News: Auditions for Oliver at Newcastle Tyne Theatre

Who wants to join Fagin’s Gang?

 

Oliver

Newcastle Tyne Theatre and Opera House

Tuesday 5^th – Saturday 9^th April 2016.

West End Operatic Society are delighted to announce they will be performing one of the all time 'Greats' of British Musicals 'Oliver' at the Tyne Theatre and Opera House 5-9 April 2016.

The search is on for boys aged 8-10 years for the part of Oliver and Artful Dodger aged 12-14 years. They also an English Bull terrier to play the part of 'Bullseye'

Auditions will be taking place at the Tyne Theatre on Sunday 13 September. Please email westendoperaticsociety@gmail.com to register your interest.

Oliver has some wonderful musical numbers, 'Where is Love'.'Consider Yourself'. Oom- Pah Pah' 'As Long As He Needs Me', 'I'd Do Anything' and many more

West End Operatic Society is an amateur musical theatre group based in Newcastle upon Tyne. They are a welcoming and friendly all- singing, all – dancing family.

Don't miss out on this great experience – get signed up now.

You can read the North East Theatre Guide review of the West End Operatic Society’s2015 show Hairspray here.

Preview: Hello Kitty Live at Sunderland Empire

A Live Nation and Zen Tiger Live presentation in association with WME Entertainment.

THE WORLD PREMIERE of

HELLO KITTY LIVE - FASHION & FRIENDS

IS ON ITS WAY

Hello Kitty Live – Fashion & Friends

Sunderland Empire

Monday 5^th October 2015

Sanrio GmbH, Live Nation and Zen Tiger Live in association with WME Entertainment officially announce the forthcoming launch of HELLO KITTY LIVE - FASHION & FRIENDS. The first chapter of series of live shows starring Hello Kitty, her family and the other Sanrio characters.

HELLO KITTY LIVE - FASHION & FRIENDS gives fans of all ages the first ever opportunity to physically enter the world of Hello Kitty as she takes to the stage live and in 3D for this World Premiere, the latest development in the continuing evolution of this global super brand.

Image: Andrew Timms

A 'Pop Show' in the truest sense, the soundtrack features high calibre artists including Charli XCX, Bruno Mars, Kylie Minogue, Echosmith, Clean Bandit, Flo Rida and many more.

See Hello Kitty like you've never seen her before as this fashion icon welcomes audiences into her world in a story that highlights the value of friendship, creativity, respect for nature and a love of learning.

Photo: Sanrio Puroland

The producers at Zen Tiger Live have assembled an accomplished creative team comprised of Richard Lewis, creative director of a long list of successful productions including Peppa Pig Live and Lazy Town Live; Del Mak, choreographer of TV show Got to Dance and LRNZ, one of the most acclaimed upcoming visual artists on the digital scene. Together they have created a fun-pack=
ed show, where the characters on stage and the animations on a mega HD screen interact with the public as the story unfolds.

Steve Homer, Promoter at Live Nation Entertainment, said 'We are delighted to have Hello Kitty Live - Fashion & Friends on our roster; she is a natural addition to a line-up of Global superstars we work with including Madonna, Rihanna and Beyonce.'

Image: Andrew Timms

Fans will also be invited to enter a competition to win the ultimate Hello Kitty fan prize - the 'Platinum Hug' VIP package at a venue of their choice, plus runner-up HELLO KITTY LIVE SUPER-FAN GOODY BAG prizes which will be full of exciting Hello Kitty merchandise.

An exclusive and limited series of HELLO KITTY LIVE - FASHION & FRIENDS merchandising will be available only at the show venues.

The official premiere will be in London on 8 October 2015 at the Hammersmith Apollo before the show departs for an extensive tour across the UK with future dates planned across Europe (to be announced).

Tickets:

Booking Information - Box Office: 0844 871 3022*

Groups 10+: 0844 871 3042

Online: www.ATGtickets.com/Sunderland

*Booking fee applies

TOUR SCHEDULE

Sunderland Empire
5pm Monday 5 October 2015
www.atgtickets.com/sunderland
0844 871 3022

Aylesbury Waterside Theatre
5pm Tuesday 6 October 2015
www.atgtickets.com/aylesbury
0844 871 7607

Nottingham Royal Concert Hall
7pm Wednesday 7 October 2015
www.trch.co.uk
0115 989 5555

Hammersmith Eventim Apollo
7pm Thursday 8 October 2015
www.eventimapollo.com

0844 249 4300

Bournemouth Pavilion
11am & 3pm Saturday 10 October 2015
www.bournemouthpavilion.co.uk
0844 576 3000

Northampton Derngate
1pm & 4pm  Sunday 11 October 2015
www.royalandderngate.co.uk
01604 624811

Edinburgh Usher Hall
1pm & 4pm Tuesday 13 October 2015
www.usherhall.co.uk
0131 228 1155

Aberdeen Music Hall
12noon & 3pm Wednesday 14 October 2015
www.aberdeenperformingarts.com
01224 641122

Dundee Caird Hall
2pm & 5.30pm Thursday 15 October 2015
www.cairdhall.co.uk
01382 434940

Glasgow Royal Concert Hall
1pm & 5pm Saturday 17 October 2015
www.glasgowconcerthalls.com
0141 353 8000

Manchester Palace Theatre
11am & 2.30pm Sunday 18 October 2015
www.atgtickets.com/manchester
0844 871 3019

Liverpool Auditorium
5pm Monday 19 October 2015
www.echoarena.com
0844 8000 400

Stoke Regent Theatre
4.30pm Tuesday 20 October 2015
www.atgtickets.com/stoke
0844 871 7649

New Wimbledon Theatre
4.30pm Thursday 22 October 2015
www.atgtickets.com/wimbledon
0844 871 7646

St David's Hall Cardiff
5pm Friday 23 October 2015
www.stdavidshallcardiff.co.uk
029 2087 8444

Brighton Theatre Royal
1pm & 4.30pm Sunday 25 October 2015
www.atgtickets.com/brighton
0844 871 7650

Wolverhampton Civic Hall
11am & 3pm Monday 26 October 2015
www.wolvescivic.co.uk
0870 320 7000

Southend Cliffs Pavilion
11am & 2.30pm Wednesday 28 October 2015
www.southendtheatres.org.uk
01702 351135

Portsmouth Guildhall
11am & 2.30pm Thursday 29 October 2015
www.portsmouthguildhall.org.uk
0844 847 2362

York Barbican
11am & 2.30pm Saturday 31 October 2015
www.yorkbarbican.co.uk
0844 854 2757

Review: Mr Stink at Jesmond Dene

Family Fun In The Park

Mr Stink

Jesmond Dene

Until 21^st June 2015.

The beautiful setting of Jesmond Dene was the venue for the outdoor performance by Heartbreak Productions of David Walliams’s Mr Stink. The outdoor season begins with this firm family favourite about 12 year old Chloe, who is finding her place in the world.

The venue is set up with a spot for picnics and small people on rugs near the stage, a place for people to put their camping seats in the middle and covered seating area at the back. Everyone ends up with a good view of the raised stage.  The sound is amplified subtly so everyone is able to hear. All you then need is a warm evening and you’ll be ready for a great night out with the family.

The show opens with the popular daughter Annabelle Crumb (Abigail Lamb) welcoming everyone to her birthday party. The audience are invited to sing happy birthday in the first of several chances for audience participation which seems to go well with both parents and the younger crowd.

It is clear from the gifts and comments from mother Mrs Crumb (Lily Carrie) that Annabelle is the popular daughter compared to Chloe (Samantha Dart). Poor Chloe is a creative person who writes stories and keeps a diary which she wants to share but her unsympathetic Mother doesn’t want to hear.  Only her Dad (Danny Milwain) encourages her.

The audience are sent back in time to the start of Chloe’s diary and her first encounter with the tramp who calls himself Mr Stink (Howard Scott Walker). Despite his odour Chloe quickly strikes up a friendship with Mr Stink as he doesn’t talk down to her.  Mr Stink eventually moves into the Crumb’s shed, but only Chloe knows about it.

Some politics does play a part in the story as Mrs Crumb stands for election off the back of some funny policies.  The only trouble is you could imagine some political parties actually wanting to adopt them.

There is also some social commentary about the reasons behind homelessness and the general public’s attitude to it, though it remains light-hearted.

The production, directed by Peter Mimmack,  retains the funny elements of David Walliams original book.  The real strength is in the acting which kept the attention of the younger members of the audience.  From the delightful interplay between Chloe, her Dad and Mr Stink to the slightly over the top mother and sister, the story was wonderfully staged.

The musical numbers, with support from members of the Gosforth Community Choir, fitted into the story well.

The story reflects well the insecurities of life for a 12 year old trying to make sense of the relationships with everyone that she meets. As Mr Stink says “A bully can only make you feel bad about yourself if you let them”.

Mr Stick is cracking story that shows everyone has a back story to tell.  The cast worked hard to entertain the theatregoers and the show went down well with audience members of all ages.  All we need now is a weekend of warm sunny weather to make it perfect!

This review was written by Stephen Oliver for the North East Theatre Guide by Jowheretogo PR (www.jowheretogo.com). Follow Jo on twitter @jowheretogo, Stephen @panic_c_button or like Jowheretogo on Facebook www.facebook.com/Jowheretogo

Read the original North East Theatre Guide review HERE.

Creatives:

Original Story: David Walliams

Director: Peter Mimmack

Adaption: David Kerby-Kendall

Designer: Kate Wragg

Musical Director: Andy Guthrie

Composer: Derry Pope

Costumes: Libby Esler

Tickets:

Mr Stink will be performed at Coleman’s Field, Jesmond Dene:

          Friday, June 19th 6.30pm

          Saturday, June 20th 2pm and 6.30pm        

          Sunday, June 21st 6.30pm

The entrance is at Pet's Corner at Jesmond Dene and the box office opens one hour before the show starts.

Covered and uncovered seating is available. Ticket prices for covered seating (includes a chair under a tent):  Adult £16.50, Child £12.50, Concession £14.

Ticket prices for uncovered seating (bring your own chair/rug) :  Adult £13.50, Child £9.50, Concession £11. Family tickets are available for uncovered seats £45 (2 adults, 3 children). Uncovered under 5s and carers go free.

Tickets available via www.heartbreakproductions.co.uk.

Previews: Incredible Invaders & Groovy Greeks at Darlington Civic Theatre

MORE HORRIBLE HISTORIES UNEARTHED

Incredible Invaders & Groovy Greeks

Darlington Civic Theatre

Wednesday 24 to Sunday 28 June 2015

Two brand new Horrible Histories shows are coming to Darlington Civic Theatre from Wednesday 24 to Sunday 28 June.

Thousands of years after the Ruthless Romans, Savage Saxons & Vicious Vikings stormed ashore on the coast of Britain and the Gruesome Greeks competed in the first ever Olympic Games, you can relive those horribly exciting times by bringing your family to see Birmingham Stage Company’s brand new Horrible Histories stage shows coming to Darlington Civic Theatre from Wednesday 24 to Sunday 28 June.

In Incredible Invaders the Celts are crunched when the Ruthless Romans invaded Britain. Can crazy Caratacus save the nation? Hide behind Hadrian’s Wall and witness the Savage Saxons smash their way in. Can you stop King Alfred burning his buns? Discover who’s at Sutton Hoo and survive the Vicious Vikings as they sail into the audience. It’s a thousand year journey with Incredible Invaders!

Groovy Greeks takes us from savage Sparta to angry Athens to discover the truth about growing up in Greece. Take on the Trojans and pummel the Persians! Compete in the first ever Olympic Games and appear in the very first play! Meet your match with the Minotaur and be zapped by Zeus! Hold on tight as you gatecrash the gruesome and Groovy Greeks!

It’s history with the nasty bits left in!

Writer and Director Neal Foster said today “I had a hugely exciting time bringing the Groovy Greeks to life in Horrible Histories style and loved shining the spotlight on Celtic, Roman, Saxon and Viking life in Incredible Invaders. Both shows feature special amazing 3D effects that provide a spectacular way for both children and adults to enter these extraordinary historical periods.”

Incredible Invaders and Groovy Greeks look like being BSC’s best Horrible Histories theatre shows yet - designed to both entertain and educate their audiences from ages 5 to 105! Come and goggle at the goings on of those Groovy Greeks and let the Incredible Invaders ignite your imaginations to learn more about our island’s early history.

Tickets:

Horrible Histories comes to Darlington Civic Theatre from Wednesday 24 to Sunday 28 June. Tickets are priced £13 for Adults and £9.50 for Children.

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

Preview: Peppa Pig at Newcastle Theatre Royal

PEPPA PIG AND FRIENDS COME SPLASHING INTO TOON!

Peppa Pig will return to Newcastle Theatre Royal on Saturday 30 & Sunday 31 August, on her biggest tour to date! Fresh from the huge success of the two previous tours, Peppa Pig’s Party and Peppa Pig’s Treasure Hunt, Peppa and friends are back in town with a brand new show – Peppa Pig’s Big Splash!

In this new production, the nursery roof is leaking and Peppa and her friends need to fix it quickly. They set up a fete to raise the money for Mr Bull to do the repairs. There’s plenty of fun to be had as Peppa, George, Mummy and Daddy Pig, as well as Danny Dog, Pedro Pony and Suzy Sheep put up bunting, run stalls and organise a great day out.  There's also a Champion Puddle Jumping competition judged by Mr Potato where everyone gets wet and Peppa needs to find her Golden Boots! This all-singing, all-dancing adventure is full of songs, games and muddy puddles providing fun for all the family.

Peppa Pig returns live on stage with brilliant sing-a-long songs from BAFTA award-winning composer Mani Svavarsson. Richard Lewis adapts and directs, following his previous successes with the first two Peppa Pig stage shows and the recent Ben & Holly’s Little Kingdom tour.

Peppa Pig’s Big Splash is produced by Fiery Angel and Limelight Productions (Fiery Light), the team also behind the recent tours of LazyTown Live!, Roald Dahl’s The BFG, the previous two Peppa Pig tours and the current tour of Ben and Holly’s Little Kingdom.

Martin Ronan, Executive Producer, said, ‘Fiery Light are delighted to be presenting their third live Peppa show in 2013-2014. Following the huge success of Peppa Pig's Party and Peppa Pig's Treasure Hunt comes the biggest tour yet for Peppa. Touring the UK & Ireland for 47 weeks, Peppa Pig's Big Splash will be a fun-packed experience for all Peppa fans. To date Peppa Live has played to almost 650,000 people and as we approach the 10th anniversary of Peppa being a family favourite, we hope the new show will thrill fans up and down the country’.

Did you know...?

1. Peppa Pig has won 3 BAFTA Awards for best Pre-school Animation, 3 Licensing Awards for best Pre-school Brand and a LIMA Award for best Entertainment Program of the Year
2. UK sales of Peppa Pig books are over 5.4 million,
3. UK DVD sales have surpassed 7.5 million copies and it's the number 1 licensed magazine for pre-school children.
4. A theme park attraction Peppa Pig World opened in 2011 in the UK at Paultons Park in Hampshire and has attracted over 2 million visitors to date. 
5. The show is broadcast in over 180 territories worldwide and is fast gaining an international following with successful merchandise launches in the US, Australia, Spain and Benelux. 

On the Web:

Website: www.peppapiglive.com 

Twitter: https://twitter.com/PeppaPigLive

Facebook: www.facebook.com/pages/Peppa-Pig-Live

Tickets:

Peppa Pig’s Big Splash appears at Newcastle Theatre Royal from Sat 30 – Sun 31 August 2014 (10am, 1pm and 4pm). 

Tickets are from £12.50. Children tickets - £2 off. Family of 4 ticket – save £4. A booking fee of 95p - £1.95 will apply to most tickets. 

Tickets 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: Gruffalo at The Theatre Royal

The Gruffalo Returns to the North East

 

Tom Crook as The Gruffalo with  Susanna Jennings as the Mouse

 The acclaimed musical stage adaptation of Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler’s award winning picture book The Gruffalo is coming back to the Theatre Royal in June direct from a smash-hit West End season – are you ready to return to the woods? (Tues 24 – Sat 28 June 2014)

This is an opportunity to join Mouse on a daring adventure through the deep dark wood - in the search for hazelnuts - as she meets  the cunning Fox, the eccentric old Owl and the party mad Snake, and outwits them all with the story of the fabled Gruffalo. Armed with only a nut map and a little courage Mouse must make sure she doesn’t end up as dinner for these wily woodland creatures! The perfect combination of music, laughter, physical theatre and just the right touch of scary fun, The Gruffalo is the must see family show for lovers of the timeless story.

Tall Stories’ hit musical adaptation of the award winning picture book The Gruffalo, the modern classic, by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler is set to a wonderfully catchy musical score with original songs. This enchanting production continues to entertain audiences worldwide, bringing everyone’s favourite furry monster to life, live on stage. 

The Gruffalo is produced by KW & NB Ltd and created by the critically acclaimed theatre company Tall Stories - a creative force whose credits include Room on the Broom, The Gruffalo’s Child, The Snail and The Whale, Snow Dragon and My Brother The Robot. The team includes director Olivia Jacobs, creative producer Toby Mitchell, designer Isla Shaw, composers Jon Fiber & Andy Shaw and lighting designer James Whiteside. The delightful cast are: Tom Crook – at 6’5” Tom is the tallest actor to play The Gruffalo; Ellie Bell as the Mouse and Will Towler as the Predators.

Since its 2001 premiere, Tall Stories’ stage adaptation The Gruffalo has been performed across the globe in countries including Poland, Germany, Australia, Hong Kong, Singapore, Dubai and Chile as well as in North America from Broadway to Alaska and Canada. In the UK The Gruffalo has even been spied on the summer Festival circuit playing at the British Summertime Festival Hyde Park and Camp Bestival.

The Gruffalo appears at Newcastle Theatre Royal 24 - 28 June 2014 (Wed - Sat 10.30am, Tue – Fri 1.30pm). Tickets are £12.00 (a booking fee of 95p will apply to most tickets) and can be purchased from the Theatre Royal Box Office on 08448 11 21 21 or online at www.theatreroyal.co.uk

Website: http://www.gruffalolive.com/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/TheGruffaloLive

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Gruffalo-Live/208009172607890  

Tour:

Doncaster, Cast Tue 3 - Wed 4 Jun 01302 303 959

Buxton Opera House Fri 6 - Sun 8 Jun 0845 1272190

North Finchley, artsdepot Fri 20 - Sun 22 Jun 020 8369 5454

Newcastle, Theatre Royal Tue 24 - Sat 28 Jun 08448 11 21 21

Woking, New Victoria Theatre Tue 1 - Thu 3 Jul 0844 871 7645

Hull, New Theatre Fri 4 - Sun 6 Jul 01482 300 300

Peterborough, Key Theatre Tue 8 - Wed 9 Jul 01733 207239

Cardiff, New Theatre Thu 10 - Sun 13 Jul 02920878889

Blackpool, The Grand Theatre Tue 15 - Wed 16 Jul 01253 290 190

Inverness, Eden Court Fri 18 - Sun 20 Jul 01463 234 234

Stafford, Gatehouse Theatre Tue 22 - Wed 23 Jul01785 254 653

Preston , Charter Theatre Thu 24 - Sat 26 Jul 08448447710

Truro, Hall for Cornwall Mon 28 - Wed 30 Jul 01872 262466

King's Lynn, Corn Exchange Fri 1 - Sun 3 Aug 01553 764864

Crewe, Lyceum Theatre Tue 5 - Wed 6 Aug 01270 368 242

Dorking, Dorking Halls Thu 7 - Sat 9 Aug 01306 881717

Birmingham, Town Hall Tue 12 - Sun 24 Aug 0121 345 0600

Radlett, The Radlett Centre Tue 26 - Wed 27 Aug 01923 859291

Southend, Palace Theatre Thu 28 - Sun 31 Aug 01702 351135

Northampton, Derngate Wed 10 - Thu 11 Sep 01604 624811

Stevenage, Gordon Craig Theatre Fri 12 - Sun 14 Sep 01438 363200

Cheltenham, Everyman Theatre Tue 16 - Wed 17 Sep 01242 572573

Basingstoke, The Haymarket Thu 18 - Sun 21 Sep 01256 844244

Crawley, The Hawth Theatre Tue 23 - Thu 25 Sep 01293 553636

Scunthorpe, The Baths Hall Sun 28 - Mon 29 Sep 0844 8542776

Croydon, The Ashcroft Theatre Tue 7 - Sat 18 Oct 0208 688 9291

Winchester, Theatre Royal Thu 9 - Fri 10 Oct 01962 840 440

Coventry, Warwick Arts Centre Sat 29 Nov 2014 - Sun 4 Jan 2015 024 7652 4524