INITIAL CASTING ANNOUNCED FOR

WORLD PREMIERE OF

THE OSMONDS: A NEW MUSICAL

UK & IRELAND TOUR OPENING AT CURVE IN FEBRUARY 2022

The actors who will be playing the five Osmond brothers in the world premiere of THE OSMONDS: A New Musical are Ryan Anderson as Merrill Osmond, Jamie Chatterton as Alan Osmond, Alex Lodge as Jay Osmond, Danny Nattrass as Wayne Osmond and Joseph Peacock as Donny Osmond.  The UK &  Ireland Tour begin at Leicester’s Curve on 3 February 2022 and will run through to 3 December 2022.

THE OSMONDS: A New Musical with story by Jay Osmond tells the true story of the five brothers from Utah who were pushed into the spotlight as children and went on to create smash hits, decade after decade.  From their star residency on The Andy Williams Show from 1962 to 1969, to pop stars and ‘Osmondmania’ from 1971 to 1975, to the arrival of The Donny & Marie Show, a popular variety TV show, from 1976 to 1979, The Osmonds lived a remarkable life recording chart-topping albums, selling out vast arena concerts and making record-breaking TV shows – until one bad decision cost them everything. 

Ryan Anderson (Merrill Osmond) most recently starred in the title role in Stephen Schwartz’s Pippin at Charing Cross Theatre.  Other theatre credits include A-Rab in West Side Story (Curve Theatre), Roger in Grease (Curve Theatre, UK Tour), Blake in Bat Out Of Hell (Dominon Theatre) and Sasha in Fiddler on the Roof (Chichester Festival Theatre).

Jamie Chatterton (Alan Osmond) will be making his professional debut in The Osmonds: A New Musical, having graduated from Arts Ed this year.

Alex Lodge (Jay Osmond) played the role of Jay Osmond throughout the development workshops for the musical.  Recent credits include Young Marley in A Christmas Carol (Dominion Theatre), Ledoux in Bat Out of Hell(International Tour) and Alternate Elder Price in The Book of Mormon (Prince of Wales).

Danny Nattrass (Wayne Osmond) most recently appeared in Laurence Connor’s production of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat at the London Palladium, where he also was understudy Joseph, and previously appeared as Pepper in Mamma Mia! (Novello Theatre) and as Wilfred in Matthew Bourne’s Lord of the Flies.

Joseph Peacock (Donny Osmond) has played Young Gideon in Sting’s The Last Ship (US Tour), Rick in Scarborough(BBC), appeared in Bat Out of Hell (Dominion) and played the lead role of Pete in Burnt Park Boys (Park Theatre).

Jay Osmond said, “I am thrilled that we have found such dynamic and talented performers to play my brothers and me.  We saw some brilliant actors in the auditions and I was so impressed at the work people put in throughout the process.  When these five guys walked in, they lit up the room with their smiles and raised the roof with their voices; I knew we’d found our boy band.  It is an honour to welcome Ryan Anderson, Jamie Chatterton, Alex Lodge, DannyNattrass and Joseph Peacock to the family and I can’t wait for audiences to see what they can do.  Their style, charm and talent will bring our music and story to a whole new generation and you will ‘love them (for a reason)’ as much as we do.” 

The musical features a list of 1970s anthems, including One Bad Apple, Down by the Lazy River, Crazy Horses, Let Me In, Love Me for a Reason, (We’re) Having a Party, Puppy Love, Long Haired Lover From Liverpool, Paper Roses and many more. 

The Osmonds have sold over 100 million records worldwide and won 59 Gold & Platinum awards, and now Jay Osmond pulls back the curtain to reveal the real family behind all these hits: parents George and Olive Osmond and their nine children, Virl, Tom, Alan, Wayne, Merrill, Jay, Donny, Marie and Jimmy.

THE OSMONDS: A New Musical has a story By Jay Osmond and book by Julian Bigg and Shaun Kerrison, and will be directed by Shaun Kerrison, with choreography and musical staging by Bill Deamer, set & costume design by Lucy Osborne, lighting design by Ben Cracknell and sound design by Dan Samson.

Further casting is to be announced.

The World Premiere of THE OSMONDS: A New Musical is produced by ROYO in partnership with Twins Entertainment, with Vicky Nojesproduktion, Krall Entertainment, Aria Entertainment and Guy James Theatrical.

Website:  TheOsmondsMusical.co.uk 

Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/theosmondsmusical/

Twitter:  @OsmondsMusical 

Instagram:  Theosmondsmusical                   

2022 TOUR SCHEDULE

Thurs 3 – Sun 6 February                             LEICESTER Curve                                                       0116 242 3595

                                                                               curveonline.co.uk                                                   

Tue 8 – Sat 12 February                                IPSWICH Regent Theatre

                                                                            ipswichtheatres.co.uk                                           

Tue 15 – Sat 19 February                             GLASGOW King’s Theatre                                     0844 871 7615

                                                                             www.atgtickets.com/venues/kings-theatre-glasgow*   

Tue 22 – Sat 26 February                             OXFORD New Theatre                                           0844 871 7615

                                                                             www.atgtickets.com/venues/new-theatre-oxford *      

Tue 1 – Sat 5 March                                       WOKING New Victoria Theatre                          0844 871 7615

                                                                             www.atgtickets.com/venues/new-victoria-theatre*      

Tue 8 – Sat 12 March                                      CHELTENHAM Everyman                                       01242 572573

                                                                             everymantheatre.org.uk

Tue 15 – Sat 19 March                                   WOLVERHAMPTON Grand Theatre                  01902 42 92 12

                                                                             grandtheatre.co.uk                                                

Tue 22 – Sat 26 March                                   DUBLIN Bord Gáis Energy Theatre                   

                                                                              bordgaisenergytheatre.ie                                            

Tue 29 March – Sat 2 April                           BLACKPOOL Opera House                                    0844 856 1111

                                                                             Wintergardensblackpool.co.uk                         

Tue 5 – Sat 9 April 22                                     STOKE-ON-TRENT Regent Theatre                    0844 871 7615

                                                                              www.atgtickets.com/venues/regent-theatre*  

Tue 12 – Sat 16 April                                      BELFAST Grand Opera house                              028 9024 1919

                                                                              goh.co.uk                                                                   

Tue 19 – Sat 23 April                                      PETERBOROUGH New Theatre

                                                                              newtheatre-peterborough.com                       

 Tue 26 – Sat 30 April                                     BROMLEY Churchill Theatre                                 020 3285 6000

                                                                              churchilltheatre.co.uk                                             

Tue 3 – Sat 7 May                                           NORTHAMPTON Royal & Derngate                  01604 624811

                                                                               www.royalandderngate.co.uk                          

Tue 26 – Sat 30 Jul                                          SOUTHEND Cliffs Pavilion                                   

                                                                               thecliffspavilion.co.uk

Tue 2 – Sat 6 August                                      YORK Grand Opera House                                    0844 871 7615

                                                                               www.atgtickets.com/venues/grand-opera-house-york*              

Tue 9 – Sat 13 August                                     MANCHESTER Palace Theatre                             0844 871 7615

                                                                              www.atgtickets.com/manchesterr*

Tue 23 – Sat 27 August                                  LONDON New Wimbledon Theatre                  0844 871 7615

                                                                             www.atgtickets.com/venues/new-wimbledon-theatre*

 Tue 30 Aug – Sat 3 Sept                               TORQUAY Princess Theatre                                 0844 871 7615

                                                                             www.atgtickets.com/venues/princess-theatre-torquay*             

Tue 6 – Sat 10 September                            LIVERPOOL Empire                                                  0844 871 7615

                                                                           www.atgtickets.com/venues/liverpool-empire*

Tue 13 – Sat 17 September                          SUNDERLAND Empire                                             0844 871 7615

                                                                               www.atgtickets.com/venues/sunderland-empire*         

Tue 20 – Sat 24 September                          EDINBURGH Festival Theatre                              0131 529 6000

                                                                             capitaltheatres.com

Tue 27 Sept – 1 Oct                                        BRIGHTON Theatre Royal Brighton                   0844 871 7615

                                                                               www.atgtickets.com/venues/theatre-royal-brighton*   

Tue 4 – Sat 8 October                                     CARDIFF New Theatre                                           0343 310 0041

                                                                              newtheatrecardiff.co.uk

Tue 11 – Sat 15 October                               HIGH WYCOMBE Swan Theatre

                                                                               wycombeswan.co.uk                                            

Tue 18 – Sat 22 October                                HULL New Theatre                                                  01482 300 306

                                                                             hulltheatres.co.uk

Tue 25 – Sat 29 October                                BIRMINGHAM The Alexandra                             0844 871 7615

                                                                             www.atgtickets.com/venues/the-alexandra-theatre-birmingham*

Tue 1 – Sat 5 November                               ABERDEEN His Majesty’s Theatre

                                                                             aberdeenperformingarts.com

 Tue 8 – Sat 12 November                            SOUTHAMPTON Mayflower Theatre               02380 711811

                                                                             mayflower.org.uk

Tue 15 – Sat 19 November                           DARTFORD The Orchard Theatre                       01322 220000

                                                                             orchardtheatre.co.uk

Tue 22 – Sat 26 November                           BRADFORD Alhambra Theatre 01274 432000

                                                                             bradford-theatres.co.uk

Tue 29 Nov – Sat 3 Dec                                 LLANDUDNO Venue Cymru                                 01492 872000          

                                                                               venuecymru.co.uk                                                 

^*Subject to booking / transaction fees

Further dates to be added.

THE PEGGY RAMSAY FOUNDATION & FILM4

ANNOUNCE THE 2022 PLAYWRIGHTS‘ SCHEME BURSARY WINNERS

Six new theatre writers awarded £10,000 bursary plus 12 month theatre placement

The Peggy Ramsay Foundation with Film4 and the Maria Bjornson Memorial Fund are delighted to announce the six winners of the Peggy Ramsay/Film4 Awards which celebrate and support emerging British writing talent.  

The initiative awards sixbursaries a year to new theatre writers. Four bursaries are supported by The Peggy Ramsay Foundation (one is dedicated to the memory of literary agent Tom Erhardt) and two by Film4.  Each bursary is worth £10,000. 

The recipients of the bursaries for 2022 are –

Karis Kelly for Consumed

Lyric Theatre Belfast

Amy Trigg for Reasons You Should(n’t) Love Me

Kiln Theatre

Natasha Brown for I Am (Not) Kanye West

Boundless Theatre

Hannah Lavery for Lament for Shiku Bayo

Traverse Theatre

Yolanda Mercy for Quarter Life Crisis

High Tide Theatre

Nina Segal for O, Island!  (The Tom Erhardt Bursary)

Royal Shakespeare Company

In 2022 the successful writers will embark upon one-year attachments with the theatres outlined above, giving them the opportunity to meet a variety of theatre practitioners and to have first- hand experience of a working theatre. Their principal task during the 12 months of the bursary is to write at least one new full-length play.   

This year’s Panel, chaired by Sir Richard Eyre CH CBE, included:Jack Bradley (Sonia Friedman Productions);  Ben Coren (Film 4);  Dinah Wood (Faber & Faber);   Will Mortimer (Bridge Theatre);  Georgia Gatti (Jonathan Church Productions);  Indhu Rubasingham (Kiln Theatre); Nicholas Wright (Playwright).  The scheme is administered by Sue Higginson OBE.

The writers will also have the opportunity to submit their play for The Sonia Friedman Productions Award in the year following their bursary.  This Award is also judged by the same selection panel chaired by Sir Richard Eyre.  

Sir Richard Eyre (Chairman of the Panel) said:  “We had a very good year for entries – very inventive and very diverse. It was so satisfying to see that people are so hopeful about the future of theatre after the misery of lockdown.”

Neil Adleman (Chairman of The Peggy Ramsay Foundation) said:  “We are delighted that our support has enabled the continuation of the Playwrights’ Scheme, which is unique in its wide-ranging support of emerging British playwrights.  It forms part of our wider mission of providing direct support to writers for theatre.”

Ben Coren (Head of Development for Film4) said: “It was a real pleasure to be introduced to so many exciting new writers, especially after not being able to attend shows in person for so much of the pandemic. So many of our best writers come from theatre and Film4 are proud to continue to support the scheme.”

About The Peggy Ramsay Foundation

Peggy Ramsay was one of the best-known play agents in the United Kingdom during the second half of the Twentieth Century.  When she died in 1991 her estate was left for charitable purposes to help writers and writing for the stage.  The Peggy Ramsay Foundation was established in pursuance of this objective.  The Foundation seeks to perpetuate Peggy Ramsay’s ideals, by directly helping dramatists at very different stages of experience in ways which we are determined to keep as quick and unbureaucratic as possible.  These include a grant programme for playwrights, support for the Alfred Fagon Award and the Peggy Ramsay Foundation/Film4 Awards.

About Film4

Film4 is Channel 4 Television’s feature film division. Film4 develops and co-finances films and is known for working with the most distinctive and innovative talent in UK and international filmmaking, both new and established.

Film4 has developed and co-financed many of the most successful UK films of recent years, Academy Award®-winners such as Florian Zeller’s The Father, Yorgos Lanthimos’s The Favourite, Martin McDonagh’s Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri, Lenny Abrahamson’s Room, Alex Garland’s Ex Machina, Asif Kapadia’s box office record breaking documentary Amy, Steve McQueen’s 12 Years a Slave, Danny Boyle’s Slumdog Millionaire and Phyllida Lloyd’s The Iron Lady, in addition to critically-acclaimed award-winners such as Sarah Gavron’s Rocks, Pawel Pawlikowski’s Cold War, Lynne Ramsay’s You Were Never Really Here, Andrea Arnold’s American Honey, Rungano Nyoni’s I Am Not a Witch, Chris Morris’s Four Lions, Shane Meadows’ This is England, Jonathan Glazer’s Under the Skin and Andrew Haigh’s 45 Years.

Film4’s recent releases include Jonathan Butterell’s Everybody’s Talking About Jamie, Prano Bailey-Bond’s Censor, Ben Sharrock’s Limbo, Cathy Brady’s Wildfire, Euros Lyn’s Dream Horse, Rose Glass’s Saint Maud and Armando Iannucci’s The Personal History of David Copperfield. Forthcoming releases include Edgar Wright’s Last Night in Soho, Rebecca Hall’s Passing, Eva Husson’s Mothering Sunday, Will Sharpe’s The Electrical Life of Louis Wain, Lucile Hadzihalilovic’s Earwig, Michael Pearce’s Encounter and Julia Ducournau’s Titane. Films in production or post include Jonathan Glazer’s The Zone of Interest, Steve McQueen’s Occupied City, Aml Ameen’s Boxing Day, Mark Jenkin’s Enys Men, Jim Archer’s Brian & Charles, Oliver Hermanus’ Living and The Real Charlie Chaplin from Peter Middleton and James Spinney. 

CAST ANNOUNCED FOR THE UK TOUR OF EMMA HEMINGFORD’S FLINCH!

Liam McLaughlin Productions is pleased to announce the cast for the UK tour of Emma Hemingford’s Flinch.

Writer Emma Hemingford will be playing the role of Jess and Benjamin Aluwihare will be playing the role ofMark.

The UK Tour of Flinch will open at the Yvonne Arnaud Theatre, Guildford on Saturday 6^th November, before heading to Bristol, Bradford, Scarborough, and Leicester. It will then return to London, at the Pleasance Theatre, for a limited run.  

Emma Hemingford, on playing Jess said: “I’m so excited to be back on stage and to be performing in venues across the UK! Flinch is a dark comedy about the way gender roles affect a young couple’s relationship. Jess and Mark both say and do some ugly (relatable?) things behind closed doors – but that’s what makes them such fun characters to play. I can’t wait to get going, and thanks to the Arts Council for making it all possible!”

Benjamin Aluwihare, on playing Mark said: “I’m thrilled to be playing Mark and look forward to exploring some of the play’s trickier questions, like, when push comes to shove, do you dare to be the hero?”

Directed by Gemma Aked-Priestley, Flinch is a darkly comic examination of a modern relationship.

Jess is an actor, or will be, as soon as she hears back from her latest audition. Mark works in the city, an up-and-coming trader who’s never really made it past the starting line. The pair are definitely fine, almost-some-of-the-time – until the night they have an experience that threatens to change everything.

When Mark reacts unexpectedly in the face of a violent mugging, his girlfriend Jess is left questioning the cornerstones of their relationship. Is she right to feel betrayed by Mark’s refusal to defend her – even when the incident turns out to have been a harmless prank? As the young couple try to mend their relationship, rom-com sparring reveals something more sinister: a thorny and unsettling discussion of gender politics that refuses to take sides.

A raw, unsettling comedy, Flinch is anintense 80-minute show that forces you, the audience, to occupy an uncomfortable space as both jury and accomplice. By presenting us with recognisable characters rather than moral pariahs, the play holds up a mirror up to our own most private instincts.

Flinch is generously supported by Arts Council England.

Tickets for Flinch are on sale now.

FULL CASTING ANNOUNCED

FOR 

CAMERON MACKINTOSH’S

RECORD-BREAKING TOUR OF

“LES MISÉRABLES”

OPENING AT GLASGOW THEATRE ROYAL ON 23 NOVEMBER 2021

Cameron Mackintosh is delighted to announce full casting for his acclaimed production of Boublil and Schönberg’s “LES MISÉRABLES” as the UK and Ireland tour reopens at Glasgow Theatre Royal on 23 November 2021 where it will run until 31 December 2021. Full listings below.

Joining the previously announced Dean Chisnall as ‘Jean Valjean’, Nic Greenshields as ‘Javert’ and Katie Hall as ‘Fantine’ will be Ian Hughes as ‘Thénardier’, Will Callan as ‘Marius’, Nathania Ong as ‘Eponine’, Helen Walsh as ‘Madame Thénardier’, Barnaby Hughes as ‘Enjolras’ and Paige Blankson as ‘Cosette’.

The cast is completed by George Arvidson, Aidan Banyard, Will Barratt, Adam Boardman, Rebecca Bolton, Emily Olive Boyd, Olivia Brereton, Earl Carpenter, Harry Chandler, Rebecca Ferrin, Aimee Good, Steven Hall, Jenna Innes, Tessa Kadler, Damien Kneale, Caleb Lagayan, Abel Law, Joseph McDonnell, Zabrina Norry, Emily Owens, Jordan Simon Pollard, Jamie Pritchard, Dean Read and Rebecca Ridout.

Since Cameron Mackintosh first conceived this acclaimed new production of LES MISÉRABLES in 2009 to celebrate the show’s 25^th anniversary it has taken the world by storm continuing to enjoy record-breaking runs in countries including North America, Australia, Japan, Korea, France and Spain.

★★★★★  ‘This reborn dream of a production looks and sounds fresher than ever. Sends shivers of excitement racing down the spine – You emerge feeling stirred and exhilarated’ Daily Telegraph

‘A production of awesome power and mind-blowing restaging’ Irish Times

★★★★★ ‘Les Miserables is arguably, the greatest musical of all time” 

Edinburgh Evening News

‘A thrilling inspiration’ The Guardian

‘Packs an almighty punch and brings audiences to their feet every night’ The Independent

★★★★★  ‘A five-star hit – Astonishingly powerful’ The Times

★★★★★  ‘The mighty Les Mis is still revolutionary.  This new staging of one of the world’s longest-running musicals remains fit to burst the seams of the mightiest of stages’ Daily Mail

Boublil and Schönberg’s magnificent iconic score of LES MISÉRABLES includes the classic songs, I Dreamed a Dream, On My Own, Stars, Bring Him Home, Do You Hear the People Sing?, One Day More, Empty Chairs at Empty Tables, Master Of The House and many more. Several of its songs have become real life anthems of revolution wherever in the world people are fighting for their freedom. Seen by over 120 million people worldwide in 52 countries and in 22 languages, LES MISÉRABLES is undisputedly one of the world’s most popular and contemporary musicals.

Cameron Mackintosh’s production of LES MISÉRABLES is written by Alain Boublil and Claude-Michel Schönberg and is based on the novel by Victor Hugo. It has music by Claude-Michel Schönberg, lyrics by Herbert Kretzmer and original French text by Alain Boublil and Jean-Marc Natel, additional material by James Fenton and adaptation by Trevor Nunn and John Caird. Orchestrations are by Stephen Metcalfe, Christopher Jahnke and Stephen Brooker with original orchestrations by John Cameron. The production is directed by James Powell and Laurence Connor, designed by Matt Kinley inspired by the paintings of Victor Hugo with costumes by Andreane Neofitou and Christine Rowland, lighting by Paule Constable, sound by Mick Potter, musical staging by Michael Ashcroft and Geoffrey Garratt, and music supervision by Stephen Brooker and Alfonso Casado Trigo.

CASTING AND ADDITIONAL TOUR DATES ANNOUNCED
FOR THE NATIONAL THEATRE’S 10th ANNIVERSARY TOUR OF

THE CURIOUS INCIDENT OF THE DOG IN THE NIGHT-TIME

PRESENTED BY THE NATIONAL THEATRE AND TRAFALGAR THEATRE PRODUCTIONS

• DAVID BREEDS AND CONNOR CURREN SHARE THE ROLE OF CHRISTOPHER BOONE, WITH KATE KORDEL AND SOPHIE STONE PLAYING ALTERNATE WEEKS AS JUDY, REBECCA ROOT MAKING HER NATIONAL THEATRE DEBUT AS SIOBHAN AND TOM PETERS JOINING THE CAST AS ED.
   
• CURIOUS INCIDENT WILL VISIT 19 VENUES IN 2021 – 22, MARKING TEN YEARS OF THE OLIVIER AND TONY AWARD®-WINNING PRODUCTION.
   
• TOUR INCLUDES A LIMITED SEVEN WEEK RUN AT THE TROUBADOUR WEMBLEY PARK THEATRE FROM 20 NOVEMBER 2021.
   
• A RELAXED PERFORMANCE WILL TAKE PLACE AT WEMBLEY PARK THEATRE ON WEDNESDAY 5 JANUARY AT 2PM, WITH A PLANNED RELAXED PERFORMANCE ON TOUR TO BE ANNOUNCED.

Back by popular demand, the Olivier and Tony Award®-winning production of The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time, adapted by Simon Stephens from the novel by Mark Haddon, and directed by Marianne Elliott (War Horse, Angels in America, Company) will open at Troubadour Wembley Park Theatre on 20 November before embarking on a UK and Ireland tour, marking ten years of the production which originated at the National Theatre in 2012.

As rehearsals begin today, the full cast joining the production is Marc Benga (ensemble), David Breeds (Christopher), Jacob Coleman (understudy Christopher and swing), Connor Curren (Christopher), Kofi De-Graft-Jordan (Mr Thompson), Ashley Gerlach (Mr Shears), Joanne Henry (Mrs Alexander), Siu-See Hung (Punk Girl), Kate Kordel (Judy on alternate weeks), Sibylla Meienberg (ensemble), David Monteith (Reverend Peters), Tom Peters (Ed), Joe Rawlinson-Hunt (ensemble), Rebecca Root (Siobhan), Hannah Sinclair Robinson (Mrs Shears), Sophie Stone (Judy on alternate weeks) and Rebecca Wilson (ensemble).

David Breeds most recently appeared in the West End premiere of Dear Evan Hansen. Connor Curren makes his professional stage debut in Curious Incident and is soon to appear in the NBCUniversal series Dodger. Kate Kordel’s recent television appearances include Coronation Street. Rebecca Root is known to audiences for the BBC Two sitcom Boy Meets Girl, The Queen’s Gambit and Doctor Who. Sophie Stone returns to the NT following her appearance in Mother Courage and Her Children. Her recent stage appearances include Emilia (Globe and West End) and television appearances include This Way Up and Jimmy McGovern’s Moving On. Tom Peters’ recent stage appearances include Girl from the North Country (West End) and Harry Potter and the Cursed Child. Access All Areas took part in the audition panel and offered Creative Support in the audition room during the casting process. Access All Areas will continue to provide Creative support on the tour.

Alongside previously announced venues, the production will also visit Truro Hall For Cornwall (19 – 23 April), The Orchard Theatre Dartford (10 – 14 May), Wycombe Swan (17 – 21 May), and Bromley Churchill Theatre (31 May – 4 June) in 2022. The full touring schedule detailed below also includes Cardiff New Theatre, Belfast Grand Opera House, Mayflower Theatre, Southampton, Nottingham Theatre Royal, Sheffield Lyceum, Edinburgh Festival Theatre, Newcastle Theatre Royal, Manchester Opera House, Liverpool Empire, Birmingham Hippodrome, King’s Theatre Glasgow, Leeds Grand Theatre, the Bord Gais Energy Theatre, Dublin, and Norwich Theatre Royal. For further information and on sale dates for all venues, visit curiousonstage.com.   

A Relaxed Performance is announced for London at Troubadour Wembley Park Theatre at 2pm on Wednesday 5 January, with tickets available via curiousonstage.com soon. Relaxed Performances are perfect for anyone who would benefit from a more relaxed performance environment and sensory adaptions. These performances allow for noise and movement in the auditorium, re-entry when needed and a chill-out space for patrons who may need time away from the performance, as well as adjustments to light and sound effects for those with sensory sensitivities. A second Relaxed Performance will take place on the tour, with details announced soon. Captioned, Audio Described and British Sign Language performances are available across the tour. For more information visit venue websites.

Since 2012, Curious Incident has been seen by more than five million people worldwide. The winner of seven Olivier Awards, following its New York premiere in September 2014, it became the longest-running play on Broadway in over a decade, winning five Tony Awards®.

Mark Haddon’s novel The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time was published in 2003 and is the winner of more than 17 literary awards, including the prestigious Whitbread Book of the Year Award. The novel has been translated into 44 languages and has sold more than 5.5 million copies world-wide.
 

The production is designed by Bunny Christie, with lighting design by Paule Constable, and video design by Finn Ross. Movement is by Scott Graham and Steven Hoggett for Frantic Assembly, music by Adrian Sutton and sound by Ian Dickinson for Autograph. The Associate Director is Anna Marsland. Casting is by Jacob Sparrow Casting, and casting assistant is Chloe Blake.
 

Alongside the tour, a programme of activity including discussions on depictions of neurodivergence in fictional characters will be available online, with further details to be announced.
 

The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time at Troubadour Wembley Park Theatre is supported by American Express, the National Theatre’s Preferred Card Partner.

DONMAR WAREHOUSE LAUNCHES CATALYST –

A NEW TRAINING PROGRAMME ADDRESSING

ACCESS TO CAREERS IN THEATRE

Donmar Warehouse, led by Artistic Director Michael Longhurst and Executive Director Henny Finch,announces today CATALYST, a pioneering career development programme continuing the Donmar’s commitment to equity in access to jobs in theatre. From 2021 onwards, the Donmar will recruit 13 paid CATALYST trainees per year in two areas, Creative and Administrative, with the aim of directly addressing the lack of awareness of roles and routes into theatre, both in creative disciplines and office roles.

As a development of the Resident Assistant Director and Resident Design Assistant schemes – alumni of which includes Rosie Elnile, Lynette Linton and Sacha Wares, CATALYST will support the development of talent both on and offstage which is underrepresented both at the Donmar and in the wider industry. The Donmar defines this as artists who experience barriers and inequality due to ethnicity, gender identity and/or socio-economic background, and as being D/deaf or disabled artists.

Henny Finch, Executive Director of the Donmar Warehouse, said today “I hope CATALYST will lead the way in creating meaningful change in our industry, by offering opportunities to a cohort of early-career individuals at a time in their working lives when they need it the most. We’re thrilled to be welcoming such a substantial number of brilliant creative and administrative talents into our team, and to be playing our part in ensuring ethnicity, gender identity, disability or socio-economic factors are no longer a barrier to anyone who aspires to make theatre happen, whether that be onstage or offstage.”

Nadia Latif, Director added “The vast majority of theatre artists I know from underrepresented backgrounds have always understood the vital importance of bringing people through the industry who look like us, or share our backgrounds. Theatre making should be transparent, accessible, and our rehearsal rooms should bustle with a multitude of people with totally different life experiences feeding each other creatively and taking care of one another. But up until now, that energy was largely ignored by institutions – so I am thrilled that the Donmar is taking this responsibility seriously and laying the groundwork for major systemic change.”

CREATIVE TRAINEES

Piloted on the recent West End revival of Constellations, recruitment for Creative Trainees began early October, and trainees will join the creative team of the upcoming production of Shakespeare’s Henry V, with Kit Harington and directed by Donmar Associate Director Max Webster. Throughout the 2021-22  season, the 8 creative trainees will receive training in, and work across, set and costume design, movement directing, lighting design and sound design.

Creative Trainees will also receive mentoring from leading creatives including Lee Curran, Fly Davis, Carolyn Downing, Nadia Latif, Michael Longhurst, Benoit Swan Pouffer, Max Webster, and Donato Wharton.

ADMINISTRATIVE TRAINEES

Supported by Creative Access, Administrative Trainees will receive quality professional development training in marketing, creative engagement, producing and project management during their year-long attachment at the Donmar.

Working closely with members of the Donmar Warehouse Senior Management Team, Administrative trainees will gain insight into leadership skills and contribute to key decision making.

The CATALYST programme is kindly supported by Bank of America

To apply, visit https://www.donmarwarehouse.com/about/vacancies/

Rehearsals start for Moira Buffini’s new play Manor at the National Theatre with Shaun Evans (Vigil, Endeavour) and Nancy Carroll (The Crown, Father Brown), directed by Fiona Buffini  

Monday 11^th October 2021

Rehearsals have begun today for Manor, a timely new play by Moira Buffini (The Dig), that will open in the Lyttelton for previews on 16 November.

In this darkly comic play, a violent storm is brewing and Diana, played by Nancy Carroll (The Crown) is struggling to keep the roof on her rundown manor house. As the storm sweeps the coast, an explosive mix of people unexpectedly arrive in search of shelter including Ted Farrier, played by Shaun Evans (Vigil), a charismatic leader of a far-right organisation. Stranded together, this group of strangers must survive the weather – and each other. 

Directed by Fiona Buffini (Dinner), the cast also includes Michele Austin as Judith Ripley, a nurse; Shaniqua Okwok as Dora Ripley, her daughter; Owen McDonnell as Pete Stuckley, Diana’s husband; Liadán Dunlea as Isis, Diana and Pete’s daughter; Amy Forrest as Ruth, Ted’s fiancé; David Hargreaves as Reverend Fiske; Peter Bray as Anton, Ted’s aide; and Edward Judge as Perry, a local.

The cast also includes Effie Ansah, Helen Barford, Chris Barritt, Mat Betteridge, Sophie Bradley, Sophie Cartman, Gillian Dean and Lewis Griffin.

Set and costume design by Lez Brotherston, lighting design by Jon Clark, composition and sound design by Jon Nicholls, video design by Nina Dunn, fight direction by Kate Waters. With associate set design by Louie Whitemore, assistant costume design by Diane Williams, associate sound design by Beth Duke and the staff director is Sepy Baghaei.

West End stars celebrate the festive season
with West End Musical Christmas
Live at the Lyric Theatre on Monday 20th December
Lyric Theatre, Shaftesbury Avenue, London W1D 7ES

The biggest stars from London’s West End are celebrating the festive season in WEST END MUSICAL CHRISTMAS live at the Lyric Theatre on Monday 20th December!

This all-singing, all-dancing extravaganza is brought to you by the producers of West End Musical Brunch, West End Musical Drive In and West End Musical Celebration – Live at The Palace. The ultimate festive celebration for musical theatre fans, featuring all your favourite Christmas and show-stopping numbers performed by an incredible cast of West End stars, with a live band and dance ensemble

The all-star line-up includes West End and Broadway sensation John Owen-Jones (Les Misérables; Phantom) – the UK’s youngest ever ‘Jean Valjean’ and longest-running ‘Phantom’, Emma Hatton (Wicked; Evita) who rose to fame playing the iconic Elphaba in Wicked, Oliver Ormson (Frozen; The Book Of Mormon) currently starring as Prince Hans in Frozen, Jodie Steele (Heathers; Six) who is currently starring as Heather Duke in Heathers, Obi Ugoala (Frozen; Hamilton) currently starring as Kristoff in Frozen after playing George Washington in Hamilton
and Idriss Kargbo (Wicked; The Lion King) – former Boq in Wicked with more special guests to be announced!

The evening will be hosted by Shanay Holmes (Get Up Stand Up, The Bodyguard) who is currently originating the role of Cindy Breakspeare in Get Up Stand Up.

Get ready to sing and dance along at the biggest Christmas party the West End has ever seen!

We wish you a very musical Christmas!

21 ROUND FOR CHRISTMAS

BY MATTHEW BALLANTYNE AND TOBY HAMPTON

STARRING CLARE BLOOMER

PREMIERING AT THE HOPE THEATRE
30 NOVEMBER – 18 DECEMBER

TICKETS ARE ON SALE NOW HERE

This winter, The Hope Theatre – the acclaimed 50 seat pub theatre in the heart of Islington – will present the world stage premiere of 21 Round For Christmas by Matthew Ballantyne and Toby Hampton. Tickets are on sale now, with performances from 30 November to 18 December, with a press night on 2 December.

Directed by The Hope Theatre’s award-nominated Deputy Artistic Director, Toby Hampton, 21 Round for Christmas will star Clare Bloomer, who reprises the role of Tracy from the successful OnComm nominated Hope At Home digital series, produced by the theatre during lockdown.

“How does Christmas Day end?…

With the letter ‘Y’… “

Christmas time, mistletoe & wine, children singing Christian rhymes… out of tune and far too loudly for six in the f**ing morning! Join Tracy Sullivan, a day-dreaming, outspoken, list-making, extroverted-introvert in the midst of cooking Christmas Dinner for her family – her extremely large family. A raucous festive romp with… a little bit of spice! 

Toby Hampton said, “This show has been so long in the making that I can’t believe it’s finally here! It’s been such a pleasure to work with this brilliant team and I’m really excited to share Tracy with the world. I hope that there’s something in it for everyone so come and see our show… please!”

Clare Bloomer’s recent credits include Margaret Thatcher in Maggie and Ted by Michael McManus (Yvonne Arnaud/Garrick Theatre/White Bear – OffComm Commendation); Gertrude in Hamlet (Iris Theatre); Shylock in The Merchant of Venice (Bedouin Shakespeare for Duke of York’s/ Silvano Toti Globe Theatre, Rome); Always Tuesday (Southwark Playhouse) and Foul Pages (The Hope Theatre). Clare trained at RADA where she was a Lilian Baylis and Verity Hudson Bursary Award recipient.

Opening in 2013, The Hope Theatre was originally a sister theatre of Islington’s King’s Head Theatre, renovated from a function room above the famous Hope & Anchor pub and music venue into a black box studio theatre. The Hope Theatre has transferred two productions to the West End (Ushers to the Charing Cross Theatre and the Snoo Wilson’s Lovesong Of The Electric Bear to The Arts) and has been home to many world premieres. It also housed the professional world premiere of Joe Orton’s Fred And Madge.

The Hope Theatre is a place for audiences and companies to explore BIG ideas. It nurtures and develops new producing models, working with exciting companies to present a mix of new writing, lost gems from well-known writers, re-polished classics and innovatively staged musicals.

Although The Hope Theatre has received no regular public subsidy since its 2013 opening, it was the first Off West End venue to open with a house agreement with Equity. This ensures a legal wage for all actors, stage managers and box office staff working at the theatre.

In 2020, Kennedy Bloomer became Artistic Director of the theatre and navigated the theatre through the global Covid-19 pandemic and total closure by taking The Hope Theatre online. Phil Bartlett was appointed Artistic Director in September 2021, and will be announcing the theatre’s 2022 programme later this autumn.

The Hope Theatre was successfully granted funds from the Arts Council England Emergency Response Fund, the ACE and DCMS Culture Recovery Fund 1 and 2, and Islington Council’s Cultural and Evening Economy Support Fund. The Hope Theatre team would like to gratefully acknowledge the role that this funding has played in enabling the venue to survive and reopen this summer.

Artistic Director: Phil Bartlett 

Deputy Artistic Director: Toby Hampton 

Technical Manager: Gianluca Zona 

Patron: Paul Clayton 

Support The Hope Theatre: https://www.thehopetheatre.com/support-us/

Or visit www.thehopetheatre.com for more information.

A NEW FUNKY FEEL-GOOD MUSICAL IS COMING TO A TOWN NEAR YOU!

Friendship. Fame. Betrayal.

From the producers of hit comedies Hormonal Housewives and Girls Just Wanna Have Fun, Red Entertainment are pleased to announce the brand-new touring musical Soul Sisters!

Directed by multi-award-winning comedienne Angie Le Mar, Soul Sisters is an exhilarating new all-female soul musical that will take you on a journey of success, survival and sisterhood.

Angie Le Mar celebrates a career that spans over thirty years, after becoming the first Black female stand-up on the British comedy circuit, Le Mar is now respected in the showbiz world of comedy, television and film.

Soul Sisters, written by David Kent, is on sale from today in venues across the country.

 Angie Le Mar, Director for Soul Sisters The Musical said “I am truly honoured to be directing this amazing musical. Growing up and listening to Soul Music, it was not only the soundtrack to my life but to many people’s lives. David Kent has given us a great relatable story of sisterhood, friendship, and so much more. This production will hit you on so many levels from beginning to end! If you love music, love Soul and the memories, you’ll love Soul Sisters.” 

Have you ever felt like you want to turn back the clock and party with your best friends? The stars of Soul Sisters are about to do just that. Set in a holiday camp chalet at a Soul Weekender, we follow a 70s smash-hit making band, The Fabulettes, as they seek to reclaim that elusive closeness they once shared as starry-eyed teens.

Our stars, Alma, Moira, & Rachael, have known each other for 30 years yet nothing can prepare them for tonight’s revelations. They face the real, honest truth and express themselves in the only way they know-how – through the very music that brought them together.

If real friendship is about accepting your friends as they truly are, then perhaps first they must learn to accept themselves.

Matt Brinkler, Executive Producer at RED Entertainment said “Bringing new musicals and comedy to theatres all over the country is our passion at RED Entertainment. We’re really excited for everyone to come and join us at Soul Sisters. It’s like the UK’s answer to Dreamgirls and everyone leaves singing the songs.”