Southend Theatres Brochure Spring 2023

The hysterical, heart-warming and iconic play Steel Magnolias is coming to light up Southend in 2023.

Follow the trials and tribulations of six fierce and sassy women as they set the world to rights in their small-town bustling beauty salon. Unwind with a fabulous cast, including Laura Main (Call the Midwife), Lucy Speed (The Archers, The Bill ), Harriet Thorpe ( Absolutely Fabulous, The Brittas Empire), and Diana Vickers (The X-Factor, Dial M For Murder, The Rise and Fall of Little Voice) as they set up shop in this raucous classic, comedy masterpiece.

Schedule your appointment now for a guaranteed sidesplitting night out where all gossip is welcome.

TUE 7 - SAT 11 MAR

PALACE THEATRE

TICKETS FROM £ 21

A £3.65 transaction fee may apply to your order

Directed and co-choreographed by Britain’s best-loved TV Judge, Craig Revel Horwood, Strictly Ballroom: The Musical follows arrogant, rebellious young ballroom dancer, Scott Hastings (Kevin Clifton). When his radical and daring dance style sees him fall out of favour with Australian Federation, he must dance with beginner, Fran (Maisie Smith). Together they find the courage to defy tradition and discover that to win, your steps don’t need to be strictly ballroom!

Featuring smash-hit songs Love is in the Air, Perhaps Perhaps Perhaps, Time After Time and many more.

MON 20 - SAT 25 MAR CLIFFS PAVILION

TICKETS FROM £ 28.50

A £3.65 transaction fee may apply to your order

HIGHLIGHTS

SWAN LAKE

SUN 12 MAR CLIFFS PAVILION

ROSIE HOLT THE WOMAN'S HOUR

FRI 24 MAR PALACE THEATRE

FRI 31 MAR CLIFFS PAVILION

VINCENT SIMONE TANGO PASSIONS

THU 6 APR PALACE THEATRE

TUE 25 APR CLIFFS PAVILION

THU 16 MAR CLIFFS PAVILION

SUN 26 MAR PALACE THEATRE

GORDON BUCHANAN

WED 5 APR PALACE THEATRE

SAT 15 APR CLIFFS PAVILION

SUN 30 APR

CLIFFS PAVILION

The internationally acclaimed stage sensation, Jersey Boys is working its way back to Southend!

They were just four guys from Jersey, until they sang their very first note. They had a sound nobody had ever heard... and the radio just couldn’t get enough of. But while their harmonies were perfect on stage, off stage it was a very different story - a story that has made them an international sensation all over again. The show features all their hits including Sherry, Big Girls Don’t Cry, Oh What A Night, Walk Like A Man, Can’t Take My Eyes Off You and Working My Way Back To You.

‘THE PERFECT STAGE SHOW’

GLASGOW TIMES

TUE 4 - SAT 8 APR

CLIFFS PAVILION

TICKETS FROM £ 39

A £3.65 transaction fee may apply to your order

THE LONDON PALLADIUM

MULTI AWARD-WINNING MUSICAL

HELEN GEORGE

STAR OF BBC’S CALL THE MIDWIFE

RODGERS & HAMMERSTEIN’S

DIRECTED BY BARTLETT SHER

The multi award-winning Broadway production of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s The King and I returns to the UK, following its critically-acclaimed sold out season at The London Palladium.

Helen George, best known as Trixie in the hit BBC One series Call The Midwife, will star as Anna. The King and I is the greatest musical from the golden age of musicals –with one of the finest scores ever written including Whistle a Happy Tune and Shall We Dance.

This gloriously lavish production is brought to the stage by an internationally renowned creative team under Tony Award-winning director Bartlett Sher (South Pacific/ My Fair Lady/To Kill a Mockingbird ) and will feature a world-class company of over 50 West End and Broadway performers and a full-scale orchestra.

TUE 18 - SAT 22 APR

CLIFFS PAVILLION

TICKETS FROM £ 35

A £3.65 transaction fee may apply to your order

‘I DOUBT I’LL EVER SEE A BETTER PRODUCTION IN MY LIFETIME’ THE WALL STREET JOURNAL

Based on the novel by Jules Verne and adapted and directed by Juliet Forster, this brand-new, fun and colourful family production tells the story of Around The World In Eighty Days as you've never seen it before.

A band of travelling circus performers embark on their most daring feat yet: to recreate the adventures of Phileas Fogg as he sets off on his race around the world.

Watch the drama and hilarity unfold as our skilled performers traverse every country, embrace each character and navigate every mode of transport, as two tales intertwine on a madcap journey around the globe.

YORK PRESS

Ideal for ages 5 – 105

THU 20 - SAT 23 APR

PALACE THEATRE

TICKETS FROM £ 17

A £3.65 transaction fee may apply to your order

The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel is a joyous comedy about taking risks, finding love and embracing second chances, even in the most surprising of places.

Starring Belinda Lang (2 Point 4 Children, Oklahoma! ), Paul Nicholas (Jesus Christ Superstar, Just Good Friends, Eastenders), Tessa Peake-Jones (Only Fools and Horses) and Graham Seed (The Archers, The Mousetrap). Also featuring Rekha John-Cheriyan (Four Weddings and a Funeral, Tomb Raider, Hollyoaks), Nishad More (King Lear, My Mother’s Wedding) and Marlene Sidaway (Coronation Street, Pride and Prejudice).

TUE 2 - SAT 6 MAY

CLIFFS PAVILION

TICKETS FROM £ 21

A £3.65 transaction fee may apply to your order

The smash-hit musical The Bodyguard is back, starring Pussycat Doll Melody Thornton*as Rachel Marron and Ayden Callaghan (Emmerdale, Hollyoaks) as Frank Farmer.

Former Secret Service agent turned bodyguard, Frank Farmer, is hired to protect superstar Rachel Marron from an unknown stalker. Each expects to be in charge – what they don't expect is to fall in love.

A ‘BRILLIANT!’ (The Times), breathtakingly romantic thriller, The Bodyguard features a whole host of irresistible classics including the legendary I Will Always

Love You

‘THE HOTTEST TICKET IN TOWN’

SUNDAY MIRROR

TUE 23 - SAT 27 MAY

CLIFFS PAVILION

TICKETS FROM £ 34.50

A £3.65 transaction fee may apply to your order

*Melody Thornton will perform the role of ‘Rachel Marron’ at all evening performances only. Cast and performance schedule subject to change without notice

On Sarah’s East Anglian farm, the honeybees are dropping like flies – just like her love life. She hasn’t slept with anyone since her husband bolted years ago. Her daughter’s marriage is going bust just like her turkey farm. Neighbour Earl is fighting a losing battle with his sugar beet yield and his ‘no strings’ relationships. Can bio-student Ben perk up the pollinators and give the turkeys a helping hand?

This hilarious comedy romp has a heart as big as the laughs it brings. Starring comic genius, writer and actress Helen Lederer (Absolutely Fabulous, Bottom and French & Saunders) and Michael Starke, known and loved from his role as Sinbad in Brookside to TV’s The Royal and Benidorm and countless major leads on stage including Hairspray and Waitress

MON 15 - SAT 20 MAY

PALACE THEATRE

TICKETS FROM £ 20.50

A £3.65 transaction fee may apply to your order

Relight Your Fire with this sensational new production of Take That’s smash hit musical Greatest Days

Greatest Days features more than 15 record-breaking Take That songs, alongside a heart-warming and hilarious story from award-winning writer Tim Firth that will make your heart Shine. The musical follows five boy band obsessed best friends in the 1990s, who reunite over 20 years later to see their heartthrobs one last time.

Greatest Days stars the award-winning Kym Marsh, who shot to fame in noughties band Hear’Say and is now best known for Coronation Street, Waterloo Road and as a presenter on the BBC’s Morning Live.

TUE 20 - SAT 24 JUN

CLIFFS PAVILION

TICKETS FROM £ 25

A £3.65 transaction fee may apply to your order

DSI GRACE IS BACK ON STAGE

Following on from five hit stage shows and the new acclaimed ITV series, Grace, the work of best-selling author, Peter James returns to the Palace Theatre, with the world premiere stage adaption of Wish You Were Dead.  When Detective Superintendent Roy Grace and Cleo Morey take their first holiday together, Cleo hopes that she will finally get Grace to herself for a few days and away from his crime solving exploits. But their dream escape turns out to be the holiday from hell, as the past comes back to haunt them.

Adapted exclusively for the stage, Wish You Were Dead is the next thrilling instalment in the most successful modern day crime stage franchise, since Agatha Christie.

‘A GRIPPING CRIME DRAMA’

FAIRY POWERED PRODUCTIONS

MON 3 - SAT 8 JUL

PALACE THEATRE

TICKETS FROM £ 29.50

A £3.65 transaction fee may apply to your order

YOU CAN BET YOUR BOTTOM DOLLAR YOU’LL LOVE IT!

The smash-hit production of Annie comes to Southend for one week only direct from London’s West End. This ‘glorious revival’ (The Times) stars Strictly Come Dancing judge Craig Revel Horwood as the tyrannical Miss Hannigan!

Set in 1930s New York during The Great Depression, brave young Annie is forced to live a life of misery at Miss Hannigan’s orphanage. Her luck soon changes when she's chosen to spend a fairytale Christmas with famous billionaire, Oliver Warbucks. Meanwhile, spiteful Miss Hannigan has other ideas and hatches a plan to spoil Annie’s search for her true family…

With its Tony® award-winning book and score, including the unforgettable songs It’s The Hard-Knock Life, Easy Street, I Don’t Need Anything But You and Tomorrow, you can bet your bottom dollar that you’ll love it!

‘FEEL GOOD ESCAPIST JOY. FUN, RIOTOUS AND HEARTFELT’ RADIO TIMES

TUE 18 - SAT 22 JUL

CLIFFS PAVILION

TICKETS FROM £ 21

A £3.65 transaction fee may apply to your order

From the producers of War Horse and The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time, comes the National Theatre's major new stage adaptation of The Ocean at the End of the Lane, direct from an acclaimed West End run.

This five-star smash hit production, based on the best-selling novel by Neil Gaiman (Coraline, Good Omens, The Sandman), is a thrilling adventure of fantasy, myth and imagination, taking audiences on an epic journey to a childhood once forgotten.

Returning to his childhood home, a man finds himself standing beside the pond of the old Sussex farmhouse where he used to play. He’s transported to his 12th birthday when his remarkable friend Lettie claimed it wasn’t a pond, but an ocean – a place where everything is possible…

‘SHOWS LIKE THIS DON'T COME ALONG VERY OFTEN’ TIME OUT

Age guidance 12+

TUE 8 - SAT 12 AUG

CLIFFS PAVILION

TICKETS FROM £ 16

A £3.65 transaction fee may apply to your order

Richard O’Brien’s legendary rock ‘n’ roll musical celebrates 50 years of non-stop partying with this special anniversary production. The longest continuous run of a contemporary musical anywhere in the world, The Rocky Horror Show has been seen by 30 million people and continues to delight audiences on its sell-out international tour.

The Rocky Horror Show is the story of two squeaky clean college kids - Brad and his fiancée Janet. When by a twist of fate, their car breaks down outside a creepy mansion whilst on their way to visit their former college professor, they meet the charismatic Dr Frank’n’Furter. It is an adventure they’ll never forget, filled with fun, frolics, frocks, and frivolity.

Directed by Christopher Luscombe, The Rocky Horror Show is ready to thrill you with fun and naughty moments, and features timeless classics including Sweet Transvestite, Damn it Janet, and of course, the pelvic thrusting show stopping Time Warp.

DAILY EXPRESS

Age 14+

MON 14 - SAT 19 AUG

CLIFFS PAVILION

TICKETS FROM £ 21

A £3.65 transaction fee may apply to your order

‘FIERCE AND FABULOUS FUN’

Based on the Oscar winning DreamWorks film, the Broadway and West End smash hit Shrek the Musical is a fun filled and hilarious musical comedy with a cast of vibrant characters and a ‘shrek-tackular’ score.

Featuring the beloved Princess Fiona, the evil Lord Farquaad, a host of magical fairy-tale characters and fabulous songs including the smash hit I'm a Believer, Shrek the Musical is a “musical extravaganza for big kids and little kids alike”.

Come join the adventure as Shrek and Donkey endeavour to complete their quest, finding unexpected friendships and surprising romance along the way.

STAR CAST TO BE ANNOUNCED

TUE 29 AUG - SAT 2 SEP

CLIFFS PAVILION

TICKETS FROM £ 28.00

A £3.65 transaction fee may apply to your order

Don’t miss this eagerly anticipated brand new production of the Broadway and UK smash hit musical Sister Act direct from London.

Disco diva Deloris’ life takes a surprising turn when she witnesses a murder. Placed under protective custody she is hidden in the one place she shouldn’t be found – a convent! Featuring original music by Tony® and 8-time Oscar® awardwinner Alan Menken (Disney’s Aladdin, Enchanted ) and songs inspired by Motown, soul and disco, this heavenly musical is joyous and uplifting in equal measures. A musical sent from above, Sister Act is the brilliant, must-see show which raises the spirits and warms the soul time after time.

FRI 8 - SAT 16

CLIFFS PAVILION

TICKETS FROM £ 24

A £3.65 transaction fee may apply to your order

Based on the best-selling book by Yann Martel, the five-star hit show comes to the Cliffs Pavilion.

Winner of five Olivier Awards, including Best New Play! After conquering the West End and Broadway, the ★★★★★ ‘theatrical phenomenon’ (Telegraph) embarks on its biggest adventure yet.

After an epic storm in the Pacific Ocean, Pi is stranded on a lifeboat with four other survivors – a hyena, a zebra, an orangutan, and a Royal Bengal tiger.

Life Of Pi is the hugely popular story of an epic journey of endurance and hope. Don’t miss the West End and Broadway spectacle on its first ever UK tour.

★★★★★

‘IT WILL MAKE YOU BELIEVE IN THEATRE. A TRIUMPH’ SUNDAY TIMES

TUE 10 – SAT 14 OCT

CLIFFS PAVILION

TICKETS FROM £ 34.50

A £3.65 transaction fee may apply to your order

‘HIT AFTER HIT IN THIS SENSATIONAL SHOW’

Smooth Radio

Direct from the West End, The Drifters Girl comes to the Cliffs Pavilion as part of a major UK tour.

Nominated for BEST NEW MUSICAL at the 2022 Olivier Awards, this smash-hit show has audiences on their feet night after night with a phenomenal soundtrack packed full of iconic Drifters hits including Saturday Night At The Movies, Save The Last Dance For Me and Stand By Me

Discover the remarkable story of the Drifters and the truth about the woman who made them. From the highs of hit records to the lows of legal battles and personal tragedy, Faye Treadwell is the legendary manager of The Drifters who refused to give up on the group she loved.

Thirty years, and hundreds of hit songs later, there is no doubt that Faye Treadwell was and always will be, The Drifters Girl

‘S UBLIME’ METRO

‘A GREAT NIGHT OUT’

DAILY EXPRESS

‘JOYOUSLY IRRESISTIBLE’

SUNDAY EXPRESS

TUE 7 - SAT 11 NOV

CLIFFS PAVILION

TICKETS FROM £ 25

A £3.65 transaction fee may apply to your order

Production images of the Original West End cast

WHAT’S ON

WHAT’S ON

AUGUST

8-12 THE OCEAN AT THE END OF THE

14-19 ROCKY HORROR SHOW

2 SEP

SEPTEMBER 11-16 SISTER ACT

OCTOBER

9-14 THE LIFE OF PI

7-11 DRIFTERS GIRL

PALACE THEATRE

MARCH

4 SHARK IN THE PARK

5 GORDON BUCHANAN

30 YEARS IN THE WILD

6 VINCENT SIMONE TANGO PASSIONS

8 THE AMAZING BUBBLE MAN

12 HAL CRUTTENDEN

13 CLIVE ANDERSON ME, MACBETH AND I

14 HARRY STYLES TRIBUTE SHOW

15 BUFFY: REVAMPED

18 CHRIS MCCAUSLAND: SPEAKY BLINDER

20-23 AROUND THE WORLD IN 80 DAYS

26-29 SODS: THE SOUND OF MUSIC AMATEUR PRODUCTION

MAY

3-6 LODS: FAME AMATEUR PRODUCTION

7 THEATRETRAIN

10-13 LTC: MADE IN DAGENHAM AMATEUR PRODUCTION

14 A BEAUTIFUL NOISE

15-20 THE BIRDS & THE BEES

21 FILM: MRS HARRIS GOES TO PARIS (PG)

25 MARCUS BRIGSTOCKE

26 MAGICAL BONES: SOULFUL MAGIC

27 THE ROLLING STONES STORY

29-31 VARDY V ROONEY: THE WAGATHA CHRISTIE TRIAL

JUNE

1 STACEY DOOLEY

2 GRIFF RHYS JONES THE CAT'S PYJAMAS

3 TWIRLYWOOS

4

6 KEITH BRYMER JONES

7

25

JULY

3-8

DIXON

MAY

2-6 LINDISFARNE: 1984

17-20 SDS: BLITHE SPIRIT AMATEUR PRODUCTION

JUNE

8 JAYDE ADAMS

MARITIME ROOM

MARCH