ATG Magazine - Spring 2009

The Ambassador Theatre Group

Full Marks!

Craig Revel Horwood Richard E.Grant Curiosity, comedy and cool Imelda Staunton Desperately funny

Graham Norton TheBest of Times Spring 2009 Things to do,people to see

HOTLIST! Antique chic Landmark London Nicholas Hoult

AmbassadorTickets.com

6

best

of the

visit Milton Keynes, Brighton and Edinburgh with Samuel Beckett’s landmark play Waiting for Godot, prior to its West End run.

▲

▲ Grab the best seats in the house

▲ Iconic film and theatre stars Ian McKellen and Patrick Stewart

The glamorous, theatrical style of

for West End and regional

the Baroque is the subject of the

theatres plus amazing discounts,

V&A’s Spring exhibition. Baroque

theatre news, blogs, video and

1620 - 1800 from April 4.

more at AmbassadorTickets.com

Call 020 7942 2000

▲ Critical acclaim! The Ambassador Theatre Group and Sonia Friedman Productions have between them received a record number of Olivier Award nominations this year. La Cage Aux Folles secured seven nominations - more than any other production - and there have been nominations for No Man’s Land, Fat Pig, The Lover/The Collection, Sunset Boulevard and West Side Story.

▲

Old-school glamour - we love these Laura J shoes. £189 at lollipoplondon.com

▲ Superbly equipped cottages in stunning locations - a Spring break in some of the UK’s finest historic properties from Carisbrook Castle to Rievaulx Abbey. English Heritage Holiday Cottages: www.englishheritage.org.uk/holidaycottages

The Ambassador Theatre Group

2 1 3

1 West Side Story 2 Sunset Boulevard 3 Nicholas Hoult in New Boy

Golden Graham

1

First Class Romance

9

First Stages

Impish and OTT - it’s

Steamy scenes in

Young talent at the

Graham Norton

Brief Encounter

Trafalgar Studios

Big on Entertainment

A Passionate Advocate 10

Period Drama

Craig Revel Horwood in the

A new Board member for

Vintage va va voom - the

Director’s chair

Arts Council England

ultimate style statement

Middle Class Meltdown

3

5

What’s On In London

11

A confrontation in suburbia

15

17

Gourmets, film fanatics

Competition

- with Richard E. Grant

West Side Story

Terrifyingly Good

Capital Delights

13

12

and fun-seekers - we tell you where to go

7

Imelda Staunton in fine form

AMBASSADOR GROUP PRODUCTIONS

AMBASSADOR THEATRE GROUP REGIONAL THEATRES Theatre Royal Brighton 08700 606 650 Churchill Theatre Bromley 0870 060 6620 Kings Theatre Glasgow 0870 060 6648 Theatre Royal Glasgow 0870 060 6647 Milton Keynes Theatre 0870 060 6652 Richmond Theatre 0870 060 6651 Regent Theatre & Victoria Hall Stoke-on-Trent 0870 060 6649 New Wimbledon Theatre & New Wimbledon Studio 0870 060 6646 Ambassadors Cinemas Woking 01483 545945 New Victoria Theatre & Rhoda McGaw Theatre Woking 0870 060 6645 Online booking at AmbassadorTickets.com Jessamy Hadley Editor Pat Westwell, Al Senter, Jasper Rees, Victoria Kingston, Mark Shenton, Benedict Nightingale, Vicky Brown, Robin Stringer, Mark Bouman, Neena Dhillon, David Bradbury Contributors Shaun Webb Design Design and Art Direction John Good Print The Ambassador Theatre Group Ltd 39 - 41 Charing Cross Road, London WC2H OAR

The views expressed in this magazine are those of the authors and not necessarily those of the Ambassador Theatre Group Ltd.

Cover photography courtesy of Rex Features

AMBASSADOR THEATRE GROUP LONDON THEATRES Comedy Theatre 0870 060 6637 Donmar Warehouse 0870 060 6624 Duke of York’s Theatre 0870 060 6623 Fortune Theatre 0870 060 6626 Phoenix Theatre 0870 060 6629 Piccadilly Theatre 0844 412 6666 Playhouse Theatre 0870 060 6631 Savoy Theatre 0870 164 8787 Trafalgar Studios 0870 060 6632

Interview

Golden Graham The glorious Graham Norton is naughty - and nice!

Cocooned inside a capacious

Irishman is a bona fide thesp,

such as I’ll Do Anything and

greatcoat to ward off the chill

having trained at Central and

Any Dream Will Do made me a

of early January, Graham Norton

pursued a career as jobbing

bit jealous of the people who

suddenly materialises in the

actor before he finally found

were going on to star in West

downstairs sitting room of

his niche as a performer and

End musicals. So I was already

London’s Playhouse Theatre

television host.

sniffing the ground when the

where he is preparing to star

Interview by Al Senter Photography courtesy of Rex Features Catherine Ashmore 1

Jude Edginton

In the flesh, Norton is

opportunity came up to do La

in La Cage Aux Folles. Norton

surprisingly similar to his small

has chosen this Olivier award

screen appearance. At forty-five,

nominated revival of Jerry

he retains an impish boyishness

Broadway production of the

Herman’s evergreen musical

with the air of the naughtiest

show when a road company of

to make an overdue return to

cherub in angel class. Why has he

La Cage Aux Folles arrived for

the stage.

chosen to go back to his acting

a long engagement in San

roots in this production and at

Francisco in 1984 when Norton

this time?

was living in a semi-hippy

It may come as a surprise to devotees of Norton’s thriving television work but the genial

‘I think that presenting shows

Cage Aux Folles.’

Norton had seen the original

commune in the city.

‘It was a big proper Broadway

‘I did have a lot of concerns

as gorgeous as possible and, as

musical with all the traditional

about playing a character rather

a man of forty-five, I can just

bells and whistles. I was twenty-

than being myself’ he agrees.

about get away with it. But as

one and it made a deep

‘But taking direction and

a woman, I look like something

impression on me. I remember

working with Terry Johnson has

between seventy and death. Had

thinking to myself that I’d love

been great. I’ve really enjoyed

I been a real Albin, I would have

to be in a production of La Cage

the experience. I also think that

had a lot of work done by now.’

one day when I reached the right

entering the world of La Cage

age. When you’re twenty-one, I

Aux Folles helps you stay in

age, arguing that he’s living

Am What I Am is very much your

character. Hopefully the audience

on borrowed time.

song. Twenty-five years later, it’s

will suspend its disbelief: they’ll

The Best of Times that means

accept that I’m the bloke off the

working in television at the age

more to you.’

telly pretending to be somebody

of fifty’ he explains. ‘I’ve already

‘

Norton is oddly obsessed by

‘My ambition is still to be

I remember thinking to myself that I’d love to be in a production of La Cage one day when I reached the right age. When you’re twenty-one, I Am What I Am is very much your song. Twenty-five years later, it’s The Best of Times that means more to you.

Norton has thrown himself with gusto into the rehearsal process. As a trained actor, he

’

else and they’ll join in with the

had an eerily long career and I’d

pretence.’

be crazy to assume that I’ll be in

As Albin, a bewigged Norton

television forever. It’s an ever-

knows how to explore character,

will be slipping into a fabulous

changing medium. I don’t know

even if the map-reading has

collection of creations, although

what I’ll do when it’s over. I’d

grown a little hazy with time.

he’s dismissive of how he appears

like to write but then everybody

Yet his whole instinct as a

in drag.

says that. I’ll probably have to

performer is to offer an audience

‘I get to wear some lovely

a version of himself. How will he

frocks but there’s a problem’

digital television. I could always

keep this impulse in check?

he admits. ‘You want to look

go back to live comedy, I suppose,

lower my prices and appear on

but, minus your television fame, you’re just another stand-up. I’m not sure if I’d like to be another Bruce Forsyth and still be working when I’m eighty...’

When the fickle, youthobsessed world of television finally pensions him off, will Norton return full-time to the theatre?

‘I don’t regard doing La Cage

Aux Folles as a kind of gateway to the new world and how long I’m allowed to stay in it is very much in the lap of the audience.

Part of me still has a hankering to do some Shakespeare but I shouldn’t be allowed, especially when there are people who can really do it. At the same time, they probably couldn’t do what I do. I’m not one of these clowns who long to play Hamlet and want to move the audience to tears rather than laughter. I couldn’t stand all that nose-blowing and boo-hooing!’

Playhouse Theatre

La Cage Aux Folles The smash-hit musical from the Menier Chocolate Factory Starring Graham Norton and Steven Pacey Box Office 0870 060 6631 Online booking at 2 AmbassadorTickets.com

Interview

Big on Entertainment Craig Revel Horwood puts his stamp on Sunset Boulevard

Interview by Jasper Rees Photography courtesy of Rex Features 3

and Alastair Muir

There is a delightful aptness in

initial impact was to close them.

I suppose that’s how the Mr

his middle name. Overwhelmingly

Horwood made his name as a

Nasty was created.’

known as the brusque dispenser

choreographer, but he had also

of flattening put-downs, he

been associate director on a

took the decision to become a

might as well be called Craig

number of major productions.

director. ‘I had some bad

‘Revel’ Horwood, because he

When Strictly first aired in 2003

relationships with directors

seems to revel in his karate-chop

the phone all but stopped

where we never saw eye to eye

critiques of hapless celebrity

ringing.

creatively. I would end up

It didn’t help that in 2004 he

directing half the scene myself

waltzers. Audiences certainly do.

‘It was as if I didn’t exist in

If work ever dried up elsewhere,

the theatre any more. Producers

in order to get into the numbers.

he could always be guaranteed

became rather nervous of

I decided in one fell swoop I was

employment as a panto villain.

employing me because of the

going to direct. It limited my

character I play on the television.

choreography but I wanted the

dry up. You’d think that Strictly

I’m very opinionated. You have

work to be seamless.’

Come Dancing would have

ten seconds to say your bit and

opened doors galore, but its

you’ve got to get to the point.

For a time, work did indeed

It was the Watermill Theatre which helped resuscitate his

‘Andrew Lloyd Webber’s big belter of a musical’ Guardian

Craig Revel Horwood

career. A rumour reached Jill

shows. The only actor-musician

it is to get audiences to engage

Fraser, the co-owner and artistic

show I’d ever seen was at the

with the music.’

director, that Horwood wanted

Linbury. I felt quite

Hot Mikado was a hot ticket,

to direct Hot Mikado. He was

uncomfortable when I first

though sadly Fraser did not live

given the gig, so long as he’d

started. It wasn’t till the second

to see it. Horwood was duly

comply with the theatre’s

week of rehearsal that I got a

invited back to mount Martin

ground-breaking house style

handle on it and got the

Guerre, a much reworked musical

of having the actors play their

instruments to tell the story.

which had always struggled to

own musical instruments.

Then I fell in love with the whole

find itself. Having

concept. I discovered how useful

choreographed the original

‘I hadn’t seen the Watermill

‘

production, and assisted Nicholas

It was as if I didn’t exist in the theatre any more.

Producers became rather nervous of employing me because of the character I play on the television. I’m very opinionated.

’

Hytner on Miss Saigon, he felt

‘Kathryn Evans is one of the great unsung divas of the British musical’ Independent

on home territory and duly won the best reviews the show has ever had.

For his latest project, Horwood approached the Really Useful Group about Jesus Christ Superstar. Potential television plans for it meant that instead he came away with the rights to Sunset Boulevard, the story of a faded silent movie star and her romance with a young screenwriter. But because of

‘A masterpiece’ Daily Telegraph

‘Full throttle and full satisfaction’ Sunday Times

enthusiastic reviews and the glowing approval of Andrew Lloyd Webber, it has been granted leave to take up residence at the Comedy Theatre.

In the view of many, Horwood’s take on Hollywood passion and betrayal is a tour de force. ‘When directing this production I was always clear I wanted it to be about the characters and the stunning music as they are the true stars of the piece. The show is about Norma Desmond’s battle to be something she’s not’ says Horwood. Kathryn Evans gives a resplendent performance as the deluded, brittle, manipulative

Comedy Theatre

Norma and her portrayal has

Andrew Lloyd Webber’s

recently been recognised with an Olivier Award nomination. The company as a whole have also been recognised for their unique talents with the nomination for Best Company Performance. Now that’s a spectacular endorsement.

Sunset Boulevard A new production by Craig Revel Horwood Box Office 0870 060 6637 Online booking at AmbassadorTickets.com

4

Profile

Middle Class Meltdown Richard E. Grant pulls off the mask in God of Carnage

Interview by Victoria Kingston Photography by 5

Nobby Clark

God of Carnage, a new play

their son has broken two teeth

like - the God of Carnage does

by Yasmina Reza, is poised to

of another boy in a playground

rule. It’s Alain’s creed in life; he

explode onto the stage and, as

fight, so they go to the house

believes that beneath the veneer

with her famous works, Art and

of the other parents to discuss

of civilisation, we are all selfish,

Life x 3, reveal what we really

it. Easy, surely? Grant explains.

avaricious, self-obsessed and

are: predatory, vicious, savage

‘These four people start out in

bestial. While the other

and resentful. Translated from

a civilised, middle class, caring-

characters are trying to show

the French by Christopher

sharing way and soon become

how civilised and politically

Hampton, it’s as much about

like the final scene in one of

correct they are, Alain doesn’t

British, middle-class society as

those wife-swap, reality TV

even attempt that. If he’s bored,

anything can be. We are sure

programmes. You said this - no,

he shows it; he tells it like it is.

to recognise our friends and

you said that - and within a split

He has a kind of ruthless,

even - God forbid - ourselves.

second they are revealing what

horrible power, which is

Cool, handsome Richard E.

they really think of each other.

interesting to play. As appalling

Grant plays Alain, a cynical

I suppose the writer is saying

as he is, there’s something

lawyer, married to Annette;

this is what people are really

admirable about him because

As a writer and an actor, he

he is brutally honest and he has

three hours long. In the speeded-

a laser-like, unvarnished view

up age we live in, I’m grateful

must study human nature. Is he

of human beings and how

for brevity in the theatre and

a watcher of people? He laughs,

they operate.’

in the movies - rather than epic

‘Well, I’m a nosey parker, let’s

bum-ache! This is perfect. It’s

put it that way. I’m very curious

enviable CV. His acting career

very claustrophobic in that

about why people do things. I

launched in 1987 with the cult

you’re in one room the whole

still don’t fully understand the

Withnail and I and over the next

time - and the confrontation

public fascination with actors’

20 years he appeared in 60 films

unfolds relentlessly.’

lives, with celebrity - but I think

Richard E. Grant has an

including Bram Stoker’s Dracula,

it might be because we are all

Grant is a respected writer.

Jack and Sarah, The Age of

He penned a fascinating memoir

required to act in some way

Innocence, Keep the Aspidistra

of the filming of Withnail and I,

during our lives - as parents,

Flying, Gosford Park and Bright

and he wrote and directed the

as lovers - and we’re interested

Young Things. He is a much

2005 film Wah-Wah, based on

in how it works.’

respected stage actor, very

his childhood experiences in

popular in TV drama and

Swaziland. The experience was

boring bits taken out, then Big

regularly in demand for

later published in diary form

Brother is the opposite - the

‘

If drama is real life with the

boring bits dominant. Richard

Alain has a kind of ruthless, horrible power, which is interesting to play. As appalling as he is, there’s something admirable about him because he is brutally honest and he has a laser-like, unvarnished view of human beings and how they operate.

’

laughs: ‘It’s better to watch the highlights programme, then you’re spared some of that.’ But it still isn’t good drama is it? ‘Oh no, I have to disagree with you there. I think Sylvester Stallone’s mother gave a performance that was historic and memorable.

Anthea Turner discussing the

voiceover work and audio books.

and was much praised by critics

colour of her food-warmer -

He can pick and choose his roles,

for its honesty. Does he enjoy

these are moments I will never

so what drew him to this

the diversity of writing, acting

forget. Golden moments. Not

production? ‘I saw the play in

and directing? ‘Yes. They all feed

for them, of course - dreadful

the West End last summer, and

into each other. What you’re

for them - but fascinating for

I thought it was very funny, so

dealing with is trying to create

the viewers.’

when I was offered it, it seemed

characters - show human life.

a great opportunity - and I’d

I’ve been an actor for so long,

quiet, private man would ever be

never worked with the director,

it informs how I write and how

lured into the Big Brother house?

Matthew Warchus before. Also

I direct. It’s a huge advantage,

Would he? ‘I’ll give you a guess,’

I liked the fact that it’s not over

I think.’

he smiles.

No point then, in asking if this

God of Carnage Starring Richard E. Grant, Lia Williams and Paul Ritter Richmond Theatre 9 - 14 Mar 2009 Box Office 0870 060 6651

Theatre Royal, Brighton 16 - 21 Mar 2009 Box Office 08700 606 650

Milton Keynes Theatre 24 - 28 Mar 2009 Box Office 0870 060 6652 Online booking at AmbassadorTickets.com

6

Interview

Terrifyingly Good Imelda Staunton relishes the challenge of Joe Orton’s provocative Entertaining Mr Sloane

Imelda Staunton was nominated

up to me and saying, ‘I love your

attractive Mr. Sloane into sex and

for the 2005 Oscar for Best

work on radio’!’

cohabitation. ‘She is literally

Actress for playing the title role

Interview by Mark Shenton Photography courtesy of Rex Features and 7

by Robert Day

It’s her job, she feels, to make

emotionally starving. She’s been

in Mike Leigh’s Vera Drake,

people recognise something else

starved - her baby and husband

and she stole the show as the

instead: the characters she plays

were taken away, and she has no

horrible teacher Dolores

rather than the person who is

love at all, so she is starving. And

Umbridge (‘a sadistic mix of

playing them. Of Entertaining

they all bully each other. It’s a

Barbaras Cartland and Castle,’

Mr Sloane, the classic Joe Orton

vicious circle of unpleasantness.’

according to one critic) in Harry

comedy that has brought her

Potter and the Order of the

back to the West End, she says,

the play has been to uncover its

Phoenix. But she still doesn’t get

‘People recognise that thing of

emotional truth: ‘There’s an

recognised much, she says. ‘It’s

families constantly bickering.’

element of farce but it has to be

weird, I get recognised the odd

But she has also excavated deep

completely true, too - you have

time, but not in a way that has

into the character that she is

to avoid the trap of saying the

changed my life. I remember,

playing - the painfully lonely

lines as quickly as you can and

years ago, a woman coming

woman who ambushes the

trying to show how clever they

The particular challenge of

are. But I didn’t really realise

option, like doing bits of telly

and thought, they won’t cast me,

how funny it was, either; that

here and there, but then it’s

she’s such a different character

was technically a challenge and

time to exercise the muscles

to me. But then they did, and I

very invigorating.’

once again. That for me is how

had to try to do it, so I got very

you become a better and better

frightened.’ But once again, it

actor.’

was the challenge that propelled

It’s a part she first thought of playing a couple of years ago.

‘I’ve never seen the film, but

So theatre is a regular draw,

her forward. Once the run of

when I read it, I thought, ‘this

but far from an exclusive one.

Entertaining Mr Sloane ends,

is quite interesting’. It was much

‘If the work is there, then I like

she’ll be back in front of the TV

darker than I’d imagined, and

to do it. Two years ago I did a

cameras for another series of

that appealed to me, too.’ But

play at the Almeida (Frank

Cranford - and then ‘hopefully,

nothing came of it, and she says,

McGuinness’ There Came a Gypsy

a tiny bit in Mike Leigh’s next

‘

It has been very challenging and has made me work hard. That’s always what I want to do. There are times when you take the easy option, like doing bits of telly here and there, but then it’s time to exercise the muscles once again. That for me is how you become a better and better actor.

’

‘I let it go’. Then Kathy Burke -

Riding), and then this came

film, then the next Harry Potter

who has been credited as artistic

along. I don’t seek out theatre,

in the winter’.

associate on this production -

but I do seek out a good script.’

and Mathew Horne, who plays

She finds the challenge - and

She’s obviously being kept very busy; so the opportunity to see

the title character, ‘wanted to

the truth - in everything she

her onstage again should be

do it - and thankfully they

does. Of her performance in the

seized while its there. Imelda

approached me!’

Harry Potter film, she says, ‘It

herself never takes anything for

could have been a very panto

granted, and neither should we.

the theatre. ‘We talk between

performance, but David Yate is

‘If the Oscar thing had happened

shows, trying to tighten things

a phenomenal director, and he

when I was 21, it might have

up and continuing to work on it,

made me work very hard, to

turned my head. But working

which is very fulfilling. But most

tread the very honest and

on Vera Drake was the most

of all, because it has been such

disturbed path of that woman.’

extraordinary experience, so the

She has another big release

Oscar nomination was second on

She’s delighted to be back in

a stretch, it has been very challenging and has made me

ahead this year, ‘All last summer

the list. And I never lose sight

work hard. That’s always what

I was filming Ang Lee’s new film

of the fact that at this stage of

I want to do. There are times

Taking Woodstock, which will be

my career the most important

when you take the easy

out this summer. I read the script

thing is always the work.’

Trafalgar Studio 1

Entertaining Mr Sloane Starring Imelda Staunton and Mathew Horne Until 11 Apr 2009 Box Office 0870 060 6632 Online booking at AmbassadorTickets.com

8

Interview

First Class Romance An exquisite adaptation of Brief Encounter

Emma Rice

Brief Encounter Richmond Theatre 7 - 11 Apr 2009 Box Office 0870 060 6651

Theatre Royal Brighton 21 - 25 Apr 2009 Box Office 08700 606 650 Online booking at AmbassadorTickets.com Interview by 9

Al Senter

Theatregoers around the country,

quality to much of Kneehigh’s

Coward could not even hold

hankies at the ready, will now

work and Brief Encounter pulls

hands with his lover in public.’

be savouring the opportunity

off the neat trick of being both

to catch one of the West End’s

highly theatrical and extremely

had to tread softly since she

most unexpected hits. Brief

cinematic.There are a variety of

was treading on the dreams

Encounter comes from Kneehigh

ingenious touches in the

of thousands of people.

Theatre, an innovative, multi-

production that will transport

skilled and highly imaginative

more mature playgoers on a

surprised and probably a bit

company that is fast gaining a

nostalgic trip back to the Golden

nervous about what I was

devoted following. The original

Age of the picture palace. Actors

proposing. But as far as I know

film is one of British cinema’s

auditioning for Kneehigh are

nobody’s been offended by what

finest achievements and one of

invariably asked to ‘do a turn’

we’ve done to their favourite

its most enduring romances. The

and Kneehigh casts are therefore

film. After all, I love it too. I’d

heart-rending story of love and

full of versatile performers, as

say to people thinking of seeing

self-sacrifice among the

adept at delivering a speech as

the show to come with an open

billowing clouds of steam at a

they are at plucking a ukelele.

heart and they won’t be upset.

1930s railway station has long

‘As a theatre-maker, I’m

Rice was well aware that she

‘The Coward Estate was

Our show has been made with

been a favourite of Emma Rice,

passionate about ensuring that

total respect. Fundamentally we

Kneehigh’s effervescent Artistic

people have as good a night out

consider ourselves to be story-

Director.

as possible at our shows and to

tellers and I try to tell the story

that end I’ve brought in

in as truthful, as enjoyable and

known and loved Brief

Coward’s music and his poetry’

as surprising a way as possible.

Encounter: it’s always been part

explains Rice. ‘He writes about

I can promise audiences a lot

of my cultural subconscious,’ she

Laura and Alec with such

of steam, some even from the

explains. ‘I think I must have

sensitivity and understanding

tea-urn! And of course we have

seen it as a child when I was off

that you feel he knows

Rachmaninov - you couldn’t do

school one day, sitting in front

everything about what it’s like

Brief Encounter without him.

of the television with a blanket

to have an impossible love affair.

But it’s a Rachmaninov in

in my lap.’

As a gay man at a time when

new forms.’

‘I feel as if I have always

There is a zany, beguiling

homosexuality was illegal,

A Passionate Advocate

Profile

Arts Council England has a new Board member - Rosemary Squire Squire’s own theatrical tastes

theatre’s subsidised and

Feature by

home the other day, having

were formed as a girl when she

commercial sectors now are.

Benedict Nightingale

attended her first meeting as

was enraptured by Peter Brook’s

And as co-head of ATG, she’ll

a new member of the Arts

famous circus-style Midsummer

be helping to oversee openings

Council’s board, her son wryly

Night’s Dream, and by the

in America as well as Britain.

congratulated her on having

director of Nottingham

Ionesco’s Exit the King, with

been on the Six o’clock News.

Playhouse, Richard Eyre, who

Geoffrey Rush, and a brand-new

Her first meeting featured a long

presided over a renaissance that

production of Guys and Dolls are

but seriously responsible debate

brought David Hare, Howard

just two impending Broadway

on the future of a West Midlands

Brenton, Trevor Griffiths and

offerings. Whatever the future

arts centre.

other cutting-edge dramatists

brings, she and her company

to his theatre.

remain determinedly optimistic.

When Rosemary Squire returned

It was clearly a challenging situation where tough decisions

As a West End impresario

had to be made but then Ms

Squire will bring her know-how

Squire is used to those. With her

to an Arts Council well aware

husband, Howard Panter, she

how interdependent our

founded the Ambassador Theatre Group in 1992 and, as its Joint Chief Executive, she’s seen it grow from a virtual acorn into an international conglomerate with 23 theatres in the UK and new productions emerging from every pore. Who put on Neil LaBute’s Fat Pig at the Trafalgar Studios, moved it to the Comedy and is now about to tour it? The same duo behind the revival of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Sunset Boulevard at the Comedy Theatre: Squire and Panter.

Ms Squire recently retired as President of the Society of London Theatre and remains its Vice-President, which means she isn’t exactly unhappy about the figures SOLT announced for the year 2008. A record number of people, 13.8 million in all, attended its 52 constituent venues, spending almost half a billion. But isn’t she scared that the recession will send those figures spiralling down in 2009?

The evidence from previous downturns, even the 1930s Depression, isn’t that discouraging: ‘Nobody can tell what’s round the corner, but, with the cut in VAT and interest rates going down, people may have more spending money in their pockets.

When you look at the news, yes, it sends you into a great gloom.

But then it’s good to get out and get out of yourself and enjoy yourself at something entertaining or challenging or whatever your theatrical taste is.’

Photography by Stephanie Methven

What’s What’s OnOn

Buy Your West End Tickets Here COMEDY THEATRE 0870 060 6637

PICCADILLY THEATRE 0844 412 6666

Andrew Lloyd Webber’s

Grease

Sunset Boulevard ★★★★

Starring winner of ITV’s Grease Is The Word Danny Bayne as Danny, Nicola Brazil as Sandy, and singing legend Jimmy Osmond as Teen Angel.

DONMAR WAREHOUSE 0870 060 6624

PLAYHOUSE THEATRE 0870 060 6631

Be Near Me

La Cage Aux Folles

A stage version by Ian McDiarmid From the novel by Andrew O’Hagan

The smash hit musical from The Menier Chocolate Factory Starring Graham Norton and Steven Pacey

DUCHESS THEATRE 0870 060 6615

SAVOY THEATRE 0870 164 8787

Plague Over England

Carousel

Book and Lyrics by Don Black and Christopher Hampton Based on the Billy Wilder film

C

‘A Masterpiece’ The Daily Telegraph

By Nicholas de Jongh ‘Enthralling... outstanding... ambitious... bravo!’

Daily Telegraph

TRAFALGAR STUDIO 1 0870 060 6632

A View From The Bridge

Entertaining Mr Sloane

By Arthur Miller Starring Ken Stott, Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio and Hayley Atwell

★★★★ ‘A cracking new

FORTUNE THEATRE 0870 060 6626

TRAFALGAR STUDIO 2 0870 060 6632

The Woman in Black

Touched... For The Very First Time

By Joe Orton Starring Imelda Staunton and Mathew Horne

production. Wonderfully, mercilessly funny.’ Daily Telegraph

A new play by Zoe Lewis Starring Sadie Frost Studio 2 has been made possible by a generous donation from Christina Smith

OLD VIC 0870 060 6628

TRAFALGAR STUDIO 2 0870 060 6632

Dancing at Lughnasa

New Boy

By Brian Friel Starring Andrea Corr, Niamh Cusack, Michelle Fairley and Susan Lynch

From the novel by William Sutcliffe Adapted and Directed by Russell Labey Starring Nicholas Hoult From 17 March

PHOENIX THEATRE 0870 060 6629

SHAFTESBURY THEATRE 0870 060 6615

Willy Russell’s

Hairspray

Blood Brothers ‘Brings the audience to its feet and roaring its approval’ Daily Mail

C - it’s cheaper to book online

★★★★

‘A blazingly good production... this show is perfection’ Daily Mail

DUKE OF YORK’S THEATRE 0870 060 6623

‘A brilliant spine-chiller’ The Guardian

11

By Rodgers and Hammerstein Starring Lesley Garrett

Starring Michael Ball ‘The musical with everything.

A triumph!’ Observer

Book your tickets online at AmbassadorTickets.com

Something Great!

Competition

Win tickets for the international sell-out West Side Story The movie version went on

To win a pair of tickets for the

choreography by the legendary

to win an incredible 10 Academy

show at the Ambassador Group

Jerome Robbins, book by Arthur

Awards (including Best Picture)

theatre of your choice, simply

Laurents, an unforgettable score

and further cemented the

answer the following question:

by Leonard Bernstein and lyrics

reputation of this undoubted

by Stephen Sondheim, West Side Story changed the face of musical theatre forever.

Based on Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet and packed with unforgettable songs including Maria, Tonight, Somewhere, America, One Hand, One Heart and I Feel Pretty, West Side Story has been described as ‘a musical landmark’ The Guardian.

masterpiece.

With ground-breaking

Now this brand new vibrant

Q: Who wrote the music for

West Side Story?

stage production, made to commemorate the show’s 50th

Please return your answer,

anniversary and performed by

not forgetting your name,

a knock-out ensemble cast, is

address, telephone number and

thrilling audiences from Paris

preferred venue to Vicky Brown,

to Beijing.

The Ambassador Theatre Group

‘This imperishable masterpiece

Ltd, 24 Neal Street, London,

of musical theatre is as powerful, pertinent and poignant as ever’ Daily Mail

WC2H 9QW before Monday 9 March 2009.

New Wimbledon Theatre 10 - 14 Mar 2009 Box Office 0870 060 6646

New Victoria Theatre, Woking 14 - 18 Apr 2009 Box Office 0870 060 6645

Regent Theatre, Stoke-on-Trent 16 - 27 Jun 2009 Box Office 0870 060 6649

Milton Keynes Theatre 14 - 18 Jul 2009 Box Office 0870 060 6652 Online booking at AmbassadorTickets.com

WINNER! BEST MUSICAL MEN AWARDS 2008 BEST MUSICAL REVIVAL BEST ACTRESS IN A MUSICAL WHAT’S ON STAGE AWARDS 2009

OLIVIER AWARD NOMINATED BEST MUSICAL REVIVAL BEST ACTRESS IN A MUSICAL

TERMS AND CONDITIONS Three winners will be drawn at random after the closing date.

Each prize includes a pair of tickets for West Side Story (Monday - Thursday performances) in Wimbledon, Woking or Stoke-on-Trent and are subject to availability. Winners will be notified by Wednesday 11 March 2009. Prize is non-transferable and non-redeemable for a cash value. Not open to employees of Ambassador Theatre Group Ltd. Editor’s decision is final.

12

Backstage

First Stages An extraordinary offer for young audiences

Main image Nicholas Hoult Inset image Sadie Frost

It sounds too good to be true.

innovative theatre venue, under

theatre in London to have won

Free tickets to see Sadie Frost

the Arts Council’s new Free

funding although the capital’s

in her first stage role for 20

Theatre Initiative launched on

subsidised theatres from the

years, to catch Nicholas Hoult

February 16.

Tricycle to the National are

in his West End coming-of-age

Robin Stringer Photography by 13

Christian Coulson

major beneficiaries.

‘It is an extraordinary offer,’

stage debut and to relish Imelda

audiences to the theatre, the

Staunton bringing the house

scheme is expected to make

says Julia Potts, Group Head

down night after night?

618,000 free tickets available to

of Creative Learning for the

under-26s in 99 theatres spread

Ambassador Theatre Group. ‘For

if - and there is always an if - you

across the country - at a total

young people to be able to come

are lucky enough to be under

cost of £2.5 million.

and see something every week

But all this and more is true,

Feature by

Designed to introduce young

26 years old... Not a bad deal.

The £30,000 allotted to

for free is quite something. We know that price is a big barrier.’

And that is only the start of

Trafalgar Studios will provide

what will be on offer over the

4,000 free seats over the next

next two years at Trafalgar

two years. Interestingly, the

goals of the Ambassador Group,

Studios, London’s most

Studios is the only commercial

which aims to pioneer a number

The offer fits well with the

of initiatives at the venue that

The Spring season at Trafalgar

Ms Frost was persuaded to

together will help grow the

Studios is clearly designed to

take on the role by the

next generation of West End

attract a young audience and is

playwright Zoe Lewis. It is a

audiences and practitioners.

notable for the casting of actors

bold move on her part not only

who have impacted on the young

because she is a lone performer

already involving thousands of

through their roles in film and

in the intimate 100-seat Studio

young people in workshops or

on television.

Its Creative Learning team is

events at Ambassador Group

‘Star casting is the way it

but also because almost all her acting experience has been in front of the cameras.

theatres across the country -

goes,’ says Katy Griffiths, ATG’s

over 56,000 in 2007-2008 - and it

London theatre programmer.

wants to properly integrate that

‘You have to be aware of who is

is Nicholas Hoult, who has also

kind of work into its Trafalgar

current and who isn’t, and try to

made his reputation on screen

programme.

match the well-known artist with

first at the age of 11 opposite

‘Artistic policy has always been to turn the venue into a gateway for younger audiences,’ says Ms

‘

the project.’

Thus Sadie Frost makes her West End stage debut in

The other West End debutant

Hugh Grant in About a Boy and then in E4’s addictive teen drama series Skins about a group of

Artistic policy has always been to turn the venue into a gateway for younger audiences, which is why we could make a convincing case to the Arts Council.

The profile of audiences in both Trafalgar Studios 1 and 2 is already noticeably different to those of traditional West End theatres, and this is something we are determined to build on.

’

hard-partying sixth-formers.

Potts, ‘which is why we could

Touched, a one-woman play

make a convincing case to the

about a woman obsessed with

Arts Council.’

Madonna. As Lesley, a 36-year-

in New Boy, Russell Labey’s

He follows Sadie into Studio 2

old from Manchester, she

adaptation of William Sutcliffe’s

both Trafalgar Studios 1 and 2

narrates her life story from the

best-selling coming-of-age novel.

is already noticeably different

earth-shattering moment as a

Here, he once again finds himself

to those of traditional West End

plump 14-year-old when she

competing in the sixth-form

theatres, and this is something

hears Like A Virgin for the

stakes, this time as Mark, who

we are determined to build on.’

first time.

knows that this is his last chance

‘The profile of audiences in

to impress, to be more popular, more obnoxious, the bestinformed about gynaecology and, finally, to get a shag.

Running alongside both plays in the much bigger Studio I is

Ambassador Group Creative Learning projects

Entertaining Mr Sloane, Joe Orton’s exposé of buttoned-up 1960s suburbia which hovers between farce and tragedy and opened to cheering audiences filling every one of its 400 seats.

Once again, the production stars another actor, Mathew Horne, who is better known for his television roles, notably in Gavin and Stacey and The Catherine Tate Show, than on stage. He plays the dangerously willing victim of Imelda Staunton’s sexually stifled Kath.

‘We have been trying to create a venue that has good resonance with younger audiences,’ says Kate Griffiths, ‘and to offer that slightly edgier work which we think will appeal. We feel we have to make it a bit different from the West End theatre - and to make it friendly, so the free tickets will be a huge help.’

Trafalgar Studio 1

Entertaining Mr Sloane Starring Imelda Staunton and Mathew Horne Until 11 Apr 2009

Trafalgar Studio 2

Touched Starring Sadie Frost Until 14 Mar 2009

New Boy Starring Nicholas Hoult 17 Mar - 11 Apr 2009 Box Office 0870 060 6632 Online booking at AmbassadorTickets.com For more information on the Free Tickets Initiative AmbassadorTickets.com/ 14 freetickets

Style

Period Drama Gorgeous and individual - get inspired by vintage chic

Old gold vintage inspired silk dress

Hat box at Mint, 020 7224 4406

Dress stands, chairs and carpet

£320 See by Chloe

mintshop.co.uk

Kempton Park Antique Market

020 7801 6900

kemptonantiques.com

Long red leather gloves £88 Laura J shoes £189 15

at Dents, 020 7924 4321

Floral corsages similar items at

at lollipoplondon.com

V.V. Rouleaux vvrouleaux.com

020 7226 4005

0207 730 3125

All prices quoted are given as a guide only and may be subject to change by individual retailers. The price of items from antique shops/markets is not given as these will vary depending on availability and individual negotiations.

Vintage kimono

Zoe and Morgan jewellery £198

Baby doll basque

Portobello Road Market

zoeandmorgan.com

£30 at La Senza lasenza.co.uk

portobelloroad.co.uk

0207 924 4321

Vintage clothes

Dressing room screen

Audley silver ladies lace-up oxford shoe £115 at Olivier’s Lounge

Orsini Vintage, Earls Court Road

Northcote Road Antique Market

020 7924 4321

020 7937 2903

020 7228 6850

16

Going Out

Capital Delights It’s time to spring into action

Borough Market boroughmarket.org.uk Vinopolis vinopolis.co.uk The Commander thecommanderbar.co.uk Notting Hill Brasserie nottinghillbrasserie.com Hampstead Heath cityoflondon.gov.uk Kenwood House

Banish those winter blues and

While in the area, why not

mark the start of a new season

treat yourself to a tour of world

by enjoying one of our insider

wines at Vinopolis? Situated

guides to days out in London.

within the arches of a Victorian

Stunning architecture, fabulous

railway viaduct, this extensive 2.5

film locations and mouth-

acre destination offers four self-

watering fare lead the way

guided packages that transport

this Spring.

visitors around traditional and

Foodie Heaven In a city that is reputed for its better place to begin a culinary

entertainment. A matinée

journey than in the historic

performance of La Cage aux

Brasserie’s Cocktail Bar where

surroundings of Borough Market.

Folles with Graham Norton at the Playhouse Theatre is a delicious way to work up an appetite.

One of the most intriguing restaurant concepts to hit London of late, The Commander opens its doors in exclusive Westbourne Grove this February.

Featuring an Oyster Bar, a brasserie-style restaurant led by top chef Robert Staegemann, a deli selling fine foods and a courtyard housing independent suppliers of fish and flowers, this venue has been designed to thrill gastronomes. Browse in the deli before indulging in one of the signature dishes, such as springbok carpaccio with smoked chilli jelly.

Finish the day with a flourish by popping into Notting Hill

live jazz and blues provide an

This bustling centre of food excellence, situated just south of the River Thames, is renowned

lincolnsinn.org.uk Hakkasan hakkasan.com City Hall london.gov.uk/gla/city_hall/ Hay’s Galleria haysgalleria.co.uk

harveynichols.com/output/P age128.asp Somerset House 17

somersethouse.org.uk

Time to take the weight off and enjoy a spot of

Lincoln’s Inn

Bar & Brasserie

regions of the world.

world-class cuisine, there’s no

english-heritage.org.uk

OXO Tower Restaurant

lesser-known wine-making

Vinopolis for its atmosphere, quality produce and the knowledge of its specialist traders. Open weekly between Thursday and Saturday.

Kenwood House

accompaniment to a glass of something long and cool.

Lights, Camera, Action Make like a movie star with a trip to one of the highest points in London, Hampstead Heath.

Run Fatboy Run, Notes on a Scandal and Scenes of a Sexual Nature are a few of the films to have been shot among the rich mosaic of flora and fauna that makes this green space so special. Featured in memorable scenes from Notting Hill, Kenwood House is a highlight of this tranquil parkland and is open to visitors who want to view its sumptuous interiors and masterpieces by Rembrandt, Turner and Gainsborough.

Images top l-r The Commander Hampstead Heath Borough Market City Hall

Lincoln’s Inn in Holborn has seen plenty of movie action over the years, with parts of Tom

Jones, The Importance of Being Earnest, Finding Neverland and the forthcoming Guy Ritchiedirected Sherlock Holmes all

comes in the form of Sunset Boulevard at the Comedy Theatre. Andrew Lloyd Webber’s critically acclaimed adaptation of Billy Wilder’s 1950 film captures the haunting world of the Golden Age of Hollywood.

London Landmarks

Hakkasan

architects Lifschutz Davidson, this eaterie in the sky boasts sleek, natural materials yet pays homage to the art-deco style of the distinctive tower.

More architectural gems are to be found in the surroundings of Somerset House. Not only is

Stroll along the south bank

the venue itself a neo-classical

of the River Thames from

palace of note but it is also the

iconic Tower Bridge through

setting for an exhibition by

the Queen’s Walk to see some

celebrated architectural

of the capital’s most impressive

photographer Richard Bryant,

sights. One such example, City

who offers a personal account

Hall, is a triumph of glass and

of Greater London from the

curves designed by Foster +

West’s leafy suburbs to the

Partners. Step inside the home

fast-changing East.

of the Mayor of London and head down the spiral ramp to

being captured here. Fans of the

the Visitor Centre where the

big screen are welcome to walk

London Photomat shows an

around the grounds while

aerial view of the city.

special-interest tours for groups

Continue en route to Hay’s

of 15 or more can be arranged.

Galleria, a conversion of one of

For a touch of glamour and

London’s most famous wharves

to see where Hugh Grant tries

dating back to the 1900s. Today

to make amends to Rachel Weisz

an eye-catching atrium shelters

in About A Boy, indulge in

an eclectic mix of shops and

dinner at the Michelin-starred

cafés but the location once

Chinese restaurant Hakkasan.

welcomed tea clippers from India

There is a bespoke pre-theatre

and China as they came into dock.

menu for two but a Hakkasan

For breathtaking views of the

insider recommends going as

river and St Paul’s, the OXO

a four for more variety.

Tower Restaurant Bar & Brasserie

A final slice of movie magic

Designed by award-winning

is a great choice for lunch.

For details of the Playhouse Theatre, Comedy Theatre OXO Tower Top off your tour by catching

Blood Brothers at the beautiful Phoenix Theatre, a cultural landmark originally designed

by Giles Gilbert Scott.

and Phoenix Theatre see AmbassadorTickets.com

Feature by Neena Dhillon

18

±186 >= 4=C4AC08=<4=C² Bd]SPh CT[TVaP_W

CTaaX¼R²

±

CWT CX\Tb

++++ C8<4B 308;H C4;46A0?7 6D0A380= 4E4=8=6 BC0=30A3 <08; >= BD=30H BD=30H C4;46A0?7 BD=30H 4G?A4BB

±0 <PbcTa_XTRT² 3PX[h CT[TVaP_W

k '& % %%"& k bd]bTc[^]S^] R^\ ;^]S^] BF 2><43H C740CA4 ?P]c^] BcaTTc RWTP_Ta c^ Q^^Z ^][X]T

‘A GLORIOUS NIGHT OF SHOWBIZ RAZZLE-DAZZLE’ +++++ +++++ +++++ +++++ +++++ ++++ ++++ ++++ ++++ Daily Telegraph

Daily Mail

Independent on Sunday

Time Out

Independent

Sunday Telegraph

Daily Telegraph

The Times

The Guardian

Sunday Times

GRAHAM & STEVEN NORTON PACEY HAVE JOINED

Music and Lyrics by

Book by

Jerry Herman Harvey Fierstein Based on the play ‘La Cage aux Folles’ by Jean Poiret

‘THIS BLISSFULLY FUNNY MUSICAL IS FULL OF HEART AND FUN’ Sunday Express

0870 060 6631 | lacagelondon.com PLAYHOUSE THEATRE

Northumberland Ave London WC2

Would you like to help to turn this...

...into this?

Find out more by contacting the UKâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s leading heritage regeneration charity at: Alhambra House, 27-31 Charing Cross Road, London WC2H 0AU Tel: 020 7925 0199 Email: ahf@ahfund.org.uk Website: www.ahfund.org.uk

A light-hearted backstage theatrical novel

CHEWING THE SCENERY

By Davina Elliott

From the first day of rehearsals to the fall of the curtain on Press Night, the book follows the trials of a company of actors in a top class production of Blithe Spirit being performed at the Theatre Royal, Haymarket, in London’s West End.

‘After nervously reading the first 20 pages to check none of the characters were based on me, I then spent the next 300 or so laughing out loud while I cunningly planned which part I should try and bribe someone for when the inevitable Film is made!!!! A truly, fantastically camp, hilarious, easy and well observed piece of writing. Remarkable for a first novel!!!!’

Amanda Holden ‘Oh dear, she knows us thesps far too well. It’s a sparkling, wicked book, very funny & saucy & frighteningly accurate. Read & be delighted.’

Miriam Margolyes ‘Theatre folk picked apart with the forensic wit of a vulture after a couple of gin and tonics. Damn good fun.’

Nigel Planer ‘Hugely entertaining tale’ - AS Magazine The book is available in Daunt Books, Waterstone’s Piccadilly, Foyles, National Theatre Bookshop, Samuel French Theatre Bookshop and Dress Circle, and to order from all branches of Waterstone’s, Amazon and all good bookshops, price £7.99 PUCK BOOKS

ISBN 978-0-9560960-0-5