New Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham - The History Boys - 23.02.15 - 28.02.15

The New Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham

Presents:

The History Boys

 By Alan Bennett

Monday 23rd - Saturday 28th February 2015

The History Boys is a play about  a fictional Grammar School called Cutlers' in Sheffield. It follows 8 pupils trying to get into Oxford or Cambridge and studying for their entrance exam with the help of 3 teachers all with different teaching methods. We have Hector (Richard Hope) who believes in a free approach to teaching. He is eccentric and likes to fondle the boys as he takes them home on his motorbike. His lessons are always held behind locked doors to stop interruption and to allow free speech within the class. He is the teacher that everyone remembers for those 'fun' lessons.

Irwin (Mark Field) is a rather timid supply teacher who is brought in by the Headmaster (Christopher Ettridge) to help prep the boys for their exam. He is an Oxford graduate (or is he) and tries to open the boys minds up to believing that they should write more ruthlessly, with interest and posing questions rather than answers. It emerges that he is homosexual and almost embarks on a relationship with one of the students.

Mrs Lintott (Susan Twist) is the teacher that holds it all together. She creates the groundwork for the students and is fondly known as 'totty' by the boys.

The play has won many awards, including The Laurence Olivier Award for Best New Play in 2005 and the Tony Award for Best Play in 2006. It premiered at the Royal National Theatre, London in May 2004 and in Broadway in April 2006.

Set in the early 1980s, the themes would have been a lot less shocking then they appear today. Students trying to keep a teachers job alive even though he fondles them after school would not be accepted in todays schooling!! We have a student having a relationship with the Headmasters secretary, religion, unrequited love and several entertaining songs.

The set was wonderfully created and enabled all of the action to take place without the need for scene changes or excessive props. It was very academic, with shelves of books, a piano and stackable school tables. The actors all moved the set around as the action happened and the lively music uplifted the audience.

Each boys characters were written and performed with a great individuality and style. You really seemed to get to know each boy and their life.

Kate Saxon directed the show with style. Her use of levels and movement kept the audience on their toes and engaged them throughout the whole performance.

We had stylised movements, songs and some hard hitting facts all mixed in with a much needed splash of humour.

There were a few times when diction was lost a little and the pace seemed to swallow up some of the lines but overall this was a thought provoking, creative production that is well worth a watch if you are an Alan Bennett fan.

PRODUCTION NOTES:

PART OF A MAJOR NEW UK TOUR

Alan Bennett’s multi award-winning The History Boy comes to Birmingham’s New Alexandra Theatre  from Monday 23 to Saturday 28 February 2015.

The cast features Richard Hope as Hector, Kedar Williams-Stirling as Dakin, Steven Roberts as Posner,Christopher Ettridge as Headmaster, Mark Field as Irwin, Susan Twist as Mrs Lintott, Sid Sagar as Akthar, Matthew Durkan as Crowther, Patrick McNamee as Lockwood, David Young as Rudge, Alex Hope as Scripps, Joshua Mayes Cooper as Timms, Chris Barritt as TV Director and Melody Brown as Fiona.

Winner of over 30 major awards including the Olivier and Tony Awards for Best New Play, The History Boysis the story of a group of bright, funny and unruly sixth-formers in pursuit of sex, sport and a place at university. Their maverick English teacher is at odds with the young and shrewd supply teacher, whilst their headmaster is obsessed with results and league tables. Staffroom rivalry and the anarchy of adolescence overflow, provoking insistent questions about history and how you teach it. Their A Levels may be over, but their true education is only just beginning. Widely hailed as one of the greatest theatrical events of the last decade, The History Boys is an hilariously funny and exceptionally moving play about the true purpose of education. 

Alan Bennett's comic masterpiece was voted the nations favourite play in a recent national survey conducted by English Touring Theatre.

The History Boys premiered at the National Theatre in 2004 directed by Nicholas Hytner, and helped launch the careers of many of its original cast members including James Corden and Dominic Cooper. It went on to open on Broadway in 2006, with a film adaptation featuring the original stage cast released later that year. The History Boys also had two successful West End runs, playing at the Wyndham’s Theatre in 2007 and 2008, and has won countless awards including the Oliver Award for Best New Play, Tony Award for Best Play, Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Play and Evening Standard Award for Best Play.

Alan Bennett is one of the UK’s most celebrated playwrights and authors, and in a career that spans five decades has created many acclaimed works for theatre, television and film. His work for the stage includes People, Hymn and Cocktail Sticks, The Habit of Art, Talking Heads, The Madness of George III and Kafka’s Dick. Prior to his work as a playwright, Bennett enjoyed enormous success as a co-writer and performer of Beyond the Fringe, a comedy stage revue which played in the West End and on Broadway in the 1960s. At the 2005 Olivier Awards Bennett was awarded the Society Special Award for his contribution to theatre.

This brand new production for 2015 is presented by Sell a Door Theatre Company, whose recent productions include Avenue Q(2014 UK Tour), Spring Awakening (2011 UK Tour) and Seussical (West End).

The History Boys will be directed by Kate Saxon, whose credits include The Real Thing (West Yorkshire Playhouse); Far From The Madding Crowd (English Touring Theatre); Nine Parts of Desire (The Public, New York and The Wilma, Philadelphia – winner of 3 Barrymore awards in USA); and the World Premiere ofThe French Lieutenant’s Woman (Fulton Opera House, USA then British Premiere Tour). Kate has developed new work for The Royal Court, The Bush, Arcola, Hampstead Theatre and The Public, New York. Kate was Associate Director of Shared Experience from 2000 - 2012. For television, Kate directs Eastenders. The History Boys will be designed by Libby Watson.

www.historyboysuk.com

@HistoryBoysTour

CAST BIOGS

Richard Hope | Hector

Theatre includes: King Lear (Almeida Theatre),  Dirty Dancing (Aldwych Theatre), When the Rain Stops Falling (Almeida Theatre), Noises Off (Ambassadors Theatre), Donkey’s Years (UK Tour), Cymbeline (The Globe), Hard Fruit (Royal Court) and War and Peace, Pravda, Hamlet and The Government Inspector (all National Theatre). Television includes: Doctor Who (BBC), Midsomer Murders (ITV), New Tricks (BBC),Tipping the Velvet (BBC) and Brideshead Revisited (Granada).

Kedar Williams-Stirling | Dakin

Kedar is know to television audiences as series regular Tom Okinawe in Wolfblood (BBC). Other television includes Doctors (BBC) and Silent Witness (BBC). Theatre includes: Welcome to Thebes (National Theatre) and Big White Fog (Almeida Theatre).

Steven Roberts | Posner

Steven is known to television audiences as George Smith in Hollyoaks (Channel 4), a role he played for 3 years. Credits whilst training include: Arcadia and Measure for Measure (Arts Educational).

Christopher Ettridge | Headmaster

Theatre includes: Twelve Angry Men (Garrick Theatre), Middlemarch (Orange Tree), To Kill a Mockingbird(Regent’s Park), Death of a Salesman (West Yorkshire Playhouse), Talking To Terrorists (Royal Court),Democracy, (National Theatre) and Henry VI and Richard III (Royal Shakespeare Company). Television includes: Mr Selfridge, EastEnders and Goodnight Sweetheart (6 series).

Mark Field | Irwin

Theatre includes: I Have Never (Theatre Royal Stratford East), The Conquest of the South Pole (Arcola Theatre), The Critic (Chichester Festival Theatre), The Water’s Edge (Arcola Theatre), The Grapes of Wrath(Chichester Festival Theatre) and An Inspector Calls (National Theatre). Film includes: Brideshead Revisited.

Susan Twist | Mrs. Lintott

Theatre includes: Hobson’s Choice (Octagon Theatre), The Market (West Yorkshire Playhouse), Ballroom Blitz (Hull Truck), Love on the Dole (Octagon Theatre) and Everybody Loves a Winner (Manchester Royal Exchange). Television includes: Scott & Bailey (ITV), Being Eileen (BBC), In the Flesh (BBC), Doctors(BBC) and The Royal (Yorkshire Television).

Sid Sagar | Akthar

Theatre includes: True Brits (High Tide/Bush Theatre), Eternal Love (English Touring Theatre) and The Taming of the Shrew (The Globe). Television Includes: The Hollow Crown: The Wars of the Roses (BBC) and The Lost Honour of Christopher Jefferies (ITV).

Matthew Durkan | Crowther

Theatre includes: The Cherry Orchard (New Wimbledon Studio), Painted Faces (The Vault Festival), and Pot Noodles and Knickers (Etcetera Theatre).

Patrick McNamee | Lockwood

Credits whilst training include: Sweeney Todd, A Few Good Men and A Midsummer Night’s Dream(LAMDA).

David Young | Rudge

The History Boys marks David’s professional debut. Credits whilst training include: Attempts on Her Life, The School of Night and The Revenger’s Tragedy (LAMDA).

Alex Hope | Scripps

Theatre includes: First Episode (Primavera Productions). Credits whilst training include You Can’t Take It With You, Spring Awakening and Epsom Downs (Royal Welsh College).

Joshua Mayes Cooper | Timms

Theatre includes: Operation Crucible (Finborough Theatre), Chapel Street (UK Tour), and Seven (Invertigo). Television includes: Doctors (BBC), Silk (BBC) and Holby City (BBC).

Chris Barritt | TV Director

Theatre includes: Maurice’s Jubilee (UK Tour), Basket Case (Chichester Festival Theatre), A Peaceful Resolution (Old Red Lion Theatre), The Misanthrope (Comedy Theatre), The Birthday Party (Duchess Theatre) and She Stoops to Conquer (National Theatre). Television includes: Emmerdale (Yorkshire Television).

Melody Brown | Fiona

Theatre includes: Bubbles (Watermill Theatre), The First Chinese Emperor (Yellow Earth), Fungus the Bogeyman (Pilot Theatre Company) and The Tempest (Marlow Theatre, Canterbury). Television includes:EastEnders (BBC).

The New Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham - Calamity Jane - 17.02.15 - 21.02.15

The New Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham

Presents:

Tuesday 17 to Saturday 21 February 2015

An electrifying buzz of excitement filled the auditorium at the New Alexandra Theatre for the classic Wild West musical Calamity Jane’s opening night. An abundance of cowboy hats and other tassel lined costume pieces accompanied the audience’s attire adding to the fun of becoming fully immersed in the Wild West theme of the night ahead.

Its the Summer of 1876 in Deadwood City and the audience are involved right from the start to feel like they are the spectators of the saloon’s shows. A comical introduction of a banjo player in spotlight in front of the main stage curtain mimics that of the saloon stage where our story is set, a creative yet simple detail to engage us straight away and feel very involved while a sing along to “The Black Hills of Dakota” develops. As the sing-along progresses, we were joined by the full cast as the curtain was raised to reveal the stunningly detailed set of Henry Miller’s saloon.

It is at the saloon from where the story begins and all of the action takes place and we witness a lively and friendly community of all sorts of characters. Our strong minded, thick skinned heroine Calamity Jane (Jodie Prenger) is paired with the ironically named straight laced keeper of the peace Wild Bill (Tom Lister) to step in and save the nervous saloon owner Henry Miller’s (Anthony Dunn) neck. Unrest ensues when it seems that not for the first time, the booking of a beautiful actress turns sour as voluptuous Frances arrives and much to the owner’s dismay is actually “Francis” - a man (Rob Delaney). Despite his best and hilarious efforts to impress the punters with his womanly charm, his identity is unveiled and Calamity is forced to politely shoot her gun to silence the miners and nearly give the audience a heart attack. From this point onwards, Calamity is on a mission to retrieve the lusted after heart throb Adelaide Adams (Christina Tedders) from Chicago, that the miners crave to save the saloon. Mistaking the young and beautiful performer hopeful Katy Brown (Phoebe Street) for Adelaide, Calamity loads her onto the next coach for Deadwood City for her to perform. Crushed under the pressure of stage fright and guilt, Katy reveals her true identity on stage to a crowd of unsatisfied customers, where once again Calamity uses her unique powers of persuasion to extinguish the flames of anger and accepts Katy into the community. However, as the new girl in town becomes more popular, the growing desire for her affections spread to that of sweetheart prince charming like Lt. Danny Gilmartin (Alex Hammond) whom Calamity is infatuated with. Rivalry commences between Katy and Calamity and becomes a potential threat to the peace of the community, its up to their friends to help Calamity embrace change or her world could be turned upside down.

There is no doubt that this cast is incredibly talented on many levels as not only do they all sing beautifully and blend harmoniously together, most of the cast play several musical instruments and perform them flawlessly on stage for the music throughout the show which was especially impressive when syncing this with complex dance routines. All cast members excelled in all areas of performance with seemingly endless amounts of energy and enthusiasm which is incredibly infectious! The level of skill really stood out and added to the wow factor of the performance as every cast member showcased their art impeccably.

Jodie Prenger was phenomenal, her confident, leading lady performance with her famously powerful voice from the West End and strong character interpretation really embodied Calamity Jane’s personality that had the audience captivated as we rooted for her and laughed with her the whole way through.

Birmingham’s own Alex Hammond is perfect for the role of Wild Bill as he portrays the changing characteristics of Bill brilliantly; from the strong and surly serious side in Act 1, to his more tender and playful side in Act two where his acoustic rendition of Higher than a Hawk melted the hearts of the audience.

Rob Delaney impressed as Francis with his incredibly light footed dancing, animated expression and flawless comic timing that had the audience in fits of laughter.

Phoebe Street injected a lot of comedy and fun to the show through her role as the sweet and quirky Katy Brown with whom we all immediately connected to for her endearing vulnerability and beautiful voice.

This show will have you grinning from ear to ear with its toe tapping catchy music to sing along to, hoe downs galore, stunning set and costume transporting you back in time, quick on the draw dialogue and full to the brim of talent that will leave you speechless and wanting more.

Review by Nathalie Colen

PRODUCTION NOTES:

WATERMILL THEATRE NEWBURY, JAMIE WILSON

PAUL ELLIOTT AND DUNCAN C WELDON’S

NEW PRODUCTION OF THE MUSICAL

Birmingham’s very own Alex Hammond will play a leading role in a brand new production of Calamity Jane, at the New Alexandra Theatre from Tuesday 17 to Saturday 21 February 2015. He will join Jodie Prenger in the title role of ‘Calamity Jane’ former Emmerdale star Tom Lister as ‘Wild Bill Hickok ,and Pheobe Street as Katie Brown.

Alex, 23, who grew up in Kings Heath and went to King Edward’s Camp Hill, is a former member Solihull Operatic Society’s youth section and a graduate from the Royal Academy of Music last summer.


He most recently played the understudy of Sam Pontipee in Seven Brides for Seven Brothers at the New Alexandra Theatre in February 2014 and achieved rave reviews from Birmingham audiences.

Tom Lister most recently played ‘Grimes and Eel’ in the world premiere of “Water Babies” at Leicester Curve. He is probably best known to TV audiences for his role as ‘Carl King’ in ITV’s “Emmerdale”, a part he plated for nine years. His theatre credits also include ‘Pan’ in “Loves Mistress” at the Globe Theatre and ‘Ralph’ in “Accrington Pals” at the West Yorkshire Playhouse. Alex Hammond made his professional debut in the hugely successful “Taboo” at the Brixton Academy. He most recently played the role of ‘Adam Pontipee’ in the national tour of “Seven Brides for Seven Brothers”. His other theatre credits include “Save The Last Dance For Me”. Phoebe Street most recently appeared in “The Light Princess” at the National Theatre. Her other credits include “Les Miserables” at the Queen’s Theatre where she made her West End debut.

The rest of the company includes Anthony Dunn as ‘Henry Miller’, Sioned Saunders as ‘Susan’, Rob Delaney as ‘Francis Fryer’,Christina Tedders as ‘Adelaide Adams’, Paul Kissaun as ‘Rattlesnake’, Jon Bonner as ‘Doc’, Martin McCarthy as ‘Joe’, Matthew James Hinchliffe as ‘Buck’ and Jamie Noar as ‘Hank’.

Jodie Prenger is probably best known for winning the role of ‘Nancy’ in Cameron Mackintosh’s West End production of “Oliver!” through the BBC television series “I’d Do Anything”. During her run in the show at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane she received both critical and public acclaim for her portrayal of the role. Since then she has starred in the National Theatre’s hit production of “One Man, Two Guvnors” both in the West End and on tour and as ‘Lady of the Lake’ in “Spamalot”. Jodie is also a regular presenter on BBC Radio 2.

“CALAMITY JANE” will be directed by Nikolai Foster, has Orchestrations and Musical Supervision by Catherine Jayes, Choreography by Nick Winston, Set and Costume design by Matthew Wright, Lighting Design by Richard G Jones and Sound Design by Sebastian Frost.

Nikolai Foster’s most recent theatre credits include the 20^th Anniversary production of Jonathan Harvey’s “Beautiful Thing” both in the West End and on tour, “Annie” at the West Yorkshire Playhouse and the national tour of “The Witches of Eastwick”.

Catherine Jayes was most recently musical director for the award-winning production of “Merrily We Roll Along” at both the Menier Chocolate Factory and Harold Pinter theatre in the West End. Her other credits at the Chocolate Factory include “The Color Purple” and “Road Show”. She has composed the music for “The Duchess of Malfi”, “Othello”, “The Changeling”, “Cymbeline” and “Troilus and Cressida”, all for Cheek By Jowl where she is also an associate director. Her other musical director credits include “Guys and Dolls” and “Sweet Charity” for Sheffield Crucible and “Gypsy”, “Fiddler on the Roof” and “High Society” for the West Yorkshire Playhouse.

Nick Winston’s theatre credits as choreographer include “Loserville” in the West End and “Annie” and “Sweeney Todd” at the West Yorkshire Playhouse and most recently the World Premiere of “Water Babies” at Leicester Curve.

Following numerous highly acclaimed productions that include “Sweeney Todd” and “Sunset Boulevard”, The Watermill Theatre, Newbury presents a new production of the classic musical “CALAMITY JANE”. Featuring a cast of multi-talented actor/musicians to create an unforgettable experience, this brand new production gets to the heart and soul of the musical.

Calamity Jane can outrun and outshoot any man in Deadwood. Hard, boastful and desperate to impress, she travels to Chicago to recruit a star, Adelaide Adams, for the Deadwood Stage. But things don’t go too smoothly for Calamity, as everyone in town favours the new girl and she struggles to keep her jealousy and pride in check. It takes her long-standing enemy Wild Bill Hickok to make her see sense, and realise her Secret Love...

Calamity Jane has an Oscar nominated score that includes The Black Hills of Dakota, The Deadwood Stage (Whip-Crack-Away), Just Blew in from the Windy City and the award-winning song Secret Love.

“CALAMITY JANE” is adapted for the stage by Charles K. Freeman and has music by Sammy Fain with lyrics by Paul Francis Webster.

CALAMITY JANE 2014/2015

www.calamityjanetheshow.com

www.twitter.com/CalamityJaneUK

www.facebook.com/CalamityJanetheShow

17 – 21 February 2015 – BIRMINGHAM NEW ALEXANDRA THEATRE

Tickets are available on www.atgtickets.com/birmingham or 0844 871 3011

Avenue Q - 17.02.2015 - 28.02.2015

Keith Hayes and Nigel Higgs

Presents:

Avenue Q

Tuesday 17th - Saturday 28th February 2015

This musical seems to be becoming a cult classic across the UK and I can now see why....

Avenue Q is an American Musical based on an original concept by Robert Lopez and Jeff Marx who also wrote the music and lyrics.

It asks the audience to use their imaginations and be transported to a world of fur! The production revolves around puppetry with the actors working them wearing black and fully visible throughout the production. You do, however, forget about the actors and find yourself mesmerised by the colourful characters involved in the storyline.

Through song and comedy, this production actually touches on some hard hitting subjects such as the anxiety of entering into adulthood, pornography, racism and homosexuality and we even have full puppet nudity!!

The cast consists of 11 puppet characters and 3 human characters and the whole show is lively, fun and extremely entertaining. You have visuals on screens, catchy musical numbers and some extremely funny 1 liners.

We also have a real life person who is put into the script in a fictional situation. This person is Gary Coleman. Coleman was a child actor who played Arnold Jackson in Diff'rent Strokes, a 1980s American sitcom. He famously sued his parents after it was discovered they were delving into his assets. Gary Coleman actually died on 28th May 2010 and to honour him, the Off-Broadway productions in New York and the national tour in Dallas dedicated that nights performance to his memory.

The show mainly revolves around Princeton (Oli Leonard), a college graduate who has an degree in English and is on the hunt for his 'purpose' in life. He finds that the only apartment he can afford is on Avenue Q, where he meets his neighbour Kate Monster (Suzy Donnelly), a kindergarden teaching assistant with dreams of opening her own monster school. The 2 hit it off and we have the usual will they, wont they get together, and yes that full puppet nudity! Will they find love or will Lucy the Slut (Karrise Willetts) come between them? These 3 actors give believable and touching portrayals of their characters, well, maybe not Lucy the Slut who believes herself irresistible to all men. Karrise really does know how to belt out those numbers and made the character as marvellously slutty as she could be.

Also on Avenue Q we have Rod (Duncan McLawrie) who is a Republican banker and his roommate Nicky (Simon Baker). Their story follows the subject of homosexuality and when Rod discovers that Nicky is telling people that he believe that he is gay, he asks him to leave the apartment making Nicky homeless. Duncan McLawrie as Rod really gave us that feeling of hopelessness and indecision while Simon Baker as Nicky was full of life and fun.

Brian (Richard Beckett) and Christmas Eve (MIllie Farrelly) are 2 of the human characters within the storyline. Christmas Eve s a Japanese therapist but can't seem to get any clients, while Brian would like to be a comedian and is unemployed. The show shows their struggle and eventual happiness when Brian gains a job as a consultant. Richard Beckett and Millie Farrelly worked well with the characters and held their own in the midst of puppets.

Trekkie Monster (Mark Murphy & Dave Carey) is an absolute joy. He brings mayhem and fun where ever he goes. He seems to spend his life in his apartment and is in no doubt whatsoever that 'The Internet is for Porn' - he believe in this so much that he has even invested in it!

The bad idea bears played by Christina Peak and Chaz Farmer are the voices in our head that tell us things that we shouldn't be doing but really want to. They are cute, cuddly with an evil streak!

This production was something that Keith Hayes and Nigel Higgs had always wanted to produce and when the licence became available they snapped it up with all 4 hands!! They have lovingly directed and staged this show which is evident from the outset. The movement between scenes had been cleverly thought out and it was apparent that the actors all had a fabulous time entertaining us.

The use of the professional puppets really added to the production and gave it that high quality feel. The puppets and set had been hired from the professional touring production and all of the actors had been on a workshop in London with puppeteers which came across with wonderful handling of the characters. Simon Baker as Nicky and Mark Murphy/Dave Carey as Trekkie Monster really stood out for their exquisite puppeteering skills.

The cast were all extremely talented and there was not a weak link amongst them. I must mention Dane Foxx who played Gary Coleman. His character work, timing, singing and interaction with the audience was outstanding and he is a real talent to watch in the future.

The performances are run by 2 casts so here is a run down of dates and casts:

Team Soli (17th, 19th, 21st, 25th & 27th)
Princeton - Oli Leonard
Kate Monster - Suzy Donnelly
Nicky - Simon Baker
Rod - Duncan McLaurie
Lucy the Slut - Karrise Willets
Bad Idea Bears - Christina Peak & Chaz 'Saintly Sin' Farmer
Trekkie Monster - Mark Murphy
Christmas Eve - Amelia Rose Farrelly
Brian - Richard Beckett
Gary Coleman - Dane Foxx
Newcomer - Matthew Cotter

Team Kicky (18th, 20th, 24th, 26th, 28th)

Princeton - Richard Ham
Kate Monster - Karrise Willetts
Nicky - Simon Baker
Rod - Duncan McLaurie
Lucy the Slut - Suzy Donnelly
Bad Idea Bears - Louise Grifferty & Eléna Serafinas
Trekkie Monster - Dave Carey
Christmas Eve - Liz Webster
Brian - Richard Beckett
Gary Coleman - Dane Foxx
Newcomer - Matthew Cotter

This is a show definitely not to be missed and we all left the theatre with a skip in our step and buzzing from this theatrical experience.

To book your tickets, you can go to the online booking site: http://avenueq.devclever.net/ or buy your tickets on the door.

What are you waiting for????

The show is being performed at Highbury Theatre Centre,Sheffield Road, Sutton Coldfield, West Midlands B73 5HD

Watch out as we will also be reviewing Team Kicky on Friday!!

Review by: Jayne Lunn & Faye Hatch

The New Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham - Dance Til Dawn - 09.02.15 - 14.02.15

The New Alexandra Theatre

Birmingham

Presents:

Direct from the West End the creators of Midnight Tango present

VINCENT SIMONE AND FLAVIA CACACE

IN HOLLYWOOD SPECTACULAR

DANCE ‘TIL DAWN
Monday 9th - Saturday 14th February 2015

Strictly Come Dancing's Vincent Simone and Flavia Cacace hit The Alex's stage in Dance 'Til Dawn, merging dance, theatre and musical theatre, with a little murder mystery. Set in 1940s Hollywood, narrator Tommy Dubrowski (Teddy Kempner) breaks the fourth wall while telling the story of two lovers, Tony and Sadie, played by the Strictly duo, as they try to uncover the scandal and murder of Bobby, Sadie's promiscuous boyfriend, he was shot down by Lana Clemenza, (Abbie Osmon) nightclub performer and wife of a gangster. The piece is full of gags, beautiful live music and hypnotising dance routines. 

Vincent and Flavia are obviously not actors and perhaps this could of been played on a little, they do not speak a word throughout the performance, however their skilled moves do all the talking, from the foxtrot to their famous Argentinian tango, fighting with the Bugsy Malone-like thugs and leaping over knocked out hoods. The pair have amazing chemistry which echos within every step, alongside this is the supporting cast's ability to deliver the epic choreography. Audiences were stunned when gorgeous women were lifted up into the air, appearing to be as light as a feather in the arms of hunky men

The live band and fabulous voice of Oliver Darley and others bring classics back to life, such as Moon River and Cry Me a River while putting a 40s twist on modern hits like Adele's, Rumour Has it and Bruno Mars', Runaway Baby. 

The story line is not one that will go down in history as one of the greats, although it is more to expose the talent of these dancers which has attracted audience and kept them glued to the stage and wanting more. It's vibrant set and carefully timed lighting effects dazzle. This is not a show that makes its audience sit back and relax, your eyes will be darting from one performer to another, mesmerised by the quick steps and fancy footwork.

Review by Ellie Scandrett

Theatre Notes:

ARGENTINE TANGO, CHARLESTON, QUICKSTEP AND BREATHTAKING WALTZES

BIG BAND AND SPECTACULAR SETS EVOKE GOLDEN AGE OF HOLLYWOOD

Fresh from wowing audiences in London’s glittery West End, TV’s Strictly Come Dancing favouritesVINCENT SIMONE and FLAVIA CACACE announce a 2015 UK Tour. DANCE ‘TIL DAWN, a sensational show straight from the Golden Age of Hollywood will come to the New Alexandra Theatre on Monday 9 February 2015.. Tickets are on sale now, please seewww.dancetildawnonstage.com for details.

Former World Champions, Vincent and Flavia have been dancing together for twenty years and stole the hearts of the British public with their breathtaking Argentine Tango on TV’s Strictly Come Dancing. Since the dazzling duo launchedMidnight Tango in 2010, they have thrilled over half a million people across the UK both on tour and in London’s West End.

Dance ‘Til Dawn is directed by Olivier Award winning choreographer and director Karen Bruce who directed Vincent and Flavia’s Olivier Award nominated show, Midnight Tango.

Fusing musical theatre, dance, romance and comedy into a smash hit spectacle, Dance ‘Til Dawn transports you to the seductive age of Los Angeles in the 1940s. In the midst of a Hollywood film shoot leading man Bobby Burns is murdered and a romance develops between beautiful starlet Sadie Strauss (Flavia Cacace) and her handsome lover Tony DeLuca (Vincent Simone). As a plot to frame Tony DeLuca unfolds, the duo use their flawless footwork and spellbinding choreography to Tango and Quickstep their way out of trouble and into each other’s arms.

Dance ‘Til Dawn is an unforgettable evening of timeless sophistication, breathtaking world class dance with stunning sets, glamorous costumes and a full live band performing iconic numbers including  Feeling Good, Moon River and Stand By Me.

Joining Vincent and Flavia are Oliver Darley as The Voice, Teddy Kempner as Tommy Dubrowski, Abbie Osmon as Lana Clemenza, Faye Best, Tyman Boatwright, Callum Clack, Ivan De Freitas, Ben Harris, Rebecca Lisewski, Jemima Loddy, Ian Oswald, Giovanni Spano, Danny Stowell, Lindsey Tierney and Gemma Whitelam.

Dance ‘Til Dawn is produced by Adam Spiegel Productions.

www.DanceTilDawnOnStage.com  / @VFDanceTilDawn / Facebook

DANCE ‘TIL DAWN PERFORMANCE DETAILS

Monday 9 – Saturday 14 February                         Box Office: 0844 871 3011
Birmingham Alexandra Theatre                              Website: www.atgtickets.com

DANCE ‘TIL DAWN – CREATIVE TEAM

Book by Ed Curtis

Director and Co-Choreographer Karen Bruce

Co-Choreographer Flavia Cacace

Co-Choreographer Vincent Simone

Set Designer Morgan Large

Costume Designer Vicky Gill

Lighting Designer James Whiteside

Music Arranger and Orchestrator Chris Egan

Musical Director Mark Crossland

Sound Designer Richard Brooker

Casting Director Anne Vosser

Assistant Director and Choreographer Elliot Nixon