The occasion was a star studded affair with guests including Oscar nominated actress Brenda Blethyn; Laurence Olivier Awarded actor Julian Glover and television actress Isla Blair as well as Joan Lanceley, a descendant of Francois Mouflet the local business man whose grand scheme it was to build Richmond Theatre and Tony Layton who is Chair of the Frank Matcham Society.

Richmond Theatre’s Foyer was transformed for the day with eye catching and informative displays telling the theatre’s rich history.  Richmond Theatre’s honorary archivist Norman Fenner together with Richard Broadhurst dug deep in the bowels of the theatre to find real treasures such as an original painting of the interior of the theatre painted by the well known and flamboyant interior designer Lawrence Llewellyn Bowen, who as some may already know painted the beautiful ceiling of the theatre auditorium and designs of cherubs on the stage safety curtain before his days on Changing Rooms.

Birthday celebrations began in earnest as Chief Executive of Richmond Theatre Karin Gartzke gave a short overview of the theatre’s history before introducing Tony Layton of the Frank Matcham Society to say a few words on Richmond Theatre’s designer Frank Matcham.

Tony’s interesting introduction to the achievements of Frank Matcham was followed by Julian Glover and Chris Niederberger’s highly entertaining performance of a prologue that was originally written by Frederick Bingham to precede the very first performance at the newly built Richmond Theatre in 1899.  The prologue, which was full of humour and praise for Richmond Theatre as well as Richmond playgoers received much laughter and applause and was a fitting tribute to Richmond Theatre’s 109 years of arts and entertainment history.

All of the theatre’s birthday guests assembled outside to cheer as Brenda Blethyn unveiled Richmond Theatre’s birthday present – a Frank Matcham Heritage Plaque installed above the foundation stones at the front of the theatre. This gift to Richmond Theatre by The Frank Matcham Society is a fantastic remembrance of Frank Matcham, one of the finest theatre architects as well as a reminder of Richmond Theatre’s established place in the rich history of Richmond.

Finally guests all signed their names in The Richmond Theatre Book of Memories to commemorate the special day.  With this year’s celebrations behind them the theatre is already looking ahead to next year’s 110th Birthday Celebration.  The theatre shall be hosting many events over the next year to celebrate 110 years of Richmond Theatre and would also like to invite local residents to sign their names and share their fond memories of the theatre in The Richmond Theatre Book of Memories.

By Oscar Wilde

Richmond Theatre

Mon 27 October - Sat 1 November, Mon-Sat eves 7.45pm, Wed & Sat mat 2.30pm, Tickets £14.00 - £26.00

Sir Peter Hall’s acclaimed West End and Broadway production of Oscar Wilde’s classic makes a welcome return visit to Richmond Theatre.

Prepare to be amused and entertained by a heady mixture of political intrigue and high society from the master of wit and style, Oscar Wilde.  The devious and worldly Mrs Cheveley infiltrates the fashionable world of 1890s London parties and political circles, creating quite a stir by attempting to blackmail a leading politician, Sir Robert Chiltern, whom she accuses of building a dishonourable career by selling a cabinet secret.

The all star cast is lead by Kate O’Mara (Dynasty and Bad Girls) who returns to the role of the wicked Mrs Cheveley, and is joined by Michael Praed (Robin of Sherwood) Carol Royle (Life without George and Blake’s 7), Robert Duncan (Drop the Dead Donkey), Tony Britton (Don’t Wait Up and Robin’s Nest) and Fenella Fielding whose distinguished theatre credits include Lady Fidget in The Country Wife  and the title role in Hedda Gabler but is best know for her roles in Carry On and Doctor films.

Oscar Wilde’s characteristic wit and style make this a deliciously entertaining tale of political intrigue amongst the highest ranking figures in society.

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Jeremy Meadow for TEG Productions Ltd with James Tod Productions presents the Hampstead Theatre & Bolton Octagon production of BLONDE BOMBSHELLS OF 1943

by ALAN PLATER

RETURNS FOR A TRIUMPHANT THIRD NATIONAL TOUR IN 2009

“An absolute blast – go see and enjoy” Daily Telegraph

Alan Plater’s award winning show BLONDE BOMBSHELLS OF 1943, a warm, witty musical play filled with glorious, live swing band performances of 1940’s classics by Fats Waller, The Andrews Sisters and Glen Miller, returns for its 3rd major national tour of the UK starting at THE LOWRY MANCHESTER on the 19 January 2009. Full tour details and casting to be announced

The Blonde Bombshells, the most glamorous all-girl swing band in the North, loses members every time it plays a GI camp. Now there’s an important BBC job in the offing and Betty needs to find new musicians – fast. Among those drafted are naïve schoolgirl Liz, who plays a mean clarinet; Miranda, an upper-crust saxophonist; singing nun Lily – and Patrick, a male drummer prepared to don a frock in order to avoid a drafting.  With her motley line-up complete, Betty and her band prepare to dodge Hitler’s bombs and make the dangerous journey to a secret BBC recording – and potential fame and fortune.

“Delightful…the audience went wild…knock-out concert in the second half” The Independent

Directed by MARK BABYCH, BLONDE BOMBSHELLS OF 1943 received the prestigious Blue Ribbon Manchester Evening News Award for Best Production of 2006. With a band of eight talented actor/musicians performing live all time favourite songs including: - DON’T SIT UNDER THE APPLE TREE; T’AINT WHAT YOU DO; WHEN I GROW TOO OLD TO DREAM; TWEET TWEET SHUSH SHUSH; and many more.

Based on ALAN PLATER’S award-winning TV film THE LAST OF THE BLONDE BOMBSHELLS, which starred Judi Dench and Ian Holm. Alan Plater’s Emmy and BAFTA award-winning work for television includes FORTUNES OF WAR, THE BEIDERBECKE TAPES, A VERY BRITISH COUP and THE BARCHESTER CHRONICLES. His stage plays include PEGGY FOR YOU, which was nominated for an Olivier award.

Blonde Bombshells of 1943 was first performed at the West Yorkshire Playhouse in 2004. This rewritten version was commissioned by Hampstead Theatre and first performed at the Bolton Octagon Theatre in June 2006 and at Hampstead in July 2006

www.hampsteadtheatre.com

Starring Peter Egan and Philip Franks

By Sir Arthur Conan Doyle

RICHMOND THEATRE

Mon 20 - Sat 25 October, Mon-Sat eves 7.45pm, Wed & Sat mat 2.30pm, Tickets £15.00- £27.00

Sherlock Holmes’ greatest adventure comes to Richmond Theatre and is guaranteed to both thrill and entertain. A bloodcurdling howl is heard across the eerie moors of Dartmoor. A body is found and an inspector is called.  The mysterious death of Sir Charles Baskerville, an alleged curse hanging over the house of the Baskervilles and sightings of a terrifying supernatural beast call for the expertise and cool investigative skills of the one and only Sherlock Holmes.

The infamous ghastly hound and the ghostly gothic hall of Sir Arthur Conan Doyles’ most famous tale are vividly brought to life with spine chilling images and sounds.  Sucessfully combining the power of live performance with revolutionary theatrical techniques Ian Fricker’s production tells this classic Sherlock Holmes story with a visual feast of astounding projected animation to take your breath away.

Starring Peter Egan (Ever Decreasing Circles, Noise Off) as the infamous Sherlock Holmes and Phillip Franks (Heartbeat, Journey’s End) as his faithful assistant Dr Watson, this astoundingly original adaptation by Clive Francis has already wowed audiences during it’s 2007 tour. Directed by the master of suspense, Robin Herford, the acclaimed director behind the record breaking The Woman in Black which has been terrifying audiences for 18 years and designed by Tim Bird, winner of the Evening Standard and Critics’ Circle awards for Best Design for his acclaimed production of Sunday in the Park with George, The Hound of the Baskervilles is guaranteed to have you on the edge of your seat. This brand new production of the classic Sherlock Holmes tale is at once fiendishly clever and highly enjoyable.

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Beat the bleak weather and brighten up your mood by heading towards the twinkling lights of London’s West End where the magic of theatre awaits.  Launching in December 2008, the annual Get Into London Theatre promotion offers unbelievable ticket deals to a whole host of top London shows.  For more information, including details on how to book, log onto www.GetintoLondonTheatre.co.uk.

Christmas has come early with Get Into London Theatre as it raises the curtain on amazing discount theatre tickets. Booking opens on Tuesday 9 December 2008 for performances from 1 January to 13 February 2009, making theatre tickets an ideal Christmas present for family and friends. 

Don’t let the credit crunch ruin your fun, with GILT, there is no need to compromise on quality with such fantastic ticket offers available on a range of top West End shows. GILT offers something for everyone so there’s no better time to experience the best of the West End, join Get Into London Theatre without the guilt - the show must go on!  The eagerly awaited annual promotion, Get Into London Theatre, is just one of several initiatives organised by the Society of London Theatre currently celebrating its centenary.

So get ready for the unveiling of this year’s top line up of shows that you can’t afford to miss but can afford to see!

RICHMOND THEATRE

Tue 11 & Wed 12 November, Eves 7.45pm, Tickets £12 - £21, Open Rehearsal Wed 12 Nov 1pm-3.30pm £3 via Box Office

Lovers of cutting edge contemporary dance will not want to pass up this golden opportunity to experience a truly outstanding mixed bill of contemporary dance works.  Making a welcome return to Richmond Theatre, Pheonix Dance Theatre have an international reputation for presenting inspiring, entertaining contemporary dance, performed by a formidable group of dancers handpicked from around the world.

The sophisticated and varied programme features five dance pieces including two contemporary pieces and restaging of three of the most influential pieces of contemporary dance ever produced, presenting a rare opportunity to see groundbreaking work as fresh and masterful today as it was sixty years ago.

The visually stunning Blue Roses is inspired by selected passages from The Glass Menagerie by Tennessee Williams.  Five dancers represent the characters in the play with dramatic and witty choreography by Javier De Frutos to a soundtrack of the author himself reciting selected passages. 

Jose Limon’s Chaconne and The Moor’s Pavane offer a rare opportunity to experience two hugely influential works in the development of contemporary dance.  The Moor’s Pavane is inspired by Othello and uses masterfully choreography to communicate the sheer drama of this celebrated tragedy.  Chaconne is an energetic thirteen minute virtuoso solo piece performed by acclaimed dancer Dane Hurst.  Only previously seen once in the UK with Nureyev in the leading role and cited by critics the world over as Limón’s masterpiece.

A rare revival of Jane Dudley’s 1938 masterpiece, Harmonica Breakdown, sees a female dancer pit her irrepressible positivity against the Great American Depression in an uplifting solo to Sonny Terry’s ‘Blues’ music for Harmonica. Loosely based on the experiences of Cervantes as evidenced in his book Don Quixote cervaNtes is a beautiful and at times physically demanding duet with Dane Hurst performed to an original soundtrack.

Javier De Frutos is celebrated for his evocative and highly charged choreography, for his work with contemporary dance companies and for musical theatre, including work for Rambert Dance Company and Olivier Award winning choreography for the West End’s Cabaret. José Limón was a crucial figure in the development of modern dance whose landmark work is rarely seen in the UK.  If you like contemporary dance grab this rare opportunity to see some of his most thrilling work.

N.B Recommended age of 11+

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Richmond Theatre

From the 13 – 15 November, Richmond Theatre is determined to put a spring in your step and a song in your heart whatever your taste in music by playing host to a variety of musical treasures including Buddy Holly and The Cricketers, Glenn Miller Orchestra and 4 Poofs & A Piano.

Buddy Holly

Thurs 13 November, 7.45pm, Tickets £15 - £19

Celebrating the 50th anniversary of Buddy Holly and The Crickets’ whirlwind, whistlestop UK tour of March ’58, this special show from Buddy Holly and The Cricketers, who have delighted audiences across the globe for sixteen sensational years, is guaranteed to have everyone singing along and dancing in the aisles to such timeless hits as That’ll Be The Day, Peggy Sue, It Doesn’t Matter Anymore, Raining In My Heart, Oh Boy!

Glenn Miller

Fri 14 November, 7.45pm, Tickets £15 - £19

Take a trip down a musical Memory Lane as the official Glenn Miller Orchestra, directed by Ray McVay, brings you the best of the big band sound. This is a wonderfully nostalgic show with fabulous harmonies, a swinging jazz band and smooth vocals from the legendary Joan Regan, who will be singing hits such as May You Always.

4 Poofs & A Piano

Sat 15 November, 7.30pm, Tickets £16

Well-known from Friday Night With Jonathan Ross, where they provide musical introductions for Jonathan and all his star guests, 4 Poofs & A Piano are guaranteed to entertain with unprecedented glitz and glamour. More hairdressers than barbershop, this self-explanatory ensemble have become a household name with their jaunty re-workings of show tunes, funk, punk, rap and swing. 

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