Here at Mind’s Eye we are delighted that Anne Hornsby has been asked to audio describe the 40th anniversary arena concert tour of Les Miserables, for Vocaleyes, covering the British Isles dates. We are also providing audio descriptions for the UK tour of Wonder Boy with PW Productions, producing world class theatre across the globe. Also new this month, two plays with an Irish theme, new tours of Only Fools and Horses and Now That’s What I Call a Musical at Bradford, plus the much-anticipated Burlesque at the Opera House, Manchester.
Wednesday 2 October 7pm
101 DALMATIANS Milton Keynes Theatre
Dodie Smith’s classic canine caper is brought to life on stage with spectacular puppetry, show-stopping choreography, witty songs and irresistible puppies. Book your tickets now - you’d be barking mad to miss it!
Described by Theo Hornsby-Walsh.
Image: Kym Marsh as Cruella smiles with white teeth and bright red lips, her wild black hair streaked with white. She wears a white fur coat and holds a little dalmatian puppy tightly in her grasp.
Thursday 3 October 7.30pm
COME FROM AWAY Theatre Royal Nottingham
Winner of four Olivier Awards including Best New Musical in London and the Tony Award for Best Direction of a Musical on Broadway. 7,000 Stranded Passengers. One Small Town. A Remarkable True Story. This smash hit show shares the incredible real-life story of the air passengers from all over the world who were grounded in Canada during the wake of 9/11, and the small Newfoundland community that invited these ‘come from aways’ into their lives with open hearts. Experience this joyous story and soaring music as spirited locals and global passengers come together to forge friendships that will stay with them forever. A true celebration of hope, humanity, friendship and unity that has audiences on their feet night after night.
Described by Anne Hornsby.
Image: The banner image has Come From Away in block capitals in a pale brown colour as though made of wood. The O of From is a tiny drawing of the Earth. The background is a deep blue, textured as though of thick paint.
Thursday 3 October 7.30pm
THE LIEUTENANT OF INISHMORE Liverpool Everyman
From Martin McDonagh, the acclaimed writer of In Bruges, The Pillow Man and The Banshees of Inisherin, comes this breathless, blood-splattered tale of revenge. Mixing cats, killers and casual violence, The Lieutenant of Inishmore is shocking, savage and sadistically funny, winning the Olivier Award for Best Comedy.
Padraic is mad, everyone knows that. They don’t call him ‘Mad Padraic’ for nothing. And if, just maybe, you’d killed his beloved pet, the one thing you wouldn’t want is for him to turn up at your door.
Described by Faith Agaba.
Image: The rectangular image is composed of three cartoon panels. On the left, a man with an angry expression has a gun in each hand, the gun in the right hand pointed close up to us, the left hand pointed in the opposite direction. On the right the top cartoon shows an angry black and grey cat, its back arched, claws out ready to pounce. Below another cartoon image shows a young man with brown curly hair and an eye-patch over his left eye. With his right eye he looks across at a gun which is held at his head.
Saturday 5 October 2.20pm
WONDER BOY Wolverhampton Grand
A heart-warming and inspiring story about the power of communication. Sonny is twelve. Living with a stammer, he’s finding his way in a world ruled by vicious vowels, confusing consonants, and let’s not forget the biggest beast of them all – small talk. Sonny’s only friend is Captain Chatter, a comic book hero of his own creation, but in the real-world language is power and Sonny must find a way to be heard. When cast in the school production of Hamlet by the Headteacher, he finds the real heroes are closer than he thinks. Packed with playful humour, dazzling visuals and thrilling original music this innovative production includes live creative captioning on stage throughout. Winner of the 2023 Writers’ Guild Award for Best Play.
Described by Remy Lloyd.
Image: The image is an illustration with white jumbled alphabet letters glowing against a dark blue background, the show title Wonder Boy superimposed over the front. Below is a figure in school uniform, grey blazer and unbuttoned shirt with loosely knotted tie. The brightly glowing O of the word boy forms his head.
Sunday 6 October 1pm
LES MISERABLES Glasgow SSE Hydro for VocalEyes
The World Tour of LES MISERABLES THE ARENA SPECTACULAR opening with European dates, including limited UK dates from September 2024. Already booked to perform in over 15 countries worldwide, the World Tour will begin as the stage musical enters its 39th revolutionary year and will run throughout the upcoming 40th-anniversary celebrations for the world’s longest running musical in 2025. After which it is planned to play North and South America. With an extraordinary new design specially created for arenas, this spectacular production will have a UK company of over 110 actors, musicians and crew featuring a core cast with a great number of celebrated Les Mis guest stars appearing as their schedules allow.
Described by Anne Hornsby and Miranda Yates for Vocaleyes. Also touring with the show to:
- Sheffield Utilita Arena Sunday 13 October 1pm
- Aberdeen P&J Live Sunday 20 October at 1pm
- Manchester AO Arena Sunday 29 December 1pm
- Newcastle Utilita Arena Sunday 5 January 1pm
Image: The logo for the tour is the classic close up image of the waif-like Cosette, engraved in black and white. Pink and blue lights shine up into the dark sky and in silhouette below a panorama of the revolutionaries at the barricade, a figure waving a flag
Saturday 12 October 10-11.30am and various dates until December
BIRDS: BRILLIANT AND BIZARRE Exhibition Natural History Museum, Cromwell Road, London Tel: 0207 942 5000
Birds are the soundtrack to our mornings, they soar through our skies and swoop around our streets, but how well do we really know our feathered friends? This major new exhibition invites you into their world like never before! Swirl around with a murmuration and chirp along with the dawn chorus! Feel their heartbeats and get to know our beaked buddies better. Meet the oldest modern bird in the world, the so-called wonderchicken, find out what a pigeon has in common with a ferocious T. Rex and discover how these winged wonders managed to survive the mass extinction that wiped out all the other dinosaurs. A hoot for all the family!
Audio Described tours led by Anne Hornsby.
Image: A photo of an exhibit shows an albatross chick, a cute fluffy, woolly ball, its head tucked into its body.
Saturday 12 October 2.30pm
& JULIET Wolverhampton Grand
What if Juliet’s famous ending was really just her beginning? What if she decided to choose her own fate? Join Juliet on this sensational journey of self-discovery and second chances, told through some of the most glittering pop anthems of the last three decades from legendary songwriter Max Martin, including Baby One More Time, Since U Been Gone, Roar, Everybody (Backstreet's Back), Love Me Like You Doa and Can’t Feel My Face. A hilariously irreverent new musical that proves when it comes to love, there’s always life after Romeo. Age guidance 6+, no under 5s will be admitted.
Described by Nicola Williams.
Image: The graphic image for & Juliet shows a pair of golden headphones wrapped around a red, glassy heart. On the left is the strapline There’s Life After Romeo.
Saturday 12 October 2.30pm
ONLY FOOLS AND HORSES Bradford Alhambra
Stick a pony in your pocket – The Trotters are back and coming to a town near you! The smash hit musical show – direct from a record-breaking four-year sold-out run-in London’s West End – features Del Boy, Rodney, Grandad, Cassandra, Raquel, Boycie, Marlene, Trigger, Denzil and Mickey Pearce. Based on John Sullivan’s legendary television show it boasts a script and original score written by John’s son, Jim Sullivan, and comedy giant Paul Whitehouse. Prepare to get reacquainted with Britain’s most lovable rogues.
Described by Theo Hornsby-Walsh. Only Fools and Horses is also described by Theo at Wolverhampton Grand on Saturday 26 October at 2.30pm
Image: The image shows the Trotters Independent Trading three-wheel yellow van head-on, tilting over as it balances precariously round a tight corner. At the wheel as he leans waving out of the side window is Del Boy in fur coat and flat cap. Crammed inside are Rodney and Grandad.
Saturday 12 October 2.30pm
GREASE Palace Theatre Manchester
The world’s best-loved musical is back! After a whirlwind summer romance, leather-clad greaser Danny and girl-next-door Sandy are unexpectedly reunited when she transfers to Rydell High for senior year. But can they survive the trials and tribulations of teenage life and find true love once more? With its phenomenal score, bursting with hits including Summer Nights, Greased Lightning, Hopelessly Devoted To You and You’re The One That I Want, this thrilling new version is brought to life by a fresh young cast who bring energy, vitality and passion to this ultimate musical classic.
Described by Maria Major.
Image: A production photo shows the full cast onstage mid musical number. They are a mixture of young men, Danny and his gang in black motorcycle jackets and jeans, others in chinos and casual shirts. The women mostly wear 50s style casual clothes, Frenchie’s gang with pink western-style jackets.
Wednesday 16 October 8pm
GIRLS DON'T PLAY GUITARS Royal Court Liverpool
In Liverpool in 1963 the music world was exploding. Musical talent, attitude and the knowledge that you could be anything you wanted to be saw the city flooded with bands and singers who were headed to the top. Standing tall amongst all of the boys was the World’s first all-girl rock ’n’ roll group. This is the untold true story of The Liverbirds! From The Cavern to Hamburg’s Star Club Mary, Sylvia, Val and Pam did it on their terms, turning down Brian Epstein, hanging out with Jimi Hendrix and driving Chuck Berry wild. This foot-stomping musical will be packed with all of the great 60s songs that shook The Cavern, including the Liverbirds smash hits Peanut Butter and Diddley Daddy.
Described by Anne Hornsby.
Image: Image is a photo of the body and top half of the legs of a female figure wearing sweater and jeans as she plays lead guitar. Overlaid is the show title and on the right is an array of five star reviews.
Saturday 19 October 2.30pm
NOW THAT'S WHAT I CALL A MUSICAL Bradford Alhambra
Celebrating 40 years of chart-topping compilation albums, this brand-new musical comedy has an unbeatable 80s soundtrack and show-stopping direction and choreography by Craig Revel Horwood.
This fun-filled afternoon is bursting with some of the greatest hits from the 80s: Gold, Girls Just Wanna Have Fun, Tainted Love, Hey Mickey, Sisters Are Doing It For Themselves and many more.
Starring award winning comedy actress and EastEnders star Nina Wadia who will be joined on stage by the special guest and pop icon, Jay Osmond - performing one of his biggest hits, Crazy Horses.
Described by Jane Ensell.
Image: The poster image has photos of the three stars Melissa Jacques, Jay Osmond and Nina Wadia against a background of names of the show’s hits. The show title is partly written over the label of a cassette tape. Below is the strapline Two Friends, One Unforgettable Reunion.
Saturday 19 October 2.30pm
CHICAGO Milton Keynes Theatre
Starring Coronation Street’s Faye Brookes (Dancing On Ice, Grease, Legally Blonde) as Roxie Hart, West End and TV stars Brenda Edwards (Loose Women, Chicago, The X Factor) as Matron ‘Mama’ Morton and Kevin Clifton (Strictly Come Dancing, Everybody’s Talking About Jamie) as Billy Flynn.
Set amidst the razzle-dazzle decadence of the 1920s, CHICAGO is the story of Roxie Hart, a housewife and nightclub dancer who murders her on-the-side lover after he threatens to walk out on her. Desperate to avoid conviction, she dupes the public, the media and her rival cellmate, Velma Kelly, by hiring Chicago’s slickest criminal lawyer to transform her malicious crime into a barrage of sensational headlines, the likes of which might just as easily be ripped from today's tabloids.
Sexy, sassy, sultry, seductive, sensual, slinky, sophisticated gushes the Independent on Sunday.
Described by Theo Hornsby-Walsh.
Image: The image has the show title in red capitals. Below it five women are photographed in black and white in provocative postures using chairs as props. They each wear sexy fetish lingerie. The woman in the centre is close up, sitting astride her chair, pointing her finger at us as though it were a gun.
Saturday 19 October 2.30pm
PRIDE AND PREJUDICE (SORT OF) Wolverhampton Grand
Direct from its triumph in the West End where it won the Laurence Olivier Award for Best Comedy, this is a unique and audacious retelling of Jane Austen’s most iconic love story. Men, money and microphones will be fought over in this irreverent but affectionate adaptation where the stakes couldn’t be higher when it comes to romance. This multi-award-winning production features a string of pop classics including Young Hearts Run Free, Will You Love Me Tomorrow and You’re So Vain. It’s the 1800s. It’s Party Time. Let The Ruthless Matchmaking Begin.
Described by Remy LLoyd.
Image: Five young women stand in a v shape, dancing and sing karaoke as they hold microphones. They are dressed in high-waisted white muslin gowns and black Doc Marten boots. At the back of the stage set is a white piano.
Saturday 19 October 2pm
PLAY ON Liverpool Playhouse
A new Jazz musical based on Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night.
What does it take for a woman to make it in a man's world? Meet Vy, a talented songwriter looking to make it big in the 1940's Harlem scene. She quickly learns from her uncle Jester that women will never be taken seriously in a man’s world. But, like many a strong hero, she refuses to accept defeat. Through her gender fluid cunning, she meets club owner The Duke and sensational nightclub singer Lady Liv and is swept up in a syncopated symphony of melodies, mistaken identities and romance. Who will come out on top? This stylish retelling of Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night fuses the thrilling music of Duke Ellington with street dance choreography. Prepare to be wowed by this musical spectacular that will have your toes tapping and hands clapping along with the timeless soundtrack.
Described by Davinia Jokhi.
Image: The image is set in Harlem’s Cotton Club. Against the background of a brightly lit stage are three performers. A young man on the left in evening dress points as though out to the audience. A young woman on the right sings to a vintage microphone, eyes closed in bliss. In the centre is a woman wearing a man’s suit and hat, her eyes shining, arms extended.
Wednesday 23 October 2.30pm
CHITTY CHITTY BANG BANG Regent Theatre Stoke-on-Trent
The most fantasmagorical musical of all time flies into the Regent Theatre. A brand-new production of this much-loved family favourite stars Adam Garcia (Wicked, Kiss Me Kate, Coyote Ugly) as Caractacus Potts, Liam Fox (Emmerdale) as Grandpa Potts and The Vivienne (The Wizard of Oz, Ru Paul Drag Race, as the Childcatcher. Directed by Thom Southerland (Titanic, Parade), choreographed by Karen Bruce (BBC’s Strictly Come Dancing, The Bodyguard) and designed by Morgan Large (Newsies, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat), this ravishing award-winning musical is bursting with unforgettable songs by the Sherman Brothers including Toot Sweets, Hushabye Mountain, Truly Scrumptious and of course the Academy Award-nominated title song, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang.
Chitty is described by Anne Hornsby.
Image: A production photograph shows Chitty in flight, chrome gleaming, red and yellow wings spread out, the Potts family in the seats awestruck against the background of a dark starry night.
Wednesday 23 October 7.30pm
BURLESQUE THE MUSICAL Opera House Manchester
When Ali heads to the bright lights of New York in search of her mother, she finds herself drawn into a dazzling underground world where the beat of the music and the heat of the dance moves will change her life forever. Among this unlikely family of misfits, dreamers and schemers, Ali will unwittingly find her real voice, discover her talent, and find where she really, truly belongs. Written by Steven Antin, with additional material by Kate Wetherhead, and directed and choreographed by Nick Winston, Burlesque The Musical is a scintillating journey of self-discovery that absolutely sizzles with songs by Christina Aguilera, Sia and Diane Warren, alongside additional songs by Jess Folley and Todrick Hall.
Burlesque is the big new musical that says life isn't fair...it's fabulous!
Described by Anne Hornsby.
Wednesday 30 October 7.30pm
STONES IN HIS POCKETS Octagon Theatre Bolton
Hilarious, thought-provoking and darkly funny comedy.
Lights Camera Action! Hollywood is coming to the Octagon…but what happens when two Irish extras become the stars?! Set in rural Ireland, a small village is turned upside down by the arrival of a Hollywood studio to film the latest historical blockbuster. Told through the eyes of local lads Charlie Conlon and Jake Quinn, who are employed as extras, it soon becomes clear that Tinseltown’s romanticised dream of Ireland is a long way from reality.
Directed by Matthew McElhinney, son of the play’s writer and original director, this new production brings a fresh take on this hysterically funny, thought-provoking and witty award-winning comedy.
Described by Anne Hornsby.
Image: A production photo shows Charlie and Jake onstage against a theatre backdrop of a Georgian house and piles of flight cases. Charlie is shorter and well filled out. He wears a crumpled grey suit with braces and a flat cap turned backwards. Jake on the right is taller and wears a brown suit and brown moleskin waistcoat, his cap also turned the wrong way round. They seem to be running, with joyous expressions on their faces.
We look forward to welcoming you to a show or event soon!
