by Julia Cheng. Musical supervision is by Jennifer Whyte and musical direction is by Ben Ferguson with lighting design by Isabella Byrd and sound design by Nick Lidster. The casting director is Stuart Burt and the original associate director and prologue director is Jordan Fein. The prologue composer and musical director is Angus MacRae.

CABARET at the KIT KAT CLUB is produced by Ambassador Theatre Group Productions and Underbelly.