For theatre... online, non-professional, amateur
YOUR NEWS – Wardrobe Ensemble Launches New Festival…

YOUR NEWS – Wardrobe Ensemble Launches New Festival…

By Chloë Abley

The Wardrobe Ensemble will celebrate their 10th anniversary with an ambitious new theatre festival running from Aug to Oct.
Pop-up venue The Mix, designed by Studio Three Sixty, will become The Theatre on the Downs at Breaking Bread on The Downs.
This new venue in Bristol will celebrate the local theatre scene as The Wardrobe Ensemble strives to create opportunities for South West artists and provide a community-focused hub in the city for audiences to enjoy after a year inside. The first shows are now on-sale with more theatre, circus, poetry, family shows to be announced!
Kicking off the festival will be world premiere of The Wardrobe Ensemble’s Winners. In their own inimitable style, this exciting new show explores capitalism and tracks the shift of labour in the history of food from farming to fast food. Directed by Jesse Jones and Helena Middleton, Winners is a rollicking and fantastical look at manipulation, monopoly and money, capitalism and currency.
The Wardrobe Ensemble told us back in July: “We started talking about this idea at the end of last summer as we imagined what might come next for theatre. We knew that the thing we wanted to do the most was to make a new show and perform it to live audiences, and we thought that other companies in the South West might want that too. So, we created this very ambitious project which has had many different permutations along the way as we tried to wrangle it into being. We are so excited (and a little bit scared) to finally announce it and make it happen.
“This is the biggest thing The Wardrobe Ensemble has ever tried to pull off and we still need help. Please do get in touch if you feel able to support us. And if you are a South West artist with something that you think might work at The Theatre on the Downs, let us know – we are still programming the space and want to fill it with as much exciting work as possible!”
As part of The Theatre on the Downs, The Wardrobe Ensemble is offering a brand-new commission of £10,000 for an artist or company based in South West England to develop a new piece of theatre.
Alongside the commission, the successful artist or company will have the option of a programming slot in September and receive one-to-one sessions with members of The Wardrobe Ensemble to support the next steps. Applications are open at: theatreonthedowns.co.uk/commission

But you’ve got to be very quick; the deadline is 4 Aug, with interviews due to take place on 17 Aug.

There are still more opportunities to be part of the programming – for more information, check the website: theatreonthedowns.co.uk.
The Theatre on the Downs is supported by The Wardrobe Theatre, Arts Council England, Backstage Trust and WECA. Ticketing in association with Bristol Old Vic.
The programme is:

Opening Night at The Theatre on the Downs
by The Wardrobe Ensemble
thewardrobeensemble.com
Sat, 7th Aug, 7.30pm
A launch party spectacular with game show The Wardrobe Ensembwheel of Fortune, along with top secret special guests, free prizes of the highest quality and lots of fun and games. Come and celebrate the opening of Bristol’s newest theatre venue!

Winners
by The Wardrobe Ensemble
thewardrobeensemble.com
Tue 10th – Sat 28th Aug
“My whole life is about winning. I don’t lose often. I almost never lose.”
Donald J Trump.
A brand-new show and return to live performance from the multi-award-winning company who brought you Education, Education, Education, 1972: The Future of Sex and RIOT. Supported by Arts Council England.

 

The Star Seekers
by The Wardrobe Ensemble
thewardrobeensemble.com
Wed, 18th – Sat, 21st Aug

Beach Baby
by Wilderbeast
twitter.com/wldrbeastheatre
Fri, 27th – Sun, 29th Aug

 

 

 

Wild Swimming
by FullRogue
fullroguetheatre.com
Tue, 31st Aug – Sat, 4th Sep

 

 

 

Beauty & The Beast
by Living Spit
www.livingspit.co.uk
Tue, 14th – Sat, 18th Sep

 

 

 

Theatre Bristol Assembly: Mistake Boutique
by Theatre Bristol
www.theatrebristol.net
Wed, 15th Sep

 

Bicycle Boy
by Helen Eastman & Alex Silverman
www.bicycleboy.co.uk
Wed, 11th – Sun, 15th Aug

 

 

 

Theatre on the Downs is at: The Theatre on the Downs, Breaking Bread, The Downs, Stoke Road BS9 1FG

Sat, 7th Aug – Sat, 2nd Oct 2021

Tickets: £15 (concessions available).
Available onlin. Just visit here: bristololdvic.org.uk/whats-on

Twitter: @WardrobEnsemble
Instagram: @TheWardrobeEnsemble Facebook: @TheWardrobeEnsemble #TheatreOnTheDowns
Website: theatreonthedowns.co.uk

YOUR NEWS – Jessie & Josh’s Cinema Date

YOUR NEWS – Jessie & Josh’s Cinema Date

Jessie Buckley (Juliet) and Josh O’Connor (Romeo) in Romeo & Juliet at the National Theatre. Photo: Rob Youngson

The NT’s film Romeo & Juliet, with Josh O’Connor and Jessie Buckley, to be screened in cinemas for one night only on 28 September


By Louisa Terry

The film stars Josh O’Connor as Romeo and Jessie Buckley as Juliet, and will be available to screen across the UK and Ireland.
Directed by Simon Godwin, this new 90-minute version was filmed in 17 days in the NT’s Lyttelton theatre in December while it was closed due the pandemic. It was adapted for screen by Emily Burns. The film premiered on television earlier this year on Sky Arts in the UK on 4 April and PBS in the US on 23 April. But this is the first time the film will be available on the big screen.
Simon Godwin said: “When we came to make Romeo & Juliet as a film, we had always wanted it to succeed as well on screen as it ever would on stage. So it is the ultimate thrill for all the creatives involved that it is now having its chance to be seen on the big screen. Shakespeare, as Derek Jarman once said, would’ve loved cinema. I’m excited to imagine Shakespeare eating his popcorn watching his wonderful play lit up and brought to life on the big screen in such a dazzling way.”
Romeo and Juliet risk everything to be together. In defiance of their feuding families, they chase a future of joy and passion as violence erupts around them.
This bold new film brings to life the remarkable backstage spaces of the National Theatre in which desire, dreams and destiny collide to make Shakespeare’s romantic tragedy sing in an entirely new way.
The cast also includes Ella Dacres as Peta, Fisayo Akinade as Mercutio, Deborah Findlay as the Nurse, Tamsin Greig as Lady Capulet, Ellis Howard as Sampson, Lloyd Hutchinson as Lord Capulet, David Judge as Tybalt, Adrian Lester as the Prince, Alex Mugnaioni as Paris, Lucian Msamati as the Friar, Shubham Saraf as Benvolio and Colin Tierney as Lord Montague.
The Romeo & Juliet soundtrack will also be released digitally worldwide on Friday, 6 August.
For more information and to find your nearest venue, please visit www.ntlive.com.


The NT adds five new productions to streaming platform: National Theatre at Home

By Katie Marsh

Michaela Coel’s Chewing Gum Dreams, the Young Vic’s A View from the Bridge directed by Ivo van Hove with Mark Strong and Nicola Walker, and Rufus Norris’ production of Everyman with Chiwetel Ejiofor will be available for all audiences worldwide to stream.
Danny Boyle’s production of Frankenstein and Sonia Friedman Productions’ Hamlet with Benedict Cumberbatch will also be available for audiences outside the UK & Eire.
New productions are added each month and National Theatre at Home now has twenty-six productions to stream on the platform available at anytime, including Angels in America Parts One and Two with Andrew Garfield, Nathan Lane and Russell Tovey, Medea with Helen McCrory and Michaela Coel, Mosquitoes with Olivia Colman and Olivia Williams, Phèdre with Helen Mirren, the Young Vic’s Yerma with Billie Piper and Othello with Adrian Lester.
All productions on National Theatre at Home are available with captions. Medea and A Comedy of Errors will now also be available with audio-description to support blind and partially sighted audiences worldwide. There are fifteen National Theatre at Home titles available with audio-description.
National Theatre at Home is available at www.ntathome.com with single titles available from £5.99 – £8.99, a monthly subscription for £9.99 or an annual subscription for £99.99.
Emma Keith, Director of Digital Media at the NT, said: “It’s fantastic to be able to make more of these impactful and enchanting productions available for audiences around the world to enjoy. I’m delighted to be able to showcase some important productions in our recent theatre history, such as Chewing Gum Dreams which went onto become the BAFTA-winning television series, Hamlet which was the fastest-selling ticket in history, Rufus Norris’ first production as National Theatre Director in Everyman and A View from the Bridge at The Old Vic.”

Benedict Cumberbatch as Hamlet, performed at the Barbican Theatre.  Photo: Johan Persson

STRIKE UP THE BAND!

STRIKE UP THE BAND!

Strike Up the Band! is our regular delve into selected productions from the professional musical theatre industry.
With all restrictions still on target for being eradicated from 21 June it would seem that the entire West End has announced its intention to reopen. So let’s hope nothing changes that!
This is a good thing for the amateur sector because wherever the pros tread, we amateurs are sure to follow.
We can’t physically fit the entire UK show-list into these pages so, instead, here are some highlights for you. But with the industry still in a delicate state of flux we urge you to check any relevant websites before purchasing tickets.


HAMILTON
Reopening 19 August 2021 and booking until 13 February 2022
Victoria Palace Theatre, London SW1E 5EA
hamiltonmusical.com / F, T & I: @HamiltonWestEnd
Arguably the biggest show in town, produced in the West End by Jeffrey Seller and Cameron Mackintosh, Lin Manuel Miranda has written everything; book, music and lyrics. It just makes our latest cover star, Giles Terera and his new book, ‘Hamilton and Me’ even more relevant.

THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA
Reopening 27 July 2021 booking to 13 Feb 2022
Her Majesty’s Theatre, London SW1Y 4QL
thephantomoftheopera.com
/ F, T & I
Andrew Lloyd Webber has bowed to public pressure and reversed Cameron Mackintosh’s decision to close the iconic, long-running show, thank goodness.

WICKED
Reopening 15 September 2021
and booking until 22 November 2022
Apollo Victoria Theatre, London SW1V 1LG
www.wickedthemusical.co.uk / F, T & I: @WickedUK
The show marks its 15th anniversary later in the year and will host a celebratory performance on 28 September 2021.
Music and lyrics are by legendary composer Stephen Schwartz with a book by Winnie Holzman, based on the novel, ‘Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West’, by Gregory Maguire. The show has played to over 10 million people in London alone and is the winner of over 100 major international awards.

Les Misérables – The Staged Concert
Reopened 20 May 2021, limited season until 5 September 2022
Sondheim Theatre, London W1D 6BA
www.lesmis.com / F, T: @lesmisofficial & I: @lesmizofficial
The pre-curser to the opening of the new production includes Jon Robyns as Jean Valjean, Bradley Jaden as Javert, Lucie Jones as Fantine, Gerard Carey as Thénardier, Josefina Gabrielle as Madame Thénardier, Shan Ako as Éponine, Harry Apps as Marius, Jamie Muscato as Enjolras, Charlie Burn as Cosette and, on certain dates, Dean Chisnall will play the role of Jean Valjean.

Disney’s THE LION KING
Reopening 29 July 2021, booking until 3 Apr (individuals) / 22 October 2022 (groups)
Lyceum Theatre, London WC2E 7RQ
www.thelionking.co.uk / F: TheLionKingUK / T: @thelionking  / I: thelionkinguk
14 new members will be included in the cast of over 50 actors, singers and dancers when it reopens its doors at the end of July.
Julie Taymor’s internationally celebrated stage adaptation first opened on Broadway in 1997 and has entertained more than 100 million theatregoers in 25 productions worldwide. The London production has played to over 16 million people alone over the last two decades.
When the pandemic hit it was the West End’s best-selling stage production and the sixth longest-running West End musical of all time.

Mary Poppins
Reopening 7 August 2021 and booking until 13 February 2022
Prince Edward Theatre, London W1D 4HS
www.marypoppinsonstage.co.uk / F, T: marypoppins & I: marypoppinsmusical
Cameron Mackintosh and Disney’s Olivier Award-winning production will see Zizi Strallen and Charlie Stemp reprise their roles as as ‘Mary Poppins’ and ‘Bert’ respectively. Timeless music and lyrics come from the Sherman brothers, with additional songs from Stiles and Drewe, and a Book by Julian
Fellowes.

MATILDA THE MUSICAL
Reopening 16 September 2021
and booking until 13 February 2022
Cambridge Theatre, London WC2H 9HU
www.matildathemusical.com / F, I: MatildaTheMusical & T: @MatildaMusical
Adapted from Roald Dahl’s much loved 1988 book, the RSC’s production premiered at the RSC’s Stratford-upon-Avon home in 2010, before transferring to the West End in October 2011.
The story of an extraordinary little girl who, armed with a vivid imagination and a super-sharp mind, who dares to take a stand and change her own destiny, has been written for the stage by Dennis Kelly, boasts music and lyrics by Tim Minchin, and has been directed by the Old Vic’s artistic director, Matthew Warchus.

Only Fools and Horses The Musical
Reopening 1 October 2021 and booking until 26 February 2022
Theatre Royal Haymarket, London SW1Y 4HT
onlyfoolsmusical.com / F: OFAHMUSICAL, T: @OFAHMusical & I: ofahmusical
Paul Whitehouse will return to star as Grandad, alongside Tom Bennett as Del Boy and Ryan Hutton as Rodney in this 5-star musical extravaganza. The re-opening of the show will form part of this year’s 40th anniversary celebrations of the legendary BBC sitcom – which first aired in 1981.

Andrew Lloyd Webber’s CINDERELLA
Previews 25 June 2021, Opens 14 July 2021
Gillian Lynne Theatre, London WC2B 5PW
www.andrewlloydwebberscinderella.com / F, T & I: @alwcinderella
Apart from music by Lloyd Webber, the show has a book by ‘Killing Eve’ co-writer and Academy Award winning Emerald Fennell (Best Original Screenplay Oscar) and lyrics from David Zippel.

Come From Away
Reopening 22 July 2021 and booking until February 2022
Phoenix Theatre, London WC2H 0JP
comefromawaylondon.co.uk / F, T & I: @ComeFromAwayUK
Winner of every major Best Musical award when it opened in the West End in March 2019, ‘Come From Away’ tells the remarkable and inspiring true story of 7,000 stranded air passengers during the wake of 9/11, and the small town in Newfoundland that welcomed them. Cultures clashed and nerves ran high, but as uneasiness turned into trust, music soared into the night and gratitude grew into enduring friendships.

Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat
Previews 1 July 2021. Opens 15 July 2021
The London Palladium, London W1F 7TF
www.josephthemusical.com / F: JosephAndTheAmazingTechnicolorDreamcoat / T & I: @josephmusical
Alexandra Burke will play The Narrator in the celebrated musical, while Linzi Hateley – who was nominated for an Olivier Award for her performance as the Narrator, starring alongside Jason Donovon in the original London Palladium production – will perform again in the role on special dates. Jason Donovan returns to the role of Pharaoh while Jac Yarrow returns to the title role which earned unanimous acclaim and an Olivier Award nomination.

Dear Evan Hansen
Reopening 26 October 2021 and booking until 13 February 2022
Noël Coward Theatre, London WC2N 4AP
dearevanhansen.com / F, T: @DEHWestEnd & I: dehwestend
The 2020 Olivier Award-winning show for Best Musical will hold a special night in its first weeks of performances to honour mental health care workers and volunteers, who will be invited to attend as guests.
The show opened at the Noël Coward Theatre in November 2019 and, apart from winning the Best New Musical gong, it also picked up two other Olivier Awards. The show’s now-iconic blue polo and arm cast are part of the permanent collection of the National Museum of American History in Washington, DC.

Hairspray the Musical
Previews 21 June 2021, Opens 29 June 2021
London Coliseum, London WC2N 4ES
www.hairspraythemusical.co.uk / F, T: @hairspraylondon / I: @HairsprayLondon
Les Dennis will now play the role of Wilbur Turnblad after Paul Merton was forced to withdraw from the pandemic-hit production due to other pre-agreed, long-term work commitments.
Still in the show, Michael Ball, returns to his Olivier Award-winning role of Edna Turnblad while Lizzie Bea stars as Tracy Turnblad, Marisha Wallace takes on Motormouth, ex-EastEnder, Rita Simons is Velma Von Tussle and Jonny Amies plays Link Larkin.

TINA – THE TINA TURNER MUSICAL
Reopening 28 July 2021 and booking until 26 June 2022
Aldwych Theatre, London WC2B 4DF
tinathemusical.com/uk / F, T: TinaTheMusical & I: @tinathemusical
The musical based on the life of legendary artist Tina Turner and produced in association with Tina herself. When the critically acclaimed production received its world premiere in April 2018 in London it subsequently broke all Box Office records at the Aldwych Theatre.
Aisha Jawando and Jammy Kasongo are set to return to their pre-Covid roles as Tina and Ike Turner respectively.

AMÉLIE THE MUSICAL
Reopened 20 May 2021, limited season until 25 September 2021
The Criterion Theatre, London W1V 9LB
ameliethemusical.com
F, T & I: @ameliethemusicaluk

 

ABBA MANIA
The Shaftesbury Theatre, London WC2H 8DP until 6 June 2021… and then touring until 30 October 2021
www.abbamania.com
F: AbbaMania T: @realABBAMANIA I: abbamaniaofficial
Read our 5-star review from our visit to the Shaftesbury Theatre

 

Heathers the Musical
Opens 21 June 2021 for 12 weeks (Theatre Royal Haymarket SW1Y 4HT)
…then touring from 28 July 2021
www.heathersthemusical.com
F: heathersthemusical T: @HeathersMusical I: heathersmusical

 

Forever Plaid
1 – 27 June 2021
Upstairs at the Gatehouse, London N6 4BD
www.upstairsatthegatehouse.com
F: UpstairsAtTheGatehouse / T: @GatehouseLondon
The socially distanced production comes back once more to The Gatehouse. The blurb says: “This ‘Heavenly Musical’ is one of our favourites with its ‘square’ songs from the Fifties.”

THE LAST FIVE YEARS
17 September – 13 October 2021
Vaudeville Theatre, London WC2R 0NH
www.last5yearsuk.com
F: L5YearsUK / T & I: @l5yearsuk
Following last year’s run at Southwark Playhouse and a successful stream with stream.theatre the award-winning musical will play a limited season in the West End.

SINGIN’ IN THE RAIN
30 July – 5 September 2021
Sadler’s Wells EC1R 4TN
www.sadlerswells.com/whats-on/2021/singin-in-the-rain
F: SadlersWells T: @sadlers_wells

 

Moulin Rouge! The Musical
Previews 12 November Opens 8 December 2021
Piccadilly Theatre, London W1D 7DY
moulinrougemusical.co.uk
F & I: moulinmusicalUK / T: @moulinmusicaluk
The cast has yet to be announced and tickets are on sale (auditions on left). The show features a lavish, immersive set and follows aspiring writer Christian and dancer Satine as they fall in love.

Hot Gossip!
1 performance only on Monday, 7 June
Duchess Theatre, London WC2B 5LA
www.nimaxtheatres.com/shows/an-evening-with-arlene-phillips
F: NimaxTheatresLondon / T: @NimaxTheatres

 

CABARET
Opens in November 2021
The Kit Cat Club, London’s West End
Sign up for emails at kitkat.club
F: @kitkatclubLDN T: @kitkatclubLDN
Oscar, Golden Globe, BAFTA, Tony and Olivier winner Eddie Redmayne as ‘Emcee’ and Bafta Nominee & British Independent Film winner Jessie Buckley as ‘Sally Bowles’.

Beauty and the Beast
Touring from 25 August 2021
www.beautyandthebeastmusical.co.uk
F: beautyandthebeastmusical / T: @BeautyMusical / I: beautymusical
A re-imagined and re-designed new production of the Disney show sees Courtney Stapleton and Emmanuel Kojo preparing to play the iconic lead roles (see right); spectacular new designs and state-of-the-art technology fuse with the classic story.

Express G&S
23 June – 2 July 2021 (Pleasance Theatre, London N7 9EF)
…and touring until 15 September 2021
IOLANTHE
Touring now until 30 August 2021
www.charlescourtopera.com / F & I: charlescourtopera / T: charlescourt

THE LITTLE PRINCE
6-track EP and film now on YouTube – Online and from Little Angel Theatre N1 2DN
www.mettatheatre.co.uk/little-prince819
F, T & I: @mettatheatre
Written and recorded in lockdown, an album has spun into a short film retelling Antoine De Saint Exupery’s much-loved story using shadow puppetry.

 

MONDAY NIGHT AT THE APOLLO
14 June & 5 July 2021
Apollo Theatre, Shaftesbury Avenue, London W1D 7EZ
thespie.com / F: thespie, T: @Thespie & I: thespie_
The June concert of the series will be performed in front of a socially distanced audience and simultaneously livestreamed to viewers at home via Thespie. Shan Ako, Arthur Darvill, Sophie Evans, Sandra Marvin and Oliver Tompsett. The July line up is still to be confirmed.

THE PRINCE OF EGYPT
Reopens on 1 July 2021, booking until 8 January 2022
Dominion Theatre, London W1T 7AQ
www.theprinceofegyptmusical.com / F & I: PrinceOfEgyptUK / T: @princeofegyptuk
Based on the classic DreamWorks Animation film, ‘Tracy Beaker’ star Clive Rowe will join the company as ‘Jethro’ for a limited engagement until 16 October 2021. The musical tells the story of how Moses delivered the Israelites from slavery.

MTFESTUK 2021
THE NEW MUSICAL THEATRE FESTIVAL
Digital UK tour until 4 July 2021
The Turbine Theatre, London SW11 8AB
www.theturbinetheatre.com/whats-on/mtfestuk-2021 / F: TurbineTheatre, T & I: @turbinetheatre
We had intended on running an interview we have done with Turbine Theatre’s Paul Taylor Mills but we’ve had to move it into the following issue due to lack of space.

THE SHOW MUST GO ON LIVE!
2 – 6 June 2021
Palace Theatre, London W1D 5AY
www.theshowmustgoonlive.com
F & I: thetheatresupportfund / T: @theatre_support
18 West End shows and an all-star musical cast come together, hosted by Bonnie Langford & Trevor Dion Nicholas.

THE MUSIC OF ANDREW LLOYD WEBBER
7 – 19 June 2021
Curve Theatre, Leicester LE1 1SB
www.curveonline.co.uk
F: CURVEtheatreLeicester T: @CurveLeicester

 

 

The Addams Family A MUSICAL COMEDY
Touring 17 August 2021 – 5 March 2022
www.theaddamsfamily.co.uk
F: TheAddamsFamilyUK / T: @AddamsFamilyUK / I: theaddamfamilyuk
Samantha Womack and Cameron Blakely will revive their roles as Morticia and Gomez Addams, based on the characters originally created by Charles Addams.
Wednesday Addams, the ultimate princess of darkness, has grown up and has a shocking secret that only Gomez knows; she’s fallen in love.

ANYTHING GOES
23 July 2021 – 17 October 2021
Barbican Theatre, London EC2Y 8DS
anythinggoesmusical.co.uk
F & I: anythinggoesuk T: @AnythingGUK
Sutton Foster replaces Megan Mullally (injury) and reprises her Tony Award-winning role as she joins Robert Lindsay, Felicity Kendal and Gary Wilmot.

GREASE
Touring from 30 July – 27 November 2021
greasethemusicalontour.com
F: greaseUKTour / T & I: @greaseuktour
With Nikolai Foster directing & Arlene Phillips choreographing, Peter Andre stars as ‘Teen Angel’ and Vince Fontaine at certain venues. Both Patrick Swayze & John Travolta appeared in the stage show, with Richard Gere understudying before starring as Danny Zuko in London.

HAIRSPRAY
Touring from 24 June 2021 – 2 April 2022
www.hairsprayuktour.com
F & T: @HairsprayUKTour / I: hairsprayuktour
Brenda Edwards will star as Motormouth Maybelle while Norman Pace takes on Wilbur Turnblad and Alex Bourne will pop a frock to play Edna Turnblad. Paul Kerryson directs with choreography from the multi-talented Drew McOnie.

LES MISÉRABLES
Touring from 24 November 2021 –
14 January 2023
www.lesmis.com/uk-ireland-tour
F & T: @lesmisofficial / I: lesmizofficial
Dean Chisnall plays ‘Jean Valjean’, Nic Greenshields, ‘Javert’ and Katie Hall takes on ‘Fantine’. If this giant of a show is coming to a town near you, make sure you see it.

BRING IT ON THE MUSICAL
Touring from 26 January – 30 July 2022
www.bringitonthemusicaluk.com
F: BringItOnUKTour / I & T: @bringitonuktour
The tour follows a Christmas season at London’s Southbank Centre. The cast is led by ‘Amber Davies as ‘Campbell’ and Louis Smith as ‘Cameron’. Lin-Manuel Miranda co-writes music & lyrics.

JERSEY BOYS
Touring 25 November 2021 – 12 November 2022
www.jerseyboyslondon.com
F: JerseyBoysLondon / T & I: @JerseyBoysUK
Famously remembering the music & inside the story of Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons.

 

Matthew Bourne’s THE MIDNIGHT BELL
Touring 9 September 2021 – 27 November 2021
new-adventures.net
F: MBNewAdventures / T: @new_adventures / I: mbnewadventures

 

 

PRISCILLA, QUEEN OF THE DESERT THE MUSICAL
Touring 23 June – 30 October 2021
priscillauktour.com
F: PriscillaTourUK / T & I: @priscillatouruk
Mark Goucher and Jason Donovan produce the glittering hit musical full of fabulous feathers and a non-stop parade of dance-floor disco classics.

 

ROCK OF AGES
Touring 19 August 2021 – 18 June 2022
www.rockofagesmusical.co.uk
F: rockofagesthemusical / T: @rockofagesuk
The musical comedy lavished with over twenty-five classic rock anthems, including ‘Don’t Stop Believin’, ‘We Built This City’, ‘The Final Countdown’, ‘Wanted Dead or Alive’, ‘Here I Go Again’, ‘Can’t Fight this Feeling’.

WAITRESS
Touring 4 Sep 2021 – 20 Aug 2022
www.waitressthemusical.co.uk
F, T & I: @waitressuk
Lucie Jones reprises her role as ‘Jenna’, Sandra Marvin plays ‘Becky’ and Evelyn Hoskins takes on ‘Dawn’ (right) while Matt Willis plays ‘Dr Pomatter’. Jones was previously in the West End production at the Adelphi Theatre.

SCHOOL OF ROCK The Musical
Touring 7 September 2021 – 13 August 2022
uktour.schoolofrockthemusical.com
F: schoolofrockmusical / T: @schoolofrockuk / I: Schoolofrockuk
Based on the movie starring Jack Black, children are currently being auditioned for the onstage band. While 14 new songs have been written by Andrew Lloyd Webber, original favourites such as ‘Stick It to the Man’ have stayed. Julian Fellowes has written the book.

SOMETHING ABOUT SIMON
Touring 7 June – 11 July 2021
www.somethingaboutsimon.com
F: somethingaboutsimonconcerts
T: @SimonAbout / I: SomethingAboutSimon
The life and music of legendary singer-songwriter Paul Simon returns to the British stage this summer.

Dorian A Rock Musical
Streaming 4 – 26 June 2021
www.stream.theatre/season/127
F: RubyInTheDustTheatre / T: @_RUBYINTHEDUST_ / I: ruby_in_the_dust_theatre
Following the success of Gatsby A Musical, filmed and streamed at Cadogan Hall, Ruby in the Dust now presents a rock adaptation of the Oscar Wilde classic for you to stream at home.

 

TELL ME ON A SUNDAY
Touring from 15 June – 16 November 2021
tellmeontour.co.uk / F & I: tellmeontour / T: @Tellmeontour
Andrew Lloyd Webber and Don Black’s classic musical will get the Jodie Prenger treatment this year.
It charts the romantic misadventures of a young English girl in New York in the heady days of the 1980s.

 

THE CHER SHOW
Touring 15 April 2022 – 18 March 2023
cheronstage.com
F & T: @TheCherShowUK / I: thechershowuk
A trio of female power sees Arlene Phillips direct the show due to open next year while choreography comes from Strictly chamion Oti Mabuse and the all-important costume design is by Gabriella Slade (see right).

THE DANISH GIRL
New Theatre Peterborough has been working with writers Katie Lam and Alex Parker and director Tinuke Craig to host a workshop of a new musical adaptation of David Ebershoff’s novel. There was of course also an Academy Award-winning 2015 film starring Eddie Redmayne and Alicia Vikander – a fictionalised account based on the real life of Lili Elbe.

 

 

FOR TONIGHT
Concept Album – Summer 2021
www.fortonightmusical.com
F & I: fortonightmusical / T: @For_Tonight_
Music book and lyrics are by Shenelle Salcido & Spencer Williams, with additional book by Whitney Rhodes. The show is inspired by writer Spencer Williams’ three times great grandfather’s handwritten journal and blends traditional Welsh choral, indie-pop, folk and Romani-inspired melodies.

New musical production company Perfect Pitch and worldwide theatrical licensing house Broadway Licensing have announced a new partnership that will see the commission, development, production and licensing of four new British musicals. Perfect Pitch founders, Wendy & Andy Barnes are producers of ‘SIX’, Seven existing Perfect Pitch titles have joined the Broadway Licensing catalogue.

 

 

IN THE HEIGHTS
Released in cinemas 18 Jun 21
Trailer: www.youtube.com/watch?v=7g6c6dCuTW8
F: InTheHeightsMovieTH / T: @intheheights
Lin-Manuel Miranda’s music and lyrics capture a world very much of its place but universal in its experience.

 

GET UP, STAND UP! THE BOB MARLEY MUSICAL
Previews 1 Oct, Opens 20 Oct 21
Lyric Theatre, London W1D 7ES
getupstandupthemusical.com
F & T: @GetUpStandUpLDN / I: getupstandupldn

 

 

Lady Chatterley’s Lover
18 – 19 June 2021
Shaftesbury Theatre, London WC2H 8DP
www.shaftesburytheatre.com/shows/lady-chatterleys-lover / T: @LadyCMusical
The new musical adaptation of D.H. Lawrence’s infamous literary classic.

 

MAMMA MIA! THE PARTY
Reopens 1 Oct 2021 …and currently booking until 3 Apr 2022
The O2, Peninsula Square, London SE10 0DX
mammamiatheparty.co.uk
F, T & I: @mammamiapartyuk

 

YOUR NEWS – Polka Pop-Up

YOUR NEWS – Polka Pop-Up

Wimbledon’s aptly-named shopping centre in SW19.


Wimbledon’s Polka Theatre is to launch a pop-up space in the town’s Centrecourt Shopping Centre.

With the Polka Theatre currently closed for a major redevelopment, the venue will launch an exciting pop-up theatre space in the shopping centre this summer, staging a reimagining of Little Red Riding Hood.

Created and directed by Artistic Director, Peter Glanville, Maanika and the Wolf will bring captivating storytelling for young audiences.

Talking to her granddaughter over Zoom, Grandmother has returned to her childhood bedroom and recalls stories from when she was a girl. She brings her Indian dressing-up box back to life and re-enacts her own version of Little Red Riding Hood.

Sardines will be reviewing the show.

Meanwhile: polkatheatre.com

CLOSED! But… The Polka’s new look is peeping out from the building site.

YOUR NEWS – NT at Home Growing

YOUR NEWS – NT at Home Growing

The National Theatre adds The Deep Blue Sea and The Comedy of Errors to ‘National Theatre at Home’.
Both titles are now available on the National Theatre at Home platform to stream worldwide.

Above: Nick Fletcher & Helen McCrory in The Deep Blue Sea.

Photo: Richard Hubert Smith


By Katie Marsh

The Deep Blue Sea, with Helen McCrory in the lead role as Hester Collyer, will be added to National Theatre at Home for audiences around the world to experience.
The recording is dedicated in fond memory of Helen McCrory, who had a long and rich association with the National Theatre and who sadly passed away this year. The Deep Blue Sea was her most recent performance at the National Theatre (2016).
Two on-stage conversations with Helen McCrory have also been made available on National Theatre at Home: one on stage in 2014 with Genista McInosh as Helen discussed preparing to play Medea (also on National Theatre at Home) and one from 2016 in conversation with Libby Purves about playing Hester.
Carrie Cracknell, who directed Helen in Medea and The Deep Blue Sea, said: “Helen was undoubtedly one of the greatest actors of her generation. Incandescent, playful, fierce and wildly intelligent. Her craft and precision as an actor was awe-inspiring. On some afternoons, while Helen was rehearsing The Deep Blue Sea at the NT, the sun would pour through the windows, and it would feel for a moment that time had stopped. That the world had stopped revolving, as the entire cast and crew would stand, quietly enraptured by the humanity and aliveness and complexity of Helen’s work.
“As we moved the production into the auditorium, I would marvel at how she held an audience of 900 people in the palm of her hand. She could change how we felt with the slightest glance, a flick of the wrist, a sultry pause, yet somehow she never lost the central truth of her character. I couldn’t be prouder that we have this beautiful recording of our production to share.
“Helen was anarchic, naughty and always full of outrageous stories. She would turn up to work in her pyjamas and crocs one day, then stilettos the next, and yet she was deeply serious about the things that she cared about. Her greatest pleasure was to slip away from rehearsals at the end of the day and get home to be with her beloved family. She was fierce, and kind, and properly brave, both in how she chose to live and how she faced up to her illness. A truly remarkable woman and a shattering loss.”
The Comedy of Errors is also made available on National Theatre at Home for audiences worldwide to stream on demand. Shakespeare’s furiously paced comedy, directed by Dominic Cooke (Follies, The Hollow Crown), sees Lenny Henry make his National Theatre debut, alongside Lucian Msamati (Romeo & Juliet, Amadeus). Olivier Theatre (2011).
New productions are added monthly to National Theatre at Home and there are now 21 productions to stream on the platform available at any time. These include Angels in America Parts One and Two with Andrew Garfield, Nathan Lane and Russell Tovey, Medea with Helen McCrory and Michaela Coel, Mosquitoes with Olivia Colman and Olivia Williams, Phèdre with Helen Mirren and Dominic Cooper, the Young Vic’s Yerma with Billie Piper and Othello with Adrian Lester and Rory Kinnear.
All productions on National Theatre at Home are available with captions. The Deep Blue Sea will also be available with audio-description to support blind and partially-sighted audiences worldwide. Ten other NT at Home titles are currently available with audio-description: Angels in America Parts One and Two, Othello, Donmar Warehouse’s Coriolanus, the Bridge Theatre’s Julius Caesar, The Cherry Orchard, Amadeus, Julie, Phèdre and the Young Vic’s Yerma and Cat on a Hot Tin Roof.
NT at Home is available at www.ntathome.com, with single titles available from £5.99-£8.99, a monthly subscription for £9.99 or a yearly subscription for £99.99.

The Deep Blue Sea
When Hester Collyer is found by her neighbours in the aftermath of attempted suicide, the story of her tempestuous affair with a former RAF pilot and the breakdown of her marriage to a High Court judge begins to emerge. With it comes a portrait of need, loneliness and long-repressed passion.
Starring Helen McCrory as Hester Collyer and Tom Burke as Freddie Page… with Marion Bailey, Hubert Burton, Yolanda Kettle, Nick Fletcher and Adetomiwa Edun, James Alper, Katy Brittain, Elsie Fallon, Nick Figgs, Andrew Lewis and Sian Polhill-Thomas.

The Comedy of Errors
Two sets of twins separated at birth collide in the same city without meeting for one crazy day, as multiple mistaken identities lead to confusion on a grand scale.
Starring Lenny Henry, Michelle Terry and Lucian Msamati… with Ian Burfield, Joseph Mydell, Tom Anderson, Jude Owusu, Daniel Poyser, Claudie Blakley, Chris Jarman, Silas Carson, Amit Shah, Rene Zagger, Adrian Hood, Grace Thurgood, Paul Bentall, Pamela Nomvete, Clare Cathcart, Marcus Adolphy, Yvonne Newman, Rhiannon Oliver, Simon Parrish and Everal A. Walsh.

 

Lenny Henry in The Comedy of Errors.  Photo: Johan Persson

YOUR NEWS – West End Debuts

YOUR NEWS – West End Debuts

Above includes: Chris Steward, Shanay Holmes, Katy Lipson, Ameena Hamid, Adam Lenson, Tom Duern, Kirk Jameson,
Jack Maple, Chris Marcus, Damien Stanton, Piers Cottee-Jones, Jamie Chapman Dixon, John-Webb Carter, Shaun McCourt, Robin Rayner, Hugh Summers, Greg Barnett, Krystal Lee, Sarah Evans + Nica Burns (centre, front).

Photographed at The Lyric Theatre, London, by David Levene

Announcing the Rising Stars Festival showcasing the work of twenty-three producers making their West End producing debuts


By PAUL JOHNSON

Twenty-three theatre producers are being given a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to present their work in the West End for the first time.
The seventeen productions (plays, musicals, concerts and one-off events) have attracted wonderful performers from emerging talent to popular West End stars. The Rising Stars Festival will run until September in Nimax’s six West End theatres (the Apollo, Duchess, Garrick, Lyric, Palace and Vaudeville).
Announcing Nimax’s festival today, Nica Burns, Chief Executive, said: “I am delighted to be welcoming into the spotlight a galaxy of talented young producers – our rising stars making their West End debuts.
“Entrepreneurial, adventurous, creating shows during our lockdown days to entertain and inspire, attracting stellar performers. Usually behind the spotlight, few understand what a producer does. Without them, there are no shows. If these enterprising producers are the future of the West End, it’s looking good.”
The Rising Stars Festival runs alongside Nimax’s long-running shows and new summer programme. All Nimax’s long-running shows will have reopened by the autumn.
Visit the Nimax website for details of all thirty-four productions currently on sale. www.nimaxtheatres.com
SHOWS IN THE FESTIVAL AND THEIR FIRST-TIME PRODUCERS

Drag Queens of Pop, Cruise, Death Drop, Roles We’ll Never Play, An Evening with Kathy Burke, Intermissions Live, Monday Night at the Apollo, Public Domain… all took place in May 2021.

2 – 6 June The Show Must Go On! (Palace Theatre)
Producers: Chris Marcus and Damien Stanton for Theatre Support Fund+ and Jack Maple and Brian Zeilinger for MZG productions

7 – 13 June Alyssa, Memoirs of a Queen! (Vaudeville Theatre)
Producers; Robin Rayner and James Quaife for New Frame Productions

7 June An Evening With Arlene Phillips (Duchess Theatre)
Producer: David O’Reilly

10 – 13 June West End Musical Celebration (Palace Theatre)
Producers: Shanay Holmes and Chris Steward for West End Musical Productions

14 June West End Live Lounge (Lyric Theatre)
Producer: Shaun McCourt

21 June & 28 June The Distance You Have Come (Apollo Theatre)
Producers: Sarah Evans for Sevans Productions and Krystal Lee

28 June The Wonderbirds Live (Duchess Theatre)
Producer: David O’Reilly

15 July – 30 August Wonderment (Palace Theatre)
Producers: Stephen McGill for McGill Productions, John-Webb Carter and Jamie Dixon for Carter Dixon Productions, Piers Cottee-Jones for Piers Cottee-Jones Entertainment

17 September – 13 October The Last 5 Years (Vaudeville Theatre)
Producers Katy Lipson for Aria Entertainment, Edward Prophet and People Entertainment Group, with Dan Looney, Adam Paulden and Jason Haigh-Ellery for DLAP GROUP

 

YOUR NEWS – National Theatre Wales Makes it Possible Again

YOUR NEWS – National Theatre Wales Makes it Possible Again

Above: Shon Dale-Jones. Photo: Jaimie Gramston


By PAUL JOHNSON

National Theatre Wales stages a new show, Possible, a playful and profound piece of storytelling about love and finding the courage to explore the past, in order to shape the future.
Set to an emotive soundtrack, with live music and surreal cinematic visuals, it’s an experience that’s part theatre, part spoken word, part gig and part film, streaming live and on demand this June and July.
Commissioned in 2019, Possible was going to be a show all about how we imagine and discover love in our lives. But then the pandemic arrived, driving the show’s creator, Shôn Dale-Jones, to reimagine things. “I wanted to capture the emotional journey we’ve been on since the pandemic exploded into our lives and make something which might hold us together around the things that really matter,” Shôn said.
Not only did the show’s narrative change with the arrival of Covid-19, but the way it was created had to change too. Rather than creating songs, music and video in the same room, the team had to collaborate remotely from different cities. And instead of creating the show for the stage, everything has had to be designed for a 16 x 9 screen.
Streamed live from The Riverfront in Newport from 29 Jun – 2 Jul, then available on demand from 6 – 13 Jul.

www.nationaltheatrewales.org/ntw_ shows/possible/

The Knives Are Out

The Knives Are Out

by Phil Lowe of eastmidlandstheatre.com

Above: Janie Dee with the cast of AmDram, including Laura Pitt-Pulford as Rose.


In true amateur style AmDram: a Musical Comedy has just run for four brief performances at Leicester’s Curve Theatre (27-29 May… blink, and you’ve probably missed it!).

Is this latest foray into the world of amateur theatre – by the professional industry – something of a p**s take or a lovable send-up? Many of us have taken part in A Chorus of Disapproval or Graham Holliday’s The Scottish Play and there is no shortage of further light-bulb moments to set a comedy (usually) to in the world of amateur dramatics.

As it turns out, this project in the Midlands could merely be a case of getting socially distanced live theatre back into the venue.

Keen to know more Phil Lowe caught up with its big star, Janie Dee, over the phone just after the production’s first read-through (of course, by the time you read this, Curve’s production will have ended – just)…

Over the years, 58-year-old Janie Dee has appeared in a myriad of plays and musicals including Follies (NT), Hello, Dolly! (Curve), Mack and Mabel (Criterion), Carousel (NT), Cats (New London Theatre), Noises Off (Old Vic), Comic Potential (UK & New York) and Calendar Girls (Noël Coward Theatre) among many, many others. “I’m very much looking forward to doing AmDram and to being on the Curve Theatre stage again in front of a live audience,” the seasoned star of stage & screen told me. “Although it is a big commitment we have chosen… to take this window of opportunity, dip our toes in the proverbial waters and see if audiences want to return to sitting with others, or, if they’re too scared.”

Blimey. That’s a thought. And you can bet the amateur sector will end up mirroring the success (or failure) of the professional industry. “We don’t know how people are going to react. Certainly, the people I am talking to are saying, ‘I can’t wait to go back to the theatre,’ and I think that now that people are having the vaccines, wearing the masks, doing the whole cleansing thing, I think that it’ll be fine actually, but don’t know for sure. So everyone is just being a little bit careful.”

Janie Dee is thrilled about how Curve is uniquely staging the production. “It’s going to have a proper orchestra and we are on both stages at Curve – we have the main stage and also the studio stage [which are physically joined to each other]. This is something I have never done at Curve. I did Hello, Dolly! on the main stage some years ago, and also The King and I. Both were brilliant productions. But for AmDram they’re opening up the wall between the main stage and the studio. It will open up the opportunity for a capacity socially distanced audience. It’s going to be epic and it is going to be enormous fun. It’ll be sort of in-the-round and I have never done that before there, yet I have always known that the opening up of the two stages was a possibility.”

Curve has, in fact, already opened up both stages for two recently streamed shows; Sunset Boulevard and The Color Purple plus a future ‘Made At Curve’ show, Rent, directed by Nikolai Foster (for which a gigantic revolve has been donated by Sir Cameron Mackintosh).

With less than a month until AmDram opens (at the time of writing), Janie tells me: “We just did our first read-through yesterday and I was thrilled to bits with it. I just think it’s a wonderful piece. It’s very true to the reality of amateur theatre groups but it’s very, very funny. I was doing Noises Off for the Old Vic some years ago and, at a posh ‘do’ connected with that, Dame Judi Dench was interviewed by Richard Eyre and he said to her, ‘What do you think the difference is between amateur and professional?’ She said, ‘None! We get paid and they don’t. That’s the difference!’

“We do it for a living and the amateurs supplement with a ‘proper’ job and, I thought, this is true, we all love it,” discloses Janie. “That’s the common ground here. We all love theatre. In my case, one does do it for money, as a living, as a profession but, I don’t just do it for money. That’s not why I say ‘yes’ to something. I say yes to it because I love it and I sort of need to do it. Nothing quite makes me feel so in tune with the world as when I am working on a piece, you know. I think I am okay if I am sailing, caught up in the rigmarole of what’s going on, but I love putting on a show. I know how to work a show. I know how to study the character. I know how to get there on time and how to warm up; how to build the character and then present it to an audience and work out my costumes and my hair. I make sure that the person I am playing is going to be relevant and resonate with somebody in the audience. They should feel they are watching somebody they believe is real.”

Janie Dee plays Diana, a leading lady in her am-dram life. “Diana is very organised and she’s the lead player in ‘GONADS’ – the Great Osterley North Amateur Dramatic Society [pun definitely intended]. She sort of takes it for granted. She’s in a very comfortable place I feel, because she’s got this amateur dramatic stuff going on at home and everything is in its place. But one gets the feeling that Diana is already aware that, for her, acting is getting a bit harder because she’s nearing that time of life when you just need to put your feet up in the afternoon a bit, you know. Sometimes the lines aren’t as sharp in her head as they used to be in her youth. I think it’s a really important learning curve for her, in this piece. Without giving too much away, she is ‘woken up’ by a big turn of events when two new professional people join the amateur group and one of them is a rival leading actress.

Katie Lam and Alex Parker’s AmDram: a Musical Comedy has actually already seen an audience when it premiered at London’s Other Palace in February 2019. Interestingly, Laura Pitt-Pulford has returned to reprise her portrayal of Rose in Curve’s new production. Rose is a newly arrived ‘professional’ actress who is attempting to reignite her ‘resting’ career but causes all kinds of mayhem including putting the odd nose out of joint when she is duly cast in the leading role… which Diana would usually expect to play.

“I think initially, Diana takes it for granted that she is going to win another fan,” reveals Janie, considering the dynamic between Diana and her new rival. “Rose is going to adore her, learn from her, and she embraces her at the start. However, that’s before she realises that Rose is going to be taking her role! For all of us, and me as a professional, this is something you have to come to terms with. It’s sometimes gonna happen that you don’t get the role or that somebody else gets it before you. Rejection is just part of the game. In AmDram, Diana has secured her place in the acting game. People say she is the lead and there’s no doubt about that. I suppose it can happen in the profession too; Judi Dench always plays the leads and I have been playing leads for years now. It’s still very important to keep your mind open to the fact it can change and, in a way, it has to change. I’ve worked with Alex Parker (AmDram’s composer) for years and he is very good at keeping us all on our toes. We are a co-operative and this is a group of us who are friends and we all play all the different parts. Sometimes I get to play the lead and sometimes I don’t but it’s really nice …to be part of a group of people who just love it. We put together so many things.”

“I recently produced a television show, which I didn’t realise I was doing until I was suddenly doing it, and I rang Alex and said, ‘I don’t really want to do this without you – will you come and do the Sondheim number – we are going to sing Our Time.’ He said, ‘Of course,’ and we did it at the London Coliseum but it really felt like a TV studio with all the cameras around. He’s such a great force of nature and professionalism but also, he’s just there for you. He’s a great friend and I really think he’s such a genius.

“Where am I going with this?” Janie says, all of a sudden. “Ah yes, he’s asked me to play the arc that is Diana and it’s very telling and very useful, just to see this woman struggling a bit when her worst self comes out. That can happen to anyone, I think it can, you know. We don’t want to believe that we have a monster inside us but she does become a bit monstrous. I think it comes from fear really. Fear is a terrible thing. All the things that make her feel comfortable are suddenly being taken away. So, she’s got to deal with that and she doesn’t deal with it very well. She has an epiphany I think, at some point. I’ve gotta work out exactly where that is pretty soon!

“I don’t want to give away too much because there’s nothing worse than telling somebody what’s going to happen,” confesses Janie before very nearly caving in. “What Diana’s job in this show is her coming to terms with how to be happy while she’s getting older. It is a wonderful piece of theatre and it is a light musical comedy. It’s light and it’s fun and it’s silly and that’s what we all need right now.”

“It might be a light comedy but there is a wonderful serious truth underneath all of it which is that everyone’s got something …to deal with,” continues Ms Dee, philosophically. “It’s usually themselves – and that’s the skill of the AmDram book writer, Katie Lam. She’s made each person have a journey, as we are all are on a journey. We’ve got ourselves to contend with and that’s the first thing that we have to look at. Who am I? How am I? Am I happy with me? Not, am I happy with somebody else? That’s probably out of your control. What’s good about this is that my character has been made to address themself and that’s interesting. Even though the show is light and funny, it’s actually got a very good – strong undertone. Which I’m thrilled about.”

Follies at The National Theatre (2019). Imelda Staunton as Sally Durant Plummer and Janie Dee as Phyllis Rogers Stone. Photo: Johan Persson

With Janie Dee beginning to get quite deep, I decided to deflect the focus and ask about the nature of the songs in this ‘musical’ comedy. “The songs are Stick with Me which is actually a number I sing to Laura’s Rose. I Should Have Known is absolutely gorgeous! It’s a big old ballad about wishing you hadn’t been such an idiot in the past. It’s something that only people of my age can sing, ha, ha! Something in the Air is very much in the moment of ‘something in the air tonight’ and about what’s going on underneath all the chat and all the frivolity. There’s something odd happening, but nobody’s quite sure what’s going on but, something is definitely changing. It’s very funny but again, quite resonant. And then the song We Are Family is all about theatre. I love this song and anyone who’s involved in theatre will say this is true. It’s that thing about when you put on a play you become part of a family. Even if it only lasts for eight weeks and you have four weeks’ rehearsal and four weeks’ playing, which is the case with most professional jobs.

“If you are with an amateur company you’ll be rehearsing for months because you can only do three or four rehearsal days a week,” Janie tells me, knowledgeably. “So actually, it builds up a whole structure or infrastructure of people, friends, social life, and that’s what becomes a very important part of living; being there for each other. The Marvellous song is just wonderful. It is – just marvellous! The clue is in the title, as they say. There are other songs but those are the ones I have got in front of me at the moment. There are some great numbers. I mean what I love about Alex and Katie is that they write beautiful tunes. And fun tunes too. Like, Kander and Ebb, Sondheim, Rodgers and Hammerstein, Stiles and Drew, Toby Marlow and Lucy Moss. They’re all people who can write a catchy tune and good lyrics.

“Why does it matter?” asks Janie, before launching into the big question of the moment. “Why does theatre matter at all? We’ve learnt in the last year that it can be there one moment and gone the next. And, it’s put us in a position where we should now think about frivolity and excess that we don’t need. Let’s just enjoy our life. What’s equally important to me is that, aside from theatre concerns, we must protect and enjoy nature.”

I could sense Janie Dee was about to go off on a tangent and, I was right but, then again, who am I to stand in her way. “I’ve questioned myself and others: ‘theatre – does it matter – really?’ Nature matters to me, like the trees, the grass, the food that feeds us but do the arts matter? Do we really need to tell each other stories like this? Overall, I think we need to be careful with the large carbon footprint of theatre and throwing everything away afterwards. It’s too wasteful. But I do also think that telling a great story can lift people’s spirits. I remember when I was younger how it was. I remember literally dancing up the street and leaping and swinging around lampposts because I had just seen a show. It made me feel so good about life. I think that this last year, in all the lockdowns, we have perhaps been focussing on our health, our gardens, our family and beauty of the sky. It’s now a good time to keep an eye on our carbon footprints as we begin our personal journey of recovery and the recovery of theatre.”

Eventually, I manage to get our theatre star to focus on theatre once more where, it turns out she has a full calendar following this brief taste of how amateurs tackle the genre: “Luckily, we are all busy afterwards. I’m doing A Little Night Music at Buxton Opera Festival with Paul Kerryson who directed me all those years ago in Hello, Dolly!. Alex is busy. Everyone in AmDram is busy, busy, busy. It might be that they say, ‘Come back next year with the show,’ or something, but right now we are testing the water. That’s what we are doing. I dearly hope the Curve audiences love our show, especially if there are any amateur players sat out there in the socially distanced seats.”

The Professionals – Picture Spread (Panto Special)

It is essential for amateurs to see as many professional productions as possible, and panto is no exception. The genre may look like chaos, but nearly everything in a professional panto has been heavily rehearsed. After watching a myriad of (pro & amateur) pantos this year, the important things to take onboard are: plenty of pace & attack, no in-jokes, a funny and relevant script, and an MD who is as sharp as a button.

Strike Up the Band!

Strike Up the Band!

Welcome to Strike Up the Band!, our snapshot of the shows the professional musical theatre scene has to offer now and over the next few months.

NEWS UPDATE: The following listings are published as general information irrespective of the current health crisis. For the latest up-to-date news regarding current performances, please check respective show websites prior to attending or booking tickets for future performances.

Photo: Johan Persson

& Juliet
The Shaftesbury Theatre, London WC2H 8DP
Booking until October 2020
W: www.andjulietthemusical.co.uk
F: JulietMusical | T: @JulietMusical
A sing-a-long performance of the acclaimed show will feature many of the most anthemic songs of the last 30 years, including Baby One More Time, Everybody (Backstreet’s Back), Love Me Like You Do, Confident, It’s My Life, Can’t Feel My Face and Roar.

 

Be More Chill,Scott Folan (Jeremy Heere), Renee Lamb (Jenna Rolan)

Be More Chill
The Other Palace, London SW1E 5JA
Until 14 June 2020
W: www.bemorechillmusical.com/london
F: BeMoreChillMusical | T: @bemorechill
Joe Iconis’ mind-bendingly fun musical has become the longest running show at The Other Palace, ever – thanks to a recent six-week extension.
The atypical love story of a boy, a girl, and the supercomputer inside the boy’s head guiding him every step of the way.

 

Sam Tutty (Evan Hansen) photo by Matthew Murphy

DEAR EVAN HANSEN
Noël Coward Theatre, London WC2N 4AU
Booking until 27 June 2020
W: www.dearevanhansen.com/london
F: DEHWestEnd | T: @DEHWestEnd
Award-winning musical which spans generations tells the timely and timeless story of Evan, a boy who is struggling to connect in our hyper-connected world.
Directed by four-time Tony Award nominee Michael Greif, and features a book by Tony award-winner Steven Levenson and a score by the Tony, Grammy and Academy Award-winning composers of The Greatest Showman and La La Land, Benj Pasek & Justin Paul.
A weekly digital lottery takes place when selected patrons are offered the option to purchase two tickets at £25 each.

 

Photo: Craig Sugden

Come From Away
Phoenix Theatre, London WC2H 0JP
Booking until 17 October 2020
W: www.comefromawaylondon.co.uk
F: ComeFromAwayUK | T: @ComeFromAwayUK
A booking extension has gone a long way to help the award-winning musical celebrate its first birthday in the West End.
The true story of 7,000 stranded air passengers during the wake of 9/11, and the small town in Newfoundland that welcomed them.

 

Luke Brady as Moses in The Prince of Egypt, credit Matt Crockett ©DWA LLC

THE PRINCE OF EGYPT
Dominion Theatre, London W1T 7AQ
Until 31 October 2020
W: www.ThePrinceOfEgyptMusical.com
F: PrinceOfEgyptUK | T: @PrinceOfEgyptUK
Stephen Schwartz (Wicked, Godspell) and Philip LaZebnik’s new show opened to mixed reviews but has added 7 weeks to its London run.
The story of how Moses led the exodus from Egypt is based on the 1998 DreamWorks film.

 

Aisha Jawando (Tina Turner) Photo by Manuel Harlan

TINA – THE TINA TURNER MUSICAL
Aldwych Theatre, London WC2B 4DF
Booking until 23 January 2021
W: www.tinathemusical.com
F: TinaTheMusical | T: @TinaTheMusical
Aisha Jawando (Chanel Haynes at certain performances) and Jammy Kasongo lead the cast as Tina and Ike Turner as the musical approaches its second birthday in the West End.
The untold story of a woman who dared to defy the bounds of her age, gender and race.

 

Evelyn Hoskins (Dawn), Sara Bareilles (Jenna) and Marisha Wallace (Becky) Photo: Matt Crockett

 

WAITRESS
The Adelphi Theatre, London WC2R 0NS
Until 4 July 2020
W: waitressthemusical.co.uk | F: waitresslondon | T: @WaitressLondon
Lucie Jones and David Hunter have both returned to the roles of Jenna and Dr Pomatter following the end of Sara Bareilles and Gavin Creel’s run in mid-March. The show, now in its second year in the West End, has recently announced a new UK and Ireland tour which will open in Dublin in November 2020.
Waitress tells the story of Jenna, a waitress and expert pie-maker who dreams her way out of a loveless marriage.

 

Zorro the Musical
Hope Mill Theatre, 113 Pollard Street, Manchester M4 7JA
Until 18 April 2020
W: hopemilltheatre.co.uk/events/zorro
F: ZorroMusicalUK | T: @ZorroMusicalUK
Featuring music by The Gipsy Kings, and a book and lyrics by Stephen Clark, the evening starts with live entertainment and a Flamenco party in the foyer of the Hope Mill Theatre before the story continues in the auditorium itself, bringing adventure of the masked hero to life.
Performed by a cast of sixteen talented actor-musicians.

 

Photo: George Piper

DELUXE
Touring now until 23 May 2020
W: www.balletboyz.com | F: BalletBoyz | T: @BalletBoyz
The multi award-winning dance troupe performs its all-new, live dance show in celebration of the company’s 20th anniversary year. The double-bill, with a special video introduction, brings together collaborations from some of the world’s most inventive and thought-provoking artists, including an all-female team of choreographers.

 

Photo: Helen Maybanks

Beautiful The Carole King Musical
Touring now until 29 August 2020
W: beautifulmusical.co.uk | F: BeautifulUKTour | T: @BeautifulUKTour
The chart-topping music legend, was an ordinary girl with an extraordinary talent. Carole King fought her way into the record industry as a teenager and sold her first hit, Will You Love Me Tomorrow, when she was just seventeen. By the time she was twenty she was writing number ones for the biggest acts in rock ‘n’ roll, including the Drifters, The Shirelles, Aretha Franklin and the Monkees. But her greatest challenge was to find her own voice and finally step into the spotlight. Daisy Wood-Davis stars as King as it tours.

 

Photo: Steve Tanner

Malory Towers
Touring now until 31 August 2020
W: www.wisechildren.co.uk/productions/malory-towers
F: @WiseChildrenCompany | T: @Wise_Children
Emma Rice’s acclaimed musical adaptation of Enid Blyton’s classic story, originally created with Wise Children, co-produced with Theatre by the Lake, Keswick.
Nostalgic, naughty and perfect for now, Malory Towers is the original ‘girl power’ story, filled with high jinks, high drama and high spirits, all set to sensational live music and breath-taking animation.

 

Photo: Johan Persson

On Your Feet! The story of EMILIO & GLORIA ESTEFAN
Touring now until 13th June 2020
W: www.onyourfeetmusical.co.uk
F: OnYourFeetUK | T: @OnYourFeetUK
We eventually caught this remarkable story at New Wimbledon Theatre in February where we gave it 3 stars. An eye-opening look at how Cuban music fought to break into the mass market.

 

Photo: Johan Persson

The Red Shoes
Touring now until 6th June 2020
W: new-adventures.net/the-red-shoes
F: MBNewAdventures | T: @new_adventures
Sardines’ reviewer gave Matthew Bourne’s show a maximum 5 stars, also in Wimbledon. “Costumes, settings and lighting all play their vital parts in this superb show. The irresistible lure of dance is at the heart of The Red Shoes. Just like the girl in the nightmarish Hans Christian Andersen fairytale, Victoria Page is a ballerina who cannot stop dancing…”

 

Hairspray the Musical
London Coliseum, London WC2N 4ES
From 23 April – 29 August 2020
W: www.hairspraythemusical.co.uk
F: HairsprayLondon | T: @HairsprayLondon
Michael Ball returns to the West End to play the iconic role of Edna Turnblad, and is joined by comedian Paul Merton as Wilbur, Rita Simons as Velma von Tussle, Lizzie Bea as Tracy and Marisha Wallace as Motormouth Maybelle.

 

 

Magic at the Musicals
Sunday, 3 May 2020
W: planetradio.co.uk/magic-at-the-musicals
F: magicradio | T: @magicfm
Magic Radio’s glittering event returns to the Royal Albert Hall to celebrate the best of the West End and beyond, the dazzling show will feature performances from leading stage stars accompanied by a 60-piece orchestra. Shows include & Juliet, Waitress, Joseph… and MAMMA MIA!

 

Photo: Matt Crockett

Sleepless
Troubadour Wembley Park Theatre, London HA9 0SP
Until 3 May 2020
W: www.sleeplessthemusical.com | F: SleeplessLDN | T: @SleeplessLDN
Jay McGuiness, Kimberley Walsh and Daniel Casey will star as Sam, Annie and Walter respectively in the musical romance based on the original screenplay of 1993’s Sleepless in Seattle starring Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan.
The new musical has a book by Michael Burdette, with music and lyrics by new British writers Robert Scott and Brendan Cull. A 31-piece orchestra is also planned. McGuiness and Walsh recently starred together in Big the Musical in the West End.

 

 

 

 

Photo: Manuel Harlan

 

Grease
Touring from 22 May – 28 November 2020
W: greasethemusicalontour.com
F: greaseUKTour | T: @greaseuktour
Peter Andre will star in the new tour of the first new production in 25 years of Jim Jacobs & Warren Casey’s iconic musical. As well as reprising the role of Teen Angel, Andre will also play Vince Fontaine and the Sergeant, joining the previously announced Dan Partridge as Danny Zuko. Direction is by Nikolai Foster and choreography by Arlene Phillips.

 

CINDERELLA
Gillian Lynne Theatre, London WC2B 5PW
From 9 October – 12 December 2020
W: www.andrewlloydwebberscinderella.com
F: ALWCinderella | T: @alwcinderella
The world premiere of his new musical has been moved back a month from September to October. Andrew Lloyd Webber said, “…in the current global circumstances the creative team and I feel that this later opening date is wise.” Carrie Hope Fletcher will play Cinderella in the highly anticipated new production – a reinvention of the classic fairy tale based on an original idea by Emerald Fennell, the lead scriptwriter of the second season of Killing Eve.

 

 

 

Photo: Dave Hogan

 

 

Strictly Ballroom The Musical
Touring from 26 September 2020 – 26 June 2021
W: strictlyballroomtour.co.uk | F: strictlyballroomtouruk | T: @sbtourUK
Former Strictly Come Dancing champion Kevin Clifton is to star in the UK & Ireland tour of Baz Luhrmann’s smash hit musical, playing the lead role of Scott Hastings.
Based on the award-winning global film phenomenon, the show will be directed by Craig Revel Horwood.
Strictly Ballroom brings to life the iconic songs, including Love is in the Air, Perhaps Perhaps Perhaps and Time After Time with “dynamic and joyous verve.”

 

 

 

Photo: Mark Senior

Once
Touring now until 25 July 2020
W: oncethemusicalonstage.com
F: oncethemusicaluk | T: @oncethemusical1
The multi award-winning musical about a Dublin busker and Czech musician who change each other’s lives forever featuring the Academy Award-winning song Falling Slowly. Based on the indie film and starring Daniel Healy & Emma Lucia.

 

Photo: Ste Murray

The Sound of Music
Touring now until 18 April 2020
W: www.kenwright.com/portfolio/sound-of-music
F: BKLProductions | T: @bkl_productions
Bill Kenwright’s well-established production tells the true story of the world‐famous Trapp family, from their romantic beginnings and search for happiness, to their thrilling escape to freedom as their beloved Austria becomes part of the Third Reich at the start of World War II. Stars Emilie Fleming and Andrew Lancel.

 

Photo: Matthew Crockett

Louise Dearman in Concert
Cadogan Hall, London SW1X 9DQ
Sunday, 31 May 2020 @ 6.30pm
W: www.cadoganhall.com
F: LouiseDearmanPage | T: @LouiseDearman
West End star Louise Dearman will perform in her biggest solo concert to date at the end of May. She is best known for playing the roles of both Glinda and Elphaba in the West End production of Wicked.

 

 

 

 

Indecent Proposal
Southwark Playhouse, London SE1 6BD
From 29 May – 27 June 2020
W: southwarkplayhouse.co.uk/show/indecent-proposal
F: indecentproposalmusical | T: @indecentmusical
A new chamber musical inspired by the book by Jack Engelhard (which was then adapted into the 1993 hit film) and will star Jacqui Dankworth.
While staying true to book’s setting of Atlantic City in the 1980s, it reimagines the work through the lens of the current social and political climate.

 

Footloose The Musical
Touring from 24 Apr – 14 Nov 2020
W: www.footloose-musical.com
F: FootlooseTour | T: @FootlooseTour
Darren Day will play Reverend Moore while Gareth Gates returns to the actor-musician show as Willard – the role he last played in 2017. The show features a host of classic 80s hits including the ever-popular title song.

 

Photo: Matthew Murphy and Oliver Rosser

 

SISTER ACT
Touring from 21 April 2020 – 1 May 2021… including:
Eventim Apollo London, London W6 9QH
21 July – 30 August 2020
W: sisteractthemusical.co.uk | F: sisteractsocial | T: @sisteractsocial
Whoopi Goldberg & Jennifer Saunders will star in the London run of Sister Act, while Lesley Joseph, Brenda Edwards and Clive Rowe are set to take on the other tour dates.
Based on 1992’s iconic movie, the stage adaptation doesn’t feature any of the film’s popular songs. Instead, Alan Menken and Glenn Slater have provided an original score.

 

 

 

Cilla The Musical
Touring from 21 Sep – 16 Nov 2020
W: CillaTheMusical.com
F: BKLProductions | T: @CillaMusical
Sheridan Smith will revisit her award-wining portrayal of the late Cilla Black n ITV to star in Bill Kenwright’s stage production, Cilla The Musical, written by BAFTA award-winning writer Jeff Pope.
The story follows the life of a teenage girl from Liverpool, Priscilla White, and her rocky rise to fame. By 25 she was recognized as international singing star Cilla Black. By 30 she had become Britain’s favorite TV entertainer headlining series of Blind Date, Surprise Surprise and many more.

 

 

 

Photo: Specular

BAT OUT OF HELL – THE MUSICAL
Touring from 10th Sep 2020 – 2 Jan 2021
W: www.BatOutOfHellMusical.com
F: BatTheMusical | T: @BatTheMusical
Featuring Jim Steinman and Meatloaf’s greatest hits, Sharon Sexton as Sloane and Rob Fowler as Falco return to the roles they first played in the West End in 2017/18.

 

Photo: Darren Bell

HAIRSPRAY THE MUSICAL
Touring from 20 Aug 2020 – 29 May 2021
W: www.hairsprayuktour.com
F: HairsprayUKTour | T: @HairsprayUKTour
Not to be confused with the revived London show, the touring production of Hairspray (by Mark Goucher & Matthew Gale) is directed by Paul Kerryson with choreography from Drew McOnie.
A star cast is yet to be announced and the tour will kick off at Leicester’s Curve.

 

LOVE NEVER DIES
Touring from 26 September 2020
W: www.loveneverdies.com | F: loveneverdies | T: @loveneverdies
The year is 1907. It is 10 years after his disappearance from the Paris Opera House and the Phantom has escaped to a new life in New York where he lives amongst the screaming joy rides and freak shows of Coney Island. In this new, world, he has finally found a place for his music to soar, but he has never stopped yearning for his one true love and musical protégée, Christine Daaé, who is now one of the world’s finest sopranos.

 

 

 

BRING IT ON THE MUSICAL
Touring from 2 Jun – 28 Nov 2020… then:
Southbank Centre, London SE1 8XX
9 Dec 2020 – 10 Jan 2021
W: www.bringitonthemusicaluk.com
F: BringItOnUKTour | T: @bringitonuktour
Amber Davies and Louis Smith star in the musical inspired by the 2000 film of the same name. Score co-written by Lin-Manuel Miranda.

 

Hello, Dolly!
Adelphi Theatre, London WC2R 0NS
Performances from 11 August 2020
W: www.HelloDollyLDN.com | F: HelloDollyLDN | T: @HelloDollyLDN
Imelda Staunton, Andy Nyman and Jenna Russell will be joined by Clare Halse, Harry Hepple and Tyrone Huntley under Dominic Cooke’s direction. Cooke directed Imelda Staunton in Follies at the NT.
Hello, Dolly! features Jerry Herman’s unforgettable score and includes the songs: Put On Your Sunday Clothes, Before the Parade Passes By, It Only Takes a Moment and Hello, Dolly!

 

Photo: Simon Annand

NUTCRACKER!
Touring from 16 Nov 2020 – 8 May 2021… including:
Sadler’s Wells Theatre, London EC1R 4TN
8 Dec 2020 – 24 Jan 2021
W: www.new-adventures.net
F: MBNewAdventures | T: @New_Adventures
Clara’s bittersweet journey from a darkly comic Christmas Eve at Dr. Dross’ Orphanage, through a shimmering, ice-skating winter wonderland to the scrumptious candy kingdom of Sweetieland, influenced by the lavish Hollywood musicals of the 1930s. Tchaikovsky’s glorious score provides the backdrop.

 

Photo: Matt Martin

THE ADDAMS FAMILY – a musical comedy
Touring from 30 July – 14 November 2020
W: www.theaddamsfamily.co.uk
F: TheAddamsFamilyUK | T: @AddamsFamilyUK
Samantha Womack and Cameron Blakely will revive their much-loved roles as Morticia and Gomez Addams in the new UK & Ireland tour. Book by Marshall Brickman and Rick Elice, the creators of multi award-winning Jersey Boys, and music and lyrics by Andrew Lippa, based on the characters created by Charles Addams. This follows a highly successful premiere tour in 2017.
Wednesday Addams, the ultimate princess of darkness, has grown up and has a shocking secret that only Gomez knows; she’s fallen in love with a sweet, smart young man from a respectable family! Now, Gomez Addams must do something he’s never done before – keep a secret from his beloved wife, Morticia. Everything will change for the whole family on the fateful night they host a dinner for Wednesday’s ‘normal’ boyfriend and his parents. All the usual clan are present – Uncle Fester, Lurch, Pugsley et al.
British director, Matthew White, takes the helm again while Katy Lipson for Aria Entertainment and Music & Lyrics Limited produce.

 

NEWS & GOSSIP

The West End Cast Recording of Dolly Parton’s phenomenally successful musical is now available to stream and download. It can be found on all streaming platforms including Spotify, Apple Music and Amazon Music. Recorded live at the Savoy Theatre with the West End cast, led by Caroline Sheen, Amber Davies, Natalie McQueen, Bonnie Langford and Brian Conley.
Visit: slinky.to/9to5-TheMusical

Following a hugely successful workshop last year, producers have announced that Get Up, Stand Up! The Bob Marley Story, the definitive new musical featuring Bob Marley’s iconic hits played live on stage, will begin previews in London at the newly refurbished Lyric Theatre on 6 February next year.

Photo: Adrian Boot

Brought to the stage by a multi-award-winning team, Lee Hall’s book takes direct inspiration from Marley’s visionary lyrics to tell his extraordinary personal story as an artist, the production will be directed by Dominic Cooke and star Arinzé Kene.
Visit: GetUpStandUpTheMusical.com

Photo: Tristram Kenton

School of Rock – The Musical, Andrew Lloyd Webber’s smash hit, award-winning West End show, will go on a major UK tour in 2021.

Chichester Festival Theatre’s production of Singin’ in the Rain will embark on a major UK & Ireland tour in 2021.
This production opened in Chichester and extended due to unprecedented public demand, before a transfer to London which received huge critical acclaim and four Olivier Award nominations.

It played to more than 750,000 people, some leaving the theatre a little wetter than when they arrived! In fact the iconic rain scenes:
Use 6k litres of water, equivalent to 5 tonnes (2 Rhinos, 11 Grand Pianos or 30 Panda Bears!);
Use over 100 metres of heavy-duty rubber hose;
Take 15 minutes to drain, then it is re-cycled, cleaned and used again;
Heat the water to 37 degrees for performer comfort!

Planning permission has been granted by Newham Council for a 1,150-seat theatre to be built in London’s Royal Docks. The new venue, named Royal Docks Theatre, is to be the purpose-built home for the acclaimed historical Dutch theatre experience Soldier of Orange – The Musical.

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