Bringing the iconic music of the beloved animated series to the stage
If you were a child in the 1990s then you will remember Animaniacs – the zany cousin of Looney Tunes – its theme song was such a hit that it even won an Emmy Award, and now for one night only its composer Randy Rogel is coming to Greenwich Theatre, writes Kevin Quinn...
The theme song introduced the kooky main characters of Animaniacs, with lyrics and a melody that were as zany as the show itself.
Prepare to feel nostalgic as Randy Rogel is joined on stage by voice legend Rob Paulsen, best known for his role as Yakko Warner in Animaniacs. But Paulsen is no one-trick pony - he is integral part of countless childhoods from the 1980s
right up to the present day. He has lent his voice to cartoon classics such as Pinky from Pinky and the Brain, Raphael in the original 1980s Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles series and Donatello in the 2012 reboot.
Animaniacs in Concert is a real coup for Greenwich Theatre, which has cemented itself as one of if not the best places for family entertainment. Billed to thrill adults and children alike, this
concert will see the duo perform fan-favourite songs live alongside original projected animation.
But that is not all, the audience will hear behind-the-scenes stories and be treated to songs that were cut from the original show by the censors.
“Hearing the audience’s riotous laughter as we perform these songs and tell them the stories
behind them is pure joy,” Randy Rogel said before flying over from the States for Greenwich.
“This is what the show is all about. The audience gets to hear how all these fun songs were created by the guy who created them and then hear them sung live by the original voice actor who performed them. It’s mind-blowing fun for both us and the audience,” he added.
And it has the perfect mix of allowing your kids to enjoy the animation as you did, while you re-live the cheekiness, wit and humour, plus the innuendo that you might have missed out when you first watched it.
With the original show produced by none other than Steven Spielberg, Animaniacs remains as topical and relevant today as it was when the TV series debuted in the early 1990s, with new episodes currently streaming on HULU.
In interview Randy Rogel has stressed how Animaniacs set his style of writing for Disney, 20th Century Fox, Warner Bros and so many other studios. “It was groundbreaking in that it was written up to kids rather than condescending or infantilizing; that’s why it appeals to both kids and adults.”
So for two hours of music, animation, fun and laughter head to Greenwich Theatre next Sunday May 25, for a night that will get you and your kids rolling in the aisles.
Animaniacs in Concert Sunday May 25 – 7.30pm Greenwich Theatre, Crooms Hill, Greenwich, London SE10 8ES. Tickets £26.50 (inc. £1.50 cmsn) with concessions £21.50 (inc. £1.50 cmsn)
Go to greenwichtheatre.org.uk
Rob Paulsen and Randy Rogel Animaniacs Concert 2025
Randy Rogel live
The Croft is coming this way
Original Theatre will present Ali Milles’ critically acclaimed thriller
The Croft at the Churchill Theatre in Bromley from Tuesday 3 to Saturday 7 June, as part of an eightweek tour.
The Croft is based on a true Highland story. In the remote Scottish Highlands, two women arrive at a former Crofters Hut in the deserted village of Coille Ghillie. Suddenly, the weekend getaway takes an unexpected turn. Cut off from the modern world, Laura and Suzanne find themselves drawn into the dark history of the Croft and the lives that passed before them.
In this bold and haunting play the present interweaves with the past
as ancient tales surface and the terrifying truth lurking in the Croft is revealed. The past won’t be silenced.
Churchill Theatre, High Street, Bromley BR1 1HA. Dates & times: Tues 3 - Sat 7 June, 7:30pm (matinees on Thurs & Sat 2:30pm)
Price: £20 - £42
Bookings: trafalgartickets.com/ churchill-theatre-bromley/en-GB/ event/play/the-croft-tickets
Running Time: 2 hrs 5 mins including interval.
Henri Merriam’s one woman play comes to the Jack Studio
The promotion for this play coming to Brockley next month is slightly baffling, but perhaps that is deliberate.
Henri Merriam’s one woman play ‘There is a Light and a Whistle for Attracting Attention’ comes to the Jack Studio as part of a UK tour, and is presented by awardnominated Play Nicely Theatre.
In their trailer the actress says she has undergone a self-diagnosis on Google and is suffering from ‘an acute case of relationship hypochondria’, which she admits is painful for her friends.
The central theme of the play is love, but not as we are supposed to view it in the likes of Grease. The main character in this play “doesn’t fit the role. She needs to rewrite her part. So she can be seen.”
Play Nicely Theatre was founded to tell stories old and new. They are returning to the Jack Studio following their hit 2023 tour of Splinter, which was a finalist in the London Pub Theatre Standing Ovation Awards.
Director: Sophia Capasso. Cast: Henri Merriam.
Brockley Jack Studio Theatre, 410 Brockley Road, London, SE4 2DH from Wednesday 11th – Saturday 13th June 2025 at 7.30pm. Tickets: £16, £14 concessions (suitable for 14+).
Booking: brockleyjack.co.uk or 0333 666 3366 (£1.80 fee for phone bookings only)
WHAT THE AUDIENCE SAY
“Animaniacs live is a fantastic show, and great for the whole family!”
The Rialto Theatre, Tucson
“The audience loved them! Great time!”
James Lumber Center for the Performing Arts
“The ANIMANIACS were ANIMAGICAL! Can’t wait to bring the show back!”
The Arcada Theatre, St. Charles
“Rob’s energy and Randy’s music were truly a thrill!“ Joe’s Pub, New York
“Rob Paulsen’s and Randy Rogel’s storytelling was simply magnificent! The audience loved this show.” Downey Theatre
“Rob Paulsen and Randy Rogel are real crowd-pleasers.”
Santa Clarita Performing Arts Center at College of the Canyons, Santa Clarita
GreenwichTheatre.org.uk |
(Yakko, Pinky)
(Music & Lyrics)
Small and Newsham named PFA Community Champions
Charlton duo Thierry Small and Charlotte Newsham have been named as the club’s men’s and women’s team Professional Footballers’ Association (PFA) Community Champions for the 2024/25 season.
The award highlights players who have made their work with communities and good causes central to their role as professional footballers.
Small, who has supported Charlton Athletic Community Trust’s (CACT) Walking Football and Upbeats programmes, as well as meeting young people attending CACT’s football holiday courses earlier this year, said: “Charlton is a community-based club and I’m always happy to help out in the community when I can. Visiting the Walking Football session was fun, and I also enjoyed attending the holiday courses because it gives me the opportunity to help and inspire the children there. I hope I can be infectious on people and it’s nice to be recognised for it.”
Defender Newsham has meanwhile supported a variety of good causes this season, notably CACT’s fundraising efforts for the 2025 Upbeats Walk and meeting players from This Girl’s Ability, a charity that gives girls and young women with disabilities access
to creative opportunities and sports, including football. The 24-year-old said: “It’s a privilege to win this award. I’ve engaged with people from This Girl’s Ability, meeting them and seeing them at our matches has been an honour. It’s nice to give back to people who support us and the club.”
Both players were presented with their awards by PFA Community Liaison Executive Ashley Hodson,
who enjoyed a professional playing career spanning 11 years, the majority of which was spent at Liverpool. Hodson said: “The amazing work Charlton does in the community doesn’t go unnoticed by the PFA, and Thierry and Charlotte are definitely examples of that. We really appreciate how the club gives back to the community, and we think a lot of people can look up to all the work Charlton do.”
AT GREENWICH PENINSULA
SUNDAY 18 MAY
Watergate, where research a couple of years ago by Chris and Willie at the Shipwrights Palace revealed that what had always been taken to be a warehouse built by Penn’s Engineering had in fact been built by a proposed railway company as a rail and ferry interchange, but never opened. I’ve mentioned that in every article I’ve done about that area and may well do so again, but in the context of planned extensions to the Greenwich Railway.
Moving to Deptford Creek itself - there was of course a ferry across the creek which I wrote up in an article on the Creek and my subsequent book. I’m not sure if it’s worth mentioning again but I might do so because Hoy Stairs from which the ferry operated are still - unbelievably - in existence.
Coming along Thames Street we come to the Horse Ferry which I have
mentioned briefly and well might return to. Its steam ferry successor has had more coverage. This ferry ran on the rails which still exist on the foreshore along with some features in the sea wall. I’ve written about this in both my book on the Greenwich Riverside and my Weekender article which preceded it. There is however a whole lot more to say about it.
The site was investigated quite thoroughly in the early 2000s by various Deptford based activists and a detailed report was published. Around the same time the late Clive Chambers dived into the flooded engine chamber – his report was reproduced in the Greenwich Industrial History Newsletter which we did in those days. Subsequently the site has been the subject of an investigation by professional archaeologists who have also produced a detailed report.
1. John Burns Woolwich ferry
2. Traditional ferry at Woolwich 1839
3. Drawing of working of the Greenwich Steam Ferry
4. Old Gravesend ferry 4 3
it was quite clear that there was a lot of information in archives which it would be difficult for me to access. But, more than that, there seemed to have been a whole rat’s nest of rows and aggression and trying to sort it all out was going to take time - and some of the accounts were of events so confrontational that I’m far from sure what the truth was. However, I will try to put something together.
Having gone along the Greenwich riverside where most of the ferries were and carrying on round the Peninsula, there is much less information about them. In particular there is the very obscure pier at Ballast Quay which I mentioned in my Riverside book and a whole lot more research needs to be done there. Then, going up the west bank of the Peninsula, at Enderby Wharf there was a little local ferry which only went out to cable ships moored in the river – so I’m not sure if it counts.
When we get round the top of the Peninsula, past the Dome to North Greenwich Pier. we have something else which was, or is, relatively recent. This was, or maybe is, a mysterious boat which went from North Greenwich over to Trinity Buoy Wharf and you had to know about it in order to get it. I’ve been told that it doesn’t run
any more - but I wouldn’t bet on it. In the 1990s and 2000s, when industry on the Peninsula was going and the current regeneration had really taken place, I was always told that there was a sort of ferry which ran from what is now ‘The Jetty’ at the end of Pilot Walk - at what used to be at the end of Riverway. You went down there and hung about and said who you wanted to talk to – you had to ask for was Bill or Joe or someone - and they come along and take you over the River. I never had the courage to go down there and try. I dare say there was a similar system in the Bronze Age.
After that there is riverside and ferries all the way down from Charlton to the Arsenal, none of which I’ve written about or investigated. I know there were a whole lot of ferries in Woolwich including some of which have left some remains here or over in North Woolwich. Then, of course, there is the Free Ferry which I’ve always missed out when I’ve been writing about the various free crossings which were put in place in the 1890s and 1900s. So there’s that to do.
Better get busy on it all. Otherwise I will start on about the names of the new ferries and how the really popular singer of the 1940s (and 1930s) was Gracie Fields.
The engine room of the steam ferry - which Clive Chambers investigated - has been removed. However there are still remains on the foreshore and as far as I’m aware there is no signage on site to explain what they are. Why not? Why don’t we tell people if features are kept? Surely we should say why things were thought to be interesting. If we don’t tell them people will guess and make up stories and they will not be looked after, because no one knows what they are. Eventually they will be removed as useless junk. It happens all the time!
So – on into Cutty Sark Gardens and Greenwich Pier. There is the whole issue in this area of the traditional Potters Ferry and many subsequent attempts to set up other ferries. When I wrote up this area for the book and Weekender articles I avoided mentioning them because
ROYAL BOROUGH of GREENWICH ROAD TRAFFIC REGULATION ACT 1984 – SECTION 14(1) PROSPECT VALE PLANNED ROAD CLOSURE (ORDER)
1. The Royal Borough of Greenwich makes this Order in exercise of powers under section 14(1) of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984. This is to facilitate Thames Water to carry out investigative work on a defective foul sewer.
2. The Order will come into operation on 19th May 2025 and would continue to be valid for 18 months. However, the works are expected to take 2 days. The duration of the Order can be extended with the approval of the Secretary of State for Transport.
3. The effect of the Order would be to temporarily prohibit vehicles from entering, exiting, proceeding, or waiting (including waiting for the purposes of loading or unloading), in Prospect Vale between the junctions of Woolwich Church Street and Marshalls Grove.
4. Whilst the Order is in operation traffic and pedestrians will be diverted via the placing of the appropriate signage. Prohibitions remain in force and vehicle access will be maintained wherever possible.
5. Nothing in this Notice will apply to anything done with the permission or at the direction of a police constable in uniform or traffic warden, to emergency service vehicles, or to vehicles being used in connection with the works.
6. The restrictions described above will apply only during such times and to such extent as shall be indicated by traffic signs as prescribed by the Traffic Signs Regulations and General Directions 2016.
7. Queries concerning these works should be directed to the Royal Borough of Greenwich’s Directorate of Regeneration, Enterprise & Skills on 020 8921 6340.
Ryan Nibbs Assistant Director, Transport. The Woolwich Centre, 35 Wellington Street, SE18 6HQ
Dated: 16/04/2025
INTERNAL REF - EM/ LA486027 FN765 /LIC No 73398
ROYAL BOROUGH of GREENWICH
ROAD TRAFFIC REGULATION ACT 1984 – SECTION 14(1) TRENCHARD STREET PLANNED ROAD CLOSURE (ORDER)
1. The Royal Borough of Greenwich intends to make this Order in exercise of powers under section 14(1) of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984. This is to facilitate works by Thames Water who need to carry out trial holes prior to mains replacement.
2. The Order will come into operation on 27th May 2025 and would continue to be valid for 18 months. However, the works are expected to take 4 days. The duration of the Order can be extended with the approval of the Secretary of State for Transport.
3. The effect of the Order would be to temporarily prohibit vehicles from entering, exiting, proceeding, or waiting (including waiting for the purposes of loading or unloading), in Trenchard Street at the junction with Greenwich Park Street.
4. Whilst the Order is in operation traffic will be diverted via the placing of the appropriate signage. Prohibitions remain in force; pedestrians are not affected, and vehicle access will be maintained wherever possible.
5. Nothing in this Notice will apply to anything done with the permission or at the direction of a police constable in uniform or traffic warden, to emergency service vehicles, or to vehicles being used in connection with the works.
6. The restrictions described above will apply only during such times and to such extent as shall be indicated by traffic signs as prescribed by the Traffic Signs Regulations and General Directions 2016.
7. Queries concerning these works should be directed to the Royal Borough of Greenwich’s Directorate of Regeneration, Enterprise & Skills on 020 8921 6340.
Ryan Nibbs Assistant Director, Transport.
The Woolwich Centre, 35 Wellington Street, SE18 6HQ
Dated: 21/02/2025
INTERNAL REF - EM/ LA483276 FN749 /LIC No 72923
ROYAL BOROUGH of GREENWICH ROAD TRAFFIC REGULATION ACT 1984 - Section 14(1) ST NICHOLAS ROAD PLANNED ROAD CLOSURE (ORDER)
1. The Royal Borough of Greenwich intends to make this Order in exercise of powers under section 14(1) of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984. This is to facilitate works by Argon Utility Solutions who need to carry out various new utility connections.
2. The Order will come into operation on 26/05/2025 and would continue to be valid for 18 months. However, the works are expected to take until the 06/06/2025. The duration of the Order can be extended with the approval of the Secretary of State for Transport.
3. The effect of the Order would be to temporarily prohibit vehicles from entering, exiting, proceeding, or waiting (including waiting for the purposes of loading or unloading), in ST NICHOLAS ROAD at the JUNCTION WITH PLUMSTEAD HIGH STREET.
4. Whilst the Order is in operation traffic will be diverted via the placing of the appropriate signage.Prohibitions remain in force; pedestrians are not affected, and vehicle access will be maintained wherever possible.
5. Nothing in this Notice will apply to anything done with the permission or at the direction of a police constable in uniform or traffic warden, to emergency service vehicles, or to vehicles being used in connection with the works.
6. The restrictions described above will apply only during such times and to such extent as shall beindicated by traffic signs as prescribed by the Traffic Signs Regulations and General Directions 2016.
7. Queries concerning these works should be directed to the Royal Borough of Greenwich’s Directorateof Regeneration, Enterprise & Skills on 020 8921 6340.
Ryan Nibbs Assistant Director, Transport. The Woolwich Centre, 35 Wellington Street, SE18 6HQ
Dated 28/04/2025
INTERNAL REF - EM/ FA004S22-01 /
ROYAL BOROUGH of GREENWICH ROAD TRAFFIC REGULATION ACT 1984 – SECTION 14(1) WOOLWICH ROAD PLANNED LANE CLOSURE (ORDER)
1. The Royal Borough of Greenwich makes this Order in exercise of powers under section 14(1) of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984. This is to facilitate Thames Water to carry out repair works on defective fire hydrant cover and frame.
2. The Order will come into operation on 21st May 2025 and would continue to be valid for 18 months. However, the works are expected to take 3 days. The duration of the Order can be extended with the approval of the Secretary of State for Transport.
3. The effect of the Order would be to permit local traffic to use the bus lane due to the westbound closure of the middle carriageway lane in Woolwich Road between the junctions of Stonefoundry Yard and Westmoor Street.
4. Whilst the Order is in operation local traffic will be diverted to use the bus lane. Prohibitions remain in force; pedestrians are not affected, and vehicle access will be maintained wherever possible.
5. Nothing in this Notice will apply to anything done with the permission or at the direction of a police constable in uniform or traffic warden, to emergency service vehicles, or to vehicles being used in connection with the works.
6. The restrictions described above will apply only during such times and to such extent as shall be indicated by traffic signs as prescribed by the Traffic Signs Regulations and General Directions 2016.
7. Queries concerning these works should be directed to the Royal Borough of Greenwich’s Directorate of Regeneration, Enterprise & Skills on 020 8921 6340.
Ryan Nibbs Assistant Director, Transport. The Woolwich Centre, 35 Wellington Street, SE18 6HQ
Dated: 25/04/2025
INTERNAL REF - EM/ LA486390 FN767 /LIC No 73460
Royal Borough of Greenwich Town & Country Planning Act 1990 (AS AMENDED)
Town & Country Planning (Development Management Procedure)(England) Order 2015
Planning (Listed Buildings & Conservation Areas) Act 1990 (AS AMENDED)
Planning (Listed Buildings & Conservation Areas) Regulations 1990 (AS AMENDED)
Notice is hereby given that application(s) have been made to The Royal Borough of Greenwich in respect of the under mentioned premises/sites. You can see the submissions and any plans at http://www.royalgreenwich.gov.uk/planning.
If development proposals affect Conservation Areas and/or Statutorily Listed Buildings under the Planning (Listed Building and Conservation Area) Act 1990 (As Amended) this will be shown within the item below.
Anyone who wishes to comment on these applications should be made in writing to Development Planning within 22 days of the date of this notice.
Please quote the appropriate reference number.
Date: 14/05/2025
Victoria Geoghegan
Assistant Director - Planning and Building Control
List of Press Advertisements - 14/05/2025
Publicity for Planning Applications
Applicant: Weybourne Holdings PTE Ltd 24/1695/F
Site Address: Millennium Retail Park Car Park & 59 Bugsby's Way and land bound by Bugsby's Way, Peartree Way and Commercial Way, SE7 Development: Comprehensive mixed-use redevelopment of the site comprising the demolition of the existing commercial unit and provision of new buildings and basement comprising residential (Use Class C3), flexible commercial and community uses (Classes E, F1 and Sui Generis), new public square, car parking, cycle parking, private and communal amenity space, access and servicing arrangements, plant, and other associated works.
Further detailed explanation of the proposal (not forming part of the formal description of development set out above):
1,251 residential dwellings (Use Class C3)
1,121sqm (GIA) of flexible commercial (Class E and Sui Generis - drinking establishment) 643sqm (GIA) of flexible commercial (Class E) 83.8sqm (GIA) of flexible commercial and community floorspace (Classes E and F1)
Proposed building heights ranging between 4 and 20 storeys, with the three tallest buildings at 16, 17 and 20 storeys
(This application is an EIA development and is accompanied by an Environmental Statement)
(The development may impact on the setting of the Maritime Greenwich World Heritage Site;
Conservation Areas - Greenwich Park,
Applicant: Mr Kandel
C. Wright
