Preview: Puttin’ On The Ritz at Newcastle Theatre Royal

Strictly Stars Rihanoff & Windsor

Put On The Ritz At Theatre Royal

Puttin’ On The Ritz,

Newcastle Theatre Royal

Tuesday 2 – Saturday 6 June 2015.

Stars of the hit BBC TV show Strictly Come Dancing Kristina Rihanoff and Robin Windsor are set to dazzle Newcastle audiences this June in the 1930s song and dance extravaganza Puttin’ On The Ritz, Tue 2 – Sat 6 June 2015.

The world champion dance professionals are best known for their mesmerizing Saturday night Ballroom routines with celebrity partners, but are now set to bring a heady dose of stardust and some old-Hollywood glamour up north.

Puttin’ On The Ritz conjures up the golden age of Hollywood and features the most famous song and dance moments of the last 50 years.  It’s a whirlwind musical journey showcasing the music of George Gershwin, Irving Berlin, Cole Porter and more, and is packed with nostalgic favourites including Cheek to Cheek, Alexander’s Rag Time Band, Night and Day, I Got Rhythm, and of course the headline hit Puttin’ On The Ritz.

Kristina and Robin will appear live on stage alongside a troupe of award winning singers and dancers.

Kristina, originally from Siberia, is a world finalist professional ballroom dancer, instructor, choreographer and author. She has performed and competed around the world and came first place in the South African National Latin Championship 2006.  She has also been a multiple finalist for the U.S. National American Rhythm Finals, Open to the World Mambo Championship, American Rhythm Finals, World Exhibition British Final and British Open (Blackpool).  Kristina was a cast member on the hit US show Dancing with the Stars before being snapped up by the BBCs Strictlyteam where she has been a professional dancer for six years.  In the latest series she reached the semi-finals with her celebrity partner Simon Webbe from the pop band Blue.

Robin, also a dancer from a very young age, has represented England in the World Dance Championships.  Like Kristina, he has starred in a multitude of shows on Broadway and in the West End and toured internationally.  He was part of the cast of hit show Burn the Floor for over 7 years before joining Strictly. Robin has been Kristina’s professional Ballroom partner for five years. 

Kristina said: “Robin and I are very excited to do a new project. We love performing in front of a live audience as every show is very different. It's great to be a part of such a successful show and we are looking forward to performing on stage with the rest of the cast.  The audience can expect a Fred and Ginger type of dancing. We love ballroom and we want to bring a bit of Hollywood glamour into the show with our dances.”   

Talking of her dance partner Robin, she added: “We were paired by the producers on Strictly Come Dancingfive years ago. We love dancing with each other and we love creating new and exciting numbers for our audience.” 

Tickets:

Puttin’ On The Ritz appears at Newcastle Theatre Royal from Tue 2 – Sat 6 June 2015 (Evenings: 7.30pm, Matinees: Wednesday and Thursday 2pm and Saturday 2.30pm). 

Tickets are from £13.00 (a booking fee of 95p - £1.95 will apply to most tickets) and can be purchased from the Theatre Royal Box Office on 08448 11 21 21 or select your own seat and book online at www.theatreroyal.co.uk

Preview: A View From The Bridge at Darlington Civic

A View From The Bridge

By Arthur Miller

A production from The Touring Consortium Theatre Company

Darlington Civic Theatre

Tuesday 17th March to Saturday 21 March 2015

This gripping and passionate drama ranks as one of the great classics of our time; a powerful and deeply moving play.

2015 marks the centenary of Arthur Miller’s birth and Darlington Civic Theatre is delighted to be celebrating it with a production of one of his most popular plays as The Touring Consortium Theatre Company present the modern classic A View from the Bridge.

Set in 1950s New Yorkand crackling with raw emotion, this American classic simmers with tension as longshoreman Eddie Carbone's obsession with his orphaned niece spirals out of control. In a close Italian immigrant community bound by codes of justice and vengeance, the scene is set for disaster when Eddie and his wife welcome Sicilian cousins into their home.

Sexual repression, paranoia and homophobia drive Eddie to an act of betrayal that has tragic consequences for himself, his family and the whole community. This dark and passionate tale ranks as one of the great classics of our time.

Arthur Miller’s A View From The Bridge starring Michael Brandon (Dempsey & Makepiece, Mr Selfridge, Hustle, Doctor Who) and Jonathan Guy Lewis (Skins, Holby City, Heartbeat) will play at Darlington Civic Theatre from Tuesday 17 to Saturday 21 March. The cast will also include Teresa Banham (Vera, Agatha Christie’s Poirot, Silent Witness), Daisy Boulton, James Rastall, Philip Cairns, Orestes Sophocleous, John Alistair, Paul Chesterton and Ben Woodhall. 

Also in the cast will be a small group of local actors who went through an audition process to be picked by the production company to appear in the Darlington leg of the tour. Auditionees included emerging professionals, a maths teacher, a TA volunteer, keen amateur performers and a mum of two with a dream of treading the boards.

 

Tickets:

A View from the Bridge runs at Darlington Civic Theatre from Tuesday March 17 to Saturday March 21.

Evenings 7.30pm, Matinees Thu 2pm, Sat 2.30pm

Tickets* are priced from £17.40

To book contact the Box Office on 01325 486 555 or visit www.darlingtoncivic.co.uk  

*Includes a £1 restoration levy

Preview: Magical Mozart by Candlelight at South Shields Customs House

Magical Mozart by Candlelight

South Shields Customs House, 

Thursday 12th February 2015

World On Stage Limited is proud to announce the Spring 2015 UK tour of Magical Mozart By Candlelight.

From the Producers of A Viennese Strauss Gala, this sumptuous fully costumed show immerses us in the wonderful music and the classical baroque world of one of the world’s greatest romantic composers - Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

With beautiful settings, costumes and lighting, and of course candles, the European Baroque Ensemble and Singers transport you back to the glorious past, performing some of the most memorable pieces of Mozart’s magical music.

An evening packed with classical music and song, which includes excerpts from Mozart’s Operas such as: The Magic Flute, The Marriage of Figaro, Cosi fan Tutte, Don Giovanni and many more.

Mozart’s most popular and famous operas are all beautifully sung by world class soloists; including sopranos Li Li and Vasileva Diana Evgenieva and baritone David Milner-Pearce.

What the press say:

 “A sublime evening…Magical, it certainly was!” (JerseyEvening Post)

 “The show was very enjoyable throughout, even for those who are not fanatical about Mozart or the classical genre” (Northern Echo)

Tickets:

Date: Thursday 12/02/2015  7:45 PM

Price: £19 / £18 Conc.

Tickets Online - http://www.customshouse.co.uk/whats-on/Theatre/1743/magical-mozart-by-candlelightor call 0191 454 1234

Preview: Russian State Ballet & Orchestra of Siberia at Darlington Civic Theatre

Three great ballet

masterpieces

The Russian StateBallet & Orchestra of Siberia

DarlingtonCivic Theatre

29 January - 1 February 2015.

Darlington Civic Theatre is delighted to welcome back to Theatre The Russian StateBallet & Orchestra of Siberiawith three great ballet masterpieces. Formed in 1981, The Russian State Ballet of Siberia has quickly established itself as one of Russia’s leading ballet companies and has built an international reputation for delivering performances of outstanding quality and unusual depth. The soloists and corps de ballet are superb and never fail to delight audiences with their breath-taking physical ability and dazzling costumes.

Coppélia

Thursday 29 January at 7.30pm

Every toy has a story, especially in this charming comedy of errors, a witty combination of antics and abracadabra, set in a doll maker’s workshop. This light-hearted tale of mistaken identity and confused lovers follows mischievous Swanilda, her impetuous suitor Franz and the eccentric toymaker Dr.Coppelius as they are brought to life by sparkling choreography and the animated score of Delibes. Coppélia is perfect for first-time ballet goers, families and everyone in between.

Swan Lake

Friday, 30 January at 7.30pm

The greatest romantic ballet of all time is brought to life by Tchaikovsky’s haunting and unforgettable score. From the impressive splendour of the Palace ballroom to the moon-lit lake where swans glide in perfect formation this compelling tale of tragic romance has it all. From Odile, the temptress in black tulle as she seduces the Prince by spinning with captivating precision to the spellbound purity of the swan queen, Odette as she flutters with emotional intensity, the dual role of Odette/Odile is one of ballet’s most unmissable technical challenges.

The Nutcracker

Saturday 31 January at 2.30pm & 7.30pm

Sunday 1 February 2.30pm

This most famous of fantasy ballets for all the family begins as night falls on Christmas Eve.

As snowflakes fall outside, the warm glow of the open fire sends flickering shadows across the boughs of the Christmas tree and all the presents beneath. When midnight strikes we are swept away to a fairy-tale world where nothing is quite as it seems, toy dolls spring to life, the Mouse-king and his mouse-army battle with the Nutcracker Prince and we travel through the Land of Snow to an enchanted place where the magic really begins...

Tour Trailer: Trailer Link

        Tickets:

To book contact the Box Office on 01325 486 555 or visit www.darlingtoncivic.co.uk

Preview: The Producers at Sunderland Empire

Casting Complete for The Producers

The Producers

SunderlandEmpire

Monday 11^th - Saturday 16^th May 2015

Olivier Award winning actor David Bedella as Roger De Bris

Broadway and West End star Cory English reprises role as Max Bialystock

West End leading lady Tiffany Graves as Ulla

Renowned comedian Phill Jupitus as Franz Liebkind

Join Jason Manford, Ross Noble and Louie Spence

By acclaimed Top Hat director Matthew White

Based on Mel Brooks' beloved Academy Award winning movie, The Producers is a hilarious musical comedy that has taken Broadway and the West End by storm, winning a record-breaking 12 Tony Awards and 3 Olivier Awards; it opens its UK tour in March 2015 calling at Sunderland Empire from May 11th.

Impoverished by a string of flops, New York producer Max Bialystock recruits downtrodden accountant Leo Bloom to help him pull off Broadway's greatest scam. Together they aim to produce the worst show in history and run away to Riowith millions, but they learn that Showbusiness can always find a way to kick you in the teeth. Featuring a riotous mix of eccentric characters and the all-time classic song 'Springtime For Hitler', The Producers is the funniest Broadway musical of all time

The cast for this brand new Springtime tour of The Producers features one of the UK's best loved comedians Jason Manford as timid accountant Leo Bloom= . Broadway and West Endstar Cory English reprises his role as Max Bialystock, one he played to critical acclaim in London's West End. Tiffany Graves joins the company as Ulla the object of Leo Bloom's affections.

Ross Noble and Phill Jupitus share the role of Franz Liebkind; the short fused, carrier pigeon keeping, former Nazi, brought on board by Max Bialystock and Leo Bloom to help them in their plot to put on the worst musical of all time.

Olivier Award winning actor David Bedella will play the flamboyant director Roger De Bris chosen by Max Bialystock in an attempt to ensure 'Springtime for Hitler' is a flop. Renowned dancer, choreographer and television personality Louie Spence plays his equally flamboyant assistant Carmen Ghia (until 2 May).

The Producers is produced by Adam Spiegel Productions who has brought together a stellar, award winning creative team including acclaimed Top Hat Director Matthew White, Choreographer Lee Proud, Designer Paul Farnsworth, Lighting Designer Paul Anderson, Musical Director Andrew Hilton, Orchestrator Chris Walker, Sound Designer Gareth Owen and Casting Director James Orange.

Adam Spiegel said; "The Producers is the biggest, funniest Broadway musical of all time. It's filled with fabulous costumes, glamorous dancing girls, hysterical show-tunes and an incredible live band. With a cast of the most celebrated, well-loved comedians in the UK today and the very best singers and dancers from London's West End this production of Mel Brook's record breaking, award winning comedy is guaranteed to be a hilarious night out!"

The cast for The Producers is completed by Abigail Brodie, Jaye Elster, Rebecca Fennelly, Olivia Fines, Andrew Gordon-Watkins, Fenton Gray, Aime Hodnett, Paul Hutton, Nia Jermin, Joel Montague, Genevieve Nicole, Tosh Wanogho-Maud, Jay Webb, Russell Wilcox and Aron Wild.

Louie Spence plays Carmen Ghia until 2 May

Phill Jupitus plays Franz Liebkind until 16 May

Ross Noble plays Franz Liebkind from 18 May

On The Web:

Website: www.theproducersmusical.co.uk

Facebook: www.facebook.com/theproducersmusical

Twitter: https://twitter.com/producerstour

Tickets:

Box Office: www.atgtickets.com/Sunderland or 0844 871 3022*

Preview: For the Best? at Arts Centre Washington

For the Best?

Arts Centre Washington

Thursday 12th February

The NHS promises equal health care for all. But that’s not the case according to a thought-provoking drama at the Arts Centre Washington.

Operating Theatre actress

Louise  Dearden who plays

the angry careworker

in For the Best

The provocatively titled ‘For the Best’ suggests the NHS demonstrates an uncaring attitude towards people with learning disability, in particular women who die on average 20 years earlier than the rest of the population.

‘It’s a shocking fact that according to a confidential enquiry last year 37 per cent of the deaths of people with learning disability might have been avoided if those people had received the level of health care on offer to the rest of us,’ says ‘For the Best’ director Alex Elliott.

‘Everyone knows there are immense pressures on the NHS which makes it increasingly important that people with learning disability should not be forgotten and treated as somehow less important when it comes to health care.’

The play, is the work of Operating Theatre, a north-east based company which specialises in drama on health and social care issues. It was written after considerable research, talking to people with learning disability, to doctors and other health care professionals involved in the field.  At its heart is the relationship between a woman with learning disability and her care worker who is angry at the poor treatment the woman receives and which is responsible for the tragedy which occurs.

Operating Theatre’s radical way of working means that the audience will be able to have their say on the issue in a facilitated discussion which will form part of the performance. 

On The Web:

Website:  http://operatingtheatre.org.uk/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/OperatingThtr

Tickets:

For The Best is on at Arts Centre Washington on Thursday 12^thFebruary at 7.30pm.

Tickets are £7.50 or £5 for Concessions and are available from www.artscentrewashington.co.ukor by calling 0191 219 3455

Preview: Birdsong at Darlington Civic Theatre

Full Cast Announced For Birdsong

Birdsong

Darlington Civic Theatre

Tuesday March 10 to Saturday March 14

Peter Duncan, Edmund Wiseman and Emily Bowker head the cast of Rachel Wagstaff’s powerfully emotional stage adaptation of Sebastian Faulks’s novel Birdsong at Darlington Civic Theatre in March.

Peter Duncan returns to Birdsong as Jack Firebrace, having played the role in the 2014 tour. Though perhaps best known as a Blue Peterpresenter, Peter began his acting career in the 1970s when he joined the National Theatre. Recent theatre credits include Denry Machin in The Card (for which he received an Olivier nomination for Best Actor in a Musical), Alan Ayckbourn‘s Things We Do For Love, Stan Laurel in Laurel and Hardy, Macduff in Macbeth and Fantastic Mr Fox, both at the Open Air Theatre in Regent’s Park.

Edmund Wiseman, whose recent theatre credits include Richard II (RSC/Barbican), Duchess of Malfi (White Bear Theatre) and Filumena (Almeida), and Emily Bowker, whose recent roles include A Bunch of Amateurs (The Watermill) and What the Women Did (Two’s Company/Southwark Playhouse), play the romantic leads of Stephen Wraysford and Isabelle Azaire. Also in the cast are Emily Altneu, Max Bowden (currently Justin Fitzgerald in BBC One’s Waterloo Road), Selma Brook, James Findlay, Roger Martin, Liam McCormick, James Staddon, Cloudia Swann and Alastair Whatley.

Commemorating the First World War, Birdsong tells a mesmerising story of love and courage, before and during the war. In pre-war France, a young Englishman, Stephen Wraysford, embarks on a passionate and dangerous affair with the beautiful Isabelle Azaire that turns their worlds upside down. As the war breaks out, Stephen must lead his men through the carnage of the Battle of the Somme and through the sprawling tunnels that lie deep underground. Faced with the unprecedented horror of the war, Stephen clings to the memory of Isabelle and the idyll of his former life as his world explodes around him.

The 2013 and 2014 tours were hugely successful, seen by over 130,000 people and receiving four and five star reviews, with audiences calling the show ‘simply stunning’.

Jowheretogo reviewed the show, with Peter Duncan, in 2014: Birdsong Review

The show will also be appearing in Newcastle at the Northern Stage 23-28 February: Season preview

On The Web:

Website: http://www.birdsongthetour.com

Facebook: www.facebook.com/BirdsongTheTour?fref=ts

Twitter: https://twitter.com/birdsongthetour

Trailer: www.birdsongthetour.com/#/trailer/4581629926

Tickets:

Birdsong runs at Darlington Civic Theatre from Tuesday March 10 to Saturday March 14. Tickets* are priced from £17.

To book contact the Box Office on 01325 486 555 or visit www.darlingtoncivic.co.uk

*Includes a £1 restoration levy

Photos are from the 2014 tour.

Preview: The Chuckles of Oz at Whitley Bay Playhouse

To Me, To You, To Whitley Bay

The Chuckle Brothers in:
The Chuckles of Oz

Whitley Bay Playhouse

Saturday 23^rd May 2015

Join the Chuckle Brothers on their latest adventure as they return to the Playhouse with brand new show “The Chuckles of Oz” in May!

It all started with talent show Opportunity Knocks in 1967 that brought the Chuckle Brothers Barry and Paul to our screens as the comedy duo we all know and love. Hitting the big time with their children’s TV show Chucklevision in 1987, their slapstick comedy and silly routines resonated with children of all ages and lead them to be nominated for a children’s BAFTA Award in 1998 for their long-running Chucklevision series.

Becoming household names in their own right, Barry and Paul were honoured with the Special Award at the children’s BAFTA Awards a decade later and continue to entertain children of all ages with good, old-fashioned family fun.

Joining on them on stage in May is Dorothy, the Cowardly Lion, Tin Man and Scarecrow, the only question is – will anything go right for the wizards in their brand new show?

There’s only one way to find out…
Click your ruby slippers and book your tickets now!

Jowheretogo reviewed the show earlier in the tour: Chuckles of Oz Review Here

Tickets:

Show contents suitable for all.

Tickets £14 (£52 family ticket available for 2 adults and 2 children), sold via Box Office at Playhouse Whitley Bay.

Opening Hours: Monday-Friday 10am-4pm, Saturday 10.30am-2.30pm.

Call 0844 248 1588 or book online at www.playhousewhitleybay.co.uk