Aylesbury Waterside Theatre- until Sunday 5 January 2020
Reviewed by Annie Hughes
4****
If you are searching for a warm and fuzzy musical treat to enjoy with your loved ones this festive season, then looked no further than Aylesbury Waterside Theatre’s annual pantomime Beauty and the Beast. Adults and children alike will not be able to resist laughing along to the jokes, singing the catchy songs and screaming as the baddie appears.
This tale as old as time, set in the quaint French town of Camembert, has been reimagined into a witty, festive modern pantomime. It really is a masterclass in the arts of dancing and singing throughout. Amelia Adams-Pearce as Belle kicks off the show with a powerful rendition Footloose, accompanied by the charming backing dancers from Castielli School of Dance and Vivo D’Arte. Throughout the show, the professionalism of these little dancers is so impressive, particularly in act one when they appear as balletic forest creatures who guide Belle’s father to his dismal fate of the Beast’s castle. The choreography and music choice throughout the show is fresh, modern and captivating.
While the characters are not explored in as much depth and complexity as the original tale, this matters little as, after all, the aim of a pantomime is laughter and joy! And the jewel in the crown of this particular show is no the laugh-out-loud comical interludes with La Voix as Polly Pot et Pan and Andy Collins as Louis Pot et Pan. The traditional Beauty and the Beast tale is refreshingly broken up with moments of pure joy from this comedy duo. What is most admirable about the two actors is how they manage to act to the vast amount of kids in the audience, while still injecting many jokes for the benefit of the parents. They really make it a pantomime for all. This culminates in a ridiculously hilarious rendition of the Twelve Days of Christmas which descends into a riot of toilet roll being thrown across the audience. Yet somehow… it worked!
Do not let the holiday season pass without grabbing yourselves some tickets! It really is the Christmas treat that all the family needs.
Cinderella is one of the classic pantos you expect to see pop up at Christmastime, but Regal Entertainments Ltd bring it to the Epstein Theatre with a fresh, distinctly Liverpudlian flair. Jane Joseph’s writing is a joy to experience, bringing expected panto charm together with lashings of Scouse wit. This performance never quite lets you forget where you are, bringing in plenty of tongue-in-cheek references to the local area through Buttons’ interactions with the audience, which are always welcome with the brilliant Lewis Devine at the helm. The song choices are also fantastic – a mix of classic love songs and retro pop (including Dolly Partons’ “9 to 5” as a cracker of an opening number for Sammy Winward’s Cinderella) with modern hits like George Ezra’s “Shotgun” coming in to keep things contemporary.
For me, the Ugly Sisters are always the highlight of a production of Cinderella, and Crissy Rock and Sarah White didn’t disappoint. Loud, shameless and gut-achingly funny, their raunchy rendition of “Sweet but a Psycho” had the audience crying with laughter. Regal Entertainments Ltd’s costume design was beautiful throughout, but truly stepped up to another level when it came to dressing the Ugly Sisters – they strutted out in a new costume in just about every scene. My personal favourite was their “Bags for Life” ensemble; after what seemed like a throwaway joke from Buttons (Lewis Devine), the sisters burst onto the stage dressed as Tesco and Asda, branding and colourful wigs and all.
Cinderella (Sammy Winward) and Prince Charming (Andrew Geater) were the absolute perfect match. They were both effortlessly charming, with beautiful, clear singing voices, able to easily capture your heart with their earnest performances. But the standout star vocally has to be Samantha Palin as the Fairy Godmother – right before intermission she was let loose showing the audience just how astonishingly talented she is in that regard. Regal Entertainments Ltd have truly brought together one of the most charming panto casts I’ve ever seen on the stage.
Their set design was everything it needed to be: detailed backgrounds and props dropped you right into a fairytale wonderland, and it was a delight to see the set used in more creative ways throughout the performance. As Samantha Palin and Lewis Devine celebrated the ball with Joe Cocker’s “Up Where We Belong“, some nefarious meddling from the Ugly Sisters led to the stage and sets themselves turning against the performance – it was simply comedic gold. The interactive 3D scene (devised by Accolade Productions) was also wonderfully inventive, leading to many a shriek and scream from the children in the audience.
Finally, one last mention has to go to the choreography by Nazene Langfield. Not only was it dynamic and fun, it showcased the talents of the ensemble expertly. The dance performances fleshed out every musical number, switching up their style perfectly to match the variety of songs on offer.
Cinderella proved to be an evening of pure unfiltered joy – well worth seeing before it leaves the ball on Sunday 5th January. Regal Entertainments Ltd will also be back at the Epstein over Easter (10th-19th April 2020) performing Beauty and the Beast, so keep an eye out for that too!
Ambassador Theatre Group Productions, Paula Wagner, Nice Productions and LPO are delighted to announce that Aimie Atkinson will play ‘Vivian’ and Danny Mac will play ‘Edward’ in the smash hit PRETTY WOMAN: THE MUSICAL at the Piccadilly Theatre from 13 February 2020 where it will play for a strictly limited engagement of 46 weeks. Full casting to be announced soon. PrettyWomanTheMusical.com
Producer Paula Wagner said today “After an extensive search, we have found our ideal Vivian and Edward! Their talent and undeniable charisma will take Pretty Woman: The Musical to new iconic heights. When I met Aimie, I was completely captivated by her wit, warmth and dynamic presence. Danny, has all the great qualities of a leading man and will make the perfect Edward. I can’t wait to see these two power-house talents together on stage”.
Director and Choreographer Jerry Mitchell said today “When I first saw Aimie I knew I wanted to work with her. Her star quality, attack and voice in SIX leapt off the stage. I have wanted to work with the very talented Danny Mac for ages. His voice is perfectly suited for Bryan Adams and Jim Vallance’s romantic score. Together, Aimie and Danny will make the West End production of Pretty Woman: The Musical sizzle, and with them we’ll all be falling in love again with Garry Marshall and JF Lawton’s romantic story”.
Aimie Atkinson was in the original West End cast of the hit musical Six at the Arts Theatre and was nominated for an Olivier Award for her performance. Her other credits include Daniela in In the Heights at King’s Cross Theatre, Serena in Legally Blonde at Kilworth House and Chloe in Never Forget – The Take That Musical and Luisa in Zorro The Musical, both on national tour. Aimie is also the winner of the prestigious BBC Radio 2 Voice of Musical Theatre Award.
Danny Mac can currently be seen as Bob Wallace in White Christmas at the Dominion Theatre in the West End. His many other theatre credits include Joe Gillis in Sunset Boulevard and Nino in Amelie, both on national tour, Gabey in On The Town at Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre and the West End productions of Wicked and Legally Blonde. Danny captured the nation’s hearts and received overwhelming support during his incredible time on BBC1’s Strictly Come Dancing, making it all the way to the final.
PRETTY WOMAN: THE MUSICAL features original music and lyrics by Grammy Award winner Bryan Adams and Jim Vallance, a book by Garry Marshall and the film’s screenwriter J.F. Lawton, it is directed and choreographed by the two-time Tony Award winner Jerry Mitchell.
Featured in the musical is Roy Orbison and Bill Dee’s international smash hit song ‘Oh, Pretty Woman’ which inspired one of the most beloved romantic comedy films of all time. PRETTY WOMAN the film (produced by Arnon Milchan – New Regency Productions) was an international smash hit when it was released in 1990.
Atlantic Records’ PRETTY WOMAN: THE MUSICAL(ORIGINAL BROADWAY CAST RECORDING)is produced by Bryan Adams and Jim Vallance and is now available on all DSP’s.
PRETTY WOMAN: THE MUSICAL has scenic design by David Rockwell, costumes by Tom Rogers from the original Broadway designs by Gregg Barnes, lighting design by Kenneth Posner and Philip S. Rosenberg, sound design by John Shivers, hair design by Josh Marquette, and music supervision, arrangements and orchestrations by Will Van Dyke. 101 Productions, Ltd. is theUS General Manager.
PRETTY WOMAN: THE MUSICAL had its world premiere at Chicago’s Oriental Theatre in March 2018 before transferring to Broadway where it ran at the Nederlander Theatre. The German production opened in Hamburg at the Stage Theater an der Elbe on 29 September 2019 to rave reviews and sell out business and the US tour will begin in September 2020.
‘The definitive Mrs Johnstone’ (Manchester Evening News) Lyn Paul continues in the iconic role for her final performances. Lyn first took on the role in 1997 and has continued to lead the company on numerous tours across the country, including the final West End performances at the Phoenix Theatre in 2012. She has also starred in the UK tour of Cabaret in 2013 as Fraulein Schneider, in Boy George’s musical Taboo and in Footloose – the Musical.
Lyn said: “I’m honoured to have been given the opportunity to undertake this “Farewell Tour” by my good friend, Bill Kenwright. It’s such a privilege to be able to play Mrs Johnstone one final time”.
Lyn rose to fame in the early 1970s as a member of the New Seekers. She was the featured vocalist on their 1972 Eurovision Song Contest entry, ‘Beg, Steal or Borrow’ and lead vocalist on the 1974 number-one hit ‘You Won’t Find Another Fool Like Me’. The groups biggest hit was ‘I’d Like to Teach the World to Sing’, adapted from an advertising jingle for Coca-Cola, which sold over 20 million copies and remains one of the 100 best-selling singles in the UK.
This epic tale of Liverpool life started as a play, performed at a Liverpool comprehensive school in 1981 before opening at the Liverpool Playhouse in 1983, completing sell out seasons in the US, Australia, Canada, New Zealand and Japan. Blood Brothers also ran in London’s West End for 24 years, exceeding 10,000 performances, one of only three musicals ever to achieve such a milestone.
Blood Brothers tells the captivating and moving story of twin boys separated at birth, only to be reunited by a twist of fate and a mother’s haunting secret. The memorable score includes A Bright New Day, Marilyn Monroe and the emotionally charged hit Tell Me It’s Not True.
When Mrs Johnstone, a young mother, is deserted by her husband and left to her own devices to provide for seven hungry children she takes a job as a housekeeper in order to make ends meet. It is not long before her brittle world crashes around her when she discovers herself to be pregnant yet again – this time with twins! In a moment of weakness and desperation, she enters a secret pact with her employer which leads inexorably to the show’s shattering climax.
Willy Russellis undeniably one of this country’s leading contemporary dramatists. His countless credits include Educating Rita and Shirley Valentine. Educating Rita, originally commissioned by the Royal Shakespeare Company, enjoyed a two-year run in the West End and was made into a movie starring Michael Caine and Julie Walters. Shirley Valentine also made the move from stage to screen in an enormously popular film starring Pauline Collins and Tom Conti.
New theatre company 45North, founded by award winning producer and director Jessica Rose McVay, has been launched to champion the work of emerging playwrights and theatre makers, and to present new writing to a variety of audiences. Born and raised in Minneapolis, Minnesota, before moving to the UK in 2016, company founder Jessica Rose McVay gives a nod to her hometown with ‘45North’ being the longitude coordinates of Minneapolis.
Having previously worked as assistant director on the Broadway on The Best Man Having produced a number of celebrated works over the past few years, in London and the Edinburgh festival including the 2019 critically Acclaimed Post Mortem and Leave a Message at Edinburgh 2019 McVay is now talking the opportunity to formalise her production company, appoint a number of staff,produce several London, Edinburgh and international shows in the coming 12 months and begin an immediate bursary scheme providing financial support to emerging artists
As vocal advocates of unheard and underrepresented work, 45North’s mission is to shift the spotlight onto creatives that put marginalised groups front and centre; starting with women. McVay is joined by Emily Carewe as Creative Producer for Theatre, with plans for a Creative Producer of Events to come on board mid-March 2020. The company is also committed to employing creative teams where women and/or trans and/or non-binary people make up at least 75% of the company.
45North already has plans in place for a series of productions with runs in London, tours across the UK, a season of four shows in Edinburgh, and shows in major Australian cities (more details of all shows below).
In addition, the company’s passion for supporting emerging creatives will be supported by the launch of two bursary schemes providing financial support to female, trans and non-binary emerging artists details of how to apply can be found https://www.forty-fivenorth.com/career-support-female-creatives
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A short commission scheme, where artists will be given a day in 45North’s new studio in Hackney Downs to R&D new work, with the option for feedback from 45North and support in producing a public showing.
The second, more ambitious bursary will be open to playwrights, directors and divisors and will see creatives receive an initial grant of between £1000 – £1500 with 3-6 months access to the 45North studio and office space to create a first draft. They will also be given feedback and support from the team and if the resulting piece fits in with 45North’s core values, it will be commissioned and will receive further financial backing to a total of £5000 and a production produced by 45North.
McVay states: “45North was created with the primary goal of finding and promoting new work by theatre creatives who set out to tell stories that are all too often unheard – we want to advocate and amplify the amazing work that is out there when you step away from white-male dominated narratives. With the stage a prominent catalyst for social change, it’s more important than ever to put marginalised groups at the centre of creative work. I’m very excited to be embarking on this journey”.
45North’s initial slate, set to take place over the next few months will include:
· On home soil, the company will be producing Gillian Greer’s play MEATat Theatre503 in February 2020 (separate press release for that to be sent over very soon), which was shortlisted for 503’s playwriting award in 2018. The story navigates sexual assault and consent within a relationship. MEAT tells the story of two ex-lovers who meet for a night of food, drink and reminiscing about old times, when a revelation sets them on a collision course like no other. This piece is a perfect fit for 45North, putting strong female creatives at the helm with writer Gillian Greer and director Lucy Atkinson.
· Next comes a very exciting collaboration with theatre company Scripts for Supper – a fantastical immersive dining company which will tour a production of ‘Wind in the Willows’ in spring 2020. The brainchild of Masterchef 2016 semi-finalist Annie McKenzie, Scripts for Supper treats audiences to a scrumptious five-course dinner, as a gastronomic world collides with theatre. Much-loved stories and characters are brought to life with journeying audiences encountering an extravaganza of storytelling within an immersive theatrical world. This tour will visit venues around England, ranging from city farms to country houses.
· This will be followed by four productions at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival in August 2020. The four shows are currently in development, and each will be part of a cohesive set of compelling works that challenge stereotypes and prejudices, tied together by their female-led narratives.
· And beyond the UK, 45North is producing an Australian tour of Post-Mortem whicha beautiful piece of physical theatre which brings an honest and comic look at young love and old trauma from award-winning playwright Iskandar Sharazuddin – this follows Post-Mortem’s critically acclaimed run at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival this year. The show will be touring to Perth and Adelaide in 2020 – first playing at the Blue Room Theatre in Perth from 24th January to 1st February before going onto Holden Street Theatres in Adelaide from 12th to 26th February.
· Also headed to Australia will be new play (un)written (un)heard. Running from 29th January to 9th February at Girl’s School in Perth, this piece follows the astonishing true story of Dorothy Lawrence; an English journalist who disguised herself as a man in order to join the front line in WW1 with an ambition to become the first female war correspondent.
· Looking beyond the next year 45North’s long term plan is to commercially produce shows at West End and Broadway level and working towards having the company having its own venue – and to continue and evolve their bursary schemes; encouraging emerging artists by helping them access the funds they need in order to devote time to their artistic endeavours
As Christmas approaches, the Theatre Helpline will be running throughout the festive period, providing support and advice for everyone working in the theatre industry, whether in-house or freelance.
Launched in 2018 by Society of London Theatre (SOLT) and UK Theatre and run by Connect Assist, the free, independent and confidential 24-hour phone and email service is available 365 days a year for a range of personal and professional support.
Callers can talk to friendly, knowledgeable, trained staff about everything from bullying, harassment, mental health and wellbeing to debt and financial issues. Theatre Helpline staff can also signpost a range of useful external resources and support services if necessary.
This week, theatre venues and production offices across the UK will receive posters and flyers about the Theatre Helpline to put up around their workplaces.
Julian Bird, Chief Executive of SOLT and UK Theatre, said:
‘Christmas can be a difficult time for some, and we want to remind our industry that the Theatre Helpline is on hand as a vital resource for anyone struggling with a personal or professional issue – big or small – and unsure where to turn. One of SOLT and UK Theatre’s core missions is to ensure the theatre sector is a safe, supportive working environment, and the Theatre Helpline is central to this. Please spread the word about the Helpline among colleagues and friends.’
FULL CASTING ANNOUNCED FOR UK AND IRELAND TOUR OF THE TIMELESS MUSICAL CLASSIC
THE SOUND OF MUSIC
Bill Kenwright’s production of one of the greatest family musicals of all time The Sound of Music returns to the UK and Ireland in 2020. This musical masterpiecetells the true story of the world-famous Trapp family, from their romantic beginnings and search for happiness, to their thrilling escape to freedom as their beloved Austria becomes part of the Third Reich at the start of the Second World War. The tour begins on 10 January 2020 at the Bord Gáis Energy Theatre in Dublin.
Playing the role of Maria in this spectacular production will be Emilie Fleming. Emilie became a household name when she was a finalist in BBC One’s Over the Rainbow with Andrew Lloyd Webber. Her musical theatre credits include the West End’s 20th Anniversary production of Les Misérables at the Queen’s Theatre.
Andrew Lancel will reprise his role as Captain von Trapp. Andrewis best known as super-villain Frank Foster in Coronation Street, a role that earned him a ‘Villain of the Year’ award at the British Soap Awards. He also played DI Neil Manson in the long-running ITV television series The Bill. His numerous stage credits include Bill Kenwright’s touring productions of The Small Hand and Twelve Angry Men. Andrew starred in The Man Who Made The Beatles in Liverpool and London, and most recently appeared on stage in the UK tour of The Lady Vanishes.
Welsh soprano Megan Llewellyn will play the role of Mother Abbess and will be joined by Howard Samuels (Max), Michael Anderson (Rolf), Nicole Farrar (Liesl), Alexander Evans (Herr Zeller) Zoe Ann Bown (Sister Margaretta), Georgina Hagen (Sister Berthe), Katie Shearman (Sister Sophia), Sophie Christine (Ursula), Olivia Alexander (Baroness Elberfeld), Jon de Ville (Franz), Wendy-Lee Purdy (Frau Schmidt), Paul Lavers (Admiral von Schreiber), Sam Tithecott (Baron Elberfeld) and Jack Churms (swing)
Producer Bill Kenwright said “The music and narrative of The Sound of Music are timeless. It’s a beautiful story about family and hope. The score transcends generations and the songs are known and loved by everyone.”
It all began with the story of the Trapp Family Singers and Baroness Maria von Trapp’s 1949 autobiography, which inspired Richard Rodgers, Oscar Hammerstein II, Howard Lindsay and Russel Crouse to create a Broadway musical in 1959. The unforgettable score features some of the most memorable songs ever performed on stage, including Edelweiss, My Favourite Things, Do-Re-Mi, Climb Ev’ry Mountain, So Long, Farewell and of course, the iconic title song, The Sound of Music.
This wonderfully lavish staging of the classic musical has delighted audiences and critics alike. Produced by Bill Kenwright, it is directed by Martin Connor and choreographed by Olivier Award winner Bill Deamer, with musical direction by Jeremy Wootton.
BILL KENWRIGHT presents
THE SOUND OF MUSIC
Music by RICHARD RODGERS
Lyrics by OSCAR HAMMERSTEIN II
Book by HOWARD LINDSAY AND RUSSEL CROUSE
Suggested by ‘The Trapp Family Singers’ by Maria Augusta Trapp.
Directed by MARTIN CONNOR
Choreographed by BILL DEAMER
Designed by GARY MCCANN
Lighting by NICK RICHINGS
Sound by DAN SAMSON
Musical direction by JEREMY WOOTTON
Presented by special arrangement with R&H Theatricals Europe www.rnh.com
WISE CHILDREN ANNOUNCES FULL CAST FOR THE REVIVAL OF
ROMANTICS ANONYMOUS AT BRISTOL OLD VIC
Wise Children and Plush Theatricals present Romantics Anonymous Book by Emma Rice, Lyrics by Christopher Dimond, Music by Michael Kooman Based on the film Les Émotifs Anonymes written by Jean-Pierre Améris and Phillippe Blasband
Directed by Emma Rice; Composer: Michael Kooman; Lyricist: Christopher Dimond
Based on an original design by: Lez Brotherston; Musical Supervisor: Nigel Lilley
Choreographer: Etta Murfitt; Orchestrator: Simon Hale;Lighting Designer: Malcolm Rippeth
Sound Designer: Simon Baker
Bristol Old Vic
18 January – 1 February 2020
Wise Children today announce the full cast for the revival of Emma Rice’s musical adaptation of Romantics Anonymous in a co-production with Plush Theatricals. Joining the previously announced returning cast members Marc Antolin (Jean-René) and Carly Bawden (Angélique) are Brett Brown (Salesman/Fred), Me’sha Bryan (Suzanne/Mimi), Harry Hepple (Ludo/Remi), Laura Jane Matthewson (Young Woman), Sandra Marvin (Magda/Brigitte/Dr Maxim), Craig Pinder (Father/Pierre/Receptionist) and Gareth Snook (Mercier/Mumbler/Marini).
The production opens at Bristol Old Vic on 23 January, with previews from 18 January and runs until 1 February, ahead of a US tour to Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts in LA and Shakespeare Theatre Company in Washington D.C with newly announced US dates at Spoleto Festival USA, 21 May – 7 June 2020.
Angélique is a gifted chocolate maker inhibited by social anxiety and Jean-René is the boss of a failing chocolate factory. When Angélique takes a job in Jean-René’s struggling factory, a fragile love affair unfolds.
Funny, tender and painfully awkward, Romantics Anonymous is a delicious love story about breaking the mould and finding the courage to be happy.
Directed by Emma Rice, the world première of Romantics Anonymous was originally produced by Shakespeare’s Globe for the Sam Wanamaker Playhouse by special arrangement with Radio Mouse Entertainment.
This announcement follows recent news of Wise Children’s world première adaptation of Wuthering Heights opening at the National Theatre ahead of a UK tour next year.
Emma Rice is the proud and excited Artistic Director of her new company, Wise Children. She adapted and directed the company’s first two productions, Angela Carter’s Wise Children (The Old Vic/UK tour) and Enid Blyton’s Malory Towers (Bristol Passenger Shed/UK tour). For the ENO she directed Orpheus in the Underworld. As Artistic Director of Shakespeare’s Globe (2016/18), she directed Romantics Anonymous, Twelfth Night, A Midsummer Night’s Dream and The Little Matchgirl (and Other Happier Tales). For the previous 20 years, she worked for Kneehigh as an actor, director and Artistic Director. Her productions for Kneehigh include The Flying Lovers of Vitebsk, Tristan & Yseult, 946: The Amazing Story of Adolphus Tips, The Wild Bride, The Red Shoes, The Wooden Frock, The Bacchae, Cymbeline (in association with RSC), A Matter of Life and Death (in association with National Theatre), Rapunzel (in association with Battersea Arts Centre), Brief Encounter (in association with David Pugh and Dafydd Rogers Productions), Don John (in association with the RSC and Bristol Old Vic), Wah! Wah! Girls (in association with Sadler’s Wells and Theatre Royal Stratford East for World Stages), and Steptoe and Son. Other work includes the West End production of The Umbrellas of Cherbourg, Oedipussy (Spymonkey), The Empress (RSC), and An Audience with Meow Meow (Berkeley Repertory Theatre). She was awarded the Outstanding Contribution to British Theatre at the 2019 UK Theatre Awards.
Michael Kooman (music) and Christopher Dimond (lyrics) are a stage and screen writing team. They currently serve as songwriters for Vampirina, an animated musical TV series on the Disney Channel and Disney Junior, reaching over 100 million viewers in 115 countries. Their theatre credits include The Noteworthy Life of Howard Barnes (Village Theater), Orphie & The Book of Heroes (The Kennedy Center), The Enlightenment of Percival Von Schmootz (Adirondack Theatre Festival), Judge Jackie: Disorder in the Court (Pittsburgh CLO), Dani Girl (Exit, Pursued by a Bear), Golden Gate (Williamstown Theatre Festival), Homemade Fusion (Ambassadors Theatre/Edinburgh Festival Fringe) and Junior Claus (Orlando Repertory Theatre). Kooman and Dimond have received the Fred Ebb Award, a Jonathan Larson Grant, the ASCAP Foundation Mary Rodgers/Lorenz Hart Award, the Samuel French Next Step Award, the Burton Lane Award and the Harold Adamson Award.
Marc Antolin plays Jean-René. His previous theatre credits include Hedda Gabler (Sherman Theatre), Cry Havoc (Park Theatre), Little Shop of Horrors – for which he received an Olivier Award nomination for Best Actor in a Musical, Into the Woods, Hello Dolly! (Regent Park’s Open Air Theatre),Twelfth Night (Shakespeare’s Globe), The Flying Lovers of Vitebsk (Kneehigh), Peter Pan (National Theatre), The Trial (Young Vic), Taken at Midnight (Theatre Royal Haymarket/Chichester Festival Theatre), Amadeus, Singin’ in the Rain, The Music Man (Chichester Festival Theatre), From Here to Eternity (Shaftsbury Theatre), Matilda (RSC/Cambridge Theatre), Billy Liar (UK tour) and Imagine This (New London Theatre). His film credits include London Road and Love Actually.
Carly Bawden plays Angélique. Her previous theatre credits include Ghost Quartet (Boulevard Theatre), Sylvia, Natives (The Old Vic), Twelfth Night (Shakespeare’s Globe), Wonder.Land (National Theatre), McQueen (Haymarket Theatre), Assassins, Pippin (Menier Chocolate Factory), Dead Dog in a Suitcase, Tristan & Yseult (Kneehigh), My Fair Lady (Sheffield Theatres), The Lion, The Witch & The Wardrobe (The Threesixty Theatre), The Umbrellas of Cherbourg (Kneehigh/Curve Theatre/Gielgud Theatre), Sleeping Beauty (Wakefield Theatre), Vice (Arcola Theatre), Whistle Down the Wind (UK tour), Evita (UK tour – Nominated for TMA Award for Best Supporting Actress 2009); and for television, Call the Midwife,Close to the Enemy and Doctors.
Brett Brown plays Salesman/Fred. His previous theatre credits inclued Henry V (International tour), Hamlet: Tears of a Chameleon (Gangdong Arts Center), Fishskin Trousers (Park Theatre), Tiresias (Bloomsbury Festival), Suffolk Stories (Theatre Royal Bury St Edmonds), Macbeth (Little Angel Theatre), Fishskin Trousers (Theatre Royal Bury St Edmonds), Dear World (Charing Cross Theatre), Phaedre (Cockpit Theatre), The Tempest (RSC/Little Angel Theatre), Coalition: Westminster Side Story (Theatre 503), Oh What A Lovely War! (Anvil Arts), Pain Management (Theatre 503), La Bôheme (The Cock Tavern, Kilburn), The Tempest (Gdańsk Shakespeare Festival), Last Seen (Almeida Theatre), Gentleman (Theatre Royal Stratford East), Our Theatre, The Tempest (Shakespeare’s Globe), A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Sydney Opera House).
Me’sha Bryan plays Suzanne/Mimi. Her previous theatre credits include Caroline, or Change (Playhouse Theatre/Hampstead Theatre/Chichester Festival Theatre), As You Like It (Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre), Desire Under the Elms (Sheffield Theatres), Sister Act – A Divine Musical Comedy (National Concert Hall, Dublin), The Lion King (UK tour), Been So Long (Young Vic), Moziz The Musical (Hackney Empire), Porgy and Bess (Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre), Ragtime (Piccadilly Theatre), The Wizard of Oz (Birmingham Repertory Theatre) and The Little Shop of Horrors (West Yorkshire Playhouse).
Harry Hepple plays Ludo/Remi. His previous theatre credits include Rutherford & Son, Follies, A Taste of Honey, Burnt by the Sun (National Theatre), Hot Mess, The Daughter in Law (Arcola Theatre), Wonderland (Nottingham Playhouse), Into the Woods, Pippin (Menier Chocolate Factory), The Saints (Nuffield Southampton Theatres), The Lightning Child, Macbeth (Shakespeare’s Globe), Privates on Parade (Noël Coward Theatre), A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Ragtime (Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre), 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee (Donmar Warehouse), Jump (UK tour), Been So Long (Young Vic), I Caught Crabs in Walberswick (Bush Theatre) and Alaska (Royal Court theatre). His television credits Moving On, Boy Meets Girl, Hustle and Misfits; and for film, Peterloo, Stan and Ollie and Criminal.
Laura Jane Matthewson plays Young Woman. Her previous theatre credits includeOrpheus Descending(Theatr Clywd/Menier Chocolate Factory), Harriet Martineau Dreams of Dancing (Live Theatre), The World Goes ‘Round (Stephen Joseph Theatre), Beyond The Fence (Arts Theatre), Dogfight (Southwark Playhouse – Winner of Evening Standard Award 2014 for Best Emerging Talent), Daisy Pulls It Off (Hever Festival) and After The Tone (Bridewell Theatre). Her television credits include Press.
Sandra Marvin plays Magda/Brigitte/Dr Maxim.Her previous theatre credits includeWaitress (Adelphi Theatre), Committee, City of Angels (Donmar Warehouse), Stepping Out(Vaudeville Theatre), Showboat (Sheffield Theatres/New London Theatre), Chicago (UK tour/Curve Theatre), Hairspray (Shaftesbury Theatre/UK tour), A Fairytale of New York, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Ragtime (Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre), Cool Hands Luke (Aldwych Theatre), The New Yorkers (Sadler’s Wells Theatre), Porgy and Bess (Savoy Theatre), Momo (Greenwich Theatre) and A Rake’s Progress (Royal Opera House). Her television credits include as series regular Jessie Grant in Emmerdale.
Craig Pinder plays Father/Pierre/Receptionist. His previous theatre credits include Fiddler on the Roof (Menier Chocolate Factory/Playhouse Theatre), The Best Man (Playhouse Theatre/UK tour), Veterans Day (Finborough Theatre), Floyd Collins (Wilton’s Music Hall), Guys & Dolls (UK tour), Walking the Chains (Bristol Old Vic), Blue/Orange (Sherman Theatre), High Society (UK tour), The White House Murder Case (Orange Tree Theatre), 1936 (Sadler’s Wells Theatre), Death of a Salesman (UK tour), Sunset Boulevard (Comedy Theatre), Footloose (UK tour), Mamma Mia! (Prince Edward Theatre), Baby Doll (The Birmingham Repertory Theatre), Not About Nightingales (Alley Theatre Houston), Popcorn (UK tour), Henry V, A Chaste Maid (Shakespeare’s Globe), Sunset Boulevard (Adelphi Theatre), Sweeney Todd, Hands Up, Mikado, (New Vic Theatre), Little Murders, Comedy of Errors, A View From The Bridge, Romeo and Juliet (Royal Exchange Theatre), Company (Exeter Northcott Theatre), Children of Eden (Prince Edward Theatre), As You Like It, Singer, The Duchess of Malfi, Moscow Gold (RSC) and Les Miserables (RSC/Palace Theatre).His film credits include The American Way, Children of God, Wind Jammers and Cargo.
Gareth Snook plays Mercier/Mumbler/Marini. His previous theatre credits include A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre), Wise Children (Dora), Romeo and Juliet (Shakespeare’s Globe), Fiddler on the Roof (Chichester Festival Theatre), Pacifists Guide to the War on Cancer (National Theatre), Casa Valentina (Southwark Playhouse),Company, Assassins (Noël Coward Theatre/Donmar Warehouse), Phantom of the Opera (Her Majesty’s Theatre), Aspects of Love (Prince of Wales Theatre), Les Miserables (Palace Theatre), Cats (New London Theatre), Sunset Boulevard, Made in Dagenham (Adelphi Theatre), The Rink (Cambridge Theatre), The Hired Man (London Astoria), Guys and Dolls (Prince of Wales Theatre), Girlfriends (Playhouse Theatre), Closer Than Ever (Jermyn Street Theatre/Criterion Theatre/Vaudeville Theatre), My Fair Lady (Theatre Royal Drury Lane), Casa Valentina (Southwark Playhouse), The Full Monty, Martin Guerre (UK tours). His television credits include That Uncertain Feeling, Ten Glorious Years, Company and French and Saunders; and for film, Paddington 2, and Les Miserables.
This production is made possible by the generous support of Paul and Joanna Pearson.
BBC Radio 2 announces partnership with the WhatsOnStage Awards in 2020
and launches the BBC Radio 2 Audience Award for Best Musical
BBC Radio 2 will be the exclusive radio partner for the 20th Annual WhatsOnStage Awards, which will take place on Sunday 1st March 2020 at the Prince of Wales Theatre, London.
The Awards will be broadcast live from the venue on Radio 2 from 7pm to 10pm in a special show, presented by Ken Bruce and Elaine Paige and featuring the first interviews with winners, nominees and special guests.
As part of the WhatsOnStage Awards this year, Radio 2 has also launched the BBC Radio 2 Audience Award for Best Musical and is inviting its listeners to vote for the winner.
The award recognises the most popular musical currently playing in a West End theatre that will have played for at least 12 months when the nominations close on Monday 27th January.
Elaine Paige opened the public vote for the winner of this award today, Sunday 8th December at 1pm in her Radio 2 show, Elaine Paige on Sunday. Listeners can now vote on the BBC Radio 2 website. Voting for the Radio 2 Audience Award for Best Musical closes at 4.59pm on Monday 27th January 2020. The winner will be announced during the ceremony on Sunday 1st March 2020.
The nominees are:
1) The Book of Mormon
2) Everybody’s Talking About Jamie
3) Hamilton
4) Les Miserables
5) The Lion King
6) Mamma Mia!
7) Matilda the Musical
8) The Phantom of the Opera
9) School of Rock the Musical
10) Six the Musical
11) Tina: The Tina Turner Musical
12) Thriller Live
13) Wicked
The WhatsOnStage Awards celebrate theatre productions across the breadth of the UK and are the only major theatre awards decided entirely by theatregoers themselves. The ceremony will see winners crowned across 25 categories, and will feature a host of live performances from top West End talent.
Lewis Carnie, Head of BBC Radio 2, commented: “We’re thrilled to be the radio partner for the WhatsOnStage Awards for the first time and we look forward to being the home of the Radio 2 Audience Award for Best Musical.”
Lambert Jackson Productions today announce concert performances of the Tony award-winning musical The Secret Gardenstarring Lucie Jones, Ramin Karimloo and Jac Yarrow, directed by Nick Winston. The performances will take place at The London Palladium, on Saturday 4 April, 3pm and 7.30pm.
Frances Hodgson Burnett’s beloved Victorian classic novel, The Secret Garden, blossoms anew in this enchanting musical by Pulitzer Prize-winner Marsha Norman and Lucy Simon.
Jamie Lambert and Eliza Jackson today said, “The Secret Garden is one of the most wonderful pieces of storytelling, and we feel so lucky to be able to present this stunning musical adaptation in a concert setting. With book by the exceptional Marsha Norman, stunning music by the beautiful Lucy Simon (who we worked with on our recent concert production of Doctor Zhivago)together with this all-star cast, this is going to be a truly extraordinary theatre experience.”
Lucie Jones is currently starring as Jenna in Waitress (Adelphi Theatre). Her previous theatre credits include A Christmas Carol (Lyceum Theatre), Girlfriends (Bishopsgate Institute), Legally Blonde, The Wedding Singer (UK tour), RENT The Musical (The Other Palace, UK tour), American Psycho (Almeida Theatre), We Will Rock You, Ghost: The Musical (international tours), The Prodigals (Edinburgh Festival Fringe), and Les Miserables (Queen’s Theatre).
Ramin Karimloo’sprevious concert credits for Lambert Jackson Productions include Dr Zhivago (Cadogan Hall). His other theatre credits include Chess in Concert (Umeda Arts Theatre), Jesus Christ Superstar in Concert, Evita (Theatre Orb Tokyo), Chess (The Kennedy Centre), Anastasia (Broadhurst Theatre, Broadway), Murder Ballad (Arts Theatre), Les Miserables (Imperial Theatre, Broadway – for which he was nominated for the 2014 Tony Award for Best Actor in a Musical; Princess of Wales Theatre, Queens Theatre, Palace Theatre), The Phantom of the Opera 25th Anniversary (Royal Albert Hall), Love Never Dies (Adelphi Theatre – for which he was nominated for the 2011 Olivier Award for Best Actor in a Musical), Les Miserables 25th Anniversary Concert (O2 Arena), The Phantom of the Opera (Her Majesty’s Theatre), and Miss Saigon (UK tour).
Jac Yarrow’s theatre credits include Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat (The London Palladium – for which he won the 2019 The Stage Debut Award and was nominated for Best Actor in a Musical, and will reprise the role in 2020), and Rogers + Hammerstein’s Cinderella In Concert (Cadogan Hall).
Nick Winston’sprevious credits as director and choreographer includeMame (Hope Mill Theatre), Cats (Kilworth House Theatre), Club Tropicana (UK tour), An American In Paris (National Theatre, Linz), Rock of Ages (UK and international Tour), Fame (UK & European Tour), Guys & Dolls (Kilworth House Theatre), A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Curve Theatre), The Wedding Singer (UK tour / Korea), Bugsy Malone (Curve Theatre), Flashmob (Sadler Wells and UK tour), and Tomorrow Morning (New End Theatre). His credits for television include director and choreographer of The Royal Variety Performance 2017, and choreographer of Sondheim at 80 and Shakespeare Live! from the RSC.
