MAJOR musicals, hot comics and much-loved music acts are set to tread the boards as Bradford Theatres reveals its summer season of entertainment.
Says General Manager Adam Renton: “We welcome an array of family shows which will appeal to all ages including Horrible Histories; Roald Dahl’s The Enormous Crocodile The Musical and the ever-popular Tales From Acorn Wood.
“This season also brings a fantastic mix of iconic productions and exciting new tours, including Jersey Boys, a spectacular new production of Miss Saigon, and brand new shows such as Single White Female. I can’t wait to welcome you to one of our venues this summer.”
Here’s what’s coming up:
ALHAMBRA:
* Single White Female: Sharing a flat can be murder… Bold, modern reimagining of the best-selling book and hit 90s movie stars Kym Marsh and Lisa Faulkner in a world where trust is fragile, friendships are tested and secrets lurk.
Kym Marsh in Single White Female. Pic: Pamela Raith
* Miss Saigon: Boublil and Schönberg’s legendary musical is reborn in a spectacular production with a soaring score featuring The Heat is On, The Movie in My Mind and The American Dream.
In the last days of the Vietnam War, 17-year-old Kim works in a Saigon bar run by notorious character The Engineer and falls in love with American GI Chris. When they’re torn apart by the fall of Saigon Kim goes on an epic journey back to Chris, who has no idea he’s fathered a son.
* Legend: The Music of Bob Marley: Reggae tribute combines Marley’s distinctive vocals with flawless musicianship as a talented cast recreate hits including Could You Be Loved, One Love and Three Little Birds.
* K-POP All Stars Tribute: The global K-pop explosion comes to life with stunning choreography and visuals, and a high energy cast. Expect tracks from Blackpink, NewJeans, BTS, Itzy, Stray Kids and more – all delivered with the style and attitude K-Pop fans love.
* The Boy at the Back of the Class: Joyful play adapted by Bradford writer Nick Ahad, celebrates friendship, kindness and compassion. Told from a child’s perspective, it highlights the power of friends and courage in a world that doesn’t always make sense.
* Les Ballets Trockadero de Monte Carlo: For 50 years, the all-male comedy ballet company, affectionately known as The Trocks, has delighted audiences worldwide with fabulous fun and flawless dancing. The New York dance company is loved for its sassy spoofs and hilarious homages to classical ballet.
The Trocks deliver sassy spoofs of classical ballet. Pic: Ralph Arvesen
* Horrible Histories: Terrible Tudors & Awful Egyptians: From the horrible Henries to the end of evil Elizabeth, hear the legends (and lies) about the torturing Tudors. Find out the fate of Henry’s headless wives and his punch up with the Pope. And from the fascinating Pharaohs to the power of the pyramids, discover the foul facts of death and decay with the meanest mummies in Egypt.
* The Bodyguard: The smash-hit musical stars Sidonie Smith as pop superstar Rachel Marron and Olivier Award-nominated Adam Garcia as Frank Farmer, the former Secret Service agent hired to protect her from a stalker. The score includes classics One Moment in Time and I Will Always Love You.
* The Choir of Man: Direct from the West End, the hit show is set in “the best pub in the world” brimming with hits from acts such as Queen, Luther Vandross, Adele, Guns N Roses, Avicii and Katy Perry.
* The Ballad of Johnny and June: Love is a burning thing, and no-one burned brighter than Johnny Cash and June Carter. He was a small-town musician with a voice that stirred the soul. She was from the first family of country music. Follow the soaring highs and shattering lows of a love story that defined an era.
The Ballad of Johnny and June reveals the soaring highs and shattering lows of a love story that defined an era. Image: Pamela Raith For tickets for all shows call (01274) 432000 or visit bradford-theatres.co.uk
* Priscilla Queen of the Desert: The dazzling musical is back in a 30th anniversary tour starring former Strictly Come Dancing champ Kevin Clifton with a score of disco and dance anthems, including It’s Raining Men and I Will Survive.
All aboard for Priscilla Queen of the Desert. Image: Johan Persson
* The Enormous Crocodile The Musical: Mischievous family musical based on Roald Dahl’s snappy book has toe-tapping tunes and a menagerie of puppets.
Family fun in The Enormous Crocodile. Image: Danny Kaan
* Jersey Boys: The boys are back as the beloved musical returns for its 20th anniversary tour. It’s the story of Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons, from the streets of New Jersey to the Rock ‘n’ Roll Hall of Fame. They had a sound nobody had ever heard, and the radio couldn’t get enough of. But while their harmonies were perfect, off stage it was a different story. Featuring hits including Sherry, Walk Like A Man and Can’t Take My Eyes Off You.
ST GEORGE’S HALL:
Wildlife cameraman Hamza Yassin: My Life Behind the Lens.
Music: The Sounds of Mumbai; Navi: King of Pop; Showaddywaddy; Rumours of Fleetwood Mac; Endless Love The Show; The Glenn Miller Orchestra; Sing-a-long-a The Greatest Showman.
Comedy: Clinton Baptiste: Spectral Intercourse; Al Murray: All You Need is Guv; Ruby Wax: Absolutely Famous. Teechers’s: John Godber’s comedy masterpiece has been reset for post Covid times. Bristling with teenage swagger, it’s set in a school at the end of term.
Surinderella: Welcome to The Bolly-woods, where the naach is non-stop, the drama is bigger than your aunties, and the romance is straight out of a filmi blockbuster…
And for younger audiences there’s a new live show from Fireman Sam.
KING’S HALL:
Comedy: Alfie Moore: Acopalypse Now; Gary Delaney: Gary On Laughing; Rich Hall: Chin Music; Dom Joly: Trigger Happy TV 25th Anniversary Tour.
Music: An Acoustic Evening with Wet Wet Wet; Don’t Stop Queen Now; Brutus Gold’s Love Train ; An Evening with Toyah; Barry Steele’s Roy Orbison Story; The Legend of Barry White: Let the Music Play.
For children: Tales from Acorn Wood adapted from Julia Donaldson’s much-loved books.
THE STUDIO:
Comedy from The Muslims Are Coming ; Andy Parsons: Please #@!$ off to Mars ; Mel Moon & Tal Davies: BYOB (Bring Your Own Bestie).