CASTING NEWS– 
KINKY BOOTS
Kinky Boots is pleased to announce casting for the upcoming UK tour. Kayi Ushe will play the role of Lola, Paula Lane, known for her role as Kylie Platt in Coronation Street, will play Lauren and Joel Harper-Jackson will play Charlie.
Also joining the Kinky Boots cast will be Demitri Lampra (Don), Adam Price (George) Helen Ternent (Nicola) who will be accompanied by Charlie Allen, Nicola Avino, Lizzie Bea, Joshua St Clair, Connor Collins, Daniel Conway, Shaun Dalton, John Dempsey, Niki Evans, Mary Fox, Scarlet Gabriel, Damon Gould, George Grayson, Portia Harry, Joshua Lovell, Jacob McIntosh, Chileshe Mondelle, Alfie Parker, Fred Smiley, Toyan Thomas-Browne, Andy Watkins and Jason Winter.
Inspired by true events, Kinky Boots takes you from a gentlemen’s shoe factory in Northampton to the glamorous catwalks of Milan. Charlie Price is struggling to live up to his father’s expectations and continue the family business of Price & Son. With the factory’s future hanging in the balance, help arrives in the unlikely but spectacular form of Lola, a fabulous performer in need of some sturdy new stilettos.
With direction and choreography by two-time Tony® Award-winner Jerry Mitchell (Legally Blonde, Hairspray), Kinky Boots is the winner of every major Best Musical award including three Olivier Awards, three WhatsOnStage Awards as well as six Broadway Tony® Awards.
Kinky Boots will be at Wales Millennium Stadium 22 July- 03 August 2019
CASTING NEWS– MATILDA THE MUSICAL
Seen by over 8 million people and the winner of over 85 international awards, Matilda The Musical is the multi-award winning musical from the Royal Shakespeare Company, inspired by the beloved book by the incomparable Roald Dahl.
Continuing with the tour when it comes to Cardiff- Craige Els, will be playing Miss Trunchbull.
Craige’s extensive television credits include Ripper Street, The Bletchley Circle, Law & Order UK, Endeavour, Call the Midwife and Hailmakers. He has also featured in the films The Imitation Game, Leave to Remain, Anna Karenina and Hamlet.
With book by Dennis Kelly and original songs by Tim Minchin, Matilda The Musical is the story of an extraordinary girl who, armed with a vivid imagination and a clever mind, is determined to change her own destiny, even if it means being a little bit naughty.
Now embarking on its first UK tour, we’re delighted to be welcoming it to the Centre for Christmas 2018.
Matilda The Musical is at Wales Millennium Centre 04 Dec – 12 Jan 2019.
CASTING NEWS- SATURDAY NIGHT FEVER
Saturday Night Fever is a reimagined and revitalised music and dance spectacular. It tells the story of Tony Manero, and his reckless, yet thrilling road to dancing success. The musical features the Bee Gees’ greatest hits including Stayin’ Alive, How Deep Is Your Love, Night Fever, Tragedy and More Than a Woman as well as 70’s favorites Boogie Shoes, Disco Inferno and for the first time will feature a group playing the Bee Gees live on stage.
Richard Winsor, highly acclaimed for his dance, stage and screen work, is set to play Tony Manero, the role which famously rocketed John Travolta to screen stardom, in a new stage production of Saturday Night Fever.
Richard Winsor was a principle dancer with Matthew Bourne for ten years, he has starred around the world, leading Bourne’s celebrated production of Swan Lake, as well as Dorian Gray, Edward Scissorhands, The Car Manand Play Without Words. He landed the lead role in cult dance movie StreetDance 3D and was snapped up by the BBC to play Caleb Knight in flagship medical drama Casualty.
Whilst paying homage to the movie, this new stage version promises more drama, more music and hot new choreography.
Saturday Night Fever is at Wales Millennium Centre 27 November 2018 – 1 December 2018
NEW SHOW – MARK MORRIS DANCE GROUP’S PEPPERLAND
The Beatles’ ground-breaking 1967 Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band album is the inspiration behind Mark Morris Dance Group’s Pepperland, presented by co-commissioner Dance Consortium and touring across the UK and Ireland between 20 March & 1 May 2019.
Pepperland is legendary choreographer Mark Morris’ unique tribute to the 50th anniversary of the release of the iconic LP. Hailed as the first-ever ‘art rock’ album and widely regarded as the best rock and roll album of all time, it spent 27 weeks at number one on the UK Albums Chart and 15 weeks at number one in the USA. It won four Grammy Awards in 1968, including Album of the Year, the first rock LP to receive the honour.
Pepperland features an original score by composer Ethan Iverson, inspired by some of the album’s most enduring hits: Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band; With a Little Help From My Friends; A Day in the Life; When I’m Sixty-Four; Within You Without You; and Penny Lane. Iverson’s fresh arrangements of the original tracks will be performed live by MMDG Music Ensemble – Pepperland‘s unique chamber music group – and is interspersed with six original Pepper-inspired pieces that complement Morris’ profound understanding of classical music styles of allegro, scherzo, adagio, and the blues.
Mark Morris Dance Group’s Pepperland is at Wales Millennium Centre 12-13 April 2019
NEW SHOW –DR DOOLITTLE THE MUSICAL
This new production of Doctor Dolittle, with book, music and lyrics by double Academy Award-winner Leslie Bricusse, will be part of the 50th anniversary celebrations of the original film starring Rex Harrison and will feature the same songs, including the Academy Award-winning Talk To The Animals. Featuring stunning visual puppetry, this new production, with the book reworked by Leslie Bricusse, will be directed by Christopher Renshaw.
Eccentric Doctor Dolittle embarks on an extraordinary adventure to find the Giant Pink Sea Snail that holds the secret of life and makes the world a happier place. Helped by his human companions and an exotic menagerie of animal friends, including the Pushmi-Pullyu and trusty sidekick Polynesia the parrot, the larger-than-life Doctor Dolittle teaches us not only to talk to the animals but to listen to them as well!
Doctor Doolittle The Musical is at Wales Millennium Centre 6 – 17 August 2019
NEW SHOW –THE FULL MONTY
The Full Monty is one of the most acclaimed British films ever and The Full Monty stage play has become one of the most phenomenal theatrical productions, winning the UK Theatre Award for Best Touring Production.
This “Chuffing Brilliant” production about six out-of-work, impoverished steelworkers from Sheffield with nothing to lose, took the world by storm and has become one of Britain’s most successful shows.
Based on his smash hit film and adapted for the stage by Oscar-winning writer Simon Beaufoy, this hilarious and heartfelt production has received standing ovations every night and won the prestigious UK Theatre Award.
Featuring Gary Lucy who has made the part of Gaz his own, with an all-star cast of Andrew Dunn, Louis Emerick, Joe Gill, Kai Owen and James Redmond with songs by Donna Summer, Hot Chocolate and Tom Jones.
The Full Monty is at Wales Millennium Centre 11 – 16 March 2019
NEW SHOW –ANNIE
Direct from the West End, Annie returns to Cardiff. This ‘glorious revival’ (The Times) is coming to the Centre for summer 2019.
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!
Annie is at Wales Millennium Centre 19 – 30 August 2019
NEW SHOWS- WELSH NATIONAL OPERA’S AUTUMN 2018 SEASON
War and Peace
Based on Leo Tolstoy’s novel, the narrative of War and Peace follows the tribulations of Russian society as Napoleon edges closer to the country’s borders. The spirited Natasha and her betrothed Andrei find their young love is challenged by temptation, while Pierre, an idealistic nobleman, wants to change Russian life for the better. As their fates intertwine during the 1812 invasion they find their stories unfold during a time when Russian lives would change forever.
At Wales Millennium Centre 15 Sep – 29 Sep 2018
La traviata
Alfredo, has fallen head over heels in love with the courtesan Violetta, but his father Germont disapproves of the fallen woman. Penniless and fearing she will soon die, Violetta agrees to leave Alfredo believing it is in his best interest. It is only when Germont hears that she is on her deathbed that he realises the error of his ways, and confesses all to Alfredo. But is it too late?
At Wales Millennium Centre 21 Sep – 06 Oct 2018
La Cenerentola
Rossini’s delightful retelling of Cinderella but with a few twists along the way. The kind-hearted Angelina (Cinderella) is forced to scrub the floors by her wicked stepfather, while her ugly sisters prepare to go to the Prince’s grand ball at the palace. As she dreams of a better life she is visited by a mysterious old beggar man. He tells her she will go to the ball, and will also be rewarded for her kind heart. Will she live happily ever after?
At Wales Millennium Centre 05 Oct – 07 Oct 2018
COMING SOON
SUMMER HOLIDAY– The hit iconic 1960’s film starring Cliff Richard is now the feel- good musical of the year, bringing music, laughter and fun to the stage as it becomes the happiest hit musical around. Ray Quinn stars as Don (originally played by Cliff in the film) who heads on a fun packed boys trip on a London bus visiting Paris, The Alps, Italy and Greece, in search of a good time and a brilliant summer.
14 Aug – 18 Aug 2018
LET IT BE – Experience the iconic music of The Beatles with Let It Be, the spectacular new concert jam-packed with over 40 of The Beatles’ greatest hits! Direct from the West End, this international hit show celebrates the legacy of the world’s greatest rock ‘n’ roll band.
21 Aug – 25 Aug 2018
EVITA- Following its smash hit runs in London’s West End, Bill Kenwright’s production of Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice‘s Evita is set to thrill audiences once again across the UK. Telling the story of Eva Peron, wife of former Argentine dictator Juan Peron, Evita follows Eva’s journey from humble beginnings through to extraordinary wealth, power and iconic status which ultimately lead her to be heralded as the ‘spiritual leader of the nation’ by the Argentine people.
28 Aug – 01 Sep 2018
NATIONAL EISTEDDFOD OF WALES– the very best in Welsh music, literature, dance, drama and much more. Join us for a week-long celebration of all things Welsh across Cardiff Bay as the National Eisteddfod comes to town. 03-11 August http://www.wmc.org.uk/WhatsOn/eisteddfod/
NEWS SHORTS
ROALS DAHL CHARACTERS SPRING FROM THE PAGES OF HIS STORIES TO APPEAR AROUND THE CENTRE
Originally created by the Roald Dahl Story Company Ltd and LEGO® to celebrate Roald Dahl Day in 2017, six of Roald Dahl’s most loved child heroes have been transformed into fabulous LEGO® sculptures. With Charlie, James, George, Sophie and Billy appearing together in one location for the first time, they will be joined by Matilda from 4 December 2018 to coincide with the opening of the Royal Shakespeare Company’s Matilda the Musical.
Matilda LEGO® display will be at Wales Millennium Centre 17 August – 13 January 2019
CO-PRODUCTION FROM CARYS ELERI AND WALES MILLENNIUM CENTRE WILL PLAY AT EDINBURGH FRINGE
Lovecraft (Not the Sex Shop in Cardiff) is a one-woman-comedy-science-music-show written by BAFTA Cymru best actress nominee Carys Eleri, exploring the neuroscience of love and loneliness.
Through a series of funny, brutally honest and touching monologues, ludicrously funny songs (The Love Monger, Space and Time, Tit Montage) and animations, Carys draws on personal experiences, and a long-standing fascination with the neuroscience of love, in order to share what she has discovered about the science behind love and loneliness, why it makes us do crazy things and why ‘cwtching’ is the answer (Welsh for hugging – it’s all in the oxytocin guys!)
The production was commissioned for Festival of Voice at Wales Millennium Centre.
Lovecraft (Not the Sex Shop in Cardiff) is at Summerhall Theatre, Edinburgh August 1, 3-5, 7-12, 14-19, 21-26.