ATG Magazine Summer 2013

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

10

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’

9

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