Category: Tours

Posted by : al_geary on Tuesday, June 18, 2013 - 02:51 AM

Tour.

TEECHERS
by John Godber.

Tour to 29 June 2013.
Runs 1hr 55min One interval.
Review: Alan Geary 13 June at Palace Theatre Mansfield.

A good play ill-served by a poor production.

Posted by : RodDungate on Thursday, June 13, 2013 - 12:23 PM

BEING TOMMY COOPER: Tom Green
Tour to 24 June 2013
www.beingtommycooper.co.uk/
Runs: 2h, one interval

Review: Alexander Ray Edser (Birmingham Hippodrome, 12 June 2013)

Absorbing, with a great Tommy Cooper recreation.

Posted by : RodDungate on Tuesday, June 11, 2013 - 10:25 AM

London: (in between)/Riot Offspring: June 8, 2013
Posted by: Carole Woddis on June 9, 2013 – 15.55pm

(in between)/Riot Offspring

Sadler’s Wells Theatre,
Rosebery Avenue
London EC1R 4TN

7.30pm

Runs: 1hr 15 mins with short pause.

TICKETS: 0844 412 4300; Monday to Saturday, 10am - 8pm.

online: www.tickets.sadlerswells.com

Review: by Carole Woddis of performance seen June 8, 2013:

Fabulous.

Posted by : TimothyRamsden on Thursday, June 06, 2013 - 09:47 AM

Tour.

BLUE REMEMBERED HILLS
by Dennis Potter.

Tour to 29 June 2013.
Runs 1hr No interval.
Review: Timothy Ramsden 4 June at Oxford Playhouse.

A short evening likely to make theatregoers very content.

Posted by : TimothyRamsden on Thursday, June 06, 2013 - 01:37 AM

Tour.

LIONBOY
adapted by Marcelo Dos Santos with Annabel Arden, Louise Young, Mike Kenny and the Company from the novels by Zizou Corder.

Tour to 21 July 2013.
Runs 2hr One interval.
Review: Stewart McGill 30 May at Bristol Old Vic.

A family show that does not patronise its audience or go for simple solutions.

Posted by : RodDungate on Tuesday, June 04, 2013 - 07:24 PM

CARNABY STREET: Carl Leigton-Pope, Robert Johns
On Tour till 29 June 2013
Runs approx. 2h 25, with one interval
www.carnabystreetthemusical.com

Review: Alexander Ray Edser, Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham, 03 June 2013

Rose tinted specs give a marvellous evening.

Posted by : al_geary on Sunday, June 02, 2013 - 11:17 PM

Canterbury/London.

THE TAMING OF THE SHREW
by William Shakespeare.

Marlowe Theatre The Friars CT1 2AS.
25, 28 June 7.30pm.
29 June 2pm.
TICKETS: 01227 787787.
www.marlowetheatre.com

then Hampstead Theatre Eton Avenue Swiss Cottage NW3 3EU In rep 3-20 July 2013.
7.30pm 3, 6, 9, 13, 17-19 July.
2pm 4, 10, 20 July.
TICKETS: 020 7722 9301.
www.hampsteadtheatre.com

Runs 2hr 50min One interval.
Review: Alan Geary: 31 May at Theate Royal Nottingham.

Brilliant and original. A Winner.

Posted by : RodDungate on Friday, May 24, 2013 - 01:40 PM

HAIRSPRAY: Mark O’Donnell, Thomas Meehan, Marc Shaiman
On Tour till 29 09 13
www.hairspraythetour.com/
One interval.

Review: Alexander Ray Edser, Birmingham Hippodrome, 22 05 13

In great shape, joyous and powerful.

Posted by : RodDungate on Thursday, May 16, 2013 - 08:51 PM

HIGH SOCIETY: Music and Lyrics, Cole Porter; Book Arthur Kopit
Tours to 13 July 2013
Information: www.highsocietymusical.com
Runs: 2h 35, one interval
Review: Alexander Ray Edser, Birmingham Hippodrome., 15 May 2013

High Society? – What did you do to me?

Posted by : TimothyRamsden on Monday, May 13, 2013 - 12:49 PM

Tour.

MISS NIGHTINGALE
by Matthew Bugg.

Tour to 27 July 2013.
Runs 2hr 45min One interval.
Review Timothy Ramsden 8 May at New Wolsey Theatre Ipswich.

Jewel of a performance in an uninvolving show.

Posted by : RodDungate on Saturday, May 11, 2013 - 02:16 PM

Pop Up Opera’s DON PASQUALE
By Donizetti

Upstairs at The Sun Tavern, 66 Long Acre, Covent Garden, London WC2E 9JD
A one off presentation. Pop Up’s productions, as the name suggests, pop up here, there and anywhere. Check their website – www.popupopera.co.uk

Runs 2h 15 mins. One interval

Review: William Russell, 8 May 2013

(With other Pop Up details at the end of the review.)

The things that are done by a Don!

Posted by : RodDungate on Tuesday, May 07, 2013 - 08:47 AM

Tour.

THE ROCKY HORROR SHOW
by Richard O’Brien.

Tour to 2 November 2013.
Runs 2hr One interval.
Review: William Russell 7 May.

Time Warped.

Posted by : al_geary on Thursday, May 02, 2013 - 01:27 AM

Tour.

NOISES OFF
by Michael Frayn.

Tour to 27 July 2013.
Runs 2hr 20min One interval.
Review: Alan Geary 29 April at Theatre Royal Nottingham.

A splendid production of a stage classic.

Posted by : TimothyRamsden on Thursday, April 25, 2013 - 12:11 PM

Tour.

THE SEAGULL
by Anton Chekhov in a new version by John Donnelly.
Tour to 22 June 2013.
Runs 2hr 30min One interval.
Review: Timothy Ramsden 24 April at Watford Palace.

A Seagull that’s no common tern.

Posted by : RodDungate on Saturday, April 13, 2013 - 05:12 PM

/LondonTour.

CARNABY STREET: The Musical
by Carl Leighton-Pope original songs by James Hall.

Hackney Empire 291 Mare Street E8 1EJ To 14 April.
7.30pm Mat Sat 2.30pm Sun 5pm.
Then tour to 29 June 2013.
Runs 2hr 40min One interval.

TICKETS:0208 985 2424.
www.hackneyempire.co.uk (Hackney).
Review: William Russell 10 April.

Wideboys and mini skirts.

Posted by : TimothyRamsden on Friday, April 12, 2013 - 07:58 AM

Bristol/Tour.

THE TWO GENTLEMEN OF VERONA
by William Shakespeare edition and additional lyric by Dominic Power.

Tobacco Factory Theatre Raleigh Road BS3 1TF To 4 May.
Mon-Wed; Sat 7.30pm Thu, Fri 8pm Mat Sat and 18, 25 Apr 2.30pm.
then Tour to 15 June 2013.
Runs 2hr 50min One interval.

TICKETS 0117 902 0344.
www.tobaccofactorytheatre.com
Review: Timothy Ramsden 10 April.

Two faces bad; two legs good; four legs best.

Posted by : TimothyRamsden on Wednesday, April 10, 2013 - 01:14 AM

Tour:

THE MISANTHROPE
by Roger McGough after Molière.

Tour to 1 June 2013.
Runs 2hr 30min One interval.
Review: Timothy Ramsden 9 April at Oxford Playhouse.

Fun time with rhyme, almost every line fine, and pointing-up morals through some fine verbal quarrels.

Posted by : Jen_Mitchell on Monday, April 01, 2013 - 11:30 AM

Nottingham


Birmingham Repertory Theatre Company
In association with Nottingham Playhouse Theatre Company, The New Wolsey Theatre, Ipswich and Teatro Kismet (Bari, Italy)
I Was A Rat!
By Philip Pullman
Adapted and directed by Teresa Ludovico
English version by David Watson

Nottingham Playhouse to Saturday 13th April 2013
Matinee Saturdays 30th March, 6th April 2.30, Friday 29th March, Wednesday 3rd, Thursday 4th, Tuesday 9th, Wednesday 10th, Thursday 11th April 1.30
Audio described performances Saturday 6th April 2.30 and Wednesday 10th April 6.30, captioned performance Thursday 11th April 1.30, signed interpreted performance Friday 12th April 6.30

Then touring
16th to 20th April, Bury St Edmunds Theatre Royal
23rd to 25th April, Truro Hall for Cornwall
1st to 4th May, Cambridge Arts Theatre
7th to 11th May, The Lowry Salford
15th to 18th May, Exeter Northcott Theatre
22nd to 25th May, Leeds, City Varieties Music Hall
20th May to 1 June, Hereford Courtyard Theatre

TICKETS: 0115 9419419
www.nottinghamplayhouse.co.uk
Review: Jen Mitchell 27th March 2013
Runs 2hrs. One interval


Stylised and hugely physical, Philip Pullman’s magical and darkly amusing tale is brought vividly to life this gripping and energetic adaptation.

Posted by : TimothyRamsden on Tuesday, March 26, 2013 - 08:55 AM

Tour/London.

FENCES
by August Wilson.

Tour to 14 September 2013.
Runs 2hr 45min One interval.
Review: Timothy Ramsden 25 March at Oxford Playhouse.

A Black Death of a Salesman? Or is Arthur Miller’s play a White Fences?

Posted by : TimothyRamsden on Sunday, March 24, 2013 - 09:45 PM

Tour.

CURIOSITY SHOP
adapted by Daniel Jamieson from Charles Dickens.

Theatre Alibi Tour to 27 April 21013.
Runs 2hr 40min One interval.
Review: Timothy Ramsden 21 March at Oxford Playhouse.

Dickens impressive as a matter of record.

Posted by : TimothyRamsden on Monday, March 18, 2013 - 01:01 AM

Tour.

THE NIGHTINGALE
by Alison Duddle based on the story by Hans Christian Andersen.

Tour to 13 April 2013.
Runs 50min No interval.
Review: Timothy Ramsden 7 March at Little Angel Theatre London.

Finely-judged piece that relates Andersen to modern childhood.

Posted by : TimothyRamsden on Wednesday, March 06, 2013 - 01:16 AM

Tour.

WHOLE
by Philip Osment

Tour to 28 March 2013.
Runs 1hr 30min + discussion No interval.
Review: Timothy Ramsden 1 March at Octagon Theatre Bolton.

Drama complete and whole.

Posted by : TimothyRamsden on Wednesday, February 13, 2013 - 12:21 AM

Tour.

GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS OFFICIALLY AMAZING SCIENCE LIVE!
by Mark Thompson.

Tour to 13 April 2013.
Runs 2hr 25min One interval.
Review: Timothy Ramsden 24 January at The Alban Arena.

Science and fun tenuously linked.

Posted by : TimothyRamsden on Monday, February 11, 2013 - 11:25 AM

London/Tour.

MONEY: THE GAME SHOW
by Clare Duffy.

Bush Theatre 7 Uxbridge Road W12 8LJ To 2 March.
Mon-Sat 7.30pm Mat Sat 2.30pm.
then Tour to 13 April 2013.
Runs 1hr 45min No interval.

TICKETS: 020 8743 5050.
www.bushtheatre.co.uk (London performances).
Review: Timothy Ramsden 9 February.

Glittering show as money makes the world go round and stops people up short.

Posted by : al_geary on Friday, January 25, 2013 - 01:47 AM

Tour.

ABIGAIL’S PARTY
by Mike Leigh.

Theatre Royal: Tour to 4 May 2013.
Run s 2hr 5min One interval.
Review: Alan Geary: 21 January.

A period piece rather than a classic.

Posted by : TimothyRamsden on Thursday, January 17, 2013 - 12:38 AM

London.

DOGS DON’T DO BALLET
adapted by David Duffy and Andrea Sadler from the book by Anna Kemp illustrated by Sara Ogilvie.

Little Angel Theatre Tour to 21 April 2013.
Runs 45min No interval.
Review: Timothy Ramsden 16 January at Little Angel Theatre.

It’s all tutu splendid.

Posted by : RodDungate on Thursday, December 20, 2012 - 02:20 PM

9 TO 5: Music and Lyrics, Dolly Parton; Book Patricia Resnick
Touring to 17 07 13
New Alexandra, Birmingham, till 05 01 13
Runs: 2h 30m, one interval
Information: www.9to5themusical.co.uk

Review: Alexander Ray Edser, 19 12 12, New Alexandra

High spirits, something to say, great songs. Give yourself a treat.

Posted by : TimothyRamsden on Tuesday, December 11, 2012 - 10:24 AM

Oxford.

WHAT THE DICKENS?
by Abigail Anderson, Mark Conway, Neil Haigh, Emily Murphy.

Pegasus Theatre Magdalen Road OX4 1RE To 30 December 2012.
10am 12, 13 Dec
1pm 12, 13, 18-20, 24 Dec.
2.30pm 14, 15, 21-23, 27-30 Dec.
7pm 14, 15, 1823, 26-30 Dec.
Runs 2hr One interval.

TICKETS: 01865 812150.
www.pegasustheatre.org.uk
Review: Timothy Ramsden 1 December.

then Tour to 13 April 2013.

A huddled city, it’s life crowded with incidents.

Theatre company Gonzo Moose operate in that indeterminate area of performance termed ‘devised’. Aged 12, they belong to a theatre generation versed in things ‘visual’ and ‘physical’. Their Dickens show, from its title on, displays the symptoms of such an upbringing.

The performers’ self- and mutual critical skills are paramount. What results so often, and certainly at Pegasus this December, is a show of crafty, crafted moments, nifty interludes and sharp-etched caricatures, without much overall coherence or drive.

Still, as the other great staple of English writing might have put it, ‘Better an opportunistic wit than a witless opportunist’. The Mooses have to present their material themselves. And they have the advantage of Mandy Dike and Ben Rigby’s set, crowding a 3D London-scape on a stage of limited size, including anything old, curious or shoplike, alongside several other interiors and fogbound street-scenes.

All fits with snug conviction, backed by a huddle of narrow, winding streets amongst which the dome of St Paul’s tends to become more prominent, until it reaches the foreground in the final events.

It’s a breeding-ground for the fertility of mind in Mark Conway’s fresh-faced, eager but so far unsuccessful newspaper reporter Charles Dickens. As are the various characters benevolent, villainous or simply bursting with personality he meets.

Though the lyrical gifts that obstruct Conway’s Dickens’ factual reporting don’t seem markedly Dickensian, the sense of a life crowded by surroundings sparking the literary imagination is strong.

So are the best parts of the action, where the actor’s technique and personality fits the situation, as with Emily Murphy’s housekeeper, chatting inconsequentially on in a manner our author would certainly have picked-up, but which even he could hardly have made more comic than it is here. In other words, the performance is Dickens to the life.

Not all the humour achieves this but it’s intriguing to find the author a struggling journalist looked down upon by his editor and looking up to his paper’s ill-fated star reporter. And a pre-show tour of Pegasus spaces with the theatre’s youth company provides a suitably dark, yet garish vision of Victorian entertainment values.


Cast: Mark Conway, Neil Haigh, Emily Murphy.

Director: Abigail Anderson.
Designers: Mandy Dike, Ben Rigby.
Lighting: Tom Richmond.
Sound: Martin Stansbury.
Costume: Maija Nygren.
Fights: Seamus Allen.

Tour:
22 Feb 7.30pm East Knoyle Village Hall 01747 830132.
23 Feb 8pm Compton Bassett Village Hall 01249 760273.
24 Feb 3pm Grittleton Village Hall 01249 782798.
26 Feb 7.30pm Queen's Hall Hexham 91434 652477 www.queenshall.co.uk
27 Feb Artrix Bromsgrove 01527 577330 www.artrix.co.uk
28 Feb 7.45pm Corn Exchange Newbury 0845 521 8218 www.cornexchangenew.com
1 March 7.45pm The Neighbours Hall Great Milton 01844 279474 www.wegottickets.com/event/201737
2 March 7.45pm Loyd Lindsay Rooms Ardington karen@loydlindsayrooms.co.uk
5 March 7.30pm Llandrillo College Rhos-on-Sea 01248 351151 www.pontio.co.uk
8 March 7.30pm Bradon Forest Theatre 01793 773981 www.bradonforesttheatre.co.uk
14 March 7.30pm Arena Theatre Wolverhampton 01902 321321 www.wlv.ac.uk
15 March 7.30pm Middlesbrough Theatre 01642 815181 www.middlesbrough.gov.uk
16 March 7.30pm Harrogate Theatre 01423 502116 www.harrogatetheatre.co.uk
18-22 March 8.15pm Brewery Theatre Bristol 0117 902 0344 www.tobaccofactorytheatre.com*
23 March 7.30pm Hawthorne Theatre Welwyn Garden City 01707 357117 www.hawthornetheatre.co.uk
27-28 March 7.30pm Greenwich Theatre 020 8858 7755 www.greenwichtheatre.org.uk
5-6 April 8pm Rondo Theatre Bath 01225 463362 www,rondotheatre.co.uk
13 April Lenham Community Centre (Main Hall) 01622 853800/ 01622 858581
*with interval; runs 1hr 50min