September 2017 News from Wales Millennium Centre
BELLE & SEBASTIAN ANNOUNCE DATE AT MILLENNIUM CENTRE
Belle & Sebastian, the legendary indie-pop band, have announced a new tour in support of their forthcoming album ‘How to Solve our Human Problems, and will stop off at the Centre in March 2018.
The Glasgow band who found fame in the late 90s with their debut album Tigermilk, caused a shock at the BRIT Awards in 1999 by winning Best Newcomers whilst being on an independent label – breaking through with the critically acclaimed album ‘The Boy with the Arab Strap’.
Nine albums later, the group regularly tour worldwide, and have performed at illustrious venues such as the Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles, as well as festivals such as Glastonbury and Latitude.
Belle & Sebastian will be in Wales Millennium Centre 8 March 2018
WELSH ACTOR CONFIRMED IN LEAD ROLE FOR SHREK THE MUSICAL
Leading the cast as beloved swamp-dwelling ogre ‘Shrek’ will be Welsh actor Steffan Harri, having previously starred in the first ever UK tour of Shrek the Musical covering the role of Lord Farquaad. Steffan’s West End theatre credits include Les Misérables (Queen’s Theatre), Spamalot (Playhouse Theatre) and Children of Eden (Prince of Wales Theatre). Steffan also played Lyn in Welsh language soap opera Rownd a Rownd.
Call the Midwife star Laura Main will play ‘Princess Fiona’. Also joining the cast will be Marcus Ayton as Shrek’s wisecracking sidekick ‘Donkey’ and Samuel Holmes as pint-sized villain ‘Lord Farquaad’.
Shrek The Musical is at Wales Millennium Centre between 10 April – 22 April 2018
CASTING NEWS – NIGEL HAVERS STARS IN AWARD-WINNING COMEDY, ART
Nigel Havers (Chariots of Fire, Empire of the Sun), Denis Lawson (Bleak House) and Stephen Tompkinson (Trollied) are to star in the Tour of the Old Vic production of Yasmina Reza’s Olivier, Tony and Moliere award-winning comedy ART. Based on the original production by Matthew Warchus, ART will be directed by Ellie Jones.
The comedy, which raises questions about art and friendship, concerns three long-time friends, Serge, Marc, and Yvan. Serge, indulging his penchant for modern art, buys a large, expensive, completely white painting. Marc is horrified, and their relationship suffers considerable strain as a result of their differing opinions about what constitutes “art”. Yvan, caught in the middle of the conflict, tries to please and mollify both of them.
This French three-hander caused a sensation on the West End back in 1996. After extended runs in London and New York and a quartet of the world’s most prestigious theatre awards — Molière, Evening Standard, Olivier and Tony — ART has become a monument of 90s theatre.
ART is at Wales Millennium Centre between 28 May – 2 June 2018
NEW SHOW- AN OFFICER AND A GENTLEMAN
This brand-new musical is based on the 1982 Oscar-winning film starring Richard Gere which tells the story of Zack Mayo who is in training to become a US Navy Pilot.
The musical includes the hit song from the movie Up Where We Belong along with 80’s classics such as Alone, Don’t Cry Out Loud, Girls Just Want to Have Fun and Material Girl and features one of the most iconic romantic scenes ever portrayed on screen.
An Officer and a Gentleman- The Musical is at Wales Millennium Centre between 25-30 June 2018
CASTING ANNOUNCED FOR SUNSET BOULEVARD
Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Tony Award®-winning masterpiece is set to star Danny Mac as ‘Joe Gillis’ when it comes to The Centre next year.
Danny captured the nation’s hearts and received overwhelming support during his incredible time on BBC1’s Strictly Come Dancing making it all the way to the final. He most recently starred as Gabey inOn The Town at Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre. His other musical theatre credits include Wicked and Legally Blonde.
He plays impoverished screen writer Joe Gillis who, on the run from debt collectors, stumbles into the reclusive world of Norma Desmond, played by Ria Jones (Les Miserables), and is seduced by her and her luxurious lifestyle. Joe becomes trapped in a claustrophobic world until his love for another woman leads him to try and break free, with dramatic consequences.
Sunset Boulevard is at Wales Millennium Centre between 26 February – 3 March 2018
CASTING ANNOUNCED FOR WICKED
WICKED, the West End and Broadway musical phenomenon that tells the incredible untold story of the Witches of Oz, is delighted to announce that Amy Ross (Elphaba), Helen Woolf (Glinda), Aaron Sidwell (Fiyero), Steven Pinder (The Wizard and Doctor Dillamond), will lead the cast of the spectacular, critically acclaimed and multi record-breaking UK & Ireland Tour when it returns to Wales Millennium Centre.
Amy Ross (Elphaba) has most recently been starring as Nicola in the hit musical Kinky Boots in the West End. She previously appeared in Sunny Afternoon, playing Joyce, at both the Hampstead Theatre and in the West End. Helen Woolf (Glinda) has most recently been appearing in the London production of WICKED and was also part of the original 2013 UK & Ireland Tour company. She has played the role of ‘Glinda’ on many occasions. Aaron Sidwell (Fiyero) has just finished playing Steven Beale in the BBC’s EastEnders, a role he originally played in 2007/08. Steven Pinder (The Wizard and Doctor Dillamond) starred in the UK & Ireland Tour (joining in 2014) and on the International Tour of WICKED.
WICKED is at Wales Millennium Centre between 31 October – 24 November 2018
TOUR SUCCESS- MAN TO MAN
Wales Millennium Centre production Man to Man’s UK tour featuring Maggie Bain in the role of ‘Ella’, has been met with success after its preview at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama on September 8th.
The success follows the five star reviews it received at Edinburgh Festival earlier this year, and it’s already sold out its New York dates.
Set in Germany between 1930 and the 1980s, Man to Man is based on the fascinating true story of ordinary working-class woman Ella who, in order to survive in the Germany of the Weimar Republic and of Hitler, simply takes on the clothes and the identity of her husband.
Between 12th September 2017 and 28th October 2017 this tour will visit 5 venues in the UK- London, Birmingham, Edinburgh, Edinburgh, Newcastle upon Tyne and Liverpool, before going to New York in November.
Coming to the centre in October
Richard Thompson– Richard Thompson is one of this country’s greatest songwriters and most distinctive guitar virtuosos, capable of breathtaking drama and sublime delicacy, prompting Rolling Stone to hail him as “a perennial dark-horse contender for the title of greatest living rock guitarist.” His songs have been covered by everyone from Alison Krauss to Robert Plant.
15 October
Slava’s Snow Show- The multi-award-winning international sensation returns to Wales by popular demand. Having wowed audiences in 2007, this truly unique theatrical adventure is filled with heart, humour and stunning spectacle, promising a breathtaking multi-sensory delight.
17-21 October
Hartleypool Monkey- The legend of a monkey who was hanged as a French spy is brought to life through clever puppetry in a timely tale exploring xenophobia
17-21 October
PARADE- Dancers, musicians, artists and a renegade aerial robot unite to reimagine the Ballets Russes’ iconic 1917 staging of Parade, with its pioneering score by Erik Satie featuring a typewriter, foghorn and mop!
24-25 October
As a Tiger in the Jungle- Nepalese child trafficking survivors tell their story in a new circus theatre production. This powerful and poignant show represents an international production partnership ofSverre Waage,( Cirkus Xanti Norway), Ali Williams (formally Artistic director of nofitstate Wales). It is a unique fusion of Asian and European performance, circus and music, set to an original score by Per Zanussi.
24-25 October
Beautiful- The Carole King Story– Bronté Barbé will play ‘Carole King’ in the inspiring true story of King’s remarkable rise to stardom, from being part of a hit songwriting team with her husband Gerry Goffin, to her relationship with fellow writers and best friends Cynthia Weil and Barry Mann, to becoming one of the most successful solo acts in popular music history.
30 October – 4 November
For further information about the Centre please visit: www.wmc.org.uk