Norwich Theatre Royal Showbiz Magazine July 2017

July 2017 | Showbiz 76 Welcome to the July edition of ShowBiz, your Corporate Club e-magazine. This is a bumper edition, packed with exciting news and insights behind the latest shows.

We would also like to welcome three new Corporate Club Members : Lovell, NorseCare and Spire Solicitors LLP. We would like to welcome them aboard and hope you get to meet them at future events.

This latest brochure has yet another wonderful array of shows on offer. Whether you are a dance lover, musical aficionado or opera buff there is something for everyone. The highly-acclaimed musical, Miss Saigon, is arriving in Norwich next year. An epic production with a company of 60 it will open in August 2018. And as if that wasn’t enough for the musical lovers amongst you, we are also welcoming Legally Blonde, Jersey Boys and Fat Friends the Musical to the theatre in 2018.

Dance lovers will be overjoyed to know that Matthew Bourne’s Cinderella returns in February. Richard Alston Dance Company and the Russian State Ballet of Siberia also make a welcome return to our stage.

In addition to some of the great dramas already announced in the last brochure (Hedda Gabler, The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time and How the Other Half Loves) we have another couple of crackers to brighten the start of 2018.

Around the World in Eighty Days (January) is a high-speed, globe-trotting comedy which sees a hugely talented cast of 8 play over 125 characters in this imaginative, high-spirited escapade including six trains, five boats, four fights, three dances, two circus acts and an elephant!

Kite Runner (March) comes to us hot on the heels of a successful West End Run as does highly-acclaimed political drama This House (May) –a timely, moving and often amusing insight into the workings of British politics.

These are just a few of the highlights of this brochure but rest assured you will also find the usual mix of dance, opera, comedy and drama within its pages. If you would like a further insight into the shows please join us for our exclusive Inside Story event on Tuesday 25th July 2017 where Mark Hazell, Marketing Director, illuminates the content of our new brochure. Starting at 12.30pm it is free to attend and provides a fascinating introduction to the new shows on offer. For more information or to book your place please email me: n.rice@theatreroyalnorwich.co.uk Booking for all the new shows (apart from Sarah Millican) opens for Corporate Club Members at 9.30am on Tuesday 25th July 2017 and your dedicated booking number is 01603 598696. We look forward to welcoming you to Norwich Theatre Royal again soon!

Stephen's Introduction

Welcome to this new edition of Showbiz Magazine.

I can hardly believe that it has already been 6 months since I came to Norwich. It has been a whirlwind period as I have set about trying to meet as many of our artistic partners, supporters and audiences as possible - as well as trying to find a bit of time to get out and explore this wonderful City and County! The warmth of welcome that I have received from every quarter has just been overwhelming – THANK YOU! - and the passion and support for our theatres, including from the corporate sector, is just impossible to put into words. What is abundantly clear to me is that a love for theatre, the arts and cultural activity, and the understanding of their importance, is in the DNA of Norwich and Norfolk. As we look to the future, that fact makes our ongoing development and new ambitions for Theatre Royal, Playhouse and Stage Two even more exciting.

Lots of people have asked me about my vision for our artistic programme over the coming years. My response is always a very straightforward one: there won’t be a revolution, but look out for some evolution. I am passionate that our stages should be chameleon-like and we will absolutely continue to bring the very best work across the broadest spectrum of the performing arts to Norwich. To illustrate this, it gives me great pleasure to know that over one four-week period alone this Autumn, the Theatre Royal stage will see shows ranging from a new operatic version of Hamlet from Glyndebourne Touring to Lulu and from the National Theatre’s Hedda Gabler to The Nimmo Twins. Long may this quality and range continue!

Stephen's Introduction...

Since January we have also been very busy with some very exciting conversations around the UK and abroad to develop new artistic relationships and later in 2018 you will begin to see some artists, companies and productions that are new to Norwich. One area where you will absolutely notice this development is in Dance and I am delighted that we have now joined the National Dance Consortium which will see us regularly stage performances from international dance companies. These kind of developments are really important in our role as one of the leading cultural institutions in the region and help to cement Norwich as an international cultural destination.

Away from the main stages, we have also spent time developing exciting future plans for our Learning & Participation programme, building on the phenomenal success of our existing work and maximising the opportunities that having Stage Two gives us. We now have an ambitious new strategy that will see an expanded programme of work focused on Learning & Education, Training & Skills and Community Participation for people of all ages. One of our first new projects, which launches this Autumn, is Creative Matters, our new series of month-long seasons of performances, installations, activities and events focusing on issues which directly affect people of all ages and backgrounds.

There are many opportunities for companies to get involved and support our Learning & Participation work that we will be sharing over the coming months. In the meantime, thank you once again for all of your support.

With all best wishes

Stephen

Stephen Crocker Chief Executive

Backstage Ryder Credit: Matt Crockett

It is the musical set to celebrate the music of Take That and highlight the bonds enjoyed by their fans.

The Band is set to be one of the must-see musicals of 2018 and is being directed by a man who is no stranger to adoration himself, the former EastEnder Jack Ryder. He talks more about what is in store and how he coped with the pressure of fame.

From the posters on the wall and the angst of teenage unrequited love with a pop superstar to the trailing around the country to see their idols in action, being a young music fan is a key part of the coming-of-age process.

And this is at the heart of The Band which comes to Norwich Theatre Royal on February 6-17. Set to a soundtrack of Take That’s many hits, it begins as a group of 16-year-olds follow The Band of the title on tour.

It then flashes forward to pick up on the women’s lives in their forties to see how they have changed as people and whether the relationship between them will be the same.

The show features a host of Take That hits from their early days right up to the present day in parallel with the events of the show.

Backstage Ryder...

And it also features Five To Five, the boy-band who won through the BBC’s Let It Shine TV show which launched a prime-time search for a quartet of boys to perform many of the hits of Take That and also take on a number of roles in the show.The person with the job of directing the production and bring the story to the stage is Jack Ryder. Although he is best known for the role of Jamie Mitchell in EastEnders, his creative energies are now much more focused backstage having directed a number of successful theatre productions including Calendar Girls and The Full Monty.

Although the show will not premiere until this autumn, specially selected VIP audiences have had the chance to see a workshop version of the production and speaking after this, he said he was pleased with how those initial performances had gone. He said: “I am happy with it. It has been so fantastic to go to work and be able to create this production. You just never know what is going to happen. The performance happened just a few hours after we started the tech rehearsal. The fact it has gone so well is testament to the creative team and the cast as well as a strong belief in this production and the enthusiasm of everyone involved.”

So how did The Band story begin for Jack? He has had a long professional relationship with producer David Pugh, directing a number of productions for him, and when he got the first draft of the play he knew it was something special.

A strong creative team also helps. Hugely-respected author Tim Firth has penned the script and is well known for his work on stage and screen including Calendar Girls and Sign Of The Times, and Take That themselves have also been co-producing, playing a key part in the whole creative process.

But does having the likes of Gary Barlow, Howard Donald and Mark Owen being such a key part of the project make it tricky? Jack laughed: “It is a bit of pressure isn’t it? Take That are also hugely loved. When you are working though, they just want to make sure the show is right. It is all about the show first and making sure the audience enjoy it.”

And it is not just Take That. Five To Five won the BBC TV Saturday night show and after a night of celebration, started working straight away on the production. How are they adapting to the demands of creating such a high-profile stage show? Very well, according to Jack. He said: “It has been a joy. The boys are so focused and they want to get it just right. Every tea-break and lunch-break, they are working on the songs or thinking about the props or their entrances or exits. You don’t normally get that. They are sharp, take on board every suggestion we give them to enhance their performance and are just fantastic to work with.”

Backstage Ryder...

With all the excitement and hype surrounding the show, has it given him the motivation to be front and centre of a production rather than behind the scenes? “I would not mind going back on stage but at the moment, the work is stacking up for me. I know this business and I always say it is like snakes and ladders.

You work your way up. It is always like that. You are up for a while and then you don’t work for a year. At the moment, things are going well for me,” he said.

And that adoration that heart-throbs face whether Take That or Five To Five is not something he enjoyed despite being part of a prime-time soap. He recalled ”I never liked it. It is an odd thing. Girls are screaming in your face, crying and fainting. People think it is wonderful but when you are in that situation, it is not a nice thing to happen. I enjoyed the work but I did not enjoy the fame and attention. I thought all the showbiz parties were nonsense and did not really engage with them. When I used to travel on a train, I would keep a baseball cap over my face.”

One of the advantages for Five To Five will be that they are together and can support each other through the ups and downs. “These boys are always together. They are like Take That in that they can deal with things and go on this journey together. The boys have a fantastic future whatever happens with this show and beyond.”

And Jack is particularly looking forward to bringing the show to Norwich. His mum loves the city and is hoping to move there. “I am hoping she will be there by the time The Band gets to you. It is such a lovely place to be and London is not that far away.”

So it looks like all systems go for a hit musical that is set to be a huge Norwich hit for Jack in more ways than one. Look out for a flying visit when The Band are in the city.

Spire Solicitors

Spire Solicitors LLP was formed in 2013 following the merger of three of Norfolk’s most established law firms- Greenland Houchen Pomeroy Solicitors (GHP), Hood Vores & Allwood Solicitors (HVA) and Overbury Steward Eaton & Woolsey Solicitors (Overburys).

As a result, Spire Solicitors LLP is now one of the largest legal firms in the region. With head office in the heart of Norwich city centre, the firm also boasts an unrivalled regional presence across the county, with offices in market towns throughout Norfolk including Attleborough, Aylsham, Dereham, Diss, Long Stratton, Watton and Wymondham.

Spire Solicitors LLP offers a comprehensive range of legal advice to businesses and individuals and the dedicated team of qualified partners, solicitors, legal executives and paralegals work hand-in-hand with clients to deliver a friendly and personal service.

Being an active part of the local community is very important to the firm and having attended some fantastic networking events and shows recently, Spire Solicitors LLP made the decision to become sponsors of The Theatre Royal. Roger Margand, a Partner and Head of the Corporate and Commercial team said: “We are delighted to have joined the Corporate Club. The Theatre Royal offers so much to both the young and old and is a valuable asset to the city both culturally and in terms of the local community support that it provides.”

For further details about Spire Solicitors LLP please visit www.spiresolicitors.co.uk or call 01603 677077.

Going, Going, Saigon It has become one of the most successful musicals in theatrical history selling millions of tickets worldwide and being performed successfully in around 30 countries.

Last time Miss Saigon it came to Norwich Theatre Royal in 2005, it was a total sell-out and a brand new production is coming in summer 2018.

Photo credit Michael Le Poer Trench and Matt Murphy

It is a tragic love story beloved by audiences all over the globe. Adapted from Puccini’s opera Madame Butterfly by the writing team behind Les MisÊrables, it begins in Saigon in 1975 just before the fall of the city.

It sees an American GI Chris fall in love with a destitute Vietnamese orphan Kim who has been forced to work in a backstreet bar run by a notorious character called The Engineer.

When the city does finally fall, the lovers are forced apart and they begin to make their own lives away from each other. Chris returns years later to Vietnam with his American wife. Kim has been waiting for him along with her son Tam, who was conceived with Chris during the conflict.

Going, Going, Saigon...

How do they both move forward and deal with their new lives? With a passionate emotional plot and some stunning songs, this is a truly epic show and top theatrical impresario Cameron Mackintosh has assembled a fine cast to bring it to the stage for this latest UK tour which reaches Norwich Theatre Royal on August 15, 2018.

Taking on the role of The Engineer is Red Concepcion who boasts many theatrical credits in his native Philippines including award-winning performances as Adam/Felicia in Priscilla Queen of the Desert, Alan Strang in Equus, West Side Story and Hairspray.

Kim is played by Sooha Kim who made her professional debut in Miss Saigon in London’s Prince Edward Theatre where she covered the female leading role before taking it on for the Japanese production. While training in Korea, she also appeared in a number of shows including Fame and Rent.

Meanwhile Ashley Gilmour, who plays Chris, also appeared in Miss Saigon at the Prince Edward Theatre as well as portraying Link Larkin in the national tour of Hairspray.

The production also stars Zoe Doano who boasts a number of West End and touring credits including Les MisĂŠrables, Sweeney Todd, The Sound of Music and High Society, and Gerald Santos who has released five studio albums, won countless music awards and became the youngest person to take top place in the biggest singing contest in the Phillippines, Pinoy Pop Superstar.

The show itself made its London premiere in 1989 and has become one of the most successful musicals in history. The original Broadway production opened on April 11, 1991, with what was at the time the largest advance sale in Broadway history of $37m. It went on to run for nearly 10 years totalling 4063 performances seen by almost 6m people.

In total, Miss Saigon has been performed in 300 cities in 28 different countries and in 15 different languages. It has also won over 40 awards including two Olivier Awards, three Tony Awards and four Drama Desk Awards and has now been seen by over 35m people worldwide.

Going, Going, Saigon...

Cameron Mackintosh is looking forward to bringing the production to Norwich Theatre Royal. He said: “It’s hard to believe that it has been over 25 years since Miss Saigon first opened, but if anything, the tragic love story of the show has become even more relevant today.

“This new production, directed by Laurence Connor, takes a grittier, more realistic approach than the original production while still delivering the power and epic sweep of Boublil and Schönberg’s tremendous score.

“Of all my shows, Miss Saigon is the one that I have received the most requests from the public to bring back. I am thrilled that audiences around the UK will get to see this tremendous new production that audiences and critics in London have embraced.”

Norse Family

Norse Family The Group has been proud corporate members since 2006 and over this time it’s the ‘big’ musicals and the annual pantomime which have proven particularly popular with staff, although more recently, high profile stand-up comedy acts such as Russell Brand and Sarah Millican have received lots of interest and rave reviews.

Since 2011, the Norse Group has also worked in partnership with the Theatre Royal to deliver the Theatre Access Project (TAP), which aims to support students from Norfolk schools to engage with, and increase their access to, live performance, arts and the theatre. The programme provides opportunities for students to visit the theatre who might otherwise be unable to, and includes subsidised tickets and travel costs, learning programmes and workshops. To date, the TAP has worked with 129 Norfolk schools, helping thousands of children and young people aged 7-19 to attend theatre performances, many for the first time.

Wholly owned by Norfolk County Council, the Norse Group is made up of property consultancy NPS Group, facilities management provider Norse Commercial Services and care provider NorseCare. As a whole, the Group delivers services to millions of people across the UK, including Norfolk. Collectively we employ around 10,000 people nationwide and have a combined turnover of over £320 million.

Our teams are highly motivated and committed to delivering services with both a commercial flair and an accurate understanding of the public sector. We work with local authorities through a range of partnerships, frameworks and specifically tailored solutions, and our innovative joint venture model currently with 18 local authorities, continues to attract national interest.

As Norfolk’s largest care provider we are delighted to see there will be a “dementia friendly” performance of the Pirates of Penzance on September 15th 2017, when the National Gilbert & Sullivan Opera Company return to Norwich Theatre Royal.

Feature – Philip Turbett, orchestra manager of English Touring Opera GIULIO CESARE – OCTOBER 16-17

ETO Giulio Cesare - Cleopatra's Needle

One of Handel’s most celebrated and epic operas is on its way to Norwich Theatre Royal.

Giulio Cesare features passion, revenge and some of the composer’s best known music.

Because of its power and style, it will be presented across two separate performances this autumn.

Part 1: The Death of Pompey on October 16th begins as Caesar has defeated his rival Pompey. There is no time for him to celebrate victory as he needs to survive the plans of Ptolemy, the King of Egypt, and his sister Cleopatra.

Then the following evening in Part 2: Cleopatra’s Needle, the Battle for the Kingdom of the Nile reaches a crisis. Pompey’s family is enslaved, Caesar is presumed dead and Cleopatra is taken captive by her brother.

It boasts some stunning orchestration and for added authenticity, ETO’s partner baroque orchestra The Old Street Band will also be performing.

But with an epic opera, comes a lot of preparation work to make sure it sounds the best it can be and that is where orchestra manager Philip Turbett comes in. It is up to him to find the best musicians possible and ensure it sounds the best it possibly can and this work begins months before the productions begin to tour.

He explained: “James Conway, our chief executive, will start off by saying that he is thinking about presenting a certain piece and talk it through with me so I can flag up any problems. We have to talk through the seasons very far in advance so we can deal with any issues.”

Feature – Philip Turbett...

Credit: Oliver Rosser

“We are obviously spoiled in Norwich because of the size of the pit and it can take a reasonably big operasize orchestra. That is the starting point. I start by asking James where we are going. If I haven’t been to a venue before, I might do a recce to check things out.”

One thing that does need to be accounted for is the large number of musicians that are needed for an opera like Giulio Cesare. “One of the big differences with this production is that we will be playing a lot of period instruments which is a big difference to some of our other operas from an orchestral point of view,” he said.

And this will be partly achieved through ETO’s sister organisation The Old Street Band which is made up of leading period instrument players from around the country who will ensure the sound is as authentic as possible as well as sounding fantastic. Philip explained: “With Cesare, we have recorders and baroque bassoons which are so different. What you get in return is such wonderful colours you don’t get with modern instruments. It also helps balance with instruments.

“We have a hunting horn for one of the big arias. It sounds like a horn on horseback which is fantastic. You have also got other unusual instruments like a viola da gamba which is related to the cello family. We have a theorbo which is like a long lute which is common in baroque repertoire. Some orchestras would have had four in Handel’s time but we will definitely have one. It also adds such colours and textures to the music that you wouldn’t normally get.”

He is also very excited to work with the ETO creative team led by James and bring his ideas to fruition.

Philip is also a fan of Cesare itself partly thanks to his own background as a musician. He explained: “I think Cesare is one of Handel’s most popular operas. As a bassoonist myself, I think the composer writes so fantastically well for the instrument. In a lot of work, the bassoon just plays the bass line but Handel will have the bassoon in a high aria role. It happens in most of his operas and the colour he creates is absolutely sensational.”