Round-up of news and treats and other interesting things

In his first season as artistic director of Theatre N16, Scott Ellis presents a slew of new writing.

Olympilads by Andrew Maddock, produced by Lonesome Schoolboy and directed by Niall Phillips, reunites the team that presented He(art) at Theatre N16 earlier this year. Theatre N16 executive director (and former artistic director) Jamie Eastlake will present his new show Deadline Day by John Hickman and Steve Robertson: a bitter sweet tale about football, greed and the North-South divide.

Ten emerging artists debut a selection of original and varied works exploring feminism today in Maiden Speech: A festival of fresh feminist voices. Theatre N16 will also produce a new play by Sarah Milton, directed by Scott Ellis.

End of the Line Theatre, one of Hull Truck's supported companies, will present Poverty Porn by Catriona Kerridge, followed by a series of military-themed plays (including IED by Martin Mcnamara and Last Man Standing by Judith Cole). Last Man Standing will be run as part of Theatre N16’s First Credits scheme, which will give 7 new graduate actors their first professional experience in the industry.

After the success of The Snow Queen, Theatre N16 will also produce a new telling of Peter Pan, adapted by Frankie Meredith, to play during October half term.

The season will also see the return of N16 Presents: 4 emerging writers will receive 2 months of support culminating in a showcase of 4 brand new short plays.

Scott Ellis says: “My first season puts writers and fine writing at the forefront of every production. I am excited to include 2 brand new commissions, which I will direct myself; returning writers, from the most successful of recent N16 productions and exploring fresh new voices at the cutting edge of the London Fringe scene.”

Theatre N16 is a trailblazing London fringe venue, focused on producing and programming top quality new writing and selected existing works. Theatre N16 is proud of their commitment to the welfare and development of creatives, operating under an Equity Fringe Agreement. This promoting and nurturing of talent means that Theatre N16 is a bastion for development within the context of a society in which the arts are increasingly struggling to stay afloat.



Casting has been announced for Kevin Elyot's play Twilight Song at the Park Theatre this summer. Directed by Anthony Banks, Twilight Song was Elyot's final play before he passed away in June 2014. Set in London, the comedy tracks a family's hidden secrets from 1967 to the present day. The premiere coincides with the 50th anniversary of the passing of the Sexual Offences Act 1967, which decriminalised private homosexual acts between men over 21 in England and Wales.

It will star Adam Garcia, who was last seen on stage in Kenneth Branagh's The Winter's Tale, as Skinner/Gardener, Bryony Hannah (Call the Midwife) as Isabella, and Paul Higgins (Line of Duty) as Barry/Basil. They will be joined by Philip Bretherton as Harry and Hugh Ross as Charles. Elyot's previous work includes The Day I Stood Still at the National, Mouth to Mouth at the Royal Court, and My Night with Reg for which he won an Olivier and Evening Standard Award for Best Comedy.

Twilight Song runs at the Park Theatre from 17 July to 12 August, with previews from 12 July.


Evening Standard Emerging Talent Award winner and Olivier Award nominee Tyrone Huntley (Jesus Christ Superstar) just announced as a special guest for Willemijn Verkaik’s one-night West End concert on Monday 31st July at 7.30pm.

Tyrone Huntley recently received rave reviews for his performance as Judas in Jesus Christ Superstar (Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre) which won him the 2016 Evening Standard Emerging Talent Award. He was nominated for an Olivier Award for Best Actor in a Musical and a Whatsonstage.com Award for Best Supporting Actor in a Musical (both 2017). He is currently performing as C.C White in Dreamgirls (Savoy Theatre) alongside Amber Riley. 

In a follow up to her critically acclaimed 2015 sold out solo concert in The Ambassadors Theatre, Willemijn makes a triumphant return to the stage, performing as herself in a celebration of the most iconic songs that have defined her career to date, as well as showcasing some never before performed material alongside her friends and fellow leading lights of musical theatre.

Originally from The Netherlands, Willemijn Verkaik rose to fame as the voice of Elsa German and Dutch version of Disney’s Blockbuster Frozen. She is currently playing Elphaba as part of the 10 year anniversary cast of Wicked in the West End. She has played the role in 4 countries and after making her Broadway debut in 2013, is the only actress to have performed the role in three languages. Before returning to the West End, Willemijn played a successful run as Kala in Disney’s Musical Tarzan in Germany. 

Joining Willemijn and Tyrone Huntley will be the previously announced Savannah Stevenson, Suzie Mathers and Celinde Schoenmaker.

Tickets and information: http://rutlive.co.uk/event/willemijn-verkaik/

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