Girls seeking a testosterone – free night out are in for a treat at the King’s Theatre this week as “Hormonal Housewives” takes to the stage.

Very much in the mould of the incredibly successful “Vagina Monologues”, Hormonal Housewives offers the talented trio of Carol Smillie, Julie Coombe and Shonagh Price the opportunity to don pink, put down men, laugh at themselves, laugh at men, have a dance and enjoy the company of other women.  Predictably, when the target audience are women, the conversations, sketches and laughter revolve largely around men.  It was possibly the predictable nature of the topics and punch lines that proved to be a shortcoming in the production as some sections raised only chuckles rather than belly laughs.  Writers Julie Coombe and John MacIsaac redeemed themselves, however, with some excellent observational items and development of good physical humour, particularly in the courtroom and keep fit sketches.

The audience certainly enjoyed the entertainment on offer, although they proved reluctant to participate in fanning the cast with programmes in a children’s party inspired game.  Y-chromosomes were in short supply in the auditorium – it seemed that any men in the audience had lost a bet (or were VERY dedicated theatre goers) – but the audience proved that they could have a great time without the aid of their husbands and boyfriends.  This was largely due to the enthusiastic performances on stage where Julie Coombe, in particular, delivered the comedy with great gusto.

All in all, the show was a good target for a girlie night out.  The tour continues to Inverness, Dundee and Aberdeen.

Hormonal Housewives
Mon 1 – Sat 6 March
Mon – Thu eves 7.30pm
Fri & Sat 5.30pm and 8.30pm

Tickets: £9 - £24
Box Office 0844 871 7648 (Bkg fee)
www.ambassadortickets.com/glasgow (bkg fee)

SHAKESPEARE GLOBE PRESS RELEASE – 15 February 2010

Shakespeare’s Globe’s 2010 Theatre Season

Published by: Tremayne

There will be small scale regional tours of The Comedy of Errors and A Midsummer Night’s Dream, which are scheduled to visit the UK and Europe.

Public booking opens on 15 February 2010.

Box office: 020 7401 9919 or visit the website www.shakespeares-globe.org

“There’s been a decline within other companies… …we’re managing to do without subsidies… …we won’t go into that!”

(Dominic Dromgoole)

This year’s theatre theme is Kings & Rogues, following the best box office year in 2009 where the highest attendance figures were held in the Globe’s 13 year history.

Henry IV Parts 1 & 2, described as ‘a waterfall of revelations’, to be shown ‘in isolation to detach from that long history cycle they’ve been attached to in the past.’

Lucy Bailey’s production of MacBeth will begin the theatre season, to be launched on Shakespeare’s birthday, 23 April.  This will star Elliot Couran who played in the Donmar’s award-winning A Streetcar Named Desire.

The Merry Wives of Windsor returns in 2010 after its triumph in 2008.  It echoes roots of a modern TV sitcom, including several the characters from Henry IV Parts 1 & 2.

PEPPA PIG’S PARTY!

[Live on stage Wed 7^th & Thur 8^th April]

Click here for Peppa images

Peppa Pig is currently one of TV’s top-rated children’s shows and a BAFTA Award winner. Now, for the first time ever, she has her own live stage show. Peppa Pig’s Party opened on 30 September in Exeter and played to 7 venues in autumn 2009. Now in 2010 this extensive UK tour continues to 60 theatres across including the King's Theatre Glasgow.

Many creative talents have come together to assemble this exciting new production where the main characters are played by puppets with visible puppeteers.

·       Nigel Plaskitt is Puppetry Consultant for the show and is, arguably, the UK’s most experienced puppet specialist. His many credits include Monkey  (who appears alongside Al played by Johnny Vegas) in the current award-winning commercials for PG Tips; Spitting Image; and the current West End hit show Avenue Q.

·       The music comes from LazyTown’s highly talented composer Mani Svavarsson whose songs are well known to children and parents.

·       Director Richard Lewis (who has also adapted Peppa Pig for stage) has many acclaimed children’s stage shows to his credit, including Fimbles and the two LazyTown Live! tours (2007 – 2008 and 2009).

Peppa Pig’s Party is produced by the team (Fiery Angel and Limelight Productions) behind the recent tours of LazyTown Live! and Roald Dahl’s The BFG.

Peppa is a playful little pig who lives with her little brother George, Mummy Pig and Daddy Pig. Through everyday adventures she plays games, makes new friends and enjoys her absolutely favourite activity – jumping up and down in muddy puddles! Today is a very special day. It’s Peppa Pig's birthday. Peppa Pig’s Party is a chance for all her young friends across the UK to join in the fun with Suzy Sheep, Danny Dog and Emily Elephant for her perfect party. This charming, original and imaginative show is full of brand new songs, muddy puddles, and oinks!

Peppa Pig © Astley Baker Davies Ltd / E1 Entertainment Ltd 2003.

Ends/

PRESS PERFORMANCE: WED 7^th April @1pm

Listings Info:

PEPPA PIG’S PARTY

Wed 7^th April @ 10am, 1pm and 4pm

Thur 8^th April @ 10am, 1pm and 4pm

Tickets: £13.50 – £15.50 Adult

          £11.50 - £13.50 Child

Box Office 08448 717 648 (Bkg fee)

www.ambassadortickets.com/glasgow (bkg fee)

NOTES TO EDITORS:

1. Peppa Pig is currently one of the UK’s biggest pre-school properties with confirmed sales of over 2 million DVDs and over 50 licence agreements in the UK alone. Internationally the television programme has been sold into over 150 territories and licensing programmes have been established or are being planned in a number of territories including Europe, Asia and the Americas.

PEPPA PIG’S PARTY

www.peppapiglive.com

Contacts:

To set up interviews, request images or for further information please contact Mark Irwin on 0141 240 1305 or markirwin@theambassadors.com

To organise competitions or ticket giveaways please contact Laura Fitzpatrick on 0141 240 1302 or laurafitzpatrick@theambassadors.com

Mark Irwin
Press Officer
King's Theatre & Theatre Royal, Glasgow 
297 Bath Street
Glasgow G2 4JN
Direct Line: 0141 240 1305
Fax: 0141 240 1301

Have you heard the story of the Johnstone twins? If not, you have missed what has become a classic of British musical theatre and now is your chance to hear the tale! Willy Russell’s Blood Brothers is on tour - follow a trail of tears and snotty handkerchiefs all the way to the King’s Theatre, Glasgow until 13 February 2010.

Glasgow-born songstress, Vivienne Carlyle, stars as Mrs. Johnstone, a 1960s Liverpudlian mother of seven who is just about making ends meet, until her husband leaves and the twins arrive. Reluctantly she makes a deal with Mrs. Lyons (Tracy Spencer), her well-to-do employer, to give one of her twins away. And so, irresistible and tragic wheels are set in motion as the twins are destined to be born and then to die on the self same day.

The story is largely light hearted and entertaining despite the tear-streaked faces that have famously been leaving performances of this musical all over the world. It follows the growth of the boys from childhood to adulthood and the script is bursting with the gritty Liverpool humour that made the writer famous. The humour is also observational and sucks the audience into a real bond with the characters as we sympathise with their poverty and remember schoolboy fun that helped to lighten the mood in difficult times. The tragedy, when it falls, feels very personal. The musical score, in isolation, seems almost unremarkable but together with the on-stage drama it adds great depth to the contrasts of mood that are the bedrock of this musical’s success. The audience can even take a few tunes home with them “My Child”, “Easy Terms” and “Tell Me It’s Not True” being eminently hummable.

The production has changed very little over the years, but the talented cast add their personal nuances to the timeless story.  Vivienne Carlyle took the role of Mrs. Johnstone (previously played by such well known actresses as Stephanie Lawrence, Kiki Dee, Lyn Paul and four of the Nolan sisters) in her stride, never over dramatising, never over cooking the accent.  She took a nightmare narrative and made it real.  The combination of Sean Jones and Paul Davies as the twins, Mickey and Eddie, was the perfect mix.  I’ve had the pleasure of being entertained by Sean Jones in a previous tour and he is definitely my favourite Mickey.  His transformation from carefree seven-year-old to drug-dependant adult is heartbreaking in itself.  Chemistry with his on-stage sibling as well as his childhood sweetheart (Linda, played by Kelly-Anne Gower) was wonderful.  Finally, Robbie Scotcher’s menacing portrayal of the Narrator was the ideal balance of singing talent and threatening demeanour.

No other musical can take you through the entire spectrum of human emotion like this.  Book your ticket today.

Listings Info:

Blood Brothers
King’s Theatre, Glasgow
Tue 2 – Sat 13 Feb
Mon – Sat eves 7.30pm
Wed & Sat mats 2.30pm
Thu 4 Feb mat 2.30pm

Audio described performance 11 Feb 7.30pm
Signed performance 12 Mar 7.30pm

Tickets: £11.50 - £30
Box Office 0844 8717 648 (Bkg fee)
www.ambassadortickets.com/glasgow (bkg fee)

There is something magical about pantomime at Christmas.  The plot lines may be as predictable as Simon Cowell’s wardrobe and jokes might be as corny as Kansas in August ... but the magic inevitably comes from the reaction of the kids!

Gerard Kelly and Karen Dunbar headline the £1 million production of Aladdin at the King’s Theatre in Glasgow this year.  As Wishy Washy and Widow Twanky they had the audience in stitches throughout, delivering lines from the practiced pen of writer, Bob Black.  The title role was stylishly played by panto newbie, Keith Jack (Scottish runner up in Andrew Lloyd Webber’s recent search for Joseph), and his romantic companion, Princess Jasmine, was delightfully portrayed by Frances Mayli McCann.  The romantic leads’ voices, in particular, blended beautifully on stage.  Gavin Mitchell was the subject of the audience’s “boos” as the diabolically wicked Abanazar.

The supporting cast had a suitably diverse range of talent from the lively distractions of the 8 ensemble dancers to the comedy duo of Bryan Lowe and Mark Prendergast.  They were joined by an unbilled cameo by Andy Gray as the Genie.

The Credit Crunch was left outside on the cold doorstep of the King’s Theatre as the production showed every penny of the £1m budget.  There was more smoke onstage than on the doorstep of a Glasgow pub and the flying effects of cast and carpet were worth the ticket price alone!  Costumes werestunning and the stage sparkled throughout.

Treat yourself to some Christmas Cheer at the King’s this year!

Listings Info:

ALADDIN

Until Sun 17 January 2010

Tickets: £6 - £24.50

Box Office 0844 871 7648 (Bkg fee)

Groups and Schools Sales 0141 240 1122

www.ambassadortickets.com/glasgow (bkg fee)

Glaswegians will find a second use for their Hallow'een costumes this week as Richard O' Brien's Rocky Horror Show makes a welcome return to the King's Theatre.

It’s been 2 years since Rocky Horror visited Glasgow and, at 36 years young, this show doesn’t seem to be showing any signs of age yet! The openly sexual nature of the characters and the storyline were so far ahead of their time when the show opened to a tiny London audience in 1973 that today they still appear fresh and relevant.  Director, Christopher Luscombe, and set designer, Janet Bird, added fresh elements to the show a few years back and this latest cast bring their own energy and life to the well loved characters.  The tradition of audience interaction with the cast ensures that no two performances are the same!!

David Bedella simply owns the role of Frank 'N' Furter.  He brought all of his experience of a US national tour (with Meatloaf, no less) to bear in his portrayal of musical theatre's most recognisable character.  He had an astonishing rapport with the audience.  Christopher Biggins embraced his role as the Narrator, comfortably staying one step ahead of an audience who were, at times, a little over excited!  “It was over, but what was over?” asked Mr. Biggins.  “Your career”, answered the audience.  “You must be mistaking me for Katie Price”, he retorted.  Mark Evans (Brad) and Haley Flaherty (Janet) were vocally accomplished and carried the story well.

This is a great production of an excellent show and Glasgow audiences have been given another chance to catch it.  Don’t miss out!

LISTINGS INFORMATION

Richard O'Brien's Rocky Horror Show

King's Theatre: Monday 23 - Saturday 28 November 2009

Mon  - Thu eves 7.30pm

Fri & Sat 5pm & 8.30pm

Tickets: £12.50 - £30.50

Box Office: 08448 717648 (bkg fee)

www.ambassadortickets.com/glasgow

Peter Hall sets this successful revival of Alan Ayckbourn’s  social comedy “Bedroom Farce” in the 1970s – a distant age without mobile phones, ipods or even the internet. Three bedrooms, side by side, fill the Rose Theatre stage and allow us a peep into the lives of four married couples.

The elderly couple Delia (Jane Asher) and Ernest (Nicholas Le Prevost) are getting ready for their yearly dinner at a fancy restaurant.  Delia tries to discuss their son Trevor’s marital problems but Ernest is more interested in the leaky roof.  Jan (Lucy Briers) is off to a housewarming party whilst her husband Nick (Tony Gardner) is grounded with a bad back.  Malcolm (Daniel Betts) and Kate (Finty Williams) are playing childish pranks on each other whilst waiting for their first guests to arrive. Chaotic Trevor (Orlando Seale) and his unstable wife Susannah embark on a journey of destruction by successfully ruining their party with a savage fight culminating in Trevor kissing Jan. A distraught Susannah disrupts Delia’s and Ernest’s romantic dinner in bed and Trevor rushes to Jan only to fall asleep on Nick’s bed, making Nick’s night pure agony.

Prepare yourself for a highly entertaining evening with an outstanding cast in Ayckbourn’s exploration of marriage and beyond.

The Rose Theatre, Kingston

1 Oct – 28 Nov 2009

See Tickets - 0871 230 1552

www.rosetheatrekingston.org

“You’ll believe a car can fly” read the marketing spiel in advance of the Chitty Chitty Bang Bang tour.  The show certainly bursts onto the stage with a bang (bang), but can you believe the hype?

It is difficult for me to articulate just how good Chitty Chitty Bang Bang is … because my jaw dropped while watching the show and it hasn’t fully recovered!  WOW!  Even if the car had been a huge disappointment, the show would have proved itself as an excellent piece of musical theatre.  Every element screamed quality.  The large adult cast (30 strong), child cast (22), band (15) and several dogs (yes, dogs) filled the King’s stage with colour and energy and the auditorium with sound!  The somewhat abstract set added a childlike sense of drama and, when required, a real sense of motion!  Choreography was characteristic and entertaining in equal measure and flawlessly executed throughout.  The adapted script was bold in both cuts from and additions to the original 1968 movie screenplay and delivered rounded characters who were quickly lovable (or loathable) as required.

The score is packed with childhood favourites like Toot Sweets, The Ol’ Bamboo and Truly Scrumptious and the principal cast together with the large and talented ensemble delivered all to the highest standard and to the delight of the audience of young and old alike.

But the car … oh, the car is the star (as they say)!  And I repeat … WOW!  Take every wish that you may have dared to fanaticise upon for the delivery of your childhood dream Chitty and it is produced as a reality on stage.  There is a seemingly endless escalation of awsomeness as the car performs one miracle after another from its first spotlight reflecting reveal through a speeding countryside journey to a jaw dropping slow motion fall from a clifftop!  Chitty deservedly takes the final bow at the end of the show to the strains of the Superman movie theme!  One more time … WOW!

Don’t miss this fantastic show … its wonderful, its wizard, its keen!

Listings Info:

Chitty Chitty Bang Bang

Tue 20 Oct – Sat 14 Nov

Mon – Sat eves 7.30pm

Wed and Sat mats 2.30pm

Tickets: £20.50 - £39.50

Signed Performance Thu 29 Oct 7.30pm

Audio Described Performance Thu 12 Nov 7.30pm

Box Office 08448 717 648 (Bkg Fee)

www.ambassadortickets.com/glasgow (Bkg Fee)

Sensational and sexy are words that don’t go far enough to describe the spectacular that is Chicago. This truly is an un-missable production.

It tells the story of two murderesses- Roxie Hart and Velma Kelly- who meet in jail, and compete for the attention of their lawyer Billy Flynn, who has the power to make them ‘stars’. They, like all the other women in there, have committed crimes of passion; which adds to their sexiness, and fuels the public’s interest in them.

Emma Barton; best known as the diminutive Honey from Eastenders, wows crowds as Roxie Hart. Her voice is phenomenal, and she captures every note of Kander & Ebb’s numbers perfectly. Strutting the stage in Hart’s sassy manner, she looks as if she was born to dance Fosse. The choreography is slick and spellbinding, and the audience are transfixed, and transported into 1920s America, from the moment the curtain rises.

Another treat is to see Gary Wilmot in the role of lawyer Billy Flynn. He steps into the shoes of this flash, arrogant; but likeable lawyer with such great ease that it’s hard to imagine anyone else ever playing this manipulative showman. At the other end of the spectrum is the shy and retiring Amos; played beautifully by Adam Stafford. Whilst Amos relates himself to cellophane; Stafford is anything but un-noticeable.

The stylish and sleek set; combined with the dark and sexy lighting really set a sizzling mood. It’s all about showbusiness; but lights casting bars across the stage are there to constantly remind us we are on death-row. It’s a hot, emotion-rousing and comedic production. Let it razzle-dazzle you!

LISTINGS

Chicago

Mon 5 Oct – Sat 10 Oct

Wed, Thurs 19.30; Fri 17.00 and 20.30; Sat 14.30 and 19.30

Tickets: £19 - £35

Box Office 0844 871 7648 (Bkg fee)

www.ambassadortickets.com/glasgow (Bkg fee)