Preview: Kinky Boots Sunderland Empire

CASTING ANNOUNCED!

Kinky Boots

Sunderland Empire

Monday 24^th June – Saturday 6^th July 2019

Kinky Boots, the winner of every major Best Musical award, is pleased to announce casting for the upcoming UK tour. Kayi Ushe will play the role of Lola, Paula Lane, known for her role as Kylie Platt in Coronation Street, will play Lauren and Joel Harper-Jackson will play Charlie, with a date at Sunderland Empire in 2019.

Joel Harper-Jackson (Charlie), Paula Lane (Lauren) and

Kayi Ushe (Lola) - Photo: Helen Maybanks

Also joining the Kinky Boots cast will be Demitri Lampra (Don), Adam Price (George) Helen Ternent (Nicola) who will be accompanied by Charlie Allen, Nicola Avino, Lizzie Bea, Joshua St Clair, Connor Collins, Daniel Conway, Shaun Dalton, John Dempsey, Niki Evans, Mary Fox, Scarlet Gabriel, Damon Gould, George Grayson, Portia Harry, Joshua Lovell, Jacob McIntosh, Chileshe Mondelle, Alfie Parker, Fred Smiley, Toyan Thomas-Browne, Andy Watkins and Jason Winter.

The tour will open at Royal & Derngate in Northampton on 19 September 2018, returning to the home of this heart-warming British story, whilst the West End production continues at the Adelphi Theatre until 12 January 2019.

Kinky Boots at the Adelphi Theatre has become a favourite with UK theatregoers having won three Olivier Awards for Best New Musical, Best Costume Design and Best Actor in a Musical for Matt Henry who played Lola. Kinky Boots also won the London Evening Standard BBC Radio 2 Audience Award for Best Musical as well as three WhatsOnStage Awards for Best New Musical, Best Actor in a Musical and Best Choreography.

With a book by Broadway legend and four-time Tony® Award-winner Harvey Fierstein (La Cage aux Folles), and songs by Grammy® and Tony® winning pop icon Cyndi Lauper, this joyous musical celebration is about the friendships we discover, and the belief that you can change the world when you change your mind.

Inspired by true events, Kinky Boots takes you from a gentlemen’s shoe factory in Northampton to the glamorous catwalks of Milan. Charlie Price is struggling to live up to his father’s expectations and continue the family business of Price & Son. With the factory’s future hanging in the balance, help arrives in the unlikely but spectacular form of Lola, a fabulous performer in need of some sturdy new stilettos.

With direction and choreography by two-time Tony® Award-winner Jerry Mitchell (Legally Blonde, Hairspray), Kinky Boots is the winner of every major Best Musical award including three Olivier Awards, three WhatsOnStage Awards as well as six Broadway Tony® Awards.

Kayi Ushe (Lola/Simon) has several theatre credits including The Crucible, A Little Night Music (Storyhouse, Chester); Motown the Musical (Shaftesbury Theatre); Wonderland (UK Tour); The Book of Mormon (Prince of Wales Theatre); Avenue Q (UK Tour); Kisses on a Postcard (North Devon Theatres); Fame the Musical (Italian tour) and Crazy for You (London Palladium).

Joel Harper-Jackson (Charlie Price) has numerous theatre credits including Pieces of String (Mercury Theatre); Myth: The Rise and Fall of Orpheus (The Other Palace); The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time (UK Tour), Jesus Christ Superstar (Regents Park Open Air Theatre); Beautiful - The Carole King Musical (The Aldwych Theatre); Little Women (Hope Mill Theatre); Picture Perfect (St James); Pacific Overtures (Union Theatre); Rent (UK Tour) and West End Women (UK Tour). His film credits include The Curse and Abu Ghraib.

Paula Lane (Lauren) has appeared on stage in Be More Martyn (Southwark Playhouse) and The Bengal Lily (Manchester Royal Exchange). Her television and film credits include Coronation Street; Doctors; Heartbeat; The Royal; Going Postal and War Wounds.

Demitri Lampra (Don) has appeared on stage in both The Jungle Book (Image Musical Theatre) and The Wind in the Willows (UK tour).

Helen Ternent (Nicola) has several theatre credits including Jersey Boys (Piccadilly Theatre); The Pajama Game (Shaftesbury Theatre); Stephen Ward (Aldwych Theatre); Viva Forever (Piccadilly Theatre); Hairspray! (UK Tour); High School Musical 2 (UK Tour Fame (UK Tour); We Will Rock You (Vienna/Zurich); The Three Musketeers (Berlin); Mamma Mia! (Cyprus).

Adam Price (George) has multiple theatre credits including Privates On Parade (MGC, Noel Coward Theatre); Hairspray (Shaftesbury Theatre); Hairspray (UK Tour); Blood Brothers, Oliver Twist, Ghosts of Scrooge (Library Theatre); Babes in Arms, The Winter’s Tale, A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre); The Boys From Syracuse (Crucible, Sheffield); Guys & Dolls, Fat Pig - The Musical (Leicester Haymarket); The Red Balloon (Bristol Old Vic); Notre Dame (Oxford); The Merry Widow, Ghosts Of Ruddigore (Opera Della Luna); Make Some Noise, One Step Beyond (Stratford East); A Hole In The Fence (White Bear Theatre); Much Ado About Nothing (Hampstead Theatre) and The Dark Side (UK Tour). His television and film credits include Family Affairs; Eastenders; May To December; Coppers; The Cuckoo Sister; Grange Hill; Just Good Friends; Executive Stress and Young Soul Rebels.

Kinky Boots is produced by Daryl Roth and Hal Luftig and Playful Productions, in association with Cameron Mackintosh.

Book:                                                       Harvey Fierstein

Composer & Lyricist:                              Cyndi Lauper

Director & Choreographer:                  Jerry Mitchell

Musical Supervision,

Arranger & Orchestrator:                       Stephen Oremus

Scenic Design:                                        David Rockwell

Costume Design:                                    Gregg Barnes

Lighting Design:                                      Kenneth Posner

Sound Design:                                         John Shivers

Hair Design:                                             Josh Marquette

Tickets:

Tickets available in person at the Box Office on High Street West, Sunderland from the Ticket Centre on 0844 871 3022* or online from our affiliate ATG Tickets at http://bit.ly/KinkyBSund *

*Calls cost 7p per minute plus your plus your phone company's access charge. Booking and transaction fees may apply.

Preview; Jamie Raven at Newcastle Tyne Theatre

Newcastle Tyne Theatre

Saturday 29^th September 2018

Britain’s Got Talent Finalist, Jamie Raven, is proud to announce the UK tour of his brand new show, Making Magic – a look at how magicians do what they do.

Why does magic work?

How are our hearts fooled into believing something that our brains know simply can’t be true?

Making Magic will culminate in a random member of the audience, with absolutely no performing experience whatsoever, being turned into a magician in order to perform the final trick of the show live on stage with Jamie

Jamie Raven burst onto an unsuspecting world during the 2015 series of Britain’s Got Talent. His magic amazed audiences and even made Simon Cowell exclaim “I now finally believe in magic!” en route to reaching the final and finishing, in his own words, as “Top Human”

His appearances on Britain’s Got Talent and other subsequent performances have now been seen over 450 million times online and Television, making him one of the most watched magicians in the world today.

In November and December 2015, Jamie headlined The Illusionists at The Shaftesbury Theatre, which went on to break the box office record for a limited engagement and in doing so became the most successful Magic show ever in the history of London’s West End. In 2016 and 2017, he took his own one man show on a tour across five countries, playing 120 shows across 105 different venues. He is looking forward to doing it all over again with Making Magic

The summer of 2017 also saw the release of the official range of four Jamie Raven Magic Sets, with a fifth scheduled for release in December 2018, as he strives to inspire the next generation of Magicians.

On The Web:

www.jamieraven.co.uk     

www.tynetheatreandoperahouse.uk  

Tickets:

Tickets can be bought in person from the theatre, from the box office on 0844 2491 000 or online from our affiliate Eventim UK: http://bit.ly/JamieRavenTyne

Preview: Duet For One at Darlington Hippodrome

A PITCH-PERFECT DUET

Duet For One

Darlington Hippodrome

Monday 17 to Saturday 22 September 2018

Radiating warmth, wit and relatability, Belinda Lang and Jonathan Coy explain why they are delighted to face the music in Tom Kempinski’s award-winning Duet for One which comes to Darlington Hippodrome in September.

It's not a play you think of as being especially funny but Duet for One is as witty as it is clever and moving, promises its stars.

"Mostly it is universally human," reflected Jonathan Coy, who swaps his Downton Abbey role as a solicitor George Murray to play Dr Feldmann. “This woman is confronting a life changing problem with sarcastic humour and resisting all the efforts of the psychiatrist to get her to look deep into herself, which she refers to as psychobabble. But it is a sparring relationship and that is where the humour and wit spirals from.”

And while Jonathan is new to the role, his sparring partner is not: Belinda Lang (best known for playing Bill in TV’s 2 Point 4 Children) is reprising her role as Stephanie Abrahams, the brilliant concert violinist who seemingly has it all but who is forced to re-evaluate her life when tragedy strikes.

“It was very hard to rehearse but actually doing it in front of an audience is very satisfying,” said Belinda. “Kempinski uses a violinist as the protagonist, and she is supposed to be depressed, but fundamentally it is about someone who is angry and who doesn’t want someone else delving about in what she sees as her private world. There are moments in the play when pain hits, but it doesn’t dwell on it. It’s a much funnier play than I thought it was and it is very reassuring in that way,” she said, adding thoughtfully: “I suppose what you really get from it is how fantastic human beings can be for each other. This relationship that starts off so badly gradually becomes so supportive, but in a way that seems more real to me.”

Certainly she has seldom received so much audience feedback from a play. “People really respond,” she confirmed. “They write and come to stage door because of the humanity; it speaks to them about themselves.”

Based on the life of world renowned musician Jacqueline Du Pré, Duet for One premiered at the Bush Theatre in 1980 and has since enjoyed several revivals, as well as a 1986 film adaptation that saw Julie Andrews nominated for a Golden Globe for Best Actress. Extending the tour following the play’s successful run last year, Producers Lee Dean and Daniel Schumann have appointed Robin Lefevre as the play’s director, but as a two-hander it is down to the actors to summon the absolute focus required. With nowhere to hide, Belinda admitted that she takes a very deep breath before each performance.

“I always say ‘please let me sustain the energy!’ But that’s where you can tell good writing. This play is like a sea with a lot of salt in it – the writing supports you. It has this trajectory that really is splendidly written.”

“It is very bright and alive, but the main attraction is that it does that thing that theatre does so well in that it approaches a universal humanity and finds an extreme metaphor: a concert violinist who knows that she will never play again,” explained Jonathan, adding that the duel between the characters’ razor-sharp minds is a life-affirming tribute to the human spirit.

“The most important thing in her life has been taken away and that is so relatable,” he supplemented, admitting that he also jumped at the chance of working with Belinda again. “That was definitely part of the appeal,” he chuckled. “We have been friends since we were in our 20s and we have done a couple of shows together. Spending a few weeks on tour with her is no hardship at all.”

Talking of touring, is Jonathan a sightseer – are the guidebooks already marked up with places of interest in preparation for the tour?

“I do try to make the most of wherever I am. Belinda and I are the last generation who learnt our trade in regional theatre reps, so I think regional theatre is very important, but it’s always a joy to visit somewhere new. I’ve seen the world but never bought a ticket, as they say. On this tour they are all places that I don’t really know; virgin territory that I am looking forward to discovering.”

“I’m not very good at being idle,” confessed Belinda. “A short tour of say nine-ten weeks is fine, but it all takes such a lot of planning. I can’t bear to leave anything to chance and you do get more anxious as you get older. I’m always asking myself if I am on the right train or if I have got the address for the digs. But Jonathan and I are old friends, so what’s not to like?”

“Darlington is such a beautiful theatre and I am so looking forward to going back,” said Belinda, who likes to have another project bubbling in the background that she can tinker with on tour. “I translate plays from French and adapt them, and I do like to walk wherever I am. I find walking very relaxing and of course Darlington is surrounded by wonderful countryside.”

With Jonathan coming to the play for the first time and Belinda reprising her role, which, I pondered, is the bigger challenge?

“I’ve done it once before, so that gave me a lot of perspective,” said Belinda. “This time, having done it at end of last year, the advantage is that it is fresh. The disadvantage,” she paused, a broad smile forming, “is that it was just long enough ago to have forgotten the lines!”

Two superb actors, an ace director and brilliant play: I’d wager that this ‘Duet’ will be pitch-perfect in every way.   

Tickets:

Duet For One runs at Darlington Hippodrome from Monday 17 to Saturday 22 September.

For more information or to book call 01325 405405 or visit www.darlingtonhippodrome.co.uk.

 

Preview: Hazel O’Connor at Whitley Bay Playhouse

Hazel O’Connor - Breaking Glass - Film + Performance

Hazel O’Connor

Whitley Bay Playhouse

Tuesday 20^th November 2018 at 7pm

A very special evening with award-winning singer songwriter Hazel O’Connor, featuring a rare screening of the digitally re-mastered uncut version of the film followed by an intimate Q&A and live performance of some of the films best loved songs.

Striding into the spotlight and catapluted into fame in 1980 in the iconic movie Breaking Glass, Hazel not only made ther lead role her own, but also wrote all the songs. The soundtrack album Breaking Glass went on to go double platinum during its 38 week chart run, defining Hazel O'Connor as a powerful passionate performer and a force to be reckoned with. Joined here onstage by  Clare Hirst (Bellestars, Communards, David Bowie) on sax, Sarah Fisher (Eurythmics) on keyboards and Josh Blackmore (Troyka/Strobes ) on percussion, the superb blend of the three voices and stunning musicianship add a sweet touch of class to their vibrant performance.

Live onstage, her unforgettable songs from the film including Eighth Day, Will You, Big Brother, Decadent Days, If Only and more seem even more relevant in our present times. With a special Meet & Greet immediately after the show, you're in for a treat.

Tickets:

Tickets are now on sale direct from the theatre box office and online from our affiliates Ticketmaster UK: http://bit.ly/HazelWBay #Ad

REVIEW: Wizard of Oz at Whitley Bay Playhouse

Laughing All The Way Down Yellow Brick Road…

Wizard of Oz

Whitley Bay Playhouse

Until Saturday 4^th August 2018

A wealth of experienced pantomime talent combines to create an entertaining family summer show on the Tyneside coast.  The audience left with smiles on their faces after the two-hour show. A job well done.

Lily Grundy starts the show as Glinda the Good Witch setting the scene for the younger members of the audience. Opposite her is the Wicked Witch of the West, suitably whipping the kids into a booing frenzy. I’m sure that won’t be happening when Wicked arrives in the region next month! 

Dani Harmer, from CBBC’s Tracy Beaker, appeared to enjoy playing the baddie in this show. These two, along with Reece Sibbald who appears as the comic Hickory and as the Scarecrow, understood how a pantomime is improved if the audience are encouraged to take part. The kids loved the “oh, yes you will” and “it’s behind you” that are part and parcel of this type of show.

The show is loosely based on the film with some changes to help it fit the panto format. Dorothy (Pippa Smith) is blown away from her Kansas farm to Munchkinland where the Munchkins greet them. The Munchkin Mayor (Ellie Mitchell) and Mayoress (Skye Oughton) thanks Dorothy for her part in crushing the Wicked Witch of the West and she is offered a pair of magical ruby red shoes. 

Homesick Dorothy just wants to go home so she is advised to follow the yellow brick road to see the Wizard (Cal Halbert) who should grant her the wish to get back to Kansas. Along the way she meets up with Scarecrow, Tin Man (Alex Smith) and Cowardly Lion (Steve Arnott) who also want the Wizard to help them out.

The panto has a number of songs, though none that I recognise from the movie, which frequently have dancing from either the young ensemble or the very young Munchkins. The Munchkin teams are changing on a daily basis and today’s team didn’t put a foot wrong. The young ensemble dancers, including choreographer Mary J Proud, also added a visual and an energetic element to the songs.

Writer, director (and Scarecrow!) Reece Sibbald has ensured there is a good pace to the story. There is probably much more of a story element to each scene when compared to some pantos and Reece has also included a wide range of classic panto jokes in the script.  Some jokes are in there for the kids, a few will run straight over their heads but that is often the nature of a family show. A couple of the jokes got close to the ‘Parental Guidance’ wire but there wasn’t anything in there that was too bad. The best joke was a visual one after the Wicked Witch cast a spell on the scarecrow, but I don’t want to give any spoilers.

One half of the Mimic Men, who appeared on Britain’s Got Talent, Cal Halbert had a chance to use some impressions during the set. In my opinion these worked better than they had done during last year’s The Lambton Worm.  Theatre Royal panto regular Steve Arnott used his experience to deliver his lines with sharp comic timing. Pippa Smith is charming as Dorothy, a perfect contrast to the more excitable characters around her. Likewise, Alex Smith’s Tin Man is amiable and pleasant.

Wizard of Oz is funny, sparkly and entertaining.  It understands its audience and doesn’t disappoint. Pantomime doesn’t have to be just a Christmas event – family shows are needed all year around.

Review by Stephen Oliver

Photography: Andrew Robertshaw

Cast:

The Wicked Witch of the West - Dani Harmer

The Wizard of Oz - Cal Halbert

The Cowardly Lion  - Steve Arnott

The Scarecrow - Reece Sibbald

Dorothy - Pippa Smith

The Tin Man - Alex Smith

Glinda - Lily Grundy

Ensemble & Munchkins played by local talented children from our North East region

Creatives:

Producer/Director/Writer - Reece Sibbald of Reece Sibbald Productions

Chorographer - Mary J Proud

Original Music & Lyrics - Olly Ashmore

Lighting Design by Mark Turner of Bright Star

Sound Design by Andrew Robertshaw

Tickets
Book in person at the theatre, online from our affiliates Ticketmaster UK: http://bit.ly/WizofOzWBay or call the Box Office Hotline on 0844 248 1588.

REVIEW: Vulvarine Leeds Seven Arts Then Edinburgh Fringe

Vulvarine

Leeds Seven Arts

Then Edinburgh Fringe

It was a spontaneous act. We had come down to West Yorkshire to see Titanic the musical as it's not coming to the North East. Facebook then informs us that the team behind Tom and Bunny Save The World were in town and it was a no brainer.  We bought tickets for their new show, Vulvarine, instead! 

It was our first visit to the Seven Arts Centre in Leeds and we were impressed. We had our evening meal before the show and very tasty it was too.

Back to the theatre. It was another boiling hot show for both actors and spectators. The cast of 5 still managed an intense fast paced performance for the Leeds crowd.

Vulvarine is based in High Wycombe. Nothing ever happens in High Wycombe. Byrony Buckle is working in a tax officer when she notices some irregularity with an account. Told to leave it, she decides to carry on the investigation. That evening, during a lightning storm, she visits a doctor about her cough that won't go away.  The quack injects her with a serum which, coupled with a lightning strike, gives her super hero powers.

She uses her new powers to fight on behalf of feminist causes. Men should stop mansplaining. Men should sit with their legs together. ...and that evil doctor and the tax account need dealing with.

Vulvarine combines great writing, clever set design and a real sense of both humour and purpose. The pace is relentless. Exposition delivered swiftly, and frequently in a funny way.

In the year of celebrations of centenary of the woman's vote, this is a modern take on suffrage and women's issues. In a single act they raised the issue but with a big smile on the audience's faces. Now that is clever.

The songs worked well with the exposition and we hope that there will eventually be a cast recording.

This may have been a preview performance but it was still the funniest show that we’ve seen so far this summer. A real 5 star treat.

Review by Stephen Oliver

Photos: Fay Summerfield

On The Web:

Web: fatrascaltheatre.com

Web: assemblyfestival.com

Twitter: @WeAreFatRascal

Facebook: /WeAreFatRascal

Cast

Andrew Dillon     - Sonya/Phil/Ensemble                          

Robyn Grant – Mansplainer/Elton/Debbie

Jamie Mawson – Orson/The Boss/Ensemble           

Allie Munro – Bryony Buckle (Vulvarine)

Katie Wells – Poppy/Doctor/Ensemble

Creatives

Book: Robyn Grant

Lyrics: Robyn Grant and Daniel Elliot

Music: James Ringer-Beck

Choreography: Jed Berry

Associate Director: Siobhán Cannon-Brownlie

Lighting Design: Declan Randall

Sound Design: Candice Weaver

Vulvarine and Mansplainer Prop Design: Hugh Purves

Producer: Laura Elmes for Fat Rascal Theatre

Edinburgh Tickets:

Venue:  Assembly George Square Studio, Two, EH8 9JZ 

Time:  19:00  Running Time: 60mins

Dates: 01 – 26 August. Previews 1-2 August. No show Weds 15 August.

Tickets: Previews £7; 3-5, 8-9, 13-14, 16, 20-23 August £10 (£9); 6-7, 10-12, 17-19, 24-26 August £12 (£10)

Bookings: www.assemblyfestival.com, 0131 623 3030 or Assembly box offices at Assembly Hall and Assembly Roxy, Assembly George Square, Assembly Checkpoint and Assembly Rooms