Entertainment

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…

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Review: ‘Jack And The Beanstalk’ At The Regent

Jack And The Beanstalk opened last night at The Regent to a high-flying start of a run that will last into the new year. Jack Trott (Jonathan Wilkes), Farmer Trott (Kai Owens) and Princess Jill (Michelle Andrews) are living under the shadow of the giants and their servant Fleshcreep (Noel Sullivan). Having plundered the farms, their beloved cow Daisy is next on the list. Aided by the Spirit Of The Beans (Rio Maye) will they overcome the giants once and for all? And.... will Beryl Smith be in attendance to celebrate her milestone birthday? Visually the production was stunning. From…

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Alan Ayckbourn’s Latest Play Constant Companions Scrutinizes Impact of AI on Humanity

One of the UK’s most successful playwrights, Alan Ayckbourn, scrutinizes the consequences of artificial intelligence in his 89th play, Constant Companions. Performed at the New Vic from Tuesday 24 October to 4 November, this topical production from the prolific playwright is also directed by the man himself. Starring Georgia Burnell (Family Album), Andy Cryer (Season’s Greetings), Tanya-Loretta Dee (Family Album), Alexandra Mathie (The Girl Next Door), Naomi Petersen (The Girl Next Door), Richard Stacey (Confusions) and Leigh Symonds (Season’s Greetings), it weaves together the stories of highflying lawyer Lorraine, lonely bachelor Don and technician Winston. Lorraine is a fabulously successful…

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Cast Announced for New Vic’s Magical Family Reimagining of Christmas Classic The Nutcracker

This Christmas, the New Vic Theatre will put its own magical spin on the classic story of The Nutcracker in a festive family production from Friday 17 November 2023 to Saturday 27 January 2024. Bringing this much-loved tale to life in The Nutcracker: A Christmas Fairytale is a cast that includes Franky Attard (Doctor Who, BBC, Dick Whittington, Spillers Pantomimes) as Marie/Ensemble, Edwin Cheng (Romeo and Juliet, New Adventures) as Nutcracker Prince/Ensemble, Clara Darcy (Brassed Off, The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe, New Vic) as Lemon Meringue Mayor/Bonbonviller/Snowflake/Ensemble, Matthew Ganley (The Great Gatsby, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Grosvenor Open…

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Sing-a-long-a Matilda the Musical Heads to the Regent Theatre

Sing-a-Long-a Matilda The Musical heads to the Regent Theatre, Stoke-on-Trent on Sunday 14 January 2024 Sing-a-Long-a is a unique interactive Sing-a-long-a show featuring the brand-new smash hit Musical film Matilda The Musical. Calling all revolting children and their parents – come and be a little bit naughty at Sing-a-Long-a Matilda The Musical from the producers of Sing-a-Long-a Sound of Music and Sing-a-Long-a The Greatest Showman. Now is your chance to interact with this incredible tale of a little girl making her great escape! Find the “magic” inside of you at the latest film to get the Sing-a-Long-a treatment – the…

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Story of Newcastle-born Showman Astley’s Astounding Adventures Returns to the Stage

This autumn the New Vic brings its most spectacular show ever back to the stage in celebration of the 850th anniversary of Newcastle-under-Lyme receiving its charter to become a borough. Astley’s Astounding Adventures, at the New Vic from Saturday 23 September to Saturday 21 October, is the story of local town hero Philip Astley. Born in Newcastle-under-Lyme, he became the international impresario that invented circus – the spectacular phenomenon that continues to capture the hearts of millions of people all over the world. When Philip and Patty meet, they both know their lives are about to change. As the couple…

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Matt Terry To Star In Crewe Lyceum Family Panto ‘Cinderella”

Crewe Lyceum and Pantomime producer Imagine Theatre today announce that X Factor star Matt Terry will join the previously announced Malcolm Lord and Ste Johnston in this year’s magical family favourite Cinderella from 08 – 31 December. Matt Terry won the hearts of the nation in 2016 having emerged victorious on the biggest TV talent show in the UK, The X Factor. His Ed Sheeran penned debut single went straight into the Top 5 of the UK charts, prior to a string of mainstream successes which included Enrique Iglesias and Sean Paul collaboration Súbeme La Radio which reached the top 10…

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ABC’s ‘the Lexicon of Love’ Orchestral Tour Extra Dates Added

Due to demand ABC have announced an extra five dates to their UK tour in January and February 2024 which sees them perform the timeless debut album ‘The Lexicon of Love’ in its entirety. The new dates include shows in Southend, Stoke-on-Trent, London, Cardiff and Bournemouth. Martin Fry’s timeless ‘The Lexicon of Love’ went straight to number one upon release. Fusing dance floor finesse with a post-punk attitude, the album spawned timeless tracks such ‘Poison Arrow’, ‘The Look of Love’, ‘Tears Are Not Enough’, and ‘All Of My Heart’. The album saw ABC enchant the world with their own unique brand of pop and remains one of the best…

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Review: Dirty Dancing At The Regent

Photo credit Mark Senior The iconic Dirty Dancing struts into town this week. The 1987 smash hit is a classic and is one of the best loved films of the era, with the tale of a summer holiday romance at Kellerman's between dance teacher Johnny and guest 'Baby' made famous by Patrick Swayze and Jennifer Grey. Michael O'Reilly and Kira Malou are perfectly cast in the leading roles and you are immersed in the action, so much so, it's hard not to remember that you are not watching the original stars of the show. That's to take nothing away from…

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Review: ‘The King And I’ At The Regent

This week, one of the most famous musicals of all time is in town with 'The King And I' and theatregoers are whisked off in style to the Orient. The fifth of the Rogers and Hammerstein musicals, it was adapted from the memoirs of Anna Leonowens, governess to the King of Siam. The musical was famously turned into a film starring Deborah Kerr and Yul Brynner which was a huge commercial success and features a wonderful score including much beloved songs as 'I Whistle A Happy Tune', 'Getting To Know You' and 'Shall We Dance?'. It finds widow Anna journeying…

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