A HOST OF STARS TO HONOUR SIR NOËL COWARD IN A MARVELLOUS PARTY,
A CELEBRATION OF COWARD’S LIFE & WORK ON SUNDAY 17 NOVEMBER 2024
Stars including Hugh Bonneville, Gyles Brandreth, Judi Dench, Lindsay Duncan, Cush Jumbo, Robert Lindsay, Damian Lewis, Hilton McRae and Giles Terera will gather in a charity gala performance at London’s Prince of Wales Theatre on Sunday 17 November 2024, to celebrate the enduring legacy of the internationally acclaimed playwright, composer, director, actor and singer, Sir Noël Coward (1899-1973).
Youth groups and bursary recipients, who have been supported by the Noël Coward Foundation over the years, will be participating making this a truly inter-generational event.
Directed by Daniel Evans (Co-Artistic Director of the Royal Shakespeare Company) with more stars to be announced, the gala will feature excepts, including previously unseen material, from Coward’s plays, sketches and songs, as well as celebrating his famous wit, star friendships and exquisite style. Musical direction will be by Tom Brady (Musical Director Guys & Dolls, The Bridge Theatre).
The performance marks the culmination of Coward 125, the two-year long celebration of Noël Coward’s life and work, leading up to the 125th anniversary of Coward’s birth.
Following Coward’s lifelong support of philanthropic causes, the gala will be in aid of three charities:, The Queen’s Reading Room, the Noël Coward Foundation and Acting For Others. These outstanding organisations are all united with Noël in the belief that the arts belong to everyone.
The Prince of Wales Theatre has generously been provided by Sir Cameron Mackintosh. All performers appear subject to availability.
A Marvellous Party is produced by Julian Bird for Green Rooms Ents.
Date: Sunday 17 November 2024
Venue: Prince of Wales Theatre (A Delfont Mackintosh Theatre)
Executive Director Jo Hemmant, Creative Director Keith Khan and the whole team at Hackney Empire, are delighted to announce the full casting and creative team for Hackney Empire’s 25th pantomime, Dick Whittington and his Cat.
Directed by and starring Olivier Award-winner Clive Rowe as Sarah the Cook, in what will be his 17th pantomime at Hackney, Dick Whittington and his Cat will run at Hackney Empire from Saturday 23 November 2024 to Sunday 5 January 2025.
Joining Clive will be Kat B, also starring in his 17th Hackney pantomime, as ‘Thomas the Cat’, alongside (in order of appearance) Graham MacDuff as ‘King Rat’, Beth Sindy as ‘Fairy Bowbells’, Kandaka Moore as ‘Dick Whittington’, Tony Timberlake as ‘Alderman Fitzwarren’, Aryana Ramkhalawon as ‘Alice Fitzwarren’ and Max Mirza as ‘Idle Jack’. The ensemble will include Jemima Dawes, Olivia Kate Holding,Wilson Kiiru, Nicole Reeves, Alfie Simmons, Fraser Stewart, Lauren Wadsworth.
Hackney Empire’s pantomime is one of the most iconic in the UK. The first pantomime of the modern era was Aladdin starring Peter Duncan in 1988, after the venue was transformed from a bingo hall back into a working theatre in the 1980s by Roland and Claire Muldoon, and, including Aladdin, there have been 24 pantomimes since. This year’s festive season will burst into life with the 25th Hackney Empire pantomime, celebrating decades of providing joy for all the family, and in several cases, a vital introduction to the magic of theatre.
Join Dick on his search for fortune, fame and new beginnings! Along the way, he’ll experience the adventure of a lifetime, battling rats, falling in love, and finding himself on the path to becoming the Mayor of London!
Get ready for a joyful reimagining of this classic rags to riches tale, featuring all your favourite pantomime ingredients. From an unbelievable cast to extravagant costumes; from audience participation to sensational song and dance numbers, what more could you ask for?!
Clive Rowe said, “What a privilege it is to be part of this great tradition at the Hackney Empire. 24 pantomimes, around one million audience members so far, and we can’t wait to welcome new faces and welcome back familiar faces for our 25th! This will be my 17th year as Dame and fourth year directing. Join me and Dick Whittington, the boy that strives to make his dreams become a reality, for more festive fun, high jinks, laughter, love and banging tunes.”
Dick Whittington and his Cat will be written by the BAFTA Award-winning Will Brenton (in his fourth panto for Hackney), with original music and songs by Steve Edis, who has provided the music for all of the Hackney pantomimes since 1988, with costumes and design overview by Cleo Pettitt and Alex Maynard as musical director, arranger, orchestrator, and supervisor. Choreography will be by Shay Barclay, lighting design by Tim Mitchell and sound design by Yvonne Gilbert.
Pretty Woman The Musical is based on the 1990 film starring Richard Gere and Julia Roberts. It tells the story of Vivian Ward, a prostitute, and businessman Edward Lewis who have a chance encounter leading to Edward inviting Vivian to escort him to a number of events during his business stay in Los Angeles. Through spending time with each other their “business” relationship develops, and they fall in love with each other.
The show is a good adaptation of the film showing many of the movie’s iconic moments and lines such as when Vivan goes shopping on Rodeo Drive and the store wouldn’t wait on her the day before “Big mistake. Big. Huge! I have to go shopping now”. You do however, have to remember that although this is based on the film it is actually a musical version of the film and I think you need to separate the two to really enjoy the full experience of the musical.
The stage set of this musical has simple backdrop changes which transport you from Hollywood Boulevard, Rodeo Drive to the Beverly Wilshire Hotel. There was clever staging and lighting when recreating the intimate moments of the film.
Vivian played by Amber Davies and Edward Lewis played by Oliver Savile had a good connection and chemistry. When they sang together their harmonies were really good. These two actors were perfect for the roles.
Mr Thompson played by Ore Oduba led the dancing on the “Don’t Forget to Dance” song taking the opportunity to make reference to him winning the 14th Season of the TV show Strictly Come Dancing. “I used to be a professional dancer and believe it or not I have been known to win”, and then ending the number with the judges scoring of 10 across the board.
Natalie Paris – Kit De Luca gave a strong performance and suited the role.
Lila Falce-Bass and Josh Damer Jennings both had amazing opera vocals when singing “A Night At The Opera”.
There were many funny moments from Noah Harrison who plays Giulio the Bell Boy.
The start of the second act gave you a brief tease that you were going to hear the song “Oh, Pretty Woman” by Roy Orbison. The classic song was left until the end where the audience were invited to sing along.
The Spectacular, Spectacular! global hit musical will perform in Birmingham next autumn, with performances from Wednesday 15 October to Saturday 15 November 2025 as part of its first ever World Tour.
For information and to be first in line for tickets, sign up at
The first ever World Tour of multi-award-winning hit stage showMoulin Rouge! The Musical, will come to Birmingham Hippodrome, its only engagement in the Midlands, with performances from Wednesday 15 October to Saturday 15 November 2025. For information and to be first in line for tickets, signup at moulinrougemusical.com.
Enter a world of splendour and romance, of eye-popping excess, of glitz, grandeur, and glory! Baz Luhrmann’s revolutionary film comes to life onstage, remixed in a new musical mash-up extravaganza. A celebration of Truth, Beauty, Freedom, and — above all — Love, Moulin Rouge! The Musicalis more than a musical — it is a state of mind.
As in the film, Moulin Rouge! The Musical celebrates over 160 years of music – from Offenbach to Lady Gaga. The stage musical features over 70 iconic songs, many from the movie as well as recent hits released since the movie premiered over 20 years ago.
Set in Paris, 1899, a world of indulgent beauty and unparalleled extravagance, of bohemians and aristocrats, of boulevardiers and reprobates, Moulin Rouge! The Musical is the story of a lovesick American writer, Christian, and Satine, the dazzling star of the Moulin Rouge nightclub.
When their lives collide at the Moulin Rouge, they fall hopelessly in love, only to be thwarted by the nightclub’s host and impresario, Harold Zidler, and The Duke of Monroth, the wealthy and entitled patron of the club who thinks he can buy anything he wants, including Satine. Together with his Bohemian friends – the brilliant and starving artist Toulouse-Lautrec, and the greatest tango dancer in all of Paris, Santiago – Christian stages a musical spectacular in an attempt to save the Moulin Rouge and win the heart of Satine.
Moulin Rouge! The Musical is the winner of ten 2021 Tony Awards including Best Musical, an Olivier Award, two Drama League Awards including Outstanding Production of a Musical, five Drama Desk Awards and ten Outer Critics Circle Award Honor citations including New Broadway Musical.
“We are absolutely delighted that Birmingham Hippodrome will host Moulin Rouge! The Musical next summer as part of its world tour. Birmingham is a dynamic, multicultural city, where the arts and music thrive, making it a perfect stage for this spectacular show. We hope Birmingham is ready to rouge!” says Carmen Pavlovic for Global Creatures, producer of Moulin Rouge! The Musical.
Moulin Rouge! The Musical is directed by Tony Award® winner Alex Timbers (other credits includeHere Lies Love, Beetlejuice, Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson, Peter and the Starcatcher) with a book by Tony Award® winner John Logan (also three-time Academy Award nominee including for Gladiator and The Aviator), choreography by Tony Award® winner Sonya Tayeh (also Lucille Lortel Award for Kung Fu and Emmy winner)and music supervision, orchestrations and arrangements by Tony Award® winner Justin Levine (other credits include The Outsiders,Here Lies Love, Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson).
The design team for Moulin Rouge! The Musical includes Tony Award® winner Derek McLane (sets; other credits include Beautiful – The Carole King Musical), Tony Award® and Olivier Award winner Catherine Zuber (costumes; other credits include Kiss Me Kate, The King & I, South Pacific, Mrs Doubtfire), Tony Award® winner Justin Townsend (lighting), Tony Award® winner Peter Hylenski (sound), Drama Desk Award winner David Brian Brown (wig and hair design; other credits include Come From Away), Sarah Cimino (make-up design) and Tony Award® winner Matt Stine (Music Producer). Casting is by Natalie Gallacher CDG for Pippa Ailion and Natalie Gallacher Casting.
The World tour of Moulin Rouge! The Musical is produced by Carmen Pavlovic and Gerry Ryan OAM for Global Creatures and Bill Damaschke. Executive Producers of the World Tour are Angela Dalton and Nick Grace Management. General Management and Tour Booking by Nick Grace Management.
Wednesday 25 September 2024, London: MOZART: HER STORY – THE NEW MUSICAL, based on the life of Mozart’s sister, Nan, marries Mozart’s classics with over twenty contemporary original compositions by Tegan Summer (Book & Lyrics) & Gregory Nabours (Music & Additional Lyrics), and will have two special performances at Theatre Royal Drury Lane on Saturday 16 and Sunday 17 November 2024.
The all-star cast, which brings together some of the most acclaimed performers from both sides of the Atlantic, with countless Broadway and West End credits to their names, is announced today.
Taking to the stage in this brand-new piece of musical theatre will be Gabrielle Brooks (Get Up! Stand Up! The Bob Marley Musical, Once on this Island, Shadow and Bone) as Nan Mozart, Tyrone Huntley (Hello, Dolly!, Jesus Christ Superstar,Dreamgirls) as Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart,with Anthony Rapp (Rent, If/Then, Star Trek: Discovery) as Count Franz von Walsegg.
They are joined by Laura Pitt-Pulford (Standing at the Sky’s Edge, Seven Brides for Seven Brothers, Sunset Boulevard) as Anna Maria Mozart, Vinny Coyle (Phantom of the Opera, Cinderella, Follies) as Johann Baptist zu Sonnenburg, Yvette Gonzalez-Nacer (OBC Hadestown,In the Heights, Real Women Have Curves) as Constanze Weber, and Emily Squibb (Matilda The Musical, Beauty and the Beast,Made in Dagenham) as Karoline von Walsegg / Cover Nan.
Completing the cast are Emily Panes, Elisabeth Snegir, Daisie Mariella, Jordan Fox, Harry Chandler, Bethaney Wellings-Davies, Evie-Leigh Savage, Jacob Wye, Larissa Gerske, Maxfield Haynes, Addison Ector and Charlotte Edmonds.
Tegan Summer (Aspects of Love, For Black Boys Who Have Considered Suicide When The Hue Gets Too Heavy) – Lead Producer, Book Writer, Lyricist said:
“I am delighted to bring Mozart: Her Story – The New Musical to the West End stage and particularly thrilled to be presenting an original piece of musical theatre. The show reflects socially-relevant themes of female empowerment and inclusion, and is in the safe hands of our phenomenally-talented and passionate cast.”
Joining Tegan and Gregory on the creative team for Mozart: Her Story – The New Musical are Stephanie Klemons (Director) Colette Freedman (Dramaturgy), Dwight Roden & Desmond Richardson founders of Complexions Contemporary Ballet (Choreography), Andy Walmsley (Scenic Designer), Christine Darch (Costume Design), Davidè Torchio (Hair) Prema Mehta (Lighting Design), Chris Whybrow (Sound Design), and Jill Green Casting (Jill Green & Associates Olivia Laydon and Tom Shiels).
A multi-genre musical with a dominant rock classical fusion.
Based on the life of one of the greatest composers of all time, Mozart: Her Story – The New Musical, shines a unique light on a classic story told through the eyes of Nan, Wolfgang’s rebellious sister, who attempts to break through the misogynistic confines of the era with her courage and prodigious genius.
The woman in the shadows, behind the man in the sun.
Wolfgang’s sister, Nan Mozart, is a brilliant composer who struggles to be seen and heard in the male-dominated 18th century Court. When the young virtuosa, who is arguably more talented than her brother, is silenced and banned from all artistic endeavours, she rebels. In this untold story of the greatest composer of all time, his insatiable sibling and conflicted father embark on a journey of love, hate, tragedy, and redemption.
MOZART: HER STORY – THE NEW MUSICAL is produced by Tegan Summer Theatricals with General Management by Anthology Theatre Productions.
Simon Friend Entertainment is delighted to announce that Asa Butterfield, star of Netflix’s Sex Education will make his stage debut in the one-man play, Second Best – a fictional story about the boy who came second to play Harry Potter. Written by Barney Norris, based on David Foenkinos’ best-selling novel and directed by Michael LonghurstSecond Best opens at Riverside Studios next year where it plays a limited four-week run from 24 January – 22 February 2025. Tickets are available now atwww.secondbestplay.com
At ten years old, Martin Hill was on the brink of stardom, down to the final two contenders for the role of Harry Potter but narrowly missing out. Now an adult, Martin is about to embark on the ultimate adventure – fatherhood. As he navigates this whirlwind of emotions, he is pulled back to that pivotal moment in his past as he struggled to move beyond imagining what his life might have been.
Second Best is a playful yet poignant new comedy about fate, near-misses and the winding paths life takes. It explores the ache of almost touching greatness and the humour and hope that come when dreams remain just out of reach.
“An exquisitely bittersweet comedy of life’s missed opportunities.”
— Jonathan Coe, on the novel Second Best
Asa Butterfield says of his first on stage role: “It’s equal parts hilarious and heartbreaking, a universal tale of ‘what ifs’, and I can’t wait to bring it to life on stage for the very first time.”
Producer, Simon Friend, continues: “I read David Foenkinos’ wonderful novel when it was published last year, and it immediately cried out to be told on stage. It’s a coming-of-age story of success and failure, love and loss, and fathers and sons – as well as the universal experience of plans going awry. We’re incredibly excited about the incomparable Asa Butterfield making his stage debut in Barney Norris’ wonderfully funny and moving adaptation of the novel, with Michael Longhurst directing. A team of artists who are most definitely not second best.”
Asa Butterfirlds for Second Best , photos taken at WAC Arts , Belsize Park, London on the 7th September 2024
British actor, Asa Butterfield, is arguably best known for his role as Otis Milburn, in the Netflix worldwide phenomenon Sex Education. The series returned for a fourth and final series last September. He will next star in Out Of The Dust for Netflix, a six-part psychological thriller, opposite Molly Windsor, and Christopher Eccleston.
Asa made his on-screen debut at the age of eight in After Thomas (2006). In 2007, he featured in Son of Rambow alongside Will Poulter. The following year Asa starred in the film adaptation of John Bayne’s novel by the same name, The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas. A leading role that earned him critical acclaim and a nomination for a British Independent Film Award for Most Promising Newcomer. In 2011, he starred in Martin Scorsese’s adventure film Hugo and in 2015 in James Graham’s, A Brilliant Young Mind.
Asa led in the festive film, Your Christmas or Mine? for Amazon Prime, released at the end of 2022. A sequel followed in 2023, titled Your Christmas or Mine 2.
Asa’s further film and TV credits also include: Choose or Die (2022), Greed (2019), Watch the Skies (2019), Slaughterhouse Rulez (2018), Time Freak (2018), Then Came You (2018), Wrong Place Right Tim (SHORT)(2018), Thunderbirds Are Go (2017), The House of Tomorrow (2017), Journey’s End (2017), The Space Between Us (2017), Miss Peregrine’s Home For Peculiar Children (2016), 10,000 Saints (2015), Enders Game (2013), The Wolfman (2010), Nanny McPhee Returns(2010), Merlin (2008) and Ashes To Ashes (2008).
Michael Longhurst is an award-winning stage director and former Artistic Director of The Donmar Warehouse, where he directed, amongst others, Keeley Hawes in The Human Body by Lucy Kirkwood, Next to Normal (four Olivier Award nominations; also West End), The Band’s Visit (six Olivier Award nominations), Rory Kinnear in Force Majeure, Teenage Dick, Belleville starring James Norton, and the Olivier Award-winning multi-cast revival of Nick Payne’s Constellations (originally Royal Court, West End and Broadway). His programming included the globally transferring pandemic sound installation Blindness, a new version of The Cherry Orchard by Benedict Andrews (starring Nina Hoss and Adeel Akhtar) and Macbeth starring David Tennant and Cush Jumbo, also transferring to the West End this autumn.
His Chichester production of Tony Kushner and Jeanine Tesori’s civil rights-era musical Caroline, or Change, starring Sharon D Clarke in an Olivier Award-winning performance, transferred to the West End and Broadway where it was Tony-nominated for Best Musical Revival.
Other productions include the National Theatre smash hit Amadeus (Olivier Theatre, featuring The Southbank Sinfonia), The Son and Bad Jews (West End), Carmen Disruption (Almeida), A Number (Young Vic), ‘Tis Pity She’s a Whore and The Winter’s Tale (Sam Wanamaker) and Between Riverside and Crazy (currently at Hampstead Theatre).
Barney Norris’s work has received awards from the International Theatre Institute, the Critics’ Circle, the Evening Standard, the Society of Authors, and the South Bank Sky Arts Times Breakthrough Awards, among others, and been translated into nine languages. His plays include Visitors, Eventide, Nightfall, The Wellspring and acclaimed adaptations of Ishiguro’s The Remains of the Day and Lorca’s Blood Wedding; his novels include the acclaimed Undercurrent and the bestselling Five Rivers Met On A Wooded Plain.
Set and Costume Design will be by Fly Davis.
Second Best is produced by Simon Friend Entertainment.
Multiple award winners Siân Phillips, Nathaniel Parker and Lolita Chakrabarti lead an ensemble cast directed by James Dacre performing Terence Rattigan’s most personal one act masterpieces Table Number Seven(from Separate Tables)and The Browning Version, which are paired for the first time to capture one quietly momentous evening seventy years ago. Together, they present Rattigan as one of the great twentieth century chroniclers of the paradoxes of the human heart.
Completing the cast are Alexandra Dowling, Angela Jones, Jeremy Neumark Jones, Simon Coates, Richenda Carey, Kishore Walker, Pamela Miles, Fiona Tong, Rosalind Lailey and Bertie Hawes.
This unique tribute to Terence Rattigan will be staged at Theatre Royal Bath from 24 October to 2 November 2024 (Press Night 30 October) followed by a UK national tour stopping at Malvern Theatre (5 – 9 Nov 2024), Cambridge Arts Theatre (12 – 16 Nov 2024), Chichester Festival Theatre (21 – 25 Jan 2025), Richmond Theatre (27 Jan – 1 Feb 2025), Cheltenham Everyman Theatre (3 – 8 Feb 2025) and Oxford Playhouse (11 – 15 Feb 2025).
Nathaniel Parker is well-loved by TV audiences for playing the title character in the long-running BBC series The Inspector Lynley Mysteries. As well as countless lead roles in television dramas, he has regularly appeared onstage for the RSC, including Henry VIII in the internationally acclaimed Wolf Hall and Bringing Up The Bodies in Stratford -Upon-Avon, in the West End and on Broadway.
In a career spanning eight decades, Multi award-winning Dame Siân Phillips’ many memorable screen credits range from her BAFTA-winning role in the BBC’s adaptation of I, Claudius in 1976 to guest roles in New Tricks, Under Milk Wood, Casualty, Lewis, and the TV adaptation of J.K. Rowling’s detective novels Strike. Siân’s prestigious stage career has seen her nominated for Olivier Awards for Pal Joey, A Little Night Music, Cabaret and the title role in Marlene.
Lolita Chakrabarti OBE is an award-winning actress and playwright. Her adaptation of the Booker Prize winning novel Life of Pi won her the prestigious Olivier Award for Best Play. Stage credits include: Gertrude, opposite Tom Hiddleston, in Hamlet (RADA), Fanny & Alexander (Old Vic), John Gabriel Borkman (Donmar Warehouse), and Free Outgoing (Royal Court). Most recently she starred in The Hunt (St Ann’s Warehouse, New York). Her TV credits include: Silo (Apple), Screw (Channel Four), Vigil (BBC) Showtrial (BBC), The Wheel of Time (Amazon), The Casual Vacancy (BBC1/HBO), Delicious (Sky), Beowulf (ITV), Jekyll and Hyde (ITV), Riviera (Sky), Criminal (Netflix) and Born to Kill (CH4).
Summer, 1954.
The atmosphere at The Beauregard Private Hotel, Bournemouth, is marked by a blend of repressed emotions and post-war gentility. Each of the staff and guests has their own reason for seeking the solace of quiet anonymity, but trying to hide from the social and cultural change sweeping over the country is proving impossible.
Meanwhile, in the heart of the Midlands, the end of the school term brings to a climax the intrigues, deceptions and lies in the lives of its teachers. The ensuing implosion of classicist Andrew Crocker Harris’s career triggers the collapse of his marriage.
Britain is changing. Nothing will ever be the same again.
The Creative Team includes Director James Dacre, Set and Costume Designer Mike Britton Lighting Designer Charles Balfour, Composer Valgeir Sigurðsson, Sound Designer Bella Kear, Associate Director Sarah Stacey and Movement Director Arielle Smith, with casting by Ginny Schiller CDG.
James Dacre is an Olivier and UK Theatre Award-winning Director and Creative Producer who recently launched Living Theatre Productions. He was Artistic Director of Royal & Derngate Theatres from 2013-2023 where he produced more than 120 shows, of which 60 toured both nationally and internationally, and 42 transferred to London and were recognised with Olivier, Evening Standard, UK Theatre, WhatsOnStage and The Stage awards. He is a Board Director of Spirit of 2012, a Trustee for The Theatres Trust and Talawa Theatre Company and a Franco-British Young Leader.
SUMMER 1954 is produced by Theatre Royal Bath Productions and Living Theatre Productions.
Curve Theatre Leicester – until 28th September 2024
Reviewed by Amarjeet Singh
4****
Set in 1962 in Baltimore, Hairspray opens with a rousing number introducing you to the racial segregation of its time. Tracy Turnblad is a bubbly, excitable and exceptionally talented teenager who decides to audition for The Corny Collins Show along with her best friend Penny Pingelton. Tracy catches Corny’s eye, which leads to an opportunity to dance on TV. Falling for hunk and fellow dancer/crooner Link Larkin, Tracy makes an enemy of Amber Von Tussle who is already romantically involved with Link and does not agree with Tracy being not as svelte as the other dancers. Amber’s mother, Velma Von Tussle produces Corny’s programme, and is against people of colour and those of a larger size appearing on the show. Finding herself in detention, Tracy strikes up a friendship with some black students, and she invites them to dance with her on the show, to shake the injustice of black people not being able to dance regularly on the show. This incites a whole host of shenanigans, including jail time, a jail break, a giant can of hairspray and a dance off. Will Tracy and Link make it? Will there be racial and physical harmony?
Alexandra Emmerson-Kirby played a wonderful Tracy Turnblad. She’s bright, bold and her energy is infectious, it’s hard to believe this is her debut run. Supported by the rest of the cast, they are all a delight to watch.
The show is uplifting and features the hits ‘Welcome to the 60s’, ‘Run and Tell That’, and ‘You Can’t Stop the Beat’. The cast belt these out with gusto. Aided by superb choreography from Drew Mconie and brilliant direction from Paul Kerryson and Brenda Edwards, this is a truly feel good show which will have you dancing in the aisles.
REIGNING DRAG RACE UK CHAMPION GINGER JOHNSON LEADS TUCKSHOP’S FOURTH ANNUAL DRAG PANTO – PETER PAN
PANTO AT THE PHOENIX! BACK IN THE WEST END FOR A LIMITED TIME MONDAY 2 DECEMBER 2024 – MONDAY 6 JANUARY 2025 | THE PHOENIX THEATRE
STARRING DRAG RACE UK WINNER GINGER JOHNSON, DRAG RACE LEGENDS KITTY SCOTT-CLAUS, CHERYL HOLE, KATE BUTCH AND MORE!
TuckShop – the UK’s only specialist production company devoted all things drag – are back in the West End again this Christmas with an exciting co-production with Jack Maple Productions. This year’s pantomime, Peter Pan is Tuckshop’s fourth all drag pantomime, following 2019 sell-out hit Cinderella, 2021’s Dick Whittington and last year’s Sleeping Beauty.
This raucous pantomime will run at The Phoenix Theatre on select dates from Monday 2 December 2024 to Monday 6 January 2025 with a press performance on Monday 9 December 8pm. Tickets are on sale now.
Forget everything you thought you knew about Neverland with this childishly unabashed two-fingered, all-drag, salute to the classic tale of the boy that wouldn’t grow up. Same, tbh.
Join Peter as he humps his ‘orrible little way around Neverland with Wendy, John and Michael in a constant battle with the villainous moral crusader, Captain Hook!
Starring an incredible line-up of Drag talent including Drag Race UK Winner Ginger Johnson as Hook, alongside Tuck Shop alums and Drag Race legends Kitty Scott-Claus, Cheryl Hole and Kate Butch as the Darling children, TikTok and viral sensation Bailey J Mills as Tinkerbell, Yshee Black as Smee, Ophelia Love returns as Villager No.4, Mahatma Khandi as the mermaid and Drag King sensation Richard Energy in the title role as Peter.
Rude, crude and not for prudes, this is the very adult, very hilarious, very demure pantomime from the creator of Death Drop, Cool Rider and Gals Aloud and written by Gareth Joyner (A Christmas Carole, Dick Whittington, the creator of Myra Dubois).
Fly straight to the Phoenix Theatre to find out just how juvenile a show this is, how the hell we’re achieving the flying effects with no budget, and just exactly how are we going to deal with the cultural appropriation of “Princess Tiger Lilly” (but we’ll probably will just skim past that…).
On returning to Tuck Shop, Cheryl Hole (recent finalist on Canada’s Drag Race vs the world) said: “I’m so excited to be back working with Tuckshop for another fun and ridiculous production. I had the honour of being part of 2021’s Dick Whittington and taking the lead. The collaboration between artist and production is such a fun, electric process that we always produce the best results. I’m beyond ready to get into the stage and see what ridiculous character comes from inside me”
Kate Butch said: “I’m so excited to be back on the West End and back with TuckShop, after having a fabulous time in Sleeping Beauty last year. In that show, I was a selfish narcissist with bad makeup, so it’ll be fun to get to do some acting this year.”
Kitty Scott-Claus (currently storming it on Rupaul’s Drag Race Global All Stars) said: “I’m so excited to be returning to the West End with Tuckshop this Panto season! 3rd times a charm!”
New Wimbledon Theatre Studio – until 28 September 2024
Reviewed by Carly Burlinge
4****
New Wimbledon Theatre Studio brings you this new play by Aimee Dickinson and Aliya Gilmore from Ultraviolet Productions. It tells the story of Lilith, the first women to be created by God from Dust, who was placed into the garden of Eden to live alongside Adam as his first wife. Although problems begin to show when Adam tries to dominate his wife, only pushing her to want to know more and ask more questions of Adam and God. Lilith doesn’t listen to Adam, and she finds herself abandoned and alone in the wilderness outside of Eden after being locked out by God.
The production is done extremely well with Lucifer (Oscar Nicholson) taking Lilith (Isabel McGrady) through the story of how Adam’s life continued without her and the creation of Eve. This was created by jumping in and out of time frames and characters with Lilith also playing Eve and Lucifer also playing Adam.
We see Lilith playing a very enthusiastic character wanting to understand to know why. She doesn’t want to stand still; she wants all the answers now! Whereas Adam seems quite happy to sit back and take things as they come, being content with his life.
Lucifer on the other hand is waiting in the wings to cause some chaos! Although quite a heavy content the show was done extremely well with lighter moments to provide some relief with laughter.
The stage I thought was simple yet very effective, with a tree in the middle that was half black and half white, showing good and evil and light and dark that exists in us all.
The lighting and sound also gave the production much depth and altogether I really enjoyed this alternative point of view on the creation story. It may not be for everyone, but I thought the whole show in itself was done extremely well with a lot of thought, a really good watch.
