Theatre & Film News

Fatal Attraction comes to Cambridge

Based on the Oscar-nominated classic motion picture Fatal Attraction, James Deardon’s intoxicating new stage production comes to Cambridge Arts Theatre from April 25th30th. Starring Footballer’s Wives siren Susie Amy, as the iconic Alex Forrest, soap star favourite Oliver Farnworth (Coronation Street) as Dan Gallagher and celebrated TV talent and performer Louise Redknapp (Eternal, Strictly Come Dancing, Cabaret, 9 to 5) as Beth Gallagher, the play promises to thrill audiences. After a night of extra-marital passion, Dan returns home to his family and tries to forget his mistake. But his lover Alex has different ideas. Dan’s about to discover that love is a dangerous game. What happens when desire becomes deadly? www.cambridgeartstheatre.com

Eastern Angles return to the road

In their 40th anniversary year, Eastern Angles are back doing what they do best this spring – touring across the East of England with a new play telling a regional story. This year’s show, Booming Voices, captures the magic of the Broads and explores its possible future. The tour runs from the April 27th- June 12th, including special site-specific performances in Beccles and the chance to watch from home. The play uses the experience and voices of people living on the Broads to tell a new, unheard story of this iconic landscape. From a range of interviews, Ivan Cutting’s new play fuses real voices, science and nature to explore the past and question the future. With the songs of acclaimed folk musician Jimmy Aldridge, and insights from figures who helped discover the true nature of this wetland paradise, Booming Voices prepares us for the future and gives us hope. With performances across the East of England, Booming Voices is sure to be at a theatre, community centre or village hall near you this Spring. www.easternangles.co.uk

The Quay Sudbury: Gainsborough & The Modern Woman

In 1760, Gainsborough painted a portrait of an extraordinary young woman, Ann Ford. Ann was a talented musician, twice arrested by her father to prevent her performing in public she went on to earn the princely sum of £1500, making her an independent woman. This play, coming to The Quay Theatre Sudbury on May 13th-14th, is about the making of this painting and the relationship between painter and subject. There are many local connections – notably with Gainsborough’s birthplace in Sudbury where his family worked in cloth. For this production, two of Sudbury’s present day silk weavers, Stephen Walters and Richard Matthews, are providing the silk for the dress and having it specially woven to match the design in the portrait. When displayed the portrait took Gainsborough’s world by storm. Prepared to break the rules about how a woman should be portrayed, it caused outrage but put a seal on Gainsborough’s growing reputation. The painting was kept by Ann Ford Thicknesse until her death in 1824 and kept in her family until it was sold at auction. It is now displayed at the Cincinnati Museum of Art who have kindly given permission to use the image. www.quaysudbury.com

Get Royally Worked Up in Sheringham

On June 4th, head to Sheringham Little Theatre for an alternative Platinum Jubilee celebration with Royally Worked UP. Two middle-aged women, who between them have three dogs, two kids but only one fully functioning pelvic floor. They’re a tiny bit cross, they’re not going to take it anymore, they’re dishing it out instead. Beth Hayward and Freyja Westdal met on tour 25 years ago. Beth was Freyja's understudy; a fact that is never allowed to be forgotten.

Join with this pair of post-menopausal Mary Poppins who will use fun and games to help celebrate Her Madge’s Platinum Jubilee with party games like Charles’ favourite “Whose Throne is it Anyway”, a new edition of “Would I Lie to You” especially for Andrew and, a life-size pinata of Meghan donated by Princess Michael of Kent. www.sheringhamlittletheatre.com

Hold on Let Go: The Corn Hall, Diss

The Corn Hall Diss plays host to the critically-acclaimed play Hold On Let Go on May 19th. Alex is 56. Luca is half his age. Alex has an encyclopaedia in his head. Luca has one on her phone. Alex can’t recall his mother’s voice or most of the 1980s. But he can instantly bring to mind his mother’s cooking and his family’s stories of the Spanish Civil War. Luca worries that she can’t remember the important stuff – things that might make the world a better place. Her journey sucks her into a black hole crammed full of everything she’s ever forgotten. A poignant, personal meditation on the gaps in our memories, Hold On Let Go asks what we want to pass on to future generations. It’s a show that bakes bread, dances on the kitchen table and wonders what is left when words are gone. www.thecornhall.co.uk

Dame Judi Dench in Conversation at Theatre Royal, Bury

Theatre Royal are delighted to welcome Judi Dench on May 29th for this special afternoon to raise funds to support the theatre. Dame Judi Dench says; ‘How lovely to be returning to Bury St Edmunds after such a long time. Its historic auditorium is a magical place and its rich heritage must be preserved for generations to come.’ The Seven-time Olivier Award winning actress, Dame Judi Dench, made her professional theatre debut as part of the Old Vic Company in 1957. Her Olivier Award wins for productions including A Little Night Music and Absolute Hell means that she currently holds the record for the most competitive Olivier Award wins by an actress. Recently, Dame Judi's theatre credits include starring with Kenneth Branagh in The Winter's Tale at the Garrick, The Vote at the Donmar Warehouse and Peter and Alice at the Noel Coward Theatre. Her notable film credits include M in the James Bond films, a role that she has played on nine separate films. Recent film credits include Belfast, Murder on the Orient Express, All is True with Kenneth Branagh, Red Joan and Six Minutes to Midnight.