Preview: Priscilla Queen Of The Desert at Sunderland Empire

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 Blue Star In Return of Dance Floor Favourite

Priscilla Queen Of The Desert

SunderlandEmpire

Monday 31^st August – Saturday 5^th September 2015

David Ian Productions and the Ambassador Theatre Group are delighted to announce that the international smash hit musical Priscilla Queen Of The Desert, starring Duncan James as ‘Tick’, will tour the UK opening at the Manchester Opera House on Friday 14^th August before coming to Sunderland on Monday 31^st August 2015.

David Ian said today “I am absolutely thrilled that audiences have demanded more of Priscilla! The reaction the show gets at theatres everywhere is like something I’ve never witnessed before – it is truly a party not to be missed. Having Duncan James play Tick is just the icing on the cupcake!”

Priscilla Queen of the Desert

Photo: Paul Coltas

As one quarter of the pop band Blue, Duncan James has sold over 13 million records, had three number one albums and forty number one singles worldwide. His stage credits include playing Warner Huntington III in the West End production of Legally Blonde and Billy Flynn in Chicago. He was also a finalist on ITV1’s Dancing on Ice.

Priscilla Queen of the Desert

Photo: Paul Coltas

Get ready for the ride of your life! Based on the movie, Priscilla Queen Of The Desert The Musical is the heart-warming, uplifting adventure of three friends who hop aboard a battered old bus searching for love and friendship and end up finding more than they could have ever dreamed of. With a dazzling array of outrageous costumes and a hit parade of dancefloor favorites including ‘It’s Raining Men’, ‘Say a Little Prayer’, ‘Go West’, ‘Hot Stuff’ and ‘Always on My Mind’, this wildly fresh and funny new musical is a journey to the heart of Fabulous!

Priscilla Queen of the Desert

Photo: Paul Coltas

Priscilla Queen Of The Desert The Musical originally opened in Australia and after a sell-out two year run, opened in London’s West End followed by Broadway in the United States. It has won numerous awards all over the world, including prestigious Olivier and Tony awards.

On The Web:

Website: www.priscillathemusical.com/uk-tour/home  

Twitter: https://twitter.com/priscillabus

Tickets:

In person at the Box Office on High Street West

Box Office: 0844 871 3022*

Groups 10+: 0844 871 3042

Online: www.ATGtickets.com/Sunderland

Booking fee applies to telephone and online sales

Tour Dates

2015

Friday 14 August - Saturday 29 August

Manchester Opera House www.atgtickets.com/manchester

Duncan James will not be performing on Saturday 29 August

Monday 31 August – Saturday 5 September

Sunderland Empire www.atgtickets.com/sunderland

Monday 14 September – Saturday 19 September

Mayflower Theatre, Southampton www.mayflower.org.uk

Monday 21 September – Saturday 26 September

Regent Theatre Stoke www.atgtickets.com/venues/regent-theatre

Monday 2 November – Saturday 7 November

Theatre Royal, Brighton - www.atgtickets.com/shows/calamity-jane/theatre-royal-brighton

2016

Monday 14 March – Saturday 19 March

Congress Theatre, Eastbourne - www.eastbournetheatres.co.uk

Monday 21 March – Saturday 26 March

Marlowe Theatre, Canterbury - http://www.marlowetheatre.com/

Tuesday 29 March – Saturday 2 April

Kings Theatre, Glasgow www.atgtickets.com/venues/kings-theatre

Monday 4 April – Saturday 9 April

Royal & Derngate, Northampton www.royalandderngate.co.uk

Monday 11 April – Saturday 16 April

Torquay Princess Theatre www.atgtickets.com/torquay

 

Preview: Annie at Sunderland Empire

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Lesley Joseph To Star As ‘Miss Hannigan’ in Annie

Annie

Sunderland Empire

Monday 28 March – Saturday 2 April 2016

Michael Harrison and David Ian are delighted to announce a brand new production of the musical Annie starring Lesley Joseph as ‘Miss Hannigan’. Annie will play Sunderland Empire from Monday 28 March – Saturday 2 April 2016.

Lesley Joseph as Miss Hannigan

with Annie and orphans.

Photo: Matt Crockett

Set in 1930s New York during The Great Depression, brave young Annie is forced to live a life of misery and torment at Miss Hannigan’s orphanage. Determined to find her real parents, her luck changes when she is chosen to spend Christmas at the residence of famous billionaire, Oliver Warbucks. Spiteful Miss Hannigan has other ideas and hatches a plan to spoil Annie’s search…

With its award-winning book and score, this stunning new production includes the unforgettable songs ‘It’s the Hard Knock Life’, ‘Easy Street’, ‘I Don’t Need Anything But You’ and ‘Tomorrow’.

Lesley Joseph as Miss Hannigan

Photo: Matt Crockett

Lesley Joseph is best known for playing ‘Dorien Green’ in the hugely successful sitcom “Birds of a Feather” alongside Pauline Quirke and Linda Robson. They recorded over 100 episodes over a period of nine years. Lesley and her co-stars returned to our screens in “Birds of a Feather in 2013 with a second series airing earlier this year. Lesley’s theatre credits include ‘Miss Hannigan’ in Annie at the West End’s Victoria Palace and also on national tour. Her other touring credits include “Calendar Girls” and “Hot Flush!”. 

Lesley Joseph as Miss Hannigan

with Annie and Sandy.

Photo: Matt Crockett

Annie will be directed by Nikolai Foster. Recently named as the new artistic director at Curve in Leicester; his most recent theatre credits include: “Calamity Jane”, “The Witches of Eastwick” and the 20^th Anniversary production of Jonathan Harvey’s “Beautiful Thing” in the West End.

Annie has set and costume design by Colin Richmond, choreography by Nick Winston, lighting by Ben Cracknell and sound design by Richard Brooker. Annie has Music by Charles Strouse, Lyrics by Martin Charnin and a Book by Thomas Meehan. Annie is produced by Michael Harrison and David Ian.

On The Web:

Website: www.anniethemusicaltour.uk

Tickets:
Tickets can be bought in person at the Box Office on High Street West
Box Office: 0844 871 3022*
Groups 10+: 0844 871 3042
Online: www.ATGtickets.com/Sunderland*
*Booking fee applies

Preview BRB Beauty and the Beast at Sunderland Empire

Birmingham Royal Ballet

Beauty and the Beast

 

Beauty and the Beast; Nao Sakuma as Belle and Iain Mackay as the Beast; Photo Roy Smiljanic

Sunderland Empire

Thursday 6 to Saturday 8 November 2014

Birmingham Royal Ballet, one of the world's leading classical ballet companies, is thrilled to return to Sunderland Empire, its home in the North East, from Thursday 6 to Saturday 8 November 2014. The internationally acclaimed and award-winning company will embark on Sunderland Empire with David Bintley's gothic fairytale Beauty and the Beast.

Elisha Willis as Belle

Photo Bill Cooper

Beauty and the Beast, a firm favourite for all the family, ballet aficionados and first-time attendees to a ballet, promises to delight audiences in Sunderland when it is performed by Birmingham Royal Ballet.

Iain Mackay as the Beast and

Michael O'Hare as the Merchant

Photo Roy Smiljanic

This production of Beauty and the Beast, one of the most popular ballets in Birmingham Royal Ballet's repertoire, received its world premiere on 1 Dec= ember 2003 at the Company's home theatre, Birmingham Hippodrome. Created by David Bintley, Birmingham Royal Ballet's Director and widely recognised as one of Britain's finest choreographers, the production has gone from strength to strength in the eleven years since its creation. Now this story of passion and prejudice returns to Sunderland Empire for four performances only.

Beauty and the Beast

Artists of BirminghamRoyal Ballet

Photo Bill Cooper

Searching the country to salvage his lost fortune, a once-wealthy merchant seeks shelter in a mysterious castle, where invisible forces tend to his every need. The merchant's older daughters have demanded gifts of gold, jewels and fine clothes; the youngest, Belle, has asked for a single rose.

Chi Cao as the Beast and

Michael O'Hare as the Merchant

Photo Bill Cooper

But when the merchant plucks just one bloom from the garden of the castle he unleashes a fearsome Beast, who exacts a terrible forfeit: in return for the merchant's life, he must send his daughter Belle to live in the castle. As the dazzlingly beautiful Belle prepares to meet her beastly captor, she is about to discover for herself the meaning of true love.

Chi Cao as the Beast

Photo Bill Cooper

A beautiful girl, a hideous beast, a golden ballroom full of animals, two outrageously haughty sisters and a grumpy grandmother worthy of Roald Dahl, dance, prance and rage through the unfolding pages of Philip Prowse's stunning storybook set of forests and castles, whilst David Bintley's rich choreographic palette brings to life magical transformations, wild waltzes, soaring formations of birds and a relationship between Belle and the Beast that is at first terrifying, but ultimately serene and beautiful.

Marion Tait as the Grandmother

Photo Roy Smiljanic

Weaving some delightful new twists into this timeless fable, David Bintley's Beauty and the Beast is the classic family treat danced by some of the world's greatest dancers. With Philip Prowse's fairytale sets and amazing costumes, and Glenn Buhr's irresistibly melodic, sparkling and beautiful original score, played by members of the Royal Ballet Sinfonia, the orchestra of Birmingham Royal Ballet, this is an unforgettable evening of entertainment for all ages.

Tickets

Tickets priced from £13 can be purchased in person from the Box Office on High Street West, Sunderland or from  £14.90 from the Ticket Centre on 0844 871 3022* and online at www.ATGtickets.com/Sunderland *

*Booking fees apply to telephone and online sales.

 

Jonathan Payn as Monsieur Cochon

Photo Roy Smiljanic

Online:

Twitter: https://twitter.com/BRB

Facebook: www.facebook.com/bhamroyalballet

Website: www.brb.org.uk

 

Nao Sakuma as Belle

Iain Mackay as the Prince

Photo Roy Smiljanic

Preview: Annie Get Your Gun at Sunderland Empire

Annie Get Your Gun 

Sunderland Empire - 3 –  7 June 2014

 

Norman Pace, Emma Williams and Jason Donovan

The producers of the recent Barbican production of South Pacific and the Sadlers Wells production of West Side Story present a major new production of this Tony Award-winning version of Irving Berlin’s classic musical, Annie Get Your Gun, starring Emma Williams as Annie Oakley, Jason Donovan as Frank Butler and Norman Pace as Buffalo Bill. This exciting show is at Sunderland from the 3rd to the 7th June as the second stop on a National Tour.

A star of stage and screen, and having performed on the musical theatre stage across the globe, Jason Donovan has appeared in hit musicals including Priscilla Queen of the Desert, The Sound of Music, War of the Worlds and Joseph and The Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat. Now he will appear as Frank Butler in this new version of the classic Broadway smash hit. Jason is joined by Emma Williams as Annie Oakley. Emma is the twice Olivier nominated star of Chitty, Chitty, Bang Bang and Love Story. Her other credits include Sunset Boulevard and Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street.  Jason and Emma will be joined by the much loved Norman Pace as Buffalo Bill, who most recently starred the West End production of Chicago.

With timeless classic songs including There’s No Business Like Show Business and Anything You Can Do, I Can Do Better, Annie Get Your Gun tells the legendary story of Buffalo Bill’s Wild West female sharpshooter, Annie Oakley and her romance with fellow sharpshooter, Frank Butler. When Buffalo Bill’s Wild West show comes to town, it only takes one glance for sharp-shooting country girl Annie Oakley to fall head over heels for its star marksman, Frank Butler. Both have truly met their match, revealing their competitive natures as they vie for best shot – and each other’s hearts.

Jason Donovan said; "I've been very lucky in having some great roles to get my teeth into in the past, but now having the chance to star in the UK premiere production of this award winning version of such a classic musical is very exciting. I'm very much looking forward to performing such brilliant songs and appearing alongside a truly great cast as we bring the Wild West to theatres across the country."

Norman Pace said; "I can't wait to get out on the stage and play Buffalo Bill alongside Jason Donovan and Emma Williams, with a script and songs written by the legendary Irving Berlin. Even though it's nearly 70 years since the show was first performed on Broadway, there's still a real sense of fun and excitement to a timeless production that I'm very honoured to be a part of."

Leading lady Emma Williams said; "I'm thrilled to be playing the legendary Annie Oakley alongside Jason and Norman, and performing iconic songs such as Anything You Can Do, I Can Do Better and You Can't Get A Man With A Gun. Annie Oakley has been played by so many incredible actresses before that it's a privilege to fill those cowgirl boots, and I couldn't be more excited to be Doin' What Comes Natur'lly!"

Now, Howard Panter and The Ambassador Theatre Group are thrilled to be producing this version on tour across the UK, bringing this much loved musical to a new generation of theatre-goers, with a brilliantly talented cast.

 Emma Williams is blogging about her experiences on tour and you can follow her at http://www.emmawilliamsactress.blogspot.co.uk/

Tour Website: http://www.anniegetyourgunthemusical.com/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/AGYG_UK

Ticket Details:

Tickets available in person from £10.50 at the Box Office or from £13.40 via the Ticket Centre on 0844 871 3022* or online at www.atgtickets.com/Sunderland* 
Premium seats also available.
*£2.85 transaction fee applies to  telephone and online sales.

Tour Dates:

12 – 13 and 19 – 24 May  Manchester: Opera House                                  

03 – 07 June Sunderland: Empire                                                 

10 – 14 June Stoke: Regent Theatre**                                                       

17 – 21 June Edinburgh: Playhouse **

24 – 28 June Oxford: New Theatre        

01 July – 05 July Birmingham: Alexandra New Theatre **

15 – 19 July Bromley: Churchill Theatre 

22 – 26 July   Aylesbury: Waterside Theatre                                      

29 July – 02 August  Malvern: Festival Theatre **                                     

05 August – 09 August Liverpool: Empire

12 August – 16 August  Woking: New Victoria Theatre**

19 August – 23 August Bournemouth: Pavillion Theatre**      

26 August – 30 August Brighton: Theatre Royal           

02 Sept – 06 Sept Glasgow: Theatre Royal                                                     

09 Sept – 13 Sept Wimbledon: New Theatre  

16 Sept – 20 Sept Aberdeen: His Majesty’s Theatre **              

30 Sept – 04 October Torquay: Princess Theatre

      

** Jason Donovan will not be performing on 14^thJune in Stoke,  20^th and 21^st June in Edinburgh,  5^th July in Birmingham, 2^nd August in Malvern,  16^th August in Woking, 17^th September in Aberdeen, the whole week in Bromley or the whole week in Bournemouth.