Festival Theatre, Edinburgh -until 22 February 2020

Reviewed by Hannah Plumb

4****

Rambert returns this month to the Festival Theatre with a trio of invigorating movement pieces. For those unfamiliar with their work. Rambert is one of the worlds leading independent dance companies. 

The first of the pieces is PreSentient, a revival from 2002. Sharply innovative for its time and it doesn’t lose that now as it still overflows with tension and originality. It’s almost poetic to watch the dancers embody and even respond to the shifting themes and moods of the music. Aided by Lucy Carter’s stunning lighting design which frames this disjointed manner of movement. 

We then move on to Marion Montin’s new piece, Rouge. It begins with guitarist, Ruben Martinez lurking on stage in a low hat and smoke billowing around him, encapsulating the mood for this piece with his smokey demeanour. The performers rise from the smoke looking like the coolest people on any Berlin dance floor. The dancers get little chance to display their individuality as they dance in unison to the rhythmic score. While it is enjoyable to watch it lacks an artistic edge and ends up looking more like a well made hip hop music video. 

The night ends with Hofesh Schechter’s In your rooms. It’s gloomy look and disjointed movement gives the feel of a cult indie film as Schechter’s voice announces from the darkness “I can do better than that”. It is slick and cool and feels very current. It pins down the fierce emotion of never-ending chaos in a world that ultimately prefers uniformity.

BOOKING OPENS FOR FROZEN THE MUSICAL

AHEAD OF OCTOBER 2020 OPENING

AT THE NEWLY RESTORED THEATRE ROYAL DRURY LANE

Public booking opens for Disney’s Frozen on 6 March at 10am. The production will reopen the newly refurbished Theatre Royal Drury Lane, on 11 November, with previews from 30 October 2020; and is currently booking until 28 March. With music and lyrics by Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez, and book by Jennifer Lee, Frozen – directed by Michael Grandage – opens for groups and schools booking on 24 February 2020.

Frozen – produced by Disney Theatrical Productions under the direction of Thomas Schumacher – opened on Broadway in March 2018 and quickly established itself as the biggest musical hit of its season, nominated for the Tony Award® for Best Musical. In addition to the opening in London, the musical recently embarked on a North American tour, and productions will open in Australia and Japan in 2020, and in Hamburg in 2021.

Frozen was released in cinemas in 2013, winning multiple awards, including two Academy Awards® for Best Animated Feature and Best Original Song (“Let It Go”), the Golden Globe for Best Animated Feature Film and the BAFTA for Best Animated Film. It was written and directed by Jennifer Lee and Chris Buck, withmusic and lyrics by Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez.Currently in cinemas, Frozen 2 had the biggest ever opening for an animated film worldwide and is the highest grossing animated film of all time. 

Frozen is exclusively supported by Priority, O2’s digital loyalty programme. O2 customers enjoyed an exclusive 48 hour period of Priority booking, and will have access to a host of invite-only moments including further ticket pre-sales, giveaways, and money-can’t-buy experiences.

For this first booking period, Frozen have scheduled the following access performances – Signed Performance (Sunday 7 February 2021 at 1pm), Relaxed Performance (Sunday 28 February 2021 at 12.30pm), Audio Described Performance (Sunday 21 March 2021 at 1pm) and Captioned Performance (Sunday 28 March 2021 at 5.30pm).

Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Theatre Royal Drury Lane, owned and managed by LW Theatres, is closed until autumn 2020 for a landmark £60 million restoration project and will reopen as Frozen begins previews.

The production features choreography by Rob Ashford,set and costume design by Christopher Oram, lighting design by Neil Austin, sound design by Peter Hylenski,video design by Finn Ross, puppet design by Michael Curry, and musical supervision and arrangements by Stephen Oremus.

Twitter @FrozenLondon

Facebook /FrozenLondon

Instagram @FrozenLondon

www.frozenthemusical.co.uk

LISTINGS                                                                                                                                                    FROZEN

Theatre Royal Drury Lane

Catherine Street, Covent Garden, London WC2B 5JF

Tickets from £20

Group rates:

Groups 9 to 19*                              Stalls & Royal Circle £49.50, Grand Circle £39.50

Groups 20+*                                    Stalls & Royal Circle £45, Grand Circle £35

*Valid on Wednesday and Thursday 7pm performances and Thursday 2.30pm matinees from 6 January to 30 May 2021. Excludes school holidays and other blackout dates that may apply.

Education Groups 10+ †                Stalls & Royal Circle £29.50 | Grand Circle £22.50

Plus one free teacher ticket for every ten paid tickets

† Valid on Thursday 2.30pm performances from 7 January to 30 March 2021.

Valid on Wednesday & Thursday 7pm and Thursday 2.30pm performances from 31 March until 30 May 2021. Excludes school holidays and other blackout dates that may apply. Minimum group size is 10. Education rate valid for groups up to Year 11.

PREVIEW PERFORMANCES:

Fri 30 October                                 7.30pm

Sat 31 October                                7.30pm

Sun 1 November                             5.30pm

Mon 2 November                           No performance

Tue 3 November                             7.30pm

Wed 4 November                           7.30pm

Thu 5 November                             7.30pm

Fri 6 November                               7.30pm

Sat 7 November                              2.30pm & 7.30pm

Sun 8 November                             1pm

Mon 9 November                           No performance

Tue 10 November                           7.30pm

PERFORMANCES FROM 12 NOVEMBER:

Wednesday – Saturday                 7pm

Thursday & Saturday                     2.30pm

Sunday                                              1pm & 5.30pm

ACCESS & RELAXED PERFORMANCES:

Signed Performance                      Sunday 7 February 2021 at 1pm

Relaxed Performance                    Sunday 28 February 2021 at 12.30pm

Audio Described Performance    Sunday 21 March 2021 at 1pm

Captioned Performance                Sunday 28 March 2021 at 5.30pm

DISNEY THEATRICAL PRODUCTIONS (DTP) operates under the direction of Thomas Schumacher bringing live entertainment events to a global audience of more than 20 million people a year in more than 50 countries. Current London: The Lion King, which recently celebrated its 20th anniversary at The Lyceum, and Mary Poppins at the Prince Edward Theatre.  Other London credits: Aladdin, the Olivier-nominated play Shakespeare in Love and DTP’s inaugural production Beauty and the Beast, which won the Olivier Award for Best Musical.  Other productions on Broadway and around the world: Frozen, Newsies, Peter and the Starcatcher, The Little Mermaid, Mary Poppins, a co-production with Cameron Mackintosh, TARZAN® and Elton John & Tim Rice’s Aida.  Other successful stage musical ventures have included productions of Disney’s High School Musical, Der Glöckner Von Notre Dame in Berlin, and King David in concert.

Worldwide, its ten Broadway titles have been seen by over 200 million theatregoers, and have been nominated for 20 Olivier Awards, winning the honour five times. With 20 productions currently produced or licensed, a Disney musical is being performed professionally somewhere on the planet virtually every hour of the day.

THEATRE ROYAL DRURY LANE

LW Theatres is in the middle of a £60 million restoration project of Theatre Royal Drury Lane. The ambitious scheme not only encompasses the complete refurbishment of the magnificent 1812 Greek Revival ‘front of house’ designed by Benjamin Wyatt, but also the reconstruction of the stage facilities and dressing rooms, the creation of new bars and a restaurant, plus the refashioning of the auditorium to make it able to play in both the traditional proscenium arch and in the round.

The theatre will re-open as ‘The Lane’ in autumn 2020. Whilst Theatre Royal Drury Lane will still showcase world class theatre, front of house facilities will be open to the public all day so the theatre’s iconic interiors can be enjoyed by everyone and not just those headed to a show. 

ROSE THEATRE ANNOUNCES STEEL MAGNOLIAS STARRING KARA TOINTON

A Rose Original Production

Steel Magnolias

By Robert Harling

Rose Theatre

1 May – 23 May 2020 

Rose Theatre today announces Robert Harling’s romantic comedy Steel Magnolias starring Kara Tointon (Shelby), directed by Anthony Banks. The production opens on 6 May, with previews from 1 May, and runs until 23 May.

“I would rather have thirty minutes of wonderful than a lifetime of nothing special.”

In small-town Louisiana, Truvy’s beauty salon is a regular rendezvous for six extraordinary women who span the social circles of their local community. Bubbling with sharp, laugh-out-loud humour, the friends quip back and forth over life’s highs and lows until a tragic event leaves them and the whole town reeling.
 
The strength of female friendship comes alive through fast, funny dialogue and vibrant, endearing characters in this powerful and heart-warming comedy.
 
Robert Harling’s play is based on the true story of his mother and sister. It ran for over one thousand performances Off-Broadway and was adapted by Harling for the screen.

Writer Robert Harling, said today, ‘I am thrilled that the Rose Theatre are putting on Steel Magnolias, it is based on a true story and I am always excited when actors bring their own truth to perform the play.’

Director, Anthony Banks, said today, ‘I’m thrilled to be working with Robert Harling on this new production and to be reunited with Kara Tointon having had so much fun together on Gaslight.It’s still rare enough to have a stage dominated by one female character let alone have it exclusively populated by six for the whole evening. I’ve loved this play since I was a child. I grew up surrounded by women like this. I like the no-nonsense truths they tell behind closed doors and I can’t wait to bring this show to the Rose.’

Robert Harling is a playwright, screenwriter and director. His credits include The First Wives Club, The Evening Star, Laws of Attraction and Good Christian Bitches, and the forthcoming stage adaptation of Soapdish the Musical. Steel Magnolias is the true story of his mother and sister, portrayed by Sally Field and Julia Roberts in the hit motion picture.

Kara Tointon plays Shelby. Her previous theatre credits include Twelfth Night (RSC), The Man in the White Suit, Relatively Speaking (Wyndham’s Theatre), Absent Friends (Harold Pinter Theatre), Pygmalion (Garrick Theatre) and Gaslight (UK tour). Her television credits include Urban Myths, The Halcyon, The Sound of Music Live, Mr Selfridge, Lewis and Henry IX; and for film, Let’s Be Evil, The Last Passenger, The Sweeney and Warrior Queen.

Anthony Banks directs. His theatre credits include Cesario, More Light, The Eternal Not, Prince of Denmark (National Theatre), Pignight (Menier Chocolate Factory), My Cousin Rachel (Theatre Royal Bath), The Girl On The Train (Duke of York’s Theatre/UK tour), Twilight Song (Park Theatre), After Miss Julie (Theatre Royal Bath/UK tour), Raz (Trafalgar Studios/ Edinburgh Festival Fringe/UK tour), Herding Cats (Theatre Royal Bath/ Hampstead Theatre), Bassett (Bristol Old Vic), The Experiment (Soho Theatre), Games for Lovers (The Vaults), Dial M for Murder, Strangers on a Train, Gaslight, DNA (UK tours) and The Hotel Plays (The Langham, London). Banks was an associate director at the National Theatre 2004-2014 where he commissioned and developed a hundred new plays for NT Connections.

Steel Magnolias                                                                                                                                         Listings

Rose Theatre

24-26 High Street, Kingston, KT1 1HL

1 May – 23 May 2020

www.rosetheatrekingston.org

Twitter: @Rosetheatre

Facebook: /RoseTheatreKingston

Instagram: RoseTheatreKingston

       

CASTING ANNOUNCEMENT
THE GLASS MENAGERIE 

The Royal Exchange Theatre is thrilled to announce the cast for their summer production of Tennessee Williams’ autobiographical classic THE GLASS MENAGERIE. Award-winning director Atri Banerjee has assembled a stunning cast giving a fresh perspective to this iconic memory play. Geraldine Somerville takes on the role of Amanda Wingfield having made her Royal Exchange debut as Laura Wingfield in 1989. She is joined on stage by Joshua James (Tom Wingfield), Oseloka Obi (Jim O’Connor) and Rhiannon Clements as Laura who returns following her role in the Exchange’s current production WUTHERING HEIGHTS.

THE GLASS MENAGERIE is Tennessee Williams’ poetic and bruising portrayal of a family on the brink of change. Tom remembers; he recalls his mother Amanda, his sister Laura, their suffocating dependency and the overwhelming responsibility of family ties that bind you for life. But memory is fragile, and the clarity of truth and recollection is clouded over time. Created for the Exchange’s unique in-the-round theatre, this intimate play tackles questions that resonate across the globe. THE GLASS MENAGERIE can be seen in the Theatre from 5 June – 4 July.

Geraldine Somerville is an acclaimed stage and screen actor. Her career includes iconic film, television and stage roles such as Lily Potter in the Harry Potter franchise and DS Jane Penhaligon in the celebrated ITV series CRACKER for which she was nominated for a BAFTA. Her recent film credits include THE GENTLEMEN (Miramax), GOODBYE CHRISTOPHER ROBIN (DJ Films) and THE HIPPOPOTAMUS (The Electric Shadow Co.). Television credits include KISS ME FIRST (Netflix), PRIME SUSPECT 1973 (ITV) and SILENT WITNESS (BBC). As a stage actor she has worked at the National Theatre, the Royal Court and the Donmar Warehouse, credits include SERANADING LOUIE (Donmar), POWER and REMEMBER THIS (National Theatre)

Joshua James makes his Royal Exchange debut as Tom. His recent theatre credits include: WIFE (Kiln), LADY WINDERMERE’S FAN (Vaudeville Theatre), KING LEAR (Shakespeare’s Globe), LIFE OF GALILEO (Young Vic), PLATONOV/THE SEAGULL, HERE WE GO, LIGHT SHINING IN BUCKINGHAMSHIRE, TREASURE ISLAND (National Theatre), FATHERS AND SONS (Donmar Warehouse) and BRING UP THE BODIES/WOLF HALL (Royal Shakespeare Company). TV credits include I HATE SUZIE (Sky/Bad Wolf) INDUSTRY (HBO/Bad Wolf), LIFE (BBC/Drama Republic), RAISED BY WOLVES (TNT/Scott Free) and BLACK MIRROR (Netflix). Film credits include, DARKEST HOUR (Working Title) and CRIMINAL (Millennium Films).

Rhiannon Clements is a recent graduate from ALRA North and returns to the Royal Exchange following her recent role in WUTHERING HEIGHTS. Her other credits include: THE MERCHANT OF VENICE (Stafford Gatehouse Theatre). Film credits include: DEATH ON THE NILE (directed by Kenneth Branagh). Television credits include: THE OTHER ONE (BBC). Rhiannon won the 2019 Spotlight Prize for Best Stage Actor.

Oseloka Obi studied at the National Youth Theatre and makes his first appearance on the Exchange’s iconic stage. His recent theatre credits include END OF EDDY (Unicorn Theatre/BAM), ONE NIGHT IN MIAMI (Nottingham Playhouse), THE SON (Kiln Theatre), TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD, (Lyric Hammersmith), MACBETH (Garrick Theatre), VICTORIA’S KNICKERS (Soho Theatre) and TIMBUKTU (Theatre Royal Stratford East).

Director Atri Banerjee trained at Birkbeck and was previously Trainee Director at the Royal Exchange Theatre. His directing credits include: UTOPIA & HOBSON’S CHOICE (Royal Exchange). For Hobson’s Choice, Atri was awarded The Stage Debut Award 2019 for Best Director and was nominated for the UK Theatre Award 2019 for Best Director. Associate/assistant director credits for the Royal Exchange include: WEST SIDE STORY; THE MYSTERIES (also tour); JUBILEE (also Lyric Hammersmith); HAPPY DAYS; THE ALMIGHTY SOMETIMES; OUR TOWN. Other associate/assistant director credits include: THE NICO PROJECT (Manchester International Festival/ Melbourne International Arts Festival); THE SON (Kiln Theatre).

The creative team for THE GLASS MENAGERIE includes Designer Rosanna Vize, Sound Designer Ben & Max Ringham, Lighting Designer Lee Curran, Movement Jenny Ogilvie and Assistant Director Hannah Sands.

HEALTH AND SAFETY GOES

MAD AT THE EPSTEIN

DAVID SPICER’S BRAND NEW COMEDY WILL PREMIERE IN LIVERPOOL

The Epstein Theatre plays host to the world premiere of a new riotous comedy next week.

Playwright David Spicer’s hilarious Health and Safety is being staged on Friday 28 and Saturday 29 February 2020 at the Hanover Street venue.

When the country’s top Health and Safety officers gather for their Annual National Conference what could possibly go wrong? … as it turns out, absolutely everything!

Disaster abounds in this hysterically rude and wonderfully un-politically correct comedy about the people on a mission to stop us climbing trees, playing conkers or putting our poodles in the microwave.

The award-winning Northern Comedy Theatre presents the premiere.

The company, which was founded by LIPA graduate Shaun Chambers (artistic director) and former Mischief Theatre company and production manager Tom Platt, stages comedy and farce at venues across Merseyside and Cheshire.

Previous productions include Noises Off! at the Epstein Theatre, The History Boys at The Studio in Widnes, and Abigail’s Party, Dead Funny and David Spicer’s Stop! …The Play at the Citadel St Helens.

Writer David Spicer’s previous stage work also includes Raising Martha, Long Live the Mad Parade and Superheroes. He was a sketch writer for Armstrong and Miller and has a long list of radio credits.

David Spicer said: ‘I am thrilled that my latest play is being premiered in the great city of Liverpool. We have had so much fun bringing it to the stage and can’t wait for people to see it. I am sure they will have a fun night with us and it’s not often you get the chance to see a world premiere and to say… I was there!’

LISTING INFORMATION

 

Health and Safety

Date: Fri 28 February  – Sat 29 February 2020
Time: Fri 7.30pm Sat 2.30pm and 7.30pm

Tickets: £18

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.

The Other Palace – until 3 May 2020

Reviewed by Adam Craddock

4****

When I got the offer to review “Be More Chill” at The Other Palace I didn’t really know the show bar one or two songs. After a quick google search I found, in hindsight, quite possibly the most accurate description of this show there is… “Dear Evan Hansen crossed with Mean Girls in the world of Little Shop of Horrors”. This show is absolutely mindbogglingly crazy yet a hilarious rip ride along the way. The show follows Jeremy, a teenage nerd at high school trying to be cool who takes a mystery Japanese supercomputer drug, a squip, and unlocks his coolness potential, but with grave consequences for all around. 

Scott Folan was brilliant as Jeremy, with a lovable air about him even in the characters darkest moments and a falsetto as sweet as a nut. I really wouldn’t be surprised to see him make this bracket of lovable nerdy characters his own for the next few years to come. Christopher Fry was hilarious as Mr Heere, with exceptional comedic chops on full display. James Hameed and Renee Lamb we’re both good as Rich Goranski and Jenna Rolan respectively. Miracle Chance was exceptional as Christine Canigula, striking the perfect balance of lovable nerdy without it being sickening. This was one of my favourite characters in the show. Stewart Clarke and Eloise Davies we’re both strong as the Squip and Brooke Lohst respectively, with Clarke having some strong singing chops and Davies having a beautiful realism in her display of the second choice friend. Miles Paloma was great as Jake Dillinger, with his strong dance ability on display in this fairly limited movement show. Millie O’Connell was very strong as Chloe Valentine, with her amazing character work and acting ability showing another side to her performers catalogue than what you would have seen in Six, this was really nice to see! However, the absolute highlight of the night for me was Blake Patrick Anderson as Michael Mell. He showed his great acting and singing chops off to their fullest when he belted out “Michael in the Bathroom” in early act 2. This number really stood out to me and made me want to jump out of my seat and applaud it. 

The direction of the show was really good with exceptional use and integration of the AV aspects and the minimal set. Costume design was brilliant, particularly in the party with some spot on outfits. The choreography was a little strange but for some reason it really worked within this absurd piece of theatre. 

Overall, I would highly recommend going to see “Be More Chill” at The Other Palace while it is still playing. Don’t expect anything too serious, but if you want a hilariously geeky night with your friends, get yourself down there now! 

John Cooper Studio @41, York – until 22 February 2020.

Reviewed by Michelle Richardson

4****

York Stage have bought their latest production of Steel Magnolias to the John Cooper Studio @41. A box theatre I had never been to before. On stepping inside the building it was quite a unique experience, all dark walls, stairs and corridors, to finally get to the actual theatre area, which by comparison was very bright. The stage was set up in the middle as a 1980’s hair salon with three rows of white seating each side, very intimate and we could sit wherever we wanted.

Steel Magnolias, based on the much loved female driven film, is the bittersweet story of six women who frequent Truvy’s Beauty Salon. It is a hub of social life for the ladies of the town, where over the space of four days (scenes), across nearly three years. Six women share secrets, recipes, swap gossip, meet friends, and of course get big hairdos. A story of marriage, motherhood, love and loss. Men are not seen, but they are topics of conversation, especially with the loud blasts of gun shot that echo through the salon.

Truvy (Kathryn Addison), all resplendent in her animal print and magnificent perm, owns the salon and doesn’t believe in “natural beauty”. She has just taken on a new stylist, the timid and shy Annelle (Carly Morton), who has her own secrets. It is an important day where everything revolves around Shelby (Louise Henry), who is getting married and has chosen Truvy to do her wedding hair. She is adamant that she is going to wear her hair up and be full of baby’s breath flowers, much to her mother’s disgust. M’Lynn (Joanne Theaker) has accompanied her daughter to the salon, to also have her hair done, along with Clairee (Sandy Nicholson), a friend and widow of the former mayor. The final player, who we get to meet later, is the eccentric and totally bonkers Ouiser (Julie Ann Smith). Over time we see these ladies, bond together, argue together and then grieve together.

All is not sweetness and light though, with Shelby suffering a diabetic episode, setting the seeds of what is to come later. Advised not to have children, she gets pregnant anyway, and gives birth to a premature baby boy, who nonetheless flourishes. Unfortunately, her body cannot take it and tragedy strikes.

You really got to believe in the characters, and all six performances performed skillfully, but Ouiser was just brilliant. Smith’s portrayal was just so over the top, it was superb. Addison must be commended for stepping in Truvy’s role at short notice, she had so much dialogue, it can’t have been easy.  As always, Theaker delivers a strong performance, most notably during M’Lynn’s tortured speech that had the audience sniffling and dabbing their eyes, a truly powerful moment. You could tell that the actors were truly immersed in their roles, as even at the curtain call tears could be seen in their eyes.

The set worked really well and it was great to be in the thick of it, I really enjoyed the intimacy of the venue. At times it really felt as if we were part of the show and it was hard not to reply to questions when the characters were asking, you got that involved. As for the dodgy haircuts, dress sense and music, it took me right back to when I was growing up. I’m an 80’s chick and love reminiscing, even on the way back to the car I had a conversation about how both of us had those questionable perms.

This bittersweet but sentimental comedy, directed and designed by Nik Briggs, will make you laugh and cry, so make sure you take a hanky with you. For the price of a ticket you honestly can’t go wrong.

TUCKSHOP PRESENTS

DRAG! LIVE AT THE LONDON COLISEUM

A DRAG VARIETY EXTRAVAGANZA

COMING TO ONE OF THE MOST ICONIC VENUES IN THE WEST END

STARRING RUPAUL’S DRAG RACE UK FINALISTS

DIVINA DE CAMPO AND BAGA CHIPZ AND

THE FAMILY GORGEOUS FROM CHANNEL 4’S DRAG SOS

ALONG WITH A HOST OF THE UK’S OTHER BEST DRAG PERFORMERS

SUNDAY 5 APRIL @ 7.30PM

You never forget your first time… especially when it’s this big!

Let the respectable raucousness ensue…

TuckShop – the UK’s only specialist production company devoted all things drag, and the team behind sell-out hit Cinderella, the UK’s first ever all drag pantomime in the West End, and nationwide sensation Gals Aloud with Cheryl Hole – will present a historic first on Sunday 5 April: the London Coliseum will be taken over by some of the UK’s biggest drag performers for a variety extravaganza.

DRAG! LIVE AT THE LONDON COLISEUM will star RuPaul’s Drag Race UK finalists BAGA CHIPZ and DIVINA DE CAMPO (who will be showing off her high soprano and four octave operatic range), THE FAMILY GORGEOUS from Channel 4’s DRAG SOS, plus a host of other talent from across the UK drag scene.

Tickets will go on sale at midday on Thursday 20 February and can be purchased via www.londoncoliseum.org/drag . Premium tickets include an exclusive VIP reception with DJ, Limited edition DRAG Lanyard, and an exciting meet and mingle allowing patrons to mingle with some of the country’s greatest drag talent.

Other talent appearing will be (in alphabetical order, line up subject to change)  
Adam All, Baby, Lolo Brow, Kitty Scott Claus, Ophelia Love, Meth, HERR, Cara Melle , Vanity Milan, and Holly Stars

Headed up by West End theatre producer Christopher D. Clegg, TUCKSHOP is an entertainment company like no other, specialising in theatre production, club promotion, merchandising and artist representation all centred around DRAG.

Christopher Clegg said, “I remember my first time at the London Coliseum, I was blown away by the talent, the people and the building… so to be the first EVER drag show in history taking over this iconic venue is just an incredible honour. We have an amazing line up of drag performers and we will be filling the theatre with TuckShops signature brand of madness, music and mayhem  ”

With the huge rise in drag popularity over the last ten years, TuckShop is at the forefront of UK Drag culture, coming hot off the heels of Chris’s fifteen years’ experience in the West End as a producer, theatre manager, and marketing expert. As well as creating bespoke productions and producing nationwide tours, TuckShop also represent some of the UK’s best Drag talent, raising their profile through branding, promotion and regular bookings. With new productions in development, an ever expanding roster of headline performers and our new online store, TuckShop works tirelessly to give Drag the leg-up it deserves.

Divina De Campo is a seasoned British drag queen and singer. Known for her high soprano and 4-octave range, Divina has been featured on national television programs including The Voice, All Together Now, and most recently on the first season of RuPaul’s Drag Race UK. Her love of theatre led her to star in stage productions including The Ruby Slippers, a play that explores prejudice in the LGBT community, and Dancing Bear, a musical that explores faith, sexuality and gender identity. Divina has worked with the George House Trust, a charity supporting people living with HIV. She has also hosted Superbia’s Drag Queen Story Time, reading stories to young children. When not touring, recording or filming, Owen enjoys a quiet life with his husband. Divina is represented by Producer Entertainment Group and can be found online @divinadecampo.

Baga Chipz is a notorious staple amongst the UK Drag scene. She has been performing across London in pubs and clubs for the last 10 years and has just made a huge splash on the first ever season of RuPauls Drag Race UK, reaching the final three. One of only ten queens selected from across the UK and Ireland, Baga has already had a touch of reality limelight on Drag Queens of London which was shown worldwide and is known to many as the face of G-A-Y Porn Idol at Heaven nightclub. She’s the kind of drag queen that “gets her t**s out for the lads,” she says. “[I’m] a pub queen; Like someone’s auntie I give advice on how to pull fellas and how to get pissed … I’m common as muck, bagachips from Walthamstow.”

HOLLY STARS

Holly Stars is an icon, and a Gorgeous natural beauty. She hates her neighbours, Fat Julie and Posh Sue, and is thrilled that her husband Gary’s gettin’ out of prison next week. She’s almost excited about this show, but doesn’t like the West End that much as it’s a bit posh.

Lyric Theatre, London

Reviewed by Rhys Payne

4.5****

Having booked tickets for Showstopper! at the Lyric theatre in London I was very perplexed as to how you perform an entirely improvised musical but I have to be honest it was one of the most entertaining shows I have seen in a long time and I already can’t wait to see it again.

Before seeing the show I realised I had to write a review for the performance which really did fill me with a lot of angst. The purpose of a review is to say this show is really good or not and encourage people but this is extremely difficult as the show I saw will be nothing like the show that someone else will see. Due to this I can’t really comment or promote the content of the show but instead the atmosphere and emotions it invokes. I have always wanted to see a live performance of improvised theatre as I have only ever seen it in shows on tv and it seemed like a barrel of laughs so to actually get to see something improved was great but it is an entire musical took it to a whole other level!

The first thing you need to keep in mind for this show is that it could be considered as a show perfect for extreme musical theatre fans. This was the most obvious thing that was clear even before the show opened. When I walked into the theatre we were greeted with a medley of musical theatre classics which had the majority of the audience sang (and danced) along to. This is a new thing for me to see an audience who got so involved with the production before it even opened but I guess this was to ease the audience into any audience participant sections later in the show. This concept was also used to give the audience ideas and suggestions for the story which I will discuss later.

As I have already said this is an entirely improvised musical which means every show is different. This is facilitated by narrator asking the audience for a collection of possible locations which is then voted on by the rest of the audience, next the audience are asked for musicals they like and modified versions of certain songs in the musical will appear in Showstopper! (which shows the talent of both the performers and the band that were on stage) and finally the audience is asked for a title which once decided upon the person who suggests the name gets given a prize in act two. With this in mind, in an ideal world, I would want to watch this show again with just me in the audience so I can suggest all the musicals I enjoy.

In this performance it took place in a McDonald’s with songs inspired by Hamilton, West Side Story, Come From Away and We Will Rock You which are not musicals that I am particularly familiar with but I was still able to appreciate the skills and talent being showcased.

This was performed by an extremely talented cast who clearly have a strong bond and connection in and off stage. They were able to flawlessly bounce off each other with the quick wit and hilarious jokes which made for a very easy to watch and enjoyable show to watch. Even when mistakes were made, for example, character being called the name etc, they were acknowledged on stage in a hilarious manner and within the world, the show was set it. I often see shows were I think the cast is talented and stuff but these people involved in Showstopper! clearly know the craft inside and out and are able to work together excellently which is an exceptional skill that many shows do not contain.

Overall this was a hilarious and enjoyable show however I believe I may have missed some of the musical references due to the fact that I am unfamiliar with the shows that were chosen. However, I would strongly encourage everyone to catch the chaotic musical in the Lyric theatre as it is only performed once a month and only two performances before it is gone for good!

New Victoria Theatre, Woking – until 22 January 2020

Reviewed by Becky Doyle

4****

For someone who had gone to see this show without a real knowledge of Carole King, her music or her history I can honestly say I thoroughly enjoyed it… Even to the extent that I was listening to her music on my drive home. A gorgeous story of young love with drive, passion and ambition along their journey.

It took me a little while to buy into the American accident, but I soon didn’t realise as the music, singing and story evolved. Carole was portrayed so well by Daisy Wood Davis, she made it easy to feel love and sympathy towards at times a naïve, vulnerable but hugely talented girl. Her singing voice captivated the room as did the dancers from the ensemble whose energy made you want to get up on stage and join in.

The set used fantastically to portray different rooms, settings and needs – quite simple yet fully capable of drawing you in. The only way you reaslised that time was passing by was through fashion choices and hairstyles, a really clever way to carry the audience on the journey.

The whole cast were fantastic, Laura Baldwin and Cameron Sharp (Caynthia Weil and Barry Mann) allowed for healthy competition but also a budding friendship and romance and Adam Gillian (Gerry Goffin) was the initial heartthrob who turned into the villain when you realised he was a man who was never going to change…

The finale was literally the meaning of the word “Beautiful” Carole in her long flowing blue dress and her performance at Carnegie Hall, which again Daisy’s voice was phenomenal left myself and from the dancing and singing around, the rest of the audience falling a little bit in love with Carole King.

Highly recommended