Friday, March 29

Tag: Daniel Evans

Quiz – The Lowry
North West

Quiz – The Lowry

'Quiz' begins with a statement; 'the English love a pub quiz as it combines their two favourite pastimes, drinking and being right'. As someone who has always loved both of the aforementioned (and even appeared on 15-1 many moons ago), I was always going to be well disposed to a show detailing the rise and fall of 'The Coughing Major' and his attempt to cheat his way to the top prize on 'Who Wants to be a Millionaire' back in 2001. However, when the writing talents of James Graham are combined with the directorial flair of Daniel Evans, theatrical alchemy is at work and we have a story that makes the leap from the news to the stage in an original, successful and hugely enjoyable manner. Graham is the most prodigious writer working in television and theatre today, ever since his breakou...
South Pacific – Sadler’s Wells
London

South Pacific – Sadler’s Wells

For those who missed out on the Chichester Festival Theatre run in 2021, or those who loved it so much they need to see it again, its production of ‘South Pacific’ is back in London until the end of August, prior to a 3-month tour.  Assembling the same highly acclaimed cast as last year, the Rodgers & Hammerstein classic sees US Ensign Nellie Forbush falling for French plantation owner Emile de Becque on an island in the South Pacific island during World War 2.  Their happiness seems set despite the ongoing threat of war going on around them, while at the same time, young lieutenant Joseph Cable arrives on the island having been sent on a spy mission but is quickly distracted by his attraction to a local girl.  Love may be in the Pacific Ocean air for both couples, b...
Sera Maehara talks touring, the challenge of balancing new and restaged work, and tackling the difficulties in South Pacific
Interviews

Sera Maehara talks touring, the challenge of balancing new and restaged work, and tackling the difficulties in South Pacific

Originally programmed for 2020, the Chichester Festival Theatre production of Rogers and Hammerstein’s 1949 musical South Pacific eventually opened in person in July 2021, and was also briefly available to stream online last year. Now, once again directed by Daniel Evans and choreographed by Ann Yee and reworked to make it possible to tour, South Pacific is back on stage! Currently in residence at Sadler’s Wells until the end of August, the production will then tour around the UK and Ireland until November. This production opens with Liat enjoying the tranquillity of her island in the South Pacific, before her peace is disturbed by the raucous arrival of the US troops. At the same time, US Navy nurse Nellie Forbush and French plantation owner Emile de Becque are meeting for the first t...
South Pacific – Opera House, Manchester
North West

South Pacific – Opera House, Manchester

Chichester Festival Theatre has become known for taking on some of the most challenging classics and transforming them into a triumph. Director Daniel Evans’s lively reappraisal of South Pacific is no exception. On one of Manchester’s hottest days on record the audience was transported to the South Pacific where US troops were occupying a Polynesian island in the WW2 conflict with Japan.  The opening scene sees nurse Nellie Forbush (Gina Beck) on a coffee date with Emile de Becque (Julian Overden), a middle-aged plantation owner that she recently met at the officer’s club. De Becque is an ultra-suave Frenchman with a murderous past but despite this we see young nurse Forbush failing madly in love with him. The US troops are kicking their heels while restlessly waiting for th...
Old Friends celebrate Stephen Sondheim
NEWS

Old Friends celebrate Stephen Sondheim

Cameron Mackintosh has invited many of Stephen Sondheim’s old friends to join him in celebrating his extraordinary talents and legacy at the theatre which was recently gloriously rebuilt in Sondheim’s honor. The all-star cast for OLD FRIENDS so far includes Michael Ball, Petula Clark, Judi Dench, Daniel Evans, Bonnie Langford, Adrian Lester, Damian Lewis, Julia Mckenzie, Bernadette Peters, Elaine Paige, Clive Rowe, Imelda Staunton and Hannah Waddingham. They will be joined by a featured company of West End stars, currently being finalised. The evening, which takes place for one night only on 3rd May 2022 at 8pm, will be staged by Matthew Bourne and Maria Friedman with choreography by Stephen Mear and a 26-piece orchestra conducted by Alfonso Casado Trigo. Patrons can sign up for...
South Pacific Announces Principal Casting
NEWS

South Pacific Announces Principal Casting

Jamie Wilson, Jonathan Church Theatre Productions and Gavin Kalin are delighted to announce that Julian Ovenden will star as ‘Emile de Becque’ throughout the Sadler’s Wells season and UK and Ireland Tour of the critically acclaimed, landmark Chichester Festival Theatre production of RODGERS & HAMMERSTEIN’S SOUTH PACIFIC alongside the previously announced Gina Beck as ‘Ensign Nellie Forbush’. Julian and Gina will be joined by fellow members of the original Chichester Festival Theatre company; Rob Houchen as ‘Lieutenant Joseph Cable’, Joanna Ampil as ‘Bloody Mary’ and Sera Maehara as ‘Liat’ The production opens at Manchester Opera House on 16th July 2022 ahead of a season at Sadler’s Wells, London from 27th July to 28th August 2022 and throughout the limited 10-week UK and Ireland To...