Barbershopera Productions and Seabright Productions present

Barbershopera - Apocalypse No!

by Rob Castell and Tom Sadler, in collaboration with and directed by Sarah Tipple
Designed by Molly Einchcomb, Lighting by Robin Fisher

This show is available for touring in 2011, following its Edinburgh premiere season in August 2010.

Following MTM award-winning Fringe runs in 2008 and 2009, national and international tours, a West End season and a Radio 4 adaptation of their first show, Barbershopera return with an all-new production.

Barbershop’s funniest quartet present their third a cappella comedy musical – and this time they’re going apocalyptic. God summons four dastardly horsemen to unleash total destruction on the world, but unfortunately Beth turns up instead of Death. Cue mistaken identity, four-part harmony and at least one hobby-horse.

Barbershopera! received rave reviews at Edinburgh Fringe in 2008 and was awarded both Best New Musical and Best Lyrics accolades at the Musical Theatre Matters Awards. The show has since toured nationally and played a London season at Theatre 503. A special version of the show was broadcast on BBC Radio 4 as the Afternoon Play earlier this year and repeated in Pick Of The Week. A festive edition of the show will be revived again this Christmas at The Drum, Plymouth.

The company’s second show won the award for Best Lyrics at the Musical Theatre Matters Awards at Edinburgh in 2009 and has since played in the West End at Trafalgar Studios, has played an extensive UK tour and won Best Actor and Best Actress awards at Daegu International Musical Festival in Korea.

Barbershopera Productions and Seabright Productions present

Barbershopera II - The Barber Of Shavingham

by Rob Castell and Tom Sadler, in collaboration with and directed by Sarah Tipple
Designed by Molly Einchcomb, Lighting by Robin Fisher

This show is available for touring in 2010, following its London premiere season in January.

Barbershop’s funniest quartet premiered their second show at the 2009 Edinburgh fringe, and went on to win the Best Lyrics Musical Theatre Matters Award, for the second consecutive year.

This all-new, a cappella, comedy musical offers plentiful laughs, occasional tears and a herd of stampeding cows - all in four-part harmony. The talented foursome tell the story of a Catalan matador who inherits his dead father’s barbershop in Shavingham, Norfolk.

Will our young hero manage to enchant the locals with his continental flair? How will he fare against local favourite Trevor Sorbet in a frenzied, high-stakes, coiffeurs’ cut-off? Can he win the heart of the beautiful town crier? And will he ever leave Norfolk again?

The co-writing team of Rob Castell and Tom Sadler and director Sarah Tipple have come together again to create another madcap but beautifully harmonious show for the 2009 fringe. They perform with returning ‘barbershopper’ Lara Stubbs, whilst Pete Sorel-Cameron makes his debut with the company. Director Sarah Tipple's other recent work includes Bay (Young Vic); Mad Funny Just (Theatre503); and The Wrong Man (Pleasance Islington and Edinburgh & on tour).

What the papers say…

'As accomplished and original as the first outing, this second helping is just as delicious. It achieves the balance of portraying the acapella barbershop style whilst mixing it up and inter-cutting with pop songs, perfectly complementing a stunningly delivered line with a left-field idiotic one. The four-strong cast are supremely capable singers and comedic performers who delight in their roles, making the slapstick farce and lyrical absurdity appear delectably effortless.'
***** Edinburgh Guide (full review here)

'A delightfully cod opera of equally balanced melodrama and idiocy. It is silly but, then again, so are most operas, and Barbershopera's approach to their subject is pitch perfect.'
**** Metro (full review here)

'All of the performances are terrific – each perfectly blending sharp comic timing with effortless singing. While the humour is often physical, the story is surprisingly touching. You'll find yourself caring about the characters despite, or even because of, the fact that they're so silly. If you're sick of plays with dismal subject matter, then this is the one to really cheer you up.'
**** The Scotsman (full review here)

'A glorious display of silliness, told in a capella song by four fabulous performers. The acting is deliciously over-the-top, and the singing is witty and sometimes genuinely astonishing. Sarah Tipple directs with clarity and turn-on-a-sixpence slickness.'
***** Whatsonstage.com (full review here)

'Our four entertainers work precisely in rich, a cappella harmony, though the catchy songs never feel stuffy or overly technical. Funny and clear lyrics align seamlessly with slapstick action that fills the stage, and the riotous energy of the show is maintained even during a delightful foray into shadow puppetry.'
***** Edinburgh Festivals Magazine (full review here)

'Writers Castell and Sadler and director Sarah Tipple have created a fast-paced technical tour de force that manages to be sheer entertainment at the same time. And thanks to the efforts of this dazzling cast, the combination has created a subtle slice of cutting-edge comedy.'
The Stage 'Must See Show' (full review here)

Barbershopera - Toni And The Guys

This show remains available for touring by request.

The original Barbershopera show premiered at Edinburgh fringe 2008, winning rave reviews and the Musical Theatre Matters awards for Most Promising New Musical and Best Lyrics. In a Christmas version it subsequently played at Theatre503 in London. The show also toured in spring 2009.

The Eurovision Barbershop Contest approaches. Our manly quartet fancy their chances - until their tenor does a runner. He must be replaced and fast, but the only option is a warbling female opera singer. Will our heroes overcome the obstacles of romantic intrigue, gender warfare and their evil Swiss rivals to triumph in Ljubljana?

What the papers say…

'A feast of frenetic ridiculousness and technically superb singing.'
***** The Scotsman (full review here)

'Sublimely silly yet smilingly sophisticated.'
**** Metro (full review here)

'Musical theatre at its very best.'
**** Fest (full review here)

'Castell and Sadler's music is packed with fiendishly tongue-twisting lyrics and cleverly references. There's even a spot of female impersonation - all slickly and energetically served up in Sarah Tipple's production.'
The Times (full review here)

YouTube clip from the show