Get caught in The Housetrap

Karen Neville

Shows & Reviews

Join Guildford Shakespeare Company at West Horsley Place and immerse yourself in a festive murder mystery, quiz the suspects and solve the crime, December 2nd to 21st

This Christmas, Guildford Shakespeare Company (GSC) invite you to a 1920s murder mystery staged in a real country manor house, West Horsley Place.

Following the company’s sell out show last Christmas on a grounded Boeing 747, this time they are relocating to the Grade I listed medieval manor house.

It’s December 1922 and nestled at the foot of the tranquil Surrey Hills is the home of the recently married Sir Robert Montague, Duke of Surrey. Tragically, his new wife’s body is found at the foot of the stairs and a snowstorm cuts everyone off from the outside world, tensions come to the fore, secrets are revealed and suddenly everyone is caught in… The Housetrap.

Styled in the vein of the golden age of detective writing, audiences will begin their adventure in the elegant Drawing Room. In between scenes, they will be divided into groups and invited to explore different rooms of the manor to interrogate the suspects first-hand. Throughout the evening they will return to the Drawing Room to watch the next episode in the mystery.

Matt Pinches, GSC co-founder, pictured, said: “We are thrilled to be working with the wonderful team at West Horsley Place. It is an extraordinary venue; immensely rich in history and so many of the rooms retain the ‘lived-in’ atmosphere of its previous aristocratic owners, making it the perfect setting for a country house murder mystery.”

Perhaps most recognisable as Button House in the four series of the BBC sitcom Ghosts, and the location for numerous films and TV shows including Enola Holmes, My Cousin Rachel, Vanity Fair, and The Crown, this is the first time West Horsley Place has been used as a venue for an entire indoor theatre production,

By re-igniting people’s passion for theatre-going GSC seek to break down the boundaries that preclude participation, encouraging inclusivity and accessibility for everyone. Their site-responsive approach places audiences right at the heart of the action, immersing them in the world of the play.

Matt adds: “At GSC our mandate is to create exceptional theatre in extraordinary places, and The Housetrap seeks to continue that mission. This is not only an immersive theatre experience, but also a unique chance to explore an incredible part of our shared local heritage.”

With a strictly limited capacity of just 60 people per performance advance booking is essential. The murder mystery is approximately 80-minutes long and all tickets include a glass of prosecco (or non-alcoholic alternative).


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Tackling taboo topics in positive podcast

Liz Nicholls

Shows & Reviews

In her new podcast Choose YOU Choose BLISS, which starts on 1st November, Prestwood emotional health coach Vanessa Louise Moore takes on taboo topics such as abuse & relationship breakdowns

Vanessa believes there are three evils plaguing the world. These are ill health, addiction and violence. In her new podcast, which started last month, each episode will discuss one of these evils and how the power of love is always the answer.

Vanessa, who offers coaching, workshops, meditation and affirmation messages, says: “Now is the time to take back our power, reconnect with our true selves and each other, including the world around us, and live with confidence, purpose and joy. People spend their days seeking bliss, but often don’t realise it’s inside us all. Bliss to me means Boldly Living In Sweet Surrender.”

Choose YOU Choose BLISS  will talk about the taboos and difficult topics few are willing to discuss. From healing after relationship breakdowns, to overcoming cancer, addiction and breaking free from abuse, Vanessa will invite a new guest onto the show for each unique episode. The biweekly podcast kicks off on 1st November, when Vanessa will introduce the listener to the purpose of the podcast and her own experiences of learning to love herself.  

The following episode will see Vanessa speak with her ex-husband, Brian, whose addiction to alcohol led to the breakdown of their marriage. Over the years Brian has begun to heal and takes one day at a time in his journey to recovery. The pair have reconnected and developed a powerful and encouraging friendship, allowing them to have honest and open conversations about the past.  

Episodes three and four will involve conversations with Vanessa’s sister, Abbie, who was diagnosed with stage 3 breast cancer in December 2020. She has learnt to navigate her illness through to healing and now believes it has shaped her for the better.  

Vanessa says: “I want this podcast to be like the stabilisers on a bike. I want to help people come to terms with their issues and learn to love themselves. Choose YOU Choose BLISS will be like a warm hug of reassurance that it will get better, no matter what stage of your journey you are at. You are not alone.” 

Choose YOU Choose BLISS is available on major platforms, including Apple, Spotify, YouTube and Amazon with new episodes released every fortnight. 


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Live music at Dawkes in Maidenhead

Liz Nicholls

Shows & Reviews

Dawkes Music in Maidenhead will welcome you to its wondrous new warehouse studio & bar for highlights this season including the Emma Rawicz Trio and Greg Coulson Band

Fresh on the heels of their stunning refurb, the team at Dawkes are thrilled to welcome you for more live music highlights to build on the popularity of their previous Sunday Live music sessions.

The beautifully redesigned new premises in Reform Road, SL6 8BT, have been created to provide a comfortable and stylish environment where you can enjoy the magic of live music, with a state-of-the-art sound and lighting system. There’s also a permanent on-site bar offering a wide selection of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages.

“Every part of the store is a family affair, and the live events are no exception,” says event manager Julia Bentley-Dawkes. “Here at Dawkes, we are passionate about creating, inspiring and supporting musicians of all ages, and as such, we have curated a programme of free and paid events for everyone, aged from 0 to 100+. We have seen first-hand how music brings people together, and our aim is to provide an opportunity for everyone to hear really great quality live music and to inspire them to embrace music in their lives, whether that be learning an instrument, joining a choir or going to see more live music events.”

On 10th November you can enjoy the Andy Mears Octet. Consisting of five horns and rhythm, this versatile ensemble showcases some of the UK’s finest jazz musicians working today. They have extensive repertoire of intricately crafted arrangements of jazz and big band classic, as well as some original material.

Saturday, 30th November & Sunday, 1st December is Clarinet & Sax Weekend. Dawkes Music hosts clarinet and sax-related workshops, masterclasses and live performances with inspiring visiting professionals.

On 1st December, Emma Rawicz stars. She’s a young saxophonist, bandleader and composer with an astonishing musical maturity. At just 22 years of age, Emma has achieved a huge amount including the release of two critically acclaimed albums, Incantation & Chrome, and extensive headline tours across 15 continents!

MD Jonathan Dawkes adds: “Helping live music happen is why we do what we do in the shop; selling new instruments and repairing old ones! We are very excited to be hosting some old friends and new ones to bring a bit of that jazz club vibe to Maidenhead.”


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Kiri’s Peacock at Concert Hall Reading 

Liz Nicholls

Shows & Reviews

Panel show star & foster parent Kiri Pritchard-McLean brings her dazzling Peacock show to the Concert Hall in Reading on 9th November as part of a UK tour  

Kiri Pritchard-McLean has had a busy few years. As well as hosting Live at the Apollo, fronting the Radio 4 panel show Best Medicine and starting a comedy school, she’s become a foster parent.  

Didn’t know that about her? Well, until now she hasn’t been able to talk about it on stage, she hasn’t even told the kids in her care that she’s a comedian oh and she uses a different name – she’s the Bruce Wayne of comedy but without the mansions. 

However, this year something changed and after a couple of the eggiest gigs of her career in boardrooms to social workers, a show about becoming a foster carer has been signed off! So, come and join “Louise” as she lifts the lid on social workers, first aid training and what not to do when a vicar searches for you on YouTube.  

“It’s fantastic to see our foster carer, Kiri, positively promoting fostering during her UK tour,” says Alastair Cope, head of Foster Wales.“It will really help increase awareness of foster care, and challenge false perceptions around what it takes to be a foster carer. We hope that through Kiri candidly sharing her fostering journey, people will recognise skills and qualities in themselves and consider putting in an enquiry to foster”. 

Welsh comedian Kiri is a multi-award winning comedian, satirist and writer. Her recent credits appearances on Have I Got News For You, 8 out of 10 Cats Does Countdown, QI and Frankie Boyle’s New World Order. She has a weekly show on BBC Radio Wales, and has hosted Newsjack, Loose Ends and The News Quiz and her Radio 4 panel show, Best Medicine, has recently been commissioned for a second series. 

Kiri is co-creator and co-host of cult hit podcast All Killa No Filla, about serial killers that has a huge following worldwide. For the podcast Who Are You Wearing, Kiri chats to her guests about their experiences with fashion. She also co-hosts a comedy travel podcast, The Pod of Wales, with Esyllt Sears. 

She is one fifth of the sketch group Tarot and a former winner of the Caroline Aherne Bursary. She has written and directed for The Old Vic and her BBC Radio Wales sitcom, The Learners has just been re-commissioned for a third time. In 2023 she made her screen directing debut for the BBC with Pobl Bachyn. Kiri has also written extensively across radio and was a writer on four series of The Russell Howard Hour

During lockdown Kiri hosted Live From The Covid Arms, which was declared a cultural highlight of 2020 by The Telegraph. It was recognised by the Guinness Book of World Records as the world’s largest online pub and also raised over £150,000 for food banks and The Trussell Trust. 

Find out more and purchase tickets Kiri Pritchard-McLean: Peacock | Reading Town Hall


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Kiri’s Peacock lands at North Wall 

Liz Nicholls

Shows & Reviews

Panel show star & foster parent Kiri Pritchard-McLean brings her dazzling Peacock show to the North Wall in Summertown on 30th October as part of a UK tour  

Kiri Pritchard-McLean has had a busy few years. As well as hosting Live at the Apollo, fronting the Radio 4 panel show Best Medicine and starting a comedy school, she’s become a foster parent.  

Didn’t know that about her? Well, until now she hasn’t been able to talk about it on stage, she hasn’t even told the kids in her care that she’s a comedian oh and she uses a different name – she’s the Bruce Wayne of comedy but without the mansions. 

However, this year something changed and after a couple of the eggiest gigs of her career in boardrooms to social workers, a show about becoming a foster carer has been signed off! So, come and join “Louise” as she lifts the lid on social workers, first aid training and what not to do when a vicar searches for you on YouTube.  

“It’s fantastic to see our foster carer, Kiri, positively promoting fostering during her UK tour,” says Alastair Cope, head of Foster Wales.“It will really help increase awareness of foster care, and challenge false perceptions around what it takes to be a foster carer. We hope that through Kiri candidly sharing her fostering journey, people will recognise skills and qualities in themselves and consider putting in an enquiry to foster”. 

Welsh comedian Kiri is a multi-award winning comedian, satirist and writer. Her recent credits appearances on Have I Got News For You, 8 out of 10 Cats Does Countdown, QI and Frankie Boyle’s New World Order. She has a weekly show on BBC Radio Wales, and has hosted Newsjack, Loose Ends and The News Quiz and her Radio 4 panel show, Best Medicine, has recently been commissioned for a second series. 

Kiri is co-creator and co-host of cult hit podcast All Killa No Filla, about serial killers that has a huge following worldwide. For the podcast Who Are You Wearing, Kiri chats to her guests about their experiences with fashion. She also co-hosts a comedy travel podcast, The Pod of Wales, with Esyllt Sears. 

She is one fifth of the sketch group Tarot and a former winner of the Caroline Aherne Bursary. She has written and directed for The Old Vic and her BBC Radio Wales sitcom, The Learners has just been re-commissioned for a third time. In 2023 she made her screen directing debut for the BBC with Pobl Bachyn. Kiri has also written extensively across radio and was a writer on four series of The Russell Howard Hour

During lockdown Kiri hosted Live From The Covid Arms, which was declared a cultural highlight of 2020 by The Telegraph. It was recognised by the Guinness Book of World Records as the world’s largest online pub and also raised over £150,000 for food banks and The Trussell Trust. 


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Kiri’s Peacock lands at Yvonne Arnaud 

Liz Nicholls

Shows & Reviews

Panel show star & foster parent Kiri Pritchard-McLean brings her dazzling Peacock show to the Yvonne Arnaud in Guildford on 7th November as part of a UK tour  

Kiri Pritchard-McLean has had a busy few years. As well as hosting Live at the Apollo, fronting the Radio 4 panel show Best Medicine and starting a comedy school, she’s become a foster parent.  

Didn’t know that about her? Well, until now she hasn’t been able to talk about it on stage, she hasn’t even told the kids in her care that she’s a comedian oh and she uses a different name – she’s the Bruce Wayne of comedy but without the mansions. 

However, this year something changed and after a couple of the eggiest gigs of her career in boardrooms to social workers, a show about becoming a foster carer has been signed off! So, come and join “Louise” as she lifts the lid on social workers, first aid training and what not to do when a vicar searches for you on YouTube.  

“It’s fantastic to see our foster carer, Kiri, positively promoting fostering during her UK tour,” says Alastair Cope, head of Foster Wales.“It will really help increase awareness of foster care, and challenge false perceptions around what it takes to be a foster carer. We hope that through Kiri candidly sharing her fostering journey, people will recognise skills and qualities in themselves and consider putting in an enquiry to foster”. 

Welsh comedian Kiri is a multi-award winning comedian, satirist and writer. Her recent credits appearances on Have I Got News For You, 8 out of 10 Cats Does Countdown, QI and Frankie Boyle’s New World Order. She has a weekly show on BBC Radio Wales, and has hosted Newsjack, Loose Ends and The News Quiz and her Radio 4 panel show, Best Medicine, has recently been commissioned for a second series. 

Kiri is co-creator and co-host of cult hit podcast All Killa No Filla, about serial killers that has a huge following worldwide. For the podcast Who Are You Wearing, Kiri chats to her guests about their experiences with fashion. She also co-hosts a comedy travel podcast, The Pod of Wales, with Esyllt Sears. 

She is one fifth of the sketch group Tarot and a former winner of the Caroline Aherne Bursary. She has written and directed for The Old Vic and her BBC Radio Wales sitcom, The Learners has just been re-commissioned for a third time. In 2023 she made her screen directing debut for the BBC with Pobl Bachyn. Kiri has also written extensively across radio and was a writer on four series of The Russell Howard Hour

During lockdown Kiri hosted Live From The Covid Arms, which was declared a cultural highlight of 2020 by The Telegraph. It was recognised by the Guinness Book of World Records as the world’s largest online pub and also raised over £150,000 for food banks and The Trussell Trust. 

Find out more and purchase tickets Kiri Pritchard-McLean: Peacock | Yvonne Arnaud Theatre


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Comedian Josh Widdicombe spills the tea

Liz Nicholls

Shows & Reviews

The TV star & dad chats to Bruce Dessau ahead of his tour which next year visits Guildford, high Wycombe, Reading & more

You may well know Josh Widdicombe from Channel 4’s award-winning show The Last Leg, his podcast Parenting Hell with Rob Beckett, or his many appearances on panel shows.

In his brand new show, entitled Not My Cup of Tea, he takes stock of the little things that niggle him, from motorway hotels to children’s parties.

Q. How is the preparation for the tour going?
“It’s going way better than I thought. To the point where I could probably get away with doing it in the spring but I didn’t want to put any pressure on myself. I want to enjoy it because in the past I was so busy with Mock the Week and Live at the Apollo and stuff I was chasing my tail and desperately trying to have enough material for each tour. This time I’m able to enjoy the process of creating the stand-up.

Q. What is it like returning to tiny clubs to road test material after doing arena Parenting Hell gigs in 2023?
“I’ve been doing 20 minute sets and it’s almost divorced from the fact that I’m going on tour, which I think is the best way to write a tour, like you’re just doing it for the sake of it, in the same way I suppose it must be nicest for a musician to just write songs for the sake of writing songs. I’m doing stand-up for the sake of doing stand-up at the moment. I love the experience of coming up with ideas and just being able to go and do them.”

Q. You’ve called your new show Not My Cup Of Tea…
“Yes, because I like the phrase. And since I gave up alcohol in 2023 I drink a lot of tea. As you get older you realise who you are a bit more and I’ve realised that the things I love are like parochially British things like Martin Parr’s photography or Blur or Alan Bennett.

Q. Is there a theme?
“If there is a theme it’s probably about accepting that I prefer being at home and not having to deal with any other human beings. Which is a weird way to approach a tour show where you have to travel around the country talking to thousands of people!”

Q. You are more of an introvert comedian than a show-off comedian then?
“When I stopped drinking I realised how much the reason I drank was really for social situations because I didn’t feel comfortable in them. I grew up in Devon, I was an only child in a small school and watched TV for hours a day so I was quite introverted. Here’s a good example, I’m currently doing The Last Leg every day in Paris and everyone’s like ‘do you want to meet up in the morning?’ and I’m like ‘no, I’m spending 10 hours a day working with you, I want the morning to myself so I can read a book in bed.’ And there’s something about observational comedy, it’s about watching from the outside, so I wonder whether that is part of why I do comedy.”

Q. Are there any other new routines you think will make the finished show?
“There is a bit about children’s parties and party bags so as you can see I’m dealing with the big issues! I take a huge pride in the banality of the topics I talk about. I think that’s my favourite type of stand-up – really niche observations about silly little things that you wouldn’t think about. I’ve got no interest in the big topics.” 

Q. Has Parenting Hell’s massive success changed your stand-up style?
“I think the podcast has had a huge impact on how I understand myself as a comedian. I spent years terrified of letting the audience know who I was and then we did Parenting Hell and I suddenly saw that the more I showed myself the funnier I am. So I think it will almost certainly be the case that I’ve changed, but I wouldn’t ever do it consciously. I saw Ed Gamble at the Hackney Empire recently and – I’d hate him to know this – I found it incredibly inspiring because he was funny every 20 seconds for an hour and 10 minutes and that is everything I want to be. Just be as funny as possible.” 

Q. Have you missed stand-up?
“It took a while for me to think I wanted to do stand-up again after the pandemic. I think I got really used to being at home. I hadn’t had evenings off for 12 years and for the first time I got my evenings back and I was like ‘oh this is what it’s like and it’s really nice.’ But now I’m really loving it again.”

Q. Do you ever worry about how long success will last? 
“It’s the curse of the freelance. You can go up and down in terms of venue size, I don’t know where I am on that graph. I’d rather work really hard and take the opportunities while they’re here now. One day they might not be here. People ask ‘why did you do that show?’ and you’re like ‘because it’s fun, because I love it and I get paid really well to do what I love so why wouldn’t I do it?’ I can’t believe that I got paid to go to the Paralympics. This is my hobby that got out of hand!” 


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Richard Ashcroft to star at Blenheim

Liz Nicholls

Shows & Reviews

The Verve frontman – whose album Urban Hymns remains one of the best-selling in UK history – will perform at the five-night Nocturne Live concert series on 19th June, supported by Lightning Seeds and The Zutons

Richard Ashcroft is the first headliner for next summer’s Nocturne Live concert series, which returns to the 10,000-capacity UNESCO World Heritage Site of Blenheim Palace in Oxfordshire from 18th to 22nd June. Richard will headline on Thursday, 19th June, with support from Lightning Seeds and The Zutons. 

As the mercurial frontman of 1990s rock band The Verve, Richard carved a reputation as one of his generation’s most iconic performers. Since The Verve disbanded in 1999, he has enjoyed a thriving solo career with the release of seven UK top five albums and a string of hit singles including A Song For The Lovers from 2000’s Alone With Everybody, and Break The Night With Colour from 2006’s Keys To The World. Ashcroft has received Ivor Novello Awards for Songwriter of the Year and Outstanding Contribution to British Music. 

Nocturne Live transforms Blenheim Palace’s Great Court into a spectacular 10,000-capacity open-air concert venue and since its inception in 2015 has gone on to become one of the UK’s most popular stately home concert experiences. Over the years the series has presented shows from a host of huge international stars including the likes of Lionel Ritchie, Elton John, Kylie Minogue, Nile Rodgers, Lauryn Hill, Noel Gallagher, Gregory Porter, Van Morrison, Tears for Fears, Gladys Knight, Elvis Costello, Simple Minds and Ennio Morricone amongst many others. 

Richard Ashcroft, Lightning Seeds and The Zutons tickets start at £54 and go on sale at 9am on Friday, 25th October. Pre-sale is available to those signed up to the Nocturne Live mailing list and begins at 9am on Tuesday, 22nd October. Tickets, along with a limited number of VIP packages – which provide an exclusive opportunity to dine in the State Rooms of Blenheim Palace – are available at nocturnelive.com 


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Soprano Carly Paoli’s Christmas Collection

Liz Nicholls

Shows & Reviews

British/Italian soprano Carly Paoli is thrilled to announce the release of her highly anticipated Christmas album, Carly Paoli The Christmas Collection, on 8th November.

Available on CD and digital formats this album, released on the Abiah label, is a heartfelt celebration of Christmas, featuring 15 festive tracks that promise to bring holiday cheer to listeners around the world.

A true star of the classical and crossover genres, Carly has earned international acclaim with performances on some of the world’s most prestigious stages, sharing the spotlight with luminaries such as Andrea Bocelli, Elaine Paige, David Foster, Aled Jones and Alfie Boe.

Most recently Carly performed at the Rockefeller Center’s iconic Rainbow Room in New York with Sir Rod Stewart in aid of The Kings Foundation. Her impressive resume also includes performances for various members of the Royal Family at Windsor Castle and St James’ Palace, and she was famously praised by Pope Francis, who when he heard her rendition of Ave Maria described her as having ‘the voice of an angel.’

Carly Paoli The Christmas Collection marks Carly’s first Christmas album, and it includes a delightful mix of Christmas classics and medleys, each infused with Carly’s signature elegance and emotive artistry. Highlights from the album include a duet with renowned American singer David Phelps on Hark The Herald Angels Sing, as well as cherished favourites such as O Holy Night, Bless Us All from The Muppet Christmas Carol, Somewhere in my Memory, the theme from Home Alone, Irving Berlin’s Let It Snow, Silent Night, Grown-Up Christmas List by David Foster, Believe from The Polar Express and My Christmas Dream which sees Carly duet with musical theatre star Rachel John. The album also features two special medleys, Carol of the Christmas Bells and Christmas Medley, re-imagined with Paoli’s unique style.

“I’ve always been captivated by the magic and warmth of the Christmas season,” says Carly who is an ambassador for CPRE Wilts. “This album is a celebration of that magic and a tribute to the joy and togetherness that define this time of year. I hope it brings as much joy to my listeners as it has brought to me in creating it.”


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Hampshire Hobbits tale to theatre tour

Liz Nicholls

Shows & Reviews

Originating at The Watermill Theatre last year, director Paul Hart’s The Lord of the Rings – A Musical Tale promises to be the theatre smash of next year

The Lord of the Rings – A Musical Tale will embark on a new journey as this timeless tale unfolds in this critically acclaimed and breathtaking theatrical production, playing Theatre Royal Plymouth from 4-11 October 2025. This is an exclusive UK presentation of this award-winning production, following its seasons in Chicago, Auckland and Australia, with tickets on sale from Tuesday 22nd October at Theatre Royal Plymouth

Originating at The Watermill Theatre in 2023, and told from the Hobbits’ perspective, director Paul Hart’s production is a unique theatrical interpretation of J.R.R. Tolkien’s epic trilogy. Hart and the original creative team evolved the acclaimed production to play larger venues. The enhanced production played a highly successful season during the summer of 2024 at Chicago Shakespeare Theater, and will play upcoming seasons in Auckland, New Zealand and this November, then Sydney, Australia from January 2025, with additional Asia Pacific dates to follow.

With a UK cast, the show will return to British audiences at Theatre Royal Plymouth before embarking on a European tour presented by People Entertainment Group, with details to be announced soon. The Lord of the Rings – A Musical Tale is performed live by a 32-strong ensemble of actors and actor-musicians.

The production features a score by international composers A.R. Rahman (Slumdog Millionaire), Finnish folk band Värttinä, and Tony Award winner Christopher Nightingale (Matilda the Musical), with book and lyrics by Shaun McKenna (Maddie, La Cava) and Matthew Warchus (Groundhog Day).

As the Hobbits celebrate Bilbo Baggins’ eleventy-first birthday in the Shire, he gifts his nephew Frodo his most precious belonging – a gold ring. This fateful moment launches Frodo on a legendary and perilous quest across Middle-earth to the darkest realms of Mordor to vanquish evil with his loyal Fellowship.

As producer Kevin Wallace said, “Paul’s wonderful production, invites us all to become Hobbits in the company of Hobbits, celebrating Bilbo Baggins’ birthday as this incredible journey begins.”

The original 2023 production, which sold out its 12-week run at The Watermill Theatre, won a WhatsOnStage Award for ‘Best Regional Production’, and scooped eight Broadway World Awards, garnered 4- and 5-star reviews, with critics praising its innovative use of projections, puppetry, and live music. The production has been described as ‘exhilarating’ and ‘rewarding’ for both long-time fans of The Lord of the Rings and newcomers to the story. The following year, having evolved to include an ensemble of 30, The Lord of the Rings – A Musical Tale had its U.S. premiere at the Chicago Shakespeare Theater, where it was described as ‘a must see’ and ‘a visual marvel’.

The show will make its New Zealand premiere at The Civic Theatre in Auckland, running from 5 November to 1 December 2024, and will then, with an Australian cast, head to Australia for a limited season at the State Theatre in Sydney from January 7, 2025, with further dates to be announced soon.

Kevin Wallace continues, “This production began its journey at The Watermill, realised by an exceptional creative team led by Paul Hart and, in collaboration with our colleagues at Chicago Shakespeare Theater, they went on to thrill US audiences with the US Premiere at The Yard Theatre in Chicago. Together with Middle-earth Enterprises and GWB Entertainment, we are thrilled to bring it back to the UK, where it will play exclusively at Theatre Royal Plymouth before heading to Europe. It’s been an incredible experience seeing performers from each production make these roles their own, and we look forward to this new chapter, once again with a British company.”

Fredrica Drotos, Steward Brand & Licensing at Middle-earth Enterprises adds that “bringing this production to audiences across the globe has been a privilege and a delight, and now, A Musical Tale embarks on another adventure, touching home in the UK briefly before setting off again with an immensely talented cast and crew, poised to infuse each and every performance across the continent, with a palpable purity of spirit.” 

James Mackenzie-Blackman, CEO of Theatre Royal Plymouth said, “We are incredibly proud to be hosting The Lord of the Rings – A Musical Tale as the exclusive UK venue in 2025. This production has captured the hearts of audiences worldwide, and we are excited to bring it to Plymouth. It’s a truly unique theatrical experience, combining music, storytelling, and a multi-skilled ensemble of performers. We can’t wait to share this production with our audiences before it embarks on its European tour.” 

Director Paul Hart says, “To tell this most epic and beloved story onstage, we had to start small and think big. Very much like a Hobbit! What began as an intimate production at The Watermill has grown into something larger than we ever imagined, traveling across continents and captivating audiences with its music and storytelling. It’s been an exhilarating journey, and I am thrilled to bring the show back to the UK before we embark on the European tour. Each night, we create this world anew, and I hope audiences leave feeling a little more like the Hobbits we all have within us—hopeful, wide-eyed, and daring to do the impossible.” 

For more information on all worldwide productions, visit www.lotrmusical.com


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