Preview: Sister Act at Sunderland Empire

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Sunderland will be Fabulous, Baby in 2016

Sister Act

Sunderland Empire

Monday 5^th September – Saturday 10^th September 2016

Jamie Wilson is delighted to announce a national tour of an all new production of the hit musical comedy Sister Act, directed and choreographed by Craig Revel Horwood with musical supervision and arrangements by Tony award-winning Sarah Travis. Sister Act will open at Curve, Leicester on Saturday 30 July 2016before coming to Sunderland in September 2016.

Director and Choreographer Craig Revel Horwood said today “I am truly thrilled to be directing and choreographing this all new production of Sister Act, a show I fell in love with when I saw it a few years ago. I am currently putting together a dream creative team and can’t wait to get started next year on this hilarious and wonderful show”.

Producer Jamie Wilson said “I am delighted to be presenting this all new production of Sister Act at both Curve, Leicester and on tour. I couldn’t think of a better theatre to be producing this show with and am thrilled Nikolai Foster and his team will be welcoming those singing nuns next Summer!”

Artistic Director of Curve, Nikolai Foster said "It's been a great joy collaborating with Craig on Annie and having been inspired by many of his innovative productions as director, I know, along with Sarah’s inspired musical leadership, they will deliver an exhilarating and hugely original production at Curve".

Based on the smash hit movie starring Whoopi Goldberg and Maggie Smith, Sister Act tells the hilarious story of Deloris Van Cartier, a disco diva whose life takes a surprising turn when she witnesses a murder. Under protective custody she is hidden in the one place she won’t be found – a Convent! Disguised as a nun and under the suspicious watch of Mother Superior, Deloris helps her fellow sisters find their voices as she unexpectedly rediscovers her own.

Sister Act features original music by the 8 time Oscar and Tony Award winner Alan Menken. Alan’s credits include the films and stage musicals of Disney’s “Beauty and the Beast”, “Aladdin”, “The Little Mermaid” and “Newsies” as well as “Tangled”, “Enchanted”, “The Hunchback of Notre Dame”, “Pocahontas” and “Hercules” on film.  His other credits include the film and stage production of “Little Shop of Horrors”. 

Craig Revel Horwood is probably best known as a judge on BBC One’s “Strictly Come Dancing”. As a director and choreographer his many credits include the recent all-star concert of Stephen Sondheim’s “Follies” at the Royal Albert Hall, “Sunset Boulevard” at the Comedy theatre in the West End, the national tours of “Fiddler on the Roof”, “Spend Spend Spend” and “Chess” (also Toronto) and “The Witches of Eastwick”, “Martin Guerre” and “Copacabana”, all at the Watermill Theatre. Craig also wrote and directed a brand new show, “Strictly Confidential” that toured the UK starring familiar faces from Strictly Come Dancing as well as the annual arena tours of “Strictly Come Dancing”.  As a performer his West End Theatre credits include: 'Munkustrap' in “Cats” at the New London Theatre, “Miss Saigon” at the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane and ‘Harry’ in “Crazy for You” at the Prince Edward Theatre. He is currently playing ‘Miss Hannigan’ in the tour of “Annie”.

Sister Act has music by Alan Menken, lyrics by Glenn Slater, with a book by Cheri Steinkellner and Bill Steinkellner and additional book material by Douglas Carter Beane. Based on the Touchstone Pictures Motion Picture “Sister Act” written by Jacob Howard.

Tickets:

Tickets on sale now to ATGTheatre Card and General on Sale from 10am, Wednesday 5 August

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

Sister Act UK TOUR 2016/17

www.sisteractuktour.co.uk

SATURDAY 30 JULY – SATURDAY 13 AUGUST 2016

CURVE, LEICESTER - www.curveonline.co.uk

ON SALE 10 AUGUST 2015 

MONDAY 22 AUGUST – SATURDAY 27 AUGUST 2016

LEEDS GRAND THEATRE - www.leedsgrandtheatre.com

ON SALE 3 AUGUST 2015

MONDAY 29 AUGUST – SATURDAY 3 SEPTEMBER 2016

MANCHESTER PALACE - www.atgtickets.com/venues/palace-theatre-manchester

ON SALE 5 AUGUST 2015

MONDAY 5 SEPTEMBER – SATURDAY 10 SEPTEMBER 2016

SUNDERLAND EMPIRE - www.atgtickets.com/venues/sunderland-empire  

ON SALE 5 AUGUST 2015

MONDAY 12 SEPTEMBER – SATURDAY 17 SEPTEMBER 2016

BIRMINGHAM ALEXANDRA THEATRE - www.atgtickets.com/venues/new-alexandra-theatre-birmingham

ON SALE 5 AUGUST 2015

MONDAY 19 SEPTEMBER – SATURDAY 24 SEPTEMBER 2016

BRISTOLHIPPODROME - www.atgtickets.com/venues/bristol-hippodrome

ON SALE 5 AUGUST 2015

MONDAY 26 SEPTEMBER – SATURDAY 1 OCTOBER 2016

MILTON KEYNES - www.atgtickets.com/venues/milton-keynes-theatre

ON SALE 5 AUGUST 2015

TUESDAY 4 OCTOBER – SATURDAY 8 OCTOBER 2016

GLASGOW KING’S THEATRE - www.atgtickets.com/venues/kings-theatre 

ON SALE 5 AUGUST 2015

MONDAY 10 OCTOBER – SATURDAY 15 OCTOBER 2016

LIVERPOOL EMPIRE - www.atgtickets.com/venues/liverpool-empire

ON SALE 5 AUGUST 2015

MONDAY 17 OCTOBER – SATURDAY 22 OCTOBER

HIGH WYCOMBE SWAN – www.wycombeswan.co.uk

ON SALE 5 AUGUST 2015

MONDAY 31 OCTOBER – SATURDAY 5 NOVEMBER 2016

IPSWICH REGENT THEATRE – www.ipswichregent.com

ON SALE 5 AUGUST 2015

MONDAY 7 NOVEMBER – SATURDAY 12 NOVEMBER 2016

BELFASTGRAND OPERA HOUSE– www.goh.co.uk

ON SALE 5 AUGUST 2015

MONDAY 14 NOVEMBER - SATURDAY 19 NOVEMBER 2016

DUBLINBORD GAIS - www.bordgaisenergytheatre.ie

ON SALE SOON

MONDAY 21 NOVEMBER – SATURDAY 26 NOVEMBER 2016

SOUTHEND CLIFFS PAVILION – www.southendtheatres.org.uk

ON SALE 7 AUGUST 2015

MONDAY 5 – SATURDAY 10 DECEMBER 2016

MALVERN THEATRE - www.malvern-theatres.co.uk

ON SALE 3 AUGUST 2015

MONDAY 12 DECEMBER – SATURDAY 17 DECEMBER 2016

CAMBRIDGECORN EXCHANGE- www.cambridgelivetrust.co.uk

ON SALE 10 AUGUST 2015

FURTHER DATES AND CASTING TO BE ANNOUNCED

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: Annie at Newcastle Theatre Royal

ANNIE PREMIERES AT NEWCASTLE THEATRE ROYAL STARRING CRAIG REVEL HORWOOD

Annie

Newcastle Theatre Royal

Saturday 11^th  - Saturday 18^th July 2015

A brand new production of the world’s favourite musical Annie from Newcastle-born producer Michael Harrison, and starring Craig Revel Horwood as ‘Miss Hannigan’, will premiere at Newcastle Theatre Royal Saturday 11 - 18 July 2015 before embarking on a year-long tour of the UK and Ireland.

Craig Revel Horwood as Miss Hannigan

with Annie and orphans

Photo: Hugo Glendinning

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’.

Craig Revel Horwood is probably best known as a judge on BBC One’s Strictly Come Dancing. His West End Theatre credits include: Munkustrap in Cats at the New London Theatre, Miss Saigon at the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane and Harry in Crazy for You at the Prince Edward Theatre which took him to the US and Germany before re-creating the show for Susan Stroman in South Africa. Other theatre credits in his native Australia include: West Side Story, the Australian and New Zealand tour of The Danny La Rue Show; La Cage Aux Folles; Me and My Girl and the hit comedy play Ladies Night.

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^thAnniversary production of Jonathan Harvey’s Beautiful Thing in the West End.

Annie is produced by Michael Harrison and David Ian.

Tickets:

Annieappears at Newcastle Theatre Royal from Sat 11 – Sat 18 July 2015 (Evenings: 7.30pm, Matinees: Thursday 2pm and Saturday 2.30pm). Tickets are from £17.50 (save 50p per ticket when you book online) and can be purchased from the Theatre Royal Box Office on 08448 11 21 21 or select your own seat and book online at www.theatreroyal.co.uk

 

News: Annie and the Boy In The Striped Pyjamas-Coming to Newcastle’s Theatre Royal

Annie and The Boy In The Striped Pyjamas

 Coming to Newcastle’s Theatre Royal

Another two brand new shows go on sale this week at Newcastle Theatre Royal - the world’s favourite family musical Annie(11 – 18 July 2015) and The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas (19 - 23 May 2015) - alongside recently announced Sing-a-long-a Frozen (Sun 1 March 2015).

Annie, the world’s favourite family musical, will open a brand new tour at the Theatre Royal and run for 10 performances only between 11 and 18 July 2015, starring Craig Revel Horwood, the BBC’s Strictly Come Dancing judge, as the tyrannical Miss Hannigan! 

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 Warbuck. 

The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas (19 - 23 May ‘15), based on the best-selling novel by John Boyne and a world premiere, promises to be a deeply moving and thought provoking production.  Set during World War II it is the heart-wrenching tale of an unlikely friendship between two innocent boys.

The story is seen through the innocent eyes of Bruno, the eight-year-old son of the commandant at a concentration camp, whose forbidden friendship with a Jewish boy on the other side of the camp fence has startling and devastating consequences.  Bruno's friendship with Shmuel takes him from innocence to revelation, revealing the poetic irony that through a child’s eye everyone can appear the same.  It is brought by The Children’s Touring Partnership, producers of Swallows and Amazons and Goodnight Mister Tom.

As previously announced, a third new show Sing-a-long-a Frozen (Sun 1 March) will also go on sale at the same time.  The show features a special screening of Disney’s Frozen with lyrics to help the audience sing along with the characters, together with a live host and individual pack of props so that each person can interact with the movie. The show has been selling out in venues across the country and a rush is expected for tickets in Newcastle.

Annie The Musical appears Sat 11 – Sat 18 July, 2015 (7.30pm, Thu 2pm, Sat 2.30pm). Tickets from £16 (a booking fee of 95p-£1.95 will apply to most tickets.)

The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas appears Tues 19 – Sat 23 May, 2015 (Eves 7pm, Wed, Thu & Sat 2pm. Tickets from £12, schools: £17.50/£12 Tue-Thu eves & mats. A booking fee of 95p-£1.95 will apply to most tickets, recommended 11+, Education workshops available, call 0191 244 2502 for details).

Sing-a-long-a Frozen appears at Newcastle Theatre Royal on Sun 1 Mar, 2015 (10.30am, 2pm, 5.30pm). Tickets £16, children £11, family of 4 £50, family of 3 £36 (a booking fee of 95p-£1.95 will apply to most tickets).

Tickets can be purchased from the Theatre Royal Box Office on 08448 11 21 21 or select your own seat and book online at www.theatreroyal.co.uk.