holiday

IN AND OUT OF LOVE | London, Hope Theatre

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Cockfosters (2023) was glorious fun at the Turbine Theatre, a venue which has sadly announced its premature closing after a difficult five years. But as one door closes, another opens, at the Hope Theatre in Highbury and Islington: In and Out of Love (2024), a new comedy two-hander, from the same writer-producer team of Tom Woffenden and Ana Emdin (plus designer Gareth Rowntree). It’s about a couple who go on holiday, after having broken up — with hilarious and disastrous consequences.

“It is funny, and it is a comedy,” explains director Saul Boyer, who also played the lead in Cockfosters during the 2024 run. “But I think what’s brilliant about the script is that it’s also unexpectedly moving. I’ve been enjoying rehearsals so much with this wonderful cast, because the couple’s relationship is so relatable.  It’s impossible not to see yourself reflected in their behaviour.  I can’t wait for audiences to see it.”

In and Out of Love stars Olivia Bernstone (ITV’s Finding Alice; Channel 4’s Humans) and Robert Kot (Frost/Nixon; Richard III). The play is written by Tom Woffenden, directed by Saul Boyer, and produced by Ana Emdin. Set design is by Gareth Rowntree, with lighting design by Ben Sayers and music by Arthur Sawbridge.

Welcome to Venice. One of the most romantic cities in the world. Well, unless you’re Sam (Robert Kot) and Ingrid (Olivia Bernstone). After booking the trip months ago, the couple arrive for their holiday together. Except they’re not together; they’ve broken up — and they’ve gone anyway.  In and Out of Love follows the unpredictable, beautiful and complicated journey love takes us on, in good times and in bad, for better or worse, till death do us part.  It’s going to be a long weekend.

Playing at the Hope Theatre, 22 – 26 October, 2024.

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A CHRISTMAS CAROL | London, Dominion Theatre

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The critically acclaimed concert production of Alan Menken’s A Christmas Carol (1994), with the London Musical Theatre Orchestra (LMTO), is back on the West End for the fourth year. A soaring Broadway score, the fantastic sounds of a 24-piece LMTO, and a brilliant all-star cast: ​A Christmas Carol ​is perfect family entertainment for the holiday season.

Dickens’ classic festive tale has a brilliant cast this year, starring actor and comedian Brian Conley​ (​9 to 5: The Musical​) as Ebenezer Scrooge, who leads an ensemble cast of over fifty, including ​Jacqueline Jossa​ (EastEnders​), Busted’s ​Matt Willis​, ​Lucie Jones (Waitress​) and ​Sandra Marvin​ (Waitress, Hairspray​).

The creative team could not be more glittering, either. Music is by ​Alan Menken​ (Disney’s ​The Little Mermaid, Beauty and the Beast), with lyrics by Lynne Ahrens​ (​Ragtime, Anastasia​), and a book by ​Mike Ockrent​ (​Crazy For You​). Fresh from directing LMTO’s Candide​, Shaun Kerrison directs, with musical staging by ​Tim Jackson. Sound design is by ​Nick Lidster​ for Autograph, design is by ​Dora Schweitzer​, lighting design is by ​Mike Robertson​, and projection design is by ​George Reeve.

In line with the latest government guidelines, ​the Dominion Theatre is partnered with the Society of London Theatre’s “​See it Safely”​ campaign. The production will be COVID secure, with measures including face masks, distanced seating, temperature checking, contactless ticketing, social distancing, cashless payment, enhanced cleaning, and sanitiser stations.

Playing in the West End 7 December 2020 to 2 January 2021 at the Dominion Theatre.

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INTERVIEW: SARA DEE

Interview

 

Sara Dee has been described as “a hybrid of Patsy Cline and Madeleine Peyroux”. The L.A. based singer-songwriter talked to The Prickle about her new Christmas single, ‘Christmas in California’.

 

How did you get into singing and songwriting?

Sara Dee: Growing up there was always music on in my house — a pretty balanced diet of oldies, rock ‘n’ roll, standards, and classical.  I always gravitated toward music, and as a kid would stay in my room for hours, teaching myself instruments, and analyzing my favourite songs.  So I suppose the singing and songwriting came as a natural part of my obsession with imitating what I admired.

What inspires you to write?

Sara Dee: I love to write about conflict. And love! Really I find inspiration in anything I’m willing to pay close attention to. But conflict and love are pretty powerful motivators.

Who are your musical heroes?

Sara Dee: There’s so many; if I have to make a short list: Tom Waits, Johnny Cash, Beach Boys, Queen, Ella Fitzgerald, Over the Rhine, Lianna LaHavas, Dr. John, Janelle Monet. I mean, I could go on…

Tell us about your new single.

Sara Dee: I wrote ‘Christmas in California’ basically in one sitting, which doesn’t always happen. It was Christmastime; I was on my bed looking out my window; and it looked like summer outside. I felt no ‘holiday spirit’, and honestly, it was kind of sad! I love the subtle rushes of holiday magic, and when I looked around I didn’t see one sign of winter or Christmas. That’s when the lyric, “Christmas is a state of mind”, popped into my brain. From there, I just started thinking about all the imagery of experiencing winter in an endless summer town. And really, the hardest part about that was whittling down which ones to leave in — there are so many! And it was also a great way to pay some hommage to my city of Los Angeles.

What’s next for Sara Dee?

Sara Dee: A couple more singles before the big album in February 2019, In Joy, Vol. 2. It’s my third full-length album, and I’m really excited about it! But first, this is the perfect time of year to check out my Christmas single.

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