Monday 23 November 2020
Thespie Present Streamed Concert Series with Dozens of UK Stage Stars
Theatre discovery platform Thespie today announces the Reunited Series, bringing together more than two dozen of the UK’s top musical theatre artists for a series of filmed concerts premiering throughout December. Developed by Aimie Atkinson, Thespie’s Creative Producer and the Olivier nominated star of Pretty Woman and SIX), each concert presents ensemble music performances (filmed in COVID-secure London venues), and ranges from musical theatre hits, to pop music, to favourite Christmas songs. The program of each concert has been developed by the artists involved and will also include intimate interview footage.
The concerts are designed to inspire global theatre audiences, by bringing the UK’s best musical theatre talent directly to their homes this holiday season. The artists collectively represent over two and a half centuries of experience on UK stages; their recent credits include The Prince of Egypt, Pretty Woman, SIX, & Juliet, Come From Away, Wicked, The Phantom of the Opera, Les Misérables, and Kinky Boots.
Thespie Creative Producer Aimie Atkinson commented, “We’re thrilled to be bringing you our first shows—high-energy, joyful concerts with great production values and astonishing vocal performances. I am so in awe of the level of talent working with us to make these December shows incredibly special. You are in for a treat.”
The series begins with the premiere of Unlimited: The Songs of Stephen Schwartz on 3 Dec at 8pm GMT, a celebration of the famed composer’s works including Wicked, Pippin, Godspell, Children of Eden, and The Prince of Egypt, Schwartz’s newest musical. The nine artists in the concert (Nikki Bentley, Sophie Evans, Alice Fearn, Alexia Khadime, Melanie La Barrie, Carl Man, Dianne Pilkington, Liam Tamne, Oliver Tompsett) all starred in Wicked during its first 14 years in London, and two (Khadime, Tamne) are in the current cast of The Prince of Egypt. Schwartz himself will make a special appearance in the program, with further details to be announced.
Oops!... I Streamed It Again... premieres 10 Dec at 8pm GMT and is a high-energy concert of favourite classic pop, rock, and musical theatre songs. The concert is performed by five artists who met as part of the original company of the UK musical & Juliet: Jordan Luke Gage, Tim Mahendran, Grace Mouat, Oliver Tompsett, and 2020 Olivier Award Winner Cassidy Janson.
Next up is the return of the artists from The Reunion, with an empowering concert of songs by famous girl bands through the decades: Girl Power premieres 17 Dec at 8pm GMT. Expect the tight harmonies and true sisterhood vibes that these artists have come to be known for since they first met as the original West End queens of the musical SIX. Girl Power stars Aimie Atkinson, Alexia McIntosh, Grace Mouat, Millie O’Connell, Natalie Paris, Maiya Quansah-Breed and Jarneia Richard-Noel.
Finally, the fourth instalment of the Reunited Series arrives on the 21 Dec at 8pm GMT. All I Want For Christmas Is Theatre is a love letter to the tradition of seeing theatre with those you love during the holiday season. More than three dozen top UK theatre artists are lending their talents to this special concert, featuring classic Christmas songs of all styles. Performers from Unlimited, Oops!... I Streamed It Again, and Girl Power will all be featured, alongside more than a dozen more, to be announced in the coming weeks.
Streaming tickets for a single concert are £12.50 ($15) if booked early (by 30 Nov), or £15 ($18) if purchased in December. (10 other currencies available.) Purchasers of the first three concerts will have 72 hours to watch, and purchasers of All I Want For Christmas Is Theatre will have 7 days to watch with their households. An Extended-Access bundle (£37.50/$45 in Nov; £45/$54 in Dec) gives purchasers access to all four concerts from their premiere through 31 December, and provides a 25% discount over booking the concerts separately. All concerts and the bundle can also be purchased after their premiere, with the same window of access (72 hours, 7 days, or through 31 Dec.)
The Reunited Series and Thespie’s original content initiative support its work to foster the connection between artists and audiences on its theatre discovery platform. Thespie’s first original production, The Reunion, was one of the bestselling paid theatre streaming events in the UK, selling tickets to 3600 households across 65 countries; and employed 35 live entertainment workers who received over £30k in income from the event.
Thespie founder Tyler Stoops said, “Watching our first concert, The Reunion, revived my spirits, and hundreds of viewers told us how meaningful it was, how inspired they were, and how much fun they had. So I’m thrilled we can deliver four more concerts for audiences at home around the world, just in time for Christmas. I think all of us are ready for some joy and excitement.”
Thespie offers listings for theatre streaming, theatre music & audio, theatre eBooks, educational resources, live London theatre, theatre news, and more. Audiences can use Thespie to stream the Reunited Series and more than 400 other shows, or to discover over 1000 more shows available on other popular platforms and services, such as Disney+, Amazon Prime, and Audible.
Wednesday 6 March 2019
Six, Arts Theatre | Review
Six
The Arts Theatre is transformed to a pop concert, Tudor Court with harpsichord remixes of modern songs greeting us as we take our seats. Tim Deiling's pre show lights act like a crown framing the stage and set the tone for the epic lighting that is to come. Of course the music and performances are outstanding but they are taken up several notches by Tim's well thought out and supremely effective lighting. Gabriella Slade's costumes are also spectacular. The clever use of stiff and sparkly fabrics mirror the message of femininity alongside power and are just another tick to add for this show. The sharp wit of the ladies, is matched by Carrie-Anne Ingrouille's choreography which is modern, pop inspired and oh so sharp. If the Arts Theatre paid it's bills in sass, this choreography alone would do the job.
Otherwise, Natalie May Paris gives a completely heartfelt performance as "the only one he truly loved", Jane Seymour who died young in childbirth. Her hilariously awkward one liners bring a like-ability to her character, as does her note perfect, chill-inducing rendition of Heart of Stone.
Natalie's performance beautifully and painfully highlights the exploitation of women by the men in power. Whilst she proclaims her love for Henry, she also realises that Henry only loved her because she was able to provide him with an heir. Although all the women are treated badly by men, it's Aimie Atkinson as Katherine Howard who gives the most strikingly painful display. All You Wanna Do is a slow building piece which portrays the dark way in which Katherine was essentially groomed her entire life. The way Aimie manages to show a complete character arc in this song, is truly skilful.
Millie O'Connell is utterly dazzling as the super cheeky Anne Boleyn who is equally used by men but employs her wit and sex appeal to fight back. Although this led to her head off demise, it allows for a fantastically well characterised performance which is worthy of every ounce of applause it receives.
This is an undoubtedly feminist show that inspires women to support each other and reminds us all that we're stronger together. Maiya Quansah-Breed's number towards the end I Don't Need You Love is a pinnacle of the show as it is not only performed perfectly, but wraps up the show and its message so well. The queens combined are an absolute force to be reckoned with and upon leaving the theatre, my friend exclaimed "I've never wanted to be a sassy woman more... I've never felt so empowered!" and that is absolutely true.
Whilst many deep and pretty dark themes course through the roots of this show, writers Marlow and Moss and co-director (with Moss) Jamie Armitage have done a superb job of never making anything too heavy or overwhelming. They maintain a balance which thrills and moves the audience.
Read my original Six review here
photo credit: Idil Sukan
Sunday 22 July 2018
A Stagey Guide to Singing... Aimie Atkinson | Six | Stagey Sunday
Stagey Sunday time!
Wednesday 7 December 2022
Full Cast Announced for 'No Limits' at the Turbine Theatre
West End and Tik Tok star Hannah Lower She/Her, said “I’m so excited to be joining the original London cast of No Limits, the team have been working so hard and we’re all so excited to finally share the show with an audience!"
Producer, Sam Caldwell He/Him said, “I am delighted to reveal the cast for our upcoming production of No Limits - A Song Cycle at the Turbine Theatre. I can’t wait to see this talent take to the stage and bring a fresh take to this wonderful material in this brand new, exciting production. This show has been a long time coming and I am looking forward to seeing how audiences connect with it in February.”
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