Feature: March round-up

Star of the Month

Michael Urie

Michael Urie in Buyer & Cellar / Photo Credit: Joan Marcus

Michael Urie's performance in Buyer and Cellar at the Menier Chocolate Factory is nothing short of stellar. The one-man play follows an out-of-work LA actor who gets a job in Barbra Streisand’s Malibu basement where she has created her very own private shopping mall. Urie's comic timing is impeccable. He builds a strong relationship with the audience, telling the story tremendously. Read my interview with Urie here.

Show of the Month

The Secret Diary of Adrian Mole Aged 13 and ¾

Kirsty Hoiles & Joel Fossard-Jones in Adrian Mole / Photo Credit: Pamela Raith

Review: The Secret Diary of Adrian Mole Aged 13 and ¾ at the Leicester Curve Theatre

The Secret Diary of Adrian Mole Aged 13 and ¾

Leicester Curve Theatre

Reviewed on Tuesday 17th March 2015
★★★★

Restoring my faith in new British musical theatre, The Secret Diary of Adrian Mole Aged 13 and ¾ is a clever and quirky show with a massive heart. Based on Sue Townsend’s novel, the show follows Adrian Mole's day to day life over the course of a year as he enters adolescent life.

It is a relief to see a new British musical taking stylistic risks which pay off beautifully. Luke Sheppard's production is creative and I adored its style. The small cast work tremendously hard, doubling up as characters of all ages, bringing some fun theatrical humour.

Full casting announced for The Secret Diary of Adrian Mole Aged 13¾ - The Musical

Full casting has been announced for the world première of Sue Townsend’s The Secret Diary of Adrian Mole Aged 13¾ - The Musical.

The production opens at the Leicester Curve Theatre on 17th March (previews from 7th March) and runs until 4th April 2015.

The role of Adrian will be shared by Lewis Andrews, Sebastian Croft, Joel Fossard-Jones and Toby Murray.

The cast includes Rosemary Ashe (Grandma), Cameron Blakely (Mr Lucas), Amy Booth-Steel (Miss Elf/Doreen Slater/Mrs Lucas), Neil Ditt (George Mole), Kirsty Hoiles (Pauline Mole) and Neil Salvage (Bert Baxter).

The role of Pandora will be played by Elise Bugeja, Imogen Gurney and Lulu-Mae Pears; with Nigel played by George Barnden, Kwame Kandekore, and Samuel Small; and Barry will be played by Edward Cross, James McJannett-Smith and Harrison Slater.

With book and lyrics by Jake Brunger and music and lyrics by Pippa Cleary, this new musical of Sue Townsend’s best seller is directed by Luke Sheppard, 

Musical adaptation of The Secret Diary of Adrian Mole, Aged 13¾ premieres at Leicester Curve next year

It has been announced that a new musical adaptation of The Secret Diary of Adrian Mole, Aged 13¾ will receive its world premiere at the Leicester Curve Theatre.

Written by Jake Brunger (book and lyrics) and Pippa Cleary (music and lyrics), the production opens on Tuesday 17th March (previews from 7th March) and runs until Saturday 4th April 2015. Luke Sheppard directs.

Brunger and Cleary's have previously written musicals which have run at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival including Jet Set Go! and The Great British Soap Opera. Sheppard recently directed the critically acclaimed, sold out UK premiere of In The Heights at the Southwark Playhouse.