Agency News
SHELLEY ATKINSON enjoys great reviews for REARED at Theatre 503
Monday, 16th April 2018
SHELLEY ATKINSON
(in those Marigolds again...) is attracting well-deserved terrific reviews in #REARED at Theatre503 - on until 28 April and such a rich and absorbing evening in the theatre - here are just a couple of mentions for Shelley:
Shelly Atkinson, playing mum Eileen, holds the family and production together with a finely textured and quietly simmering performance. After much stalling (Fitzpatrick holds onto his secrets a little too tightly), Eileen’s past is unearthed in a shattering monologue about post-natal depression. She remembers her burning desire to protect her daughter, coupled with her struggle to merely walk up the stairs. It’s a brilliant scene that throbs with the tension between comfort and pain, warmth and rejection that is so central to family life.
TIME OUT
The highlight of this production is Atkinson’s performance as Eileen, which is full of warmth, sadness and patience and rings true throughout. EXEUNT MAGAZINE
ELIZABETH WEBSTER immersed at The Vaults
Saturday, 7th April 2018
ELIZABETH WEBSTER
returns to the stage and vamps until ready for The Pensive Federation in their brilliant annual new work event THE SIGNIFICANT OTHER FESTIVAL in which ten plays of ten minutes become one...in ten days. An unmissable spring thing 17 - 21 April The Vaults
It's April 1988 and change is coming. The UK is no longer an industrial nation and Jack knows it. He built his component manufacturing firm up from nothing but is there a place for men like him anymore? On the day of his retirement party, what will happen to him, the town, the nation?
Fringe innovators The Pensive Federation return to The Vaults with their annual new writing event, The Significant Other Festival. Ten new 10 minute plays will be created in just 10 days woven together with the themes of community, relationships and connections exploring the phrase 'significant other'. In their most ambitious project, the unique space of the Vaults opens out onto the factory floor of 'Reseal9, Inc' in an immersive piece like no other. The audience are visitors to the factory and watch Jack's last day unfold. What happens to a town when its heart is ripped out? Stories yet to be written but needing to be told. Ten unique pieces, but one complete play.
https://www.thevaults.london/significant-other-festival-2018
MATT LIM cast in BREAK OF NOON at the Finborough Theatre
Saturday, 7th April 2018
MATT LIM
has a leading role in the first UK revival since 1951 of Paul Claudel's BREAK OF NOON, set in Hong Kong and China at the turn of the 20th century against the backdrop of the age of Empire and the first whispers of revolt and decolonisation.
Written in 1905, Break of Noon is a semi-autobiographical romance, based on Paul Claudel’s own real love -affair with a married woman, and his experiences as French consul in China. A modern French classic, it is a unique poetic and symbolist manifesto, in verse, on the human frailty of ambivalence and the conflicts and contradictions between physical love and spiritual faith.
Break of Noon was banned from the stage by Claudel himself for forty three years (following a recommendation from his priest during confession), until his friend, famous actor and director Jean-Louis Barrault, after he'd successfully created the epic Soulier de Satin, convinced him to allow him to produce the play in 1948. Barrault’s production, in French, for the famous Renaud-Barrault Company was seen in London in 1951. It was revived at the Comédie Francaise as recently as 2007.
Playing Sundays, Mondays and Tuesdays
27, 28, 29 May and 3, 4, 5 June 2018
ANDREW McCULLOCH cast in HOLBY CITY
Saturday, 7th April 2018
ANDREW McCULLOCH
..veteran of classic British tv from PLAY FOR TODAY to FATHER TED and iconic films DAVID COPPERFIELD and Polanski's MACBETH amongst many others, returns to HOLBY CITY and to his Scottish roots to play a guest lead role.
JIM CONWAY upcoming in THE BROMLEY BOYS feature film
Thursday, 15th March 2018
Funny, feel-good football comedy THE BROMLEY BOYS featuring our JIM CONWAY (pictured above with fellow cast member Jamie Foreman) will have it's world premiere on 24 May before going on general release.
SHELLEY ATKINSON cast in new play REARED at Theatre 503
Sunday, 11th March 2018
Brilliant Irish actress
SHELLEY ATKINSON
is cast in a leading role 'Eileen' in exciting new play REARED by John Fitzpatrick (a graduate of the Royal Court Writers' Programme) and directed by Sarah Davey-Hull for Bold & Saucy Theatre at Theatre 503.
Eileen has a full time job, a fifteen year old daughter with a lot of secrets, a mother in-law who’s showing signs of dementia, a baby on the way, and a husband who doesn’t want to deal with any of it.
Reared is a dark comedy about overcoming family history and fighting for a seat at the table.
REARED runs @theatre503 4 - 28 April 2018
https://theatre503.com/whats-on/reared/?spektrix_bounce=true
This production marks Shelley's London debut in a leading role after extensive work across the UK with such acclaimed companies as Big Telly Theatre and Creation as well as York Theatre Royal and Dukes Playhouse Lancaster. In her recent roles in THE FAERIE THORN (that played in Ireland and was also seen at the Omnibus Clapham) Shelley was reviewed thus:
As the parents, Shelley Atkinson and Rory Corcoran acted their Aran cardies off
THE IRISH NEWS
Shelley Atkinson and Nicky Harley merge staggering, sometimes unsettling impressionism with degrees of silent poignancy
THE STAGE
LIANNE HARVEY is cast in early Ayckbourn classic RELATIVELY SPEAKING
Thursday, 8th March 2018
LIANNA HARVEY
LIANNE HARVEY, fresh from her successful run as 'Ellie Nunn' in Shaw's HEARTBREAK HOUSE at the Union Theatre, is now by contrast cast in one of Sir Alan Ayckbourn's early classic comedies, RELATIVELY SPEAKING at the Oldham Coliseum. The play opens on 20th April.
PHIL DEGUARA films new Marc Price feature A FISTFUL OF LEAD
Saturday, 3rd March 2018
Our brilliant PHIL DEGUARA has a principal role in what can only be described as a 'Northern Western', filming as it is in Cheshire and involving as it does stetson hats and revolvers!
Director Marc Price, famous for his debut feature COLIN that won a huge following and plaudits at Cannes, is shooting in the woods with a crack cast. Phil's previous collaborations with Marc include COLIN, MAGPIE and THE WAY OF THE MONKEY'S CLAW. Recent screen includes THE DEATH OF STALIN and UNDERCOVER BBC series in a returning role.
LUCIA MCANESPIE chosen to perform at Kenneth Branagh Freeman of Belfast ceremony
Monday, 29th January 2018
We're delighted that our Belfast star LUCIA McANESPIE @McanespieLucia has been chosen to read a special poem on 30th January @UlsterHall at the ceremony that is the centre of celebrations for #KennethBranagh as he is becomes a Freeman of Belfast.
Lucia's training @RADA_London was supported with a Renaissance Award given by Branagh's (now former) theatre company for the development of outstanding talent from Northern Ireland. Lucia maintains strong ties with her home city, having worked on stage @LyricBelfast in Frank McGuinness's CARTHAGINIANS and touring throughout the region in THE FACTORY GIRLS; radio drama @bbcradioulster and on tv in LINE OF DUTY (BBC).
https://www.spotlight.com/interactive/cv/1/F91308.html
TIMOTHY O'HARA opens to great reviews in THE LITTLE MERMAID at Bath
Thursday, 7th December 2017
@Timboohara TIMOTHY O'HARA
is smashing it in a yellow suit (don't mention the wig and shades!) @theeggbath @TheatreRBath in THE LITTLE MERMAID at the Egg Theatre at Bath Theatre Royal from 7th December - 14th January - splash for a seat!
..highly original and deliciously quirky take on The Little Mermaid at the Egg Theatre (at Bath Theatre Royal). LYN GARDNER, THE GUARDIAN
As with the best of Sally Cookson and Kneehigh, Little Mermaid is an edifying, imaginative and passionate piece of family theatre. It’s absolutely in need of a 2018 transfer. THE STAGE
LIANNE HARVEY returns to the theatre in Shaw's HEARTBREAK HOUSE
Tuesday, 12th December 2017
LIANNE HARVEY
has recently enjoyed a number of nominations at international film festivals for her co-lead in BIKINI BLUE feature film and now returns to the theatre as another complex and interesting young heroine 'Ellie Dunn' in Bernard Shaw's HEARTBREAK HOUSE, a comedy about what happens when socialites, tycoons and drifters collide in the pre-World War I British countryside. A rare revival in which I understand we can expect the unexpected!
SHAMIA CHALABI writes and stars in an East-Meets-Wigan comedy!
Tuesday, 5th December 2017
We are delighted to announce the premiere of this funny and heartfelt debut play from our very talented Shamia Chalabi (who will also play) - co-writing with the ever-brilliant Sarah Henley - @vaults. So put your rashers in a sarnie and get your scarves on - this isn't to be missed!
https://vaultfestival.com/whats-on/burkas-and-bacon-butties/
NATEY JONES joins the cast of TINA THE MUSICAL
Tuesday, 5th December 2017
NATEY JONES
joins a fabulous cast to create a diverse double 'Richard' and 'Raymond' in Phyllida Lloyd's sparkling new musical about legendary singer Tina Turner; TINA THE MUSICAL. Opening in March 2018 at the Aldwych Theatre
JUSTIN BUTCHER is upcoming in PHILIP K DICK'S ELECTRIC DREAMS
Tuesday, 5th September 2017
JUSTIN BUTCHER
plays 'Linus Primo' in an episode of Ch4's upcoming ten-part anthology series, Electric Dreams: The World of Philip K. Dick written and executive produced by Emmy-nominated Ronald D. Moore (Battlestar Galactica, Outlander) and Michael Dinner (Justified, Masters of Sex), with Oscar nominated Bryan Cranston both executive producing and appearing in the series.
Each episode will be a sharp, thrilling standalone drama adapted and contemporised for global audiences by a creative team of British and American writers including Jack Thorne, Tony Grisoni & David Farr.
PAUL CARROLL is cast in OUTLAWS TO IN-LAWS season at the Kings Head
Tuesday, 22nd August 2017
PAUL CARROLL
...fresh from the success of his solo sketch show 40 SHADES OF STRAWBERRY BLONDE, joins the cast of a diverse group of new plays by prominent gay writers.
7 new short plays spanning the decades from the 1950s to the present day exploring gay lives against a rapidly changing social history from intolerance, violence and hate through to the legalisation of homosexuality and gay marriage.
KINGS HEAD THEATRE
29 Aug - 23 Sept
A man in a purple helmet and glasses is funny at the Fringe....
Monday, 21st August 2017
Rhys Bevan is 25% of LAUGHING STOCK - now well-established yet freshly minted in its third successive year with wonderful new material - here are the reviews so far:
Laughing Stock is a riotous hour of high-octane comedy, clever and silly in equal measure and performed by a supremely talented cast.
BROADWAY BABY ****
It's unlikely you'll find a sketch troupe quite as adventurous, talented and professional as Laughing Stock at the Fringe. These multi-talented performers seem to have it all. Their chemistry together is undeniable
THE WEE REVIEW****
Material: 
Delivery: Laughs:
MUMBLE COMEDY****
ELIZABETH WEBSTER on release in LET ME GO on September 15th
Saturday, 12th August 2017
Our GAME OF THRONES star
ELIZABETH WEBSTER
plays 'Dani' alongside Juliet Stevenson and Jodhi May in this moving and beautifully shot feature film based on the true-life story of Helga Schneider who was abandoned by her mother in 1941 when she was only four years old. The lives of three generations of women are turned upside down when Helga’s mother is revealed to still be alive, but initial joy soon turns to deep trauma as the terrible secret of their family’s past is revealed.
Multi-awards for THE LAST LAUGH starring SIMON CARTWRIGHT
Monday, 31st July 2017
Paul Hendy's classy and touching short sees three British comedy icons, Tommy Cooper, Eric Morecambe and Bob Monkhouse (Simon Cartwright)
SIMON CARTWRIGHT as Bob Monkhouse
....sitting in a dressing room discussing the secret of comedy and what it means to be 'funny'...or are they?
The film has won several awards including Best UK Film and Best UK Short at the Manchester Film Festival (2017), the prestigious Audience Award at the Oxford Film Festival and Best Comedy Drama at the Los Angeles Independent Film Festival.
MONTSERRAT ROIG DE PUIG premieres tonight @BAFTA in COUNTY LINES
Thursday, 22nd June 2017
MONTSERRAT ROIG DE PUIG stars in an important new film for our time COUNTY LINES produced by Two Birds and premiering tonight @BAFTA in Piccadilly
NATEY JONES joins an UPRISING at the Orange Tree - eight stories, one night
Sunday, 11th June 2017
NATEY JONES
fresh from a brilliant run in ONE LOVE by Kwamei Kwei Armah at Birmingham Rep jumps in to work with The Orange Tree Writers Collective in UPRISING - eight new plays in just one night.
The OTWC is a group of eight exhilarating playwrights, selected by the theatre to spend a year developing their crafts.
In UPRISING these playwrights examine the cultural baggage that makes them who they are.
Directed by Ola Ince (The Dutchman, Young Vic) and Guy Jones (OT Literary Associate)
The writers:
Sonali Bhattacharyya, Chris Bush, Daniel Foxsmith, Christian Graham, Sarah Grochala, Eve Leigh, John O’Donovan, Joe White
ORANGE TREE THEATRE
18th JUNE
7.00pm