MAJOR CASTING NEWS FOR THE SMASH HIT MUSICAL

TV LEGEND DAVID HASSELHOFF

TO PLAY FRANKLIN HART JNR IN

DOLLY PARTON’S

9 TO 5 THE MUSICAL

Music and Lyrics by Dolly Parton, Book by Patricia Resnick

and Directed by Jeff Calhoun

Based on the 20^th Century Fox Picture

AT THE SAVOY THEATRE FROM 2 DECEMBER 2019

UNTIL 8 FEBRUARY 2020

Dolly Parton is delighted to announce that David Hasselhoff will play Franklin Hart Jnr in 9 TO 5 THE MUSICAL at The Savoy Theatre from 2 December 2019 until 8 February 2020.

David will join Caroline Sheen as Violet Newstead, Chelsea Halfpenny as Judy Bernly, Natalie McQueen as Doralee Rhodes and Bonnie Langford as Roz Keith.

Dolly Parton said today ‘I am so pleased that David is joining our show. He will be a terrific addition to an already amazing cast, the audiences are going to love him just as much as I do! Get ready to be Hassled Hoff !’.

David Hasselhoff said today ‘I went to see the show back in June and I thought it was ‘Hofftastic’.  That’s when I knew I wanted to be part of it. Franklin Hart Jnr. is going to be a fun part for me to play and I’m looking forward to being back on stage in the UK’.

David Hasselhoff’s TV credits include playing Mitch Buchannon in Baywatch, Michael Knight in Knight Rider and two series of the International Emmy award-winning Hoff the Record. In 2000 he made his Broadway debut in the musical Jekyll & Hyde. His other theatre credits include Roger De Bris in The Producers in Las Vegas and Billy Flynn in Chicago at the Adelphi Theatre in the West End. He has also appeared as a judge on both NBC’s America’s Got Talent and ITV’s Britain’s Got Talent. His film credits include Dodgeball and Spongebob Squarepants The Movie, among many others. David is also a chart-topping recording artist with his album Looking for Freedom going triple platinum in Europe. His latest album Open Your Eyes was released earlier this year and garnered great reviews.  The album features collaborations with a stellar cast of backup musicians.  He has just recently completed a sell-out multi-city concert tour in Germany, Austria and Switzerland.

From 2 December the cast of 9 TO 5 THE MUSICAL is completed by Victoria Anderson, Alexander Bartles, Simon Campbell, Alexander Day, Rhiane Drummond, Demmileigh Foster, Molly-May Gardiner, Llandyll Gove,  Ben Irish, Jenny Legg, Natasha Mould, Sean Needham, Jon Reynolds, James Royden-Lyley, Giles Surridge, Antoine Thomas-Sturge, Sasha Wareham and Emily Woodford.

9 TO 5 THE MUSICAL opened in the West End in February, where Dolly Parton attended the premiere and joined the cast on stage at the finale. The musical features a book by Patricia Resnick, the legendary film’s original screenwriter, and an original Oscar, Grammy and Tony award-nominated score by multi Grammy Award winner, country legend and pop icon Dolly Parton.

9 TO 5 THE MUSICAL tells the story of Doralee, Violet and Judy – three workmates pushed to boiling point by their sexist and egotistical boss. Concocting a plan to kidnap and turn the tables on their despicable supervisor, will the women manage to reform their office – or will events unravel when the CEO pays an unexpected visit? Inspired by the cult film this hilarious new West End production is about teaming up, standing up and taking care of business!

9 TO 5 THE MUSICAL is written by Patricia Resnick, with music and lyrics by Dolly Parton. It is directed by Jeff Calhoun, choreography by Lisa Stevens, design by Tom Rogers, lighting design by Howard Hudson, sound design by Poti Martin, video design by Nina Dunn, original arrangements by Stephen Oremus & Alex Lacamoire, original Broadway orchestrations by Bruce Coughlin, musical supervisor, reductions & extra arrangements by Mark Crossland, musical direction by Andrew Hilton and casting by Victoria Roe and Anne Vosser.

Based on the 20^th Century Fox Picture. Originally produced on Broadway by Robert Greenblatt, April 2009.

9 TO 5 THE MUSICAL is produced by Ambassador Theatre Group Productions, Selladoor Worldwide and Gavin Kalin Productions with Benjamin Lowy Productions, Glass Half Full Productions, Showtime Theatre Productions, Hartshorn – Hook Productions, Harmonia Holdings and Kilimanjaro Live.

Winners announced for UK Theatre Awards 2019

Four wins for Sheffield Theatres’ Life Of Pi including Best New Play and Best Director

Performance accolades for Rebecca Trehearn, Hiran Abeysekera and Esh Alladi

Emma Rice honoured with Outstanding Contribution award

Storyhouse in Chester crowned UK’s Most Welcoming Theatre

The 2019 UK Theatre Awards winners were revealed today (Sunday 27 October) in a lunchtime ceremony at London’s Guildhall.

The Awards were hosted by actor Jodie Prenger, and presenters included Denise Black, Lesley Joseph, Gary Wilmot, Ashley Zhangazha and Tracy Brabin MP.

It was a big day for Sheffield Theatres, whose acclaimed production of Life Of Pi won four awards; Best New Play, Best Director for Max Webster, Best Design and Best Performance in a Play for Hiran Abeysekera. The play, adapted by Lolita Chaktrabarti from the Yann Martel novel, is due to transfer to the West End’s Wyndham’s Theatre next year.

Another Sheffield Theatres show, Standing At The Sky’s Edge – a new musical about Sheffield with songs by Richard Hawley and directed by Robert Hastie – was awarded Best Musical Production.

Rebecca Trehearn won Best Performance in a Musical for her role in Nottingham Playhouse’s Sweet Charity, with Esh Alladi receiving the award for Best Supporting Performance for Hobson’s Choice at the Royal Exchange Theatre in Manchester.

Theatremaker Emma Rice was honoured with this year’s award for Outstanding Contribution to British Theatre, in recognition of the unique, innovative and socially relevant work she has created during a 20-year career which has included tenures at Kneehigh, Shakespeare’s Globe and her new company Wise Children.

Collecting the award from designer and regular collaborator Vicki Mortimer, she said:

‘Today feels like coming home; surrounded by theatre friends old and new, celebrating what it is to make work with and for communities, and recognising our power as outsiders, as radicals and as rebels […] As others did for me, I promise to use all my strength, joy and experience to keep holding the doors wide open, I promise to pull down the ceilings and to keep defying those pesky unwritten rules that still seem to nag at our industry. If a rule is unjust, break it.’

Five new ‘offstage’ categories were introduced to the UK Theatre Awards this year, to reflect the changing theatre industry. Northern Ballet was awarded for Digital Innovation, York’s Pilot Theatre for Excellence in Touring, Colchester’s Mercury Theatre for Excellence in Inclusivity and Derby Theatre for Excellence in Arts Education, with Northern Stage winning the Workforce Award.

The UK Theatre Awards are sponsored by Harbottle & Lewis, Integro Entertainment & Sport, John Good, SeatGeek, Theatre Tokens and White Light.

FULL LIST OF UK THEATRE AWARDS WINNERS 2019

Best New Play

LIFE OF PI adapted by Lolita Chakrabarti from the novel by Yann Martel – a Sheffield Theatres production

Best Musical Production

STANDING AT THE SKY’S EDGE directed by Robert Hastie – a Sheffield Theatres production

Best Play Revival

EQUUS directed by Ned Bennett – an English Touring Theatre and Theatre Royal Stratford East production

Best Show for Children and Young People

BILLIONAIRE BOY THE MUSICAL directed by Luke Sheppard – a Nuffield Southampton Theatres production in association with Belgrade Theatre, Coventry

Best Director

Max Webster for LIFE OF PI – a Sheffield Theatres production

Best Design

Nick Barnes, Finn Caldwell, Carolyn Downing, Andrzej Goulding, Tim Hatley and Tim Lutkin for LIFE OF PI – a Sheffield Theatres production

Best Performance in a Play

Hiran Abeysekera for LIFE OF PI – a Sheffield Theatres production

Best Performance in a Musical

Rebecca Trehearn for SWEET CHARITY – a Nottingham Playhouse production

Best Supporting Performance

Esh Alladi for HOBSON’S CHOICE – a Royal Exchange Theatre, Manchester production

Achievement in Dance

Scottish Ballet – for the world premiere of Helen Pickett’s outstanding dance-theatre adaptation of THE CRUCIBLE

Achievement in Opera

Buxton International Festival at Buxton Opera House – for the world premiere of GEORGIANA

Digital Innovation

Northern Ballet

Workforce Award sponsored by Integro Entertainment & Sport

Northern Stage

Excellence in Touring

Pilot Theatre

Excellence in Inclusivity

Mercury Theatre

Excellence in Arts Education

Derby Theatre

UK’s Most Welcoming Theatre sponsored by Theatre Tokens

Storyhouse – Chester

@UK_Theatre #UKTawards

Theatre Royal Studio Theatre, York – 25 October 2019

Reviewed by Katie Goldsbrough

3***

Victoria Firth stars in this one woman show exploring how to be happy as a middle-aged lesbian woman without children. She tried various activities including running, baking, tap dancing and cabaret among others.

The whole show is lively and upbeat, although at times it came across as patronising as though she were speaking to children. Including being asked to join in with a song about a dog by woofing at the end. With an audience of only around 30 people this felt a little awkward.

The show could have delved more in to the serious effects of not having children instead it showed just the quest for happiness by trying different hobbies.

A voice-over referred to as the universe regularly talked about the serious thoughts going on in Victoria’s head, these were often just one line and were not discussed in any further detail. It appeared as though the happiness portrayed throughout the show was just a front for a feeling that something was missing.

Flash cards were used to welcome the audience and throughout the show. The set was comprised of a black box, Victoria was sat here as we entered, and 5 red boxes the contents of which were revealed throughout the show. Each box represented a different activity that had been tried, with a new costume, it was refreshing to see a real woman, comfortable in her own skin, getting changed in front of the audience, at one point appearing in a bra and neon green tights with black pants showing through.

Victoria is engaging and energetic throughout and ultimately, she ends up being happy.

FURTHER CASTING ANNOUNCED FOR SNOW WHITE AND THE SEVEN DWARFS AT MANCHESTER OPERA HOUSE, DARLINGS!

Manchester Opera House has announced that renowned pantomime dame Eric Potts and musical theatre star Zoe George will be joining the cast of this year’s magical Manchester pantomime, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, alongside Craig Revel Horwood and Ben Nickless in the city’s must-see festive production from Friday 6 December.

Best-known for his role as Coronation Street’s eccentric baker Diggory Compton Eric Potts will star as Dame Nora Crumble. No stranger to pantomime Eric has appeared in and written numerous pantomimes over the last two decades, bringing his unique brand of comedy and showmanship, in an array of outrageous costumes to audiences’ delight. His television roles include Hollyoaks, Mount Pleasant, Casualty, Citizen Khan, Last of the Summer Wine, Emmerdale, My Spy Family, Peak Practice, Doctor Who and Still Game, and he regularly appears on stage across the UK in classical plays, revues and comedies.

Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs marks Eric’s return to the Opera House pantomime, having previously starred in Widow Twankey in Aladdin with Ashleigh Butler and Jodie Prenger in 2013 and as Sarah the Cook in Dick Whittington alongside Sherrie Hewson and John Thompson in 2016.

Joining him in the title role of Snow White will be musical theatre actress Zoe George. A regular on stages across the country and in the West End, Zoe’s stage credits include the roles of both Elphaba and Nessarose in the original UK, Ireland and International tour of the hit musical, Wicked, Martha in Spring Awakening for the Welsh National Theatre, Mali in the UK premiere of new musical Tiger Bay at the Wales Millennium Centre, and originated the role of Esmerelda in the world premiere of Lionel Bart’s musical Quasimodo in London. A regular in pantomime, Zoe has played numerous female leads for producers Qdos Entertainment opposite Flawless, Jimmy Osmond, Jaymi Hensley, Sheila Ferguson and Louie Spence.

Eric and Zoe will join Strictly Come Dancing judge Craig Revel Horwood as the Wicked Stepmother and returning favourite funny man Ben Nickless as Snow White’s best friend, Muddles in a production packed full of fancy footwork, sensational song and dance and plenty of audience participation suitable for all the family.

Sheena Wrigley, Theatre Director for the Palace Theatre and Opera House, comments, “We’re thrilled to announce that Eric and Zoe are joining this year’s production and look forward to welcoming both to the Opera House this Christmas. Eric is a renowned pantomime dame and familiar face to our audiences having performed twice with us in recent years in comedy roles. We’re delighted that Zoe is coming to Manchester this year. She’ll bring some musical theatre magic to this year’s show with her stunning voice and extensive experience in the West End.”

With tickets selling fast, audiences shouldn’t leave it any longer to book their tickets for Manchester’s biggest festive family production, or they won’t be able to look themselves in the mirror!

Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, the fairest pantomime of them all, plays at the Opera House from Friday 6th – Sunday 29th December 2019, with tickets from £12. For more information, or to book, visit www.atgtickets.com/Manchester.

ONE OF MUSICAL THEATRE’S BRIGHTEST STARS

RUTHIE HENSHALL

TO TOUR THE UK AND IRELAND IN 2020

WITH NEW AND INTIMATE SHOW

IN MY LIFE

Saturday 11 April: The Lowry, Salford Quays

Sunday 12 – Tuesday 14 April: Curve, Leicester

Friday 17 April: Cadogan Hall, London

Thursday 30 April: The Helix, Dublin

Ruthie Henshall is back in the UK with a new intimate show In My Life which plays an exclusive four-city tour in April 2020.  In My Life premiered at the Sydney Opera House in June 2019 and went on to tour Australia playing to packed houses and a slew of five-star, rave reviews.

This new intimate show is a rare opportunity to see this dazzling star up close and personal, reinterpreting highlights from her acclaimed career as well as exploring the work of other iconic artists from Stephen Sondheim and Carole King to Victoria Wood and The Beatles.  Ruthie is accompanied by her musical director, Paul Schofield, on piano.

Ruthie Henshall said, “I’m so happy to be able to bring this show home after such a fantastic time in Australia earlier this year.  It’s a show I’m very proud of and I can’t wait to share it with audiences in England and Ireland.”

Ruthie Henshall is one of the most celebrated stars in the history of the West End. Her multi-award winning career has seen her star in the most popular musicals of the past thirty years in the West End and on Broadway from her iconic appearance as Fantine in Les Misérables (including the tenth anniversary concert) to her Olivier Award nominated performances in Crazy For You, She Loves Me (winner), Peggy Sue Got Married, Marguerite and Chicago.  Ruthie’s other credits include Cats, Miss Saigon, Oliver!, A Chorus Line, Putting It Together, Billy Elliot (including the world-wide cinema release) and her legendary appearance as both Roxie and Velma in Chicago in the West End and on Broadway. She recently starred as Mama Morton in Chicago, making her the only British actress to play all three female leads in the show. Ruthie has enjoyed tremendous success in plays, in concert and on television, including her stint as a judge on Dancing on Ice. Her recordings include four solo albums and numerous cast recordings.

THEATRICAL NICHE builds on its successful tours of A Doll’s House, Lady Windermere’s Fan, Metamorphosis, and Lysistrata with

a New Adaptation of Chekhov’s famed tragicomedy

UNCLE VANYA

Directed by Nadia Papachronopoulou

Adapted by Venetia Twigg

Suitable for Ages 12+

NEW WIMBLEDON STUDIO (Wimbledon)

Tuesday 19th – Saturday 23rd November

7:45pm (+ 2:45pm on Sat 23rd) https://www.atgtickets.com/shows/uncle-vanya/studio-at-new-wimbledon-theatre/

Tickets £15 (£13 concessions)

Ring 0207 206 1179 or email [email protected]

for Group rate

OLD RED LION THEATRE (Angel)

Monday 2nd – Saturday 7th December

7pm (+ 2pm on Sat 7th Dec) https://www.oldredliontheatre.co.uk/uncle-vanya.html

Tickets £15, (£13 concessions), £11 Group Rate (Groups of 6+)

Theatrical Niche, renowned for its adaptations of classic texts, brings its signature physical approach to Anton Chekhov’s “Uncle Vanya”.

Exploring care of our world and of each other as the integral theme, Theatrical Niche – supported by Arts Council England – tour this darkly funny & artful adaptation across England and Northern Ireland this Autumn using rural soundscapes & physical theatre.

The weary inhabitants of an isolated country household plunge head over heels in lust when a beautiful stranger arrives. As the head of the household announces the estate sale for his own gain, the strains of repression begin to bubble, until Vanya hits boiling point.

Theatrical Niche’s acclaimed physical theatre team create a unique modern version of this Russian masterpiece. Working with leading charity, the Bumblebee Conservation Trust; a message of conservation pervades.

This updated take on Chekhov’s stunningly prescient ‘Uncle Vanya’ highlights the farcical nature of the text whilst showcasing captivating physical work inspired by the decline of the Bee.

With a huge breadth of theatrical experience, Director Nadia Papachronopoulou leads the process. Emerging Director at National Theatre Wales, Nadia trained at the Orange Tree Theatre in London, and currently works for National Theatre Connections across England. Recent credits include ‘Boots’ at the Bunker Theatre, ‘After the Ball’ at the Gatehouse Theatre and ‘The Philanthropist’: Understudy Run in the West End. She has also Assistant Directed at Regent’s Park Open Air, the Southbank Centre and National Theatre Studio.

The cast is David Tudor (Simon & Garfunkel World Tour), Foxey Hardman (Playboy of the Western World at Theatre Clwyd), Mike Aherne (The Kitchen, Philistines & further productions at the National Theatre), Jeremy Drakes (Finishing The Picture at Finborough Theatre), Venetia Twigg (Lady Windermere’s Fan UK & Ireland Tour) and in the title role, Matt Houlihan (Major Barbara & O’Flaherty VC at the Orange Tree Theatre).

Uncle Vanya is the fourteenth and largest tour yet for Theatrical Niche and it is our pleasure to again offer both free and bespoke workshops to accompany the piece, given that it is multidisciplinary and on many syllabuses. Question and answers sessions are also provided upon request, and free physical theatre workshops can be claimed by group bookings of 6+ where applicable (and in agreement with venues). Theatrical Niche is known for embracing wide-ranging theatrical techniques, practitioners and texts from across the globe. Its productions are exciting, multi-disciplinary, educational and, above all, relevant.

The company prides itself on employing inspirational artists and creating world-class theatre that can and will tour to any venue across the UK.

Previous productions include A DOLL’S HOUSE, LADY WINDERMERE’S FAN, METAMORPHOSIS, LYSISTRATA, and BLOOD WEDDING.

THE JAMIE LLOYD COMPANY ANNOUNCES

A DOLL’S HOUSE STARRING JESSICA CHASTAIN

AS PART OF ITS NEW WEST END SEASON

The Jamie Lloyd Company, the hugely successful partnership between the UK’s leading theatre company Ambassador Theatre Group (ATG) and Artistic Director Jamie Lloyd, in association with British Airways, today announce two-time Academy Award nominee and Golden Globe Award-winner Jessica Chastain is to make her UK theatre debut leading the company of Henrik Ibsen’s A Doll’s House, in a version by Frank McGuiness.

The production is part of a new season directed by Jamie Lloyd at the Playhouse Theatre, which previews from 27 November, with James McAvoy in Edmond Rostand’s Cyrano de Bergerac, freely adapted by Martin Crimp. A Doll’s House opens at Playhouse Theatre on 18 June, with previews from 10 June and runs until 5 September 2020.

Jamie Lloyd said today, “At The Jamie Lloyd Company, our aim is to work with the most exceptional actors in the world, offering them new and unexpected challenges. Jessica Chastain is a gifted artist and is, of course, well known and respected for her extraordinary screen performances. However, I’m delighted she is now returning to the stage – where her career began – in this bold reappraisal of Ibsen’s great masterpiece.”

The season sees The Jamie Lloyd Company and Ambassador Theatre Group offering 15,000 free tickets and 15,000 £15 tickets for under 30s, key workers and those receiving job seeker’s allowance and other government benefits, supported by British Airways.

£15 tickets

These will be available for specific Monday evening and Thursday matinee performances across the season. The first four of these performances will be for Cyrano de Bergerac and go on sale on Monday 4 November at 12pm with further dates to be announced.

Free tickets

A dedicated outreach manager will be distributing these tickets amongst both secondary state schools and community organisations who otherwise would not have access to the theatre. If you work with a group who does not have the means or opportunity to visit the theatre, please register your interest here.

With design by Soutra Gilmour. Full cast and creative team to be announced.

Tickets for A Doll’s House will be available to book from January 2020. Individuals can register their interest here: www.thejamielloydcompany.com.

Two-time Academy Award nominee Jessica Chastain plays Nora in her UK stage debut. Her theatre credits include The Heiress (Walter Kerr Theater), Salome (Wadsworth Theater), and The Cherry Orchard and Rodney’s Wife (Williamstown Theatre Festival). Her film credits include It Chapter Two, X-Men: Dark Phoenix, Molly’s Game – for which she was nominated for a Golden Globe for Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture – Drama, Woman Walks Ahead, The Zookeeper’s Wife, Miss Sloane – for which she was nominated for a Golden Globe for Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture – Drama, A Most Violent Year – for which she received the National Board of Review Award for Best Supporting Actress, a Golden Globe nomination and Film Independent Spirit Award nomination, The Disappearance of Eleanor Rigby, Miss Julie, Interstellar, Mama, Tree of Life, The Debt, Take Shelter, The Help – for which she was nominated for an Academy Award, Golden Globe, Screen Actors Guild Award and Critics’ Choice Award for Best Supporting Actress, Zero Dark 30 –  for which she won a Critics’ Choice Award and Golden Globe, and was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Actress. She was honored with the first-ever Critics’ Choice MVP Award in recognition of the breadth of her accomplishments in 2014 and has received numerous global nominations and accolades for her work from the LA Film Critics, British Academy of Film and Television, Broadcast Film Critics, Hollywood Foreign Press Association, National Board of Review, Screen Actors Guild, Film Independent and the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences. In addition, Chastain launched Freckle Films, a New York based film and television production company, in 2016; forthcoming films include 355, Ava and The Eyes of Tammy Faye in which she will also star.

Frank McGuinness’ original plays include The Factory Girls (Abbey Theatre Dublin/Tricycle Theatre/Arcola Theatre), Baglady (Abbey Theatre, Dublin), Observe the Sons of Ulster Marching Towards the Somme (Abbey Theatre Dublin/Hampstead Theatre – for which he received a London Evening Standard for Most Promising Playwright, the Rooney Prize for Irish Literature, Harvey’s Best Play Award, the Cheltenham Literary Prize Plays and Players Award, the Ewart- Briggs Peace Prize and the London Fringe Award), Innocence (Gate Theatre, Dublin), Carthaginians (Abbey Theatre, Dublin/Hampstead Theatre), Mary and Lizzie (RSC), The Bread Man (Gate Theatre, Dublin), The Bird Sanctuary (Abbey Theatre, Dublin), Mutabilitie (National Theatre), Someone Who’ll Watch Over Me (Hampstead Theatre/Vaudeville Theatre/New Ambassadors Theatre/Booth Theatre – he received the New York Critics’ Circle Award and Writers’ Guild Award for Best Play), Dolly West’s Kitchen (Abbey Theatre, Dublin/The Old Vic), Gates of Gold (Gate Theatre, Dublin), Speaking Like Magpies (RSC/Trafalgar Studios), There Came A Gypsy Riding (Almeida Theatre), Greta Garbo Came to Donegal (Tricycle Theatre), Crocodile (Sky Arts Live/Riverside Studios), The Match Box (Liverpool Playhouse), The Hanging Gardens (Abbey Theatre, Dublin) and Donegal – with music by Kevin Doherty (Abbey Theatre, Dublin).

Jamie Lloyd directs. His credits as Artistic Director of the company include Betrayal (Harold Pinter Theatre/Bernard B. Jacobs Theatre, Broadway), One For The Road, The New World Order, Mountain Language, The Lover, The Collection, Landscape, A Kind of Alaska, Monologue, Party Time, Celebration, A Slight Ache, The Dumb Waiter (Pinter at the Pinter, Harold Pinter Theatre), Doctor Faustus (Duke of York’s Theatre), The Maids, The Homecoming, The Ruling Class, Richard III, The Pride, The Hothouse, Macbeth (Trafalgar Studios). Other theatre credits include Evita (Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre), Guards at the Taj (Bush Theatre), The Pitchfork Disney, Killer (Shoreditch Town Hall), Assassins (Menier Chocolate Factory) and Urinetown (The Other Palace/Apollo Theatre). 

Season Listings                                                                                                                                                                

Playhouse Theatre

Northumberland Avenue, Charing Cross, London WC2N 5DE

CYRANO DE BERGERAC

27 November 2019 – 29 February 2020

A DOLL’S HOUSE

10 June – 5 September 2020

Box Office: 0844 871 7631

Please note £15 tickets must be booked via a special link on the ATG Tickets website and can only be picked up from the theatre box office 45 minutes prior to the show, and valid ID must be presented upon collection, or entry will be denied

Twitter: @JamieLloydCo

Instagram: @jamielloydco

Darlington Hippodrome – until 2 November 2019

4****

This is not the normal frothy type of musical put on by the uber talented Darlington Operatic Society.  But this darkly gothic tome by Frank Wildhorn (music) and Leslie Bricusse (book and lyrics) is highly suitable for this time of year.

I was lucky enough to attend both press nights so could observe both male leads and their very different interpretations of the role of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde.

On the first night we were treated to Julian Counds version of Dr Jekyll, he was good and excelled at his evil side.  However, on the second night Luke Oldfield dominated the stage. He gave an excellent fully nuanced performance, unleashing his powerful voice in the dual role of Henry Jekyll and Edward Hyde.  This is the Moment with the transition, was so simple – just taking hair from a ponytail when good to having the hair down when bad – was handled skillfully by both and worked well.  But again, Oldfield just pipped Cound to the post in the malevolent stakes with his powerhouse vocals

Sharing the role of Lucy Harris was Rhiannon Walker and Jessica Harrison.  It’s impossible to pick who played this better because both were superb. The vocals were excellent and you really felt for the character.  Bring on the Men was a standout piece, from the outstanding singing to the excellent staging and choreography by Director Joanne Hand.  And Someone Like You was very moving, helping to flesh out the performance and give life to Lucy.

Unfortunately the script does not allow the character of Emma Carew to develop substantially, but Beth Hopper shines in the role of fiance.  Her witty one liners and put downs make you warm to the character and Hoppers voice fills the auditorium, Once Upon a Dream was beautiful.

A special mention must go to Peter Robson who plays Simon Stride.  He had a glorious voice and I’d like to see him in a lead role very soon.

The big ensemble numbers were great. The voices of the different cast members blended together really well, making their harmonies very powerful and memorable. The opening song, Façade, displayed the talent of several cast members straight away.   The live band led by Steven Hood set the atmospheric background perfectly and, unlike my moans in the past, they weren’t too loud so didn’t drown out the singing. Alex Edwards lighting was subtle and complimented the set and beautiful costumes.

Jekyll and Hyde impresses with its technical aspects and immerses us into the classic, tragic, tale.  Darlington Operatic Society have certainly outdone themselves this time

FURTHER CAST ANNOUNCED

Lizzie Bea & Marisha Wallace

to headline 2020 production

They join Tony & Olivier Award winning Michael Ball

who returns to his legendary role of Edna Turnblad

Season extended to 18 weeks at the London Coliseum

Further cast to join Michael Ball in Hairspray the Musical – the multi-award winning smash hit production which is returning to London for a special, strictly limited season in 2020 – is today announced.

Lizzie Bea will star in the iconc role of Tracy Tunblad. Lizzie is currently performing in the UK Tour of Kinky Boots and has just returned from Atlanta, performing in the world premiere production of Becoming Nancy (Alliance Theatre).

Acclaimed West End star Marisha Wallace will take the role of Motormouth. Marisha won rave reviews when she took over from Amber Riley in the smash hit Dreamgirls (at the Savoy Theatre), and has just finished starring in the original West End cast of Waitress (Adelphi Theatre).

Hairspray, the huge hearted, multi-award-winning smash hit musical, is extending its season and will now play at the magnificent London Coliseum for 18 weeks, beginning performances on Thursday 23 April 2020 (Press Night: Wednesday 29 April 2020 at 7:00pm).

It will star Michael Ball, the acclaimed star of stage and screen, as he returns to his legendary, Olivier Award winning role of Edna Turnblad.

Baltimore, 1962. Tracy Turnblad is a big girl with big hair and big dreams. Can she make it on the local TV dance show, win the heart of teen heartthrob Link Larkin and bring everyone together – whatever their colour, size or hairdo? Well if you want a change, you’ve really got to shake things up!

With the original award-winning creative team of director Jack O’Brien and choreographer Jerry Mitchell, and featuring the infectiously feel-good songs “Good Morning, Baltimore”, “Big, Blonde and Beautiful” and “You Can’t Stop the Beat”, this inspirational, fun-loving and fabulously uplifting musical sensation is back and bigger than ever.

The original New York production of Hairspray won three Tony Awards, including Best New Musical, whilst the original West End production won four Olivier Awards, also including Best New Musical, as well giving Michael Ball one of his two Olivier Awards for Best Actor in a Musical.

Additional casting is to be announced.

Hairspray is produced by Adam Spiegel Productions & Fiery Angel.

LISTINGS INFORMATION

LONDON COLISEUM

London Coliseum

St Martin’s Lane

London

WC2N 4ES

TICKETS

Box Office: 020 7845 9300

Group booking line: 020 7845 9300

Access booking line: 020 7845 9300

Group rates Available, exclusion apply.

Ticket prices start from £17.50

BOOKING ONLINE

www.hairspraythemusical.co.uk

SEASON DATES

From Thursday 23 April 2020

PERFORMANCE TIMES

Monday No performances (except 27 April)

Tuesday  7.30pm

Wednesday  7.30pm

Thursday  3pm and 7.30pm

Friday  7.30pm

Saturday  3pm and 7.30pmn

Sunday 4pm (except 26 April and 03 May – no performance)

SOCIAL MEDIA

Facebook: @HairsprayLondon

Twitter: @HairsprayLondon

Instagram HairsprayLondon

TWO WEEKS TO GO UNTIL CHRISTMAS IN LEICESTER SQUARE 2019: HERE’S WHAT’S COMING IN NOVEMBER

·         8 Nov 2019 – 5 Jan 2020

·         Legendary Olivier-winning variety La Clique returns to the West End to headline the Leicester Square Spiegeltent

·         Top Live Entertainment from Jess Robinson, Spice Gals, Puppini Sisters, Phoenix Arts Club and Tuck Shop

·         Live family entertainment headlined by Captain Flinn and The Pirate Dinosaurs: The Magical Cutlass

·         Further family fun in Journey through Jazz, Kids of the West End, Fun Kids Epic Roadshow, Showstoppers Kids Show and Shlomo’s Beatbox Adventure for Kids

Underbelly presents Christmas in Leicester Square 2019, the Christmas festival in the heart of the West End with a spectacular line-up of affordable live entertainment for all ages sitting within a scenic European-style Christmas Market complete with a fantastic storytelling Santa’s Grotto, opening on Friday 8th November.

Headlining the brilliant programme of theatre, music and cabaret is legendary Olivier Award-winning variety show La Clique, returning to the West End for the first time in more than a decade with an all-star cast including cabaret sensation and MC Bernie Dieter, gentleman juggler Florian Brooks, the fire-breathing, sword-swallowing, side-show sensation Heather Holliday and aerialist Stephen Williams performing the iconic Bath Boy act. As well as an eight-week residency La Clique will be performing a one-off New Year’s Eve Spectacular with a post-show party letting partiers dance through the bells until 2am.

Headlining an outstanding family entertainment programme is Captain Flinn and The Pirate Dinosaurs: The Magical Cutlass – the highly anticipated sequel based on the award-winning book by Giles Andreae and Russell Ayto which sees the fearless Flinn and his loyal pals once again face off against the dastardly Mr T the T-Rex in a swashbuckling adventure combining classy theatrical production with top notch puppetry, produced by Les Petits the children’s theatre company from the team behind internationally acclaimed Les Enfants Terribles.

Further live entertainment comes in a fun-packed hour of comedy, music and vocal fireworks from ‘human jukebox’ Jess Robinson, the world’s premier drag tribute to the Spice Girls, Spice Gals, the exquisite vocal harmonies of The Puppini Sisters, Soho cabaret institution Phoenix Arts Club with a sizzling seasonal spectacle Lickable: The all senses Christmas Cabaret,and drag superstars Tuck Shop with festive special Tucking Around the Christmas Tree.

Shows for all ages include Journey Through Jazz – the ultimate interactive dance show and lesson from London favourite Swing Out creators SwingDanceUK, Kids of the West End an electrifying selection of performances from the best young performers in theatreland, hit interactive shenanigans in Fun Kids Epic Roadshow Adventure, the original improvised musical for all the family, Showstoppers Kids Show, and legendary master of his trade Shlomo with his acclaimed Beatbox Adventure for Kids, mixing theatre, storytelling and his incredible DIY musical stylings, all created solely by his own vocal chords.

All of this takes place within the incredibly atmospheric and innately festive Leicester Square Spiegeltent, set within a unique, scenic, bustling European Christmas Market set in the heart of London’s West End, with over 30 different stalls purveying the finest selection of yuletide food, drink and gifts.

Set within this winter kingdom is the magical Santa’s Grotto, a chance for children from far and wide to meet the big man himself, give him their personal Christmas list, receive a gift, and even hear him tell a festive story.

Christmas in Leicester Square directors Ed Bartlam and Charlie Wood said:

“Over the past three years the opening of Christmas in Leicester Square has grown to become the definitive sign in London’s West End that Santa Claus is coming to town. Last year we were delighted to break the record for footfall and this year we’re hoping we can capture the city’s festive imagination just as much with our programme of live entertainment for all ages, our European Christmas Market and, of course, our unique Santa’s Grotto.

“We couldn’t be happier to welcome La Clique to Underbelly’s Christmas in Leicester Square and the incomparable Leicester Square Spiegeltent 10 years after it exploded into London’s West End and set the cabaret world on fire.”

Cllr Iain Bott, Cabinet Member for Sports, Culture and Community, Westminster City Council said:

“With an eclectic mix of live performances, family shows and a magical Santa’s grotto, Christmas in Leicester Square is a highlight of the West End’s festive calendar. I am particularly looking forward to seeing this year’s Winter Windows scheme which will be showcasing the fantastic creativity of our City Lions and Westminster schoolchildren”