Why Is It Always Musicals?! Speaking of which… musical theatre legend on our next cover!
Let us share your production news
…Or post on our social media pages:
From The Original Rum Tum Tugger to the Evil Gavin (EastEnders), Paul Nicholas, Our Next Cover-star!
Let us share your production news
…Or post on our social media pages:
REHEARSAL IMAGES RELEASED for HEATHERS THE MUSICAL WEST END
All Photos: Pamela Raith Photography
Greetings, salutations and welcome to the West End 2021 class of Westerberg High.
Leading the cast in the highly celebrated return of Heathers the Musical in the West End is Christina Bennington (Bat Out Of Hell) in the role of high school geek Veronica Sawyer and Jordan Luke Gage (& Juliet) as the dark and moody teen, Jason “J.D.” Dean.
In the eponymous roles of ‘The Heathers’ is returning cast member Jodie Steele (Six) with her critically acclaimed portrayal of ‘mega bitch’ Heather Chandler, alongside Bobbie Little (Jesus Christ Superstar) as Heather Duke and Frances Mayli McCann (Evita) as Heather McNamara.
They are joined by Joaquin Pedro Valdes (Ram Sweeney), Lauren Ward (Ms. Fleming/Veronica’s Mother), Madison Swan (Martha Dunnstock), Ross Harmon (Kurt Kelly), Simon Bailey (Ram’s Dad/Big Bud Dean/Coach), and Steven Serlin (Kurt’s Dad/Veronica’s Dad/Principle Gowan).
Completing the cast in the ensemble are, Aimee Hodnett, Christopher Parkinson, Giles Surridge, Iván Fernández Gonzáles, Rachel Rawlinson, Rumi Sutton and Teleri Hughes.
Produced by Bill Kenwright and Paul Taylor-Mills, this high-octane black-comedy rock musical, based on one of the greatest cult teen films of all time, starring Winona Ryder and Christian Slater, is back with a bang! It will return to the Theatre Royal Haymarket for a strictly limited 12-week season from 22 June – 11 September 2021, with press night on Monday 28 June.
Westerberg High’s Veronica Sawyer is just another nobody dreaming of a better day. But when she joins the beautiful and impossibly cruel Heathers, her dreams of popularity may finally come true. Mysterious teen rebel JD teaches her that it might kill to be a nobody, but it is murder being a somebody.
The award-winning writing team, Laurence O’Keefe and Kevin Murphy’s hit musical adaptation enjoyed successful runs in Los Angeles and New York; the UK productions are directed by its original New York director, Andy Fickman. Choreography is by Thriller Live’s Gary Lloyd, design by David Shields, lighting by Ben Cracknell and sound by Dan Samson.
Heathers the Musical previously enjoyed two record-breaking seasons, launching at London’s The Other Palace and transferring to the Theatre Royal Haymarket in 2018. In parallel to the show’s return to the West End, the musical will also embark on its first tour of the UK and Ireland, in a separate production and cast, opening at Leeds Grand Theatre on 6 August 2021.
Bill Kenwright & Paul Taylor-Mills
By arrangement with the Theatre Royal Haymarket present…
HEATHERS THE MUSICAL
By Laurence O’Keefe & Kevin Murphy
at the Theatre Royal Haymarket. Haymarket, London SW1Y 4HT
- Directed by Andy Fickman
- Associate Director and Choreography by Gary Lloyd
- Design by David Shields
- Lighting by Ben Cracknell
- Sound by Dan Samson
Running Time: Approx. 2 hours 30 minutes including interval
Calling all #CornNuts – Be the first to hear the latest Heathers the Musical gossip and further details on dates, venues and on-sales by following us on the following:
- Website: https://www.heathersthemusical.com/
- Twitter – @HeathersMusical
- Instagram – @heathersmusical
- Facebook – @heathersthemusical
- Tik Tok – @heathersuk
- #ThisWillBeBeautiful
- Dates: Tuesday 22 June – Saturday 11 September 2021
- Press Night: Monday 28 June 2021
- Performance Schedule: Mon – Sat – 7.45pm & Wed & Sat – 3.00pm
- Ticket Prices: From £25 (Restricted View seats available at £15) – Tickets available online only
- Theatre Website: www.trh.co.uk/whatson/heathers-the-musical
THE SHOW MUST GO ON LIVE! featuring an all-star musical theatre cast!
After a record breaking on-sale in November, the producers of THE SHOW MUST GO ON LIVE! are delighted to announce 18 West End shows and an all-star musical theatre cast coming together for a unique one-off concert in the biggest West End celebration this summer. The show will run for seven performances only from 2 – 6 June 2021 at The Palace Theatre, full details and tickets can be purchased from www.theshowmustgoonlive.com
The concert will be hosted by musical theatre legends, Bonnie Langford (“9 to 5 the Musical”, “42nd Street”) and Trevor Dion Nicholas (“Hamilton”, “Aladdin”).
Bonnie said today, “I am delighted to be hosting this special night where all of these West End musicals will be performing together to raise money for some incredible charities. This is a once in a lifetime show, I am truly honoured to be a part of it and alongside the fabulous Trevor too! I m looking forward to getting dressed up and being in a theatre again, it’s going to be a magical night and a wonderful way to kick off the return of the West End. We can’t wait to see you all there”.
Trevor said today, “This is an opportunity for the entire theatrical community in the West End to stand together and celebrate the return of our beloved industry. Despite the struggles of the last year, we remain united and doing what we do best – creating art that provides people with an escape. We’re still here, we’re still fighting and we are stronger than ever. I cannot wait to welcome everyone back to the stage, where they belong. It’s going to be a thrilling night”.
All shows which appear on the iconic The Show Must Go On! design will be performing alongside Pretty Woman and a West End debut performance from Back To The Future. This will be the first time in history these West End musicals will come together for one night of pure joyous entertainment which celebrates the wealth of talent in London and includes a multi award winning creative team, over 50 performers and an orchestra made up of some of the finest musicians in London.
The producers are thrilled to announce the full line-up and casting for the concert which includes: Aisha Jawando in a performance from TINA – THE TINA TURNER MUSICAL, Marcus Harman in a performance from Dear Evan Hansen, Sharan Phull in a performance from Everybody’s Talking About Jamie, Collette Guitart and Hana Stewart who will alternate in a performance from SIX, Trevor Dion Nicholas in a performance from Hamilton, Dom Simpson and Tom Xander in a performance from The Book of Mormon, Laura Pick in a performance from WICKED, Tilly-Raye Bayer, Imogen Cole, Alyssa D’Souza, Alex Munden and Carly Thoms in a performance from the Royal Shakespeare Company’s Matilda The Musical, Jordan Luke Gage in a performance from & Juliet, John Owen Jones in a performance from Les Misérables, cast members in a performance from Disney’s The Lion King, Christine Allado and Alexia Khadime in a performance from The Prince of Egypt, Alice Fearn in a performance from Come From Away, Lucy St Louis and Rhys Whitfield in a performance from The Phantom Of The Opera, Zizi Strallen in a performance from Mary Poppins and Mazz Murray in a performance from MAMMA MIA!
In addition, Olly Dobson in a performance from Back to the Future The Musical and Aimie Atkinson in a performance from Pretty Woman The Musical. There will also be a choir of 16 which is made up of Musical Theatre 2020 graduates.
The concert will also include a brand-new opening number, written by West End musical writing duo Stiles & Drewe called ‘The Show Must Go On!’ which celebrates the theatre industry in these current times.
The multi-award winning creative team includes: Luke Sheppard (“& Juliet”, “In The Heights”) and Anna Fox (“Guess How Much I love You”), who will direct the concert, Stephen Brooker (“Mary Poppins’ and “Les Misérables”) as musical supervisor, set design by Soutra Gilmour (“Cyrano de Bergerac” and “&Juliet”), lighting design by Howard Hudson (“&Juliet”, “9 to 5 The Musical”). Sound design by Adam Fisher. (“The Last Five Years” and associate sound designer on “Miss Saigon”), video design by Fray Studio (Disney’s “Frozen” and “Harry Potter and the Cursed Child”) and Stuart Morley as musical director (We Will Rock You” and “Only Fools and Horses”).
THE SHOW MUST GO ON! LIVE AT THE PALACE THEATRE is produced by Chris Marcus & Damien Stanton for the Theatre Support Fund+ with Executive Producers, Jack Maple & Brian Zeilinger-Goode for MZG Theatre Productions.
Capacity at the Palace Theatre has been reduced to comply with COVID-19 Secure guidelines for social distancing plus robust risk mitigation. In addition to hand sanitation, face coverings and track and trace, other measures will include contactless tickets, temperature testing and the deep clean and sanitation of the theatre.
The Show Must Go On! Live at the Palace Theatre
Palace Theatre, 113 Shaftesbury Avenue, Soho, London W1D 5AY
Performance dates and times:
- Wednesday 2 June 7.00pm
- Thursday 3 June, 7.00pm
- Friday 4 June, 7.00pm
- Saturday 5 June, 2.00pm & 7.00pm
- Sunday 6 June, 2.00pm & 7.00pm
Ticket Prices: From £22.50
Theatre Support Fund+ information:
Website: www.theatresupportfund.co.uk
Social Media
- Instagram – @theatresupportfund
- Twitter – @theatre_support
Acclaimed digital series The Theatre Channel returns with more West End talent
Above: Katie Deacon ©EdwardJohnson
Following acclaim for their spectacular musical-packed digital series, Adam Blanshay Productions’ The Theatre Channel is back with a sixth episode, featuring more theatrical legends and musical magic! The new episode, entitled ‘Showstoppers’, will kickstart proceedings with incredible performances from major West End talent including Danny Mac (Sunset Boulevard; Pretty Woman The Musical), Kerry Ellis (Wicked; We Will Rock You), and Layton Williams (Everybody’s Talking About Jamie; RENT). The series will be available to stream in a new partnership with Stream.Theatre from Friday 30th April, with tickets for Episode 6 now on sale.
Further talent involved includes dynamic sister duo Amber Davies (9 to 5; Love Island) and Jade Davies (Les Misérables; The Phantom of the Opera) as Side Show’s conjoined twins, alongside Katie Deacon (Mary Poppins; An American In Paris) showcasing the original A Chorus Line choreography by Michael Bennett. The track for this stunning rendition of Music and the Mirror has been provided by Antonio Banderas’ Malaga-based Theatre company Teatro del Soho, following their acclaimed Spanish-language revival. Academy Award and Tony nominee Antonio Banderas will also be sharing his knowledge of the production in an extra special exclusive interview for The Theatre Channel, featured in the episode.
The cast will be joined by the fantastic, revamped resident ensemble, ‘The New Café Five,’ comprised of Anthony Starr (Guys & Dolls, Sheffield Crucible), Danny Becker (The Prince Of Egypt, Dominion Theatre), Kayleigh Thadani (Disney’s Aladdin, Prince Edward Theatre), M-Jae Cleopatra Isaac (Billy Elliot, Victoria Palace) and Vicki Lee Taylor (A Chorus Line, London Palladium). The Theatre Café manager and performer, Jack Malin, will also be joining the troupe for their showstopping, toe-tapping number.
These incredible musical theatre performers will be led by director Thom Southerland (Titanic; Grey Gardens; Ragtime) and choreographer Ashley Nottingham (Spamalot; Singin’ In The Rain; Disney’s Newsies UK Premiere) with lighting design by Aaron J Dootson. The Theatre Channel are proud to be championing creative opportunities for freelancers and actors during this time.
Combining the thrill of stage and screen for an episodic musical revue of beloved classics, The Theatre Channel is an up close and intimate experience from the comfort of your home. The upcoming episode will also feature exclusive behind-the-scenes content, as the original producers of A Chorus Line take a trip down memory lane in memorandum to Tony Award-winning choreographer Bob Avian. Staged and choreographed especially for film, the production is an unmissable event.
Producer Adam Blanshay comments, With the release of Episode 6: Showstoppers, we’re celebrating several milestones. First off, as the pandemic and theatre closures have extended far beyond what anyone initially imagined, we’re overjoyed to welcome our new resident ensemble, ‘The New Café Five,’ giving fresh opportunity to a remarkable new group of performers to finish the series with us. Moreover, based on growth and customer demand, we’re thrilled to now be launching our content on Stream.Theatre, which we hope will expand our viewership far and wide, and draw in countless new theatre fans. Lastly, we pay homage to the loving memory of Bob Avian, and have included a special feature on A Chorus Line – we are grateful to John Breglio, Baayork Lee, and Antonio Banderas for their collaboration.
Previous episodes (1 – 5) of The Theatre Channel will be available to purchase at Stream.Theatre to watch at your leisure. Previous episode titles include ‘Welcome to the Cafe’, ‘Musical Horrors’ and ‘Hopeful Holidays’. The next instalment, Episode 7, will celebrate the works of the unparalleled Rodgers and Hammerstein, with incredible casting to be announced soon.
The Theatre Channel
- Dates: Episode 6 is available to view from Friday 30th April 2021
- Access Tickets are £12 + booking fee and can be purchased online at www.thetheatrechannel.stream.
- Past episodes are available ‘on demand’ for £9.50 + booking fee.
UK SCHEDULE: Friday 30 April – 7:30pm and 9:30pm Saturday 1 May – 2:30pm, 7:30pm and 9:30pm Sunday 2 May – 3pm and 7:30pm Monday 3 May – 7:30pm Tuesday 4 May – 7:30pm Wednesday 5 May – 7:30pm Thursday 6 May – 7:30pm Friday 7 May – 7:30pm and 9:30pm
US SCHEDULE: Friday 30 April – 8pm and 10pm Saturday 1 May – 3pm, 8pm and 10pm Sunday 2 May – 3pm and 7pm Monday 3 May – 8pm Tuesday 4 May – 8pm Wednesday 5 May – 8pm Thursday 6 May – 8pm Friday 7 May – 8pm and 10pm
- Director Thom Southerland
- Musical Supervisor Michael England
- Choreography Ashley Nottingham
- Lighting Design Aaron J Dootson
- Production Design James Turner
- Videography Ben Hewis
- Sound Design Keegan Curran
- Amber Davies and Jade Davies ‘Who Will Love Me As I Am’ and ‘I Will Never Leave You’ from Side Show
- Katie Deacon ‘Music And The Mirror’ from A Chorus Line
- Kerry Ellis ‘Always Starting Over’ from If/Then
- Danny Mac ‘Moving Too Fast’ from The Last Five Years
- Layton Williams ‘Hold Me In Your Heart’ from Kinky Boots
- Jack Malin & ‘The New Café Five’ ‘There’s No Business Like Show Business’ from Annie Get Your Gun
Social Media: #TheTheatreChannel, @thetheatrechannel, @AdamBlanshayPro, @stream_theatre
THE NARRATOR with the X FACTOR
Michael Harrison and the Really Useful Group are delighted to announce today that Alexandra Burke will return to the West End this summer in the new production of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, as Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice’s legendary musical gets ready for a strictly limited season at the iconic London Palladium.
The production will begin performances on Thursday 1 July (Gala Night: Thursday 15 July) and will be one of the highlights in the return of theatre to the UK cultural landscape.
Alexandra Burke will play The Narrator in the celebrated musical. Her many West End credits include the lead roles in The Bodyguard, Sister Act, Chess and Chicago. Alexandra first rose to fame winning The X-Factor in 2008, and has since gone on to sell over 5 million records.
Jason Donovan will return in the role of Pharaoh. He was originally in the show when he made his defining stage performance as the title character of Joseph in the 1990s, in a sold-out 18-month run which produced a No.1 single and best-selling soundtrack album. Jason raised the roof of the London Palladium in 2019 as Pharaoh, who rocks ‘Song of the King’ in the iconic musical by Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber.
Jac Yarrow caused a sensation when he made his professional stage debut playing Joseph, following in the footsteps of a line of stars who have previously played the title character. His portrayal of Joseph won him unanimous acclaim and an Olivier Award nomination, with his rendition of ‘Close Every Door To Me’ regularly stopping the show with standing ovations.
The production will begin live performances on Thursday 1 July, after the proposed “Step Four” in the Government’s roadmap to easing restrictions, and therefore is planning to accommodate full-capacity audiences in accordance with the intended lifting of all limits on social contact.
Michael Harrison said: “The legendary song says “Any Dream Will Do”, but my dream for the past 12 months has been to bring our smash hit production of JOSEPH back to its spiritual home, The London Palladium. I’m thrilled that dream will soon become a reality.
There is no better show than JOSEPH to unite audiences and bring joy and happiness to the West End this summer. The London Palladium is a very special theatre and JOSEPH is a very special musical. We have a brilliant cast ready to get back on stage and an army of theatre makers ready to return to the jobs they miss so much. GO! GO! GO! JOSEPH!”
Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat enjoyed a completely sold out season in 2019. Audiences and critics were unanimous in their acclaim for the legendary musical – the first major collaboration by Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber – as it returned to the London Palladium.
Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat will be directed by Laurence Connor. Laurence’s credits include the acclaimed London production of School of Rock and the Tony-Award nominated production on Broadway, the recent London productions of Miss Saigon and Chess, the international arena tour of Jesus Christ Superstar and he is also the Co-Director of the new version of Les Misérables which has enjoyed worldwide success including Broadway, UK and US tours. He is the director of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s new production of Cinderella, which also opens this July at the Gillian Lynne Theatre.
Laurence will be joined on the creative team by Choreographer JoAnn M Hunter (who has 20 Broadway shows to her credit, including School of Rock and On A Clear Day You Can See Forever), the award-winning Morgan Large who will design the set and costumes, Lighting Designer Ben Cracknell and Sound Designer Gareth Owen.
Released as a concept album in 1969, the stage version of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat has become one of the world’s most beloved family musicals. The multi-award-winning show, which began life as a small-scale school concert, has been performed hundreds of thousands of times including multiple runs in the West End and on Broadway, international number one tours, and productions in over 80 countries as far afield as Austria and Zimbabwe and from Israel to Peru! The show features songs that have gone on to become pop and musical theatre standards, including Any Dream Will Do, Close Every Door To Me, Jacob and Sons, There’s One More Angel In Heaven and Go Go Go Joseph.
Told entirely through song with the help of the Narrator, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat follows the story of Jacob’s favourite son Joseph and his eleven brothers. After being sold into hardship by the brothers, he ingratiates himself with Egyptian noble Potiphar, but ends up in jail after refusing the advances of Potiphar’s wife. While imprisoned, Joseph discovers his ability to interpret dreams, and he soon finds himself in front of the mighty but troubled showman, the Pharaoh. As Joseph strives to resolve Egypt’s famine, he becomes Pharaoh’s right-hand man and eventually reunites with his family.
Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat is produced by Michael Harrison. Michael Harrison and the production of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat continue to call for a government-backed insurance scheme to properly support the re-opening of the theatre industry.
TGI Friday! …Professionals and Am-dram
THE THEATRE CHANNEL announces episode – No.4 THE HOLIDAY SPECIAL EPISODE
EPISODES 1 – 4 ON SALE NOW – AVAILABLE TO BOOK HERE
Adam Blanshay Productions and The Theatre Café are pleased to announce further details for the fourth episode of The Theatre Channel – The Holiday Special.
Episode 4 will feature a host of festive songs and will be released on Wednesday 23 December and with the following line up of talent and performances:
- Matt Croke (Disney’s Aladdin, Wicked) and Tosh Wanogho-Maud (Dreamgirls, Showboat) singing a duet version of a new arrangement of “Happy Holidays” and “Let’s Start The New Year Right” from Holiday Inn
- Olivier Award nominee Sophie-Louise Dann (The Girls, Made in Dagenham) singing “We Need A Little Christmas” from Mame
- Olivier Award winner Cassidy Janson (&Juliet, Beautiful) singing “White Christmas” from White Christmas
- Oivier Award nominee Rachel John (Hamilton, Memphis) singing “A Brand New Day” from The Wiz
- Oivier Award nominee Zizi Strallen (Mary Poppins, Follies) singing “Turkey Lurkey Time” from Promises Promises
- Manon Taris (The Phantom of the Opera) singing “Ave Maria Païen” from Notre Dame de Paris
- The Café Four and Graduates from the ArtsEd class of 2020 singing “Seasons of Love” from Rent
Producer Adam Blanshay said, “As we reach the culmination of arguably the most challenging year of the past several decades, our goal with Episode four is to consider and contemplate upon the hardships we have faced, recognize those whom we have lost, but also instil a joyous celebration of the Holiday season, and the promise of the year ahead with brighter times to come. The Holiday episode will exist as a timeless anthem of reflection and hope that will brighten the spirit, no matter the season or time of year. Furthermore, we are so thrilled to be working with the Graduating students of ArtsEd whose burgeoning careers were abruptly halted by the pandemic, hopefully giving them a platform to blossom as the theatre community begins to reopen the doors to live performances once again.”
Sue Sandle, Director of Development at ArtsEd, said, “The whole performing arts industry has been facing significant hardship these last few months. Recent graduates of drama school have been hit particularly hard, entering a world that is always full of challenges at a time when opportunities are few and far between. It is important that the industry does all that it can to support these storytellers and theatremakers of the future. We are thrilled to be working with Adam Blanshay Productions and The Theatre Cafe to offer our recent grads new opportunities and new experiences with The Theatre Channel.”
The Theatre Channel is an innovative web series showcasing well-known musical theatre classics – a unique hybrid of stage and screen. Performed by the cream of British and international musical theatre talent, each episode is staged and filmed with high production values on location at The Theatre Café in the heart of the West End, making full use of the whole space – from the bar seating area all the way up to the roof – and feature a mix of 5-6 standalone performances. Many of the performances are supported by the Café Four, a regular cast made up of other West End talents.
The first three episodes – starring Tarinn Callender, Carrie Hope Fletcher, Oliver Ormson, Matt Henry MBE, Lucie Jones, Jenna Russell, Jodie Steele, Aimie Atkinson, Linzi Hateley, Bradley Jaden, Ria Jones, Trevor Dion Nicholas, Josh Piterman, Jordan Shaw, Shan Ako, Alex Gaumond, Rob Houchen, Francesca Jackson, Aisha Jawando and John Owen-Jones are available to purchase and download via www.thetheatrecafe.co.uk/channel – once purchased, audiences are able to watch episodes unlimited times for up to 7 days.
The Theatre Channel’s Café Four is comprised of Alyn Hawke (Oklahoma, Follies, 42nd Street), Emily Langham (The Boy Friend, Oklahoma, West Side Story), Sadie-Jean Shirley (City of Angels, Ghost: The Musical, Aladdin) and Alex Woodward (Mamma Mia, Hairspray).
The Theatre Channel is produced by Adam Blanshay Productions and The Theatre Café, with direction and choreography by Bill Deamer and musical supervision by Michael England, set and costume design by Gregor Donnelly, lighting design by Jack Weir, sound design by Keegan Curran, videography by Ben Hewis and hair and makeup by Diana Hudson.
www.thetheatrecafe.co.uk/the-theatre-channel
@AdamBlanshayPro
@thetheatrecafe
#TheTheatreChannel
The Rocky Horror Show is back – new UK tour for 2021
TICKETS ON SALE NOW FROM ROCKYHORROR.CO.UK
Since it first opened in London in June 1973 at the Royal Court’s Theatre Upstairs, Richard O’Brien’s Rocky Horror Show has become the world’s favourite Rock ‘N’ Roll musical, having been performed worldwide for over 45 years in more than 30 countries and translated into 20 languages. This critically-acclaimed new production is now back by huge public demand and will tour the UK from March to October 2021. Tickets are on sale from 12.00pm on Friday 6 November. Casting will be announced soon.
Directed by Christopher Luscombe, the smash hit show features all of the famous musical numbers which have made The Rocky Horror Show such a huge hit for over four decades, including “Sweet Transvestite”, “Science Fiction/Double Feature”, “Dammit Janet” and, of course, the timeless floor-filler, “The Time-Warp” – this is perfect show to help people forget the doom and gloom of recent months.
Rocky’s creator, Richard O’Brien, said: “I am as thrilled, as the parent of an irrepressible child must be when they see their offspring skipping and dancing with abandon regardless of the when, where or why of the reason for doing so, to tell you that The Rocky Horror Show will be allowed out to play again in 2021. We ALL need a bit of cheering up lately so, please, break out the fishnets and join us for the fun.”
The Rocky Horror Show tells the story of Brad and his fiancée Janet, two squeaky clean college kids who meet Dr Frank’n’Furter by chance when their car breaks down outside his house whilst on their way to visit their favourite college professor. It’s an adventure they’ll never forget, with fun, frolics, frocks and frivolity, bursting with timeless songs and outrageous outfits. The Rocky Horror Show is a guaranteed party, which famously combines science-fiction, horror, comedy and music while encouraging audience participation – meaning, of course, getting dressed-up in the most outrageous fancy dress.
The Rocky Horror Show first began life in 1973 before an audience of just 63 people in the Royal Court’s Theatre Upstairs. It was an immediate success and transferred to the Chelsea Classic Cinema, before going on to run at the Kings Road Theatre, 1973-79 and the Comedy Theatre in the West End, 1979-80. In 1975 it was transformed into a film called ‘The Rocky Horror Picture Show’. This film adaptation took over $135 million at the Box Office and is still shown in cinemas around the world more than 40 years after its premiere, making it the longest running theatrical release in cinema history. Many stars including Russell Crowe, Tim Curry, Susan Sarandon, Jerry Springer, Jason Donovan and Meatloaf have appeared in The Rocky Horror Show over the past 45 years.
In 2015, as part of a sold-out season at London’s Playhouse Theatre, a special star-studded Gala charity performance in aid of Amnesty International was broadcast to over 600 cinemas across the UK and Europe. The live screening – featuring a host of celebrities playing The Narrator including Stephen Fry, Mel Giedroyc, Emma Bunton, Ade Edmondson, Anthony Head and Richard O’Brien – smashed box office records and was the biggest grossing film in cinemas across the UK. The performance was subsequently screened on the Sky Arts channel.
Ready to thrill you with fun and naughty moments, The Rocky Horror Show is the boldest bash of them all. But be warned, this show has rude parts!
What the press have said about The Rocky Horror Show:
“Panto for grown-ups – colourful, in your face, relentlessly energetic and high on audience participation”
The Times
“Hard to think of another musical quite as unique as this. Christopher Luscombe’s affectionate production feels like a genuine blast from the past”
Mail on Sunday
“As delightfully naughty as ever!” –
Daily Telegraph
“So fast, so funny, so sexy” –
Daily Mail
“Still the sexiest and funniest show in town”
Evening Standard
Rocky Horror Show 2021 UK & Ireland Tour Dates
- W/C 01/03/2021 Southampton: Mayflower Theatre
- W/C 08/03/2021 Southampton: Mayflower Theatre
- W/C 29/03/2021 Oxford: New Theatre
- W/C 05/04/2021 Hull: New Theatre
- W/C 12/04/2021 Stoke-On-Trent: Regent Theatre
- W/C 19/04/2021 Brighton: Theatre Royal
- W/C 26/04/2021 Edinburgh: Festival Theatre
- W/C 03/05/2021 Cardiff: New Theatre
- W/C 10/05/2021 Belfast: Grand Opera House
- W/C 17/05/2021 Bradford: Alhambra Theatre
- W/C 24/05/2021 Liverpool: Empire Theatre
- W/C 31/05/2021 Richmond: Theatre Royal
- W/C 14/06/2021 Norwich: Theatre Royal
- W/C 21/06/2021 Aberdeen: His Majesty’s Theatre
- W/C 28/06/2021 York: Grand Opera House
- W/C 19/07/2021 Blackpool: Opera House
- W/C 26/07/2021 Canterbury: Marlowe Theatre
- W/C 02/08/2021 Milton Keynes: Milton Keynes Theatre
- W/C 09/08/2021 Nottingham: Royal Concert Hall
- W/C 16/08/2021 Glasgow: King’s Theatre
- W/C 23/08/2021 Manchester: Opera House
- W/C 06/09/2021 Plymouth: Theatre Royal
- W/C 13/09/2021 Llandudno: Venue Cymru
- W/C 20/09/2021 Sunderland: Empire Theatre
- W/C 27/09/2021 Birmingham: New Alexandra Theatre
Ticket prices: From £10
Website: www.rockyhorror.co.uk
Twitter: @rockyhorroruk
Instagram: @rockyhorrorofficial
Facebook: /rockyhorrorshow
Back to Square One for Theatres as Government Announces New Lockdown in England
Image (l-r): Sir Patrick Vallance, Boris Johnson and Professor Chris Whitty speaking live from Downing Street yesterday evening.
Yesterday, Prime Minister Boris Johnson, flanked by the UK Government’s Chief Scientific Adviser, Sir Patrick Vallance, and the Government’s Chief Medical Adviser, Professor Chris Whitty, announced a further tightening of England’s restrictions to prevent the growing second wave of Coronavirus infections.
The tightening of restrictions – which applies to England and will see it fall in line with Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland – is akin to returning the entire country into a national state of lockdown… with several exemptions.
While the full list of exemptions are to be published in law over the coming days, it has already been announced that “entertainment venues such as theatres, concert halls, cinemas, museums and galleries, casinos, adult gaming centres and arcades, bingo halls, bowling alleys, concert halls, zoos and other animal attractions, botanical gardens” must all close for at least the next four weeks from Thursday, 5th November until Wednesday, 2 December – or throughout November.
The list of exemptions – making the new lockdown different to the original action back in the spring – include:
- childcare or education, where this is not provided online;
- work purposes, where your place of work remains open and where you cannot work from home (including if your job involves working in other people’s homes);
- to exercise outdoors or visit an outdoor public place – with the people you live with, with your support bubble or, when on your own, with 1 person from another household;
- for any medical concerns, reasons, appointments and emergencies, or to avoid or escape risk of injury or harm – such as domestic abuse;
- shopping for basic necessities, for example food and medicine, which should be as infrequent as possible;
- to visit members of your support bubble or provide care for vulnerable people, or as a volunteer;
Once again, outside of the exemptions listed above, people are not allowed to mix with anybody (outdoors or indoors) outside of their households.
“Food shops, supermarkets, garden centres and certain other retailers providing essential goods and services can remain open.
“Hotels, hostels and other accommodation should only open for those who have to travel for work purposes and for a limited number of other exemptions which will be set out in law.
“A full list of the business closures will be published and set out in law.”
Bizarrely, ‘Elite Sport’ such as professional football WILL be permitted to continue albeit behind closed doors… but theatres must all close.
We will have to see how this affects recent announcements such as the handful of Qdos pantomime productions opening around the country, including the London Palladium. But one thing is for sure… it may harm ticket sales for the December productions. The National Theatre has also recently announced its own pantomime, Dick Whittington, will be opening in its Olivier Theatre in December, but has had to cancel all of its November socially-distanced schedule (including Death of England: Delroy).
How any of these shows are expected to rehearse properly is obviously also a big issue. Plus, it’s important to keep in mind that the new 4-week restrictions are set out as a minimal amount of time. This means that while it is hoped a return to the previous tiered levels will come into place after the four weeks are up, it is entirely possible that the four weeks will be extended – scuppering any plans for December’s theatre programmes, or indeed any family plans for Christmas that people dare put in place (“The new measures will apply nationally for four weeks up to Wednesday 2 December. At the end of the period, we will look to return to a regional approach, based on the latest data.”)
Amateur theatre societies, companies and charities – while being viewed as outlets for hobbyists – haven’t any realistic chance of skirting around the new rules, so it will need to be a return to Zoom for most it seems.