Colchester Live Extra - Charlie F Special Edition

MAY 2014

DELIVERED FREE TO YOUR DOOR

Colchester

Live Extra

Published by the Mercury Theatre

p2: COLCHESTER FAVOURITE RETURNS IN PANTO

p3: MOCK THE WEEK STAR TO HEADLINE AT COMEDY FESTIVAL

HOPE FOR HEROES

SERVICEMEN WOUNDED IN ACTION BRING THEIR HEROIC, HEARTWARMING AND HILARIOUS STORIES TO COLCHESTER COMES TO COLCHESTER AS PART OF NATIONAL TOUR STARS GIVE ‘CHARLIE F’ THE THUMBS UP: “IT’S THE MOST MAGNIFICENT PIECE OF THEATRE I’VE EVER SEEN” - BARBARA WINDSOR

A cast of wounded ex servicemen and women are hoping that Colchester will come out in force to support them, in the same way other cities in the UK have done, when they perform a show that was first created as a project to help them recover from injury.

performances at the Theatre Royal Haymarket, the sell-out performances and 5 star reviews led to “It is the most a large UK tour.

Former Chief moving play I’ve seen for a long, long time” said of the Defence Staff actor Ray Winstone, who General Sir David saw The Two Worlds of Richards was struck Charlie F during its sell- by the performances out West End run. He of the ex servicemen continued “the public and women. He said should get behind this “They did absolutely and be part of something brilliantly. So humbled, proud, amused. unforgettable.”

The show is billed It was a fantastic as a darkly comic, evening.” show runs until Saturday 31 May, and each night will be followed by a collection for the Royal British Legion.

also includes professional actors in the cast, and opens at Colchester’s Mercury Theatre on Tuesday 27 May when Colchester authentic and uplifting For one of the Garrison Commander tale of survival. company, this will be Colonel Gary Wilkinson Originally intended a return to Colchester. will be guest of honour at Lance Corporal a gala reception. The for just two charity

All we need to complete this picture… is you!

DISCOUNTED TICKETS £10 tickets are available to service personnel and their families - quote SERVICE when booking.

Treat yourself to a three course pre-show meal for just £14.95 Food @ The Mercury |

01206 368100

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Colchester Live Extra

Real ale and cider festival The 29th Colchester Real Ale and Cider Festival takes place at the Colchester Arts Centre Tuesday 27 Sat 31 May. The event is open noon - 11pm daily. Admission is free until 3pm each day, £3 thereafter.

Admission is free at all times to CAMRA members, on production of a valid membership card.

Royal British Legion Concert On Friday 6th June the Royal British Legion will stage a concert at Colchester’s Charter Hall.

Featuring the RBL Harwich Brass Band and The Chelmsford Male Voice Choir, all tickets are £12 from charter-hall.co.uk or 01206 282020.

Free family Saturday Firstsite promise “An intriguing family activity with a different theme each week.

It's entirely free and you can stay for as little or as long as you like.”

There’s more information on the plans for each Saturday at

May 2014

mercurytheatre.co.uk

HOPE FOR HEROES CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

Maurillia Simpson was treated at the jointly-run Help For Heroes / MOD recovery centre Chavasse VC House on the outskirts of Colchester Garrison.

For one of the performers, Corporal (Retired) Steve Shaw, it has been an emotional experience. "I got to share my story ... I am convinced no matter the state of mind I may have due to my pain or disability, I know that I am not alone" Daniel Buckroyd, Artistic Director at the Mercury Theatre said “Up and down the country this show has

The Two Worlds of Charlie F

been attracted hundreds of people to the theatre for the first time. I hope that people who wouldn’t usually come to the theatre will come along and the support the men and .” women of “The feedback has been overwhelming” says Executive Producer Alice Driver.

“Audiences have been telling us it is the best piece of theatre they Rehearsals for ‘The Two have ever seen, and for Worlds of Charlie F’ some, the production Shakespeare has been life changing. Royal Company and the The Twitter response National Theatre, the has been huge!” show won the Amnesty Directed by International Freedom of Stephen Rayne, who Expression award in has directed for the

2012. Playwright Owen Sheers is also a poet and well known author who focuses on war and conflict.

Eastenders and Carry On actress Barbara Windsor, who saw one of the first performances, called it “the most magnificent piece of theatre I’ve ever seen” - and who can argue with that?

Panto’s Pie Man in Mercury Return Local panto legend Dale Superville will return to the Mercury Theatre for this year’s pantomime, .

This year’s panto promises to be a traditional affair with plenty of audience participation, slop and sloshy fun and the return of some familiar faces as Mercury favourite Dale Superville stars in the role of Buttons and long-time Mercury performer Ignatius Anthony stars as one of Cinderella’s two ugly sisters. Dale has been a regular in the Mercury pantos playing Pie Man, Simple Simon, and Wishee Washee in previous years.

In Stoneybroke Hall the wicked Baroness Evilla is forcing poor Cinderella to live an awful life as a cleaner, cook, maid and all round

slave.

When the Prince of Colchester Castle proclaims his plan to pick a

princess at a posho party, Cinders’ ugly step-sisters set out to take his hand in marriage… by force if necessary!

This year, for the first time the panto will be directed

by Mercury Artistic Director Daniel Buckroyd who said “Cinderella is a timeless story, so if you want to try panto for the first time it’s a great show!

Audiences in Colchester

Cinderella

love Dale Superville, and his character Buttons is perfect for both boys and girls. The show has been written by Fine Time Fontayne, known at the Mercury as “Mr Panto!”

- he has written for us before.” The Mercury panto is Colchester’s longest-running Christmas show.

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Colchester Live Extra

May 2014

mercurytheatre.co.uk

Time for COLJESTER, as comedy festival returns ‘A hotel mini bar allows you to see into the future and what a can of Pepsi will cost in 2020’ - U.S. Comic RICH HALL headlines at Coljester

L-R: Miles Jupp, Lucy Beaumont, Ed Gamble, Carl Donnelly and Phil Wang join Rich Hall at the Mercury for the Coljester Comedy Festival.

The streets of Colchester will ring with laughter, as the town’s comedy festival returns for its second year. , star of and headlines at the Mercury Theatre on Sunday 22 June.

From stand-up comedians at the Mercury and the Col-

chester Arts Centre to a selection of comic films at the Firstsite art gallery, the festival also boasts workshops and competitions.

Rich Hall’s gig is close to selling out, and Radio 4’s isn’t far behind.

the Mercury Theatre’s Studio Theatre will welcome some of the hottest up and coming new comedians ahead of their Edinburgh Fringe shows later this year.

the vicar from BBC TV series - and , who copresents Radio 4’s

Fans of TV comics and will be able to While The Minories laugh along at Colchesart gallery hosts the ter Arts Centre, where there’ll also be a chance competition, to meet -

Festival organisers hope that it will attract hundreds of visitors to the town for the first time, as well as being an reason for Colchestrians to use their laughing gear.

alongside Brian Cox.

Professor

Coljester

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Colchester Live Extra

May 2014

PAGE TO STAGE: ‘The Two Worlds of Charlie F’

Darren “Swifty” Swift

Marine Cassidy Little (Photo by Cylla von Tiedemann)

L to R- Tom Colley, Dan Shaw, Steve Shaw (Photo by Cylla von Tiedemann)

The Company of The Two Worlds of Charlie F (Photo by Cylla von Tiedemann)

Book your tickets online at www.mercurytheatre.co.uk or call our friendly team on 01206 573948

mercurytheatre.co.uk

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in rehearsal and on stage

Owen Oldroyd & Tom Colley (Photo by Cylla von Tiedemann)

Marine Cassidy Little and Company

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Colchester Live Extra

May 2014

mercurytheatre.co.uk

BIRDSONG

Wartime love story will capture hearts

In a year in which there will be an extensive programme of events to mark the centenary of the outbreak of the First is World War, taking to the road once again in what will be the fourth version of the play.

It is now twenty years since was published – to be met by

an avalanche of glowing reviews and sales of more than three million copies, which suggests that the novel - and by extension the play – affects both readers and audiences at the deepest level.

“There’s no doubt that it struck a chord,” says author Sebastian Faulks.

“But it was a lot to do with the timing. I sensed that this was the moment

Carolin Stoltz and George Banks in Birdsong

to do it twenty years ago.

I felt at the time that I was really too young but that I also had the necessary youthful confidence to pull it off.

I could easily have fallen flat on my face and perhaps ten years later, I wouldn’t even have taken it on. But at that time the last survivors of the First World War were still with us. So I was able to meet them and talk to them and, in a sense, to get their blessing - to have the book validated, in some way.”

This revival of will be one of the many events taking place in 2014 to mark the centenary of what’s been dubbed “the war to end all wars”. A hundred years on, it still casts a long shadow upon us and Faulks argues that the anniversary may lead to a re-assessment of its significance.

“Over the next four years, we will revisit the First World War and rethink it,” he says. “The big thing about these four years is how it changed our view of the nature of who we are. I’d argue that the subsequent turmoil of the twentieth century prevented us

from digesting the implications of what the Great War signified and perhaps now we have a chance to do that.”

Rachel Wagstaff, who adapted the book for the stage, is clearly passionate about the importance of remembering, and honouring those who fought. “I think that’s why I wanted to turn this profound and much-

“

I wanted to turn this profound and much loved novel into a play

“

All’s fair in love and war

loved novel into a play.

There’s something about watching living, breathing human beings struggling and loving, playing live music and telling jokes, in front of you. Yes, it’s a fictional story we are bringing to life, but it represents so many men and boys who gave their lives for us.”

Wagstaff is thrilled that the play is touring

again in this centenary year. “And it’s a beautiful production.

Alastair Whatley is a very talented and imaginative director, and I think the team have assembled a great cast and crew.”

Faulks’ indirect foray into the theatre may owe something to his grandmother, a repertory actress whom he never met. His mother, Pamela, regularly took Sebastian and his brother Edward to plays and Sebastian recalls seeing Laurence Olivier in a celebrated performance as Othello at London’s Old Vic Theatre. He also took part in school productions.

“The theatre was a big part of my growing up, although I was a pretty poor actor myself,” he confesses.

Birdsong

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Colchester Live Extra

May 2014

mercurytheatre.co.uk

ALSO SOON FAMILY

COMEDY

DRAMA

Kazzum presents

Made in Colchester

Stage write presents

NANA’S JUMBLE

YOU CAN ALWAYS HAND THEM BACK Fri 13 - Sat 28 June

LIVING WITH LUKE

Nana invites you to her local village jumble sale. She needs your help to de-clutter before she can move into her new home! A playful and interactive storytelling performance for children and their families.

There’s tea and squash, a cake stall, and even a tombola!

UK PREMIERE A comedy of songs and stories. This heartwarming, laugh-out-loud show is a celebration of the heroes of any family - the grandparents!

With music and lyrics by Peter Skellern (You’re a Lady) and script by Roger Hall.

Danson Thunderbolt is no ordinary Dad, and his teenage son is not so ordinary either.

Luke is autistic, and the Autistic Shadow gets between them every single day making communication a struggle.

Watch as dad wrestles the Autistic Shadow! Funny, poignant, and real.

£8.50 / £6.50 Children

£25 - £10 & DISCOUNTS

£12 & DISCOUNTS

DANCE

LIVE MUSIC

LIVE MUSIC

SPECTACLE

Lorraine George School of Dancing

Sweeney Entertainments

Easytheatres.com presents

World on Stage presents

MOZART BY CANDLELIGHT Wed 9 July

RAT PACK LIVE

IMMORTAL CHI: A WARRIOR’S QUEST FOR HARMONY World tour Sat 12 July

The Lorraine George School of Dancing is planning its very own round the world trip.

Where will we go? What might we do along the way? How we will get there? We hope you will join us as our talented pupils pack their backs and prepare to dance, sing and act their way around the globe!

Britain’s best-loved classical touring ensemble, the Locrian, present a musical tribute to the greatest of all composers.

Featuring all the patter and razzmatazz of the Rat Pack’s infamous live stage show, join the UK’s number one Dean, Sammy and Frank live concert extravaganza. Prepare to experience the definition of cool…

Direct from China and created by the team behind the renowned Shaolin Warriors, Immortal Chi is a brand new spectacular fusion of jaw-dropping martial arts, amazing multi-media images, fabulous costumes and original live music.

£13.50 & DISCOUNTS

£25 - £10

£25 - £10

£25 - £10 / CHILD £12.50

Thu 29 - Sat 31 May

SUMMER SHOW TIME ‘14 Fri 4 - Sun 6 July

Wed 25 - Thu 26 June

Fri 11 July

Performing in lavish period costume, presented in front of a stunning set, these charismatic musicians perform many favourite melodies.

www.mercurytheatre.co.uk Call 01206 573948

This world-class team have created an original show incorporating traditional combat techniques and weapons, acrobatics, authentic Chinese instruments and stunning Chinese drum girls with a contemporary feel. This show is a feast for all the senses. Not just a show - it’s an experience!

A FAMILY MEMORY TO LAST ALL YEAR! Mercury favourite Dale Superville returns as Buttons Come and meet Cinders, Buttons, Baroness Evilla, Prince Charming and Fairy Fingringhoe in this festive treat that’s fun for all ages!

FREE THE

FUN IN YOU

5 December 2014 - 11 January 2015 Tickets £10 - £26.50

REAL LIFE STORIES PERFORMED BY BRITISH SERVICEMEN AND WOMEN

A NEW PLAY BY

DIRECTED BY

THE DAILY TELEGRAPH

THE INDEPENDENT

THE TIMES

BOOK NOW! 27 - 31 MAY MERCURY THEATRE COLCHESTER ● 01206 573948 ● MERCURYTHEATRE.CO.UK CHARLIE F IS FUNDRAISING FOR THE ROYAL BRITISH LEGION’S POPPY APPEAL

CHARLIE-F.COM