Film, Television & Theatre

December 2017

Congratulations

Congratulations to Anna McCleery whose original show, Free Rein was

nominated for the Best Children’s Programme Award at this year’s

Broadcast awards and NAACP Image awards.

Series 2 is currently filming in Cheshire and North Wales, produced by

Lime Pictures for Netflix

PADDINGTON 2: Continues, cinemas nationwide

★★★★★ In its open-hearted advocacy of cultural acceptance and accommodation, Paddington 2 may just be the film a brittle, bothered Britain needs right now. Variety ★★★★★ This splendid sequel, like the first, shows that you can make a brilliant film by doing simple things very, very well. Empire

★★★★★ Paddington 2; something to treasure rather than just to entertain. The Guardian PADDINGTON 2

Television

BANCROFT: ITV, starts 11th December, airing on four

consecutive nights

Written, Created, Executive Produced by Kate Brooke, with

Episode 3 co-written by Ben Morris, Bancroft is a dark and

compelling four-part thriller. Sarah Parish stars as DCI

Elizabeth Bancroft, a woman with dark secrets in her past.

THE INDIAN DETECTIVE: Premieres Tuesday, December 19, 2017 on Netflix

Worldwide.

Doug D’Mello is a Toronto cop of Indian heritage, whose dreams of become a

homicide detective are put on hold when he is unjustly suspended. While on

leave, D’Mello visits his dad in Mumbai, where he gets embroiled in a local

case. This 4-part comedy-drama stars international comedy sensation Russell

Peters. The final episode is written by Vivienne Harvey.

TID

THE A WORD Series 2: Continues on Tuesdays 9pm

BBC1

Five millionfans welcomed back Peter Bowker’s

poignant, warm-hearted drama.

Written and Executive Produced by Bowker, The A

Word is a Fifty Fathoms and Keshet UK Production for

BBC One.

LIVING THE DREAM: Continues Thursdays at 9pm Sky 1

Mick Ford’s comedy drama catches up with The

Pembertons; the sunshine state of Florida is proving rather

different to the England they left behind... Written and

Executive Produced by Ford, starring Philip Glenister and

Lesley Sharp, and produced by Big Talk Productions.

BOUNTY HUNTERS, directed by Will Sinclair, continues on Sky One on

Wednesdays at 10pm

Will Sinclair directs this six episode Sky Original series written by Jack

Whitehall and Freddy Syborn.

Jack Whitehall coins another triumph

FRANKENSTEIN CHRONICLES: Continues Wednesdays 10pm ITV

Encore

The terrifying re-imagining of Mary Shelley's Frankenstein

starring Sean Bean continues. Episodes 2, 3, and 5 written by

Paul Tomalin who also acted as script consultant across the

Series. Past episodes are available on Sky catch up and Now TV

and episodes are repeated weekly on Saturday at midnight and

Sunday at 10pm on ITV Encore.

POPPY CAT: Channel 5’s milkshake!

Based on the international series of award-winning books by

Lara Jones, Poppy Cat series 2, co-produced by Coolabi and

King Rollo Films, continues daily on Channel 5’s milkshake!

pre-school block and is featured on YouTube’s first-ever

milkshake! channel.

London Theatre

THE GRINNING MAN: Trafalgar Studios, 6th December –

17th February

Following its hugely successful premiere at Bristol Old Vic,

the critically acclaimed The Grinning Man transfers to the

West End for a limited season. From Tony Award-winning

director Tom Morris, Kneehigh writer Carl Grose, with

puppetry co-directed and co-designed by Finn Caldwell

of Gyre & Gimble, this magical reimaging of the classic

Victor Hugo novel will have you on the edge of your seat.

★★★★

Defies theatrical convention by keeping its hand on its heart and its tongue in its cheek.

The Guardian

★★★★

Blackly comic brilliance.

Daily Telegraph

★★★★

Weird and wonderful, a dark delight.

Daily Telegraph

The Grinning Man

HAMILTON: Victoria Palace Theatre, Begins 6th December

Starring Christine Allado and Rachelle Ann Go, Lin-Manuel

Miranda’s smash-hit musical is based on the story of Alexander

Hamilton, one of America’s founding fathers and the right-hand

man of General George Washington. The Associate Director is

Stephen Whitson.

Hamilton

PINOCCHIO: Lyttleton Theatre, previews from 1st December,

Press Night 13th December

Featuring unforgettable music and songs from the Walt

Disney film including I’ve Got No Strings, Give a Little

Whistle and When You Wish upon a Star in dazzling new

arrangements by Martin Lowe, Pinocchio comes to life as

never before..

PINOCCHIO

EVERYBODY’S TALKING ABOUT JAMIE: Apollo Theatre

★★★★★

This fizzing musical is a blast of fresh air

The Times

★★★★★

A show…that sweeps you away on a tide of mischief, warmth

and exuberance

Financial Times

★★★★★

This show...is irresistible

Independent

DIRTY WORD: Crazy Coqs @ Brasserie Zedel, 11th December

A night of bite-sized plays and songs from writer Shelley

Davenport, and comedy songstress Olivia Mace. Sometimes rude,

often funny and full of anti-patriarchal punch, Dirty Word is a night

for mothers, lovers, men and women alike.

Book Tickets here

THE BEARPIT at Camden People’s Theatre, 8th and

9th December

Flora Marston and Nic Mcquillan bring their

Edinburgh Fringe hit to London. ‘Brilliantly (and

unusually) co-written…writing like a firework going

off in your face…****’ (Matt Trueman, WhatsOnStage)

THE BEARPIT

MIMI AND THE MOUTAIN DRAGON: Winterville Festival,

Clapham Common, 25th November – 30th December

Based on the book, written by Michael Morpurgo and

illustrated by Helen Stephens, Mimi and the Mountain

Dragon is an exciting new show for anyone who loves

snow, dragons and stories.

MIMI AND THE MOUNTAIN DRAGON

ZERAFFA GIRAFFA: Omnibus Theatre, 25th November – 17th

December

ZERAFFA GIRAFFA is an Omnibus Theatre and Little Angel Theatre

co-production, written by Sabrina Mahfouz, which is based on the

book by Dianne Hofmeyr and illustrated by Jane Ray.

ZERAFFA GIRAFFA

FATHER CHRISTMAS: Lyric Hammersmith, 22nd November to 24th December

A Christmas staple, this adaptation of FATHER CHRISTMAS by

Raymond Briggs returns to the Lyric stage for its sixth year.

FATHER CHRISTMAS will also be on at mac Birmingham (30

November – 30 December) and at The Hong Kong Jockey Club

Amphitheatre (30 November – 02 December)

ELIZABETHAN CHRISTMAS: Hampton Court Palace, 22nd to

23rd December, 27th December 2017 to 1st January 2018

A heart-warming Christmas story for all the family, set at

the court of Queen Elizabeth I and performed around the

palace. Witness as this touching tale unfolds throughout the

day, full of music, dance and festive fun. Written by

Elizabeth Kuti.

ELIZABETHAN CHRISTMAS

UK Theatre

THE JUNGLE BOOK: Northampton Royal & Derngate (Prior to

UK Tour) – Press Night Friday 1st December.

Adapted by the Olivier Award-winning Jessica Swale, and

directed by Max Webster (The Lorax, The Old Vic), The

Jungle Book receives its premiere at Royal & Derngate

before a major national tour. It promises the perfect festive

entertainment for all ages.

Jungle

IMPERIUM Part I & II: Swan Theatre, Stratford-Upon-Avon, until 10th

February 2018

Mike Poulton turns his pen to the thrilling world of Ancient Rome

with a brand-new version of Robert Harris’ best-selling Cicero

Trilogy. This epic event will be staged as six plays, presented in two

performances, and will be directed by RSC Artistic Director, Gregory

Doran.

Imperium

LITTLE MERMAID: Theatre Royal Bath, 7th December – 14th January

Co-devised and Written by award-winning playwright Bea Roberts,

this thrillingly magical and mischievous Little Mermaid promises an

amazing family adventure, all set to a shimmering soundtrack of

80s pop.

HOW TO HIDE A LION: Manchester Royal

Exchange, 13th – 31st December

Iris and her lion friend command the stage

with puppetry and original songs based on

Helen Stephens’ hugely popular picture book.

HOW TO HIDE A LION

THE WIND IN THE WILLOWS: The Core at Corby Cube, 7th to

30th December

Join Ratty, Mole, Toad, Badger and a musical band of mischief-

making weasels on a mad-cap, magical adventure on the

riverbank in this the heart-warming story of adventure and

friendship. Brought to you by The Wardrobe Ensemble and

directed by Jesse Jones.

THE WIND IN THE WILLOWS

THE WIZARD OF OZ: Sheffield Crucible Theatre, 8th December

2017-20th January 2018

Join Dorothy and her friends in this festive, family production of

the classic musical, featuring favourite tunes Over the

Rainbow and We’re Off to See the Wizard. Directed by Robert

Hastie and designed by Janet Bird.

THE WIZARD OF OZ

JACK AND THE BEANSTALK: Salisbury Playhouse – Begins 2nd December.

Written by Andrew Pollard and directed by Ryan McBryde (the duo behind

the last two smash-hit Playhouse pantos), with spectacular designs by

James Button (Little Shop of Horrors, Salisbury Playhouse), Jack and the

Beanstalk is the must-see family entertainment this Christmas. The

fabulous cast includes the return of Richard Ede who had audiences in

stitches last year as Widow Twanky.

Jack

THE SINGING MERMAID: Royal & Derngate, Northampton, 2nd December

– 13th January 2018 Royal & Derngate collaborate once more with Little Angel Theatre to bring

Julia Donaldson and Lydia Monks’ enormously popular story to life with

puppetry and also music by Barb Jungr.

THE SINGING MERMAID

WHAT THE LADYBIRD HEARD: Dublin Pavilion, 21st December -

7th January 2018

Kenny Wax’s production of Julia Donaldson and Lydia Monks’

bestselling story has a three week Christmas run which will

open their Spring 2018 tour.

WHAT THE LADYBIRD HEARD

THE BEAR: Wales Millennium Centre, 12th December - 31st

December

Based on Raymond Briggs' much-loved storybook, THE

BEAR is a heart-warming and humorous wintry tale featuring

dazzling puppetry, music and storytelling.

THE BEAR

Overseas Theatre

THE PARISIAN WOMAN: Hudson Theatre, New York, 30th

November 2017-11th March 2018

In Washington D.C, socialite Chloe comes to terms with politics, her

past, her marriage and an uncertain future. Written by Beau

Willimon and starring Academy Award nominee Uma Thurman.

THE LORAX: Royal Alexandra Theatre, Toronto– Begins December 9th

The Lorax has its North American Premiere. Adapted by David Greig,

brought to life by director Max Webster, with puppetry designed and

directed by Finn Caldwell, The Lorax blends theatrical invention,

puppetry, songs and zany humour in a timely and vibrant show with a

message for grandparents, parents and children alike.

The Lorax

KING KONG: The Fugard Theatre, Cape Town – returns 12th December

Jonathan Munby directs the legendary musical about heavyweight boxing champion Ezekiel Dlamini which took South Africa and London’s

West End by storm over fifty years ago.

The revised Book and additional lyrics are written by William Nicholson.

KING KONG

YOU, THE FIRE, AND ME: New York Theatre Workshop,

12th December

Tommy, Jules, and Omer are tired of their worlds, their

countries, their governments, and their families. They're

tired of being invisible. They're tired of being

disenfranchised. They're tired of being no one. And as

they've found a supportive family with one another

they've found the solution to their problems: Joining ISIS.

Written by Sevan K Greene.

YOU, THE FIRE, AND ME

THE GOOD FATHER: Civic Theatre, Tallaght – 5th – 9th December

Produced by Rise Productions, this play written by Christian O’Reilly

ends its tour of Ireland with a 5 day run at the Civic Theatre.

Winner of the Stewart Parker Award, starring Liam Heslin and Rachael

O’Byrne.

THE GOOD FATHER

GOBSMACKED US Tour

RITA, SUE & BOB TOO UK Tour

THE BARBERSHOP CHRONICLES

National Theatre

SHADOWLANDS Acorn Theatre

Continuing Theatre

MAMMA MIA Novella Theatre

THE FERRYMAN Gielgud Theatre

HARRY POTTER AND THE CURSED CHILD Palace Theatre

MATILDA Cambridge Theatre

OUT OF LOVE UK Tour

WAR HORSE UK Tour

BOOK STORY Little Angel Studios & UK

Tour

ZERAFFA GIRAFFA Little Angel Theatre &

Omnibus Theatre

GLENGARRY GLEN ROSS London Playhouse Theatre

42nd

STREET Theatre Royal Drury Lane

JEKYLL & HYDE Ambassadors Theatre

A CLOCKWORK ORANGE Broadway