Trailer released for Miss Saigon cinema screening

The trailer has JUST been released for the upcoming cinema screening of Miss Saigon featuring the original West End revival cast. Most of the footage was captured during the musical's 25th anniversary gala at the Prince Edward Theatre as well as from the show's final performance. The special 25th anniversary gala finale featuring original cast members including Jonathan Pryce, Simon Bowman an Lea Salonga will also be included. 

Miss Saigon will be screened in uk cinemas for one night only  on 15th October 2016 and in Australia on 14th October 2016. The recording will then be available for purchase (details to be confirmed). 

The cast includes Eva Noblezada as Kim, Jon Jon Briones as the Engineer, Alistair Brammer as Chris, Hugh Maynard as John, Tamsin Carroll as Ellen and Rachelle Ann Go as Gigi.

Visit www.misssaigon25th.com to view the trailer and find your nearest cinema for the screening.

American Idiot special Rock A Long Performance

The cast of Green Day's hit musical, American Idiot, will be performing a special 'Rock-A-Long' performance for one night only on Thursday 8 September 2016. Following the huge success of last year's event the audience is encouraged to 'ROCK OUT' with the cast at the Arts Theatre

With hit songs including "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, it's a great opportunity to sing along to some of the most iconic rock songs of all time.

American Idiot is currently running for a strictly limited run until 25 September 2016, following on from its critically acclaimed 2015 London run and 2016 UK Tour.

Tickets for American Idiot Rock A Long

Idina Menzel to star in Beaches remake

Idina Menzel is to star in the remake  of Garry Marshall's iconic 1988 tear-jerker BEACHES for Lifetime. She  will take on the Bette Midler role of CCand perform the iconic songs "Wind Beneath My Wings" and "The Glory  of Love."  Menzel will also record several other songs specifically for the project, which will be produced by Denise Di Novi and Alison Greenspan. The TV film is set to premiere in 2017 with production set to begin in Vancouver on August 15th.  Allison Anders will direct the remake from a script by Bart Barker and Nikole Beckwith.

Beaches follows "the meeting of two youngsters, CC and Hillary, on the Venice Boardwalk, who, though worlds apart in lifestyle, embark on unexpected and lifelong friendship. Menzel's CC is an aspiring singer trying to make it in Los Angeles until she is discovered by a director who gives CC her first big shot. Hillary, (currently uncast but portrayed by Barbara Hershey in the original film), is the daughter of a prominent civil rights lawyer who struggles to find her own destiny. Their friendship-even with its ups and downs-sustains them for decades."

The original film raked in $57 million at the domestic box office, and its anthem, "Wing Beneath My Wings" went on to win Record and Song of the Year at the Grammy Awards.

Menzel was the original Elphaba in Wicked! and has a very  impressive list of theatre credits most recently appearing on Broadway in IF/THEN. Her other Broadway credits include RENT. She also guest-starred on the FOX musical dramedy GLEE.

Full Casting for Drew McOnie's production of Strictly Ballroom

Casting news for Drew McOnie's production of Strictly Ballroom includes Gemma Sutton (currently starring in The Go-Between) and American Sam Lips (currently Pippin in US tour) who will lead the cast as Fran and Scott.

The production will also star Tamsin Carroll as Shirley, Stephen Matthews as Doug, Julius D’Silva as Barry, Richard Grieve as Les, Eve Polycarpou as Abuela, Charlotte Gooch as Tina, Lauren Stroud as Liz, Jade Albertsen as Vanessa, Liam Marcellino as Wayne, Gary Watson as Ken, Michelle Bishop as Pam, Richard Dempsey as JJ / Merv and Zak Nemorin as Terry / Clarry.

The cast is completed by Courtney-Mae Briggs, Javier Cid, Selina Hamilton, Luke Jackson, Rebecca Lisewiki, Lindsay McAllister, Freya Rowley, Javier Santo, Alexzandra Sarmiento and Dale White.

Terry Johnson has joined the creative team to adapt the original book of  Baz Luhrmann and Catherine Martin's musical version of Strictly Ballroom which will open at the West Yorkshire Playhouse in Leeds on 6th December 2016 (previews from 30th November) and run until 21st January 2017.

McOnie, who has just choreographed the highly acclaimed  Jesus Christ Superstar in Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre , said Strictly Ballroom will feature the Viennese waltz, the foxtrot, a broad spectrum of Latin American dancing (including flamenco and rumba), plus a new vocabulary of dance that he will create for the show, which takes place within an amateur dance competition in Sydney.

The company will study the choreography at dance workshops before the official rehearsals start on October 10th .



Tickets for Strictly Ballroom
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Colin Firth joining Meryl Streep, Lin-Manuel Miranda and Emily Blunt in Disney's Mary Poppins Returns?

Updated 20th October: Again according to Variety,  British actor  Colin Firth is in negotiations to join the confirmed  Emily Blunt and Lin-Manuel Miranda in Disney’s “Mary Poppins Returns.” He will play William Weatherall Wilkins, president of Fidelity Fiduciary Bank. The movie also stars Meryl Streep as Poppins’ cousin. Blunt will be playing the title character, with “Hamilton” star Miranda portraying a street lamplighter named Jack.

The movie is set 25 years after the original. Michael and Jane Banks (Ben Whishaw and Emily Mortimer) are all grown up and suddenly get a visit from the magical nanny.

The film will be directed by Rob Marshall and produced by Marshall, John DeLuca, and Marc Platt.

Firth has had a busy year with “Genius” and “Bridget Jones’s Baby” bowing months apart. He is also a producer on the critically acclaimed drama “Loving.” He can be seen next reprising his role of Harry Hart in “Kingsman: The Golden Circle.
 

According to Variety, Meryl Streep is currently in talks to join Hamilton's Lin-Manuel Miranda and Emily Blunt in the the Disney movie Mary Poppins Returns which is  a sequel to the studio's 1964 classic, "Mary Poppins," due to be  be released on December 25, 2018

Apparently "Streep is set to play the role of Poppins' cousin, Topsy, a supporting role that wasn't in the 1964 classic. Streep would also sing for the part, much like she did in "Into the Woods," which earned her a record 19th Oscar nomination.

Charlotte Wakefield and Jos Vantyler joining Chitty Chitty Bang Bang Tour

 Charlotte Wakefield is taking over as Truly Scrumptious from Carrie Hope Fletcher (who leaves on 2nd October) on the UK tour of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang from 5th October in Edinburgh.

Wakefield recently played Hester Fletcher in the UK tour of The Herbal Bed: The Secret Life Of Shakespeare’s Daughter and  created the role of Wendla Bergman in the UK premiere of Spring Awakening at the Lyric Hammersmith.Oher theatre credits include Sophie in Mamma Mia! (International Tour/West End), Maria in The Sound of Music (Open Air Theatre), Edith in Noel Coward's Christmas Spirits (St James Studio), Laurey in Oklahoma! (UK Tour) and Emma in Monsieur Popular (Theatre Royal Bath). 

Jos Vantyler is also joining the cast as the Child Catcher on the same date taking over the role from Matt Gillett.  Michelle Collins who is playing Baroness Bombhurt leaves the show tomorrow with Claire Sweeney taking over the role from Monday.

Steven Webb new Elder McKinley in The Book of Mormon

As previously reported,  The Book of Mormon's Stephen Ashfield  is leaving the London show on 6th August  and transferring to the Broadway production.  It has just been announced that  Steven Webb will be  taking over as Elder McKinley from Tuesday 9th August.

Webb's theatre credits include: I Want My Hat Back (National), As Is & BETWIXT (Trafalgar Studios), Secret Theatre, Jack and the Beanstalk, Cinderella & Aladdin (all Lyric Hammersmith), After the Turn (Courtyard), Departure Lounge (Waterloo East), The History Boys (National/West End) and Oliver & Scrooge (Palladium).

Webb joins Alexandra Ncube as Nabulungi, KJ Hippensteel as Elder Prince and Brian Sears as Elder Cunningham. The current cast is completed by Nicholas McLean, Delroy Atkinson, Richard Lloyd-King, Dean Maynard, Kelly Agbowu, Philip Catchpole, Joseph Davenport, Jonathan Dudley, Harry Francis, Lydia Fraser, Reece Kerridge, Alex Lodge, Joshua Lovell, Brianna Ogunbawo, Stephen Rolley, Jacade Simpson, Ellena Vincent, Rodney Vubya, T’Shan Williams, Oliver Ormson, Christopher Copeland, Brendan Cull, Tania Mathurin, David McMullan, Sean Parkins, David O’Reilly, Rhys Taylor and Kayi Ushe..

Joanna Lumley to host National Youth Ballet Memorial Gala

National Youth Ballet has just announced that Joanna Lumley will host a special Memorial Gala  at Sadler's Wells on Sunday 4 September at 7:30 pm, celebrating their inspirational Founder and Artistic Director Jill Tookey, who passed away in March this year.

Joanna Lumley has been a patron of National Youth Ballet since 1989, when she met Jill at one of the company's performances at Sadler's Wells. Joanna has since become a huge supporter of the company, and has narrated two of their ballets. Joanna will host the gala performance on Sunday 4 September, where she will be joined on stage by many returning alumni, who now dance for leading companies including Royal Ballet, English National Ballet, Birmingham Royal Ballet and Matthew Bourne's New Adventures.

Tickets for National Youth Ballet Gala

Steph Parry one woman show at Battersea Barge

West End actress Steph Parry is bringing her one-woman show Rewrites and Delights to Battersea Barge for one night only  at 6.30pm on Sunday 21st August 2016.  With musical direction by Chris Hatt the show is said to be "filled with comedy, music and fun".

Parry is currently understudying Madame Morrible in the West End production of Wicked at the Apollo Victoria Theatre. Her credits also include: Mrs Meers in Thoroughly Modern Millie (Landor), understudy Mrs Wilkinson in Billy Elliot (Victoria Palace), Denise in rehearsed reading of The Village Social (National Theatre), Maude Bodley in Not Now Darling (UK tour), West Side Story (Cyprus) and Annie (UK Tour). In addition, Parry understudied Tanya, Donna and Rosie in the West End production of Mamma Mia! before going on to standby as Tanya in the musical's international tour.

Buy tickets for Steph Parry - One Night of Rewrites and Delights

Full cast including Michael Xavier, Jessica Martin and Darren Day for Bumblescratch Charity Gala

Updated 4th August:  The full cast has now been announced: The 13-strong company will include twelve-year-old Ilan Galkoff (Matilda, Oliver!) in the lead child role of Perry, which was created in the 2013 workshop by Sebastian Croft

Other cast members announced include Jacob Chapman/Socrates (Sunset Boulevard at ENO, Grand Hotel at Southwark Playhouse), Teddy Moynihan/Squabbler  and Cathy Read/Thamesa.

The full ensemble includes Alistair Barron, James Dangerfield, Emma Harrold, Katie Kerr, Jessie May and Dickie Wood.


Bumblescratch is a new sung-through musical comedy, written by Robert J. Sherman, which is being performed  London's Adelphi Theatre for one night only in aid of Variety – The Children’s Charity on Sunday 4th September at 6:30 pm.

Casting so far includes Darren Day in the title role of Melbourne Bumblescratch, with  Michael Xavier, fresh from Sunset Boulevard opposite Glenn Close playing Hookbeard and Jessica Martin, recently seen in Elf as Bethesda and Widow MacGregor.

Bumblescratch is set in London during the Great Plague of 1665 and the Great Fire of 1666 and told from the perspective of a demented, lascivious plague rat named Melbourne Bumblescratch, who demonstrates his unique and twisted love affair with the ancient city through telling his marvellously gruesome tales.

This major West End concert presentation  is specially staged as part of commemorations for the 350th anniversary of the Great Fire of London, which raged in the East End for four days from 2nd to 5th September 1666.

Bumblescratch has music, lyrics and book by Robert J. Sherman, continuing the enduring legacy of his father and uncle, Robert B. and Richard M. Sherman, aka The Sherman Brothers, the songwriting duo behind childhood classics including Mary Poppins and The Jungle Book. It is directed by Stewart Nicholls, who also collaborated with Robbie Sherman on the critically acclaimed Love Birds and A Spoonful of Sherman.

Lighting will be by David W. Kidd with sound by Andy Johnson, set/costume by Gabiella Slade and musical direction by Tom Kelly.


Buy tickets for Bumblescratch

Stephen Ashfield heading for Broadway's The Book of Mormon

Stephen Ashfield has just announced on Twitter that he is taking over as Elder McKinley in the Broadway production of The Book of Mormon playing his first performance at New York's Eugene O'Neill Theatre on 23rd August. He takes over from Grey Henson who departs the show on 21st August.

Ashfield has been playing Moroni/Elder McKinley in the West End since 2013 and won an Olivier Award for his performance. He will play his final show at London's Prince Of Wales Theatre on 6th August 2016.

London's new Elder McKinley is yet to be announced.

Cast for David Bowie's musical Lazarus at the Kings Cross Theatre in October

Updated 15th September:  The full cast has just been announced: 

Joining Michael C Hall, Michael Esper and Sophia Anne Caruso will be Amy Lennox (Kinky Boots) as Elly and Jamie Muscato (Bend it Like Beckham) as Ben with Gabrielle Brooks (The Book of Mormon), Sydnie Christmas (Kick Ass 2), Richard Hansell (A View From The Bridge), Maimuna Memon (Into The Woods), Tom Parsons (Once) and Julie Yammanee (Priscilla Queen Of The Desert).

Michael C Hall has revealed that the recording sessions took place on the day after Bowie's death. He will perform the title track from the musical  at the Mercury Prize awards.

David Bowie and Enda Walsh's musical Lazarus will open at the Kings Cross Theatre on 8th November  (previews from 25th October) for a limited run to 22nd January 2017.

Inspired by the book, The Man Who Fell To Earth, Lazarus focuses  on Thomas Newton, as he remains still on Earth - a 'man' unable to die, his head soaked in cheap gin and haunted by a past love. We follow Newton during the course of a few days where the arrival of another lost soul - might set him finally free.

Directed by Ivo van Hove, the show will play Tuesday to Saturdays at 8:00 pm with 3:00 pm matinees on Wednesday, Saturday & Sundays.

The show premiered at the New York Theatre Workshop in 2015  selling out in record time. Reprising their roles from the original New York production are Michael C Hall, Michael Esper and Sophia Anne Caruso.

Buy tickets for Lazarus

Made in Dagenham Musical to be revived

Updated 26th July: A cast of 21 has been confirmed with  several members of the company a locally based: Dan de Cruz, from Hornchurch; Steve Simmonds, from Dagenham; Sarah Scowen, from Grays; and Wendy Morgan, from Westcliff.

The full cast includes: Angela Bain, Daniella Bowen, Daniel Carter-Hope, Dan de Cruz, Sophie-May Feek, Jeffrey Harmer, Callum Harrower, Joey Hickman, Anthony Hunt, Martina Isibor, Graham Kent, Claire Machin, Wendy Morgan, Jamie Noar, Loren O’Dair, Elizabeth Rowe, Sioned Saunders, Sarah Scowen, Steve Simmonds, Thomas Sutcliffe and Alex Tomkins.

Theatre creditr redits include West End musicals such as The Commitments and The Lion King, work with numerous high-profile companies such as the National Theatre, Regent’s Park and the Rude Mechanicals as well as TV roles on Wire in the Blood, Dalziel and Pascoe and Coronation Street.

The musical Made in Dagenham to be revived  with a new actor-musician production at the Queen’s Theatre Hornchurch between 16th August and 17th September and at the New Wolsey Theatre Ipswich from 21st September to 15th October 2016.

Directed by  Douglas Rintoul who  revealed the production will be a "stripped back" version of the show. He also said: "It’s great to be the first to really reshape it. The West End production was vast, but I’m really excited about stripping it back to the very core storytelling,"


Made in Dagenham has book by Richard Bean, music by David Arnold and lyrics by Richard Thomas. The show premiered in the West End in November 2014 and closed five months later. The original production starred Gemma Arterton and was directed by Rupert Goold.

Design will be by Hayley Grindle with musical direction from Ben Goddard. Made in Dagenham is the  first show announced for Rintoul’s inaugural season as artistic director of the Queen’s Theatre Hornchurch.

Radio Times postponed at Charing Cross Theatre

Thom Southerland's forthcoming production of Radio Times  at the Charing Cross Theatre which was scheduled to run between 20th August and 1st October 2016 has been postponed.

An official statement reads: "Sadly, due to artist non-availability, we are unable to present the production on the dates originally planned. We hope to present the production at a later date."

Ticket holders are advised to contact their point of purchase for a full refund.

The next production at the venue, following the extension to Titanic's record-breaking 10-week season, will now be Ragtime which  starts previews on Saturday 8 October and runs run to 26 November. (Press night Monday 17 October.)Followed by the European premiere of Death Takes a Holiday from  Saturday 3 December - Saturday 21 January.

Alan Cumming Sings Sappy Songs at the London Palladium

Alan Cumming is at the London Palladium on  Saturday 8th October when he brings his award-winning show Alan Cumming Sings Sappy Songs to  London followed by dates at Brighton Dome, York Barbican and Gateshead Sage.

Inspired by his infamous post-show dressing room parties during his Broadway run in Cabaret, Alan Cumming Sings Sappy Songs! premiered at New York’s legendary Café Carlyle and recently sold out Carnegie Hall. He also headlines the Edinburgh International Festival this August.

Intimate secrets and raucous anecdotes, are all delivered with disarming emotional honesty as well as his  personal reinterpretations of the songs he loves to perform – by Kurt Weill and Noël Coward, Stephen Sondheim and Rufus Wainwright, Lady Gaga and Katy Perry.

He is joined by his long-time collaborator and Emmy-winning musical director Lance Horne.

Buy tickets for Alan Cumming in London

Postponement of New Musical Sleepless starring Danny Mac and Carley Stenson

Updated 1st Febraary: Due to an illness in  the producer's family and overwhelming unexpected circumstances, SLEEPLESS The Musical has been postponed. The producer hopes to have further news on  the production next year.
  
Updated 19th December:  It has just been announced that Strictly Come Dancing finalist Danny Mac and his fiancee Carley Stenson are to star in Sleepless in Seattle playing  the lead roles of Sam, who moves to Seattle with his eight year-old son after the death of his wife, and journalist Annie. The original 1993 film starred Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan, and was nominated for two Oscars.

Strictly Come Dancing finalist Mac has previously appeared in Les Misérables and Wicked! whilst Stenson's musical theatre credits include Shrek the Musical and Legally Blonde.

The cast also includes Jennie Dale (Elf) as Becky and Cory English (She Loves Me) as Rob.

Sleepless in Seattle: The Musical was tried out at the Pasadena Playhouse in California over three years ago after which the show  launched a CrowdFunder campaign, appealing to fans and smaller investors to put some money into the plan to bring the musical to London's West End and to fund an international tour.

The enchanting new romantic musical comedy based on the the original story and screenplay of the movie classic Sleepless in Seattle is to open at the Theatre Royal Plymouth (1st-15th April 2017) followed by a short tour to  Salford Lowry (25th-29th April) and Dublin Bord Gais Energy Theatre (2nd-13th May) followed by an anticipated West End transfer with more  casting news to follow.

With all of the charm, romance and wit of the much loved movie starring Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan, Sleepless is the  tale of Sam who moves to Seattle with his eight-year-old son Jonah, following the tragic death of his wife. But when Jonah phones a radio show and gets Sam to talk about his broken heart and sleepless nights live on air, he suddenly finds himself one of the most sought after single men in America and a great news story for feisty journalist Annie on the opposite side of the country. It looks like love is in the airwaves, but how do you know if someone is the one for you when you’ve never even met…

Sleepless the musical adds a fresh and lively book alongside a brand-new musical score to bring this most timeless of romantic comedies to life on stage.

Tickets for Sleepless at Plymouth 

Joe Stilgoe Concerts at Lyric Hammersmith on sale today

Tickets have gone on sale today at the The Lyric Hammersmith for Joe Stilgoe and his  big band  for three nights  on Monday 5th, 12th and 19th December 2016.

Featuring some incredible new songs with his take on favourite yuletide classics, Joe and his band promise a warm, wild and wickedly funny Christmas cracker that will appeal to all ages.

This trio of unique concerts comes hot on the heels of Joe recording his own BBC Radio 2 special at the Lyric in July, his 2016 UK Tour and his fourth studio album Songs on Film: The Sequel which is released on 5 August on Linn Records.

Joe Stilgoe has twice topped the UK jazz chart, been featured on countless radio programmes for Radio 2, 3 & 4, presented on BBC4, Radio 2 and JazzFM, has written award-winning songs, starred in The Old Vic's 2015 production of High Society, and he has an established international concert career, collaborating with John Wilson, Curtis Stigers, Claire Martin, the RLPO and BBC Concert Orchestra among many others. He has had sell out runs at the Edinburgh Fringe and is a regular favourite at the world-famous home of jazz, Ronnie Scott's

Tickets for Joe Stilgoe

Annaleigh Ashford & Jake Gyllenhaal to star in Sunday in the Park With George

Annaleigh Ashford is to star as Dot alongside Jake Gyllenhaal in the lead role in New York City Center's production of Sunday in the Park with George.

Ashford joins Jake Gyllenhaal  in Stephen Sondheim and James Lapine's musical for three charity  performances between 24th-26th October 2016.

Ashford's Broadway credits include: Sylvia, You Can't Take It With You, Kinky Boots, Wicked, Hair, and Legally Blonde. She is a series regular on Showtime's Masters of Sex and recently filmed Fox's remake of The Rocky Horror Picture Show.

Hollywood actor Gyllenhaal has previously appeared in If There Is I Haven’t Found It Yet on Broadway and This Is Our Youth in the West End.

The special event will honor business leader and philanthropist Adrienne Arsht. Funds raised will go toward subsidizing affordable tickets throughout the year to programs such as Fall for Dance and Encores! Off-Center.

Children of Eden to be revived at the new Union Theatre

Updated 19th July:  Casting has just been announced for the show: featuring Natasha O'Brien (A Christmas Carol, Rose Theatre) as Eve / Mama, Stephen Barry (The Beautiful Game, Union Theatre) as Adam / Noah, Joey Dexter (This was the World and I Was King, Brockley Jack Theatre) as Father, Samantha Giffard (Little Shop of Horrors, Aberystwyth Arts Centre) as Aysha, Guy Woolf (The Tempest, Waterloo East) as Cain / Japeth, Nikita Johal (Princess Caraboo, Finborough Theatre) as Yonah, Susie Chaytow (She Loves Me, Landor Theatre) as Aphra, Daniel Miles (Grease, Silja Line Cruises) as Abel / Ham, Kris Marc-Joseph (See Rock City and Other Destinations, Union Theatre) as Seth/ Shem, Verity Burgess (Evita, West End) as Storyteller and Gabriel Mokake (Dreamgirls, West End) as Snake.

The Stephen Schwartz and John Caird musical Children of Eden is to be revived  at the new Union Theatre, 25 years after its original West End production.

Directed by Christian Durham, Children of Eden will open on 12th August (previews from 10th August) for a limited run to 10th September 2016.

Inspired by the Book of Genesis, CHILDREN OF EDEN tells the timeless story of what it means to be a parent. From the moment you bring a child into the world everything changes; you learn to protect, cherish, and love unconditionally. But as they grow you have to learn one more thing; to one day let them go. Featuring one of the most beautiful scores in contemporary musical theatre from the composer of Godspell, Pippin and Wicked, with music and lyrics by Stephen Schwartz with book by John Caird.

Children of Eden has a Book by John Caird, who with Trevor Nunn adapted and directed Les Misérables. His recent directorial credits include McQueen at the Haymarket Theatre, Tosca in Chicago and Houston, La Boheme in San Francisco and his own musical Daddy Long Legs off-Broadway. His work for the RSC included over 20 productions of classic and new plays including a co-production with Trevor Nunn of Nicholas Nickleby for which he received a Tony and Olivier Award.

 Children of Eden is directed by Christian Durham, whose productions include Spend Spend Spend (Union Theatre), Just So (Bridewell Theatre), Debbie Does Dallas (Edinburgh Festival, E4 Udderbelly) and Taboo (UK Tour, Best Musical - MEN Awards). It is choreographed by Lucie Pankhurst whose recent work includes The Stripper (St James Theatre), The Toxic Avenger (Southwark Playhouse), The Busker's Opera (Park Theatre), Shock Treatment (Kings Head Theatre) and Dogfight (Southwark Playhouse). Design is by Kingsley Hall (Once Upon A Mattress, Patience, The Baker’s Wife - Union Theatre), Lighting Design by Nic Farman (The Stripper - St James Theatre, The Toxic Avenger -Southwark Playhouse) and Musical Direction by Inga Davis-Rutter (Spend, Spend, Spend and Love Story - Union Theatre).

 Design will be by Kingsley Hall with lighting by Nic Farman and musical direction by Inga Davis-Rutter. Casting is to be announced.

Tickets on sale soon for Children  of Eden

Toyah Wilcox Musical Crime and Punishment to run at Scoop Open Air Theatre

A musical based on the Dostoevsky novel Crime and Punishment featuring the music of Toyah Willcox will run at at the sunken 800-seater amphitheatre The Scoop, (near London Bridge) as part of  London Festival’s Russian Season  from August 31 to September 25 from Wed-Sun at 20.00 | FREE ENTRY

Crime and Punishment: A Rock Musical is produced by theatre company Gods and Monsters is adapted and directed by Phil Willmott and features songs written by Willcox and her writing partner, Simon Darlow.

Willcox said she was “excited that this collaboration will engage tens of thousands of people with this extraordinary novel in so fresh and enticing a way”.

BBC Radio4 Extra archive recordings of Jesus Christ Superstar, Guys & Dolls and Sweeney Todd

Musicals from the BBC’s radio archives – including  Jesus Christ Superstar, Guys and Dolls and Sweeney Todd – are to be broadcast as part of a season on Radio 4 Extra beginning at 09:00  on Saturday July 16th with  Sweeney Todd starring Denis Quilley as Todd Julia McKenzie as Mrs Lovett Followed at 11:35 by Stephen Sondheim in conversation with Mark Lawson from the 2010 Cheltenham Literature Festival. Guys and Dolls will be aired on July 23rd, starring Homeland actor Mandy Patinkin and John Challis (best known for playing Boycie in Only Fools and Horses).

Also featured in the season are Carousel, with a cast including Patinkin and Janie Dee, which will be aired on July 30th, and a recording of Jesus Christ Superstar, starring Spandau Ballet's Tony Hadley and the Who's Roger Daltrey,  on August 6th.  Kismet concludes the season on August 13th.

Each of the musicals was originally recorded in the mid 1990s.

The broadcasts will include  behind-the-scenes content and interviews with the shows’ composers.

Funny Girl London Cast Recording August Release date

The London cast recording of the critically-acclaimed West End production of Funny Girl is to be released on Decca Records on 5th August. It can be pre-ordered from Amazon here.

It features Sheridan Smith,  Darius Campbell and the London cast performing of some of the most iconic songs in film and theatre history, including ‎People, You Are Woman, I Am Man and Don’t Rain on My Parade

Below is the full tracklisting :
ACT 1
1. OVERTURE – Orchestra
2. IF A GIRL ISN’T PRETTY – Gay Soper, Marilyn Cutts, Valda Aviks, Maurice Lane, Joel Montague, Company
3. I’M THE GREATEST STAR – Sheridan Smith
4. CORNET MAN – Sheridan Smith, Philip Bertioli, Luke Fetherston
5. HIS LOVE MAKES ME BEAUTIFUL – Philip Bertioli, Sheridan Smith, Company
6. I WANT TO BE SEEN WITH YOU TONIGHT – Sheridan Smith, Darius Campbell
7. HENRY STREET – Valda Aviks, Marilyn Cutts, Gay Soper, Company 8. PEOPLE – Sheridan Smith
9. YOU ARE WOMAN, I AM MAN – Darius Campbell, Sheridan Smith
10. DON’T RAIN ON MY PARADE – Sheridan Smith

ACT 2
11. SADIE, SADIE – Sheridan Smith, Darius Campbell, Company
12. WHO TAUGHT HER EVERYTHING SHE KNOWS? – Joel Montague, Marilyn Cutts
13. TEMPORARY ARRANGEMENT – Darius Campbell, Philip Bertioli, Luke Fetherston, Matthew Goodgame
14. RAT-TAT-TAT-TAT – Sheridan Smith, Company
15. WHO ARE YOU NOW? – Sheridan Smith, Darius Campbell
16. WHAT DO HAPPY PEOPLE DO? – Sheridan Smith, Company
17. THE MUSIC THAT MAKES ME DANCE – Sheridan Smith
18. FUNNY GIRL/FINALE – Sheridan Smith
19. BOWS – Orchestra, Company

Judy Garland in Concert: 50th Anniversary Celebration

Judy Garland in Concert: 50th Anniversary Celebration one off concert With Full Live Orchestra at the London Palladium on Saturday 15th October at 7:30 pm.

Celebrating the legendary voice of Judy Garland in the 50th anniversary year of her iconic London Palladium performance in this audio visual spectacle. Some never before seen and unique footage shown of Judy performing and singing her greatest hits come together with a fabulous live orchestra to accompany her magical voice and recreate her classic arrangements.On screen, hear and see her sing her iconic songs such as Somewhere Over The Rainbow, Once In A Lifetime, Almost Like Being In Love, Come Rain Or Shine plus rare home videos and photographs from her illustrious career and life.

Hosted and narrated by Radio 2’s Leo Green. This special concert will also be complimented by a brand new and exclusive exhibition of Judy’s costumes, dresses and memorabilia from her career

Buy tickets for Judy Garland in Concert

Dates just announced for Kerry Ellis & Brian May new Candlelit Christmas UK Tour

 Kerry Ellis and Brian May have announced dates for their new  UK tour Candlelit Christmas starting on 7th December in Dorking, with the final date on 23rd December in Guildford.

The tour will feature new songs from the forthcoming second album Anthems II which the pair have been working on for the last year. Earlier this year Ellis and May toured Italy and Europe with their One Voice tour.

May spotted Ellis when she was in My Fair Lady at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane and invited her to audition for his musical We Will Rock You. After originating the role of Meat in the show, Ellis and May have gone on to work together extensively, both in the studio and on world tours.

Tickets on presale from 10:00 Wednesday 13th July

Sheridan Smith back in Funny Girl

Some great news this morning -  Sheridan Smith returned to Funny Girl for last night's performance  at the Savoy Theatre, which is  a few days sooner than planned.

The following statement has been released by producers Sonia Friedman, David Babani and Scott Landis:

We are delighted to welcome Sheridan Smith back to Funny Girl this evening. It is currently planned that Sheridan will also play this Saturday evening (not matinee), and Monday to Saturday next week (excluding the Wednesday matinee and Thursday evening performances at which Natasha J Barnes will perform). From the week commencing 18 July, Sheridan is scheduled to perform Tuesday through Saturday, with Natasha playing Fanny Brice on Monday evenings. This schedule is subject to change, but we look forward to continuing to entertain audiences at the Savoy Theatre until our run ends on 8 October.

Welcome back Sheridan. Hopefully your dad's treatment is going well and you will be left to get on with it and not constantly hounded by the press!

Ramin Karimloo, Kerry Ellis and Preeya Kalidis to star in Godspell Gala

Updated 19th August; Olivier winner George Maguire & Rocky Horror 's Dominic Andersen join GODSPELL gala cast.

It has been announced that Kerry Ellis (Cats/Wicked), Preeya Kalidas (Bend It Like Beckham/EastEnders) and Ramin Karimloo (Evita/Les Miserables) are to star in a concert staging of Godspell by Stephen Schwartz. at St. Paul’s Church in Covent Garden on Tuesday 30th and Wednesday 31st August  hosted by Mark Shenton

The creative team are headed by Director Dean Johnson, Musical Director Michael Bradley (Grey Gardens) and Choreographer Billy Cullum,  with Ellis, Kalidas and Karimloo performing alongside the British Theatre Academy.

The British Theatre Academy's Artistic Director Matthew Chandler says: I am delighted that Kerry, Ramin and Preeya are giving our kids the opportunity to work with such amazing, inspiring, world class talents. Godspell promises to be an unforgettable experience for them all

A cast of 300 British Theatre Academy performers are to appearing in the West End this summer in a special family version of the Tony award-winning musical The Secret Garden, based on the 1911 novel by Frances Hodgson Burnett with script and lyrics by Pulitzer prize and Tony award-winner Marsha Norman and music by Grammy award-winner Lucy Simon. The Secret Garden, directed by Rupert Hands, will run 6 weeks at the Ambassadors Theatre from Wednesday 27 July to Wednesday 31 August 2016.

Tickets for Godspell Gala

In the Heights Cast Changes

Award winning musical In The Heights is currently booking at the King's Cross Theatre to 30th October 2016. The musical has music and lyrics by Hamilton's Lin-Manuel Miranda.

 Dex Lee, who was in the original cast at the Southwark Playhouse, will take over as Benny after Joe Aaron Reid plays his final performance on 17th July. Former understudy Gabriela Garcia recently took over as Nina full-time.

The current cast also includes Christine Allado as Vanessa, Norma Atallah as Abuela, David Bedella as Kevin, Johnny Bishop as Graffiti Pete, Josie Benson as Camila, Vas Constanti as Piragua Guy/Kevin, Sam Mackay as Usnavi, Sarah Naudi as Carla, Cleve September as Sonny and Philippa Stefani as Daniela.

Completing the cast are Jocasta Almgill, Courtney-Mae Briggs,  Michael Cortez, Raffaello Covino, Kimmy Edwards, Reiss Hinds, Ryan Reid and Spin.

The London production premiered at the Southwark Playhouse in 2014 before transferring to the King's Cross Theatre the following year- It is directed by Luke Sheppard with choreography by Drew McOnie and musical supervision by Tom Deering.

Cast announced for UK tour of Little Shop of Horrors

The full cast has just been announced for the tour of The Little Shop of Horrors which  opens in Bournemouth at the beginning of August and currently tours until the end of November.

Joining the  previously announced Rhydian Roberts who is playing sadistic dentist Orin Scrivello are Sam Lupton (Boq in Wicked, West End, Avenue Q, UK Tour) as Seymour, Stephanie Clift (Mamma Mia!, West End) as Audrey, Paul Kissaun (Calamity Jane, Fiddler on the Roof, UK Tours) as Mushnik, Sasha Latoya (Rent, Greenwich Theatre, Britain’s Got Talent) as Crystal, Vanessa Fisher (Hairspray, UK Tour) as Chiffon, Cassie Clare (Cats, West End) as Ronnette and Josh Wilmott (Spamalot, We Will Rock You, UK Tours) as Audrey II. They will be joined by  Phil Adele, Stephanie McConville and Neil Nicholas.

Jenna Russell and John Owen-Jones to lead cast of Hired Man Concert

Casting has just been announced for Howard Goodall and Melvyn Bragg’s musical concert staging of The Hired Man at  London’s Cadogan Hall at 7:30 pm on Thursday  22nd September 2016.


The cast will be led by Jenna Russell and John Owen-Jones as John and Emily. Russell most recently starred in Jamie Lloyd’s production of Doctor Faustus whilst Owen-Jones is currently performing as Jean Valjean in Les Miserables on Broadway,

The cast also includes Matthew Seadon-Young (Billy Elliot/Urinetown) as Jackson, Evelyn Hoskins (Carrie/Spring Awakening) as May, Nigel Richards (Phantom of the Opera) as Isaac and Stewart Clarke (Assassins/Ghost) as  Seth. Clarke’s parents, actors Paul Clarkson and Julia Hills, created the roles of John and Emily in the original production of The Hired Man.



The Hired Man  powerful musical tale of labour and love set in the agricultural and industrial heartlands of Cumbria at the turn of the 20th century, The musical  follows the paths of John and Emily Tallentire as they go from two young lovers, setting off in married life together, to parents struggling to make a living  for their family as war looms across the continent.


This is its first major concert presentation in over 20 years which will  be narrated by The Southbank Show's  Lord Melvyn Bragg on whose novel the musical isbased.

The production will be directed by Samual Hopkins with projections by designer Barret Hodgson. The  ensemble and live orchestra will be conducted  by  Andrew Linnie.

Tickets for The Hired Man

Lauren Samuels, Ashleigh Gray & Lizzy Connolly to star in Vanities Musical

Lauren Samuels (Buskers Opera/Bend It Like Beckham), Ashleigh Gray (Wicked/Grease) and Lizzy Connolly (Mrs Henderson Presents/Xanadu) are to  star in the European premiere of the classic American musical Vanities which will be directed and choreographed by Racky Plews (Footloose, American Idiot), with a book by Jack Heifner and music and lyrics by David Kirshenbaum.  The musical will open at Trafalgar Studios 2 on 6th September (previews from 1st September) for a limited run to 1st October 2016.

Go back to 1963 and watch Mary, Kathy and Joanne obsess over their cheerleader routines, choose their sororities, plan their wedding outfits – because even though the President has been shot and America’s on the brink of a war, if the girls just stay popular and don’t lose their looks everything will be okay… right?

Vanities is the hilarious and heartfelt story about three best friends growing up in Dallas at a time when image and style were more important than brains and ambition. Vanities explores how these women’s warped view of the world shaped them, for better and worse, through a rich original score that blends girl group harmonies of the 60s and 70s with a contemporary musical theatre score.

Directed and choreographed by Racky Plews (Footloose, American Idiot), with a book by Jack Heifner and music and lyrics by David Kirshenbaum, Vanities makes its London debut in time for its 10th anniversary of the musical and 40th anniversary of the play which it is based on. 

Buy tickets for Vanities

Kerry Ellis in Concert The Story So Far

Kerry Ellis is returning to Chelsea's Pheasantry from 18th-20th August in concert performing The Story So Far,  telling stories and performing songs from her life and career so far, with  some surprise guests.  

 

Her numerous theatre credits include: Grizabella in Cats (London Palladium), Helene in Sweet Charity (Cadogan Hall), Meat in We Will Rock You (Dominion), Nancy in Oliver! (Drury Lane), Fantine in Les Miserables (Queen’s), Ellen in Miss Saigon (UK Tour), Beth in The War of the Worlds (World Arena Tour), Svetlana Sergievsky in Chess (Royal Albert Hall), Mimi in RENT (UK Tour), West End Men (Vaudeville), Tell Me on a Sunday (RCCL) and understudy ElizaDoolittle in My Fair Lady (National/Drury Lane).

 

She  just completed "One Voice"  extended tour of Italy and Eastern Europe with Queen's Brian May. They are currently in the studio recording a new album, Anthems II. Kerry will return to the West End at the Arts Theatre  in September to star in a new musical, ‘Murder Ballad’ with Ramin Karimloo.

Tickets for Kerry Ellis The Story So Far

 

July Date set for new Ramin Karimloo recording The Road To Find Out - South

West End and Broadway star  Ramin Karimloo has confirmed the  release date of 11h July 2016  for his new EP The Road To Find Out - South "The Brooklyn Sessions" with Big Hand Recordings.

The EP will be released ahead of his show at the London Palladium on 16th July. Tracks on the EP include 'Wings', 'Traveler's Eyes', 'Edelweiss', 'Letting The Last One Go' and 'Old Man River'.

After understudying Joe Gillis in the 2002 UK tour of Sunset Boulevard, Ramin made his West End debut the same year  understudying  Marius and Enjolras in Les Miserables at the Palace Theatre. He then starred as Raoul in The Phantom of the Opera at Her Majesty's before returning to Les Miserables as Enjolras.

Karimloo played Chris in the 2005 UK tour of Miss Saigon, returning  to the West End in 2007, playing the title role in The Phantom of the Opera. He later originated the role of The Phantom in Andrew Lloyd Webber's new musical Love Never Dies at the Adelphi and  starred in the 25th Anniversary concerts for Les Miserables (O2 Arena) and The Phantom of the Opera (Royal Albert Hall), playing Enjolras and The Phantom respectively.

Karimloo first played Jean Valjean -in the West End production of Les Miserables and went on to reprise his performance in Toronto and then on Broadway where he received a Tony nomination for Best Leading Actor in a Musical.

Karimloo recently starred in Prince Of Broadway directed by Harold Prince in Japan before playing Archibald Craven in The Secret Garden (Lincoln Centre) and Che in Evita (Vancouver Opera). He will return to the West End later this year in the UK premiere of Murder Ballad with Normn Bowman Victoria Hamilton Barritt and Kerry Ellis at the Arts Theatre.

Grease the musical announces new 2017 tour

It has just been announced that Grease the musical will launch a new UK tour in 2017.

It will open at the Manchester Palace Theatre between 10th and 25th March 2017,  with further dates and venues to be announced shortly .

The most recent UK tour of Grease ended in December 2012 starred Danny Bayne as Danny, Carina Gillespie as Sandy, Ricky Rojas as Kenickie and Kate Somerset How as Rizzo. Casting for the 2017 tour has not been confirmed.

Landi Oshinowo and Nicolas Colicos leading the cast of I’m Getting my Act Together and Taking it on the Road

West End stars Landi Oshinowo (Shrek, Barnum, Sister Act) and Nicolas Colicos (Mamma Mia, Sunset Boulevard, Sister Act, The Bodyguard) are leading the cast of I’m Getting my Act Together and Taking it on the Road at the Jermyn Street Theatre from Wednesday 6th - Saturday  23rd July

This is the first UK revival of this off-Broadway and West End musical – I’m Getting My Act Together and Taking it On the Road  35 years after it was first seen at the West End. It’s 1978. Heather Jones is breaking free. No longer content to be a mother, a housewife or celebrity product. Reshaping herself and discovering independence as a ‘new woman’, Heather hits the road with friends to prove that sisters can indeed do it for themselves. This new production promises to lead audiences on a moving and emotionally charged musical journey about love, friendships and new beginnings.  Described as a ‘controversial sensation’, I’m Getting My Act Together and Taking it On the Road marked a watershed moment in the history of musical theatre when it first premiered, challenging gender roles through the exploration of friendships, relationships and the pursuit of personal goals. Now, London audiences will experience a new production of this touching,  poignant and hilarious show.

 With Book & Lyrics by GRETCHEN CRYER and Music by NANCY FORD the production will be
directed By Matthew Gould with Musical Direction Nick Barstow and design by Matthew Gould and Edward Iliffe with Lighting Design By Mitchell Reeve

Joining  Landi Oshinowo (Shrek, Barnum, Sister Act) and Nicolas Colicos (Mamma Mia, Sunset Boulevard, Sister Act, The Bodyguard) will be Rosanna Hyland (Urinetown, Sister Act, Shrek), Kristen Gaetz (42 Street on Broadway, White Christmas US Tour, Crazy for You US Tour), David Gibbons (LSMT), Alice Offley (Teddy, The Secret Rapture) and  Rich Craig (The Mystery of Edwin Drood, Joseph & The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Waterloo).

Buy tickets for I’m Getting my Act Together and Taking it on the Road

Love4Orlando Concert West End Star Line Up

Updated 7th July:  more performers joining the line up now include  Ross William Wild, Lucie Jones, Brenda Edwards, Jordan Lee Davies, Zoe Birkett, Adele Anderson, Katie Hall, Kieran Jae, Samuel J Holmes, Shaun McCourt, Louise Olley, Josh Dever and Gavin Alex Wood.

On Sunday 17th July, a charity concert entitled Love4Orlando will be staged at the Garrick Theatre in aid of Equality Florida who  are responsible for the distribution of funds to the Orlando Shooting's victims and their families. Presented by Will Marsh and Orlando Gray Management, the concert will be both a memorial for the victims and an evening to show Love, Unity and Solidarity.

The line-up includes Sabrina Aloueche (We Will Rock You), Kieran Brown (Phantom of the Opera), Cassie Compton (The Wedding Singer), Alice Fearn (Dirty Rotten Scoundrels), Rob Houchen (Titanic), Claudia Kariuki (Hairspray), Emma Kingston (Les Miserables), Sam Mackay (In The Heights) and Eva Noblezada (Miss Saigon).

There will also be performances from  Britain's Got Talent winner Jai McDowall and The Voice UK's Mitch Miller with  Dean McCullough hosting the show.



Tickets for Love4Orlando Benefit Concert

Matt Cardle Lee Mead Ben Forster Kerry Ellis and Sophie Evans Broadway in Concert in Wales and London

It has just been announced that West End stars Matt Cardle, Lee Mead, Ben Forster, Sophie Evans & Kerry Ellis are to star in Broadway in Concert at Cardiff's Millennium Centre on 16th November before playing the London Palladium on 17th November.

 Matt Cardle (Memphis) and Lee Mead (Chitty Chitty Bang Bang) will star alongside Ben Forster (Phantom of the Opera), Kerry Ellis (Murder Ballad) and Sophie Evans (Wizard of Oz) in Broadway in Concert in a concert accompanied by the Novello Orchestra under the direction of David Mahoney which  will feature music from shows including Wicked, Les Miserables, Chicago and The Phantom of the Opera.

Tickets for Broadway in Concert at the London Palladium

Meat Loaf Bat Out Of Hell musical heading for West End next summer

Updated 13th October:  Tickets for Bat Out of Hell at London's  Coliseum where it runs  from 5th June-22nd July go on presale at 11:00 am on Thursday 13th October.

Jim Steinman's Bat Out Of Hell musical will open in the West End next summer with the  show opening at the Manchester Opera House between 17th February- 29th April 2017 before transferring to the London Coliseum from 5th June-22nd July

Jay Scheib will direct  the production which is  about never growing up. And never getting old. And always being in love! That's rock'n'roll. Steinman said the stage show will primarily be based on the first Bat Out Of Hell album, but may use music from subsequent Bat LPs. There will also be a couple of new songs.

Scheib and Steinman have been busy adapting the book for the  show.

The creative team have already auditioned hundreds of actors for roles — including Benjamin Purkiss and Christina Bennington, who are likely to appear in the show.

Tickets for Manchester Opera House are now on sale 

Amanda Holden to play Fairy Godmother in Cinderella Panto at Palladium

It has just been announced that Amanda Holden will star as the Fairy Godmother in Cinderella at the London Palladium this Christmas from 14th December 2016 (previews from 9th December) to  15th January 2017.

She joins Paul O’Grady  as The Wicked Stepmother, Julian Clary as Dandini, Lee Mead as Prince Charming, Paul Zerdin as Buttons, Nigel Havers as Lord Chamberlain and Count Arthur Strong as Baron Hardup.


Tickets for Cinderella

Killian Donnelly to star in Donegal at Dublin's Abbey Theatre

West End leading man Killian Donnelly is to star in Donegal by Frank McGuinness at Dublin's Abbey Theatre this October.

He is currently playing Charlie Price in Kinky Boots at London's Place Theatre until 13th August, when he leaves to start rehearsals for Donegal which opens on 6th October and runs until 19th November with a possible West End transfer being mooted.

Conall Morrison will direct the new dark drama comedy with music which is about Jackie Day, a cowboy who heads home from America to southern Ireland to help his struggling family.

Donnelly told the Mail. He goes away from Ireland to the States and becomes a big singer-songwriter,I think of him as having the kind of success that someone like Gary Barlow has. His mother used to sell out stadiums, but now she's reduced to playing smaller venues that hold 50, 60 people, if she's lucky. The family want Jackie to get them out of debt."

Donegal isn't a musical, it's  more of a play, with music. McGuinness, who likes country music which is very popular in Ireland, has written some numbers with Kevin Doherty, who performs with the band Four Men And A Dog. Donnelly said: I was asked:  Do you play guitar? Do you play piano?Yes, yes,'I told them. He will spend a lot of time with the creative team and cast, figuring out how to make the songs work in the play.

Apparently McGuinness saw Killian  in Memphis and wrote Donegal with him in mind. Donnelly joked that he had been offered the Killian Donnelly part.

Donnelly's West End roles include: Huey Calhoun in Memphis (Shaftesbury), Deco in The Commitments (Palace), Tony in Billy Elliot (Victoria Palace), Raoul in The Phantom of the Opera (Her Majesty's) and Enjolras / understudy Jean Valjean & Javert in Les Misérables (Queen's),

His credits also include: Collins in Michael Collins (Cork Opera House), Sweeney Todd (Gate Theatre, Dublin), Ethan Girard in The Full Monty (Olympia Theatre), Tony in West Side Story (The Solstice), Declan in The Wireman (Gaiety Theatre) and Rod in Singin' in the Rain (Olympia Theatre).

Booking opens shortly for Donegal