ALL BLACK ‘WAITING FOR GODOT’ TOURS THE UK
By Douglas McFarlane
ALL BLACK ‘WAITING FOR GODOT’ TOURS THE UK
The Albany Theatre – London (6 – 10 March 2012)
Birmingham Old Rep (13 – 17 March 2012)
Theatre Royal – Winchester (27 – 31 March 2012)
New Wolsey Theatre – Ipswich (3 – 7 April 2012)
After a premiere at The West Yorkshire Playhouse (Friday 3 to Thursday 23 February), Samuel Beckett’s masterpiece Waiting For Godot will tour the UK from 6 March. Co produced with Talawa Theatre Company and directed by Artistic Director Ian Brown, the production stars Jeffery Kissoon and Patrick Robinson as Vladimir and Estragon - two men waiting hopelessly, helplessly, haplessly for the elusive Godot. This is the first Waiting For Godot to be produced in the UK with an all-Black British cast and will visit London’s Albany Theatre, Birmingham Old Rep, Theatre Royal in Winchester and the New Wolsey Theatre in Ipswich.
Vladimir and Estragon are waiting. Two old men whose compulsion to wait for a visit from the indescribable Godot forces them to pass the time in the only way they can; with and for each other. Stories are told, boots are abandoned, religion is debated, memories of better days are shared, jokes are made, suicide is contemplated, the fear of being alone is overwhelming – and time passes. Chance meetings happen, arguments take place, thinking occurs, violence is advocated, hats are exchanged, friendship is venerated – and time passes. On a road with a single tree two old friends wait…and pass the time.
Trinidadian stage actor Jeffery Kissoon (Vladimir) works regularly with the RSC and will play Caesar in its all-black cast production of Julius Caesar this summer. He performed opposite Kim Cattrall in Antony and Cleopatra (Liverpool Everyman), and has previously played Mark Anthony in Talawa’s 1991 all-black cast production. He also worked with Talawa in its 1989 production The Gods are not to Blame. Direct from War Horse in the West End, Patrick Robinson plays Estragon. An actor whose work spans stage and screen, Patrick has previously performed at the Playhouse, playing the lead Thomas Peters in 2007’s Rough Crossings, a powerful drama about 18th century slavery written by historian Simon Schama. His television credits include popular and long-running roles in The BILL and Casualty. Fisayo Akinada, Guy Burgess and Cornell S. John complete the ensemble.
Following on from his critically acclaimed production of King Lear with Tim Pigott-Smith, Ian Brown directs Waiting for Godot, a more intimate but no less challenging play. His recent credits for the Playhouse include As You Like It, Hay Fever for which Maggie Steed won a TMA award, When we are Married with Les Dennis, a new musical version of The Secret Garden, Steve Waters’ Fast Labour and the award-winning How Many Miles to Basra?
A novelist, playwright, poet and theatre director Beckett wrote in both English and French and penned some of the most important works of Twentieth Century literature. The mysterious and universal Waiting for Godot, which was first performed in the UK in 1955 remains one of his most famous and important works. Its true meaning is constantly debated and searched for, yet Beckett was clear in his belief that all you need to know is there in the play.
ENDS
For further Information, images and press tickets for the tour please contact James Lever at Target Live
(e): james.lever@target-live.co.uk (t): 020 3372 0956
LISTINGS INFORMATION
West Yorkshire Playhouse and Talawa Theatre Company Present
Waiting For Godot by Samuel Beckett
Director - Ian Brown
Designer - Paul Wills
Lighting Designer - Chris Davey
Sound Designer - Ian Trollope
Movement - Aline David
Cast: Fisayo Akinada; Guy Burgess; Jeffery Kissoon; Cornell S. John; Patrick Robinson
Tuesday 6 – Saturday 10 March 2012 Tuesday 27 – Saturday 31 March 2012
The Albany Theatre, London Theatre Royal, Winchester
020 8692 4446 01962 840 440
www.thealbany.org.uk www.theatre-royal-winchester.co.uk
Tuesday 13 – Saturday 17 March 2012 Tuesday 3 – Saturday 7 April
Birmingham Old Rep New Wolsey Theatre, Ipswich
0121 236 4455 01473 295 900
www.birmingham-rep.co.uk www.wolseytheatre.co.uk
Waiting For Godot premieres at The West Yorkshire Playhouse from Friday 3 – Thursday 23 February www.wyp.org.uk / 0113 213 7700
Les Miserables - Another attempt in the making
By Douglas McFarlaneThe 1998 version with Liam Neeson was a box office failure, so what has Cameron Mackintosh got in store for us this time ?
For a start, he's hired the best director he could get, Oscar Winner Tom Hooper, he's also working with the UK's top production house Working Title and Hugh Jackman (Valjean) and Russell Crowe (Javert) will begin rehearsals on Monday. So, a good start to making a successful film.
For theatre fans everywhere, the original Jean Valjean, Colm Wilkinson has also been cast but this time as the Bishop who sings to Valjean "I have bought your soul for God". Cue long note that Colm does best. With him is the actress who created the part of Eponine, Frances Ruffelle, who has been cast as one of the gang of "lovely ladies".
Other names in the frame are Anne Hathway (Fantine), Eddie Redmayne (Marius), Amanda Seyfried (Cosette), Aaron Tveit (Enjolras).
Let's hope this time, the film will turn into as much a classic as the theatre production, now in it's 27th year.
Douglas McFarlane
Editor, UK Film Network
UK FILM & THEATRE WEEKLY
By Douglas McFarlane
UK FILM & THEATRE WEEKLY
- Meryl Streep wins BEST ACTRESS award at Golden Globes Tue, 01/17/2012 - 13:27 from UK Film Network
- My view on the BAFTA shortlist Tue, 01/17/2012 - 15:49 from UK Film Network
- ORANGE BRITISH ACADEMY FILM AWARDS in 2012 - NOMINATIONS ANNOUNCED Tue, 01/17/2012 - 10:57 from UK Film Network
- A Future For British Film - The full 66-page official film report mentioned by David Cameron Tue, 01/17/2012 - 11:49 from UK Film Network
- Corey Feldman and Edward Furlong to appear in UK film Tue, 01/17/2012 - 11:36 from UK Film Network
- Man in the Middle- Theatre 503 Sun, 01/15/2012 - 23:11 from UK Theatre Network
- SLEEPING WITH STRAIGHT MEN ABOVE THE STAG THEATRE Wed, 01/18/2012 - 19:11 from UK Theatre Network
- Greenwich Playhouse to close after 20 years Tue, 01/17/2012 - 11:28 from UK Theatre Network
- Sometimes I Laugh Like My Sister at the Finborough Theatre by Carolin Kopplin Mon, 01/16/2012 - 19:39 from UK Theatre Network
- Oliver Award-winning Our Country’s Good tours UK theatres Mon, 01/16/2012 - 16:43 from UK Theatre Network
- Murder on the Nile at the Theatre Royal Windsor Fri, 01/13/2012 - 16:10 from UK Theatre Network
Theatre Tickets - SALE NOW ON
By Douglas McFarlane
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Greenwich Playhouse to close after 20 years
By Douglas McFarlaneThe Greenwich Playhouse will close its doors on the 10th April 2012 after twenty years of service to theatre and following a final production by Galleon Theatre Company of the great John Webster classic The Duchess of Malfi.
The Greenwich Playhouse will close in April 2012 as the theatre’s landlords - Beds and Bars - have decided not to renew this popular South East London venue’s lease in order to exploit commercial opportunities offered by the Olympics. Theatre landlord’s Beds and Bars, run hostels throughout Europe, offering cheap bunk-bed facilities for backpackers.
The Greenwich Playhouse is located in a building which has housed a studio theatre since 1989. Galleon Theatre Company took residency at the venue in 1995 and has since staged an incomparable body of work. The Greenwich Playhouse is Greenwich’s all year producing theatre. Annually it stages in the region of 12-14 theatre productions and these generate work and entertainment for some 15,000 people.
The venue and resident company’s artistic director, Alice de Sousa, said:
“The Greenwich Playhouse and Galleon Theatre Company have over two decades made an immeasurable contribution to our capital’s cultural infrastructure. The Greenwich Playhouse is one of London’s most established small scale theatres. The work shown at this critically acclaimed venue draws annually from all over the world and the immediate community many, many thousands of people. The Greenwich Playhouse has been a platform for celebrating theatrical excellence since 1995, when Galleon Theatre Company became resident. It has staged hundreds of high quality theatre productions which have entertained and created work for hundreds of thousands of people. It is regrettable that the theatre’s landlord Beds and Bars, who have benefitted for eleven years from generous revenue generated by the theatre’s substantial trade, should have their sights focused on such short term objectives as the Olympics.’
The Greenwich Playhouse and Galleon Theatre Company are in discussions with Greenwich Council, who have been active supporters of the organisation’s efforts to find a new home in a borough where they have been resident for over sixteen years.
The Greenwich Playhouse’s final production:
THE DUCHESS OF MALFI
by JOHN WEBSTER
Dates: 21st February - 18th March 2012
Directed by Bruce Jamieson;
Produced by Alice de Sousa;
Presented by Galleon Theatre Company at the Greenwich Playhouse
Costumes by Natasha Piper; Scenery by Charlotte Randell; Lighting by Philip Jones.
Tues-Sat @ 7.30pm & Sun @ 4pm
Tickets: £13, £10 (concs)
boxoffice@galleontheatre.co.uk
Greenwich Playhouse, Greenwich Station Forecourt, 189 Greenwich High Road, London SE10 8JA
Oliver Award-winning Our Country’s Good tours UK theatres
By Douglas McFarlaneOliver Award-winning Our Country’s Good tours UK theatres
Original Theatre, with Anvil Arts, presents Aden Gillet and Phillip Whitchurch in new production of Wertenbaker’s classic
The acclaimed Original Theatre Company, in association with Anvil Arts, is set to tour a new production of Timberlake Wertenbaker’s Olivier Award-winning play Our Country’s Good this season, performing at theatres across the UK, starring Aden Gillet (Accolade, The Winslow Boy, The Queen’s Sister, House of Elliot, Mary Poppins) and Phillip Whitchurch (Billy Elliot, Sharpe, The Bill, My Hero)
"A play is a world in itself. A tiny colony we could say. And you are in charge of it. That is a great responsibility."
Australia. 1788. A British ship arrives with a cargo of soldiers and convicts transported abroad for their country’s good. As the soldiers struggle to impose order on the outcasts of the old society, a benevolent governor seizes on the notion of a play. In the shadow of the gallows and the gum tree the convicts gather under the direction of 2nd Lieutenant Ralph Clarke and rehearsals begin for The Recruiting Officer.
Based on real events, Timberlake Wertenbaker’s Olivier Award-winning modern classic is an inspiring tale of the transforming power of theatre. This major touring revival, at a time when the argument over publicly funded theatre is raging once again, is produced by the acclaimed Original Theatre Company and follows the success of their recent productions of See How They Run, Twelfth Night, Dancing at Lughnasa, The Madness of George III and Journey’s End.
Our Country’s Good is touring UK theatres this winter/spring 2012. For more information, or to book tickets, visit www.originaltheatre.com
“Wertenbaker has searched history and found in it a humanistic lesson for hard modern times: rough, sombre, undogmatic and warm”
-THE SUNDAY TIMES
“Highly theatrical, often funny and at times dark and disturbing”
-THE DAILY TELEGRAPH, CHARLES SPENCER
Original Theatre Company - Formed in 2004 by Creative Director Alastair Whatley, The Original Theatre Company is an acclaimed touring company based in the market town of Bury St Edmunds in Suffolk. We have built up an ever increasing reputation, performing both classical and contemporary texts with our own brand of daring innovation and bloody minded determination.
From our early days playing in often unconventional locations (cliff tops, stately homes and football grounds) in often unconventional weather (rain, hail and flooding), we have gone on to produce ten touring shows, travelling over 220,000 miles up and down the length and breadth of the UK, playing to hundreds of thousands of people in some of the classic repertory venues. We have gained a reputation for work that is carefully conceived, crystal clear, challenging and always entertaining.
Touring theatre is at the heart and soul of everything we do, taking diverse and engaging theatre of the highest quality to as much of the UK as possible. We passionately believe that great theatre does not have to be elitist and that people everywhere expect and deserve the best. We like to think that our work is characterised by its vitality, honesty and humour alongside a dynamic and dedicated approach by everyone both in front of and behind the curtain.
TOUR SCHEDULE /
JAN ‘12
Wed 25 – Sat
28
BASINGSTOKE
The
Haymarket
01256 844244
Mon 30 - Tues 31
KINGSTON
The
Rose
0208 546 6983
FEB ‘12
Wed 1 –
Sat
4
KINGSTON
The
Rose
0208 546 6983
Mon 6 – Tues
7
READING
The
Hexagon
0118 960 6060
Thurs 9 – Sat
11
BERWICK
The
Maltings
01289 330999
Tues 21 – Sat
25
JERSEY
The Opera
House
01534 511115
Tues 28 – Wed 29
NEWBURY
The Corn
Exchange
01635 522733
MAR ‘12
Thurs
1
NEWBURY
The Corn
Exchange
01635 522733
Fri 2 – Sat
3
PETERBOROUGH
The Key
Theatre
01753 207239
Tues 06 – Sat
10
HARROGATE
Harrogate
Theatre
01423 502116
Mon 12 – Wed
14 CHIPPING
NORTON The
Theatre
01608 624350
Mon
19
BUXTON
Opera
House
0845 127 2190
Tues 20 – Sat
24
MOLD
Theatr
Clwyd
01352 755114
Mon 26 – Sat
31
GREENWICH
Greenwich
Theatre
0208 858 7755
APR ‘12
Mon 2 –
Wed
4
LLANDUDNO
Venue
Cymru
01492 879771
Tues 17 – Sat
21
EASTBOURNE
Devonshire Park
Theatre 01323
412000
Mon 23 – Tues 24
BRACKNELL
South Hill Park Arts Centre 01344
484123
Wed 25 – Thurs 26
FINCHLEY
Arts
Depot
0208 369 5454
UK Theatre Director receives Accolade
By Douglas McFarlaneIt was a nice surprise this morning to read the Variety magazine. Apart from the usual Oscar/BAFTA film focus there was a full column on the inside front page about UK Theater. More specifically the Finborough Theatre and Blanche McIntrye.
"More unexpectedly, "Accolade" a forgotten 1950 play about private behavior and political life, was given a revelatory revival by new kid on the block Blanche McIntyre at the Finborough Theater, a tiny but terrific venue that consistently punches above its weight. McIntyre was the discovery of the year. Still in her 20s, she combines dynamic visual strength with acute sensitivity to actors and textual detail and flow. There's talk of a 2012 West End transfer for "Accolade" -- the National Theater wanted it too -- but she'll have to fit that around other commitments, including a double-bill of new plays at the Bush Theater and, intriguingly, a revival of "The Seven Year Itch" at regional theater Salisbury Playhouse."
A big WELL DONE to Blanche.
Lysistrata - For Adults Only
By Douglas McFarlane
Review by Douglas McFarlane
Whew !
Have you seen Lysistrata ? It's a play that I've seen advertised on the Edinburgh Fringe and selected by many an ambitious artistic team to showcase their talents and win new audiences. Originally performed in Athens around 2500 years ago Lysistrata persuades the women of Greece to withhold intimacy from their husbands and lovers to force men to negotiate peace.
Think about that for a minute and imagine how that might be represented on stage. Yes, it's awkward, yes, it's adults only, and yes, it can be embarrassing depending on your company. So choose a close friend who is usually unschockable, and be prepared for a laugh.
As this is a family site, I can't go into much detail, other than to say that it is cringeworthy at times and really funny most of the time. The performers really push it to the limits and their "costumes", if you can call them that, were designed to shock the audience of white haired elderly couples, and groups of students alike. And they all roared with laughter.
It's a polished production with excellent lighting, sound and direction clearly in evidence in this one act play. The flow of the performance was to perfection with just enough one-liners and quick quips to keep it interesting, and each actor commanded your attention from the moment they stepped foot on stage. Despite their unusual costumes and naughty behaviour, they manage not to cross the line of indecency, somehow. Although that imaginary line we have in our heads, probably changes during the performance.
I would recommend going along, if only to watch a talented team of actors committed to their roles while wearing some of the most hilarious outfits. A personal favourite of mine was the parody of Gerard Butler's '300' performance when "Spartan woman" bounds onto the stage.
Actors Of Dionysys perform this classic at the Rose Theatre, Kingston and will be touring. Tickets can be purchased using the link below, or visit the official production site.
Ticket site:
https://uk.patronbase.com/_RoseTheatreKingston/Sections/Choose?prod_id=0010&perf_id=7
Production site:
http://www.actorsofdionysus.com/projects/current/lysistrata/
WIN WIN WIN TICKETS to theatre in Glasgow and London
By Douglas McFarlaneUK Theatre Network is delighted to bring another one of our great competitions for theatre tickets, courtesy of the nice people at Ambassadors Theatre Group.
GLASGOW
22nd November is the night when you and a friend have the chance to win two tickets to see Hormonal Housewives.
To win, send an email to editor@uktheatre.net with 'Hormonal Housewives' in the subject and the answer to this question:
Which famous Scottish TV personality is starring in Hormonal Housewives ?
LONDON
The Rose Theatre in Kingston Upon Thames, have a family ticket (worth £70 - two adults, two children) to attend The Snow Queen for any of the following performances: Fri 2 Dec 7pm, Sat 3 Dec 7pm, Mon 5 Dec 7pm, Tue 6 Dec 7pm, Wed 7 Dec 7pm.
Email editor@uktheatre.net with Snow Queen in the subject, and
give the answer to the following question.
Who is the author of the classic fairy tale "The Snow Queen" ?
Standard competition rules apply. Judges decision is final. Both competitions close on November 5th 2011. Entry to both competitions is free and the first winner to be picked at random from a list of correct emails, will win the prizes on offer.
Click on our site for more details of these shows and others. www.uktheatrenetwork.com
Carol Smillie leads cast in comedy 'Hormonal Housewives'
By Douglas McFarlane
Following last year’s sell-out tour, Carol Smillie once again leads the cast in the hilarious comedy Hormonal Housewives, which embarks upon a limited tour of selected venues in Scotland in November 2011.
“Carol Smillie is a beautiful mover and a good actress...Julie Coombe has moments of comic genius.” The Scotsman
Join Carol Smillie and friends in an evening of excessive laughter as they battle against weight gain, weight loss, mood swings, wine, PMS, men, going to the gym, men, waxing, stretch marks, men, chocolate, upper-lip hair, chocolate, men, chocolate...and all of the other joys of being a 21st Century girl!
Julie Coombe and Shona Price also return to join Carol Smillie on stage. Hormonal Housewives is written by husband and wife team Julie Coombe and John MacIsaac.
“The gales of laughter proved that the audience loved it.” Edinburgh Evening News
You can catch this hilarious show at the following theatres in November:
EDINBURGH, Festival Theatre, Wed 2 - Sat 5 Nov. www.festivaltheatre.org.uk.
DUNDEE, Caird Hall, Tues 8 & Wed 9 Nov. www.dundeebox.co.uk
AYR, Town Hall, Fri 11 & Thurs 12 Nov. www.ticketweb.co.uk
INVERNESS, Eden Court Theatre, Mon 14 & Tues 15 Nov. www.eden-court.co.uk.
ABERDEEN, His Majesty’s Theatre, Wed 16 - Sat 19 Nov. http://www.boxofficeaberdeen.com.
GLASGOW, King’s Theatre, Mon 21 - Sat 26 Nov.
2012 dates
below
MORE ABOUT CAROL SMILLIE
Carol was born on the 23 December 1961 and is the youngest of four. She began her career as a student at the world famous Glasgow School of Art before trying her hand at modelling. She spent the next decade as a highly-successful model and got her first major break into television as the highly-publicised hostess on Wheel of Fortune, an ITV quiz show.
Offers quickly flooded in and she was snapped up by the BBC travelling the world to present The Travel Show for BBC2 and then BBC1's Holiday, Summer Holiday, and Holiday Swaps quickly followed before she was chosen to become the face of The National Lottery for three years.
However, the show she will always be known for is, of course, BBC television's Changing Rooms, the flagship DIY programme which changed the face of British television as we know it today. The programme earned Carol invitations to Buckingham Palace & Downing Street, an Indie award, a National TV Award, a Bafta nomination, not forgetting Ronni Ancona's alter ego 'Smillie Smillie Carol Smillie' and, of course, the big red book on This Is Your Life.
Carol is now one of the UK’s most sought after presenters for television programmes, award ceremonies, corporate events, advertisements and charity work.
She has fronted shows like Dream Holiday Home (C5), A Brush With Fame (ITV1), took part in Strictly Come Dancing (BBC1) winning 5th place and even went full circle by hosting her own quiz show Postcode Challenge (STV). She has also guested on countless shows including Friday Night With Jonathan Ross, Have I Got News For You and Who Wants To Be A Millionaire?
She has published her own book 'Carol Smillie's Working Mum's Handbook' and pre and post natal fitness DVD ‘Changing Shape' as well as a column in Woman's Own and 'Perfect Pets' for The Sunday Times.
She is very much in demand in the corporate market as a host for company conferences and award ceremonies, and was chosen to host the Duke of Edinburgh's 80th birthday celebrations at the Royal Albert Hall.
This is Carol's second foray into the world of comedy, having tread the boards with two sell-out tours of Vagina Monologues, and the Hormonal Housewives tour 18 months ago across Scotland which proved to be even more popular.
She is married to restaurateur Alex Knight and they have three wonderful children Christie, Robbie and Jodie.
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