News: Godspell In Concert Launches Nationwide Choir Search

Sing In Exaltation!

Godspell In Concert Launches Nationwide Choir Search

Godspell, Wicked composer Stephen Schwartz’ legendary rock musical is back. Following the enormous success of 2014’s gala performance at London’s Shaftesbury Avenue’s Lyric Theatre, in support of the charity Make-A-Wish-Foundation®UK,Godspell In Concert is set to tour the UK in 2015, opening at the Hackney Empire on the 4^th April. Today the show’s producers launch an exciting search, as for the first time in British theatre history, fully formed choirs from all over the country are being given the opportunity to take part in a professional touring musical production direct from the West End.

This exciting opportunity to perform on the professional stage will see choirs chosen to perform at a local venue across the country* as part of the ensemble cast. Working with a West End cast and creative team, each choir will be coached to their moment in the spotlight.

Choirs will sing some of the most popular songs from the show, on the stage of some of the UK’s most prestigious theatres - accompanied by the fantastic Godspell in Concert band.

Producers are looking for mixed-voice SATB (Soprano, Alto, Tenor, Bass) choirs with an excellent musical and performance standard and choir members must be a minimum of 16 years of age.

Choirs at each performance venue will be comprised of 28 singers. Half the choir will be static and the other half will ‘move’ (not dance) and will be directed by a choreographer. Four dedicated West Endperformers will make each choir’s number up to 32 and either one choir in total or two choirs will be cast for each venue.

Each choir will receive the expert tutelage of Musical Director Russell Scott who is at the helm of the show’s spectacular new orchestration. Russell has worked in the music industry, professionally, for over 30 years working in the worlds of Classical and Musical Theatre.

He is not only an accomplished singer, but also a Vocal Coach, Producer, Musical and Choral Director. As a performer, he has performed all over the world, as a soloist with leading choirs and orchestras. With over 100,000 record sales across his four solo albums, he’s also appeared on countless film soundtracks, opera, pop and musical theatre recordings. Russell is Chorus Director of Next Stage Choir and works regularly with choirs and ensembles.

Musical Director Russell Scott says of today’s announcement: “I have been working with choirs and ensembles for almost 15 years, varying in ages and standards. The great thing about singing is it makes people feel good and can change your mood in an instant. I am so thrilled choirs have been brought more into the public domain in recent years. Choirs are for everyone and I am passionate about working with them and bringing out their best. I wanted to bring a choral element to Godspell and so reworked the score which is essentially written for 10 principles. I re-orchestrated the ensemble parts to encompass a choir and the result sounded incredible bringing out the true soul of the piece. There are some great songs to sing, and the addition of a choir just makes the sound even more exciting to listen to.  My vision was to take Godspell In Concert on the road and to cast choirs from around the country to take part. Godspell was conceived as a community piece and what better idea than to bring communities together to sing in a professional UK touring production? It’s never been done before and I am thrilled to be undertaking this huge challenge to bring choirs together with our touring professionals and to give opportunities to singers all across the UK to take part in this unique production.”

The application process is simple – choirs can visit the show website www.godspellinconcert.com from Tuesday 18^th November and apply online. The closing date for applications is Friday 19^th December and after this date shortlisted choirs will be invited to one of six regional auditions in January with a view to the successful choirs being informed at the end of that month.

The UK tour will feature a brand new, modern-day rock score packed to the heavens with favourites such as Light of the World, All Good Gifts and Day by Day.

This timeless tale of friendship, loyalty and love has touched the hearts of countless theatregoers all over the world - and now UK theatre fans can join in the celebration as a spectacular ensemble is set to stir souls and raise spirits, aided by a full live band.

Prior to the gala, the show last played the West End in 1972 at the Wyndham’s Theatre, where it turned David Essex into an overnight sensation and more recently Godspell has enjoyed a hugely successful run on Broadway.

By permission of Stephen Schwartz - the Grammy® and Academy Award®- winning composer of Wicked and Pippin - Russell Scott and Mark Pettitt for Godspell in Concert UK Ltd will produce the 12 week UK tour. Kenneth Avery-Clark directs the production which was critically lauded at its London performance.

Full UK casting to be announced later in 2014.

*where possible

www.godspellinconcert.com

Tour:

SAT 4^TH- SUN 5^TH APRIL                                            BOX OFFICE: 020 8985 2424

HACKNEY EMPIRE                                                    www.hackneyempire.co.uk

TUE 7^TH – WED 8^TH APRIL                                          BOX OFFICE: 0844 7701 797

GUILDFORD, G LIVE                                                 www.glive.co.uk

SUN 12^THAPRIL                                                         BOX OFFICE: 02380 711811

SOUTHAMPTON MAYFLOWER                                www.mayflower.org.uk

TUE 14^TH – WED 15^TH APRIL                                      BOX OFFICE: 01492 872 000

LLANDUDNO, VENUE CYMRU                                 www.venuecymru.co.uk

FRI 17^TH – SAT 18^THAPRIL                                          BOX OFFICE: 029 2087 8889

CARDIFF, NEW THEATRE                                           www.newtheatrecardiff.co.uk

                                                                                               

TUE 21^ST APRIL                                                           BOX OFFICE: 01792 475715

SWANSEA, GRAND THEATRE                                   www.swansea.gov.uk/grandtheatre

FRI 24^TH APRIL                                                            BOX OFFICE: 0118 960 6060

READING HEXAGON                                                www.readingarts.com/thehexagon

SUN 26^TH APRIL                                                          BOX OFFICE: 01273 709709

BRIGHTON DOME                                                    www.brightondome.org

TUE 28^TH - WED 29^TH APRIL                                       BOX OFFICE: 023 9282 8282

SOUTHSEA, KING’S THEATRE                                    www.kings-southsea.com

TUE 5^TH MAY – WED 6^THMAY                                   BOX OFFICE: 0844 871 3023           

TORQUAY, PRINCESS THEATRE                                 www.atgtickets.com/torquay

SAT 9^TH– SUN 10^TH MAY                                           BOX OFFICE: 0844 8000 400

LIVERPOOL, ECHO ARENA AUDITORIUM                http://www.echoarena.com/

TUE 12^TH – WED 13^TH MAY                                        BOX OFFICE:  0844 576 3000

BOURNEMOUTH PAVILION                                       www.bournemouthpavilion.co.uk

FRI 15^TH – SAT 16^THMAY                                            BOX OFFICE: 01473 433100

IPSWICH, REGENT THEATRE                                      www.apps.ipswich.gov.uk

TUES 19^THMAY                                                           BOX OFFICE: 0844 871 7660

MANCHESTER PALACE                                              www.atgtickets.com

THURS 21^ST, FRI 22^ND, SAT 23^RDMAY                         BOX OFFICE: 01325 486555

CIVIC THEATRE, DARLINGTON                                  www.darlington.gov.uk/arts

MON 25^TH – TUE 26^TH MAY                                       BOX OFFICE: 0844 847 2426

GRIMBSY AUDITORIUM                                              www.atgtickets.com

FRI 29^TH –SAT 30^TH MAY                                             BOX OFFICE: 01322 220000

ORCHARD THEATRE, DARTFORD                              www.orchardtheatre.co.uk

MON 1^ST – TUE 2^ND JUNE                                          BOX OFFICE: 0844 871 3011

BIRMINGHAM, NEW ALEXANDRA                         www.atgtickets/com 

FRI 5^TH JUNE                                                              BOX OFFICE: 0844 871 3020                         

OXFORD, NEW THEATRE                                           www.atgtickets.com

SAT 13^THJUNE                                                            BOX OFFICE: 01424 462288

HASTINGS, WHITE ROCK                                          www.whiterocktheatre.org.uk

MON 15^TH- TUE 16^TH                                                  BOX OFFICE:  01482 300 300

HULL, NEW THEATRE                                                  www.hullcc.gov.uk/hullnewtheatre

FRI 19^TH – SAT 20^THJUNE                                           BOX OFFICE: 01274 432000

BRADFORD, ST. GEORGES CONCERT HALL            www.bradford-theatres.co.uk

MON 22^ND JUNE                                                       BOX OFFICE: 0844 871 7645

WOKING, NEW VICTORIA THEATRE                         www.atgtickets.com

TUES 23^RD – WED 24^TH JUNE                                     BOX OFFICE: 0845 075 3993

WATFORD COLOSSEUM                                www.watfordcolosseum.co.uk                                     

SUN 28^TH– SAT 29^TH JUNE                                         BOX OFFICE: 01253 290 190

BLACKPOOL, GRAND THEATRE                               www.blackpoolgrand.co.uk

WED 1^ST JULY                                                             BOX OFFICE: 01494 512000

HIGH WYCOMBE, SWAN THEATRE                          www.wycombeswan.co.uk

FRI 3^RD JULY                                                               BOX OFFICE: 01604 624811

NORTHAMPTON DERNGATE                                    www.royalandderngate.co.uk   

                                                                                                                                                                       

Preview: Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs at Newcastle Theatre Royal

Ten Years At The Top For

North East Panto Duo

Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs

Newcastle Theatre Royal

Tuesday 25 November until Sunday 18 January

Clive Webb and Danny Adams, the incredible father and son act famously at the helm of the Newcastle Theatre Royal panto, are celebrating a decade entertaining the North East at Christmas.  Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs will be their 10^th panto at the Royal.

Since they made their debut on the North East panto scene back in 2005 (alongside Jill Halfpenny in Cinderella), Clive and Danny’s fanbase has grown at a meteoric rate. Their extraordinary slapstick routines, unparalleled charm and classic old-school comedy have secured them legendary status in the region.  Super-fans even travel hundreds of miles from the far corners of Britain to see them every year.    

The winning combination of Clive and Danny, West Endproducer Michael Harrison and extremely high production values has led the Theatre Royal panto to break sales records every year since 2005.  With over 90,000 people now seeing the show each year and with booking up to 90% capacity before opening night, it’s often cited as the fastest selling panto in the country and one of the most successful in the world.

The show runs longer than every other panto in the region and now stands at a staggering 91 performances. By the end of this pantomime season Clive and Danny will have performed a total of 845 shows - more than any other artist in the 177 years of the Theatre Royal.

Clive and Danny said: “We have made some great friends over the years here at the theatre.  Michael Harrison, Chris Hayward, Steve Arnott, Philip Bernays and all the staff and crew at the theatre, who make this pantomime and theatre one of the best in the country.  We would never have imagined in a million years that we’d still be here 10 years on!  We would like to take this opportunity to say thank you to YOU the people of the North East, because without you none of this could have happened!   Some of you have sat in the stalls year after year: taking abuse, insults, water, foam, pies...well guess what? This year’s no different!!! Ha Ha. So sit back and relax - if you dare!  And enjoy our 10^thTheatre Royal Pantomime; Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.”

Newcastle born Producer Michael Harrison said: “I am thrilled to have assembled a first-class cast for this year’s pantomime.  West Endperformers, local talent, and of course our resident team of comedy stars.  Throw into the mix some terrific special effects and I hope we have a terrific show to celebrate the ten years Clive, Danny and I have spent at the Theatre Royal”.

Born in Sunderland, Clive started his show business career as a drummer in a pop group. He went on to perform in the Famous Robert Bros Circus where he stayed for seven years ending up as head clown. He was headhunted after auditioning for Opportunity Knocks and went on to appear in Crackerjack, The Sooty Show, Razzamatazz, How Dare You and Tiswas. In 1988 Clive became British Magical Champion – the first time a comedy magician has ever won the award.

Danny’s TV appearances include GMTV’s Mole in a Hole, Stars in Their Dressing Rooms, Angus Deaton’s It Shouldn’t Happen to a TV Presenter and The Tweenies. During 2008, Danny performed the very dangerous Houdini’s Milk Churn Escape and has also perfected the Human Cannonball.

The poster from the duo's first panto

 

The pair have toured extensively all over the UK and Europe and in 2007 they were awarded the CFA Best Comedy Act. At Newcastle Theatre Royal they have performed in two Cinderellas, two Jack and the Beanstalks, two Aladdins, one Robinson Crusoe, one Sleeping Beauty, and one Robin Hood (not to mention five seasons with Cirque du Hilarious and the 175th Anniversary Theatre Royal Gala Show!)   

Barnum - coming soon to Theatre Royal

This year also marks a decade that the show’s inspirational writer, director and producer Michael Harrison has worked together with Clive and Danny at the Theatre Royal. As Managing Director of Qdos Entertainment he also oversees 24 pantomimes each year and has produced nearly one hundred pantomimes for the company. Michael also produced The Bodyguard in the West Endand is currently producing the spectacular new production of Barnum‎ starring Brian Conley. His other musicals include Aspects of Love, The Witches of Eastwick, Chess, I Dreamed a Dream and Jolson and Co.

In 2015 he will produce the national tour of The Bodyguard, the North American premiere of Titanic the Musical‎, a new production of Annie starring Craig Revel Horwood and a brand new musical Mrs Henderson Presents.  In 2012 he was awarded a companionship to the Liverpool Institute of Performing Arts by Sir Paul McCartney.

The pantomime features a truly stellar cast this year.  Emily Shaw plays Snow White.  Emily’s credits include Matilda the Musical as well as UK tours of Mary Poppins, Beauty and the Beast and Thoroughly Modern Millie.  Gary Watson from Sunderland plays The Prince.  His credits include Matilda the Musical, Mamma Mia, Cats and Walt Disney Productions’ new film Cinderella.  PeterPeverley is making his North East panto debut as one of the seven dwarfs after delighting Theatre Royal audiences in 2013 with his one-man show about the North East’s favourite comedian ‘the Little Waster’ Bobby Thompson. Another dwarf of particular note is Danny Rowe from South Shields whose first  profesional job was dancing for Take That in the Royal Variety Performance at the London Palladium in 2009 and then Born To Shine in 2010 on ITV.

Very special guests in this year’s show are The Acromaniacs - agroup of fast and hilariously funny international gymnasts and tumblers whose slapstick acrobatic act is constantly in world-wide demand. 

Danny’s brother Michael Potts returns for his 7th Theatre Royal panto by overwhelming public demand, this time as The Castle Idiot.  And of course never forgetting the North East’s favourite and most beautifully attired panto dame Chris Hayward in his 8^th consecutive Theatre Royal panto, this time as Dame Rita the Cook, as well as the region’s number one panto villain Steve Arnott as The Wicked Queen.  It will also be Steve’s 6th consecutive year.

It’s a must to book your tickets NOW, as the show has once again trumped all previous year’s sales and is set to become the fastest-selling pantomime in the theatre’s 177 year history.  Already, over 83,000 tickets have been sold and two additional performances have already been added due to continuous growing demand - on Sunday 18 January at 1pm and 5pm.

Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs – ‘The Fairest Panto in all the Land’ is proudly supported by local Media Partner Heart FM.

Tickets:

Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs is at Newcastle Theatre Royal from Tuesday 25 November until Sunday 18 January 2015. Tickets are available from £12 (a booking fee of 95p - £1.95 will apply to most tickets) 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.

 

Tickets for Clive and Danny’s 11^th panto at the Theatre Royal - Dick Whittington (Tuesday 24 November 2015 – Sunday 17 January 2016) go on sale from Tues 25 Nov, 2014.  Friends of the Theatre can book now.