Blog

Review: The Mousetrap At Crewe Lyceum

Review: The Mousetrap At Crewe Lyceum

In its 70th anniversary tour after debuting in November 1952, the world's longest running play, The Mousetrap, raises its distinctive plush red curtain on the famous residents and guests of Agatha Christie's Monkswell Guest House. Monkswell's owners, the Ralstons, Mollie (Neerja Naik) and Giles (Barnaby Jago) are adjusting to their new venture and welcoming guests into their home for the very first time, a terrible snowstorm doing its level best to disrupt the opening week. Invited guests, eccentric architect Christopher Wren (Shaun McCort), the fastidious Mrs. Boyle (Gwyneth Strong), the stoical Major Metcalf (Todd Carty) and the well travelled Miss…
Read More
Review: ‘Ladies Down Under’ At New Vic

Review: ‘Ladies Down Under’ At New Vic

The much awaited follow-up to last years' huge success, 'Ladies Day' opened this week at New Vic. Amanda Whittington's original tale followed four ladies from a Hull fish packing factory who struck it big at Royal Ascot winning a six-horse accumulator. Picking up from there we wonder what next for the quartet. Jetting off for a break to Australia each of them find themselves on their own very personal journeys which paves the way for warmth and gentle humour. We learn how the win has affected each one individually and collectively as a group of work friends. Returning back from…
Read More
Full Cast Announced for Johannes Radebe’s UK Tour House of Jojo

Full Cast Announced for Johannes Radebe’s UK Tour House of Jojo

TV dance sensation and international champion Johannes Radebe is thrilled to announce the full cast for the brand-new production Johannes Radebe: HOUSE OF JOJO, following the phenomenal success of his first two sell-out UK and Ireland tours. Johannes Radebe: HOUSE OF JOJO heads to the Regent Theatre, Stoke-on-Trent for one night only on Sunday 26 May 2024. The cast of HOUSE OF JOJO will include dancers Ann Chircop Beck, Shali Bordoni, Kieran Curtin, Jack Dargan, Lowri Evans, Kofi Aidoo-Appiah, Erica Martinelli, Ebby Sama, Charles Tatman & Elle Taylor. Also joining the cast are singers Anthonia Edwards (2022 winner of The Voice UK) & Dalton Harris (2018 winner of The X Factor). Johannes said "I'm over the moon with the…
Read More
Ellen Kent’s Award-Winning Operas Return to the Regent Theatre Stage

Ellen Kent’s Award-Winning Operas Return to the Regent Theatre Stage

Award-winning producer Ellen Kent returns to the Regent Theatre, Stoke-on-Trent in Spring 2024 with the Ukrainian Opera & Ballet Theatre Kyiv presenting stunning classical productions Puccini’s Madama Butterfly on Saturday 2 March and Bizet’s Carmen on Tuesday 9 April. Ellen Kent’s Madama Butterfly, winner of the 'BEST OPERA AWARD' by the Liverpool Daily Post Theatre Awards, returns in a new production with exquisite sets including a spectacular Japanese garden and fabulous costumes including antique wedding kimonos from Japan. One of the world’s most popular operas, Puccini’s Madama Butterfly tells the heart-breaking story of the beautiful young Japanese girl who falls in love with an American naval lieutenant – with dramatic results. Highlights include the…
Read More
Chicago Returns To The Regent Theatre This November

Chicago Returns To The Regent Theatre This November

CHICAGO THE MUSICAL WILL PLAY AT THE REGENT THEATRE, STOKE-ON-TRENT FROM MONDAY 25 TO SATURDAY 30 NOVEMBER 2024 David Ian for Crossroads Live in association with Barry and Fran Weissler have announced the 2024/2025 UK tour of the multi award-winning musical CHICAGO. Set amidst the razzle-dazzle decadence of the 1920s, CHICAGO is the story of Roxie Hart, a housewife and nightclub dancer who murders her on-the-side lover after he threatens to walk out on her. Desperate to avoid conviction, she dupes the public, the media and her rival cellmate, Velma Kelly, by hiring Chicago’s slickest criminal lawyer to transform her malicious…
Read More
Review ‘Jesus Christ Superstar’ At The Regent

Review ‘Jesus Christ Superstar’ At The Regent

The blockbuster Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice rock opera 'Jesus Christ Superstar' hit The Regent this week on its UK tour. Initially released as a concept album in 1970, ahead of getting its Broadway debut in 1971, the musical concentrates on the short final period before the death of Jesus, from the point of view of Judas. The plot sees Judas dissatisfied with the direction Jesus is taking, worrying he is caught up in the hype surrounding him and concerned at his relationship with Mary Magdalene, which culminates with him finally turning on Him. Prior to being overtaken by…
Read More
Review: ‘A Leap In The Dark’ At New Vic

Review: ‘A Leap In The Dark’ At New Vic

A new comedy production marking the 100th anniversary of the broadcast of the UK's first ever radio play opened this week at New Vic. A Leap In The Dark was originally commissioned for Radio 4 and the author re-imagined it for the stage. It tells the tale of the conception and production of 'A Comedy Of Danger', broadcast in January 1924 and written by a then 23 year old Richard Hughes for the BBC. ‘What’s happened?’. ‘The light have gone out’ began the first ever radio play and paved the way for dramas we love today including the most famous, 'The…
Read More
Casting Announced For New Vic’s Production Of Ladies Down Under

Casting Announced For New Vic’s Production Of Ladies Down Under

Amanda Whittington’s Ladies Down Under – the sequel to last year’s smash-hit production of Ladies’ Day – will take to the stage at the New Vic from Friday 8 to Saturday 30 March, and sees characters Pearl, Jan, Shelley and Linda set off on the adventure of a lifetime!After winning the jackpot at Royal Ascot, the ladies fly ‘Down Under’. But when they land, each of them finds they are on a very different journey. Shelley searches for glitz and glamour and Jan searches for love, Linda wishes they were back at the fish factory where they work and Pearl deals with an Uluru-sized…
Read More
New Vic Announces One Night Events

New Vic Announces One Night Events

The New Vic has revealed the one-night events set to take place on its stage across April to June, with a range of spine-tingling music, comedy, spoken word and even tap dancing! World-class musicians will spellbind audiences in April and May, starting with Mark Morriss and Adam Devlin from Britpop legends The Bluetones who go acoustic for a special performance on Wednesday 17 April. The duo will be performing classics from The Bluetones’ canon whilst sharing stories, with support from local North Staffordshire poet Nick Degg. Hejira – A Celebration of Joni Mitchell follows on Monday 22 April and sees a seven-piece band comprised…
Read More
Kiln Sparks Residency Is Back!

Kiln Sparks Residency Is Back!

Kiln Sparks, a one-week backstage training programme led by the New Vic in association with New Earth Theatre, returns this summer to provide an exciting opportunity for emerging theatre talents from under-represented groups to gain firsthand experience of working behind the scenes in a midscale producing theatre. The five-day residential course, which takes place at Staffordshire’s New Vic Theatre, aims to expand the industry’s knowledge base for in-the-round theatre making and diversify the pool of Global Majority* backstage personnel. Led by New Vic Associate Director Vicki Amedume and supported by the technical and production teams at the New Vic who…
Read More