Paul Sirett’s REASONS TO BE CHEERFUL was a triumph during its run at the Theatre Royal Stratford East and at The New Wolsey Theatre, Ipswich – both near Essex, in case you couldn’t tell. It won rave reviews at the former and sold out at the latter, becoming one of the Wolsey’s fastest selling shows ever.
REASONS TO BE CHEERFUL was a co-production between The New Wolsey Theatre, Theatre Royal Stratford East and Graeae – the country’s flagship disabled-led theatre company.
No strangers to first night nerves every one night stand, the cast for the original run of REASONS TO BE CHEERFUL was Nadia Albina as Janine; Stephen Collins as Colin: Stephen Lloyd as Vinnie; Daniel McGowan as Dave; Garry Robson as Bobby and Karen Spicer as Pat.
Choosing not to have a fool in their six-piece band, red-hot live musicians Mat Fraser, Robert Hyman, John Kelly, Nixon Rosembert, Daniel McGowan and Paul Sirett paid tribute to Dury’s anarchic spirit performing hits including ‘Reasons to be Cheerful’, ‘Sex and Drugs and Rock and Roll’, ‘Sweet Gene Vincent’, ‘Spasticus Autisticus’ and ‘Hit Me With Your Rhythm Stick’.
‘Graeae’s demand for mainstream recognition can no longer be ignored. A puckish, mind-blowing two hours, with an energy and brilliance you will seldom seen bettered. Fabulous.’- Reviews Gate
The lucky winners of our Dr. Martens 1460 boot competition!!!
Kim Clark, Chris Elwell, Jayne Hyman, Dean Smith and Winnie Yick
Final Night Photo Credit: Alison Baskerville
Dr. Martens Competition
The competition to win 5 pairs of 1460′s is now closed. Thank you all for entering we will be announcing the winners very soon. Good luck!
REASONS TO BE CHEERFUL nominated for awards!
We need your vote – REASONS TO BE CHEERFUL has been nominated for 2 awards for The Offies – The Off West End Theatre Awards! We need you to VOTE NOW for REASONS TO BE CHEERFUL for The People’s Favourite New Musical award and for The People’s Favourite Entertainment Award.
To cast your vote you need to click HERE and scroll to the bottom of the page and sign up to The Offies newsletter and then look for the link at the bottom of your next OffWestEnd.com email. It’s easy!
3 Encores and the upper circle shook! It was another energised performance from the REASONS TO BE CHEERFUL cast and band.
‘Graeae, The Theatre Royal Stratford East and The New Wolsey, have recreated everything I remember about a Blockheads’ gig back in the day. There is energy and honesty, fantastic music and above all, excellent entertainment. I know Ian would be overwhelmed with pride to see how his and the Blockheads’ music has been brought to a new audience by such talented and imaginative people. I loved hearing Nadia singing ‘Hit Me’, I don’t know why we haven’t heard a woman sing it before, that was a brilliant touch. The show really, really deserves to go further. Oi oi!’
Jemima Dury
The cast and band with left to right Jemima Dury, Joe McGann and Jackie Curbishley. Lets ave it!
‘Absolutely thrilling show. The energy from the performance filled the theatre, it was fantastic to see people young and old alike up and dancing. This show deserves a longer life. Here’s to a West End transfer! Superb!’
Joe McGann
‘It’s got a heart of gold’
Daily Mail
Suggs from Madness gives us a 4th reason To be cheerful!
Suggs comes down to see REASONS TO BE CHEERFUL at Theatre Royal Stratford East, sending the cast all nutty!
The other 3 reasons Sugg’s gave us for being cheerful…
1. Riding a bike through Regent’s Park
2. Swimming in the sea
3. Lemonade
‘Oi, oi! Paul Sirett’s new musical fashioned around the music of Ian Dury is rough, ready and bloody brilliant.’
Time Out – Critics’ choice 4 Stars
‘The energy and anarchic attitude are faultless.’
The Daily Telegraph
‘The music is brilliant there are moments of crude punk genius’
The Times
‘Reasons To Be Cheerful – The Musical is a Graeae Theatre Company triumph. The BBC’s banned Spasticus Autisticus is joyfully defiant.’
The Guardian
‘The commitment and passion shown by every member of the cast was faultless, the songs were performed brilliantly and the story was told in a sensitive and touching way. This is a show not to be missed, you will come out of the theatre full of joy and enthusiasm for life, as well as a greater appreciation for the power music has over us all. We all have a bit of anarchy in us, and this show gives us the opportunity to let it out!’
The Public Review
‘It’s always engaging. And in those moments when the story, the rock ‘n’ roll mentality and the music come together, it’s unstoppable.’
Times2
‘For those who have never heard of Ian Dury, this is a good show, for those who have, it’s a must. It’s definitely a reason to be cheerful.’
Spoonfed
‘Vocalists John Kelly and Garry Robson are simply astounding whilst Stephen Lloyd’s jumping jack flash, Vinnie, and Stephen Collins’ strutting Colin carry all before them. Fabulous.’
Reviews Gate
‘Reasons to be Cheerful is a good night out.’
What’s On Stage
‘The stage gives of a million volts.’
The Guardian
‘High Energy.’
The Theatre Guide
‘Reasons to be Cheerful is a show I can highly recommend.’
The Londoneer
‘Reasons to be cheerful is an outstanding feat with actors both wheelchair-users and non-users working the stage.’
Up Your Street
‘This is entertainment that leaves no one out.’
The British Theatre Guide
2 LEGENDARY BASS PLAYERS BUT THE BOOT IN!
Glen Matlock from the Sex Pistols and Mani from The Stone Roses/Primal Scream leave us with 6 great reasons to be cheerful on their DM’s
Glen Matlock
Mani
Don’t forget to check out the celeb quote page for all the fabulous reason to cheerful!
Press and Guest Night… ‘Lets Ave It!’
Graeae patron Sir Peter Blake and his wife Chrissy are among the guests that attend a packed house for the press night of REASONS TO BE CHEERFUL at Theatre Royal Stratford East.
‘An excellent performance that underlines Dury’s legacy of songs and will I guarantee, have you singing his songs for days to come!’ Live Music 24
‘Vocalist John Kelly who actually sounds very much like the much-missed Dury.’ Ipswich 24
‘Without doubt the finest thing I’ve ever seen at the theatre.’ Diss Express
STANDING OVATIONS AND ENCORES GREAT REASONS TO BE CHEERFUL AT THEATRE ROYAL STRATFORD EAST
Its all your brain and body needs!
Photo credit: Alison Baskerville
Stratford gets the cheerful treatment
REASONS TO BE CHEERFUL hit’s the street’s of Stratford spreading lots of cheerfulness.
Clouds of yellow smiling faces greeted Stratford shoppers.
One step beyond!
Madness give us a really nutty reason to be cheerful and get creative on their DM’s
STANDING OVATIONS AND ENCORES GREET REASONS TO BE CHEERFUL
Playing to sell out audiences at the New Wolsey Theatre, this high-energy and beautifully told coming of age tale received standing ovations and mass sing-alongs at all performances.
Photo credit: Patrick Baldwin
‘This production really will have you, tapping your toes, singing along, smiling and crying too. The story is strong, emotional but most of all highly enjoyable. Every performance at The New Wolsey had audiences up on their feet and crying for more, for although it is a play it is also a concert too.’ LIVE MUSIC 24
‘Reasons To Be Cheerful was absolutely wonderful – a real high point in all the shows I have seen in the last couple of years!’ Dance in the Community
Photo credit: Patrick Baldwin
‘Tonight was wonderful, truly wonderful, if I could be there for both performances again I would.’ Mayor of Ipswich Office
‘Paul Sirett is an Olivier-nominated writer and watching this production he deserves to be an Olivier-winner!’ IPSWICH 24
Photo credit: Patrick Baldwin
LOVE : MUSIC : ART
Graeae patron Sir Peter Blake pops his 3 reasons to be cheerful on his DM’s.
Cast and band hit Chaz Jankel’s rhythm stick
Chaz Jankel pops down to watch the rehearsals of REASONS TO BE CHEERFUL and have a chat with BBC Radio 4′s The Today Programme. The rehearsal was buzzing, our scorching cast and band performed great hits such as “Hit Me With Your Rhythm Stick” and “Sex and Drugs and Rock and Roll”. It was all Chaz’s brain and body needed.
Kasabian get cheerful on their DM’s and lend their support for REASONS TO BE CHEERFUL
REASONS TO BE CHEERFUL previews at the Liberty Festival
REASONS TO BE CHEERFUL took to the stage at the Lord Mayor’s “Liberty Festival” in the heart of London’s Trafalgar Square. Graeae’s scorching live band and cast belted out “Sex and Drugs and Rock and Roll” and “Blockhead”. It was all your brain and body needed!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=INRkQHaisAk
The Noisettes get noisy on their DM’s
Shingai and Dan from the Noisettes hit the gold spot with their reasons to be cheerful
Legendary musician supports REASONS TO BE CHEERFUL
Legendary Joy Division and New Order bass player Peter Hook has lent his support to REASONS TO BE CHEERFUL and has donated a signed pair of Dr Marten’s 1460s inscribed with his very own ‘Reasons To Be Cheerful’.
Giving Ipswich a great Reason To Be Cheerful
REASONS TO BE CHEERFUL hit the streets of Ipswich to spread a bit of happiness for the up coming show at The New Wolsey Theatre. Stilt walkers and colourful punks took to the streets handing out “Reasons To Be Cheerful” balloons and some special “Cheerful” envelopes – some of which contained prizes of free tickets for the show!
At Ipswich Town football club, members of the REASONS TO BE CHEERFUL cast and live band took to the pitch at half-time during Ipswich’s 2-1 win over Leeds leading the crowd in a rousing rendition of the Ian Dury classic “Hit Me With Your Rhythm Stick” and to talk to the crowd about REASONS TO BE CHEERFUL.
Graeae, Theatre Royal Stratford East and the New Wolsey Theatre would like to thank the following people for their support of this production:
The Dury Family
Sir Peter Blake
The Blockheads with special thanks to Chaz Jankel
Dom & Dave at Blue Boxx
Arts SA’s Richard Llewellyn Arts and Disability Trust
Danny Braverman
Elizabeth Brett
Equitable Charitable Trust
Louisa Britton
Ruby Chez Henandez
Ernest Cook
Marie Costa
Dave Crompton
Liz Crow
Duncan Maclean – additional video programming
Daniel Freeland at Dr. Martens
Ted Evans
Jim Fleeman
E & J Gallo Winery
Philip Genochio
Hackney Parochial Charities
Craig Lancaster
Donna Reeve at Lancaster University Disability Studies
Lightmongers
Tania-Rose Mellis
Tony Mellis
Mildmay Club and Institute
Nadia Nadarajah
Paragon Management Limited
Matt Sommerville – production electrician
Daniel Syrett
And a huge thank you to everyone for giving us their reasons to be cheerful
