It's been over forty years since Mike Leigh's gauche hostess Beverly slow-danced her way into theatrical history, but what happened to Abigail? The Queen's Theatre Hornchurch and Derby Theatre have joined forces to commission Abi, a contemporary response to the classic comedy Abigail's Party.
The Queen's Theatre Hornchurch is bringing Mike Leigh's cult classic, Abigail's Party home to its Essex roots this autumn. Set in 'theoretical Romford', this delicious 70s comedy notorious for its references to cheesy-pineapple and Demis Roussos is co-produced with Derby Theatre, Wiltshire Creative and international partner Les Theatres de la Ville de Luxembourg.
Sheridan Smith (The Moorside, Cilla), Alison Steadman (Hold The Sunset, Gavin & Stacey) and Sinead Keenan (Little Boy Blue, Being Human) will star in Care, a new drama written by Jimmy McGovern (Broken, The Accused, The Street) and Gillian Juckes, whose real life experiences formed the inspiration for the story.
Elaine C Smith is one of Scotland's best-known entertainers and will be taking on the role of Betty in Fat Friends - The Musical, written and directed by Kay Mellor OBE with original music by Nick Lloyd Webber. Now audiences have the chance to get a first look at Elaine C Smith ahead of the production opening at Edinburgh's Playhouse on Thursday 19th April.
Bryony Lavery's critically acclaimed play Frozen, starring Suranne Jones (Save Me, Doctor Foster, Scott & Bailey), Nina Sosanya (W1A, Last Tango in Halifax) and Jason Watkins (Line of Duty, Taboo, W1A), will end its scheduled run at Theatre Royal Haymarket on Saturday 5 May 2018.
Due to a phenomenal critical and public reaction during the opening weeks of the extensive UK Tour, Natasha Hamilton will extend her performance dates in Kay Mellor's Fat Friends the Musical. Natasha Hamilton will star as Julia Fleshman during the productions upcoming run at the Edinburgh Playhouse from 19 until 22 April.
Mousetrap Theatre Projects today announced the full line up for their 21st anniversary gala. Christopher Biggins and Harriet Thorpe host the evening which see's Royal Ballet dancer, Joshua Junker, join cast members of Everybody's Talking About Jamie, The Lion King, Mamma Mia!, and Dreamgirls in celebration at the Prince of Wales Theatre on Sunday, 18 March at 7.30pm. West End stars performing on the evening will be David Suchet, Patricia Hodge, Tyrone Huntley, Rachel Tucker and Michael Xavier.
Due to a phenomenal critically acclaimed performance and overwhelming public reaction during the opening weeks of Fat Friends the Musical, Natasha Hamilton will continue to play Julia Fleshman during the production's upcoming run at the King's Theatre in Glasgow.
Following a triumphant 30th anniversary appearance at the Edinburgh Fringe, Richard Herring heads out on a nationwide tour with his latest stand-up show Oh Frig I'm 50!.
Former England cricket captain, and star of SKY's League of Their Own, Andrew 'Freddie' Flintoff will swap the cricket pitch to tread the boards as he joins an all star cast for the world premiere of Kay Mellor's Fat Friends - the Musical.
Get a first glimpse at the world premiere of Fat Friends the Musical with new rehearsal images - check them out below! Starring Freddie Flintoff, Sam Bailey, Jodie Prenger, Natasha Hamilton, Natalie Anderson and Kevin Kennedy, Fat Friends the Musical has now started rehearsals in Leeds, home of the original TV series, with two weeks until the first performance.
Nina Sosanya (W1A, Last Tango in Halifax) has today been announced as playing the role of Agnetha in Bryony Lavery's Award-Winning play, Frozen.
Joining the previously announced cast, Kevin Kennedy (Coronation Street) stars as Fergus and Rachael Wooding (We Will Rock You) appears as Joanne, alongside Jonathan Halliwell (Let It Shine) as Paul and Chloe Hart (Hairspray) as Val. Alan will be played by Neil Hurst, one of dozens of Yorkshiremen who applied for the role through an open audition call.
The first image of the the Musical family has today been released, as full casting for Kay Mellor's new musical is unveiled.
Suranne Jones (Doctor Foster, Scott & Bailey) and Jason Watkins (Line of Duty, Taboo, W1A) will star in Frozen, Bryony Lavery's Award-Winning play.
Emmerdale and The Royal star Natalie Anderson will join the cast of Fat Friends - The Musical. Natalie has appeared in numerous other television programmes including Wire in the Blood and The Biz.
Sam Bailey (X Factor, Chicago) and Jodie Prenger (I'd Do Anything, Shirley Valentine) star alongside Former England cricket captain, and star of Sky's League of Their Own, Andrew 'Freddie' Flintoff in Fat Friends - The Musical at the Lyceum Theatre, Sheffield from Mon 12 - Sat 17 February. Tickets go on sale to members on Sat 8 July and on general sale on Sat 15 July.
Former England cricket captain, and star of SKY's League of Their Own, Andrew 'Freddie' Flintoff will swap the cricket pitch to tread the boards as he joins an all star cast for the world premiere of Kay Mellor's Fat Friends - the Musical.
Number one recording artist Sam Bailey, who rose to fame winning the tenth series of The X Factor, will join the previously announced Jodie Prenger in the original British musical Fat Friends - The Musical. Sam will share the much loved role of Betty, originated on screen by Alison Steadman, with award-winning comedian and actress Elaine C Smith (Two Doors Down, Rab C Nesbitt). Elaine will step into the role during three Scottish dates in Edinburgh, Glasgow and Aberdeen.
Mike Leigh wrote his most famous play, Abigail's Party, 40 years ago, as a reaction to the boom in consumerism after the war and as a general commentary at the absurdism of class aspiration. Set in a suburban 70s house, Beverly and her staid estate agent husband Laurence are hosting that most potentially awkward of scenarios; a drinks party with the neighbours. Nurse Angela and brooding Tony join socially self conscious Sue, whose daughter Abigail is having her own party down the road.
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