Paul Downham, Author at North West End UK

St Helens Theatre Royal ‘Chucks’ more pantomime casting our way

9Jul

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St Helens Theatre Royal ‘Chucks’ more pantomime casting our way

St Helens youngster Jamie Leahey and his trusty side-kick puppet Chuck will join an all-star cast in his hometown’s Christmas pantomime Cinderella. Thirteen-year-old Jamie and Chuck recently wowed the judges and audience of Britain’s Got Talent with his excellent ventriloquist act. In June, he made it to the Grand Final finishing runner-up – winning a legion of fans along the way. The pair will appear as themselves as a speciality act in festive pantomime Cinderella from Regal Entertainments Ltd.* Cinderella will run at St Helens Theatre Royal from Saturday 3rd December 2022 to Sunday 8th January 2023. Tickets are on sale now from £18. As the latest addition to the all-star cast, Jamie and Chuck will star alongside fellow Britain’s Got Talent favourite comedian and musician Jon...

Red carpet celebrations after a year at The Savoy

7Jul

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Red carpet celebrations after a year at The Savoy

With frocks galore and towering heels (and that’s just the audience) it’s hard to believe ‘Pretty Woman: The Musical’ has been running for a year at the Savoy Theatre – such was the excitement. The original run began at the Piccadilly Theatre in February 2020; however, performances were cancelled after just one month due to the pandemic. The show re-opened at the Savoy Theatre in July 2021. Based on the classic film starring Julia Roberts and Richard Gere, ‘Pretty Woman: The Musical’ is a romantic comedy telling the story of a chance encounter between sex worker Vivian Ward (Aimie Atkinson) and businessman Edward Lewis (Danny Mac). Keen to have a date but no romantic tangles, Edward invites Vivian to escort him to a number of events. But time spent together deepens their relationship...

5Jul

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First look at A-Typical Rainbow

Based on real events from the perspective of the writer and the autistic community, JJ Green will lead the cast as Boy for the limited run at The Turbine Theatre. The rest of the cast will be made up by Caroline Deverill (Mother), James Westphal (Father/Doctor), Conor Joseph (Jake/Daniel), Joy Tan (Abby/Thomas/Lara) and Maya Manuel (Emily/Mrs Whiteman/Rachel). Boy has always seen the world differently to most people. Where they see monochrome, he sees the world in vivid and brilliant technicolour. As Boy grows up, he faces increasing pressure to conform to the black and white logic of the 'real' world, a way of thinking that doesn't make sense, and forces him to suppress his unique and beautiful view of life. A-Typical Rainbow is the World Premiere debut play by autistic writer JJ...

Wilton’s Music Hall announce exciting and ambitious autumn season

5Jul

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Wilton’s Music Hall announce exciting and ambitious autumn season

Today Wilton’s Music Hall announces a magnificent Autumn season for August-December 2022, with an impressive array of world-class theatre, music, comedy and opera in collaboration with a variety of distinguished production companies and talent. London’s most festive venue is thrilled to present the world premiere of The Wind in the Willows Wilton’s [24th November – 31st December] for its Christmas spectacular. This brand-new adaptation written by Piers Torday (The Last Wild series), is based on Kenneth Grahame’s much loved The Wind in the Willows and set in modern-day London. The Wind in the Willows Wilton’s is a fun, festive show for all the family, bringing up-to-date the Edwardian original with a playful wit and charm, with our heroes tackling modern-day climate issues (although Toad...

Phantom of the Opera extends with new performance schedule

5Jul

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Phantom of the Opera extends with new performance schedule

THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA at Her Majesty’s Theatre is delighted to announce that booking is extended to Saturday 4th March 2023, with a new performance schedule from Monday 3rd October 2022. The Christmas performance schedule is also announced. From Monday 3rd October the new performance schedule will be: Monday at 7.30pm Tuesday at 7.30pm Wednesday at 2.30pm and 7.30pm Thursday at 7.30pm Friday at 7.30pm Saturday at 2.30pm and 7.30pm A previously announced, from 1st August Killian Donnelly will play The Phantom alongside Lucy St. Louis as Christine Daaé, Matt Blaker as Raoul and Kelly Glyptis as Carlotta, Matt Harrop as Monsieur Firmin, Adam Linstead as Monsieur André, Greg Castiglioni as Ubaldo Piangi, Francesca Ellis as Madame Giry and Ellie Young as Meg Giry. At ...

West End production of Hamilton extends booking to March 2023

5Jul

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West End production of Hamilton extends booking to March 2023

Jeffrey Seller and Cameron Mackintosh, producers of the West End production of Lin-Manuel Miranda’s HAMILTON, are delighted to announce that booking is extending at the Victoria Palace Theatre to 3rd March 2023. Reuben Joseph plays the title role of Alexander Hamilton with Simon-Anthony Rhoden as Aaron Burr, Allyson Ava-Brown as Angelica Schuyler, Shan Ako as Eliza Hamilton, Roshani Abbey as Peggy Schuyler/Maria Reynolds, Trevor Dion Nicholas as George Washington, Waylon Jacobs as Marquis De Lafayette/Thomas Jefferson, Emile Ruddock as Hercules Mulligan/James Madison, Jake Halsey-Jones as John Laurens/Philip Hamilton and Joel Montague as King George III. At certain performances the role of Alexander Hamilton is played by Alex Sawyer. The cast also comprises Jade Albertsen, Curt...

5Jul

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BABA comes to Greater Manchester Fringe

Poppamost Productions are bringing their brand-new comedy play BABA to this year’s Manchester Fringe! BABA is an expansion on their short play Project Baba, part of their sellout 2021 show ‘Oomph’ and, after some sensational feedback, the company has made the choice to revive and expand the story into an hour-long play. Set in the 80s, BABA, is a comedy about a down on his luck salesman called Tommy, trying to sell military grade baby dolls designed to bring down teen pregnancies. However, he must check his priorities when his long-lost teenage goth daughter walks into his life, or risk losing everything. Add to the mix Tommy’s failing love-life, a corrupt Statesman brother, a teenage niece and her boyfriend who have a point to prove, and the madness is set for an explosive comed...

Bradford Theatres announce astounding autumn season

4Jul

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Bradford Theatres announce astounding autumn season

Bradford Theatres are delighted to announce the Autumn 2022 season which is packed with musicals, dance, music and top names in comedy and entertainment. Adam Renton, General Manager Bradford Theatres says: “It’s been wonderful to see so many of you continuing to visit our venues over the last few months. We’re now looking forward to our autumn season, which is bursting with entertaining and exciting events. There’s an array of top quality shows on offer for everybody to enjoy during the autumn months. We start with a new production of My Fair Lady which opens the season at the Alhambra Theatre in September. This is followed by a range of brand-new musicals, much-loved favourites, world-class dance, the best in stand-up comedy, intimate evening talks, music and more! I’m really...

Lizard Boy announces its UK premiere casting

2Jul

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Lizard Boy announces its UK premiere casting

The UK cast for the new indie rock musical has been announced ahead of its UK premiere at Hope Mill Theatre in Manchester from 14th - 27th July 2022. Equal parts comic book lore and coming-of-age love story, Lizard Boy is the thrilling original rock musical that’s been called "Ingenious" (San Francisco Chronicle), "Phenomenal" (San Jose Mercury News), "Ferocious & Funny"(Seattle Times). During a bizarre childhood accident, Trevor was drenched head to toe in dragon’s blood. Growing green and scaly skin, he withdrew from the world. Tonight—twenty years later—Trevor's first date with a cute guy transforms into adventure of mythic proportions. The UK cast is Anthony Rickman as Trevor, Alan Cammish as Caly and Sophie Reid as Siren, who playing alternate nights alongside the original U...

2Jul

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SIX to reign again at The Lowry

The multi award-winning musical phenomenon SIX, written by Toby Marlow and Lucy Moss, returns to The Lowry, Salford, next month. The new touring Queens include: Chlöe Hart (Catherine of Aragon), Jennifer Caldwell (Anne Boleyn), Casey Al-Shaqsy (Jane Seymour), Jessica Niles (Anna of Cleves), Jaina Brock-Patel (Katherine Howard) and Alana M Robinson (Catherine Parr). Grace Melville, Leesa Tulley and Natalie Pilkington (Dance Captain) will be joining the cast as Alternates, with Super Swing Harriet Caplan-Dean. The cast are backed by the show’s all-female band, The Ladies in Waiting. SIX follows the six wives of Henry VIII as they take to the mic to tell their own personal tales, remixing five hundred years of historical heartbreak into an 80-minute celebration of 21st century girl powe...