A BOLLYWOOD musical, an awful auntie, a Disney classic and the chilling ghost story everyone’s talking about...it’s all heading our way for a glittering new season of entertainment at Bradford Theatres.
Here’s our exclusive guide to shows coming up:
ALHAMBRA
* Wicked: The hit show, coming to the Alhambra for a month this spring, imagines a beguiling backstory to the lives of L Frank Baum’s beloved characters from The Wonderful Wizard of Oz and events that shape the destinies of two unlikely friends on their journey to becoming Glinda The Good and the Wicked Witch of the West.
* Disney’s Aladdin: One lamp, three wishes and infinite possibilities...The spectacular Broadway and West End musical flies in this summer. Featuring a much-loved score, the exuberant production has magic, comedy - and a flying carpet.
* 2:22 A Ghost Story: Edge-of-your-seat supernatural thriller stars Strictly Come Dancing champion Jay McGuiness and Emmerdale actress Fiona Wade. Written by Danny Robins, creator of hit podcasts Uncanny and The Battersea Poltergeist, the play has had record-breaking West End seasons with star performances from the likes of Lily Allen and Cheryl. It’s a “funny, adrenaline-filled night” where secrets emerge, and ghosts may or may not appear. Jenny believes her new home is haunted but husband Sam isn’t having any of it. Add dinner guests to the mix and opinions clash, but something feels strange and it’s getting closer, so they’re all going to stay up until 2:22...then they’ll know.
* Awful Auntie: Stella sets off to London with her parents and when she wakes up three months later only her Aunt Alberta can tell her what has happened. But not everything turns out to be true and Stella discovers she’s in for the fight of her life. The acclaimed Birmingham Stage Company presents this new production of David Walliams’ adventure, featuring a small ghost, a huge owl, and a very awful Auntie.
* To Be Frank: Journey back to the golden era of swing with Stephen Triffitt performing Frank Sinatra classics backed by the Moonlight Serenade Orchestra UK. Considered one of the world’s most authentic Sinatra tributes, Stephen portrayed Ol’ Blue Eyes in the original West End production of The Rat Pack.
* Uncanny with Danny Robbins: In 2023 writer Danny asked: Do ghosts exists? And if not, why do we see them? And 25,000 people came to find out, in the biggest live investigation into the paranormal ever. Now Bradford audiences can join Danny for a “terrifying, thought-provoking evening” featuring chilling real-life stories of the supernatural, told in a mix of projection, sound and storytelling.
* Bonnie and Clyde: Two small-town kids from the middle of nowhere craved adventure and became American folk heroes. Fearless, shameless, and alluring, this West End hit is a story of love and crime that enthralled a nation.
* Frankie Goes to Bollywood: From the makers of Britain’s Got Bhangra comes a new British musical: “A breathtakingly colourful journey of romance, epic songs and spectacular dance, inspired by real stories of British women caught in the spotlight of the biggest film industry in the world”. After a chance encounter with a director, Frankie is transported to the ruthless world of Bollywood. As she climbs the sparkling staircase of stardom, she must confront what she’s willing to do for fame and fortune.
* Everybody’s Talking About Jamie: Jamie New is 16 and lives on a council estate in Sheffield. He doesn’t quite fit in, but Jamie is going to be a sensation. Supported by his loving mum and friends, he beats the bullies and steps into the spotlight.
* Chitty Chitty Bang Bang: The fantasmagorical musical stars West End favourite Adam Garcia Kiss and Emmerdale’s Liam Fox. With a score including Toot Sweets, Truly Scrumptious and the Oscar-nominated title song, it’s the story of the Potts family’s adventures to far off lands in their magical motor car.
* The Syndicate: Stage adaptation of Kay Mellor’s her hit TV drama, directed by her daughter, Gaynor Faye, who also stars alongside Emmerdale’s Samantha Giles and Coronation Street’s Brooke Vincent. Five supermarket workers win the lottery, just as their jobs are under threat. Will the jackpot make their dreams come true or their nightmares a reality?
* An Adult Evening with Billy Pearce: Stand-up comedy from Bradford’s favourite funnyman, whose countless awards include a British Comedy Award and Best Television Comedy Newcomer at the London Palladium.
* Cirque: The Greatest Show: Welcome to a world where “the very best of musical theatre showstoppers meets jaw-dropping circus spectacular”. Set to West End and Broadway hits, artistes perform thrilling feats of agility and flair.
* Calling Planet Earth: The hottest show in the solar system takes us back to a time when the music picked you out, shook you up and turned you into someone new. The 80s playlist delivers hit after hit, including Don’t You Want Me, Gold, Look of Love, Everybody Wants to Rule the World and True.
* Grease The Musical: After a summer romance, cool dude Danny and girl-next-door Sandy are reunited at Rydell High. Can they survive teenage life and find true love? Bursting with hits including Summer Nights and Greased Lightnin’, this new version of the much-loved musical is brought to life by a fresh young cast.
ST GEORGE’S HALL:
Comedy from Sarah Millican; John Bishop; Rhod Gilbert and Troy Hawke. Northern Ballet presents family show The Tortoise & The Hare and the spectacular Mugenkyo Taiko Drummers bring new show, In Time. There’s music from Steve Steinman’s Love Ballads and Anthems; Crooners: Uncaged; James Bond Concert Spectacular; The Sound of Springsteen; the Black Dyke Band, the Illegal Eagles, Showaddywaddy and the McCartney Songbook.
KING’S HALL:
Laughs from the Comedy Store; Rosie Holt; Seann Walsh; Count Arthur Strong, Nurse Georgie Carroll and Looking For Me Friend: The Music of Victoria Wood. Other highlights include An Audience with Sir Ian Botham and the Pitmen Poets Ride Again.
THE STUDIO
Comedy from Anuvab Pal, Emmanuel Sonubi and Daliso Chaponda.
* Call (01274) 432000 or visit bradford-theatres.co.uk
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