Monday, June 29

Kinky Boots Extends West End booking to February 2016

The mega hit Broadway musical  Kinky Boots has  today announced the opening of a new booking period, with tickets now available until Saturday 6th  February 2016. They  will go on sale from today (Monday 29th  June).

Winner of six Broadway Tony® Awards, Kinky Boots will open at London's Adelphi Theatre on 15th  September 2015, with previews from 21st  August 2015.

With direction and choreography by two-time Tony® Award-winner Jerry Mitchell (Legally Blonde, Hairspray), Kinky Boots is the winner of six Broadway Tony® Awards including Best Musical, Best Score and Best Choreography.

Tickets for Kinky Boots 

Saturday, June 27

Cameron Mackintosh on Miss Saigon leaving UK for Broadway

Cameron Mackintosh has just been taking to Graham Norton on his BBC Radio2 Show and has again confirmed that Miss Saigon will be leaving the Prince Edward Theatre next year to go to across the pond to make way for Broadway hit show Aladdin to open in London's West End.

He is making an announcement in the next couple of weeks what Saigon's final booking extension will be (it is currently booking until 19th December 2015), but he currently plans to open it in NY in early 2017 with the UK set  and some of the current cast members (dates all dependent on when he can get the right theatre).

Friday, June 26

Aladdin to open at Prince Edward next summer

Baz in today's Mail reports that the hit Broadway show of Disney's Aladdin, originally thought to be opening  at the London Palladium or the Dominion, has finally settled  on the West End's Prince Edward Theatre.

This is provided Cameron Mackintosh's new version of Miss Saigon (which is currently booking to the end of this year) moves to Broadway next summer. Mackintosh told the Mail that the shows sets will be transferring with it to save money.

Meanwhile, designer Bob Crowley is modifying Aladdin's  sets and flying magic carpet for its new home in London's West End.

More news to follow.

Diana Vickers, Ben Freeman and Paul Cattermole cast in tour of Rocky Horror

Diana Vickers (Janet) ,  Ben Freeman  (Brad) and former S Club 7 member Paul Cattermole (Eddie/DrScott ) and Kristian Lavercombe as Riff Raff are to lead the cast of the new tour of the Rocky Horror Show which begins in Brighton in December and has just added more dates which go on sale today.

It  will mark Cattermole's professional theatre debut having shot to fame in the pop band S Club 7 in the 90's. Diana Vickers found fame on The X Factor before appearing in  West End theatre with credits including The Rise and Fall of Little Voice and The Duck House.  Freeman is best known for playing Scott Windsor in Emmerdale with theatre credits including Fiyero in Wicked and the Fonz last year's tour of Happy Days.


Richard O'Brien's cult classic musical tells the story of  two very clean cut American kids (Brad Majors and his fiancée Janet Weiss) who blow a tyre and go to get help at a house in the distance where they can see a light on. But it’s the home of Frankenstein, where Dr Frank'n'Furter is in the middle of one of his scary experiments.

Sweethearts Brad and Janet go on an adventure they’ll never forget, with Frank’n’Furter, Rocky, Riff Raff and Magenta.  Timeless classics help them on their way including Sweet Transvestite, Damn it Janet and the pelvic-thrusting Time Warp.


More dates and casting news to follow.

Wednesday, June 24

Alison Jiear's Swingin' Christmas at St James Theatre

Alison Jiear recently reached the semi-finals of Britain's Got Talent, and has just announced she is performing Alison Jiear's Swingin' Christmas solo show at the St James Theatre on 14th December.

At the show she sing   her wish list of festive favourites from anthemic carols to swingin' Christmas hits".

She is  soon be seen in the West End premiere of Stiles and Drewe's musical  Three Little Pigs at the Palace Theatre.

Tickets for Alison Jiear's Swingin' Christmas 


Full Casting and creative team announced for the Who's Tommy at Greenwich

Full casting is announced today for The Who’s Tommy, which will play a limited run at Greenwich Theatre from Wednesday 29 July to Sunday 23 August. The production comes 20 years after Tommy was last seen in London, marking the 40th Anniversary of the original film and the 50th Anniversary of The Who.

 The title role of Tommy will be played by Ashley Birchall (Starlight Express, Germany), with the cast also featuring John Barr (Sweeney Todd at ENO, Les Misérables) as Uncle Ernie, Carly Burns as Acid Queen, James Sinclair (Duncton Wood, Union Theatre) as Captain Walker, Giovanni Spanó (Dance ‘til Dawn, Mamma Mia!) as Cousin Kevin, Carrie Sutton (The Wizard of Oz, Sister Act) as Sally Simpson and Miranda Wilford (Thriller Live) as Mrs Walker. The cast also includes Danny Becker (Follies at Royal Albert Hall) Scott Sutcliffe (Mamma Mia!) Alice Mogg (We Will Rock You, Grease).

The full creative team is also announced today, completed by choreographer Mark Smith. Mark is the founder and artistic director of Deaf Men Dancing, an innovative all-male dance company of dancers and choreographers who, like Mark, are deaf. Mark’s choreography credits include My Silent World (Channel 4 Random Acts in association with BalletBoyz); Noah (Chichester Festival Theatre); The 2012 Paralympic Opening Ceremony (Olympic Stadium); Reasons To Be Cheerful (Graeae Theatre & UK Tour); The Lion, The Witch & The Wardrobe (Chichester Festival Theatre) and Shoes as co-choreographer (Sadler’s Wells & Peacock Theatre).

 Based on the iconic 1969 double-album rock opera, which later became a film of the same title, The Who's Tommy is an exhilarating musical about hope, healing, and the human spirit.

 After witnessing the accidental murder of his mother's lover by his father, Tommy is traumatized into catatonia, and as the boy grows, he suffers abuse at the hands of his sadistic relatives and neighbours. But as an adolescent, he is discovered to have an uncanny knack for playing pinball, a talent that breaks through his catatonia and puts him on the path to international superstardom. The story of the pinball-playing, deaf, dumb and blind boy who triumphs over his adversities has inspired and amazed audiences for more than 40 years.

 The five-time Tony Award, four-time Drama Desk Award and three-time Olivier Award winning musical was translated to the stage by director Des McAnuff (Jersey Boys) and The Who’s Pete Townshend into a high-energy, one-of-a-kind theatrical event. This brand new production, the first London revival in 19 years, will mark the 40th Anniversary of the original film and the 50th Anniversary of The Who.

 The Who’s Tommy is staged and directed by award-winning director Michael Strassen with choreography by Mark Smith, musical direction by Kevin Oliver Jones, design by Nik Corral and lighting design by David Howe. It is produced by Katy Lipson for Aria Entertainment, Guy James, and Ilai Szpiezak for Szpiezak Productions in association with Greenwich Theatre, by special arrangement with Josef Weinberger Limited on behalf of Music Theatre International of New York. The Who’s Tommy has Music and Lyrics by Pete Townshend and Book by Pete Townshend and Des McAnuff, with Additional Music and Lyrics by John Entwistle and Keith Moon

Tickets for Tommy

Saturday, June 20

Full line up announced for Sam Bailey - Live in the West End

Updated 25th September:  the full line up has now been announced for this concert: it is the winners of Britain’s Got Talent, Collabro, two-time Olivier Award nominee, Michael Xavier, and one quarter of boyband Union J, Jaymi Hensley with  US composer Scott Alan, West End leading lady, Caroline Sheen and Les Miserables alumni The Boys of the Barricade plus a choir from Guildford School of Acting.

Vocal powerhouse, Sam Bailey, winner of  ITV's The X Factor in 2013, is performing London’s West End for the first time for a one-off concert at the Lyric Theatre on 12th October 2015.  Sam and a number  of special guests including new supergroup Boys of the Barricade,  BGT winners Collabro, leading man Michael Xavier, U.S. composer Scott Alan and a choir from GSA for an evening of musical theatre. will perform an evening of musical theatre.

Sam said "I can't wait to take the stage in London's incredible West End and have the chance to perform some of my favourite musical theatre numbers. It's going to be a fantastic night with a few surprises for the audience!"

Buy Tickets for Sam Bailey – Live in the West End

Friday, June 19

Two month extension for American Idiot musical at the Arts

Updated 7th August:  Green Day's American Idiot has extended by two months to 22 November 2015 at the Arts Theatre. 

As already announced Green Day'saward-winning Broadway musical American Idiot opens on  17th July until 27th September at The Arts Theatre, Leicester Square, starring X factor semi-finalist Amelia Lily as Whatshername. Other casting just announced includes  Ross William Wild (Joshua), Robyn Mellor (Libby), Raquel K Jones (Extraordinary Girl), Alexis Gerred (Tunny) Aaron Sidwell (Johnny), Lucas Rush (St. Jimmy), Steve Rushton (Will),Natasha J Barnes (Heather), Luke Baker (Theo), Llandyll Gove (Gerard) and Natasha Karp (Alysha).

The story of three boyhood friends, each searching for meaning in a post 9-11 world, American Idiot features the music of Green Day with the lyrics of its lead singer Billie Joe Armstrong and book by Billie Joe Armstrong and Michael Mayer.

Its hit songs include “Boulevard of Broken Dreams,” “21 Guns,” “Wake Me Up When September Ends,” “Holiday” and the blockbuster title track “American Idiot” from Green Day’s 2004 Grammy Award-winning, multi-platinum album. Also included are several songs from Green Day’s 2009 release “21st Century Breakdown,” and an unreleased love song, “When It’s Time.”

Produced by David Hutchinson and Phillip Rowntree for Sell a Door Theatre Company and Stephen McGill Productions in Association with London Contemporary Theatre, Hartshorn - Hook Productions and Nathan Gardner/Danny Brooke.



Tickets for American Idiot

Alison Jiear and Simon Bowman to lead Music of Bond Concert at Royal Albert Hall


The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra   conducted by Gareth Hudson is  bringing back  its very popular The Music of Bond  back to the Royal Albert Hall on Friday 9th October at 7:30 pm.

The concert will be presented by A View to a Kill Bond girl Fiona Fullerton with special guest vocalists Alison Jiear (Les Misérables) and Simon Bowman (Miss Saigon, Les Miserables) performing  the greatest songs and themes including Goldfinger, From Russia With Love, Casino Royale, You Only Live Twice, Diamonds Are Forever and Live and Let Die from over fifty years of films about  agent 007.

Buy tickets to the Music of Bond


Casting for Mary and Bert on the tour of Mary Poppins

Zizi Strallen is playing the leading role in the new UK tour of Mary Poppins which kicks off at the Leicester Curve on 13th October. She is currently starring as Lana  in  Matthew Bourne's The Car Man.  And was most recently seen in the West End in “Cats” and the multi award-winning “Merrily We Roll Along”. Her other West End credits include “Rock of Ages”, “Dirty Dancing” and “Chitty Chitty Bang Bang” and Matthew Bourne’s “Cinderella” at Sadler’s Wells.  She has also appeared in “The Music Man” at Chichester Festival Theatre, and as ‘Penny Pingleton’ in “Hairspray” at Leicester Curve.

Producers Cameron Mackintosh and Disney have also cast Matt Lee as  Bert the Chimney sweep. He  played the role  when the show opened in Australia, his portrayal winning him the prestigious Helpmann Award for Best Actor in a Musical. His other theatre credits in Australia include “Miss Saigon”, “The Witches of Eastwick”, “Rent”, “Grease” and “The Boy from Oz”. Matt was also a permanent member of the judging panel for Australia’s “So You Think You Can Dance”.

Strallen's sister Scarlett has played the role in London and on Broadway, which helped prepare Zizi for her audition saying:  I did feel I knew the part very well, going for the auditions. It was in me somewhere. I'm very good with children, but I'm an absolutely dreadful cook. I can make breakfast, 
though.

Cameron Mackintosh said today It’s hard to believe that it is already 11 years since Mary Poppins first landed on the London stage.  My goodness……time flies even faster than our beloved Nanny!  I’m delighted to be bringing her back to the UK and for the first time to Dublin, after spreading her magic around the world.  Since we originally staged the production we have found even more magical ways to stage this timeless tale. I’m also thrilled to have cast yet another of the extraordinarily talented Strallen family in the role of Mary and pair her with one of the most brilliant Berts we have been fortunate to find worldwide. I know Zizi and Matt will be practically perfect in every way and a show-stopping tour de force.

Thursday, June 18

Scott Alan Concerts with guests including Dean John-Wilson, Cynthie Erivo, OliverTompsett, Eva Noblezada, Jon Jon Briones, Ashleigh Gray, Chris Peluso and Rachelle Ann Go

Songwriter Scott Alan is performing  at The Hippodrome Casino for two weeks in September  featuring a different guest each night.  There are the 9 concerts celebrating Alan's work with  the stories behind the songs plus a few surprises.

The line up is as follows:

Monday 7th September (8:00 pm) - Scott Alan & Dean John-Wilson (Here Lies Love; Here to Eternity) with special guest Cynthia Erivo (Celie in the Upcoming Broadway production of The Color Purple; Chenice in West End's I Can't Sing) and one unknown talent still to be announced

Tuesday 8th September(8:00 pm) - Scott Alan & Oliver Tompsett (Drew in West End's Rock of Ages; Fiyero in West End's Wicked) with special guest Celinde Schoenmaker (Les Miserables) and one  unknown talent to be announced

Wednesday 9th September(11:00 pm) - Scott Alan & Eva Noblezada (Kim in West End's Miss Saigon) with special guests and fellow Miss Saigon co-stars Jon Jon Briones (The Engineer) & Chris Peluso (Chris)

Thursday 10th September(11:00 pm) - Scott Alan & Ashleigh Gray (Elphaba in West End & UK Tour of Wicked; Stephanie Zinone in West End's Cool Rider) with special guests to be announced

Saturday  12th September (8:00 pm) - Scott Alan's Very Special Birthday Concert Celebrating Mark Shenton (Playbill contributing editor; London based Theatre critic and journalist) featuring over a dozen VERY Special Guests

Monday 14th September (11:00 pm) - Scott Alan & Rachelle Ann Go (Gigi in West End's Miss Saigon: Upcoming: Fantine in West End's Les Miserables) with special guest and fellow Les Miserables co-star Rob Houchen (Marius).

Tuesday the 15th September (8:00pm) - Scott Alan introduces Jennifer Owens featuring special guest Carol Owens

Wednesday16th September(8:00pm) - Scott Alan & Danny-Boy Hatchard (Lee Carter on BBC One's EastEnders; Ste in West End's Beautiful Thing) with special guest Nina French (The Drowsy Chaperone; Miss Saigon)

Thursday 17th September (11:00pm) - Scott Alan & Lucie Jones (X-Factor Finalist; Cosette inr Les Miserables) with special guest Hiba Elchikhe (Ghost).

Tickets for Scott Alan concerts

Lloyd Daniels , Sarah Earnshaw and Sophie Evans to lead in You Won’t Succeed on Broadway If You Don’t Have Any Jews

Lloyd Daniels (X Factor/Joseph UK Tour), Sarah Earnshaw (Wicked/Spamalot) and Sophie Evans (The Wizard of Oz) are leding the cast in You Won’t Succeed on Broadway If  You Don’t Have Any Jews which  will open at the St James Theatre on 27th August (previews from 25th August) for a limited run until 5th September 2015.

They will be joined by  David Albury, Alex Marshall, John Barr, Danny Lane, Yiftach Mizrahi, Natalie Lipin, Rebecca Wicking and Jackie Marks.
The show is a celebration of over 80 years of the Jewish contribution to Musical Theatre. Broadway wouldn’t be what it is today without the Jewish composers and writers classic melodies from the 1930s to present day, with the unique success stories of Broadway’s most famous composers; from George and Ira Gershwin and Irving Berlin through to contemporary musicals such as Rent, Hairspray and Parade.

Tickets for you Wont Succeed on Broadway If You Dont Have any Jews 

Wednesday, June 17

Release Date for Cool Rider album

The Cool Rider cast album which was funded through a successful Kickstarter campaign has a confirmed release date for 29th June 2015. The score features songs including  Who’s That Guy/Girl?, Score Tonight, Mr Sandman,  Cool Rider, Reproduction, Girl for all Seasons, (Love Will) Turn Back the Hands of Time Rock-a-Hula Luau (Summer Is Coming) and We'll Be Together.

Based on the 1982 cult movie,  Cool Rider was staged in the West End last year at the Lyric and Duchess Theatres.

The album has Ashleigh Gray (Wicked) and Aaron Sidwell (Loserville)  leading the cast alongside Reece Shearsmith (The League of Gentlemen).The rest of the principal cast includes: Niki Evans (Legally Blonde), Mark Anderson (Book of Mormon), Bronté Barbé (Shrek), Daniel Buckley (Loserville), Joshua Dowen (Dogfight), Lucinda Lawrence (Charlie and the Chocolate Factory), Hannah Levane (Sister Act) and Niall Sheehy (Miss Saigon).


The Original Studio Recording will be available for worldwide purchase from CoolRiderLive.com on CD and Limited Edition Selections, and digitally in the UK on iTunes (Pre-Order now).





Casting announced for The Madness musical Our House at Union Theatre Southwark

Updated 21st July:  The cast includes Steven France as Joe Casey, Ailsa Davidson as Sarah, Dominic Brewer as Joe’s Dad, Sally Samad as Kath Casey, Joseph Giacone as Emmo, Joe Ashman as Lewis, Claire Learie as Billie, Chanice Alexander-Burnett as Angie, Rhys Owen as Mr. Pressman and Jay Osborne as Reecey.

The Madness musical Our House is being revived at the Union Theatre in Southwark this summer from  19th August - 12th September.

Winner of an  Olivier Award for Best New Musical Our house was first presented at the Cambridge Theatre in October 2002. It is written by Tim Firth (Calendar Girls, Kinky Boots, The Wedding Video) and tells the story of Joe Casey, his mates, his girlfriend Sarah and the night he commits a petty crime to impress her. Set in Camden, Our House, with the help of Madness music, follows the two paths his life would take if he either stays to face the music or makes a run for  it.

To mark its 10th anniversary the show was presented West End Gala Concert for Help for Heroes at the Savoy Theatre on Sunday November 11th followed by a short tour with a cast featuring  Suggs, Wendi Peters and Jack Shalloo.

 Tickets for Our House 

Oliver Tompsett & Debbie Kurup to star in The World Goes Round: The Songs of Kander & Ebb

West End stars Oliver Tompsett (Wicked, We Will Rock You) and Debbie Kurup (Chicago, The Bodyguard) are starring in  a brand new British production of The World Goes Round: The Songs of Kander & Ebb, which will play a limited run at the Pheasantry in Chelsea  from Sunday 5th to Wednesday 8th July 201. They will be joined by Steffan Lloyd-Evans, Alexandra Da Silva and Sally Samad.

Kander & Ebb are best known for  smash hit musicals Cabaret and Chicago. The World Goes Round is a revue with a live on-stage band,  showcasing popular gems from their Broadway back catalogue featuring songs from shows including  Cabaret, Chicago, Flora the Red Menace, Kiss of the Spider Woman, The Rink, 70 Girls 70, The Act and more, including forever favourites 'All That Jazz', 'Cabaret', 'Mr Cellophane' and 'New York, New York',

Tickets for The World Goes Round Songs of Kander & Ebb 

Sunday, June 14

Sierra Boggess joins cast of Andrew Lloyd Webber's School of Rock on Broadway

West End and Broadway leading lady Sierra Boggess (Phantom  & Love Never Dies) is to  reunite with Andrew Lloyd Webber later this year in in his laest project SCHOOL OF ROCK on Broadway, playing the role of 'Rosalie Mullins' the stern school principal (originated in the 2003 film by Joan Cusack and recently portrayed by Sara Chase in the workshops at The Gramercy Theatre). She joins the previously announced Alex Brightman, who will star as Dewey Finn.

Based on the Paramount movie directed by Richard Linklater and written by Mike White, School of Rock has a book by Julian Fellowes (Downton Abbey creator ), lyrics by Glenn Slater, and new music by Andrew Lloyd Webber. It  will be directed by Laurence Connor (currently  on Broadway with  Les Miserables), and the creative team also features choreography by JoAnn M. Hunter, scenic and costume design by Anna Louizos, lighting design by Natasha Katz, and sound design by Mick Potter.

IT tells the story of a down-on-his-luck wannabe rock star named Dewey Finn, who poses as a substitute teacher at a prep school and enlists his fifth-graders to form a rock group and conquer Battle of the Bands.

Previews are set to begin Monday, November 9th at the Winter Garden Theatre, with an opening night set for Sunday, December 6th.

Lloyd Webber said:Sierra is a magical performer. She was a brilliant Christine Daaé in Phantom, and I'm delighted she'll have this chance to show off her considerable comedic chops in the role of the Rosalie in School of Rock.

.


Friday, June 12

Sheila Hancock and Jenna Russell in Grey Gardens Musical?

According to today's Daily Mail's, West End leading ladies Sheila Hancock and Jenna Russell are in discussions about the possibility of starring in the musical Grey Gardens which will be directed by Thom Southerland at the Southwark Playhouse early next year.
The triple Tony-winning project debuted on Broadway in 2006, starring Christine Ebersole, Mary Louise Wilson and Erin Davie. The show is based on the 1975 documentary by Albert and David Maysles about the lives of Edith Ewing Bouvier Beale and her daughter Edith Bouvier Beale. It  delves into the quirky daily life of the two women living in their nearly derelict mansion in East Hampton, Long Island following  the eccentric Big Edie and Little Edie on their funny  and heartbreaking journey from glamorous aristocrats to notorious recluses in a crumbling house filled with memories and cats. Hancock and Russell sound like inspired casting!
The musical has a book by Doug Wright, music by Scott Frankel and lyrics by Michael Korie.
Hancock's recent theatre credits include Sister Act The Musical (Palladium) and Barking in Essex (Wyndham's), whilst Russell's include Di & Viv & Rose (Vaudeville), Urinetown (St James/Apollo) and Merrily We Roll Along (Menier/Harold Pinter).

Full cast announced for Funny Girl starring Sheridan Smith at Menier

Updated 16th October:According to Baz in today's Mail the cast for the sold out Funny Girl will now include Maurice Lane, as theatre manager Mr Kenney.(He performed in the chorus when Barbra Streisand starred in Funny Girl in 1966).   Darius Campbell (Gone with the Wind and From Here to Eternity) will portray Nick Arnstein, Brice's love interest. Marilyn Cutts is  Fanny's mother, and Valda Aviks and Gay Soper will play Brice's friends. 

Rehearsales for the show start on Monday (although a lot of singing and dancing prep has already taken place) and  director Michael Mayer has made it clear Smith will be playing the role her own way, and not be playing Barbra Streisand playing Fanny Brice.

Updated 3rd August: Dates now confirmed for Funny Girl at the Menier from November 20th-March 5th.(Press night 2nd December). It will be directed by Michael Mayer, designed by Michael Pavelka, choreographed by Lynne Page with musical supervision from Alan Williams. Further casting to be announced.Tickets go on general sale on Monday 17 August.


Updated 10th July:  Sheridan has just confirmed that she IS  playing Fanny Brice in Funny Girl which will be the Menier Xmas show which starts rehearsals in October and  runs from late November until early March.

According to Baz in today's Mail, multi award winning Sheridan Smith is in early talks to play Fanny Brice in the iconic musical Funny Girl at the Menier Chocolate Factory. She has just met with director Michael Mayer but it seems that if Smith decides against it, the musical will go back in storage for the time being. It is very exciting news and would be wonderful if she commits as not only is it a tour de force for the Menier but in my opinion it is the perfect role for her with the stage presence, wit,  charm and charisma that she brings with her.

Barbra Streisand originated the role on Broadway in 1964 and received a Tony nomination; she  took  the show to London in 1966.  A Broadway revival, potentially starring Lea Michele or Kelly Clarkson has been in the pipeline for over a year.

The original Broadway musical had a book by Isobel Lennart, music by Jule Styne, and lyrics by Bob Merrill with hit numbers including  People, Cornet Man and Don’t Rain On My Parade which are perfect showcases for Sheridan's powerful voice.

The semi-biographical plot is  based on the life and career of Broadway, film star and comedienne Fanny Brice and her stormy relationship with entrepreneur and gambler Nick Arnstein. If the project comes off I predict it will be an instant sell out at the Menier with West End and Broadway transfers very much  on the cards.

Smith is a prolific actress who is very much in demand, always working on different projects. She will soon be seen on the big screen in The Huntsman  and her new hard hitting three part police drama series Black Work is due to air on ITV on Sunday 21st June at 9:00 pm

Thursday, June 11

Guys & Dolls starring Sophie Thompson and Jamie Parker to tour and follow Gypsy at the Savoy

Updated 12th June:  Chichester Festival Theatre's  critically acclaimed production of Guys and Dolls is to go on a short tour which  transfers  into the West End  for a limited 13 week run  from 10th  December to 12th March 2016,  opening at the Savoy Theatre after Gypsy starring Imelda Staunton closes on 28th November.

The tour  will open at Manchester Palace Theatre on 10th November and visit venues including  Birmingham New Alexandra,  London Savoy Theatre, Liverpool Empire, Edinburgh Playhouse, Milton Keynes Theatre and Edinburgh Playhouse  which currently takes it up until next July.  Details of dates and booking links here.

The  Chichester production in August starred Sophie Thompson as Miss Adelaide and  Jamie Parker as Sky  Masterson (who will both transfer to London), Peter Polycarpou and Clare Foster. More casting news to follow.

The show is choreographed by Carlos Acosta and Andrew Wright with musical direction from Gareth Valentine. Design is by Peter McKintosh, with lighting and sound by Tim Mitchell and Paul Groothuis.

Wednesday, June 10

Change to line up for Boys of the Barricade Launch Concert

Updated 15th July:Unfortunately Rob Houchen & Bradley Jaden can no longer appear, BUT Oliver Savile will now be making an appearance

Updated: 30th June: Further casting details have been announced today for the launch concert of Boys of the Barricade. Rob Houchen and Bradley Jaden (current Marius and Enjolras in Les Miserables) join the previously announced line up.

Boys of the Barricade, are described as the "first musical super group", and they are performing their first  concert at the Charing Cross Theatre on Sunday 26th July at 7:00 pm.

Featuring stars of Les Misèrables from productions in the West End, Broadway, the International Tour and 2012 film, the group is the brainchild of Scott Garnham and Simon Schofield.

The show will feature a selection of favourite tunes, plus ballads and operatic arias to pop, rock and swing numbers.

The line-up for the 26th will include Craig Mather, Kieran Brown, Andy Coxon, Simon Schofield and James Charlton with special guest appearances by Simon Bailey, Scott Garnham and a few surprises.

Tickets for Boys of the Barricade

Friday, June 5

Casting breakdown for Louise Dearman Hannah Waddingham, Hadley Fraser, Peter Polycarpou in Gershwin Concert Of Thee I Sing

Update 19th July:  The casting breakdown is as follows:

Hadley Fraser as John P. Wintergreen
Tom Edden as Alexander Throttlebottom
Louise Dearman as Mary Turner
Hannah Waddingham as Diana Devereaux
Nic Colicos as Matthew Arnold Fulton
Gavin Alex as Sam Jenkins
Peter Polycarpou as French Ambassador
Tony Timberlake as Male Ensemble – Gilhooley
James Barron as Male Ensemble – Senator Robert E. Lyons
Christopher Doyle as Male Ensemble – Jones
Gareth Snook as Male Ensemble – Louis Lippman
Daisy Maywood as Female Ensemble – Miss Benson
Gemma Wardle as Female Ensemble
Celia Graham as Female Ensemble 


Updated 8th July: further casting has just  been announced with Louise Dearman (Wicked), Gavin Alex (Dirty Rotten Scoundrels), Tony Timberlake (Les Miserables) and additional ensemble cast members including James Barron, Gareth Snook, Daisy Maywood and Gemma Wardle joining

Hannah Waddingham (A Little Night Music, Into the Woods, Game of Thrones) and Hadley Fraser (City of Angels, Coriolanus) and Tom Edden (Les Miserables, One Man, Two Guvnors) will lead the cast of George and Ira Gershwin's Of Thee I Sing at the Royal Festival Hall on Thursday 31st  July at 18:45. They will be joined by  ensemble members John Barr, Nicholas Colicos and Christopher Doyle.

The concert performance will be directed by Shaun Kerrison, with musical direction by Michael England.

Featuring songs including "Who Could Ask For Anything More?", Of Thee I Sing is  a tuneful satire on American politics set in the run-up to the presidential election. Candidate John P. Wintergreen and his team are trying to discover what the American people care about most – is the answer love?

Wintergreen's party stage a pageant to find him a wife. Unfortunately, John falls in love not with the winner, the beautiful Diana Devereaux, but with the sensible Mary Turner...

The show takes on political idealism, corruption and incompetency, and reveals that love can affect not just domestic relations but international ones too...


Tickets for Of Thee I Sing

Debbie Kurup, Cedric Neal & John Barr join Marti Webb in The Rhythm of Life

Update 19th June: More casting news Debbie Kurup, John Barr and Cedric Neal are joining the line up.

Debbie Kurup created the role of Nicki Marron in the West End musical The Bodyguard. Her otherWest End credits include Velma Kelly in Chicago, KT/Doloris in Sister Act at the London Palladium, Dee Dee in Tonight's The Night at the Victoria Palace Theatre and Mimi in Rent at the Prince of Wales Theatre. Debbie most recently played Reno Sweeney in the Sheffield Crucible/UK No 1 tour production of Anything Goes.

Dallas-born Cedric Neal made his London debut as Sportin' Life in Regent's Park Open Air Theatre's production of The Gershwins' Porgy And Bess. His Broadway credits include: After Midnight (original Broadway production); The Gershwins' Porgy and Bess (Broadway revival). Additional credits include: Stagger Lee, A Christmas Carol, Henry IV; It's a Bird . . . It's a Plane . . . It's Superman, Death of a Salesman, A Midsummer Night's Dream, and The Who's Tommy

John Barr starred as Dr Parker in Batboy in the West End but he made his West End debut at the age of 12 in Oliver!. He has had a varied career, appearing on stage, TV, film, cabaret, concerts and recordings. Career highlights include in the West End & Fringe: Ed Kleban in A Class Act, for which he was nominated for Best Male Performance - Offie Awards (2013), Tateh in Ragtime, Charles Guiteau in Sondheim's Assasins, in which he was also nominated for Best Male Performance; Greta in Martin Sherman's Bent. He was an original cast member in Aspects of Love and played Feuilly in Les Miserables in the 1988 Company at the Palace Theatre.


Marti Webb is starring in The Rhythm of Life at the St James's Studio on Friday 10th and Saturday 11th July.

The show celebrates the master of the catchy show tune; multi award winning Cy Coleman. Featuring songs and tales from  classic musicals including  Sweet Charity, Little Me, On The Twentieth Century, City Of Angels, Barnum, Seesaw, The Will Rogers Follies, I Love My Wife and The Life. Including Witchcraft, The Best is Yet to Come, The Colors of My Life, The Oldest Profession, You Can Always Count on Me, Big Spender, Nobody Does It Like Me,

A west end cast including Marti Webb (Tell me on a Sunday at St. James) will be accompanied  by Michael Webborn on  the Piano.

Tickets for The Rhythm of Life 

Gary Wilmot to join tour of Dirty Rotten Scoundrels

The Ambassador Theatre Group and Jerry Mitchell Productions have just announced a  cast change for the national tour of DIRTY ROTTEN SCOUNDRELS.

The tour currently stars Michael Praed as Lawrence, Noel Sullivan as Freddy and Carley Stenson as Christine. Mark Benton guest stars as Andre Thibault until Saturday 5th September  but from Tuesday 8th September Gary Wilmot (who is currently starring in a tour of Oklahoma!) takes over the role which he previously played in the West End.

Pixie Lott to star in Breakfast at Tiffany's

Nikolai Foster has just announced his first season as artistic director of the Leicester Curve. It will include pop star and Strictly Come Dancing runner-up Pixie Lott starring in a stage adaptation of Breakfast at Tiffany's which is a  play with music running  between 3rd and 12th March 2016. It will then will tour the UK to venues including Southampton Mayflower in April  before transferring to the West End's Theatre Royal Haymarketin June.

It  premiered in New York in 2013 and  is based on the novel by Truman Capote  adapted by Pulitzer Prize finalist and Tony and Olivier Award-winning playwright Richard Greenberg and directed by Nikolai Foster, with design by Matthew Wright and music bY Grant Olding.

Breakfast at Tiffany’s is the classic tale of Holly Golightly so memorably portrayed by Audrey Hepburn in the iconic 1961 film.  It is the tale of vivacious, good-time girl Holly Golightly and her fantastical existence in 1940s New York City, is told through the eyes of a young writer (played in the film by Geoge Peppard) wh is completely fascinated by this exquisite extrovert who every woman wants to be, and every man wants to be with.
 
More casting to to follow

Tickets for Breakfast at Tiffany's  

Thursday, June 4

Cast announced for Xanadu UK Premiere at Southwark in October

Updated 12th August.  The cast for Xanadu includes
Kira (Clio)/Carly Anderson: Sonny/Sam Edwards: Danny / Zeus/TBA: Melpomene/Medusa/Alison Jiear: Calliope / Aphrodite/Lizzy ConollyErato / Peisonoe (Siren) / Hera/Micha Richardson:Terpsicore / Aglaope (Siren) / Young Danny / Hermes / Centaur/Joel Burman: Thalia / Thelxiepie (Siren) / Eros / Cyclops/
Nicholas Duncan andEuterpe / Girl on Bike / Molpe (Siren) / Thetis/Emily McGougan

 The Musical Xanadu will receive its UK premiere at the Southwark Playhouse from October 16th  to November 21st , with a press night on November 3rd.

Xanadu is the hilarious roller skating musical adventure based on the 1980s cult movie classic which starred Olivia Newton-John and Gene Kelly. Kira, the magical and beautiful Greek muse, descends from the heavens of Mount Olympus for Venice Beach, California, on a quest to inspire a struggling artist, Sonny, who wants achieve the greatest artistic creation of all time – the first roller disco! But, when Kira falls into forbidden love with the mortal Sonny, her jealous sisters take advantage of the situation and chaos abounds. Xanadu features the chart topping songs from the film: “Magic”, “Suddenly”, “I’m Alive”, “Evil Woman”, “All Over the World” and of course, “Xanadu”!

Xanadu originally opened at the Helen Hayes Theatre on Broadway in 2007 where it ran for over 500 performances and  broke the Helen Hayes one-day box office record the day after the reviews came out.

The show has a book by Douglas Carter Beane, with music and lyrics by Jeff Lynne and John Farrar.
 It will be directed by Paul Warwick Griffin, with design by Morgan Large, choreography by Nathan M Wright and sound by Richard Brooker.


Tickets for Xanadu

Wednesday, June 3

Jamie Muscato joins cast of House of Mirrors and Hearts new musical

Updated 10th June:
Jamie Muscato replaces Bart Edwards as Nathan in The House of Mirrors and Hearts , who has had to withdraw from the production due to unforeseen circumstances.

Muscato recently starred in Dogfight at the Southwark Playhouse. His other theatre credits include: The Light Princess at the National Theatre and Rock of Ages, Love Story and Spring Awakening in the West End. He also appeared in both the film and the 25th Anniversary tour of Les Misérables.

 The House of Mirrors and Hearts is a new musical by Eamonn O’Dwyer and  Rob Gilbert which will preview at the Arcola Theatre from 2nd-5th July (runs until 31st July).

Starring Graham Bickley (David) Gillian Kirkpatrick (Anna), Grace Rowe (Laura), Molly McGuire (Lily) and  Bart Edwards  as Nathan, it is directed Ryan McBryde, with Musical Direction by  David Randall and Set And Costume Design by  David Woodhead.

The House of Mirrors and Hearts is a contemporary British story about a dysfunctional family haunted by their past. Keeping secrets is a kind of art…When Anna’s husband is killed in a tragic accident at their home, her family’s life is changed forever. Seven years pass and, torn apart by grief, Anna has drunk herself numb.Her daughters, Lily and Laura, exist in a world of secrets and lies. They spend their days in bitter silence and suspicion, until Nathan, a new lodger studying theworks of a forgotten poet, forces them to confront their past. Tensions within the family build, threatening to shatter this already broken household once and for all.

Listen to demo recording

Tickets for the House of Mirrors and Hearts

Imelda Staunton to join Jamie Parker and Jenna Russell at Sondheim Hey Old Friends! Birthday Gala

It has just been announced that Gypsy's Imelda Staunton is to join the impressive line up for the Stephen Sondheim crowd-funded birthday gala at Theatre Royal Drury Lane on 25th OctoberThe event, is seeking to secure funds using thecrowd-sourcing platform Kickstarter 

Other supporters  so far include   History Boys actor JAMIE PARKER (Assassins, currently starring in High Society at the Old Vic); the Olivier Award winner and Tony nominee JENNA RUSSELL (Sunday in the Park with GeorgeInto The WoodsMerrily We Roll Along), and stage, screen and radio legend NICHOLAS PARSONS (Into The Woods) with more talent from the West End set to confirm in the coming weeks. Subject to availability, Olivier Award winner BILL DEAMER (Top Hat) will direct and choreograph the show, and acclaimed West End Musical Director GARETH VALENTINE – recent MD of City of Angels at the Donmar Warehouse and last seen on stage conducting the London Philharmonic Orchestra in Follies at the Royal Albert Hall – will conduct.

The gala, titled HEY, OLD FRIENDS!, is also being staged in support of The Silver Line charity  which listens to older people who may need friendship,  information or advice, but who have literally no-one else to talk to.” Founded by DAME ESTHER RANTZEN, DBE, who says: “I think it’s an absolutely spectacular idea to put together a gala concert to honour Stephen Sondheim in his 85th year, and to do it for a really good cause. ‘Hey Old Friends!’ is particularly appropriate, as this is what The Silver Line does – it
Hey, Old Friends! is supported by THE STEPHEN SONDHEIM SOCIETY and produced by RICHARD DOUGLAS PRODUCTIONS, the team behind many of the large-scale charity galas staged in London, including Children Will Listen at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane, Barbara Cook & Friends at the Coliseum, Follies in Concert at the Palladium and 30th Anniversary Side by Side by Sondheim at the Novello Theatre.

Tickets for the October gala are on sale now at www.sondheim.org/gala

Tuesday, June 2

Shows due to perform at West End Live later his month

West End LIVE  takes place in Trafalgar Square on Saturday 20 and Sunday 21 June 2015. Now in its 11th year, this free annual event – the largest event of its type in the world – is organised by Westminster City Council and Official London Theatre and offers fantastic free family entertainment from London’s top theatre productions and attractions.

Shows returning to the West End Live stage this year include; Billy Elliot The Musical, Charlie And The Chocolate Factory, The Commitments, Disney’s The Lion King, Jersey Boys, Les Misérables, Let It Be, Lord Of The Dance: Dangerous Games, Mamma Mia!, Matilda The Musical, Miss Saigon, The Phantom Of The Opera, Stomp, Thriller Live, War Horse and Wicked, plus performances from English National Opera (ENO) and touring productions of Avenue Q and Shrek The Musical.

  New shows making their West End LIVE debuts over the weekend include American Idiot, Beautiful – The Carole King Musical, What’s It all About-Bacharach – Reimagined, The Dreamers, Dusty, Gypsy, Memphis The Musical, Sunny Afternoon and Seven Brides For Seven Brothers. Plus a sneak preview of Elf and Three Little Pigs