Russell Grant and Anne Widdecombe Strictly Come Dancing for Children in Need

Ann Widdecombe and Russell Grant return to Strictly Come Dancing with partners Anton Du Beke and Flavia Cacace for BBC's Children in Need.

Their comeback will be filmed this weekend and screened as part of the main show hosted by Sir Terry Wogan, Fearne Cotton, Tess Daly and Nick Grimshaw on Friday 16th November.

It will be followed by a Strictly special live from Wembley Arena with this year's contestants the following night.

The Sound of Music at Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre Next Year

The Sound of Music will conclude the 2013 Regent’s Park Theatre season from 25th July-7th September 2013.

Directed by Rachel Kavanaugh, this will be the first time that work by Rodgers & Hammerstein has been staged at the Open Air Theatre. Rachel Kavanaugh directed productions at the Open Air Theatre from 1993 – 2006 before her appointment as Artistic Director of Birmingham Rep (2006-2011). She has since directed The Music Man, The Way of the World (Chichester Festival Theatre) and Love Story (Chichester Festival Theatre and West End). She will be joined by Choreographer Alistair David and Olivier Award-winning set and costume designer Peter McKintosh.

Full cast to be announced.

Rosalie Craig & Hadley Fraser Fairytale of New York at Regent's Park

Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre has today confirmed their next season with A Fairytale of New York being performed in the Robert Atkins Studio on 10th & 11th December. 


It will be festive cabaret evening reminiscent of old Manhattan glamour featuring cast members from the 2012 season Rosalie Craig (Ragtime, Finding Neverland, London Road) and Sandra Marvin (Ragtime, Hairspray, Disney’s The Lion King) who will be joined by Hadley Fraser (Les Miserables, Phantom of the Opera) and Adrian Hansel (Hairspray, Starlight Express), performing jazz classics including Santa Baby, The Christmas Song, Let There Be Love and a rendition of White Christmas.

Priority booking for Members and Patrons opens at 10:00am on 31st October/Public booking pens at 10:00 am on 8th November.

John Owen-Jones UK Concert Dates

West End leading man John Owen-Jones has just finished playing the lead in the tour of The Phantom of the Opera and is now pursuing film and television projects as well as performing a series of concerts:

Unmasked - An Evening with John Owen-Jones, Swansea Grand Theatre 17th November : The show will feature songs from John's new album "Unmasked" as well as classics from Les Miserables and The Phantom of the Opera. He will be joined by some special guest singers.

An Evening of Movies and Musicals Usher Hall, Edinburgh 24th November : Featuring well known themes and signature tunes from the movies and musicals with a 65-piece orchestra playing some of John Williams’ famous scores including ET, Jurassic Park and Indiana Jones. Appearing with John Owen-Jones is West End diva Ruthie Henshall and Keith Jack from Joseph accompanied by a large community choir.

An Evening of Movies and Musicals St David's Hall, Cardiff 20th April 2013 : Programme almost the same as Usher Hall but this time hosted by award-winning Welsh playwright Frank Vickery and again with Ruthie Henshall but now joined by Peter Karrie, Fiona Kelly and introducing The South Wales Gay Men’s Chorus.

West End Christmas Concert at Actors' Church

TheatreMAD presents A West End Christmas in aid of The Make A Difference Trust at St Paul's (Actors' Church), Covent Garden on Sunday 2nd  December at 7.30 pm (Doors Open: 7:00 pm)

Now in  its 9th year, A West End Christmas features musical theatre casts, soloists and celebrities starting their Christmas celebrations with style, fun and festive cheer.

This concert has sold out in previous years so book early for the celebrity hosted evening with wine and mince pies.

Tickets for A West End Christmas

Ghost the Musical Tour Dates on Sale

Tickets are now on sale for the first two venues announced for the UK tour of Ghost the Musical.

It opens at the Donald Gordon Theatre at the Cardiff Millennium Centre where it runs from the 8th-27th April 2013.

The second venue announced is The Leeds Grand Theatre from 17th-29th June.

 Further dates across the UK will be announced shortly.

Warwick Evans, Lynn Paul and Mark Hutchinson back in Blood Brothers

I have just been listening to theatrical impresario Bill Kenwright talking to Graham Norton on BBC Radio 2.

Before the interview he played Barbara Dickson singing "Tell Me It's Not True" from Blood Brothers and I had forgotten what a great song it is.  Such a shame that it's closing in London on 10th November.

BK said it was coming off for many reasons and it was a great shame as next year will be its 25th Anniversary. But this summer badly hit London theatre with the Jubilee, football, Olympics, etc) and after three months of terrible box office the notices were posted, but ironically since then the show has been packed.

Bill Kenwright said he has been working on it again as some early cast members are back in the show for last two weeks including Warwick Evans (narrator), Lynn Paul (Mrs Johnstone ) Mark  Hutchinson (Eddie), Sean Jones (Mickey) and Jan Graveson (Linda)

New Brian May and Kerry Ellis Born Free Single

To mark the start of their forthcoming Born Free concert tour, Brian May and Kerry Ellis are to release their version of Born Free which is the Oscar-winning song written for the 1966 film.

The single is being released to support the Born Free Foundation global organisation which works to protect and conserve threatened species.

After visiting the foundation at the Shamwari Game Reserve and rescue centre in South Africa’s Eastern Cape and seeing their work first hand, Brian and Kerry decided to record this version which has some of original lyrics re-written by Don Black.

Available in three formats, the single is a digital only release and is available on Monday November 5th.

Line Up for 2012 Royal Variety Show

Updated 19th November: The Royal Variety Performance will be broadcast on ITV1 at 7:30 pm on Monday December 3rd.

Updated 13th November: As already mentioned, David Walliams will host this year's Royal Variety Show in the presence of Her Majesty the Queen at the Albert Hall on 19th November.  The programme will be recorded and televised on ITV1 at a date in early December to be announced.

Heading the bill are Robbie Williams, One Direction, Neil Diamond, Girls Aloud, Kylie Minogue, Alicia Keys, Neil Diamond, Rod Stewart, Andrea Bocelli,  Cuba's Ballet Revolucion, Placido & Domingo and Katherine Jenkins singing a  duet.

Comedians Rhod Gilbert and Bill Bailey will also appear plus Britain's Got Talent winners Ashleigh and Pudsey the dog with  a BGT Celebration including Diversity, Spellbound, Stavros Flatley and Paul Potts.

The show will also include excerpts from West End multi-award winning Matilda and the new musical The Bodyguard which start previews on 6th November with a 5th December opening night.

Stephen Tompkinson playing King Arthur in Spamalot at Playhouse

Actor Stephen Tompkinson has just been talking about his new DCI Banks series on This Morning and  a one off special of Wild at Heart which will air on ITV some time over Christmas/New Year.

He also revealed that he is growing a beard to play King Arthur in the new production of Spamalot in London's West End which opens at the Playhouse Theatre in November for a limited run through to April next year.

Other casting includes Anna-Jane Casey as The Lady of the Lake and eastEnders' Todd Carty reprising the role of Patsy until 24th November when he has to leave to start rehearsals for Abanazar in Aladdin at Kings Lynn Corn Exchange. Further casting to be announced.

Hugh Jackman's New Song in LesMis Movie

Hugh Jackman is playing Jean Valjean in the movie of Les Miserables which is due for release in New York on Christmas Day and in the UK early next year.

There is a new tune joining the familiar score as Les Miz composers Claude-Michel Schonberg, Alain Boublil and Herbert Kretzmer have written “Suddenly" specifically for Jackman. It will be sung during Valjean’s political years when he is the mayor of Montreuil-sur-Mer after he rescues Cosette from the Thenardiers.

Jackman said: “Meeting Cosette is the first time he’s ever experienced love.  It’s the most beautiful passage, because he says he never knew the love of a mother, a father, of brothers or sisters and vice versa, never loved anyone. So he meets this little girl who’s in his care, he experiences this flood of emotion that for a 50-year-old man has never occurred.”

The creative team wrote the song for Jackman after they watched his one-man show on Broadway in 2011.

Jakcman said: “It’s kind of an amazing honor they came to see the show and I was singing for two and a half hours, so they saw every possible color of my voice saying  'Right, now we’re going to write it for you'"

Full Cast for Rocky Horror Tour

The full cast has now been announced for the 40th Anniversary Tour of the Rocky Horror Show.

As already mentioned,  Oliver Thornton (Priscilla Queen of th Desert) is Frank 'n' Furter Rhydian Roberts (X Factor, Grease) i s Rocky, Roxanne Pallett (Emmerdale) is Janet and Superstar winner Ben Forster is Brad.

They will be joined by Philip Franks/The Narrator: Kristian Lavercombe/Riff Raff: Abigail Jaye/Magenta: Ceris Hine/Columbia: Joel Montague/Eddie/Dr Scott: Christos Dante, David Gale/Male Phantoms and Andrew Ahern/Swing

Sheridan Smith back in Jonathan Creek?

Actor and comedian Alan Davies is hoping for a new series of the crime drama Jonathan Creek and would love Sheridan Smith to sign up as his sidekick.

He told ITV's Loose Women there would be hopefully more episodes of the hit show saying  "Hopefully Sheridan Smith will be on board. We did two with Sheridan four or five years ago. I love Sheridan but she's so in demand now so we are going to find a gap in her diary."

Former co-stars have been Caroline Quentin and Julia Sawalha before Sheridan signed up to play Joey Ross in two specials in 2009.

Mary Carewe, Ria Jones, Graham Bickley and Michael Dore in Best of Broadway

Back to Broadway at the Royal Albert Hall on Wednesday 7th November at 7:30pm.

The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra and West End vocalists Mary Carewe, Ria Jones, Graham Bickley and Michael Dore perform songs from shows including Billy Elliot, The Lion King, Hairspray, Chicago, Wicked and  Les Misérables.

Plus a special tribute to the music of Andrew Lloyd Webber featuring hit songs from Cats, Sunset Boulevard, The Phantom of the Opera, Evita and Aspects of Love.

Tickets www.royalalberthall.com

Elaine Paige & Ruthie Henshall in Prince’s Trust Gala

The Huawei Winter Concert 2012 is being held in the Grade II listed Central Hall Westminster on 27th November 2012 at 20.00.

The Prince’s Trust is the benefiting charity with special guests: Elaine Paige, Ruthie Henshall, Michael Collins, Chris Egan and the City of London Sinfonia perfuming an evening of musical theatre and popular classics.

Tickets from: https://store.ambassadortickets.com/

Cast for Dolly Parton's 9 to 5

The tour of 9 to 5 is currently in rehearsal and kicks off at Manchester Opera House on 12th October.

The full cast is Natalie Casey as Judy Bernly, Jackie Clune as Violet Newstead, Bonnie Langford as Roz Keith, Amy Lennox as Doralee Rhodes and Ben Richards as Franklin Hart.

They will be joined by Andrew Waldron, Ashley Andrews, Gemma Maclean, Hayley Ainsley, James Lacey, Lauren Stroud, Lisa Bridge, Lori Haley Fox, Mark Willshire, Marlon Moore, Nyroy Dixon, Persephone Fitzpatrick, Peter McPherson, Philip Bertioli, Sasi Strallen, Sinead Kenny and Tom Andrew Hargreaves.

First Casting for We Will Rock you 10th Anniversary Tour

We Will Rock You is going on a 10th Anniversary World Arena Tour which kicks off in March 2013 at Nottingham Trent Arena.

The first casting has just been announced  with Over the Rainbow finalist Lauren Samuels (Grease, Last 5 Years, Wizard of Oz, Children of Eden, Vampirette and WWRY London) playing  Scaramouche: Lucie Jones (The Prodigals, Les Miserables, The X Factor Arena Tour) is Meat:  Rob Castell is Pop: Rolan Bell is Britney and Jenna Lee-James (The Boyfriend, Wizard of Oz,WWRY, Boogie Nights, Money, Money, Money ,20th Century Boy) is the Killer Queen.

There is also a  We Will Rock You 10th Anniversary  Edition CD which is due for release on 15th October.

Cast Announced for Scrooge starring Tommy Steele

Tommy Steele is playing Ebenezer Scrooge at the London Palladium for a limited season from 24th October until  5th January 2013.

Joining Tommy in the cast of Scrooge the musical are Barry Howard/Jacob Marley: Sarah Earnshaw/Ghost Of Christmas Past: James Head/Ghost Of Christmas Present: Craig Whitely/Harry/Young Ebenezer: Leonie Heath/Helen/Isobel: Halcro Johnston/Mr Fezziwig/Hugo Harty: Edward Handoll/Bob Cratchit: Robbie Towns/Tom Jenkins: Tessa Vale/Mrs Fezziwig / Mrs Dilber: Leon Kay/Topper: Anna Mcgarahan/Mary / Miss Dilber: Louisa Maxwell/Mrs Cratchit: Ian Caddick/ Mr Jollygoode: Steven Sparling/Pringle: Jonathan David/ Dudley/Dick Wilkins: Nikki Gerrard/Beggar Woman: Roisin Sullivan/Chestnut Seller: Natalie Moore Williams/ Bess and Kieron Harris/Butcher.

Dreamboats & Petticoats re-opening at Wyndhams this month

Dreamboats & Petticoats recently closed at London’s Playhouse Theatre but is due to play in the West End again over Christmas.  It will be at the Wyndham’s Theatre for a limited season from 16th October-19th January 2013.

Dreamboats and Petticoats is written by Laurence Marks and Maurice Gran, the team behind Goodnight Sweetheart, Birds of a Feather, The New Statesmen and Shine On Harvey Moon,

It features classic tracks from Roy Orbison, The Shadows, Eddie Cochran, Billy Fury, and many more, including Let's Dance, To Know Him Is To Love Him, Shaking All Over, Bobby's Girl, Little Town Flirt, Only Sixteen, Runaround Sue, Happy Birthday Sweet 16, Let It Be Me, Great Pretender, C'mon Everybody and  Let's Twist Again.

Casting details to follow.

Rock of Ages now to reopen at Garrick

Updated 13th November:  With  Loserville now shuttering early at the Garrick,  Rock of Ages will now re-open there instead of the Duchess as previously reported. The Garrick is a more obvious destination, considering its comparable size to the Shaftesbury.


Booking details are expected to be announced shortly.

Rock of Ages is closing at the Shaftesbury Theatre on 6th January 2013 but is due to move to another West End theatre. It is rumoured that it will re-open at the Duchess in March.

The new show at the Shaftesury is expected to be confirmed shortly (tomorrow) with contenders including  Burn the Floor, Tim Rice's From Here to Eternity, Finding Neverland and Broadway import Memphis.

Tour of High Society Starring Michael Praed and Daniel Boys

A new touring production of Cole Porter’s High Society will kick off at Llandudno's Venue Cymru on 24th January 2013.

High Society will visit Dublin, Plymouth, Wolverhampton, Edinburgh, Cardiff, Canterbury, Newcastle, Bradford, Northampton, Cheltenham, Southampton, Birmingham, Southend, Belfast, Nottingham, Sheffield, High Wycombe and Guildford where the tour will conclude July 13th.

High Society the musical is based on the play The Philadelphia Story by Philip Barry. It has music and lyrics by Cole Porter, book by Arthur Kopit and additional lyrics by Susan Birkenhead.

The production stars Michael Praed as Dexter Haven with Sophie Bould as Tracy Lord, Daniel Boys as Mike Connor, Keiron Crook as George Kittredge, Carolyn Pickles as Margaret Lord and Alex Young as Liz Imbrie. Further casting is to be announced shortly.

The director is Anna Linstrum, set and costume designer is Francis O’ Connor, lighting designer is Chris Davey, sound designer is Ben Harrison and musical director is Michael Haslam.

Rebecca Caine & Martin Neely In Here Evening of Songs

In Here is an evening of songs being performed at the Pheasantry on the King’s Road Chelsea on 22nd and 23rd October at 8:30 pm.

Rebecca Caine (Les Miserables, Phantom of the Opera), Cassidy Janson (Avenue Q, Lend Me A Tenor, Wicked), Martin Neely (Les Miserables, Mary Poppins) and Craig Rhys Barlow (Children of Eden, Tommy) accompanied by pianist Mark Etherington and double bassist Nick Pugh, star in this entertaining evening of songs by New York based composer and lyricist Charles Bloom (pictured).

Ranging from comic parodies to jazzy swing numbers and soulful ballads, Bloom’s songs are characterised by memorable melodies and witty lyrics. They have been performed by luminaries including Patti LuPone, Mandy Patinkin and Michael Feinstein. His work has drawn praise from Stephen Sondheim, Jerry Herman and Stephen Schwartz.

Ticket price is £20, available from the Pheasantry website  or ring 0845 6027 017.

Cast for Rock Opera Tommy in Concert

Update 18th October: 2009  X Factor winner Joe McElderry to play Tommy,  Daniel Boys (Captain Walker), Hannah Jane Fox (Mrs Walker), David Hunter (Cousin Kevin), Glenn Carter (Uncle Ernie) and Zoe Birkett (The Acid Queen) who will be joined by Siubhan Harrison, Amanda Sim, Pippa Lee, Helen Siveter, Ben Redfern and James Gibbs.

On 12th November for one night only the Broadway and West End smash-hit Rock Opera Tommy plays at the Prince Edward Theatre in aid of the new Pure Theatre Development Fund.

This powerful tale of a deaf, mute and blind pinball player who becomes an international messiah bursts onto the stage featuring hit songs including Pinball Wizard and See Me, Touch Me.

Tommy was first performed by The Who in 1969, was originally conceived by Peter Townsend and Kit Lambert. The production has music and lyrics by Pete Townshend, book by Pete Townshend and Des McAnuff and additional music and lyrics by John Entwistle and Keith Moon.

Tommy in Concert will be directed by Raz Shaw, choreographed by Singin' in the Rain's Adam Cooper with Musical Supervision by Iain Vince Gatt and Musical Direction by Andrew Hilton

The Pure Theatre Development Fund will be launched in conjunction with Tommy. It   has been set up to fund the development of new writing in musicals and straight theatre by holding workshops and readings.

https://tickets.delfont-mackintosh.com

Annalene Beechey, Rebecca Lock, Simon Bailey & Simon Thomas Christmas With … Friends

At the Battersea Barge in Nine Elms Lane, London on Sunday 16th December at 7:30 pm.

SimG Productions again presents Christmas With …Friends! following last years sell out. The evening will once again be hosted by Annalene Beechey  (Wicked, Eliza in My Fair Lady BBC Prom) with guests Rebecca Lock (Phantom, Avenue Q), Simon Bailey (Phantom, Teatro) and Simon Thomas (Legally Blonde, Phantom) led by musical director Inga Davis Rutter - all subject to availability.

'Early Bird' price of only £12.50. Tickets: www.wegottickets.com

Killian Donnelly, Jodie Prenger, Rachel Tucker Breast End Cares

You can see the West End's finest performers in cabaret at Breast End Cares at the Aura Mayfair in South West London on Sunday 25th November at 7:30 pm.

Supporting Breast Cancer Care, stars of London's West End have joined forces to raise funds by presenting glamorous, fun-filled and star-studded evening at Aura Mayfair, with confirmed singers from shows including Wicked, The Phantom of The Opera, Legally Blonde and Les Miserables.

Confirmed singers (though subject to change) so far include Killian Donnelly, Jodie Prenger, Rachel Tucker, Wendy Ferguson, Gareth Snook, Katy Treharne, Scott Davies, Lauren James. Lyndsey Gardiner, Jeremy Secomb, Siubhan Harrison, Nadim Naaman, Gemma Baird, Marc Vastenavondt and Matt Elson

Ticket price includes a cocktail on arrival and canapés throughout the evening, and ALL TICKET MONEY GOES STRAIGHT TO BREAST CANCER CARE!

Booking: http://breastendcares.eventbrite.co.uk

Meryl Streep playing the Witch Into the Woods?

As mentioned a few months ago, Rob Marshall from Warner Bros/Disney is planning to make Stephen Sondheim's Into the Woods into a movie.

The screenplay reading  took place yesterday and included  Nina Arianda as The Baker's Wife; Christine Baranski as the Stepmother; Tammy Blanchard as Florinda; Victoria Clark as Cinderella's Mother/Giant; James Corden as the Baker; David Garrison as the Narrator; Ivan Hernandez as the Wolf; Megan Hilty as Lucinda; Cheyenne Jackson as Rapunzel's Prince; Allison Janney as Jack's Mother; Anna Kendrick as Cinderella; Michael McGrath as the Steward/Baker's Father; Donna Murphy as the Witch; Laura Osnes as Rapunzel; Taylor Trensch as Jack; Casey Whyland as Little Red Riding Hood and Patrick Wilson as Cinderella's Prince.

The cast for the film has not yet been announced, but rumour has it that Meryl Streep is in talks to play  the Witch, but was unable to make the reading yesterday.

James Lapine is reworking the script for the screenplay and Sondheim is expected to contribute some new songs.

Ramin Karimloo Broadway to Bluegrass Concert

Updated: Broadway to Bluegrass second  show at club 229 Monday November 26th. Tickets on sale Friday, October 5th at 6:00 pm.

West End star Ramin Karimloo is performing his Broadway to Bluegrass … ish concert at Club 229 in London’s Great Portland Street on Sunday 25th November.  The doors open at 7:00 pm and the show starts at 8:00 pm.

The Road to Find Out tour started at the Club 229 with a 'thank you' gig earlier this year before Ramin travelled across the United Kingdom starting at the Royal Festival Hall. He has just got back from the east coast of America with a virtually sold out tour.

Broadway to Bluegrass ...ish is a showcase as to how the show and artist have evolved over the last year. With so much support from the UK whilst over the pond, Ramin with the efforts of Steve Young decided to bring the set back to UK soil for an intimate hootenanny. The Road to Find out becomes What We Found Out in Broadway to Bluegrass ...ish

Tiekcets from: www.wegottickets.com

Tim Minchin, Dionne Warwick and Mel C Children in Need Concert

Weekend Wogan on BBC Radio2 returns to London's Savoy Theatre on 28th October for a live concert for Children In Need.

He will be joined by special guests including Dionne Warwick, Leona Lewis, The Overtones, Matt Cardle, James Torme with Melanie C and Emma Bunton of the Spice Girls all performing live on stage. Tim Minchin (Judas in Jesus Christ Superstar and Matilda writer) will also be performing two numbers from Matilda the musical.  For the second year running the Ronnie Scott's Jazz Orchestra will be the very special house band.

Following the radio show Terry will be hosting a special Celebrity lunch and auction at the Savoy Hotel, also in aid of Children In Need.

Last year's concert raised  £2,032,642 for Children In Need.

Tickets from: www.atgtickets.com

Old Goat Song New Musical

The Lion and Unicorn Theatre in Kentish Town  presents the UK premiere of Old Goat Song from 22nd-27th October

Written by David Reiser (a prolific American writer notable for having written 50+ works of Musical Theatre)  and multi award-winning writer Jules Tasca, Old Goat Song is about family problems which are caused when a 71 retired widower's  present and past collide when he meets a 17 year old waitress who reminds him of his late wife.

Old Goat Song will star David Freedman, Andrea Miller, Leigh Lothian and Pippa Winslow. It will be Directed by Matthew Gould with Musical Direction by Katy Lipson.

To book tickets visit www.astagekindly.com

Boy Meets Boy Musical Comedy at Jermyn Street

Jermyn Street Theatre presents the  UK Premiere of the musical comedy Boy Meets Boy which runs there from 1st November to 20th December 2012.

The action takes place in December 1936 in the elegant Savoy Hotel in London where the abdication crisis is reaching its climax, the United States reels from the Great Depression and Continental Europe is shadowed by the menace of Hitler. Inside society London exists in the twilight of empire - a hedonistic bubble where party-goers dance away the last years of peace.

Boy Meets Boy is a world of cocktails and carriages, black-tie and ball-dresses where Nightingales Sing in Berkeley Square and unconventional romance blooms. Boy meets Boy, Boy loses Boy, Boy wins Boy

Book by Bill Solly and Donald Ward: Music and lyrics by Bill Solly: Directed by Gene David Kirk: Musical Director Stefan Bednarczyk: Choreographer Lee Proud: Designer Alice Walkling and Lighting & Sound Design Phil Hewitt

Boy meets Boy opened in 1975 off-Broadway at the Actors' Playhouse and ran for 463 performances. This is its UK premiere.

The cast includes Stephen Ashfield, Johnjo Flynn, Craig Fletcher, Ben Kavanagh

Tickets: www.eticketing.co.uk

Cast for Victor/Victoria at Southwark Playhouse

Southwark Playhouse is presenting Victor/Victoria from 25th October – 15th. December 2012

With a Book by Blake Edwards, Music by Henry Mancini and Lyrics by Leslie Bricusse, Victor/Victoria is set 1930′s Paris in the decadent, heady cabaret clubs of the underground scene where the girls are beautiful and the boys are too.

Destitute British soprano Victoria Grant is rescued by club singer Toddy, who has an outlandish idea…to save her flagging career by reinventing her as Count Victor Grazinski, the world’s greatest female impersonator. But when she falls for King Marchan she has a dilemma …lose her glittering career by revealing she is actually a woman or lose the man of her dreams by keeping up the charade.

The cast includes Michael Cotton, Mark Curry, Matthew Cutts, Richard Dempsey, Anna Francolini, Dafydd Gwyn Howells, Luke Johnson, Natalie Kent, Ashley Knight, Amira Matthews, Kate Nelson, Matthew Pennington, Jean Perkins, Kayleigh Ross and Nick Stuart.

Victor/Victoria is directed by Thom Southerland with Choreography by Lee Proud, Musical Director Joe Atkins, Set & Costume Designer Martin Thomas and Sound Designer Andrew Johnson.

Tickets from www.southwarkplayhouse.com

Christmas Carolling with Russell Grant

Raymond Gubbay is presenting a new show Christmas Carolling with Russell Grant.

Audience participation will be encouraged for some of the numbers in a packed programme of classic songs including Frosty the Snowman, Mary’s Boy Child, Rudolph the Red-nosed Reindeer, Santa Claus Is Coming to Town, Winter Wonderland and When A Child Is Born with traditional carols Away In A Manger, The Twelve Days Of Christmas, The First Noel, O Come, All Ye Faithful and Good King Wenceslas.

Russell Grant will be joined by a host of artists including Sophie Evans (Over the Rainbow), James Graeme (The Phantom of the Opera), Capital Voices choir and a full concert orchestra.

The concerts will be held at The Bridgewater Hall, Manchester  on Monday 17th December 7.30pm and The Royal Albert Hall on Tuesday  18th & Friday 21st December at 2.30pm

Michael Ball Presents from Broadway to Hollywood

Friday Night is Music Night From Broadway to Hollywood is being presented by Michael Ball and broadcast live from  the Mermaid Theatre at 8:00 pm  Friday 19th October 2012

Michael Ball introduces the next generation of musical theatre stars from the Arts Educational School in this special Friday Night Is Music Night. The concert features the sixty piece BBC Concert Orchestra, conducted by maestro Mike Dixon, a fifty piece chorus and thirteen soloists performing music from 42 Street, Grease, Funny Girl to Little Shop of Horrors and My Fair Lady to The Producers with  famous songs including Half A Sixpence; Oh What A Beautiful Morning; On the Street Where You Live; Don't Rain on My Parade; Suddenly Seymour; Hopelessly Devoted to You; Thank you For the Music and Springtime For Hitler.

Tickets for this concert can be purchased directly from the online box office. 

Hadley Fraser, Adrian Hansel, Rosalie Craig and Sandra Marvin A Fairytale of New York

A Fairytale of New York featuring Hadley Fraser, Adrian Hansel, Rosalie Craig and Sandra Marvin will be playing at the St James Theatre from 8th December-9th December 2012.

It will be an evening reminiscent of old fashioned Manhattan glamour, welcoming the festive season with style while listening to top West End performers.

Tickets at www.stjamestheatre.co.uk

eastEnders' Lucy Benjamin joins Hairspray Tour

As already announced, stage and screen star Mark Benton will play the larger than life Edna Turnblad in the tour of Hairspray which starts at the Salford Lowry on 11th February next year.

Other casting so far includes Lucy Benjamin as Velma Von Tussle with Freya Sutton (who has recently graduated Italia Conti Academy of Theatre Arts) playing Tracy Turnblad

Lucy Benjamin is probably best known as Lisa Fowler in BBC’s EastEnders.  Musical theatre credits include Annie, Barnardo and Worzel Gummidge in the West End and Peter Pan at the Mayflower Theatre Southampton.

She made her television debut in Doctor Who and played the lead character Julie Craig in teen drama Press Gang. Other television credits include Casualty, Kingdom, The Afternoon Play, Doctors, Holby City and The X Factor: Battle of the Stars.