December 29, 2019 - West End Picnic

The Turbine Theatre Announces Its 2020 Season

The Turbine Theatre in Circus West Village, the first chapter in the regeneration of the iconic Battersea Power Station, has announced an exciting and diverse Spring 2020 season, which includes the programming of a variety of new work and emerging talent from visiting companies, as well as the transfer of one of the Edinburgh Festival’s 2019 hit shows, #HonestAmy.

The full Spring 2020 season comprises of: The stage spectacular, Burlesque’d Live!, directed by Ashley Luke Lloyd and starring Kelsey Beth Crossley and Charlotte Gooch; hot off the back of a successful summer in the West End; Riot Act, a play exploring six decades of queer history; The Barn Theatre’s production of The Importance of Being Earnest; Warped Sacrifice, an original play with fast-paced movement sequences and a poignant soundtrack; Guy, an uplifting new musical by the creators of 2017’s much-hyped, multi-award-winning The Marriage of Kim K; CTC Company’s new hit show, Identity; Westminster Cathedral Choir School’s brand new musical version of A Midsummer Night’s Dream; and Amy Booth-Steel’s heartfelt, one-woman show #HonestAmy, directed by Kathy Burke.

The Spring 2020 season also includes the previously announced return of Paul Taylor-Mills’ MTFestUK, which runs at the theatre from 3 – 15 February. A celebration of new musical theatre from around the world, the festival’s 2020 musical line-up and casting will be announced in January 2020.

I’m delighted that our Spring 2020 season is a celebration of new and emerging talent. This is one of the most important strands of our vision and integral part of the future of The Turbine and indeed the theatre landscape in London and beyond.
We’ve got an eclectic line up which includes the award winning #HonestAmy which celebrated a sell out run at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe this year, directed by Kathy Burke. Alongside this, we’ve carefully curated a programme which features a number of visiting companies including contemporary dance, burlesque and a new production of The Importance of Being Earnest from the powerhouse that is The Barn Theatre.
Paul Taylor-Mills, Artistic Director of the Turbine Theatre

In conjunction with the 2020 Spring season, The Turbine Theatre is proud to announce a partnership with Industry Minds, who will be running a variety of seminars and events at the theatre throughout the year. The seminars will run monthly at the theatre in order to provide more help and support for those in the arts, including creatives, students and families.

The Turbine Theatre will host the Industry Minds Awards in September 2020, along with Artist Showcases and Live Podcast events throughout the year. These live podcast events have been hugely popular in the past and consist of chats to industry folk about mental health in the arts with a live audience, and a Q&A in order to keep the conversation open.

Seminars will be overseen by Industry Minds‘ brilliant counsellor Mary Burch BEM. Further details and dates of the seminars will be announced in due course.

Find Out More: TheTurbineTheatre.com

Matt Lucas Joins West End Cast of Les Misérables

Matt Lucas has stepped in to play the role of Thénardier in the new production of Les Misérables at the newly refurbished Sondheim Theatre in the West End.

Matt Lucas returned to the part on Monday 23 December 2019 for six weeks stepping in for Gerard Carey who, after strict medical advice, was told on the morning of the first performance on Wednesday that he would be unable to perform during this period in order to completely rest his vocal chords and avoid long-term damage to his voice. Gerard Carey is expected to return to the role on Monday 3 February 2020.

“Just as I was thanking the gods of the theatre for getting the spectacularly rebuilt Sondheim Theatre open on schedule with our brilliant new cast and production, we heard that our irrepressible Thénardier, Gerard Carey, would not be allowed to perform for several weeks due to a serious problem with his vocal chords. Though obviously a disappointment for him and all of us, I’m thrilled to announce that Matt Lucas has volunteered to abandon his Christmas plans and rejoin Les Mis as Master of the House after his recent triumph in the Staged Concert at the Gielgud Theatre. He will play alongside Josefina Gabrielle as Madame Thénardier while Gerard recovers and returns to the company in February.”
Cameron Mackintosh, Producer

Multi-Award winning comedian, screenwriter, actor and singer, Matt Lucas, recently reprised the role of Thénardier at the sold-out Les Misérables Staged Concert at the Gielgud Theatre, a role he previously played in the critically-acclaimed West End production Les Misérables at the Queen’s Theatre as well as in the show’s 25^th Anniversary Concert at the O2 Arena. His other theatre credits include Taboo at the Leicester Square Theatre and the touring production of Little Britain Live. His film credits include Les Misérables Staged Concert, Sherlock Gnomes, Shaun of the Dead, Alice in Wonderland, Alice Through the Looking Glass, Gnomeo and Juliet, Bridesmaids and Paddington. On television his credits include Shooting Stars, Doctor Who, Pompidou, Come Fly with Me and The Wind in the Willows, as well as the BAFTA and Emmy Award-winning television show Little Britain with David Walliams.

The cast of Les Misérables at the Sondheim Theatre features Jon Robyns as ‘Jean Valjean’, Bradley Jaden as ‘Javert’, Carrie Hope Fletcher as ‘Fantine’, Shan Ako as ‘Eponine’, Josefina Gabrielle as ‘Madame Thénardier’, Harry Apps as ‘Marius’, Ashley Gilmour as ‘Enjolras’ and Lily Kerhoas as ‘Cosette’. Rachelle Ann Go will return to the role of ‘Fantine’ for 7 weeks in the Spring and will take over the role next Summer.

They are joined by Kelly Agbowu, Ciarán Bowling, Richard Carson, Rodney Earl Clarke, Matthew Dale, Matt Dempsey, Harry Dunnett, Jessie Hart, Jessica Joslin, Sarah Lark, Georgie Lovatt, Ellie Ann Lowe, Luke McCall, Leo Miles, Claire O’Leary, Shane O’Riordan, Kathy Peacock, Sam Peggs, Mark Pearce, Emma Warren, Sake Wijers, Mared Williams and Samuel Wyn-Morris.