In The Spotlight | CERI DUPREE (Wolverhampton Grand Theatre) October 2015

Ceri Dupree has been delighting audiences worldwide for almost 30 years. His unique talents have led him through musical theatre, pantomime, summer seasons, television and cabaret. There isn't an audience (age or type!!!) that he hasn't played to. Following a successful pantomime season in 2013 and one man (twenty two women) show in 2014, Ceri returns to the Wolverhampton Grand Theatre in October. 

Wolverhampton is excited to have you back after a fabulous pantomime season in 2013 with Sleeping Beauty. Are you looking forward to coming back?

It’s hard to believe that was 18 months ago! The time just goes… Wolverhampton Grand Theatre is what I call a proper theatre. We go to lots of different venues all over the country and some I call theatres, others I call civic venues… council run things in leisure centres, they’re purpose built theatres but for me, you’ll never beat the old theatres like the Grand.

It’s a brand new show you’re bringing to Wolverhampton, EYEcons, tell us more!

Yes, a brand new show that’s a play on words, EYEcons obviously meaning icons… female icons. The last time I came and did my show, just after the last panto season we had a great time but this will be something different. There are a few favourites that people love that I always put in, like Tina Turner but last time I did Camilla Parker Bowles, Shirley Bassey, Björk and Marlene Dietrich – they’re all staying at home this time and the first half of this show will be all old Hollywood. I mean old – we start off with Mae West and then Bette Davis and Shirley Temple, then we bring it a little more up to date like Dolly Parton and Joan Rivers.

Without giving too much away, in the second half there’s a skit on The Sound Of Music – I saw Lady Gaga do it at the Oscars, I thought “hmmm, hang on! How can I get Lady Gaga, Dame Edna and Julie Andrews into the Sound Of Music?” … but I think I’ve done it! I hope I’ve done it anyway…

It’s not just your voice and physical impersonations that impress; it’s your costumes too! You must spend a fortune…

I do. I’ve just done a 4 week run of a show in London with my sister Ria Jones and some of the costumes in that particular show got people’s attention. When they ask how much they cost I know they don’t believe me. If I say a coat costs £1500, a full outfit covered in feathers is ridiculous amounts more!

I’ve always said though, I’m dressing up as some of the most of the most expensive women in the world. I don’t have Shirley Bassey’s wage, I wish I did, but I’m dressing up as her, so to do my best I have to spend a lot. I just like to give my audiences good value for money, whether that’s through the songs, the impersonations, the stand up or the costumes.

Ceri as Queen Passionella in Wolverhampton's 2013/14 pantomime. 

Would you wear any of it out at the weekend?

No, they’re too heavy! People always say to me, especially during pantomime, where the costumes are really outrageous – “how do you walk in those shoes? How do you balance that hat on your head?” but the thing is I only have them on for a few minutes. I totter across the stage, do my thing, hopefully get a laugh and take them off as soon as I get into the wings. I pity these girls who wear these heels all night in clubs. I do fifteen costumes changes in my upcoming show!

How do you decide which women you’re going to impersonate?

I try to keep it fresh all the time, so I’m always on the lookout. The sad thing is, I had scheduled to do a bit on Cilla Black this time around. Of course, now she’s died it would be in really bad taste so I’ll leave it a few years and come back to her.

She would have probably loved it though?

She would have! You just can’t do it so soon though. Joan Rivers is back in the show now, I took her out of the show after her death too, even though she was always the first to mock and laugh at herself. I also did the same with Amy Winehouse when she left us, even though she was back for my 2014 show I toned it down a bit – I want to make people laugh, not upset or offend them. I like to think that I send them all up in a celebratory way.

What’s great about your show is that by coming to see it, you can enjoy acts that you can no longer see, or simply couldn’t afford to see…

That’s exactly it. It’s not only nostalgia, because the young audiences come and enjoy the show and they’d never remember someone like Mae West or Marlene Dietrich but they still laugh and that’s great – you don’t necessarily have to know who these people are. If I do Zsa Zsa Gábor people say “did she really have 9 husbands?” and yes she did. She still holds the record in Hollywood to this day for the most marriages, one more than Liz Taylor, so they laugh, and that’s the most important thing. You’ll get your money’s worth!

Ceri Dupree’s EYEcons is at Wolverhampton Grand Theatre on Tuesday 13 October. Tickets are available here. 

Interview | ALEX BEAUMONT from DREAMBOATS AND MINISKIRTS

Dreamboats & Miniskirts is the sequel to the popular Dreamboats & Petticoats comes to Wolverhampton Grand Theatre from Tue 23 - Sat 27 June. Alex Beaumont who plays Bobby spoke about the show and the part he plays in it. 

This is your second run with Bill Kenwright’s production – what is it about this musical and your role that made you decide to continue into 2015?

The music, the 60s music, it’s incredible to get to sing it eight times a week, I really love 60s music. The character of Bobby, well, I do identify with him, I have a little soft spot for him, which makes me want to play him. We’re similar because we’re typical boys, we don’t really think about things, like girls feelings – an ignorant boy (laughs).

The cast must know each other so well now – is it like one big family?

Yeah, it really is. It’s also amazing to have the live band on stage with you as well because you feel like you have that support. Everyone gets on great, everywhere we go we all go for meals together or stay in digs together, so yeah, it really is like one big family.

You have a new Norman – how is Alastair settling in?

Brilliant, absolutely amazing, he’s such a pleasure to work with. We got on really well on and off stage, so it’s really nice. He has taken over from Ross (William Wild) and he probably was a bit nervous, but I experience the same thing when we started Miniskirts last year because there was only me and Ross who were new to the franchise, everyone else had been in Petticoats at some point. I did kind of feel it would be hard to slot in, but actually, it was really easy because they’re such a nice bunch of people.

For those that haven’t seen the show, tell us a bit about it and your character.

The show focuses on Bobby and Laura, they’ve just had massive success with Dreamboats and Petticoats, and in Miniskirts, you see how their relationship, professionally and romantically, is going to work and whether it will work. You also have recurring characters Norman and Sue, who are getting on nicely, they’re married. And then there’s Donna and Ray. Ray is now working in a salon in Bond Street and Donna’s working in her boutique and they’re going through every day relationship struggles too. They’re a little bit older, everyone’s matured apart from Bobby!

It’s a show set in the 1960s – do you find the audiences are of that generation or is it appealing to a younger audience?

A bit of both actually. Generally, the audiences we get are people who were the age of the characters in the show in the 60s, and the people we get to meet after the show, most of them will tell us it took them back to their youth and it was really nice to reminisce. But then also, that generation are then taking their children and their children’s children to come and see it as well. We’ve had young children in the audience, who, some of them, know all the words, which is brilliant. So it just goes to show that even if you weren’t around in that era, you can still appreciate it.

Has your music and fashion taste changed because of the show?

I’ve always loved 60s music, although it was more jazz and soul, Ben E. King, Ray Charles, Sam Cooke, all those great singers. And then in the show you’ve got Roy Orbison, Smokey Robinson and other amazing singers that you don’t really get these days. And their songs have stood the test of time and that’s why I like this kind of music. As for the fashion, I do like the Chelsea boots that I get to wear every night, and to have a nice sharp suit to wear is always really nice to wear.

You said you have grown as the show has gone on – how have you changed from your very first performance last August to now?

I’ve definitely relaxed into the role and what has really helped is finding those similarities between you as a person, and character, it makes it a lot easier to relate to. And it’s taught me not to be so hard on myself. Because it’s such a massive role in the dhow, no one’s superhuman, you learn how to conserve your energy but still make sure you give enough for every show. And those are skills that will hopefully carry on in the rest of my career.

At Wolverhampton Grand Theatre from Tue 23 - Sat 27 June. CLICK HERE to book tickets. 

Review | RENT (Hutton Theatre) April 2015

Jonathan Larson's RENT has in recent years grown increasingly popular in the amateur and off-West End theatres. With a great number of productions popping up, you wonder perhaps what is the draw to a musical notorious in its focus on impoverished young artists under the shadow of HIV/AIDS. It is the sense of community that is most endearing and set to a powerful rock score its highly appealing on many levels, despite the ultimate focus on struggle. 

Talking of struggle, to set this in the round has its challenges and here director Alastair Norton takes his focus on community and utilises the non-traditional performance space to emphasise that theme. In South Staffs Musical Theatre Company's latest production, you find yourself surrounded and ultimately part of the Bohemian world. For the duration, you're exposed and involved - the seats aren't the most comfortable, but neither is Bohemian life. It's a 360, immersive experience - a unique way to present a musical that is perhaps otherwise considered overdone. To disregard tradition and present an entirely new format is a brave move... but a risk well taken. 

The space does have limitations and depending on where you're sat, sometimes crucial moments are missed. The only way to overcome this is to keep rotating the action which would eventually become tiresome - the emerging talent helps indefinitely to look past any sightline niggles - as a regular theatregoer you'd come to expect this in any round performance. 

The cast is headed up by Matt Nicholas and Chris Eastup as Mark and Roger - one a documentary maker, the other a guitarist. Nicholas gives a particularly focused, endearing Mark while Eastup with his shadowy eyeliner is more toughened and impresses with a solid vocal performance. Eastup's duet with Lexie Bennett as Mimi is particularly beautiful, a heartbreaking and incredibly raw moment. Nicole Roberts also impresses as Maureen - a comic rendition of Over The Moon conjures laughter from the audience, invited to 'moo' with her. She is paired well with Abbie Rai as Joanne and between them manage to riff some notable lines of Take Me Or Leave Me. 

Andrew Newton manages to keep a cold heart as Benny while at the opposite end, James Thomas is suitably flamboyant with a generous disposition as young drag queen Angel Schunard. Thomas works well with Simon McGee as Tom Collins and the pair deliver some tender and  more lighthearted earlier moments. 

Throughout the evening, vocals are controlled well to tackle the demands of the incredibly complex and rather high rock score - there are moments that don't meet vocal perfection but evidently, a lot of time has gone into solid harmony work from a dedicated ensemble. 

This is a subtle RENT, you won't be overpowered by incredibly loud rock music from this band of five. What is usually loud, trashy and in-your-face is actually stripped back and interestingly, creates a more tender, susceptible production - much like the vulnerable personalities that these characters are trying to hide. It reveals and observes an unseen layer. 

Ultimately, South Staff's RENT has been nurtured by director Norton, to be the best it can with venue and cast. And as the cast sing "Christmas bells are ringing..." for the final time tonight, the company then look forward to their next production, White Christmas at Wolverhampton Grand Theatre from 1 - 5 December. Tickets here. 

Photographs | New Era Photography

Rent Cast List: Chris Eastup, Matt Nicholas, Simon McGee, Andrew Newton, Abbie Rai, James Thomas, Lexie Bennett, Nicole Roberts, Ellie Farmer, Niamh-Margaret McGowan, Kate Pingree-Webber, David Michael Ball, Marcus Perry, Dan Flaherty, Natalie Baggott, James Collins. 

The cast of OKLAHOMA prepare for Comic Relief at Wolverhampton Grand Theatre!

As the critically-acclaimed national tour of OKLAHOMA! arrived at Wolverhampton Grand Theatre, members of the cast took time out from their busy schedule and put their toe-tapping skills to the test to take part in a special warm-up ahead of the first ever Comic Relief Danceathon this Sunday 8th March.

Nic Greenshields who plays Jud Fry in the show said: “We simply couldn't resist getting involved to show our support for this year’s Red Nose Day. The Comic Relief Danceathon looks really fun so we would love everyone in the area to get involved and help raise some all-important cash.”

Kara Lane & Nic Greenshields

Lucy May Barker in the role of Ado Annie said: “It’s always incredibly fun to get involved in Red Nose Day and this year will be no different. Simply pop on your dancing shoes this Sunday, grab your friends and get sponsored to dance along at home!

“By taking part you’ll be making a huge difference to the lives of people right here in the West Midlands, in the UK and across Africa.”

The charity is calling on fundraisers to get together at home, in village halls, gyms or any location and dance non-stop for six hours. Fundraisers can follow a live, star-studded Danceathon at The SSE Arena, Wembley on the BBC Red Button. Over 2,000 fundraisers will dance non-stop at the fun filled Wembley event, hosted by Claudia Winkleman and with a host of famous faces set to join in too.

The money raised by the Comic Relief Danceathon will be spent across the West Midlands, all over the UK, and across Africa, helping vulnerable and disadvantaged people living incredibly tough lives.

For more information about the Comic Relief Danceathon and to book tickets or get involved where you are head to www.rednoseday.com/danceathon. For other ways to get involved this Red Nose Day or to really look the part, fundraisers can pick up the official Red Nose Day t-shirt from TK Maxx, and of course Red Noses from Sainsbury’s. Fundraising kits, giving pages and all the latest Red Nose Day stories are available from www.rednoseday.com

OKLAHOMA! is on at the Wolverhampton Grand Theatre until Saturday 7th March, tickets here and on tour around the UK until 8th August. 

Preview | OKLAHOMA (UK Tour) First look at the cast!

First pictures have been released of the upcoming OKLAHOMA tour, featuring Gary Wilmot as Ali Hakim, Belinda Lang as Aunt Eller, Ashley Day (The Book Of Mormon) as Curly and Charlotte Wakefield (The Sound Of Music) as Laurey. 

Touring the UK after premiering in Northampton, the production visits Wolverhampton Grand Theatre from Tuesday 3 - Saturday 7 March. Click here for tickets. 

Ashley Day & Charlotte Wakefield

The cast also includes Nic Greenshields as Jud Fry, Lucy May Barker as Ado Annie, James O’Connell as Will Parker, Paul Grunert as Andrew Carnes, Kara Lane as Gertie Cummings, Christopher D Hunt as Cord Elam and Barnaby Thompson as Ike Skidmore.

The ensemble features Simon Anthony, Christina Bennington, Robbie Boyle, Katie Marie-Carter, Lisa Dent, Emilie du Leslay, Ian Gareth-Jones, Hannah Grace, Ross Lee Fowkes, Perry O’Dea, Sasi Strallen and Gabriella Stylianou.

Belinda Lang

Hear our friends at The Milk Bar podcast talk to Gary Wilmot about his upcoming role:

The tour is directed by Rachel Kavanaugh - former Artistic Director of the Birmingham REP. She directed An Ideal Husband at the Chichester Festival Theatre last autumn. Other credits include The Sound of Music at the Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre, Love Story in Chichester and the West End, and The Merry Wives of Windsor for the Royal Shakespeare Company. 

Ashley Day

Dance numbers are given the Drew McOnie treatment, the highly acclaimed young choreographer's credits include In the Heights for Southwark Playhouse, The Sound of Music and Chicago for Leicester Curve, Soho Cinders at the Soho Theatre, and Dames at Sea and On the 20th Century at the Union Theatre. He recently launched his own theatre dance company, The McOnie Company.

Gary Wilmot

OKLAHOMA!, with music by Richard Rodgers and book and lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II, was based on the Lynn Riggs play Green Grow the Lilacs and was the first musical written by the duo. It was originally produced on Broadway in 1943 and the Academy Award-winning film was released in 1955. Set in the Oklahoma territory in the early 1900s, the musical tells the story of two sets of star-crossed lovers. Cowboy Curly loves Laurey, Aunt Eller’s niece, but Curly’s rival is the mysterious and dangerous hired hand Jud Fry. Meanwhile, Ado Annie is torn between cowboy Will and peddler Ali Hakim. Their stories are told with the help of some of the best loved songs in musical theatre history, including Oh, What a Beautiful Mornin’, I’m Just a Girl Who Cain’t Say No, Surrey With a Fringe on Top, Kansas City, People Will Say We’re in Love and the title song.

Photos by Pamela Raith. Click here for tickets.

SEE THE CAST IN REHEARSAL

Ashley Day

Lucy May Baker and Gary Wilmot

Sasi Strallen, Drew McOnie and cast.

Director Rachel Kavanaugh and Choreographer Drew McOnie

Charlotte Wakefield and Ashley Day

Preview | TOP HAT (UK Tour) Interview with Alan Burkitt & Charlotte Gooch

Both fresh from the London production of Top Hat, Alan Burkitt and Charlotte Gooch talk about reprising their roles in Kenneth Wax's glittering stage production of the 1935 film which visits Wolverhampton at the Grand Theatre for two weeks from Tue 21 October - Sat 1 November.

For those Channel 4 viewers who saw The Sound Of Musicals earlier this year, you may remember Alan Burkitt as the ensemble member stepping in as the understudy for Jerry Travers on what should have been Gavin Lee’s press night. We asked Alan about his experience: 

I loved that night, everyone was asking me “are you terrified?” and to think about it, I probably should have been - it was a huge night in the West End but I always think with these sort of things that you get one chance, and I was going to take it! It was a lovely evening, the director went out before the show and apologised, saying that unfortunately due to illness Gavin Lee wasn’t going to perform in the show that night. The audience gave me a great big cheer and I thought “they’re with me!” so I went out there confident and had a great show and I got some lovely reviews the morning after.

Charlotte, like Alan, you’ve played your role in the West End production of Top Hat. How does it feel to be back with the show for the tour?

It’s great! I absolutely love the show, I love the role - it’s Ginger Rogers! Stepping into those shoes is a dream come true. When they asked me to come back I didn’t even have to think twice, to get into those costumes again and to do all of Bill Deamer’s amazing choreography, it was a no-brainer. To do the show with Alan too is great, we rehearsed so much together during our time in the London production but never got to perform. I was Dale when Tom Chambers was Jerry but I’d always rehearsed with Alan just in case, so when I heard he was Jerry for the tour I simply had to come back and finally get my chance to fall in love with him every day!

Alan, how challenging is the role of Jerry Travers for you, it seems rather demanding?

It’s very demanding! I’m hardly off stage for the whole of the first act. I don’t go off for at least 25 minutes, it’s pure song and dance and then straight into an acting scene! In the suits we get very warm, you’re sweating constantly and I’m eating like a Trojan at the minute to keep me going! Anything I like, cream cakes galore!

Charlotte, you’ve previously played Penny in Dirty Dancing, a show which happens to be at Wolverhampton Grand Theatre this September and now you’re playing Dale in Top Hat – did you have to learn particular styles of dance for these very different shows, or were they styles that you had experience with and could adapt?

They are very different, but it’s all within my inner dancer! When I came in to Top Hat I thought I’d get a little bit of a break after Dirty Dancing. Penny is all about high kicks and back bends but as it turns out, Dale does a few of those too! I love it though, dancing is my first love beyond everything… and the dresses! There’s a lot more to these costumes than the Dirty Dancing ones - I was strutting around in skimpy leotards but now I’m wearing these gorgeous dresses with feathers and miles of material! Getting into those dresses every day I feel like a princess! I’m the luckiest girl in the world to have been in both of those shows and the Grand Theatre is just as lucky to have them both within five weeks of each other.

Alan, do you a feel a pressure to live up to the movie, with Fred Astaire?

Not really, it’s such a nice thing that we’re bringing the 1935 movie version to the stage – it’s hard to believe that it hadn’t been done before now, but we’re not trying to be Ginger Rogers and Fred Astaire. People say to me, “that’s such a ‘Fred’ thing about you”, which of course is flattering and a great compliment – he’s my absolute idol, but I’m not trying to be him, this is mine – Alan’s version of Jerry Travers and if it’s looked upon with such admiration then that’s great, I’m doing my job!

How do you feel about stepping into Ginger Rogers' iconic role Charlotte?

I took over from Summer Strallen in the West End which was pretty nerve-racking anyway. She was the only person who’d ever played it before on stage. To replace her, I had to try and make the role my own. The biggest shoes to step into were Ginger Rogers’ but both me and Alan always say that we’re not Fred and Ginger and we’re not playing Fred and Ginger – we’re doing characters that were played by them and they’re absolute icons but we just try to do them justice. For anyone who’s a fan of the old Hollywood movie musical, you can’t go wrong with this. A benefit of seeing it in the theatre is experiencing it live, you’ll see the Top Hat you love, but as you’ve never seen it before. With a film you cut and edit and jump from scene to scene but on stage it’s all real and just flows so nicely. I think what’s been created here is really great and the all the Olivier Awards it’s won, including Best Musical speaks for itself.

In your own words, Alan, why should people come to see Top Hat?

It is the most enchanting evening you will have at the theatre. The musical is full of beautiful costumes, stunning choreography and is absolutely hilarious! Get a ticket, it’s perfection!

And Charlotte?

It’s a legacy, if you’re a fan of the old Hollywood movie you’ll love it! But even if you’re not or you’ve never seen it, it’s a fantastic all-singing, all-dancing piece of theatre with beautiful music, beautiful costumes, stunning choreography all wrapped up in the exquisite 1930’s style. It’s perfectly romantic, come along and lose yourself in this magical Hollywood world. It’s a funny story, you’ll laugh, you’ll cry and you’re probably going to leave tap dancing!

See Top Hat at Wolverhampton at the Grand Theatre for two weeks from Tue 21 October - Sat 1 November. Book tickets here. 

Preview | THE CURIOUS INCIDENT OF THE DOG IN THE NIGHT-TIME (UK Tour)

As well as recently re-opening in the West End, the acclaimed National Theatre production of The Curious Incident Of The Dog In The Night-Time embarks on a UK tour throughout 2015. Winner of 7 Olivier Awards including ‘Best New Play’, The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time brings Mark Haddon’s best-selling novel to thrilling life on stage, adapted by two-time Olivier Award-winning playwright Simon Stephens and directed by Olivier and Tony Award-winning director Marianne Elliott.

Christopher, fifteen years old, stands beside Mrs Shears’ dead dog. It has been speared with a garden fork, it is seven minutes after midnight and Christopher is under suspicion. He records each fact in the book he is writing to solve the mystery of who murdered Wellington. He has an extraordinary brain, exceptional at maths while ill-equipped to interpret everyday life. He has never ventured alone beyond the end of his road, he detests being touched and he distrusts strangers. But his detective work, forbidden by his father, takes him on a frightening journey that upturns his world.

The UK tour begins in December 2014 before visiting 31 venues including Wolverhampton Grand Theatre from 16 - 21 February 2015. Book tickets for Wolverhampton here.

Listen to some of the music from the production:

ROCKY HORROR SHOW (UK Tour) Review October 2013

It's astounding..... time is fleeting..... madness takes it's toll.... but listen closely, not for very much longer does the tour continue! The Grand Theatre in Wolverhampton celebrates the final week of the 40th Anniversary production of Richard O'Brien's Rocky Horror Show and with halloween just around the corner, there's no better time. 

Innocent couple Brad and Janet suffer a flat tyre and seek refuge in the home of Frank-N-Furter - a transvestite of transexual Transylvania. Things go from insane to... well... more insane.

Dani Harmer and Ben Forster

ITV Superstar winner Ben Forster rejoins the cast after a second arena tour of Jesus Christ Superstar and is perfectly preppy as Brad Majors. A particular highlight for Ben is 'Once In A While', a song that is a more subtle and tender moment, but a time to showcase his real talent aside from the craziness. Tracy Beaker actress Dani Harmer is a far cry from her Dumping Ground days as the innocent Janet Weiss - she proves to be a versatile performer.

Kristian Lavercombe

Kristian Lavercombe is an excellent Riff Raff. The role made famous by the show's creator Richard O'Brien is a tough one to crack. Having already played the role on an international tour, Kristian is due to appear in the 2014 Australian tour and it's easy to see why he's a favourite. Shrieking his way through with killer vocals, his Time Warp is guaranteed to have you on your feet - an essential member of any production. Ceris Hine returns as Columbia having previously played the role in 2010. Bursting with energy and her tiny frame and squeaky voice make her a cutesy and loveable tap dancing delight. Jade Westaby is a strong Magenta/Usherette. Henry Davis is Rocky, the hunky creation of Dr Frank-N-Furter. His characterisation is perhaps the most suitable I've seen and earns audience sympathy over some of the more 'dumb' previous interpretations, but I guess many don't even look past his bulging leopard-print speedos.

Oliver Thornton

I think whatever show he's in, Oliver Thornton manages to steal it - simply one of the best around. Hot in the heels of many a famous Franks, Oliver surely puts his stamp on the iconic role. A born entertainer, his theatrical highlight of the night has to be The Floorshow and 'Don't Dream It', again a more subtle part of the show but it's in those moments when the message truly comes across. What we get here is a fully-rounded Frank, not just a camp, stocking-clad sex maniac but a somewhat believable character.

Philip Franks is the perfect narrator. Not only because of his willing self-deprecation but for witty one-liners and quick come-backs to some of the more obscure audience heckles. The Phantom chorus provide eerie harmonies throughout, it is a shame they're not a bigger part of the story, they're used often to change scenery.

The set and lighting has been re-designed for this tour and impressively brings the 40 year old musical right up to date in a production that feels incredibly relevant whilst very much keeping the feel of a horror B-Movie.

For a Monday night, Wolverhampton has possibly never been so full of energy. This is one hell of a party - Fishnets, frivolity and fiercely fun! Don't dream it, see it!

Book for the FINAL week of this 40th Anniversary extravaganza at the Wolverhampton Grand Theatre here. There is an official after party at Blast Off, open til 3am after the final show on Saturday 2nd November 2013 (more info here).

Cast List: Oliver Thornton, Ben Forster, Dani Harmer, Philip Franks, Henry Davis, Ceris Hine, Kristian Lavercombe, Richard Meek, Jayde Westaby, Maria Coyne, Christos Dante, David Gale, Rachel Grundy, Andrew Ahern.

Watch the 2013 cast doing the Time Warp!

TO SIR, WITH LOVE (UK Tour) Review October 2013

Based on the autobiographical novel of the same name and 1967 film, Ayub Khan-Din has adapted a long awaited stage version. Reportedly 101 years old, author E.R Brathwaite's story is as ever relevant today. Although the race divide is thankfully less of an issue, classroom antics are not so far removed from today's.

It's 1948 and ex-Spitfire pilot Ricky Brathwaite, disadvantaged by his skin colour, has difficulty finding a job in post-war England. He signs as a teacher in an inner-city East End school where the headmaster Mr Florian has his own, unorthodox methods of running it. With pupils writing reports on the teachers and no punishment allowed Brathwaite has all the odds against him to turn his class of rebellious teenagers from viciousness and filth into sophisticated, educated young adults. 

Matthew Kelly is a delight as headmaster Florian. It's unfortunate that his character is in such a rush throughout the play and is often speeding through his speech between entrance and exit. If only every headmaster oozed such warmth - he is definitely deserving of more stage-time. Ansu Kabia remains poised throughout despite constant racial abuse. Brathwaite's progression is clearly charted in Kabia's incredibly admirable portrayal. Paul Kemp is a humorous addition as Weston. 

Stand-out pupils include Harriet Ballard as Monica, whose scene-stealing character awards her all of the laughs. Mykola Allen as Denham and Kerron Darby as Seales prove themselves as very strong additions. There is a high-energy, focussed young ensemble who assist in swift scenery repositioning and choreographed 'playground' interludes each of whom provide additional dialogue with conviction. 

Ansu Kabia and Mykola Allen

Action happens on a stunning set by Mike Britton, made in-house at the Royal & Derngate, Northampton where the play premiered. A bombed-out school that works convincingly as a variety of settings with simple lighting changes and the flying in and out of a blackboard. 

You can feel confident in saying - tonight Matthew, I'm going to be... thoroughly entertained by a top quality cast delivering a fast-paced and witty script. A sterling drama and heart-warming story of progression. 

This is a strong opening production from the Touring Consortium Theatre Company's programme of five plays over the next two and a half years. To Sir, With Love is at the Wolverhampton Grand Theatre until Saturday 26 October 2013. Book here. 

Listen to part one and two of my interview with Matthew Kelly and Ansu Kabia:

Cast List: Mykola Allen, Harriet Ballard, Peta Cornish, Kerron Darby, Ansu Kabia, Matthew Kelly, Paul Kemp, Heather Nicol, Nicola Reynolds. Lauren Nightingale, Lorien Tear, Lauren Austin, Lorna Johnson, Callum Osbourne, Alastair Winning, Luke Bennett, Daniel Langford, Hugh Osborne, Amy Marchant, Linden Walcott-Burton, Daniel Cech-Lucas

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Interview with Matthew Kelly & Ansu Kabia

DIRTY DANCING (UK Tour) Wolverhampton Press Launch

As part of the programme for the Wolverhampton Grand Theatre's 120th anniversary next year, the worldwide stage phenomenon Dirty Dancing will be playing for three weeks through September and October 2014.

The launch event, held at local Coppice Performing Arts School saw cast and creatives come together for a masterclass on the style of choreography used in the show.  Around 40 dance students, group bookers and members of the media were put through their paces by dancers Jacqui Biggs, James Bennett and associate choreographer, Glenn Wilkinson. 

Jacqui Biggs and James Bennett

After a sweaty start and a mouthful of Watermelon cupcakes I sat down with producer Karl Sydow to talk about the show's success so far. 

How did you come to be involved in a stage production of Dirty Dancing?

A friend who was an old rock and roll promoter got in touch with me one day and said "listen, I think I can get the rights to Dirty Dancing but I don't have the time to actually produce it." I have a daughter and I knew she was going to tell me that I should do it, she watches the film all the time. I asked her what she thought, I only knew of Dirty Dancing because of her and I didn't know if it would work. There's a pretty wide range of people we had to impress with it and I knew it was very important to get it right for it's existing and loyal fan-base. 

Dirty Dancing is quite unlike anything else, it's not a musical, they don't just burst into song... but it's far from a play. How would you describe it?

Yes, you're absolutely right about that... it's a play with music. It is the film on stage, which a lot of people would think is a lot easier than creating a musical from it. The film has 118 separate scenes - plays and musicals don't have that. We had the challenge of getting all that on stage - people had to see the log that they balance on, they had to see the field where they do the lift and you have to have the lake ... I mean how do you put a lake on stage that someone convincingly accepts!? 

Producer, Karl Sydow

Were there any other challenges?

Well yes... it's a film that is hugely important to women and the stage show has continued to be. It is men that control the entertainment industry so I've never found it easy to get a theatre to take us on. I got turned down by virtually everyone in the West End. Nobody wanted Dirty Dancing in the theatre and they just didn't believe it would be successful. I had somebody actually say to me "nobody will buy a ticket for this Karl, you're going to have the biggest disaster of your producing life. People can just go out and buy the DVD of the film from a bargain bin, it'll cost me £8..." 

But what we have is special. If you're a fan of the movie and have watched it so many times this is your chance to see it live! I think when you've watched it over and over you get to the point where you want to join in and be there with Johnny and Baby and this is the closest you'll get to that. It's an essential human, visceral experience - you want to be there! This is 3D, it's real... better than the movie in that sense, you're actually in the room with Baby and Johnny and you're not going to get that anywhere else. I can't wait to bring the show to Wolverhampton.

Dirty Dancing plays at the Wolverhampton Grand Theatre from Tuesday 23 September - Saturday 11 October 2014. Tickets can be booked online here or by calling the box office on 01902 429212

Watch the 2014 tour trailer here:

FIDDLER ON THE ROOF (UK Tour) Review October 2013

Strictly Come Dancing judge Craig Revel Horwood received critical acclaim for his direction of Chess, a production that toured the UK throughout 2010/11 and made use of a cast of actor-musicians. This year, Fiddler On The Roof has been given a similar Horwood treatment. 

Actor-musicians, as the name suggests are not only actors but the band as well. The cast work incredibly hard at multi-tasking vocals and choreography to present a unique and contemporary production that would offer all the charm of the original - almost fifty years on. 

Leading the incredible cast is Paul Michael Glaser as Tevye. Glaser, who played Perchik in the 1971 film version is almost unrecognisable here from his Starsky & Hutch days. He opens the show introducing us to tradition, which throughout he learns to adapt. The story centres around dairyman Tevye - the papa. The father of five daughters, we see his attempts to maintain his family and religious traditions whilst outside influences encroach upon their lives. He must cope with both the strong willed actions of his three older daughters and each one's choice of husband moves further away from the customs of his faith and with the edict of the Tsar that evicts the Jews from their villages.

Paul Michael Glaser, Emily O'Keeffe, Liz Singleton and Claire Petzal

Although Tzeitel's relationship is the dominant story, each of the three elder daughters have plenty of time to showcase incredible talent. Karen Mann as Tevye's wife Golde provides both humour with occasional asides to the Almighty and tender moments in Do You Love Me? which exudes a genuine affinity. Susannah Van Den Berg's short spell as the butcher's wife from beyond the grave, Fruma-Sarah is one of the show's highlights - a commanding stage presence and a joy throughout. 

Susannah Van Den Berg as Fruma Sarah

Craig Revel Horwood's simplistic choreography has the perfect balance, from movement with instruments to traditional Jewish bottle dancing. Daniel Bolton, a recent graduate shows no inexperience as Fyedka - charming as the young Christian boy who falls for daughter Chava. Steven  Bor is a strong Perchik, the arrogant student and now guitar player! Jennifer Douglas is the mysterious but entirely captivating Fiddler. 

 Daniel Bolton as Fyedka (centre)

Act 1 is a lengthy 1 hour 40 minutes but time goes by in an instant. What I like about Fiddler On The Roof is that every new situation is dealt with immediately by Tevye and that helps keep a fast pace, there's a sense of urgency in these people's lives.  It's very real, easily relatable and the themes of love and loss are of equal relevance today than they would have been during its 1964 Broadway premiere.

Fiddler On The Roof is a blessing on your head Mazel Tov, Mazel Tov, to see a daughter wed, Mazel Tov, Mazel Tov... yes you'll be singing the songs long after! Tradition, Matchmaker, If I Were A Rich Man are all audience pleasers. The entire show is sung, danced and played live on stage by one of the most charismatic casts you'll see. You can book tickets to Fiddler On The Roof by visiting the Wolverhampton Grand Theatre website here. You can also listen to my interview with Paul Michael Glaser below!

Watch the show's trailer here:

Cast List: Paul Michael Glaser, Daniel Bolton, Steven Bor, Jennifer Douglas, Matthew James Hinchcliffe, Lilly Howard, Paul Kissaun, Liz Kitchen, Karen Mann, Tarek Merchant, Eamonn O'Dwyer, Emily O'Keeffe, Michael Paver, Claire Petzal, Neil Salvage, Liz Singleton, Jeff Smyth, Jon Trenchard, Susannah Van Den Berg, Ashley Pollitt, Javier Santos

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Interview with Paul Michael Glaser

FIDDLER ON THE ROOF (UK Tour) Interview with Paul Michael Glaser

Paul Michael Glaser stars as Tevye in Fiddler On The Roof, a brand new touring production directed and choreographed by Strictly Come Dancing's Craig Revel Horwood. With an incredible cast of actor/musicians Paul talks exclusively to us about the show which plays at the Wolverhampton Grand Theatre from 15th - 19th October 2013. Listen to the podcast below to hear the interview with Scott Bird and Fran Richards. 

Paul Michael Glaser as Tevye with Steven Bor (Perchik)

Book tickets to Fiddler On The Roof at the Wolverhampton Grand Theatre here.

DREAMBOATS AND PETTICOATS (UK Tour) Review September 2013

It's the swinging 60's and at the local youth club there are teenagers aplenty entering song writing competitions and falling in love... and that's about it for your storyline. Nobody comes to these jukebox musicals for a gritty story though because what they are always excellent at is showcasing the finest actor musicianship.

Character names are typical of sixties songs so Bobby (Stephen Rolley) and his girl Laura (Hannah Boyce) take the entire show to flirt, fall out, find other love interests before coming together at the end. You can predict the few twists and turns that the plot takes against the two leads and even most of the songs were being sung by members of the audience before the band began to play! 

(Previous Cast Photography)

Stephen Rolley is a strong lead as Bobby who provides great renditions of Let's Dance, Dream Lover and Runaround Sue (yes, there's also a character called Sue...) Hannah Boyce as Laura is the 'Ugly Betty' of the show - at first a geeky, shy "school-swat" who has a talent for writing music. As Sandy does in Grease she transforms into a more desirable young woman by the end, but keeps her morals! Boyce herself it seems is just as talented as her character with an impressive performance of Dream Baby Dream in particular. 

Each cast member is equally impressive with incredible musical talent but those in roles with the chance to shine include Matthew Colthart as Norman. Colthart is commanding, smooth and in fine voice throughout and manages to energise the audience with hits such as The Wanderer and Let's Twist Again. Louise Olley is a great addition to the cast as Sue and despite what they say about Sue's dancing  it's all eyes on Olley in this case. 60's singer Mark Wynter is Phil/Older Bobby and delights fans with his own encore at the end. 

The set, made mostly of backdrops featuring 60's album covers is sometimes distracting from the action. I found myself looking to see which I recognised and then remembered to watch the show again - there is no attempt at a realistic setting. Also, the boys playing ping pong in the corner takes away from the action many times! The fairground bumper cars are a fun addition. 

Jokes and references are clearly aimed at the show's target audience and those of a reminiscent age who do make up a very large percentage of the overall turnout. These musicals wouldn't be much without an incredibly versatile and talented cast that carry it through nearly three hours. It's a pleasant show, simple and easy to watch. Worth going entirely for the talent the young cast ooze. Book to see the show at the Wolverhampton Grand Theatre until Saturday 21st September here. 

Cast List: Stephen Rolley, Matthew Colthart, Hannah Boyce, Louise Olley, Will Finlason, Laura Sillett, Mark Wynter, Robert Dalton, David Jay Douglas, Chloe Edwards-Wood, Mike Lloyd, Sheridan Lloyd, David Luke, Michael Park, Charlotte Peak, Josh Tye, Damien Walsh, Victoria Quigley

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