Theatre

Acting legend Sir Ian McKellen to star in Salford pantomime with John Bishop

This is going to be so fun.

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson - 29th December 2022

Sir Ian McKellen and John Bishop are both set to star in the pantomime of Mother Goose when it arrives in Salford this spring.

Sir Ian, who is originally from the north west and is a bona fide legend of stage and screen, will star as Mother Goose in the smash-hit panto.

Meanwhile comedian John Bishop will take up the role of Vic Goose as the production visits The Lowry.

The pair will play as husband and wife on the stage, acting out a story where the couple run an animal sanctuary for waifs and strays inside an abandoned Debenhams.

But when Cilla the Goose flies in, everything gets turned on its head.

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The show promises ‘impeccably constructed mayhem’ including tap-dancing puppets.

Sir Ian McKellen and John Bishop in the Mother Goose pantomime. Credit: Manuel Harlan
Sir Ian McKellen and John Bishop in the Mother Goose pantomime. Credit: Manuel Harlan
Sir Ian McKellen and John Bishop in the Mother Goose pantomime. Credit: Manuel Harlan

It says: “This hilarious family-friendly mother of all pantos is the ultimate theatrical feast full of fun, farce and more than a couple of surprises that will make you honk out loud.”

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Also starring in the pantomime alongside Sir Ian McKellen and John Bishop will be Anna-Jane Casey as Cilla The Goose, Oscar Conlon-Morrey as Jack, Simbi Akande as Jill, Sharon Ballard as Good Fairy Encanta and Karen Mavundukure as Evil Fairy Malignia.

The cast is completed by Mairi Barclay, Adam Brown, Gabriel Fleary, Becca Francis, Shailan Gohil, Richard Leeming, Genevieve Nicole and Laura Tyrer.

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It is written by Jonathan Harvey (Coronation Street, Gimme Gimme Gimme) and directed by award-winning director Cal McCrystal. Set and costume design is by Liz Ascroft, choreography by Lizzi Gee, lighting design by Prema Mehta, sound design by Ben Harrison and puppet design and creation by Chris Barlow. Casting is by Anne Vosser and the Production Manager is Ben Arkell.

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Mother Goose will be at The Lowry in Salford from Wednesday 5 to Sunday 9 Aoril 2023.

Tickets are on sale to Lowry members today, and on general sale from Wednesday 4 January.

For more information on Lowry memberships visit: https://thelowry.com/support-us/memberships/theatre-memberships/

Featured image: Manuel Harlan

Theatre

Bat Out Of Hell the Musical is returning to Manchester filled with Meat Loaf’s greatest hits

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson Bat Out Of Hell the Musical returns to Manchester next year. Credit: Matt Crockett

Bat Out of Hell – The Musical, which is packed full of Jim Steinman and Meat Loaf’s biggest hits, is heading back to Manchester early next year.

The huge production toured the UK, Ireland and beyond between 2021 and 2023, scooping up several awards as it went.

And now it’s returning to the Palace Theatre for an extra go at a UK-wide tour.

The reimagined show features an eight-piece rock band on stage with multi-level stage scenes.

Bat Out of Hell audiences are transported through several worlds, from Raven’s bedroom to the depths of the Lost’s underground domains.

The Meat Loaf album which shares a name with the musical is one of the biggest-selling albums in history after its release in 1977, spawning two more Bat Out of Hell albums several years later.

For the stage musical, the legendary and award-winning Jim Steinman incorporates iconic songs from the albums, including You Took the Words Right Out of My Mouth, Bat Out of Hell, I Would Do Anything for Love (But I Won’t Do That) and Two Out Of Three Ain’t Bad, as well as the previously unreleased song What Part of My Body Hurts the Most.

When Bat Out Of Hell returns to Manchester in 2025, it will again follow the Lost boys and girls who flee into tunnels below the city from its ruler Falco.

Down here, Falco’s daughter Raven falls into a love-at-first-sight romance with Strat, the fearless leader of the Lost, which threatens to destroy both their families.

Glenn Adamson & Katie Tonkinson, Bat Out of Hell the Musical, credit Matt Crockett
Glenn Adamson & Katie Tonkinson, Bat Out of Hell the Musical, credit Matt Crockett

Returning to the cast are Glenn Adamson (We Will Rock You, London Coliseum, Bat Boy in concert, London Palladium) as Strat, Katie Tonkinson (Bonnie and Clyde, UK & Ireland Tour) as Raven and original leading cast members Rob Fowler (MAMMA MIA!, UK & International tour, Tanz Der Vampire Das Musical, German tour) as Falco and Sharon Sexton (MAMMA MIA!, UK & International tour, Billy Elliot The Musical) as Sloane.

The book, music and lyrics are by Jim Steinman, direction is by Jay Scheib, with musical supervision and additional arrangements by Michael Reed, additional choreography by Xena Gusthart, set and costume design by Jon Bausor, original costume designs by Meentje Nielsen, original wig designs by Linda McKnight, video design by Finn Ross, lighting design by Patrick Woodroffe, sound design by Gareth Owen, orchestration by Steve Sidwell, original casting by David Grindrod CDG and casting by Anne Vosser.

The West End & UK Tour of Bat Out of Hell – The Musical is produced by Michael Cohl, Tony Smith & David Sonenberg with executive producer Julian Stoneman.

Bat Out of Hell will be at the Palace Theatre in Manchester between 24 February and 8 March.

Tickets will go on sale on Wednesday 26 June at midday here.

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Featured image: Matt Crockett

Theatre

Sir Ian McKellen thanks NHS as he speaks out for first time after falling off stage

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant

Sir Ian McKellen has thanked the NHS in a statement speaking out for the first time after suffering an on-stage fall.

The revered Burnley-born actor is currently starring as John Falstaff in a production of Player Kings at the Noel Coward Theatre in London’s prestigious West End, but during Monday (17 June) night’s show, the 85-year-old was said to have he lost his footing on stage while performing a fight scene and reportedly fell into the orchestra pit.

Audience members who took to social media shortly after the incident said they heard the McKellen “cry out in pain” after falling, before the theatre was swiftly evacuated.

Sir Ian was taken to hospital for medical treatment following the dramatic fall, and the theatre subsequently issued a statement saying it had made the decision to cancel the shows on Tuesday and Wednesday night.

Fans were reassured, however, that the actor was “in good spirits” and expected to “make a full recovery”.

Sir Ian McKellen is is currently starring as John Falstaff in Player Kings at the Noel Coward Theatre / Credit: ATG Tickets

Now, for the first time since suffering the fall, the Tony, Olivier, and Golden Globe award-winning actor has issued a statement thanking the public for all their “kind messages and support”, as well as thanking the country’s health service for the treatment he received.

McKellen said he is “hugely indebted” to the NHS in his update message.

Taking to X to speak to fans directly yesterday evening (18 June), Sir Ian wrote: “I want to thank everyone for their kind messages and support.

“Since the accident, during a performance of Player Kings last night, my injuries have been diagnosed and treated by a series of experts, specialists and nurses working for the National Health Service. To them, of course, I am hugely indebted.”

As well as thanking fans for their support and the NHS for the treatment he received, Sir Ian also gave an update on his anticipated recovery journey, and made sure to say how much he is eager to get back on stage as soon as possible.

“[The NHS] have assured me that my recovery will be complete and speedy,” McKellen’s statement continued, “and I am looking forward to returning to work.”

The Noel Coward Theatre has confirmed in an updated statement on X that it intends to go ahead with tomorrow night’s show (Thursday 19 June).

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David Semark is listed on the Player’s Kings wesbite as the “cover” actor for Sir Ian’s leading role.

Featured Image – Manuel Harlan / Player Kings (via X)

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Sir Ian McKellen taken to hospital after falling from theatre stage mid-show. Credit: Play Kings publicity picture

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