New Wicked! Tour to start in Bradford next Summer prior to major international tour

The West End and Broadway musical WICKED! will launch a new tour for five weeks from July 20th to August 21st 2016 at the Bradford Alhambra, prior to a major international tour.  Tickets go on sale on Tuesday November 24th

Following its run in Bradford the show will travel overseas to Asia for an international tour heading into 2017. The multi award-winning London production continues its run at the Apollo Victoria Theatre, where it is now in its 10th year and the 19th longest-running show in West End history.

Sheridan Smith's Funny Girl to transfer to Savoy

Despite Sheridan Smith saying she had another job to go to as soon as Funny Girl ended at the Menier on 5th March, it seems that things have now changed as the musical which opens in Southwark on 20th November and which sold out its entire run at the Chocolate Factory in 90 minutes will now to transfer to the Savoy Theatre in London's West End for an initial 12 week prior from 9th April (priority tickets go on sale November 9th and general public booking open from 10:00 am on November 16th).

Rehearsals are currently under way for the show, and according to Baz in the Mail book reviser Harvey Fierstein cut 40 pages from the script during his first read-through. He likened his work to an ‘excavation’ saying ‘There was a diamond in there and it needed to be cut out. It’s not that I’ve cut it to make it shorter — I’ve edited it to make it stronger.’ Apparently a couple of songs have been dropped, others moved around and two numbers that were written by Jule Styne and Bob Merrill (but never used in he original) have been  reinstated: one of which  was written for the character of Nicky Arnstein (played by Darius Campbell)

Casting news for Aladdin

According to Baz in today's Mail, the very attractive and talented Jade Ewen and Dean John-Wilson are in early negotiations to play the leads Aladdin and Princess Jasmine in Disney's Aladdin when it opens at the Prince Edward Theatre on June 9th next summer (previews from  May 27). They would join already confirmed Broadway cast member Trevor Dion Nicholas, making his London stage debut as the Genie.

Ewen is a  former Sugababe who is currently starring as Vanessa in the smash hit  In the Heights at the King's Cross Theatre. She made her professional theatre debut as young 'Nala' in the The Lion King.

John-Wilson played 'Benigno Aquino' in David Byrne and Fatboy Slim's Here Lies Love at the National Theatre last year and appeared in From Here to Eternity at the Shaftesbury.

Register now for free tickets for The Dance Masters featuring Michael Xavier, Stephen Ashfield & Louise Dearman

Friday Night is Music Night celebrates the dance masters of stage and screen from Gene Kelly to Bob Fosse, Busby Berkeley to Gillian Lynne, Hermes Pan to Tommy Tune at the Mermaid Theatre at 6.45pm on Friday 6th November

Featuring leading West End stars - Michael Xavier (Showboat), Stephen Ashfield (Book of Mormon) and Louise Dearman (Wicked).  Broadway maestro Larry Blank conducts the seventy piece BBC Concert Orchestra with music from West Side Story, Sweet Charity, White Christmas, Saturday Night Fever, Cats, Dirty Dancing, Top Hat and many more.

Tickets will be allocated via random draw.You can register for up to four seats at any time up  until Sunday 25 October at 10:00 pm.

Anneka Rice and Michael Praed host a special 'Friday Night Is Music Night' for Christmas - 'Oh What A Beautiful Evening' performed by John Owen Jones, Rosalie Craig & Hadley Fraser,

UPDATED 13TH DECEMBER: you can hear this show on BBC Radio 2 on Friday 18th December from 8:00 pm

Anneka Rice and Michael Praed are hosting  a special 'Friday Night Is Music Night' for Christmas - 'Oh What A Beautiful Evening'  from the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane at 19:30 on Sunday 13th  December.

The concert will feature the music of Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein performed by a stellar  cast including John Owen Jones, Emma Williams, Rosalie Craig, Hadley Fraser, Clare Teal and Ron Raines, accompanied by the seventy piece BBC Concert Orchestra, conducted Larry Blank with Capital Voices and a fifty voice chorus from the Arts Educational school. They will celebrate the fiftieth anniversary of 'The Sound of Music' and present songs from Rodgers and Hammerstein's greatest musicals, 'The Sound of Music', 'Carousel', 'The King and I', 'Oklahoma' and 'South Pacific'.

This evening includes a special contribution from Dame Julie Andrews and features the songs ' I Have Confidence', 'Oh, What A Beautiful Morning', 'The Surrey With the Fringe on Top', 'My Favourite Things', 'I Have Dreamed', 'There Is Nothing Like A Dame', 'Oklahoma', 'If I Loved You', 'Climb Every Mountain' and many, many more ...

Tickets for Friday Night Is Music Night for Christmas - Oh What A Beautiful Evening

Mary Poppins cast, Beverley Knight and Josh Groban in line up for this year's Royal Variety Show

Udated 29th November: The 2015 Royal Variety Performance will air on ITV at 7.30pm on Tuesday 8th December.

The line up for this year's Royal Variety Show includes compere Jack Whitehall who will welcome One Direction, Sir Elton John, Little Mix and Kylie Minogue to the stage of the Albert Hall for this year's Royal Variety Performance.

At 27 Whitehall is the youngest comedian to host the annual charity gala and is set to perform alongside Britain's Got Talent winners Jules O'Dwyer and Matisse, Ricky Martin and Kacey Musgraves with  comedians  Chris Ramsey, Romesh Ranganathan and Matt Forde. There will also be appearances from Brandon Flowers, Josh Groban, The Corrs, the cast of the  tour of Mary Poppins, Beverley Knight (who is currently playing Grizabella  in Cats the Musical), Jeff Lynne's ELO, the stars of Olivier winner The Play That Goes Wrong and Cirque du Soleil.

The Royal Variety Performance 2015 will take place on November 13th to air on ITV in December. The royals in attendance this year will be Prince Harry and The Queen.

Casting announced for Blues Brothers Xmas Special at Arts Theatre

Updated 11th November:  Casting has just been announced: David Kristopher-Brown and Joshua Mumby will star as Joliet Jake and Elwood Blues, with Simon Ray Harvey taking on the role of Ray. The company is completed by Sasi Strallen, T’Shan Williams and Hannah Kee as the Stax Sisters.

David Kristopher-Brown was most recently seen in the ensemble of The Phantom of the Opera, where he covered and performed as Piangi. Together with Joshua Mumby, he previously featured in The Blues Brothers in 2012 at the Lowry Theatre and at the Edinburgh Festival. Mumby is currently performing in LP Creatives’ national tour of Hansel & Gretel in the title role, and was recently seen  as Henry in An Ideal World (Trafalgar Studios).

Simon Ray Harvey has just finished performing the role of Bobby/Delray in Memphis, and has also recently been seen in Billy Elliot and the UK Tour of Flashdance.

Sasi Strallen’s recent credits include the national tours of Oklahoma!, Fame (Iris), Scrooge (Bess) and 9 to 5: The Musical. T’Shan Williams has just completed the UK Tour of Love Me Tender in the ensemble and understudy Lorraine, while Hannah Kee was most recently seen as Wrench in Starlight Express.

 
You can see The Blues Brothers: Xmas Special at London's Arts Theatre from 26th November  until 10th  January 2016 (press night 3rd December)

Booking opens today for this live tribute show has  brand new material for Jake and Elwood direct from Judith Belushi at Blues Brothers Approved Ventures.

They are backed  by the tightest rhythm and blues band in the city, and perform American blues, soul and rock 'n' roll classics, including Gimme Some Lovin', Think, Soul Man, Minnie The Moocher and Jailhouse Rock.

The production will be directed by Joshua Mumby, with choreography from Lily Howkins and musical direction by James Robert Ball.

With the stamp of approval from Dan Aykroyd and Judith Belushi, and featuring new, previously unheard material for Joliet Jake and Elwood themselves, Hartshorn-Hook Productions’ raucous live tribute show is back with a bang.

Book tickets for The Blues Brothers: Xmas Special
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West End stars in A Merry Christmas Cabaret

Stars from London's West End  join together for a sixth year in A Merry Christmas Cabaret. This year the one night show will be at 10:30 pm at the Hippodrome Casino on Tuesday 1st December,  in aid of Louise Plowright and Pancreatic Cancer Research, CRUK.

“Following a staggering fundraising effort we have raised over £140,000 for Louises’ life saving treatment. The supporters have been phenomenal and their involvement will make this years’ event incredibly special.”

Belting out Festive tunes for charity this year are past and present  performers from shows including   Wicked, Mamma Mia, Les Miserables plus  special guests!

Tickets for A Merry Christmas Cabaret

Phantom Cast, Simon Bailey, Savannah Stevenson, Katy Trehearne, Stuart Mathew Price and the West End Gospel Choir in A Song for Syria

A Song for Syria Charity Gala today has just announced that stars from Film, Theatre, Music and Television are coming together for 'A Song for Syria' at  a one off performance on Sunday 25th October at St. Paul's Covent Garden (The Actors Church).to raise money for the Syrian Refugees.

The collaboration will support two charities 'Hand in Hand for Syria' and the 'International Rescue Committee' as the two charities continue their vital work in dealing with the humanitarian crisis. Responding to the tragic ongoing events, the Gala has been organised by actor John Jack, and the unique cross genre show aims to raise £10,000 for the cause.

The event will feature special performances from The cast of 'Phantom of the Opera with  actors Romola Garai (Suffragette 2015), John Bett (The Golden Compass 2007) and West End stars Simon Bailey, Savannah Stevenson, and recording artists Katy Trehearne, Stuart Mathew Price and the West End Gospel Choir.

Tickets for the event start at £22.50, and all money raised will be split between 'Hand in Hand for Syria' and the 'International Rescue Committee'.

Donations can also be made at: https://www.justgiving.com/teams/ASongForSyria

Duncan James performing more dates in tour of Priscilla Queen of the Desert

Blue's Duncan James will star as Tick in the tour of the musical Priscilla Queen of the Desert in Northampton, Crawley, Dartford, Bristol and Oxford in addition to the previously announced dates. Jason Donovan is  playing the role at other venues.

Duncan James stage credits include playing Warner Huntington III in the West End production of Legally Blonde and Billy Flynn in Chicago. He was also a finalist on ITV1’s Dancing On Ice.

Joining Duncan James are Simon Green as Bernadette, Adam Bailey as Felicia and Philip Childs as Bob.

Michael Xavier and Lee Mead at 2015 UK Theatre Awards Announcement today

UK Theatre has announced the winners of the UK Theatre Awards 2015 – the only awards to honour outstanding achievement in performing, producing and management in theatres throughout the United Kingdom.

The awards were presented earlier today at a the ceremony at London’s historic Guildhall  compèred by musical theatre star Michael Xavier, with a performance from the cast of The Secret Diary of Adrian Mole Aged 13 ¾ and appearances from guest presenters including Sir Patrick Stewart OBE, Barbara Windsor MBE, Richard Wilson OBE, Anne Reid MBE and Lee Mead.

Newcastle Theatre Royal crowned overall winner of the public vote for the My Theatre Matters! UK’s Most Welcoming Theatre Award

Matthew Bourne OBE receives The Stage Award for Outstanding Contribution to British Theatre

Dame Eileen Atkins awarded the prestigious Gielgud Award for Excellence in the Dramatic Arts

Imelda Staunton wins for Best Performance in a Musical for her performance in Gypsy, which also wins for Best Musical Production

Clothworkers’ Theatre Award sees York Theatre Royal awarded £150,000 as part of The Clothworkers’ Foundation’s five year £1.25 million Dramatic Arts initiative.

In the play categories Best New Play went to IPHIGENIA IN SPLOTT by Gary Owen, a Sherman Cymru production, which will open in the National Theatre’s Temporary Theatre in January. The award for Best Performance in a Play was shared by Polly Lister for ABIGAIL’S PARTY, a Theatre by the Lake production, and Joel MacCormack for EACH HIS OWN WILDERNESS, an Orange Tree Theatre production.  The award for Best Supporting Performance was given to Justine Mitchell for FOR SERVICES RENDERED, a Chichester Festival Theatre production. 

Ned Bennett received the award for Best Director for POMONA, an Orange Tree Theatre production and for YEN, a Royal Exchange Theatre production, while Best Touring Production was awarded to TWELFTH NIGHT, a co-production between English Touring Theatre and Sheffield Theatres.

The award for Best Musical Production was won by GYPSY,directed by Jonathan Kent, a Chichester Festival Theatre production.  Imelda Staunton, who performed the role of Mamma Rose in the production, took home the award for Best Performance in a Musical. GYPSY transferred to the Savoy Theatre following its run at the Chichester Festival Theatre.

Best Show for Children and Young People is RUNNING WILD, a Chichester Festival Youth Theatre production. 

Best Design was awarded to Dick Bird, Timothy Bird and Paul Keogan for THE HUDSUCKER PROXY, a Nuffield Theatre, Liverpool Everyman and Playhouse in association with Complicite production.

In the opera and dance categories, Glyndebourne won the award for Achievement in Opera for an outstandingly well planned and performed season, whilst the Achievement in Dance award was given to Candoco Dance Company for their revival of Jérôme Bel’s postmodern classic THE SHOW MUST GO ON.

The £150,000 Clothworkers’ Theatre Award was given to York Theatre Royal, as part of the Foundation’s five year £1.25 million programme to support the dramatic arts. The award can be used for anything from capital works to sponsoring a touring production but it must be used for a specific purpose and may not be added to the theatre’s general funds. A different region in England will be selected each year.

Matthew Bourne OBE, widely hailed as one of the UK’s most popular and successful choreographers and directors, receives The Stage Award for Outstanding Contribution to British Theatre. Dame Eileen Atkins receives the Gielgud Award for Excellence in the Dramatic Arts 2015 in recognition of her illustrious seven decade career on stage and screen. 

In the awards for off-stage excellence Rambert won the Achievement in Marketing award for its work in attracting new audiences to contemporary dance, which has led to record breaking attendances in 2014/15.

The Renee Stepham Award for Best Presentation of Touring Theatre went to Royal & Derngate for their tours of six high profile productions MADE IN NORTHAMPTON. The award for Promotion of Diversity was shared by Curve Theatre for its diversity action plan and strategy targeted at the age-profile and multiculturalism of the city and Watford Palace Theatre for its initiatives to ensure it offers and develops services for the widest range of the population.

The UK Theatre Insurance Award for Theatre Employee or Manager of the Year was shared by two individuals: Gaby Paradis from West Yorkshire Playhouse and Dorothy Wilson from mac Birmingham.

A full list of winners is published below.

Best New Play

• IPHIGENIA IN SPLOTT by Gary Owen, a Sherman Cymru production

Best Performance in a Play

• Joel MacCormack for EACH HIS OWN WILDERNESS, an Orange Tree Theatre production
• Polly Lister for ABIGAIL’S PARTY, a Theatre by the Lake production

Best Supporting Performance

• Justine Mitchell for FOR SERVICES RENDERED, a Chichester Festival Theatre production

Best Musical Production

• GYPSY directed by Jonathan Kent, a Chichester Festival Theatre production

Best Performance in a Musical

• Imelda Staunton for GYPSY, a Chichester Festival Theatre production

Best Show for Children and Young People

• RUNNING WILD, a Chichester Festival Youth Theatre production

Best Director

• Ned Bennett for POMONA, an Orange Tree Theatre production and for YEN a Royal Exchange Theatre production

Best Design

• Dick Bird, Timothy Bird and Paul Keogan for THE HUDSUCKER PROXY, a Nuffield Theatre, Liverpool Everyman and Playhouse in association with Complicite production

Best Touring Production

• TWELFTH NIGHT, an English Touring Theatre and Sheffield Theatres production

Achievement in Dance

• Candoco Dance Company for a terrifically entertaining revival of Jérôme Bel’s postmodern classic THE SHOW MUST GO ON

Achievement in Opera

• Glyndebourne for an outstandingly well planned and performed season

The Renee Stepham Award for Best Presentation of Touring Theatre

• Royal & Derngate for their tours of six high profile productions MADE IN NORTHAMPTON

Achievement in Marketing

• Rambert for its work in attracting new audiences to contemporary dance, which has led to record breaking attendances in 2014/15

UK Theatre Insurance Award for Theatre Employee or Manager of the Year

• Gaby Paradis, West Yorkshire Playhouse
• Dorothy Wilson, mac birmingham

Promotion of Diversity

• Curve Theatre for its diversity action plan and strategy targeted at the age-profile and multiculturalism of the city
• Watford Palace Theatre for its initiatives to ensure it offers and develops services for the widest range of the population

My Theatre Matters! UK’s Most Welcoming Theatre in association with Smooth Radio

• Newcastle Theatre Royal

The Stage Award for Outstanding Contribution to British Theatre

• Matthew Bourne OBE

Clothworkers’ Theatre Award

• York Theatre Royal

The Gielgud Award for Excellence in the Dramatic Arts

• Dame Eileen Atkins

Further details about the UK Theatre Awards can be found at:
www.uktheatre.org/awards

Full cast announced for Rocky Horror Tour

Full casting has just been announced for the new tour of Richard O'Brien's Rocky Horror Show which kicks off in Brighton on18th December.

Casting for the tour includes Liam Tamne as Frank N Furter, Kristian Lavercombe as Riff Raff, Ben Freeman/Brad Majors, Diana Vickers/Janet Weiss, Kay Murphy/Magenta; Sophie Linder-Lee as Columbia and Paul Cattermole as Eddie/Dr Scott: Dominic Andersen/ Rocky with Phantoms Ben Kerr, Will Knights, Lauren Ingram. Hannah Malekzad and Zachary Morris as Swing / Cover Riff Raff, Brad, Eddie/Dr Scott

American Idiot announces UK tour next year

Green Day's award-winning Broadway musical American Idiot starring X Factor finalist Amelia Lily, is set to tour across the UK in 2016.

American Idiot begins its  tour on  19th  March 2016 at the Curve Theatre Leicester, following on from its  West End run, at the Arts Theatre, Leicester Square which ends on  22 November 2015.

Amelia Lily (X-Factor) will be reprising her critically acclaimed role, Whatsername,  with further casting to be announced in due course.  It will be directed and choreographed by Racky Plews, with designs by Sara Perks, lighting by Tim Deiling, sound by Chris Whybrow and musical supervision by Richard Morris.

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.

Winner of two Tony Awards® and the 2010 Grammy Award winner for Best Musical Show Album, American Idiot premiered at Berkeley Repertory Theatre in September 2009. In April 2010, the musical opened on Broadway where reviews were unanimously positive and it ran for over a year.

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

The tour dates we have so far include:

Curve Theatre, Leicester (19-26 March)
Palace Theatre, Manchester (5-9 April),
New Theatre, Cardiff (19-23 April) - on sale 22/10
Kings Theatre, Portsmouth (26-30 April),
New Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham (10-14 May)
Exeter Northcott Theatre (18-22 May)
Sunderland Empire (24-28 May),
King’s Theatre, Glasgow (31 May – 4 June).

 More casting news to follow

Clare Burt to star in Mrs Harris Goes to Paris

Clare Burt (theatre credits are COMPANY and INTO THE WOODS at the Donmar, LONDON ROAD at the National, and SUNDAY IN THE PARK WITH GEORGE, GIRLFRIENDS, THE HIRED MAN, CATS, ASPECTS OF LOVE and PASSION in the West End) will play the title role in Mrs Harris Goes to Paris, a musical based on the Paul Gallico novel about a charlady who has designs on changing her life at the Crucible in Sheffield as part of the company’s new season from 18th May to 4th  June 2016, press night is 23 May).

It’s London 1947. Mrs Harris spends every day cheerfully cleaning for her clients. She wants for nothing. Or so she thinks… One day, she happens upon something that takes her breath away – a Christian Dior dress. And something deep within her awakens. She sets out on an unthinkable quest to have a Dior dress of her own. On her incredible journey, Mrs Harris realises that she can finally let go of her past.

The novel was adapted as a 1992 TV movie, starring Angela Lansbury, Diana Rigg, and Omar Sharif. Daniel Evans will direct the production, created by Richard Taylor and Rachel Wagstaff. Also in the creative team are designer Lez Brotherston, musical director Tom Brady and casting director Charlotte Sutton.

News on Aladdin opening at the Prince Edward

Disney's Tony Award-winning new musical Aladdin will make  its West End premiere on June 9th , 2016 at the Prince Edward Theatre, (previews from May 27) after Miss Saigon closes there at the end of February  to head for Broadway. The first bit of casting to be announced is that Broadway cast member Trevor Dion Nicholas (pictured) will be making his London stage debut as Genie. Full casting (mainly British) is expected to be announced soon.

The priority booking period for ALADDIN, which will open on Friday 23 October 2015. Tickets will go on sale to the general public on Monday 23 November 2015. Tickets for the initial booking period are available for performances up to and including 1 October 2016.

Martin Kemp, Jason Manford, Michelle Collins and Lee Mead to lead cast for tour of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang

A very strong touring  has been revealed for the upcoming UK tour of CHITTY CHITTY BANG BANG! which starts at the West Yorkshire Playhouse in December.

Jason Manford (The Producers, Sweeney Todd) will play Caractacus Potts from 10th February until 24th April, returning to the show from 5th October 2016. Lee Mead (Casualty, Legally Blonde, Joseph and The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat) will play Caractacus Potts from 4thMay until 18th  September 2016.

Spandau Ballet's Martin Kemp (EastEnders, The Krays) will play the Childcatcher and Amy Griffiths (Everyman, Stephen Ward, The Pajama Game) will play Truly Scrumptious - both until 24th  April 2016.

The production will also feature Phill Jupitus (Spamalot, The Producers, Hairspray) as Lord Scrumptious/Baron Bomburst until 24th  April 2016, Michelle Collins (EastEnders, Coronation Street) as Baroness Bomburst, and Andy Hockley (The Phantom Of The Opera) as Grandpa Potts.

The cast is completed by Ewen Cummins (The Toymaker/Mr Coggins), Sam Harrison (Boris), Scott Paige (Goran), Kathryn Barnes, Rosanna Bates, Alex Louize Bird, Abigail Climer, Jade Davies, Matt Gillett, Ewan Gillies, Joanna Goodwin, Nathan Vaughan Harris, Christopher D Hunt, Paul Iveson, Nia Jermin, Kelsie-Rae Marshall, Mollie Melia-Redgrave, Perry O'Dea, Matt Overfield, Ross Russell, Craig Turner and Robert Wilkes.

Desperate Measures new musical based on Shakespeare’s Measure for Measure

Desperate Measures, is a  new musical based on Shakespeare’s Measure for Measure, set in London in the ‘swinging sixties’ against a backdrop of starchy middle class morality and hypocrisy in a country on the verge of Beatlemania and the sexual and social permissiveness that we know today. It has is world premiere  is at the Jermyn Street Theatre from 24 November - 20 December 2015 (press night  27^th November 2015 )

This is the world of Profumo, Christine Keeler & the Kray twins.  Depravity and sexual licence are widespread. Members of parliament rub shoulders with glamour models and  journalists are all too happy to take bribes.

MP, Simon Di Angelo, in an attempt to stop the tide of ‘wickedness’ he sees permeating every corner of life decides to revive the Sexual Congress Act. Pop singer Milo Feather breaks the law by getting his girlfriend pregnant and is condemned to hang under  the new morality laws. His sister Isobel, a novice nun, sets out to rescue him. But she’s about to take holy orders, and the stakes will threaten all that she lives for.

Desperate Measures stars Ellie Nunn as Isobel. Gatsby (Arts Theatre), Shakespeare in Love (Noel Coward Theatre), Lady Windermere's Fan (Kings Head Theatre), Bombshells (Jermyn Street Theatre,) and  The Last Laundress of Queensway (the Drayton Arms). Her film credits include ‘The Brief History’, ‘Untimely Death of George III’ and ‘Cracks’.


The cast  includes Harry Al-Adwani, Angharad George-Carey, Emily-Rose Hurdiss, Alice Jay, Jojo Macari, Callum Macdonald, Charlie Merriman, Timothy Patten, Tosin Thompson, and  James Wilson.

The Script by Robin Kingsland with Lyrics by Robin Kingsland & Chris Barton and Music by Chris Barton. Design is by Dee Shulman and the Musical Director  is Jordan Li-Smith.

Tickets for Desperate Measures

Marc Elliott, Alex Gaumond and Cameron Blakeley starring in Into the Woods

This Christmas Manchester Royal Exchange are presenting the Tony Award-winning Broadway musical INTO THE WOODS with music & lyrics by Stephen Sondheim and book by James Lapine from 4th  December 2015 - 16th  January 2016.

 

The excellent  cast includes Cameron Blakely/Narrator/ Mysterious Man, Marc Elliott/Rapunzel's Prince, Alex Gaumond/Baker,

Amy Ellen Richardson/Baker's Wife

Gillian Bevan/Witch, Francesca Zoutewelle/Cinderella, Amelia Cavallo/Cinderella's Mother, Gemma Page/Cinderella's Stepmother/ Grandmother,  Michaela Bennison and Maimuna Memon/Stepsisters,  Michael Peavoy/Wolf/ Cinderella's Prince, Natasha Cottriall/Little Red Riding Hood, David Moorst/Jack, Claire Brown/Jack's Mother, Isabelle Peters/Rapunzel, Rachel Goodwin/Milky White with  Michael Connor as the Steward with the voice of Maxine Peake.

 

Tickets for into the Woods                     

 

 

                     

 

                     

 

 

 

Casts of Beautiful, Kinky Boots and Bend it Like Beckham performing in Children in Need this year

This year's  BBC Children in Need Appeal show will be held  Friday 13 November 2015 starting at 7.30pm on BBC One when host Dermot O'Leary will be joined by Tess Daly, Fearne Cotton, Rochelle Humes and Nick Grimshaw .

Toawrds the end of the  evening there will be musical theatre performances from the West End casts  of Beautiful, Kinky Boots and Bend It Like Beckham.  For one night only, The One Show’s Matt Baker and Alex Jones will be transformed into West End Stars as they jump into the starring roles of the Rocky Horror Picture Show.

Casting announced for Michael Flatley's Dangerous Games

Principal casting has been announced for Michael Flatley's Lord Of The Dance - Dangerous Games which is running  at the Playhouse Theatre in London's West End from 10 October 2015 to 3 January 2016.

The production recently ended its run  at the Dominion  on 5th September  after six months, and also ran at the London Palladium where it opened  on 3rd September 2014.

The cast now includes  James Keegan, Morgan Comer, Cathal Keaney, and Fergal Keaney  sharing  the role of 'Lord of the Dance'. Sophie Evans and Rachael O'Connor will share the singing part of 'Erin the Goddess'.

Based on Irish folklore, Dangerous Games is a classic tale of Good versus Evil, expressed through the dance.  Little Spirit travels through time to help the Lord of the Dance protect his people from the challenge of the Dark Lord, Don Dorcha. The adventure takes place in a mythical universe of love, danger, and desire, created by acombination of precision dancing, state of the art lighting and pyrotechnics.

Sophie Evans was runner-up on the BBC series 'Over the Rainbow' in 2010, and played alternate Dorothy in selected performances of 'The Wizard of Oz' at the London Palladium.

Rachael O’Connor was on Kylie Minogue’s team on series 3 of BBC¡s  The Voice UK on BBC . She made her West End debut in Lord of the Dance: Dangerous Games at the London Palladium in 2014

Tickets for Michael Flatley's  Lord Of The Dance - Dangerous Games

Details of Open auditions for the Lion King

Disney's  musical The Lion King is to  hold public auditions to find singers and dancers for the London show (which is booking untilk July 2016) at several venues in Birmingham on 31st October, Manchester on 1st November and London on 7th and 21st  November. 

The show is looking for performers aged over 18: singers with strong ''soul/gospel" voices, who can sing a contemporary pop or rock song. Dancers are expected to have a modern dance background, with acrobatic skills "a major plus". Previous experience is preferred but not necessary.

More detailed information on the show's auditions page here. 

Elaine Paige to release CD & DVD of 50th anniversary concert, I'M STILL HERE

Elaine Paige hast just  announced that her 50th anniversary concert, I'M STILL HERE, will soon be released on  DVD and CD.

The performance was shown across cinemas in the UK, Ireland, Europe, US, Canada, Australia and New Zealand this spring after being filmed at London's Royal Albert Hall on October 22nd, 2014.

More news on release date to follow.

Casts of Elf the Musical and new Mary Poppins Tour on Graham Norton Radio Show Saturday morning

On the Graham Norton Show BBC Radio 2 from 10:00 am tomorrow morning (Saturday) he will be joined by  the stars of Elf The Musical Ben Forster, Jessica Martin and Kimberly Walsh and some of the cast from the new tour of Mary Poppins which opens next week.

Mrs Henderson Presents to transfer into Novello Theatre next February

The excellent critially acclaimed  Bath Theatre Royal production of  the musical Mrs Henderson Presents  is to move  into the the West End for a strictly limited season,  starting  previews at the Noel Coward Theatre on February 9th and opening on February 16th, 2016. 1

Starring Tracie Bennett as Laura Henderson and directed by Terry Johnson, the show has lyrics by Don Black and music George Fenton, with the film's original music director, Simon Chamberlain, returning for the stage production.  Choreography is by Andrew Wright with set design by Tim Shortall, costume design by Paul Wills and lighting design by Ben Ormerod

The cast also includes Ian Bartholomew as Vivian Van Damm and Emma Williams as Maureen. More casting o be announced.

Mrs Henderson Presents is based on Stephen Frears' 2005 film, which starred Bob Hoskins, Will Young and  Judi Dench as 'Laura Henderson', who created a vaudeville show featuring all-nude young women at the Windmill Theatre in London during "a time of great censorship, film of the same name starred Dame Judi Dench and WIll Young.  It is set in 1937 London, 1937, and recently-widowed eccentric, Laura Henderson, is looking for a way of spending her time and money when her attention falls on a run-down former cinema in Great Windmill Street. Hiring feisty impresario Vivian Van Damm to look after the newly renovated Windmill Theatre, the improbable duo present a bill of non-stop variety acts. But as war looms something more is required to boost morale and box office... When Mrs Henderson comes up with the idea of The Windmill Girls -- glamorous young women posing as nude statues -- audiences flock.

And as the Blitz hits London, The Windmill provides a refuge for all, boasting the spirit-raising slogan "We Never Close".

Buy tickets for Mrs Henderson Presents

Casting for Sound of Music Live! on ITV tonight

Updated 20/12 The Sound of Music Live! is scheduled to air on ITV on Sunday 20th  December from 19:30-22:05, with a Behind the Scenes documentary on  21st  December from 20:00-20:30

It stars Kara Tointon as Maria and Julian Ovendon is Captain von Trapp. Olivier award-winning actress Maria Friedman and Great British Bake Off host Mel Giedroyc are also joining the cast. Theatre star Friedman is currently playing Elaine Carter in EastEnders, will play Mother Abbess in the live production of the popular musical.Comedian, actress and presenter Giedroyc will play Frau Schmidt.  
They will be joined by Alexander Armstrong as Max Detwieler, Katherine Kelly (Baroness Schraeder), Paul Copley (Franz), Mel Giedroyc (Frau Schmidt), David Bamber (Herr Zeller), Paul Jesson (Admiral von Schreiber), Evelyn Hoskins (Liesl von Trapp), Jon Tarcy (Rolf Gruber), Julie Atherton (Sister Margaretta), Norma Atallah (Sister Berthe) and Imelda de los Reyes (Sister Sophia) with Darren J Bennett,  Julia J Nagle Chloe Taylor and Rebecca Mckinnis

Martin Koch is musical supervisor. The television director is Richard Valentine.

The cast will also record  a version just in case anything goes wrong on the night!

Full casting announced for European premiere of Broadway musical Grey Gardens starring Jenna Russell and Sheila Hancock

Updated 20th November:  Full casting ahs just been ann9unced fo Grey Gardens. Aaron Sidwell, Billy Boyle, Jeremy Legat, Ako Mitchell and Rachel Anne Rayham will join the previously announced leads Jenna Russell and Sheila Hancock.

Sidwell joins the cast from American Idiot and will play Joe/Jerry, while Boyle who most recently played Grandpa Joe in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory will play Major Bouvier/Norman Vincent Peale. Legat stars as Gould, Mitchell plays Brooks Sr and Jr while Rayham plays young Edie.

Grey Gardens is about  the aunt and cousin of Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis. Hancock will play Edith 'Big Edie' Bouvier Beale and Russell will play her daughter Edith 'Little Edie' Bouvier Beale.

Based on the iconic film, Grey Gardens tells the spectacular real life rise and fall of Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis’s aunt and cousin, Edith and Edie Bouvier Beale. Starting in 1941 at an engagement party at Grey Gardens, the Bouvier’s mansion in East Hampton, Long Island, the musical tracks the progression of the two women’s lives from American aristocrats to reclusive social outcasts living in such squalid conditions, in a home overrun by cats, that the Health Department deemed the mansion ‘unfit for human habitation’.

The 2006 musical has a book by Doug Wright, lyrics by Michael Korie and music from Scott Frankel. The show won three Tony Awards and 12 Drama Desk awards when it ran on Broadway.
Producer Danielle Tarento and director Thom Southerland, the team behind recent productions of Titanic, Grand Hotel, and Parade, will bring the show to the Southwark Playhouse, London in January next year.


Tickets for Grey Gardens

Confirmed: BBC Filming Gypsy for TV Broadcast

Updated 9th December: confirmed to be broadcast on BBC 4 Sunday 27th December 21.00   Updated 9th October: You still have time to see Imelda Staunton's amazing performance as Mama Rose in Gypsy with the show running  at the Savoy until 28th November with a small cast change due next week. Lara Pulver is leaving). But if you can't get to see it - Great news! It is now confirmed that plans are already in place for the BBC to film the next three performances of the fabulous London production of Gypsy to be shown on TV. There are discussions about the show being broadcast on BBC4 over Christmas holidays and also  being shown on US television, although no actual dates have yet been fixed because the deal is yet to be completed. It is also believed  that a DVD of Gypsy will go on sale next year.

Full cast announced for Broadway's The Color Purple starring Jennifer Hudson, Cynthia Erivo and Danielle Brooks

Full casting has just been announced for the  Jennifer Hudson (as Shug Avery), Cynthia Erivo (Celie) and Danielle Brooks (Sofia) Broadway Revival of The Color Purple. They will be joined by  Isaiah Johnson (as Mister), Joaquina Kalukango (as Nettie) as Nettie, and Kyle Scatliffe (as Harpo) with Phoenix Best, Dwayne Clark, Lawrence Clayton, Carrie Compere, Patrice Covington, Adrianna Hicks, Bre Jackson, Grasan Kingsberry, Kevyn Morrow, Ken Robinson, Antoine L. Smith, Carla R. Stewart, Akron Watson, and Rema Webb.

Adapted from the novel by Alice Walker, The Color Purple features a book by Marsha Norman with music and lyrics by Brenda Russell, Allee Willis, and Stephen Bray. It tells the story of a woman named Celie as she navigates her life in rural Georgia in the early 1900s. This production is directed by Tony winner John Doyle. Ii originated at London's Menier Chocolate Factory in 2013 and is set to begin performances  on November 10th, opening on Decemberth 10 at the Bernard B. Jacobs Theatre.

Cast announced for Damon Albarn's wonder.land

The cast has been announced for Damon Albarn's  new musical wonder.land which is  inspired by Lewis Carroll’s ‘Alice in Wonderland’. It  features music by Damon Albarn and book and lyrics by Moira Buffini and runs at the Olivier, National Theatre, from 23rd November  to 28 Feb 2016, with an  opening on  2nd December.

The cast will be led by  Carly Bawden (McQueen, Assassins, My Fair Lady, Stephen Ward, The Light Princess) as Alice/Aly with  Sam Archer, Lois Chimimba, Ivan De Freitas, Anna Francolini, Hal Fowler, Paul Hilton, Daisy Maywood, Enyi Okoronkwo, Golda Rosheuvel, Cydney Uffindell-Phillips and Whitney White, Leon Cooke, Nadine Cox, Adrian Grove, Joshua Lacey, Lisa Ritchie, Ed Wade, Simon Anthony and Stephanie Rojas. 

(Carly Bawden is currently performing as Dahlia in McQueen, which has just announced early closure  on 17th  October).

wonder.land let you be exactly who you want to be. Young Aly loves this extraordinary virtual world. She was bullied at school and is unhappy at home so wonder.land lets her escape from her parents, from teachers, and  herself ... 

The production is  directed by Rufus Norris with  set designs by Rae Smith, and  projections by 59 Productions, costumes by Katrina Lindsay, lighting by Paule Constable, sound by Paul Arditti, choreography by Javier De Frutos and musical direction by David Shrubsole.

Tickets for wonder.land

Maria Friedman, Daniel Evans, Adrian Lester and David Thaxton in Concert celebrating 40 years of Olivier Awards.

Maria Friedman is to direct and perform in a concert at the Royal Festival Hall on Monday 25th January at 7:30 pm. It  will feature stars performing a selection of songs from celebrated stage musicals accompanied by the BBC Concert Orchestra conducted by Keith Lockhart celebrating 40 years of the Olivier Awards. It will be broadcast on BBC Radio 3.

The Oliviers concert will also feature performances from Olivier Award winners  Daniel Evans, Adrian Lester and David Thaxton with further names still to be announced

Tickets for The Oliviers Concert

Oompa-Loompa Open auditions for Charlie & the Chocolate Factory

For the first time  the award-winning West End production of Roald Dahl’s Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, directed by Sam Mendes, will be holding open auditions later this month. Performers are invited to attend a day of auditions for Oompa-Loompas to join the 2016/17 West End Company.

Auditions will be held on Monday 26th October 2015 at The Dominion Theatre, 268-269 Tottenham Court Road.  Auditions for female performers start at 10:00 am and for male performers at 2:'' pm.

The creative team is looking for technically strong dancers, highly skilled in a range of styles including ballet, street, hip-hop, disco and tap. Alongside dance technique, the team will be looking out for performers with bags of personality and excellent facial and character skills.  Whilst this will be a dance only call, strong singing voices will be required for any recalls. Attendees must be aged 18 years or older, eligible to work in the UK and having a playing age of 18 – early 30s.  Female performers to be 5’1’’-5’8’’ and male performers 5’6’’ – 6’0’’.  Performers of all backgrounds and ethnic groups are encouraged to attend.

Auditionees should bring tight fitting dance clothes, ballet shoes, trainers and kneepads as well as a C.V. and headshot stapled together.

New Sound of Musicals Tour starring Kerry Ellis, Summer Strallen, Tim Howar & Graham Bickley

The Sound of Musicals is a new tour presenting a  programme of show–stopping music and songs from the greatest Broadway musicals including Kiss Me Kate, Singin' in the Rain , The Sound Of Music, Cabaret, Oliver!, Mary Poppins, Charlie And The Chocolate Factory,  Les Miserables anf Oklahoma!  and Wicked 

 P erformed by an all-star West End cast including Kerry Ellis, Summer Strallen,  Graham Bickley  and Tim Howar accompanied by the London Concert Orchestra conducted by  Richard Balcombe

Tickets for the Sound of Musicals Tour are on sale at the following Venues


14:30 December 27th: Liverpool Philharmonic Hall  
15:00 December 28th: Bridgewater Hall Manchester
19:30 December 29th Birmingham Symphony Hall
19:30  DEcember 30th: Glasgow Royal Concert Hall
14:30 January 2nd: London Barbican Hall

Philip Schofield Hosting Music Of The Knights Concert Tour

Phillip Schofield is to host new Music of the Knights UK concert tour in April 2016. He currently presents ITV's This Morning , All Star Mr & Mrs and The Cube Game Show and  previously starred in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat at the London Palladium as well as the UK tour of Dr Dolittle.

He says: "I'm so thrilled to be hosting Music of the Knights. It promises to be a great night of music and surprises. It's been quite a while since I've appeared on stage so I'm really looking forward to a great evening."

Music of the Knights is described as a celebration of the legendary Knights of the entertainment industry who have transformed the face of music, film and theatre throughout the ages.The Knights include: Sir Elton John, Lord Andrew Lloyd-Webber, Sir Cliff Richard, Dame Shirley Bassey, Sir Paul McCartney and The Beatles, Sir Cameron Mackintosh, Sir Tim Rice, Sir Mick Jagger, Sir Bob Geldof, Bono and Sir Van Morrison.

It will star some top West End stars accompanied by a live band performing musical numbers including: ‘I’m Still Standing’, ‘Rocket Man’ (Elton John), ‘Twist And Shout’, ‘Hey Jude’ (The Beatles), ‘I Dreamed A Dream’ (Les Miserables), ‘Do You Want To Dance’ (Cliff Richard), ‘It’s Not Unusual’ (Tom Jones), ‘Close Every Door’ (Joseph) and ‘Satisfaction’ (Mick Jagger).

Booking is now open at the following Music of the Knights Tour Dates:

Thursday 21st April: Cardiff St Davids Hall

Friday 22nd April: Ipswich Regent Theatre

Saturday 23rd April: Northampton Derngate

Sunday 24th April: Southampton  Mayflower

Casting News for Julian Fellowes, Stiles & Drewe new production of The Wind in the Willows musical

Updated 17th June: comedian and actor Rufus Hound is to play Toad. Fra Fee will play Mole; Thomas Howes is boat loving Ratty; and Neil McDermott (Ryan in EastEnders) is Chief Weasel.  The cast also includes Sophia Nomvete as Mrs Otter with  Badger still to be announced.

Joining them are  Rakesh Boury, Courtney Bowman, Jenna Boyd, Abigail Brodie, Jorell Coiffic-Kamall, Nicole Deon, James Gant, Evan James, Graham Lappin, Michael Larcombe, Bethany Linsdell, Dylan Mason, Emma Odell, Ryan Pidgen, Patrick Sullivan, Karli Vale, Adam Vaughan, Georgie Westall and Holly Willock.

The world premiere of Julian Fellowes' new musical production of Kenneth Grahame's The Wind in the Willows will open at the Theatre Royal  Plymouth from 8th-22nd  October 2016 and heads to The Lowry, Salford from  October 27th to 6th November,  ahead of a West End run.

It  will be the first ever West End musical to crowd-source funding. A million pounds was raised after producers opened funding up to the public last year

The Wind in the Willows has a book by the Oscar-winner and Downton Abbey screenwriter Fellowes with music and lyrics from Olivier Award-winning duo George Stiles and Anthony Drewe.

This will be the first time the trio have worked together since their hit version of Mary Poppins in 2004. Rachel Kavanaugh will direct  (Regent's Park Open Air Theatre's  The Sound of Music and Seven Brides for Seven Brothers).

Grahame's book has previously been adapted into both plays and films.Fellowes said: "The Wind in the Willows has been a favourite of mine literally all my life. It has been a real privilege to be part of the team re-imagining it for the musical stage... I shall be on the edge of my seat when we open at Plymouth, a marvellous theatre and the perfect launch pad for us to begin."

Tickets are now on sale for Plymouth and Salford Lowry . Casting details and London  dates are still to be announced