New Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham - New Season Unveiled

Dazzling new season unveiled at New Alexandra Theatre

Bring it On, The Sound of Music and Strangers On a Train, are just some of the hit productions coming to Birmingham’s New Alexandra Theatre as part of its Autumn Season, announced today.

Also on the bill is Monty Python’s Spamalot, This is Elvis, and Fay Mellor’s brand new production of Fat Friends.

Must-see family favourites include Miracle on 34^th Street The Musical, David Walliam’s Awful Auntie and the acclaimed Shrek The Musical.

After a nationwide search for its leading lady, the much anticipated Cilla The Musical also makes its debut, followed by the followed by the return of the West End smash Jersey Boys as the venue’s Christmas Show.

Eastenders favourite Jessie Wallace will also come to the venue in Deathtrap, Joanne Clifton in Flashdance The Musical, and Vincent and Flavia return in Tango Moderno.

Inspired by the hit film, Broadway’s Tony Award nominated Bring It On The Musical somersaults into Birmingham from Monday 25 to Saturday 30 September 2017 as part of its first ever UK Tour.

The coming of age story, which is penned by the famed Hamilton writer Lin Manuel Miranda, promises a high-octane thrill ride in the cut-throat world of competitive cheerleading, where high school politics meets teenage romance.

One of the greatest musicals of all time, The Sound of Music, returns to the stage in January 2018. Based onBarnoness Maria Von Trapp’s 1949 autobiography, this wonderfully lavish new staging of The Sound Of Music tells the true story of the world-famous singing family, from their romantic beginnings and search for happiness, to their thrilling escape to freedom as their beloved Austria becomes part of the Third Reich at the start of World War Two.

The Bill Kenwright Production runs from Tuesday 16 to Saturday 20 January 2018.

Meanwhile, from the team behind Gaslight, comes the masterful thriller Strangers On a Train. Based on the world-renowned 1950 novel by Patricia Highsmith this spine-chilling tale is set to delight with its dark wit, whilst having everyone on the edge of their seats from the start.

Running from Monday 29 January to Saturday 3 February 2018 the show tells of a fateful encounter between two men in the dining carriage of a train crossing America, which sets in motion a chain of events that changes their lives forever.

Iconic British classic Monty Python’s Spamalot returns from Tuesday 3 to Saturday 7 October. Lovingly ripped off from the hugely successful 1975 film, Monty Python and The Holy Grail, this brand new tour is a riotous comedy full of misfit knights, killer rabbits, dancing nuns and ferocious Frenchmen.

The electrifying musical This is Elvis, has also been announced, and will play from Monday 19 to Saturday 24 March 2018.

The production, which is presented by Bill Kenwright and Laurie Mansfield, recreates all the drama leading to the musical event of the year in 1968, which was the first live TV special for Elvis Presley. It features all of his greatest hits, including Trouble, Blue Suede Shoes, Hound Dog, All Shook Up, It’s Now or Never andHeartBreak Hotel.

And the weight is over for one of TV’s best loved programmes to make its stage debut. Kay Mellor’s Fat Friends The Musical arrives at The Alex from Tuesday 3 to Saturday 7 April 2017, with a stellar cast including Andrew “Freddie” Flintoff, Jodie Prenger and Natalie Anderson.

Packed full of warmth, life and weight loss, this new stage show reunites out favourite foodie friends in an eagerly anticipated musical brimming with hope, humour and heart.

One of the most popular films of all time, Miracle on 34^th Street, hits the stage in a fun-filled Christmas treat from Tuesday 14 to Saturday 18 November 2017. Birmingham Musical and Operatic Society (BMOS), bring this family favourite to the stage, which follows single mother Doris, her daughter Susan and their neighbour Fred on a magical journey of love and romance to discover if Macy’s Department Store Kris Kringle really is Santa Claus.

Packed with holiday favourites such as It’s Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas and Her Love, its sure to be a festive hit.

After the sell-out success of Gangsta Granny. Birmingham Stage Company return with their next David Walliam’s adaption, Awful Auntie.

This amazing tale of frights, fights and friendships comes to the theatre from Wednesday 22 to Sunday 26 November and features an owl, a small ghost and a very awful auntie!

Everyone’s favourite ogre Shrek arrives for Feb 2018 half-term, running from Wednesday 14 to Saturday 25 February.

Based on the story and characters from the Oscar-winning Dreamworks animation film, this hilarious and spectacular production turns the world of fairy-tales upside down in an all-singing, all-dancing, must see musical comedy.

Following the success of the blockbusting film the show is a chance to join the unlikely hero and his loyal steed Donkey, as they set off on a quest to rescue the beautiful Princess Fiona from her tower.

Cilla The Musical is a spectacular and heart-warming musical adaptation of the critically acclaimed ITV mini-series by Jeff Pope, based on the early life of Cilla Black.

The musical score is the ultimate soundtrack to the 60s including Cilla’s greatest hits Anyone Who Had A Heart, Alfie, and Something Tells Me, alongside a backdrop of the legendary Liverpool Sound.

Kara Lily Hayworth takes the title role after fighting off thousands of hopefuls in nationwide auditions.

Eastenders’ favourites Jessie Wallace and Paul Bradley lead the cast of Deathtrap, a satisfying spine chiller that is guaranteed to keep audiences on the edge of their seat.

The show, which tours at the New Alex from Tuesday 7 to Saturday 11 November tells the tale of Sidney Bruhl, a once successful writer of stage thrillers who is in the grip of chronic writers block when young playwright Clifford Anderson sends him a brilliant whodunit.

This wickedly enjoyable production promises to keep audiences on the edge of their seats.

And all the iconic hits such as Maniac, Gloria and What A Feeling are back in Flashdance The Musical,which stars Strictly Come Dancing’s Joanne Clifton and A1 heart-throb Ben Adams.

The musical spectacle comes to the theatre from Monday 4 to Saturday 9 December 2017 and promises phenomenal choreography and an iconic score.

After a sell-out run in 2014, West End and Broadway phenomenon Jersey Boys is also back for Christmas 2017, running from Saturday 16 December to Saturday 6 January 2018.

After wrapping up in the West End the brand new regional tour will open in Birmingham and is truly not to be missed.

Featuring hit after hit including Beggin, Can’t Take My Eyes Off You and Walk Like A Man, Jersey Boys, which tells the story of Franki Valli and The Four Seasons, is a story full of heart, humour and sheer razamatazz.

There are also a host of excellent one night shows at the venue to cater for everyone.

Direct from its sell-out London run Derren Brown: Underground is the latest show from the multi-award winning master of psychological illusion and runs from Monday 24 to Wednesday 26 July 2017. Bringing together a selection of the very best of Derren’s previous stage work, Underground is a spell-binding experience of showmanship and magical genius.

An audience with Katie Price comes to the theatre on Wednesday November 1, where Katie will perform her brand new single I Got U and talk about her life stories.

And Mitchell Brunings, lead of the sell-out musical One Love, comes to Birmingham on Sunday 22 andMonday 23 October 2017 to perform one off special Marley Reprised, bringing a full evening of Bob Marley’s greatest hits to the stage.

For more information on all of the shows and to buy tickets go to atgtickets.com/birmingham* or ring 0844 871 3011*. 

*Booking fees apply

New Alexandra Theatre - Amazing things to do

Five amazing things to do at The Alex –

which don’t involve theatre!

The New Alexandra Theatre is not just known for its blockbusting shows, although there are plenty of them!

More than ever before the venue is getting involved in a host of community projects, including The Big Sleuth, Birmingham Cocktail Weekend, and hosting in-house entertainment via Birmingham Jazz Festival.

Here’s five fantastic things you can do at The Alex, which don’t involve watching a show…

·         I aint’ afraid of no bear! Have you grabbed a selfie with Alexandra yet? The Alex’s very own bear on the Big Sleuth Trail? The beauty, who dons a Ghostbusters outfit takes pride of place at the end of John Bright Street, not far from the theatre.

Alexandra is just one of 100 stunning bear sculptures who are taking over the city as part of The Big Sleuth Trail. Each have been designed by artists and have their own story to tell, and have laid their paw prints all over the city – and beyond – to bring a colourful trail of creativity, imagination and fun

An additional 137 bear cubs have been created by local school children as part of The Big Sleuth Learning Programme. Together they form a fantastic, free public art trail that will lead you to parts of the city and wider region that you may never have visited before.

With Alexandra’s prominent position just outside New Street Station, she could be one of the first bears you visit!

And the added bonus is that once you scan her code on The Big Sleuth app, you can also visit The Alex Box Office and pick up a free goodie bag full of treats!

The Big Sleuth kicked off this week and runs throughout the Summer holidays. More details here http://thebigsleuth.co.uk/

·         If you’ve never sampled one of the Alex’s amazing cocktails, then July is certainly the best time!  This weekend the venue is proudly taking part in Birmingham Cocktail Weekend once again, which is now bigger and better than ever before.

Running from Fri 14 to Sun 16 July this exciting event is a weekend dedicated to sampling the best of Birmingham’s cocktail scene! And The Alex’s offering is a unique cocktail based on the history of the venue – the Salberg 75!

The Charlie Bates Trio will also be performing in the beautiful Piano Bar throughout the weekend to entertain drinkers.

Even more enticing is the opportunity to take part in another one of the unique Cocktail Masterclasses.

Lasting for one hour and hosted in the luxurious Ambassador Lounge, participants will learn how to make the Salberg 75. Then they can create their very own cocktail themed on a show from the upcoming season.

Places can be booked here:

https://new-www.atgtickets.com/venues/new-alexandra-theatre-birmingham/shows/cocktail-masterclass-(2)

·         Free Jazz in the theatre’s stunning Piano bar you say? Bar open until 11pm? What’s not to like? This month the theatre will take part in the city wide Birmingham, Solihull and Sandwell Jazz Festival for the very first time, with renowned band C-Jam set to delight listeners in the Piano bar on Friday 21 July.  

C-Jam’s repertoire is large and varied, ranging from cool jazz sounds to stomping blues/R&B and soul favourites. The experienced line-up includes three ex-members of the Steve Gibbons Band, including Brain Badhams (keyboards and vocals), who is currently with Elkie Brooks.

Brian Wilson (lead guitar/vocals) spent many years with the Gibbons Band, touring the USA supporting The Who, and worked with the Ruby Turner Band for a number of years.

Drummer Brendan Day’s 12 years with the Gibbons Band have been followed by work with the Dylan Project and Fairport Convention among many others.

Meanwhile bassist Frank Walker’s colourful music career includes working with Glenn Tipton in the Flying Hat Band and appearing with Alvin Stardust, whilst saxophonist Sam Rogers first came to notice with the Walsall Jazz Orchestra.

C-Jam will perform in the Piano Bar from 8pm, with the bar open from 6.30pm.

The jazz festival runs from July 14 to July 23 and more details are available herehttp://www.birminghamjazzfestival.com/

 

·         Friday afternoons at the Alex have also become a little bit special, with the addition of Coffee, Cake and Cadenzas.

The series of free monthly Chamber Concerts sees students from Birmingham's Conservatoire of Music presenting beautiful programmes at 1pm on the first Friday of every month in the theatre’s Piano Bar.

Coffee, cake and an assortment of other treats are on sale at every single event, which are also available to watch on Facebook Live.

The concerts are a great opportunity for everyone to come along to the theatre and listen to some outstanding live music for free, whilst enjoying a cuppa in the beautiful surroundings of the Piano Bar.

After a spectacular series of concerts, the talented students are taking a well deserved break, but will back to entertain from Friday 3rd November.

·         Ever wondered what goes on behind the scenes of the Alex? There are regular backstage theatre tours available which all provide a unique look behind the scenes.

Each tour offers a unique insight into one of the most historic theatres in the West Midlands.

The tours are a chance to see the dressing rooms that have housed the stars, visit the backstage areas that are the workhouse of theatre life and finally step onstage at the Alex and in doing so join with some of the greats of English theatre. After a tour participants can relax with a free hot drink and biscuits in the bar.

More details on the tours are available at www.atgtickets.com

Edith in the Dark - The Grange Players - 11.05.16-21.05.16

The Grange Players

Presents

Edith in the Dark

By Philip Meeks

May 11th - 21st 2016

 

We are greeted with a strikingly eerie set, dimmed lights and sinister music which sets the scene nicely for the events that are to unfold in this sometimes dark and sometimes humerous production.

 

The production was set in the house of author Edith Nesbitt who had escaped from her husbands Christmas Party and was entertaining a mysterious, handsome guest, Mr Guasto. He had gatecrashed the party to meet Edith and asked her to read to him from one of her stories. He particularly wanted to hear from The Railway Children or one of her children's tales, but Edith preferred to read from one of her early works, her horror stories.

 

These stories were filled with sadness and loss which disturbed the mysterious young man.

 

They were joined by the Housekeeper, Biddy who decided to join them in the ghostly stories armed with a jug of punch!

 

As the evening unfolded, the stories got darker and darker with each character taking on the characters within the stories until ending with the discovery of the mysterious Mr Guasto's identity.

 

The Grange Players set the piece perfectly. The set, Ediths attic writing room was dark and uninviting with cobwebs and dying flowers scattered around. The lighting created subtle shadows as if ghosts were watching over them and the sound was perfectly in time with the action and really gave the piece a sense of dispair and sorrow.

 

The actors, Samantha Allan (Edith), Rob Meehan (Mr Guasto) and Lynne Young (Biddy Thricefold) played their parts well and went in and out of their different characters within the horror stories well, which allowed the audience to distinguish between their real characters and the characters in the story.

 

Please do not be put off this production with the thought that it is completely full of darkness, as there are some extremely funny one liners which breaks the tension up nicely and is a great piece of theatre to go and watch.

 

The show is directed by Rachel Waters and runs until 21st May.

The Grange Theatre, Walsall - The Ladykillers - 10th - 20th September 2014

The Grange Theatre, Walsall

The Ladykillers

10th - 20th September 2014

The rights for The Ladykillers have recently become available to Amateur theatre groups, and the Grange Playhouse is one of the first places in the West Midlands you will get to catch it. A stage adaptation of Ealing’s 1955 film, written by Grahame Linehan who is famous for bringing us such television comedies as Father Ted and The IT Crowd. This true British black comedy is full of tricks and every gag is pushed to its full potential, resulting in one hell of a production!

When sweet and naïve Mrs Wilberforce put an advert for a room to rent in her local news agents she didn’t expect for it to be snapped up so quickly. Unknown to her by a gang of five pick-a-mix criminals posing as amateur musicians; led by charismatic and charming Professor Marcus, plan to unwittingly include Mrs Wilberforce in their security van robbery. When she finally cottons on to what they have done, they pass around the responsibility of ‘getting rid’ of her, while the thuggish Romanian refuses to do the deed. Her only friend is a diseased parrot, General Gordon, hidden under a blanket, that terrifies the brutes and personally left me dying to see what it looked like! Will the gang play Mrs Wilberforce as badly as their broken instruments or will she stop them in their tracks?

After searching through the crowds of people for my seat I took in the striking and intricate set, the detail that Martin Groves has put into his design only furthers the fantastic production and the crew’s hard work is something to be applauded! The unexpected entrances and exits had the audience’s eyes darting across the stage and I was pleasantly surprised to see that they had gone that extra mile to create the brick wall effect outside the front door of Mrs Wilberforce’s, that took us all back to 1950s built up King’s Cross, London. The dusky pink lampshades assisted the lighting, producing a warm, homely atmosphere and the sound of the pipes clanking and the speedily approaching train shook every teacup in the house, gave the lopsided set character.

The piece was superbly cast, Dexter Whitehead captivated the audience with every flick of his ridiculously long scarf as the seemly educated and flamboyant Professor Marcus. One-Round, played by Joseph Hicklin, who is always saying the wrong thing and confusing his under cover story, grows fond of the aptly named Mrs Lopside and is a loveable, and hilarious character. Mary Whitehouse is a wonderful Mrs Louisa Wilberforce, leaving the audience wondering whether she is as batty as some of her stories are or if she really has an ulterior motive, her pace made the piece flow and her comic timing fuelled much of the laughter. In addition to this, Alex Barzdo as the bumbling Major Courtney adds further comedy with a humorous fascination with women‘s clothing. Christopher Waters plays Louis Harvey, the aggressive and cynical Romanian, with a strange fear and suspicion of old women. Rod Bissett is, too much amusement, the criminal with a cleaning obsession, armed with a pot of colourful pills. Finally, Les Wilkes plays Constable Macdonald, stumped by the robbery but heart-warmingly puts up with Louisa’s stories with a smile, he also looks fabulous as a women! 

The entire audience was laughing from the start until curtains down and tickets are very much in demand, I am not surprised, the cast and crew have worked hard under the direction of Rosemary Manjunath, whose vision had been brought to life. Congratulations to all involved, I can’t wait for the next production and I hope that it’s as popular as The Ladykillers has been.

Review by Ellie Scandrett

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.