A local theatre company which recently celebrated its 30th anniversary is to hold open auditions as it prepares to bring a much loved West End musical to the stage in 2020. The company has also announced an ambitious new season of productions which includes comedy, drama and live music.
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Chester and Wrexham based community theatre company Tip Top Productions will stage the smash-hit West End Musical “Joseph and The Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat” at Theatr Clwyd in May with producers set to hold open auditions for the main cast, supporting roles and Children’s choir at The Forum Studio Theatre in Chester.
On Sunday 26th January there will be an audition workshop for all adult roles including Joseph, the Narrator, Pharaoh, Potiphar, all the brothers and their wives. The show which has seen big names including Jason Donovan and Phillip Schofield wearing the famous technicolour coat includes well known musical numbers like ‘Close Every Door’, ‘Go, Go, Go, Joseph’ and ‘Any Dream Will Do’.
With many children having performed in the show with their theatre schools over the past 25+ years, the production team are keen to hear from those who are looking to return to the production as young performers in their own right. Auditions for the Children’s choir will take place on Sunday 2nd February when the group are inviting children between the ages of nine and sixteen to audition to perform alongside the adult cast in the show.
Full information about both sets of auditions can be found on Tip Top’s website at www.tiptopproductions.co.uk where anyone interested can download an audition pack.
Speaking about staging “Joseph”, the show’s Director Steve Davies said “Tip Top Productions are thrilled to be one of the first amateur companies to be granted permission to stage this production. It follows in a long line of successful productions at Theatr Clwyd including last year’s “My Fair Lady” and previous lavish productions of “Priscilla, Queen of the Desert”, “Beauty and the Beast” and “Jesus Christ Superstar” We are proud to maintain our philosophy of holding open auditions for every production and we look forward to welcoming lots of new members to work alongside our growing team.”
Tip Top’s new season for 2020 at Chester’s Forum Studio Theatre will include a stage adaptation of Emily’s Bronte’s novel “Wuthering Heights” from 29th January to 1st February, directed by Laura Coard whilst no Tip Top Season would be complete without a classic Children’s tale for the February Half-term holidays and so 2020 sees a brand new re-telling of the Children’s classic “3 Little Pigs”, written and directed by Phil Cross who created the sell-out productions of “The Witches” in 2018 and “The Twits” in 2019. “3 Little Pigs” runs from 17th -22nd February. With tickets already on sale, producers are recommending booking early to avoid disappointment.
In addition to shows at The Forum Studio Theatre and continuing its excellent relationship with Theatr Clwyd, in March 2020, the company will also present “Cheshire Cats” written by Chester based writer Gail Young. The play, which runs at The Emlyn Williams Theatre at the Mold venue from 4th- 7th March, tells the story of a group of friends who are taking part in a Moonlight Walk in aid of a Breast Cancer Charity. It was first performed in 2005 followed by sell-out performances at The Edinburgh Fringe festival in 2006 and The Forum Studio Theatre in 2011. Since being published by Samuel French in 2011, the play has been performed throughout the World by many different theatre companies and has raised many thousands of pounds for cancer charities.
Following on from “Cheshire Cats”, Tip Top return to the Forum Studio Theatre with Oscar Wilde’s classic razor-sharp comedy “The Importance of Being Ernest”, featuring local Actor Simon Phillips as Lady Bracknell. The show, directed by Peter Swingler OBE will run from 31st March – 4th April. More comedy comes to the stage with “Boom Bang A Bang” by “Coronation Street” scriptwriter and the creator of “Beautiful Thing” Jonathan Harvey. Directed for Tip Top by Phil Edwards, the play, set at a house party to celebrate the Eurovision Song Contest of 1995 is a must-see for fans of all things Eurovision and runs from 22nd – 25th April.
May sees Tip Top return to the main stage at Theatr Clwyd as they present “Joseph and The Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat” from 19th-23rd May. Following on from “Joseph”, Tip Top return to The Forum Studio Theatre to stage the classic BBC comedy “Keeping Up Appearances” by Roy Clarke. Featuring the iconic Hyacinth Bucket(it’s”Bouquet”!) this stage adaptation especially written by the show’s creator Roy Clarke and directed by Chris Dukes will be staged at the theatre from 23rd-27th June.
Tip Top will also play host to a number of visiting companies and live music acts at The Forum Studio Theatre throughout 2020.
Full details of all upcoming shows can be found here where tickets can also be booked online. The website also has full details of audition opportunities and how to get involved in all aspects of the theatre from the front of house to on stage or behind the scenes. Alternatively, contact the Box Office on 01244 341296.
