REVIEW: Beauty and the Beast at Durham Gala

Beauty and the Beast

Durham Gala  

Until Tuesday 31 December 2024

Pantomime season is back with the traditional, in many senses of the word, curtain raiser that is the show at Durham Gala. Or should one say "Durjambon" as the latest show renames the city. 

The show begins with a song which shows off the tight dance routines from an ensemble that did not put a foot wrong. Then first up is Jude Nelson, appearing once again as the show's comic, as Jongleur. She follows the convention of immediately getting the audience involved, in that they should respond when she comes on stage, but unusually she does this before giving her characters name. The younger members of the audience quickly take to Jude and she builds a report with them that has them contributing throughout the show.

Next up is Beth Crame as Belle, who runs a book stall. Beth appeared to have a better grasp of the script than some of her colleagues and helps them out - unless that's part of the act. In panto it is hard to tell sometimes. As Zoe Lambert appears as the inventor Madame Perplexe you quickly recognise the unique feature of the show when compared to other north east shows: it is largely female led and this is to be welcomed. For once it is the lads, with the exception of the Beast, who are largely sidelined as minor characters. 

The Gary Kitching script is full of family friendly jokes and it makes it a safe show for the family. But there is another key point here. Pantos either stick to the job of telling the story with humour along the way, or the show title is merely a theme that is mostly acknowledged in the first and final scenes but rarely through the show. Beauty and the Beast firmly sticks in the former group - resulting in a show that is more satisfying for the younger people as they tend to want a story and not just endless stand up routines.

That is not to say that we don't get some panto formula here: a messy scene, which will be familiar to the Customs House regulars, and community singing which was a nice finish to the action.

The double act of Adam Donaldson and Sarah Bulmer worked well as Monsieur Brillant and Madame Horlodge once the action moved to the Beast's Chateau. The show does feel Disneyfied at this point with Suryan Hadrick, as the Beast, holding the same poses as the animation at times.

Director Rachel Glover has some calls to make to bring the action closer to the audience in what is already a fairly small two level auditorium. It is difficult to move into the audience without leaving half of the audience wondering where the action is. Putting a couple of the cast on the upper level during the big production number was a good call. The extended introduction of Kieron Michael as Gourmand dragged that phase of the show and perhaps it would be better to start on the stage to keep the pace up.

On the other half of the upper level is the live band, under musical director Gabrielle Ball, who do a great job in backing the singing. Having a live band rather than recorded music does add to the atmosphere and lifts the show.

The key indicator of a pantos success is how involved the young audience gets. Do they want to help those on stage with their quests? In this respect the 2024 Durham Panto is a success. The families left with smiles on their faces.

Review: Stephen Oliver

Cast and creatives:

Written by Gary Kitching
Directed by Rachel Glover
Musical Supervisor & Arrangements Joshua Tarrier
Musical Director & Additional Arrangements Gabrielle Ball
Choreographer Helen West
Costume Designer Emily Baxendale

Cast

Belle: Beth Crame
Madame Perplexe: Zoe Lambert
Jongleur: Jude Nelson
Prince Alphonse / The Beast: Suryan Hadrick
Gourmand: Kieron Michael
Monsieur Brillant: Adam Donaldson
Madame Horloge: Sarah Bulmer

Tickets: 

https://galadurham.co.uk/galapost/beauty-and-the-beast/ 

Box Office: 03000 266 600

Accessible performances of Beauty and the Beast:

BSL (British Sign Language) interpreted performances on Sunday 1 December, 11.00am, Saturday 7 December, 2.00pm and Monday 30 December, 2.00pm; a relaxed performance on Friday 6 December, 1.30pm and a BSL and captioned performance on Tuesday 17 December, 6.30pm.

Preview: Here & Now at Stockton Globe

 New musical Here & Now produced by UK pop sensation Steps stomping in Stockton in December 2025

UK pop band Steps are delighted to announce that their official musical HERE & NOW, which has been wowing audiences in Birmingham for the last few weeks, will embark on a major UK and Ireland tour from August 2025 through to May 2026, appearing at the Stockton Globe 15 - 28 December 2025.

HERE & NOW began previews at The Alexandra, Birmingham on Saturday 9 November and will finish it’s run on Saturday 30 November 2024. The musical was The Alexandra’s fastest selling on-sale in history, which saw 50% capacity sold within 24 hours.

Featuring Steps’ most beloved hit songs, HERE & NOW is produced by the band and ROYO with Pete Waterman and Fascination Management with an original book by Shaun Kitchener and is directed by Rachel Kavanaugh and choreographed by Olivier Award winning Matt Cole.

Casting for the UK and Ireland tour is to be announced.

Welcome to seaside superstore Better Best Bargains, where it's Friday night, the vibe is right, and everyone's dancing in the aisles. But when Caz discovers the shelves are stocked with lies and betrayal, the summer of love she and her friends dreamed of suddenly feels like a tragedy. Have they all lost their chance of a 'happy ever after'? Or does love have other plans in store… 

Steps (Claire Richards, Faye Tozer, Ian ‘H’ Watkins’, Lee Latchford-Evans and Lisa Scott-Lee) are the UK’s most successful mixed sex pop group of all time, with 14 top five singles, 4 number one albums, 22 million record sales, 500 million streams & 11 sold-out national arena tours under their belts. The band’s hits include #1 singles Tragedy/Heartbeat and Stomp, the gold certified One For Sorrow & Better Best Forgotten, the silver certified 5,6,7,8, Last Thing On My Mind, Love’s Got A Hold Of My Heart, Chain Reaction, all of which will feature in the musical alongside many more.

Steps’ 2017 comeback tour sold out all 300,000 tickets, making it one of the biggest pop tours of the year. The band have since continued to release new music including two further iTunes #1 singles, the Sia-penned What The Future Holds in 2020 and the Michelle Visage duet Heartbreak In This City in 2022. In 2022 Steps celebrated their 25th anniversary with a headline summer tour and released the #1 album Platinum Collection which means they join ABBA, Rolling Stones and Stereophonics as the only groups in UK history to score #1 albums in four consecutive decades.

Photo:  Pamela Raith Photography

Musical supervision, orchestrations and arrangements by Matt Spencer-Smith, set design is by Tom Rogers, costume design is by Gabriella Slade, lighting design by Howard Hudson, sound design by Adam Fisher, wigs, hair and makeup design by Sam Cox, casting by Will Burton for Grindrod Burton Casting, Music Technology by Phij Adams with Production Management by Setting Line.

#ad 

Tickets:

Steps fans will be excited to hear that this STEPTACULAR musical is heading to Stockton Globe for Christmas 2025! Tickets are now available from ATG Tickets: https://tinyurl.com/StepsMusicalStockton 

REVIEW: Dear Evan Hansen at Sunderland Empire

Today is going to be a good day. And here’s why…

Dear Evan Hansen

Sunderland Empire

Tuesday 19 to Saturday 23 November 2024

Book by Steven Levenson

Music and Lyrics by Benj Pasek and Justin Paul

This hugely popular musical has so much going for it as it lands on Wearside this week for the first time. It has hope, compassion and a strong sense of humanity. But it is more than that, as it has a Hitchcock-vibe of redemption. 

Dear Evan Hansen is a musical follows Evan Hansen, a high school senior with social anxiety, "who invents an important role for himself in a tragedy that he did not earn".

They said "Meet Evan: an anxious high school kid who wants nothing more than to fit in. The thing is, on his way to fitting in, he didn’t tell the whole truth. And now must give up on a life he never dreamt he’d have. As events spiral and the truth comes out, Evan faces a reckoning with himself and everyone around him."

The thing is, it was an interesting feeling at the interval. An uplifting song finished act one but the audience knows at this point that there is more afoot than the characters know. You go into the interval wondering how it will unravel. The feeling of a possible Hitchcock twist makes you want to go back for Act 2.

Evan Hansen (Ryan Kopel) is about to start his final year at school before heading, possibly, to college. He struggles in social situations. For example, he does want to order a take away delivery as that will involve small talk with delivery person as they sort out the change.

His mother Heidi (Alice Fearn) is juggling a full time job with classes in order to change her career and hopefully bring more money in. The downside is she is rarely at home. Recognising the issues Evan has, she sends him for therapy. The therapist suggests, as homework, Evan writes positive letters to himself - Positive affirmations that will help his mental wellbeing.

He is printing one such message off at school when Connor (Killian Thomas Lefevre) picks it up off the printer. Connor, who has family issues himself, spots that the letter refers to his sister Zoe (Lauren Conroy) and he decides to walk off with it. Thus a chain of events is now going to take place changing a lot of people's lives.

There is a lot to praise this show, no wonder it has won so many awards. The set (Morgan Large) and lighting (Matt Daw) has an ability to combine and support the songs in a really effective way.

The original songs are memorable, unlike some new musicals. But the really clever part of the design is in the sound (Tom Marshall). The quiet moments of the show, including the quiet songs, are particularly quiet. This boosts the louder songs by introducing a bigger dynamic range than is often the case. It is nice to hear live strings in the mix too rather than just keyboards.

Another noticeable moment was during Evan's mother's final song So Big/So Small. As it was quiet you could hear quiet emotional sobbing around the circle. Sniffles of appreciation - this musical had hit an empathy spot in audience which is rare.

Great performances all around lift this show and it is easy to see how it has built up a following not dissimilar to Blood Brothers in loyalty. This includes Helen Anker and Richard Hurst as Connor and Zoe's parents Cynthia and Larry. Ryan Kopel is masterful in such a difficult role - how do you have commanding stage presence when playing a character that is supposed to have a lack of such?

The is a powerful portrayal of teens and some of their issues. The fear of not being noticed in a digital age. Yet it manages this without sentimentality. Review: Stephen Oliver

Note: The show includes the issues of suicide which can be upsetting.

Tickets:

Tickets are on sale now at https://tinyurl.com/SunderlandDearEvanHansen* 

Preview: Lee Kyle: Bottle It on tour 2025

 A stand up comedy tour show about messages in bottles and secrets

Lee Kyle: Bottle It

On Tour 2025

Following his 2024 show at a packed Tyne Theatre in Newcastle, South Shields comedian Lee Kyle will be taking his next show ‘Bottle It’ on tour throughout the North of England and into Scotland in early 2025.

Photo: Elaine Robertson

The show will take him to Newcastle’s Tyne Theatre, Darlington, Washington  and a number of other theatres and arts centres.

Lee has been throwing messages in bottles into the sea! Lots of them. He’s been asking people to reply and people have. What has this led to? Adventure? Discovery? Surprises?

Well yes. He’s learned a lot. Join Lee, a top class ad-libber and storytelling comedian, as he recounts this tale while revealing so much more about himself than even he is strictly comfortable with.

Photo: Claire Kyle

This relentlessly funny show deals with the harm done by a big family secret and about his struggles with his own mind in a way that is raw and honest while never forgetting the comedy.

Growing up as a somewhat lonely, feminine, heterosexual male on a council estate with a biracial stepson and a predominantly female friendship group has given Lee an outlook that confounds the stereotypes associated (Often lazily) with the working classes, who are often viewed as a homogeneous group by those who have never met any.

Through this prism, Lee will deal with his solutions for the male mental health crisis and will look outward to the potential world of adventure contained in every message he has released into the water.

Photo: Sammy Dobson

One of the most versatile comedians in the UK, Lee is as at home performing stand up for families as he is compering lively Saturday night comedy club gigs. These experiences have led to him being particularly noted for his quick thinking ad libs and crowd work.

However, it is his full length stand up shows, weaving storytelling with relentless punchlines and his unusual outlook that are where his true strength lies.  As such, it is no surprise that he is now a much in demand director of stand up comedy shows.

Venues and dates

Sunderland Carnival House 21 February 2025
Darlington Forum 13 March 2025
Whitby Coliseum Centre 14 March 2025
Arts Centre, Washington, 28 March 2025
Bedlington Platform One 11 April 2025
Newcastle Tyne Theatre 18 April 2025

Tickets from: https://www.imleekyle.com/2025-tour 

Preview: Tim Rice at Darlington Hippodrome

 Spend an evening with Sir Tim Rice at the Darlington Hippodrome

Tim Rice: My Life In Musicals - I Know Him So Well 

Darlington Hippodrome

Monday 26 May 2025 

Sir Tim Rice, the multi-award winning, internationally renowned lyricist, will visit Darlington Hippodrome in 2025 with Tim Rice My Life In Musicals - I Know Him So Well on Monday 26 May. 

This incredibly special show which toured earlier this year has proved so popular that 33 new dates have been added.   During the show Tim reflects on his illustrious career at the heart of musical theatre, sharing anecdotes behind the songs - the hits and the misses along with stories of his life.  There will be live performances from the wonderful catalogue of songs that are synonymous with his name and that of his collaborators. Musical accompaniment will be from an array of the UK’s leading West End singers and musicians led by Musical Director Duncan Waugh.

Tim is associated with writing the lyrics for so many of the world’s great musicals - Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Jesus Christ Superstar, Evita, Chess, and the Disney productions The Lion King, Aladdin and Beauty and the Beast. His work has not been limited to musical theatre with Evita transferring to the big screen and All Time High, the theme music for the James Bond movie Octopussy with music by John Barry and lyrics by Tim Rice.

With a show packed full of songs including Don’t Cry For Me Argentina (Evita), Any Dream Will Do (Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat), A Whole New World (Aladdin) Can You Feel The Love Tonight (The Lion King),  I Don’t Know How To Love Him (Jesus Christ Superstar) , Circle of Life (The Lion King), Chess, Hakuna Matata (The Lion King)   Another Suitcase in Another Hall (Evita), I Know Him So Well (Chess),  All Time High (Octopussy), Must Love Me (Evita), and  A Night In Bangkok (Chess),  My Life In Musicals is an absolute must for fans of musical theatre and brilliant music.

Regarded by many as one of the world’s greatest lyricists Tim Rice commented My Life in Musicals is a show in which I reveal all (well, nearly all) of the secrets behind the creation of some of the best-known songs featuring my lyrics. I have had the good fortune to work with some of the greatest composers of our time, including Andrew Lloyd Webber, Bjorn Ulvaeus and Benny Andersson, Elton John, and Alan Menken, without whose wonderful melodies I’d be at home watching television.

Tim told us “You’ll know quite a few of the songs – and will therefore be relieved to hear I won’t be singing them. All musical aspects of the show I hand over to the outstanding Duncan Waugh Band and West End Singers. There will be plenty of stops in between the hits during which I’ll tell you how they happened and, in some cases, nearly didn’t. Actually, I might sing a little – but not Don’t Cry For Me Argentina.” 

What better way to celebrate the world of musical theatre than with Sir Tim Rice.

Tickets:

Sir Tim Rice – My Life In Musicals – I Know Him So Well comes to Darlington Hippodrome on Monday 26 May 2025. For full details or to book call the Box Office on 01325 405405 or visit www.darlingtonhippodrome.co.uk

Preview: Christmas with Anton & Friends at Stockton Globe

 

 Anton Du Beke embarks on brand new UK Christmas tour

  

Christmas with Anton & Friends

Stockton Globe

Monday 9 December 2024

Anton Du Beke, one of the country’s best-loved and most accomplished entertainers, is setting off on a brand-new nationwide tour this Christmas.

 

The show, Christmas with Anton & Friends, will see Anton joined by singer Lance Ellington, as well as a live band and a company of dancers to create an evening filled with song, dance and a lot of Christmas cheer.

  

The tour kicks off in Dunfermline on Sunday, November 24th and will continue throughout the UK and Ireland, visiting Edinburgh, Dublin, London and Stockton to name just a few. 

Anton will be performing alongside his dancers, a classic Christmas sing-a long with some of his favourite Christmas songs, as well as a big Christmas medley to end the show. 

   

Anton said: “I’ve always dreamed of doing a big Christmas show as it’s the best time of the year, so this is a real treat for me. It’s the show I’ve always wanted to do with some old faces and some new!”

“I’m returning to some venues I’ve been to before which is always a joy. I’m particularly excited to perform at His Majesty’s Theatre as I’ve never performed there before!”

Lance Ellington said: “I’m beyond excited to perform all your favourite songs with my wonderful friend Anton Du Beke! It’s my favourite time of the year and to be sharing it with you all on tour, with a fabulous live band and such a wonderful cast is going to be great fun. Don’t miss your Christmas fix for 2024!”

Anton added: “Don’t forget to bring your voices for a mega singalong… it’s going to be lots of fun and full of Christmas cheer.”

Tickets:

Don’t miss this special opportunity to get up close to the King of the ballroom this Christmas when he returns to Stockton Globe on Monday 9th December. Tickets are available now via www.stocktonglobe.co.uk

News: Community theatre in Seaton Delaval receives royal award

 Community theatre receives royal award

Volunteers at a community arts hub in Seaton Delaval have been awarded the King’s Award for Voluntary Service in recognition of their outstanding work.

Seaton Delaval Arts Centre on Avenue Road in Seaton Delaval

The team at the Seaton Delaval Arts Centre have been recognised with highest award a local voluntary group can receive in the UK, the equivalent to an MBE. The volunteers run and maintain the thriving venue which hosts a range of performances, shows and community events.

The 160 seat theatre opened in 2007 to bring residents together to enjoy and take part in the arts. The venue is also used by a range of community groups on a weekly basis along with a popular pantomime each Christmas.

Volunteers at the Seaton Delaval Arts Centre
L-R Stu Bennett, Gareth Miller, Pamela Iley, Helen Orchard, Chris Orchard

The King’s Award for Voluntary Service aims to recognise outstanding work by local volunteer groups to support their communities. It was created in 2002 to celebrate Her Majesty The late Queen’s Golden Jubilee and, was continued following the accession of His Majesty The King. 2024 marks the second year of The King’s Award for Voluntary Service.

Stu Bennett, Theatre Director said “We are absolutely thrilled to receive this prestigious award from his majesty in recognition of the work and dedication of our amazing volunteers. In 2007 a small group came together to secure an old Salvation Army church in need of repair. After a huge amount of hard work, we’ve transformed the building into a community arts hub which continues to go from strength to strength. I’m delighted this award has recognised all of our volunteers past and present. We have no paid staff and are completely led by our volunteers, they truly are superstars making a huge difference to Seaton Delaval and beyond.”

Performers on the stage at the Seaton Delaval Arts Centre

Recipients are announced annually on 14th November, The King’s Birthday. Volunteers of the Arts Centre will receive an award crystal and certificate from Dr Caroline Pryer, Lord-Lieutenant of Northumberland in the new year. In addition, volunteers from the group will attend a garden party at Buckingham Palace next summer.

You can find out more about the Seaton Delaval Arts Centre and see what’s on at www.seatondelavalartscentre.com.

News: Presents for Present gift drive for homeless people launched

Presents for Present gift drive for homeless people launched

Alphabetti Theatre in association with Live Theatre and Crisis Skylight Newcastle are delighted to announce the Presents for Present initiative.

Every year Crisis Skylight Newcastle runs a Wishlist Scheme, so people suffering from homelessness in Newcastle and the surrounding area can have a Christmas present to open. This year, to coincide with Live Theatre’s festive offering Present, running from Tuesday 3 to Saturday 21 December, the venue is encouraging audience members to bring a gift along with them to be go to the Wishlist.

Present
Photo: Matt Jamie

Premiering in 2019 at Alphabetti Theatre, Present by Ali Pritchard was created in collaboration with members from Crisis Skylight.  This heartfelt and funny production with live music from the incredible Ceitidh Mac, tells the story of a homeless man Dave, played by the mesmerising Malcolm Shields, and his epic quest to buy his grandson a Christmas present.   

So, what is Presents for Present? Writer and director Ali Pritchard explains:

“It’s a gift drive for homeless people, with items donated by audiences visiting Live Theatre in December. Whether you are coming to see any of Live Theatre’s festive offerings: Present, Blitzen On The Tyne or visiting Santa, you can bring a present for a person less fortunate than you, drop it off at Live Theatre and it will be delivered to Crisis Skylight, who will then distribute it.”

Crisis Skylight have some helpful hints for suggested presents and these include alcohol-free food and drink (with a ‘use by’ date extending beyond 31 January 2025), toiletries and gift items such as travel games, gift cards, puzzles, colouring books, pencils and paints. Most of Crisis’ members are male and donations of clean and in excellent condition warm clothing and footwear are urgently needed and would be very much appreciated. Further information on items to donate can be found at www.crisis.org.uk/get-involved 

Gifts can be wrapped and also made into Christmas hampers but it is essential that they are labelled so the amazing Crisis volunteers can distribute them where requited. Any surplus items will be donated to local organisations, particularly those working to eradicate poverty and homelessness.

Present is a high octane festive show with live music and when it was first staged In 2019, it was applauded by audiences and reviewers alike, with The Stage describing it as: ‘Beautifully written and powerfully performed, this alternative Christmas fable is packed with humour and heart.’ The 2024 production has been extended by the writer Ali Pritchard, with the help of the dramaturg Tamsin Rees and audiences can expect entertainment with a punch.

Pritchard continues:

“Present is a tonic to the commercialism of Christmas. Although ironically we would love it if you would still buy tickets for Present as capitalism makes the world go round! If you were really in the Christmas spirit you could even pay it forward and Share A Show. Simply tick the donation box when you book and you will be buying a ticket to give to someone who wouldn’t normally be able to afford to see a play”.

Tickets:

For more information about Presents for Present and to book tickets for the show which runs from 3 to 21 December go to www.live.org.uk or call Box Office on 0191 232 1232.

 

Dates: Tue 3 Dec – Sat 21 Dec 2024

Running time: approx. 90mins including interval

Age Rating 15+

Content Warnings: Contains some themes and language that some audiences may find upsetting and distressing.

Accessible Performances:

Tue 10 Dec - BSL

Wed 11 Dec - Captioned and Audio Described