THE Lion King has roared into town - the highlight of Bradford Theatres’ new season.
Disney Theatrical Group’s spectacular show is at the Alhambra until May 28 - the only Yorkshire venue on the UK tour. The Tony and Olivier winning musical was last at the Alhambra in 2014, watched by more than 81,000 people over a record-breaking season.
The Lion King opened in the UK in October 1999 at the Lyceum Theatre, which remains its London home. It’s the biggest show in the West End, and has been seen worldwide by over 100 million people.
The story of young lion Simba’s epic journey towards the responsibilities of becoming a king is brought to life using puppets, masks and striking costumes, drawing on diverse cultural influences to recreate the African savanna. The score from the animated film was expanded for the stage to include an evocative blend of African chorales as well as Sir Elton John and Sir Tim Rice’s Oscar-winning Can You Feel The Love Tonight. Puppetry designed by acclaimed director Julie Taymor, influenced by ancient theatrical techniques, brings to life 25 species of wildlife, including giraffes and hyenas, and the swaying grasses of the savanna.
* BRADFORD Magic Circle returns to the stage this month with its Hey Presto show. Taking place at Bingley Arts Centre on Saturday, April 30, the show includes a variety of magic acts, headlined by Taylor Morgan and his Wonderful Illusions; a show described as “a mesmerising journey through stories, laughs and unbelievable moments for every single person in the room”. With his act often involving fire and levitation stunts, audiences are in for a thrilling ride.
Taylor Morgan
The compere is Craig Petty, who has been performing magic worldwide for 25 years. A member of the Inner Magic Circle, Craig will present his renowned children’s entertainment act. The line-up also includes three members of Bradford Magic Circle: Rod Williams, “will blow your minds with his fun physiological illusion act”; John Hotowka who entertains with audience participation comedy magic; and Ray Roberts, making his 12th appearance at Hey Presto, whose sophisticated stage act will leave audiences with one question: ‘How did he do that?’
Taylor Morgan on stage
The show also features dance from Deanna Gore.Tickets are at Bingley Little Theatre or at ticketsource.co.uk/bingleyartscentre
* THE cast of Bingley Little Theatre’s production of Jumpers for Goalposts recently had a visit from Philip Duguid-McQuillan, who played Luke in the original professional production of the comedy. Phil - who was one of director Paul Chewins’ students when he was Head of Performing Arts at Beckfoot School - recalled the devising and rehearsal process of the original collaboration between Hull Truck, Paines Plough and Watford Palace in 2013. Says Phil: “The writing is so good. This cast are doing great things with the play and I know the production will be brilliant.”
The cast of Jumpers for Goalposts with Philip Duguid-McQuillan, centre
Running at Bingley Little Theatre from April 4-9, Jumpers for Goalposts is a big hearted romcom set in a world of gay and lesbian five a side football. The action takes place in the changing room of Barely Athletic, a team of incompetent players, ss they nurse wounds to bodies and pride.
The cast of Jumpers for Goalposts
* REBECCA Loebe (above) will be at Black Dyke Mills in Queensbury on May 21 with True Songs and a Lie - “an interactive storytelling concert adventure”. The singer/songwriter, from Austin, Texas, had more than 150 concerts cancelled overnight during lockdown - so she got creative. Falling back on her degree in audio engineering, and camera experience she picked up as a fan-favourite contestant on The Voice in America, she turned her home office into a broadcast studio and began performing online. To keep things interesting, she started lying; in each concert she performed original songs and told stories about her life and adventures on the road, and at the end audiences would guess which story was a lie for a chance to win a prize from her virtual merchandise table. The show was a hit with online fans and now she’s performing it onstage.
* THE Dogfather himself - Graeme Hall, star of Channel 5’s Dogs Behaving (Very) Badly - is bringing his wisdom, charm and puppy prowess to his first UK tour, calling at Leeds City Varieties on April 13. Dog and puppy owners will have chance to seek advice on canine concerns from ‘Britain’s best dog trainer’, whose show features tricks, memories, heartwarming surprises, and a Q&A.
Graeme Hall. Pic: Neil Reading PR
Graeme is a Master Dog Trainer with the Guild of Dog Trainers. With more than 10 years’ experience, a list of celebrity clients, and regular TV appearances on BBC Breakfast and ITV’s This Morning, he’s renowned for providing quick but long-lasting fixes to dog behavioural problems. He has one motto: ‘Any dog, any age, any problem’.
Says Graeme: “For years I’ve been training dogs in village halls and people’s living-rooms, and more recently on TV. I’ve had the chance to write books and record podcasts, now finally I get to do something I’ve always wanted to do. I’ll be sharing the lessons I’ve learned from training thousands of dogs, and telling a few funny stories along the way, in my first UK tour. Come along, learn something and have a laugh with me!”
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