News about theatres, shows, plays and drama 2011

This is part of the news section

21st September

One Flew Over the Cockoos Nest

ONE FLEW OVER THE CUCKOO'S NEST

By Dale Wasserman, from the novel by Ken Kesey is Directed by the award-winning Michael Buffong.

Following the World Premiere of Akram Khan's DESH, the autumn season continues at Curve with a new Curve production of the cult classic, ONE FLEW OVER THE CUCKOO'S NEST.

Upon being sentenced to prison, Randle P. McMurphy hopes to avoid hard labour with a stint in a mental institution. However, his anti-authoritarian attitude and compassion for his fellow patients make him a prime target for the insanely fearsome Nurse Ratched, which leads to explosive results for everyone, including those caught in the cross-fire.

This new production is based on the classic and incredibly influential 1962 novel by Ken Kesey, which was later adapted for the 1975 film starring Jack Nicholson and won five major Academy awards.

Volatile and dark, humorous, thought-provoking and with strong language, this Curve production promises to be a night to remember. This explosive stage adaptation will be directed by award winning director of film, theatre and television, Michael Buffong.

Buffong's TV credits include EASTENDERS, HOLBY CITY and CASUALTY and his recent theatre plays include multi award-winning A RAISIN IN THE SUN and PRIVATE LIVES at The Royal Exchange Manchester and the spin off project CRAWLING IN THE DARK at the Almeida.

Michael Buffong said: "It's a play that challenges the idea of the state institution and the freedom of the individual; ideas which remain pertinent in today's society. The film is great but the play is incredibly funny and so much more electrifying. It's colourful and has an ensemble of fascinating characters, into which this wild card McMurphy is thrown.

"I'm looking forward to exploiting the size of Curve's stage to bring this epic play to life."

The cast of fourteen is led by Michael Beckley as Randle P. McMurphy, Catherine Russell as Nurse Ratched and De Montfort University graduate Thomas Renshaw as The Chief.

Beckley is perhaps best known for his regular role as Rhys Sutherland in HOME & AWAY. His recent theatre credits include: THE INVISIBLE MAN (Menier Chocolate Factory); MAMMA MIA! (International Tour); CABARET (Apollo Theatre) and MERRILY WE ROLL ALONG (Derby Playhouse).

Russell is fresh from for playing Rosie in the West End's MAMMA MIA! (Prince of Wales Theatre). Her other extensive stage and television credits include: Out of Joint's DREAMS OF VIOLENCE (Soho Theatre), THE CONVICT'S OPERA and TALKING TO TERRORISTS (Royal Curt) and E4's PETE VERSUS LIFE.

Renshaw graduated in Theatre Studies from DMU in 2007, he then went onto train at the London School of Acting. He has previously played The Chief in ONE FLEW OVER THE CUCKOO'S NEST at the Black Ram theatre in Norwich.

The cast also includes Michael Bertenshaw as Dale Harding, who has just finished ALL'S WELL THAT ENDS WELL and ANNE BOLEYN, directed by John Dove at Shakespeare's Globe. He could recently be seen in MILIBAND for Blink Films.

Bertnenshaw is a familiar face from television including: THE CULSHAW AND STEPHENSON SHOW, THE BILL, MURDERLAND, CRIMINAL JUSTICE, DOCTOR WHO, EASTENDERS, MESSIAH, MURPHY'S LAW and CASUALTY.

See the Curve web site for times and tickets

11th July

West Side Story comes to Curve.

OK, West Side Story is not a play but it's a musical drama and brimming with some of the most memorable melodies in the repertoire of popular music. With a cast of local dancers and actors, it offers a seriously good chance to see another top production by Paul Kerryson and the demand from the public has been terrific.

See our review of the opening night of West Side Story.

Interview

artsIn went to Curve to meet some of the actors who will be on stage when it opens on 18th July.

Photo© Pamela Raith

Left to right: George Mercer (Baby John), Ash Munton (Big Deal/Diesel), Abi Crossley (Anybodys), Greg Knight (Action), Danny Merrill (Mouthpiece), Ben Bateson (Snowboy), John Kearns (A-Rab), Joseph Holmes (Tiger), Niall McNamee (Gee-tar)

Currently in rehearsals, over 40 of Leicestershire's most talented young performers have just heard the news that their upcoming show has been extended due to public demand. With strong advance sales, theatre management took the decision to add an extra performance to the run, giving an extra 800 people the chance see this young, local cast perform this enduring and popular musical.

Photo© Pamela Raith

Paul Kerryson, Artistic Director at Curve and Director of West Side Story says: "I'm thrilled that audiences have responded so enthusiastically to support emerging young talent in this production. We have a very talented cast of young people. They perform with great energy and dynamism. It will be a West Side Story with an edgy and street wise feel and this much loved classic musical will be supported by all the extraordinary technology that the huge Curve stage has to offer."

Photo© Pamela Raith

Extra performance for Sunday 24 July, 4 pm, tickets on sale from Saturday 25 June at 10 am.

West Side Story runs at Curve from 18th to 24th July.

Full details of tickets from Curveonline.

See our interview with some of the cast.

22nd June

Rare plant Discovered at theatre

The gardeners at Kilworth House Hotel near North Kilworth have recently discovered a very unusual plant growing in the woods surrounding the theatre! They can only assume that the recent spell of hot weather followed by very heavy showers has resulted in this previously unknown species taking root - which seems to be growing at a phenomenal rate!

Thousands of people have already booked a ticket to see this very rare spectacle when it goes on public display from 18th August to 11th September at Kilworth House Theatre.

Lovingly nicknamed 'Audrey II', the little seedling is expected to reach heights of over 20 foot if its current growth rate continues! The greatest ever science-fiction-spoof-musical 'Little Shop Of Horrors' has become something of a monster success.

Silly and fun, featuring the music from the hit 1986 film, including Somewhere That's Green and Suddenly Seymour, 'Little Shop Of Horrors' is a mouth-wateringly fun night out for all the family. Down on his luck, Seymour Krelborn spends day in day out slaving away in Mr Musnik's Florists, mooning over the glamorous and ditsy assistant Audrey, and dreaming of a way out of downtown Skid Row.

The newly christened 'Audrey II' offers Seymour a ticket out of Skid Row and perhaps even a chance of a date with the real life Audrey but this ain't no ordinary shrub! As 'Audrey II' grows to monstrous proportions, she develops a blood thirsty appetite!

Theatre patrons are also able to book a pre-theatre dinner in the hotel Orangery or alternatively bring their own picnic to enjoy in the magnificent surroundings of the Kilworth estate but they are warned not to go near the wood as very strange things seem to be happening!

Tickets £20 - £28

Box Office: 01858 881939 (Monday to Friday 10.00am to 4.00pm) or online at kilworthhousetheatre.co.uk

7th June

WE'RE ALL GOING ON A ... SUMMER HOLIDAY

LAOS presents Summer Holiday Tues 14th to Sat 18th June. Following their sell-out 2009 Curve debut with THE FULL MONTY and their sensational presentation of Disney's magical BEAUTY AND THE BEAST, Leicester Amateur Operatic Society (LAOS) return to Curve with another British comedy. The story, based on the 1963 smash hit film which starred Cliff Richard, tells of a bunch of friends who set out on a frantic bus ride of a lifetime through Europe. Along the journey, romance blossoms amongst the friends and the group pick up a runaway with a strange secret. Packed full with classic rock 'n' roll hits including Summer Holiday, Bachelor Boy, Livin' Doll and The Young Ones, with stunning choreography and the iconic red double decker bus, this high energy show will take audiences to a place where the sun shines brightly and there's no more working for a week or two! Leicester lad, Jason Woodcock is leading the cast as 'Don', he said: "I grew up watching this film every Saturday afternoon and it's wonderful to have the opportunity to play such an iconic and famous role. Sir Cliff has been kind enough to write to the cast of the show to wish us luck with the production which is such an honour! None of us can wait to get on that stage and bring this show to life."

LAOS is a vibrant group of actors, singers and dancers brought together from across the country by their shared love of performing. LAOS has been entertaining audiences in Leicester and beyond since 1890, performing at the Royal Opera House, the Palace Theatre, The Haymarket Theatre, The Little Theatre and De Montfort Hall. LAOS are thrilled to be back on stage at Curve with this year's production of SUMMER HOLIDAY. This amateur production is presented by arrangement with Josef Weinberger Ltd. Directed by Peter Yates Screenplay by Ronald Cass and Peter Myersby Special arrangement with Studio Canal Stage adaptation by Michael Gyngell and Mark Haddigan Orchestrations by Keith Strachan

Summer Holiday at Curve

5th April

ABSURD PERSON SINGULAR By Alan Ayckbourn

Louise Plowright as Marion and Sion-Tudor Owen as Ronald © Keith Pattison

Absurd Person Singular is a 1970s portrait of social mobility but this incisive comedy by one of Britain's most popular playwrights is easily as fresh and provocative today as it was when it was first written. An audacious piece of writing, this bittersweet farce follows the marital tensions and changing fortunes of three couples over three successive Christmases eves, in three kitchens.

In fact this play was the predecessor of the sit-com genre that would become so popular on television in the late 70s and early 80s - think The Good Life, Terry and June, Butterflys, Bread ... ABSURD PERSON SINGULAR will be directed by Curve Artistic Director Paul Kerryson and stars the award-winning 'Eastenders murdress' and Doctor Who favourite Tracy Ann Oberman as troubled Eva, Louise Plowright as Marion and Leigh McDonald as Jane. Sion Tudor-Owen will play ageing banker Ronald, Joseph Alessi as the socially-inept Sidney and Leicester-born Jason Thorpewill play Geoffrey.

Award winning Oberman is probably best known for her high-profile, NTV award nominated, portrayal of Chrissie Watts in BBC's Eastenders, and Yvonne Hartman, head of the mysterious Torchwood institute, in the TV phenomenon Doctor Who. Her extensive theatre background includes working with Kenneth Branagh in Edmond (National Theatre) and a run in the West End revival of Boeing-Boeing (West End and Broadway). Most recently she appeared in the world premiere of ON THE ROCKS (Hampstead Theatre). She is also an accomplished writer, contributing to a number of radio sketch shows and critically acclaimed radio plays.

Plowright recently won the 2010 TMA award for her role in WHITE CHRISTMAS. She originated the role of Tanya in West End musical MAMMA MIA!, and subsequently played the lead role of Donna in the production for four years. Her other musicals include OKLAHOMA and under the direction of Paul Kerryson, 42ND STREET (Chichester Festival Theatre). Her television roles include EASTENDERS and FOOTBALLERS WIVES: EXTRA TIME.

Derby born McDonald has just completed a run of COMPANY (Southwark Playhouse). Her most recent credits also include ASSASSINS (Union Theatre), HONK (Royal National Theatre) and MAMMA MIA (West End). Her most recent television work was in the role of Annie Masey in The Cut and PEAK PRACTICE (BBC).

Alessi joins Curve hot off the plane from New York where he played one of the star roles in the West End and Broadway hit BRIEF ENCOUNTER. His other theatre work includes and PRIVATES ON PARADE (West Yorkshire Playhouse), Tartuffe (Liverpool playhouse) and ANTHONY AND CLEOPATRE (Royal Shakespeare Company).

Thorpe's recent theatre credits include BEASTS AND BEAUTIES (Hampstead Theatre) the National Theatre's 2010 Christmas production NATION and Sir Peter Hall's Where there's a will (English Touring Theatre). His television work includes BBC's LITTLE DORRIT.

Tudor-Owen's theatre credits include Carrie's War (Apollo, Shaftesbury Ave and National Tour) Gertrudes Secret (New End/Kings Head Theatre) and Cyrano de Bergerac (Chichester Festival Theatre). He is also a familiar face on television for his role as Chris Carter in EMMERDALE and his big screen credits include TWIN TOWN and HIGHLANDER.

Absurd Person Singular is at CURVE from, 6th to 28th May

See our review of Schrodinger - Revived.

A love story for the 21st Century - Romeo and Juliet

See our review of this Shakespeare classic

Alan Bennett's The History Boys at Curve, 21st to 26th March

See our background article on Alan Bennet and his play The History boys

Other pages you might like

 Check our venues page for details of venue addresses

Akram Khan in Desh at Curve