Micheal Harrison keeps us up to date on the Panto
May 13, 2008
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
Burying Your Brother In The Pavement
May 12, 2008
Venue: Theatre Royal
Date Reviewed: 11th May, 2008
Burying Your Brother in the Pavement is part of the National Theatre New Connections season, which enables local amateur actors from schools around the region to showcase their talents – in this case as singers – as well as actors.
On this occasion all the actors were from the Shotton Hall Theatre School with ages ranging between twelve and eighteen.
Penned by writer Jack Thorne, of Channel 4 teen smash-hit Skins, Burying Your Brother in the Pavement focuses on the character of Tom and his struggle to cope with life in the aftermath of his brother Luke’s brutal murder. The brothers were never close and in an attempt to gain closure, he comes up with the idea to bury his brother right under the pavement in the spot where he was killed. Read more
H steps in to Waynes world
May 8, 2008
As we reported previously Wayne Sleep is leaving the tour of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang on May 17th (after playing the role of the child catcher both at the London Palladium and on tour) although the show continues its run at the Sunderland Empire until June 7th.
The mystery of who will be playing the role of the Child Catcher after Sleep is now over. Stepping in to his shoes will be Ian Watkins, best known as H from the hit group STEPS, although under all the make-up it might be hard to recognise him.
Watkins has toured in Joseph and his Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat following the break up of STEPS.
The Sunderland Empire, which was the first ever stop on the Chitty Chitty Bang Bang tour, is now currently home to the final English performances before the international tour concludes in Cardiff.
Witches of Wearside!
May 7, 2008
Former Wet Wet Wet lead singer Marti Pellow (pictured) will play the devilish Darryl Van Horne in the new touring production of The Witches of Eastwick, which opens on 25 August 2008 at the Theatre Royal Norwich before continuing, until 21 February 2009.
The Witches of Eastwick - based on the John Updike novel and the 1987 Hollywood film about three bored New England witches who conjure up a wicked lover - originally opened at the West End’s Theatre Royal Drury Lane in July 2000 before transferring to the Prince of Wales where it closed in October 2001 following the post-9/11 downturn (See News, 10 Oct 2001).
The musical has book and lyrics by John Dempsey and Dana Rowe. Its score includes “Eastwick Knows”, “Make Him Mine”, “Dirty Laundry”, “Dance With the Devil”, “I Love a Little Town” and “I Wish I May”. Jack Nicholson famously played Darryl Van Horne in the Hollywood film, which co-starred Cher, Michelle Pfeiffer and Susan Sarandon. The role was originated on the musical stage by Ian McShane.
Marti Pellow made his theatrical stage debut in June 2002 playing super-slick lawyer in the West End revival of Chicago (See News, 10 Jun 2002) and went on to perform the role around the world, including a stint on Broadway. Next month, he’ll appear in the much-anticipated 21st anniversary concert presentation of Chess at the Royal Albert Hall (See News, 29 Feb 2008).
Following Norwich, The Witches of Eastwick will visit Canterbury, Northampton, Bradford, Wimbledon, Stoke-on-Trent, Manchester, Plymouth, Woking, High Wycombe, Southampton, Wolverhampton, Sheffield, Edinburgh and Leeds, where the first leg of the schedule concludes.
But producer Micheal Harrison has told WOS Northeast that the Sunderland Empire is certainly one of the venues this show will visit in early 2009!
Chris joins WOS North East!
May 7, 2008
Whatsonstage North East are pleased to announce that Chris Conway, who lives in Cramlington, Northumberland will be joining the team
Chris is certainly not a newcomer to reviews; in fact he postponed his place as an undergraduate student at university for a year to take part in the Evening Chronicle’s Young Reviewer competition, which he won!
During his time with the Evening Chronicle he reviewed many performances including King Lear with Ian McKellen, Macbeth, Waiting for Gateaux, Single Spies and Equus with Alfie Allen. But he was not only limited to theatre reviews as headline acts such as The Feeling, Maroon 5, Rihanna, Damien Rice, Athlete, Interpol and The Twang all came under the scrutiny of Chris.
Chatting and mingling with the stars came easily to him also, as he met and talked to musicians such as Tony Christie and Roger Daltrey at the after show party of the Teenage Cancer Trust Bandstand.
This autumn Chris will start a BA Hons Degree in Journalism Studies.
I am sure, like me, you will enjoy reading his reviews in the months ahead.
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