The Week in Light & Sound
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Potter Magic - Harry Potter And The Cursed Child won a record-breaking nine gongs at the Olivier Awards in London. The stage follow-up to the world-famous wizard book saga picked up prizes including best new play, and best actor for Jamie Parker, who stars as Harry. Co-stars Noma Dumezweni (Hermione) and Anthony Boyle (Scorpius Malfoy) won in the best supporting actress and actor categories respectively. John Tiffany took home the best director award for the J K Rowling adaptation, which had a total of 11 nominations.
Scooping nine prizes - which also included set design, lighting, sound and costumes - meant the two-part spectacular became the most successful production in Oliviers history. Winner of the best sound design award was Gareth Fry, while the lighting award went to Neil Austin.
Rock ‘n’ Roll - Family, friends and fans paid their final respects to rock and roll legend Chuck Berry at his funeral service in his home town of St Louis. Kiss rocker Gene Simmons was among those who paid tribute to the late musician whose songs include Roll Over Beethoven, Rock and Roll Music and Johnny B. Goode.
"What can you say, the greatness is unequalled by anybody, in any form of music," said Simmons. Without Chuck Berry, I wouldn't be here and everything that came, that became this huge thing called rock and roll started with a guy who just wanted to make people feel good and forget about the traffic jams of the world. It's a sad day but I think it's a happy time. Look at the legacy. Look at what Chuck Berry and his music has done.” Berry performed at several White House inaugurations, including twice for Bill Clinton. The former US president sent a letter that was read during the service.
Matilda Moves - Matilda the Musical has confirmed it will tour the UK and Ireland from March 2018. The musical, which has been running in the West End for five years, will embark on its first UK tour in March, 2018, when it opens at Leicester’s Curve. It will then visit the Dublin Bord Gais Energy Theatre, Sunderland Empire, Milton Keynes Theatre, Birmingham Hippodrome, Manchester Palace and Wales Millennium Centre, where it is due to finish on 12 January, 2019. Matilda, by Dennis Kelly and Tim Minchin, originated at the Royal Shakespeare Company in 2010, before transferring to the West End the following year.
Motown Moderation - Ushers may ask audience members attending West End musical Motown to "moderate" their behaviour if they are singing along and dancing too much during performances. A sign in the Shaftesbury Theatre, where Motown is running, asks audiences to refrain from singing along unless they are instructed to do so as part of the show. The sign reads: "We know you can sing, but please refrain from doing so until directed by the cast or on your way home. Oh and we would like to point out, it's Dancing in the Streets not in your seats. So please do not be offended if we ask you to moderate your 'enthusiasm'."
(Jim Evans)
11 April 2017
