Alan Cumming

Hollywood Star Alan Cumming Returns to the West End! 

Following acclaimed stints at Lincoln Center in New York and the Sydney Opera House, Olivier and Tony Award winner Alan Cumming completes an international theatrical triangle, arriving in London’s West End to perform his one-man musical show Alan Cumming: I Bought a Blue Car Today at the Vaudeville Theatre for eight performances only from Tuesday 1 to Sunday 6 September 2009.

Returning to the West End musical stage for the first time in over fifteen years – he was last seen in Sam Mendes’ Donmar Warehouse revival of Cabaret – Alan Cumming will remind British audiences of the sheer versatility of his talent, ensuring this UK and European première of Alan Cumming: I Bought a Blue Car Today
is the most hotly anticipated show of the autumn season.

Accompanied by his charismatic and multi-talented musical director, Lance Horne, Cumming unleashes his favourite tunes, belting out celebrated hits alongside little-known gems, whilst captivating his audience with poignant anecdotes from his colourful and fantastic past. A musical journey peppered with material by Frank Sinatra, Dory Previn, Kander & Ebb and Cyndi Lauper, to name only a few.

Alan Cumming: I Bought a Blue Car Today is a true moment in theatrical history. A fleeting glimpse at a truly rare species of entertainer. A one-off opportunity to experience the thrilling diversity of his talent. Unlike any other solo show to go before it. A refreshing mix of the old and the brilliantly new, fused together in an idiosyncratic cannonball of multiple musical meanderings.

Alan Cumming has sung at Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, the Hollywood Bowl, the London Palladium and the Sydney Opera House. He has had his own talk show, written a Sunday Times best-selling novel and recorded a duet with Liza Minnelli. He has performed in all genres of theatre from Greek classics to modern drama, from mega musicals to low-budget fringe. He has won Olivier, Tony, Drama Desk and Outer Critics’ Circle awards for his exploits on the stage. His TV credits read like a who’s who of contemporary culture. It might even be possible that he’s been seen in quite a few films, but he wouldn’t want to boast. Alan was recently awarded an OBE. He will soon be seen in Julie Taymor’s screen adaptation of The Tempest alongside Helen Mirren and Russell Brand. He is also cast as the Green Goblin in Spider-Man: Turn off the Dark, which has music by Bono and The Edge from U2 and will be the biggest and most expensive show to ever play on Broadway when it opens at the Hilton Theatre in February 2010. His debut solo album, which is also rather cunningly entitled I Bought a Blue Car Today, will be released in September.

Lance Horne is an Emmy Award winning composer, musical director, pianist, arranger and singer. A truly multi-talented musical genius of epic proportions. He regularly works with artists including Justin Bond, Meow Meow and, of course, Alan Cumming. He also performs in his own right, and composes for film, TV and theatre as well as writing arrangements for Broadway shows. Occasionally he fronts his own band by the name of Lance Horne and the One Night Stands.

Produced by Neil Eckersley and Paul Spicer for Speckulation Entertainment, Alan Cumming: I Bought a Blue Car Today has musical direction by Lance Horne and sound design by James Tebb.

For further information about Alan Cumming, visit www.alancumming.com
For further information about Lance Horne, visit www.lancehorne.com

‘Precious Little Talent’ is the much anticipated second show from Ella Hickson, writer of ‘Eight’ - winner of The 2008 Carol Tambor ‘Best of The Edinburgh’ Award and Fringe First Winner.  This year, Hickson’s ‘Eight’ has enjoyed successful runs in New York and The West End, establishing her as one of the most exciting new talents on the British writing scene.  Expectations are high for this production, her second show at the Fringe.

‘Precious Little Talent’ is an endearing tale of love and loss. Joey flees to New York to spend Christmas 2008 with her Dad; but what is she running from? What she finds is Sam, an adorable American geek. An unlikely love-story unfolds, pitching all-American sincerity against good old British cynicism and asking which one holds up when times get tough. ‘Precious Little Talent’ is a warm, funny and beautifully written story of daughters and lovers, of aspiration and frustration, of memory and family; told by a generation fighting not to be forgotten.

Cast: Simon Ginty (‘Eight’, 2008), Emma Hiddleston, John McColl.

Written and Directed by: Ella Hickson

Performed by a black South African ensemble of 33 in five different languages (English, Xhosa, Afrikaans, Tswana and Zulu), The Mysteries - Yiimimangaliso brings the timeless biblical stories to life through South African vocal and dance traditions. Adam and Eve, Cain and Abel, God and Jesus are all depicted by the ensemble, led by award-winning singer and musical director Pauline Malefane.

Book Tickets for The Mysteries - Yiimimangaliso at Garrick Theatre

THRILLER – LIVE is a spectacular, high octane show celebrating the career of the world’s undisputed King of Pop – Michael Jackson, and the Jackson 5. Fully backed by Sony BMG Music Entertainment UK, THRILLER LIVE marks the first Jackson’s dedicated live theatrical experience ever!

Moonwalking into the West End after three acclaimed UK tours and standing ovations across Europe, THRILLER - LIVE opens at the Lyric Theatre on 2 January 2009.

To bring to life on stage the sensational dancing and distinctive sound of the Jackson’s greatest hits, THRILLER – LIVE includes eye-popping multi-media effects and dazzling choreography by the shows award-winning director Gary Lloyd (who has previously worked with artists including Leona Lewis, Will Young, Robbie Williams, Kelly Clarkson and Girls Aloud), plus additional choreography by 5 time MTV award-winning LaVelle Smith Jnr.

In a career spanning 40 years, Michael Jackson has sold an unparalleled 750 million records worldwide with the Thriller album still the world’s best-selling recording of all time. THRILLER - LIVE includes over two-hours of non-stop hit songs in a show that boasts the world-class spectacle that marked their legendary live performances.

Expect your favourite Jackson songs delivered by an exceptionally talented cast and live band, including the smash hits: I Want You Back, I’ll BeThere, Show You The Way To Go, Can You Feel It, Rock With You, She’s Out Of My Life, Beat It, Billie Jean, Earth Song and Thriller plus many more!

Book Tickets for Thriller Live

The Almeida Theatre brings an explosion of new theatre to Islington. Four cutting edge companies from New York to Yorkshire present new work in our Summer Festival. Come along and be challenged, inspired and excited.

www.almeidasummerfestival.co.uk

A Little Night Music had been extended untill 5th of September, 2009 but due to certain reason they posted its closing notice.

Based on Ingmar Bergman’s film Smiles of a Summer Night, A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC is set in turn-of-the-century Sweden where affairs of the heart are uppermost in everyone’s thoughts. Hailed as a stylish celebration of romantic love and a fairy tale for adults, this production is directed by Trevor Nunn.

Book Tickets for A Little Night Music

Andy Dufresne is convicted of murdering his wife and his lover and is sent to the notorious Shawshank Prison to serve two life sentences. Stripped of his life, family and freedom, Andy is forced to endure a spirit-crushing routine. But with his quiet strength and inner courage, there is one thing that Andy never loses - and that is hope.

THE SHAWSHANK REDEMPTION is an unforgettable story of courage, friendship and daring to hope. It stars Kevin Anderson (Sleeping with the Enemy) and Reg E.Cathey (The Wire).  

Please note: The recommended minimum age is 15 due to strong language.

Opened: 04-Sep-2009
Booking until: 14-Feb-2010
Performance Times: Evenings: Tuesday - Saturday at 7.30pm Matinees: Thursday and Saturday at 3.00pm, Sunday at 4.00pm
Author: Stephen King
Director: Peter Sheridan
Lighting: Kevin Treacy
Sound: Denis Clohessy
Producer: Lane Productions
Casts: Kevin Anderson , Reg E Cathey

Book Tickets for The Shawsank Redemption

1962. Kenneth Halliwell and Joe Orton - RADA graduates, aspiring playwrights, and sometimes lovers - plot their rightful place at the centre of London’s literary scene whilst engaged in a secret crusade to ‘improve’ the local library books, all in the worst possible taste of course, and acting on their own versions of popular radio dramas…with an extra dash of innuendo. But after a short interlude at Her Majesty’s pleasure, Joe is about to become the greatest, and most notorious comic playwright since Oscar Wilde, whilst Ken stays indoors re-decorating, reduced to sharing Joe’s success with their neighbour, Mrs Corden, over tea and a slice of battenburg.

PRICK UP YOUR EARS - a darkly funny and moving play imagines what really happens when, after years of creative collaboration, the door slammed shut and Kenneth was home alone. It tells the sensational story behind the domestic life of Joe Orton and Kenneth Halliwell, holed up in a tiny flat in Islington, trading well-trodden insults and hilarious put-downs like any old married couple.

Book Tickets for Prick Up Your Ears

Wedding night in the palace of King Shahrayar. By morning the new Queen Shahrazad is to be put to death like a thousand young brides before her. She has the one gift that can save her - the gift of storytelling.

With a mischievous imagination and silver tongue Queen Shahrazad paints a dazzling array of stories and characters; amongst them Ali Baba and Es-Sindibad, summoned forth from strange and magical worlds populated by giant beasts, singing trees, devilish ghouls and crafty thieves. But will her enchanting stories save her from the executioner’s block?

A truly bewitching tale celebrating the power of the imagination and storytelling to heal all wounds, Arabian Nights will be the first family show to play in The Courtyard Theatre, offering a magical theatrical experience.

Dominic Cooke, Artistic Director of the Royal Court Theatre and previous RSC Associate Director returns to the RSC to direct Arabian Nights. His most recent RSC productions are his acclaimed version of Malorie Blackman’s Noughts & Crosses in 2008, before which he also directed the Olivier Award-winning The Crucible (2006). He now re-creates his enchanting version of Arabian Nights, first performed at the Young Vic in 1998.

Arabian Nights runs at The Courtyard Theatre in Stratford-upon-Avon from 5 December 2009 - 30 January 2010.

Book Tickets for Arabian Nights - Stratford upon Avon at The Courtyard Theatre

Patrick Wilde directs his award-winning, funny, heart-breaking and ultimately triumphant tale of courage and defiance.

When this play opened at a small fringe theatre in London in 1993 it played to six people. By the end of the three-week run, thanks to some rave reviews and word of mouth, people (including Sir Ian McKellen) were queuing round the block.

Now What’s Wrong With Angry makes its triumphant and long-awaited return to London after over 15 years playing all around the world. Hartshorn – Hook Productions and Patrick Wilde are challenging everyone to stop and think about how things once were, and how it is essential that we keep fighting for equality when there are still places where a society of oppression exists.

Even in the UK, with the BNP winning seats despite policies aimed at re-criminalizing homosexuality, Wilde’s play is as important as it was when it was first written.

As a piece of political theatre it was a huge part of the movement towards real equality for gay people. The laws started to be relaxed, but inequality persisted. Writer Patrick Wilde was commissioned to write a multiple award-winning feature film version, and the play finally made it into the West End at The Arts Theatre.
The play’s combination of politics, humour, a fantastic pumping soundtrack and a heart breaking love story has meant it has sold out almost everywhere it has played, and was described by Time Out as “popular theatre at it’s best – a real crowd pleaser”. Though it tells of a time when things in theory were much tougher for young gay people, it still stands a celebration of the human spirit and determination to triumph. This slicker, shorter version directed by the playwright himself remains a poignant reminder of how recently things were very, very different.
What’s Wrong With Angry will be on at the King’s Head Theatre, Islington, from 8Th July – 15th August.

Hartshorn-Hook Productions is one of the hottest new companies on the circuit. The team’s hard work, creativity and fresh-faced innovation has given them huge success in previous years at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe with a number of outstanding shows. In addition, they have run one of Brighton Festival Fringe’s biggest venues this year, with a packed and varied programme of over 100 performances. Their sell-out 2008 Edinburgh productions, garnered rave reviews and consequently a run at London’s Kings Head Theatre for boys of the Empire, also directed by Wilde – which was extended due to overwhelming demand.

When Patrick Wilde wrote What’s Wrong With Angry? the age of consent for gay men was twenty one and section 28 was on the statute books.  The play, and the subsequent film version, Get Real, were part of a political movement which eventually led to the equalisation of the age of consent and the abandonment of the insidious law that prevented promotion of homosexuality as a positive life style.

Wilde has been openly gay for thirty years and has been part of huge change in the gay political, cultural and social scene.  As one of the most sought after writers in TV he has made it his mission to assimilate gay characters into many main stream television shows, including Eastenders, Casualty, Holby, The Bill and Peak Practice, as well as the cult hits As If and This Life.  He even managed to get two gay characters into soft-centred Sunday evening show Monarch Of The Glen.

Wilde divides his time equally between directing and writing, and remains unashamedly politically minded about gay matters.  He has forthright views on the current scene, the internet, and the woeful lack of interest young gay people display about their own history.  Wilde fears that complacency has set in, and we are in danger of seeing history repeat itself. As if to prove his point, the BNP have just won two seats at the European Parliament.  It is part of the BNP’s agenda to re-criminalize homosexuality.  His revival of What’s Wrong With Angry? is a timely reminder to a generation who don’t realise that things weren’t always this good.

Recently commissioned to develop a new TV series for BBC (which needless to say features a high profile gay character), he will also direct Scott Mills, The Musical for Radio One at this year’s Edinburgh Fringe.

Prospective theatre impresarios Louis Hartshorn and Brian Hook are turning heads by producing ambitious, high quality and successful theatre around the UK. Now, as they reach their 21st birthdays, they are mounting a six-week run at the King’s Head Theatre in Islington of Patrick Wilde’s acclaimed play ‘What’s Wrong with Angry’.

Their past productions have included work with ‘Taggart’ creator Glenn Chandler on his new play ‘Boys of the Empire’ in Edinburgh and London, and a spectacular production of ‘West Side Story’ on its 50th Anniversary in their home city of Manchester.

Scale has never been a problem for the ambitious pair, who have taken ‘a cast and crew of over 50 on tour and currently run a venue in Brighton with over 100 performances playing in May alone. They have 13 separate productions opening in July and August at venues across the UK. Plans for the Christmas season will be announced soon.

The future for H&H holds the production of major musicals, with two scores already marked down by the pair to begin pre-production this year.

Hot contenders for a number of awards to be announced in the coming weeks, Louis and Brian intend to be the faces of British Theatre on a global scale for years to come.

They are available from June 1st for TV, radio, magazine and newspaper interviews about ‘What’s Wrong with Angry’ and other forthcoming projects.

Book Tickets for What’s Wrong With Angry