Regional

Cast Announced For Pink Mist at the Bush Theatre

News, Off West End, Regional
The cast of Pink Mist at Bristol Old Vic. Photo: Mark Douett

Pink Mist, a play about the mental and physical scars of war will open at the Bush Theatre in January 2016 ahead of a run at the Bristol Old Vic. The acclaimed play by Owen Sheers will feature five of the six original cast members from the play’s 2015 run. Phil Dunster, Peter Edwards, Rebecca Hamilton, Zara Ramm and Alex Stedman return with Rebecca Killick joining the company. Pink Mist tells the story of three young Bristol men deployed to Afghanistan. Returning to the women in their lives who must now share the physical and psychological aftershocks of their service, Arthur, Hads and Taff find their journey home is their greatest battle. Owen Sheers’ Pink Mist was inspired by thirty interviews with returned servicemen and first staged at Bristol Old Vic in July 2015. This moving production, directed by John Retallack and George Mann (Theatre Ad Infinitum) matches Sheers’ haunting … Read more

REVIEW: The Seagull, Chichester Festival Theatre ✭✭✭✭

Regional, Reviews
The Seagull at Chichester Festival Theatre

Hare’s adaptation, the best of the three in the Season, is crisp, charming and comical, thereby magnifying the effect of the more tragic aspects. It’s a markedly short version of the play, and Kent assists the understanding of its contours and colours by interposing interval between Acts 3 and 4. This allows the four central characters of the play to stake out their positions, develop their tensions and alliances, their hopes, fears and dreams; by the time the third Act is over, the various dice have been rolled and Act Four, set two years on, is about consequences; chickens – or seagulls – coming home to roost.

REVIEW: Ivanov, Chichester Festival Theatre ✭✭✭✭✭

Regional, Reviews
Ivanov at Chichester Festival theatre

Honesty, as David Hare points out, is the dominating theme of Ivanov. It is also the dominating principle adopted by Jonathan Kent as the guiding light for his revival of Ivanov, now playing at the Chichester Festival Theatre as part of their Young Chekhov season. The performances he elicits from the specially formed repertory company are intensely honest, truly felt, and they create a theatrical tapestry which is rich in detail and unsparing in terms of vitality and verity.

Sheffield Showboat Extends By Popular Demand

News, Regional
Show Boat at Sheffield Theatres December 2015

The production of Showboat opening at Sheffield Theatre on 10 December 2016 has been extended by a week by popular demand and will now run until 23 January 2016. Sheffield Theatres’ Artistic Director Daniel Evans said today, “We are delighted that Show Boat has proved itself to be so popular with our audiences. We’re lucky to have the most wonderful cast and creative team and I know we’re all looking forward to bringing it to life on the Crucible Stage at Christmas.” Showboat has music by Jerome Kern, book and lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II and is based on the novel by Edna Ferber. Spanning 40 pivotal years in American history, this epic musical follows the lives and loves of three generations aboard a show boat as it plies the Mississippi River. One of the most romantic musicals of all time, this lavish new production is directed by Daniel Evans … Read more

Mack and Mabel UK Tour 2015

News, Regional, Touring
Michael Ball

It has been announced that Michael Ball will play Mack Sennett in a major new revival of Jerry Herman’s Mack and Mabel which will play at the Chichester Festival Theatre prior to touring. Mack and Mabel is the story of the relationship between silent film star Mabel Normand and Keystone Cops director Mack Sennett. The productions will be directed by Jonathan Church and choreographed by Stephen Mear. Mack And Mabel received eight Tony nominations when it opened on Broadway in 1974.  Herman’s other shows include The Grand Tour, Hello Dolly! Mame, and La Cage Aux Folles.   MACK AND MABEL UK TOUR  2015 DATES Plymouth Theatre Royal Thursday 1 October – Saturday 10 October BOOK ONLINE Manchester Opera House Monday 12 – Saturday 24 October BOOK ONLINE Dubline BGE Theatre Tuesday 27 October – Saturday 7 November BOOK ONLINE Edinburgh Playhouse Tuesday 10 – Saturday 21 November BOOK ONLINE Nottingham … Read more

REVIEW: Someone Who’ll Watch Over Me, Minerva Theatre Chichester ✭✭✭✭

Regional, Reviews
Someone To Watch Over Me at the Minerva Theatre, Chichester

There are many extraordinary moments from Keenan. Highlights include his improvisation of horse-racing victories; the powerful sequence which opens the second Act when Edward is openly defying his captors and refusing to eat; the absurd, but incredibly touching, “Chitty Chitty Bang Bang” scene, where he and David Haig’s Michael pretend they are flying over Europe, heading home; the silent, aching horror when he dresses to leave. All of these moments are superbly judged by Keenan, incisive and absorbing. The haunted look his eyes develop over the course of the play is quite remarkable, and will linger with you afterwards.