Reviews

Date: 30 June 2008

Venue: Sunderland Empire Theatre

I have never once regretted choosing to watch Ant and Dec’s Saturday Night Takeaway over Any Dream Will Do and I never thought I would’ve, after all musicals (and Graham Norton) really just don’t do it for me. However, after seeing Joseph tonight, I really wish I had suffered Norton and given it a look, as I would have loved to see just how much work, time and effort, Craig Chalmers put in to land the role of Joseph for the tour, which opened at the Sunderland Empire tonight. Read more »

Venue : Theatre Royal Newcastle

Date : June 30th 2008

Anthony Shaffers play SLEUTH appears to have stood the test of time, probably because it is in the very safe hands of Simon MacCorkindale and Michael Praed. But I fear in less competent hands it may seem more like an old pot-boiler that will fail to grab today’s more sophisticated audience.

The action takes place in the living room of Andrew Wkye (MacCorkindale), who is a successful writer. He has invited round Milo Tindle (Praed)  for what at first appears to be a pleasant drink, until he reveals he is aware Tindle and his wife are having an affair and preparing to marry once their divorce come through.

From then on it is a deadly game of cat and mouse, with Wkye luring Tindle in to agreeing to fake a robbery and steal his wife’s jewellery. But, as usual with thrillers, all is not what it seems.    Read more »

News

Seven weeks before its scheduled opening – and just a week after Whatsonstage.com announced the production – Monkees musical Daydream Believer has been pulled. The new musical, based on the greatest hits of the 1960s pop group, was scheduled to premiere on 26 August 2008 at the Theatre Royal Plymouth ahead of an extensive UK tour which included a stop at Darlington.

A statement issued by the show’s producers today said: “It is with regret that, due to unforeseen circumstances, the production of Daydream Believer has been cancelled for the foreseeable future.” Actor James Bisp, who recently announced on his website that he had been cast in the show, has since posted a message saying that the show’s demise was due to “poor ticket sales”.

According to promotional material, Daydream Believer would tell the story of four boys who audition for a band, and “unwittingly become stand-ins for the most famous group in the world”. It promised “a nostalgic trip down memory lane for those who remember the TV series”, while producers hoped the “enduring charm” of The Monkees’ back catalogue would appeal to a “whole new generation”. Read more »

The press launch for Robinson Crusoe and the Caribbean Pirates turned in to a real scream!

As specially invited school children took their first glimpse of the special guest star when he emerged from a marquee in Newcastle’s City Centre, they ran screaming from the event.

Press and Communications Officer for the Theatre Royal, David Brookbanks, taken totally by surprise , along with school teachers, soon rounded them up and within minutes the initial fear turned to delight as they befriended TITAN the eight foot robot .

The human stars of the show Clive Webb (Mr Crusoe) and Danny Adams (Robinson Crusoe) back for their forth pantomime along with Kathryn  Rooney (Magical Mermaid) and Chris Hayward (Dame Rita) , who were both in last year’s show Aladdin, all dressed in full costume were overshadowed by the giant robot. After formal introductions were over and done with Titan sang to the human members of the cast as the crowd of onlookers grew.

Titan then started a mini walkabout before mounting his “chariot” and driving off to meet unsuspecting shoppers in Newcastle City Centre, all under the watchful eye of Wallsend born Michael Harrison, Managing Director of Qdos pantomimes, who is once again writing and directing the show.

Also joining in the fun was Pudsey Bear, as this year the pantomime is supporting Children in Need. Read more »

Interviews

As we hurtle past the longest day of the year, which means nights are already starting to draw in and winter approaches, we once again catch up with Michael Harrison, Producer and Director of this years pantomime at the Theatre Royal, Newcastle.

Robinson Crusoe and the Caribbean Pirates is already a box office smash with father and son team Clive Webb and Danny Adams retuning to delight North East audiences for the fourth year running.

Following on from our previous chats with Michael it is obvious that the whole show is coming together, with our hero Robinson Crusoe (Danny) being helped out by a friendly  sea-horse, in an amazing 3D adventure sequence.  Michael brought the 3D Bogglevision to the North East in last years’ record breaking production of Aladdin.

It  has also been decided that due to the popularity of Clive and Danny and the views of the North East audiences, that each year the pantomime itself is the real star of the show (regardless of the likes of 3D effects or The Darleks, who appeared in last years production. People realise if you take these elements away, underneath is still a first rate production). This means there is no need for a TV personality or pop star to support the show, as the North East audience know what they want and each year Michael delivers it, bigger and better. 

While Whatsonstage North East are aware that Michael will be making a major announcement soon regarding further casting!

We do know other casting includes local actor Phil Corbitt, who was recently in Coronation Street as Rick the builder, who will play Black Heart, making his pantomime debut at the Theatre Royal.

Whatsonstage North East will catch up with Michael again next month to bring you the latest developments on what promises to be the best ever pantomime at the Theatre Royal.

Roll on December!

Whatsonstage.com North East caught up with Michael Harrison (MD of Qdos Pantomimes) for the second of our monthly updates on this years pantomime at the Theatre Royal Newcastle, just as he finished discussing the choreography for the show.

Michael , who is writing, producing and directing the Newcastle pantomime, sounded relaxed as he told us everything was on schedule for Robinson Crusoe and the Pirates of the Caribbean to open in December.

Since we last talked Chris Hayward has been confirmed as Mrs Crusoe (returning after being Dame in last years show) and he is already working on some spectacular costumes. While the original score for the show is nearing completion, we do know that Chris will have a fun number called Ship Shape, reminiscent of his Twanky Boogie Woogie routine in last years Aladdin. Read more »