Wyllyotts Theatre
We’re delighted to have issued our new brochure, full of entertainment for Spring 2023. You may have leafed through a printed version already, but if you prefer on-screen browsing just click on the image below!
Let’s start Christmas in style as Neil Sands and his fabulous West End cast invite you to take a festive afternoon trip back down Memory Lane, with the biggest ever production of their dazzling Christmas show Christmas Memories which will be appearing at Telford Theatre as part of its 7 week nationwide tour.
This unforgettable afternoon of nonstop nostalgia, filled with more songs & carols more stunning costumes and more festive fun than ever before, taking you back to the time when Christmas was the most wonderful time of the year and is filled with more than 60 of everyone’s favourite Christmas songs & Carols. So after Rocking Around The Christmas Tree, you can watch Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire, or take a Sleigh Ride to a Winter Wonderland to the sound of Jingle Bells, meeting Rudolph The Red Nose Reindeer and Frosty The Snowman on the way, before dreaming of A White Christmas.
Then be transported back to a heart-warming Victorian Carol Concert including Silent Night, Oh Come All Ye Faithful, Deck The Halls, Away In A Manger, Ding Dong Merrily On High and so many more including a rousing version of The Twelve Days of Christmas. Wrapping everyone in the true spirit of Christmas. It wouldn’t be Christmas without pop hits like Slade’s Merry Christmas Everybody, Elton’s Step Into Christmas, Wizards I Wish it Could Be Christmas Every Day, and Shakin Steven Merry Xmas Everyone. The festive hits just rock on and on.
With theatres covid secure, and most having received both their vaccinations, it will be a relief to finally go out and enjoy live entertainment again. Joining Neil for this feast of festive music & fun are two amazing talented young ladies with outstanding voices. Both Babette Smith and Sophie Pinsent have graced many West End stages. Together they bring the looks and vocals of a pair of beautiful Christmas Princess, and their renditions of classical songs like Oh Holy Night and Walking In The Air are show stopping. With backing from the very talented Golden Times, this really is an afternoon filled with pure Yuletide magic.
Described as “Like A Sparkly Christmas Card Come To Life” with its shimmering stage set, beautiful Christmas trees, glittering fairy lights, and even falling snow. Mixed with over 40 stunning costumes, this is the perfect pre-Christmas treat, guaranteed to having you singing- along from start to finish, bringing back many happy memories of Christmases past and warming your heart on the coldest winter’s day.
Join Neil, Babette and Sophie at Telford Theatre on Thursday 24 November at 2pm. Tickets are available now online, by phone 01952 382382, or from the box office.
“Brilliant” – Adele
“Katie has a lovely voice” – Sharon Osbourne
AFTER a phenomenal year of sold-out performances, brand-new music and travelling the world – the immaculate concert Someone Like You – The Adele Songbook is coming to a UK theatre NEAR YOU!
Fresh from a spectacular spring tour, Someone Like You – The Adele Songbook is the stunning live performance celebrating the music of one of our generations’ finest singer-songwriters.
Featuring outstanding vocals by X Factor finalist Katie Markham and a super talented live-band– Someone Like You recreates the four record-breaking albums ‘19’, ‘21’, ‘25’ and the BRAND-NEW album ‘30’ – including new songs such as ‘Easy On Me’, ‘Oh My God’ and ‘I Drink Wine’.
When Katie was selected by Adele to appear in the BBC Adele Special presented by Graham Norton, she never dreamed she would be both singing live with her idol on stage in London, and launching one of the most successful touring shows within a year.
Katie explained: “It has been a whirlwind experience, from our very first performance to selling-out venues six years’ later – but I wouldn’t change it for the world.”
“It’s a privilege to perform Adele’s songs every week, especially the brand-new content. It’s hard to imagine a more personal album – rebuilding yourself from scratch after a painful breakup and trying to find love again – it’s so upfront and honest!”
Someone Like You – The Adele Songbook is the perfect show for any fan of Adele – including the smash-hits ‘Rolling In The Deep’, ‘Make You Feel My Love’, ‘Someone Like You’ and the multi-million seller ‘Skyfall.’
The world class show Someone Like You has even had phenomenal success in countries across the world from Ireland to Canada and has played at some of the most prestigious venues across the UK.
Katie adds: “Not many people can say the theatre is their office. There is a real beauty to Adele’s music and Someone Like You is the perfect treat for any Adele fan!”
Someone Like You comes to Telford Theatre on Friday 24 February. You can find more details and book tickets here.
Local theatre group TADLOP are excited to bring this epic musical to Shropshire for the first time when they perform The Hunchback of Notre Dame at Telford Theatre in October.
The stage musical version of the classic Victor Hugo novel is adapted from the Disney animated film, featuring songs written by Disney and Broadway legends Alan Menken and Stephen Schwartz. TADLOP’s production boasts a forty-strong cast of local performers, a professional set, custom-made costumes, and a live orchestra; pulling out all the stops for one of their most ambitious productions in the society’s 50-year history.
The story follows Quasimodo, the deformed bell-ringer of Notre Dame, as he seeks adventure away from his confinement in the cathedral under the watchful glare of Archdeacon Frollo. Upon leaving the cathedral, Quasimodo stumbles into the annual Feast of Fools orchestrated by “King of the Romanis” Clopin, and falls in love with the beautiful dancer Esmeralda who is the only one to show him kindness. Frollo however, desires her for himself, and vows to burn down all of Paris to capture her. Quasimodo must discover what it means to be a hero, before it is too late!
In a series of firsts for the society, this production will also have a BSL-interpreted performance on Friday 28th October. As Quasimodo is hard-of-hearing, there are snippets of sign-language throughout the show and the society felt it important to ensure the musical is accessible to those who may be similarly affected. TADLOP have also offered local secondary school groups the opportunity to meet with the directors of the show for educational discussions; linking the show to the school curriculum in areas of Music, Drama, PSHE and Citizenship.
Performances will be at Telford Theatre at 7.30pm on the 27th, 28th, and 29th of October with an additional 2.30pm matinee on the 29th. Tickets are £15 with group and family discounts available, and can be booked through Telford Theatre here, by phone on 01952 382382 or in-person at the theatre. Information about TADLOP is available here.
For the first time in the UK, this ballet company is from Moldova with dancers from many different countries all over the world, including Ukraine. We have had a rare opportunity to ask how a ballet dancer from Ukraine been dealing with their challenges in the last 6 months.
Interviewer: What makes you jump out of your bed every morning?
Olesya: Hopefulness that only good things await me in the new day. Well, and a daily morning class of classical dance in the theatre.
Interviewer: What is your favourite role to dance to this moment?
Olesya: At the moment, my favourite part is Swanilda from the ballet Coppelia. In addition to the fact that I am very impressed by her mischief, lightness, spontaneity, penchant for harmless adventures :), this is also a significant role for me – my first big leading role that I ever danced.
Interviewer: What are you thinking about while you’re dancing?
Olesya: Going on stage, I try to find a balance between thoughts about the technique of the performance and how to convey sincere emotions to the audience.
Interviewer: Favourite Ballet?
Olesya: My favourite ballet is Romeo and Juliet, directed by Kenneth Macmillan. It combines acting and dance technique at the highest level.
Interviewer: If you could dance anywhere in the world (not just theatre) where would it be?
Olesya: If it was possible, then I would not miss the chance to get invaluable experience at the Martha Graham Dance Company in New York.
Interviewer: Tell us something about yourself that no one knows.
Olesya: As a child, I tried to write poetry, but I never showed them to anyone 🙂
Interviewer: How do you relax after performance?
Olesya: Firstly, I like to slowly take off my makeup and spend some time in my dressing room, analysing my performance. It seems that the longer I am in the theatre after the final bow, the longer the pleasant aftertaste from the performance lasts. And secondly, I very much enjoy creating spa saloon sessions for myself to regenerate, nothing better than a hot relaxing bath
Interviewer: Favourite Ballet dancer?
Olesya: Queen of the dance, Marianela Nunez
Interviewer: If you could take anyone to dinner who would you take?
Olesya: My parents, who still remain in our hometown of Kharkiv. I really want to hug them!
Interviewer: What’s your life motto?
Olesya: For the last six months there has only been one: “The darkest hour is always before dawn”
Interviewer: We know that you are from Kharkiv in Ukraine. You left Ukraine in April 2022. How have you been dealing with having to leave your home?
Olesya: Yes, unfortunately, I had to leave my native Kharkiv for a while. Lithuania very warmly received me and then I moved to Slovakia, where I was preparing for this tour. As I answered above, my parents are still at home in Kharkov. I am very worried about them. Now my mornings begin with a call or message to them and watching the latest news about Ukraine and Kharkiv, in particular. But they, like me and like all Ukrainians, believe in the speedy and unquestioning victory for our country.
Crown Ballet will perform The Nutcracker at Telford Theatre on Tuesday 29 November. More information, including how to book tickets, is available here.
Autumn Term & January 2023 Production – PETER PAN
We are extremely excited to confirm our return to Telford Theatre in January 2023 with a production of Stiles & Drewe’s ‘Peter Pan: A Musical Adventure’. This will be the first time that the Stiles & Drewe musical has been performed at Telford Theatre. The show will be rehearsed with a professional production team in our studios in Ketley and performed with a live orchestra. This will also be the first time that TACT will fly! The show is for performers in Year 4 – adult. New members are very welcome.
Auditions and Rehearsals
Auditions are on Saturday 17h September from 12:30pm to 5pm at The Arts Centre Telford, Holyhead Road, Ketley, TF1 5AN and places must be booked in advance to allow preparation of our studios and materials. All performers who attend the audition will have a place in the production. The auditions will be used to cast the production. Rehearsals will be at The Arts Centre Telford from 12:30pm-4:30pm on Saturdays.
Performers do not need to prepare anything for our ‘Peter Pan’ auditions on 10/09/22 – all material will be taught during the session. You should wear TACT uniform, which is now required for all rehearsals. If you do not have uniform yet, you should wear black clothing that you feel comfortable moving in and you can order uniform from our website in time for the first rehearsal. The link to this part of our website can be found here.
The show will be performed at Telford Theatre, Oakengates, Telford, TF2 6EP on Saturday 28th January and Sunday 29th January 2023 with shows at 1pm and 7pm on each day. Tickets for the show will cost £16.50 each and will be available on the theatre website.
Rehearsal Schedule
Rehearsals on Saturdays will begin at 12:30pm and finish at 4:30pm. There are some additional rehearsals, which are listed in the schedule below.
Peter Pan – Rehearsals
Saturday 24th September – 12:30-4:30pm
Sunday 25th September – 12:30-4:30pm – Principals only – blocking rehearsal
Saturday 1st October – 12:30-4:30pm
Sunday 2nd October – 12:30-4:30pm – Principals only – blocking rehearsal
Saturday 8th October – 12:30-4:30pm
Saturday 15th October – 12:30-4:30pm
Saturday 22nd October – 12:30-4:30pm
Saturday 29th October – half term, TACT closed
Saturday 5th November – 12:30-4:30pm
Saturday 12th November – 12:30-4:30pm
Sunday 19th November – 12:30-4:30pm
Saturday 26th November – 12:30-4:30pm
Saturday 3rd December – 12:30-4:30pm
Saturday 10th December – 12:30-4:30pm
Saturday 17th December – Christmas holiday, TACT closed
Saturday 7th January – 12:30-4:30pm
Saturday 14th January – 12:30-4:30pm
Saturday 21st January – 12:30-5pm – Please note extended rehearsal with 5pm finish time
Sunday 22nd January – 12:30-8:30pm – Please note long Sunday rehearsal with late (8:30pm) finish time
Peter Pan – Show Week
All cast members must be available for costume, technical, flying or spacing rehearsals on the evenings of Monday 23rd January and Tuesday 24th January. Attendance requirements will be confirmed the week before show week.
Band Call @ Telford Theatre
Wednesday 25th January 2023 – 7-10pm – Principals only
For Health & Safety and production reasons, all performers must be available for the Technical and Dress rehearsals. This is a school week, so please be aware of this commitment. Children in Years 4-6 will be allowed to leave rehearsal at 9pm, unless they are cast as one of the Darling children. Performers in Year 7 and above will be required to stay until 10pm
Technical Rehearsal for Cast – @ Telford Theatre
Thursday 26th January 2023 – 5-10pm
Dress Rehearsal for Cast – @ Telford Theatre
Friday 27th January 2023 – 5-10pm
Membership Fee
The membership fee for ‘Peter Pan’ is £210, payable in 2 instalments: £105 with initial sign-up by Wednesday 14th September 2022 and a further £105 taken automatically on Saturday 5th November 2022.
Sign Up Deadline & Late Sign Up
The final date for online sign-ups is the end of the day on Wednesday 14th September 2022. Anyone who misses sign-up will need to email us: admin@theartscentretelford.com so that we can make arrangements for them to join the production.
More Information
TACT’s website will be able to provide you with a range of information about our services. We also release further details on our social media, so please refer to Facebook, Instagram and Twitter for more content. We are very happy to explain any information about The Arts Centre Telford in further detail as required. If something isn’t clear, we’d like to change that, so your feedback is always appreciated. Please email admin@theartscentretelford.com and your query will be directed to an appropriate member of our team who will get back to you as soon as possible.
We’re delighted to to let you know that our new brochure is being printed and will be distributed soon. If you like browsing the printed version, you’ll be able to collect one from the theatre after 4 July or you’ll find one on your doormat if you’ve requested it by post. But if you’d like a sneaky peak just click on the image below!
The critically acclaimed Steve Steinman, now in his 30th year of continuous touring, will be joined onstage by Lorraine Crosby, who nearly three decades ago sang those immortal words with Meat Loaf “I Would Do Anything For Love (But I Won’t Do That)” to perform this epic song live as part of his brand new production Anything For Love – The Meat Loaf Story.
With over 2,000 performances and over a million tickets sold worldwide, Steve Steinman has come a long way since his appearance as Meat Loaf on ITV’s hit TV show Stars In Their Eyes back in 1993. His journey can only be described as remarkable as for the past 27 years Steve has constantly toured globally in the hit show ‘The Meat Loaf Story’. He has performed in some of the most iconic venues in the world such as Sun City, South Africa and the London Palladium, which Steve rates as one of his all-time achievements.
Lorraine was born in Newcastle in the late 60’s and tirelessly worked all over the UK performing in many bands before leaving for LA in the early 90’s to secure a recording contract with record giants MCA. A chance meeting with Jim Steinman, the legendary musical genius behind the epic multi-million selling album Bat Out Of Hell, lead to him becoming her manager. Lorraine was then introduced to Meat Loaf where she was asked to put down her vocals on what we now know as one of the best-selling songs of all time. Amongst Lorraine’s other achievements she can be credited for her amazing vocals on the hit No 1 album Bat Out Of Hell II – Back Into Hell. Lorraine is well known for her live performances where many superstars, including Bonnie Tyler, have joined her on stage.
As it’s no longer possible to see Meat Loaf live, Steve Steinman makes the perfect partner as Lorraine explains “I can’t think of a better person who can do Meat Loaf’s epic songs justice. I’m really excited to be part of such an incredible show, I’ve turned down many offers to perform this song, but Steve’s reputation and his productions are phenomenal”.
With incredible stage set, live band and production, combined with Steve’s well-known sense of humour and stage presence, along with the amazing Lorraine Crosby the show can only be described as ‘awesome’. The show will feature Meat Loaf’s greatest hits of all time including – Anything for Love – Bat Out Of Hell – Paradise By The Dashboard Light – Took The Words Right Out Of My Mouth – Two Out Of Three Ain’t Bad – Dead Ringer For Love and many, many more.
Steve Steinman and Lorraine Crosby will perform in Anything For Love – The Meat Loaf Story at The Place Telford on Wednesday 16 November. Book now online or 01952 382382.
Oakengates Theatre has been recognised by The Family Arts Standards as an outstanding place for young children and families of all sizes.
Any shows that you see with a “fantastic for families” logo on have been recognised by the organisation as being perfect for families!
The Family Arts Standards are helping families to find arts activities that are suitable for all ages; they cover the basic considerations for families visiting an arts experience.
All organisations that are signed up to the Family Arts Standards, whether they’re a theatre, an art gallery, an orchestra or a dance company, will provide some activities that all family members can enjoy together. They are welcoming to families, with helpful staff and good facilities.