Ray Rackham Takes Liberties
3 August 2014 – 8.00pm:
Filed Under: Fringe on the Fringe 2014, Past Shows
by Adebayo Bolaji
15 September – 20 September, 2014
19:30 – Monday to Saturday
14:30 – Wednesday & Saturday Matinee
"Two actors- Nina and Sean- spend a night together to rehearse a play… What you think happens, (or might happen), is maybe part of the 'problem'. A testing, funny and sexy piece of contemporary theatre looking at sexual objectifications and assumptions- through simple yet theatrical storytelling".
Co-produced by What Was That? Productions & Ex Nihilo Theatre Group, 'In Bed' will run at exciting new venue The London Theatre Workshop from 15-20 September. Shows are at 19.30 Monday to Saturday, with matinee performances at 14.30 on Wednesday 17, and Saturday 20 September. Press night will be Thursday 18 September at 20:00 and tickets can be requested by email for relevant parties. The play is performed in one act.
Nina will be played by MOBO Award winner, Allyson Brown. Allyson has recently been touring in 'Snakes & Ladders', she has appeared in TV productions such as 'Secret Diary of Call Girl' and is well known for her work in 'Bear Behaving Badly'. Theatre credits include 'Les Miserables' West End, 'The Tempest', 'Antony & Cleopatra' 'Julius Cesar' for the RSC.
Sean will be played by Adebayo Bolaji. Ade is currently filming a BBC2 feature length drama directed by John Alexander. Other theatre credits include original London casts of 'Ghost the Musical', 'The Color Purple', and 'The Scottsboro Boys'. Adebayo also had a featured role in the most recent James Bond film, 'Skyfall'.
'In Bed' is written, and directed by Adebayo, and is a co-production between Bolaji's Ex Nihilo Theatre Group, and Alan Mehdizadeh's company, What Was That? Productions. Alan Mehdizadeh is currently playing the role of Big Davey in the West End production of 'Billy Elliot the Musical', and has theatre credits including 'The Incredible Book Eating Boy' The MAC Belfast/Cahoots NI, 'Robin Hood' The Marlowe Theatre Canterbury/Evolution Productions, 'Watership Down', Regent's Park Open Air Theatre.
Adebayo Bolaji & Alan Mehdizadeh have been friends (and collaborators) since 1994. They attended Drayton Manor High School where they performed in school plays and wrote their own material which they would perform in drama festivals. They remain close friends, and continue to collaborate together 20 years later.
Ex Nihilo (meaning Out of Nothing) Theatre Group acts as a collective, a collective of artists.
Boasting itself in creating new provocative work and ideas mainly through the medium of theatre, but using all forms of the arts to express this. Founded by Adebayo Bolaji whilst studying at the Royal Central School of Speech and Drama, Ex Nihilo runs along side B.A.S.E (Bolaji Arts School Experimentation) a new school/research centre currently in formation, with the main focus of researching artistic processes and needs… What do actors need 'today'- this generation?
What Was That? Productions are a professional production company founded by Alan Mehdizadeh. The company aim to provide a safe, risk-free environment for anyone wishing to work in the entertainment industry with a friendly, fun and proactive company.
To date, the company have produced productions of 'Jesus Christ Superstar', 'Tick, tick…BOOM!', 'Table Manners' and the World Premiere of 'The Kebabman Cometh'. The company have also produced several cabaret evenings, and have worked with more than 100 performers, musicians, stage crew, creative's and theatre staff on their productions.
Filed Under: Past Shows, What's On
A Catered Affair
3 June – 20 June, 2014
Extra Performance Added 15 June, 20:00
Harvey Fierstein and John Bucchino's musical 'A Catered Affair' makes its UK professional premiere at London Theatre Workshop throughout June, 2014.
Featuring an ensemble cast of nine, 'A Catered Affair' tells the story of a Bronx mother's desire to give her only daughter the beautiful wedding she never had‎ – and the bride didn't ask for!
Inspired by the film 'The Catered Affair' (starring Bette Davis, Ernest Borgnine and Debbie Reynolds) the musical features an equally touching and acerbic ‎book by Fierstein, together with affecting music and lyrics by Bucchino.
'A Catered Affair' is directed by Ray Rackham, with musical direction by David Keefe.
Aggie Hurley: Maggie Robson
Tom Hurley: Howard Samuels
Uncle Winston: David Anthony
Janey Hurley: Aimee Gray
Ralph Halloran: Calum Melville
Mr Halloran/Sam: Dudley Rogers
Mrs Halloran/Pasha: Judith Street
Delores/Alice/Army Sergeant: Ellen Verenieks
Myra/Wedding Dress Saleswoman/Caterer: Bryony Growdon
When You Say Goodbye Front Page
6 August – 23 August
[More information and Ticket Booking]
When You Say Goodbye
6 August – 23 August, 2014
Against the backdrop of the Second World War, a new musical set partly in Wales and partly in France.
Featuring the songs of Harry Parr Davies with songs by Marguerite Monnot
Some of the songs will be familiar, but many are waiting to be rediscovered.
Born in South Wales in 1914, Harry Parr Davies was a prolific songwriter who wrote for Gracie Fields, George Formby, Jessie Matthews, Jack Buchanan and many other stars of the day. He had a number of musicals produced in the West End including THE LISBON STORY at the London Hippodrome and DEAR MISS PHOEBE at the Phoenix. His songs have an evocative naive charm.
At the same time, on the other side of the Channel, Marguerite Monnot was writing beautiful songs for her good friend Edith Piaf. Monnot later went on to write the musical IRMA LA DOUCE.
(Recently revived in New York)
"A charming piece of theatre and a lovely young cast bringing the delightful music of Harry Parr Davies to the attention of those of us who were unaware of it."
"Playful and poignant"
(Audience comments on social media)
GOD – A Celebration [parody] of Stephen Sondheim
Celebrating the 20th Anniversary of The Stephen Sondheim Society 'GOD' is a celebration (and parody) of the greatest Musical Theatre composer of our time. Featuring a cast of winners and competitors from the societies 'Student Performer of the Year Award' plus newly commissioned music from emerging Musical Theatre composers and 'Stiles and Drewe New Songwriting Competition' writers – this evening promises to be an affectionate and dazzling tribute to the great man himself.
Director – Alastair Knights
Musical Director – Alex Parker
The North/South Divine – Front Page
14 & 15 December, 2014
THE NORTH/SOUTH DIVINE
A Woman, Her Life…and Then? – Front Page
THOMAS ASHTON DANCE COLLECTIVE
A WOMAN, HER LIFE…AND THEN?
When The Sky Falls In – Front Page
WHEN THE SKY FALLS IN