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A simply stunning adaptation of Mary Shelley's novel Frankenstein by award winning writer Rona Munro. A real treat and pleasant surprise to see such a high quality work touring the UK.
The magic starts almost immediately, when the Scottish actress playing the 18 year old writer Mary Shelley starts her opening monologue in direct communication with the audience. Eilidh Loan was performing in her professional debut having only recently left drama school and is a similar age to the writer.
The other connection is Loan is also a writer. This clearly helped her connect with the role in a way that made her performance stand out. She connected so deeply with the lead character that she brought home the reality of an 18 year old writing this complex and now legendary story of the creation of a monster of a human being.
The play takes us on a journey of the writer from a blank sheet of paper as she first starts with the idea, moves on to create the characters who perform her thoughts, then pause, as the writer hits a mental block. The roller coaster of writing, matched with the evolving story unravelling in front of us, is complex to write, but so effective in it's delivery.
I was delighted to see so many other Scots actors and hear their accents too, a rare treat in this part of the world. I was quite proud realising the full talent being leaps and bounds above a lot of the plays I see in London.
I don't think I'm biased but go see for yourself, and you'll enjoy the experience of a powerful adaptation coming to life, as well as a monster of course.
Frankenstein is in Richmond Theatre until Saturday 23rd November 2019, then off to Glasgow next week.https://www.atgtickets.com/shows/frankenstein/
Douglas McFarlane is founder of UK Theatre Network and a London reviewer.-
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Douglas McFarlane
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The Winter Gardens is Ready to Razzle Dazzle
In the 1920s Chicago became infamous for a string of homicides committed by women - crimes of passion set against the backdrop of changing times and views of women in the Jazz age.
Journalist Maurine Dallas Watkins covered some of these crimes for the Chicago Tribune, and wrote a play based on real life events she reported on. Chicago was adapted as a musical in 1977, becoming a Broadway and West End smash hit and an Academy award-winner for the 2002 movie version. Velma Kelly, Billy Flynn and Roxie Hart have become instantly recognisable as the lead roles in Chicago, written by John Kander & Fred Ebb (The Prolific Broadway writers who wrote ‘Cabaret’) and the legendary Bob Fosse. Now Chicago is coming to the Winter Gardens Blackpool with the ENSEMBLE Theatre Company in April 2020.
Ever since Andy Vitolo, Ensemble Theatre's Artistic Director, can remember, he had a dream to have a theatre company based at the world famous Winter Gardens...and now that dream is a reality.
Andy has directed and performed in many musicals in the States and all over the UK. As part of a successful song-writing partnership he's had hits in Europe and been televised numerous times for Eurovision. His songs have received plaudits from industry greats including Dolly Parton’s management.
Within a year, ENSEMBLE Theatre has smashed box office records and been critically acclaimed (⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ “Absolutely Brilliant “, “Sounded Spectacular”) with its hit productions of Broadway musicals including Oliver!, The Sound of Music and The Addams Family.
CHICAGO
Saturday 4 April 2020 2.30pm & 7.30pm
Opera House Blackpool
TICKETS ON SALE NOW
https://www.wintergardensblackpool.co.uk/whats-on/chicago
0844 856 1111-
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Kirstie Niland
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The Finborough Theatre’s Autumn season features three premieres, all discovered by the Finborough Theatre’s Artistic Director Neil McPherson – a rediscovery from a classic British playwright, written in 1970, but never before seen in London, alongside two European premieres from female playwrights – a hit Off Broadway play from the United States, and a multi-award-winning new play from New Zealand/ Aotearoa.
The season opens with the London premiere of a 1970 touching domestic family drama, Go Bang Your Tambourine by Philip King, playing 6-31 August 2019. Following the death of his mother, devoted Salvation Army member David lives alone in their North Country house. But tongues begin wagging when Bess, a local barmaid, moves in as his lodger…
The season continues with the European premiere of Anahera by Emma Kinane, returning to the Finborough Theatre where it received a staged reading in Vibrant 2018 – A Festival of Finborough Playwrights. Winner of the Most Outstanding New New Zealand Play at the Wellington Theatre Awards, Anahera is a stunning new play on parenting and childhood, following a newly qualified Māori social worker supporting the distraught parents of a missing child. It plays 3-28 September 2019.
Rounding off our Autumn season is another European premiere, The Niceties, an Off Broadway hit by Eleanor Burgess, a new American playwright in her European debut. An ambitious young black student and her esteemed white professor meet to discuss a paper on the American Revolution. But as the question turns to who gets to tell the story of America, and how, the fault lines of racial and generational divides are sharply illuminated. It plays 1-26 October 2019.
Finborough Theatre Artistic Director Neil McPherson says: “Our new season features three richly different plays I have discovered for the Finborough Theatre, including a rediscovery from a classic British playwright, written in 1970 but now seen in London for the very first time, alongside two stunning new plays, both by female playwrights new to the UK, from the United States and New Zealand/ Aotearoa.
The Finborough Arms, our pub home, was taken over by an entirely new management and extensively refurbished at the end of last year, and now offers a wide menu of traditional pub favourites, all cooked on the premises.
I look forward to welcoming you.”
– Neil McPherson, Artistic Director
Performance Times and Prices
Tuesday to Saturday evenings at 7.30pm.
Saturday and Sunday matinees at 3.00pm.
For Go Bang Your Tambourine, Anahera and The NicetiesPrices for Weeks One and Two – Tickets £18, £16 concessions, except Tuesday evenings £16 all seats, and Friday and Saturday evenings £18 all seats.
Previews £14 all seats.
£10 tickets for Under 30s for performances from Tuesday to Sunday of the first week when booked online only.
£14 tickets for residents of the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea on the first Saturday evening, when booked online only.
For Go Bang Your Tambourine and Anahera
Prices for Weeks Three and Four – Tickets £20, £18 concessions, except Tuesday evenings £18 all seats, and Friday and Saturday evenings £20 all seats.
For The Niceties Prices from 15-20 October – Tickets £20, £18 concessions, except Tuesday evenings £18 all seats, and Friday and Saturday evenings £20 all seats.Prices from 22-26 October – £25, £20 concessions, except Tuesday Evenings £20 all seats, and Friday and Saturday evenings £25 all seats.
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Carolin Kopplin
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"I'm sick to death of this particular self. I want another."
Orlando: poet, lover, adventurer. After an encounter with a traveller woman, Orlando is transformed forever. With original live music, comedy and movement, join us in a joyful queer romp through history as we travel from the court of Queen Elizabeth I to 20th Century London, via Constantinople and the high seas.
"A masterful adaptation... a splendid piece of theatre" - Daily Info. "succeeds in teasing out provocations within Woolf's story" - Newbury Weekly News.
Audience comments:
"Witty, inspiring, moving, musically smashing"
"I'm uplifted by the whole experience - buzzing in fact!"
"Words would not have enough impact to explain how incredible the performance was"-
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Lou Corben
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In Bristol, where he's something of a minor-celebrity, Jody Kamali is better known as comic alter ego and Internet hit Terry the Odd Job Man. Now he's back at the Brighton Fringe with a preview of a new working class character - the bumbling, Bristolian ex-darts champion Mike Daly.
Hugely inventive, warn and engaging - Total Theatre
Directed by acclaimed director character comedian Colin Hoult (Anna Mann, Murder in Successville, Derek) the show offers a whirlwind journey into the soul of an idiot. The beer swigging, pie-munching former champ may have fallen from grace, but he's back. And now he wants to set the record straight.
No stranger to the stage, Kamali regularly performs a crackpot gallery of characters at the Edinburgh Festival, as well as to sell-out audiences at some of Bristol's best known venues. His sixth year at Brighton Fringe, Jody Kamali tells us:
"There's a severe lack of working class actors out there on TV and stage. It's no wonder terrestrial TV figures are dwindling. Everyday people tune into my videos by the thousands as I feel they are not getting this output on TV."
A high energy physical character comedian and actor, Jody Kamali has worked with veteran Lord of the Rings actor Bernard Hill in the film Golden Years, and Harry Hill on the madcap TV project Harry Hill's Tea Time (Harry Hill describes his act as 'brilliant...original visual comedy'.) He currently lives in Beckenham, Kent, where he promotes and comperes the much lauded Beckenham Comedy Caberet.
Kamali's working class roots inspire many of his character creations, which have in recent years amassed a cult following on Facebook, where his videos have chalked up to quarter of a million views each. These days he even gets mobbed on Bristol's streets.
Mike Daly's calamitous Q&A adventures continue at the Edinburgh Festival later this year.
Mike Daly: Darts and All
The Warren: The Nest
2-5th May - 19.40 - 20.40 - £10
To book tickets visit brightonfringe.org or call 01273 917272
For more information contact Jody Kamali at jodykamali@yahoo.com
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Geoff
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The Finborough Theatre’s summer season features two world
premieres from female playwrights – a new play written and directed by the
first woman ever to direct at the National Theatre, and a debut play from a
brand new American dramatist – alongside another classic Finborough rediscovery
from one of the greatest theatrical figures of the 19th century, unseen in
London for over 120 years. We also bring you the eleventh consecutive year of
our annual celebration of new writing, Vibrant 2019 – A Festival of
Finborough Playwrights, giving us a chance to share with you just a few
of the exceptional writers we have developed, nurtured and championed over the
last year.
The season opens with the world premiere of playwright and
director Julia Pascal’s award-winning Blueprint Medea, a
gripping new drama loosely inspired by Euripides’ Medea, which connects the
classical to the contemporary to explore eternal questions of passion, war,
cultural identity, women’s freedom, sex, family and love. Blueprint
Medea plays 21 May-8 June 2019.
In its first London production in over 120 years, our season
continues with After Dark; or, A Drama of London Life by
Dion Boucicault, based on Les Oiseaux de Proie by Eugène
Grangé and Adolphe d’Ennery. Written in 1868, the year that the Finborough
Theatre’s building was constructed, After Dark; or, A Drama of
London Life is a classic Victorian melodrama, but is also
startlingly contemporary with a thrilling climax on the London Underground, and
its sympathetic portrayal of London’s homeless community. It plays 12 June-6
July 2019.
Playing alongside After Dark; or, A Drama of London
Life, our annual celebration of new writing Vibrant 2019 – A
Festival of Finborough Playwrights returns for its eleventh
consecutive year, playing on Sunday and Monday evenings and Thursday matinees
between 16 June-4 July 2019. This year’s Vibrant includes the
winner of this year’s ETPEP Award in association with the Finborough Theatre
which has awarded £8000 to a new playwright who works in another job in
theatre, alongside stunning new plays from many Finborough Theatre
favourites.
Rounding off our summer season is another world
premiere, Lunatic 19’s – A Deportational Road Trip, by a new
American playwright, Tegan McLeod, playing 9 July-3 August 2019. With
coruscating humour and caustic observation, Lunatic 19’s captures the human
stories at the heart of the current debate about migration and refugees.
Finborough Theatre Artistic Director Neil McPherson says:
“Our new season features two world premieres alongside another of my
rediscoveries from Victorian drama – with a play written in 1868, the very year
that the Finborough Theatre building was constructed. And Vibrant
2019 – A Festival of Finborough Playwrights, our annual festival of new
writing, returns for its eleventh consecutive year.
The Finborough Arms, our pub home, was taken over by an
entirely new management and extensively refurbished at the end of last year,
and now offers a wide menu of traditional pub favourites, all cooked on the
premises. We both look forward to welcoming you.”
For full information, please visit www.finboroughtheatre.co.uk-
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Carolin Kopplin
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Fresh from winning five People's Choice Awards at the recent offwestend.com awards - including the accolades for Best Programming Policy and Most Welcoming Venue - Blue Elephant Theatre announces its first shows of 2019. From comedy to dance, scratch nights to accomplished pieces, once again the Blue Elephant offers an eclectic programme to suit all tastes. A highlight of the season is The Wolf Inside Me, commissioned by Blue Elephant Theatre’s Youth Board members. It was created by Sepy Baghaei in response to a brief set by young participants and then chosen for research and development at the Blue Elephant after participants met shortlisted applicants. A play with sound and music, The Wolf Inside Me speaks to us of finding our own way through grief and sadness. Rooted in South East London and seen through the eyes of teenagers, it’s a captivating and creative reframing of loss and hope.
This season sees comedy (It's No Job For A Nice Jewish Girl), dance (TRY/TRYING/TRIED),
sound experimentation (Nothing to Fear) and new writing (LunchBreaks) take
to the stage. As well as this, we present, The Wolf
Inside Me, commissioned by Blue Elephant Theatre
and chosen by our Youth Board Members. Told through the eyes of
teenagers, this is set to be a unique portrayal of a journey through
grief told with music and sound.
We also have an array of FREE Family storytelling events taking place in
March across Elephant and Castle, bringing theatre to the doorstep.
Listings Information:
Venue: Blue Elephant Theatre, 59a Bethwin Rd, Camberwell,
SE5 0XT (entrance on Thompson Ave) Nearest tube: Oval (Northern Line)
Wheelchair accessible Box Office: 020 7701 0100
info@blueelephanttheatre.co.uk
www.blueelephanttheatre.co.uk |@BETCamberwell-
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Carolin Kopplin
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Brand
new show celebrating Tina Turner heads out on 50-plus date debut UK tour.
A brand new show celebrating the music of Tina
Turner is set to tour the UK with more than 50 dates already secured.
The massive debut tour of What’s Love Got To Do
With It? launches in February 2019 promising to be the ultimate tribute
show.
The tour previews at the Hazlitt Theatre in Maidstone
on Wednesday February 13, and has its premiere at Liverpool Empire Theatre on Tuesday, February 19.
Tickets
on sale now from www.cuffeandtaylor.com
Brought to you by the award-winning
producers behind the hugely successful Whitney - Queen Of The Night, What’s
Love Got To Do With It? pays homage to one of the most iconic and
much loved musical artists of the 20th Century.
In this brand-new touring theatre show, audiences can
expect a night of high energy, feel-good rock-and-roll featuring Tina's
greatest hits performed by the amazing
vocal talent of Elesha Paul Moses (Whitney - Queen Of The Night, The Voice,
X Factor) supported by a full 10-piece
live band.
Speaking about playing Tina Turner, Elesha said: “I
am absolutely thrilled to be touring the UK with What’s Love Got To Do With It?
This is going to be a magnificent show and one that truly celebrates the
incredible music and career of Tina Turner.
“Tina is a great persona to emulate on stage. I have
performed as her many times over the years so to now be the lead in a show that
will travel all over the UK and celebrate everything about her is an amazing
opportunity and one I’m really looking forward to.”
In a breath-taking career spanning more than 50
years, audiences can look forward to hearing stunning musical arrangements of
Tina's most-loved classic hits including Private Dancer, What's Love Got To Do
With It?, Proud Mary, River Deep, Nutbush City Limits, Simply The Best and many
more. This not-to-be missed musical experience is a stunning celebration of one
of the greatest female singers of our time.
TOUR DATES 2019
February
Wed
13th MAIDSTONE, THE HAZLITT THEATRE
Tue
19th LIVERPOOL, EMPIRE THEATRE
Sat
23rd BUXTON, OPERA HOUSE
Tue
26th SOUTHEND, CLIFFS PAVILION
Wed
27th EDINBURGH, USHER HALL
Thu
28th GLASGOW, KING'S THEATRE
March
Fri 1st ABERDEEN, MUSIC HALL
Sat 16th
DARLINGTON, HIPPODROME
Thu
21st BRADFORD, ST GEORGES HALL
Wed
27th PORTSMOUTH, GUILDHALL
Fri
29th HULL, CITY HALL
April
Thu
18th SHEFFIELD, CITY HALL
May
Wed 1st
COVENTRY, BELGRADE THEATRE
Fri
31st DARTFORD, ORCHARD THEATRE
June
Sat 1st
HODDESDON, THE SPOTLIGHT
Sat 8th
HUDDERSFIELD, TOWN HALL
Thu
13th MALVERN, FORUM THEATRE
Sat
15th BASINGSTOKE, THE ANVIL
Sun
16th CANTERBURY, MARLOWE THEATRE
Sat
22nd TORQUAY, PRINCESS THEATRE
Thu
27th NEW BRIGHTON, FLORAL PAVILION THEATRE
Fri
28th CARLISLE, THE SANDS CENTRE
Sat
29th NOTTINGHAM, ROYAL CONCERT HALL
July
Thurs
11th HORNCHURCH, QUEENS THEATRE
Sat 20th BLACKPOOL, OPERA HOUSE
Sun
21st SUNDERLAND, EMPIRE THEATRE
Sun
28th CROYDON, ASHCROFT THEATRE
September
Fri
13th CARDIFF, ST DAVIDS HALL
Fri
20th MANCHESTER, BRIDGEWATER HALL
Sat
28th BRIDLINGTON, BRIDLINGTON SPA
October
Wed 2nd
LEICESTER, DE MONTFORT HALL
Thu 3rd
HORSHAM, CAPITOL THEATRE
Fri 4th
BOURNEMOUTH, PAVILION THEATRE
Sat 5th
LLANELLI, Y FFWRNES
Fri
11th DONCASTER, THE DOME
Thur
17th DERBY, DERBY ARENA
Fri
18th BATH, THE FORUM
Sat
19th SALISBURY, CITY HALL
November
Fri 8th
DUDLEY, TOWN HALL
Sat 9th
HIGH WYCOMBE, WYCOMBE SWAN
Sun 10th RICHMOND, RICHMOND THEATRE
Fri
15th HARROGATE, ROYAL HALL
Thu
28th MARGATE, WINTER GARDENS
Fri
29th CAMBRIDGE, CORN EXCHANGE
December
Wed 4th
SWANSEA, GRAND THEATRE
Sat
14th WORTHING, ASSEMBLY HALL
TOUR
DATES 2020
January
Sun 12th SOUTHAMPTON, MAYFLOWER THEATRE
March
Fri 13th WARRINGTON, PYRAMID & PARR HALL
Thurs 19th BIRMINGHAM, BIRMINGHAM ARENA
Sat 21st NEWCASTLE, CITY HALL
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Anna
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The Finborough Theatre’s Spring season features three stunning rediscoveries, all unseen in London for many years – a heart-breaking play set against the backdrop of apartheid South Africa by Athol Fugard; a hit British musical of the 1960s from the composer of Oliver!, Lionel Bart; and our third rediscovery from neglected Ulster playwright St John Ervine.
The season opens with the first UK production for 35 years of A Lesson from Aloes by Athol Fugard, a devastating story of betrayal and mistrust set against the backdrop of apartheid. Directed by actor, writer and director Janet Suzman and with lighting by the legendary Mannie Manim, A Lesson from Aloes plays 27 February–23 March 2019.
Our acclaimed ‘Celebrating British Music Theatre’ series returns with the first professional London production for more than 50 years of Lionel Bart and Alun Owen’s musical Maggie May, a celebration of working class life in 1960s Liverpool, full of classic Lionel Bart musical numbers. Directed by recent nominee for the OffWestEnd Award for Best Director Matthew Iliffe, Maggie May plays 27 March-20 April 2019.
The season culminates with the first London production for over 75 years of Jane Clegg by St John Ervine, a 1913 tale of one woman’s escape from an abusive relationship, originally compared by critics to A Doll’s House. Jane Clegg is the third rediscovery from St John Ervine at the Finborough Theatre, following the huge success of his play Mixed Marriage in 2011. Directed by renowned West End director David Gilmore, Jane Clegg plays 23 April-18 May 2019.
Alongside our season of rediscoveries, we also continue our profound commitment to new writing. Playwright Hannah Morley has just been announced as one of the six winners of the Channel 4 Playwrights’ Scheme to spend a year with us as Playwright in Residence. The Finborough Theatre is now the only unsubsidised theatre ever to be awarded the Channel 4 Playwrights Scheme bursary eleven times. And we are also delighted to announce this year’s ETPEP Award 2019, a playwriting prize for new UK playwrights who work in the theatre industry, run by the Experienced Theatre Practitioners Early Playwriting Trust (ETPEP) in association with the Finborough Theatre. The winner will receive a prize of £8,000, a development relationship with the Finborough Theatre, and a staged reading performance of the winning play as part of our acclaimed new writing festival, Vibrant - A Festival of Finborough Playwrights, celebrating its eleventh consecutive year in 2019. Full details are available on our website.
Finborough Theatre Artistic Director Neil McPherson says: “Our new season features rediscoveries from renowned playwrights from South Africa and Northern Ireland, alongside a classic 1960s British musical. We also continue our commitment to new writing with an opportunity for brand new writers currently working elsewhere in theatre to win an £8000 award for a new play. At the end of last year, the Finborough Arms, our pub home, was taken over by an entirely new management and extensively refurbished, and will also shortly offer a wide menu, with all food cooked on the premises. We look forward to welcoming you.”
For full information, please visit https://www.finboroughtheatre.co.uk/-
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Carolin Kopplin
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Yes you heard that right.Get tickets to see Santa’s New Sleigh and you could become a certified Master Sleigh Builder Oh and you also get to meet the big man himself. I caught up with the producer Sam Bradshaw to find out about this magical offer.
Right up until Christmas Eve, two troubled elves, Sprocket and Dibs, are calling on families to help them solve the very serious problem of Santa’s missing sleigh.
In the end there’s nothing else for it but to build a new one, and that’s where you, the audience, can help out, with lots of singing and laughter along the way.
This festive treat comes from Sam Bradshaw Productions, who are on tour again after sell-out seasons in Lichfield, Peterborough and the West End’s Arts Theatre.
Santa’s New Sleigh was first created for The Curve in Leicester. Sam was playing Stinky Pete the Pirate in a production of Peter Pan in Shrewsbury when he was asked by the Dame, Brad Fitt he’d like to produce the children’s show with him. What first began as a 40-minute story featuring Jingle Bells has developed into an hour-long show with its own original songs.
With Sam directing, and the cast working collaboratively with writer Brad, the show has evolved naturally, resulting in what Sam describes as “a fast and funny, silly bit of business.”
He said; “It’s a family-friendly, full-on interactive story with a narrative that bridges the gap for little ones that aren’t quite old enough for the panto, and there’s some subtle adult humour in there too so it’s a lovely feel-good Christmas show for everyone.”
There’s plenty of audience participation, with children invited on to the stage to open the advent calendar doors and Dads plucked out to be reindeer pulling the sleigh. At the end there’s a meet and greet with Santa and every child gets a present.
Sam has plenty of experience knowing how to create engaging productions for kids as he first became a children’s entertainer at just 13. He can walk on stilts, ride a unicycle and juggle knives.
“My Dad asked me to do some tricks for my cousin’s party and after that I kept on performing magic shows,” he explained. “I have a good eye for what kids like, so it’s funny and not patronising. It’s what my passion is, it’s amazing to see their faces when they help build the sleigh.”
Sam loves his role of half-creative, half-businessman. In between productions he performs on cruise ships and runs a children’s entertainment business in London. Most exciting of all, though, is the news that he’s working on a David Walliams title. No wonder he’s good at juggling.
Santa’s New Sleigh is performed at the Winter Gardens’ recently refurbished Pavilion Theatre, which has been reopened after 20 years through a partnership between Selladoor Worldwide and Blackpool Entertainment Company. It’s the oldest venue
in the Winter Gardens complex and was part of the original 1878 build.
“It’s an honour to be the first show staged since the 70s at such a prestigious venue as the
Pavilion Theatre,” said Sam, “And Blackpool is such a fun place with lots going on. There’s a good offering here this Christmas and it’s fantastic to be part of it.”
Santa’s New Sleigh is ideal for kids of all ages, including their parents.
Book tickets here https://www.ticketmaster.co.uk/venueartist/256254/5277083
Photographs courtesy of Sam Bradshaw Productions-
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Kirstie Niland
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The Grand Theatre Blackpool, until 6th January 2019
The Blackpool Grand plus panto equals a double dose of glitz
and entertainment and this year’s show does not disappoint. Featuring a superb
cast of local celebrities, stage and soap stars, Beauty & The Beast is
clearly an absolute delight for all ages judging by the audience reaction.
All generations of "shark" willingly stand up to
play their part in the Baby Shark Dance at the request of Louis La Plonk, aka
radio presenter and comedian Steve Royle. Audience participation is always the
best bit and he orchestrates this brilliantly, whether it’s poking fun at the
adults with a French accent, or teasing the kids with a Chorley one.
UK Productions’ larger than life characters create an expert
blend of fun and drama. Nick Wilton is endearing as the Dame, Polly La Plonk;
radio presenter Hayley Kay shines as Fairy Bon Bon singing The Great Showman’s
This is Me; EastEnders star Danny Walters shows his sensitive side and
fantastic vocals as The Beast; and Amelia Adams-Pearce proves her musical
theatre prowess with a plucky manner and powerful voice as Belle. Taking full
advantage of the strong female role, she fobs off the foppish French Hugo
Pompidou (portrayed with ding-dong aplomb by Ben Harlow), takes care of her father
Clement (played by the highly likeable Marcus Knibbs), and swoons but keeps her
cool as The Beast woos her.
The set and costumes are just gorgeous, from the sparkling
purple drapes in the dramatic Beast scenes, to Belle’s famously exquisite
yellow ballgown. The talented dancers from the Barbara Jackson Theatre Arts
Centre do choreographer Katie Hill’s routines real justice, with ballerinas fluttering
daintily beneath towering forest backdrops.
This definitely rates as one of the best pantomimes I’ve
seen in a while. It strikes a lovely balance of hilarity that's not over the
top with tender moments that aren’t too deep. The Beast's transformation into
Belle's handsome Prince really does make you go "Ahhh" and the laughs
really do make your belly ache.
Beauty & The Beast brings five-star Christmas cheer to
Blackpool. Book your tickets here
www.blackpoolgrand.co.uk/event/beauty-and-the-beast-pantomime.
And if you don’t know the Baby Shark dance already, make
sure you learn it before you go.
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Kirstie Niland
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Douglas McFarlane Founder and London Editor at UK Theatre Network This is one of our top visited reviews this year :)
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THIS IS SMEE
LAUNCHED
After two months of filming and editing Aylesbury Waterside Theatre’s community
parody video This Is Smee has launched.
Celebrating local businesses, charities and
social groups, the profile-raising video supporting this year’s pantomime Peter
Pan saw a cast of local people of all ages and performance abilities
accompany cast members Andy Collins
and La Voix (Britain’s Got Talent), for the video shoot this September.
With lyrics written by Aylesbury Waterside Theatre, this was
a first for the regional venue who were inspired by hit movie The Greatest Showman’s track This Is Me. Assisted by the team from Vivo
D’Arte who recently announced a new partnership with the Waterside opening
a School of Theatre Arts in the New Year, the video was directed and
choreographed to showcase the local companies (and their hidden dance skills!)
The cast includes this year’s junior panto ensemble led by Susan Diane School of Dance, businesses including McDonalds, Rocky and Kook vintage fashion, Noodle Nation and new establishment Craftyard Aylesbury, alongside Florence
Nightingale Hospice Charity, Scannappeal,
Aylesbury Neighbourhood Policing team,
Bucks Fire and Rescue and Bucks County Museum to name a few.
The video marks the start of the countdown to Christmas and
this year’s festive production. UK
Productions, the producers of the pantomime have enjoyed seeing the video
come together and are overwhelmed by the support of the community.
Martin Dodd, Managing
Director of UK Productions said: ‘The people of Aylesbury have excelled
themselves. The pantomime always receives a warm welcome in the town, and the
venue always gets into the spirit of Christmas whole-heartedly, with this video
idea being no exception. We’re in discussions with our technical team about
playing the video during the panto season so these wonderful local stars can
have an opportunity to reach the masses!’
The video is available to view here: https://tinyurl.com/y8yuteoh
A ‘making of’ video is available on
request alongside images from the video shoot.
Aylesbury Waterside
Theatre was nominated for 3 Great British Pantomime Awards 2018 including Best
Director, Best Comic and Best Panto (750- 1500 seats).
LISTINGS
Performances: Fri 7 – Mon 31 Dec
(Times vary)
Box Office: 0844 871 7607 (Bkg
fee. Calls cost up to 7p per min plus your phone company’s access charge)
Tickets: Tickets from
£11.75
Groups Hotline: 0333 009 5394 (Calls
charged at local rate, plus your phone company’s access charge)
Access Booking: 0800 912 6971
(Freephone)
Online Booking: www.atgtickets.com/Aylesbury
Twitter: @thewaterside1
Facebook: Aylesbury
Waterside
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Yvonne Delahaye
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Kevin Clifton will join the cast of the award-winning smash-hit musical ROCK OF AGES in the role of Stacee Jaxx.
Kevin Clifton is an international Ballroom and Latin dancer and has won numerous titles across the world, including winning the Britain Latin Championships four times. He is best known as a Pro Dancer on BBC one’s, Strictly Come Dancing and is the only pro dancer to ever dance in four consecutive finals. Kevin made his musical theatre debut in ‘Dirty Dancing the Musical’ at the Aldwych Theatre in London’s West End. Kevin then went on to become a principle dancer in Burn The Floor Dance Company and performed in the show’s record breaking Broadway run, in London’s West End and across the world. Kevin has also toured nationwide with Karen Clifton in 2017 and 2018 in their theatre show, Kevin and Karen Dance.
Kevin will be joined by Kevin Kennedy who will play Denni, Zoe Birkett as Justice, Luke Walsh as Drew, Lucas Rush as Lonny, Jodie Steele as Sherrie, Andrew Carthy as Franz, Vas Constanti as Hertz and Rhiannon Chesterman as Regina.
Also joining the cast are Erin Bell, Alexander Day, Joshua Dever, Paris Green, Sinead Kenny, Ryan Lee-Seager, Adam Strong, Saran Webb and Bobby Windebank.
ROCK OF AGES is an LA love story lavished with over 25 classic rock anthems. Lose yourself in a city and a time where the dreams are as big as the hair, and yes, they can come true!
This hilarious musical comedy features the songs, including We Built This City, The Final Countdown, Here I Go Again, Can’t Fight this Feeling and I Want To Know What Love Is, played loud and proud by an awesome live band.
WARNING: CONTAINS SERIOUS ROCK ‘N’ ROLL DEBAUCHERY!
Now a global smash with extensive runs in London’s West End, on Broadway and in Las Vegas, the show has also been made in to a star-studded Hollywood movie.
ROCK OF AGES has a book by Chris D’Arienzo and Arrangements and Orchestrations by Ethan Popp. It is directed and choreographed by Nick Winston (The Royal Variety Performance, Annie and The Wedding Singer) designed by Morgan Large (The Woman in White, Top Hat, and The Christmasaurus) and has lighting design by Ben Cracknell (Young Frankenstein, Sunset Boulevard and Annie). Sound design is by Ben Harrison (Hairspray, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang and Million Dollar Quartet) and musical supervision is by Barney Ashworth (Sunny Afternoon, Grease and Mrs Henderson Presents).
Rock of Ages
King’s Theatre, Glasgow
Tue 22 - Sat 26 Jan 2019
Mon-Sat, 7.30pm
Wed & Sat, 2.30pm
www.atgtickets.com/glasgow
0844 871 7648* calls cost up to 7p per minute plus your phone company’s access charge-
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Cameron Lowe
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THEATRE ROYAL, GLASGOW
MONDAY 4 - SATURDAY 9 FEBRUARY 2019
Jodie Prenger leads the cast in Abigail’s Party, Mike Leigh’s groundbreaking comedy classic which wreaks havoc at Theatre Royal, Glasgow, from Monday 4 - Saturday 9 February as part of a UK tour.
The story set is in 1970s suburbia and its heavy mix of free-flowing cocktails, classic disco and cheese and pineapple sticks. Beverly and husband Laurence who are throwing a party for their newlywed neighbours, Tony and Angela. Joining them is highly strung Susan who’s been banished from the party of her teenage daughter, Abigail. As tensions rise and tempers flare, the sheen of respectability is torn away by the warring couples with hilarious and potentially disastrous consequences.
Mike Leigh’s iconic Abigail’s Party is one of Britain’s most celebrated comedies and was described by The Guardian as ‘One of the greatest plays about the human condition ever written.’
Jodie Prenger said: ‘Abigail’s Party is a true British classic and a real bucket list part for me. I’m thrilled to be involved in something so wonderful. Can’t wait to get started.’
Jodie landed the role of Nancy in Cameron Mackintosh's revival production of Oliver! at the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane after winning BBC 1's I'd Do Anything. She won the 2010 Whatsonstage Theatregoer’s Choice Award for Best Supporting Actress in a Musical. She then went on to play The Lady of The Lake in the Spamalot UK tour and in the West End at the Playhouse Theatre, and Dolly in the National Theatre's production of One Man Two Guvnors at the Theatre Royal Haymarket. 2015 saw Jodie star in the title role of Calamity Jane on the UK No. 1 Tour followed by a Christmas run of Annie at the New Theatre, Oxford in the role of Miss Hannigan. In 2016, Jodie starred in a new UK tour of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s one woman show Tell Me On A Sunday and in the autumn, Jodie reprised the role of Madame Thenardier in a special production of Les Miserables in Dubai Opera Theatre.
Jodie has guest presented for Elaine Paige and Paul O’Grady on many occasions with BBC Radio 2. Other BBC Radio 2 appearances include Wogan, co-hosting Going Out With Alan Carr, Chris Evans’ Breakfast Show, The Olivier Awards 2010 and Children in Need 2009 with Graham Norton.
Recently, Jodie starred in the one-woman UK tour of Shirley Valentine, and has just finished playing the role of Kelly in the production of Kay Mellor’s Fat Friends on its UK Tour with music written by Nick Lloyd Webber.
Abigail’s Party is a a co-production between ATG Productions and Smith and Brant Theatricals by arrangement with Theatre Royal Bath, directed by Sarah Esdaile.
LISTINGS
Abigail’s Party
Theatre Royal, Glasgow
Mon 4 - Sat 9 Feb 2019
Mon-Sat: 7.30pm
Thu & Sat: 2.30pm
www.atgtickets.com/glasgow
0844 871 7647* calls cost up to 7 p per minute plus your phone company’s access charge-
By
Cameron Lowe
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Welcome to our new home here at uktheatrenetwork.com!! As ever we continue to share our passion for UK theatre through show reviews and professional networking opportunities. Join us today, free of charge, and share our passion for UK theatre in all its forms.
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Cameron Lowe
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