FULL CAST ANNOUNCED FOR THE LONDON PREMIÈRE OF PAPER CUT AT THEATRE503

Ecclesia, Rua Arts and Soldiers’ Arts Academy in association with Theatre503 present

Paper Cut

Written by Andrew Rosendorf

Theatre503

19 March – 11 April 

Director: Scott Hurran; Assistant Director: Ula Moroz; Set & Costume Designer: Pete Butler; Lighting Designer: Jamie Platt; Sound Designer: Chris Warner.

Ecclesia, Rua Arts and Soldiers’ Arts Academy in association with Theatre503 Productions today announce the UK première of Paper Cut, by Andrew Rosendorf. Scott Hurran directs Joe Bolland (Harry), Robert Bradley (Jack), Jaz Hutchins (Chuck) and Tim Pritchett (Kyle). The production opens at Theatre503 on 24 March and runs until 11 April, with previews from 19 March.

‘It’s the end of the Earth. And if I’m gonna f**king die, I at least want to die knowing I loved.’

Kyle returns from Afghanistan after being injured in an IED blast. Only a paper cut. Or that’s what he wants his friends, family, and a potential new love to believe.

Paper Cut is a tender love story between two men who have been through the worst together. Told through the prism of a soldier, they are forced to redefine what love is, and what it really means to be a man.

Writer Andrew Rosendorf said today, “It’s an incredible experience being supported by Theatre503 and Ecclesia to bring Paper Cut to London. It was shortlisted for the 2018 Theatre503 International Playwriting Award and to have them want to continue a relationship with the play is extremely special. Paper Cut, at its heart, is asking: What does it mean to be a man? What does it mean to be a gay man? I can’t think of anything more pertinent to be asking and questioning as we find ourselves right now in an increasing moment of toxicity, violence and war at home and abroad...”

Paper Cut is supported using Public Funding by Arts Council England

Andrew Rosendorf’s previous writing credits include Refuge, One-Shot, Tranquil, Mermaid, and Cottontail.

Joe Bolland plays Harry. Paper Cut marks his professional stage debut.

Robert Bradley plays Jack. His previous theatre credits include​Hedda Gabler (National Theatre), ​Life and Death of a Journalist, Anything is Possible if You Think About it Hard Enough, King of the F***ing Castle (VAULT Festival),​ A Spoonful, Soft Beats the Heart (Theatre503), ​The Flouers O’Edinburgh (Finborough Theatre),The Lost Case of the ​Mondays,​ The Door (Park Theatre), ​The Complete Works of William Shakespeare – Abridged (Old Red Lion Theatre), ​Silent Partners (White Bear Theatre), ​I’m Just Here to Buy Soy Sauce​ (Camden People’s Theatre), ​Riddance​ (Cockpit Theatre),​Encounters with the Past (Hampton Court Palace), and ​The Incredible Doctor Guttmann (UK tour). Television credits include ​A Gift from Bob, Summer of Rockets, ​The Bench and​Locked. For film his credits include Time-lapse, ​Incarnadine, Bruised, ​​The Search and The Beckoning.

Jaz Hutchins plays Chuck. His previous theatre credits include The Last Nine Months (of the rest of our lives) (Vault Festival), Moonfleece (​Pleasance Theatre, Islington), #WARHEADS (​Theatre Peckham), Now You Don’t, The Red Balloon (Southwark Playhouse), What Once Was Ours (​UK tour), Burnt Toast (​Theatre503/Edinburgh Festival Fringe), Stay Happy, Keep Smiling (​Jermyn Street Theatre). For television his credits include Cursed and Not Going Out. His film credits include Last Call, 18, Chaconne, Pride & Pack and Where the Roses Grow Blue.

Tim Pritchett plays Kyle. His previous theatre credits include Return Of The Unknown (Marlowe Theatre), Our Country’s Good (UK tour), ​Hospital At The Time of the Revolution,​A New Play for the General Election (Finborough Theatre), ​Cat in Sieve (Theatre503), ​Short and Stark ​(Southwark Playhouse), ​Manchester (Soho Theatre), ​Much Ado About Nothing, The Canterbury Tales (Royal Court Theatre), The ​Exeter Blitz Project ​(The Bike Shed, Exeter), ​Cuddle, In the Blood, Great Expectations (Arcola Theatre), ​The Boy I Love is Up in the Gallery (Hoxton Hall), and ​Dead Dog at Dry Cleaners (Pleasance, Islington). ​Television credits include, ​Black Mirror, ​Howards End You Look Stunning Too and ​The Vessel. For film his credits include By Paradise, Wonder Woman​, ​Time is Forever, Jenny and Vinny Uncut, ​The ​Sanctuary of Collell, Gospel of Thomas and E and Others.

Scott Hurran directs Paper Cut. Previous directing credits include The Tide Jetty, Oh What a Lovely Food War, We are British (Eastern Angles), Hidden (UK tour), Counting Stars (Assembly, Edinburgh Fringe Festival), The House of Bernarda Alba (Kings Head Theatre), Three to Four Days (Theatre 503), ​Immigrant ​ (Young Vic) and ​The Grandfather ​(Theatre Chipping Norton/ Oxford playhouse); and for film his credits include​Pecking Birds​, Career Boy and ​Medicine Man. His Assistant Director credits include Botticelli in the Fire (Hampstead Theatre), Women in Power (Nuffield Southampton Theatres), I Call My Brothers (Gate Theatre), The Precariat (Finborough Theatre) and The Same England (RSC). He is the Artistic Director of Ecclesia and is currently Artistic Associate at Eastern Angles.

Papercut                                                                                                                                               Listings

Theatre503

503 Battersea Park Road, London, SW11 3BW

Box Office: 020 7978 7040

www.theatre503.com  

19 March – 11 April 2020

Writers’ Night: 18 March

Parent and baby: 1 April 1pm

Relaxed performance: 1 April 7.30pm

Rapid Write Response: 8 & 9 April

Wednesday 25 March – Saturday 11 April| Shows at 7.30PM

Matinees

Sat 28 March 3pm

Wed 1 April 12pm

Sat 4 April 3pm

Wed 8 April 3pm

Sat 11 April 3pm

Standard £17 Concessions £15

Instagram @RuaArts @soldiersartsacademy @Theatre503

Twitter @RuaArts @SoldiersArtsA @Theatre503 

#PaperCut

Blue Touch Paper Productions in association with Park Theatre present the UK Premiere of

Never Not Once by Carey Crim

Directed by Katharine Farmer

Produced by Paul O’Leary on behalf of OPM Productions Limited.

Park 90, Park Theatre, Clifton Terrace, London N4

From the 1-25 April 2020

Never Not Once, by the award-winning American playwright Carey Crim, is a poignant and emotionally gripping new drama about what happens when a family is forced to confront an unexpected and explosive answer to the question “Where do I come from?”

College student Eleanor on a trip home to see her two moms, unexpectedly announces she has decided to try to find her biological father. Her birth mother has long insisted she was the product of a drunken one-night stand with an anonymous fellow undergraduate. Unsatisfied with that story, Eleanor decides to hire a detective, and the investigation leads to a cascade of painful revelations.

Never Not Once is the winner of the 2017 Jane Chambers Playwriting Award, which recognizes new feminist plays and performance texts created by women and genderqueer writers and a finalist for the 2018 Eugene O’Neill Award.

The cast for Never Not Once is Tania Amsel Blood Orange {Old Red Lion Theatre), Bloody Men (Arcola Theatre), Just To Get Married (Finborough Theatre), Lollipop (Stratford Theatre Royal),Never Have I Ever and  Kate’s Expectations (Arcola Theatre).

Anna Crilly is perhaps best known for her role as deadpan Eastern-European housekeeper Magda in Jack Dee’s sitcom ‘Lead Balloon’.  Other recent credits include ‘Horrible Histories: The Movie’, ‘The Harry Hill Sitcom’ and ‘Succession’ for HBO. She featured in ‘Witless’ for the BBC, and stars as Cath in ‘The Rebel’, a comedy series for UKTV Gold, with Anita Dobson and Amit Shah. With Katy Wix, Anna had her own Channel Four sketch show ANNA & KATY and she recently took her new show, The Half, to the Edinburgh Festival and the VAULT Festival in London.

Maureen Hibbert Rosmersholm :Sonia Friedman Productions (The Duke of York’s Theatre); Hamlet RSC: (National Tour , Hackney Empire, & Kennedy Centre, Washington DC, USA);  Markus The Sadist (Stratford Circus, Bloomsbury Theatre & UK Tour); Cutting Through The Carnival (Royal Court Theatre); The Crucible (Dublin Abbey Theatre); A Jamaican Airman Forsees His Death (Royal Court Theatre); Rafts And Dreams (Royal Court Theatre) and The Coup (National Theatre).

Adrian Grove Follies, Medea and Wonder.land, (National Theatre), Blue Remembered Hills (Northern Stage), Stepping Out, The Night Before Christmas, A Little Of What You Fancy, Robin Hood (Salisbury Playhouse) Merrily We Roll Along (Theatre Clywd), Cats (Kilworth House) Danger:Memory (Jermyn Street), Dying Breed (Bristol Theatre Royal) and  A Month In The Country (Tobacco Factory).

Sid Sagar The Starry Messenger (Wyndham’s Theatre); hang (Sheffield Crucible); White Teeth (Kiln Theatre); Julius Caesar (Bridge Theatre); Queen Anne (Royal Shakespeare Company/Theatre Royal Haymarket); The Invisible Hand (Tricycle Theatre); The Tempest, Cymbeline, The Oresteia, The Taming of the Shrew (Shakespeare’s Globe); Treasure (Finborough Theatre); The History Boys (UK Tour); True Brits (HighTide/Edinburgh/Bush Theatre); Eternal Love (English Touring Theatre/Shakespeare’s Globe) and  Orpheus and Eurydice (National Youth Theatre).

Katharine Farmer’s directing credits in the UK include The Mullah of Downing Street at The Theatre Chipping Norton and Warwick Arts Centre; Other People’s Money at the Southwark Playhouse; Kiss Me at The Wardrobe Theatre Bristol and The Other Palace Studio; and Pig Farm at the formerly known St. James Theatre. Katharine’s production of Gulf View Drive at Rubicon Theatre Company in California won Best Production of a Play (large theatre) at the LA Stage Alliance Ovation Awards. She has received 7 LA Times Critic’s Picks for her productions at Rubicon, a total of 16 Ovation nominations, and an Indy Award for Best Director. Her plays at Rubicon include Never Not Once, Heisenberg, South Pacific, Gulf View Drive, Incognito, See Rock City and Last Train to Nibroc. Katharine has also co-directed 23.5 Hours by Carey Crim at the Royal Manitoba Theatre Centre in Canada. 

Carey Crim is an award-winning playwright and resident artist at The Purple Rose Theater Company. Her play, Conviction (Twenty-three and a half Hours), premiered to critical acclaim at Bay Street Theatre starring Sarah Paulson, Garret Dillahunt and Elizabeth Reaser.. Her earlier works, Growing Pretty, Wake and Some Couples May… all received world premieres at The Purple Rose Theatre Company. She is a three-time finalist for Miami City Theater’s short play competition and won the competition in 2011. She has been a finalist for The Heideman award and a two- time finalist in the Samuel French OOB festival. Her work has received productions and/or workshops at Pasadena Playhouse, Primary Stages, Luna Stage, Asolo Rep Theatre, Ensemble Studio Theatre, Miami City Theatre, Rubicon Theatre and The Purple Rose Theatre Company.

Listings Information

Park 90, Park Theatre, Clifton Terrace, London N4 3JP

Dates:
Preview: 01 – 02 April
Plays: 01 – 25 April

Performances
Mon – Sat Evening 19.45
Thu & Sat Matinees 15.15
Captioned
Weds 22 Apr 19.45

Prices*
Previews £14.50
Standard £18
Concessions £16.50
Child (under 16) £13*
*Subject to availability. T&Cs apply.

Park Up Members (16 – 26 yrs)
01 – 08 Apr
Tickets £10*
Find out more about joining our Park Up scheme here. 

Groups
Buy 10 tickets get the 11th free

D E A R   E V A N   H A N S E N

NOW BOOKING IN THE WEST END TO 27 JUNE 2020

The West End Production of Dear Evan Hansen, currently playing at the Noël Coward Theatre, today announces a further release of tickets with the critically acclaimed production now booking to 27 June 2020. The award-winning musical which spans generations tells the timely and timeless story of Evan, a boy who is struggling to connect in our hyperconnected world. 

Sam Tutty who plays the title role is the recent winner of the Critics’ Circle Most Promising Newcomer award.  He is joined by fellow cast members Lucy Anderson as Zoe Murphy, Rebecca McKinnis as Heidi Hansen, Lauren Ward as Cynthia Murphy, Doug Colling as Connor Murphy, Rupert Young as Larry Murphy, Jack Loxton as Jared Kleinman, Nicole Raquel Dennis as Alana Beck and Marcus Harman who will play Evan Hansen at certain performances. They are joined by Tricia Adele-Turner, David Breeds, Haydn Cox, Natalie Kassanga, Hannah Lindsey, Mark Peachey, Courtney Stapleton, Alex Thomas-Smith and James Winter.  

The winner of six Tony^® awards including Best Musical, as well as the 2018 Grammy award for Best Musical Theatre Album, Dear Evan Hansenis directed byfour-time Tony Award nominee Michael Greif, features a book by Tony award-winner Steven Levenson and a score by the Tony, Grammy and Academy Award-winning composers of The Greatest Showman and La La Land, Benj Pasek & Justin Paul.

Reuniting the original Broadway creative team for this West End production, Dear Evan Hansen is produced by Stacey Mindich and features choreography by Danny Mefford, scenic design by David Korins, projection design by Peter Nigrini, costume design by Emily Rebholz, lighting design by Japhy Weideman, sound design by Nevin Steinberg and hair design by David Brian Brown.  Music supervision, orchestrations and additional arrangements are by Alex Lacamoire.  Ben Cohn is the Associate Music Supervisor.  Vocal arrangements and additional arrangements are by Justin Paul.  Casting by Jill Green CDG. Sash Bischoff, Adam Quinn and Danny Sharron are the Associate Directors. Judith Schoenfeld is the Production Supervisor. US General Management 101 Productions, Ltd; UK General Management – Ambassador Theatre Group. Adam Speers is the UK Executive Producer.

Dear Evan Hansen has won the Drama League Award for Outstanding Musical Production and for the off-Broadway production, two Obie Awards, a Drama Desk Award, two Outer Critics Circle Awards and two Helen Hayes Awards.  The Grammy Award-winning Original Broadway Cast Recording of Dear Evan Hansen produced by Atlantic Records, was released in February 2017, making an extraordinary debut on the Billboard 200 and entering the chart at #8 – the highest charting debut position for an original cast album since 1961. The album went on to win the 2018 Grammy Award for Best Musical Theatre Album and recently became only the third cast recording this decade to go gold.  A deluxe version of the cast recording, including six bonus tracks and a pop cover from Katy Perry of ‘Waving Through a Window’ is available digitally.

Dear Evan Hansen opened on Broadway at the Music Box Theatre to great critical acclaim on 4 December 2016 where it has broken all box office records and is now in its fourth year of standing-room-only audiences.  A record-breaking US national tour launched in October 2018 and is currently in its second year touring North America.

A digital lottery takes place each week when Patrons who are selected will be offered the option to purchase two tickets at £25 each. Full details for Dear Evan Hansen’s digital lottery can be found at delfontmackintosh.co.uk/DEHLottery or www.dearevanhansen.com/london

Aylesbury Waterside Theatre – 23 February 2020

Reviewed by Annie Hughes

3***

The well-loved musical concert, Beyond the Barricade, arrived in Aylesbury Waterside Theatre for one night only on Sunday 23rd February as part of its 21st Anniversary Tour. The show consists of four past principal performers from Les Miserables who come together to create an almost Juke Box experience of some of the biggest West End/Broadway musical hits.

It does not take long to understand how this two-hour musical medley has delighted audiences across the world for twenty-one years now. It is a real pleasure to see these four talented singers – David Fawcett, Andy Reiss, Poppy Tierney and Judie Beth Meyer – show-casing their talent and demonstrating why they had such talented careers.

The show is very well curated, with all the songs carefully arranged in an order that takes the audience on a real musical journey. The concert appropriately opens with a rendition of Queen’s “The Show Must Go On” from We Will Rock You, before whisking you into the world of Miss Saigon, Carousel, Phantom of the Opera, The Lion King and of course the jewel in the crown, Les Misérables. The powerhouse numbers like “The Phantom of the Opera” are well followed with lighter musical interludes such as a compilation of “Children’s” songs from Chitty Chitty Bang Bang and Mary Poppins. I particularly loved David Fawcett’s acknowledgment of the more recent musicals such as Hamilton that have graced the West End and Broadway. The quartet’s rendition of the opening song from the new musical Come From Away by David Hein and Irene Sankoff was a particular favourite of mine as a refreshing surprise!

However, it is precisely for that reason that I have given the show 3 stars. Personally, throughout the show, I felt myself craving to watch the musicals themselves from which the talented quartet were singing such as Come From Away and The Lion King. As a musical lover myself, whilst I appreciated the undeniable talent of the four singers, I missed the running thread of story-line accompanied with set and costume that you would have enjoyed in a classical musical and felt it could not compare to that.

That said, Beyond the Barricade never pretends to package itself as a musical but very much a musical concert celebrating the journey of the 20th century musical in to the 21st. It is not a story in its own right but a love letter to the genre of musical theatre and if you love the songs from the musicals mentioned above, you will have a very enjoyable night at Beyond the Barricade as I did.

Park Theatre, London – until 21 March 2020

Reviewed by Donna Easton

3***

Having seen the musical (twice) and being a fan of the French and American movie versions, I was thrilled learn there was a play and excited to see a story I love in this format. I was indeed surprised that the original French script hadn’t been adapted for a British audience until now and was filled with anticipation when I found out that the adaptation had been crafted by the incredible Simon Callow. As set ups go, this one was promising!

Entering the theatre was a joy, the staging immerses us into a gloriously flamboyant apartment and the intimate setting of the Park Theatre is perfectly designed to bring the audience into the room. In fact, the actors asides to the audience and at times sitting among us, made us much more part of the action than our proximity to the stage alone.

The first half of the play lived up to all of my expectations.

Michael Matus’ George was a delight to watch on stage. A lovely mix of tender, exasperated, panicked but above all real. His performance was perfectly balanced and he provided a strong characterful constant throughout the piece.

Paul Hunter’s Albin too was a joy. The drama, the theatrics, the devotion and the faded star vibe were wonderful to watch. A brilliant character performance that was at times hilarious yet heart-breaking as we see the character’s conflict in staying authentic or doing the honourable thing.

A highlight for me was Syrus Lowe’s Jacob. The outrageous ‘maid’ is beautifully written and brilliantly played and I must mention the glittering array of fabulous outfits…and not the kind of outfits one would usually wear in this line of work!

The son, Arthur Hughes and his fiancé Georgina Ambrey have the difficult roles of the ‘straight men’ of the piece and I am afraid I felt that Arthur’s Laurent lacked depth of character.

I must admit the second half wasn’t exactly my cup of tea. The balance tipped a little too far into farce for my liking and didn’t provide me with the laughs of the first. Georgina’s parents played by Louise Bangay and Simon Hepworth were slightly disappointing and the sudden movement from abject horror of their daughter’s choice of in-laws to donning Charleston dresses seemed clunky.

The play is a great version of this story but I think my longing for performance was desperate for a little glimpse into the club. I know the whole point was that we only imagine it but my fear of missing out was getting a little frustrated sitting up in the apartment when I knew there was a party going on downstairs!

All in all, it was a great night out at the theatre. My friend and I enjoyed it and I would recommend it.

ALEX JENNINGS TO LEAD THE CAST IN THE

WORLD PREMIERE OF STEPHEN BERESFORD’S

T H E   S O U T H B U R Y   C H I L D

DIRECTED BY NICHOLAS HYTNER

Alex Jennings will lead the cast in the world premiere of Stephen Beresford’s The Southbury Child directed by Nicholas Hytner at the Bridge Theatre.Designs are by Mark Thompson with sound by George Dennis and lighting by Max Narula.  Further casting will be announced shortly.

Previewing from 22 April, with opening night on 29 April and running to 27 June, booking opens today for Bridge priority members with booking for advance members from 27 February.  Public booking opens at 10am on 28 February 2020.  

Raffish, urbane and frequently drunk, David Highland has kept a grip on his remote coastal parish through a combination of disordered charm and high-handed determination. But when his faith impels him to take a hard line with a bereaved parishioner, he finds himself dangerously isolated from public opinion. As his own family begins to fracture and his marriage falls apart, David must face a future that threatens to extinguish not only his position in the town, but everything he stands for.

Stephen Beresford’s darkly comic new play is an exploration of family and community, the savage divisions of contemporary society and the rituals that punctuate our lives.

Alex Jennings will make his Bridge Theatre debut in The Southbury Child reuniting him with Nicholas Hytner who has previously directed him in Hymn and Cocktail Sticks, Collaborators, The Habit of Art, The Alchemist, The Winter’s Tale and The Importance of Being Earnest amongst others.  He was last on stage in Hansard at the National Theatre where he has worked extensively as well as at the Royal Shakespeare Company.  During his theatre career, he has been the recipient of three Olivier awards.  His many screen credits include Prince Charles in The Queen, Alan Bennett in The Lady in the Van alongside Maggie Smith and directed by Hytner, the Duke of Windsor in The Crown and Stephen Friers’ A Very English Scandal.

Stephen Beresford’s writing credits includes The Last of the Haussmans for the National Theatre, an adaptation of Bergman’s Fanny & Alexander for The Old Vic and the BAFTA winning film Pride.

Nicholas Hytner co-founded the London Theatre Company with Nick Starr.  He was Director of the National Theatre from 2003 to 2015 where the productions he directed included The History Boys, Hamlet, One Man, Two Guvnors, and Othello.  His films include The Madness of George III, The Lady in the Van and The History Boys.  Hisbook Balancing Acts is published by Jonathan Cape.

For the Bridge, Hytner has directed Young Marx, Julius Caesar, Allelujah!, Alys, Always, A Midsummer Night’s Dreamand Two Ladies.  In July this year, also at the Bridge, he will directPhilip Pullman’s The Book of Dust – La Belle Sauvage in Bryony Lavery’s new stage adaptation and in February 2021 he will direct Simon Russell Beale in Ibsen’s John Gabriel Borkman in a new version by Lucinda Coxon.

NEW WIMBLEDON THEATRE PRESENTS

#FROMTHEFRINGE

OUR CURATED SEASON OF FRINGE PREVIEWS AND PICKS RETURNS FOR A SECOND YEAR.
3-27 JUNE 2020

Introducing… our #FromTheFringe season 2020. Throughout June, our studio will play host to 20 wildly different and exciting shows, many of which have never been seen before. Having been hand selected from the very best submissions, these include a range of electrifying theatre-makers, intelligible children’s shows and absolutely hilarious stand-up and sketch comedies.

Allowing South West London to experience the boundless creativity and level of artistic expression prevalent within the fringe community. Ultimately offering an intimate and affordable environment for both performers and theatre-goers alike to try something new. You might find a new favourite style or artist by taking a risk on something different, whilst a performer gets the chance to develop their work drawing from what you, the audience react to and enjoy. Just as we get to help nurture these artists, it’s all a fair trade off!

So catch theses 20 different pieces before they depart to various fringe festivals across the world, or as they return after huge success and critical acclaim.

But we are forgetting the most exciting part, see more, save more! The more shows you choose to see, the more you save overall! Our Season Saver rate allows you, in the same ticket order, to choose two different shows and get £2 off each ticket, yet if you choose three of more different shows you get a whopping £3 off per ticket. In most cases that’s a saving of 20 -30% on ticket price.

For an inexpensive ticket price with multi-buy offers available, you can afford to experiment and find a new favourite artist or style, all whilst enjoying an ice cold beer from Wimbledon Brewery, the official Beer of #FromTheFringe.

This season will see the return of local favourites, comedy troupe Bad Clowns and Simon Brodkin, the comedic genius behind Lee Nelson. Children will be delighted by The Extraordinary Time-Travelling Adventures of Baron Munchausen and Around the World with Nellie Bly. Whilst you can catch comedians Steff Todd, Dan Antopolski and Simon Caine to name a few.

Steff Todd: Work in Progress – 3rd June 19:45 Stand-Up Comedy
Comedian, impressionist and viral internet sensation Steff Todd presents a work in progress hour of her brand new show! Expect hilarious stand up, razor sharp one-liners and amazing celebrity impressions.

Comedy Round Mine – 4th June 19:45 Stand-Up Comedy
A #FromTheFringe special featuring Edinburgh Fringe’s Best Comedians! Comedy Round Mine brings the laughs home to you! This intimate and friendly comedy club started in the living room of renowned comic Carly Smallman.

Bad Clowns Comedy: Cult Classic – 5th June 19:45 Sketch Comedy
An interactive experience in which the audience finds themselves in the hands of three faces of a demonic cult. With rituals, sacrifice and laughs aplenty, the Bad Clowns hope to either save or eternally damn your souls. Do you dare to join?

Why I am an Avocado – 9th June 19:45 Theatre
A semi-interactive performance with fragments of queer narratives, characters and confessions tying together with the question we all ask: what makes me an avocado?

Simon Brodkin: Work In Progress – 10th June 19:45 Stand-Up Comedy International prankster and creator of Lee Nelson, Simon Brodkin returns to From The Fringe Wimbledon after a smash-hit 50 date nationwide tour, following a critically acclaimed, “hilarious” (The Scotsman), sell-out run at the Edinburgh Fringe.

Fraudian Slip (working title) – 11th June 19:45 Sketch Comedy
Ever feel like you don’t fit in? That you are the odd one one? Well, you aren’t, we ALL feel that way. Imposter syndrome is real! Join Bristolian stand up Jaleelah Galbraith and listen to stories from her authentic fraudulent life.

Boy’s Cry – 12th June 19:45 Theatre
When Mark is mugged on the way to college, his reality is shattered. This life-changing event forces him to confront some of his deepest issues. Boys Cry explores self-image, maturity, life after trauma and definitions of manhood.

Dog/Actor – 13th June 19:45 Theatre
Two explosive and comedic short plays written by Steven Berkoff, performed back-toback by the same one actor. A masterclass in physical theatre and comedic storytelling, promising a thrilling theatrical experience.

The Extraordinary Time-Travelling Adventures of Baron Munchausen – 14th June 12:00 & 15:00 Children’s Theatre
A family friendly, improvised storytelling show. Winner of “Best Children’s Show on the Fringe” in Manchester last year the show features award winning comedians who are challenged by one another to invent outrageously exaggerated swashbuckling stories.

Dan Antopolski: Telemachus Weeps – 15th June 19:45 Stand-Up Comedy
A stand-up comedy show like all others but 15-20% less terrible.

Love You and Leave You (Dead) – 16th June 19:45 Theatre
What happens when love overlaps into ownership? When desire warps into obsession? How can pure, unconditional love be the most painful force imaginable? A dark comedy about modern relationships and obsessive love.

Simon Caine: Every Room Becomes a Panic Room When You Overthink Enough – 17th June 19:45 Stand-Up Comedy
Simon Caine is an award-winning comedian, podcaster and writer from London. Are you an over thinker? Then this might be the show for you. Simon Caine’s 5 star 4th solo show.

Impromptu Shakespeare – 19th June 19:45 Theatre
Buckling on the bard’s britches to improvise the plays he never wrote. Bursting with love, poetry, comedy, tragedy, mistaken identity and everything in-between, an entirely new and unique Shakespeare play inspired by audience suggestions.

Around The World With Nellie Bly – 20th June 12:00 & 15:00 Children’s Theatre
The year is 1889 and intrepid journalist Nellie Bly is about to embark on her biggest adventure yet: racing around the world to beat Jules Verne’s famous fictional hero, Phileas Fogg.

Wendy Wason: Actual Human Female – 22nd June 19:45 Stand-Up Comedy
Wendy Wason is an actual human female. With a husband and three children she deals with all this entails on a daily basis. From jealousy to judgement, feminism to fear and health to humiliation

Viva!!! – 23rd June 19:45 Theatre
Viva is a story of betrayal between two old friends who forget what’s important in life…. wrestling and tacos. Sometimes when the strongest bonds snap the only way forward is to serve a bowl of cold, hard revenge.

Tamilore and the Two Skins – 24th June 19:45 Theatre
We meet Tamilore the girl who was born with two skins in the new global centre for high technology and innovation- Oorun Keji in the city of Meji in Southern Nigeria.

Maureen Younger: Out of Sync – 25th June 19:45 Stand-Up Comedy
Growing up in a de facto Scottish enclave in north London; Maureen Younger was not just the only Scottish girl at school, she was about the only white girl too. As a result, Maureen has always felt out of sync with the rest of the world.

Philip Simon: Who’s the Daddy Pig? – 26th June 19:45 Stand-Up Comedy
Having played Daddy Pig in Peppa Pig, award winning comedian Philip Simon looks at the challenges of life and the parenting of young swine (sorry, kids), through the mind-set of the grumpy, overweight, hapless but loving dad of Peppa and George.

The Boys – 24th June 19:45 Theatre
Friends. Housemates. Lads. ‘THE BOYS’ are just trying to make their way in the world or at the very least – London. Three millennials make a desperate attempt to keep their heads afloat with a drastic career change. “We should become escorts.”

SHEFFIELD THEATRES ANNOUNCE NEW SHOWS FOR 2020

Today, Sheffield Theatres announces its new season of shows for 2020 – including a revival of Victoria Wood’s debut play, first produced at Sheffield Theatres over 40 years ago, a riotous World Premiere, a powerful Regional Premiere and the return of its smash-hit musical, Standing at the Sky’s Edge.

First in the Crucible is Talent – originally commissioned for the Crucible Studio 42 years ago, Victoria Wood’s debut play will be directed by Paul Foster (Curtains, West End and UK Tour, Kiss Me, Kate, Sheffield Crucible). It’s 1978, Bunters Club is hosting its Friday Talent Night – the acts on the bill hope that it’s a stepping stone to New Faces or Opportunity Knocks. 24-year-old Julie dreams of stardom, escape from her dead-end job and the chance to leave the drudgery of living at home with her mother. Her less worldly-wise friend Maureen has come along to offer support. Full of Victoria Wood’s unmatched wit and observation, Talent runs from Friday 26 June – Saturday 18 July. Talent will replace the previously announced Oscar and the Pink Lady – which is being postponed to allow for further development before it plays on the Crucible stage.

Kicking off the Autumn season, comes Escaped Alone by Caryl Churchill in the Studio. Three old friends and an unexpected neighbour chat in a garden about their everyday lives.  But what more has happened to each of them, and what catastrophes has the neighbour seen? Showing us the power of humour and humanity in the face of disaster, it’s directed by Caroline Stenbeis (Love and Information) and is in the Studio from Friday 11 – Saturday 26 September.

Then in the Studio is the World Premiere of Typical Girls, a co-production with Soho Theatre and Clean Break. In a mental health unit inside a prison, a group of women discover the music of punk rock band The Slits and form their own group. An outlet for their frustration, they find remedy in revolution. But in a system that suffocates, can rebellion ever be allowed? Written by Morgan Lloyd Malcolm (Emilia) and directed by Clean Break’s Joint Artistic Director Róisín McBrinn, Typical Girls is a funny, fierce and furious part-gig, part-play. In the Studio from Friday 6 – Saturday 21 November.

Following its sell-out run, Operation Crucible returns to the Studio 80 years after the Sheffield Blitz. On the 12^th December 1940, Sheffield was subjected to a bombing raid which aimed to wipe its world renowned steel works off the map. A single bomb reduced the Marples Hotel, which stood in Fitzalan Square, from seven stories to 15 feet of rubble. Only one of the ten compartments in the hotel’s cellar withstood the blast – trapped within it were four steelworkers. This is their story. Written by Kieran Knowles, it tells the story of four ordinary men in extraordinary times and runs in the Studio from Tuesday 1 December and culminated with a performance on the anniversary of the Blitz on Saturday 12 December.

Completing the 2020 Season comes the return of Standing at the Sky’s Edge from Saturday 30 November – Saturday 9 January 2021. Featuring music and lyrics by Richard Hawley, book by Chris Bush and directed by Sheffield Theatres Artistic Director, Robert Hastie, Standing at the Sky’s Edge is a celebration of strength and solidarity across six decades. Poppy wants to escape her old life, Joy and Jimmy want to spend the rest of their lives together, Rose and Harry want the new life they’ve been promised. This is Park Hill – concrete utopia – where hope hangs on every washing line.  Three ordinary families, one extraordinary heart-swelling, heart-breaking tale of love and loss.Captivating audiences and critics alike during its sell-out 2019 debut, Standing at the Sky’s Edge returns to the Crucible stage before it heads to the National Theatre in January 2021.

In the Lyceum this season, audiences can look forward to award-winning adaptations, fan-favourite musicals and cracking comedy joining the previously announced 9 to 5 (Tuesday 15 – Saturday 19 September) and The Commitments (Monday 5 – Saturday 10 October). The nostalgic classic Malory Towers from Tuesday 21 – Saturday 25 July, the sumptuous Carole King musical Beautiful from Tuesday 1 – Saturday 5 September, Mischief Theatre return to bring chaotic comedy Groan Ups from Tuesday 8 – Saturday 12 September, James Graham’s Quiz based on the gameshow major coughing scandal from Monday 28 September – Saturday 3 October, the sensational feel-good musical MAMMA MIA! from Monday 12 – Saturday 24 October, Northern Ballet bring The Great Gatsby – choreographed by David Nixon OBE – from Tuesday 27 – Saturday 31October, back by popular demand the electrifyin’ Grease returns from Tuesday 3 – Saturday 7 November and finally, Alexandra Burke stars in My Best Friend’s Wedding from Tuesday 24 – Saturday 28 November.

An eclectic mix of shows are set to play across Sheffield Theatres’ three spaces, including: Thank You For Doing Nothing (Studio, Tuesday 2 June), Here (Studio, Wednesday 3 June), Jinkx Monsoon and Major Scales: Together Again, Again (Crucible, Wednesday 3 June), Tiddler and Other Terrific Tales (Lyceum, Thursday 9 – Saturday 11 July), Likkle Rum With Grandma (Studio, Thursday 9 July), Quentin Crisp: Naked Hope (Studio, Wednesday 22 July) and Al Murray: Landlord of Hope and Glory (Lyceum, Saturday 1 August). The World Seniors Snooker Championships will also be returning for a summer slot, in the Crucible from Wednesday 12 – Saturday 15 August.

These shows join the previously announced Run Sister Run (Studio, Thursday 27 February – Saturday 21 March, Coriolanus (Crucible, Friday 6 – Saturday 28 March), Ramps on the Moon’s Oliver Twist (Crucible, Wednesday 13 – Saturday 23 May) Sheffield People’s Theatre and Dante or Die’s production of Everybody’s Got To Leave Sometime (Upper Chapel, Tuesday 26 – Saturday 30 May) and Here’s What She Said To Me (Studio, Thursday 18 June – Saturday 4 July).

Also announced is the commencement of work on the Crucible’s capital refurbishment during the autumn.  This project has been supported by Arts Council England and will see the theatres creating more welcoming and vibrant foyer spaces for customers to enjoy throughout the day, upgrading technical equipment and continuing to improve its accessibility and environmental sustainability.

In addition, Sheffield Theatres is announcing the Artist Residency scheme, a new strand of its artist development programme. Offering early career theatre and performance makers across South Yorkshire a chance to get their ideas off the ground and test out new collaborations, the Artist Residency scheme will offer 4 seed commissions – two of £500, two of £1000 – as well as a week’s dedicated development time in The Bank. Applications will open on Friday 21 February and run until Friday 20 March. Further details are available at sheffieldtheatres.co.uk.

Tickets for all new season productions to Centre Stage Members – who enjoy exclusive discounts and priority booking – on Saturday 14 March at 10am. General booking will open on Saturday 28 March at 10am.

‘BE OUR GUEST’ AT THE EPSTEIN THEATRE
THIS EASTER

Regal Entertainments Reveals All Star Line-Up For Family Panto

Get ready to be swept off your feet this Easter as the timeless classic Beauty and the Beast brings magic and adventure to the Epstein Theatre.

Be our guest at the Beast’s enchanted castle from Friday 10 April to Sunday 19 April and join Belle as she discovers why it’s not what someone looks like on the outside that’s important.

And Regal Entertainments Ltd today reveals the line-up of stars confirmed for the enchanting, family-friendly panto production at the Hanover Street venue.

Channel 5 Milkshake’s Amy Thompson will appear as Belle opposite Timothy Lucas as the dashing but troubled Beast.

They will be joined by Phillip McGuinness as dastardly Gaston and Lewis Devine as French Frank, along with James Lacey as the hilarious Potty Polly and Sarah Walker as Fairy Rose.

Amy Thompson is no stranger to Beauty and the Beast having previously played Belle for Regal Entertainments at St Helens Theatre Royal.

The TV and stage actress’s other panto credits include Sleeping Beauty (Malvern Theatres, Pavilion Theatre, Mansfield Palace and Floral Pavilion, New Brighton), Aladdin (Blackpool Grand), Cinderella (Blackpool Grand and Sunderland Empire), Snow White (Rhyl Pavilion) and Little Red Riding Hood (Hull Truck Theatre).

Timothy Lucas takes on the role of the Beast, doomed to roam his castle in hideous form until true love frees him from a wicked curse.

The Liverpool Theatre School-trained actor is currently appearing at the Cowardly Lion in The Wizard of Oz at St Helens Theatre Royal. His other panto roles include the hilarious PC Noodle in Aladdin, Gaston in Beauty and the Beast and the notorious Captain Hook in Peter Pan.

Meanwhile Phillip McGuinness returns to the role of the preening Gaston after playing it to acclaim at St Helens Theatre Royal. His other panto roles include Tin Man and the Scarecrow in The Wizard of Oz, Captain Hook in Peter Pan and the villainous Abanazer in Aladdin at St Helens.

Lewis Devine makes a welcome return to the Epstein after winning the hearts of audiences playing the hapless Buttons in Cinderella at Christmas.

His career started at an early age when he appeared on the first series of ITV’s Kids Stars in Their Eyes which he won with his impersonation of Donny Osmond. His panto credits include Muddles in Snow White and the title role in Peter Pan, both at St Helens Theatre Royal, and French Frank in Beauty and The Beast at Stockport Plaza.

Liverpool actor and producer James Lacey takes on Dame duties as Potty Polly. James has more than a decade of panto experience on his busy CV and in addition to that was the body double for Richard Madden in Sir Kenneth Branagh’s big screen Cinderella.

And dancer and choreographer Sarah Walker will bring all-round sparkle as well as twinkle toes to the role of the goodhearted Fairy Rose.

Beauty and the Beast is directed by Andrew Geater and produced by Regal Entertainments Ltd.

Producer Chantelle Nolan said: “Beauty and the Beast is one of the most magical of fairytales with its beautiful and kind-hearted heroine and a troubled hero to root for, all surrounded by a brilliantly colourful cast of larger-than-life characters and with an important message for theatregoers young and old.

“I’m delighted to be working with such a fantastic group of actors, and I can guarantee Epstein audiences are in for an egg-stra special treat this Easter.”

Beauty and the Beast tells the timeless story of Belle – the beautiful young woman who falls in love with the most unexpected of princes.

Will the Beast learn to love and be loved? Will the spell be broken in time for all to live happily ever after? Come down to The Epstein Theatre this Easter and find out.

LISTING INFORMATION

Beauty and the Beast

Date: Fri 10 April  – Sun 19 April 2020
Time: Various Times

Tickets: From £13

To book tickets please call 0844 888 4411* or go online at www.epsteinliverpool.co.uk * or in person at The Epstein Theatre Box Office from 12pm – 6pm, Monday – Saturday.

*Subject to booking fee. All prices include a £1 per ticket venue restoration levy

For more details check out www.epsteinliverpool.co.uk and join our mailing list. Follow us on Facebook www.facebook.com/EpsteinTheatre and twitter @EpsteinTheatre.

St Helen’s Theatre Royal – until Sunday 23 February 2020

Reviewed Carla Whittaker

5*****

A wizardly pantomime came to St Helen’s Theatre Royal during February half-term and it is safe to say that when it comes to entertaining and fun pantomimes St Helen’s Theatre Royal is the place to go. This February is no exception with the production of Wizard of Oz which sees Dorothy (Mia Molloy) who finds her self in Oz which is home of the dastardly Wicked Witch (Samantha Palin), who with thanks to some ruby magic slippers that are acquired by Dorothy wants to kill her and her best friend and beloved dog Toto who in this production is played by the most adorable dog also known as Buddy.

In Dorothy’s efforts to escape the Wicked Witch, Dorothy is guided by a Glinda (Abigail Middleton) a good witch whose aim is to help her to return home to her farm and points her in the right direction to Emerald City by following the yellow brick road. Along the way Dorothy meets unusual friends; the lovely Tin Man (Harry Moore), the lovable Cowardly Lion placed by St Helen’s favourite Timothy Lucas, and the hilarious Reece Sibald who plays the Scarecrow. The newly formed friendships see the group battle the perils of there journey to meet the Wizard of Oz (James Lusted) who believe will help each of them achieve something which they have not got. The Wicked Witch has other ideas and uses her evil magic to slow down the friends search for the Wizard.

This production added a contemporary taken on a classic story which was fresh, edgy and entertaining whilst still maintaining the original story-line. As always with Regal Entertainments pantomimes the use of sepia film, graphics, sound effects and fire/fireworks are outstanding and help to tell the story. I particularly was impressed with the neon circus and the hilarious sketch featuring a shrunken scarecrow which had myself, my 9 year old son, and mum as well as the rest of the audience bowled over with laughter. Each character was extremely likeable however for me the scarecrow absolutely stole his show with his tongue in cheek references, jokes and hilarity for both adults and children. The music was brilliant, with traditional Wizard of Oz music such as ‘Follow the Yellow Brick Road’ and ‘Somewhere Over the Rainbow’ in addition to more modern pop songs all which were sung beautifully by all the cast; however Mia Molloy’s vocals where somewhat emotional and I am sure she is one to watch for the future.

The Wizard of Oz is running at The St Helen’s Theatre Royal until Sunday 23rd February 2020, and if you haven’t got tickets yet, I highly recommend you go and watch it for a fun filled afternoon full of laughter. To mention as well, the friendliness of the St Helen’s Theatre Royal staff never fails to impress me.