The Bristol Hippodrome year ahead - 2013 preview
By Carol_Deacon | Thursday, January 17, 2013, 12:07
Twixt city and coast, Weston-super-Mare has it all.
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WE WANT MORE: One of the most beloved musicals ever with its timeless story of the boy who asked for more. Starring Neil Morrissey as Fagin and fresh from the Les Misérables film set Samantha Barks stars as Nancy. Bristol is the last venue on the tour so make sure get your tickets now
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SPOTLIGHT ON SINGING: Be in fine voice with these 45 minute midday choir sessions which run until the middle of February
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COMING IN FROM THE COLD: Formed in 1981, The Russian State Ballet of Siberia has built an international reputation for delivering performances of outstanding quality and unusual depth. The dancers never fail to delight audiences with breathtaking ability and dazzling costumes
You can enjoyed a seaside retirement town which buzzes in the summer months and the delights of the big city on the doorstep.
And while the sedate country living may appeal to many people sometimes going into town gives you a far wider cultural experience with its many art galleries, museums and theatres.
Top of my list for a great city night out is a visit to the Bristol Hippodrome which last year celebrated its centenary.
The Victorian theatre offers everything from high brow opera to risqué comedians, top class musicals to lunchtime singalongs and lots inbetween for all ages.
The hit show of 2012 for me was The Lion King, with Blood Brothers and the Riverdance troupe a close second.
Bristol Hippodrome press officer Sarah Milne said: "What a fantastic centenary year 2012 was for this wonderful theatre.
"From firm favourites returning including Blood Brothers, Grease, Spamalot and Calendar Girls to new productions of Top Hat, I Dreamed A Dream and the superb new touring production of The Phantom of the Opera, local audiences loved them all.
"With our centenary show, Thanks For The Memories celebrating 100 glorious years of this remarkable theatre and Disney's first ever tour of The Lion King opening here, it was a very special year for us that we certainly won't forget."
It was on Sunday, January 6, after a fantastic one month run Aladdin starring Carol McGiffin, Andy Ford and Josie Gibson came to a close.
So 2012 ended its final days with a pantomime and opened 2013 with the Russian State Ballet of Siberia and what a treat it was.
Although the sets for ballet aren't as lavish as musicals, the classical style and costumes were lovely.
It was a sheer delight that the dancers where accompanied by a 30-piece orchestra and an appreciative audience gave both rapturous applause.
Portishead grandmother Sue Lander said: "It was really good although I am sorry to say I think the wow factor was missing in the final dance."
And retired school teacher Sue Pickstokc, of Congresbury, agreed although she said there were lots to praise.
She said: "I thought the average age of the company seemed pretty young and the inexperience did show but they put in a lovely performance.
"I very much enjoyed the ballet but I did feel the some of the 'magic' and 'je ne sais quoi' factor was missing.
"I have a superb DVD of the Kirov Swan Lake, now that is magic.
"The costumes, particularly for the character dancing were great and the character dancing itself was some of the best I've seen, especially the Cossacks.
"Ekaterina Bulgutova in the lead role of Odette/Odile was superb.
"I have seen Rudolf Nureyev in the role of Prince Seigfried and no one could beat that performance.
"In Bristol the role was danced by Vyacheslav Kapustin who was even out danced by his best friend Benno (Mikhail Khushutin) as who was really good.
"I think if I'd have read the synopsis of the story in the programme first, I would not have been so confused by the way the ballet ended.
"I am presuming the tragic ending was connected in some way to the black tutus worn by some of the swans in Act 2.
"I did like that but I did not see the significance during the performance."
"I was sorry they ended it in such a tragic way but then I am a traditionalist and am well used to Swan Lake ending naturally and happily."
Here is the exciting programme planned for 2013:
OLIVER!
Starring Neil Morrissey as Fagin
Tuesday to Sunday, January 22-February 24
Tickets £17.50-£54.50 with concessions available at certain performances
For further details go to www.oliverthemusical.com.
YAMATO DRUMMERS
Taiko musical troupe from Japan
Wednesday, Febrary 27, at 7.30pm
Tickets £15-£31.50 with concessions available
For further details go to www.yamato.jp
MAGIC – A KIND OF QUEEN
First and best Queen tribute band
Thursday, February 28, at 7.30pm
Tickets £18.50-£20
For further details go to www.magicakindofqueen.co.uk
BRENDAN COLE
Licence To Thrill six world class dancers and 14-piece orchestra
Friday, March 1, at 7.30pm
Tickets £25.50-£33.50 with concessions available
For further details go to www.brendancole.com
THE MILITARY WIVES SHOW
A specially selected regional choir with the band of the Royal Anglian Regiment
Saturday, March 2 at 7.30 pm
Tickets £22.50 with concessions available
THE FULL MONTY
Starring Kenny Doughty, Craig Gazey, Simon Rouse, Kieran O'Brien, Roger Morlidge and Sidney Cole
Monday to Saturday, March 4-9
Tickets £12.50-£30 with concessions available at certain performance
ANDY FORD
Stand up comedian
Sunday, March 10, at 7.30pm
Tickets £18 with concessions available
9 to 5: THE MUSICAL
Starring Mark Moraghan, Jackie Clune, Amy Lennox and Bonnie Langford
Monday to Saturday, March 18-23
Tickets £15-£42 with concessions available at certain performances
For further details go to www.9to5themusical.co.uk
STARLIGHT EXPRESS
One of the best loved and longest running (skating) musicals in theatrical history
Tuesday to Saturday, March 26-April 6
Tickets £19.50-£45 with concessions available at certain performances
For a sneak preview click HERE.
SING-A-LONG-A GREASE
Your chance to learn how to hand jive
Sunday evning, April 7
Tickets £15
For further details go to www.singalonga.net
SHAOLIN WARRIORS
A theatrical Kung Fu show
Monday evning, April 8
Tickets £22-£24 with concessions available
NEW JERSEY NIGHTS
A musical journey celebrating the greatest hits of Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons
Tuesday to Saturday, April 9-13
Tickets £10-£32.50 with concessions available at certain performances
PRISCILLA QUEEN OF THE DESERT
The heartwarming Australian musical adventure starring Jason Donovan
Monday to Saturday, April 15-27
Tickets £10-£45 with concessions available at certain performances
THE MOUSETRAP
Whodunnit starring Karl Howman, Bruno Langley, Graham Seed, Steven France, Jemma Walker and Clare Wilkie
Monday to Saturday, April 29-May 4
Tickets £14.50-£32.50 with concessions available
For further details go to www.mousetrapontour.com
MATTHEW BOURNE'S SLEEPING BEAUTY
The world premiere of a re-imagining of a ballet classic
Tuesday and Saturday, May 7-11
Tickets £15-£38.50 with concessions available
For further details go to http://www.new-adventures.net/productions/sleeping_beauty
BEN AND HOLLY'S LITTLE KINGDOM
BAFTA award-winning television animation for small children shown comes to the stage
Wednesday and Thursday, May 15-16
Tickets £12.50-£16.50 with concessions available
YES, PRIME MINISTER
The return of PM Jim Hacker and his cabinet secretary Sir Humphrey
Monday to Saturday, May 20-25
Tickets £10-£29.50 with concessions available at certain performances
SALLY MORGAN
Psychic Sally on the road
Sunday, June 9
Tickets £24
THE DREAMBOYS
Fit and famous
Tuesday, June 11
Tickets £23.50
ROY CHUBBY BROWN
Billed as 'rude and crude' views of women and gender
Wednesday evening, June 12
Tickets £21 with concessions available
MAGIC OF MOTOWN
Packed with 36 back-to-back massive Motown hits
Thursday evening, June 13
Tickets £21-£24 with concessions available
AN EVENING OF BURLESQUE
Dirty dancing with finesse to put a smile on your face
Friday evening, June 14
Tickets £20.50-£23 with concessions available
HALFWAY TO PARADISE – THE BILLY FURY STORY
Saturday, June 15 at 7.30 pm
Tickets £21 with concessions available
For further information go to www.billyfurystory.com
BILL BAILEY: QUALMPEDDLAR
Sunday evening, June 16
Tickets £26
THE MOODY BLUES
Sunday evening, June 23
Tickets £40.50
JOSEPH AND THE AMAZING TECHNICOLOR DREAMCOAT
Tuesday to Saturday, June 25-29
Tickets: £10-£29.50 with concessions available at certain performances
HAIRSPRAY THE MUSICAL
Starring Mark Benton as Edna Turnblad
Tuesday to Saturday, August 6-17
Tickets £15-£48.50 with concessions available at certain performances
For further information go to www.hairspraythetour.com
JASON MANFORD
Actor, tv presenter and comedian
Friday and Saturday, November 15-16
Tickets £23.50
For further information go to www.jasonmanford.com
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