BOLLYWOOD DIVAS

RECEIVES ITS WORLD PREMIERE AT

BIRMINGHAM HIPPODROME

SHIAMAK UK is proud to present: bollywood DIVAS which will receive its world premiere at Birmingham Hippodrome on Saturday 4 April 2020.

After the success of spirit of INDIA and spirit of BOLLYWOOD, SHIAMAK presents bollywood DIVAS, a dance tribute to the women of Indian Cinema.

Known for creating stunning visuals with breathtaking choreography, costumes, props and lighting design, Bollywood’s trend-setting entertainment designer and choreographer, Shiamak Davar, and his creative team led by CEO, Glen D’Mello, are set to present another spectacular evening of entertainment.

From Madhubala to Madhuri Dixit, Parveen Babi to Priyanka Chopra, Kareena Kapoor to Katrina Kaif, bollywood DIVAS pays tribute to the leading ladies of Bollywood – the world’s largest film industry based in Mumbai, India.

Shiamak Davar, Artistic Director of The SHIAMAK Groupsaid; “bollywood DIVAS is a homage to the amazing women who have inspired millions over the years. I have had the honour of working with some of these incredible artists over the last three decades and this show is our way of celebrating their contribution to the entertainment industry.”

The show is performed by the SHIAMAK UK Dance Team which is comprised of talented dancers from across the greater London area and the Midlands.

bollywood DIVAS will receive its world premiere at Birmingham Hippodrome on Saturday 4 April 2020. Visit birminghamhippodrome.com or call 0844 338 5000 (4.5p per minute plus your phone company’s access charge) for more information and to book.

Taking a stand against sexism, Sexy Lamp
goes on tour
March – July 2020

Multi-award-winning writer and performer Katie Arnstein (Bicycles and Fish, Sticky Door, Bex and Rex) now brings the highly acclaimed Sexy Lamp out on a UK Tour. Told from the perspective of a young actor with bold aspirations, this hilarious and honest show, directed by Ellen Havard (Ad Libido, Edinburgh Fringe 2018) tells the story of power, opportunity and prejudice in the acting industry.

Katie has dreamed of being an actor since she was seven years old. In 2012 she arrives in London, a city full of magic and optimism, and is greeted by the brutal reality of an industry where named, speaking and fully clothed roles are hard to come by. Now, Katie is an actor who refuses to stay in the dark any longer.

Winner of Show of the Week at VAULT Festival 2019 where it also won Pleasance Pick of the VAULT Festival 2019, Sexy Lamp is a semi-autobiographical look at sexism in the acting industry and its impact on the wider world, told with original songs and heartfelt and comedic moments. A call to arms that demands women are seen and heard in all walks of life, this production discusses the reality women face when trying to keep both our dreams and our sanity alive.

This production is inspired by Kelly-Sue DeConnick’s ‘Sexy Lamp’ test which takes issue with scenes where a female character can be replaced with a sexy lamp without affecting the plot. While this blatant reduction of female actors’ roles still endures and while female creatives continue to fight for recognition, Sexy Lamp is a current and necessary addition to the plethora of female voices who are calling ‘time’s up’ in the ever-present #MeToo era.

Katie comments, Sexy Lamp is a semi-autobiographical look at sexism in the acting industry through the eyes of an optimistic 21-year-old. I moved to London with hopes and a plan; to get an agent, to get an acting job, to get a part time job and to get on the Metro’s Good Deed Feed. What stood in my way was sexism, discrimination and it is legit hard to get on the Good Deed Feed. Sexy Lamp is a comedy about finding my voice and what I want to do with it; a leopardprint-clad feminism for all.

The telling is supremely assured. Sexy Lamp, crisply directed by Ellen Havard, is full of sharp insights into the ways actors are exploited – groomed, even – by the machinations of an entire industry (★★★★, The Guardian)

Sexy Lamp is the second part of Arnstein’s It’s A Girl! trilogy, which began with Bicycles and Fish. Both will appear in a double bill at The Place in Bedford alongside a solo showing of Bicycles and Fish at the G Live in Guildford. Bringing people together to ignite a passion for female stories, Katie will also run workshops. Participants will explore how to make their own work with a focus on combatting everyday sexism and empowering young artists to make their own decisions and
say ‘no’ when they want or need to.

The It’s A Girl! trilogy is generously supported by Arts Council England, Pleasance Futures Fund and Redbridge Drama Centre.

JOE LYCETT (AKA HUGO BOSS) RETURNS TO THE ALEXANDRA

FOR AN EXCLUSIVE EVENT IN AID OF

THE LORD MAYOR OF BIRMINGHAM’S CHARITY

The Lord Mayor of Birmingham has announced a new charity event set to hit the stage at The Alexandra on Sunday 17 May 2020.

An Evening with Joe Lycett & Friends – The Mosquito Wing Part II will raise money exclusively for the Lord Mayor of Birmingham’s Charity, which supports non-profit organisations and charities across Birmingham.

The show is a follow-up to last year’s charity event which began as a joke when Joe Lycett, who currently goes by the name Hugo Boss, asked Lord Mayor Councillor Yvonne Mosquito to cut the ribbon at an official ceremony for the opening of his new kitchen extension. 

After publicly raffling tickets to attend the official ceremony, and with some help from his celebrity friends including comedian Katherine Ryan, BBC Midlands Today Nick Owen and Lloyd Griffith Soccer AM presenter, Joe raised thousands of pounds for the Lord Mayor’s Charity.

Last year’s event was fun and unique, and this year’s event promises to be just as exciting.  Councillor Mosquito, now Deputy Lord Mayor said: “Joe Lycett captures the spirit of Birmingham.  We are very excited to see what laughs and adventures he has in store for us this year with the comedy show An Evening With Joe Lycett & Friends – The Mosquito Wing Part II.”

The Alexandra has donated use of the venue free of charge for the event, and also scrapped booking fees usually applied to tickets. Lisa Mart, Theatre Director said: “We are so happy to have the opportunity to support the Lord Mayor of Birmingham’s Charity, and to welcome our friend Hugo Boss back to the venue! It is a real honour to host this event and to do our bit for local organisations, and have no doubt that we will achieve the main goal of raising a huge amount of money!”

Priced at just £20, tickets go on general sale on Wednesday 11 March, following a pre-sale to Joe’s mailing list on Monday 9 March which sold out in a mere ten minutes. Visit atgtickets.com/Birmingham to book.

Social handles:

Facebook & Twitter: @LMCBirmingham

Instagram: @BirminghamLMC

ALL REMAINING TICKETS FOR MARCH FOR

MENIER CHOCOLATE FACTORY’S PRODUCTION OF INDECENT

TO BE SOLD AT £20

The Menier Chocolate Factory today announces that all remaining tickets for March for performances of Paula Vogel’s Tony Award-winning Indecent will be sold at £20 each. These tickets will go on sale from 6am on Wednesday 11 March.

Artistic Director of the Menier, David Babani, said today, “We are enormously proud to be staging Paula Vogel’s award-winning Indecent – it’s an extraordinary piece of theatre with a company that deserves to be seen. Inspired by Scott Rudin’s stance on Broadway, we have decided to sell all remaining tickets for March’s performances at £20. Our doors are open, and we want to share this important piece of theatre with audiences across the capital.”

For Indecent, Rebecca Taichman directs Cory English – The Middle (Male); Beverley Klein – The Elder (Female); Finbar Lynch – The Stage Manager; Molly Osborne – The Ingenue (Female); Peter Polycarpou – The Elder (Male); Alexandra Silber – The Middle (Female); Joseph Timms – The Ingenue (Male); Merlin Shepherd – The Clarinettist; Anna Lowenstein – The Violinist, and Josh Middleton – The Accordionist.

A seminal work of Jewish culture or an act of traitorous libel? Indecent explores the origins of the highly controversial play The God of Vengeance by Sholem Asch. We follow the path of the artists who risked their careers and lives to perform it in this deeply moving play accompanied by a small live klezmer band.

Indecent reunites Vogel and director Rebecca Taichman who co-created and directed the original production. Indecent had its world première production at Yale Repertory Theatre in October 2015. The play had its New York première Off-Broadway at the Vineyard Theatre in May 2016, and transferred to Broadway in April 2017. It was nominated for the Tony Award for Best New Play received the Tony Awards for Best Direction of a Play for Taichman and Best Lighting Design of a Play for Christopher Akerlind (who has also lit the Menier production).

Indecent is being presented in association with Daryl Roth, Elizabeth I McCann and Cody Lassen.

LISTINGS INFORMATION                                                                                MENIER CHOCOLATE FACTORY

53 Southwark Street, London, SE1 1RU

Box Office:                         020 7378 1713 (£2.50 transaction fee per booking)

Website:             www.menierchocolatefactory.com (£1.50 transaction fee per booking)

www.menierchocolatefactory.com

Twitter: @MenChocFactory

Instagram: @menierchocolatefactory

JOE THOMAS, BO PORAJ AND THE CAST OF WHAT’S IN A NAME?

RAISE A GLASS TO THE PRODUCTION AT MALMAISON BIRMINGHAM

Earlier today the cast of What’s In A Name?, which plays at The Alexandra this week, gathered for a pre-show dinner party at the Malmaison Birmingham. Joe Thomas (The Inbetweeners, Fresh Meat), Bo Poraj (Miranda, Musketeers), Louise Marwood (Emmerdale), Alex Gaumond (Company, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, Matilda) and Emma Carter (Temple) raised a glass to the production ahead of opening night tomorrow.

What’s In A Name? hilariously captures a particularly awkward family dinner party. The witty and razor-sharp production returns home to Birmingham, following its opening at the Birmingham Repertory Theatre in 2017.  The extended tour kicks off at The Alexandra from this Wednesday 11^th until Saturday 14^th March.

For tickets and more information please visit: whatsinanameplay.com

T: @WhatNamePlay | F: /WhatsInANamePlay | #WhatsInAName

The Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham
11 – 14 March
0844 871 3011* | www.atgtickets.com/venues/the-alexandra-theatre-birmingham/*

*Fees apply

• LUCIE JONES AND DAVID HUNTER WILL BE RETURNING TO THE DINER ON  23 MARCH 2020
   
• LAST CHANCE TO SEE SARA BAREILLES AND GAVIN CREEL WHO WILL LEAVE THE SHOW ON SATURDAY 21 MARCH
   
• NaTASHA YVETTE WILLIAMS JOINS THE COMPANY IN THE ROLE OF BECKY

Lucie Jones and David Hunter will return to the roles of Jenna and Dr Pomatter in the 2020 Olivier Award nominated musical Waitress from Monday 23 March. Waitress is nominated for Best New Musical and Best New Original Score for music and lyrics by Sara Bareilles who is currently performing with Gavin Creel at the Adelphi Theatre until 21 March. NaTasha Yvette Williams joins the Waitress company in the role of Becky.

Waitress celebrated its official opening night at the Adelphi Theatre on 7 March 2019 and is now booking until 4 July 2020. The show has recently announced a new UK and Ireland tour which will open in Dublin in November 2020.

Lucie Jones (Jenna) has played some of the most iconic roles in musical theatre, with previous theatre credits that include Cosette in Les Misérables (Queens Theatre), Maureen Johnson in RENT (The Other Palace and national tour), Elle Woods in Legally Blonde (national tour), Holly in The Wedding Singer (national tour), Victoria in American Psycho The Musical (Almeida), Molly Jensen in Ghost: The Musical (Asian tour) and Meat in the We Will Rock You (world arena tour). Lucie was a finalist in the 2009 series of The X Factor and toured the UK playing to sell out arena crowds on The X Factor Tour in 2010. In January 2017, she won the public vote on the BBC2 show Eurovision – You Decide with her original song ‘Never Give Up On You’. She competed at the Eurovision World Final in Ukraine. Other television work includes roles in Midsomer Murders (ITV) and The Sarah Jane Adventures (BBC).

David Hunter (Dr. Pomatter) trained at The Liverpool Institute of Performing Arts (LIPA). He previous West End credits include the lead role of Charlie Price in Kinky Boots (Adelphi Theatre), Once (Phoenix Theatre), One Man, Two Guvnors (Adelphi Theatre, National Theatre and UK Tour), Seussical (Arts Theatre) and The Who’s Tommy (Prince Edward Theatre). Other theatre credits include The Hired Man (Leicester Curve and Colchester Mercury), Pub (The Royal Exchange) Spinach (The Royal Exchange) and The Mayor Of Zalamea (Liverpool Everyman). In 2012 David reached the semi-finals of ITV’s Superstar, competing to play the role of ‘Jesus’ in Jesus Christ Superstar. Screen credits include the film Nativity 3 and he has recently filmed an episode of Holby City for BBC1. As the frontman of pop/rock band ‘Reemer’, David has recorded with the producers responsible for The Rolling Stones and The Who, before earning support slots for artists such as The Feeling, Scouting for Girls and finally McFly on their UK Arena Tour. In April 2018 David released his first Solo EP, Silver Linings, featuring five original songs.

NaTasha Yvette Williams (Becky) is returning to the role of Becky after playing the part on Broadway. Her other Broadway credits include: Chicago (Mama Morton), A Night With Janis Joplin (Aretha, Joplinaire), The Gershwins’ Porgy and Bess (Mariah), The Color Purple (Sofia). TV appearances include NoS4A2 and The God Father of Harlem, Madam Secretary, Orange Is the New Black, The Wiz Live and Odd Mom Out. NaTasha is also a recording artist, director and writer.

Waitress tells the story of Jenna, a waitress and expert pie-maker who dreams her way out of a loveless marriage. When a hot new doctor arrives in town, life gets complicated. With the support of her workmates Becky and Dawn, Jenna overcomes the challenges she faces and finds that laughter, love and friendship can provide the perfect recipe for happiness.

Brought to life by a ground breaking, female-led creative team, Waitress features an original score by seven-time Grammy® nominee Sara Bareilles (Love Song, Brave), a book by acclaimed screenwriter Jessie Nelson (I Am Sam) and direction by Tony Award® winner Diane Paulus (Pippin, Finding Neverland) and choreography by Lorin Latarro. The production is also currently touring the US and Canada and has announced an Australian premiere in 2020 at the Sydney Lyric Theatre with further productions to open in Holland next year and Japan in 2021.

Waitress premiered on Broadway in March 2016 and has since become the longest running show in the history of the Brooks Atkinson Theater. The production is also currently touring the US and has announced an Australian premiere in 2020 at the Sydney Lyric Theatre with further productions to open in the Netherlands in September 2020, the UK and Ireland in November 2020 and in Japan in 2021.

On its Broadway opening, Waitress was nominated for four Outer Critics’ Circle Awards, including Outstanding New Broadway Musical; two Drama League Award Nominations, including Outstanding Production of a Broadway or Off-Broadway Musical; six Drama Desk Nominations, including Outstanding Musical; and four Tony Award Nominations, including Best Musical.

NaTasha Yvette Williams is appearing with the support of UK Equity, incorporating the Variety Artistes’ Federation, pursuant to an exchange program between American Equity and UK Equity.

Wales Millennium Centre – until 14 March 2020

Reviewed by Rhys Payne

4****

Beautiful – The Carole King Musical, which recently landed at the Wales Millennium Centre, is a true celebration of the music of this insanely talented and iconic songwriter/performer! 

I have to be honest before this show I knew barely anything about Carole King so walking into this show I didn’t really know what to expect. At its most fundamental level, this show is there to showcase Carole’s music as the entire musical is almost a jukebox of her greatest hits and the focus remained on the songs constantly. Its purpose is obviously to shine a light on the life and success of Carole King and as I learnt something new about the singer/songwriter it succeeds in doing this perfectly. Like I said I didn’t know much about King but it appeared that lots of the more mature audience members did and so it was clearly an issue due to my age. This is a show for an older audience who are familiar with King and her works but I personally missed the nostalgia of this show as I wasn’t around when the music was originally realised. On top of this, the show, in general, was somewhat slow-moving (due to the nature of the songs ) and every character was relatable/realistic rather than the massive over-the-top characters you see in many musicals. In fact, the show itself addressed this when King says “I’m just an ordinary girl.” The tying together of dialogue with the character types on stage is a very clever thing to do which made the show very enjoyable to watch.  The songs which included microphones on stands was an honest reflection of how songs are recorded but did restrict the movement of the actors and so dancing at times was very limited. All these ideas show a lot of similarities to the Motown Show, where iconic bands appear to sing the songs as a part of the show (which Beautiful also did) I do think this at times is confusing as new characters/bands are introduced for one song and then disappear again but if you are familiar with the songs being covered by a certain artist/band then I suppose this is done to really turn up the nostalgia level.

A highlight of this performance was obviously Daisy Wood-Davis who played the incomparable Carole King. Wood-Davis showed many different skills within her performance and really solidified herself as a talented force to be reckoned with. The most noticeable thing was her being able to play extremely complex piano melodies while singing at the same time. If you have read any of my reviews before, you will know I hate musical instrument props that are only mimed as it looks awful but in this production, Daisy played the piano perfectly which really helped with the softness of the character she was portraying. On top of this, her acting as the young and innocent Carole was so believable and perfectly performed that it made the rest of the narrative so understandable and believable. Daisy has an incredible voice but it was only truly showcased in a final couple of musical numbers. The closing songs “(You Make me Feel Like) a Natural Women” and the titular song “Beautiful” were flawlessly performed with the former being one of the best renditions of that song I have heard in a long time!

Carole King’s husband Gerry Goffin was played by the marvellous Adam Gillian who managed to perform every aspect of his character with ease. This character started as being lovable and friendly but goes through more darker periods throughout the show. It is incredibly important that this show portrays mental health issues, especially in men, and Adam managed to perform the darker scenes in a very respectable manner. Gerry is somewhat of a frustrating character due to some of his questionable actions in this show and it is only towards the end of the show that we finally see Carole stand on her own two feet. As Adam was able to perform this role in such a way that when Carole eventually rises up the audience is behind her (which is a testament to both Daisy and Adam’s excellent portrayals if there characters.) From the programme I notice that Adam is a relatively I discovered artist and I am sure he is destined for incredible things after this tour and he is someone to keep a close eye on! 

Staging wise the set mostly stayed the same through although the one highlight for me was the lobby of the studio. The lights, positioning of actors across high and low levels, set and singing really helped to create a party-like vibe which even the audience felt brought into. This was very cleverly created and performed! The dancing in this show really fitted the style and nature of the show itself. The choreographer (Josh Prince) clearly worked hard to develop dances that were suitable for the era the show is set in whilst also working extremely hard with the dancers themselves to have them perform to their best possible standard which was fantastic to see. 

Overall, Beautiful – the Carole King Musical is a fanatic celebration of King’s music and showcases her life to people who may not be familiar to her. I personally ‘missed’ a certain level of the show but I am aware that if you are familiar with her music then this is a nostalgic trip down memory lane! I would rate this show 4 stars and would encourage any Carole King fans to catch this show before it is gone! 

Theatre Royal, Windsor – until 14 March 2020

Reviewed by Carly Burlinge

4****

Duchotel (Tony Gardner) loves to go hunting, or so he tells his wife, but instead is having far to much fun hunting for different prey all together. When his wife Leontine (Tesse Peake-Jones), a respectable lady, discovers through the talk of others of his shenanigans. She decides that she is going to plot her revenge. Although her husbands friend and Doctor Morciet (Richard Earl) holds a torch for her and comes across romantic and a lot of flirtatious moments take place between them.
She is very intent though, that she is under no obligation towards her flirtatious moments with Morciet and most certainly wants to make sure her reputations stands tall. But will she be faltered if her husband is up to no good, or will she try to catch him out or be the one that gets caught out herself?

Morciet plays a great part being a doctor who thinks quite a lot of himself but can also come across quite nervous at times but is very energetic on stage. He enjoys putting the seed of doubt into Leontines head in order to get what he wants. He does a great job of winding her up which makes her at times very abrupt, loses her patience and flies into mini rages making it very funny to watch with lots of laughter. Duchotel is fun to watch whilst he constantly chats and over-talks, which on many occasions gets himself into further trouble through all his constant squabbling and lying making the audience laugh out loud.
Who will get caught in the end who will actually tell the truth and how many accusations  can be put out in order to confuse the situation any further?

The set  was great as stylish Paris apartments with great detail all around such as panelling and French cornices, candle sticks, French tables with vases along with a grand fireplace to the left. Scene change was done amazingly well with a few changes to furniture as well as some of the set being rotated in the wall simple but very effective

Bang Bang is a very funny chaotic comedy that was fun to watch, offered many laughs throughout the show with lots of mayhem thrown in. Definitely one to go and see.

Yvonne Arnaud – until 14 March 2020

Reviewed by Heather Chalkley

4****

Willy Russell didn’t want to write a ‘problem play’, only a play to entertain and educate. Drawing on his own life experience, you get a real sense of the class battle that existed in the 80’s. Educating Rita brings together two very different worlds to show how happiness is not a material thing, it has to come from within.

The deep loneliness and sense of regret that Stephen Tompkinson (Frank) brings to his character is palpable. His ability to perform various levels of drunkenness is funny and impressive! He brings humour, sour and bitter notes to the piece. Frank’s foresight into the pretentious academic world that Rita (Jessica Johnson) so yearns for, makes his own sad situation even more depressing. Jessica Johnson brings energy to the part, in a ball of pent up of repression. Instead of anger at the injustice of her situation as a working glass young women, Rita is willing to fight for her right to choice. Johnson’s body language expresses so much of her character, cleverly growing in confidence as the piece progresses. You can forgive Johnson for the slightly dodgy midlands accent as a result. The demise of Frank into drunken oblivion comes to a head when they switch roles, marked by Rita sitting in the tutor’s chair, giving him a lecture on life!

The creatives produce an authentic set that is instantly recognisable. This is Frank’s college office come library, with floor to ceiling books. I particularly like the music between scenes, which is light and mischievous. It complements the discovery of many hidden bottles of scotch!

I hope Willy Russell gets to see this version of his iconic story. Director Max Roberts has done him proud. It has many reflections of my own life growing up in the 80’s and is both entertaining and educating!

SHERIDAN SMITH

TO REVISIT HER AWARD-WINNING TV ROLE AS

CILLA

IN THE HIT STAGE MUSICAL ADAPTATION

FROM SEPTEMBER 2020 OPENING AT THE LIVERPOOL EMPIRE

After much speculation, producers have confirmed that Sheridan Smith will revisit her award-wining portrayal of the late Cilla Black to star in Bill Kenwright’s stage production, Cilla The Musical, written by BAFTA award-winning writer Jeff Pope.

The musical will open at the Liverpool Empire for a 4 week residency commencing 23rd September 2020, ahead of a UK tour to Aylesbury, Edinburgh, Birmingham and Leeds. Tickets go on sale 10^th March at 10 am.

Sheridan wowed fans and critics alike with her portrayal of the nation’s favorite singer and TV personality in Jeff Pope’s BAFTA award-winning ITV series.  “Mesmerising… a joy to watch… she really does embody the young Cilla perfectly…” (Independent).  Her acclaimed portrayal of the British icon won Sheridan both a 2015 National TV Award and a 2015 TV Choice Award, and went on to see her nominated for a BAFTA (2015) and a second international EMMY Award (2015).

Hailed “The Greatest Theatre Star of her Generation” by The Evening Standard and with nearly two decades of television, film and theatre success, Sheridan Smith is widely considered Britain’s favourite actress.  After starting a career in such sitcoms as The Royle Family, Two Pints of Lager, Gavin & Stacey and Benidorm, she starred in Jonathan Creek (2013) and went on to receive acclaim for a succession of television dramas such as Mrs Biggs (2012), Cilla (2014), The C Word (2015), Black Work (2015) and The Moorside (2017).  Sheridan was named Best Actress at the 2013 BAFTA TV Awards for Mrs. Biggs.

Theatre credits include her first Olivier Award nomination for Little Shop of Horrors at the Menier Chocolate Factory and her first Olivier Award and WhatsOnStage Award for her role as Elle Woods in Legally Blonde.  Following this, she won an Olivier Award and an Evening Standard Theatre Award for her role of Doris in Flare Path. Ibsen’s Hedda Gabler at The Old Vic gave her another WhatsOnStage Best Actress Award.  She also enjoyed a hugely celebrated run in the West End as Fanny Bryce in Funny Girl.

*****

‘YOU’LL LAUGH, CRY AND EVERYTHING IN BETWEEN.

CILLA THE MUSICAL IS SIMPLY FLAWLESS’

LIVERPOOL ECHO 2017

Cilla The Musical is a spectacular and heart-warming musical adaptation of the TV series. The 2017 debut tour was met with five-star reviews and standing ovations up and down the UK and was nominated Best New Musical in the WhatsOnStage Awards.

The story follows the extraordinary life of an ordinary teenage girl from Liverpool, Priscilla White, and her rocky, yet incredible, rise to fame. By the age of just 25 she was recognized as international singing star Cilla Black. By 30 she had become Britain’s favorite television entertainer headlining series of Blind Date, Surprise Surprise and many more.  The musical score features the ultimate soundtrack to the 60’s including Cilla’s greatest hits Anyone Who Had a Heart, Alfie and Something Tells Me, alongside a backdrop of the legendary “Liverpool Sound”.

Jeff Pope is an award-winning writer for film and television. Film credits include Pierrepoint: The Last Hangman (Timothy Spall); Essex Boys (Sean Bean, Tom Wilkinson); Philomena (Judi Dench, Steve Coogan) for which Jeff picked up a Golden Globe, BIFA and London Critics Circle nominations and BAFTA and Venice Film Festival wins for Best Adapted Screenplay and most recently the critically acclaimed Stan & Ollie (Steve Coogan, John C. Reilly).

TV work includes the BAFTA winning ITV drama Mrs Biggs (starring Sheridan Smith), the multi-award winning Dirty, Filthy Love; Cilla (starring Sheridan Smith) and Lucan (starring Rory Kinnear). As a producer, Jeff has helmed a number of award-winning dramas including Mo, a bio-pic based on the life of politician Mo Mowlam, the BAFTA winning See No Evil – The Moors Murders; Appropriate Adult (Starring Dominic West and Emily Watson), which earned five BAFTA awards; as well as a Golden Globe nomination in the acclaimed BBC One drama The Moorside and more recently A Confession (starring Martin Freeman).

*****

‘A PERFECT BALANCE OF SONG AND STORYLINE… CILLA WOULD HAVE BEEN PROUD.’

MANCHESTER EVENING NEWS 2017

ON 2017 UK TOUR

BILL KENWRIGHT & LAURIE MANSFIELD

PRESENT

SHERIDAN SMITH

IN

CILLA THE MUSICAL

BY JEFF POPE

DIRECTED BY BILL KENWRIGHT   AND   BOB TOMSON

EXECUTIVE PRODUCER: ROBERT WILLIS

DESIGN: GARY MCCANN

LIGHTING DESIGN: NICK RICHINGS 

SOUND DESIGN: DAN SAMSON

MUSICAL DIRECTION:  SCOTT ALDER 

LISTINGS

UK TOUR DATES

Liverpool, Empire Theatre                                                  atgtickets.com/Liverpool

w/c 21 September, w/c 28 September,                             0844 871 3017

w/c 5 October & w/c 12 October  

Aylesbury, Waterside Theatre                                            atgtickets.com/Aylesbury

w/c 19 October                                                                      0844 871 7607

Edinburgh, Playhouse Theatre                                           atgtickets.com/Edinburgh

w/c 26 October                                                                      0844 871 3014

Birmingham, The Alexandra Theatre                               atgtickets.com/Birmingham

w/c 2 November                                                                   0844 871 3011

Leeds, Grand Theatre                                                           leedsgrandtheatre.com

w/c 9 November & w/c 16November                                0844 848 2700