Paul Downham, Author at North West End UK

London Classic Theatre Announce UK Tour of Absurd Person Singular

11May

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NEWS

London Classic Theatre Announce UK Tour of Absurd Person Singular

London Classic Theatre today announce a new UK tour of their postponed 20th anniversary production of Absurd Person Singular by Alan Ayckbourn. Michael Cabot directs returning cast, John Dorney (Geoffrey Jackson), Felicity Houlbrooke (Jane Hopcroft), Helen Keeley (Eva Jackson), Rosanna Miles (Marion Brewster-Wright), Graham O’Mara (Ronald Brewster-Wright) and Paul Sandys (Sidney Hopcroft). The production opens at Derby Theatre on 16 June, before touring to Coventry, Malvern, Guildford, Peterborough, Weston-Super-Mare, Cheltenham, Bury St Edmunds, Bath, Doncaster, Winchester, Ilfracombe, Chelmsford and Exeter, concluding at Theatr Clwyd on 16 October. All performances will be staged in line with current government guidelines. Artistic Director Michael Cabot said today “We are thrilled...

Winter Gardens Blackpool to reopen from Monday!

11May

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Winter Gardens Blackpool to reopen from Monday!

Plans have been revealed for the Winter Gardens Blackpool to reopen from Monday 17th May 2021. The Box Office and Mazzei Cafe will reopen along with The Old Victoria Bar featuring live entertainment daily. Live socially distanced events will return from 30th May including comedy, live music, family shows and much more. Venue tours will return from Tuesday 01st June 2021. Unable to open since the November lockdown, the venue has developed a new socially distanced spring programme featuring a wide range of events including family favourites the Twirlywoo’s and Alice in Wonderland. Live comedy returns from 30 May with Jongulers presenting Laugh Out Loud featuring Shaun Williamson, Bobby Davro, Billy Pearce and more, this followed in June by Britain’s Got Talent winner Jon Courtenay, his...

Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre confirms title casting for Romeo and Juliet

10May

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NEWS

Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre confirms title casting for Romeo and Juliet

Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre have today confirmed the casting for the title roles in Romeo and Juliet, which opens the 2021 season on Thursday 17th June. Joel MacCormack and Isabel Adomakoh Young play Romeo and Juliet, in the production directed by Kimberley Sykes. Also released is the artwork for the production created by Feast Creative following their photoshoot in March 2020. Full casting to be announced in due course. Joel MacCormack (Romeo) recently played the role of John Jasper in BBC Radio 4’s dramatization of The Mystery of Edwin Drood. On stage he won the UK Theatre Award for Best Performance in a Play for Each His Own Wilderness (Orange Tree). Other credits include: Describe the Night (Hampstead), The Oresteia (Shakespeare’s Globe), Safe House (ITV), and film credits ...

Boney M, Russell Watson, Katrina And The Waves And 5 Star Headline Hale Barns Carnival 2021

10May

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NEWS

Boney M, Russell Watson, Katrina And The Waves And 5 Star Headline Hale Barns Carnival 2021

Hale Barns Carnival returns for 2021 – and the hugely popular festival is bigger than ever with a brilliant line-up over three unmissable nights. When it was staged in 2019 the festival raised more than £100,000 for the local community. This year’s event takes place across the weekend of Friday 16 July, Saturday 17 July and Sunday 18 July 2021 – with demand for tickets meaning the live music has been extended to three evenings for the first time. Organisers are delighted to announce the headline live acts performing at Hale Barns Carnival 2021 are disco legends Boney M – featuring Maizie Williams, opera vocalist Russell Watson, and 80s favourites Katrina and the Waves and 5 Star featuring Denise Pearson. And as another new addition for 2021 a preview party concert at the Garric...

10May

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NEWS

Northern Chamber Orchestra return to the live stage to close its 2020-21 season

The Northern Chamber Orchestra will be joined by cellist and baritone Matthew Sharp to play works by Tchaikovsky and Mozart on Saturday 22nd May (5.30pm and 8.00pm) Matthew Sharp an award-winning, internationally recognised cellist, baritone, director, recording artist and educator. He is the NCO’s Artist in Association and has previously performed with Opera North, Manchester Camerata, and the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra. The concert includes Tchaikovsky’s Variations on a Rococo Theme and Mozart’s Madamina from Don Giovanni, and socially distanced tickets for the concerts, along with online streaming passes, are available now from www.ncorch.co.uk. Matthew has worked with cultural leaders across music and the arts: in classical music, Sir John Tavener, Errollyn Wallen CBE; in...

Les Dennis joins the huge-hearted Hairspray at the London Coliseum

9May

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NEWS

Les Dennis joins the huge-hearted Hairspray at the London Coliseum

Entertainment legend Les Dennis is to join the huge-hearted new production of Hairspray the Musical which is set to play a limited season at the magnificent London Coliseum from Monday 21st June – Wednesday 29th September 2021. As a comedian, impressionist, game show host, reality TV star, soap, screen and stage actor, Les Dennis’ showbiz career has spanned 50 years. Now, he is to return to the West End in the multi-award-winning smash hit musical as Wilbur Turnblad having previously performed the role on tour. He stars alongside Michael Ball, who returns to his legendary, Olivier Award-winning role of Edna Turnblad. Les replaces Paul Merton in the role of Wilbur. Following the delay to the production because of the pandemic, Paul is unfortunately not able to join the company due to ...

9May

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NEWS

Celebrity chef James Martin is hitting the road with a brand-new tour for 2022

James Martin Live will visit 18 towns and cities across the UK including a entertaining audiences with live demonstrations, cooking tasks and featuring some very special guests. And the exciting and fast-moving show includes a date at Manchester’s Bridgewater Hall on Sunday March 20th 2022. Tickets go on sale at 10am Friday May 7th from www.ticketmaster.co.uk James has been entertaining and educating the nation for almost three decades with his expert culinary skills both on screen and through his best-selling cookbooks. Following the phenomenal success of his previous tours, with James Martin Live audiences can expect to be dazzled as James rustles up mouth-watering dishes with complimentary courses of fun and laughter in this exclusive gastronomic experience. And he...

Manchester all-female play ‘Meet Me at Dawn’ among the first in country to re-open theatres

9May

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NEWS

Manchester all-female play ‘Meet Me at Dawn’ among the first in country to re-open theatres

One of the first plays in England to take to the stage after lockdown will be at a much-loved Manchester theatre. HER Productions is bringing all-female play ‘Meet Me at Dawn’ to Hope Mill Theatre, Manchester, from May 25th – 29th, after seven months of closure. The Covid-compliant show stars local actors Helen O’Hara and Susan Jayne Robinson, who play a couple who wash up on a distant shore after a boating accident. The 80-minute show, full of fantasy and plot twists, will also be live streamed on May 26th for those unable to attend in person. HER Productions was set up in 2019 by Manchester-based actor Hannah Ellis-Ryan, best known for her role as Coronation Street baddie Hannah Gilmore, who pretended to be Liz McDonald’s dead daughter in the controversial storyline in 2018. ...

Anton Du Beke and Giovanni Pernice – Him & Me dance into Blackpool at start of their UK Tour

8May

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Interviews

Anton Du Beke and Giovanni Pernice – Him & Me dance into Blackpool at start of their UK Tour

Brace yourselves for THE best night out in 2021 when two of BBC Strictly Come Dancing’s best loved professional dancers team up for an unforgettable tour - ANTON DU BEKE and GIOVANNI PERNICE - HIM & ME! Joined by a world class cast of dancers and singers, ANTON and GIOVANNI are coming together to put on the show to end all shows - the ultimate entertaining night out! The Ballroom King and the Jive Master bring you HIM & ME! - a true dance extravaganza for all ages. HIM & ME! is produced by Strictly Theatre Co. and directed by West End star Alan Burkitt. We are looking forward to welcoming you to Blackpool! Anton - Ah yes, Blackpool Opera House..it’s huge! Giovanni - Oh, it’s tremendous, so beautiful. Anton - We can’t wait to bring our show to the home of dance...

Matilda The Musical returns to Cambridge Theatre from 16th September

7May

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NEWS

Matilda The Musical returns to Cambridge Theatre from 16th September

The Royal Shakespeare Company’s West End production of Matilda The Musical has announced that it will return to the Cambridge Theatre from 16th September 2021. Seen by more than 10 million people across more than 90 cities worldwide, this autumn marks 10 years since the multi-award-winning show opened in the West End. Matilda The Musical is now booking through to 13th February 2022. For further information visit www.matildathemusical.com Catherine Mallyon, RSC Executive Director said: “It is fantastic to see London’s West End re-opening and for our company, freelance colleagues, and creative team to be back at the Cambridge Theatre, preparing for performances in the autumn. We all know how challenging the past year has been, and that makes this moment even more special and import...