Latest Articles - Page 459 of 657

5Jul

By Stewart Who?No Comments

London

The Throne – Charing Cross Theatre

With ‘Prince’ Andrew embroiled in rape and sex trafficking criminality, while his brother, Charles, the future king, battles a ‘cash-for-honours’ scandal involving bags of cash, the monarchy has never looked so unworthy of our respect. As working families struggle to feed their kids, using food banks and benefits to survive, the gilded wealth of Buckingham Palace seems less like a glittering distraction and more like an insult to the moral fabric of society. There are many who’d disagree with this assessment, perhaps even the Queen herself. The Throne, a new comedy, by John Goldsmith, steps into this debate, using farce and satire to explore some of the questions around ‘monarchy Vs republic’. The play is set in a ‘sink comprehensive’ school, as it prepares for a visit from the Queen...

5Jul

By Paul DownhamNo Comments

NEWS

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...

5Jul

By Brian MaddenNo Comments

North West

Sister Act – Palace Theatre, Manchester

30 years ago, Whoopi Goldberg played potentially her most iconic role of Deloris Van Cartier in the blockbuster classic; Sister Act. The movie has since been transferred to the stage as a musical. Despite being postponed two years due to the pandemic, it was definitely worth the wait and is of course, ‘Fabulous Baby’! In a cast that boasts many well-known faces including Jennifer Saunders, Keala Settle and Lesley Joseph, in comparison it is the relatively unknown ‘Sandra Marvin’ who plays the leading role. She certainly brought the sass needed to play the iconic role of Deloris. However, if I am being constructive, she does have a great voice, but it’s not that wow start quality that I would have expected from the leading lady. Saunders was hilarious in the role of Mother Superior. S...

Wilton’s Music Hall announce exciting and ambitious autumn season

5Jul

By Paul DownhamNo Comments

NEWS

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

By Paul DownhamNo Comments

NEWS

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

By Paul DownhamNo Comments

NEWS

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

By Paul DownhamNo Comments

NEWS

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...

A Midsummer Night’s Dream – Hull Truck Theatre

5Jul

By Jackie FoottitNo Comments

Yorkshire & Humber

A Midsummer Night’s Dream – Hull Truck Theatre

The only puck I have ever had dealings with was the one that landed in my lap during my days as an avid follower of the Humberside Seahawks ice hockey team, in Hull. In other words, I’m no fan of anything William Shakespeare wrote. So, reviewing A Midsummer Night’s Dream by the Bard was never going to be on my bucket list. But, not one to shirk my theatre duty, I went along to the Hull Truck Theatre on Monday evening. Well, bloomin’ ‘eck, as Shakespeare wouldn’t say, I really enjoyed watching a talented group from the community bring that very play to life. The opening stage setting was very sparse, consisting of just a metal park bench. However, the most dazzling costumes soon emerged and from then on it was colour all the way. As well as the psychedelic costumes, fairy lig...

Bradford Theatres announce astounding autumn season

4Jul

By Paul DownhamNo Comments

NEWS

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...

Joseph star Jac Yarrow talks about the enduring power of the biblical epic as the tour comes to Leeds Grand Theatre

4Jul

By Paul ClarkeNo Comments

Interviews

Joseph star Jac Yarrow talks about the enduring power of the biblical epic as the tour comes to Leeds Grand Theatre

It’s fifty years since Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice basically invented the rock opera with their biblical epic Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. Since then, this enduring family friendly show has been almost constantly on the road entertaining generations of fans who love Joseph’s journey back to his family and redemption. It’s a show full of classic Lloyd Webber/Rice tunes like Any Dream Will Do and Close Every Door, and over the years Joseph has been played by Philip Schofield, Donny Osmond, Andy Gibb, Stephen Gately, Darren Day and famously Jason Donovan, who is taking on the role of Pharoah in the latest touring production. The latest UK tour comes straight from the London Palladium where the show was revived and reinvented to critical acclaim. That London P...