Wednesday, 23 October 2024
Friends! The Musical Parody Hits the UK and Ireland for a Hilarious 2025 Tour
Friends! The Musical Parody, the smash hit from New York and Las Vegas, is set to embark on a major UK and Ireland tour, kicking off at the Barn Theatre in Cirencester from July 14 to August 23, 2025. Tickets will be available for Barn Friends starting November 4, with general sale beginning on November 11.
This hilarious musical comedy brings all the iconic moments from the beloved TV show Friends to the stage, offering fans a fast-paced, uncensored tribute to the antics of Ross, Rachel, Monica, Chandler, Joey, and Phoebe. Featuring an original musical score, the show takes audiences through the ups and downs of work, life, and love in 1990s Manhattan. Aimed at audiences aged 13 and above, the musical promises a fun-filled evening that captures the essence of the legendary sitcom.
The creative team for Friends! The Musical Parody includes Bob and Tobly McSmith on Books & Lyrics, Assaf Gleizner on Music, and Andrew Exeter handling Set and Lighting Design.
Mark Goucher, one of the producers, said:
It is great to be back supporting The Barn Theatre. We are looking forward to working with Iwan and his team creating this brand-new production which will then tour the UK and Ireland."
Iwan Lewis, Chief Executive and Artistic Director of the Barn, shared his excitement:
We’re beyond thrilled to team up with our friends and partners Mark Goucher, Matthew Gale, and Oskar Eiriksson to bring Friends! The Musical Parody to the Barn. As part of our 2025 strategy to attract new audiences, this show is the one that promises a night full of laughs and fun. Could we BE any more excited for next summer?"
The first leg of the tour will include stops at the Nottingham Theatre Royal, Sunderland Empire, York Grand Opera House, Cheltenham Everyman Theatre, and more. Additional tour dates will be announced soon.
Friends! The Musical Parody is produced by Mark Goucher, Matthew Gale, and Oskar Eiriksson under license from Theatre Mogul. The show was originally produced in New York by Lynn Shore Entertainment, Theater Mogul, and McSmith Family Entertainment. Full cast and additional creative team details will be announced later.
Tuesday, 22 October 2024
The Mill at Sonning's White Christmas to Play with Uplifting Musical Magic and All-Star Cast
The iconic 1954 film White Christmas, directed by Michael Curtiz and starring Bing Crosby, Danny Kaye, Rosemary Clooney, and Vera-Ellen, became the highest-grossing musical of its time. The stage adaptation, featuring additional Irving Berlin songs, debuted on Broadway in 2008 and quickly became an audience favorite, returning the following year after rave reviews. The musical will play at The Mill at Sonning from 27th November 2024 to 25th January 2025.
The talented cast includes Jason Jajdi as Bob, Connor Hughes as Phil, Gabriella Williams as Betty, and Nic Myers as Judy. Mark Curry takes on the role of General Waverly, with Shirley Jameson as Martha and Natasha Cayabyab as Susan. Shem Omari James plays Sheldrake, with Greta McKinnon as Rhoda, Eleanor Walsh as Rita, Elliot Allinson as Mike, and Lewis Rae as Ezekiel. Grace Chan and Jack Speck join as swings.
The story follows Veterans Bob Wallace and Phil Davis, now successful performers after World War II, follow a pair of singing sisters to a Vermont lodge, owned by their former army commander. With a heartwarming story and a score featuring timeless hits like "Blue Skies," "I Love A Piano," "How Deep Is the Ocean," and the beloved "White Christmas," this musical promises to enchant audiences of all ages with its wholesome charm and dazzling performances.
The creative team features director Jonathan O'Boyle, set designer Jason Denvir, costume designer Natalie Titchener, choreographer Gary Lloyd, and assistant choreographers Lauren Gore and Emma Hunter. Lighting is designed by David Howe with Freddy Sherwood as associate, and Jae Alexander serves as musical arranger and director. Sound design is by Chris Whybrow, with casting by Jane Deitch.
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.
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