Theatre Preview - BING AND HIS FRIENDS - DARLINGTON HIPPODROME

CALLING ALL BINGSTERS!

Bing and his friends are going on tour in the first ever Bing stage show. Bing Live! will visit Darlington Hippodrome on Saturday 19 and Sunday 20 January 2019 as part of a major UK tour.

Join Bing, Sula, Coco and Pando as they learn how to tell stories by pretending, dressing-up and singing songs. Flop and Amma are there to help, but in this magical world of make-believe things don’t always go according to plan…

The CBeebies favourites are brought to life in a brand new stage production full of fun, laughter, music and magical puppetry. Bing Live! is the perfect first theatre trip for pre-schoolers and their families.

Celebrating the joyful, messy, reality of preschool life, Bing finds the big stories in the smallest moments that little ones and the grown-ups in their lives will recognise…whether it’s dropping your ice-cream or losing your favourite toy.

Going to the theatre… it’s a Bing thing!

Bing bounces into Darlington Hippodrome on Saturday 19 and Sunday 20 January, 2019. For full details and to book visit www.darlingtonhippodrome.co.uk or call 01325 405405.

Theatre Preview - THE FULL MONTY - DARLINGTON HIPPODROME

DROP EVERYTHING AND CATCH THE FULL MONTY AT DARLINGTON HIPPODROME

David Pugh & Dafydd Rogers’s presentation of the Sheffield Theatres production of Simon Beaufoy’s The Full Monty is currently touring the UK & Ireland for the final time and comes to Darlington Hippodrome for a week-long run from Monday 12 November.

The cast will be led by Gary Lucy (Luke Morgan in Hollyoaks, Danny Pennant in EastEnders, DS Will Fletcher in The Bill, Kyle Pascoe in Footballer’s Wives, winner of Dancing on Ice) as Gaz, along with Andrew Dunn (best known as Tony in Dinnerladies and for his regular appearances playing Alastair Campbell on Bremner, Bird and Fortune) as Gerald, Louis Emerick (Norman the Doorman in Benidorm, Mick Johnson in Brookside, PC Walsh in Last of the Summer Wine and soon to be seen as Mike in Coronation Street) as Horse, Joe Gill (Finn Barton in Emmerdale) as Lomper, Kai Owen (Rhys in Torchwood and Pete in Hollyoaks) as Dave and James Redmond (Finn in Hollyoaks and Abs Denham in Casualty).

The Full Monty is one of the most acclaimed British films ever and this stage play has become one of the most phenomenal theatrical productions ever. This chuffing brilliant production about six out-of-work, impoverished steelworkers from Sheffield with nothing to lose took the world by storm and has become one of Britain’s most successful shows.

Based on his smash hit film and adapted for the stage by Oscar-winning writer Simon Beaufoy, this hilarious and heartfelt production has received standing ovations every night and features the iconic songs from the film by Donna Summer, Hot Chocolate and Tom Jones.

The Full Monty runs at Darlington Hippodrome from Monday 12 to Saturday 17 November.

For more information or to book call 01325 405405 or visit www.darlingtonhippodrome.co.uk

Theatre Preview - WHAT A BEAUTIFUL NOISE - THE LIFE AND MUSIC OF NEIL DIAMOND - DARLINGTON HIPPODROME

WHAT A BEAUTIFUL NOISE

Fisher Stevens stars in a new production that celebrates the life and music of Neil Diamond, coming to Darlington Hippodorme on Saturday 1 December.

“What a beautiful noise. Comin' up from the street. Got a beautiful sound. It’s got a beautiful beat”. Perhaps these lyrics underscore more than any others the evergreen appeal of Neil Diamond, a performer, songwriter and entertainer whose name will echo down the ages.  Flying Entertainment are delighted to present a lavish new touring production, ‘A Beautiful Noise’, a joyful celebration of his life and work, delivered with an assured virtuosity by the award-winning Fisher Stevens to the standard and scale that these timeless songs deserve. Neil Diamond had his first hit single over 50 years ago and has sold more than 100 million albums!

Though he has declared his touring days over, Neil Diamond’s star will burn forever.  With a fully live band, including Brass, Strings, and backing singers, ‘A Beautiful Noise’ is the best way for UK and Eire audiences to enjoy his wonderful songs in an authentic live setting.  ‘Sweet Caroline’, ‘Song Sung Blue’, ‘Cracklin’ Rosie’, ‘Forever In Blue Jeans’, these are the songs that sound-tracked lives, the teenage dream, and remain fixtures of personal and radio playlists everywhere.  Heartfelt renditions of the songs, coupled with narrative and visuals, tell this wonderful story - which even features a performance of the stunning duet ‘You Don’t Bring Me Flowers’ – originally a hit for Neil Diamond and Barbra Streisand.

A lifelong lover of Neil Diamond, Fisher Stevens has toured the world as a performer and said, “I am supported by an experienced band and backing singers who are all as passionate about Neil Diamond as I am. It is my privilege to celebrate that talent and take the audience on a journey”.

A Beautiful Noise is an exuberant celebration of a legendary talent and is packed with all the classic hits and comes to Darlington Hippodrome on Saturday 1 December.

For more information or to book call 01325 405405 or visit www.darlingtonhippodrome.co.uk

Theatre Review - DRACULA - DARLINGTON HIPPODROME - RUNS UNTIL SATURDAY 10th NOVEMBER

The Touring Consortium Theatre Company returned to Darlington Hippodrome with Bram Stoker’s Dracula. This new adaptation by Jenny King hits you right from the first second and certainly doesn’t stop in the assault on the senses, which will have you jumping out of your seat right to the final second.

An ingeniously designed set by Sean Cavanagh has tall gothic columns seamlessly sliding across the stage creating various scenes from the bedroom, the castle and asylum. With Ben Cracknell’s lighting, Paul Ewing’s music and sound and the illusions from Ben Hart, the atmosphere is one you rarely get in theatre and creates an amazing setting.

Stand out members of the cast were the female Renfield brilliantly played by Cheryl Campbell who was delightfully insane, Olivia Swann as Mina came into her own in the final scenes and Jessica Webber as Lucy who had me transfixed from the start.

The many short, swift scenes moving between Whitby, Transylvania and the asylum slow the production down, despite the slick scene changes, with the flashbacks increasing this feel.

This is almost a show of two halves – the story of Dracula and the amazing set and effects. That said it is certainly worth catching.

Theatre Preview - DRACULA - DARLINGTON HIPPODROME

HORROR CLASSIC REIMAGINED 

Prepare for the fright of your life as the gothic vampire classic, Dracula, comes to Darlington Hippodrome from Tuesday 6 to Saturday 10 November.

Dracula is one of the most universally iconic novels ever written. A monumental, genre defining classic that is known the world over. Dracula remains the father of all vampire tales and this autumn an all new production sees the bloodthirsty tale resurrected as part of a nine-week tour, set to receive its most terrifying staging ever.

Sexy, dark and thrilling, this brand-new stage adaptation of Bram Stoker’s classic tale of obsession and horror is brought to opulent and irresistible life in a contemporary interpretation that includes all the definitive characters. Ben Hart’s incredible illusion design will create an atmosphere of spine-chilling fear as audiences are shaken to their very core.

Completely re-imagined by an exciting creative team, discover the story that started them all. In Transylvania, enter the castle of Count Dracula and his three brides. The Count, who feeds on the elixir of young blood to look youthful, will take you on a deliciously evil ride as he pursues his victims and encounters Jonathan Harker, Professor Van Helsing and Dr. Seward along the way.

Director Eduard Lewis said “audiences can expect to be scared and entertained and have a really great, unique night at the theatre. It’s a really exciting play but it’s not just a play, it’s a show with exciting music and fascinating illusions and some brilliant acting. We have an amazing script by Jenny King that has robust, interesting characters, on top of which we’ve got some amazing production effects, Ben Hart is doing some brilliant illusions for us and there’s an original score by our composer Paul Ewing that’s going to really lift the whole piece.”

Dracula runs at Darlington Hippodrome from Tuesday 6 to Saturday 10 November.

For more information or to book call 01325 405405 or visit www.darlingtonhippodrome.co.uk

Theatre Review - BLACKADDER GOES FORTH - PEOPLE'S THEATRE, NEWCASTLE

30^th October – 3^rd November 2018

As a fan of the TV series of Blackadder, I was optimistic I was going to enjoy my evening in the company of the redoubtable People’s Theatre.

But how would this iconic TV sit-com transfer to the stage.

From the 4^th series of Blackadder, this show provides classic comedy wit as well as pathos. The script delivered belly laughs and opportunities for the actors to show underplayed thoughtful performances as well as over the top characters. It says a lot for the writing to do all this while highlighting the nugatory of war and still respecting the sacrifice made by all those caught up in it.

The high standard of set worked perfectly with the excellent lighting, focusing the audience’s attention to the different areas of the huge stage beneath an ever-changing sky.

The ensemble sporting perfect costumes delivered a fabulous show headlined by Sam Hinton’s assured portrayal of Captain Blackadder. There were many standout performances my favourite being from Steven Robertson as General Melchett.

Congratulations People’s Theatre, Blackadder was ‘over the top’ of my expectations!

7.30pm to 9.50pm (approximately) with 20 min interval

Theatre Review - CLEAR WHITE LIGHT - LIVE THEATRE, NEWCASTLE

Joe Douglas, artistic director, makes his directorial debut at The Live Theatre with Clear White Light. Based on the gothic short story, The Fall of the House of Usher by Edgar Allan Poe, and inspired by the songs of Alun Hull from Lindisfarne it is set in the psychiatric hospital where Alun Hull once worked.

Following the journey of Alison, Bryony Corrigan, as she begins a student placement on a nightshift in an all-male ward, she is mentored by Rod, Joe Caffrey, who shows her the ropes. As they get to know each other we learn just enough about their lives which also includes many hints to the strains and underfunding of the NHS. The music is a major part of this production and was one of the main catalysts in its creation. The music appears to inexplicably intertwine the story. Sung by Maddie, Charlie Hardwick, appears in a range of wonderful costumes, singing with great passion. The rest of the cast are made up of actor musicians Phil Adele, Alice Blundell and Dale Jewitt, with Billy Mitchell and Ray Laidlow as musical directors also playing live on stage, Billy also took on the role of one of the patients.

There is a disjointed feel to the 2^nd act which adds to the intensity of the psychotic episode that follows, where suddenly soon after everything becomes clearer. The lighting and sound effects perfectly create the gothic horror feel of the piece.

Charlie Hardwick is a delight to watch, her performance is a mix of psychosis to hippy freedom. Joe Caffrey yet again shows what an immensely powerful actor he is. The connection between Bryony Corrigan and Joe Caffrey develops perfectly throughout. The emotional impact Bryony delivers on her journey is sublime to watch.

This production has been many years in the making and it has been well worth the wait. As this run is already fully sold out, these must be the most sought-after theatre tickets this Halloween, I just hope it tours or returns in the future.