The Turn of The Screw

Don't miss The Turn of the Screw at Barons Court Theatre, which runs until 27th November.  This is Ken Whitmore's adaptation of the well loved story by Henry James, presented by CP Productions.  The Barons Court Theatre is in the cellars of Curtains Up Pub, which is the perfect setting for this spine chilling horror story.  The production is directed and designed by Barry Addenbrooke,  music by Jonathan Webster,  costumes by Jackie Robinson and hair and make-up by Jessica Carlton Silva.

The truly original part of Barry Addenbrooke's production has been the casting of the two children - not children at all, but  Kristy Bruce as Miles and Frances Rose Knox as Flora.  With an echo of Dennis Potter's Blue Remembered Hills, we completely believe they are children and their powerful bond in this tragic nightmare is fraught with knowing looks and secrecy.  Kristy Bruce is haunting as Miles, with her glittering defiant eyes.  Frances Rose Knox is both enchanting and terrifying as Flora, with a dramatic power that recalls the possessed girl in the Exorcist.

Beautiful Helen Millwood plays Miss Grey, a young governess sent off to Bligh to care for two young children.  She plays the role with volatile sensitivity, drawing us into the story as she comes under the charm of Geof Sloan's despicable Mr Crimond and pulling us on through the turmoil of her mind as the play progresses.  Alison Liney's performance  as Mrs Grose, the housekeeper, had a real echo of Megs Jenkins performance  in the 1960's film of the novel The Innocents, clutching onto the rational in the maelstrom of emotions and fears that envelop the characters.

Tickets are selling out fast so do reserve a ticket through this link HERE

An Evening with Peter Polycarpou on 11th December at the Garrick

Peter Polycarpou will be entertaining us with songs that have inspired him and from shows he has performed in, on Sunday 11th December at 7.30pm at the Garrick Theatre.  

Peter has had an incredible career: a member of the original company in Les Miserables, creating the role of John in Miss Saigon, Ali Hakim in Oklahoma! with Hugh Jackman, Daniel in Imagine This, Phil in Love Story, Phantom in Phantom of the Opera and, of course, Chris Theodopolopodous in TV's Birds of a Feather. Most recently he has been appearing as the Beadle in the Chichester Festival Theatre Production of Sweeny Todd alongside Michael Ball and Imelda Staunton, due to transfer to the West End in 2012.

Guests appearing in the show are:  Hannah Waddingham, Pauline Quirke, Emma Williams, Claire Moore, Simon Bowman, Michelle Collins and Jos Slovick.  Peter will also be accompanied by a choir and principal ensemble.

The MD is Robert Emery and Choreographer Cressida Carre

To book tickets for this very special evening go to Nimax Theatres HERE

Audition time is here again!!

Mrs Worthington says:

Keep calm
Prepare your speeches before you send in your application
Get your applications in as soon as you can
Don't forget that some drama schools are by direct application and others by UCAS
Don't be afraid to ask for advice
Expect the unexpected...

Opening Doors at Soho Theatre

The first "Opening Doors", presented by Michael Peavoy, is on at Soho Theatre this Sunday 11th September at 6pm at 21 Dean Street London W1.

This is an evening of new musical theatre songs, sung by some of the most respected and exciting young performers London has to offer including:


Anna Francolini, Nigel Richards, David Durham, Richard Dempsey, Nicole Faraday, Adrian Grove, Stuart Matthew-Price, Chloe Hart, Cynthia Erivo, Michael Peavoy, Francesca Leyland, Aaron Lee-Lambert, Dominic Tighe, Daisy May-Cooper, Dani De Waal, Lottie Latham, James Gant, Alex Clatworthy, Mary Mallen, Robert Jackson, Keisha Amponsa Banson, Ste Clough and George Blagden 


The price of a student ticket is £5 (£15 full price).

For Further information and to book tickets go to this link HERE

RSC Classical Training Conference Workshops

The RSC are running a Classical Training Conference at Stratford from 16th to 18th September.  On Saturday 16th and Sunday 17th there will be practical workshops and demonstrations open to the public.  The workshops are suitable for students of drama and actors over the age of 16.  For a list of these workshops and to buy tickets go to the link here.

Making Shakespeare - RSC Classes

From Monday 15th to Friday 19th August the Royal Shakespeare Company are running a wonderful course for young performers.  It is a week of  practical skills workshops with RSC practitioners, exploring how the RSC create performances on stage.  This is going to cover acting and directing and the week builds towards a short performance at the RSC's Waterside Space.  The days run from 10am, to 4pm.

It costs £125 for the week.  You can find out more about it on this link HERE.

Lend Me a Tenor

Anyone who loves musical theatre has to go and see this show!  It is in previews at the Gielgud Theatre at the moment and the press night is on Wednesday.  Book tickets at this link here.  The show is written by two Americans - Peter Sham (book and lyrics) and Brad Carroll (music) and is directed by the brilliant Ian Talbot.  This is the first big show for Sham and Carroll and it is already playing to standing ovations in the previews.

The leads are Matthew Kelly (Henry), Joanna Riding (Maria Merelli), Damien Humbly (Max), Michael Matus (Tito), Sophie-Louise Dann (Diana) and Cassidy Janson as Maggie.

It is based on a stage play by Ken Ludwig, which is extremely well known in the USA.  Although it means little to us here it makes not the slightest difference, this is an hilarious comedy full of heart.  I will say no more in case I give anything more away.