West End star Kieran Brown (Phantom of the Opera, Wicked, Les Miserables) will be at The MAC on Sunday 13^th September to officially open the Birmingham Institute of Theatre Arts (BITA). Kieran is now a patron of BITA and said:

“Having trained in Scotland, it’s great to see that Birmingham now has a quality and exciting new theatre training opportunity. London and the West End is world class but people often forget about their local theatre and the fantastic opportunities provided by groups like BITA. I am delighted to be a patron of this group and look forward to their students joining me on the West End stage very soon!”

Fellow West End Stars Lauren Samuels (Bend It Like Beckham, Grease) Liam Doyle (Wicked, Ghost) and Siobhan Dillion (Miss Saigon, Ghost) join Kieran in being patrons of BITA and will provide workshops and support to the students throughout the academic year.

This brand new theatre training school runs Sundays during term time from 4pm – 7pm at The MAC.  The gala opening will feature an exclusive performance by the alternate Phantom who will announce the summer 2016 production of Jason Robert Brown’s hit teen musical ’13’.

The cost per week is just £11 for three hours and beats all local competition on price. The first session is free!

Visit www.birminghamita.org.uk for more information

ABOUT BITA

4Stage Arts Ltd is a local not-for-profit arts group that exists to give young people opportunities in the arts otherwise unavailable to them. BITA is their first project and is already making waves in their new way of preparing young people for the world of theatre and performing.

CEO of 4Stage and Artistic Director of BITA Chris Passey said:

“Setting up BITA is the culmination of a lot of hard work and dedication to provide the young people of Birmingham and the Midlands with an actual training platform for their passion and art. Many similar schools in the area are production based, that is to say they produce high quality performances very regularly and this is great. But for us at BITA the focus is training and discipline. All of our teachers work professionally with West End/No.1 Touring credits to their name. We have been heavily inspired by Annemarie Lewis Thomas and her school The MTA in London, whose ethos and passion for young people has lead to some of the brightest young stars entering the world of theatre fully prepared.”

But it’s not all about training, BITA will perform Jason Robert Brown’s hit teen musical ’13’ next summer and is seeking new students to join its growing cast.

The BITA team consists of local renowned talent Artistic Director Chris Passey (Joseph and the Technicolor Dreamcoat) who is an award-winning composer and sought-after vocal coach. Co-Artistic Director and choreographer Attiye Partridge who is one of the Midlands best choreographers and producer and designer Amy Passey whose designs in California and New York have lead her to recently work with Birmingham REP and the RSC.

ABOUT THE MAC

With one million visitors every year, mac birmingham has served as one of the country’s foremost arts centres for over 50 years. With artists and audiences at its heart we provide opportunities for people from all backgrounds to see, hear and, most importantly, make art. mac is an Arts Council England National Portfolio Organisation, also funded by Birmingham City Council and partners.

THE BELGRADE THEATRE & SELL A DOOR THEATRE COMPANY PRESENT A NEW MUSICAL

ADAPTATION OF IAN SERAILLIER’S MUCH-LOVED CHILDREN’S NOVEL THE SILVER SWORD

TOURING THE UK IN AUTUMN 2015

BY SUSIE MCKENNA & STEVEN EDIS

DIRECTED BY SUSIE MCKENNA

 Ian Seraillier’s highly acclaimed and much-loved children’s novel, THE SILVER SWORD, will receive its world stage premiere at Coventry’s Belgrade Theatre from Sat 26 Sept – Sat 3 Oct before embarking on UK Tour throughout Autumn 2015. This brand new production comes to The Old Rep from Thursday 22 – Saturday 24 October.

Originally written in 1956, THE SILVER SWORD was recently named as one of the top 50 children’s books of all time by The Times. This brand new musical co-production has been adapted for the stage by Susie McKenna and Steve Edis.

THE SILVER SWORD is a heart-warming tale of three children whose determination to become a family again, takes them on an incredible adventure to find their father against all the odds. Set in the immediate aftermath of WWII, THE SILVER SWORD follows the Polish Balicki children’s search for safety as Europe is divided up and displaced people return to their homelands.

Along the way, Ruth, Edek and Bronia meet 14 year old Jan – a boy who, years before, had met their father by chance and been given the family’s precious paper knife, affectionately known as the Silver Sword. Jan’s instructions are to show it to the children, should their paths cross, with the message that their father is still alive and headed for Switzerland.

During their adventures they cross paths with people from every nation as well as animals such as Jimpy the cockerel, Bistro the chimpanzee and Ludwig the dog.

Full of warmth, music and excitement, this brand new musical adaptation is brought to life by a cast of skilled actor/musicians and features amazing puppetry and stunning visual projections.

Full Cast announced:

Tom Mackley as Jan

Nathan Turner as Joe Wolski/ Gypsy Man

Lucy Tregear as Frau Wolff/ Mrs Krause

Julian Harries as Joseph

John O’Mahony as Herr Wolff

Oliver Buckner as Edek

Sue Appleby as Margarit

Rachel Flynn as Ruth

Alex Knox as Adam/Major Hargreaves

Bronia shall be played by various child actors from each venue.

This brand new co-production is presented by the Belgrade Theatre and Sell a Door Theatre Company, whose recent productions include Avenue Q (2014 UK Tour), Spring Awakening (2011 UK Tour), Seussical (West End) and the highly-acclaimed UK touring production of Alan Bennett’s The History Boys. 

Producer, David Hutchinson said:

“We are thrilled to be working in collaboration with The Belgrade Theatre on producing this exciting new adaptation based on Ian Seraillier’s classic “The Silver Sword” this autumn. At a timely moment during the First World War centenary years, we tell the story of a family devastated by war, opening in a city that can identify with the desolation that war had both on communities and individual families. I’ve been hoping to work with Susie McKenna and Steven Edis for some time, as a really exciting creative team who have penned an excellent piece of theatre for family audiences. The Silver Sword brings joy, truth, adventure and heart to the stage with a ensemble of top performers and creative – it really will be a treat for all the family”

THE SILVER SWORD – CREATIVE TEAM

Director – Susie McKenna

Musical Director – Steve Edis

Designer – Lotte Collett

Lighting Designer – David W. Kid

Sound Designer – Tom Marshall

Puppet Designer/Maker – Scott Broker

Associate Director – Anna Fox

Susie McKenna is an established and versatile writer, director and actress, and is Hackney Empire’s Creative Director. She writes and directs all the Christmas shows at the Hackney Empire, as well as for the Haringey Shed, Hackney’s Youth musical theatre company (Fairytale Madness, Heroes and Villains, and Graffiti Gallery.) Susie has also written scripts for Trailblazers (in association with the BFI – HA HA Hackney), subsequently broadcast on TV.  Currently, she is adapting Ian Seraillier’s classic The Silver Sword, with composer/lyricist Steven Edis, as well as developing Hackney v Harlem (a transatlantic show with the Apollo Theatre Harlem), and is writing a series of children’s theatre books, Bentolina The Theatre Cat, as well as a new version of Dick Whittington for this year’s Hackney Empire panto.  Susie was nominated for the league of professional theatre women’s Gilder/Coigney International Theatre Award 2012.

Steven Edis has worked alongside Susie McKenna, supervising the music for the pantomimes at Hackney since 1998. During the past couple of years he has worked as musical supervisor for Ace Of Clubs (Union Theatre), as composer for Richard III (Nottingham Playhouse/York Theatre Royal) and for The Captain of Köpenick (NT, Olivier Theatre), as arranger for High Society (National Tour), as music consultant for Relative Values (Theatre Royal, Bath, and West End), as performer/improviser for The Still (Improbable Theatre), as conductor/musical director for Rags at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama; and as arranger/MD forA Chorus of Disapproval (Harold Pinter Theatre), in which he also played the part of ‘Mr Ames’.

Other credits include; The Lion in Winter, Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead, Flare Path, The Country Wife and Arcadia, all at the Haymarket; The Invisible Man at the Menier Chocolate Factory; Birdsong at the Comedy Theatre; Cinderella, Hamlet, Inherit The Wind and The Entertainer, all at the Old Vic; A Christmas Carol (with Susie McKenna) at the Arts Theatre; The Music Man, She Loves Me and Cyrano de Bergerac at Chichester Festival Theatre; Possessed (Oxford Playhouse); and King Lear and The Seagull  for the RSC.  He has arranged numerous musicals for the Open Air Theatre, Regent’s Park, and composed music for many plays at the National Theatre, including The Royal Hunt of the Sun, Love’s Labour’s Lost, the Tom Stoppard trilogy The Coast of Utopia, The Relapse, The Cherry Orchard, The Merchant of Venice, Summerfolk, An Enemy of the People (also in Los Angeles) and Not About Nightingales. TV/film work includes arranging and musical supervision of live music in Richard Eyre’s film Iris, and for numerous episodes of EastEnders, Holby City and New Tricks (BBC).  He has played piano for silent films at film festivals in Austria, and is a regular guest pianist with The Comedy Store Players.

Adam Spiegel Productions, Robert G. Bartner and the Ambassador Theatre Group are delighted to announce that award-winning singer and platinum selling artist MICA PARIS will star as ‘Sylvia’ in the UK and Ireland tour of “LOVE ME TENDER” – the new musical inspired by and featuring the music of Elvis Presley.

Producer Adam Spiegel said: “I’m a huge fan of Mica Paris and as soon as I heard her audition I knew she was perfect for the role of Sylvia. Her incredible, powerful voice and presence does true justice to the greatest hits of the one and only King of Rock and Roll, Elvis Presley”.

Mica Paris is one of the UK’s most respected female singers with a career of Top 10 hit singles and albums worldwide. The range, power and beauty of Mica Paris’ singing made an immediate impact on the UK music scene in 1988 when she released her debut, platinum-selling album, ‘So Good’ from which she had her first top ten hit, ‘My One Temptation’. More worldwide hit albums and singles followed including ‘Black Angel’, ‘Stay’ and ‘Carefree’.

An incredible live performer worldwide, Mica has collaborated with, and been a special guest for many respected artists including Prince, Michael Bolton, Dionne Warwick, Paul Rodgers, David Gilmour and Jools Holland.

Mica has also turned her talents to the stage, appearing in the West End productions of ‘Mama I Want To Sing’, ‘The Vagina Monologues’ and ‘Sweet Lorraine’ as well as a sell-out residency at Ronnie Scott’s Club. Her TV credits including being a regular host on BBC1’s ‘What Not to Wear’ and an expert judge on ‘Gok Wan’s Miss Naked Beauty’ for Channel 4. Mica has also presented the Radio 2 programme ‘Soul Solutions’. Enjoyed by over a million listeners it one of the most successful soul and R&B shows in the UK.

From the producers of Hairspray, Jersey Boys and West Side Story “LOVE ME TENDER” is a hilarious feel-good musical featuring Elvis Presley’s greatest hits. In a small town in 1950s America, a guitar-playing, hip-swivelling stranger rides his motorbike into town. Is he The Devil in Disguise or a Hound Dog in his Blue Suede Shoes? The townsfolk are about to be All Shook Up and could be headed for Heartbreak Hotel, but for Natalie, the love-struck, tomboy mechanic, it really is Now or Never.

Packed with 25 of the best loved songs by The King himself, “LOVE ME TENDER”, by the writer of the award-wining West End and Broadway smash hit Memphis, is a funny and moving tale of hope, second chances and the healing qualities of Rock ‘n’ Roll.

“LOVE ME TENDER” is Written by Tony Award Winner Joe DiPietro (Memphis) and Directed and Choreographed by Olivier Award Winner Karen Bruce (Saturday Night Fever, Dance ’Til Dawn, Pacific Overtures) with Set Design by award nominated Morgan Large (Flashdance, Cat On A Hot Tin Roof), Lighting Design by James Whiteside (Never Forget, Footloose) Costume Design by Vicky Gill (Dance ‘Til Dawn, Strictly Come Dancing) and Casting by James Orange (The Producers, Sweeney Todd).

Love Me Tender plays at the New Alexandra Theatre from Monday 24th – Saturday 29th August 2015.

GARY LUCY will lead a cast that includes ANDREW DUNN, LOUIS EMERICK, RUPERT HILL, MARTIN MILLER and BOBBY SCHOFIELD in THE FULL MONTY which is coming to the Regent Theatre in Stoke-On-Trent for one week only from 26th-31st October 2015.

In 1997, a British film about six out-of-work Sheffield steelworkers with nothing to lose, took the world by storm becoming one of the most successful British films ever made. Now, the boys are back, only this time, they really have to go The Full Monty…live on stage.

SIMON BEAUFOY, the Oscar winning writer of the film, has gone all the way with this hilarious and heartfelt adaptation that’s getting standing ovations every night.

THE FULL MONTY opened at Blackpool Grand Theatre on Thursday 10 September 2014 before embarking on an extensive UK tour.

GARY LUCY (EastEnders, winner of Dancing on Ice, Footballer’s Wives, Hollyoaks, The Bill) is Gaz; ANDREW DUNN (best known as Tony in Dinnerladies as well for his regular appearances playing Alistair Campbell on Bremner, Bird and Fortune; extensive stage credits include the original productions of John Godber’s Bouncers and Up’n’Under) is Gerald; LOUIS EMERICK (Mick Johnson in Brookside and PC Walsh in Last of the Summer Wine, a role he has played, on and off, for over 20 years) is Horse; MARTIN MILLER (recent credits include Hitchcock in the New York production of The Lovesong of Alfred J Hitchcock) is Dave; BOBBY SCHOFIELD, one of the most exciting young actors around, makes his stage debut as Lomper and RUPERT HILL (Jamie Baldwin in Coronation Street) is Guy.  Further casting to be announced.

The production also features the iconic songs from the film by Donna Summer, Hot Chocolate and Tom Jones.

The Full Monty is Simon Beaufoy’s first work for the theatre. His screen credits include winning the BAFTA for The Full Monty, 127 Hours, Salmon Fishing in Yemen, Slumdog Millionaire and The Hunger Games: Catching Fire.

This new production is directed by JACK RYDER. His directing credits include national tours of Calendar Girls and the short film Act of Memory with Claire Skinner, Owen Teale and Anna Massey which was officially selected for nine international festivals around the world including the Cannes Film Festival. As an actor, Jack is probably best known as Jamie Mitchell in EastEnders, a role he played for four years.

Design is by ROBERT JONES, whose recent credits include Calendar Girls, Much Ado About Nothing starring Catherine Tate and David Tennant, Hamlet (Royal Shakespeare Company) and Rock’n’Roll (Royal Court, West End and Broadway). Choreography is by IAN WEST, lighting by TIM LUTKIN, sound by SARAH WELTMAN with casting by MARC FRANKUM.

Music legend TOMMY STEELE will take to the stage in a spectacular new musical, The Glenn Miller Story at The Regent Theatre from Monday 28 September – Saturday 3 October

The musical will tell the extraordinary tale of the world’s most famous big band leader accompanied by a live 16-piece authentic Glenn Miller Orchestra, as well as a full supporting company of singers, dancers and actors.

Tommy Steele was Britain’s first rock ‘n’ roll star. Dubbed the UK’s answer to Elvis Presley, he landed his first UK No.1 with Singing the Blues in January 1957, reaching the top spot before Elvis. The big screen soon beckoned for Tommy, and that same year he filmed The Tommy Steele Story, one of Britain’s great rock ‘n’ roll movies. A soundtrack was released to coincide with the film’s opening and became the first album to reach No.1.

Tommy’s legendary career includes over twenty hit singles, twelve hit movies and countless award-winning stage musicals such as Half a Sixpence, Hans Andersen and Singin’ in the Rain. In recent years, Steele has starred as Christmas miser Scrooge in Bill Kenwright’s spectacular production of the festive musical, which enjoyed two successful runs at the world-famous London Palladium. It was a role that also made Steele the theatre’s all-time record-breaking performer, having headlined more performances than any other star in the history of the Palladium.

For the past 15 years Bill Kenwright and his idol Tommy Steele have talked about how they could work on a show together. It was when discussing a particular favourite of theirs; The Glenn Miller Story, that Bill discovered that his all-encompassing love for Elvis was equal only to Tommy’s adoration for Glenn Miller and his Orchestra. Bill learned that Tommy is a true devotee; travelling all over the world to hear what remains of the original orchestral sounds, and is steeped in the knowledge and the glory of what Glenn Miller did for popular music. Tommy enthused that Glenn changed the face of it from 1939 – 1943 when he was the most popular recording artist in the world.

The thought of Tommy Steele and The Glenn Miller Story was a wonderful opportunity to create something special in the mind of a producer like Bill. However, as Tommy told him, there was an obvious problem, although he’s still one of this country’s greatest song and dance men, Tommy was too old to play Glenn. It was three years later – celebrating Tommy’s award as the Most Popular Entertainer of All Time at the London Palladium – that they came up with what they believed to be the answer. What was it? Come and see for yourself when The Glenn Miller Story comes to The Regent Theatre. But here’s a clue – Tommy Steele will not be the Narrator.

The Glenn Miller Story is directed by Bob Tomson and Bill Kenwright and choreographed by Olivier Award winner Bill Deamer. The show promises to transport audiences young and old back to the days of the big band.

It’s been seventy years since Glenn Miller vanished over the English Channel as he flew to Paris to entertain the troops during the Second World War. Did he crash? Was he shot down? Will the mystery ever be solved?

Tickets are now on sale and are available from The Regent Theatre Box Office, by calling 0844 871 7649 or visiting www.atgtickets.com/stoke   

Birmingham Weekender www.birminghamweekender.com

A WEEKEND OF FREE OUTDOOR PERFORMANCE, ART AND ENTERTAINMENT FOR ALL THE FAMILY!

Birmingham’s largest arts festival, Birmingham Weekender features an awe-inspiring programme of events from hundreds of world-class West Midlands and international artists and companies.

Showcasing  Birmingham’s extraordinary cultural offering to those living locally and the thousands of visitors expected to travel into the city from 25-27 September.

In addition to celebrating the city’s cultural offering, Birmingham Weekender also marks the opening of the newly transformed New Street Station and Grand Central and coincides with Style Birmingham Live and the Rugby World Cup.

Underlining the next exciting stage in the development of the city, as arts, shopping, food and sport come together in this unique programme of events.

 The Culture Catwalk

The worlds of fashion, celebrity and community come together in this event, celebrating the vibrancy of Birmingham’s culturally diverse communities.  Join us as, in association with The Old Rep, we roll out the red carpet for the people of Birmingham, to show us what they’ve got.  This is everyone’s chance to walk the walk, as the CULTURE CATWALK makes YOU the main event.  Dress up, dress down, sing, dance, cartwheel, roll, the choice is yours, but whichever way, the spotlight will be on you.

 Would you like to perform?

We are looking for a wide range of performers, groups and individuals from across all art forms, including music, fashion, performance art, literature, spoken word, dance and movement to animate and populate our Bullring Culture Catwalk.  It’s all about enthusiasm. You don’t need to be an expert, you just need to want to show off your skills to the city. We are going to construct a runway outside Birmingham’s famous Bullring and adorn it with a red carpet.  We’re then going to invite people to take it in turns to seize their moment and walk down the runway and perform.  It could be solo, or a duet or a group piece. You can dress up, dress down, sing, dance, strut, pose, give forth, recite, glide, slide, and ride the wave of attention.  It’s up to you, simply let us know your thing, and we’ll book you in!  Become a player in this year’s festival – a festival hosting up to 100,000 people over two days, and also featuring the likes of, Compagnie Transe Expres; Mem Morrison Company and Birmingham Opera Company. Be a part of it.

• Are you based in the West Midlands region?
• Will you have a performance that will be rehearsed and ready?
• You understand that no fees or expenses are paid to take part in this opportunity.

If you answer yes to all of the above questions and would like to sign up, please send the below details to: info@oldreptheatre.co.uk and mark for the attention of Ola Animashawun and Chris Sudworth.

Performance (name of piece) …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..

Name (main point of contact) ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….

Contact number ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

Email address……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….

Location of group:………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….

Group name………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….

No of performers: ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….

Age (range) of performer(s)…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….

Style: …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..

Length of piece:…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….

Please state which hour (s) you would prefer to showcase your skills in:

Note your MOMENT can last between 5 – 15 minutes and can happen on more than one occasion throughout the weekend.

	SATURDAY	SUNDAY
12pm-1pm
1pm- 2pm
2pm-3pm
3pm-4pm
4pm-5pm

Please describe the piece that you would like to perform. If the piece has not yet been created, give a general outline of what you expect it to be:

Please list any past experience of performing, but note, no previous experience is necessary:

If you have a website, links to the actual work or past work on YouTube/Vimeo etc, please list – note this is not obligatory:

EVENT DETAILS

Saturday 26^th and Sunday 27^th September

Culture Catwalk, Birmingham Weekender

Location: BULLRING [near the Bull]

Wet Weather location TBC

__________________________________________________________________________________

Culture Catwalk is presented in partnership by Birmingham Weekender and The Old Rep.

This project is supported by:

  

Birmingham Weekender is supported by:

        

David Ian Productions and the Ambassador Theatre Group are delighted to announce the full cast for the UK tour of the international smash hit musical PRISCILLA QUEEN OF THE DESERT opening on Thursday 20 August 2015 at the Manchester Opera House. http://www.priscillathemusical.com.

Joining the previously announce Jason Donovan as ‘Tick’, are Simon Green as ‘Bernadette’, Adam Bailey as ‘Felicia’ and Philip Childs as ‘Bob’.

Simon Green’s most recent stage credits include ‘Bruce Ismay’ in “Titanic” both in Toronto and at the Southwark Playhouse; “The World Goes Round” at the Union Theatre and ‘Monsieur André’ in “The Phantom of The Opera” on tour. Adam Bailey most recently appeared as ‘Espresso’ in the German production of “Starlight Express”. His other theatre credits include ‘Mary Sunshine’ in “Chicago” at Leicester Curve and ‘Alan’ in “Bare” at the Greenwich Theatre. Philip Childs played the role of ‘Bob’ on the 2013 tour of “Priscilla Queen of the Desert”. He is currently appearing as ‘Doctor Dillamond’ in “Wicked” at the Apollo Victoria. Other recent theatre credits include Alan Bennett’s “People” and “The Habit of Art” at the National Theatre.

Jason Donovan played the role of ‘Tick’ when the show originally opened in the West End and its subsequent tour in 2013. His other West End credits include the title role in “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat” and ‘Caractacus Potts’ in “Chitty Chitty Bang Bang”. His touring credits include ‘Captain Von Trapp’ in “The Sound of Music” and ‘Frank N Furter’ in “The Rocky Horror Show” and most recently ‘Lionel Logue’ in “The King’s Speech”. His television credits include “Neighbours” and “Echo Beach”. He was also a finalist in ITV’s smash hit “I’m A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here!” and reached the final of “Strictly Come Dancing”.

He is joined by: Richard Astbury; Rebecca Botterill; Matt Crandon; Peter Cumins; Amy Di Bartolomeo; Martin Harding; Lisa-Marie Holmes; Ricky Lee Loftus; Adam Lyons; Callum MacDonald; Laura Mansell; Catherine Mort; James Paul McAllister; Robin Mills; Craig Ryder; Naomi Slights and Julie Yammanee.

Get ready for the ride of your life! Based on the movie, PRISCILLA QUEEN OF THE DESERT THE MUSICAL is the heart-warming, uplifting adventure of three friends who hop aboard a battered old bus searching for love and friendship and end up finding more than they could have ever dreamed of. With a dazzling array of outrageous costumes and a hit parade of dancefloor classics including ‘I Will Survive’, ‘Say a Little Prayer’, ‘Go West’, ‘Hot Stuff’, Boogie Wonderland’ and ‘Always on My Mind’, this wildly fresh and funny new musical is a journey to the heart of FABULOUS!

PRISCILLA QUEEN OF THE DESERT THE MUSICAL originally opened in Australia and after a sell-out two year run, opened in London’s West End followed by Broadway in the United States. It has won numerous awards all over the world, including prestigious Olivier and Tony awards.

PRISCILLA QUEEN OF THE DESERT THE MUSICAL is written by Stephan Elliott and Allan Scott and Directed by Simon Phillips. The Associate Director is Dean Bryant. Choreography is by Andrew Hallsworth and Ross Coleman; Musical Arrangements, Direction and Supervision by Stephen ‘Spud’ Murphy and Charlie Hull; Production Design by Brian Thomson, Costume Design by Tim Chappel and Lizzy Gardiner; Make-Up Design by Cassie Hanlon; Original Lighting Designs by Nick Schlieper and Original Sound Design by Michael Waters

TUESDAY 20 OCTOBER – SATURDAY 24 OCTOBER
BIRMINGHAM NEW ALEXANDRA THEATRE – http://www.atgtickets.com/venues/new-alexandra-theatre-birmingham

Recently I had the opportunity to speak to the stars of this years Lichfield Garrick pantomime Jack and the Beanstalk: TV actor Graham Cole (best known from ITV’s The Bill) and writer, director and performer, Ian Adams.

Graham:

You last performed at the Garrick in the 2012/13 Christmas season as Scrooge in A Christmas Carol and you’re back again for this year’s Jack and the Beanstalk. What is it about Lichfield that has made you return?

I loved playing Scrooge. It was beautifully dressed and staged and Ian Adams did a fantastic twist on a classic. With Dickens words and Ian’s staging, this show would be in the top three of my career so far. Lichfield is a beautiful city where the people are friendly and smile at you. The theatre reflects this with its wonderful staff and crew. When you’re away from home at Christmas, the theatre becomes your home. My wife Cherry was delighted when I said I was returning to the Garrick as she really had a great time when last here.

Your character this time round is the evil Hemlock. Do you prefer playing a baddie?

Playing a baddie is always best! We get the best lines and have so much reaction from the kids. If any are not affected by my first entrance, I’m playing him wrong! From what Ian has told me so far about the character, Hemlock is going to be so much fun to play – although having so much make-up on to create him means once again I’ll be last in the bar!

Most people recognise you from The Bill, having played PC Tony Stamp for 25 years. Clearly you enjoy your TV work but do you have any preference between this and stage work?

If my year can be filled with TV, film and stage, it’s just perfection. They are all so very different and demand their own disciplines. TV and film because of the crews and money available to create magic; although the performance is often taken and cut for technical reasons. On stage, the character and performance is yours, the immediacy of the audience reaction – often different every night – and seeing their faces. It is intimate, instant and will never be quite the same each night.

New Artistic Director, Tim Ford, plans to transform the Garrick into a learning centre over the coming years. How important a role do you think pantomime plays in getting young people into the theatre?

Tim Ford has my total backing. Theatre and performing can help all sorts of problems, phobias and confidence issues. It’s known to aid so many learning difficulties and theatre can take you into a different world every time. I love Q&A after-show sessions, with both children and adults. It is a special magical place where mystique still remains. If we get pantomime right, it can be a child’s introduction to a life time of theatrical experience.

How would you encourage the public to come and see your pantomime?

With live theatre, you can experience with the actors when things go wrong, when lines are dropped and props fail, and then see how we deal with the present crisis. Every moment spent together is a unique time. I often have people telling me they were in the night the door handle came off, or the gun didn’t fire, or the Dame lost her wig. Come and join us at The Garrick, Jack and the Beanstalk will be something you will never forget, ‘Oh yes it will’!

Ian:

This will be your tenth consecutive panto at the Garrick. What can we expect from your decadent panto this year?

As you know this year’s pantomime is Jack and the Beanstalk, which was the first pantomime I did at the Garrick nine years ago. Of course it will be another all-singing, all-dancing show but with some new gags and a lot of old ones which people expect. The design by John Brooking is stunning so visually it will be quite something with a few surprises in store. The story (which I think is the most important thing) is set in the wild West Midlands and there is a Country and Western finale, so stetsons at the ready!

How pleased are you to have enticed Graham back again this year?

I was asked earlier this year if I had a choice casting the “Name” who would it be? Without any hesitation I suggested Graham. I loved working with him on A Christmas Carol and we spent a lot of time on stage together. After we returned to pantomime two years ago, I’ve been hoping there is something we could invite him back to do and the nasty old villain ‘Hemlock’ is perfect for him – although it’s casting totally against type as he is one of the nicest people you could wish to meet.

You clearly have a passion for panto. What is it about the art form that you love so much?

Two of my great passions are Hollywood musicals (from the Golden Age) and Carry On films. I’ve always said my perfect pantomime would be a mix of the two. The Carry On films and pantomime are uniquely British and something I believe we do better than anyone else. It’s interesting, whenever I include a line from one of those classic Carry On scripts, the audience tend to finish it for us – “Infamy, infamy” from Cleo being a perfect example. Also I think pantomime is so important to the future of the industry as it always has been. For example, it is often the biggest money maker of the year for many theatres. It is also usually the first time that children get to see live theatre and if we can engage them at an early age (as I was) then hopefully they will want to keep coming back to see other things throughout the year.

How do you intend to keep the show fresh across its four week run?

I’ve been very lucky over the years with the pantomime casting. I’ve never had a Company who have simply walked through a show. Firstly, sometimes we do twelve shows a week, so there’s no time to get bored and I always try to give the dancers plenty to do as they are more than just a chorus. The Garrick pantomime is an ensemble piece and I always try to give everyone an opportunity to shine. This year we have again assembled a very talented and varied cast and I’m looking forward to working with them very much.

You are used to being the Principal Boy but over the last fifteen years or so, you have played the Dame. Do you prefer donning the elaborate costumes and have more fun this way?

Contrary to what most people think this is only my 19th Pantomime and my 13th Dame! I played the Wishee Washee character when I was 20 in Aladdin then I played the Prince in Snow White when I was 35. It wasn’t until 5 years later I put the first frock on playing an Ugly Sister with the late Jack Wild (which was a joy) and we did it twice. Playing Dame is hard work as anyone who has done it will tell you, and it’s taken its toll on my feet! However I love playing Dame, you see I’ve always been a song and dance man and so I never really got the opportunity to be funny. As Dame it’s very different, it’s amazing what you can get away with in a frock and I think it’s important that the adults have something to laugh at as well as the children; it’s just finding that fine line between vulgar and risqué. This year I’m Dame Trixie Trott, a poor Widow…however that won’t be reflected in the Wardrobe!

Jack and the Beanstalk runs at the Lichfield Garrick from 5 December 2015 – 3 January 2016 and tickets can be booked through their website: www.lichfieldgarrick.com.

One of the most entertaining groups to come out of the 60s and 70s, The Barron Knights are set to return to the Lichfield Garrick stage next month.

Their musicianship, their harmonies and of course their humour makes them what their peers call, ‘The Guvnors’.

This supremely talented showbiz phenomenon is the only group to have toured with The Beatles and twice with The Rolling Stones.

As well as old favourites like Call up The Groups, the Barron Knights will make you rock, laugh and roll with their inimitable versions of the William tell Overture and their Flamenco party piece Malaguana, and many, many more.

The Barron Knights are playing at the Lichfield Garrick on Wednesday 9 September 2015 at 7.30pm.

Tickets cost £18.50, and can be booked online at www.lichfieldgarrick.com or by calling Lichfield Garrick’s Box Office on 01543 412121.

The cutlery firm, Arthur Price, is continuing as Lichfield Garrick’s headline season Sponsor for third year running.

After the success of the last two seasons, cutlery and gift firm Arthur Price is continuing as the Lichfield Garrick’s headline season sponsor for the third consecutive year.

The family-owned cutlery and gift company was the first sponsors of the Lichfield Garrick, and have seen the theatre grow in terms of audience numbers and also the stature of performers, which has included in the last year, comedians Jason Manford and Tim Vine.

There are a lot of plans for the third season of sponsorship, including more audience participation at performances and more local voluntary initiatives.

Simon Price, Arthur Price CEO, said: “I have been delighted by our partnership with the Lichfield Garrick. The Garrick is not only a venue for excellent arts and entertainment across the region, but also works extensively with local groups, especially children and youth, as part of its outreach programme. When the opportunity to work with the Garrick came up for the third year we jumped at it, and with some new team members at the theatre have been able to create some exciting initiatives.”

Tim Ford, Artistic Director at the Lichfield Garrick, said: “I’m delighted that Arthur Price is continuing as our headline sponsor for a third successive year. They are a local company to Lichfield but with an international reputation, and is the sort of brand we want to associate ourselves with. They also contribute a great deal to the local voluntary sector and so we feel the partnership is perfect both commercially and from the perspective of our outreach programme.”