Preview: Wychwood at Edinburgh The Space

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Violet Shock presents:

Wychwood

Edinburgh The Space at Niddry Street (Venue 9)

Monday 15^th – Saturday 20^th August 2016

Violet Shock return to The Fringe with “Wychwood” - their most ambitious show to date. Set in the late Victorian/early Edwardian era in The Wychwood House Asylum, we meet “Professor” Snaith - a tall, gaunt figure who takes delight in exhibiting his patients as some kind of sideshow.

“Wychwood” is a good old theatrical portmanteau piece that sees four classic Victorian/Edwardian ghost stories by F. Marion Crawford, M. E. Braddon and M. R. James performed by the asylum inmates as they tell the story of how they came to be a resident of the institution. Told through Melodrama, song, illusion and gripping storytelling, “Wychwood” is 60 minutes of nerve shredding theatre that grabs hold of you from the minute you take your seat and never lets go…not for the faint of heart.

Creatives:

Script: Karl Boyd & Yvonne Rushmere

Music: Karl Boyd

Lyrics: Yvonne Rushmere

Director: Karl Boyd

Tickets:

Wychwood from Violet Shock come to Edinburgh The Space at Niddry Street (V9). 15th - 20th August at 1pm. The show is 60 minutes. Prices: £8 (£6 conc) Tickets available from https://tickets.edfringe.com/whats-on/wychwood

Warnings: Contains sudden loud noises and some frightening scenes that may be unsuitable for younger children and those of a nervous disposition. Suitability: 12+

Preview: Priscilla Queen of the Desert at Newcastle Tyne Theatre

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Priscilla Queen of the Desert

Newcastle Tyne Theatre & Opera House

Thursday 9^th – Sunday 12^th February 2017

Get ready for the ride of your life as the ultimate party, Priscilla Queen of the Desert The Musical is brought to Tyne Theatre & Opera House by Astravaganza Entertainment in February 2017.

Based on the smash-hit 1994 movie, the feel-good international hit sensation Priscilla 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 classics including I Will Survive, Hot Stuff, Finally, Boogie Wonderland, Go West, Girls Just Wanna Have Fun, and I Love The Nightlife.

The musical production first debuted in Australia in 2006, and after its huge success has enjoyed tours across the world, including a two year strong West End run and a 2011 Broadway debut produced by Bette Midler.

This production of Priscilla is presented by Astravaganza Entertainment, a theatrical production company based in Country Durham who stage a variety of theatrical genres. Their previous productions, including The Little Shop of Horrors and Grease, have received outstanding reviews.

Astravaganza will also present the world’s favourite family musical, Annie, at Tyne Theatre & Opera House from Thursday 1^st to Saturday 3^rd June 2017.

Tickets for Priscilla Queen of the Desert are now on sale, so grab yours today for this wildly fresh and funny hit musical that will take you on a journey to the heart of fabulous!

Theatre Director Joanne Johnson says: “I’m thrilled that Astravaganza Entertainment will bring Priscilla Queen of the Desert to the Tyne Theatre & Opera House stage as it’s such a feel-good, glamorous show. We have some excellent musical theatre productions coming up over the next year including White Christmas, The Wizard of Oz and Annie, and of course Oklahoma! which is presented by our very own Tyne Theatre Productions to raise funds for the Preservation trust. There’s no better place to enjoy musical theatre than in our intimate, beautiful Opera House.”

Tickets:

Tickets are from £18.50 - £22. Concessions £2 off full price tickets on Thursday & Sunday performances only. Groups buy 10 get 1 free. (plus booking fees when booking online and over the phone)

Tickets on sale now at www.tynetheatreandoperahouse.uk

Booking and Information Line: 0844 2491 000 (10am – 6pm Monday to Friday

Please note this show is 16+ due to the use of coarse language.

Preview: Communicate Play at Edinburgh C Nova

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Communicate Play

Edinburgh C Nova (Venue 145)

Sunday 21^st - Monday 29^th August 2016

James is suffocating in the past, Heather is focusing on the nursery. With a baby on the way, can they move on? An uplifting story of one couple’s journey through bereavement, love, superheroes and enforced pen maintenance. Communicate is a new play by two times Scripted finalist and award nominated playwright Jeremy Fletcher.

The play was inspired by Jeremy’s own experience of bereavement, losing both of his parent to cancer at a young age, and how starting a family of his own helped him to come to terms with his loss and move forward.

This will be Sheepish Productions third outing at the Edinburgh Fringe. Their first play, Shadow On Their Wall, received a Best New Writing Nomination and ★★★★ reviews from Fringe Guru and York Mix Mag. Their second play, a black comedy called The Last Motel, was part of the 2014 Edinburgh Fringe and received ★★★★ reviews from Edfringe Review.

  

Tickets:

Time and Dates: 13:15 (55 minutes) 21 - 29 August 2016

Venue: C Nova (Venue 145)

Online Tickets: https://tickets.edfringe.com/whats-on/communicate

Company Website: www.sheepprod.co.uk

Show Twitter: @communicateplay

Company Twitter: @sheepprod

Preview: Life and Crimes of Reverend Raccoon at Edinburgh C Nova

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The Life and Crimes of Reverend Raccoon

Edinburgh C Nova (Venue 145)

Sunday 21^st - Monday 29^th August 2016

Reverend Raccoon is a man of many faces: conman, soldier, father, faith healer and preacher, then God found him. Now he’s escaped federal detention, is about to deliver one of his final sermons and share the divine knowledge he has acquired on his journey. He’s also going to educate his congregation (the audience) as to why, in life, they should always choose the baked potato option. A one man black comedy, by two times Scripted finalist and award nominated playwright Jeremy Fletcher, about why some people need to keep the faith.

The Life and Crimes of Reverend Raccoon is directed by Marcus J Bazley, played by Gareth Watkins and written by Jeremy Fletcher. In May 2016 the play received Arts Council funding for 13 days of research and development working in association with Cast Theatre, Sheffield Theatre (part of Making Room), Theatre Delicatessen and Little Theatre Doncaster.

This will be Sheepish Productions third outing at the Edinburgh Fringe. Their first play, Shadow On Their Wall, received a Best New Writing Nomination and ★★★★ reviews from Fringe Guru and York Mix Mag. Their second play, a black comedy called The Last Motel, was part of the 2014 Edinburgh Fringe and received   ★★★★ reviews from Edfringe Review..

Tickets:

Time and Dates: 12:00 (60 minutes) 21 - 29 August 2016

Venue: C Nova (Venue 145)

Online ticket link: https://tickets.edfringe.com/whats-on/life-and-crimes-of-reverend-raccoon

Company Website: www.sheepprod.co.uk

Show Twitter: @revraccoon

Company Twitter: @sheepprod

Review: Chicago at Newcastle Theatre Royal

see https://www.facebook.com/carliolphotography/

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The Musical That’s Sassy, Sultry & Dangerous To Know

Chicago

Newcastle Theatre Royal

Until Saturday 13^th August 2016 

Chicago is the musical that likes to flaunt it. Beautiful people with great voices and fantastic dancing ability entertain in the satire about corruption. No wonder the show has become the longest running American musical in London’s West End.

John Partridge as 'Billy Flynn' and

Hayley Tamaddon as 'Roxie Hart'.

Photo: Catherine Ashmore

Set in prohibition-era America, the story is based upon a 1926 play, that was written by newspaper reporter Maurine Dallas Watkins, which looked at the actual crimes and criminals that they reported on. It shows that the concept of fleeting celebratory status is both fickle and not a new concept. The play is intended to be a satire of the system and how those with money can beat it. The action comes in announced sketches – just like the vaudeville theatre that was popular at the time.

Sophie Carmen-Jones as 'Velma Kelly'.

Photo: Catherine Ashmore

Opening with the classic All That Jazz, the story follows 2 ladies that have murdered the men in their lives. Velma Kelly (Sophie Carmen-Jones) is a star of the stage who killed her husband and her sister when he found them in bed together. She is joined in prison by chorus girl Roxie Hart (Hayey Tamaddon) who assassinated her lover Fred Casely (Francis Foreman) after he declared he was going to leave her. 

Hayley Tamaddon as 'Roxie Hart'

John Partridge as 'Billy Flynn' and

Jessie Wallace 'Mama Morton'

Photo: Dewynters

Vema and Roxy find themselves in the same block in Cook County Jail being looked after by Matron ‘Mama’ Morton (Jessie Wallace) who arranges, at a cost, legal representation by Billy Flynn (John Partridge). He has the reputation to get girls off the hook, after all, the county isn’t in the habit of hanging women. He doesn’t come cheap and his methods are somewhat suspect. Roxie’s husband Amos (Neil Ditt) seems to be a pawn rather than a player in the lawyer’s plans. Chicago follows the cases and desire, of the characters, to maintain their fame.

John Partridge as 'Billy Flynn' 

Photo: Catherine Ashmore

The staging of Chicago looks simple but is highly effective. The back of the set has the band on a riser which goes up to the top of the stage and features the 11 members of the orchestra. Under musical director Ben Atkinson the musicians are a significant feature of the show and get a couple of fabulous spotlights at the start and end of the second act. Their tight delivery of the score is one of the highlights of the show. The lighting design too, by Ken Billington, is deceptively simple but effective – especially during numbers such as Cell Block Tango. The songs are all sung well and show off the talents of the great cast including the amazing single note held by John Partridge.  The audience are literally exposed to the Razzle Dazzle.

Hayley Tamaddon as 'Roxie Hart' and

John Partridge as 'Billy Flynn'.

Photo: Catherine Ashmore

From the opening scene, as Emily Warner introduces the show, the stunning outfits, designed by William Ivey Long, set the tone for the show.  Walter Bobbie has directed a fun show which is firmly tongue in cheek. Choreographer Ann Reinking has included some of the original routines by Bob Fosse however the overall effect feels like fresh peices. The tightness of the routines by the talented ensemble did not go unnoticed.

Jessie Wallace 'Mama Morton'

Photo: Dewynters

Wednesday’s show marks Jessie Wallace’s debut in Chicago and the Eastender’s star looked very comfortable as the prison leader Mama. Sophie Carmen Jones and Emmerdale’s Hayley Tamaddon captured the two murderers well and have many opportunities to show off their singing talents. Another former Eastenders regular John Partridge has star quality as he demands attention whenever he is on stage. Neil Ditt too manages a moment in the spotlight during Mister Cellophane as the routinely manipulated husband.

Great songs, great staging, plus a talented good looking cast and suitably tongue-in-cheek: Chicago is seductive.

This review was written by Stephen Oliver for Carliol Photography (https://twitter.com/CarliolPhoto). Follow Jo on twitter @jowheretogo, Stephen @panic_c_button or like Carliol Photography on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/carliolphotography.

Read the NETG Preview: http://nomorepanicbutton.blogspot.co.uk/2016/07/preview-chicago-at-newcastle-theatre.html

Tickets:

Chicagocomes to Newcastle Theatre Royal from Monday 1^st – Saturday 13^th August 2016. Tickets are from £19.50 and can be purchased at www.theatreroyal.co.ukor from the Theatre Royal Box Office on 08448 11 21 21 (calls cost 7ppm plus your phone company’s access charge).

Preview: Ghost - The Musical at Sunderland Empire

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Girls Aloud and Hollyoaks Stars

Appearing In Sunderland

Ghost - The Musical

Sunderland Empire

Monday 26^th September – Saturday 1^st October 2016

SARAH HARDING AND ANDY MOSS - GIRLS ALOUD POP SENSATION AND HOLLYOAKS HEARTTHROB JUST ANNOUNCED FOR THIS YEAR’S NEW PRODUCTION OF GHOST.

Singer and actress Sarah Harding will make her stage debut this autumn in Bill Kenwright’s new production of the timeless story of love, despair and hope: GHOST - THE MUSICAL. She will star as ‘Molly’ opposite Andy Moss, best known for starring as ‘Rhys Ashworth’ in Channel 4’s Hollyoaks, as ‘Sam’.

SARAH HARDING AND ANDY MOSS

Taking its inspiration from the classic movie, this innovative reimagining will feature an expanded book, new music and original staging, and will tour the UK this autumn, coming to the region when it visits the Sunderland Empire from Monday 26^th September to Saturday 1^st October 2016  

For over ten years Sarah Harding was part of one of the most successful pop acts in UK history, Girls Aloud. With 20 consecutive Top Ten singles, including 4 Number 1’s, 2 Number 1 albums and 6 Platinum Albums in the UK, Girls Aloud received 5 Brit Award Nominations and became the first girl group since the Spice Girls to achieve 6 consecutive Top 3 singles. Sarah’s acting credits include Bad Day, Freefall, Run For Your Wife, Coronation Street and St Trinians 2: The Legend of Fritton’s Gold.

Sarah Harding said, “I’m absolutely delighted to be making my theatre debut in Ghost - The Musical. The film is one of my all-time favourites, so to get the opportunity to play ‘Molly’ in Bill Kenwright’s new production is a huge honour for me and I can’t wait to get started!”

Joining Sarah on stage is Andy Moss. Andy is best-known for starring as Rhys Ashworth in Channel 4’s Hollyoaks, one he played for 8 years. His credits also include Cutting It, Coronation Street and most recently he appeared as ‘Paul Cuthbert’ in the long running BBC soap opera Doctors.

The Double Academy Award winning movie is a huge success story, both critically and at the box office, where it was the highest grossing film in the year of its release. It starred the late Patrick Swayze, Demi Moore, Tony Goldwyn and Whoopi Goldberg and was directed by Jerry Zucker. Bruce Joel Rubin's script won the Oscar® for Best Original Screenplay and Whoopi Goldberg won the Oscar® for Best Actress in a Supporting Role. The film's most iconic and moving scene was famously performed to The Righteous Brother's Unchained Melody, which also features in the musical version.

Walking back to their apartment late one night a tragic encounter sees Sam murdered and his beloved girlfriend Molly alone, in despair and utterly lost. But with the help of a phony storefront psychic Sam, trapped between this world and the next, tries to communicate with Molly in the hope of saving her from grave danger…

Bill Kenwright said; “Ghost is a story full of hope, and is one of those films which never leaves you. The book by Bruce Joel Rubin and score by Dave Stewart and Glenn Ballad come together wonderfully in one of my favourite new musicals in years.”

Bruce Joel Rubin said; “This is a show with such a strong emotional and musical life that it can mould to many visions and interpretations.  It can be performed on any scale, and its vibrant heart will still captivate an audience and allows the imagination to flourish. It is purely theatrical in the greatest sense.  We are very excited by the potential that the new version holds and elated it will tour the UK with Bill Kenwright”.

Further casting to be announced.

BILL KENWRIGHT presents GHOST – THE MUSICAL

Book and Lyrics by BRUCE JOEL RUBIN

Music and Lyrics by DAVE STEWART AND GLEN BALLARD

Based on the Paramount Pictures film written by BRUCE JOEL RUBIN

Directed by Bob Tomson

Choreographed by Alistair David

Designed by Mark Bailey

Lighting Designed by Nick Richings

Sound Designed by Dan Samson

      Read the original NETG Preview of Ghost HERE.

Tickets:

Tickets available from the Box Office on High Street West, via the ticket centre 0844 871 3022* or www.ATGtickets.com/Sunderland *calls cost up to 7p per minute plus standard network charges. Booking and transaction fees may apply to telephone and online bookings.