Paul Downham, Author at North West End UK

Cast announced for world premiere of<br>The Book Thief

4Aug

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Cast announced for world premiere of
The Book Thief

Ahead of its world premiere at the Octagon Theatre Bolton this autumn, the musical adaptation of The Book Thief announces its cast. Directed by the Octagon’s Artistic Director Lotte Wakeham (One Man Two Guvnors, The Hound of the Baskervilles, Peter Pan, Octagon Theatre) and choreographed by Tom Jackson Greaves (Amélie, Criterion Theatre), the script is penned by award-winning author Jodi Picoult (My Sister’s Keeper) and Timothy Allen McDonald (adaptor of Roald Dahl’s Willy Wonka and James and the Giant Peach), with music and lyrics by Elyssa Samsel and Kate Anderson (Olaf’s Frozen Adventure, Walt Disney Animation Studios) and musical direction, orchestrations and arrangements by Matthew Malone. This spellbinding production is based on Markus Zusak’s worldwide best-selling novel and follows...

All aboard! Next stop for Leaves on the Line: Edinburgh

28Jul

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All aboard! Next stop for Leaves on the Line: Edinburgh

A new musical makes a stop at the Edinburgh Fringe this August. Set in the confines of a train carriage, Leaves introduces a fresh, vibrant style of songwriting. Witty, self-aware and emotional musical numbers are executed with utter professionalism and heart by the team from DULOG, Durham University’s largest musical theatre company. Evie and Constance, the co-composers and lyricists of Leaves, describe the musical that emerged from pandemic-induced Zoom writing sessions as spotlighting a subject far from the isolation experienced over months – ‘life in all its bustling, chaotic, and at times, highly irritating glory.’ In many ways, they say, ‘the show is a tribute to normality’. In the show’s two-year journey, with a creative team and cast hopping onboard, a workshop, and an upcomi...

28Jul

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Making Mischief in Edinburgh Again

Mischief are the award-winning company behind The Play That Goes Wrong, Magic Goes Wrong and The Comedy About A Bank Robbery as well as the BBC comedy series The Goes Wrong Show and they are back in Edinburgh for this year's Fringe. CHARLIE RUSSELL AIMS TO PLEASE Written and performed by Charlie Russell Pleasance Courtyard (Below) 3rd – 27th August at 3.15pm https://bit.ly/3PHe8Mi Charlie Russell wants to do a show in Edinburgh, but all she can think about is what she wants people to think of it and ultimately, of her. So rather than focusing on what she wants to say, she’s just going to create a show that will please absolutely everyone by trying to hit as many solo fringe show tropes and styles as possible within an hour. That’s doable, right? MISCHIEF MOVIE NIGHT ...

‘The Hippie Shakes’ come to Edinburgh Fringe Festival

27Jul

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‘The Hippie Shakes’ come to Edinburgh Fringe Festival

After being showcased at the Soho Theatre in summer 2021 and making its London debut at the Rosemary Branch Theatre, The Hippie Shakes comes to the Edinburgh Fringe Festival as part of a UK tour. The Hippie Shakes is produced by emerging theatre and production company Sweaty Palms Productions and directed by Frankie Regalia. The Hippie Shakes has been awarded a performance bursary and is supported by the Bloomsbury Festival and is part of their official selection for the 2022 festival. The Hippie Shakes is also supported by Creative Scotland. As part of this tour, The Hippie Shakes has been performed at Old Gym Theatre Glasgow and Ventnor Fringe Festival. Based on a true story, this new piece of gig theatre is a distinctly female story of motherhood, survival, and intergeneration...

The musical-comedy, action adventure we didn’t know we needed!

27Jul

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The musical-comedy, action adventure we didn’t know we needed!

War of the Worlds (on a budget) is the perfect show for comedy and music lovers, families with teenagers and festival goers who want to start their day with a blast! Lamphouse Theatre will bring a brand-new musical comedy version of War of the Worlds to theSpace @ Surgeon’s Hall for the Edinburgh Festival Fringe this August. Featuring just one actor, War of the Worlds (on a budget) will parody Jeff Wayne’s epic arena tour and Tom Cruise’s Hollywood film while paying homage to HG Wells’ original story. With a full soundtrack of brand-new music, plus a loop pedal, a ukulele, lots of cardboard props, plenty of laughs and many hats, this take on the famous disaster story will be more hectic than heroic. Clowning, comedy, music and improvisation will ensure a side-splitting night out: Lam...

Becoming Chavela heads to Edinburgh Fringe for 3 nights only

27Jul

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Becoming Chavela heads to Edinburgh Fringe for 3 nights only

Becoming Chavela is an award-winning docu-cabaret performance of the life and music of Chavela Vargas set within the art world and social milieu of mid-century Mexico City when it was the cultural capital of Latin America." Iconic, trailblazing lesbian Mexican singer, Chavela Vargas, muse to Oscar winning Spanish filmmaker Pedro Almodóvar, was, in his words, a “volcano.” Edgy and fearless, she gained entry into the exciting mid-century Mexico City artistic scene through her friendship with Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera. Forgotten for years, she experienced an artistic rebirth in her early 70’s and continued to sing until her death at the age of 93. Chavela constantly broke with social, cultural, and gender norms, defying conventions and living her tumultuous life on her own terms. Ahead of ...

Full Cast announced for UK Tour of Agatha Christie’s The Mirror Crack’d

26Jul

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Full Cast announced for UK Tour of Agatha Christie’s The Mirror Crack’d

Original Theatre are delighted to announce the full cast of their brand new production of Rachel Wagstaff’s acclaimed adaptation of Agatha Christie’s THE MIRROR CRACK’D. The production, directed by Philip Franks, will begin its UK Tour at Devonshire Park, Eastbourne on 8th September 2022. The final members of the cast to be announced are Oliver Boot as Chief Inspector Craddock, Lorenzo Martelli as Guiseppe Renzo, Chrystine Symone as Lola Brewster and Holly Smith in the ensemble. They join the previously announced Susie Blake as Miss Marple, Sophie Ward as Marina Gregg, Joe McFadden as Jason Rudd, Veronica Roberts as Dolly Bantry, Mara Allen as Cherry Baker, Sarah Lawrie as Ella Zielinsky, Jules Melvin as Heather Leigh and David Partridge as Cyril Leigh Oliver Boot’s theatre credit...

Jacob Fowler set to have a ball in Manchester

26Jul

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Jacob Fowler set to have a ball in Manchester

Hope Mill Theatre in Manchester is to stage the UK theatrical premiere of the Broadway musical version of Rodgers + Hammerstein’s Cinderella. Jacob Fowler will play Prince Topher opposite the recently announced Grace Mouat, who plays Ella. Jacob is most prominently known for winning the BBC One prime-time show Little Mix: The Search and subsequently going on to support Little Mix on their final UK arena tour, including three nights at the legendary O2 Arena. He also appeared in the role of J.D. in Heathers The Musical at The Other Palace. Leading the creative team for this new production are venue founders Joseph Houston and William Whelton, with Houston directing and Whelton co-directing and choreographing. Further Casting to be announced. Jacob Fowler said: “I’m honoured to b...

YNWA – Let’s Talk About Six Baby returns this week

26Jul

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YNWA – Let’s Talk About Six Baby returns this week

You’ll Never Walk Alone, the show all about Liverpool Football Club and its history is back and is better than ever before. A lot has happened at the club since the show was last on our main stage at the theatre in 2017, the lifting of the number six in Madrid, a premier league title, a World Club Championship, a League Cup and a FA Cup win. Who wouldn’t want to come and spend a night at the Royal Court to celebrate all the greatest achievements of one of the best football clubs in the world? “YNWA takes you on a journey through 125 years of footballing history. From the Founding Fathers then two World Wars, through to the dark days of the second division and the glory round the fields of Anfield Road. We witness the triumphs, the tragedies, the heroes and legends. From JK Houlding t...

22Jul

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Mrs Doubtfire Confirms UK Premiere Cast

Producers Kevin McCollum and Jamie Wilson are thrilled to announce the full cast for the UK premiere of Mrs. Doubtfire, the new comedy musical based on the iconic movie, which will run for a strictly limited season at the Manchester Opera House from Friday 2nd September 2022 until Saturday 1st October. Mrs. Doubtfire the musical will introduce comic actor Gabriel Vick (Avenue Q) as Daniel Hillard, with Laura Tebbutt (School of Rock) as Miranda Hillard, Carla Dixon Hernandez (Matilda the Musical) as Lydia Hillard, Cameron Blakely (The Addams Family) as Frank Hillard, Marcus Collins (The X Factor) as Andre, Dominic Andersen (Heathers) as Stuart, Vanessa Fisher (Legally Blonde) as Wanda Sellner, Ian Talbot OBE (Hairspray, and Director of The Mousetrap) as Mr. Jolly and Aiesha Naomi Pease (...