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The Fast Show Reunite For 2024 UK Tour

It’s been 30 years since the The Fast Show first burst onto our television screens and “the defining comedy sketch show of the Nineties” (The Independent) is back, live on tour. Charlie Higson and Paul Whitehouse are reuniting with Simon Day, John Thomson, Arabella Weir and Mark Williams for 13 shows across the UK throughout March this year including the Regent Theatre, Stoke-on-Trent on Monday 18 March. Tickets for An Evening With The Fast Show go on sale on Friday 26 January at 10am from atgtickets.com/stoke. This celebratory live tour will be a huge treat for fans of the multi-award…

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Stage Premier Celebrates Centenary Of First UK Radio Play

Comedy caper A Leap In The Dark will receive its stage premiere at the New Vic this February and will celebrate the centenary of the UK's first ever radio play being broadcast. Originally commissioned by BBC Radio Four, A Leap In The Dark, written by Emmy award-winning writer Ron Hutchinson, will have its stage premiere at the New Vic Theatre from Friday 9 February to Saturday 2 March, directed by Caroline Wilkes*. This sophisticated comedy caper celebrates the 100th anniversary of the UK’s first ever radio play and charts the (almost) true story of how radio plays came to be.…

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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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Review: Cinderella – Crewe Lyceum

Credit: Wes Webster Photography The Christmas lights around the corner from The Lyceum said 'Welcome To Christmas In Crewe'. It was certainly a wonderful welcome to the festive season watching Cinderella on press night. The theme on the traditional tale sees Cinderella almost enslaved as a servant for Baroness Hardup and her two daughters 'Aroma' and 'Flatula'. A chance meeting with Prince Charming sees them fall in love at first sight. Invited to the palace ball, Cinderella's joy is short lived as the wicked stepsister thwart her plans to go to the ball. Will true love find a way? Eve…

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Review: ‘Eric’s Pride And Prejudice’ at New Vic Theatre

David Graham brings his final 'Eric' show of the year 'Eric's Pride And Prejudice' to the New Vic in the latest edition to the long running and highly entertaining series. This time it sees the trademark whacky take on Jane Austen's Pride And Prejudice and finds 'Eric Arcy' invited to Mrs. Bennett's ball along with every other eligible batchelor in the area (including Arcy's friends Mr. Bradford and Mr. Bingley). Mrs Bennett is determined to marry off her five daughters and in true Eric style, hilarity and high farce ensue. As with any ‘Eric’ production, the quality of the production…

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Review: The Nutcracker: A Christmas Fairytale at New Vic Theatre

Photo courtesy of Andrew Billington We embarked on an epic adventure to The Kingdom of Sweets as 'The Nutcracker: A Christmas Fairytale' started the festive season in style at The New Vic. Based on ETA Hoffman's original story and featuring the music of Tchaikovsky, the production tells the story of Marie, celebrating Christmas Eve with her mother, brother and her mysterious Uncle. Awake during the magical time as Christmas Even becomes Christmas Day, Marie finds herself transported to a magical land with the enchanted Nutcracker Prince complete with spun-sugar snowflakes, dancing gingerbread and cherry drops to the Kingdom of Sweets…

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Review: Calendar Girls at The Regent

The stage of The Regent becomes Knapely Community Hall in the latest show to hit the theatre this week. Telling the true story of the famous 1999 alternative calendar from the ladies of Knapely WI, which raised over half a million pounds and was also turned into a 2003 film starring Helen Mirren amongst others. Following the tragic loss of the husband of one of the WI members' to Lukaemia, the ladies decide to produce a calendar with the modest aim to raise money for a more comfortable settee in the hospital waiting room. The calendar showed the ladies, aged…

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Review: ‘Constant Companions’ at New Vic

Alan Aykbourn's 89th play opened on Tuesday at New Vic and deals with themes of Artificial Intelligence, the affect on our emotions and its impact it has on our daily lives. When does AI stretch from being supplemental, to heavy reliance? Bachelor Don is played by Andy Cryer, with his 'Konstant Kompanion' freshly delivered, he's doing his level best to unpack and assemble his latest purchase with the urgency of a man with pure lust on his mind. Providing technical support to Don via the telephone is Leigh Symonds' Robotic Engineer, Winston who is having troubles of his own with…

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Review: Oliver! At Regent Theatre

Staffordshire's Stage Productions brought to life Lionel Barts Oliver! to the Regent stage for the first time in 14 years (can in really have been that long!). The family favourite tale of the lovable orphan, which was made timeless by the 1968 film starring Ron Moody, was based on the Lionel Bart musical which is being staged this week at The Regent. Telling the story of young orphan Oliver who was born in a workhouse, sold to an undertaker and is taken under the wing of infamous Fagin, king of the pickpockets. Lionel Barts' score has classics such as Food…

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Review: ‘Porno’ at Crewe Lyceum

Crewe Lyceum played host to the latest leg of the tour of 'Porno' on Friday. Written by Irvine Welsh, the Scottish playwright and author's novel was published in 2002 as the sequel to the legendary Trainspotting. The stage production follows close to the book and finds characters Begbie, Spud, Renton and Sick-Boy 15 years on from the events of Trainspotting. Renton has returned from Amsterdam in response to his mum being in hospital, Begbie is fresh out of a stay in prison, Sick-Boy running his aunt's pub and Spud seems to bumble along. Porno is shocking, extremely sweary, never shy's…

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