The Grange Playhouse, Walsall - The Importance of Being Earnest - 15.07.15 - 25.07.15

The Grange Playhouse, Walsall

Presents:

The Importance of Being Earnest

By Oscar Wilde
.

15th - 25th July 2015

'A trivial comedy for serious people' - First performed on 14th February 1895 at the St James's Theatre, London, The Importance of Being Earnest has to be Oscar Wilde's most famous play. Over the years it has had dozens of famous performers portraying his delightful characters and it has been made into a film on 3 occasions.

The play is set in late Victorian London and touches on the social obligations of the time and how they were perceived by the young and old generations. Through comedy, Wilde can poke fun at the way society is run and how the younger generation gets round their social obligations.

Martin Groves has put on a splendid production. His direction was elegant and flowed well across the stage. He also created the set design which was constructed in such a way as it allowed the backstage crew to change from Algernon's Flat, to the Manor House Garden, to the Manor House Drawing Rooms with ease but still gave a good visual effect.

Lee Davies, who played Algernon Moncrieff and Rod Bissett who played John Worthing worked well together and their banter and bickers just rolled off the tongue as if they had been together for years. The chase around Algernon's flat over a cigarette case and the muffin argument around the Manor House Garden was nicely choreographed, full of pace, direction, but still audible, with good diction.

Sam Allan gave a lovely portrayal as Lane, Algernon's Servant who entertained the audience with her occasional despairing looks at heaven and sneaking a drink from Algernon's drinks table while no one was around.

As with many productions, Lady Bracknell was played by a male actor. David Stone delivered this part with the correct contempt, snobbery and mannerisms for the period and at times you even forgot that it was a male actor underneath the outfit!

Phebe Jackson gave a powerful performance as Lady Bracknells daughter, Gwendolen. She had great poise and elegance, mixed in with a youthful glow. 

At the Manor House we met Cecily Cardew, the beautiful young ward of John Worthing. She was played by Natalie Ashcroft who delivered a sensitive, full of life character eager to see meet the man of her dreams.

Also at the Manor house, we have Miss Prism, Cecily's Governess (Gwen Evans) who has been hiding a dreadful secret for 28 years and has a soft spot for Rev Canon Chasuble (Brian Lycett). The two have some lovely moments and allowed the audience to believe there would be a romance sooner or later.

Making up the rest of the cast is Christopher Waters as John Worthing's Butler, Merriman and Luke Groves as his Footman.

The cast all gelled well together and allowed the play to go along with gusto and pace. The performance was in 3 acts with 2 intermissions, one being the usual 20 minutes and one 5 minutes which allowed the final scene change to be done with ease behind the curtains and passed with a blink of the eye.

This play tells a simple story of misunderstandings, social standings, secrets, double lives and love, but all rolled into one it makes for a great evenings entertainment with lively acting, wonderful costumes and all in all a great deal of 'drama'!

The Importance of Being Earnest runs at The Grange Playhouse until the 25th July 2015

To book tickets, please call: 07909 036 835 / 01922 625 100

The Grange Playhouse

Broadway North

Walsall

West Midlands

WS1 2QB

Review by Jayne Rickard

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

East is East - New Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham - 13.01.15 - 17.01.15

New Alexandra Theatre

Birmingham

Presents:

The three week UK tour of AYUB KHAN DIN’S critically acclaimed

East is East

Tuesday 13 January – Saturday 17 January 2015

 STARRING THE MULTI AWARD-WINNING ACTRESS JANE HORROCKS

& CO-STARRING THE WRITER AYUB KHAN DIN

You may have seen the film, but did you know that ‘East is East’ started as a play, first created when Ayub Khan Din was 21 and wrote several sketches which he then work shopped and had premiered  at the Birmingham Rep  on 8^th October 1996.

Gosh how time flies but the storyline is still poignant today in many areas.

It is set in 1971 in a working-class area of Salford where chip shop owner George Khan (Ayub Khan Din) lives with his English wife Ella (Jane Horrocks) and their 6 children. They do have 7 children but 1 left the clan to become a hairdresser!!

This play is full of comedy but with a dark, underlying storyline of the struggle between Pakistani Immigrant beliefs and the new era of young Muslims in Britain - can a Father really impose his decisions and beliefs on his family in a multi-cultural society?

The play shows a real community feel within Salford at this time and the set, designed by Tom Scutt is a wonderful depiction of how life was like in those days. It enabled us to believe the cramped living quarters where families had to share rooms and beds and also allowed us to see the real intimacy between neighbours and families.

The set also allowed for the scene changes to be make quickly and without lengthy pauses, with the cast carrying them out themselves and making it part of the action of the performance.

Each character has been perfectly defined within the script and they are executed well by the talented cast. Each individual has their own beliefs and ways of coping with society, religion, family and the struggle of growing up.

Sally Bankes as Auntie Annie brings some wonderful comic relief during some of the tense moments and her happy, lively performance was a joy to behold as she made the stage her own.

Sam Yates direction gives some great levels in the performance and his use of the stage brings interest and tension within the family to a tense conclusion, leaving the audience with many questions and things to think about.

The show runs at the New Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham until Saturday 17th January before heading on to the Richmond Theatre - 19th - 24th January and then Opera House Manchester - 26th - 31st January

PERFORMANCE DETAILS

East is East

NEW ALEXANDRA THEATRE BIRMINGHAM

Tuesday 13 to Saturday 17 January 2015

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

*Booking fees apply

Notes Regarding the Show

Ayub Khan Din’s critically acclaimed play East is East is part of Jamie Lloyd’s second Trafalgar Transformed season at Trafalgar Studios. Following a successful stint in the West End the show now embarks on a three week UK tour starting in Birmingham at the New Alexandra Theatre from Tuesday 13 to Saturday 17 January 2015, before touring at Richmond Theatre and the Manchester Opera House.

East is East stars the multi award-winning stage and screen star Jane Horrocks (Young Vic’s Annie Get Your Gun, Sunshine on Leith, The Rise And Fall Of Little Voice, Absolutely Fabulous) as Ella and the award-winning playwright Ayub Khan Din himself, as her husband George.

Jamie Lloyd, Artistic Director of Trafalgar Transformed, said “Following the success of the tour of The Pride, I am excited that another production from the season, East Is East, can reach many more new audiences within the UK. It is a timely and hilarious play, and it is great that the original cast will be playing in these three venues early in 2015."

Pakistani chip-shop owner George Khan - "Genghis" to his kids - is determined to give his children a strict Muslim upbringing against the unforgiving backdrop of 1970s Salford. Household tension reaches breaking point as their long-suffering English mother, Ella, gets caught in the cross fire - her loyalties divided between her marriage and the free will of her children. 

East is East, Ayub Khan Din’s semi-autobiographical account of British Asian life in the 1970s and the clash of cultures between a multi-cultural family growing up in Salford, is a play that continues to resonate and provoke discussion. The play will be directed by acclaimed director Sam Yates, in his West End directorial debut, following Richard III (starring Martin Freeman), as part of Artistic Director Jamie Lloyd’s exciting second season for Trafalgar Transformed. Design is by Tom Scutt, lighting by Richard Howell, with sound and music by Alex Baranowski.

Amit Shah (Abdul Khan), Ashley Kumar (Tariq Khan), Darren Kuppan (Maneer Khan), Nathan Clarke (Saleem Khan), Taj Atwal (Meenah Khan) and Michael Karim (Sajit Khan) complete the casting of the Khan family, and are joined by Sally Bankes (Auntie Annie), Rani Moorthy (Mrs. Shah) and Hassani Shapi (Mr Shah/Doctor) to complete the cast.

East is East, was Ayub Khan Din’s first play, following an initial career as an actor. It was staged at the Royal Court in 1997 and, subsequently, Ayub adapted the play into a hugely successful feature film, starring Om Puri and Linda Bassett.  For his screenplay, Ayub won a British Independent Film Award and a London Critics’ Circle Film Award, and was nominated for two BAFTAs for Best Adapted Screenplay and the Carl Foreman Award for Most Promising Newcomer, and a European Film Award for Best Screenwriter. Ayub was last seen on stage in May 2013, when he appeared in the title role of Bunty Berman Presents, under the wing of The New Group at the Acorn Theatre, Off-Broadway.

The musical was co-authored by Ayub and Grammy and Emmy Award winner Paul Bogaev. He made his film debut in My Beautiful Laundrette, but is perhaps best known for the role of Sammy in Hanif Kureishi'sSammy and Rosie Get Laid – both directed by Stephen Frears. His TV credits include Coronation Street, London Bridge, The Chief, Dangerfield, Boon, The Bill and Poirot. Additional writing credits include Last Dance at Dum Dum, Notes on Falling Leaves, All the Way Home, Rafta Rafta, which won a Laurence Olivier Award for Best New Comedy and ran at the National Theatre, West is West, All in Good Time, an adaptation ofTo Sir With Love, which recently completed a national tour, and Bunty Berman Presents.

Jane Horrocks’ stage credits include Annie Get Your Gun and The Good Soul of Szechuan, both at the Young Vic, Aunt Dan and Lemon at the Royal Court, Absurd Person Singular at the Garrick Theatre and Cabaretat the Donmar Warehouse.  She is renowned on stage for The Rise and Fall of Little Voice, which Jim Cartwright wrote for her after hearing her impression of artists including Shirley Bassey and Judy Garland. The production ran at the National Theatre and the Aldwych Theatre, and earned her an Olivier nomination for Best Actress. It was then adapted into a film, Little Voice, and Jane’s performance in the film resulted in nominations for a Golden Globe for Best Actress, BAFTA for Best Actress in a leading role, Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by an Actor in a leading role and a BIFA for Best Actress. She also recorded a CD, Further Adventures of Little Voice, which included duets with Ewan McGregor, Robbie Williams and Dean Martin. On television Jane’s credits include Trollied, The Cruise, This is Jinsy, Coming Up: A Kind of Magic, Gracie, Absolutely Fabulous, Linda Green, Jericho and Never Mind the Horrocks. Her film credits include Sunshine on Leith, Corpse Bride, Chicken Run, Little Voice, Life is Sweet, Memphis Belle, The Witches, The Wolves of Willoughby Chase and The Dress Maker.

Sam Yates most recently directed Billy Liar by Keith Waterhouse at the Royal Exchange Theatre, Manchester and directed Ruth Wilson in The El Train at Hoxton Hall.  His other directing credits include Cornelius by J.B. Priestley at the Finborough Theatre and 59E59 Theatre, New York, and Mixed Marriage at the Finborough Theatre. He was Artistic Associate at Royal and Derngate Theatres from 2011-2013. He trained with directors Jamie Lloyd, Michael Grandage, Trevor Nunn, Josie Rourke and Phyllida Lloyd.

Trafalgar Transformed Artistic Director, Jamie Lloyd, curates another season of powerhouse plays in the reconfigured Trafalgar Studios. This is the second season of work produced by Jamie Lloyd Productions, a partnership between acclaimed director Jamie Lloyd and Ambassador Theatre Group. Richard III, starring Martin Freeman, and East is East, follow Jamie Lloyd’s dynamic first Trafalgar Transformed season, which launched with Macbeth starring James McAvoy, followed by The Hothouse, starring John Simm and Simon Russell Beale and The Pride, starring Hayley Atwell, Mathew Horne, Harry Hadden-Paton and Al Weaver.