Tuesday, December 16

Author: Paul Downham

Peter Pan – Barn Theatre
South East

Peter Pan – Barn Theatre

With this one-man adaptation of the classic family tale, the Barn Theatre has another success on their hands. Equally as thrilling as it is heart-warming, this version transports the audience from normality to Neverland. All with the help of that famous, ever-youthful boy. There have been countless retellings of J.M.Barrie’s creation and everyone has their favourites. From the big screen (“Hook” coming to mind, whereas I wish I could erase “Pan” from it) to stage musicals such as “Finding Neverland”, it is obvious that the appeal for the pixie-dust sprinkled adventure has not faltered. Playing on the universal appeal for the story, the Barn team have created a play with family at its forefront. Waylon Jacobs (Hamilton) plays a travelling father who is coaxed into a bedtime story from...
New production images released for SIX at Lyric Theatre
NEWS

New production images released for SIX at Lyric Theatre

SIX recently announced an 11-week extension to its West End season at the Lyric theatre to catch Toby Marlow and Lucy Moss’s smash hit before it returns to the Arts Theatre.SIX was the first musical to resume performances in the West End since theatres were closed down in March due to the coronavirus pandemic.SIX producers Kenny Wax, Wendy & Andy Barnes and George Stiles say, “We have been thrilled and overwhelmed by the response for tickets. Audiences are obviously desperate to get back to the theatre. We hope that after several false starts we will be able to proceed in London and Salford as planned.”Writer and co-director, Lucy Moss, promises the Queendom that the new London production will be “the shiniest version of SIX yet!”SIX will perform 9 shows a week at the Lyric Theatre in ...
The Magic of Christmas – Pitlochry Festival Theatre
Scotland

The Magic of Christmas – Pitlochry Festival Theatre

Perhaps the biggest nightmare for theatreland through the pandemic has been the loss of the lucrative festive shows they use to subsidise their riskier offerings during the year. So, like so many venues the team at Pitlochry Festival Theatre have been forced to offer their seasonal production online, which in all honesty is no replacement for the sheer joy of sitting in a theatre full of overexcited kids with adults in tow keen to relive their youth - all secretly hoping things will go wrong. It may be no substitute, but a four strong cast deliver a charming half hour show in the theatre’s garden as hapless elves Hari and Lari smash the fourth wall inviting cyber viewers to join a journey as they seek the missing North Star that guides Santa as he gives every kid in the world a press...
Boff and Daniel run away from it all
NEWS

Boff and Daniel run away from it all

These Hills Are Ours written by writer-performer Daniel Bye and Chumbawamba’s Boff Whalley exploring their mutual love of running and freedom gets its world premiere at ARC Stockton in January. The pair also celebrates the freedom to roam wild places and asks both of them what they’re really running from. For the last three years Bye and Whalley have been running a series of routes, from the centre of any place they found themselves in up to the top of the peak overlooking that city. Daniel then took off on one epic journey travelling more than twice as far as he’s ever run before. In story and in song this is the story of what they found out - about the relationship between city and country, between wild and controlled, about land ownership, about why we’re drawn to wild places a...
Birmingham Hippodrome to extend Van Gogh Alive into January
NEWS

Birmingham Hippodrome to extend Van Gogh Alive into January

Following the huge success of hosting the UK premiere of Van Gogh Alive, Birmingham Hippodrome have announced they will be extending the experience until Sunday 31 January. Close to 30,000 attended in the opening few weeks after opening to the Public on Thursday 8th October. The Hippodrome was completely transformed to host the unique multisensory experience, extending the main stage an incredible 750sqm into the auditorium to create an open, immersive gallery space, giving the sensation of walking right into Van Gogh’s paintings. Fiona Allan, Artistic Director and Chief Executive at Birmingham Hippodrome said: “We are of course disappointed our doors have to remain closed for a little longer whilst Birmingham is in Tier 3, as we have been so proud of the fantastic response Van Gogh ...
The Nutcracker at Birmingham Repertory Theatre to be Live Streamed
NEWS

The Nutcracker at Birmingham Repertory Theatre to be Live Streamed

Following news of Birmingham’s Tier 3 status last week, and ongoing uncertainty about what will be possible post 16th December, Birmingham Royal Ballet has taken the difficult decision to move their 2020 adapted version of The Nutcracker online. The magical Christmas production will be streamed live from The Birmingham Repertory Theatre on Friday 18th December at 7.30pm, giving audiences an experience as close to watching it live in the theatre as is possible. Birmingham Royal Ballet’s The Nutcracker at The REP will be available to watch as a livestream event at 7.30pm on Friday 18th December.  It will then be available to view as a video-on-demand recording from Saturday 19th to Thursday 24th December.  Video-on-demand sales close at midnight on 21st December but can be viewe...
Production image released for A Christmas Carol at Leeds Playhouse
NEWS

Production image released for A Christmas Carol at Leeds Playhouse

New production images released today show the company of A CHRISTMAS CAROL, bringing to life Charles Dickens’ spine-tingling festive story. From ghost lights centre stage, the spirits emerge to share with miser Ebenezer Scrooge the true meaning of this festive time of year. It’s Christmas Eve in Victorian Leeds, but the cold-hearted Scrooge hasn’t shared an ounce of festive cheer. As the cold night draws in, four ghostly spirits take Ebenezer on a magical journey through his past, his present and his future, hoping to show him the error of his ways. With Christmas spirit, fun, music and magic at its heart, this timeless Charles Dickens tale is brought vividly to life. Adapted by award-winning, West Yorkshire born playwright Deborah McAndrew, A CHRISTMAS CAROL is directed by Leeds Pla...
Manchester theatre company releases 4 monologues celebrating diverse LGBTQ+ lives
NEWS

Manchester theatre company releases 4 monologues celebrating diverse LGBTQ+ lives

A sister remembers a fateful family game of UNO and an argument that can’t be taken back; a new father has the first day of school nerves; a woman must prove the thing she has had to hide to save herself; a prodigal son returns home for a family wedding, ready to reveal their true self. Green Carnation Company (The Pride, Hope Mill Theatre (2018); My Night with Reg, The Lowry (2020)) explore topics of HIV, fatherhood, asylum seekers, gender and faith in four monologues by emerging LGBTQ+ writers that shine a light on diverse LGBTQ+ experiences. Working with film-makers Bloody Bandit Production and local performers, Green Carnation have brought these stories to life through four powerful and moving short films. Inspired by Mark Gatiss’ 2017 Queers monologue series, commemorating 50 ye...
Joe Pasquale & Sarah Earnshaw to tour in John Godber’s April in Paris
NEWS

Joe Pasquale & Sarah Earnshaw to tour in John Godber’s April in Paris

Joe Pasquale and Sarah Earnshaw will star as Al and Bet in John Godber’s classic comedy, April in Paris, which will tour the country, opening in Wellingborough on 28th January 2021, and will be directed by Richard Lewis.  Audiences will be socially distanced. In John Godber’s touching and hilarious classic, we go into the heart of one ordinary couple’s life as they go on both the journey of a lifetime and a journey into their relationship.  Al and Bet are in a rut.  Married for 26 years, their conversations are running dry and life has taken its toll. With his building work sparse and her shifts at the shoe shop getting few and far between there’s little to look forward to, apart from a possible ABBA tribute show in Wakefield and the odd trip to the pub.  But Be...
Come From Away….comes back to the West End
NEWS

Come From Away….comes back to the West End

COME FROM AWAY: THE CONCERT will be staged from 10th – 27th February 2021 at the Phoenix Theatre, London. The specially adapted concert version with reduced audience capacity will allow for safe social distancing. The global hit musical tells a remarkable and inspiring true story of kindness and generosity shown to strangers under extraordinary circumstances. Tickets available via www.comefromawaylondon.co.uk from midday on Friday 11th December 2020. Multi award-winning, international hit musical Come From Away will make a welcomed return to the West End early next year with a very special staged concert version performed for a limited run at the Phoenix Theatre, London from 10th – 27th February 2021. Come From Away: The Concert will reunite cast, band and company with speciall...