Latest news with #OlivierAwards
South Wales Guardian
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- South Wales Guardian
Samantha Womack felt 'emotional' reading Dear England script ahead of tour
The former EastEnders star, 52, who described taking time off work after being diagnosed with breast cancer in 2022, will soon portray the team psychologist, Pippa Grange, in a nationwide tour across England of James Graham's award-winning play. The play follows former England manager Sir Gareth Southgate as he navigates the pressures of the team – and the nation. Speaking to the PA news Agency about the role, Womack described Ms Grange as 'wonderful', despite not meeting her in person yet. She added: 'I hadn't really appreciated Pippa's position in that whole transformation of culture, not just football. 'This introduction of this woman, this kind of culture coach and watching some of her YouTube videos, and her warmth, her ability to speak to people in a way that is completely leftfield, but also to be tackling that predominantly male environment, quite incredible. 'And the kind of marrying of her and Gareth (Southgate) with his experience, I just thought was a fantastic way to tell a story. 'I found myself really emotional reading it, which I just didn't expect, I didn't expect at all and then all the humour and the pulling focus on the various different worlds, commenting on the football but also commenting again on failure. 'I just thought, what an incredible piece of work. I just immediately said, please, I'd love to do this. '(It will be) my first National Theatre collaboration, so I'm excited about that. I'm excited to be doing a play and it will just be great for me to get back to work.' The play had a sell-out run at the National Theatre before it transferred to the West End in 2023, securing best new play at the Olivier Awards in 2024. Womack will be joined by English actor David Sturzaker, who will take on the role of Sir Gareth for its 16-venue tour. The production will start in Plymouth on September 15 before stopping in major cities including Newcastle, Liverpool and Birmingham, until the tour comes to a close on March 14 2026. Speaking about the play, Womack added: 'I think we all can empathise with that feeling of pressure, that feeling of failure, that feeling of kind of being alienated and set loose from the pack. We as humans function like that. 'We want very much to be accepted and to be loved and I think that's quite a difficult thing to feel in this world. It's complicated, isn't it? 'The football world becoming a metaphor for what it feels like to walk into an arena of expectation. 'We often see footballers, particularly these kind of young kids, these kind of shiny, faultless rich people who are winners in life, and to actually see that mask dropped and how these human beings feel in that world, and the pressures of that, whether you're a black player or a white player, for different reasons, that pressure and the conflict of what that might feel like, I think it's so important. 'With the Lionesses now we've got this wonderful world of female football capturing the nation's imagination. But I think looking into that predominantly male world, it's a really good thing to show what's going on backstage.' Dear England received nine Olivier Award nominations last year, winning best new play and best actor in a supporting role for Will Close for his turn as Harry Kane. It was later announced the play would be adapted into a four-part BBC TV drama, with Joseph Fiennes reprising his starring role as Sir Gareth and Doctor Who star, Jodie Whittaker, taking on the role of Pippa Grange. Sir Gareth ended an eight-year stint as the national team boss in the wake of the Euro 2024 final defeat to Spain and the play has been updated to reflect his final chapter as England manager.
Leader Live
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Leader Live
Samantha Womack felt 'emotional' reading Dear England script ahead of tour
The former EastEnders star, 52, who described taking time off work after being diagnosed with breast cancer in 2022, will soon portray the team psychologist, Pippa Grange, in a nationwide tour across England of James Graham's award-winning play. The play follows former England manager Sir Gareth Southgate as he navigates the pressures of the team – and the nation. Speaking to the PA news Agency about the role, Womack described Ms Grange as 'wonderful', despite not meeting her in person yet. She added: 'I hadn't really appreciated Pippa's position in that whole transformation of culture, not just football. 'This introduction of this woman, this kind of culture coach and watching some of her YouTube videos, and her warmth, her ability to speak to people in a way that is completely leftfield, but also to be tackling that predominantly male environment, quite incredible. 'And the kind of marrying of her and Gareth (Southgate) with his experience, I just thought was a fantastic way to tell a story. 'I found myself really emotional reading it, which I just didn't expect, I didn't expect at all and then all the humour and the pulling focus on the various different worlds, commenting on the football but also commenting again on failure. 'I just thought, what an incredible piece of work. I just immediately said, please, I'd love to do this. '(It will be) my first National Theatre collaboration, so I'm excited about that. I'm excited to be doing a play and it will just be great for me to get back to work.' The play had a sell-out run at the National Theatre before it transferred to the West End in 2023, securing best new play at the Olivier Awards in 2024. Womack will be joined by English actor David Sturzaker, who will take on the role of Sir Gareth for its 16-venue tour. The production will start in Plymouth on September 15 before stopping in major cities including Newcastle, Liverpool and Birmingham, until the tour comes to a close on March 14 2026. Speaking about the play, Womack added: 'I think we all can empathise with that feeling of pressure, that feeling of failure, that feeling of kind of being alienated and set loose from the pack. We as humans function like that. 'We want very much to be accepted and to be loved and I think that's quite a difficult thing to feel in this world. It's complicated, isn't it? 'The football world becoming a metaphor for what it feels like to walk into an arena of expectation. 'We often see footballers, particularly these kind of young kids, these kind of shiny, faultless rich people who are winners in life, and to actually see that mask dropped and how these human beings feel in that world, and the pressures of that, whether you're a black player or a white player, for different reasons, that pressure and the conflict of what that might feel like, I think it's so important. 'With the Lionesses now we've got this wonderful world of female football capturing the nation's imagination. But I think looking into that predominantly male world, it's a really good thing to show what's going on backstage.' Dear England received nine Olivier Award nominations last year, winning best new play and best actor in a supporting role for Will Close for his turn as Harry Kane. It was later announced the play would be adapted into a four-part BBC TV drama, with Joseph Fiennes reprising his starring role as Sir Gareth and Doctor Who star, Jodie Whittaker, taking on the role of Pippa Grange. Sir Gareth ended an eight-year stint as the national team boss in the wake of the Euro 2024 final defeat to Spain and the play has been updated to reflect his final chapter as England manager.
South Wales Guardian
11-07-2025
- Entertainment
- South Wales Guardian
Hannah Waddingham and Tim Minchin make Celebrity Gogglebox debut
They will commentate on a range of TV shows during Friday's episode of the Channel 4 reality spin-off series. They join the likes of TV presenter Alison Hammond, comedian Jonathan Ross, TV personality Rylan Clark, and broadcasters Sara Cox and Fearne Cotton, who appeared in the most recent series. Minchin, who is best known for writing the music and lyrics for Matilda The Musical, based on Roald Dahl's novel, said: 'Things I love: cheese, rose, comfy couches, Hannah Waddingham. 'In combining them, I achieved a life-goal I didn't know existed. Thank you, Gogglebox.' Matilda debuted in London's West End in 2011 and later transferred to Broadway before touring globally and winning a record-breaking seven Olivier Awards and four Tony Awards. The musical was recently adapted into a film starring Emma Thompson, Stephen Graham and Lashana Lynch. He will join actress and singer Waddingham, 50, who rose to fame after starring as Rebecca Welton in the Apple TV series Ted Lasso, which won her the outstanding supporting actress in a comedy series Emmy award in 2021. She has since appeared in the latest Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning film, alongside Hollywood star Tom Cruise, and voiced characters in The Garfield Movie, Lilo & Stich and Smurfs. Gogglebox has been running on Channel 4 since 2013 and spawned more than 20 series, including spin-offs. Celebrity Gogglebox airs on Channel 4 on Friday at 9pm.
Leader Live
11-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Leader Live
Hannah Waddingham and Tim Minchin make Celebrity Gogglebox debut
They will commentate on a range of TV shows during Friday's episode of the Channel 4 reality spin-off series. They join the likes of TV presenter Alison Hammond, comedian Jonathan Ross, TV personality Rylan Clark, and broadcasters Sara Cox and Fearne Cotton, who appeared in the most recent series. Minchin, who is best known for writing the music and lyrics for Matilda The Musical, based on Roald Dahl's novel, said: 'Things I love: cheese, rose, comfy couches, Hannah Waddingham. 'In combining them, I achieved a life-goal I didn't know existed. Thank you, Gogglebox.' Matilda debuted in London's West End in 2011 and later transferred to Broadway before touring globally and winning a record-breaking seven Olivier Awards and four Tony Awards. The musical was recently adapted into a film starring Emma Thompson, Stephen Graham and Lashana Lynch. He will join actress and singer Waddingham, 50, who rose to fame after starring as Rebecca Welton in the Apple TV series Ted Lasso, which won her the outstanding supporting actress in a comedy series Emmy award in 2021. She has since appeared in the latest Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning film, alongside Hollywood star Tom Cruise, and voiced characters in The Garfield Movie, Lilo & Stich and Smurfs. Gogglebox has been running on Channel 4 since 2013 and spawned more than 20 series, including spin-offs. Celebrity Gogglebox airs on Channel 4 on Friday at 9pm.
Scotsman
10-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Scotsman
Derren Brown: How to get tickets for illusionist's 2026 Edinburgh shows
Derren Brown will return to the Edinburgh Playhouse in 2026 with his live show, Only Human. | Pamela Raith Photography The master of mind control and psychological illusion will perform at the Edinburgh Playhouse in 2026. Sign up to our Arts and Culture newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Derren Brown will return to the Edinburgh Playhouse with his new live show Only Human, next year. His only Scottish dates in 2026, the multi-award winning master of mind control and psychological illusion will perform in the Capital from June 23-27. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Only Human is Brown's 11th show which he has been touring since April this year. His previous productions have saw him win two Olivier Awards, and earn a record-breaking five nominations for Best Entertainment. Speaking about the upcoming dates, Brown said: 'I've toured with different shows for 20 years and it's such a joy. Only Human seems to be going down very well, and people are keeping the show secret for which I'm very grateful... Try and come without knowing anything about it.' When will Derren Brown be in Edinburgh? Derren Brown will bring his live show Only Human to Edinburgh Playhouse from Tuesday, June 23 to Saturday, June 27, 2026. The show will begin at 7.30pm from Tuesday to Saturday, with an additional matinee performance at 2.30pm on Saturday. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Derren Brown will return to the Edinburgh Playhouse in 2026 with his live show, Only Human. | Pamela Raith Photography When do tickets go on sale? Tickets for Derren Brown's Only Human at the Edinburgh Playhouse will go on sale from 10am on Friday, July 11. They will be available via ATG Tickets. If you are looking to book tickets, be advised that the show is recommended for those age 12 and up. Is there presale for Derren Brown's Edinburgh show? Yes, there are presale tickets available for Derren Brown's shows in Edinburgh. Available only to ATG+ members, presale began on Thursday, July 10, a day ahead of general sale. How much are Derren Brown tickets? Ticket prices for Derren Brown's show Only Human will range from £22.23 to £148.36, and will be subject to a transaction fee of up to £3.95.
