The Ambassador Theatre Group
Autumn/Winter 2009
Sheridan Smith Duncan James John Simm Matt Lucas Jane Asher Joanna Page and more...
SO MUCH FUN IT SHOULDN’T BE LEGAL
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ISSUE
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best
John Simm So cute... and a detective as well! Guaranteed I’ll be first in the queue for Speaking in Tongues at the Duke of York’s Box Office:
OMIGOD You Guys - It’s Elle!
0844 871 7623
The ultimate feel-good musical!
Theatre this Autumn.
The Master At Work
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John Simm centre stage just where we want him
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Oh Yes It Is!
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Jane Asher, Joanna Page, Claire
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staff, readings, debates - and a
Little Britain’s Matt Lucas
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tackles a tragic tale
Sweeney - seduced by panto
fabulous café. 14 Bury Place London WC1A 2JL 020 7269 9030
The Car’s The Star
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Top gear as Chitty Chitty Bang Bang goes on tour
What’s On In London
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Competition
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Win a Legally Blonde-style party!
I shall go to the ball!
Basque In Glory
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Fish out your fishnets for the
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Rocky Horror Show
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Starry Nights Broadway’s hit musical comedy
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Legally Blonde
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For love letters... or lecture notes.
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The brief - have fun with
AMBASSADOR GROUP PRODUCTIONS AMBASSADOR THEATRE GROUP LONDON THEATRES Comedy Theatre 0844 871 7622 Donmar Warehouse 0844 871 7624 Duke of York’s Theatre 0844 871 7623 Fortune Theatre 0844 871 7626 Phoenix Theatre 0844 871 7629 Piccadilly Theatre 0844 871 7630 Playhouse Theatre 0844 871 7631 Savoy Theatre 0844 871 7687 Trafalgar Studios 0844 871 7632 AMBASSADOR THEATRE GROUP REGIONAL THEATRES Theatre Royal Brighton 0844 8717 650 Churchill Theatre Bromley 0844 8717 620 Kings Theatre Glasgow 0844 8717 648 Theatre Royal Glasgow 0844 8717 647 Milton Keynes Theatre 0844 8717 652 Richmond Theatre 0844 8717 651 Regent Theatre & Victoria Hall Stoke-on-Trent 0844 8717 649 New Wimbledon Theatre & New Wimbledon Studio 0844 8717 646 Ambassadors Cinemas Woking 0844 8717 643 New Victoria Theatre & Rhoda McGaw Theatre Woking 0844 8717 645 Online booking at AmbassadorTickets.com Jessamy Hadley Editor Pat Westwell, Mark Shenton, Benedict Nightingale, Al Senter, Robin Stringer, Vicky Brown, Barry Grant, Dan Hadley, Mark Bouman, Neena Dhillon, David Bradbury Contributors Shaun Webb Design Design and Art Direction John Good Print The Ambassador Theatre Group Ltd 39 - 41 Charing Cross Road, London WC2H OAR The views expressed in this magazine are those of the authors and not necessarily those of the Ambassador Theatre Group Ltd.
Legally Blonde photography by Uli Webber
comes to London - from 5 Dec at
15
stylish accessories
Blonde Highlights Personal shopping, pampered pets, a bit of bling... let Legally Blonde guide you around the capital
17
Interview
Savoy Theatre
Legally Blonde The Musical From 5 Dec 2009 Box Office 0844 871 7687 Online booking at AmbassadorTickets.com
OMIGOD YouGuysIt’s Elle! Sheridan Smith and Duncan James star in the award-winning Broadway sensation
Interview by Mark Shenton
A word from Duncan James: Hi everyone - I’m really excited to be playing Warner in Legally Blonde - it’s going to be fantastic! From the minute the curtain comes up, you are being entertained. There’s singing, dancing (and dogs!) and I think that everybody is going to leave the theatre with a huge, huge smile on their face. Not a lot of Blue - but there’ll definitely be some pink - see you there!
28-year-old Sheridan Smith is
Theatre: ‘I learnt a lot from
the Menier Chocolate Factory’s
already a West End veteran,
them. And what I’ve done ever
production of Little Shop of
having made her debut there
since is to take a little bit from
Horrors and admits that she was
heads to Harvard to study law,
aged just 16 when she starred
each job I do.’
daunted by the prospect: ‘When
Sheridan says about herself,
I first came to London and
‘Elle’s much more intelligent
in the National Youth Music
She’s just filmed a Jonathan
I can carry on eating burgers!’ Unlike her character Elle, who
Theatre’s production of Bugsy
Creek special with Alan Davies
realised how amazing everyone
than me. Everyone sees her as a
Malone. ‘It was lucky that my
that will be shown next Easter,
in the West End is, I didn’t think
dumb blonde but actually she’s
agent saw me in that,’ she notes
and uses it to prove the point:
I would be getting to play
pretty bright.’
now, ‘as I don’t think I would
‘He’s got detective acting down
leading ladies like this!’
have been able to afford to go
to a tee - he’s a master at it. I can
to drama school! I blagged my
see the cogs turning in his head.
Legally Blonde is one she actively
way into the business, and I’m
So I’ve been watching how he
chased.’ ‘When I heard it was
still blagging it!’ she jokes.
does it, and I’m always learning.’
coming over from Broadway, I
Actually, she’s being modest: by the time she did Bugsy Malone, she’d already earned her
The role of Elle Woods in
got my agent to ring up and find
A mega hit.’
out when they were auditioning!
‘A non-stop sugar rush of a show.’ New York Times Sheridan identifies with Elle,
I then got the original cast
whom she calls ‘so adorable, so
recording and listened to it every
positive and so loyal: she loves
day. My recall was in front of
her friends and family, and I
some of the best, notching up an
about 15 people, including the
hope I’m similar in a way. I love
impressive array of credits along
composer and writers, and I was
going home to Epworth, outside
out on a formal training,
the way. She’s appeared on TV
the most nervous I’ve ever been
Doncaster - I’m really a country
performing was in her blood
in The Royle Family with Caroline
in an audition. My legs were
bumpkin. But Elle is very pink
Aherne, and starred in such
literally shaking! But it went all
and girly, whereas I’m a bit more
acclaimed series as Two Pints
right, and they called me later
of a tomboy.’ And Legally Blonde
I danced
of Lager and a Packet of Crisps,
that day and said I had the part -
couldn’t be a better showcase for
from the
Grown Ups, Eyes Down (with
and I screamed for the next hour!’
her: ‘There’s so much comedy
age of four
Paul O’Grady), Gavin and Stacey
stage dues, having appeared in the title role of the musical Annie no less than three times. Though she may have missed
from an early age: ‘It’s all I ever wanted to do!
to 16, and
Wall Street Journal She’s managed to learn from
She adds, ‘I loved the film, but
and pathos and dancing and
and Benidorm - a new series of
this is even better - it’s more pink
singing and live dogs too - plus
did
the latter is now airing. ‘I play
and camp and fabulous as a
I get to kiss Duncan James every
competitions.
a Scouse slapper in that, and
musical!’ She’s had to put herself
night. It couldn’t get any better!’
I loved it, and I
a Cockney chav in Gavin and
in serious training for the role -
Stacey, so it’s been quite a
she’s taken singing lessons and
year,’ she quips.
has hired a personal trainer, too.
UP CLOSE
‘You have to be fit, and I have
Meet Duncan James at our
always wanted to be onstage.’ She also spent
And it is now crowned by the
three summers
leading role in another major
a very healthy appetite and I
after-show Q&A: Sunday 17
with the National
West End musical. Three years
love chocolate and crisps, but at
and Sunday 24 Jan 2010 only!
Youth Music
ago she headlined as Audrey in
least I’ll be working it off! I hope
Supported by
Interview
that’s when he has spent the day
restlessness that led Simm to
Lancashire, to join students he
doing short takes in front of the
annoy the BBC by turning down
found dauntingly sophisticated
camera. One of the reasons he’s
a third series of the hugely
and intellectual at London’s
returned to the theatre is that,
successful Life on Mars and to
Drama Centre. He willingly
instead of learning and then
tell me now that, at 39, he’s
admits he’s self-educated, a big
forgetting his lines, he could
not ready to retreat to the
reader of the classics, and thinks
explore character in depth,
comfort zone of playing, say, a
one of the joys of the job is the
carry an entire role in his head -
nice detective in Jersey for year
research that comes with it:
and become the troubled Leon
after year. Mark you, he found
devouring Dostoevsky when he
as fully as he became the
playing Elling eight times a
played Raskolnikov in Crime
oddball Elling.
week exhausting, especially
and Punishment on TV, learning
on matinee days. ‘I’d never done
everything about Van Gogh
challenge of a tricky but
such a long run and there were
when he took that part.
fascinating play. Bovell asks his
times when I felt, I can’t do this
actors to double their roles,
any more. But other actors have
film adaptation of a major novel,
plays tricks with time, and uses
told me that’s normal: you’re
one whose identity he can’t yet
overlapping dialogue that’s
terrified at first, then it’s really
reveal but potentially as fulfilling
tough to learn and demands
enjoyable for quite a while, then
as Edward Sexby, the 17th-
But the main reason is the
‘
His next project could be a
I needed to feel those awful nerves you get on first nights, when you say, what on earth am I doing to myself? But that’s exhilarating and makes you feel alive.
’
musical precision to deliver. At
you feel you’ve hit a brick wall,
century puritan he played in
one point, Simm’s onstage Nick
then you know it’s the home
The Devil’s Whore. After that,
even has to be interviewed by
run and you enjoy it again.’
who knows? Hollywood is well
Simm’s offstage Leon. ‘I was
For reasons he can’t
aware of him, though the
beginning to find film work too
understand, though maybe
investigative reporter he played
easy. The muscle I used to keep
because he lives what he calls
in State of Play on the small
lines in my head was getting far
‘quite a boring life’, preferring
screen ended up going to Russell
too relaxed. I needed a kick up
the company of his wife and
Crowe on the big one. But he’d
the arse and to get back to work,
young children to celebrity
love to have a go at Hamlet,
work, work. I needed to feel
antics, Simm has a reputation
‘before it’s too late’, and other
those awful nerves you get on
for disliking interviews. Well, I
classic roles. And why not? The
first nights, when you say, what
have to say he’s one of the least
living theatre may unsettle him -
on earth am I doing to myself?
defensive people I’ve met. He’s
‘I’m terrified of this play, I’m
But that’s exhilarating and makes
also as unpretentious as he surely
terrified of being back onstage’ -
you feel alive.’
was when, the son of a musician,
but it’s where many of us want
he came down from Darwin,
him to be.
That’s a sign of the creative
Top image: Elling Bottom image: Life on Mars
The Master At Work John Simm on the highly charged thriller Speaking In Tongues
John Simm is known to the world
of prissy disdain so meticulous it
over a sexual lapse that imperils
as the time-travelling detective
extended to his voice, his uptight
his marriage, and Nick, an
in Life on Mars, one of David
carriage, even a twitching of
ordinary bloke wrongly
Tennant’s more formidable foes
the mouth.
suspected of murder.
in Dr Who and other characters
Interview by Benedict Nightingale
3
Elling marked Simm’s return
When we met between
that demonstrate the strength
to the theatre after an absence
rehearsals Simm looked his usual
of British television. But I last
of 11 years and brought him
dapper self but was, he
recall seeing him in 2007 at the
a deserved Olivier nomination.
apologetically said, having bouts
Duke of York’s Theatre
Trafalgar Studios as a nerdy loner
And now here he is at the Duke
of insomnia that explained why
and agoraphobic called Elling.
of York’s in a play that gives him
his head felt like scrambled eggs.
Speaking in Tongues
Looking and sounding like a
no less than two chances to
But maybe that wasn’t surprising,
blend of a white mouse and
prove again that he’s as much
since he thought that a guilt-
the late Kenneth Williams, he
at home onstage as onscreen.
ridden Leon would be having
Photography by
half-padded, half-scuttled out of
Andrew Bovell’s Speaking in
sleepless nights. Usually Simm
Johan Persson and
the wardrobe in which he’d slept
Tongues, in which Simm is both
can, as he said, ‘go home and
the night to present a portrait
Leon, a detective anguishing
leave the role at the door’, but
Mark Campbell
By Andrew Bovell Starring John Simm, Ian Hart, Lucy Cohu and Kerry Fox Box Office 0844 871 7623 Online booking at AmbassadorTickets.com 4
Presented by
Interview
and
Theatre Royal, Brighton
Peter Pan 4 Dec 2009 - 3 Jan 2010 Box Office 08448 717 650
New Victoria Theatre, Woking
Cinderella Starring Joanna Page, Michael Aspel and Jon Lee Further major star casting tba 4 Dec 2009 - 10 Jan 2010 Box Office 0844 871 7645
Milton Keynes Theatre
Cinderella Starring Bobby Davro, Anthea doing the show for, and young
Turner and Louise Dearman
will be appearing as The Wicked
audiences in particular will
4 Dec 2009 - 17 Jan 2010
Witch in Snow White and the
have eagle eyes. They’re a
Box Office 0844 871 7652
day, sometimes
Seven Dwarfs at Richmond
very perceptive and important
Claire points out. ‘Doing two shows every in the middle
Theatre, is returning to the
audience, and for many of
Churchill Theatre, Bromley
of it you can
panto after a long absence. ‘I did
them it will also be their first
feel like it’s
Cinderella at Bromley when I was
experience of theatre.’
Sleeping Beauty
a grind. But
about 17 - I can still remember
Playing the Wicked Witch,
you’ve got to
the pink glittery wig I wore in
‘a woman who was once good
the transformation scene and
looking but who is not what she
that there were lots of white
used to be’, is she notes, ‘not a
ponies, with all the ensuing
big stretch! Sadly, you’ve got all
problems that having live
those mirrors that tell you the
Aladdin
animals onstage can cause!’
truth and you can’t quite face
Star cast to be announced!
it!’ But Jane, who juggles her
4 Dec 2009 -10 Jan 2010 Box Office 0844 871 7646
keep it alive and sparky.’ For Joanna Page, best known for her TV role in Gavin and Stacey and who this year is starring in
From l-r: Jane Asher, Claire Sweeney & Joanna Page
‘It’s so wonderful to go out there and feel the buzz in the audience that you forget how tired you are! To see all the children with their little glow sticks, shouting out to you, and excited to be there, feels so special.’
5
OhYes It Is! From Cinderella to Wicked Queen - there’s no business like panto business
Jane Asher, who this year
She’s delighted to be
Starring Claire Sweeney 4 Dec 2009 - 10 Jan 2010 Box Office 0844 871 7620
New Wimbledon Theatre
the title role of Cinderella at
returning, not least because,
acting with running a thriving
Woking’s New Victoria Theatre,
as she puts it, ‘I now have four
sideline in cakes, isn’t resting on
appearing in pantomime is a
lovely step-grandchildren, and
her laurels, for her life is all
Regent Theatre, Stoke-on-Trent
special treat.
they’re excited about the idea
about facing reality: ‘If someone
Dick Whittington
‘I just love it’, she says - ‘I love
of granny doing a panto!’ But
had said twenty years ago I’d
Starring Jonathan Wilkes,
Christmas and I love working in
she’s taking it very seriously:
be running a cake business, I
Sheila Ferguson and Christian
theatre, but normally I don’t get
‘One of the most important
wouldn’t have believed it. It’s
Patterson
the chance to sing and dance
things about doing panto - and
very surreal how these things
10 Dec 2009 -10 Jan 2010 Box Office 0844 871 7649
Variety is the spice of life, and
staged a comeback and is now
that’s their first introduction
and have fun like that. But this
it’s often forgotten - is that it
happen in life - you don’t plan
lately it has been staging a TV
more popular than ever. There’s
to the theatre, that’s fantastic!’
is how I first got into performing,
can’t all be about the actors
for anything, you just lurch from
comeback thanks to the
been huge investment on both
so it’s good to get to have fun
having a laugh. Of course it
one thing to another, and what
Kings Theatre, Glasgow
popularity of such TV reality
sides of the footlights, and actors
as Carrion, the Wicked Fairy, in
again. The rest of the year you
should be deeply silly and corny
was a hobby became a business.’
entertainment shows as X Factor,
love being in them as much as
Sleeping Beauty at Bromley’s
don’t get a chance to do that.’
and there have to be lots of
But the two worlds may collide
Aladdin
Britain’s Got Talent and Strictly
audiences love watching them.
Churchill Theatre, and says, ‘I
But like Claire, she points
jokes and references to TV, but
in Richmond: ‘I expect there to
Come Dancing. But now that
It’s the sense of being part of a
Claire is appearing this year
prefer it to being Principal Boy.
out it is also gruelling: ‘It’s
if I see actors mucking about,
be lots of lovely cake jokes in the panto!’, she quips.
Starring Gerard Kelly, Karen Dunbar, Keith Jack and Gavin Mitchell
live variety has virtually fallen
long tradition. As Claire Sweeney
It’s a far juicier role - it’s fun to
absolutely exhausting. It can be
that makes me upset. You always
off the end of the pier, the sole
- herself a veteran of TV’s Strictly
be evil. They’ve made me the
very physical and demanding.
have to remember who you are
survivor of its interactive, family-
Come Dancing, as well as
most wonderful costume for
But it’s so wonderful to go out
orientated traditions in the
Celebrity Big Brother - puts it,
the part – it’s a joy to be both
there and feel the buzz in the
theatre may well be pantomime.
‘What I love about it is quite
glamorous and evil. I wouldn’t
audience that you forget how
Supporting the Theatres for Theatres Appeal
The last few years have seen
personal. Pantomime was my
say I am typecast!’
tired you are! To see all the
in aid of Great Ormond Street Hospital
Snow White
children with their little glow
www.gosh.org
Starring Jane Asher, Tim Vine
But it isn’t just about having
4 Dec 2009 - 17 Jan 2010 Box Office 0844 871 7648
Richmond Theatre
its resurgence as a creative force:
first introduction to the theatre
far from being seen off by the
as a child, and it’s such a joy to
fun. It’s also, for the actors,
sticks, shouting out to you,
© 2007 Great Ormond Street Hospital Children’s Charity.
and Sapphire Elia
Feature by
competition of digital-era
see kids in the theatre, believing
incredibly hard work. ‘You have
and excited to be there, feels
Registered charity no 235825
4 Dec 2009 - 10 Jan 2010
Mark Shenton
entertainments, panto has
in magic and paying attention! If
to keep your resilience up,’
so special.’
Box Office 0844 871 7651
6
Interview
of Reeves and Mortimer’s
slightly different story. Kenneth
players in Hollywood with
Shooting Stars (BBC2), his superb
was very much a mentor for
a screenwriting deal with
comic characterisations in Little
Orton and they had a very happy
Dreamworks, among other
Britain were a revelation. Lucas is
life together in the early days,
commitments. And Lucas will
no stranger to live performance,
at least. But then Orton started
be seen next year as both
of course, with his pedigree in
having a bit of success and
Tweedledum and Tweedledee
stand-up and the transfer of
Halliwell got left behind.’
in Tim Burton’s all-star realisation
Little Britain to the stage.
Bob Mortimer, who reportedly
of Alice in Wonderland. ‘My game plan is never to
However, he now has to inhabit
spotted Lucas doing stand-up
the leading character and
in a North London pub and then
have a game plan’ says Lucas.
maintain it for several hours
helped him on his way up the
‘I’ve been offered other jobs
in the theatre.
show business ladder, famously
but they have mostly been in
Lucas argues that previous
described Lucas as the angriest
the comedy mainstream and I
treatments of the fifteen year
person he’d ever met. As a gay,
feel that I’ve rather done that.
Orton-Halliwell relationship,
Jewish, overweight, bald young
I’ve already pressed those
as reflected in John Lahr’s
man, Lucas may have been
buttons. David and I remain best
entitled to feel a little vexed at
friends. We’re writing together
belonging to so many persecuted
and Little Britain will come back.
film version, have failed to
minorities. That rage would
Why not? We love doing it.’
do justice to Halliwell.
appear to have vanished with
Orton biography and in the subsequent Stephen Frears
‘
Those expecting Lucas to be a zany funster offstage will be
Doing this play has been quite a challenge for me’ he says. ‘There’s nowhere for me to hide and I shall either sink or swim. I could have gone for a much safer choice, I suppose, a silly farce or something. But what would have been the point of that?
’
disappointed. What is striking about him is his steely
Image courtesy of BBC/PETT
professionalism. For all the flaky
Productions
characters he’s played, there is something of the businessman about him with a shrewd understanding of his own worth and a hard-headed analysis of showbiz realities. ‘People invest time and money
‘Previously, in the book and
the acclaim given to Little
in the film, Kenneth comes across
Britain, however, and fury
as a kind of curmudgeon. He and
must be hard to sustain with a
to deliver to those people to the
Orton were in what we’d now
reputed £15 million in the bank.
best of my ability. I’m not
call a co-dependent relationship.
Although opinions differ
in me and so I have an obligation
interested in reviews or audience
But a lot of people, including
about the impact made by Little
figures. What does concern me
Orton’s sister Leonie and friends
Britain USA, both Lucas and
is giving the best performance
who knew them at RADA, tell a
Walliams appear to be significant
I can.’
Great Briton There is more to Matt Lucas than meets the eye
starring role in the West End.
quarters at a boutique hotel
The play has at last been
in Brighton, conscientiously
presented to an audience who
Pinter’s No Man’s Land in the
dispensing answers to journalists.
lapped it up and Lucas’s natural
West End last year and I found
At the time of writing, Lucas is
performing instinct ‘You mean
that very inspiring. I’d also seen
on a brief pre-London tour of
I’m a show-off?’ has done
Daniel Kramer’s fantastic
Prick Up Your Ears, Simon Bent’s
the rest.
production of Bent a couple of
play about the tragic relationship
Interview by Al Senter Photography by 7
Catherine Ashmore
appeared in the frame.
Matt Lucas is entombed in his
‘I’m having a great time’ he
‘David (Walliams) was in
years ago with Chris New and I
between Joe Orton and his lover
says. ‘I’ve never done anything
decided that I’d like to work
Kenneth Halliwell. Lucas plays
like this before and so it’s
with them one day. I knew that
Halliwell with Chris New as
been very useful to have had
I’d learn a lot from both Daniel
Orton and Gwen Taylor as
what amounts to five weeks
and Chris and I felt that it would
their neighbour in Daniel
of previews.’
make me raise my game.’
Kramer’s production. Lucas sounds positive about what is effectively his first
Lucas had been looking for a
To those who only knew Lucas
suitable stage project for some
in his lurid Babygro astride a set
time before Prick Up Your Ears
of drums in the madcap world
Comedy Theatre
Prick Up Your Ears Starring Matt Lucas, Chris New and Gwen Taylor Box Office 0844 871 7622 Online booking at AmbassadorTickets.com 8
Backstage
original, then the show was not
Bang Bang remains a mighty
and in full view of the audience,
that different from any other
big show to tour. It took £3
passion overcame them. ‘The
musical.
million to stage and it still takes
audience were ecstatic,’ Rose
12 45ft trucks and 100 crew to
recalls. ‘The dogs had put the
umpteen scene changes not to
move it and set it up at the
bang bang into Chitty Chitty.’
mention 11 dogs and their
next venue. Inevitably, in such
But there is only one star of
handlers, who travel with the
a technologically complicated,
this show, and it’s Chitty herself.
show, and 20 children and
computer-driven production
‘If anyone gets too grand, Chitty
Of course, it does also involve
their chaperones, who have to be recruited in each venue nine weeks ahead of opening and then rehearsed. Nevertheless, the technical
‘
innovations, which introduced a massive portable steel deck hiding many of Chitty’s secrets and designed to fit into the smallest venue on the tour, have enabled a show that once took two weeks to move to be transferred in a few days. By the time the British tour
reminds us,’ says Rose. ‘She just
Chitty Chitty Bang Bang remains a mighty big show to tour. It took £3 million to stage and it still takes 12 45ft trucks and 100 crew to move it and set it up at the next venue.
’
puts her foot down - or her wheel down - and stops. It very rarely happens now because the technology has improved so much and the show has been running for so long.’ When it does happen, it can be less to do with the engineering and more to do with human fallibility. During one Palladium show, a double instead of a single push on a button sent Chitty backwards
was being planned, that
with a cast of over 30 and
instead of forwards at a critical
turnaround time had already
an orchestra of 14 as well as
moment and it crashed into
been achieved by the American
children and dogs, there will be
the ship.
touring version of the show and
glitches. But problems have been
key British personnel were flown
ironed out in the course of the
back of the circle,’ Rose recalled.
out to the United States to pick
show’s various manifestations
‘We had Prince Charles and
the brains of their American
and other trivial slip-ups often
Camilla Parker Bowles in that
counterparts.
go unnoticed by audiences.
night. I just wanted the ground
In the interim, the opportunity
Some, however, cannot be
‘I remember standing at the
to open up.’ But there’s no getting round
was also taken to improve the
anticipated. Animals, though
writing and structure of the
well trained, have minds of their
the fact that he is proud of his
show. Adrian Noble and his
own. Rose remembers one hot
team and the incredible
production team came back to
summer night at the Palladium
organisational feat that is the
re-direct it and Rose believes it
when two dogs got caught in
Chitty tour. He likes to think that
now has greater clarity, pace
front of the front cloth when
it has revised one of theatre’s
and energy than before.
they should have disappeared
oldest adages: that actors should
Even with these dramatic
backstage with their fellows.
never work with animals or
improvements, Chitty Chitty
In the heat of the moment
children - or flying cars.
The Car’s The Star Chitty Chitty Bang Bang
The original phantasmagorical machine goes on tour
Kings Theatre, Glasgow When Chitty Chitty Bang Bang opened at the London Palladium
Robin Stringer Photography by 9
Alistair Muir
Yet seven years later, as if by
not a small show.’ The achievement is down to
20 Oct - 14 Nov 2009 Box Office 0844 871 7648
in 2002, it was said that the show
magic, Chitty is flitting round
the original creative team still
could not possibly tour. It was
the country on a 15-month tour.
working on the show which
Regent Theatre, Stoke-on-Trent
far too big and technologically
Co-producer Michael Rose is
includes the key contribution of
complex to be packaged and
still amazed at the achievement.
Delstar Engineering and Stage
17 Nov - 5 Dec 2009 Box Office 0844 871 7649
put on the road.
‘I am sitting in the theatre in
Technologies, the company
Woking on a Tuesday afternoon
responsible for the flying
the title of the single most
watching a dress rehearsal with
mechanism. It has devised a new,
expensive stage prop ever
the orchestra in the pit and all
much lighter system for touring
23 Feb 2010 - 13 Mar 2010 Box Office 0844 871 7652
created at a cost of £750,000,
the bits working, and conscious
which parks the car at the back
New Wimbledon Theatre
was the bugbear. At the
that the show had only
of the stage instead of under it.
Palladium, the non-functioning
completed its Norwich run on
Rose was always convinced
revolve had been removed to
Saturday night. I am thinking,
that, if the team could come up
16 Mar 2010 - 3 Apr 2010 Box Office 0844 871 7646
make room for the car in the
God, these people are clever.
with a flying method which lost
‘garage’ under the stage. How
How do they do that? This is
none of the magic of the
The ‘flying’ car, which boasts
Feature by
could that be replicated on tour?
Milton Keynes Theatre
Online booking at AmbassadorTickets.com
10
What’s What’s OnOn
Competition
Buy Your West End Tickets Here COMEDY THEATRE 0844 871 7622
PLAYHOUSE THEATRE 0844 871 7631
Prick Up Your Ears
La Cage Aux Folles
Starring Matt Lucas, Chris New and Gwen Taylor
The smash hit musical from The Menier Chocolate Factory Starring John Barrowman
DONMAR WAREHOUSE 0844 871 7624
SAVOY THEATRE 0844 871 7687
Life Is A Dream
Legally Blonde The Musical
By Pedro Calderon de la Barca in a new version by Helen Edmundson
THE PERFECT FESTIVE PARTY!
Starring Sheridan Smith and Duncan James From 5 December
DUKE OF YORK’S THEATRE 0844 871 7623
TRAFALGAR STUDIO 1 0844 871 7632
Speaking in Tongues
Othello
By Andrew Bovell Starring John Simm, Ian Hart, Lucy Cohu and Kerry Fox
By William Shakespeare Starring Lenny Henry #### ‘A triumph’ Daily Telegraph
FORTUNE THEATRE 0844 871 7626
TRAFALGAR STUDIO 2 0844 871 7632
The Woman in Black
My Real War 1914-?
‘A brilliant spine-chiller’ The Guardian
Starring Philip Desmeules 5 - 31 October Studio 2 has been made possible by a generous donation from Christina Smith
WIN A on Haymarket features three
Savoy Theatre
OLD VIC 0870 060 6628
TRAFALGAR STUDIO 2 0844 871 7632
exciting themed areas; the
Inherit The Wind
Perfect Pitch
Bond room, Cabanas and the
Cast includes Kevin Spacey
West End showcase and one-off gala concert of ‘Through The Door’ 3 - 8 November
British room with memorabilia
Legally Blonde The Musical
dedicated to each theme. Ideally located for many of the West End Theatres, why not go along and give it a try!
STYLE PARTY!
PHOENIX THEATRE 0844 871 7629
YOUNG VIC 0844 871 7608
Willy Russell’s
Irving Berlin’s
Blood Brothers
Annie Get Your Gun
Add a bit of sparkle to your
Legally Blonde The Musical will
together with a night out to
Starring Mel C (The Spice Girls) ‘Brings the audience to its feet and roaring its approval’ Daily Mail
Starring Jane Horrocks and Julian Ovenden
winter festivities and win a
take you from the social whirl
remember in London, simply
TERMS AND CONDITIONS
fabulous night out in London
of California Campus life to
answer the following question:
One winner will be drawn at
for you and your friends!
Harvard’s Halls of Justice with
Q: In the film of Legally Blonde -
random after the closing date. The
the West End’s brightest new
which American actress
prize includes six tickets (Mon - Thurs
PICCADILLY THEATRE 0844 871 7630
SHAFTESBURY THEATRE 0844 871 7615
same name, Legally Blonde The
heroine (and of course, her
played Elle?
Grease
Hairspray
Musical is the award-winning
Chihuahua, Bruiser).
Starring Ray Quinn (winner of ITV’s Dancing On Ice, The X Factor) as Danny and Emma Stephens as Sandy
Based on the hit movie of the
Starring Brian Conley ‘The musical with everything. A triumph!’ Observer
Broadway sensation created by
Book your tickets online at AmbassadorTickets.com - no per ticket fee
And to make your evening
To win six tickets for Legally Blonde at the Savoy Theatre
performances between 8 Dec and 7 Jan excluding 28 - 31 Dec only), to see Legally Blonde at the Savoy
Please return your answer,
Theatre plus six meals at Planet
a top-of-their-class creative team,
even more special, your group
not forgetting your name,
Hollywood, a bottle of pink
led by Tony award-winning
can look forward to a meal at
address and telephone number
champagne and goody bags for
director and Olivier Award
West End destination restaurant
to Ben Prudhoe, The Ambassador
all members of the group. Winners
nominated choreographer Jerry
Planet Hollywood and celebrity
Theatre Group Ltd, The
Mitchell (Hairspray).
treatment at the theatre with
Ambassador Theatre Group,
a bottle of pink champagne and
39-41 Charing Cross Road
for a cash value. Not open to
feel-good musical comedy will
party bags. Planet Hollywood’s
London WC2H 0AR before
employees of Ambassador Theatre
be the highlight of your year!
new state-of-the-art restaurant
Monday 2 November.
Group Ltd. Editor’s decision is final.
This all-singing, all-dancing, 11
Starring Sheridan Smith and Duncan James From 5 Dec 2009 Box Office 0844 871 7687 Online booking at AmbassadorTickets.com
will be notified by Friday 6 Nov. Prize is subject to availability, non transferable and non redeemable
12
News
Basque in Glory Rocky Horrow Show on tour: how to, where to - do you dare to?
David Tennant Ian Hart & John Simm Philip Glenister & Beth Goddard
Yasmin & Simon Le Bon Stephen Mangan Andrea Riseborough
The Churchill, Bromley 12 - 17 Oct 2009 Box Office 0844 871 7620
New Victoria Theatre, Woking 19 - 24 Oct 2009 Box Office 0844 871 7645
Theatre Royal Brighton 26 - 31 Oct 2009 Box Office 0844 871 7650
Kings Theatre, Glasgow 23 - 28 Nov 2009 Box Office 0844 871 7648 Online booking at AmbassadorTickets.com
Feature by 13
Dan Hadley
It’s back, and the message boards
chambermaid, or decked him-
they all shout the same thing
are buzzing. Across the UK, the
indoors out in stockings and
at once, and the newbie starts
rattle of sewing machines can be
suspenders, you’re likely to go on
to wonder whether they are
heard late into the night, as fans
having a good time.
not actually on stage and if they should have sat further back.
knock up a costume for the much anticipated new tour of the
But will I bump into my boss?
Just go with the flow, Brad!
Rocky Horror Show.
Probably. Rocky Horror is a secret
Maybe leave the callbacks to
that was out a long time ago.
the professionals - but you could
British cult classic, and although
The audience comes from all
always do the Timewarp with
it might seem a bit daunting for
walks of life, so that guy doing
everyone else.
so-called ‘virgins’, you too can
the hula-hula to Sweet
take a jump to the left (or a step
Transvestite from Transsexual
Isn’t it a bit rude?
to the right, depending on your
Transylvania is more likely to
A bit.
current orientation). Just use our
be a Hairy Heterosexual from
What’s special about this tour?
handy guide, and you’ll feel
H-Heavenly Hemel Hempstead.
Seeing Rocky Horror Picture
Never been? Tut-tut. It’s a
perfectly at home.
Is everyone there in the know?
Show at a cinema is all very well, but the live performance is in a
Jessica de Rothschild & Jeanne Marine Dominic West Angus Deayton
Starry Night London’s theatreland in full swing this Autumn A galaxy of stars met to mark
Cast members John Simm,
Angus Deayton, producer Jessica
the first night of Andrew Bovell’s
Ian Hart, Lucy Cohu and Kerry
de Rothschild, Stephen Mangan
tense thriller Speaking in Tongues
Fox were joined by friends and
(Green Wing) and Simon and
in September. Jewel was the
colleagues from the worlds of
Yasmin Le Bon.
venue chosen for this glittering
TV and film: John’s co-star in
gathering - and hidden away in
Dr Who David Tennant mingled
and interwoven lives, Speaking
Oh God, it’s fancy dress isn’t it?
Audience participation is what
Relax, no-one’s going to make
has made Rocky Horror a smash
you do anything. Rocky Horror
hit for thirty years. Newcomers
Show is about letting your hair
often look around in panic as
down. Many people go as their
other audience members break
Where can I get a ticket?
the cobbled backstreets of old
with Philip Glenister (Life on
in Tongues has its West End
own sweet selves, but if you do
all known rules of theatre
From AmbassadorTickets.com.
Covent Garden, moody lighting,
Mars) and Andrea Riseborough
premiere at the Duke of York’s
want to slip into something more
attendance. They get up and
Tour stops are Woking, Brighton,
cool music and cocktails set the
(The Devil’s Whore). Dominic
Theatre in St. Martin’s Lane.
comfortable, you won’t be alone.
dance. They sing along. They
Bromley and Glasgow: but book
scene for an evening of
West (The Wire) rubbed
Once you’ve dressed as a
shout things out. Sometimes,
ahead to avoid the queue!
celebration.
shoulders with TV presenter
totally different league. Devotees say this new tour looks like a fine vintage with a strong cast.
A powerful study of infidelity
Photography by Paul Clapp
14
Style
Bags of Style
17
‘Be pretty in pink!’says Legally Blonde’s Elle
4
10
1 Satin Untold dress £55 Sonia Rykiel cardigan £185 8
Both at House of Fraser houseoffraser.co.uk
Pink and green leopard scarf £22 at Urban Outfitters urbanoutfitters.co.uk
2 Audley suede shoe boot £129 audley.com
5
3 Wallpaper city guides £4.95 per book at most book shops
4 Smythson ‘With love & kisses’ notebook £35 at Selfridges
12
selfridges.com
9
5 Diamante collar and lead set £19.95 from urbanpup.com
1
18
6 Filofax backing Breast Cancer campaign £43 at Paperchase paperchase.co.uk
7 Juicy Couture Terry zip wallet 6
£85 at Selfridges
19
8 Diamante ring £8 at Topshop topshop.com
13
2
9 Avedon Fashion 1944 -2000 £60 at most book shops
10 Dents suede gloves
15
£35 at Selfridges
3
11 Leather bowling bag £55 at Marks and Spencers
12 Heart shaped handbag £22 at Topshop
13 Smythson heart key chain £29 at Selfridges
14 Benefit make up Bathina body balm £22.50 Some Kind-a Gorgeous
16 Patent Mary-Jane shoes with ribbon bow £59 at Kurt Geiger kurtgeiger.com
£15 at Topshop
18 Multi-coloured patterned t-shirt £90 at Paul Smith
Bad Gal pencil £13.50
paulsmith.co.uk
benefitcosmetics.co.uk
Pink Acne slim leg chino
at House of Fraser
16
17 London sunglasses
foundation £20.50
15 Sequin top £60 at Topshop Untold satin skirt £35
7
£140 at Liberty liberty.co.uk
All prices quoted are given as a guide only and may be subject to change by
19 Pink converse trainers £34.99 at Office office.co.uk
11
individual retailers.
Feature by Mark Bouman
14
Going Out
Images top l-r
Blonde Highlights
Mungo & Maud Girls on a spending spree Old Spitalfields Market
Legally Blonde’s Elle falls head over heels for London Let the West End’s favourite
salutes 40 years of delivering
are run by the designers who’ve
has an aquarium showcasing
Mungo & Maud on Elizabeth
blonde heroine lead the way this
unique costume jewellery to
actually made the clothes and
diverse underwater worlds, a
Street? A purveyor of luxury
family with an expert
autumn with three Elle Woods-
Londoners. Accessible prices
accessories.
Nature Base exhibition featuring
accessories for cats and dogs, the
photoshoot at New ID.
style guides to making the most
and a sparkling array of pieces
store sells bowls, collars, beds,
Professional photographers are
of the capital.
mean that girls & boys alike can
Girl’s Best Friend
a transparent beehive, colonies of mice and beetles, plus the
toys, clothing and even a line
on hand to consult with families
indulge in ‘bling’ that would
For animal lovers such as Elle,
Natural History Gallery telling
of dog shampoo and fragrance.
before employing a variety of
make Elle and her sorority
London is a wonderful
the story of life on earth.
sisters proud.
destination in which to
Make-Over Magic
For an effective way to
encounter creatures of all shapes
Keep up appearances in the
character. The session finishes
update your look, why not
and sizes. A prime example is the
manner of Elle by treating
with a private viewing of the
try personal shopping with
tranquil London Wetland Centre
yourself to a change of hair
portraits taken and a
established stylists The Glass
in Barnes. Here families can come
colour. Karine Jackson, the 2007
complimentary CD image.
Slipper? Specialising in providing
to spot Shoveler and Gadwall
London Hairdresser of the Year,
tailored services to groups of
ducks, elusive bitterns and other
has a calm oasis of a salon in
looking good on the outside
teenagers - maximum of four
bird species that have migrated
Covent Garden where she
means taking care of the inside
accompanied by an adult - the
thousands of miles to enjoy the
expertly works with big brand
so why not get youngsters on
team aims to boost confidence
capital’s mild winter weather.
names such as L’Oréal, and
the right track by introducing
specialises in ammonia-free
them to weekend dance classes
organic colour systems for an
at Pineapple Performing Arts
eco-friendly alternative to
School? Musical theatre, ballet
swapping shades.
and street dance are available
Selfridges selfridges.com butlerandwilson.co.uk theglassslipper.co.uk oldspitalfieldsmarket.com wwt.org.uk horniman.ac.uk mudchute.org mungoandmaud.com karinejackson.co.uk rougemakeupschool.com benefitcosmetics.co.uk newidstudios.com 17
pineapplearts.com
Shop Till You Drop
by showing teens where and
Nature enthusiasts young and
Lift the spirits of the whole
props and backgrounds to capture the group’s natural
Karine Jackson
As Elle knows only too well,
how they can develop an
old can’t help but be fascinated
There’s no better place to
individual sense of style. Mums
by the unique attractions
experience the pleasures of
and younger children aged 12
installed at the Horniman
shopping than at Selfridges,
upwards can also book a day
Museum. Off the beaten track
in the Isle of Dogs, Mudchute
particularly as the famous
of guided retail therapy for
in Forest Hill, this free institution
Park & Farm is home to a superb
make-up go hand-in-hand but it’s
department store celebrates its
advice on the London
collection of furry and feathered
not always easy keeping up with
taking a group of friends to
centenary year. Autumn sees the
shops worth dropping into
friends including llamas and rare
the latest trends. That’s why a
Legally Blonde and having a ball.
opening of a brand new space -
and items that are
breeds like Gloucester Old Spot
mother and daughter package at
For a fabulously fun Christmas or
3rd Central - dedicated to the
guaranteed to flatter.
pigs. Vouchers can be booked in
Rouge make-up school could be
New Year treat call Ambassador
Savoy Theatre
Legally Blonde The Musical
Horniman Museum Set in 32 acres of countryside
Of course, great hair and
at drop-in level. Round off your day out by
advance for animal encounters,
the perfect way to spend quality
Groups on 020 7845 5537 for
fashion collections. Elsewhere
of high-street trends
petting sessions and farm tours,
time together while picking up
special party discounts.
youth-friendly brands also figure
comes as second nature
while the welcoming kitchen
new techniques from
highly with offerings from the
at Old Spitalfields Market,
serves up seasonal, home-cooked
professionals.
likes of Topshop, Superfine and
the East End hotspot
food. Just remember to bring a
Justin Timberlake’s clothing
renowned for its creative
pair of wellies.
range, William Rast.
and bohemian fashion.
coolest denim and contemporary
Marking an important anniversary, Butler & Wilson
Staying one step ahead
Finally, why not spoil your pet
Visit on Fridays to browse a range of stalls, many of which
Butler & Wilson
At Benefit boutiques in London you can try brow waxing and tinting, spray tanning and
as Elle does her chihuahua
make-up parties - perfect for
Bruiser by heading down to
teen treats.
Starring Sheridan Smith and Duncan James From 5 Dec 2009 Box Office 0844 871 7687 OnlineFeature booking by at Neena Dhillon AmbassadorTickets.com
18
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As a member of Ambassador Friends, the Ambassador Theatre Group’s Theatre Club, you will benefit from a whole host of special offers including: Priority booking for your home venue Members only priority booking line 10% off drinks in ATG venues* Discounted tickets at ATG venues* Exclusive discounts to West End Shows No online fees for most productions Free ticket exchange*
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