“Batman Live” Worldwide Arena Tour World Premiere - Manchester, 19 July 2011 Followed By UK And Ireland Tour
(April 12, 2011 – London, U.K.) – Batman fans were able to get a glimpse at the sheer magnitude and scale of the “Batman Live” world arena tour today, as Warner Bros. Consumer Products, DC Entertainment and Nick Grace of Water Lane Productions Ltd unveiled key characters in a spectacular theatrical event in central London.
The Joker introduced his Arkham Asylum super-villains The Penguin, The Riddler, Catwoman, Poison Ivy and Harley Quinn, but they were all outshined by the world’s most loved crime fighting duo; Batman and Robin.
“Batman Live” is based on the story of young Dick Grayson (Robin), a circus performer who loses his parents to organized crime. Faithfully adapted from the DC Comics characters and stories, “Batman Live” focuses on Robin’s quest for justice, which leads him to follow in the footsteps of his hero, the mysterious vigilante known as the Batman – much to the dismay of his protective guardian, millionaire Bruce Wayne – who secretly happens to be Batman.
This triangle resolves itself in a non-stop thrill-ride across Gotham City that transforms Bruce Wayne and Dick Grayson into the legendary crime-fighters Batman and Robin and transports the audience from the Big Top of Haly's Circus to the lower depths of Arkham Asylum – from the glittering peaks of the Penguin’s Iceberg Lounge to the subterranean wonders that await inside the Batcave, which features a revolutionary, all-new Batmobile designed exclusively for “Batman Live” by legendary car designer Professor Gordon Murray.
A dazzling celebration of storytelling and stagecraft, “Batman Live” is at its heart an affecting coming of age story. Bruce Wayne and Dick Grayson – both orphaned at an early age – must first learn to overcome their own fears and forge their own family – along with Police Commissioner James Gordon and Bruce’s trusted butler, Alfred Pennyworth – if they’re going to survive the combined forces of Batman’s larger-than-life rogues gallery: The Joker, The Penguin, Catwoman, The Riddler, Two-Face, Harley Quinn and Poison Ivy.
“Batman Live” will tour arenas for the first time ever across the U.K. and Europe, beginning in summer 2011 and arriving in North America in August 2012. Opening in Manchester on 19th July 2011 and visiting Newcastle, Glasgow, Sheffield, Birmingham, London, Liverpool, Nottingham, Dublin and Belfast, tickets for “Batman Live” are on sale now.
“Batman Live,” a unique and innovative theatrical experience, is an arena spectacular that combines acrobatics, daredevil stunt work, illusions, and cutting-edge design to bring the adventures of Batman and Robin to life on stage for the first time in the characters’ history. “Batman Live” is written by Allan Heinberg, with the original story by Stan Berkowitz & Alan Burnett, and Allan Heinberg.
“The passion the creative team behind ‘Batman Live’ shares for the character can be seen throughout every aspect of this production,” said Geoff Johns, Chief Creative Officer, DC Entertainment. “And the storyline, the origin of Robin, is something that is going to create a truly unforgettable live show.”
Allan Heinberg said: "I am delighted to be joining a team as committed to delivering an unparalleled visual spectacle, as they are to telling a compelling, emotional story. ‘Batman Live’ is lovingly faithful to the characters and their distinguished history and it provides a unique opportunity for new and lifelong fans to experience Batman and his world as they never have before."
“‘Batman Live’ will be a totally unique experience. This is not a musical but a high quality live show with a thrilling Batman story, filled with action, that will appeal to adults, teenagers and families,” said Nick Grace, Executive Producer of “Batman Live.” “Batman is more than a comic book character, he’s a cultural phenomenon and we are proud to have this opportunity to be involved with one of the most popular DC Super Heroes in the world today.”
“Batman Live” will feature a brand new Batmobile designed especially for the show by legendary racing car designer Professor Gordon Murray. Murray has designed racing cars for some of the most successful teams in the world including Brabham Formula One Team and McLaren Racing, and has a huge 50 Grand Prix wins to his name. His first design at McLaren Cars, the F1 Road Car is still regarded as the world’s best engineered car. A racing version won two world sports car championships and the Le Mans 24-hour race on its first attempt in 1995. McLaren Cars then completed several other successful projects culminating with the Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren programme.
The world premiere of “Batman Live” will take place in Manchester on 19th July 2011. Following the premiere, the show will tour the UK and the rest of Europe, before opening in North America in August 2012.
“Batman Live” is a live-action, super-heroic spectacle of unprecedented scale that is every bit as human, touching, and inspiring as it is spectacular.
“Batman Live” – Creative Team:
Anthony Van Laast – Creative Director
Choreographic credits for theatre include: “Mamma Mia!” (worldwide), “Sister Act” (London Palladium), “Bombay Dreams” (London and Broadway), “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat” (worldwide), “Jesus Christ Superstar” (U.K. and U.S.), “My Fair Lady” (U.S. tour); and for film include: “Who Dares Wins,” “Princess Carabou,” “Hope and Glory,” “Mamma Mia!” and “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows.” Direction and staging: “Grease” (Scandinavia), “Chess” (U.K. and European tours), “EFX” starring Michael Crawford (Las Vegas) and “Siegfried and Roy” (Las Vegas). He has made arena concerts for many people including: Kate Bush, Elaine Paige, Andrew Lloyd Webber, Sarah Brightman and most recently Mika. In 1999 he was awarded the MBE by Her Majesty the Queen for services to dance. James Powell – Co-Director
Credits include: “Singin’ in the Rain” (Associate Director - West Yorkshire Playhouse, Royal National Theatre), “The Witches of Eastwick” (Resident Director - London, Director Australia), “Les Miserables” (Associate Director-London, Co-Director U.K. Tour, Spain and USA, Director - Berlin), “Mary Poppins” (Director- U.K. Tour, Australia, Holland), “Dirty Dancing” (Director - London, Toronto, Utrecht, Chicago, USA tour, Berlin). Nick Grace – Executive Producer
Nick Grace has more than 15 years experience of producing a variety of Arena shows. Nick Grace Management are currently Associate Producers of the International Tour of “Mamma Mia!,” which has visited 29 countries and been seen by more than 3.5 million people across the world. They are also the general managers and booking agents for “Walking With Dinosaurs - The Arena Spectacular” tour in U.K., Europe and Asia, and which in the first year of touring has been seen by over 1.8 million people. Nick Grace was also the Associate Producer for the recent South African production of “Mamma Mia!” Allan Heinberg – Writer
Allan Heinberg’s writing and producing credits include: “Party of Five,” “Sex and the City,” “Gilmore Girls,” “The O.C.,” “Grey’s Anatomy” and “The Amazon’s Voice,” his first play. Heinberg also developed the animated series “Legion of Super Heroes” for Warner Bros. Animation. He is the writer and co-creator of Marvel Comic’s “Young Avengers” and currently writes “Marvel's Avengers: The Children's Crusade.” His other comics work includes “JLA” (with Geoff Johns), “Superman/Batman,” “Wonder Woman” and “Uncanny X-Men.” Professor Gordon Murray – Batmobile Designer
In 1969 Gordon joined the Brabham Formula One Team as Technical Director winning two world championships (1981 & 1983). Gordon joined McLaren Racing as Technical Director in 1988 and three consecutive championship wins (1988, 1989 & 1990) followed. 1990 Gordon helped establish a new McLaren Cars Ltd. The F1 Road Car is still regarded as the world’s best engineered car. A racing version won two world sports car championships and the Le Mans 24-hour race on its first attempt in 1995. McLaren Cars then completed several other successful projects culminating with the Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren programme. In July 2007, Gordon Murray Design was established to develop an innovative and disruptive automotive manufacturing technology, trademarked iStream along with the T.25, a radical city car, central to both the development and validation of iStream. Es Devlin – Set and Props Designer
Design credits for concert and stage include: Lady Gaga, MUSE, Pet Shop Boys, Kanye West, Take That and stage/costume design for Royal Opera House, English National Opera, Glyndebourne, Royal Shakespeare Company, National Theatre, Sadlers Wells and major European opera houses including Barcelona, Amsterdam, Hamburg, Vienna and Copenhagen. Winner of TPi Stage Designer of the year 2011 and 2010 as well as Olivier Award 2006, TMA Award 1999 and Linbury Prize 1996. Jack Galloway – Costume Designer
Costume Designer / Associate Costume Designer for the following productions Musicals: “Dirty Dancing” (Hamburg and Utrecht); “Spamalot” (London); Disney's “Lion King” (Europe); “Beauty and the Beast” (Europe); “Hunchback of Notre Dame” (Berlin); “West Side Story” (Bregenz); “Thoroughly Modern Millie” (London); “Saturday Night Fever” (London); “Contact” (London). Dance & Opera: 5210 & Essence (Walker Dance Park Music); The Journey, Sour Milk, Candoco, Celebrated Soubrette, Rambert, Arthur I &II (Edward II Birmingham Royal Ballet); Mr Wordly Wise & Sleeping Beauty (Royal Ballet); Macbeth (Zurich Opera); Il Trovatore (Madrid); Ariadne auf Naxos (Scottish Opera); Cosi Fan Tutte, Magic Flute and Der Ring des Nibelungen (Royal Opera). Theatre: Heros, Ducktastic, Up for Grabs (London’s West End); Aristocrats, Buried Child (RNT); Skin of our Teeth and Dr Faustus (Young Vic). Jake Berry – Technical Manager
He is the founder and CEO of Jake Berry Productions, with credits for arena productions including: U2 360 tour, U2 – Vertigo Tour, Walking with Dinosaurs – The Live Arena Show, The Rolling Stones - Bigger Bang Tour/ Voodoo Lounge Tour/ Bridges to Babylon Tour/40 Licks tour, AC/DC, Metallica, Shakira, Tina Turner and The Barney Tour. James Brett – Music Composer
Composer, orchestrator and collaborator credits for stage and screen include: “Walking With Dinosaurs - The Live Arena Show,” “Planet 51,” Disney Worldwide Re-branding, “2012,” “Crusoe,” “10,000BC,” “X-Men The Movie,” Queen's Golden Jubilee Celebrations, “Metallica S&M” and “Band of Brothers.” Simon Baker – Sound Designer
Recent work includes “Witches Of Eastwick” (London), “Chitty Chitty Bang Bang” (London and Broadway) and “Mary Poppins” (London) - all with Andrew Bruce. “Closer To Heaven” (Arts Theatre, London), “Jailhouse Rock” (Piccadilly, London), “125th Street” (Shaftesbury, London), “Spamalot” (Palace Theatre, London), “The Play What I Wrote” (London, Broadway and U.K. Tours), “The Lord Of The Rings” (Toronto and Theatre Royal Drury Lane, London - 2008 Olivier Nomination Best Sound), “Boeing Boeing” (2008 TONY Nomination Best Sound), “God Of Carnage” (London, Broadway and U.K. Tours), “Our House” (U.K. Tour), “The Norman Conquests” (London and Broadway), “Arcadia” (London), “Complicit” (London), “Tempest” and “As You Like It” (Bridge Project 2010 - London, BAM and International Tours), “The Birds” (Dublin), “Real Thing” (Old Vic, London), “Late Middle Classes” (Donmar, London), “La Bete.” Sam Pattinson – Video Producer
Video content for concert and stage include: The Rolling Stones Licks Tour 2002 & Bigger Bang Tour 2005, U2 Vertigo Tour 2005 & 360 Tour 2009, Lady Gaga Monster Ball, George Michael 25 Live, Janet Jackson, AC/DC, The Chemical Brothers, Kasabian, Kaiser Chiefs, The Pet Shop Boys Pandemonium Tour, Take That Beautiful World & Circus Tours, Little Britain Live and Robbie Williams. Patrick Woodroffe – Lighting Designer
Design credits for music, classical, dance, opera and film include: ABBA, The Police, Bob Dylan, Peter Gabriel, Michael Jackson, Rolling Stones, “Take That,” “Vanity Fair,” Stevie Wonder, Queen’s Jubilee Concerts, “Ben Hur Live,” Three Tenors, Romeo + Juliet Vienna State Opera, Lord of the Dance, “High School Musical 3” and “This Is It.” The Circus Space – Creative Partner/Circus Consultants
Circus Space is the U.K.’s National Centre for the Circus Arts. Based in a magnificent former power station in London, they are a world-class hub for training, rehearsal, performance and professional development in the circus arts. Juliette Hardy-Donaldson and Bryan Donaldson toured the world as aerial act, Duo Vertigo. Today, Juliette passes her wealth of experience to the next generation as Circus Space’s Head of Aerial and Bryan is a highly regarded circus rigging practitioner and consultant. About Warner Bros. Consumer Products: Warner Bros. Consumer Products, a Warner Bros. Entertainment Company, is one of the leading licensing and retail merchandising organizations in the world. About DC Entertainment: DC Entertainment, home to such iconic DC Comics properties as Superman, Batman, Green Lantern, Wonder Woman, The Flash, MAD Magazine, and Fables, is the creative division charged with strategically integrating across Warner Bros. and Time Warner. DC Entertainment works in concert with many key Warner Bros. divisions to unleash its superheroic characters across all media, including but not limited to film, television, consumer products, home entertainment, and interactive games. Publishing over 1,000 comic books, graphic novels and magazines each year, DC Comics is the largest English-language publisher of comics in the world. BATMAN and all related characters and elements are trademarks of and © DC Comics.###
Choreographic credits for theatre include: “Mamma Mia!” (worldwide), “Sister Act” (London Palladium), “Bombay Dreams” (London and Broadway), “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat” (worldwide), “Jesus Christ Superstar” (U.K. and U.S.), “My Fair Lady” (U.S. tour); and for film include: “Who Dares Wins,” “Princess Carabou,” “Hope and Glory,” “Mamma Mia!” and “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows.” Direction and staging: “Grease” (Scandinavia), “Chess” (U.K. and European tours), “EFX” starring Michael Crawford (Las Vegas) and “Siegfried and Roy” (Las Vegas). He has made arena concerts for many people including: Kate Bush, Elaine Paige, Andrew Lloyd Webber, Sarah Brightman and most recently Mika. In 1999 he was awarded the MBE by Her Majesty the Queen for services to dance. James Powell – Co-Director
Credits include: “Singin’ in the Rain” (Associate Director - West Yorkshire Playhouse, Royal National Theatre), “The Witches of Eastwick” (Resident Director - London, Director Australia), “Les Miserables” (Associate Director-London, Co-Director U.K. Tour, Spain and USA, Director - Berlin), “Mary Poppins” (Director- U.K. Tour, Australia, Holland), “Dirty Dancing” (Director - London, Toronto, Utrecht, Chicago, USA tour, Berlin). Nick Grace – Executive Producer
Nick Grace has more than 15 years experience of producing a variety of Arena shows. Nick Grace Management are currently Associate Producers of the International Tour of “Mamma Mia!,” which has visited 29 countries and been seen by more than 3.5 million people across the world. They are also the general managers and booking agents for “Walking With Dinosaurs - The Arena Spectacular” tour in U.K., Europe and Asia, and which in the first year of touring has been seen by over 1.8 million people. Nick Grace was also the Associate Producer for the recent South African production of “Mamma Mia!” Allan Heinberg – Writer
Allan Heinberg’s writing and producing credits include: “Party of Five,” “Sex and the City,” “Gilmore Girls,” “The O.C.,” “Grey’s Anatomy” and “The Amazon’s Voice,” his first play. Heinberg also developed the animated series “Legion of Super Heroes” for Warner Bros. Animation. He is the writer and co-creator of Marvel Comic’s “Young Avengers” and currently writes “Marvel's Avengers: The Children's Crusade.” His other comics work includes “JLA” (with Geoff Johns), “Superman/Batman,” “Wonder Woman” and “Uncanny X-Men.” Professor Gordon Murray – Batmobile Designer
In 1969 Gordon joined the Brabham Formula One Team as Technical Director winning two world championships (1981 & 1983). Gordon joined McLaren Racing as Technical Director in 1988 and three consecutive championship wins (1988, 1989 & 1990) followed. 1990 Gordon helped establish a new McLaren Cars Ltd. The F1 Road Car is still regarded as the world’s best engineered car. A racing version won two world sports car championships and the Le Mans 24-hour race on its first attempt in 1995. McLaren Cars then completed several other successful projects culminating with the Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren programme. In July 2007, Gordon Murray Design was established to develop an innovative and disruptive automotive manufacturing technology, trademarked iStream along with the T.25, a radical city car, central to both the development and validation of iStream. Es Devlin – Set and Props Designer
Design credits for concert and stage include: Lady Gaga, MUSE, Pet Shop Boys, Kanye West, Take That and stage/costume design for Royal Opera House, English National Opera, Glyndebourne, Royal Shakespeare Company, National Theatre, Sadlers Wells and major European opera houses including Barcelona, Amsterdam, Hamburg, Vienna and Copenhagen. Winner of TPi Stage Designer of the year 2011 and 2010 as well as Olivier Award 2006, TMA Award 1999 and Linbury Prize 1996. Jack Galloway – Costume Designer
Costume Designer / Associate Costume Designer for the following productions Musicals: “Dirty Dancing” (Hamburg and Utrecht); “Spamalot” (London); Disney's “Lion King” (Europe); “Beauty and the Beast” (Europe); “Hunchback of Notre Dame” (Berlin); “West Side Story” (Bregenz); “Thoroughly Modern Millie” (London); “Saturday Night Fever” (London); “Contact” (London). Dance & Opera: 5210 & Essence (Walker Dance Park Music); The Journey, Sour Milk, Candoco, Celebrated Soubrette, Rambert, Arthur I &II (Edward II Birmingham Royal Ballet); Mr Wordly Wise & Sleeping Beauty (Royal Ballet); Macbeth (Zurich Opera); Il Trovatore (Madrid); Ariadne auf Naxos (Scottish Opera); Cosi Fan Tutte, Magic Flute and Der Ring des Nibelungen (Royal Opera). Theatre: Heros, Ducktastic, Up for Grabs (London’s West End); Aristocrats, Buried Child (RNT); Skin of our Teeth and Dr Faustus (Young Vic). Jake Berry – Technical Manager
He is the founder and CEO of Jake Berry Productions, with credits for arena productions including: U2 360 tour, U2 – Vertigo Tour, Walking with Dinosaurs – The Live Arena Show, The Rolling Stones - Bigger Bang Tour/ Voodoo Lounge Tour/ Bridges to Babylon Tour/40 Licks tour, AC/DC, Metallica, Shakira, Tina Turner and The Barney Tour. James Brett – Music Composer
Composer, orchestrator and collaborator credits for stage and screen include: “Walking With Dinosaurs - The Live Arena Show,” “Planet 51,” Disney Worldwide Re-branding, “2012,” “Crusoe,” “10,000BC,” “X-Men The Movie,” Queen's Golden Jubilee Celebrations, “Metallica S&M” and “Band of Brothers.” Simon Baker – Sound Designer
Recent work includes “Witches Of Eastwick” (London), “Chitty Chitty Bang Bang” (London and Broadway) and “Mary Poppins” (London) - all with Andrew Bruce. “Closer To Heaven” (Arts Theatre, London), “Jailhouse Rock” (Piccadilly, London), “125th Street” (Shaftesbury, London), “Spamalot” (Palace Theatre, London), “The Play What I Wrote” (London, Broadway and U.K. Tours), “The Lord Of The Rings” (Toronto and Theatre Royal Drury Lane, London - 2008 Olivier Nomination Best Sound), “Boeing Boeing” (2008 TONY Nomination Best Sound), “God Of Carnage” (London, Broadway and U.K. Tours), “Our House” (U.K. Tour), “The Norman Conquests” (London and Broadway), “Arcadia” (London), “Complicit” (London), “Tempest” and “As You Like It” (Bridge Project 2010 - London, BAM and International Tours), “The Birds” (Dublin), “Real Thing” (Old Vic, London), “Late Middle Classes” (Donmar, London), “La Bete.” Sam Pattinson – Video Producer
Video content for concert and stage include: The Rolling Stones Licks Tour 2002 & Bigger Bang Tour 2005, U2 Vertigo Tour 2005 & 360 Tour 2009, Lady Gaga Monster Ball, George Michael 25 Live, Janet Jackson, AC/DC, The Chemical Brothers, Kasabian, Kaiser Chiefs, The Pet Shop Boys Pandemonium Tour, Take That Beautiful World & Circus Tours, Little Britain Live and Robbie Williams. Patrick Woodroffe – Lighting Designer
Design credits for music, classical, dance, opera and film include: ABBA, The Police, Bob Dylan, Peter Gabriel, Michael Jackson, Rolling Stones, “Take That,” “Vanity Fair,” Stevie Wonder, Queen’s Jubilee Concerts, “Ben Hur Live,” Three Tenors, Romeo + Juliet Vienna State Opera, Lord of the Dance, “High School Musical 3” and “This Is It.” The Circus Space – Creative Partner/Circus Consultants
Circus Space is the U.K.’s National Centre for the Circus Arts. Based in a magnificent former power station in London, they are a world-class hub for training, rehearsal, performance and professional development in the circus arts. Juliette Hardy-Donaldson and Bryan Donaldson toured the world as aerial act, Duo Vertigo. Today, Juliette passes her wealth of experience to the next generation as Circus Space’s Head of Aerial and Bryan is a highly regarded circus rigging practitioner and consultant. About Warner Bros. Consumer Products: Warner Bros. Consumer Products, a Warner Bros. Entertainment Company, is one of the leading licensing and retail merchandising organizations in the world. About DC Entertainment: DC Entertainment, home to such iconic DC Comics properties as Superman, Batman, Green Lantern, Wonder Woman, The Flash, MAD Magazine, and Fables, is the creative division charged with strategically integrating across Warner Bros. and Time Warner. DC Entertainment works in concert with many key Warner Bros. divisions to unleash its superheroic characters across all media, including but not limited to film, television, consumer products, home entertainment, and interactive games. Publishing over 1,000 comic books, graphic novels and magazines each year, DC Comics is the largest English-language publisher of comics in the world. BATMAN and all related characters and elements are trademarks of and © DC Comics.