The E4 UDDERBELLY FESTIVAL at SOUTHBANK CENTRE is back for it's fourth glorious year!

SENSATIONAL NEW FESTIVAL FOR THE SOUTHBANK AND THE RETURN OF THE UDDERLY AMOOZING E4 UDDERBELLY FESTIVAL 

Spirit of Coney Island comes to Southbank Centre with launch of The London Wonderground 

Australian grunge circus hit Cantina headlines and cabaret hit Fascinating Aida play the whole of September 

E4 Udderbelly Festival at Southbank Centre is back for the fourth year 

Highlights will include Tim Minchin, Greg Proops and Rufus Hound 

Underbelly and Southbank Centre are delighted to announce the launch of a brand new festival for 2012, The London Wonderground. This new five‐month long festival of cabaret, music, sideshow and circus will bring a taste of early 20th Century Coney Island to London and will be situated on the transformed coach park between the Royal Festival Hall and the London Eye.

Tim Minchin

E4 Udderbelly, the live entertainment venue shaped like an upside down purple cow, will also return for its fourth year at Southbank Centre. Both the London Wonderground and Udderbelly festivals will form part of Southbank Centre's site‐ wide Festival of the World with MasterCard next summer.

Tim Minchin will headline and close the E4 Udderbelly Festival on 8th July with a show in front of just 400 lucky people. Other highlights include Greg Proops, Rufus Hound, Gina Yashere, Richard Herring and The Boy with Tape on his Face. A total of 31 shows went on sale on 15th December with the remainder of the programme to be ANNOUNCED ON 14th FEB. Please visit www.underbelly.co.uk for up to date information.

Rufus Hound

The London Wonderground will transform this area of the site into a world of circus, sideshows and strange curiosities. At its heart will lie a 600 capacity Spiegeltent that will present a programme of the finest international cabaret, music and circus headlined by the Australian circus hit, Cantina. The show features a brilliant company of Australia's finest circus artists from La Clique, Circa, Acrobat and Circus Oz and is a sensational cocktail of glamorous vaudeville and scintillating circus designed specifically for a Spiegeltent. Hit cabaret act Fascinating Aida will also take up residency at the London Wonderground for the whole of September. Both shows are on sale from now with the remainder of the programme announced in February.

The London Wonderground is the brainchild of Underbelly and Southbank Centre and is being jointly presented by both organisations. Underbelly is the festival and events company behind the hugely popular Udderbelly Festival and one of the largest venue operators at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival.

Jude Kelly, Artistic Director of Southbank Centre, said:
“At Southbank Centre we create festivals of many kinds in keeping with our history as the Festival of Britain site. We know that festivals allow all kinds of people to try out new experiences in unexpected surroundings. Together with Underbelly we dreamt up The London Wonderground because we wanted to revive the idea of a Pleasure Garden beside the River as well as conjuring up images of Coney Island with its fairgrounds and vaudeville spirit. I'm also thrilled that our favourite Purple Cow, E4 Udderbelly, will return for a fourth year. Both festivals will be part of our major Festival of the World with MasterCard when hundreds of international artists and thousands of people will converge on the site next summer.”

Greg Proops

Ed Bartlam and Charlie Wood, directors of Underbelly said:

"We're delighted to be working with Southbank Centre to create The London Wonderground, which we believe will capture all the sights, sounds and smells of the carnival. We’re putting a little of the spirit of Coney Island in its heyday into London and we can’t wait! We’re also pleased to be returning to Southbank Centre with our big purple cow, Udderbelly. This will be her fourth year grazing in the capital and our programme of shows will be bigger and better than ever.”

DATES

E4 Udderbelly Festival at Southbank Centre - 6th April to 8th July

The London Wonderground - 8th May to 30th September

Southbank Centre’s Festival of the World with MasterCard - 1st June to 9th September

Booking information www.underbelly.co.uk www.southbankcentre.co.uk
Tel: 0844 8750073

Interview with... BENJAMIN FRANCIS LEFTWICH who will be touring the UK in February

Benjamin Francis Leftwich

We had quick chat with Benjamin Francis Leftwich this week to find out more about the man behind the music, and what's in store for the year ahead:

Hi Ben! You were really busy last year with the release of your debut album ‘Last Snow Before the Snowstorm’, what does 2012 hold for you?
Hey… 2012 is going to be a lot of touring I think. As I write this I’m in the “Loire Valley” in France…. At the moment I’m on tour with a band called Radical Face… In February I’m doing my biggest UK tour so far and then have trips to America, Canada, Australia and Europe again booked in. It was good to have a break over Xmas but it’s nice being out playing shows again… Also I want to make a new E.P and I might be doing some exciting collaborations this year which should be cool….

Your musical style has been likened to that of Damien Rice – Do you agree with that? What would you say your main musical influences have been that inspire your song writing?
To be honest I think the whole thing of comparing new artists to already established acts is kind of a lazy/stupid press thing to do. I understand why it happens but I tend to kind of ignore it. I’m a big Damien Rice fan! I love both his albums and also his b-sides and demos too… I don’t know if I sound like him or not… I’d say my biggest influence is Bruce Springsteen…. I love the passion and conviction in his music… and I love how many different sounding records he’s released …. “Nebraska” by Springsteen is one of my all time favorite albums….

You’ve been touring all over the world recently, what has that been like? What has been your favourite gig so far?
It’s amazing being able to see so many new places and travel around so much. I got to go to Hong Kong before Xmas, that was pretty amazing. We literally flew in at night…. Went to the pub, then went to sleep…. Then woke up…. Drove to the festival… played in the afternoon…. Went back to the hotel/bar … went to sleep …. And then woke up at 4 a.m and got the plane home! It’s kind of crazy sometimes when the travelling get’s really intense but I love playing music and wouldn’t change anything… It’s kind of hard to pick a favorite gig…. I guess playing my own show at “Union Chapel” in London would be one…. It’s an amazing big old church in North London and I always wanted to play there when I was younger so it was great to be able to do my own show and it also sold out, which was awesome!

When can we next see you live in the UK?
I’m touring the UK in February….. all the dates are on www.benjaminfrancisleftwich.com

Benjamin's new single 'Pictures' is released on 20th February, catch the video below:

Review: Save the Last Dance For Me - Edinburgh Playhouse

Save The Last dance For Me

From the creators behind Dreamboats and Petticoats, Save the Last Dance For Me is a nostalgic reflection of the golden era of rock n roll. Written by Laurence Marks and Maurice Gran and featuring the music of Doc Pomus & Mort Shuman, Save the Last Dance For Me tells the tale of two teenage sisters enjoying their first parent-free holiday in the summer of 1963.

As the two teenage sisters, Megan Jones (Marie) and Hannah Frederick (Jennifer) lead the cast and capture their contrasting sibling roles well with Jones cast as the clever, younger sibling and Frederick the older, experienced sister trying to make her way in the world and protect Marie from the pitfalls of holiday romances. The show has plenty comedic elements relying on the subtle differences between US and UK language, for example 'Let's get some cotton candy.' / 'Do you mean candy floss?'.

The majority of the show is set at the bar in the US Air force base near the sisters’ holiday destination and the clever set design brought the bar to life with an over-sized record adorning the floor, a juke box all lit up, plenty of bright lights and a stage where the army men/band sang and played. However, as a result there was a bit of laughter from the audience when the less substantial caravan set appeared as it comprised of the flimsy single wall of a caravan with a small window and a door in contrast to the more substantial bar.

The music is all played onstage with trumbones/trumpets/violins etc all played by the cast and credited in the programme alongside their character name. By having the music played onstage it brings a real rock n roll concert vibe to the show that the audience really got into the spirit of. The audience clapped along with tunes they knew well and while there's a definite age demographic that this show is ideal for, I'm under 20 and I thoroughly enjoyed the music too.

This is a fun, jukebox musical and I really think anyone could enjoy it but for those who were in the teens and twenties in the sixties it’s an absolute must see.

Review by Julie Robson

PERFORMANCES
Until Saturday 4th Feb.
Tue - Sat eves 7.30pm
Wed & Sat mats 2.30pm
Tickets £12.00 - £35.00
Box office: 0844 871 3014 (bkg fee)
www.atgtickets.com/edinburgh

Review: Children Of Eden - Prince Of Wales Theatre, London

Children Of Eden

John Wilding & Gareth Gates
Photo by Claire Bilyard

Sunday 29th January 2012, 7pm - Stephen Schwartz and John Caird's Children of Eden took over the Prince of Wales theatre last night for a star-studded performance in aid of crohn's and colitis UK. The charity gala showed off some of the west end's best talent, with the wonderful cast including Louise Dearman, Oliver Thornton and a guest performance from Kerry Ellis. 

The musical itself first opened in 1991, running for only 4 months, and some of Schwartz's songs echo his later music in Wicked. I must admit it wasn't the most exciting musical I've ever seen but the production and cast more than made up for that. Act 1 opened with Let It Be, sung by Anton Stephans and telling the story of creation. Stephans was brilliant in the part of God and had a childlike innocence and joy in his creation of the world and his children Adam and Eve, played by Oliver Thornton and Louise Dearman.

Lauren Samuels & Waylon Jacobs
Photo by Claire Bilyard

Louise Dearman should be noted not just for her voice - and a stunning rendition of The Spark of Creation - but also for her acting, portraying a great innocence and vulnerability in her questioning and thirst for knowledge. For me she was a truly wonderful Eve. Oliver Thornton was fantastic at portraying the joyful younger Adam and the transition into fatherhood where his character took a sharp change when his sons Cain and Abel were introduced.

Both Ben Radcliffe as young Cain and Gareth Gates as adult Cain were strong in the part and Radcliffe's scenes with Marcus Billany who played young Abel were brilliantly funny. John Wilding's performance of adult Abel was good and he has a lovely voice, but although he played a shy character I always felt his nerves were real, not acted. With a bit of confidence I'm sure he will make a strong performer. 

Waylon Jacobs, Tom Pearce & Brenda Edwards
Photo by Claire Bilyard

In Act 2 the plot changes to Noah and the arc and for me the highlight of it was Brenda Edwards as Mamma Noah and her version of Ain't It Good? Edwards has a fabulous voice and it was a shame she didn't get to show it off more because she had the whole theatre wanting more. Tom Pearce was also strong as Noah, as were Waylon Jacobs as Japeth and Lauren Samuels as Yonah. Although Japeth and Yonah's love became the main part of the story, the remaining characters in the second half all seemed to have perfectly decent voices but were very underused and felt like background characters.

Throughout the show the plot was carried by a group of six storytellers, who all had lovely voices and some great harmonies, but particularly noteworthy was Chloe Hart, who really stood out. In addition there was a choir made up of 36 professionals and theatre students who sounded beautiful and added a softness to some of the songs.

The evening ended with moving speeches from John Caird and Richard Driscoll (chief executive of the charity crohn's and colitis UK) and a special performance by Kerry Ellis of a new song Heal the World. Ellis, who said the song was donated to the charity but written with her in mind (and in her range!), was a stunning end to the concert and it was clear by their reaction that the rest of the audience agreed.

The whole night was a brilliant one in aid of a fantastic charity and hopefully helped raise a lot of money. Everyone involved that donated time, talent and technical skills deserves the highest recognition.

Review by Louise Miles

Review: Strictly Come Dancing Live - O2 Arena London

Strictly Come Dancing Live

Sunday 29th January 2012, 6.30pm - A huge mirrorball, purple lighting, sparkly glitzy dresses and suits and a raised dancefloor can only mean one show - Strictly Come Dancing, Live!

The SCD band and singers are there, the Three Musketeers aka Craig Revel Horwood (Director), Len Goodman and Bruno Tonioli are in fine form with their judging, and the absolutely gorgeous Kate Thornton just dazzles in her gold sparkly dress as host for the evening.

The seven celebrity dancers are great to watch, it's good to see that they haven't lost their enthusiasm for the tour, engaging with the audience and putting on a spectacle of delightful dancing.
The evening consisted of the dancers performing a different dance in each act, giving the audience a chance to text vote for their favourite, and winning the Glitterball Trophy.

First to go was Robbie Savage and Katya Virshalis with a Salsa, in purple and silver outfits, with Robbie nearly damaging himself after he fell doing a leapfrog off the raised stage over Katya's head.
Act two was a Pasodoble, with Robbie thrusting his groin in Craig's face whilst jumping on the judges table.

Up next, Anita Dobson with Robin Windsor, doing a Charleston and a Salsa as their two dances for the evening. Anita looking stunning and bringing lots of energy and fun to the Salsa.

Olympian Mark Foster and dancing partner Natalie Lowe did a Waltz and a Cha-Cha-Cha, Natalie's dress in the second half very revealing with no sides, and Mark ripping his shirt open.

Nancy Dell'Olio was just there to make up the numbers with her partner Artem Chigvintsev, as she did very little dancing and made up most of her routine on the spot. In act one they did a Tango, Craig saying she "looked like a strutting peacock in mating season". Act two's Salsa she was carried on in an Egyptian Lounger by two dancers, and didn't really dance at all.

Jason Donovan and Kristina Rihanoff were delightful to watch in their two dances, doing a Jive and an Argentine Tango. Jason certainly is a crowd pleaser, and his moves were styled and controlled.

Chelsee Healey and Pasha Kovalev did a Quickstep and a Showdance. Chelsee looked absolutely stunning, and her dancing was sexy, sassy and supercharged.

Finally, Champions Harry Judd and Aliona Vilani did an Argentine Tango and a Quickstep. Showing great control, speed and flair, Len said "McFly you flew", with Craig saying one word... "Fab-u-lous"

With group dances, and some fabulous singing, this was a very entertaining evening, and at the end everybody was up on their feet dancing, even the judges!
Harry and Aliona won on the evening, but to be honest, everyone is a winner with this show, a fabulous couple of hours of pure entertainment.

Strictly Come Dancing Live is on tour until the end of February. For more info check out the website:
www.strictlycomedancinglive.com

Single Review: Marcus Collins - 'Seven Nation Army' - Release Date March 12th 2012

Marcus Collins

Marcus Collins is releasing his debut single ‘Seven Nation Army’ on the 4^th March 2012 taken straight out of his debut album ‘Marcus Collins’ which will be made available from March 12^th.

I will be the first to admit that the thought of yet another X-factor contestant releasing yet another album of half-interesting covers did fill me with that sinking feeling. As a fan of the White Stripes I also worried as to whether or not it would destroy my memories of a pretty awesome band. Die-hard Stripes fans should probably look away now and avoid at all costs but I will have to admit I was pleasantly impressed.

The track starts with a electro pop bass riff of the well know Stripes Track. It is a bit reminiscent of Soft Cell’s original ‘Tainted Love’. Then the brass swings in and before you know it you have a mix of big band meets pop meets an interesting Reggae piano backing.

While I’m not so keen on the Big Band brass sounds (they are just a bit too cheesy for my liking) I definitely felt the beginning of the track held potential. I feel slightly disappointed that they didn’t go for a bit more of a darker production, with an edgier sound. I think Marcus could have pulled off something a bit more alternative – this track feels a bit too much like they’ve played it safe.

Love it or loathe it the X-Factor has a history of infiltrating the charts. Marcus won over the audience with both his smooth-styled lyrics but most of all fans loved his personality. Overall, it’s not a bad track. I would have liked it to have been a bit darker and feel the production could have stretched its imagination in regards to instrumentation but I think it is set to do well.

Review by Melissa Phillips 

Single Review: Jodie Marie - 'I Got You' - Available now to download & in the shops 27th February 2012

Jodie Marie 

Jodie Marie is a relatively new singer/songwriter ready to burst onto the UK music scene. She is set to release her latest single ‘I Got You’, which has already been named as Radio 2’s Record of the Week, and will be available in the shops on the 27^th February, and is available now to download on iTunes.  


Having already supported Will Young on his recent UK Tour, Jodie brings an acoustic blend of Blues and Soul to her work. A happier version of Adele mixed with a bit of an Amy Winehouse attitude would perhaps sum up her musical style. She has a beautiful innocent look about her. Her style is raw and untainted yet by the music industry. There is something very honest about the work she produces, it’s well put together and doesn’t rely on over production.

The track itself is smooth and uplifting. The instrumentation is clean and simple with a basic piano accompaniment and classic percussion beats. There is certainly a comparison to Duffy’s ‘Mercy’ to be made here, both in production, instrumentation and vocals. However, while Duffy is unique for her distinct gritty voice, Jodie’s vocals are much richer with a cleaner tone. It is refreshing to see an honest songwriter who has a large input into her music and this comes across in her work – it is obviously very personal to her.

While it is an easy listening track I’m not sure whether it will glitter enough to attract the masses. It has its place for those longing for a nostalgic sound, or for the acoustic fan, but I’m not sure it will blow the charts apart.

Review by Melissa Phillips 

Single Review: Awolnation - 'Not Your Fault' - Release Date February 20th

AWOLNATION 

AWOLNATION have just announced a UK headline tour commencing this February that will lead up to the release of their new single ‘Not Your Fault’ available from 20^th February 2012 courtesy of Red Bull Records.

I’ve absolutely fallen for this band. They are an electro-rock group from America that bring a festival vibe to their music. They are a relatively new band but are already making waves in the music industry. Their new single ‘Not Your Fault’ is already in the Top 20 at Alternative radio in the United States. It is taken from their awesome debut album ‘Megalithic Mayhem’ and is accompanied by a Tim Burton inspired video that sees the band transported through various bizarre scenarios.

But what of the music? I can’t get enough of this single. I haven’t heard something as original as this in a long time. It reminds me of the experimental feel of ‘Jimmy Eat World’ if they met ‘The Killers’. The single has an incredibly catchy chorus with half sung/shouted vocals over distorting wriggling electro synths. The verses pull back slightly becoming lighter with interesting bubblegum pop sounds over a festival styled guitar riffs. It’s a perfectly structured track with light hearted and relaxed moments leading well into more intense expansions. Some of the best bits can be found just after the chorus that leads into a sort of haunting middle-8 vocal that drifts off back into the verse. It works incredibly well in giving the track momentum, effortlessly pushing it forwards so that the verses pop back in unexpectedly.

The whole album of ‘Megaithic Mayhem’ is worth a listen but the single ‘Not Your Fault’ is by far my favourite track on there. However, also worthy of a mention are ‘Kill Your Heroes’, ‘Jump On My Shoulders’ and their hit single ‘Sail’.

Review By Melissa Phillips

Danny DeVito and Richard Griffiths to star in Neil Simon's THE SUNSHINE BOYS at the Savoy Theatre from 27th April

DANNY DEVITO AND RICHARD GRIFFITHS IN

NEIL SIMON’S AWARD-WINNING COMEDY

THE SUNSHINE BOYS

FOR STRICTLY LIMITED TWELVE WEEK RUN

Thea Sharrock is to direct Danny DeVito and Richard Griffiths as the ageing vaudevillian team Willie Clark and Al Lewis in Neil Simon’s award-wining comedy, The Sunshine Boys.  Previewing from 27 April with press night on 17 May, The Sunshine Boys is booking at the Savoy Theatre for a strictly limited run until 28 July 2012.  The Sunshine Boys has designs by Hildegard Bechtler with lighting by Neil Austin and sound by Ian Dickinson for Autograph.  Further casting will be announced shortly.

Kings of comedy, Willie Clark (Danny DeVito) and Al Lewis (Richard Griffiths) aka The Sunshine Boys haven’t spoken to each other in years.  When CBS call for the vaudevillian greats to be re-united for a nostalgic History of Comedy, past grudges resurface as they take centre stage once more.   Ageing ailments aside, can this legendary double-act overcome their differences for one last show?  Old rivalry and vintage hilarity abound in Neil Simon’s classic comedy of showbiz and friendship.

Danny DeVito (Willie Clark), who will make his West End stage debut in The Sunshine Boys, won both a Golden Globe and an Emmy award for his portrayal of Louie De Palma in the US hit comedy Taxi, a role he played for five years.  His extensive film credits include Martini in One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest, a role he also played on stage, Terms of Endearment, Romancing the Stone, The Jewel of the Nile, Junior, Twins and Ruthless People.  He appeared as the Penguin opposite Michael Keaton’s Batman in Tim Burton’s Batman Returns.  Later this year DeVito will voice the title character in Universal Pictures’ animated featureThe Lorax, based on the book of the same name by Dr. Seuss.  As a film director DeVito’s credits include Matilda, The War of the Roses and Hoffa.  This autumn DeVito returns as Frank Reynolds in the eighth season of the acclaimed American cult comedy, It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia. 

Richard Griffiths (Al Lewis) won the Olivier and Tony Awards for Best Actor for his portrayal of Hector in The History Boys at the National Theatre and on Broadway, a role he also played on screen.  Griffiths has previously been directed by Thea Sharrock in Equus at the Gielgud Theatre and on Broadway, and Heroes at the Wyndham’s Theatre.  His other theatre credits include The Habit of Art for the National Theatre and Rules of the Game and Galileo for the Almeida Theatre.  His Royal Shakespeare Company credits include The White Guard, Once in a Lifetime, Henry VIII and Volpone. His recent television credits include Episodes, Ballet Shoes and Bleak House all for the BBC but he is most well known on television for playing D.I. Henry Crabbe in Pie in the Sky.  On film Griffiths played the unforgettable role of Uncle Monty in the British black comedy, Withnail and I.  His other film credits include the role of Vernon Dursley in the Harry Potter films, as well as Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides, Hugo, Private Peaceful, Stage Beauty, Sleepy Hollow and The History Boys.

The Sunshine Boys was first produced on Broadway in 1972 and was later adapted for film and television.  Sam Levene and Jack Albertson played Lewis and Clark in the stage premiere directed by Alan Arkin. Neil Simon’s 1975 Academy award-winning film adaptation starred George Burns as Lewis and Walter Matthau as Clark and was directed by Herbert Ross.  Woody Allen and Peter Falk played the vaudevillian pair in the television version, directed by John Erman. 

Playwright and screen writer Neil Simon’s career has spanned more than five decades during which he has written over 30 plays and 20 screenplays.  His first Broadway play, Come Blow Your Horn, opened in 1961.  Shortly after, his second, Little Me, earned him his first Tony Award nomination.  In 1966 Simon had four shows running on Broadway at the same time - Sweet Charity, The Star-Spangled Girl, The Odd Couple and Barefoot in the Park.  He has won three Tony Awards - Best Author for The Odd Couple, Best Play for Biloxi Blues and Best Play for Lost in Yonkers - and been nominated for seventeen.  Simon has also won an Evening Standard Award for Barefoot in the Park, the Golden Globe for Best Motion Screenplay for The Goodbye Girl and the Pulitzer Prize for Drama for Lost In Yonkers.  He has also written the books for several musicals including Sweet Charity.

Thea Sharrock’s production of 13 has recently completed a run at the National Theatre where she previously directed After The Dance for which she won the 2011 Olivier Award for Best Revival, Happy Now? and The Emperor Jones.  The Sunshine Boys reunites Sharrock with Richard Griffiths who she directed in Equus both in the West End and on Broadway and in Heroes at the Wyndham’s Theatre.  Her other theatre credits include Cause Célèbre for the Old Vic and The Misanthrope at the Comedy Theatre.  Sharrock was previously Artistic Director at the Southwark Playhouse (2001-2003) and the Gate Theatre (2004-2006).

The Sunshine Boys is produced by Sonia Friedman Productions and Richard Willis.

LISTINGS INFORMATION           

Theatre:                  Savoy Theatre, Strand, London WC2R 0ET

Dates:                    27 April – 28 July 2012

Press Night:             17 May at 7pm

Performances:          Monday – Saturday at 7.30pm

                             Wednesday and Saturday matinees at 2.30pm

Prices:                    Previews £15 - £53.50 (plus concessions) to include £1.50 theatre restoration levy                        

Then £20 - £58.50 (plus concessions) to include £1.50 theatre restoration levy

20 top price seats at £10 each, available in person only, at the box office from 10am on the day of the performance

Box Office:              0844 871 7687

Website:                 www.sunshineboystheplay.com

Review: Stephen Grant headlining at Monkey Business Comedy Club, Camden

Stephen Grant 

Saturday 28th January 2012 - The award-winning comedian Stephen Grant popped into the Monkey Business Comedy Club in Camden to treat the crowd to some of the funniest comedy in London.  He is a regular at the London Comedy Store and renowned Compère for Komedia in Brighton, establishing himself as one of the best live comedy acts the UK has to offer.

The audience were particularly restless and Stephen entered a room more akin to a lion’s den rather than comedy club. The audience were ready for blood and he was faced not only with having to effectively warm up his own act, but also to deal with a number of hecklers.

He started with an improvised set getting to know a few of the audience members. While improvised comedy may fill even the most experienced performer with dread it is an area in which Stephen Grant excels. His mind races ahead of everyone in the room, ready with a punch line and a witty retort before you’ve even told him your name. It’s like watching a sadistic psychic at play as he toys with each subject, cleverly drawing the audience in and commanding their attention.

He read the audience well, and included them as part of his set. One particularly brilliant moment was when he asked them to shout out words seen on online dating profiles and he would quickly fire back what they really meant. The speed of his response filled the room with hysterical laughter and won over what had been a difficult audience.

Stephen’s humour flickers between outrageous interpretations of every day life to quick-witted one-liners. He possesses the ability to make the audience laugh at themselves and at the same time brings in brilliantly funny observations from his own life experiences. He brings an immense amount of energy to the stage, sometimes exploding wildly while other times creating a delightful tension of social awkwardness. He got the biggest laughs of the night and many of the audience commented afterwards that they would have quite happily seen a complete ‘Stephen Grant’ show.

Stephen is certainly an act destined to do well. It seems criminal that we don’t see more of him on our television screens and I’m positive that it won’t be long before he is snapped up from the live comedy circuit. It’s definitely a case of catch him while you still can! Bloody brilliant show – the ultimate in live comedy!

www.stephengrant.com

www.twitter.com/stephencgrant

Review by Melissa Phillips

The original line up HAPPY MONDAYS announce UK Tour plus special guests INSPIRAL CARPETS

Happy Mondays

The Definitive Original Line Up

UK Tour 2012

Plus Special Guests Inspiral Carpets

Bez, Gary Whelan, Mark Day, Paul Davies, Paul Ryder, Rowetta and Shaun Ryder – the original line up of Happy Mondays are back together for the first time in over 19 years and will embark on an 11 date UK tour in May including a massive show at Manchester Arena.

Shaun Ryder says; ‘We all met up last week and some of the lads haven’t seen each other in over 10, 15 years. It’s as if we’ve never been apart – so good to all be in the same room again. We can’t wait now to get on tour and play the songs that made us famous.'

Happy Mondays were first discovered by the legend Tony Wilson in the Hacienda and have become synonymous with the Manchester music scene.

Since their first album Squirrel and G-Man Twenty Four Hour Party People Plastic Face Carnt Smile (White Out) which debuted in 1987 Happy Mondays followed up with two classic albums; Bummed in 1988, then Pills 'n' Thrills and Bellyaches which went on to achieve platinum status in the UK alone.

Expect to hear songs ‘Step On’, ‘Kinky Afro’, ‘Hallelujah’, ‘24 Hour Party People’ and many, many more.

Happy Mondays will be joined by special guests – the newly reformed Inspiral Carpets.

May 2012

Thursday 3rd           Newcastle O₂ Academy                0844 477 2000

Friday 4th                Glasgow O₂ Academy                   0844 499 9990

Saturday 5th            Manchester Arena                      0844 847 8000

Sunday 6th              Sheffield O₂ Academy                  0844 477 2000

Wednesday 9th         Bournemouth O₂ Academy           0844 477 2000

Thursday 10th         London O₂ Academy Brixton        0844 477 2000

Friday 11th              London O₂ Academy Brixton        0844 477 2000

Saturday 12th          Birmingham O₂ Academy             0844 477 2000

Tuesday 15th           Dublin Olympia                         (353) 1 6793323 / 0818719330

Thursday 17th         Leeds O₂ Academy                      0844 477 2000

Friday 18th              Nottingham Rock City                 0845 413 4444

Tickets are onsale Friday 3rd February at 10am

Www.gigsandtours.com / 0844 811 0051

www.ticketmaster.co.uk / 0844 826 2826

Review: Monkey Business Comedy Club - Camden

Monkey Business Comedy Club 

Saturday 28th January 2012 - Despite hard economic times the London comedy circuit has continued to boom, flooding our stages, pubs and clubs with exciting new talent. The Monkey Business Comedy Club in Camden is no exception. It has two alternate venues performing every Thursday and Saturday. Last night I visited the Sir Richard Steele near Chalk Farm to view the talent on offer with headline act Stephen Grant.

The Sir Richard Steele is an intimate but perfect setting for a Comedy night. The bar is well stocked with reasonably priced drinks, the staff are friendly and the atmosphere makes for a welcoming venue. I am greeted at the door by Martin Besserman, the friendly MC and founder of Monkey Business, who guides everyone to their seats and makes sure they all have a drink in hand.

The concept of Monkey Business is not a new one. It aims to showcase new talent while building up to a more established headline act. There is inevitably a bit of pot-luck in regards to who you get to see on the night, and while all new acts have to begin somewhere it can sometimes make for awkward watching leaving the audience a little volatile. This appeared to be the case last night, and it made for an experience similar to that of a gladiatorial styled arena where only the strong survived, and the weak were left licking their wounds.

Tickets for the night are quite pricey at £15 a head. Having chatted to some of the audience they stated they would have felt more comfortable paying around the £10 mark, particularly as for a couple of pounds more they could have gone to The Comedy Store.

Last night began with the lovable Jewish comedian, Sol Bernstein. An absolute gem of loveable grandpa meets filthy old man. The sort of man I would be desperate to take home to my Nan and leave them together for a while to see who could be more offensive…

Musical act Carly Smallman made for a delightfully different act, singing sweetly with her guitar about incest, relationships, love and psychosis. Having most recently performed on the Rob Brydon show she handled the audience well, cementing herself as ‘one of the girls’ – if a slightly desperate, stalker-like one…

The other acts failed to capture the audience’s attention and while we had a simply delicious menu of magic, live music and stand-up that on paper looked very exciting, unfortunately they did not create the buzz they had promised. Admittedly the audience last night was a difficult one, unafraid of letting the acts know when they weren’t “feeling them”. There was an air of tension that was very intimidating, yet these moments are always important in shaping the careers of young performers.

The headline act Stephen Grant saved the night, exploding onto stage and cleverly releasing the pent-up energy that had been collecting in the room. He took on a tough crowd and his experience shone through as he managed to heroically diminish the annoying hecklers in the room with ease (receiving an almighty cheer from the rest of us!).

Monkey Business makes for a good night out, and while at times can feel like the weird audition stage of ‘Britain’s Got Talent’ there is no denying that it is an important backbone for propelling new talent out onto the comedy circuit. And while the crowd, in their drunken state, distracted from the action on stage I have to ask myself… in words stolen from that famous gladiator film…

“Are you not entertained…?”

And the answer is

“Yes, yes I am.”

 http://www.monkeybusinesscomedyclub

Review by Melissa Phillips

TICKET OFFER! Top tickets only £39.50 - LEGALLY BLONDE THE MUSICAL at Savoy Theatre - Closes 7th April

Top tickets reduced to only £39.50 - Click image above for offer

Winner of seven awards in London: three Laurence Olivier Awards including BEST NEW MUSICAL, and four Whatsonstage.com Awards including BEST NEW MUSICAL and BEST CHOREOGRAPHER. Legally Blonde is the award-winning sensation that has taken the West End by storm. Now in its second fabulous year, book tickets now for this smash-hit show. Legally Blonde currently stars Carley Stenson, Lee Mead, Natalie Casey and Peter Davison.

**** `PERFECTION. Ridiculously enjoyable from start to finish.'
The Independent

**** `Musical Theatre at its best - great songs, witty lines. Smart, sassy, spectacular.'
Daily Telegraph

College sweetheart and homecoming queen Elle Woods doesn't take no for an answer. So when her boyfriend dumps her for someone `serious', Elle puts down the credit card, hits the books, and heads for Harvard Law School! Led by Tony award-winning and Olivier nominated choreographer Jerry Mitchell, this is one of the most fashionable tickets in town!

OFFER: Top priced tickets for only £39.50(usually £66) please note a processing fee of £3 applies per transaction.

This offer is only available for Monday-Friday performances.

This offer excludes all performances between the following dates:
13-19 Feb

This online offer is subject to availability, cannot be used in conjunction with any other discounts and does not apply to tickets already booked.

Special Offer Code
Enter the following code in Ticketdeals Partner Offer box to take advantage of this special offer:
TMDEAL

Strawberry Blonde Curls present the London Première of ELASTIC BRIDGE at the Tabard Theatre from 31 Jan to 18 Feb

A lonely, isolated bridge is the setting for this dramatic yet subtle black comedy. Three strangers: an accountant, an actress and a librarian find themselves on the same bridge on the same day with the same intent of ending it all. As secrets and pasts are revealed, who will jump and who will fly? And will they save each other before they save themselves?

Strawberry Blonde Curls are a theatre company based in the Northwest of England. This production of Elastic Bridge has previously been performed at Unity Theatre, Liverpool and the Lowry, Salford and marks its London debut at the Tabard Theatre.

Elastic Bridge is a raw, high energy, tragi-comedy seeing how far people will go before they will eventually snap.

ELASTIC BRIDGE plays at the Tabard Theatre, 2 Bath Road, Chiswick W4 1LW from 31 January to 18 February. Tickets £14 from www.tabardtheatre.co.uk

SPECIAL OFFER:

BackstagePass readers are entitled to a special price of just £10 for performances on Tuesday 31 January and Wednesday 01 February. To take advantage of this offer, just quote "Eclairs" at the Box Office, or on the website if pre-booking.

Sponsored Video: Go behind the scenes and on set with CHERYL COLE and L'Oreal

Cheryl Cole

Go off the scale with Cheryl Cole and L'Oreal and get a backstage look at making a video.

TICKET OFFER! Top tickets only £39.50 - CHICAGO at Garrick Theatre, London

Top tickets for only £39.50 - Click image above to get the offer!

CHICAGO 1920

`Murder greed corruption, exploitation, adultery, treachery...
all those things we hold near and dear to our hearts'

...so begins Chicago one of the most phenomenal musicals of our times.

The Twenties are roaring with hot jazz and cold-blooded killers. Hoodlums are making headlines and the press are hungry for more. So when chorus girl Roxie Hart shoots her lover she reckons it's her one chance for fame. Together with her rival in crime, Velma Kelly and silver-tongued lawyer Billy Flynn, getting away with murder has never been done with such style.

Winner of the Olivier Award for Outstanding Musical Production and now the longest-running Broadway musical in the West End, CHICAGO continues to razzle and dazzle audiences with its wit, glamour, style and sensational dance routines. It's truly a show to die for!


OFFER: Top tickets for £39.50(normally £66).
Please note a processing fee(including delivery charges)of £2.75 may apply per transaction.

This offer is bookable for performances until March 31 2012.

This offer does not apply to Saturday evenings or the performance on February 14.

This offer is subject to availability, cannot be used in conjunction with any other discount and does not apply to tickets already booked.

Special Offer Code
Enter the following code in Ticketdeals Partner Offer box to take advantage of this special offer:
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TICKET OFFER! Buy 1 get 1 free - CRAZY FOR YOU at Novello Theatre, London

Buy 1 get 1 free! - Click image above for offer!

If you missed it's sell out run at Regent's Park, you'd be mad to miss Crazy For You again and especially at such a crazy price! 

Crazy For You is London's most joyous musical and has received more 5 star reviews than any other musical this year. Packed full of George and Ira Gershwin's most beautiful and memorable songs including `I Got Rhythm,' `Someone To Watch Over Me', `Embraceable You' and `Nice Work If You Can Get It', this outrageously feel-good theatrical is brought to you by a multi-Olivier-Award winning creative team. 

A glittering spectacle that brings audiences to their feet night after night, don't miss the chance to see London's premium musical.

OFFER: Buy 1 ticket get 1 free (normally £59.50 each)
Please note, a processing fee of up to £2.75 may apply per transaction.

This offer is only valid for Monday to Thursday evening performances from 27 January to 29 March 2012

Tickets must be bought in pairs.

This offer is subject to availability, cannot be used in conjunction with any other discount and does not apply to tickets already booked.

Special Offer Code
Enter the following code in Ticketdeals Partner Offer box to take advantage of this special offer:
TMDEAL

Catch Mozart's comic opera COSÌ FAN TUTTE at the Royal Opera House

COSÌ FAN TUTTE

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

27, 30 January, 2, 4, 7, 10, 13 February at 7pm

The second of the Royal Opera’s trio of Mozart’s Da Ponte operas is Così fan tutte.  This contemporary production by Jonathan Miller was first performed in 1995 and has evolved and been updated since its creation, notably in 2007, when Miller returned to direct the revival.

Designs are by Jonathan Miller with Tim Blazdell, Andrew Jameson, Colin Maxwell, Catherine Smith and Anthony Waterman, Lighting designs are by Jonathan Miller and John Charlton, and this revival will be directed by former Young Artist Harry Fehr.

The opera explores the frailty of human relationships, examining the questions of trust and fidelity with funny, touching and sometimes painful consequences.  The story centres on a wager orchestrated by the arch-manipulator Don Alfonso. He bets two young men (Ferrando and Guglielmo) that their lovers (Fiordiligi and Dorabella) are not as devoted to them as they would think, and with deviousness and disguise devises a ploy to test their lovers’ constancy.

Sharing the baton are British conductor and famed Mozartian Sir Colin Davis (27, 30 Jan, 2, 4, 7, 10 Feb) and The Royal Opera’s Head of Music David Syrus (13 Feb).

Sir Colin Davis has previously conducted this production of Così fan tutte in 1998, 2001 and 2007.  His recent conducting appearances with The Royal Opera include Die Zauberflöte, Le nozze di Figaro and Hansel and Gretel.

David Syrus has conducted many Mozart operas for The Royal Opera, including Le nozze di Figaro, Così fan tutte, Don Giovanni, and, most recently, Die Zauberflöte. He has also recently conducted Don Pasquale and Fidelio for The Royal Opera.

American tenor Charles Castronovo returns to sing Ferrando, a role in which he made his Royal Opera debut in 2004 and returned to in 2010. He has also sung Tom Rakewell (The Rake’s Progress) and Alfredo Germont (La traviata) for The Royal Opera. Recent roles include Nemorino (L’elisir d’amore) in Nice and Belmonte (Die Entführung aus dem Serail) in Rome.

Making his Royal Opera House in the role of Guglielmo is Belarus-born baritone Nikolay Borchev.  He is currently a member of the Bayerische Staatsoper, where his roles have included Guglielmo, Papageno (Die Zauberflöte) and Belcore (L’elisir d’amore).  Other recent appearances include Figaro (Il barbiere di Siviglia) in Berlin.

Swedish soprano Malin Byström makes her Royal Opera role debut as Fiordiligi, a role she has previously performed in Stockholm, Oslo, Beaune, Lyons and for Opera North.  She made her Royal Opera debut in 2002 as Amalia (I masnadieri) and recently sang the role of Marguerite (Faust) for The Royal Opera, in September 2011.  Other recent roles include Donna Anna (Don Giovanni) in Salzburg.

Making her Royal Opera role debut as Dorabella is Canadian mezzo-soprano Michèle Losier.  She has previously sung the role with Arizona Opera and for the Salzburg Festival.  She made her Covent Garden debut earlier in this Season as Siébel (Faust).  Other recent appearances include Le Prince Charmant (Cendrillon) in Paris, Charlotte (Werther) in Montréal and Cherubino (Le nozze di Figaro) in San Francisco and Washington.

Returning to the role of Don Alfonso is British baritone Thomas Allen who celebrates the 40th anniversary of his Covent Garden debut this Season.  He sang this role in the first staging of the production in 1995, returning to sing the role in 1998 at the Shaftesbury Theatre, and in 2001, 2004 and 2007.  He made his debut at Covent Garden in December 1971 as Donald (Billy Budd) and has sung over fifty roles for The Royal Opera including more recently, Gianni Schicchi, Prosdocimo (Il turco in Italia) and Peter (Hänsel und Gretel).

Singing the role of Despina for the first time at Covent Garden is British soprano Rosemary Joshua. She has previously sung Despina in Munich.  She made her Royal Opera debut in 1994 as Pousette (Manon).  Her recent roles with the Royal Opera include Anne Trulove (The Rake’s Progress) and Angelica (Orlando).

Running time: about 3 hours 20 minutes with 1 Interval.


Sung in Italian with English surtitles

Single Review: Tyson - 'Die On The Dancefloor' - Released February 20th 2012

Tyson

Tyson’s new single ‘Die On The Dancefloor’ is set to be released on the 20^th February 2012. He has been making waves on the underground music scene with his electro disco beats filling out the dance floors. Tyson Speede is no stranger to the music scene – he comes from the popular three-piece group ‘Unklejam’ and is now attempting to carve out a career as a solo artist.

I am not a huge fan of the new single ‘Die On The Dancefloor’. There is a certain ‘Scissor Sisters’ feel to it with a strong electro dance vibe running through. The vocals are sung completely in high falsetto with a distorted chorus effect, and mainly seem to repeat the same lyrics over and over. There is no mistaking that it intends to bring back the disco movement but I’m not sure the world is ready for this just yet. I suppose it’s club music not necessarily intended for home listening and there is always a place for this kind of stuff in the industry. However, it doesn’t excite me, get me wanting to move and unfortunately seems easily forgettable.

Tyson has done well with getting four separate remix versions together to try and give alternate movements. However, these also fail to raise the standard, instead sounding very similar one another and not exploring the different directions in which the track could be taken. The best by far is the MICKEY Remix – it has a strong pulse beat and is somehow more uplifting than the others.

Maybe it’s just not my thing but try as I might it fails to rock my world…

Review by Melissa Phillips 

www.melphillipsmusic.com

www.youtube.com/melphillipsmusic

Joely Richardson stars in THE LADY FROM THE SEA by Henrik Ibsen at Rose Theatre, Kingston from 23rd February

Joely Richardson stars in

THE LADY FROM THE SEA by Henrik Ibsen

Directed by Stephen Unwin

 Rose Theatre, Kingston             

23 February – 17 March 2012

Joely Richardson stars as Ellida in Ibsen’s The Lady from the Sea, at the Rose Theatre, Kingston next spring for a limited run.

Ellida Wangel (Joely Richardson) is married to Dr Wangel, and lives with him and his two daughters. But she feels claustrophobic and restless and swims in the sea every day.  Ten years before she promised herself to another man. On a late summer’s day he comes to claim her.

Joely has three imminent major film releases - Roland Emmerich's Anonymous with Rhys Ifans, Vanessa Redgrave and David Thewlis; David Fincher's The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo with Daniel Craig, and Red Lights with Robert De Niro and Sigourney Weaver. She is currently filming Thanks for Sharing alongside Gwyneth Paltrow and Tim Robbins.

Golden Globe winner Joely Richardson has starred in seven series of US American TVs Nip/Tuck and, more recently, The Tudors. Her recent stage appearance in Side Effects in New York won resounding plaudits.

Joely can be seen in David Fincher's The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo with Daniel Craig, and soon in Red Lights with Robert De Niro and Sigourney Weaver. She is currently filming Thanks for Sharing alongside Gwyneth Paltrow and Tim Robbins.

The cast also includes the acclaimed actor Malcolm Storry as Dr Wangel, last on the London stage in Ibsen’s Ghosts; Madeleine Worrall as Bolette; Alexandra Moen as Hilde; Richard Dillane as Arnholm; Sam Crane as Hans Lyngstrand; Robert Goodale as Ballested; and Gudmundur Thorvaldsson as The Stranger.

This production is directed by Stephen Unwin, artistic director of the Rose. He has been hailed by the national critics as an exceptional interpreter of Ibsen, having directed five Ibsen productions, including an award-winning Hedda Gabler at the Donmar Warehouse – “The best director of Ibsen in Britain” The Guardian.  He has also written a successful book with Michael Pennington on Ibsen, Chekhov and Strindberg, published by Faber and Faber.

Stephen says “It gives me huge pleasure to stage Ibsen’s elusive masterpiece at the Rose, and I’m doubly delighted that Joely Richardson has decided to mark her return to the British stage with this collaboration. Edmund Gosse wrote that ‘after so many tragedies, this is a comedy…’  Certainly, in The Lady from the Sea (1888) Ibsen offers an answer to the riddle that he posed in A Doll’s House (1879): a happy marriage is possible, but only under conditions of absolute freedom.

This will be my sixth production of Ibsen, but the first that I have staged at the Rose. Ibsen is the great dramatist of the modern world and, in my opinion, second only to Shakespeare “

Set Design is by Simon Higlett; costume design by Mark Boumann; and lighting design by Malcolm Rippeth.

Press Night: Tuesday 28 February, 7pm

LISTINGS INFORMATION

Dates:                   Thursday 23 February – Saturday 17 March 2012

Times:                  7.30pm; Saturday matinees, 2.30pm (exc. 25 February) plus Thursday 8 March and Tuesday 15 March, 2.30pm

No Sunday performances

Tickets:                £14 - £30; pit cushions £8 (bring your own cushion for free or hire for £3)

23 – 28 February £15, £20; pit cushions £8

Group discounts available on selected performances

Box Office:         08444 821 556/ www.rosetheatrekingston.org (bkg fee)

Irish comedy rockers DEAD CAT BOUNCE to perform at Soho Theatre 13th - 18th February

Off The Kerb 

DEAD CAT BOUNCE

Soho Theatre 13^th – 18^th February

“Made me cry with laughter… These boys are without doubt destined to be huge.” – The Observer

“Forget all the Spinal Tap comparisons, DCB rock harder and in their own unique style.”

– Phil Jupitus, The Independent

“A first-class comedy band that have it in them to be Ireland's (even scruffier) answer to Flight Of The Conchords.” – The Guardian

“Poised to go from cult hit to Minchin-like-stardom.” – The List

"One of the funniest damn acts on the planet." – Time Out, Sydney

Part rock band, part international comedy sensation, part three guys who spend an uncomfortable amount of time together, Dead Cat Bounce have been touring the world relentlessly for the last three years, becoming one of the most exciting live acts on the planet. Now they’re in the Soho Theatre for the first time, ready to rock your knickers off. (Monday 13^th February – Saturday 18^th February)

They have performed their rocking stage show to packed houses and critical acclaim at all the major international comedy festivals, including: the Montreal Just for Laughs Festival, Edinburgh Festival Fringe, Kilkenny Cat Laughs, Melbourne International Comedy Festival and the Sydney Comedy Festival, where they were awarded the Time Out Jury Prize in 2010 and the People’s Choice Award in 2011.  As seen on Channel 4, BBC 3 and BBC Comedy online.

Listings Information:

Venue: The Soho Theatre, 21 Dean Street, W1D 3NE

Date: 13^th, 14^th, 15^th, 16^th, 17^th and 18^th February

Time: 9.15pm

Ticket price: 13^th and 14^th February - £10

15^th, 16^th, 17^th and 18^th February - £15

Box office: 020 7478 0100 / www.sohotheatre.com

www.deadcatbounce.ie  / www.offthekerb.co.uk

Review: Jersey Boys - Prince Edward Theatre, London

JERSEY BOYS

Wednesday 25th January 2012 - 7.30pm: Jersey Boys tells the story of the rise to fame of one of the most successful bands in history. Four boys from New Jersey, trying to make it big, and eventually end up in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. This is the riveting story of Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons, and this show has it all!

The set on this show looks like a logistical nightmare, but it is brought to us effortlessly. A huge amount of automation is used to transport various drum kits all over the stage, mics from the substage, video screens flying in. This is all used to very great effect, with fast tight scene changes adding to the flow of the story.

The music in this production is fantastic, with all the hits you would expect, including Walk Like A Man, Bye Bye Baby (Baby Goodbye), Big Girls Don't Cry, Sherry, Oh what A Night and many more.
The band are sounding good, great arrangements, lots of brass in places, and a sound mix which is top notch, not too overpowering which means vocals can be heard at all times.

Jon Lee as Frankie Valli
Photo courtesy of Brinkhoff/Mogenburg

Speaking of vocals, Frankie Valli (Jon Lee) was rather exceptional, I was absolutely gobsmacked on occasions with some of the range and quality on show here, a stunning performance of Can't Take My Eyes Off Of You literally sent a tingle down my spine - outstanding.
Matthew Wycliffe as Bob Gaudio also stood out on the night, again a very nice pitch and tone to a great singing voice. Top this off with a simply superb cast joining in, and this makes for a perfect blend in your ears.

My only criticism is the lack of audience! The stalls only half full, the two circle levels doing better.
Now don't get me wrong, this show has won awards worldwide, including Olivier Award for Best New Musical, and it is clear to see why... This show is brilliant, pure and simple.

Go grab a seat, and you too will be thinking Oh What A Night as you come out at the end of the show with a huge grin on your face.

Jersey Boys
Prince Edward Theatre
Currently booking until 21 October 2012
https://tickets.delfont-mackintosh.com/index.asp?ShoID=178