Mel Brooks' Young Frankenstein heading for UK next year

Mel Brooks' Young Frankenstein will open at Newcastle Theatre Royal on 26th August before transferring to the West End next autumn.

Brooks will team up with co-writer Thomas Meehan and choreographer Susan Stroman  at the Newcastle It will close there on 9th September before moving into the West End.

Young Frankenstein will be produced by Brooks, Michael Harrison, Fiery Angel and Hani Farsi
Based on the Oscar nominated 1974 film, which starred Gene Wilder, the story is about famousbrain surgeon and professor Frederick Frankenstein inherit his grandfather's castle in Transylvania. He must decide whether to continue to run from his family's tortured past or continue his grandfather's experiments in Transylvania.
 

Casting and dates are to be announced soon.

Casting for Meatloaf's Bat Out Of Hell

Baz Bamigboye   has just announced the cast for Meatloaf's Bat Out of Hell which will play at  London's Coliseum from 5th June-22nd July next year -  opening at the Manchester Opera House between 17th February- 29th April 2017.

Pennsylvania actor  Andrew Polec (pictured) will play the angry young Strat (the teenager who  chases what he wants: girls, motorbikes, and lots of rock ‘n’ roll’).

And Belfast-born Christina Bennington (also pictured) will play Raven, who is willing to risk everything to be with Strat — the boy from the wrong side of the tracks.

Rob Fowler and Sharon Sexton will play Raven’s parents Falco and Sloane; and the cast will also include Aran MacRae, Danielle Steers, Dom Hartley-Harris and Giovanni Spano.

They will be joined by Patrick Sullivan, Jemma Alexander, Emily Benjamin, Stuart Boother, Georgia Carling, Natalie Chua, Jonathan Cordin, Amy Di Bartolomeo, Jordan Lee Davies, Olly Dobson, Hannah Ducharme, Phoebe Hart, Rosalind James, Michael Naylor, Eve Norris, Tim Oxbrow, Andrew Patrick-Walker, Benjamin Purkiss, Anthony Selwyn, Courtney Stapleton and Ruben Van Keer.

The Last Five Years starring Samantha Barks & Jonathan Bailey opens this week

Written and directed by Tony Award-winning composer Jason Robert Brown, The Last Five Years is a two-handed musical following the emotional course of young love. Jamie and Cathy (played by Samantha Barks (Les Misérables) and Jonathan Bailey (Broadchurch) are two twenty-something New Yorkers. 

Cathy is struggling to find work and Jamie is an aspiring author who is suddenly offered an incredible book deal. As their paths begin to diverge the young lovers’ relationship also begins to shift and change.

It runs at The  Other Palace  (formerly St James Studio from 28th October to Saturday 3rd December) 

 

 The Last Five Years introduces a distinct, new musical structure that sees Jamie move forwards through the relationship and Cathy move backwards, with both characters meeting briefly on stage as their stories intertwine. 

Tickets for The Last Five Years

Marti Webb to join John Partridge & Adrian Zmed in tour of La Cage aux Folles

Updated 14th November:West End leading lady, TV star and recording artist Marti Webb will play ‘Jacqueline’, friend to Albin  and Georges, and owner of the restaurant ‘Chez Jacqueline’. Webb has played leading roles in numerous West End and touring musicals including Evita, Godspell, Thoroughly Modern Millie, Blood Brothers, Oliver, Oklahoma, 42nd Street, Half-a-Sixpence and Tell Me on a Sunday, which was written specifically for her by Andrew Lloyd Webber and Don Black.

It has just been announced  that John Partridge will play the lead role of Albin in the first ever tour of La Cage Aux Folles which is being presented by Bill Kenwright,  directed by Martin Connor and choreographed by Bill Deamer. It kicks off at Oxford New Theatre on 5th January.

JOHN PARTRIDGE is ‘Albin’ and ADRIAN ZMED is Georges with further casting still to be announced.

Albin moonlights as star drag act Zaza at the infamous La Cage aux Folles nightclub. Partridge’s extensive theatre credits include the West End productions of A Chorus Line at the London Palladium, Cats, Starlight Express and Chicago (which he is currently starring in as lawyer Billy Flynn) . He is also well known for playingChristian Clarke in BBC’s EastEnders and as a judge on TV’s Over The Rainbow.

Georges is Albin''s partner and owner of the nightclub. Zmed co-starred with William Shatner as ‘Officer Vince Romano’ in the 70’s hit TV show T J  Hooker, which ran for over 5 years, and for playing ‘Johnny Nogerelli’ in the  film Grease 2. This will be his first stage appearance in the UK but on Broadway he has led the casts of Grease three times, appeared in  Falsettos and Blood Brothers.

Carlos Acosta new dance company to premiere in London next September

Carlos Acosta's new dance company to premiere at Sadler's Wells.  The  company will  tour across the UK to venues including Salford, Birmingham, Southampton, Brighton and Edinburgh with further dates to be announced.

The fabulous Cuban dancer Carlos Acosta will bring his new contemporary dance company Acosta Danza to the UK for the first time in September 2017 at Sadler's Wells. The show will  include a guest appearance by Acosta, and include performances by ballet bad boy Sergei Polunin. The Ukrainian, who became the Royal Ballet’s youngest ever principal aged 19 but stunned the dance world when he quit the company in 2012 saying he wanted a normal life, will perform Project Polunin from March 14 -18.

The dance company's debut programme will feature  a mix of ballet and contemporary dance.works choreographed by Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui as well as Spanish choreographer Goyo Montero and Cuban choreographer Marianela Boan.

Acosta said today: "The company will develop its contemporary work, whilst also using elements of classical ballet. ...It incorporates everything I have learned during the past twenty-five years of my professional career. Coming to this country helped me grow as an artist. All of a sudden there were these artistic choices... it was an essential part of me becoming the dancer I am today."

New Encore Musical Theatre Radio Station

ENCORE RADIO is a new 24-hour 7-day-a-week radio station which will be dedicated solely to Musical Theatre music. It launches at 1.00pm on Monday 24th October, presenting a mix of West End and Broadway favourites, playing hits from musicals and films

The presenter line-up will include West End star and Blue singer Duncan James and ex-ClassicFM DJ JAMIE CRICK as a presenter & Content Director.

ENCORE RADIO will also provide all the showbiz news, weather and other features with a host of well-known presenters, including “Hollyoaks”, Blue and West End Star Duncan James (for three hours every Sunday morning from 10:00 am), national radio name Jamie Crick, who had a 20-year career as one of Classic FM’s best-known presenters, and TV and radio personality Liz Wickham.

Encore Radio will be available 3 ways:

Through its free app for tablet, iphone  and android smartphones

Online via encoreradio.co.uk

On DAB digital radio across London and the South East

Kerry Ellis and Brian May cancel December Candlelit Christmas Concert tour due to illness

Queen's Brian May has cancelled his planned Candlelit Christmas concert tour dates with Wicked star Kerry Ellis due to what he described as a 'persistent illness'. May said that he is fighting: "a persistent illness which is destroying my energy and my will," adding that he was 'gutted' to let fans down but that doctors have advised rest.

On the news, Ellis, who is currently starring in Murder Ballad at the Arts Theatre, said: Brian is a dear friend of mine and obviously his health must come first. I was so looking forward to touring the UK again with Brian. I know so many of you had bought tickets for an early Christmas treat, and I am truly sorry that we are letting so many of you down. But we will be back next year for sure, with new music for you all to hear."

Anthems II, a newly recorded studio album featuring May and Ellis, will be released in March 2017.

On sale dates announced for Hamilton

As previously announced, HAMILTON, the critically acclaimed and multi-award winning Broadway musical will open at the end of 2017 in London at the Victoria Palace,which is currently undergoing an extensive multi-million-pound refurbishment. 

The producers have just confirmed that tickets for the London production will go on sale in January 2017. Previews commence in November 2017. Full details of prices, booking information and performance schedule will be announced in January 2017.

People who have registered for the priority on-sale will have the opportunity to purchase tickets from 16th January 2017 ahead of the general on-sale on 30th January 2017. Registration for priority on sale is still open until 31 October 2016 at hamiltonthemusical.co.uk

Oliver Tompsett, Sally Ann Triplett, Jodie Jacobs, Alice Fearn, Simon Lipkin and Sandra Marvin in Disaster!

Updated 14th November: Simon Lipkin (most recently Nathan Detroit opposite Rebel Wilson in Guys & Dolls,  The Lorax, I Can’t Sing, Lonny in Rock Of Ages, Trekkie Monster in Avenue Q)  has now joined the cast of DISASTER! He will play Tony Delvecchio, the deceitful owner of a floating casino and discotheque heading for disaster,

West End stars Oliver Tompsett, Sally Ann Triplett, Jodie Jacobs, Alice Fearn and Sandra Marvin join the original Broadway cast members Jennifer Simard and show creator Seth Rudetsky for the London premiere of Broadway musical DISASTER!

Oliver Tompsett  plays Chad (a ladies man still carrying a torch for his ex-fiance). He  has just played Sky Masterson in Guys & Dolls at the Phoenix Theatre. His other West End starring roles include Galileo in We Will Rock You, Fiyero in Wicked and Drew Boley in Rock of Ages.

DISASTER! the Broadway musical comedy spoof of star-studded 1970s jeopardy movies like The Poseidon Adventure, Earthquake and Airport, will premiere in London for two gala concert charity performances at 4:00  and 7:30 pm  at Charing Cross Theatre on Sunday 20th November to raise funds for The Make a Difference Trust.

It’s 1979 and New York’s hottest A-listers are lining up for the opening of a floating casino and discotheque. But what begins as a night of boogie fever quickly changes to panic as the ship succumbs to multiple disasters, such as earthquakes, tidal waves and infernos. As the night turns into day, everyone struggles to survive and, quite possibly, repair the love they’ve lost…or at least escape the killer rats! Set in the wildest decade ever, DISASTER! is packed with unforgettable 70s dancefloor hits including “I Will Survive”, “Knock On Wood,” “Hooked On A Feeling,” “Sky High,” “I Am Woman” and “Hot Stuff”.

Jennifer Simard is recreating her Tony-nominated role as gambling-addicted nun, Sister Mary Downy. Seth Rudetsky is once again playing Ted Scheider, the professor and “disaster expert” who tries to warn the others of the impending doom.

Buy tickets for Disaster

Miss Saigon`s 25th anniversary performance sets UK box office record

The cinema screening of Miss Saigon's 25th anniversary performance has broken a UK cinema box office record grossing  £2.03 million - overtaking 2014's release of Billy Elliot the Musical Live, making it the biggest ever debut for a screening of its kind.

Producer Cameron Mackintosh said he was thrilled by the overwhelming response. With fans embracing the live film as a uniquely cinematic, theatrical and absorbing experience, it is a wonderful gift in my 70th birthday week.The record breaking box office results for the film prove appetite for this story is as strong as ever with many people experiencing Miss Saigon for the first time on the big screen.

The film adaptation was recorded at the Prince Edward Prince Edward Theatre, and will released on DVD, Blu-ray and available to download on 24th October.

After the success of the film, it is expected many cinemas will announce encore screenings in the coming weeks.

Full Cast Announced for Miss Saigon Broadway

Updated 10th January: The rest of the cast has just been revealed: Newly announced cast members include Carol Angeli, Emily Bautista, Mike Baerga, Billy Bustamante, Viveca Chow, Julian DeGuzman, Colby Dezelick, Taurean Everett, Paige Faure, Graham Scott Fleming, Casey Garvin, Nkrumah Gatling, Dan Horn, Ericka Hunter, Adam Kaokept, Lina Lee, Paul HeeSang Miller, Robert Pendilla, Catherine Ricafort, Casey Lee Ross, Jason Sermonia, Julius Sermonia, Antoine L. Smith, Sam Strasfeld, Tiffany Toh, Kimberly-Ann Truong, Kei Tsuruharatani, Christopher Vo, Travis Ward-Osborne, Charlie Williams, Anna-Lee Wright, Warren Yang, and Minami Yusui. In addition, Lianah Sta. Ana will play the role of Kim at certain performances.

 It has just been revealed that Alistair Brammer will recreate his London performance as young American GI Chris in Cameron Mackintosh’s January 2017 Broadway revival of the musical Miss Saigon.

He joins his previously announced West End co-stars Eva Noblezada, as Kim, and Jon Jon Briones, the Engineer, and Rachelle Ann Go as Gigi with Katie Rose Clarke as Ellen, Nicholas Christopher as John and Devin Ilaw as Thuy.

Brammer starred in the West End as Marius in Les Misérables and in the film version of the musical as Jean Prouvaire. Other theatre credits include Billy in War Horse (West End), Follies (Royal Albert Hall), Billy in Taboo (Brixton Club House), and the Les Miserables 25th anniversary concert.

Previews for Miss Saigon begin March 1st at the Broadway Theatre with  an official opening March 23rd playing a limited engagement to January 14th, 2018, before launching a North American tour later in the year.

Casting announced for She Loves Me at the Menier over Christmas

As already announced Scarlet Strallen returns to the Menier Chocolate Factory to take the leAD AS Amalia in She Loves Me from 25th November to 4 March.  

With rehearsals starting on Monday, she will be joined by Mark Umbers as Georg Nowack: second-in-command at the Budapest parfumerie. Amalia and Georg are in love - but of course they don't know it. Katherine Kingsley has been cast as Ilona Ritter, the bombshell with a broken heart with her real life partner Dominic Tighe  playing  love rat Steven Kodaly; while Callum Howells is the aspirational delivery boy Arpad Laszlo. Les Dennis is to play Mr.Maraczek the shy parfumerie owner

Tickets for She Loves Me

Killian Donnelly to appear in Kinky Boots on Broadway

West End leading man Killian Donnelly, is currently starring in Donegal, the new Frank McGuinness play  at the Abbey Theatre in Dublin.

Next year he is Broadway bound reprising the role of Charlie which he created in Kinky Boots at the Adelphi Theatre in London's West End. He will play the same part in the Broadway production from December 6th for a limited six-month run until late May.

Andy Karl confirmed for Groundhog Day Broadway

London critics and audiences raved about  Tony nominee Andy Karl,  as he headlined Groundhog Day at the Old Vic, it is now confirmed that Karl will lead the the production when it  opens at the August Wilson Theatre where the  stage adaptation of the 1993 film is set to begin previews on March 16  and  open on April 17th .

Karl received Tony nominations  for his two most recent Broadway performances: On the Twentieth Century and Rocky. His additional Main Stem credits include The Mystery of Edwin Drood, Jersey Boys, 9 to 5, Legally Blonde and Wicked. He recently appeared on Law & Order: SVU as Sergeant Mike Dodds, playing son to his former On the Twentieth Century co-star Peter Gallagher.

Directed by Matthew Warchus, the musical features a score by Matilda's  Tim Minchin and a book by Danny Rubin (who co-wrote the original film). No word yet on further casting; Karl played Phil in London opposite Carlyss Peer as Rita.

School of Rock Broadway Cast Change

Andrew Lloyd Webber's new hit musical School of Rock starts previews in the West End  at the New London Theatre on 24th October.  The production is still running on Broadway where it has just announced a cast change: Tony nominee Alex Brightman and several other cast members will depart on November 6th. Producers have announced that  Brightman, who originated the role of Dewey Finn, will be replaced on November 7th  by Eric Petersen, a veteran of Shrek: The Musical, Elf, and Peter and the Starcatcher.

Also joining the show on November 7th  at the Winter Garden Theatre are Rachel Katzke as Katie the bass player and Walden Sullivan as Lawrence the keyboardist, with  Olivia Chun as band manager Summer, Steven Booth as Ned, Annabelle Wachtel as Marcy, Terrance Bell Jr. as Mason, Chloe Bryan as Madison and Ellie Kim as a swing.

The company also includes Will Blum as the Dewey alternate, Jenn Gambatese as Rosalie Mullins, Becky Gulsvig as Patty, Bobbi MacKenzie as Tomika, Luca Padovan as Billy, Brandon Niederauer as Zack the guitarist and Raghav Mehrotra as Freddy on drums. The adult ensemble includes Emily Cramer, Natalie Charle Ellis, John Arthur Greene, Michael Hartney, Merritt David Janes, Nehal Joshi, Lulu Lloyd, Jaygee Macapugay, Cassie Okenka, Patrick O'Neill, Morgan Rose, Jesse Swimm, Josh Tower, and J. Michael Zygo. The kids ensemble features Paul Luke Bonenfant, Ava Della Pietra, Gabby Gutierrez, Gianna Harris, Jason Kisare, and Jersey Sullivan. 

Darren Day to join Tom Parker in Tour of Grease

It has just been announced that Darren Day is to play Teen Angel in Manchester Liverpool Oxford Southend and Wimbledon joining  Tom Parker from The Wanted boy band who  will make his theatre debut as Danny Zuko in a UK tour of Grease.

Parker recently finished third on Channel 4's The Jump, and will lead the touring cast as Danny Zuko which opens at the Palace Theatre, Manchester in March 2017. Further casting is to be announced.

The production will be directed by David Gilmore (Happy Days, Footloose) and choreographed by former Strictly Come Dancing judge Arlene Phillips.

Evening Standard Awards Best Musical shortlist

The shortlist has been announced for the Best Musical Award in this year's Evening Standard Theatre Awards which  take place at the Old Vic on 13th November. The shortlist was decided by a panel including Evening Standard critic Henry Hitchings and Radio 2 head of programmes Lewis Carnie.

West End favourites Funny Girl, Guys and Dolls and Sunset Boulevard, are up against the Old Vic's Groundhog Day, the Open Air Theatre's Jesus Christ Superstar and Our Ladies of Perpetual Succour at the National Theatre. Last year's winner was Kinky Boots.

The competition was launched on the Elaine Paige on Sunday show last weekend and voting will close at the end of the same programme on Sunday, October 23rd.  You can register  your vote at http://www.bbc.co.uk/

Open Auditions to be held for Hamilton at the Victoria Palace

Producers of he Musical Hamilton have announced open auditions for its forthcoming West End run at the Victoria Palace Theatre in October next year, with tickets due to go on sale soon.

They are holding open auditions in London for singers who rap and hip-hop dancers during the week beginning November 7th and  are keen to see men and women in their 20s and 30s, of all ethnicities. Performers must have a UK/EU passport, and a full working visa for the duration of the contract, which will be one year. Rehearsals for the show, written by Lin-Manuel Miranda, begin in August next year.

The producers will not be seeing people for the role of King George.

To apply for  either the dance or singing auditions you’ll need to send a CV and photo to hamiltoncasting@camack.co.uk.

Wendi Peters,Richard Fleeshman, Emma Hatton,Oliver Savile and Celinde Schoenmaker in State Fair Concert

By special arrangement with R&H Theatricals Europe The London Musical Theatre Orchestra (conducted by Freddie Tapner)  is presenting the UK symphonic premiere of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s  State Fair at the Cadogan Hall at  on Sunday 6th November. 

It will be  directed by Thom Southerland and performed by a host of West End stars including  Wendi Peters (Melissa Frake): Richard Fleeshman (Pat): Emma Hatton (Emily): Oliver Savile (Wayne) and Celinde Schoenmaker (Margy).

The musical is set against the colourful backdrop of an American State Fair following the Frake family who leave behind the routine of the farm for three days of adventure at the annual Iowa State Fair. State Fair features songs such as "It Might as Well Be Spring", "That's for Me" and "More Than Just a Friend".

Tickets for State Fair

Dirty Dancing to move into Phoenix Theatre over Christmas

Tickets go on presale at 12 noon today (11th October) for the critically acclaimed Dirty Dancing tour which moves into  London's Phoenix Theatre,  playing there for just 30 performances  over Christmas from 6th-31st December. Tickets are now on general sale. 
 
It will transfer in immediately after The Last Tango starring Strictly Come Dancing stars Flavia Cacace and Vincent Simone ends its run there on 3rd December. 

It will be followed by The Girls - Gary Barlow and Tim Firth's musical which is booking until 25th July 2017 with the show previewing from 28th January 2017 and opening 21st February.

Andrew Lloyd Webber announcesThe Other Palace opening season

Andrew Lloyd Webber has  today announced plans for The Other Palace, the newest addition to The Really Useful Theatres Group. The Other Palace is situated less than 100 yards from Buckingham Palace and close to the Victoria Palace, hence its name.

Formerly the St. James Theatre, The Other Palace will officially open its doors in February 2017 and will be a home and breeding ground for musicals at various stages of development. The Other Palace will focus on four key areas: programming, creative use of spaces, musical theatre development and audience engagement.

The first production at the new venue will be Michael John LaChiusa's The Wild Party, directed by Drew McOnie and starring Frances Ruffelle. The musical about the hedonistic lifestyle of a vaudeville dancer and a vaudeville clown runs from 11 February to 1 April 2017.

This will be followed by the UK premiere of Whisper House by Duncan Sheik, the Tony Award-winning composer behind Spring Awakening and American Psycho. Running from 6 April to 27 May, Whisper House is a "dark and thrilling musical ghost story" about the goings on in a lighthouse on the remote East Coast of America at the height of World War II.

The third production announced today is a stage adaptation of Fellini's 1957 Oscar-winning film La Strada (The Road). Directed by Sally Cookson (Hetty Feather), the musical tells the story of Gelsomina, sold into a travelling sideshow by her penniless mother.

The first work-in-progress production will run from 13 to 30 July. Bateman and Conley's The Little Beasts, a musical with 'innovative puppetry', will be directed and designed by Finn Caldwell (The Lorax) and Nick Barnes (The Lorax). The Little Beasts tells of a selfish little girl runs away from home and discovers a magical menagerie filled with animals that used to be children before their naughtiness brought them to untimely ends.

During August, the National Youth Music Theatre will run productions of Stephen Sondheim and James Lapine's Sunday in the Park With George (16 to 19 August) and a new musical from Timothy Knapman and Stuart Matthew Price, Imaginary (9 to 12 August).

Completing the season will be Aria Entertainment's From Page to Stage Festival, a festival of new musical theatre that will take place in The Other Palace Studio for three weeks from the 14 August, and in the main theatre from 21 August to 3 September.

Andrew Lloyd Webber said: "I very much hope that writers and producers will use The Other Palace as a space in the heart of London where they can try out and refine new material without the distraction of complicated sets and automation. I had a great experience trying out "School of Rock" at the Gramercy Theatre in New York in this way. It was a joy to work on the material without computers getting in the way. I hope my experience will be repeated by others in these exciting spaces. We hope to offer audiences the opportunity to observe early developmental work through to finished productions and look forward to welcoming both artists and audiences to our new home in SW1. I am also incredibly excited that Paul Taylor Mills, one of the most dynamic young producers working in musicals, is to become Artistic Director."

Latest artwork for The Dreamgirls

Latest artwork for The Dreamgirls at the Savoy Theatre which is currently in rehearsals with previews beginning Saturday 19th November and an opening is scheduled for 14th December.

The new image shows Ibinabo Jack, Liisi LaFontaine and Amber Riley who play girl group the Dreams.

Full cast joining Frances Ruffelle in The Wild Party

Updated 9th December: More casting has just been announced for this exciting new production with musical theatre legend Donna McKechnie (original Broadway casts of Promises, Promises; Company; and A Chorus Line) playing  Dolores, the club madam: John Owen-Jones is Burrs and Simon Thomas plays Black (two men who fight over Queenie at a gin and drug-fuelled party). Victoria Hamilton-Barrett will play Kate and Gloria Obianyo  and Genesis Lynea play the  The D’armano Bros, Tiffany Graves is Madelaine with  Dex Lee as Jackie,  Ako Mitchell/Eddie, Lizzy Connolly/Mae, Steven Serlin/Goldberg, Melanie Bright/Sally, Sebastian Torka/Gold and Bronté Barbé as Nadine.

Frances Ruffelle is to  star as jazz-age flapper Queenie in a London  revival of Michael John LaChiusa's jazz age musical drama, THE WILD PARTY. She  is perhaps best known for originating the role of Eponine in Les Misérables in the West End and on Broadway, winning a Tony Award for her performance. Her many other stage roles include Dinah in the original company of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Starlight Express (West End), Roxie Hart in Chicago (West End), Frastrada in Pippin (Menier Chocolate Factory) and the title role in Piaf (Leicester Curve). Frances has recorded four solo albums and performed her solo shows at the Menier Chocolate Factory, the Garrick Theatre, the Crazy Coqs and New York’s 54 Below.

John Owen-Jones Jis best known for his performance as Jean Valjean in Les Misérabes, playing the role to acclaim in the West End, on Broadway and in the 25th Anniversary Production. He has also played the title role in The Phantom of the Opera in the West End many times.

Simon Thomas has played Raoul in The Phantom of the Opera (Her Majesty’s Theatre), Warner in Legally Blonde (Savoy Theatre) and Rapunzel’s Prince in Into The Woods (Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre). Television credits include Drifters (Channel 4), Jonathan Creek (BBC) and Doctor Who (BBC).

Donna McKechnie is best known for creating the role of Cassie in the original Broadway production of A Chorus Line, receiving a Tony Award for her performance. Her many other Broadway credits include Promises, Promises, in which she danced the iconic ‘Turkey Lurkey Time’, On The Town, Company and State Fair. The Wild Party will mark Donna’s return to the London stage for the first time in 20 years after appearing in Follies at Drury Lane.

Dex Lee is currently playing Danny in Grease at Curve Theatre, Leicester, with other recent credits including In The Heights (King’s Cross Theatre), Hairspray (UK Tour) and The Scottsboro Boys (Garrick Theatre).


Victoria Hamilton-Barritt recently appeared in Murder Ballad (Arts Theatre), with other credits including In The Heights (King’s Cross Theatre), A Chorus Line (London Palladium) and Gypsy (Curve Theatre, Leicester).


Ako Mitchell has been  starring in Ragtime at Charing Cross Theatre with other credits including Grey Gardens (Southwark Playhouse), Little Shop of Horrors (Royal Exchange, Manchester) and Sister Act (London Palladium).


Gloria Obianyo’s recent credits include The Grinning Man (Bristol Old Vic) and Jesus Christ Superstar (Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre). Genesis Lynea’s recent credits include Jesus Christ Superstar (Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre), Bend It Like Beckham (Phoenix Theatre) and The Bodyguard (Adelphi Theatre). Melanie Bright has recently appeared in Les Misérables (Queen’s Theatre), Tommy (English Theatre Frankfurt) and We Will Rock You (UK Tour). Lizzy Connolly is currently starring alongside Harry Enfield in Once in a Lifetime at the Young Vic. Other recent credits include Vanities The Musical (Trafalgar Studios) and Xanadu (Southwark Playhouse). Steven Serlin is currently playing Jerry in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (Theatre Royal Drury Lane) with other recent credits including The Infidel (Theatre Royal Stratford East) and I Can’t Sing (London Palladium). Sebastian Torkia is currently appearing in Peter and the Starcatcher (Northampton Royal & Derngate) with other credits including Travels with my Aunt (Chichester Festival Theatre), Top Hat (UK Tour) and Sweeney Todd (West Yorkshire Playhouse). Bronté Barbé’s credits include Princess Fiona in Shrek (UK Tour), Jest End (Waterloo East) and Cool Rider (Lyric Theatre). Tiffany Graves’ many theatre credits include Kiss Me Kate (Opera North), The Producers (UK Tour), Piaf (Curve Theatre, Leicester), Wonderful Town (UK Tour) and Sweet Charity (Menier Chocolate Factory). 

The musical features music and lyrics by Michael John LaChiusa and a book co-written by George C. Wolfe.The revival will open at The Other Palace (St James' Theatre renamed by Andrew Lloyd Webber) for a limited run from February 11th-April 1st 2017 (press night Monday 20th February). Drew McOnie is to direct and choreograph. Hi impressive list of credits include   (In The Heights (King’s Cross Theatre) the European Premiere of Baz Luhrmann’s Strictly Ballroom at West Yorkshire Playhouse Jesus Christ Superstar (Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre), Bugsy Malone (Lyric Hammersmith), The Lorax (The Old Vic) and Hairspray (UK Tour). Drew is also the Artistic Director of The McOnie Company for which he recently created a new dance-thriller version of Jekyll and Hyde at The Old Vic.


The Wild Party Tony-nominated musical is based on Joseph Moncure's scandalous 1928 poem of the same name by about showgirls, party people and mobsters who get boozed and drugged up. Following  the musical story of a reckless relationship between a Vaudeville clown and a chorus girl  that spirals into the depths of despair as the night unfolds.

Tickets  for The Wild Party

Jest End returns to London in November

The hit  satirical musical Jest End is to  return to Waterloo East Theatre in late November for a limited run opening on 29th November and running until 18th December.

Written and directed by Garry Lake,the show pokes fun at some of the West End’s biggest musical theatre productions  including Hamilton, Groundhog Day, School of Rock and Funny Girl.

The production will once again be choreographed by Rebecca Howell with musical direction by James Doughty. This year’s cast includes Jemma Alexander (Bat Out of Hell, Manchester Opera House and London Coliseum, The Great American Trailer Park Musical, Waterloo East Theatre); Bronte Barbe (Shrek the Musical, UK and Ireland tour, Momentous Musicals, UK tour); Adam Bailey (Priscilla Queen of the Desert, national tour, Chicago, Leicester Curve); and Daniel Buckley (Sweeney Todd, Derby Theatre and Mercury Colchester, Eugenius, London Palladium).

Labelled as London’s answer to Forbidden Broadway, the popular Off-Broadway revue conceived, written and directed by Gerard Alessandrini in the 1980s, Lake’s Jest End debuted at the Jermyn Street Theatre in 2007.

Buy Tickets for Jest End

Sharon D Clarke and Alexia Khadime cast in Sleeping Beauty at Hackney

Full casting has been announced for this year's The Sleeping Beauty pantomime at Hackney which runs  from 1st December to 8th January, with previews from 26 November.  It is the 18th year for Susie McKenna who has created this year's pantomime with  music from Steven Edis.

West End stars Sharon D Clarke will star as Carabosse alongside Alexia Khadime (Wicked!) as Princess Tahlia with Gavin Spokes (Guys & Dolls )as Dame Nanny Nora with  Kat B (Denzil the Dragon), Tony Whittle (King Eric of the Undecided), Darren Hart (Ikoboo), Wayne Perrey (Prince Gabriel of Westminsteria), Georgia Oldman (Shimmerpop), Kiruna Stamell (Willowsnap) and Sharon Ballard (Blisstip).

In usual Hackney Empire pantomime fashion, the traditional pantomime will be brought up to date:set in Hackneytopia it  will be packed with colourful characters, slapstick  comedy, show-stopping musical routines, magic and sparkle,

Buy tickets for Sleeping Beauty

West End cast members appearing in From Page to Stage includes Cassie Compton, JodieJacobs and Kieran Brown

Casting has been announced for this year's From Page to Stage season of new musical theatre writing which runs at the Tristan Bates Theatre from 31 October to 20 November 2016.

Rehab by Grant Black, Murray Lachlan Young and Elliot Davis will be directed by Davis (Loserville) with musical direction by Bob Broad (Legally Blonde) and stars Kieran Brown (The Phantom of the Opera) and Cassie Compton (American Psycho).They are joined by Ross Finnie (Billy Elliot), Jaymi Hensley (Union J), Beverley Klein (Into the Woods), Maria Omakinwa (Showboat), Ian Reddington (Coronation Street) and Damian Williams (Hairspray).

A new musical stage adaptation of Bananaman by Leon Parris will feature Graham Vick (Mrs Henderson Presents) as the Man of Peel, alongside Jodie Jacobs (Carrie) and Gerard McCarthy (Beautiful Thing) with Ralph Bogard (Saucy Jack and the Space Vixens), Olly Dobson (Matilda), Kate Graham (Charlie and the Chocolate Factory), Carl Mullaney (Les Miserables), Rosie Needham (Legally Blonde) and Quinn Patrick (Little Shop of Horrors).

The third reading is of Luna Park by Hyeyoung Kim, Michael Cooper and Daniel F. Levin. Directed by Benji Sperring (The Toxic Avenger), the cast includes Geri Allen (The Wicker Husband), Georgie Ashford (Showboat), Craig Berry (Closer to Heaven), Ian Gareth-Jones (Mrs Henderson Presents), James Gulliford (The Stripper), Michael Hamway (Jackie the Musical), Lizzii Hills (The Toxic Avenger) and Chris Vincent (Oliver!).

Casting for the showcase evenings, including Lin-Manuel Miranda's 21 Chump Street, is still to be announced.

Tickets for From Page to Stage