New Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham - Dreamboats and Miniskirts - 13.10.14 - 18.10.14

New Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham

Dreamboats and Miniskirts

Monday 13th - Saturday 18th October 2014

Dreamboats and Miniskirts is the sequal to the hit Dreamboats and Petticoats and delights us with more classic 60’s tunes.

It is now 2 years on, 1963 and we see lovebirds Bobby and Laura not doing as well as expected with their musical career. It is decided that they should part ways and so Bobby returns to his youth club band ‘The Conquests’ while Laura tries it alone. Their relationship is also rocky, especially when Bobby tries to record a song with ‘The Conquests’ that Laura wrote without telling her. As her solo career starts to take off, can they work through their differences or will they part ways forever?

Running alongside this, we have bad boy Norman who has given up music and settled down to family bliss with heavily pregnant Sue. As musical tastes have changed it becomes apparent that ‘The Conquests’ need Norman and his individual voice back in the band and along with a soft push from Sue he returns to his passion of singing and entertaining.

Ray, Laura’s older brother and Bobby’s best friend has started working in a plush hairdressing salon in London which means that he has less and less time for his long term girlfriend Donna who is beginning to lose her patients with the small amount of time they are seeing each other – who cares if Elizabeth Taylor wants him to go to her hotel room to cut her hair!!!!

Ray is also the manager of ‘The Conquests’ and once he gets them signed with music boss Tony, can they rise to stardom or is it just another youth club dream that will eventually have its day?

The set was covered in 60’s posters with bands and adverts from the time. It was the same as ‘Dreamboats and Petticoats’ which, for people who had been to see the first instalment, gave them a friendly, almost homely welcome as it instantly drew you back into the action. This set is simple and effective and doesn’t take anything away from the action. It allows scene changes to be carried out quickly and efficiently and all of the actors chip in with bringing things on and off stage.

There were no fancy lighting or sound queues, which meant that the songs took centre stage, and so they should as what can beat a good old 60’s belter!

The performers were the true stars of this show. Their voices were pitch perfect and they really looked as if they were having a ball on stage which uplifted and drew the audience in. We had hand clapping and even a bit of dancing in the audience which was all thanks to the stunning performances.

You could not pick anyone out in particular, as the performers worked wonderfully as a team and there was a real spark between them all that made you believe in all of their characters and relationships.

We also had performers playing a variety of instrument’s that blended in well with the running of the show and created that extra level to the performance.

It is not like me to gush about a show, but I loved ‘Dreamboats and Petticoats’ and ‘Dreamboats and Miniskirts’ is in no way a sloppy 2^nd, it is punchy, vibrant and a must see for 60’ lovers. Granted the storyline is predictable, but who cares when you are watching such talent!

Cast:

Alex Beaumont – Bobby

Elizabeth Carter – Laura

Ross William Wild – Norman

Louise Olley – Sue

David Luke – Ray

Anna Campkin – Donna

Alan Howell – Tony

Josh Tye - Derek

Chris Coxon – Richard (Bass Guitar)

Chloe Edwards-Wood – July (Tenor Saxophone / Clarinet)

Michael Kantola – Colin (Musical Director / Guitar)

Sheridan Lloyd – Andy (Assistant Musical Director / Piano)

Josef Pitura-Riley – Jeremy (Trumpet / Keyboard)

Charlotte Peak – Murial (Bass Saxophone / Flute)

Will Tierney – Joe (Rhythm Guitar)

Damiem Walsh – Barry (Drums)

The show runs at the New Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham until Saturday 18th October so get your tickets today.

Website:

www.atgtickets.com/.../dreamboats-and-miniskirts/new-alexandra-theatre-birmingham/

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Box Office:

0844 871 3011

New Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham - Dreamboats and Miniskirts - 13.10.14 - 18.10.14

Dreamboats and Miniskirts hits the stage at the New Alexandra Theatre

Monday 13th - Saturday 18th October 2014

Sensational new sixties musical Dreamboats and Miniskirts is currently taking centre stage at the New Alexandra Theatre until this Saturday 18 October. And this week the cast of the hit show have enjoyed the delights of shopping in Birmingham, with a trip back in time at Flamingo Vintage, based in the Custard Factory in Digbeth.

Left to right. The cast of Dreamboats and Miniskirts shop at Flamingo Vintage, the Custard Factory. David Luke, Anna Campkin, Alex Beaumont and Elizabeth Carter.

Since its premiere in Bromley in 2009 Dreamboats and Petticoats has become a musical phenomenon, having played to more than two million people across the UK. Inspired by Universal’s multimillion selling album series which now boasts seven double compilation albums and a myriad of one off special releases.

Now the creative team reunite for the sequel.

It’s 1963, and the world is changing. Bobby and Laura’s single “Dreamboats and Petticoats” is only half a hit. Norman and Sue have settled down to non-marital bliss – and a baby! And Ray and Donna seem blissfully happy…

The advent of the Beatles and the Merseyside sound is inspirational. But will it inspire Bobby and Laura to have one more shot at stardom – Norman to “get off the drains” and find that hit parade voice he has longed for, and Ray to realise his ambition and manage a really top pop act!?

All will be revealed in a follow up with the same wit, charm, and great songs as Dreamboats and Petticoats.

 

Dreamboats and Miniskirts is written by Laurence Marks and Maurice Gran, the team behind Goodnight Sweetheart, Birds of a Feather, The New Statesman, Shine on Harvey Moon, Save the Last Dance For Me and of course, Dreamboats and Petticoats, and is produced by Bill Kenwright and Laurie Mansfield in association with Universal Music.

Featuring hit after hit from Twist & Shout to Handy Man to Pretty Woman, One Fine Day and many more, Dreamboats and Miniskirts is happiness guaranteed.

PERFORMANCE DETAILS

Dreamboats and Miniskirts

At the New Alexandra Theatre

Monday 13 to Saturday 18 October 2014

www.atgtickets.com/birmingham<http://www.atgtickets.com/birmingham>

0844 871 3011

New Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham - The Mousetrap - 06.10.14 - 11.10.14

New Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham

Monday 6th - Saturday 11th October 2014

As the audience sat in darkness the atmosphere was tense, we heard a women's fear filled scream, the shock and confusion of many voices and then finally a news report over the wireless informing us that a women, Mrs Lyon, had been murdered. As the curtain rose we were met by a jaw dropping set, a grand living room of a country house, high ceilings lined with oak panels, armchairs covered in chintz fabric, beautiful stain glass windows that show the heavy snow falling outside, slowly piling up in the window pane. The lighting is warm and inviting, contrasting the chilly outdoor atmosphere, that got darker as the day went on. This is Monkswell Manor, now a guest house inherited by newlyweds Giles and Mollie Ralston, who await their first guests anxiously and one by one they arrive covered in snow that appeared to melt away. Christopher Wren (Stephen Yeo) an eccentric young man that quickly befriends Mrs Ralston, Mrs Boyle (Anne Kavanagh) an older lady that expects the finer things in life and nitpicks everything wrong with the establishment owned by amateurs, Major Metcalf (Christopher Gilling) an army retiree that we know little about, Miss Casewell (Charlotte Latham) an independent and often masculine women, who doesn't seem to take to any other guests, Mr Paravicini (Michael Fenner) a foreigner that enjoys to wind everyone up, making him a gentleman disliked by all and finally, Sgt. Trotter (Luke Jenkins) arrives searching for links to the murder of Mrs Lyon. 

In true Christie style the story twists and turns, the audience find themselves becoming detectives, picking up on subtle gestures and analysing every conversation hoping to find a clue. Although by doing this, you will only be led down one path, to suddenly leap down another, this is helped by an excellent cast that draw you into their lives but holds you at arms length, forcing you to question your instincts.

After the much deserved applause the actors asked to keep the twist ending a secret to anyone outside of the theatre, to ensure the mystery stays alive, by doing this you become part of a community and part of the plays history, which is a heartwarming and unique experience. 

The Diamond Anniversary tour of Agatha Christie's The Mousetrap, the worlds longest running show of the modern era, is running at The Alexandra Birmingham until Saturday 11th October. 

Review by Ellie Scandrett

New Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham - The Mousetrap - 06.10.14 - 11.10.14

Agatha Christie’s The Mousetrap

comes to the New Alexandra Theatre

Monday 6 to Saturday 11 October

Agatha Christie’s The Mousetrap has been the world’s longest running stage production at its London home for more than 55 years. The 60^th Anniversary – and first ever - UK tour of this beloved murder mystery has now been seen by over 600,000 people across more than 600 performances, breaking box office records in many of its venues, from Southampton to Barnstaple, Dublin to Aberdeen.

The cast for the 2014 Autumn leg of the tour is Helen Clapp as Mollie Ralston, Michael Fenner (Doctors, Footballer’s Wives) as Mr Paravicini, Anne Kavanagh(Chichester Festival Theatre’s Goodnight Mr Tom, August: Osage County at the National Theatre) as Mrs Boyle, Charlotte Latham as Miss Casewell and Stephen Yeo as Christopher Wren - all reprising their roles from the production in London’s West End alongside: Christopher Gilling (ITV’s Law and Order, BBC1’s Silk) as Major Metcalf, Henry Luxemburg (Hollyoaks, Hotel Babylon) as Giles Ralston and Luke Jenkins (Scenes from an Execution, Unicorn Theatre) as Sgt Trotter.

Mousetrap Productions has also licensed 60 productions of The Mousetrap world-wide to mark the 60^th year, and many of these have also broken their records, from Cape Town to Philadelphia, Singapore to Sydney.  During this period the world’s longest running show will be seen in every continent, with professional productions in Australia, China, Korea, Turkey, South Africa, Russia, Czech Republic, Hungary, France, Germany, Holland, Italy, Poland, Spain, Scandinavia, Venezuela, and across the United States and Canada.

The Mousetrap continues at St. Martin’s Theatre, London.

                                                        

http://mousetrapontour.com

Birmingham New Alexandra Theatre

06 Oct - 11 Oct | 0844 871 3011

New Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham - East is East - 14.01.2015 - 17.01.2015

AYUB KHAN DIN’S CRITICALLY-ACCLAIMED

East is East

comes to the New Alexandra Theatre from

Wednesday 14 to Saturday 17 January 2015

STARRING THE MULTI AWARD-WINNING ACTRESS JANE HORROCKS

& CO-STARRING THE WRITER AYUB KHAN DIN

Ayub Khan Din’s critically acclaimed play East is East, which starts previewing in the West End this week, is part of Jamie Lloyd’s second Trafalgar Transformed season at Trafalgar Studios. The show will then embark on a three week UK tour starting in Birmingham at the New Alexandra Theatre from Wednesday 14 to Saturday 17 January 2015, before touring at Richmond Theatre and the Manchester Opera House. Tickets go on-sale tomorrow, Wednesday October 1.

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 of To 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 Cabaret at 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.

PERFORMANCE DETAILS

LIMITED UK TOUR

EAST IS EAST – BY AYUB KHAN DIN

JAMIE LLOYD PRODUCTIONS – TRAFALGAR TRANSFORMED

Tickets on-sale Wednesday 1 October 2014

Theatre card members 10am -11am

General on-sale from 11am

www.atgtickets/birmingham

0844 871 3011

NEW ALEXANDRA THEATRE BIRMINGHAM

14-17 January 2015

Ticket prices: £10 - £25

Premium seats available

TRAFALGAR STUDIOS LONDON

EAST IS EAST – BY AYUB KHAN DIN

JAMIE LLOYD PRODUCTIONS – TRAFALGAR TRANSFORMED SEASON TWO

PRODUCTION TWO

4 OCTOBER 2014 – 3 JANUARY 2015

Birmingham Hippodrome Theatre - Beautiful Thing - 30.03.2015 - 11.04.2015

Nottingham Playhouse, Curve theatre, Leicester and Tom O’Connell for QNQ present

 

Nikolai Foster’s celebrated anniversary production of

Jonathan Harvey’s

BEAUTIFUL THING

STARRING CHARLIE BROOKS AS ‘SANDRA’

THOMAS LAW AS ‘STE’ AND SAM JACKSON AS ‘JAMIE’

 

Nikolai Foster’s celebrated anniversary production of Jonathan Harvey’s Beautiful Thing comes to Birmingham Hippodrome’s Patrick Centre from 30 March – 11 April 2015.

 

Multi-award winning actress Charlie Brooks, best known for her role as Janine Butcher in EastEnders, will lead the cast as Sandra. Other notable credits include Jenny in Bleak Houseplus being crowned the Queen of the Jungle in I’m A Celebrity, Get Me Out Of Here! and winner of the mirror ball trophy in the Strictly Come Dancing Christmas Special in 2011. She also recently enjoyed a critically acclaimed stage performance in Our Country’s Good at Liverpool Playhouse. 

 

Thomas Law, whose roles include Peter Beale in EastEnders, Matt Haddon in Casualty and most recently as a young Simon Pegg in blockbuster film The World’s End will star as Ste. 

 

Sam Jackson, whose roles include Alex Henley in Skins (E4), Jack in Drifters (E4) and a critically acclaimed performance as Billy Casper in Kes (Derby Theatre) will star as Jamie.

 

Director Nikolai Foster was recently appointed Artistic Director of Curve Leicester. His work has been seen in most of the UK’s leading regional theatres, touring houses and internationally, and recent productions include The Hired Man (St James), Calamity Jane (UK tour), Brecht’s The Good Person Of Sichuan (Mercury, Colchester), Flashdance (West End), Hayfever (CFT), Merrily We Roll Along (Clwyd Theatr Cymru), The Diary of Anne Frank (York Theatre Royal & The Touring Consortium), and Annie (WYP, Leeds).

 

Beautiful Thing is a glorious urban love story between two young men set on an inner city housing estate. It tells the story of teenager Jamie’s relationship with classmate and neighbour, Ste. Together the two boys find comedy, warmth and the music of Mama Cass through their loud-mouthed next door neighbour Leah. Jonathan Harvey combines comedy with drama in his critically acclaimed award winning play. Beautiful Thing truly captures what it is to be a teenager and to fall in love.

 

Executive producer Tom O’Connell said, "Having produced the original anniversary production, I am honoured to now partner with Nottingham Playhouse and Curve theatre, Leicester, two fantastic producing theatres, to bring Jonathan's hit comedy to the stage one more time. Nikolai and I made a promise to each other that if we ever re-visited his production it would play cities and theatres that it hadn't been to before. We feel with this new cast and with some new elements added to the show, this new production will have audiences smiling all the way home."

 

Stuart Griffiths, Chief Executive, Birmingham Hippodrome said  “The arrival of Beautiful Thing in the theatre’s Patrick Centre continues an expanding programme for the venue and Birmingham Hippodrome’s commitment to presenting an expansive and varied list of performances for a diverse range of audiences."

 

Jonathan Harvey wrote Beautiful Thing when he was just 24. It premiered at the Bush Theatre in 1993 and sold out its five-week run before transferring to the Donmar Warehouse, and then the Duke of York’s, eventually winning its author an Olivier Award nomination and the John Whiting Award. A screen adaptation of the play was released in 1996 by Channel 4 films, which went on to be a cult hit. Jonathan is a regular writer for Coronation Street and wrote the TV hit series Gimme, Gimme, Gimme, as well as the best-selling 2012 novel  All She Wants. His plays include Canary and Corrie!

 

Over its 20 year history, the play has featured in the careers of many famous actors including Jonny Lee Miller, Suranne Jones, Hugh Bonneville, Philip Glennister, Andrew Garfield, and Rhys Ifans, and has been produced over 25 times worldwide, with international dates in China, France, Canada, Australia and Holland.

 

Lighting design is by David Plater and sound design by George Dennis, Beautiful Thing will be a co-production between the Nottingham Playhouse, the Curve Leicester and Tom O’Connell for QNQ Ltd. 

 

Beautiful Thing runs at Birmingham Hippodrome’s Patrick Centre from Monday 30 March – Saturday 11 April 2015. The first 100 tickets at every performance are priced at an early bird rate of £25 – call 0844 338 5000 or book online at birminghamhippodrome.com.  5% transaction charge applies (excl. cash sales in person) postage from £1. Phone calls from 5p per minute. Prices and discounting subject to change. 

 

Perf times: Mon-Sat eves 7.45pm, Fri & Sat mats 2.30pm.  

Birmingham Hippodrome Theatre - Anything Goes - 14.09.15 - 19.09.2015

STAGE ENTERTAINMENT IN ASSOCIATION WITH SHEFFIELD THEATRES PRESENT

THE MUSICAL COMEDY

ANYTHING GOES

Tickets are now on sale

Birmingham Hippodrome is delighted to announce that tickets are now on sale for Cole Porter’s classic musical comedy, ANYTHING GOES which will be at the theatre from Monday 14 –Saturday 19 September 2015.  Casting to be announced.

Directed by Daniel Evans and choreographed by Alistair David, this brand new production of Cole Porter’s classic, multi-award winning musical comedy transports you to the magical age of tap dancing and high society.

Rebecca Quigley, CEO of Stage Entertainment UK said:  “I’m very excited to be working with Daniel and Alistair, whose work I have loved over the last ten years. They’re the perfect creative team to stage this hugely entertaining musical comedy.”

When Billy Crocker discovers that his heart’s desire, debutante heiress Hope Harcourt is engaged to an English aristocrat, he stows away aboard the S.S. American to win her back. Aided by a string of eccentric passengers on board the luxurious transatlantic liner, can this web of love be untangled before they reach Southampton?

Featuring the rich sounds of a live orchestra and a sensational cast of 26, Cole Porter’s uplifting masterpiece of song and dance features the magnificent songs  I Get A Kick Out of You, You’re the Top, It’s De-Lovely and Anything Goes. Hop aboard for sassy heroines, mischievous mob bosses, comedy capers and tap dancing sailors in this hilarious tale of romance and hi-jinks on the high seas.

ANYTHING GOES has Music and Lyrics by Cole Porter. The Original Book is by P.G. Wodehouse, Guy Bolton, Howard Lindsay and Russel Crouse. New Book by Timothy Crouse & John Weidman. Originally produced by Lincoln Centre Theatre, New York City.

Tickets for ANYTHING GOES are priced £17-£39.50 and are available online www.birminghamhippodrome.com or on 0844 338 5000.  Perf times: Mon-Sat eves 7.30pm; Wed Mat 2pm; Sat Mat 2.30pm. 5% transaction charge applies (excl. cash sales in person) postage from £1. Phone calls from 5p per minute. Prices and discounting subject to change.

Access performances: Captioned Thu 17 Sep 7.30pm; Signed Fri 18 Sep 7.30pm; Audio described Sat 19 Sep 2.30pm with touch tour at 1pm.