Tuesday 22 October 2024
Matthew Bourne's Award-Winning The Midnight Bell Returns for a Nationwide Tour in 2025
New Adventures is thrilled to announce the return of Matthew Bourne's critically acclaimed The Midnight Bell in 2025. The production will open at the Everyman Theatre in Cheltenham on Thursday, May 15, before embarking on a 17-week tour across the UK, reaching new audiences at many venues for the first time.
Set in 1930s London, The Midnight Bell follows a group of ordinary people whose lives intersect in the pubs and foggy streets of Soho and Fitzrovia. The story unfolds within a tavern where a lonely-hearts club gathers to navigate the emotional complexities of love, longing, and heartbreak. The piece is inspired by the works of English novelist Patrick Hamilton, who captured the lives and struggles of the working-class man and woman in London's pubs, particularly in his novels Twenty Thousand Streets Under The Sky and Hangover Square.
Premiering in 2021 to widespread acclaim, The Midnight Bell received five nominations at the 2022 National Dance Awards, including wins for Matthew Bourne's Best Modern Choreography and Michela Meazza's Outstanding Female Modern Performance. Bourne reflects on the significance of this piece, which marked New Adventures' return to touring post-pandemic. He expressed his excitement about revisiting the show in 2025 and introducing it to new audiences, describing it as a collaborative masterpiece that explores the fundamental need for human connection.
For this revival, Bourne will reunite with his award-winning creative team, including Terry Davies (music), Lez Brotherston (set and costume design), Paule Constable (lighting design), and Paul Groothuis (sound design). The 2025 tour will feature a cast of fourteen of New Adventures' finest actor-dancers, with full casting to be announced soon. Audiences are invited to step inside The Midnight Bell once more to experience its bittersweet stories of human emotion and connection.
Lauren Ward and Josie Benson to Lead Cast in World Premiere of Stalled at King’s Head Theatre
West End and Broadway star Lauren Ward (Stranger Things: The First Shadow, Dear Evan Hansen) and Josie Benson (Kiss Me Kate, Mamma Mia!) are set to headline the cast of Stalled, a new musical premiering at the King’s Head Theatre. This heartwarming and thought-provoking production centres around a group of characters whose lives intersect in a posh Seattle ladies' room. From Maggie, a woman in search of herself, to a frazzled mother, a neurodivergent daughter, a non-binary poet, and a queer computer scientist, Stalled tells their stories with soul-stirring melodies and rare authenticity. The musical promises an uplifting and emotional celebration of diverse voices, all navigating the complexities of modern life.
With a book and lyrics by Liesl Wilke and music by Andy Marsh, with additional music by Kyle Puccia, Stalled will run for six weeks, from Thursday, February 13th, to Sunday, March 23rd, 2025, under the direction of Vikki Stone. Two press performances are scheduled for Sunday, February 16, at 2pm and 5pm.
Producer Thomas Hopkins expressed his excitement about bringing this vibrant, poignant musical to the King’s Head Theatre, working alongside co-producer Liesl Wilke. He emphasised the importance of giving a platform to underrepresented voices, adding that the production aims to foster inclusivity through a "Pay What You Can Tuesdays" initiative, allowing audience members of all financial backgrounds to experience the show. This initiative is made possible by the support of a dedicated foundation, reinforcing the show's commitment to community and accessibility.
Anne-Marie Duff Leads Revival of The Little Foxes at Young Vic Theatre
The Young Vic Theatre has unveiled the full cast for its upcoming revival of Lillian Hellman’s The Little Foxes, starring the acclaimed Anne-Marie Duff (Bad Sisters, Suffragette) as Regina Hubbard. Directed by Olivier Award-winner Lyndsey Turner (Coriolanus, The Witches), this production runs from December 2, 2024, to February 8, 2025, with the official press night on December 11. Tickets are available now at www.youngvic.org.
Joining Anne-Marie Duff is a star-studded cast, including BAFTA Scotland award-winner Mark Bonnar (Napoleon, World on Fire) as Benjamin Hubbard, Anna Madeley (All Creatures Great and Small) as Birdie Hubbard, and Steffan Rhodri (Gavin and Stacey) as Oscar Hubbard. The ensemble also features Andrea Davy (Coronation Street) as Addie, Olivier nominee John Light (Showtrial) as Horace Giddens, Stanley Morgan (The Serpent Queen) as Leo Hubbard, Olivier winner Eleanor Worthington-Cox (Next to Normal) as Alexandra Giddens, and Freddie MacBruce in his professional debut as Cal.
A Gripping Tale of Power and Family Conflict
The Little Foxes centres on Regina Hubbard, a woman who has grown tired of standing on the sidelines while her brothers grow wealthier. When the opportunity for immense power and fortune presents itself, Regina sparks a chain of events that pits family members against each other—brother against brother, father against son, and Regina against her entire family.
The production promises a visually striking presentation with design by Lizzie Clachan, lighting by Lucy Carter, and sound by Tingying Dong. Fight direction is by Kev McCurdy, with voice and dialect coaching by Rebecca Gausnell. Phillippe Cato joins as the Jerwood Assistant Director, and Aoife Scott is the Jerwood Trainee Assistant Director.
This revival marks Anne-Marie Duff’s return to the Young Vic after 17 years, promising a powerful portrayal of Regina Hubbard, a character at the heart of this searing exploration of ambition, greed, and family dynamics. The Little Foxes is produced in association with Second Half Productions.
Anne Boleyn the Musical to Have World Premiere at Hever Castle: A Historic Debut Not to Be Missed
Historalia Productions is thrilled to announce the world premiere of Anne Boleyn the Musical, set to debut at Hever Castle in August 2025. This unique production brings the captivating story of Anne Boleyn to life at her childhood home, offering audiences an immersive experience at this iconic historical site. Directed by Roxana Silbert, with a book by Rebecca Night, music by Sam Gevers, and lyrics by Rebecca Night & Sam Kenyon, the musical will be performed in a specially constructed 1,800-seat outdoor auditorium, running from 2nd-30th August 2025.
Anne Boleyn the Musical explores Anne’s transformative journey from a young woman venturing into the royal courts of Flanders and France, to her eventual rise to Queen of England and her tragic downfall. Set against the stunning backdrop of Hever Castle, where Anne grew up, this production promises to reveal the true nature of one of history’s most intriguing women, offering audiences a fresh perspective on her ambitions, legacy, and her pivotal role in shaping England’s future.
Historalia Productions, founded by Simon de Merode and Eliane Astor-De Merode, brings its signature style of historical storytelling to the UK for the first time. Known for their large-scale musical productions in historic venues across Belgium, Historalia’s latest project is set to create an unforgettable theatre experience at Hever Castle. Previous productions, including Jeanne d'Arc, Marie-Antoinette, and 1830, have wowed audiences, and Anne Boleyn the Musical is poised to continue that tradition.
Hever Castle’s CEO, Duncan Leslie, expressed his excitement for this groundbreaking production, calling it an extraordinary opportunity to witness the story of Anne Boleyn unfold at the very place she once called home. This West End-calibre show, paired with the castle’s rich history, is sure to captivate both regular visitors and new guests alike.
With a talented creative team and the magical setting of Hever Castle, Anne Boleyn the Musical will be a must-see event in 2025. Full casting and additional creative details will be announced soon.
photo credit: Daniel Watson
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