Sense and Sensibility - The Grange Players - 20.07.16 - 30.07.16

Jane Austen's

Sense & Sensibility

Adapted by Jessica Swale

July 20th - July 30th 2016

Directed By Louise Farmer

Sense & Sensibility is one of Jane Austen's best loved novels. It was written in 1811. 

Jessica Swale adapted the novel into a play and directed it in 2014 at The Watermill Theatre.

It is a charming story of the Dashwoods who are forced out of their home after their father died leaving all of his fortune to a male heir, his son John by his first marriage.

John's wife, Fanny, played by Liz Webster, was a nasty piece of work and declaired that the Dashwoods needed to leave their beloved Norland Park and they ended up in a cold Devonshire Cottage which was kindly offered to them by Sir John Middleton (Andy Jones).  Mrs Jennings, played by Jill Simkins made it her mission to marry the three Dashwood girls off and it's not long before a dashing Mr Willoughby, played with charm by Matt Cotter appeared on the scene to capture the heart of Marrianne Dashwood who was depicted by Stephanie Evans as a girl who lives for the moment and wears her heart well and truly on her sleeve. Her sweet nature and lovely singing voice also captured the heart of Colonel Brandon, nicely played by Sam Evans. His portrayal of the overshadowed love interest was delicately displayed. We also had 2 further Dashwood children, Elinor, the oldest of the three who kept her love for Edward Ferrars (Tomas Frater) hidden after she discovered that he was already promised to Lucy Steele (Libby Allport).

Elinor was played by Rachel Holmes and she gave a touching portrayal of a girl with far too much on her young shoulders. Her scenes with Edward were delicately portrayed and both gave some very touching portrayals.

Sam Allen gave a strong performance as Mrs Dashwood, the wife left with out a husband, fortune or home. Her expressions throughout told a thousand stories.

Katie Allen was a delight as the youngest Dashwood Daughter, Margaret. Her innocent, funny, full of life performance was touching and extremely entertaining.

One character to mention was Mr Palmer, played by Dan Payne. His glum, dry one liners captured the moment brilliantly and the audience couldn't help but laugh every time he opened his mouth or gave a knowing glance.

The show is full of pace and humour. There is a nice distinction between light and shade and Louise Farmer has directed this piece well.

Lighting depicted the different times of day well and the set worked well with different locations from rooms to outdoors.

The only slight flaw in the performance had to be the scene changes. The show has many scenes and changes in venue and it did slow the production down slightly. This was opening night though so there was time for the changes to quicken up and also to be a little less noisy.

Overall, this was a well put together production and is well worth going to see.

The show runs until 30th July 2016

The Grange Players - Something's Afoot - 16.09.15 - 26.09.15

The Grange Players

Presents:

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Something's Afoot

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Book, Music & Lyrics by James McDonald, David Vos & Robert Gerlach

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September 16th - 26th 2015

Something's Afoot is a lively murder mystery musical set in 1935 that touches on the novel by Agatha Christie 'And Then There Were None'. 

It is set in the Lake Estate which is owned by Lord Dudley Rancour. He has invited a selection of people over indicating that he needs to speak to them individually.

The guests are Hope Langdon (Phebe Jackson), Doctor Greyburn (Dexter Whitehead), Dudley's Nephew Nigel Rancour (Tomas Frater), Lady Manley-Prowe (Suzy Donnely), Colonel Gillweather (Andy Jones) and artist Miss Tweed (Jenny Gough). There to welcome them is Clive the butler (Ray Laurence), Lettie the new maid (Elena Serafinas) and Flint the caretaker (Gary Pritchard).

Once the guests have all arrived, the weather takes a turn and they all become stranded. The lighting effects throughout the production are extremely well designed and operated and really help to create the mood of the piece.

Lord Dudley Rancour is found dead bringing unease and disruption to the group. Miss Tweed, played by Jenny Gough takes it upon herself to become detective and systematically accuses everyone at some point.

Throughout the production guests and staff are one by one 'popped off' in elaborate, theatrical ways and taken to the library in readiness for the police to arrive - the library soon becomes a very busy place with electrocutions, poison, stabbing, and even a clunk on the head with a bust!!

As well as the guests we have Geoffrey (Robbie Newton), a college student arrive at the Estate. He had been rowing when the weather changed and he managed to swim to the estate for shelter.

As the evening continues things start to unravel and it becomes clear that the guests lives are all interwoven with each other and that Dudley Rancour had a very clear motive for asking everyone to attend at the same time.

The musical numbers are fun and lively and well presented by Musical Director Tom Brookes. Some of my favourites have to be 'the butler didn't do it' and 'you fell out of the sky' which was wonderfully portrayed by Phebe Jackson.

Eleva Serafinas portrayal of Lettie the Maid was hilarious and she shone like a star throughout with her little one liners and knowing looks. Her musical number with Gary Pritchart (Flint the Caretaker) 'problematical solution' (the dinghy song) was a joy and really had the audience uplifted.

I wont ruin the ending as you will need to go and watch for yourselves but it is a great night out if you like a good old murder mystery with a touch of silliness.

Dexter Whitehead has created a lovely piece of theatre that will have you jumping, laughing, feeling tense and leaving with a smile on your face.

The production runs until the 26th September 2015

New Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham - Saturday Night Fever - 17.03.15-23.03.15

The New Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham

Presents:

Saturday Night Fever

Tuesday 17th - Saturday 23rd March 2014

It would have been so easy to have made Saturday Night fever into a Bee Gees tribute night of disco nostalgia and cheesy dance routines. Ryan McBryde, however, has creatively directed the musical with the focus on the dark reality youngsters had to face of living in the 1970s USA recession with disco offering the only escape. 

The musical revolves around the protagonist Tony Manero’s (Danny Bayne) struggle to come to terms with his identity and purpose as he continues to hold down his dead end job at the paint store, support his family and hang around the streets of Brooklyn with his gang. Disco is Tony’s savior, he lives for the thrill of the dance floor at the Odyssey Club and sweeps everyone off their feet with his immense talent and confidence (the ladies even more so). Meeting the driven and intellectual fellow dancer Stephanie (Naomi Slights) changes Tony’s perception on where his life should lead for the better and he comes to terms with disco being an illusion. The path to self progression and enlightenment for Tony means leaving his old life behind, a big step to take for any youngster.

For those that are fans of the original film have no fear as most of the dialogue and characters from the film has been kept the same to stay true to the film’s original charm. In addition to this, the lyrics and music from the Bee Gees’ hit songs do narrate the musical and are accompanied by energetic contemporary choreography by Andrew Wright with some of those familiar night fever moves effortlessly incorporated. It must be noted that the songs are arranged so uniquely that often some phrases are unrecognisable from their original versions but this works incredibly well to achieve strong emotional scenes. Short phrases of the popular hit “Stayin Alive”, for instance, are used throughout between scene changes to depict the gritty atmosphere of the scenes of Tony’s home and work life. The multi-talented cast perform songs accappella and with full instrumentation as they themselves are the band! For example,“Jive Talkin’” is performed by Tony and his gang with an acoustic guitar, cajon and rhythmic dancing to provide the music in one scene, in contrast to the full band (most of whom are dancing complex routines at the same time) complete with flawless vocals from the club singer (Cici Howells) at the Odyssey Club. 

The staging of this musical is to be highly praised with its slick scene changes with minimal set to really allow the focus on the story and keep up the pace. Visually stunning lighting perfectly set the mood throughout and projected onto the set to give it the detail needed for: naturalistic scenery, the signage for each place setting, creative scene transitions (train window animation for example) and of course to set the disco party atmosphere full of energy and excitement. 

Danny Bayne’s portrayal of Tony Manero is well rehearsed having just returned from the US tour of Saturday Night Fever and it really shows. He renders a convincing male chauvinistic character with all the confidence of Travolta and yet has an underlying vulnerability that is very endearing to watch. His skill as a dancer is completely engaging, flawless and very exciting to watch. 

The balance of light and shade in the story is staged perfectly as the audience can really understand Tony’s struggle as well as enjoy the attention grabbing variety of music throughout performed by a magnificent cast. Although some scenes dipped a little in pace, this was more than made up for in the disco/dance scenes which required a high voltage of energy where the cast truly excelled. The explosive disco medley finale finishes off the show in style getting the majority of the audience on their feet to join in. In conclusion, this show provides a very enjoyable evening for all and you will be guaranteed to be dancing your way out of the theatre (and even practicing the moves at home!).

Review by Nathalie Colen

SHOW NOTES:

Produced by Theatre Royal Bath Productions in association with the Robert Stigwood Organisation this brand new production of one of the most loved dance stories of all time. It features a twenty-strong cast of hugely talented actor-musicians and is packed full of legendary hits from the Bee Gees including the classics Stayin’ Alive, Night Fever, Jive Talking, How Deep is Your Love? and You Should Be Dancing.

The date is 1976 and in New York, Tony Manero, a young man from a tough Brooklyn neighbourhood with a dead-end job and an extraordinary ability to dance, has only one ambition in life - to become the disco king.  Every Saturday night, Tony dons his flares and hits the dance floor, creating a stir as he wows the crowds with his phenomenal moves and routines. When he meets Stephanie, who also dreams of a world beyond Brooklyn, and they decide to train together for a dance competition, their lives begin to change forever.

The smash hit 1977 film of Saturday Night Fever starring Oscar-nominee John Travolta inspired the definitive soundtrack by the Bee Gees and popularised disco around the world. The multi Grammy Award-winning music behind the film, combined with its gripping storyline captured the imagination of millions.

The role of Tony Manero is played by Danny Bayne, who made his West End debut as Danny Zuko in the musical Grease at London’s Piccadilly Theatre after winning ITV’s Grease is the Word. He starred in the West End for two years and performed the role on tour. He returns to the role of Tony Manero after touring the US in Saturday Night Fever. A talented dancer, he has achieved the status of British Champion in Freestyle, Hip Hop, Latin American and Rock ‘n’ Roll.

Naomi Slights plays the role of Stephanie. Her credits include Mamma Mia! in the West End, 20^th Century Boy on UK Tour, Thank You For The Music at Hyde Park, and she returns to the role of Stephanie after starring in Saturday Night Fever at Frankfurt’s English Theatre.   

Andrew Wright won Best Choreographer at the WhatsOnStage Awards 2013 for his choreography of the West End production of Singin’ in the Rain. He was also nominated for Best Choreographer at the 2012 Olivier Awards and the 2011 Broadway World Awards.  Earlier this year, he choreographed the UK Tour of Barnum starring Brian Conley, and the UK tour of Betty Blue Eyes. He co-choreographed Guys and Dolls at Chichester alongside Carlos Acosta; and his award-winning choreography on Singin' In The Rain has been seen nationwide on tour.

Director Ryan McBryde has worked extensively in the UK and Europe. His previous productions range from the RSC’s 50^th Anniversary Gala to the German premieres of the musicals Spring Awakening and The Full Monty.  He directed Saturday Night Fever for Frankfurt’s English Theatre.  He also directed the European tour of The Who’s Tommy; he was Resident Director for the West End musical Billy Elliot; and his production of Hamlet! The Musical at Northampton’s Royal and Derngate and Richmond Theatre, won the WhatsOnStage Theatregoers' Choice Award.

Co-producer Robert Stigwood is one of the world’s leading impresarios and entertainment entrepreneurs, whose stage shows have included Hair, Evita and Jesus Christ Superstar, and whose phenomenally successful films have included Grease and Saturday Night Fever.

In 2011, Theatre Royal Bath Productions (TRBP) presented the Tony Award-winning musical comedy Avenue Q on its first UK tour, in collaboration with Cameron Mackintosh. This Autumn TRBP have produced Hay Fever starring Felicity Kendal, currently on tour in Australia and Lindsay Lohan’s West End debut in Speed-the-Plow.

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

The Frozen Scream - Birmingham Hippodrome - 7th - 17th January 2015

Wales Millennium Centre, Birmingham Hippodrome and Christopher Green

present brand new show for the winter season

The Frozen Scream

co-written by novelist Sarah Waters

Based on a largely forgotten murder-mystery novel, The Frozen Scream brings the chilling tale back to life for the stage, offering a unique show this festive season co-written by Olivier-award winning performer and writer Christopher Green and best-selling novelist Sarah Waters.

Directed by Christopher Green, who will also perform in the show, The Frozen Scream tells the story of a group of friends stranded in an abandoned lodge in the heart of winter. Attempting to entertain themselves with the tale of Jack Frost, fictional horror quickly slips into reality as events escalate in unexpected ways. The original novel, written by English novelist CC Gilbert, while popular when it was published in 1928, rapidly fell out of favour when a series of mysterious deaths led to the belief that the novel was cursed.

This creative collaboration between Wales Millennium Centre and Birmingham Hippodrome arose from a shared desire to offer audiences an alternative form of Christmas entertainment. This month the two venues have also collaborated on the UK Tour of the Wales Millennium Centre and Cape Town Opera presentation of Show Boat, showing at Wales Millennium Centre this month (22 – 26 July).

With both Cardiff and Birmingham set to present an extensive programme of family orientated shows, musicals and pantomimes this winter, The Frozen Scream will offer an exciting alternative for local audiences.

The Frozen Scream will premiere at Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff (11 – 20 Dec 2014), followed by Birmingham Hippodrome (7 - 17 Jan 2015).

The Frozen Scream is the first play to be written by acclaimed novelist Sarah Waters, well-known for her award wining novels including Tipping the Velvet (1998), Fingersmith (2002), and The Little Stranger (2009). Her latest novel, The Paying Guests, is due to be published this autumn.

Christopher Green, co-writer and director of The Frozen Scream, said: ‘When I started thinking about the show, my ideas kept resonating with my memories of Sarah’s book, The Little Stranger. Having been a fan of Sarah’s work since reading Tipping the Velvet, I was very keen to collaborate with her. Although this feels like such a new way of working for us both, it's remarkable how smooth the creative process has been so far.  As long as the curse doesn't kick in, we'll be rocking, I reckon. I love to constantly surprise my audiences and The Frozen Scream will definitely do that, sending good old-fashioned chills up the spine!’

An award-winning performer and writer, Christopher Green has created numerous pieces of experimental theatre including Office Party, VIP, The Razzle and This Show Has No Name. He is also well-known as a character comedian, playing under numerous personas including country music singer, Tina C, and rapping pensioner, Ida Barr.

Sarah Waters, co-writer of The Frozen Scream, said: ‘Chris has been great to work with - really inspirational - and it's been incredibly productive having someone to brainstorm with. I wasn't sure how I'd take to writing for the stage. I'm a great theatre-goer, but plays and novels are such different things: working on The Frozen Scream was a bit of a leap into the dark for me. But it's proved to be a real adventure, and tremendous fun. I'm thrilled to be working in a new medium, with such a talented writer and performer as Chris. I'm looking forward to giving our audiences some scares, and some fun. I'm also excited to be working in my homeland, Wales.’

Artistic Director at Wales Millennium Centre, Graeme Farrow, said: ‘It's thrilling to be premiering this unique production, written and directed by world-class artists, and to be able to offer an exciting, alternative form of Christmas entertainment for our audiences. I believe there is a great deal of synergy between Wales Millennium Centre and Birmingham Hippodrome, and I am hopeful that the present collaboration will help nurture a creative partnership that will see many more exciting collaborations.’

Paul Kaynes, Creative Programme Director, Birmingham Hippodrome added: ‘We are delighted to be working with Wales Millennium Centre on this joint commission bringing together two writers of the highest calibre to create The Frozen Scream.   Christopher Green  - already presenting Ida Barr’s Mash Up at our forthcoming Summer in Southside – and the award winning novelist Sarah Waters  is an extremely exciting creative combination providing an alternative evening out at the theatre over the Festive season.’

The Frozen Scream is the first collaboration between Waters and Green.

The Frozen Scream runs at Wales Millennium Centre from Thursday 11 – Tuesday 20 December 2015. Tickets go on sale to Wales Millennium Centre Promise Platinum & Gold members today (Friday 18 July) and Promise members on 25 July, with general on sale on Friday 1 August. Tickets are priced at £16. Age guidance: 16+. For more information and to book tickets visit www.wmc.org.uk or call 029 2063 6464.

The Frozen Scream runs at Birmingham Hippodrome from Wednesday 7 - Saturday 17 January 2015.  Tickets go on sale to Birmingham Hippodrome Friends today (Friday 18 July) with general on sale on Tuesday 22 July.    Tickets are priced £15.00-£18.50 and are available onlinewww.birminghamhippodrome.com or phone 0844 338 5000.

Wicked - Birmingham Hippodrome Theatre - 9th July - 6th September 2014

Birmingham Hippodrome Theatre

WICKED

SEEN BY 42 MILLION WORLDWIDE AND NOW WICKED FLIES IN TO BIRMINGHAM

PERFORMANCES FROM WEDNESDAY 9 JULY UNTIL SATURDAY 6 SEPTEMBER

WICKED, the global musical phenomenon that tells the incredible untold story of the Witches of Oz, arrives in Birmingham tomorrow evening (Wednesday 9 July) to begin its strictly limited nine week summer engagement at the Hippodrome.

Executive Producer Michael McCabe said: “We are delighted to be bringing this spectacular production of Wicked to one of the most glorious theatres in the country. We look forward to what looks certain to be a very successful summer season in the city.”

Chief Executive of Birmingham Hippodrome, Stuart Griffiths said: "We are thrilled that Wicked opens at Birmingham Hippodrome tomorrow for a dazzling nine week season. We look forward to welcoming theatregoers over the summer for what is one of the most popular musicals of all time.” 

This spectacular production of “this thrillingly entertaining show” (Manchester Evening News) has broken countless Box Office records and already received multiple five star reviews across England, Scotland, Wales and Ireland.

The award-winning London production continues its open-ended run at the Apollo Victoria Theatre, where it is now the 10^th longest running show in the West End. Around the world, Wicked has already been seen by 42 million people in 13 countries, and won 100 international awards.

In a brilliantly witty re-imagining of the stories and characters created by L. Frank Baum in ‘The Wonderful Wizard of Oz’, Wicked tells the incredible untold story of an unlikely but profound friendship between two sorcery students. Their extraordinary adventures in Oz will ultimately see them fulfil their destinies as Glinda The Good and the Wicked Witch of the West.

Wicked has music and lyrics by Stephen Schwartz, a book by Winnie Holzman, musical staging by Wayne Cilento and is directed by two-time Tony Award® winner Joe Mantello. Wicked is based on the novel, ‘Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West’, by Gregory Maguire.

Wicked is produced by: Marc Platt, Universal Stage Productions, The Araca Group, Jon B. Platt and David Stone. Executive Producer (UK):Michael McCabe.

Official UK website: www.WickedTheMusical.co.uk

Birmingham Hippodrome

Hurst Street

Southside

Birmingham

B5 4TB

PUBLIC BOOKING NOW OPEN AS FOLLOWS:

IN PERSON: AT THE BIRMINGHAM HIPPODROME BOX OFFICE

TELEPHONE BOOKINGS: 0844 338 5000*

BOOK ONLINE: www.birminghamhippodrome.com*

*5% transaction charge applies (excl. cash sales in person) plus £1 postage. Phone calls from 5p per minute. Prices and discounting subject to change.

Groups: 0844 338 7000 (Mon-Fri, 10.00am-6pm)

Access line: 0844 338 5000

Performance Times:

Monday-Saturday 7.30pm, Matinees Wednesday at 2.00pm & Saturday 2.30pm

Extra matinees added Thursday 14 & Thursday 28 August 2014 at 2.00pm

Ticket Prices:

Monday-Thursday: £55, £50, £45, £40, £33, £25

Friday & Saturday: £60, £55, £50, £45, £38, £30

For best ticket availability, choose Monday-Thursday performances.

The musical runs approximately 2 hours and 45 minutes (including an interval) and is suitable for a general audience. As a guide to parents and guardians, it is recommended for ages 7+. All persons entering the theatre, regardless of age, must have a ticket. Children under 3 years of age will not be admitted

Gregory Maguire’s ‘Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West’ is published by Headline.

The book is recommended for readers aged 16+

The GRAMMY® award-winning Original Broadway Cast recording on DECCA BROADWAY

Malmaison is the Official Hotel Partner of the Wicked Tour www.malmaison.com

WICKED

Wicked has music and lyrics by Stephen Schwartz, a book by Winnie Holzman, scenic design by Eugene Lee, costumes by Susan Hilferty, lighting by Kenneth Posner, sound by Tony Meola, projection designs by Elaine J McCarthy, Hair and Wig designs by Tom Watson, music arrangements by Alex Lacamoire and Stephen Oremus, dance arrangements by James Lynn Abbott, orchestrations by William David Brohn, musical supervision by Stephen Oremus, musical staging by Wayne Cilento and is directed by Joe Mantello.

WICKED UK & IRELAND TOUR

The UK & Ireland Tour premiered in Manchester on 17 September 2013 (with previews from 12 September). This spectacular production has already broken Box Office records and been acclaimed as “so magical it defies belief” (Irish Daily Mail), “quite simply, the best musical I’ve ever seen” (Yorkshire Evening Post), “an evening of wall-to-wall musical perfection” (Sale & Altrincham Messenger), and “truly is a global phenomenon, and it deserves to be - the music is irresistibly catchy, the lyrics a perfect blend of poetry and wit and the plot, based on the novel by Gregory Maguire, is remarkably clever” (Huddersfield Daily Examiner). The show has already won multiple 5 star reviews across England, Scotland, Wales and Ireland. 

Critics also acclaimed the high quality of the production: “rest assured that this first touring production maintains the spectacular staging, costume design and magic of the original” (Manchester Evening News); “the production values are incredible - this is every bit the West End show” (The Public Reviews) and “this incarnation of the West End smash flew in and totally ripped up the rule book that states touring shows should somehow be second rate to London or Broadway. This interpretation is truly phenomenal” (Daily Record, Glasgow).

WICKED LONDON

The London production premiered on 27 September 2006 (with previews from 7 September) and has now been seen by over 5.5 million people.Wicked has been hailed as “the biggest thing in musicals since The Phantom of the Opera opened” (The Times), “one of the biggest hits of our age” (The Observer) and “one of the most popular West End musicals ever" (London Evening Standard).

Wicked continues to be the top choice of West End theatregoers having been voted Most Popular Show (Olivier Awards), Best Night Out (Evening Standard Theatre Awards), Best West End Show (Whatsonstage Awards in both 2011 and 2010) and Best Family Fun (Visit London Awards).

WICKED WORLDWIDE

Wicked has already been seen by 42 million people worldwide and grossed in excess of $3.4 billion at the Box Office. It has won 100 international awards.

The global musical phenomenon has been performed in over 100 cities in 13 countries around the world (United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Ireland, Japan, Germany, Holland, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, South Korea, The Philippines and Mexico) and has been translated into five languages: Japanese, German, Dutch, Spanish, and Korean. The original Broadway production remains “Broadway’s biggest blockbuster” (The New York Times) after more than a decade at the Gershwin Theatre.

Wicked has been recognised as “the best musical of the decade” (Entertainment Weekly), “the defining musical of the decade” (The New York Times), “a cultural phenomenon” (Variety) and “a breathtaking success story of a magnitude not witnessed since the peak years of The Phantom of the Opera” (The Washington Post).

WICKED – THE STORY

If you think you know the Wicked Witch of the West, think again...

When Dorothy famously triumphed over the Wicked Witch, we only ever heard one side of the story. Gregory Maguire’s “outstanding novel” (The Independent), ‘Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West’, ingeniously and wittily re-imagined the Land of Oz, creating a parallel universe to the familiar story written by L. Frank Baum and first published as ‘The Wonderful Wizard of Oz’ in 1900.

Wicked tells the incredible untold story of an unlikely but profound friendship between two girls who first meet as sorcery students at Shiz University: the blonde and very popular Glinda and a misunderstood green girl named Elphaba. Following an encounter with The Wizard, their friendship reaches a crossroads and their lives take very different paths.

Glinda’s unflinching desire for popularity sees her seduced by power while Elphaba’s determination to remain true to herself, and to those around her, will have unexpected and shocking consequences for her future. Their extraordinary adventures in Oz will ultimately see them fulfil their destinies asGlinda The Good and the Wicked Witch of the West.

Experience this unforgettable, award-winning musical and discover that you’ve not been told the whole story about the Land of Oz.