FriendsNewsletter

SPRING 2014

• Exciting news for the Wyvern Theatre • New shows on sale • Interview with Lesley Joseph

• New Audio Described shows

THIS ISSUE...

ISSUE 9

THE ARTS CENTRE JOINS THE

WYVERN THEATRE

As you may be aware, last year Swindon Borough Council took the decision to ask HQ Theatres & Hospitality Ltd to manage Swindon Arts Centre.

They made this decision following ten successful years of HQ running the Wyvern Theatre where audiences have grown and the programme now features more and more high-profile touring shows.

On behalf of HQ, I would like to say how much we are looking forward to running the Arts Centre alongside the Wyvern and being able to continue to present excellent entertainment in Swindon.

Events at both venues will now be sold through the same website swindontheatres.co.uk – and the same telephone number – 01793 524481 and we look forward to welcoming you to both venues.

I look forward to seeing you this Spring.

Derek Aldridge, Theatre Director

SWINDON ARTS CENTRE

Friends will benefit from

no booking fees at The Arts Centre too!

CURTAIN UP ON...

Birds of a Feather star Lesley Joseph tells us all about her upcoming show Hot Flush!Q: What appealed to you about starring in the touring production of Hot Flush!?

A: I’ve done it twice before, and I just couldn’t resist doing it again. It has gone down so well with audiences. It’s the only show I’ve ever done where on the first night we overran by 15 minutes because there were so many laughs. Of course, that could have just been me overplaying it! It’s a hybrid show – it’s got music, drama, stand-up and revue. But the main thing is that it’s very, very funny.

Q: You play Myra in Hot Flush! Can you describe her to us?

A: Myra is middle-aged and frustrated. Her husband has gone off with a bimbo, and so, like a lot of women her age, she’s trying to find a new life for herself. She’s wisecracking, but also vulnerable.

You have to let the audience see

different layers to a character. Myra is in

this gang of four women who are going through

everything together. By the end, you see them

singing and dancing together. It’s like ‘One Singular Sensation’ at the end of A Chorus Line. They’ve all been on a journey together and they want to celebrate that. All the characters have a degree of pathos. It’s not a facile show – it’s aimed at making people laugh and think at the same time.

Q: Hot Flush! is a musical comedy – how did you find the musical part of Hot Flush!?

A: I’ve loved it. I may not be the greatest singer in the world, but I can sell a song. I’ve previously starred in The Boyfriend and Thoroughly Modern Millie, so I know my way round a musical. I also job shared the role of Miss Hannigan with Paul O’Grady for two and a half years in a production of Annie. It was brilliant to dip in and out of it.

Q: You obviously have a real love of theatre?

A: Absolutely. I’m a theatre girl – I grew up loving it. I love standing in the wings waiting to go on and seeing the scenery change. I used to do very serious, kosher acting, but then I went down the comedy route. That’s top of the tree for me now. I just love working with an audience. I’m a pure theatre animal.

Q: You’ve recently returned to our TV screens on ITV1 as Dorien in Birds of a Feather, which is probably your best known role. Did you have any doubts about reviving it?

A: There will always be people who say, “For God’s sake, why did you bring it back?” You’ll always have lovers and haters. But you can’t spend your life worrying about what other people think. Some people won’t like my work, but many people will. All I know is that every day I walk down the street and someone stops me to say, “Thank you for making

me laugh.” Those people are delighted that Birds of a Feather is back.

Q: Why do audiences identify with Dorien, the man-eating neighbour in Birds of a Feather?

A: People simply love her. Yes, she’s a nasty piece of work, but people really like her because she is also vulnerable. There’s a real pathos to her. She can never be too successful. We would never make her a big fish in a big pond. She has to be still stuck in Chigwell. She makes people laugh, but she also makes them cry because you see her vulnerability. She’s the wrong side of forty and refuses to grow old gracefully. She takes life by the balls and just goes for it. She’s a true life force.

Q: In real life, are you more like Dorien or Myra?

A: I’m not like either. I haven’t got any thing in common with them – apart from my age!

Q: Finally, will men feel excluded if they come to see Hot Flush!?

A: Not at all. There is a very funny moment where Myra goes speed-dating. One actor plays all the men, and he ends up wearing a leather pouch and a mask. At that point, the audience goes berserk, and the roof comes off the theatre. That sums up the evening. People might be snobby about Hot Flush! but it’s great entertainment, and it sends audiences out with a smile on their faces. They’ve left their troubles behind and had a wonderful night out. It’s a “let your hair down” show, and above all, it’s laugh out loud funny. When you watch it, it blows your head off. Watching Hot Flush! is like having a Hot Flush!

LESLEY JOSEPH

Lesley Joesph stars in HOT FLUSH!

on MON 12 – TUE 13 MAY 7.30PM. Book tickets today at

swindontheatres.co.uk or by calling the Ticket Office on

01793 524481

REMEMBER WHENI remember going to a pantomime when I was around 6! It was Jack in the Beanstalk at my local theatre. I was fascinated by the lights and costumes and music, and from then on I have been a massive fan of live performance.

Joe McElderry visits the Wyvern Theatre, as part of his Set Your Soul Alive Tour, on THU 12 JUNE 7.30PM.

with JOE McELDERRY

with JOE McELDERRY

Book tickets online at swindontheatres.co.uk

A WHITTINGTON WALK...

BRAND-NEW SHOWS ON SALE...

OMID DJALILI FRI 10 OCTOBER

THE SOOTY SHOW

SUN 26 OCTOBER

SING-A-LONG-A SOUND OF MUSIC

WED 15 OCTOBER

RUSSIAN STATE BALLET GISELLE &

SWAN LAKE TUE 28 – WED 29

OCTOBER

THAT’LL BE THE DAY

MON 10 NOVEMBER

CHAMPIONS OF MAGIC

SUN 9 NOVEMBERMARK WATSON

WED 11 FEBRUARY 2015

ONE NIGHT OF QUEEN

SAT 13 SEPTEMBER

This September the Wyvern Theatre team has joined together to raise money for Great Ormond Street Hospital, participating in an event which pays homage to this year’s pantomime title character, Dick Whittington.

Dick Whittington tells the story of a young orphan travelling to London, seeking fame and fortune, and his journey to become Lord Mayor of London. The story of this year’s pantomime encouraged the Wyvern to consider how the theatre’s staff could raise donations to this fantastic appeal.

A team from the Wyvern Theatre, led by Theatre Director Derek Aldridge, will be taking part in the the 25KM Thames Path Challenge, from Fulham to Hurst Park.

Since October 2010 HQ Theatres, alongside its sister company Qdos Entertainment, has been raising money for Great Ormond Street Hospital’s Theatres for Theatres Appeal. To date we have raised £500,000 for the appeal which aims to build new state-of-the-art operating theatres at the hospital, which treats very sick children from across the UK.

This money has been raised through the generosity of our audiences and the staff of the Wyvern Theatre who have taken part in various fund-raising events and activities. We will continue to support the Theatres for Theatres Appeal and your ongoing support is greatly appreciated.

“I’m delighted to embark on this challenge, inspired by our annual pantomime, along with colleagues at the Wyvern Theatre.” Said Theatre Director Derek Aldridge. “We’re all very excited to start the journey and, even though London’s streets may not turn out to be paved with gold, we know we’ll be taking with us the generous donations of Wyvern Theatre friends and supporters for an inspirational charity!”

GREAT OFFERS FOR

FRIENDS...

BIRDSONG TUE 1 – SAT 5 JULY

2 FOR 1 ON TUE 1 JULY

AGATHA CHRISTIE’S BLACK COFFEE

MON 1 – SAT 6 SEPTEMBER 2 FOR 1 ON MON 1 SEPT

HOT FLUSH! MON 12 – TUE 13 MAY

£2.00 OFF

PETER PAN ON ICE WED 7 – SUN 11 MAY

2 FOR 1 ON WED 7 MAY

BEYOND THE BARRICADE

SAT 7 JUNE £2.50 OFF

PEPPA PIG’S BIG SPLASH

SAT 24 – SUN 25 MAY £2.00 OFF

For more information about the Thamespath Challenge visit

thamespathchallenge.com

Book tickets for Dick Whittington online at swindontheatres.co.uk

JIM DAVIDSONTUE 4 NOVEMBER

COMPETITION

THE ENERGY SHOW

COMPETITION...

HEAR THE BEST ENTERTAINMENT AT THE

WYVERN THEATRE

PHOTO: BENJAMIN EALOVEGA

SPOT THE DIFFERENCE

Methane bubbles are set alight to make fireballs, liquid nitrogen freezes flowers, hydrogen balloons explode and rockets are fired into the audience. Stand well back and cover your ears – theatre just got dangerously exciting!

Two futuristic science students race against time to prove their knowledge of energy. With help from the incredible virtual lab-assistant, i-nstein, and a steampunk workshop full of gadgets and chemicals, they explore, experiment and explode anything and everything they can find, building to a breath-taking climax as they demonstrate all forms of energy, live on stage, in under five minutes.

For your chance to enter into our prize draw to win 4 tickets, simply complete the Spot the Difference (right). There are six differences between the two pictures of the Energy Show. To enter please e-mail the six answers along with your name, address, e-mail and contact telephone number to becky@wyverntheatre.org.uk or send your entry to: Newsletter Competition, Wyvern Theatre, Theatre Square, Swindon, SN1 1QN.

Closing date is FRI 18 APRIL 2014. A prize draw for all entries will be held on Mon 21 April 2014 and the winner will be notified by email, telephone or post.

Win a family ticket to watch the Science Museum Live’s Energy Show. MON 19 – TUE 20 MAY

CAn you find the SIX differences below?

Two of the biggest shows in the Wyvern Theatre’s forthcoming season will be opened up to visually impaired audiences in Swindon.

Bill Kenwright Ltd’s production of Agatha Christie’s Black Coffee and the Wyvern Theatre’s magical pantomime adventure Dick Whittington will offer an audio described performance during their run.

Derek Aldridge, Theatre Director said: “As always the Wyvern is proud to be at the centre of the local community and ensure that the productions presented here are accessible to all.”

Following last year’s production of Agatha Christie’s Go Back For Murder, the Agatha Christie Theatre Company return to Swindon with a brand-new drama produced by Bill Kenwright. Black Coffee is the first play ever written by Agatha Christie and in it we are introduced to Hercule Poirot – the only fictional character ever to receive a full-page obituary in the New York Times.

Bill Kenwright said: “The Wyvern Theatre in Swindon has a very special place in my heart. It was there over four decades ago, right at the start of its life, I produced my very first major musical. West Side Story opened at the Wyvern and went on to have a successful life ending up at the Shaftesbury Theatre in the West End.

So it’s my great pleasure to congratulate them on hearing that they are offering audio description and touch tours for their visually impaired patrons. After a long gap we have started visiting the Wyvern again with our productions, and it’s innovation like this that keeps us all happy.”

This year’s dazzling pantomime production will be spectacularly brought to life with an abundance of comedy, stunning sets and fabulous costumes – plus, as you have come to expect from the Wyvern Theatre’s annual pantomime, Dick Whittington promises plenty of audience participation. For the past few years the theatre have provided sign interpreted performances and this year, for the first time, will provide two audio described performances.

Audio described performance of

BLACK COFFEE

THU 4 SEPTEMBER 2.30PM

Audio described performances of

DICK WHITTINGTON FRI 2 JAN 1PM & 7PMBILL

KENWRIGHT