Young Vic
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Address | The Cut London,SE1 United Kingdom |
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Coordinates | 51°30′12″N0°06′27″W/ 51.50323°N 0.10748°W |
Public transit | ![]() ![]() |
Owner | The Young Vic Company |
Type | Non-commercial resident company |
Capacity | 420 Main house 150Maria(studio) 70Clare(studio) |
Production | Repertoryseasons |
Construction | |
Opened | 1970 |
Rebuilt | 2006:Haworth Tompkins |
Architect | Haworth Tompkins |
Website | |
youngvic.org |
TheYoung Vic Theatreis a performing arts venue located onThe Cut,near theSouth Bank,in theLondon Borough of Lambeth.
The Young Vic was established byFrank Dunlopin 1970.Kwame Kwei-Armahhas been Artistic Director since February 2018,[1]succeedingDavid Lan.
History
[edit]In the period after World War II, a Young Vic Company was formed in 1946 by directorGeorge Devine[2]as an offshoot of theOld VicTheatre School for the purpose of performing classic plays for audiences aged nine to fifteen.
This was discontinued in 1948 when Devine and the entire faculty resigned from the Old Vic, but in 1969Frank Dunlopbecame founder-director of The Young Vic theatre withScapino,his free adaptation ofMolière'sThe Cheats of Scapin,presented at the new venue as a National Theatre production, opening on 10 September 1970 and starringJim Dalein the title role with designs byCarl Toms(decor) andMaria Björnson(costumes).[3]
Initially part of theNational Theatre,the Young Vic Theatre became an independent body in 1974.[4]
In the words ofLaurence Olivier,then director of the National Theatre: "Here we think to develop plays for young audiences, an experimental workshop for authors, actors and producers." The aim was to create an accessible theatre which offered high quality at low cost in an informal environment. The aim was to appeal to young audiences, but this time not specifically to children.
Young Vic Theatre
[edit]![](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/e/e1/Young_Vic_Theatre%2C_Southwark.jpg/220px-Young_Vic_Theatre%2C_Southwark.jpg)
Frank Dunlop completed creation of the theatre venue in 1970, a breeze-block building on The Cut constructed out of a former butcher's shop and an adjacent bomb-site with bold gloss red wooden slat auditorium bench seating. The structure was intended to last for five years, but has become permanent.
The auditorium, with athrust stage,has an approximate capacity of 420, although the configuration and capacity can vary depending on the design of each production.
The Theatre undertook a significant rebuilding and renewal project in the 2000s, designed by architects Haworth Tompkins, boosting its visibility on The Cut. In addition to the Young Vic's main house, there are now two smaller theatre spaces. The Maria, named after theatre designer Maria Björnson, is the larger of the two with a capacity of 150. The Clare, named after a former artistic director of the Young Vic andSheffield Crucible,Clare Venables,[5]seats 70. Like the main house, both smaller theatres have flexible seating configurations which can be arranged to suit the production design. In the two smaller auditoria seating is usually unreserved, with the actors performing in close proximity to the audience.[6]
The Young Vic performs both new writing and classic plays, the latter often in innovative productions. Despite its small size, like the Almeida Theatre, the Young Vic attracts well-known actors since its creation. These have includedIan Charleson,who made his memorable professional debut with the Young Vic 1972–74, and who played Jimmy Porter inLook Back in Angerand Hamlet in the first revival ofStoppard'sRosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Deadin 1973,Vanessa Redgrave,Helen Mirren,Judi Dench,Timothy Dalton,Robert Lindsay,Willard White,John Malkovich,Michael SheenandArthur Lowe.
Quintessential rock bandThe Whoheld free, weekly concerts at the Young Vic in early 1971 in order to rehearse what would become their masterpiece album,Who's Next.One of these shows was released on the Deluxe edition of this album.
A memorial at the theatre's south-east corner commemorates the 54 people killed in 1941 while sheltering in the cellars of the former building on the site, duringthe Blitz.[7]
In 1982 the theatre hosted aPoetry Olympics,where comedianPat Condelltook part.[8]Virginia Woolf taught at Morley College[9]from 1905, which represented the natural precursor of the Young Vic's education and community engagement programme. The latter now runs an office which accommodates and paradoxically houses the 'homeless'Belarus Free Theatre,of Nikolai Khalezin, Natalia Koliada, inspiring a new feminist generation and aesthetic, with Sarah Kane's '4.48 Psychosis' performed underground, illegally in Minsk and Farringdon, in the cold cells of Clerkenwell House of Detention, a secret location in London.[10][11]Echoing the words of Woolf and mirroring her suicide, Kane's play benefitted from another feminist, Sue Emmas, who since the year 1993 has been Associate Director of the social engagement programme,[12][13][14]working closely with Kwame Kwei-Armah and leads the Directors Program[15]which provides initiatives for emerging directors, with emphasis on seeking out and nurturing artists from under-represented backgrounds.
Artistic Directors
[edit]- Frank Dunlop(1968–1971, also Administrative Director)
- Michael Bogdanov(1971–1973)
- David Thacker
- Julia BardsleyandTim Supple(jointly) (1991–1994)
- Tim Supple (1994–2000)
- David Lan(2000–2018)
- Kwame Kwei-Armah(2018–present)
Awards
[edit]- 2004 –Laurence Olivier Award for Outstanding Achievement in an Affiliate Theatre
- 2008 –Laurence Olivier Awardfor Best Musical RevivalLaurence Olivier Award for Outstanding Achievement in an Affiliate Theatre
- 2013 – The Critics' Circle Peter Hepple Award for Best Musical:The Scottsboro Boys
- 2016 –Laurence Olivier Awardfor Best Revival:Yerma
- 2018 – The Critics' Circle Award for Best New Play:The Inheritance
- 2018 –Evening Standard Theatre Awardfor Best New Play:The Inheritance
- 2019 – Screen Nation Film and TV Awards Diversity in Drama Award: Soon Gone: A Windrush Chronicle
- 2019 – Laurence Olivier Award for Best New Play:The Inheritance
Refurbishment 2004–2006
[edit]In 2003, the Young Vic launched a campaign to raise £12.5 million for a major reconstruction of its building and closed in 2004 for work to start.
Designed by architectsHaworth Tompkins– also known for their refurbishment of theRoyal Court Theatre,Regent's Park Open Air Theatre,and two temporary venues for theAlmeida– and with Jane Wernick Associates as the structural engineers, and consulting engineers Max Fordham LLP designing the building services, the refurbishment was completed in October 2006.
The main auditorium has been left intact, but refurbished and technically enhanced. The butcher's shop has also been retained as the main entrance to the building and also the box office.
The remainder of the 1970s structure has been rebuilt to provide newfoyers,dressing rooms, two studio theatres, and workshop spaces. An award of £5 million was received from theArts Council of England.
The Young Vic re-opened on 11 October 2006, with a production of the community operaTobias and the Angel;with music byJonathan Doveand a libretto byDavid Lan.[16]
On 16 May 2007, the refurbished Young Vic won theRIBALondon Building of the Year Award.[17]Following this award, the Young Vic was also shortlisted for theRIBAStirling Prizeon 27 July 2007.[18]
A rebranding exercise bySense Worldwidein 2010 resulted in the abandonment of its 30-year-old "sit anywhere" policy and a new strapline, "It's a big world in here".[19]
Notable productions
[edit]March 2023 – March 2024
[edit]- Further than the Furthest ThingbyZinnie Harris,directed by Jennifer Tang
- untitled f*ck m*ss s**gon playby Kimber Lee, directed by Roy Alexander Weise
- The HomecomingbyHarold Pinter,directed byMatthew Dunster,starringJared HarrisandJoe Cole
February 2022 – February 2023
[edit]- The CollaborationbyAnthony McCarten,directed byKwame Kwei-Armah,starringPaul BettanyandJeremy Pope
- Oklahoma!byRodgers and Hammerstein,directed byDaniel Fish,starringArthur Darvill,Anoushka LucasandMarisha Wallace
- Chasing Haresby Sonali Bhattacharyya, directed by Milli Bhatia
- Who Killed My FatherbyIvo Van Hovefrom the book byÉdouard Louis,directed by Ivo Van Hove, starringHans Kesting
- Mandelaby Greg Dean Borowsky, Shaun Borowsky and Laiona Michelle, directed by Schele Williams
July 2021 – February 2022
[edit]- Chasing DestinybyBen Okri,directed byKwame Kwei-Armah
- Klippiesby Jessica Siân, directed by Diyan Zora
- AI,created and directed by Jennifer Tang and Company
- HamletbyWilliam Shakespeare,directed byGreg Hersov,starringCush Jumbo
- Best of EnemiesbyJames Graham,directed byJeremy Herrin,starringDavid HarewoodandCharles Edwards
- Conundrumby Paul Anthony Morris, starring Anthony Ofoegbu
February 2019 – March 2020
[edit]- Jesus Hopped the 'A' TrainbyStephen Adly Guirgis.Directed byKate Hewitt
- Death of a SalesmanbyArthur Miller.Directed byMarianne ElliottandMiranda Cromwell
- American Dream 2.0
- Ivan and the DogsbyHattie Naylor.Directed by Caitriona Shoobridge.
- Bronx GothicbyOkwui Okpokwasiliand Peter Born
- TreeCreated byIdris ElbaandKwame Kwei-Armah
- Blood WeddingbyFederico García Lorcain a new version byMarina Carr.Directed byYael Farber.
- FairviewbyJackie Sibblies Drury.Direction by Nadia Latif,
March 2018 – February 2019
[edit]- The ConvertbyDanai Gurira.Directed byOla Ince.
- Twelfth NightbyWilliam Shakespeare.Conceived byKwame Kwei-ArmahandShaina Taub.Music and Lyrics byShaina Taub.Directed byKwame Kwei-ArmahandOskar Eustis
March 2014 – February 2015
[edit]- Oh My Sweet LandA Young Vic / Théâtre de Vidy-Lausanne co-production. DirectionAmir Nizar Zuabi.
- A View from the BridgebyArthur Miller.DirectionIvo Van Hove.
- Safe HouseAn installation by Jeremy Herbert and Gabriella Sonabend.
- Red ForestDevised and performed byBelarus Free Theatre.
- The Valley of AstonishmentDirectionPeter BrookandMarie-Hélène Estienne.
- The EventsAn Actors Touring Company, Young Vic, Brageteatret & Schauspielhaus Wien Co-Production. DirectionRamin Gray.
- A Streetcar Named DesirebyTennessee Williams.DirectionBenedict Andrews.
- My Perfect Mindcreated by Told by an Idiot written by Kathryn Hunter, Paul Hunter and Edward Petherbridge. DirectionKathryn Hunter.
- The Cherry OrchardbyAnton Chekhov.DirectionKatie Mitchell.
- A Harlem Dreamby Ivan Blackstock.
- DuskA Fevered Sleep / Young Vic co-production. Directed and devised by David Harradine & Samantha Butler.
- Golemcreated by 1927. Directed and written bySuzanne Andrade.
- The Way Back HomeAnENOand Young Vic co-production, based on the book byOliver Jeffers.Directed byKatie Mitchell.
- Happy DaysbySamuel Beckett.Directed byNatalie Abrahami.
March 2012 – February 2014
[edit]- After Miss JulieA version ofStrindberg's 'Miss Julie' byPatrick Marber.DirectionNatalie Abrahami.
- MinskA Reply toKathy Acker.Presented by Fuel, Belarus Free Theatre and LIFT 2012. Directed and adapted byVladimir Shcherban.
- Mad About the BoyA new play byGbolahan Obisesan.An Iron Shoes production in association with the Unicorn. DirectionRia Parry.
- The SuitAfterCan Themba,Mothobi Mutloatse&Barney Simon.Adaptation, direction & music by Peter Brook, Marie-Hélène Estienne &Franck Krawczyk.
- Three Sistersby Anton Chekhov. A new version by Benedict Andrews. DirectionBenedict Andrews.
- Theatre Uncut 2012Top international playwrights respond to world events.
- The Changelingby Thomas Middleton & William Rowley. DirectionJoe Hill-Gibbins.
- The ShawlbyDavid Mamet.DirectionBen Kidd.
- Going DarkWritten by Hattie Naylor in collaboration with Sound&Fury. DirectionMark Espiner & Dan Jones.
- FeastDirectionRufus Norris.
- Above Me the Wide Blue SkyCreated by Fevered Sleep. Direction and DesignDavid Harradine & Sam Butler.
- Public EnemyByHenrik Ibsen.DirectionRichard Jones.
- Trash CuisineDevised and performed by Belarus Free Theatre.
- BrilliantCreated by Fevered Sleep. Direction and Design David Harradine & Sam Butler.
- A Season in the Congoby Aime Cesaire. DirectionJoe Wright.
- A Doll's Houseby Henrik Ibsen. English-language version bySimon Stephens.DirectionCarrie Cracknell.
- Sizwe Banzi is DeadDevised by Athol Fugard, John Kani & Winston Ntshona. DirectionMatthew Xia.
- Theatre Uncut 2013Top international playwrights respond to world events.
- The IslandDevised by Athol Fugard, John Kani & Winston Ntshona. DirectionAlex Brown.
- The EventsAn Actors Touring Company, Young Vic, Brageteatret & Schauspielhaus Wien Co-Production. DirectionRamin Gray.
- Beauty and the BeastONEOFUS present Beauty and the Beast in co-production with Improbable. DirectionPhelim McDermott.
- The Scottsboro BoysMusic & Lyrics by John Kander and Fred Ebb. Book by David Thompson. Direction & Choreography by Susan Stroman. A Catherine Schreiber & Young Vic Production.
- Brand New AncientsKae TempestandBattersea Arts Centreon Tour.
- Happy Daysby Samuel Beckett. DirectionNatalie Abrahami.
- Sizwe Banzi is DeadDevised by Athol Fugard, John Kani & Winston Ntshona. DirectionMatthew Xia.
January 2011 – February 2012
[edit]- Vernon God LittleBook byDBC Pierre.Adaptation Tanya Ronder. DirectionRufus Norris.With Luke Brady,Clare Burt,[20]Daniel Cerqueira, Peter De Jersey, Joseph Drake, Johnnie Fiori,Lily James,Penny Layden,Nathan Osgood andDuncan Wisbey.
- And the Rain Falls Downby Fevered Sleep. Direction Sam Butler. Direction & Design David Harradine.
- TerminusbyMark O'Rowe.DirectionMark O'Rowe.With Declan Conlon, Olwen Fouere andCatherine Walker.
- The Return of Ulyssesby Monteverdi. AnENO/Young Vic Theatre co-production. DirectionBenedict Andrews.
- I Am the Windby Jon Fosse. English-language version by Simon Stephens. DirectionPatrice Chéreauand Thierry Theiu Niang. WithTom BrookeandJack Laskey.
- Government InspectorbyNikolai Gogolin a new version byDavid Harrower.DirectionRichard Jones.WithJulian Barratt,Doon MackichanandKyle Soller.
- In the Penal ColonybyFranz Kafka.Adapted by Amir Nizar Zuabi. Presented by ShiberHur Theatre Company of Palestine.
- The Beauty Queen of LeenanebyMartin McDonagh.DirectionJoe Hill-Gibbins.WithRosaleen Linehanand Derbhle Crotty.
- Disco PigsbyEnda Walsh.Direction Cathal Cleary.
- Street Scenewith The Opera Group. Music byKurt Weill.Book byElmer Rice.Lyrics byLangston Hughes.Music performed by theBBC Concert OrchestraandSouthbank Sinfonia.
- One for the Road/Victoria StationbyHarold Pinter.Direction Jeff James.
- HamletbyWilliam Shakespeare.DirectionIan Rickson.The role of Hamlet performed byMichael Sheen.
- Orpheus in the Underworldin a new translation byRory Bremner.AScottish OperaandNorthern Ireland Operaco-production
- BingobyEdward Bond.Direction Angus Jackson. The role of Shakespeare performed byPatrick Stewart.
- Wild SwansbyJung Changand adapted by Alexandra Wood. Directed by Sacha Wares.
September 2010 – January 2011
[edit]- The Human Comedywith The Opera Group. Music byGalt MacDermot.Book byWilliam Dumaresq.From an original story byWilliam Saroyan.Direction byJohn Fulljames.WithBrenda Edwards.
- On Ageingby Fevered Sleep. Direction and Design David Harradine and Sam Butler.
- Faustadapted fromGoethebyVesturport.DirectionGisli Orn Gardarsson.Music byNick Cave&Warren Ellis.
- The Glass MenageriebyTennessee Williams.DirectionJoe Hill-Gibbins.Music byDario Marianelli.WithLeo Bill,Deborah Findlay,Sinéad MatthewsandKyle Soller.
- Belarus Free Theatre:Numbers / Discover Love.Guest appearances fromAdjoa Andoh,Jude Law,Ian McKellen,Sienna MillerandSamuel West.
- My Dad's a Birdman.ByDavid Almond.Music byPet Shop Boys.DirectionOliver Mears.
October 2009 – January 2010
[edit]- Annie Get Your Gun.Music & lyrics byIrving Berlin.Book by Herbert &Dorothy Fields.Direction Richard Jones. WithJane Horrocksand Julian Ovenden.[21]
May 2009 – August 2010
[edit]- Sweet Nothingsbased onArthur Schnitzler'sLiebeleifrom 1895, arranged byDavid Harrower,directed byLuc Bondy
- Where's Alidevised by Ned Glasier.
- Pictures from an Exhibitionbased on the suite byModest Mussorgsky.DirectionDaniel Kramer.Choreography Frauke Requardt.
- Kurskby Sound&Fury, in collaboration withBryony Lavery.
- Been So LongBook, lyrics and directionChé Walker.Music and lyricsArthur Darvill.
- SusbyBarrie Keefe.DirectionGbolahan Obisesan.
- Brilliantby Fevered Sleep. Direction David Harradine.
- The Containerby Clare Bayley. DirectionTom Wright.Design Naomi Dawson.
- 4.48 PsychosisbySarah Kane.DirectionChristian Benedetti.WithAnamaria Marinca.
- The Girlfriend ExperiencebyAlecky Blythe.DirectionJoe Hill-Gibbins.
January 2009 – April 2009
[edit]- King LearbyWilliam Shakespeare.DirectionRupert Goold.WithPete Postlethwaiteas King Lear.
- The Indian Wants the Bronxby Israel Horovitz. Direction Daljinder Singh. Design Paul Wills.
- Kafka's MonkeyBased onA Report to an AcademybyFranz Kafka.Adaptation Colin Teevan. Direction Walter Meierjohann. With Kathryn Hunter.[22]
- Baydevised by the company with writerJoel Horwood.Direction Sarah Tipple.
- After DidoPurcell's Dido and Aeneas in a new film and theatre piece. Direction Katie Mitchell.
- You Can See the Hillswritten and directed byMatthew Dunster.WithWilliam Ash.
July 2008 – January 2009
[edit]- Street Scene.Music byKurt Weill.Book by Edgar Rice. Lyrics byLangston Hughes.
- FragmentsbySamuel Beckett.DirectionPeter Brook.
- In the Red and Brown WaterbyTarell Alvin McCraney(part of the Brother/Sister plays). DirectionWalter Meierjohann.DesignMiriam Buether.
- The Brothers SizebyTarell Alvin McCraney(part of the Brother/Sister plays). DirectionBijan Sheibani.Design Patrick Burnier.
- You Can See the Hillsby Matthew Dunster. DirectionMatthew Dunster.Designer Anna Fleischle.
- AmazôniabyColin Teevanand Paul Heritage. Direction Paul Heritage. Designer Gringo Cardia.
- Ghostsby Henrik Ibsen, adaptationFrank McGuiness.Direction William Oldroyd.
January 2008 – June 2008
[edit]- A Prayer for My Daughter (play)byThomas Babe.DirectionDominic Hill.Design Giles Cadle. Lighting Bruno Poet.
- The Good Soul of SzechuanbyBertolt Brecht.TranslationDavid Harrower.DirectionRichard Jones.Set Miriam Buether. Costume Nicky Gillibrand.
June 2007 – January 2008
[edit]- Ma vie en rosebased on the film byAlain Berliner.Direction Pete Harris. MusicGary Yershon.Choreography Ayse Tashkiran.
- The Member of the WeddingbyCarson McCullers.Direction Matthew Dunster. Design Robert Innes Hopkins.
- FragmentsbySamuel Beckett.DirectionPeter Brook.
- The InvestigationbyPeter Weiss,adapted byJean Baudrillard.Direction Dorcy Rugamba and Isabelle Gyselinx. Design Fabienne Damiean.
- The Brothers SizebyTarell Alvin McCraney(part of the Brother/Sister plays). Direction Bijan Sheibani. Design Patrick Burnier.
- A Christmas Carol,byCharles Dickens,adapted and directed byMark Dornford-May
- The Magic FlutebyMozart,adapted and directed byMark Dornford-May
October 2006 – June 2007
[edit]- Tobias and the Angel– Music byJonathan Dove.Words byDavid Lan.DirectionJohn Fulljames.ConductorDavid Charles Abell.DesignAlexander Lowde.
- Love and Money– byDennis Kelly.DirectionMatthew Dunster.DesignAnna Fleischle.
- The Enchanted Pig– Music byJonathan Dove.Words byAlasdair Middleton.DirectionJohn Fulljames.DesignDick Bird.
- The Soldiers Fortune– byThomas Otway.DirectionDavid Lan.SetLizzie Clachan.CostumesJoan Wadge.
- generations– bydebbie tucker green.DirectionSacha Wares.DesignMiriam Buether.
- A Respectable Wedding– byBertolt Brecht.TranslationRory Bremner.DirectionJoe Hill-Gibbins.DesignUltz.
- The Jewish Wife– byBertolt Brecht.TranslationMartin Crimp.DirectionKatie Mitchell.DesignHildegard Bechtler.
- Senora Carrar's Rifles– byBertolt Brecht.TranslationBiyi Bandele.DirectionPaul Hunter.DesignRobert Innes Hopkins.
- How Much Is Your Iron?– byBertolt Brecht.TranslationEnda Walsh.DirectionOrla O'Loughlin.DesignDick Bird.
- Vernon God Little– byDBC Pierre.Adaptation Tanya Ronder. DirectionRufus Norris.DesignIan MacNeil.CostumesNicky Gillibrand.
Digital Theatre
[edit]The Young Vic was one of the launch theatres forDigital Theatre,a project that makes theatre productions available in video download form. The first performances that were filmed wereKafka's MonkeyandThe Container.[23]
References
[edit]- ^Ellis-Petersen, Hannah (26 September 2017)."Kwame Kwei-Armah named new artistic director of Young Vic".The Guardian.ISSN0261-3077.Retrieved2 October2019.
- ^The Theatres of George Devineby Irving Wardle, Cape 1978ISBN0-224-01415-3
- ^Frank Dunlop's CV forWho's Who in the Theatre17th edition, Gale (1981).ISBN0-8103-0235-7
- ^The Oxford Companion to the Theatre,OUP (1983).ISBN0-19-211546-4
- ^Thornber, Robin (20 October 2003)."Obituary: Clare Venables".The Guardian.Retrieved3 April2018.
- ^"What to Expect".Young Vic.Retrieved1 December2011.
- ^"Young Vic war memorial plaque rededicated".Bankside Press. 21 June 2007.Retrieved1 December2011.
- ^"Poets' marathon at Young Vic 'Olympics'".The Times.30 November 1982.Retrieved24 March2009.
- ^College, Morley."Morley College".
- ^"BBC Arts - BBC Arts, Belarus Free Theatre: 4.48 Psychosis".BBC.
- ^"4.48 Psychosis".
- ^"Young Vic Team".Young Vic website.
- ^"About Regional Theatre Young Director Scheme – RTYDS".Regional Theatre Young Director Scheme - RTYDS.
- ^"Artistic director of Regional Theatre Young Directors Scheme, Sue Emmas: 'Be kind'".The Stage.
- ^"Sue Emmas – HighTide Theatre".
- ^"Review inThe Stage".
- ^RIBA London Building of the Year Award.Retrieved 27 July 2007.
- ^RIBA announcement online.See also theRIBA profileof the Young Vic. Retrieved 27 July 2007.
- ^[ "Market Research Agency of the Year" Marketing Magazine (8 December 2010) p. 30.]
- ^Tracey Sinclair (8 February 2011)."Exeunt: Vernon God Little".Retrieved29 September2011.
- ^"London Theatre Tickets, Theatre News and Reviews - WhatsOnStage".whatsonstage.Retrieved3 April2018.
- ^Billington, Michael (20 March 2009)."Michael Billington: Kafka's Monkey / Young Vic, London".The Guardian.Retrieved3 April2018.
- ^"Leading theatres launch downloadable shows".OfficialLondonTheatre. 23 October 2009.Retrieved31 October2017.