Black Watch On Tour 2008

The big hit of the 2006 Edinburgh fringe was Gregory Burke's Black Watch, and an extended international run has just been announced. As part of this tour, the play will run at several venues throughout the UK - but tickets are bound to sell out fast so get in quick.

Dealing with the subject of Iraq, the play is based on Burke's interviews with members of the legendary unit - what it was like to be there, and what it was like to come home. Directed by John Tiffany and performed by a superb cast, the play received unanimous rave reviews when it premièred two years ago. In 2007 it toured New York and Los Angeles, proving such a hit that it is to return to the States as part of this tour. I can't recommend this play highly enough, and recommend anyone to get their hands on a ticket.

Click here for further details

The Stage Newspaper's 100 Most Influencial People In Theatre

Luvvies' favourite The Stage has released a list of the 100 most influential people in British Theatre. Topping the list this year is Cameron Mackintosh (pictured), who has had successes including Les Miserables, Avenue Q and The Phantom of the Opera. Despite this however, he has been off the top spot for the last 7 years (primarily losing out to a certain Mr Lloyd-Webber) - so no doubt his smugness can now be well and truly restored.

So, to all the thousands of you struggling actors out there, this is where you should be addressing those CV's...

1. Cameron Mackintosh
2. Andrew Lloyd Webber
3. Howard Panter/Rosemary Squire (Ambassador Theatre Group)
4. Nicholas Hytner (National Theatre)
5. Nica Burns/Max Weitzenhoffer (Nimax)
6. Bill Kenwright (producer)
7. David Ian (Live Nation)
8. Michael Boyd (Royal Shakespeare Company)
9. Nick Thomas/Jon Conway (Qdos Entertainment)
10. Vicky Featherstone/John Tiffany (National Theatre of Scotland)
11. Sonia Friedman (producer)
12. Dominic Cooke (Royal Court)
13. Michael Grandage (Donmar Warehouse)
14. Kevin Spacey / Sally Greene (Old Vic)
15. Jonathan Church (Chichester Festival Theatres)
16. David Lan (Young Vic)
17. Graham Sheffield (Barbican)
18. Bill Taylor (Stage Entertainment) – New Entry
19. Jude Kelly (Southbank Centre)
20. Rupert Goold (director) – New Entry

...and 80 more too numerous to mention, including Patrick Stewart, Ian McKellen, Daniel Radcliffe, Anne-Marie Duff, Ewan McGregor, Lee Mead, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Trevor Nunn, Carlos Acosta and most surprisingly of all, Damon Albarn...!

Slung Low Wins The Oxford Samuel Beckett Theatre Trust Award

Founded to help the development of emerging practitioners in the field of experimental theatre, The Oxford Samuel Beckett Theatre Trust Award 2008 has been awarded to Slung Low for their new show 'Helium'. The winner was chosen from four finalists who were given the opportunity to research and develop their productions. The results of this research and development were presented to a panel of judges last Friday at the Barbican. Slung Low will receive a total grant of £29,500 for the production of 'Helium' which will run at the Barbican Pit as part of the BITE season for three weeks next Autumn.

Directed by Slung Low Artistic Director Alan Lane, 'Helium' exposes the ingenuity of the company’s theatre-making to its full extent. 'Helium' tells the story of a girl, Bella and her quest to discover her Grandfather’s hidden past and unfold the mysteries concealed by a helium balloon. Famed for their innovative story-telling, Slung Low have created a production staged in a series of 6 enclosed performance boxes, allowing each audience member to experience the show individually as they journey through the boxes, from the inside of a Lancaster Bomber, to a children’s birthday party in Victorian London and finally to high up in Dresden Cathedral. Despite the originality of the presentation, the story, Bella’s story, by Matthew David Scott and J C Marshall is central to the production. Designed by Marie Blunck, 'Helium' incorporates digital video by Ben Eaton with live performance, puppetry and radio drama techniques and features music by Heather Fenoughty and performance by Richard Warburton. 'Helium' is produced by Ben Pugh.

First launched in 2003, The Oxford Samuel Beckett Theatre Trust (OSBTT) Award is an annual award which aims to encourage a new generation of creative artists working on bold, innovative and challenging projects. This year’s judging panel comprised Louise Jeffrey (Head of Theatre, Barbican), Felix Barrett (Artistic Director, Punch Drunk), Jasmin Vardimon (Artistic Director, Jasmin Vardimon Dance Company), Romilly Walton Masters (Director, OSBTT) and Graham Whybrow (former Literary Manager, Royal Court). The BITE season at the Barbican presents fresh new work that hovers on the very edges of classification, presenting cross-discipline work that fuses different artforms in unexpected ways and explores the possibilities of theatre to their full extent. 2008 sees the second year of a partnership between The Oxford Samuel Beckett Theatre Trust and BITE.

Romilly Walton Masters, Director of OSBTT comments:
“The Oxford Samuel Beckett Theatre Trust Award 2008 had a particularly strong short list which made choosing a final winner difficult. However, Slung Low with Helium, stood out as a production that was able to be innovative in its use of theatrical form while having at its heart a story which is both engaging and ambitious.”

The Ornate Johnsons – 5 December

Wednesday 5 December 7.45pm
Gulbenkian Theatre, Canterbury

"Jerry Sadowitz calls them the best sketch group since Python. Frankly, who are we to argue?" Sarah Dempster, The Guardian

The hugely talented five-strong sketch troupe presents an evening of their unique brand of sketches and songs at the Gulbenkian Theatre. Their show features excerpts from their two-week sell-out residency at London’s renowned Soho Theatre and Brighton Festival award-winning show.

Their style of comedy commonly likened to that of Not The Nine O’Clock News, The Two Ronnies and Monty Python has earned the group much critical acclaim and an industry favourite reputation: along with several BBC Radio projects in the pipeline, earlier this year their specially-written Edwardian themed sketch show The Ornate Johnsons’ Edwardian Spectacular was recorded and televised on BBC4.

On line bookings www.gulbenkiantheatre.co.uk

English Touring Theatre Presents Uncle Vanya

Peter Hall will direct Stephen Mulrine’s translation of Chekhov’s masterpiece Uncle Vanya for ETT, as the opening production at the Rose Theatre Kingston, before embarking on an eight-date UK tour.

Set over a sultry summer on a rural estate in Russia, Chekhov’s tragicomedy perfectly captures the despair and longing in the wasted and unremarkable lives of its inhabitants, which only surface with the arrival of Serebryakov and his beautiful young wife.

The cast is Nicholas Le Prevost (Vanya), Neil Pearson (Astrov), Ronald Pickup (Serebryakov), Michelle Dockery (Yelena), Faith Brook (Maria), Loo Brealey (Sonya), David Ganly (Telegin) and Antonia Pemberton (Marina).

Uncle Vanya is part of ETT’s final season under the directorship of Stephen Unwin, prior to the appointment of Rachel Tackley in Spring 2008. Stephen founded ETT in 1993 with the aim of creating outstanding theatre and touring it to the widest possible audience. It has presented more than forty productions, won dozens of awards and worked with many of Britain’s most remarkable actors and directors.

Click here for more info

The Bitter Tears Of Petra Von Kant

Rainer Werner Fassbinder’s cult classic, The Bitter Tears of Petra Von Kant will open at Southwark Playhouse in a new translation by David Tushingham. Directed by Yvonne McDevitt, this site-specific production will be performed in the sprawling labryrinth within the railway arches under London Bridge Station.

Petra is a woman in control – a successful fashion designer who lives with her slavish, suffering assistant Marlene. But when Petra meets beautiful model Karin - part protégé, part pet, she falls hopelessly in love with her and the power of the relationship begins to shift.

The Bitter Tears of Petra Von Kant is a modern tragedy of power, desire and obsession. Sometimes surreal, expressionist and dreamlike, it is well suited to the Playhouse’s atmospheric new space. Though rarely performed the play’s enjoyably horrible depiction of power and relationships in the fashion world was even a source of inspiration for TV comedy Absolutely Fabulous.

Rainer Werner Fassbinder was one of Germany’s most provocative film makers but he was also a prolific dramatist, actor and composer. First a play then a film classic of the 1970s, The Bitter Tears of Petra Von Kant remains one of Fassbinder’s most celebrated achievements.

The cast is Sasha Behar (Petra), Naomi Taylor (Karin), Deirdra Morris (Valerie Von Kant), Clara Perez (Gabrielle Von Kant), Mabel Aitken (Sidonie) and Anna Egseth (Marlene).

Yvonne McDevitt trained with Robert Wilson, and began her career as a staff director at the Royal Court and the National Theatre. She has worked extensively in Europe: the TNP in Lyons (Pas and Va et Vient), the Hermitage Theatre, Moscow (Not I), and most recently as Artistic Director of the experimental OSLO Group, staging site-specific pieces with an international ensemble in Norway and Belgium. In 2002 she was a recipient the Jerwood Directors Award, staging Exiles at the Young Vic. Yvonne was granted an award ‘unprecedented for an individual’ by the Arts Council of England to stage The Bitter Tears of Petra von Kant.

www.southwarkplayhouse.co.uk

Howie The Rookie By Mark O'Rowe

Mark O'Rowe's play, Howie the Rookie, will be performed at the Dylan Thomas Centre on Thursday, 15 November at 7.30pm, as part of On the Edge, a highly successful series of contemporary plays presented by Michael Kelligan.

The Rookie has problems of his own, massively in debt to a terrifying gangland figure for killing his prized Siamese fighting fish, he steels himself for a hideous revenge, until he is championed from an unlikely quarter by his onetime enemy.

"One of Ireland's most promising young playwrights, a writing force to contend with...outstanding." Irish Independent

The play is directed by Michael Kelligan.

Tickets are £3-00 and are available from the Dylan Thomas Centre on 01792 463980.

Dealer’s Choice by Patrick Marber

Dealer’s Choice
by Patrick Marber

Direction Samuel West
Design Tom Piper
Lighting Neil Austin

The Menier Chocolate Factory’s record-breaking, sold out production of Patrick Marber’s play directed by Samuel West is transferring to Trafalgar Studios 1 for a West End season.

First performance December 6th
Press night December 11th at 7pm
Booking until March 29th 2008

After breaking all Box Office records for a play at the Menier Chocolate Factory and receiving unanimously excellent reviews, producers David Babani for Chocolate Factory Productions, Bob Boyett, Sonia Friedman Productions in association with Dena Hammerstein/Pam Pariseau for James Hammerstein Productions and Tulchin/Bartner are delighted to announce a 16 week season at Trafalgar Studios 1.

The superb cast for the show will remain the same.

The production has been directed by actor-director Samuel West, who has recently stepped down as Artistic Director of Sheffield Theatres and recently appeared in the Donmar Warehouse production of Pinter’s Betrayal. His directing work includes Romans In Britain (Sheffield), Three Women and a Piano Tuner (Minerva, Chichester), Cosi fan Tutte (ENO at the Barbican), Les Liaisons Dangereuses (Bristol Old Vic) and The Lady’s Not for Burning (Minerva, Chichester).

Long before poker had achieved today's stratospheric level of popularity, Patrick Marber chronicled the machinations of the “Sunday night” game. Dealer’s Choice is a must-see for anyone who is part of or fascinated by the growth of poker, from yesterday’s illegal back-street card games to the cyberspace and television phenomenon of today. Poker in Britain is certainly a force to be reckoned with, and it can only get stronger in the years to come.

The play is set around a regular poker game -- it’s supposed to be a friendly game, but this week the stakes are high and winning has its price. In a night of psychological violence and bluff, six men stay up late and bust each other out.

The cast:

Samuel Barnett plays Carl. His theatre work includes the role of Posner in The History Boys (NT, international tour and Broadway – Drama Desk Award winner and Tony Award nominee for Best Supporting Actor), His Dark Materials (NT) and When You Cure Me (Bush Theatre). His film work includes The History Boys and Mrs Henderson Presents.

Ross Boatman plays Sweeney. His theatre includes playing Frankie in the original West End production of Dealer’s Choice and Mojo (Bristol Old Vic). Television includes playing Kevin for eight years in London’s Burning, Dream Team, Wall of Silence and Murder in Mind; his films include: Cassandra’s Dream, Penelope and Good Girl, Bad Girl. Ross is a member of the “Hendon mob,” possibly the UK’s greatest poker ambassadors with notable successes in the World Series of Poker and elsewhere.

Roger Lloyd Pack plays Ash. He is best known for playing Trigger in the TV series Only Fools and Horses. His theatre work includes: The Winterling (Royal Court), Dick Whittington and His Cat (Barbican) and Art (West End). Other television work includes: Doctor Who and The Vicar of Dibley. Film credits include: The role of Barty Crouch in the Harry Potter films and Vanity Fair.

Jay Simpson plays Frankie. His theatre work includes: Diamond Hard (Almeida), The Quare Fellow (Tricycle) and The Inland Sea (Oxford Stage Company). Films include: Shifty, Hush Your Mouth and Pride and Prejudice. TV includes Foyle’s War, Primeval and Rome.

Malcolm Sinclair plays Stephen. He has worked extensively in the West End and at the National Theatre, RSC, Donmar, Almeida, Young Vic and around the country. Recent productions include The History Boys (NT, tour and Broadway), What the Butler Saw (Hampstead and Criterion), Journey’s End (West End) and Privates on Parade (Donmar – Olivier Award nomination). His TV includes: Pie in the Sky (4 seasons). Films include The Statement, V for Vendetta and Casino Royale.

Stephen Wight plays Mugsy. His recent theatre includes Don Juan in Soho (Donmar), Class Enemy and Skyvers (both at Royal Court). His TV includes Ashes to Ashes, Diamond Geezer I and II, and Hex I and II.

Dealer’s Choice opened at the National Theatre in 1995 and then transferred to the Vaudeville Theatre in the West End. It received the 1995 Evening Standard Award for Best Comedy and the Writers’ Guild Award for Best West End Play. Marber’s second play, Closer, also opened at the National Theatre and then transferred to the West End and Broadway. It too won several awards including an Evening Standard Best Comedy and a Laurence Olivier Award for Best New Play. His other plays include Howard Katz, After Miss Julie, The Musicians and, most recently, Don Juan in Soho at the Donmar Warehouse. As a director his work includes 1953 (Almeida), Blue Remembered Hills (National Theatre) The Old Neighborhood (Royal Court and Duke of York’s) and The Caretaker (Comedy Theatre). His screenplays include Closer, which received two Golden Globe Awards and three further nominations, as well as two Academy Award nominations (including Best Adapted Screenplay). Most recently he adapted Zoe Heller’s novel Notes on a Scandal. Starring Judi Dench, Cate Blanchett and Bill Nighy, it received multiple Golden Globe and BAFTA nominations and four Academy Award nominations, including Best Adapted Screenplay.

www.dealerschoicetheplay.com

Box Office: 0870 060 6632

Performance schedule:
Monday to Saturday - 7.30pm (7.00pm on 11th Dec)
Thursday and Saturday - 2.30pm

Christmas schedule:
Mon 24th - no performance
Tues 25th - no performance
Weds 26th - 7.30pm
Thurs 27th - 2.30pm and 7.30pm
Fri 28th - 2.30pm and 7.30pm
Sat 29th - 2.30pm and 7.30pm
Mon 31st - 5.00pm

Tues 1st - 7.30pm
Weds 2nd - 7.30pm
Thurs 3rd - 2.30pm and 7.30pm
Fri 4th - 7.30pm
Sat 5th - 2.30pm and 7.30pm



Ticket Pricing*:

Evenings and Saturday matinees:

£42.50 (£40 online)
£30 (£29 online)
£15 (£15 online)

Thursday matinees:

All seats £25 (£24 online)

Onstage seating:

£30 (£29 online) Evenings and Saturday matinees
£25 (£24 online) Thursday matinees

Day seats:

£20 (available from 10.00am)
(*includes £1 restoration levy)

Stunning Spring ’08 Season At Theatre Royal Newcastle

THEATRE ROYAL NEWCASTLE has announced its stunning Spring ‘08 season which features some of the biggest West End musicals, brand new operas, Britain’s finest contemporary dance company and award winning drama.

Highlights in the season include; a magical production of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s, Cats (Tue 29 Jan – Sat 16 Feb), the acclaimed Peter Shaffer drama Equus (Mon 24 – Sat 29 Mar), the hilarious Hitchcock spy thriller, The 39 Steps (Mon 7 – Sat 12 April) and the worldwide smash hit, High School Musical (Mon 21 Jul – Sat 2 Aug).

Star names in the season include; the master of psychological illusion, Derren Brown (Sun 9 Mar), the heroes of the Theatre Royal pantomime Clive Webb and Danny Adams in their very own show, Aqua Phobia (Sun 6 Apr), one of Britain’s finest actors, Nigel Havers in the comedy Single Spies (Mon 17 – Sat 22 Apr) and comedian Russell Howard (Sun 17 Feb).

Philip Bernays, Chief Executive of the Theatre Royal said:

“This is one of the most exciting seasons we have launched at the Theatre Royal. There is something for people of all ages and all tastes.

“I’m very proud to welcome Scottish Ballet with its new version of The Sleeping Beauty, Newcastle company Dodgy Clutch revives its beautiful work Elephant, The Wedding Singer makes its way to Newcastle direct from Broadway and Birmingham Stage Company return with a spectacular new production of Treasure Island.

“We have also continued to expand our education and community work through our brand new Learning Space. We will be announcing more fantastic learning events throughout the year.”

The season begins with a hilarious double bill of legal drama from John Mortimer (writer of Rumpole of the Bailey) which stars Edward Fox – Legal Fictions (Mon 21 – Sat 26 Jan).

In The Dock Brief, an incompetent barrister, Morganhall is asked to represent the lugubrious Mr Fowle who confesses to murdering his jovial wife. Although the two of them rehearse a masterly defence in the cell, when they reach the courtroom everything goes horribly wrong.

In Edwin, retired High Court Judge, Fennimore Truscott can’t break the habit of trying as many people as he can - in his imagination. But when he turns his overly suspicious mind towards his wife’s friendship with the next door neighbour, he opens up a can of worms.

Still playing to audiences around the world, Andrew Lloyd Webber’s enormously popular musical Cats (Tue 29 Jan – Sat 16 Feb) returns to the Theatre Royal more than 10 years after its last visit.

On the night when the Jellicle Cats meet for the Jellicle Ball, music, dance and verse fuse together in a spectacular blend of fantasy, drama and romance.

The Theatre Royal is very proud to welcome the Scottish Ballet with its new version of the classic fairy story, The Sleeping Beauty (Wed 20 – Sat 23 Feb).

A truly spellbinding tale that begins once upon a time, in the elegancy of the Regency period, The Sleeping Beauty unfolds over one hundred years showcasing the era's fashions, sometimes graceful, sometimes outrageous, but always lavish in a magical kingdom created by international designer Antony McDonald. Tchaikovsky’s score is alive with musical motifs, and will be performed live by the Scottish Ballet Orchestra.

One of the most infectious and exciting shows in recent years, North East based Dodgy Clutch (in association with the Market Theatre of Johannesburg) present, Elephant (Thu 28 Feb – Sat 1 Mar).

Elephant is a visual feast for all the family celebrating the universal themes of forgiveness and humanity or “Ubuntu”. Performers from the UK and South Africa come together in a multi-talented company of actors, dancers, storytellers and musicians.

Opera North’s spring season features three operas, including a new production of a classic tale and the world premiere of a musical story fit for all the family.

Madama Butterfly (Tue 4 & Thu 6 Mar) is Giacomo Puccini’s touching story of innocent love betrayed resonates as strongly as ever in today’s world. The poignant score includes such universally popular music as the rapturous love duet, the Humming Chorus and Butterfly’s aria ‘Un bel dì’ (‘One Fine Day’).

When you’re newly carved from a log, you don’t want to do chores or go to school. You want to have fun, like other boys. So begins The Adventures of Pinocchio (Fri 7 & Sat 8 Mar), the journey of the wooden boy who longs to be good but keeps tumbling nose first into trouble. This brand new show takes the classic tale and turns it into a fantastical musical story, perfect for all the family.

Completing the season is the welcome return of the multi-award winning Peter Grimes (Wed 5 Mar) which first appeared at the Theatre Royal in Autumn 2006. This is another chance to experience the splendour of Britain’s greatest opera.

Based on the blockbuster movie starring Drew Barrymore and Adam Sandler, The Wedding Singer (Mon 10 – Sat 15 Mar) is a must for any musical fan. Jonathan Wilkes (Grease) and Natalie Casey (Two Pints of Lager…) star as Robbie and Julia in this feel-good musical packed full of 80s hits that will take you back to a time when hair was big, greed was good and shoulder pads were fashionable.

Nigel Havers leads the cast in Alan Bennett’s Olivier Award winning comedy Single Spies (Mon 17 – Sat 22 Mar). Opening to ecstatic reviews at the National Theatre in 1988, Single Spies went on to become a huge West End hit. The two plays, An Englishman Abroad and A Question of Attribution sparkle with Alan Bennett’s trademark wit and intelligence and delighted a public intrigued by espionage and fascinated by forgery.

Having become one of the biggest hits ever seen in the West End, Peter Shaffer’s Equus (Mon 24 – Sat 29 March) is sure to be a highlight in the new Theatre Royal season.

For no apparent reason, seventeen year old Alan Strang (Alfie Allen) stabs the eyes of six horses whilst working at a riding stables. Martin Dysart (Simon Callow) is the psychiatrist who has the task of investigating this mysterious case as well as trying to cure the boy.

A regular fixture in the Theatre Royal calendar is one of Britain’s finest and most popular dance companies, Rambert Dance Company (Tue 1 – Sat 5 April).

The company’s World View Tour has an international flavour and features a new revival of Christopher Bruce’s gripping Swansong, a hugely popular work for a trio of male dancers. The programme also includes three other exciting new works, all seen in Newcastle for the first time.

One of the country’s most revered live performers makes his Theatre Royal debut in the spring. Derren Brown brings his darkly entertaining live show to Newcastle for one night only (Sun 9 March).

If you only know him from his Channel 4 shows you’re in for a real treat. Apart from being the best thing to happen on television in years, his pioneering blend of psychology, illusion and showmanship makes for a stunning theatrical evening in the hands of a master performer.

The stars of the Theatre Royal pantomime return with their very own madcap show, Aqua Phobia (Sun 6 April). Clive Webb and Danny Adams bring a dose of mayhem and madness as they are joined by special guest stars and international circus artistes in a hilarious show fit for all the family.

The Olivier Award winning comedy The 39 Steps (Mon 7 – Sat 12 April) comes to the Theatre Royal direct from London’s West End. This blissfully funny show follows the incredible adventures of our handsome hero Richard Hannay, complete with stiff-upper-lip, British gung-ho and pencil moustache as he encounters dastardly murders, doublecrossing secret agents, and, of course, devastatingly beautiful women.

This wonderfully inventive and gripping comedy thriller features four fearless actors, playing 139 roles in 100 minutes of fast-paced fun and thrilling action.

Making a triumphant return to the Theatre Royal just in time for the school holidays is the dazzling Russian Ice Stars in a brand new production, Beauty and the Beast on Ice (Tue 15 – Sat 19 April). The company’s production of Peter Pan on Ice was one of the most talked about shows at the Theatre Royal in 2007.

Another show for all the family to enjoy is Robert Louis Stevenson’s classic tale Treasure Island (Tue 29 April – Sat 3 May) which is brought to life by the Birmingham Stage Company whose other productions at the Theatre Royal include Kensuke’s Kingdom, The Jungle Book and Danny The Champion Of The World.

Already a hugely successful TV show, LazyTown now embarks on its first ever stage show. LazyTown Live (Fri 16 – Sun 18 May) is the funniest and freshest award-winning show of the moment, packed with moves, music, fun and a great story, all set in this amazingly colourful, fast-paced, upside-down world.

LazyTown may have the laziest name on Earth, but it’s packed with action, energy and a powerful message that will energise and inspire children everywhere.

Another massive TV hit makes its way to the Theatre Royal stage this Spring. Dad’s Army (Tue 27 – Sat 31 May) is one of the most popular British comedies of all time and it is lovingly recreated for the stage with a star-studded cast, including Leslie Grantham (Dirty Den, EastEnders).

This production will offer a unique opportunity to see the lost episodes after the originals were erased by the BBC.

One of the most popular shows in the Theatre Royal calendar after it went on sale earlier this year, Disney’s High School Musical (Mon 21 July - Sat 2 August) is the tale of Troy, super-popular captain of the basketball team, and Gabriella, super-smart transfer student and a genius in science class – as they surf the tricky tides of peer pressure and canteen cliques to follow their dreams and score the leads in the big school show, and a place in each others hearts.

Tickets for all shows in the Spring 08 Season (excluding Cats, The 39 Steps, Beauty and the Beast on Ice, LazyTown Live and High School Musical, which are already on sale) go on general sale from Saturday 3 November 2007 at the Theatre Royal Box Office (08448 11 21 21) and online at www.theatreroyal.co.uk

Doors: This Life Was Given To Me

Red Ladder, one of Britain’s leading national touring theatre companies for youth audiences, latest production Doors: this life was given to me is a fantastic new play developed and researched with young emerging talent from the Yorkshire region. Doors: this life was given to me comes to the Drum Theatre from Tuesday 13 November to Saturday 17 November 2007.

The Red Grit Project is Red Ladder’s new Young Actors Training Company and they have been working together since February this year with Red Ladder’s Artistic Director Rod Dixon and Asian Theatre School Director/Writer, Madani Younis, winner of South Bank Arts award for Diversity 2006 to make this new show.

Rod Dixon comments: “The main theme in the play is making choices in life-the choices we make in life are like ‘Doors’ which we choose to either enter or not. The play investigates how life throws up dilemmas and decisions and all these are opportunities for learning. The message of the play is that even misfortune is a gift helping a person in their development”.

The touring cast includes a highly talented disabled actor who has a style that will intrigue and amaze, offering a very diverse and challenging experience for the audience, one which extends Red Ladder’s already notable reputation.

Fusing symbolism, style and physicality, the performance refuses to talk down to its audience by pretending to be film or television, aiming instead to raise expectations of what theatre itself can do.

Karbido - The Table: 2007 Edinburgh Festival Hit Transfers To Tricycle

Polish Cultural Institute presents
Karbido's THE TABLE
5 - 14 November, 2007
Tricycle Theatre
269 Kilburn High Road
London NW6 7JR
Sun mat 4pm, Mon 7.45pm: £12/£10
Tues-Fri 7.45pm: £14/£12
Sat mat 4pm, Sat & Sun 7.45pm: £15
Box office: 020 7328 1000

'An electrifying acoustic journey around the globe...superb.' The Independent on Sunday

***** The Scotsman

For the promotional video see: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9SbKDW-PuuU

With stick, bows, knives, hands and a mixing desk, The Karbido crew play the specially made original table, a wooden instrument with exceptional and unique acoustic properties. It's a piece of furniture with soul, sensitive to the slightest touch and uniquely resonating.

The Table has been originally conceived and produced by the musicians/performers themselves: Pawel Czepulkowski, Igor Gawlikowski, Michal Litwiniec and Jacek Fedorowicz. Their music has been played across six continents to great acclaim.

The Table was performed at Edinburgh Festival Fringe 2007 and is a previous winner of The Toucan Award, the top prize for the best off-stream performance at the 27th Actor's Song Festival in Wroclaw, Poland.

For more information, visit the Tricycle Theate

Official Karbido website: www.karbido.com

Theatre Tokens Launch Christmas Gift Box

Are you stuck for original Christmas present ideas and have friends and loved ones who would enjoy a trip to the theatre? Then why not treat them to Theatre Tokens, the national theatre gift voucher product accepted at over 235 theatres nationwide.

This Christmas Theatre Tokens have launched a limited edition Christmas gift box. Retailing at £55 and £35, this attractively designed box contains either £50 or £30 worth of Theatre Tokens, a Christmas card, a £10 Superbreak voucher, which can be used for any short break or theatre break booking, and an exclusive Theatre Tokens 2008 diary.

The handy pocket sized diary is ideal for making a note of all those important events and it also contains a list of the theatres that accept Theatre Tokens so you can plan where to go and what to see.

Helen Jones, Marketing Manager said “At Christmas we’re all looking for that extra special gift for friends and family and what better present than a night out at the theatre seeing a show of your choice. There are over 235 theatres in the UK that accept Theatre Tokens, including all of London’s West End so the recipient of your gift will be spoiled for choice. They also have no expiry date which means there’s no hurry to use them”

Theatre Tokens are available in £5, £10, £20 and £50 denominations and can be bought online at www.theatretokens.com, by telephone by calling Tokenline on 0870 164 8800, or in person at participating theatres and a range of retail outlets including selected branches of WHSmith, Waterstone’s, Borders and Books etc.

A full list of participating theatres can be found at www.theatretokens.com.

Tenderhooks And Missiles! Returns To The Lowry

Scotland’s leading dance theatre company, Scottish Dance Theatre, returns to THE LOWRY with an exciting new season and plenty of reasons to celebrate – 10 years with Artistic Director Janet Smith at the helm, the company’s 21st birthday and a brand new programme of NEW AND ORIGINAL dance theatre!

The performance will feature the stunning tenderhook by Liv Lorent (‘exquisite...a feast for the senses’ The Herald) as well as the powerful Sorry for the Missiles! by Vanessa Haska and Second Storm by Czech choreographer and SDT dancer Michal Zahora.

This is the first time any of the three works will be performed at The Lowry.

tenderhook is Liv Lorent’s second work for SDT – the first being the much-loved, critically acclaimed LUXURIA which won a Herald Angel Award at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe in 2005 and fast became one of the company’s signature pieces.

Fresh from a successful run at this year’s Edinburgh Fringe, Sorry for the Missiles! is a gripping piece of theatrical dance that excites, entertains and is ultimately moving. ‘a brilliantly expressive and moving piece of dance theatre examining the impact of war on individuals' lives’, Scotland on Sunday.

Michal Zahora’s trio Second Storm is a co-commission between SDT and Nanohach dance theatre company (www.nanohach.cz) made collaboratively on 3 SDT dancers and 3 Nanohach dancers. Potent and mesmeric like an ancient rite of passage, Second Storm will be performed by SDT throughout the UK and in the Czech Republic by Nanohach.

Scottish Dance Theatre is one of a handful of UK dance companies to regularly commission, produce and tour new work – in the last 10 years, the company has commissioned a phenomenal 33 NEW WORKS from Janet Smith as well as a slew of British and international choreographers. Major achievements in Janet’s 10 year tenure include winning the Critics’ Circle National Dance Award for Outstanding Company Repertoire in 2003, the growth from 3 full time to 21 full time staff, our state-of-the-art £1 million+ lottery funded dance studio at Dundee Rep Theatre and the company’s increasing international profile.

SDT’s performs at The Lowry on Friday 2nd & Saturday 3rd November @ 8pm
Then on tour throughout the UK - check www.scottishdancetheatre.com for details.

My Real War 1914 - ?

From 3-7 December 2007 Two’s Company presents yet another play in their remarkable series of undiscovered works from World War I at the Tristan Bates Theatre at the Actors’ Centre in London’s West End. Over the past three years, under the collective title FORGOTTEN VOICES FROM THE GREAT WAR, this enterprising company has unearthed and staged a trilogy of short plays written by and about the men at the front followed by What The Women Did, a trilogy written by and/or about women and the effect of the war on them. A full length work Red Night followed and now this unique look at contemporary letters written by a young officer who was killed in 1916. The press night of MY REAL WAR 1914 - ? is on Monday, 3 December at 8.00. The play lasts 80 minutes.

The real young officer was 2nd Lieutenant Havilland le Mesurier, who, had he lived, would have been the uncle of John le Mesurier, now best remembered for his role in Dad’s Army. The role on stage is played by the extraordinary young actor Philip Desmeules.

Tricia Thorns, who adapted and directed most of the Forgotten Voices series, has woven these privately published letters into a moving 80 minute play and directs. The designer is Alex Marker, lighting designer Duncan Coombe and sound designer Adrienne Quartly.

The letters are riveting because they contrast the stark and horrible conditions in the trenches with rare moments of comfort, as when “Lem” was billeted in a mansion in France with an amazing wine cellar. He wrote almost daily to his parents but in very different modes; he was frank with his father while letters to his mother frequently asked for recipes and creature comforts like fleece lined slippers to be sent.

MY REAL WAR 1914 - ? toured for two months earlier this year and was so enthusiastically received that it is touring again prior to its London run. The play will be performed in Scarborough, Musselburgh, St. Andrews, Horsham, Petersfield, Shrivenham, Uppingham, Southampton, Street, Taunton and Rugby School, where le Mesurier was a pupil.