News: CASTING ANNOUNCED - JOURNEY’S END

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CASTING ANNOUNCED FOR IMMERSION THEATRE’S BRAND NEW TOURING PRODUCTION OF R. C. SHERRIFF’S WORLD WAR ONE MASTERPIECE JOURNEY’S END

Journey’s End

Whitley Bay Playhouse
Thursday 20^th October 2016

Immersion Theatre recently announced lead casting for their Autumn 2016 tour of R.C. Sherriff’s Journey’s End. Tom Grace (The Ilyiad, Labyrinth) will play Stanhope, and will be joined by Matt Ray Brown (1984, Ghosts) as Osborne and Rory Fairbairn (Madame X, Blackout) as Raleigh. 

March1918. “The war to end all wars”.

Anxiety builds in Captain Stanhope’s claustrophobic dugout as the threat of an imminent German attack looms over the battalion. As final orders are received, Stanhope must stir his men to overcome the uncertainty of the unknown, make the ultimate sacrifice and prepare to “go over the top” in a truly heart wrenching climax.

Journey’s End is a harrowing insight into the humanity of the First World War based on R. C. Sherriff’s own experiences in the trenches. Utterly compelling, this award-winning classic masterfully brings the courage, valour, humour and inescapable tragedy of warfare to the stage.

TOM GRACE – STANHOPE

Tom trained at Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts.

Theatre includes: The Iliad, Labyrinth (Almeida Theatre), Macbeth (Young Shakespeare Company), Arnika (Bridewell), Journey's End (Contexture Theatre), Every Man in his Humour (Sam Wanamaker Playhouse), Poilu and Tommy (Courtyard Theatre), The Broken Circle Breakdown (Karamel Club).

Film includes: The Visitation (Max Jourdan), Beneath a Neon Tide (Kill the Sunset Pictures), An Idle World (Bobbin Productions), Smiley and Drive-by Sunset (Fear Driven Films).

 

MATT RAY BROWN – OSBORNE

Matt trained at the London Centre for Theatre Studies. 

Theatre includes: 1984 (Headlong - American Repertory Theater/Playhouse Theatre); Parkway Dreams (Eastern Angles); Ghosts (Trafalgar Studios); An Enemy of the People (Just Jones &); Sports Play (Just a Must); Casablanca (Future Cinema).

Film includes: Lost in the Shadows; Things of the Aimless Wanderer; Aviatrix; Brothers of War; Shelter; FIT; Angel.

Television: Murder Maps.

Matt is a fluent speaker of French and German, with credits in both languages, and is a regular voice for English in Foreign Language teaching/learning courses.

RORY FAIRBAIRN – RALEIGH

Rory trained at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, and he is delighted to be working with Immersion Theatre for the first time. Theatre credits include: Madame X (Noel/Perissard, Brockley Jack Studio Theatre), Blackout (Newcomer, Hope Theatre), Jekyll & Hyde (Dr Henry Jekyll, Lion & Unicorn Theatre), Romeo & Juliet (Balthasar/Peter, Shooting Stars Theatre Company).

IMMERSION THEATRE

Immersion Theatre is an award-nominated touring company who is fast developing a reputation as a producer of top quality drama and family theatre. Established in 2010 by producers and STAGE ONE alumni, James Tobias and Rochelle Parry, they have played some of the country’s most prestigious theatres and playhouses, built up a notable portfolio of critically-acclaimed work, and developed a reputation for producing exciting, powerful and accessible theatre of a superb quality.

 

At present, Immersion Theatre are Associate Producers on LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS (UK Tour) and Lead Producers on JOURNEY'S END (UK Tour), WIZARD OF OZ (UK Tour), ALICE IN WONDERLAND (UK Tour) and ROBIN HOOD (Civic Arts/Fisher Theatre).

Artistic director James Tobias said: "We are absolutely delighted to have acquired the rights to this incredible piece. Being such an admired and respected text, we appreciate the responsibility we have to do it justice as a mid-scale company looking to transition into the world of large-scale touring. That said, initial casting has been tremendously successful. We are using the costumes from the last West End production and are working to ensure that the quality of product provided is on a level with that of the last major revival. We are passionate about producing top quality theatre at accessible prices and we couldn't be happier to have the opportunity to do so with such a beautifully written and iconic First World War masterpiece"

 “Immersion provides a masterclass for theatre companies looking to update these classic stories for new audiences.” Stage Review *****

“A visual spectacle” A Younger Theatre

“A big screen blockbuster for the small stage” One Stop Arts

Tickets:

1.30 pm performance: £9 – Schools (teachers go free), £14.50 public / £12 public conc.

7.30 pm performance: £18.50, £16.50 conc.

Tickets are available from the Box Office open Monday – Friday 10am – 4pm, Saturday 10.30am – 2.30pm plus until show start on event days. Tickets can also be purchased on the booking hotline 0844 248 1588* or online at www.playhousewhitleybay.co.uk.

*Calls cost 7p per minute plus your phone company’s access charge.

EdFringe Review: Spoonfeeders ★★★★

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Spoonfeeders ★★★★

Newcastle Alphabetti Theatre

11^th August 2016

Edinburgh Fringe Festival

Monday 15^th- Saturday 27^thAugust 2016

theSpace @ Surgeons Hall(Venue 53)

Newcastle University Theatre Society is taking a piece of new writing up to Edinburgh that explores the misinformation that plagues the so-called news. It also looks at office politics and the need to maintain ones place in the pecking order when the new guy appears. It deserves to do well when it heads up North.

How much do you trust the translations that you hear on the news? How willing are you to accept the news from the TV, or radio, your favourite newspaper or the internet. Just before watching tonight’s show I had literally just been watching a BBC documentary about how the BREXIT battle was won/lost and a big focus was the exaggeration which is natural today. With this is mind Spoonfeeders is particularly well timed.

It begins with Max giving the orders to Tibby and Jons. Max used to do the work himself but now his role is to feed the work on a merit basis. Tibby and Jons, for their part, feel their status at work is set in stone and wish to keep it that way. Sharing the office is Felicity, who is left with administrative tasks but wishes to move up to doing the voice over work that Tibby and Jons hold the monopoly on. Max uses this tension between the staff to ensure compliance of his wishes.

Whilst this is going on, there is a protest going on outside as people want to save the poor country of Bornu. The president of Bornu has a long speech that will need a voice over artist to add their talent to. New actor, Stephen, fresh from university then arrives and whilst he immediately clicks with Felicity, he is seen as a threat to Tibby and Jons.

Now, who will Max decide to give that valued task to?

A simple set of props such as a table, window and recording equipment are more than enough to propel the story. Sound effects remind the audience of the disturbances outside whilst the cast do a great job of keeping the tension inside.

Aidan Clancy and James Howlett are a hoot as the couple of workers that you love to hate. They have most of the funny lines of cutting satire in Patrick Watson’s smart script. Patrick also appears as Max, the boss who gives little away to his subordinates. Joseph Campbell-Sample and Alex Burns work well as the wannabies Stephen and Felicity.

Lucy Sherratt directs a sharply observed tale with some cheeky wit thanks to a promising script from Patrick Watson.  

Parental guidance: Some swearing & drug use.

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

Cast                                                          

Max                                     Patrick Watson                        

Stephen                            Joseph Campbell-Sample     

Fizz                                      Alex Burns                                 

Tibby                                           Aidan Clancy                          

Jons                                   James Howlett                         

Creatives

Director                             Lucy Sherratt

Writer                                 Patrick Watson

Production Manager               Chloe Burton

Producers                         Tom Edney and Caroline Simonsen

Poster                                Alex Burns

Tickets:

Edinburgh: Spoon-Feeders runs at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival Monday 15^th- Saturday 27^thAugust at theSpace @ Surgeons Hall(Venue 53) at 8:30pm Book online here: https://tickets.edfringe.com/whats-on/spoon-feeders

EdFringe preview: Just A Quick One at Edinburgh Spotlites

Just A Quick One

Just A Quick One by Hannah Sowerby

Edinburgh Spotlites, 22-26 George’s Street (V 278).

Thursday 4^th - Saturday 20^th  August 2016

This original, mockumentary style comedy follows a day at Blackpool's most controversial café; 'Just A Quick One',  coffee shop by day, male brothel by night.

Josie Rosebud, a fresh faced TV presenter, will introduce the sisters that attempt to run it together, despite not being able to agree on anything, and their eccentric staff; sex workers Ambrogio and Greg, Queen-mad cleaner Cassie and an unsuspecting work experience boy.

Witness the day’s events and get ready for a bumpy ride. You can expect hot coffee, smutty innuendos and a mop that looks like Brian May.

On The Web:

Twitter @Just_A_QuickOne

Facebook search ‘Just A Quick One’. 

Venue’s website http://www.spotlites.co.uk/edfringe-just-a-quick-one-16.shtml

Tickets:

See it at Spotlites, 22-26 George’s Street (Venue 278). Performances take place from the 4th- 20th August (excluding the 14th) at 9:40 pm.  Tickets are available online from https://tickets.edfringe.com/whats-on/just-a-quick-one

  

News: The Stage Edinburgh Awards are first awards of the festival – again

The Stage Edinburgh Awards are first awards of the festival – again

Theatre publication fires the starting gun for Edinburgh Festival Fringe 2016 silverware
The Stage, the world's oldest and best theatre publication, has announced the first winners of its iconic Edinburgh Awards for 2016, and once again is first to champion acting excellence on the fringe.
They were awarded to Liam Brennan at the Traverse for Diary of a Madman, and Kill the Beast as an ensemble for Don’t Wake the Damp. The two shows are among dozens of shows already reviewed by the theatre newspaper in the first week of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe.
Don’t Wake the Damp was recently awarded a five-star review by The Stage, describing it as the team’s "best show yet".
Brennan is currently starring as Pop Sheeran in Diary of a Madman. In her four-star review of the play, The Stage reviews editor Natasha Tripney states Brennan gives ‘a strong, anchoring performance’.
Now in their 21st year, the awards have developed a reputation for spotting acting excellence at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe and for being the bellwether for the year's hottest shows. Being first to publicly award talent each year, The Stage Edinburgh Awards have come to be known for setting the pace for later awards.
Founded in 1995 by The Stage to celebrate the best performances each year at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe – and formerly known as The Stage Awards for Acting Excellence at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe – the awards celebrate the richness and diversity of acting on the fringe, from solo shows to ensemble pieces. The awards recognise individual performers as well as companies. Since 2014, they have been handed out on a rolling basis throughout the festival.
Winners in 2015 included:

• Molly Vevers, for Ross and Rachel
• Jade Anouka for Chef
• Luke Wright for What I Learned About Jonny Bevan
• Sophie Melville for Iphigenia in Splott

Previous winners of the awards include:

• Daniel Kitson
• Guy Masterson
• Caroline Horton
• Nichola McAuliffe

This year’s assessors consist of The Stage’s Edinburgh Fringe review team: Nick Awde, Natasha Tripney, Thom Dibdin, Gerald Berkowitz, Paul Vale and Stewart Pringle.
Since 2014, The Stage has awarded a Special Award for a performer or theatremaker in recognition of sustained excellence over a number of festivals and an overall contribution to the Edinburgh Fringe landscape. It was given for the first time in 2014 to Chris Goode and last year was presented to Pip Utton.
This year also sees the launch of The Stage Edinburgh Podcast, a six-part series of top picks and interviews with theatremakers taking work to the Edinburgh Festival Fringe. The podcast is available via the Podcasts app on Apple devices, SoundCloud or The Stage website.
The Stage is the industry’s trade publication and The Stage team will be reviewing more shows than any other national publication over the course of the Fringe. Check The Stage website for reviews, comment, picks and podcasts throughout the Fringe.

News: Durham Gala Theatre’s new season

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Packed programme for

Durham Gala Theatre’s new season

A packed programme of history and horror, drama and dance, stand-up and song awaits audiences at the Gala Theatre over the coming months, as the new autumn season is announced.

Currently, audiences are experiencing the theatre as never before, with the auditorium stripped of seats and transformed to house the immersive walkthrough experience 1916: No Turning Back.

The seats will be back in place ready for the new season starting in September when the theme of commemorating the centenary of The Battle of the Somme will continue, as the Gala Theatre prepares to premiere its first in-house production outside of their pantomime in six years.

Running from Thursday 8 to Saturday 17 September, The Fighting Bradfords, explores the lives of Roland, George, James and Thomas Bradford - the most celebrated brothers in British military service. Drawing on first-hand accounts, correspondence and family anecdotes, the production - which is written by Tyneside-based playwright Carina Rodney and directed by Psyche Stott - tells the story of this highly decorated family of First World War soldiers and explores what drove these remarkable brothers to become national, as well as very local, heroes.

To encourage audiences to try new theatre, the production will have a ‘Pay What You Like’ performance on Monday 12 September, meaning audience members can choose to pay whatever they want when ordering their tickets.

Sticking with biographical tales, Nottingham Playhouse Theatre Company’s Tony’s Last Tape arrives on Friday 7 October, following a successful London and Edinburgh Festival run. This new play is based on the diaries of Tony Benn, one of Britain’s most respected, divisive and celebrated politicians.

On Friday 28 October, the critically-acclaimed, illuminating portrayal of women in prison Key Change from Open Clasp Theatre Company comes to the Gala Theatre and audiences can benefit from the theatre’s new joint ticket offer where they can see Tony’s Last Tape and Key Change for just £20.

Following previous productions of Teechers and Not About Heroes, Blackeyed Theatre will return to the Gala Theatre with Frankenstein (Monday 17 and Tuesday 18 October). This brand new adaptation of Mary Shelley’s Gothic horror masterpiece fuses ensemble storytelling, live music and stunning theatricality.

A host of great stand-up comedy also comes to the stage this season starting with star of Rev. - and host of The News Quiz - Miles Jupp who brings his Songs Of Freedom tour to the Gala Theatre on Saturday 24 September.

The line-up continues with writer of popular BBC show Outnumbered Andy Hamilton on Wednesday 5 October and host of BBC Radio 4’s The Big Society Marcus Brigstocke stops by with his show Why The Long Face? on Thursday 6 October.

Omid Djalili returns to the Gala Theatre on Friday 14 October with Schmuck For A Night, and there’s more with I’m Sorry I Haven’t A Clue’s Jeremy Hardy (Sunday 23 October), The Lie-In King Seann Walsh (Wednesday 26 October) and host of Sky 1’s Wild Things Jason Byrne (Saturday 29 October).

There’s also an offer available for fans of Gala Theatre’s regular slot The Comedy Store with a season ticket allowing bookers to save £2 per show when booking for Sunday 11 September, 2 October and 6 November.

Music fans are sure to be entertained with a wide-range of acts performing at the venue throughout the season. Grammy-nominated vocalist Stacey Kent (Tuesday 4 October) brings her jazz-classics to Durham and a brand new theatre experience You’ve Got a Friend (Sunday 9 October) celebrates two of the world’s all-time greatest songwriters – James Taylor and Carole King.

The Lindisfarne Story (Sunday 30 October) sees Ray Laidlaw and Billy Mitchell perform a string of Lindisfarne’s most unforgettable hits and the multi-award winning a cappella group The Sons Of Pitches (Tuesday 1 November) bring their impeccable harmonies and sensational beat-boxing to the Gala Theatre fresh off their win on BBC Two’s The Naked Choir.

And with a career spanning over 40 years, Midge Ure comes to Durham on Saturday 5 November as part of his Something From Everything tour, a show that covers at least one song from every album he has released.

There’s a double-bill of opera on Monday 14 and Tuesday 15 November with English Touring Opera performing the heart-warming Xerxes and, one of the certain masterpieces of Venice’s glory days, Ulysses’ Homecoming on respective dates.

Those interested in contemporary dance will be delighted by the announcement that Coal, produced by the Gary Clarke Company, graces the stage from Thursday 10 to Friday 11 November. This powerful and emotive piece marks the 30^th anniversary of the end of the miners’ strike and explores the darker underbelly of the mining industry through the expression of contemporary dance.

As Christmas draws nearer, there’s plenty to keep the kids entertained. Elf and Elfie are back in Durham in December and are getting into their usual muddle. A co-production between the Gala Theatre and Durham Scenic Workshops, Elf’s Christmas Wish (Monday 5 to Saturday 24 December) is a charming and interactive introduction to theatre for under-5s which engages the senses and inspires the imagination.

And after last year’s acclaimed and best-selling pantomime, Neil Armstrong and Paul Hartley return to write, direct and star in this year’s giant Gala Theatre pantomime Jack and the Beanstalk (Thursday 24 November 2016 to Saturday 7 January 2017). With over 15,000 tickets already sold, audiences are encouraged to book their tickets early for this rollicking North East roller coaster of panto mayhem.

Tickets:

To view the full programme of events and to book tickets, please visit www.galadurham.co.uk or contact the Box Office on 03000 266 600.