Professor Goodman will visit the Ambassadors Theatre in the West End to confirm the supernatural is PURELY a trick of the mind…or is it?

LIMITED WEST END SEASON RUNS FROM

THURSDAY 3^RD OCTOBER – SATURDAY 4^th JANUARY 2020

WARNING

Please be advised that Ghost Stories contains moments of extreme shock and tension. The show is unsuitable for anyone under the age of 15. We strongly advise those of a nervous disposition to think very seriously before attending.

There’s something dark lurking in the theatre. Enter a nightmarish world, full of thrilling twists and turns, where all your deepest fears and most disturbing thoughts are imagined live on stage. A fully sensory and electrifying encounter, Ghost Stories is the ultimate twisted love-letter to horror, a supernatural edge-of-your-seat theatrical experience like no other.

After exhilarating audiences across the globe with record breaking, sell-out productions and a smash hit film, Andy Nyman and Jeremy Dyson’s worldwide cult phenomenon Ghost Stories returns to the West End this autumn, following a smash-hit extended run at the Lyric Hammersmith Theatre. More spine-tingling and terrifying than ever, the Olivier Award-nominated show’s strictly limited transfer opens at The Ambassadors Theatre on Thursday 3rd October 2019, where it runs until Saturday 4^th January 2020.

Casting to be announced.

Andy Nyman is an award-winning actor, director and writer who has earned acclaim from both critics and audiences for his work in theatre, film and television. On stage Andy is currently playing the iconic role of Tevye in Trevor Nunn’s revival of Fiddler on the Roof. It is playing at the Playhouse Theatre until November 2nd. Andy was also seen in Martin McDonagh’s Hangmen (Wyndham’s Theatre), Stephen Sondheim’s Assassins (Menier Chocolate Factory) and Abigail’s Party (also Wyndham’s Theatre). Other theatre work includes the original production of Ghost Stories (Lyric/Duke of York’s Theatre) which has recently been made into a major motion picture, also written, starred and directed by Andy & Jeremy Dyson. Other film credits include The Commuter, Death at a Funeral and Kick-Ass 2. Hisupcoming films include playing opposite The Rock & Emily Blunt in Disney’s Jungle Cruise plus starring opposite Renee Zellweger in Judy. TV he is best known for Peaky Blinders, Campus & Dead Set, and has recently appeared in BBC 1’s Wanderlust.

Jeremy Dyson is a screenwriter, stage-writer and author, best known as a member of comedy group The League of Gentlemen. With Andy Nyman he co-wrote and co-directed the stage and film versions of Ghost Stories. In addition he co-created and co-wrote the BAFTA-nominated comedy-drama series Funland and co-created, co-wrote and directed the Rose d’Or-winning all-female comedy show Psychobitches.  His second collection of stories, ‘The Cranes that Build the Cranes‘ won the Edge Hill Award for short fiction.

Ambassador Theatre Group Productions, Smith and Brant Theatricals and the Lyric Hammersmith Theatre present the Lyric Hammersmith Theatre’s production of Ghost Stories.

For more information, please see:

www.ghoststorieslive.co.uk

Birmingham Reparatory Theatre – until 21st September then Nationwide Tour

Reviewed by Joanne Hodge

5*****

Having read, and fallen in love with, Alice Seabold’s ‘The Lovely Bones’ when it was first published in 2002, I couldn’t wait to see it transferred to the stage, intrigued by how anyone could bring my vision of Susie’s Heaven and Earth to life. If I’d any concerns at all, I needn’t have worried.

Bryony Lavery’s adaptation is faultless. The story, set in the 1970’s, centres around the sexual assault and murder of 14 year old Susie, eldest child of Jack and Abigail Salmon, by their neighbour, Mr Harvey [a yet to be unmasked serial killer]. Though the plot sounds grim, it’s actually a heart-warming tale of a girl dealing with the emotion and trauma of adolescence, through watching her younger sister and brother – Lindsey and Buckley – continue to grow whilst she watches on, frozen in time. It also explores grief, as both the audience and Susie get to observe the lives of those left behind dealing with such an unexpected and unsolved loss.

Director Melly Still seems to have had the perfect cast to work with, and her utilisation of them playing multiple parts was, for the most, seamless. In any other scenario I’m sure seeing Susie’s love interest Ray [Samuel Gosrani], morph scene-to-scene into her beloved family dog Holiday would be considered bizarre, however, the fact that you are watching the story flit between both sides of The Veil makes this entirely plausible. We’ve all had those dreams where one room suddenly turns into another, or you’re talking to someone who then fades into someone else, no? Maybe just me!

Charlotte Beaumont’s Susie is a revelation. She is warm, funny, snarky, sarcastic, clever and witty – everything 14 year old me wanted to be, and she commanded the theatre, whether talking directly to the audience, or in quiet contemplation upstage. I was captivated. I felt like I myself went through every human possible emotion whilst watching her story unfold. I shed a tear when she was brutally gagged and raped, I laughed – and inwardly blushed – as she began to feel the first flushes of both love and lust, and sympathised with the frustration that she would never have the opportunity to fulfil such longing. More than anything, I was angry for her, that she was so profoundly aware of the proximity to her family of the man responsible for her untimely end, and feeling the undeniable fear that he may harm them, and that they may never know of his guilt.

Ana Ines Jaberes-Pita [Designer] and Matt Haskins [Lighting] creating a set that stretched the limits of the audiences belief – I heard several of them saying ~How can we see that?” “Are they walking across the stage or is it CGI?” and “How are those mirrors working? They are mirrors, aren’t they?” It created an electric atmosphere, and to-date, I don’t think I’ve ever seen a set like it.

As a fan of the book, the stage adaptation gave me more than I ever expected, but don’t think if you haven’t read it, it’s not worth seeing. It is a theatrical masterpiece, and, if you can’t make the play in Birmingham, make sure you catch it on the nationwide tour.

York Theatre Royal – until Sat 14 September 2019

Reviewed by Michelle Richardson

5*****

Emma Rice’s Wise Children and York Theatre Royal have co-produced this production of Malory Towers in association with the Bristol Old Vic, which is touring until early October.                                             

I grew up reading Enid Blyton, most noticeably The Famous Five, but did dabble in The Secret Seven, but that was about it. I have never read Malory Towers, or known anything about the series of books. Nevertheless, I was looking forward to seeing this piece on stage.

This show combines tales from the book series, retelling the stories of seven children, during their first term, of Malory Towers boarding school, on the Cornish coast. This is a tale of friendship, bullying and post war trauma. For this production we only ever get to see the physical portrayal of the children, as the only adult, the schools head Miss Grayling, is shown as a silhouetted videoed cartoon character voiced by Shelia Hancock. That is too simple of an explanation of how it appeared on the stage, because it was so very effective. 

First set in a modern school, outside the Heads office, a traumatic experience takes us back in time, post war, to Paddington train station, where the girls are all off to Malory Towers. We meet second year Alicia (Renee Lamb), the joker of the bunch, welcoming the newbies. Tempestuous Darrell (Izuka Hoyle) soon befriends the timid Mary Lou (Rose Shalloo), sticking up for her when spoilt Gwendoline (Rebecca Collingwood) tries to bully her into changing seats. Also joining the train are Irene Dupont (Mirabelle Gremaud) and serious, super organised Sally (Francesca Mills). You get to meet the last character, Bill (Vinnie Heaven), who arrives at the school riding Thunder, the horse.

With back flips, harp playing, courtesy of Germaud, and songs, the whole cast were equally superb, energetic, believable and with great voices, working so well together. It would be hard to pick out one, but for me Mills was outstanding as Sally. She had so much charisma up on that stage, bounding about all over, and her comic timing was magnificent.

The set, designed by Lez Brotherston, is split on two levels, with the lower depicting the dorms. It is used to its full potential by the actors leaping from one floor to another. The floor even lifts up to show a swimming pool and this is shown to a fantastic effect when incorporating Simon Baker’s excellent video work.  With the crayon, cartoon like drawings creating a laugh in the audience. His work later on during the thunder storm and Mary Lou’s rescue, was fabulous to watch. 

Malory Towers is a celebration of childhood, showing how mean girls can really be, but also showing how bonds are formed and those school friends become each others family. 

This is a great show for all, maybe for different reasons. For adults going back in time, even though it depicts the jolly hockey stick brigade that we only read about, or watched on our tv screens. For kids it is more the magic of the storytelling, and magic is what this show is. 

“MAMMA MIA!”

ANNOUNCES NEW BOOKING PERIOD

TO SATURDAY 19 SEPTEMBER 2020

AT LONDON’S NOVELLO THEATRE

ON SALE 10:00AM FRIDAY 13 SEPTEMBER 2019

The global smash hit musical MAMMA MIA! at London’s Novello Theatre is now extending its booking period from Monday 9 March 2020 to Saturday 19 September 2020.  MAMMA MIA! celebrated its 20^th anniversary in London’s West End at the Novello Theatre on Saturday 6 April 2019 and is now in its 21^st year.

The London cast of MAMMA MIA! stars Mazz Murray as Donna, Kirsty Hoiles as Tanya, Ricky Butt as Rosie, Richard Trinder as Sam, Neil Moors as Harry, Stephen Beckett as Bill, Lucy May Barker as Sophie,  Cameron Burt as Sky, Melissa Nettleford as Ali, Sophie Matthew as Lisa, Taylor Bradshaw as Eddie and Danny Nattrass as Pepper, with Caroline Deverill playing the role of Donna at certain performances.

Also in the cast are Natasha Agnew, Chloe Ames, Daniel Clift, Jonathan Cordin, Amelia-Rose Fielding, Shailan Gohil, Lauren Hampton, Callum Heinrich, Jennifer Hepburn, Frankie Jones, Grace Moorhouse, Jodie Nolan, Dan O’Brien, David O’Mahony, Rochelle Sherona, Megan Speirs, Garrett Tennant, Michael Tyler, Harrison Wilde and Simon Willmont.

Since premiering in London in 1999, the irresistible feelgood musical has captured the hearts of millions around the globe.  The sunny, funny tale of a mother, a daughter and three possible dads on a Greek island idyll, all unfolding to the magic of ABBA’s timeless pop masterpieces, has now been seen live on stage by 65 million people across the world, and turned into two record-breaking movies – MAMMA MIA! The Movie and MAMMA MIA! Here We Go Again.

To date, MAMMA MIA! has been seen in 50 productions in 16 different languages grossing more than $4 billion at the box office.  In 2011, it became the first Western musical ever to be staged in Mandarin in the People’s Republic of China.  MAMMA MIA! is also currently playing in a German-language tour in Germany, a Dutch-language production in Utrecht, a Korean-language production in Seoul and a Mandarin-language production in China.  The full scale production of MAMMA MIA! continues to perform on The Royal Caribbean Ship  ‘Allure of The Seas’.  Upcoming productions include a UK and International Tour and a Danish-language tour of Denmark.

MAMMA MIA! originally opened in London at the Prince Edward Theatre on 6 April 1999, before transferring to the Prince of Wales Theatre in 2004, and then to the Novello Theatre in 2012.  The London production of MAMMA MIA! has been seen by over 9 million people, played over 8,500 performances and has broken box office records in all three of its London homes. 

Produced by Judy Craymer, MAMMA MIA! The Movie became the highest grossing live action musical film of all time upon its release in 2008.  A second film, MAMMA MIA! HERE WE GO AGAIN, opened in July 2018 and is the most successful live musical movie sequel of all time.

With music & lyrics by Benny Andersson & Björn Ulvaeus, MAMMA MIA! is written by Catherine Johnson, directed by Phyllida Lloyd and choreographed by Anthony Van Laast. The production is designed by Mark Thompson, with lighting design by Howard Harrison, sound design by Andrew Bruce & Bobby Aitken, and musical supervision, additional material & arrangements by Martin Koch.

MAMMA MIA! is produced by Judy Craymer, Richard East & Björn Ulvaeus for Littlestar in association with Universal.

LISTINGS INFORMATION

Novello Theatre

Aldwych

London WC2B 4LD

Ticket Prices: From £15.00

A £2.50 per ticket booking fee applies to tickets booked online and by phone.  No booking fee on tickets purchased in person at the Novello Theatre Box Office.

All prices include £1.25 restoration levy.

Early Bird Pricing – anyone booking four months or more in advance of the performance they are attending (Monday to Thursday performances only) will save £20 on Band A and Premium tickets, but only through Delfont Mackintosh Theatres, either online, in person at the theatre, or by calling the Novello Theatre Box Office.

A limited number of seats released daily for that day’s performance(s) at 10:00AM, in person at the Box Office.

Performance Times:

Monday – Saturday 7.45pm

Matinees – Thursday & Saturday 3.00pm*

*extra Tuesday matinees 22 October 2019, 18 February 2020, 4 & 18 August 2020

Christmas 2019/20 Performance Schedule

Monday 23 December               3.00pm and 7.45pm      

Tuesday 24 December              NO PERFORMANCE

Wednesday 25 December         NO PERFORMANCE

Thursday 26 December             7.45pm

Friday 27 December                 3.00pm and 7.45pm

Saturday 28 December             3.00pm and 7.45pm

Monday 30 December               3.00pm and 7.45pm

Tuesday 31 December              3.00pm and 7.45pm

Wednesday 1 January               7.45pm

Thursday 2 January                   3.00pm and 7.45pm

Friday 3 January                       7.45pm

Saturday 4 January                   3.00pm and 7.45pm

Currently booking to 19 September 2020

The performance lasts 2 hours and 35 minutes (including a 15-minute interval)

Box Office: 0844 482 5151

AWARD WINNING WEST END STAR

KERRY ELLIS

TO PERFORM

AT WEST END BARES

ALONGSIDE STARS OF THE STAGE

AT TROXY

ON SUNDAY 13 OCTOBER AT 8.30PM

The Make A Difference Trust is thrilled to announce that award-winning West End star, Kerry Ellis will be performing the finale of WEST END BARES: STRIPPED at the climax of the shows 10^th Birthday performance at Troxy on Sunday 13 October at 8.30pm.

Kerry Will be joined by a host of stars from the stage and screen including Amy Hart from ITV2’s Love Island 2019; Natalie McQueen who is currently starring as ‘Doralee Rhodes’ in “9 to 5 The Musical”; Michael Auger who is best known as a member of the Britain’s Got Talent winning group, Collabro; Emmanuel Kojo who has most recently been seen “Oklahoma!” at Chichester Festival Theatre and “Girl From The North Country” at the Noel Coward Theatre and Oliver Saville who is currently on stage in “Falsettos” at The Other Palace and is best known as ‘Fiyero’ in “Wicked” at the Apollo Victoria.

WEST END BARES: STRIPPED will be directed by David Grewcock and Will Lucas, with choreography from Jessica Ellen Knight (Saturday Night Fever, Evita, Cabaret), Sean Parkins (Dreamgirls, The Book Of Mormon, Wicked), Joanna Goodwin (Sunset Boulevard, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, Barnum), Stuart Rogers (The Bodyguard, We Will Rock You, Mary Poppins), Racky Plews (American Idiot, Footloose, Knights of the Rose), Ashley Nottingham (Newsies, Spamalot, Thoroughly Modern Millie), Ella Nonini (Cats, Wicked, Mamma Mia) Adam Scott (Mamma Mia, That’s Entertainment), Chris Whittaker (I Wish My Life Were Like A Musical, Alice In Wonderland) and more to announced.

Special celebrity guests and performers for this year’s performance will be announced later this month. Previous celebrity supporters over the last ten years have included Graham Norton, John Barrowman, Eddie Izzard, Samantha Bond, Dame Judi Dench, Joe Lycett, Beverley Knight, Summer Strallen, Tom Allen, Bianca del Rio, Michelle Visage, Adam Garcia, Dianne Pilkington, Mark Gatiss, Ian Hallard, Celinde Schoenmaker and Oliver Savile.

WEST END BARES benefits the Make A Difference Trust, a UK based charity with a vision of a world free from HIV and AIDS.  Since its first scintillating show in 2010 WEST END BARES has raised over £300,000.  WEST END BARES is based on the original concept BROADWAY BARES by Tony Award winning Broadway and West End director and choreographer Jerry Mitchell.

Building on a legacy of over 30 years of fundraising by the theatre industry, The Make A Difference Trust raises funds for HIV and AIDS projects that build awareness and provide care, support and education in the United Kingdom and Sub-Saharan Africa. The Trust works with established partners to ensure projects have maximum impact and are sustainable. The Trust has distributed grants to support individuals experiencing hardship across the UK as well as grants to support projects with their UK and International partners, to relieve poverty, provide a safe environment and education for children and orphans affected by HIV and AIDS, and to secure the needs of the individual and the greater community as a whole For further information about the Make A Difference Trust please visit www.madtrust.org.uk

Tickets for WEST END BARES are on sale now and are priced at £25 – £80.

Tickets are available from www.troxy.co.uk/ or www.madtrust.org.uk. Booking fees apply.

VIP tickets are available directly from the MAD Trust by calling 020 7231 9719 and include access to the pre-show drinks reception, VIP entrance to the theatre with a drink on arrival, £10 of MAD money, the best seats in the House for the legendary Rotation and access to the Exclusive After Party. Booking fees apply.

Please note: All artists appear subject to availability.

Paradise Lodge transfers fresh from
Edinburgh Fringe to the Tabard Theatre
Tabard Theatre, Bath Road, Chiswick, W4 1LW
Friday 11th – Thursday 24th October 2019 (not Mondays or Sundays), 7:30pm

Transferring fresh from its acclaimed run at the Edinburgh Fringe, Paradise Lodge is the musical comedy based on writer Steve Cooper’s experience of caring for his mother-in-law as she lived with dementia. This show is a relatable and compassionate piece that creates an immediate connection with anyone who has had experience with dementia

Eric and Kylie, a dysfunctional ukulele musical duo called The Doodlebugs, embark on their first gig together at the Paradise Lodge Care Home. Told in a series of touching flashbacks and some comic songs from the wartime era, Paradise Lodge transports Vi, Ronnie and the audience back to a time when they had all their lives in front of them – to when they thought they would live forever

Trying to make sense of dementia and its impact on those affected, Paradise Lodge explores the nature of identity, reality and loss, with a bit of Beyoncé’s Single Ladies thrown in for good measure. A hilarious, heart-wrenching production, it will have audiences laughing, crying and singing their hearts out

During their time in Edinburgh, Paradise Lodge raised over £1,000 for Alzheimer Scotland and although the Doodlebugs may be a fictional duo, they came to life when they performed in local nursing homes

Steve comments, The reactions from audiences young and old has been really touching. People who were apprehensive that the show might be a difficult watch have said they took heart from learning that they weren’t alone. Health professionals have said it could be used to train carers. People with Alzheimer’s, dementia and their families have watched it together and each seems to find something that speaks to them. When people come back the next night and bring others with them it shows that they feel ownership of the play. For me, that’s the highest praise. Whether people have personal experience of the condition or not, they all end up singing!

Paradise Lodge is a compassionate, unflinching look at old age, while in the context of a musical comedy. Informed by real experience, it takes us to places we’d rather not go, and reminds us that they still contain kindness and humanity (★★★★ The Scotsman)

The sheer reality of it is relatable…. a delightful and poignant production (★★★★ London Theatre 1).

THE KING’S HEAD THEATRE

PRESENTS

CHARLES COURT OPERA’S

THE NATIVITY PANTO

29 NOVEMBER 2019 – 11 JANUARY 2020

The King’s Head Theatre is delighted to welcome back Charles Court Opera for their 13th Boutique Pantomime at the King’s Head Theatre. The Nativity Panto – A Not-So Silent Night will run from 29 November 2019 to 11 January 2020.

This year, Charles Court Opera has taken the story that sparked the Season and sprinkled it with a generous helping of magic, whimsy and Christmas cheer to create their most joyous show yet. A cast of well-known characters will take the audience through a respectful, yet irreverent adaptation of the Nativity story, with musical numbers, laugh-out-loud puns and – as always – the entirely unexpected. From adult-only evening performances through to family matinees, The Nativity Panto is perfect for parents and children, couples, groups of friends and office parties.

Artistic director, Adam Spreadbury-Maher said, “I’m delighted to welcome back CCO for another year of fantastic mischief, witty imagination and boutique quality panto. They deliver a fresh, brand new telling of this special story that you won’t have to wait till Christmas Day to open. Yule be sure to enjoy this hilarious panto that is guaranteed to sleigh.“CCO Artistic Director and co-writer, John Savournin said, “I’m butterflies-in-my-stomach excited (in that child-like ‘it’s Christmas Eve and I can’t sleep’ sort of way) to create this year’s pantomime. While nurturing the spirit and joy of this special story, we hope to take you on a (donkey?) ride packed with bags of Charles Court Opera panto fun and silliness, suitable for all ages from 1 to 101.”

Charles Court Opera’s previous pantomimes with the King’s Head Theatre include Buttons: A Cinderella Story, King Tut: A Pyramid Panto, Pinocchio and Mirror Mirror: A Snow White Pantomime.
The Nativity Panto will be directed by John Savournin with original music and lyrics by David Eaton, choreography by Damian Czarnecki, and set design by Rachel Szmukler, with lighting design by Ben Pickersgill, and costume design by Mia Wallden and Catrin Short Thyrsson.

This production is co-produced by The King’s Head Theatre and Charles Court Opera.

LISTINGS INFORMATION

The Nativity Panto – A Not-So Silent Night

29 November 2019 – 11 January 2020

King’s Head Theatre
115 Upper Street
London N1 1QN

‘All Welcome’ Performances: Tuesday & Wednesday at 7.00pm
Adult Only Performances (Suitable for 16+): Thursday – Saturday at 7.00pm
Family Matinees Performances: Saturday & Sunday at 3.00pm

Ticket Prices: £20.00 – £30.00 (Previews 29 – 31 November: £16)
Concessions: £22.50
10 and Under: £10.00

Box Office: 0207 226 8561
Website: www.kingsheadtheatre.com / http://www.charlescourtopera.com
Twitter: @KingsHeadThtr / @charlescourt / #NativityPanto
Facebook: www.facebook.com/kingsheadtheatre

Park Theatre presents the World Premiere of
SYDNEY & THE OLD GIRL

31 October – 30 November 2019 | Park Theatre

The full cast of Sydney & The Old Girl has been confirmed, as previously announced Miriam Margolyes and Mark Hadfield will be joined by Vivien Parry for Eugene O’Hare’s world premiere black comedy. Directed by Phillip Breen, the production will open on 31 October, with a national press night on Tuesday 5 November at 7pm.

London is becoming an alien landscape to Sydney Stock; a man who has lived for over fifty years cooped up with his mother Nell in her grubby East End home. Theirs is a relationship of mutually assured destruction where the ghosts of the past continue to stalk and accuse. As the twisted game around family inheritance reaches breaking point, Irish care worker Marion Fee finds herself an unwitting pawn being played from both sides.

At the centre of Eugene O’Hare’s second full-length black comedy is a family’s obsession with versions of the past, and a paranoia about a future in a city which no longer feels like home.

Following the sell-out hit Madame Rubinstein in 2017, Miriam Margolyes returns to Park Theatre to play Nell Stock. Born in Oxford, England in 1941 & educated at Newnham College, Cambridge, Miriam is a veteran of stage and screen, an award-winning actress who has achieved success on both sides of the Atlantic. Major film credits during her long and celebrated career include Yentl, Little Shop of Horrors, I Love You To Death, End of Days, Sunshine, Scorsese’s The Age of Innocence, Cold Comfort Farm & Magnolia. She starred in Stephen Hopkins’ The Life and Death of Peter Sellers, Modigliani, Istvan Szabo’s Being Julia & Ladies in Lavender (dir. Charles Dance, with Dames Smith & Dench). Margolyes was Professor Sprout in Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets and Harry Potter & The Deathly Hallows (Part II).

Her most memorable TV credits include: Old Flames, Freud, Life and Loves of a She Devil, Blackadder, The Girls of Slender Means, Oliver Twist, The History Man, Vanity Fair and Supply & Demand. In 2016 Miriam joined an all-star cast in The Real Marigold Hotel, the sequel The Real Marigold On Tour, and presented her own BBC documentary series Miriam’s Dead Good Adventure in 2019.

Mark Hadfield will play Sydney Stock. Mark’s stage credits include The Weatherman (Park Theatre), Tamburlaine (Swan Theatre), Road (Royal Court), The Libertine (Bath/ Theatre Royal Haymarket), Richard III (Almeida), The Painkiller (Garrick Theatre), Made in Dagenham (Adelphi Theatre), Jeeves and Wooster: Perfect Nonsense (Duke of York’s Theatre), Singing in the Rain (Palace Theatre) and Uncle Vanya (Vaudeville Theatre). His screen credits include: Outlander, Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein, A Cock and Bull Story and Wallander.

Vivien Parry will play Marion Fee. Vivien’s theatre credits include: Les Miserables (Queen’s Theatre), A Christmas Carol, Twelfth Night, A Midsummer Night’s Dream & The Shoemaker’s Holiday (RSC); The Girls (UK Tour), Half a Sixpence (Noel Coward Theatre), Top Hat (Aldwych Theatre), Mamma Mia! (Prince of Wales Theatre), Which Witch (Piccadilly Theatre), Blood Brothers (Phoenix Theatre). Her screen credits include the live action Disney film Beauty and the Beast, as well as TV roles in: Holby City (BBC), Outside the Rules (BBC), The Bench (BBC) and The Bill (ITV).

Eugene O’Hare is a writer and actor. He has written for National Theatre Connections and short stories for BBC Radio 4. In 2017 he penned the BBC short film The Music Room featuring the Ulster Orchestra. He is currently developing original work for theatre, television and film. Sydney & the Old Girl and The Weatherman are his debut full length plays – both published by Bloomsbury in 2019. Eugene is a member of Field Day Theatre Company. He lives in London.

Director Phillip Breen’s theatre credits include: The Provoked Wife (Royal Shakespeare Company), Shakespeare in Love (Eleanor Lloyd / Bath Theatre Royal national tour, Broadway World Awards, Best Touring Production nomination), The Hypocrite (Royal Shakespeare Company, Hull Truck Theatre and Hull UK City of Culture 2017), Treasure Island (Birmingham Repertory Theatre), Lady Chatterley’s Lover (English Touring Theatre and Sheffield Theatres), Cyrano de Bergerac (Theatr Clwyd), The Shoemaker’s Holiday (Royal Shakespeare Company), The Merry Wives of Windsor (RSC) and Sex With A Stranger (Trafalgar Studios).

www.parktheatre.co.uk

Box office: 020 7870 6876

Break A Leg Productions in association with Bill Elms present

ANTONY COSTA TO STAR IN BLOOD RUNS DEEP PREMIERING AT THE EPSTEIN THEATRE NEXT MONTH

NEW PSYCHOLOGICAL THRILLER TAKES TO THE STAGE FOR HALLOWEEN WEEK

Prepare to be chilled to the bone when a gripping new psychological thriller Blood Runs Deep premieres at The Epstein Theatre this Halloween, starring ex Blue member Antony Costa.

The chilling new play presented by Break A Leg Productions in association with Bill Elms comes to the Hanover Street venue from Tuesday 29 October – Saturday 2 November following a sell-out pilot run at The Unity Theatre last year.

Set in the 1990s, single mother Karen Richards is on the run with her unsuspecting son, praying she can hide their chilling family secret and live a normal life. When an unwelcome visitor arrives at her home, the truth catches up with her, resulting in terrifying consequences.

Set on a northern council estate the two-act thriller will have audiences on the edge of their seats as a tale of lies and family betrayal unfolds.

Written by Emma Culshaw and David Paul (The Ruby Slippers, Achy Breaky Bride) and directed by Margaret Connell (Scouse a Comedy of Terrors, Broken Biscuits)

Blue star Antony Costa willstar as Greg. Antony rose to fame as a member of the popular boy band, with a career spanning three number one albums. The bands smash hit singles included All Rise, One Love and Sorry Seems To Be The Hardest Word.

Antony has also enjoyed a successful stage career. In 2017 he starred in Bill Kenwright’s UK touring production of Ruth Rendall’s murder mystery, A Judgement in Stone. He has also starred in the lead role of Mickey Johnstone in the 2006 London production of the long running musical Blood Brothers. Other credits include Rock Of Ages and Boogie Nights.

The full cast includes Emma Vaudrey as Karen, Brandon McCaffrey as Jake, and Alice Merivale as Zoe, who reprise their roles from 2018’s pilot production.

The play is produced by Break A Leg Productions in association with theatre producer Bill Elms. This is their second collaboration after the acclaimed comedy drama The Ruby Slippers.

Co-producer Bill Elms said: “Blood Runs Deep is definitely a must this Halloween. The production received a fantastic response from audiences during last year’s pilot run, since then we have made some revisions to the show and cannot wait to present the brand-new version at the Epstein in October. It promises to have audiences on the edge of their seats as the blood-chilling action unfolds and we are delighted to welcome Antony Costa in the lead role of Greg, he is going to be wonderful.”

Writers Emma Culshaw and David Paul said: “This psychological thriller deals with ordinary people who find themselves in an extraordinary situation. The greatest threat always comes from within the family but who is actually the prey and who is the perpetrator. Can our deeds be determined by our DNA?”

When the truth surfaces there is no escape!

For more information, please visit: www.wearebreakaleg.com

Like us on Facebook:  www.facebook.com/BloodRunsDeepOnStage.

Follow us on Twitter: @BloodRunsDeepOS

LISTING INFORMATION

BLOOD RUNS DEEP

Date: Tuesday 29 October – Saturday 2 November
Time: Tue, Wed, Fri, Sat 7:30pm / Thu (Halloween) 6pm & 9pm / Sat Matinee 2:30pm
Tickets: From £15

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

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

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Stephen Joseph Theatre, Scarborough – until 5th October 2019

Reviewed by Sara Garner

5*****

Alan Ayckbourn’s most recent and actually his 83rd play is a resounding success.

It is a comedy play set over four scenes, individually set during a birthday of each of the family members.

We see the idea of ‘effect and cause’ being explored over these four scenes, but in reverse chronological order. From the fathers 80th birthday, back to the unseen sisters 18th.

A mixture of misunderstanding, a well meaning lie and bad timing create a wonderfully funny but inaccurate persona and reputation for the son Adrian, played fantastically by Jamie Baughan. Adrian is a man who has spent his life trying to deal with and understand women.

The scenes change from hilarious to seriously emotional with ease, and as we get to know the characters more and more it just gets better and better. So much so in fact that the audience starts to laugh in anticipation of the next hilarious moment.

Pure genius – the writing, the direction and especially the acting.

Russell Dixon was stand out as Micky with some of the best lines but worst wigs (almost certainly intentionally) of the play.

Jemma Churchill equally fantastic as Meg and who also previously appeared in another of my favourite plays.

Finally Naomi Peterson who had to play a different character for each scene. She does this so incredibly well that if you didn’t have prior knowledge you may not have realised.

Fascinatingly the set changes were carried out in such a choreographed way that they were appreciated by the audience in that they received a round of applause each time. I had seen a similar style used previously but that was just an irritating distraction. This was more artistic, and gave a fascinating understanding of the way the simple but clever set worked.

This is a wonderful play which enraptured the audience, making everyone laugh and smile throughout, but also engrossed with the perfectly balanced emotional scenes where we saw the meat of the interpersonal relationships within the family.

I cannot recommend this play highly enough.