for the Friends of Norwich Theatre Royal 76 CRAZY FOR GERSHWIN Tom talks tap MERMAID REMADE Fairytale dance BARD SONG Hamlet goes operatic IN PARTNERSHIP WITH Crazy For You Introduction Stephen Crocker Chief Executive Norwich Theatre Royal Welcome to this new edition of kinds of developments are really Circle Magazine. important in our role as one of the leading cultural institutions in the region and help I can hardly believe that it has already to cement Norwich as an international been 6 months since I came to Norwich. cultural destination. It has been a whirlwind period as I have set about trying to meet as many of our Away from the main stages, we have also artistic partners, supporters and spent time developing exciting future ON audiences as possible - as well as trying plans for our Learning & Participation to find a bit of time to get out and explore programme, building on the phenomenal SALE this wonderful city and county. The success of our existing work and warmth of welcome that I have received maximising the opportunities that having NOW from every quarter has just been Stage Two gives us. We now have an These shows have all overwhelming – THANK YOU! - and the ambitious new strategy that will see an been added to our passion and support for our theatres is expanded programme of work focussed programme since the just impossible to put into words. What is on Learning & Education, Training & Skills last what’s on brochure abundantly clear to me is that a love for and Community Participation for people was published. For theatre, the arts and cultural activity, and of all ages. One of our first new projects, those which went on the understanding of their importance, is which launches this autumn, is Creative sale before now, seats have been held back in the DNA of Norwich and Norfolk. As Matters (see page 19), our new series of for Friends until all of we look to the future, that fact makes our month-long seasons of performances, you were notified. ongoing development and new ambitions installations, activities and events focusing Booking for all these for the Theatre Royal, Playhouse and on issues which directly affect people of shows opens 9.30am Stage Two even more exciting. all ages and backgrounds. on Friday 21st July for Friends. Lots of people have asked me about my Finally, I would like to say a huge thank vision for our artistic programme over the you to our whole team at the Theatre Friday 13 – Saturday 14 coming years. My response is always a Royal and Playhouse, from our Board of October 2017 very straightforward one: there won’t be a Trustees to our staff and volunteer teams THE NIMMO TWINS revolution, but look out for some for their incredible commitment. This Thursday 26 – Friday 27 evolution. I am passionate that our year marks the 25th anniversary of the October 2017 stages should be chameleon-like and we Theatre Royal Voluntary Steward Scheme TAP FACTORY will absolutely continue to bring the very and this is a fantastic opportunity to best work across the broadest spectrum celebrate that incredible loyalty and Sunday 19 November of the performing arts to Norwich. To dedication to the Theatre Royal and I 2017 THE UKULELE illustrate this, it gives me great pleasure to wanted to particularly mention Jackie ORCHESTRA OF know that over one four-week period Aston, Anna Leer, Ruth Maddern, Pat GREAT BRITAIN alone this autumn, the Theatre Royal stage Monaghan, Shirley Tomlin and Mary will see shows ranging from a new Watts, all of whom have been part of the Sunday 3 December operatic version of Hamlet from scheme since it began, each giving a total 2017 THE RAF IN CONCERT Glyndebourne to Lulu, and from the in excess of 5,000 hours of their time. National Theatre’s Hedda Gabler to The What an incredible commitment not only Monday 18 December Nimmo Twins. Long may this quality and to the theatre as an organisation, but to 2017 range continue. ensuring that audiences can enjoy the A VISION OF ELVIS very best theatre right here in Norfolk. Thursday 4 January 2018 Since January we have also been very BEYOND THE busy with some exciting conversations With all best wishes BARRICADE around the UK and abroad to develop Stephen new artistic relationships, and later in Sunday 18 March 2018 2018 you will begin to see some artists, SARAH MILLICAN companies and productions that are new Saturday 2 June 2018 to Norwich. One area where you will DAVID BADDIEL notice this development is in dance and I My Family: Not The am delighted that we have now joined the Sitcom National Dance Consortium which will see us regularly stage performances from international dance companies. These Circle Magazine July 2017 3 Backstage Ryder From the posters on the wall and the The person with the job of directing angst of teenage unrequited love the production and bringing the with a pop superstar to the trailing story to the stage is Jack Ryder. around the country to see their idols Although he is best known for the in action, being a young music fan is role of Jamie Mitchell in EastEnders, a key part of the coming-of-age his creative energies are now much Jack Ryder process. more focused backstage, having directed a number of successful It is the musical set to celebrate the And this is at the heart of The Band theatre productions including music of Take That and highlight the which comes to Norwich Theatre Calendar Girls and The Full Monty. bonds enjoyed by their fans. Royal on February 6-17. Set to a soundtrack of Take That’s many hits, Although the show will not premiere The Band is set to be one of the it begins as a group of 16-year-olds until this autumn, specially selected must-see musicals of 2018 and is being follow The Band of the title on tour. VIP audiences have had the chance directed by a man who is no stranger to It then flashes forward to pick up on to see a workshop version of the adoration himself, the former EastEnder the women’s lives in their forties to production and speaking after this, Jack Ryder. He talks more about what is see how they have changed as he said he was pleased with how in store and how he coped with the people and whether the relationship those initial performances had gone. pressure of fame. between them will be the same. He said: “I am happy with it. It has The show features a host of Take been so fantastic to go to work and That hits from their early days right be able to create this production. You up to the present day in parallel with just never know what is going to the events of the show. happen. The performance happened just a few hours after we started the And it also features Five To Five, the tech rehearsal. The fact it has gone boy-band who won through the so well is testament to the creative BBC’s Let It Shine TV show which team and the cast as well as a strong launched a prime-time search for a belief in this production and the quartet of boys to perform many of enthusiasm of everyone involved.” the hits of Take That and also take on a number of roles in the show. The Band Circle Magazine July 2017 5 So how did The Band story begin for Jack? He has had a long professional relationship with producer Backstage David Pugh, directing a number of productions for him, and when he got the first draft of the script he knew it Ryder was something special. “Every tea-break and lunch-break, thing to happen. I enjoyed the work A strong creative team also helps. they are working on the songs or but I did not enjoy the fame and Hugely-respected author Tim Firth thinking about the props or their attention. I thought all the showbiz has written the show and is well entrances or exits. You don’t normally parties were nonsense and did not known for his work on stage and get that. They are sharp, take on really engage with them. When I used screen including Calendar Girls and board every suggestion we give to travel on a train, I would keep a Sign Of The Times, and Take That them to enhance their performance baseball cap over my face.” themselves have also been and are just fantastic to work with.” co-producing, playing a key part in One of the advantages for Five To the whole creative process. With all the excitement and hype Five will be that they can support surrounding the show, has it given each other through the ups and But does having the likes of Gary him the motivation to be front and downs. “These boys are always Barlow, Howard Donald and Mark centre of a production rather than together. They are like Take That in Fred Olsen Travel Owen being such a key part of the behind the scenes? “I would not mind that they can deal with things and go project make it tricky? Jack laughed: going back on stage but at the on this journey together. The boys “It is a bit of pressure isn’t it? Take moment, the work is stacking up for have a fantastic future whatever That are also hugely loved. When you me. I know this business and I always happens with this show and beyond.” are working though, they just want to say it is like snakes and ladders.