Meet the Cast: Danny! "It's nice to finally have a reason to sing Summer Nights"

Let’s start with the main man, Danny Zuko, who is being played by John Sherringham!

Name: John Sherringham

Character Name: Danny Zuko

Tell us a bit about Danny: Smooth talking, heart throb. All the girls want to be with me and all the guys want to be me!

Favourite song in the show & Why?: Summer Nights! After singing it so many times at Discos and parties it’s finally nice to have a real reason to sing it!

What other shows have you done?: Pride and Prejudice, Streetcar Named Desire, Little shop of Horrors, Return to the Forbidden Planet, The Crucible, Beauty and the Beast. Amongst a few!

Best or Worst Moment on Stage: Best moment was getting to smash all those plates during streetcar! Although getting bits of chicken in random places over the stage was one down side!

Interesting “Grease” fact #1: Danny wasn’t supposed to sing Greased Lightning in the film. It was always sung by Kenicke in the stage show but John Travolta demanded he sing it!! 

Grease is the Word!

So, another year, another production and this time it’s GREASE!!

The film which made stars of Olivia Newton-John and John Travolta has finally been released for amateur performance, so Simply Theatre jumped at the chance to have a go at being T-Birds and Pink Ladies.

We’re a month into rehearsals now and all is going well - the cast are fab, the Directors are excited and our MD is whipping all our vocals into shape.

Our biggest coup so far has been getting hold of a “Greased Lightning” for free!!! As you know, when doing an amdram show you want to be as thrifty as you can in order to make more profit. Our wonderful set/prop/costume finder extraordinaire, Alison Hough, happened to be on Set Exchange at the right time and saw that The Central School of Speech and Drama, were getting rid of their Greased Lightning and wanted it to go to a good home! Apart from the cost of hiring the van and heading up to London to get it, we now own a fabulous car which i’m sure will steal the show.

As in the past, throughout rehearsals you’ll get to see the usual cast interviews and a few snippets of what we’re up to! In the meantime, if you’d like to book tickets then see the flyer below for more info!

Meet: Polly King

An interview with Polly King playing the Baker’s Wife

How many shows have you done with Simply Theatre?

One.  Choreography for Spring Awakening 2013.

Tell me about your character

The non-fairytale character of The Bakers Wife has a fascinating journey through the woods - wanting and wishing, finding and frolicking.  On the surface she is content with her life, all that is missing is a child.  Her ambition for more lets nothing stand in her way, however her contented life is turned upside down by the excitement and dangers of the wood.  Her adventures do not go unpunished proving that your wishes are not always answered with a happy ending.

Did you know much about Into the Woods before you auditioned?

I knew the show having choreographed a production in 2005, but one of the things I love about this show is you keep finding new meaning to the dialogue and the very clever lyrics.

What is your favourite part of the show/song?

I love “Your Fault”  - the lyrics are brilliant, the timing seems impossible and the musicality is very clever.  I admire our cast for being able to present this song so brilliantly!

What has been the best/worst show you’ve been in or the best/worst part you’ve played?

I have been involved with a lot of shows as either director, choreographer or performer.  Each and every show has its merits and its failings, BUT my favourite “worst” moment is from an open-air production of A Midsummer Nights Dream that I did, in the grounds of a castle in Scotland.  We were performing on a hillside above a river and across the river was an audience of 700 or so.  At the start of the show it was bright sunshine and everything was going brilliantly, until it started to rain.  The show must go on…..and so, in the pouring rain, with thunder and lighting over head we continued to perform in our Elizabethan costumes, on a hillside.  The costumes were getting heavier and heavier.  The hillside was getting wetter and wetter and eventually we started to slide down the hillside towards the rapidly flowing river.  My fairy wings got caught on a tree and pinged into the face of the fairy behind me. Titania, the queen of the fairies, fell over in the mud and “the lovers” looked more like they were taking part in a Tough-Mudder contest than “wooing each other in the wood”.

Let’s just hope our woods stay dry!

Describe Into the Woods in 3 words

1. Keep
2. On
3. Wishing 

If you were trying to sell the show what would you say?

A fairytale romp through the woods - a beautiful maiden, a handsome prince, a little girl in a red cape…..a witch, a wolf and a comedy cow - what more could you wish for?

'Rather not say...'

An interview with Lee Thomas playing the Baker

How many shows have you done with Simply Theatre?

This is the first that i have performed in…was extremely lucky to direct “Spring Awakening” this may!

Tell me a bit about your character

He quite a complex character who has self doubt but a massive heart  - its a huge journey from start to finish for him!

Did you know much about Into the Woods before you auditioned?

yes! and loved it !

What’s your favourite part of the show/song?

I have loads but the end of Act 2 is great….

What’s been the best/worst show you’ve been in or best/worst part you’ve played?

best part- probably Leo in Parade

best show - The wizard of Oz as i meet my 2 best mates in the world we played the Scarecrow,lion and Tinman together

worst…. rather not say!

Describe Into the Woods in 3 words

1.    Intelligent

2.     Honest

3.     Clever

If you were trying to sell the show, what would you say?

that its a great interpretation of a well known Sondheim - whats not to love!

'She's beautiful (the script says that, not me)...'

An interview with Nicole Rose playing Florinda

How many shows have you done with Simply Theatre?

I’ve been involved in all of Simply Theatre’s productions either acting or producing or sometimes both! I started the group back in 2005 and it’s gone through many changes to get where it is now. We’ve been “Simply Theatre” officially since 2010 and the group is great. I normally like to be in the shows and have had some great roles. The only one I’ve not acted in is “Spring Awakening” but I was Producer.

Tell me a bit about your character

I play Florinda – one of Cinderella’s Step-Sisters. She’s beautiful (the script says that, not me) but not a very nice person. She likes to make Cinderella’s life difficult and pick on her as much as possible. She has a sidekick & Sister called Lucinda who also likes to taunt Cinders but actually I don’t think Florinda and Lucinda particularly like each other that much either! They do, however, have excellent hair!

Did you know much about ITW before you auditioned?

Yes, I absolutely LOVE the show! This is the second production I have been in, the first time I played Jack’s Mum and even made it on to the front cover of the Amateur Stage Magazine!! I first saw it with Bernadette Peters playing the role of The Witch and was absolutely mesmerised and thought I HAVE TO DO THIS SHOW!! I’m so excited to be doing it again.

What’s your favourite part of the show/song?

There are so many great parts to it but any scene involving The Princes – they are hilarious! Craig & Jon are so good at playing them that I think they’re going to steal the show.

What’s been the best/worst show you’ve been in or best/worst part you’ve played?

Best Musical & Part – Gloria in Return to the Forbidden Planet

Best Play & Part – Stella in A Streetcar Named Desire

Worst Play & Part – The back end of a camel in Pantomime!

Describe ITW in 3 words

Funny, Woodsy & Singy!

If you were trying to sell the show, what would you say?

I don’t need to sell it – just come and see it or I’ll kill you!! (Is that too much)

'Oh yeah and out of them I guess...'

An interview with Helen Bracher playing Lucinda and Granny

How many shows have you done with Simply Theatre?

Masquerade, Hot Mikado, A Funny thing happened on the Way to the Forum, Return to the Forbidden Planet and Little Shop of Horrors.

Tell me about your character

I play Lucinda, a beautiful but evil stepsister and a psychotic and knife wielding Granny.

Did you know much about Into the Woods before you auditioned?

No, nothing at all apart from people going into the woods…oh yeah, and out of them I guess!

What’s your favourite part of the show/song?

Favourite song is Agony

What’s been the best/ worst show you’ve been in or the best/worst part you’ve played?

Best show was Return to the Forbidden Planet where I got to do Reverse Polarity with the whole audience. Such control!

Describe Into the Woods in 3 words

Trees in Woods

If you were trying to sell the show what would you say?

A real different slant on childhood favourite fairy tales. Fab music and exciting characters.

'Sondhiem is...very hard...'

An interview with Steve Graham playing the Mysterious Man

How many shows have you done with Simply Theatre?

3

Tell me about your character

He’s a bit of a weirdo who keeps popping up at random moments, usually from behind a tree, to meddle with the characters.

Did you know much about the Into The Woods before you auditioned?

No. Absolutely nothing. Not even the name of the song I was supposed to sing at the audition. So I sang something else. I think the reason I got the part is because no one else auditioned for it…

What’s your favourite part of the show/song?

I love the Mysterious Man’s song with the Baker - it’s a lovely song about two characters finding out their past and realising they have a lot more in common than they think.

What’s been the best/worst show you’ve been in or best/worst part you’ve played?

A play called ‘Generation Sex’. It was so bad it wasn’t even published. Our director pulled it off the internet and it was originally written as a ‘safe sex’ educational piece for American teenagers.

Describe Into The Woods in 3 words

1. Bizarre
2. Fun
3. Sondhiem is…very hard

If you were trying to sell the show, what would you say?

Iconic show, talented cast…

'Happily Ever After?...'

An interview with Lucy Smith playing Jack’s mother

How many shows have you done with Simply Theatre?

This is my first show.

Tell me about your character

At first she may seem mean but really she loves her son lots and you see that as the show goes on.

Did you know much about Into The Woods before you auditioned?

I didn’t know anything about the show before auditioning! It was a total blind audition.

What’s your favourite part of the show/song?

'Agony Reprise' because Jon and Craig are hilarious! Both very different princes, and so funny together. 

What’s been the best/worst show you’ve been in or best/worst part you’ve played?

Tingaling in Aladdin. She was Jasmine’s handmaid and she was sassy and got to put Aladdin in his place at one point!

Describe Into The Woods in 3 words?

1. Happily
2. Ever
3. After?

If you were trying to sell the show, what would you say?

This is a show you don’t want to miss. Find out what happens after all the fairy tales get their Happily Ever After!

'A hug makes eveything better...'

An interview with David Oliver playing Jack

How many shows have you done with Simply Theatre?

I’ve performed in a few now! Return to the Forbidden Planet, Little Shop of Horrors, Spring Awakening and now Into The Woods.

Tell me a bit about your character

Jack is a boy on the verge of manhood. Throughout the show, we see how Jack grows and changes as he journeys through the woods. There’s a lot to like about Jack, he’s naïve, endearing and simple…or is he? Jack’s journey is just beginning - it’s exciting to look into what he’ll become in the future, outside the play, as it were. One of the themes of the play is that everything is cyclical. Where does Jack fit in? Does he make the same mistakes that is elders did?

Did you know much about Into The Woods before you auditioned?

I didn’t! I’d heard the music and knew of the play, but I’d never seen it before. I was right in the middle of Spring Awakening rehearsals when I auditioned, everything was a bit manic!

What’s your favourite part of the show/song?

Honestly? When I hug the baker. I’m not going to lie - a hug makes everything better. From a non-selfish point of view though, I enjoy the scenes where Little Red, Cinderella and Jack are all together. I like the dynamic they have going.

What’s been the best/worst show you’ve been in or best/worst part you’ve played?

I had to masturbate on stage with girls dancing “ring-a-ring-a-roses” around me, with my parents and gran watching. Haven’t decided whether that’s a best/worst moment yet.

Describe Into The Woods in 3 words

1. Thought-provoking (Shh, It’s allowed, it’s hyphenated.)
2. Meandering
3. Growth

If you were trying to sell the show, what would you say?

At one point, it contains a gender confused cow in a wig, wearing a sassy red cape. That’s truly one diva cow. If that’s not worth your money I don’t know what is!

'The less said the better...'

An interview with Maria Langford playing the Witch

How many shows have you done with Simply Theatre?

This is my first Simply show.

Tell me a bit about your character

I’m playing the Witch. She is a powerful magic figure, obsessed with her “daughter” Rapunzel. She sets the quest for the Baker and his wife, but discovers that you do not always get everything you want when your wishes come true.

Did you know much about Into the Woods before you auditioned?

I knew the story and some of the music. It’s a challenging and entertaining piece.

What is your favourite part of the show/song?

I love the contrast between the humorous and the more serious moral aspect of the true story….and the challenging music!

What’s been the best/worst show you’ve been in or the best/worst part you’ve played?

A university production of, ‘Stags and Hens’ - the less said the better!

Describe Into the Woods in 3 words

1. Fabulous
2. Talented
3. Challenging

If you were trying to sell the show, what would you say?

A visual feast; talented cast - a ‘not-to-be-missed’ show!!

'Defined by her long hair...'

An interview with Sophie Stadie playing Rapunzel

How many shows have you done with Simply Theatre?

1 - Into the Woods as Rapunzel

Tell me a bit about your character

Very lonely, naïve, trapped by her mother and treated like a child her entire life. Rapunzel is defined by her long hair which her mother cuts, causing her to go insane. (Along with other factors)

Did you know much about Into the Woods before you auditioned?

Vaguely. I knew of it and some of the characters.

What is your favourite part of the show/song?

The song, ‘Agony’, even though I’m not in it!

What’s been the best/worst show you’ve been in or the best/worst part you’ve played?

Apart from Simply Theatre, I played Belle in, ‘Beauty and the Beast.’

Describe Into the Woods in 3 words

1. TALENTED
2. Professional
3. Ground breaking

If you were trying to sell the show, what would you say?

It’s such a fast paced, exciting show with so many talented performers! You could not possibly get bored with all the excitement going on onstage at all times.

'Into the Woods' Read Through

Although our read through only involved the cast sitting in the sunshine with our scripts, it is safe to say this show is already promising to be fantastic even without costume or set.  Already we can see huge comic potential in many of the characters and this is going to be an excellent show for Simply Theatre. 

Cast bonding has already taken place over what can only be described as an extremely violent yet hilarious game of rounders and a BBQ in the sunshine a few weeks back.

Rehearsals are due to start very soon and we will be sure to post any updates so keep checking here for the latest!

Tickets now on sale - early bird special

Tickets have just gone on sale for the show and for a limited period only all tickets are just £12. So get yourself the best seats in the house at a fantastic price and book now online at our website www.simplytheatre.net

Our next show starts here .. we go .. INTO THE WOODS

We are kicking off our next show this month  -  with a read-through with the cast.

Its going to be a full scale production (of course) of the Stephen Sondheim and James Lapine, fairytale inspired musical.

An ambivalent Cinderella? A blood-thirsty Little Red Ridinghood?
A Prince Charming with a roving eye? A Witch … who raps? They’re all among the cockeyed characters that we will be bringing to the stage in September (19th-21st).  When a Baker and his Wife learn they’ve been cursed with childlessness by the Witch next door, they embark on a quest for the special objects ( a cow as white as milk, a cape as red as blood, hair as yellow as corn and a slipper as pure as gold) required to break the spell, swindling, lying to and stealing from Cinderella, Little Red Riding hood, Rapunzel and Jack (the one who climbed the beanstalk).

Everyone’s wish is granted at the end of Act One but the consequences of their actions return to haunt them later, with disastrous results. A Giant (A female Giant, that is) steps down from the heavens and straight upon some beloved characters. It takes a few lives before the survivors realize that they have to act altogether in order to succeed. Thus, what begins a lively irreverent fantasy becomes a moving lesson about community responsibility and the stories we tell our children.

Watch this space for pictures and interviews as the rehearsals progress !

The reviews are in ! Check out what the critics and press thought

"…The real strength and highlight of this production was the manner in which the company worked together. This was a show that really felt like a group effort with a strong sense of collaboration and that the actors and audience were going on the journey together. Not one performer was miscast or looked out of place and no one number failed to engage with the packed Rhoda McGaw theatre. The music was interesting, each number different and gave us many layers of sounds. The ensemble worked hard to keep telling the story and vocally was some of the best group sounds ever heard." 

"While the story and message may not pack the same punch, in our socially advanced times where kids seem to know too much, Spring Awakening triumphed on every level"

Read the Full Review

"The boys have the best parts (no offence ladies)" - An Interview with Matt

An interview with Matt,  playing Ernst.

Photo courtesy of Hannah Bracher

Is this your first show with Simply Theatre?

No, my second I was in Little Shop of Horrors

Did you know the show before you auditioned?

Yes I knew the music and thought it was fantastic!

What attracted you to the show that made you want to audition?

The boys have the best parts (no offence ladies) and I just think the music is the best thing about the show.

What is your favourite part of the show and why?

Touch me because I love the lyrics and I like my solo and my favourite thing to watch is Mama who bore me reprise because the girls are cracking (excluding Emma Hough) 

Favourite show you’ve been in and part you played?

By far Joe Vegas in Fame! Probably the youngest Joe Vegas in history at the age of 11.

What’s the most embarrassing costume you’ve had to wear?

A cod piece never fun to wear

Why do you think people should come to see the show?

People should come see the show because it has young, talented performers and the show is a definite must see!