#groundhog day old vic revival

[sasha-whos-askin-racket]

Being at Groundhog Day on closing night was a magical experience purely because the entire audience went absolutely fucking apeshit during Hope which is exactly what they SHOULD have done.

[punxsutawneyphilconnors]

the staging of if i had my time again is so insane it’s so pretty i want to live in it

[tryingthestickybuns]

Wrote about Groundhog Day returning, the changes I saw in 2016 & 2023, and what it all means to me.

[londontheatre]

Bananaman The Musical – Matthew McKenna (Bananaman) Photo by Pamela Raith

Bananaman is flying to London to save the world! The most brainless superhero ever to grace the skies is going to make his live action debut in an all-singing, all-flying must-see new British musical.

Bananaman, the Man-of-Peel, is a unique member of the superhero ranks. Our handsome hero may have a jaw line you can see from space and sport the snazziest of tight lycra outfits, but this superhero has ‘the muscles of 20 men and the brain of 20 mussels.’ Which isn’t much.

With supervillains Doctor Gloom and General Blight attempting world domination who can we call? Superman’s on holiday, Spiderman’s not picking up – our only option, our very very last option is – Bananaman.

For the first time ever, Bananaman will be live on stage in Bananaman the Musical.

Bananaman the Musical, written and composed by Leon Parris, directed by Mark Perry, will run at Southwark Playhouse from December 15th 2017 to January 20th 2018. Press night is Thursday January 4, 2018 at 7.30pm

Bananaman began life in the Nutty comic in 1980, and was a flyaway success, transferring to The Dandy before joining the world’s longest-running comic, The Beano in 2012 and he is now one of The Beano’s flagship characters. A send-up of the likes of Superman and Batman, he was the subject of the hugely popular TV cartoon that ran between 1983 and 1986 for three series and 40 episodes on the BBC and featured the voices of Tim Brooke-Taylor, Graeme Garden and Bill Oddie from The Goodies.

Fans of the the TV series will remember the iconic opening sequence, “This is 29 Acacia Road. And this is Eric Wimp. He’s a schoolboy who leads an amazing double life. For when Eric eats a banana an amazing transformation occurs. Eric is Bananaman. Ever alert for the call to action.”

[See image gallery at http://ift.tt/1FpwFUw]

  With a useless hero and some equally clueless villains, Bananaman’s winkingly clever, delightfully silly humour has been sealed into the memories of those who saw him first, and will now spark the imagination of a new bunch of Bananafans.

It won’t be long before we all ‘Peel the Power’ of Bananaman. Matthew McKenna is unmasked today as the star and “handsome hero” of Bananaman the Musical. Matthew has appeared in many major West End musicals, including The Phantom of the Opera, Sunset Boulevard, Legally Blonde the Musical, We Will Rock You, Starlight Express (as Elektra), and The Rocky Horror Show (Riff Raff) and both Singing in the Rain and 42nd Street at the Theatre Du Chatelet, Paris.

Also starring, as Bananaman’s arch nemesis Doctor Gloom, the super villain seeking world domination, will be Marc Pickering. Marc Pickering returns to Southwark Playhouse where he appeared in the European premiere of Toxic Avenger The Musical. He recently starred as Finch in the musical How To Succeed in Business Without Really Trying (Wiltons Music Hall), Joseph Merrick in The Elephant Man (Trafalgar Studios), Merchant of Venice (Arcola) and The Glee Club (Hull Truck). His film work includes Sleepy Hollow, Calendar Girls, Kill Keith, I Want Candy, The Darkest Day and Montparnasse in Tom Hooper’s 2012 film of the celebrated musical Les Misérables. On TV he has appeared in the new series of Josh and Homeboys & Dalziel & Pascoe (BBC), played R Wayne in Peter Kay’s talent show parody Britain’s Got the Pop Factor, Ippolito D’este in Borgia III (for Netflix), and the young Enoch “Nucky” Thompson in the fifth and final season of the HBO series Boardwalk Empire.

Bringing the rest of the residents of Acacia Road to life are a stellar West End cast.

Jodie Jacobs (Broadway World Award Best Supporting Actress for Rock Of Ages) is Eric’s loyal sidekick, Crow. Jodie Jacobs has played Fantine in Les Misérables, Grizabella in Cats, Florence in Chess, Serena Katz in Fame and she understudied the lead roles of Scaramouche & Meatloaf in We Will Rock You (Dominion), Audrey in Little Shop of Horrors (Duke of York’s) and Eva Peron in Evita (Adelphi Theatre). Jodie has most recently been seen in The Lionel Bart Story as Judy Garland and Georgia Brown. She received an Off West End Award and a West End Wilma nomination for Lizzie (Greenwich Theatre and Denmark transfer), she won a Broadway World award for Best Supporting Actress for Rock Of Ages (West End). She was recently nominated Best Actress in a Musical as Atropos in the brand new musical 27 (Cockpit).

Mark Newnham (Eric Wimp) recently played Dave Davies in the Kinks musical Sunny Afternoon and the young Steve Marriott in the new musical All Or Nothing. His other roles include Cookie in Return to the Forbidden Planet, John Lennon in Lennon at Liverpool Royal Court Theatre, Jamie in The Last 5 Years, and Hot Stuff.

Carl Mullaney (General Blight) has appeared in Les Misérables, (West End), Chicago (West End & international tour as Mary Sunshine), Saucy Jack and the Space Vixens (Booby Shevalle), West Side Story, Jest End and Fashion Victim The Musical.

CHIEF O’REILLY – TJ Lloyd T J Lloyd’s previous musicals include playing Nicely Nicely Johnson in Guys & Dolls, The Baker in Into The Woods, Charley Kringas in Merrily We Roll Along and Ray in Elegies for Angels, Punks & Raging Queens.

MRS WIMP – Lizzii Hills Lizzii Hills is returning to Southwark Playhouse after starring there as Mayor Babs Belgoody & Ma Ferd in the European premiere of The Toxic Avenger The Musical. Her other musicals include Hedy LaRue in How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying (Wilton’s) Sarah Brown in Guys & Dolls, The Rat Pack Live from Las Vegas, Chicago, High Society, Me and My Girl,and Crazy for You.

MAD MAGICIAN – Brian Gilligan Brian Gilligan starred as Guy in Once (Dublin), Deco in The Commitments (UK and Irish Tour), Cornelius/1st Cover Faustus, Doctor Faustus (West End), Bruno in Piaf (Charing Cross Theatre), and Michael Collins in Michael Collins: A Musical Drama, (Tivoli Theatre, Dublin).

FIONA – Emma Ralston Emma Ralston was Pluto in the UK premiere of Sondheim’s The Frogs (Jermyn Street Theatre), Little Red Riding Hood, Into the Woods (Ye Olde Rose & Crown), and Eve Meet Me In St. Louis (Landor Theatre).

Chris McGuigan (Ensemble) Chris McGuigan was in Candide (Cadogan Hall), Norman Jewison in JUDY! (Arts Theatre), Herakles, Sondheim’s The Frogs (UK premiere, Jermyn Street), All My Sons (Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre), Marcel Dusoleil (the lead), Amour (European premiere, Royal Academy of Music).

Amy Perry (Ensemble) Amy Perry was Millie Dillmount in Thoroughly Modern Millie (Adelphi Theatre), Myra Yerkes, Road Show (Union Theatre), Ursula March, Sweet Charity (Cadogan Hall).

Bananaman the Musical is produced by Sightline Entertainment in association with Cahoots Theatre Company and Beano Studios.

Leon Parris (Writer and Composer) Leon Parris is an award winning writer and composer for musicals including Wolfboy, Enid Blyton’s The Famous Five, Stig of the Dump and Monte Cristo. He was winner of the Vivian Ellis Best Musical Award and The Really Useful Group Award for Most Promising Writer.

Mark Perry (Director) Founder of Sightline Entertainment, Mark’s production credits include The Famous Five, Honk, The Country, The Picture of Dorian Gray, You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown, Just So, Bent and Stiffed. Directing credits include A Comedy of Arias, The Caretaker, Little Shop of Horrors, The Rocky Horror Picture Show, Sleuth, Cinderella Boom or Bust, A Slice of Saturday Night. As an actor, Mark has worked extensively in TV and theatre both in the West End and on national tour.

Alan Berry (Musical Supervisor) Alan is currently the Musical Director for The Girl From The North Country at The Old Vic. Previous shows include Groundhog Day, Matilda The Musical, The Commitments, Ghost The Musical, Avenue Q, Shrek, Hairspray and Spamalot. Future projects include Big Fish at The Other Palace.

Mike Leopold (Set and Costume Designer) Michael’s recent credits include, Thoroughly Modern Millie 48 Hour (Adelphi Theatre), King Lear (The Cockpit), and The Wasp (Jermyn Street Theatre), Journey’s End (Charles Cryer Theatre). He designed Proof (Tabard Theatre) and Chummy (The White Bear Theatre) which both received Off West End nominations for Best Design in 2015 and 2017. Associate credits include Love Me Tender, The Last Tango, Death Trap, Tango Moderne, Son of a Preacher Man (All UK Tours), Top Hat (Kilworth House).

Grant Murphy (Assistant Director/Choreographer) Creative credits include: Joseph (Jersey Opera House); Yas Jungle Cirque (Yas Island Abu Dhabi); Legally Blonde (Stanwix Theatre); Forever Plaid (St James Theatre London); Guys and Dolls (Cadogan Hall); Aladdin (Salisbury Playhouse); Pinocchio (Greenwich Theatre); Rags (Lyric Theatre); Avenue Q (Ovation Productions); 18 Stone of Idiot – The Johnny Vegas Show (UMTV); He assisted Baayork Lee on A Chorus Line (London Palladium); and was tap coach to the Billy Elliot boys.

Sightline Entertainment – Producer Sightline Entertainment is an independently owned production company based in London Sightline produces commercial new work and revivals of both plays and musical theatre productions.

Beano Studios – Original Producer Beano Studios is a new global multimedia company established to create, curate and deliver mischievous entertainment for kids aged 6-106, all over the world. They produce diverse entertainment across multiple platforms including TV, digital, theatrical projects, consumer and the much-loved comic and annual.

LISTINGS INFORMATION BANANAMAN THE MUSICAL Southwark Playhouse THE LARGE 77-85 Newington Causeway London SE1 6BD

Friday December 15th 2017 to Saturday 20th January 2018

http://ift.tt/2C3Ofo9 London Theatre 1

[streamingstream]

Betroffenheit荣获2017劳伦斯·奥利佛戏剧奖最佳新舞剧奖

上周末英国的劳伦斯·奥利佛戏剧奖（Laurence Olivier Awards）公布了，之前强烈推荐的Betroffenheit拿下了年度最佳新舞剧奖（Best New Dance Production）！

有人说Jonathon穿上正装瞬间变得更帅了... :

获得舞蹈类另外一个杰出成就奖（Award for Outstanding Achievement）还有英国皇家国家舞团（English National Ballet）。

科普一下，劳伦斯·奥利佛戏剧奖，正式全称为劳伦斯·奥利弗奖（Laurence Olivier Awards），一般直接称作Olivier Awards。

是由伦敦戏剧协会（Society of London Theatre）颁发的英国最重要的年度戏剧类奖项。Olivier Awards在英国之戏剧的重要性可以相媲美于托尼奖（Tony Awards）之美国百老汇，莫里哀奖（Molière Award）之法国戏剧，英国电影和电视艺术学院奖（BAFTA Awards ）之英国影视，全英音乐奖（BRIT Awards）之英国音乐。

YouTube全程视频链接： 

最后，附一个今年的完整获奖名单：

Best actress

Winner: Billie Piper for Yerma at the Young Vic

Also nominated: GlendaJackson for King Lear at The Old Vic Cherry Jones for The Glass Menagerie at the Duke of York’s Theatre Ruth Wilson for Hedda Gabler at the Lyttelton, National Theatre

Best new comedy

Winner: Our Ladies of Perpetual Succour at theDorfman, National Theatre

Also nominated: The ComedyAbout a Bank Robbery at the Criterion Theatre Nice Fish at the Harold Pinter Theatre The Truth at Wyndham’s Theatre

Outstanding achievement in an affiliate theatre

Winner: Rotterdam at Trafalgar Studios 2

Also nominated: Cuttin’ It atthe Maria, Young Vic The Government Inspector at Theatre Royal Stratford East The Invisible Hand at Tricycle Theatre It Is Easy To Be Dead at Trafalgar Studios 2

Best lighting design

Winner: Neil Austin for Harry Potter and the CursedChild at the Palace Theatre

Also nominated: Lee Curran for Jesus Christ Superstar at Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre Natasha Katz for The Glass Menagerie at the Duke of York’s Theatre Hugh Vanstone for Groundhog Day at the Old Vic

Best sound design

Winner: Gareth Fry for Harry Potter and theCursed Child at the Palace Theatre

Also nominated: Paul Ardittifor Amadeus at the Olivier, National Theatre Adam Cork for Travesties at the Apollo Theatre Nick Lidster for Autograph for Jesus Christ Superstar at Regent’s Park Open AirTheatre

Best costume design

Winner: Katrina Lindsay for Harry Potter and theCursed Child at the Palace Theatre

Also nominated: Gregg Barnesfor Dreamgirls at the Savoy Theatre Hugh Durrant for Cinderella at London Palladium Rob Howell for Groundhog Day at the Old Vic

Best set design

Winner: Christine Jones for Harry Potter and theCursed Child at the Palace Theatre

Also nominated: Bob Crowleyfor Disney’s Aladdin at the Prince Edward Theatre Bob Crowley for The Glass Menagerie at the Duke of York’s Theatre Rob Howell for Groundhog Day at the Old Vic

Best actor in a supporting role

Winner: Anthony Boyle for Harry Potter and the CursedChild at the Palace Theatre

Also nominated: Freddie Fox for Travesties at the Apollo Theatre Brian J. Smith for The Glass Menagerie at the Duke of York’s Theatre Rafe Spall for Hedda Gabler at the Lyttelton, National Theatre

Best actress in a supporting role

Winner: Noma Dumezweni for Harry Potter and theCursed Child at the Palace Theatre

Also nominated: MelissaAllan, Caroline Deyga, Kirsty Findlay, Karen Fishwick, Kirsty MacLaren, FrancesMayli McCann, Joanne McGuinness and Dawn Sievewright for Our Ladies Of PerpetualSuccour at the Dorfman, National Theatre Clare Foster for Travesties at the Apollo Theatre Kate O’Flynn for The Glass Menagerie at the Duke of York’s Theatre

Best new opera production

Winner: Akhnaten at London Coliseum

Also nominated: 4.48Psychosis at the Lyric Hammersmith Così Fan Tutte at Royal Opera House Lulu at London Coliseum

Outstanding achievement in opera

Winner: Mark Wigglesworth for his conducting of DonGiovanni and Lulu at London Coliseum

Also nominated: Renée Flemingfor her performance in Der Rosenkavalier at the Royal Opera House Stuart Skelton for his performance in Tristan and Isolde at London Coliseum

Best revival

Winner: Yerma at the Young Vic

Also nominated: The GlassMenagerie at the Duke of York’s Theatre This House at the Garrick Theatre Travesties at the Apollo Theatre

Best actor

Winner: Jamie Parker for Harry Potter and the CursedChild at the Palace Theatre

Also nominated: Ed Harris forBuried Child at Trafalgar Studios 1 Tom Hollander for Travesties at the Apollo Theatre Ian McKellen for No Man’s Land at Wyndham’s Theatre

Best new play

Winner: Harry Potter and the Cursed Child at thePalace Theatre

Also nominated: Elegy atDonmar Warehouse The Flick at the Dorfman, National Theatre One Night In Miami… at Donmar Warehouse

Best director

Winner: John Tiffany for Harry Potter and theCursed Child at the Palace Theatre

Also nominated: Simon Stonefor Yerma at the Young Vic John Tiffany for The Glass Menagerie at the Duke of York’s Theatre Matthew Warchus for Groundhog Day at the Old Vic

Best new dance production

Winner: Betroffenheit by Crystal Pite and JonathonYoung at Sadler’s Wells

Also nominated: Blak Whyte Gray by Boy Blue Entertainment at Barbican Theatre Giselle by Akram Khan and English National Ballet at Sadler’s Wells My Mother, My Dog and Clowns! by Michael Clark at Barbican Theatre

Outstanding achievement in dance

Winner: English National Ballet for expanding thevariety of its repertoire with Giselle and She Said at Sadler’s Wells

Also nominated: Alvin AileyAmerican Dance Theater for its London season at Sadler’s Wells Luke Ahmet for The Creation by Rambert at Sadler’s Wells

Best theatre choreographer

Winner: Matthew Bourne for The Red Shoes at Sadler’sWells

Also nominated: Peter Darling and Ellen Kane for Groundhog Day at the Old Vic Steven Hoggett for Harry Potter and the Cursed Child at the Palace Theatre Drew McOnie for Jesus Christ Superstar at Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre

Outstanding achievement in music

Winner: School of Rock the Musical at the New LondonTheatre (three children's bands who play instruments live every night)

Also nominated: Dreamgirls atSavoy Theatre (music by Henry Krieger) Harry Potter and the Cursed Child at Palace Theatre (composer and arrangerImogen Heap) Jesus Christ Superstar at Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre (the band and companycreating the gig-like rock vibe of the original concept album of Jesus ChristSuperstar)

Best entertainment and family

Winner: The Red Shoes at Sadler’s Wells

Also nominated: Cinderella atLondon Palladium David Baddiel – My Family: Not The Sitcom at the Vaudeville Theatre Peter Pan at the Olivier, National Theatre

Best actor in a supporting role in a musical

Winner: Adam J Bernard for Dreamgirls at the SavoyTheatre

Also nominated: IanBartholomew for Half A Sixpence at the Noël Coward Theatre Ben Hunter for The Girls at the Phoenix Theatre Andrew Langtree for Groundhog Day at the Old Vic

Best actress in a supporting role in a musical

Winner: Rebecca Trehearn for Show Boat at the NewLondon Theatre

Also nominated: Haydn Gwynnefor The Threepenny Opera at the Olivier, National Theatre Victoria Hamilton-Barritt for Murder Ballad at the Arts Theatre Emma Williams for Half A Sixpence at the Noël Coward Theatre

Best musical revival

Winner: Jesus Christ Superstar at Regent’s ParkOpen Air Theatre

Also nominated: Funny Girl atthe Savoy Theatre Show Boat at the New London Theatre Sunset Boulevard at London Coliseum

Best actor in a musical

Winner: Andy Karl for Groundhog Day at the Old Vic

Also nominated: David Fynnfor School of Rock the Musical at the New London Theatre Tyrone Huntley for Jesus Christ Superstar at Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre Charlie Stemp for Half A Sixpence at the Noël Coward Theatre

Best actress in a musical

Winner: Amber Riley for Dreamgirls at the SavoyTheatre

Also nominated: Glenn Closefor Sunset Boulevard at London Coliseum Debbie Chazen, Sophie-Louise Dann, Michele Dotrice, Claire Machin, Claire Mooreand Joanna Riding for The Girls at the Phoenix Theatre Sheridan Smith for Funny Girl at the Savoy Theatre

Best new musical

Winner: Groundhog Day at the Old Vic

Also nominated: Dreamgirls atthe Savoy Theatre The Girls at the Phoenix Theatre School of Rock the Musical at the New London Theatre

[londontheatre]

Artistic Director of Sheffield Theatres Robert Hastie today announces the full cast for his Christmas production of The Wizard of Oz – Catrin Aaron (Miss Gulch / Wicked Witch), Jonathan Broadbent (Zeke/Lion), Gabrielle Brooks (Dorothy), Ryan Ellsworth (Professor Marvel / The Wizard Of Oz), Andrew Langtree (Hunk / Scarecrow), Michael Matus (Uncle Henry / Oz Doorkeeper), Sophia Nomvete (Aunt Em / Glinda) and Max Parker (Hickory / Tin Man); and completing the ensemble, Simon Anthony, Piers Bates, Myles Brown, Collette Coleman, Claire Doyle, Glen Facey, Samantha Hull, Blythe Jandoo, Fergal Mcgoff, Jo Lucy Rackham, Michael James Stewart, Charley Vincent, Rhiannon Wallace and Charlotte-Kate Warren. The production opens on 13th December, with previews from 7th December, and also announced today, extends its run due to popular demand, now closing on 20th January 2018. Tickets for the extra week of performances go on sale on 14th October 2017.

‘Somewhere over the rainbow, way up high, there’s a land that I heard of, once in a lullaby’ The technicolour classic that takes the whole family to the Emerald City and back again. Join Dorothy and all her friends for this glorious technicolor production of the timeless classic, The Wizard of Oz. Skip along the yellow brick road and journey through munchkin land all the way to Oz, carried along by all your favourite tunes, including Over the Rainbow and We’re Off to See the Wizard, in this festive family spectacular.

Catrin Aaron plays Miss Gulch / Wicked Witch. She is an Associate for Theatr Clwyd, where her work includes Little Voice, Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, All My Sons, The Light of Heart, Aristocrats; Salt, Root and Roe; Humbug, God of Carnage, A Doll’s House, Roots, Taking Steps, Gaslight, Dancing at Lughnasa, A Small Family Business, Festen, Mary Stuart, Twilight Tales, Macbeth, A Toy Epic, Tales from Europe, The Timeless Myths of the Mabinogi, Of Mice and Men, The Grapes of Wrath, The Voyage, The Way It Was, Flights of Fancy, Hobson’s Choice, One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest and Silas Marner. Her other theatre work includes Henry V (Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre), The Forsythe Sisters (Gaggle Babble), Sex and the Three Day Week (Liverpool Playhouse) and What People Do and London: Let’s Get Visceral (Old Vic Tunnels). For television, her work includes The Indian Doctor and The Bastard Executioner; and for film, the forthcoming Apostle.

Jonathan Broadbent plays Zeke/Lion. For theatre, his work includes for the RSC, The Tempest (also Barbican), Queen Anne and Love for Love; My Night with Reg (Apollo Theatre), Grand Guignol (Southwark Playhouse), Hamlet (Rose Theatre), Damned by Despair (National Theatre) and A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Royal Exchange). For television, his work includes Gimme, Gimme, Gimme; Cold War and Alice in Wonderland; and for film, The Magic Flute and As You Like It.

Gabrielle Brooks returns to Sheffield Theatres to play Dorothy – she previously appeared in Everybody’s Talking About Jamie. He r other theatre work includes Lazarus (Kings Cross Theatre), Red Snapper (Belgrade Theatre), The Strangers Case (Liverpool Everyman), The Book of Mormon (Prince of Wales), I Can’t Sing (London Palladium), Our House (Savoy Theatre) and Avenue Q (UK No 1 Tour/ Cameron Mackintosh). For television, her work includes Paul O’Grady Show and Coming Down the Mountain; and for film, Notes on a Scandal.

Ryan Ellsworth plays Professor Marvel / The Wizard Of Oz. For theatre, his work includes Labyrinth (Hampstead Theatre), Henry V (Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre), ‘Tis Pity She’s a Whore, Cymbeline (Cheek by Jowl), Where There’s a Will (English Touring Theatre) and Antigone (The Old Vic). For television, his work includes A Royal Winter, Manhunt and Island at War, and for film, Bel Ami.

Andrew Langtree plays Hunk / Scarecrow. His theatre work includes Albert’s Boy (Orange Tree Theatre), The Hypocrite (RSC and Hull Truck), Treasure Island (Birmingham Rep), Groundhog Day (The Old Vic), Cat on a Hot Tin Roof (Theatr Clwyd) and Oppenheimer (RSC and Vaudeville Theatre). For television, his work includes The Royal and Cutting It; and for film, Delovely.

Michael Matus plays Uncle Henry / Oz Doorkeeper. His theatre work includes King Lear (Chichester Festival Theatre), The Frogs, The Return of the Soldier (Jermyn Street Theatre), Peter and the Starcatcher (Royal and Derngate), The Phantom of the Opera (Her Majesty’s Theatre), Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown (Playhouse Theatre), The A to Z of Mrs P (Southwark Playhouse) and The Sound of Music (Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre). For television, his work includes Endeavour, A prince Among Men, Then and A Perfect World; and for film, A Muppet Christmas Carol.

Sophia Nomvete plays Aunt Em / Glinda. Her theatre work includes Wind in the Willows, Noises Off (UK tours), The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe (Birmingham Rep), As You Like It, The Heresy of Love (Shakespeare’s Globe), Much Ado About Nothing (Royal Exchange), The Color Purple (Menier Chocolate Factory), The Pyjama Game (Chichester Festival Theatre) and Ragtime and A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre).

Max Parker plays Hickory / Tin Man. For theatre, his work includes Matilda (Cambridge Theatre), Guys and Dolls (Savoy Theatre and Phoenix Theatre), I Can’t Sing (The Palladium), Barnum (Chichester Festival Theatre) and Kiss Me Kate (WNO).

Artistic Director of Sheffield Theatres Robert Hastie directs. He was born in Scarborough, North Yorkshire. His credits for the company include Julius Caesar (Best Director nomination for the 2017 UK Theatre Awards) and Of Kith and Kin (also Bush Theatre).

His other theatre credits include Breaking the Code (Royal Exchange, Manchester), Henry V (Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre) and Cat on a Hot Tin Roof (Theatr Clwyd). As an Associate Director of the Donmar Warehouse, his work includes My Night With Reg by Kevin Elyot (also West End – Hastie was nominated for Best Newcomer at the Evening Standard Theatre Awards, and the production was nominated for Best Revival at the Olivier Awards), and Splendour, by Abi Morgan.

His other directing credits include Carthage, Events While Guarding The Bofors Gun (Finborough Theatre), Sunburst (Holborn Grange Hotel), Sixty-Six Books (Bush Theatre) and A Breakfast of Eels (Print Room).

CRUCIBLE THE WIZARD OF OZ By L. Frank Baum With Music and Lyrics by Harold Arlen & E. Y. Harburg Background Music by Herbert Stothart Dance and Vocal Arrangements by Peter Howard Orchestration by Larry Wilcox Adapted by John Kane for the Royal Shakespeare Company Based upon the Classic Motion Picture owned by Turner Entertainment Co. and distributed in all media by Warner Bros.

Director: Robert Hastie; Designer: Janet Bird; Choreographer: Ewan Jones Music Director: by Toby Higgins; Lighting Designer: Richard Howell; Sound Designer: Mike Walker Puppet Designer: Rachael Canning; Casting Director: William Burton CDG

http://ift.tt/2ykXeOF LondonTheatre1.com

[londontheatre]

The winners were announced this evening at the Prince of Wales Theatre for the 17th Annual WhatsOnStage Awards, presented by Simon Lipkin and Vikki Stone, celebrating the best of the UK’s theatre over the past year. The awards are the only major theatre prizes to be voted for entirely by the audience.

Harry Potter and the Cursed Child leads the awards this year with eight victories, a WhatsOnStage Award record for a play, including Best Actor in a Play for Jamie Parker, Best Supporting Actress in a Play for Noma Dumezweni, Best Supporting Actor in a Play for Anthony Boyle, Best New Play, Best Director for John Tiffany, Best Set Design, Best Lighting Design and Best Video Design.

In the other acting awards, Billie Piper claims Best Actress in a Play for Yerma, her second WhatsOnStage Award in three years following her 2015 Best Actress in a Play victory for Great Britain. Amber Riley is named Best Actress in a Musical for her performance in Dreamgirls and Best Supporting Actor in a Musical goes to Trevor Dion Nicholas for Disney’s Aladdin, which also saw success in the Best Costume Design category.

Half a Sixpence is the most successful musical with three awards, including Best Actor in a Musical for Charlie Stemp, Best Supporting Actress in a Musical for Emma Williams and Best Choreography. Its producer Cameron Mackintosh is also celebrated with the Equity Award for Lifetime Achievement (So Far) as he marks 50 years in the theatre business. However, Half a Sixpence loses out in the Best New Musical category to School of Rock whilst the Best Musical Revival category is claimed by Funny Girl.

No Man’s Land, starring Patrick Stewart and Ian McKellen, wins Best Play Revival, whilst Gary Barlow and Tim Firth’s musical The Girls, soon to open in the West End, wins Best Regional Production and, in a WhatsOnStage first, Wicked and Les Misérables tie for Best West End Show. In the celebration of London’s fringe theatre, The Last Five Years takes Best Off-West End Production.

A number of winners and stars from winning shows performed at the event including Gary Barlow, who performed the song ‘Scarborough’ from The Girls alongside Joanna Riding, Amber Riley who performed ‘Listen’ from Dreamgirls alongside Liisi LaFontaine, the cast of Half of a Sixpence with ‘Flash, Bang, Wallop’, Trevor Dion Nicholas who sung ‘Somebody’s Got Your Back’ from Disney’s Aladdin with Dean John-Wilson, and Gary Trainor and the company of The School Rock who performed ‘Teacher’s Pet’. There were further performances from Tyrone Huntley who sung ‘Heaven on their Minds’ from Jesus Christ Superstar and Ria Jones with ‘As If We Never Said Goodbye’ from Sunset Boulevard.

JUDGES These are truly the “theatregoers’ choice” prizes, the only major theatre awards in which the audience are the judges across all awards categories. The 2017 awards shortlists – covering the best theatre during the 2016 theatre year – were drawn up with the help of nominations from theatregoers logging onto the website throughout last November. Nominations were announced at a Launch Party on 1 Dec 2016, and voting then ran online until 31 January 2017.

ELIGIBILITY All professional productions that ran between December 2015 and November 2016 were eligible for primary awards consideration. There are a few special categories: Best West End Show which applies to longer-running London productions; and, while non-West End and regional productions are eligible for nomination across all fields, there are also two categories specifically for Best Off-West End Production and Best Regional Production.

FULL LIST OF NOMINEES WITH WINNERS HIGHLIGHTED IN RED

Best Actor in a Play, sponsored by Radisson Blu Edwardian Ian Hallard for The Boys in the Band Ian McKellen for No Man’s Land Jamie Parker for Harry Potter and the Cursed Child Kenneth Branagh for The Entertainer Ralph Fiennes for Richard III

Best Actress in a Play, sponsored by Live at Zédel Billie Piper for Yerma Helen McCrory for The Deep Blue Sea Lily James for Romeo and Juliet Michelle Terry for Henry V Pixie Lott for Breakfast at Tiffany’s

Best Actor in a Musical, sponsored by The Umbrella Rooms Andy Karl for Groundhog Day Charlie Stemp for Half a Sixpence Michael C Hall for Lazarus Michael Xavier for Sunset Boulevard Ramin Karimloo for Murder Ballad

Best Actress in a Musical, sponsored by The Hippodrome Casino Amber Riley for Dreamgirls Carrie Hope Fletcher for Chitty Chitty Bang Bang Devon-Elise Johnson for Half a Sixpence Glenn Close for Sunset Boulevard Sheridan Smith for Funny Girl

Best Supporting Actor in a Play Anthony Boyle for Harry Potter and the Cursed Child Derek Jacobi for Romeo and Juliet Freddie Fox for Travesties Jonjo O’Neill for Unreachable Paul Thornley for Harry Potter and the Cursed Child

Best Supporting Actress in a Play, sponsored by Tonic Theatre Jenna Russell for Doctor Faustus Meera Syal for Romeo and Juliet Noma Dumezweni for Harry Potter and the Cursed Child Poppy Miller for Harry Potter and the Cursed Child Vanessa Redgrave for Richard III

Best Supporting Actor in a Musical, sponsored by Encore Radio Adam J Bernard for Dreamgirls Ian Bartholomew for Half a Sixpence Joel Montague for Funny Girl Trevor Dion Nicholas for Disney’s Aladdin Tyrone Huntley for Jesus Christ Superstar

Best Supporting Actress in a Musical, sponsored by Newman Displays Amy Lennox for Lazarus Emma Williams for Half a Sixpence Rebecca Trehearn for Show Boat Sophia Anne Caruso for Lazarus Victoria Hamilton-Barritt for Murder Ballad

Best New Play, sponsored by JHI Marketing The Comedy About A Bank Robbery The Flick Harry Potter and the Cursed Child The Intelligent Homosexual’s Guide to Capitalism and Socialism with a Key to the Scriptures or iHo The Mother

Best New Musical, sponsored by Shine Creative Solutions Disney’s Aladdin Dreamgirls Groundhog Day Half a Sixpence School of Rock

Best Play Revival The Boys in the Band The Deep Blue Sea The Dresser No Man’s Land Travesties

Best Musical Revival, sponsored by R&H Theatricals Europe Funny Girl Jesus Christ Superstar Ragtime Show Boat Sunset Boulevard

Best Direction Casey Nicholaw for Disney’s Aladdin John Tiffany for Harry Potter and the Cursed Child Matthew Warchus for Groundhog Day Michael Mayer for Funny Girl Rachel Kavanaugh for Half a Sixpence

Best Choreography, sponsored by Encore Radio Andrew Wright for Half a Sixpence Casey Nicholaw for Disney’s Aladdin Casey Nicholaw for Dreamgirls Drew McOnie for Jesus Christ Superstar Peter Darling and Ellen Kane for Groundhog Day

Best Costume Design Gregg Barnes for Disney’s Aladdin Gregg Barnes for Dreamgirls Katrina Lindsay for Harry Potter and the Cursed Child Matthew Wright for Funny Girl Paul Brown for Half a Sixpence

Best Set Design Bob Crowley for Disney’s Aladdin Christine Jones for Harry Potter and the Cursed Child Lez Brotherston for Show Boat Miriam Buether for Wild Rob Howell for Groundhog Day

Best Lighting Design, sponsored by White Light Charlie Morgan Jones for Little Shop of Horrors Hugh Vanstone for Groundhog Day Jack Weir for The Boys in the Band Natasha Katz for Disney’s Aladdin Neil Austin for Harry Potter and the Cursed Child

Best Video Design, sponsored by PRG XL Video Andrzej Goulding for Groundhog Day Finn Ross and Ash Woodward for Harry Potter and the Cursed Child Finn Ross for The Tempest, RSC Laura Perrett for Murder Ballad Tal Yarden for Lazarus

Best Off-West End Production, sponsored by Les Misérables The Boys in the Band (Park Theatre) Grey Gardens (Southwark Playhouse) The Last Five Years (St James Theatre) Side Show (Southwark Playhouse) Ragtime (Charing Cross Theatre)

Best Regional Production, sponsored by MTI (Europe) Chitty Chitty Bang Bang (National Tour) Flowers for Mrs Harris (Crucible Theatre, Sheffield) The Girls (National Tour) The Grinning Man (Bristol Old Vic) Rent (National Tour/St James Theatre)

Best West End Show, sponsored by Capezio Kinky Boots Les Misérables Matilda the Musical The Phantom of the Opera Wicked

Equity Award for Lifetime Achievement (So Far) Cameron Mackintosh

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[londontheatre]

Glenda Jackson – Photo Credit Peter Jones

The Critics’ Circle Theatre Awards 2016 were hosted today, Tuesday 31st January 2017, by the Critics’ Circle Drama Section Chairman Mark Shenton, at the Prince of Wales Theatre, London.

The Awards were presented in association with Nyman Libson Paul Chartered Accountants, leading entertainment industry specialists, and supported by Delfont Mackintosh Theatres.

As ever, the ceremony was an informal gathering of award recipients, the drama critics, theatre practitioners and the media, convivially coming together to celebrate the critics’ personal choice of the best theatre from throughout the UK during the last calendar year.

Comedian Arthur Smith introduced proceedings with his own inimitable style, as has become a well-loved tradition. And, for the first time, the exclusive invited audience also enjoyed a sneak-peek performance of new Gary Barlow and Tim Firth musical The Girls, which is currently in previews at the West End’s Phoenix Theatre, where it officially opens on 21st February and will be eligible for next year’s awards. Today, star Joanna Riding performed “Scarborough”, accompanied by Tim Firth. For a list of previous years’ winners, visit criticscircletheatreawards.com.

[See image gallery at http://ift.tt/1FpwFUw] WINNERS Best New Play: The Flick by Annie Baker The National Theatre, London award presented to Jaygann Ayeh by Georgina Brown, The Mail on Sunday

The Peter Hepple Award for Best Musical [new or revival]: Groundhog Day Old Vic, London award presented to Kate Varah and Andre Ptaszynski by Dominic Cavendish, Daily Telegraph

Best Actor: Stephen Dillane in Faith Healer Donmar Warehouse, London award presented to Stephen Dillane by John Nathan, The Jewish Chronicle

Best Actress: Billie Piper in Yerma Young Vic, London award presented to Billie Piper by Henry Hitchings, Evening Standard

The Trewin Award for Best Shakespearean Performance: Glenda Jackson in King Lear Old Vic, London award presented to Glenda Jackson by Susannah Clapp, The Observer

Best Director: John Tiffany for Harry Potter & The Cursed Child Palace Theatre, London award presented to John Tiffany by Sarah Hemming, The Financial Times

Best Designer: Christine Jones for Harry Potter & The Cursed Child Palace Theatre, London award presented to John Tiffany by Michael Billington, The Guardian

Most Promising Playwright: Charlene James for Cuttin’ It Young Vic, Royal Court & The Yard Theatres, London, Birmingham Rep & Sheffield Crucible award presented to Charlene James by Lyn Gardner, The Guardian

The Jack Tinker Award for Most Promising Newcomer [other than a playwright]: Anthony Boyle in Harry Potter and The Cursed Child Palace Theatre, London award presented to Anthony Boyle by Dominic Maxwell, The Times

Since the Awards’ inception in 1989 the theatre critics, consisting entirely of respected and influential working journalists, have prided themselves on offering something unique on the packed theatre awards circuit: each member of the Drama Section independently casts their vote based on personal choice, free of any discussion or industry influence, ensuring a highly democratic voting process.

http://ift.tt/2jRlNLn LondonTheatre1.com