August 2007

SATISFACTION

A Peter Schaufuss production
SATISFACTION
Hey you! get off that cloud and seek out

Opens Tuesday August 28 2007 at The Apollo Theatre

Announcing the arrival of one of the most sensational dance events ever to hit the West End…a show for everyone, SATISFACTION guaranteed!

The idea’s simple: take the music of the greatest rock band of all time, (who’ll have just been playing down the road at 02 when the show opens) THE ROLLING STONES; blend with the extraordinary energy and genius of the legendary Danish choreographer Peter Schaufuss and his dance company, and drop the resulting delicacy into one of the West End’s most charming and intimate theatres: the Apollo in Shaftesbury Avenue.

The Apollo is where the hit-dance show SATISFACTION opens on August 28th, and that’s where the spirit of the ‘Stones in the sixties and seventies, in the sex, drugs and rock’n’roll era lots of us pretend to remember, will be coming alive this summer.

Peter Schaufuss describes his latest creation as a “dancical”. What’s a “dancical” you ask? Well, according to Schaufuss who has produced no fewer than 17 dance spectaculars over the past 10 years, it’s not exactly a ballet, nor is it trying to be a musical. SATISFACTION is a thrilling dance show set to the brilliant singles of the Rolling Stone’s first raw outpourings of creativity: each track heralds a different dance and tells its own story.

“Twenty-four of the Rolling Stones’ hits and the twenty-five dancers in SATISFACTION together make for a vibrant and fascinating multimedia experience of dance, music and light which capture the audience” explains Schaufuss.

And now, just consider the icing on the creative cake, with the news that Britain’s greatest political cartoonist, the equal of Hogarth and Gilray in the 18th century, none other than the Sunday Times’s GERALD SCARFE has drawn extraordinary caricatures of the Rolling Stones which form a part of the staging and the atmosphere of SATISFACTION.

Of course, SCARFE’s no stranger to working in the rock business: his were the fabulous concepts Pink Floyd in The Wall and as the husband of actress Jane Asher he’s been in the heart of London performance for a generation.

SATISFACTION, needless to say, brings together talent from right across the dance and music fields, and is set to be the hottest ticket in town through its sheer originality and the sure-fire nature of the Rolling Stones’ original performances…that’s right: no cover here,: it’s JAGGER and RICHARDS all the way (well, there is “Like a Rolling Stone” which Bob Dylan wrote, and “Down the Road Apiece” which Don Raye penned, but everything else is theirs…)

Here’s the track list: it reads exactly like a Rolling Stones Greatest Hits album…because that’s what it is…

Under My Thumb…Get Off My Cloud…Play with Fire…Sympathy for the Devil…As Time Goes By…Ruby Tuesday…Time Is On My Side….You Can't Always Get What You Want…Paint It Black…Down the Road-a-Piece…Angie…Sweet Black Angel…Wild Horses…She's a Rainbow…The Lantern…Pain in My Heart…Red Rooster…The Worst…Mona…This Place is Empty…Laugh, I Nearly Died…Streets of Love…Like a Rolling Stone…(I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction…

PETER SCHAUFUSS is one of the world’s greatest choreographers and dancers. He graduated from the Royal Danish Ballet School, was a Director of the English National Ballet, and has held numerous artistic directorships all over the world. He founded his company just a decade ago in 1997, since when awards and praise have never ceased to envelop him and the 17 productions he’s been responsible for. His dance exploration of the tragic life of Diana, Princess of Wales made the headlines two years ago, its delicate, sensitive artistry silencing criticism, and waking the British public up to the talent of its creator.

Press Night 29th August 2007 at 7pm

Tickets are priced from £15.00-£40.00 are available online at http://www.nimaxtheatres.com/satisfaction or through the Box Office provided by SEE Tickets 0870 890 1101 or 0870 040 0080 provided by Nimax Theatres

Performances times are Monday to Saturday at 8pm, with performances on Friday and Saturday at 5pm

Strictly limited season from 28th August until 08 September 2007

For more information about SATISFACTION please contact Dee McCourt at Borkowski on 0207 404 3000 or 07803 726543
or email to dee@borkowski.co.uk

Further information is available from the Peter Schaufuss website www.schaufuss.com

BORKOWSKI LET'S THE SECRET OUT OF THE BAG.... WISPA'S BACK!

Borkowski let's the secret out of the bag.... Wispa's back!

Daily Express

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Daily Mail

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Daily Telegraph

The Guardian

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HAVE YOU HEARD THE WISPA?

CADBURY RESPONDS TO CONSUMER DEMAND FOR NOSTALGIC FAVOURITE

For the first time ever, confectionery leader Cadbury has been persuaded by the might of the web to re-launch one of the most recognised, loved and missed chocolate bars, Wispa.

The rumour that has been circulating on the internet and across social network sites can today be confirmed: Wispa – the favourite chocolate bar launched in the ‘80s - is making a comeback.

This is largely thanks to the hoards of fans who have tirelessly lobbied Cadbury over the last few years to start making its famous gently bubbled, velvety milk chocolate once again. Loyal fans have been campaigning hard for its return, setting up hundreds of ‘Bring Back Wispa’ campaigns and online petitions, making banner appearances at festivals, creating blog sites and fuelling online discussion across Facebook, Bebo, YouTube and MySpace.

Facebook now plays host to a staggering 13,799 Wispa fans all of whom are actively campaigning across 93 different “Bring Back Wispa” groups. The number of people joining these Wispa fan based Facebook groups has increased by 35% since June 2007. Not to be outdone by Facebook, Bebo’s most prominent Bring Back Wispa campaign has grown by 44% in the past eight weeks.

Die-hard Wispa fans even took their mission to the festival circuit this year. At Glastonbury, two Wispa fans from Ireland stormed Iggy Pop’s performance with a ‘BRING BACK WISPA’ banner.

Cadbury’s spokesperson, Tony Bilsborough says: “We have been bowled over by the overwhelming online demand to bring back Wispa. We have noticed the web interest for some time and the consumer passion has undeniably swayed our opinion to re-launch Wispa. This is the first time that the power of the internet played such an intrinsic role in the return of a Cadbury brand.”

Wispa epitomises the all fun, retro and kitsch nostalgia that we love about the ‘80s. Wispa’s revival promises to take people back to a decade where Dallas and Dynasty ruled the airwaves and leg warmers, neon clothes and Bananarama were ‘de rigueur’.

Brand historian (founder of Museum of Brands) Robert Opie explains: “We have a great affection for the treats of our youth. Knowing that a much-loved brand from our past will be making a comeback is bound to titillate the memory buds. With Wispa’s success in the ‘80s, the nation has created a renewed and distinct demand that can only be satisfied by its re-launch. Wispa’s unique chocolate sensation is impossible to find elsewhere, and when added to fond memory moments, makes its reappearance doubly appetising.”

Wispa was renowned for using high profile celebrities throughout its long-running, award winning TV advertising campaign and the adverts are still remembered and loved by many. The tongue-in-cheek TV adverts which aired during the ‘80s and ‘90s, featured famous comedic duos including: Ruth Madoc and Simon Cadell (Hi-De-Hi), Nigel Hawthorne and Paul Eddington (Yes Minister), Victoria Wood and Julie Walters, Dennis Waterman and John Thaw (Sweeney) and Mel Smith and Griff Rhys Jones. The ‘80s Wispa adverts have since been immortalised on YouTube and some of them, like the Hi De Hi advert, now enjoy a huge online following – over twenty years after they first aired!

Former Head of Cadbury, Sir Dominic Cadbury, comments: “When we first came up with the concept for Wispa we knew we had created something very special. Wispa has always been a personal favourite so I am delighted that this unique and iconic bar is to be re-launched so that a whole new generation can enjoy Wispa”.

Wispa first appeared as a pilot scheme in the Tyne Tees area in Autumn of 1981 and was an instant success with demand far outstripping production. Cadbury then created a bespoke production plant especially for Wispa and invested in a multi-million pound advertising campaign. When it rolled out nationally in 1983 it enjoyed a meteoric rise to the top of the confectionery tables.

Wispa Classic will be relaunched for a limited period from 8 October 2007. Approximately 23 million bars will be produced at launch for an RRP of 42p per bar, so this will be your chance to reminisce with Wispa while stocks last.

Wispa was, and still remains, a unique chocolate sensation. The bar fuses a secret blend of quality dark and Cadbury Dairy Milk chocolate interlaced with the finest bubbles developed by an expert ‘Aeration Guru’. Nothing else on the market compares to the incredible taste and texture of Wispa, it’s the ultimate ‘textual experience’ – once bitten, never forgotten.

For more information, images or an interview with a Wispa spokesperson please contact:

Borkowski PR 0207 404 3000 / Fax 0207 404 5000

Jodie Gee – 07852 898 910/jodie@borkowski.co.uk
Emily Eve – 07949 397 029/emily@borkowski.co.uk
Natasha Gould – 07920 092 018/natasha@borkowski.co.uk

SHHH… IT’S BACK! …TOP SECRET FACT SHEET…

HISTORY OF WISPA

1981
First launched as a pilot in the Tyne Tees area, Wispa proved so popular that Cadbury had to build a new £12 million factory to launch nationally

1983
During the first week of national launch, a whopping 9.5 Million bars were sold in Newcastle. The local Woolworths sold over 10,000 in one day!

1983
Wispa cost just 16p (1p cheaper than a Mars bar)

1995
Wispa Gold launched – Following this Wispa had a number of variants, including Wispa Mint and Wispa Bite

1999
Star Wars limited edition Wispa bars were launched to celebrate Episode One: ‘The Phantom Menace’

2003
The last time Wispa was on our shelves

2007
Cadbury announces the return of the classic 1980’s favourite – Wispa’s coming back!

ICONIC 1980’S ADVERTISING

· Wispa was one of the first brands to use high profile celebrity endorsement for a launch campaign – the campaign was very of its day

· The TV advertising campaign, which ran throughout the 1980’s, included famous acting and comedic duos such as Ruth Madoc and Simon Cadell (Hi De Hi), Nigel Hawthorne and Paul Eddington (Yes Minister), Windsor Davies and Michael Knowles (It Ain’t Half Hot Mum), Dennis Waterman and John Thaw (Sweeney) and the long running combination of Mel Smith and Griff Rhys Jones

· Other classic campaign duos included Julie Waters and Victoria Wood and Rula Lenska and Dennis Waterman

· These iconic1980’s adverts have been kept alive thanks to online fans and YouTube where they now receive cult status

· The initial advertising strap line for Wispa was, ‘Bite it and believe it’

LITTLE KNOWN WISPA FACTS

· Product research during the early 1980s revealed that the Wispa bar was perceived as a new ‘textual experience’ which offered a deep bite followed by a rapid and rich chocolate delivery

· The name ‘Wispa’, which is a combination of ‘wisp’ and ‘whisper’, was chosen to reflect this ‘textual experience’

· The first Wispas were deemed too big for a lady to fit in her mouth and so they had to be scaled down

BUBBLE FACTS – A CLOSELY GUARDED SECRET!

· The production of the Wispa bar involves a revolutionary, fine bubble creating technique

· Wispa’s top secret taste, texture and quality is closely guarded by a ‘Bubble guru’

· It is the Wispa ‘Bubble guru’s’, expertise and knowledge of ‘aeration’ that makes sure every bar is evenly distributed with the finest, mouth watering bubbles that make the bar so unique

· The Wispa recipe is locked away and remains a secret to be kept within Cadbury’s legal team

For more information, images or an interview with a Wispa spokesperson, please contact:

Borkowski PR 0207 404 3000 / Fax 0207 404 5000

Jodie Gee – 07852 898 910/jodie@borkowski.co.uk
Emily Eve – 07949 397 029/emily@borkowski.co.uk
Natasha Gould – 07920 092 018/natasha@borkowski.co.uk

RENT - REMIXED -

RENT - REMIXED - arrives in the West End this Autumn

A new version of Jonathan Larson’s RENT opens in the West End at the Duke of York’s Theatre, London in October 2007. Directed by William Baker, the creative team includes; Music Supervisor Steve Anderson; Designer Mark Bailey; Lighting Designer David Howe and Sound Designer Sebastian Frost.

Re-orchestrated and reworked by William Baker and Steve Anderson the celebrated creative team behind Kylie, this highly-anticipated, contemporary version of RENT has cast aside the grunge and guitars and is ready to take on the 21st century.

Based on Puccini’s La Boheme, RENT first opened at New York Theatre Workshop and immediately broke musical convention. It was hailed by the New York Times as the return of the musical that dared to take the culture's temperature and catch its tempo. Over a decade later, that temperature has changed; this production reinvents an iconic musical for a new generation.

The incredibly talented cast of RENT includes Siobhan Donaghy as Mimi, Luke Evans as Roger, Oliver Thornton as Mark, Leon Lopez as Collins, Jay Webb as Angel, Francesca Jackson as Joanne and Craig Stein as Benny.

Siobhan Donaghy was a founding member of the urban indie group Sugababes. Her second solo album, GHOSTS, has recently been released with great critical acclaim. As well as a thriving solo career Siobhan is also a talented and sought after DJ.

Luke Evans is known to many for playing the lead role in Boy George’s Taboo and has just finished performing in the West End production of Avenue Q. He previously starred in Miss Saigon as Chris and also appeared in Boy George’s fashion photography book B-RUDE.

Leon Lopez is known to millions for his TV roles, playing Jerome Johnson in Brookside and most recently Tanktop in Hollyoaks. He is a regular presenter on television and was runner up in ITV’s Soapstar Superstar competition. He has just completed the role of The Child Catcher in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang and his new single Love Got In The Way is released in August 2007.

The cast also includes Ruth Augilera, Jamie Sampson, Antony Luperi, Earl Perkins, Lewis Griffiths, and Philippa Stefani.

In a first for West End theatre, RENT will operate a general admission ticket policy similar to gigs and concerts. Tickets will be priced at £30 and will be allocated on a first come first served basis (compared with £55 for top price seats to other musicals). The production will also adopt a dedicated online and viral campaign, creating forums through websites, such as MySpace, Facebook and YouTube.

Howard Panter, Joint Chief Executive of The Ambassador Theatre Group says – ‘I am delighted to be producing RENT. This is a musical about young people and for young people. We have therefore chosen what we believe to be an appropriate new ticket policy which young people are using and understand.’

Rent is produced by The Ambassador Theatre Group, Tulbart Productions and Michael Brenner.

www.myspace.com/rentremixed

Rent Listings

Duke of York’s Theatre, St Martin’s Lane, London, WC2N 4BG

From Tuesday 02 October 2007 at 7.45pm
Booking until Saturday 05 April
Press night Tuesday 16 October at 7pm
Box Office 0870 060 6623

Performances
Mon – Sat (excl Fri) 7.45pm
Friday Late night 8.30pm
Matinees Friday 5pm & Sat 4pm

General Admittance Tickets £30 (first come first serve seating)
‘Rented’ Seats £15, £25, £45 (allocated seating)

For further information, please contact Borkowski PR:

Ewan Thomson, Tel: 0207 492 0614
ewan@borkowski.co.uk

Giles Cooper, Tel: 0207 492 0643
giles@borkowski.co.uk

Information for editors

William Baker – Director

William Baker is one of the most respected creative directors in the music industry. He has helped create and define some of the most distinctive pop imagery in recent years, inventing a new form of story based concerts with some of the best known artists in the music industry. He is best known for his long collaboration with Kylie Minogue for whom he was responsible for recreating her brand. The shows he has produced have re-established Kylie as one of the world’s leading live performers. William’s other clients include Westlife, Jay Kay, Shirley Manson, Bjork, PJ Harvey & Geri Halliwell.

Steve Anderson – Music Supervisor

As a remixer, Anderson has worked with Michael Jackson, David Bowie, Janet Jackson, Sting and Paul McCartney. He became known for reinventing old classics such as Temptation by Heaven 17, Xanadu by Olivia Newton John and Save a Prayer by Duran Duran. This lead on to working with The Pet Shop Boys, Take That and Lulu. It also marked the start of his long collaboration with Kylie Minogue. In 1997 he was asked to be the Musical Director of her Intimate & Live tour in Australia which broke all box office records. Since that time he has been her Musical Director for every appearance – be it TV, tours, special appearances and world events such as the 2000 Olympics. As a Universal Music Publishing writer he is working on new artists as well as artists such as Britney Spears and Girls Aloud. He is also the Musical Director for Westlife’s Face to Face tour, once again with William Baker.

Mark Bailey – Designer

Mark’s design for The Cuckoo’s Nest (Theatr Clwyd) has been chosen as the UK entry into the Prague Quadrennial this year and in addition to Rent he is currently working on The Snow Queen for English National Ballet opening in the Autumn.

He recently designed the set for Rise & Fall of the City of Mahoganny at Los Angeles Opera for director John Doyle, with whom he has worked regularly. Other recent work includes Hamlet (Chicago Shakespeare Theatre); the revival of Melody on the Move (English National Ballet at Sadlers Wells); The Rivals (Bath Theatre Royal/UK tour); ‘Varii Capricci’ for The Wright Occasion (in celebration of Peter Wright’s 80th birthday); The Importance of Being Earnest (Oxford Playhouse) and Vote Dizzy! (Soho Theatre). Other credits include Rat Pack Confidential (West End/Nottingham Playhouse) and The Threepenny Opera (National Theatre/Mobile tour). Mark is also Terry Hands’ Associate Artist at Clwyd Theatr Cymru.

VIRGIN MEGASTORES MOSHES OUT WITH THE BIGGEST KERRANG! DAY OF ROCK EVER

On Wednesday 8 August, 500 lucky fans of all things rock got on their mosh outfits to be a part of the highlight of the rock calendar; the Kerrang! Day of Rock at Virgin Megastores, Oxford Street.

The all day event featured some of the most talked about bands across the rock spectrum today, was held to announce the nominations for the Kerrang! Awards 2007 taking place later this month.

Virgin Megastores has been the official retail partner of the Kerrang! Awards and hosted the now infamous Kerrang! Day of Rock for the past four years, as well as sponsoring the ‘Best Album’ award at the Kerrang! Awards 2007. This year’s event kicked off with Finnish metal gods Turisas donning their body paint, fur skirts and accordions, shortly followed by stellar performances by hotly tipped Welsh rockers Kids in Glass Houses, Irish bluesy rockers The Answer and Charlie Simpson’s outfit Fightstar.

Headliners Enter Shikari, who picked up four nominations for the Kerrang! Awards (equalling US emos My Chemical Romance), closed the show with a typically crowd-rousing performance including dozens of crowd surfers and numerous ventures into the crowd by lead singer Rou, drawing festivities to a typically rocking finale. The band’s set smashed the Virgin Megastores record for the number of crowd surfers for a performance with a whopping 28!

Charlie Simpson and Kerrang! Editor Paul Brannigan were on hand to announce the nominations for this year’s Kerrang! Awards and judging by the screams of the packed crowd, Enter Shikari should be the toast of this years’ awards; My Chemical Romance on the other hand received numerous boos from the crowd when their nominations were announced.

The evening ended with an exclusive VIP party on the roof of the legendary Oxford Street store, which saw appearances from Bullet for My Valentine, Hundred Reasons and XFM’s Ian Camfield, as well as DJ’s from Kerrang! and Team Disgusting (including former Towers of London members The Rev and Snell). Guests were treated to the finest in rock-themed party theatrics, with interactive guitar game ‘Guitar Hero’ on Xbox 360, a particular favourite with Matt Tuck of Bullet for My Valentine and Micky Waters from The Answer.

Commenting on the launch, Stephen Lynn, Virgin Megastores Senior PR & Promotions Manager said: “Once again, Virgin Megastores, Emap and Kerrang! have worked together to produce an outstanding show for the fans. The 500 competition winners who attended the event all day were treated to some of the best acts that UK rock has to offer today and all for free. Virgin Megastores is extremely pleased with how the day went and we really look forward to working hard to make next year’s event even more rocking than this year’s.”

Paul Brannigan, Editor of Kerrnag! Comments: “Virgin Megastores as well as being the official retail partner for the Kerrang! Awards have shown their passion for what Kerrang! is all about by hosting by far the most successful Kerrang! Day of Rock ever. We’re thrilled with how the day went, and that between ourselves and Virgin Megastores we were able to treat the lucky readers to some of the best rock music around.”

For more information, please contact:
Alex Wilkinson or Natalie Ashworth at BORKOWSKI PR
020 7404 3000
alex@borkowski.co.uk
natalie@borkowski.co.uk