Ambassador Theatre Group
Summer 2013
happy spamilies
bonnie langford in spamalot
a class act
Patricia Hodge & Rory Bremner
it’s magic!
wicked on tour
hotlist! West Side Story Once The Musical A-list afternoon tea More London for Less
SIMON RUSSELL BEALE JOHN SIMM The Hothouse
contents
summer
of the best
1
simon says
Simon Russell Beale and John Simm join forces in Pinter’s The Hothouse
3 alive and kicking
May saw Ambassador Theatre Group acquire The Foxwoods Theatre, the largest theatre on Broadway. A landmark, historic theatre seating nearly 2000 people in a prime location on 42nd Street, it is home to Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark - the most talked-about show on Broadway.
From the back streets to Broadway West Side Story still has the ability to thrill
5
Star of BBC’s The Village, Life on Mars and Doctor Who, John Simm is at the Trafalgar Studios this summer in Pinter’s macabre tragicomedy The Hothouse, directed by Jamie Lloyd.
7 atg tickets
The go-to destination for all your summer tickets
atgtickets.com That quintessentially British pastime - afternoon tea comes into its own at Coworth Park. The Drawing Room is the perfect backdrop to a glass of champagne, finger sandwiches, pastries - and of course tea. See pg 15 for tips on how to dress.
West Side Story
upwardly mobile
11
philleigh way cookery school
24 packing cases, 319 pairs of shoes, loads of hats - Wicked comes to town
Museum, Covent Garden until October 2013. www.ltmuseum.co.uk Simon Russell Beale
atgtickets.com
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13 something wicked this way comes
Poster Art 150 - London Underground’s Greatest Designs at the London Transport
Daily Mirror
silly season
Looking on the bright side of life with Bonnie Langford in Spamalot
Proper cooking, proper Cornwall
Iconic Underground posters by famous artists including Man Ray and Paul Nash feature in
★ ★ H ★ ★‘Fast, funny, sexy’
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Cultures clash in Coward’s Relative Values - with Patricia Hodge and Rory Bremner
www.coworthpark.com
Stilettos on standby! The notoriously naughty new 40th Anniversary party production of Rocky Horror Show is on a major UK tour this year.
once in a lifetime
A feel-good love story for the summer - with cracking songs
Philleigh Way Cookery School
15 afternoon tea Ladylike chic for the ultimate British institution
17 london for less Ambassador Group productions / Ambassador Theatre Group LONDON Theatres Apollo Victoria 0844 871 7615 Donmar Warehouse 0844 871 7624 Duke of York’s Theatre 0844 871 7623 Fortune Theatre 0844 871 7626 The Harold Pinter Theatre 0844 871 7622 Lyceum Theatre 0844 871 7615 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
Yee-ha y’all! Liverpool, Brighton, Glasgow and Manchester get set for a treat as Dolly Parton’s brand spankin’ new musical 9 to 5 rolls into town. Don’t miss this hilarious story of friendship, gossip and revenge with an all-star cast and a kicking score.
★ ★ H ★ ★‘sassy, punchy
dolly parton songs. knockout’ Sunday Express atgtickets.com
Ambassador Theatre Group REGIONAL Theatres Aylesbury Waterside Theatre 0844 871 7607 New Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham 0844 871 3011 Theatre Royal Brighton 0844 871 7650 Bristol Hippodrome 0844 871 3012 Churchill Theatre Bromley 0844 871 7620 Edinburgh Playhouse 0844 871 3014 Leas Cliff Hall Folkestone 0844 871 3015 Kings Theatre Glasgow 0844 871 7648 Theatre Royal Glasgow 0844 871 7647 Grimsby Auditorium 0844 871 3016 Empire Theatre Liverpool 0844 871 3017 Palace Theatre & Opera House Manchester 0844 871 3018 Milton Keynes Theatre 0844 871 7652 New Theatre Oxford 0844 871 3020 Richmond Theatre 0844 871 7651 Southport Theatre & Convention Centre 0844 847 2380 Regent Theatre & Victoria Hall Stoke-on-Trent 0844 871 7649 Sunderland Empire 0844 871 3022 Princess Theatre Torquay 0844 871 3023 New Wimbledon Theatre & New Wimbledon Studio 0844 871 7646 Ambassadors Cinemas Woking 0844 871 7643 New Victoria Theatre & Rhoda McGaw Theatre Woking 0844 871 7645 York Grand Opera House 0844 871 3024 Online booking at atgtickets.com Broadway Theatres Foxwoods Theatre Jessamy Hadley Editor Pat Westwell, Al Senter, Nancy Groves, Jasper Rees, Lucy Johnston, Benedict Nightingale, Victoria Kingston, Mia Flodquist, Neena Dhillon, David Bradbury, Laura O’Toole 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. Cover photograph by Paul Clapp, Limelight Studios
Super-chic ways to spend time without the hefty price tag
Interview
Simon Says
Complete with military moustache and the strutting air of a puffed-up pouter pigeon, Russell Beale is absolutely
hilarious while Lloyd’s production rattles along like an express train. recover from the pressures of all that drag in Privates
Russell Beale is still to see his BAFTA-winning
and to prepare to scale the mountain that is Lear but
performance as Falstaff but he has very fond
here he is with John Simm at the Trafalgar Studios, the
memories of an unusual incident during the shooting
dominant centre of Jamie Lloyd’s dynamic revival
of Henry IV, Part One, directed by Richard Eyre.
of Pinter’s early play The Hothouse.
‘It was good to have somebody like Richard to hold
‘I’m not a Pinter expert at all and I didn’t know the
your hand. We were about to film the scene where first
play, ’ he admits. ‘It was the scene in which Roote, my
Falstaff and then Hal pretends to be the King with Tom
character, throws whisky in the face of a colleague
(Hiddleston) as Hal, Julie Walters as Mistress Quickly
that clinched it. It was written in 1958 and I’m sure that
and Maxine Peake as Doll Tearsheet and about twenty
Pinter had been listening to radio programmes such
background artists. Richard suddenly said to us that he
as The Goons and that he was inspired by a lot of the
was confident that we knew our lines so why didn’t we
eccentric comedy then being broadcast. The
do this without a rehearsal? ‘Let’s see what happens’
Hothouse is full of virtuoso flights of language
he said. So we went for a take and it was marvellous -
and several characters in the play have these
a completely spontaneous piece of acting which
riffs, these arias.’
Richard then used as the master shot.’
Russell Beale’s Roote is the flailing head of a
From Hogwarts to Middle Earth, there are plenty of
crumbling organisation whose personal disintegration
examples of the titans of the British theatre reaching
is mirrored in the imploding institution. Complete
new audiences via a successful cinema franchise or
with military moustache and the strutting air of a
two. Russell Beale is so far unaware of any invitation to
puffed-up pouter pigeon, Russell Beale is absolutely
join their ranks and it may be that the offer has been
hilarious while Lloyd’s production rattles along
made and then declined. He is, after all, almost
like an express train.
permanently otherwise engaged. However, he does
‘Jamie likes to see energy on stage and, as a result,
currently have his eye on a particular television role,
to do what is a comparatively short play has been
producers and directors take note.
incredibly tiring. Jamie is fearsomely energetic and he
‘I’d love to play Cardinal Wolsey in the BBC’s version
has this swagger that has become part of the Trafalgar
of Wolf Hall by Hilary Mantel,’ he reveals. ‘I know that
Transformed project. I was surprised and flattered to
Mark (Rylance) is playing Cromwell. Normally I’m very
be included and it’s important for me to work with
passive about such things but I’m sure I could find out
younger directors. I could have taken the time off
who is producing the series. I’d do anything to be
between Privates on Parade and King Lear but apart
cast as Wolsey.’
from the need to make a living, I’d have probably sat at
Let’s hope that Russell Beale realises his ambition.
home, developing into a twenty stone alcoholic with
He has achieved most of the others, after all.
★★★★ Richly pleasurable guardian
★★★★ A CONSISTENTLY GRIPPING PRODUCTION OF A PIECE IN WHICH KAFKA SEEMS TO SHAKE HANDS WITH MONTY PYTHON telegraph
too much cakes and ale, to use Sir Toby’s phrase.’
Extra Events simon russell beale and john simm join forces in pinter’s the hothouse Interview by Al Senter
Photography by Johan Persson
1
F
or a man who is regularly hailed as the
Troilus and Cressida and Ariel in The Tempest. Mendes
greatest actor of his generation - and has a
and Russell Beale will be reunited in January with a
houseful of theatrical awards to prove it -
new, much-anticipated production of King Lear at the
Simon Russell Beale is refreshingly modest
Panel discussions, a masterclass with Jamie Lloyd plus Pinter short plays with Alun Armstrong, Joanna Lumley and Andrew Scott - and more. hothousewestend.com/indexhothouse.php#platform-events for more info
National. En route for Lear, Russell Beale has motored
trafalgar studio 1
and unassuming in the flesh. With only the occasional,
through the Shakespearean repertoire, with roles from
if much-praised foray into screen work - he recently
Richard III to a Hamlet of fierce intelligence and
the hothouse
collected a second BAFTA for his performance as
delicate irony, and, most recently an excoriating Timon
Falstaff in the BBC’s season of Shakespeare’s history
of Athens. In lighter mood, he is also a superb
plays - Russell Beale has instead built up a formidable
comedian with projects ranging from King Arthur in
array of classical credits on stage. It was his close friend
Spamalot to the extravagantly camp Captain Terri
and colleague, Sam Mendes, who set him on the road
Dennis in Peter Nichols’ Privates on Parade. Most actors
Written by Harold Pinter Directed by Jamie Lloyd Starring Simon Russell Beale and John Simm Until Saturday 3 August Box Office 0844 871 7632
to leading classical roles by casting him as Thersites in
would have been content to use this interlude to
Online booking at atgtickets.com ATG Magazine / 2
Interview
themselves, or as I like to put it:
composer Leonard Bernstein, lyricist
peeling back their eyes! We start
Stephen Sondheim and director-
at square one - it’s like a new
choreographer Jerome
dance class every time.’
Robbins. And for
And to carry
McKneely, keeping it
Bernstein and
alive and kicking
Sondheim’s songs,
today is a balancing
leading lovers
act of respecting each of their
Maria and Tony
contributions.
must also have
‘There are
very strong
other great
operatic voices,
shows out there
from their solo
but what makes
numbers Maria
West Side Story
and I Feel Pretty to the breathtaking
the masterpiece is
duets of Tonight
that each and every
and Somewhere.
element is motivated
McKneely is looking for
by character and moves
Alive and
back to the story. These shows are great to look at.
A Thrilling West Side Story returns to the West End
3
I
emotional youth and
McKneely. ‘There are
vocal maturity.
musicals where people stop and
kicking
Interview by Nancy Groves
that rare combination of
the story forward,’ says
sing a song, or do some steps, then go
t may be a 50-year-old American musical based
of New York City’s back streets and onto the Broadway
on a 400-year-old Elizabethan play, but West Side
stage in 1957, changing the course of the musical
Story will be forever young at heart. So says Joey
forever. What hasn’t changed in the half century since
McKneely, director and choreographer of the
is the relevance of West Side Story’s themes of gang
Joey McKneely
‘It’s the emotion that creates the
energy and the edge reflects the nature of kids
No. 1 ‘greatest musical of all time’ Times - Top 50 Musicals 2013
If you buy one theatre ticket make it this one sunday express
But West Side Story is the only one where the
today,’ he says. ‘In the 1950s, when it was first done,
entertainment is the storytelling.’
this show still felt a little censored. The world wasn’t as
★★★H
McKneely first worked on West Side Story as
violent or, even if it was, things were more covered up.
Quite simply a masterpiece evening standard
That’s another wonderful thing about West Side Story it’s a slice of reality.
international sell-out hit’s welcome return to the UK
culture, immigration, young guns and young love, nor
this summer.
audience reactions to its electrifying score and
Famously inspired by the title characters of
ground-breaking choreography.
Laughing, fighting, falling in love, fear. Even getting ready to go out!
Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet, star-crossed lovers
The show was a collaboration between four
choreographer for Arthur Laurents major Broadway
Now we grow up watching the violence as it happens.
Maria and Tony first leapt from the iconic fire escapes
American musical greats: writer Arthur Laurents,
revival in 2000. But as a former Broadway dancer, his
We see the photos and the blood, and the energy of
history with the show goes back to when, aged 18, he
the show must reflect that.’
was cast as a Jet by Jerome Robbins himself. ‘I didn’t
Though born in New Orleans, McKneely has lived in
even know who Robbins was when I first turned up to
New York all his adult life and feels very much at home
rehearsals,’ he confesses. ‘I had no clue, so I had no
on the West Side Story set. But he is keen to stress the
fear - and that was very helpful. I was more of a disco
show’s universality, which recent sell-out runs in Paris,
baby. But I got to do his choreography and learned by
Sydney, Tokyo, Berlin, Madrid, and Beijing appear to
feeling it, not seeing it.’
back up. ‘Yes, it’s about the urbanness of New York, but
Robbins taught him not only the steps but the
every city now has a gritty youth population, living on
integrity of the choreography, says McKneely: ‘Without
the edges of society,’ he says.
dance, there is a significant part of the storytelling
McKneely is reminded of the last time he brought
that’s missing so you have to be true and honest to
the show to London. ‘A couple of journalists said to
west side story Script by Arthur Laurents Music by Leonard Bernstein Song lyrics by Stephen Sondheim Original choreography by Jerome Robbins Directed by Joey McKneely sadler’s wells theatre 7 August - 22 September Box Office 0844 412 4300 liverpool empire 24 - 28 September Box Office 0844 871 3017 sunderland empire 1 - 12 October Box Office 0844 871 3022 new theatre oxford 22 - 26 October Box Office 0844 871 3020 regent theatre, stoke-on-trent 12 - 16 November Box Office 0844 871 7649
that.’ But it was working with Laurents that took things
me: ‘It’s as if they took the story straight from the
to the next level. ‘He would always say: ‘The acting, the
headlines in today’s papers.’ Gangs, knives, one young
acting, the acting!’ The dance is super important but
person killing another young person with a gun. It still
it’s character that carries this show.’
goes on. But there’s plenty of humour too. As
Casting each new company is therefore crucial.
McKneely puts it: ‘That’s another wonderful thing
‘I cast very young, fresh out of college or high school,
about West Side Story - it’s a slice of reality: laughing,
so they don’t have a great deal of experience,’ says
fighting, falling in love, fear. Even getting ready to go
McKneely. ‘Young dancers don’t get to act usually.
out! Any woman can relate to Maria, not feeling right
For full tour list see page 19
So it’s about showing them how far they can push
in the dress. That’s life!’ ■
Online booking at atgtickets.com
new wimbledon theatre 19 - 30 November Box Office 0844 871 7646 palace theatre manchester 10 December - 4 January Box Office 0844 871 3019
ATG Magazine / 4
profile
Once in a lifetime
not so different, but she is really very calm and simple.
agent, she recalls that he said, ‘OK, I know you’re in
And I don’t think that would survive in a musical.’
this kind of period of your life when you’re searching
Zrinka’s version of the Girl must be the funniest so
for something different. I think this might be different.’
far and, meeting her, you can see why. She shrugs and
Having already acted in Croatian, Bosnian, Serbian
laughs and lightly ironises in exactly the same direct
and German, another couple of languages were no
style that makes Declan Bennett’s lonesome singer-
hurdle. The larger issue was the piano, which she
songwriter fall for her character. Not that it was so
hadn’t played for 15 years. ‘It was really the love of my
very easy to find that naturalness onstage. ‘I wasn’t
life then. And then I just replaced it with acting. It was
ready to play her, to be that open and that keen and
in one corner of my flat collecting dust. When I came
that ready to hold your heart in the palm of my hand
here for the rehearsals and saw these crazy talented
for two and half hours.
actors smashing their instruments I thought, maybe
Born in 1979, Zrinka Cvitešić grew up outside
not. But they helped me a lot, especially Declan.’
Zagreb. No one in her family made their living from
Nowadays she slightly rues the fact that, this being
Zrinka’s version of the Girl must be the funniest so far. She shrugs and laughs
and lightly ironises in exactly the same direct style that makes Declan Bennett’s lonesome singersongwriter fall for her character performing, but ‘my dad was in a folk tradition dance
the story of a male crooner’s broken heart, she has
group for years and my mum played accordion and
only one song of her own to sing, and isn’t allowed to
was writing some poems and songs’. She plumped for
join in the pre-show shindig. ‘At the beginning I was
drama almost by accident after looking at three
like, ‘this music is so good, why can I not have more?’
different colleges. ‘One was to be a vet, the other was
But it’s that acting ego in you. She’s the wheel of the
for economics and then I went to music academy. I
whole play. She’s pushing every life around her to
bumped into this friend and he said, ‘You should study
move but herself. So there’s a nice tragedy in that.’
acting and then you can do all of that stuff.’
A nice tragedy - the phrase goes some way to
In her last year she was cast as the lead in Konjanik
summarise the whooping, weeping ovations that
(The Horseman), a big-budget costumed 18th-century
greet Once the Musical at the Phoenix Theatre every
epic. Her career in film was launched, and she has
performance. Zrinka is contracted for a year.
never looked back. When she heard from her London
Go and fall in love for yourself. ■
★★★★ It’s funny, it’s truthful, it sings. times
★★★★★ Seeing it once is definitely not enough - I will be seeing it again and again. Unmissable. sunday express
Zrinka Cvitešić
This summer’s West End sensation is a touching new musical - fall in love with Once Interview by Jasper Rees
Photography by Manuel Harlan
5
O
nce the Musical, as anyone who has had
win eight Tonys including Best New Musical), the role
the pleasure will testify, is not like other
was taken by an American actress. For its West End run,
musicals. As you take your seat there’s
the producers have gone back east for their female
already a wild unplugged hoedown going
lead. The role of the ‘Girl’ – she and the ‘Guy’ are
on and then the show proper begins, telling of a
never given a name - is played by Croatian actress
lovelorn Dublin busker who just wants his songs to be
Zrinka Cvitešić.
heard. Into his life, dragging a broken vacuum cleaner,
Not that Zrinka has seen either the film or the
comes a kind of angel, in the form of a young Czech
musical. ‘My director [John Tiffany] didn’t want me to
girl with a feisty attitude.
see either the play on Broadway or the movie and I
The part was originated in the 2007 no-budget
stuck with that. He said, ‘OK I know you must feel
independent Irish film by Markéta Irglová, who shared
under pressure because of the Tonys and the Oscar but
phoenix theatre
a new musical
the songwriting credits with her co-star Glen Hansard.
please don’t repeat what they did. Create your own.’
When the film, armed with an Oscar for best song,
And then the other day it was on television and now I
Written by Edna Walsh Music and Lyrics by Glen Hansard and Markéta Irglová Directed by John Tiffany Based on the Oscar-winning film, an extraordinary joyous, celebration of love, friendship and music. Box Office 0844 871 7629
became a musical in New York in 2011 (and went on to
know why he didn’t want me to watch. His character is
Online booking at atgtickets.com ATG Magazine / 6
atg tickets
an unforgettable summer of live theatre - get into it using atgtickets.com as your guide
Apollo Victoria 0844 871 7615
Trafalgar Studio 1 0844 871 7632
Wicked
the hothouse
There has never been a better time to experience ‘the hit musical with brains, heart and courage’ (Sunday Telegraph) as it flies into its seventh spellbinding year.
Passion Play
Starring Simon Russell Beale and John Simm Directed by Jamie Lloyd
Zoe Wanamaker, Owen Teale and Samantha Bond star in this provocative comedy of illicit desires and hidden passions.
★★★★
★★★★
Independent
Times
★★★★
★★★★
Daily Telegraph
Guardian
Piccadilly Theatre 0844 871 7630
Set in a 1950’s state-run institution, Pinter’s macabre tragicomedy proves as hilarious and subversive today as ever.
dirty dancing
Duke of York’s Theatre 0844 871 7623
Phoenix Theatre 0844 871 7629
a doll’s house
Based on the Oscar-winning film, an extraordinary joyous celebration of love, friendship and music.
The classic story of Baby and Johnny, with favourite songs from the hit film.
Lyceum Theatre 0844 871 7615 Disney’s
The Lion King
d Standar Evening st Play Be – d Awar
y of 8 Ton Winner cl. in 2012 in s d ar Aw Musical ew N st Be
With a cast of over 40 actors, singers and dancers. ‘A beautiful dazzle of invention and imagination’ Evening Standard
Fortune Theatre 0844 871 7626
The Woman in Black One of the most exciting and gripping theatre events ever staged. ‘A truly nerve-shredding experience’ Daily Mail
once - a new musical Be seduced by this original and irresistibly joyous love story.
Directed by Carrie Cracknell with a five-star award winning performance from Hattie Morahan.
once - a new musical
‘unmissable’ Sunday Express Monty Python’s Spamalot
of 9 Winner ards Tony Aw
★★★★★
Daily Star Sunday
Harold Pinter Theatre 0844 871 7622
Playhouse Theatre 0844 871 7631
SPAMALOT
New York Post
Look on the bright side of life with the all new West End production – it’s a legend!
‘I honestly haven’t laughed so hard and so many times in years’
★★★★★ ‘I The Book of Mormon’
merrily we roll along
The Award-Winning Hit Musical, jam packed full of gags with new ones added every day is now booking until 2 November. This hilarious comedy for all ages includes the Nation’s Anthem ‘Always Look On The Bright Side of Life’. ‘Fantastic Fun’ Daily Express
Savoy Theatre 0844 871 7687
Duke of York’s Theatre 0844 871 7623
Donmar Warehouse 0844 871 7624
The Prince of Wales Theatre 0844 871 7624
Trafalgar Studio 2* 0844 871 7632
The Old Vic 0844 871 7628
happy new
sweet bird of youth
PASSION PLAY
the night alive
the book of mormon
Starring Zoë Wanamaker in Peter Nichols’ celebrated black comedy.
A new play written and directed by celebrated playwright Conor McPherson.
The hilarious 5-star Broadway musical from South Park creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone.
Lisa Dillon stars in the UK premiere of BAFTA nominated Brendan Cowell’s drama.
Kim Cattrall stars in Tennessee Williams’ powerful and poetic play.
book of mormon The new musical from the creators of South Park.
★★★★★ ‘It’s hilarious. God have mercy upon my soul’ Sunday Telegraph
★★★★
A dazzling Sondheim revival, with more five stars than any other musical in West End history!
let it be Experience the Beatles live in London. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ‘Beatlemania is back!’ Tony Dibbon, Magic 105.4
‘Brash, crude and offensive. A massive hit’ Independent
wicked Flying across the UK and Ireland this Autumn the global musical phenomenon comes to a city near you.
‘A wizard hit!’ Sunday Times
Book your tickets online 7
at atgtickets.com Your One Stop Shop *Studio 2 has been made possible by a generous donation from Christina Smith
ATG Magazine / 8
Interview
‘We are just one big, happy Spamily,’ Bonnie
aunt to the young musical stars, sisters Scarlett,
Langford beams, when I have the pleasure of sitting
Summer and Sasi Strallen - alongside a gaggle of other
down with her for twenty minutes before curtain-up.
talented nieces and nephews, she is quick to stress -
When we meet, she is perched gracefully on a sofa in
and is clearly the best auntie in the world, though
the theatre bar where even the staff are singing hello to
fiercely low-key in public about the association. I
each other, as they arrive for their shifts.
suggest that family get-togethers must be quite a thing.
‘I just love being in this show,’ she exclaims. ‘It’s hard
‘Oh, well, I suppose it could seem like that, but we
to explain unless you’ve experienced it, but it brings out
actually don’t get together all that much. We always
the best in everyone involved. It’s the best tonic for a
seem to be working!’ she replies, with her
it brings out the best in everyone involved. It’s the best
tonic for a bad day - you simply cannot do this show if you’re in a bad mood!
silly Season Bonnie Langford stars in the Holy Grail of hit musical comedies - Spamalot
I felt I might actually die of laughter independent
Interview by Lucy Johnston
Photography by Manuel Harlan 9
I
’m standing in the wings at the Playhouse
peers at me suspiciously and asks if I’ve done any
Theatre, disguised rather unconvincingly as a
acting before.
knight. The Lady of the Lake is limbering up
Welcome to the riotous and disarmingly appealing
behind the plywood scenery, demonstrating a
world of Spamalot, the legendary tale of King Arthur
series of leg stretches. King Arthur gallops off stage,
and the Knights of the Round Table lovingly reworked
hissing ‘Damn and blast, I’ve left my whistle in my
from the Monty Python classic.
dressing room’. A not-yet-dead peasant is checking
In which, for one night only, I have been invited to
to make sure his pants aren’t showing as he lies at
take on the less-than-ten-second and rather silly
my feet, ready to be dragged on. And Sir Robin
cameo role of Sir Not Appearing.
bad day - you simply cannot do this show if you’re in a
characteristically grounded outlook.
bad mood! It encourages you back out of yourself
Bonnie Langford is clearly still ruling the roost in
because the whole team, on stage and behind the
musical theatre, with an incredible voice and the figure
scenes, just has such a good time. And everyone brings
of a 30-something. Did she have a grand plan?
their kids along to hang out between shows - we call
‘I never really planned any of it, except the move to
them the Spamatots! - which gives it such a lovely
New York, I suppose. You really can’t expect to keep
atmosphere.’
control of a life on stage!’ she laughs, in the way only
Bonnie has just rejoined this award-winning hit
someone with four decades of experience can.
musical for a third season, as the utterly fabulous diva
‘Goodness, getting jobs in this profession is like waiting
of the musical stage, The Lady of the Lake -
for a bus. You convince yourself you’ll never work again
shimmering in thousands of turquoise sequins, which
then three opportunities come along at once. I’ve
set off a flaming head of gorgeous red curls, and
always been a big believer in the importance of
claiming to have ‘been off-stage for faaaaar too long’.
reinventing yourself as you go along.’
Bonnie herself has never been far from the stage,
She’s certainly game for trying new things, as her
since first finding acting fame as a toddler. So now,
triumphant participation in the very first series of
freshly returned from the best part of 18 months
Dancing On Ice displayed. ‘When that opportunity
touring in another hit musical 9 to 5 - the Dolly Parton
came along, I figured the team behind the show was
triumph - this West End treasure is relishing being back
really excellent, so the only bad thing that could
in the heart of London.
happen was that I would embarrass myself by not
‘It’s wonderful to be spending time back in a show
doing very well at it. I was comfortable to face that,
that I love, and where I can still have a little bit of home
so I just gave it my best shot!’
time too! Even if it’s just an hour in the evening, before I
And with that, time is up and she is off. ‘See you in
fall asleep. It’s really important to be able to get things
the wings, darling,’ she calls out, her voice echoing
back into perspective every so often!’
back down the corridor as she glides off through the
Bonnie is married to fellow actor, Paul Grunert, with
shiny red door of her dressing room to become the
whom she has a daughter Biana who seems to be
Lady of the Lake. ■
Bonnie Langford
★★★★★ daily star sunday
★★★★ evening standard time out
‘rapidly heading into the same profession’. She is also
stop press! Comedian Joe Pasquale plays King Arthur from 17 June for a six week run!
playhouse Theatre Monty Python’s
spamalot Starring Bonnie Langford and Joe Pasquale (from 17 June for a six week run) Until 2 November 2013 Box Office 0844 871 7631 Online booking at atgtickets.com ATG Magazine / 10
Proper
news
offer
cooking
Proper Cornwall at the Philleigh Way Cookery School
L
Upwardlymobile A Coward classic provides rich comic material for a stellar cast
F
Cornish from dressing a crab to making the
is top of my fantasy short break list so
quintessential Cornish pasty. Self-catering
imagine my excitement when a friend
accommodation is available in a lovely cottage
mentioned that they’d been on a cookery
close to the school.
course with a difference in Cornwall - one where the
Chef George Pascoe belongs to the fifth generation
outdoors is at least as important as what’s happening
to hail from Court Farm, Philleigh and the style of
in the kitchen.
cookery he teaches is inspired by recipes handed down
Philleigh Way is a cookery school in South
over the generations, fantastic produce grown locally
Cornwall run by brothers-in-law James Martin and
and experience gained in working in some of the top
George Pascoe. Bordering the River Fal and close to
kitchens in Cornwall and around the globe.
the sea, this beautiful landscape of pastures and
Cornwall is fast becoming the gourmet destination
ancient oak woodland is an inspirational place to
of choice. A dream combination of high profile chefs,
learn more about food and cook with some of the
top artisan producers and world-class restaurants add
freshest seasonal ingredients Cornwall has to offer.
up to a county in the throes of an extraordinary
Philleigh Way runs a range of day-long courses
culinary renaissance. I’ll see you there.
throughout the year: you could meet a Fal oysterman
Find more details, available dates and some
and find out more about his craft, forage in the fields
mouthwatering pictures at www.philleighway.co.uk
around Philleigh for wild greens, cook with vegetables pulled straight from the earth, grill a line-caught bass on the banks of the river or even learn how to catch a flounder with your bare hands! Courses are offered on Bread (the craft of the artisan bread baker), Fish (fish selection, filleting and
Exclusive Reader Offer
Buy one get second place half price for readers of the ATG magazine
simple dishes to recreate at home) and Foraging
Offer valid until 31st March 2014. Cannot be used in
(with Thom Hunt from River Cottage’s Three Hungry
conjunction with any other offer or on sale items.
or Rory Bremner, it’s an exhilarating but
more famous neighbours in London has groupies
Boys) among many others. Cornwall in a Day
Offer relates to cookery courses only.
scary experience, ‘like doing Strictly Come
‘camped on his doorstep’.
particularly appeals to the food tourist in me, being
To book course places, visit www.philleighway.co.uk
Dancing again, only with words and on ice’.
an exciting cookery experience of all things truly
or call 01872 580893 quoting offer code ATG123.
For Patricia Hodge, it’s a chance to confirm
Hart’s pushy (‘such fun!’) mother. But for playgoers
Hodge herself is famous these days as Miranda
that a dramatist whose earlier work she has always
she’s a major actress, highly selective about her roles,
found brittle deepened after the war. When we spoke,
believing as she does that theatre is ‘the place we learn
both were beginning work on Trevor Nunn’s
and if you don’t want to learn you shouldn’t be in the
production of Noël Coward’s Relative Values, which
business any more’. Apart from performing in a
Richly enjoyable and thoroughly reprehensible
opens at Bath’s Theatre Royal before proceeding to
disastrous Hay Fever on TV in 1985, and appearing in a
daily Telegraph
Brighton and Richmond.
revue about the dramatist and Gertrude Lawrence,
Hodge plays Felicity, Countess of Marchwood,
she’s avoided Coward. But Relative Values ‘isn’t
who isn’t happy when her son decides to marry a
all cocktails and cigarettes - and Felicity isn’t an
Hollywood star. Caroline Quentin is her much-loved
aristocrat stamping her foot, but a brilliant
companion, Moxie. Bremner plays the butler
communicator who presses all the right buttons
relative values
Crestwell, a wise bird, central to the household and
in a warm, embracing household.’
the play - and a challenge for the great impressionist,
Gladys Cooper, who created the role in 1951,
who hasn’t acted onstage since he was at university
maddened Coward by botching words in what’s a very
Written by Noël Coward Directed by Trevor Nunn Starring Patricia Hodge, Caroline Quentin and Rory Bremner
30 years ago.
long role, but Hodge has learned to trust her memory.
Nunn is setting the play in period, meaning 1951,
Yet this hasn’t meant she’s gone into rehearsals
a time of halting economic recovery and social
word-perfect, because she knows that pre-planned
transition and, as such, topical today. It’s not just that,
inflections are hard to change and actors can get stuck
theatre royal brighton 1 - 6 July Box Office 0844 871 7650
as Hodge says, we’re fascinated by the relationship of
in what she calls ‘muscle memory’. Likewise with
the servers and the served as they’re lovingly shown
Bremner, who feels that ‘if you come with baggage and
in Downton Abbey. 1951 brought the nation a
preconceptions, the director has to knock it out of you.’
richmond theatre 8 - 13 July Box Office 0844 871 7651
confidence-boosting jubilee, the Festival of Britain,
Both absolutely trust the director. ‘I love working
and, as Bremner adds, political instability after
with Trevor,’ says Hodge. ‘It’s like having an interactive
close-run elections. And with autograph hounds
seminar with my favourite professor,’ says Bremner. ‘He
Online booking at atgtickets.com
hiding in the Marchwood bushes in hopes of
helps me see there are layers beneath the surface. It
glimpsing film stars, there’s a forewarning of the cult
makes me feel that what I’ve done before is incredibly
Interview by Benedict Nightingale
of celebrity that (says Hodge) means that one of her
lightweight. It’s great, great fun.’ ■
11
earning a new skill in beautiful surroundings
ATG Magazine / 12
backstage
Something
wicked ThisWay Comes
I took Wicked to Stuttgart and to Holland and Australia - all the audiences
responded to the design strength of the costumes. This is a very powerful musical, with two very strong female leads - that makes it refreshingly different. What, I ask her, does a costume supervisor do?
after it had been on Broadway, so I was very much
‘Principally, I have to work closely with the designer,
riding on its success,’ she laughs. ‘I took Wicked to
Susan Hilferty - helping to convert her designs for the
Stuttgart and to Holland and Australia - all the
stage, recreate them if you like. I have to make those
audiences responded to the design strength of the
costumes tourable, wearable, budgetable. In the
costumes. This is a very powerful musical, with two
beginning of the process, the designs are the result of
very strong female leads - that makes it refreshingly
close collaboration between the designer and the
different. It seems to make a connection with young
director, Joe Mantello; Susan understands his vision
women and girls - whatever the country. But also
and then creates that picture for him in costume. She
the costumes, set design, direction, choreography,
creates the world, along with the set designer, that the
songs - all those things contribute to make it the
director envisages for the cast to exist in. It’s really a
phenomenal show it is.’
combination of directing, design and lighting.’
Elphaba is an interesting character, very much at
there any apprehensions about the practicalities of
odds with her peers, searching to become her own
this? ‘We will work very hard to make it look exactly as
person. Does this affect her costumes? ‘Yes, very much
it does in London,’ says Margie. ‘We tour with about 24
so. We have to portray her as a person with her own
massive packing cases, 319 pairs of shoes, loads of
mind and her own way of dressing, which is very
hats. It’s about making sure the fabric holds up, that
identifiable. Ultimately, when she finds her true self and
Elphaba’s hat always looks perfect, that the ensemble’s
her own confidence, she looks absolutely amazing. The
shoes look great and are still comfortable, that the
Wicked Witch dress is incredible. And the costumes she
fitted costumes still look fresh and new - as good on
wears have to show the changes she goes through on
the last performance as the first. The tiny details matter.
her journey. That’s difficult to do, but it’s what makes a
It’s a challenge, but we relish it because the costumes
good designer - and Susan Hilferty is probably the best
are so easy to love, we don’t want to let them down.
A wizard hit!
because she is able to reflect all the subtle changes
In the end, I just know the audiences will leave the
Sunday Times
Elphaba undergoes. Thereby, she creates a rather
theatre, feeling they’ve seen a world-class show.’ ■
This autumn, Wicked goes on its first UK tour - are
The hit musical with brains, heart and courage Sunday Telegraph
beautiful woman.’
Margie has been delighted with the reception of
Wicked in very different venues. ‘I came into the show
Prepare to be spellbound by Wicked on tour
I Interview by Victoria Kingston Photography by Brinkhoff and Mögenburg and Matt Crockett Costume Photography by Christopher Draghi 13
find myself having coffee with Margie Bailey,
parallel story to the familiar one in the movie. Based
costume supervisor to Wicked, the award-
on a novel by Gregory Maguire, The Life and Times of
winning musical, currently enjoying rave reviews
the Wicked Witch of the West, it respectfully nods to
in the West End - and about to embark on a UK
the novel that began it all, written by Frank Baum and
wicked Music and Lyrics by Stephen Schwartz Directed by Joe Mantello
and Ireland tour in September. It has already won over
first published as The Wonderful Wizard of Oz in 1900.
90 major international awards, including a prestigious
It pays tribute to it certainly, but it has its own universe,
Olivier in 2010, three Tonys and a Grammy and the
its own story.
London production has been seen by a staggering
Wicked follows the untold story of an unlikely
five million people.
friendship between two girls who meet as sorcery
Which of us does not remember the Wicked Witch
students at Shiz University. They are Glinda, who is
of the West? As children, we trembled at the sight of
blonde, successful and popular - and Elphaba, who is
her green face and long, sharp fingernails and above
a bit misunderstood, with a green face. After an
all, the sound of her screechy, terrifying voice. The
encounter with the wizard, their friendship reaches a
Wizard of Oz remains - more than 70 years on - an
crossroads and they take different paths - Glinda to
iconic movie - and she is an iconic character.
pursue the power her popularity brings, and Elphaba
Famously, Dorothy Gale from Kansas, adrift in the
to find a place in which she can be true to herself.
strange land of Oz, destroys the witch - but really,
Amidst all this drama, Margie the costume supervisor
that is only one side of the story.
must deal with very practical things - shoes,
king’s theatre glasgow Tue 6 - Sat 31 May 2014 Box Office 0844 871 7648
Now this fabulous, award-winning show tells a
props, witch hats.
Online booking at atgtickets.com
apollo victoria Now playing Box Office 0844 871 7615 palace theatre manchester Thu 12 September Sat 16 November Box Office 0844 871 3019 milton keynes theatre Tue 4 February - Sat 8 March 2014 Box Office 0844 871 7652
ATG Magazine / 14
style
Afternoon Tea
Demure, pretty, feminine - it’s time for tea
From top to bottom classic
vintage
1 lupin print dress From Hobbs hobbs.co.uk
1 mint green & tan belt From & Other Stories £19
£149
2 geometric print scarf From Bimba & Lola bimbaylola.com
£90
3 pearl necklace From Marks & Spencer marksandspencer.com £15
4 navy blue cloche hat From Top Hat by Stephen Jones debenhams.com £60
5 sunglasses From Bimba & Lola
£115
6 blue stone cocktail ring From Marks & Spencer £15 7 blue lattice shoulder bag From Radley radley.co.uk £189 8 lemon ballerina pumps From Hobbs £99
All of the following are vintage items from Bang Bang Clothing Exchange bangbangclothingexchange.co.uk
2
50s ballerina print dress £45
3
pearl necklace £12
4
casadei platform shoes £200
5
straw sun hat £12
6
small floral metal bag £25
7
hat brooch £2
8 royal albert moonlight rose teacup and saucer
Vintage, from personal collection royalalbert.com
9 monsoon lucille for denby teacup and saucer
From John Lewis
johnlewis.com Teacup £8 Saucer £5.75
MODERN 1 ‘zurie’ cream floral dress From Coast coast-stores.com £150 2 buntal teardrop hat
From William Chambers Millinery for Coast £100
3 mint green ring From Bimba & Lola £30 4 mustard suede bag From Bimba & Lola £260 5 metallic spike heel pumps From & Other Stories stories.com £79 6 jasper conran for
wedgwood chinoiserie green teacup & saucer
From John Lewis
Teacup £27.50 Saucer £25 All prices quoted are given as a guide only and
may be subject to change by individual retailers
Feature by Mia Flodquist 15
ATG Magazine / 16
going out You don’t have to spend a fortune to make the most of the capital There’s no better time to explore London than in the summer, even if you are watching the pennies. The city’s famed green spaces, world-class museums and current penchant for pop-up events mean there are plenty of ways to spend a memorable day and night in the city without breaking the bank. Look out for ATG’s Best of British Theatre promotion, back in town for Summer 2013 and bigger, brighter and bolder than before! Offering you the very best of London’s West End at amazing discounted
london
for Less
kensington gardens
One of the capital’s eight Royal Parks, Kensington
Gardens enchants millions of visitors each year with its elegant landscaping, formal avenues of magnificent trees and ornamental gardens. Covering a spacious 260 acres, it’s easy enough to escape the crowds and simply take in the views on one of the striped deck chairs. But for those who are interested in history, why not invest in the reasonably priced tour (£6) of the newly restored Albert Memorial. Giving exclusive access inside the railings, you’ll get up close to the marble and bronze craftsmanship and learn the story
vintage fashion fair in London. Visit the Frock Me website for the selected Sunday dates on which over 50 exhibitors gather from around the country at Chelsea Old Town Hall. Browse through the top-quality vintage items from designers including Chanel, Dior, Yves Saint Laurent and Hermès. This doesn’t necessarily mean that everything for sale is expensive, however. Prices start at just one or two pounds for accessories
shows will be participating in this year’s extravaganza. With tickets from £20, you won’t find savings like this anywhere else this summer, so stay tuned to www.atgtickets.com/bestofbritish for more information.
Grant Museum of Zoology Rooftop Film Club Frock Me Vintage St. Bride’s Church Homeslice
wood-fired oven in his open kitchen. Five
around 67,000 specimens, spanning the entire animal
contemporary flavour combinations are provided daily
kingdom, London’s only remaining university
with each slice priced at £4. The £4 ethos stretches to
zoological collection comprises skeletons, mounted
a pint or a glass of wine - a perfect accompaniment to
creatures and specimens preserved in fluid.
the bone marrow, spring onion and watercress or
Endangered or extinct animals on show include the
sopressata and rocket varieties.
fearsome Tasmanian Tiger, the exotic-sounding Quagga and the fabled Dodo. Admission is free
rooftop film club
and families are warmly welcomed.
The pop-up theme doesn’t have to stop there,
lunchtime recitals
especially if you’re a movie lover ready to be immersed in one of London’s coolest areas. Happening five nights
Music lovers on a budget need not abstain from the finer things in life. Offered by St Bride’s Church in Fleet
Club at the Queen of Hoxton in Shoreditch delivers an
Street for over 25 years, the lunchtime recital series
incomparable film experience in the fresh air of a warm
presents 30-minute concerts performed by classical
shopped and need to drop.
summer’s night for just £12. Whether it’s a classic, cult
musicians or the resident choir. There’s no charge for
royalparks.org.uk
or recent release, book a rooftop seat at one of the East
the concerts given on Tuesdays and Fridays in June,
museumoflondon.org.uk
pop up eateries
End’s most beloved bars and sit back under the stars as
July and September, all in the stunning surroundings
the big screen springs to life. The chairs are comfy, all
of this Christopher Wren-designed church.
the Museum of London where a free display capturing
Pop-up eateries are just as popular so for some of the
manner of drinks are served, plus there’s a barbecue
the glory of last year’s summer of sport is running until
best value meals in the capital, check out street
to keep hunger at bay.
October. Opening the Olympics features a selection of
vendors selling their culinary creations at legendary
plus
rooftopfilmclub.com
70 evocative objects, outfits and personal accounts of
markets from Brick Lane to Notting Hill to Camden.
ucl.ac.uk/museums/zoology
If your purse can stretch a little further, then the new
museum of zoology
Theatre-lovers looking for a bargain should tune
the 2012 Games. Don’t miss out on the chance to relive those superb days of sporting achievement by checking
Homeslice in Seven Dials is the place to be. Having
London can also be surprisingly purse-friendly for
running in the West End this summer. Those in the
out recognisable competitor pieces, including Tom
progressed from serving street food to a permanent
families. Suitable for all ages, although an adult must
know can experience all the magic and colour of
Daley’s Union Jack swimming trunks or the yellow jersey
Covent Garden address, Kiwi chef Ry Jessup is now
accompany children under 11, the Grant Museum of
world-beating theatre - for less! Keep checking
worn by Bradley Wiggins during the opening ceremony.
cooking his delicious handrolled pizzas in a bespoke
Zoology at UCL is truly a place of wonder. Housing
atgtickets.com/bestofbritish for more information.
commemorating the Prince who married Queen Victoria. Tours take place on the first Sunday of every month between June and December.
museum of london If the day is turning into a damp squib, make tracks for
17
Shopaholics should feel right at home at the best
we will shortly be announcing which
a week over the summer months, the Rooftop Film
behind one of London’s most ornate monuments,
Main Image Kensington Gardens Above Museum of London
frock me vintage
prices, keep your ear to the ground as
and the £4 entrance fee (accompanied under 16s are free) is worth it just to look through rail after rail of amazing one-off finds. Even Kylie is a fan! There’s a pre-war tea room to take you back in time once you’ve
frockmevintagefashion.com homeslicepizza.co.uk
into ATG’s Best of British theatre promotion
stbrides.com Feature by Neena Dhillon Museum of Zoology image © UCL, Grant Museum of Zoology / Matt Clayton
ATG Magazine / 18